‘She won’t come down here, you know.’

“Yeah, I suppose it looks a little suspect.” 

Amidst the flickering, fluorescent lights that bathed the old station in a cold, failing light, Mika turned her gaze to the tracks for a few, brief moments. Lidded eyes regarded the stained track, poker faced. Dark, wet growth spread from one of the abyssal tunnels, black against the rust of the steel lines.

“I shouldn’t be so rude, let’s go see her.” 

Scuffed and scraped trainers lead her up the stairs to the city, as deceptively quiet as it seemed to be. What presented itself to Kizuna was plainly dressed, plainly presented, like a student returning home from some night-classes. A smiling, unremarkable girl clutching a pastel pink satchel. Unassuming, with a smile printed on her lips, they parted to speak, in a tone as though this were some pre-planned business meeting.

“Evening. I didn’t want to just barge in unannounced, but… it is the quickest way to draw attention, isn’t it? Ah, my manners though. You can call me Mimi. Care to walk with me?”

Her arm raised to thumb backwards, towards the now barren school grounds in the distance. It stood as a silent sentinel, ready to bustle with life in the morning, but for now, it lay at rest.

“I’ve recently taken over for someone. Poor girl. I’ll get to the point, though. I think we’d benefit watching each other’s backs around here.” A bold thing to ask, and done so with a painfully blank smile, fingers curled tightly around the strap of her bag. Eyes drifting to the side, Mika quickly added; 

"I don't mean from the demons, of course not. I'm sure you're more than able to take them down. I mean from the real dangers around here."