Minori Chihara's Prologue
There were words out there unlike her own.
There were worlds of magic, dragons, illusions, drama, action, adventure, and romance. There were worlds full of demons, mermaids, dragons, ghosts, vampires, and other amazing creatures from beyond her wildest dreams. And she had the power to dive into them whenever and wherever she wanted. She had all the possibilities in the palm of her hand, each adventure unfolded with the turn of another page.
This world was her world, but she didn't have to be a part of it if she didn't want to. Instead, she chose to engulf her mind in that of every good book she read. Morning, noon, and night, Minori Chihara--a pale, little seventeen-year-old with golden brown eyes and short, jagged cut purple hair--had her nose stuck in a book. At night, she read at her shabby living location, in the morning she read as she walked to school, and at mid-day she ran around reading at any spot she found most convenient. She often read during class, in the bathroom during lunch break, in the library, and even in a janitor's closet from time to time.
In fact, a janitor's closet was where she sat presently, her knees pulled up to her chest and back leaning against the door, eyes rapidly scanning each page. Sometimes, when Minori was alone, she even read aloud to herself. It was what she happened to be doing now. She should've been in class, but the students were only reviewing for a test she had already studied for and she wanted to start a new chapter of the book she was reading anyhow...
"She didn't sleep that night. Aqua found herself awake, pacing the halls of the coalition from dusk until dawn. The big day when they were to face Akibahara was quickly approaching, and she wondered in her heart if she was ready for it. If she wasn't strong enough, made a bad slip up, or couldn't protect her friends the bluenette wasn't sure what she would do with herself. Aoko and Abel were the only friends she had right now. If she lost them, Aqua wasn't sure what she would--"
Suddenly, the door to the janitor's closet opened. Unfortunately, Minori had been leaning against it, so when it opened she instantly fell to the floor. A frowning janitor looked down at her with a shake of his head.
"What are you doing in there?"
Minori's cheeks instantly flushed red and she froze in place, mouth quivering as she attempted to reply.
"I-I... uh..."
The man grumbled and reached down to pick up Minori's book.
"You shouldn't be here. Get to class!" he scolded.
Minori nodded without another word and hopped to her feet, extending a hand to take her book from the janitor. The janitor, however, yanked his hand back and held the book away from her.
"You're not getting this back. Get to class."
Nodding her head again, timidly, Minori turned to walk away. Life always turned out like this for the poor girl, and she never fought for herself. It was just the way Minori was.