Chapter 1
Last night it had rained. By morning, all that was left was the fog. Now, as the sun rises higher, a light pierces through the gloom. Up ahead, there is a huge and imposing apartment complex building.
The sides of this building are a stark black and, many floors up, the building is topped with gothic spires. The light shines down, creating a spotlight on the path leading up to the building. There stands two young men, a brunette and a lavender/silver one. Wait a minute… That’s Sora and Riku! They’re all grown up now!
“Okay, Sora… We’re going to be roommates now. You know what that means, right…?” Riku asks as the two stop for a moment just outside the building.
“I can stay up all night and eat cookies for breakfast?” Sora suggests, gazing into Riku’s ever so serious eyes.
“… No… It means you have to put effort into finding a job to contribute to the rent payment. My job alone isn’t going to be enough to sustain BOTH of us… Besides. You promised me you would help if we got an apartment together,” Riku reminds his lifelong friend as he tosses his long hair.
“Oh… But I CAN stay up late and eat cookies for breakfast, right?” Sora asks, grinning eagerly as his eyes twinkle.
Riku sighs and holds out the contract before he continues to speak, “Rent is due on the 21st. At least TRY to get a job.”
Sora opens mouth to speak-
“OTHER THAN being a Keyblade Master,” Riku interjects and, with that, Sora melts into a rather Sora colored puddle. “What am I going to do with you, Sora…?”
It is uncertain how long ago it was. It wasn’t as long ago as some would say it was… The previous members of Organization 13 had again taken up a lab and were busy inventing and researching stuff. On one particularly cloudy day, Even was feeling a bit…peculiar…
“Do you feel it…?” Even asks, walking up to Lea as he is examining some vial of sorts in the lab.
“Thunderstorm later today?” Lea suggests with a slight grin, glancing up at his coworker.
“No… That tugging feeling… The pull… Something inside of us…” Even urges, making weird hand motions.
“What are you on about?” Lea asks with a huff.
“Do you feel it? Is it awakening inside of you?” Even asks, reaching out and grabbing Lea’s right arm, nearly making him drop the vial he was examining.
“Okay, now you’re just creeping me out…” Lea mutters, trying to brush Even away.
“Answer me! DO. YOU. FEEL IT?!” Even yells, gripping Lea tighter.
“… … … I do… … …” Lea admits, a shadow falling over his face.
Riku leads the way, business shoes softly tapping against the polished hallways. Sora, in hot pursuit, seems to be absolutely bubbling with energy. There are many doors, each spaced a significant distance apart, but each apartment shares are least one wall. At last, Riku comes to a halt, whips out a pair of keys and unlocks the door.
This is it. The place that the two best buddies will be living for the meantime. Inside? Nothing. There’s no furnishings. There is a small sitting room, a very tiny kitchen, a very tiny bathroom, and two bedrooms.
“Okay! Looks like we’ll need to get some furniture… Good thing I have Munny on hand,” Riku announces, forcing a smile.
“Wow. It’s empty,” Sora comments, peering around Riku who is still standing in the doorway.
“Just like your head,” Riku jokes, smile growing naturally.
“WHAT?!” Sora exclaims, looking shocked and insulted.
“Hah hah…” Riku chuckles.
The moment is quickly interrupted. Next door, loud arguing erupts. The wall muffles it a little, so the exact words being yelled are unclear. Sora looks startled and deeply unsettled.
“Uh oh!” Sora cries out.
“Yeah. We got neighbors,” Riku proclaims and tucks his hands in his pockets.
“What do you think has gotten them all riled up? Should I go check on them?” Sora offers, trying to be helpful as usual.
“Sora…no…” Riku whispers firmly, placing a hand on Sora’s shoulder. “We shouldn’t meddle with things that are not our problem.”
“I suppose Donald would also agree with that… But… They seem so upset… What if I could help them?” Sora wonders, squeezing past Riku and entering the room.
“I have to get to work. Maybe you could help come up with a decorating plan? We’ve got to at least get beds,” Riku says and hands Sora some paper and pens.
“Yay! Don’t worry, Riku! I will make us the BEST apartment design!” Sora cheers.
“See ya,” Riku says with a wink. “And no pestering the neighbors.”
“See ya!” Sora calls back, waving.
