Aoi jolted awake, her heart pounding violently against her ribcage, as she found herself ensnared in a dimly lit classroom. The air was thick with an unsettling silence that pressed down on her like a heavy shroud, suffocating and oppressive. The windows were tightly sealed, trapping the stale air within, creating a tomb-like atmosphere that sent a shiver down her spine. Panic surged through her as she grappled with the disjointed fragments of her memory—nothing surfaced, not a single hint of how she had come to be in this forsaken place or the reason for her presence. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she pushed herself off the cold, unyielding floor and stepped into the shadowy hallway that stretched out before her like an endless void, devoid of life and hope. The barred windows loomed ominously overhead, reminiscent of a prison, and an icy dread crept along her spine as she ventured deeper into the unknown. Her footsteps echoed eerily against the walls, leading her to a foreboding chamber dominated by a massive circular vault door. Its surface was intricately carved, shimmering and pulsating as if it were alive, while the locking mechanism bristled with menacing bolts that hinted at the dark secrets it concealed. A central control panel stood like a sentinel, dark and foreboding, flanked by robotic arms with skull-like heads, a chilling reminder of the dangers that lay beyond. As she surveyed the room, she noticed a few others standing around, equally bewildered. She joined them, her heart racing with uncertainty. Moments later, a boy named Makoto stumbled in, late and breathless. Kiyotaka quickly reprimanded him for his tardiness, but the tension was swiftly diffused as he suggested they introduce themselves. Aoi nodded, her curiosity piqued, and watched as Makoto approached her. A smile broke across her face, a flicker of warmth in the cold, eerie atmosphere.

“Heya! I’m Aoi Asahina! But my friends just call me Hina. ‘Sup?” she said, her voice a mix of nervousness and determination. She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, her brow furrowing slightly. “So, uh... what was your name again? Sorry, totally forgot!”