CHAPTER 4: FACES BEHIND THE FOG
775 Words
Chapter 4 – Faces Behind the Fog
Tokyo International University of Arts and Sciences.
The name alone made Moon's chest feel too tight. It was beautiful. And intimidating. Like a palace built on dreams and shadows.
She followed Chiyo past tall iron gates and into a grand courtyard where the world seemed to slow down. The building shimmered in the early morning haze, glass and marble catching the soft light like the scene from a dream she'd once had.
But then she saw him again. The boy from before.
Still leaning against the fountain. Still lost in his own world.
Moon tried to focus on her footsteps, on the sharp click of her boots against the cobblestones. But her eyes kept drifting.
Chiyo noticed.
"That’s Caleb," she said, her voice almost bored. "Transfer student. He doesn’t talk much."
Caleb.
His name settled in Moon’s mind like a raindrop on still water, making ripples she didn’t know what to do with.
As if he heard his name, he looked up. His gaze met hers — only for a second — but it sent a static shock through her chest. His eyes were a smoky grey, framed by black glasses. His expression unreadable. Mysterious. Slightly irritated.
He turned and walked away without a word.
Rude. Moon blinked. Interesting.
The admissions office smelled like old paper and lemon cleaner. A tall woman with a severe bun handed Moon a thick folder and waved her away with the enthusiasm of a bored librarian.
Chiyo waited outside, arms crossed.
"We’re done here. I’ll take you to your dorm."
The dormitory wasn’t what Moon expected. It looked more like a boutique hotel than student housing. There was a grand lobby with hanging lanterns and calligraphy art framed behind glass. A koi pond shimmered beside the main staircase.
Room 408.
That would be her world now.
Chiyo dropped her suitcase at the door and handed Moon another key.
"Rest. You’ll meet your roommates tonight. I have other matters to attend to. Classes start tomorrow — you'll be escorted to orientation. Someone will come get you. Don’t go wandering off."
Before Moon could respond, Chiyo disappeared down the hall like a gust of smoke.
Moon unlocked the door.
And gasped.
The room was massive. Two beds, each by a window. Two desks. One empty bookshelf. And a grand view of Tokyo’s skyline. She stepped in slowly, letting her fingers trail the polished wood of the desk. It felt like someone else's dream.
There were two name tags on the wall by the door.
MOON AMARAL
HARUKI MIZUSHIMA
So. She had a roommate already.
Please don’t be weird.
She spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking. Her baggy clothes found their new home in the wardrobe. Her music notebooks went on the desk. Her earbuds sat by her pillow.
By sunset, she’d showered, changed into sweatpants, and curled up with a book on her bed.
That’s when the door creaked.
She looked up.
A girl stood there, hair tucked under a white beanie, backpack slung over one shoulder.
"You must be Moon," she said with a grin. "I’m Haruki Mizushima. Japanese. And yes, I already love your hoodie."
Moon blinked. Then smiled.
"Thanks. I love your vibe."
Haruki flopped onto her bed like she owned the room.
"This place is wild, huh? You come here to escape, or to chase something?"
Moon paused. "Maybe both."
Haruki looked at her with curiosity but didn’t pry. Instead, she dug into her bag and pulled out two cans of soda.
"To new beginnings," she said, offering one.
Moon clinked her can against Haruki's.
Maybe this place won’t be so bad.
Night fell fast in Tokyo. Rain returned, soft and steady. Moon lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to the hum of the city.
Then she heard it.
A knock.
She sat up.
Haruki was already asleep.
Another knock.
Soft. Deliberate.
Moon crept to the door. Looked through the peephole.
No one.
But on the floor, folded neatly, was another note.
She bent down, heart racing, and picked it up.
The handwriting was the same.
"They’re watching you already. Be careful who you sing for."
Her throat went dry.
Moon stepped back into the room, closed the door, and locked it.
The rain hit harder now.
She stood by the window, the city glowing beneath her.
Why does it feel like I’m part of something I didn’t ask to join?
Behind her, Haruki stirred in her sleep.
And in the reflection of the window, Moon could almost swear she saw someone — standing across the street, watching.
But when she turned, there was no one there.
- Writer
