I stared absentmindedly at the empty lobby, stuck between secretly hoping for somebody and nobody to answer the peal of the bell. Maybe if nobody came then I would not be at fault if I just straight picked up my bag and left for good. The dreamlike wait felt like it lasted for hours on end, though it couldn't have been longer than 3 minutes before an Accompanist came. I was dragged back to reality. The reality where I arrived late and had to take her away from her immediate duties.

He was dressed in the appropriate getup for receptionist duty: modest, even minimalist, navy blue suit and pants. His ebony hair is neatly cut, topped off with a small cap bearing Sen Valley Academy logo. And the piece-de-resistance, a warm and soothing smile, as if there was no greater happiness in life than helping a bunch of awkward teenage students blossom into full-fledged vessels of Mirai's love and teachings. And...I get it. To some, there really wasn't. It's just that-

"Ohayou gozaimasu, how can I assist you?"

Right.

And I noticed just a hint of caustic at his greeting, completely earned. In hindsight, I was probably my own bitterness that I unfairly projected to him.

"Ohayou, sorry that I am late. There was a problem, I had a problem. I j-just need to know my new room number so I can go there, drop my stuff, and join the assembly. If-- If it's not too late. Oh, and my name's Wendy. Wendy Wakabayashi," I blurted out the words before my anxiety got overwhelming.

"Yeah, I know who you are," I thought I heard the accompanist say under his breath as he took out his glassPad and opened up the list of room assignments. Did he really say that though?

"I'm sorry to hear that you had a trouble, Miss Wakabayashi. Thank Mirai you are not too late. But you might need to be quick so you can get to the assembly on time. Ah, here it is. Your room is on A113. I trust you know the way?" the accompanist actually said.

"Yes, of course. Thank you. I'll go now. Sayonara."

Why am I like this? Accompanists are just as devoted to Mirai as anyone, even Idols. They are just barred by their unfortunate gender to serve more closely to Mirai is all. And he was nothing but sincere I am sure.

I needed to be focused on getting to the assembly hall. But just before I made my turn out of the lobby, I remembered that I hadn't asked her the names of my roommates for the year. What if they were the mean -- well, meaner -- girls at school? But I just couldn't bring myself to impose on him once again. I continued my stride and made a mental note to check the nameplates.

Shortly after I found myself standing near the assembly hall, out of breath. I stood behind a pillar, hoping to conceal myself from the gazes of other latecomers filling in the few empty seats left. It was not until before the doorkeeper was about to close the imposingly gargantuan doors that I slipped in and took the last possible seat -- the one furthest from the podium.