Dakota and Erika take in the scene in front of them: the massive Hunter Academy and students passing by them into the gate. The Academy population boasts over a 34,000 student population with less than a 50% graduation rate. Over 70% of students make it to their senior year, but less than half pass the graduation exam. Just as the two of them get ready to pass through the gate, they're stopped by an intimidating looking male, 6 feet tall with short black hair and piercings on his ears, nose, and mouth.
Marlon: "Haven't seen you guys before. You first years, or transfers?"
Dakota trips over his tongue trying to speak to this beast of a man, so Erika introduces the both of them.
Erika: "This is Dakota, and I'm Erika. We're 3rd year transfers. Nice to meet you, Marlon."
Marlon: "Hmph, little man can't even introduce himself properly. So we're in the same year huh? Erika, was it? This guy isn't your boyfriend, right?"
Erika: "No."
Marlon: "Great, ditch him and hang with me. I'll show you around."
There's a brief pause, Dakota looks down in dejection. They've only just arrived and he's already not feeling up to par. But he knows what kind of person Erika is, and what she'll say in response.
Erika: "I kindly refuse. Dakota is a precious friend."
Marlon: "That so." He looks disappointed as he leaves.
Dakota: "Thank you, Erika."
Erika: "For what? Let's go."
They both smile as they pass through the gate. First stop is the counselor's office to pick up their class schedule and student ID. Tsukihi pulled some strings and managed to get them both in the same classes. She debated whether or not she should do that, knowing Dakota would likely depend on Erika. But she knows Dakota wants to change, so she trusts Dakota won't grow too lax being in the same class as his friend. Although this is the first day everyone returns to campus from summer break, classes don't start until the next day. So Dakota and Erika self-tour the campus, which is 449 acres in size. It takes them the whole day to explore everything and they barely make the 9 pm curfew. The boys and girls dorms are two separate buildings, the gender ratio of students is about 67% male and 33% female. Thus, the male dormitory is somewhat larger than the female's. Their room number is on their ID, Dakota is in room 409 and Erika is in room 113. All students share a room with one other person in their same year. There are rooms with 3 beds if there's ever an odd number of students.
Dakota opens the door to his room with anticipation, wondering what kind of person his roommate will be.
Dakota: "Hello?"
He pushes the door open and enters the room but sees nobody. It's not as small as he thought it would be, it's pretty spacious in fact.
Dakota: "Guess my roommate isn't here. It's about to be past curfew though."
He checks in the bathroom even though the light is obviously off. As he turns around, he bumps into something. A person.
?: "Hello."
Dakota: "AAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
He falls on his butt after being scared out of his wits.
?: "Haha, oh man I got you good."
Dakota: "What the… Are you my roommate?"
?: "Yep, name's Austin Burringham. Nice to meet you."
Dakota: "Where were you, dude?"
Austin: "I was behind the door. I planned to jumpscare you as soon as you walked in but you left the door open so I stayed behind it."
Dakota: "Ha, that was a good one."
Austin: "Didn't catch your name."
Dakota: "It's Dakota. Dakota Smith."
Austin: "Dakota Smith, huh? Let's get along."
He extends his arm for a handshake and Dakota begrudingly shakes it.
Dakota: 'This is gonna be a long 2 years.' He thinks to himself.