Hi, all! Everybody Loves Shuichi! is back for some more crazy fun as Shuichi stars in Everybody Loves Shuichi, The Sequel!: But What About Kurama?
Shuichi's now in college, has a new job, and is reunited with all his bizarre high school friends! But Shuichi gets more than he bargains for when strange paranormal events begin happening, all seemingly connected to a new archaelogical find at Tokyo Museum, and Shuichi is forced to face his demon past head on! Fun things to happen include:
A Wedding!
A New Job for Kurama!
The Return of Seita the Demon Hunter!
The Mystery Behind Haruka Revealed!
Some More Crazy Costume Fun!
Kokoda's First Love!
The Return to Mieou Academy!
A Battle Between Kurama and Yusuke!
Kurama's Most Shocking Discovery!
And More!
Anyway, this story will be a bit more action/adventure oriented than the first one, but the characters will still remain true to their wacky selves! This story should also be shorter than the first one and should be about 13 chapters long (as opposed to the 25 chapters of the first one), but that might change when I begin writing more. As of now, I've got the first chapter done and I'm really excited about it! I just hope everyone else likes the sequel as much as the first story!
For those who are new to the Everybody Loves Shuichi! universe, it's pretty much takes places after the end of the Yu Yu Hakusho series and is about Kurama trying to lead an ordinary high school life as Shuichi Minamino. Unfortuntately, Shuichi is surrounded by a bunch of crazy high school students that make his life anything but normal. This story takes place after that, when Shuichi is in high school. If you want, you can read the first Everybody Loves Shuichi! here on this site; just click on my penname and it will be listed amongst my other fanfics, entitled (obviously) Everybody Loves Shuichi!
Those who'd rather just read this story or for those who need a refresher on all the characters, here's a list of all the characters that you need to know (WARNING: There are SPOILTERS from the first Everybody Loves Shuichi! story in this list for those who still may want to read it!):
Shuichi Minamino (also known as Kurama): Star of Everybody Loves Shuichi! Committed to leading an ordinary life as Shuichi Minamino while keeping his demon past a secret, but always seems to get sucked into the crazy antics of his bizarre group of friends. At the end of Everybody Loves Shuichi, Shuichi's secret demon life is revealed to his stepbrother, his friends, and his homeroom teacher.
Seita Hachirobei: Self-proclaimed, deranged, and obsessive rival of Shuichi. On top of his class until Shuichi returns from a "two year study-abroad program" (i.e. the Makai Tournament), Seita is determined to sabotage and defeat Shuichi while proving what "a patronizing bastard" he really is. Although Shuichi often claims that in his thousand years of life, no one has hated him more than Seita, the two still are oddly friends in their own way.
Namiko Tatsuya: Devoted fan girl of Shuichi and Former President of the Shuichi Minamino Fan Club in Mieou Academy (had been removed from office due to accidentally scoring higher than Shuichi on their midterms). Although her rabid and blind obsession over Shuichi is significantly less prominent as the two actually became friends, she still tends to devote much of her time defending him, particularly when fighting with Seita.
Maya Kitajima: Scatterbrained sort-of girlfriend of Shuichi. Having discovered Shuichi's true identity back in junior high (see the manga), Shuichi erased her memory of him; however, the side-effects of this spell caused her to lose her short-term memory and become irreversibly spaced-out and clueless. Despite her inability to remember anything, Maya still can be baffling intuitive and possesses a strong spiritual sense. Also, some claim (mainly Yusuke) that she looks like Shuichi's mother while having the personality of his stepfather, but that's still up for debate…
Tasaka Kitajima: Bad-tempered and overprotective twin brother of Maya. Although Shuichi erased his sister's memories of him, he had not bothered to erase Tasaka's, causing problems when Tasaka realizes that Shuichi is lying about having never met Maya before. Throughout Everybody Loves Shuichi!, Tasaka harbors a resentment toward Shuichi and often tries to prove that he is not crazy and that Shuichi is a liar, with miserable results. Has a crush on the perverted Ritsuki Yamagashi, although he'll never admit to it. Was also the star track player at Mieou Academy.
Ritsuki Yamagashi: Flashy, lewd, and self-indulgent transfer student and nymphomaniac (i.e. a very perverted woman). Although very well-endowed and provocative, most of the male populous at Mieou Academy find her perverted antics with partner-in-crime Hiroshi Sunada overbearing and obnoxious. Has a fondness for photographing lewd pictures, namely of her male classmates' backsides, and dressing scandalously. Also, she has a special infatuation with Tasaka, whom she playfully claims is her fiancé at the end of Everybody Loves Shuichi!, and delights in tormenting and teasing him.
Hiroshi Sunada: Perverted partner and best friend of Ritsuki. More sly and less aggressive than Ritsuki, Hiroshi is more of an amused spectator who enjoys watching his friends' crazy antics, particularly Ritsuki's constant teasing of Tasaka, while making lewd, suggestive comments. Also has a talent for designing and making clothes and costumes, having, with Ritsuki's help, created the costumes for the play Cinderella at the end of Everybody Loves Shuichi!
Yuu Kaito: Close friend and sort-of sidekick to Shuichi. Knowing of Shuichi's demon past from the anime series, Kaito often makes comments about Shuichi's secret in order to rattle Shuichi, and finds amusement in getting Shuichi unnerved or annoyed (he is also one of the few people able to read Shuichi well enough to actually accomplish this occasionally). Often sarcastic and apathetic, Kaito mostly tolerates his wacky group of friends. Has his own spiritual powers as well as is a fan of manga.
Kyoji Hoshino: Close friend and sort-of sidekick to Tasaka. Good-intentioned, but a bit oblivious, Kyoji tends to say the wrong thing at the wrong time, causing more problems than not. More level-headed and less emotional than his best friend Tasaka, Kyoji is usually stuck trying to calm down Tasaka when he gets angry (which is often) and stopping him before he does anything he might regret. Was also on the track team with Tasaka.
Miss Chiyo Nagai: Homeroom teacher of Shuichi's class, class 3-4. Gets pleasure out of the suffering of her class and views the majority of the students and faculty at Mieou Academy as useless and incompetent. Hates Mr. Fukuda and creates a rivalry between her class and his class, class 3-5. Viewed with both fear and respect by the students at Mieou Academy, Miss Nagai is rarely crossed. At the end of Everybody Loves Shuichi!, she has a newfound respect for Shuichi and his friends.
Mr. Astumori Fukuda: Lecherous Homeroom Teacher of class 3-5, the rival class of 3-4. Often makes lewd innuendos about the female students, but mainly is preoccupied with bedding Miss Nagai, much to Miss Nagai's utter disgust. His attraction toward Miss Nagai has sparked much discussion amongst Mieou Academy, who wonder whether he is exceptionally brave, incredibly stupid, highly masochistic, or partly suicidal. Does not believe Miss Nagai when she tells him of Shuichi's secret identity as the demon Kurama, and is one of the few characters unaware of Shuichi's demon past at the end of Everybody Loves Shuichi!
Kokoda Hatanaka (the name which is used in the dub of Yu Yu Hakusho): Younger stepbrother of Shuichi. Is suspicious of Shuichi and finds him "weird," after having vague memories of a "blue apparatus" protruding out of his head (i.e. the demon which had possessed Kokoda during the Yu Yu Hakusho series before the Makai Tournament). Throughout Everybody Loves Shuichi!, Kokoda is desperately trying to discover the truth about his mysterious older stepbrother, which he at last discovers at the end of the story.
Jiro Hatanaka: Good-intentioned, but slightly oblivious stepfather of Shuichi. Cares very much about his wife, Shiori, and his two sons, Shuichi and Kokoda, and often is concerned with keeping the family close. He is also the C.E.O of a multi-million dollar corporation, despite being seemingly naïve and bumbling half the time. He also shares many qualities with Maya, as they are both ditzy and clueless.
Shiori Hatanaka: Level-headed mother of Shuichi. Like her son Shuichi, she is often very calm and reasonable, specifically when taking care of her scatterbrained husband, Jiro. She and Shuichi care very much about each other, Shuichi putting her above all others. She also is said to share many physical attributes with Maya by some (namely Yusuke and Kuwabara), although Shuichi never notices this.
Haruka: A demon who comes during the final arc of Everybody Loves Shuichi! in order to get revenge on Shuichi for stealing something "precious" of his when Shuichi was still Yoko Kurama, the King of Thieves in the demon world. Shuichi, with the help of his friends (sort of), is seemingly able to defeat Haruka at the end of Everybody Loves Shuichi! However, many unanswered questions still remain…
And I think that's everyone! I hope I'm not forgetting anything or anyone...I could have probably mentioned Yusuke, Kuwabara, Keiko, Hiei, and Botan, who were all in the first story, but I figured everybody knows who they are, lol! As for cameos in this story, I know Yusuke is going to have a bigger role, but I don't know who else is going to show up just yet...I wanted to try and get Genkai and Koenma into the story, but as this story is going to be significantly shorter than the first one, it might be more difficult.
Anyway, sorry for that lengthy introduction! But here it is! The sequel I'm sure at least some of you have been waiting for, lol: Everybody Loves Shuichi, The Sequel!: But What About Kurama? I hope you all enjoy it! R&R!
Everybody Loves Shuichi, the Sequel!: But What About Kurama?
Chapter One: Shuichi's New Job! Kaito's the Boss?!
How did Shuichi Minamino find himself in such trying and unsettling situations? He had went a year living in relative peace and normalcy, working as an intern at his stepfather's company (although, his stepfather Jiro Hatanaka's ability to run a multi-million dollar corporation so efficiently when he seemed so scatterbrained all the time had been a baffling oddity to Shuichi). Yet now, the crazy antics of his high school youth seemed to be descending upon him at full force and all at once, ready to trample and crush him in one single, swift, and brutal swoop. The first of his high school memories was resurrected as soon as he entered the seemingly innocuous college classroom at the University of Tokyo, the first class of his first semester in the prestigious institution. Taking a year off for his internship, Shuichi worried that perhaps he would have difficulty readjusting to classroom life again, but he recalled it all rather quickly as his setting was eerily all too familiar.
There, sitting two rows behind him, was the vehement Seita Hachirobei staring directly at the back of Shuichi's head with a scathing, violent glare. In Seita's deranged eyes was all the vile disdain that he had been harvesting in the deepest pits of his soul for that last year, waiting for that ill-fated day in which the two bitter rivals would meet again and he could unleash his indignant fury upon Shuichi once more.
Unfortunately, the bitter rivalry that Seita had concocted during high school was only one-sided and one Shuichi desperately attempted to ignore. While Seita looked ready to burst a vein upon discovering that his self-proclaimed arch-nemesis had dared to infiltrate the tranquility of his university, Shuichi smiled nervously, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead, and tried his best to concentrate on his professor's lecture (one that was, thankfully, far less intimidating and disconcerting than those of his senior high school homeroom teacher, Miss Chiyo Nagai). Shuichi recalled the profound hatred that Seita had harbored against him, having tried in vain to destroy both his academic and social reputation at Mieou Academy throughout their senior year. With a slight frown, Shuichi admitted to himself that Seita had come alarmingly close in succeeding in his mission on more than one occasion, although the marble-filled track incident during the Sports Festival was the incident that came to the forefront of his mind. Still, there were certainly others who had unfortunately come closer. There had been Ritsuki Yamagashi and that humiliating picture she had taken at the Kurama-Onsen hot springs; Namiko Tatsuya and her betrayal during both the Cultural Festival and midterms; Miss Nagai's continuous insults throughout the year; Tasaka Kitijima's accurate, but still borderline deranged accusations against him and his sister Maya; Maya with her scatterbrained tendencies, which he had discovered all had been indirectly caused by him; Kyoji Hoshino starting up the rumor that both he and Maya were going out to begin with; Yuu Kaito's constant and nerve-wrecking insinuations about his demon past; and, of course, Hiroshi Sunada's mortifying proposal to him center stage during Cinderella after the rest of the cast fell into their own self-indulgent chaos. Yes, Shuichi's friends from Mieou Academy certainly had their own inventive ways of humiliating him on a regular basis.
Still, Shuichi had formed a sort of bond with all of them after he had at last been left with no choice but to reveal to them his demon past as Yoko Kurama. He had even thought he and Seita had agreed to a certain truce after graduation. But now, all Shuichi sensed was a hostility from his former high school rival turned current college peer. At the same time, in a way he supposed he couldn't imagine Seita not holding some contempt for him. After all, Seita had sworn that the truce would only be temporary until they met in college, although Shuichi never imagined their paths would cross again so directly. Yet, as much as Shuichi surmised, whatever irrational grudge that Seita held against him had somehow become an integral part of their friendship's bizarre charm.
As soon as the professor dismissed the class, Shuichi hoped to quickly slip out of the class, the movement undetected by Seita until it was too late. He would then meet up with Namiko, who was now in her second year at the University of Tokyo, and who was eager to see him now that he would be attending school with her. She was, after all, the proud former president of the Shuichi Minamino Fan Club at Mieou Academy. Regrettably, Seita would not let him escape so easily. Shuichi had made it out the door and into what he believed to be the safety of the hall and, just as he was about to breath a sigh of relief, the damning noise of Seita shouting, "Minamino!" resounded in the corridor.
The sound of his name spoken with such venom and fury made Shuichi's skin jump. Out of all the dangerous creatures, murderous demons, and plethora of people he had met in his long life, Seita Hachirobei still remained the one that made Shuichi feel the most uneasy. Putting on his best polite façade, as he so often did in high school, Shuichi smiled and said amiably, "Hello, Seita. It's so nice to see you again…"
"Don't give me all that cordial crap!" Seita snapped fiercely. "I know perfectly well what you're doing here, Minamino! So it wasn't enough that you had to get the best of me in high school, is that it? Now you had to come here and try and usurp me again in college, too, huh?!"
Shuichi chuckled nervously and held his hands up pleadingly. "Really, it isn't anything like that, Seita."
"You bet it's not!" Seita nearly shouted, causing some of the students to begin to stare with apprehension (they were far less accustomed to the ranting and raving of Seita than the students at Mieou Academy were). "This time, I won't let you beat me! You think you can come waltzing in here after being missing for a whole year -"
"I was doing an internship," Shuichi explained simply.
"Ha!" Seita countered. "Because we all didn't see what a farce your two-year study abroad program turned out to be!"
Shuichi frowned. Seita did have a point, Shuichi reasoned, and every right not to believe him, although Shuichi doubted his previous act of deceit regarding his two year absence from high school was really the cause of Seita's dismissal of his explanation.
Luckily, Shuichi didn't need to come up with an answer to rebuke Seita, for Namiko Tatsuya came to his rescue, another event that was all too reminiscent of his high school days. She was hurrying down the hall, having caught sight of Shuichi, and was calling out, "Shuichi!"
Seita stepped back and turned red with rage at the sight of the arrival of Shuichi's most loyal ally and his second most hated rival of his short life. Eyeing Namiko with a twitching brow, he gasped, "It's a conspiracy!"
Namiko fluttered her eyes, not having expected to see him confronting Shuichi. "Seita?"
Growing more cross, Seita clenched an indignant fist and exclaimed, "I should have known you would have called Tatsuya as reinforcements, Minamino!"
Shuichi furrowed his brows in puzzlement while Namiko's initial surprise wore off and was replaced with annoyance. Placing her hands on her hips, she questioned, "What on earth are you talking about? I'm not here as Shuichi's reinforcements; I've been going to this school since last year - we're practically in all the same courses together, or have you forgotten?" She then turned to Shuichi and added, "Not by choice, mind you. It's just that we're both studying history…"
"Oh, that's nice," Shuichi answered with a polite smile while he made a personal note to himself to steer clear of all history electives at all costs so as to avoid becoming involved in the tumultuous and heated debates of Namiko and Seita, all of which always seemed to revolve around him somehow.
"It will beif you don't ruin it again with your cheating - because that's what your fancy powers are, you know!" Seita resumed his rant. "You'll see, Minamino, I'm the one who's going to be on top this time! There's no way I'll allow you to defeat me! I'm already loved and praised throughout the entire history department! In fact, just last week I was contacted by the head of the department and given the opportunity to - "
"But I'm not studying history," Shucihi cut in with confusion.
Seita turned deathly white at this sudden revelation that destroyed the rivalry which he was consumed by, but reveled in nevertheless. "You're - you're not?" he stammered, looking defeated and heartbroken as he had waited so long for Shuichi return and subsequent downfall, one in which he had been meticulously and subconsciously plotting over the last year.
"No; I'm actually studying business," Shuichi explained lightly. "Come to think of it, it's actually more or less a complete coincidence that we ended up in the same class together, seeing how different our fields of study are. It's pretty funny, actually, when you really think about it…" As he began chuckling loudly and forcibly, Namiko frowned in bewilderment and Seita scowled with displeasure.
"This isn't funny, Minamino!" Seita snapped in outrage, causing Shuichi's laughter to abruptly cease. "Our rivalry was one that was supposed to be predestined, not some freak accident! Are you trying to tell me that all the suffering I endure in high school was all part of some random scheme rather than an epic plan of fate? What am I supposed to do now? Our paths weren't meant to diverge from each other's this much!" Raising his indignant and tightly clenched fist again, he cried out in angry desperation, "Damn it, Minamino! Who the hell would want to study stupid business for, anyway?!"
"Well, I always thought it was an interesting field," Shuichi answered, deflecting the more significant parts of Seita's rant.
"That's not the point at all!" Seita nearly shouted.
Namiko now let out a sigh of frustration, turned to Seita, and exclaimed, "This is ridiculous! Listen, if you want to keep complaining, then fine, but Shuichi and I are going to lunch. Are you going to come with us or what?"
Seita blinked in bafflement. "Lunch…?"
The three sat in the cafeteria at the student center, eating their meals at a round cafeteria table. Seita jabbed his chopsticks in his food while muttering every now and again what Shuichi surmised to be unintelligible profanities as he eyed Shuichi scornfully. Shuichi, on the other hand, listened attentively to Namiko as she spoke of the others to both Shuichi and Seita, filling them both in on the details of their old friends from Mieou Academy.
"Hiroshi sent me an email yesterday," Namiko was in the middle of explained in between bites. "He said Ritsu should be coming back to Japan from New York any day now. She really made it big, you know - who knew that her family made their money by running an international modeling agency? Supposedly, she dyed her hair blond - can you believe it? - and she's got some big news, although Hiro didn't say what. Hiro did say that she plans to settle down, though, when she gets back to Japan, and go back to living a normal life. But she's supposed to be on the cover of some magazine that comes out today with some exclusive interview, so maybe that has something to do with her big secret news. Either way, I'm so excited to see her! I just hope she hasn't forgotten about us, now that she's famous…"
"I wonder what Tasaka will say, once she comes back…" Shuichi wondered aloud, stirring his drink with his straw.
"I don't know," Namiko answered truthfully. "From what Maya and Kyoji say, Tasaka gets kind of sullen and bitter whenever Hiro brings her up. They haven't talked to each other ever since she left for New York. I guess he kind of feels like a jilted lover…I mean, despite what he say, he obviously cared about her back at Mieou…"
Shuichi frowned at this solemn news and thought it best to change the subject to a cheerier topic. "What about Kyoji and Maya? How are they?"
"Oh, good. Well, Kyoji got an apartment with Tasaka and Hiroshi in Tokyo, and the three commute to Yokohama University together. And Maya's still at Tokyo Gakugei University, but she also got herself a new part-time job recently. I tried asking her more about it, but the conversation just kind of went in circles because she kept forgetting what we were talking about. Oh, that reminds me!" Namiko pulled out an envelope and handed it to Shuichi. "Maya told me to give this to you. She says she can't remember who gave it to her, though."
"That does sound like Maya…" Shuichi reminisced with a smile as he took the envelope.
"But at least she remembered it was for you," Namiko replied, smiling herself.
Meanwhile, Seita jabbed at his food again and grumbled bitterly, "Stupid Minamino getting his stupid letter and studying stupid business…"
Shuichi only gave Seita a smile of pity before he turned to the letter, opening it up and pulling out a single white piece of paper with very little words typed on it. However, as soon as his eyes quickly scanned the top, Shuichi gasped.
"What is it?" Namiko asked curiously and Seita's interests, too, were peaked. Both leaned over to read over Shuichi's shoulder. "Yoko Kurama?" Namiko asked, reading from the letter. "Isn't that the name of…" She faded off, gasping herself and covering her mouth with her hand before looking to Shuichi with worry.
Seita, meanwhile, became irate and interrogated heatedly, "What mess have you gotten yourself into now, Minamino? This isn't going to be like that stupid Cinderella incidence, is it? Because, I have you know, it completely goes against my ethics to defend a worthless patronizing bastard like you - it's bad enough I had to do it once before!"
"You're not in trouble again, are you, Shuichi?" Namiko now asked. "Say if someone is trying to kill you again?"
"I don't know, really," Shuichi answered with some concern. "It doesn't say much, unfortunately, except to meet at this address at three o'clock this afternoon to hear about a 'promising opportunity.' And it's signed by a 'K.I.' I can't recall anyone I know with those initials, although I suppose I must have met someone with them in my past who could possibly hold a grudge against me now…"
Seita scoffed and crossed his arms. "It doesn't sound like a grudge to me; it sounds like someone is giving you a job offer. I thought you told us that you had given up your demon thieving ways! Obviously, that was all lies, but what else can we expect from a lying coward like Minamino?"
"I have given up my life as Yoko Kurama, though," Shuichi told him and rubbed his chin pensively, still studying the letter intently.
"Maybe this 'K.I.' guy never got the memo," Namiko offered eagerly. "You know, that you resigned and all."
"Well, it's a bit more complicated than that," Shuichi said with a laugh before returning his attention to the letter. "Still…perhaps this does require more investigating. And how did Maya get a hold of such a letter…?"
"She is sort of baffling like that," Namiko remarked before rising from her seat. "Anyway, I have to get going, Shuichi, to that very important meeting I was telling you about yesterday - unless, of course, you need me to help out! Do you think it will be very serious?"
Shuichi rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled nervously, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead as he recalled the last debacle in which Namiko and his other friends decided to "help out" against Haruka during the school play at Mieou Academy. "No, no…I think I'll be able to figure this one out fine on my own, Namiko. Thanks, though, and good luck."
Namiko gave a smile and a wave. "Thanks. Bye, Shuichi. Bye, Seita."
As she left the cafeteria, Seita grinned haughtily and stood up himself with a few cocky chuckles. "Well, Minamino, I, too, have a very important meeting myself. As I was trying to tell you before - before I was so rudely interrupted - I have been given a big opportunity to work on a research project under a certain Dr. Masaru Kuroki of the Tokyo Museum, particularly researching a new archaeological discovery made of a multitude of artifacts, some dating back over a thousand years ago. Exciting, isn't it? Especially compared to your paltry existence."
Shuichi smiled and said politely, "That sounds like a very good opportunity, Seita."
Seita glowered at this answer, snorting a bit and mumbling, "Patronizing bastard…" before turning to leave with a curt, "See you, Minamino."
"Bye, Seita…" he trailed off with a frown, turning his attention back to the letter. However, he stopped rereading it mid-sentence, his eyes widening with a sudden realization and a gasp. "Wait, Seita! Did you say…" He cut himself off when he looked up and saw that Seita had already gone. He then frowned in dismay and finished to himself with a groan, "…Tokyo Museum…"
What Shuichi had come to discover in that moment, Seita Hachirobei only discovered when it was too late and he had entered Dr. Kuroki's laboratory at Tokyo Museum and laid eyes upon the woman he loathed and despised the most - Namiko Tatsuya, chatting enthusiastically away with Dr. Masaru Kuroki. Dr. Kuroki smirked upon seeing a stunned Seita standing in the doorway. "Oh, you must be Seita Hachirobei."
"Yes, but…but what is she…" Seita stuttered in shock.
Namiko, now noticing Seita's presence, gasped herself, her eyes widening in surprise and horror. "What are you doing here?!" she exclaimed.
"I could ask the same to you!" Seita countered, gaining control of his senses and becoming irate as he venomously eyes Namiko.
Dr. Kuroki's smirk remained as he began to explain, "Well, it's obvious you two know each other. My niece had recommended you when I showed her the list of candidates - she said you two would offer me impressive work, and that the competitive nature between the two of you would certainly drive you more than any other two students I could choose for this study. Although my niece said it would have been better if I had been able to pair off Seita with some Minamino fellow…"
"'Niece?'" both asked simultaneously, their anger giving way to perplexity.
"Your old homeroom teacher, Chiyo Nagai, of course," Dr. Kuroki answered, smirk widening into a grin.
Both scowled bitterly, eyeing the other one with disdain as Namiko muttered for the two of them, "Why is it that even after high school Miss Nagai has found a way to still torture us?"
"Stupid, evil woman," Seita grumbled in agreement.
But Dr. Kuroki just laughed and placing a hand on both of their shoulders, decided, "Let's get started, shall we?"
Shuichi glowered in annoyance as he stood outside the location that was written on the letter. At last he knew what the initials of the mysterious sender, K.I.: Kaito Investigations, a sign in which hung over the door of a small, modest building on one of the busy streets of Tokyo. Whatever scheme Yuu Kaito desired Shuichi to take part in, Shuichi already wished no part of. He would not have even considered acknowledging the offer and walking into the newly established business if it were not for the fact that Shuichi had the sudden inkling that Maya's new part-time job had something to do with Kaito's investigatory business.
This inkling was confirmed when the chirpy Maya Kitajima appeared strolling down the street just as Shuichi remembered her: looking completely puzzled as to where she was going and what she was doing. She had a vacant expression on her face as she stared upward at the tall buildings of Tokyo, glancing around and humming to herself as she tapped her finger to her chin.
Shuichi let out a sigh and called out, "Maya."
Maya's eyes fluttered a bit at the sound of her name and she at least looked down toward the street where Shuichi stood, only a few yards in front of him. She smiled happily upon seeing him and exclaimed, "Oh, hi, Shuichi! That must be the reason why I'm here. I must have been meeting you! I always forget these things!"
Shuichi tried not to frown and answered politely, "Actually, I don't think we had any plans to meet…I think you were heading to work." He gestured toward the building that read "Kaito Investigations."
The scatterbrained young woman stared at the sign for a long moment until it at last clicked in her head. "That's right! I got a new job working for Kaito! Now what is it that I exactly do again…?"
As she pondered this, Shuichi shook his head and said, "Perhaps we should go in…"
Maya conceded and as the two walked in, she asked, "Are you working here, too, Shuichi?"
Shuichi laughed uncomfortably, trying his best not to show his annoyance at the mere idea. "We'll see, Maya…"
In the rundown, humble office accommodations sat Yuu Kaito, leaned back in his seat with his legs on his desk and a manga in his hands. He vaguely looked up from his manga to acknowledge Maya, in which he greeted, "Oh, hey, Maya." His eyes then caught sight of Shuichi. He immediately lowered his legs from his desk and placed his manga down. "Good afternoon, Shuichi. I'm glad you were able to find the place. How about you take a seat?" He offered the seat in front of his desk.
Shuichi, however, scowled skeptically. "Just what is going on here?"
"A business, of course," Kaito answered offhandedly. "One in which your talents would be most appreciated."
"What kind of talents?" Maya inquired in puzzlement as she took a table that was off to the right side. "What is it that we do here again, Kaito?"
"Don't worry about that now, Maya," Kaito quickly brushed her off. "Don't you have something to read to pass the time for now before I debrief you on your next assignment?"
Maya's eyes lit up and she exclaimed, "Oh, yes! I have to read that interview with Ritsuki…" She then pulled out a magazine that had the flashy Ritsuki Yamagashi on the cover, dressed as scantily as ever, with gaudy accessories and done-up red nails, a lascivious grin, smug, devilish eyes, and newly dyed blond hair. "See?"
Shuichi frowned a little at the bold way in which Ritsuki had chosen to gratuitously show off her natural assets while Kaito remained apathetic and remarked, "Well, I always said that insufferable woman was good for something - at least now we can look at her without having to actually deal with her obnoxious personality."
"I suppose so…" Shuichi trailed off, taking a seat.
"Now, then, about my business proposition," Kaito then began, a glint of deviousness in his eyes. "I believe that you would agree with me that you would be a most excellent employee, especially as our line of work will be dealing with paranormal investigations, many cases of which I'm sure will arise in a big city like Tokyo."
"I'm not working for you," Shuichi said flatly. "And I also think that this is a bad idea. Especially now that you've got Maya involved. You don't know what dangers she could face and Maya's not equipped to handle herself."
"Of course she is," Kaito argued. "She has a very acute spiritual sense. She'll be very useful to track spiritual anomalies - demons, ghosts, etcetera. Besides, it's only a bad idea if Tasaka finds out."
"He will find out."
"Only if you tell him," Kaito concluded and Shuichi sighed in frustration. Kaito then continued on, "Anyway, even with Maya, we still require someone to actually fight said spiritual anomalies, in which I feel your abilities would become quite handy."
"I already explained to you that I've given up on my past demon life; I'm living my life as Shuichi Minamino from now on," Shuichi answered. "And when do you have time to run a business? Aren't you supposed to be going to school in Mito at Ibaraki University?"
"It's only an hour train commute from Tokyo to Mito," Kaito reasoned. "Besides, I'm rather resourceful when it comes to my time."
"Or you expect me to do everything while you sit around in this office," Shuichi surmised bitterly.
"Pretty much; but that's the perks of being the boss," Kaito admitted lackadaisically.
"Listen, Kaito; I already told you I think that this is a bad idea," Shuichi continued to argue. "And I've already committed myself to living my life as an ordinary college student."
"But don't most college students have part-time jobs?" Kaito countered.
"Not ones that involve fighting demons," Shuichi replied. "I'm sorry, Kaito, but I've given up my demon life as Yoko Kurama. You'll have to find somebody else."
"Well, don't you think that it's your obligation to atone for that sinful demon past of yours by making good use of your powers and protecting mankind?" Kaito now argued slyly.
"I hardly see how getting paid to fight demons and charging people for saving them qualifies as me atoning for my demon past," Shuichi rebutted crossly.
Kaito smirked now and asked, "Are you insinuating, then, that you are willing to work for free?"
Shuichi let out a groan of disgust. "I think you're missing the point entirely."
"Yeah, yeah - bad idea and all that - I know," Kaito brushed him off. "But don't you think it will be an even worse idea if you're not part of it? You said so yourself that Maya can't handle things on her own. What will happen if you're not there to chaperone her? And I have you know, our prices are very affordable given our services. I mean, a hundred thousand yen isn't asking much considering how deadly and destructive some of those demons can be. Besides, we go on a case to case basis, mostly."
Shuichi frowned as Kaito smirked deviously, as if already knowing what Shuichi's answer would be. Shuichi supposed that he couldn't allow Kaito to run things on his own without some supervision, especially seeing as Maya was involved. His good conscience unfortunately had him trapped, which he was sure Kaito had cleverly imagined would happen. Why was it so difficult for him to escape his demon life at times? Now he would be reminded of it regularly. Still, perhaps some good would come out of his working for Kaito Investigations. Perhaps, in some way, Kaito was right and he would have the chance to use his powers for the betterment of society. Still, knowing that the aloof Kaito was in charge and that the dazed and confused Maya was his number one employee at the moment, Shuichi doubted that any good could come out at all amidst the chaos that he was certain would arise. But, at the very least, Shuichi knew that he would be able to save Kaito and Maya from themselves and whatever danger they stupidly planned to wander into.
So, with a defeatist sigh, Shuichi yielded reluctantly, "Fine…I suppose I have time for a part-time job and I could use the pocket change. And as you seem to need the help at the moment…"
Kaito grinned victoriously. "Political as ever, aren't you, Shuichi?" Shuichi glowered in annoyance at this familiar accusation as Kaito rose and called out, "Hey, Hiro; come out here, won't you?"
"Hiro?" Shuichi wondered aloud. "As in Hiroshi Sunada?"
At that moment, a door on the left slid open, revealing a large storage area that was filled with racks and neatly wrapped clothes and Hiroshi Sunada, smirking deviously and with a camcorder in his hands. "So you got our dear Shu-chan to join us?"
"Was there ever any doubt?" Kaito answered smugly.
Shuichi now stood up, questioning, "What is Hiroshi Sunada doing here?"
"Hiro is in charge of advertising and public relations," Kaito explained. "He'll be filming you and your assignments for both promotional reasons and so I can evaluate your performance."
"I've also made some great costumes for you to wear," Hiro added. "After all, you have to look presentable if you're going to be a superhero and the poster child for Kaito Investigations."
Shuichi now laughed nervously. "Is that…uh…all really necessary?"
"Of course it is," Hiroshi insisted. "Besides, I did a wonderful job on your Cinderella costume, wouldn't you say? And think of all the times I'll get to undress you now, my dear Shu-chan. If only Ritsu were here to join in on the fun." He frowned a bit, but then perked up some, holding up his camcorder. "But now I'll get it all on film, instead of just photographed like we did back in high school. And, you must admit, film is much more kinkier than photographs. If only our little adventure at the Kurama-Onsen was filmed, as well…"
Both Kaito and Shuichi grimaced in annoyance and embarrassment at that mortifying memory, cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. "Anyway," Kaito interrupted Hiroshi's perverse reminiscing. "I assure you, Shuichi, nothing of that nature will be filmed or photographed or someone will be quickly fired." He shot a glare at Hiroshi who simply smirked back casually. "Just think of it more as…Hiroshi being the Tomoyo to your Sakura." Both Shuichi and Hiroshi now became confused at this obscure and unfamiliar reference, looking to Kaito for further clarification. "You know…Tomoyo and Sakura? Card Captor Sakura? CLAMP? It's a very popular manga." When the two still seemed to be puzzled, Kaito muttered, "I should suppose that you two wouldn't know anything about manga, especially Shuichi, given how dull he is. But now that that's all settled…" He then took a seat back at his desk and began reading his newest manga again.
"Where is he?!" the sound of a thoroughly irate Tasaka Kitajima then came booming through the otherwise quiet and tranquil office of Kaito Investigations, causing Shuichi to cringe worriedly and Kaito to look more annoyed than anything else. Hiroshi, on the other hand, quickly switched his camcorder on to capture the fight he was sure was about to ensue.
"Calm down, Takasa!" Kyoji Hoshino's voice came next, trying to hold back the raging Tasaka as they crossed through the doorway into Kaito Investigations.
"Oh, hi, Tasaka!" Maya greeted her brother with blissful ignorance at his anger. "What are you doing here?"
Tasaka, however, ignored her, pushed Kyoji off him, and went directly toward Kaito. "You! How dare you get my sister involved in this shady business!"
"She needed a job so I gave her an offer," Kaito explained nonchalantly, his eyes more focused on his reading than the furious Tasaka.
"So she can work at a library or as a waitress! Not as some crazy demon hunter!" Tasaka shouted, slamming his hands on Kaito's desk. "Where do you get off putting her in danger like that?! And then not even telling me about it!"
"Well, I think we've established why I didn't tell you," Kaito remarked coolly, glancing at Tasaka's hands which had just been ferociously slammed onto his desk.
Tasaka's face became red with anger. "This isn't a joke! I don't want my sister working here!"
Kyoji now stepped up, pointing an accused finger at Hiroshi. "I told you that you shouldn't have told me, Hiro! You know I have a big mouth and I'd just slip up and tell Tasaka!"
"That's why I told you; after all, you must admit, this is pretty amusing," Hiroshi commented, smirk widening as he filmed.
"Listen here, Kaito! I refuse to allow my sister to work here!" Tasaka reiterated with even more conviction. He then caught sight of Shuichi, who felt a jolt of anxiety as soon as Tasaka's wrathful glare landed on him. He had almost forgot how unnerving it was to have the angry eyes of Tasaka set squarely on him. "You! I should have know that you would have somehow been involved in this, Minamino!" he accused vehemently. "It's not enough that you had to make my sister half brain-dead! Now you're making her fight demons that will probably try and kill her or worse! I swear, if something happens to my sister, I will rip all of you limb from limb!"
"Now, Tasaka, I assure you…" Shuichi began worriedly, but frowned, finding himself actually partially believing Tasaka's violent, albeit over-the-top threat.
"Don' patronize me, Minamino, like I don't have any reason to be concerned!" Tasaka argued. "My sister is the most important person to me and if anything were to happen to her - "
"Hey, Ritsu's getting married!" Maya interjected suddenly, holding up the magazine.
As soon as these words came spilling out of Maya's lips, the color drained from Tasaka's face as his eyes become somber and lost. The others looked on in surprise and shock at such an announcement and then at Tasaka with pity. "My sister…" Tasaka began again, but could not think of what he was saying. He then turned to face Maya and asked desperately, "What?"
"Ristu's getting married here in Japan in six weeks," Maya answered, oblivious to her brother's pain and regret.
And the fervor and spirit in the usually emotional Tasaka Kitajima vanished and was replaced with the sullen melancholy of hopeless defeat and despair.