Hello and welcome back!
Sorry for this chapter taking so long to publish, I had work and other stuff filling up my schedule as of late.
As requested from reviews, I will make chapters longer. That question bugged me, so thanks for answering it :)
I will be aiming at around 2500+ words per chapter for now on, but no promises. This is still just a hobby, so please be understanding.
Anyway, let the chapter begin!
Harajuku with Ann...
The evening had thinned out the usual thick crowd surrounding each and every clothing store that dotted the area, making it easier looking around for any tall poofy haired thugs.
Ann, after an hour of searching, took a seat at one of the nearby benches. "God! How hard can finding this guy be?!" She took a sip of the drink she just bough from a vending machine. "I could totally be shopping here right now, but no! I'm here on a manhunt looking for some weirdo... " She sighed "This guy better be worth it, or I'm gonna kill the guys so hard!" She finished off the drink with an "Ahh" of refreshment, "Time to get back to work!" She stood up, returning to her search.
After another half hour or so, there was still no sign of him.
"Why would he be here anyway..?" She questioned to herself. "I mean, he's in with the mafia, right? Shouldn't he be counting his money or doing drugs or something?! God, just thinking about it makes me nerv..." Her self directed monologue was halted. The search was important; too important in fact, but that could wait a sec, because an absolutely fabulous dress, being shown off on display, was half off! Ann wasn't necessarily one to go flaunting her exceedingly good looks outside of a photo shoot, so getting a dress wasn't on the top of her priority list, but it was too damn cute to ignore.
She quickly ran to the display right outside the doors of the well known fashion store, Pasion Fabulosa! . "Ahh!" She squeaked, "OMG! This is waaay too cute!" she though about the search mission for a second, "I'm sure they'd understand."
"Hmm? Are you checking out that dress?" The voice sounded almost ecstatic. "You've got amazing tastes my friend." It caught Ann's attention. When she turned around only to be met with a boy around her age, easily 27cm taller than her, sporting a beanie that covers his extremely, almost afro grade, poofy hair. "It would be my pleasure to assist in all of your fashion needs." he bowed.
Ann pulled back, mostly frightened by the guy's intimidating presence. "Uhh... T-thank you! I was actually wanting to buy this cause, I don't know... it's just waaay too cute to ignore! hahaha..." Her terrible acting surfacing in the final bits of the sentence.
"If what you're saying is true, you have no idea how much I appreciate those words." he beams at the blonde haired girl. "Oh! You're gonna want to try that dress on aren't you!"
"Uh.. yeah! I was about to ask about that haha..." It was normal business, but for some reason, the boy before her made her nervous, like an ill omen.
"Well again, if you need my assistance, be sure to let me know, ok?" He gave a thumbs up. "Oh, and since you've made my night, we can skip the formalities, call me Takuya!" He smiled.
As he walked off. "Did that seriously just happen?!" she though to herself.
Meanwhile in Shinjuku, following Akira, Ryuji, and Yusuke.
Akira's hand slowly palmed his face. "You know, when I said meet here separately, I was hoping you'd change out of your uniform..."
"What's the big deal anyway? No one's gonna notice us."
"As horrid as it sounds, I would have to agree with Ryuji." Yusuke said, feeling the brain cells slip away one by one.
"I told you it would've been better to go alone!" Morgana exclaimed. "These idiots are going to be the end of us..." he sighed.
"Forget it, let's just start looking for the Crossroads Bar already."
As they took their first steps into night time Shinjuku, Akira's phone beeped.
Ann: I FOUND HIM I DID IT I DID IT SUCK IT RYUJI!
Akira: Nicely done!
Ryuji: Did yah talk to him? Was he scary?
Yusuke: Excellent work Ann. Did the man carry with him an aura of a delinquent?
Ann: About that... I'll tell you guys later, I need to catch up to him before he gets away. Talk later peeps!
Akira put away his phone and smiled. "At least something's gone right tonight. Alright guys, let's get to it!"
The boys walked around Shinjuku, frequently being stopped with offers of shady business deals and perverted activities. After a little while, a police officer noticed them wandering.
"Are you a student? You shouldn't be out this late." The officer asked the three boys.
"I'm totally an adult!" Akira said, with a hint of nervous tension in his breath.
"Y-yeah! We're both in college, y'see?" Ryuji followed the fib.
"You a friend of his? You two don't seem like adults to me. Show me your ID's and... wait a minute! I've seen those stripes before." He noticed the shujin uniform Ryuji had forgotten to change out of. "Yeah! Those belong to Shujin kids. You're no adult!"
"Well uhhhh..."
"You're coming with me!"
Morgana popped his head out of the bag. "We need to scram, fast, or else!"
A Scooby-doo style montage of running later, the two teens managed to escape the lone cop.
"Listen dude! I know what you're gonna say, but let me stop you right there! I'm really sorry, man!" Ryuji was panting after the escape.
"I..."
"Don't you say it!"
"Told... you... so!"
"Come on...! Yusuke agreed with me too! Ain't that right Yus..." He looked around frantically. "Yusuke?"
Morgana popped up "Yeah, while you two were busy panicking, he ran for the hills." he laughed. "Still, glad you two aren't in a cop car right now."
Akira sighed, "Geez, let's just find that bar already..."
"What about Yusuke?"
"Forget'em, he bailed on US, remember!"
After another minute or so of searching, they successfully found the Crossroads Bar. From the outside, it looked sketchy, too sketchy for the likes of Akira.
Akira looked over to Ryuji, "Stay out here while I'm investigating."
"What?! Why?"
"You almost got us arrested, is that good enough for you?"
"Fair point..."
Akira entered the bar, calm on the outside. Shinjuku wasn't really a place he'd avoid, but at night it's a whole new ballpark, so he wanted to be on guard. Getting seen in a place like this is how rumors get started. Unfortunately for the gossipers, his rep was already in shambles.
As he walked in, he scanned the area from top to bottom. Only two individuals were present. An obvious drag queen and an adult woman sipping from her beverage. The woman he recognized as the reporter he met during the Madarame case.
"Welcome, Welcome!" The cross-dresser welcomed Akira. "How old are ya, boy?"
"Ma'am, I believe I have an appointment here." Akira said politely.
The woman at the counter turned her head towards him. A smile crossed her face, "Ahh! It's you! Don't worry Ms. Lala, he's with me!"
"You picked a real young one this time, didn't you! Just let me make myself crystal clear, NO alcohol for minors, got it?"
"Of course, of course! I'm interviewing him for gods sake." She took a sip of her drink, "We're gonna take a seat in the back if you don't mind. Head on back and I'll treat you to some water, deal?"
"Fine by me." Akira headed for a booth in the back of the bar and sat down, waiting for his hopeful source of info.
A minute passed by and she finally arrived and sat down across the table from him.
Morgana sniffed, "Eww, she reeks of booze..."
Akira sniffed the air. The pungent smell of booze did in fact fill the air around the jounalist.
"Haha! I totally though you were joking when you said you'd meet me here, yet here you are." She said with a drunken slur. "That's a respectable amount of bravery, and because of that, I'm gonna listen to what you have to say. What do you want to know?"
"Well, a few things actually." He paused to sip his water, "First, I want to know about the Shibuya Mafia."
The reporter looked surprised, "Well, now I know why you need to be so brave. Why do yah wanna know, what's it to you?"
Akira gave her a serious look, "They're targeting people I go to school with. I also have a friend who needs my help, is that a good enough reason?"
"Hmm.. I do happen to know about them. To start, they're not mafia, they're a Yakuza clan. They're lead by the Kaneshiro family, who've been leading for as long as Shibuya has existed as far as I know. They're extremely dangerous and, more importantly, traditional. The traditional part changed about 2 years back when the Oyabun and his wife killed themselves. One of their sons has been ruling them ever since. That's all I know about their organization."
Akira was steadily writing all the info upon a notepad, "What's the current Oyabun's name. Who runs the Shibuya Yakuza?"
The journalist smirked, "That, I also know. I could tell you, but..." She took a long sip of her alcoholic beverage, "Do you know about the Phantom Thieves of Hearts? You know, that group the public can take their eyes off of as of late? I was looking into the issue of people randomly shutting down and going into a comatose like state, but I'm lacking any real intel on the subject matter. That's why I'm looking for new and exciting things to write about."
"I assume this is where I come in?"
"Brave and smart. Kid, we're gonna be fast friends you and I. I need intel on these Phantom Thieves and I was hoping you've got some. You do, don't you?"
"Sounds like you want to make a deal? I give you details on the Phantom thieves and I get the name of the Yakuza boss?"
"That would be lovely." She grinned.
"What makes you think I know anything about them?"
"You're a Shujin kid, aren't you? Last time we met, you were wearing their uniform. From what I hear, It all started with Mr. Kamoshida, who had a change of heart and was a teacher at Shujin. Ideally, I'd like to get some exclusive coverage from a student who suffered directly from Kamoshida's abuse. I would be grateful if you know anyone who fits that criteria!"
"Hmm..." Akira though of all the poeple he knew who suffered from Kamoshida when he first arrived in Tokyo. "Ryuji.. no, he's directly connected to Phantom Inc, not to mention a blabber mouth. Ann... also directly connected to him, but probably unwilling to be interviewed about it. Who else..." He thought harder, "MISHIMA! He's indirectly connected to us and was abused by Kamoshida, perfect!" "I think I've got your guy. Yuuki Mishima, he was being abused by Kamoshida when I first met him and has since become a close friend of mine. He also loves to talk about the Phantom Thieves since they saved him from the abuse. Happy?"
The journalist hastily wrote down the name, "Yuuki... Mishima... Got it! I'm in your debt, kid."
"About that name."
"Right, it's..."
Back in Harajuku with Ann and Takuya...
"Hey, wait!" Ann called out to Takuya. "I need to talk with you!"
"Sure, any more questions about that dress? I'm happy to be of assistance"
"You go to Shujin Academy, right? I've been looking for you!"
Takuya looked around confused and a tad bit aggravated at the subject, "That I do." He leaned in close, almost uncomfortably close to her face, "and why are you looking for me?"
Ann pulled back, "I-I need to a-ask you some questions, if you don't mind."
He kept his uncomfortable glare, "Are they about your clothing choices?"
"Well, you see... hehehe.. I heard you're connected to the mafia and that's so totally cool and all hehehe..."
Takuya's expression went sad for a moment, "Can't someone be different for once..." His sadness turned to anger in the blink of an eye. "FOR ONCE, CAN SOMEONE NOT RELATE ME TO THAT BASTARD, JUST ONCE?!" He yelled. "JUST LEAVE ME ALONE ALREADY!" He huffed after yelling. The customers around stared, whether in fear, or curiosity.
Ann looked angry herself, "FINE! You know, you're just as bad as the rumors make you out to be..." She threw the dress in his face and walked out of the store.
Takuya was taken aback by her words, "Wait! I didn't mean to... dammit, I did it again..." He quickly ran after her.
Ann sat at a nearby bench, exhausted from her previous encounter, "Well, that didn't go well at all... What a jerk, all I wanted to do was ask him a few questions!"
"There you are!" Takuya ran up to her. "I'm glad I didn't lose you!" He tried to catch his breath after he ran after her
Ann scowled, "I though you said to leave you alone!"
"I'm sorry about that, it's just... it's a topic I don't like to talk about." He sat down next to her, "I'm sure if you were in my shoes, you'd try to run away from it too..."
Ann looked over to him, "Run away from what..?"
"Geez, you're persistent... fine." He looked up towards the dusk time sky, "Those rumors about me being connected to the mafia..."
"Yeah...?"
He sighed, "They're true... some of them anyway."
"Is that so..."
"Why did you want to know? Don't tell me you're a friend of that kid with the curly hair and big glasses or the Student Council President, are you?"
"Big glasses, yes, but I'm no friend of Makoto." She remembered the reason she's in this situation. "Why? is that good or bad?"
"I'd say bad! Look, you're needlessly putting your lives on the line. You're messing with criminals! Stop while you're still alive, please!"
"You know, It sounds to me like you're running away! Away from all of your problem and anything you don't want to hear about. If you ask me, you're a coward!"
"That might be so... but at least I'm alive!" Takuya closed his eyes. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into!"
"Look, I want to help the people from our school because I believe in justice! Kamoshida abused me and my best friend and what did I do? I sat around and pretended like It wasn't happening! Don't make the same mistake I made, do something about it!" Ann looked serious.
Takuya was speechless... "Fine... The guy you're looking for is..."
Back with Akira and the Journalist...
"...Junya Kaneshiro is the guy. I know it doesn't really equal the help you've given me, but that the name you wanted."
"YES!" Morgana was happy as can be.
"You should check him out further if you're curious, but I'm not responsible for what happens to you next.
"I appreciate it, here's Mishima's number. I hope you get the info you need."
The two had a toast and went their separate ways. Akira met Ryuji outside of the bar, near a local theatre.
"Yo, you get anything good?"
"I got a name!" Akira high fives his friend.
Back with Ann and Takuya...
"...Junya Kaneshiro." Takuya sighed. "You better watch out, he's a real bastard."
Ann smiled, "Thank you, I know it wasn't easy... Would it be alright if i asked another question?"
He sighed, "Sure, why not... What else doth thou desire?" He said sarcastically.
"Well, the rumor going around is that you're connected to the mafia, and my friend who met you earlier in Shibuya said one of the thugs begged you not to tell their boss. You know the bosses name and must have sway with him, so, might I ask, how do you know Junya Kaneshiro?"
"I don't know?" He stood up, "Figure it out. You and your friend are pretty good at it, after all. By the way, make sure to let me know if you're in the market and still want that dress. Later."
Ann sighed, "What a weirdo... One second he was a selling me clothes, next he was chasing me away! Still, I got a name to put in the nav and I know where he works. I'd say job well done Ann!" She mentally pat herself on the back. "I better tell the others."
Akira and Ryuji...
"I wonder if Ann got anything good from that thug guy?"
*beep beep* Their phones recieved messages.
Ann: I GOT A NAME!
Akira: Nice work, was it Junya Kaneshiro?
Ann: Yeah, how'd you know?
Ryuji: Leader here did some serious detective work!
Akira: Yeah, we've got our name, now we just need a place and distortion.
Ann: Let's meet in Shibuya tomorrow!
Ryuji: Sounds like a plan yo!
Ann: Where's Yusuke btw? He hasn't joined in the conversation.
Ryuji: Dude bailed on us!
Yusuke: I most certainly did not!
Ryuji: Where the hell've you been?!
Yusuke: I found a wonderful fortune teller. I couldn't help but want my fortune told, It was simply fascinating!
Akira: Sure... Anyway, see you guys tomorrow.
Akira and Ryuji both walked out of Shinjuku together. Unfortunately, only Akira made it out with his pride intact... He headed straight home and to bed, for he and his friends would soon find out what they were up against in the Metaverse.
Heyoo, Chapter 3 done!
I hope you guys like how I'm doing my OC and this story in whole. I wanted to reveal a few more things in this chapter, but I felt it would be too much too soon, you know? I also think I have a final design for his persona, but I'm very fickle when it comes to that stuff. I'm also partially color blind (deuteranopia) so I don't really color in anything I draw, so when I upload the picture on deviant art, it will be black and white. I know one guy already predicted what Takuya's persona will be. If you find out, please don't spoil it for anyone.
For some reason, I have an easier time writing late into the night, which is why I always post chapters in the early morning (I go by CST). Anyone else?
Anyway, Next chapter should be out within the next 7-10 days or so, maybe, hopefully...