A/N:This was originally intended to be the final part of Kamoshida's arc, however I wanted to establish some backstory along with setting up for some future events...Such this chapter was born! It's a bit shorter than the others which I apologize for, but I hope it's still enjoyable! But yes as I said, this chapter focus on the behind the scenes so to speak, showing a bit of whats happening in the world Joker is in. This chapter also sets up a future arc(Though said arc won't come till much later.)
Either way I hope you all enjoy this! Also upload note, I have decided to change it to where I'll upload every month but not give an exact date when, namely because I don't want to have a chapter ready and not upload it because it's not a certain date. Therefore I can guarantee a chapter every month, I just can't guarantee when, which is why this chapter is so early. Anyway enough rambling, I hope you all enjoy!
~Elizabeth
March 2,2017-Shujin Academy-Courtyard(5:20PM)
"Maybe but...I've always loved the villains." I could feel my face burning as I looked up at the mask of my hero...Though his face was partially covered, I didn't care...His lips weren't and I could see his eyes barely beneath the mask...My voice got caught up in my throat as I locked eyes with him as the only words I could muster was the name of my hero "Joker..."
I couldn't control myself as I reached up and grabbed his face as I brought mine up to his "W-Wh-Mpmh!"
My lips connected with his as the heat in my face began to radiate through my whole body, and soon it grew even warmer as I felt Joker wrap his arms around me...Though that only lasted for a few seconds before our lips departed from each other, both of us breathing heavily from just the small kiss "You have soft lips...You're a great kisser~"
"U-Uh thanks..." I gave a small laugh as I reached down and grabbed my things before I ran past him, wanting to get out before the fluttering of my heart became so loud that Joker himself could hear it.
I turned and gave a wave,making sure to get a good view of my hero before more than likely never seeing him again "Thanks...I really appreciate it!"
Joker merely gave a head nod and a small wave as I turned and ran out of the school yard as my face was burning read, for that one moment all the worry in me vanished...Everything that had me scared was...In that moment...All I could think about was my hero...The Phantom Thief of Hearts...Joker...
When did I become such a big fan? It's a question that Shiho asked me once...It's a question that I bet Joker would have asked if we were having a casual conversation...I guess it all started about a year ago...
February 14, 2016-Okina City(2:34PM)
I remember it pretty clearly...I had traveled to a city far off for a shoot, and I was taking my last break of the day...Since it was Valentines Day, almost everywhere was crowded with couples so it wasn't the most relaxing or pleasant experience...However...
'Huh, seems like that Togami guy confessed.'
'Togami guy?'
'Yeah the rich prick who hired bodyguards just because he doesn't want regular people to even get near him, says here on the news he confessed to helping the slave trade.'
'Slave trade?'
'Yeah he was like one of the big transporters.'
'Wow that's pretty scary...I wonder why he confessed?'
'A Lot of the comments are saying it's because of Joker.'
'Joker?'
'Yeah he's like a thief who goes after other criminals...He popped up about a year ago, so I don't know the full details...' I remember sitting on a bench and overhearing the conversation between the two girls on the bench beside me, while the conversation didn't interest me all that much, my ears did perk up at the mention of Joker, purely because some of the local models had been talking about him in between the shoots.
I didn't know much about him other than the small tidbits of information the others had shared, so I was a bit interested "Hey."
"Hm?" The girl who seemed to actually know who Joker was looked at me with a curious expression.
"I'm not from around here but...Who is Joker? I've heard some people talk about him but never in detail."
"Hm...Well...That's not surprising...Joker isn't easy to get information on...I mean for starters, he's not confirmed to even exist...The only hints are the vague hints that occasionally show up online and the confessions that sometimes follow afterwards..."
"I see..."
"However...If he does exist, then the best word to call him would be a modern day Robin Hood...Though maybe that won't work because I don't believe he ever gives to the poor...But even so, he only targets other criminals, weather or not the police considers them criminals or not, he often does he's own investigating...He apparently wears some sort of mask along with a black outfit, and he also has a partner...But the only information on his partner is the name Mona that keeps appearing online in darkened images..."
"Huh...So...It sounds like he doesn't exist..."
"Yeah, most people think he's just some joke created by the police to scare other criminals...To be fair, I guess we really have no way of knowing..." I nodded as the girl turned and started conversing with her friend again, leaving me with really no clue on who this Joker guy really was. I just sighed and was about to get up and leave when a voice rang out beside me.
"Hey." I turned towards the sound of the voice and saw a man a little older than me looking at me as he gave a small smile "My name is Yosuke Hanamura, what's yours?"
"...? Uh...I'm Ann Takamaki..."
"Takamaki huh? That's a good name, a really nice name."
"Thanks...?" The man kept looking at me though a few beads of sweat rolled down his face.
"A-Anytime! S-So I was wondering...Y-You free today?"
"Uh..." This guys was kinda weirding me out, but he didn't look dangerous...I looked at my phone before looking back up at him "I have about an hour left..."
"G-Great! So you U-Uh wanna get a snack together...?" The guy was practically sweating bullets at this point as his face grew red as I stared at him with a blank expression, what could I say? He seems nice and from his demeanor he's not a player or anything but...
"I-I'm good...But thanks for offering..." The guy was silent for a few more moments before he lowered his head and sighed.
"Ugh...It's the same as last time...Not a single girl wants to hang with me...At Least he's already gone back to the city so I don't have to feel even worse as he does it with ease..." The guy just muttered to himself as I took a step back.
"W-Well...I-I'll see y-"
"There you are!" I heard a yell and saw a girl with short hair in a green sweater running towards us, at first I thought she was after me but she stopped right behind the guy as she kicked him right in the head "Yosuke! I've been looking everywhere for you! Teddie and Kanji are already done!"
"Ow! Chie...You don't have to rub salt in my wounds..."
"It's your own fault! Yukiko and I came here to shop and you guys only tagged along to get with girls, well everyone's ready so come on!...Oh!" The girl who Yosuke referred to as Chie looked at me as her angry expression turned to a friendly one "Sorry about my friend here, I hope he didn't bother you too much."
"Huh? N-No it's fine..."
"Glad to hear, he can be a bit of a jerk sometimes."
"Thats cold Chie..."
"Shut it you!" Chie raised her leg once more and brought it down on Yosuke's head as he crashed into the ground groaning in pain "Hehe...Oh! Now that I get a look at you, you're not japanese are you?"
"Hm? Oh well my dad is from Japan, but my mom is from America...I actually lived in America for about five years before moving back to Japan late last year."
"Oh that's pretty cool!...Oh I guess that means you know English right?"
"Y-Yeah...I'm fluent in it and Japanese."
"Ah that's pretty cool!" I gave a small smile to the compliment, most people ignored me because of my looks so it felt nice to actually be complimented for once. "Oh! Where are my manners!? My name is Chie Satonaka, police officer in training! While the weirdo under me is Yosuke Hanamura, the manager of our local Junes."
"Junes?"
"It's a huge department store in our town, I'm surprised you haven't heard about it to be honest." I was about to respond when Satonaka's phone started ringing. "Hello? Oh hey Yukiko...Wait what?! But!...Oh alright..."
Satonaka hung her phone up as a downtrodden expression appeared on her face "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, it's just that my friend Yukiko was roped into watching some movie with my other two friends...Ugh, I guess I have to kill some time now..."
"I-I see..."...Shiho keeps telling me I should try to branch out and get some friends...While Hanamura seems kinda weird, Satonaka seems nice "H-Hey if you want, we can get a snack and talk together."
"Ohhhh! Now you're talking my language!...I wonder if they have steak around?"
"I think I saw a meat joint a few blocks from here."
"What!? Ok we're going now, and Yosuke, you're paying!"
I heard a small mumble before Satonaka picked him up by the collar and followed me to the joint.
February 14, 2016-Okina City-Meaty Surprise(2:50PM)
"What! You're a model!" Hanamura screamed out as Satonaka continued stuffing her face with the steak she ordered as I gave a small laugh.
"Yep! Though I'm not a professional or anything, it's kind of a side hobby."
"Still though, that's incredible!"
"I agree!" Satonaka swallowed the meat in her mouth as she spoke up "I bet you know Rise then!"
"Rise?...Oh the actress? I've heard of her but I've never actually met her."
"Oh that's a shame, she's a really good friend of ours."
"You guys know her?"
"Yep! Her grandma runs a tofu shop in town! It's pretty good...Though Yosuke hates it."
"Hey now! It's not my fault I can't eat Tofu!"
"Yeah yeah, excuses excuses...But I'm surprised you've never met her, I thought models and celebs hung out all the time?" I gave a small laugh as I shook my head.
"Well maybe but as I said I'm not a professional...Although I did hear Rise recently got married, although she still uses Kujikawa as her last name."
"Oh yeah, she got married last year, it was a awesome wedding! Right Yosuke?"
"Well, it's the only wedding I've ever been to...But I was the best man so it was pretty cool to see everything from on stage."
"Best man? So you know her husband?"
"Yep! Me and him go way back! I remember when he first transferred over here from Tokyo."
"Tokyo? Thats where I currently live, what's his name?"
"He's name is Yu Narukami, best detective I've ever met, not even the detective prince could match him!"
"Oh yeah, I've heard people talk about him...He's like a famous detective I hear...Didn't know he was Rise's husband."
Satonaka nodded as she dug into a piece of her steak "Yep! Rise was head over heels for him as soon as they met, though it took Yu a bit to warm up to her...But they're pretty cute together, alot cuter than Yosuke."
"That's still cold Chie..."I laughed as our conversation continued on, the three of us discussed things from the city, to the small town they lived in to a host of other things.
Thirty Minutes Later
As the three of us finished up our meals and were about to depart, I noticed four men walk into the joint wearing heavy coats and hats, a feeling of nervousness began to overtake my body as I looked at my two new friends "H-Hey we should get going."
"Hm? I guess...Where do you want to head to next Takamaki?"
"A-Anywhere's fine, wherever you and Hana-" Before I could finish my sentence, a loud bang rang out causing the three of us to jump and look at the sound, causing my eyes to go wide as one of the four men had raised a gun and shot the roof, as his buddies pulled out their own guns.
"Nobody move unless you want to get shot! Everybody on the ground!"
"W-What's goi-"
"Takamaki, get down!" Before I could finish my sentence, I heard Satonaka scream out as she grabbed me and the two of us tumbled to the ground as one of the cloaked men pointed a gun at us.
"Silence! Everyone will remain silent!"
"Ow!...S-Satonaka?"
"Shh! Don't let them hear you, they might shoot if they do." I slowly nodded as I looked up and saw three of the men were covering the customers while one was dealing with the money at the counter. "But damn...This is bad, of all people..."
"You know them?"
"One of the police files at the academy has information on a group known as Coat Brothers...Not much is known about them, but the few details we have match these guys to a tee with the coats, the guns and their strategy of having each area covered..."
I slowly nodded as fear overtook me as the guys all kept looking around, I turned towards Hanamura who slowly krept his way over "Damn it...Chie can you do anything?"
"I'm still at the academy so I don't have a radio or anything...All I can do is comply with them and report it afterwards..."
"Oh great...So we're screwed..." I gulped as the three of us stayed on the ground as the seconds going by felt like minutes as I could feel my heart trying to beat out of my chest.
The guy at the register kept looking at the bag as the manager kept bringing the money out from the back and stuffing it in said bag, each time I prayed that he was done but he kept traveling back and forth, making my heart beat faster each time...
I thought I was done for...I was convinced they would kill all of us...I was convinced they would leave no witnesses...
But then...
*Clap* *Clap* I heard...Clapping...Not the regular kind you would hear after a play or a movie but...Something you would hear at a golf game, slow...Antagonizing...Clapping...
"Brave gentlemen...To go so long without me noticing...It's amazing really..." I heard a deep dark voice as my eyes landed on a dark figure in the corner, I could barely make him out, the only visible features were the silver outline on his face and his red hands.
"Hey, who the hell are you!? Get on the ground like others."
"Hehe, I'm afraid you're going to be the ones getting on the ground."
"What the fuck did you say?" I heard the sound of a gun being loaded as Satonaka tensed up as she more than likely recognized the threat well more than I could. He raised his gun and shouted once more.
"Last warning, get the fuck on the ground!"
"Heh...Null Physical..." I heard the figure whisper something though I couldn't make it out before he walked forward a bit, revealing his outline but still keeping him mostly hidden as he extended his arms "And as I said, you're going to be the one on the ground."
The man didn't say anymore as he fired a shot at the figure causing me to clench up, but the figure didn't move, instead keeping his extended look at the man fired another shot...and then another...and another...
The man kept firing as the figure stayed still, my body shaking with each shot until..."He has to reload."
I heard Satonaka speak as the man tried to fire once more but nothing came out "Huh?"
"It seems you're out of bullets..." My head jerked back to the figure as a low laugh came from him as the man backed up some and his two buddies turned and aimed towards the figure "Now then...It's my turn! Dream Needle!"
I heard the figure whisper something else, but before I could process it a light shaped like a needle hit the man in front of the figure as he fell backwards and landed on his back and..."He's asleep!?"
Satonaka practically screamed out as the man fell down on the ground asleep, not dead, not knocked out but...Asleep..."W-What?"
Those were the only words I could muster as the figure laughed as he stepped further out, revealing a cap on him "Hehe, not no tough I see...Well, let's make this a bit more fun Sukukaja!"
Once the figure stopped talking, my vision began to darken as I could barely see anything in front of me "Ah, C-Chie, are you over there!?"
"Y-Yeah I'm still with Takamaki! A-Are you OK Yosuke?"
"Y-Yeah!" I could hear the two of them quite well and I still felt Satonaka on top of me, but even when I looked at her, she was still blurry as the darkness was all around.
"A-Ah Boss! I can't see!"
"I-I can't see either boss!"
"Q-Quiet down you two! T-This is a-"
"A trick?" The cloaked men stopped talking as I heard the figure again as his footsteps radiated throughout the place as everyone was quiet "I assure you fellows, it's no trick...Dormina!"
Another body was heard hitting the floor as more footsteps as I felt sweat continue to drip down my face. "B-Boss!"
"Dormina!"
Another body and more footsteps until the head of the group spoke "W-What do you want?"
"Oh nothing much...Just your confession..."
"...!"
"Yoshio Takajumi...On This Fateful Day, you're heart has been captured by me, Joker! The Phantom Thief Of Hearts!" What!? Joker? T-The guy everyone's been talking about!? "Now then...Brain Jack!"
A body could once again been heard hitting the floor, but unlike the last three, this one was only the knees "..."
"Alright...Mona!" small footsteps could be heard running across the ground once the name was called "While I deal with him, check everyone and make sure they're ok."
"Meow Meow!" All I heard in response was a cat, as soon the small footsteps began walking around everyone before I heard them and even barely saw them stop in front of us "Meow Meow!"
"Hm? She's bruised?" Again more cat noises before the figure spoke, but soon I could hear his footsteps walking over to us and I could barely make out his legs as he stooped to us "You're right, from where she landed."
"Hey you! W-Who are you!?" I heard Chie yell at the figure who simply laughed
"Oh I'm a just a thief." The figure moved his hand and cupped my face, causing me to gasp "Easy, it's OK."
"H-Huh...?" I looked up at the figure and though my vision was distorted, I could see his eyes meet mine, causing my face to redden.
"Now, this may feel a bit weird but it's going to be OK...Dia!"
A strange sensation came over me, but soon the bruises I didn't even realize I had sustained from the fall began to vanish as my body relaxed "W-What?"
"All better now?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Good...I'm glad to hear...A model doesn't need bruises."
"H-Huh? H-How did yo-"
"Oh I might have been listening in, sorry about that..." The figure got up to his feet as he walked back over to the boss leader "Now then...With your confession, you're going away for a long while...I know the manager can hear me, when you're vision returns call the police, understand?"
"Y-Yes sir!"
"Good...Now then...Amrita!"
My vision began to return to me as everyone was still shocked at what just happened, my face was red, my heart beating out of my chest...My life was just saved...By one a thief, a thief known as "Joker..."
March 2,2017-Street(5:35PM)
It was at that time that I really started to look up to Joker, the way he took care of everyone no problem and wasn't scared...And how he made sure to check up on me...I felt my face heat up again as I shook my head as I kept running. Chie and Yosuke have kept in touch with me since then, especially Chie, we've become pretty good friends.
As I kept running, I felt my phone in my pocket vibrate as I stopped and reached for it.
[Shiho] Is everything alright Ann?
[Ann] Yeah sorry for not being able to walk home with you
Once I read the text by Shiho and sent my reply, I remembered why exactly I was still out in the first place as the goodwill by Joker suddenly vanished and my hatred for Kamoshida returned...
[Shiho] ...Why did you stay over?
[Ann] Just some things I had to take care of
I gripped my phone, I couldn't let Shiho find out why I had stayed over...She would instantly quit the team if it meant helping me...I...I couldn't let that happen...I can't let her give up on the thing she loves most...
I'll do anything to make sure Shiho can play volleyball...But I also have to take Joker's advice and not let myself get caught up in Kamoshida's words...I...I have to trust Shiho...And always be there for her...
After all, she's really the only friend I have.
June 12, 2009- Shujin Junior-Classroom(10:05AM)
I remember it like it was yesterday, I was in school at my desk all by myself like always, we were supposed to have a test that day but our teacher was sick so instead we were assigned to paint our favorite TV characters, which was a easy choice for me...
It was going to be none other than 'Queen Red' from 'Phoenix Ranger Featherman R',she's the leader of the Four Queens, who were the wives of the show's first ever major villains, the Four Kings. I considered her sexy, badass,confident and just overall amazing, I really wanted to be like her growing up.
I remembered getting really focused on the picture I was painting, I was making sure every detail was perfect, from her red hair to her badass armor to hell even her jewelry, I wanted to make sure I got every detail right.
After about an hour, I thought I had perfected it, I thought it was the best thing I had ever painted in my life and I was so proud of it...I remember sitting at my desk admiring my work, I was engrossed in it I didn't even notice someone coming up from besides me until they were present.
When I finally did notice, I remember raising an eyebrow at them and tilting my head "W-What?"
"Takamaki-san, your painting sucks..."I remember just staring at her as she looked at me with a neutral expression, the painting I had put so much work into...One I was so proud of, and someone said it sucked...
I didn't register anger though as the word caught me off guard "W-What?"
"Your painting of Queen Red sucks...Her hair is too long, she doesn't paint her thumbnails and that's her season two outfit, she got new armor in season three." Once she was done talking, my mind had already completely forgotten about her comment as my mind was already on another subject.
"You like Phoenix Ranger Featherman R?"
"Yeah, I watch the new episodes every saturday night and I even stay up past my bedtime to watch the older episodes."
"I-I'm the same way! I-I've never met someone else who likes the show as much as I do, who's your favorite character?"
"I like The Star Princess the best!"
"Aw, I think she's great to! A princess by day and a undercover alien by night, she's really cool!" The comment about my painting was nothing more than a footnote as it led to the two of us talking about Neo Featherman for longer than I could remember, that was the first conversation we had that ignited our friendship.
"By the way, I'm Shiho Suzui!"
"W-Well you already know my name, but it's Ann Takamaki."
"Alright Takamaki-san, lets be friends!"
"A-Alright..." I had never had any friends before since most people in Japan were afraid of my looks, and even when I went to America later, most people regarded me as a bitch...Although I don't regret any of that, I'll take Shiho over any of those guys any day...
It was such a nice memory I had...The only thing that was ruined it was lunch that day...
Lunchtime
Me and Shiho were sitting on the swings together after just finishing our lunch and we were trying to learn more about each other, I had just finished explaining to Shiho that my dream was to be a actress and Shiho began to talk about her dream.
"That's really cool Takakmaki-san! I hope you can fulfill your dream!"
"Thanks!...Oh, I should ask...What's your dream?"
"My dream?...Hm...Well mommy and daddy really want me to follow the family tradition and become a doctor..."
"Oh that's cool! You get to save people!"
"Yeah, but I don't like doctors...Mommy and Daddy are always away because their doctors...If I become one, then I would be away for a while to..."
"Oh I see...Well if you were all three doctors, then you could always be together at the hospital!"
"I thought so but...Mommy and Daddy said since we're family, we can't be at the same hospital together..."
"Oh...I'm sorry about that..."
"It's ok...I have another dream actually."
"Oh, what is it?"
"I want to become a volleyball player!"
"Volleyball player?"
"Yeah! I see them on Tv all the time! If I was on tv all the time, then Mommy and Daddy could see me more! I also hear that volleyball players get whatever they want, so Mommy and Daddy wouldn't have to be doctors anymore, because I can get all the doctors I want to do their work for them!"
"Oh that's a good idea! It also sounds like a lot of fun!"
"Mmhmm, I've been practicing at home...Do you want to practice with me sometime Takamaki-san?"
"I would love to!"
"Oh I'm so happy! I can show you my hero!"
"Hero?"
"Yeah! I watch him play volleyball on TV all the time! He's never lost a match, but every time he's talked to by the TV lady, he says his opponents were very strong! That just means he's even stronger! I want to be like him when I get older, a-and maybe even meet him one day!"
Shiho got a small blush on my face as she talked as I gave a giggle...A giggle that often comes back to haunt me.."Whats his name?"
"H-He's name...I-It's Suguru Kamoshida! I even own one of his jerseys!"
March 2,2017-Street(5:40PM)
I gripped my phone even tighter as the memory came rushing back to me...If only she knew...If only she knew the evil that man was...But also...If only I knew...
If I knew I could have saved her...I could have done so much more for her...But I failed her...I failed to protect her...Failed to keep her away from that bastard!
Exactly...Meaning you have to believe and trust her! Right?
I stopped walking and my grip gradually began to loosen on my phone as I took a deep breath...I just have to keep believing and trusting Shiho...I can't keep living in the past on the mistakes I had made...I can't move forward...Right...
I shook my head as I resumed my walk home...
[Shiho] What were the things?"
I felt my phone buzz again as I looked at the message and sighed.
[Ann] Just a few after school things, nothing to worry about.
[Shiho] Ann...
[Ann] I swear I'm fine Shiho...
[Shiho] ...
[Ann] ...
[Shiho] I'm going to pick up some groceries...I'll come over to your place when I'm done.
[Ann] Do you want me to come with you?
I waited for a few minutes but a reply never came, so I waited a couple more minutes...Then a couple more...Then a few more...My heart started to pound out of my chest as I walked worrying about Shiho...
[Ann] Shiho?
Still no response...M-Maybe she went on and turned her phone off? M-Maybe...I-I really hope...I continued walking, checking my phone every minute...The sounds of the night were deafening me as I came upon my home, still without a response from Shiho…
March 3, 2017-Shujin Academy-Classroom(12:45PM)
"Oh my God she's going to jump!" I heard the words ring out from the hallway as everyone looked towards the yell, some stood up to investigate while others began whispering to each other...What was going on?
The next words would answer my question in the worst way possible...
"It's Shiho Suzui! She's going to jump from the roof!" The world stopped turning...In that moment, time itself stopped in place…
I sat there speechless for just a few seconds that seemed like moments as the only sounds I could hear were the worried talk of the others and the scaffing of chairs on the floor, I couldn't move, I didn't want to register what I had just heard...Until it happened...I realized what was said…
My eyes went wide as the thoughts of hearing what Kursuru had told me started to run through my head...Shiho was found in Kamoshida's office...She was still passed out when I found her...No...The reason she was passed out wasn't because...!
Tears started to form in my eyes as I pushed myself off of my chair and ran past everyone, the sounds around me began mute themselves as my mind was only on one person..."Shiho No!"
That's all I could say as I pushed people out of the way and ran into the hallway, many yelled at me but I ignored them as I ran to the window and looked up as my body froze in place as I saw Shiho up on the ledge of the school, looking down at the ground…
I looked down, praying to whoever would listen that water or a bed or something had magically appeared...But no...It was nothing but solid, deadly, concret "Shiho!"
I yelled out again as I began to run towards the stairs, I...I had to catch her...I had to save her!
As I ran I began to hear people shriek around me
'S-She's jumping!'
'Oh my god she's falling!'
'Someone save her!'
My heart pounded against my chest as I increased my speed, running down the staircases as fast as I could, the heels on my boots threatening to break with every fast paced step, when I got to the main floor more shrieks rang out.
'W-Whats he's doing!?'
"H-He's going to die as well!'
'That's the troublemaker isn't it?'
More words rung around me but I didn't know what they meant, was someone trying to save her? Was someone going to save her? There was no guarantee as I ran towards the doors as finally the last words hit my ears…
'They hit the ground!'
My eyes went even wider as more tears fell down my face as I ran and ran until I buted through the doors and ran…
And I saw her…
I could see Shiho's black hair behind the water as my heart pounded faster as I ran over and when I turned the corner, all I saw was her body standing upright as more tears came flooding out "Shiho!"
I screamed as I turned and fell to my knees and wrapped her in a hug, tears streaming down my face, I was whispering to her how much I loved her and how she was an idiot...I kept repeating words to her but...She didn't respond, she kept looking down under her, her eyes had tears of their own.
I finally realized this as I looked to where she was sitting and I gasped, she was on top...Of Kusuru...He laid on the ground, blood dripping from his mouth, his clothes torn all apart, blood leaked out from under him...And through it all...he was looking at us with a smile "K-Kurusu! W-What!? Why!?"
The words flung out of my mouth as Kusuru gave a small laugh causing him to cough off some blood "Heh...Shiho is your best friend, I couldn't let her die..."
He coughed some more blood up as Shiho moved her hand and cupped his face as I kept talking "B-But...You shouldn't have done that...I-I mean..."
"Hehe...It's alright..I think it's because I feel pity...Two bright youth being abused and used by a bastard like Kamoshida…"My eyes went wide for a second from the selflessness of Kusuru before I swallowed and started to move my hand forward.
"K-Kusuru...I-" Before I could cup the other side of his face a teacher ran over and knelt down beside him causing Shiho and I to withdraw our hands.
"Someone call an ambulance!"
"I already have!" Miss Kawakami ran over afterwards and knelt down besides Kusuru as she took a tissue and wiped the blood off of his face as his eyes started to droop some.
"Suzui, Takamaki! Are you two alright!?" Another teacher ran over and pulled the two of us to the side as Shiho was trembling the entire time while I tried to comfort her "Especially you Suzui! We need to get you to the hospital!"
"..." Shiho didn't say anything as her eyes stayed trained on Kusuru as more teachers ran over to him while the others tried to push back the students. I looked down at her as tears rolled down her face as I pulled her into a hug, but she still didn't respond.
Soon the ambulance pulled in as the medics got out and placed Kusuru on a stretcher while one of the teachers got on to accompany him, however another ambulance soon pulled in as the teacher with us looked down at Shiho "Miss Suzui, the second one is for you...Please come with me…"
"..." Shiho still didn't say anything as the teacher grabbed her arm and tried pulling her over but I looked up at them.
"L-Let me go with her! Please!"
"Takamaki...I can't let you, it has to be a teacher...Please visit her later…"
"But-"
"Ann…" Shiho muttered the words but I was able to barely hear them as I looked down at her.
"Y-Yeah?"
"I-It's fine...K-Kusuru is the one we should be worried about…" Shiho quietly mumbled as the teacher led her over to the second ambulance, I kept watch on her before my eyes darted to the one with Kusuru as the doors were shut as it quickly rolled away as I watched on...My legs trembling...Unsure of what to do…
I just watched as the guy I just had lunch with and my best friend in the whole world were both being driven away in ambulances...All the while, all I could do was watch...Legs shaking...Tears on my face...My fists balled up as I fell onto my knees as I punched the ground.
"D-Damn you Kamoshida…" That's all I could think about...The bastard who caused this was him...With the way Shiho was found...I had no other options but to believe it was him...Damn it...Why am I so helpless!?
Thats was all I could think as the teachers motioned for all of us to go back inside the school.
March 3, 2017-Shujin Academy-Hallway(1:25PM)
Eventually all of the students were pushed back into the school, where gossip and lies started to overtake every conversation in the hallway...All the while I leaned against the wall clutching my phone as tear stains adorned my face...I didn't know what to think...If only I had been their for Shiho last night I…
….
Damn it...Damn it all to Hell...I couldn't do anything, and to top it off, Kusuru might be dead because I can't do anything!...Why did I have to come to this shitty school? Why…?
As I thought about the hell I was currently living in, I didn't notice the footsteps coming towards me until they stopped and spoke "You going to cry all day?"
I looked up at the figure in front of me and gasped at who it was "R-Ryuji?"
Ryuji Sakamoto, while I wasn't friend with him or anything, we knew each other pretty well and we almost were never formal with each other "Well?"
"W-Well what?"
"Are you going to cry all day or are you going to pull up your pants and go to the hospital?"
"G-Go to the hospital?"
"Yeah, crying and moping about right now isn't going to solve anything...All we can do is make sure they're alright…"
"I-I know but…"
"But what? We...We…" Ryuji looked around before leaning in towards me "We both know Kamoshida has to be responsible for this."
"...!"
"At Least...I hope you know that...I know everyone says you sleep around with him but I've known you since middle school...You're way too shy to be sleeping around with really anybody." Ah geez thanks…"Still though...If you can't acknowledge he's involved then we're done talking."
"..."
"Ann you know the truth…"
"...I-I know...Kusuru actually found Shiho in Kamoshida's office this morning so…" I saw Ryuji tense up some as he balled his fist but he didn't say anything" I know that bastard is somehow responsible…"
"...Right...Tch, first he saves her from Kamoshida's office and then he saves her from falling...Akira really is a cool ass dude." Yeah...In fact after talking to him, he almost reminds me of Jo-...Well other than bravery and maybe personality, they're completely different…"Still though...He's also really lucky...I heard he's alive but…"
Ryuji didn't say anymore as the two of us stood their in silence for a few moments before I gulped and spoke "W-Well you wanted to go see them right? T-Then lets go!"
"Right...Although I think I heard the teachers say Akira can't have visitors right now which considering everything it makes sense...i don't know about Shiho though…"
"Well we won't know until we try! S-So lets go! I get the feeling schools done for the day anyway…"
"R-Right…" Ryuji nodded as he followed behind me as I wiped the remainder of my face off, all the while praying that Shiho was unharmed...And that Kusuru was still alive…
March 3, 2017-Hospital-Lobby(2:20PM)
Almost an hour later, we arrived at the hospital...The lobby was like any other, with sofas and chairs, along with the TV and a few others...However…
"What do you mean I can't go see him!? I'm his guardian!"
"U-Uh well...T-The doctors still busy…" Standing at the receptionist desk was a middle aged man, yelling at the nurse behind the counter who was sweating bricks. He was wearing a pink shirt and grey pants along with an apron, sweat on his head like he had rushed him.
"I'm Akira's guardian, I should be allowed to see him dammit!" Akira's...Guardian? Wait...This was the guy watching over Kusuru?
"S-Sir I'm sorry but…"
"You're Kusuru's guardian?" I blurted the words out without thinking, the man immediately turned around, his eyes looked at me through his glasses.
"H-Huh? Yeah I am...Who are you, his girlfriend or something?" My face turned a hint of red as I swung it back and forth.
"N-Not at all! J-Just a friend...I'm Ann Takamaki…"
"A friend huh...Name's Sojiro Sakura...I've been his guardian for about a month now…" Sakura looked at Ryuji who was standing right behind me as he raised an eyebrow "Hm? You're that Sakamoto the kid hangs with right?"
"U-Uh yes! T-That would be me…" Sakura nodded his head as closed his eyes and gave an sigh.
"Well...I'm...I'm glad he's making friends...Still though, I'm surprised you're already good enough friends to immediately come see him."
"W-Well we're also here to see Shiho Suzui...S-She was the girl he saved…"
"...I see...Well I think she can have visitors...Unlike the kid…"
"I-I'm sorry sir but the doctor will still be with him for another hour or two until he can have any visitors...Miss Suzui on the other hand is indeed ready to receive visitors…" The nurse still had sweat running down her face, worried about another outburst from Sakura but instead all she got was a nod.
"Hmph...Well you heard the nurse, you can go see your friend...I hope...I hope what the kid did wasn't for nothing…" Sakura gave a sigh as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked over to an empty chair, clearly exhausted.
"I-I think we should leave him alone for now Ann…"
"R-Right...Lets head on and see Shiho."
March 3, 2017-Hospital-Patients Room B(2:40PM)
The walk felt like it took forever before I arrived at Shiho's room, and when I did arrive, I took a deep breath before I extended my hand and opened the door.
When I entered I immediately went wide eyed as I saw Shiho sitting on the side of her bed, looking out the window "Shiho!"
I yelled out and immediately ran towards her as I embraced her from behind, my emotions from before almost returned but I was able to hold them back. "...H-Hey...Ann…"
Shiho didn't even turn around to speak but instead did so afterwards, her face was hollow...And her gaze seemed like she wasn't truly present...However, when she saw Ryuji some life seemed to return to her. "Sakamoto…"
"U-Uh hey Suzui…"
"...Have you...Talked to Kusuru?"
"U-Uh no...The doctor is still with him…"
"Oh...I see…" The small life in Shiho's eyes seemed to vanish as soon as it came after Ryuji gave his remark, making me sweat a little bit.
"Shiho...A-Are you Ok…"
"...Physically...The doctor said I'm fine...He said I should be able to return to school as early as tomorrow…"
"T-Thats great!"
"But…" Shiho grimaced as she placed a hand to her head as she bent over some "Whenever I close my eyes...Whenever I try to think...All I see is Kusuru...His almost dead body under me...Smiling at me...Why...Why was he smiling…?"
"Shiho…"
"Was he smiling because he saved me…? How can someone smile despite the fact they were about to die!? He didn't even know me but he saved me...Why…? Why did he have to do that?! It's only been a few hours, but it's felt like an eternity! An eternity of replaying the scene over and over again my head and it's all the same result...Me falling only to be saved by Kusuru! Why!? Why can't it end with me hitting without him saving me!? Why...Why did he have to take my punishment for me…!?"
Shiho was bawling at this point as I pulled her in a hug and rocked her back and forth...Her voice got louder and louder as she repeated the same thing over and over again...Until her words became nothing more than sniffles as she began to calm down…"Better…?"
"...Y-Yeah...T-Thank you Ann…" Shiho pushed herself off of me and wiped her face off before looking behind me "S-Sorry you had to see that Sakamoto…"
"A-Ah no...I-It's fine…" Ryuji looked away Embarrassingly as Shiho returned her focus to me.
"Ann...W-Why did Kusuru do it...W-Why didn't he let me fall…?"
"...I-I don't know...I-I guess he...He felt like it was the right thing to do I mean...He even said so himself in a sense…"
"B-But still...It makes no sense...He's not a hero or has super powers or anything...He's a student like us...He might die but he decided to save me...I-I don't understand…"
"...Kusuru told me...That you can be friends who can look out for each other...But you also have to trust someone to pull you back up…"
"T-Trust?"
"Yeah...I-I'm not completely sure what he meant but...I-I like to believe it in a sense that as long as you trust your friends, you'll be alright...M-Maybe...He saved you because he trusted you to pull him back up...No...he trusted us to pull him back up...His friends…"
"B-But he barely kn-"
"You keep saying that Shiho but...Maybe that's not true...Maybe he does know us...We just don't know anything about him...He knows about our predicament with Kamoshida and also knows we're best friends...Maybe he wants to be our friend...And he trusts us to also be his friend…"
"T-Thats kinda pushing it Ann…"
….
"...B-But...A-Alright...I-I'm going to become Kusuru's friend...Because he trusts me...And after today I can certainly trust him…." I nodded as Shiho gave off a small smile...It was forced...But it was one she needed...We all needed...And it stood for one thing…
That trust is all we have right now...Trust and our friendship...So I'll do just that…
I'll trust that my friendship with Kusuru will only get stronger after today!
Unknown Time-Unknown Location(Unknown POV)
"Hmm~ It seems something urgent has happened for master to summon me~" I spoke to myself as I walked across the blue carpet, my boots making no sounds as I walked thanks to the fabric created by my master's master.
As I walked, the blue walls adjourned with the candles of blue flame seemed to welcome me as I made my way to my masters room. Finally I arrived in front of the large blue door as I took out a key and opened it.
Once I was inside the room, I saw my master sitting at his desk with his usual smile as he looked at the book in front of him "Ah, I'm glad to see you responded to my call."
"I am always at your command my master."
"Excellent, for we have a important matter to discuss." I nodded as I shut the door behind me as it vanished, leaving the two of us alone in the room. "I'm sure your siblings have mentioned this to you, but you have heard of humans with potential correct?"
"Yes, they have mentioned it...My sisters especially have talked about it...Why do you ask master?"
"Because for the first time in a long while, two humans at the same time are about to awaken to their potential...One with a rebellious spirit...The other with a spirit of dark justice...Very interesting indeed…"
"I see...Has this never happened before my master?"
Master gave a small laugh as he shook his head "Not during my time I'm afraid...Though the events of four years ago are still known throughout this domain, that human was gifted his potential by a evil spirit and such, he was not counted as one with actual potential...This was proven with his untimely defeat."
"I understand master...You mentioned one with a rebellious spirit and one with a spirit of Dark Justice...What does that mean?"
"It means the two of them are destined to meet in this world on opposite sides...However neither one is pure good or pure evil...Both are in the grey area...Very interesting...It's not a battle of good vs evil...It's a battle of ideas and merit...Very very interesting."
"I see...Then this battle will one to keep an eye on."
"Hehe, they always are, but this one especially...Now come here." I stepped up to masters desk as he closed the book he was writing in and handed it to me "This book should be used to guide both of our future guests, use this to assist them with anything that we can share."
I took the book and placed it under my arm as I bowed "As you wish my master...May I inquire where these two are?"
"Both of them are in the city of Tokyo, located in the country of Japan...Both are in Highschool as well...One is parentless and is also a detective...The other is serving an unjust sentence and is currently trying to reform the world as a thief...Both have also already awakened to their powers but are in the infant stages and as such, are limited with what they can do."
"I see...Then I shall seek them out my master."
"One more thing...The one serving the unjust sentence is also the one that I instructed Morgana to watch...It seems my deductions were correct."
"I see...As a being created by you my master, I shall greet the one with Morgana first."
"Very well...Do whatever you think is wise, I am counting on you Lavenza."
Author Response
JamesAsmodeus- Glad you enjoyed! And indeed we all hope Kamoshida gets decked lol As for his location, I don't intend to have people find out soon, though some will eventually find out.
Zachariah of the Sword- Well I'm glad to hear, I don't consider myself all that special of a writer but I'm glad I was able to earn your respect so fast! Also indeed, many events will now be changed with Akira's heroic actions.
Lonely Support- Since you messaged me with a few questions, I answered your review in said message. However I'll repost my response here in case anyone had the same observations/questions as you did last chapter.
Indeed, I wasn't kidding about drastic changes lol. A big reason I changed that scene(Other than the fact Akira would certainly do something that dangerous to save someone) is that I always wanted Shiho to be further explored and developed, as after Kamoshida she doesn't get much attention other than a few scenes in Ann's social Link...So I hope to use the story to develop her more and also showcase her and Ann's social Link more along with what a Social Link with Akira might have looked like.
Some of the paranoia you experienced will be answered soon, but not all...I need to leave some tension lol.
Akira taking so much damage was a combination of him focusing 'Null Physical' mostly on Shiho, it being daylight and also the fact he was low on SP.
Ann's and Shiho's(Especially Shiho) will have quite the interesting relationship with him moving forward.
The Ann scene was originally more platonic, but after considering that she always pulled for the villians rather than the heroes, I thought it fit for her to be a big fan of Joker(This was one of the many scenes I wrote...And then rewrote and added things to about ten times over)
Sojiro is indeed warming up to him a bit, and I'm glad you caught the Kawakami line as it's actually going to play a part in her social link with him.
Takemi will be happening soon and as for Mona, only people with Persona's(Like Akira) can understand him...It's why when meeting with Ann or especially with Mishima, Morgana stayed out of sight.
AtFanfic- You ask, you shall recieve.