There wasn't anything to do but wait for a signal. A sign that there was a new target. Thankfully, there wasn't too much waiting to do. Mere days after Madarame sobbing his eyes out on national TV, Kennith's phone pinged.

Akira Cute-rusu: So. We've been found out.
Akira Cute-rusu: But, it isn't all bad. The girl - Makoto - has a target for us. Or, she supposedly does. We won't know for sure until tomorrow.
Akira Cute-rusu: I'm letting you know now, in case anything happens.

He smiled brightly, starry-eyed. This was his chance. His joy was punctuated by another message.

Akira Cute-rusu: You can't come, since Makoto doesn't know about you. Or at least, she doesn't know that you know about us.
Akira Cute-rusu: I'll update you, okay?
Ken: np np! best of luck, i'll bash her face in for you if she pulls anything
Akira Cute-rusu: That's my special guy.

Kennith spent his time that day gathering provisions. He sharpened his pocket knife and shone it to perfection, admiring his reflection in it. He considered buying a gun, but went against it, knowing he didn't have the money for that. He made himself some crude armor from spare metal - guards for his arms and shins, mainly - and made adjustments to an old shirt to make a crude, "bulletproof" vest. Stabproof may have been more appropriate. It wasn't much at all, but it was all he was able to do, and he would be damned if he wasn't going to push that as far as he could.

His update didn't offer too much information, the next day.

Akira Cute-rusu: So, turns out, she was telling the truth. The only problem is, we don't know anything about the target.
Akira Cute-rusu: She says it's a mafia boss, and that they mainly do their business in Shibuya, and that's it.
Akira Cute-rusu: I would ask you to help us search for info, but there isn't really anywhere to search that we don't already have covered...I wouldn't want to put that stress on you anyway.
Ken: wow okay thats serious
Ken: let me know if there's anything i can do to help, yeah? n update me when u get more info
Ken: and lemme know when u do the heist, i dont want it gettin in the way of our plans or somethin
Akira Cute-rusu: Well, our time limit is two weeks, so make of that what you will.
Akira Cute-rusu: I'll be busy with this, so we might only be able to text for a bit, sorry about that. I love you.
Ken: love you too knucklehead

Perfect. All he had to do was prepare, and wait. The updates were sporadic - and, admittedly, worrying. Having to do with a drug trafficking scheme, being forced to try and get involved with it himself...not to mention the joking 'I'm going to Shinjuku, if something happens then you get Morgana' text. Soon after that, though, his salvation arrived.

Akira Cute-rusu: We have a name! Junya Kaneshiro.
Akira Cute-rusu: Or, that's what we think the name is. Not 100%, but a full name that isn't a student is the most conclusive lead we've gotten so far.
Akira Cute-rusu: We're going to do some extra research tomorrow. I'll update you.

Before Kennith could respond, another text popped up.

Akira Cute-rusu: Don't come to the meeting, though, okay? This is serious business. I don't want you getting wrapped up in all this, after being seen with us.

He paused, and pondered. Well...a white lie wouldn't hurt anyone.

Ken: of course, yeah! dw i'll keep away this time
Ken: i love yooou, make sure you dont talk too loud
Akira Cute-rusu: You ought to be telling that to Ryuji, not me.

That was followed quickly by another text.

Akira Cute-rusu: Speaking of Ryuji, he seems popular here. Be back later, gotta help him out.

A pause.

Akira Cute-rusu: Uhh, nevermind? I think he'll be fine. Just tired.
Akira Cute-rusu: Very tired.
Ken: well, thats ominous,
Akira Cute-rusu: It's fine, really. I think. I'm pretty sure.
Ken: if hes dead im not being your alibi
Akira Cute-rusu: That's fair.
Ken: i'll bail u out though if you get arrested for it
Akira Cute-rusu: My knight in shining pastels. I'm swooning.
Ken: oh, hush, n get your butt home, its late
Akira Cute-rusu: I was about to, yeah. I think I'll head to bed once I get home, so goodnight! I love you, sweet dreams.
Ken: you tooo nerdball ily

He messaged Stephanie immediately to tell her what he was doing tomorrow. Or, part of it - that he was going to Shibuya. He wasn't going to spill to her, not yet.

His plan was simple: head to Shibuya with his Nav, and eavesdrop. He wasn't entirely lying...he wasn't at the meeting at all, he was just...near it. He had to help, no matter what it took. He was sure to disguise himself as best he could - a baggy sweatshirt, a surgical mask, a beanie, the works. He brought a bag full of his equipment, just to be safe.

The waiting was tedious, and anxiety-inducing. He was sure to lower his head when he noticed the group congregating, and casually strolled as close as he could without being noticed. He kept his phone muted, as well, simply keeping an eye on the display as the spoke. He'd already entered Kaneshiro's name - that part had been easy enough to guess. Now he just needed to see what happened.

The further wait was agonizing. But the same instant that Yusuke's phone buzzed with a hit, so did Kennith's. Junya Kaneshiro saw all of Shibuya as his bank. He waited a good stretch of time after the thieves entered the Metaverse - or, that's what he assumed they did. He couldn't show up at the same time as they did, that would be suspicious. And Akira would kill him for sneaking along.

He went to press the button and confirm...but froze. He couldn't bring himself to do it. He didn't know what he would see there, or what would happen. He didn't even know if he'd be able to handle things alone. He simply sighed, closed out of the Nav, and put his phone back in his pocket.

He had made progress. If they didn't do everything they needed to this time, he'd make his way in and help next time.

The update he got from Akira was useful, as vague as it was; "We weren't able to do much, but we ended up finding the palace. Flies around, weirdly enough." He wondered briefly if he could construct a grappling hook, or something... If it flew, it was bound to be up high, and he couldn't help if he couldn't even reach the damn thing.

He sighed softly. He just had to wait. It was always some stupid, shitty waiting game.

He just had to remain diligent. Any opportunity he had, anything that might help him, he had to take it.

He couldn't help a somber chuckle. Who knew that self-destructive tendencies had such potential to help others? And at the same time, such a chance to ruin everything.

This was where the question came: what did he value more? Being useful to Akira, and furthering their pursuit of the greater good? Or staying safe, and making a humble life with his friends? He hated to think about it. And so he didn't.

He had to do anything to be useful. Even if it killed him.

That might be better, anyway, he thought. He wouldn't be around to get in the way, and he could do something useful. Be an inspiration - a martyr. A man who died trying to defend the people he loved, and offer his help to them. That wouldn't be such a bad way to be remembered.

If this is what kills me, he thought, I'm going out in a blaze of goddamn glory.

-a little on the short side, but im at least glad its over a thousand words ;P-