Chapter 6
"She's not gonna be happy..." "Shut up, I'm the leader! I'll do whatever I want!" "Hmph...You're an idiot...Helping an adult...This goes against everything we stand for, Masaru!" "He's not an adult, Nagisa! He's a highschool level ultimate!" "...I'm not gonna be around when she yells at you..." The sound of small footsteps walking away filled Leon's consciousness as they echoed loudly. He could barely hear the other voice speaking to him. He faintly felt something smack his cheek. The voice was trying to wake him up... That's right...I must've passed out from bloodloss...Then..I'm not dead...?
"Where am I...? This isn't the stadium..."
"You're alive! ha! I knew I'd be able to save you! There's no way I'd let the ultimate baseball star die! The name's Masaru Daimon! I've been your biggest fan since forever, Kuwata!I'm a sports star too! The lil' ultimate p.e! But baseball's always been my favorite!" Leon chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm and slowly sat up. He looked down to see his shirt and jacket had been stripped away, with bandages wrapped around his lower torso.
"So...You saved me, huh? Thanks, kid, I owe you one. Where am I? How'd I get here?" Masaru grinned proudly, planting his hands on his hips.
"I dragged you here, all by myself! I came to the stadium cause i wanted to hit the ball around, for old times sake. I found tanka knocked out, and you unconscious. I recognized you right off the bat! Ha, get it? the bat?" Leon let out a small laugh and ruffled the boy's hair.
"Yeah, I get it. Nice pun, you for saving me, seriously. You're awesome! But really..Where am I?"
"Oh right! Ahem, you are in none other than my headquarters! The home of the Warriors of hope! I am the fearless leader, Masaru Daimon!"
Warriors of hope, huh? Sounds pretty cool! Like they're trying to restore order to the world...Is such a group seriously being led by this kid?"well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Masaru...You know, you remind me of myself when I was your age!" that made Masaru grin with excitement.
"Really? Wow, thanks! I'm so glad you're still a highschool level! That means you're not an adult!" Leon scratched his head with a laugh.
"You got that right! I still got energy to spare! Guess you don't like adults much, huh?" Masaru's grin fell quickly, replaced by an angry scowl. He shook his head.
"Nuh uh! Adults are the worst! They're horrible...They're the ones who destroyed the world...The only who can be trusted are kids! That's what big sis said!"
"Big sis, huh? So you have a sister?"
"Yup, we all do! Big sis junko! She told us how the adults in the world are responsible, and need to die, so that way kids can live in peace! We're turning the world into a kid's paradise!" Hearing the name junko made Leon's heart drop.
"J...junko...? Junko...Enoshima...?"
"Yeah! You know her?"
"Masaru...Listen to me ok? You're an awesome kid...But you can't trust Junko...Trust me...She tried putting me in a killing game...Tried to make me and my classmates murder eachother...Adult's didn't bring this despair...She did..." Masaru's eyes widened. He stepped back and glared at Leon.
"No, you're lieing! Big sis wouldn't...!"
"Masaru, I promise you I'm telling the truth...Junko is crazy...She wants to see the world fall to despair...Even the tragedy was all her fault...She even ruined the life of someone close to me..." Fresh tears fell from his eyes as he thought of kazuichi. Masaru felt his glare soften.
"...But...She...This person you care about...Who is it?" Masaru couldn't help but be curious. Seeing his role model in despair, it didn't feel right. The baseball star was never known to get upset.
"His name is Kazuichi Souda...She brainwashed him...Now, he's helping her destroy everything...Forcing him to use his talent for despair..." Masaru's eyes widened.
"You know the ultimate despair?!" Leon nodded.
"Before Junko ruined them, they were a class of happy kids at Hope's Peak Academy. Ibuki taught me how to play guitar...And I helped Kazu get over Sonia..." Masaru watched him and his anger deflated. No matter what, Leon was his role model. His idol. He looked around to make sure the other warriors weren't present.
"The ultimate despair...They're dangerous...are you actually thinking about finding him? Is that why Gundham tried to kill you?"
"Gundham tried killing me because I trespassed in his 'coliseum'...But yeah, I have to find him...Junko had taken my memories, and I only just got them back...I had forgotten all about him...So now, I have to find him...I had thought he was dead, because Junko made them fake their deaths..."
"Wow...That's horrible...I know you can't be making it up because you've never cried before...You've said you never get upset. Same for getting sick." Leon looked up and wiped his eyes.
"Yeah...You're right...Geez you know me that well, huh? You really are my number one fan...Masaru, I know you don't wanna hear me talk about Junko like this..But I'm thankful to you for saving me...someday, if the world ever returns to normal, I want to make it up to you...How does a free ticket to my first major league game sound?"
Where did that come from? am I actually thinking about playing baseball again? well...I guess it's not the worst thing in the world...it saved my life, right?A gasp escaped from the child as a look of surprise formed on his face.
"Really?! Wow...That'd be amazing!" His eyes widened suddenly as he heard voices.
"Uh oh, you have to go, quick! The others are coming! I'm sorry..I can't stop...We made a promise to eachother...But..If I am alive in the future, I'd love to watch you play! Now go. Find your friend. I'll cover for you." He grabbed some clothes nearby and threw them at Leon. It was his shirt and his jacket. he smiled and pulled them on then stood up.
"Thanks, Masaru...Just...Don't do anything you'll regret...Okay? Stay safe...Little Leon..." That comment made the child's grin grow even bigger.
"Thank you, Ku- I mean...Leon! Best of luck!" He waved goodbye as Leon sprinted out of the building.
