Well... I'm back again! Here's the thing here, graduate school (Master's Degree) is approaching and I may have even less time to continue as well. Also, I've been thinking about writing other fics, mainly a My Hero Academia OC fic, I haven't ironed out the details but I know this for sure, it will be about an ex-villain seeking redemption. I've been thinking about giving him a quirk based from the Fate series (Which I've watched a lot lately) but trying not make it overpowered (Either Kiritsugu's time powers or EMIYA's weapon construction). Also, the fact that the movie (I am hyped) got Ray Chase and Erica Mendez (My picks for my OCs' voice actors!) in the dub version got me fanboying out.

In the news of Persona, oh look! Persona Q2 is not dead! And everybody is here! (Except for P1 and P2, sorry) And Atlus finally recognizing Minako/Hamuko. The funny thing here, she was the main inspiration for Kotone Seta in this fic, Hell her name was from the stage play! Oh you know, I will write a PQ2 Fic in the future with my OCs. (It's gonna be awkward as Hell because Kotone knows Ken and the sibling grew up in Inaba) Here's hoping that PQ2 will get dubbed so I can hear Yuri Lowenthal (Makoto Yuki and Yosuke), Matthew Mercer (Kanji and Yusuke), and Laura Bailey (Rise and Minako (yes, she voiced her!) if she's available) talking to themselves.


Chapter 9: The new Investigation Team!... Kinda.

Ren and Ryuji gather outside at the courtyard near a couple of vending machines, Kotone shortly arrived with her face freshly splashed with water, presumably to cool herself down from her brief volleyball match.

"Yo, needed to use the bathroom?" Ryuji asked nonchalantly

"Ye-yeeaaah, personal business." Kotone flatly replied.

"Not related to our volleyball match and that catch?" Ren teased.

Kotone immediately blushed and looked away from Ren. "I-I th-think! We should get back on task." sounding flustered.

"You're right." The blonde student agreed. "Oh, by the way, that was an awesome play there! You should have seen the look on his face!"

"Yeah, and something tells me that he'll find a way to recruit me." sounding exhausted. "But, hey at least we able to bruise his ego during that rally which is basically his fluffer."

"Fluffer?" Ryuji asked, not knowing the term.

"You don't wanna know," Ren told him who turned slightly to Kotone surprised that she would know such a term.

"Back to topic. As of now, this is meeting official meeting of the Investigation Team!" She went to her confident self.

"Investigation Team?" Ryuji questioned with his eyebrow crooked. "Sounds lame. Pretty boring name if you ask me."

"Yeah, you right." Kotone agreed. "I heard that name yelled out somewhere before and it stuck with me. Figure it fits since we're investigating."

"Nah, we need a better name with more 'oompf' in it." He suggested.

"How about the Shujin Operatives?"

"Let's put a pin on the names first." Ren interrupted wanting to get back on task.

"Well, anyways. Now's our chance to go look for the guys we saw were slaves yesterday." Getting back on topic. "We remembered the faces we saw at the castle that match to those on the roster. They all should be here today."

"One of them bound to admit about Kamoshida's physical abuse." Kotone said.

"Right, where should we start?" Ren asked.

"There's that one guy from Class D which is your class," Ryuji replied to Ren then he turned to Kotone. "Maybe you can get him to talk since people's been avoiding me and I think Ren's in the same boat."

"I figured just as much, but they kinda don't like me for different reasons," Kotone replied. "Also, his name is Riku Azuma. Let's go."

Ren lead the way to his classroom, they scanned the room to find Riku Azuma once they entered into Classroom 2-D's doors. It didn't take long to find him since he was the only one with bandages covering his swollen face and with bruises around him standing by the chalkboard.

"Um, excuse me, Azuma-san?" Kotone politely called him out for his attention.

"Hmmm?" He turned around to see three students before him and scoffed at three. "Are you skipping out on the rally? I guess I expect from you, transfer."

"Which one?" Kotone commented.

"Does it matter now since you're paling around with him?" Riku replied. "And Sakamoto too? How far you've already fallen."

"Nice to meet you too, Elephant Man." Kotone snapped back with a strain in her voice, holding back her anger due to his slight.

"Okay, we here we want to know how you got those injuries." Ren quickly asked the question before Riku had to chance to reply to Kotone's comeback.

"W-what? It's from practice! Isn't it obvious?" He quickly replied with fear in his voice.

"Let me guess, Kamoshida did this, right?" Ryuji followed up adding more pressure to the player. "Look, I'm not going to tell anyone that you sequel. Just tell us how Kamoshida's abusin' you."

"I don't know what you're talking about." He denied.

"Your secret is safe with us, we want to help you." Kotone in attempts to convince him.

"She's right, we already know," Ryuji added in

"You…. you know? You have proof?" He asked with a small degree of hope in his voice.

The three stood in silence, they know but doubt anybody would believe them about a castle in Dimension X. This was something to Kotone feared.

"Well.. I ugh…" Ryuji struggled to find the right words.

"With your testimony and another, we can stop Kamoshida," Kotone told Riku, hoping to persuade him to confess. "We can get you-"

"Enough! This is ridiculous!" He started to panic a bit. "Please! Please just let me alone! You guys are bothering me!"

The three stepped back a bit to give him some space. They all knew it was a lost cause for him at this point, without another word they walked away from and left the classroom and regrouped in the hallway for the next plan.

"Damnit." Kotone huffed. "I knew this is not going to be easy."

"True, but we got more to talk to," Ren replied. "And you kinda snapped at him a bit in the beginning."

"He was an ass." She complained.

"Focus guys, we don't have much time if we go them one at a time." Ryuji sighed.

"We should split up to cover more ground," Ren suggested.

"That's what I was thinking too." The delinquent agreed. "I'll check the practice building and you two will finish up the Classroom Building." He stood a moment trying to remember any more members.

"There's a third-year student in the team, I think he's in Class 3-C? He could be around that classroom, they're on the first floor."

"I think his name is Sasaki Miki. You take it, Ren," Kotone said. "I don't want to get caught by Kaz down there and start asking me questions."

"Sure, I'll do it." The glasses wearing student took up the task.

"I remembered he was gettin' beat pretty badly at the castle, he could have some injuries here as well." Ryuji gave more information about the third-year student, then he turned to his classmate. "You can get the first year, a new member, on the third floor. He just joined so might not be all wrapped up in Kamoshida's web of bullshit yet. He's at Class 1-B."

"Okay, I'll do it then," Kotone said. Just as after she accepted the task, her phone vibrated.

KaS: Makoto wanted me to tell you to patrol the 3rd floor full of first years. I'll be on the first floor where she gets the second floor.

"Speak of the devil, guess we got our cover." She said as she showed the two boys her message.

KoS: Sure, I'll do it.

"Great, we got a plan of action now." Ryuji grinned widely. "Let's go!"

"Investigation Team. Let's roll out!" Kotone cheered.

"We're not calling that!" Ren and Ryuji told her as they split up much to her dismay. As she climbed up the stairs to search for a boy standing near Class 1-B. He had a couple of bandages on him but not as severe from the last player they talked to. He was reading the post-it board, perhaps looking to join more clubs.

What his name again? Right. Shiro Fukuyama.

"Hello? Shiro Fukuyama?" She walked to him.

"Hmm?" He turned to see his senpai that already noticed. "Oh! Hello Kotone-senpai" He gave a quick bow to greet her. "Is there something want?"

"Y-yes. I want to make sure. You're on the volleyball team? Just recently?" She asked.

His calm face slowly changed into fear, worry, nervousness when she asked those words. "Y-yeah… I'm on the volleyball team. Whadda want to know?"

She hesitated for a bit but she decided to be straightforward, she does not have time to beat the bush. "Is Kamoshida abusing you now?" She bluntly asked him point blank with concern.

"Wh-what! Why would you say something like that!" He quickly denied, the same denial reaction that she saw with Kaz anytime she teased him with about his hidden interests.

"I get that he's pretty strict, but it's normal for other sports team right? You get it right? You used to play?"

"Yes, but I don't end up with bandages covering half my body. I know the difference between the two." Kotone replied.

"B-but maybe the special coaching he gave Mishima-senpai was prolly too far…." He briefly drifted off, thinking. "Oh.. uh. I seriously don't know anything! Sorry!"

"Special?" He realized he might have spoken too much.

"P-please leave me alone. I don't know." He denied again.

"Shiro." She whispered as she moved closer. "Your secret's safe with me. My dad is a police officer, tell me what he did to you and I'll take you to him. He'll protect you. Please, just tell me." She implored.

He hesitated for a bit, thinking about her proposal. "Talk to Mishima-senpai, he'll know you get him to talk, and/or evidence as well, maybe. I can't make promises." He whispered.

She let out a sigh of relief and gave a small smile. "Thank you. We'll find you after we get Mishima."

"Yeah sure, can you leave me alone?" She back away a bit to give him room. The school broadcast suddenly made an announcement

"Attention, Attention. All matches have concluded. Please get ready to go home for today." She walked by the stairs to see that Ryuji send another text to the group.

RS: Damn, we're outta time. How it go?
RA: No good.
RS: So you didn't have any luck either.
KoS: I might have something. Mishima.
KoS: Apparently, Kamoshida had some special coaching with him.
RS: Awesome! That's something. We should meet in the courtyard to discuss. You guys good?
RA: Yep
KoS: I think I got time before a Council meeting. Sure.

She put her phone away to head off to the meeting spot.


4/13/2016 Afternoon

Ren was the first one at the courtyard since he was on the first floor, therefore, the closest, waiting for the other two to arrive. Hoping for more information that Kotone had for Mishima, it could be the break they need. Still, the castle and Kamoshida's shadow still lingered in the back of his head. Was it possible to do more in that … world? Random thoughts in his head as he was just looking at the vending machine, thinking if he should buy one.

Phanta Orange? Maybe Grape? Maybe I should buy two more for them. Do they still have yakisoba buns?

"Excuse me?" A voice different from Kotone spoke out, addressing to the transfer student, it was Ann Takamaki, he remembered seeing her on the first floor talking to her friend when he asked the third year students.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" She asked.

"I doubt you won't if I said no." He jokingly replied.

"It'll be quick." She promised.

Girls say that but it's never quick. Ren thought to prepare for a lecture of some sorts.

"Anyway, what's with you? Like, how you were late the other day was a lie and all." She confronted him about that since she remembered seeing him on that day. "... and there's that weird rumor about you too."

"I can say the same to you. I heard things about you too." Ren countered back with a bit of irritation in his voice. "I'm guessing rumors about you is as true as mine."

She grunted a bit. "Guess this is the kettle telling the pot is black. Fine… I'll drop that but I do remember the day were you late and I know for a fact that you weren't sick."

"What do you want with him?" Ryuji voiced came from behind of her, surprising her a bit. She turned around to see Ryuji and Kotone walking up to her.

"Right back at you too." She retorted. "You two aren't even in our class."

"We just happened to get to know each other." He technically told the truth.

"And besides, there's no law that you can't make friends from different classes," Kotone replied.

"What your plans on doing to Mr. Kamoshida." She leaned back with her arms crossed.

"Huh?" Taken aback, for a brief moment. "Oh, I get it now. You're all buddy-buddy with Mr. Kamoshida after all." He said in an accusing tone.

"What?" Kotone sounding confused.

"This has nothing to do with you two!" Ann shouted.

"If you found out what he's been doing behind your back, you dump him right away." He continued.

"Behind my back... ?" She repeated. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Ryuji, maybe you shouldn't" Ren attempted to diffuse the situation. Ryuji looked to him for a moment and relented.

"You wouldn't get it."

She brushed it off quickly. "Anyway, people are already talking about you three. I don't know what you're trying to pull, but no one's going to help you. I'm just warning you, just in case, that's all." She walked away from the three after saying what she wanted to say.

"Why she's gotta be so aggressive all the time?" He complained while kicking the floor lightly.

"Well, you kinda started it when you accused her of being Kamoshida's girlfriend." Kotone looked at him with irritation.

"I-I ugh umm, it's just that I heard-" He tried to find the right excuse.

"Heard about what? The rumors about her? Kinda how I'm filled with rumors?" Ren said sternly.

"Urggh, fine you're right, I shouldn't jump on her with that. Just don't want her to get involved with this." He caved.

"That's fine. As long you know your mistake. Still, you acted like you knew her." Kotone replied.

"Yeah, we just went to the same middle school, that's all." He answered. "Still, that's not what we're here to talk about. I got no luck at my end. How about you guys?"

"I got nothing from those third years." Ren annoyingly replied. "All I got was some smack talk about me being a criminal and something about Kotone as well."

"Yeesh… let me guess. Something about you corrupting me or something?" she asked in a mocking tone.

"Yeah, they said that I made you mine…. I'm not gonna said it and called you things that I don't want to repeat." He grimaced. "And your brother overheard them and…. let's just say I don't want to get on his bad side."

"Yikes."Ryuji replied. "How bad?"

"Don't know. I bailed before it got worse." He cringed. "But I do remember him dragged those two away."

"Oh God, it's like the fire ants incident." She faceplammed herself. "Anyways, I got some good news, I got a name, Mishima. Apparently, he got "special coaching" from Kamoshida himself."

"Special coaching huh?" Ryuji crossed his arms and leaned on his back leg. "True, I always see that guy in bruises."

"I remember you guys mentioning him yesterday. He is in my class." Ren realized the connection. "That explains the spikes at him."

"On top of that. The first year guy I meet told me this, he might, I repeat, might, help us if we can get Mishima to talk." Kotone added in.

"Well in that case, we should talk to him before he leaves then." Ryuji said.

"You guys go ahead. It's almost time for the Council meeting." Kotone said as she slowly took off. "I hope you can convince him."

The two boys watched her disappear into the building, kinda bummed out that they're short one man…. eh woman, from their group. Ren thought a girl like her could convince Mishima to talk, she was able to calm Ryuji down and some persuaded the first year student to give her information. Perhaps, Morgana was right, it's just something women have that men don't.

"Well, we should make use without her now." Ryuji told Ren reminding to find Mishima as soon as possible. The quickly made their way to the front entrance, hoping to catch him trying to leave the school. To their luck, they caught Mishima just about to the leave the school the school. They quickly ran up to him.

"Hey, got a second?" Ryuji cried out.

"Sakamoto?" He said baffled. "And you too?" He looked at his classmate.

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Ren was just done with people getting shocked with him hanging out with the school delinquent.

"Come on, we just wanna chat." Ryuji casually told the blue-haired boy. "Kamoshida's being "coaching" you, huh? You sure it's not just physical abuse?" Just as straightforward as always.

He took a couple of steps back in surprise. "Certainly not!" He quickly denied.

"What're you talkin' all polite for? Anyways… We saw him spike you today. Right in the face."

"That's because I'm not good at that sport." He made the excuse for himself.

"Still, that doesn't explain all the other bruises you got." He pressed on.

"They're from practice!" The same excuse from all the players.

"Is he forcing you to keep quiet?" Ren asked. "We won't snitch."

"What's going on here?" Kamoshida asked the group of boys as he walked up to them, just as Mishima was about to say something, the timing was too convenient, something that Ren already took notice who eyed at him with suspicion.

"Mishima, isn't it time for practice?"

"I-I'm not feeling well today." He nervously attempted to excuse while looking away.

"What? Maybe you're better off quitting then." He immediately shamed the boy which shocked him. "You're never going to improve that crappy from unless you show up to practice."

"Didn't you heard? He ain't feeling well!" Ryuji walked up to the coach with determination in Mishima's defense.

Completely ignoring Ryuji's outburst. "Well, Mishima? Are you coming to practice or not?" He pressed on.

"... I'll go." The student reluctantly complied. After that, Kamoshida turned to Ryuji and looked down at him straight in eyes.

"And as for you, any more trouble and you'll be gone from this school for sure." He threatened the blonde student.

"Bastard…" He muttered.

"Same goes for you." He looked up to Ren. "Didn't the principal tell you to keep in line?"

Twelve. Ren mentally counted. And yet didn't ask how was my face, it's like he didn't care.

"I was just leaving." He coldly replied.

"Hmph, just don't get in the way of my practice."

Your practice?

"All these unsettling rumors are making the students anxious, after all."

"That's your own goddamn fault." Ryuji replied hinting Kamoshida's involvement for the rumors.

"Tch. This won't get us anywhere." He dismissed Ryuji's comment. "Let's go Mishima." He turned and took a couple of steps forward before stopping.

"Shujin Academy is a place where those with aspirations come to learn. Like that first transfer girl that seems to hang out with you." He said with his back facing the boys. "Unworthy students like yourselves don't have any right to be here. Or with her." He clenched his fist. They will only drag her down. She'll have a better with me!

"Get with the program!"

He started walking away to volleyball, once he was out of hearing range.

"That asshole." Ryuji cursed. "He's gonna pay for this!"

"... There's no point." Mishima seemingly to admit it.

"What?" Ryuji and Ren said.

"Proving that he's physically abusing us… is meaningless. Everybody knows… The principal, our parents… They all know it, and they all keep quiet about it. So even if I told the police, they'll cover him." He confessed to the shocked pair and a sadden transfer girl hiding nearby, as if it didn't matter at all.

"This has gotta be a joke…"

"... Don't be a pain. You don't understand what I'm going through. Shouldn't you of all people know that nothing's going to help!?" He ran back into the school to go back to "practice."

"Damnit…" Was all Ryuji could say.

"Tell me about." Kotone came out of hiding briefly startling them and walk up to the pair. "That police thing was my goal. Get Mishima and Hiro to talk but from what he said, it won't be enough."

"... I'll try to persuade the other guys one more time. That's all I can do…. Maybe with a bigger group, the parents won't be able to cover for him." He attempt to give some hope in this situation.

"This is going to be even tougher now." Ren commented. "So, I'm guessing you heard it all?"

"Yeah, just like his shadow, I can tell he wants me. It's why I hid, I didn't want to deal with him with the whole "join the volleyball" yeah sorry for leaving you guys out there."

"Nah, man, it's cool." Ryuji forgave her. "After what happened in the castle, you have every right to be scared."

Her face immediately turned red and glared at him. "B-baka! I'm not scared! I-I'm just tired dealing with him! That's all." She turned away from Ryuj, arms crossed, looking away, putting up a brave face.

"Ummm?" sounding clueless.

"I'm guessing that we should resume this tomorrow." Ren interjected. "We need to think of something else if we want to get him."

She relaxed her posture and agreed with him. "Yeah, you're right. Today was a bust." Her phone vibrated.

KaS: After school study session… unfortunately…. as a heads up.

She send a different text message to someone else just to make sure.

KoS: Is he doing a study session?
MN: Yes he is.

Switching back.

KoS: Okay cool.
KaS: ….
KaS: You just asked Makoto to make sure I didn't lie huh?
KaS: Nice to see that you're so trusting.
KoS: Haha, have fun.

She put her phone away and turned her attention to back her friends.

"So see you guys tomorrow?"

The two boys agreed, the three walked out of the front then split up going their separate ways. Unknown to them, a certain black cat was watching them on top of a trash can from the alleyway in front of the school before heading off somewhere.


"I'm home!" Kotone declared as she entered the house only to see her father teaching Rei some punches by having her doing punches on his hands with him kneeling to her level and let his palms facing out for her to punch. They were so focused to notice her entering the room.

"Remember, Rei. Just your hips, don't just flail your arms around." He told her.

"Okay, Daddy." She obeyed and became more conscious of her hip moments.

She just silently stood there watching the lesson, smiling the entire time. It reminded her of the times her father taught her and Kaz in self-defense. He didn't want to see his children be a helpless victim in a random encounter. And now he's teaching the same thing to Rei, guess some things never changed.

"Make sure you have proper footing," Kotone spoke up surprising the two. "You need a stable foundation on your feet when striking, and make sure your legs are shoulder width apart, not too narrow, or too wide."

"Kotonee-Chan!" Rei cried out and ran up to hug her as her greeting. "I'll do what you said. Will you and Kaznii-chan teach me more?"

"Of course we will. In due time, and grandpa will help you too!" She rubbed her sister's head. "Hey, Dad." She greeted him. "Kaz's doing a study session with Niijima-Senpai, for once, he'll be home later."

"Oh good for him then, I got some sushi for tonight's dinner." He replied. "Rei, clean up for dinner and I'll ready the table."

"Okay." She ran off to get ready.

"Come set the table up with me." Which she obeyed. "I also got some good news I got time off this Friday to take Rei to the hospital."

"That's great!" Kotone sounding jubilant as she grabbed the plates. "I'm also going to get Mom do a video chat with her as well."

"Yeah, that seems right." He replied uncomfortably. Even though he had gotten over the divorce, it was still an uneasy subject. "She would love to see Rei again, even if it's a video chat."

"I am trying to get her to visit in person on her birthday." She replied as she set down the plates. "I made a promise." Her father smiled kindly at her goal.

"I'm back! Is the sushi ready?" Rei came back as she seated herself.

"Yep." Samuru opened a container full of sushi for dinner. "Make sure to save some for Kaz when he gets home. And yes I'm talking to you, Kotone." He looked at her.

"What?" She asked.

"You eat a lot." Rei bluntly told her. "And yet you're not fat. Just being honest." She gave the biggest grin with a hint of smugness in her voice.

"..." Kotone's eye twitched in response to her comment. She can't get mad at her for saying that unlike Ryuji or Kaz. "I'll restrain myself." She said through her teeth before she started eating.

Rei spread a decent chunk of wasabi on her sushi and ate it in one bite with little repercussions and continued as normal. Even Kotone couldn't handle that much wasabi.

"I'll do my homework after this, in case you're wondering," Kotone told her dad.

"Good, Rei was able to finish her before you came home. I checked and she got all the answers right." Samuru replied. "She is much smarter than she looks."

"Are you a smart little one?" Kotone praised her sibling.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I just read the book and do the work." She simply replied.

"Heh, she's picking up from Kaz. Say, do you know where he's studying?" Said Samuru.

"Oh, Makoto told earlier that they're studying at the diner," Kotone replied. She paused for a moment, remembering about the investigation of the abuse, she was hesitant to ask as she didn't want to reveal what she and the boys were doing, but at least find a way to get some advice.

"Dad… I've been researching a bit about the police and crimes that they look at. I just want to ask some questions to clarify some things." She asked.

"Sure, what do you want to know?" He asked.

"The subject of abuse, what are the steps for arresting the abuser?"

"Hmm." He paused for a moment. Putting down his chopsticks, and putting his index finger on his chin, remembering the procedures. "It's a tricky one, we need evidence or probable cause to act on it, usually we get a statement from the victim themselves."

"And if they do?" She continued

"Then we would have to look into it, and if the victim's a minor, we tell the parents, as long if they're not the abusers."

"Okay." She nodded. "Let me be clear, to act on it, you need evidence, probable cause, or the victim's statement, and you have to inform the parents if the victim is a minor."

"Yes. Is that all you need to know?"

"... Yeah. That's all." Kotone solemnly answered with her fist clenching extremely tight under the table something that Rei just noticed but decided to keep quiet about it.

Everybody knows… The principal, our parents… They all know it, and they all keep quiet about it. She remembered what Mishima said earlier that day. He was right, even if she told her father right then and there, he won't be able to do anything, no evidence, no one willing to speak up, and even if one did their parents would deny it.

She's starting to see very few options now. At this point, she's thinking she should take Kamoshida's offer to join the team and go undercover to gather evidence from there but what Hell would she had to endure, would Ren and Ryuji even allow it?

"Kotone?" Her father asked her breaking her from her train of thoughts. "Something wrong?"

"Oh umm, n-no. Just thinking what you said, trying to remember it for future use. And homework for school today. Which I should do after." Kotone gave a white lie, before resuming eating dinner. The rest of the night was just Kotone doing her school work with Kaz coming home a bit after dinner. After a while, when she was getting herself ready for bed, she received a text message from Ryuji.

RS: Hey, this don't make any damn sense.
RS: The Principal and even the parents know about the abuse.
RS: Why ain't nobody speaking up!?
RA: Volleyball
KoS: It'll make them look good.
RS: Yeah…
RS: It's basically because Kamoshida made the volleyball team famous, yeah?
RS: Even so, that don't give him the right to do whatever he wants!
RS: He's beating kids up, and all they're allowed to do is endure.
RS: And that follower of his doesn't give one single shit.
RA: Follower?
KoS: Who?
RS: Ann Takamaki. You met her in the courtyard, remember?
RS: You should know her Ren, I mean she's in your class dude.
RS: Ugh! What a load of bull!
RS: I can't let it end like this.
RS: I gonna try and find someone who knows about what's going on with Kamoshida during break tomorrow.
RS: Just you watch, I ain't giving up!

We're not either, Ryuji Kotone thought, it was clear that he was just venting out his frustration due to their lack of progress from today. She put away and went to bed, hoping for a crack in the case.

What to do now? Echoed in her thoughts before drifting off.


4/14/2016

The morning trip to school went on like normal, Kotone was able to find Ren on the subway and walked with him on the way to Shujin along with the other students.

"Did you see Mr. Kamoshida play yesterday? He was so awesome!" One "slightly,"The excited girl asked her friend. "I think I might ask for his autograph after school."

"I dunno." Her friend replied. "I hear that you shouldn't go near the PE faculty office. People said that they could hear weird noises like screaming but no one's there."

Kotone and Ren's clenched their fist at the same time. They knew all too well, what going on in the office then.

The office, maybe if we can get a recorder. Kotone brainstormed.

"Psh, that's probably just some rumor spread by fans to scare off the competition." The girl dismissed.

Oh, they're willing to dismiss that rumor but believe the rumors about me. How nice. Ren snidely thought.

Once they entered the gates, they went their separate ways to class. Ren was just going through the motions of various classes. But, during the one class after the lunch break, his phone vibrated. Good thing it was on silent.

Who! No! Not during class! He grunted to see that Ryuji decided to text him during class.

RS: So about witnesses
RS: I was wondering if we could get something out of Takamaki.

Ren briefly looked up to see her sitting in front of him, focusing on the lesson.

RA: Because she's with Kamoshida?
KoS: I thought we talk about that rumor.
RS: No, it's not about that.
RS: Hear me out.
RS: You know how we didn't get anything outta the volleyball team?
RS: I figured it'd be a good idea to talk to someone who knows them.
RS: Takamaki's BFFs with a starter. A girl named Suzui.
KoS: Hold on.
KoS: I remember reading her file. She's in our class!
RS: Yeah, I tried to talk to her during break, but I got nothing.
RS: It's why we should Takamaki talk to her.
KoS: That could work
RS: Then again, I guess it'll be hard to get her to help us…
RA: Since you accused her of being with Kamoshida.
RoS: I know, sorry about that. Lemme see what else I can come up with.

Ren put his phone away quickly before he was caught. He should meet up with him and Kotone after school.

4/14/2016 After School

After classes, Kotone decided to head to the school for a quick meeting with the boys, apparently, Ryuji had to go to the bathroom and told her to go on ahead and wait for them. As she walked down the pathway, she noticed Suzui walked past her. She was about to stop her to talk but saw Ann near the vending machines talking on her phone. Her face was that of disgust and frustration, she did not like talking to whoever's on the other line. Kotone briefly stood still and blushed immediately at the sight of her, because the last time she saw Ann was the fake one in the castle wearing a skimpy bikini, highlighting her assets, something that Kotone and Morgana took notice of. She shook her head to refocus herself.

Focus! It was not the real Ann! Don't think about that! This is the real Ann in front me! Not that fake one with that... incredible, curvy, smooth body with those huge- DAMNIT! She smacked both sides of her head three times. Hard, to get herself back to the real world. A couple of deep breaths, she steeled herself and walk up to Ann who just hung up her phone.

"Hey." Kotone greeted as she walked up to Ann.

"Huh?" Ann suddenly remembered her being with Ryuji. "You're the other transfer student here, right? You're in Ryuji's and… Shiho's class."

"Yeah. I am." She replied. "And I want to say, sorry about what happened earlier, Ryuji shouldn't have accused you of that rumor."

Her face turned sad. "Yeah, thanks. The reason I came over before was to warn you guys. Kamoshida is not the person you want to mess with."

Her face grimaced, "I figured that as much when talking to the volleyball players. They're afraid of him, do you know what's going?"

"N-no, but I'm worried because people don't like them already and going after Kamoshida won't help them at all. It has been…. rough for Ryuji last year and I don't want to see it get worse for him and the new guy."

Kotone was mildly surprised that someone else showed concern for the blond delinquent since she was from a different class. Even all those years since middle school, she still remembered? Still, they couldn't stop this if they wanted to, besides the school already hated those two so how worse could it get?

"I appreciate your concern, but we have to do this. We can't sit by and do nothing." Kotone replied.

"I don't know nor want to know, but you need to know it won't help you guys since people already don't like them and they're starting talk about you too!"

"To Hell with it!" Kotone snapped back. "I know who I am! They already hate us, and they'll continue hating us even if we stop, so there's no point in dropping it!" She gave her reason with full confidence.

"Tell me." She continued. "If you saw something wrong, real injustice and you have a chance to stop it, even if it hurts you? Will you do it or would you stand by and do nothing?" She remembered what Ren told her and Ryuji at the beef shop, despite what all he been through, he had shown no remorse for his actions.

"I-I" She stumbled for a response.

"The reason evil triumphs is because good people do nothing!" She subconsciously blurted out a quote she remembered told her by her father. "Even if what we do can be a mistake, it's better than taking no action! Especially when it's happening in front of us!"

Ann stood silent after hearing her words. There was no falter in her tone, no doubt, all clear, concise backed with a strong belief in her words. She truly believed them. Ann only resignedly sighed.

"Okay, but be careful. For you, Ren, and Ryuji. Even being the Student Council won't help you much." She warned.

"Thanks. I will." Kotone acknowledged her concern but decided to continue on despite Ann's warning.

"You know. Despite what people said, you're not like your brother." The twin-tail girl left the courtyard, passing by Ryuji who approached to Kotone, they both briefly gave each a sideways glance.

"Hey" He greeted Kotone. "So we wait for Ren-ren, huh?"

"Ren-ren?"

"It's a nickname, I came up with. Think he likes it?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself? Anyways, anything new?"


He went over to the vending machines for a drink and saw a black hair girl who he saw with Ann yesterday. She must be the Suzui girl that Ryuji talking about, maybe he should-

"Oh!" She turned around and saw Ren standing there. "I was in your way. Sorry." She looked away, there was a heaviness in her voice, tired, depressed, it didn't help that she had a slight black eye on her. She must be one of many victims of Kamoshida's abuse.

"... Are you okay?" He asked.

"...Oh!... Ummm…" She struggled to find the right answer, he looked at him for a moment and took notice. "You don't look familiar." She changed the subject. "Are you the new transfer student from Class D?"

He simply nodded. "Ren Amamiya and I heard your class also have another transfer student too?"

"...Yes. I know she is Senpai's younger sister. Also, I'm Shiho Suzui." She answered. "But… I know it's not my business but don't let the rumors get to you, okay?"

He was briefly stunned for a bit, she was one of the very few students in the school who didn't get caught up with the rumor mill.

"Oh, umm thanks for your concern, but why?"

"Well, I've helped with a similar situation before…" She explained. "My best friend is often misunderstood too, all because of her looks."

Ann He thought. Her too as well. Seems he wasn't the only one being subjected to terrible rumors, perhaps she had to endure more than he did, longer even. No wonder she looked irritated when Ryuji accused her of being with Kamoshida.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to drag on like that." She apologized. "I want to ask you something. How well do you know Kotone Seta?"

"Aside from you, she's only other person who didn't believe the rumors about me. Guess she found someone relatable in dealing with the stress of transferring different schools." He responded with a smile.

"That's good of her. She's in my class, she's kind. I'm glad she has a friend that she can lean on." She complimented.

"Anyway, I have to go to practice… I'll see you around." She walked past him to head off to volleyball practice. He decided to head to the courtyard without getting a drink. He saw Kotone and Ryuji just standing there slump, disappointed.

"No good, huh?" Ren could tell they were back to square one.

"Yep." Kotone sadly confirmed. "They all told Ryuji the same thing that Mishima said."

"Kamoshida had to told them something!" Ryuji explained. "At this rate, it looks like we have to go to him directly."

"Like, that's going to help." Ren scoffed. "It's not like he's going to admit it directly"

"I know…" He agreed to the fallacy of his option. "But seriously, isn't there something we can do? No way, I'm gonna give in like this!"

"I got one," Kotone spoke out, hesitant about her plan, but it's a risk to try it. "You know how Kamoshida wanted me to join the volleyball team?"

Both of the boys' eyes widen, they already knew what she was about to say.

"No," Ren told her.

"There's got to be a better way," Ryuji said.

"What else is there?" She explained. "We can't go to the police, we have no evidence! With me in the team, I can gather evidence, maybe have a recording, and expose him! You need a guy on the inside! I can help you sneak in and find evidence! It'll be like a sting operation!"

"It's too dangerous!" Ren yelled. "You saw what he did to the boys, and what you said what could do to the female players, he could do that to you! You saw how his Shadow….." He suddenly remembered something

"I can handle it!" She shouted. "If things go really bad, I can -"

"What about the castle?" Ren interrupted her. "The king?"

"The king?" Ryuji questioned. "Oh! The other world's Kamoshida?" He and Kotone paused a moment about that.

"I haven't thought much about that." He said.

"You're right." Kotone continued. "Could there be any meaning to-"

"I finally found you." a young unknown voice cried out to them causing them to look around in confusion, unaware that a black cat with blue eyes walked up to them.

"You say something?" Ryuji asked Kotone who shook her head. Suddenly the black cat jumped on the table surprising the three teens.

"Don't think you can get away with not paying me back for helping you." The cat talked….

"That voice," Ryuji said.

"Morgana?" Kotone asked bewildered. "Is that you?" She started to squeal a bit, her shoulders tensing up, she covered her mouth to hide her growing grin.

"How dare you up and leaving me the other day!"

"A talking cat!" Kotone squealed. "You're so cute!"

"I am not a cat!" Morgana snapped back as he turned to her. "And I am not cute! This is just what happened when I came to this world. It was a lot of trouble finding you three"

"Let me pet-!" Ren grabbed her shoulder stopping her from reaching Morgana in cat form.

"Calm down. Let him explain some things first." Ren told her as she struggled to reach him before giving up.

"You came to our world?" Ryuji gasped. "Does that mean you have a phone too?"

"That doesn't make sense." Ren and Kotone told him simultaneously.

"You don't need one when you're at my level. I did get pretty lost making my escape though." Morgana explained while grooming himself…. all catlike.

"But still, you're a cat. How can you talk?"

"How should I know?" Even Morgana doesn't know.

"You're hearing this too?" He looked at the other two.

"I think I am losing my mind," Ren commented.

"Yes I heard him and he's cute I wanna pet!" Kotone yelled.

"She's taking it pretty well," Ryuji muttered.

"You guys having a rough time with Kamoshida right? I can tell you a thing or two about him." Morgana smugly asked while scratching his ear with his back leg. "You were pretty close just a moment ago." He told Ren.

"Yep, it's Morgana alright with that condensing attitude." Ryuji huffed with arms crossed.

"You're still doubting me!?" He yelled.

"Gyaaah… do we really have to be looking for a cat in a busy time like this?" Kaz nearby complained referring to Morgana.

"It's part of the job as a member of the Disciplinary Committee" The teacher explained. "Come on, I just heard a meow somewhere near here. Make sure you check every nook and cranny around." The two walked off finding the supposed cat.

"Meow?" Ryuji said. "Does that mean only us three can understand what you're saying?"

"Looks like it." The cat seemed to go along with that.

"Can we go back to the whole thing about Kamoshida?" Ren asked.

"Hold it. This doesn't look like the best place to talk about it." Ryuji advised. "The roof will be better." Which the other two agreed. He immediately grabbed and lifted Morgana by the collar to Ren and Kotone's horror. "Ren, you fit him in your bag-"

"Ryuji!" Kotone snatched Morgana away from him and cuddled him gently in her arms stroking his back. "You have to be more gentle with the cat!" She then started to scratch his head, she found her excuse to pet him.

"Hey! I am not a- mmmmeeeoooooow." Morgana started purring contently to Kotone's head scratches before she put him inside of Ren's bag.

"Okay, let's go," Ren said as the three headed to the rooftops to hear whatever Morgana got to said.


A/N

And that's the chapter! It took a bit longer normal. The next chapter's going to be rough.

Reviews:

Rosy: I'll answer some

1d. He could do that but he wouldn't do that to his sister.
G. There are speculations that Kosei is a Catholic School with Hifumi staying at a church, Yusuke's knowledge of the anguish of Christ and the fleur de lis on Yusuke's uniform. So I decided to make it a Catholic, cause why not?
2b. Because Kotone and Kaz have the same initials "KS" so it would be confusing to put that in.
d. Just assume he looked at the past records or something.
3c. At least Ren stood tall and gave Kamoshida the stink eye like in the anime.
d. But hey, Ren caught her, is that so bad?

Millenia: Interesting choice for Kotone, most would have paired her with Ren. But thank you for your compliment.

Thank for reading and see you next time!