'Those boys better get here on time…'

Hitomi impatiently tapped her foot, her arms crossed, and her eyes scanned the busy crowd going in and out of her sights. She reminded Ryuji and Akira of their deal, making sure they'd do it tonight. But, being her usual self, she couldn't help but become impatient.

The crowded streets were something that she absolutely hated about the place. Being in such a busy, bustling area was something she absolutely hated. She wanted to get to a nearby restaurant and talk to them about Kamoshida. Hitomi knew she had to be wary about what she tells them. If she mentions anything closely similar about the Metaverse, then she might as well say goodbye to all of her hard work keeping her identity a secret. She knew it was pretty risky, talking to the two people who can actually go into the Metaverse as well, and having them know her as Reaper.

'I'll be amazed if they haven't found something fishy about it, yet…' Hitomi thought as she could only feel anxious about this meeting. 'I mean, yesterday was actually a clear sign that I'm Reaper. I need to be careful from now on… People are most likely spreading rumors. My quiet reputation might just be finish if they try to make friends with me…'

Her phone suddenly buzzed, which startled her slightly. She took it out to see a message from Ryuji, saying he couldn't make it tonight. Hitomi clicked her tongue in aggravation and asked him why. He replied back with saying his mother was sick and needed medicine. Hitomi couldn't help but feel a bit bad for thinking he was just ditching her. She knew about his record with his mother, knowing his father was in jail. She could definitely understand the feeling…

She closed her phone and shoved it into her pocket. Her eyes wandered around before she recognized a familiar glasses wearing, messy haired, teenage boy. She stepped forwards, watching his face as he recognized her. They met half way while Hitomi greeted him with a soft sigh.

"...Ryuji won't be showing up," Hitomi informed him as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder. "He said he'll pay me tomorrow. I guess I'll just tell him the information tomorrow at school, which is more of an annoyance that I can't just tell you both all at once…"

She shrugged her shoulders before looking at Akira in a lazy manner. "Anyways, I still want dinner. There's a place nearby that I'd like to go to." She turned around, only to look over her shoulder at him. "Don't worry. I won't be buy anything expensive. I'll pay half of the bill anyways…"

"But that wasn't the deal…" Akira muttered.

"What? You WANT to pay full price?" Hitomi gave him a confused look, surprised by his response. "...Look, I feel more like an ass if I don't help pay in some sort of way, okay? Just let me split the bill and we can both pay. I feel better, and you don't have to spend all of your hard earned money and you pay for our deal. It's a win-win."

"But it's civil for the guy to pay," Akira said.

Hitomi turned and gave him a look of slight annoyance. She was surprised he was arguing with her about this. She knew that Ryuji would take the deal in a heartbeat, but this guy was actually fighting her about it. It was new for her to deal with, to be honest.

"...Just—let me pay, damn it." She grumbled with a roll of her eyes. "Anyways, let's get going. The place might just be packed because of rush hour…"

Hitomi turned around again and headed towards the subway. She tried her best to slip through the crowd, becoming very uncomfortable with the people who brushed by, but tried her best to ignore it. But when she tried to get through another crowd, she couldn't find a wide enough space to go through.

'Damn it…' she growled in her head. As she was about to just push her way on through, she felt someone grab her hand. She jumped on contact, stepping back to yank her hand away, only to get yanked forwards. She felt a pang of panic shoot through her body and looked towards her capture as he dragged her through the crowd. Her rapid heartbeating relaxed when she realized it was only Akira. Once they got through onto the other side she immediately yanked her hand away, feeling immensely uncomfortable with the contact.

"Don't touch me," she hissed at him under her breath.

"...Do you not enjoy any sort of contact?" Akira asked curiously.

"No, I don't," she grumbled and rubbed her hand against the back of her skirt as if to get dirt off her hand. "A warning would be great next time, you know…"

"Sorry…" He mumbled, looking away from her awkwardly.

"Tch…" She clicked her tongue and calmed her agitation. "...Come on, follow me…" She gave him a pointed look. "And don't grab my hand again!"

Immediately she began walking fast towards the subway, Akira forced to follow close behind her. For someone who hated contact, she was willing to brush by plenty of people to get to her destination. Hitomi was trying to find a way to get through the subway until a familiar voice grabbed her attention. She couldn't help but stop and look over, causing Akira to do the same, as they both noticed Ann Takamaki's on her phone arguing with someone.

"Will you please give it a rest?!" She had exclaimed. "I told you, I'm not feeling up to it…"

"Who is she talking too…?" Hitomi whispered aloud as listened carefully to Ann, who was utterly unaware of their presence.

"Wait, what…?!" Ann exclaimed, looking very concerned. "That's not what you promised! And you call yourself a teacher?! This has nothing to do with Shiho!"

A small buzz could be heard. Ann stared at her phone in shock before crouching down to the ground, hugging her knees, and hid her face.

"Shiho's… starting position…" Ann murmured softly. She lifted her head and looked at her phone. "Ishikawa-san…"

"You called?" Hitomi inquired, stepping towards Ann while adjusting her glasses.

"Ah…!" Ann jumped to her feet, looking startled, looking at her with wide eyes. "Ishikawa! W-when did you…" She stopped and caught sight of Akira standing behind her. "You…! Were you both listening?!"

"Not on purpose," Akira replied.

"...Everything alright?" Hitomi asked. "You look pretty distressed…"

"I-it was nothing…" Ann muttered, obviously looking uncomfortable. "...How much did you guys hear?"

"Something about a friend," Akira replied softly.

"Shiho…" Ann murmured and looked at her feet. Her head shot up and she instantly shrugged them off. "It was nothing! Nothing…"

Ann wiped her eyes and suddenly took off. Hitomi groaned loudly as her fist were clenched tightly. The look on her face told Akira she was internally debating on something.

"Damn it…" Hitomi cursed before she began walking fast. "After her…!"

"Is that a good idea?" Akira asked as he speedily followed her.

"Would you just leave her while she's in a state like that?" Hitomi asked him.

Akira understood Hitomi's intentions now. He quickly followed after her as the two of them began running. They ran through the subway in an attempt to stop her. Every time they passed a corner they'd catch a glimpse of her running off. They both gave chase and tried keeping up with Ann. Finally she stopped at a pillar, her back facing them, as she looked out of breath.

"Stop running, Takamaki," Hitomi said as soon as they got close.

"Then stop following me…!" Ann exclaimed, obviously looking angry.

"Are you okay?" Akira asked calmly.

"Why… Why do you keep worrying about me?" Ann asked, only for a soft sob to escaped her mouth.

"Takamaki-san…" Hitomi sighed. She took a deep breath and began to talk in a soft tone. "...Let's go somewhere a little bit safer and privater. It's clear you need it."

"What?" Ann looked at her in confusion. "I don't get either of you…"

"I take that as a compliment," Hitomi replied sharply and pushed up the bridge of her glasses. "I know just the place that we can go to. Follow me, please. This time we don't even need to get onto the subway…"

Hitomi began leading them, making sure Ann was following. Ann followed closely behind Hitomi while eyeing Akira, who was behind her. Hitomi lead them into a nearby cafe and instantly took a booth that was the farthest away from the doors.

She gestured for Ann to take the seat that was further away from any windows or doors. Ann instantly took it. Hitomi sat across from her, gesturing for Akira to sit right next to her. A word hadn't been spoken by any of them as a tight silence hung over them. A waitress brought them all drinks of water and they thanked her. Once she was gone Ann decided to speak up.

"I don't have anything to talk about with you," Ann declared, looking away from them.

"...Fine," Hitomi said and took out her phone to check the time. "How's your modeling career going?"

"Um… It's going fine…" Ann mumbled, staring at her in confusion.

Hitomi glanced up from her phone, seeing Ann's intense stare. "Yes, Takamaki-san?"

"Aren't you going to question me?" Ann asked and eyed her suspiciously. "You know, interrogate me about earlier?"

"I'm a bitch but I'm not a heartless bitch," Hitomi stated before placing her phone on the table. "I can empathize with you with what's been going on at school. It's clear that you're stressed out. I was originally going to talk with him," she points to Akira, "about the shit that's been going on at school. But, you're clearly in a bit of distress. Whether you want to vent to us of not, that's your choice. If not, then we might as well give you some relief."

"...Y-you're…" Ann muttered and leaned back into her seat. "You're so weird…"

"Thank you," Hitomi said softly as she looked Takamaki dead in the eye.

"...The least we can do is relieve you of some of your worries," Akira spoke up as he felt like the awkward third wheel in this case.

"Exactly," Hitomi agreed and pointed to him.

"Why're you so willing to help…?" Ann asked, looking between the two in confusion.

"Because…" Hitomi looked at the table and glared. "The school's been a shithole ever since Kamoshida came to the school. It was bad, but he made it even worse. Everyone thinks of him so highly when in reality he's just an egotistical jackass. All I want is to put him in jail and free everybody of his reign of terror. That includes you, Ann."

Akira nodded in agreement, holding a determined look as well. Ann looked away from them quickly, unable to meet their eyes.

"...It was just an argument," Ann said softly. "...With Kamoshida…"

'Knew it,' Hitomi thought and began to slowly sip her drink. She listened to Ann as she spoke, a little surprised she gave in to speak.

"You've heard the rumors...haven't you?" Ann said and began to play with a napkin on the table. "About Mr. Kamoshida…"

Akira nodded while Hitomi closed her eyes and listened. Hitomi wanted to be as calm as she could while Ann spoke.

"Everyone says we're getting it on…" Ann continued. "But… that's so not true…! That was him on the other line. I avoided giving him my number… for the longest time… He told me to go to his place after this... Tsk. You know what it means."

Hitomi's grip on her cup tightened. Akira glanced at her, seeing her tense figure, only to look back a Ann as she was also tense.

"If I turned him down, he said he'll take my friend off as a regular on the team…" Ann said as her voice became quiet. "I've been telling myself that it's for Shiho's sake this entire time… I can't take it anymore…"

Akira couldn't help but look away from her, feeling bad about the situation she was in. Hitomi opened her eyes halfway and gazed at Ann, only for both of them to see her finally break down.

"I've had enough of this… I hate him!" Ann exclaimed as tears rolled down her face. "But still… Shiho's my best friend. She's all I have left at that sorry excuse of a school!" Ann looked at them with a desperate expression on her face. "Tell me… What should I do?..."

Akira couldn't help but understand how angry Hitomi gets. To see Ann become so emotional and desperately asking for help caused his own blood to boil. His fists were clenched tightly in his lap as he didn't know what to say. Hitomi placed her cup down and looked Ann dead in the eye.

"...Don't worry, Takamaki-san…" Hitomi said softly. They looked to her to see a very determined expression upon her face. "...I swear, I'll make Kamoshida pay for all the things he's done. I don't give a rat's ass about getting into trouble anymore. I'll be damned if I don't get that bastard arrested…!"

"Don't you need evidence, though?" Akira asked her.

"...That I do," Hitomi admitted and pushed her glasses up as the glared up again. "But hearing Ann's story might just be enough… Not a whole lot, but enough. I will confront the principle about this and authorities. Don't worry, Takamaki-san…" She gave her a determined look. "I WILL make him repent for his crimes…!"

"Ishikawa-san…" Ann barely spoke above a whisper, staring at the girl in shock.

"...Wipe those tears off of your eyes," Hitomi said and brought her cup to her lips before looking to the side. "You're too pretty to look so sad…"

"Ah…" Ann quickly wiped her tears away, making sure that none were left from her now red, puffy eyes. "I-I'm sorry… I shouldn't have told you guys that. I've barely even talked to you both before…"

"Maybe that's why?" Akira said and pushed up his own glasses.

"...Heh, you might be right," Ann said and smiled softly. "You know, you're both weird. Usually everybody just ignores me."

" 'The weird ones are usually always the best'..." Hitomi spoke softly under her breath.

"Hm? What did you say, Ishikawa-san?" Ann asked.

"Nothing," Hitomi said and placed her glass down and stared at it. "Just talking to myself is all…"

"...Are you guys really as bad as the rumors say?" Ann asked as she eyed both of them. "Neither of you seem like it…"

"I'm bad to the bone," Akira said in a casual tone.

"Yeah, right," Hitomi couldn't help but scoff at him as she gave him a look. "I saw you help that old lady cross the street, and even helped some kid find his toy. 'Bad to the bone,' he says. Ha! Are you trying to stroke your own ego?"

"You can't talk yourself," Akira shot back. "You practically dropped everything and turned into a completely different person to help Mishima out yesterday."

"...I told you to keep that down," Hitomi hissed at him. "I've got a reputation, ya know."

"But what about that time where you gave me your phone number," Ann shot at her while a smile curled onto her face. "That was pretty nice of you at the time. Let's not forget—"

"Shhhh!" Hitomi shushed her as she looked angry. "What is this?! You two tag teaming against me… Hmph!"

Ann stifled a giggle, only for her to start laughing. Hitomi rolled her eyes again, but she couldn't help but feel glad that Ann was definitely feeling better.

"You two are a lot a like," Ann commented after she was done laughing. "Are you going out by any chance?"

"Eh…?" Hitomi gave her an unamused look, looking as deadpanned as ever.

"Sure are," Akira lied with a nod.

"NO, we are NOT!" Hitomi exclaimed and hit the table with her hand. "That isn't funny, you know…!"

"With your reactions they are," Akira said as a lightly smirk was on his face.

"I won't hesitate to beat your ass!" Hitomi growled at him. 'If only he knew who the hell he was talking to, I swear…!'

"Ishikawa-san?" Ann spoke up. They both stopped and immediately looked towards her. "...Thank you. For everything…" She looked to Akira. "The same goes for you. I feel a lot better, to be honest."

"Good," Hitomi murmured. "...Pretty girls like you shouldn't cry like that. It just isn't right…"

"What was that?" Ann asked as she was unable to hear her.

"Nothing, nothing," Hitomi shook her head. "...If Kamoshida calls you again, I want you to record every conversation on the phone you have with him for now on. I'm basically desperate for evidence at this point. If you do that, I'm sure I can at least convince the police to arrest him. You should head right on home for now. Get some rest. Just leave everything to me, alright?..."

"Mm," Ann nodded and smiled softly. "Thank you again. I guess I should get going." She picked up her bag and stood. "Don't tell anyone what I told you, alright? But, seriously… Thank you."

Ann gave them another nod before turning around and leaving. Once she had exited the place, Hitomi sighed loudly and moved out from her seat. She took Ann's spot, crossed her legs, her elbow resting onto the table with her head resting in her hand, while her other hand began to tap the table in a rhythmic pattern.

"Didn't think that's how our night would go…" Hitomi mumbled. Akira nodded in agreement. "...Now, about why we actually came here."

Hitomi grabbed her phone again and opened it up. She clicked a few things before placing it down and showing Akira what was on it. "This is Kamoshida's profile."

"How'd you get this?" Akira asked.

"I have my ways…" Hitomi responded vaguely and changed the subject. "I'll start telling you all that I know about Kamoshida. He's only came to the school months ago and has caused a lot of damage to a lot of people. Breaking up sport teams, club activities, and even relationships between friends—he's practically done it all. There was a lot of kids who had actually tried to fight against him, but he was able to get them all expelled. If there's somebody who he didn't like, he'd get rid of them. He's even gotten other teachers fired…"

"He's done that in only a few months?" Akira asked in surprise.

"Yeah…" Hitomi said bitterly. "There had been rumors all over the school that he's been starting to physically abuse kids. No one has spoken up or has seen anything, so nobody really believes it to be true. I believe he's been abusing them. I can tell by the wounds that every sports team members gain. Those aren't wounds that come from practice. I've seen them plenty to know the difference…"

"Because your family is full of doctors, right?" Akira asked.

"Mm," Hitomi nodded. She reached over and swiped her phone so Akira could look at the pictures she took. "I couldn't help but take pictures of them. Thing is, he only does it to those sports kids specifically. By doing so, he blames them on practice as a cover up story. Thing is, he's pretty damn convincing… Also, there's probably another thing you and Ryuji should know…" Hitomi fixed her glasses with a huff. "A lot of people actually know about this stuff. Including a lot of adults…"

Akira's eyes were wide as he looked surprised by the information. Hitomi decided to continue.

"I… tried pressuring this one kid to tell me one time…" Hitomi grumbled. "He told me that I should just give up, and that everybody already knows about it. Their parents, the other teachers, and even the principle. Sadly, I don't know if it's true or not. But… Through how I've tried talking to others about it, it sounds pretty damn true…"

"If they know about it, and do nothing about it, then how can we get him arrested?" Akira questioned.

"...I'll find a way," Hitomi said with determination. "I will make him pay for what he's done…" 'I'll take his own heart, if I must…'

"I'll tell Ryuji about this," Akira said, grabbing her attention. "Do you know anything more?"

"Hm…" Hitomi thought for a moment and crossed her arms. "Well… I think he's targeting girls. He's tried flirting with me a few times, but he's always failed. You heard what Takamaki said about her situation. Not only does he abuse kids, but he's a freaking pedophile…!"

"You really aggravated him yesterday," Akira reminded her as a hint of concern was in his voice. "Think you'll be safe from now on?"

"I'll be fine," Hitomi reassured him. "He wouldn't dare try and touch me. If he did, he knows that I'll go spill my mouth to the police…" Hitomi took her phone back. "That's all I really have… It's not much, but it's all I can really figure out. If I can get some evidence, I can throw Kamoshida into jail. If you guys can help me out in that aspect, Kamoshida will be out of our hairs for good."

"Alright," Akira nodded. "I'll inform Ryuji all that you've told me. We'll definitely get Kamoshida into jail."

Hitomi nodded in agreement. She noticed one of the menus on the table and swiped one, looking through it carefully.

"We might've stopped our information swap, but that doesn't mean I won't eat," Hitomi stated.

"Didn't think you'd let it go," Akira smirked as he grabbed himself a menu.

"What's that suppose to mean?" She asked with a pointed look.

"Nothing," Akira said as he sounded amused. "Do you want to order first?"

"Alright," She huffed softly before calling for a waiter. "Waiter! We're ready to order!"

.

.

"Are you serious?" Hitomi exclaimed softly in anger. "And the lady didn't stick up for you at all?"

"No, but I can't really blame her, I guess," Akira shrugged.

"That's no excuse!" Hitomi exclaimed quietly. "I would've ratted the guy out in a heartbeat. Then again, from what you said, it's clear that guy had some sort of power over her…"

"Well, it's in the past now," Akira shrugged and took a bite of his food.

"It amazes how you can just let it go…" Hitomi murmured.

They had ordered their meal and began to have conversations over their meal. When Akira asked about Hitomi's past she was very vague, not wanting to give the information. She was surprised when he didn't push her for it. She was also surprised when he willingly told her his. From what she heard, she could only label him as a 'normal kid.' His life was a casual country life, only for him to somehow get arrested and get a criminal record.

She felt bad that this had happened to him. He didn't deserve it. But, it wasn't like she could make it better. They ate their meal and continued to have a light conversation. After they were done the waiter came with the bill. As Hitomi reached for it, Akira swiped it in a heartbeat and looked at the numbers. Hitomi's eye twitched from his sudden actions.

"I said I'd pay…" She said in a stern tone.

"Our deal was that Ryuji and I would pay." Akira shot back at her. "I'm keeping my end of the bargain. Plus, what type of guy lets the girl pay?"

"Just give me the damn bill," Hitomi said and held her hand out. "I'm paying and that's final."

"Too late," Akira said and stood up.

"Wha—hey!" Hitomi exclaimed as he handed the bill to the waiter. She could only stare at him as he came back. The look on her face made it look like she saw murder. "...You did not just do that."

"Sorry, but I knew you wouldn't take no for an answer," Akira said and grabbed his bag. "It's getting late. My care-taker might get angry if I don't return soon."

"...Fine," Hitomi grumbled and roughly grabbed her bag. She quickly stood and got into his face while pointing her index finger at him. "If I say I'm paying, I mean it!" She stepped past him. "...Let's get on home."

Akira nodded, but Hitomi didn't notice the small smile on his face. The two both walked to the subway and took the train home. Through dinner they found out their homes aren't too far from each other. Hitomi was surprised that she didn't somehow notice him on her way to the subway. She would only see him from when she got close to the school, not the rain or anything.

When the trains stopped they got out and headed right on home. Akira's place was closer so Hitomi walked with him home. He offered to walk her home but she immediately declined. She even went ahead and gave him a convincing lying that her family would kill him if he was spotted with her. They traded goodbyes and Hitomi walked home.

'Never thought my day would end like this…' She thought to herself. 'I wasn't even planning on giving him any information about me, either. He's just so… easy to talk to that it's almost scary.'

Her grip on her bag tightened as a frown etched itself on her face. '...I'm getting too close. Best keep my distance as much as I can for a while…'

As she got to her doorstep, she could help but stop when a loud noise could be heard. She turned and noticed movement in the bushes. She eyed them and watched as a little black cat popped out of them. The cat looked at her and they had a staring contest. Hitomi clicked her tongue in annoyance as her eyes narrowed at it.

"Morgana…!" She hissed at it in a quiet voice. "What're you doing here?!"

"Waiting for you to get home," the cat replied.

A normal, sane human being would most likely scream if they heard a cat being able to talk to them. But Hitomi wasn't exactly 'normal' to begin with. Plus, this isn't her first encounter with the cat. That was yesterday, which is a whole other story entirely.

"Why me?" Hitomi asked the cat.

"The others are too stingy to be with at the moment," Morgana replied. "Plus, I feel more comfortable when I'm around you." He jumped off of the fence and walked up to her. "So, did you have a fun night out?"

"...I wouldn't exactly say 'fun'," Hitomi grabbed her keys out of her bag and pushed them into the door and twisted until she heard a defiant 'click'. "...Come on in. Wipe your paws on the doormat. I don't want dirt in my house."

"Yes!" Morgana cheered and scurried right in.

'This cat will be the death of me…' Hitomi sighed and stepped into her house, ready to head off to bed.

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