I made some minor edits back in Chapter 7 (I forgot to add Labrys).
Akira wanted to get a bit of fresh air outside. He decided to let Morgana go with Ryuji, since the cat was very worried for the blond girl that he got infatuated with. The Personas came back earlier, informing them that Kamoshida has yet to change his mind, so the plan will still commence. He opened the glass door, noticing a brunette girl nearby.
"Huh?" Akira's mind clicked in remembrance, realizing that the girl's features are the same ones Ryuji described. He internally grimaced upon seeing the bruise above her eye, why hasn't she bandaged that yet?
"This must be Suzui-san."
Akira couldn't help but pity the abused girl, especially the frail state she's in. It reminded him of Mishima. Getting beaten up for no reason is surely extremely difficult for her to go through, "Poor girl..."
"Oh... I'm in the way, aren't I? Sorry..." She apologized rather drearily.
Akira's more worried about her physical state than her being in the way, "Are you hurt?"
"Huh?" As if by instinct, Suzui immediately looked away and tried to cover her bandaged arms, "Um, well..." She ascended her lowered head, closely observing him, "Hm, you don't look familiar... Could you be that transfer student from Class D?"
Akira nodded in confirmation.
She grasped her arm, "Um, this might not be any of my business, but don't let the rumors get to you, OK...?"
Well, this is a surprise. She's not afraid of him?, "Why do you say that...?" He asks gently.
"Well, I've helped with a similar situation before..." Her expression pained, "My best friend is often misunderstood too, all because of her looks..."
"She must be talking about Takamaki-san." Arsene stated, "They treat her like an exotic object simply because she comes from a different lineage."
"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to drag on like that." Suzui apologized again, "Anyway, I have to go to practice..."
"Are you sure about that?" Akira asks suddenly, which surprises her.
"Huh?"
Akira crossed his arms, Suzui noticed that his face had look of concern, "Just a friendly advice, but I don't think you should be going to practice in that state. Injuries on the head and arms are more than enough excuse."
"But, I..."
"Look, I'm not stopping you." The raven took a few steps forward and leaned his face near her ear, whispering, "...But you better watch out for Kamoshida later..."
"What?"
He then proceeded to walk away. When the frail brunette turned around, he was already gone.
"How did he...?"
Unbeknownst to her, the raven is still there, watching to make sure she's safe.
"Why are you here, anyway?" Ryuji asked Morgana, who is in his bag.
"I'm going to make sure Lady Ann is safe, obviously!" The cat hissed, his meows gathering a few attention of nearby people, who are wondering where the meows came from.
Ryuji had continued his role in the plan. So far, Takamaki immediately left after school due to a photoshoot but she left early for some reason.
Surprisingly, Ryuji has yet to be discovered, despite his loud mannerisms, and is starting to get reluctant to continue this due to being afraid of getting caught by someone and is going to be labeled as a 'stalker'.
He clamped Morgana's mouth shut, "Would you be quiet!?"
"That goes for you too." Zorro retorted.
"Aye, I'm surprised that you haven't been caught yet." Kidd added.
"Dude, aren't you supposed to be on my side!?" Ryuji mentally exclaimed.
"Will you please give it a rest!? I told you, I'm not feeling up to it..."
The fake blonde peeked from the corner, seeing that Takamaki, who looks a bit agitated, is on the phone with someone, whom he can easily assume who it is.
"Wait, what...!? That's not what you promised! And you call yourself a teacher!?" She yelled in surprised, "This has nothing to do with Shiho!—Ah..."
That asshole must have hanged up, Takamaki lowered to her knees and looked like she was about to cry.
"Shiho's... starting position..."
Ryuji immediately texted Akira about Takamaki's response, not entirely sure if it was a refusal or not.
"Lady Ann..." Morgana became saddened upon seeing her.
Ryuji felt the same way, so he made his way to Takamaki, awkwardly greeting her, "Uh... Hey."
"Sakamoto!?" Takamaki stood up in surprise, before her expression changed into a somewhat suspicious one, "Wait... Were you listening?"
"N-Not on purpose!" He stuttered, apparently giving it away with his response.
"Haven't you heard of privacy?" The natural blonde told him.
Ryuji stayed silent for a moment, wondering if he should tell her about what's happening.
Which he thinks she deserves to know.
"I gotta tell you something..."
Shit.
Akira had lost track of Suzui.
He had gotten a text from Ryuji about Takamaki's response, which he is sure would have made Kamoshida focus on Suzui next.
If only he hadn't bumped into the student council president right now he probably would have stopped Suzui from going near that asshole.
Nijima politely greeted him and asked the same questions as before, only with different wording. He knew she's suspicious of him, due to the rumors about him going around with Ryuji.
"May I also ask what are you still doing in school?" The question may sound a bit rude but Nijima said it as politely as she can, "I don't seem to remember you being in a club."
"Oh, it isn't that." Akira responded with an innocent smile that would hopefully rub him off of any suspicion, "I just forgot some of my notes back in the classroom."
"I see."
"I really have to get going or I'll get scolded." Akira said, pretending to look worried as he glanced at the time on his phone. Actually, he IS worried about Suzui right now.
"OK, I'm sorry to have taken up your time." She politely bowed.
"Thanks."
After parting ways with Nijima, Akira immediately bolted when he's finally out of sight, looking for Suzui. It's a good thing there aren't many students left, or else he probably would have heard a bunch of whispering by now. Crap, he probably should've told Arsene to follow her.
"Damn it, where is she!?" He quietly cursed under his breathe.
"Akira, Mishima's there!" Arsene told him.
Akira turned around and saw a familiar person with blue hair. Mishima was leaning onto the wall, for some reason, he looked extremely guilty and is on the verge of falling to his knees.
"Mishima-san!" The frail boy, turned to the left, seeing his new classmate make his way towards him, "Have you seen Suzui-san?"
Mishima's eyes widened upon hearing his question. What does Kurusu want with her?, "I-I..."
His delayed response convinced Akira that he knows her whereabouts, but why does he look so guilty? Did he do something?, "Where is she?" He asks seriously.
"S-She... She was called in by Mr. Kamoshida in the PE faculty office..." The boy stuttered hopelessly.
"SHIT!"
Akira didn't even managed to completely register Arsene's impatient yelling as he immediately bolted right towards the second floor. It was only a matter of seconds before he reached his destination and sure enough, he could hear voices inside, a bit muffled but clear enough to hear outside.
"Please, Mr. Kamoshida stop...!" From the tone of Suzui's voice, Akira assumed that she seemed to be struggling. He took out his phone and hit the record icon, pressing it flat to the door.
"Akira, what are you doing!?" Arsene asked confusedly, wanting to save Suzui-san as soon as possible.
"Wait..." He whispered.
"Quit talking back to me, you bitch!" Akira clenched his fist in anger at Kamoshida's insult directed towards the poor girl, "You should be glad that I even allowed you in the volleyball team! Garbage like you should just shut up and appreciate my kindness by coaching you talentless scrubs who are better off getting thrown in the trash!" He shamelessly said and Akira could hear a 'thud' inside, "That kind of attitude you're showing right now is why you get punished everyday. That's why your should just shut up and accept what's coming to you." What comes next is a wicked chuckle and he could hear Suzui gasp, "...Maybe I should get rid of your bra first? Or maybe the panties...?"
"S-Stop... please..."
"Okay, I think that's enough evidence." Arsene said impassively.
Akira smirked, "It's MORE than enough..."
The raven then kicked the door open.
"What the hell!?"
Akira quickly processed the scene before him in less than a second.
Suzui was on the ground along with her sweater, nearly topless and is only wearing her bra but to the raven's relief, her bottom has yet to be exposed, however, her right cheek was marked with a slight red color, that asshole must have slapped her. Her eyes are completely wet with tears that are still trailing down her cheeks, looking at him with shock as she immediately recognize him as the one who gave her the warning earlier.
His focused then trailed next to Kamoshida, who is wearing a scowl and looked like he was on the verge of exploding.
"What is the meaning of this, Kurusu!?" The so-called volleyball coach yelled.
Akira decided to push his anger on the back of his head and just proceeded to smile softly (much to Kamoshida and Suzui's confusion) and mockingly feigned innocence, "I should be asking you that, Mr. Kamoshida. This is quite a scene you're making here."
"Get out!"
"Sorry, but no can do." Akira held out his phone, playing the recorded audio just now. Fear and more anger erupted within Kamoshida upon hearing the audio and attempted to snatch the phone from the frizzy-haired teen's grasp but the latter was much faster, immediately placing the phone behind him, unfazed by how close Kamoshida is, "Geez, if I wasn't on probation right now I would have arrested you a long time ago."
"Arrest me? What the hell does this punk mean...?" Kamoshida (and pretty much everyone else) is completely oblivious to Akira's second occupation besides being an ordinary high school student.
The transfer student just continued smiling, "I wonder what would people say once they hear these words coming from a former gold medal Olympian...?" Akira mockingly said and his lips curled up into a devious smirk, "Sure, that principal would probably do everything to cover it up, but I do wonder how he will be able to do that, especially once this spreads throughout the internet. Not just the school website, just so you know."
The perverted bastard gritted his teeth, unsure how he's still able to hold himself back, "Give that to me... or else I'll—"
"'Expel you.'?" The raven let out a slight genuine chuckle, "Well, if you do that..." Kamoshida widened his eyes when he saw Akira held out his phone again, this time, his thumb is a few inches close to posting the audio, "You ruin my future, I ruin yours. An eye for an eye, wouldn't you say?"
"Why you little..." His fists are clenched so tightly, blood might threaten to spill.
"Anyway, let's just keep quiet of this event." The coach and the female player became shocked at those words, "However, you will no longer lay a single finger on Suzui-san nor Takamaki-san. They've suffered enough because of you."
"Who are you to tell me—!?" Kamoshida turned silent, seeing that the criminal transfer student threatening to press the post icon and he gritted his teeth, "Tch..."
Akira took a few steps towards the shocked yet extremely grateful girl, he picked up her sweater and gently helped her stand up. The position of his hand holding the phone remains unchanged, which is why Kamoshida couldn't make a move to snatch it. The raven silently guided Suzui to the door, he gave one last look at Kamoshida, his glare looking like he could pierce his skull.
"Though, I said that we both would keep quiet about this. I'm not sure you would be able to." At the mention of the last sentence, he slammed the door shut, leaving the perverted coach to tremble anger but also fear of what the raven is capable to do.
"That criminal trash...!"
"Take that, asshole!"
At Arsene's victory laugh, Akira had to stop himself from joining in with his Persona or else he would've looked crazy in front of Suzui.
Near the staircase, Akira decided to lend Suzui his blazer to cover her exposed top since she still looked shell-shocked by what just transpired and thus, couldn't normally move on her own.
Suddenly, she stopped walking, causing Akira to worry.
"...Thank you..."
"Huh?" Her voice was so quiet he couldn't quite hear it.
Akira had nearly stumbled backwards when Suzui suddenly tackled him, embracing him tight as she pressed her face on his chest, staining his sweater with her flowing tears.
"Thank you... Thank you so much..." She repeated the same words over and over again until her voice eventually broke into a muffled cry. He gently returned the gesture as he tenderly stroked the back of her head comfortingly, hoping she would soon calm down. She continued to weep and somehow, she temporarily lost her strength of her legs, causing her to drag the raven as they both fell to their knees.
"Thank god we noticed it beforehand." Arsene stated in relief.
"Yeah..."
"Akira!"
The raven turned his head and was surprised to see Ryuji (and Morgana, who is in his bag) and Takamaki, who became shocked when she saw the state her best friend is currently in.
"Shiho! What happened to you!?" Takamaki immediately knelt beside Suzui, who weakly faced her but still kept her hold on Akira.
"A-Ann...?" Soon, her hug loosened and she let go of her savior.
"What happened...?" Takamaki asked again as she turned to Akira.
"Basically, Kamoshida tried to do whatever he wanted to do to you to Suzui-san instead." He replied flatly, his response probably would've been more comical if it weren't for the tender moment they're having right now.
"You mean he—!? That bastard!" The blonde cursed as she hugged her friend, extremely relieved that her friend was saved.
"But it's okay. He wouldn't be able to lay a finger on you girls." Ryuji and Takamaki raised an eyebrow at his implication and he took out his phone, playing his blackmail material.
"I told him I'll spread this all over the internet if he didn't agree to my demands." The raven explained as he put away his phone.
"You... blackmailed Kamoshida...?" Takamaki was flabbergasted and nearly speechless.
"Yep."
"Holy shit, dude." Ryuji finally spoke up and wore the biggest grin Akira ever saw on him, "That. Is. EFFIN' AWESOME!"
"Aye, I can imagine the look on that scumbag's face!" Kidd agreed enthusiastically.
"Indeed. That was quite a bold move." Zorro as well.
"Thanks." Akira smiled and slightly blushed at their compliments. He could see Morgana snickering at his embarrassment but gave him an approving look. He soon stood up and adjusted his bag, ready to leave, "Anyway, we should go home now. It'll be tiresome if anyone saw us."
"B-But, what about your blazer?" Suzui unsteadily stood up with help from her best friend. She was gripping his blazer rather tightly.
"Don't worry, I have a spare." Akira turned to the natural blonde, "Takamaki-san, can you take Suzui-san home?"
She nodded, "Of course. Come on, let's go, Shiho." She gently grabbed Suzui's arm.
The frail girl seemed very hesitant to leave but ultimately decided to follow her best friend, not before giving her savior one last grateful bow, "Again, thank you so much. I'll return it to you tomorrow..."
"Um, OK. Just avoid any contact with Kamoshida from now on." Akira told her.
Takamaki smiled, "You don't need to tell us twice."
The two boys watched the girls leave, Morgana hopped off of Ryuji's back and stretched as their Personas appeared before them.
"Ugh, Ryuji's bag is even more cramped!" Morgana told Akira as the latter opened his bag, letting him in.
"He also has rather strange items inside." Zorro informed them, much to Ryuji's embarrassment.
"Dude, you don't need to tell them!"
"What items?" Arsene asks in curiosity.
"Well, it's—" Zorro was cut off by Kidd who was laughing heartily.
"Those lasses in those books sure are fine!"
"OK, we get the picture." Akira deadpannedly said, "Anyway, sorry Ryuji. Looks like we can't go to the Palace today."
The fake blonde shook his head reassuringly, "Nah, it's cool. Anyway, wanna go get somethin' to eat?"
"Sure. Hey, Morgana?"
"What is it?" He poked his head out of the bag.
"Do you like sushi?"
Unbeknownst to any of them, Mishima was watching them ever since Akira and Suzui got out of the office. He is very relieved that Suzui is fine but also felt awe towards Akira due to his bold action to protect someone he barely even knew.
"Kurusu-san..."
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