After the thrills and spills of training in Osaka, it was hard to come back down to reality with it's rigid school schedule and chores and homework. It's enough to drive an already exhausted young man to fall asleep from boredom which was just what Ryuji did, taking what he intended to be a quick nap with his arms folded in front of his resting head only for the blond to suddenly feel very alert as his nose pressed against his desk.
A small white projectile was inbound as soon as he had slumped forward, the chalk missile that had sparked fear in so many students was now on a collision course with the delinquent's slumped skull. Ryuji, however, hadn't gone through training with legendary gangsters and old self-defence masters just to be beaned by a social studies teacher! Instincts kicked in as he swung back at the incoming chalk, backhanding the offending attack into the window frame to the shock of the class and faculty. Mr Ushimaru, to his credit, was fast to regain his composure "Well, Mr Sakamoto. Since you're clearly paying enough attention this lesson, perhaps you can answer the next question." He huffed.
"Aww man... stupid tiger instincts..." Ryuji groaned under his breath as he tried to recall something, anything about the subject at hand.
Even for those outside the normal school life, the return to a Tokyo schedule was hard work. Haru couldn't help but yawn as she looked at her laptop, pages on the classification of plants all blurring into one as she scrolled. Not even the standard energy boost that was a cup of coffee was going to be enough to get through today without snoozing off in an impromptu book fort "Makoto..." she groaned past the screen to her fellow phantom thief and current study-buddy "Can we call today a cheat day?" She asked, putting her weary eyes to use with a Puppy Dog look designed to melt even the coldest of hearts.
"Sunday was your cheat day." Makoto chided, showing that not every look did what it was designed for.
"That was a training day," Haru whined "Cheat days are ones where you don't have to do anything."
"You didn't have to go to Osaka." Makoto retorted, seeing just how much influence Ryuji had over the actions of the previously prim and proper heiress. She would have never seen Haru whinging over work before they were an item.
"Alright... but this isn't working," Haru groaned as she went back to her research before a buzzing in her pocket provided some form of distraction for her rapidly depleting attention span "Futaba... shouldn't you be in school?" the fluffy haired young woman asked as she answered the phone.
"It's lunch break. Leave off." Was the terse reply over the phone.
"Is it lunch time? Oh... so it is." the heiress yawned, still feeling as though it was breakfast time.
"Not the point! Is there a limo around you right now?" Futaba began in a hurried whisper.
"We're indoors, why would there be a limo?" Haru asked, looking around the room as Makoto perked up.
"Futaba's asking about a limousine?" Makoto asked, folding down her own laptop screen.
"Yes she is, I don't know why though."
"Is that Makoto with you? Screw it. Going to text chat!"
"Well yes she is, we're at the same-" Haru tried to explain before the dial tone cut her off "Why did she hang up on me?" the brunette wondered before the phone buzzed right next to her ear. She had none of the energy to deal with this.
Finally, we can talk like humans. With Words. And Emoticons :P Was the message on both Makoto's and Haru's phone.
"That's why." Makoto answered before typing in her response. Is this about the limo that's been stalking Haru? She typed in.
"There's been something stalking me?" Haru gasped.
How'd you know? Came the text response
It's not exactly subtle. I was going to ask you to look into it later. Makoto messaged back before bringing her head back up "It'll be easier if we're all using the chat, instead of trying a two layer conversation."
"Oh, right." There's been something stalking me? :( Haru typed in.
Yes! Ever since you and your dumb blonde started hanging out with the Yaks there's been a limo following you on campus. Futaba answered
They don't like being called that, it's very rude. Haru replied.
Who cares what their Brooklyn 99 loving asses like being called! Futaba yelled through the medium of punctuation.
Their what? Makoto interjected.
Oh, their boss loves Brooklyn 99. IDGI but according to Ann if you speak English it's super funny. He was also a fan of Akechi's show. But that's not important! Futaba furiously tried to get back on topic Lunch isn't that long here!
How do you know this? Haru asked. Are you spying on them?
They're spying on us. They dug up the out phansite and started snooping around. That's why they don't remember the PTs, 'cause everyone who used that site got hit by the big cup's brain wave.
So it's nothing that they at one point didn't already have. Worrying that we might have been doing their dirty work indirectly but if they weren't hostile to us then, there's no reason for them to change now. Makoto typed out, breathing a sigh of relief that her involvement was going unnoticed.
Well yeah but... grgrah BACK ON TOPIC :( That limo's being used by your shittty ex Haru! Futaba announced to the private conversation.
Sugi... su... Makoto began to type out before giving up on recalling his name That guy? What does he want?
What does any rich asshole with a grudge want? He's clearly out to get our precious Floof. Futaba replied.
Okay, so... do you think Majima would know what to do about it? Haru asked, before looking up into the wide eyed glare of Makoto Niijima "He might." She said defensively.
Uh, he might. And it'd probably involve a shallow grave or an acid pit. Not a good idea. Keep him as just the wacky martial arts teacher guy you and Ryuji have.
Shallow grave has its appeal. Haru typed out with the expression of a mildly annoyed cartoon sheep.
Moving on from premeditated murder... Makoto messaged with a worried look. The best course of action is probably to keep our distance and give nothing away. He has the resources but not the sense to use them wisely and will either give up on whatever he was trying to do, or he escalates and then we can potentially get Saejima involved.
Majima. Was the one word reply from Futaba.
Maybe she means Sae and Majima? Haru suggested
Yes. I thought of my sis, then Majima, typing didn't work out. Is it still Lunchtime over there?
No you didn't. I know who Saejima is, I have their boss' haxed. Everyone's getting cool crim mentors but me (V_V) Inari's gonna be part of an anarchist painting group and Morgana's gonna lead a cat gang in Inaba. Futaba whined.
You could come with Ryuji and I to Majima's training. Haru suggested.
Effort. And not the point! Be careful out there if they do anything stupid. BRB. Read the last message before Futaba disappeared from the digital space, letting the two college students dwell on what just happened, namely Makoto cringing away from Haru's suddenly beaming smile.
"Don't." The Queen of the Phantom Thieves warned.
"I thought you weren't associating with gangsters?" Haru asked sweetly.
"I'm not associating. We just happen to share a common goal and pose no threat to each other." Makoto insisted.
"So you're working together to protect me?" She asked again.
"Well, yes. But-"
"Aww, that's so sweet you're willing to put your reputation at risk like that for me. Thank you!"
"It's not like... well, it's a little like that," Makoto conceded as Haru leaned over the table to give her a quick hug, sighing as she patted her friend on the back "And you're right... it is kind of exciting working with them." She admitted.
"So you'll come to training!?" Haru asked eagerly.
"No," Makoto refused, flinching as Haru retaliated with a close range blast of the Puppy Eyes "...Not yet anyway. We're being stalked by someone with enough connections to make our lives very awkward. So we'll deal with them first, then I'll think about joining in." The strategist said, letting the heiress slide back into her own chair with a pleased look.
Meanwhile across the city, Yusuke was busy working on an essay on impressionism when his phone buzzed unexpectedly.
Inari, are you a member of an anarchist paint group? Was the surprise question from Futaba
Was, Yusuke answered, a sinister smile coming across his face But then someone tried to set up a hierarchy of tones and the whole thing collapsed into a row about the appropriate shade of red to use when depicting fire bombs.
ARGERHERSADSFHHADHEAH SCREW ALL OF YOU CRIMINAL SCUM INARI! Came the response as the artist set his phone to silent and continued with his work.