Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Persona: Wings of Liberation
Chapter 8
The Alluring Dancer and the Queen of Victory: Part 2
4/15
Kamoshida's Palace
After School
Shadows began to show up one after the other.
'Damn?! How did they find us?!' Kazuya thought, 'Could it be because one of the Shadows told Kamoshida about Shiho being here?!'
"Kazu-chan!" Shiho said.
"Stay behind me." Kazuya said, "Sophia!"
"Roger!" Sophia said, joining up with him.
He drew his sword as Sophia readied her yo-yos. There were lots of Shadows approaching them. They had a lot of enemies to fight off. The odds were stacked against them.
"A welcoming committee? So soon? You guys must really want our autographs." Kazuya said.
"Uh… they're about to kill us." Sophia said.
"I know. I was just trying to lighten the mood." Kazuya said.
The Shadows began to turn into monsters. Kazuya pulled off his mask as did Sophia. Sherlock was summoned along with Pithos. One Shadow lunged at him. Kazuya dodged the incoming attack. Sherlock fired a blast of light energy. Kazuya sliced the Shadow down. Pithos fired some bolts of light as well. The Shadows were being taken down as more and more of them came about.
"More of them? At this rate, they'll surround us." Kazuya said.
"Kazuya, I believe I got an idea!" Sophia said.
"And that is?"
"Let us combine our strengths together!" Sophia said, "We can make a sort of super move!"
"Alright then!" Kazuya said, "Let's do it!"
Sherlock prepares to slash at the Shadows with his cane. Pithos imbued the cane with blessed energy. Sherlock spreads his wings and dashed across to the other side of the room, past all the Shadows. A group of Shadows were all cut down by the slash.
"Incredible!" Kazuya said, "With this, we can—"
More Shadows spawned with more appearing right in front of Kazuya.
'Damn!' Kazuya thought, "Sherlock, return—!"
He was smacked with a shield and knocked down.
"Kazu-chan!" Shiho said.
"Shiho… run…" Kazuya before one of the Shadows grabbed him and held him up.
Shiho turned to the door and ran to it, only for some black smoke to rise up. Shiho fell on her rear and looked at the smoke to see—!
A copy of herself.
The copy looked exactly like Shiho. The eyes were golden. Sophia got distracted and got held down by the Shadows.
"W-Who are you?" Shiho asked.
The clone simply laughed with a smile.
"Don't you recognize my voice?" The clone asked.
A realization dawned upon her.
"No… not you… not again…" Shiho said, "What… who… just what are you?!"
The girl giggled as she smiled at the confused girl.
"I am the 'you' that you either never knew existed within you or the 'you' that you've been ignoring so many times." The girl said, "I am your Shadow, Shiho Suzui. I am your real self. The self that has always existed, but has always been hidden by that fake mask of yours that you constantly wore in front of the society that has wronged you."
Shiho couldn't believe what she was hearing. Kazuya… he mentioned what a Shadow Self is. Of course… he said that all humans have one. And if this copy of hers is her Shadow, then...
"So… I was right…" Kazuya said, "You… you made her try to kill herself!"
The Shadow glared at him.
"Made her? I didn't 'make' her do anything. I'm just how she truly feels deep within her heart." Shadow Shiho said, "She simply chose to kill herself because she realized how pathetic she really was."
"S-Shut up!" Kazuya said, "You may be her Shadow, but she is not pathetic!"
Shiho looked back to Kazuya.
"Kazu-chan…"
"So you finally decided to come back to me for a change."
She turned to see…
'Kamoshida? No… maybe it's just his Shadow…' Shiho thought.
Yes... that must in fact be Kamoshida's Shadow. His eyes were no different from her doppleganger.
"You got a lot of nerve after the stunt you pulled." Shadow Kamoshida said, "Too bad that little shit you called a boyfriend didn't wind up dead as much as I hoped he'd be from that fall!"
"You're just as responsible for making her want to die!" Kazuya said, "All because you treated her like some damn object!"
"Be silent!" Shadow Kamoshida yelled at Kazuya, "You made a mockery out of me several times in this school! First you call me out on one of my habits, then you humiliate me at the rally! I should have just beaten you until you were a bloody pulp!"
"Why? Why did you have to take it out on Shiho?! What did she ever do to you?!" Kazuya asked, "All the physical abuse! The harassment! And even—!"
"Oh, that?" Shadow Kamoshida asked before smiling gleefully, "You thought I kept her on the team for her body? For someone so smart, you're not as sharp in some areas."
"What?" Shiho asked, "What do you mean?"
The Shadow looked at her with that smile on his face.
"I kept you around because you were my golden ticket to Ann." Shadow Kamoshida said, "It wasn't that you were extremely good at volleyball and it wasn't your body either. It was all just so I could give Ann a reason to be mine."
Shiho couldn't believe it.
"And wouldn't you know it, she did at least do what I asked her to do if it meant keeping you on the team." Shadow Kamoshida said, "She was willing to do what I asked as long as you got to play volleyball. After all, she wouldn't want you to not be on the team anymore. Besides, if I couldn't have her, I could always have you."
Shiho looked distraught. She fell to her knees.
"You mean… all this time… you just wanted to use me so you could reach out to Ann? To keep her within your grasp?" Shiho asked, "You were just using me to get to her? All just so you could have her? And that I had no value to you at all?"
"Well… you're not completely worthless." Shadow Kamoshida said, "I mean, you do have a nice body. It's just like Takamaki's body when I think about it. You were also good at volleyball, so obviously, I kinda needed your talents."
He glared at Kazuya.
"And maybe I would have had my way with you if this little bastard didn't have to stick his nose into everything!" Shadow Kamoshida said, "And you know, maybe if Ann hadn't been rejecting me so many times, I would have just left you alone. You would still have your position on the team and I wouldn't have forced myself onto you. So if you got anyone to blame for that little incident—"
"Bullshit!" Kazuya said, "You're the one to blame here! You forced them both into your submission! You tried to take everything from them to just feed on your desires! It's you!"
Shadow Kamoshida got down the stairs and motioned the Shadow holding him to bring him over. The Shadow began to pummel Kazuya with his fists.
"I've had it with you and your defiance!" Shadow Kamoshida said, "You've made a mockery out of me in this school! You had to go and ruin my little fun with Shiho! And I've had it with your little buddies thinking they could dethrone me!"
Shiho could only watch as Shadow Kamoshida began to beat Kazuya with his own fists. She covered her mouth and tried to move her head, but her body simply froze.
'Kazu-chan… no…' Shiho thought as tears began to run down her eyes, 'Stop it… please… somebody just stop it already!'
The Shadow was done pummeling Kazuya. She could still hear him breathing.
"You know… you'd make a killing in boxing…" Kazuya said.
"Well it won't matter whether or not you walk out of here alive because you're getting expelled." Shadow Kamoshida said.
'Expelled?' Shiho thought.
"What? What are you—?"
"Oh? You didn't know?" Shadow Kamoshida asked with a smirk, "That idiot Ryuji thought he could just come into my office and accuse me of things he can't prove without sufficient evidence."
Shiho tried to put it all together. When it did, it hit her.
"Don't tell me… when you mean by that, you mean—"
"Exactly as it sounds, Suzui-san." Shadow Kamoshida said, "I mean, even if you testified against me in court, there wouldn't be any evidence of sexual assault and attempted rape unless it was caught on camera. And with memory, some things tend to slip out under the effects of shock, making an eyewitness account seem a bit sketchy without any conclusive evidence to back it up."
He smiled.
"You caused a lot of trouble for these boys, I tell you." Shadow Kamoshida said, "Your attempt at killing yourself just got that idiot, the guy with the criminal record, this bastard, and Mishima expelled all at once as soon as the next board meeting starts."
"No…" Shiho said, "I… no…"
"Their futures are mine to take and so are yours if you think I'll let you talk to the police about it." Shadow Kamoshida said, "It doesn't matter what you do, you're all mine, whether you want to accept it or not."
He laughed. Shiho began to feel nothing but despair and regret over her actions.
'This is all my fault…' Shiho thought, 'They're all going to get expelled because of me… Kazu-chan… I'm… Im sorry…'
"Kazu-chan… I'm sorry… I… I let this all happen… I… I'm to blame for this…" Shiho said, "Forgive me…"
"That is not true." Sophia said.
"Huh?" Shadow Kamoshida stopped laughing.
Shiho looked to Sophia.
"Sophia?" Shiho asked.
"You are not at fault for the current events that have taken place." Sophia said, "That was all Kamoshida's doing."
"B-But—!"
"Shiho." Sophia said, "Listen to your own heart. Does it truly believe that you are at fault for all of this?"
"That's right." Shadow Shiho said, kneeling with Shiho, "Are you really at fault for all of this?"
"I…"
"Shiho. Be honest." Kazuya said, "Did you truly want to die?"
That question hit her like an anvil.
"N-No…" Shiho said, "I… I…"
"Then why?" Kazuya asked, "Why did you try to kill yourself if you truly didn't want to die?"
"I…" Shiho stuttered, "I was… desperate. I just wanted to get away from him. But… I… just couldn't… I could never get away from him… I…"
She began to sob.
"I… I…"
"Shiho." Kazuya said, "Remember. Why did you join the team in the first place? Why did you play volleyball? What was your motivation? What drove you to play volleyball? Why was volleyball so important to you?"
She gasped when she was asked that question. She felt like something in her mind just came back to her. In fact, it was like she was beginning to remember something.
"I… I did it… because…"
"She only joined to bask in my glory, obviously." Shadow Kamoshida said, "Her drive to become a winner is what got her to join me."
"N-No!" Shiho shouted, "You're wrong about that!"
"Huh?" Shadow Kamoshida was left confused by that statement.
"I didn't want to bask in your glory… I… I joined because I had a dream!" Shiho said, "I… I wanted to become a professional volleyball player! I wanted to travel the world and know what lies beyond all of Japan!"
"Wait… so it wasn't so you could bask in my glory to begin with?" Shadow Kamoshida asked, "You just wanted a world tour? That's your motivation?"
"I was always so curious about the world outside Japan. All I ever got to see were just pictures and descriptions in books." Shiho said, "But then… I discovered volleyball. When I realized I had a knack for volleyball, I started playing it a lot."
"Y-You never said anything about wanting to see the world!" Shadow Kamoshida said, trying to make sense of it all.
Yes… it all came back. She wanted to see the whole world. Different landmarks, different people, different cultures, different kinds of food, different ways of playing volleyball, she wanted to experience all of that. That was the whole reason behind her joining the team. Without volleyball, she could never see the whole world for herself.
Then she met Ann, a girl who was born to a foreigner.
"Ann… she wasn't from Japan… or maybe it was one of her parents or… whatever." Shiho said, "She… she was just a preview of what I could see beyond the boundless ocean off of the coast of Tokyo... beyond the waters surrounding Japan!"
"Yes… that's it. Let them know your true feelings." Shadow Shiho encouraged.
She looked with her brows furrowed. She glared at Shadow Kamoshida.
"But you…" Shiho said, "You tried to rob that all from me! All under the false pretense of training and showering me in love!"
Shadow Kamoshida began to look weary of Shiho.
"Y-You keep this up and I'll have him executed!" Shadow Kamoshida said.
"Don't hesitate. Keep going." Shadow Shiho said.
She began to stand up. She wiped her tears.
"You hurt my body so many times… you made me forget why I joined the team in the first place… why I enjoyed playing volleyball… and if that wasn't enough… you tried to strip me of everything." Shiho said, "My hopes, my desires, my dreams, my life, and even a chance to experience a normal high school life on top of all that! You even tried to take away my virginity and my womanhood!"
"I'll—! I'll do it! I'll order it right now if you don't—!"
"SHUT UP!" Shiho interjected.
"That's it! Get mad! Get angry! Turn all of that pain into anger! Direct it all at him!" Shadow Shiho said, "Never forgive him for all that he did!"
"If you think I'll just say sorry and bend over, you're wrong!" Shiho said, "You're wrong about me! About Ann! About everything! The world doesn't revolve around you!"
"I'm warning you!" Shadow Kamoshida said, "One more word and I'll have his head!"
"Fucking do it then…" Kazuya said.
"Alright, you asked for it!" Shadow Kamoshida said, "Execute him! And bring me Shiho!"
'Kazuya!' Shiho thought, 'No!'
"You won't let him kill the boy who saved your life, right?" Shadow Shiho asked, "Are you going to let him die?"
"N-No!" Shiho said, "I won't! I won't let him die!"
Shiho turned to her Shadow.
"And you won't let him die either." Shiho said, "And that's because you are me and I am you."
The Shadow smiled. The Shadow was exuding a white aura.
"Well… I guess I should return to you now." The Shadow said, "Remember that I am always with you."
The Shadow vanished along with the aura. Shiho turned to Shadow Kamoshida.
"You hurt so many people… ruined so many lives… just because of you and your stupid glory! I may have let you use me, but that all changes!" Shiho said, "I will not allow you… no. I won't allow people like you to take advantage of people like me! You may have hurt me, but if there is anything you will never take, it's my dreams, my friends, my life, and I will never let you take away anyone's futures so you can fuel your own desires! For the sake of everyone here at the school, I will triumph in taking you down!"
"Victory at long last." A voice spoke.
A loud ringing sound could be heard in her head as her eyes turned golden. She groaned before letting out a moan as she felt a migraine.
"It's been quite the stalemate. You have endured a lot since you raised the white flag." The voice said, "But after so long, you finally raised the banners of your rebellion at last."
She held onto her head as the pain intensified. She got on one knee. She looked straight ahead, her eyes focused on Shadow Kamoshida as he was backing away from her. He looked very scared of her.
'Good.' She thought with a smile.
"The other you who resides within has waited for this moment to come true." The voice said, "Let us forge a contract here and now."
"Do it..." Shiho said as she looked at Shadow Kamoshida.
"I am thou… thou art I… though you may have won this battle, the war still rages and the victor has yet to be decided." The voice said, "It is time, your highness. Take up your weapons and lead us into battle! Lead us toward victory!"
A swallow shaped mask appeared over her head.
"Shiho!" A voice called out.
Shiho turned and saw a girl in a red latex suit. Her hair was a pair of blonde twin tails and her eyes were blue—
'Ann…' Shiho thought, 'It's alright now… I'll be alright now… you don't have to worry about me anymore…'
"Now then, leave them with the bite of your vengeance and wrath." The voice in her head spoke."Let this first victory over your false self be the first step in your war against injustice, your highness."
Shiho stood up and laid a hand over her mask.
"If it's war that you want, then you'll have it..." Shiho said as she touched her mask, "... BOUDICA!"
She tore off the mask and out came blood, followed by the sonorous war cry of a girl consumed by a pillar of flame.
She had the strength to face herself and obtained the facade to deal with life's hardships.
The Queen of Victory.
Boudica.
The Shadows surrounding the trio except for one were wiped out. Shiho now wore a light-blue blouse with floaty shoulders. She also wore a white vest with a metallic breastplate. Over her arms were white arm guards that flare up at the ends. She had a black corset around her waist with a skirt. She had black leggings with knee pads on them with white boots. She had an ivory faux fur collar on top of a white mantle cape draped over her shoulder. Shiho looked composed and determined. Her hands had cyan colored gloves. in her hands was a mighty spear.
Behind her was a humanoid female with a huge lance in one hand and a huge shield in the other. The humanoid was mechanical all the way up to the head. The head had long hair running down past the shoulders with some braids. The hair was an orange color. The skin of the head was pitch black and the glowing amber eyes could be seen. It had a cape and a sleeveless dress.
The boys were in awe at what they were looking at.
Especially Ryuji and Morgana.
"And just when I was thinking Ann's Persona was cool, Suzui-san had to go and pull a Persona of her own and it look like a badass…" Ryuji said.
"W-Wow! I never thought she'd have a Persona like that before!" Morgana said.
"I know, right! It looks like a robot in a dress or something!" Ryuji said, "Which is weird, but eh, what are you gonna do about it?"
Ann had her breath taken away from her.
"Shiho…" Ann said, "Her Persona looks amazing…"
"Yeah… I guess she's always been a warrior." Ren said.
"Yeah… she never really gave up… she was just… waiting to fight back…" Ann said, "I was such an idiot..."
She began to sob.
"Shiho…" Ann said, "God… I really misjudged her, didn't I?"
"Hm?"
Ren looked at Ann. Ann looked back at Ren.
"Kamoshida made her think that fighting back wasn't an option until someone reminded her that she could do that." Ann said, "I'm proud that she found her true self and chose to fight back after all."
Shiho looked at a badly hurt Kazuya in front of her. She walked over to him and set her spear down. She pulled him to her and looked upon his body.
He had bruises on his face and a bit of blood coming out of his mouth. He was barely breathing.
"Shiho…" Kazuya said, "You… you did it…"
"I know…" Shiho said, "I'm glad that we met each other, you know? If you hadn't done what you did to save me from killing myself, I… I never would have found out my true feelings and found the power I needed to stand up to Kamoshida."
"Really?" Kazuya said before he coughed.
"It's ok now. Just rest." Shiho said.
She glared at Shadow Kamoshida who was looking jealous. She turned back to Kazuya before kissing him on the cheek. She put a finger over his lips.
"Rest." Shiho said.
"Suzui-san!"
She turned to see—!
"Amamiya-kun! Ann! Ryuji!" Shiho said, "And… monster cat?"
"For the last time, I. AM. NOT. A. CAT!" The um... cat, said, "My name is Morgana! And just cause you are Lady Ann's friend does not mean I can't yell at you for calling me a cat!"
"Damnit… Damnit… DAMNIT!" Shadow Kamoshida yelled, "First Takamaki-san, now you Suzui-san?! What the fuck is wrong with this school?! I've been working my ass off to make the school popular and this is what I get?! Two girls flipping me off and becoming thieves for a bunch of snot-nosed punks?! What the hell is this shit?!"
"Be quiet, you." Shiho said, turning to Shadow Kamoshida and pointing her spear at him, "You will get on your knees and beg."
"W-What?!"
"You heard me." Shiho said, "You will grovel on the ground before me and beg that I don't execute you right here and now."
"You bitch! After all I did?! You—"
"So you'd rather be executed for treason than to beg in front of your queen?" Shiho asked, "Will you not beg that I don't let Boudica go rip out your manhood?!"
Shadow Kamoshida flinched.
"You thought you could destroy me, but all you did was suppress my true nature. All you did was merely make me even stronger than I was then." Shiho said, "Never again will you try to subvert my true self! Kamoshida, your reign of terror ends here!"
"Yeah, asshole! You effed up big on this one!" Ryuji said.
"Now you're gonna know what happens when you mess with the wrong girls!" Ann said.
"You clearly made a big mistake in going after Ann and her friend." Ren said, "Now it's going to cost you everything you worked for."
"D-DAMN YOU!" Shadow Kamoshida yelled, "Guards! Execute them! Execute them all! Bring me their heads!"
Shadows began to appear one after the other. Shiho readied her spear.
"The only one here is going to be executed is you and your peons!" Shiho said, "Boudica, to battle!"
Boudica began to hover. Two extra metal legs with thrusters in them extend from the legs below the dress. The hover unit on the back skirt activated. One of the Shadows turned into a general on a horse.
"Full speed! Go! Boudica!"
Boudica charged at the Shadow and thrusts her lance. The Shadow took the blow head-on. Boudica backed away before an ice cube was being created near the tip of the lance. Boudica thrusts her spear, shooting the projectile. The projectile hit the horseman and exploded. The ice froze the horseman solid. Shiho poised the spear and thrust it at the horseman.
The horseman shattered into pieces.
"I'm not the weak little girl you preyed upon, Kamoshida!" Shiho said, "I will not let you rob the dreams of others for your own delight! Not while Boudica and I stand against you!"
"Tch!" Shadow Kamoshida said.
"Carmen!" Ann said, taking her mask off.
Carmen came forth and tossed a fireball at an approaching Shadow, incinerating it. Shiho looked amazed and surprised at Carmen.
"A-Ann! Y-You…" Shiho said, "You have one too?!"
Ann looked to Shiho with a smile.
"That's right." Ann said.
"Yours looks like a dancer!" Shiho said, "I didn't know you liked to dance! Though, I don't get how your costume reflects that."
"L-Let's not talk about the costume." Ann said.
"Hey! Don't count us out!" Ryuji said, "Blast away at them, Captain Kidd!"
Ryuji took off his mask and summoned Captain Kidd. The pirate took aim and fired a thunderbolt from his cannon, zapping the Shadows that were coming down. Shiho looked amazed.
"A pirate?!" Shiho asked.
"Cool, am I right?!" Ryuji asked.
"Amateur!" Morgana said, "Show them your might, Zorro!"
Morgana summoned Zorro. The Persona summoned a gust of wind that swept some Shadows of their feet.
"Uh… kitty? Do you see yourself as a man a lot?" Shiho asked.
"First of all, yes, I firmly believe that I am a human, and that I am not a cat!" Morgana said, "And secondly, I'm way more manly than monkey boy over here."
"Hey!"
"Arsene!" Ren said, taking off his mask.
Out came Arsène, who came with a sinister laughter as he spread his wings. Arsène unleashed an Eiha that knocked a Shadow down. Shiho actually looked terrified by Arsene's appearance. She looked to Ren with a bit of worry.
"A-Amamiya-kun? W-Why does your Persona look like a demon wearing a suit?" Shiho asked.
"I can assure you that he does not andis not actually Satan." Ren said, "He prefers to be called a gentlemanly thief."
"Then why does he look like a demon?" Shiho asked.
"Maybe it's because I'm dangerous." Ren said.
"Hey! No fair!" Ryuji said.
"Hey! We have enemies to fight! Flirt later!" Morgana said, "All-Out Attack! Let's do this!"
The group descended upon the Shadows. When the group backed away, Shiho struck a pose with her spear planted in the ground.
"Bow before me!" Shiho said.
Ann posed next to Shiho, winking as she made a peace sign.
"OMG! We are SO awesome!" Ann said.
The Shadows were defeated. Shadow Kamoshida began to back off in fear.
"Y-You'll pay for this! All of you! I'll make you all pay!" Shadow Kamoshida said.
"Oh really?"
Kazuya had been healed by Sophia while the group had been fighting and now he and Sophia stepped forward.
"With all of us standing against you, there isn't a thing we cannot do." Kazuya said, "You can't stop us. We'll take you down and expose your crimes."
The Shadow ran away.
"Alright, let's get out of here!" Morgana said.
"Right!"
The group began to leave the Palace.
Aoyama-Itchome Station
After School
The group had gathered at the train station. Ren and Kazuya explained everything to Shiho and Ann about everything they had encountered in the Palace and what Kazuya theoretically knew about the Metaverse. At first, it didn't make much sense to them, but in due time they began to understand things.
"So basically, if we steal his treasure, Kamoshida will confess his crimes…" Shiho said, "Is that right?"
"Exactly." Kazuya said, "The distortions are just inhibiting his guilt. Without the distortions to hold them back, his mental stability will deteriorate until he just confesses to everything."
"So we can take him down…" Shiho said.
"It's a good thing we found out now." Ann said.
Shiho and Ann looked at Morgana.
"So… Morgana, was it? You have amnesia, right?" Shiho asked.
"Yup." Morgana said, "I must have been human at some point, so maybe I'll find out if we snag a Treasure."
"Huh… a talking cat." Ann said, "This is going to take a lot of getting used to."
"Yeah…" Shiho said, "Kazu-chan… thank you."
"Huh?" Ann asked, "Shiho?"
Shiho hugged Kazuya. Kazuya looked beet red in the face.
"It's thanks to you that I… I understand my true feelings." Shiho said, "That voice… she's gone now..."
"Huh?" Ann asked, "Oh… you mean… the voice that was in your head?"
"Yeah… it's gone. Or rather… it's just Boudica." Shiho said, "To think my own Shadow would convince me to die… I… I never wanted to die, and yet…"
"Shiho…" Ann said.
"Misaki-san must be really worried about you." Shiho said, "You… you should probably tell her what happened."
"I don't know… If I know her, she might go straight up to the school and file a lawsuit." Kazuya said, "You should probably go with me so we can explain what happened."
"Yeah…" Shiho said.
Shiho turned to Ren.
"So… guess we have to exchange contact info, Huh?" Shiho asked.
"Well, let's just do it then." Ann said.
Ren held out his phone and he began to exchange contact info with the girls.
I am thou... Thou art I…
Thou hast acquired a new vow…
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Lovers Persona
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
shall lead to freedom and new power…
LOVERS RANK 1
I am thou... Thou art I…
Thou hast acquired a new vow…
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Aeon Persona
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
shall lead to freedom and new power...
AEON RANK 1
"Done." Ren said.
"Well, I oughta get going." Ann said.
"Wait, you haven't exchanged contact info with Kazu-chan yet." Shiho said.
"Oh! Right! Thanks for telling me!" Ann said as she turned to Kazuya, "Quick! Hurry!"
"Alright then."
I am thou. Thou art I.
Thou hast established a new bond…
It shall transform into the wings of liberation
That taketh flight from conflict and stagnation
With the power of the Lovers Arcana,
I have obtained a new power
That shall bring forth liberation…
LOVERS RANK 1
"Ok, that does it." Ann said, "Well Kazuya, I hope we get along with each other."
Kazuya nodded. Ann walked off.
"Ann was her name, right?" Morgana asked, "Lady Ann…"
"Eh?"
"What a kind girl... Such admirable consideration for others... And the innocence to cast herself into the jaws of death to achieve her goal…" Morgana said, "She cares about her friends, and she's beautiful to boot... What a girl! She's captured my heart…"
Shiho looked slightly disturbed.
"Dude." Ryuji said, "No. Just… no."
"Ryuji… tell me the truth." Kazuya said, "Is it true that we'll get expelled?"
Ryuji looked at Kazuya and started sweating bullets.
"Look, I… I didn't mean to… I just got so pissed off after… I just… I'm sorry." Ryuji said, "I got all pissed off and… and I barged into his office…"
Kazuya sighed.
"So I am getting expelled…" Kazuya said.
"Look, after finding out about what he did, I just lost my shit. I've known Suzui since middle school and—"
"No. That's enough." Kazuya said, "I can't fault you for this."
"You… you're not mad?"
"No." Kazuya said, "There's no point in getting angry."
"Dude…" Ryuji said.
"Just… don't go running into things head-on without back-up, alright?" Kazuya asked, "We're working together now."
"R-Right, of course." Ryuji said.
He felt his bond with Ryuji getting stronger.
RANK UP!
CHARIOT RANK 2
"Oh, and Kazuya, one more thing." Ren said.
He lent him a familiar looking device.
"Look familiar?" Ren asked.
Kazuya looked at it. This was definitely the grappling hook his brother left him.
"Yup. Naoya made it and gave it to me." Kazuya said, "I guess he knew what was going to happen and gave it to me. He was always good when it came to making survival equipment and special gear."
"Wait, isn't that odd?" Morgana asked, "Your brother abandoned you, right? So why did he hand you an item that he knows you'd use to save Lady Shiho's life?"
"My guess is… no. Maybe I'm imagining things." Kazuya said.
"Well, what your brother can do, I can teach you to do better!" Morgana said, "If you need anything from me, just call up Ren and tell him to bring me to your place! I'll help you make some way better stuff than he can!"
"Really?" Kazuya asked.
"That's a promise!" Morgana said, "In fact, I'll also give you the experience you need to become a phantom thief!"
He felt his bond with Morgana getting stronger.
RANK UP!
MAGICIAN RANK 2
"Well Shiho, let's go." Kazuya said.
"Yeah…" Shiho said, "Let's go."
Yongen-Jaya
Radiance
Evening
Misaki saw the door open. She saw Kazuya, Ren, and Shiho at the door.
"Kid!" Misaki said, "You had me worried! Do you have any idea—!"
"I'm sorry about what happened." Kazuya said.
Misaki stopped for a moment. She looked angry.
"You have a lot of explaining to do!" Misaki said, "Just what the hell is going on at that school?!"
Shiho stood forward.
"Actually… I can explain…" Shiho said, "You see…"
She began to explain everything that happened that day and everything that led up to it, minus the existence of the Palace. Kazuya and Ren told her about the Principal's involvement. After they were done telling their story to her, she had been beside herself.
"Christ… a gym teacher physically abusing some kids, sexually harassing some girls, sexually assaulting them, and to go so far as to molest one…" Misaki said, "And you're saying the Principal was in on it and he's forcing everyone to turn a blind eye, even the parents? And through threats and intimidation, no less?"
"Exactly." Ren said, "Kamoshida is basically untouchable as long as the Principal is protecting him."
"The Principal doesn't care about the students." Shiho said, "We should have known what kind of man he was…"
"The students are forced to endure it all." Kazuya said, "And to think that they called themselves the best prep school."
Misaki sighed.
"At least you stopped a girl from committing suicide." Misaki said, "You did good, kid. Though, you had me worried."
"Yeah…" Kazuya said, "I did…"
"Is there anything you can do? You're an adult, aren't you?" Ren asked.
Misaki sighed again.
"Actually, I happen to know someone who can make some noise, raise some awareness." Misaki said, "That's the best I can do, though."
"I see…" Ren said, "Thanks."
"Hey, no sweat." Misaki said, "Let me make you guys some dinner, how's that?"
"Sure." Shiho said.
"Go right on ahead." Ren said.
"Do it." Kazuya said.
"Alrighty… you kids are gonna love what Mama Misaki's got cooking in the back!"
Misaki got her bandanna on and ran inside the kitchen. They could hear lots of sizzling in the back. A powerful aroma filled the restaurant. They were enraptured by the smell. Misaki came out with some delicious beef bowls.
"Beef bowls?!" Shiho said.
"Well, you're on the volleyball team, right? You need to eat up." Misaki said, "A little meat and protein goes a long way for an athlete!"
"But I'm not an athlete." Ren said.
Morgana popped his head out of Ren's bag.
"Besides, isn't there anything besides beef?" Morgana asked.
"AND WHO SAID YOU COULD BRING THE CAT OVER HERE?!" Misaki yelled.
Morgana dipped back into Ren's bag and the trio began to eat. They kept eating until the bowls were empty. The boys looked full.
"I can't take another bite…" Ren said.
"Me neither…" Kazuya said.
"Thanks for the meal." Shiho said.
Misaki smiled.
"You're welcome." Misaki said, "Alright, I'll be closing up the shop, so—"
"Actually," Shiho interrupted Misaki, "is it ok that I stay with Kazu-chan for the night?"
Misaki and Ren glanced at Shiho.
"Don't worry, I'll let my parents know." Shiho said, "I'll also tell Ann."
"Well uh… just… um…"
Misaki looked at Kazuya.
"There better not be any funny business between you two when I lock up the store, got it?" Misaki asked, "I find so much as a hint of any funny business and I'll—"
"We know…" Kazuya said.
The two got up to the attic while Ren headed to Leblanc. Shiho looked around the attic. It looked clean and organized. She spotted the loft bed where his desk was.
"Wow… this is your room?" Shiho asked.
"Yup." Kazuya said, "Not too shabby, ain't it?"
"Yeah… it's not too shabby." Shiho said, "Is it ok if… I sleep with you?"
Kazuya looked at her with flushed cheeks.
"With me?!" Kazuya asked.
"Well… after all that's happened… I…"
Shiho hugged Kazuya.
"I want to be with you." Shiho said.
She looked up at him. He held her in his arms.
"Sure…" Kazuya said.
The two got in the bed together and covered themselves up.
"You know Shiho, I'm glad that we're friends." Kazuya said, "Really… I'm glad."
Shiho nodded.
"Hey! I'm here too!" Sophia said.
"Yeah… I'm glad you're here too, Sophia." Kazuya said, "And that we're all friends."
"Let's just… go to sleep for now, ok?" Shiho asked.
Kazuya nodded and the two began to go to sleep.
Elsewhere…
Evening
"I see…" Naoya said on the phone, "You want me raise awareness about the suicide attempt at Shujin Academy as well as all that led up to it."
He smiled.
"Well… I can make it happen." Naoya said, "But…"
"Listen here, Naoya, I don't care what the hell it is that you want, just make it happen."
"Now, being impatient is not how I do things." Naoya said, "Although, I can do it for free."
"Then you'll do it?"
"Yes, but remember, I'm only doing this because I owe you that much." Naoya said, "Any further dealings beyond this will require some money."
"Pleasure doing business with you…"
The call ended. He dials another number.
"Yes? Who is it?"
"It's me."
"Huh? Mr Matsuyama? Why are you calling so soon?"
"I have a little job for you." Naoya said, "How is the Black Crow rumor, going?"
"People are talking about it, but not a whole lot."
"I see…" Naoya said, "I want you to spread the word about a suicide attempt in Shujin Academy. The details are that a girl tried to jump off the roof, but a boy saved her life while risking his own. Can you do it?"
"At once."
"Good." Naoya said, "I'll send the details over and I expect a report by tomorrow."
"Yes sir."
Naoya smiled.
'Now this is going to be exciting…' Naoya thought, 'I wonder if Nyarlathotep will do something about this rumor…'
Kazuya
Social Links
Fool - Ren Rank 2
Magician - Morgana Rank 2
Chariot - Ryuji Rank 2
Strength- Shiho Rank 1
Lovers - Ann Rank 1
Hunger - Naoya Rank 1
Aeon - Philemon Rank 1
Hope - Sophia Rank 2