Life will Change
Original Concept: Persona 5
Chapter 1
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Created by: Atlus/Sega
Written by: wrathie
Consultation: DiLost
Cover art by: Aiwa
Author's Note: Well, here we go. I hope I can keep a steady update of an update a month for this story. Please enjoy the tale.
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"And I demand to see her." Niijima Sae glowered threateningly at the detective that stood in the way of her target, the leader of the Phantom Thieves that they had captured just a few hours earlier.
"And I will repeat again, you have been taken off the case Public Prosecutor Niijima Sae, you have no right or reason to be here. She belongs to us and we will extract what we want from her in due time." The detective smiled grimly and Sae felt even more worried. The longer she allowed her target to stay in this place, the more likely the truth that she so seeks would be twisted and distorted.
"And this was my case, I started it and I will end it. I have reason to believe that the leader of the Phantom Thieves could provide answers to an even bigger conspiracy in the government. So you will step aside, or god help me. I will rain hell all over your agency for hiding the truth." Sae growled, stepping forward into the man's personal space as he hesitated for the first time.
"I just need to confirm something with the suspect."
"Are you Prosecutor Nijima Sae?" An unfamiliar voice called out to her and she turned around to see another man, one looking to be in charge as the first deferred to him by stepping backwards and giving him space.
His arms was folded as he addressed her, "There is a call from your director. Please hurry up and get it over with. To be perfectly frank, you're being an inconvenience."
Sae ignored him and pulled out her phone, which had been ringing for a while.
"I thought I ordered you to stay on stand-by." Her director's voice transmitted over to her and she shook her head.
"There's more than meets the eye, and I told you that. This is MY case." She stated authoritatively and the director sighed, knowing she was not in the mood.
"Good luck to you then. I guess if there's anyone the girl might speak to, it's you."
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The call ended and she raised an eyebrow to the head thug who sneered at her.
"Ah, Prosecutor, I forgot to mention something important. Your time will be cut short, we can't have you talking with her for long."
He then added with a frown. "It's for your own sake, her methods are unknown. We don't even know if it's safe to simply meet and speak with her."
Sae shook her head and scoffed, knowing that's far from the truth.
"If you've read up on the files we have on her, you'll understand why. She won't be talking to you, you're exactly the kind of guys that she targets. If you want her to cooperate..." Sae brushed against the shoulder of the detective that had stopped her earlier.
"You'll have to have someone like me."
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Niijima Sae entered the room and scowled at the figure who was curled up at one corner of the room, shivering and looking all beaten up and defeated.
It was hard to imagine this was the leader of the Phantom Thieves, the most notorious group of criminals slash vigilantes that had swept the world by storm.
"Honestly, I've suspected that it was you from the start, but no one would believe me that the infamous leader of the Phantom Thieves could be a highschool girl." Her voice was loud in the interrogation room but the figure's shivering stopped and she raised her head to look at Sae.
Sae couldn't help but flinch at how beaten up the girl was, multiple bruises on her face, a black eye that had turned blue black, multiple abrasion wounds on her cheek and worse, her trench coat and top had multiple tears in it.
What have they done to her, or perhaps, what has she done to herself to make them back off.
But thankfully the girl did not seem that bothered, she only smiled a little at the comment.
"We don't have much time, you'll have to answer all my questions, Kurusu Masumi-chan." Sae took a seat after pulling the other out for her. As she expected, Masumi ambled over, her eyes sharp although it was lidded and Sae was confident that she had escaped the worst of the situation by her own craftiness.
This was a girl who had shaken the foundations of the world and had gotten under the radar for so long before being betrayed by one of her members.
"We can't talk for long, and there are many things you need to clear up." Sae watched as Masumi leaned forward on the table, one hand clutching her head as she kept her eyes on her.
Masumi's eyes glanced down before a small smiled appeared on her face and she spoke.
"Alright." The deal was made and Sae nodded briskly.
"You know why you're here, and if you want to get out of this, you have to tell me everything. No more games, no more diversions, I need to know."
Sae insisted and Masumi nodded her head, not speaking but waiting for her to tell her what she needed to say.
"When and where did you find out about that world?"
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"No, stop it! Don't, don't come near me!" The cries of a crying young woman filled her mind and she flinched as she recalled things that she had thought she had left behind.
"No... No! I said no! What are you doing!" The desperation she felt then swallowed her again, causing cold sweat to form and she to clench her fist and it was like viewing through a TV screen that was flickering in and out of focus.
Wake up... please, wake up.
She tried to will herself to do so, one of the repeated dreams that haunted her for so long ever since then.
She hated the helplessness then and that's why... she stepped in then to help the woman that was being forcefully pulled into the man's car. She was terrified and the man was relentless, tugging and pulling on her sleeve to get her to enter the car. The blood was
The leering gaze that he had on her, how he was so assured that even when she intervened he was more than willing to grab her with the woman.
It was dumb luck that stopped him from doing so, but she still hadn't gotten clean... after all...
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"What, are you for real? Mental shutdowns?"
"It's the truth!"
A girl with messy black hair tied up in a ponytail stirred in a train in the voices of two other girls.
"To a person though?" That's gotta be a joke. You really love all of that occult stuff don't you?"
"We are approaching Shibuya Station, we are approaching Shibuya Station."
The announcement shook her out of her drowsiness and she quickly got up and alighted, it was going to be the first stop to her new life in the city.
Shibuya
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The sights and sounds of the city was different from what she was used to in the backwater and rural area she grew up in and the girl looked around curiously and cautiously. The people around was used to high school students in this time and she quickly found her way towards the famous Shibuya Crossing, a moniker given to a crossing in the middle of the city.
The sight of so many individuals walking leisurely through the middle of the street was enough to hammer home the fact that she was just one in many thousands of individuals here. Perhaps she'll be able to start a new life here.
As she checked the navigation app, she noticed something she had never seen before, a logo that was similar to that of an eyeball in black and red hovered over her screen and she frowned, wondering if it was adware.
Tapping it garnered no response or it seemed that way until she noticed something odd, the world slowing down and before coming to a complete halt in front of her very eyes.
It wasn't that people were stopping, no, the world was stopped as she could see things in mid air and she looked around anxiously, a feeling of trepidation forming in her stomach as she felt all alone in this world.
There was no sound, nothing at all and she swallowed nervously while adjusting her glasses, not like it'll help for it was was one with no prescription to it, for she had perfect eyesight.
The feeling was deepened when she noticed a figure that was enveloped in black flames right in front of her at the building before the crossing.
The black flames roared and waved about in the air, enveloping the figure before she noticed that she was wearing a cloak. As the figure raised its head, the girl saw the pair of eyes, fire red in color that focused right on her.
The girl would have stepped back if not for how it flickered out of sight and the world resumed, the familiar sounds of the city have never been so reassuring and welcome. The feeling that had gripped her both terrified and angered her, it was akin to that of a predator staring at a prey and it shook her pretty bad. She had enough of being weak and helpless.
Clenching her hand, she took a deep breath before shaking her head and getting a grip of herself, she had a destination to reach and there was no reason to be delayed by it.
But first... she deleted the app, sliding it down to the trash before heading along her way.
Yogen-Jaya
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Arriving at Yogen-Jaya station was a relief for her and the girl adjusted her glasses and hair before heading up to the exit of the station. This'll be her new home, and as much as it worried and bothered her to be staying with someone who had minimal relations with her, it was better than being in her hometown where she'll always be judged.
Stepping out of the station she was relieved to find the place quiet and unassuming, similar to her hometown and she walked around, studying the place and the shops around her while navigating with her phone.
Starting today, Sakura Sojiro would be taking care of her and she should be heading to his place.
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"Oh Sakura-san's place? It should be further down this alley." Getting directions from the police officer on duty, she headed towards the direction of the home and was promptly disappointed to find out Sakura-san was manning a cafe and was not available. The entire district was quiet and unassuming as she thought it'll be, tucked in one corner away from the bustling city life and the people here walked in their own pace.
Retracing her steps, she found the cafe in question and headed straight for Cafe LeBlanc.
LeBlanc
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"A public transit bus was driven down an opposing lane with it's customers still in it!"
The sounds of the TV and together with the smell of coffee made the girl pause at the door of the cafe and she stood patiently and quietly while the customers of the cafe chatted with what seemed to be Sakura-san.
As she waited awkwardly, the older man with a goatee looked up and caught sight of her.
"Oh... right." He seemed to gather himself as he muttered. "They did say that was today." As he set the newspaper aside, his customers stood up and left, leaving the payment on the table.
"Thanks for coming." Sakura-san thanked them and the elderly couple nodded in her direction as they left.
"Five hours for just one cup of coffee... sheesh." Sakura-san rubbed the back of his head as soon as the door closed.
"So, you're Masumi?" He appraised her quietly and Masumi nodded before bowing her head.
"I will be in your care." The manners seem to catch him off guard and he nodded while mumbling.
"I'm Sakura Sojiro, you will be in my custody over the next year." He continued while looking confused, still taken aback for some reason.
"I was wondering what kind of unruly kid would show up, but you're the one huh... you look completely different from the photo I've got." He rubbed the back of his head again while Masumi appeared confused till she nodded in understanding.
She had dyed her hair after all and as it was a rush job, her mother probably hadn't gotten a new photo of her.
"Have you been told?A customer of mine and your parents knew each other and... Well, not that it matters. Just know that you can trust me. Follow me now." He gestured towards her and Masumi followed behind him obediently to the attic.
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It was a mess, cluttered with stuff and full of dust, and she was looking all over it in disgust before getting a grip on herself. That was the reward of being too optimistic, she was just a burden after all. She should be happy that she got a new start in the first place.
"I'll at least give you sheets for the bed." Sojiro was talking to her and Masumi snapped back out of her funk.
"It's on you to clean up the rest and I'll be leaving after I lock up each day." Sojiro explained before dropping another bombshell on her.
"You'll be alone at night, but don't do anything stupid. I'll throw you out if you cause any trouble."
"You are letting me live alone..." Masumi trailed off and her anxiety and shock must have shown for Sojiro scratched his head and explained.
"It's a safe neighborhood and as long as you lock the door it'll be fine. Look, I know what happened to you in the past, and I think it'll be better than letting you stay in my place since you barely know me. Besides... I don't have a spare room there..." Sojiro seemed embarrassed but firm in letting her stay at the cafe and Masumi accepted with a nod of her head. Sojiro nodded too and huffed, slouching even more as he addressed Masumi.
"Look, I got the gist of your situation... you intervened for some woman from a man forcing himself on her, and when the police came, he said you wanted to sell yourself to him instead? He then had you arrested and charged..." Sojiro sighed as Masumi nodded her head but she flinched when Sojiro continued on.
"And about the issues with your family... I guess your mother must be desperate if she asked me for help... you played a dangerous game there, that's what you get for sticking your nose in a matter between two adults. Did you know how dangerous that could have turned out? Honestly, you got lucky..." Sojiro was gruff but understanding at the same time about Masumi's situation but she was just glad that he didn't mention what happened in her home though he knew what was going on.
"And now that you've got a criminal record, you were expelled from your high school and the courts ordered you to transfer and move out here, which your mother also approved." Sojiro sighed and shook his head.
"In other words, they got rid of you for being a pain in the ass." The words were true but delivered in such a way that it hurt deeper than Masumi had believed it would. She was unwanted huh?
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Instead of getting depressed, Sojiro's words roused Masumi more and she seemed to straighten up more even as Sojiro started speaking more sternly.
"It's best you not talk about anything unnecessary, I am in the restaurant business you know. Behave yourself for the year, if nothing happens, your probation will be lifted. Don't give them an excuse to make that false charge a permanent record."
"A whole year huh..." Masumi nodded in understanding and Sojiro nodded in satisfaction at her reply.
"Cause any problems and you'll be sent straight to juvenile prison and that's the least of your worries. We'll be going to Shujin tomorrow, the academy that you would be attending." Sojiro paused to make sure Masumi was listening and after seeing she was, continued.
"We'll introduce ourselves properly to the staff there. There's rarely a place that would take someone like you know?" Sojiro sighed again before gesturing to the box that was placed in the middle of the room.
"Your luggage came earlier, I'll leave it to you to unpack." As he left, Masumi placed her bag down before starting to unpack. She was going to make the best of the situation, even if it was a very bad one.
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"What the heck? I heard you making all sorts of noises up here, but I didn't think you were cleaning." Sojiro looked surprised as he leaned against the rails of the stairs leading to the attic before scratching his head at how Masumi scowled at him. She had been working on cleaning the place for the better half of half a day now.
"I will get a bell alright kid? It's not like I'm used to having to knock to enter an attic." Sojiro grumbled but looked around approvingly at Masumi's handiwork.
"Actually the place doesn't look too bad, though it's only natural for a girl to want to keep your room tidy. If you're going to go shopping for a closet, you should check the second-hand store just down the street. No use getting new stuff if you're gonna be here for a year. I got some things lying about that I'll help set up for you." Sojiro was gruff but at least he wasn't heartless and Masumi nodded, smiling apprehensively at him.
"I'll get it up if you help me out and why don't you go to bed after that? I won't be the one looking after you if you get sick from staying up too late, so take care of yourself." Sojiro nodded when Masumi accepted, the younger girl looking both apprehensive and hopeful and making him soften a little.
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Sojiro wondered if Futaba should have been like that the first time they met, it had been a difficult time for her but it was the same for this young woman, Masumi, was it?
"Though she is a little older…" Sojiro mumbled and caused Masumi to look at her in confusion while Sojiro cursed his slip up.
"Nothing, nothing.. I'll get the racks setup for a changing area for you, now hurry up."
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As Sojiro closed up the shop, he couldn't help but look up at the second floor where the light had been turned off. She had seemed a nice, if quiet kid and he believed it when her mother had said that her daughter wouldn't do such a thing.
"Prostitution huh… she doesn't seem like the type… but then again, with what happened before…" Sojiro sighed before hoping that the child wouldn't be hard to handle like his own.
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Per Sojiro's instructions, Masumi changed to her sleeping wear before laying back onto her lumpy sofa and turning the lights off. The room was stuffy but with the windows open, hopefully it would be aired soon enough. As she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but remember what happened that night.
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"Ow! P-Please! Stop!" The woman crying out in the night was enough for Masumi to rush towards her direction. She had heard enough similar cries of distress that she was calling the police for help before even reaching the site where she saw a woman struggling with a man. The man was visibly drunk while the woman was terrified.
Even if she was a girl, there was nothing stopping Masumi from intervening as she knew the police would be on their way, all she needed to do was to delay him.
Her feelings of disgust heightened as the man claimed that he was above the law, the police being in his pocket and Masumi screamed for help, stunning the man before charging forward and pushing him away from the woman.
Things after that was a blur for the man had staggered while the woman clung onto her like a lifesaver. As the man ambled towards him threateningly, the sounds of sirens could be heard and Masumi almost sagged in relief.
"Get in the car you bitches!" He snarled and grabbed her shoulders, tugging the two of them towards the car, and thanks to the adrenaline she managed to struggle against him long enough for him to snarl in disgust when the police arrived.
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The fact that he was right and gotten out of it intact while blaming her only made Masumi angrier and she found herself staring at the ceiling in disgust.
"Hmm…?" Masumi pulled the covers off her and reached for her phone, noticing that the app that she had thought deleted was there again.
"It's so odd…" Muttering to herself, she deleted it quickly before closing her eyes again, praying for a night of dreamless sleep.
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Masumi woke up to the sounds of chains dangling, and she blinked several times as she stared at the deep blue ceiling that she remembered with certainty was nothing like what she had remembered in the attic that she was currently lodging in. She should know, she had spent at least half an hour staring at the grey and dust coated ceiling before falling asleep.
Her first instinct was fear, she wasn't where she was supposed to be and she clutched the sheets that she was supposed to be wearing before noticing that they too were gone and she was laying on bed without any cover.
Taking a breath, Masumi tried to stop herself from ventilating as she felt cold hard steel resting on her chest, clamping around her wrist and she slowly stood up from her bunk bed, looking down and seeing her clad in a stereotypical prisoners outfit in black and white.
Looking around her anxiously, Masumi stared at the cuffs that she was wearing before pressing a hand against her forehead.
"Is this… no, it must be a dream." Unless Sojiro sold her out and she was carted to juvie in a night…
The sounds of someone laughing shook her out of her contemplation and she turned her head to the entrance of the cell she was somehow transported to.
Thick chains were placed securely against the cell doors, which were similar to those she had seen in movies, long thick metal bars keeping her from escaping.
Two young children marched in front of the cell, both platinum blonde with matching eye patches albeit on opposite sides. They stood to attention, waiting for her to acknowledge them before shuffling closer to stand besides one another.
Masumi didn't know what to do and so she kept on sitting on the seat, waiting for any change in reaction.
A minute passed as they stared at her and Masumi waited, just as patiently. If they wanted her to do something, they could just ask. It wasn't like she was obliged to do so seeing they had brought her here against her will.
Eventually the twins frowned, the smile they had on their faces fading but they turned as one, clicking their heels together as they stood ramrod straight, facing each other, though their eyes continued contact with Masumi.
As they were no longer obscuring her vision, Masumi could make out another figure sitting on a wooden desk in the distance. He or she, a figure with a long nose had her hands clasped and although facing down, his/her eyes were looking straight at Masumi.
As they made eyes contact, he looked up and with that eerie smile of his, along with those bloodshot eyes, addressed her.
"Trickster… Welcome to my Velvet Room."
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Masumi slowly got up from her seat, grimacing at how her legs were chained to a metal ball before walking towards the cell doors. Wary of the twins that were still glaring at her while standing in attention, Masumi choose to lean against the right of the cell doors and bowed to him. It never hurt to greet someone.
"So you've come to, inmate." One of the twins spoke to her abruptly. "The you in reality is currently fast asleep. You are only experiencing this as a dream. You are in the presence of our master, stand up straight!" One of the twins punctuated the statement by slamming a rod against the cell doors which crackled with electricity upon impact, startling Masumi.
Reluctantly Masumi did but still kept a respectful distance from the cell, she had no desire to be electrocuted like that.
"I am delighted to make your acquaintance. This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room that only those who are bound by a 'contract' may enter." The man paused as he drummed long bony fingers against the table.
"I am Igor, the master of this place. Remember it well. I summoned you here to speak of important matters. It involves your life as well." He paused and Masumi addressed him.
"Let me out please."
"Still, this is a surprise." He ignored her and looked around him, surveying the place while Masumi continued to try and keep calm. She was at the mercy of the strange man and the twins, it bothered her greatly as she did no wrong.
"The appearance of this room reflects the state of your own heart. To think a prison would appear as such. You truly are a "prisoner" of fate." He concluded even as Masumi felt even more confused at the situation, she had no idea what was going on.
"In the near future, there is no mistake that ruin awaits you."
"Ruin…? Masumi asked, she could at least play along and try to figure out what the man's plan was.
"I mean the end of all things. However, there is a means to oppose such a fate." He paused again, perhaps waiting for more questions but Masumi shook her head, asking him to go on wordlessly.
"You must be "rehabilitated". Rehabilitated towards freedom That is your only means to avoid ruin... Do you have the resolve to challenge the distortion of the world?" He asked, and Masumi considered, the word rehabilitation meant that she had done something wrong, which she hadn't. But if it'll help her get out of here…
"I'd rather avoid ruin… and I'll prove you wrong, I do not need rehabilitation." She answered clearly and the man's smile got wider.
"You didn't decline, hm? Very well… that is enough, your declaration shall be proven in time." He nodded in satisfaction. "Allow me to observe the path of your rehabilitation." He chuckled as the twins abruptly turned, changing position to stand face to face with each other.
"My apologies for not introducing the two of them. On your right is Caroline; to your left, Justine. They serve as wardens here."
"Hmph, try and struggle as hard as you like." Caroline was the one who had slammed that electrified rod against her cell, scowled as she challenged Masumi, sneering at her disdainfully. The girl didn't like her and Masumi just kept a neutral expression as she turned towards the other, more quieter girl called Justine.
"The duty of wardens is to protect inmates. We are also your collaborators. That is, if you remain obedient." Justine was fairer and quieter to her but she still irked Masumi for she had done nothing wrong and she was kept here against her will.
"I shall explain the roles of these two at another occasion." Igor intoned and he grinned at Masumi while the twins turned to face him once more.
"Now then, it seems the night is waning… it is almost time. Take your time to come to slowly come to understand this place. We will surely meet again, eventually." Just as he finished there was the sounds of a bell ringing.
"Time's up. Now hurry and return to your sleep!" Caroline growled and slammed the iron rod against the cell just as her consciousness faded.
LeBlanc
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"That was a strange dream." Masumi mumbled to herself as she rubbed her eyes, combing her hair absently as she sat on her pathetic excuse of a bed. Still, the weird dream of ruin and rehabilitation was welcome as compared to the dreams she usually would have.
Standing up, Masumi pulled the curtains closed over the makeshift changing room that she and Sojiro had rigged for her in a corner of the room away from the windows. A girl must have her privacy after all.
"Are you decent? Wait, are you even up?" The ringing of the bell caused Masumi to jump and she called out that she was but she wasn't decent.
"Let's go introduce ourselves properly to the staff about your transfer. I'll be waiting downstairs but don't take too long!" He called from the stairs and Masumi called back in acknowledgement as she finished changing, making sure that her sleeves were pulled right and her attire was exactly the school guidelines and some, she even dyed her hair for this… well, her ponytail needed work. She used to like letting it down before it became an easy tar-
"..." Clenching her fist, Masumi counted to ten to get herself to relax, she can't let her emotions engulf her again like the last time. Once was bad enough.
Somehow she managed to meet up with Sojiro without too much difficulty and listened to him as he served her curry and coffee.
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"The school you're attending is in the Aoyama district. It'll cost you a bit to ride the train there, and the route transfers are a pain. I'll drive you there this time just for today." He hummed before sighing. "Well you are a woman, but having a child like you sit in my passenger seat is just odd." His remark made Masumi giggle and Sojiro looked taken aback before huffing. He didn't know what was funny but her laugh was nice, though it does feel odd that he was relieved to hear a young girl child.
Perhaps if Futaba… no, he mustn't think that.
"C'mon, time's a wastin. I got to make living you know? He snapped at Masumi, causing the girl to start before wolfing down breakfast as fast as she can.
"This is good curry…" She muttered between bites while Sojiro softened at seeing her like that, perhaps it's due to how lost she looked at the start that made him have parallels to the other child that he had taken in.
Regardless, he didn't expect to soften up so much just over the span of a day, ahh he was weak against girls after all.
Shujin Academy
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"Do me a favor and behave yourself, alright?" Sojiro stopped before the two of them entered the school and Masumi nodded her head as Sojiro crossed his arms. "It'll be a pain and I don't want you to cause any trouble for me."
Masumi nodded, though a little disappointed. She thought she had made some headway into Sojiro, but apparently she was still a burden to him. No matter, she'll prove her worth… at least he believed her version of what happened.
It'll be difficult for her if he didn't anyway and she followed Sojiro into the school and into the Principal's office.
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"To reiterate, just so we're clear. You will be expelled immediately if you cause any problems." The principal, someone who could compete with the weird old man that she had seen in the dream last night in terms of weirdness, spoke sternly to Masumi.
"Honestly, I hesitated on accepting someone like you, but there were some circumstances on our side… You might have done a variety of things hiding in your hometown, but you will behave yourself here." He finished and was satisfied when Masumi nodded her head in acknowledgement. He softened somewhat, making him look even odder as he gestured to the woman with messy hair standing besides him.
"This is the teacher in charge of your class."
"I'm Kawakami Sadayo, here's your student ID." As Masumi accepted the ID and looked awkwardly at the picture which still had her in her natural hair color, Masumi looked to to see Kawakami-sensei looking at her approvingly.
"Be sure to read the school rules, any violations will send you straight to the guidance office. I'm glad to see that you dyed her hair dark. You wouldn't want to be caught with dyed hair do you?" Masumi bit her tongue from saying that she had to dye her hair to look 'natural', but it would have looked good on her.
"And if by chance you cause any problems, I won't be able to protect you at all. That IS your promise, yes, Principal Kobayakawa?" The two adults glanced at each other and Masumi felt unsettled, the teacher in charge of her class wasn't as welcoming as she had thought. Then again, her record spoke for itself even if it was false. Masumi had hoped that her appearance would help give the impression that she was a good student, but even that wasn't enough.
"She is responsible for all her actions."
"But really though, why me…? There should've been better candidates." The two of them started whispering, but sadly Masumi could hear her and she looked to the side while Sojiro just looked disgruntled.
"It was a sudden transfer, and your class was the only one that had an opening."
"If you're done explaining things, mind if we leave? I've got a store to attend to." Sojiro interrupted and Masumi looked up at him in relief for his interruption brought the conversation back on track.
"Sakura-san, please keep a close eye on her. Don't let her cause any trouble outside."
"Well I'll be sure to have a serious talk about the situation she's in." Sojiro looked at her and Masumi bowed to the two educators again in thanks.
"Come to the faculty office when you arrive at school tomorrow, I'll show you to your classroom." Kawakami-sensei added before they left and Masumi thanked her again before closing the door behind her.
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Masumi felt exhausted, like she had ran a marathon just standing in the principal's office with all the negativity hitting her emotionally as the two of them stood at the entrance of the school, near the lockers.
"They're treating you like some kind of nuisance. I guess that's what it means to have a criminal record. Turns out your past follows you wherever you go." Sojiro shrugged before adding on. "By the way… if you get expelled now, I won't hesitate to kick you out, got it? Don't do anything foolish and waste your second chance." Sojiro's words might have came out harsh at the start but it ended on a note that Masumi could be hopeful about.
"I'll do my best." Sojiro snorted at Masumi's reply before shaking his head.
"School never changes huh… well come on, we're going home."
Shujin Academy
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"Well what a troublesome situation." A ripped male teacher wearing a white T-Shirt and jogging pants commented to Sadayo as she walked down a stairway towards the other end of the school.
"I can't believe they pushed someone with a record on me. A male teacher would be better.. Well then again, considering her record… maybe not…" She sighed, crossing her arms as she remembered what kind of record the girl had. It was a pity too, she seemed like quite a studious and serious student. But it was the quiet ones you have to be worried about.
"Why in the world was someone like that admitted here?" The male teacher sighed before adding. "Well perhaps it would help your record, Kawakami-san, you haven't exactly had a stellar record yourself." His words seemed to make her eyes narrow at the suggestion.
"Who knows… it was the principal's decision." Despite that, Kawakami still backed off from engaging the other teacher directly. "I was told that it's for the school's reputation."
"I would have thought that my volleyball team has contributed more than enough to cover that." The man bragged as he puffed out his chest, causing Sadayo to bit her lip.
"That's certainly true…" It was so troublesome just thinking about it, why would a girl like that even do that at her age? Well, perhaps she had circumstances that caused her to be desperate. If word got out of this, she'll be harassed for sure.
"Be careful okay. Then again, if anything were to happen, I'd kick out a student like that right away." He bragged while Kawakami looked at him uncertainly.
"Well, we'll see how she is like."
"Wait, she…?" The reaction from the male teacher made Kawakami nod.
"Yes, it's a female student… I was surprised too… for a girl so young to have a criminal record… but I shouldn't be gossiping…" Kawakami nodded to the male teacher and he nodded.
"Well I should get back to practise."
"The tournament is coming up, yes?"
"Heh, having such high expectations placed on you by others is quite a problem in itself." He chuckled. "We'll have to work hard to make up for the track team too."
Kawakami gave a sigh as she thought of the mess that the track team had gone through and shook her head. The energy of her fellow teacher just made her tired just feeling about it.
"Why'd it have to be my class… well… at least it's better than being in Kamoshida's class. She won't stand a chance there." Kawakami comforted herself, hoping for the best as she noticed the surprised and considering look in Kamoshida Suguru's eyes as the new tidbit interested him.
"Well, I just hope she'll behave, maybe I should find out what happened to her first."
Aoyama
..
"Traffic's not moving at all." Sojiro tapped the top of the steering wheel before continuing. "You're taking the train starting tomorrow." As the awkward silence dragged on, Sojiro thankfully broke the silence.
"So… how was it? The school, I mean. Think you can manage?"
"I hope to start anew there." The response from Masumi caught Sojiro off guard and he chuckled softly.
"Still, you were expelled already. To think you'd re-enroll at a different one. You got lucky." He sighed suddenly though.
"It's not like anyone will be sympathetic with you though, there might be a gag order and your situation is bad but… that won't stop tongues wagging." He grimaced, having a headache at the implications.
"Just keep it down… if that's what it was like at school, people might say stuff about me and the shop in the future too. At least you have the sense to not draw attention. Tokyo is different from your hometown, so watch yourself… things can get out, walls have ears… and it won't get out due to me." Sojiro gestured to her attire and Masumi nodded, looking down again.
"Why did you take me in?" The question came out of the blue a few minutes later and Sojiro startled, looking at her before shrugging.
"I was asked to do it, and I just… happened to agree to it. I didn't like your father anyway. I've already been paid for it too, after all." Sojiro then turned on the radio, effectively cutting off the conversation while Masumi shrank into herself, her ears burning as the words from Sojiro helped her to accept the situation a little better.
..
"Again, a subway has derailed at Shibuya station, greatly affecting the timetable across the -"
"Another accident? So that's why it's so crowded. There's been a lot of these recently."
?
..
The news blares in the well furnished office of a distinguished gentleman as he stared at the TV report of the latest incident to strike Tokyo.
"It's less of an operating accident and more of a crime of the company and the government." He addressed a smartly dressed woman that was standing in front of his desk, her eyes focused on the TV as well.
"Site inspectors apparently reported all of these six months ago - the deterioration of the tracks and the ATC."
The man paused in his monologue and looked up at the woman who continued listening to the news.
"Seems like the railway company and the ministry of transport both turned a blind eye to the truth. There's no way they can hide. This will go all the way to the top."
The news continued reporting on a string of accidents that had happened recently, causing the elderly gentleman to speak again.
"Everything's linked - that's what you're thinking, correct?" He smiled before lowering his head. "Are you free? You and I haven't gone for a drink in a while."
"Thank you sir, but I have another meeting to attend." The smartly dressed woman spoke for the first time, refusing the offer and bowing to him before excusing herself and leaving.
..
"Did you ask for me? Is it a case?" As the woman made her way down the distinguished stairways, she met up with a well mannered and well dressed boy in a school uniform who greeted her with a smile.
"Not quite, I want your opinion on something." Her reply was to the point and the young man nodded in agreement.
"Sure, your judgement is quite often correct, though. Can we discuss this over sushi, perhaps? You are making a student work late after all."
"Conveyor belt only." Her reply made the boy groan in disappointment as he followed her.
LeBlanc
..
"Tsk, to think there's so much traffic, I wasn't able to open the cafe today." Sojiro complained as they stepped into LeBlanc. The snarl in the traffic had caused them to be stuck in it for more than a couple of hours thanks to the large number of cars and the huge number of traffic lights they had to navigate.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Masumi apologized and only Sojiro huffed in reply as he looked around the cafe, grabbing something and gesturing to Masumi.
"Well it's not your fault. Just head upstairs, there's something I need to give to you."
..
..
"Talk about a gruesome incident, 80 people were involved." Sojiro mentioned casually as they reached the attic, Masumi's new home. He tossed Masumi a diary which she caught as he leaned against one of the racks. "Make sure you write in it. You may be under probation but there's no special limitations on what you do in particular. Besides following the law that is." Sojiro scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"However I am obligated to report on you, which is why I'm having you record your daily activities, just keep the girl stuff out of the book, I don't need to know about these. You've been obedient so far and I Just want to make it clear." He shivered while Masumi nodded in reply as she studied the notebook, wondering how much detail she should write in it as Sojiro took a call, cutting their conversation short.
It quickly became apparent that he had plans as he kept grinning over the phone.
"Well I'm off, I'll lock the place up, so do whatever you want for the rest of the night except leaving the place. Don't want you to get into trouble when you don't know the place."
Sojiro was halfway to the stairs when he added. "Don't mess up my store. If something goes missing, I'll hand you straight over to the cops. Well the kitchen's stuff is fine if you're hungry, just let me know if you take something." Sojiro scratched his head before adding on. It was obvious he wasn't quite sure how to deal with a teenager.
"You better head off to bed, you got school tomorrow, right?" Masumi nodded to Sojiro and he took off. Left to her own devices, Masumi quickly decided to shower, write her entry and hit the sack. It was quite late in the day and Sojiro had a point, she was going to school tomorrow and she should get as much rest as possible as it had been a stressful day sitting together with Sojiro in the traffic.
..
After unpacking a few more of her spare clothes, Masumi was in the midst of changing when she heard the sounds of a phone ringing.
"It's not coming from my cell though… it should be downstairs." Hastily changing into a sleeping gown, Masumi hurried down stairs and picked up the ringing payphone.
"It's me, that you, kid?" Sojiro's voice came from the other end and Masumi answered in the affirmative before Sojiro continued.
"I closed up the shop, but I forgot the flip the sign to 'CLOSED'." Masumi listened but then raised an eyebrow. Didn't he not open the cafe today at all as they were stuck in traffic for half the day? Still... she didn't want to be a smart ass and kept quiet.
"Well I'm sure no one's going to come even if it says open and I did lock the place up, but better safe than sorry. I would have called you but I didn't save your number on my cellphone… besides, it would be odd to have a kid in my contacts." Sojiro chuckled, finding her joke funny but Masumi just waited patiently till he trailed off.
"Anyway, I'm glad you answered the payphone in the shop. I'll leave the open sign to you then. The spare key is hidden at the bottom of the cash register."
As Masumi hung up, she sighed before hurrying over to the door to flip it right and subsequently realizing that despite all that Sojiro said, she had the key to the place after all and she looked at it fondly. This was at least proof that she had a roof over her head and she flipped the sign over before washing up at the basin and heading to bed.
..
With the covers over her, Masumi found herself staring at the ceiling again, the cold and unforgiving grey ceiling was nothing like the deep blue of the prison that she found herself in last night. The Velvet Room was it? Well - it must be a dream, there's no way that she'll be seeing that weird old man with the long nose at all and those two psychotic wardens.
Masumi let her mind wander to her school tomorrow and she decided to check and memorise the route tomorrow, especially with the possible delays due to the accident in the subway.
Pulling her phone out, Masumi sighed when she saw the same red/black eyeball icon that was flashing within the middle of her apps.
"I thought I erased it… time to delete it again." Masumi rebooted her phone just in case before focusing on her search and memorizing the route to Shujin Academy.
LeBlanc
..
It was a cloudy morning that Masumi woke up the next day and she yawned before sitting on her bed, drowsy and yet full of energy at the same time. This was going to be the first day of her new life, away from her hometown and thinking about that, Masumi quickly got up before rushing downstairs to wash up.
As she cleaned up, taking time to even floss and gargle, she heard Sojiro entering the door and greeted him with a smile, that he returned tentatively.
"You're awake early huh? Well, you are going to school today so that's expected. You're using the shower then?" With Masumi's nod, Sojiro nodded before digging walking over to the cabinets and pulling out a couple of towels and slippers.
"Here, use these. Just hurry up, I'm going to cook breakfast and if you want some you can have some before the customers start coming in."
As Masumi took the towels from Sojiro, she thanked him again before rushing to the showers to take a quick shower before heading to school.
"Honestly… she's full of energy…" Sojiro grumbled with a smile on his face as he started heating up the curry that he had prepared the day before.
..
"This is great curry." Masumi praised Sojiro's curry as she drank the coffee that seemed to complement it perfectly. There are complex flavors within the bold spiciness and she couldn't describe it besides it was delicious.
"Is it then? Then have some more if you want." Sojiro leaned against the shelf watching her dig in with what Masumi felt to be nostalgia till she finished up.
"Thank you for the meal." Masumi wiped her mouth before bowing to him sincerely and Sojiro snapped out of his somber mood.
"Right, thanks… don't make it a habit to eat my out of house and home." He chuckled but didn't seem to mind as he grabbed her plate and shooed her off.
"Now go off, don't be late for school."
Aoyama-Itchome
..
Getting to Shibuya wasn't the issue, no the issue was having to take a long detour to get to the Ginza Line that would take Masumi to the right station for Shujin Academy.
It had taken her much longer than expected and Masumi arrived in the station anxious despite being with other students from Shujin, she did not want to make Kawakami-sensei wait for her after all and she rushed out of the entrance only to be stopped short by the rain that was pouring down.
It wasn't heavy at any rate, but it still was enough to make Masumi take shelter to the side of the station in the hopes that the rain would subside a little.
The last thing she wanted was to make a poor impression because she was drenched badly and Masumi sighed, cursing the bad weather as she cleaned her glasses before trying to use the camera app on her phone to check how her hair had ended up being due to the rain.
"Huh...it's here again." The mysterious app had activated in her phone, taking over her usual navigation app and even as she stared at it, it expanded to take up a quarter of the screen, leaving her staring at it in disbelief.
Sighing, Masumi tapped it a few times before noticing someone walking past him to take shelter in the same shop space due to the rain. It was a girl wearing a hoodie that had hair similar to hers, platinum blonde with striking blue eyes. She must be part foreign, which made her stood out among the crowd. Masumi's hands went to playing with her own hair as she looked on a little enviously, she was able to wear whatever she wanted without any care. Well… she shouldn't get too caught up with it.
The girl noticed Masumi staring at her before smiling back at her and Masumi smiled back before gesturing to the rain and shrugging. Her counterpart nodded, giggling a little before looking out at the road, waiting for the rain to stop.
They were just two strangers stuck in the rain after all and Masumi went back to the phone, tapping at it uneasily amidst the sounds of raindrops falling on the tiled pavement.
A few minutes passed with Masumi failing to get rid of the app which seemed to have became part of her navigation app when a car pulled over in front of them and one of the windows was scrolled on to reveal an adult with the squarest jaw Masumi had ever seen waving at them.
"Good morning, do you want me to give you girls a ride to school? You're going to be late." The adult was wearing what appeared to a sports jumper and she looked apprehensively while the other girl nodded in thanks.
"Uh sure, thank you." She headed for the car with nary a pause before the adult looked at Masumi too.
"Do you need a lift too? There's plenty of space." He flashed a smile but Masumi shook her head, bowing her head in apology which he accepted.
As the side windows was rolled up, Masumi caught sight of the sad expression on the other girl's face before it was covered by the window.
She wondered what was going on as the car sped away. Didn't she accept the offer? Who was the man anyway… was he a teacher?
As Masumi wondered, a blonde teenager wearing the uniform of Shujin ran after the car, stopping in front of her.
"Damnit. Screw that pervy teacher." He cursed even in the rain as Masumi repeated his words.
"Pervy teacher? So he was a teacher after all?" She blinked nervously as the blonde teenager turned around to stare at her instead.
..
Even if he was wearing a Shujin Academy uniform, he was not following the dress code as he wearing a yellow tee with a red logo instead of a simple white top. Besides, his hair was blonde despite being distinctively Japanese.
"What do you want?" He scowled as he approached Masumi and the poor girl raised her hands up in front of her as she shaked her head frantically. She did not want to get into trouble even before she entered school.
"You planning on ratting me out to Kamoshida?" He asked roughly, stepping into her personal space even though she's a girl and Masumi shook her head again.
"Well that's fine then, listen, don't trust Kamoshida at all. He likes to hit on girls and he thinks he's a big shot because he's a teacher." At Masumi's confused look, Ryuji blanched and scowled.
"You know, the guy in the car just now? He does whatever the hell he wants. Who does he think he is - the king of a castle? Don't you agree?" The boy was badmouthing a teacher and Masumi lowered her head, not wanting to get involved in the scuffle that the boy had with the teacher.
"Ah, sorry… I got carried away. Well, a pretty girl like you should be careful." The boy grinned before narrowing his eyes.
"I've never seen you around, and you don't seem to know Kamoshida… are you for real?"
"I just transferred into Shujin today." Masumi found her tongue to answer and the boy looked her over before nodding in understanding.
"I see. Sorry about that. Well at least now you know to be careful. You're a second year huh? We're the same grade then." The boy nodded in understanding before glancing at the weather.
"This rain aren't too bad, we better hurry or we'll be late. I know a shortcut we can take instead of taking the main road… uh…" He fumbled at the end and Masumi offered her name to him.
"Masumi huh? It alright if I call you Masumi? I'm Sakamoto Ryuji." Ryuji grinned at Masumi before leading the way, with Masumi following behind her.
Despite him looking like a punk, he had seemed genuinely worried for her and she followed him towards school.
..
"Ugh…" As they turned the corner though, the two of them stumbled slightly, feeling light-headed for some reason.
"Ugh… my head hurts. I want to go home now." Ryuji grumbled before soldering on, leading the way forward.
? - Interrogation Room
..
"There was a terrible subway accident that day, you remember it, don't you? Nijiima Sae asked patiently to her suspect.
"I assume you know of the uproar that the public calls the 'psychotic breakdown incidents'."
"... I might." Masumi replied quietly in response to the question as Sae nodded.
"You say that like it's none of your business. It was all over the news, and one of the victims included a teacher at your high school." She leaned closer to Masumi. "I've no doubt you've heard about it. On that day, were you still an ordinary student?"
"What do you mean?" Her reply irritated Sae, but she was doped up in drugs after all.
"Let me change the question. You transferred to Shujin Academy right?" Masumi nodded in response, her eyes getting duller as time goes by.
"An ordinary prep school that can be found in the city, at least… that's what it should've been." Sae paused before asking again.
"What happened around that time? Tell me everything, truthfully?"
Aoyama-Itchome
..
As Masumi followed Ryuji towards school, she did not notice the app that she had tried to delete had activated and taken up the full screen as she kept it to keep it from getting wait.
As Ryuji led them through the alleyways, Masumi felt something different as she stepped on a puddle but before she could investigate further, a surprised cry from Ryuji caused her to run forward to catch up.
The moment she did, stepping out of the alleyway, Masumi knew why Ryuji was shocked. There, in front of her eyes was a giant castle taking up more space than an average shopping mall in the middle of the city.
She would have seen this from school the day before, but she didn't. That was seriously odd.
"We didn't… come the wrong way though. Yeah, this should be right. What's going on here?" Ryuji asked Masumi and she shrugged, looking at the place in a mixture of surprise and awe.
"Well, I guess we can go and ask?" Ryuji's suggestion made sense but Masumi couldn't help feel a little apprehensive as they entered the castle together.
..
"That-that's weird, where's the school?" Ryuji asked the moment they entered the castle, pushing open a large door to get in with the two of them pushing as much as they could.
"Are you certain we took the right turn? Where are we…" Masumi asked, looking around nervously before pulling her phone and trying to activate her navigation app.
"What is going on…" Instead she could only stare at the red/black eyeball app that listed them at Kamoshida Suguru's Palace while in Shujin Academy.
"This should be the school… I think, we took the right turn. Did the entire place get set up as a movie prop or something? Ryuji suggested while Masumi shook her head. Ryuji did the same with his phone and to her disappointed he said it was out of service.
"The sign was for the school, right?" Masumi had to agree with Ryuji on that, she had taken a close look at the sign before following Ryuji, to be honest she had no idea where she was.
"Right, you saw it too!" Just as Ryuji raised his voice, the sounds of footsteps were heard and the two of them were met with a figure wearing a knight costume complete with sword and shield.
"Geez you freaked me out. Who are you, a student?" Ryuji asked, curious and amazed at how genuine the costume was. Even Masumi was impressed at the detail the student had made and she looked on curiously despite how weird it was. Perhaps it was a prop for a play?
..
"Man your costume is impressive. Is that armor real?" Ryuji approached him while Masumi looked on cautiously, she didn't want to be hurt by that sword as it looked so real.
"C'mon, don't just stand there, say something." As Ryuji tried to make small talk, Masumi heard the sounds of another figure and she turned to see another individual looking exactly the same approaching them silently. The guy in the costume hadn't even spoken once yet.
"H-Hey, what's going on?" Ryuji looked panicky while Masumi started looking around anxiously. She had no idea what was happening, but she knew a bad situation when she sees one.
"We should be going..." Masumi cried out in worry and Ryuji snapped at them.
"Hey you're scaring her, stop it!" He stood his ground till one of the figure stepped towards him and he got a closer look at the armour.
"This shit's real. Calm down! Time out, man!" As they advanced towards Ryuji, he cried out for Masumi to run, now.
"Got it!" Masumi didn't need to be told twice even as Ryuji ducked under a sudden swing from one of the knight figures and sprinted after Masumi, who was already going for the entrance.
Unfortunately they were cut off by the appearance of two more knights and they weren't able to get away.
"What's with these guys-hrk!" Ryuji complained just as one of them slammed the shield at him from the back, knocking him to the ground.
"You're gonna break my bones dammit, what the hell do you think you're doing!" With Ryuji down and surrounded, Masumi raised her hands in surrender as the guards ordered them to be taken away.
?
..
"Hey, you alright?" Masumi was roused from unconsciousness by Ryuji, who looked down on her in concern. She fought down the initial panic that she felt when as Ryuji was standing some distance away after shaking her awake and she nodded in response to his question.
It took a while for her to regain her bearings, those guys in the knight outfits weren't playing around when they struck her at the back of her head, after which she couldn't remember anything. Looking around, she found the two of them trapped in a cell that was reminiscent to the one in the Velvet Room and she felt a chill run down her spine.
"Yeah, good… I was getting worried there when you didn't wake up."
"I'm okay… are you okay?" Masumi's question made Ryuji nod as he scratched his head.
"More or less… that dude hit me real hard, but I'm tough… but man, this ain't no dream, unless we are having the same dream, ya?" Ryuji commented and Masumi nodded, still coming to grasp with the situation. All she wanted was to start a new life at a new school, but she ended up in a castle and attacked by cosplaying knights. This was as far as she could get from a normal school day. She was terrified for the future, but she couldn't just break down like that. She had to somehow find a way.
"Ugh, what's going on!" Ryuji's cry made Masumi start but she allowed him to rant as he rushed over to the cell doors, banging on it and calling out desperately. "Hey, let us outta here! I know there's someone out there."
His rage and anger calmed her surprisingly calmed her down though, it was like he was bleeding out the panic and anger she felt. She wasn't the only one frustrated with the situation, but if the two of them did the same, they won't get nowhere. Especially so if they were kept in a cell, they wanted them here for some reason, if they wanted them dead they would already had been.
Thinking of it logically, Masumi was about to calm down a little, albeit still unable to find a solution but at least she was able to try and take control of the situation.
"Damnit, where are we!? Is this some kind of TV set…?" Ryuji asked angrily while Masumi shook her head but before she could answer him, the sounds of loud screaming could be heard. It sounded far away but it was unmistakable, someone was being hurt in this place, and badly too.
As Ryuji rushed to the entrance of the cell to check things out, Masumi couldn't move from her seat in the cell, blood turning cold at the realization that yes, she might actually die here..
"Woah.. .woah woah… you're shitting me right!" Ryuji cried out in disbelief and Masumi felt that was reassuring in it's own way, Ryuji was able to vocalize his emotions easily while she herself couldn't, her emotional spectrum going from one end to another, from terrified to calm and back again repeatedly.
..
"This is really bad…!" Ryuji cried out again as he ran back to Masumi, the look of desperation mixed with anger in the situation and Masumi nodded as she finally stood up. "Isn't there some way outta here!? C'mon! We got do something!"
"Let's look around." Masumi's suggestion was valid and the two of them started looking around the place, Masumi crouching down to check below the bunk beds while Ryuji went through the barrels that were placed at the side of the cell. Masumi didn't find anything but she wasn't about to give up hope as she stepped over the bed to look for any cracks that they could crawl out of.
"How much time have passed since we got knocked out? Damnit… this don't make any freaking sense…" Ryuji grumbled while Masumi dug for her phone and checked the time.
"We've been out for hours…" Masumi sounded depressed. Miss Kawakami is going to have her hide when she reports to her after they got out. "If they wanted us dead they would have did so… so, we should be prepared when they came back. Should we hide…" Masumi suggested and Ryuji nodded but paused when he pointed out something that Masuji was trying to avoid looking at.
"Hey, those chains are used for like… torturing people and stuff right?" Masumi eventually nodded and Ryuji cursed. "Dammit, this shit ain't funny!" His anger was mixed with desperation to do something, anything and he continued looking around for a way to escape.
A few more minutes passed till they heard the sound of footsteps and Masumi gestured for Ryuji to hide behind the barrels that they had positioned better. It was not going to fool them for long, but if they could just sneak out when the guards burst in…
..
"Where are the prisoners?" One of the guards bellowed and Masumi crossed her fingers as they unlocked the cell, she peering between the gaps between the barrels. There were so many of them though and Masumi held her breath as they filed in. She could count six of them and when the last one entered, she started crawling towards the entrance together with Ryuji.
The cell was small though and they only had a small window of opportunity that was quickly closed when the guards didn't make it all the way in, instead hanging around in the middle of the room.
"Let's go!" She hissed urgently and she pulled Ryuji with him as they tried making a dash for it for the door. It was a terrible gamble and it didn't work for more guards filed in, blocking the entrance and trapping them.
"The decision of your punishment has been decided." One of the guards droned as they pressed in closer, causing Masumi and Ryuji to be back and back against each other. "Your charge is 'unlawful entry'. Thus you will be sentenced to death."
The judgment was delivered with absolute certainty and without any emotion, as if it was an everyday affair.
"Say what!?" Ryuji managed to say something but Masumi was left catatonic with shock. She was going to die? Just like that?!
"No one's allowed to do as they please in my castle." A familiar voice made the two of them look back at the entrance, where multiple guards were flanking an individual that they did not expect.
"Kamoshida!?" The same square jaw teacher that Masumi saw that was driving the car walked towards them, clad in a red and white robe that was topped off with a crown.
He honestly looked straight out of the fairy tale, an emperor's clothes in that outfit and the two of them stared at him in a mixture of horror and shock. Masumi swore that she needed brain bleach seeing him like that.
"I thought it was some petty thief, but to thin it'd be you, Sakamoto." The man had glowing yellow eyes that looked seriously creepy as he approached the cell doors.
"Are you trying to disobey me again? It looks like you haven't learned your lesson at all, huh?" He bellowed as he stepped closer to them, a devil-like smirk appearing at the end of his sentence.
"And you brought a friend this time… because you can't do anything for yourself. Why, a cute girl too? My my, what have you been up to, Sakamoto."
"This ain't funny, you ass hole!" Ryuji raged while being restrained by one of the guards, Masumi not struggling at all and they left her be, her hands held up in surrender and the guards only flanking her position and paying token attention to her.
"Is that how you speak to a king? It seems you don't understand the position you're in at all." Kamoshida drawled. "Not only you snuck into my castle, you committed the crime of insulting me, the king here. At least your friend is smart enough to submit to me. For you though, the punishment is death." The announcement shook the two of them, with Ryuji's jaw dropping and Masumi looking at the teacher in shock as his expression turned fierce.
"It's time for an execution!" The change in mood affected Ryuji for the harsh reality of what happened truly struck him as the guards tightened their grip on him and kicked at his knees, sending him sprawling to the floor.
"S-Stop it!" He lashed out suddenly, kicking the legs of the guards and freeing himself.
"I ain't down for this shit! We're getting out of here!" He screamed in defiance even as the guards closed rank around Masumi and she called for him to run.
"No way, we're getting out together! I ain't leaving you alone with this asshole." His bravery and loyalty struck Masumi but it wasn't going to help as another guard lashed out at Ryuji who sent him sprawling on the floor.
"Dammit! Even now I can't help my friends.." He swore as he struggled to get up. "Just go… these guys are serious!"
Masumi shook her head, but her body was still frozen up as Kamoshida stalked closer to her.
"What an obedient girl, you didn't just run away because you know that you can't disobey me. Not like Sakamoto here, trying to be brave in front of a girl." He sneered while Masumi shrank into herself.
"I'm not like that… you pervert, get away from her! Go on, run!" Ryuji shouted even as he struggled to his feet despite his injuries. The guards seemed content to be bystanders for now as Kamoshida ignored Ryuji.
..
"What's the matter? Too scared to run? No, you know who's the real ruler here." He walked closer and scrutinized Masumi, rubbing his chin.
"Well, I can't say that Sakamoto doesn't have bad taste. I'll spare you if you spend some time with me later." Masumi's eyes widened at the suggestion as Kamoshida turned to Ryuji again.
"I'll focus on this one's execution first." Kamoshida walked towards and grabbed Ryuji's collar as the guards restrained him. He started wailing on him, raining punches into his gut as he gloated his superiority over a helpless Ryuji.
"Take this! Lowly scum! Useless pest!" As he finished wailing on Ryuji a few minutes later, Kamoshida dumped him to the floor before spitting on him. "Hmph, where'd your energy from earlier go? A peasant like you isn't worth beating." Kamoshida sneered as the guards chuckled and they released Masumi, right in the nick of time as she couldn't stand looking at the abuse any further from the distance.
She had been afraid at first, but she had gotten angrier and angrier at the treatment that Ryuji was going through as well as the innuendos that Kamoshida had directed at her earlier on.
It was exactly bastards like these, arrogant and utterly dismissal of her with eyes only on appearance that had landed her in this situation and seeing someone representing all of these ills unleashed the stewing anger that had been buried deep within the fear.
Seeing Ryuji, who had her interest in mind beaten up and about to be killed while she might have to endure through a similar, but perhaps worse fate made something snap in Masumi and she growled while straightening her back to face Kamoshida.
"I'll have you killed right now."
"Have you lost your mind!?" Masumi screamed at him, causing everyone to turn and stare back at her. Her shoulders shook with her emotions even as she glared hatefully at the adult.
"Hm? Don't you dare tell me you don't know who I am." Kamoshida walked closer to her and petted her cheek admonishingly, his yellow eyes looking at her with disdain. "That look in your eyes irritates me! You're wasting your time, girls like you should just kneel down and try to curry my favor." Gloating, he slapped her in the cheeks and dismissed her before gesturing to the guards, ignoring how Masumi was about to hit him if she wasn't stopped.
"Hold her down. After the peasant, I'll have my fun with her."
"Stop it… get your hands off her." Ryuji shouted while still struggling to get up even as the guards held Masumi's shoulders and pressed her down in a kneeling position. Despite his pain, Ryuji was still worried for her, the horror in his eyes as Kamoshida studied him before chuckling and rubbing his chin.
"Well, if you mind so much. Maybe I can have some fun with your friend as you watch. That does seem fun. I want to see that look in your eyes as you failed your friends, again." Kamoshida stressed as he turned around to approach her again.
"Hahaha! You will be a delectable treat." Kamoshida licked his lips as she reached for her, and Masumi snarled in response, spitting to his face as she struggled against the grasp of the guards. She was not going to be in the mercy of this man.
It won't end up like this, it can't! Not after all she had done to get out of her hell.
..
This is truly an unjust game… Your chances of winning are almost none.
..
Another voice, a feminine and childish one called out to Masumi and it was as if time stood still again as she saw a blue/white butterfly flying in front of her, trailing sparkles of pollen behind it. The world itself stood still as she followed the butterfly in it's path.
..
But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you…
..
Time resumed as the butterfly disappeared and Masumi came face to face with Kamoshida who reached for her clothes and ripped off the ribbon that she wore over her top. She screamed as she felt his eyes looking at her while filled with lust. She struggled in her kneeling position and almost threw up after seeing him wear only in speedos below that robe of his.
"What's the matter…? Are you simply going to let him have his way with you?"
Another voice, just as quiet and feminine but one that sounded much more mature whispered into her ears.
"Settle down bitch, we're going to have lots of fun, just the two of us." Masumi could hear his breath against her ear as he grabbed her blazer, ready to tear her clothes off. In the distance Ryuji was kicking out and struggling just as hard, looking horrified and guilty that this was happening to her due to him.
"Are you going to let his filthy hands soil you?"
The voice called out again but one with more purpose and firm, it seemed annoyed at Masumi.
"He risked his life for you and even now he struggles for you despite his upcoming death. Don't you wish to avenge both him and yourself?"
The voice urged her even as Masumi closed her eyes in defeat, she wanted to do exactly that, but she was weak and she couldn't as she was just one small girl in a sea of man. Kamoshida was stronger than her and had more men that could trample over her immediately.
"Was your previous decision a mistake then? Were you wrong?"
It asked and Masumi was reminded of how she stepped into help the woman despite the danger to her herself. It was the same now, wasn't it? She will put it all to save him too for he had done the same.
Kamoshida had her blazer torn off and he grabbed her hair, lifting her up as he started to disrobe with one hand. Masumi was enrage, the desire to hurt him just as much as he hurt her and Ryuji welled inside her heart
"Very well… I have heeded your anger. Vow to me."
Just as the voice finished speaking, it was as if a knife had pierced her head and Masumi screamed even louder, a primal sound of pain as she felt a splitting headache overwhelm her discomfort and fear of Kamoshida touching her. The scream was even enough to make Kamoshida back away, releasing her as beads of sweat rolled down her face as he looked at her in confusion. The disgusting man barking commands to the guards about her that she cannot hear as she clutched her head in agony.
"I am thou, thou art I…"
The feminine voice was like a devil and her words made no sense to her, but if it were to give her a chance to strike back...
"Thou who art willing to perform all sacrilegious acts for thine own vengeance!"
She would even sign an agreement with the Devil himself.
"Call upon my name, and unleash thy rage!"
She refused to be weak, she wanted to hit back at those who had wronged her.
"Show the strength of thy will to avenge thine own, though thou be labelled by the world itself!"
She wanted them to understand the extent of her anger!
The headache subsided briefly and Masumi panted in position, the voice of Kamoshida speaking again rousing her from her daze.
"-such a mouthy bitch. I'll make sure you scream for the right reasons later! Pin her down now!"
"I'm going to kill you." Masumi snarled while standing shakily, causing Kamoshida to stare at her in confusion, unbelieving that a girl like her would even believe she got a hell of a chance...
"What was that…?" Kamoshida's expression got dangerous as he gestured to the guards more hastily. For some reason the guards didn't move, perhaps wary of her after such a display but they moved in anyway to secure her against the wall after a moment's hesitation.
"Maybe I should kill you instead for such insolence." Kamoshida gestured to the guards who pinned Masumi against the wall, hands and spears holding her in position as she fought against the raging headache that had struck her again in full.
"Oi! Masumi-chan!" Ryuji shouted at her even as Kamoshida raised his hand and one of the guards readied to slash her throat.
..
Abruptly the headache faded in full and a rush of power surged through Masumi instead in an instant as her eyes opened. A gust of wind originating from her pushed everything aside the next and Masumi felt lighter, the pain gone and as though a weight was lifted off her shoulders as she stood up. It was then she realized that a mask had formed on her face and one hand went up to touch it gingerly. It felt cold to the touch while at the same time felt like it was suffocating her, making it hard to breath.
Masumi grabbed the mask, holding it tight in her hands and started tugging at it, first weakly and then strongly as she felt herself able to breath better the more she pulled.
It was like pulling a scan free, painful but also liberating and she finally tore it free despite her feeling like she tore her own skin off at the same time. The pain that she felt however was more liberating and she smiled in satisfaction as she straightened her back to glare at Kamoshida. She felt light, and powerful like she could do anything in the world. Starting with wiping the smirk off Kamoshida's face and she smiled even as power flooded her body.
..
Black flames obscured her vision, and although it should hurt it just made her feel even better, stronger even as Masumi felt it covering her from top to bottom, protecting her and empowering her, the sounds of the fire mixed with an odd metallic sound.
It was a rush and she leaned down slightly for she felt a slight weight on her shoulders, the same voice that had called her out earlier laughing in her ears even as chains connecting to her arms formed and they rattled and floated in defiance of gravity amidst the crackling flames.
The chains were tied to something, or someone behind her and if she were to look it would be that of the same hooded figure that she had seen a few days ago in Shibuya crossing,
The figure was feminine now that one could see it clearer and it was bound by chains that wrapped around it's petite body as she floated behind Masumi, growing more corporeal by the minute. The cloaked figure laughed despite the restraints as she raised her head to let others see shadows hiding her face behind the cloak, with only two visible glowing red eyes in the pitch black darkness. But the summoning isn't complete as what appears to be a chariot form below her, letting her sit on it comfortable as it floated in the air.
Masumi felt strong, incredible even and she raised both her hands up in a grandiose fashion, willing power to her arms just like how the voice told her to do so and Masumi was rewarded with another surge of power that blew everything around her back and she grinned in satisfaction.
She'll make him pay, all of them pay. Masumi vowed in her heart as Kamoshida whimpered and crawled away in the face of this strength she had somehow awakened to.
"Wha… what the…" Ryuji stared at her in shock as Masumi's eyes turned to glare at Kamoshida when another voice interrupted her, the cloaked figure from behind her speaking to her.
..
"I am the Witch of Vengeance, Medea."
Medea called out behind Masumi, settling down to simply float on the air as she gestured towards her as Masumi looked up at her.
"I am the rebel's soul that resides within you. Since you desire vengeance, I shall consider granting you the power to go through this crisis if you so agree.."
She spoke in a soft but certain voice and Masumi nodded, understanding and feeling the same emotions Medea felt about getting even with Kamoshida. It was a deal that she was happy to make with Medea, even if she was worried about the cost.
"Hmph, very well. The cost is to let yourself free, show the world your RAGE and not try to swallow it like you did before!"
Medea cackled even as Masumi noticed for the first time what she was wearing now. Her school uniform has been replaced by another uniform that was reminiscent to that of a ship captain and she felt that she had another layer, perhaps a cloak settling at her back that was fastened to her by a decorative rope around her neck. Besides her clothes, Masumi felt the weight and saw the rim of a cap over her head and she grabbed the front of the cap, tilting it so that it hid part of her eyes. It made her feel confident and strong, like this was the ideal image she would need to face Kamoshida. Turning, Masumi narrowed her eyes at Kamoshida, who was now standing uncertainly at the cell doors as he yelled at her.
"Who the hell are you?! Guards! Start by killing that one!"