5/13
Akira lies in bed in the afternoon reeling from the number of exams he was taking. While he is top of the class currently, even he was exhausted from the days of testing.
Morgana has even left to go and explore Yongen-Jaya since Akira just spends his time after school napping or studying. Most of his grades were from natural ability, but the rest still required study.
The ping of his phone pulls Akira out of his stupor as he walks across the room to his pants and grabs his phone. It's a text message from Ann.
Ann: Heyyy
Akira: Hey what's up
Ann: Exams! We're nearly to the end and I think I'm going to go all out on the last day to finish strong!
Akira: That sounds like a solid plan
Ann: Thanks! How do you think you're doing so far?
Akira: I think I'm doing well. Studying with Ryuji the past couple of days I think is helping both of us out
Ann: I feel like I'm doing ok, but who knows lol.
-I had a favor I wanted to ask you and Ryuji
-But I wanted to tell you about it first since I don't know if it is just me being paranoid and crazy
Akira: You're not crazy
Ann: I hope so.
-I have the feeling I'm being watched
-Or maybe followed
-It started late last week. Whenever I'd go through the subway stations I had the overwhelming urge that someone was watching me.
-But now it's grown to happen at the school too
-The only time I don't feel it is when I'm home
Akira: I can see why you're concerned
-Do you KNOW you're being followed or is just the feeling?
Ann: Feeling, I guess. But it's just getting stranger since it's spreading, you know?
Akira: Yeah, I get you
-I wonder if we had Ryuji and I attempt to follow you and watch you.
-Then we might be able to run into someone who is ACTUALLY doing it
Ann: Do you think that'll work?
Akira: I don't know. Possibly?
-If you are being followed, our best bet is to find out who
-Especially if they're following you for something like PT business
Ann: So, you wanna use me as bait?
Akira: Well when you put it like that…
Ann: Can't say I'm a big fan of this plan
Akira: I know, and I wish there was another way. But if Ryuji and I are nearby than nothing will happen
-I promise
Ann: I take promises very seriously
Akira: So do I
Ann: Alright. I trust you guys to find whoever is doing this.
-If someone is doing it
-Can we do it tomorrow after school?
-I'd like to confirm it one way or another
Akira: Sure. Want me to text Ryuji?
Ann: No, I'll tell him. He's already texting me asking what the exam tomorrow is even over
-God help him
XXXX
5/14
"I'm glad to be done with those damn tests," Ryuji says rubbing his neck. "I swear I think my head is going to be permanently craned down from now on."
"You'll be fine," Akira replies.
"Easy for you to say, I'll bet you blew right through all those essay questions," Ryuji replies as the train pulls in.
"No, I could only go as fast as I can write," Akira says with a smirk.
Ann stands between them, nervously looking around over her shoulder but still not trying to be obvious about it. She has had the feeling all day, still, of someone watching her.
"See anyone?" Akira asks quietly.
"No," Ann says.
"If there is someone, we'll find them."
The Shujin students step onto the subway and find places to sit or stand as the train begins to move towards the next station. Ann nervously fidgets with her hands as she awaits their destination. She tries to take her mind off of the feeling, but she can't. it's frustrating her to feel this way and she knows it'll infuriate her to learn there's no one following her. In an odd sense, she almost wishes she was being followed. At least then she'd feel justified about her nervousness.
Her thoughts are interrupted as the train pulls into the station and she leaves with Akira and Ryuji behind her.
"Remember, we'll be nearby keeping an eye on you," Akira whispers into her ear. The sound and feeling of it makes her heart race as she nods.
"We'll get the bastard," she hears Ryuji mutter.
Suddenly, they're both gone in the crowd and it's just Ann walking alone. Ann climbs the stairs towards the daylight as she tries to imagine what will happen when they catch the stalker. Perhaps they'll steal his heart. Or maybe they'll prevent him from leaving and find a policeman. Ann reaches the top of the stairs and stands on the sidewalk as her phone pings.
Akira: Remain in one spot. Pretend to be looking something up on your phone.
Ann moves out of the way of foot traffic and leans against a post as she looks at her phone. She wants to be doing more than just looking at it, but as the time passes her heart races faster. She can feel herself beginning to sweat and her stomach feels uneasy. Ann closes her eyes and imagines being back in her room, lying on her bed with Akira sitting on the floor leaning against it. Let me be anywhere but here.
XXXX
Akira stands at the top of the staircase, pretending to fish in his pockets for change for a newspaper. He keeps a view of Ann in his peripheral vision to make sure she was still there. She was doing as he'd said in his text and was remaining still. Hopefully this plan of his will work.
Akira finally sees what he was waiting for. A tall boy, with dark, almost navy-blue hair, stands at the top of the stairs they had all just climbed. He was staring directly at Ann as he was rooted in place. As he begins making his way towards Ann, Akira moves to intercept. Akira arrives between Ann and the stranger with Ryuji at his side just as the stranger begins to reach his hand towards Ann. Ann turns and lets out a small yelp as she grabs Akira's arm in fear. A silent standoff commences between the four teenagers before finally Ryuji speaks up.
"Hey, you sure this is the guy or are you just that self-conscious?"
"Rgh, I'm not that—" Ann begins.
"Is there something you want?" the stranger asks them.
"Hey that's my line!" Ann says pointing at the boy with fire in her eyes. "You were the one stalking me!"
"Stalking? How preposterous," the stranger replies.
"I know you've been following me! Ever since the train, at school, when I head home during the day!"
"At school? I don't even—" the stranger says before being interrupted.
A black car has pulled up next to the teenagers and an old man in the back seat has rolled down his window.
"My goodness," the old man says to the blue haired teen, "I had wondered why you left the car. So, this is where your passion led. All is well that ends well," the old man says as he throws his head back and roars with laughter. The stranger looks uncomfortable and turns to the Shujin students.
"I saw you from the car… and I couldn't help myself from chasing after you. I didn't even notice the calls from Sensei… But thank goodness I caught up to you," he says.
"Listen buddy," Ryuji says, "you scared our friend here half to death by following her around and such!"
"I know! And I deeply apologize. It's just… you're the woman I've been searching for all this time! Please, won't you be the model for my next art piece?!"
"W-wait," Ann says.
"What?!" Ryuji exclaims.
Akira stands agape staring at the boy and his bold request.
"Model…?" Ann says quietly.
"I feel a passion from you unlike anyone else. I only wanted to speak with you alone to ask you to model for me."
"This guy's highly suspicious!" Morgana hisses into Akira's ear.
"Dude, this sounds like recruitment for a shady business," Ryuji says to Akira. "Hey, who are you anyway?" Ryuji asks the boy.
"Oh, where are my manners? I'm a second-year at Kosei High's fine arts division. My name is Yusuke Kitagawa," Yusuke says with a bow. "I am Madarame-sensei's pupil, and I am being allowed residence at his place. I'm striving to become an artist."
"Did he say Madarame?" Ann whispers to Akira as Yusuke speaks. Akira nods affirmatively. "Do you mean that Madarame who appeared on 'Good Morning Japan' the other day?" Yusuke nods.
"You know who that is?" Ryuji asks.
"Mementos!" Ann hisses.
"Pardon?" Yusuke says.
"Yusuke," Madarame says from his car, "we must go."
"I'll be right there, Sensei," Yusuke replies. "Madarame-sensei's exhibition will begin at the department store near the station tomorrow," Yusuke says to the Shujin students. "I'd like you to come by to discuss modeling for me. I'll cover the cost of your admission. All… three of you."
Yusuke reaches into his pocket and pulls out some tickets and hands them to Ann.
"Now I must be going, please stop by the exhibit tomorrow!" Yusuke says as he moves to Madarame's car and gets in. The car drives away leaving the Shujin students standing there watching it pull away into the sea of traffic.
"Man, that guy's as easy to read as a book," Ryuji mutters.
"What do you mean?" Ann asks.
"Obviously he's trying to get into your pants, Ann. He wasn't being very subtle about it."
"What?!"
"Yeah," Ryuji says. "Stalking, sudden invitations to art exhibits, next he'll probably invite you out to dinner then back to his place."
"Seems you know an awful lot about this Ryuji," Morgana says poking his head out of Akira's bag.
"I watch a lot of TV," Ryuji says shrugging. "You're not planning on going, are you?" Ryuji says looking at Ann.
Akira notices Ann hasn't let go of his arm yet. He also notices that she appears to be shaking slightly.
"I think I will… I kinda have to, don't I?"
"What do you mean?" Ryuji asks in shock.
"Well, we heard about Madarame in Mementos. Then we meet one of Madarame's pupils and Madarame himself. Then we get invited to attend his exhibition tomorrow which sold out of tickets weeks ago? It all fits Ryuji," Ann says. "Madarame has to be our next target!"
XXXX
The three Shujin students get some ramen and rice together after the incident with Yusuke. Akira sits back in his chair and allows the remnants of the taste of tonight's dinner to linger in his mouth as his two friends finish theirs.
"I don't like it Ann," Ryuji says finishing his own dinner. "Something about that guy doesn't seem right to me. You agree with me, don't you Akira?"
"I do. But I also think Ann is onto something here. We should at least investigate the exhibit tomorrow together to see if Madarame has a Palace," Akira replies.
"I'll be honest," Ann says, "I'm not real comfortable around that guy or with the idea of going. So that's why I want you two to come with me."
"We'll be with you every step of the way, Lady Ann," Morgana purrs from under the table.
"There's just one thing I don't get," Ann says. "He said he was only following me today. But I've had the feeling of someone watching me or following me for days now. If it's not him… then who?"
XXXX
Makoto watches the three second-years from outside the shop they're eating in. She quickly pulls out her notebook and scribbles hastily into it.
Got ramen at 5:15 after speaking with unknown Kosei High student.
Her notes weren't as meticulous as her notes for classes in school. But they were sufficient enough to help her and Haru build a timeline of what the suspects do in a given week. Makoto wonders if Haru is having any more interesting things happening tailing Mishima.
XXXX
Akira steps outside the shop with Ann and Ryuji. Ryuji says he needs to go and bids them farewell. Ann turns to Akira.
"Would you be willing to take the subway with me to at least my stop? I'm still…" Ann drops off.
"Yeah. Let's get going," Akira says smiling.
XXXX
Sakamoto leaves Takamaki and Kurusu. T & K leave together. Dating?