Haunted House

The Thieves were standing outside Sojiro's house after numerous attempts at ringing the doorbell failed, they were now considering entering the house.

"This is still a bad idea. You guys don't realize how screwed I will be if Sojiro comes back…" "It would be the end for him."

Makoto looks at Akira in regret; "I know this is a big risk for you but we need to talk to Futaba-chan." "Our apologies, Kurusu-san and Arsene-san"

Ryuji puts an arm on his shoulder; "Don't worry about it man! Just say we wanted to give him some sushi." "Aye! Any cap'n would be proud o' any booty especially grub!"

"Yeah, you worry too much Akira, it will be alright" "Yes, if my dear Ann says it's fine, then it must be okay."

"Thanks guys...but how are we going to get in here though?"

Yusuke just walks up to the gate and opens it; "Huh. It looks like boss forgot to lock the gate." "Hmm...seems like boss is forgetful sometimes."

"What are you doing!?" Akira says panicking but sees that the front door was opened; "Wait a minute...Why is his door open?" He walks up to the door and opens it a little more. He saw a long dark hallway with a light on in a room at the end of the hallway. He then shouts out Sojiro and Futaba's name and when he hears no response and making him worried that someone broke in; "I think someone may have broke in. Let's go check it out." After everyone nods they go in but the wind blows against the door making it slam which made Ann and Makoto scream then hold on to Akira's arms with one on each arm.

Makoto starts shivering; "W-what was that?" "Maybe it was the wind but what's this hmm? Holding on to Kurusu-san's arm. My, aren't we forward. She quickly lifts her head from Akira's shoulder after hearing Anat and quickly lets go; "I'm so sorry, Akira-kun!" "Too bad we aren't in the Metaverse; I would of "accidentally" held on to Arsene-san's arm." Anat whispers

Carmen heard it though because she didn't trust Anat and if they were in the Metaverse and looks can kill. Anat would be dead by now from the way Carmen would have looked at her; "I knew it! That harlot is going to try to take my Arsene away...Well I won't have it!" She thinks to herself

"It's fine." He looks at Ann; "Are you alright?"

Ann lifts up her head and looks at him with a little bit of fear; "Y-yeah, I'm fine, l-lets go."

They proceed to the end of the hallway but lighting strikes and they heard a scream as well as a door slam and all of them jumped a little.

Ryuji was the first to recover; "H-hey! What the hell was that!?" He turns around and looks at the girls; "Was that you two!?" Ann and Makoto shake their heads

"It was probably Futaba. Come on, it would be a good idea to leave now since she's scared already from the lightning. We'll just come back tomorrow." They all nod and proceed to the front door. But Makoto wouldn't move which Akira notices; "Are you alright?"

"C-Can I hold your hand? I'm kinda afraid of thunderstorms…" "Wow, you are forward with your feelings." Anat whispers. "It's not like that…I think. He is nice though and forgiving and brave." "If that's true, maybe Arsene-san might be the same way, we should hang out with them more."

Akira thinks for a moment; "What should I do? I don't want Ann to get the wrong idea…" "I'm sure Ann will understand once you tell her, Carmen on the other hand, that's going to be hard…" Arsene whispers. He nods at her and she walks up then grabs his hand; "Um, thank you..."

Ann was secretly watching the event unfold; "I know he's letting her hold his hand for a reason but it still hurts a little." "Does my Arsene not like me anymore…?" Carmen says sobbing. "I'm sure that's not true, we just have to talk to them."

Akira and Makoto soon make it to the end of the hallway but Makoto stops once again; "Don't worry; we made it to the end."

"T-That's not it!" Makoto says stating to freaking out; "I-I can't move my legs!" She starts sliding to the floor making her hold on to Akira's legs.

They then hear some footsteps behind them making them both slowly turned around. That's when they see a shadowy figure of a girl with red eyes.

Makoto instantly screams bloody murder making the shadowy figure jump back with a yelp and runs into the "Do Not Enter" door.

The front door suddenly slams opened and Sojiro runs in; "Futaba! Are you okay!?" But he noticed Akira and Makoto who was constantly muttering 'save me sister' and 'I don't want to die'; "What are you two doing here!?" He then notices that Makoto was holding Akira's leg for dear life, "Wait, are you two dating? I thought you were with…"

Ann jumps out of the kitchen; "No they're not!" She says interrupting him while Ryuji and Yusuke come out from the same area

Yusuke bows; "Sorry for the invading your house boss but we were worried when you left the gate unlocked and your front door open."

"Did I?" He looks at him confused but the scratches his head with a sigh; "Well my old brain is forgetful at times..."

Makoto lets go of Akira's leg and gets up; "Um sir, can we ask you about Futaba?"

Sojiro sighs but nods; "You guys want to know about Futaba huh? Well since you kids already know about her, I'll tell you. Let's go to the cafe, so Futaba doesnt hear us."

Leblanc Cafe

Sojiro explains about how he took Futaba in after her mother committed suicide because he felt like it was his responsibility and how she became a shut-in because she blames herself for her mother's death and not only that, she saw it all happened. After he was done; he looks over at Akira; "That's why I didn't let you stay in my house because Futaba isn't good around strangers."

Akira smiles hearing that he was just trying to be a good stepfather instead of just hating him; "It's alright Sojiro, I understand."

"Thanks. Now I'm going to head back home and make sure to lock up, Akira." He then leaves.

Makoto looks down in sadness hearing about Futaba's trama; "So Futaba's mother committed suicide and she blames herself…? That's horrible!" "No kid should go through that…"

Ann nods sadly in agreement; "Yeah...and she saw it happen right in front of her…"That poor child…we must save her!"

Akira nods; "Yeah, after school tomorrow, we're going to the infomation. She must be going through a lot right now…" "Don't worry Akira, we'll save her."

"Yeah, we will." Akira gets up; "Alright everyone, let's call it a day. We'll meet at Sojiro's place after school, got it?"

Everyone nods then everyone leaves except for Ann and Carmen. And Akira knew what is was about; "You wanted to talk about what I did, right?" "Listen Carmen...

"Yeah...I know its a stupid thing to be jealous about but why were you holding her hand?" "Do you not love me anymore Arsene?" She asks interrupting him; "I know I'm overbearing about my love and not fabulous looking as Anat is…"

"I understand, but to answer your question, the only reason why I let her was because she's scared of thunderstorms and I felt bad." "Of course I love you! Your overbearing is one of things I love about you!"

She sighs; "You're too nice for your one good, you know that?" She then hugs him; "But I trust you." "You really mean that Arsey?"

"Thanks Ann and sorry" "Of course, my darling."

She kisses his cheek and lets go of him; "You're welcome and its okay. I'll see you tomorrow!" "You're such a gentleman Arsey! And goodbye, my love."

Akira and Arsene say their goodbyes and Ann and Carmen leave. Once they do; he wipes his forehand; "That went better than expected..." "Tell me about it about it, I thought she was going to burn me alive…"