KS: (sighs) Times are tough. This new pandemic has gotten everyone scared. Hell, the atmosphere in my house tense AF. Still, we must perserve and not let despair overtake us. There are people out there who are doing their damndest to find a cure, while others are staying at home to keep themselves from catching it. As for us, we should do our part and make fanfiction to lift the spirits of those affected. Now, without further ado, I present this new chapter. Enjoy.

(Persona 5 OST: Behind the Mask)

Hachiman and Ayame were at the café after school, resting after their sabotage of the school assembly. Ayame in particular had a huge grin, proud of what they have accomplished.

"Well done, Hachiman," she said, holding up her phone. "What a huge sex-cess, huh? Hear that pun?"

"I'm sure a 60 year old man with hearing impairment heard it from at least miles away," Hachiman deadpanned.

"Oh, don't be like that," Ayame said. "Nobody will figure out it's you, what with that outfit you had on. I can't imagine anyone going out in public with that fashion disaster."

"I am not taking that crap from someone who thought underwear and a sheet would be a suitable disguise for an infamous terrorist," Hachiman shot back.

Ayame sighed, then picked up a cookie, then began inserting a pocky stick into the creamy filling, much to his annoyance. "Well, fine, sit and stew in your juices. Fact is, you luring Anna away means I got to give a three-minute show on fly banging. And I was on the nose, I'm sure even the delicate flowers at our school could figure out what body melding is."

"Hey, I understand that being a shameless pervert is your schtick, but would it kill you to draw the line somewhere?" Hachiman said in frustration. "I don't see why your food has to suffer."

"It's normal," Ayame replied, biting into the stick. "You only see pervy pocky sucking 'cause deep down, you have a dirty mind. And when I want you to be dirty, you somehow class it up. Who would've thought that disguising a girl's personal flower as an actual flower would get people buzzing?"

"You liked it?" Hachiman said. "I saw the original image you wanted me to paint, so I decided to make it into an flower to keep the people wondering why it's there. Plus, I've heard about flowers that resemble a woman's private region, so it wasn't that hard."

Ayame laughed out loud. "Man, you're a riot! And I thought you would be too limp to rise to the occasion."

"Hey, I'm not like you," Hachiman said. "I just like to add a bit of art to my madness. It's not like a get an adrenaline high from it… often."

"You don't have to deny it with me," Ayame replied. "The first time I terrorized the school yelling 'clit cock', I got such a rush down there, I had to go to the bathroom and stand on the garbage can to air out my undies with a hand dryer."

Hachiman sighed and facepalmed. "With anyone else, I would be concerned, but seeing how this is you, I shouldn't even be."

"Oh, you're such a treat," Ayame tittered.

"Well, this has been good, but I got to get going," Hachiman said, getting up from his seat. "I've got some work to do and people to spy on."

Ayame's perverse grin returned. "Well, I didn't take you for a voyeur."

"It's espionage, not voyeurism," Hachiman corrected as he walked towards the door. "There's a world of difference."

He left the establishment, unaware that Ayame still had her grin.

"As if there's any difference," she said. "There's spying involved."

(Song end)

Donning his disguise, Hachiman snuck around a restricted area that had Decency Squad members patrolling every corner.

"They've really beefed up security detail," he muttered. "The stunt Ayame and I pulled must have gotten them to wise up by a margin. It still won't stop me from getting in there." He looked at the small building that the DS were guarding. "Izaya said that a sympathizer of the terrorist groups has been developing some kind of device that can stun at least five people. I better get the blueprints before they figure out what it is."

Hachiman took to the shadows and made his way near the building, hearing two guards standing near the front entrance having a conversation with each other.

"Man, we're really getting more work than normal," one guard said.

"Can't say I'm surprised," the other guard replied. "After what happened at Tokioka, the higher ups don't want to take any chances. Still, whoever was responsible had a lot of brass to pull a stunt like that."

The first guard nodded, him and his colleague. "Yeah, my kid came home blushing a storm, muttering all kinds of weird stuff. The doctor didn't think he had a fever, but he suggested that he go to therapy to rid him of any strange feelings he has."

"I know you what you mean," the second guard added. "That same day, my daughter rushed in and started talking my ear off about a flower being painted on the track field. What in God's name was the perp thinking, doing that?"

"Who knows for certain?" the first guard replied with a shrug. "For all we know, the two incidents were connected with each other."

"Actually, I heard they were," the second guard said. "That impure video with the flies was just a distraction for the flower painting. I swear, these terrorists are getting too bold for their own good."

"I agree," the first guard sighed. "It's times like this that I wish the Decency Squad would step its game up. We never get any advanced training or firearms. There's some pretty dangerous gangs out there, even though they use airsoft guns."

"Don't talk so casually about those," the second guard chided lightly. "My friend lost an eye because of those things. Plus, I heard they were modified. That gang with the militia theme have been making good use of them."

"What, Sure Fire?" the first guard scoffed. "A small group of their gang was found injured last night, hoarding a box fully of unhealthy materials. They're nothing more than punk kids trying too hard to look cool."

"Cool or not, I'd rather not go up against their numbers unprepared," the second guard said. "Our guys have a lot of trouble with them as is."

The first guard sighed. "At least we agree on that."

Hachiman shook his head and climbed through a window. He slowly walked up the stairs, peeking past the corner to see a guard standing near an open door.

"I'll give them an 'A' for effort, but they get an 'F' in efficiency," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small, metallic marble with a black stripe.

"Technology truly is a double-edged sword for some people. In the right hands, it can be used for all sort of good. And in the wrong hands… well, look no further than the fine people at Blume."

He put the marble on the floor and opened a screen on his PM. The stripe on the marble glowed blue and quickly rolled towards the room. The guard was completely unaware as the marble entered, and standing inside were two DS guards going through a laptop, looking at a set of blueprints.

"What exactly was this guy trying to make?" one of them said. "Some kind of radio jammer?"

"I'm not sure myself," the other replied. "Maybe it's a device that can disrupt the PM's systems."

"Whatever it is, the one who made these blueprints won't be needing them where he's going. Now, if only we can find him, we can shut down any future operations he has planned."

As the guards conversed, Hachiman downloaded the blueprints for the device. Satisfied, he called back the marble and picked it up, making his way out of the building with the DS being none the wiser.

"It's a good thing these guys don't have day jobs, 'cause they would suck at them," he said to himself with a smirk.

When Monday came, the atmosphere in the Student Council room was, for a lack of a better word, palpable. Everyone present had tense expressions, but two of people were faking them to keep up the illusion.

"This council suffered a decisive loss on Saturday," Anna said in a somber tone, which soon gave way to one of determination. "But we will not allow terrorism to defeat us."

"Hear hear," Hachiman said. "The one responsible has another thing coming if they think we're sit back and writhe in our failure."

"I agree," Anna replied. "But to add insult to injury, we can't figure out why the terrorist drew a flower on the track."

Hachiman leaned back. "It is a mystery. Maybe they're trying to freak us out."

"For now, let's focus on the gym attack," Anna said. "What message are they sending with the video of flies engaged in wrestling match?"

Hachiman stifled a laugh at Anna's comment, finding her ignorance of the truth of the video humorous.

"It's even weirder than the flower," Goriki added. "However, after listening to the student victim testimonies, I'm now convinced it had a hidden dirty message supporting delinquency." He glanced Hachiman, then slammed his fist on the table, startling him. "And you know what it is, don't you? You enjoy disrupting public order, what with being a hacker!"

"Oh, you think I was a hacker for fun?" Hachiman said, glaring at his upperclassman. "What do you know, you stupid gorilla?"

Goriki growled lowly. "So you have to nerve to insult me to my face, huh?" He pointed an accusing finger towards Hachiman. "I don't trust you for a second, you pencilneck geek!"

Hachiman turned away with a scoff.

"I thought you said you were going to run a background check on Hachiman to expose any perversion and protect the sanctity of our council."

Everyone turned towards Ayame, was smiling.

"But while you were digging for dirt, he selflessly saved your posterior, making you an ungrateful gorilla."

Goriki grit his teeth in frustration, while Hachiman looked at him in shock.

"Is that why you were glaring at me on the train a few days ago?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," Anna said. "I tried to stop him, but because of your background, he insisted."

Hachiman sighed and leaned back in the chair. "Whatever. What's done is done. I'm a hacker, who isn't? Now, I'd like to discuss some countermeasures for any future attacks on this school." He glanced at Goriki. "That is, if anyone is willing to lend an ear without any bias."

The treasurer huffed and turned away. "Well, I suppose I owe you for getting me out of trouble earlier."

"I would also like to hear some of these measures you have planned," Ayame said, keeping her grin.

"I am interested in what you have to suggest, Mr. Hikigaya," Anna said with a smile. "Please, tell us what you have in mind."

Hachiman grinned. "Alright, here's what we do…"

Hachiman and Ayame sat on the rooftop during their break, plotting their next move.

"I have to say," Ayame said. "You're one manipulative SOB. All those countermeasures you offered have gotten Anna eating out of the palm of your hand. Although, I can think of something else she could eat."

"Please do not taint my persuasive talent with your lewd comment," Hachiman said in annoyance. "Now, what's next on the agenda for SOX?"

Ayame turned to him with a grin. "Phase two: dirty mags."

"Dirty mags?" Hachiman repeated in a questioning tone. "I thought those were all scrapped once the new law came in."

Ayame handed him a map with a circle focusing on a certain area.

"This is the location of a special smut stash," she said, crossing her arms. "You are to find it."

Hachiman sighed as he pocked the map. "No rest for the wicked, it seems."

"Damn straight," Ayame replied. "We're hiding those sticky pickies around the school. That fly video already got everyones' pants tightened and/or moistened, so now, we're blowin' the dam!"

"Figured as much," Hachiman said, dialing a number on his PM.

"What are you doing?" Ayame asked.

"What else?" Hachiman replied in a sardonic tone. "I'm making a deal with the devil."

Hachiman sat alone in the train car, holding his pistol. He wore a purple hoodie with flame decals, blue jeans and gray sneakers. He also had a backpack, holding on to the straps as he looked at his gun.

"I don't know why I brought this damn thing," he said to himself. "It's not like anyone else knows about the stash. Then again, it never hurts to be prepared."

The train came to a stop, and he pocketed his pistol. Once the doors opened, he stepped out and saw a familiar, yet irritating face.

"We really should stop meeting like this. People are going to talk."

(Durarara! OST: He's Such a Coward that He Can Laugh)

Izaya stood in front of him with his usual smug grin, leaning against a motorbike.

"Get over your damn self," Hachiman replied. "I just needed you to deliver the bike."

"And deliver, I did," Izaya said, getting off the bike. "I present to you the Suzuki CV650. This motorized work of art is mixture of classic and modern, sporting a lightweight chassis for an exciting and sporty ride, along with an excellent fuel economy for longer travels. Perfect for those wanting to escape local law enforcement."

Hachiman sighed. "You know, you should consider taking up theater. You really have a flare for the dramatic."

"I actually did a bit theatre in high school," Izaya admitted. "You should have seen me in Othello. My rendition of Iago was excellent."

"I'm sure it was," Hachiman replied dryly, getting on the bike. "I suppose I owe you for this?"

"Not at all," Izaya said, patting his back. "This one is on the house."

Hachiman widened his eyes. "What brought this on? You're not the type to offer help without expecting anything in return."

"Let's just say I'm in a generous mood," Izaya replied. "You might not believe me, but I want this country to get out of the rut it's in. All this surveillance and obsession with decency is not good for business."

Hachiman sighed as he put his helmet on. "Yeah, I figured you wouldn't be in this out of goodwill. I'll see you when I get back."

He started up the bike, then drove off as Izaya watched.

"That kid is gonna go places," he said. "And he's going to hit this dumb law where it hurts."

(End song)

Hachiman drove along the countryside, taking in the natural sights around him. To him, it was refreshing to be away from the city once a while. He had nothing against it, but he wasn't a fan of having his every move watched 24/7. In the country, the presence of CtOS was minimal, only focused on important areas such as banks. It was nice and quiet, and no crimes have been committed. However, there have been reports of remnants of "unclean materials" being circulated, but those are in the city. The country was another matter entirely.

He eventually made it to the spot marked on the map: an abandoned shack in the woods.

"This looks like the set up for a horror film," Hachiman mused as he got off the bike. "But that's neither here nor there. I got work to do."

He walked towards the shack and opened the door. Inside was a desk, a bed, old books, a TV and a old game console.

"Someone didn't pay the housekeeper enough," Hachiman snarked as he closed the door and took out a flashlight and turned it on. He looked around the room to see where the stash would be hidden. It was small, so he figured it wouldn't be too hard to find.

"To think that some old mags would be hiding in here," he mused. "I'll give credit to whoever hid them."

He looked under the bed and found a box. He picked it up and put it on the bed before opening it, revealing a stack of books.

"Now, what do we have here?"

Hachiman lifted one of the books and saw one with with a beautiful woman wearing a bikini. He flipped through the pages and looked through each one with piqued interest.

"This appears adequate," he said. "Ayame will like what I've brought." He put the books in his backpack and walked towards the door, only to hear some voices outside.

"Someone left their bike here. Guess that means the stash has been taken."

"Are you kidding me? We need that stuff. I'm not going to lose a finger for coming back empty-handed."

"We should probably beat up the sap and take the stash for ourselves."

"Sure, why not."

Hachiman's blood ran cold. Other people were looking for the stash as well, and one of them mentioned losing a finger. That alone gave him a grim hint at who he was dealing with.

"Please tell me it's not who I think it is," he muttered. He turned the knob and slowly opened the door a little. There, he saw four men wearing suits, holding firearms.

"Damn… it's the yakuza."

KS: It looks like Hachiman is in trouble. How will he get out of this predicament? And will he get out with his fingers intact? Find out next time, and be sure do review, fave and follow. Peace out.