TRIGGER WARNING:
- Kids being cruel
- Vague implications that someone should kill themselves
- Heavily implied sexual harassment/assault from a grown man towards underage girls
- Suicide attempt
Chapter Eight
Little Voices
Wednesday, April 13th
That afternoon, Chiyo sat beside Ryuji during the volleyball rally. She wore the school's tracksuit; red sweatpants, a white t-shirt underneath, white track shoes, and a red track jacket. Ryuji forwent the jacket, rolled up the sleeves, and rolled his pant legs up a few times.
The match between the teachers and students felt very one-sided. Volleyball was Kamoshida's forte, the sport in which he won an Olympic medal for Japan, naturally, he had the advantage over high schoolers. He was the teacher's ace in the hole. It made Chiyo wonder if this was a fun school rally or a thinly veiled attempt at ego-stroking.
"Still sticks out," Chiyo heard Ryuji mutter. "Hasn't changed a bit."
"Hm?"
She followed Ryuji's gaze to find he was staring at Takamaki, who sat amongst the folding chairs in perfect view of the game. Instantly Chiyo's thoughts went back to the cognitive Takamaki in Kamoshida's castle. No matter how she looked at it the implications made her uncomfortable. And though Chiyo had yet to speak to Takamaki herself, she was certain Takamaki would not appreciate the cognition.
The commotion on the volleyball court caught Chiyo's attention. Kamoshida had just spiked the ball into the opposite side of the court at full force. It ended up slamming smack into the face of the quiet, downtrodden boy Chiyo recognized from class.
He fell back, bringing the game to a complete halt. Murmurs were heard around Chiyo as Kamoshida called for someone to take the boy to the nurse's office. "Bastard," Chiyo uttered under her breath. "If that was an accident, I'm laying golden eggs next month."
Ryuji took the stray volleyball into his hand and threw it out to the court. "He'll pay soon enough."
After that stunt, they left the gym and Ryuji lead Chiyo to the vending machines outside in the courtyard. There was a brief discussion between the two, going over their game plan. While they could have covered more ground in less time, they decided that splitting up wasn't the best way to go with Chiyo still recognizing and trying to place names with faces. The downside side was that either one of them could have ended up turning anyone away. But together… Well, it was bad enough that Ryuji was popping up with the two of them hanging out lately.
The boys they talked to were all banged up and damaged in one way or another. Chiyo knew injuries came with the athletic life, how many times had she injured herself training after all? How many sprained or twisted ankles? How many times did she dislocate something? It was to be expected. But the injuries on these boys were the type of injuries you'd see on a very special episode about bullying.
If there was any good news, the boys were willing to respond to their questions. But, despite the truth written all over their face and in their eyes, no one wanted to admit to Kamoshida's abuse. Chiyo tried to come across as understanding and patient. More often than naught, whenever they brought up how common injuries were, Chiyo stressed that some of their injuries were too much for high school volleyball.
The conversation would often end with them using the rumors surrounding Chiyo. That she would attack one way or another. A favorite rumor was that she could and would castrate a man if they rejected her. If only because of how outlandish it sounded to her. Oh, Chiyo did not doubt there was someone like that in the world, but the thought never crossed Chiyo's mind until it was brought up to her.
The only bit of information they received was from a first-year player. He did not confess to the abuse but mentioned the special coaching Mishima was getting. In the first year's opinion, it was too far.
No sooner had the first-year excused himself did an announcement echo across the school, informing the student body to prepare to leave for the day. They parted ways to change uniforms with the intent to meet up in the courtyard.
Chiyo was the first to make it to the courtyard. She passed the time by scanning the contents the vending machine had to offer. Carbonated soda… Now there was something strictly off her previous diet. Too much sugar, Ryou used to say whenever Chiyo asked for a soda when she was younger. "You don't want to become fat and ugly, do you?"
"Hey, can we talk for a sec?"
Chiyo whirled around to find Takamaki, still in her gym uniform, standing behind her. "Depends," Chiyo said cautiously.
"It'll be quick," said Takamaki. She crossed her arms over her chest, studying Chiyo briefly. "Anyway, what's with you? Like, how you were late the other day was a lie and all. There's those weird rumors about you too."
"And whaddya want with Yoyo?"
Both girls looked to find Ryuji approaching the pair. "Right back at you!" Takamaki shot back. "You're not even in our class."
"We just…" Ryuji paused for a moment before replying, "happened to get to know each other."
"You do know there are rumors about the two of you meeting up in love hotels, right? I'd watch my choice of words if I were you."
"We're not-" Ryuji's face flushed briefly. "Was there something you wanted?"
"What're you planning on doing to Kamoshida-sensei?"
Chiyo bit on her knuckle; of course, they couldn't go through with questioning everyone unnoticed. The Violent Whore and the Track Traitor talking to different members of the volleyball team about Kamoshida. That was bound to raise a few questions. Amongst the student body, it didn't bother Chiyo much. But what if the staff used this as an excuse to kick her out?
"Oh, I getcha," Ryuji said bitterly. "You're all buddy-buddy with Kamoshida after all."
A flash of anger lit up in Takamaki's eyes. "That has nothing to do with you, Sakamoto!"
"If you found out what he's been doin' behind your back, you'd dump him right away."
The anger in Takamaki's eyes vanished, she took a step back. "Behind my back…?" she repeated slowly. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Ryuji shook his head. "You wouldn't get it."
"Anyway," Takamaki threw a glance at Chiyo, "people are already talking about you two. About school things. I don't know what you're trying to pull, but no one's gonna help you. I'm warning you… just in case. That's all…"
She walked off before either of them could say anything else. The ordeal left Ryuji kicking at a random stone on the ground. "Why's she gotta be so aggressive all the time?" he asked no one in particular.
Chiyo asked, "You know her?"
"We just went to the same middle school. But that's not what we're here to talk about. We gotta find Mishima before he leaves."
"He's the one who Kamoshida spiked, right? I recognize him from class. He always looks so beaten up."
"Wouldn't be too surprised if that's the result of his 'special coaching.'"
Luckily they found Mishima at the school entrance, he had changed out of his gym uniform and looked like he was ready to leave. There was evidence of a bloody nose on his face, dried blood that hadn't been properly washed away by his nostrils. "Hey," Ryuji called as he and Chiyo approached him, "you got a second?"
One look at Chiyo nearly made Mishima shrink. It wouldn't have surprised her if he was more than a tad spooked by the rumors surrounding her. But on the other hand, he was willing to help her find the roof the other day. But then again that could've been because he was too afraid to ignore her. In the end, Chiyo didn't know either way and she wasn't getting anywhere playing a mental game of ping pong.
"We just have a few questions," said Chiyo.
With his arms crossed over his chest, Ryuji leaned in towards Mishima. "Kamoshida's been 'coaching' you, huh? You sure it's not just physical abuse?"
Mishima froze for a moment before he turned his gaze away from the pair. "Certainly not!"
"What're you talkin' all polite for?" Ryuji asked under his breath.
"We just saw him spike you right in the face," said Chiyo.
"That's…" Mishima's voice took on a miserable tone. "That was because I'm not good at the sport…"
"That's hardly an excuse!" Mishima flinched when Chiyo raised her voice. Seeing the reaction, Chiyo toned it down. "And-And what about those other bruises you have?"
"They're from practice! They happen!"
"Not to this extent."
"Look," Ryuji spoke up n a hushed tone, "is he forcin' you to keep quiet?"
"What's going on here?" Kamoshia asked, approaching the group. "Mishima, isn't it time for practice?"
Mishima turned his eyes down at the floor. "I-I'm not feeling well today…" he said just above a whisper.
"What?" Kamoshida spat. "Maybe you're better off quitting then. You're never going to improve that crappy form unless you show up to practice."
Glowering, Chiyo crossed her arms. "He might not be up for it because someone spiked him in the face. Surprised he didn't break his nose."
There was a twitch in Kamoshida's brow that did not go unnoticed by Chiyo. Nor did the glint in his eye. The contradiction made it difficult for Chiyo to tell if he hated her and everything he thought she was or not. "Accidents happen in the world of sports, Kusakaba-chan," he said with an off-putting grin. The attempt at familiarly caused the hair on the back of Chiyo's neck to stand up on end. "I would think you, of all people, would know that." The grin, thankfully, died after that. "If Mishima can't handle it, then he shouldn't be playing."
Ryuji snapped, "He said he ain't feelin' well!"
"I'll go…"
Chiyo and Ryuji turned towards Mishima, who was looking as miserable as ever. "Very well, then." Kamoshida turned his attention towards Ryuji and Chiyo. "As for you two, any more trouble and you'll be gone from this school for sure. Didn't the principal tell you to keep in line, Kusakabe-chan? All these unsettling rumors are making the students anxious, after all."
Once again, Kamoshida's words contradicted the look he gave her. It was like she was a potential conquest to him. Something he had to dissect to understand… to control… Her skin was beginning the crawl the more she thought about it.
No. She already let someone else's actions control her. She wouldn't let anyone else do it again. "Can't imagine how they spread this fast." Chiyo turned a hardened gaze on Kamoshida. "Only the staff could've known."
His brow furrowing, Kamoshida crossed his arms over his chest. "Why don't I like that look in your eye?" He shook his head, ridding himself of useless thoughts. "Let's go, Mishima."
"Asshole," Ryuji uttered as soon as Kamoshida was out of earshot. "He's gonna pay for this!"
"There's no point," Mishima said miserably.
"What're you talking about?" asked Chiyo.
"Proving that he's physically abusing us… it's meaningless. Everybody knows… The principal, our parents… They all know and they all keep quiet about it."
"What…?"
Ryuji said in one breath, "This has gotta be a joke…"
"Don't be a pain!" Mishima snapped breaking away from that polite tone he used earlier. "You don't understand what I'm going through. Shouldn't you of all people know that nothing's going to help, Sakamoto?!"
Ryuji visibly flinched, something Mishima took as enough of an answer. He took off before either Ryuji or Chiyo could say anything else. Chiyo bit her lower lip, briefly wondering what would have happened if they had physical evidence. The way Mishima spoke, even physical evidence wouldn't have helped much. As soon as it was out of their hands, it would likely be gone.
"Now what?" Chiyo asked miserably.
"I'll… try one more time to persuade the other guys," Ryuji said at length. "That's… That's all I can do."
Feeling dejected, Chiyo went upstairs to retrieve her bag. There was little choice but to go home now.
She was walking out of the front doors, slinging her bag over her shoulder when she looked up. The sight of Niijima directly in front of her path could have caused Chiyo to jump out of her skin. "Uh… Senpai… the way out's that way," Chiyo said, pointing at the front gate.
"I've been hearing some interesting rumors today, Kusakabe-san," Niijima said plainly. Absently, she guided a lock of hair behind her ear. "I can tell for myself that a fair amount of them are highly exaggerated. I sincerely doubt Principal Kobyakawa would have ever allowed you through his doors if the rumors regarding murder and castration were remotely true."
Shrugging, Chiyo gave Niijima a lopsided grin. "I mean, you're right, but those are the fun ones."
Niijima's brow furrowed, unimpressed with Chiyo's little quip. "The point of the matter is, I'm not concerned about those rumors. At the moment anyway. What does concern me is the word going around that you and Ryuji Sakamoto are trying to slander Kamoshida-sensei."
"Slander?" Chiyo repeated tiredly.
"I understand you're still new, Kusakabe-san," Niijima said with a surprisingly gentle tone. "But understand that Kamoshida-sensei has done so much for our school-"
"He's an abusive ass," Chiyo said plainly.
"Excuse me?"
Niijima's red-brown eyes appeared to shrink as soon as Chiyo mentioned the word 'abuse.' "Oh, don't tell me you're that blind!" Chiyo ranted. "Those poor volleyball players are far more banged up than they should be!"
The brunette's head turned, her gaze fell downward. "I-I didn't say…"
Mishima's words bounced around in Chiyo's head. If the Principal knew about Kamoshida's abuses, then it stood to reason that Niijima knew. Which likely meant she was going to try and talk Chiyo and Ryuji out of their plight.
She walked around Niijima, biting back a scoff. "H-Hey!" her senpai called as Chiyo headed downstairs. Niijima followed a few steps. "I'm not done talking with you!"
"Well, I'm done talking with you!"
Chiyo returned to Leblanc with a couple of packages of cup ramen. Though Sojiro had yet to outright say it she was pretty certain it was going to be up to her to feed herself. She was downstairs, waiting for the noodles to soften when her phone started to vibrate. Ryuji had just sent her an IM.
Ryuji: Hey, this doesn't make any damn sense.
So he didn't have any more luck with the rest of the team, then.
Ryuji: The principal and even the parents know about the abuse.
Ryuji: Why ain't anybody speaking up?!
Chiyo tilted her head back, mulling over her choice of words for a moment. She took a quick slurp of her noodles before she sent back;
Chiyo: They keep going on about how prestigious Shujin is, right?
Chiyo: And that's in part of Kamoshida's volleyball team.
Chiyo: So long are appearances are favorable, adults don't care what happens to the kids they're supposed to be teaching.
Chiyo: The school clearly doesn't care if students are getting hurt unless it's affecting THEIR social standing.
Chiyo: Same with parents. So long as their child is viewed as perfect it doesn't matter…
Ryuji: Even if you're on to something, that don't give Kamoshida the right to do whatever he wants!
Ryuji: He's beating kids up, and all they're allowed to do is endure.
Ryuji: And that follower of his doesn't give one single shit…
'That follower?' It didn't really look like Takamaki was following with very much devotion from where Chiyo was standing. She took another bite of ramen, then replied;
Chiyo: You mean Takamaki?
Ryuji: Yeah, you had to have heard the rumors by now.
Ryuji: She's in your class 'n all.
Ryuji: Ugh! What a load of bull!
Ryuji: I can't let it end like this.
Ryuji: I'm gonna try and find someone who knows about what's going on with Kamoshida during break tomorrow.
Ryuji: Just you watch, I ain't giving up!
Chiyo couldn't say she doubted it.
Thursday, April 14th
"Did you see Kamoshida-sensei play yesterday? He was so awesome! I think I might ask for his autograph after school."
"I dunno if that's such a good idea… I hear that you shouldn't go near the PE faculty office. People say you can hear weird sounds, like screaming, even though no one's there…"
"What? That's probably just a rumor spread by fans to scare the competition."
Chiyo made the last leg to Shujin biting back several yawns. She walked into class with one hand covering her mouth, the other holding onto the straps of her bag. Approaching her desk, Chiyo failed to notice a couple of her classmates talking amongst themselves. Perhaps it would have prepared her for what she was about to see.
She heard about this sort of thing all the time. But Chiyo always thought it was just something that happened in media especially in today's digital world. In hindsight, it was a horribly naive assumption, and she hated herself for not realizing the obvious sooner.
With her arms hanging limp at her sides, Chiyo allowed her bag to slide off her shoulder. The whispering and morning chatter was drowned out by the ringing in her ears.
Someone had vandalized her desk. Pencil and marker scrawls marked the surface of the desk in a mix of kanji and English. 'Whore.' 'Slut.' 'Just leave already.' 'Ugly.' 'You're not fooling anyone.' 'Die.'
It was just like before…
'So do I pay upfront or can I plow that pussy first?'
'No one wants you here. Do everyone a favor and just die already.'
'Bet you can fuck me with your mouth.'
'Open up dirty slut!'
'Die.'
'Die.'
'Die.'
'Die already.'
What an idiot she was, thinking things would be better at a new school. Thinking it would just stop. Thinking she could just shrug off everything they hurled at her.
'Don't cry. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.' Damn it, that was what they wanted…
Arms wrapped around herself, Chiyo's shoulder shuttered, her vision became blurry with tears.
Hardcore? What a fucking joke.
Still hugging herself, Chiyo kept her head down and sprinted out of the room. She bumped into someone a couple of paces outside the classroom. If they said something, Chiyo couldn't hear over the blood rushing in her ears. She only looked up to find where the restrooms were, and headed straight for the girl's room, unaware she bumped into Takamaki.
The blonde girl watched the transfer student's retreating form, seeing the tremble in her shoulders. It wasn't until Takamaki approached her desk that she noticed the transfer student's bag abandoned on the floor and the writing on the surface of her desk.
Goddamn assholes.
It was getting harder and harder to force herself to come to school every day. More and more Shiho was tempted to just skip school and take refuge in a cat cafe. The only thing that kept her from fulfilling that fantasy was the trouble it would cause. She'd lose her starting position, the school would more than likely call her parents…
Why didn't they see?
Why was her younger brother the only one who noticed how Shiho came home unable to move around the house without bracing herself against something? Didn't her mom notice the bruises?
Why couldn't Ann see?
She hurried into the restroom, not caring if class had already started.
He smiled at her. That same easy-going look he gave the other teachers. The same one he gave her when he was doing an 'assessment.'
Approaching the sink, Shiho turned the faucet on, gathered a bit of cold water in her hands, and splashed it into her face. She kept her palms plastered over her eyes, her breathing grew steady, but it did nothing to stop the goose flesh on her arms, or the trembling in her hands. The year just started and Shiho was already at her wit's end. How was she supposed to give teammates like Noya advice or comfort her after 'assessments' when Shiho was barely holding on?
She heard something like plastic hit against the floor, and immediately whipped around almost feeling her face pale. A girl sat in the far corner outside the stalls. Her knees pulled up to her chest, her head buried in her arms. A pair of thick-framed glasses landed upside down, one of the stems sticking up. How hadn't Shiho noticed her before?
For that matter, how hadn't the girl noticed Shiho?
Slowly, she approached the girl, noticing the tremble in her body. Maybe this was a bad idea…
No sooner did the thought crosses Shiho's mind, her hand was already on the girl's shoulder. She looked up, eyes red with tears, her face blotchy and her pale grey hair was sticking to her face. This must have been the transfer student everyone was talking about. The one who attacked a man after he refused to spend time with her for money. Like this, she looked so much like…
Without saying anything, Shiho took the transfer student's glasses into one hand and helped the girl onto her feet. She lead the girl to one of the sinks and placed her glasses on the edge. "Bend your head over," Shiho instructed, turning on the faucet.
Obediently, if not somewhat bewildered, the girl gathered her hair in one hand and bent over. Carefully, Shiho brought handfuls of water to the girl's face, hoping she was getting enough to the girl's eyes. The girl didn't lift her head until Shiho turned the faucet off, Shiho turned to get a couple of paper towels, and turned back to find she had found her glasses. Silently, she handed the girl the paper towels, she silently dried her face. Evidence of her tears were fainter now, the red in her cheeks had gone down.
The girl placed her glasses back on, an awkward silence fell upon them. The transfer student kept her eyes down, her weight shuffled from one leg to the next. "You don't look familiar," Shiho began. "You wouldn't happen to be that transfer student from Class D, would you?"
The girl bit her lower lip, hugging herself with one arm. "Y-Yeah…" she forced out.
Shiho figured as much. "This… might not be any of my business," she mimicked the transfer student's body language, "but don't let the rumors get to you, okay…?"
"Huh?"
"Well, I've helped with a similar situation before… My best friend is often misunderstood too, all because of her looks… Sorry. I didn't mean to drag on like that."
"It's okay," the girl murmured. "Really. Thanks for your concern."
"A-Anyway, I have to get to class. I'll see you around."
When Chiyo returned to class, she nearly ran into Mishima at the door. As soon as he saw her his eyes widened briefly, then his gaze immediately turned to the floor. Chiyo glanced down to find a damp towel in Mishima's hand. When she returned to her desk, she found her bag waiting for her on her seat and the surface of her desk clean of the writing. She was technically late, but Kawakami pretended not to notice.
During afternoon class Chiyo received an IM from Ryuji. Carefully taking it out, she hid it under the shadow of her desk.
Ryuji: So about witnesses…
Ryuji: I was wondering if we could get something outta Takamaki.
Chiyo bit her lower lip as she thought about her reply. Based on rumors and what she herself witnessed Takamaki was 'with' Kamoshida. But from where Chiyo stood Takamaki was rather hesitant about it. Maybe she would be willing to share a few things if she really wasn't into it.
Chiyo: Because she's 'with' Kamoshida?
Ryuji: No, that ain't why.
Ryuji: Just hear me out.
Ryuji: You know how we didn't get a thing outta the volleyball team?
Chiyo: Yes, I know how.
Ryuji: I figured it'd be a good idea to talk to someone who knows them.
Ryuji: Takamaki's BFF's with a starter. A girl named Suzui.
Ryuji: I tried to talk to that girl during break, but I got nothing.
Ryuji: That's why we should have Takamaki talk to her.
Ryuji: Then again, I guess it'd be hard getting her to help us…
Chiyo: It wouldn't hurt to try, would it?
Ryuji: It's like you said, she's with Kamoshida.
Ryuji: And she told us not to get involved yesterday.
Ryuji: Sorry. Lemme see what else I can come up with.
"Shouldn't you be heading to volleyball?" Ann asked politely. She was, once again, in the courtyard with Shiho, getting their talk in before one or the other had to leave for whatever reason. Shiho kept her gaze on her hands in her lap. She hadn't been speaking as much as she used to recently. Ann told herself Shiho was simply getting worn out from practice. "That bruise above your eye… Is that from practice, too?"
"Y-Yeah…"
"Are you sure you're not pushing yourself too hard?"
Shiho tried to smile. "I'm okay… Volleyball's the only thing I can do right…" Ann was about to ask where this was coming from when her phone started to go off. "Shouldn't you take that?" asked Shiho.
"It's probably just my part-time job," Ann said before quickly adding, "I think."
Slowly, Shiho nodded in response. "I… should get going."
"Shiho…" Ann said quietly. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Of course." Her friend stood up and took off before Ann could inquire any further.
Left alone, Ann pulled out her phone and placed it by her ear. "Yes? … Today won't work… I'm… I'm not feeling so good… Sorry… Bye."
Heading off to collect her things, Ann placed her phone back in her pocket. She ignored the boys she walked past as they headed to the vending machine.
"Hey, wasn't that Takamaki?"
"Rumor has it she's dating Kamoshida."
"Seriously?"
"I heard people saw them in his car together."
"You know… she seems pretty easy, huh? You think I'd have a chance, too?"
"C'mon dude, you can't go after Kamoshida's bitch! You'd have better luck with that transfer student."
"No way, man! They say she kills the guys who piss her off!"
What a load…
Ryuji wanted to speak with her after school in the courtyard. With her bag laced over her shoulder, Chiyo headed towards the door, half-expecting Ryuji to reveal he turned up with nothing again. She found Ryuji by the vending machines moments later, his arms crossed over his chest and foot tapping impatiently. "No luck," Chiyo guessed.
He surprised her by slamming his fists against one of the machines. "All of 'em kept sayin' the same shit Mishima was talkin' about! Kamoshida must have told 'em something! At this rate… it looks like we'll have to go to him directly…"
"That's suicide," Chiyo said bluntly.
"I know, but I can't think of anything else. No way I'm gonna give in like this! Can't you think of anything?"
Chiyo held her arm in one hand as she gripped her chin in thought. Being as direct as they could at the moment wasn't getting them anywhere. "The best way to handle this situation is a sneak attack."
"That'd be fine if we could do it without gettin' caught," said Ryuji, "but... If we did, we'd be seriously done for."
"But we have a way of going in without getting caught!" Chiyo realized. Her heart started to pound so much she could hear it in her ears. Why didn't they consider it before? "The king's overdue for a little coup d'état."
"A… what?"
"We overthrow the king."
Chiyo could have started bouncing in place when she saw the gears turning in Ryuji's head. "You mean the other world's Kamoshida?" he asked in a hushed tone.
She shook her head vigorously. "It's Kamoshida's inner heart, or whatever, right? If we could mess with it, maybe it'll affect the Kamoshida in reality." Her bravado died immediately when she realized the gaping hole in the plan. "But… we still don't know much about that world… We'd need Morgana's help again. Crap…"
"I heard my name!" shouted a familiar boyish voice. "I finally found you!"
"You say something?" Ryuji asked Chiyo.
"Did that sound remotely like me?"
Suddenly, a black cat with white patches of fur around its muzzle, paws, and the tip of its tail wearing a yellow collar ran into the courtyard. The feline effortlessly leaped onto the roundtable for students to use after school and during break. "Don't think you can get away with not paying me back for helping you!" a familiar voice asserted from the cat's direction.
Chiyo's bag slid down her arm when she leaped back. The cat's coloration, its voice, even the yellow collar… "No way."
"That voice…" Ryuji said with a shaky voice. "Is that you, Morgana?!"
"How dare you, up and leaving me yesterday!" the cat ranted, still using Morgana's voice.
"The cat's talkin'?!"
Hair standing up on end along his back, Morgana turned to face Ryuji. "Not a cat!" he asserted. "This is just what happened when I came to this world! It was a lot of trouble finding you two."
"Wait… You came to our world?!" questioned Ryuji. "Does that mean you've got a phone?!"
Despite Morgana's assertion that he wasn't a cat, he sat himself down and started licking one of his front paws. "You don't need one when you're at my level," he said haughtily. "I did get pretty lost making my escape though…"
"That aside," began Ryuji, "why can you talk?! You're a cat!"
"How should I know?!"
"Though I do suppose this draws in less attention than your other form," Chiyo noted under her breath.
"Sounds like you guys are having a rough time of this, hm?" Morgana asked, scratching his ear with his back leg. "I heard you mention something about witnesses."
"Oh, shuddup," spat Ryuji.
"You know, I could tell you a thing or two about what to do about Kamoshida. Though, Four Eyes was pretty close just a moment ago."
"Still not my name," said Chiyo. "So there is something we can do in there to affect reality?"
A silence came over the group as a couple of teachers Chiyo didn't recognize came walking by within earshot.
"We really have to be looking for a cat at a busy time like this?" she heard.
"I just heard a meow somewhere near here. Didn't you hear it?"
"Make sure you check every nook and cranny around."
"Meow?" Ryuji asked in a hushed tone. "Does that mean only us two can understand what you're sayin'?"
"Looks like it. We'll have to take this conversation elsewhere." Chiyo placed her bag on the table. "Here, climb in."
She could feel the added weight of Morgana on her shoulder when she laced her arm through the straps. Chiyo followed Ryuji through the school, up to the roof. Along the way, there were several whispers about Ryuji being the first one to 'get' Chiyo, with some wondering whether or not she had standards.
On the roof Chiyo gently dropped her bag, allowing Morgana to climb out. "So," Ryuji said, not bothering to beat around the bush, "you said you know how we can do something about Kamoshida, right?"
Before he answered, Morgana stretched out his back. "It has to do with what Chiyo was talking about earlier," he explained. "You'll need to attack his castle."
"What do you mean?"
"That castle is how Kamoshida views this school."
"Right." Chiyo nodded. "We got that."
"He doesn't realize what happens in there, but it's deeply connected to the depths of his heart. Thus, if the castle disappears, it would naturally impact the real Kamoshida."
"What'd happen then?" Ryuji crossed his arms.
"A Palace is a manifestation of a person's distorted desires. So, if that castle were no more…"
Chiyo's brow rose. "He wouldn't have those desires anymore…"
"Exactly! You sure pick up things fast!"
"For real?! We do this and he turns good?" Slowly, Ryuji's brow creased together, a thought dawned on him. "But… is that really gettin' back at him?"
"Erasing a Palace essentially means forcing the owner to have a change of heart," explained Morgana. "However, even though their warped wants disappear, the crimes they committed remain. Kamoshida will become unable to bear the weight of those crimes, and he'll confess them himself!"
"You for real?! That's possible?!"
Chiyo's hand hovered in front of her mouth in wonder. "How perfect would that be?" she said in a hushed tone. "The school won't do anything, no one will say anything… What better way to take him down than have him confess to his crimes?"
"And since the Palace will no longer exist, he'll forget what we did there as well," Morgana purred. "Not only will we be able to bring Kamoshida down, but there won't be even a trace of your involvement."
Ryuji exclaimed, "That's amazing! You are one incredible cat!"
"True. Except for the cat part!"
"But how do we get rid of the Palace?" Chiyo asked.
"By stealing the Treasure held within," Morgana said with a low but still whimsical voice.
"Stealing?" Ryuji echoed.
"I'll tell you more once you agree to go ahead with this. It's my most valuable, secret plan, after all. If you want to help me out, I'll gladly teach you. What's your call?"
"Our luck's runnin' dry lookin' for witnesses." Ryuji turned his head in Chiyo's direction. "Guess we have no choice but to go along…"
"And it does seem like the perfect plan," Chiyo agreed.
"Good." Morgana purred happily. He shook his head, which traveled down to his backside. "Oh, right. There's one more thing I should tell you. If we erase a Palace, there's no doubt that the person's distorted desires will be erased as well. But desires are what we all need in order to survive. The will to sleep, eat, fall in love – those sort of things."
"What're you gettin' at?" asked Ryuji.
"If all those yearnings were to vanish, they'd be no different than someone who has shut down entirely."
Blood turning cold, Chiyo's hand balled into a fist in front of her mouth. Her heart was pounding in her chest again, but not out of some joy, some realization, but of dread. "S-So what you're saying is…"
"They may very well die," finished Morgana, "if they're not given proper care."
The plan really was too good to be true. As much as Chiyo wanted Kamoshida out of the school, was she willing to stoop to murder, even accidental murder, to do it? Kamoshida was a world-class ass, no doubt, but was that enough of a reason to play god with someone else's life?
She glanced over at Ryuji, she could see the conflicting emotion on his face. The doubt. The second-guessing. "Would their death be our fault?" Ryuji asked his voice shaking like a leaf.
"Aren't you determined enough to face those kinds of risks?" Morgana said coldly.
"How can you be so casual about that?!" Chiyo demanded, her arms partially outstretched and fingers spread. "We want him out of the job, sure, but at the price of death? That's opening a whole slew of moral and ethical questions."
"Sheesh…" Morgana's eyes rolled. "I come all this way, and this is what I get. It's not like anyone will ever find out."
"That's not the point!" Ryuji snapped. "If we go around secretly doin' whatever the fuck we want, we'd be no better than Kamoshida…"
"Isn't this your only option?" Morgana challenged. Letting out another sigh he said, far calmer now, "I'll come back later. Make sure you've made your decision by then."
Shaking himself over once more, Morgana took off running. He climbed up the chain-link fence onto the parapet on the opposite side. "Goddammit!" Ryuji kicked at the ground. "We're gettin' all worked up for nothing…"
Chiyo rubbed her temple. "I know… If there wasn't the threat of death, it'd be no question but… I mean, even if he died, wouldn't his crimes go with him?"
"I'll try and see if I can figure out another way… Let's just get outta here."
Ryuji: Hey, I heard something that got my attention.
Ryuji: About that Suzui girl… Looks like rumors are going around about her and Kamoshida.
Ryuji: If they're true, it's no wonder I couldn't get her to talk.
Ryuji: Still, something about that doesn't seem right.
Chiyo: What do you mean?
Ryuji: It's nothing so clear-cut, but…
Ryuji: I've known Takamaki and Suzui since middle school.
Ryuji: There's just no way Kamoshida's their type, y'know?
Chiyo: Actually I don't. I don't know them.
Ryuji: Take my word for it. He ain't their type.
Ryuji: Still. I gotta wonder where those rumors came from.
Ryuji: Well, whatever. I'll try asking around some more.
Chiyo had just made it to the Ginza line when Ryuji sent her an IM. Had she felt more confident about finding her way around the station, she would have texted while she walked. But that was not the case; she stopped while they chatted. Now finished, she continued her trek into Shibuya station square.
She wasn't sure what she was going to do when she returned to Leblanc. Though with each passing day she was growing more and more tempted to try a cup of coffee.
"Will you please give it a rest?! I told you, I'm not feeling up to it!"
Startled, Chiyo followed the source of the voice to find Takamaki. From the looks and sounds of it, she was in the middle of a very heated phone conversation. "Wait, what?!" Takamaki gasped. "That's not what you promised! And you call yourself a teacher?! … This has nothing to do with Shiho!"
Chiyo watched as Takamaki lowered her arm, the phone along with it. She crouched down to hug her knees close to her. She heard Takamaki say something, but couldn't quite make out what exactly. Fully aware it could go very bad, very fast, Chiyo slowly approached Takamaki. "Um…"
Takamaki turned her head, seeing Chiyo standing in front of her, she quickly shot to her feet and took a couple of steps back. "We-Were you listening?"
"Sorry…" Chiyo turned her gaze from her.
"Haven't you heard of privacy?!" Takamaki snapped. Her eyes softened when she noticed Chiyo's flinch. "No… That was out of line. Sorry… So how much did you hear?"
"Something about your friend."
"It's nothing at all."
"You don't end a call like that over nothing."
"I said it was nothing!"
Takamaki took off on the verge of tears. Instantly, Chiyo broke out after her into the Underground Walkway. Down a flight of stairs, down a flight of escalators. Takamaki must have known Chiyo had given chase when she finally stopped she turned on her heel to face Chiyo. "Stop following me…" she pleaded. "Just leave me alone!"
"Calm down," Chiyo said seemingly unphased by Takamaki's outburst, "you're going to get yourself worked up at this rate."
Takamaki's jaw fell open slightly, clearly not expecting something like that from someone of Chiyo's reputation. "Why…?" she asked weakly. "Why do you keep worrying about me?"
"Because you look like you could use a shoulder," Chiyo said simply. "And I have the time."
Instantaneously Takamaki's eyes watered. Her head bent lower, her shoulder shook, allowing herself to release the sob. "Why don't we go somewhere safe," Chiyo suggested.
Takamaki looked up to stare at Chiyo with tear-tracks visible on her cheeks. "What the heck?" she asked in a weak, resigned tone. "I really don't get you…"
"What's there to get?"
Despite her insistence for Chiyo to leave her alone, they found themselves at the nearest diner. Both had ordered a cup of ice water. But as soon as the waitress left, Takamaki finally spoke up. "I don't have anything to talk about with you." She turned her head, avoiding eye contact with the girl in front of her. "It was just an argument…"
"With… Kamoshida?" Chiyo asked tentatively, hoping she didn't overstep her boundaries.
"You've heard the rumors… haven't you?" Takamaki held her head in one hand. "About Kamoshida-sensei. Everyone says we're getting it on. But… that's so not true..! That was him on the other line. I avoided giving him my number… for the longest time… He told me to go to his place after this… You know what it means."
She grabbed the napkin she was playing around with, holding it in her grip until her knuckles turned white. Chiyo remained respectfully silent, waiting for Takamaki to make her piece. "If I turn him down, he said he'd take my friend off as a regular on the team," Takamaki's voice started to warble. A new slew of tears welled up in her eyes. "He's been talking to me about this for months. Since last year. I've been telling myself this is all for Shiho's sake, but…" She sat back in her seat, avoiding eye contact with Chiyo. "I can't take it anymore…"
Chiyo's sympathies went out to Takamaki. Sure, Chiyo had dealt with her own brand of slut-shaming and harassment back home. But all of that ended with a new phone and when she came to Tokyo, for the most part anyway. But Takamaki… The way she talked made it sound like she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She couldn't help her appearance, and now she was being harassed by a man who should have known better.
"I've had enough of this… I hate him! But still… Shiho's my best friend." Takamaki's voice warbled farther as the floodgates were torn down. "I hate him! She's all I have left at that sorry excuse for a school!" She took a moment to breathe, calming down slightly with tears still in her eyes. "Tell me… What should I do?"
Blinking twice, Chiyo turned her gaze down at the table, her hands gripped the fabric of her skirt under the table. She thought back to Morgana's suggestion about a change of heart, it was growing in temptation with each thing Chiyo discovered. But the threat of death hung over her like a dark rain cloud. If they went through with it and Kamoshida died, wouldn't he go beloved? Wasn't the risk worth it?
Takamaki's breathing shuttered for a moment. She looked straight ahead at Chiyo, tears in her eyes, suddenly bewildered at what just happened. "Sorry…" Takamaki dried her eyes with the heel of her palm. "I shouldn't have asked. It's not your problem, and it sounds like you have enough of your own." She sighed. "What am I even saying? I've barely even talked to you before…"
"But you did need someone to talk to," Chiyo pointed out. She ran her right thumb across the center of her left palm under the table. She paused when her thumb was met with the central scar. While everything else she did hurt, when Chiyo had done this one she came close to begging Ryou to take her to a doctor. She was still surprised that it wasn't infected.
Once again, Takamaki's jaw fell open in disbelief. "You're a weird one," she said plainly. "Usually everyone just ignores me."
Chiyo shrugged and gave Takamaki a lopsided grin. Takamaki released a breathy scoff. "You really don't seem as bad as the rumors say you are," she said.
"Ah, my favorite so far has been the ones about castrating men who reject me," said Chiyo.
Another breathy scoff from Takamaki, even her shoulders shook. So far it was the closest Chiyo had gotten to making her laugh. "I kinda had a feeling they were all just exaggerations," she said. "You seemed lonely that first day – almost like you didn't belong anywhere… And then this morning… I saw what they did."
Chiyo looked down at the table, avoiding eye contact with Takamaki. It was as though looking at her would confirm how on the mark Takamaki was. "We're the same in that regard," said Takamaki. "Maybe that's why it was so easy for me to talk to you." She paused for a moment and rested her head in her hand again. "Is there really no way for me to help Shiho…? I wish he'd just change his mind… Like, forget about me, and everything…"
"Well, from an outsider's perspective," said Chiyo, "it sounds like you and your friend could use a nice, honest conversation."
Takamaki's eyes turned towards Chiyo, staring at her for a moment before she sat back in her seat. "I suppose," she admitted. "But with the tournament coming up, I might not be able to until after."
"And… you never know. Kamoshida could give it up."
"Have I already mentioned you're a weird one? But I do feel a bit better now. I'm gonna head home." She finished up her glass, shrugged her bag over her shoulder, then stood up. "Don't tell anyone what I told you, okay?"
"Hey, I know as well as you how bad these things can get if they're released to the public."
"I'll try and think of a way to persuade Kamoshida. And… Well, thanks."
"Suzui!"
Shiho glanced over her shoulder to find Mishima half-jogging up to her. "Are you leaving?" he asked.
"What is it?"
Mishima refused to look her in the eye. "Kamoshida-sensei is asking for you," he said. "He's in the PE faculty office."
Shiho felt her blood run cold. "What did he say?"
"I don't know. I… I have to go."
Shiho looked down at her hands, which were shaking. She didn't like how Kamoshida was looking at her the last time he called on her. The look in his eye… It made Shiho's skin crawl. Maybe she should just pretend she never got the message and head home.
But then that dark little voice whispered in her ear. If Shiho just left, Kamoshida was more than likely going to cut her off the team, and where would that get her?
Nowhere.
Volleyball was all she was good for after all.
Friday, April 15th
"So, I assume all of you know about the separation of powers? There are three branches in our government," Ushimaru said during his morning lecture. "The National Diet is legislative, the Cabinet is executive, and the Supreme Court is judiciary. This division of power provides checks and balances, which ensures no one branch becomes unstoppable."
Chiyo covered a yawn with the back of her hand. Sleep was a bit better last night in the sense that her stomach wasn't bothering her. But the dilemma Morgana brought about yesterday was another story… It was clear to her that Takamaki didn't want a relationship with Kamoshida, but he was pressuring her into it, using Suzui and her standing on the volleyball team to get what he wanted. It felt like each bit of new information Chiyo learned about Kamoshida was just another reason why they should take the risk.
"So," she heard coming from her desk. "Have you made up your mind?"
Chiyo looked down to find Morgana's head poking out from the inside of her desk. 'How?! How?! How?!' Chiyo thought, trying to remain nonchalant. 'How'd he even know this was my desk?!'
"Come on," Morgana insisted, ignoring the panic in Chiyo's eyes. "No matter how much thinking you do, there's only one option. You'd be better off listening to me."
At the front of the room, Ushimaru paused to scan the room. "Did I hear a cat just now?"
Cautiously, Morgana eased back into Chiyo's desk while murmurs arose amongst the class. "Could be that rumored cat somewhere nearby…" Ushimaru said to himself. "Alright, settle down! We're in the middle of an important lecture!"
To further Chiyo's discomfort her phone started to buzz. As soon as Ushimaru turned his back to the class to draw up a diagram Chiyo pulled out her phone and hid it under the shadow of her desk.
Ryuji: It's no use… I can't think of any other way…
Chiyo: Just concentrate on class.
Ryuji: I can't deal with that shit right now. I mean, what're we gonna do about Kamoshida?
Ryuji: Do we just gotta go along with what the cat says?
Ryuji: Urgh that damn furball…
Chiyo: He's hiding in my desk right now…
Ryuji: Wait, for real?!
"Hey… What's that?!"
Chiyo looked up to find one of her classmates on his feet, he was looking out the window. Those closest to him followed his gaze, their attention on something across the hall. "That's enough," Ushimaru ordered. "We're in the middle of class!"
"Wait…" one of the female students uttered. "Is she... Is she going to jump?!"
Several students had risen to their feet. "Suzui?!" Mishima gasped, spotting the girl in question out the window.
Takamaki was on her feet as soon as Mishima spoke. Despite Ushimaru's attempts to keep order students were rushing out of the room. Takamaki shoved her classmates out of her path as she ran, with Chiyo, forgetting about Morgana, following close behind.
Arriving at one of the windows Chiyo instantly recognized Suzui as the girl who helped her clean up in the restroom yesterday. She had climbed over the chain-link fence and stood at the very edge of the roof, looking down.
The wind blew her hair about as Shiho looked down from her precarious position. By now the students and staff must have seen her standing on the edge of the roof. Or maybe they didn't. What did it matter if they saw it or not? What happened after this wouldn't change anything, so what did it matter if anyone bore witness to it?
Shiho was steeling herself when vertigo suddenly stole her breath away. She realized just how high it was, suddenly panicked, her hand grabbed a hold of the chain-link fence. This was crazy! All she had to do was talk to her mom about what happened last night and the police would be all over Shujin. This wasn't her only way out…
But then that ugly little voice reminded her about the bruises her mom had ignored. How everyone on the volleyball teams were donning plasters and black eyes, barely concealed bruises. But the adults around them ignored the signs. Why would this be any different? Besides, what evidence did she have now? The first thing she did when she got home was take bath. Like an idiot, she washed away anything that could have incriminated Kamoshida.
And what was to stop him from doing the same thing again.
And again.
And again.
And again, and again, andagainandagainandagainandagain
She felt cold dread spreading all over, across every pour, overtaking her senses. Her breathing shuttered as Shiho let go of the fence, and turned back to the edge of the roof…
And then she leaned forward…
Authors Note: Feels like this chapter ended up going all out as far as Trigger Warnings go…
While Akiren was able to coast by with just whispers… let's be real, it's different for girls. It's a part of the reason why I had Chiyo be accused of Enjo-kōsai. Does Shido really seem like a man who'd go easy on women when ruining their lives? Even if Chiyo just had assault charges on her record any hate she would have gotten for that would have been more upfront than Akiren.
Some aspects of this chapter were a little difficult to write, mostly the implication of what Kamoshida gets up to regarding his "assessments." I decided "assessment" still got the point across without going into detail.