Note: Cybersystem Gaiden is set to occur in the world of Cybersystem Chronicles, but centered on another character that is also in the Cybersystem Gaiden RPG.

Chapter 9: Unwanted Foe

The city's police have began their investigation as soon as they found out that there was a network attack at Arisa's place, and have worked the whole day to make sure that no clues are left out. While these are regular protocols followed by the network police in Seikuu, it proved to be an inconvenience for Arisa when there is no privacy left at the apartment she is living. Dr. Daikou (as Ryuu has come in terms to address his teacher to avoid confusion with the Kojuro of Solitary Star) has made arrangements to make sure that Arisa has a place to stay at the dormitories for the time being until the investigations are done.

"It is really nice of Dr. Daikou Kojuro to give me a place to stay…" Arisa mentioned over the phone with Ryuu as she gave Iris a quick diagnostics check to make sure that everything is working in order, "The police were all over the apartment that I have no room for myself back there."

"That is a given, especially with what happened yesterday…" Ryuu replied as he searches the Internet for information about Jyagatsu, "How is Iris faring?"

"I am just finishing the diagnostics check," Arisa answered when the diagnostics have completed, "How are you feeling, Iris?"

"Hai! I'm as good as new, Arisa-chan!" Iris replied cheerfully from the screen of Arisa's PET, raising her hand up over her head to show that she is all right, "Arigatou, Ryuu-kun, Gaius-san!"

"No problem, Iris," Gaius replied from Ryuu's PET with a casual nod, "Friends are supposed to look out for each other, isn't that right, Ryuu?"

"Umm, yeah…" Ryuu nodded as he finally turns away from the monitor of his computer, "Though… This Jyagatsu…"

"Are you still worried about it, Ryuu-san?" Arisa asked Ryuu with a concerned tone.

"Yeah… I'm worried about what this guy is planning to do next, especially after yesterday…" Ryuu mentioned as he felt sad that it was because of his capability that got them into trouble, "I'm sorry if I got you into trouble, Arisa-san."

"Eh? What are you talking about, Ryuu-san?" Arisa asked back, blinking in surprise when Ryuu brought the apology up, "It isn't your fault, in the first place, they're the ones who attacked, right?"

"That's right! Ryuu-kun is not to blame for what happened yesterday!" Iris replied after her operator asked the question, "That evil man is to blame for this!"

"Come to think of it, Arisa and Iris have a point there, Ryuu…" Gaius nodded while thinking over the situation, "Nevertheless, do you have any luck in finding out about this Jyagatsu, Ryuu?"

"No luck, it's as if he never existed," Ryuu replied with a sigh as he leaned back into his seat, "I asked Dr. Daikou this morning, but he didn't tell me anything about Jyagatsu. Instead, he told us to be more careful."

"Which is why I'm staying with him within The Academy," Ryuu added as he looks around the place. While it is bigger than his room back in the dormitory, he has little chance of going out, with the doctor's concern for his safety.

"Sou ka…" Arisa nodded as she finally takes the PET off from her computer, "But where is Dr. Daikou?"

"I've heard that he has an important meeting to attend to," Ryuu shrugged in response, having grown tired of spending lots of time within the training facility, "Didn't say what the meeting is for, however."

At the same time…

"That is true, it seems that Jyagatsu has his eyes on the Shieldbearer this time," Daikou answered as he stood before a number of people in a council. It is difficult to identify the people presiding over the council, with the lights of the room focused at the center and away from the speakers.

"The situation proves serious indeed…" one of the speakers stated without much fanfare, "Despite the efforts of the Solitary Star and the Star Angel, this man decides to strike again after a long disappearance."

"It is sad to say that Jyagatsu will not stop until every potential threat to his power has been eliminated," Daikou replied with a bow before looking back up to the speakers, "If he is after the Shieldbearer, there is no telling who else he would have targeted as potential threats to his goal of being the world's sole superpower."

"Then the Dreaded Moon has left us with no other alternative…" another of the speakers stated, standing up to address to Daikou, "The Shieldbearer will then have to face the dangers that will seek him out. It would seem that his ability would be what will keep Jyagatsu from continuing this form of disturbance."

"If that is what the council has decided upon, then it will be done," Daikou replied with a bow as he moves away backwards through the door behind him.

And Daikou did all that he can to prepare Ryuu in facing the possible dangers that Jyagatsu can unleash. Training spanned for days, even stretching to weeks and months as the limits of both operator and Navi are pushed to the fullest. Ryuu could hardly refuse to the sudden climb in training, still feeling that it was his shortcomings that have put Arisa in trouble.

"Ryuu, aren't you pushing yourself too far?" Gaius asked his operator, looking at Ryuu's exhausted form slump into the bed.

"It's not enough, Gaius…" Ryuu answered as he closed his eyes, "If I want to make sure that this Jyagatsu doesn't cause any trouble again, I have to be better than best."

"But you hardly have time to meet with your friends anymore," Gaius mentioned with concern, "While it would be a good idea to train, you can't keep up with this without knowing that your friends will be there for you."

"… I guess you're right…" Ryuu finally spoke as he reached out for the phone, deciding that he should give Arisa a call. The phone rang several times before it was finally answered by the apartment's answering machine network.

"HELLO, HOW MAY I HELP YOU?" the program asked in a cheery tone as it waits for Ryuu's request.

"Excuse me, but can I ask if Arisa is available?" Ryuu inquired the program, hoping that he could contact Arisa after a long time.

"UMMM, SORRY, ARISA SKYBRAND HAS LEFT HER APARTMENT YESTERDAY TO RETURN TO HER FAMILY, SORRY," the program responded before proceeding to ask another question, "CAN I HELP YOU WITH ANYTHING ELSE?"

"N, no… Thank you…" Ryuu replied as he hung up the phone, in disbelief to know that he won't be seeing Arisa anymore. It felt like something rammed straight to his stomach and forced the breath, and words, out of his lungs.