Hey guys! So happy with all the reviews and kind words. Also thank you for being patient with the updates, I really appreciate it. Let's continue!
"The hell man! How much shitter can that asshole get!?"
Akira sighed at Ryuji's actions, turning her attention away from her bowl.
"Calm down, I'm eating."
Ryuji released a grunt of frustration.
"Are you for real? I wouldn't calm down til I punched that dick in the face."
Akira giggled at his comment but knew he was right. That asshole was the reason for all of this. He seemed to be the reason her feet were kicked out from under her.
Ryuji kept on talking whilst shoving food into his mouth. She grinned at him sheepishly and focused on eating herself. Ryuji shifted his gaze at her, watching her eat daintily. It was strange to see such a fierce girl in that other world be timid and proper in reality.
"Come on dude eat! There's tons of ginger in it!"
Ryuji grinned at her and began loading more food into her bowl.
"That's a bit much don't you think?"
"Come on! Let me treat you! It's the least I can do."
She smiled at him gratefully and proceeded to eat. Thinking about it now, she felt as if Ryuji and her were more alike than she originally thought. They both were treated like shit by adults.
They both didn't belong.
But we can together.
The thought made her smile. Ryuji downed his bowl and let out a satisfying belch.
"The place you're livin' in... it's in Yongen, right?"
She nodded. She had already told him the truth behind her record and her situation. She already deemed him trustworthy and felt as if he should know at least some detail.
"It's rush hour on the subway. I recommend you kill some time before headin' home."
"Noted."
Ryuji and her spent the next few hours together at the beefbowl shop, eating and talking.
"Oh yeah! Tell me your number. Chat ID too."
The two traded numbers and proceeded to enjoy their meal. Kamoshida came up a bit in their conversations, but Akira found just having a normal conversation with Ryuji was much better. Last thing she needed to remember was the skanky version of herself in that hellhole.
Time passed and she headed home. She thought about their plan for the volleyball rally.
Find the slaves and confront them about the abuse.
She wasn't sure how this idea was going to go but they didn't have any better plans. She stepped onto the train. Ryuji had told her Kamoshida recommended the event, then went on to gag.
She giggled at the thought.
Someone shoved her into a window, ramming her side into the glass. She groaned and resisted the urge to yell.
The subway sucks...
After a few train stops and walking, she was back at Leblanc. She pushed the door open, revealing Sojiro sitting in on of the chairs reading a newspaper.
"...You're home. I take it you actually went to school today?"
Akira nodded sheepishly.
She had forgotten about yesterday's detour.
"Yeah, I did."
"I guess you learned your lesson from yesterday. As long as you aren't getting in trouble, it's fine by me."
She nodded and began to make her way to the stairs.
"Hold on."
Akira stopped and turned to face him in confusion.
"I don't know what you've been up to, but trust me, you'll be gone if you start causing problems. In cae you forget, your life is not a free one now."
She raised her brow before nodding.
As if I don't already know that...
Her thoughts suddenly halted as her phone trilled in her pocket.
Is it that app again?
To her surprise, it was a text message.
Ryuji: Hey. I decided to go ahead and text you.
Before she could respond, another message came in.
Ryuji: Can you see this?
Akira: Yea, I can
Ryuji: I'll be counting on you tomorrow.
Akira: Got it. Let's do our best.
Ryuji: You're a bro man.
Ryuji: Or woman?
Ryuji: Doesn't matter. Anyway see ya tomorrow.
Akira giggled at his messages. Sojiro sighed at her. Here he was lecturing her, and all she was doing was texting someone.
"...Sheesh are you even listening to me?"
She smiled at him sheepishly. He groaned and shook his head.
"Just stay away from bad influences, ok?"
She nodded, but she could feel the sweat trickling down the back of her neck. As she proceeded up the stair, she mentally promised to never bring Ryuji to Leblanc.
Or at least until Sojiro softens up a bit.
Deep down, she knew he cared. At least a little bit. Yes he was an ass sometimes, but he meant well. Probably. As she dropped her bag on the counter, all of today's events replayed in her mind. She sank to her knees and released a long needed sigh.
This is so overwhelming...
Kamoshida and his bullshit was taking over her mind.
So much for keeping a low profile.
It was aggravating enough dealing with him at Shujin, but his palace version was even worse.
How did Morgana endure being in there for so long?
Morgana...
Said creature would be super pissed the next time they crossed paths. She and Ryuji sorta kinda blew him off. Instead of staying back with him, the two had favoured ditching him instead.
With a sigh, she removed her glasses and rubbed her face.
I need to sleep... I feel exhausted...
After changing, her heavy body collided with the mattress. Her eyelid began to grow heavy as she sank deeper into sleep. Before she could get too far her phone trilled.
"Ugh... This better be important." She groaned.
Ryuji: That thingy on your phone was some red eyeball thingy, right?
Akira: Yeah why?
Ryuji: We got to that weird place using that nav app? It just appeared on my phone. I don't remember installing it.
Akira: Talk about creepy...
Ryuji: For real. What is this thing? Think it downloaded itself?
Akira: Definitely.
Ryuji: It's dangerous to use something without knowing what it is.. but with it we can go to that weird place.
Akira: Looks like it.
Ryuji: Ok I guess it'll depend on how we use it.
Ryuji: Oh and I got your back tomorrow. Don't go ditching school!
Akira: Shouldn't I be the one telling you that?
Ryuji: Shuddap!
Akira: See you tomorrow.
Ryuji: Yeah see ya!
Akira stiffled back a yawn and succumbed to sleep.
Unfortunately night became day, and Akira awoke after another night in the Velvet Room. A good part of her wanted to mouth off at Igor, but she wasn't exactly the boldest person in the world. He certainly had high hopes for her.
Confidants huh...
She pushed herself out of bed, and began getting ready for this big day ahead of her.
TAKE YOUR TIME
Ryuji and Akira sat besides each other against the gym wall, watching the volleyball rally. Kamoshida was destroying the student team without breaking a sweat. It disgusted her to see how many girls were cheering for him.
They don't know anything about him. He's got the whole school wrapped around his fingers.
Away from the throng of girls was Takamaki. She didn't seem to be interested in the slightest, only playing with the end of one of her pigtails. Akira thought back to that rainy day when she first saw her. And how miserable she looked stepping into Kamoshida's car.
"Still the same.."
Akira turned and shot Ryuji a questioning look. He has looked at Takamaki for a moment before yawning and stretching his arms above his head.
"Pretty boring, right?"
She grinned but worrying thoughts sprouted at the back of her mind.
Does he know Takamaki?
Did they have some kind of relationship?
A frown formed on her lips. Despite just getting to know Ryuji, it was a little irking to think he and Takamaki were possibly together or had interest in one another. Maybe she was just being overprotective of her friend?
"Yeah!"
"Go Kamoshida!"
The cheers of students snapped her out of her thoughts. Ryuji sneered at him.
"He'll get what's coming to him..."
The match droned on and Akira herself was having a hard time paying attention.
Or at least she was before he spiked the ball.
No one could block the ball fast enough. Nor could anyone stop it from slamming into some student's face. Her hands flew to her mouth as the student was knocked to the ground.
The gym filled with shrieks as his teammates surrounded him. Looking away from the injured player, she focused on Kamoshida. Like she thought there was no remorse on his face.
Almost as if he spiked the poor kid on purpose...
He just stood and watched for a couple moments before moving to help out. It may have looked sincere, but both Akira and Ryuji knew the truth.
"What a terrible man..." She mumbled.
The match continued once the injured player was removed from the court. At this point, she had seen enough. The two left the gym. As they left, a certain blonde watched them disappear.
Both Akira and Ryuji ventured around the school for possible victims. Each one had some form of injury, but they all shot them down. Not one would admit to the slightest possibility that Kamoshida was abusing them. It made sense though. If they squealed and Kamoshida found out somehow, they'd be in an even worse situation.
Some were reluctant to speak with them. Apparently Kamoshida warned them not to speak with sketchy people.
This ordeal was beginning to be pointless.
Or at least it was at first.
"Mishima?"
"Uh! F-Forget I said anything!"
She frowned but had no chance to reply. An announcement dimissed the students to go home, and the first year had already shuffled away.
Pi- Pi- Pi!
Ryuji: Dammit! We're out of time. How'd it go?
Akira: Take a wild guess.
Ryuji: So you didn't have any luck too. Let's regroup in courtyard.
Akira: Ok see ya soon.
She pocketed her phone and made her way through the corridors. When she reached the courtyard, he had yet to arrive. She distracted herself by looking at the goods inside the vending machine.
Maybe I'll buy a drink or...
"Can I talk to you for a sec?"
Akira blinked and turned to see Takamaki standing before her. Unconsciously, she pushed her glasses up.
"Sure."
Takamaki nodded and came a bit closer.
"This'll be quick."
She glanced around for a moment then allowed her face to harden.
"So what's with you and Kamoshida? Along with you lying on why you were late on first day, and all these new rumors you're the talk of the school."
"New rumors?"
"About you and Kamoshida. There's also some with you and Ryuji."
Akira frowned at this. She knew her record would bring about rumors, but just having Kamoshida hanging around was just making it worse.
"So what's your deal?" She repeats.
"Whaddya want with her?"
Ryuji had appeared and he looked pissed.
"Right back at you. You're not even in our class." Takamaki shot back.
"We just happen to know each other."
Akira watched the sparks blow between them.
"What are you planning to do to Mr. Kamoshida?"
Ryuji glared at her.
"... I see. I getcha. You're all buddy buddy with him after all."
His comment made her tense.
"This has nothing to do with you Sakamoto. And it's not like she's any less guilty."
Takamaki points at Akira, who flinches at the sudden accusation. Ryuji flicks his eyes towards her momentarily, but shifts back to the blonde girl.
"If you found out was he was doin' behind your back, you'd dump him right away."
A bewildered look took over her face.
"Behind my back...? What do you mean?"
Ths pair remained silent.
She looked at the two suspiciously, but she knew better to continue. She had already lost this battle.
"Anyway, people are talking about you two already so nobody's gonna help you. Just wanted to warn you."
And with that, she turned to leave. Suddenly, she turned back to Akira.
"I dont know what you're up to, but stay away from Kamoshida."
With that final statement, she turned and disappeared around the corner. Once she was definitely gone, a sigh escaped Akira's lips.
Damn it. Kamoshida's on to us.
Meanwhile, Ryuji was still griping about Takamaki.
"Why's she gotta be so aggressive?"
Akira didn't think so. It sounded more of concern and worry.
What is she hiding?
Ryuji himself was worried as well. However, his worry was growing. Takamaki had mentioned Akira being close to that asshole. He couldn't imagine ger cozying up besides him. It was almost vomit inducing.
He shook his head.
"Anyway, she's not what we're here to talk about. Find anything out?"
Akira nodded.
"A boy named Mishima gets special coaching from Kamoshida."
Ryuji frowned. He knew the boy and he too was always covered in bruises.
"Is he still here? Maybe we can talk to him." She said.
"Yeah."
Turns out Mishima was a boy from her class, as well as the kid who got spiked by Kamoshida earlier. Up close, he was bruised and battered. Akira felt her heart twinge slightly at the sorry sight.
Ryuji didn't waste any time getting to the point with him.
"Sakamoto...? And Kurusu-san too!?"
He visible began to sweat. He took a few steps back as well.
Wow, we really must be a scary duo.
"Calm down, we just wanna talk. Kamoshida's been coaching you, right?"
The poor boy tensed.
"You sure it ain't physical abuse?" He continued.
"C-Certainly not!"
The conversation went on in repetition. Ryuji would say something against Kamoshida, but Mishima would respond with a meek excuse.
"What's going on here?"
Speak of the asshole himself.
Kamoshida waltzed up to them with a smug grin on his face. As he drew closer, Mishima audibly gulped.
"Mishima, isn't it time for practice?" He asked, turning to him.
"I-I'm not feeling well today." He mumbled, turning his head away from the daunting figure.
"What? Then maybe you're better off quitting." Kamoshida sighed.
Mishima didn't respond, prompting the square chin to continue.
"You're never going to improve that crappy form if you don't show up to practice."
Ryuji stood between the man and Mishima.
"Didn't you hear? He ain't feelin' well." He sneered.
Kamoshida glared down at the blonde boy and scoffed.
"Well? Are you coming to practice or not Mishima?"
"I'm coming..." He muttered.
He nodded and then looked back at Ryuji.
"Anymore trouble from you, and you'll be gone from this school for sure."
Ryuji grunted in response. He couldn't say anything without Kamoshida making things worse for them. The teacher then set his sights on Akira.
"Kurusu-san, I recommend you keep your distance from Sakamoto. He'll just drag you into unncessary trouble." He said with a grin.
She could sense Ryuji's growing anger, as was her own, but lashing out would make things worse for them.
"I... I see..." She mumbled.
Kamoshida grinned at her answer, and Akira hated that. She gritted her teeth and held in her hate.
"What's wrong Kursuru-san? You look as if you want to say something."
Her mouth moved before her mind could process her answers.
"You have an amazing strike."
The man stared at her for a while before breaking into a stupid grin.
"Thank you. I'm glad I was able to impress you."
He turned his focus back to Mishima.
"Let's go Mishima."
Kamoshida then turned to leave.
"Bastard..." Ryuji muttered.
It seemed Ryuji didn't say it quiet enough. Kamoshida stopped in his tracks but refused to face them.
"Shujin Academy is a place where thode with aspirations come to learn. Unworthy students don't have any right to be here."
The group remained silent.
"Remember what the principal said Kurusu-san. Stay in line."
She stiffened slightly as he words sank into her mind. With that, he took his leave.
"Get with the program!" He called as he walked away.
Mishima sighed and replied feebly. Ryuji walked forward but didn't chase after the volleyball coach.
"That asshole... He's gonna pay for this!"
"...There's no point."
Ryuji and Akira stared at the bruised boy. He looked dejected and hopeless as he spoke.
"Proving that he's physically abusing us is meaningless..."
"How can you say that?!" Ryuji yelled.
"Everybody knows... the principal... our parents... They all know and they all keep quiet."
"How can that be?" She said.
How can anyone sit back and pretend this isn't wrong?
"This has gotta be a joke!"
Mishima shook his head and sighed.
"...Don't be a pain. You don't understand what I'm going through. Shouldn't you of all peaople know nothing's going to help!?" He said, glaring at Ryuji.
Ryuji grunted and turned away. Akira couldn't help but glance at his leg. His permenant reminder of Kamoshida destroying his life. With that, Mishima jogged off towards the gym. As he left, her heart ached for him.
Poor Mishima..
"Dammit!"
Akira glanced at Ryuji.
"What now?" She asked.
He thought for a moment before answering.
"I'll try one more time to see if I can persuade the others... That's all I can do..."
Akira could sense the weakness he felt. As much as he wanted to help it seemed loke they've hit a roadblock.
"Ok. Good luck."
"See ya."
He watched as she disappeared into the throng of students. Unconsciously, his hands tightened into fists. He should've asked her about the rumors.
About her and Kamoshida.
Surely she had interest in that asshole. His mind wandered to the Akira from the other world.
Damn she looks good in a bikini...
He shook his head. Akira would kill him for thinking about that and he didn't want to be on the receiving end of her anger. Alone, he went back to find the volleyball players.
Yeah... There's no way she's into Kamoshida.
TAKE YOUR TIME
Akira made her way down the alley to Leblanc. It had been a long day.
So much happened...
As she headed up the stairs, Mishima's words echoed in her mind.
"Proving that he's physically abusing us is meaningless..."
"Everybody knows... the principal... our parents... They all know and they all keep quiet."
"How terrible..."
It shocked her that so many people could know of Kamoshida's crimes, but chose to remain silent. She laid in bed listening to the silence filling the attic.
He's going to pay.
Pi-Pi-Pi!
She sat up and grabbed her phone. Sure enough it was Ryuji.
Ryuji: Hey, this don't make any damn sense.
Akira: What do you mean?
Ryuji: The principal and even the parents know about the abuse. So why ain't anyone speaking up!?
Akira: Because of volleyball. The team is a big deal isn't it?
Ryuji: Yeah but that doesn't give you the right to do whatever you want. He's beating up kids and all they're allowed to do is endure it.
He was right.
Ryuji: And his follower doesn't seem to care.
She frowned at his text.
Akira: Follower?
Ryuji: Ann Takamaki? That girl from the courtyard, remember? Dude, she's in your class.
So her name is Ann...
Ryuji: I ain't giving up! I'll try looking around more during break tomorrow.
Akira: Ok good luck.
She yawned and dropped her phone besides the bed. Her thoughts drifted to everything that had happened today. Ann, Mishima, and Kamoshida...
TAKE YOUR TIME
Akira was in class the next time Ryuji texted her. She glanced at her teacher but he seemed distracted.
Ryuji: So about the witnesses... I was thinkin' we could talk to Takamaki.
Her eyes drifted to the back of the blonde's head. She was gazing out the window so it was safe to assume she wasn't paying attention either.
Akira: You think she'll help? She's not even on the team.
Ryuji: Just hear me out. Takamaki's BFFs with a girl on the team named Suzui. I tried talking to her during break but got nothing. Maybe Takamaki knows something.
In Akira's opinion, Takamaki definitely knew something. Something about her and Kamoshida's relationship was fishy. But she probably wouldn't talk to them.
Akira: I don't think she'll willingly help us out.
Ryuji: I guess it would be hard to get her to talk. Sorry, lemme see what else I can come out with.
It was nice to see Ryuji so invested in helping the people being abused.
He's such a nice guy.
The rest of class and the day went by uneventfully. As Akira made her way through the hall towards the courtyard, she spotted a lone girl with black hair with a bad bruise over her eye. She stood in front of the walkway door as she stared down at her phone.
She looked sad.
The girl turned her.
"What?" She said in a soft tone.
She blinked for a moment before realizing where she was.
"Oh... I'm in the way, aren't I? Sorry."
"Don't worry about it."
Akira bit her lip, staring at the girl a bit.
Is she part of the volleyball team?
"... Are you hurt?" She asked.
The girl held her arm and shifted back a bit, mumbling to herself.
"You don't look familiar. Are you by any chance the transfer student from Class D?"
Akira cringed. She nodded and braced herself. The rumors about her were still swirling around. God only knows what people told her. The girl looked away and Akira already knew what was coming next.
"This might not be my business, but don't let the rumors get to you. Ok?"
She blinked at her.
That was... unexpected...
Most people avoided her and spread more rumors relating to her. But her... she was so kind. She was worried about Akira more despite everything happening to her.
"Yeah. Thank you."
Her response seemed to cheer the downcast girl a bit.
"I'm glad to hear that... My best friend is often misunderstood too, all because of her looks..."
Akira hesitantly patted her shoulder.
"That sounds tough."
The girl shook her head and began apologizing for dragging on.
"Anyway, I have to get to practice. See you around..."
The girl walked away, limping slightly. Her heart ached as she went off. They had to hurry up and expose Kamoshida. Ryuji was already standing there, tapping his foot impatiently.
"Dammit. What the hell..." He muttered.
"Did you find someone?" She asked as she approached him.
"Is that what it looks like?"
She frowned at him.
"No need to be snippy..."
BANG!
Akira jumped at Ryuji's sudden movement. He had punched the vending machine out of no where.
"All of 'em kept saying the same shit Mishima was talkin' about! Kamoshida must've told 'em something!"
He took a deep breath and looked at her.
"At this rate... it looks like we'll have to go to him directly."
Akira shuddered at the thought. Just being near Kamoshida gave her a bad feeling. Confronting him on something like this would be ten times worse.
"Isn't there anything we can do? I can't give in like this! You got any ideas?"
No way they could go to the cops. Why would any sane officer believe two teenagers claiming they go into another world and saw Kamoshida's twisted self. Nor could they just attack the ass without being caught. But maybe...
"Let's punish the king." She said.
"The king? You mean that other Kamoshida?"
"Yeah. Let's take him on in the castle?"
The blonde scratched his head.
"Is there any meaning to-"
"Ah ha! I finally found you two!"
The pair looked around them but no one seemed to be nearby.
"Was that you?" Ryuji asked, clearly confused.
Akira shook her head.
That voice sounds familiar...
A black cat walked up besides her and hopped up on the table.
"Don't think you can get away with not paying me back for helping you."
She stared at the cat as Ryuji's jaw dropped.
"Morgana? Is that really you?" She asked, leaning towards it.
The cat ignored the question.
"How dare you two just up and leave me the other day!"
"The cat's talkin'!?"
Ryuji stared at it in utter shock. From the look on Morgana's face, Akira was sure of the next words that would come out of its mouth.
"I am NOT a cat! This is just what I looked like when I came to this world."
"Wait you came to our world!? Does that mean you got a phone too?"
Akira facepalmed at his actions. He was getting a bit too excited by this.
"You don't need one at my level. But I did get pretty lost along the way."
These two are ridiculous...
"That aside why can you talk? You're a cat!"
Akira sighed as the cat and Ryuji continued to take jabs at each other. Morgana truthfully had no idea why he could talk, but it was soon discovered only Ryuji and Akira could understand him. Bystanders only heard the cute call of a cat.
"I heard you two were having a rough time. I could tell you a thing or two about Kamoshida."
"Tell us more then!" Ryuji urged.
Akira shook her head.
"This isn't the best place to talk. There's people around."
"You're right..."
Ryuji grabbed Morgana by the back of his neck, prompting him to hiss.
"Here put him in your bag."
"Ryuji! Be more gentle with him."
Akira scooped Morgana up and petted his head.
"Normally I wouldn't allow you to treat me like this but it seems I have no other choice." The cat said.
He purred as Akira scratched its head.
"I forgot you like cats... Come on let's head to the roof."
She nodded and gentle zipped Morgana up before following Ryuji.
Sorry for the wait guys. I wanted to make the chapter longer but it feels as if its just dragging along. Morgana's finally here and things arw about to get juicy by next chapter. I hope you enjoyed. Have a nice day.
