Chapter 8: Beyond the Battleground
|Kansei High School – Class 2-1|8:24 am|
The school day was just about to begin, starting with Mrs Suzuki's Biology class. However, after last night's fierce battle against the 'Claret Squad', Shintaro wasn't quite feeling the same zeal for studying as normal. He had looked left and right on his way to school to check if he had been followed. Thankfully, neither of the three delinquents that Bythos had scrounged up was on his tail, and he had made it to school safely.
Kohaku seemed anxious herself. As she was checking her ordinary phone, she yawned, drawing the attention of some of the class.
"That was a pretty big yawn, Kohaku-chan. In fact, you and Shintaro look a little sleepy. You two okay?" Akari asked, staring at her three classmates.
"Yeah, of course," Kohaku said, somewhat sternly. "I didn't sleep that well last night."
"I don't blame you. What with this weird new post that Bythos put up." Akari said.
"Huh? Bythos?!" Shintaro said.
"Yeah...lemme show you the news article." Akari said, holding her phone out so the other three could see it.
Bythos Makes Threat
Posted 9 minutes ago
On Sunday, Bythos claimed on their website and social media feeds that the Chief of Police, currently recovering from a car accident in Hanashima Hospital in Mizuho, had inside knowledge of undisclosed secrets. They allege that the city council made an attempt on his life.
Today, Bythos made the following post at 6:15 am, which has trended and been shared faster than any of their previous messages.
"We demand the full truth regarding the city's budget be disclosed. The public deserves to know what truly goes on behind closed doors. Especially if a secret department has been set up without its purpose disclosed. If the council ignores our demands, and we do not have the truth by dawn tomorrow, then we will do whatever must be done as per the Pleroma Princess' wishes. You can choose to sheathe our sword, or watch as we bathe the island of flowers with blood."
The council denied these allegations in their statement this morning and urged the public not to be 'led astray' by the group. Shigeru Komatsu, of the Shinshuto City Council, stated the following.
"The allegations spouted by Bythos are categorically false and are not based on any facts. The Chief of Police's car accident was purely that, an accident. We wish him a speedy recovery. For the sake of his family and friends, I implore Bythos to retract all of their previous accusations, or else they may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
While the police have begun routine investigations, the names of the members of Bythos have not been made public, nor has the size of their organization been established.
"That's...unsettling," Kei said. "I wonder if this Komatsu person is fanning the flames..."
"Ah, it's probably just some bored college guy doing this as a joke. Who believes Bythos, anyway?" Akari asked.
"They've got quite a few people singing their praises. Not exactly the sort of people I'd say are of sound mind and body, but even so, if their numbers continue to increase, we could have a real problem on our hands." Kei said.
"...We?" Akari said, confused.
"Yeah! What if people from this school were from Bythos?" Shintaro said. "Or people who you say every day?"
"Don't be stupid!" Akari said, rolling her eyes. "No one in this school would ever be like that. Nor anyone I know. There's no one in my life that's horrible enough to join Bythos."
"Well, all Shintaro means is that we shouldn't take Bythos too lightly." Kei said, seriously.
"You guys are worrying over nothing. I bet you anything they'll track down their IP address and find it's just some troll trying to look smart." Akari said.
Or a crazy lady with god knows how many soldiers at her disposal. I'm sure she wouldn't leave any traces normal people would catch. And she doesn't need to try to look smart. She's playing everything for fools – except us. The three people with a Gnosis that aren't on her side. Unless there are others like us?
Kohaku, uneasy, cleared her throat. "So what are you all doing after school?"
"Me? I'm just going to the supermarket to pick up some supplies, then I'm heading up to my dorm." Kei said. "Nothing that exciting planned. What about you, Akari-san?"
"I'm going for a walk in Midori Park. That's in Mizuho." Akari said. "Then when I get back home, I'm going to take Akiko out for another walk around the neighbourhood."
"Sounds nice." Shintaro said. "Well, I've not got any plans yet. What about you, Kohaku-chan?"
"Nothing concrete, but I want to take a look around Tarumi." Kohaku said.
"Ah, 'Where Harmony Gathers'. As it was described in my travel guide." Kei said, amused.
"What'd it say for Totsuka?" Akari asked.
"Hmm...'Where Greatness Gathers'." Kei said.
"Oh yeah. They've started coming up with slogans like that for all six of the city's wards. Mizuho is 'Where Benevolence Gathers', Asakita is 'Where Happiness Gathers', Ginumi is 'Where Excitement Gathers', and Hiyashi is 'Where Prosperity Gathers'.
"Hmm...I just hope I get to experience all six while I'm here. Greatness, benevolence, happiness, excitement, harmony, and prosperity. This city better live up to expectations."
"I sure hope so," Shintaro said. "And Bythos better not get in our way."
The school day continued, with the students determined to get through it without incident. The Claret Squad were in hiding...for now.
|Tarumi Ward – Orchestral Avenue|16:24 pm|
One of two wards in the city facing the sea, Tarumi had rapidly become known as a destination for theatre-goers, with grand theatres on almost every corner. Most performances were sold out, and there were several lounge bars around playing beautiful piano melodies throughout the night. Everything about Tarumi exuded class. While the other sea-facing district, Ginumi, had the more impressive beach, Kohaku loved Tarumi with all her heart.
"Maybe it's just me, but today was harder than I thought it'd be..." Kohaku said, just as the Sodai Concert Hall came into view.
"I think you're right," Shintaro said. "I don't remember Suzuki-sensei's lectures being so hard."
"Can we really balance being students at the same time as this stuff with Bythos?" Kohaku asked.
"I don't know," Shintaro said, seriously pondering this. "But we have to try. I refuse to give up. Not after meeting their henchmen last night."
"They're out there in our real world, right?" Kohaku asked. "Or do you think they spend all their time in the Theio Kosmos?"
"I want to know how this Bythos group started to begin with," Shintaro said, anxious. "It's like a murder mystery novel..."
"Oh, like that French series you like!" Kohaku said. "Still can't believe you learned French just to read all of Les Miserables in its original language. Most people would just google the translated lyrics to I Dreamed A Dream."
"French is a beautiful language. Provided you can understand it like me." Shintaro said, grinning. "So, what's our itinerary?"
"First of all, I'd like to go to Sodai Box Office and purchase some tickets," Kohaku said. "My mother might have some time off coming up, so perhaps we can both go. But she said that last month, and you know how that turned out."
Although she tried to look away, Shintaro knew her too well. Her eyes were welling up, and although she was smiling, it was a half-hearted attempt. One that quickly faltered.
"Hey, don't cry. Your parents still love you, right?" Shintaro asked.
"I know that. Really, I do, but it's just..." Kohaku said. "It's not that fun having the house to myself. It's empty all the time, and there's no one to have dinner with me, hear me practice..."
"Things will get better, right?" Shintaro asked.
"I really hope so," Kohaku said. "But let's focus on the task at hand."
Soon, they were inside the box office, minutes later, in the queue. Kohaku heard her phone vibrate, and reached for her phone, but accidentally took out her Gnosis.
"Oh, no..."
She quickly put it back in, just as the man in front of her turned around, preparing to leave. Dressed in a luxurious black business suit, he was clearly of a high position. Shintaro saw the stern, fierce expression in his eyes, and shuddered a little. His black hair was slicked back, and he had a slight stubble.
"So Dad, are you coming to my audition next week or not? Mom said she'd go!"
There was a boy in a Kansei uniform as well with the man, however, his tie was a pale red – indicating he was a first-year student. However, he was actually a little taller than Shintaro, with a handsome face and freshly cut brown hair. Unlike the bookish student, he had some muscle definition.
"I don't know if I can make it just yet. I'll see what I can do first, of course." The man said, managing a small smile.
"Hope you can make it this time, cause you were a no-show the last three times, and I never even got a call-back for – oh, you two are Kansei too?" The boy asked.
"Yes, that's right. We're in the second year." Kohaku said, politely. "I'm -"
"Noburo, can we pick up the pace? We've got places to be." The man said sternly. Kohaku frowned at him, while Shintaro gulped.
"Aww..." 'Noburo' said. "Guess I'll see you around at school. Bye!" Leaving, he waved goodbye and ran after his father.
"Huh," Shintaro said. "Everything's been such a blur with all the Persona stuff. I've not really thought about the first-year students."
"I'm sure we'll get a chance to speak to him later," Kohaku said. "I wonder if he's going to see the same show as me?"
Shintaro, confused, looked at her. "Which show is that?"
"Aika Makino." Kohaku said, happily. She pointed to one of the posters on the back wall, behind a rather snooty looking lady at the sales desk. There, standing on stage in front of red curtains, was a petite lady with short white hair. Pale, but with light pink eyeshadow and lipstick, she had a classy look to her. In a silky, flowing deep pink dress, Shintaro admired her beauty.
"Hmm, I don't think I've heard any of her music..." Shintaro said.
"I only just discovered her, actually," Kohaku said. "But she's got a beautiful voice. And she plays all her own instruments. Her new album Forest Memories is out in a few weeks, so she's doing a few shows to promote it."
"Interesting," Shintaro said. "I might have to give her a listen."
"It's not the kind of music you'd play if you want to get lost in a book," Kohaku said. "For her music...I kind of want to shut off all my senses. So I can hear every single sound."
"Always the audiophile, Haku-chan." Shintaro said. "Course..." He pulled out a receipt from his pocket, one from a few weeks ago he had forgotten to dispose of. It listed seven different books, each one he had bought 'on a whim'. "I'm the bibliophile."
"Yup. And don't you forget it." Kohaku said, sticking her tongue out. After she paid for the tickets to see Aika Makino's Forest Memoriesshow on the 22nd of April, she and Shintaro left for the nearby cinema, the Great Dominion.
It's like nothing about Gnosis, Bythos, or Personas ever happened. I just wonder, were we to fail to stop Bythos, what would become of this city? Or ourselves? I don't want to think about that. I just want to see a movie and forget all my troubles.
The two friends entered the cinema, grateful for a day without fighting for one's life. Which was ironic, considering they were going to see a war film.
|Mizuho – Midori Park|16:16 pm|
Akari, humming along to a song Kohaku had shared on her social media feed, was walking through Mizuho's Midori Park, a quiet place away from the usual hustle and bustle of the city. Her friend Suzu was out shopping in the many stores that thrived in Hiyashi, but today Akari felt like peace and harmony.
As she walked down a tree-lined path of the park, she smiled as she saw some birds flying overhead. Looking around, everything seemed normal in Mizuho, with the Hanashima Hospital close by, and she could make out the Chieki Academy further ahead. A nice place, where everyone seemed to treat each other as friends. People just seemed to be more charitable here.
Everything's so nice in Shinshuto this year. I wonder why Kohaku and Shintaro looked so stressed by all this Bythos stuff? I know she's at home alone a lot, but the worst that's happened to Shintaro is probably getting a paper cut from a book.
As she reached the wider stone path in front of the pond, however, she saw a group of girls crowded around a tall man in a crisp black suit. Akari gasped. It was Keiya Tsukino, the card magician she was telling Kei about. Seeing him in person was breathtaking, and she blushed at the sight. Alas, it seemed she had arrived at the tail end of the act.
Aww, I missed the whole show. But wow! He's so calm, cool and collected. And he's kind of gorgeous too. Oh god, I better not say that in front of anyone!
"Wow!" An obnoxious girl said. "You have GOT to tell me how you did that!"
"It's all in the cards, madam," Keiya said, with a deep, suave tone. "Ah, a latecomer. It's a pity you missed most of the show."
"Yeah, I guess! But maybe next time!" Akari said.
"Don't run away just yet. I'd like to perform at least one card spell for you. Madam, what is your favourite suit of cards?" Keiya asked.
"Good question. I'd say...Hearts?" Akari said, giggling.
Without a delay, Keiya shuffled his cards. Akari and the other girls watched in awe, as he masterfully glided each card. Finally, he finished. As he did, however, Akari thought she felt her blazer move.
"Excellent. Hmm..." Keiya said. He displayed his cards to the group. "I have all the Spades, Clubs, and Diamonds. But as you can see, the Hearts have completely vanished."
"No way!" A girl in a blue uniform said. "But I saw them when you were shuffling them a moment ago!"
"Indeed. But they've all vanished. Where could they be?" Keiya said, putting on a mystified air. Akari, hesitantly, put her hand in the right-hand pocket of her blazer.
Huh?! But he never even touched me!
Akari, stunned, pulled out a set of playing cards. Turning them around, she checked – all of the Hearts were there, from 2 to the Ace.
"How did you do that?" Akari asked.
"Like I said. It's in the cards." Keiya said. "A true magician never reveals his secrets, no matter the phase of the moon."
"I love it when he says that!" The obnoxious girl said.
"Same! LOL!" Her friend said. Akari, while abhorred that someone would actually say 'LOL' out loud, was still amazed at what had just happened. In silence, she gave the Hearts cards back to Keiya, who shuffled them back into his cards.
"I hope you all enjoyed that, ladies. I'll be performing in the Shinuta Hall in Golden Week, with some more advanced favourites of mine on display. I hope to see you all there." Keiya said. He took a bow, and made his way down the forested path.
"Ooh, Keiya-sama! Marry me!" The obnoxious girl said.
"No, not her! Me!" The text-speak freak said.
"I can't blame them. He's such a charmer." An older woman said.
"Indeed. It's strange, though. I'm sure I remember his name from somewhere. Was he in a TV show or something?" Another woman said. "Oh, it'll come to me."
The girls went their separate ways. Akari's heart was pounding, however. How had Keiya pulled off that trick? She had never even met him until today. Only shared a few videos of his online. So he couldn't possibly have arranged this with her beforehand.
She looked down the path, and saw Keiya taking out a phone from his pocket. From a distance, it looked like a stylish, streamlined black model.
"Wait a second. Isn't that the same one Kei has...?" Akari said. Keiya continued walking while looking at the phone. He seemed rather fixated on something, but what, she didn't know. Still confused, she went to her favourite bench. Soon, she took her mind off the whole thing by admiring the ducks swimming up and down the pond.
Before long, she was back at her neighbourhood, feeling more relaxed. Upon further reflection, she suddenly starting thinking about that Gnosis phone.
I thought I saw one just like it in Kohaku's bag today. And I swore Shintaro was putting one into his pocket before I got into the classroom. Even Keiya has one. Are these really cool phones that everyone's gotta have? Maybe I ought to look into ordering one online next time I need to order dog food.
With a smile, she came back home, greeted by a stern mother, a tired father, and a rather excitable Shiba Inu puppy.
|Mizuho - Chieki Academy|16:30 pm|
In the Mizuho district to the north was the Chieki Academy, a meticulously designed building almost regal in structure. In the school's courtyard, surrounded by a light green metal fence, was a beautiful ancient tree that had been planted when the school was first founded. That had been nearly a hundred years ago, and the tree had grown to a tremendous height and splendour.
Sitting by the tree was Natsumi Yoshinaga, checking her phone, while waiting for her friend. Her brother had left to the baseball practice ground with several friends from school, but she wasn't particularly interested in watching. None of his friends was particularly cute in her eyes, anyway.
"Natsumi-chan!"
A younger girl ran up, in the same green uniform, but with deep pink socks that matched her short, yet spiky hair. Her eyes flicked with passion – a trait that many of her fans had complimented her on. For she was Asasmi Hamasaki, or 'Hama-sama', who ran a popular video blog. It had taken off last year, and was still going strong.
"Hey, Asami!" Natsumi said, smiling. "What kept you?"
"Oh, the usual..." Asami said. "Just had to schedule when my next video's getting uploaded. It has to be the right time to get the most views, shares, etc."
"You sure plan these things out..." Natsumi said, smiling.
"Of course I do! Koyanagi-sensei doesn't get it though. Remember that huge lecture he gave me about the evils about the internet age? What a boring old man. No wonder he's unmarried. Sucks that he's our homeroom teacher."
"I know. I wonder if the teachers in Kansei are any better...?" Natsumi said.
"I dunno. Some of the commenters probably go there, so I could ask them to tell me what's it's like. Why, do you prefer their uniforms?" Asami asked.
"Not really. To be honest, I wish I could wear a red one..." Natsumi said. "...You remember that story I told you about middle school, right?"
"...About you and Masato-kun?" Asami asked.
"Yeah. We were friends with a guy and girl called Shintaro and Kohaku, ever since elementary school. But then Masato and I ended up in a bad crowd. All I thought about was being popular...cool...stylish. There were some beautiful girls there who everyone was in love with. I wanted to get that kind of attention, not just blend in the background." Natsumi said. "I...I stopped hanging out with Kohaku, because my new friends thought she was just a boring academic type."
"Natsumi-chan, you're crying..." Asami said, sadly.
"No, I'm not! Honestly!" Natsumi said, wiping her eyes. "The girls said that if I didn't stop hanging out with Kohaku, they'd make my life hell. So I told her to leave me alone. I think Kohaku knew what was going on...but she was so disappointed in me. I know now...I should have put our friendship above everything else."
"We all make mistakes," Asami said. "It must have been hard on both of you..."
"Our brother Hideki..." Natsumi said. "He's finally become a teacher. The whole family's proud of him. But he's teaching at Kansei, not here. Me and Masato came to see him before we went out for dinner at Bella Donna...and we saw them."
"So that's why you were asking about that school..." Asami said. "Shintaro still hates your brother for what happened as well...right?"
"After middle school, I was scared that we'd end up in the same high school together. But out parents thought Chieki would be the best place for us. It seemed like a fresh start, a chance to forget what happened." Natsumi said. "Now my brother wants to try to talk things over with Shintaro."
"Is that even going to be worthwhile?" Asami said, raising one of her eyebrows. "What Masato-kun did was pretty terrible. It's not something you can just easily forgive and forget. If someone destroyed one of my grandfather's mementoes, I'd...I'd get them back, big time."
"You'd post a video calling them out, right?" Natsumi asked.
"Well, maybe more than that," Asami said. "If Masato thinks he can clear the air, he can try. But some things just aren't meant to be. It might make him feel better, but it won't undo what he did to his grandfather's legacy. He should just let things be."
Natsumi looked at her feet, sadly. Perhaps Asami was right. Putting all her hopes on this Kei girl was probably doomed to failure.
"Look, forget all this sad stuff," Natsumi said. "Those two are in Kansei, and we're in Chieki." She stood up, while Asami looked on. "You're my best friend now, anyway."
"Hehe! It's always fun making videos about your clothing designs." Asami said, happily. "I just wish I could wear some of them in my videos. You got any new numbers planned?"
"There was this dress I had in my mind. Still trying to get all the details down on papers." Natsumi said. "Come on, let's hit Kita Crossing! I need inspiration!"
"Okay!" Asami said, excitedly. The two of them made their way out of the school, talking and laughing about little things in their lives. For Natsumi, if she could avoid losing Asami the same way she lost Kohaku, then everything would turn out fine.
|Mizuho – Baseball Field|18:53 pm|
Masato, still sweaty from a fierce game of baseball with his friends, was looking up at the sky. The baseball team at his school were due to face off with Kansei later this year, and a lot of pressure was on Masato to excel. His talents had been praised by most. Even Natsumi was impressed.
Today, he had been off his game, much to his friend's frustrations. All because he couldn't get beyond middle school. One minute, he was at the bat, preparing to hit harder than ever, the next he was back in that rainy, muddy courtyard, surrounded by jeers and the anguished cries of his former friends.
"Masato, NO! Don't! That was my grandfather's book! The only copy that ever got published! You know how long it took me to find it! Please, you can't do this!"
"Natsumi, stop him! Please! I'm begging you! Don't let your brother destroy that book!"
"Oi! Masato! You're tough, right? Show me! Rip that crappy old thing into as many pieces you can! Yeah, that's it! Oh look, they're all in the mud now. That book looked dirt cheap anyway! Guess it's where it belongs now!"
"Oi, baby bro. Your carriage awaits."
Masato was shaken by the appearance of his brother. Sighing, he got up, with his sports bag in tow.
"Hey, chin up. You'll do better next time." Hideki said.
"Did you speak to that Kei girl?" Masato asked.
"I didn't get a chance. It's a busy job, being a teacher. You ought to show yours some respect. Even if Koyanagi makes it his mission to crush every student's dreams." Hideki said, arm around his brother's shoulder, as they headed home.
"Guess it's not that easy to just approach her about something like this," Masato said. "Maybe I should just try and forget all about it. It's not worth stirring up all those old memories."
"Really? It's not like you to just quit something. Well, other than shogi. Dad never did get any of his kids into that game." Hideki said. "Point is, you don't give up on what's important. I sure didn't."
"But that's studying. That's something I can do, even if it's boring as hell next to baseball." Masato said. "Look. I said I'll think of something, and I will. But it might take some time."
Masato, although not convinced, nodded. The two of them started to drive home, to the large Yoshinaga household. Run by their overbearing mother, there had been many times the boys – and Natsumi – dreaded coming here. But it was home, nevertheless.
"Damn, mother's going to be talking my ear off about wedding plans again. Setsuna can't stand how much Mom wants to control our big day. Even as an adult, she's still treating me like a kid." Hideki said, turning around the corner.
"Guess there's no escaping her fiery wrath. Joy." Masato, not feeling in the mood for conversation, looked inside his sports bag.
Huh?
There, on top of the towels, was a black smartphone. Masato didn't recognise it at all – it certainly wasn't his, and neither Natsumi or Hideki had recently bought new phones.
It looks kinda weird. And feels a bit strange too. It probably belongs to some of the guys, and it got mixed up somehow. I'll give it back tomorrow. Weird, I don't think I've seen this make before.