4/10 Early Morning


"Sherioshly man, thanksh fer the help." The drunkard I was helping back to his apartment, his arm over my shoulders and my hand to his side to keep him balanced as we went up the stairs of his building, belched out. The stink of alcohol invades my sinuses and makes my head spin, but I manage to deal with it well enough.

"You're welcome." I try my best to sound kind, but the warping effect of my synthesizer and my admitted annoyance at the man's need to unload his issues onto my lap makes my voice sound like a low sneer. Though it doesn't seem to bother him much, if at all.

"But yous get where I'm commin from, yeah?" He deliriously asks, and I'm at a loss as how to respond. All I've been doing as he talked to me is nod and agree with whatever he went on about, so I have no idea what he's referring to.

"Of course." I continue the pattern, and mercifully I see his apartment door as we clear the final steps, practically dragging him by this point.

"This ish me." He chirps, grabbing his keys as I sidle him against his door. He unlocks it and enters, but before he closes the door, he turns to me and starts pointing his finger into my chest. "Hey, now, I know that you mask types always hav'ta work n' help people like that, but don't work too hard, kay? Try n' have a little fun now and then, huh?"

'… It seems like you have too much fun yourself.' I leave the comment in my mind, and accept the friendly advice for what it is. Still, the fact that I pried this individual off the sidewalk, face first in his own vomit, it unfortunately lost some of its intended impact. Even so, advice is advice. "Thank you, sir." I bow as I prepare to leave. "Have a good night. Or, well, morning." I look towards skyline, and I can see the telltale signs of the sun starting to rise in the horizon. If I had to guess, it was nearing five in the morning. 'Besides, with all that happens in this city, I don't have time to relax.' My brows furrow at the thought as it creeps its way to the forefront of my mind unbidden, but I ignore it for the moment.

"Hah! Least you've got a sense of humor!" … I do? Before I could ponder further what he just said, he closes his door, and I can hear him fall onto the ground in his entrance way. His snoring quickly follows afterwards.

'... He should be fine.' I turn towards the rail and get on top of it. Getting a better look at the skyline, I can see the rays of sun glinting off the small windows of the various apartment buildings. 'I probably have to stop for today.' I let out an annoyed sigh at the thought, as I felt like I hadn't done as much as I usually do when on patrol. A part of me can't help but feel particularly annoyed that the last major thing I did was help a drunk man get home. I let out a sigh at the thought, and it comes out as a metallic rumble.

'Maybe I can stay out a little bit longer?' With that idea in mind, I go for the compartment on my belt that holds a phone I designed to be used specifically when I'm out like this, as I hacked into various cell towers in the city in order for it to work and not be able to be traced back to me in any way. However, when I open the latch only to feel nothing, I look down into it only to see empty space. I quickly check the rest of the belt and am greeted with the same disappointing results.

'How could I have-' Before I could finish that question, I flash back to last night when I was about to get ready before I was interrupted by Sakura's conversation on the phone. When he was talking to... "Damnit." I growl out as I remember the episode I had afterwards, and all of the pent-up agitation that had been building up in me throughout the day. When I was finally able to just get my costume out, I must have been in such a rush that I would make such an idiotic mistake as forgetting my 'work' phone. I slam the pocket closed, hitting the side of my hip in frustration.

Taking a moment to look at my surroundings, I take a calming breath before I lightly jump off, shooting out strands of web onto the small apartment buildings that made up the area. I had wound up all the way in Nerima ward, so the low and spacious buildings made for difficult travel with my web shooters. Still, I could easily manage if I put enough force into my swings, so as I reached the end of my arc, I push my lower body outwards, letting go of my web as I do so. The refreshing chill of the morning air rushes past me, and helps to cool down my body as well as ease my tempered mood. Unfortunately for me, it soon turns into an ever present cold that I could easily do without. The new rush of stimulus only succeeds in worsening my quickly declining mood, and I begin to pick up my pace in order to back to the café as quickly as possible.

As I continue this pattern on a return course to the cafe, I begin to recap the events of last night and early morning. 'Prevented a human trafficking event. Stopped a couple from getting mugged. Prevented several overdoses. Interrupted a drug deal. Stopped a variety of assaults, and finally, helped a drunk man get home.' I scan over the various events in my head, and convince myself that I had done enough for tonight. It had been a relatively slow evening when compared to my usual outings, but I could easily chalk that up to the fact that I was patrolling different wards than I was used to. As such, I still hadn't gotten a feel for the area. Didn't do anything to make me feel as if I had done anything of note when the evening was nearing its end. Even so getting angry won-

A loud burst, followed by metal scratching against concrete. My chest feels as if it collapses in on itself at hearing the familiar sound, but I manage to stifle it enough to look down to the road I was currently swinging over. A car's front tire had burst, causing it to dangerously careen forwards despite the driver's best attempts at applying the brake. I look ahead of the vehicle, and I feel a cold sweat break out across my skin as I notice the intersection the car was careening into was occupied by a bus. I could see the passengers from my spot in the air begin to panic.

Drowning out any apprehension I feel, I shoot out a web onto a building at such a low angle that I begin to descend at a greater speed than my previous leisurely swings. When I reach the rising arc of my swing, I let go of the web and twist through the air, landing on the hood of the car. The driver's eyes widen in shock and terror, letting out a shriek as he sees me. Not letting him distract me, I shoot out two webs onto the road, but made sure to keep my little finger on the firing mechanism. The way it worked was, depending on the amount of pressure on it, it would control the speed of web released, so by keeping only one finger on it I would be able to hasten the deceleration of the vehicle. The issue wasn't that my webs weren't elastic enough to slow down the vehicle. In fact, it would probably be the more effective option. But, if I were to simply let go of the button immediately, I'd likely crush the front of the car due to the immediate force of stopping it and seriously injure the driver.

So, with all of that in mind, I increased my grip on the webs that were slowly lengthening themselves as the car went closer to the bus in the intersection. Traffic in front of it had stopped, so it had no chance of escaping the potential crash.

"Come on." I seethe out through gritted teeth. The vehicle was slowing down, but we were still going fast enough to cause damage to the bus. Looking back, I could see the quickly closing distance becoming smaller and smaller. Thinking quickly, I repositioned myself onto the vehicle's front bumper and began to push back with my feet, slowly straightening my body into a planking position. I started to dig into the front of the car and buckle it, but my plan had worked well enough, as we slowed down at a considerable rate. As we got closer and closer to the bus, we were at a speed where it wouldn't do any damage whatsoever, and I eventually started to push myself against the glass windshields of the opposing vehicle until my head and entire back were against its side as we came to a stop. I peered into the bus and saw the scared passengers, their eyes widening in disbelief at what they were seeing.

"Did you see that?!"

"We're okay?"

"Who's the dude in the mask?"

I hear the various conversations and questions erupt inside, but I ignore them as I let go of the webs and disembark from the car's bumper. I snag my leg on one of the warped ends of the front, causing me to slightly trip up. I manage to catch myself before I fall, and as I get up, I look at the front bumper and see the damage and twistedmetalleakingfluidsbrokenenginepartssplittinginalldirections-

'No,' my breathing starts coming out in quick gasps, 'not now.' The world around me begins to swim into a twisted after image of people merging together, my lungs feel like they're about to collapse, and I hear the blaring of ambulance sirens, even though there are none to be seen. 'Damnit.' All of the feelings I had been holding back hit me with full force, and I absently hear the sound of tires screech across the pavement, even though there are none moving due to the incident that just transpired. I try to slow my breathing, but my throat feels as if it's trying to close in on itself, and every breath I take in I quickly exhale back out.

"Is he okay?" I hear one of the passengers of the bus say, and as I look up, I see someone standing above me.

'Above me?' My mind asks itself, and it takes a second to realize that I'm on the ground, my legs having given out at seeing the small damage I had inflicted on the car. The person overlooking me asks another question, but it comes out a warbled static, and soon, the image of a paramedic begins to superimpose itself onto them.

'Get away!' I rush to my feet, startling the person standing over me. I pay them no mind and dash away from the scene, nearly running into streetlamp and toppling it. I quickly jump into an alley and begin to haphazardly swing away from the scene. My breath comes in with small gasps, not even taking a moment to exhale, and the influx of air means I can barely focus on what's around me. My vision continues to blur, and the world still warps and spasms in afterimages of days gone by. I bring a hand up to try and rub at my eyes through my lenses, closing them from behind them to force the images from my sight. Opening them, I can more easily see in front of me and-

I hastily let go of the web I was holding and bring my arms up to cover my head as I violently crash into the side of a building. Bouncing off the now cracked concrete, I fall onto to the ground in an undignified heap. The pain that rushes through me feels like i just hit the side of a tank, and the concrete i writhe against feels as though its going to shear my skin of from how I was rubbing against it. Even though my body was so resistant to injury, my senses made every small scrap feel worse than it actually was.

'Breath.' I try to get my breathing under control as I writhe on the ground. The cold of the asphalt and the pain of the impact helps to give my mind something to focus on, and my quickly rising chest helps me know how fast I'm actually breathing. I use every time it takes in air against the pavement as a measure in how to slow down my hyperventilation. My back spasms in pain from time to time due to my enhanced senses, but it soon subsides in tandem with every calming breath I take. In an effort to take my mind off of the accident I helped avert, I open my senses to the immediate area and listen to the various mundanities around me.

A man; getting up to go to work. He gives his wife a kiss on the cheek before he leaves the bed.

A woman; throwing up. Groans about having too much to drink last night.

A man; snoring. He's still asleep.

As I listen to the various noises around me, my breathing slows down, and my body stops twitching uncontrollably. I close my eyes, breathing into my nose and then out my mouth in calm, collected motions. I bring a hand up to my forehead to wipe away the sweat that had formed, only to meet the fabric of my mask. Letting out a pained sigh, I push myself up from the ground, limping slightly from a pain that shot up my leg. I walk over to the side of a building and rest against it for a bit, regaining my breath and taking a moment to let whatever pain was left from my crash pass.

… While it might not be wise, I reach out with my senses back to the scene of the averted crash site, readying myself before I do so.

People huddled around the area; firemen and ambulance personnel are on the scene, checking any people for wounded. The only one with any physical issues is the driver of the car that nearly crashed. Neck soreness and potential whiplash from me stopping it the way I did.

I feel a pang of guilt for that, and for the fact that I had damaged the man's car. Hopefully insurance would be able to cover any problems he might have had.

'... Even after all this time, things like that still bother me more than dealing with hardened criminals.' My eyes narrow at the bitter irony of the thought. I shake my head at an attempt to clear things like that from my mind. Pushing off the wall, I reach a hand upwards and begin to slowly crawl upwards, not making any exaggerated movements in order to lessen the strain on my now sore body. As I reached the top, I walked over to the edge and looked out past the buildings. I see the clouds lighting up with the rays of the sun, signifying that it was highly likely past five, five thirty at best. 'No sleep for me tonight.' Well, morning technically.

With that thought in mind, I jumped off the building and resumed my trek back at a quickened pace. I would have to clean myself up in order to look presentable to my new school.


4/10 Morning


After finally arriving to Leblanc and climbing back in through the window, I rip my masks off, grab the box I found my costume in and search through it, eventually finding my left behind work phone.

'Stupid mistake.' Making a mental note to not forget it the next time I went out, I grab it and tap the screen in order to check the time. Six twenty-three, meaning I didn't have much time to get ready. So, I rushed my costume and utilities off, put them to the bottom of the box, and grabbed my hygiene kit, slipping on a simple pair of jeans and sweatshirt before heading down to the bathroom of the café. As I step in and turn on the light, I see myself in the mirror's reflection. I give myself a quick inspection, checking to see that no bruises or cuts had formed from my encounter with the side of a building. Thankfully, there were none.

There weren't even any bags under my eyes. I didn't feel tired when I got back, which was one of the few things I was thankful for when it came to my abilities. It might not be healthy, but given what happened on my way back, it was probably for the best that I didn't try and get some sleep. I likely wouldn't have been able to.

Moving on from that, I grab my toothbrush and begin to clean myself. The smell of the paste invades my throat and the foam from my brushing begins to leak over into the sink due to how thoroughly I'm scrubbing my teeth, and after twenty minutes I come to a stop. I spit out the foam and wash it out, the feeling of scum being replaced by the layer of mint flavoring. I wash my mouth even more in order to get rid of that. The smell and feeling of mint being ever present in my mouth would make me feel sick after a while.

Finishing up and exiting the café, I walk over towards the public bathhouse that was just across from the place. I felt a little guilty just leaving the door to the café unlocked, but given my enhanced sense, I would be able to easily see if anyone tried to break in. Moving on, the bathhouse was open, even this early, so I quickly entered and was met with the sight of the elderly gentleman who owned the place at the front desk. He had his head buried into a book, but he looked up towards me for a quick moment from the top of his glasses, a bored expression on his face. He quickly looked back to his book, and I absently looked at the title, seeing the words 'Arsene Lupin, Gentleman Thief.'

"Good morning." I softly spoke up, but only received a grunt as acknowledgement. There was an awkward pause as I waited for any other sort of word from the owner, until he lazily pointed to a sign on the wall to the right of me that showcased the various prices for admission and types of luxuries that were made available depending on what was spent.

Grabbing some money from my wallet and putting it on the counter, I choose the cheapest option available and walk into the empty bathhouse. Before I undress, I check to see that I'm alone, even though the privacy curtain that divided the entrance from the changing stalls ensured I would be. Even a quick glance told me that I was the only one in the bathhouse at the time. Still, considering what I was looking for as I undressed, I couldn't be too careful.

As I took my shirt off, I looked to my chest, and was mercifully not disappointed at what I didn't manage to find. Despite my fears, there was no visible damage from my run in. While there were still tinges of tightness, and my side still felt somewhat raw, it seemed that my healing factor managed to do its job well enough.

Finishing my inspection, I fully undressed and grabbed my toiletries, entering the bath and begin to scrub away all of the grime and sweat that had built up last night. Raking the sponge across my skin with a feverish pace, I can feel the chemicals of the shampoo practically embed themselves into my skin until I bring a cleansing batch of water to take it away. One of the novelties of using cheap shampoo was that it didn't feel as though it clung to my skin quite as much as the more expensive brands, and I could handle the aroma with less difficulty and general annoyance throughout the day as it eventually went away. It's not that it bothered me to a great extent, but it was simply one less headache I would have to deal with.

I quickly finish up in the bathhouse and return to the café, lock the door back up, and note the time on the clock over the shelves of coffee beans reads seven forty-three. As I enter the attic, I'm hit by the grinding feel of the dust that's left over from yesterday in the air and surfaces of the room coursing against my exposed skin. Stifling a groan at the sensation, I redress into my school uniform and make sure to grab my regular phone and put it into my right pocket. I'll have to clean this place more thoroughly when I get back.

'As well as find a place to hide my outfit.' I look down to the box that has all of my items, then look around the room in order to try and find a suitable hiding place. I'm left wanting at what I see, as there simply isn't a lot of options available for the small space. I could try and pry open some of the floorboards and hide it that way, but that would create noise whenever someone walked over them, so that wouldn't do.

'It'll have to wait for now, Sakura will probably be here any minute.' I let out a frustrated sigh after thinking that. It was a risk to leave my costume on the ground where anyone could find it, but I quickly ignore the concern. The only person who would come up here other than me is Sakura, and based on the way he acted yesterday, he likely didn't want to involve himself in my affairs any more than he already has.

With that thought in mind, I move towards the open carboard box and kneel down in order to close its flaps, but a small glinting light stops me. Squinting my eyes to get better look, my body freezes as I recognize the item, as well as what it leans against. I shoot a hand towards my chest and feel around, trying to find the familiar weight that I usually feel whenever I bring my hand up to hold it. I feel nothing but empty space. I look down the object, seeing the silver chain resting against the back of the small wooden frame. A sharp tightness appears in my chest as I stare at it.

'I must have forgotten it when I was packing.' Well, that's what I tell myself at least. It's more likely that I wanted to forget it outright, due to what the cross signified to me. I don't even remember grabbing it or the picture as I packed my belongings together when I got the word I was moving in with Sakura. I wanted to leave it, like everything else, in an attempt to try and put the past sixteen years behind me.

Yet here it was, unconsciously clinging to me.

I grab both items and stand, letting the chain dangle down from my clenched right hand, the cross swaying slightly from side to side. The silver cross stared back at me, its arms long since broken off, the zigzagging pattern of broken metal on its sides being the only reminder of what the necklace once was. I look at it, a solemn moment of silence washing over the attic as I do so. For a brief moment, everything around me goes silent. There's no sound, no smells. Nothing. I look to my left hand, the one holding the picture frame. I stare at it, and suddenly I'm aware of my heartbeat rising faster and faster as I look at it. My arm tenses up, as if trying to prepare me for something unseen. It doesn't help, as I slowly start to turn my hand in order to get a look at the picture in the frame.

A woman looks back, tired but lovingly. Lights blind her face and my eyes. Glass breaks as I hear a violent CRASH. I stop my hand, and eventually drop my arms to my side like dead weight. The scene eventually fades from my eyes, but the feeling of emptiness I get every time I flash back to that moment remains. Robotically, I move to the table that rests against the wall dividing the stairs from the store and rest the picture face down on it, grabbing my school bag as I do so. I don't even register that I put the cross around my neck and underneath the blazer and shirt of my uniform as I descend the stairs.

'That's right,' I think to myself, dejected. 'There is no leaving behind what I did.'

I absentmindedly look to the clock again, seeing that it read five after eight, then sit down on one of the stool's that line the bar, resting my chin against my hand. Thankfully, Sakura enters after only a couple of minutes of waiting. Good. I didn't want to be left alone with my thoughts after that depressing episode. When he looks up from the door, he seems shocked to see me.

"You're already up?" He asks, sounding as if he doesn't believe himself.

"Yeah." I reply. My simple answer seems to slightly stun him, as he takes a moment to compose himself.

"W-well, did you get enough sleep?"

"... Yes." I lie easily enough, looking away as I do so. "Plenty of sleep." I get up from the stool and walk over to him, ready to leave.

"What are you doing?" … What did he mean by that?

"You said that you wanted to be in and out, right?"

"Have you even eaten yet?" Sakura seemed to be getting upset for whatever reason, but what it was, I couldn't place.

"It doesn't matter. I can when we get back." I stated simply. He looked at me with a confused expression on his face, as if he didn't understand what I just said. It was quickly replaced by a scowl as he let out a small growl of frustration.

"Fine then. Just don't complain to me if you get hungry." He sharply turned towards the door and opened it. I followed him out and walked behind him in the tight walkways of Yongen-jaya. As we pass the entrance of the alley that leads to the café, he turns right, causing me to stop, confused at his choice of direction.

"Are we not taking the train?" We would have to go left in order to reach the station. Sakura half turns to me, his now trademark annoyed expression clear even when I can only see half of his face.

"The train schedules are on the fritz, so I'll be driving you this one time." My heart plummets into my stomach after he says that. I stay rooted to my spot, not registering that what he said had just happened.

"We're... driving? In a car?" I stutter out, hoping that what Sakura just said was some sort of joke.

"Yes, we're driving in a car. Move it." He resumes his trek to the right, and I automatically start following him without realizing it.

'Of course we're driving.' The bitter irony of the situation wasn't lost on me. We eventually walk past what I assume to be Sakura's house and to the back of the building. His garage door is already open and a white, old fashioned car sits inside of it. The only solace I take out of this situation is that it's a two-door vehicle, so I would be sitting in the front seat. So, silver linings, at least.

"Damnit. Men aren't usually allowed in my passenger seat." I ignore Sakura's irritated comment as I sit down in the passenger seat. My entire body feels tense, and my spine is rim-rod straight as I buckle in. I try my best not to show my frayed nerves as the car starts up and pulls into the road.

'I haven't gotten any sleep, and already I want this day to end.'


4/10 Daytime


The car ride was, thankfully, uneventful. Sakura either didn't notice my discomfort or simply didn't care to comment on it, but either way it was mercifully over. As we exited the car, I took a grateful breath of the fresh air as I looked upon the new school that I would be attending as part of my probation.

Shujin Academy. It was a high school that specialized in preparing its students for college, and its reputation was high enough that after graduating from the place, you were guaranteed a spot in whichever university in the country you picked.

I had no use for it though. I already knew what was in store for me after graduation, and what I had planned for myself. I only picked the school since it was the first option that was presented to me.

"Do me a favor and behave yourself, alright?" I'm brought out of my musings by Sakura's ever-present indifferent warnings for me. "Don't get me wrong, I don't care what happens to you." That was never in question. "Just don't cause me any trouble."

I can feel a part of myself starting to lose patience for Sakura's attitude, but I manage to ignore it. "I won't." I state as I walk past him and go up the steps of the school. I hear him let out a grumble at my response, but I keep moving forward. The sooner this was done, the better. I needed to sort some things out back at the café and finish cleaning the place in order to make my stay there more bearable.

As I enter the building, I let my senses spread out in order to get a general feel for the place. The school was very utilitarian in design, forming a sort of U shape that housed three floors, with the courtyard having a square design with hallways that connected the different sides of the building. Sakura and I find the principal's office soon enough, and as Sakura finished signing the papers that were to finalize my transfer to the school, I was given a moment to survey the room and its occupants.

Principal Kobayakawa immediately stood out due to his size and tan suit that seemed to have trouble fitting him into it. His bald head shone from the light coming through the window behind his desk, highlighting his stern expression. The woman standing to his right wore simpler clothes by comparison, and had a leaner figure, with her yellow striped sweater and denim skirt making it seem as if she wanted to blend in. She looked down at the desk, and her curly brown hair helped to hide her face from my sight. I could tell by her slack posture that she was tired, and that she likely wanted to be anywhere but here.

"Now remember, you will be expelled immediately if you cause any trouble here." Kobayakawa reiterated the point again, and I do nothing but stand at attention and listen to it for what feels like the umpteenth time. "Honestly, I was hesitant to accept someone like you to begin with, but there were circumstances on our side."

My eyes narrow slightly at that, and I steal a small glance to the display case behind the woman. Behind the glass are several accolades and school trophies, all of them some sort of congratulation or accomplishment that the school had gained throughout the years. I can easily guess what those circumstances that compelled him were by looking at them. "I understand sir. Thank you for giving me this chance." I state and bow, but the actions feel hollow to me. It seemed to satisfy Kobayakawa enough though.

"Make no mistake young man, I don't care what kind of trouble you used to get into beforehand, but you will behave yourself here." I only nod at that, and an ironic thought comes to mind, as the 'trouble' I got into last night makes what this rotund man is saying gain a rather ignorant edge from my perspective, but I quickly cast it aside. "This is the teacher in charge of your class." He points to the woman standing next to him, and for the first time she actually looks up at me.

"I'm Sadayo Kawakami." She introduces herself, and her tone is laced with tired annoyance. "Here's your student ID and handbook. Any violations of the rules will send you straight to the guidance office." I move to grab them from her hand, but she places them on the desk before I reach it. I pause for the briefest of moments before grabbing them, placing my ID in my pocket. I'd have a chance to put it in my wallet when I got to the car. "If you get into any trouble, I won't be able to help you at all." Meaning you don't want to help at all. I cast a glance at her, and for a small moment, we lock eyes. For some reason, she flinches and quickly looks away.

'Shut up.' I tell myself, clenching my hand behind my back and looking forward at Kobayakawa in order to try and put my nerves at ease. 'You're causing nothing but problems for these people. For everyone.' I don't deserve anything else but this.

"But really though, why me?" Kawakami complains to Kobayakawa, and despite my attempts at respectful silence, I can feel my jaw clench in growing frustration. "There weren't any other candidates?"

"You were the only one with an open spot. Besides, we couldn't have him in the same class with that Sakamoto, could we?" The two continue to talk as if I'm not even present.

"Are we done here?" Surprisingly, Sakura stops the conversation, and I hear a bit of anger in his tone as I turn to look at him in wonder. "I have a shop to get back to."

"Oh, of course Sakura-san." Pleasantries are exchanged, and I follow Sakura to the door. Before I close it, I turn and bow to the two faculty members. Neither return it.

I have to pick up my pace a bit in order to catch up with Sakura, who had left the office with a hurried pace. "Jeez, they're treating you like some kind of nuisance." He grumbles out through strained teeth.

"Aren't I though?" My question causes him to come to an abrupt halt mid stride, and I almost bump into him when he turns around to face me. His face is scrunched up in shocked confusion. "It's obvious. My presence is causing problems for you and the staff, so the fact that their annoyance is showing is understandable." Despite my own misgivings about the way everyone was acting, it was my own fault that they were doing so. I have no right to complain.

Sakura stands still for a moment, his face still showing nothing but disbelief at what I had just said. There's something else there, though, that I can't quite place. His eyes soften, and his throat constricts as if he's trying to decide on what to say. "Let's just get back to the café." He breaths out, turning around and walking ahead. I stand there, equally baffled by Sakura's actions.

Was he... actually worried about me? I make to follow him, but the question remains in my head. 'Why would he be worried about me?' This line of thought only makes me more and more puzzled as I pursue it, and it eventually leads me to ponder...

Just why did Sojiro Sakura decide to take me in?


4/10 Daytime


Kawakami was thankful that the faculty office was empty, because she didn't sit at her desk so much as collapse into it, and was able to let out a long, frustrated groan as she rested her head in her arms in solitude. "Why me?" Taking another student after the school year had already started was manageable, but accepting one with a criminal record? Principal Kobayakawa had explained to her that the school's reputation would be bolstered by 'rehabilitating' a delinquent, that it would show how dedicated Shujin was to teaching the youth of Japan how to be good members of society, even for people with a criminal record. She remembered Kobayakawa looking so proud of himself when he explained it to her, so it had the effect of sounding hollow.

'And he probably saw right through it as well.' She got a good look at Kurokuya Kouzai's eyes as he glared the trophy case behind her. The empty, black orbs staring down at her from his tall height, looking as if they were boring into her soul and judging her. She had to look away from them as he stared at her after telling him not to get in trouble. Despite his calm demeanor, even with the principal lashing into him, Sadayo Kawakami couldn't look past Kurokuya's cold gaze, as if he had a quiet contempt for everything around him. Kawakami got up from her position to stretch and then stifle a yawn. While she didn't feel comfortable using a student the way Kobayakawa was, Sadayo had too much on her plate to worry about it as much as she felt she should.

She was brought out of her reverie by the sound of the door opening, and the sickeningly kind voice that comes from it. "Ah, Miss Kawakami, so good to see you!" She could hear a sense of surprise in his tone, but ignored as she forced herself to face him.

"Good morning, Kamoshida-sensei." She sighed out, already wanting this creep to leave.

"Come on, we've known each other long enough! No need for formalities." The smile Kamoshida gives Kawakami gives her the impression that he's trying to be friendly, but all she feels is unease at how staged it looked.

"What brings you here," she asks in order for the conversation to end as quickly as possible. "It's a Sunday."

"Well, the volleyball rally is coming up, and I want to make sure my team is in tip top shape. There's a lot riding on this after all!"

'Like your ego.' "Ah, that's right. I must've forgotten." Something flashes across Kamoshida's face, but it fades away easily and the smile from before stretches out further. A part of Kawakami feels her spine twinge in a feeling that she can't recognize. Like some instinctual part of her that acted up to tell her she was in danger. A part of her she felt whenever she was around Suguru Kamoshida.

She knows that there's a part to Kamoshida than he hides from everyone else. Every time she laid her eyes on the man, all she saw was someone trying their hardest to look the best when compared to his peers. But there was something else behind all of that. It was a sick feeling she got whenever the man talked about his practice methods, or how he needed to 'improve the forms' of some select members of the team he coached. A dark look to the man's eyes as he explained that bit, as if he was looking forward to it.

Kawakami knew that there was something wrong about the man, but she couldn't bring herself to do anything about it. After all, she had her own issues to worry about.

"Well, I just dropped by to see if there was anyone in the office. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!" Kawakami flinches at the innocent comment, and sticks her tongue out at the door as Kamoshida leaves.

"Jackass." She mumbles. 'So, Kurokuya Kouzai.' In spite of her misgivings about the boy, Kawakami felt that she had to do at least something for him. There was no way she herself could help, given her own responsibilities and personal matters that needed her attention. Right now, what someone like him needed was someone responsible. A good role model that he could learn from. Someone who would at least give him a chance.

A figurative lightbulb went off in her head at that, and feeling quite pleased with herself, Kawakami picks up the phone on her desk and dials the number in the student directory of the perfect person she has in mind for the little task she planned out.


4/10 Daytime


Unfortunately, traffic on the way back to the café was far worse than when we left it, and as a result, my body feels as if it made of marble from how tense I am. I grip the armrest of the door as if it held the secrets of the universe, and letting it go would make them lost forever. The ride back also does a number on Sakura's mood, as he angrily slams his hand on the dashboard, causing me to momentarily jump in shock from the noise.

"You're taking the train starting tomorrow!" He barks out, not noticing my rising discomfort. "Should've made you take the train to begin with." I was strongly agreeing with that sentiment the more time went on. "Now I won't be able to open the shop today because of you and this damn traffic." I feel a pang of guilt at that.

"I'm sorry." I manage to strain the words out, and they sound pitifully soft due to my being so on edge. Sakura looks over at me –don'tstoplookattheroad-, his face still showing signs of his anger, but it dissipates after a moment. He lets out a long, frustrated sigh then mercifully looks back in front of him, making me let out a breath of my own.

"It's fine. Just traffic getting on my nerves is all." His voice loses its previous edge, and it helps to calm me for a quick moment. "Well, what'd you think of it? The school?" The question serves as a helpful distraction, so I grab onto it with vigor.

"It seems like a good school." I search for something to add, but I find nothing.

"Well just make sure to behave yourself, alright?" I nod absentmindedly, not even caring about having the same point reiterated to me yet again. "You've only got one shot, so don't blow it." Sakura looks like he wants to say something else, but decides against it at the last second and focuses on driving. The silence goes on for some time, and I hate every second of it.

A man, fifty feet away in a car. He's whistling to the song on his radio. My eyes widen, and my composure almost collapses at the realization of what's happening. The lid I had been keeping on my senses was starting to falter due to my frayed nerves from this mornings' events, and I was now reaching its nadir. I can feel the exhaust in the air out of the car scratching my skin and nose, the seatbelt feels as ifitstryingtocrushmychestglassofthewindshieldbreakinskin-

'Stay calm. Center yourself.' I begin to take deep breaths in order to regain control and-

"So how did the meeting go at work?" A woman asks her husband, forty-seven feet away in a van.

'Damnit, damnit, damnit.' I tighten my throat in order to stop myself from hyperventilating, as my efforts to settle down fail one after another. I breathe through my nose in a vain attempt to not attract attention to my episode.

However, Sakura's phone rings, rendering my effort moot as he makes to answer it. "Hello?" I can't hear the other person on the end of the line over myself, but I can make out the high-pitched voice coming out of it. "What do you mean, it isn't the right one?" The conversation goes on, and I cling to every word coming from Sakura in order to center my senses. It helps, but just barely. After a few seconds, Sakura lets out a groan and says, "Alright, alright. I'll go pick it up. Yes. Yes, right now. Good god, yes. I'll be back soon." He hangs up, and looks to me. "I have to make a quick stop at the store." I nod, but realize the golden egg that had just been dropped on my lap at that sentence.

A chance to get out of this damn machine.

"Would it be easier for you if I went back to the café on my own?" I ask in desperation, already moving my hand to the latch of my seatbelt. Sakura looks at me in confusion.

"The hell do you mean?"

"You need to go to the store, so would it be easier if I left for the café?" I can hear my heart beating against my chest with shorter intervals, and sweat starts to show up on the back of my neck. Please, just let me get out of this thing!

"Would you mind?"

'THANK GOD!' "No." I spit the word out as fast as I can, and in order to stop any further argument, I unbuckle my seatbelt and grab the door handle.

"Wait a sec, would you?" Sakura stops me with slight indignation in his voice, probably from my hurried state. I almost ignore him and bolt out the door, but manage to calm myself down enough to look back at him. He gives me a strange look as he holds out his hand, dangling a key from it. "It's for the shop. Lock it up when you get back." I practically snatch the thing from his hand and then bolt out the door, weaving out of traffic with a speed and urgency that surprises the bystanders that I nearly bump into as I make it to the sidewalk.

I eventually round the corner of the last building on my street and press my back against it, bringing my hand to my face in order to wipe off the sweat building on my forehead and to get control of my breathing. Some of the passersby give me a strange glance, but I pay them no mind as I try to calm my writhing emotions. I ignore the sounds of blaring car horns and stuttering engines, replacing them by bringing a hand to my chest so that I can feel the rhythmic sound of my heartbeat. Instead, I feel a small object being pushed against my skin. Confused, I grasp it through my shirt, and only then do I remember what it is.

'I don't even remember putting it on.' Pulling the chain from my neck and bringing the front of it up, I look down on the broken piece of jewelry in my hand. Somehow, despite what it represented to me, I calm down from my current predicament as I look at it. I remember who it belonged to, and for once, instead of the usual pain I fell when I reminisce on them, I feel the warmth of earlier times. I thought that I had forgotten them a long time ago.

Sighing, I place it back into my shirt and begin the trek back to the café. I reach the station in short time and memorize the route needed to get to Shujin for tomorrow. As I sit in the compartment of the train, the plug I had placed on my power slips back into place with practiced ease. I return to Leblanc a little before evening, not even noticing that Sakura hasn't returned, and my walk up the stairs and subsequent undressing into less suffocating clothes is followed by me falling into the bed.

For once, sleep comes easily to me. Hopefully I'd be able to maintain it.