"Excuse me miss." Yu introduced.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for someone, his name is Shoichi Oyamada."
"Why?" She asked, her expression turning foul at the mention of the name.
"He's a friend of my family, we wanted to check up on him."
"Really? Didn't think he'd have any friends after what he did. You can find him in a clinic in the Yongen Gia area. But if he asks you to partake in any trails, refuse. You don't want to get involved in that."
"I'll take the warning to heart. Thanks for helping."
"Be careful kid. That quack is dangerous."
Yu gave a nod and left the hospital. After making sure that Kobayakawa wasn't in the crowd, made his way to the train station. It was about afternoon now, if it was a normal school day, he would just be finishing up his class. By now, he had gotten used to the Tokyo subway, so he was able to navigate his way to Yongen easily enough. It was a rather dirty, and very cramped. The only remarkable thing that stuck out was a building that looked like it was a cafe of sorts. At the entrance, his suspicion was confirmed with an awning called "Cafe Leblanc." He'd like to visit this place later, but right now, he was on a mission. It took some searching, but he was able to find a secluded building in an alley that had two blue crosses on its double doors. If this wasn't the place, he'd have to ask for directions or give up on the medicine.
He entered the waiting room and found it was very small. There were about five seats lined along a wall, and it was decorated with various health posters. Sitting behind a counter was the man he was looking for; Shoici Oyamada. He didn't look any different than he did at the hospital. Granted, it was about twenty minutes, but Yu thought he'd at least clean his beard of food crumbs. The man looked up at the teen.
"Welcome to the Hermes Clinic. How may I help you?" Shoichi asked, casting an upward glance at the student.
"Hello, I'm… looking for some meds."
"You'll have to be more specific, I know medicine like Sakura-san knows coffee beans."
"Ummm… I'm looking for any kind of medicine that's good for first-aid treatment, especially for burns, slashes, and other physical injuries. Particularly fast-acting ones. Got anything like that?"
Shoichi suddenly leaned forward and pulled Yu close by the collar, and upon closer inspection, Yu noticed the heavy bags under his eyes. Eyes that were giving a hard stare at Yu. His free hand frisked Yu's shirt before giving a small nod.
"Well, it doesn't look like you're a stooge. Who told you about this place?"
"The nurse who yelled at you."
"Oh. Heh, was worried you were a corporate stooge. But she hates me with a passion, there's no way she'd advocate for stealing from me."
"Steal what, exactly?"
"Meet me in the exam room young one." Shoichi ordered, getting up from the counter.
Yu went through the door that had 'exam room' labeled on it. Upon entering, se saw that it was even smaller than the waiting room, with only enough room for two people. Shoichi gestured for Yu to take a seat on the bed, and Yu obeyed. He was expecting to be bombarded with questions that he'd have to answer with half-truths, but instead, the doc went straight to work performing an examination on Yu. From shining light in his eyes to checking his heartbeat, Shoichi was very through. Once he was satisfied, he jotted down some notes, scratched his scruffy beard and smiled.
"Well good news, young one. You are eligible to receive some of my top secret medicine. The kind you're looking for."
"But?"
"Ah, you're sharp. But, if you want to have them, then you'll have to be my test subject for some experiments."
"Experiments? For what?"
"Irrelevant. All you need to know is that you have to drink this." Shoichi ordered, opening a medicinal cabinet and pulling out a large plastic container with an orange sludge. Pulling out a small plastic cup, he poured the container's contents out and handed the cup to Yu. The teenager looked at the cup like it was poison.
"What is this exactly?" He asked, trying to hide the fear in his voice.
"Irrelevant. If you want the medicine, you must be my test subject. But rest assured, it will not kill you. Hopefully. Probably."
Yu closed his eyes. The stench was awful, almost like it was it was week old garbage stacked on top of a decomposing corpse. That imagery did not help Yu at all as he gulped the liquid down, the slime seeming to absorb the saliva in his mouth and make his throat sore. It tasted just as badly as it smelled.
"You appear to be alright. Excellent, it is survivable."
"Survivable? This-hic-tastes like leftover, moldy-hic-food." Yu said between hiccups.
"Irrelevant. How do you feel?"
"Like I-hic-ate leftover, moldy-hic-food."
"That. Is. Irrelevant. Tell me how you feel? Increased sex drive, crippling depression, watery eyes, anything like that?"
"My throat is-hic-sore, and my mouth-hic-feels like it's on-hic-fire."
"Anything else?" The doctor asked as he scribbled down some notes.
"No, that's-hic-about it."
"Hmmmm." Shoichi hummed, scratching his chin as he finished the last of his notes and setting them down on a desk.
"Very well. You've done your part splendidly. Now, it's my turn. What kind of first aid do you require, young one?"
"Well… umm… fast acting-hic-ones that help with-hic-cuts, bruises, burns, basically-hic-general healing stuff."
"Alright. I've got some experimental pills right here. I was planning on testing them on the newest patient in the hospital, but since you're volunteering, please, let me know how it goes." Shoichi informed, tossing a bottle full of pills.
"Wait, just like-hic-that? Aren't you the-hic-least bit curious?" Yu asked, catching the pill bottle.
"That knowledge is irrelevant to me or your ability to be my test subject. However, I am prepared to cut you a deal. In exchange for volunteering for further experimentation, I will allow you to purchase whatever medicine you may require. Does that sound reasonable, young one?"
"Umm… why will-hic-I have to buy-hic-the meds?"
"I have bills to pay and a mouth to feed."
"Oh. Well, alright-hic-then."
"Most excellent. Let us exchange contact information, and you can be on our way."
I am thou. Thou art I.
Thou hast acquired a new vow
It shall become the wings of freedom that will lead thee to the truth
With the birth of the Deatharcana,
Thou hast obtained the blessing that will grant thee new power.
As Yu finished exchanging his information, he couldn't help but shiver. The Death arcana. Nothing bad could possibly go wrong with a name like that. Nope, nothing bad at all.
Yu left the clinic, looking for a vending machine to parch the dryness of his throat. Sadly, there was only a second-hand store, a bath house, and batting cages. His only option was the 'Cafe Leblanc' he had spotted earlier, so he entered. The cafe held a homey atmosphere, and sported a few booths and stools along the wooden counter that was the bar, as well as a TV secluded in the top corner that was reporting the news. It was very crowded, almost all the seats were taken. All except one along the bar, which Yu took as a man walked out from the kitchen, a hot plate of curry in his hands. Handing it to a woman in a wheelchair who was on a computer, he then turned his attention to the silver-haired boy.
"Ah, welcome. Never seen you around here." The man greeted. He was dressed in a pink button up shirt and khakis which he wore under an apron. He had black hair with a receding hairline and a black beard that curled up at the end, like it was a goat's beard. He had half-rimmed glasses on, and his eyes had a gleam of experience in them as he regarded Yu.
"So, what'll you be having?"
"Something that'll-hic-get rid of this-hic-dryness."
"I think you should get water or something kid. Coffee isn't known for helping people cool down."
"Then-hic-whatever's sweetest."
"Blue Mountain, coming right up."
"In other news, the Minister of Transportation suffered a mental shutdown and died today. This marks the thirteenth public figure to die in such a manner this year. Health officials urge the public to take proper care of themselves." The news anchor reported. Before Yu could listen in some more, the barista came back with the coffee.
"Here you go. Blue Mountain with three sugars. That'll be 500 Yen, please."
Yu fished into his pocket and handed it to the barista. He took in the aroma of the coffee. It was a lovely scent, that seemed to make his nostrils flare up and water start to return to his mouth. He moved the china cup to his lips and took a sip. The flavor made his eyes widen as the drink danced across his taste buds, the delicious fluid consuming his sense of taste. The bastira chuckled warmly at Yu's reaction.
"Never had any proper coffee have you? Nothing but that Starbucks slog, right?" he asked.
"No, I tasted my dad's once, but it tasted too bitter for me. This is delicious. Hey, my hiccups are gone." Yu answered.
"Heh. Glad to see it did the trick. Now drink up, that cup of joe won't stay warm forever. And not even my coffee tastes good cold."
Yu nodded, drinking in the delicious drink and savoring the flavor. He would definitely have to come back here. Giving a simple 'thank you', he left, the coffee working fast against the effects of Shoichi's 'medicine'. Once he got on the train home, he felt a buzz in his pocket and checked his phone. Akechi sent a text saying that Morgana was waiting outside of his room, materials ready to make some gadgets. By now, it was late afternoon, so he should have some time to work with his fellow Trickster. Yu made his way back to the appartement, where Morgana was holding a red toolbox like it was a lunchbox. She smiled wide when she saw Yu approaching and waved enthusiastically.
"Hey there leader. I've got the tools and materials. You have a workbench, right?"
"Yup. Let me." Yu offered as he got out his room key.
Once they entered, Morgana gingerly set the tool box down, so as to not disturb Makoto, who was no doubt studying in the living room. She opened it up and filled his workbench with all the tools, and unloaded the materials.
"Alright, so today, we're going to be focusing on making lockpicks. We haven't encountered them yet, but I'm sure there will be all sorts of goodies hidden within the Palaces." she whispered
"Why's that?"
"If I'm being perfectly honest, I have no idea. Maybe people's cognition of their money also shows up in their Palace, maybe it's another item that's valuable to them. But that's beside the point. Some of these are gonna be in locked chests, so if ya want the goods, you'll need something good kiddo."
"Why are you talking like that?"
"Saw something on Akechi's electric window. I think he called it a TV show?"
"Oh. Well, talk like you normally do. So walk me through it." Yu ordered as he took a seat.
"Let me explain." Morgana started, picking up some materials.
Within about 45 minutes, Yu had successfully made two new lockpicks, mimicking Morgana's own. Though he had failed three times prior, he finally managed to get it nailed down. He reached in the toolbox to get another batch of materials, but found it to be empty.
"Yea, I didn't have much. If we're gonna have more lockpicks, we'll have to get more materials."
"Yea. I'll see if I can find some place that'll sell me them. Maybe a second-hand store." Yu suggested.
"That's a good idea. But, it's probably best that we stop now." Morgana suggested, looking outside. By now, the sun had begun to set, the city of Tokyo was covered in the orange blanket of the sun's was right, it was pretty late, and he'd have to eat dinner soon.
"Agreed. Meet Akechi and me tomorrow at the alleyway near school. We'll begin our infiltration after classes end."
"Alright! Looking forward to it." Morgan exclaimed with a fist bump to the air.
There was a knock on the door, and Yu heard Makoto's voice.
"Yu-kun, is someone else in there?"
"No Makoto. Is dinner going to be ready soon? I'm starting to get hungry."
"Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. You alright? You've been in there a long time."
"I'm fine. Just reviewing some materials."
"Alright. I'll call you in a few minutes."
"Ok." Yu finished, opening the door to Morgana.
"Oh, wait!" She exclaimed as she stopped right outside and spun on her heel, turning to Yu.
"Akechi said to give you 'contact info'. Do you know what he means by that?" She asked, rubbing her arm.
"Oh. Do you have a phone? Something like this?" Yu asked, pulling out his own phone.
"So that's what a phone is! Yup, Akechi bought it for me, but I haven't figured it out. At all."
"That's ok. Here, let me set up my contact info."
Yu took Morgana's phone, which had the casting of a black cat, and went to work setting up his contact information in her phone, and vice versa. Once that was done, he handed her back her mobile device, and shot her a text.
'These things let us talk to each other' it read and she let out a gasp.
"Oh wow, that's so cool! What else can it do?" She asked, giddy as a schoolgirl that just got a gift.
"You'll have to ask Akechi next time you see him. Right now, I have to eat dinner."
"Alright. Remember what I taught you, and practice when you get the chance!" Morgana yelled as she ran down the halls. Yu smiled as he heard Makoto call him through the door. Tomorrow, they'd resume infiltration, and if all went well, maybe get to steal the Treasure.