Ryuji was on his regular afternoon jog. School had just gotten out, and now that he had decided to take trying to get back on the track team seriously, he had gone on jogs every afternoon after school let out. And every afternoon, he'd check in on Hifumi, who, at first simply glared at him when he did, but eventually just settled for waving at him to show that she saw him. But this time, it was raining, and he forgot his umbrella. This didn't stop him before, so he'd be damned if he let it stop him now. He had entered the church, and, minus the fact that he was completely drenched, everything was fine. But when Hifumi saw him turn to leave, she got up out of her pew and went after him.
"Hey, wait up!" The shogi player called, much to Ryuji's surprise.
"Huh? What is it? Were some assholes giving you trouble again?"
"No, but have you seen how hard it's coming down out there?"
"Yea, what about it?"
Hifumi physically recoiled at this response before grabbing his arm.
"You could catch a cold out there. You should stay in here, at least until the storm passes."
This got a cheeky grin from Ryuji, and the response.
"Oh, you want me to stay with ya eh? I'm cool with that."
Hifumi simply crossed her arms and scowled at him.
"I'm merely concerned for your well-being. Also…"
"Also what?" Ryuji asked, wiggling an eyebrow.
"My Shogi skills are getting rusty. If it isn't too much, I'd appreciate you playing with me. Even if you won't provide much for a challenge." Hifumi challenged, adding the last sentence with a smug grin.
"Oh yea? Bring up the board lady. I'll crush whatever you've got." Ryuji accepted, thrusting a fist into an open palm.
"Hehehe. Hahaha. MUWAHAHAHA! If you face the Togo Queen with such a haughty attitude, defeat is all but guaranteed!" Hifumi cackled. Most people looked at her like she was a mad scientist, but Ryuji not only grinned wider, but joined in.
"The Togo Queen? More like the Togo Tyrant! You're peasants have revolted, and now, it is time for your reign to end!" Ryuji retorted as Hifumi set up the board.
"A revolt?! Against their queen?! Well, let us see if their tactics match their passion!"
"The age of Togo is over! The Sakamoto Dynasty will come soon enough!" Ryuji promised as the board was set up.
The Sakamoto Dynasty never came to pass. For starters, it wasn't until the game started that it dawned on Ryuji that he didn't even know how to play. Once Hifumi finished teaching him, pretty much all of the bravado had drained from both of them, and they had returned to normal human beings. Though, it was probably for the best, since two played several games, and Ryuji lost all of them. The poor peasants never stood a chance.
"It looks like the storm's gone. You should probably head back." Hifumi suggested, looking at one of the windows.
"Yea yea." Ryuji agreed glumly.
"What's wrong? I thought the age of Sakamoto was coming." Hifumi taunted.
"I'll be back Hifumi. Your reign will end by my hand!" Ryuji declared with a dramatic pose, making Hifumi giggle.
"I'll hold you to it. I misjudged you Ryuji. We should do this more often."
"Sure, I'm down for it. Though, I'm gonna kick your ass one day, your majesty."
"Uh huh, yea sure." Hifumi retorted half-heartedly as Ryuji left the church.
Earlier…
Yu had just gotten out of school, and made his way to Cafe Leblanc with an umbrella sheltering him from the relentless shower. This would be his first day on the job, and he had a great deal to be nervous about, so much so that made an offering to the shrine along with a prayer to not screw it up. Arriving at the little coffee shop, he saw Sojiro waiting for him, and surprisingly few customers, most likely because of the rain. The man grumbled at seeing Yu, who noticed that Wakaba was missing, meaning that he had to really step up his game if he wanted to keep this job.
"So, you actually came?" The coffee house owner grumbled.
"Yes sir."
"Great, now I have to work with you. How much do you know about making coffee?"
"There are beans grown and imported around the world, the elevation and climate allowing them to alter the flavor, sweetness, and overall taste of the drink. As for actually making it, there's roasting, then grounding, then brewed, and finally, separation from the beans."
Sojiro widened his eyes in amazement.
Good thing I looked all that up before coming here.
"You looked all that up before coming here, didn't you?" Sojiro asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I wanted to impress you."
"Well, consider me impressed. Now, put on an apron and get behind the counter. It's time you learned a thing or two."
Yu did as he was told, and waited for further orders from the man.
"Now, this cafe has been around for twenty years now. We serve curry, cake, some cinnamon rolls on christmas, but what everyone comes here for is a good cup of joe. If you serve a single bad cup, you're fired. So, since Wakaba doesn't want that, I'm going to teach you some of our more popular drinks so that you can at least hold your own."
"What do I need to do?"
"Let me explain."
Sojiro explained the ins and outs of experienced coffee making, the different temperatures of different beans, and the background of each bean. He also said, very clearly, that Yu was not to touch any of the expensive beans, and if he did, he was fired, but should a customer come by and want a cup with those beans, Sojiro would handle it. The second Sojiro finished his explanation, the doorbell rang, signaling a new customer had entered.
"Alright kid. Show me what you've learned. Take this customer's order." Sojiro ordered, turning to the new arrival.
"Welcome." Yu greeted, only for his face to lose all of its color once he saw who it was.
"Hello, I would… Narukami? What are you doing here?" Sae Niijima asked.
"Oh, that's right, you live with her." Sojiro mused to himself.
"This is the job I told you about." Yu informed.
"I see. Sakura-san's standards are high, so I hope I'm not going to be disappointed." Sae replied with a genuine smile.
"I hope you aren't disappointed either." Yu replied, now more relaxed.
"But remember, you're supposed to write in your diary, even if your curfew is gone."
"Understood Sae-san. Now, what can I get you?"
"I'll take the house blend, please."
"House blend coming up."
Yu went to work, while Sojiro hoovered over his shoulder like a hawk. Roast, then ground, then brew just like Sojiro taught him, Yu also noticed that Sae was watching just as closely, though for some reason, Yu had the feeling it wasn't so that she could keep an eye on her drink. Once he was done, he humbly presented the cup, and Sae took a sip, sampling it. She then let out a soft moan of approval.
"It's not as good as Sakura-san's, but I still find it satisfactory. Nicely done, Narukami. Keep practicing." She complimented, drinking the rest of the cup. Sojiro turned to the teenager, a gentle smile on his lips.
"Well, well kid. You actually managed to pull it off."
"I take it that means I'm not fired?"
"No, not yet. But maybe I was wrong about you."
"I'm glad I surprised you. Twice."
"Yea yea. Tomorrow, I'm gonna teach you how to make curry, but for now, let's focus on getting you some practice with any customers that come in."
I am thou. Thou art I.
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion that will lead thee to the truth.
With the birth of the HierophantArcana,
Thou hast obtained the blessings that will grant thee new power.
It was 9:30 at night when Yu was told to leave the coffee shop. Though "told" was a bit of a stretch. It was more like "forcibly removed". But Yu was able to earn 7,200 Yen, so he left satisfied and began to make his way down the street, when a thought popped into his head. He would have to write in his probation diary soon, and that thought made him stop in his tracks. If he was going to continue leading the Phantom Team, then they were going to garner attention, and Sae would no doubt read his diary. If he tried to get rid of what he had and then re-write what he had in the diary, Sae would notice and get suspicious. If he tried to not let her read it, she'd get suspicious. If he stopped writing, she'd throw him out. Yu had to think of something, and think of it before they went after their next target in force.
"Thank you! Please come again!" A store owner shouted to an exiting customer. Yu turned his head to the second-hand store, and thought of an idea. He made his way to Shibuya Main Street, and hoped a certain store was still open before heading home.
After making his way out of the store he had in mind, and he suddenly felt his phone buzz, and he pulled it out, seeing the name he gave Shoichi; 'Mad scientist'. He had sent a single text
Mad Scientist: Young one, I require your assistance. See me at the clinic at once.
Yu: It's way too late. I need to head home.
Mad Scientist: Irrelevant. Remember the terms of our bargain.
Yu let out a groan. They did have a Palace to infiltrate, and they would need meds. He got out his phone and shot another text to someone else
Yu: I'm going to be back late tonight.
Sae: Understood. Don't do anything you shouldn't.
Wow. That was easy.
Yu made his way to the secluded clinic, and barely made a single knock before the door flung open, Shoichi's face akin to a teenager's when someone walked in on them masturbating. He then looked at Yu with a crooked smile before grabbing the boy and forcing him inside, slamming the door behind him.
"At long last, you arrived." Shoichi declared, feeling Yu up and down.
"Y-yes… I'm here." He stammered, his mood going from annoyed to very very afraid.
"And not a moment to soon. To the exam room!" Shoichi ordered, dragging Yu to the place where they tested the mystery medicine. And Yu could only imagine how the next batch would taste this time.
"You're in a much better mood than last I saw you." Yu pointed out.
"That is irrelevant. I have finally made strides in my research. And your bland health profile has been most invaluable. Now, we are ready to take the next step."
Shoichi grabbed a vial containing a blue liquid and handed it to Yu.
"Drink this, young one."
Yu, with shaking hands, grabbed the vial and forced it down his throat in one go. It tasted far too sweet, and it burned, like he was drinking alcohol, but at least the taste was tolerable. He felt the fluid sizzle as it traveled down his throat, but much to his surprise, it didn't leave an aftertaste, nor did it damage his throat like it did last time. Shoichi grabbed his noteboard and pen, then stared at Yu, who was starting to feel… funny, his eyes starting to glaze over.
"How do you feel?"
"Bruh, if I punch myself and it hurts, am I weak, or strong?" Yu asked.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Bruh, Halloween is just a global cosplay event."
"What are you talk-?"
"Bruh, children are legal slave labor."
"Oh my goodness."
"Bruh, 'that's great dear' is grandma's version of 'cool story bro.'"
"What have I done?"
"Bruh, cereal is a soup."
"This was supposed to be for the betterment of mankind."
"Bruh, if you call a dude a dog, you're calling them a son of a bitch."
"I regret everything."
"Bruh, whoever said 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' has clearly never heard of comas."
"Kill me now."
A good 30 minutes had passed of Yu spouting utter nonsense, deep philosophical questions, and everything in between before he suddenly passed out. After that whole ordeal was finished, Yu woke up and rubbed his head. Shoichi was scribbling like mad on his noteboard. The teen leaned forward and grabbed his skull, which was pounding like a jackhammer. The doctor saw Yu finally getting up and set his noteboard down.
"Ah, you've come to. How do you feel?"
"Like I just went to a frat party. What happened?"
"You drank the liquid as instructed, and then you started… talking."
"About what?" Yu asked, worried he might've accidentally spilled the beans about the Metaverse.
"Things…"
"That's incredibly vague."
"You want to hear it for yourself?" the doctor offered.
"Yes please." Yu agreed.
Shoichi hit play, and Yu immediately regretted it.
"Bruh, pants aren't an issue when you're quantum shitting through the nth dimension."
"Oh god." Yu cringed.
"I know. And I had to endure that, and worse for 30 minutes."
"I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. I would have endured 30 hours for these test results. The medicine will be perfected yet."
"That's good to hear. And speaking of meds, I need some more."
Shoichi extended his arm and beckoned, silently telling Yu to hand over the cash. The teen complied, forking over the money he had earned today. The doctor opened up a cabinet to reveal several vials full of pills. He grabbed two and tossed them to his patient, who nodded in appreciation. As Yu left, he heard Shoichi call to him.
"Oh, young one?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for coming on such short notice. I greatly appreciate it."
"Sure. Just… call me a bit earlier, alright?"
"I make no promises young one."