A week passes since Ryuji's grueling training. Day in and at times even day out, hours would be spent training his body to the limit, either properly with Yamatachi's regimen or even the constant battles he would find himself in around town. Be it in stores, the streets, even the subway trains were stages for his fights. By now the masked street fighter began gaining traction. People would now look forward to seeing him fight against the otherwise undesirables of society. There is a hypnotic catharsis in the eyes and mind of those that choose to watch his fights rather than contact the authorities or flee the scene. One of the more common onlookers is Ann herself. With her life as a full-time student and part time model for an agency her parents work with, she had a full plate for most days, most of her free time is dedicated to her only other friend, Shiho. Shiho would usually join her, even come to her camera shootings, but as of late her schedule also keeps her busy. This is due to her involvement into the volleyball club. Ann had supported her full throttle at the start of their first year of highschool, and for the most part things were looking up, until the second year.
Shiho grew distant and numb. There would be moments where she didn't respond to Ann at all unless she had all but yelled in her ear. A once vibrant and confidant girl who was her own source of strength slowly turning into a cracked husk. That evening when they encountered Mishima's assault, Ann couldn't believe her eyes and ears as her friend had seemingly came back from the dead, and then the masked fighter entered their lives. Ann has been following after him best she could since then with Shiho. Her excuse is to thank him in person, as is the same for Shiho, but both want more than that. To know why he fights. If he's apart of the growing crime rate or stepping up to make an effort in declining it. To see if he's a hero or a violence loving lunatic.
Today is something different. Mishima has followed them since classes ended, and with Ann sharing a class with him, it isn't too hard for him to keep up. By the time they reach the trains both turn to confront him. Ann points a finger just above his nose.
"Hold it right there, stalker."
Shiho lowers her friends arm yet glares with her all the same at the freshman.
"He's not a stalker. He's apart of the volleyball club, just like me. Is there a reason you've been following us so closely, Yuuki-kun?"
Mishima glances between them both. He lowers his head stammering out his words best he can past chattering teeth.
"I-I-I... Uh... A-Ah... I was supposed... To get Suzui... For Kamoshida-sensei..."
The two girls look at each other with reluctance. However, their attention is torn back to Mishima who stares at them with a strange conviction in his eyes, even a semblance of confidence in his still quivering voice.
"But! You're going to find that guy who saved you, right?! I overheard you both on the way out! Please! Let me come with you!"
Before either of them could properly react, the three of them jump to a pleasant yet strict voice, all of them turning in the direction of Makoto smiling at them.
"I hope you're not neglecting your club activities to go search for a dangerous vigilante, Suzui-chan, Mishima-kun."
Shiho and Mishima shrink under her harsh glare hidden behind the genial expression. Ann is not so easily intimidated and speaks her mind.
"Aren't you assuming a little too much? We hardly even know this guy. He just started talking nonsense at us."
Shiho hisses a whisper at Ann glancing towards the downtrodden Mishima.
"It isn't his fault he couldn't defend himself... He was outnumbered, remember? He helped the police find their way back to us instead of leaving us behind."
"..."
Makoto eyes the party. Her now stoic expression only making the group squirm with unease.
"You can play dumb all you like but I have pretty good hearing... You're involved with that individual?"
Shiho speaks up as she shakes her head.
"Not so much involved. Just interested. He saved us not too long ago."
Mishima follows after her.
"H-He's not a bad guy. A criminal maybe, but he punishes other criminals too, and he looks young from all the posts online I see of him."
Ann scoffs rolling her eyes as the train screeches loudly to a halt before the doors open for them to board.
"Listen. You can snitch on us or lecture us all you like, but we're going to find out more about him, there's something going on in this town and he's apart of it."
"I have an idea where he'll be next."
"I don't care, Niijima-senpai! ... Wait what-?"
Makoto ushers the party into the train with an annoyed sigh as she hushes them. The group manage to huddle up together and listen to her whispering.
"Don't misunderstand. I don't condone your behavior at all, but I too have business with him, so I think that for now it would be in our best interest to work together on this. Can we at least agree on that?"
The trio stare at her in surprise before Shiho and Mishima nod. Ann however sends a skeptical gaze.
"So suddenly you want to help find him? What about your duties as the Student Council President?"
"Those are important, as are our studies, but right now this takes priority. If my guess is right... He could be in great danger right now."
She ignores their prying for the rest if the train ride. In truth, she received a text from Ryuji, they had chatted until Makoto learned that Haru is with him. Panicked and annoyed, she managed to narrow a location, she rides the train with the group in hole of knocking sense into him.
"Are you enjoying this? I hope this isn't an inconvenient time for you."
"N-Not at all! We should've been doing this kind of thing, y'know?"
Haru giggles from her side of the booth within a diner. Ryuji smiles back as he nervously texts Makoto. He was on his way for another day of training before he had been caught by Haru. He had forgotten they started talking again, and today was the day they agreed to hang out, so he couldn't refuse. Haru eyes him with a curious glance.
"Is everything alright?"
"Huh-? Yeah! Of course!"
He wants to tell her just about everything. The crazy bullshit he's finds himself in. It would be too much all at once to unload on her though. Plus, he figures someone like her would detest violence vehemently, so he just has pray his teacher will come through for him. He'll have to endure.
"Sorry I haven't been at school to help out."
"I heard you were having a family emergency. Is everything alright?"
"I can't really say... I'm in a tight spot. I'm working my way out of it day by day though."
"If it's anything financial related, I assure you I can be of aid, just let me know!"
"Wh-Well! Just like that? Sorry, it ain't a thing money can fix... In fact... I guess you could say money is what got me into my mess."
"Money caused it?"
"Money and... It's all really complicated. Let's focus on the fun stuff instead! We haven't even ordered anything!"
"I suppose your right... Grandmother's Steak looks good! What do you think?"
"Hey, I was thinking about getting that too! Yo we're ready to order over here!"
Ryuji shouts out to the waitress. As they give their orders the television inside turns to the footage Ryuji is familiar with plays much to his discomfort.
[ "The footage seen here is but one of a small collection of the rise in vigilante crime. Several people in our audience and the polls agree that this masked figure is a criminal. However, there's a small minority that side with the masked figure, calling what he does justice. Today is our special guest, ace detective and local celebrity, Goro Akechi!" ]
Haru clasps her hands together watching the screen.
"Akechi-kun! He has the most interesting opinions!"
"Really? He seems like a trendsetter..."
"Oh he is, but that doesn't detract from his views, just listen!"
Ryuji rubs his neck. He didn't not like Goro Akechi. He just never sees the appeal in celebrities his age, especially when that occupation is being a cop, maybe there is something he just doesn't see that others do? The camera on the television shifts to a youthful well dressed man. A genial expression as he speaks with formal inflection to his voice. He sits in a studio with a middle aged man and a woman, the hosts of the show, the man raises his hand to halt the applause.
[ "Akechi-san. For someone of your age, you certainly hold tight to the values of our laws and justice system, even with recent scandals and corruptions being exposed." ]
The co-host chimes in.
[ "Scandals that he has exposed. Despite all that you've seen I doubt there's anyone in this room with as much conviction than you." ]
[ "It truly is a marvel as so many have lost faith in the government. So then, we can assume you have some powerful feelings towards a fellow youth flagrantly disregarding the rules, making a disgrace of our society with his deplorable acts of violence?" ]
Akechi shakes his head.
[ "You may be in for a surprise yourself but I too support this figure!" ]
That piqued Ryuji's interest. In fact, the diner and the audience, all who tuned in for this moment now were glued to their screens. The host of the show laughs in slight shock.
[ "C-Could you elaborate further on that statement?" ]
[ "Of course. I don't agree at all by the means. Vigilantism is in itself a crime." ]
The host nods firmly nodding.
[ "It invites a chaotic and revolutionary mentality in an otherwise peaceful time in our country!" ]
[ "However, as many of us are becoming aware, people are being ruthlessly assaulted day by day. This very individual could be a victim of this issue." ]
The co-host nods and does a subtle gesture to the camera crew.
[ "Ah yes. You're alluding to the first and most viral video of our subject." ]
[ "As perceptive as ever, Iori-san. Let's do a quick study of the convenient store's cameras." ]
Ryuji winces as the screens cut to the moment he had flown through the windows from Kuma's assault. Looking at it from an outside perspective made him wonder how he stayed alive. Haru groans watching it.
"I hadn't actually seen any of these videos. Oh my goodness! He looks like he was caught in a terrible accident! A-And... He got up after that!?"
"Yeah. He's a tough guy."
Akechi pauses the video at the moment he bought the firecrackers.
[ "Here's a most perplexing thing to me here. He used the firecrackers from this store to put an opponent, far superior to him, in a state of submission." ]
[ "I'd hardly call monster that size a man, Akechi-san." ]
The audience laughs while Akechi adorns a serious demeanor. A thinkers pose as he continues.
[ "However, despite the cruel manner of using them, he legally obtained them in the midst of a life or death situation. You can see him paying here." ]
The woman stares at the image holding her cheek.
[ "That is odd... You would think anyone would just take them instead!" ]
[ "Precisely. When in a state of fight or flight, one doesn't take these things into consideration, we as humans become desperate to do anything we can to survive. This action tells me he acknowledges the store's profits and did as any citizen should do. Provide payment for goods and service. Now look here." ]
The screen changes to footage of a group of high school students recording themselves for fun. Ryuji can see Kuma approaching him from the back, going to strike Makoto before taking the hit himself, the group recording are shaken before they record the rest of the fight.
[ "From footage taken from civilians on their phones, a group of unassuming teenagers recording themselves on a night out for a cherished memory, we see the fight start as well." ]
The man adjust his tie trying to keep a straight face.
[ "I'll say. I find violence quite abhorrent so watching this isn't good for my heart." ]*
[ "I apologize, Sanada-san. My point is that this, by all accounts, is self-defense. He even throws a girl out of the way here to save her instead of using her as a shield." ]
[ "Akechi-san... You're putting him in quite a heroic light! You aren't implying that he didn't commit a crime here, are you?" ]
[ "Aside from disturbing the peace and property damage with his body being tossed around, can you show me a crime he committed? You can see this strange behavior all over in other videos. All of his fights caught on camera are never initiated by him." ]
[ "What does this mean, Akechi-san?" ]
[ "He may be a vigilante to the eyes of many, but has it ever been considered that he's merely being targeted, and that these fights could all potentially be labeled self-defense?" ]
The audience visibly gasps as the diner fills with low murmurs. Haru speaks just above a whisper.
"That's a horrible thought, if that person is being targeted then he wouldn't be safe anywhere, so shouldn't he go to the police?"
Ryuji looks to her for a moment before nodding as his gaze returns to the television.
"Maybe he can't. If you ask me it's bullshit what he's going through. Maybe there's a reason the detective isn't aware of."
The interview continues with the co-host asking the last few questions.
[ "So are you taking his side in the debate regarding our masked character here?" ]
[ "Ahahaha!~ I'm afraid not. I would arrest him on the spot were he in front of me right now. I only take the side of justice. If he truly is being targeted by an organization he should come to the police." ]
[ "But why even make the statement?" ]
[ "I guess it's because I can see the passion in his fighting for justice as well. After all the only men he's beaten are those already within our criminal database." ]
Akechi laughs with a shrug.
[ "I've even heard jokingly at the station how we may let him play around for a bit longer for doing our work!" ]
[ "What an interesting development! I think I speak for many of our watchers when I say our eyes have been opened to a new perspective. Go online to take our new poll after the show! Vigilante or Victim?" ]
Akechi looks directly into the lenses of the cameras. For those in the diner, it feels as if he could be staring into the eyes of everyone watching, especially Ryuji.
[ "I'd like to finish the broadcast with a message to you, if you're watching out there, listen carefully. If you truly are as innocent as the current situation shows I will do all I can in my power to help you. That is the duty of those sided with justice. Cease the violence and use that energy for more useful things to our society." ]
The usual outro plays as the diner begins to buzz with new conversation. Haru looks ahead in thought staring into space.
"I wonder if that person is okay... He looked deathly injured..."
Ryuji looks to the side smiling idly. This kind of attention isn't so bad. He didn't think people would actually like what he was doing. All he is doing is defending himself.
"He's shown up in other videos taking on tough guys, right? I'm sure he's fine."
"What do you think, Ryuji? Is he a victim?"
"Nah. If he got himself into a situation like that than he must have done something."
"But what could he have possibly done to get someone as terrifying as that man to be after him?"
"Probably got involved with the wrong people. You gotta be careful who you're with, Haru. Things are only getting crazier out there."
She nods as their meal arrives. Between bites she asks him.
"Ryuji? Do you still have my handkerchief?"
He looks up with cheeks full of food as he struggles to speak through chewed mush.
"Whuh? Y-Yeah, why?"
She shakes her head at his lack of table manners. A huff as she holds her hand out.
"I'd like it back."
"Sure."
He digs around in his pockets before pulling out the neatly folded and clean handkerchief.
"It isn't mine so I washed it when I could. That ain't a problem or anything, is it?"
"No. Not at all... You aren't involved in anything like that, are you?"
He coughs and chokes on his food as he barely manages to breathe. He shakes his head sweating slightly.
"Wh-Why would you ask me something like that?!"
"Your hands..."
She places hers over his speaking softly. A strange cadence that put him at unease as she slowly takes back her gift.
"They're bandaged up. As if you've been using your knuckles in a fight. Your face..."
Her eyes scan him as they move from his hands to the small cuts on his face. Ryuji didn't know how she could see them, as embarrassing as it is to admit to himself, Yamatachi has applied make-up on him to hide the tiny wounds he'd suffer during their sparing. The make-up would hide them so well he forgot he has any wounds until Haru uses the handkerchief to wipe it off his cheek.
"Boys don't usually use make-up unless they're otokonoko."
"I-I ain't-!"
"No one ever said you were. There's another explanation. You've been getting into fights again... Just like on the day of that video going online, the same day as you came to school looking so horrible, right Ryuji?"
Ryuji's eyes widen as he pulls away from her. A rush of thoughts flying through his head. The first and foremost is why now? How? Why and how is Haru suspecting him of this at all?!
"Excuse me, miss."
Haru glances to her side as a man unknown to her approaches. He lowers his shades with a slight adjusts before offering a slight bow.
"I'm Yamatachi. Ryuji talks a lot about you."
"You know Ryuji? Is he okay? I haven't seen him for a few days!"
"I'll be frank with you, miss. He's in a lot of trouble. I'm trying to help him best I can. He's my nephew and the closest thing I have to a son."
"He never mentioned you..."
"His mother and I never got along as kids. She ran away with the man who'd be his father before leaving them. I tried to help her but she wanted to wait for that man... My sister is a real idiot but she's loyal to the end. Something her son inherited from her."
"That's awful..."
"Our family is wealthy but proud. When she left, our parents disowned her, leaving her all on her own with a child to take care of. I couldn't abandon her... So I try to keep watch from afar."
"That's why Ryuji doesn't talk about you... Why not approach him now though? I'm sure he'd love to know you've been helping them from afar!"
Yamatachi shakes his head adjusting his shades.
"Hardly. I had to make sure they struggled so my sister wouldn't suspect my involvement in their life. Besides, she isn't helpless and managed to get herself a job, all I did was add bonus pay through some dealings with the head of her company."
"That's still more than your parents! You must really care for your sister and nephew."
"Family is family... I'll do anything to protect them... Which is why I'm ashamed to ask for your help. Ryuji needs you."
"I will do whatever I can in my power... Please tell me what I need to do."
"Firstly..."
Haru glares at the reveal of the wounds on Ryuji's face. Yamatachi's words echo in her mind.
("Firstly, expose a lie he's been telling. Look to his hands first than wipe the cover up on his face. Then after that, ask this question...")
"How long have you been doing this?"
Ryuji pales considerably as his eyes dart around thinking of any excuse or lie to get out of this. Where was Makoto, he starts to think, praying she'd come in at any second now.
"I-I... I haven't been...!"
She remembers her instructions on what to do next.
("When he's caught, reassure him, put him in a calm state of mind so he's vulnerable. After that guilt trip him with this...")
"I'm not mad that you kept this to yourself. I want to know why you couldn't trust me with this. Aren't we friends?"
Ryuji mutters to himself looking incredibly guilty.
"I...We are! I ain't doing this cause I like it!
"Doing what...? Hah-!"
She was very suspiscous of the shades wearing man but seeing his predictions of Ryuji's behavior ring true, and how to get him to expose himself, learning of a lie she otherwise never would have known. She reaches up and hides Ryuji's mouth from her view.
"You...! You're! You're really-!"
He shushes her harshly with a finger over his mouth.
"P-Pipe down. Geez, you're sharp. Was it that obvious?"
She pauses and thinks back on the last instruction.
"He may ask you how you came to suspect him. The easiest way out is to ask a question in return."
At first she asked herself, what could that even mean, as it made little to no sense at the time. Discovering the shocking truth has open her eyes.
"I just want to know why? Why didn't you tell me?"
"U-Urk! Eh... Uh... I..."
"Please. I wish to know. Do you not trust me enough to tell?"
"That ain't it. You wouldn't believe me if I told you..."
The door bell chimes as someone enters. Haru perks up at one of the few employees of her fiancé she didn't mind enter. However, this meant that her time was up, a frown skews onto her face while Ryuji squirms in sheer dread. Haru knows the man as Sugimura's faithful bodyguard, Notaka Fujinoshi. Ryuji knows him as Kun Woo Li. The unassuming assassin wears a black suit standard for bodyguards. He smiles in their direction at Haru.
"Okumura-sama, I'm sorry to interrupt but-!"
He stops to stare at them in bewilderment. Specifically at Ryuji. Haru stands shaking her head.
"Notaka! Why are you here?"
"... Okumura-sama..."
Kun Woo glares icy daggers at Ryuji despite addressing the young lady. His head turns to her despite his eyes remaining on the blonde punk.
"I didn't know you were out with someone else."
"This is Ryuji, my friend! I told you about him."
"Ah. Right. Sakamoto-san."
"D-Do you two know each other."
She asks looking between them nervously. Ryuji raises a brow at the name. However, as much as he'd like to call him out and punch him, he has take things easy. He's spent a whole week with a guy ruthlessly abusing him physically and verbally just so he could have a shot at this man, but now isn't the time. Even someone as dense as him understands this. He stands up and speaks before Kun Woo can.
"Yeah we do. He and I met at the arcade about a week ago. He's really good at Gun About."
Kun Woo scoffs wearing a sneering mask to hide his disdain.
"Yes... I was, impressed. Impressed by Sakamoto-san's skill at video games. You know how I love the arcade. We're unlikely associates."
"Buddies you could say. He even invited me out to drink and everything. Even though, you rudely left me on the pavement blacked out, but I guess that's my fault."
"Indeed. I said you would have to watch out for yourself and not drink in more than you can handle..."
Haru looks between them full of concern until she looks at Ryuji rubbing the bandages on his hands. She then looks to her fiancé's bodyguard noting the bruises he used to have out of nowhere one day. She gasps then as dots connect in her head. Sugimura cold words and twisted nature confirms to her the suspicions lying in her heart. She needs to get them away from each other.
"Notaka... We're leaving."
"Yes. This way ma'am."
Finally the older man breaks his gaze from his target. Ryuji's glare softens to a worried glance at Haru. She brings her hand up to form a phone gesture before leaving with her escort. The waitress then approaches him.
"You are going to pay for the meal, right?"
"... Shit... It's just not my day today."
He has enough luck to have the money for the bill. Unfortunately, it is all he has in his wallet. He leaves the diner and with little to do now begins to wander the city. As he hits the streets he hears the loud screech of tires.
"Are you sure you know where you're going?"
Ann leans over Makoto's shoulder with an accusing stare. The older student retorts with a glare.
"We're walking, aren't we? Is there somewhere you'd rather be?"
Shiho pulls her friend back.
"We just got off the train... We should be grateful she isn't reporting me and Mishima to Kamoshida-sensei."
Mishima rubs his arms while hugging himself.
"I-I'm not the only who feels like we're being watched all of sudden, am I?"
Makoto stops abruptly. Ann bumps into her irritated.
"W-Why'd you stop, Niijima?"
"Oh my God..."
Makoto and the rest are nearly swept away by a fleeing crowd. Narrowly escaping the current by anchoring themselves to the sidewalk railing. The three underclassmen look around confused until a loud crash sounds. A car chases down Ryuji on the sidewalk just around the corner. He continues straight into the middle of the road. He had to. If he stayed on the sidewalk he would risk the lives of others instead of just his own. However, even with heavy traffic, the car has enough room to gun for right for him at speeds he can't hope to out run. Let alone survive.
"SAKAMOTO!"
Makoto runs from behind the railing and tackles Ryuji just as he crosses the party. Makoto takes the hit for Ryuji and tumbles over it before hitting the pavement. The car attempts to make a fast turn but causes a massive accident up in the process. An intersection pile up which it finds itself in the middle of it all. Ryuji, dumbfounded, sits still staring at Makoto.
"... Wh... What!? Hey! Ni-Niijima! What the hell was that?! Get up already!"
He runs over to her body holding her up panicking.
"Goddammit! Get up! Get up, you idiot! You're smarter than this! What... What the fuck were you thinking?! WAKE UP MAKOTO!"
Hot tears stream down his stinging eyes. He wants to do... Anything. Something. This weakness he feels at being useless to save her. It's the same powerless sensation when he failed himself that year ago. His leg injury, his mother's disgrace, everything wrong in his life has been caused by him. And he has no way of rectifying. Just like the times before. Like a frail child holding a treasured toy all he can do is scream.