Ryuji watches the footage on the his phone online. His fight with the radical foreigner gains news coverage he otherwise would have accepted. On the televised media outlets both sides were vilified as crazed lunatics only displaying the decline of Japan's society and a testament for failure the government is to it's people... Not that he cares. This country is home, but having a better understanding than most, to him they're only overdramatizing a rather strange situation. He receives a text from Yamatachi.

[ "Pay attention in class." ]

Ryuji looks up and around confused. He isn't teaching this period and should be in the faculty office. He looks outside and catches his teacher smoking on the ground level of the campus. He waves at the delinquent before wandering off out of sight.

"What's that old bastard up to now...?"

Not too far off as Ryuji lays his head on his desk, O'Shaughnessy looks at his target from the ground level, eyes glistening with murderous glee as he takes a phone out. A phone he had stolen from a certain volleyball coach after an convincing argument made with a left hook to the jaw. He uses the emergency dial to make a call as he was instructed.

"... Hey. I got in and got a phone. Now what?"

[ "J-Just give me a second... I should be able to unlock it now that we're connected through a call... There. Try this password." ]

The Scotsman grumbles under his breath but smiles as he finds himself on the home screen.

"Well shit me out another bastard! You were right!"

[ "Language, sir!" ]

"Sorry about that. Now what?"

[ "You're connected to the school, right? I-I can find the records and you get out of there now. I can set the fire alarms off and empty the building." ]

"Hold off on that would you? I got an old friend to meet up with."

[ "... Dad-" ]

O'Shaughnessy snarls with a sudden rise in hostility to the voice on the other end.

"You gotta problem with that?!"

The voice on the other end squeaks from the abrupt shouting.

[ "N-No! None! Aside from the fact you'd be risking being found out... But if you can keep it quiet for a few minutes... That'd be most appreciated." ]

The adult changes his tune at once, cooing with adulation in his voice, he rubs the phone dearly against his cheek.

"Good boy!~ Good boy, Seamus! One last thing. You said you were trying to hack into Piss Hair's phone. What was all that about?"

[ "I'll keep it brief! There's got to be someone keeping him protected. I think it's a hacker like me. While you were... Doing your uh... Thing, last night? I managed to find an exploit in their defense. At first it was hard cause every time I looked for the location, I was sent-" ]

O'Shaughnessy abruptly cuts off his support.

"Skip the tech nerd shit and tell me what you found."

There's a pause before Seamus continues with haste in his voice.

[ "IP Addresses. I thought I was being sent to a random one each time world-wide. Turns out there's a set in each country with internet, so I narrowed the search down to the ones in Japan, and there's only three prefectures we can check. Kagoshima, Kyoto, and finally right here in Shibuya." ]

"Shibuya ain't a prefecture, Seamus."

[ "Exactly! The fact I could narrow it down in the Tokyo prefecture, unlike the others where it's just a general area, leads me to believe they're closer than we think! I'm working through some high level security and will get you a name when you're here at home." ]

"Good work... I'm proud of you, boyo. See you soon."

O'Shaughnessy hangs up and pockets the phone. He stands there having heard the sound of formal shoes subtly hitting the ground behind him.

"You know... When we met back at the hospital? I really did almost miss you entirely. Something about your voice and face was all too familiar."

He turns around to see Yamatachi glaring at him. Glasses off, the cigarette now crushed under a heel, contacts gone to display two crimson orbs of hatred burning into the emerald eyes of an age old rival. Silence is his answer but O'Shaughnessy continues.

"I shaved that scruff of yours but still couldn't figure it out... So I had to dig. You know what your biggest slip up was? Taking your dead brother's name for this job. What would Akira think of this, Ren?"

The teacher's fist clench tight as his nails pierce his palm drawing blood, using every inch of his own willpower to not run wild with his animosity.

"Don't you say his name. Not after all you've done."

"I went out of my way to bury him with a proper tombstone, for you! I took you in when you couldn't speak, taught you how, that and so much more! That's what I've done!"

He pounds his chest as he glares at his old friend, the smile on his face cracking in half, a gleeful sneer and a scorned scowl.

"Back when you used black mud and shoe polish to hide your white hair... You'd use cloth to hide your eyes... Now I see you're spray tanning your skin too, huh? You always loved living in a lie, boy!"

"You were the biggest liar of when you had me believe you cared..."

The face of the Scotsman softens to that of a wounded animal. A heavy sigh as he starts walking towards a child in his eyes. A vacant stare of a boy no taller than his knee with snow white hair and skin. This boy would look at him smile a long time ago. He'd be so proud of the boy when he fought and won fights he should have lost. When no one in the world wanted him, and his family abandoned him in death, he was the only one to care... That boy vanishes behind the living deceiver before him now.

"I did... Back then I did... How long has it been, my son?"

Yamatachi touches the scar on his arm instinctively as it begins to ache for the first time in years. He can remember it all now. This life of violence has been with him since he was a boy. This life that took what little family he had, gave him a new one, but at the cost of his own humanity. The memories sicken him as he begins to approach the last tie to his old life.

"Not long enough."

"You wanna tango with me again? Didn't you learn there are some things even you can't do?"

"Maybe not but Ryuji certainly can."

"And what makes you say that? Y'know I came here to kill him! You couldn't even beat me when I wanted to knock you out!"

"I'm hoping your age has hindered you a little, but I have to remind myself carefully your greatest weapon, it isn't that fancy knife in your jacket..."

O'Shaughnessy laughs as he whips out said item. It gleams in the light of the sun as Ren grows tense at the sight of it. His eyes move to the bare chest of his old friend.

"You still can't feel pain... Can you."

"Nope. You still read people like an open book too? Your ability... When everyone else was poking fun at you for it... Was the most terrifying of all. Even more frightening than your partner. You know, you could've killed me back then."

"I'm about to rectify that mistake now."

From behind the corner, unaware to either seasoned combatant, a pair of horrified eyes watch in silence. Shiho watches in unblinking terror as the two clash. She would like to relay the fight to her friends, the news she learned, the sights she's seeing with the unreal movement between two inhuman mortals. Their speed strains her eyes as she attempts to catch up with them. Eventually she flinches from a sound pound as Yamatachi lands a blow on the foreigner's side. A powerful kick that's grabbed by O'Shaughnessy's arm. He stabs it with his knife and drags down with great ease as a hot knife goes through butter.

"What did I tell you about opportunity, Ren?"

"... When one is open to you..."

O'Shaughnessy's eyes widen with fear as he realizes he can't pull his knife out. Ren has hidden a text book hidden under the pant leg attached by tape. His leg only suffers a shallow cut from the tip of the knife. The Scotsman isn't fast enough to release the leg held this close and tight, and the weapon handle acts as brass knuckles, his only other arm is stuck leaving him defenseless. Yamatachi lunges forward with his free leg as both arms reach out for his old foe's head. The intent to snap his neck made very clear as he begins to twist with all his might.

"It's open to your enemy as well."

O'Shaughnessy uses his hold on the leg to break it at once as he leans back in a fall. Years ago this would have forced his student back. Today, his resolves shines through his dark heart and bloodthirsty eyes, as he remains stalwart in his plan to execute the violent monster. O'Shaughnessy knows that by the time his back hits the ground, he'll be dead, and on any other day he would be fine. He is so proud right now. Even with all the vitriol between the two, he still can't help but praise his most favored son in his heart, dying like this wouldn't be so bad.

Unfortunately, he can't let that happen just yet, he has a job to do. In Yamatachi's haste to end the life of his only tie to his past, he had put a hand over the Scotsman's mouth, and with a savage bite severs the flesh from Yamatachi's body. It's enough for vengeful fighter's grasp to slip as the two fall together. O'Shaughnessy smiles as he gains the advantage quickly as he recovers on the spot. In but a second, he straddles Yamatachi and wails on him, the handle of his knife being blunt easily ruins the handsome visage once loved or envied by all.

"Just! Like! Old! Times! Ren!"

He speaks between each blow. He then rolls to the side stumbling as his gaze becomes dazed. He feels something hard hitting the back of his head. Though he is without pain, he can still feel, and his body reacts accordingly regardless. It is as much his greatest ability and his most devastating weakness. He turns having been knocked off of his foe by a schoolgirl. Shiho holds up a shovel with a slight dent in the spade and tears in her eyes as she raises it to hit the man again.

"Leave him alone!"

"Stay Out Of This."

He sends a kick to her waist that sends her against the school building. She bounces off the wall and falls face first into the grass. Yamatachi attempts to stand on his own, dragging himself to Shiho's unconscious body, he looks up to see police soon following from where she had came from.

"... You silly girl... You weren't supposed to come in after bringing in help."

He looks back to see O'Shaughnessy already fleeing the scene. It's enough for him to close his eyes and let himself fall away unto unconsciousness himself. He awakens to a familiar room with stiff air. He's laid down in the medical room of his burnt club. It was made as a shelter, so it surviving an arson is well within it's capabilities, but as he attempts to sit up a hand pushes him back down.

"Oh no you don't, sir. You've been quite the troublemaker for us all. We could do with you taking a breather for our sake."

He looks to his side at Toru, his vagrant employee, dressed up in an expensive formal outfit yet maintaining his thick beard.

"... Did you steal one of my suits?"

The homeless agent grins and pops the shiny collar of a freshly ironed formal undershirt.

"Looks better on me, right? I had to steal more than that."

The older gentleman snickers as Ren weakly reaches for the suit jacket to bring pull him closer.

"You didn't use my cash to get a few beers, did you?"

"No!~ I used it to get that expensive shit. Don't worry, I only drank after the ride here. According to some hospital records, I'm now your emergency contact and personal assistant, Kurusu-sensei.

The injured man sits up much to his employees silent distress.

"You, are, my personal assistant you drunk fool... Why are we under the club? You know I got other hideouts."

Toru scoffs as a response as he points towards the stone ceiling.

"Couldn't risk my favorite karaoke bar being burnt down, plus the police are still here investigating, they just didn't think to check our little secret entrance."

"So we're using the police as a shield huh? That ain't actually too bad of an idea."

"It was that girl's idea, Okumura? She looks innocent but I've seen a lot of people with eyes like hers. She gives me the creeps, boss."

"Shut up. They here?"

"They brought an extra one... Said she wanted to speak with Ren, and I know she meant you, but I never heard you go by that name before. You ain't fucking high schoolers on the side now, are you?"

The old man doubles over from a fist in the stomach. Toru stumbles back grumbling as he holds his gut.

"M-Maybe if you ever had more friends your age people wouldn't keep thinking these things... I'll let them in."

Toru opens the door for the group to rush in all at once. He shakes his head and takes his leave. Shiho is the first to greet him as he sits up to hug.

"W-Whoa! I'm not dead or anything, calm down there. You okay? He hit you pretty hard."

"I-I'm fine...! They told me everything Ku-Kuru... Yamatachi-san."

"... No. That's not my name either."

He releases her as he look to the others. Ann and Haru look at him anxious with anticipation.

"I-I knew there was a mystery to you but... That teacher who hurt you... It was that guy?"

"Please explain this to us best you can, sir."

Makoto folds her arms in slight self-gratification fused with distrust and concern.

"I knew you had to be there somewhere in the files I studied... I just didn't think it'd be that boy."

Ryuji stares at him with earnest intent. He looks grateful and full of joy at his teacher's survival, but his face is full of skepticism as well, their eyes are locked until he finally speaks.

"No more lies, Teach. We want the full story. Your story."

"... We'll be here awhile..."

The entire party looks at him attentively as Shiho speaks the group's mind.

"We'll be here the whole time. Some of them have been here for you since."

He looks between each of them. He's spent half his life not being able to trust himself, let alone others, but even he knows one day it had to come. He reclines in his bed as he takes a water bottle on one of the table stands by the bedside before pouring it over his head. The black dye and tan skin washes away on one side of his face. Alabaster skin with ivory hair, the ruby eyes gleaming from the single light in the room, all contrasting the seemingly healthy appearance the teenagers knew.

"... My name's Ren Amamiya. I was born to a rich family with low constitution and albinism. My parents were deep into the system you're familiar with by now, and wanted to raise the perfect little fighters, which they couldn't do with a weak sickly boy..."

Makoto looks at him curiously.

"But you had a brother?"

He nods looking straight up at the ceiling going down memory lane.

"Twin brother, he came out first, healthy as a horse. They said I wasn't too far behind, that he held my hand, as if helping me out of the womb. Crazy right?"

Haru brings a hand over her mouth as she began to piece parts yet untold.

"This older twin was Akira Kurusu, wasn't it."

Ren looks to the side with another much slower nod.

"Kurusu was the family name. When they saw that I was a sickly child from birth, my parents didn't even want me associated, so they had the records say I was adopted instead. I didn't eat at the same table as they did, hardly went out to play or go with them on vacations. I was a burden on their lives, a living medical bill, a parasite on their funds and child's future... But not Akira."

Ann hugs an arm swaying side to side frowning at the story thus far.

"That's horrible... What made your brother so different?"

A smile finally begins to shine as he looks back towards the light.

"Aside from the fact he looked like an angel? He knew who I was. He... He always called me brother. He'd push me to my limit, physically, but never spoke ill of or to me. He'd get a tongue lashing from Dad every time I came up because he'd never stop defending me."

Shiho has a small smile seeing his own.

"You weren't completely alone then... It's like he was watching you since you two were born."

"That's just the kind of boy Akira was. If someone, young or old, rich or poor it didn't matter to him. He'd do everything he could to help. He was our parents pride and joy... Black hair and light grey eyes... He was so much more than I could ever hope to be. Even with everything handed to him on a silver platter, he'd give me more than a share, and take just scraps for himself. He was... My hero."

There's a pause then. No wants to ask vocally, but the question is on everyone's minds, and so Ren looks to his small group of trouble magnets.

"When we were but pre-teens, he convinced our parents to take me with them on a trip out of the country to Germany. It was wonderful, but it was a cover for Dad to do the last bits of fighting before early retirement, and Akira's debut to the family business."

Ryuji scratches his head throughout most of the story until now. He's been waiting for this part.

"He must have been amazing then, right?"

"Kid... Even at his age he'd kick most grown men into tears. He could be just as terrible as he was nice."

"Sounds a lot like you. What happened?"

... Ren hates thinking about this. How long has it been since he had to? The memories he had on the way to this point were so pleasant. Now there's only pain...

"It went south after we left with our winnings, turned out a lot of people hated Dad, and killed most the family... I was spared because of my parent's lies about being adopted, but they left me to fend for myself, and I made my way around Europe as a little vagrant. I carted Akira's body with me unable to accept his death..."

Makoto looks down at a file in hand. The same file on the very man before them she studied for so long.

"This... I could've never anticipated you lived such an... Arduous life. I'm sorry you had to go through this."

Ren smiles, shaking his head with a mix between a huff and a laugh.

"I am who I am because of that. I met you annoying brats for it too. But it was hard."

"But I have to ask sir. Why change your identity? Why all the aliases?"

He stands up bringing on hand to hide the half his face. The side of which his true face is on display looks to the students.

"I blamed myself for everything. I hated myself for their deaths... So I decided that Ren Amamiya did die there and did what I could to be someone else. Be better."

The hand moves to hide that sickly visage of a ghost, and shows off the handsome young face the party had known from the start, Ren's pained smile turns to a frown.

"So I started to dirty my hair to make it a different color, grew it out to hide my eyes, I even stole tanning lotions to hide my pale skin. In the end I was still just a freak in a world that wanted nothing to do with me... Until..."

Ryuji speaks up having had enough of seeing his teacher in a pitiful state. It made him feel weak himself, but more so that it sickens him that even someone he thought untouchable was made helpless by this system, this ugly game the world is set in.

"Until that asshole picked you up right? He trained you to fight and you left when ya learned he was batshit insane, right?"

Ren nods lowering his hand.

"It was only a few days really, I couldn't leave Akira's body and O'Shaughnessy found me with his crew, immediately seeing cash in what I could do. He gave Akira's body a burial in his own family's graveyard... And then adopted me into his family. He taught me things I've yet to teach Ryuji. I spent nearly half my life fighting for him..."

He stops there and looks away from the group. He hates this... Weak pity party he's thrown himself. It disgusts him. To be back as a pale worm writhing in the dirt of silent self-depreciation, their faces once filled with adoration and even fear, respect, now change to a compassionate sadness of concern for him... He loves these kids and would die for him... But he wishes he had died so that they never saw him like this.

"I'll tell you brats the rest later. Just let me rest awhile and I'll get back to you about it."

Shiho grabs Ren's hand with a gentle squeeze as she remembers fond yet bittersweet memories. Their talk in his car as Yamatachi, the counsel she received when he was Akira, it is now her turn to return the favor.

"At school... You would reassure me about pain that I was going through. Even though I never said it out loud, you knew what I was going through, and merely talking to you about it was enough. Please, tell us what happened. Let me help you as you've helped me."

"... I learned he wasn't just the one hires to kill my family, which is why he found me within days, but he was the one to cut open Dad's throat. I couldn't be with the guy who took my family from me. By then I started my network with people around the world, used every means I could to sneak him and myself alone, and we ended up taking this freighter to South Korea. I locked us in a room but... Our fight ended up sinking the whole thing."

Makoto jumps as dots in her connect bit by bit.

"You said you met Kun Woo Li in Korea too... T-Then... You made your way back to Japan!"

"I bounced around in China first for some extra cash before I made my way back home. I found this old man being robbed in an alley and saved him. Turns out, the guys robbing him were paid to kill him since he wanted out of the system, the same system that ruined my life. I offered myself as a bodyguard until he died eight years ago. His name was Bujima Yamatachi, founder and owner of Yamatachi Banking, died a bachelor with no friends or family..."

Ryuji closes his eyes as he recalls waking up here in this very room. The seemingly cavalier manner Yamatachi displayed at helping him.

"I get it... When me and Makoto were down here, you said you'd help us to screw the rich guys over and save Haru, but it was more than that... You want revenge, don't you."

"Kid... I don't even want to kill O'Shaughnessy anymore... But if I can by some way, any way, destroy this corrupt organization? I'll take any means of doing so. Even putting my bets on you."

"I'm just one guy... One kid..."

Ryuji then grins as he holds out a fist for Ren.

"But I'm one kid willing to raise some hell for justice. I was scared I was gonna hear a heel turn in that sob story old man, but I was right after all, you're a good guy even with all that shit."

Ren weakly raises his own fist before their knuckles meet. A strong bond between them both now tempered in trust. Ren can't help but smile with a single tear coming down his eye.

"Huh... So this is what it's like to have a friend..."