Hello, everyone! I'm back with a new chapter! Chapter 2! I hope everyone will enjoy this new chapter! Without further ado, let's start!
Normal POV
The next morning, Kai prepared himself for school as he took the pendant and wore it around his neck before going down to the cafe to see Sojiro.
" Oh, so you are actually going to school?"
" Well, it's not like I have a choice."
" ... Here. I'll feed you. Just make sure you finish it before customers start coming in."
Kai looked at the curry in front of him and blinked.
" Curry...?"
" What's that reaction for? Just eat it."
Kai started eating the curry as he tasted the flavour with the bold spiciness.
" This is delicious. I usually cook my curry with more onions to give more flavour to the roux."
" You can cook too?"
" I take care of myself. My parents died when I was young."
" ... I see. Well, you better get going once you're done. You don't want to be late for your first day at school."
Kai nodded as he thanked Sojiro for the meal and headed off after helping him change the sign to 'Open'.
" Kai-kun?"
" Aichi? ... Telepathy?"
" Yeah... I've been trying to figure out how to talk to you without making you look like you're crazy. Are you really sure about this?"
" I am. I just want to finish this year without causing any trouble for you. Then after that..."
" Yeah. Kai-kun?"
" What is it?"
" If at any point of time, we get close to a few people and forged a bond with them too... Will we still think about going away from this world?"
" ... It shouldn't be that easy to sway me. Maybe you might but I won't. And a year isn't enough to do that. Don't worry about it, Aichi."
" I just had that feeling... Sorry, that must've been random."
" Still thinking about the others?"
" No. It was just a thought. I know the others will try to find us if we were to disappear to the Moon but..."
" They'll understand. Even if they don't, we don't have to care anymore. This world and everything else... They don't deserve you to care about them."
" I know. Thank you, Kai-kun."
" You don't have to. I'm doing this because I love you and I'm not going to let anyone else get in our way."
" Yeah."
Kai continued his way to Shujin but the moment he came out of the train station, it was already raining as he found a sheltered area to take cover. While checking the map, the mysterious app on his phone suddenly enlarged on his screen as he sighed. Suddenly, another person ran over to the shelter as well as the person removed the hood to reveal a blonde girl. Noticing his stare, the girl smiled over to him before turning in front. Kai just turned back as well and placed his hands in his pockets as they saw a car pulling over in front and the window rolled down.
" Morning! Want me to give you a ride to school? You're gonna be late."
" Sure. Thank you."
" Do you need a lift too?"
" ... No thanks. I'll be fine on my own."
The man then rolled the window up as Kai noticed the change of expression in the girl's face as the car drove off. As soon as it did, a yellow haired boy came running as he stopped the moment the car was far away.
" Damn it! Screw that pervert teacher!"
" Pervert teacher?"
" What do you want? You plannin' on rattin' me out to Kamoshida?"
" Kamoshida?"
" Huh? In that car just now. It was Kamoshida. He does whatever the hell he wants. Who does he think he is, the king of a castle? Don't you agree?"
" The king of a castle?"
" No, I mean... Wait. You don't know Kamoshida? Are you for real? You're from Shujin, right?"
" You go to Shujin too?"
" What...? No other high school's got a uniform like this. A second-year, huh... We're the same grade then. Never seen you before though. Oh, you a transfer student? Then no wonder you don't know him. This rain ain't too bad. We better hurry up, or we'll be late."
As he started walking out of the shelter, both suddenly felt a splitting headache as they clenched their heads.
" Ngh...?! Ugh, my head hurts... Dammit... I wanna go home..."
Kai started following him after recovering from the headache after that.
" Kai-kun...? Are you okay?"
" You sound pained. Did you feel that too?"
" Sort of... It was a sudden headache..."
" Yeah... Maybe it's just a small migraine..."
" I hope so..."
As they continued walking through an alleyway, Kai suddenly felt something off as he turned behind, only to see nothing as an exclamation caused him to turn back in front. He continued walking as he gasped at the giant castle in front of them.
" What...?"
" We didn't... come the wrong way though... Yeah, this should be right. What's going on here? Guess we'll just have to go and ask."
They continued onward as they entered the castle and looked around.
" ... Kai-kun...?"
Kai flinched as he looked behind him to see Aichi appearing.
" Aichi!"
" ... My body..."
" W-Who are you?! What's going on here? What happened to the school?"
" I'm not sure... Did we make the wrong turn?"
" N-No! This has to be it! And plus, you weren't with us just now!"
" W-Well..."
" How did you appear like that?"
" I don't know..."
" ... Out of service? Where'd we end up...? The sign was for the school, right?"
" Yeah."
" Right?! You saw it too!"
Suddenly, an armored figure came up to them as Kai pulled Aichi behind him.
" Geez, you freaked me out. Who're you? You a student? Man, your costume's impressive... Is that armor real? C'mon, don't just stand there. Say somethin'."
More of them showed up as they backed away.
" ... H-Hey, what's goin' on?"
" What is this?"
" Dude, I don't know!"
" ... This shit's real. Calm down! Time out, man! We gotta run!"
" Come on, Aichi!"
" Stop standin' around and run!"
" Let's go!"
" R-Right!"
They were about to run back to the entrance when their path was blocked by more of the figures as they were knocked out one by one. An hour later, Kai groaned as he woke up in a cell. Aichi went over to him and bent over.
" Kai-kun, are you okay?"
" Yeah, I'm fine. What about you?"
" I'm okay..."
" Um... What about you?"
" I'm fine... More or less... Looks like this ain't no dream... Ugh, what's goin' on?!"
While the boy went to try to get out, Aichi sat beside Kai.
" How did you get out of the pendant?"
" I don't know. The moment you stepped into this castle, I suddenly started manifesting."
" This is so weird..."
" Dammit, where are we?! Is this some kinda TV set?!"
Suddenly, they started hearing screams as Kai held onto Aichi.
" Th-The hell was that just now...?"
" What are they doing down here...?"
" Come on, let's find a way outta here!"
" But there's no key around here..."
" ... Huh? You hear that?"
They saw the same armored figures walking to their cell as they went on the defensive.
" Be glad that your punishment has been decided upon. Your charge is 'unlawful entry'. Thus, you'll be sentenced to death."
" Say what?!"
" No one's allowed to do as they please in my castle."
" Huh? Wait... Is that you, Kamoshida?"
" ... Kamoshida?"
" I thought it was some petty their, but to think it'd be you, Sakamoto... Are you trying to disobey me again? It looks like you haven't learned your lesson at all, huh? And you brought friends this time... because you can't do anything by yourself."
" This ain't funny, you asshole!"
" Is that how you speak to a king? It seems you don't understand the position you're in at all. Not only did you sneak into my castle, you committed the crime of insulting me, the king. The punishment for that is death. It's time for an execution! Take him out!"
" S-Stop it..."
As the armored figures entered, Sakamoto managed to knock one down.
" I ain't down for this shit! C'mon, we're outta here!"
However, one of the figures hit him with its shield as Sakamoto kneeled down in pain.
" No!"
" Just go! Get outta here...! These guys are serious!"
" Oh? Running away, are we? What heartless friends you are."
" They aren't my friends... C'mon! Hurry up and go!"
" What's the matter? Too scared to run away? Hmph, pathetic scum isn't worth my time... I'll focus on this one's execution..."
As Sakamoto got restrained by the figures and 'Kamoshida' started punching him as Kai and Aichi were also stopped.
" ... Hmph. Where'd your energy from earlier go? A peasant like you isn't worth beating. I'll have you killed right now."
" No, stop!"
" Aichi, don't!"
Kai was stopped by another sword as 'Kamoshida' walked over to Aichi.
" ... Hm? Well now, what do we have here? Guards."
Aichi gasped as two of the guards grabbed his arms as he started struggling.
" Aichi!"
" Well, aren't you an energetic one? Your face is pretty cute enough to mess with. After their execution, take this one to my 'special' room. He'll get a first class treatment there."
" N-No! Let me go!"
" Let Aichi go!"
" ... As for you, I'll kill you after that peasant. Though, it seems like this one is someone important to you."
'Kamoshida' took a sword from one of the guards as Aichi flinched at the blade touching his chin.
" No!"
" Hold it. If you move, this'll happen."
The sword moved downwards as it tore Aichi's shirt a little.
" Aichi!"
" Now then, since I've made myself clear, let's begin the execution."
" No, I don't wanna die...!"
" This is truly an unjust game... Your chances of winning are almost none. But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you..."
" What... was that?"
" What's the matter...? Are you simply going to watch? Are you forsaking them to save yourself? Death awaits them if you do nothing. Was your previous decision a mistake then?"
" Aichi..."
Just one look at Aichi and he knew that he still wanted to save Sakamoto, despite still carrying heavy feelings in his heart.
" No, it wasn't!"
" Very well... I have heeded your resolve."
The same splitting headache came back again as Kai struggled to break free.
" Kai-kun!"
" Vow to me. I am thou, thou art I... Thou art willing to perform all sacrilegious acts for thine own justice! Call upon my name and release thy rage! Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own, though thou shall be chained to Hell itself!"
" Execute him!"
" ... That's enough!"
" What...? You desire to be killed that much...? Fine!"
Signalling towards the guard, Kai was hit by the shield again as he fell to the ground.
" Kai-kun! No!"
As the guards lifted him up again to execute him, a flurry of wind suddenly picked up as they shielded their eyes. Once they opened them, there was suddenly a mask on Kai as he quickly pulled it out while blood spilled out. A smirk formed on his lips as the blood soon disappeared in blue flames as something rose behind Kai, changing his outfit and blew the guards away.
" W-What the...?!"
" Come here, Aichi."
Aichi ran over to him as Kai secured a grip on his waist.
" I am the pillager of twilight, Arsene!"
" What the...?"
Kai looked at his outfit as he turned to Arsene.
" I am the rebel's soul that resides within you. If you so desire, I shall consider granting you the power to break through this crisis."
" ... Give me your power."
" Hmph, very well..."
" Who the hell are you...?! Guards! Start by killing that one!"
The guards suddenly began to shake as they transformed into floating pumpkin heads with a cape and hat, holding a lantern.
" You'll learn the true strength of my men!"
" No matter. I'll take them down. Then you're next."
As Kai used Arsene to take down the two creatures, Arsene soon turned back into the mask as Sakamoto knocked 'Kamoshida' down and grabbed the keys as they ran out while Sakamoto locked the gate. Kai's clothes turned back to normal after that as he checked on Aichi.
" Are you okay, Aichi?"
" Yeah..."
" C'mon, let's get outta here!"
They started running as they tried to find their way out of the castle, only to find more dead ends after being unable to lower the drawbridge.
" What do we do...?"
" Don't worry, I'll protect you."
" Dude, this ain't no time for some sort of romantic drama! What are we gonna do now?!"
" ... Hey, you there. Blondie! Spiky hair! Blue hair! Look over here!"
They turned their heads to see a cat standing in its two feet as they gasped.
" What is this thing?!"
" You're not soldiers of this castle, right?! Get me out of here! Look, the key's right there!"
" We're trying to get the hell out of here...! I mean, you obviously look like an enemy too!"
" I'm locked up here, so how can I be your enemy?! Help me out!"
" Is this it?"
Kai looked over to Aichi to see that he'd taken the key as he sighed.
" You sure you want to do this?"
" Well, we can't just leave it here..."
" ... Go ahead."
" W-Wait! Are you seriously going let this thing out?! Dude!"
Aichi had already unlocked the cell as the cat came out of it.
" Ah... Freedom tastes so great..."
" You're a cat, right...?"
" I'm not a cat- meow~"
Aichi had started to pet it as they suddenly heard the soldiers coming their way.
" Okay. Now what do we do, monster cat?!"
" I am not a cat! I am Morgana."
" Shaddup and hurry it up! You wanna be locked up again?!"
" A-Alright! Sheesh! Follow me, and stay quiet."
The three looked at each other and nodded as they followed Morgana to the statue beside the drawbridge.
" What are you doing?"
" What does it look like I'm doing? I'm lowering the bridge. You, blue hair, it seems like you pick up on things faster than our blondie here. Try checking around the mouth of this statue, okay?"
" Okay..."
" Wait, I'll do it."
Kai looked at the statue as he pulled the mouth and the drawbridge started to lower.
" How were we supposed to know to do that?!"
" Hmph, amateur. Come on, let's keep going!"
They continued running as they suddenly ran into a soldier when Kai's clothes suddenly changed back to the mask and black coat as he pulled Aichi close to him.
" A-Ah! Shit... Shit, it's them!"
" Tch... You amateur! Stay still! Hey, you! You could fight, right? Let's go! Come...! Zorro!"
" You got one of those things too?!"
" Hmph, we'll promptly shut them up!"
As the two defeated what Morgana called the Shadows, they continued their way to escape the castle. They soon found a ventilation shaft that led outside.
" But what about you, Morgana?"
" There's something that I still have to do. We're going our separate ways."
" Thanks."
" Heh. You've got manners. Be careful on your way."
They nodded as they jumped out of the ventilation shaft. The surroundings distorted a little as they soon found themselves back outside the train station.
" Did we make it...?"
Kai checked his phone after that.
" You have returned to the real world. Welcome back."
" Huh? Returned...? Wait, where's the blue haired guy from before?"
" Hm? Aichi? ... Aichi!"
" I'm here, Kai-kun. I'm back in the pendant. Don't worry about me."
" Thank goodness. I thought you were back at that weird place again..."
" Hey, dude? I was talking to you."
" Hm? Oh... You don't have to worry about him... He's safe."
" You sure...? ... Anyway, what was all that...? That castle, and Kamoshida, and that weird cat! The hell's goin' on?!"
" What's with the yelling? Are you students from Shujin?"
" Cutting classes, are we?"
" Huh? No! We were tryin' to get to school, and we ended up at this weird castle!"
" ... What?"
" Hand over your bag. You better not be doing any drugs."
" Why would you think that?!"
" Are you his friend?"
" ... We just met on the way. Though, I don't know whether that counts."
" Then you should go to school. Take him with you."
" Like I'm tryin' to say! I don't know what goin' on either!"
" We passed by Shujin on our way here. There was nothing out of the ordinary about it. If you spout any more nonsense, I'll contact the school. Is that what you want?"
" C'mon! Say somethin'!"
" ... We're going to be late. Let's go."
" Uh, that's not what I meant..."
Kai started to walk off after that as Ryuji followed after him. Once the arrived at the school, there really was nothing out of the ordinary. They were soon greeted by the counselor who'd been informed by the police as Kai sighed and was tempted to rub his temples after everything that happened. However, Kamoshida joined in the conversation as Kai walked past them as soon as they were done talking and headed to the faculty office to see Kawakami, his homeroom teacher.
" Unbelievable... Being over half a day late on your first day...? Can you explain yourself?"
" I got lost on the way over. Took a wrong turn somewhere along the way."
" How could you have been lost for this long? It's almost lunchtime. Well, it's probably true that you're not used to this area yet... but you're still way too late. Will you pull yourself together? You were given a fair warning yesterday. More importantly... I heard that you were caught along with that Sakamoto-kun?"
" Not like I had a choice. I met him on the way."
" Don't get involved with him, okay? He's nothing but trouble. He wasn't like that when he was devoting his time to track and field though... Anyway. Break's almost over. Classes will end after fifth period today because of the subway accident. I'll have you introduce yourself after class resumes. Follow me."
Kai nodded as he followed Kawakami to his classroom.
" By the way, when you introduce yourself... Be serious about it even if you're lying to the class, okay? Do not say anything unnecessary."
They entered the classroom after that as Kai wrote his name on the board while listening to the not so subtle and quiet muttering from the class.
" Being super late on his first day? He really is insane..."
" He looks normal though..."
" But he might slug us if we look him in the eye..."
" Settle down. Well, I'd like to introduce a transfer student: Toshiki Kai. Today, we... had him attend from the afternoon on since he wasn't feeling well. Alright, please say something to the class."
" I'm Toshiki Kai."
" He seems quiet... But I bet when he loses it..."
" I mean, he was arrested for assault, right?"
" Uh, so... Your seat will be... Hm... Over there. The one that's open. Sorry, but can the people nearby please share your textbooks with him for today?"
" This sucks..."
" ... There's no need, Miss Kawakami. I should have some textbooks leftover. Don't worry, I won't borrow from anyone unwilling."
" Hey, I said not to say anything unnecessary."
" Hmph."
Kai started walking over to his seat as he saw the girl from the morning.
" ... Lies."
" ... I see you made it."
Kai sat at his seat after that as Kawakami continued the lesson. Once it ended, Kai exited the class as his surroundings suddenly changed to the castle again before changing back to the school as he clenched his head, trying to shake the image off.
" Hm? What's wrong?"
Kai turned behind to see Kawakami as he sighed.
" No, it's just a small headache..."
" Are you sure you're okay? Also... it seems like people are already talking about you, but I'm not the one who told them. I can't even catch a break... Why do I have to deal with this? You should head straight home without going anywhere. Sakura-san sounded pretty angry. Oh, and about Sakamoto-kun. Don't get involved-"
She was cut off as soon as Ryuji came up to them.
" Speak of the devil... What do you want? I heard the police caught you cutting classes today."
" Ugh... It was nothin'."
" And you haven't dyed your hair back to black either..."
" Sorry 'bout that."
Ryuji then turned to Kai to quickly whisper to him something after that.
" ... I'll be waitin' on the rooftop."
He walked off after that as Kai sighed again.
" See? That's why I don't want you getting involved. Understood?"
Kai went up to the rooftop after that as he walked over to Ryuji.
" Here you are. Sorry for callin' you up here like this. I bet Kawakami already told you stuff like 'don't get involved with him', huh?"
" More or less."
" Heh, we're pretty much in the same boat. I heard you got a criminal record. Everyone's talkin' about it. No wonder you were so gutsy."
" Doesn't matter."
Kai leaned on one of the tables after that as Ryuji thought back to what had happened.
" ... What was all that that happened? You know, how we almost got killed at a castle... It wasn't a dream... right? You remember it too, yeah?"
" It definitely wasn't a dream... My shirt is still torn a little..."
" I'll try to get it fixed later, Aichi."
" Yes, it definitely wasn't."
" Well, just 'cause we both remember it doesn't mean much though... I mean, even if it was a dream, you saved me from Kamoshida. So yeah... Thanks, Kai."
" I had to... Because he wanted to do the same..."
" He? Oh right. You still never gave me a good explanation about what happened to blue hair. Is he gonna be alright? That Kamoshida was literally trying to go all over him."
" ... Don't remind me."
Seeing the dark expression from Kai made Ryuji stop as Kai sighed for the umpteenth time of the day.
" So... You and him... know each other?"
" Yeah. He's just... in a special situation."
" What I meant is... You two look like you're on really intimate terms, I mean literally. You were hugging him while he clings onto you. If that doesn't spell intimate or romance, then I don't know what it is."
" Shut up... Is that all you want to say? If that's all then I'm leaving..."
" W-Wait! Well... I still can't get over that Kamoshida we saw back in the castle... You prolly don't know about it, but there are some rumors about him."
" That pervert at the castle, huh..."
" Yeah, the ripped mophead. That asshole who was all full of himself at the castle. No one says anything against him 'cause he's some medalist who took the volleyball team to nationals. The way Kamoshida was king of that castle felt crazy real 'cause of that... I wonder if we can go back to that castle again... Ugh, forget it. Must've all been a dream! It has to be! Sorry to drag you out here like this. That's all I had to say. I feel like we're gonna get along just fine as 'troublemakers'. I'm Ryuji Sakamoto. I'll come talk if I see you around. Don't ignore me, alright?"
" Whatever."
" See ya."
Ryuji left after that as Kai decided to head back to Leblanc as well.
" Hey, I got an interesting call from your school today. It's only your first day and you're already showing up hours late?"
" It wasn't on purpose."
" And here I thought you got up and left on time this morning. Look, just behave yourself. Your life's forfeit if anything happens. You understand the meaning of probation, right?"
" Yeah, I know."
" Okay then."
Suddenly, Sojiro's phone started ringing as he answered it and started talking into it a little.
" Hey, what're you standing around for? Go hurry on up to bed. Don't forget to lock the door and turn all the lights off, okay?"
Sojiro left after that as Kai locked the door and turned the lights off before heading up to the room. Aichi appeared after that as Kai sat on the bed beside him and sighed.
" Are you okay? We've had a bunch of headaches..."
" Yeah. That definitely wasn't a dream though. We've gone through too much similar things for it to not be weird."
" I know."
" You still have your jacket, so take off your shirt. I'll sew it up for you."
" O-Okay... U-Um, Kai-kun?"
" What is it?"
" C-Could you... turn around...?"
" Huh? O-Oh... right."
Kai turned around as he heard Aichi taking his shirt off and then he turned back after hearing Aichi calling him before taking his shirt to start sewing.
" Still, it doesn't make sense as to how you appeared back there. In reality, you're just an astral spirit but in that weird place, you appeared for real."
" I know and I can't get my head around it either. But... Thank you for saving me, and Sakamoto-kun too."
" I knew you wanted to save him. You never cared about yourself after all. You're still trying to save people when they..."
" ... It's okay. We're leaving after that anyway. I think... it's better to leave with some good memories."
" Are you really able to let go?"
" ... Yes. It's for the best."
Kai stayed silent as he stopped sewing and leaned in to kiss Aichi on his forehead before bringing him into a hug.
" If it gets too hard, just tell me. I know you still have conflicting emotions even though you said you've already made up your mind."
" I did made up my mind after what happened but... The fact that we're leaving the others and my family behind without saying anything... At the same time, I don't want to go back because of this false criminal record. I never did anything wrong and yet...!"
" I know, I know. It's okay. I do believe you'd tried to help that woman but the fact that she never spoke the truth was bothering."
" When I saved her and accidentally shoved that man down to the pavement, the man told the woman to tell the police that I was the one who was assaulting her and that I shoved him out of violence... She agreed to it and told the police... I don't know who that man was but it's as if he had total control over her..."
" He must be someone influential if that woman would go through with what he said. If only I didn't let you go home alone that day... Then I would've stopped you."
" I know... It's just... feels so unfair..."
" ... Then we'll just disappear like we wanted to. You were just too kind to this world. No matter what anyone says, we won't come back, even if they regretted it or not."
" Yeah..."
Kai made sure Aichi was feeling better before going back to sewing. Once he finished, he let Aichi put it on again while he changed to his sleepwear.
" Goodnight, Aichi."
" Goodnight, Kai-kun..."
And both finally slept in each other's embrace again.
And that's the end of this chapter! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for reading and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!