The light of Messiah

by Joker0911

When the velvet room is compromised and all too familiar enemy is reigning,the proprietor will need the help of the Messiah. So the trickster journey will include more surprises than before. Will it be the last surprise for the phantom thieves? Who can tell?

10. An Outcast and An Stranger

…*Drip drip*….

"It's raining, huh…"

…*Drip*….

"Indeed, it's raining…"

…*Drippp*….

"It's rain-", "Shut up, Theodore." Theodore suddenly stopped talking at their sister's irritated voice.…Looked like she's still angry about his comment at last night.

….

…*Drip*.…

"That reminds me. Did Makoto-sama take an umbrella?" Margaret asked turning towards her siblings around the table.

"Noooooo. He just said 'Later, Losers!' And… went out." Caroline said in a incredibly bored voice.

"Did he really say that!?" Theodore asked in surprise.

"Of course not. Stop being so gullible all the time, Theodore." Margaret said with a frown. "…And Caroline, stop messing with your brother."

"S-sorry, Margaret.", "Whatev."

Margaret let out a tired sigh. "Now I see why Master never made all of us attendants at the same time."

"But, Sister, you have nothing to worry about." Margaret turned at her sister's monotone voice. "Makoto-sama is not a mere human, after all. What's the worst a little rain could do to him?"

Margaret thought to herself. "True, but…in appearance, he is a mere human student. It would look weird if he's walking like a turtle in the rain and not get sick."

"Well, we could say he has good immune system."

"That might work with my previous guest but…have you seen him? He looks like a girl and walks like a girl. Every time he walks, it looks like he could fall down at any moment. No one's gonna believe that he's not frail."

"Then, we could say he's an idiot. I mean it's true." Caroline said but Margaret ignored her and proceeded her own line of thought.

"I mean, Why the hell couldn't he walk straight? Is it too hard to walk like a normal human!? It's not that he's weak! He's just lazy to even carry his own body!" Margaret started to rant like a nagging mother. "And his eyes. His eyes! Why is he always sleepy!? He's a god! He doesn't need to sleep. Everytime I went to wake him up, He's like a child, 'Five more minutes…five more minutes'', well guess what! that's what you said fifteen minutes ago!"

….

Theodore and the twins looked at each other uncomfortably. It was clear that making their sister the Messiah's sole bodyguard was taking a toll on her mental state.

"Uhhh, Margaret, we could take turns you know. You don't have to be the one staying with Makoto-sama everyday." Theodore said in a nervous voice.

"*Sigh* , It's okay." Margaret calmed down herself. "I can handle it." After that, the four siblings did not talk anymore. Just watching the rain fell from their windows.

….

…*Drippp*….

"It's raining, huh…"

"Indeed, it's raining…"

x-x

At the rain pours down on the city of Tokyo, People walked about on the streets with their own umbrellas. Some students of Shujin Academy are also with their own umbrellas, while others are just taking a shelter from the rain. Among them, a beautiful young girl wearing a beam hoodie is walking on her lonesome, while carrying her umbrella.

Some people said rainy days can make you sad. But, it is certain that the sadness on the girl's face is not only from the rain.

Ann Takamaki walked alone on the rain slowly, almost like a turtle. She couldn't pay any attention to any of the students walking around her. Her mind is clearly on somewhere else.…Well, that's just an excuse. The true is, she's trying not to pay attention to the students walking and whispering around her.

"Is that Takamaki-san?", "Huh, of course she's gonna try to make it work with that pretty face of hers."

"Even with a teacher, really!?"

'…*Sigh* , Honestly at this point, why don't you guys just say it right in my face?' Ann thought to herself, as she continued walking in a slow pace, hoping that they would get past her and just leave her alone, so she can get to school in peace. '…actually it just like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.' Of course, if it's this bad on their walk to school, it's gonna be more worse when they reached the school.

'…But, still, is five minutes of silence too much to ask?' You think being a half foreigner on school would make her popular. Well, actually she's popular. Just not in a good way.

"I hear she will sleep with anyone who gives her enough money."

"REALLY!? Damn it, I just used up my savings on buying that Mariko figure."

"…Dude, a weather lady's figure!? Just buy idol figures like normal people."

"Whatever, don't try to stand between me and my love."

"And Isn't she like…have a boyfriend?"

"It doesn't matter!"

'Whoever you are Mariko, I will pray for you and your boyfriend next time I get to the shrine.' Thinking that Ann walked even slower so the boys talking behind her can walk past her.

Walking this slow, she might be late for school, but it doesn't matter.…The school sucks. It might even be the worst school in Tokyo. Even the teachers are bad.

As Ann's thoughts turned to the teachers are Shujin, her thoughts turned to one man in particular. "That sucmbag…" she muttered those words through gritted teeth. Then her thoughts turned to her only friend again. 'Shiho…'

As she was thinking about her friend, the wind suddenly blew, and lost in her own thoughts, her umbrella loosened from her hand and was blown to the street beside her.

"Ah, shit!" Ann pulled her hoodie up immediately, then she ran towards her umbrella in the middle of the street. 'Geez, today's gonna su-*Crunch*…

….

"…Huh?" Ann froze in the middle of her running, with her arms out, staring with wide eyes at her poor umbrella that is snapped into two parts because of a boy that ran over it.

…And said that boy is also stuck in his running pose…in the middle of the street…soaking wet from head to toe…with an annoyed expression on his face.

….

"Ahhhh" Ann can't say anything back but muttered something incomprehensible because the whole thing looked ridiculous.

But, her voice was heard by the boy because he turned to look at her, still frozen in motion. And it was lucky that she was on this side because if she's on opposite side, the boy wouldn't see her because of his weird hair that covered half of his face.

….

"…Can you…tell me what did I just step on?"

"Uhhhhh, My umbrella?"

"…Oh…" Ann stared at the boy weirdly and the boy also stared at her with a deadpan face…still standing in the middle of the street…in the rain. 'Today's off to a weird start!'

x-x

…*Drippp drip*…

The rain is still falling from the sky. Although now it's less than before.

She could probably run to school with her jacket and then she could probably not be late to school.

'Yeah…but, now it's kinda awkward to leave.'

Ann looked at the boy that's standing beside her. It's not that they are still standing in the rain. They are now under a overhead roof, using it as a shelter for the rain.…Well, she's using it as a shelter. She didn't know what the boy's doing. He's practically soaked to bone. She's not sure what he's sheltering from. It's not like he could get any wetter.

The boy, to her surprise, had said nothing for the past five minutes. He had his hands on his pockets and staring at his front with lifeless eyes. '…Did he pass out?'

….

"Ummmm?"

"Sorry I broke your umbrella.", 'Oh, he did not pass out.'

"Don't worry. It's okay, It happens."…Well, she didn't know how one could not see the umbrella in the middle of the street or how one could broke any umbrella just by running over it or just how you run over an umbrella.

"…Can I pay you back for the umbrella?"

"OH! No, it's fine."

"…No, I insist…"

"No! Seriously it's fine! It's not that expensive!"Ann raised her voice a little and the boy got suddenly silent. '…Did I go a little too far?' She's not really lying about that. It's true, it was just a normal plastic umbrella. Even a burger is more expensive than that.

"…I see." Saying that the boy turned again and went back to staring at his front.

'Why did I make it more awkward!?'

….

"So, uhhhh, what are you waiting for?"

"I'm not waiting for anything…I'm just thinking of ways to help you…"

"Oh,Uh, like I say you don't have to worry about that.", 'Seriously, you don't.', "And besides, you're gonna get sick if you stay in that drenched cloth." Ann said pointing at the boy's dripping clothes.

"Oh, you have nothing to worry." The boy said turning to her with something akin to…smug? face. "I have good immune system."

….

Ann looked the boy's body at and down. She is being generous calling that 'body'. He might even be thinner than her. "No, really. You don't have to lie for my sake. You can really go."

"No, why would I lie? I do have good imm-"

"No, seriously You don't hav-"

"No, I'm not lyi-"

"I told you, you're gonna get si-"

"I've never been sick in m-"

"Your skin looks like mil-"

"Just believe me!" The boy said, finally changing expression for the first time.

….

"Okaaayyy." With that both of them continued staring back at things from before…which is nothing. 'This time, it's not my fault.'

….

The awkward silence continued for some time.

….

"So, Uhhh, why are you running in the rain?", 'I'm sorry, I can't stand the silence!'

"Because I was late…"

"Oh, ahaha…Uhhh,…"

….

"Any particular reasons…?"

The boy's expressionless face changed into annoyed face. "…The one freeloading at my house didn't wake me up sooner."

"Oh, ahahaaha. That happens…Sometimes…usually.", 'Continue! For god's sake!"

….

The awkward silence, now turned to suffocating silence and continued to reign once more.

….

'…Someone help!'

….

'Someon-', "Arisato-san?", 'He's here.' Ann turned towards the Messiah that had grace her with his appearance. …But, turned out it's a she. It's their student council president, Makoto Nijiima.

"…Nijiima-san?" Turned out the boy also knew her. Well, of course he's a third year.…She's just noticed that. "Aren't you supposed to be at school?" The boy said in a little strange voice.

"I was. I just went out to get something.…More importantly though, why are you in…" Makoto said as he looked the boy twice to make sure. "…this condition?"

"…I think It's pretty self explanatory."

"You forgot your umbrella?"

"I didn't forget my umbrella…I just forget the fact that I don't have one."

….

'…I don't know what to say back', "…Oh, right, right." Makoto nodded like a sage with a knowing face. 'Looks like our prez is familiar with, let's just say his bullshit.'

"Anyway though, could you take this girl to school?" The boy said pointing at her.

"This girl?" Makoto said in a little surprise and turned towards her. "Takamaki-san!?", Makoto said in a loud voice with her hand on her mouth. 'She's just noticed me?'

"Ahaha, go-good morning, Senpai."

"Oh, uh. Ahem, Morning to you, too." Makoto said putting on a small smile. "Ummm, of-of course. But, Arisato-san, what about you?"

"…What about me what?"

"How are you going to get to school?"

"…I will run, of course." The boy said that like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"No, you won't. You're gonna get sick!" Makoto said with a little raised voice while Ann looked at them weirdly. '…Are those two…close?'

"Oh, you don't have to worry." The boy said with that smug? face again. "I have good immune system."

….

….

"No, you don't.", "That again!?" Both the girls said almost at the same time and the boy seemed almost shocked to hear that. Keywords being 'seemed' and 'almost'.

"Look, whatever. Just takes her to school." Saying that the boy turned towards the street.

"Okay, but at least change into your gym clothes when you reach school!" Makoto said stopping the boy.

"…I don't have gym clothes."

"You don't? Then go ask in faculty room." Makoto said back in response.

"Right. The faculty room…." The boy stopped for a moment. "That is in…thi-", "Second.", "Second floor, got it." Saying that the boy finally ran off towards the streets in the rain leaving both girls back there.

'He's pretty fast, though.' Ann stared at the boy's running figure that started to vanish from her sight slowly.

"Ahhh, Takamaki-san?"

"Hm?" Ann turns towards at her Senpai's voice. "I apologized for him. He might be a little hard to…Uh, well, he's just a little quirky." Makoto said with a small smile.

"Is he in your class, Senpai? I feel like I've never seen him before.", 'Well, she's not the one to look at everyone's face and remember them but…he's kinda hard not to notice with that blue hair and…That hair.

"Of course you wouldn't have seen him before. He's just transferred this week."

"What!? He's the transfer student!?" Ann said in a very loud voice. Ann turned towards the direction the boy ran off to. 'So, he's the one Shiho was talking about, huh.…Well, he can be attractive if you like boys that are pretty,…handsome,…dreamy and…well, quirky.', "Well, he's great, huh." Ann said turning towards Makoto who's just look back at her with a smile.

"Ahahaha" Surprisingly their strict student council president let out a sheepish laugh looking at the same direction as her. "…Noo, no, he's not."

x-x

"Wwwwhhhhyyyyy…?"

"*Sigh* , will you give it a rest?"

"Ughhh, just tell me why?"

"It happens, okay. Just let it go. I'm working."

"I mean what!? I mean why would he do that? That's what I want to know!?", "Oh my god! Kawakami, would you just shut up!?"

"How could you say that!? I'm in the middle of a crisis and I want to know why!?"

"So, the principal put another student in your class, so what!?"

"So WHAT!? Then take him to your class! I give you my blessings."

"He's a second year!"

"I knew that! But, why my class!?"

"Yours the only one with a free space!"

"I knew that, too!"

"The why did you ask me why!?" The two teachers, Kawakami and Chuuno started a staring contest after a heated, useless argument.

"*Sigh* , I don't know why I'm even arguing with you." Kawakami turned around with a now lazy voice. "Honestly I'm not paid enough for this."

"Just get over it. In fact, He might even be a bright kid. Look at Arisato-san from my class. He seems a little off and strange at first but now even the teachers like him."

"Yeah, but this new student is gonna be off the whole year. What the hell is principal thinking? Accepting a kid with a criminal record."

"We all know the reason.", "Yeah, we do." with that said Kawakami continued her work with a tired face. "*Sigh* , I wonder if I should quit to focus on my other job."

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing. I said nothing." Kawakami said immediately back but that hyena didn't let up.

"No, you did say something. What did you just say?"

"It doesn't matter. Just let it go!"

"No, I definitely heard you sa-", *Knock knock* , "Um?" Chuuno stopped talking and both teacher turned towards the door. "You got lucky." Chuuno said pointing towards the teacher in front of her, while Kawakami just rolled her eyes. "Come innn…*Slide* , So how can w-oh my god!"

"What now? Kawaka-Ahhhrgh!" Both of them shouted at the blue haired boy with water dripping through his body that it was even making a small puddle under him. "…I'd rather not come in."

"Oh my god, Arisato-san. What happened?" His homeroom teacher stood up from her desk and walked towards him.

"I think it's pretty self explanatory.…Anyway, Nijiima-san said that I can ask for my gym shorts here."

"Huh? You don't have one?" Chuuno asked back with a raised eye.

"No…"

"It should be sent to you on the day you got accepted here."

"Oh…" Minato said breaking eyes contact. "Well, I don't have one…So, is there any spare? I can't go into the classroom like this." Minato said looking at his clothes.

"Uhh, Oh! Kawakami, you still haven't sent the transfer student his things right?" Chuuno said towards her.

"Uh, no."

"Can you lend them?"

"What? He's gonna arrive soon."

"It's still two days earlier. Just look at him! He's gonna get sick." Chuuno said pointing at him.

"Actually I have goo-Ughh, never mind."

"Fiinneee…" Kawakami said, standing up. "Follow me." Then she said as she got out trying not to step in the puddle of water.

"Thank you,…please excuse me then ." Minato said as he closed the door and followed the teacher.

'…Transfer…student…'

x-x

"Here's tea."

"Ah, Thank you." The man took the steaming cup with a bright smile.

Akira Kurusu is now sitting on their table in the living room with the son of their friend. He is his friend, too, although he might be a little older than him. He is a policeman, and he's here to talk about his…situation. And, No. He's not like the ones before who are just trying to put him in juvenile hall. He has no ties to this investigation but he's just trying to help,…he hoped.

"Mom, please leave us."

"Are you sure?"

"…Yeah." Akira said in small voice and his mom made an understanding nod and excused herself.

….

"So, anything new?" Akira asked towards the man with as much hope that he can muster.

The man drank from his cup then gently put it down. "I'll admit. The situation looks pretty grim for you." The man said in a serious tone. "I tried to help you but avoiding the juvenile hall is the best thing I can do for you. And Even though I tried to dig far, I can't find out the identity of the man you attacked."

That caused Akira to look at the man angrily but the man didn't even flinch. "I didn't attack the man. He fell on his own!" Akira said those words through gritted teeth.

"I know but that doesn't change the fact that he got hurt because of your intervention." The man said back without breaking a beat.

"Tch", 'So, he's the same as them, too.'

"Look, Akira, I know this is a hard time for you but you should understand that the victim confessed and we can't do anything when we don't even know who he is."

"He's not a victim. He's trying to assault a woman!" Akira said in a raised voice standing up. "And why can't police officers identify a single person?"

The man looked visibly hurt at that comment. "Well, I'm not sure but he might be a bigshot or some higher-ups, at least higher than a normal police officer."

Akira looked away realizing his words and sat back down. "…So, I have no choice but go to Tokyo?"

"As of now, yes."

"Heh," Akira laughed with a self-deprecating grin. '…'As of now', he said, when I have to leave tomorrow.'

"Don't be like that. Maybe at there, you will find some friends,…Friends who can understand you."

" I don't think so." Akira said back and stood up. "An outcast here, will also be an outcast there. There will be no one who can understand me." The man looked like he wanted to argue back but contained himself.

"Thank you all for your help but…I suppose there's nothing to do but accept my fate now." Saying that Akira went out of the room leaving the man back there. He passed his mother on the way but he didn't say anything and just moved on.

The man didn't move from his spot, looking at the boy with sad expression. Then his mother came into the room.

"I apologize for my son. He's been a little since…well, ever since." Ms. Kurusu said with a sad smile.

"No need for that, Ma'am. He's been going through things which no kids should." Then the man looked down towards the floor. "I just wish I could've done something more though."

"You have already helped us enough." Akira's mother said making a small bow to the man. "Thank you so much for all your help,…Narukami-san."

The man with a silver bowl-cut hair and eyes gray as steel turned to her with a smile. "It's the least I could do."

x-x

"Please excuse me." Yu said closing door behind him. He walked down the stairs, walking away from the Kurusu household towards his vehicle.

'Really wish I could've done something for the kid though.' While he's thinking that, suddenly his phone started to ring.

"~Everyday's great at your Junes!~" Some passersby looked at him weirdly while some students laughed at him. 'Laugh all you want, I'm not changing this.' Yu took out his phone and checked the number, making his face break into a grin.

"Hello, Yosuke!"

"Yo partner! How's you hanging?"

"Fine. Just dropping by at some friend's house." Yu said as he walked along.

"Huhh, you getting new buds?"

"Not like that. Remember about the kid I told you?"

"Ohhhh, yeahhh. That was some tough luck. So what's the news?"

"No good. Probation is all I could manage."

"Well, at least he has you to hel-Go away, I'm on the phone.", "Is that sensei?", "Yeah, we're talki-Ahhrgh!", "SENSEI!"

Yu distanced the phone from his ear as a bello-bearlowing voice came from other side. "Immm, Hello, Teddie."

"SENSEI! I'VE MISSED YOU!" Teddie said and he's sure that he's already crying.

"Ahhhh. There, there."

"Listen, Sensei! I've been alone almost everyday here. After you leave, Chie-chan and Nao-cakes left for their work. And Rise-chan is not answering my calls. And worst of all, Yuki-chan is blatantly avoiding me!", "Of course, she's gonna, after that stupid stunt you've pulled."

"Teddie, Kanji is still there, isn't he?"

"…."

"Hm, Hello?" Yu said as the line went silent.

" I feel like everyone is trying to leave me. First sensei…And now everyone." 'Oh, so he decided to ignore that.', "Sensei, please tell me. Am I just a bear people like to leave?"

"Come on, Teddie, don't b-", "Yosuke! please don't leave me, too!", "Woah! *Clang clang* *Bam*"

Yu winced in sympathy as things became chaotic on the other side. "Wahhh, Wahhhh!", "Okay, OKAY! I get it. I wo-Gah, you stinks! Did you fall into that river again!?"

"Ahaha," Yu couldn't help but laughed at his friends' antics. 'Haven't change a bit.'

"I get it. I get it. I will take you to the beach, okay?", "Ha! Really? Yayyyy! Goodbye, Sensei! BIKINI!"

"Ahhhhh."

"*Sigh* , I'm not gonna go past thirty living with him." Yosuke said in a very tired voice.

"Cut him some slack, he's just lonely."

"And I can't even throw him out because he's more or less become Junes Mascot. We're practically married for life."

….

"Ughhh."

"…That…Kinda came out wrong. Anyway, that's not why I call you."

"Ughh, O-okay." Yu said as he reached his motorcycle. A far cry from his scooter at Inaba…But, not as great though. "I'm listening."

"Hmm, Are you alone right now?" As Yosuke said, Yu looked around the place. There's an old lady walking her dog but…He didn't think it count. "Yeah, what happened?"

"…Kirijo-san asked for you." Yu froze as Yosuke said those words.

"Ki-kirijo? As in Ms. Kirijo?"

"Yeah, I was pretty surprised. She suddenly called me out of nowhere."

"What did she say?"

"Um…You know about that freaky incidents from Tokyo?"

"You mean Psychotic breakdowns?"

"Yep! She thinks it might be connected to shadows."

"SHADOWS!? *Woof woof* , Ah, sorry." Yu said as he went to a nearby corner. "Are you sure?"

"Well, I'm not sure and apparently she's not, too. She said they are still investigating."

"So, what does she want me to do?"

"Nothing as of yet. She just wanted to know if you know something about that. But, I suppose you don't either."

"Yeah, Police are investigating but I'm not in that. Maybe she can ask Naoto."

"Hey, This is Kirijo-san we are talking about. I think she might already contacted all of us."

"True though."

"But, She did ask you to be in stand by because her squad is apparently busy. Turns out, along the way, we somehow got accepted into their organization."

"Haha, Right, of course. Did she say anything else?"

"Ummmm, Nothing. I think that's about it."

"I see. Well, thanks for calling, Yosuke."

"Anytime, Partner!*Beep*" After that, Yu pocketed his phone, still deep in thought. 'Shadows again…'

If this is true, then this is the fourth time he encountered shadows. '…I wonder is there an end to this?' Sometimes he can't help but wonder if his ordeal in Inaba is even mattered to the world as a whole as saving one small town isn't enough to change the world.

Because even now, out there, someone is facing problems that can't be solved by normal means.

x-x

Around the same time in Shujin Highschool

'Ah, crap. I forgot to do my homework…' Minato Arisato thought to himself sitting in his class, wearing clothes that are clearly a little big for him. Clearly his clothes are meant for someone taller than him. Buuuttt, apparently girls find it cute and boys find it annoying. So, all in all…He still doesn't care.

To the pressing matter, it's not that he forgot 'the homework'. He didn't bother to remember it in the first place.

"*Sigh*" This is normally not a problem for him. You think having to walk around the town and making a trip to hundreds floored tower at night was gonna make him not have enough time to do homeworks.…And yes, he didn't have anytime to do homeworks. But, he had a pretty foolproof solution.

The velvet room exists between dream and reality, and that means it exists outside the boundary of this world's time. So, basically, he could study entire curriculum and only one minute will be passed in the outside.

'Too bad, I don't have that luxury now.…And I blame Margaret.' Minato nodded to himself, satisfied. But, still It's not that time was a problem. He just wanted to ask around something but,…now it looked like he can't. Sighing to himself, Minato did his homework with an annoyed face.

…*Scribble scribble*….

"Ara! Arisato-san, did you forget it, too?" The girl beside him said in a soft giggle. Based the books on her desk, looked like she forgot it, too.

"…I…suppose."

"Is that so? I didn't really expect that." Haru said, while Minato just looked at her with a deadpan face.

"…Why?"

"Hm? Because you look always serious, of course!"

"…Um…what gave you that idea?" Minato said back still looking at her.

"Well, you looks always deep in thought with your eyes closed, and answering difficult questions, still with your eyes closed almost like you are a sage and whenever a teacher explained something, you covered your ears and lied face first on the desk trying to memorize it, and although it is still a few days, of course, I can't help but think that you a diligent student."

….

"…."

….

"…?", '…Jumpei, you just lost your job at being an ace detective.', "…Ah, well…I try…."

"I knew it!" She mades some kind of victory pose with a bright smile. He liked to say it's worth it but…he's not sure what's at stake. "We should finish it fast, the lunch break is almost over."

"…Yeah." With that both of them got back to their work again.

"…Okumura-san?"

"Hm, what's the matter?"

"…Do you know why the volleyball club members are always in bruises?"

"…." As the girl's answer didn't come, Minato took a glance towards her. '…I took a chance at asking directly since going around doesn't work…'

"Ahhh, Now that I think about it, yeah. They really are always in bandages and black eyes, aren't they?"

"…." Minato didn't say anything back and just let her carry on. "Ummm, but I'm not sure why. I'm so sorry, but I really don't know much."

"…I see."

"B-but, why don't you ask Nijiima-san?"

"…Uh." Minato made a sour face. "Ye-yeah but…uh…No."

"Ahaha, I know Nijiima-san can be strict and a little difficult but she always means well." Haru said with a knowing smile. Minato didn't say anything back and just grunted. "Sorry that I am not any help."

"It doesn't matter…"

"Oh! I know!" Haru suddenly shouted. "You should ask Shibu-san."

"Shi…Bu?"

"Yep! She's a member of newspaper club. And she always knows most of the things around here."

"Is that so?", 'I'm not sure what would she know if this really is connected to shadows but,…for now, "And do you know where I could …find her?"

"Ummmm, If I remember, she's usually in the second floor corridor, and if not…Uhhh…Ummm." Haru deeply thought to herself that you can almost see smoke coming out of her head. "Ahhh…I don't know. I'm sorry. I only know this one place!"

"It's okay. I appreciate this." Minato said standing up from the desk.

"Huh! You're going now!? What about your homework?"

"I've already finished it." Looked like she didn't notice him writing while talking to her. "…And beside, as a great woman once said, 'Nothing's like the present', Right?"

"Yes , And That great woman wants you to stop sleeping in class,…Now."

….

"…."

….

"…What?" Minato turned around to see the students council president right behind him. 'Ahh, crap…'

"Arisato-san, it's against the school rules to sleep in the class."

"…Ughhhh", "Arisato-san's sleeping in class!?" His seat-neighbour said with a squeaky voice. 'Let's…just ignore her for now.'

"Wh-why do you think I was sleeping…in class?"

"I didn't think you were sleeping in class. I totally saw you sleeping." His accuser voice came back almost suddenly. "And you were even snoring!"

"I was snoring?"

"Uhhh, well, I'm not sure but I could probably hear it if I were near you!" His accuser doubted herself for a moment but quickly recomposed herself.

"Uh, look… I don't know what you saw but I was totally and definitely not sleeping.", 'I hope I don't lose my job for lying.'

"Really? Then what were you doing, lying on the desk in Mr. Ushimaru's class?"

"…Uhhhhh.", 'She saw that, huh?' Minato looked around the place for some help, but the only one here was Okumura with her mouth hanged open, looking at them. When she saw him looking at her, she closed her mouth and looked at him like a child.

"…I was…", *Stare* , "…Trying to…", *Stare* ,"…memorize the lecture…" Minato said not meeting Makoto's eyes.

….

"Really?" But she looked at him with a smirk, that says 'is this your best excuse?', "Is this your best excuse?" And she said it.

"Then why were you covering your ears?", 'She saw that, too, huh?'

"It was…not to let noises interfere.", 'The trick to lying is making them believe that you believe in your own nonsense.'

"It's true! Arisato-san is really trying to remember the lecture." His 'friend' came for his help. '…Ohhh, poor kid. Sorry, I meant Pure kid.'

"Re-really?" Makoto stuttered a little as this became two against one.

"No, I'm sure that he's rea-*Ding dong*" The bell suddenly rang while she was talking.

"Ahhh, Look. The lunch break's over."

"But…I'm not fi-"

"Uh-Uh, No. You should go to your seat. Otherwise It's against the 'School rules', isn't it?" Makoto looked like she wanted to say more but she accepted her defeat then went back to her desk. "…We are not finished yet, Arisato." Before she left she made sure to say that though.

….

'…What did I just get myself into?'

x-x

…*Mutter Mutter* , *Slide* , "Huh?" The whole class room got silent as the door was open suddenly.

….

'…Why are they looking at me?' He's not sure if they were looking because a third year was on the second year classroom or…because of his oversized baggy pants.…Probably the latter.

"Uhhh"

….

'What was I supposed to say?'

….

'Now, this is starting to get awkward.'

….

"Senpai?" Both him and the whole class turned towards the voice. It was the girl that gave him sandwich before. '…Shiho…Suzui.', "What are you do-Uah" Shiho stopped mid sentence as she saw the whole class looking at her. "Uhh, Sorry!" Saying that Shiho quickly closed the door.

'…That was a little strange.'

"Uhhh, sorry, Senpai!" The girl finally collected herself and said to him. "S-so, wh-what are you doing here?"

'Doesn't matter though.', "I'm looking for someone." Minato said with usual expressionless face.

"In the second-years?"

"Yeah, Do you know her? I think she's called Shibu or something."

"Oh, she's in this class." The girls fidgeted a little. "Um, let me check if she's still here." Saying that Shiho opened the door a little and peek inside. 'Hm, you think with her personality, she would be more of a social person…at least more than he is. But…well, I did say 'appearances can be deceiving'.

"*Sigh* , sorry, Senpai. Look like she's not here.'

"I see…Well, goodbye, then." Saying that Minato turned around to leave.

"Ahhh, please wait!" But the girl's voice stopped him in his tracks. "Uhh, she might not have left yet. So we could probably catch if we wait at the entrance."

'That sounds like a chore,' "…Is that so? Well, goodbye, then." Saying that Minato, again, prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute, please!" But, the girl stopped him again. "I'm taking a guess here, but you've never seen her before, right?"

Minato didn't say anything back, but it's true, the only thing he knew about her based on Haru's description is glasses and ponytail. "…No."

"I figures. Then I should probably come with you, to help you find her." The girl said smiling to herself.

"Uh, no ne-", "Come on, don't be modest, senpai, Let's go!" Shiho said coming near him, making another bruise on her head visible to him. But, she didn't notice that. "What are you spacing out for? We are going to miss her, Let's go!"

"…Okay, Uh, lead the way. I guess."

x-x

And that's how he got roped into waiting for some girl that can probably give him nothing concrete.

"Still not here, Maybe we already missed her. Ahh, can't be. She never left this early." The girl beside him muttered to herself.

….

"Arisato-senpai, I was hoping introduce you two but, it looks like you've already met Ann."

"…Ann?"

"You know, that beautiful girl with twin tails?"

"Twin tails…Oh, Umbrella girl."

"Yep, that one. So, you really did break her umbrella." Shiho said with a small laugh.

"It was…an accident…"

"How do you run over an umbrella by accident?"

"Accidentally, of course." Minato said with a small scoffs, smiling. The girl seemed to stare at him for some time.

"…What?"

"Nothing!" Shiho quickly turned around and looked towards the crowd again. "Ahhh, she's still not here!" She said in a little forced voice.

….

"…Suzui-san, you don't have to wait here with me. I don't want to hold you off…on your things." Minato said to her in hope that she would leave and he could go home to take a nap…to the morning.

"Don't worry. I'm not going home yet. I still have to go and practice. And it's still some time left." Shiho said back in response. "Ah, there she is. Shibu-san!" Shiho said and ran to the girl with weird name. 'Bye bye, my sweet nap…' Minato also followed her with a tired sigh.

"Hm, Suzui-san?" The girl, Shibu, turned and looked towards them. "And…who is this?" The girl said looking at him.

"Let me introduce you guys, Senpai, this is Shibu Asagi. She's a member of the news paper club. And Shibu-san, this is Arisato-senpai.", 'Hm, she seems to be able to communicate fine, so why doesn't she have that many friends?'

"Ah, Aristao! The mysterious transfer student! I was planning to search for you, but looks like you come to me."

"…Why would you se-"

"But, a little bit of warning though, don't call me Shibu. Call me 'Newspaper club member girl!" The girl said with a smirk pushing her red glasses up.

"What's wrong with Shibu? It's cute." The girl beside him said back.

"No, it's not. It sounds stupid!"

"Anyway," Minato intervened before this could get more sidetrack. "…So, newspaper club…member…Ah, that's kind of a mouthful. Can I drop girl?"

"Uhhhh, sure."

"So, I like to ask you something,…if that's alrig-"

"Ohhhhhhhhh!" The girl said loudly before he could even finish. "So, even the new guy knows I'm the one to ask for information. Hmmm, it seems my reputation does percedes me." The girl said nodding to herself.

"…Yeah. So, Uh, ca-"

"Okay, okay, Okay! Shoot!"

"…Okay."

….

Minato looked towards the girl beside him.

….

Then the newspa-news girl also looked towards the girl, who's watching at them with a smile.

….

The girl seemed oblivious to their staring.

….

"…Ahem!" , "Hm?" The girl turned towards him with a tilt of her head. "What's wrong, Senpai?"

"…Ahhh", 'How should I…'

Luckily he didn't have to as the girl realized herself. "Oh! Uhhh, Ummm…I should probably go to practice. So, I will leave you two. Ahhh…Ummm, see you tomorrow, Senpai!" The girl quickly excused herself and ran along the corridor.

Minato craned his head and looks at the girl. 'It doesn't matter if she hear but… at least it wo-', "Soooo, you waited until Suzui-san go, huh?", 'At least, let me finish my thought in peace.'

Minato turned back towards the girl, to see her in a wide grin. "I suppose what you want to ask concerns Suzui-san, isn't it?"

"…In a way."

"Hah! I knew it. So, you want to know if she has a boyfriend or not. And if not, you want to know her type or you want to know her fav-"

"I want to know why she's always in bruises."

"Huh?" The girl stopped talking as Minato interrupted her.

"Not just her. All the students from her club, too."

….

"Ughhhhhh…I mean, Ummmm." The girl started to speaks in gibberish.

"…Uhhhhh, No idea. How about this!? Do you know that Okumura-senpai is seriously all smiles this week?''

"Don't know, Don't care. Just answer my que-"

"o-or-or how about this! Did you know that our strict student council president has large amount of fascination for yakuzas and shounen mangas!?"

"Doesn-uh, really? I mean No. I don't care."Minato said quickly composing himself.

"o-o-o-orrrr, you'll like this, I heard that we're getting another transfer student and get this, this guy murders twelve gu-" But the girl stopped in mid-sentence as Minato glared at her with eyes that could make a crying child goes…catatonic. "Eieeee!"

"Oh…" Minato realized himself and changed back into his usual expression. "I apologize. I just want to know…why she's hurt."

….

"*Sighhh*" The girl suddenly let out a long sigh. " I get it. I get it! I will tell you what I know. So, stop making that puppy-eyed face."

"…Appreciated." Minato said softly as his plan worked.

"*Sigh* , I probably should warn all the girls. This guy's bad news." The girl said, not even having the decency to cover mouth. But, that didn't make Minato even shows an expression. " Hmmmm, tough crowd but I sh-"

"Your answer, please." Minato interrupted her before she could changed the subject.

"Okay! Okay! Don't rush me."

The girl didn't say anything for some times but Minato patiently waits for her. "Okay, Fine! I don't care anymore. But, first you'll have to agre-"

"Agreed."

"O-Okay, then. The truth is…" The girl said quietly, moving near him. "I'm not sure of anything yet and this is all a big rumor buutttt I'm too scared to investigate it myself."

"Understandable. Carry on."

"You know that their club practices in gym, right?" Minato nodded. "Okay, at night, mostly after school when almost everybody leaves,…Uh, if you go near there, you could shouts and screams like 'Please! or No more!' Like that you know. And most think that, Maybe, just maybe the Gym is haunted."

"Haunted!?" Minato suddenly snapped his head to her direction.

"I didn't know you were into occul-"

"They're practicing now." Muttering that Minato turned around and walked towards the place. "Thank you.", 'The thing with Fuuka also started with rumors like this. Finally, some hard lead.'

"Wa-wait! Transfer student!" Before he could do a full-on sprint, the girl stopped him mid way. "What?"

"Not now. You have to wait until a little late. Preferably after I'm safely tucked in bed or tomorrow, where no one saw you and me talking orrr…Just never check."

Minato stopped for a moment.

"…I'll keep in touch." Saying that he resumed his run again.

"Are you listening to a word I said!? Transfer student! Woi!…Ohhhhh, I'm gonna get so much trouble for this.…Damn stupid hormones and his stupid, pretty mug!"

x-x

….

The velvet siblings are sitting around the table in silence.

….

Suddenly Margaret broke the silence. "Don't you think he's a little late?"

"Yeah." Justine said looking towards their front door. "Usually, he arrived about now and complained about his day."

"Do you think…something happened?" Theodore said to his sister.

"We can't be sure."

"Come onnnnn!" Caroline said in a exasperated tone. "Why are you guys being such a worry warts. He's a big guy! He can handle himself."

"But, Caroline, Makoto-sama is severely weakened and it's been too long since he walked on this earth."

"Ahhhh! Get a grip, guys! Don't pamper him too much. He gonna gets a big head again, not like Margaret hasn't already done enough."

….

"What do you mean?" Margaret turned towards her sister with a frown.

"Am i wrong? You constantly fuss about him, you are the one who suggested us to make a meal for him and you even volunteer to guard him yourself."

"First of all, you were the one who told us to cook and second, that's because he's vital in our course. We can't let anything happen to him. We can't do anything without him!"

"Yeah, keep telling yourself that…"

"Caroline, I won't let you tal-"

"Both of you! Please, calm down." But, before she could finish, Justine stopped them. "Caroline, apologize to our sister. You went too far."

"What!?"

"You know it yourself."

….

The twins stared at each other.

….

"Finnneee," Caroline said holding up both of her hands. "I'm sorry, sister. I was wrong."

Margaret didn't say anything back, then, "Don't let it happen again." Then she collected herself with a sigh.

"For now though, let's just wait for him."

x-x

"Stop fooling around! DO IT SERIOUSLY!" Kamoshida shouted loudly. "Do you think this is playing? START TAKING IT SERIOUSLY!"

The students didn't say anything back and just kept focusing on their match, but that seemed to be the wrong move as it antagonized Kamoshida further.

"All right! That is enough! Stop it!" At Kamoshida's words, all the students stopped their playing. Then he went to the boy's team while stomping his feet.

"What the hell was that match!? Your forms are all off, and Nobody stays in their position. Tell me again! What the f*ck was that?" Kamoshida berated the boy's team, criticizing every little mistakes they made. "AND YOU! Suzui!" Then he turned towards the girl with ponytail.

"H-huh?" The girl said meekly as the man turned towards her.

"What is wrong with you!? The way you play just now is downright embarrassing if not insulting!"

"I-i-I'm sorry, sensei. It's just…it's just…" Shiho didn't say anything more as she touched around the bandages on her right hand.

" 'IT JUST', WHAT!? Speak Louder! That's not how you speak when you're loitering around with that transfer student!"

"Huh?"

"Yeah, I saw you. What were you thinking, HUH? Don't you know that you had to practice?" Kamoshida said walking towards the girl. "Do you think you can just pop in whatever you want? Huh?"

"N-no, I was just helpi- *Slap* , Ah!" Kamoshida slapped her right across the face so much that she even fell down to the floor.…And sadly no one came to help her up or…protect her.

"Do you think I want to hear your excuses!?" Kamoshida shouted loudly towards the girl, them he turned to address everyone. "Listen up! All of you are worthless piece of trash in society. And Do you know who make you trash even have a place in society? ME! You guys should revere me as your king! I'm the only who make your life worthy here, and That means NO MORE things like this. I don't want to hear OR SEE anymore of these things, do you understand me!?"

"Y-yeah, sensei…" Everyone said this just loud enough for him to her but that is not enough for him. " I said, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, SUZUI!?"

"Ye-yeah, sensei. I do." Shiho said back still on the floor.

"Hmph, stupid brats." Kamoshida said muttering to himself. "Alright, the same thing, Again. And no water before I say so." Kamoshida said walking out of the court.

….

"ARE YOU GUYS DEAF!? I SAID, AGAIN!"

"Y-yes, sir." , "So-sorry, sensei!" Saying that all of them ran towards their positions again.

And Shiho also had to get up by herself with no one coming to help her. With that Shiho walked towards her place with a new bruise on her cheek and a cut on her lips. 'Just another day…'

…*Whistle!* , Kamoshida blew the whistle again and the match continued again.

….

….

Unknownst to all of them, the blue-haired boy was leaning on the door, with his silver eyes shining in the pitch black darkness. And even in darkness, you can see black clouds swirling around him.

The boy turned to the door and slowly reached his hand to the handle.…But he hesitated at the last second, pulling his hand away.

….

The boy stayed there for a moment, unmoving, looking at his hand.…Then shaking his head, he walked along the corridor, seemingly vanished in the shadows.

….

"H-hey, are those footsteps?"

"W-what?…I don't hear anything."

"No-no, I definitely hear something!" The scared one of two students said.

"Don't be ridiculous. This is all just a rumor." The seemingly mature one of the two said. "And remind me again, why did you bring that water bottle?"

"It's holy water.…I got it from the church."

"What are we? Winchesters?"

"Whatever…" The scared one said, then he looked towards the bottle to see…"Uhh, AHHHHH!" in his surprise, he suddenly threw the bottle to the floor.

"What Now!?"

"T-ttt-the water! I-it turned to blood!"

"What?" he looked towards the bottle to see it filled with red liquid. "AHHHHH!" Shouting that both of them ran madly towards the entrance, leaving the bottle in the floor. Then suddenly, the world seemed to fizzled out like a TV and it changed into normal bottle filled with water.

x-x

Some time later

"Sister, Makoto-sama is back." Justine said as she and Theodore enters the room.

"Great." Margaret said looking up from her book. "…Then, where is he?"

"Uhhh," Theodore started nervously. "He suddenly came into my room and said, 'Out' and banished me from my room." Theodore finished dejectedly.

"What?" Margaret stared at him for some time before sighing loudly. "Honestly, what is that man thinking again?" Saying that Margaret stood up and walked to the door.

"What are you doing, Margaret?"

"To ask him what took him so long, of course. What else?" Margaret replied back without missing a beat.

"I don't think that's a good idea, sister." But, Justine stopped her.

"Why?"

"He seems a little strange.… I think something happened today."

"That's all the more reason to go and ask him."

"No. I think we should leave him alone for sometimes. He looks…conflicted."

….

Both sisters kept standing at the door for sometimes. "Fine, I will believe your judgement then."

"Thank you." Justine nodded.

"Theodore, watch him. If he makes any movement, come and call me." Saying that Margaret turned around.

"Of course, Margaret."

x-x

'?'

'Where am I?' Akira slowly opened his eyes. He slowly got up from lying down. 'Wasn't I on a train?' Akira looked around the place.

He's in some kind of narrow cell. The whole place was filled with blood red color. 'Is this a dream?' Akira tried to stands up and feel something's holding his feet. "Ah!" Akira looked down at his feet to see it was tied into a black steal ball with similar black chains. "What the…"

"Oh my, I never expected to see you." , "Huh!?" As Akira heard an unfamiliar voice, he jerked his head towards its direction, to see a tiny man with a weird noise and bloodshot eyes. "Well, of course. This place is crafted from your soul. So of course, you're gonna be pulled into here."

"Who…What are you?" Akira said walking towards the door with great effort.

"All will be revealed in due time, trickster. But, first of all…" The man said as he threw his arms in the air. "I welcome you from my crimson room, Trickster."

"What are you talking about?" Akira said as he nervously looked around. "Where am I!? What is this place!?"

"Ahmhm, well, I like to explain it to you but sadly, we must cut our meeting short." The man said letting out a sigh. "I must confess. That Messiah really did a great job with the seal."

"Huh? I'm sorry, I don't understand what yo-" Akira didn't finish his sentence as a blinding light filled his vision.

"Anddd, that's what I talking about.… Can't even have a peaceful conversation."

"What are- Arrgh!" Akira tried to speak but the light was too bright that he almost felt like his eyes were burning.

"Until we meet again. Humor the messiah for me, will you? After all, it's thanks to him that I found out about this place." The man's voice echoed as the light became brighter and brighter. 'Oh god, I'm going to die.' Then suddenly the light vanished and he felt like he was thrown out to the wind.

….

"Now, all the players are in place. And the opening act is soon.…I will see what your choice would be, Messiah."

x-x

"Huh!" Akira woke up with a start. He looked around the place quickly to see that he's still on the train. 'What the hell was that? That was so scary.' Akira felt his heart to see it hammering loudly. 'Thank god! it was a dream. I thought I'm gonna be blind for life.' Akira calmed himself down. He's now on the train to Tokyo, leaving his hometown and his previous life behind. He even started wearing a glass, 'Narukami-san's suggestion, for what I don't know…to look more like a nerd?' As Akira thinking that suddenly a mechanical voice flared to life.

"Ladies and gentleman, thank you for waiting, we will be arriving at Shibuya shortly."

Shibuya…It was more or less everyone from the country's dream to visit the city but never in his life, he thought it would be like this.

Akira stood up and walked towards the train door. 'Okay, as soon as this door opened my new life here final- *Slides* , at least let me finish my thought!' Akira quickly got out of the train before he got trapped by people.

Then after that Akira quickly got out of the station climbing up a large stairs. The sun greeted him in its full force, giving him warmth…But, he hoped it didn't because it's already hot enough as it is. No matter where he looked it's people, people and people and pe-oh, there's a dog and dogs and dogs.

Akira fidgetd in place. There were never this many people in his hometown, and when suddenly thrust into this, his imaginary social anxiety was starting to act up. *Gulp*

Akira walked through the streets, nervously looking around. *Ching* "Ah!", 'Oh, it was just my phone.' Akira took out his phone to check the message. '…Oh, just my mom.' It's just the usual 'Are you okay? Did you reach there safely?' and so on. But, there's the address for his new place though.

"Yogen-Jaya?" Akira looked around the place. 'There's nothing that looks like an jaya…of course there isn't. Just a joke to lighten things up.' Laughing at his own joke, Akira opened his navigation app. 'Yogen-Jaya, here is it.' With that Akira walked through the streets as the app entailed.

All was going well when suddenly a red thing filled his phone screen. 'Uh? What is this?' Akira try touching his phone but it's unresponsive. 'Oh, come onnn. I can't afford another one.' Akira rapidly touched his phone but it's still unresponsive. Moreover the red thing seemed to become even bigger. "What is wrong wit-" Akira stopped mid-sentence as he noticed his surrounding. "-everything today?"

Akira nervously looked around. Everything and everyone seemed to be froze in motion as time itself looked vanished. It's like there's only him in his own world. *Flare*

But, it looked like there's not only him. Blue fire sprouted from somewhere in front of him. The fire seemed to become larger and larger. Then, in the middle of it he could see a…smile. A maniacal smile. Although it came from the fire, that smile was enough to chill the bones. "What?" Then it all vanished suddenly and multitude of noises filled his ear, as time seemed to flow once more. Akira, can't even understand what just happened, just looked back at his phone. The red thing was still on his phone. 'This looks cute but…sadly you have to go.' With that Akira continued his destination looking at his phone. 'Let's just forget that happened,okay?…With being repressed by the society, and if I become delusional, I would become a literal Clown.'

….

As he walked, he didn't notice a silver haired woman in blue clothes watching him.

….

"Gotcha…"

x-x

"It's boring here." Caroline whined loudly.

"Well, get used to it." Justine said back curtly.

"We also usually sit around with nothing to do. But, It feels more boring here."

….

"Oi, Theo, can you do something?"

"Huh?" Theodore turned around from cleaning. "What do you want me to do, Caroline?"

"I don't know. Just do something! I'm dying of boredom here!"

"I don't know wh-" *Bam* Their front door suddenly flung open. "I've found the wildcard!" Margaret suddenly entered.

"Finally! Something exciting!" Caroline stood up. "So, what? Do we have to rough him up?" Caroline asked with her eyes sparkling.

"Ahhhh," Margaret seemed a little surprised to hear this. "No,we don't." Caroline seemed surprised at this answer, she didn't know why though. "Anyway, Theodore, where's Makoto-sama?"

"Ah, He's already gone to school?"

"School?" Margaret walked towards the window to check the sun. "It's still so early. He never wakes up this early."

"I know. But, he just wakes up, full dressed and went out. He didn't even acknowledge me."

"That's…weird."

"Really? I can't tell anymore." Caroline chimed in.

"Then we should just wait for him to come home then. I will keep watch of the wildcard myself." Margaret said as she prepared to go out again.

"Is he near?" Justine asked.

"Surprisingly he is. He entered an establishment called 'Leblanc Cafe'. It's really not far from here."

"Wait, wait. Sister, Can I come with you?" Caroline asked suddenly.

"Why?"

"It's boring here."

"Maybe, but, we are just gonna keep watch of him."

"Yeah, but that can not be more boring than being here, right?"

'Well, it can be but…she doesn't want to burst her bubble.' , "Fine, you can come with me. Justine, Theodore, you two watch the house, okay?"

"Yes, sister."

'Finally, we can move on with our plans.'

x-x

Minato stood leaning lazily on one of the columns in the station, with his eyes closed.

….

"Oh, fancy seeing you here." Suddenly a girl said to him.

"Why? We go to the same school, aren't we?"

"Maybe, but You've been here for a week and you always arrive late." Makoto Niijima reprimanded the lazy student in front of her. "Why are you early today?"

"I can't be early?" MInato said still with his eyes closed. "But, If you want the reason, that's because I couldn't sleep."

"Of course, you couldn't. Yesterday, You were sleeping through the whole class." Makoto said as matter of fact, but the boy didn't say anything back and just shrugged.

….

"So, what are you doing here? Standing?"

"…I just don't want to go to school, yet."

"Then, why did you come early?"

"…Just…Just because." The boy didn't say anything more.

….

"Fine, don't tell me then!" Makoto said back in an angry tone but she didn't move from that spot.

….

"Is…everything alright?" Makoto asked and the boy finally opened his eyes, and looked towards her.

"…Why wouldn't it be?"

"Don't know but…as a student council president, it's my duty to hear a student's problems."

"Heh!"Minato scoffs. And that seemed to unnerve Makoto a little bit, but…she contained herself.

….

Neither of them said anything and just stood there about a minute or two with Makoto waiting patiently.

….

"…Say, Niijima-san…" The boy said something and Makoto looked towards him.

"What?"

"…The one you introduced me…when you showed me around the gym. What do you think about him?"

Makoto thought to herself for a moment. "You mean…Kamoshida-sensei?"

Minato neither confirmed or denied it and she took it as a cue to continue.

"What did I think of him? He, himself was a student of this school. So, him winning the olympics, of course, brought much fame to our school. And before he became the coach, our volleyball team was not even noteworthy. But, now we could even hope to win the nationals.…He gets along well with his fellow faculty and most of the student body love him. So, I would have to say…he's an outstanding teacher, of course."

"…."

"Why do you ask, Arisato-san?"

"…Just…Just because…" Saying that he stopped leaning and stood straight. Then without saying anything, he walked towards the entrance.

"What are you doing?" Makoto asked, surprise.

"…Going to school."

Makoto ran a little to catch up to him.

"Why, suddenly?"

"…This place reeks…."

"Hm?" Makoto stopped walking at the boy's weird comment. Then she sniffed around herself. "I don't smell anything." Then she saw the boy already climbing the stairs.

"Wa-wait a moment."

x-x

Minato walked up the stairs, emerging on the streets. Then finally Makoto caught up to him.

"Hmmmm, Why you always say something weird?"

Minato didn't say back anything back and just walked.

"Arisato, I'm aski-" *BAM!* Makoto almost lost her footing as the ground seemed to shake and a loud sound echoed through the place.

"W-what is that?" Then, multitude of screams filled her ears. Things become chaotic around her, As people started to run madly and police officers tried to stop them.

"Please, don't approach the station yet. An accident had happened!"

"What do you mean accident!? My friend is still in there!", "Please, You got to let me in! My wife and kid are still down there!"

"Please remain calm! We are trying to contain the situation!"

The whole place was filled with screams and pleas, as some ran from the station while others ran towards it.

"Mi-mi-Minato-san, we must get out of here fast." Makoto said to the boy. "Minato-san…" Then she noticed the boy was nowhere near her. "Minato-san!" Makoto quickly looked around the place. It's hard to find a single person in this crowd but his blue hair was unmistakable. "Minato-san, we must…run…" But, what she saw surprised her.

Although things around him were in complete disarray, the boy was walking like he's taking an evening stroll.

Minato walked through the place, without even acknowledging at the chaos around him.

'Yeah. The bad will be bad…and the good will be good. Just because you saved the world…doesn't mean you change the world. People will live…and people will die.…I'm a stranger now. A visitor to this place. A guest to this time…with nothing holding me here but my memories…memories long gone…'

Minato looked towards the sky, looking at the thing, that can't be seen now but he knew that it is there.

'…And as like people dying now…That matter is surely not my concern…'

-x-x-

I didn't mean to but it somehow becomes a big chapter along the way.