Monday, 4/18

Ren was sitting in class. He hadn't heard back from Ann and he hadn't been able to talk to her yet.

I'll do it at lunch. I don't want her to get yelled at because of me disrupting class.

Kawakami's lecture was interrupted by the student closest to the door.

"IS SHE GONNA JUMP?!"

Holy shit.

The class was sent into a panic. Everyone immediately stood up from their desk, Ann and Ren included. Another student yelled.

"IS THAT SUZUI-SAN?!"

Uh oh. Ann could try something crazy.

The panic got worse. Kawakami was trying to get everyone to calm down but nobody could hear her. Ann made for the door. Ren grabbed his bag and followed. When they got to the hallway, they were swarmed by other students. It was pure chaos. Ann started going to the stairs when everyone in the hall gasped. Ren turned to look through the window into the court yard and could see Shiho. Falling.

She was not okay. I shouldn't have let her go.

Ren didn't see her hit the ground. He was too far back from window. The crowd resumed its panic. Ann immediately went down the stairs. Ren lost sight of her.

What do I do? There's nothing I can do right now to help Ann. Her best friend just attempted suicide.

Ren was standing when someone tapped him on the shoulder. It was Ryuji.

"Hey man! We have to get down there!" Ryuji yelled over the noise of the students.

Ren nodded. The two ran down the stairs and out to the courtyard. When they got to the front of the crowd they saw Ann knelt down next to Shiho's broken body. She still had the bruises from the other day. Along with some new ones.

That piece of shit. This is his fault. How can he get away with this shit? Is this school in on it?

Ren was becoming visibly angry and Ryuji noticed.

"What is it, man?!" He said.

Ren looked him in the eye.

"I think this is Kamoshida's fault." Ren said.

"What!? THAT ASSHOLE!" Ryuji was yelling. The crowd around the two was more worried about Ryuji's yelling than the dying girl in front of them.

I forgot that Ryuji doesn't care about evidence.

Ren saw that blue haired boy from his class run out of the crowd.

He must've heard Ryuji yell. Was his name Mishima? Isn't he on the volleyball team? Does he know something?

"Ryuji. Let's go." Ren said as he started running after Mishima.

"Dude, where are you go- OH!" Ryuji saw Mishima running and took off in pursuit.

There wasn't much of an actual chase. Ren and Ryuji quickly cornered Mishima at the end of the hallway.

"W-what do you guys want?" His voice was not helping his case for not knowing something.

Ryuji was about to start yelling, but Ren stopped him.

We need to be calm.

Ren looked at Mishima and could see the terror in his eyes.

This kid definitely knows something. I'm gonna assume it's related to Shiho. From the look in his eyes, he definitely believes the rumors about me. This will be easy.

"Mishima, we know you're involved with what Suzui-san just did." Ren said calmly.

"W-WHAT?! How could you say that?! I had nothing to do with it, I swear!" Mishima looked like he was about to shit himself.

I'm gonna make another assumption. Doesn't matter if it's wrong.

"But we saw you talking to Suzui-san yesterday." Ren kept his cool. He couldn't afford to lose his temper now.

"That doesn't mean anything! I could have been talking to her about anything."

So you were talking to her.

Ren let out a fake sigh.

That was obviously fake but this kid won't notice.

"Mishima, I didn't want to have to do this." Ren began moving his hand around in his bag. There was no weapon in it, but that's not what Mishima thought. "If you won't talk, we're gonna have to do this the hard way."

Ryuji gave Ren a look.

"Dude. Chill out." He said.

Apparently my acting actually is pretty good.

Ren gave Ryuji a look that said, "Am I really gonna pull a weapon on this kid?"

Ryuji struggled to figure out what Ren's facial expression meant, but he got it eventually.

Mishima was shaking.

"Mishima, if you don't tell us what you said to Shiho, then, well…" Ren held up his bag. "You're gonna see what's in here."

Mishima made a look like he did actually shit himself.

"OK! OK! I'll talk! Just don't hurt me!"

Ren put down his bag.

"Start talking'" Ryuji said.

"Yesterday, after volleyball practice, Kamoshida asked me to send Suzui-san to him. He didn't say why. I went and told her. Later, when I was leaving, I heard screams coming from the P.E. faculty office. I ran. I'm a coward." Mishima said.

No shit. Actually there probably is shit. Gross.

"You got that right! I've heard enough. I'm going to Kamoshida!" Ryuji said and began running towards the P.E. faculty office.

Oh fuck. He's gonna get himself expelled. I have to stop him.

Ren picked up his bag and began to chase after Ryuji. Even with Ryuji's formerly broken leg, he was much faster than Ren. Ren only caught up to him when Ryuji stopped to open the door.

"Ryuji, think about what you're about to do. Kamoshida already hates you. Accusing him of something will just make him punish you. Revealing that you know what he did will probably get you expelled."

"I don't care! That bastard-"

"Sakamoto-kun. Amamiya-kun. May I ask why you two are outside of the P.E. faculty office?" Makoto said as she walked towards them.

"We're actually doing something about the shit that happens at Shujin!" Ryuji said.

He just had to say we.

Makoto looked hurt by the words.

"Sakamoto-kun, please go back to class." She said.

"But-" Ryuji protested.

"I don't want to hear it. Go."

"Fine."

Ryuji seemed to respect Makoto's authority to punish him more than Kamoshida's.

"Why're you actually here, Ren?" Makoto said as she turned towards Ren.

I legitimately have no idea what she's thinking right now. Why's she calling me Ren now?

"I followed Ryuji to stop him from doing something stupid." Ren said.

"Why would he do something stupid?" Makoto asked.

I shouldn't be talking about this right outside his door.

"Could we go to the student council room?" Ren asked.

"I see no need for-"

"Trust me. We need the student council room."

Ren didn't wait for an answer and began walking. She followed.

Once the two were in the student council room, Makoto spoke first.

"Ren, if this is another one of your games, at a time like this, then I will not hesitate to punish you."

"It's not a game." Ren paused before he spoke again. "I have reason to believe that Suguru Kamoshida assaulted Shiho Suzui."

Makoto stood there, absorbing what Ren said.

"That's a serious accusation. Where's your evidence?" She asked.

"Well, I'll tell you why I believe that he did it, but I can't promise that it translates to evidence. I spent time with Ann Takamaki yesterday. You may have heard the rumors that she is dating Kamoshida. It's not a rumor, it's true. She told me that Kamoshida is forcing her to date him by threatening Suzui-san's position on the volleyball team. I also spoke with Suzui-san the other day. She was covered in abnormal bruises and ran off when I asked if she was alright. The other volleyball players can be seen with these abnormal bruises as well. Kamoshida could be abusing all of the volleyball players, but back to Suzui-san. While I was with Ann, she received a text from Kamoshida asking her to come over. She denied him. At about the same time, Mishima, a second year, delivered a message from Kamoshida to Suzui asking her to report to him in the faculty office. When Mishima was walking past the office later, he heard screams. Because of what happened in that office, Suzui-san jumped today."

Makoto's jaw had dropped, and she was staring at Ren.

"Ren, ah, Amamiya-kun, let me consider this for a day. We'll proceed from there." She finally said.

"But Niijima-senpai, we need to act now. A girl almost died!" Ren protested.

"You think I don't know?! We need to be careful and consider the consequences of confronting him. Rushing in would be reckless. Give me time and I will take action. Please don't do anything until then." Makoto responded.

Is Ryuji right? It would be reckless to just go in, but a girl just threw her self from the roof. We need to do something . But I respect Makoto. I'll give her this chance.

"Fine. Just make sure you do something. I'll see you at our study session tomorrow." Ren picked up his stuff and left.

When Ren walked into Leblanc that evening, Sojiro noticed something was off.

"Something happen at school?" He asked.

"You could say that." Ren replied.

"Sit down. You don't have to work today." Sojiro said.

"You're not gonna ask what happened?" Ren was surprised.

"I was hoping you'd tell me." Sojiro said.

"Ah. The short version is that a girl jumped from the roof, and there's reason to believe that it's a teacher's fault."

"You know this girl?"

"Kind of. I'm friends with her best friend, and I've only spoken to her once." Ren said.

He remembered how he let Shiho go.

"Did the girl live?" Sojiro asked.

Did she? I haven't actually heard anything. She looked terrible in the courtyard.

"I, uh, I dunno." Ren said.

"That's your first problem. Knowledge is power. You'd feel better if you knew how she's doing."

"I guess."

"You guess?" Sojiro questioned, but he didn't let Ren respond. "Back to this teacher. Did he care at all about what happened?"

"I don't know. I try to avoid him."

"Knowledge is power, Ren. Remember that. Life becomes a lot easier the more you know about the people around you."

How much do I actually know about the people around me? Do I care enough to involve myself in their problems? With Ryuji, his problem is with Kamoshida. I guess I'm helping him move on just by hanging out with him. For Ann, I helped her with Kamoshida the other day but look what happened because of that. For Makoto, I… I haven't helped Makoto. I've mostly teased her and made her feel bad. But she's trying to control what I do. And she stopped me from doing anything about Kamoshida. I barely know her but she's important to my everyday life. I need to make an effort to get to know her. I failed Shiho. If I had tried harder to talk to her, maybe she wouldn't have jumped. Or maybe she would've stayed away from Kamoshida.

Ren continued to think about these things before arriving at his conclusion.

Sojiro is right. Knowledge is power.

Sojiro snapped Ren out of his thoughts.

"Here. It's your pay. Go home and get a good night's rest."

"Why are you paying me? I didn't work." Ren asked.

I don't usually question handouts but knowledge is power.

"It's not that you deserve the money. It's that you need it. Now go home."

Ren left Leblanc. He grabbed some food from the convenience store down the street and went back to his apartment.

Makoto laid awake in her bed that night, considering what Ren had told her. Could Kamoshida really have done that? If the abuse was as obvious as Ren says, wouldn't the police have already involved themselves? Is Ren telling the truth, or does he just not like Kamoshida? Ren did allege that Kamoshida was the one who leaked his record. Do I trust Ren? Can I trust Ren? He did make a strong case. I'll test the waters tomorrow. I'll speak with Kamoshida, and gauge what's true based on his reaction. But if Ren's right, then Kamoshida's dangerous. But I have my aikido. And I'll keep the door open. It'll be fine, she told herself.

Makoto closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Tuesday, 4/19

Ren sat behind an empty seat in class that day. Ann hadn't come to class.

Understandable. I need to talk to her. I'll call her tonight.

Ren felt his phone vibrate. He looked down to see a text from Ryuji.

Ryuji Sakamoto:

You wanna eat on the roof together?

Ren Amamiya:

We're allowed on the roof after yesterday?

Ryuji Sakamoto:

No. But it's the place at the school with the least people. So, you want to eat together?

Ren Amamiya:

Fine. Give me some time to get some bread and I'll be there.

Ren put away his phone and tried to focus on class.

Ren opened the door to the roof. Ryuji was waiting for him along with someone else.

Floof Girl.

"Hey Ren! Someone wants to meet you!" Ryuji said.

Floof Girl smiled. She failed to notice Ryuji mouthing "She's hot. Don't mess this up." to Ren.

"Hi there. I'm Ren Amamiya." He bowed.

When's the last time I bowed?

"Hello Ren. I'm Haru." The girl had a very high pitched voice. There was so much positivity in her voice that it cheered Ren up.

"Haru…?" Ren asked.

"Just Haru." She said. She was still smiling.

What's her last name? I'll ask Ryuji.

"So, Haru. What brings you to the roof?" Ren was starting to smile.

"Well, you two saw me gardening when you guys came here on Monday." She gestured towards the mini-gardens. "Today I'm tending my plants."

A gardener! She actually knows how to garden! Not that we were actually gonna garden, but it would help convince Makoto that we're actually doing stuff.

Ren glanced at the mini-gardens.

"I think that the plants look great. So great, in fact, that I'd like to extend to you an invitation to join the gardening club." Ren felt like being polite. He didn't know why.

Haru giggled.

"So formal. I'll join. What do you guys plan on growing?" She asked.

Ryuji felt the need to answer this one.

"Well, uh, we're gonna be growing plants. Maybe some vegetables. You know. The good stuff!"

Ren nodded.

"What he said."

Haru smiled.

"I'm excited to help. I have to get back to class so I can eat. Here's my number. Let me know about anything club related. See you!" She said as she walked away.

She might be the nicest person at this school.

"Thanks for introducing us. What's her last name?" Ren said as he took a seat at one of the desks.

"I dunno. She didn't say. But am I a good wingman or what?!" Ryuji said. He was clearly more excited about Haru than Ren was.

"You were a good club member. Now, what'd you wanna talk about?"

"Nothing really. I just thought it'd be bad to eat alone after what happened." Ryuji said.

He's right.

"Thanks. I appreciate it." Ren said.

Ryuji smiled.

The two didn't talk much as they ate. Ryuji spoke up.

"What'd Miss President say to you yesterday?"

"She asked me why we were at Kamoshida's room. I told her about what Kamoshida did and how I know."

"And?! What'd she say?"

He gets so invested whenever any story is told to him.

"She didn't say much. Just that she would think about it and maybe do something today."

"You think she'll do anything?" Ryuji asked.

I hope so. Shiho tried to kill herself because of him. He needs to be stopped. But will Makoto act? I have no idea.

"I got no clue. If she knows what's right, then I'm sure she'll do something."

"Alright man. If she does nothing then I got words for her and Kamoshida!" Ryuji said.

"Whatever you say. I'm gonna go back to class. You still wanna hang this week?"

"Yeah dude. Just let me know when. I got nothing else to do."

"Will do. See ya later."

Ryuji waved goodbye as Ren went back into Shujin. As Ren walked back to class, he heard some new rumors.

"There he is! Did you hear what Mishima said about him?"

"Nah, what'd he say?"

"Apparently the transfer student keeps bombs in his bag."

Ren chuckled at that, but then thought about it more.

Mishima didn't learn his lesson. Instead of trying to redeem himself for what happened to Shiho, he just went and spread more rumors about me. That fucker. I'll get him back.

Ren wasn't one for vengeance, but he made an exception for Mishima.

Makoto left her bag in the student council room. She knew that Ren would be arriving soon, but she did say that she would do something about Kamoshida. He'll be upset if I tell him that I did nothing. He won't care if I'm late if I tell him that I was speaking to Kamoshida, she thought.

Makoto began walking to the P.E. faculty office. Volleyball wouldn't have started yet, considering that school had just ended. She finally reached the office. She put on her poker face and entered. The room was surprisingly bare. In the center of the room was Kamoshida's desk. On on his side was another door. On Makoto's side there was a filing cabinet. It stood as tall as the wall. Makoto saw a file on Kamoshida's desk. It was labeled "Amamiya." Ren alleged that Kamoshida leaked his record. I should get that file, she thought. Kamoshida looked up from his work and smiled at her. It wasn't a friendly smile. It scared Makoto.

"Hello, Niijima-san. Can I help you?" He stood up.

"Hello, Kamoshida-san. I was hoping to speak with you." She said.

"I knew that." He laughed. "Close the door and take a seat."

She eyed the door. She looked back at him. The expression on his face made it clear that he wasn't asking her. He was ordering her. She did as she was told. Kamoshida stayed standing.

"What'd you want to talk about Niijima-san?" He said. He moved to the side of his desk. He was only 3 feet away from Makoto.

Remember Makoto. You're here to determine a reaction. Nothing else. Keep it quick and grab the file, she thought. She looked into his eyes.

"I've heard from several students that Suzui-san jumped yesterday because you sexually assaulted her." She didn't stutter. Not once.

I need to keep it brief, she thought.

"Do not worry Niijima-san. I would never do something so harmful to one of my star athletes." Kamoshida slowly moved to the door as he spoke.

"And what of your other athletes?" She was letting her nervousness into her voice.

"The best are all that matter. You of all people should know this, Niijima-san..." He locked the door.

Makoto was too nervous to chide herself. I need to get out of here. But he's blocking the door. I have to wait for him to move, she thought.

Kamoshida began to walk up behind her. He's still too close to the door, she thought.

Kamoshida placed his hands on Makoto's shoulders.

"...Because you're one of the best Makoto. Let me show you how special you are to Shujin."

He started massaging her shoulders.

She was almost paralyzed with fear, but then she realized that she had her chance.

Makoto pushed herself in the chair into Kamoshida. He was pushed into the file cabinet.

"You bitch!" He yelled.

Makoto stood up and kicked Kamoshida in the stomach. It wasn't enough to leave evidence of an attack, but it was enough to make him double over. She grabbed the file and bolted for the door. She unlocked it and ran out. He can't risk being seen chasing the student council president down the hall, she thought.

Began began to run towards the Shujin entrance. She was still scared but knew that she had to escape. She stopped. My bag! she thought. She took off to the student council room, not remembering who was waiting for her.

Ren was on his phone playing a game. Makoto was late.

Is this payback? It doesn't seem like her to be late.

The door opened suddenly. Ren looked up and saw Makoto. She looked stunned that he was here. There were tears in her eyes.

What's that file? Why's she crying? Knowledge is power. Don't fuck this up, Ren.

"Makoto. What happened?"

Makoto didn't say anything as she grabbed her bag and put the file in it. Ren stood up.

"Makoto. You can talk to me."

She was stopping herself from crying.

"Can I, Ren? Can I? All you've done is play games with me. But the one time you're honest with me, it gets me hurt."

She began to walk towards the door, but Ren cut her off.

"I know Makoto. But I know when to take things seriously. This is one of those times. Sit down so we can talk about this." He said.

Makoto was silent.

"Please?" Ren said.

Makoto took a seat.

"You don't have to say what happened. Just yes or no. Is this related to Kamoshida?" Ren asked as he took his seat.

Makoto nodded.

I am beginning to agree with Ryuji. I don't care if it gets me expelled. He needs to be behind bars.

"Alright. That's all I needed to know. I'll walk you home."

Makoto spoke.

"But you need to study. It would be irresponsible-"

"Your well being matters more to me than some fucking letter grades, Makoto."

She looked stunned, but she then nodded. There were still tears in her eyes but they looked better than before.

She doesn't need to hold back the tears. I guess she still doesn't trust me. I need to do better.

"Let's get going."

Ren grabbed his bag and led her out of the room.

The subway ride to Shibuya was quiet. Neither said anything. Makoto just stared at her feet. Ren would occasionally glance at her.

Nothing changed when they exited the train. Makoto followed Ren, but kept her head down. Ren glanced back at her from time to time.

They finally reached the apartment building. They stepped into the elevator. Makoto didn't realize that Ren didn't know what floor she was on.

"What floor?" He asked.

She finally looked up. The tears were gone but she looked tired.

"Oh, um… ##." She said.

Ren pushed the button.

The silence returned.

The elevator opened and the two went into the hall. Makoto took the lead. They got to her door. She opened it and was about to go in without saying anything but Ren stopped her.

"Makoto, don't do anything reckless. If you need anything, anything at all, please call me. You have my number." He said.

Makoto nodded. She closed the door.

I can't blame her for being quiet.

Ren began to walk back down the hall when a woman with silver hair came out of the elevator and began walking down the hall. She wore a black business suit over a black turtleneck. But it wasn't the hair or outfit that stuck out to Ren.

It's those red eyes.

Ren kept walking, and was about to pass the woman when he realized.

The same red eyes. She must be her sister or a relative. I should talk to her.

It turns out that Ren didn't need to talk to her. She did it for him.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" She asked. She started her own Niijima Death Stare. It was ten times worse than Makoto's.

I can't let the stare beat me. I have to tell her.

"Um, well, are you Niijima-senpai's sister?" He asked.

The look on her face got worse.

"Yes, I am. What are you doing outside our apartment?" She was suspicious.

"Do you want the long version or the short version?"

"I want the truth." She replied.

Shit that was the wrong thing to say. Better be polite.

"Niijima-senpai has been tutoring me after school some days. Today she was supposed to tutor me when she arrived at our tutoring session obviously upset. I think I know why she was upset, but I'm not 100% sure. It would be better for her to tell you herself. Anyways, I cancelled the tutoring session and walked her back here. I happen to live in this same building, so it was no trouble." Ren explained.

She stopped the NDS and began to think.

Should I be afraid?

"What do you think happened?" She asked. She was angry.

I hope that she's not angry at me. She looks like she could kill me.

"From the events of the last few days, I believe that a teacher may have tried something with your sister. I don't know the details. You should talk to her about it." Ren said.

She hasn't asked my name. Either she trusts what I'm saying or doesn't believe it at all.

Makoto's sister became worried.

"Thank you for telling me. Could you tell me your name?" She asked.

"Of course. My name is Ren Amamiya." He bowed.

I guess that my polite self considers bowing a necessity.

"Thank you, Amamiya-kun. You may go." She said.

Hopefully she can talk to Makoto better than I could.

Ren walked back down the hall. He rode the elevator down several floors and went back to his apartment. He did his homework. He fed Morgana. After, he made himself dinner with the food he had. When he was done, he decided to go to bed.

What a fucking nightmare.