Thursday, 5/19
"Guess who texted me?" Ann asked Ren a few seconds after the lunch bell ended.
Ren was still trying to pull himself out of the boredom that Kawakami had left behind with her lesson.
"Ryuji?"
"No…" Ann said with a nervous laugh.
Is Ryuji texting Ann? Damn. He's doing better than me at this point.
"Alright. Who?" Ren asked.
"Kitagawa-kun."
"He wants to try again for his painting?"
"He said, 'I'd like to attempt another painting. Would you be willing to visit the atelier this afternoon? Feel free to bring your companions.'"
"You gonna go?"
"Yeah. You wanna come with? It'd be weird if it was just me and Kitagawa."
He was a little creepy last time. Ann shouldn't have to put up with that after what she's been through. I'll say something to Kitagawa.
"I'll go. Wanna bring Ryuji and Haru?"
"Sure. I'll text the group."
Both of them pulled out their phones.
GRAVY
Ann Takamaki:
-Anyone want to go to Kitagawa's with Ren and I for another painting session?
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Yes!
That was a quick response. He probably just wants to hear some music.
Haru Okumura:
-I would love to! Thank you for invitation.
Ann Takamaki:
-No problem. Everyone meet at the school gates after class.
Ann and Ren both put away their phones.
"You think Kitagawa will get the painting that he wants today?" Ren asked.
"I hope so. He seemed really upset last time."
"Yeah. He'll probably finish the painting today." Ren said optimistically.
"I guess… wanna grab some lunch?" Ann asked, changing the subject.
"Sure." Ren agreed.
Ren and Ann were waiting just outside the gate when Ryuji walked up.
"'Sup, guys?"
Ren and Ann, who were already chatting, turned.
"Hey, Ryuji." Ann said.
Ren simply nodded. Ryuji stood next to Ren, and nudged him with his elbow.
"How's Operation Gardening Project going?" Ryuji said with a smirk.
Operation Gardening Project? Is that what we're gonna be calling it? That name is awful.
"Haven't started." Ren said flatly.
Ryuji gave a disappointed look.
"Operation Gardening Project?" Ann questioned with a suspicious look.
"Nothing!" Ryuji quickly said.
Before Ann could inquire further, Haru arrived.
"Hello, everyone. Shall we be going?"
"Yes! Definitely yes." Ryuji said.
He really doesn't want to explain the revenge plot to Ann, even though it's not that big of a deal.
The group began the trip to Madarame's atelier.
The shack hadn't changed much since Ren's last visit. The only difference was with Yusuke himself. He was slightly thinner, and his eyes had noticeable bags under them.
He needs a break. There has to be something going on behind the scenes. No one would let themselves look that depleted under normal circumstances.
After he had been introduced to Haru and reminded of everyone's names, Yusuke led the group to the same room they had used the previous time. Ryuji made sure to grab three stools before he went into the room. Before they went in, Ren stopped Yusuke. He motioned for Ann, Haru, and Ryuji to enter anyways. They did so, and Ren pulled Yusuke out of earshot of anyone in the other room.
"What is the meaning of this?" Yusuke asked calmly.
"Two things. One: are you alright?"
"I've never been better. Today I'll be creating art, so how could I be anything but wonderful?" Yusuke said.
Bullshit.
"Uh huh… I mean, you look a little frail."
"Preposterous!" Yusuke swung his arm out for emphasis.
He does that when he gets serious. That's a weird habit.
Ren sighed.
"Kitagawa… Do you want a sandwich or something? You look extremely thin."
"I'm in the condition that is necessary to create art. Now, if you'll excuse-" Yusuke made a move to walk past Ren.
Ren stepped in the way.
"That's the second thing. About your art creating process. Please just try to not say weird things around Ann. She shouldn't have to deal with you saying things like that." He explained.
"I am assuming you're referring to my lust for Takamaki-San." Yusuke said nonchalantly.
How can anyone say something like that? Have some self awareness.
"Yeah… just keep the lust talk to a minimum."
"I will try."
"No. You will. Or else we leave." Ren said assertively.
"Very well." Yusuke said, walking past Ren back to the room.
Ren did the same, and took a seat on the stool in between Ryuji and Haru against the wall. Besides the additional stool for Haru, the setup of the room was the same. Yusuke was placing the speaker on top of the cabinet.
"Hey, Kitagawa-kun? That song you played last time? It was really good." Ann said with a warm smile.
Yusuke didn't look up from his phone.
"Not good enough. Tell me, Takamaki-san. What song do you think would inspire lu-" Yusuke started, before looking over to Ren.
Ren glared.
"Ahem… what song do you think would inspire… passion?"
"I dunno. Maybe something like the last song? Maybe a little more upbeat?" Ann suggested.
"Hmmm… perhaps the total opposite of the previous song will do." Yusuke dismissively said.
"Oh." Ann had a disappointed look on her face.
Yusuke sat down on his stool.
"I would like to remind everyone that silence is preferred." Yusuke said.
Ryuji, Ren, and Haru all nodded. Ann did the same as she got into the same pose from the previous session.
"It seems that we are ready to begin."
Yusuke pressed play on his phone. As soon as he did, a bassy sound erupted from the speaker. It sounded like agony, like pain. Hearing it felt like being punched in the gut. The sound rolled up and down a few times, before setting into a rhythm. Some percussion joined the disgusting bass.
"Oh my." Haru said, obviously struggling to listen to the music.
"Man, what the eff is this sh- ow!" Ren elbowed Ryuji to keep him quiet.
Ryuji's interruption didn't matter. Yusuke was already focused in on the canvas, his brush gently flicking across it. With his pace, it seemed like more of a test than a focused attempt at true art.
The song continued it's ear torture. The rhythm that was maintained by the bass and the percussion now had a voice over it, the same voice that was rapping for the majority of Runaway. The lyrics to Runaway had been vulgar, but the expletives had an underlying beauty to them. The lyrics to the new song were just as vulgar, but had no beauty. The song itself had no beauty.
This was made to offend the people. After a few bars, fuck has been used three times. I'm barely understanding this.
The lyrics, from Ren's translation, only got more and more offensive. While he missed a lot of the filler words, the obscenities being used did not go over his head.
It sounds like this song was made for people not to listen to it. I don't think there's any context where it's appropriate to play this song, especially not while someone's painting.
The song continued. The vocalist halted his cadence, and repeated a phrase.
'On sight! On sight!' The fuck does that mean?
The assault on the ears stopped altogether for what sounded like a recording of an old song. It was low quality audio, but still very beautiful.
Please be the rest of the song, please please ple-
Ren's thoughts were cut off by the bass coming back. The vocalist returned, his lyrics even more vulgar.
All I caught was 'Dick in a mouth' and a bunch of swear words. If Yusuke paints to this, what the fuck is wrong with him?
The instrumental of the song simplified, with the drums and the bass dropping away. All that remained was the repetitive rhythm from before, now being performed by a high pitched synth. The vocalist repeated ad libs. The song was building, and when it finally reached it's climax, it was horrifying. The bass unloaded itself into Ren's ears, making him believe he was having a heart attack. But just as quickly as the bass came, it left. After a few more seconds, and a few snare rolls, the music stopped.
Only about two minutes. If that was as long as Runaway, I think I would've cried tears of agony.
Ren looked over at Haru. She was sitting straight up, with an obviously fake smile plastered across her face.
She's hiding the pain.
Ren looked over at Ryuji. He was staring at the ground, looking like he was having nightmares.
"You good?" Ren said weakly.
"No. Definitely not." Was all that Ryuji said.
"How 'bout you?" Ren said to Haru.
No response. It was like she was in a trance.
"Haru?"
"Oh! Sorry, Ren-kun. I guess I just zoned out a little." Haru said nervously.
"Understandable." Ren said before looking over to Yusuke and Ann.
Yusuke had a very rough looking painting that Ren couldn't call completed. While the painting from the Runaway session was refined and clean-cut, this one was a mess. It was a very messy portrayal of Ann that Ren was sure wouldn't be up to par with Yusuke's expectations for himself.
And he was right.
"Yet again, I have achieved little but failure." Yusuke said with a sigh.
He went to grab the painting and toss it, but his arm gave out while tossing the canvas. The canvas simply dropped to the floor. Yusuke's weakness was only becoming more apparent.
"Want me to order some sushi?" Ren casually asked.
"I must not reward failure." Yusuke said solemnly, staring at the empty easel.
Food is a reward? What the fuck?! If Akechi is actually investigating Madarame, I'll be surprised if he finds nothing.
"Uh, Kitagawa-kun… you definitely look like you could use something to eat. It's still pretty early in the afternoon. How about we get some food and try another painting?" Ann kindly suggested.
"There will be neither. I do not wish to waste any more of your time with my ineptitude."
"Oh, Kitagawa-kun, you're not wasting-" Haru began.
"You deserve compensation. I would like to extend tickets to Sensei's gallery that is being held from the twenty-second into June."
"That's very kind of you, Kitagawa-kun, but we-" Haru was cut off again.
"Perhaps an examination of true passion in art together will help me get results."
"Uh… sure?" Ann said with a nervous laugh.
"Kitagawa-kun, could we have some time to decide?" Haru asked.
"Of course, but I urge you not to pass up this opportunity."
"Sure, dude." Ryuji said as he stood up and left the room.
The other members of GRAVY followed. Once they were outside of the room, Haru started things off.
"If you guys would like to go to the gallery, I could acquire extra tickets."
"But we just got free ones!" Ryuji protested.
"But we should pay to see the art that Madarame worked so hard on." Haru argued.
I don't think he needs the money, and I don't think he deserves it, given Yusuke's condition.
"Haru, I don't think that Madarame needs the money. Besides, how would Kitagawa feel if we just turned down his offer and bought our own tickets?" Ann said.
"Hm… that's a good point. But do we really want to go?"
"Of course! I'm tryna get cultured and shit!" Ryuji said excitedly.
Fuck yeah, Ryuji. That's why badasses go to art galleries. Getting cultured and shit.
"Same." Ren said.
"I guess I would like to see some of Madarame's art…" Ann admitted.
"Then it's settled? We're all in favor of accepting Kitagawa-kun's offer?" Haru asked.
"Looks like it." Ren said.
"Great. Let's go back in."
The group went back into the room. Yusuke was still dejectedly staring at the easel.
"Hey, Kitagawa-kun?" Ann said. Yusuke looked up at her. "We'd love to go to the gallery."
Yusuke smiled.
"Terrific. I believe I have several tickets in the cabinet." He said, standing up and walking over to the supplies cabinet.
"I already have two tickets, Kitagawa-kun." Haru exclaimed.
"Mhm."
Yusuke searched through the middle drawer of the cabinet, eventually pulling out two tickets.
"I'm sorry, but could we have another? I just remembered someone who told me that she wanted to go to the gallery."
She. Haru said she. Could it be Makoto? Please be Makoto.
"Of course."
Yusuke procured another ticket, and handed the three tickets to Ren.
"Thanks."
Yusuke nodded.
"Kitagawa-kun, do you still want me to model for you?" Ann asked.
"Yes… but not today. It can wait for after the gallery. What day do you think you'll be visiting?"
"You said it opens the twenty-second? That's this Sunday. Can everyone come then?" Ren asked.
"I'm free." Ryuji said.
"Same here." Ann agreed.
"Me too." Haru said.
"Perfect. Sunday it is."
"Wonderful. I'll see you then. Until then, I must… practice." Yusuke said timidly.
He doesn't mean practice, does he? He's gonna starve himself or some shit.
"Wanna come grab dinner with us?" Ryuji asked out of nowhere.
Good on Ryuji for noticing how weak Yusuke is. We might have to force a sandwich down his throat if he looks like this on Sunday.
"I must decline. Sense will be returning soon, and I must be here to greet him."
"Suit yourself. See ya, Kitagawa." Ryuji said before leaving the room.
Ann and Haru both waved goodbyes and left. Yusuke nodded in return. He went over to the cabinet to organize art supplies, but turned around to see Ren still there.
"Is there a reason you're still here?" He asked calmly.
"Care to answer a few questions?"
"If they do not pry too much, I will comply." Yusuke said.
"How's Madarame as your sensei? Is he fair?"
"Sensei is kind. He shows me how to achieve true hart while remaining harsh enough to not let me deviate from my path.
"Harsh how?"
"He… reminds me when I deviate." Yusuke's eyes flickered.
"How does he remind you?"
"...I must ask you to leave. I look forward to Sunday." Yusuke said before approaching Ren and giving him a gentle shove out of the room.
The door quickly closed and was locked. Ren usually didn't forgive people who shoved him, but Yusuke was justified.
I did pry a little… but it's for Yusuke's safety. Something is clearly wrong here. But why is Yusuke protecting Madarame? He did say that Madarame raised him. Is that it? Does Yusuke feel like Madarame's his father so he can't betray him? That's fucked.
Ren walked over to the door to Madarame's study. He tried the handle. It was locked again.
I wonder if Akechi's found anything… if he has, maybe I'll be a little nicer to him.
Ren walked away from the door, down the hallway, and out of the shack. The other members of GRAVY were waiting outside.
"What took ya?" Ryuji asked.
"I was painting Kitagawa while we listened to Mongolia throat singing." Ren said plainly.
"Fine then, keep your secrets." Ryuji said with a laugh. "Ya guys wanna grab dinner?"
"Can't. I have a night shoot later." Ann said.
Out of the corner of Ren's eye, he saw Haru checking her phone. She looked up nervously.
"Neither can I. I have business to attend to."
Ryuji looked at Ren pleadingly.
"Sorry. I got work." Ren said apologetically.
"Ah, shit."
"How about we get dinner together before the gallery on Sunday?" Haru suggested.
"That sounds fun!" Ann said.
"Hell yeah!" Ryuji said enthusiastically.
"I'll go." Ren added.
"Great! I'll text everyone on Sunday." Haru said. "I have to go now. Goodbye, and thanks for the fun time!"
Haru walked away. Ann also had to leave, so she said her goodbyes and left. Ryuji and Ren were alone.
"Have you really not started Operation Gardening Project?"
"Dude, no. This shit takes time. I don't even know where to find the Takao girl."
"Try the courtyard. Most students eat there."
"That's like finding needle in a haystack." Ren said dismissively.
"It's like finding a needle in a haystack and then getting paid billions for it." Ryuji said excitedly. "Just imagine the look on Dai's face!"
"Fine. I'll try to find her. Don't get your hopes up. And it's not like we have a deadline for embarrassing Dai."
"True, true." Ryuji said.
"I gotta get going, Ryuji. Duty calls."
"Dude, some of the shit you say is so corny, ya know?"
That's the point. I don't think anyone actually says 'Duty calls' seriously.
"Yep. See ya, Ryuji." Ren said before walking away.
"Bye, Ren!" Ryuji called back.
Makoto chose not to follow Ren again after seeing him with Ann at the school gate. She was no longer following Ren to figure out if he was a criminal or not, but following him to find an opportunity to talk to him. She wasn't sure if she was capable of it.
Makoto spent her free afternoon walking up and down Shibuya again. The few observations she made were the volleyball players looking at her. She recognized them by the Shujin gym uniforms that they wore outside of school. This time, they weren't in Big Bang Burger. Three volleyball players were spread out on Central Street. Each time Makoto had passed one, she would glance at them. They were always staring at here.
They know how much of a failure you are, Miss President, Makoto thought to herself.
She reminded herself of the information that she had about the situation with Dai Shirai.
Shirai, along with his friends, is being blackmailed by an organization. I believe Shirai's on the volleyball team. His friends are likely the other volleyball team members, Makoto concluded.
After a few trips up and down Central Street, Makoto approached one of the volleyball players. He held his stare from the moment she began walking towards him.
"Hello, Niijima-senpai." The boy said unnervingly.
"Hello. I was wondering if you were a friend of Dai Shirai?"
"I am."
"Are you being blackmailed by a group in Shibuya?"
"Nope. Not me."
Makoto failed to pay attention to the boy's body language and facial expressions as she considered the lack of information.
"Do you know any students who are being blackmailed?"
"Can't say I do. But I've heard the rumors. Don't worry Niijima-senpai. I'm sure you'll find something if you keep searching." The boy said with an eerie grin.
"Thanks for your help." Makoto said before walking away.
She resumed her repetitious investigation of Central Street. She only decided to call it a day when she noticed her stomach grumbling. She went home for the night.
As Makoto was preparing her dinner, her phone beeped.
Haru Okumura:
-Mako-chan, would you still like to go the Madarame gallery? I know that I said I would stay away, but I would really like for you to accompany me.
Makoto Niijima:
-I want to go, but I'm not sure if I can. I've been busy.
Haru Okumura:
-I know what you're busy with. Please just fix things with Ren-kun. It's incredibly frustrating to see you both like this.
Makoto Niijima:
-It's not that simple.
Haru Okumura:
-It is that simple. "Hey, Ren. I'm ready to hear you side of the story." "That's great Makoto. I've really wanted to talk to you…" That's what will happen. It's quick. It's easy. You'll be able to spend time with Ren rather than following him. Just talk to him.
Makoto thought back to earlier in the day when she had stood by the school gate, waiting for Ren to emerge. Emerge he did. With Takamaki. They were talking and looked happy together. Or at least, Ann looked happy. Ren had the same look on his face that he had while Makoto conducted her investigation. It was emotionless and stoic. Makoto didn't know what Ren and Ann were talking about, but she didn't need to.
Makoto read Haru's text again. A scenario where she had spoken to Ren earlier played out in her head.
"Hey, Ren. I was hoping to talk to you." Makoto said.
"No way. He's mine!" Ann said, defensively standing in front of Ren. "And I'm sure he doesn't want to talk to you of all people."
Ren hugged Ann from behind.
"Of course I don't want to talk to her, Ann-chan. She's just the failed student council president who can only waste people's time and money." Ren said flirtily to Ann.
He pulled Ann into a kiss, mocking Makoto. As they kissed, Ann glared at Makoto. She pulled out of the kiss.
"Hey, don't you have someone else to annoy? Like your sister?" She said with a sneer.
"That's right, Takamaki-san." Sae said as she stepped around the school gate.
"Sis?!"
"That's right, Makoto. I'm here to stop you from ruining everyone's good time. Come on, I have to keep you away from the happy people."
"Sis, please…" Makoto said weakly.
Tears were forming in her eyes.
"Quit your begging. All you do is take my money and beg for more. What would dad think of you if he saw who you've become?!" Sae said angrily.
"That's right, Makoto. Your father would hate you!" Ann added.
Makoto was starting to cry.
"I just w-wanted to talk to Ren." Makoto managed to spit out.
"They don't want you wasting their time, Makoto! Can't you see that?! Just let them go back to Ren's apartment and be happy." Sae said.
"That's right, Sae-san. I'm gonna make Ren very happy at his apartment. That's something you could never do!" Ann said with a mocking laugh.
"P-please… just let me-"
Sae slapped Makoto. Makoto fell to the ground.
"Get it through your head, Makoto! Ren wants nothing to do with you! All you'll do is ruin things for him. You're just a leech! You know what?! I want nothing to do with you! Why do you think I haven't come back yet?! I don't want to deal with your bullshit!"
Makoto was sobbing.
"Ann, let me say something." Ren said as he slipped away from Ann.
Makoto looked through the tears at Ren. While he was blurry, she could still make out his features. He leaned forward, only inches away from Makoto's face, and grinned. It comforted Makoto and made her feel safe.
"I. Want. Nothing. To. Do. With. You." Ren said plainly.
With that, he pushed Makoto away. She fell backwards to the ground from her kneeling position. She didn't try to get up. She didn't want to get up.
"I'm done helping you, Makoto. Get yourself up." Sae said as she walked away.
The sobbing was uncontrollable.
"Not doing to well, are you, Niijima-san?" A male voice asked.
Makoto looked to find the source of the voice. Standing on the steps to Shujin was Suguru Kamoshida. He began walking down the steps. With every step he took Makoto's heart began to beat faster. She sobbed harder, making it difficult to breath. She was almost choking as Kamoshida stood over her.
"You can be useful to me, Makoto." Kamoshida said with an evil grin.
Kamoshida began to-
Makoto's phone was ringing. She quickly answered to dispel any remaining thoughts of Kamoshida.
"Hello?" She shakily asked.
"Mako-chan, are you alright? You weren't responding to my texts." Haru's kind voice said through the phone.
"I um… yeah. I'm fine." Makoto said.
She felt dried tears on her cheeks. Her imagination had been so captivating that she hadn't noticed when the tears had rolled down.
"Hm… well, I was originally texting to ask if you wanted to go to the gallery with me and the other members of GRAVY."
"I-I'm sorry, Haru. I can't. I can't face Ren."
"Mako-chan, of course you can! Just talk to him!" Haru protested.
"It's not that simple! H-he'll-"
"It is that simple! Just do it, and you'll see!"
"No!"
"Makoto, if you really want to keep acting like this, I won't stop you. But I won't put up with this anymore. I can't approve of your behavior."
"Fine! Then stay away for good!" Makoto yelled.
Haru let out a deep sigh.
"Goodbye, Makoto."
Haru hung up.
Makoto threw out what she had been preparing for dinner. She immediately went to her room and locked the door. The lock wasn't to stop the absent Sae from coming in. It was keep the world away from Makoto.
Friday, 5/20
"The scores just came out!" Mishima yelled into classroom 2-D.
Ren looked up from his notes. He had taken the lunch period to study, but had found little success.
"Wanna check our scores?" Ann asked.
"No." Ren said.
"But you'll go anyway, right?" Ann said in teasing tone.
"Yep." Ren said as he stood up.
"How do you think you did?" Ann asked.
"Fine."
"Ren, I'm trying to socialize with you." Ann scolded Ren as she said it.
"I… yeah. My bad. I'm just tired."
"Uh huh. Tired." Ann didn't believe him.
"Yep. Very tired. I was playing games with Ryuji." Ren said blandly.
"Go see Maruki after school. You seem a lot happier every time you talk to him." Ann commanded.
"I'll consider it."
"No. You will. Do I have to come with you to make sure you talk to him?"
"No, mom." Ren mumbled.
"What was that?"
"No, Ann."
"Great! Now let's go check our grades." She said as she took the lead and walked out of the classroom.
Ren followed. The other Shujin students were pouring into the halls. Ren stuck close to Ann. They went down the flight of stairs and went to the bulletin board that held the scores, but were unable to get close enough to examine the board. The crowd of students around them were all itching to see their own accomplishments.
"Looks like we'll be waiting in line for the rest of lunch… just when I was getting to dessert." Ann pouted.
Ren looked at her.
"Not on my watch." He mumbled. He raised his voice. "The transfer student! He's coming!"
The crowd immediately parted around Ren.
"After you." Ren gestured for Ann to go to the board.
"Uh, thanks." Ann awkwardly said as she walked towards the board.
Ren approached the board, blocking out the whispers around him. When he finally reached it, he checked the third year scores before the second year scores.
Makoto's on top. Good for her. And if I go down a little… there he is. Yoshiro didn't do too bad. Twenty-fourth in his grade level is pretty good. If a go down a little more… no not a little. A lot. Fuck it. Down the whole list. There he is! Dai in dead last. At least he's good at volleyball.
As Ren was moving over to the second year list, a voice called out from the crowd.
"Yo! Ren! Could ya get my score for me?!" Ryuji yelled.
"No problem!" Ren called back.
At the top we have… blah, blah, don't know her, or him, or him, hey, that's me. Six is pretty good. Hopefully Kobayakawa will like that.
Ren scanned the list for familiar names. Ann was around the midpoint with Mishima. Eiko Takao was a a little below the average. And with the seventh worst score among second years, the man himself, Ryuji Effin' Sakamoto.
Scores don't reflect intelligence. Except for Dai. His score is on point.
"Well?! What is it?!" Ryuji asked from the crowd.
Even if scores don't reflect intelligence, this probably isn't a number that Ryuji would want for me to yell for everyone to hear.
"I'll tell you later!"
Ren backed away from the board. Ann did the same.
"Happy with your score?" Ren asked.
Ann shrugged.
"As I'll ever be. It's good enough."
"Cool. We should probably get out of here."
"Definitely."
The crowd parted again to let Ren pass. As much as he was growing to dislike the effects of the rumors, there were some perks. Ren and Ann made it out of the crowd to find Ryuji.
"Ya got the score?" Ryuji asked.
Ren glanced at Ann nervously.
"What?" Ryuji was growing impatient.
Ren leaned over and whispered Ryuji's score to him.
"Oh. Oh shit. Thanks for keeping it quiet."
"You know everyone can see it anyways, right?" Ann asked.
"Yeah. But it would've been catastrophic if Ren yelled that number for everyone to hear."
"If you say so. Ren, should we get back to class?"
"Sorry. I figured I'd pay the pig a visit." Ren said.
"The pig?"
"Our principal."
"Oh." Ann said with a laugh. "I definitely see it."
"Holy shit, you're right!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"Whatever. Anyway, see you in class Ann. See ya later, Ryuji."
They both waved a goodbye as Ren went in the direction of the principal's office. The halls were mostly empty, due to most of the students going to check their scores. Ren reached Kobayakawa's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Kobayakawa's voice said from the other side.
Ren opened the door. The office remained unchanged from when Ren's semi-orientation. Kobayakawa was sitting in his chair, using his computer. Ren didn't want to look at the computer screen because, like everyone at Shujin, had suspicions of Kobyakawa's all but confirmed cooperation with Kamoshida.
"Take a seat, Amamiya-kun." Kobayakawa said.
Ren took the middle of three chairs on his side of Kobayakawa's desk.
"What brings you to my office today?"
"I just thought that I should check in. I am the criminal student, and exams just happened."
"Ah, yes. The exams. And your record. I saw that you placed sixth among second years."
"Yeah."
"I'm happy with your results, Amamiya-kun. I trust that you're still studying with Niijima-san?"
Oh shit. I forgot about that. That's not good. Or maybe it is… I could tell him that we aren't studying and that I would've done better on the test. Then he'll make her study with me. I could talk to her.
"No. She didn't want to continue." Ren said stoically.
"A shame. You know, it was her idea for the study sessions." Kobayakawa looked disappointed.
"Bitch, what?!"
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, sorry. I said, 'Itch, huh?'" Ren reached over his shoulder to scratch his back. "My back has been itching all morning. I think I might have a rash."
"Oh, well… perhaps you should see the nurse." Kobayakawa looked very uncomfortable. "As I was saying, it was Niijima-san's idea for you two to study together."
"Huh. The more you know." Ren said blankly.
Kobayakawa chuckled.
"Education… isn't it wonderful? Anyways, I'd like for you to continue your academic excellence through the rest of the semester and into the next one. Are you capable of that?"
"I can hold out for few more months, tops." Ren said in a quieter tone.
"I'm glad to hear it. Have a good day, Amamiya-kun."
He misheard me. How convenient.
Ren thanked Kobayakawa and left the office. Once outside, he stopped to consider what Kobayakawa had revealed.
It was Makoto who wanted the study sessions to happen. She wanted to engage with me. She wanted to keep me busy. She wanted to make sure I did well at Shujin. She cares about me. Caredabout me. Because it was Makoto's idea, that means that Kobayakawa won't force me and her into more study sessions. It's for the best. While I need to talk to Makoto, I refuse to force her, or anyone, into anything, even if it's just talking. Then I'd be stooping to his level.
Ren walked back to class.
The end of classes came quicker than Ren thought it would. Thoughts of Makoto, Ryuji, Yusuke, the volleyball team, and test scores came and went, keeping him distracted from whatever bullshit Ushimaru was spewing. The bell signaled the end of classes, and Ann's cue to tell Ren to visit Maruki.
"You're gonna go see Maruki, right?"
"Yeah. And I when I get home tonight, could you make me some dinosaur chicken nuggets, mom? Pleeease?" Ren sarcastically asked.
Ann laughed.
"Point taken. But it's for your own good. Go see Maruki."
"Fine. See ya later, Ann."
They waved goodbye to each other as Ren left the classroom. As he was making his way to the practice building, a familiar face popped up at his side.
"On your way to Maruki, huh?" Ryuji asked.
"Yeah. Ann's pretty much forcing me to go."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"I guess not. But I really don't feel like going."
"Then don't go. Simple as that."
Ryuji, you can't apply Sakamoto's Law of Homework to this situation. 'If Ryuji Sakamoto is not in the mood for homework, he may save it for a later date or not do it at all.'
"Hey, why're you going this way?" Ren asked.
"Me? Oh, I was also going to see the doc."
"Girl trouble?"
"Worse. Track team's back."
"And you wanna seduce the captain's mom?"
Ryuji laughed.
"Maybe. Maybe not. Eff that, definitely not. He actually asked me to go see him to talk about it."
It's good that Maruki is looking out for the students.
"Huh. That gives me my excuse."
"Glad I could help." Ryuji said with a grin.
Ren laughed.
"Thanks. Good luck with Maruki."
"Good luck explaining to Ann. See ya, Ren."
Ren waved a goodbye as he went in a separate direction from Ryuji. He didn't want to go back through the classroom building because Ann was likely still their, so he stayed in the practice building for a bit before heading home before work.
Ryuji took a deep breath.
You can do this! You're Ryuji! The Ryuji! He told himself.
He opened the door to the nurse's office. Maruki was sitting on a chair inside. He stood up as Ryuji entered.
"Ah, Sakamoto-kun. Thank you for taking me up on my offer. I wasn't sure if you would." Maruki said, extending a hand for Ryuji to shake.
"I like surprising people, doc." Ryuji said, accepting the handshake.
The two sat down.
"Interesting… so, Sakamoto-kun. You're aware of why I asked you here, correct?"
"Yeah. A few kids are reforming the track team and they got a coach or something."
"Exactly. I was asked to sponsor the club, and I was surprised when your name wasn't on the list of students that I was given." Maruki chuckled. "I figured you'd be the one reforming the club. Believe it or not, but a few of the other teachers had some nice things to say about your ability."
Ushimaru? Definitely not. Chuono? Hopefully not. Kawakami? Maybe. Hopefully. She's definitely my favorite. What I would give to be in that class… shit! Focus, Ryuji! Ryuji reminded himself.
"Well… the guys never asked me. They probably don't want the guy who took the track team with him to do it again."
"Is that what happened? You took the track team down with you?" Maruki asked.
"No. It was that bastard, Kamoshida." Ryuji could feel himself heating up. He took a deep breath and calmed down before speaking again. "He provoked me and shit. Oh, sorry for the language, doc."
Maruki smiled.
"Use whatever words you wish to convey your feelings. I know that Kamoshida provoked you. He admitted to it during interogation. Your file's been altered to say that. I was asking because I wanted to know if you believed that you took the track team down with you."
They interrogated Kamoshida about me? Damn, Ryuji thought.
"Part of me does, ya know? I mean, how could I not think that way? I let the anger get the best of me, and look where it got me."
"Where was that?"
"I was Shujin's resident delinquent. But Renny kinda took that tittle…"
Am I unhappy that Ren took my spot as the troubled kid? No. I always hated how much the other kids whisper about me. I don't miss it, Ryuji thought.
"And where are you now?" Maruki asked.
"I'm… what's the word? I'm at… a crossroad?" Ryuji looked to Maruki for confirmation. Maruki nodded. "I'm at a crossroad."
"I'm assuming that the crossroad is the choice of joining the reformed track team or not?"
Ryuji nodded.
"I'd have to put up with guys getting at me for what happened, at least for a bit, but I'd be running competitively again. That would make my mom happy. I might be able to get a scholarship or something. That would make her really happy."
"And what's the other option?"
"Don't join the track team. Stick with Ren and the rest of GRAVY-"
"I'm sorry for cutting you off, but your club's called GRAVY?" Maruki asked dumbfoundedly.
Ryuji laughed.
"Pretty cool, right? Ren came up with it. 'Gardeners Raging Against…' shit I forget the rest."
"I never thought I'd here about raging gardeners." Maruki said with a chuckle.
"Heh, yeah. We don't rage at all, I just think Ren wanted the acronym to be something funny. He's strange like that."
"He is certainly different from the other students I've spoken to. Tell me, Sakamoto-kun, what does Ren do outside of school?"
Ryuji was caught off guard by the off topic question.
"Hm? Well he… he's mentioned work or something. Not sure where it is, though. He plays a lot of video games. Other than that, I'm pretty sure it's just hanging out with friends." Ryuji explained.
"Interesting… but back to you. Which decision do you want to make? Track team or not." Maruki said. When Ryuji didn't respond, he spoke again. "Of course, this isn't a final decision or anything, so don't worry about this. I'm just trying to get a feeling of where you're at."
"Oh… I'm not to sure I wanna join the team. The guys cast me away so quickly after the incident… I can't blame them, but it still happened." Ryuji said in a downcast tone.
"You should blame them, Sakamoto-kun. They left you alone in a hard time in your life. And while you should blame them, that doesn't mean you can't forgive them."
"I think it's a little late for blame and forgiveness."
"Too true. Time erases the need for such things." Maruki said solemnly, as if there was something greater on his mind.
"Uh… sure."
"I can tell you're getting tired of talking. How about we call it a day?"
"Sure… ya know, I was expecting this to be kinda lame, but it was actually really helpful. So… thanks, doc."
"No problem, Sakamoto-kun. Whatever choice you make, I support your decision. And feel free to come and talk anytime."
"Maybe I will. Thanks again." Ryuji said as he stood up and left he nurses office.
Saturday, 5/21
"Tanaka-san, did you find any information?" Makoto asked, signaling the beginning of the student council meeting.
"Very little. Reported Yakuza activity in Shibuya only increased recently. Before that, there's little to no information." Eiji said formally.
"Thank you. Taira-san, did you learn anything from other students?"
"A bit. A few boys I know seemed nervous when I asked them about it." Noriko said.
"Are they members of the boys volleyball team?" Makoto asked.
"No. Why?"
So it's not only the volleyball team… that complicates things, Makoto thought.
"Just a question. May I have the names of the boys who were nervous?"
"Um… about that… they all asked to remain anonymous. I'll still tell you their names-" Noriko began.
"No. They asked to remain anonymous, so we'll leave it there. Unfortunately, that doesn't give us much to go on. Hora-san, did you find anything on Murakami?"
Michiko perked up.
"I did. While she vanished from the web earlier this year, articles written by Murakami can be found going back a few years. These articles often had a partner credited. Ichiko Ohya." Michiko paused to let the information sink in. "Ohya is still an active journalist who publishes weekly articles. I even found contact information."
"Could you please send that to me?" Makoto asked.
"Of course. Do you think she's the key to the case?"
No. Ohya just knows someone who went missing after reporting on the crime in Shibuya. It's unlikely for her to have any valuable information. But there's still a possibility… Makoto thought.
"She could. It's our only lead. I found nothing again on Central Street."
Makoto credited her failure in investigating Dai's claim to her own incompetence. But she wouldn't let the other student council members investigate. That would be putting them in danger.
"It'll have to do for now. If we don't find anything after contacting Ohya, we'll have to increase the scale of the investigation." Makoto said.
"Got it. What do you want us to do in the meantime?" Eiji asked.
"Keep your ears open. If it's becoming as much of a problem as we think it is, people are sure to talk about it. Otherwise, keep researching Yakuza activity in Shibuya, or things along those lines." Makoto commanded.
"Oh! I almost forgot! I looked into crime related news reports about Shibuya, and it turns out that the frequency of those news reports has decreased by forty-three percent since this time last year. I hope that helps." Michiko said.
I'm not sure if it helps, but it definitely changes things. Either the news is reporting less arrests in Shibuya, or less arrests are being made in Shibuya. Maybe both. With Ohya being a journalist, she could know something about it. I'll have to ask, Makoto thought to herself.
"It does, Hora-san. Is there anything that anyone would like discussed?" Makoto asked.
The three other members shook their heads.
"Meeting adjourned."
Ren was ready to throw his phone at his apartment wall.
Iwai:
-Got work for you tonight.
Ren Amamiya:
-Can't. I got plans.
Iwai:
-Wasn't asking. Besides, I have something you'll want to hear.
Ren Amamiya:
-I don't want to hear your mixtape, Iwai.
Iwai:
-Just come to the fucking store.
God dammit. This better be worth it.
Ren put some cat food in Morgana's bowl and left.
"You want me to do what?!" Ren said in a raised voice.
"Relax. All you're doing is recording a phone conversation." Iwai said calmly. "The guy you're recording is the one with tattoos on his face. You'll find him as soon as you enter the diner."
"Tattoos on his face. He's Yakuza, Iwai. Yakuza! I'm not doing that shit." Ren protested.
"Yes, you will do that shit. You'll do it because I'm your boss. You owe me after I gave you that camera thing."
"The guy's gonna kill me if he sees me recording him!"
"No he's not. He's not gonna see you. Just grab the booth behind him and record a video with your phone facing down. It should pick up the audio."
"God dammit… fine. I'll do it. But whatever it is you're keeping from me better be worth it." Ren said angrily.
"What're you gonna do if it's not?" Iwai asked tauntingly.
Ren sighed.
"Fuck this…"
He walked out of Untouchable and made his way to the diner.
Makoto almost dropped her phone when she heard the apartment door open.
"Sis!"
Sae stood in the doorway.
"Hey, Makoto."
Makoto promptly stood up from the couch.
"Can I get you something to eat?"
"That'd be great, thank you." Sae said as she set down her things on the table.
Makoto quickly microwaved the leftover food that they had. She had already eaten that evening, but she still sat down at the table across from Sae. Sae almost immediately began eating.
"So… how've you been, Sis?"
"It's been stressful. There have been more shutdowns occurring in recent months. I've been assigned to the case, but there's almost nothing. We have no leads, so progress has been slow. When I haven't been at work… I've been staying in hotels."
"Sis, you could've come home anytime you wanted." Makoto assured her.
"I know. But I think this was for the best. It gave me time to think." Sae didn't specify what she had to think about. "By the way, are you still spending time with Amamiya?"
Sae's tone was noticeably more harsher.
"I'm so happy to see you, Makoto. I've missed you so much! Thank you for taking care of the apartment!" That's too much to ask for. Instead, she just wants to control my life. I've stopped spending time with Amamiya anyway. Now I just spend my time following him, Makoto thought to herself.
"No. I've stopped participating in his club, too." Makoto said dejectedly.
"Good. It seems you still have some sense left in you." Sae said.
"Thanks, Sis. It's good that you're home…" Makoto said in a saddened tone as she stood up and left the table.
She retreated to her room for the night.
Ren emerged from the diner a changed man. He was initially terrified of doing something that could be considered Yakuza business, but reality defied his expectations. All he had done was sit down and set up his phone with the recording. He spend the rest of the time eating the food that he had ordered. He left the diner much less worried about conducting future business with Iwai, as long as it was similar to what he had just done.
The the barely changed man made his way back to Untouchable, ready for whatever Iwai was keeping from him. He opened the door to Untouchable and Iwai looked up from his magazine.
"So he didn't kill you. I'm surprised." He said with a chuckle.
Surprised? Does that guy usually kill people who record him?
"I got your recording." Ren said blankly.
"Great. Now, airdrop it to my-"
"Ah ah ah, not so fast. You told me that you had something I'd be interested in."
"That's right. Good memory, good business practices." Iwai chuckled. "A girl came in here the other day. Short brown hair, red eyes. Said she was a classmate of yours."
Makoto came here? And mentioned me? The fuck?
"She asked a buncha questions. What your relationship with me is, what you do as part of your job, boring shit like that."
She was asking about me? Holy shit! This is great!
"And? And? Did she say anything else?" Ren was getting excited.
"Eh. Not much. I told her about the alcohol."
"You did WHAT?!"
"Relax, kid. I told her that I bought it from you for ¥1. She didn't seem too happy after I told her that, and ended up leaving."
But what does that mean? She knew to go to Untouchable. The only person who knows that I came here is Iori-san. Unless Makoto is talking to Junpei, who she doesn't seem to like very much, she must be following me. Holy shit. Makoto was following me. How long? At least for that Saturday with Ryuji and Mishima. But… what the fuck do I do? Is she still following me? Is that what Haru was talking about with that decision shit? If she's still following me, that means she's still deciding. And if she's not following me, then she's made her decision. But if she's made her decision and isn't reaching out to me… fuck. She'd be staying away from me.
"T-thanks, Iwai. That was worth it, in a way." Ren said plainly.
"I'm thrilled." Iwai said sarcastically. "Go on. Send me the recording and get out."
Ren tapped his phone a few times.
"Got it. Thanks, kid."
Ren nodded as he turned to leave Untouchable. He emerged into the alley on Central Street. He looked around in every direction.
No sign of her. Maybe tonight's her night off. Or maybe she's staying away from you, Ren.
Ren left the alley. As we walked up Central Street in the direction of his apartment, he noticed something. There were two teenagers, who Ren recognized as members of Yoshiro's volleyball posse, were posted in front of another alley. They didn't notice Ren walking past them.
They're just standing there. I wonder what they're doing…
Ren was about to approach the pair when he realized that that wasn't a good idea. At all. After how the last confrontation with the volleyball team went, Ren was sure he would be assaulted on sight. And there were no conveniently placed beverages in narrow alleys.
I should focus on one volleyball team member at a time. Right now, it's Dai's time to shine.
Ren continued his walk back to his apartment.