Chapter 9: No God, No Master, Part II

(See notes below)

"I don't get why we're watching this again for the umpteenth time," Sae said, sitting on the couch while wearing lounge clothes and wrapping a towel over her damp head.

"Because sisters should do stuff together," Makoto replied smiling. "Particularly if the older one decides to give a Sunday to herself for once."

"…I guess so," Sae said, smiling weakly. The perp from the most recent mental shutdown, like the others, wasn't worth the time anyway, she thought.

The two watched a caper classic from the noir days: "The Red Kipper," a story about a jaded, middle-aged alcoholic detective hired by a young seductress to find her father, the mystery transforming into a journey of rediscovery. After a host of twist and turns, the sisters were on the iconic romance scene between the two titular characters, a rendezvous at the docks in the middle of a foggy night.

"Oh Roger….why did it have to come to this?" the female lead cried, fighting not to bawl in front of the male lead.

"I don't know," he replied. "I think it was because of the bottle of rye in my pocket and the free cigarette."

Sae leaned on her hand as she stared at the screen. "God, this scene again. A drunk with a trench coat with a rough, craggy voice and maybe cirrhosis. Reminds me of some of the seniors at work, and I'd rather not imagine them being romantic to their wives IF this is what they were raised on." She shuddered as he wished for her work flask. "Makoto, you can't seriously think this is roman-"

She turned to find Makoto leaning forward with her mouth open and a small pool of blood under the skin of her cheeks.

Sae's eyes narrowed. "-tic." She sighed. "Dad got you hooked. Hard."

"SHH!" Makoto yelled.

Sae's eyes lit up. "Jeez…Relax." She paused for a quick second. "So…how's school? Fine, I hope."

The mention of school jostled her from her excited trance. "Umm…fine."

That got Sae's attention. "You don't seem convinced by that answer."

Makoto became stone-faced. …Should I…."It's been a busy week. We've had…some troublesome elements."

Sae sighed. "Is it something you can't handle? You're going to be an adult next year. Amongst other adults. And they're only two types: The just and the unjust."

Makoto dimmed. "I know that. I'm not a child, Sis. Stop lecturing me. I'm just trying to watch a movie."

Sae grinned halfway. "Good. Remember to always trust yourself and solve your own battles. Relying on others is just burdening people with problems you can't solve yourself."

"…I understand."

"You know…Mother's Day is coming up. You have any suggestions for flowers?"

Makoto put a finger to her chin. "….I suppose pink carnations like before."

Sae sighed. "…Could we not do that?"

"Why so? They symbolize gratitude. She was our mother after all."

Sae grunted. "I guess that's fine, then." She then paused, only to murmur to himself. "If only you were younger when she'd died, you'd probably think she'd be worth more than just pink carnations. Sunflowers at least."

Makoto's phone buzzed. She looked at her phone. It was Akira.

AKIRA: You have time tomorrow?

AKIRA: Preferably after school?

"Funny," Sae commented. "You don't usually text."

"It's a study partner."

Sae frowned. "Hope that study partner isn't going to get you pregnant."

Makoto balled up on the couch away from her Sis. "It is not like that! I'm not pursuing romance at all! I just had a few questions about some class material, that's all!"

Sae kept mean mugging her. "You wouldn't need to if you studied normally. Recommendations don't substitute for gaps in understanding come entrance exam time."

Makoto stammered. "I'll wash off some fruit." Makoto walked over to the kitchen and turned on the sink to keep up appearances.

MAKOTO: Is it bad?

A long, agonizing minute passed.

AKIRA: Yes.

AKIRA: But there's something more to it.

AKIRA: Something…I don't feel like explaining over text.

She frowned, toiling over his vagueness.

MAKOTO: Couldn't you just call me if it's that important?

AKIRA: This late? Aren't I going to wake up your parents or siblings?

She sighed.

MAKOTO: I only have my big sister to contend with these days.

A quick, but awkward pause.

MAKOTO: It's ok.

MAKOTO: I don't think I'll be available after school since I'll be with my sister at the cemetery.

MAKOTO: Maybe the Council Room? Before school starts?

AKIRA: That'll have to do then.

AKIRA: Sorry about bringing up some uncomfortable topics by accident.

AKIRA: See you later.

Makoto sighed.

"Stop wasting water and come back here already! And bring something normal, like some rice chips or something!" Sae said from the couch.

Makoto pouted. "Fine. It's not healthy tho-"

"Who cares?" Sae said.

Makoto walked over with some soy-flavored rice chips. "Your weight will suffer because of it."

They continued watching. The crunches from Sae's poor eating habits though couldn't drown out the voice in her head.

The number….how do I find the REAL number behind that message? The man behind the picture? The last piece to the band of abuse here?

I mean, Sae, for all the bile and negative attributes she's gained, has done fine by herself. Dad did ok for himself when he donned the uniform and refused a partner…and when he lost Mom. And both didn't keep him from getting the bad guys.

They kept people believing in good. In justice. What would that say…about me if I let a villain get away?

She turned to Sae, her spirits slightly lowering further. What would happen to her if I forced myself to rely on her?

Or….Kurusu? I should be his Senpai. I should be setting an example for him.

…I should be helping him. And yet….

The last point stung especially. She sighed and opened her phone.

This…is a long shot. But...I guess…I'll just have to try.

After all, I can't just ask Dad about this.

Putting his remains in an urn and burying them in the ground quashed such childish fantasies.

Maybe…she'll understand.

She looks like she'll understand me. She seems smart enough anyway.

Akira, after sending his last message, set his phone down on the metal table next to an empty burger wrapper with the label "Big Bang Burger". He stared at Ryuji, hoping that his boorish eating would make him direct his disgust at something silly.

Ryuji opened his mouth, full of eviscerated patties and fries, to speak. "I swer, if I find that coksuker…"

Akira scowled, looking away. "Swallow, for god's sake."

Ryuji grabbed his soda, slamming it down after a long sip.

Akira cleared his throat. "Look…I know you don't want to hear it. But Mishima…I'd suggest we keep it under the rug."

Ryuji snorted. "You SAW what happened back there." He then began to force the words through the crevices of his front teeth. "He and Kamoshida did a tag team on her." He slumped back into his chair. "What bullshit…you really are asking a lot."

Ryuji recollected his thoughts. "You know, I never pegged him going that far. Back there…I knew he wasn't real. But…it just…made me feel better for a moment."

Akira sighed. "Neither did I. But, the more I think about it, that's what people like him do: make Mishimas." He imagined himself a few months ago, on the ground, roughed up, held down by someone more powerful than him. In uniform, no less, as another person powerful than even his captor ordered him away.

I suppose when they put me in juvie, they wanted a Mishima. His eyes dimmed. They almost did. Not a rapist Mishima, of course.

A coward Mishima. One that hides and makes excuses to himself…and to Student Council Presidents, pretending to be noble.

One that puts faith in ideas and expectations over personal dignity.

One that shuts off common sense when the rule of law becomes an excuse to shit on your fellow man at the wave of a drunken hand or the throbbing of the groin.

It's like what she said: we created the rule of law to make something better than us. That, I agree.

Now, though, we forgot this. And the only thing the law is good for is scarring fragile mothers, scared over losing their children to the penal system, and guilt-tripping said children for the rest of their life.

What is there left...but the justice found in a lover? A friend? Yourself?

"You're getting quiet again. What's up?"

Akira opened up again. "I'm curious: did he ever like to pit people against each other?"

Ryuji played with his used straw. "I mean, yeah…the other people on track would take it personally if they thought someone was laggin' behind. I heard they even beat those type of people up. Real effed up shit. Why you ask?"

"…No reason. Just curious."

"But man…people should be better than that! They shouldn't have to resort to that asshole's level! 'Eff that. Mishima deserves everything getting to him, but….fu-effit! I dunno."

"I see you're censoring yourself again."

"Uhh…yeah, wait I said the F-word back there in the Castle, didn't I?"

Akira nodded.

"Dammit…." Ryuji's eyes trailed upwards. "You know, that was the one word I promised my mom to never say. I think I was six when I cussed her out. I was so mad; she didn't get me the toy I wanted for Christmas that year. I literally told her to f-off, which I got from some action movie no less. She got on her knees to beg for forgiveness. I felt so shitty for the rest of the day I basically told her to her face that I'd never say that to her again." He gave a weak smile. "Never made me forget it too. She still held a grudge afterward, saying 'Don't make promises as a boy that you won't live up to as an adult!'" He then laughed feebly. "I also promised her I'd be the best track player as a boy too. Now….shit."

"C'mon man," Akira replied, his cheer fading away as fast as it came. "…Don't tell me you're feeling like this because of Mother's Day?"

Ryuji stayed silent.

Akira's eyes drooped. This rumination…it's exhausting when it becomes an echo chamber. "Let's just…focus on getting the Treasure, ok? I don't think we're going to solve anything by flinging Mishima and Kamoshida off a roof."

For once, since they arrived at the burger joint, Ryuji grinned. "That's effed up."

Akira grinned in kind.

"Hey," Ryuji said. "Look, I know you said you don't really have a Mom talk to, so ima guess you have some free time." He then clasped his hands and bowed his head. "Please hang out with me on Mother's Day. I know it sounds lame, but she makes all of this food for me, and I can't really eat it, and I feel bad, and-"

"Fine," Akira responded.

"Wait, seriously?"

"Serious. I'm tired of curry anyway."

"DUDE, YOU'RE THE BEST!" Ryuji was about to reach over and hug Akira but realized the emplaced table between them blocked their bromance.

The jostle woke up a sleeping Morgana curled inside Akira's bag. "Ryuji, keep it down," Morgana replied.

"Next time, Ryuji, next time," Akira quipped. He remembered to apply the gel to his head, as Takemi directed. "Excuse me; my physician would probably whip me if I forgot to do this at the right time. Though….going to the Castle before I got that Shadow made me use this more often. I don't have much left."

"You said your doctor is at TMC right? Takemi Medical Clinic? Is she hot? If so, I might get my physical from her."

"Ryuji…if I tell you she was a goth in a lab coat with nice legs, will you not bug me about it into the night?"

A thought popped up. TMC….that rings a bell.

"Hey, I would NEVER do that. Maybe."

"Hopeless. Just hopeless." He groaned. "Seriously, you have someone like Ann that seems to talk to you. Why couldn't you be satisfied with that?"

"Oh c'mon not this again…Look…I….I dunno. Girls…like her are complicated. Being friends since middle school…it just makes things complicated. Engaging in weird rituals and lovey-dovey shit…it's too hard."

"Lazy."

TMC….TMC…

"Oh, like you're one to talk." Ryuji raised a finger. "You probably haven't even kissed a girl."

"Never claimed otherwise. Which is why you are SO disappointing." No wonder Ann called him an idiot.

"Ok, fine, Preacher Man. Spill. What type of girl do YOU prefer?"

Akira smiled. "Girls that I like."

Ryuji was taken aback. "Dude, I ain't going to lie, that was buttery smooth there. I'm getting kind of scared how non-offensive of an answer you gave."

Lightning struck inside Akira's head. I don't know if it's because I'm tired…but I don't like where this is going.

Akira shrugged. "I have my moments. You know when she's coming back?"

"She'll be back tomorrow." He looked at his feet. "She told me Shiho's in a coma. Not sure when she's going to get out of it. Might not ever."

Akira stared off to the side. "We should visit her, you know? The least we can do."

"I know…after we're done with this Kamoshida stuff."

Akira leaned on his right hand. We only have so much time…I wished we could have added Kobayakawa on the list.

Maybe another time.

"Destroy that travesty of medicine already!" an old, black-suited man said, booming into the receptacle while hunched over to the side.

"No idea what you're talking about," Takemi replied behind her Plexiglas counter. "I've been a good girl."

"Don't mock me, you whore. Developing secret drugs under the eyes of the Board? That's low, even for you. A super neurostimulant? What the hell are you THINKING!?"

"Nothing," Tae said, languid as ever. "I'm just a quack."

The old man's jaw started to lock and spasm. "Mark my words, bitch. You think you're dragging me with you? I'll make sure you'll sink on your own. Better yet, do me a favor and overdose on morphine. You'd do the medical community a service."

"Persistent as always, Oyamada. Enjoy your night."

The man walked away, huffing with each step.

Akira turned the corner, having been lending an ear in the shadows. "Evening. We need to talk."

She stared at him, drawing blanks momentarily. "Oh right, you. Kurusu?" She then frowned. "Next time, make it less obvious you're eavesdropping."

He showed the four empty vials in his hand. "Sorry, I'm the master of coincidences."

"Just get in the exam room," she snapped. "Make it quick."

Akira walked into the exam room and sat on the examination. Right after, Takemi stormed quickly from her reception space and blocked the door behind him. "You know, I didn't design that medicine so that you would come back."

"Maybe it isn't strong enough."

"Don't insult me." She ripped off his head bandage to reveal skin smoother than a newborn's. "It's practically healed. I know I told you to finish it tonight, but upon seeing this, you probably needed it until the day prior." She then grabbed the vial in his hand. "It's empty already." She glared intensely at him. "You don't seem injured. Open your mouth."

Akira, throwing caution to the wind, opened his mouth.

Tae pushed a rod on his tongue. "You're a weird kid. There's blood in the back of your throat, but no sores. It's dark, so whatever caused the hemorrhaging stopped." She sighed, looking back at his hands. "You have no remaining vials, by the looks of it."

"None."

"You also don't look like the type to get into fights. Just why….actually, nevermind." She sat down, leaning over with her legs bent inward. "Either way, you're not getting more vials."

"I didn't come asking for more vials." Not necessarily…

She raised an eyebrow. "Why else would you come with an empty vial?"

"Just an excuse to try and get you alone with me?"

"Well then…" She then pulled out an empty syringe. "A personal examination then? I'll make it hurt good."

Akira crossed his arms. "Nice try, but no." He pulled out his phone. "Does Shiho Suzui rings a bell?"

"Doesn't ring a bell."

He scrolled. "Nakamura Isshio? I can keep going. You're not shooing me off like last time."

Her scowl formed once more. She walked over to the door, poking her chin with a metal clipboard. "You're truly annoying, you know that?" She turned the examination door's tumblers. "Did that man I was talking to put you up to this?"

"Old man with a back problem?"

"Scoliosis in fact."

"No. I just want answers. This is just me."

"What makes you think that I have the answers you seek?

He felt like giving a snappy comeback, but Akira looked down. "I don't. What…is your business with Shujin?"

"Hmm? I don't know what-"

"'Suppressing: Kobayakawa's orders'?"

Tae grunted.

He pointed his eyes towards her. "Don't make me take this to someone who'd care a bit more about these names. Like….the media, for instance. Just…care a bit to sate my curiosity."

A small wave of confusion swept Sae's face. It passed quickly though. "You're an odd teenager. Fine."

"First: Why did Shujin send you over students?"

"They needed people back in shape. I had a creative spell. Things worked out."

"'Worked out'?" he said with a pinch of outrage.

"I had a nurse from there, an old childhood friend. She thought I could use a distraction. Or, so she said. She kept on sending people with a wide spectrum of physical ailments. It's my job to treat them all. Plus, it was a perfect time to develop the gel that you have in your pocket."

"Well, you ARE indeed a noble doctor, then," Akira gloweringly responded.

Tae smiled. "Sure, sure. Do you realize what that medicine does? That old man you listened on, he was partially incorrect. It's a neurostimulant, but that's just a side effect; he didn't have the vision for such things anyway. It's intended to help tissue growth; depending on location, it links neurological and skeletomuscular junctions together by increasing neuronal firing in tissue."

Akira rubbed his aching head. "So basically…it helps grow tissue and trains it to be more efficient when instructed to act?"

"Correct. And it's quite potent too."

No wonder I felt looser after taking it. Akira upgraded from rubbing to tapping. "Just…why the students? You NEVER thought of anything suspicious about getting a constant stream of students? You're a doctor. You saw the injuries. What did the school even tell you?"

"Athletic injuries. Recently, I didn't care enough to question it, until you came first. Your nurse affectionately called these athletes from Shujin the 'marked ones,' last time I talked to her, to mark those who need 'special attention.' Shujin had a competitive athletic program, so I thought the school was just making sure they receive special treatment. Why they'd pick a small clinic like this, I didn't know. Then, you, a 'marked one' came upon referral from an EMT as a semi-serious case. You, though, did not have an athletic build that would fit my hypothesis. So I assumed that it's more so a 'saving face' measure in some cases. But then again, I didn't care. The wide range of injuries was good for data and statistical representation."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Akira said, raising himself and walking towards her. "Were these kids 'statistics' to you?"

Tae became stone-faced. "They were necessary to produce something good. Something good that you use. You can attest to its efficacy."

Akira's glare became more severe. "Nazi doctors said something similar about necessity."

"And Unit 754, etc. etc. I don't leave my 'statistics' worse for wear. For all intent and purposes, I fulfilled the Oath."

"Seems like fulfilling the Hippocratic Oath is meant here in the loosest sense. The only thing I've seen on my end is an engine for a cycle of continued suffering."

"What, would you prefer I work at a hospital? Have patients volunteer and reimburse them? Did that, but now I can't." She paraded around the small space, away from Akira. "Couldn't if I tried. Either way, I don't back down. I made a promise to someone, and this medicine is an important step." She pivoted around, hands in her coat pocket. "Besides, having a clinic out of nowhere, where people trickle into treatment, fits my style."

Akira stayed silent.

"You can argue as much as you want about negative externalities. My medicine works, either way and I have the will and the right to use it. What's the issue at this point?

"Sounds like you're just a cold-hearted bitch."

She grinned snidely. "A bleeding heart doesn't pump."

He scowled in return.

"Look, I can't account for everything. The world is a dark place, with some bright spots." She then sat down in her chair. "I can't be afraid of stepping into the dark to reach the light. Does that answer your questions?"

Akira paused a bit more. "I guess."

"Now, are you going to rat me out? Keep in mind; I'll probably still find a way to keep working on this, one way or the other. I recited the Oath after all."

His head drooped. That medicine is useful though. Would I call it a necessary evil? "I'll…think about it. Give me a couple of days. If I do…you wouldn't be mad if I took more vials?"

She grimaced again. "You're annoying. Fine. If it will keep me from relocating, sure. Now….if you're going to stop the flow of students from Shujin, well…that's another thing."

He sighed heavily. "Can I…do something to make up for it?"

"Unless you like to take periodic metabolic panels and undergo blood assays, then no. Though…your normal body structure could help pad out the data. I'll think about it. This is only a thing IF you stay silent. If this blows up, I'll be gone."

She then opened a drawer and threw two more vials. "Take these for the road. Hopefully, they'll make you decide faster."

Akira walked out of the room in silence and out of the clinic, heading towards LeBlanc.

Morgana pushed himself out of Akira's bag. "You think you can survive the Castle without that medicine? That Shadow you got back there? I sensed it could help repair your wounds. But you ARE human. You only have so much juice yourself. The same thing applies to Ryuji."

Akira stopped walking.

"Akira?" Morgana said.

"Kamoshida goes down either way."

...I'm not sure though what to gain from it.

Whether I'll get rid of this...loathing feeling afterward.

4/19

Makoto hovered over her phone. The sun was just coming into the Student Council Room. The draft message was ready. The Send Button was there; she had to press it, and just wait and see at the place specified.

She pressed "Send." Worst case, I'll have to look carefully. Best case, as I see it, 'he'll' come in sometime today.

She then heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Akira came in, a Thermos in hand and a nutty aroma surrounding him. "I brought coffee. I feel like I needed it today."

Makoto fixated on the dark outline under his bags. "The thing you alluded to yesterday, is it troubling you that much?"

Akira rubbed his eyes. "Yes. No. I mean….maybe."

In truth, he had the same set of dreams again: of Mom, and of that night on the ground, held by a cop only a few blocks away from home; and of being paraded to jail in front of his family.

That, and more preparation, ate his sleep time away. Perhaps I should try to sleep earlier like Morgana suggested.

He then stared at the pile of paperwork in front of Makoto on the Student Council desk.

Makoto took notice. "I know, it's quite a bit. Recent events have caused a backlog."

Akira looked closer. "Financial reports?"

"Yes. It is policy for Student Council, when planning events, to give weekly reports on planned events. The financial reports are just one of the first steps of going back and forth bureaucratically that a President needs to do." She smiled a bit, playing with her hair. "I'm just boring you by describing this; don't listen to me closely."

Akira smiled back as he poured her coffee into a spare mug. "Given how crazy things have been…boring is welcome."

She looked amused. "You are truly odd."

"Well, you haven't run away yet because of it." He cleared his throat. "Seeing how the school is, you might just be the butt of another rumor if you stay around me."

She chuckled. "Like a silly rumor would stop me."

Akira shrugged. "Suit yourself."

He took a sip. Well…it's now or never. "What I meant last night...I…came across something. A few things based on what you sent me. The guy in 'that' picture…"

Makoto looked surprised. "You found out something?" She raised herself out of the seat. "You should have told me earlier! Oh god…do you have an idea who it'd be?"

Akira's lazy eyes bolted up. "I…yeah, but…"

Makoto grabbed his hands excitedly. "What do you know?"

"I…"God…you can be really single-minded.

It's…kind of scary.

Akira recollected himself. "It's…complicated. You're right; he's a student….it's a delicate situation."

Her evil eyes came back. "How delicate is it?"

A sinking feeling formed in Akira's gut.

She looked away, her rage subsiding. "Everyone involved in this deserves retribution. It's serious enough to warrant it."

Akira darted his eyes away. "I know. I just…"

"What is it?"

Akira muted himself.

"Akira, you're not making sense," she said with great dismay. "A few days ago, you said yes to taking him down along with Kobayakawa. We NEED this. We need to know what happened."

Akira took a deep breath. "He's important. He CAN connect everything together…but we must go about this carefully. There are bigger problems at hand here! A whole system is at pla-"

She squeezed his hands furiously. "Stop treating me like a child! Don't you think I haven't already thought out how we're going to do this? You were willing to jump off a roof, for God's sake. Don't lecture me about how carefully we need to take it. I've already taken steps to lure this person."

What the hell...where is this coming from? Akira thought. "Well, excuse me, your Majesty….wait, steps?"

The door then suddenly opened. Mishima came in, his head down. He closed the door slowly and quietly, his hands shaking erratically and his legs wobbling. He took a step forward, and fell to the ground, going into a fetal position.

"That was quick," Makoto commented.

Mishima muttered something inaudible to Akira. He leaned in closer:

"I'msorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorryimsorry…"

Akira looked dumbstruck. He shook Mishima gently, trying to rustle him out of his stupor.

Mishima became more coherent. "I'm sorry. What I did to Suzui….just let me die, please."

Akira began to remember the spirit draining from him that one night, the one with sirens blaring for him. He figured it was the same sensation that dog felt when he felt powerless to change anything. The same sensation he felt for his Sister. The same one in the Castle.

And now, the same here.

Makoto leaned in closer, pity absent from her face as she showed the mystery photo on Shiho's phone. "Who took this photo?"

Mishima whimpered.

Makoto leaned down more. "Answer me."

This is escalating too quick. "Makoto, just-"

"I did," Mishima wheezed out. "Kamoshida…he made me do it. With MY phone. And I helped…Kamoshida get Shiho to that…'point.' Whatever he wants…he does. We…even take part in beating people Kamoshida doesn't like sometimes. Including…me."

Makoto locked up, a hand placed in front of her mouth.

"I…deserve it. Just-"

"Go."

That forced Makoto from her daze. "Akira, what-"

"I swear, though, Mishima. I'm going to watch you like a FUCKING hawk. I'll get people to make sure of it. Get the fuck out of here."

Mishima jerkily stood back up and feebly walked from the room.

Makoto began to shake violently and squeeze Shiho's phone tightly. "Why….you asshole...why…did you let him go!?"

"….What would you have me do? Torture him more by locking him in the trophy case?" The judgment was creeping. "What the hell did you even do?"

"I lured him out, I told you that! I sent him a message, saying that I knew what he did to Shiho and to meet me here, while you were scanning over what I sent! I didn't want to have to wait on your hand and foot, goddamnit!"

Akira groaned. "You've traumatized the kid when he isn't the REAL problem. Plus...this seems just out of the blue, for you. Why did you even-"

Makoto scowled. "He IS the problem! He was one of the people who raped her! We could use him against Kamoshida along with the photo!"

"And what, ruin Shiho's life and prosecute his lackey instead? I don't deny he's despicable, but THIS,"-he pointed to Shiho's phone-"is a fucking distraction. Using this means it's more likely HE gets blamed, more than Kamoshida ever would. It's plausible deniability. And then what afterward? You're going to try and drag everyone on the team until they all confess? No, the problem is that the rule here orders people by gunpoint. Honest people, turned to pieces of shit, because of some silly idea of school pride, the 'exceptional' pushing around the 'non-exceptional.' There's going to be more people like Mishima. And it won't be entirely because of Kamoshida. It will be the people around him reinforcing this predator-prey bullshit. People like the team, and Senpai like you!"

"You bastard!" she said, slapping him on the chest. "How dare you put me in the same bin as-"

"YEAH I FUCKING DARE!" he yelled back, the barriers to restraint having weakened from staying up the night before. "YOU KNOW WHY!? Because, like him, I was paraded around and used by people who had authority over me to fuck with innocent people. People like my GODDAMN mom!"

"Akira…you're….maybe you should relax a bit…"

"SCREW YOU! I have nightmares about this, and other stuff leading to it, every single DAY! And I can't fix it! Because the law can easily be just an excuse to be an immoral asshole! Which is what you were being right now, claiming what you did to him was necessary!"

"Akira…please…you're not thinking clearly…"

His pitch lowered, but the fury was continuing to seep out. "Oh, I am thinking clearly. I haven't thought this clearly for a LONG time. But now, I see clearer. This is a goddamn game; you only care about getting scraps of resolution, rather than fixing anything. When things get tough, you get lazy, and now Mishima, someone a few days ago was willing to jump off a building out of guilt, is probably scarred even further!"

Makoto eyes became misty. "This…isn't a game. Rules…they're meant to protect the innocent….the rule of law…it's….NOT A GAME!" She began to sniff gently. "Everyone in my family fought for the law. They believed in it. I...believe that they believed in it. What good am I to them if I can't even do anything now? What good is it if someone who fights for the law lets evil be!?"

The sniffs became choked breaths.

Akira stood unfazed. "You're…disappointing. I thought you'd understand." He put his Thermos and coffee cup away, and grabbed his bag.

He left her sobbing slightly in the room.

The guns in his bag jostled and clacked together. "Indeed…there's always a better way. A way that doesn't kill your dignity."

Notes: Depending on how I feel, I might make some plot changes here, but currently, I'm leaning towards keeping this chapter here as originally planned. Other than that, I'll continue to scan and edit for anything grammatically incorrect/something phrased awkwardly over the weekend.

Either way, hope you enjoy it! Hope that this Akira/Makoto thing here didn't go totally OOC. Just trying to push some juicy themes along. As always, feel free to leave a fav/follow, or review/PM.

Some shoutouts:

AxelChakram's8: Thank you for leaving your comments on the story. Your feedback here and there is well appreciated. For the last chapter, I wish I could have explained the Takemi arc a bit more in the last chapter, but I split the chapter at a point before clarifying it. Really, when I split chapters, it's based on what feeling I like to the leave the reader with when my original drafts get too long. Hopefully, now you have the second arc, you can get a better idea of where I wanted to go with it.

Next chapter (no title yet; see my profile for updates on that) will come in two weeks. I'm hoping to wrap up Makoto's path while setting up for the final confrontation in the Kamoshida arc, Ann included (the Kamoshida arc will definitely be a second parter, and for what I have brainstormed, it'll take three weeks after the next chapter, but the first part will be released the beginning of the week, and conclude on a Friday.)

Stay tuned...