Arc I Finale: Heart(s) Stolen, IV
King Kamoshida opened his eyes slowly to find a kukri at his throat.
Seeing the blade glisten made his throat seize.
"You're awake," Joker said while holding the blade. "You didn't keep us waiting for long."
"...I'm sorry," he whimpered between bubbles of black blood coming from his throat.
"Uh, do Shadows bleed out?" Ryuji wondered.
Morgana shook his head. "Shadows don't die from blood loss, Skull." It then took a closer look at the shell of the King. "Good thing, too. If this were a real person, I'd reckon he'd be dead from shock alone."
Joker, for once, took pity on the King. "Tell me about it..."
The King's monstrously large crown transformed back to human size.
Joker walked over to fish it out of a pile of marble and bricks. He dusted it off, taking a long look at it before directing his attention to Kamoshida. "I'll take this off you for good this time."
"I...guess...that's ok."
"Good," Joker replied with a victorious grin, the grit of glass and marble stuck between his teeth. "The lady in the cat's outfit is right you know. A real piece of trash like you doesn't deserve something this shiny." He turned to Morgana. "Fetch." He tossed the crown to it.
Morgana caught it and proceeded to rub itself on it. "...Precious..." He then felt Ann's bewildered stare and restrained himself. "My apologies. I'm so unbecoming..."
Despair washed over Kamoshida's face. "You should just...kill me right now...finish this off..."
"...Hmm, that reminds me," Joker replied. "Morgana, I'm going to take it if we actually do kill him, the real one will die."
"Most likely."
Akira sighed. "Well, I ain't going to do it." He pivoted to the rest of the group. "Skull? Miss?"
Skull smirked. "The sight of his toasted ass is fine enough for me."
"I prefer seeing him answer for his crimes," Ann added.
"Excellent!" Ryuji said while fist-pumping. "Skull and Cougar agree!"
Ann then kicked Skull's bad leg. "Skull and PANTHER agree." Really...Cougar!?
"Well then, O' King of Kings, you can't always get what you want."
Kamoshida laid his head flat on the floor, not having the will to hold it up anymore. "...What do I do then?"
Joker's voice became more solemn. "Answer for what you have done. In this world...and the real one. Quitting your job, handing yourself over to the police, and dismantling everything you've built at Shujin is a start."
A tear came of Kamoshida's eye, on the unburned side. "...I'll try."
"You will," Akira pressed. "That's all I will ask." Even if the real Kamoshida might not hear it...
The King began to disintegrate into fine sand that blew off into a wind. "...I promise. Though...I wonder now if there will be another guy like me...A guy who afraid to fail like me..."
Akira leaned in further, frowning. "Then I'll be there. Lurking."
The King dissipated into the sky, which turned bright as the clouds faintly parted and gave way to indigo sunlight.
Then, a rumble formed under their feet.
Joker looked through the broken cathedral window, seeing the Castle in the distance collapsing. "I'm guessing we should leave."
"I assume so," Morgana answered.
Joker then lent Ryuji a shoulder. "C'mon, I'll help out."
"Wait...don't you have a vial left for me?"
"Ehh...I forgot to get it out before Panther torched it."
"WHAT? SERIOUSLY?"
"...Wasn't my brightest moment. That, and well...not ducking fast enough."
The trio shuffled to the Castle Entrance, behind them a cloud of rubble that climbed high into the sky and started to fill the nearby alleyways.
The cloud creeping closer behind made them hobble faster.
Ann's legs started to burn from overexertion. "Yeah well...it was at least something," Ann replied guiltily. "And on short notice, too. I wouldn't have it any other way. Though...sorry about the bag."
Joker smiled, albeit with tight corners in the face. "At least I got my notes. I can get another bag at the student store."
"YOUR NOTES!?" Skull blurted. "You forget the medicine, but not your notes for class!?"
Reaching the alleyway they came from, they phased back into the real world, the school now having fire trucks on standby.
"What? Midterms are coming up."
Their knees suddenly became wobbly. Ann, tumbled into a nearby trashcan, while Ryuji and Akira hunched over and spat up blood.
Ryuji didn't like the metallic taste in his mouth. "God...is this what getting messed up after feels like?"
"Welcome..." Akira hacked up a bit more crimson sludge. "...to the club."
Ann then leaned over Akira. "Are you sure you're going to be alright?"
"Don't worry...my plug will fix everything tomorrow. For now...a night's rest should fine." ...Though now I might have a concussion this time. "Look, they're about to disperse back to class. We should head back."
His phone chimed. "Location unavailable for teleportation."
He raised a brow. "Well, sounds like we won't be going back there anytime soon. This has something to do with stealing his Heart, right?"
"Once one's distorted desires are taken," Morgana answered, "then its manifestation disappears from reality." Morgana then sported a toothy grin. "Now, before we go...Treasure?"
"Oh yeah. Right." Akira realized that the crown he was carrying in his hand was absent. He frantically searched around in his coat pocket. I swear I had it just...Is this it? He pulled out a gold medal, something he didn't remember having before on him.
"Yep! That's it!" Morgana piped. "So shiny..."
"Wait, now I can hear the cat talk!" Ann cried. "What changed?"
"Turns out it's true," Morgana confirmed. "Anyone that visits the other World can hear me...cool." He returned to pawing it playfully...Treasure...
Ann took a closer look. "An Olympic medal? That's the thing he treasured the most?"
"I'm not surprised," he said unamusedly. "Guy got snubbed from a professional career and got plopped here. I wouldn't be surprised if he polishes his old trophies at the same frequency he massages his fragile ego."
"That's annoying," Ann scoffed. "It makes it all the better, going into there and kicking his ass."
...I wonder, Akira thought. "Is this one of his actual medals, or something in the visage of one?"
"Completely new," Morgana answered. "It's all yours to keep...and for me to ogle."
"You mean, to sell as soon as possible," Akira replied as he searched the prices for a typical Olympic medal. "These things charge quite a bit. And they're unnamed, so we can do it anonymously without some Olympic tryhard snooping."
"S-sell?" Morgana despaired.
"I could always use more cash. Plus this just invites questions if somebody finds it on me."
The cat being grumbled. "I'll have to settle with the thrill of a successful score, then."
Ann shrugged in resignation. "Whatever. I'm too tired to question it." Her face then lit up. "Hey...you wanna get crepes with us and stop by Shiho after school tomorrow? She's out of her coma. It'll be out of the way, and the meds she's on might make her doze out but..."
He gave a stiff smile. "Of course I will." I needed to give her something back anyway...
They started to take the steps back to class, flinching on each one as if they stepped on obsidian shards.
Still, they kept up with the returning crowds, which surprisingly didn't care about the purring bulge under Akira's coat. "Let's just hope Kawakami doesn't sniff around too much," Akira said while detouring to the lockers.
Ann sighed. "Unlikely. We did leave suddenly."
He looked in the space under his jacket near his breastbone. "Sorry, Morgana. I'll shove you in a bag when I get a new one during lunch, but the lockers will have to do." He then pulled out a self-satisfied Morgana hugging the medal and shoved it into the dark, musky box. He then pulled out a folded notebook and some pens, breathing a sigh of relief knowing his "other gift" from Akihabara was still in there based on the soft packaging he felt with his hands.
"Did you seriously shove all of that in your bag, with whatever weird concoctions you cooked up?"
"Yep. I still have the prod, too."
"...You're a screwy kid, you know that?" ...A shame. If you cleaned up your messy hair and get out of the Shujin outfit, you could be stealing hearts instead of...well...stealing Hearts.
He clasped the back of his head. "...I'm not exactly the most...well-adjusted kid. It doesn't help I obsess over chemicals."
"I guess..." There was something still remaining, however. "So, why team up with the Class President? You mentioned a plan after all."
Akira froze for a moment. "Well...Kobayakawa was also on the list," he said in hushed tones.
"The principal? Her boss?"
"She proposed the plan, not knowing what Ryuji and I were doing in the other world."
"Does she..."
"Nope. I mean...I'm pretty sure." I think...
She sighed heavily. "A bit irresponsible. She practically sent you out to do the heavy lifting."
"Heavy lifting?"
"We have that Other place, don't we? Is it possible there are other people like Kamoshida? Such as Kobayakawa, for example." She then looked down as if she was talking to herself as well, her curious tone shifting to a bitter one. "What could a normal person like her do?"
Akira sensed her regret. "A lot, believe it or not. "I wouldn't have found out about what Kamoshida was without her. Plus..if the plan does work out, all the better."
Ann pouted still. I guess we'll have to agree to disagree then...
He pulled out his phone. She's probably still upset about the whole Kamoshida business. Best I leave things be, for the meantime. "Besides, I was curious about that myself." He opened the Metaverse App, pointing to the name entry in the search bar. "My cat mentioned before that there are other Palaces. Since this App pings me whenever there's a name associated with a Palace, I tested it alone. No hits."
"If any manifestations of distorted desires," Morgana added, "they'd be in the common man's Palace, Mementos. And well, this dude had to make the call, given the Principal was putting the heat on him. Trust me, Lady, Ann, if I had my human form, I would drag him there myself. But for now, I just advise."
"Human form?" Ann replied.
Akira jabbed at her side and looked intently into her eyes, signaling to play along. "I'll explain that later," he whispered. "Suffice it to say...if everything's south, there's always another way." He then winked at Ann.
She returned his smile with a soft grin.
By now, Kawakami's classroom was in sight. She stood by the door, tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for everyone to fill their seats again.
"You want me to go on ahead? You might get hounded because of your record, unfortunately."
"It's probably for the best."
"Alright then." She walked on ahead to her seat.
Akira lingered by the door. "Kawakami-sensei."
She crossed her arms. "You took a bit getting your bag."
"I was helping our Class President to the infirmary."
Her face was harsh. "Oh really?"
His face stiffened. "I'm not joking."
"Well, is she alright? Because I don't want to find out whether the fire alarm we just had now, the one that drenched half of the school, was YOUR or Takamaki-san's doing."
"...She's fine. And no, that wasn't us. Now, Excuse me."
Akira took a step, but Kawakami wasn't finished. Her voice became more hushed. "Fine. There was a buildup of smoke in the gym, so, for all I know, someone might have been spooked. For now, I need to advise you on your disciplinary hearing."
Akira grunted. "Yeah...that." He stared intently. "My odds aren't great. I know that. You were there with Kobayakawa himself. He made the stipulations clear." Under a layer of grandstanding.
Kawakami became downcast. "...I wish things could have been different."
"Everyone wishes things to be different." He then bit his tongue. He knew, that at this critical of a time, he shouldn't add another variable to his success. But, in his mind, he had to.
After all, this was for her sake. And Kawakami was the best chance out of all of them. "Look, don't take it the wrong way, but I'm not a big fan of teachers."
The dark circles under her eyes furled in contempt. "Akira Kurusu...that was pretty clear with you sleeping in class."
Akira squinted his eyes. "Please let me finish. I'm saying you're an exception. You seem alright."
Her face lightened up. "Oh? Well...thanks?"
"Just...if something 'eventful' happens tomorrow, for Nijima-san, can you-?"
He heard a heavy voice behind him. "Kurusu."
It was Kamoshida, slightly damp from the sprinklers being activated from before. Akira was ready to pull out his baton in defense, but he saw the look.
The look of defeat.
The look of hopelessness.
Kawakami took notice as well, particularly the broken finger on his left hand. "Kamoshida-sensei...what happened?"
"Kurusu...I'm sorry."
Head cocked, she stared in bewilderment. "What do you mean by that?"
"I'm sorry too...about Suzui-san...the team...Nijima-san...that's all I have to say." He then trudged off, in the direction of Kobayakawa's office. "I have to think. About certain things. Excuse me."
Kawakami's mind drew blanks. "...Um, sorry, Kurusu, you were...uh...saying something?"
Akira shared her dumbfounded look. "Umm...n-nothing. I-I'm going to sit down. We're done talking." He hurriedly got to his seat.
Akira stared out the window, trying to process what happened.
Wondering if...
There was one unknown to check off the list.
An hour passed.
Makoto felt loose enough to bend up again after being smeared with the 'mysterious miracle gel' Ren always had.
She imagined she'd get up at something point before school concluded. Maybe an hour before, she felt confident enough that she didn't need to go home. She'd face the music. But now...
Nothing.
Nothing came to mind. Anything, in her eyes, could happen at this point.
She was tempted to stay on the cot and not get up.
To stare blankly at a blank room with puffy, red eyelids. A room, where the room now had a thin film of water from the hallway outside.
An empty room, silent enough that one gets tuned to the slightest creak.
Alone.
Her eyes got misty again.
...Alone.
It was starting to hit her.
What impending loneliness would feel like. Not the type one feels when you isolate yourself in a book in a quiet library booth.
It was the type that squeezes around the heart and wouldn't let go. The suffocating kind she felt when she lost a good man in her life.
She started the walk of shame down to Aoyama station, hunched over slightly, her anguish cementing onto her face.
A shame born from not being able to save one probably good man.
"RESIGNATION!?"
Kamoshida bowed fully in front of Kobayakawa. "Yes. By the end of the week."
The flaps on his neck trembled in anger. "...After everything...we've done..."
"...Please...we've done terrible things."
"FOR THE SCHOOL!" he spat out as he hammered his desk. "THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS! GLORY! PRIDE! WHO GIVES A SHIT ABOUT THE LIVES OF A BUNCH OF INSIGNIFICANT STUDENTS LIKE THAT GIRL!?"
Kamoshida stayed mum.
"I swear, you'll never get a referral from me, that's for sure! And I'm hanging you out to dry! Last time I checked, you're the one that likes them young, irrespective of gender!"
Kamoshida bowed once more. "Excuse me. I'm...going to isolate myself back home...I need time to think." He dragged himself out of the door, lifelessly opening the door. "I'll get my stuff the next day."
Kobayakawa kept on splintering desk, not caring about the welts forming on the edges of his hands...or the Buchimaru-cased phone stuck under his desk coming loose from the adhesive placed around its rim. "What, like you're going to confess to every student here that you're a terrible person, just because you let some punk student scare you!? PATHETIC!"
"...Maybe," he muttered gravely.
As Kamoshida shut the door behind him, he stared at the rotary phone under his desk.
He dialed that number again. "Reference update," he said to the operator.
The synthesized voice came back. "You're testing my patience, you know that."
He held a hand to the receiver. "We have a leak."
"Which one? Your recent order is quite large; my other clients don't have this much trouble."
"KAMOSHIDA! He's...changed."
"...Changed?"
"He's all, remorseful...weepy. I think...he's grown a conscience or something. I dunno! But, he might confess to his...personal indiscretions. I need you to hurry."
The voice paused. "...How much does he know?"
"Just what I had to cover up within Shujin."
"I don't care about that, you fat idiot. HOW. MUCH?"
Kobayakawa turned white. "...He...doesn't know about the personal line."
The Other Voice sighed a hard, pixelated sigh. "I'll send out the order. I'll have my other guy monitor his movements. And my other, OTHER guy can monitor his phone and internet. Anything's out of the line...I can get the signal from them and deal with him. Immediately."
"W-what do you mean...immediately?"
The Other Voice simmered. "It's exactly what it means. We'll be in touch."
The phone went silent.
Even with the reassurance that more would be done...
Kobayakawa sat there in his seat, the color still not returning to his face.
Still...
The memo for tomorrow's emergency assembly had to be sent. "After all...it's a matter...of aesthetics..."
Sae had gotten back from work in the afternoon "I'm home!" ...And sober too. I mean, my head feels dull, but other than that, I'm functional.
The living room lights were off; the sunset was more than enough to brighten the room.
Though...after what the SIU director told me...that might be harder in the future.
She noticed the doctor's note on the counter. She leaned over; she got the call from the nurse, but she had to make sure. She eats so rigidly after all...maybe that silly diet of hers isn't the best for her, after all.
She went to Makoto's room, whose door was shut. She turned the door handle slightly; it didn't budge. "Makoto?"
"...Sis..." the voice in the room said weakly.
"...Are you ok? I can make some tea, you know. That is, if you don't have the energy to do it yourself."
"...Don't worry about me," Makoto replied. "I drank some tea when I came back an hour ago. I'm just resting."
"...Alright then. You know, I got an update at work. I...uh...I'm going to be working more next month. They...gave me a new responsibility. They want me to head a sex crimes division if you can believe that. Last minute too, if you can believe that." She bit her fingernails nervously in response to what she last said. ...The shutdowns...I can't let this distract me damnit..."Look, if you're up for it tomorrow, then, I apologize. I might not be, well..."
"...O-oh, well, I think you'll do fine," she said shakily. "And don't worry; we can celebrate my birthday later in the week."
She darted her eyes down guiltily. "You, uh, going to be ok tomorrow? I don't want you falling behind." She pictured more nights sleeping under her desk, starting tomorrow.
"I-I think I'll be fine," she said deflatedly. "...Love you Sis. Excuse me, but I need to get some rest."
Sae smiled edgily. "Ok...you don't mind if I check up on you periodically?"
Makoto paused.
"...Makoto?"
"Sure..."
"Alright then." Sae left the door alone and laid herself on the couch.
A few minutes later, the fidgeting began to come back.
She gave a reserved sigh and got up off the couch to make some tea.
As she whisked in some matcha in a bowl, she stared at the cabinet ahead. The sake cabinet...
She nibbled at her lip, her eyes idle on the small, open space leading in.
The green tea was ready.
She started to walk back, but she looked at the kitchen one last time.
She then resigned herself; she opened the cabinet and put a divot of sake in the teacup. ...At least I'm watering it down. Old habits die hard, after all.
She turned on the TV, watching the stock freefall on the news while the sunset cast dark, sharp bars over her face. Damn...Akechi's probably going to consult on this case again.
The company defaults listed on the TV kept coming.
Both of these things were worthy of a sip. She raised her cup. "To the youth, then. Makoto included." She took a drink.
After a few, the jitters went away, and she set it down.
With a steady hand, she pulled out again Father's notebook and went into a trance.
Evil...keeps on coming. You didn't include that, did you Dad?
Despite the bitter words, she smiled a bit. I'm sorry. I'll make sure to give Mom a proper visit soon. Perhaps, I'll extend a bow to you as well. A stiff one. But a bow, nonetheless.
And with that added to the alcohol, she felt for a brief moment, the calm.
The calm found temporarily in the eye of the storm.
Resting. Right.
Makoto hid in the darkness with the bed covers wrapped around her.
She shielded her Buchi plush, clinching its fur hard.
The same words kept on circling in her head:
Alone.
She wasn't sure if THIS, or the moment she heard about Dad's passing, was worse.
Stupid. You're sick alright. Just...not with the flu.
She buried her face deeper in Buchi's soft, white plushy belly.
Makoto could say at least one thing: She never learned how to fail gracefully.
At the very least, she had to know if he was alright.
She was about to message him, but he was first to the draw.
AKIRA: Did you get back ok?
She greeted the only source of light in her dark box with a smile.
MAKOTO: I did.
She paused.
Then:
MAKOTO: What happened today?
He responded immediately.
AKIRA: We got the signal from Mishima.
Her eyes lighted up. SERIOUSLY!? BUT...BUT...
MAKOTO: How is this possible!?
MAKOTO: You better not be lying to make me more at ease!
AKIRA: Mishima?
MISHIMA: Not all the audio is clean
MISHIMA: But I found a nugget clear enough
MISHIMA: It'll need a few more hours, but it'll be ready
MISHIMA: I'll keep you posted.
MISHIMA: And Eiko too, in the morning.
AKIRA: Trust me, guys. I'll handle that.
AKIRA: I'll make sure Ms. Eiko gets her shiny, new phone back.
AKIRA: Get some rest, Prez.
AKIRA: See you in the morning.
He left the chat, and all she could do is linger on his words in a quasi-hypnotic trance.
It was unbelievable. Terrific even.
And, for her...
That was the problem.
Blind faith, for her, wasn't a thing.
But...
She was tired.
The questions would come tomorrow.
...IF things work as planned.
Akira put his phone away. She made it home...Thank goodness.
He stayed behind into the late afternoon, making sure the hallways were clear enough.
He scanned around another time. He pulled another item out of his jacket: a thin piece of sheet metal.
He went to folding and splitting it into two pieces. "Morgana, you mind peeking around? I think I got this."
"We'll see about that."
A few seconds passed.
Akira finished off the lockpick with a curve and held it in front of the opening in his bag. "You like?"
"...Serviceable."
Akira smirked. "That's a yes." Supercilious bastard.
He leaned down and started jamming.
"Let's hope that you won't take too long. You being an amateur and all."
"Don't worry...I think I listened to you just fine."
The lockpick suddenly snapped, with the piece of the aluminum jamming into the door.
"Nevermind," Akira said while sighing heavily. " Morgana..."
"Warned you. You're lucky you had extra scrap. Hand it over."
After being handed over some extra material, Morgana, from the bag, went to work excitedly on the lock. "Damn, you really scratched the inside of the lock here."
"Is that a problem?"
"Nothing I can't work around. Just needs some massaging, after all."
After several seconds...
The click of the door came.
Akira went inside running for the underbelly of the desk. "And there it is...her large brick of a phone." He took the phone off the ground.
Then, Akira realized where he was.
He was morbidly curious. He started to pace around the mahogany desk. A big desk like that, and a large Principal like Kobayakawa would have made looking under the desk quite difficult. I'm glad he didn't notice it on the ground, and now, I can rationalize why.
I'm surprised though; I didn't expect Kobayakawa to be a fan of old-fashioned rotary-
"C'mon," Morgana yelped. "We don't have all day!"
"...Alright then."
Akira closed the door behind him, neurotically wiping the door of prints. "Fingers crossed."
4/23
The emergency assembly started early morning.
Ryuji yawned. "This early. What the hell for?"
Ann looked at her phone. "Beats me."
Akira stared ahead, half-awake and wondering when he could sit down again.
Makoto, by the sidelines, stared ahead, arching her back trying to force through the soreness. That, and scanning anxiously for that familiar bed of frizzy hair in the crowd of students.
Kobayakawa hobbled up the auditorium stairs to the podium. He faced the student body, steely-looking.
Emphasis on looking.
He cleared his throat. "As you all know, a tragic event took place the other day involving a female student. We've been informed that, thankfully, that she has pulled through, but it will take some time before she recovers."
"...No need to remind me," Ann said under her breath.
Akira got the buzz.
That's the cue. Everything's uploaded, then.
Kobayakawa kept up his grandiosity. "Everyone here has a bright future ahead. I implore you to rethink the importance of life-"
Everyone's phone started to buzz uncontrollably, forcing everyone to look down.
Makoto checked her phone. Unknown number. Mishima claimed Kamoshida had access to students' numbers and emails from Kamoshida himself. An awfully convenient skill if I say so myself...
Akira heard the whispers around him:
"These guys again? C'mon, the message is titled "A heart-to-heart between Kamoshida and Kobayakawa. This has to be a prank..."
Akira had the rosiest smile on his face. "I guess I'll play then."
He pressed on the link, directing him back to a page the Phan-Site. Phan-Site...man, that is a silly name.
The page auto played the smoking gun:
"FOR THE SCHOOL! THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS! GLORY! PRIDE! WHO GIVES A SHIT ABOUT THE LIVES OF A BUNCH OF INSIGNIFICANT STUDENTS LIKE THAT GIRL!?"
...And other incriminating stuff.
The murmurs got louder:
"Holy...did Kobayakawa actually say that?"
"He did...and wait, did Kamoshida admit to...DUDE!"
"Oh my god...Kamoshida really IS a pervert..."
"SILENCE THESE PHONES!" Kobayakawa raged through the microphone, veins popping. "This is clearly an elaborate prank made by a digitally savvy prankster!"
"...He is true, you know. You can do a lot of things on the internet..."
"...Yeah...plus the audio quality isn't the best. Could just sound like those two..."
Akira gritted his teeth. These guys are delusional, I swear. I don't care if it's a phone, it's clear enough if you listen to it long enough!
"Damnit...why aren't they getting it through their thick skulls already?" Ryuji despaired.
Kobayakawa was losing his breath from all of his yelling. "TEACHERS! HAVE EVERYONE SILENCE THESE PHONES!"
The gym doors suddenly opened.
"Kamoshida-sensei?" Kobayakawa stammered.
Makoto thought she was dreaming when she saw Kamoshida looking so down-trodden.
"I've...been reborn," Kamoshida uttered. "Hear me out for a minute..."
"Huh," Ann said in response. "What's even happening at this point?"
Kamoshida walked slowly to the stage and bent down, laying on his knees.
He opened his mouth to speak:
"I'm afraid I must corroborate this recording. It did happen. These statements are true...and then some. I...caused Shiho Suzui to kill herself."
Akira was breathless.
Makoto was breathless.
Ryuji, Ann, Mishima...
Breathless.
"I have...verbally abused students...physically abused my team...forced my teams to participate in my physical and..." Kamoshida choked. "...Sexual abuse of students...male and female alike."
Makoto put a hand to her mouth.
"I thought of this school as my castle. There was even a student that I sentenced to expulsion, simply because I didn't like them...I will, of course, rescind this, and assure those that acted in defense from my actions...that they are free from retribution."
Akira had gotten more than he asked. And then some...holy...
Ryuji's mouth was open wide for his frizzy-haired friend.
Kamoshida started sobbing. "I am truly sorry...I am an arrogant, shallow...and shameful person. No, I'm worse than that. And the Principal assisted me in such evils. ...I will take responsibility...and end my life...the same way Suzui-san tried to take hers."
Kobayakawa now was deathly pale, his Kingdon in the making unraveling in front of him. He rushed over to bring Kamoshida off from the ground. "Get off the stage, goddamnit..."
The teachers started to rush to the front of the gym, about to shuffle the students out.
The students, though, we're riled.
"Unbelievable!"
"You teachers are deplorable!"
Some started to push on each other and on the teachers trying to escort them out.
Makoto could hear the murmurs become a cacophony of teenage yells, aimed at the two staff members on stage. I wouldn't be surprised if the students started storming the stage...
Ann pushed out towards the front, her voice making it past the din. "Don't run, you bastard! Shiho's still alive even after all the things that made her want to die! You don't have the right to run! Especially by trying to simulate her attempt, you cheap son of a bitch!"
Her shrill voice calmed down the crowd.
"You're right," Kamoshida responded. "I should atone...let the law mete justice...I'm sorry, too, Takamaki-san. Soliciting you for sexual favors in return for Suzui's position was inappropriate of me. I will...turn myself over to the police. Someone...call them...please! Before I...change my mind."
"Already had Mishima do that," an airy voice behind Akira's back said devilishly.
Turning around, he saw Eiko with a smug smirk on her face. "My phone, Umbrella Boy."
Akira handed her back her phone. "This phone seems expensive."
"Sugar daddies," she said insolently. "Pretty useful. Especially for getting larger-battery phones."
Akira groaned. "Alright, Ms. Provocateur, you don't need to go there."
"What are you talking about? I am a journalist; I'm supposed to go past appropriate. It's a badge of honor."
"...Right."
"...God, the stories I can write with these. Gotta go! Gotta strike with the iron's hot. I'll give my aunt yours and Makoto's regards; this will help with her tabloid slump."
"Under aliases?"
"Of course."
Akira sighed in relief. "Good."
"She might...sniff around though and ask you out to a drink to squeeze the info out you though."
"...What did I say about-"
Eiko's eyes narrowed. "...I wasn't kidding. Any-WAYS...I'll keep you posted."
"Just a minute," Akira interjected. "I'm curious. Why even help us in the first place?"
She turned away. "...I have my reasons. They involve...Buchimaru pouches."
"Buchimaru...what the hell does that mean..."
Eiko looked sincere for a moment. "...Because...that means maybe...the people on the golden throne can be people. People like me..." She snapped back to her trickster self. "Anyway. See you around...Umbrella Boy. Don't spoil Makoto-CHAN now!" As she walked away, she noticed something. Huh...my phone had a Buchimaru sticker on the back...Oh well.
Akira shuddered...Makoto-CHAN? This...will make hanging out with Makoto more interesting then...I honestly would prefer Tae to give me an enema instead.
By this time, the teachers had gotten control of the students. Enough to escort them back to class amidst their disillusioned grumbles.
"Kurusu! Back to class," Ushimaru barked. "Immediately!"
Kawakami walked by, visibly perturbed. "...Like anyone wants to teach after this crap. This is..." She made a voice from the back of the throat, her shame twisting her insides.
Akira was going to follow behind her, but he figured he'd at least see Makoto another time to share his elation with her.
He scanned the river of students pouring into the hallways, not needing to hide their collusion in the face of a perfect resolution.
A minute passed, and he found her walking past.
They met each other eye to eye.
Akira smiled, not holding back his sense of relief.
That subsided, however. The confusion on her face said everything he had to know.
Makoto, like the other Student Council members (4 in total) sat by, listening passively as a maelstrom of administrative nightmares hit Shujin.
Nightmares big enough for jobs, salaries, and school activities to be on the chopping block.
"We are NOT cutting the volleyball team!" Yamauchi-sensei replied. "I know Kamoshida personally. He would never-"
"Seriously?" replied Hiruta-sensei, a second-year biology teacher. "I believe THAT is a sign you either knew along with him, or that you're didn't know him that well."
"Did anyone?" Ms. Usami, a math teacher, replied. "He seemed fine."
Kawakami scoffed. "Fine? FINE?"
"We get it," Ushimaru grumbled as he loosened his collar. "'Fine' is relative. But what is clear is that Kamoshida is LIKELY a pervert scumbag. And I don't say that since I teach ethics for a living."
Demigawa-sensei was leaning over in his chair, lost in thought. "Just...what now? Where's Kobayakawa? We're in the shit...we're so fucked. F-U-C-K-E-D, fucked."
"Stuck in his room, the poor sap," Ushimaru answered. "Locked the door too."
"Looks like guilt to me," Hiruta added. "Or a temper-tantrum."
"Demigawa does have a point, though. Shujin is in jeopardy."
Then came Ushimaru's bile. "What tipped you off: our retirements accounts plummeting, or the near-riot in the gymnasium? And here, I thought I was going to retire this year..."
Demigawa muffled through his hands as he hid his face in despair. "To be honest...we'd be lucky if some of us have jobs left after this."
Makoto had only heard about it just now. Another Lost Decade, they're calling it. Sis won't be happy about that. I suppose she was being modest about more hours at work. And here, I thought she was already preoccupied with so many things in her life.
Her spirits lowered.
I just wished life would leave her enough room to breathe.
But now, I don't think she'll even allow herself that, even if she were given the chance.
And the crisis at hand...will give her the ultimate excuse to rationalize against doing that.
"Jobs?" Hiruta chortled. "How about we should prepare ourselves for the upcoming police investigation? How about that? Because if Kamoshida's claims are true, then we're dealing with multiple actors here. Some of them students. STUDENTS!"
Kawakami at this point was damp at the corner of her eyelids. "I know..." She sniffed. "We...can't...we can't bring back the volleyball team."
Yamauchi fumed. "WE NEED THE VOLLEYBALL TEAM! That MADE Shujin! Virtually all of our PTA donations came from that team."
She combed her hair furiously with her fingers. "...These kids need attention. Years of counseling at this rate. They don't need to be playing sports."
"Oh, there you go, about special attention..."
"YES I AM!" Kawakami screamed. "You can't expect me to wake up every morning, knowing that we have students here that will not recover from this! Forget the donations! I'm still a teacher, goddamnit! So are you! Even if I don't act all genki about it!"
Yamauchi was quiet.
"Now...I may be the youngest faculty member at this school..."
...Nobody was keeping track, Kawakami-sensei, Choumo mused.
"...But let me say this...what happened here was a tragedy. Leaving things be...is an even worse one..."
Makoto saw it again. The fire that she thought was snuffed out.
The fire that made her try, again and again last year.
And the one that would make her try now.
She opened her mouth. "Excuse me. Perhaps we should view it this way. A necessary evil, perhaps."
Her words produced a few weird glares from the faculty.
"What do you mean, Nijima-san?" Ushimaru replied.
She tried her best to sound older than she looked. "Would we suffer the negative reputation the team would cause? The events revealed today will continue to affect every aspect of Shujin's reputation. Disbanding the team would carry the least negative risk; to some, it might be viewed as a serious move. One towards repentance."
Ushimaru hummed. "...A practical suggestion. Plus, it would mean fewer fees to pay for equipment and such."
"...Damnit," Yamauchi uttered begrudgingly. "Where's Kobayakawa when you need him..."
"Speaking of which..." Hiruta interjected. "...Perhaps we should ask Kobayakawa to retire. Once he leaves his office. If not, then perhaps we can forward our suggestion to the board."
Ushimaru chuckled coldly. "Like we have a choice. He's a goddamn embarrassment to us all with that stunt he pulled today. I could have gotten quick nap instead of that."
"Then, it's agreed, then." Hiruta stared at Yamauchi. "With guns to our heads of course."
Yamauchi snarled.
"There is the matter of the OTHER rumors circulating around," Choumo then said.
"...You mean the ones about the transfer student," Demigawa said weakly.
...Rumors?
"There is talk that Kamoshida's confession was coerced with violence. There were students that Kamoshida was in conflict with; the transfer student was the most recent, and most troubling in a while."
"His devil-may-care attitude doesn't make me surprised to hear this," Ushimaru piped. "That punk has assault on his sheet. And Kobayakawa did mention a student reporting him committing abuse on our students outside of school..."
Kawakami sighed haggardly. "This is paranoia talking. The only thing we've seen troubling out of the boy is recklessness, not violence."
Chuomo hummed in acknowledgment. "I'll at least agree that is we are to decide on the boy, let's not base it on students' gossip."
"Though...we can't just leave him on his own," Yamauchi then said. "Regardless of how Kamoshida confessed, the possibility still remains. A person like him, if he DID get Kamoshida to confess, put our ability to teach and guide students at risk. Legitimacy matters. He has to be overseen for the rest of his stay here at Shujin so that he doesn't make things harder in the long run."
The teachers (Chuomo, Hiruta, and Kawakami excluded) eyed each other nervously due to the other elephant in the room: that, by admitting the Kurusu boy under the assumption of a passion for reforming students, it attracted the attention of a VERY generous donor, with the promise of more to come.
For Makoto, though, she was fear-stricken; she made a duty...
No...a vow.
A vow to nurture the just Ren. The Ren that allowed today to happen, for better or worse.
Her eyes dimmed as much as Ren's chances.
Then, the idea came. I imagine this will only make Sis worry further, if she finds out about Ren's past. She'll look deeper. I'll only distract her again.
Her heart raced.
But...I want him here. With me...At least for more than two weeks, goddamnit. Maybe...She turned red at such selfishness...Maybe...for as long as I can.
She opened her mouth, her upper lip quivering. For better or worse, there's always a way...even if I need to stay until nightfall to make it happen. "Perhaps...that responsibility should fall on a student."
"Man...I'm stuffed," Ryuji let out between groans.
Ann sat in the chair by Shiho's bed, relaxed to the point of slipping out of her chair. "Large dollops of whipped cream on top of the crepe definitely hit the spot..."
Akira took two seats, laying down outstretched while rubbing his belly. "Sorry; Shiho. We can't feed you outside food."
"It's ok..." Shiho said while smiling. "I'm just glad you visited. Sorry, though, about your head."
Akira smiled tightly, trying his best not to vomit. "Don't feel too bad. I was trying to shoot for a trendy facial scar."
Shiho giggled. "He has quite the tongue on him. I would have never guessed."
"You and me both," Ann giggled.
The mood then shifted to something more...awkward.
Ann spoke first. "You know, a lot happened today, Shiho. Kamoshida confessed to everything."
For a second, Ann feared that Shiho's eyeballs would pop out her sockets. "That's...unbelievable. How?"
"Magic," Akira replied. "All jokes aside...he just confessed out of nowhere. He seemed quite guilty, too."
"That's..." Shiho couldn't help but stare into the distance.
"...Well, say something," Ann pleaded.
"...Sorry."
"Huh?" the trio said in unison.
"Ann...I'm sorry you went through hoops over me. I knew you were pretending to go out with Kamoshida."
"WHAT?" Ryuji replied.
Shiho forced a smile; the extra dosage of meds made it easier. "Ann,"-she darted her eyes at Ryuji for a brief moment-"you can't hide your heart from me."
Ann, in a snap, turned red. "W-what the hell does that mean?"
"I'll leave that to the both of you."
Akira felt like airing out his pockets. "Shiho...I also found your phone, by the way."
Shiho cringed. "...Did someone...find anything on there?"
Akira sighed guiltily. "Just us."
"...Is Mishima ok?"
Akira cocked his head. "...Why you ask?"
"...Kamoshida...he made Mishima do terrible things. Terrible things to me...I still shiver at the thought."
Ann scowled. "2-C Mishima!?"
"Ann...you know, it's funny. Whenever Kamoshida forced him to do something to me...he'd always cry while doing it. Even after he warned him not to do so under the threat of a beating, he still did it. It felt...comforting knowing that he felt sorry for what he did."
"...Shiho..."
"In the end, having him feel guilty for me was the best thing he could do at the time. And I hope that that part of him holds on to him tight. I mean, I don't think we'll be friends. But at least, because of those moments...I think, if we were to meet again, I could see him eye to eye."
Ryuji had to sit down after hearing that. "Damn...Shiho, you're too saintly."
"Still...part of me hopes he'll spend the rest of his life groveling at my feet," Shiho said with an icy air that didn't match the soft smile she put on."
Ann nodded. "Good. I'd say that feeling guilty for the rest of his life is an appropriate punishment. I hope Kamoshida does the same. Rat bastard."
"You girls are too scary..." said an unnerved Ryuji.
"Another thing, Ann. I talked to my mom the other day. I...I think I should start over. At another school."
Ann whimpered, her hands flat on her bed. "I...I understand. But..." Ann sighed. She gave herself a moment. "...It's just nice having you around every day at school."
Shiho strained to wrap her pinky finger around Ann's. "Don't worry. You'll do just fine." Her eyes then lit up. "If it makes you feel any less bitter...maybe you should smash my phone for me."
"...Your phone?"
"Just smash it."
"But it looked expen-"
"Just. Do it." Her voice became more solemn. "Please. I rather not stare at it every day from now on. A phone's a phone."
Akira saw past the coded language. "I got it. It's like a change of scenery." Well then...
He grabbed the phone and slammed it to the ground, popping the battery cover.
Shiho beamed. "See, Ann? He's quick to understand. He'll do just fine as your friend, Ann."
Akira motioned Ryuji and Ann to join. "Well, what are you guys waiting for?"
"...Screw it," Ann uttered.
Three sets of three feet later, and a pristine phone became shattered pieces of plastic and a piece of bent gorilla glass.
"Guys..." Shiho then upped her dosage slightly. "If you don't mind, I should rest a bit. I'm still...sore. But, thanks...for the new beginning."
A few minutes later, Shiho shut her eyelids. She kept the grin on her face as she went to sleep.
Akira scooped up the pieces. "I'll properly dispose of this stuff later."
Ann's breaths were lighter. "Man...that surprisingly felt good."
Ryuji's grin was wide. "Damn straight."
"I...feel weird," Akira then said, staring away in guilt.
"How so?" Ann replied.
He closed his eyes to think. "I kind of feel bad. We may have done some good today, but...honestly, it was almost a disaster. No thanks to me."
"What are you talking about," Ryuji replied. "That was A+ material we did just now! And we got Kobayakawa out of that, too!"
"Allegedly," Ann clarified.
"So what!? Akira...dude, you did great."
Ann fidgeted. "I mean, you were reckless a bit. But...we don't have to do it anymore, right? You shouldn't torture yourself over it."
A part of Akira sunk deeper after hearing that.
"It's funny you say that," Ryuji replied. "But I wanna keep going."
"Keep going?"
"Why not? It's like Mona said: anyone could have a Palace. And there's probably people too afraid to speak up against it."
Ann's eyes ping-ponged from slit to slit. "...I'll leave it to you, then, Akira."
"Me?"
"Well, you were there first with Ryuji. Wouldn't seem fair to leave you out."
Morgana pushed away Akira's bag zipper. "I'll side with whatever Ann decides. Your call." Though...I won't be surprised by what he'll say.
Akira took a deep breath and blew out a steady, heavy jet of air. "Well...the only fear I have if we do keep going with this..."
He paused. ...Damnit, this is supposed to a be yes or no question...
He continued to trudge forward. "It's just...I was a lot less...hinged when I was younger. Quieter. More closed off. More...resentful. It's not a good feeling when you are like that. You see the world as it should be, and you're just standing by the sidelines, always wondering whether what you do leaves an impact on the world or doesn't burden someone else." He pursed his lips. "I've had a lot taken away from me... and one of these days, I'll get around to talking about it. For now, though...getting him in that world felt great. I felt like I robbed him of everything that made him. His life, his wants, his...'tastes'. I could only dream of such things, doing that to people that deserved it."
A tremor formed in his hand; he pictured for a moment guys in yellow sunglasses. It was a small tremor, but it was one that made the hairs on Ann stand up a bit out of caution.
"But I guess, at the end of the day, I can only hope that I don't go back to that again. This...this helps." He took another breath. "Yes. We'll keep doing it."
"Akira..." Ann replied. "...Fine. I wanted to apologize for Shiho for so long. But now...if I just ignore people in a similar situation, I'd just be insulting her directly. It's settled then. I'm along for the ride, then. Though...do you mind leading then? You seem quick-witted enough, and willing to put in the effort of planning these things out."
"Hey, it's not like I'm good at that stuff," Ryuji added. "Ann knows that too well."
Akira grinned. "That's fine with me. I will say though...I'll be a bit more systematic next time."
"And under my tutelage," Morgana boasted, "you fledglings will do just fine."
Akira scoffed. "Fledglings? Go preen somewhere else."
"And hey.." Ryuji then put a hand on his shoulder. "I'll tell you this. Even if you don't believe it yourself, Ann and I..Shiho...we'll remember what you did today for the years to come. And you can take that to the bank. Trust me." Ryuji took out his phone and pulled up the Phan-Site. "Take a look at the posts. I ain't the only one."
Akira looked at the page; Mishima went above and beyond, putting a chat box on the Phantom Thieves website. The site was supposed to get people riled up and leave Kamoshida on edge. You're just too bored, then.
He scrolled down. It was flooded with anonymous replies about Kamoshida's confession:
"Thank you, Phantom Thieves. You've given me the courage to keep moving forward."
"Thank you for giving us hope..."
Akira teared up a bit. ...Damn..."Ok, then. One condition: we decide unanimously who the targets will be. Seems fair?"
Ryuji and Ann nodded in agreement.
"For now, guys, let's keep our heads down. Especially you, Frizzy Hair. You've stirred the pot enough already."
"Fine, fine. I'll take your word for once then."
His phone buzzed.
It was Makoto.
MAKOTO: It's been a long day.
MAKOTO: I know we haven't had a chance to speak since yesterday...
MAKOTO: But could we talk tonight? In person?
MAKOTO: There's a lot I need to go over with you, if you don't mind.
His mind went back to the look on her face early morning. She seemed uncertain then. Here's to hoping she isn't uncertain now about what we've done. "Well, guys, I have to head out."
"Alright then!" Ryuji yelled. "The Phantom Thieves of Hearts are here to stay!"
"Just the Phantom Thieves," Akira suggested. "More concise."
"Fine with me," Ann replied. "See you tomorrow at school, then."
Akira waved back as he started to walk.
Something though bothered Ann. A small detail.
The tremor in his hand, the one he got when he started to talk about his past...
The one that gave a picture to what his "less hinged" self could act like...
It was still there. In bursts.
The night lights outside Kobayakawa's office turned on.
The Principal laid slumped, staring at the ceiling with dried tears sticking his furrows together.
He was tired. He knew either the teachers or some of the superintendent would send him to pasture for today.
Sleeping for him needed extra padding. More than his leather office chair could provide.
He prepared to head back home.
He turned the knob, not noticing the shadow outside his door.
He opened the door, taken surprised by a gray-hooded man.
A gray-hooded man in a black oni mask with a voice changer embedded in it. "Work visit."
"B-but..."
"Sit," the voice whispered.
Kobayakawa fell backward trying to do a quick about-face. "W-what are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to give you an update."
"B-But in person!?"
"Indeed, this is...new. Circumstances such as these require a personal touch." He pulled out a prescription bottle and slipped a pill under the mask. "You know, my "guys" kept an eye on him. Veerry peculiar, how Kamoshida was acting."
Kobayakawa's collar was damp. "I-it's too late...he already confessed."
The masked man hissed. "Oh...I know that. Believe me; EVERYONE knows that now, though I have a solution for that. No, I was referring to his behavior before."
"...What do you mean?"
"Our profile didn't match. The proud, vainglorious washout on paper became a sorry mess, praying for forgiveness in his room."
"How did you know that?"
"I did say I had a guy running IT; we do have access to his phone microphone, after all."
Kobayakawa shuddered slightly at the thought that his true boss, of all people, would have this much capability. ...Has he been monitoring all of us? "So...uh...I hope you plan on dealing with my requests. I was under the impression you're the best of the Janitors."
"In the way I deem fit."
"O-of course." What does that mean? ...Should I ask about it then? "I wonder, though, about your methods. In your opinion, do these 'shutdowns' offer discretion?"
The mask went mum.
"...Sir?"
"Humor me. Do you think you're a just man?"
Kobayakawa's knees felt weak. "I-I...I tried to do good things?"
"Unconvinced I see. How about this? What is your definition of 'good'?"
"Umm...I believe in the s-school. If the s-school benefits, then everyone benefits." He smiled awkwardly. "T-that's good."
The mask chuckled. "I know you have a daughter. An estranged daughter."
Kobayakawa made choked sounds.
"I wonder how she would feel knowing it be ok for the gym teacher here to personally rape your daughter if it meant the school benefits. Note I mean the school, and not everyone at the school."
More choked sounds.
"But then again...in our little band of degeneracy, rebranding is par for the course. 'Overlord' was always good at picking the worst of the worst. Look at me, for example."
"...Please..."
The mask giggled. "Oh...the look on your face. Sorry, I can't help but scaring first-timers like this."
"F-first timers?"
"Relax. I'm just...chewing time away. It's not like anyone's going to be coming into here. As for the four...we'll make everything go away. It's a large order, but...we prefer things to be secret."
Kobayakawa took a gulp. "I...that's reassuring."
The mask knew it was about time.
"So...how will you fix everything? With the mental shutdown?"
The mask hummed. "...You'll find out soon enough."
The pain hit Kobayakawa everywhere. His extremities gyrated, repeatedly colliding on the table.
Several seconds passed, and the damage was done. The black sludge seeped from the mouth, eyes, and ears.
He knew already the other Mask had made the blow himself in the Other World. In Mementos. He made doubly sure by snapping his fingers in front of his rolled-up eyes. No darting. Good. The Berserking worked as intended.
He pulled out the gauze pads; he had to make him seem relaxed before he committed. Small dabs here and there.
He put the damp pads in a jar, with the intent of disposing of them discreetly.
He popped another two pills; he always needed double for the framing part of the job.
He kept on speaking, moving his limp arms carefully. "You know...I'm always a fan of these conversations. I'm not good with them, you see. I...always hate opening up myself to new people. Strangers. They always betray you. And they try to get friendly with you to stab you in the back or to serve themselves. Kind of like...how you were trying to be just now." He waved a loose finger at him. "You're like the rest of them; I'm kind of disappointed. But you see..." his voice got lowered. "I know better. When I was young, I found out that if I wanted to talk to someone...I'd just have it solved in the Other World. And then they shut up, and I would speak." He cleaned into closer to the Principal's ear. "The cleanup was always a hassle. But having to confide in someone and never allowing them the chance of using what you said against you? The most incredible feeling..."
'Kobayakawa looked relaxed enough. It was time for the final touch. He pulled the small revolver from his waist. I made sure your sausage fingers fit around this one. My 'friend' in the Other World gave me the heads up.
He curled Kobayakawa's finger around the trigger. He then opened the barrel and loaded one shot in line with the hammer.
He put it towards Kobayakawa's head, glistening even when bathed in the yellow lights outside.
"In the end, for you, it's like what an old childhood friend told me while he cared for me in between Shinto prayers: it's all a matter of aesthetics." Black Mask, signing off."
The hammer went down, and in a flash, every one of his orifices let out a crimson gush. His noise, in particular, became an open faucet for this stuff.
The mask sighed. "Boring." I prefer hunting more Kirijo lapdogs than this dealing with this gutter trash.
He left the room, answering his phone while walking. "Done. A loose end cleared up. On standby."
He took off his mask, keeping his hoodie lower under he got to the car waiting for him outside. Once again, the most reliable 'friend' is yourself. No one else.
Still, that job wasn't entirely boring.
For once, he had a target that he genuinely enjoyed taking out.
Plus...
Kamoshida's shadow was noticeably absent. The other Black Mask saw it for himself: the castle, the throne, the slaves. Every single wretched detail. So to see it inaccessible...
It was...
Interesting. Perhaps...I've found someone who will complete me...the Yin to my Yang.
He had a toothy grin on his face. And he didn't need to take extra pills to get it.
Notes: Another splurge guys. Apologies for delays
I'll note that I wrote quite a bit. So much so that, the ways things were put together, I felt like making this part the final part of the final chapter instead of the epilogue. And since I kept you guys strung on for so long...
Enjoy the double update!
(Also, don't forget to pour syrup on the pancake.)