-uhh this chapter still ended up really long but its not enough to split into more chapters so-
The walk was fairly quiet, the air tense. Kennith wanted to break the silence, but Makoto was the one to speak first.
"I'm so sorry..." Her voice trembled as she spoke. "I didn't mean to drag you in like this..."
"For real," Ryuji mumbled, earning him his third smack of the day from Kennith.
"I was stupid..." Makoto continued, her eyes downcast. Kennith stopped Yusuke before he could speak, delivering a very stern glare, and silently mouthing 'Don't.' He stepped towards Makoto, offering a ghost of a smile.
"You weren't stupid, hun. You acted on impulse is all, happens t'all of us. What you did was drastic, yeah, but you were only tryin' to help."
Makoto's lip quivered for a moment before she turned away. "I was so caught up in trying to be useful..." The tremors in her voice broke his heart.
"All right, enough of the blame game! What's done is done," Ryuji assured, taking on a gentler tone.
"I'm going to cause trouble for Sis too..." Makoto mumbled, seemingly more to herself than anyone else. She barely seemed to have heard Ryuji.
"Sis?" Kennith was glad Ann had asked, so he didn't have to.
"My older sister has a commendable job, and she's a much more remarkable person than me... A lot happened after we lost our father three years ago, so it's just us living together... But I'm still a child, so all I am is a burden to her..." Before she could continue, Kennith took another step and grabbed her hands, cradling them in his own.
"Hey. Quit that. You're not a burden, understand? No caregiver, whether or not they're a parent or a sibling, should make the person they're takin' care of feel that way, regardless of whether or not they had a choice in it." He looked her right in the eyes as he spoke, giving her hands a soft squeeze. He pretended not to notice just how shiny her eyes were.
Everyone was quiet for a moment. "...Is... Is that why you were so reckless?" Yusuke asked. His tone was one of empathy, from one survivor to a possible other.
"I just wanted to be useful in some way to someone..." Kennith went to speak again, only for Ryuji to jump in over him.
"Y'know, I-I might not get your whole situation, but... a-ain't it a bit off saying that you're useless to her?"
"It's the truth, though..." Makoto said solemnly, her eyes falling to the ground again. Kennith only gave her hands another squeeze as a small form of reassurance. She pulled her hands away after a moment, holding them close to herself, which he took as a signal to back away. She turned her gaze to Ann, looking pained. "In particular, I have to apologize for what happened to you."
A look of confusion fell on Ann's face. "Eh..?"
"Now that I think on it," Makoto continued, "the truth about Kamoshida must've been covered up by the whole school. I had my suspicions, but...I couldn't do anything about it." Kennith opened his mouth to speak again, only to be cut off by Makoto, who sounded even closer to crying than she had before. "No, I didn't do anything. Had I cared enough, I could've done something..."
Ann didn't respond, her brows knitting together.
"People like me... must really be what others call scum of the earth."
Kennith balled his hands into fists. "Makoto, you couldn't have done anything," he blurted, his face burning hot, though whether it was anger or embarrassment, he couldn't be sure. "If all I heard is true, if you had tried to investigate or speak up, you'd've been silenced or even punished, since like you said - you only had suspicions, nothing conclusive."
Ann nodded lightly. "Besides, real scum wouldn't call themselves that."
Makoto seemed pleasantly surprised, albeit confused, by their encouragement. "Huh..?"
"I'm the same. It's just like you said before; I was closest to Shiho, but I didn't do anything... Besides, Kamoshida's the one to blame. Shiho understands that...and I do too."
"Takamaki-san..."
"You didn't have a place to belong either... Isn't that right?" Yusuke said, his voice gentle and somber. Kennith wondered, for a moment, if he was included in this idea - their group of misfits.
"Me... either..?" Makoto hesitantly questioned, looking nothing short of astonished.
"We won't let anyone fall victim again." Ann's voice was firm, and yet empathetic. That was sort of their duty, wasn't it? To help the people like them - the victims that no one knew were even in danger.
Kennith hazarded a wipe to his eyes - he couldn't be sure if he was crying.
"Now, what should we do from here?" Ann chirped, her serious look being replaced by more of a relaxed face.
"I could definitely take on some extra jobs," Kennith suggested. "Depending on what it is, I can usually get..." He paused to make the conversions in his head. "...About eleven thousand to thirty-three thousand yen per fix, sometimes more if it's more than one thing."
"You don't need to do that," Akira assured, voice as gentle as ever.
"I'll do something about the money," Makoto insisted, "so can we please just drop the case with Kaneshiro?"
Ryuji gave a hapless, lopsided smile. "No can do. We're all caught up in this."
"We can't have you rushing things on your own anymore and making the situation worse," Yusuke added. Kennith wanted to punch him in the arm, but unfortunately, taking steps back just for that would be awkward.
Ryuji shifted his weight, crossing his arms. "Argh, if only we could do something about that bank..!"
"Ryuji!" Yusuke snapped.
Makoto didn't seem to sense that Ryuji had let something secret slip. "Bank..?"
Morgana began meowing, seeming almost excited. He couldn't even piece together what might have been said from how the others responded. Makoto seemed just as confused as he was.
"A cat..? Um, are you all okay..?" she asked hesitantly. Kennith gave her a pat on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, I don't understand him either," he assured while the others continued their conversation. "That's sort of their thing."
"That doesn't exactly help."
"Yeeeah, you get used to it."
He paid attention once he heard Yusuke say, "The reason we couldn't enter before is because we weren't considered his customers..."
That was it. That was his ticket to help. The gears started turning again in his brain, as plan after plan, strategy after strategy, piled up in his mind.
"W-Whoa, I don't follow this at all..." Ryuji mumbled, which earned a barely audible, "Same," from Kennith.
"She risked her life doing something so reckless. At the very least, she has the right to know," Yusuke explained. Kennith couldn't help feeling angered. It was too dangerous for him, and yet she could go along? He fought to keep his expression neutral as Yusuke continued, "Won't you come with us?"
"What? ...Wait. To where?"
"Yeah, where're we goin'?" Kennith pinched the bridge of his nose. Ryuji was his friend - though he used that term loosely - but god, how was he so clueless about something he knew even more about?
"Beats me..." Ann added. He gave her a slack-jawed look of astonished confusion.
The only reason he registered their transfer into the Metaverse was the way his stomach flipped. He swayed slightly, pressing the back of his hand to his mouth for a moment and stumbling to lean against a building. He vaguely heard Makoto's shocked questions, and happened a glance to the group. He leaned more of his weight against the building as his heart skipped a beat. This was not helping his nausea, but at the same time, he had a hard time caring.
He was shocked out of his reverie by an unfamiliar voice. "Be quiet. The Shadows are going to notice us." His eyes drifted to a tiny creature that looked more like a mascot or a plush toy than something that was meant to walk and talk.
"A monster cat?!" Makoto exclaimed. The cat-like creature fell to its hands and knees, letting out an exasperated cry of, "I'm nooot!"
"That's Morgana, the cat that was in his bag," Ann explained. "This is what happens when we come here."
"That voice...Takamaki-san?"
"Yeah, no shit!" Kennith called over his shoulder, regretting it moments later as he gagged. Deep breaths, Kenny.
Makoto seemed to ignore him, looking around confusedly. "Where are we..?" Another pang of jealousy shot through him. Kennith stood properly, taking a breath to allow his stomach to fully settle before taking a few steps towards the group again, though the burning heat in his cheeks remained. He kept his head down, to be safe.
"We're inside Kaneshiro's... er, well, the 'world' inside his heart."
Makoto was silent for a moment, before spitting out an incredulous "What?"
Kennith sighed. "If I can butt in," he chimed, "from what I remember, this place is...the Metaverse, yeah?" He was met with nods all around. "Yeah. It runs on how people see the world. People who are super shitty and see the world in a shitty way, can have that manifest into a...thing. And this place's Kaneshiro's." He paused, finally noticing the distinct lack of color here. He rubbed his eyes for a moment, as if hoping that would fix it, before letting out a soft, resigned groan. "Which is also probably why it's so damn dull around here, ugh... But, did I get everythin'?"
"About as much as someone like you could," Morgana said, looking almost upset that he hadn't gotten a chance to speak. Kennith wasn't sure if that was meant as a compliment, or an insult.
"In other - less vulgar - words, it's another reality in which Kaneshiro's distorted desires have materialized," Yusuke explained. Makoto reached to rub her temples.
"Another reality?" Before anyone could answer, Makoto had turned around, only to be met with the site of a giant, floating...ship? Roomba? He had no idea what it was either, but it was giant, and terrifying, and he was all too glad that he had decided not to come here alone. "It's, floating, in, the air! Th-This, is reality?!" Makoto took a breath before adding on a very gentle "My goodness..." Kennith swore she was about to cry, with the way her breaths were shaking. She turned to the group again, having steeled herself. "I-I'm sorry, it's just... But since this really exists, I can't doubt it..."
She turned away again, speaking softer. "A reality that one's heart shows... I-Is it like the application of optical illusions in social cognitive psychology..?"
"Honey, I dropped out of school as a sophomore, I'm gonna need you to put that in dummy terms," Kennith laughed. Akira laughed with him and patted his back with a grin, casually allowing his hand to rest there.
"You're too cute," he hummed.
"And I could say the same for you," Kennith retorted, fighting a losing battle against a smile. "Speakin' of - I missed seein' you without the glasses, but...Not like this is much better." He gestured to the elegant mask covering Akira's eyes.
"Oh! We can actually explain that - you might want to sit down, though."
Kennith had a little bit of a bounce in his step as they moved to a place to rest and talk. "Christ, finally," he said cheerily, taking a seat next to Makoto. "I've been waitin' ages for you to give the details." This earned Akira a glare from Morgana, who let out a huff.
"How much did you say you'd tell him?!"
"Only as much as you let me!" Akira laughed, raising his hands in a mock surrendering gesture. "He's just nosy."
"True, I am very very nosy, I like to know every single little detail ever," he affirmed, smiling.
"It's cute."
"You're cute."
"Okay, okay, enough of the chit-chat," Ryuji interrupted, "we ain't got all day."
"If y'all have the time to tell us this, there's enough time for a few extra seconds'a back n' forth," Kennith playfully argued, though he was quickly quieted by the glare Ryuji shot at him.
The talk was actually much shorter than he had expected, though it did seem a bit watered down. He only paid attention to the parts he didn't already know, though Makoto seemed enraptured throughout the whole thing.
"I see... So 'stealing one's heart'... That may be like... o-overwriting their cognition..." Makoto mused, sounding almost amazed. "I think I kind of get the logic behind it."
"Ain't she more amazing than you?" Ryuji said with a smile, turning to Morgana. Kennith bit his knuckle to stifle a laugh and looked away to hide his smile.
"W- We're about the same!" Morgana cried indignantly. He heard the gentle pat of paws hitting stone, indicating Morgana had leaped to his feet.
"I mean, like, not really," Kennith managed to giggle out. The fight against his case of the giggles was a losing battle.
Makoto ignored the little scene, continuing on with her speculations. "Then, does that mean there's an ATM version of myself somewhere in this world too?"
"I wouldn't imagine," Kennith hummed, still a little bit giggly. "I think we'd be, like, little walking bars of gold." Akira gently bonked him on the head. Morgana ignored his joke, turning his gaze to Makoto.
"Perhaps," he answered, as if Kennith hadn't spoken at all. "Regardless, we can change Kaneshiro's heart and make him confess if we steal his Treasure. ...If it all goes well, that is."
Ryuji stood, a confident grin shining on his face. "Heh! We'll make it go well. Everyone'll notice us for sure if we take someone like Kaneshiro down!"
"Our justice will also become resolute," Yusuke added.
"Yeah, I was about to say," Kennith chimed, unable to wipe the smile from his face, "ain't this for the good of the people?"
Ann nodded, a warm smile gracing her own face. "Exactly. Think we'd actually be able to give courage to those in need if it happens?"
"For the sake of those in need, huh..?" Makoto mumbled. A sad smile crossed her face. "You sound like my father."
"Your father..?" Kennith almost groaned, wanting to yell at her to read the mood, but he bit his tongue.
"Ah- No, don't mind me," Makoto said dismissively, seeming to snap out of a daze and pushing off the wall she had been leaning against. "You want to go to that bank, right? Let's go then."
Kennith stood to follow, but Akira placed his hand on his chest and shook his head. "You're not going in. It's too dangerous for you."
He felt his cheeks flushing red again. "Wha- why? She gets to go in, and she-"
"-Is necessary to bring along, since we've been doing this for her," Akira interrupted. The look on his face was stern, before he let out a sigh and allowed his expression to soften. "Look. I know that you want to help, but I don't want you to get hurt. I've already put you in danger just by bringing you with us to see Kaneshiro - hell, I've put you in danger just by telling you about these things." He took Kennith's hands and gently kissed his knuckles, closing his eyes for a moment. "Go home, n' get some rest, okay?"
Kennith fumbled for words, before simply letting out a sigh of defeat, his shoulders slumping. "Yeah, yeah..." He stood on his toes to give Akira a gentle kiss, and a reassuring smile. "I gotcha. I'll head home. Love you."
"Good. And I love you too." Akira moved away from him, heading back to the group and waving to him as they ascended the shining steps to the craft. Kennith waved a little peace sign back.
Once he had re-entered the real world, he made his way home, as he had promised. He couldn't help a devilish grin as he exchanged his binder for his armor and gathered his arsenal. He had said he'd go home, but he hadn't said anything about not coming back.
And yet, despite his preparations, things did not go as planned. Not entirely, anyway. He had been able to activate the stairs and make his way into the bank itself without an issue. However, he was very quickly stopped by large, dark things that seemed to be security guards. He tried to respond to their questions as innocently as possible, and all was going well until he lost his patience.
He had tried to make a break in a direction a guard had ordered him not to go, but he was quickly seized by two of them, dragging him away to the front door. He hadn't even had a chance to draw any of his weapons.
Just as he heard a group of footsteps rushing towards the foyer, and just as he saw a black coat swish into view, he was literally thrown out of the bank, landing hard on the concrete. He stood after a moment with a huff and dusted himself off, before flipping off the closed doors.
"Well fuck you too, then!" he yelled, glaring at the doors, as if he were looking into a security camera and not a barrier. He turned on his heel and stormed down the steps, grumbling the entire way.
Well, it was never too late to rework a plan, he supposed.