Entry 83: Back to That World
September 27th: Morning
What the hell am I going to do? Turns out, when people said sleep on it, it was actually a good piece of advice. Because, after getting two hours of sleep, I now have no idea why I was dumb enough to help Ono. I mean, it's fucking Shiki Ono. I don't think I need to reiterate all of the things that I have gone through involving her. But there's also the fact that she's not exactly well liked by... anyone. Must be why she's in trouble. Who the hell is going after her anyway? The Underground is pretty empty right now. There's just the Ijinn Three, the remnants of Omi and Dojima family and Library. Well, she does have a habit of making people hate her so it could literally be anyone. Sighing to myself, I really didn't need all of this stress on me right now. Especially since someone who I hate (?) is causing it.
"Are you alright, Kuro? That's the fourth time you've sighed already." Miku said. I was currently flanked on both sides by her and Nino as we waited at the train station for Mother to arrive. We're here to see her off as she goes home today. "Are you going to miss Mama?"
"It took Ku three days to become a Mama's boy. Well, guess it makes sense considering he likes being called-"
"T-That's not it! And please don't mention that outside of home." Feeling my cheeks heat up, I decided that the ground was way more interesting right now than the embarrassing smirk Nino was wearing. "It's just... the stuff that I told you girls about last night."
"The things about Hiragi?" Ugh, I almost forgot about that. Miku grimaced at my once more fallen mood. "S-Sorry. Then, the things about... her."
It was their turn to lose their happy mood. However, both Miku and Nino felt... dangerous. I don't know how to describe the feeling, but it felt like if it started raining the water would evaporate before it touched them. Does that make sense? Ugh, I'm too stressed out to think of anything good. "...are you sure we can't just let the bitch die? Preferably in a ditch."
"Nino. Just because I agree with you doesn't mean it's okay." Jeez. I knew you two hated her, but to go that far? "It's Kuro's decision to help. We should support it." I... The fact that she was standing by me while still hating her so much she's literally glowing red is...
"I love you."
"I love you too!"
"Can we not change topics?" Both Miku and I fixed our posture because of the sudden shout. "Ku, haven't we gone over the fact that she can lie easier than she can breathe? How can you be sure you can trust her?"
Now that wasn't a bad question. And it was a question I didn't really have an answer to. Why am I trusting her? "I don't know. But... there's this weird feeling I have. Maybe it's just a feeling but I think she really is in trouble. Besides, what does she even have to gain from screwing with me now? Revenge? Maybe, but Ono doesn't seem like the kind to go so far just for that."
"She literally put a gun to your head."
"We all make mistakes."
"Ku..." I'd rather not have my spirit die at their glare so I quickly bowed my head. "Hmph. Just be careful."
"I'll be fine. Besides, I'm not planning on dying anytime soon. I've got some stuff to look forward to."
"How cliche." Giggling through my declaration, Miku tightened her grip on my hand. "But you better, alright?" Tilting her head up at me, she sent me an angelic smile. I want to see that smile everyday.
"But, if you need help, let me know. Alright? I didn't take Judo for six years for nothing." Nino's knows Judo?! That explains her right hook. Wait... no it doesn't! Turning away from me with a huff, she didn't let go of my hand either. Ah, I love her honest side!
Deciding that we'd better talk about something different, we began to plan out what we'd get for breakfast later until a long black limo showed up at the front of the train station. Well, Shiro went all out for Mother's transportation, huh? Once the Limo stopped, Mother got out followed by... "Maruo?"
"Ah, well aren't you early. Hm, I didn't expect to see my daughters with you." Addressing me as Mother and Mr. Ebata took out her luggage. What a gentleman you are, Maruo. "And before you asked, your... responsible brother asked me to assist in her transportation because he had forgotten apparently." Can that idiot even think a single step ahead?
"Every day that I'm dating Kuro, is a day I realize Shiro wasn't as cool as I thought he was." Sighing out her admiration for my brother, I truly did wonder how he'd even gained Miku's respect in the first place. Ah well, I'll find out eventually. "But, good morning Father. I didn't think you'd take out the time to see Mother off."
Cringing at Miku's reference to my Mother, he quickly threw the feeling away. "It was for the best. After our first meeting, I wanted to show that I am more than how I acted that night. Besides, I'm rather curious about this thing's background." Did he just call me thing? Rude. Reading my mind, my former boss turned to me and glared. "I know."
"..." What does he know?! My bank password? My internet history? What I bought at the doujin store in Shibuya a few days ago? Please, not that!
"Jeez, Papa. Can you go one day without threatening Ku? I can only imagine the hell that you're going to put Fuutarou through now."
"...Ogata." Ugh, you just had to allude to it in front of him.
Stopping my interrogation before it began, Mother joined us, dragging the luggage behind her. "What a gentleman you are, Nakano. Isagi, how did you work for this man, exactly?"
"In fear, mostly."
Nodding her head in understanding, Mother let go of the luggage before coming to the three of us and pulling us into a large group hug. "Don't forget to visit, okay? I... you're my son and you girls are my daughters now! So don't leave me alone! Hasumi wants to meet you too!"
"G-Got it, Mother! Please let go, you're squeezing so much!"
"Agh! Ku, your arm is stabbing my side!"
Letting us go and apologizing, Mother gave us a small smile. "Seriously. Come visit soon. Okay?"
"I was planning on doing it during winter break. I'll see you then."
"Yay!" Throwing her hands into the hair, she pulled me in for a single hug this time and- S-So Strong! Is this where I get it from?! Squeezing, the sound of my spine cracking rang through my mind before she let go. "Oh, you two have to come too!"
"Of course Mother/Mama!"
"I'd rather you not try to steal my daughters from me, Hajime."
"They make it so hard not too though!" Seeing these two interact is so weird. Guess I better get used to it though. "O-Oh no. I'm gonna be late. Isagi, Miku, Nino. I love you, see you soon. Okay?" Planting a kiss on our foreheads, Mother ran past us and into the station. "Bye bye!"
The quickness with how she moved was honestly stunning. Leaving the four of us outside not knowing what to do. She's more like Shiro in that way than me, huh? "Well then..." Silently, the older man behind me placed a hand on my shoulder. "Why don't we have a pleasant conversation over breakfast? I was wondering how Uesugi is doing." Turning to my girlfriend, Nino gave me a sheepish grin.
"Hehe... hey at least you won't pay for it!' Ugh.
September 28th: Afternoon
I've been wondering just how cruel Asahiyama high staff can be. Today we're supposed to go back to school, after just having a single day off after the festival. However, I decided to ditch because I have more important things to do. Totally not because I was afraid of running into Hiragi, no sir. Ugh, what am I supposed to do with that? No, we've got more important things to do at the moment. Forget about it. I was standing on the roof of Lunalight, waiting for both my brother and my "guest". I just hope that things go well.
The sound of the heavy metal roof door opening pulled me from my thoughts. Turning to the door, I saw my brother, dressed in a bright green suit for some reason, and Ono walk in. Ono was wearing her trademark grin while my brother was pissed to say the least. He didn't look angry, per say, but the fact that he wasn't smiling was already a bad start. "Glad the two of you could make it. Sorry for calling you out after you just got back, brother."
Getting closer to me, Shiro stood on my right and turned to our guest. "It's no problem. No way I could say no to this party after you explained everything to me." His gaze towards Ono was strangely normal and uninterested. "Gotta say, it's been a while, Ono. I'm surprised Satan himself hasn't come to take you yet."
"Eh, he's not my type. He's surprisingly chatty. I'm more into the strong silent type." Shiro's attitude didn't seem to phase Ono at all. But, she did seem at least a little nervous, judging by her constant movement. She kept switching which leg she was leaning on. But she can still poke fun. Gotta hand it to her, that's impressive."I apologize that we had to meet once again under these circumstances, White Dragon."
"I'm sorry we had to meet at all."
"Guys." The two stopped going back and forth and turned to me. "Can we get down to business? The faster we get this done, the faster we go our separate ways. Okay? So, lets just have a normal conversation for once."
The two stared into each other's eyes and smiled. That's not a reassuring sign but, whatever. "Alright then. Then let's get this started, little brother. Shiki Ono, just who did you piss off this time?" Looking at my brother, this seemed to be another side of him that I wasn't familiar with. This idiot usually has two moods. Having no thoughts, or surprisingly serious. This however, was new. His usually shit eating grin had a weird feeling to it this time. As if he was actually giddy at the fact that he and I held Ono's life in our hands. This must be what happens when you're so high up in the underworld for so long.
Ono didn't let it get to her, it seems. "Well, a lot of people. Hm, it might be the Pope this time."
"Ono."
"Fine~ Fine~" Shrugging exaggeratedly, the black haired girl smiled. "It's the Geomijul."
"... well fuck." My brother put it in the best terms honestly. The Geomijul are the Korean Mafia currently occupying one third of the Ijin Three, Ijincho's Wall of Muscle. A metaphorical wall of the underground, made up of Japanese Yakuza, the Seriyu Clan. The Chinese Mafia, the Yokohama Liumang and the Korean Geomijul. The reason why the three are even still around is because of their alliance and dedication to keep Ijincho prospering for themselves. It was apparently almost destroyed last year because of the Omi, but we all know how that ended.
Anyway, the main reason why Shiro reacted that way was simple. The Geomijul are a very scary and very powerful organization. While they don't have much physical power, they make it up in information. They seem to know anything and everything, and the fact that they are part of the Ijin Three means that Library has had very little dealings with them. So, in short, this is uncharted territory. "Well... this explains your knowledge and the power you had."
"Yup!" Smirking as if her life wasn't currently in danger, Ono seemed actually proud of herself. "Current circumstances notwithstanding, they are great people to hire. Info, supplies and even tips and tricks. All at a reasonable price. If they weren't coming after my life, I'd give them a five star review." All of this, just to get me to join her side. Ugh, this girl is making it hard to defend her.
"Alright, I get that. But why would they be coming after you if you paid them in full? I don't know much about the Geomijul, but I know that they are people of their word and aren't necessarily unreasonable." They wouldn't be a part of the Ijin three if they were. At least, I assume so.
"Well, I may have made a stupid promise that relied heavily on a certain stupid bodyguard joining my , honestly, this is all your fault, Kuro Ogata."
"Why'd I know that you'd say that?" Groaning at her stupidity, I tried to throw out the disgust that I felt and attempted to stay as professional as possible. For them to go so far as to try and take her life, she must have promised big. Honestly, she might not have been able to fulfill it even if I did fall for her tricks. "Anyway, Shiro, is there anything that we can do?"
The colorful man made a strange noise as he cracked his neck. "Honestly... not much. I wouldn't be surprised if the Geomijul knew that we were having this conversation right now. While we've had a respectful relationship with them, it's not like we're best buddies. Hell, we've only had one meeting together as leaders. Though she is really pretty... don't tell Koko I said that." I won't unless you piss me off. "Anyway, what I mean is that we don't have much of a leg in this. The only thing we can do other than keep Ono under our intense protection, is to negotiate with them directly."
"... that's not a good idea. They reeeeally hate me."
"Just what did you promise them?"
"Let's not make you hate me even more."
"I... whatever. Fine. Give me a couple days to figure something out. But, it looks like you and I are gonna have to go to Ijincho, Ono. No matter how scary it may be."
"Oh~ A trip with Ogata. Sounds spicy~" I don't know whether to find the fact that she's still willing to make jokes a good thing or a bad thing. Let's say a good thing, for now.
September 30th: Lunch
There are a lot of variables in my patched together plan. Doesn't help that I haven't done this kind of work in about a year, so I'm super rusty. But, after doing a bit of research and thinking, I've come up with a decent plan. First off, Ono and I have to go to Ijincho. Sometime in the next week, since exams are going to be starting in October I've got to study if I have any chance of getting into the same college as Nino. Funny that a year ago I didn't think that Nino could even get into a college. Now I'm struggling to get to her level. Anyway, I can't spend to much time on the Ono situation, but at the same time I have to help her as much as I can. Not because I feel any guilt or anything. But... this is what I want to do. I want to help people like her. People like me. So this is good experience. No, I'm not being a tsundere, shut up.
Back to my plan. Going with Ono to Ijincho is the first step, the second is to find someone in the know. Since Library doesn't have much, if any, of a foothold in the city, I have to find a contact. With the city's Wall of Muscle, it'd be difficult to find anyone who would be alright to go against the Geomijul. Even for something so small. So I was stumped... until I remembered a certain afro haired man who gave me a card that said he ran for mayor. I need to get in contact with Ichiban Kasuga as soon as I can. I have no doubt that he has at least some knowledge about the underworld in Ijincho, especially if he ran for mayor of a town with powerful groups like the Ijin Three. After that... well the ebay case scenario would be to get a peaceful meeting with the Geomijul and negotiate a way to protect Ono from their anger.
"Kuro. have you heard a single word that I have said this entire time?"
"Totally." I lied to Taro as I took a bite from my mostly full bento. He and I were sitting on the roof after he invited me to lunch. But... my mind has been elsewhere. "Sorry, could you repeat that? I was thinking about something."
"I've been speaking for ten minutes but... TLDR, how do you date someone?" Great, a question I don't know the answer to. Taro and Yotsu have been dating for about a week, and now he asks me that? "I know I'm not the most knowledgeable guy when it comes to romance. So I hoped you, a romance connoisseur, would be able to help."
Why yes, I am a person who has been in a relationship for about a year now. Oh, it's gonna be time to pull out my year anniversary plan from my plan folder. However... "I know shit. Honestly, all I do is just hang out with Miku and Nino. Taro, do you know who I am?"
"A guy who didn't hesitate to yell out his love to his girlfriend as she danced on stage." And? She was fucking adorable. "Look, I'm desperate." He didn't look at it. Honestly, in the year that I've known Fuutarou, this may be the happiest I've ever seen him. I mean, it was rare to see him smile for more than a second. In the past week, I don't think I've seen him not smiling. Even while Nino and Ichika were making fun of him. I wonder if that was how I was when I first started going out with Miku and Nino. "Look, I just don't want to make Yotsuba regret going out with me..."
"Taro. Your hobby is studying and sticking around supermarkets to get free samples. Trust me, I think she knows what she's getting into."
"I suppose you're right. And don't judge! Enough free samples, and you're good on dinner!" Dude, you aren't even in debt anymore. But, I held my tongue. After all, there is a bunch of weird shit I do that I wouldn't want him to bring up. "So, is that all your advice? Just, hang out?"
"When you can. We're in the middle of test season, so it's understandable if you can't be alone a lot or go on dates. But, yes. And don't give her flash cards made for a middle schooler by the way." Cringing at the memory of last thanksgiving break, he relented. "Either way, I'm sure you'll be fine. Oh, and maybe start talking about going to college together."
"Why do you think I'm saving?"
"You sure you're not just being stingy?"
"Why not both?" Dumbass.
Shaking my smile away, I decided to actually eat my lunch. That was... until the warning bell began to ring. "Fuck. Maybe-"
"Don't even think about ditching class. I'm your class rep, if you remember." CLosing my lunch, I reluctantly stood up and followed the Ultimate Student. I'll just have to have a big dinner. Oh~ maybe I can convince Nino to make her curry again! Everytime she does, I almost explode from how much I eat.
Walking back to the classroom, the two of us were stopped at the door by a crying Subaru. "BROGATA!" What happened now? Running up to me and pulling me into a hug, the Otaku cried into my chest. "I-I... I..."
"I can't help you if you don't tell me."
"I GOT A LOVE LETTER!"
"...I'm going in first. Don't be late, Kuro, Subaru." My so-called best friend left me alone and walked into the classroom first. Because we were getting stares, Suabru and I moved to the end of the hall.
"Okay, what is the problem here?"
Pulling the letter out of his pocket, Subaru showed it to me with shaking hands. "I-I'd be happy, sure. But... I saw who dropped it off at my desk and... it... it... it was Hiragii."
"..." Subaru is way more popular than I thought! First Maki, and now Hiragii?! All the while he's in love with Itsuki. "Huh. Well, good luck."
"You can't just leave me alone! Dude, I... I don't even know the girl that much! How am I supposed to reject her? Please, you're closer to her! Ya gotta do it for me!"
The very thought of even standing in the same vicinity as her made my skin crawl. "Ask Miku."
"B-But-"
"Just... She and I aren't exactly on speaking terms at the moment." More like it's one sided. I just don't want to hurt her anymore or say something unnecessary. The best thing for the both of us would be to not talk to her at all. No matter how much it hurts. "I doubt Miku will help you out right, but she might have some tips to let her down gently. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time you hurt W."
Taking a step back, Subaur's eyes widened. "You... alright. Sorry, Kuro. I'll figure something out." His excited persona fell away as a small, pained smile appeared across his face. "...Sorry Bro. I didn't... I wanted to but-"
"It's fine. You and Shiro were right anyway. Good luck, Suabru." With a nod of understanding, he and I walked back into the classroom, just in time before the final lunch bell rang.
Sitting down at my desk, I took in a deep breath, attempting to relax and stop the dread from overtaking me once more and tried my best to focus on something else. Ijincho's not too far from here, a two and a half hour train ride, so the trip over there shouldn't last too long. Maybe two or three days. Worst outcome, Ono and I will have to force our way out of the city. Could be a bit difficult considering how much of a hold on info the Geomijul have on the city. Well, they aren't known for their strength either so maybe I could- My brain felt like it was mush. Putting a hand to my head, I tried to listen to the teacher. But everything they said just went in one ear and out the other.
It'll get better. You're just morning. But mourning what? Your own mistake? Shut up. Just live. Just... everything is fine. The World Ends with You. But that doesn't mean that everyone can be a part of your world. Everything is fine the way it is. With another breath, I was able to ignore that feeling again.
AN: Hello everyone, how are you all doing? For me, I'm not the best. Well, in life I'm okay. But, I think I'm hitting another wall with this story. Not one that has to do with the story itself per say. I think I'm burning out again. I want to continue the story, esspsialy since we're getting go another arc I'm excited for. But, I can't seem to get myself to write this story sometimes. I'm considering taking a short break, so I don't end up crashing and losing my interest in this story like I have with others in the past. I don't know if I will yet, but I'll have decided by the time that the next update date comes along. If I don't update by then, I'll be taking a short break. Sorry about this. I hope you all understand, and thank you for reading this chapter. I hope you liked it.
Guest: Thank you for your words. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.
