Wednesday, April 21st
Morgana had a fever.
From what Akira could gather from his anxiety-riddled watch of his little brother throughout the night, he could barely open his eyes for long. His body was aching in pain with every shaky deep breath he could.
Every once in a while, when Akira was close to dosing off, Morgana would mumble underneath his breath. Each time it would be relating to Shiho, Ann, Kamoshida, or even himself.
It made him sick to his stomach.
Everything was supposed to be going right.
The one time he trusted his brother to be alright by himself.
I should've been there.
I shouldn't...
It was his fault.
Solely.
I shouldn't have told Ann to say no. Not until I came up with a plan to protect them.
But...no.
Akira somberly smiled as he wiped some of Morgana's free-flowing sweat away.
Thee great Akira Kurusu. Once again, his impulsiveness destroys everyone around him but himself.
What a great big brother I am.
Whilst the sun rose, Akira began to rub his eyes. It was clear slumber was mere inches away from snatching him from the waking world.
Maybe I should stay home today. Keep watch over Morgana...
A sorrowful gaze floated over his brother sweating up a storm in his bed, making a puddle on his sheets. For a moment, Akira agreed mentally to sign away the day towards him.
Until he remembered Ann's little flask.
I can just ask Ryuji to take me to that doctor he knows. Maybe he'll have something to make Morgana better in no time!
A few coughs slid from Morgana, sending him in a flurry of yelps of pain.
Besides, I can use today to beat the shit out of someone.
Akira fished for his little brother's phone, finding it in his pocket with a new assortment of cracks and scratches on it. It was completely dead.
Maybe even broke.
Plugging it up, he quickly wrote a note for Morgana if he woke up, placing it on his bedside desk just in case he maintained enough lucidity to wonder where he was.
Swiftly moving through the kitchen, Akira put on a pot of water. Although he rarely ever allowed Morgana to use it, he would leave his thermos on the desk.
All he really cared about was making sure Morgana didn't strain himself if he were to wake up theoretically.
Besides, it's tea. If he doesn't wake up, I'll just drink it by the time I get home.
Grimly, an aloof gaze fixated on the water, little bubbles broke through the surface. It was a surefire signal that the raging heat was quickly letting itself become expressed.
Maybe Akira could take a note or two.
A few knocks on the entrance released Akira from his stupor, annoyingly making him realize his glasses were fogged up again.
With haste, he unlocked the door as he placed the glasses on his forehead, revealing Makoto.
Shit.
She stood in the hallway for a few lingering moments, with Akira finally realizing he needed to invite her in. He departed from the door whilst giving a wave for her to come inside.
Locking it behind her, she strolled over to the countertop.
It didn't take supernatural powers to tell she was staring at his back while he was waiting for the pot to finish.
The pity was annoying.
"What do you want, Niijima-senpai." His tone wasn't questioning. It was direct and without distraction. She knew he didn't want her there, and he was doing formalities. Something that she could slightly respect.
Though, she heard the exhaustion in his voice.
"I...I just wanted to check up."
"Hm."
Makoto took a moment, her palms rubbing amongst each other as she decided to speak again, "Kurusu-kun I-"
Akira detached the pot from the stove, moving towards his thermos as he spoke, "I don't want to hear it. Not to even be an ass, I just...don't want to hear it. Please, Niijima-senpai. Not now."
Makoto's hands laid flaccid on the top as she felt defeated, the pouring of steaming water serving as the only sound in the apartment. That was until she faintly picked up on Morgana's raspy breaths.
She took one hefty inhale, "Kurusu-kun. I know we don't...see eye-to-eye-"
Akira placed the top on his thermos, "Niijima-se-"
"I know you don't owe me anything, but despite that...can you refrain from doing anything reckless? If not from my pleading words, do it for Morgana."
He flashed her a look, one she couldn't decode. Akira continued with his trek pass as Makoto took this as a sign to leave.
Before exiting, she spoke one last time, "Just...think about it."
Placing the bottle by his bedside, Akira gave Morgana one last look.
A deep, exhausted sigh came from him.
Shit.
Ryuji slept like a baby.
Or at least close as he could.
He couldn't describe it tangibly, and it was something that his mother didn't let slip by.
Ever since Kamoshida, his nights were usually plagued by dreams, nightmares (mostly), and somewhere he would have On-Set Insomnia.
It was honestly the reason why he was dragging every day to Shujin and slept in classes, despite the fact he promised himself he wouldn't start that habit up this semester.
Though, it still alluded him as to why he slept so well.
Maybe because my subtle bullshit actually paid off?
Probably.
Or...maybe...
No...
Nah.
However, there was one thing that was worrying Ryuji, despite his great slumber.
That one thing was Akira.
Akira hadn't replied to his texts at all ever since last night. Even if they knew each other for a total of a week, this was strange.
He, surprisingly, even sent a text to Morgana, which didn't even deliver.
Summoning him from his thoughts were raindrops trickling onto his forehead.
Aw man what the hell?! I didn't even bring my-
Brushing beside him, ironically, was Akira rushing towards Shujin.
Yet with the sheer focused rage on his face? He barely looked like his usual self. Though that look was something Ryuji knew too well.
All too well.
"Akira!"
Ryuji's voice didn't reach him, so he began to pace after the older Kurusu, all the while constantly calling his name.
After a while of dodging and pushing through students, Ryuji grabbed his wrist. Stopping him in his tracks in the courtyard.
Akira whirled around, striking Ryuji with a glare that completely scared him for the first time.
It was almost as if he was truly a delinquent.
The rage subsided momentarily upon it dawned upon him it was Ryuji, but it was still there, "What, Ryuji."
Yeesh, someone pissed in his cereal.
"Dude, are you okay? I tried texting-"
Akira wrenched his hand from Ryuji's grasp, much to his confusion, "I saw. I'm busy."
Ryuji tilted his head, "With? What's with you man? This ain't like you at all."
Rubbing his wrist, Akira shot a rebuttal, "Does it really even matter to you? I'm just a means to an end for your take-back operation."
At first, Ryuji reacted with confusion, though it quickly transformed into irritation. The full-on anger would take a while to coalesce, "What the hell are you talkin' about? I dunno who pissed and nutted all in your cereal but it wasn't-"
"Stop acting like this shit is a damn game Ryuji!" Much to Ryuji's dismay, that outburst brought forth the student body, creating a circle around the duo.
A few whispers struck out, "Is Sakamoto-san going to fight the transfer? Aren't they supposed to be friends?"
"Nah, I heard they just came together to steal stuff, I guess that didn't last long."
What the 'eff?
Ryuji shook his head as he focused on Akira again, "Sorry. But that doesn't explain why you're acting like this? Can we-"
"We don't have time for this shit anymore, man. I don't have time for this."
"Wha-Look, Akira I'm sure you're just overreactin' if it's rel-"
That struck a nerve.
"Overreacting? I'm the one who's overreacting? You're the one who's been sitting on his ass not doing a damn thing trying to be subtle! You're just like everyone else in this damn school!"
That, also, struck a nerve.
Akira turned around, continuing his trek towards the practice building.
The circle actually seemed disappointed, an all-out brawl between two delinquents was the final dessert they needed to go down with their bowls of cereal and milk.
Though, Ryuji partially filled their appetites as he grabbed Akira from behind and pushed him against the railing of the walkway, treating him just like Morgana.
Ryuji's eyes had a flare he hadn't used in a while, one completely unknown to Akira. It was one that only a single person in the entirety of Shujin was acquainted with.
His happy-go-lucky mask faded away as he stared Akira down, "I don't know what the hell wrong with you, but I ain't lettin you push me away or treat me like shit. We're friends."
Ryuji pushed in a bit closer, his voice lowering, "And despite what everyone else says, we ain't delinquents. So don't do any stupid shit like you were thinkin' about doin'. Trust me, it won't end well."
Akira could only stare back as a faint sense of clarity splashed across his face, though it was interrupted by a familiar voice.
Kamoshida broke through the crowd, causing it to disperse and disappear. Upon seeing the two disturbances of his castle, faint disgust appeared on his face as he strolled over to the duo of delinquents.
"Just what are you two doing?"
Ryuji detached himself, brushing Akira off as the latter caught his barrings while regaining his confidence and composure, "Oh, we're not doin' anythin' at all. Just makin' a grand show for everyone to see here! Been boring at Shujin lately, you should do somethin' to spice it up."
Kamoshida didn't take kindly to Ryuji's wit, leaning forward with the stench of cheap cologne burrowing deep in his nose.
Oh my god, what the hell is he wearin'?
Kamoshida's face gave way to a faint grin, with a snide and sickening whisper coming from his lips, "I don't think I like that tone of voice at all, Sakamoto-kun."
Ryuji chuckled, staring into Kamoshida's orbs with no sense of fear at all, "For real? Tough shit."
Anger flashed on Kamoshida's face before he calmed himself down, another grin taking place, "I don't think you'll be running that mouth of yours again if...we had another private session."
The lack of fear on Ryuji's face dissipated as anger started to make its mark, with gritted teeth he spoke with a hiss of anger, "You bastard-"
The older man straightened himself up, turning to Akira who had been keeping quiet this whole time.
While he might've been quiet, his eyes told another story. The stormy orbs held visceral and silent anger that only wanted to be released on Kamoshida.
To the aging director, the sight was nothing but comedy.
A few giggles came from him like a schoolgirl. Wanting to test the limits of his self-control, Kamoshida spoke directly at Akira, "You two really do have the same arrogant look in your eyes."
Akira almost launched himself forward to break his jaw.
It would've became reality had Ryuji not step in between them. "Don't you have a class to be getting to? I think you have better things to do now that you've seen we ain't doing anythin'."
Kamoshida began to walk past them, a simple carefree smile on his face. In his head, he won.
Until Akira called his name.
Annoyed, he turned around to meet gazes with the raven-haired boy, noticing that his anger was gone. Instead, it was replaced with a quiet and cold demeanor.
"What, Kurusu-kun?"
Akira fished into his coat pocket, revealing Ann's necklace, much to the surprise of both Ryuji and Kamoshida, "And your look is of a pathetic, miserable little man who has no power or worth in the real world. And with that cheap cologne, no wonder she doesn't want to be around you."
For the first time, Kamoshida didn't have a comeback. Fuming anger could be sensed boiling underneath his skin, but he pivoted on his foot and returned to the practice building before things could escalate.
Ryuji turned to Akira, "You...you have it? I thought I dropped it back in the office?"
Pocketing it, Akira started to explain, "I grabbed while we were leaving. I thought it was important, and I was proven correct when-"
"Akira!" Ann's voice was a surprise to both of them, especially Ryuji.
The two turned around to see her jogging up to them, if anything it seemed as if she was sprinting beforehand.
"Ann?"
"Takamaki-san? And did she just call you Akira-"
"I-Can we talk? On the roof?"
"Uh...-"
Ryuji interjected, "H-hey! Why do you need to talk in our secret place?"
Fully catching her breath, Ann shot Ryuji an annoyed look, "The place that everyone knows about? And besides, I don't...want anyone else to hear."
Ryuji became flustered as Akira broke up their banter, "While I would be okay with that, you two do know it's raining, right?"
"...oh." Ann nervously chuckled as Ryuji scratched his head like an idiot.
"Suzui-san hasn't texted you since yesterday, after-school?"
"No...and it's worrying me, she always texts me, especially during the morning to make sure I get here safe." Ann flopped down on the courtyard bench as Ryuji punched a few digits into the soda machine, eventually being rewarded with one.
He started chugging it down as he thought of a question, "Well-" A burp launched from his mouth, "-Sorry, have you tried to...I dunno, call her?"
Ann's face turned flat, "I forgot how much of an idiot you can be."
Ryuji took another sip, "Ain't required that you gotta be a smart ass right now."
"Can you two please not do this? Right here? Right now?"
Ann nodded as Ryuji apologized. Akira took a second as he leaned over the railing of the walkway, trying to piece information together from Morgana's ramblings.
Ryuji spoke again, "Well...do you think it has anything to do with King Asshole?"
"I...I don't know. Shiho's been...really tired lately. I just want to say she might've just stayed home and rested up but.."
"Suzui-san's never been like that." A sigh came from Ryuji as he sat down, "Wait, so you didn't go to practice yesterday?"
"No, I uh...was with Akira. I used some of that...special stuff from that doctor to get out of it."
"Huh. Nice."
A faint smirk formed on her face, disappearing as quickly as it formed.
Akira turned around, locking eyes with Ann, "I don't think anything happened to Shiho. At least...anything terrible."
Ryuji eyed him with confusion, "What makes you say that?"
For a second, Akira contemplated his answer. It was strange in Ryuji's eyes.
Somethin' is definitely up.
"Let's just say it's a gut feeling. But, I might be wrong so let's just be on the lookout for her during lunch, alright?"
Ryuji pumped his fist, "Alright! God, I feel so amped after givin' it to that asshole!"
Ann sighed, which was a signifier to Akira, "Remember what I said, Ann. I promised you."
She gave him a less than enthusiastic nod as the bell rung, telling the trio it was time for class to start.
"Shit. You guys go ahead, I'll be right behind you." Before he forgot, Ryuji called for Akira, "Don't think we're done talkin'."
"...Yeah."
The two swiftly departed as Ryuji threw his can in the garbage, taking a moment to slouch and gaze at his phone.
Ah shit, what was her number?
Uh...
There we go.
RYUJI: Suzui-san? Hello?
A few minutes passed with no luck. Honestly, Ryuji didn't mind being late, this was more important.
He just wanted or hoped, to see if she was alright.
She needed to be alright.
RYUJI: Hey, um...I just wanted to make sure you were alright. This is...Sakamoto, by the way.
Again, no reply.
That's not good.
Shit.
Quickly, Ryuji dove through his contacts to find Iwai.
RYUJI: Iwai, gimme Ohya's number!
SILVER THE DOUCHEHOG: Wow, not even a day later and y'all are already pining for each other. Nice.
RYUJI: Shaddup this ain't the time, just give it.
Within seconds, the number appeared and Ryuji quickly shot Ohya a text. To which, thankfully, she replied with haste.
RYUJI: Ohya, what class is Suzui Shiho in?
Mistress Reporter ;): uhhhh...I think 2-A. Why?
RYUJI: Thanks
Mistress Reporter ;): Can you at least tell-RYUJI!?
Stuffing his phone back into his pocket, Ryuji began his slightly stealthy trek through Shujin.
The first floor lacked any sort of supervision, in fact, it was quiet with the only sound being the patter of rain against the roof and windows.
Creepy.
Taking painstakingly quiet and patient steps, he appeared on the second floor. Quickly locating 2-A at the end of the hall.
Okay, this is gonna be easy. Just...
Shit, what am I gonna do again?
I...ain't think that far ahead.
Uhh...c'mon Ryuji, all we gotta do is just...
Step inside of Ushimaru's class.
Ryuji stopped dead in his tracks.
Ushimaru?
Aw man, he'll kill me! He'll throw, like, 80,000 chalk pieces at me!
Man this is some bullshit...Shiho better be alrigh-
Ryuji's voice trailed off, becoming a whisk of nothingness as he passed by a window, noticing a simple distant blot on top of the practicing building. At first, his train of thought registered this blot as a bird possibly. Maybe it was a bunch of discarded stuff leftover from that area of construction on the roof, but something was bothering him too much for that to be the case.
For the first time in a while, Ryuji trusted his gut.
He stopped dead in his tracks, peering out of the window and gazing skyward.
There ain't no way, right-
Ryuji knew that ponytail from anywhere. That stark black hair tied back with her instantly recognizable pink ribbon.
His heart dropped. Something possessed him, probably just guilt, causing him to bolt across the second floor towards the walkway.
This ain't happenin'! There's no effin' way!
Ryuji's feet thundered against the floorboards as he entered the practice building, only to be replaced with a hard thud as he slammed against the wall, struggling to slow himself down as he tried to turn towards the stairs.
Sh-Shit! I gotta make it to the roof! C'mon Ryuji! C'mon!
Shiho what the hell are you doin'!
Ryuji burst through the doors, instantly seeing Shiho's back turned towards his.
Having heard the doors burst open, she stiffly turned around. Ryuji was stuck upon laying eyes on her face. Her color was drained completely, it seemed she didn't get any sleep either. Her eyes were empty, their usual luster and joy were nowhere to be found.
"S...Sakamoto-san?" Her voice was wary, laced with exhaustion and misery. Shiho was a far cry from the girl Ryuji had known for years.
Sensing her amplified feelings, he placed his hands out in front as he slowly and painfully took baby steps toward Shiho.
I have to calm her down.
This is the right way, right?
"Suzui-san...? W...Whaddya think you're doin'?"
A faint flash of the old Shiho formed, giving him an exhausted smile, "Nothing, I'm just enjoying the view..." However, rather quickly, the smile faded away as her gaze absorbed the fear in Ryuji's eyes.
"L-Look, I'm sure whatever is going on we can-"
"It...it doesn't matter, Sakamoto-san..."
"What?" He was inching ever so close, he just needed to keep her talking, "What do you mean it doesn't matter?"
"This. Just...all of this. Shujin, exams, band, teachers, reputations...Kamoshida." Her voice faltered, her eyes narrowed with pain as memories flashed through her brain, "I'm just tired. So...so tired."
Ryuji stopped for a moment, a sense of disbelief took hold of him as his eyes jerked around so his brain could piece something together.
This wasn't his strong suit.
It never was.
"Look, whatever Kamoshida did, I know we can get past it! We can take that dick-shaped bastard down! And then you can rest for however long-"
"It won't happen. It...it won't."
"Suzui-"
"What he did...it doesn't even matter...nobody in Shujin will believe me. Believe us..."
Us?
Shiho closed her eyes and winced, clenching her jaw as her face became twisted with rejection and sorrow, "Sakamoto? Can you do me a favor?"
Ryuji was just mere steps away from being able to grab Shiho's wrist, he just needed to keep her talking.
"Yes?"
"...Tell Mona and Ann I'm sorry."
"Why me? You can do that yourself! Shiho stop actin' like this is the end! C'mon!"
A final dry chuckle came from her lips, "And stop blaming yourself. This isn't your fault, Ryuji."
She fell backward.
Ryuji's eyes widened as a deafening yell ripped itself from his lips, "SHIHO!"
Akira felt like an even worse piece of shit. He had no reason to lash out at Ryuji. He didn't deserve that at all. Outwardly, Akira was intensely cringing. Something that wasn't ignored by his classmates at all. Surprisingly, that wasn't even a concern to Akira, only the Ryuji ordeal. Which was incredibly embarrassing, especially considering that it was in public.
Lashing out on your only friend here...nice going Akira.
Placing his pencil down to take a breather, his mind pondered another question.
Would...Ann be a friend?
No...it's just momentarily because of everything that's happening. Right? Yeah...people just need stuff from me. Nothing new. No time to think about this though, I hope Shiho's-
"Is that Suzui-san?"
What?
Before he could fully turn his head, Ann lurched from her chair, speeding outside of the class to peer outside the window. Akira fruitlessly outstretched his hand, calling her name, "Ann-"
Oh, you dumbass that's not going to do anything! Wait!
Akira quickly followed her in pursuit, shuffling through students, only to be frozen in his steps as he saw Shiho. At least, her back.
To be completely transparent, Akira only saw her back rapidly descending towards the ground. Only for a faint thud to be heard as the horrified shrieks of the student population filled the halls, only leaving the thought in his head that she-
No! This-
A shaky exhale came from Akira as he stumbled back, leaning against the classroom exterior. The sensation of bile rose through his throat, but a thought came beaming into his head.
Ann?
She had stood frozen, almost a statue in the middle of the hall with her hands covering her mouth. That would've remained the case, had Mishima not bumped into her. He was seemingly running down towards where Shiho fell, and with a face of renewed anger, so did Ann.
Akira started running after her, pulling his phone out as he attempted to call Ryuji.
"C'mon...this isn't the time Ryuji...where are you!"
Upon getting to the base floor, Akira saw how utterly packed each exit was. People were treating this like it was a sightseeing trip, with Shiho's mangled...body being on display.
It only made him angrier.
Shit. Ann isn't here either, she must've made it through...That's better than having her see all these gross bastards clamoring over her best friend.
Maybe...ah! The practice building?
Akira scurried up the stairs, running through the sporadic clumps of people through the halls of the second floor as he approached the catwalk.
Annoyingly, another group of students surprised him, though they weren't as numerous as before.
Time to be a delinquent I guess.
He took a few steps into the crowd, Moses'ing everyone, "Hey, move the hell outta the way!"
There were a few stray comments here and there, but Akira ignored them all.
His mind kept swarming and swarming with so much anxiety.
As expected, it wasn't quelled upon seeing Shiho.
Angrily shuffling through the crowd of gawking onlookers, he broke through to see Ann crouched and clutching Shiho's seemingly lifeless body. Her legs were bent in...a unnatural way. Harsh chills shot through Akira with ease as he felt that he wasn't supposed to be here.
That he wasn't supposed to be looking at her.
Ushimaru was barely shielding her from everyone's gazes, even holding Ryuji back whilst telling them collectively to get back and get back to class. At the same time, the other spread-out teachers did absolutely nothing.
Of course.
Of..course.
Akira felt as if he was going to crack his teeth with the amount of force he was clenching his jaw, or as if he was going to draw blood with the force he had his nails digging into his palms.
For a second it lessened as he caught a glance at Makoto, who was also trying to hold everyone back. There was slight worry in her eyes as she gazed at him.
She knew what he was thinking. She gave him a look of disapproval as she shook her head.
All he did was narrow his eyes in anger.
Before anything else could happen, Ryuji bolted and blitzed through the crowd. It was inhumane speed, something that reminded Akira of a track star, but that awe was soon replaced as he pieces together he was running towards the practice building.
Kamoshida! Ryuji wait!
"WAIT!"
I'm sorry, Ann but I can't let things get worse!
Akira sped after him in hot pursuit, leaving Ann and Makoto in the dust as he prayed to God that he would be able to intercept Ryuji before he stepped foot on the second floor.
It seemed impossible though, as Ryuji was already at the staircase with Akira a distant second.
I have to stop-
"RYUJI!" Akira hit a sharp turn as he cleared the staircase, putting all his strength into his legs as he leaped towards Ryuji's back, just barely tackling him to the ground.
The fall hurt like hell for both parties and embarrassed them slightly as all of the spare students gazed at them as if they were crackheads.
"Get the hell off me!" His voice was filled with so much...rage and destructive anger. Yet that wasn't the thing that caught Akira's attention, it was the sadness in his voice.
Almost as if he felt guilty.
"Ryuji...listen to me, this isn't the right way to go!" Before he could get his next words out, Ryuji wrestled free and forced him off, sending him tumbling to the ground.
Wobbling, Ryuji stood up while he took a breather, "I'm...I'm puttin' an end to all this bullshit. I should've done this months ago...this...this is the only way this ends, Akira. All that other bullshit isn't going to work anymore."
"And you think this will?!" Akira forced himself up to stare directly into Ryuji's burning mocha eyes, man to man. He lowered his voice, "That disgusting bastard put his hands on Morgana last night. And I did nothing. I couldn't...do nothing. And it was my damn fault. So do you really think I don't get where you're coming from?"
Ryuji's rage lessened, "H-He...he what?"
"You think I'm not burning inside to just...brutally destroy him? To not get revenge? But it's not...it's not going to work. All it's going to do is land you in more trouble. Morgana, Shiho...and Ann wouldn't want us to do this. Not now. We take him down our way, and that's it." Akira gently rubbed his cheek afterward.
Ryuji took a second, but finally, his fist loosened and a frustrated sigh came from his mouth. "Akira...I-"
"It's fine. Just go check on Ann, I think the paramedics are coming soon. Ride with her, okay?"
Shakily he nodded, "I'll text you okay? And when I'm done, I'm coming to see Morgana okay?"
"Yeah. I think he'd like that. Good luck."
For a second, Ryuji hesitated. Akira's voice had a somber quality to it, almost as if...
He couldn't quite quantify it, but he trusted in him. He had to.
He walked past, patting Akira on the shoulder as he paced quickly back down the stairs.
The second Akira heard Ryuji's footsteps diminish, a shaky exhale exploded from his mouth as he used the wall as support. Stage one of this reckless idea was coming along. That had to count for something, right?
Good. This shouldn't be your responsibility. Let me be my brother's keeper, and you can pick up the pieces afterward with Ann, Shiho, and everyone else in tow.
Within seconds, Akira was inside Kamoshida's office.
Kamoshida, who was playing music, twirled around in his chair to see who entered. A gleeful smile formed on his face, "It's about time, Kurusu-kun. Though, I think we should do this another time...from that idiotic girl throwing herself from a building and the stressful meet-"
Akira locked the door behind him, "Stop the bullshit, Suguru."
"I don't think it's quite appropriate for you to call me that," A sickening chuckle came from his mouth, "You really are a delinquent aren't you?"
"Is this all you do? Sneer and snide at children? Does this make you feel powerful? Like a king?"
Kamoshida leaned against his desk, taking a reflective look, "A king is an apt descriptor. This school is..really just mine. Everyone in here is ripe pickings."
A surge bellowed, "And that somehow makes it okay to drive a student to kill herself?! Do you understand how delusional you sound? You're playing with the lives of innocent kids who haven't done a damn thing to deserve this!"
A tsk came from Kamoshida, "Lofty words from someone who assaulted a teacher. And from someone who left their brother in my grasp. The only reason why you're here is to atone for that mistake and to feel better about yourself, right?"
His jaw tightened once again.
"You wouldn't be here if Morgana didn't get hurt, would you? You don't give a damn about Shiho, right?"
"Just-"
"It's pretty smart of you to come here in place of Takamaki and Sakamoto, though." Kamoshida readjusted as he turned his music off, continuing with his rambling as Akira became annoyed at the dismissal of his words, "Wouldn't want them to get swept up in the scandal of 'The Former Kyoto Star Assaulting a Band Director after getting rejected,' would you?"
A snide smile stitched itself to his face, "Though, that doesn't excuse your selfishness. And besides," Kamoshida pushed himself off the desk, "I'd still come after them either way."
Within seconds Akira forced himself onto Kamoshida, slamming him into the window, causing it to crack. A surprised face formed, but the pure humor of the situation kept a smile on his face.
That utterly infuriated Akira.
"You bet-" Akira's fist blindsided him, drawing a little blood as the younger boy still forced him against the wall.
All the humor drained from his face.
"Now Kurusu-kun...that wasn't very smart, was it...? And to think I was going to go easy on you and let you off like Sakamoto..."
"I don't want to hear it, you pathetic piece of shit!"
"Really? I guess you want charges filed against you? Charges against your brother too?"
Akira froze as Kamoshida regained his grin, "I could just say that...he forced himself onto Shiho. She's not going to come out of that coma anyway, and if she did, I'd just force her to go along with it."
Akira loosened his grip, "You-You wouldn't-"
"Oh but to think how I wasn't going to...but here we are. Like I said, not very smart of you, wasn't it?" A few sickening bouts of laughter came from his lips, "But...I can extend an offer. I don't personally feel like going through all of that...so why don't you become my little pet and join the band?"
Akira shook his blues off and stared him in his eyes, "I'm not-"
"Would you really let your pride get in the way of your brother having a normal life? You two get expelled and then what? Mommy and daddy can't carry around two societal rejects all their lives. The second I go to Kobayakawa...you're both dead in the eyes of society."
Akira couldn't speak. It was as if he had barbed wires sticking jaggedly in his throat. All he could do was simply stare at Kamoshida's pathetic sneering face.
Taking this opportunity, Kamoshida spoke once more, "You know...I don't know how that would work out either. I can see you somehow surviving because you're almost like me, just not as handsome and smart of course, but Morgana..." Akira's vision focused as the mention of his brother sparked his dormant rage.
"Morgana sounded just like a little bitch last night. He just kept protecting Shiho and crying. He kept begging and mentioning you. It was rather pathetic. Then when I forced him to wa-"
Instead of gripping his shirt, Akira grabbed his neck and choked him. "Shut-SHUT UP! I'M NOTHING LIKE YOU!" He was going in for another punch. He was going in for as many punches as he could get in.
He wanted Kamoshida to be nothing but a bloody stump with no defining features.
I'm such a hypocrite.
"AKIRA!"
He stopped the second her voice registered in his head.
He let go of Kamoshida's neck as he turned around to meet her eyes. Those lovely intimidating red eyes.
Although this time, they weren't lovely or intimidating. They were just sad. Almost as if she was hurting to see this sight, or as if she was disappointed.
And for some reason, that possibility hurt Akira.
"Ma-Makoto?"
How did she-
Vaguely, he saw keys in her hand.
Right...Student Council.
She walked forward and grabbed his hand, pulling him away from Kamoshida and signaling to follow her.
Before they left, however, the band director gave Akira a warning, "Hide behind Niijima all you can...you got until the end of the month, Kurusu-kun."
School was canceled following everything with Shiho, Akira quickly found out. He didn't know where Makoto was taking him, but he couldn't bring himself to speak or even ask. He felt...terrible. Which was strange, considering he got a punch in with Kamoshida, he should feel a bit satisfied even if he was forced in...
Right.
I'm against the wall now.
...again.
"Kurusu-kun."
Akira looked up to see the roof, his usual hideout with the only two people who could stomach him.
Of course...
"What is it, Nii-"
Taking a page from Kamoshida's book, Makoto's slap completely blindsided him.
Although he was confused as to why she slapped.
Well, I mean...I know why...but WHY?
Akira took a few tumbling steps back, holding his bruised cheek as he glared confusingly at Makoto.
Hell, she was confusingly staring back at him too, until her sensibilities came back in full force, "Oh-Oh my god, Kusuru-kun I'm sorry!"
"Wha-Why-Niijima-senpai I didn't follow you up on here just to be slapped around! What the hell?!"
She's going to say language, isn't she? Oh god.
Makoto's embarrassment quickly dissipated as she blurted out, "What the hell? What the HELL is wrong with you?! I specifically told you NOT to do anything today! I begged you! It was the only thing I wanted!" She quickly clasped a hand over her mouth.
Woah...I didn't think she had it in her...
After a few seconds, her hand dropped from her mouth, "...I'm sorry for slapping you. But you deserved it, Kurusu-kun."
Even though his cheek still stung, Akira sighed as he walked over to the chairs, grabbing a seat as he felt his phone vibrate.
Two texts poured in, one from Ryuji...and another from his uncle.
Uncle Hotaru?
UNC: Hey, I've been trying to get into contact with you two for the last couple of hours...I tried Mona first...but he's not answering. Y'all okay?
'Yeah we're totally okay Uncle H. Just being blackmailed and abused lolsies'
No...I can't say that.
Makoto gazed at Akira as his exhausted and disheveled nature translated to his face and his series of rapid sighs.
He reminded her of a sad cat, actually. A sad kitten that made her feel incredibly bad after seeing his brother crumbled up in his arms.
She needed to help, someway somehow but...first, she needed to know everything that happened in that faculty office.
"Kurusu-kun?" The first call of his name did nothing, he was steadfast on his phone. It seemed as if he was texting someone, but it wasn't her business to ask.
At least not yet.
"Kurusu-kun." This time, her voice was displaying that signature Niijima flare Sae and her father had. Instantly, Akira was brought out of his little trance.
"Huh? What is it?"
Makoto approached him, sitting on the table as she peered into his eyes. She was using her Niijima stare to its fullest advantage. There was no way he would lie to her, especially in this situation.
"What happened in there?"
Akira sighed, placing his phone flat on the desk, as he took a few seconds to aimlessly motioned around trying to piece together his thoughts, "Well..."
"You tried going in there alone as a way to avoid bringing Takamaki-chan and Sakamoto-kun, right?"
Almost like a guilty child, Akira nodded, "Basically. If something did go down...I thought it was best, me and only me."
Makoto scoffed, "You're a fool. Beating a tar out of a teacher was supposedly going to bring an end? You should've just-"
"Went to you? Went to a teacher? Niijima-senpai, I'm telling you, that never works. No matter how much you may hope otherwise. Neither one was going to work, but at least I was trying to stay true to myself and not hurt anyone else."
Makoto sighed, "What did he mean then? By the end of the month?"
A bittersweet chuckle came from Akira, "Guess what? I have to either submit to him for the rest of my tenure at Shujin, or else he'll get me and Morgana suspended. Then he'll go on to press charges against us both and boom...we're done for."
"H-He what? He can't do that!"
"Oh, but he can. And there's no way out of this now, I suppose." Pushing himself up, he grabbed his phone as he walked towards the exit, "Sorry to cut this short, but I have somewhere to be, Niijima-senpai. Have a good day."
With a heartbreaking thud, the door closed as Akira disappeared. Leaving Makoto alone on the roof, leaving her deep inside of her futility.
Ryuji had asked Akira to come to Yongen-Jaya for a little surprise.
At first, he told him that this wasn't the time, but it was 'definitely something he needed to see' as he put it.
I hope to God you aren't bullshitting me, Ryuji.
Rather quickly, he saw his blond friend idling about in the backstreets, having stopped at a second-handstore.
"Ryuji?" His back was turned to Akira as he was digging through some of the used stock.
"Hm?"
"Is...is this what you wanted me to come here for? Seriously?"
"Nah, I'm just looking for-aha!" From all the junk, Ryuji wrenched an old DVD player out and immediately bought it, "Aw man I've been lookin' for one of these for months!" Pivoting on his heel, he turned towards Akira, "You surprised?"
"The only thing I'm surprised about is the fact you have money."
"Yada yada, this ain't what I wanted us to do anyway, come and follow me real quick Aki."
"Can you please stop with the Aki bullshit?" It was too late, Ryuji had already sped ahead while being none the wiser to Akira's protests.
Catching up to him, Akira quickly realized where they were.
A clinic.
"Is...is this that clinic you and Ann went to?"
"Yeah, she brought it back up to me when I told her about Morgana in the van. She said some of this doctor's stuff might help. That's the reason why she forced me to leave the hospital so quick."
"Ah. I actually wanted to ask about this...I don't know if Morgana is awake or not, seems like his phone got broken last night."
A groan came from his mouth, "That bastard did that on purpose, probably to eliminate any voice recordings Morgana could've taken."
"Yeah. I know." Akira shook his head to clear his thoughts of Morgana's battered body, "C'mon, let's go get this magical stuff."
As soon as Akira took a step, Ryuji quickly grabbed his wrist, "Hey."
The taller boy gazed at Ryuji with confusion on his face, "Hey...?"
"Uh...Niijima-senpai texted me, annoyingly, but uh...I know about the deal with Kamoshida."
Ryuji's grip loosened as Akira glanced at him solemnly, "Right...Ryuji-"
"Don't 'Ryuji' me. I'm not fixin' to give you a lecture and I get why you did it. I was in the same situation. But...I'm not gonna drop you and leave you for dead cuz you did somethin' stupid. Just know that we will get that bastard. For Mona and Shiho. I promise."
For the first time since last night, Akira smiled. It was a small and faint one, but it was a smile nevertheless, and Ryuji loved seeing that.
Clearing his throat, Ryuji hopped up the stairs leading to the clinic, "Now, let's get some iffy medical stuff!"
A few chuckles came from Akira and he quickly followed up the stairs, only to get surprised by the sheer...emptiness of the establishment. It was a rather shabby clinic with a few red waiting chairs lined against the walls. Little pamphlets were scattered scarcely in racks laid across the walls and floors. To the left of the entrance the duo stepped into, sat a young woman behind a reception desk completed with a plastic window pulled to the side for her to interact with customers. If she ever had any...
She couldn't have been any older than 25.
As expected of a doctor, she wore a lab coat. However...that's where all normality went out the window.
She had this laid-back, seemingly exhausted vibe to her that reminded Akira way too much of Kawakami, which was both a good and a bad thing. It seemed as if she was wearing a dark-green dress that sported a red belt around her waist.
Akira couldn't tell, since she had her head angled low, but it seemed as if she was wearing a choker. Which...inspired a certain feeling inside the 16-year old.
Ryuji cleared his throat, to which rock-aesthetic doctor rose her head to meet the two. Her messy blue bob moved its bangs out of the way to reveal her brown eyes, which gave off a lazy but sharp energy to Akira.
Upon catching her eye, Ryuji spoke, "Hiya Doc, I see business is boomin'."
"Ha. Funny. How's your mother, Ryuji?"
"Oh she's fine, just trying to keep up her normal pace, I guess. But I kinda need a favor."
A sigh came from her mouth, grabbing a cup of coffee from her desk as she pointed towards a blue door to her left, signaling to the two of them to step inside as she drank from it.
This...this is strange.
The blue door revealed a moderately sized room that hid the bulk of its size behind curtains sectioning everything off. In the center of the room that was actually accessible sat the desk of the doctor, various unknown vials, needles, and paperwork laid spread out, surrounding her computer. By her computer chair revealed a smaller red chair that, embarrassingly, Akira sat in while Ryuji got the examination bed.
"I hate you dude." Akira felt like a child.
"You'll thank me after the medic-"
"Huh?" Gathering that Ryuji was stunned from whatever was behind him, Akira twirled around in his stool to see...legs.
Very...very seductive...silky...legs.
And no.
Walking past the two dumbfounded boys, she slipped lazily into her chair, crossing her enrapturing legs to which the duo swallowed their spit, much to her amusement.
"I decided to change things up, I suppose this means it was a good change."
"Y-yeah..."
"So, are you going to be contemplating my thigh gap or are we going to continue business, Ryuji? I'd hate to have to tell your mom you're being a very naughty weirdo."
"N-No! Takemi-"
A few chuckles slid from her lovely voice, "I'm just kidding Ryuji. Now, what do you need?"
Clearing his throat, Ryuji composed himself in the most respectful way Akira had ever seen him, "So, my friend here-"
Takemi raised her hand to shush Ryuji, to which he did and turned from him to Akira, leaning in to speak directly to him, "Right, what's your name?"
Not expecting her to speak to him, Akira tried to speak but his voice wouldn't come out.
Pretty women had that effect on him rarely, but thighs...feet...
Taking a few seconds to cough, he finally spoke up, "Akira Kurusu, ma'am."
"Ah, okay. Now, instead of having Ryuji speak for you...would you mind saying what you desire?"
"Feet-I mean, uh...I need medicine. Ryuji said you would be able to help in that regard."
A simple tsk left her lips as she leaned back in her chair, writing a few things down on her clipboard, "I see, I see...and what makes me so special?"
"Well-um-I-thi-um..."
THIGHS!
LEGS!
FEET!
HEELS!
ONCE COMBINED, YOU GET THE ULTIMATE MOMMY MILKER FANTAS-
Stop it you jackass this isn't the time.
"I know about the little vile of puke inducer you gave Ann a year ago. My...my brother was injured last night, so I'm hoping you might have something...exotic to help ease his suffering."
Takemi slightly perked up, her interest was clearly peeved, "Right...Takamaki-chan..." She slightly turned her head to Ryuji as she wrote more things on her clipboard, "You two ever stopped being annoying and sealed the deal?"
In a flurry of embarrassing stutters, "NO! Wh-Why would you ever think me and...her could ever be together? Gross..."
"Keep lying to yourself Ryuji." She threw her gaze back onto Akira, "I might be able to do that."
Mentally, Akira did a fist pump.
Alright!
"However." Pain struck Akira in his heart.
Shit.
"I need compensation."
Akira narrowed his eyes in both confusion and contemplation, "What...what do uh...what do you mean by that?"
Takemi placed her clipboard down and leaned forward once again, this time taking her index finger and guiding it across Akira's jawline sensually, "You two can be my guinea pigs."
Simultaneously, the two shot up, "Yes, please!"
Gleefully, Takemi grabbed her vials and needles off her desk, "Great! Let's get started!"
Panic quickly burned through Akira, "Wh-WAIT-"
Akira Kurusu could not move.
It had been over an hour, and yet he could not move.
He was simply alone, staring up at the roof as Takemi poked and prodded at him, gleefully as if he was a toy or piece of play dough at her command.
Technically, I am at her command.
Ryuji tried his hardest to stay, but after puking up a storm and nearly passing him out, Takemi forced him to go home with a multitude of vials in his hands for 'healing' purposes.
It was just her and him.
In any other situation, he would love this.
A lifetime of porn really skewered my perceptions, huh. I can really only blame myself for this, to be frank.
Just...like everything else, ha.
At least this will benefit Morgana, in some way...right?
"T-Taakemi." Speech had been a bit of a struggle for Akira since the start of his test, but he finally felt as if he could comprehensively speak again.
If Takemi couldn't understand him? Screw it, she could at least struggle a little bit during his suffering.
"Hm?" She had returned to her desk, writing down a few notes before eventually throwing them on her desk in an attempt to seem as if she was giving Akira her full attention.
"Sou, whill my broher get thhee medicine?"
Are you telling me I was perfectly able to say medicine? Are you shitting me?!
A huff of air came from her nose as she silently laughed at Akira. Pushing herself off the desk, she rolled over to his face, "Yes, I basically made a deal with you, and I honor those. Or at least I try to."
A slight expression of regret came onto her face, which Akira luckily caught onto. Just as quickly, it dissipated as she gazed down at him, "So, want to tell me what happened to your brother?"
A signature Kurusu sigh came from his mouth, "Well...hhe cgot surt."
"Yes, I can tell. But...how?"
"Vhollyboll."
Silence transpired between them as Takemi willed herself not to choke the young man to death. Instead, she decided to move the conversation towards something else.
"So, feet?"
Yes.
Embarrassingly, Akira nodded his head.
"Wow. You...you're a yucky little boy aren't you?"
"You know I hear that almost everyday. Oh, I can talk normal again. Cool."
"Great, at least I don't have to struggle to understand you anymore."
"Still paralyzed though. Wanna explain what this is supposed to do or...?"
Slouching in her chair, Takemi lazily waved a hand, "It's for a friend of mine. It's really important to both of us."
"...I would hope so if you're using me and Ryuji as test subjects this one time."
A snort came from her, "One time?"
"...It...is one time, right?"
While he couldn't see, Akira just knew she had the biggest shit-eating grin on her face.
Aw shit.
"W-Well do I at least get any perks for surrendering my body to you? Mind you, that phrase is not in its usual smutty archetype by the way!"
"Well, I mean...I don't really think lab rats get perks but...I'll give you something I guess."
"That's...not reassuring at all, Takemi."
"I think another dose of this might shut you up again."
"Noted."
Silence ballooned as Akira took a regretful dive into his psyche.
Great.
My brother's doing God knows what, Ryuji is puking his guts out on a train somewhere, Ann is probably feeling lonely and like shit by Shiho's bedside, Makoto's...doing Makoto-things and I'm over here paralyzed on an examination bed in a reversal porno scenario after being forced into a rock and a hard place.
Today is truthfully the greatest day of my life.
Oh screw it.
"Takemi?"
Digging through her coat pockets, Takemi pulled out a cherry-flavored lollipop as she replied to Akira, "What is it?"
"So...you're old, right?"
She almost choked on her lollipop, "The hell do you mean by old?! I'm 26, you paralyzed piece of-"
"RELAX! I only mean in terms of you having more experience than me! ...my fault."
"Oh...well, yeah. I'm ten years your senior, of course."
"Well...have you ever been in a situation where your back is against the wall?"
Takemi popped her lollipop out of her mouth and gazed at the crimson color, reflective energy taking hold of her, "Too many times to count, Akira."
"What did you do?"
"There's only two options. You can either run away and ignore the noise...or you can face the music and give in. Both choices will make you feel like shit, in the end."
A miserable grin formed on Akira's face, unknown to her, "Running away huh? That's not on the table for me, considering I'm paralyzed, of course. Thanks by the way."
"Keep this up and I'll start charging you every second you lay on this bed." Kicking off the ground, Takemi rolled back to her desk where she started to shift through her numerous vials.
"Yeesh, draining a broke high school student? How immoral!" Thankfully for Akira, his legs were starting to feel mobile again.
"Yeah, yeah. It should be wearing off right about now."
"You are correct about that." Besides almost falling face first, Akira was somehow able to stand up straight, only to be met with Takemi outstretching her hands, "What are these?"
"Don't tell me the experiments made you forget why you even came here? Here, take them."
She dropped the vials in his hand, "Oh, I..."
"A thank you would be in order. I am your elder, remember?"
"...right, thanks..."
"Your brother only needs to drink a vial a day. Any more and he'll get sick."
"Kinda like cough medicine?"
Nonchalantly, Takemi continued to explain as she popped her lollipop back in her mouth, "Yeah, but he'll instantly die though."
"Oh cool-WAIT WHAT?!" Akira almost yeeted the vials at the walls upon hearing something about death.
Turning and focusing strictly on her computer, Takemi once again lazily waved a hand, "I'm kidding...I'm kidding. For the most part. I think."
Oh my god.
"Anyways, it's getting late kid. You should get going, I think your brother might be getting worried about you."
That's the least of his worries. At least it should be.
Giving Takemi a bow, Akira turned to leave as she gave him one final phrase, "I hope you get through whatever you're going through, Akira."
Giving her a somber smile, Akira nodded, "You know, this might be a good trade-off for these experiments," and with that, he closed the door to the examination room.
The trek back toward Leblanć was sheer torture.
Simply because Akira was alone and in his thoughts.
He had no distractions in the form of people to text, as everyone he could text just would make him feel sheer guilt. They would remind him of Kamoshida.
Or Morgana's body.
Or Shiho leaping off the building.
Or how cathartic it felt punching Kamoshida, even if it doomed him to a life of being his pet. That last part would then restart the cycle of self-loathing.
He really was a selfish bastard, and he doomed himself to this fate.
Even worse, he made it worse for Morgana.
Again.
Hypocrite.
As expected, he made it back to the apartment with no detours, no matter how much he wished he could have one.
Though hesitation kept permeating throughout his body as he laid his fingertips on the knob.
He couldn't bring himself to look Morgana in the eye if he was awake. Nor could he stomach seeing Morgana in pain again if he wasn't awake.
Shit.
I can't stand outside of here forever.
You...
You just have to push through, Akira.
C'mon.
Upon opening the door, he was met with silence.
Ah, so he's asleep?
Akira swiftly pulled the vials from his bag as he threw it onto the couch, along with his jacket and phone. Gently, he placed them onto the counter.
If he was going to see Morgana unconscious then he wanted to at least take a breath-
Within seconds, Morgana came hobbling out of his room, engulfing his older brother in a warm hug.
"Akira! Where have you been!" Although it took a moment as he was still in pain, he began to nuzzle his head into his chest, to which Akira could fairly see that Morgana's bruises were starting to black up a bit.
A slight good sign.
"I uh...sorry." Unknown to him, his voice wavered a bit. Hearing Morgana's voice...was something he needed after this long day.
Even if it meant Morgana was on the cusp of learning everything that had transpired.
"Don't apologize...I was just worried something happened to you...I woke up to see my phone broke, so I was worried sick all day."
"Right."
He doesn't need this right now.
Akira gently started to rub his loose hair as it wasn't in its bun anymore, "Don't worry, Mona. I'm fine."
Aimlessly gazing upwards, Akira spoke softly, "We'll be fine."
"I promise."