Thursday, April 22nd
Akira forced Morgana to stay home. Of course, Morgana objected to the idea, but he quickly came to realize he had no leeway to argue with him.
Thankfully so, Akira had no energy at all to argue with Morgana. He hadn't gotten any sleep in the night, his mind kept mumbling and jumbling all over the day's events and kept repeating Kamoshida's gross words in his head.
Did that mean Akira was probably going to, again, struggle to stay up during school?
Yes, yes it did.
He was okay with it too, it was a well-deserved punishment in his eyes for his reckless idiocy.
The exhaustion must've been painted all over his face as Ryuji tapped him on the shoulder as he stepped into Shujin, "Hey."
"Yo."
Ryuji fiddled around with his fingers before speaking up again, "Sorry about the whole...y'know, leavin' you thing. You okay?"
A wry smirk graced his face, "Oh, I'm totally fine. Just that me and mistress Takemi got real...yucky."
Ryuji's face scrunched up into disgust, "Dude. Don't ever...ever say yucky in my presence again."
Getting to the second floor, Akira took a bow as if repenting, "I'm sorry my lord, I shall not dare cross you again."
"Uh...dude? This is kinda weird."
Pulling himself back up, a faint laugh came from Akira, "That's the point." Whirling towards his class, Akira gave Ryuji a wave as he bid him a momentary goodbye, "I'll talk to you during lunch, okay?"
Perhaps that would've happened if Ryuji didn't grab him by his collar and pulled him all the way to the roof.
"Oh, Ryuji cmon!" His protests were heard throughout Shujin, catching the attention of everyone, including a familiar red-headed girl whose name Akira just couldn't remember.
Upon getting to the roof, Ryuji let go of Akira and let him stumble on the concrete, "Nope. I don't wanna hear it."
Another Kurusu sigh came from his lips as he steadied himself, "Okay man, what are you gonna ask now?"
Ryuji positioned himself in an authoritative stature, slamming the door shut, "First, did you get the medicine?"
What the-Oh my god I hope this doesn't become commonplace.
"Yeah, I totally got it. Despite being...you know, abandoned...paralyzed...and in a place with a woman I've never met before a day in my life."
Nervously, Ryuji scratched his head, "Like I said, sorry 'bout that..." He took a second to clear his throat as he lowered his voice, "But uh...seriously, what exactly did y'all do once I left...?"
Akira playfully raised a hand as he smirked at his friend, "As I said, we got real yucky. Just...basic sex slave stuff."
"DUDE!"
"Okay, okay, alright we didn't do much. I was paralyzed for a good little while but we just talked regularly. She...even gave me some good advice, oddly."
"Oh." His voice sounded oddly defeated.
"Disappointed?"
"No...just that she never blessed me with advice before." Ryuji shuffled over to the table and slid a chair out for him to sit, offering Akira a seat next to him.
He took it with ease, "I'm just special, man."
Slouching, Ryuji took a second to gaze into Akira's exhausted eyes, trying to gauge exactly where he was.
He seemed a little lighter, but he still was carrying around that heavy burden, like always.
"He's totally awake, right?"
He took an inhale, before letting his words out with the exhale, "Yeah. He was awake the second I got there, actually. Hated taking the medicine though, said it tasted like fried...never mind."
A faint smile came onto his face, "That's good, but why ain't he at school though?"
Akira gazed into the cloudy sky, avoiding Ryuji's stare, "Oh, I just told him not to come. I just don't think it'll be a good idea for him to be back so soon, you know?"
He knew.
"You...you haven't told him, have you?"
Akira played with his fingers for a moment, trying to hide it. He hung his head not long afterward, "I can't. Not yet man."
"And why is that? Because you feel guilty? Bad? C'mon man, Mona is in this just as much as you, me, Ann, and Shiho! He deserves to know-"
Akira snapped his head at Ryuji, "You don't think I know that!? I know he's gonna be furious with me!" Taking his glasses off, his demeanor softened as he continued, "S-Sorry. But it'll be worth it, Ryuji. Because I'll have a plan and we'll be fine then."
A few seconds transpired with pure silence until Ryuji stood up and place his chair back where it was and simply walked towards the door, "I get it. You'll be givin' him hope." Before closing it behind him, he gave Akira one last glance, "But you gotta respect him as his own man, Aki."
A sigh erupted from Akira as the door closed. He couldn't really do anything else since class wouldn't start for a good while. He just kept gazing into the sky.
I know Ryuji.
I know.
For some odd reason, Makoto couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety in her throat.
She couldn't rationalize the feeling in her mind, and that was irritating her to no end.
Was it because of Kamoshida?
Well, yes, that made sense. His rein on Shujin almost cost the life of a student. An underclassman she was supposed to be keeping a watchful eye on like she was meant to do as Student President. However, that didn't satisfy her enough as an explanation.
Was it because of Suzui Shiho specifically? That would make sense, Shiho's condition and chances of recovery were still in a state of limbo. That being a cause of anxiety did make sense.
And yet, it wasn't enough as an explanation.
As much as she hated the idea, the only real explanation that felt...right to her was...
Akira Kurusu.
The younger boy had been an enigmatic plague that had been unleashed into her mind since the first day they met.
He was a baffling boy that she just couldn't get a proper grasp on.
Truly, he did annoy her. He did frustrate her, he did make her want to get unnaturally angry, and yet she couldn't bring herself to dislike him entirely or to mark him as a person she hated.
He intrigued her.
He challenged everything that she upheld within herself and she couldn't quite dismiss that as something not worth her time.
There was a portion of Akira, a sort of admirable virtue to his...idiotic reckless nature that she couldn't understand as to why it was trapped inside of someone like him.
Maybe that's why she felt sorry for him.
Maybe that's why she slapped him.
Because she knew he could be better? That he didn't need to stoop to these levels? That he didn't need to exhibit qualities akin to Kamoshida?
Maybe she just wanted to prove him wrong, that things could be solved her way?
The way I've been repeatedly trying and failing at.
She couldn't quite personify her feelings relating to him but no matter, Akira was a mystery in her life. An unknown at Shujin that she...frankly feared and wanted to solve.
With that rationale in her mind, she didn't want him to give into Kamoshida.
She had to help him, somehow.
Which was why she called him into the student council room during their lunch break.
With a simple glance, she could tell he wasn't getting any type of sleep at all.
It incited feelings of being a berating mother, for some odd reason.
Though mainly it reminded her of the cat feeling she felt yesterday, making her want to rub his head until he felt better.
Both feelings were completely new to Makoto and completely weird.
"You didn't get any sleep, did you?"
Rather sluggishly, Akira grabbed a chair and collapsed into it as he unleashed a hearty exhale. With barely any energy in his eyes, he nodded a yes towards Makoto's direction.
"Gosh...well...do you know what you're going to do?"
Akira leaned forward on the table, using it as a resting point, "Yeah, I'm just going to get some sleep right about now." His voice started to muffle up as he burrowed his head into his arms.
"That's not what I'm referring to, Kurusu-kun."
"I know."
"So?"
"I really was serious about the whole getting sleep thing." Carelessly, Akira rose his head to meet her gaze, "But I don't know."
Considering all she knew of Akira so far, this...wasn't what she expected. "Wh-What do you mean you don't know?"
Akira kept his flat expression as he reiterated his point, "I quite simply do not know."
Makoto was just appalled, "You have eight days! That's not even enough time for a properly conducted investigation, are you just going to-"
"Look Niijima-senpai, I'll figure something out. And besides, what does it matter to you? Any idea I do come up with isn't going to adhere to your upstanding clean morals, so."
But...
Makoto opened her mouth but quickly found out no words were coming out. He was right.
Even with me wanting to help, how would it work out? Our methods are...vastly different.
Makoto momentarily hung her head as she searched her brain for another topic before she shyly brought it back up, "W-Well...how is Morgana?"
With ease, Akira's mood dampened once again.
That's not what I wanted to happen!
Of course, it would happen, you're bringing up his injured brother...
What is wrong with me?
How do you even properly-
"Niijima-senpai?"
His voice snapped her out of her stupor, "Yes?"
"Uh...I said he's doing alright."
"O-Oh, that's great. Does he-"
"No, he doesn't know."
Oh. That's...not quite what I was going to ask, but I see.
"Why is that?"
"It's...not the right time. I gotta have some sort of game plan, even if it's vague. Because..." Akira started to trail off as realization reignited in his eyes, "-Wait a minute, why am I explaining this to you?"
"I...have no idea."
Composing himself, he stood up, "Weird. But I gotta go, pressing matters are dangling in my face. Like the comfort of some semblance of sleep."
"Right..." Originally Makoto wanted the conversation to end there, but as Akira grasped the handle, something slipped out of her mouth, "Kurusu-kun?"
The softness of her voice peeped his interest rather quickly as he turned his gaze to meet hers, "Hm?"
"Stay safe, okay?"
A perplexed gaze flashed across Akira's face right before he replied, "Yeah. Of course."
She felt oddly embarrassed but she couldn't quite understand why.
Her mind started to center on one thought either way as she began to lightly bite on her nail.
I have to help him.
Ryuji sent out a quick text to Akira as he slouched in his seat, Chouno's words falling completely on deaf ears.
To be completely honest, Ryuji never paid attention in her class.
Well, not in a typical way. Ms. Chouno truly was a source of his infatuation, though now wasn't the right time.
RYUJI: Ann's in class with you today right?
FRIZZY HAIR: Yeah
RYUJI: Bet, ask her if she wants to go eat
FRIZZY HAIR: She said sure. She sounds terrible though...
RYUJI: That's the whole point dude
RYUJI: We gotta cheer her up
FRIZZY HAIR: Okay, cool...but...do you even know where she'd wanna go?
Ryuji took a moment to ponder as he tried to pick something.
RYUJI: Dude, we're high school students. Lets just get some ramen.
FRIZZY HAIR: Are you-
FRIZZY HAIR: Oh my god you're fr.
RYUJI: I can barely pay my fairs to school and my own food, whaddya mean am I being fr?
RYUJI: And plus...Ann likes ramen. She just never likes to say it because it makes her look like a fat ass.
FRIZZY HAIR: Huh. Same place as last time, right?
RYUJI: Yup
It was the least Ryuji could do.
Even if it was going to be awkward like hell. Even if she still held some massive disdain for him in her guts, she deserved to at least get some free food.
Who doesn't like free food?
Weirdos.
RYUJI: Also, when we're done I gotta tell you the stuff I learned that'll help with King Dickhead. Since we finally have a moment.
FRIZZY HAIR: Bet.
Wait...
...I should have enough money...
A deep gulp came from Ryuji as he sneakily checked his wallet.
Despair filled him up with ease.
Oh. Crap baskets.
Maybe...my bank account?
A harsh wince came from him as he took a quick peep, though it wasn't all bad.
I guess I can make it work...I'll just...have to order the cheapest thing. Along with Akira.
Who am I kiddin' I'm gonna be so broke after this.
And mom is gonna kill me.
A deep groan came from him as the school bell finally rung, releasing him from the torture known as class.
Even if it was releasing him into another torture in the form of cheering up Ann Takamaki.
Even if she still hates my guts.
Ryuji sat against the wall leading downstairs as he waited for the duo to step outside their classroom, which wasn't as long for a wait as he thought.
Ann looked completely worn out, pale and her hair wasn't cleanly separated into her signature pigtails.
Simply, she was a mess.
And that hurt Ryuji.
Akira on the other hand still looked like a zombie who could barely stand. Akira could use this getaway too.
It's the least I can do for both of 'em.
Mustering up all his energy, Ryuji flashed the both of them a toothy grin, "Alrighty! Who's ready for an amazin', totally ass-kickin' dinin' experience!"
Ann completely ignored him and Akira patted him on the back, "You get an A for effort. Though-"
"Yeah, yeah, just get movin' man."
Akira gave a dry laugh and continued walking down the stairs, Ryuji mentally started punching the air and crying.
This was going to be a long afternoon.
Despite Ryuji's best efforts, the train ride was completely and totally accompanied by silence.
Akira was fighting his demons trying to maintain a sense of normalcy with his lack of experience with trains, and Ann was emptily scrolling through her phone.
From the outside looking in, it must've been strange looking at the three kids sit beside one another. Must've been even stranger to see all three of them exit at the same stop.
Ogikubo, as always, was filled with long lines. The sight made the trio sigh with sheer exhaustion, although the wait did pass by faster than the last time Ryuji went with Akira.
Grabbing a few seats at the counter, a server immediately came up to them, asking for their orders.
Ryuji and Akira ordered the same as last time, while Ann...
"Do you guys still serve the Sprach Brooks-C special?"
Oh no.
The server at first pondered for a moment on the request, giving Ann a look that Ryuji took as a no. Hopefully, his money wouldn't take that big of a hit-
"Yes, we should. Ironic you'd ask ma'am, we brought it back not that long ago."
"Sweet. I'll take two bowls."
ACKH!
Ryuji winced a little too hard imagining his yen dissipating from his bank account, to which Ann eyed him, "That won't be an issue, right Sakamoto?"
Ryuji shakily spat out a reply, "N-No, not at a-all Takamaki-san..."
Ann gave Ryuji a menacing smile as she turned back to the server, "Good. That'll be all, thank you!" Ann collected the menus and gave them to the kind server, who swiftly left them alone.
A few seconds of silence transpired as Akira poured through his phone, Ann was fiddling around in her bag looking for something, and Ryuji was simply...wondering how the hell he would pay the fairs for a ride back home.
Maybe I can ask Aki?
No...I don't wanna be a bother...
Maybe I can ask if I can stay the night?
Yeah, that'll be a good idea with no change of clothes or anythin'. Not the right time jackass...
Once all this over, I'll ask and I'll definitely kick his ass in DSBZ.
Shit, wait I haven't figured out how to get home yet...
Ann-'eff that.
Ha...ha...I could just...call mom...and ask her to wire some money into my account...
Then count my last minutes breathin' while I ride home...
Akira gazed at Ryuji with a concerned essence in his eyes as he noted the color draining from his face as he stared into space, eventually shaking him, "Dude are you okay?"
Faint chills snaked through Ryuji as a quiver took hold of his voice, "Y-Yeah I'm chillin', why?"
Ryuji truly only feared two women.
His mother.
And Ann.
"You looked...kinda out there, you sure?"
"Course I am, I'm always goo-"
"Akira? Can you give this to Mona when you get home?" Ann cut into their conversation, reaching past Ryuji as if he wasn't there to hand Akira a phone.
Akira gave Ann a perplexed look, "A...phone?" Upon further inspection, he saw it had little scratches and some pieces of the screen display had been chipped off. It was a simple phone, with a purple case accompanied by a little charm hanging from it.
"Yeah it's...it's Shiho's..." Hurt yanked at her voice from the sheer mention of Shiho, something that made the two boys' faces contort with pity. "She...she told me to take it right after the fall before she...you know. I could barely hear her, but all she said was something about giving it to Morgana."
Akira peered at the black screen, seeing nothing but his exhausted face groom right back at him. "Does it have a password?"
"Yeah, 04.4.17. That's when-"
Ryuji interjected, "-we all met."
The two shared a look for the first time and it quickly faded away, something Akira noted as he pocketed Shiho's phone, "I'll give it to him right away."
Ann locked her eyes back onto Akira, "Right...speaking of Mona, how is he?"
"He's alright."
"Has he said anything about..." Ann trailed off, pausing as she contemplated if it would be the right thing to ask,"...that night?"
Somehow, Akira looked even more exhausted, "No. I don't blame him. If Kamoshida wasn't playing with me then-"
Ryuji took his head from gazing at his hands aimlessly and shot it towards Akira, panic in his eyes.
DUDE!
"Kamoshida what?"
Akira cursed under his breath as Ryuji slouched deeper in his chair, hoping to not catch any of Ann's, probable, rage.
"D-Did I say Kamoshida? I meant...oh screw it I'm too exhausted to be witty."
Before Ann could continue with her next inquiry, the server returned with their plates, gently placing them down as her eyes harshly and noticeably stayed on him. Something that made him silently uncomfortable.
"What did you do, Akira...?" He stayed silent.
Ann actually acknowledged Ryuji's existence, giving him a deathly stare, "What did he do? Did you have any part of it? Oh my god, I knew you'd do some stupid idiotic reckless-"
Ryuji straightened up, "Me? You gotta be shittin' me! He's the who foug-"
Akira, who decided to at least take a bite of his ramen while Ann was focused on Ryuji, choked, "Ryuji! C'mon man!"
Ryuji shot a look at him as his hands covered his mouth.
Sorry dude.
Maybe she didn't...oh who am I shittin', we're dead.
Slowly, the two of them turned their gazes back toward Ann, who had her eyes shut. She was clearly trying her hardest to hold her tongue back. Her chest was rising and falling in heavy increments.
Ryuji knew what this meant.
"Akira. I'm so sorry man."
"Wha-Ryuji what does that-"
Ann's voice came out in a hushed and cold tone, making Ryuji flinch as he desperately tried to slouch in his seat, "Akira."
He nervously placed his bowl on the desk, "...yes?" He felt like a little kid getting in trouble, a reminder of how terrifying women could be with just a simple change in demeanor.
"What did you do."
"I-um...n-nothing?"
"Do I need to slap you, again?"
"You wouldn't be the first in the last 24 hours..."
"So I do need to slap you?"
"No! Just...I...maybe...kinda...sorta...put my hands on Kamoshida...?"
Another deep inhale came from her, making Akira gulp harder as she pushed the air out with extreme force.
"And...he said that he'll get me and Morgana suspended and falsely charged unless I...join him."
Unexpectedly, Ann started eating her ramen.
"...wha-" Akira turned towards Ryuji, who shrugged, "What do we-"
"Shhh...dude just...just let her eat."
For a few minutes, the duo just intimately stared until Ryuji picked up his bowl and started eating.
Akira did the same.
Well, he tried until Ann spoke.
"You just being your 'brother's keeper', again weren't you?"
Immediately, he stopped eating.
"What a load of bullshit. What a bunch of excuses to just...be an idiot."
"Ann-"
"Why didn't you just wait? Why did you have to immediately go be a dumbass!?"
He...he couldn't answer.
"If you had just waited...Akira, your actions have consequences on other people too. Not just you and you alone." Ann rubbed her temples as she focused on her hands, "Morgana's been swept up into this and Shiho's in the hospital all because you wanted to be lone reckless-" Ann bit her tongue. Relenting, she gazed up at Akira in his seat, he cast his eyes downward to hide his shame. A sigh came from her mouth as she took a moment to reflect, softly speaking, "But...I wanted to do the same thing today. So, I get it."
Ann slouched a little as she sighed once again, "But I didn't...only because of you two."
Ryuji perked up a bit, "Us?"
"Because whatever you two are doing about him, I want in. Being reckless and alone will only make things worse for everyone."
Akira sighed, "Fine." He turned to Ryuji, "Screw it, Ryuji, what did you want to tell me?"
A toothy grin formed on his face, "Bet."
He started shuffling through his bag as he brandished a black pocket-sized journal, much to the confusion of his companions.
Ann spoke up first, "What is that...?"
"A journal is supposed to help me?"
Laying it flat on the counter, Ryuji corrected him, "A journal tracking all of the worthwhile shit to know about Yuuki Mishima."
Akira stiffened the second he heard Mishima's name. For a second his face defaulted to a blank expression until a grin formed. "Mishima...how the hell did you-"
"Just a little favor I called in with Iwai and Ohya. Nothin' too big." Unbeknownst to Akira and Ryuji, Ann slouched and softly scoffed the second she heard Ohya's name, "Oh, that also reminds me...you owe Iwai now."
The grin on his face drained away with ease, "What do you mean I owe him?"
"Don't ask me man he just randomly changed it! I almost gave up my good shit to help you!"
"But-" He hung his head, "We'll talk about this later man. But what did...what's her name?"
Annoyance partially entered Ryuji's voice, "Ohya."
"Right, what did Ohya do to get that information?"
"Nothin' really. Besides...stalkin' and trackin' the guy."
Both Ann and Akira perked up, with the former speaking for the first time in a while, "That's nothing to you? Are you serious?"
Nonchalantly he continued, "I mean yeah. With the bullshit that's been happenin', this is small. Anyway, this has his habits and usual spots with times included. Ohya described Mishima as bein' the sort of type to pop with a lil pressure, so..."
Akira picked up the sentence, "We corner him and make him bust all over Kamoshida, right?"
"Dude...pause."
"My bad. But that's essentially it, right?"
"Basically. Should be easy, the two 'delinquents' of Shujin in his ass? He'll bust easily." Ryuji took a brief pause before quickly muttering, "Pause."
Akira sighed as Ryuji turned his stool to Ann, reluctantly peering into her eyes, "You in or what?"
The air filled with irritation from her, "Is that even a question?"
"Takamaki-san...this ain't going to be easy. We're not gonna be doing 'normal' things to take this asshole down, so-"
"Stop trying to baby me, Sakamoto. You're not gonna scare me away so you can go behind my back again and do something that screws everyone up." Ann leaned to the side and pointed a finger at Akira, "That goes for you too. I'm here and gonna help, whether you two like it or not."
Ryuji rubbed his scarred hand while his eyes gave off regret, "Yeah, yeah. Can we finish eatin' our food now?"
With some grunts of approval, the trio swiftly ate their bowls of ramen, with Ryuji being the last to finish. He truly was savoring every bite.
Especially with the fact he was going to be broke with no way home.
Ryuji felt his soul leave his body the second he placed his card in the server's hands, his heart felt as if it was going to explode.
That feeling didn't subside upon getting to the train station, Ryuji waved Akira goodbye as he joked about finally getting some quality sleep. The train departed and only Ann remained.
Oh god.
My demons are winnin' today.
I should really get a-
"Do you have any yen left over to get home?"
"Nope."
Wait I said that out loud.
Ryuji looked at Ann, she wasn't surprised at all. "Of course you don't."
"Nah I was bullshittin', I got the mon-yeah I don't have any."
A sigh slipped from her lips, "You never do change, do you?" She started shuffling through her bag, trying to find some loose yen to gift him.
"Ain't that kinda endearing though?"
"In some ways yes, in other ways, no." She lazily dropped the money in Ryuji's hand.
"...Thanks."
"Just don't tell your mom about this, god I know she'd get mad at me for giving you money again."
A brief chuckle came from both of them, pleasantly surprising Ryuji.
Stuffing the money in his pocket, Ryuji shuffled around for a bit...
"Takamaki-san?"
"I'm not giving you anymore yen-"
"No, it's not 'bout that...I uh...I'm sorry."
For a second nothing happened until Ann took a hearty breath and sighed. Turning towards Ryuji, she stared deep into his eyes, "I know Ryuji. But it's not good enough. Not yet." She turned back towards the rails, "Besides, I'm not the one you really need to apologize to."
Ryuji paused for a second, his mouth partially agape. It had been a while since he heard her call him by his first name.
It sucked even more since...he knew what he needed to say but...the words just couldn't come out.
It was infuriating.
The next train started to come around which only meant Ann was leaving.
Whirling around, she walked closer to Ryuji, softly grabbing a bundle of his hair, twirling the strands between her fingertips gently, "You know, I never got to say it but...blond looks nice on you. I think you have to redye it, though."
He faintly blushed as he fumbled on his words, "T-Thanks..." He took another pause, "...Ann."
Ann nodded, giving him an extremely faint bittersweet smile as she boarded her train. With her departure, Ryuji sat in his thoughts for a bit as he aimlessly gazed at his palm.
Apologizing, huh?
Soon.
I have to.
Akira quite honestly didn't like how the day had progressed.
Bringing Ann into the fold...he didn't like it. Not one bit.
Especially if things backfired...or if the few reckless ideas he did have worked, he didn't want any of that to be associated with Ann.
But...he couldn't be an ass and say no. He respected her tenacity and vigor when it came to convincing him, and besides...Kamoshida had been affecting for much longer and was directly behind Shiho jumping.
And so was I...
So, She was perfectly justified.
Walking back to LeBlanć, Akira slid his phone from his pocket seeing another text from his uncle.
Crap.
I never did reply...
UNC: I'm just going to assume that you're busy...right?
AKIRA: ...Unc it's a lot.
His uncle started texting, but the typing icon disappeared for a second.
UNC: Can you just at least assure one thing? Not just for me, but your mother and father?
UNC: Can you just say that you two are fine? Genuinely and truthfully?
No.
AKIRA: Yes.
UNC: I'm going to hold you to that statement.
UNC: But...at least your dad won't have another thing stressing him and his heart out.
AKIRA: Yeah...has he gone to the doctor again lately?
UNC: Yes, same thing as last time according to your mom. Wait I'll send it forward
UNC: "Haruki is in excellent physical health, just that his heart is still weak. The doctor readjusted his diet and added some more exercises."
AKIRA: Huh. Good to know, I'll pass it onto Morgana.
UNC: OH
UNC: What the hell is up with his phone?
Oh, right.
AKIRA: Yeah...Mona broke his phone doing stupid shit to impress a girl. I'm gonna get it fixed on Sunday so don't worry.
UNC: Hm...
UNC: Okay.
UNC: That reminds me, Sojiro wanted to know how the apartment is, and that you two haven't done anything he doesn't like.
AKIRA: Like?
UNC: Like...
UNC: Bringing people over, bringing women over specifically, coming home at late times, staying home from school, rearranging furniture, playing games, loud music, making tea since he hates the scent, and...
UNC: ...yeah I'm not saying that last thing lol
AKIRA: ...Are you for real?
UNC: Sojiro's always been...specific about things. I'm not gonna bother you with the rules, just don't be obvious about it, but how is the apartment?
AKIRA: Yes it's fine, all we do is come in and sleep. Nothing more and nothing less.
UNC: Nice. Time to go annoy my best friend I suppose. Be well nephew.
AKIRA: Course.
Turning his phone off, a yawn came from Akira as he struggled to drag his body towards the apartment door.
All he wanted was a simple...relaxing and smothering nap to enlighten him for a few hours. That's all he needed.
"Morgana? I'm home!" Akira tossed the card into the table as he spotted his brother sitting on the couch. The TV was turned off and it appeared he was deep in thought, "You okay man?"
A reply didn't come.
Akira quickly scavenged through the fridge for a drink and walked over to the adjacent sofa, sitting down and leaned towards Mona as he spoke, "What's wrong?"
Akira took a refreshing sip as Mona slowly opened his mouth, clearly, he was preparing for a serious statement.
Maybe it's about Kamoshida and what happened that night? His phone? The medicine?
Ah, I gotta stop overthinking...
It's probably nothing serio-
"Why didn't you tell me about Shiho or what you did you Kamoshida?"
Akira instantly choked.