Thursday, April 22nd
I can do this.
Right?
The only reason why Makoto had positioned herself outside of Akira's-well, Sojiro's-apartment was due to the fact she luckily caught a glimpse of him leaving with Sakamoto-kun and Takamaki-chan once school ended.
This was one idea she had to at least help Akira in one way.
Hopefully, it would work so she wouldn't have to dive headfirst into her other ones.
Makoto silently started amping herself up as she raised her hand, rapping her knuckles against the door.
Immediately, she heard tumbling and grunting.
I guess I surprised Kurusu-kun...
After a few seconds of sheer silence, she heard Morgana's voice awkwardly calling out, "H-Hello? Who's there?"
Oh lord, after our last conversation I don't think he'll answer me.
Ah!
Makoto cleared her voice, lowering it a few tones in an attempt to get a rich masculine voice, "Ah, it's...maintenance, doing a monthly check? We've heard about new-"
"Niijima-senpai?" Morgana quickly opened the door, staring at her with much confusion in his eyes.
Makoto, herself, was staring similarly at him, "H-How did you see through my voice?"
Mona tilted his head, "Um...it wasn't that hard...?"
Incredible...you Kurusus have astounding deductive reasoning...
The older girl was starting to get lost in her thoughts as she placed a hand on her chin, "Um? Niijima-senpai, why are you here?"
Quickly, she was snapped out of it, "Oh, sorry. I um...wanted to check up on you."
"...Why?"
"I-is that really a question, Kurusu-kun? After Tuesday I just wanted-"
"Oh...right, you were here when I came in..." He mumbled something incomprehensible to himself, and sighed, "Come in, Niijima-senpai."
Makoto gave him a simple bow as she walked in, taking a seat on a stool by the countertop. On the other hand, Morgana just ignored her and laid back on the couch, silently wincing as he adjusted himself.
He's still hurt of course...but he seems better. Way better than I expected after what I saw Tuesday...
His voice rose from the couch as he flipped through the channels, "Why are you here, Niijima-san? And does my brother know about this or is it another 'private' session between us?"
Makoto fumbled, she wasn't expected Mona to come out the gate with his snarky reply.
He and Akira don't play any games, do they...
"N-no I just-"
"Actually, why were you even here on Tuesday? Did you follow Akira home? How do you even know where we live? Oh god, please tell me you two haven't made moves on each othe-"
A crack made itself massively apparent in her voice as she stuttered on her words, "W-WHAT?! No! A-And I live here!"
"And for some reason, that was the least likely explanation. Huh."
Recomposing herself, she spoke, "I...I'm here just to check up on you as I said. There's no underlying motive here."
Technically.
Makoto pulled herself from the stool and sat on the couch beside Morgana, maintaining proper posture as he just lazily continued through the channels, "But no, Kurusu-kun doesn't know."
A sigh came from Morgana's mouth as he shut the TV off, he turned to her, granting her his full attention, "I'm...okay, Niijima-senpai. Is there anything more you'd like to know or that enough?"
Makoto shuffled around a bit, pondering her next series of questions.
"Have you contacted anyone, since Tuesday?"
"Nah...my phone is broken. Not sure when it broke but you know, it is what it is."
"What does that mean?"
"It means-oh don't worry about it. Akira's gonna try and get it fixed before I go back, so."
"Do you know when you'll be coming back?"
"When my face doesn't scream 'Hey I got injured someway somehow', which will probably be soon with my medicine. It just sucks though...I know Shiho's probably trying her hardest to seem normal. I hope she's not worried about me..."
Oh, Kurusu-kun...
This is my chance.
Makoto's face darkened with pity, "Kurusu-kun? About Suzui-chan..."
Morgana quickly shot his head towards her, his desperation easily on display, "What about her? Have you talked to her lately? Did she mention me?"
She took a pregnant pause as his grey orbs reflected sincerity and vulnerability, almost as if he was an innocent child.
Will I be in the right if I do this...?
No...no, I can't doubt myself. This is going to help both of them.
Makoto drew a slow and methodical breath...
"Um...Suzui-chan...she attempted suicide, on Wednesday."
Morgana froze.
Silence engulfed the room as Makoto willed herself to continue, "She...attempted by jumping off the roof of the practice building. Currently...she's in a stable condition but it's unknown if when she'll recover or wake up."
Morgana shakily inhaled, his eyes still on hers, "W-Why did...Why didn't Akira tell me!? W-What about La--Ann?! Why are you telling me this!?" His anger was starting to pour out but as opposed to their last talk, this was from the sheer uselessness and pain he felt. It was a sight she didn't feel comfortable seeing...nor being the cause of.
Nevertheless, she continued, "Kurusu...Akira didn't tell you because..."
He leaned in more, hanging onto her every word as his desperation oozed more and more, "Niijima-san, why?"
"...It's because he'd have to tell you about the position he's in with Kamoshida."
"...What...?"
"He...assaulted him. Then he threatened to press charges against him, and then against you saying that you were the reason Suzui-chan did what she did. Unless-"
"Unless Akira joins the band and becomes his little pet." Morgana detached his eyes away from Makoto's and put his face into his palm, needing a breather.
Under his breath, he muttered, "This is just like Shido..."
Shido? Who's Shido...?
Makoto shook her inquisitive thoughts off and apprehensively placed a hand on his, trying to be as genuine as she could be, "Ku..." She paused for a moment, "Morgana...I'm telling you this because I want the best for you-"
He snatched it away.
"Y-you don't mean that."
"But-"
He snapped his head at her, mirroring the anger she saw in Akira's eyes that night but tainted with sorrow, "Niijima-senpai please just...just leave."
"But..." She held her tongue. She couldn't push the issue anymore.
It wasn't her place.
Quietly she paced over to the door, "Please, just talk with Kurusu-kun. Please."
Closing the door behind her, she walked to the elevator, her mind clearly cluttered with thoughts as she mindlessly waited.
This is the first step...
Everything will work out, they'll talk and figure something out.
"W-What?"
Morgana lurched up from his seat, staring straight into the older Kurusu's soul, "You heard me."
A few dry chuckles came out from Akira's mouth, "Mona, just...just relax okay-"
"Don't you dare Mona me." His fists her clutched, the barely restrained anger seemed as if it was going to burst at the slightest provocation.
How the hell did he...
Akira placed his drink on the table, latching onto his brother's eyes as he stood up to him. He had to speak to him, man to man.
Well, brother to brother is more accurate.
"Morgana...I..."
How could he explain this?
"You don't even have anything to say...what a joke."
"What can I say? Anything I say won't click with you! But...but trust me, I had to-"
Mona snapped at him, "You really think you had to assault Kamoshida? You always try to justify your stupid bullshit because you think it's an eventuality, and that's not true! And you think you were in the right hiding Shiho's suicide from me?!"
Akira couldn't snap back.
Deep...deep down, he knew Morgana was right.
And he hated it.
"Did...did you really think I could tell you after you just woke up? Or that...I could let him just wander the halls after what he did to you? To the both of you? To cause her to almost end her life?"
Morgana groaned, shoving his brother as he paced to his room, "No! But I expected you to control yourself!"
Akira pursued him, "Control myself? After seeing the state you were in?! Shiho's mangled body?! After seeing Ann pleading with her best friend to stay alive?!" He stopped in his tracks as he continued, "I know what I did was stupid but it was the only thing I felt was right. Ryuji was going to do the same thing so I just took his pla-"
Morgana pivoted on his heel, taking his brother for surprise as he shoved him hard into the wall, pinning him against it, "So what?! You think sacrificing yourself in place of that damn monkey was the best choice!? To put yourself in the same situation that Shido had us in?!"
"Morgana-"
"You...you left me again."
...what?
"You...left me behind. You left me as if I was some...defensiveness baby and took my future into your hands off of your reckless disposition! YOU told me that things would be different here! That we wouldn't leave each other behind! Lie to each other! That we would do things together! You promised mom and dad! But the second things go wrong and I got hurt, you broke the promise, lied to me, and left me in the dark, AGAIN!" Morgana threw his brother to the floor.
Akira hit the floor hard, clutching his back as he stared at Morgana. His eyes were lined with tears and anger.
It finally hit him.
He had failed as a brother.
"M-Mona I-"
"You're a real shitty brother."
I know.
Morgana grabbed the handle to his door and entered it. The crushing silence of the apartment had been accompanied by the faint sound of his lock clicking.
All Akira could do was stare at the door. His eyes wouldn't part from it.
There was nothing special about it. The door was only about 2 inches thick, just simple wood with a locking mechanism. It was only a few steps away from Akira's body on the floor. And yet...it felt as though the two of them were thousands of miles apart.
And he couldn't close that distance anytime soon.
A portion of Akira just wanted to stay on the floor, to sit and bathe in the guilt he felt. Another portion needed to move. To do something worthwhile.
That was the more prominent portion.
How the hell did he find out?!
Akira got up, running into his room to examine his desk. Morgana's phone was still on it, functionally unusable.
Ryuji doesn't know where I live...nor does Ann...the hell am I talking about?! They were with me today!
Unless...Kamoshida?!
No...he wouldn't. His power only lies in Shujin...he wouldn't dare reach past it...
...wait.
There's no way.
As usual, Akira pulled his phone out.
AKIRA: NIIJIMA-SENPAI
NIIJIMA: Kurusu-kun? Didn't you block my number before?
AKIRA: What floor do you stay on?
NIIJIMA: W-What?
AKIRA: What. Floor.
NIIJIMA: Five, apartment 23?
Akira left her on read as he began to leave the apartment, the elevator descending as his mind did its usual processes.
Upon stepping out, he haphazardly threw his head around until he found Makoto's apartment. It was at the very end of the right side of the building.
Rapid knocks against the frame echoed through the hall, causing Akira to worry he might've knocked too loud...
Quickly, she opened the door for him.
Makoto was wearing an outfit that was clearly meant for her resting, some shorts and a tank top. For a moment...Akira faltered as he had never seen her outside of her Shujin uniform before, and even then he oddly wanted to...blush?
Stop it, you damn idiot. This is not the time.
Akira walked in, something Makoto clearly wasn't expecting. He wasn't surprised by the apartment at all, it was clean and orderly just like its resident.
Before he could continue with his analysis of her apartment, he turned around to meet her eyes as she closed the door behind her, "Why the hell did you tell Morgana?!"
Makoto flinched, clearly taken off guard by his raised voice, "Kurusu-kun-"
"Don't Kurusu-kun me! I didn't tell him for a reason!"
She snapped back, "And you think you were right for that?!"
This was the second time she had snapped back at him like this...he wasn't used to it at all, "No! But it was something I knew how to deal with!"
"So what?! You still think omitting him from a situation where he's the center of it is right? Did you do that before? With Shido?!"
S-Shido...?
"H-How do you-watch where you take this."
"Why?! Because I did what you were scared to do? Because I did the right thing? You're such an insuffiable-" She held her tongue, staring him in the eyes as he glared at her with...confusion? She couldn't really tell and neither could he. Makoto shook her head and sighed, attempting to regain as much of her composure as she could during this little spat, "The point is both of you knowing about this is good! I helped! You two can talk and come up with-"
"Talk?! You really think you helped?" A depressing chuckle came from his laugh, a vein of self-hatred being layered inside it, "All...He...He just told me I'm a shitty brother and..." Akira looked down, his eyes masked in guilt.
Makoto was taken aback, this...certainly wasn't the ending she was expecting.
"He won't talk to me. I know he won't. Not for a while. But I wouldn't have had to worry about this if I had a plan...and if it came from me."
Makoto tried to inch closer to him, she couldn't really understand why...but she wanted to comfort him in some form, "Kurusu-kun...I thought this would be the best-"
"And that's the problem. You don't know us. You don't know him." Akira walked past her, opening the door, "You only made things worse. So stop acting like you know everything about everyone and what's right for people."
Makoto held her tongue...she had no rebuttal.
"I'm the reason why they got hurt in the first place. Correcting that mistake and caring for my brother is my job. Even if I screwed up. I don't need your help." Akira took a breath as he walked through the door, "Goodnight, Niijima-senpai." He closed the door and once again...she was left in her useless...worthless mind.
Friday, April 23rd
AKIRA: So, is everyone set?
ANN: Set for? You haven't really...explained anything yet.
RYUJI: gotcha there Aki.
ANN: Do you seriously let him call you Aki?
AKIRA: I try to ignore it.
AKIRA: Anyway, let's just meet up on the roof so we can get a grasp on something
ANN: Sounds good
RYUJI: Ight
RYUJI: I wonder if there's any food worth eatin' at lunch...
ANN: I doubt it.
Admittedly, Akira still felt a bit weird about having the two of them in a GC...the vibes between them weren't something he couldn't fully disassemble, but if they were playing nice at the moment, he didn't care.
At least it wasn't another thing he had to stress and feel bad about.
Like the previous two days, Akira didn't get a slither of sleep. Unlike the other times, this was a willing punishment, as he knew he deserved it.
Three days with little to no sleep? It was the least he deserved as the worst older brother who made his brother cry.
The sheer exhaustion was clear across Akira's entire being, and something Ann grasped onto rather quickly, "Akira? Are you okay?"
Lazily he chuckled, "I'm totally fine Ann...just a bit tired..."
"I think a bit tired is an understatement. The bags under eyes are kinda worrying me-"
"Nah, don't worry about me. We got other things worthy of that instead."
Ann flashed him a look of worry as she gave a hesitant nod, his eyes becoming hidden by the glare of his glasses, "Okay. Well...I'll see you after school then."
"Right." She turned back around and continued absorbing Kawakami's lesson, something Akira just couldn't do no matter how hard he tried.
Not that it matters.
Aw shit, I can't think like that...
Akira started to slouch in his seat as he pretended to be enraptured by Kawakami's words, his mind clearly shackling him in thought. Like always.
What's even the point man...
C'mon...c'mon...even if he hates you right now, I gotta keep trying for his sake...keep pushing.
He started to lean forward, laying down on his desk as he continued to think, his arms wrapping around his head to give me a little reprieve as he continued his introspective inspection. Who would care if he took a moment to rest too? Kawakami was too exhausted and preoccupied with trying to ignore him that she would let him continue. All his other classmates treated him as if he was a piece of trash, a collective figment of their imaginations that they all subtly agreed to ignore.
His very existence was an annoying mark on Shujin.
Ann wouldn't bother him again, they had just become 'friends' if you even wanted to call them that and she was a good judge of character. She knew that he didn't want to be bothered again right now.
At least I hope.
I wish things were a bit easier right now...
Damn it Niijima-senpai...you should've kept your head out of this.
Was I too rude last night?
No...?
Yes?
Oh, for the love of God.
Maybe I should go to see her?
Nah...that's weird.
I mean, would she think it's weird?
To be fair, she is rather weird...
But after all I said?
I wonder what dad would say right now...?
"Are you really worried about a girl right now when your brother hates you? After I told you to keep your little brother safe?" No...it might go something like...
"What type of girl is she to take up your precious time?"
Oh god...
Luckily since his face was covered, nobody could see the faint red tinge on his face.
I should go see her though...I'll need an excuse...and what would even be the right time?
A few more minutes passed as Akira tried his hardest to scramble together a solution, muttering as silently as he could, partially bringing attention to himself. Eventually, the bell rang.
Ann quickly turned around and gave him a look, "I'll see you up there, alright?"
A yawn slid from his mouth, "Yeah, I'll be right behind you."
Akira sat in his chair momentarily as Ann quickly shuffled out of the classroom. Like clockwork, a series of groans and yawns slide from his mouth, soon being accompanied by his signature sighs. Pulling himself from his desk, Akira grasped his bag as he placed his hand on the handle.
Only to be stopped by Kawakami's voice.
"Kurusu-kun?"
Shit.
Stiffly, Akira turned around to meet Kawakami's gaze from her desk with his hand still on the handle, he truly wanted to leave as soon as possible, "Hi...Kawakami-sensei...? What do you need?"
"I...I know it's not my place, but...are you okay? You've been so tired lately and I've heard that your brother hasn't been to school in a few days."
Wow, she's doing the basic bare minimum as a teacher...color me surprised.
A few typical chuckles came from Akira, "I'm fine sensei, my little brother just...he hasn't been feeling well. That's really it. I've been taking care of him and I've been studying too, so I've been running myself dry. That's all."
Akira rubbed his cheek.
Technically, I'm telling the truth. So he can't get mad at me for this.
Akira detected a sense of hesitancy in her eyes as she stared at him.
She doesn't believe me, does she?
However, her eyes darkened as she decided not to pursue it any further. Instead, she brought up something else, "Um...this might not be the right time and you might not even care, considering I've only seen you two together once...but today is Niijima-chan's birthday. In all three years I've known her, she usually tries not to celebrate it as she sees it as something that distracts her from her studies and duties but...if you don't mind, try to put a smile on her face."
Oh, holy shit!
Oh...holy shit...
After a few moments of mental scolding, Akira flashed Kawakami a smile, "Right. I'll get right on that when I get the chance. Thanks, Kawakami-senpai."
Sliding the door closed behind him, Akira took a few steps upstairs before slapping himself as hard as possible.
Yeah. We're fixing this as soon as possible.
Unknown to Akira, Kamoshida entered his classroom the second he left.
"Ight! What's the game plan for today!" As usual, Ryuji tried his hardest to inject some energy into the group. Which didn't work at all, like usual.
Ann straightened in her seat as she prepared to get down to business, "Did you bring the journal today?"
Ryuji's energy visibly faltered as he readjusted himself in his seat, wrenching the journal from his back pocket as he flopped it onto the table, "Of course I did! I'm not a damn idiot!"
Ann flashed him a look and held her tongue. Ryuji eyed her with annoyance as her eyes turned towards Akira.
He was standing by the fence, staring at the Tokyo skyline with his back towards them. His mind was an ever chaotic vortex of bullshit and torturous thoughts, as usual.
The distance was only exacerbated by the harsh cold felt from his back.
Ryuji already knew what that meant but Ann... just kept worrying about him.
She turned her head back towards Ryuji, her voice sliding out in a whisper, "Is Akira alright?"
Ryuji leaned in, joining in on her hushed tone, "Yeah it's just that he's probably thinkin' 'bout Morgana...maybe Miss Prez...or somethin' he hasn't told me about yet? He'll be fine. I think."
Ann leaned in, clearly interested, "What do you mean by Niijima-senpai?"
Ryuji shrugged, "I dunno...it's somethin' weird goin' on between them. I don't even fully know to be honest."
"Akira and Niijima-senpai...huh."
Ryuji began to open his mouth, but a pencil smacked into his forehead, with Akira angrily walking up, "Ryuji what the hell man?! I can hear you! Don't tell Takamaki bullshit!"
Ryuji popped up from his seat and pointed an accusatory finger at his best friend, "Bullshit?! C'mon man, y'all have somethin' going on!"
Akira was taken aback, his blushes taking hold of his face as Ann giggled, "We're not...anything. Not even friends."
She quickly spoke up with an inquisitive tone, "Then what are you two?"
Akira pondered, taking on a thoughtful expression as he put his hand on his chin.
What are we...
Little memories of the past week kept flashing in his mind until his eyes focused back onto Ann.
"Nothing. Just nothing. This Kamoshida shit just has us in each other's eyes. That's all. Once it ends...she'll be the Student Council President and I'll be the second part of the 'Shujin Delinquents'" Akira did little air quotes the second he said that, "Total opposites from each other in Shujin's society and the real world."
Yeah. That's all it is.
Me thinking about doing something for her birthday is only because I feel bad. That's all.
How could I care for someone who's so up their own ass? Who might've ruined my relationship with my brother?
Sh-
Akira groaned, "Look can we stop talking about my hypothetical love life? That shit doesn't exist anyway. I think Mishima and Kamoshida are more pressing concerns."
Akira pulled up a chair as Ryuji plopped back into his own, with Ann opening up the journal she spoke first, "So, what's the plan?"
Ryuji leaned over the pages, "Well, today's a Friday right? What does he do on these days?"
Ann flipped through a few pages, trying to find any other Fridays that Ohya wrote down, "Well...these days he'd usually go to practice...but these days would usually result in a meeting." Her face darkened, "Since Shiho...isn't there anymore, I don't know if they'll still have them."
Ryuji scoffed, "Kamoshida didn't give a shit after our fight, so he probably will hold it as usual. So, we'll stay after school until they finish, right? How long do they last?"
Ann started to lower her head closer to the pages and squinted, "Ohya couldn't figure that out. They were so inconsistent and it annoyed her."
Akira sighed, "We can't just stay on the roof for god knows how long. Someone is bound to find us. And I bet Kamoshida keeps an eye on them as he leaves, so that's out in terms of us getting to Mishima."
Akira looked over at her and after a few seconds, she looked at him and nodded, giving his idea confirmation.
As usual, Ryuji took a heavy slouch in his chair, "This is bullshit man..."
When is it not?
He perked up quickly, "Wait, Akira why don't we ask Miss Prez for help?! Ask her to bring Mishima into her little office, and boom! He's finally bustin-"
"Pause, and no. Niijima-senpai wouldn't help me on that."
"And...why is that?" Ann had her head back in the journal so she couldn't see the nervousness in his eyes.
"Because she-"
Because she had an argument with me? The day before her birthday, I'm sure I made her feel like dogshit, which I was and wasn't trying to do!
Oh my god if I mention this then they're going to find out that Niijima-senpai lives in the same apartment complex as me.
Yeah, we're totally nothing lol.
I mean...we aren't.
RAAAGHHH-
"-Because Kamoshida knows she's basically on our side. He would have a crazy grip on all of his valuable assets after our fight, so letting them walk into her clutches without any supervision or prep? Someway, somehow...Kamoshida would stop it."
I mean I'm not lying. It's true.
Shido did the same thing.
Akira quickly shot an idea out, "You think I could ask Iwai and Tora for help? I mean-"
"Nah. Remember the whole thing in the bathroom? The subtlety shit? After the shit you pulled, directly being with us is the last thing they'd want. Plus...Ohya said they wouldn't want to use this since it's not subtle or some bullshit excuse."
"Huh. Well...what else does he do on days like these?"
At this point Ann was slouching comfortably in her chair, the journal in her face like it was a rather engrossing read, "Goes to work apparently. Has a shift at about six or so?"
Ryuji flashed a toothy grin and shot up, "Aha! We just go to his job! Just sit there and bullshit around until he comes and ta-dah!"
Turning towards Ann, Akira spoke up, "Okay, where does he work?"
"Big Bang Burger apparently."
Akira's face harshly contorted, "Ew. I hate that place."
"Dude...what's wrong with you?" Ryuji's voice took on a tone as if Akira had murdered his own mother.
"I just...don't like overly processed food, that's all. Kinda like a slave corporation."
"You just like to suck the fun outta everythin' huh?"
"Kinda a specialty of mine Ryuji."
Ann flipped through a few more pages before eventually putting the book down, looking at Akira as he tiredly laid on the table for a moment, "So...did you give Morgana Shiho's phone? Did he say anything?"
Oh god.
Akira twitched a little, drawing the willpower to lift his head and look Ann in the eye as he knew where this was going, "Right...about that..." A few nervous chuckles were drawn out of his mouth as he scratched the back of his messy head.
"What about it?"
"So...me and Morgana aren't speaking...so I couldn't give him the phone."
Ann curiously tilted her head, "What do you mean you two aren't talking? Did you-"
"No...and that's why. I didn't tell him...Niijima-senpai did."
The blond duo simultaneously perked up, lurching over the table to stare Akira in the eye, "She what?!"
Akira almost tumbled out of his chair, "She...told him."
"Oh my god I know we joked about it, but she really was stalkin' you huh?"
"What even gave her the right to do that?"
You have got to be shitting me.
Akira meekly spoke up, "Well...that's the thing...Niijima-senpai actually lives in the same complex as me...and she told Morgana because I told her I wouldn't."
The two looked each other in the eye, disbelieve clearly painted on their faces, and then back at Akira, "She what?!"
"She-oh my god. Look-oh forget it."
Ann fumbled around for a few seconds before speaking up, "I don't really like Niijima-senpai...but...she was right in doing that." She groaned, shuttering after speaking that phrase into existence, "God, I can't believe I'm saying this."
Ryuji's confusion was clear as day, "Are you for real?"
Akira quickly joined in, "No seriously, for real?"
Ann shrunk in her seat a bit, "W-well, I mean...like I said yesterday, Morgana deserved to know. You cutting him out of the equation was messed up. I know you still feel guilt since...but yeah." A brief pause formulated until she pieced together her next thoughts, "I wish it would've been you instead but..."
Akira was going to speak up, but Ryuji swiftly slid in, "You really think Mona needed to hear this? Not even a full day after wakin' up? Yeah, I agree it's 'effed up but...Akira was doin' his best. This is the real world, Ann. Nobody gets their feelings spared, you can only go down the path where it's less mushy feelings and shit."
Huh.
Valid point.
Akira rose his hands to calm the situation down and finally speak again but Ann quickly snapped back, "The 'real world'? Are you serious? You can't be saying that." Ann let loose a flurry of laughter that clearly hurt Ryuji.
He leaned over the table, focusing solely on her, "What's that supposta mean?"
Ann did the same, though at a faster speed as her chair was sent flying into the fence as she stood up, "What do you think?! You think the real world meant going into Kamoshida's office and-"
Wait, is she talking about me...? Or Ryuji's run-in with Kamos-
"Are you seriously going to bring that up here? I thought after last night you were gonna give me a little bit of slack!"
Okay, question answered. Jeez, these two are like a really...really weird couple.
"T-That doesn't matter, the point is you two think shouldering the weight of the world on your backs is supposedly going to keep everyone safe! That's a bunch of stupid stoic bravado bullshit that only makes things worse!"
"So what?! You really thought I was going to let him-"
Oh my god.
"OKAY! That's enough! God how the hell are we going to do this shit if you two are bickering all the time! Stop worrying about Morgana! He's my responsibility and my brother, I'll deal with the moral ramifications and how terrible of a person I am later! But for now, can we please just sit in peace until it's time for us to leave?!"
The two of them looked at Akira and returned to their seats, their tempers leveled out.
After a few minutes of silence and staring at one another, Ryuji spoke up like a little kid after getting a spanking, "So um...whaddya wanna do until we leave?"
Her stomach had been bothering her the whole day.
In actuality, since the night before with Akira's argument.
It had only gotten worse in the proceeding hours after school ended. Makoto sent the rest of the council home, stating that she could handle the duties of that day solely by herself.
Of course, everyone objected, especially Shiro with the reasoning of what today was. But, Makoto stressed her authority, and they left swiftly.
Something that, at the time, both alleviated and worsened her stomach.
All Makoto did afterward was sit in the Student Council room, and wait.
At first, it was simple, the most she did was finish up some of the more pressing duties she had, and partially listen to some music. 'The Answer' by Aigis and Yukari had been in her rotation a lot lately, so it served as some soothing background music.
Until the allure of the sounds faded away.
All that was left was the grueling torture known as her psyche.
The suffocating and binding nature of the room only exasperated her dive into her mind, making her feel smaller and smaller and smaller.
The ticking on the analog clock only became louder during her stay, eventually getting to the point where it felt as if it would deafen her. Each second passed through her, the tick and the minute progression of time only worsening her anxiety and overthinking mind.
Why am I doing this again?
Right.
To help Kurusu-kun.
Who probably doesn't want my help anymore.
Shit-
Language, right.
Maybe...maybe he's right.
Maybe I do have to circumvent the rules to help.
It'll go right-
Like clockwork, once 5 PM hit, a shuffle of faint footsteps began to permeate through Shujin.
In any other context, the sounds of these spaced-out footsteps meant to Makoto that she could release a sigh of relief. That her duties for the day were adjourned and that she could take a break. That the comfort of her room and Buchimaru-kun were awaiting her.
However, this wasn't like any other context. The footsteps only meant the disgust in her stomach and the anxiety pulsating through her veins like poison were only going to get worse and worse. The former being something she could barely maintain from spewing out as she stared at the door.
The door of one Suguru Kamoshida.
This has to work.
It has to.
I have to broker...something.
Makoto's hand slightly started to shake as she reached out to grasp the handle. She could faintly hear Kamoshida's voice along with a few others, but it didn't phase her.
She could just dismiss them using her authority, Kamoshida would be interested in what she had to say realistically.
More like what I have to offer.
Her lips started to faintly quiver as a few blobs of liquid began to cake up in her eyes.
She had to see this through.
To prove him wrong.
No...no matter the cost.
For Kurusu-kun-
A hand grasped hers--no,it tightly gripped her wrist--her head instantly shot towards the owner of it.
"What the hell are you doing?" Akira's voice was hushed, but the anger and...concern could be felt, sending waves through Makoto's being and giving her a faint...sense of reprieve.
It was almost as if she was undergoing a divine intervention, "K-Kurusu-kun?"
But why is he-
Before the thought could finish being shot across the neurons in her brain, Akira yanked her arm, dragging her along until they both entered the Student Council room. Akira quickly locked the door behind him and grabbed his phone.
The phone ran for a few seconds, to which Akira took his attention and focused on Makoto who was lingering by the table petrified as if she was a child in trouble, his eyes laced with anger still, "Stay right there Makoto. Don't move just-"
The ring subsided and Akira stuck his attention back to his phone, "Hey, can you guys go to Big Bang Burger? I have something I need to deal with."
Some inaudible yells could be heard over the phone, to Makoto the voices sounded like they belonged to Sakamoto and Takamaki, but she couldn't be sure.
"Yeah, yeah I know. But I'm in a tight pickle. I'm trusting you two, so don't mess up."
Akira ended the call and took a breath, attempting to collect him but Makoto knew he was holding back blistering anger.
A few soul-crushing moments passed as he took heavy and slow steps towards one of the chairs by the table. Slipping into one, he signaled Makoto to take one.
"Kurusu-" She tried to speak first, but he seamlessly cut her off.
"Makoto." His voice cut through her feeble attempt at trying to defend herself.
Did...did he just call me Makoto...? Is...is that the first time? What about Mako-chan, isn't that his-
"What the hell were you planning to do?" She wasn't used to Akira being this...well, like this really. She knew he could be a humorous joker, a hypocritical ass when it came to his brother, and a reckless kid overall when it came to everything else...but to be this concerned over her actions? To care this much? It quite honestly embarrassed her, being seemingly scolded by someone she was at odds with and was her junior by a year.
And made her feel guilty.
Makoto lowered her head, hiding from Akira's concerned yet scolding stare, "Kurusu-kun I was just-"
"Look at me, Makoto. I'm being serious." Scooting his chair closer to hers, he rested an arm on the table as he met her eyes, her guilt showing easily.
"I...was just going to have a conversation with Kamoshida-sensei." She felt like a little kid getting in trouble.
"With tears in your eyes? Your hand shaking out of fear?" Akira's voice took on a pleading tone, "Please, please tell me you weren't going to do anything stupid...?"
Makoto aimlessly looked around the room she had come to know so well over her years, both trying to avoid Akira's glaze and to piece together her next train of thought.
Eventually, it came.
"Do you know what being a Student Council President entails?" Despite the sincerety of her voice, his face expressed confusion. He wasn't sure if it was one of her horrid attempts at a joke or if she was trying to be witty like him.
Akira shrugged, "No? Not really."
Makoto's body slouched a bit as if it was giving a visual sigh, "A helper. To do my role as a protector and helper to all my classmates. That's why...even though you anger me...I don't care about what you said last night, I'm not going to sit aside while you have a countdown over your head."
"Even if it means you...surprisingly trying to be like me and be a dumbass?"
She didn't give a reply.
Akira lingered in her eyes for a bit, something that made her stomach oddly lurch, and then stood up. A sigh came from his mouth as he typed something into his phone. After a few seconds, he turned on his heel and went towards the door, exiting.
Makoto stared at the door, perplexed as to do next.
Is...is he okay? What does-
Akira poked his head back in, his face painted with a nonchalant expression, "You coming or not?"
"R-right!" She began to scurry after him, her confusion clearly on her face as Akira spoke up as they descended the stairs.
"Don't worry about it. Just relax for a moment."
"Can you at least tell me where we're going? I don't think it's right for you to waste time when Kamoshid-"
Akira shushed her, "I'm not wasting time. And you don't need to know where we're going just yet, just enjoy the journey."
The journey...
Right...
Oh gosh.
Akira didn't really know what to do. Honestly, he was just panicking from the rapid series of events that had been thrown at him. All he wanted to do was simply apologize and tell Makoto happy birthday. Of course, things would go wrong from that simple premise. He was Akira Kurusu. Bad luck was a part of his DNA. He knew something was wrong when Makoto didn't answer to him calling her name in the hallways.
Akira knew for a fact he couldn't trust Ann and Ryuji to deal with Mishima on their own but he had to hope.
Even if he hated hoping for things.
Oh god.
AKIRA: Are you sure this is a good place Uncle H? I kinda puked here a few days ago.
UNC: Hell yeah! I had a lot of fun there during my teenage years...
UNC: Oh man...Emiri was really something fierce...
AKIRA: ...I don't wanna know about that.
AKIRA: Please spare me.
UNC: One day you will suffer from my stories, stop avoiding them nephew!
AKIRA: That is a day long from now.
UNC: Sooner than you think.
UNC: Anyway, enjoy your little date nephew.
AKIRA: ITS NOT A DATE
AKIRA: IM JUST HELPING A FRIEND FROM BEING AN IDIOT
UNC: So a friend invokes you to text me, "Uncle what places do women like"?
AKIRA: Okay that looks bad out of context but I'm just saying
UNC: whatever, just go enjoy your...idiot-free time.
How embarrassing.
Inokashira Park. The first place Akira's uncle could think of. Quite honestly, it wasn't a bad choice. The atmosphere gave off a relaxed vibe with all of the lush greenery that was expected from a park. Even though Akira threw up profusely the last time he was here.
Well...it's the only place Unc could think of. Rather this than going for ramen with Makoto...
Though I wonder if she would-
Not the right time.
Akira visibly noticed that Makoto had seemed less stressed from the second she stepped foot in.
She was standing over by a wooden railing that was overlooking the river, the peaceful air and the calming rush of the water for some reason gave Makoto this allure of elegance.
An allure that was slightly drawing Akira in. Until Makoto noticed his gaze.
Dude what the hell are you doing...
Clearing his throat, he positioned himself closer to her, "So, how are you feeling now? No more tears? Little tremors?"
Her face expressed no emotion, "Ha. Very funny."
"I wasn't trying to be funny that time..." He really wasn't.
Makoto bypassed the genuine hurt in his voice as she spoke up quickly, "Kurusu-kun, why are you doing this? Why is it that you're fooling around when you know that Kamoshida is just waiting to make you submit or expel you? First, you left with Takamaki-chan and Sakamoto-kun yesterday and now-"
"How do you know about that? We--holy shit you keep proving Ryuji right."
Makoto nervously started to fluster around, "Language! A-and it's not like that, I just left Shujin at the same time! I was going to your apartment to talk, whether you were there or not."
Akira's mood darkened, "Right." She winced, realizing dredging up memories of yesterday probably wasn't the best way to go.
Silence ballooned between the two of them, with Makoto being the first to speak, "Look, Kurusu-kun-"
He raised a hand, "Makoto, just drop the honorifics. And...about what I said last night..."
"I get it."
"Makoto-"
Now it was her turn to cut him off, "That doesn't mean I don't want to help."
Akira dropped his hand and laughed with a hint of loftiness, "I can tell. You really thought you could go to Kamoshida and you'd get something? He'd just do you...like he did Shiho..." For some reason, that thought, and mental image, angered Akira. His grasp on the wooden railing tightened, luckily Makoto didn't notice.
However, she did pick up on the condescending tone in his voice immediately, "Are you really scolding me on this when you literally punched him...what, two days ago?"
Akira turned his gaze towards the lake, "I'm a reckless jackass who tends to make things worse for himself while having the weight of the world on my shoulders. I've been around this block for a while." He turned towards Makoto, "But you...you're naive, Miss Prez."
She scoffed, "How does that make what you do right, in any way?"
"It doesn't. But just because I'm reckless doesn't mean you have to be. You have things ahead of yourself, something to uphold. I'm just a musical delinquent who may or may not continue being the scum of society."
"Akira-"
Quickly, he changed the subject, "Oh cool! Swan boats! Want one?"
"Um-" She was utterly disoriented by the sudden change in topic, something Akira expertly took advantage of.
"I'm assuming that's a yes." Akira grabbed her hand, despite her protests, and hauled a boat. Shakily he sat inside it, with Makoto opposite of him.
Immediately, she started rightfully complaining, "Ku...Akira, seriously why are we doing this?"
It took a few moments for Akira to reply as he was rowing the boat, "Just a little fun. Can't worry about the end of the world all the time, you know."
"Ugh. This is...worthless."
"You know I paid for this. You can kindly exit the premises!"
A bit of silence appeared, "...I can't swim..."
"You're shitting me. There's no--"
"Language!"
"Right, sorry..."
Akira continued to casually row as she feebly sat in her seat. Eventually, the tension apparent in her body language finally faded away.
It put a faint smile on his face.
Good.
"Makoto?"
"Hm?" Makoto had her eyes closed, seemingly taking in as much of this reprieve as she could.
"About that whole...shoulders thing. After yesterday I'm not doing that anymore. So...if you want to help out..."
She instantly perked up, her eyes opening with ease, "Really?!" She quickly readjusted herself, clearing her throat, "I mean, really?"
Akira gave a faint sigh, "Yes. But don't make me regret it. And...we'll do it my way, okay? So...nothing about you doing anything stupid...or endangering. Or anything that involves Morgana."
"R-Right, of course!" Makoto almost started relaxing again until a few thoughts placed themselves inside of her mind, "And you do know the same goes for you? Or else I'll just..."
"Have me...what? Thrown in jail? With the rate things are going, that might actually happen."
A faint giggle came from Makoto, something that faded just as quickly as it came as she covered her mouth, "Oh-Akira I'm so sorry I-I didn't mean to laugh at that."
A toothy grin formed, "Nah, it's fine Makoto. That was the point."
Makoto dropped her hand off her mouth and gave Akira a smile in response.
His grin transformed into a sincere smile, "That reminds me...happy birthday, Makoto."
"R-Right...thank you, Akira."
A faint huff of air came from his nose, "I told you I'm not wasting time."
The two just continued to sit in silence as they soaked up the atmosphere, and most importantly, each other's presence. It actually seemed as if things were going well. Akira had no worries on his mind partially.
No Kamoshida.
No Shido.
No Ann.
No Ryuji.
No Morgana.
The only thing was...oddly enough, Makoto.
Do I deserve to feel like this? Even for a moment...?
Before Akira could soak in some more of this...blissful moment or even ponder the question anymore, he turned a sickly green.
OH MY GOD
Within seconds, his head was over the edge of the boat, puking endlessly into the lake.
"Akira?! The boat's about to tip over!"
Pulling his head from over, he leaned on the edge as he weakly handed her the oars, "J-Just row us back to...you know, actual ground...I can't take this anymore..."
Makoto gave him a nervous smile, "R-right...I'll try...?"
Ryuji sat in a window-side booth in Big Bang Burger, rather angrily grinding his teeth, "I'm gonna kill that frizzy-haired glasses wearin' bastard when I see him tomorrow."
Ann lazily spoke up as she read through the menu, her sunglasses hiding her face, "Nope. Besides, I'd kill him first."
"You wanna bet? Seriously? Ann, I'll kick your ass in murderin'!"
"Pipe down jackass, you don't want to be kicked out, do you?! We're in an establishment!"
"You're being just as loud as me-"
"Shh!"
"Man! What could be so important that he blew us off? This is his future after all!"
"Ryuji, shh! And besides...it's all our futures."
He...had no rebuttal for that. "Right." Ryuji shuffled around in his booth seat, "He's still full of shit for ditchin' us...I technically deserve it though..."
Ryuji started playing around with a few of the condiments on the table, his boredom reverting him back to a child, "Is it six yet?"
Annoyance once again connected with Ann, "Ryuji you have a whole ass phone in your pocket. And yes, it's 20 minutes past."
"Yeesh. Mishima isn't a good worker, is he? I wonder how he isn't fired yet."
"For the first time...I must say, that's a good question."
All expression in his face drained away as he stared where her face would've been, "Ha. Ha. Ha. You're so funny Takamaki."
"Thanks, I try." Ann wasn't trying to entertain Ryuji in any shape or form, she was still mad at him for the argument earlier.
Hell, she was still angry at him either way.
No matter how much she tried to change that.
Like clockwork, Ryuji slouched into his seat a little, pondering something.
"Ann...can I-"
Ann cut him off, catching sight of their target from her peripheral vision, "Not now! He's coming in! Quick, hide your face!"
"Wha-Ann! What the hell-OOF!"
Ann threw Ryuji a tray directly to his face, even though he was rightfully angry, he used it to cover his face.
Somehow.
Aw dude I have a nosebleed! You gotta be shittin' me!
Ryuji strained his voice down to a whisper, "Ann, what's he doin'?"
"He...he's getting his apron on...and...and...oh my god."
Ryuji couldn't help but hate the fact he was missing out on something, even if it was some bullshit, "What? Ann what is it?!"
"M...Mishima doesn't have a girlfriend, right?"
"No, that loser kept askin' to me to set him up with Shiho all last year. He can barely talk to women, why?"
"...because he just got his ass gripped. Like...really, really hard by an older woman."
"What." Ryuji flopped his tray onto the table, his disbelief and...oddly justified jealousy clearly on display, "You have got to be fu-"
Quickly, Ann stuffed Ryuji's mouth with a ball of napkins and forced the tray back into his hands.
With Mishima actually inside, Ann needed to play it off as naturally as she could. She was just a totally normal patron at BBB who had no alternative motives.
Even if her dining partner was a muffled babbling asshole with a tray in his face.
Or despite the fact she was a natural blonde in Tokyo.
Wearing a Shujin outfit.
A simple thought transpired in her mind: Oh my god Akira set us up for failure.
Despite all of that, Mishima still walked up to their table like clockwork, "Hello." Mishima was scribbling away at his pad aimlessly until his eyes lit up with interest, "Takamaki-san? Is that you?"
Ann lifted her sunglasses, "H-Hey...Mishima-san...how are you...?"
Oh god, he's gonna see right through me!
"I'm fine. Just...just a bit tired." He started to nervously fiddle with his fingers, his voice shaking, "I'm uh...s-sorry about Suzui-san..."
Ann hesitated, "T-thank you."
He gulped, "H-How is she-"
Ryuji dropped his tray and took a massive gulp, swallowing the entire ball of napkins, much to Ann's disgust mind you, and grabbed Mishima by the collar. Dragging him outside of Big Bang Burger. Ann lagged a bit behind, trying her hardest to play this off, "H-He's just a friend from school! We joke like this all the time! I promise it'll just take a second, it's important!"
Ann popped her head outside the doors, barely getting a peek of Ryuji dragging Mishima to the alley besides BBB. Catching up, her voice instantly caught Ryuji who had Mishima pinned against the wall, "Ryuji! What the hell are you doing?"
He tightened his grip as he glanced at Ann, "Me? I'm just askin' a few questions that I know you're dyin' to know, Takamaki. For example," Turning his head back towards Mishima he continued, "You're the one who had somethin' to do with Shiho and Morgana ain't you?"
"Wh-What? Sakamoto, you're insane-"
Ryuji pulled him and slammed him against the wall harder, "What was that?!"
"Ryuji! Stop this is crazy-"
"Stay back! You said you wanted to watch over us right? Well just do that and make sure nobody comes in this alley." Ryuji took a breath as he looked at Mishima, who was clearly wincing in pain.
Still as weak as ever.
"Now, about my question, it's a simple yes or no. I know Akira and Ann didn't catch it, but the second I ran after Kamoshida, you bolted! Someone who ain't guilty doesn't run like that! Now we ain't at Shujin anymore, and ya king Kamoshida can't protect you anymore! So, I'm gonna ask again, what do you know?"
Unbeknownst to Ryuji, a few regular people walked by, to which Ann kindly flashed them a smile and urged them to move on.
She was dying of embarrassment on the inside.
"I..." His face darkened with some form of guilt.
Ryuji was close. He knew it. He just needed to push some more, "You what? You decided to be a coward and crumble under Kamoshida? You decided to send a first-year rookie into his hands? Without deciding to help at all?! You let Shiho, YOUR FRIEND, go into Kamoshida's office alone essentially?! You pathetic basta-"
"Ryuji." Her tone was straightforward and oozing with disapproval, it immediately calmed Ryuji down.
"...right."
It took a few passing empty seconds with Ryuji staring into his eyes, but Mishima started to talk, "...You're right. I...Kamoshida...he was angry that day. Very...very angry. At first," Ryuji loosened his grip and backed away, "...He took me to his office to have his...' calming session'. But..." Mishima looked down in disgust.
Ann walked closer, her emotions clearly on the rise, "But what?" Yuuki remained in silence and it only infuriated her more, "What Mishima?"
"...I might've...suggested Kurusu-kun and Suzui-san instead..."
Ryuji stiffened, with his eyes widened in shock.
I knew Yuuki was weak but...
There's no way he would just throw the two of them under the bus like that...
What the hell did Kamoshida do to make him like this?!
Before he could do anything, Ann quickly acted and put all her power into her arm. Slapping Mishima down to the ground with a single swift motion. Much like Akira, a bit of blood dribbled from his mouth. Ann raised her foot to stomp on him but Ryuji swiftly positioned himself in front of her, holding her back from beating on him anymore, "An-Ann! Calm down! He's not gonna be worth jackshit if you mush his head down to mashed potatoes!"
It took a few minutes of wrangling her with her anger clearly pulsating through her entire being, but eventually, Ann calmed down. She returned to the entrance of the alley while Ryuji resumed his line of questions, "So...you really are a pathetic bastard. Oh...Akira is gonna kill you. It's a good thing he isn't here today."
"K-Kurusu-san? He was supposed to be here?" Fear was dripping from his voice, not just the fear that comes from Akira being Morgana's older brother...but something else.
Ryuji's interest was peaked, "Whaddya mean by that? You sound even more scared, don't tell me you're scared of gettin' whatcha deserve?"
"Kamoshida forced me to leak his record, he'll have even more incentive to kill me! You have to help Sakamoto-san!"
Ann spoke up in the distance, barely restraining herself from continuing beating the shit out of Mishima, "You really are a piece of shit."
A huff of laughter came from Ryuji as he bestowed Mishima a look of pity mixed with disgust, "Agreed."
Ryuji crouched down, "I mean...Akira's my best friend. How-nah, why the hell would I help you?"
Mishima's eyes radiated sheer fear and shameless cowardice, something that Ryuji couldn't stand at all. "I-I...um, you guys are trying to take down Kamoshida right? I...I'll help! Any way I can! He thinks I'm a pathetic worm! He won't-"
"He's not wrong."
"Ditto, but I like the tune you're singin'. Maybe I might be able to talk Akira into somethin'." Ryuji gripped his shirt and yanked him up, starting to brush all of the dirty and grim off his uniform, "Ah, now don't cha have a job to get back to? Don't fumble the bag now."
Ryuji turned him around and slapped him on the ass, sending him nervously, and idiotically, running back towards BBB.
Walking up beside her, Ann started to speak, "You do know that was the stupidest thing you could've done right? And that he might go straight to Kamoshida?"
"He won't. He only cares about himself. Kamoshida doesn't know so he'll stay with us for now. Even if Kamoshida does find out, I'm pretty sure Akira will have somethin' to take that asshole down before it blows back on us. And me bein' an idiot is somethin' you always call me."
"Be honest...did you really only do that because he seemingly has an older woman?"
"Hell no, well I mean that annoyed me, but his voice. I know that guilt from anywhere. Plus, he really did do that shit after Shiho jumped. But uh...why did you slap the shit out of him?"
Ann looked a bit embarrassed, she was clearly trying to forget the outburst, "Ha...ha...oh, um...I just let my emotions get the better of me."
"Duh, but there's gotta be somethin' bigger behind it, right?"
"Well...Akira never did tell you about what we talked about the night before Shiho's...you know?"
"Nah...haven't had a lot of time since all this bullshit happened."
Ann sighed, "Kamoshida texted me while Akira was doing his little thing. He knew something was wrong and wouldn't stop bugging me about it. So I eventually told him. He told me to tell him no, so I...did." She started rubbing her neck as her head hung.
"So...when everythin' happened with Morgana and then Shiho...you felt like it was your fault huh?"
Partially, she lashed at him, "Of course I did! What else could I feel!?" She hated the fact that he was the one she was confiding in, the only one she could but...she pushed those feelings aside for the moment.
Harshly, Ryuji spat out his next thought, "Then why did you throw it in Akira's face yesterday? Didya think I didn't catch onto that? You think that shit was fair Takamaki? That he's not feelin' the same shit you are?"
She was taken aback, "T-That's why I stopped."
He looked at her, no emotion on his face, "Doesn't matter. You were dirty and an asshole for throwin' that in his face."
"I...I know." A sigh came from her lips, it was a habit she was unintentionally picking up from being around the three of them.
"Just be a bit mindful. Akira's...somethin' interestin'."
A bit of condensation formed in her voice, "Ha. Right, Ryuji Sakamoto telling me about being mindful."
Ryuji quickly turned to Ann, irritated was pouring through his voice, "This really ain't the time."
"It's never the time for you, isn't it?"
A groan slid from his mouth, "I've been hearin' that too much lately."
"I wonder why. But...yeah. That's been eating away at me. But to hear something about Mishima doing it..."
"You finally had somethin' to take all that anger and shit out on?"
"It's childish, but yeah. I feel...oddly relieved."
"Good." Ryuji motioned for her to follow him as he walked out of the alley towards the station. Eventually, Ann taught up.
Once passing the Big Bang Burger, a bit of pity formed, "Oh man, Akira really is goin' to kill him though."
"Oh definitely."
April 23rd- Today was weird.
Firstly, Kawakami checked up on me? That was really weird. Then she told me about Makoto's birthday and...yeesh. I feel really bad. Technically since I was the reason why she almost did something regrettable today.
I don't want anyone to do anything regrettable, especially if it's due to me, so I'm going to try and stop. Hopefully having her "help" us is going to stop her from doing anything stupid. I still don't like the idea honestly, but it's the quickest I could come up with.
Also, Ann and Ryuji were tasked with getting information out of Mishima, and surprisingly...they did well. Better than I thought actually, he's gonna help us out. I wonder how they did it...wouldn't tell me after they told me.
It's kinda an odd feeling but...for the first time, I actually do feel like something is going in our favor. I just wish Morgana was talking to me right now.
But I can't cry over spoiled milk.
Oh, today was also Makoto's birthday. I took her to Inokashira Park. It was nice. Besides...me puking my ass off.
Pretty eventful for a date.
WAIT NO NO NO NO
IT WASN'T A DATE
Akira quickly scribbled through that.
It wasn't a date. I even told uncle that.
It was just...
It was just me helping a friend.
Yeah, a friend.
Me and Makoto are friends.
Today was strange...but it was a good day. Something I needed after this shitty week, especially since it seems like every day at Shujin brings new problems.
I know I shouldn't feel this way but...I'm kinda happy? Or momentarily at peace?
Maybe I can sleep peacefully tonight too.
Maybe.
A/N
Man, I really don't like Mishima oh my god.
Upon losing half of this chapter I rewrote the hell outta it. I'm okay with this version than the original if I'm being honest but I still feel weird about a few things.
Man, I have got to stop doubting myself.
Anyway, chapter 9 should be out on Saturday, making the schedule go back to what it usually is! Also, we're almost done with Kamoshida! I personally think everything picks up a bit more once we're out of this phase of the story, and we have a lot of scenes I've been aching to write!
Oh, and I'm pretty sure things will get darker...so I might change the rating pretty soon...so yeah.
Anyways, take care of yourselves.