Saturday, April 24th
"Kurusu-kun?" Kawakami's voice faintly stroked the fibers of his brain.
Akira wasn't quite sure as to why he was zoning out, it wasn't due to exhaustion considering he had actually slept well the night before.
Something I might have to thank Makoto for.
Oddly.
I-Is that odd?
Like, seriously?
There's no way I'm going over the logistics of me thanking someone for helping me sleep in class.
I mean, it is rather weird.
She—Oh shit Kawakami!
"H-Huh? Yes, Kawakami-sensei?"
At the front of the class stood Kawakami as always, nothing was strange or different today. That should've also extended to Akira by virtue.
So, why was she calling him?
It wasn't for a question, Akira had already answered a few of those earlier. She had a habit of picking him for about two or three questions a day and then stopping. It was a tried and true habit of hers, and then she'd go on to ask another student their set of questions.
This is weird.
Her face is…scrunched up with a lot of…concern…
Oh god, what bullshit is in store for today?
"I…need to talk to you. It's no big deal, but would you mind following me?"
Ann turned around at her desk, giving Akira a concerned look. He attempted to calm her worries by flashing her a smile, but she only looked at him as if he was an idiot. No…it was worse than that, as if he was Ryuji.
Oh no.
With ease, Akira rose from his desk to be at Kawakami's heels for god knows how long.
Before exiting the classroom, she turned to the students one last time, "Everyone go over today's lesson one last time until I get back. Exams are sooner than you think."
A few groans transpired as she closed the door behind herself. Leaving her and Akira in the halls.
"So uh…what is all this about?" He couldn't help being a little nervous.
Kawakami muttered something under her voice, it was too jumbled together for Akira to even try to piece it together, so he was left in a partially irritated mood.
"Look, Kawakami-sensei I appreciate the little kind teacher effort you did yesterday, but haven't you reached your monthly quota—"
After a few more steps, Kawakami stopped in front of the Student Guidance room, turning to meet Akira, "Look, as I said, it's nothing serious I just want to have a conversation with you. I think it's about something importan—"
As if on cue, the door slid open with a heavy thud, with Kawakami turning around with a slight sense of fright in her, revealing a random teacher Akira had never seen before in his life, Kamoshida, and…
Isn't that the girl from the train? Why…why is she with him?
The annoyingly sickening smile from Kamoshida faded from his face the seconds his eyes connected with Akira's. His voice came out in a drab tone, with it focusing on Kawakami instead, "Ah, I see you're already getting to the problem I mentioned yesterday. Thank you, Kawakami-san."
She simply nodded. The girl from the train was next up to speak, "Oh, senpai! I never got to tell you thanks before."
Akira, despite rational thought telling him not to due to being in front of Kamoshida, flashed her a sincere smile, "Right, no problem."
Kamoshida gave a look of confusion, one that was faintly disgusting the sheer disgust he felt from this interaction, "Yoshizawa, you know him?"
"Yeah, he helped me a few days ago on the train when I was...trying to do something. Why ask, Kamoshida-sensei?"
He led his eyes from Yoshizawa towards Akira, giving him his signature vomit-inducing, shit-eating grin, "Remember in the talk we just had how I mentioned you have to be more aware of your time here at Shujin? Who you do and don't associate with?"
Yoshizawa was confused, "Yes?"
"And remember how I mentioned that one kid in your class is one of those people? Well, this is his brother. The delinquent that's been scurrying around these halls like a little rat."
Akira felt his jaw tightened.
You son of a bitch..
How dare you ever put Morgana's name in your mouth?!
Kamoshida let loose an 'ah' as if he was recalling something, "That reminds me...I haven't seen your brother at practices lately...I hope he's fine. Would be a shame if anything happened to him…"
Keep mentioning his name.
Keep mentioning it.
I'm going to tear that shit-munching grin straight off your face before I force you to apologize to Mona and Shiho you pathetic fu-
Kawakami positioned herself between the two of them, it was clear she was taking an authoritative role, "Kamoshida-san, if you don't excuse me, I would actually like to fix the issue you mentioned to me. May I?" She motioned towards the guidance room.
"Right! Of course. I wish you the best of luck when dealing with that mess of a person." Much to Akira's disdain, he and the other teacher walked off with no semblance of an injury or inconvenience placed on either of them.
That's fine.
Mishima will blow your grin off your face.
I just have to figure out how to use him just right.
Akira had dived into his subconscious for a bit and when he finally resurfaced, he saw Yoshizawa.
She was trying at him, clearly trying to get a read on him, under her breath she muttered, "Delinquent…?"
Ah man, another person thrown off by that…
Morgana knows her though? Talk about coincidences.
At first, Yoshizawa raised her head one last time as if to ask a question but she immediately stopped herself. Respectfully giving Akira a bow, "Excuse us." She quickly jogged after her teacher and Kamoshida.
Weird…
Kawakami instantly got his attention by snapping her fingers as she took a position by the door, pointing for him to step inside.
Taking his seat, Akira was instantly hounded by Kawakami.
"I'm just gonna hit the bullseye, did anything happen between you and Kamoshida?"
Akira sighed as he leaned back in his chair ever-so-slightly, "Is this why you were asking me stuff yesterday? Yeesh, I guess you didn't fulfill your quota then…"
"Kurusu-kun. I'm being serious. And no, Kamoshida approached me about this after you left. I know I seem…messy, but even I pay attention to my students." Kawakami started faintly nibbling on her nail as she focused on Akira, "And then that little thing out in the hall…" Her eyes were practically trying to force the truth out of Akira by being so adorable and heartfelt.
He wasn't going to fall for it.
Well, I mean, would it be so bad if she knew?
There's no way she's going to believe me, I'm pretty sure everyone in Shujin believes I had an infant fighting ring back in Kyoto…who would believe such a monster like myself?
Besides, even if she did, there's nothing she can do. She'd be in the same problem we have right now.
Kobayakawa loves Kamoshida, and to break that hold he gives him over Shujin, it has to be some hard, irrefutable evidence.
And…there'd be that issue of me assaulting an adult. I'm pretty sure if she did believe me, that would definitely be a dealbreaker.
I already knew this, but this is an issue we have to fix ourselves.
These shitty assholes aren't going to help.
Oh god, I've been around Ryuji too much haven't I?!
Akira's eyes focused back on her, "I wasn't lying when I said I'm just tired, Kawakami-sensei. Kamoshida-sensei…" Akira almost mentally vomited from forcing those words out of his mouth, that bastard didn't deserve any respect from him, "He…he's just like the rest of you guys. Just attempting to watch over me so I don't ruin the prestigious atmosphere of Shujin."
It seemed as if, once again, she had something more to say. But she held her tongue and instead a sigh flew out, "Well, just do that. Don't get yourself into trouble, okay?"
The infamous delinquent gave her a firm nod.
Clicking her tongue, she spoke up again, "Right, one more thing…that girl outside, Yoshizawa-san, was it? You didn't…make a pass at her did you?"
A burst of laughter came from Akira the moment the phrase left her mouth, partially frightening her again, "O-Oh my god, Kawakami-sensei I didn't know you were funny!"
"…uh-huh. Kamoshida has an unnaturally close eye on you. You're getting close to Sakamoto-kun, and hanging out with Takamaki-san…and now Yoshizawa? Even your brother knows her as well?" A puff of air flew from her nostrils as she leaned back in her chair a bit, mirroring Akira, "Maybe you just have a thing for athletic types…"
Akira couldn't even come up with a witty comeback.
God this reminds me of Makoto.
"What?"
"Sorry…bad joke. But…before I go, I have one last thing to discuss with you."
WHAT IS IT NOW
GOD, PLEASE GIVE ME A BREAK—
"I heard some students say you took Niijima-san somewhere?"
Can someone save me right now?
Akira started rubbing his nape, "Well…yeah. It was just a little hanging out. Nothing more, nothing less. I felt obligated since you told me it was her birthday so…"
Akira really couldn't tell but it seemed as if she was giving a glare of both…content and disapproval.
"Hm. Well, I was just asking because I also heard she had tears in her eyes while with you." Kawakami gently grasped a pair of scissors, "I might give you chances, Kurusu-kun, but I won't hesitate about her." She quickly snipped at the air with them, "Understood?"
Did I really just get threatened by a teacher over a student?!
What the hell is she planning to do with those—she's going to snip my balls off.
"I-It's nothing like that but yeah! You're totally crystal clear! I-I promise!"
Sadayo chuckled as she placed the scissors down, "Good. Lunch is starting soon, so I'd suggest you go do…whatever you do. As long as it isn't dangerous or stupid."
Meekly, Akira started to get up, giving Kawakami a bow as he started a path for the roof.
Right.
Nothing…dangerous or stupid.
Totally.
Ryuji Sakamoto was really confused.
Well, being confused wasn't really anything new for Ryuji.
The thing that confused him was new.
W-Why the hell is Miss Prez here?!
Makoto Niijima, the royal ass kisser of Shujin and the woman his best friend definitely had something going on with, sat in one of their usual chairs on the roof.
What made it worse was the fact it wasn't just...any old chair.
It was Ryuji's chair.
My beautiful chair…
My ass had just got used to sitting in that bitch! C'MON!
Ryuji couldn't even bring it up to Akira since he wasn't there yet.
Usually, Ryuji was first, of course, he was, with Akira being the last to come or second-last, which was the reason he came to love his seat. All of the chairs were easy pickings.
It took a few seconds but Makoto took notice of his presence, "H-Hi, Sakamoto-kun! I didn't see you there…"
Ryuji bypassed her greeting, "You uh…you're sittin' in my seat."
As expected, she quickly shot up, her hands raised to apologize, "Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't know."
He gave her a simple nod as he walked past her. Quickly crouching down by the chair, Ryuji brandished a permanent marker as he used it to write his name on the back of it.
There! Now we won't ever have this problem.
Wait…
For extra emphasis, he continued, writing his name on the seat itself.
Oblivious to it, Makoto stared at him with sheer confusion.
As he finished writing the final bit of katakana, he spoke up, "So uh, whaddya think you're doin' up here?"
Makoto opened her mouth, but the sound of the door opening muted her. The two of them turned their heads to be thankfully blessed with Akira's presence.
At first, he just stared at both of them. His face was blank but slightly more energized than usual, signifying to Ryuji he finally got some good sleep. Then, his eyes lingered on the marker and the katakana, "What the hell are you two doing?"
A slight grunt came from Ryuji as he stood up, "I just wanted to put my name on my chair, since Miss Prez was sittin' in it for some reason,'' Ryuji turned towards her, "But seriously, don't you have some meetin' to be gettin' to?"
Akira spoke up for her, "Nope. She's gonna be here for this meeting."
What?
"Come again?"
"She's staying."
"Deadass?"
"Yes."
"On God?"
"Yeah."
"For real?!"
Makoto spoke up this time, "Yes, Sakamoto-kun…that's not a problem is it?"
Ryuji slightly turned, staring at her. Then back at Akira. Then to her.
Somethin' ain't right.
Mirroring Thursday, Ryuji gripped Akira's collar as he pulled him into the stairs, sheltering them from her ears.
"Dude, what the hell?!"
Akira kept pulling at his collar, trying to get a handle on breathing normally again, "Please stop doing that man, that's not the type of choking I'm into."
Ryuji faltered as he stared at him, "You make me sick. But how the hell did you go from saying, 'We're not even friends' to inviting her to our little meetings?!"
It finally hit Ryuji.
Oh my god.
"Is THIS why you left us hangin' yesterday?! You were with her?!" Ryuji clutched his heart, the pain of this betrayal was like a lance ripping through his entire being.
Akira grabbed Ryuji, covering his mouth, "Shhh! Shut up! It wasn't even like that! First off, it was only because she almost did something stupid. I just wanted to get that off her mind!" Ryuji pushed him off, "Plus…it was her birthday."
"Okay, cool you're not a cold-hearted ass, but what does that have to do with her coming to our meetings?!"
Akira awkwardly chuckled as he rubbed his nape, "Well…I might've said that she can help us, just to keep a leash on her…and plus it wouldn't hurt having one more person to help."
Taking a moment to think about it, Ryuji reluctantly nodded, "Okay, sure…but what if she cramps our style? Or blabs to Kobayakawa? And dude…Ann really ain't gonna like this."
Slouching against the wall, he took a moment to speak, "I told her we're doing it my way. She agreed to it so…I would think that would eliminate her telling Kobayakawa. She isn't a liar so…but the Ann thing…we'll just—"
"What about me?"
Ryuji stiffened up like a board.
Shit.
Behind them, coming up the final flight of stairs, was Ann of course.
Aw shit.
Aw shit.
OH SHIT
Ryuji glanced at Akira and then the door.
DUDE THINK OF SOMETHIN'
Akira just stood there, he clearly had no ideas.
Upon walking past the two of them, she opened the door to be greeted by Makoto. She was sitting down in another chair as she nervously gave Ann a wave.
Ann shut the door.
It took a few seconds but she spoke up, "Um…I'm not tripping, right?"
The two didn't speak.
"Niijima-senpai is sitting outside, right?"
Their silence spoke volumes.
Please don't kill me, Ann.
"And she's…sitting in my seat."
It clicked in Ryuji's head that he still had his grasp on his marker, so he slowly raised it to her head.
"Stop it Ryuji." She slapped the marker out of his hand.
Aw man…that was a good marker…I took it from Chouno…
"So, neither one of you are gonna explain why she's here?" She finally said.
Ryuji coughed under his breath as he looked at Akira, she caught his drift quickly, "Akira?"
He immediately started stumbling with his words.
While the two of them were going back and forth, Ryuji had gotten a text.
MISTRESS REPORTER: So ummm, are you still not gonna talk to me?
RYUJI: right, my bad Ohya. I've been busy with all of this bullshit since…you know.
MISTRESS REPORTER: Of course. Didya finally put that journal to good use?
RYUJI: oh most def, but uh…kinda wonderin what we can use Mishima for.
MISTRESS REPORTER: Wdym?
RYUJI: yeah, we can use him for like information and shit, but how is that gonna help us? that's nothin hard.
MISTRESS REPORTER: Right. Well, talk to him some more. See exactly what Kamoshida does and craft something from there.
MISTRESS REPORTER: Also…I've been hearing rumors of Morgana having some connection to Shiho, that true? Haven't seen the kid around since Tuesday. Even Shinya can't get a hold of him.
RYUJI: phone is broken. Ima tell you bout it once this blows over. I think.
MISTRESS REPORTER: Hm. I also heard Akira and Kamoshida got into…something. That true?
RYUJI: yeah, but we're gonna take that bastard down before anything else happens.
Ohya took a few seconds to reply.
MISTRESS REPORTER: Just don't…get yourself into some deep shit. Please.
RYUJI: who do ya think you're talkin to? Im Ryuji mfin' Sakamoto!
MISTRESS REPORTER: oh so you're gonna get in trouble. Great.
"Are you even listening, Ryuji? Tell him how dumb this is!"
His head instantly shot up, "What?"
Ann groaned and Akira sighed, "Look, Ann, she won't be a problem. I promise. You trust me right?"
Ann opened her mouth to say something, but she stopped, giving him a begrudging nod.
"Good." Akira started to rub his neck as if he was exhausted from Ann's bickering, "Now can we please have this meeting before some crap happens to us? Like always?"
Ann sighed as she walked through the door, the delinquent duo quickly following after. Akira was the first one to speak up, "Sorry for the wait Makoto!"
Makoto?! On a first name basis?! Dude! I'm an idiot but I'm not that much of a damn idiot!
"See Ann? I told you-oomf!" Ann jabbed him in the ribs.
I...I didn't even make her mad today…
What the hell…
Ryuji hobbled over to the table with his partially wounded pride and finally took a seat in his special Ryuji-Sakamoto branded chair.
At least I'm sittin' in my baby…
Ann followed suit, grabbing one of the spare chairs and pulling it beside Ryuji.
Akira didn't grab a seat, he simply stood near Makoto at the head of the table, which was another thing that Ryuji took notice of.
"Alrighty. As you guys can see, Makoto is helping us now. So..don't feel weird about it. More hands we have helping, the better." Makoto shyly gave a smile at the two blonds whilst giving another quick wave.
"Right...so, Akira, what's the plan for today?"
Akira took one of his hands to his chin, "Well...I mean, Mishima's the cornerstone to whatever we're doing today so…is he working again today?"
Ryuji snickered a bit under his breath, "Yeah I don't think going back to his job is a smart idea."
"...What did you two do? You know, you guys actually never told me..."
Ryuji initially opened his mouth to speak, but Ann cut him off, "It doesn't matter...but that also brings me to something I wanted to tell you."
Aw crap, we're doin' this now Ann?
"What is it?"
Ann cleared her throat, "Yeah, what is it Ryuji?"
Ryuji shot her a look of sheer anger and mumbled under his breath for a second, "I hate you...but, it's about Tuesday and your past."
His face turned flat, "Oh. Great."
"Yeah...so...it wasn't Kamoshida himself who leaked it. It was actually Mishima. And-"
"And...he was the one who brought Shiho and Morgana to his office. He brought them up, Akira."
At first, Akira's face morphed into one with a bittersweet expression. It seemed as if he was blessed with a snippet of relief but...it was just a snippet. There was still a tangible form of regret and guilt in his eyes.
Then that expression twisted into anger with ease.
"I had an odd feeling." For the first time, Makoto spoke up, "Having a student leak your past? Removes any suspicion on Kamoshida to the masses if you had said anything. And to have a student be weak enough mentally to do so? I'd assume he was his plaything then, correct?"
Ann flatly answered, "Yeah. He was actually supposed to be the one beaten on."
"Ah. I had noticed Mishima-kun always seemed to be around Kamoshida, with the demeanor he possesses, it only makes sense."
A large cathartic sigh released itself from Akira, it seemed as if it relieved him, "That shit-"
"Language."
"-Right, that doesn't matter right now. I'll deal with that myself after Kamoshida is gone."
Makoto eyed him, "You'll deal with it?"
Akira waved away her provocation, "Not like that. Nothing violent."
"Ooh, don't let Mishima hear that, you scare the shit outta him! He thinks you're gonna gut him alive. He'd do anythin' for you honestly, that's actually how I got him to agree to this little plan."
Makoto breathed out, "Language."
O-Oh...that's...not a thing exclusive to Akira? What the hell?
"Right...my bad."
"Huh. Interesting, I could use that later on…but anyway, we just need to see when we can meet up with him, or talk to him. You two have any way of contacting him?"
Ryuji slid down in his chair, "Nah. Any old numbers that I didn't memorize got lost when I broke my phone in February. Mishima was one of them."
Ann looked down at her hands as Akira turned his gaze onto her, "I don't...but Shiho would."
Akira clicked his teeth, "Ah. Right. He still hasn't said anything, by the way. The phone wasn't on the counter when I got home yesterday, so I think he got it."
Not giving them any time to speak, Makoto brought up a pressing concern, "What do you guys even want to use him for? I doubt Kamoshida would be cocky enough to spill any of his details to Mishima or anyone else he uses and keeps close. The only time I see him even doing that would be during a beating itself."
Akira had to begrudgingly agree, "She's not wrong. He only mentioned things about Morgana and Shiho to me when I was actually…" He cringed, motioning his arms about as he continued, "...you know. But that was a situation where he expected me to get caught and only wanted to rile me up so I'd dig my hole deeper and deeper. He wasn't expecting Makoto to come instead."
Ryuji and Akira locked eyes and shared toothy grins. The former spoke up first, "You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'? His glasses faintly bounced as he nodded.
"We could just have Mishima get beat up!"
"Akira!" Makoto's disapproval was so sharp in her voice it would've been used to slice something, and Ann didn't even speak, she simply just kicked Ryuji's shin.
WHY AM I GETTIN' HARMED SO MUCH TODAY?!
ARG-FU-RAGGHH THIS IS SUCH BULLSHIT!
Ryuji surrendered control of his head as he plopped it onto the cool table, he really didn't want to scream.
Ann spoke up, "And besides, I told you Akira he only goes to that level when he's angry."
He hesitated for a moment, "Has...has he-"
Ann immediately cut him off, the idea repulsing her, "Hell no. He's a cocky asshole, but even he knows he can't push it that far. This soon after Shiho?"
Makoto bounced her gaze between the two of them as she attempted to piece everything together, "Takamaki-chan?"
Ann barely spared her a glance, "Hm?"
"What does Kamoshida use to contact you?"
"Oh, I know what you're thinking, but nope. He only contacts me on this app where the logs delete after viewing, so…"
Defeat resonated in her voice, "Oh...well maybe we can have Mishima manipulate Kamoshida?"
Although muffled, Ryuji laughed hard as he brought his face up from the table, "As if. Have you ever talked to the kid? He's not that type at all, Kamoshida would be able to instantly see what we're doin'."
Oh my god.
Is…
Is this hopeless?
I don't like how I'm soundin' right now…
Ryuji shuffled his gaze over to Akira, even his eyes had hints of defeat.
How the hell can we do this before Friday…?
Silence permeated through the group.
Eventually, Akira breathed a sigh, "We should all go home, at least for now. No use banging our heads together. We just need to regroup on Monday, relax and come back anew." Akira lightly slapped a hand on the table, "We're not done just yet."
Ann and Makoto gave little nods as they got up, Ryuji was a bit slower with getting up, actually trying to sit alone with Akira. Just to give his friend a little bit of breathing room.
The girls left and it was just the two of them, with Akira taking a seat as he gazed upwards into the sky.
After a few minutes, a deep reverberating sigh was issued from his lips, "Ryuji?"
Ryuji poked his head up for a bit, "What's up?"
"Do...you do uh, think we can do this? Like seriously?" Ryuji wasn't used to it when he had vulnerability in his voice.
He had to pick his words carefully.
"Um...I dunno. I think the fact we only have a few days is kinda messin' with everythin'. I know that we have the proper shit to take that asshole down it's just...nerves? I mean, we are just high school students after all."
Akira kept his voice low, "...right."
Eventually, Ryuji pulled himself up from his chair and walked over, Akira slouching heavily as he lazily locked eyes, "But...I told Shiho this, so Ima tell you. It was when she jumped, I got lucky and found her. I told her we would take that dick-chin shaped bastard down, but uh...it wasn't enough." Ryuji shuffled a bit closer, leaning in more as he continued, "But I know it'll be enough for you. For the both of us. I told you this before and damn it I'll say it again! We're gonna piss all over that dumbass' parade, destroy his little bullshit delusional 'Castle Shujin', and we're gonna have him apologize to Shiho and Mona!"
Ryuji reached out for Akira to grab his hand, to which he took on a devilish grin as a flame of passion gripped him. The two connected hands and Ryuji hoisted him up.
Akira's voice took back it's usual trickster bearings, "I got an idea."
Sunday, April 25th
AKIRA: Iwai said anything yet?
RYUJI: dude...it's like 10 in the mornin, the hell are you doin up?
RYUJI: and no, he hasn't. prob because he sleeps in, you know, like a normal person?!
AKIRA: Yeah, yeah, only reason why I'm up is because of Morgana's phone. Gotta fix it, remember?
AKIRA: You know any places I can go to?
RYUJI: hmm...well that second-hand shop we went to could actually do something.
AKIRA: But…it's a second-hand store. They don't…you know.
RYUJI: you trust me right?
AKIRA: Surprisingly, yes.
RYUJI: ima just ignore that and just focus on the yes.
RYUJI: anyway, just go to them.
AKIRA: Fine, but if they can't fix his phone or make it worse ima beat your ass
RYUJI: with or without the b dude
AKIRA: Go back to sleep man.
RYUJI: happily.
Akira threw his phone on his bed as he shuffled together an outfit. There was no real reason for him to get dressed up, but something was compelling him to...as if he was having a gut feeling about today going down in a certain way.
Akira hated that gut feeling from the top of his head to the very depths of his testicles.
Maybe it's because I might meet that doctor again? Takemi, right?
Nah, I should be fine as long as I avoid that clinic...shouldn't be too hard.
Actually, what is my counter? Last time I checked it was…
Bad Luck: -11
Good Luck: 8 right?
Hm...Kamoshida happened...Morgana got beaten on, I don't even want to think about what he did to Shiho and how he forced Mona to watch...Shiho jumped off the roof. Getting slapped by Makoto...forced to be paralyzed and a test subject but I'm willing to balance that out since Takemi is kinda cool. Makoto living in the same complex as me and knowing where I live is also up there too. Would I count Kamoshida and the deal as separate portions?
So, Bad Luck is at -21.
Wow, that's...kinda better than I expected.
Then we have...me patching things with Ann, Ryuji gaining the journal from...uh, Ohya right? Ryuji stopping me from beating the shit out of Kamoshida, me stopping HIM from doing that, me getting a good few licks in on him...I do have to be honest after all. Then Makoto stopping me, Takemi herself and the medicine, eating with Ann and Ryuji, and...Makoto.
I'm not saying, like, her being...her is good luck, no I'm just saying everything that happened on her birthday was just good luck.
Why the hell am I explaining to myself, I know what I meant.
Anyway, Good Luck is at...18.
Huh. Odd.
While going on his meaningless mental tirade, Akira had pieced together an outfit that included a plain white button-up, jeans, and some converse he had never worn before.
It shouldn't hurt.
Grabbing all of his essentials, Akira almost left before he stopped in his tracks.
For one, he almost forgot the entire reason as to why he was leaving in the first place, Morgana's phone.
Pocketing the phone, his gaze fixated on Morgana's door.
Maybe I can close the distance, just a little.
Admittedly, Akira hesitated but he pushed on, giving a few knocks at Morgana's door.
At first, he heard a few stumbles, it seemed he caught him off guard. However, the stumbles quickly dissipated, leaving Akira in silence.
Of course.
He knocked again.
And again.
It wasn't even full-on knocking after a certain point, it was just slamming on the door.
"Dude, can you just please open the door?"
Alas, there was no response.
Actually, wait a minute
Akira shrugged and turned around, his voice booming through the apartment's walls, "Such a shame, I was going to tell you that Yoshizawa was worried about you yesterday."
Within seconds, his door burst open, his loose hair flopping in front of his eyes as he tumbled on the floor, "S-She what?!"
"AHA! I LIED SHE DIDN'T SAY SHITASSHOLE!" Akira was always faster than Morgana, so getting a hold of him before he scurried back into his safe haven was an easy task.
"L-Let me go, man! C'mon get the hell off me!"
Akira was actually kind of struggling to keep a hold on him, he kept wildly jerking and being rough, "N-No! I'm not gonna let my brother soak away in a room even if you do hate me! Plus you smell like shit, have you been taking showers?!"
Morgana eventually got a bit of strength and pushed Akira off, making him hit his head on the wall, a few irritated groans came from his older brother as he laid on the ground, rubbing the impact spot.
Even if he was angry at him, he didn't want to hurt him, "Ak-Akira are you okay?"
He whipped his head towards him, "Jesus Christ Morgana, do you just love shoving me?!"
He pointed an accusatory finger that was also full of irritation at him, "I told you to let me go man! But seriously, are you okay?"
Waving away his worries, he continued, "Yeah, yeah I've been through worse. Who knew it would take a simple shove for you to talk to me...I'm just starting to think you want me to become your little punching bag."
"Actually, that wouldn't be so bad." Morgana gained an amused scowl as Akira's face darkened with annoyance, "...but you didn't have to bring up Yoshizawa-san. That was low, even for you brother."
Akira started to pick himself up, using the wall for support as he rubbed his head still, "I...I know, but I just...want to talk."
"If it's more false promises, I don't-"
"It's not. But, if you want to hear that, go take a shower and come out with me to fix your phone. We can talk once you've experienced some fresh air and I'm unable to smell the stench of your balls from miles away."
Mona paused for a moment, taking a few quick sniffs of his tanktop, "I...I don't smell that bad do I…?"
"Just go take a shower, and I'll get us something to eat. I can tell the place is running low on food…"
Morgana took a page from Akira's book as he nervously laughed and rubbed his neck
"Right…" While turning around, he spoke up once again, "Don't...don't think everything is fixed between us."
Akira gave a simple nod, "I know."
A yawn came from Morgana's mouth, Akira had gathered he was in a similar predicament of barely gaining any sleep.
It makes sense, considering.
"Are you sure a second-hand shop is the best place to go? I mean…Shibuya probably has a couple of shops we could go to."
"Wasn't my suggestion, blame Ryuji."
Morgana snickered, "You're blindly trusting that monkey? You crumbled fast as hell without my elite guidance."
"Shut up, if it wasn't for Ryuji your face wouldn't be looking brand new.
"Ha—Wait, are you serious?" Morgana really couldn't believe that, at all.
"Yes. Hell, if it wasn't for Ryuji these last few days wouldn't have been as productive. Give him his flowers, Mona."
"Huh. I guess he does have some worth. But um...you gonna tell me about these last couple of days? Or do I have to find out though Niijima-senpai secretly coming to me again?"
Akira groaned, he knew this was coming, plus he hated thinking about how she went behind his back, "Makoto isn't going to do that again, I made sure of that. And-"
"First name and no honorifics? Woah, what happened with you two?"
Oh god.
Not you too...
"Don't take this the wrong way since Ryuji's been killing me about it, but that's not really my place to say."
he huffed, "Of course."
"I-Morgana, that is literally her business. Anyway...the last couple of days have been odd. Ann is helping us now, Makoto is too. Ryuji got a lead from a girl named...uh..' Akira started snapping his fingers, trying his damnest to recall her name, "...oh, Ohya. We used it to make Mishima help us."
Morgana's face turned to disgust with remarkable ease, "Mishima? Ugh, that bastard is disgusting."
"Yeah, I uh...I found out about that. I didn't put him into a blender since you'd probably kill me over that."
"Correct, and I'd like to do that myself. But Ann and Niijima-senpai huh? Seems you're more open to the idea of people helping you."
Akira could just feel the venom dripping in his voice, "Morgana...I uh...I know what I did was wrong. I know I was being a hypocrite and that I was wrong for breaking our promise. I'm genuinely sorry."
Morgana sighed as he ruffled his hair a bit, "Look I…I've been thinking about it. I can understand why you did it. It threw you back to that day with Shido."
Akira kept his pace, steadily walking in front of Morgana to hide his face, "Yeah."
"But that doesn't excuse you, at all. The fact of the matter is, we promised to not lie to each other anymore." Morgana stopped in the middle of the street, his resolve inching closer and closer to Akira as he did the same, "We're all we got in Tokyo. We're going to be here for a year, so why lie to each other?" He took a deep breath as he prepared his next thought, "Just promise me one thing."
"Hm?"
"No matter how hard, or harmful, or destructive, or whatever, just tell me the truth. Don't ever hold anything from me. I'm your younger brother, but I'm still my own person, Akira. You can't protect me forever." Morgana breathed out.
Akira was grateful that he couldn't see his full face, for he rubbed his cheek ever so gently before turning around to meet his gaze, "I promise."
Mona sighed, "Good. Now can we get my phone fixed? Where is this second-hand shop anyway?" The brothers had entered Yongen-Jaya through the back section of the backstreets; the tight little alleyways were an easy source of irritation for Morgana.
He detested tight spaces.
Finally, the streets started to open up, revealing the rest of the small section, to which he answered his question, "Just keep walking down this street, and you'll come face to face with it."
"Hm. Can I get my phone?"
"Sure." Akira popped the broken phone out of his pocket and gently placed it into his hands, sure it was broken but Akira always tried to be gentle with electronics, "Go in ahead, I'll catch up."
Morgana nodded as he shuffled off, leaving his brother to his own devices.
AKIRA: Uh, good morning?
MAKOTO: Oh, hello Kurusu-kun.
MAKOTO: Oh, wait, good morning Akira.
AKIRA: Still not used to dropping the honorifics, huh?
MAKOTO: No, my apologies.
AKIRA: It's fine, don't worry about it.
MAKOTO: If you say so.
MAKOTO: But um, why did you text me this early?
AKIRA: Oh, uh…no real reason. I just wanted to check up on a friend. That's all.
AKIRA: Plus, just wanted to hear your thoughts about the meeting yesterday.
MAKOTO: Friends?
AKIRA: ..yeah?
MAKOTO: I see…
AKIRA: You don't consider us friends or something? I'd think after this last week…
MAKOTO: No, nothing like that, it's just…surprising to hear you think like that. But anyway, it was okay. A bit unorganized but serviceable.
AKIRA: Of course the great Student Council President would say that, we pale in comparison to your council meetings don't we?
MAKOTO: Very much so. I also think Takamaki-san has a problem with me.
I'm not sure...
AKIRA: Nah...probably just have to warm up to her. It was the same with me.
MAKOTO: Hm...
MAKOTO: Have you thought of any ways to implement Mishima-kun?
AKIRA: Nah…most I have is just him gathering up information and all that.
My plans can't involve you just yet, Makoto. Not yet.
AKIRA: We could just make it be a long-term bid with me…joining the band but eugh, I hate the idea of that.
MAKOTO: Agreed.
MAKOTO: We'll figure something out.
MAKOTO: We have to.
Akira double-tapped, liking the message, and pocketed his phone, strolling right up behind his brother who was eagerly watching the elderly man tinkering away at his phone.
"So, I see Ryuji was right in the end, huh?" Sarcasm, like always, spread through his voice with ease.
"Shuddup, I don't wanna hear it. But jeez, this old man is working his magic on my phone…"
The elderly man instantly shot back, "Don't call me an old man, I still have my youth…"
"But aren't you like...in your sixties? That's old, gramps."
A light fit of laughter came from the man, "Call me old again kid, and I'll make your phone into a toaster."
"I...I kinda want to see that-"
Akira swiftly covered his brother's idiotic mouth, "Sorry about him, sir. He's...he's a recluse. He doesn't know how to talk to people."
"Don't worry about it kid, I'd suggest taking a walk or something for about an hour or so. This phone was pretty roughed up, so…"
"Of course, do you want my number so you can call whenever you're finished? Just in case it's earlier or later than expected?"
The owner nodded and Akira obliged.
Afterward, Morgana yanked Akira's hand off his mouth, "What do you want to do then? Don't they have a pitching place around here?"
"Ew. You're the second person this week to mention something about baseball to me…"
"So, I'm assuming that's a no then? What else can you even do around here?"
"I think there's a bathhouse…"
"Akira it's like ten in the morning, we're teenagers, not perverted old farts."
He shrugged, "I'm not sure then, maybe-"
"Kurusu?"
Akira felt the coldest tinge of fear enter his body.
Oh no.
And Morgana idiotically turned around.
Great.
I'm doomed.
Akira reluctantly followed his brother, turning around to greet Tae Takemi...
"H-Hey, Takami…how are you?"
Takemi gave him a swift shrug, "I'm fine, I just have an early patient to get to." She turned her head towards Morgana, "This is your brother, I'd assume?"
The younger Kurusu gave her a quick lookup and down, Akira could only assume he was noting how…interesting her fashion sense was.
Akira nodded, "Yeah. Morgana, this is the woman responsible for your speedy recovery. So, say thanks."
Morgana straightened up upon hearing his name, "Right, thank you, ma'am!"
Takemi gave him a sweet smile, "It's not a problem. Mind if I give you a quick check-up before my patient arrives?"
Akira quickly spoke up, "N-No, we—"
"Sure, it'll pass the time while we wait for my phone to get fixed. Plus, breathing has been a bit harder lately…so…"
Takemi slapped her hands together as she gained a grin Akira was sadly acquainted with.
Morgana was shaking on the examination bed, huddled up in the fetal position.
Once again sitting in the stool, Akira hoisted himself up as he strolled over to his little brother, "You should've followed my lead, man."
"S-Shut up, Akira…"
Takemi finally appeared back in the room, carrying a bunch of documents in her hand, "So, everything seems to be in order with you, Morgana. I hope to have your continued patronage…"
Initially, Morgana was going to say something slick, but Akira butted in, "Hell no, that little experiment deal is for me only. Plus, I'm pretty sure you scarred him."
She took on a face of disbelief as she waved away his statement, "Pfff, that wasn't even that bad compared to you and Sakamoto. Oh, and Morgana," She tilted her head directly toward him, "Eat better, and sleep better. Any little issues you still have will be cleared up with that and my medicine."
He shakily nodded as he took that as a chance to leave.
Upon the closing of the door, Takemi crumbled into her chair, exhaustion sending ripples over her.
"Long night?" Akira slipped onto the examination bed.
"You could say that. I was expecting to sleep well, but…"
"Yeah, about that…a patient coming to you this early in the morning? That's kinda…"
"Surprising? It's only because of the fact he's a close friend, used to work in this area a few years ago... That's all. Besides that…my patient base is very, very small."
"Ah. I hope you actually treat him well. And not like me or Ryuji."
"Of course, I actually respect him."
Akira clutched his heart, "Oof, I'm harmed!"
She waved away his fake pain, "Yeah yeah, whatever." Like before, she brandished a lollipop from her coat pocket and popped it into her mouth, "So, he seems well." She motioned towards the door.
"I suppose. He's been mad at me the last few days, so this is the first time we've been together and…actually, you know, speaking."
Tae sucked her teeth, giving an "ah" in understanding, "I see…I assume that had something to do with 'vhollyboll', right?"
Akira winced, "You just aren't going to let that go?"
"I don't really like being lied to…especially when a teenager is begging for my products without the truth being known."
He sighed, "Once all of this is over, maybe you'll see something about it."
She tilted her head, "What exactly does that—"
Oddly, the door to the examination room slid open.
At first, Akira thought it was Morgana, "Mona, I'm coming soon just be patie—"
T-There's no way—
"Sojiro?!"
Sojiro Sakura, best friend to Hotaru Kurusu and a well-known family friend, somehow was standing in Tae's clinic.
That stupid curved beard…slicked back hair, half-moon glasses, that…kinda nice pink buttoned shirt, the coat, even his hat.
Oh my god, that's Sojiro alright.
"Ah, I knew if Mona was around then you'd be somewhere close."
"You two…know each other?"
"Yeah, he's…technically my guardian right now."
"That's a big technically, considering I'm loaning you my apartment free of charge."
"Leaving two teenagers in Tokyo alone without any supervision doesn't strike as guardian behavior. Actually, why are you even here in the first place?
"First off, I left you two here only at the request of Hotaru and Haruki. They trusted you, I don't but…I'm not your family, after all. Even then, Hotaru asked for me to pop in really quickly, so."
Akira snickered, "Is that really the only reason when Fu—."
He instantly snapped back, he knew exactly where Akira was taking this, "Watch it."
Right. That's a touchy subject.
Akira sighed, "I'm not sure why uncle told you to come, we're fine."
"You're fine…but your school recently had a suicide attempt and Mona's face is partly bruised…"
Akira stiffened in the bed, "That…" He was stumped.
Sojiro focused his attention on Takemi, "Let's call a rain check on this, let me deal with these two knuckleheads and I'll be back."
Tae groaned, "Fine. But I'm charging you extra."
Sojiro chuckled as he shot her a smooth smile, "As if you were going to charge me anyway. C'mon Akira."
A swift exhale came from the younger boy, "Great."
Akira was slumped on the couch, his head limp against the cushion. Sojiro had been droning on and on about small little details in the apartment, such as the movement of the couches themselves since that was something Morgana did instantly on the first day of school. He apparently wanted things to be a bit more…homey.
He was also complaining entirely too much about the smell of tea.
Even though I haven't made tea in two days.
How good is his nose man?!
"Akira, are you even listening to me?!"
"Listening to a thirty-seven-year-old complain about the stench of tea? Nope."
"You little—okay, fine. What the hell have you two been doing here alone then?"
Morgana was quick to reply, "Nothing really. Just…going to school and studying!"
Sojiro cleared his throat as he grabbed his phone, "I didn't mention this to Hotaru since he definitely would've popped a blood vessel and by extension, Haruki, but according to Shujin…" He adjusted his glasses as he scrolled through his phone, "Morgana hasn't been to school since Tuesday." Sojiro dropped his phone onto the countertop, "Now, are you two going to continue to lie to me or…?"
Akira started to mentally chastise himself.
Of course! How the hell could I forget?! Dammit I've been so worried about everything else I forgot they would report the absences!
Well, I pretty much would when he actually isn't here.
"Aw, crap…" Morgana looked over at his older brother still relaxing on the couch, he didn't know where to take this conversation.
Eventually, Akira sighed as he pulled himself up, walking over to the countertop and positioning himself opposite to Sojiro, "Look. I know you don't trust me—"
"Not one bit."
"But can you just…please ignore this? And not tell uncle or dad?" All Akira could do was peer into his eyes. Pleading with his eyesight alone.
It took a few moments, but Sojiro groaned, "God, I'm going to regret this. But fine."
A shocked smile formed on Akira's face as he shared his excitement with his younger brother back on the couch, but Sojiro's booming voice continued, "But don't think this means I trust you, or even like you. You're Hotaru's nephew, that's the only reason why."
Akira's mood went from moderate happiness to just faint happiness, but it wasn't too much to deter him, "Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way."
Sojiro pocketed his phone as he spoke up again, his voice taking on an inquisitive property, "But if I'm going to do this…just tell me one thing."
"Hm?"
"Tell me whatever is going on…has nothing to do with that little girl leaping?"
Goddamn it, old man…
Akira hesitated, grappling with if he wanted to be truthful for once today.
Morgana's voice rang out, "It does."
Morgana—
"But it wasn't due to us. It was just…something we got unfortunately pulled into."
Sojiro's voice shook for a bit, "Kid…Jesus…"
"Are you…are you still not going to say anything?"
"I intend to keep promises. Just don't go doing anything stupid. You two let adults deal with whatever…this exactly is.
Akira rubbed his cheek, "Yeah. We hear you."
Sojiro sighed, turning around towards the door as he tapped the refrigerator, "I'm assuming your dad and uncle sent your monthly allowances, right? Then fill your fridge. I don't want to come back here to see you guys on the floor dead because you were too lazy to go shopping…"
As Sojiro prepared to leave, Akira had one burning question, "Besides Uncle Hotaru, was that really the only reason why you popped in?"
"Is that really any of your business, kid?"
"Do you want me to say, 'I'm going to make it my business'?"
A chuckle came forth, "I had someone to see today also. That's all."
As he exited, he mumbled under his breath, "Hoo boy, I need a cup of coffee."
The door closed as Akira quickly turned around, "Why the hell did you tell him?"
"C'mon Akira. After seeing my face…knowing about my absences, then Shiho's attempt? He already knew, why lie?"
Akira grumbled for a bit, "I guess. How's your phone?"
Morgana popped his phone out of his pocket, grasping it very carefully, "That old man did his magic, really…really well surprisingly. He even gave me a little charm."
"Huh. Thank Ryuji for that when you get the ch—" Akira's words got cut off, his eyes widened as he started piecing something together.
Mona stared at him in worry, "Dude? Akira? Hello?"
Charm!
He finally had his eureka moment.
Akira rushed off in a hurry, leaving his younger brother utterly confused, "Akira?"
Following in his footsteps, Morgana found his brother shuffling through his room, "What the hell are you doing in my room?!"
"Wait! Before you pop a fit, where's—aha!" Nuzzled underneath his pillows, Akira found Shiho's phone.
"Suzui-senpai's phone? What about it?"
Akira locked eyes with him as he grasped her phone, "You haven't gone through it, have you? Not even through her message for you?"
"…no. Whatever she has to say, I want her to say it to my face."
Akira couldn't help but give him a sincere smile, "The reason why I ask is because one of my stupid ideas involved using Mishima for something, but..this…this can help that idea even more."
Akira typed in the password with ease and opened the phone, a plethora of messages and notifications spamming the screen.
The most prominent being Ann.
Akira and Morgana both felt equally queasy looking at notifications, and equally shitty even thinking about reading through them all.
"We're…not gonna read through them, right?"
Akira quickly shook his head, "Hell no. Not our place."
Even though they didn't want to read through them, the last text was visible.
ANN;): I'm sorry.
It made their stomachs turn.
Akira quickly cleared the Notification Center and went into her recent texts.
"What are you looking for…?"
"It's a crazy, crazy idea, but Ann told me that Shiho was basically used as a piece to control her. She didn't mention anything happening to her outside of him hitting her more recently so...I'm thinking…maybe…"
"Kamoshida used her as a proxy for his…distorted desires…" Realization dawned on his face as it quickly turned to disgust, "She...she told me his abuses aren't just physical, Akira...I think you're right..."
He hesitated to answer as he stopped scrolling.
Thinking of Kamoshida with any of Shujin's students made him even sicker.
"…I hate being right..." He took a second to breathe as he forced on, "Ann told me used an app that would delete the chats upon viewing, but if he was texting Shiho and thinking of her as only a tool to be used and played with…"
"Then he didn't do all of that. Ann is the source of his desires, right? That's what you're saying?"
Akira picked the conversation back up as he gazed at the message Ryuji sent her Wednesday morning, "Yeah. The man is a cocky pathetic son of a bitch who probably thought Shiho would never turn against him, which is why he wouldn't be as cautious. I can only hope his hubris actually screwed him over."
Akira continued, eventually spotting a restricted number with a black picture.
Please don't make me want to puke.
Please.
Morgana instantly reacted, pulling his head away as Akira braced himself.
Good to know my beloved brother as my back on potentially getting scarred for life.
Lolsies.
Oh screw it, just do it!
Akira's eyes were instantly assaulted with compromising pictures of Shiho and Kamoshida.
There was an abundance of pictures of her, each one more revolting and sickening than the last, while Kamoshida was more scarce, and even then his face was purposely blocked out. Each text from Kamoshida made his stomach turn more and more.
It's a good thing he doesn't see this.
"Oh my god…this bastard was texting her with one of those anonymous text softwares…shit."
Morgana kept his eyes away from the phone, "Well…what now?"
Akira closed her phone as he gently placed it on Mona's nightstand, "Nothing. All this does is make my idea with Mishima seem better and better."
"Which is?"
"Simple. We tell him to steal Kamoshida's phone."
A/N:
Oh man, I feel odd about this Sojiro inclusion...bit earlier than he was supposed to show up actually but eh...I might tweak it more and more when I have the time, or hell I might even just remove it actually. For now, treat it as a pseudo-canon thing, unless I explicitly make references to it later on.
But anyway, only two more chapters! Sorry about getting this one out so late, today was really busy and hectic for me. Plus my sleeping schedule is absolute trash right now, so good god.
Anyway, be safe everyone.