Thursday, April 29th

"Morgana, I'm going to ask again, are y—"

"Come on Akira, stop babying me, I'm not letting you two become dumb and dumber while doing this."

Ryuji perked up instantly, "Hey! Who are you calling dumber!?"

Stepping foot outside of Shujin's gate, Akira and Iwai spun around, "The both of you, shut the hell up!"

The former sighed, "Okay, Morgana." He turned his head to Iwai, "Have your…'associates'—"

He cut Akira off swiftly, "Kid, they've been doin' shit like this since before we were even a thought in our daddies' nutsacks. They're already there. Only thing is…" He took a glance at his phone, "You assholes only have until 4:30 to get to Tsurumi, get whatever you need from his place, and leave."

"What? Iwai I thought we woulda had more time!"

"Ryuji...they have more pressin' concerns. The fact they even gave y'all this window of time, is a miracle within itself. Money only talks depends on how much you want it to. Besides, I think you guys should get goin' now."

Akira and Ryuji shared a groan as they sped off towards the train station, with the younger Kurusu lagging behind a little as he had a question in mind, "Iwai-senpai?"

"Stop callin' me that, it makes me feel older than I already am…"

Mona nervously chuckled, "R-Right...but...you aren't coming?"

"Nah, kid. Your brother wants me to do somethin' else for yall. Just to make sure everythin' is accounted for." Iwai gave him a pat on the back, "Now get to movin' kid, I don't want you to be the reason why everythin' gets screwed up."

A light chuckle came from his mouth as he smiled, "Right. Good luck, Iwai."

Iwai gave a nod as the younger kid ran off.

The train ride to Tsurumi was rather swift, something the trio could appreciate in the heavy silence that suffocated them.

No matter how much they tried individually, nervousness soaked into every facet of their minds. Technically breaking into a man's house? None of them had ever done a thing similar to this, there were so many things that could go wrong.

And yet this was necessary.

At least, Akira believed it was.

He had to believe it to be.

Akira kept that idea bouncing around in his head as they scoured the streets of Tsurumi, well…not really the streets since they kept taking little back ways towards Kamoshida's apartment, as per Iwai's instructions to avoid any street cameras that could be used against them if word of this ever got out and was traced back to them. It was annoying, especially hearing the whining of both Ryuji and Morgana, who wouldn't stop bickering at every single second.

I wish I could kick these two in the balls.

Oh, then I wouldn't become an uncle.

Damn it.

Akira kept his eyes down at his phone as he continued from Iwai's instructions, they were close.

He just needed to concentrate.

"All I'm sayin' is that…you…keep eyein' Ann."

Morgana tilted his head in confusion, "The hell is that supposed to mean? I can't look at Lady Ann? She's not your proper—"

"Of course she's not my damn property! I wasn't even sayin' that i'm just sayin' that could be a little off-puttin' and weird—"

He immediately bit back, "Off-putting? Isn't that all she thinks of you as?"

"Oh shut the fu—"

Akira ripped his head from his phone and threw his gaze at the two bickering children, "Stop! The both of you! For God's sake, you two are annoying as hell! Shut the hell up and get ready, we're here."

Morgana hadn't been paying a lick of attention, most of it was focused on Ryuji, which caused him to idiotically stumble into his brother, who gave him a glare of irritation, "S-Sorry, Akira." Steadying himself, he finally took in Kamoshida's apparent home.

It was an apartment complex, nothing too crazy and nothing akin to the high-rise Morgana and Akira were slowly starting to call home. It was just…decent.

Ryuji huffed some air, "You'd think with the way that asshole carries himself, it would be an entire penthouse to himself..."

Mona mumbled under his breath, "Hell, our place is better than this."

"Deadass? Can I—"

Akira shot it down with ease, "No."

Ryuji threw his hands up in disappointment, "C'mon! Dude, we're doin' some half-baked dumb-ass plan that might screw us over! You can't even just let me dream of sleepin' over and havin' fun!?"

Another monotone reply came out, "No." Akira paused for a moment, pivoting on his heel to meet Ryuji's sight, "A 'half-baked dumb ass plan'?"

"I'll take it back if I can come over at any time, with no complaints from you."

I'm going to regret it, aren't I?

Akira drew a sigh from his mouth as he stuck his hand out, "Deal."

The grinning blond shook on it, "Nice. Now let's go bust into an apartment, Aki!"

Morgana slapped Ryuji in the head, "Shut the hell up! You want the entire neighborhood to pin us here afterward? After the annoying ass walking we just did?"

Ryuji rubbed the back of his head, the impact point stinging, "Ow…and I mean, didn't Iwai's people deal with that?"

Waiting for a car to pass, Akira started making his trek towards the complex, "No, I wanted that but…the most Iwai could convince his…'family' to do was just remove the owner and his cameras from the situation. That doesn't take too many members. But multiple residents? Too many. Especially when Iwai doesn't get that much help in the first place."

Hushing his voice to not let it echo inside of the staircase, Ryuji came to one conclusion, "So, we're gonna have to be quiet as hell and not bring any attention to us from his neighbors, right?"

Mona answered for Akira, "Bingo. Because if we get caught by any of the neighbors—"

"That's outside of the realm of what the owner has been asked. Only to turn a blind eye and delete footage of us. 'Money only talks depending on how much you want it to.'"

It's a stupid statement but it's true sadly.

Ryuji tapped Akira, pointing to the floor above them, "The fifth floor. That's it, right?"

The de-facto leader took a quick glimpse through his phone, continuing up the stairs as he gave Ryuji a reassuring nod.

Ryuji stopped them once getting to the base of the walkway, "Hey uh…since this is supposed to be a…y'know, kinda sneaky mission…howdya suppose we get past the windows of the residents?"

"I…oh shit."

"Ah, Aki. I can tell you've never sneaked into a girl's house before." Ryuji pitifully patted his shoulder.

"Wha—"

Morgana nonchalantly confirmed Ryuji's idea as he checked a few messages on his phone, "He hasn't."

Akira quickly turned back towards his little brother, his murderous intent oozing, "Shut the hell up!" He paused as he turned back to Ryuji, "And there's no way that your ass knows anything about sneaking into—why are we even talking about this?!"

"Oh, right. Because—" Ryuji dropped to the floor, crawling on all fours with his teeth clenching his phone. Why was he using his teeth instead of his pocket? Ryuji couldn't even think of a reason, it just looked cooler.

Both Kurusus couldn't help but…stare at the blond idiot.

There's no way he's for real right now.

Dude.

Morga—

Akira turned to see his brother on all fours also, his phone in his mouth.

THIS IS NOT REAL.

WHAT THE HELL ARE THESE TWO DOING?!

"What the hell are you two doing?! Stop being idiots!"

Morgana spoke muffled, "Chu got a bheetter hidea?"

"N-No, but let me think—"

Akira could faintly hear the rustling of someone getting up from their recliner, along with their feet smacking against the tile floor as he automatically dropped to the ground.

Oh god.

He could hear the curtains being ripped open, which only made him press against the apartment wall even further, maybe they couldn't see him.

Luckily for him, they didn't. They were actually taking in the view of Tsurumi, but Akira didn't know that.

What he did know, however, was how to scurry across the walkway akin to a cockroach. Within seconds, he reunited with his brother and Ryuji, who was at work trying to pick the lock on Kamoshida's door with gloves on. Which reminded both Morgana and Akira to put theirs on.

Whilst doing so, Akira whispered, "You…know how to pick locks? Really?"

"My old man was a piece of shit but uh…this was the only good thing he taught me."

"Huh. But um…Iwai told me the owner left a spare key under the mat…"

The lock clicked as the door opened wide open, "You gotta be bullshittin' me…"

Akira nervously ruffled his hair, "My bad."

Herding the two inside, Akira took quick glances on both sides to make sure they were fine.

They were in the clear.

Shutting the door behind him, he started aimlessly throwing his hands around the walls, eventually finding the light switch. Which unveiled the…sheer chaotic mess of Kamoshida's apartment. It was like both of his offices but boosted up to ten. Clothes strung about everywhere, both dirty and clean. Instruments, both broken and repaired, were thrown in one corner. So many papers and arrangements were covering the floor, much to the point it seemed as if everywhere you stepped held one.

Akira couldn't help but purposely step each and every one.

Outside of that, the kitchen was a complete and total mess, only completed with a horrid stench that even Ryuji couldn't stomach, "What the hell does he do in here?! This place is terrible!"

Morgana was pinching his nose, his voice nasally, "Maybe if we have him stay in here long enough the stretch will suffocate him to death…"

Akira placed his shirt over his nose, "I wish…"

"But, hey at least this goes to show that Ryuji Sakamoto and his knowledge of women is usable in any situation!"

The older Kurusu walked ahead, investigating the mess that would be considered Kamoshida's living room, first checking Kamoshida's printer for anything, "Really? That knowledge includes burning your hair off while on a date with Ann?"

Ryuji choked on his spit while Morgana stifled his laughter, "How do you know about that?! And stop laughing jackass!"

"What? Who's laughing, I'm not laughing. Akira, was I laughing?"

"Shhh, keep it down a bit. These walls should be thick but…I don't think any walls are thick enough to contain Ryuji yelling." Ryuji piped up to rebuttal but…he realized there was no point, he was right sadly, "Or Morgana throwing insults at you either."

"Hey!"

"It's true, little brother. Anyway, you two start searching for shit. We only have…" His voice wavered as he checked his phone, "Shit, we only have forty minutes before 4:30 hits, hurry up you two!"

The duo nodded as they went to different sections of the apartment, examining every nook and cranny.

Eventually, they all met back up at the front door, their hands empty.

Ryuji was the first one to check the time, twenty minutes had passed, "Aw shit man—"

"Ryuji, don't start that doom and gloom stuff, we still have the bedroom to check."

"Yeah…but…there's a PIN pad on it. I guess he replaced it or somethin'?

"Ah, it's a good thing I—" Akira patted his back pocket only for little memories of the morning to dance in his head, "Shit."

Morgana knew that look, "You forgot you gave the phone to Niijima-senpai, didn't you."

Akira clicked his teeth, "Yup." He took a walk to the door, trying wouldn't hurt.

Morgana and Ryuji were at both his sides, the former spoke first, "Hm…try…his birthday?"

"Gee Morgana, I totally know that asshat's birthday."

"Okay, my bad, my bad. Maybe…"

"Maybe Ann's? November 12th, 2004."

Akira punched in the numbers.

No luck.

Akira cursed under his breath until a set of numbers dawned in his head.

It seemed Ryuji had the same idea also, "Maybe that magazine we found in his office? Didn't you say that was the pin to his phone also?"

Akira punched in the numbers, and the door snapped open.

Ryuji just couldn't understand why, "Why does he care for that magazine so much…It's just some bullshit from 2006 that doesn't even run anymore…"

"Hm…can you text…uh…goddamn it this happens every time…ah, Ohya. See what she can pull up on this. I feel like…this is more important than we thought."

"Right. Ain't the name All-Japan Hopefuls or some shit?"

"Yeah, stay out here and come inside when you get something from her." Akira tapped Mona to signal him to follow him inside.

Of course, it was dark upon stepping foot inside, only a fleeting glimmer of the living room light spilled into the room. As before, Akira slid his hand over the walls as he finally found the switch, the instantaneous nature of light shed the room of its darkness.

Only to reveal its vile nature.

Pinned on the walls were yearbook pictures of female students with a calendar right beside them with marked dates.

Some of the students were crossed out in a red sharpie, those students had many more pictures surrounding them. Pictures that involved Kamoshida and them…exploring each other.

Well, him forcefully exploring them. It was clear as day on their faces.

The expressions made Akira burn with rage.

I…

I should've known he didn't start this with just Shiho and Ann but…

This sick fuck keeps all of his…'conquests' and tapes them to his wall so he can…what?! Stroke his vile ego some more every time he steps in here!? Every time he goes to sleep he can recall all the women he violated!? That he ruined?!

Akira felt his stomach tighten as he heard Morgana silently gasp behind him, he turned around, immediately realizing what he was looking at.

It wasn't just pictures he had Shiho send him.

It was more.

Far more.

While Akira felt sheer anger, he couldn't imagine the rage Morgana was feeling. Nor the rage Ryuji would feel when he walked inside.

Silently, he walked over to place his hand on his shoulder, Mona was visibly shaking.

"Morgana…"

I can't say, "It'll be alright…I'll just be lying to him and myself.

But…

"We have what we need. He's not going to get away from this in any capacity. I promise you."

It wasn't anything special, but it was enough to stop the shaking. And that was enough for Akira, at least for now.

Ryuji's voice echoed throughout the room, "Hey! Ohya texted me back, she said—" His voice harshly cut off the second he stepped foot into the room. His eyes locked onto Shiho's little portion of the room.

"That…that sick…b—"

Akira cut him off, they were still pressed for time and they couldn't get consumed by their anger, no matter how much they wished they could, "What did Ohya say, man?"

Ryuji clenched his teeth, swallowing his anger and he read her text out loud, "Apparently…All-Japan Hopefuls was a magazine that took noteworthy musical Third-Year students and put them on the national stage. Putting their names out and highlightin' them as being talents that were goin' somewhere in the musical world. Kamoshida was on the first issue…and it got immediately canceled afterward. Apparently somethin' about money launderin' she says? The bad press associated with that whole thing leaked into Kamoshida's reputation too, so…by the time he got to University—"

"His career was dead in the water." Akira chuckled dryly, "The man is so stuck in the past and resentful that he takes it out on students that had nothing to do with this…stupid ass magazine. That the world owes him something. That's probably why he's so obsessed with Nationals too…how pathetic."

Akira took his eyes towards the center of the room, where Kamoshida's bed lay. Above it was a picture of Ann. Thankfully, it was just her yearbook picture with nothing else to accompany it. Just a bunch of calendar dates that kept getting crossed out with little side notes detailing his failures.

Though, Akira's eyes took notice of something that was enveloped in the covers.

It was a picture that had a familiar set of brown hair and its accompanying headband.

There's no way…

Akira snatched the covers from the bed, confirming his fear as a photo of Makoto met his anxiety-riddled gaze.

There was a sticky note attached to the photo.

"May 3rd, 2021. Pursue Niijima-san for…diversifying the palette. It'll be easier bending her to my desires if Kurusu isn't around or if he's my little bitch."

Akira felt his nails dig into his palm to the point he drew blood.

"Ryuji?"

"Yeah?"

"Get the printer."

The blond looked at Morgana, who knew what to do, as he gave Akira a grunt.

Kamoshida wasn't going to enjoy his immediate future like he thought he was.

Friday, April 30th

Akira clasped his hands together as he stood in the middle of the living room, "So yeah, that's…basically how all of that happened."

Everyone was there, Ann, Ohya, Ryuji, Makoto, Iwai, and Tora.

Ann spoke up, "So…he had…what, basically a shrine to each girl he…y'know…"

Ryuji's voice was heavy as he tried not to recall the entire sight again, "Yeah. It wasn't just you and Shiho he started with. If I had to guess? The piece of shit must've been doin' that since he first got there. There were so many girls…I didn't even know most of them."

Makoto was next to speak, she was quiet for most of the recap, "How did the reprinted copies you made make it to every social circle in Shujin?"

Akira was quick to answer, "Oh, right. I had Iwai get Ohya and Tora, since they're the most connected and tech-savvy, it would be the easiest for them to do so. They went to Internet cafés and used VPNs to allude any tracing back to them. They did it…like…"

Ohya spoke up, "We went at five this morning. I'm still tired as hell, Kurusu-san. I don't play about my sleep. But…this was more important."

"What about that charge of threatening a minor?"

Ryuji took this chance to answer Ann's question again, "Oh, Akira had the bright idea of recordin' that morning just in case Kamoshida said anythin' to us at the front gate. Aki-chan here read him like an open book since that's exactly what he did. He went on this whole borin' annoyin' ass speech and boom! We got him."

The older Kurusu cleared his throat, "Ahem, I got him. Then I sent the voice file to Makoto who sent it to her cousin. All my plans surprisingly worked…that's a first."

Makoto groaned, grabbing her bag as she walked outside of the apartment, much to the confusion of Akira.

He turned his head towards Morgana in the recliner who just struggled, "Aw shit. I'll be back, everyone." Once grabbing his card, Akira turned back to his little brother, "Make sure everyone in here doesn't…screw the place over, I don't want to hear Sojiro's whining if he notices anything."

Morgana lazily gave him a thumbs-up as he nibbled on a gummy bear.

At first, Akira went straight to the elevator but it closed just as he ran up to it. It seemed Makoto was blessed with good luck today.

And that means I'm gonna have to run down a few flights of stairs

You have got to be shitting me.

With his lungs burning, he made it to her floor, taking a few moments to breathe as he leaned on a wall. Akira apparently ran so fast he made it to the apartment before her.

Either that elevator is slow as shit and picked up a few people, or I'm fast as hell.

Well, not as fast as Ryuji it seems.

Man, I have to stop going on mental tangents when I'm nervous. It's stupid as hell.

Akira heard the familiar ding of the elevator opening as he forced himself to take one huge inhale as straighten up. He instantly caught sight of her, "Makoto—"

Her old harsh demeanor towards him returned, "Don't." She pulled her card out as opened the door.

The door would've closed in his face if he didn't react with ease and slip inside, closing it behind him, "Makoto? Wha-what happened? Why are you—"

She sighed as she threw her things on the couch, using it as a resting point as she leaned against it, her head hanging, "Kurusu-kun, I really don't want to do this."

"Do what?! Makoto I'm so confused..."

His pleads brought nothing new, so he grabbed her shoulder, to which she brushed him off as she sporadically whirled around, her emotions slipping as she pointed her finger at him, "You lied to me!"

"And I'm sorry about that but—"

"Did you ever think for a second about how stupid that was?! How idiotic and consequential it could've been if it went wrong?! You don't think this is going to blow up and trace back to everyone? To me and my record?!"

"Are you seriously worried about your rec—"

"Why did you even do it in the first place? You had the phones! I was willing to overlook that since you said Mishima-kun took it but even then, you lied!"

Akira's mouth was partially agape.

Shit.

"H-How did you—"

"Why did you do it, Kurusu-kun? Why?!"

He flinched.

He wasn't used to this.

"I…Kamoshida needed to be brought down."

"And again, you had Suzui-chan's phone! You had his phone! That was more than enough to bring him in! Plus, the audio!"

"…He needed to pay."

That's not good enough.

"You know what I think? I think I was right in what I thought the first time we had a real talk. I think you're a little boy who got mad Kamoshida embarrassed him multiple times and played him, so you wanted to do the same. To ruin him and see the pleasure drain from his face as he was torn to shreds as you smile gleefully in his face. God…I was right. You and him are the same."

Not this shit again.

"What?! Me and him?! The same? How could you even say that?!"

"You did the exact same things he did! Manipulating people! Lying! Being egotistical! Breaking the rules, the law!"

"Is that what you're concerned about?! That you failed to prove me wrong? That you lost your little game of righteousness? Weren't you going to throw yourself onto him? Did you care about what was going to happen at that point?! No! You were worried about the result, and how is that ANY different from me?! Just because I broke your pretentious ideas of how justice should be served? Do you even care about Shiho?!"

Makoto instantly shot back, "Do you?! Outside of Morgana being hurt or your record being leaked, would you have even cared?!"

Akira winced, his mind kept replaying what Kamoshida said to him in the office.

That…that's not true.

"That's not true! I did this for her! For Ann! Ryuji and Morgana! At least I did something for an actual reason! All you did was sit on your ass and twiddle your fingers watching me for your dumb ass game!"

She chuckled, "Ah yes, how could I do something when you were manipulating everything. I wonder…did you learn that at Kyoto? Is that what Shido taught you?"

The mention of Shido snapped him partially from his stupor, "Stop talking about things you don't know, Makoto."

"Or what? Not like you'll tell the truth anyway, all I expect is another lie or contrived situation to manipulate things. Is that why you locked eyes with me that day? So I would follow you to Kamoshida's office? Was I your safeguard? Did you take me on that boat ride and make me join your little meetings so you could have me out of your way? Or why you'd play with me each time we talked? Is that all I am to you? Just a source of information and an annoyance you need to keep a close eye on!?"

No!

N-No...

That's…that's not what I was doing.

Right…?

I'm not like Kamoshida.

I'm not.

I'm not like Shido…

I'm…I'm not…right…?

His voice cracked, "Makoto—"

"I can't believe I thought you were different. That I could trust you." Her face was contorted with disappointment and sheer disgust. And it was all for him.

Akira didn't know what the feeling was but…he felt horrible. His chest was hurting.

He couldn't even think straight. "M-Makoto…"

Before anything else could be said, the door jiggled open.

With tears pooling in their eyes, they both threw their heads towards the door to see Sae Niijima.

She had bags under her eyes, her signature ashen brown hair was a bit untidy, while her outfit, which was a black turtleneck and some khaki pants, seemed as tidy as the day it was bought.

It also seemed as if she wasn't expecting to see a man in her apartment.

"Who…who are you?" At first, Sae bounced her eyes between the two teenagers, finally seeing the tears pooling in their eyelids. She locked onto Akira, "Get out of my apartment. I don't know who you are, but you have five seconds before I call the police."

"Wh—"

"Being in my residence without my consent is grounds for you to be arrested."

Makoto finally spoke up, "S-Sis—"

Sae raised her hand, making the number five, "Five."

Akira turned his sorrow and confusion-filled gaze at Makoto, while she had concern in her eyes, the disgust and disappointment were still there.

"Four."

He hung his head.

"Three."

Yeah.

I should go.

"Two."

Akira left, closing the door behind him.

Sae turned her head towards Makoto, "That is why you haven't been able to return my calls? Are you serious? Boys are becoming a worry for you?"

"Sis, it's not like that—"

"I don't care what it is or isn't. The point is whatever that is shouldn't be draining your attention away from your academic nor musical studies at all. That shouldn't be a priority at all. Lord knows I don't need to carry a worthless brat like you along with me if your grades or abilities start to slip up."

She wanted to speak up, to say something else but…the words wouldn't leave her mouth.

Sae went into her room, grabbing a few essentials as she returned to the front door, "I just came to grab a few things. I have a few more arrangements and recording sessions to deal with at the studio. Apparently, a producer wants to meet with me for my next album, I think Yūko-san said I knew him in my Shujin days." She sighed, "I'll just tell her to write him off, make up some excuse. Anyway, don't do anything stupid while I'm gone. Study and practice. I'll call you if I need anything."

The door closed before Makoto was even able to give her confirmation. But that wasn't anything new. Sae coming in, giving her flack, and then leaving without remotely caring for how she was as a person? That was typical of her sister.

Typical for everybody.

Akira dejectedly dragged himself back to Sojiro's apartment, finding Iwai and Tora outside of the door.

"Hey."

"Hey. You uh…you okay over there, Kurusu-kun?"

Tora's concern fell on deaf ears as Akira walked past him, which prompted him to grab his shoulder, forcing him to stop, "Kurusu-kun?"

The grip latched Akira back to the land of the living, "Huh?"

"Are you okay, dude?"

Before he could say anything, Iwai spoke up, "Lovers' quarrel?"

His face soured, "Ha, ha. You're so funny."

Tora tapped Iwai in the gut, "Come on man, but are you okay? What was wrong with Niijima-san?"

"Uh…nothing. She just had a bad stomach. That's all." He rubbed his cheek.

Tora studied his eyes and expression, only to pat his shoulder, "Hm. Okay then, I'll see you when school starts back up on Wednesday."

Tora gave the two boys nods and went towards the elevator, which prompted Akira to join Iwai with slouching against the wall.

"So, ima just assume you and Niijima-san had…a fallin' out?"

"I…I don't want to talk about it."

"Yeesh. That bad?" Akira gave him a non-comprehensible sound that seemed like an agreement, "I dunno what that means, but I guess that's a yes."

"Honestly, it's fine, kid. Y'all were only around each other for the purpose of takin' down Kamoshida, even if you kept her in the dark most of the time. Y'all wouldn't actually be able to stomach each other anymore, especially considerin' how you're on opposite extremes of the social chain. Don't stress kid, especially with exams comin' up."

"Y-yeah…I guess. It's just…I thought we were friends."

"If that was the case, then why did you lie to her?"

Akira perked up, "B-Because—"

Iwai raised his hand, cutting him off, "We'll have this conversation when I call you for my favors, Akira. I hope you do remember those terms and conditions we agreed to."

His face turned flat, "Of course…"

I just hoped you had forgotten…

He's been raised around Yakuza his whole life, how the hell would he forget a debt?! Goddamn it!

He detached himself from the wall, stepping towards the elevator, but stopped himself, turning around to meet Akira's tired gaze, "You do know that decidin' to take Kamoshida down was the morally right choice, right? No bullshit?"

Akira was admittedly confused at the random question, which was evident as it tugged at his voice, "Yeah?"

"And you believe that this was the best way to go about it?"

"Y-yeah?"

"And you'll take the bullshit that comes with this?"

"…of course."

"Good. Because this…this is goin' to bring attention to you. To the rest of y'all. No matter how much we covered our tracks. Everythin' has been thrown outta balance, kid. And there's goin' to be alot of angry people, and alot of questions. It's gonna create a massive power vacuum at school. One that might fuck around and suck up not only you but Ann, Ryuji, Morgana, me, Tora, Ohya, and especially Makoto. You ready to weather that shit?"

Akira couldn't help but spit out a joke, "I can't say no can I? Guess I'm okay with being relegated to Shujin's fleshlight."

Iwai's face turned into confusion, "Dude…"

"…my bad."

"I'm bein' serious though. Be prepared. Shit ain't gonna be the same once we go back."

And with that, he walked off. Leaving Akira with the chance to finally take a breather before he opened the door to his home.

Morgana had gone into his room, only proving to Akira how he could never trust him to watch over something important, while Ryuji and Ohya sat on the couch, watching TV and humoring each other. Ann, on the other hand, was sitting at the countertop drinking coffee.

Ew.

I don't know what's more disgusting, Ryuji having better luck with a girl than me or Ann drinking coffee with one of my favorite cups.

Probably the coffee.

Yeah.

They're close though, but screw coffee.

Ann caught a glimpse of him and scooted over as he took a seat next to her, "You okay?"

"I guess."

"Akira, you don't usually have that look on your face for no reason."

"It…nah, it's nothing. Just tired, that's all."

She knew he was lying, but she respected his boundaries, like usual.

"But how are you, Ann? Are you mad at us…?"

She took a sip from her cup, "Admittedly…at first, I was. I wanted to choke Ryuji until the life drained from his eyes—" She took a glance at Akira, who was perplexed at her random vivid description of violence, "But…I'm happy he wasn't being a reckless idiot alone, again. I know what I said before but…if you're with Ryuji, then I feel a little at peace. You're both still idiots, though."

He chuckled, "I wouldn't have your perception of us be any other way, Ann."

She shared his laugh but her eyes darkened immediately, "I just wish Shiho was awake to see this. I wish…she could've seen the grin fall from his face." She turned towards him, "I know Niijima-senpai probably chewed you out about this being…stupid or idiotic, which it was, but I'm happy you embarrassed him and ruined everything for him. I know I shouldn't be happy…I know it seems childish, and I know it wasn't the 'right' way to do things, but…he deserved it. And it made me feel good. And it would've made Shiho just as happy."

Her eyes brightened again as she placed her cup down, giving Akira a tight hug, "Thank you."

Oh screw it, I don't care about what Makoto said—that's a lie.

But…I don't care about the consequences, or how stupid it was.

This was worth it, in the end.

Ann pulled herself from him, overhearing the laughter from Ohya and Ryuji, "Ugh. I think it's time for me to go, Akira. I'll uh…I'll text you, alright?"

"Good, get home safe."

She gave him a grunt of reassurance as she left, with Akira going to wash her cup. Before he knew it, Ohya left also, leaving Ryuji.

"Aki-chan!"

I'm going to bash this cup over his head.

"Why did Morgana tell you about that, man."

"So…can I stay over tonight? Remember the deal yesterday!"

Akira shut the water off, "I knew I was going to immediately regret that deal."

"C'mon! It's perfect! We don't have school tomorrow so…let's hangout! I can finally beat your ass in Brawlerz!"

He stumbled on his words for a bit, "M-Morgana—"

"You made the deal! Don't ask me, man, I'm trying to sleep!"

Oh for fuck's sake.

"Fine. Go turn my five on, I'll order some food."

Ryuji gave a fist pump, "Bet! Whatcha gonna order?"

"I…I don't know? What are you in the mood for?"

Morgana shot from his room, "Do I hear tell of food?!"

"Oh, now you want to have some input?"

"So?! Can I have some sushi!?"

In the living room, Ryuji turned on Akira's PS5, "You know, sushi doesn't sound bad at al—"

"Ryuji, come on man—"

"See! Come on, Akira! You know you want it!"

Akira couldn't help but clutch his stomach, he was hungry…

He groaned, "Fine. But Morgana, we're running a few sets on Brawlerz, you have to play if you want to eat."

A gaudy laugh erupted from him, "Brawlerz? I'll beat both your asses!"

Ryuji's ear twitched, "You wanna bet money on that, midget?!"

"Who are you calling a midget? I'm only 5'7!"

"And I'm 5'9! I could manhandle you little boy, stay in your lane!"

Akira mumbled under his voice, "Pause…"

He really went for the height.

You know what, I'll let them fight.

"Fine! How much yen are we betting?"

"Winner's choice. And they get their sushi!" Ryuji pointed his finger at Akira, as if he was a Phoenix Wright character, "Aki-chan, order it!"

"Stop calling me that!"

"Oh, you're on! Free money and even more food! This is going to be the easiest—"

4-0.

Ryuji Sakamoto simply swept Morgana Kurusu with ease.

Two flawless victories, and two touches of death.

Morgana was gloomy in his corner of the couch, his mind being tortured with visions of sushi disappearing from his grasp.

"Morgana…" Akira met eyes with Ryuji, who was eating his first share of sushi at the countertop.

'Dude please?' Akira shrugged. They were always great at doing mental conversations.

'But—'

Ryuji narrowed his eyes as he dropped his chopsticks, 'Fine. But I'm keeping the money.'

Akira gave him a thumbs up and sparked up another conversation as Ryuji gave Morgana his original share of sushi, "So uh…Iwai said something to me earlier—"

"About the whole vacuum thing? Yeah, I know. He told me and Morgana the same thing."

"So?"

"It doesn't matter to me. Did you see how Ann was smilin' today? How she had all that bullshit finally off her shoulders? As long as she's like that…I could care less about what comes after."

Morgana groaned, "I can't believe I'm saying this but…the blond ape is right. As long as we're together—"

"We can get through whatever. I think this whole Kamoshida shit proved that."

Morgana interjected, "Despite Akira lying to me, and me accidentally harming him a couple of times. And him having a boner for a girl that was—"

"Shut up man, we get it. But are you two sure? No regrets?"

"What? You want us to say no? Leave you to deal with that bullshit on your own? Come on Akira, we're with you. Hell, we're stuck with you. Morgana's your brother and I'm the second part of the 'Delinquents of Shujin Academy', remember? We're gonna have to deal with that either way."

He sighed, "Yeah I gues—"I

"Enough about that, what was up with Miss Prez?"

Akira choked on his sushi.

Morgana chuckled a bit, "I assume not that well?"

Akira quickly recalled the entire argument to the two of them, to which Ryuji winced horribly, "Yeah, so it wasn't that great."

"Well, that's…somethin'. But…she was wrong."

Morgana interjected once again, "Kinda."

"Shut up, Mona."

"Anyway, you didn't…do this whole thing because of your leaked record, or due to Mona gettin' hurt. You started this because you saw Shiho and knew somethin' was wrong. I know that you got an odd boner for her, but she doesn't know a damn thing about you dude. You're not like Kamoshida—"

"Even though you did things in a…less than stellar way, you still did things for the greater good, brother. You think you would've been better off sitting aside? Like before?"

Akira immediately spoke up, "No."

"Then you did the right thing. Imagine if he had just normally gotten arrested, you think he would've gone as easily? Or things would've been this easy? Us crumbling Shujin's perspective on him was a good thing in the long run. And like we said, any consequences…we'll deal with."

Akira hesitated for a moment before smiling, "Yeah. Yeah…"

Ryuji slid from the counter, putting both his hands on Akira's shoulders to give him a fake massage, "Now, you ready to get your ass beat?"

Akira brushed him off, "Oh, shut up, I'm not going to go out sad like Morgana!" Unknown to both of them, Morgana flipped them off while he continued chomping down on his sushi.

Akira's mind was still a wreck but…this…this gave him a little peace of mind.

And he loved that.

A/N:

In all my works, Makoto and Akira can never have a sense of peace, can they?

Okay, so here's the thing everyone, my senior year of high school starts on Wednesday, so I've been considering how I'll go about posting chapters and what days it'll be on. Once the school year gets fully underway, I'll make a decision about posting days, so I'll let you guys know. So...hopefully, chapter 13 will be out on Saturday, but if it isn't, I hope you all can understand.

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a good day!