Saturday, May 8th
The Only Normal One: Trickster?
Akira: Don't tell me my number is unsaved, Lavenza…
Akira: What's up?
The Only Normal One: Oh nothing, I just wanted to check up on you.
Akira: Ah, you just wanted to make sure I was ready to suffer, huh? What does Igor want?
The Only Normal One: ?
The Only Normal One: I was just curious on how you've been ever since our last meeting…
Akira: O-Oh.
Akira: Right. My bad.
Akira: I've been fine.
Akira: Broke my nose, though.
The Only Normal One: You WHAT?!
The Only Normal One: Who do I have to beat?!
Akira: I ran into a door. It was a friend's younger brother, he didn't mean it.
The Only Normal One: Hm…
The Only Normal One: By younger…how much are we talking…
Akira: You go to America and you feel the destructive urge to battle children???
The Only Normal One: Don't you want to strangle Caroline everytime you see her??
Akira: SO?? FUCK THEM KIDS
Akira: Wait, no fuck THAT kid.
The Only Normal One: ANYWAY
The Only Normal One: Outside of your nose getting broken, anything else?
Akira: Uh…as I said, pretty fine. Could be better, even when discounting my nose.
The Only Normal One: Do you still do that tallying thing?
Akira:….
The Only Normal One: Ah.
The Only Normal One: It's in the negatives, ain't it?
Akira: Stop asking intrusive questions goddamn it
The Only Normal One: No and you wanna hang out soon then? My presence should be a booster!
Oh it'll boost my blood flow alright.
Wait I can't say that—
Akira: Probably a lil ass baby boost.
The Only Normal One: Oh shut the hell up.
Akira:
The Only Normal One: Ha. Ha. So funny. Kiss my ass.
Akira: You wipe?
The Only Normal One: What?
Akira: Nothing. Morgana took my phone.
The Only Normal One: I do btw
Akira: WHAT
The Only Normal One: I hope you have a good day at Dickhead Academy!
Akira: You—
Akira: Thanks. I hope so too.
Ryuji jabbed Akira in the gut, "Ooooooh, I see you're livin' the yucky life!"
Akira stabilized himself on the train's hand strap, "Why the hell are you saying yucky?! I thought you hated it!"
Morgana chimed in, "Pissing you off is more important in this situation. It's a critical part of the brotherhood."
"What brotherhood are you talking about man?!"
He gave a zen-like expression, "You will learn in due time, brother."
Akira expressed sheer confusion as Ryuji snickered, "Look at you!" He wiped away some fake tears, "Such a shame I can't live up the normal teenage life with you…"
Akira kept a straight stare at his phone, ignoring both Morgana and Ryuji, "Kiss my ass."
Much like an annoying fairy from a game long before his time, Mona piped up once again, "Wrong person to be telling that to. Luckily for you, I think Lavenza might be into peg—"
Akira swiftly chopped his younger brother in the throat.
I did it as gently as possible.
That should be included in my tallying shit when I get around to doing it eventually.
Yeah.
Morgana could be heard faintly coughing as Ryuji ignored him, wanting to bring up a partially serious question to Akira.
"So…ima just assume that means you're just gonna be on Lavenza instead? Nothin' about—"
A sincerely exhausted sigh came from him, "Ryuji…can we please…please not mention her? It's been so frequent lately it's almost as if she's actually in our weird-ass friend group. And I'm just talking to Lavenza, that's all."
Ryuji gave a brief grin, "Right…right. But alright. I'll respect your wishes dude. Least I could do, y'know."
Akira gave him a nod as he glanced back down at his phone, seeing Lavenza's contact one more time before a faint smile formed.
Akira: I hope your day goes just as well as mine, Lavenza.
"Kurusu-kun?"
I'm pretty sure this is Kawakami's favorite phrase man.
It has to be.
A sigh ripped itself from Akira's mouth, much in a typical fashion as he ejected himself from his desk, walking past Ann who gave him a worried look as the rest of their class poured out of the door at the first sign of the dismissal bell. He gave her a reassuring nod, he didn't want her to suffer along with him with whatever this was.
With Ann's departure, the classroom was simply isolated to the two of them.
"Yes, Kawakami-sensei?"
She stared into his eyes, attempting to gain a read on him, "Um…what happened to your nose?"
Akira internally sighed, already tired of people using his nose as a way to funnel some more bullshit or poke themselves into his life.
Might as well have some fun with it.
He pointed at it nonchalantly, "Oh this? This is just from battling a giant amalgamation of my heart's darkness while standing on a massive illuminated stained-glass pillar. Things led to another and he decided to summon my throat goddess and-"
"Kurusu-kun." Her face was flat.
Akira sighed, "Sheesh, everyone's a tough audience these days. Too obscure of a reference?"
"I know what Realm Sentiments is. I was playing it before you were born…"
Younger boy almost choked on his spit, "Y-You play games? B-But are you like…forty or something?!"
Kawakami honestly looked disturbed.
"There's no way you actually think I'm forty."
"…no, I'm just embellishing. But there's no way you play games. Realm Sentiments?! With the damn Yensid characters??"
She wagged a finger, "Language."
Akira briefly shuttered as his mind launched him back to memories of Makoto, "R-Right."
"And what's so hard to believe about that? Is it because I'm a woman?"
"Pfft, what? No, it's because you're my teacher. And you're like…older. If you're into games…and you played Realm Sentiments…then that means we're…" Akira shuttered, "Oh god, we're more alike in terms of media consumption and age…that's…that's a horrifying thought."
Akira started looking aimlessly at the floor whilst Kawakami examined her face in her front camera of her phone, painstakingly searching for any wrinkles or grey hairs, "I…I'm barely into my thirties, Kurusu-kun…I was born in the 90s…"
It seemed like he was going to hurl for a moment, "Oh god that's even less of a ten-year difference--"
"Please. Please, stop making me feel old."
Akira stared her in her baggy eyes, "I'm pretty sure I can't stop a biological process of humanity, Kawakami-sensei."
"You can stop being a cynical smart-ass. Bef—"
With a grin on his face, Akira snapped his finger, "Language."
She waved away his attempt at humor, "Oh shush."
Yes m—
…no.
Akira shook his head to free himself from his out-of-pocket thoughts as she continued, "Anyway before you know it, you're going to be 27 with wrinkles, back pain, taxes, and a strange inclination to indulge in coffee for every waking second of your life…"
She sounds just like Sojiro…
And Uncle…
And Dad…
And Mom—Holy shit this is inevitable.
Does Lavenza like coffee too…?
I—
Wait a damn minute, why am I still in here?!
"…Then before you know it, you'll have the strange urge to buy one of those stupid ass Aegis Toasters because you think it'll be hip and make you feel young again and—"
What the hell is she talking about—
What the fuck is an Aegis Toaster…
Confusion, as always, formed on his face, "K-Kawakami-sensei?"
Hearing the confusion, and slight fear in both his face and voice, she snapped from her age-related stupor, "Oh, right. Sorry. But back to the main topic…seriously, what happened to your nose?"
"As I said, my thro—"
"Will you ever respect the boundaries between a teacher and student? And I'm being serious. You aren't going to leave until you talk to me."
Akira waved his hands, "Alright, alright…yeesh. Really just wanna hit those monthly teacher quotas huh?"
Her eyes narrowed.
Damn it, I kinda feel bad.
I gotta stop treating her like an enemy. She's been partially consistent since I've gotten here. Least I can do is at the bare minimum let her do her job.
Even if it's annoying.
"On a serious note, it's nothing to write home about. I just…walked into a door."
She tilted her head, "Y'know I kinda like the Realm Sentiment lies a bit better."
"I'm being serious."
She sighed, "Uh-huh."
"Is that all…?"
Kawakami sighed as she pulled open a drawer in her desk, pulling out a massive stack of papers and packets, "Nope." Flopping them on the desk, she took a section and shoved them in his face, "You're gonna help me sort through these papers and grade them."
"Huh?" She plopped them into his unwilling hands, "Come again?"
"You, yes you, will be helping me with grading. Consider it a form of extra credit layered in a punishment."
"A punishment?! For what?"
"Do I really need to explain why your conduct with me is more than suitable for punishment?"
Well.
She's kinda right there.
Akira started stammering, "B-But that's not fair! Kawakami-sensei I have pressing concerns to deal with!"
An eyebrow was raised, "Like?"
"I-Uh…I'm…um…"
Shit.
Morgana is visiting Shiho today in the hospital, so is Ann…
Ryuji probably getting snogged down by Ohya in the middle of a dirty ass Big Bang Burger bathroom…
That's a nasty visual. Oh god.
He externally shivered.
That's…that's all of my friends. And my possible excuses.
Fuck.
A sigh spat itself out, "Damn it." Pulling up a chair, he made a little section for himself on her desk as he meticulously went through each packet.
Akira followed Kawakami's lead, sorting through last names and neatly putting them right beside her for when she got to them.
After a while, with the sun eventually hanging over Shujin and basking it in a radiating and somber amber, they barely got anywhere.
It was infuriating.
Is this why she wanted me here?! To suffer in the painstakingly slow machinations of grading? How do teachers do this bullshit?! This is amazing!
Akira groaned as he leaned back in his chair, "Wouldn't it just be easier if I helped with the grad—"
Kawakami, with her focus locked on jotting away grades and making notations with her red pen, instantly shot him down, "Nope."
"But we could save—"
"Nope. You wanna just give yourself and Takamaki-san a better grade, don't you?"
He paused for a moment, "Damn it…why didn't I think of that…but no, I just want to get through this as fast as possible, sensei."
Kawakami paused for a moment as Akira checked his phone, "Hm…I'll tell you what, answer a few of my questions and maybe I'll let you help make things move along fast. Maybe I'll even let you go early with the full extra credit."
He snapped to her attention instantly, "You deadass?"
"Are you gonna answer truthfully?"
He shrugged, "Maybe, maybe not."
She sighed as she turned to him, "Are you okay?"
Huh?
A head tilt came from Akira, "What?"
"I'm being serious, how are you?"
"Uh…I'm okay? I was being serious about my nose being broken by a door, Kawakami-sensei nobody—"
"I'm not talking about that, Kurusu-kun."
Her gaze was something that, inexplicably, made Akira feel uncomfortable.
It was almost as if she was trying to peer into his psyche, to get closer. To make him vulnerable.
"Uh…oh….I'm okay."
She hesitated for a moment, "…when we talked in the Student Guidance room, why didn't you tell me about Suguru? I could've…"
Akira remembered his thought process from before.
"What would've been the point? The new delinquent transfer student from a rival school telling his teacher about the beloved band director? I didn't think you would've believed me. But…in the end, it didn't matter. Somehow…we got lucky and he's out of our lives."
Kawakami gave a faint chuckle, "Wouldn't have believed you huh?" Her expression darkened as she flipped her pen around her fingers, contemplating something.
She probably feels bad, doesn't she?
….
She shouldn't. Wasn't her fault. Wasn't her responsibility.
….shit.
Akira cleared his throat, "But uh…thanks. For asking, that is. I think you're the first to ask how any of us have been doing."
Her attention refocused on her student, gaining a faint smile, "I wanted to ask Takamaki-san too but…she's busy all the time and, honestly? I just think she doesn't like me all that much. Asking Sakamoto would probably be hell on Earth, so...you were the only option left."
A chuckle slid from his mouth, "I'm always the last resort that can be counted upon, after all."
"That you are. But…since you're here, mind if I ask about the others too? Are they okay?"
"Uh…" Akira rubbed the back of his neck, "That's probably not my business to tell."
"Oh…I just want to know if they're fine, nothing more, and nothing less."
Although he hesitated for a moment, giving a teacher a little reassurance couldn't hurt.
Plus, it's free extra credit man.
"Well…Ryuji is in the same boat as me. We're both trying to have and maintain some normalcy. Ann is…well…that's the thing. I'm not sure. I think she's fine but appearances are deceiving after all. I think after the last week everyone has had here, we can all agree. She visits Suzui-san almost every day though."
Akira could tell that some form of weight was slightly lifted from her shoulders, "Um…have you gone with Takamaki to see Suzui?"
He faltered for a moment, "Uh—um…no. I haven't. I've just been…busy. Just with school, a new job, and some family stuff. My little brother's been going though."
He faintly brushed his cheek.
That wasn't a complete lie.
"Oh…I hope you can see her soon then. But what about your brother? Wasn't—"
"Contrary to what people say, Morgana has been removed from this whole situation. He just had some bad timing with being with Shiho and getting into that biking accident."
Her face flashed with hints of hesitation and doubt, but she quickly quelled them, "Ah…I see. Well…how have you and Niijima-san been?"
"I—uh, w-w-what do you mean?"
Wait a minute…why am I getting flustered?
"Wait…what do you mean?"
Kawakami leaned back in her chair as she shrugged a bit, "It's just that I haven't seen you two around each other. Nor have I…overheard anything. She seems a bit more…distant than usual too." Her eyes narrowed, "I would hope that has nothing to do with you, Kurusu-kun."
There was a faint form of amusement on his face, "As if. There's nothing going on. Me and her aren't in each other's pathways. Just too busy, I suppose. She's doing her thing, and I'm doing mine."
Kawakami stretched for a moment, eventually getting back to her grading, "I see…she's probably just stressed due to her mounting workload. Hopefully, she can take a bit of a breather now since she doesn't have to worry about the band anymore."
His ears perked up, "Huh? What do you mean?"
"Principal Kobayakawa gave her the responsibility of managing the band ever since the fallout with Kamoshida. By the 15th she had to come up with a solution and, earlier today, she told me she agreed to just close it.
There's a strange amount of silence coming from Akira that Kawakami had noted. At first, she just attributed it to nothing, "It's a little sad, but at least this means those kids won't have to relive any trauma possibly. They can be normal ki—"
He was gone.
A groan slid from her mouth, "You have got to be kidding me."
As always, it seemed like running through Shujin was a part of Akira's weekly routine.
I swear to god let me get lucky…
Flying through the staircase, his luck cut out for him as he almost slammed into Saya clutching her stomach.
"K-Kurusu-kun? Jeez why are you—"
"Saya-san, is Niijima-senpai still here?"
She sighed a bit, "Haven't seen her since school started back up and now you're a fiending for her? You could do so much better…"
At first, his expression was rife with confusion but determination replaced it quickly, "For the love of God—there's nothing between me and her! I'm an eligible bachelor! I just need to talk to her because she did something incredibly stupid."
Her face faintly lit up, "Oh? Well, in any case…she's in her usual spot."
"Right, thanks!" Akira turned to continue but stopped, turning back to her, "Are…are you okay?"
"Yeah? Why?"
"Just…your stomach, you sure?"
She gave a nervous little giggle, "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
He gave her a nod and continued with a few seconds passed and, harking back to weeks passed, Akira slung open the door to the Student Council Room.
Though that boldness faded with ease as his eyes once again instantly connected with her enrapturing red orbs.
Compared to her other stare, which scared the shit out of him no matter the context, this one reminded Akira of when they first met all those weeks ago.
And he missed it.
"Ahem." Shiro eyed Akira with a disgusted glare, "Do you have any business here?"
Akira didn't break away from his contact with Makoto, though she snapped the connection as she readjusted her eyes back to the paperwork she was inspecting, "I need to talk to Niijima-senpai."
Shiro snorted, "So? You didn't have to burst in here rudely and we're busy—"
"Nishikawa-san?" Her tone was harsh and cold, reserved and distant, "Our duties can take a moment to stop. Remember, we are supposed to hear out any students if they wish to talk to us. Even if that means they specifically request me if they need comfort."
He paused for a moment. It was never a good sign when she used his last name. They passed that stage.
A few angered lines of hatred, or something similar, slid out as he passed Akira, closing the door behind him.
It was just the two of them.
Alone.
Last time this happened, I got called a being similar to Kamoshida.
I wonder what it could be this time…
Maybe I'll be compared to…Ushimaru? Oh, maybe she'll throw Shido at me again even though she knows nothing about him.
Oh! She could call me the next Kobayakawa! Since, according to her, I used her like a lap dog and never cared!
How exciting!
Akira gently shook his head, these thoughts were unbecoming of him. It was unusual. Why was she rousing him up like this?
"Kurusu-kun."
His tongue was dry, "Niijima-senpai."
She took a seat, signaling Akira to take one. He refused.
"…what compelled you to come here, today? Did you do something stupid again? That would explain the bandage."
Akira rubbed his nose, "Oh, this? Has nothing to do with this."
"Not sure if I believe that, but let's just entertain this."
A surge of some type of emotion he couldn't contain nor identify flew throughout his body, "I could give less than a damn about whether or not you believe me, you never did and you don't know me."
Something formed on Makoto's face, though it faded just as quick, "How could I get to know someone if all they did was feed me lies? Just—" Though she struggled, she composed herself, her eyes narrowing with the piercing stab of a poisonous blade, "I'm going to ask this once more, what do you want, Kurusu-kun?"
Akira took a moment to straighten himself out, hanging his head before nodding and facing her glare again.
Ahhhhhh.
That's the signature Niijima stare.
How many times have I seen it? Just in this past week alone? Three times? Four?
Who cares.
"Do you…really, truthfully, think it's fair to dissolve the marching band program? All of the band programs?"
A giant flash of confusion formed on her face with a sigh coming soon afterward, "I should've expected Kawakami-sensei to tell you somehow…but what did you expect? Do you understand how hard it is, with the current state of Shujin's social status, to get a replacement?"
"But to instantly give up within less than a week of Kamoshida's firing?!"
My emotions are getting the better of me.
Shit.
This only happens with her…why?
The contrast between his reserved demeanor moments prior paired with frustration threw Makoto for a loop.
Until she snapped back.
"And who are you to yell at me?! To even talk!? You are the entire reason why we're in this mess!"
Almost like a well-oiled machine, Akira shot back, "Without me, you would still have that monster in charge! You would still be sniveling up to Kamoshida! Or would you ignore it if it meant Kobayakawa told you to?" He knew this was going to come up. He knew another argument would eventually happen. He had been playing this scenario out obsessively in his free time to say all of this.
It had been a burden on his mind, she got to say everything she wanted last time. She got to hurt him.
It was petty and unbecoming, but Akira just wanted to do the same.
"How da—"
He instantly cut her off, "Think of all the kids who have been hinging on going to college for music, or needed an outlet! You're taking something away from them—"
"And how do you think I could do this when the fifteenth is encroaching so fast?! Don't you think it's better for these kids to have something so triggering and traumatic be erased completely from their lives?! You should've thought about the children more if you weren't infused with such petty juvenile revenge because Kamoshida harmed your ego! So don't you dare try to judge me because now you feel guilty! What would you do—"
Go.
Go.
GO!
"Fight back! For once in your fucking life, fight back!" Akira faltered for a moment. Hell, both of them did.
Once again, they were in a compromising position due to his pushing.
Keep…going.
"You think Kobayakawa actually cares about the band program?! No! Or you!? That's why he gave you that short ass time limit so you could deal with his shackles of responsibility. So you would be in exact situations like this! You're such a mindless pawn that you can't even see it…and do you think you're any better than me now? Taking away agency from these kids when it should be their choice and theirs alone!"
Makoto simply stared straight into his eyes. No emotion, no remorse. Nothing.
"Get out of here. Now."
Akira shook his head, attempting to regain his usual composure, "W-Why the hell did I even bother…this is a waste of time." He let loose a mutter underneath his breath as he exited, "God I can't believe I wasted my time on you."
The door shut.
Makoto, once again, was left in her thoughts. One dip of her eyes anchored them to the papers in front of her.
They were the confirmation for the dissolution of the music programs with Shujin. She had been mulling over them, pondering if it was the right choice before she put her signature to the paper.
Grasping her pen, she briefly faltered before scribbling away.
Stupid.
Stupid.
Why did I go there?
Why…
Why?
It had nothing to do with me...not anymore...
Why did I launch from class the second Kawakami mentioned her?
Sure, I've been thinking about her—no, a hypothetical argument. But that's all.
It's not like I've been wanting to see her?
But why would I want to see her just to explode all over her?
Why the hell is this so complicated…
This is odd.
A few echoes of shoes against tile ushered in him on the roof again. Although he never told Ryuji, the rooftop really did give him a sense of reprieve.
After all, that's why I came up here the day Kamoshida was arrested. Goddamn it, that jackass is influencing me more and more…
A few sighs came from him as he flopped his head onto the table.
Why the hell am I even here? Why did I just go home…?
Oh yeah, go home where she also stays for the probability of running into her since my luck is that shit.
Ooh, time to mentally torture myself with ideas!
Maybe we run into her in the elevator! Hatred and anger surge throughout us as we stab each other to death!
Or maybe she contracts that Shiro kid to stab me in the throat as a hit.
Wait…why would she use Shiro when she could use Hifumi? Hifumi hates my guts after the thinly covered threat I did against Makoto—
…god that sounds too awful in retrospect.
I really am an awful per—
A watering can tapped against his head, stirring him from his self-loathing tangent, "Huh?"
Looking up granted him with a sight he hadn't seen in a while. A month to be exact.
"Kurusu-kun?" Haru's gentle voice instantly made him shoot from his chair, scaring her.
"H-Haru?! W-What are you—"
Holy shit I'm dreaming.
No way I just went from screaming at the sky with tears in my eyes to seeing Haru again.
There's no way my luck is actually working out for me this one time??
"It's…it's nice to see you too…!"
"O-Oh! Y-Yeah! It's great to see you! But…but uh…why are you here specifically…?"
She tilted her head a bit, "Could it be you don't want to see my face after making me leave Shujin in shame after being stood up?"
Although her tone was oozing with playfulness, guilt jumped Akira like a pack of crackheads, "I-I…aw shit, Haru I'm so sorry…things just got really…really he—"
Haru put her hands up as she detected Akira's aloofness, "Kurusu-kun, I was joking! We wouldn't have been able to hangout anyway…I was pulled from school due to some…family ordeals."
Akira couldn't help but notice the dim light in her eyes flicker. Haru must've noticed his gaze as she perked up, her smile coming back, "It's all in the past, however! I'm back full-time! Though, I see things have changed a lot in the little time I've been gone…"
A bit of laughter came from his mouth, "That's an understatement."
"Really? Mind detailing me what I've missed?"
Like clockwork, Akira's hand nervously scratched the back of his head, "I would love to, Haru trust me, but that's a long story and I don't think we—"
"Really? If that's the case then…why don't you give me your number? I would hate to have a repeat of last month again…"
Wait what—
Come again?!
Haru stuck her phone out as Akira delicately grasped it, nervously tapping away as he typed his name alongside his number, placing her phone back in her hands, "There you go."
There were a few more questions Akira wanted to ask, the most important of course relating to her last name, but unluckily for him, Haru's phone went off.
Upon seeing the caller ID, her eyes dimmed once again, "Kurusu-kun I'm so sorry, but I have to leave now."
He was a little bummed, but he waved it away, "It's fine Haru, besides we can just talk later. I should be getting home anyway. I'll talk to you later?"
She gave a thumbs up along with a smile as she descended the stairway.
Man.
Her smile…
Akira couldn't help but feel a little giddy as he glanced down to see her watering can still on the table.
"If I just leave it here Ryuji's going to scream bloody murder…"
Picking it up, Akira was able to find its hiding spot along with a small makeshift garden that seemed as if it hadn't grasped its bearings yet.
"Huh. A gardening project? That's kinda cool. Gardening is cool."
I am totally not saying that because Haru is a really attractive and mysterious woman who makes me reevaluate my taste in women.
I promise.
You believe me, right God?
The sunset was getting lower and lower.
I should get home…
Then I can sleep in for god knows how long.
Akira barely got his key to open his door as he got a text.
I swear to God if Ryuji is rubbing in the fact I don't have a girlfriend I'm going to strangle that damn—
: Kurusu-kun?
Within a millisecond, Akira threw his bag across the apartment as he slammed the door, speeding to his room.
ELITE MILK IS IN THE BUILDING.
LETS GOOOOOOOO
You know what…just for the sake of continuity…
Akira: Oh, hey, that was fast.
Akira: Can't even lie to you, a part of me thought you were going to never text me as a form of penance for last month.
Elite Milk: Perhaps I should…but I feel like that isn't fair. Especially when I don't know what happened while I was gone.
Akira: Ah, yeah…right I gotta explain that.
Akira: So…
Elite Milk: Before you continue Kurusu-kun, do you like amusement parks?
Akira: Uh…sometimes? Don't really mind them. Kinda a little too busy for me sometimes, but I mean that's kinda expected right?
Elite Milk: Hm…
Elite Milk: Okie
Elite Milk: Then let's meet at Destinyland tomorrow! Around 4?
Aw crap…I used up most of my money restocking the kitchen…eh.
Akira: Your request shall be my desire I suppose. I don't have a lot of money so it might not be fun…
Elite Milk: Oh, don't worry. I promise it'll be fun.
Sunday, May 9th
"But you hate amusement parks!"
Akira struggled to put his pants on, almost smacking into the wall, "Be that as it may…it's still a beautiful woman that wants to hangout with me. No strings attached! No bullshit weight of the world on my shoulders! None of that! Mona, do you understand how like…rare that is?!"
"Okay, but you haven't seen her in over a month and I don't know her! Honestly, I thought you were just tripping dicks and lying to me man…what if she slips you a little something and you wake up butt-ass naked on a train to the red-light district with your cock and balls swapped with a black destroyer and—"
"Morgana."
"Right. My bad. It would be a different story if it was like…Lavenza or something. But…for once I'll trust your judgment. Just…just be safe, alright?"
He snickered a bit as he slid into his jacket, "Look at the little brother trying to be a little something."
"Shut up man. That protective bullshit goes both ways now so you can't say shit."
"Right…right. So uh…how's Ann?"
Morgana's voice faltered a bit, "She's fine. I think. She's still sleeping though."
"How long are you gonna stay out there? You need to wash your nasty nuts man. I know it smells crazy in there."
"I am not Ryuji…and besides, I don't wanna leave her by herself. Wouldn't feel right. When she leaves, I'll leave."
Akira paused on the other line, something that didn't pass Morgana, "You good over there?"
Right…responsibility and trust…
Ew…he's getting older.
And Ann's right…
"Yeah I'm fine I just…I gotta tell you something."
"Look I don't care if you're gonna get vile at Destinyland—"
"Stop being a wise-ass for a minute." The silence from Morgana meant that he heeded his words, "Okay…so uh…remember after Tae's visit? When I was shaken up?"
"Yeah?"
"Well…I went to Makoto's apartment."
"Oh god. Akira, if you two had angsty angry sex I do NOT want to hear—"
"Wha—dude, you've been around Ryuji way too much."
"This isn't Ryuji's influence man, it's YOU!"
He…
He's right.
Damn it Akira.
Will I give him that satisfaction? Hell no.
"You're battling pure semantics at this point but anyway! Uh…I didn't see Makoto, I saw Sae."
"Wait, like the older one that's in that band?"
"Yup."
"There's two jokes in my head now but I think you'll kill me if I say them."
"You know me so well. But uh…she…she got all up in my face about Makoto."
"That's expected. Hell, you do the same about me, what about it?"
"Well, this wasn't any run-of-the-mill usual shit. She, for one, probed into our lives to get information using Hifumi—"
"She what?! Wait, wait does she know about—"
Akira cut him off in order to calm him, "I don't...think so. I'm not sure, but I'm just gonna say no for now. But she's hella suspicious of me."
"Oh. Well, is that it?"
Akira nervously rubbed his nape as he stepped outside of the apartment, "Well, yeah. Besides the usual threatening of my minute peace of mind and life that has been happening oh-so constantly lately. Then she told me to permanently stay away from Makoto." Akira had hoped the joke, as shit as it was, would be enough to lessen Mona's shock. Clearly, his brother was faltering on the other side of the phone, "Mona?"
It took him a few seconds but he replied, "So? Well, yeah the threatening shit is awful but so what? I see you've been adhering to it since you have been trying to push her far out of your mind. C'mon Akira, you got Lavenza back in your life and you got this Haru girl. I'd say Sae threatening you was the best thing that could've happened. Wait…that sounds awful. You know what I meant. Why are you so hung-up on her? What is it about her?"
"I'm not hung-up on her. I promise. I'm being so deadass man."
Akira could just hear Mona mocking him over the phone.
I'm not.
Yesterday was just the last time. The end of the road.
Yeah.
"Anyway…yeah…I've been rationalizing it like that. I just thought it would be good to tell you, you know."
A smile could be heard on his face, "It's a start. Shame that means I can't angrily punch you or shove you anymore…such fun. But…thank you for attempting to do better. Still got a long ass road ahead of you though."
"You do know you can still punch me right? I just won't give you a pass anymore. I don't know if you want to attempt that though…"
Morgana chuckled, "Alright man, have fun on your little thing with that girl. Hopefully, Ann isn't going to sleep in the hospital again…these sofas suck when it comes to sleeping man."
Akira jabbed the button for the elevator, "I can imagine. I'll see you soon."
Destinyland was…empty.
Not like an empty in the sense of there being people sparingly.
It was literally empty.
Barren.
And yet Haru stood at the center of the park.
…
Don't tell me Morgana was right…
There's no way I'm letting him slander me for this.
You gotta be shitting me—
"Kurusu-kun? Hey!" Haru scurried up to him, clearly ignoring the confusion present in his face, "How are you?"
Akira stumbled on his words for a bit, "I'm…uh, well, I guess I'm okay? Just…that I've never seen an amusement park this…empty."
Haru pivoted on her heel, a joyful bounce present, as she walked off, "Well, you did say you didn't like the busy nature of amusement parks, remember?"
He quickly paced after her, voicing his disbelief, "W-wait, you did this?"
"Maybe, maybe not…let's just have fun while you fill me in! Especially on that nose of yours…"
Akira chuckled as he meekishly rubbed his nose, "Right…right."
Who the hell is this? Another trustee rich kid? Guess I shouldn't be surprised since that's like the entirety of the school.
No, fuck Ryuji he doesn't count.
Eventually, the two gradually made their way through the berth of the park, doing typical actions.
Akira, sadly, couldn't enjoy his time there as his mind kept being racked with ideas and concepts.
Getting lost in his mind made him none the wiser to Haru getting him onto a Farris wheel while the sun started to set on their…relatively perfect evening.
Sitting opposite of him, Haru peered into his eyes as their carriage started its ascent, "Kurusu-kun? Are you okay?"
Akira was clutching his stomach a little as he meekly replied, "Y-Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"Well…it's just that you're looking..a little bit green."
Shit.
"S-So, Haru—"
"Soo…you broke your nose thanks to Iwai-san's brother?"
"Er…right, yeah. Again, it wasn't deliberate…just that the kid didn't see me coming into the shop. He felt real bad about it but I think I was able to knock some of that guilt out of him."
She gave a faint smile, "Seems like someone's good with children."
He huffed, "I guess if you ignore Morgana and the twins, plus the apparent infant fight club I had at Kyoto…"
Confusion, as it would with any normal person, appeared on her face, "Infant…fight club?"
"Right…yeah, you probably haven't heard that one. Not gonna lie, probably one of my favorites among the rumors."
She tilted her head, "You have favorite rumors? How could the destruction of your public image be pleasurable in any way to you?"
Akira paused for a moment, contemplating his reply whilst partially being in shock.
I never really thought about it like that.
Why do I enjoy these stupid things?
"I…I'm not sure."
Haru's warming gaze peered into his soul, "Kurusu-kun…there's no such thing as you don't know or you're not sure when it comes to your emotions. You know the answer, somewhere deep down."
No way she's caring more about my mental health than practically everyone else, what the hell?
Akira hid his eyes from her, "Well…I guess it's because…this shit really does eat away at me mentally. I know it puts a strain on me, my brother, my relationships but…what does it matter? I can't sway public opinion but they aren't the barons of my life. I know what's the truth and what's not. I know everything they're saying isn't true, so why not have a little fun with the rumors and fear around me? And besides…this isn't my first time going through a warped perception of me." Reconnecting his eyes with her, he could see a faint expression of shock from his little spiel, "Shit, s-sorry I got a little—"
Sensing his self-doubt, Haru waved her hands, "No, no, it's fine! Continue, if you don't mind."
As in typical fashion, Akira meekly rubbed his nape, "Well…still, sorry. I'm not usually like that. Guess it's oddly easy to talk to you."
"Why is that? Is it because I'm…hmm, a pretty woman?"
"W-What? Pffttt, no? Come on…wait…I'm not saying that you're not a pretty woman because that's a lie, hell I told Morgana that a pretty woman asking me to an amusement park is a rare luxury I was excited for!" At first, Akira thought he was able to save himself with his little stuttering tangent, but the implications of his statement finally hit him.
Oh.
Oh god.
I just made myself sound like Ryuji.
AND YET THE MAN STILL HAS A FUCKING GIRLFRIEND AND I DON'T.
WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME GOD—
Haru started bursting into a fit of laughter, at first making Akira's self-loathing spike immensely, until she recollected and smiled at him sincerely, "Well, good to know I'm a pretty woman in your eyes, right? And you told your brother about me?"
"It's not as creepy as it sounds I promise…he was just curious. Hell, he kept pushing and asking."
"Mhm. In any case, I would love to hear you continue your engrossing retelling of the month of April at Shujin Academy."
"Right…right. So, before all of that happened, you had everything with Kamoshida."
Now how do I carefully navigate this to not let her know I had a heavy hand it in…?
"He…caused Shiho Suzui to attempt to take her life at school…he physically abused students, mentally also, and took advantage of the kindness of some of his female students. It was gross. Vile. And just despicable." As much as he wanted the opposite effect, unfortunately, Akira's anger could be felt subtly underneath his voice.
Something Haru picked up on immediately. "Kurusu-kun? Are you okay?"
He dismissed her concerns, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just not a thing you'd expect to really ever be a part of your life, you know?"
Wait, shit that's a bit too direct!
He continued, "But, I'm only saying that as an outsider. I can only imagine how horrible it must've been being directly involved in that situation…but at least he's getting what he deserves."
Haru paused for a moment, reflecting on his words.
Was that a little bit too heavy-handed? Might've been, I gotta continue gauging her reactions. I would hate to screw this up. I don't really need anyone outside of our core group knowing the exact specifics of—
She perked her head playfully, "Everywhere you go, it seems you have a bad streak with band directors, Kurusu-kun."
Akira paused. His breath ceased as he stared into her eyes.
Wh—
How does—
Who—
He stiffened, "W-Who are you?" There was a cold fear that infected him, but it swiftly burned out with sizzling anger causing him to jerk from his seat, "Who are you?!"
I'm an idiot.
I'm an idiot.
I'm an idiot.
I'm a goddamn fucking idiot.
Goddamn why didn't I come into this more apprehensive!
She's been unnaturally nice to me…
Oh for fucks sake Morgana was right…first Mika, Makoto, and now Haru…
I can't get out of here I—
Haru, for once, broke her playful demeanor and became panicked at the presence of Akira's outburst, it was her first time seeing his signature anger after all, "Wait, wait! Kurusu-kun I promise I didn't mean that in a bad way!"
Her voice soothed him but his distrust was still apparent as he snapped back, "Gee Haru, you disappear for a month, rent out an entire amusement park, and say something that people at Shujin don't know about, how else am I supposed to take it?! Just answer the question, who are you?"
She hesitated for a moment, fiddling around with her fingers, "I…I saw you last year. Once at Tachibana for a visit…and at Nationals…you met my father."
Father…father…
Slowly, some form of realization started to forcefully jam itself into his brain, "Wait…"
"I didn't want to tell you who I was just in case you harbored anything negative. Since my father and Shido were—well, are still very close."
Akira plopped back into his seat, "Haru Okumura…I never knew Okumura-san had a daughter…"
The heiress to the largest music label in Japan.
AT SHUJIN ACADEMY NO LESS!?
What the fuck is my luck man.
Akira refocused on her, "But wait…that doesn't explain why you're here. Why you've been so nice to me...did Shido—"
She quickly waved her hands, "No! Heavens no. I overheard my father on the phone with Shido, mentioning something about you and your brother, along with you two having to leave Kyoto."
I can never just catch a break, can I?
"I asked father about it some more and he simply brushed it off as you being a one-note delinquent and failure but…I didn't think that was the truth."
Their carriage finished its cycle, the doors releasing them back into the stable earth. Upon stepping out, Haru continued, "I just…didn't believe that someone Shido put on a pedestal and made his band president in his first year, someone who was charismatic enough to convince my father to sponsor Kyoto Tachibana…could be a disappointment who assaulted him."
Akira's face darkened as he broke away from her gaze, staring into the gloomy sky that loomed above them, "So, once you recognized me on the first day, you wanted to…what, get to know me? See if your hypothesis was correct?"
"Correct."
"And?"
Haru tugged on his hoodie, forcing his eyes to meet with hers once again. There was a brief pause as she smiled, "You aren't a disappointment."
Akira couldn't help but flash a brief smile. Though it faded quickly, "I'm pretty sure if you're around me too long, that'll change."
"I don't believe that."
"You might not, but I know it's a fact."
"Kurusu-kun…"
Akira hung his head a bit as he rubbed his nape once again, "I'm just saying."
She sighed a bit, "There's no hard feelings about me not telling you who I was right? Sincerely?"
The soft patter of rain started splashing against them, "Nah. Well, I mean a little. Can't lie, I should've realized something was off but…what can I say, pretty women are my weaknesses." He couldn't help but flash a charming smile.
Haru, on the other hand, became beet red, "R-Right. I'm sorry, still. I just wanted to get to know you without you having any sort of feelings. Even if my disappearance put a wrench in those plans either way."
"You really gotta tell me about that. I do deserve some compensation for being a walking hypothesis today."
She gave a faint nervous chuckle as some footsteps tapped away against the concrete behind them, "We'll see."
"Miss Haru!" It was some security guard running up with an umbrella in tow, instantly shielding Haru from the rain, "It's about to be pouring in a few minutes and your father is requesting your presence at home for another congregation, are you ready to depart?"
Although her energy dimmed, she gave a little nod as she kept eye contact with Akira, "Can we give you a ride?"
Akira, still standing in the rain like an idiot, shook his head, "Nah. I hate Tokyo traffic. Plus…I kinda still feel weird, so. Besides, I wouldn't want to soak your seats."
Haru looked at him with a mixture of slight guilt and some amused confusion, but she gave a nod to respect his wishes.
Before she departed, she gave him one final look, "Kurusu-kun?"
"Hm?"
"I think you're a good person, too. I…I hope that means something to you."
Akira couldn't help but aimlessly stare at her departing form.
Yeah.
It does.
Just a little.