Monday, May 17th
"So, how are you feeling, Mr. Band Director?"
Sojiro took a puff of his cigarette, "Ha, ha, you're so funny Hotaru."
"You know I'm gonna use this for months now, right?"
Sojiro breathed out his reply, "Sadly. I'd be surprised if you didn't."
Hotaru chuckled, "Gotta be consistent for the sake of humor in this crazy world, y'know."
"So, why'd you call this early? It's like what…six in the morning?"
"I just wanted to ask how it was going…and to see if Akira was giving you a rough time by any chance."
He chuckled, "Or do you mean if I'm giving the kid a rough time?"
"I think both can reasonably apply."
Sojiro shrugged off the allegation, "Nothing has happened really. Both me and the kid have never really gelled with each other like that so…both of us made it clear," He took another puff, "it would be best if we weren't around each other and avoided each other in Shujin as much as possible."
"Ah, so you're just treating each other like side chicks huh? I guess it makes sense for the both of you…just…just try to go a little easy on him, alright? He's been through a lot."
Sojiro couldn't help but give stifled laughter as he heeded Hotaru's words, "Ah yes, because the delinquent is the one having a bad time, right?"
Hotaru huffed his disappointment, "Oh come on! That shit ain't fair for you to say! It's only because of Sh-"
Sojiro had known Hotaru Kurusu for an upward of twenty years, ever since they were teenagers.
If he was hiding something, it would usually bubble up until he misspoke or couldn't hide it anymore.
This, of course, was one of those times.
"Huh? Hotaru?"
"Uh…"
"Hey, don't—"
A text came through.
Futaba: Sojiro? Food?
"Crap…listen, I have to go, Futaba's hungry."
Relief could be heard in Hotaru's voice, "Cool, cool. You be safe okay?"
"Yeah. Talk to you later."
Sojiro ended the call while he took one final puff of his cigarette, throwing it to the ground as he stomped on it, reducing it into nothing but mushed ashes.
His eyes lingered on the ruined cigarette as a single thought appeared in his head.
He assaulted…Masayoshi Shido…?
Friday, May 21st
Akira's alarm clock, depressingly, went off.
His eyes drooped open, struggling to force themselves awake despite every nerve in his body screaming and pleading for the opposite.
The hospital visit had taken everything out of Akira. He couldn't really tell why, maybe it was the guilt and a renewed sense of responsibility they felt, but Ryuji and Akira decided to stay with Ann and Shiho until about two in the morning.
Her parents left after a while, leaving the four of them together.
Largely it was just Ann and Shiho as, of course, Ryuji felt out of place and especially tense with Ann.
Akira just kept his stoic personality in check.
Once two came around, Shiho urged the trio to go home, overhearing about auditions the next day.
Although it took a lot of convincing, Ann eventually left with the two of them.
Akira didn't get home until three.
And here he was, three hours later staring at himself in the mirror, a disheveled and exhausted
young man staring back. His eyes were bloodshot and all of his movements were sluggish, but...he didn't mind.
For the first time since Shiho's attempt–hell, since December–Akira felt…something odd. It was a long-lost feeling, something that, for the briefest of moments, he felt as if he didn't deserve.
But before those destructive, familiar, and depressingly comfortable thoughts took hold of his brain again, a voice filled his head.
"Despite what anyone says about you based on rumors, or whatever Kamoshida viewed you as…and wanted you to be, you're a good person. Better than whatever everyone else thinks and you should be proud."
Right.
Right…
A faint smile formed on his face.
He felt reassured.
Confident.
Though it waned as he remembered the auditions for the afternoon.
"Shit."
"Takamaki-kun?"
She didn't get a reply.
"Takamaki-kun?"
Her eyes were aimless and distant. She kept flipping the card in her hands.
"Ann."
Kawakami stood directly at her desk, her eyes laced with a vicious amount of concern. Finally, it seemed as if it was enough to snap her back to reality as she snapped her head towards Kawakami, "Y-Yes, Kawakami-sensei?"
"Did you hear my question? I asked what police procedural during the Early 2000s caused a renaissance of Japanese Dramas?"
Ann tilted her head in confusion, pocketing the card. It was written all over her face that she didn't know. Like, at all.
Oh goddamn it.
Akira cleared his throat, garnering Kawakami's attention, "It's…Hero right? With Takuya Kimura?"
Kawakami's disappointment was apparent on her face, or maybe it was exhaustion…Akira couldn't tell, but she gave a tired smile as she nodded, "Correct. Thank you, Kurusu-kun."
Akira gave a nod of understanding as she went back to her desk, "Now, I just wanted to bring that up considering the Yearly Shujin Investor Fair is coming up."
A couple of rapid groans came from the classroom as Akira, as always, tilted his head in confusion.
Kawakami must've caught his face as she continued, "If you don't know…the Shujin Investor Fair is an expo where Shujin Investors come to the school. The students from each year are tasked with coming up with a product or proposal that rouses the attention of the investors. Each group of students gets to present their creation in front of the school in the gym."
Wait…
What?
Are you seriously talking about giving a bunch of idiotic teenagers the ability to create ANYTHING?!
Akira couldn't help but raise his hand, "Uh, Kawakami-sensei?"
Her eyebrows rose, "Yes?"
"So uh…we can…make anything? And like, they'll actually invest money in it? And hear out our ideas?"
She chuckled, which only made Akira's confidence dwindle a little, "Oh I forgot, no they aren't going to actually invest money…although it has happened a few times in the past. Sae Niijima and another boy in her class were lucky enough their senior year." She waved away the thought, "But I digress. The real point of this is for our investors to gauge the children, network, and produce lasting connections that may help you all in the future."
"Huh. Cool."
"Principal Kobayakawa wants everyone to create groups of four by the 29th. When you finish finalizing your groups, register with the Student Council."
Oh great. That's totally not going to be awkward.
Who the hell would I even group with?
Ryuji?
Oh yeah, definitely.
I need two others though…
Ann—
Akira gazed at her harsh back.
Yeah, no, that's a horrible idea.
At least top ten most awful ideas I've ever had.
Uh…
Morgana and Haru?
That wouldn't be so bad right—
The bell rang.
The day was finished…but hell only awaited Akira.
Ann instantly left from the classroom, along with the rest of their classmates, leaving Akira to attempt to withhold a little sense of freedom.
Although, as he quickly found out, he wasn't the only one.
Yuuki Mishima meekly sat at his desk, it seemed as if he was practicing his rudiments using his fingers. Though, even Akira could tell with his limited percussionist knowledge, it seemed his nerves were still getting the best of him.
Akira let out an exhausted sigh as he laid his head on his desk.
He knew for a fact that Morgana would probably call him soon, trying to see where he was.
Same with Ryuji.
And especially Sojiro.
It didn't matter though, he just wanted a momentary break before the hellish suffering alongside Sojiro Sakura would materialize.
Can't I just…oh for the love of God.
The futility of his efforts were truly starting to sink into his skin.
Like clockwork, Kawakami called out to him instead, "Kurusu-kun? Don't you have somewhere to be?"
He lifted his head from the desk to meet her gaze, "Uh…no?"
Real smooth.
"I don't think Sakura-san would be happy having to judge students himself."
Akira breathed a chuckle, "Ah, I think that's a fate he deserves."
Her eyes drooped into a narrow stare, "Akira, for the love of God, get your ass outta that damn desk and go help Sakura-san."
Excuse me?
…wait that was kinda ho—
Akira couldn't help but choke on his spit, "W-what?"
"It's already one thing I keep covering your ass with Maruki, but it's another when you're avoiding duties that you signed onto!"
"Kawakami, huh?! And I didn't even sign up for those duties! Sojiro wanted to be a jackass!"
Her stare became laced with a bitter bite, "Why do you think he hasn't called your phone or explicitly called you to his office?! I keep coming up with dumbass excuses!"
His face went blank for a moment, "O-Oh. That's…huh. Thanks."
"Point is, please go help him before I dock your grade for last week."
"That's not even fair!" He turned his head towards Mishima, "Mishima, do you hear this bullshit?!"
Akira didn't know what the hell he was doing, but he was mindlessly practicing his rudiment while chanting under his breath, "There is nowhere to run…you will pay the price…I will take your life…"
The fuck he got going on over there…
Akira locked eyes with Kawakami and they both mentally agreed to never mention this.
"Okay, okay, what if I do it…but you give me extra credit instead? See that way, you aren't grossly misusing your power—"
"Either way, I'm not using my power right."
She got me there.
"Okay…but extra credit or…?"
She rolled her eyes, "Fine. But only a point."
Akira got up from his desk, "Who am I to complain?" He strolled over to Mishima, grasping him by the collar, "C'mon shithead."
An utterly exhausted sigh ripped itself from Akira's lips as he saw the line leading to the bandroom.
It was mainly the same old kids from the other day, with maybe one or two new faces.
Oh wow, I'm surprised people would even want to join a program marked by the sleazy taste of a pedophile.
Akira left Mishima at the end of the line while he forced his way through.
Eventually, after enough bypassing constant shit-talking, Akira, much to his dismay, appeared inside of Sojiro's office. Though the sight of Ryuji strapped up with a snare didn't hurt that much.
Wait, how the hell did he even—
He probably skipped class…
Damn it, Ryuji.
"Great! Only took you forever to get here! Bring your ass to the gymnasium so we can do these damn auditions." Sojiro shot up and placed a hand on Ryuji's shoulder, "You're up first, kid."
"Ha, yeah, thanks."
The two walked behind Sojiro, with Ryuji speaking first, "You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm good. You? You kinda look…exhausted dude."
A yawn slipped from his lips, "Hell no. I miss my sleep…but 'eff it, we ball."
Akira paused for a moment, wondering if he really had the gall to bring this up, "Um…you talked to Ann…?"
Ryuji gave a thick huff of humor, "Right…right, talkin' to her after she called me a coward? Chewed me out like a piece of gum?"
Akira nervously chuckled, "Ha…ha, right…"
"She tried talkin' to you? What about class?"
"Nah…she seemed like she was zoning out in class."
Ryuji's gaze took an aimless quality as the three of them eventually walked into the gym. There were two chairs already set up for Sojiro and Akira's asses to sit in. Sojiro pointed to the stage for Ryuji to await the start of his audition as he darkened the lights, he obliged with ease. Sojiro took this chance to darken the gym with one light centering on Ryuji's position.
The Band President and Band Director sat in their chairs with a heavy plop, Akira hung his head over the back of the chair as he stared up at the ceiling. Although it was uncomfortable, and he was certain he would get a cramp in his neck, he felt as if he could simply fall asleep on it.
Maybe he would've if Sojiro didn't smack him in the face, "Wake your little ass up kid, we both have to pay attention to these. And don't be biased in any shape or form…if Sakamoto-kun here screws up…be honest, okay?"
Akira partially straightened up as he stared at his best friend, his empty stare still apparent, a little exhausted grin forming on his face, "That's it, Sakamoto! Get your little ass outta here you loser! Go back to your awesome girlfriend and leave us winners here to sulk in misery like real men!" Ryuji's aimless gaze quickly dissipated as he started laughing.
Well, the laughter stopped as soon as Akira got playfully slapped in the back of the head by Sojiro, "Come on kid, let's get this show on the road."
Yeah, let's do it since he's clearly not thinking of Ann anymore.
Ryuji cleared his throat as he gave a bow, "Hello, Sakura-sensei, Akira–"
"Wait…wait, kid, you can't do that. Remember, me and Akira are supposed to be figures of authority. I don't really mind, but we have to sell the mannerisms when we're in public and all of that, remember?"
Akira's face scrunched up at the idea of everyone calling him by his last name. It was something he thought he wouldn't have to deal with anymore–except for teachers obviously.
"Really? Does it really matter?"
Sojiro chuckled, "Does it matter…oh man, if my band director in college would've heard that, he might've strangled you. The point is…discipline matters. It can be the one thing that separates one band from another." Sojiro paused as opened his white suit jacket, "Let me use my jacket as an example. Sakamoto?"
Ryuji was enraptured, "Uh-huh?"
"What's the difference between this and any other jacket?"
"Uh…name?"
"Eh, kinda, but it's details. Discipline doesn't just matter in the grand stuff…it comes down to the details. Got it?"
"Right…right." He cleared his throat, "Good morning, Sakura-sensei and Kurusu-san. Today I will be doing my 40 rudiments and playing my prepared piece."
Oh wow, I think this is the nicest I've ever heard Ryuji speak…
Ryuji started out at a fast tempo. It was a bit of a shock for Akira since all the times he practiced in front of him, it was always at a moderate tempo.
Guess it makes sense, you can play something slow, you can play it fast.
Within a couple of minutes, Ryuji had blown through half of the rudiments…but his stamina was waning.
Shit, his hand still isn't back at full strength…is it?
It seemed as if every flam, accent, and stroke gave Ryuji a shockwave of pain in his hand. He kept winching each and every time.
Luckily, he got through his rudiments before it became too much to bear.
The only issue that lay ahead was his prepared piece from Sojiro.
Ryuji started off slow, reading the rhythms correctly. Sojiro's foot was tapping against the wooden tile of the floor, serving as a master guide on how the piece was meant to be played. They were in sync.
Until the tempo ramped up.
Ryuji was struggling to keep up, but it seems as if he could. It was obvious he was going to keep going, he wasn't going to stop. He wanted to finish the piece, get through the audition, join the band once more, and finally ato—
So much pain shot through his hand as he fell to his knees.
"Ryuji!" Akira launched from the chair with Sojiro in tow, hopping on the stage, he crouched by him, "Dude are you good?"
"Y-yeah just…damn it this hand!" Ryuji snapped his head to Sojiro, "Sensei, please let me—"
He raised a hand, "Nah…"
Even Akira snapped his head at him, "What?! C'mon old man that's not even fair! Why the hell did you even make him try that piece when you know his ha—"
"You've already passed."
Akira's words of rebellion drowned themselves as the two boys stared at Sojiro in disbelief.
"For real?! But I—"
Sojiro waved his hand, "That doesn't matter. What matters is," He tapped Ryuji in the center of the chest, "you tried. You gave it your all, even if you weren't physically able. That's the true mark of a musician and a bandsman in my eyes." He gave a grunt of effort as he lifted Ryuji and himself from the stage floor, "Congrats. I'll be pleased to teach you, Sakamoto-kun."
Sojiro hopped off the stage as he went back to the chairs he set aside for him and Akira, "When you leave, tell the entirety of the percussion hopefuls to come here."
Ryuji and Akira gazed at each other as the former stood up.
Maybe this old fart isn't so bad.
The rest of percussion went, and, with the exception of maybe one or two kids, they all passed. It was clear though that none of them came close to the skill of Ryuji.
Interesting. A rusty injured kid is better than most of them…
Mishima's audition went as expected, although it was clear he was incredibly nervous.
Whether that came from Sojiro's presence and the fear of not making it or Akira's cold aura, neither of them could tell.
Hell, I bet Mishima doesn't even know himself.
After getting done with the percussionists, Sojiro gave a hearty yawn as he checked his watch. An hour had passed.
Exhaustion was clear in his voice as he mumbled, "Jesus…"
Akira kept tapping away at his phone, texting Haru as Sojiro went out of the gymnasium, attempting to summon whatever else section he wanted to feast on next.
Elite Milk: How are auditions going?
Akira: They're…okay, I guess.
Akira: We're only just finishing up the percussionists though.
Akira: Ryuji made it though.
Elite Milk: That's wonderful! How was it?
Akira: He did great. He messed up a little towards the end 'cause of his hand and his stamina wasn't fully there yet, but it's clear he tried his hardest and gave it his all.
Akira: It's funny almost because…even now, he's clearly better than most of the percussionists still.
Elite Milk: That's great to hear. I can only imagine how happy Sakamoto-kun is!
Akira: He seemed to have a weight lifted off of him when Sojiro told him so that's great.
Akira: But yeah, only two percussionists out of the batch didn't make it. Even including…Yuuki Mishima.
Elite Milk: Why did you say Yuuki Mishima like that? You have something against him?
Akira: Oh, right, you don't know. I forgot.
Akira: Kamoshida used Mishima to leak my record. And he's really a part of the reason why Morgana and Shiho got harmed.
Akira: So, yeah, I don't like the little bastard a lot.
Elite Milk: O-Oh…you…you never told me that…
Akira: Right. I keep forgetting to get around to telling you everything that happened with Kamoshida...
Forgetting my ass.
I just don't want you to hear about how much of a reckless dumbass I am.
Elite Milk: You don't have to tell me if you don't want to…only if you're comfortable.
Look at Haru man, so inspirational.
This is why she's deserving of the Elite Milk mantle…
Akira: Right, thank you.
Elite Milk: But Kurusu-kun…if I may, and don't think I'm trying to defend him, but have you thought about maybe the torture Kamoshida was inflicting upon him to bring him to that point?
Elite Milk: Again, I'm not attempting to remove the villainy from his actions, but I'm simply just trying to elicit you to think about why he did it. How he was affected. How he suffered.
Akira blankly stared at his phone as Morgana gleefully stepped onto the stage, it was clear he was excited to hold and play a horn again.
Hell, it was so clear he annoyed the shit out of Akira at night with his playing.
….Damn it Haru…
I feel fucking awful.
Am I an awful person?
Am I excessively selfish for not thinking about his suffering?
Yes.
No...
Yes.
No…
Life is all about perspective…and from mine, Mishima is a dick-head.
But…
Fuck.
Akira began to erratically ruffle his hair as Sojiro sat back down, "Alright kid, you know what to do."
Morgana gave a bow and did the typical introduction, not that it was needed since Sojiro knew him since he was a baby.
With ease, Morgana gracefully went through all twelve of his major scales, even deciding to dabble in four of his minors. His chromatic was even easier with the younger Kurusu deciding to showcase his range, both in pedaling notes in the lower octave and playing a Bb above the staff.
The prepared piece was a slow and methodical one, much to Morgana's strengths as his tone and articulation were at the forefront here.
Sojiro didn't even need to hear it, nor did he need Akira's adolescent presence to realize where all of this would lead.
Morgana was already accepted into the program with ease, and he was a section leader.
Sojiro gave Morgana a simple grin and the teenager left the room with a satisfied smirk.
Words weren't even needed.
Though all of this made Akira wonder…why was he there?
"Sojiro?"
Sojiro tapped away on his phone before he pocketed it, "Hm?"
"Why am I here?"
"I mean, you're the Band President aren't you?"
"Not of my own volition. And I don't really think that position qualifies me to judge these kids with you. Not that you even need my help to do so…" He slouched in his chair, oblivious to Sojiro gazing at him.
Sojiro couldn't tell why he actually asked for Akira to sit in here with him.
Maybe it had something to do with the words he heard from Hotaru that day.
Or maybe he just wanted to make the kid suffer.
Maybe it was both?
He wouldn't be able to give a reason for a while.
With all of that being said, Sojiro ripped his focus away from him and towards the stage.
They had more auditions, of course.
The last section of all the instrument players were trumpets. Sojiro and Akira actually went into overtime in terms of critiquing every prospective member as they came and went.
Each of them passed, however, even if their egos were harmed.
Although there was this one kid, for the sake of his life, Akira couldn't remember his name until he introduced himself. His name was Shiro, and he had the meanest stink eye trained on Akira for no reason.
It was like the entirety of his audition had negative piercing energy filling the room.
It was even making Sojiro feel off.
He was surprisingly skilled, but Sojiro quickly told him he passed just to get him out of the gym.
"What a weirdo…" He lowered his voice to a whisper, "Can't believe I gave that kid some of my advice…"
Akira perked his ear at the mention of Sojiro bestowing his verbiage upon him, but it was removed by the next hopeful.
Ann Takamaki.
Ann's nerves were clearly on display and she had the same distant, far away gaze from Kawakami's class.
Akira was sure even Sojiro noticed.
She went through the usual introduction and asked Sojiro if he had a speaker set up.
Pointing to the side of the room revealed a Bluetooth speaker connected to his phone, "What song?"
Ann paused for a moment, contemplating whether or not she wanted to indeed center on the song, "Memories of You from 2015?"
Akira stared at her, but he pocketed his thoughts for later.
The song came and Ann began her routine, following the upbeat tempo of the song.
She gracefully moved with each beat, her body expressing a different energy along with the lyrics.
It was masterful.
A wonderful start.
It was easy to see that Ann loved dancing. It was effortless.
Yet…something was still holding her back.
It was clear that she wasn't fully giving herself into her art form despite how it was easily enrapturing the fledgling Band President and Director.
She was milking each and every 8-count that she threw, eventually coalescing into a perfect finish.
Akira and Sojiro instinctively gave her a standing ovation, to which Ann gave a half-hearted smile.
Sojiro cleared his throat as he locked his eyes onto her, "Great." He took a tentative breath as he played around with his hands, "But you didn't make it."
Oh hey, that's great—
Akira snapped his head to him, "What?!"
All of the faint exuberance in Ann's face faded away, "Oh…"
Sojiro's face took on a solemn expression, "Truly, I am sorry, Takamaki-kun."
"Oh, come on! This is some bullshit Sojiro and you know it!"
He snapped his head towards Akira, "Watch your tone with me, kid. You may be Haruki's kid, but that doesn't allow you to talk to me however the hell you feel." He turned to Ann, "Hopefully you'll fare better next time. Good day, Takamaki-kun."
Akira tried to give Ann a sympathetic gaze but she averted her eyes away from him, walking from the stage as she alerted the next hopeful to come.
Akira's gaze was nothing but rageful daggers as he stared at Sojiro.
It just don't make any sense to him.
But what did he know? Nothing as of late made much sense to him.
Akira yawned as he finally released himself from the shackles of Shujin's gymnasium, his ass hurting from the stiff chair he had been glued to for hours.
He ran into Ryuji while files of Shujin students slid from its gates, unleashed into the streets of Aoyama-Itchome.
Ryuji's face softened seeing his friend's tired expression, "Hey, you okay?"
Akira waved away his concerns as he finished out another yawn, "I'm good, just…you know," He rubbed his ass, "my ass hurts. That chair was trash as hell."
He chuckled, "I can imagine dude, but how did the auditions go?"
Akira's face darkened, "Oh you know…good." He brushed his cheek.
Ryuji narrowed his eyes, it seemed as if he could tell Akira was hiding something from him, "You uh…you sure about that?"
He gave a nervous chuckle, "Yup."
"You said that a little too quick…whaddya mean by that?"
Akira took glances around as he pulled Ryuji into the alleyway by Shujin, "Uh…Sojiro rejected Ann."
"WHAT?! FOR REAL?!"
Akira immediately clasped his hands over his mouth, "Dude, shut up!"
Ryuji wrenched his hands from his mouth, "How the hell—what did she do?! Mess up?! That's not fair! I messed too but Sakura—"
"It's not like that…she…she did great man. Absolutely great. But…he didn't let her in."
Disbelief formed on his face, "Dude, what?"
Akira lowered his eyes as he harkened back to the audition, "I wish I knew man. I thought the old fart was actually maybe a good guy, but I guess I was wrong."
Raising his eyes, he met Ryuji's dejected stare.
It was amazing that he still sincerely cared for Ann despite her, albeit deserved, outburst from the day prior.
He elected to cheer him up again by changing the topic, "So uh, did you guys hear about that Shujin Fair thing?"
Ryuji's dejected energy was still there, although it was in a lighter phase, "Oh yeah, that bullshit was so lame last year…"
"What? Come on, it sounds like it could be fun dude!"
He shrugged, "Don't really like the idea of doin' fake shit for a bunch of rich assholes lookin' at us like the next big thing to exploit, y'know?"
Akira couldn't even lie, he definitely had a point there, "True…but c'mon, if you think it's lame, then it'll be lame." He cleared his throat, "Let's give Shujin a proper product created by the illustrious 'Delinquents of Shujin Academy'!"
Although his mood was still ruined, Ryuji couldn't let the offer pass him up or not give Akira one of his signature toothy grins, "'eff it, you got a deal!"
Akira took a bow, "The legendary F.K.S.O has a long-lasting record of amazing deals being done with ease! It's my job!"
After Ryuji fully surrendered into a bout of laughter, he straightened himself up before asking Akira a question, "Dude?"
"Hm?"
"Why did you uh…lie about your trumpet?"
His face flattened upon hearing the words, "Ah…right. I did lie."
His voice became deadpan, "Yeah, that's kinda what lyin' is."
"Shut up, smart-ass. And I lied because well…I was just trying to let go of the past. That's all."
He tilted his head, "You sure?"
Akira couldn't fully tell if he was, but he decided to go with the safest option, "Yeah."
Before the conversation could continue, Akira got a text.
Sojiro Sakura: Hey.
Sojiro Sakura: I think this is your number.
Sojiro Sakura: Come to my house.
Sojiro Sakura: We need to talk.
Akira: Dude, you don't have to separate each text like it's an individual thought. Oh my god.
Akira: Fine, but I don't know your place, send your location.
Sojiro: Alright
Sojiro:
"Who's that?"
Akira looked up at his phone, "I get to dine with a Devil."
"Damn bitch you live like this?!" Even though he could gather Sojiro could live in a rather lavish place from the apartment, Akira's shock was genuine as he stepped inside the fledgling Band Director's house.
Sojiro couldn't do anything but give an exhausted sigh, "Shut up, kid. Can you just do that for two minutes?"
Akira subtly set a timer on his phone while Sojiro walked past him, unintentionally leading him into his living room.
Since Sojiro took a seat, Akira took it as a sign for him to take one also.
The TV was on, playing some old reruns of "Tanaka's Amazing Adventures!'
Oh, hey I loved this show as a kid.
Tanaka was a dickhead though…
I'd totally steal those damn glasses though.
Shame he went crazy and disappeared into the mountains a couple of months ago.
Sojiro and Akira simply sat in silence watching the rerun, until Sojiro turned his head towards the boy, "You…you got anything to say or?"
Akira didn't reply.
"…Kid, speak up. I wasn't being serious."
The silence was large.
Akira's alarm went off, "You happy? And aren't they kinda tasteless for playing Tanaka reruns considering…you know…?"
Sojiro rolled his eyes, "The man was on national TV screaming and moaning about a 'Door-kun' while being naked, I don't think us watching an episode of his show is as tasteless as him."
…partially valid point.
"Anyway, you know why I called you here?"
He shrugged, "Because despite being 'insufferable' I'm deeply lovable?"
Disgust formed on his face, "Yeah keep dreaming." Sojiro got up, making his way to the kitchen and putting on a brew of coffee, "You want some?"
Ew.
"No…you got any tea?"
He pointed up, "She keeps all of it in her room."
Akira sighed, "I'm not surprised…but—"
Sojiro knew where he was going and sidestepped it completely, "I just wanted to ask…how did you feel today?"
Akira paused for a moment, "Didn't…didn't I already kinda say this today?"
Sojiro grabbed a cup, "I mean, yeah, but I'm talking just in general."
He tilted his head, "Why are you acting like a human being?"
"Oh shut up, smart-ass." He began pouring his cup, "I just…kinda realized it isn't really fair of me to force this all on you, kid. Especially with me not knowing everything."
Hesitation gripped his words, "What…do you mean by that?"
Sojiro took a long, drawn-out sip, one that pissed Akira off to no end, "Hotaru said something about your past."
Oh, you have got to be shitting me.
Akira groaned, "You have got to be shitting me. Look—"
His hands raised themselves in defense, "Relax, he didn't say anything about it. He cut himself off before he could. It just…" He paused, "made me realize that I should extend humanity to you." Another sip graced his lips, "So keeping that in mind, how have you been feeling?"
Oh besides—
Oh, screw the snark.
Just keep it short and sweet.
"I mean, besides what I said about me not understanding why I was there…I guess I was okay. Been tired this whole day so that's nothing new. I just…don't understand why you didn't let Ann join? She was easily among the best—"
He sighed, he should've seen this coming, "Akira—"
"Come on, Sojiro…you know that was some real massive bullshit you pulled."
"Kid, look. Can we talk about something else?"
"But—"
"I know we've never seen eye to eye. You don't like me, I get it. But for once, can you just…listen to me? When have I ever done anything without reason?"
…He's got a point.
Hotaru hasn't ever really complained about his choices in life.
Although he still hated it, Akira bitterly submitted, "Fine. What else do you want to talk about then?"
"Uh…how are your classes?"
"You just want to know how Kawakami is, don't you? You sick dog…"
A slight grin formed on his face, "Seriously, how are they?"
Akira waved a hand, "They're alright. Exams weren't stressful or anything for me. Been getting some real nice study partners."
"Right…you've been making friends, I see?"
Does Ann still count after yesterday?
What about Iwai, or Tora? Hell, even—
Fuck it I'm counting them as friends.
"Yeah. Despite…my altercation back at Kyoto getting out—"
Sojiro choked on his coffee, "What?"
Right…yeah, he couldn't know.
Akira's nonchalance didn't wash away, "Yeah, it is what it is though. It's kinda had its perks, oddly."
He didn't want to brush it away as quickly, "Akira, who the hell—"
Nope!
Time for another Akira Kurusu special!
Random bullshit go!
"So, how is Futaba?" It was a long shot, but Akira had made longer ones before, so why not?
Sojiro faltered for a moment, "Why do you ask? You've barely even interacted with her?"
He shrugged, "So? You're acting like basic empathy is rare for me."
"It—"
He might have a point and I'm probably exponentially fucked up for using her situation to free myself but…fuck it, we ball.
"Shut up, old man. How is she?"
Sojiro sighed, passing Akira as he ascended the stairs. He took this as a sign to follow him and swiftly followed suit.
After climbing the stairs, Sojiro introduced him to a door.
What?
"Go ahead, knock on it. Try to talk to her."
Uh…
What?
"What?"
"Just knock on the damn door kid."
Reluctantly, he gave a series of knocks in the same fashion as Last Reverie VII's victory theme, but nothing followed suit.
"Futaba? Hey, I don't know if you remember much of me, but it's Akira Kurusu? Hotaru's nephew?"
Silence.
"Hello?" He looked at Sojiro who simply gazed emptily at the floor.
It seemed this was anything new for him.
Shit…
"Well, um…I hope you're okay. Bye now." He turned to her guardian, "I should uh…get going now."
Sojiro walked him to the door, however not before Akira remembered one thing, "Uh, by any chance, do you have the logins Shujin gave you for their student accounts?"
"Huh—oh, right." Sojiro scrambled around in his bag, grabbing a few papers before shoving them in Akira's hands, "Here you go. Be safe getting back to the apartment, kid."
"Yeah. Thanks." Sojiro closed the door in his face before he was able to fully get his words out.
Gee.
Thanks.
It didn't take long, but Akira was able to get into the lobby of his apartment with ease.
Although both making it to the elevator and waiting for it seemed to take forever.
He gave a few glances while he stood stiff waiting, he swore he heard footsteps but there wasn't a single body for them to belong to except for the receptionist behind the counter.
Probably just a side effect from the sleep finally getting its yucky ass fingers into me…
A few steps from his apartment door, a little chime came from Akira's phone.
Huh?
Ain't that the chime that happens when something gets downloaded?
He pulled it out, seeing nothing new until he looked at the very bottom of the screen.
The app had a logo with a black oval with a devilish grin and ears with it too, but Akira didn't care to examine it further as he quickly deleted it.
Yeah.
This phone might be broken…
Shit.
A weary sigh came as he opened the door, quickly moving into his room as he passed out.
A/N:
I wanted to release this chapter on Wednesday but I really wanted to take the extra time in order to get a headstart on other chapters. I'm about two chapters ahead as of now so that's cool. Seems I'll be regularly updating every Sunday until further notice. See you guys next Sunday!