Tuesday, May 25th
"So, what is Crossroads even like?"
Ryuji shrugged as they disembarked from the train station, heading up the stairs to Shinjuku at large, "It's nothing too special, just a regular-ass bar."
"Huh…you'd think with it being in Shinjuku, it'd be…you know."
"Oh shit…that is right, I bet you Fukui types think Shinjuku is a place filled with sex and drugs, like 24/7." Ryuji snickered for a bit, taking a larger stride to have Akira follow behind him.
"I mean…if you have a place named the 'Red-Light District', it's kinda a mental image that's gonna stick, dude. Don't tell me I'm wrong or some shit."
Ryuji imitated a buzzer, "Correct o'mundo! All that shit you think it has goin' on got regulated a long ass time ago. Probably when our parents were kids, I think. Point is, Shinjuku ain't been like that in a long ass time, so people our age, at least durin' the day, can kinda walk around here without bein' too worried about shit."
As they stepped deeper into the sun-soaked streets of Shinjuku, Akira faintly gave a wry chuckle as he examined the infamous Red-Light District, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Yeah. Not too worried…at least on the surface…"
I'm not being a negative Nancy, right?
Nah.
I'm just being my usual realist self.
Akira yawned as they continued their trek deeper inside of the district as Ryuji kept droning on and on about Ancient Ring, eventually getting a text message.
Ann: Hey, how you feeling after today?
Akira: You want the bullshit truth or the genuine one?
Ann: Kurusu's choice
Akira: Eh…still a little annoyed from the meeting.
Ann: Ahh, seeing Yusuke and Miss Prez got to you huh?
Akira: Oh for the love of god
Akira: Why do you guys keep teasing me about her?
Akira: You guys do realize that would be an absolutely TOXIC ass relationship right?
Akira: And didn't you literally tell me to explore the endless plethora of women in my Kurusu harem?!
Ann: Now you're just making shit up, I know for a fact I didn't say that shit to you at the diner Akira
Ann: And yes, anyone with half a brain would be able to tell that! BUT it's still funny as hell to tease you about it.
Akira: Oh good god you and Ryuji really been enjoying this whole renewed friendship shit, huh?
Ann: Eh, maybe, maybe not.
Akira: Great…not only Ryuji, I'm gonna have to deal with you too…don't tell me Mona's next on this train of infinite bullshit…
Ann: He's your little brother, I think that train left the station a longggggg ass time ago.
Ann: Like, 15 years too late, y'know.
Akira: You got me crying and throwing up Ann pls shut up
Ann: Nope.
Ann: All jokes aside, that's all?
Akira: Yup, tired too but that's beside the point.
Ann: Oh, right speaking of being tired…I kinda have a favor I need to ask you
Akira: Ah, I knew a favor was eventually going to be asked somewhere in this conversation…what's up?
Ann: Shut up, you're making it seem like I'm only ever nice to you for things!
Akira: Fine, fine, seriously what's up?
Ann: Kawakami mentioned that Shujin Fair project thing today, she asked if I had a group yet…
Akira: Oh right…shit, I almost forgot about that…
Akira: Last thing I need is more attention on myself by not doing it…Kobayakawa would get on my ass, he'd probably fire Sojiro as well or something…
Akira: We gotta submit the groups by the 29th, right?
Ann: Uh, yeah that's what she mentioned
Akira: Groups of four, right?
Ann: Yup
Ann: You and Ryuji already in a group, right?
Akira: Ding! Ding! Ding!
Akira: You are right on the dot, Misstress Ann Takamaki! Now here are your prize options!
Akira: 1. Lifelong membership to Ryuji's digest!
Akira: 2. A lifetime supply of crepes!
Akira: 3. A monthly supply of monkey paws!
Ann: Shut up
Ann: Plus, I'd like the crepes, please.
Akira: Fuck I look like, Willy Wonka?
Ann: Okay fuck meister, I'll just settle for Ryuji's digest.
Akira: Come on…I only said it once…
Akira: And fair choice, we have a rousing issue this week about Ryuji's inability to progress in Ancient Halo.
Akira: Anyway, with you, we have three, just need one more. I should get around to asking Mona before it's too late
Ann: I assume you're gonna be the group leader?
Akira: Nah, I'm gonna have you guys fight to the death in my secret infant fight club to become the leader this time.
Ann: With the way you constantly reference that rumor…I can't help but wonder if you actually do have one.
Akira: Yeah, I'm going to it right now, it's why I'm in Shinjuku, gonna go feed the infants their daily servings of tootsie rolls.
Ann: Tootsie rolls? Oh my god, you're actually evil.
Akira: The youth need to understand the greatness, after all.
Ann: The greatness of appreciating their tastebuds and its ability to detect bullshit
Ann: Why are you in Shinjuku, though?
Akira: Ryuji
Akira: Well, not really Ryuji, it's because of Ohya
Akira: She might've found a lead when it comes to this whole Madarame shit, it could be the concrete proof we're looking for.
Ann: Huh. Ohya is useful sometimes, I gotta admit that.
Akira: You saying something good about Ohya? Not you throwing shade or something?
Akira: Color me surprised.
Ann: You're making it seem like I don't like her or something…
Akira: You…did roll your eyes at her and Ryuji talking when Kamoshida got arrested.
Akira: Hell, it seems like every time you see her, even if she's with Ryuji or not, your mood just dampens.
Ann: Uh…
Akira: And you did bring her up when you cursed me and Ryuji out at the hospital in a negative light.
Akira: So keeping that in mind, it just begs me to ask the question, what's your problem with her?
Ann: I…
Ann: I don't have a problem with her…I don't think.
Akira: Okay, what's the cause of your hesitation?
Ann: I just…I've never really liked her.
Ann: Last year, I remember everyone just instantly liked her, especially your dumb-ass best friend, but for me? I could just never.
Ann: She just reminds me of those paparazzi my mom would have to deal with when I was younger…always using people, dropping people, hurting people, sticking her nose where it doesn't belong no matter who it hurts or how it hurts people.
Akira: And you think, what, she's doing that to Ryuji?
Ann:...
Ann: Last year, Ohya used to have this friend…her name was Kayo. They were the best of friends. Knew each other since Junior High.
Ann: Kayo was…shy, to say the least. She was always reserved, never really outgoing, and stayed to herself as much as possible. Only time I ever really remember her being…well, herself was with Ohya when they were in the Journalism Club.
Ann: Her and Ohya…they were a dynamic duo.
Ann: At least…until after summer break.
Akira: What happened…?
Ann: I'm not sure why…I'm not sure how, but towards the first qualification matches in September, Kayo got her personal information leaked. All over Shujitter.
Ann: You know…real bad stuff. Stuff relating to her parents…her past…
Akira: Kamoshida…
Ann: Yeah.
Ann: Shit made her a target, and people treated her like a piece of rotten meat.
Ann: And…Ohya was one of those people.
Ann: I haven't seen Kayo in so long…who knows how that messed with her.
Akira: I assume since she did that to a near and dear friend, you think she'll do the same to Ryuji?
Ann: lol
Ann: It isn't even the fact that I think that she'll do it to Ryuji, she already DID it to him.
Akira: Wait, what?
Akira: I thought Ryuji broke up with her?
Akira felt a pit in his stomach form.
Ann: Has he ever said that to you, or did he refer to her with that guilty weight vague bullshit he does?
Akira:...
Ann: Exactly what I thought.
Ann: Once everything happened with Kamoshida…she just broke up with him over text. It was like a day or so after everything happened…
Ann: You see how pathetic and just…fucked up that is?
Akira lifted his eyes to gaze at Ryuji in front of him, still running his mouth as if nothing was different.
As if new information didn't just come to light and make him feel more pity towards him.
As if that information didn't forcibly throw Akira back to Kyoto and his final days there after Shido ruined his life.
As if Ann's words didn't make him feel closer to Ryuji.
Ann: I…
Ann: I know I can't really say anything since I distanced myself once he told me what happened…but…
Ann: God, I probably sound like an idiot, huh? Getting mad that Ohya did the same thing and came running back to him. Guess it means I can't ignore what I did anymore, huh?
Akira: Well, from what you're saying…good.
Ann: Akira this isn't the inspiring words I wanted to hear–
Akira: Let me get to my point goddamn it.
Akira: Okay, YOU did it because (from your point of view) you wanted to protect Ryuji. Give him a reason to lay down and not get into any more trouble.
Ann: Yeah?
Akira: Okay, and Ohya did it because?
Ann: I dunno…I think because she wanted to protect her social status?
Akira: Right. While they're both fucked up actions, at least you thought you were doing it for the betterment of Ryuji. That kinda means deep down it was from a place of love, at least in my eyes.
Akira: Plus…ever since then, you've recovered your relationship with Ryuji, even if you two do argue and all that bullshit every once in a while…
Akira: Point is, you've recovered your relationship and you two are bettering each other, at least from my perspective. So, it's good that this whole Ohya shit is making you realize the full error of your ways.
Akira: You get me?
Ann: I think…
Akira: And another thing, you two aren't alike at all, especially now. You came back to Ryuji and worked things out because you missed your best friend and hated how things were and solved some of your issues (yes he told me the conversation, he tells me everything)
Akira: But Ohya on the other hand? He told me she didn't even give him an answer on why, she didn't even know herself.
Akira: You feel any better now?
Ann:...a little.
Ann: Sorry for…dumping. I know you're busy and all, being out with Ryuji for the lead.
Akira: Nah, it's fine. I'm always here Ann, you know this.
Ann: Right…anyway, good luck, okay? If you need to call me or anything, I'm at the hospital with Shiho, so I won't be too busy.
Akira: Tell her me and Ryuji said hi!
Akira: And thanks.
Akira pocketed his phone and stared at the back of Ryuji's spiky blond hair.
He didn't really know why, but…he hated how much they were alike.
Social rejects.
The bottom of the barrel.
The worst of the worst.
The trash at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
Akira hated it, the idea that society put the same label on another soul who didn't deserve it…the idea that the people closest to him threw him to the wayside as well.
And yet…the little blonde jackass doesn't hate anyone except for King Dickhead.
Even with all the guilt he carries…he easily accepted Ann back…Ohya…hell, I can imagine he wasn't on the best of terms with Iwai or Tora but he doesn't care…giving them second chances and all that good shit.
I don't know if I can admire that or be disappointed.
A sigh came from Akira as he overtook Ryuji's strides, looping his arm around his shoulders.
Sure, Akira still hated how much they were alike, but…it showed that their friendship only made more and more sense.
"Dude?"
Akira gave him one of his signature smirks, "So before we get to Crossroads, any Ryuji Sakamoto-certified spots to show a little old country boy like me?"
Ironically, while they were inching ever closer to Crossroads, a familiar voice rang out to Ryuji.
"Ryuji! Over here!"
The two stopped, Akira started looking around first while Ryuji groaned, "Shit."
"What?" Confusion was rife on Akira's face, "Someone you don't like?"
Ryuji's face contorted as he gave it thought, "I wouldn't say that…but she's just gonna do the same shit to you…dunno if you want to deal with that headache, Aki…" A sigh slipped from his mouth as he pointed in the direction of Chihaya, tucked away in her corner as always.
Akira slowly made his way to her, dropping his voice to a whisper, "Woah…she's kinda cute man. Her forehead is mass-–"
"Yeah, I know."
"Do you just have a thing for—"
"Shut up man."
"Ah…you instantly replied with hostility…I see, my young ward." Akira paused for a second, "You do know I won't let you live this down, right?"
"Eat a dick."
Before Akira could get the ability to produce one of his characteristically witty comebacks, they made it in front of Chihaya's tables. She greeted the duo with a smile so sincere it could rival Teddie's.
"It's good to see you, Ryuji! How have you been? Have my predictions come to light?"
Predictions?
Oh Ryuji… you have to be shitting me man.
Ryuji snorted, "As if. Nothin' spooky has been thrown into my face, so I'd say you're sittin' on a big fat zero percent on the confidence scale."
Wow, that sounded like something me or Mona would say…
He's been around us a little too much, hasn't he…
Chihaya gazed at Akira, "If it didn't work for Ryuji…want to give it a try, Akira?"
Akira stood transfixed, confused with her uttering his name.
For all intents and purposes, he was freaked out.
How did she know my name?
Will I get a blessing of love as well and a mommy milker girlfriend?
Har—-
Okay, I need to stop thinking about that man…
Akira sighed, taking a seat as Chihaya shuffled her cards, spreading them on the table once again. He could hear Ryuji behind him, scoffing at Akira biting into her offer.
Great support, Ryuji. At least have a little fun…
A stern expression formed on her face, her focus fixated on the cards as she flipped one. It was a card with an emperor, one hand wielding a sword while the other had a scale in hand.
"Hm…I see a union of similar minds. Ideals so identical, yet foreign. A union that will tip the scales, either in favor of hatred or sincerity."
What the hell does that even mean—I can just ask man, this isn't a vague hippy Tumblr post…
"What does that exactly mean…?"
Chihaya looked him in the eye, giving him a faint smile, "That's all I can see, so far…I'm not sure why but you," She pointed at Ryuji as well, "and him have such blurry futures…so vague to the point I can't make anything out."
"If you can't make anythin' out, how are you tellin' us that shit then?"
Chihaya paused, trying to verbalize her visions, "It's like…floating in the middle of the sky, surrounded by clouds. Sometimes the clouds will form into words…or just outlines of people or things that will act out a scenario. Get it?"
Admittedly, Akira was a little confused but he wanted this to be over with as fast as possible, "Yeah, sure. That's all?"
"Not yet…" Chihaya placed an inquisitive hand on her chin, her eyes darting around before flipping two cards, one held a woman while the other seemingly had a magician, "A flipped magician and high priestess…"
"Does it really matter if they're flipped or not…?"
"In this particular situation…yes."
Great. Kurusu luck working out in my favor, as always.
"So, what are you seeing this time?"
"I see a shy soul that's near and dear, shackled by the chains of fear, cowardliness…suffocated by others. So much so that they manipulate to appease others…but," Chihaya flipped over the Lovers card, this time being upright, "all of it seems to be in vain as a harmony of the soul and mind will manifest from a meeting."
Akira had to admit…he was finding himself drawn into the allure of Chihaya's readings.
Doesn't help she's a pretty girl…
Oh for fuck's sake, I really am weak to pretty women.
And….everyone is right…I am the Fuck Meister.
But…a shy soul?
Who's shy?
Morgana?
Ann…?
Shit, maybe it's Haru?
Holy shit, I think that would line up with that thing she said the other day before I left…
…But Haru being a manipulator…?
No way…
Then again, manipulating to appease others would mean you'd have to hide that nature…
Akira gently shook his head in an attempt to straighten his jumbled nerves. Again, this could still be fake and all that…Ryuji seems especially skeptical.
Even if it is real…at least I know Haru would be fine in this theoretical future.
While it was small, it admittedly gave Akira a sense of reassurance, "Uh, anything else or…?"
Chihaya didn't give him a chance to finish his thought as she grasped another card, flipping it over to reveal a sight that put the fear of God in Ryuji and herself.
Her voice was heavy with the distress palpable in her throat, "The Fool…reversed…"
Suddenly, Ryuji slammed his hands onto the table, snapping their attention to him as he pointed an accusatory finger at Chihaya, "I dunno what type of sick-ass game you're tryna play here, but don't get Akira paranoid with this bullshit about a loomin' gloomin' death with this stupid ass card! Pick somethin' else! Like his luck with women! If you're gonna lie to him, do it with some fun!"
I don't know if I should be mad or…
"How many times do I have to tell you Ryuji, I'm not faking! I shuffle the cards and spread them onto the table! Whatever the fates do is of their own design, I'm just a servant. All this means…is that your fates are tied to something…unpredictable."
Ryuji gritted his teeth as he stared at her, "C'mon, that's bullshit and you know it!"
"Fine! If it's such bullshit, I'll read your cards as well." Chihaya recollected her deck, spreading three cards as Ryuji looked at his partner in crime who gave him a confused shrug.
Chihaya began her fortune, flipping the Lovers' arcana once again, "Hmm…I see that the prediction of love coming forth is still a ways off. Though steps have been taken, it seems…"
Ryuji's eyebrows slightly slid up in contemplation, a reflective mood taking hold of him.
Is…is he starting to think this shit might be true?
Chihaya took his silence as a reason to move forward, electing to turn over another card. This time, it was one with a moon.
Cool, somehow Neil Armstrong will have an influence over our lives.
"Your paths will cross with a mild-mannered meek boy, battling over the validity of an older woman in his life…"
What?
What the fuck does that even mean man?
While Akira didn't get it, Ryuji instantly knew who she was referring to, unlocking a wave of unnatural anger he thought he had under control.
Chihaya flipped another card, revealing a man near his edge. Her face darkened…and for once, Ryuji did too.
There wasn't a lick of humor on his face. Whatever he believed before? It had been thrown out of the window.
While the silence of their little corner kept being threatened by the busy bodies of Shinjuku as a whole, the three of them kept silent.
Eventually, Ryuji spoke.
His voice was thin.
"Chihaya…is there anythin' more you can tell me? About this? What to do?"
Her voice was heavy and thick with a palpable sense of remorse, "The cards…they're fate. You can't just…change them."
Ryuji gritted his teeth as he slammed his fist onto the table, scaring both Akira and Chihaya, "Damn it!" He shot from the table, seemingly walking towards the direction of Crossroads.
Akira sought after him, leaving Chihaya staring at her cards in worry.
"Ryuji!" Ryuji trekked closer and closer to a bar, presumably Crossroads, as Akira caught up to him, grasping his forearm, "Hey! What's going on man? Don't tell me that mystical bullshit is starting to get to you?"
Ryuji snapped his body around, staring Akira in the eyes as they stood underneath the dim neon lights of Crossroads' sign, "Akira…the last time I saw her, she gave me that same damn card…three times in a row…? That ain't a coincidence."
A sigh slipped from his mouth, "Okay, what is it supposed to mean though? Both of you didn't…give answers persay."
Ryuji's eyes faltered, "Somethin' about a death. Someone I love in the next couple of months. Then there's the thing about love blossomin'…"
Akira shrugged, "Okay? Those are the most typical things a foreteller could tell a person." He paused for a moment, thinking of something, "Who's to say that Ohya just didn't tell her to do these things? They're literally right beside each other."
Ryuji took a beat, "I thought the same but…she wouldn't keep sayin' that romance shit if she and Ohya were in it. Ohya would've said somethin' by now…and the fact she knew your name unprovoked?! That doesn't make you feel a little bit off?"
Fair point.
"…maybe."
"Oh so now you're startin' to see my worry, huh?" Ryuji's dry wit was starting to get better and better. Truly a sign of being around the Kurusu brothers for too long.
"Okay, first off; shut up. Second off; so what if she predicted those things? They're not set in stone and…we're humans you know? Free will is kinda our shtick. You really want a bunch of tiny ass cards to put the fear of God in you? And to think you're my Secretary of Cream…"
Ryuji couldn't help but laugh at the jankiness of Akira's pep talk, "How rousin'."
"Yup. Wouldn't be a FKSO talk if I didn't input a stupid ass phrase in it. But seriously, you gonna let a few cards scare you?"
He sighed, "No…but, shouldn't we keep an eye out or somethin'?"
"Ah yes, keeping an eye out for a tragic death of someone we care about…sounds rousing."
"Don't be a smartass for once." Ryuji hung his head back as he tried to think of something, "I dunno man…can we just try to see if the other predictions come true first, then we can panic about the death?"
"Jesus this…this sounds horrible out of context. But…Ryuji, next couple of months right?" He nodded, "Then that gives it…at least a subtle timeline. Everything else? You falling in love…me meeting a weirdo, that shy soul shit, and that thing about the kid and the old lady—"
"I know who the kid is…actually."
Oh.
Wait, what?
"Huh?"
Ryuji gently bounced his head around as he tried to explain, "So…remember when Ann and I went to get information from Mishima? When you went on your date with Miss Prez?"
"Wasn't a da—wait." His eyes widened as he held onto the mention of Mishima, "No fucking way."
Ryuji shakily swallowed some of his spit, "He…he…" His vigor weakened as memories replayed, "He has a PAWG, okay?"
Akira tilted his head, "A PAWG…? Dude, you can't be serious."
"Well, I don't think you'd call her a PAWG. Maybe a PAAG? Oh, 'eff it the shit doesn't matter, point is he's the kid and that woman is the PAAG Milf at Big Bang Burger."
Oh…
OH, I'M GOING TO BE FUCKING SICK TO MY STOMACH.
MISHIMA IS GETTING MORE PLAY THAN ME?! DURING THE MONTH OF WOOING?! THIS IS BLASPHEMY.
I'M GOING TO DESTROY BIG BANG BURGER.
Akira struggled to swallow his spit, "…disgusting visual aside, we're gonna argue with Mishima over his…y'know, relationship?"
"I guess? Although…if we know that we're eventually gonna argue with him over it and then we do argue with him over it, ain't that…kinda—"
"Don't. You'll give us a headache."
"Noted."
Akira clapped his hands together, "Lets just focus on the potentially abusive criminal artist and not have a sort of existential dread over these damn predictions, okay?"
Ryuji nodded his head and the two stepped inside Crossroads. There were a few patrons scattered about, though the main attraction to the duo was that signature bowl-cut that held so much hope for them.
Lala, seeing them, cleared her throat, "Alright everyone! Time to get out! I got some business to finish!"
A few outcries came, but Lala spoke again, "All drinks are on me tomorrow for the first hour! C'mon and get out!"
After another depressing example that booze can solve everything, the bar emptied itself. Lala gave Ryuji and Akira a smile while she slipped into the back room, pushing Ohya out.
Akira and Ryuji slowly walked behind the man, stopping at two stools, reluctantly gazing at each other before taking their seats.
Ohya placed herself behind the bar, pouring their drinks while giving Ryuji a stiff smile and avoiding Akira's gaze.
Yeah, well, I don't think I'd really want to look you in the eye either, Ohya.
Akira dropped a sigh, "I uh…I see the bruise is healing nice. Didn't really mean to punch you that hard…sir."
"Natsuhiko Nakanohara. Just call me that."
Cool, first name basis I guess?
"Uh, right, Akira Kurusu and this is—"
"Ryuji Sakamoto. So why'd you wanna talk with us?
Nakanohara took a sip from his drink, "Well…I just wanted to apologize…I wasn't…really in the right mind, the other night."
Ryuji snorted, "That was clear."
Nakanohara shrunk underneath Ryuji's dry wit, "Yeah…I was drunk, gotten fired, and my girlfriend—"
"Ex-girlfriend." Akira corrected.
"…right. We had gotten into an argument that led to us breaking up. Not really an excuse for what I did, but it just all coalesced into what you happened upon."
Akira and Ryuji shared skeptical glances as they took sips of their sparkling cider, "So what you're tryna say is Akira knocked some sense into you?"
He nervously nodded, "Yeah. I…I guess I wanted to thank you two? Bruise still hurts like hell, but it's just a reminder for me to be a better person. Guess I owe you two."
Akira took another sip, "Guess you can repay the favor right now."
Nakanohara's eyebrow perked up as he took another sip, "Hm?"
"You mentioned something about Madarame when you ran away…how do you know him…?"
He froze in the middle of his sip, it was clear Madarame was…something of a sore subject. Placing the drink down, he turned his gaze to meet the two young boys, his hesitancy clear, "M-Madarame…?"
Ryuji took his turn at Nakanohara, "Look, we're only askin' because…we think he might be up to some shady shit."
He paused, "I…I don't know—"
Ryuji cut him off, "We're not tryna mess with you or squeeze you dry for some story. We're serious…whatever he's doin', we wanna try and bring justice to his old ass."
Nakanohara paused, his eyes flicking through all three teenagers, "I…I don't want anything bad happening to you kids if I tell you—"
Akira snorted as he finished his glass of cider, "Trust me Nakanohara-san, nothing is gonna happen to us."
"B-But Madarame…he's—"
"—a dangerous guy, yeah yeah, we've heard that shit before. I mean, not the brag, but we're kinda the reason why Shujin's in the news, really." Ryuji had a shit-eating grin plastered across his face while Akira and Ohya stared at him with daggers.
Nakanohara, on the other hand, expressed intense disbelief, "What? There's no—"
Oh, I've had it with this back and forth shit.
"Look, we'll tell you all about it later, can you just please tell us what you know about Madarame?"
He paused, obviously not okay with Akira's outburst, "Right…well…I used to be one of his apprentices. Madarame, at least during the early 2010s, would take on…about three or so apprentices at the time. I was one of the first."
Three? But Yusuke's the only one…
"We'd live with him at his shack. Free of charge. No obligations. It was almost like a dream." Nakanohara mournfully looked at his warped reflection in his sake, a faint chuckle coming soon after, "It was a dream."
Ohya, for the first time, pushed forward, "How? I-If I may ask, Nakanohara-san?"
Ohya's words, as expected, churned up some…negative and natural hesitation from him. It took a moment before he conjured the will to continue, "At first…it would be simple things. Madarame would come home from Kosei, stating that he was exhausted…drained creatively and that he needed a little help. That it would be faint, just little things. Maybe a phrase…or help on a measure. A melody here…a counter-melody there."
Ohya was hanging onto his every word, "Then?"
"Things got worse. When it came to needing arrangements for Kosei, he'd ask us to write entire ones out. Compositions to showcase at special events for big musical names? Us. If we refused?" Nakanohara shuddered, "He'd have his way with us…"
Akira couldn't imagine what an elderly man of his stature could do, although…that was the point it seemed.
"How would he have his way…?" Ryuji seemed disgusted, his voice taking on a vicious bitter bite…almost as if he was having a mental replay of Kamoshida over and over again.
"It never ventured into anything sexual…but it would be physical. His anger and disappointment from us, 'failing to meet his standards' would lash out. Hell, sometimes it would be these weird punishments. No food…no water, no sleep. One time he made it that we weren't allowed showers."
"And none of you ran away? Left? Reported to anyone?"
"Oh, we tried. As you can tell, none of it worked. Come on…a bunch of random kids under the tutelage of the biggest name in Japanese music suddenly telling everyone he's a monster who doesn't make his own music?" A bitter chuckle came from his lips, "Any time one of us ran away…he'd just run to the halls of Kosei and grab the nearest hopeful who sadly fell victim to his bullshit."
"The bastard uses the school as a breedin' ground for talent…and has them write any music he needs? And on top of that, he abuses…? What the hell…I didn't think the old fart had it in him…"
Nakanohara snorted, "Yeah, that's the point. A harmless old man…hiding the devil behind the very fingertips that launched him to stardom."
Akira took a moment, trying to digest all of the information, before asking a question that had been on his mind since the beginning, "Why…did you stay?"
Nakanohara paused. It seemed he was never asked that question before.
"I…I'm stubborn. Didn't really belong anywhere, but I had a gift. Since…he always framed everything as a failure on our part, I guess I thought I could do everything right." There was a brief pause, "I was wrong though."
"In that case…what made you leave then?"
A sigh slipped from his lips, "There…was this kid that had been living with Madarame for a long time. Since he was an infant if I had to guess. By the time we came around, he was so…so intelligent. So gifted. Which meant—"
Ryuji cut in, "He was included in this 'effed up bullshit too, huh?"
Nakanohara nodded, "Yeah. But he was just…a normal kid. It wasn't fair. This one time, he just wanted to go outside and play with normal kids, Madarame had him inside of the shack 24/7 always working on something to help him once things got bad. He kept begging and begging, but…Madarame seemed more frustrated than usual. As if something was weighing on him." He took another sip from his sake, "Madarame slapped him and told him to be grateful to the hand that fed and raised him. He never slapped him before that. Never laid a hand on him."
Akira felt a pit form in his stomach as his mind kept replaying Yusuke's terrified expression.
"This, of course, was the last straw for me…and the other apprentice, Junko. I made sure Yusuke was okay while, later that night, she went to…I don't know, confront Madarame?"
Ohya's eyebrows perked in interest, "Why are you saying as if you don't know? She didn't tell you?"
"Well, that's the thing…she never came back." The trio of teenagers all had confusion painted on their faces, "At first…I just thought maybe she abandoned us. Maybe she went back home. I wouldn't have been surprised, I guess. Maybe Madarame threatened her or scared her and it was enough for her to run back home. Leaving in the middle of the night, usually, is how most of us left. I was a little hurt…a little betrayed, but I made sure to keep Yusuke in good spirits."
There was another pause as he took one final swig of his sake, "Until I heard Madarame on the phone mentioning Junko's name."
Wait, what?
"There's this backroom that he has always told us to never go in there. He'd usually have important meetings and shit in there. 'Grown folks business,' as he put it. One night I uh…walked past there. I'm not sure what compelled me to…maybe it was just an insufferable need to snoop but he mentioned her. He sounded desperate on the phone, mentioning something about a 'Bael'."
The three teenagers gazed at each other but looked their sights back on him as he continued, "He said something about Junko being enough. Then after a few back and forths, he threw my name in there."
So…he made her disappear? Is that what he's saying?
"I didn't know what to do but…" He sighed regretfully, "Like a coward, I ran away. I left Yusuke there. I think I tried to justify it by saying I could get rich or something off my arrangements and then have him stay with me but…"
Akira ended his thought, "The second you tried getting into the industry, Madarame had you blacklisted, didn't he?"
Nakanohara, as expected, didn't give an answer. Not long after, he threw some yen down as he stood up, "If…If you kids are going to do something about Madarame, don't do it for me. Do it for Yusuke. He's still there and I just know he won't ever leave since he thinks he owes Madarame." He took one final shaly breath as he stared the Delinquents of Shujin Academy in their eyes, his gaze reaching deep into their souls, "He deserves more than a shack of misery and failures who abandoned him."
And with that, he left. Leaving the kids in the stupor known as their thoughts.
Ohya was the first to speak, "That was…"
"'Effin intense. So Madarame's an 'effin fraud, a piece of shit who abuses his students, and seemingly makes them disappear? What the hell?!"
Ohya was quick to voice up some objection, "Well, you're mighty quick to believe him."
Akira was the next in line to speak, "Oh come on! That was genuine! He even mentioned Yusuke by name!"
"Okay, maybe he was an apprentice but whose to say he isn't just bitter about how it ended? That he wants to smear the name of Madarame who's—might I remind you—one of the biggest musical names in Japan?"
Ryuji, surprisingly, bit back, "Okay? You're actin' like we can't just verify this story by mentionin' Nakanohara or Junko! This isn't some bullshi—"
"Ah yes, mention the names of apprentices to Madarame, he won't find that the least bit suspicious. At worst, he'll ignore you and think you're a freak, or at best…he'll just ignore you and think you're some sort of freak. Seems like a win-win."
Ryuji rolled his eyes, "Who said anythin' about askin' him?" He turned to Akira, "You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"
A smirk formed on his face, "For once, yeah. You got your pass on you?"
"Pffft, why wouldn't I?"
"You're Ryuji." Akira's tone of voice would've led anyone to believe this was the number one answer.
He shrugged, "Valid."
Ohya quickly butt in, "Can you tell me what you two numbskullls plan on doing?"
Akira turned to her, "Doing something I'd think a journalist would excel in. Trusting our guts and taking a risk."
Ohya tried to think of a reply but she simply sighed as Ryuji spoke, "Honey, do you think you could…research anythin' on this Bael thing?"
"Good idea, seems like Junko only went missing because of this Bael thing. Whatever it is…it's enough to strike fear in Madarame." Akira patted Ryuji on the back.
Ohya paused for a moment, not long before Ryuji placed a loving hand over hers, "Please?"
"…yeah. I'll get whatever I can. Least I can do, for the both of you."
Akira noted the heaviness in her voice as she retreated to the backroom, rejoining her boss. Though before he could analyze it more, Ryuji nudged him in the side, "Miss Prez said she was gonna be there with Yusuke right?" Akira gave him a nod, "Shit, we gotta be careful then…"
Akira rubbed his temples, dropping his head to the mahogany bar top, "Don't need another headache from her today…god…this isn't gonna be fun, is it?" The muffled nature of his voice did nothing to hide his obvious "excitement".
Ryuji shook him, "C'mon! Outside of us attemptin' to unmask a fraud and gain evidence, we should enjoy this festival though! Some of the best artists and shit will be there and performin'! We're a bunch of broke-ass kids, so I doubt we're gonna get many chances like this anyway."
Well.
When he puts it that way…
Akira dragged his head from the countertop, pulling his phone out, "In that case…"
A/N:
Sorry for the long break. I had to travel to my college for orientation, do prep, get college stuff as well, help my mom move, and plus I got really sick during that time as well so I haven't been feeling the best but screw it we ball! Marching Phantoms is back! Plus, I might have a new Infantry Soldier chapter coming out soon as well, but we'll just have to see what the cards have in store for me.
Also fun fact, I had to split this chapter up again. The full thing still isn't finished and it's sitting at a disgusting 16K lmao.
At least next week will be a long and juicy chapter that's almost completed.