Wednesday, June 9th
Tetsuo left practice, the sun hanging low in the sky. Effortlessly basking the city in beautiful hues of oranges and reds. A yawn slipped from his lips as he stood by the subway, eagerly awaiting his stop to take him home.
The last two sessions of practice had taken everything out of him, his newly minted duties being more of a hassle than expected. He had to admit, a new level of respect was starting to manifest for Akira Kurusu if this was what he was juggling for the last couple of weeks.
It seemed even more incredible since he was able to make it seem so…effortless. As if he didn't need to expend any energy, even while playing. Tetsuo kept gazing at clips of the performance, taking notes of Akira's demeanor, his attitude, and his style of play.
In fact, it had gotten to a point where he was scouring the web for clips of Akira during his era with Kyoto Tachibana. In the clips where the trumpets were on full display, he seemed to be the same, though…there was this air of confidence around him. Perhaps even a cockiness in the grins he would wear while they played against a band that was clearly inferior.
Akira Kurusu knew he was the best player at Kyoto.
Akira Kurusu knew nobody could stand against him and his section—hell, the entire band.
As Tetsuo boarded the train, a singular thought reformed in his head; How could someone like him worry about falling to the wayside like me?
Like before, Tetsuo concluded that it hadto have something to do with Akira's past.
It was a topic that intrigued him—yet utterly terrified him. There was a part of Tetsuo that wanted to straight up ask him about it, hoping to pry any answers from his stoic lips but he knew that was a death wish.
It didn't help either that anyone he did ask about Akira and his brother seemed to regurgitate the same ramblings as before. The same tired nonsensical rumors that had been suffocating Shujin's collective consciousness since his second day of school.
Nobody knew and nobody dared to push further.
Delusions and almost mythical stories involving their mysterious transfer student seemed to keep everyone at ease.
Akira Kurusu was simply that—a mystery.
Another yawn slipped from his lips as he made it home, a few steps away from his simple apartment.
It wasn't anything special, but…his mother made it the best she could and he appreciated that.
That simple love made it more than enough.
Slipping inside, Tetsuo popped off his shoes and threw his keys onto the counter, "Ma, I'm ho—"
Tetsuo stopped as he was presented with a sight he hadn't seen since middle school. Jin Ikari in his living room, a wide smile on his face.
"J-Jin? Where have you—wait, how did you even—"
Jin stood up, making his way toward Tetsuo, "Your mom is still as nice as ever…and I think we need to talk, okay?"
Thursday, June 10th
A shaky exhale came from Haru as she stepped out from class, released by the insufferable ringing of the bell system she was far too acquainted with. It was lunch…and the second years were at Shujin, having a unique chance to see the inner workings of a TV studio near the Tokyo Dome.
If it were any other day, Haru would be a bit sad with the lack of her friends…but today wasn't any other day.
In fact, Haru was sure every single day moving forward wouldn't be any other day.
No matter how much she would want it to be.
After all, how can a person retain any sense of normalcy after their life implodes?
There was an intense dread in her stomach, a sense of impending doom as she struggled to truly grapple with the fact that…this was her life now.
That her life wasn't hers…anymore.
Haru shakily made her way toward the rooftop, struggling with each step as she opened the door, her garden taking her eye instantly.
Would she be able to go out like she just did with Akira?
Would she be able to see her friends?
Would she be able to even continue going to Shujin? Or would she just be delegated to being a stay-at-home wi—
Haru choked at the implication, unable to even think of the word inside her consciousness.
Would she be able to see Akira anymore?
Would she be able to garden? Or would she watch the symbol of her independence die off, ignored and isolated—doomed to a fate beyond their own choosing?
Would she be happ—
No.
She knew that.
Kanikazu Okumura would be, though.
And that's what mattered, right?
Haru took a few steps toward her garden, her eyes laced with a regretful stare as she saw her beautiful plants finally taking hold.
Standing on their own.
She wondered, did they love her?
And…if they did, why?
Was it because she cared for them? Oblivious to who she was outside of being their benefactor?
Because she earned it?
Because it was genuine?
Haru brushed a hand against her lone camellia plant. Despite it's lonely existence—being suffocated by it's green, brown, and red surroundings—it was still able to beam just as bright. Sincerely and with an intensity that commanded attention. It still stood tall.
She could stand tall.
Haru took a breath, attempting to form a smile in spite of everything.
She needed to stand tall.
A click startled her, making her whirl around to the door to be greeted by crimson hair—Kasumi Yoshizawa.
Haru tilted her head, "Yoshizawa-kun? What are you…"
Kasumi seemed startled by Haru's voice, "O-Oh, I was looking for—"
"Mona-chan?" The redhead nervously nodded her head, "I um…I can find him." Haru paused as she pushed forward, "Are…you looking for him because you want to talk…?"
Kasumi faltered, trying to decide if that was truly her end goal, "I…think so."
Haru couldn't help but smile, "If he's anything like his brother, he's in the bandroom."
Haru tapped on Mona's shoulder as he laid on the floor of the bandroom, Sojiro in his office steadily listening to music, attempting to find his next arrangement.
Mona stirred to wake, "Haru? What's up?"
Haru waved Kasumi inside the bandroom, "I…have a little surprise for you."
Mona stood up, taking a chair to sit in as he aimlessly gazed at Kasumi, "Huh? I don't get it."
The girls tilted their heads, the third-year speaking first, "You…asked me to talk to Yoshizawa-kun, remember? You were worried? So…I brought her here so you two could talk."
"Oh…well, that doesn't matter now. It's all cool. I'm cool."
The girls exchanged a look, "Mona-chan—"
Mona started fiddling with his phone as Kasumi received an alert. She looked at Haru and Mona—a semblance of hurt in her eye— "S-Sorry, I have to go…"
"Wait, Yoshizawa—" Before she had a chance to plea for her to stay, she was gone…and Haru was more confused than ever.
Not that it mattered though, the bell rang for class.
Akira needs to hear about this.
There's a new day dawning.
A sense of dread and fear.
Though…a new figure enters my life with intrigue.
They see me, they touch me, they curse me, they beat me. They laugh.
He sees.
He's helpful, for fear is a tool much to my liking.
I grab him, using this tool to its fullest potential.
He subjugates, fearful of a backbone within.
He sees and smiles. I did well, and he'll handle the rest.
They disappear. I'm not sure what happened, but…it's okay.
It's good. Jotaro still buckles under my tool.
I feel happy.
They don't see my worth. My use.
He does.
He gets closer and lets me in on a secret.
Glimpses into the past.
I have power.
Instilled upon the council. A bigger step, a grand ambition.
A thankful cry.
He goes further, telling me of another secret like the one from a year prior.
It's scary.
He's using fear on me.
Utilizing it.
I don't know what to do.
But He's the only one who sees my worth, so it must be fine.
A hit. It's my fault.
It has to be.
I was weak.
He's weeding it out of me.
I have to be better.
Stronger.
Use the tools at my disposal.
Prove your worth.
Another.
A form much like my old self.
Weaker.
He needs His Guidance.
He needs to be stronger.
I ignore. There's an attempt, but it fails.
He was weak.
He didn't see the vision and buckled underneath the weight.
For He's right.
There's a brat who ignores.
He deserves punishment.
An idea forms.
A suggestion.
All for the better.
Another brat.
Just as fickle as the rest.
Perhaps even more.
Both brats deserve the worst.
Even their pet monkey and the Golden Whore.
He has a plan.
For He tells me to wait.
To be content.
He knows what He's doing.
Faith.
It was a lie.
All a lie.
I should've done something.
I have to lie in wait.
See what manifests.
There's no way, right?
The brats had to have something to do with this.
They're taking away—
They're laughing.
Free.
Calm.
Benefitting.
Winning.
Snickering at the loss of my future.
My future.
That awful bitch and her lapdog.
Monsters.
The pompous rich girl and the rowdy delinquent.
Embarrassing.
A pretender.
A fraud.
Why was the lapdog protective?
Who is he?
What now?
A deal. False truths perhaps.
Maybe the parasite will take theirs as well.
They see truth in my words.
Acceptance.
Bait.
Everything will come crumbling.
Nothing came about.
It was useless.
I'm useless.
What's my purpose.
What's my purp—-
A deal.
A new opportunity.
Someone who sees me for me.
Keep pushing.
Doing what is required.
He took my future.
I have to ruin his.
Please.
Please.
Let this work.
For me.
For you, Kamoshida.
Monday, June 21st
A sigh slips, and hesitancy lingers in the air.
A bitter truth, a fear finally realized.
The elder speaks, his voice heavy with the wisdom of age, "It's back, no matter how much you wish it not to be."
"Do…Do you know how?"
"No…but I've been getting strange feelings. Disturbances."
A pause.
A heavy silence in the air, "I…got them as well. I thought it was a mistake. A phantom of the past."
A bitter chuckle, "I fear not. They're only getting stronger. Will you lend your help, once again?"
A question, heavy with fear and dread.
A response is spoken.
A/N:
The timeline goes:
April 15th, 2019
May 21st, 2019
July 8th, 2019
April 13th, 2020
August 31st, 2020
December 7th-March 5th, 2021
April 12th, 2021
April 16th, 2021