Persona X TWEWY X Kingdom Hearts
Summary: Trapped in an unfair game? Fighting against society? Changing the hearts of evil adults? Save the world? Discovering oneself? Nothing out of the ordinary for these teenagers.
Chapter 13
Moment's Rest
*Early Morning: 4/17 Sunday*
After spending most of the night tinkering and forging new infiltrations tools under the guidance of Morgana, Ren was pleased to say he slept like a rock and didn't wake until midday. Granted a few texts from the others woke him up and made his slumber turn into just laying in bed to rest but it was still better than getting up early to face the day. Once he checked his messages and responded to a few inquiries about the plan of the day and even agreed to meet up with the others for a casual hang out, he hopped out of bed.
Daily hygiene cleaning himself and choosing some casual wea, he leaves his room with Morgana hopping into his bag. Downstairs, he spots Sojiro and one customer in one of the booths, sipping coffee and nothing else. The caretaker salutes Ren and gestures a "give it a minute" sign before doing anything else. The customer then sipped his coffee before saying: "Hey boss, did you hear. Apparently that subway driver from the accident was acting really off at his testimony hearing".
Ren leaned against the door frame of the bathroom to listen in while Sojiro gave his "loyal" customer an unamused and bored look yet offers no resistance in listening. He did inquire if he was talking about that, in his words, "psychotic whatever thing" everyone was going on about these days. The customer says it apparently alters someone's personality and claims that the news says the guy could not even speak during his testimony when they asked him questions.
"Only an idiot would buy a that preposterous story like that," scoffed Sojiro, "He's probably trying to get out of jail time, likely gonna try and get the insanity plea".
"Humph…rude. This must be why you don't get so many customers," his customer chides, "The coffees actually not half bad. The beans probably lament the poor state of this store".
"…thanks for coming, please come again," Sojiro says without care, indifferent. His customer leaves, but not before being offended that his help to fix the business of the store was shoved back into his face. Least he like the coffee.
Once gone, Ren whistles lowly and even grinned at the old man, who gave him a sour look. The old sighed and complained that customer was a pain in the backside, not needing his "help" to run his business. "Sounds like a regular," Ren says as he plants his bag on the unclaimed booth and then approached the counter, "But I can see why he wasn't so jovial about your attitude".
"Not my problem, I'm not gonna wear a fake smile just to make someone else feel better," Sojiro says.
"Sounds like a sure-fire way to endanger your business, I mean usually the biggest, and hardest, thing that helps a business stay afloat is great costumer service," Ren says with a bit of wisdom. Sojiro raised a brow but instead of biting Ren's advice, he actually shrugged and says: "So long as the shop doesn't fail, it's all good". Ren settled onto a stool as the kettle boiled for the coffee, curious. "Not wearing a fake smile…sounds like a motto."
"It really isn't. So long as I'm here, the world leaves me be," Sojiro clarifies, brewing coffee, "No annoyances or troublesome people to put up with. This place is like my own personal hideaway, you know what I mean?".
"I understand. Sounds like you'd be screwed without it," Ren remarked as the coffee is placed in front of him, "Heh, then again so would I". Sojiro agreed, and even says the boy should start to try and make himself useful around here. With an eye roll, Ren offers his services as the janitor, could a cushy job with how little business this place got. Sojiro smirked at the sass, amused and even a little impressed by the bravado. He then asks if he had any plans of the day, and Ren reveals he was planning on meeting up with the friends he's made.
"Shit…you're only a week in and you've how many friends?" Sojiro says with a shake of his head. "I'm a people magnet. Maybe they find my criminal record exciting, girls like bad boys, right?" Ren joked with seriousness in his eyes to assure his caretaker. Sojiro nodded at the look before asking him a few bits of the gang, deciding maybe his carer was just a bit suspicious about the company he keeps or he was genuinely curious about them.
"Well there's this guy, Riku? Tall, silver hair and pretty much the big brother of two. Guy's…wow, he's not afraid of anything," Ren starts. He keeps jumping to the others, expressing both admiration and gratitude to them, going into detail about how these people made him feel accepted and welcomed, praising Rhyme's wise head maturity while at the same time being so kind it was like a sugar-humanoid come to life. Eri and Shiki's passion for what they love was admirable and made him a little envious of how they've essentially got a good grasp on what they want in life.
Beat and Ryuji's hearts of gold and being stable pillars of strength for him, being the first few who outright accepted him as their new friend even with all his baggage. The girls were something else to him, friendly and protective. Kairi being the "big sister" to him and caring unlike anyone's ever met, Naminé's shy but gentle personality and Xion being a kid at heart, constantly surprising him and making him laugh like an idiot.
The twins, opposites yet closest set of buddies anyone could ever dream, one's tougher and protective while the other can offer words of encouragement and push you through the worst. Riku is someone he can safely say he'd put his life in his hands. Just from how unflinching he is or how determined he can be when it comes to his "siblings", it was so nice to have a friend like him around.
"Then there's these two…Sora and Neku, they're…they're…" he starts but then hummed quietly. Bizarre as it may seem to outsiders and maybe even amongst the group but these two were something entirely different. He can't help it but whenever he thought on them, how well they worked together and how all this brought them together, it was something like fate or destiny. Sora's constantly friendly smiles and cheerful nature clashing against Neku's blunt and realist attitude should have killed any friendship from day one.
Yet somehow they fit together.
"I guess…I'm just grateful, you know?" he explains, "Lot friendly folks than the ones at Shujin at the moment,".
Sojiro was silent throughout their conversation, occasionally asking bits here and there while humming and nodding to the length explanation his charge gave. There might be some truth to his joke about being a people magnet, yet the old man can't help but feel this odd sense of relief when Ren went on about his new friends. Strange he thought, but there is a strong part of him that was genuinely happy for this kid. Ren looked at his phone and swore quietly, apologizing and scrambles for his bag, saying he was running late.
Leaving the café and watching the boy go, Sojiro chuckles quietly and cleans up…maybe he wasn't as bad as people thought…
*Shibuya Crossing*
Arriving to the crossing at the selected time, the gang of seventeen thieves showed up to the statue of Hachiko, the guardians decked in their usual clothing while some of the others were dressed in more casual wear. Ren wearing an unbuttoned black blazer over a black-trimmed cream sweater, blue jeans and brown shoes, for Ryuji a purple hoodie with red lining and the number '777' on the back, a black shirt with a yellow frowning face, dark pants and yellow sneakers. And with Ann her clothes consist of a lavender blue button-up shirt under a red and white jersey jacket with an S symbol near the front bottom on one side. She has a white skirt, black leggings and red Converse shoes. She also wears big red round earrings.
Neku was wearing mostly Jupiter of the Monkey brands, like the Amida top with a dark blue vest, Aun sneakers and a Hanyaa pair of jeans. Beat, being a lover of the Wild Boar brand, a hoodie "Hey Everybody" embroidered on the chest with a pair of camouflage pants with all his usual accessories, his sister wearing more sophisticated clothing. A brown baby coloured tee with her bell hanging freely with her beanie still on her ruffled hair and khaki chinos with a pair of cream shoes.
Shyly and cutesy, Shiki donned an aqua puffy blouse with an angel frill skirt and comfortable cream-coloured boots while carrying a violet backpack with Mr Mew's head sticking out. Bold and sexy, Eri wears a cupid-tee with a denim skirt with red cowboy boots, her hair untangled and free while wearing earrings, bracelets and a ring and a star cap.
"So what are we doing here?" Ryuji asks while scratching his neck, "Eatin' or what?".
Eri smirked and says: "Well, you guys remember yours truly and her awesome partner have a solution for protective gear, right?".
"Yeah, you said you and Shiki can take care of it, yeah?" Riku asks, "Change of plans?".
"Not…exactly. But Shiki and I have been talking and we're willing to compromise on payment for the first time in exchange for some…models~" she explained with a grin. The gang, unsuspectingly, look at one another, confused. All but Neku who had the look of dread on his face. He instantly backed away from the group with arms crossed while waving his hands, saying: "NOPE! NOT GONNA HAPPEN! NOT AFTER THE LAST TIME!".
"N-Neku-
"NOPE! Shiki I'm sorry but never again! I'm still debating going to my therapist after that "incident!" he rebukes.
"Well don't get your panties in a twist Neku, you're not who I want," Eri dismisses with a smirk, turning to Kairi and her friends, "Those three on the other hand are another story".
"Models? Wait…are you asking us to model something for you?" Kairi asked, "Wouldn't Ann be the better option?".
"She IS a model after all," Ren concurred with a confused look, and it wasn't because of Eri's request. But more on that incident Neku mentioned. Morgana was eying the teenager too out of morbid curiosity. Eri scoffed and says she's already got plans for the mixed ethnicity girl, but she needed those three for a little plan of hers. Shiki jumped in and assure the team this was all part of getting the right gear for everyone, and promised the boys would have to do the bare minimum of getting fitted, measurements and preferences.
"I promise you, boss-man! When I'm done with you all, you'll be stylish as hell AND you'll probably have the best defence against Kamo-dickhead's army!" bragged the girl.
"Probably?" Roxas asks with doubt, "That doesn't really make this arrangement any better…".
"But if it means she can get us what we need…I guess there'd be no harm in helping her out, right?" Kairi says. Naminé looked uncertain while Xion just shrugged and agrees to the terms so long as she doesn't have to wear anything that's close to high heels or anything stupidly uncomfortable. After some encouragement from Kairi, Naminé reluctantly agreed to go along with the mad-woman's request, who grinned even more excitedly and says they'll meet up with the boys around four.
Leaving the boys with Rhyme, who claimed they needed someone mature to watch over them, Shiki and the other girls disappear into the city streets. Rhyme looked at the others, Ventus mentioning it was only half past twelve, and they affectively had four and an half hours to kill.
"…so…what do you guys wanna do?" Ryuji asks awkwardly.
"Umm…I was going to head for that bookstore, I'm hoping they have something regarding our Personas, maybe we could learn something," Rhyme remarked.
"Sounds good, I think I'll tag along," Ren offers.
"There's an arcade if anyone wants to kill time," Neku offers, gesturing the city's shopping district. Several agreements later, the team splits off to do their own things.
*Eri's group*
"So are you going to tell us what your big plan is?" Kairi asks as she follows Eri into the "104" building after swimming through the ocean of crowds that would have put her homeland festivals to shame. How the others dealt with so many people in the city was beyond her, and she was sure they would have lost Xion if Naminé and Shiki watched her like hawks. The entire shopping complex was no less spacious or devoid of people, dare she say it was even more swamped with others. The amount of bumping and crashes she had with people, she had never apologized or excused herself so much in her life.
Luckily the store Eri was taking them to was just a few rows down from the main entrance, and in between a "D+B" and a "Hip Snake", a rather tame and nice-looking store that evidently hasn't seen much business of yet but Kairi took note of the state. There were six mannequins in the store windows with some clothing brands she wasn't entirely sure of, while inside the building had a dark crystal blue theme with dark blue lights inside, several shelves and stacks on the walls with a few white stacks around. A few bits of furniture that looked like they were just taken out of the box, the smell of lavender lingers in the air.
Above the single counter is what she guessed to be the store logo/brand, in neon dark blue lights that were a bit rough on her eyes.
"Looks like boss is making some leeway here…least she got that stinky smell out of the way," Eri says as she waltzed into the empty store.
"That was sterilization, Eri," Shiki sighed, "The original owner of the store didn't take care of the plumbing, remember?".
"Honestly didn't know which smell was worse, before or after she bought this place," the older teen teases.
The four girls share an uneasy glance, wondering what the mad girl has in the literal store for them. It also worried Kairi that they were essentially in a store that clearly was only recently started to make ready for its opening day, there is no sign of security protecting this bare bones store and the fact Eri strolled in her casually made worried alarm bells go off in the red haired girl's noggin. She is patted on the back by Shiki, who calmly assured her they weren't getting into any trouble for coming here, and if nothing else, they would be their first customers.
"Relax, we're actually employees here, well, soon to be anyway," assured the plush carrying girl, leading to the counter, "See this is an up-coming fashion brand our boss has been producing for a few years now. This is technically the first physical store she's manged to get".
"Bleu Élégant, the colour that brings out both the beauty and elegance of anyone," Eri reveals, "The newest store to take up residence in Shibuya, and soon gonna take by storm!".
She approached the main doors and locks them after putting up the sign that says "closed" and closed the shutters. Once she was sure they weren't going to be spied on by nosy customers, she grins and approached the girls after they got a few seats up for a group meeting.
"Righty, time to tell you guys our super plan~" she says with glee, "So here's how its gonna work. You guys need protective gear, and I need funds to get the materials to make said gear".
"What we're thinking is, maybe you three could work with us?" Shiki offers, "Once the store opens up, it'd make things easier for us if we already have some staff members who we know and trust".
"Is this like a job interview?" Ann asks with a raised brow, "Cause uh, I'm gonna have to pass. I already have a job".
"Well not all of us are models Missy Kitty," Eri says with a wag of her finger, "BUT we've got girls who can more than fit our criteria!". She looked to Kairi and her best friends, grinning eagerly at their response. Kairi looked at Naminé while Xion raised a hand again to ask a question, and going along for the funnies, Eri lets her ask. The raven confesses she does have a job in the works and that was for Mr H, but then Eri promised the girl Eri and Shiki's boss will pay more and even sweetens the deal by saying she'd only have to work three days a week.
Xion's eyes sparkles with joy.
"But why us? I mean I know Ann's out because of her job, but why not Rhyme?" Naminé asked curiously. "Simples Arti, she's too young for a job. Legally gotta be sixteen for job! And you three bring the perfect needs to help make this store something!" she explained. Getting to the point, apart from the fact they are age appropriate for the job and by the law's standards, the carry the perfect auras for this place. Kairi's exotic red hair and her cheerful persona is welcoming to the shyer and even self-conscious girls while Naminé's limitless patience and gentle nature could soothe any girls' nerves.
And Xion, being so eager to help and cheerful with her childish but adorable personality would immediately get a guy's attention and be the perfect buddy for the girl customer. Sounding logic for sure, she also added that by working with them, they would have access to materials too and even a few previews of the clothing lines and pay checks. Kairi hummed and agreed that the deal sounded good, while Naminé was apprehensively responding with more questions about the arrangement. She knew Eri had ulterior motives to this instead of just recruiting new workers.
"Arti's got me~ I DO have another reason why it'd make our lives easier if you three worked with us," she confessed, nudging Shiki's shy smile. The brunette pushes up her glasses and clears her throat, revealing that both herself and Eri have an arrangement with their employer. That Ann knew her as well since she did some modelling for her before and dropped their names and skills to her. When they showed her some of their clothing and skills, she agreed to let them work for her, both selling hers and their brand together under her name.
Trouble was, they needed models of varying sizes and while Ann would have been perfect, the current management Ann worked for was a competing brand against Eri's employer, hence why she couldn't. With Kairi and the other two, they'd be perfect since again they were different in sizes. Plus their unique looks helped them stand out too and perhaps would even inspire them to make newer designs that would make the store more famous.
"So?" Eri asked with wiggling brows.
"H-Hold on a second, we're not models, I can't imagine- Kairi starts but Eri promised her that the only ones that'd see them was just the designers, IE Eri and Shiki. She wouldn't have to get into a recording room and wouldn't be streamed online, that all they needed from the girls was to just model for the clothes and work with them to run the store. Naminé did ask about the finances of this store, considering its state and lack of employees, but again Eri, full of assurances, revealed today was the first time they were here, and she had received word from her boss that the store would be up and running by the end of the month.
"But how does this help us with protection gear?", Ann asks.
"Easy. Some of the materials here will be given to me and Shiki depending on how we do with the store, and we've even got a few designs and ideas we've kept to ourselves. So we get the good stuff, and more if we help the store make a tidy profit, everyone wins!" Eri explains.
"…this sounds like this was planned from day one…" Naminé grumbles, even deepening her frown when Eri's smirk turned catlike.
"But we get paid…we get super armour…and we get to all work together…" Xion lists while quietly thinking, "And…its near a cup-a-noodles booth…Deal!". Naminé and Kairi glanced at each other, looking for support before inevitably agreeing. Hesitation aside, the benefits out weigh their worries and if it means getting the gear they would need from the source of someone they could trust then option limitation aside, this was their best and safest bet.
"Guess we don't have much of a choice, huh?" Kairi sighed with a friendly smile, "Okay then, guess we're working for Blue…err, what was that last one?".
"Perfect!" Eri cheers with a clap of her hands, "Then lets get started!".
"Huh? Wait, now!?" Naminé says as Shiki scrambles off to get the room ready.
"No time like the present, hope you three don't mind but we're gonna need your measurements, need you to try on a few things and…well you'll see~" Eri chirps with a wide grin.
Dragged away by the reddish haired teenager, Ann shakes her head with a laugh and follows in suit. She was curious as well to see how this will play out.
*Afternoon: Sunday 4/17*
After some gaming and losses of cash, the gang reunited with Rhyme and Ren just as the day shifted into the afternoon after Sora got a text from Kairi that they were done and waiting for them at Hachiko statue. Rhyme's bag was filled with the books based on the team's Personas, finding them in the depths of the of the book store's back room, who knew books on Arséne were so hard to find? But luckily everyone else was easier to track down and even bought a few books on cognitive science since most of the Metaverse inhabitants were based on the cognitions of the Rulers.
Yet she couldn't find anything relating to Sora and his friends' Personas, closest thing to Riku and Kairi's were Norse mythology and Indian religions. Sora's oddly enough, the closest thing she could find even relating to that giant dragon was a legend of a fish with the same name. And no matter how many books she and Ren looked for, there wasn't anything else relating to them. This mind boggled the girl, even if those Personas were based on fiction there should be something about them considering Personas like Grainne Mhaol, Spartacus and even Hua Mulan were all based on either historic or fictional works.
But there isn't anything regarding theirs to the level their Personas display, how could Odin, the All-Father of Norse mythology look like a black knight and the Aura Kairi showed was nothing compared to what the books told her. And Bahamut looked more like a fearsome dragon god than a large aquatic lifeform. Puzzling and mind wracking was the best way to sum up the frustration she was feeling regarding these Personas, and the worst part is she doesn't know if there's a hidden message in between the lines or if there were something more…
They arrive at the statue and spot Kairi and the other two sitting on a bench nearby, the former looking frazzled, and her clothes looked a bit ruffled like she had just thrown them back on. When asked what happened, all she said was: "Apart from Eri and Shiki having our backs for the armour and stuff? We all got new jobs…and a mass invasion of personal space".
"Its kinda scary how good and quick Eri is at getting us into her designer clothing…and very scary how convincing she is…" Naminé laments, "I swear I'll live a happy life if I never see another frilly skirt…".
"Good luck with that…" Neku sighed, "Anyways, we've got somethin'".
He pulls out a small silvery suitcase and planted it on a nearby park table for the others to see. Inside is a red velvet case with what looked like several earpieces. He and Sora had an epiphany earlier regarding managing the group and when the time came for them to split up, they have no ways of contacting the others. And god forbid if one group is in trouble with no ways to get help from the others.
"So here's what we were thinking, if we can't use cell phones to reach each other, why not use these?" Neku says, letting the others pick some up. Kairi even tried one on and after some fiddling to work it, she and Riku manage to get them working. Even tested the range and distance, confirming they work at a fair distance and should work similarly in the Palace. Morgana praised the two for their forethought, even more so for Sora. Riku glares at the furball while Kairi sweetly asked him if he could swim.
The cat immediately apologized.
"Okay, armour, weapons and medicine with a way to maintain contact with each other, looks like we're all good to go," Ren says.
"Right! Now the real challenge starts tomorrow," Morgana says, "If those heartless things are still around when we go, we're gonna be up to our necks in shadows".
"Heh, bring 'em on!" Beat boasts, "Between all of us, we'll take them all down!".
"One thing at a time everyone," Riku sighed, "We're gonna need to decide on formations and what we're gonna do tomorrow".
"Yeah we can worry about all that when we go," Sora agrees, "So instead of worrying, how about we get something to eat?". There is a cheerful agreement between all of the thieves and after Ren and Sora offered to cover the funds (again everyone secretly wondering where they we getting all the money) they headed for the same ramen restaurant they went to on Ren's third day in Shibuya.
*Early Morning: Monday 4/18*
Arriving at Shujin once again, Neku bids Ann and Shiki a "see you later" as he headed for the main entrance. His eyes narrowed darkly when he saw Kamoshida at the school gates, wishing a few students a good morning and urged them to hurry up for class. The teenager gripped his bag strap tightly and held back his disgust when the eyes of the pervy teacher landed on him, the false warmth replaced with clear disdain for the boy.
The teacher grunts a good morning to him, and Neku scoffs, walking past him. The teacher however before Neku walked into the building smirked. "Hey, hope you didn't get attached to that transfer student, he's going to be expelled soon," bragged the teacher. Neku turned slightly to him and asked: "Huh? Why? Did he piss in your cereal or somethin'?". Kamoshida turned to him with a scowl, but it disappeared into a smug look. "Something like that. He's been nothing but trouble and the company he keeps didn't do him any favours. I believe Shujin is above taking worthless students like him and Sakamoto in,".
"And you of all people should decide whose good enough for this garbage place?" Neku laughed, "Next thing you'll tell me is that the principal actually cared". Neku's smirk faded away as he stares down at the teacher, commenting on how cheerful and easy going he was acting, especially after what happened yesterday to one of his volleyball team members. The teacher's eyes narrowed darkly when Neku goes on. "For someone who cares so much for the volleyball team's reputation, sure as hell got over the fact someone had tried to kill herself…" he growled, "Says a lot about you…"
"You trying to say something, Sakuraba? Sounds like you're accusing me of something," threatened Kamoshida. Neku huffed and walked away, waving his hand at him dismissively. The teacher just glares at his back, a twitch in his heartbeat.
Throughout the day, the thieves obeyed the societal rules and lived their mundane lives as normal students while keeping themselves scarce from Kamoshida. A massive change is in the air compared to yesterday, much of it coming from the volleyball team and some students who had some association to the group. Ann had been avoiding Kamoshida more so than usual and thanks to sticking with Eri and Naminé she could at least have back up and witnesses if the teacher tried anything. The blonde texted the others regularly that oddly Kamoshida hadn't tried anything with Ann yet, which on one hand was a relief but it also worried them.
During the homeroom class, Ren texted the others that his thoughts about it. Likely even with all the protection he has, Kamoshida might have recognized the situation was too risky for him to try anything with the students like he had with Shiho. Like a true predator, he was biding his time and waiting for things to die down before he resumes his control over the students lives. Rhyme sadly affirmed that was likely the outcome, stating that the volleyball team haven't so much as a squeaked a word regarding Shiho.
"They're scared out of their wits…what happened to Shiho could happen to them next," Ren thinks to himself as the homeroom ends, "And if that man is acting truly as Neku described him, Shiho isn't going to be the last".
"Amamiya-kun. A word please?".
Ren lightly jumped in his musing and looks to the teacher, Ms Kawakami, giving him a look. He held back a look and nodded quietly. After, he leaves the classroom with her with the teacher assuring him this wasn't going to take too long. Just when they were about to enter what he gathered was the teacher's room, out came Kamoshida, another teacher and…her.
The girl from the subway with the bright red hair and ribbon, who upon seeing Ren gave him a warm smile. But this happy reunion was ruined by of course the pervy teacher. He thanked Kawakami for getting a head start on the problem, and only when he finished, Ren clenched his fist. Of course he told the teacher about their last bout, and chances are he had already convinced her being expelled was probably the best for Ren and the school's reputation. But the girl just smiles at Ren and even thanked him again for the last time they met.
"Oh…you know him, Yoshizawa?" Kamoshida asked, looking disappointed.
"Yes. He helped me back on subway a few days ago," she reveals.
With a shake of his head, Kamoshida says: "I recommend you steer clear of the likes of him if you have any consideration for your future. Remember our discussion? There's a number of students you shouldn't associate with". He turned to Ren and mocked that he was on the top of the list, and Yoshizawa looked surprised. She then dropped the "delinquent transfer student" and Ren's stomach dropped with disappointment. "Pretty much…I'd stay well away from him".
Yoshizawa frowns with disappointment while Ren just glared at the smug teacher, almost barking back but reels his anger. His time will come, oh it will come and when it does it'll give him a terrible dose of karma. Kawakami sighs in response to the man's besmirching, pleading he'd let them go and let her deal with Ren before he starts something. Once again the pervy coach took this as an opportunity to drag the poor transfer's name through the muck, boastfully claiming they shouldn't get in the way his sensei guiding him.
With a polite excuse me from Yoshizawa, the three leave the two. Ren looks away from her gaze, too soon for him to see the sympathetic look. Ren enters the guidance room before Kawakami, at her insistence. Inside they settle down and she immediately got to the point, inquiring if something has happened between the new transfer and Kamoshida. Curious, he asked what she meant and she says: "Apart from the little exchange? He gave me brief lecture this morning, and your name came up, something about the dangers of a lack of supervision".
"A lack of what?" Ren asks, "What is that supposed to mean?".
"I think, if I'm honest, he's concerned you might be hanging around with some unsuitable influencers and given your exchange from earlier? I can't say I don't see there's some hostility from you and him," Kawakami noted, "And you HAVE been hanging around with Sakamoto…".
Ren gripped his knee below the desk, fighting back the glare forming on his face. Again that bastard uses another victim to try and paint someone else the villain while he the innocent teacher constantly being bad mouthed left and right by all. The fact he had the nerve to bring this to Kawakami's attention is bad enough, but now he was dragging his name through the mud with friends of his? "Look…I don't mean to pry but just make sure you don't cause any trouble, okay?" she asked, "I get that things haven't being…".
"Does it even matter? I could be a straight A golden student and he'll still loathe me…besides it doesn't matter anymore," Ren sighed, frustrated, "I suppose part of his lecture is him thinking it'd be best to have me, Ryuji and Mishima be expelled?".
This surprisingly killed the tiredness in Kawakami's eyes and she sat up straight in her seat, baffled. "Wait what? Expelled? What are you talking about?" she asked. Ren bites his inner cheek, cursing quietly for blabbing that out. Of course he wouldn't tell the other teachers that yet, why bother when he could spring it on them at the meeting and potentially blind side a few or even take advantage of absenteeism. Her surprise confirmed his target hadn't blabbed his plan yet, and now Ren is put into this predicament where he could have gained another enemy.
He kept quiet and tried to brush it off, but Kawakami insisted he tell her. She was met with silence before she sighed and says: "Look, THAT'S a serious claim to make. And if you don't give me something then…"
"Then what? Do you care if I'm telling the truth?" Ren asked, "I am friends with Sakamoto after all, so if we're gone that's two less to worry about, right?".
Kawakami sat down on her seat, slightly taken aback and looked away from him like she was suddenly ashamed. His feelings shake from anger and change into regret and even guilt, realizing he was taking this stressful situation out on the wrong person. Even if she is reluctant and even put off by him, she hasn't done anything to warrant his ire and if he is honest, the Trickster could sense a genuine sense of guilt in her. He looked down at the desk, thinking if he apologizes and just says he was acting out of frustration, maybe she'll drop it.
"Did Suzuki try to take her life, because of Kamoshida?".
Ren looked up to see her eyes were dimmer and even shamed. "Look…this is probably none of my business but the rumours about you and Sakamoto…going around asking about Kamoshida, you're trying to expose him, aren't you?" she asked. Ren looked down, but then sighed. "Yeah…we, we've been trying to and as you see, we're doing a great job at it…" he sighs with exhaustion in his tone, "So now this is the part where you tell me I'm being crazy or whatever…".
"…it won't work. You know that?" she says with resignation, looking at him. "I know it may seem it but really, I know what he's really doing".
"So you claim…but if you do, why can't you help?" Ren asked, resting both elbows on the desk, "You've got more sources then us, and you are a respected teacher here, surely the principal would listen to you".
"Respected? Yeah right…don't know where you heard those rumours. But its not that simple…even if I go with the victims, he won't do anything…nobody will," she sighed. Ren tried to argue but the teacher stopped him. She asked him he truly thinks no other teacher knows about this string of abuses or are they just that heartless that they don't care about the students, and when he hesitates, she laments that he isn't entirely wrong. That only a few of them want to help but the principal has the final say and if Kamoshida keeps bringing glory to the school, than Shiho's death is nothing more than an event that will be forgotten.
"Are you listening to yourself? You say it like there's nothing you can do!" Ren says with pleading.
"That's because there isn't. Not unless Kamoshida himself admits it…and what in the world makes you think he'd do it?" she asked with a shake of her head, "…I'll try and stop him from expelling you and Mishima…but Sakamoto is out of my control".
"…thank you…" Ren says with gratitude, "That's a lot more I could've asked".
"…just watch yourself and tell the others the same, okay?" she says, before getting up. Then as she leaves after telling him he was allowed to go; Ren poised the question. Why did she suddenly confess to knowing and even suffering under Kamoshida's control over the school, where she could have just told him the bare basics of behaving and call it a day. Grasping the door frame with a body that cried exhaustion and guilt, Kawakami confessed: "Maybe its because…you don't seem as bad as the rumours say you are. I mean, Sora, Kairi, Rhyme and the others clearly care about you. So how does a delinquent have such good people around him?".
"Sensei…" Ren says, unable to speak.
"Just don't do anything stupid, alright? And…don't let Kamoshida be right about you," she lists, then stopped and turned to him, "By the way, Yoshizawa says you know her, right?". He nodded, and she asked if he tried to make a pass at her, which he replied with: "Apart from casual greetings and a bad joke about social space? I'd say we're close to being close friends at this point".
"You seem to be attracted to athletes…Sakamoto, Yoshizawa and Kamoshida…do you have a thing for athletes?" she asked. Ren shrugged and assured her if he manages to stay more than a month in this school she'd be the first person he inform about his preference. "Please do…I'll warn them," she says with mirth and Ren even spotted a small smile on her face. They both leave the guidance room with less weight on their hearts, and Ren felt better.
Guess not every teacher here was awful…
*Classroom*
During another class, Ren receives a message from Ryuji.
Skull: "So I saw Kamo-dickhead at the school gates this morning. That asshole was just standing there looking at me with this shit-eating grin on his face".
Scarlet: "Ugh, that gross jerk was probably mocking you".
Skull: "Honestly, seeing that dickhead's face got me even more fired up about this".
Jet: "Damn right yo! Can't wait to wipe that smug prick's face into the dirt!".
Ann: "I'm worried about Shiho's condition, but I want to concentrate on our operation too".
Nightmare: "Keep her in your thoughts. Just so you remember why you're doing this".
Ann: "Right…I'm not gonna get exhausted like last time, promise".
King: "Hey, I've been thinking about Joker and the other's expulsion…when is that?".
Tzu: "At the board meeting, May 2nd. Which means we have a total of fourteen days to steal his heart".
Reaper: "Two weeks total…sounds like we've got time…".
Nightmare: "Then can we do tomorrow? I'm gonna head back to Takemi's clinic after school".
Reaper: "That super drug?".
Nightmare: "Exactly. If it can give us "unlimited power" imagine how easy its gonna be to take down that bastard and whatever he's got".
Joker: "I won't turn down any options that can help us out, but you sure?".
Nightmare: "Sure, I'll head over after school and see what I can get".
*Afterschool: Monday: 4/18*
*Yongen-Yaya*
Entering the clinic for the second time, once again the place was vacant and quiet like he hoped. He spotted Tae Takemi behind the counter going through a few sheets of medical documents he figured. She raised her eyes to his friendly wave, and asked what he was doing here. Rubbing the back of his neck, Riku asked: "You got any "special" medicine?".
She narrowed her gaze the boy, humming and looked ready to kick him out, but then she snapped her fingers. "You're friends with that kid from Leblanc, aren't you?" she asked, "I heard from the owner he's been hanging around with friends, and you fit that silver head kid's description". Riku huffs, but reluctantly confesses he was indeed. She smirks at him, wondering why the medicine wasn't sufficient for someone like him, and even toys with the idea he might be faking whatever symptom he had.
"I've got my reasons as to why I need it…" Riku assured. Her eyes glowed for a moment, then with a shrug she offers him into her examination room. Inside, he sits on a stool while she leaned against the door to her main lobby, looking at him whilst casually holding her clipboard. " "That" medicine, huh?" she says, then locked the door. Riku immediately clenched his fists on his knees, eyes narrowing and shoulders tensing, ready. "So, which conversation did you eavesdrop to hear that?" she asked, glaring at the boy.
"Yesterday, your friend wasn't subtle, and he was loud enough for even the neighbours to hear him," Riku revealed, "But you don't seem to bothered that I know. If nothing, you look like this is just a bother".
"…yeah, I don't care. I was just going to dispose that medicine anyways, I got a little too carried away with it," says Takemi, "But you tell me, why would a high schooler like yourself be so interested in it?".
"I need it to maintain my body," Riku bluffs, "I can't train as often as I used to thanks to my exams. Last ones were pretty…abysmal, and if I want to get into the college for my career, I need to work hard on exams, but I still want to maintain my physique".
Takemi raised a brow at his story, crossed between doubting him and even believing him. Interested, she mentioned his exams but luckily for him she brought up entrance exams, which required way more effort than a regular exam. Just as well she mistook his plea for something he had no clue about. "So you're looking for a way to improve your concentration, maintain your body and reduce fatigue…huh. That's not the best idea…but if that's what you want me to do," she says, contemplating before shrugging, unlocking the door and stepped aside. "Then good luck with that. I've got no obligation to help you with that, why not just take an energy drink?".
"Because you and I both know that's a waste of funds and time," Riku says, "I need that medicine". The doctor glares impatiently at the boy, grumbling about his annoyance producing attitude. She tried to scare him off with the idea of expenses, even claiming the cost could rival a car, something that was way out of Riku's budget. Once again she tries to scare him off and even "kindly" says he should just get going. Riku didn't deny that the expenses could be out of his funds, and even with Sora's money that medicine could drain them financially. Then he fold his arm.
"What if I worked for it?" he offered.
Takemi looked at him before shaking her head and looked ready to ask him to leave with or without a footprint on his ass before she looked at his body. She tapped her chin and asked if he would consider himself someone with high stamina. Riku assured her that he's been fit all his life, and if she wanted him to run from Yongen-Yaya all the way to Kyoto he'd do it in less than half a day. "Well aren't you cocky…but you might be just what I needed," she says, "I confess, I've been looking for a young person to help me out… and I haven't been able to find one, even after putting it in the paper".
"So I agree to this, you give me the medicine I need?" Riku asked.
"Hmm? Not even gonna ask for payment?" she asked.
"You need someone like me for whatever, I need you for the medicine, I think that's as about as good as it can get," Riku replied. Takemi nodded and wrote down his name, saying he'll be participating in her clinical trials for her medicine. Riku nods as she leaves and then comes back a few minutes later with a glass of clear red liquid. Handing the boy the beverage, she sat on the bed and with clipboard in hand, awaits for his turn. Riku looks at the drink with a raised silver brow, and then asked if he was supposed to drink it.
"If you're worried about side affects then don't. Rest assured, my autopsy is guarantee to find out exactly what part killed you," she assured. Riku gave her a "are you serious" look, to which she responds flippantly that if he wasn't going to drink it, the exit was right behind him. Riku glanced back at the drink, a test of either bravery or stupidity. If this woman was serious, then the moment he backs out is the final chance he gets for that medicine to go out the window. Like it or not, do or die. He huffed and then downs the medicine quickly.
"Huh? I…wasn't expecting you to drink it…" she says after Riku groans from the taste. He groaned deeply, almost spiting it back out from disgust alone. Oddly of all, it was still nicer than Kairi's attempt at drink mixing back in the day. He shakes his head and rubs his temples, the sour and bitterness of the medicine tainting his taste buds, but worst is yet to come. He feels lightheaded and fell to a knee, the doctor sighing and muttering something.
His hand splayed open on the ground, slowly closing into a fist of pain dragging into the floor. Riku growls lowly as the darkness within him works to counter the side-affects of the medicine, and slowly with grit his body surmounts the side-affects. He heaves a deep breath as the sweat rolled down his forehead and with a tremor running through his body, he slowly got to his feet, surprising the doctor to the point where she dropped her clipboard in disbelief.
Rubbing his neck and shaking his head, he smirked at the doctor. "So…we have a deal?".
"…only an idiot would drink the entire thing…" she criticizes, "But yeah…looks like we do". She gestured him to set on the bed before he passes out again, and for examination to see if there any changes to him. During the process, she remarks on how he handled the drink, saying she was certain he'd pass out at worst and just be disorientated, which prompted him to ask if she ever advertise that in the papers, as it'd would explain why she got no volunteers. She remarked that if she did that she'd be arrested. She admits that he should have passed out from the taste alone.
"It produces a foul smell when it mixed with gastric juices, similar to surstromming," she says "But all's well ends well. Your help gave me some good data".
"Glad I didn't pass out…" Riku huffed, "Now then, our deal?".
"Don't worry, I'll keep my end of the bargain. But listen to me carefully, I don't want the general public to know abut my original medicines. So you, kiddo, are strictly prohibited from disclosing what happens here to ANYONE, got it?".
"Got it…" Riku swears, "So…?".
"I'll show you what I got for you in a bit, but we need to schedule your next clinical trial," she says. Riku blinked at her smirk, and she clarifies that part of their deal was he continue to help her with the experimental medicine. According to her teenage test subjects are extremely valuable in the medical research industry, and this alone is enough to make Takemi offer more medicine for Riku's exams in exchange for him being her guinea pig. He rolled his eyes at the nickname, but agreed to her terms.
After a few more check ups and some exchanging of medicines, she bid him a good day and eagerly awaits his next visit. Riku reluctantly agrees and heads home.
And once he was out of sight of the clinic, he texted the others to give them the good news. With everything in order and everyone ready to go, the party agree that tomorrow will be the day.
The Phantom Thieves will steal Kamoshida's heart.
A/N:
So I think it's clear the length of these chapters aren't gonna be as consistent as they used to be. Sorry for the sporadic lengths.
Anyways, the first Palace finally starts.
Questions:
Q1: Thoughts on this chapter?
Q2: Neku and companies casual looks? Did you get the references?
Q3: Eri, Kawakami and Takemi?
Q4: Eri's new models?
Q5: Eager for the Palace?
Q6: What do you wanna see next?
Q7: Should I include honorifics?
As always everyone, thanks for reading! Stay awesome but more importantly stay safe!