Chapter 12: Beneath the Mask
Saturday, 4/23/20XX, Shujin Academy, After School
The bell rang over the intercom, signaling the end of classes. "Thank god…" Jolyne groaned out as she began to collect her things, including ushering Morgana into her bag. "I don't know why, but this week had felt like it's taken months." Jolyne groaned as she rose out of her seat, and Ann nodded.
"I'll say. I can't wait to put all this Kamoshida stuff behind us." She responded as they exited the classroom, seeing Ryuji waiting for them by the stairwell.
"Yo." He greeted as they approached him. "What're you guys up to?"
"I can't stick around. I got booked for a shoot downtown this afternoon." Ann replied.
"Oh right, I forgot you do all that modelin' crap." Ryuji replied.
"They gave me a few days off because of what happened to Shiho. I called them last night after Josuke-san healed Shiho, and so they scheduled me as a replacement."
"Replacement?" Jolyne asked, and Ann nodded.
"Yeah, apparently the model they originally had scheduled got into an accident last night or something." Ann explained, and checked the time on her phone. "Well, I've gotta go. See you guys later."
"Later."
"Have fun." And with that, Ann vanished down the stairs, leaving just Ryuji, Jolyne, and Morgana standing by the staircase.
"So, what've you been up to the past couple days?" Jolyne asked, and Ryuji just shrugged as he leaned back against the wall.
"Nothin' much. Just trying to keep a low profile since we took down Kamoshida." Ryuji answered, and Jolyne glanced down at Ryuji's right leg.
"How's your knee doing?" As soon as Jolyne asked that, a smile crept up on Ryuji's face.
"Oh man, it feels great! Doesn't even feel like it was messed up in the first place." Jolyne smiled at this.
"I'm glad to hear that. I'll be sure to tell Josuke how you're doing next time I talk to him." Jolyne replied, and Ryuji's brow knitted together.
"I wonder…hey, you doin' anything this afternoon?" He asked, and Jolyne shook her head.
"Nope. After two weeks of weird shit happening to me, I'm looking forward to taking things nice and easy for a bit." She replied. "Why?"
"Well, I was wonderin' if you wanted to train a bit." Ryuji asked, and Jolyne tilted her head.
"Training? But we already got rid of the palace."
"Well yeah, but that doesn't mean you can just go slackin' off and let your body decline. Ya gotta keep in shape. Plus, I need to get my leg back up to where it used to be." The former track star explained, and Jolyne pursed her lips in thought for a minute, before she shrugged.
"Sure, why not. I don't think we've actually gotten a chance to hang out outside of the Palace anyway." Jolyne answered, and Ryuji grinned.
"Alright!" He cheered. "Change into your gym stuff and meet me in the courtyard."
"Courtyard? Don't you have a gym membership?"
"Well yeah, but I don't really feel like goin' there today. Besides, I don't think they let me bring guests." Ruyji explained, and Jolyne sighed.
"Alright. See you there."
Shujin Academy Courtyard
Jolyne stood in an area of the courtyard just adjacent to the walkway into the main building, dressed in the red tracksuit and white t-shirt that was Shujin's gym uniform, with Morgana napping in her bag on the table beside her. They watched Ryuji walk over to them, wearing the red track pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. "So why'd we come here, exactly?" Jolyne asked as her friend walked up to her.
"This place here-" Ryuji gestured to the courtyard around them. "-is my secret training spot. I used to come here all the time back when I was on the track team." He explained, as the transfer student raised an eyebrow.
"This place? Seriously?" Ryuji nodded.
"Yep." Jolyne looked around, noticing that the area they were in was a bit larger than the other areas in the courtyard, and was free of obstacles, save for the singular table that Morgana was on.
"So what exactly did you do here?"
"Warm ups, laps, the works." He answered, a smile on his face. "Man, being here brings back memories. I don't think I would've made it as far as I did if I hadn't come here." Jolyne processed his answer, before Ryuji's smile began to falter. "Back in that other world, fightin' there was a total shock. I was slow, I didn't move like I used to." The smile completely fell from Ryuji's face now. "And then when my knee gave out against Kamoshida, and you almost got killed tryin' to help me…I just felt lame. Like I was slowin' everybody down." So that was it. Ryuji clearly still blamed himself for Jolyne getting hurt in their fight against Kamoshida.
"Look, I already told you, it wasn't your fault. I would've gladly done it for any of you, and-"
"But that's just the thing: it was my fault." Ryuji cut her off. "When you threw me behind that rubble, I thought 'this would've never happened if I hadn't slacked off.'" He explained, his hand drifting towards his right knee the entire time he spoke. However, as soon as he was done talking, Ryuji clenched his hand into a fist. "That's why we're out here. Even though your uncle fixed up my knee, I've still got a long way to go before I'll even be close to where I used to be. But if I can pull myself back up, then I can start pulling my weight, and I won't let anyone else down ever again." As he said that last sentence, Ryuji looked up at Jolyne, and she saw determination burning in his eyes. As soon as Jolyne saw the look on his eyes, she smiled.
"Alright. I'm gonna be counting on you, Ryuji." She replied, holding out her hand, and Ryuji smirked, grabbing her hand with his.
"Hell yeah! I'm wreck your expectations!" He exclaimed, before his brow furrowed. "Uh, I mean, in a good way." They released their handshake, a smirk still on Ryuji's face. "Don't think it's just me that's gonna be getting in shape too, though. We're gonna be gettin' you in shape too. Don't think I didn't notice you getting' winded in the Palace." He taunted, and Jolyne just scoffed.
"Hey, you think being a rope for you guys was easy? You're heavier than you look." Jolyne teased back, and Ryuji's smirk was unwavering.
"Alright, let's get started. I'm gonna start with some knee lift sprints, while I'll start you out with some regular ones. Ready?" Jolyne nodded.
"Let's go." With that, Jolyne and Ryuji began to run around the school. Even though he was out of practice, Ryuji was still able to keep ahead of Jolyne, who struggled to keep up with the former track star. In fact, the only way Jolyne could even catch up was by manifesting Stone Free's legs around her own, enabling her to catch up and, eventually, overtake him. They ended up back where they started, both of them hunched over and panting.
"No *huff* fair. You *huff* cheated…" Ryuji panted out, leaning against a wall.
"It's technically *huff* a muscle…" Jolyne huffed out, grasping the table for support.
"Man, if I *huff* had one of those things…" Ryuji wheezed out, and Jolyne's brow furrowed. Could Ryuji get a Stand…? She was too winded to think about it some more, and just panted against the table.
"Hoo boy, that was…man." Ryuji panted out, slumping to the ground. "I knew I was rusty, but I didn't think my legs were that tight…" A smile spread upon his sweaty face. "Still, that feeling was…incredible. Wasn't it?"
"Sure, that's one word for it."
"Man, I haven't felt like that in forever. Not since…not since Kamoshida." He said, the smile fading from his space. "I ever tell you what went down between us?"
"Yeah. He busted up your leg because you called him out, right?"
"Well, that's how it ended, but that's not the full story." Ryuji said. "Back before Kamoshida came along, the track team was the biggest thing the school had going for it. I told you our coach's mom got sick so he resigned to take care of her, but that's just what we were supposed to say if we were asked. Truth is…Kamoshida got him fired. Cooked up some story about how he was a drug addict, and Kobayakawa just ate it up."
"Doesn't surprise me. He never cared about who got in his way." Jolyne said, and Ryuji nodded.
"As soon as Kamoshida took over, that's when it all started goin' to shit. He gave us these crazy workouts, and when we couldn't do those exactly the way he wanted, he'd add more. Day after day with that bullshit. And he was out for me especially." Ryuji explained, a scowl appearing on his face. "I'm still not sure why. Maybe I said something that pissed him off. Maybe he didn't like something about me. Maybe he was just being an asshole. Every day, he'd give me more workouts than anything else, but I just powered through it. Thing is…not everyone could power through it like I could."
"This that Nakamura guy you mentioned in the palace?" Jolyne asked, and Ryuji nodded.
"Yeah. Nakamura was a third year, but our moms went to college together, so we were kinda tight. Anyway, one day, Kamoshida singled him out, gave him some insane regimen to do, something that was more intense than anything he gave me. Nakamura did his hardest, but in the end, he pushed himself to the point where he ended up in the hospital."
"Did he…?"
"Nah, he pulled through, but he'll be lucky if he ever walks again." Ryuji answered, his face sullen and downcast. "And that was it. That was the breaking point. I marched right down to Kamoshida's office, and called him on his bullshit. Thing is, that's exactly what Kamoshida wanted. He knew that I was the kind of guy who would push back if he pushed back hard enough. Talking about it now, I think that's why he singled me out like he did. I confronted him, and he…he brought up my parents." Ryuji dryly swallowed. "The truth is, my mom's the only one I got. All my dad did was drink, cheat on my mom, and beat us. At least, until he just up and left one day. Somehow, Kamoshida found out, and he told the whole team. When he did that, I just…I just lost it. I decked him, and that was exactly what he needed." Ryuji's whole body begam to tense up. "Bastard took a tire iron to my knee, claimed that it was 'self defense.' After that, he convinced the principal to shut down the team, and all the other guys on the team started to treat me like a traitor. I was some kinda outcast." Ryuji grit his teeth, remembering everything that happened back then. The jeers, the insults from his former teammates, Kamoshida's leering grin…
"Do you regret it?" Ryuji looked up, seeing Jolyne sitting on the table next to her bag.
"Huh?"
"Do you regret punching him?" Jolyne asked, and Ryuji had to think.
"…yes and no." He answered. "Ugh, don't ask me tough questions like that! You know I ain't that smart." Ryuji shot back, and Jolyne chuckled.
"That's what I thought. You know, Ryuji, you and I aren't too different." She said, and his brow furrowed.
"Whaddya mean?"
"Well, my dad wasn't around a whole lot either, so it was just me and my mom. The other kids…they used to make fun of me for that. I was unwanted, my dad didn't love me, my mom was a whore…looking back, I think they were just repeating what their parents said, but I didn't care. I…I beat the crap out of them. Pretty often, too. I just wanted to make them shut up, y'know?"
"Yeah, I get it." Ryuji answered, and he chuckled. "Man, two people with issues like that meetin' up like we did…what're the odds of that?" For a moment, Jolyne thought of Igor's words from one of her trips into the Velvet Room, about how she had found someone who had also lost their place to belong…was it some cosmic coincidence, or was it something more? She would've thought on it more, if Ryuji wasn't grinning once more as he rose off the ground. "Alright, my mind's made up. From now on, none of that stuff matters. No more lookin' to the past, only buildin' the future! We gotta think positive thoughts from now on." Ryuji raised his hand, and Jolyne raised hers, the two meeting in a high five that didn't just signify renewed determination, but something more. Of a bond going stronger, of a true friendship taking form.
Rank Up! Chariot Rank 2!
"So, now that we''re all ready to go, let's get down to business. What, you think two laps will work this time?" Ryuji said, causing Jolyne's eyes to widen.
"Wait, what? Didn't we just do a lap around the school?"
"Well yeah, but that was just the warm up. Now, the real exercise begins!" Ryuji exclaimed. "C'mon, let's go! I'll even go easy on you this time." He jeered, and began to run, causing Jolyne to sigh.
"Gimme a break…"
Yongen-Jaya, Evening
Jolyne entered her restaurant home, now dressed in her green jacket and striped shirt and pants, having changed back into her regular clothes after her work out with Ryuji was over. "Hey, Sojiro."
"Evening." Sojiro greeted, sitting behind the counter and reading a newspaper. Jolyne lookd around the café, noting that the place was empty.
"Looks like business is booming."
"It is what it is. I can't control people's appetites." Sojiro responded, folding his newspaper and setting it on the bar. "So, how was your day?"
"Same as any other day. Went to school, talked with my friends, then I came home. Nothing really stood out." Jolyne responded, fibbing a little bit about what her days normally entailed.
"Uh huh." Sojiro said, and nodded at the bar stool. Jolyne took the hint, sitting down across from her caretaker. "And you three aren't causing any trouble, are you?"
"Nope. We just keep our heads down, stay off the radar."
"Good. I have to report to your probation officer twice a month, and I don't want to write anymore than I have to. It's a pain in the ass as is." The caretaker replied, and was about to say something else, when his phone rang. Pulling it out, he pressed 'answer' as he pressed the phone to his ear. "What is it?" The scolding tone vanished from his voice, being replaced with…was that affection? "Yeah, I'm about to head out. Sorry about that. …I know. The usual, right? Alright, I'll see you later. Buh bye." With that, Sojiro hung up his phone. "Sheesh, it never ends with her..." Sojiro looked back up at Jolyne, and sighed. "As you can see, I've got my hands full enough as it is between you, this place, and…it's not important. Point is, I'd appreciate it if you didn't make things more difficult for either of us. Actually…" Sojiro began stroking his goatee, gears turning in his head. "Say, you ever had a job before?"
"Is it my turn to talk now, or do you want to lecture me some more?"
"Just answer the question."
"No, not really. Why?" Jolyne responded.
"How would you like to start helping out around here every now and then?" Sojiro asked, causing Jolyne to raise an eyebrow.
"Like what, clean the toilets? Scrub the floor?"
"Not exactly. I'm talking about helping me out behind the counter. Just lending a hand every now and then, even if it's once a week…it'd really help me out." Sojiro answered. "I wouldn't ask you to work for free, either. If you agree to help me, then…" His brow seemed to furrow, before he snapped his fingers. "I'll teach you how to make the perfect cup of coffee. How's that sound?" Jolyne scoffed.
"Really? C'mon, your coffee can't possibly that good." Jolyne shot back, and Sojiro smirked.
"I'll take that as a challenge, one I'll gladly accept." Sojiro said, firing up his coffee siphons. Jolyne watched as Sojiro went to work. It was like watching an expert pianist playing Mozart, Sojiro's hands expertly manipulating the coffee beans in a way that seemed less deliberate and more like a well practiced habit. After a few minutes, Sojiro set the cup of coffee before her, steam rising from the liquid. "Well? Go on." Sojiro beckoned, and Jolyne examined the cup of coffee. It didn't appear any different from what she could find at any other coffee shop, but Jolyne couldn't deny that there was a certain aroma to it. After a moment, Jolyne took the cup in her hands, lifted it to her lips…and took a sip.
"Oh my god…" She gasped out in English, momentarily lapsing into her first language. "This…this is amazing. I don't think I've ever had coffee this good in my life." Sojiro let out a chuckle at that.
"Let you in on a little secret? That's nowhere close to my best cup." He revealed, causing Jolyne's eyes to widen even more.
"Bullshit."
"It's the truth." As soon as Sojiro said that, Jolyne slammed both hands on the bar and bowed her head.
"Teach me your ways, wise one." With that, Sojiro fully ceased the gruff exterior he had put up in front of Jolyne, letting out a hearty laugh.
"Well, it sounds like we have a deal then." He said, Jolyne returning to her natural position.
Rank Up! Hierophant Rank 2!
"I'm in. When do we start?"
"Well, I'd start you tonight, but uh…you kinda stink." Sojiro stated, causing Jolyne to raise an eyebrow and sniff herself. Oh man, Sojiro wasn't kidding. "What'd you do? Run a marathon or something?"
"Yeah, or something."
"Well, I'm going to lock up. Go get yourself cleaned up, and we'll start some other day." Sojiro suggested, and Jolyne nodded.
"Sounds like a plan. See you tomorrow." With that, Jolyne went upstairs as Sojiro began putting everything away. As he walked out of his restaurant and locked the door behind him, Sojiro couldn't shake one thought from his head.
She doesn't seem like such a bad kid...
Sunday, 4/24/20XX, Morning
Jolyne and Morgana sat on Jolyne's bed, Jolyne lazily flipping through an old volume of Pink Dark Boy. Jolyne was enjoying her day off, looking to decompress for the first time in a while. Jolyne was shaken out of her reading by her phone chiming, seeing a message from Ryuji.
RS: So what are you guys up to today?
AT: I'm visiting Shiho at her house today to see how she's doing
JC: I'm not really doing anything.
RS: Man, I wish I could just relax.
RS: My mom wants me to help her run errands today.
AT: Has she noticed your knee's better yet?
RS: Nah, I've been hiding it around her.
RS: Mainly because I don't know how to even explain it
RS: Hey ma, a guy with dumb hair used magic powers to fix my knee like nothing had ever happened
Back in Morioh, Josuke felt a chill go up his spine.
JC: I mean, maybe she'd believe that?
AT: Shiho's mom's asked me a few questions right after Josuke-san fixed her, but she gave up after I didn't answer
AT: Honestly, I think she's just accepting it as a miracle.
"I think if I was in that position, I'd do the same." Morgana chimed in, reading the texts from his position standing on Jolyne's shoulder. "Oh hey, we've still got that medal from the palace, don't we?" Morgana asked, and Jolyne nodded.
"Yeah, it's over there in the drawer." Jolyne answered, gesturing over to the drawer where both the medal from Kamoshida's palace and the locket containing the shard of the arrow.
"Wanna go see if we can sell it at that place?" Morgana asked, and Jolyne pursed her lips.
JC: Hey, I'm thinking about going to sell that medal we pulled from Kamoshida's palace.
"YOU"RE thinking?!" Morgana said, irate at his idea being stolen, but Jolyne brushed him off as her friends began typing.
RS: I don't see why not.
AT: I say go for it.
JC: Awesome.
JC: I'll get in touch with you guys after I sell it so we can see how we can split the money.
RS: Sounds good to me.
AT: Good luck!
Afternoon, Shibuya, Central Street
Jolyne stood in the alley of Central Street, staring at the green neon sign that read 'Untouchable.' "This place creeps me out…" Morgana muttered, his head poking out of her bag, and Jolyne nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I agree. Still, I don't know many other places that'll take something like this." Jolyne replied, referring to the medal in her bag. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Jolyne pushed open the door, entering the dimly lit store. The cap wearing shopkeep from last time was still there, and when he saw Jolyne, his eyes momentarily lit up in recognition.
"Well well, if it isn't Cosplay Girl." He greeted.
"Hm? Oh, right." Jolyne responded, remembering the cover story that she had used on their last visit…god, had that only been a week ago? It felt like months had gone by since then.
"Whaddya need now? More costume stuff?" The gruff man asked, and Jolyne shook her head.
"Not exactly. I heard you buy things. That true?" She asked, and he nodded.
"Yeah, just about. Long as it ain't anything that'll draw too much attention." He answered, and Jolyne began 'rumagin' through her bag, in reality just taking the medal from Morgana's paws to her hands.
"Well, a few days ago, my…my uncle passed away, and he wanted me to have this." Jolyne said, handing the medal to the man. As soon as he took it in his hand and got a good look at it, his eyes momentarily nodded.
"This what I think it is?" He asked, and Jolyne nodded.
"Yeah, he used to be an athlete. Thing is, while I appreciated the thought, I don't really have any use for something like this." Jolyne 'explained', and the man turned the medal over in his hands as he thought over her story. He lightly bit the medal, testing to see if it was indeed the real deal.
"Hmmmm…alright. I'll give you 30,000 yen for this." The man said, and Jolyne involuntarily winced.
"Seriously? Only 30,000? I thought gold medals were supposed to be extremely valuable." She protested.
"That's my final offer. Take it or leave it, girl."
"…fine." Jolyne grumbled, and the Shopkeep opened the cash register, pulling out a stack of Yen bills and counting it out to be 30,000. Tyin the bills together with a rubber band, he handed them to Jolyne in exchange for the medal. As soon as they made the exchange, the man glanced up at the clock.
"Damn, that time already, huh?" He muttered out, and reached under the counter and pulled out a brown paper bag, setting it in front of Jolyne. "Here, take this."
"What is it?" Jolyne asked, taking the bag from him.
"Just a little thank you for selling me that medal. Just uh…don't look inside it. Just bring it with you next time you come here." Shopkeep instructed, and Jolyne narrowed her eyes at him.
"Ok…" She agreed, and the bell over the door rang as it was pushed open. Jolyne and the shopkeep looked to see two men in suits standing there.
"Munehisa Iwai, correct?" The older one asked, and the shopkeep, now identified as Iwai, looked at the man.
"Detectives." He coldly greeted, and turned back to Jolyne. "Thank you for your business. See ya next time, kid. Oh, and sorry for your loss."
"Uh, thanks." Jolyne said, and began moving towards the door. However, one of the detectives moved in front of her, blocking the door.
"Just a minute, miss. Mind telling us what's in that bag?" He asked, and Iwai glared at him.
"Hey, your business is with me. I'm gonna have to ask you to stop harassin' my customers." Iwai demanded, and the detective glared back, before turning back to Jolyne.
"Well?" The detective asked, and Jolyne quickly racked her brain for an excuse.
"It's medicine. I just got it from the drugstore down the street." She answered, but the detective wasn't convinced.
"If that's the case, then why is it in that paper bag?" The detective asked, and Jolyne cursed to herself, before a light went off in her head.
"I didn't have any room left in my shoulder bag, and they were out of plastic bags." She answered, and her cheeks began to turn red from 'embarrassment', and she cupped her hand over her mouth. "It's, y'know…girl stuff."
"Tadashi-kun, leave the poor girl alone. She's not who we're here for, anyhow." The older detective said, and Iwai looked a little impressed.
"Have a good one, kid." Iwai said, and Jolyne exited the store. However, as soon as she was outside, she began unraveling a string from her finger and sneaking it under the door. "Now that you're done harassin' my customers, what can I help you with, detectives? Maybe some nice tasty evidence?" Iwai's voice asked, and Jolyne could hear what sounded like a hand slamming on a counter.
"Watch your attitude, Iwai!" The detective who blocked Jolyne shouted.
"Well, you guys gonna search me? Go on, do what you gotta do" Iwai said, and Jolyne could feel the cocky grin in his voice.
"W-what?"
"You heard me. Upstanding citizen like myself is supposed to help the cops out, right?" Iwai's gruff voice rumled out, and she could almost hear that young detective seething.
"You sure that lead was legit, Tadashi-kun?" The older detective asked.
"I could've sworn it was…"
"You two mind getting' out of here? I got a business to run, after all." Iwai asked.
"In a minute. I wanna look around here first." The younger detective said, and she heard Iwai groan.
"Alright, I guess. I got nothin' to hide." Iwai said, and Jolyne retracted the string back into her finger.
"Well? What was that all about?" Morgana asked.
"They didn't say, but I'm going to guess that it has something to do with whatever's in this bag." Jolyne said, examining the bag.
"Let's open it."
"Are you crazy? He said not to open it."
"And?"
"And I don't want to piss off some guy who's probably in the Yakuza."
"Aren't you the least bit curious?" Morgana asked, and Jolyne couldn't deny it.
"…fine. You are a bad influence, y'know?" Jolyne said, and opened the bag. "…holy shit."
"What is it?"
"Holy. Shit."
"Show me!" Jolyne held the bag for Morgana to see, and his blue eyes widened as soon as he saw it.
Inside the brown paper bag was a gun, one that was so real looking it made the one Jolyne had in the meta verse look like it came from the dollar store. "It's so real looking…imagine the damage this thing could've done in the meta verse." Jolyne muttered, before closing the bag again.
"We should totally buy that from him next time we go back." Morgana suggested, and Jolyne looked at him confused.
"Why? You said that the Palace was gone, right?"
"The Palace is gone, but the Meta Verse isn't." Morgana answered, and sensed the question that was rising on Jolyne's mouth. "I'll explain it next time we meet up with the others. For now, let's just tell them how selling the medal went."
"Alright, but I'll remember that." Jolyne said, getting out her phone as she began to walk towards the station.
JC: We got 30,000
RS: Seriously? Only 30,000?
RS: I thought medals like that were supposed to be super valuable or something.
AT: Well, I don't think that's something that's really in high demand.
AT: Plus, it's not the real medal in the first place.
RS: Still, I thought we'd get more than a measly 30,000
JC: Split three ways, that'd be about 10,000 each.
"Hey, what about me?" Morgana protested.
"You're a cat-"
"I'M NOT A CAT!"
"Fine, you're trapped in the body of a cat. What exactly would you do with money?" Jolyne asked, and that silenced Morgana's protest.
"…fine. But you'd better get me some sushi later!" Morgana yowled, and Jolyne turned her attention back to her phone.
RS: Well, I guess that ain't too bad.
AT: Oh, I've got an idea!
AT: Why don't we use the money to celebrate?
JC: Like what, throw a party or something?
AT: Yeah, or something.
RS: What'd you have in mind?
AT: Well, there's this hotel that has this amazing buffet you can go to.
AT: It's got everything. Sweets, meat, fish…just about anything you can imagine!
RS: Oh yeah, I've heard of that place. My mom went there for a friend's birthday once, said it was fun.
RS: I hear it's super expensive, though.
AT: It is.
AT: The only reason I know about it is because my parents took me there last time they visited.
JC: Sounds good to me and Morgana.
RS: I'm down too.
AT: Great! We'll meet tomorrow and talk about it some more.
JC: Sounds good to me. See you guys then.
Monday, 4/25/20XX, Morning
Jolyne sat down in her seat as the bell rang, with Kawakami entering the classroom and taking her position at the front of the classroom. "Good morning, everyone. Before class begins, I have an announcement to make. This afternoon, after lunch, you are all to gather in the auditorium for a special assembly, where Principal Kobayakawa will address the events of the past few weeks." The teacher said, and the whole glass groaned.
"Wait, seriously? I thought we were past all that stuff…"
"Think it has something to do with that weird note last week?"
"I think I saw Kamoshida hanging around the faculty offices this morning…"
"Settle down!" Kawakami ordered, and the class quieted down. "Attendance is mandatory, so please make things easier for yourself and just show up." AS the teacher tried quieting down the crowd, Jolyne's phone vibrated in her desk.
RS: You guys hear about this assembly thing?
JC: Yeah, Kawakami just told us about it.
RS: Think it's about Kamoshida?
AT: I have no idea.
RS: Yeah, we'll just have toijk
JC: Ryuji? You ok?
RS: That damn chalk
RS: What's that thing even made of? Hurts like hell…
AT: That's what you get for not paying attention
Afternoon
All the classes of Shujin had gathered in the auditorium, all lined up and organized by class. The crowd of students was restless, with chatter filling the auditorium. It began to die down when Student Council President Makoto Niijima stepped onto the stage, tapping the mic. "Everyone, please settle down." Her voice boomed across the auditorium, the chatter dying down. Makoto stepped to the side as Kobayakawa walked onto the stage, lowering the mic down to his height.
"Good afternoon, everyone. I have gathered you all here today to discuss the events of the past few weeks." Kobayakawa's voice boomed across the auditorium. Jolyne was standing behind Ann, both of them watching with apprehension. "I have recently been informed that Shiho Suzui, the young woman who attempted to take her life the week before last, has pulled through. Her injuries were not as serious as they initially appeared, and she is expected to make a full recovery very soon."
"No way…"
"Bullshit. I saw her after she fell. Legs aren't supposed to bend like that."
"I saw her being wheeled back into her house the other day. She looked completely fine."
"How can someone fall three stories and be completely fine?"
"It's like some kind of miracle…"
"Thank you, Josuke." Jolyne muttered under her breath, as Kobayakawa resumed his speech.
"In addition, we have examined the message left last week by the group calling themselves 'The Phantom Thieves of Hearts.' Upon closer examination, I have determined that the message was simply a prank by a group of students, who have yet to be identified. We have determined that the claims they made regarding Coach Kamoshida to be nothing but baseless slander, going on nothing but rumors and-"
"Except their true." A voice yelled out from one of the doors, and everyone in the auditorium looked to see none other than Suguru Kamoshida standing there. His messy, unkempt hair was even more unkempt, and looked like it hadn't been washed in a few days. His square jaw was covered in stubble, and his clothes appereared stained.
"Holy shit…" Jolyne whispered out, noticing Ann tense up. They watched as Kamoshida walked up to the stage, pushed Kobayakawa to the side, and looked out over the students.
"I'm sure you've all heard the rumors about me. That I abuse my students, give them harsh exercises, and pushing them past their breaking points. I'm here to tell you…they're all true." Kamoshida bellowed, a stunned silence filling the crowd. "And that's not all. If there was a student that I didn't like, I would stop at nothing until I ruined them. I've…done this so many times that I lost count. I don't even remember their faces…" Kamoshida revealed, and Ryuji clenched his fists in the crowd. "That…that isn't even the worst thing I've done. I…I would take my female team members, and I would…" Kamoshida's face began to contort, as tears welled up in his eyes. "I would…force them into having relations to me, by threatening to take away their positions on the team." Now, the tears began streaming down the Volleyball Coach's face, and he collapsed to his knees. "I…I am the reason Shiho Suzui tried to kill herself." This revelation sent waves throughout the crowd.
"Holy shit…"
"So the rumors are true…"
"Oh god, Masaki was telling the truth and I…I didn't believe her…"
"Wait, so was that calling card legit?"
Kamoshida was now full on kneeling, his head bowed in shame. "I have done terrible things. I abused the position and trust placed in me and ruined countless young lives, just so I could fulfill my own twisted desires. I thought of this school as my own castle, doing whatever I wanted with no thought to those I hurt. I don't deserve your forgiveness." He said, his whole body shaking. "I am an arrogant, shallow, and shameful person. I'm worse than garbage. The only way I could possibly atone…is to take my own life!"
"You fucking coward!" Ann shouted out, causing Kamoshida to look up. "Shiho's still alive, even after everything you did that made her want to die! You have no right to run from this!" She yelled, her whole body shaking, and Jolyne put a hand on her shoulder.
"You're right…you're absolutely right…" Kamoshida sniffled out, sitting up. "I…I should be punished under the full power of the law. I…I also did terrible things to Takamaki-san, as well." It was like Kamoshida had diarrhea of the mouth, the confessions pouring forward without any rhyme or reason. "In return for giving Suzui-san a position on the team, I…I tried forcing her into relations as well. And when she refused, I began spreading rumors about her, in the hopes that she would give in. When she didn't, that is when I forced myself upon Suzui-san, to…to punish her." As Kamoshida continued to confess her crimes, various students were watching.
In the row of Jolyne and Ann's class, Mishima watched with his mouth open. "Unbelievable, he actually confesed. The Phantom Thieves…they're real…"
In the area where the third years were gathered, the pink haired girl from the rooftop watched with an expression of horror, her hand covering her mouth. "My goodness, how terrible…" As the girl listened to Kamoshida's confessions, her mind involuntarily went back to the message the week before. "Phantom Thieves…?"
In the area where the teachers had gathered, Kawakami was watching as well. She had always had a sneaking suspicion that the rumors regarding Kamoshida's abuse were true, but to see him actually confessing like that…the teacher had never seen anything like this. A small part of her hoped this didn't bring too much attention to certain rumors about her…
Makoto Niijima had been watching the whole ordeal from a position just adjacent to the stage, her face an expression of pure disbelief. Just like any student, the student council president had heard the rumors about Kamoshida, but every time she had mentioned it to Kobayakawa, he just brushed them off as rumors. But now… "Just what are these Phantom Thieves?" Makoto muttered to herself. Kobayakawa stormed the stage, standing in front of Kamoshida.
"Everyone, you are dismissed! Please, return to your classrooms at once!"
"How much did you know, Kobayakawa?"
"Why did you cover for him?"
"Wait, does this man that Phantom Thieves thing was real?"
"I said return to your classrooms at once!" He bellowed, and the teachers went to forefront, beginning to usher out the students. A short while later, Jolyne, Ann, and Ryuji were gathered in the courtyard.
"Man, that was…intense." Jolyne said, and Ryuji nodded.
"I'll say. I knew Morgana said he'd realize what he'd done and confess, but I didn't think he'd promise to kill himself like that…"
"He's getting off easy compared to what he deserves." Ann spat.
"Hey, I agree completely. But I just didn't expect it to look like…that." Ryuji said, and Jolyne noticed someone approaching them. They looked to see Mishima approaching them, with two students behind him. As soon as they were in front of the trio, Mishima bowed his head.
"Takamaki-san…I'm sorry!" He declared, causing Ann's eyes to widen.
"We all knew what was going on, and we just let it happen." Mishima said as he rose back to his full height, and the girl behind him stepped forward.
"I had you all wrong, Takamaki-san! I…I'm sorry I spread those rumors about you!" She apologized, and the other girl nodded in agreement.
"We're so sorry! We had no idea he was forcing himself on you like that!" She said, and Ann smiled.
"Hey, it's ok. You guys didn't know any better. Besides, all that stuff's in the past now." Ann said, and a teacher approached them.
"Hey, get back to class." He ordered, and the two girls walked off. However, before Mishima left, he looked straight at Jolyne.
"I can't apologize enough for what I did to you. I promise, I'll make it up to you." And with that, Mishima walked off.
"Looks like Kamoshida ain't the only one that had a change of heart. Looks like all those weird rumors about you oughta stop now." Ryuji stated, and Ann's smile left her.
"My thing doesn't really matter. We made Kamoshida own up to what he did to Shiho, and that's good enough for me." She said.
"If it's good enough for you, it's good enough for me." Jolyne stated. "C'mon, let's head back to class."
Afternoon
"This is the news. Earlier today, at Shujin Academy, a teacher confessed to multiple counts of physical and sexual abuse. The man in question, Suguru Kamoshida, is a former Olympic gold medalist who, after winning the gold medal at the 2012 Olympic games, took up a teaching position at Shujin Academy coaching volleyball. Kamoshida has confessed to assaulting Shiho Suzui, the young woman who attempted suicide two weeks ago. One week prior to this confession, a group identifying themselves as 'The Phantom Thieves of Hearts' posted a message that displayed knowledge of his crimes, and promised to make him confess. The school has yet to release an official statement yet, and the police have begun an investigation after Kamoshida turned himself in. We will keep you updated as the story develops."
Untouchable
Iwai watched the news on a small television he kept behind the counter, turning his sucker over in his mouth. "Man, what's the world's coming to lately? Sheesh…" He grumbled to himself, before a light sparked in his head. Wasn't the medal that girl had sold him the other day from 2012…?
Takemi Medical Clinic
Takemi sat behind her reception counter, filling out paperwork while lazily paying attention to the news. "Hm. What an unpleaseant situation…" she mused, before turning her attention back to her paperwork. Where had she seem the Shujin logo recently?
Kanda
Inside a cathedral located in Kanda, a teenage girl with a red braid in her long black hiar wearing a blue blazer was sitting in an office, a Shogi board in front of her. She momentarily glanced away from the board at the television the priest had in his office. "Oh dear, how terrible…" The girl said to herself, and the priest nodded in agreement.
"Times like this are when the Lord tests our faith the most, Hifumi-chan." The man said, and Hifumi nodded.
Hokkaido
Inside an office at the university of Hokkaido, a man watched the news feed on his computer. When he saw the story about Kamoshida, his mouth shaped into a frown as he read the story. "Shujin academy…?" The man said to himself, and glanced towards the photos on his desk. For a split second, his eyes travelled over a photo of 5 people and a dog, before he focused on a picture of Jolyne Cujoh, aged 14. Emotions flooded over him. Love, regret, and concern. After a moment, the man let out a sigh, adjusting the brim of the green cap on his head. "Good grief…stay safe, Jolyne." Jotaro Kujo said aloud.
Morioh, Tonio Trussardi's Restaurant
Inside the restaurant, three men were seated at a table, watching the news on a television. "Man, would you get a load of that? Poor kids…" Okuyasu Niijimura stated, and Koichi Hirose nodded from his seat beside him.
"And I thought we had a rough time in high school. Can't imagine what they're going through." Koichi said, and unbeknownst to either of them, Josuke had a small smirk on his face.
Heh. Good going, Jojo…
Tokyo, Speedwagon Foundation
Ikari was in his office, watching the newsfeed on his computer tell the story of Kamoshida's confession. "Hm. Shujin is the school that Cujoh-san went to. How interesting…" The man mused to himself, before he closed the window and switched to a security camera feed that showed two feeds. One was of Matsumoto being questioned. Unsurprisingly, the man was still being uncooperative, displaying ignorance at any question they asked, acting as if he did not know anything. However, after almost a week of questions, he showed no signs of cracking. Ikari was beginning to wonder if there was something else at play here…
Ikari then cast his attention towards the other feed, the one that was coming from the labs in the Foundation's second floor. It was of a group of scientists, huddled around a table. However, Ikari's attention was not on the men, but rather what they were gathered around: a piece of stone shaped like a face, with two sinister eyes and fangs around the mouth. Even through the monitors, Ikari could feel a chill going up his spine, and he said a silent prayer that nothing went wrong, and that what was in the lab would never be unleashed.
Shibuya
A shadowy figure was walking along the street, stopping when he saw the news being displayed on the screens at a video store. As soon as he saw "Shujin Academy" on the screen, he chuckled to himself. "I must say, I didn't expect this. I look forward to what the future holds for us, Jolyne Cujoh."
Leblanc
Sojiro watched the news as he wiped down the bar, a frown spreading across his face as the story went on. "Sheesh, talk about a mess. I just hope she keeps her head down…"
Shujin Academy Rooftop
Ryuji, Morgana, and Jolyne were sitting on the rooftop, and the door swung open as Ann entered the rooftop. "Hey, guys. I just…I just got off the phone with Shiho." Ann said, and their ears all perked up at that.
"How's she doin'?" Ryuji asked, and Ann weakly smiled.
"She told me that she just saw the news. She said she wanted to call to…to thank me." Ann replied. "I don't know how she did, but somehow, Shiho knew that I was behind what happened…"
"It's because she knows how much you care for her. That kind of devotion doesn't go unnoticed." Morgana replied, and Jolyne's hand involuntarily twitched, before Ryuji began to talk.
"So, what do we do now? We've got a lot of free time now." He said. After they had returned to their classrooms, their homeroom teachers announced that school would be cancelled for the rest of the week while they investigated the veracity of Kamoshida's claims.
"We could do that celebration Ann suggested." Jolyne suggested, and Ryuji grinned.
"I'm down. No sense just twiddlin' our thumbs." He said, and Jolyne turned to Ann, who nodded in agreement.
"Then it's settled. Tomorrow, we party!"
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this. i've been looking forward to the next chapter for a while. See you next time!