Author's notes:
Uhh... So this was slow. No particular reason why as far as I can tell. Just struggling to focus on writing I guess.
BTW, the inconsistency in chapter 18 was patched up. Very minor tweaks that aren't worth reading again.
Other than that... Big two oh, I suppose...
Enjoy,
-asdf
Chapter 20: Building Coincidences
Tuesday June 21st, 20XX Lunch
The almost silent student council room was occupied by two female students. Their lunches lay untouched in front of them. The only noise was the clock in the room making distinct sounds as its second-hand continued uninterrupted in its perpetual circle.
Tick, Tock.
"Hrgh…"
Tick, Tock.
"Hey, Makoto, are you feeling alright? You haven't touched your lunch at all." Kasumi asked with a smile and closed eyes.
You haven't either! Makoto retaliated silently. Inside though, she was writhing. Makoto never thought she would meet another person that could make her feel as small as her sister did. Sitting across from Kasumi and her terrifying smile changed Makoto's mind.
"Urgh…"
"Hmm? That was an interesting noise. Urgh, was it? Is your stomach upset?"
Stop playing dumb! Makoto pled silently. Shaking her head, Makoto spoke actual words for the first time this lunch period. "N-No, I'll be digging in presently. You should as well…"
"I think I will in a few moments." Kasumi spoke with her unfalteringly smile.
Stop smiling like that! Makoto's guilt was mounting. She wanted nothing more than to admit the truth to Kasumi, but she didn't know what to say. She didn't know what the girl knew.
Kasumi was her first friend, but now… With the phantom thieves their relationship had suddenly grown far more tense. Ren and Sumire had warned both Haru and her that Kasumi was not, under any circumstance, to be told that they were the phantom thieves.
"So, umm… what do you have for lunch today?" Makoto asked as she dug into her own modest helpings. It was a bit of westernized style of a normal bento. Rather than rice and fish, Makoto had a sandwich and broccoli. All of the ingredients were plain, but healthy enough.
"…"
"Err, Kasumi?" Surprised to not receive an answer, Makoto glanced back up at the other girl. Her eyes were open, and the smile was gone.
"Fine, I gave you a chance to tell me because I thought we were friends. Oh well, I'm used to girls pretending to like me. Are you, or are you not in trouble with the mafia run by Kaneshiro Junya?"
"H-Huh?" Makoto gaped in surprise. Although she wasn't exactly sure why she was surprised at this point. This was exactly Kasumi's straightforward style of problem solving.
"Well?"
"I… I didn't want to involve you." Makoto admitted, lowering her head. The truth slipping out naturally.
"Why?" Kasumi continued her one-word questioning.
"It's too dangerous. You've been through too much already with Kamoshida. Just… live your life and forget about me."
"…I see," Kasumi relented, sitting back down. "To answer your previous question, my family had leftovers yesterday, so I brought some of the meal. There was a lot of meat and it pairs well with these steamed vegetables and rice."
"…Huh?" Confused, Makoto stared at Kasumi who happily began eating her own lunch. "W-What…?"
"Huh?" Kasumi tilted her head. "What part of that was confusing? I brought leftovers to eat for lunch today."
"N-No, but…" Stuttering, Makoto wasn't sure what she was doing. "Why aren't you insisting to help? Blaming me for not telling you… I hurt your feelings and didn't even apologize."
"Ah, you see, I have a big gymnastics tournament coming up on July tenth. I refuse to lose to anyone so I better practice for that."
"W-What…" Makoto was well and truly lost now. Who was this girl? "B-But, I thought…"
"You thought I'd insist on helping you?" Kasumi asked with a tilt of her head. "Why would I help someone who doesn't want it?"
"Err, well… That's who you are, right? You help everyone…" Makoto spoke lamely.
"Do I?" Kasumi muttered, tapping her fork against her lips. "Well, maybe it's time I start acting selfishly!"
Makoto blinked; her stalled mind finally generated an idea. She wants me to ask her! That brought a new dilemma to Makoto. If she didn't ask Kasumi for help, the girl was likely to give up this idea and start forcing her help on people again. If she did though, Makoto would struggle balancing her 'help' with her work with the phantom thieves.
"K-Kasumi… Please don't take this the wrong way but… I don't think there is anything you can do to help me."
"So, you think I'm useless?" Kasumi asked, making direct eye contact.
Useless. Makoto hated the word. She hated feeling useless. For the first time in her life, she was finally being useful. "Of course not!"
"Then let me help you!" Kasumi roared, her true feelings finally breaking loose. "I… I won't sit by and watch as you and your sister's lives are destroyed by that man!"
"…" Biting her lip, Makoto lowered her head, staring instead at her untouched meal. All the while, the clocked ticked by incessantly. "I'm sorry. I can't watch you get hurt by my stupidity. I don't know how you learned about my situation, but please stay out of it from now on."
"…I see."
Makoto winced as Kasumi took a large bite of her meal. She may have lost a friend, but it was all Makoto could do to keep her safe. Besides, Makoto already had all the help she needed in the phantom thieves.
The thought did nothing to assuage her guilt.
Tuesday June 21st 20XX Lunch
"This better be good, Kaneshiro."
"Oh, I think it is worth your while… Okumura."
The two men stared at each from across the table. Kunikazu's eyes were hard, he constantly exuded the air of a powerful man. On the other hand, Kaneshiro's jovial smile didn't reach his beady eyes. The Shibuya crime lord was deadly focused upon the ongoing meeting.
"I'm honestly shocked your petty money-making schemes can afford a restaurant like this," Kunikazu began the rapport as the complementary dishes arrived.
Unfazed, Kaneshiro's smile widened a bit more, "I'm glad you're concerned about me. I'll have you footing the bill for this meal. Also… what say you to this 5-million-yen bottle of wine? May as well, right?"
"Scum like you don't even deserve to bask in a wine like that's aura." Kunikazu rejected him harshly, the veil of comradery collapsing instantly.
Kaneshiro's smile twitched, but otherwise stayed in place, his beady black eyes as dead as before. "Let me rephrase that. Buy that wine now and I'll let you have a glass. Buy it five minutes from now, and you'll have to settle for smelling."
Kunikazu smirked. "Is 5 million a lot to you? It must be if you're so desperate. Very well." Raising his hand, Kunikazu summoned the maître d' and ordered the wine.
Despite getting what he wanted, Kaneshiro tsked, his smile fading. "Guess I was right; you really do need to be taken down a few notches."
"If that happens, it won't be you doing it," Kunikazu retorted, leaning back and sampling the complementary dishes that the expensive restaurant offered.
Waiting for the bottle of wine, Kunikazu let the waiter pour him a glass. Smacking his lips, he took a small sip. "What a rich, oaken taste. This is the proof of quality that the knockoffs can't replicate."
"Grr…" Fists clenching at the barely veiled insult, Kaneshiro reached into his jacket pocket. "I think you'll be singing a different tune after you look at these."
"How disgraceful," Kunikazu berated Kaneshiro with a small shake of his head. His eyes never even flicked down to see the documents that had been flung on the table between them. "We came here to eat, did we not? Please save such unsavory matters until after the main course.
"…But then again, what else should I expect from Shido's pig?"
Face mottling, Kaneshiro flew to his feet. "Stop talking shit and take a look at those photos! You see her, huh? Cute one in pink? That's your daughter, asshole!"
"Cute? Are you a pedophile as well?" Kunikazu maintained his arrogant aura. "She doesn't turn eighteen until December, but I'm afraid she has a more respectable fiancé already."
"Cut out that shit-eating grin!" Kanehsiro pounded the table, the wine from his glass sloshing unto the pure white satin tablecloth. "You see that? Booze, cigs, hard drugs. What'll happen to her if those go public, huh?"
"Fake." Kunikazu answered confidently. "My experts will tell me immediately that you faked them. Such a pathetic money-grabbing scheme."
"They aren't fake!" Kaneshiro retorted loudly. After a moment of heavy breathing, some of the excessive anger flowed out of him and he resumed his seat. "Besides, just sending them to her school will be enough to ruin you. Word will get out quickly, a report will be filed with the police. The news will slander the famous father of the girl that turned to drugs."
"Doubtful," Kunikazu replied with a shrug. Taking a refined sip of wine, he smacked his lips, further incensing Kaneshiro. "You seem to think the police will actually do anything. Also, even if this story got out, how would it hurt me?"
"It would ruin your political chances!" Kaneshiro gnashed.
"Well, that's where I disagree. This may be too advanced for a dotard like you, but the public love sappy stories. The father of the girl being framed for underaged drug use? They'll lap up the sad story."
"Grr…" Angry, Kaneshiro tried to think as he drank his own wine. Kunikazu looked so confident that it was hard to doubt him. The CEO of Okumura foods was a terrifying opponent and Kaneshiro realized now that he had underestimated him. Kunikazu still hadn't even bothered glancing down at the pictures. He talked solely off his extreme confidence that whatever happened, he could deal with it.
Kaneshiro slowly picked up the photos and slipped them back into his pocket. They were doing nothing here. Still, Kaneshiro's brain struggled to believe Kunikazu's confidence. Would he really be able to turn this into a benefit?
"Cat got your tongue?" Kunikazu taunted. "Finally, I can at least eat in silence without your moronic words tainting the air."
"Grr…" I really hate this guy. "Can't believe you'd let your daughter have her life ruined."
"Why?" Kunikazu asked coldly. "It is her life. If she was stupid enough to allow herself getting caught breaking the law then that is her fault."
"But parents are supposed to…"
"You really want to lecture me about parenting? You, Kaneshiro Junya? The only offspring you'll ever have are the worthless rejects from overpriced prostitutes that you were too stupid to pull out of. Or wait… Am I confusing you with your owner?"
Face mottling with rage, Kaneshiro's mind went red with rage. Arm flinging out, the half-full bottle of expensive wine shattered across the floor. "Bastard. Screw you and your money! Let's see if your claims are true!"
Standing up, Kaneshiro heaved his way to the entrance. Kunikazu didn't say a word in rebuttal.
Tuesday June 21st, 20XX After school
"Infuriating… Girl…" Kasumi panted as she followed her coach's instructions. The hard workout failed to banish the anger from Kasumi's mind.
Filling her mind's eye was Makoto's guilty face. "Don't… want me… involved?" As before, Kasumi's words were punctuated by hard effort as she pushed her body to its limits.
The upcoming tournament demanded Kasumi put every effort into perfecting herself. Improving her flexibility, her strength, her speed, and culminate that into her routine. It took long, grueling hours that proved her dedication and love of the sport.
Still, even through Kasumi's intense effort, she couldn't get over her disbelief that Makoto refused to accept help. Even when Kasumi already knew what was happening, Makoto had denied her.
"I thought you wanted to win?" An adult female voice asked Kasumi drily.
"I do!"
"Then what's with this effort level? You think the other girls haven't heard that you'll be attending yet? You think they'll be putting in the bare minimum amount of effort?"
"…No." Kasumi muttered back.
Was I really slacking?
"No? When did you become so surly?" Hiraguchi asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I am not, ma'am!" Kasumi panted out. "I will make sure to put more effort in than anyone else!"
Smiling faintly, Hiraguchi nodded her rare approval. "It seems like you always have another thing on your mind. It may have taken longer than it would for most people, but I'm guessing you finally appreciate one of the hardest aspects of being a professional athlete. Balancing your life."
Kasumi sighed and nodded again. Standing up from her floor exercises, Kasumi wiped her face with a proffered towel. She couldn't just forget about Makoto's plight, nor that of her classmates. "I just… I just wish I could be more helpful," Kasumi admitted.
Hiraguchi nodded sadly. "You live long enough and everyone experiences that eventually. There are few things in life as painful as watching someone you love fail and being unable to do anything for them."
Kasumi stiffened her lip against the rush of emotions. She wasn't a girl that would break down after a few compassionate words. She had already had that embarrassing experience in front of Akechi.
"Hey, coach…" Trailing off, Kasumi wasn't sure exactly what her question was. Hoping it would come as she talked, Kasumi kept plowing on. "I don't know why you became a coach, or what your dreams were but… if you had to choose between your dreams and helping your friend… what would you do?"
Hiraguchi whistled, "you sure don't mess around with your questions." She tapped her chin, thinking it over for a while. "I think… my answer is extremely selfish."
"You'd pursue your dream?" Kasumi asked.
"No, I'd do whichever I'd regret the least. Ultimately, it is your life. Are you living for yourself, or for others? Can you reconcile giving up what you desire to help them? Do they want you to take that sacrifice? I don't think I can give you a clear answer one way or the other."
"…Thank you." Bowing, Kasumi felt her coach's words settle into her heart. As it did, Kasumi felt a truth that came with them.
If Kasumi gave up on her dream of winning rhythmic gymnastics at the highest level, she would always regret it.
"You're falling behind," Hiraguchi reminded her, "get another circuit done and stretch thoroughly."
"Yes coach!" Answering with enthusiasm Kasumi darted off, unsure if her revelation made her a terrible person.
Finishing towelling off her body after her post-practice shower, Kasumi quickly donned her casual outfit. With summer approaching it had very little material to it. A red short skirt and a white tank top that revealed her bra straps.
Kasumi did feel a brief flutter of fear of wearing such an outfit by herself, but it quickly faded. Logically, she knew that the most she was likely to suffer were gazes and a few whistles. Glancing at her sleeved school shirt in her bag, Kasumi made up her mind and closed it.
She refused to be uncomfortable just to stop men from staring at her. As she closed the bag, Kasumi felt it vibrate slightly. Finding her phone, Kasumi blinked at the screen in surprise.
"Akechi?" Kasumi answered the call.
"There you are," the boy responded in a strained voice. "It seems you may have your opportunity; Kaneshiro made a move."
"Huh?" Heart stopping for a moment, Kasumi wasn't prepared for the abrupt change in topic from her thoughts.
"He was seen out at a fancy restaurant today. Made quite the scene, shattering a 5-million-yen bottle of wine."
"Was he arrested?" Kasumi asked eagerly.
"No," Akechi denied her immediately. "He retreated to one of his Shibuya abodes. Don't you want to know what he was doing out though? I put in some personal legwork just for you."
Kasumi felt a little guilty for a moment, however… "isn't this your job?"
"Eh, I don't get paid for cases I take on by my own initiative. Only the ones the police department hire me for so… not really?"
"Ugh, anyway, what happened?" Kasumi asked eagerly, heading out of the locker room. Leaning against a wall near the front door of the training facility, Kasumi didn't want to head into the traffic and risk missing this.
"The staff reported hearing Kaneshiro make some bold claims at a rather loud voice. Threatened the man with revealing pictures of his daughter."
"How horrible…" It isn't related to Makoto though… Kasumi knew that Makoto's father was dead, so it couldn't have been her dad meeting Kaneshiro.
"Indeed…" Akechi nodded. His voice taking on a teasing tone, he continued. "Don't you want to know who Kaneshiro was trying to threaten?"
"Do I know them…?"
"You may. The person Kaneshiro meet for lunch today was the CEO of Okumura foods, Okumura Kunikazu. Father to one daughter, Okumura Haru."
"Haru…" Eyes wide, Kasumi gaped for a moment. The news shell-shocked her. Both Makoto and Haru? Was it a coincidence? Or had the girls stumbled into something together?
"Ah, so you are familiar with the daughter? She does attend your school, so I shouldn't be surprised."
"Uhh, yeah. We aren't super close but…"
"But you still don't want her to get blackmailed," Akechi soothed, "obviously."
"Haha, yeah… So are you just informing me of this, or what does it mean…?"
"You can't guess?"
"Don't tease me on this," Kasumi sighed. "I'm too tired to figure it out."
"Kaneshiro intentionally broke private property. Even if Mr. Okumura covered the cost, it's still a public misdemeanor. It isn't much but getting him on anything allows additional charges to be piled on top."
"I see… Right, you needed something attached to the man himself…" Kasumi trailed off, it sounded like good news, but Akechi didn't sound overly excited. If anything, he sounded nervous. "Is… Is something wrong?"
"Not really," Akechi sighed heavily. "It's just tiring sometimes. I really need to take a vacation this summer…"
"I see…" Kasumi replied politely. Injecting more life into her voice, Kasumi tried to cheer up the forlorn detective. "You did good work! I'll treat you to ice cream or something."
"While I appreciate the offer, I'll do you one better. I'm meeting a certain prosecutor at a sushi restaurant right away. You should come."
"A certain prosecutor?" Kasumi asked.
Akechi chuckled. "I sent the data to your phone. See you shortly."
"Yeah… See you." Getting hung up on, Kasumi removed the phone from her ear and stared at the screen. As the call disappeared, a notification filled her chat log with Akechi. Clicking on the widget, Kasumi brought up the location in maps. The location was on the edge of Shibuya, not too far from her current location.
Exiting unto the street, Kasumi felt sweat start to appear. She had been right to keep her clothes to a minimum. The sun was starting to slowly set, lingering late into the day at this time of year. As such, the temperature was staying in the low thirties, refusing to relinquish the heat it bestowed earlier.
Despite it being a Tuesday, Kasumi could see the effect of the hot summer day on the number of children around. Friends hanging out; anticipating summer break. Smiling at them Kasumi was glad for the positive sight. The laughter that echoed between them.
On the other hand…
"Whoa, slow up there, hotstuff? You looking for something fun tonight?"
Giving the group of college boys a hard glare, Kasumi continued on past them. The scent of alcohol roiling off them in a thick cloud that turned Kasumi's lip. Thankfully they didn't follow.
To Kasumi it felt like every time she tried to go somewhere without her school uniform she got hounded. The only thing that prevented the advances was the presence of a man. It constantly irked Kasumi that so many men viewed girls like her as property. If she wasn't in the possession of a man she could be bought or even stolen.
Her anger at society's ideal and views kept Kasumi from dwelling upon Akechi's words as she drew closer to the destination. Disembarking at Shibuya, Kasumi walked away from the Crossing and the massive crowds within.
Strolling on the well-worn sidewalk, Kasumi swerved around the tired businessmen. The black suits the men and women wore would be torturing them in this heat. Their sunken eyes and sweaty brows held no desires beyond escaping the inferno.
Phone beeping in her hand, Kasumi stopped and entered the glass door. The restaurant floor was somewhat dirty and needed a good mopping. The stools were made out of cheap wood and were arranged haphazardly around a squeaky conveyor.
"Urgh…" The sound naturally fell from her lips.
"You aren't wrong about that," Akechi sighed from behind her.
Whirling around, Kasumi blinked in surprise. The detective had caught the door she'd opened. Kasumi hadn't even noticed Akechi with how distracted she had been.
"One would say that our dinner location was chosen for price, not prestige."
"Say anymore and I won't pay for you," an elegant woman's voice chimed out from behind Akechi. "Now are you going to get out of the way and introduce us?"
"Ahaha, my apologies, Ms. Sae." Akechi smiled his typical detective smile. Moving to the side, Akechi gestured grandiosely as if he was a chauffeur declaring the presence of royalty. "Presenting Nijima Sae, Public Prosecutor at the Tokyo District Special Investigation Department."
Gulp. This… This is Makoto's sister!?
Staring back at Kasumi was a tall woman in a striking business suit. Even in the heat, she looked totally fine, as if the heat was but a momentary distraction. Her long silver hair was gorgeous, it flowed over one shoulder of her black suit jacket. Kasumi's eyes couldn't help but track down to the form fitting pants and high heels.
"Hmm… So this is the girl you helped out?" The prosecutor spoke.
Her voice matched her looks well, Kasumi thought. Gulping again, Kasumi wasn't usually intimidated by anyone, but this woman was an exception. She managed to ooze femininity and power at the same time.
"As Akechi said, I am indeed Nijima Sae, Public Prosecutor. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"L-Likewise…" Kasumi stuttered weakly in reply. After a second delay, Kasumi swiftly bowed far deeper than the situation demanded.
"Stand up," Sae ordered, "we are fellow citizens right now."
"Ahh, my apology."
Blushing as Akechi laughed at her, Kasumi meekly followed the pair to a table. As Akechi choose a table close to the conveyor on the far side, Sae chose the chair opposite him. Freezing, Kasumi didn't know where to sit. Beside the frightening prosecutor or Akechi? Kasumi wondered how she appeared crossing to far side, but there was no way she would have survived sitting beside the prosecutor.
Assuming her chair, Kasumi realized the other disadvantage of sitting over here, those steely gray-brown eyes could stare at her the whole time.
"Urk."
"That was a strange noise," Akechi commented lightly. "Do you have something in your throat?"
Glaring at the detective, Kasumi opened her mouth to make a scathing comment before abruptly halting. "…My apologies."
"Oh no," Akechi continued taunting with his care-free smile. "Many people choke needlessly because they seek isolation as they find it embarrassing. Please don't be one of them."
How is he so calm!?
Smiling weakly, Kasumi had no reply. Her emotions were a tight knot of nerves sitting in this run-down store with this woman. Kasumi wanted so desperately to make a favourable impression that she was doing the exact opposite.
"…Anyway," Sae said, clearly attempting to get the conversation on track.
"Ohh, a fatty tuna!" Akechi spoke happily, grabbing the dish off the squeaky conveyor.
He's insane!
Stiffening, Kasumi was glad she wasn't the recipient of that glare. A moment later, Kasumi's eyes widened as a thought invaded her head.
Maybe… He enjoys making her mad at him?
Shivering at Akechi's strange fetishes, Kasumi was caught off guard as he turned to face her. "Do you want me to grab you something?"
"Umm…" Taking a surreptitious glance at Sae, Kasumi's stamch growled needily. "Y-Yes please."
"What do you want? Looks like some salmon sashimi coming up now, a house roll behind it…"
"Both of those are fine!" Kasumi spoke quickly, trying to move things along.
Tap, tap.
"You got it!" Akechi continued to smile happily.
Tap, tap.
Each strike of Sae's long violet fingernails on the decrepit table sent a shiver up Kasumi's spine. Withering, Kasumi waited for the woman to yell at Akechi.
"Here you are…" Akechi spoke, still using his happy-go-lucky 'public' voice rather than his more serious true nature.
"As irresponsible as ever," Sae sighed. "It is a wonder you actually solve any cases."
"You wound me," Akechi winced in mock pain. "I only look like a slacker compared to workaholics like you."
"Hmm… Why not let our guest decide? You, Kasumi, does Akechi slack off a lot?"
"Err…" Getting thrown in the middle of the conversation, Kasumi's first instinct was to agree. However, Akechi's puppy dog eyes made that hard… "Umm…"
Using her chopsticks to mash up some wasabi into her soy sauce, Kasumi fought for time. "I-I think… he occasionally takes well-earned breaks?"
"See!" Akechi crowed proudly.
"Hmpf," Sae snorted, a rare smile twisting her lips slightly. "Well, that was a diplomatic answer. Seeming as he managed to do decent work today, this is my treat."
"T-Thank you very much," Kasumi bowed slightly again over the table.
"Well, let's dig in then!" Akechi said.
Following his own advice, Akechi grabbed more plates off the conveyor. Trying to fill her own gaping hole of an appetite, Kasumi ate her first piece of sushi.
It was… acceptable. Kasumi thought most things tasted good usually. Food was even more addicting when she was hungry – Kasumi was always hungry, so that didn't really count. This sushi somehow managed to remain exceptionally mediocre. Trying the house roll as well, Kasumi concluded her judgement.
"How on earth did you manage to find a restaurant that can make such bland food?"
The question got a giggle from Akechi who raised an eyebrow at Sae. "Well Ms. Sae? How did you find it?"
Blanching, Kasumi hoped the prosecutor wasn't too offended by her question. At least she hadn't called the food bad outright.
"I searched for the cheapest conveyor belt sushi within a five-kilometer radius," the prosecutor answered plainly. "No plate prices, just a flat rate of 2000 yen a person."
That's so cheap…
"You're so petty," Akechi mumbled. "It isn't like you're so poor you have to do this."
"I know," Sae smiled for the second time. "But I also don't have to waste the money on the likes of you."
"Urgh."
Giggling at Akechi's expression, Kasumi felt some of the tension flow out of her. As the meal continued, Kasumi got more comfortable in the presence of her intimidating company. Even the way Sae ate was refined and polished. It was like the woman had perfected every single aspect of herself.
"…Can I help you?" Sae asked as she caught Kasumi staring for a moment too long.
"N-No, well I mean I'm sure you could if I needed help, but at this time…" Realizing she was rambling, Kasumi abruptly cut off her words.
Akechi sniggered. "Looks like Kasumi has a new crush."
"C-Crush!?" Kasumi retaliated loudly. "Just because she's the role model of what a perfect woman should be does not mean she's my role model!"
"You said it twice," Akechi noted.
"S-Shut up!"
"Oh my, I never thought Akechi would actually make a friend. Let alone a fellow high school student."
""We aren't friends!"" The two of them rebutted Sae at the same time.
Withering in embarrassment, Kasumi quickly ducked her flaming cheeks from everyone's sight. The only solace was that Akechi appeared almost as mortified as she was.
"Oh my, perhaps even more than friends?" Sae suggested wryly.
Kasumi wanted to sink into the floor but knew that wouldn't happen. Be brave, fearlessness. Repeating her mantra to herself, Kasumi swallowed back the humiliation and sat straight. Cheeks rapidly regaining their standard pallor, she sat straight in the uncomfortable stool, her ramrod back a match for Sae's.
Locking eyes with Sae, the prosecutor gave Kasumi a small nod of recognition. Returning it slightly deeper in appreciation, Kasumi restrained the holler of excitement she wanted to release.
"A-Anyway," Akeshi spoke quickly, "maybe we should start in on why we are gathering."
"Indeed," Sae nodded, "The serious developments surrounding Kaneshiro Junya earlier today move me one step closer to finally arresting the bastard."
"Ohh, Sae's letting her guard down," Akechi smirked.
Receiving a baleful stare, Sae continued as if he hadn't said anything. "His importance to the city is overestimated and downright falsified. Not only Kaneshiro, but if I can get a confession, I should be able to track it back to the police force members he is bribing for safety."
"Ambitious," Akechi whistled, looking surprised for once.
That brought a dangerous light to Sae's eyes. "I have to be. This arrest could be the push I need to secure a promotion."
A promotion!?
With just one word Sae managed to cool the respect Kasumi felt toward the older woman. "Umm, why does the promotion matter?"
"Huh? What are you talking about promotions for?" The prosecutor spoke harshly. "Leave that to the paper pushers. First, I need solid evidence to issue a warrant above the police's heads."
She doesn't even remember!?
"I don't think we have that," Akechi denied. "The misdemeanor is just that, a misdemeanor. This is the type of thing the grunts would be sent out for."
Sae began tapping her finger again, her lips tightening. The noise echoed loudly through the space. "You aren't incorrect. If only we had evidence ensuring a more direct connection to the man."
"Umm…" Nervously, Kasumi wasn't sure if she was missing something, but she decided to speak up. "What about your sister?"
"My sister? Makoto? What about her?"
"W-Well I thought she was connected to Kaneshiro somehow."
"…Excuse me? Is this some kind of ill-conceived joke?"
Shaking her head frantically under Sae's hard stare, Kasumi naturally leaned away from the table. "I-I don't know the details, but she seems to be connected to him somehow. I assume in the same manner as Ms. Okumura."
"…Akechi, did you…?"
"N-No, I swear this is the first I'm hearing about this as well!" The boy pled, hands in the air.
"Grr…" Sae was visibly distressed as clenched her hands. "Makoto… Why wouldn't you say something? What were you thinking?"
The mutters probably weren't supposed to be audible, but Kasumi had the tact to at least ignore them. Akechi, as is typical for him, did not.
"She may have been there with Ms. Okumura if they are friends." Akechi commented. "They both go to Shujin, correct Kasumi?"
"Yes."
"And are they friends?"
"R-Recently, yeah…" Kasumi nodded. "M-Maybe they were targeted in Shibuya one day?"
"Makoto should be too clever for that," Sae bit back immediately. "Could it all be the Okumura girl's fault…?"
"I doubt either is correct," Akechi analyzed the situation coldly, preparing more sushi for eating all the while. "A regular recruiter would not have recognized either girls' connections. As Kaneshiro himself had the pictures I can only assume they somehow managed to stumble into the man himself."
"Your logic is sound," Sae agreed reluctantly, "but how? Kaneshiro is hard to find when you are looking for him."
Kasumi swore she saw a brief tug at Akechi's lips, as if he repressed a smile or smirk. "Can you count out the scenario that they werelooking for him? For example… a student president seeking out the man that was exploiting their students?"
Sae had her most visceral reaction, her cheeks draining of blood. A deep love for her sister shone in her terrified eyes. It lasted only a few moments before her face stabilized with a professional's grace. "This could be the opening we need. If Makoto has evidence I can issue an independent warrant."
Kasumi gaped at the prosecutor. "S-She's your sister? How can you…" Trailing off, Kasumi ducked her head and tried to repress her emotions.
Akechi laid a comforting hand on Kasumi's shoulder. "Sae is correct. This is the only way to help Makoto now."
"I-I understand. I apologize for my outburst."
"Apology accepted." Sae replied stiffly. "Here is payment for the bill. I have too much work to do to linger here. It's time to gamble once more… I'm coming for you, promotion."
Kasumi wished she hadn't heard the last sentence. Is that what it would take for her to become so confident and beautiful? To dedicate herself solely to rising through the ranks? Kasumi couldn't understand why a woman that impressive would care that much about silly things like that. It was almost as if things were getting distorted somewhere.
"Quite an interesting woman, wouldn't you say?" Akechi spoke lightly.
"Yeah… She is." Glancing at Akechi though, Kasumi stared at his side profile, his eyes still tracked Sae's exit with a mischievous light. In a strange way, his teasing was constant and overbearing. It was almost as if he didn't view her as a person but an amusing puppet.
"Why do you sound so depressed?" Akechi asked, turning to face her.
"Umm… do you hate Ms. Sae?" Kasumi asked.
"Hate her? No, not really. What an odd question."
"It's just… you treat her so oddly… Almost like how you used to act with me when we first met."
Akechi shrugged, swirling his glass of water. "Prosecutors get big heads. It's a good idea to remind them that they are human every once in awhile."
You're lying.
Staying silent, Kasumi sipped her lukewarm water and shivered. Her bare shoulders had goosebumps under the blowing AC. Sending a short prayer of strength to Haru and Makoto, Kasumi got ready to head home.
Tuesday June 21st, 20XX Evening
"We start tomorrow, huh?" Muttering to herself, Makoto clambered slowly out of the apartment's bath. The hot water had failed to relieve the stress in her body.
She couldn't believe it was happening. Taking down Kaneshiro Junya, the crime boss that had ruined countless lives. She was going to change his heart and force him to confess his crimes to everyone.
It would bring about the collapse of his entire organization. Such a feat would earn the detective responsible an instant promotion to the top. It was the type of feat that topped an outstanding career. Acting as a vigilante, Makoto knew she and the rest of the thieves would get nothing.
The bittersweet realization brought a smile to her face. While buried in thoughts, Makoto had toweled off her body and gotten into a pair of loose pajamas and buchimarukun slippers. The panda face never failing to send a brief moment of comfort.
Feeling the heat, Makoto pulled at the fabric of her top to fan herself as she exited the bathroom in search of a glass of cold water. "Huh?"
Leaning against the table was her sister, Sae. Makoto hadn't heard her come home. In Sae's hand was Makoto's cellphone that she had left there.
Flipping it around nonchalantly, Sae's steely gaze stared down Makoto. "Got things on here you don't want me to see?"
"N-No of course I don't! W-What is with you?"
"What is with me… That's a funny question, don't you think?"
She knows something.
Makoto's stomach sunk with guilt. It was a repeat of that unbearable lunch with Kasumi. Makoto had felt awful the whole time. With Sae it would be even worse. Her sister would not understand in the slightest. More importantly, how much did she know?
Approaching, Sae stared down into Makoto's eyes with her slight height advantage. "I am going to ask you once. Are you, or are you not, currently being exploited by Kaneshiro Junya?"
Wednesday June 22nd, 20XX After school
Holding up a hand, Ren waited tensely as Shadows moved beneath him. The tough looking bank guards patrolled the halls incessantly. Upstairs, outside of what Ren suspected was a security room was even worse.
It was a level of security they hadn't seen before. While Kobayakawa's strange multi-faceted playground came close, the monitoring here was far more intense.
Ren could feel gazes on him, waiting for his move. The timing and decision to attack was all on him. Still, the multiple Shadows below made that tricky.
Two were the more standard humanoid Shadows that the other palaces had as well. The last was a canine shadow. The shape of the body was that of a large dog, probably a rottweiler or Doberman. The main difference was that the body was mostly shadow and had a large gray mask obscuring its snout.
Alone they weren't an issue, but the canine-type shadows had better senses than the regular obtuse guards. As the last of the humanoid-shadows crossed beneath Joker's hiding place, he made the call.
With all three in a cluster, it was time to strike.
Leaping off the banister, Joker fired his grappling hook at the ceiling. Swinging off it, all three shadows turned to look at him. At the same time, Joker pulled out his pistol in his left hand and starting firing.
Bang, bang, bang!
Three shots, three hits.
Smirking, Joker flipped once in the air, freeing his grapple from the ceiling before landing easily in the decadent hallway.
"Oh man, that was siiick!" Skull called, barging in the old-fashioned way as shadows began to manifest. Taken off guard by the appearance of the thieves from all direction, they made for easy victims.
"Hah, watch me and I'll do even more!" Mona called out, shooting toward the shadows.
"Hehe, you left your guard down!" Panther called out, dropping behind a stunned shadow and attacking with a burst of fire.
"They are barely a challenge with Senpai leading us!" Violet chimed in.
"Hmm, no. You are not worthy of being immortalized by my brush. Begone!" Fox intoned, dramatic as ever.
"Ahh, I can't help but want to chop you up when you look like that!" Haru followed them up with a radiant smile.
As everyone's lines got stranger and stranger, Joker struggled to not sigh and shake his head. Keeping him focused was the absence of a certain 'Fist of Justice!'
Makoto was still sitting on the rail, looking stunned. Joker had wanted to choose her codename today but…
"H-Huh? T-The battle started?"
Joker sighed and intercepted Makoto as she tried to jump into the fray. Against small fry like this, Joker wasn't worried about anyone getting too hurt.
"J-Joker, why are you stopping me?" Makoto stuttered as Joker laid a hand on her spiky shoulder.
Unlike last time in the metaverse, her confidence and brazenness were nowhere to be found. This was as bad as Joker had ever seen her in the real world. He thought she may cry if he said the wrong thing.
"What happened?" Joker asked forcefully. Staring past her angular metal mask, Joker sought out the dark-red eyes beneath and the truths that lay in them.
"I… I am fine. Please let me go."
Joker's hand didn't loosen. "I am responsible for everyone's safety. Currently, you are endangering everyone with your lack of attention. You can either tell me or get kicked out."
"Urgh," slumping, the energy went of Makoto's body. Her biker outfit, representative of her rebel soul, went as far as to flicker back to her school outfit for a moment. "How… How did they know?"
"Know? Who?" Joker asked quickly. Had they been outed as the phantom thieves? Nervous, Joker waited for Makoto's words.
"It only affects me but maybe… I should tell everyone."
Nodding, Joker let her go and went to survey the remains of the fight. Violet easily sidestepped a fireball from a two-headed dog while Skull finished pummelling a demon-like creature out of existence.
In the moments after it was finished, Joker surveyed the door to the security room. Expectedly, it was locked. Voices from the other side confirmed that there were more shadows in there. It was even possible they were seeing them right now with security cameras Joker couldn't see.
"Any ideas?" He asked the others hopefully.
"It is just wood right?" Haru spoke. "I'm sure I can get us in in a minute or two."
"Ahem, if I may." Jumping to the front of the group, Mona grabbed everyone's attention. "To summarize, it won't work. Have you noticed yet that no matter how powerful the attacks we use are, the damage to the palace is only superficial?"
"Now that you mention it…" Haru trailed off, her eyes going to the various implements in the hallway. The vase that was on the nearby pedestal was indeed shattered. But the carpet on the ground that sustained Panther's fire blast was barely singed. The walls were left spotless.
"As you can see, objects that the ruler's cognition views as indestructible are exactly that in the metaverse."
"But a door?" Haru questioned, "why would anyone view a door as indestructible?"
"Err, not necessarily, but you don't encounter doors getting destroyed often, do you?"
"True…" Haru had to admit, her axe lowering in disappointment.
Assuming Mona was correct, Joker led them a short way down the hallway. There should be something here… hopefully. If there wasn't… well, that was a problem for when it occurred.
Rounding the corner, Joker came back upon the area they had come up at. The hallway was empty, the sentry already defeated. "What am I missing…?"
"Senpai?"
"I know something should be here, I can feel it." Talking to himself, Joker knew there was some answer. A way into that security room.
"Senpai."
"Just a moment," Joker called. Walking to one of two statues separating the wide hallway, Joker examined the outrageous golden monstrosity. It was a flattering depiction of Kaneshiro that no one sane would ever include in a bank.
"Senpai!"
Sighing, he turned to acknowledge Violet. "What is it?"
"Isn't there a vent right there that probably leads to the security room?"
"…"
"…"
"Uhh, yeah. It looks like there is." Glad for the mask, Joker moved to the nearby electrical-looking panels and pipes and climbed up. Ending up on an electrical cabinet, Joker confirmed what Violet had told him.
Scurrying along the cramped place, Joker wanted to roll his eyes as the others kept talking behind him. If anyone was in here, they would be prepared for their entrance.
Reaching the end of the vent, Joker spied a mean looking security guard below. Numerous screens filled the room, each another view of the bank. The front entrance was well guarded, along with a few other key areas they had come across.
Joker did derive some cruel pleasure from the screens filled with static. Those must have been the cameras that they had shut off already.
As the security guard somehow remained oblivious to the cacophony of noise that was filtering through the vent, Joker jumped down silently. Before it could even turn around, he leapt for it.
Grabbing unto the uniform with his left hand, Joker reached over the helmeted head to grab the mask on its face.
"Huh?"
Smirking at the confused grunt, Joker pulled hard. The mask ripped off with a satisfying slurping sensation. "It's showtime!"
Kicking off the dissolving body, Joker backflipped in midair and landed comfortably on his feet, knife already drawn.
"S-Senpai!" Violet berated him, landing awkwardly as she hurried to catch up. "Don't start fights without us!"
"I couldn't exactly wait," Joker replied, watching as the shadow kept growing. It split in half once, and then quartered. The single enemy resolved into four distinct shadows. Each one was a red and white demon with a horse head. Despite the rather silly appearance, each one was a powerful foe, especially in these tight confines.
"Ugh," Violet muttered, "guess I'll try this…"
Removing her mask with a flourish, Violet's persona appeared for a brief moment in a flash of light. Magical power flowed from it in the form of blinding light.
Wrapping one of the monsters, it was sluggish to respond as it had just appeared. As cards of exorcism flowed from the circle the energy created on the ground, Joker knew it was too late for the creature unless it resisted the magic.
"Gargh!" Letting out a howl, the shadow dissolved into nothingness. Violet's ability landed a one-hit kill upon the unsuspecting creature.
"Dude!" Skull pouted. "Don't steal the fun."
"Don't be late!" Joker countered, mentally switching personas. While it was weaker than most of the personas he now carried around, Joker had left himself Angel. "Come!"
Ordering forth the impression of the messenger of heaven, Joker copied Violet's technique. He couldn't help but feel like a bit of a cheater when he did things like this. In a matter of life-and-death however, Joker refused to hesitate.
To the tune of another demonic howl, the number of shadows had been reduced down to two. Into the small room, Fox dropped elegantly down to bring their number up to four. "How unsightly. Shall we Skull?"
"You know it!" Darting forward together, Fox and Skull entered into a melee with the remaining shadows. One would punch and the other would punch back.
It wasn't the most strategical option, but Joker and Violet couldn't do anything as the fight devolved into a two on two in the tight confinements of the security room.
"Haha, I think we should be glad for that indestructible property…" Violet laughed slightly.
Following her gaze, Joker nodded as Skull's bludgeon landed a solid hit upon the console. Besides a line of sparks, there was no damage left behind.
Standing there and enjoying the show, it was another half a minute before the boys emerged victorious. Joker estimated it had cost them about half their stamina to do so. Violet and he had used practically nothing to defeat the same foes.
"Hell yeah! Nice assist Fox!" Punching the air in jubilation, Skull wrapped an arm around Fox's shoulders.
"Hmff!" Fox protested. "How dare you!?"
"C-Calm down! Got to celey the victory, you know?" Skull retorted, throwing up his hands.
"You cannot cling to me like that!" Fox ranted. "Do you not see the differing lines of our outfits!? Throwing them together like that causes horrible clashing. I will not stand for it!"
"That's what you're worried about?" Skull sighed, scratching his head as everyone else managed to pour out of the vent. "Ah well, there goes the mood. Now, what do we need from here again?"
"Just a moment," Joker called out. "Now that we have a moment, Makoto has something to say."
Everyone's eyes tracked to the biker girl that had dropped out of the vent last. Under the combined eyes of half a dozen people, Makoto writhed. Her confidence was completely shot.
"I… Well, I mean yesterday that is…"
"Hey," Joker interrupted. "It is alright. Whatever you say, it will be fine. I'll make sure of it."
"…Thank you," Makoto spoke quietly. Bowing her head slightly, Makoto's voice was even as she continued. "I was confronted twice yesterday about my connection with Kaneshiro."
"What!?" A serious of protests rang through the room, but Joker silenced them with a hand.
"Keep going."
Thanking Joker with another nod, Makoto kept speaking. "First was by Kasumi." Makoto shot a pointed look at Violet.
"Kas? I-I never said a word to her though!"
"What did she want?" Joker asked.
"To help me," Makoto mumbled slightly. Her eyes shone with a deep guilt. "I felt horrible rejecting her but…"
"She can't help," Joker agreed. "The second?"
"Well, it was my sister," Makoto spoke morosely. "I don't know how they know each other, but I think Kasumi was the one that told her. My sister was on the verge of placing me under house arrest. I still get the feeling that at any moment she may decide to bring me into the station."
"…That isn't good," Joker admitted. His admission was bad for morale, but that was the truth of it. Makoto was still new to their group, evidenced by her yet undecided thief name. It was unclear how far her dedication to the group went. There was nothing stopping her from turning them all in return for protection.
"I know," Makoto admitted with a wince. "She didn't mention the phantom thieves though, so I don't believe she is aware of my connection yet."
The only upside so far, Joker thought pessimistically.
"Umm, so while this isn't great…" Skull spoke, "is it really that bad? Like… does it actually change anything?"
"It…" Frowning, Makoto seemed stumped by the question. "Well our relationship is really really awkward… With Kasumi as well…"
Joker felt for the girl. Makoto had been thrust into a very uncomfortable spot. "I'm sorry this happened."
"No, don't be," Makoto sighed heavily, her weariness showing through in every motion. Joker wondered if she had slept at all last night. Probably not. "I can't get through to them right now…"
"You will be able to it!" Panther assured her. "I know you will!"
"Really?" Haru asked, her voice low. "Is it possible to connect with people who are different from you?"
The mutterings sounded like personal experiences Joker wasn't aware of. Musing over the conversation, Joker was still composing his words when Panther spoke again.
"Of course it is!" Pumping her fist, she was the model of determination. "It just takes some effort!"
"Panther is right," Fox nodded with a wise smile. "We are all very different yet get along, do we not?"
"Umm, there's still one more thing I have to tell you all…" Makoto interrupted the touching moment. "My sister said that I may be the key to arresting Kaneshiro."
"What does she mean?" Joker asked quickly.
"I-I'm not sure. She mostly just pressed me to ask me if it was true that Kaneshiro himself blackmailed me. Once I confirmed it she said that and left to return to work."
"Hmm, you should have mentioned this earlier, Makoto." Fox chastised her. "Is there a point to us being here now that Kaneshiro can be stopped in the real world?"
Joker blinked, but a second later it clicked. They worked as the phantom thieves not to arbitrarily change people's hearts, but to give hope to people by stopping the people that the police couldn't or wouldn't.
"Seriously, dude!?" Skull whined. "After that detective asshole stole the thunder with Kobayakawa?"
"We aren't trying to destroy society, Skull." Joker reminded him. "Makoto, you know the situation best. Well, you and Haru. Do you believe that we should back out of changing Kaneshiro's heart?"
"W-Wait!" Violet broke in. "Aren't you forgetting about yourself, Senpai? If this goes to court we will all be called to testify! They'll need the pictures they took of us and a reason why we were there!"
I was hoping you'd forget that…
Unable to say that out loud, Jokr remained stoic as a murmur of discussion and unease passed through everyone. After hearing about Joker's previous treatment at the hands of the police no one seemed particularly eager to have that picture used as evidence in court.
"I-I can't let you all do that!" Makoto yelled. "You're my first friends… and… and I won't let you suffer for the decision I made that day!"
"…Very well." Joker decided. "We continue changing Kaneshiro's heart. Let's get moving."
Walking up to the console, Joker swiped the card that lay there. He glanced at the panels and was sure there was more they could do in this room. If only one of them was proficient at computers.
"Hmm… Alibaba could help here for sure…"
"Who, Senpai?" Violet asked.
Joker flinched. He hadn't realized she was close enough to catch his mumbling. "I'll tell you about her later."
"Her?"
"Hmm? Yeah. I'll tell everyone when we leave the metaverse for the day."
"W-Wait! Is it serious!?"
Thinking it over, Joker nodded. "Yeah, I'd say it's pretty serious."
"N-No way…" Violet sounded crushed for some reason.
"Come on, we're wasting time." Waving his hand, Joker opened the door and walked out of the room he had crawled into.
Wednesday June 22nd, 20XX After school
"Her?... Serious?..." Muttering to herself at the back of the group, Violet glared at Senpai who led them down into the bowels of the bank. They had defeated a few shadows while Violet stood at the back and offered a few half-hearted heals.
"It can't be possible, can it? Senpai and a girl I haven't heard of?" The name was ridiculous at that. Alibaba. It sounded made up, even if it was kind of cool.
At the same time, it was hard for Violet to stay mad at Senpai as he continued doing amazing things. There were more of those cameras watching the hallways. These, however, were placed directly in their path with no workarounds. Somehow, Senpai was able to discern their exact vision range and when they were on.
It was an impressive feat and none of them had any idea how he managed it. This wasn't the first time Senpai stared at their environment like there were things only he could see.
Getting guided around yet another security camera, Violet bunched up with the others as they prepared to open a door. The set of ornate double doors didn't look locked, the problem was what would be on the other side.
"Get ready," Senpai whispered.
As everyone hid around the corner, he pushed them open and ducked along the right one. It opened up into a giant area. From below, voices could be heard ringing up to them.
"That's Kaneshiro…" Senpai whispered.
Moving again, the group snuck along to a nearby balcony that overlooked the room. Now inside, Violet had a good grasp of its general architecture. Across from the door they had entered through was a mirrored door. A third door was situated on the wall to their left with a security camera in front of it. Along the walls that the mirrored doors were on were sets of staircases on each side that had a landing before descending further. At the bottom of this side was another door giving four exits to the room along with a hallway at the bottom.
In that hallway were two figures flanked by another two shadows. One as Senpai had mentioned prior was Kaneshiro. The other was a younger man in a fancy suit. Violet didn't recognize him.
"Mr. Sugimoto," Kaneshiro spoke again. "I know you are far more realistic than Mr. Okumura. I'm sure you see reason."
"Reason?" The young man laughed, his outline shifting strangely, as if he was barely present. "You don't understand, Haru was given to me. If Kunikazu wants my family's support then he knows to make sure my high school fiancée is given to me in one piece."
Violet's head turned mechanically to face Haru. She barely believed the words that had floated up to her. Unfortunately, they weren't ambiguous in any way. Fiancée only had one meaning.
"W-Why is he here…" Haru moaned weakly. "T-They shouldn't know each other."
"Could Kaneshiro be blackmailing him?" Senpai asked quietly. "Getting him to pay the fee for destruction of the pictures?"
"Y-You're missing the point!" Skull screeched at Senpai before turning to Haru. "You're engaged!?"
His piercing voice made Violet wince. Predictably, the two men below stopped and turned.
"It seems the thieves are here!" Kaneshiro belly laughed. "Why don't you come out now, Haru!?"
To Violet's surprise, Haru did just that. With her head looking at the ground, Haru slowly descended both flights of stairs until she stood in front of the two men.
"Hehe," her fiancé, Sugimoto, laughed. "Haru my dear, you shouldn't be in such uncouth places. Please stay safe in your father's house until I come claim you."
"Urgh…"
"Well, Sugimoto," Kaneshiro smirked darkly. "It seems that I hold every card now. If you wish to protect your bride-to-be, you owe me compensation."
"Protection fee? Bah! A high school fiancé is a turn-on but… not one worth losing money over. This is Kunikazu's problem."
With that, the cognitive form of Haru's fiancée melted away into nothingness leaving behind an angry Kaneshiro.
"Grr… Kill them all except this girl here! Bring her to me when you're done!"
Violet was still struggling to comprehend exactly what was happening as Kaneshiro sauntered down the hallway and out of sight. Any remaining time vanished as the security guards melted into matching shadows. They were similar to the Oni-like shadows they had fought last time they were in the bank.
The left one was an identical copy to the one that Makoto had beaten up with her powerful nuclear attacks. The one on the right was new and dressed in varying shades of blue and white. Its head was covered completely in a helmet with a visor. Despite the difference between the two shadows, it was clear that they were related in some way.
The one they'd encountered before had been proficient in using ice-based attacks. Violet got a wind vibe from this new one. She didn't speak on her hunch though, she was sure Senpai had a plan for dealing with them already.
"You, girl, get moving," one of them rumbled deeply to Haru. The deep purple, 'Ice devil', sauntered up to Haru. Reaching out its left hand, it went to prod Haru past it to the area Kaneshiro went.
As it was about to make contact with Haru's shoulder, her hand snapped up and grabbed its wrist. "Enough."
"Huh? What do you think you are do – AARGH!" The Ice devil's words transformed into a scream of pain partway through.
Frozen in shock, all Violet could do from her perch was watch. The shadow struggled to pull away, but Haru stood motionless; her face still pointed at the ground.
"Disgusting," Haru muttered, her low voice somehow carrying strongly through the room. "Money, women, power… These ugly desires pollute every grown-up man in my life…"
Gasping, Violet realized what she was watching happen. The aura of insane power that radiated from Haru's body was an event that only occurred once.
Her true awakening.
"L-Let go!" The shadow pled, having gotten trapped by Haru's iron grasp. "AARGH!"
Crack!
The arm of the shadow suddenly went limp as Haru's ever-tightening grip shattered the limb. A visceral display of violence that curdled Violet's stomach.
"I refuse to sit around and remain silent as despotism and extravagance mar the beauty of the world and eliminates freedom from the innocents!
"Enough!"
Snap!
"Gragh!" The shadow collapsed to the ground, its arm in two pieces as Haru's grip tore all the through the limb. The piece in her hand dissolving into nothingness.
"I am not an obedient servant who will obey your every whim! Do you hear me, Kaneshiro!? Sugimoto!? I will rip asunder your ghastly bodies and purge this place of your evil rot!"
"Uhh…" Violet muttered.
"Whoa… She's hardcore," Skull added on to Mona's fervent nodding.
"Come on," Senpai reminded them all. "We need to back her up. Her burst of infinite energy is fading. If it is similar to everyone else, she has maybe five minutes of energy left."
"True," Makoto nodded, looking invigorated after her earlier admission. Hearing her sister's name had knotted Violet's stomach at the time. Whatever Kasumi was doing, Violet could only hope that she was staying safe. "Skull and Mona, take the shadows pouring down the right side. Fox, you and Panther the left. Joker, Violet, and I are going to back up Haru."
"Who died and made you queen?"
"Shut up and obey, Skull," Joker ordered him. "Everyone, do it!"
Wait… Would that make Senpai King!?
Shaking her head, Violet pushed the thoughts away for now. Jumping the railing after Joker, Violet followed half a step behind. Now down below, Violet could see the end of the hallway where Kaneshiro had gone. He was still standing there, having turned around after getting called out by Haru. Behind him was a massive vault door that stood open waiting to accept its owner.
Coming from the vault were another two shadows to support the one that Haru had destroyed. Likewise, two shadows were approaching from the door on the bottom to the right, and the other door up above, trying to pincer Haru. Those were the groups that Makoto had sent the others to fend off.
Kaneshiro took a few steps back towards Haru, smirking confidently with his hands in his pockets. "You talk big for a spoiled brat. Growing up with a silver spoon in your mouth, you know nothing! Everything you are is because your rich daddy gave it to you. So shut up and obey like the doll you are!"
"I refuse!" Haru yelled back. "My upbringing does not define my worth my worth as a person, you greedy pig!"
As Haru reached a hand to her mask, Violet watched with bated breath as the inevitable moment finally arrived. The moment when the contract was sealed, the mask removed.
"Farewell Kaneshiro! I am no longer your toy to exploit. From now on, I shall live with as much kindness and elegance as possible!
"Come, Milady!"
As she had said, Haru's removal of her mask had all the grace and poise one would expect of royalty. With a single flourish, she held it daintily in one hand. The action sent another surge of power through the room as her persona materialized.
"They just keep getting weirder…"
Violet was glad Joker was the one who said it out loud. After Makoto's bike, Violet was under the assumption that they had reached the end of the oddities. Haru's, though, was like a Victorian woman with no head. There were eyes on the mask that the persona held aloft, but above the frilly white fabric that extended out from behind the neckpiece there was simply no head.
With the now familiar sound of a gun being cocked, but magnified multiple times over, the front of the persona's dress split revealing multiple barrels.
"Hooooly shit."
Nodding frantically in agreement with Senpai's comment, Violet noticed that the other groups had stopped as well to watch. It was impossible not to during such a spectacle.
"Blast them to smithereens, Milady!"
BOOM!
Releasing what sounded like cannon fire, Violet's ears rang from the concussive force of the blast. The three shadows took severe damage from the repeated shots. Shadow Kaneshiro quivered like a leaf; a hole blown in one of his suit sleeves.
"I-Idiots! Kill her as well!"
Bravely, Kaneshiro turned around and ran for his giant steel door that he could lock himself inside of. They couldn't pursue as more shadows came around the corner next to the vault door.
"You won't get away!" Haru telled angrily. "Go, Milady!"
Boom!
Another round of fire echoed loudly through the halls. The shells tearing toward Kaneshiro's fleeing shadow. It was too little to stop him as the newly arrived shadows soaked the damage.
Unlike last time, these shadows remained in one piece. The ridiculous burst of power was gone, leaving Haru's power at the expected level for a persona user.
Dragging their oversized weapons, the red-skinned Onis threw themselves at Haru. Howling as they leapt, Haru's feet didn't move to dodge. Maybe shock that they had survived her attack.
"Oh no you don't!" Stepping in front of Haru, Makoto crossed her arms and soaked the blows. Her body was pushed back from the attacks but was otherwise uninjured.
"Remember, just hit them with magic!" Senpai called out before doing just that.
Hoping Makoto wasn't too injured from the attacks, Violet added on her own barrage of light against the creatures.
Both shadows staggered under the attacks. Having received a barrage from Haru's persona and now two magic attacks, they were on the verge of losing their form and sinking back into the nothingness that awaits them.
"I'll finish them!" Haru called.
Using her persona, Haru emitted a strange wave-like pattern. Violet had never been hit by it, but it appeared to be some sort of psychic powers that one of Senpai's personas could also use. The energy gave off purple hues as it wrapped the shadows in it and inflicted injury.
"G-Gah!" Emitting one last strangled cry, the pair of shadows dissolved into puddles. Violet didn't think of herself as a violent person, but it was strangely pleasing to watch your opponent melt away.
"H-Hehehe," Haru giggled, a big smile on her face. The other pairs were returning from their fights. They were both successful, if a little worse for wear. "Shall we find some more?"
"I… think not." Senpai sighed. "Maybe it has something to do with you half awakening before, but even if you aren't completely exhausted, we need to get out of here. The security is too high."
Violet noticed it now that it was pointed out. The air of the palace buzzed with energy. It wouldn't be long until more shadows were sent. Kaneshiro claimed to have unlimited servants and the enemies in here were certainly living up to it.
"Also…" Senpai scratched his awkwardly. "There is someone I need to tell you all about."
Oh right. Mood sinking again, Violet stared balefully at their leader.
Wednesday June 22nd, 20XX After school
"Urgh, why do I have to work this shift?" Kawakami complained to herself. The office was completely empty except her. The normal secretary was on vacation and the school required others to pick up the slack.
With requests for her 'services' dropping to an all-time low, Kawakami had jumped at the chance for easy overtime. Now that it was here though, the job was nothing like the relaxing time at a desk she had expected. Numerous small tasks had piled up. Nothing was hard, but it was far from relaxing.
"Grr… Maybe I should tell Ren to request me… I really need that money…" Continuing to complain to herself, Kawakami went about the job with all the motivation of a sun-tanning walrus. Or an exhausted teacher struggling with overwork.
"What even is this?" Picking up the bulky package, Kawakami turned it over in her hands. "No address, no label… It was just left here?"
Curiosity piqued; Kawakami tore into it. The orange material gave way as she tore open the glued end. The container was typically one a person would ship DVDs or books in. Yet there were neither of those.
Taking a glance through the entrance, Kawakami saw four or five hard slips of paper. Reaching her hand in, she re-evaluated that. They were glossy, probably photo paper.
Withdrawing them, Kawakami stared at them for a long hard minute. When the image finally processed in her head, her eyes bulged. Kawakami found herself at a loss for words. Mouth flapping uselessly, the scene in the picture blurred as the implications of it slowly set in. Letting them drop to the table, Kawakami leaned back and groaned.
Covering her eyes with her hands, she finally found her words. "Why is it always me?"
