Captain Blues: Time for the second chapter. I hope everyone enjoys!

Syndicate of Phantoms
Chapter Two: Meeting in The Rain

"I have to hand it to you," Sakura Sojiro began as he stared at the youth in front of him, his clothes torn and his face scuffed up. "You haven't been in this city less than a day and already, you've gotten into a fight. I was wondering what kind of unruly kid would show up, but turns out, you're a whole-ass delinquent."

Sojiro watched as Ren sighed and stared at the ground. "I couldn't just let that kid get bullied like that…" Ren told him with a soft tone but Sojiro could hear the anger bubbling within his words.

Oh, he knew that anger far too well.

He had seen and heard it from many youths in his life.

And he knew exactly how to deal with something like that.

"I get that," Sojiro stated. "But you have to remember why you're here in the first place, You protected some woman from a man forcing himself on her, he got injured, then sued you. That sounds about right?"

Ren nodded and the Sojiro grumbled to himself.

"Well, that's what you get for sticking your nose in a matter between two adults. You tried to do the right thing and now, you've got a criminal record, you were expelled from your high school. The courts ordered you to transfer and move out here, which your parents also approved."

"My father approved of that," Ren corrected. "Not my mother."

"Regardless, you got transferred here for being a pain in his ass. Which means, you'll be in my custody over the next year," Sojiro smoothly continued. "Let's get a few things clear, Kid. There isn't going to be an easy path. As far as I'm concerned, I'm your warden and I'm expecting your ass to behave while you're in my care and not be a pain in mine. I don't care why you fought those punks and I certainly don't care about that chip on your shoulder about how you were framed. I'm not going to abide by you acting up. If you try any of that shit while you're here, I'll throw you out on your ass and let the courts deal with you. Got it?"

"Crystal…" Ren muttered.

"Good, now follow me," Sojiro instructed and then moved to walk upstairs. As he walked, he explained, "I don't have the room in my place to house people like you, so you'll be staying in the attic of my café." Sojiro stepped into the attic and walked inside to allow Ren to see the place.

Sure, it was dusty and filled with crap, but it wasn't his responsibility in making this place a home for this delinquent. "I'll give you sheets for the bed at least. Consider that a courtesy. It's on you to clean up the rest. I'll be leaving after I lock up each day. You'll be alone at night, but don't do anything stupid. Like I said—"

"You won't put up with me being a pain, I got you," Ren interrupted.

"Now you're getting it," Sojiro said with approval. "Anyways, We'll be going to Shujin tomorrow. Before you even ask, that's the school you'll be attending. We'll introduce ourselves properly to the staff there. There's rarely a place that'll accept someone like you, you know. What a waste of my Sunday…"

Sojiro heard Ren say something in a different language and turned to face him.

"You got something to say?" Sojiro asked.

Sojiro knew that the kid was angry but impressively, he held back. "…No, sir," Ren answered.

"That's what I thought," Sojiro said. "Anyway, Your "luggage" arrived earlier; I left them over there.
Sojiro thumbed the box he placed near the rickety shelf that sat against the wall. "I'm going to close up shop and get out of here myself. I won't be the one looking after you if you get sick from staying up too late, so take your ass to sleep. We got shit to do tomorrow. You got that?"

"Got it," Ren replied.

Sojiro stared at him and then nodded before he walked downstairs.

Well, at least he knew that the kid could show restraint.

Ren watched his warden leave the room and frowned in displeasure as he heard the door close to the café close.

So, this was where he was going to be held up for the next year.

A far cry from welcoming.

Ren marched over to his dusty bed, flipped off the light, and flopped down onto it. No sense in cleaning this place tonight.

"Psst! Hey!" a voice called out from outside the window.

Ren leaned off of his bed and narrowed his eyes. He moved out of his bed and made his way to the windows of the attic, only to see that kid. He opened the window and the kid grinned. "You certainly know how to throw down," the kid complimented.

"I'm surprised to see you out there after nearly getting beaten up today," Ren stated. "You should be at home."

"I go wherever I want," the kid shot back. "You're not the boss of me."

"Aren't you like ten?" Ren asked.

"I'm twelve," the kid answered. "Leaving grade school this year."

"Oh, so old," Ren sarcastically replied. "Seriously, you should get your ass home. I'm not out there to save your ass again."

"Yeah, yeah," the kid waved off before he turned bashful. "Look…I just wanted to say thanks for the help. You didn't have to do that so I appreciate it."

Ren allowed a small smile to form.

At least someone he rescued appreciated it.

"But don't get it twisted, that doesn't mean I won't target you in the future," the kid revealed.

Ren face-faulted.

Well…somewhat appreciated.

"Right," Ren said. "Well, now that your heartfelt thanks is over, I'm heading to bed. G'night, kid." Without waiting for a reply, Ren closed his window and made his way back into his bed.

But despite the sour start of his day, at least it ended somewhat decently.

"Do me a favor and behave yourself, all right? Don't get me wrong-I don't care what happens to you. Just don't cause me any trouble," Sojiro instructed as the pair stood outside of Shujin Academy, the elite prep school that decided to take him in as a student.

Ren, dressed in a black hoodie with the words "Killer Instinct" in scratchy words on the front, blue jeans, a new pair of fake glasses, and black/white sneakers, nodded. "Thanks for showing you care, Sir," Ren dryly stated.

Sojiro rolled his eyes and ordered, "Get in there, smartass."

Ren nodded and walked up the steps into the school. There was a time when Ren enjoyed school. He was a student council president, captain of the Kendo club, and was a part of the music club. But after he was expelled from school, he didn't really care for that stuff anymore.

Not after what he had to deal with in that detention center for five long months.

"Come on, we don't want to keep them waiting," Sojiro announced as he walked past Ren.

"Keep who waiting?" Ren asked as he fell in step with Sojiro.

"Your homeroom teacher and your principal," Sojiro explained. "Make sure to keep your mouth shut while the grown-ups do the talking."

Ren rolled his eyes but nodded.

The two walked to the principal's office, where Sojiro opened the door and stepped inside. Ren followed him inside where he noticed two people waiting for him.

And immediately, Ren made a mistake by laughing.

The first was a youthful-looking woman with dark brown unkempt hair, dark brown eyes, and an exhausted-looking face. She wore a yellow long-sleeved shirt striped with white and red horizontal lines, a blue denim skirt, and white kitten-heel pumps.

But while she was normal-looking and wouldn't have caused Ren to explode into laughter, it was the second person who delivered the blow to his funny bone.

Behind the desk was an overweight and bald middle-aged man who had the body shape of an egg and he wore a beige suit, white undershirt, and red bow tie.

"What is so funny?" the woman asked with a bored, detached tone.

"S-Sorry," Ren gasped through his laughter, unable to look the man in the eye. "Just—" Ren snorted. "—Saw something funny. I'll be good."

Sojiro frowned in displeasure as the egg-shaped man said, "I'm glad you can find humor despite your precarious situation, Tateyama Ren."

"My mother often told me that it's the little things in life," Ren replied, his burst of a good mood slowly coming down.

"Good advice to keep in your situation," the man agreed. "Well, allow me to introduce myself. I am Kobayakawa Goroumaru. The principal of Shujin Academy. Beside me is—"

"—Kawakami Sayado," the woman introduced with a dismissive look.

"She is the teacher in charge of your class," Kobayakawa said. "Sakura-san, in front of are the papers to officially enroll your charge into Shujin. All you have to do is sign." Sojiro nodded and leaned over to sign the paper. As Sojiro did this, Kobayakawa said, "Honestly, Tateyama-san, I hesitated on accepting someone like you, but there were some circumstances on our side that managed to sway my mind."

"I'm glad to hear that, sir," Ren cooly replied.

"You might have done a variety of things in hiding in your hometown, but you will behave yourself here. If you cause any problems, you will be expelled immediately. And if you are thrown out of our school, there will be no place for you to go to rehabilitate your image. Keep that in mind."

Ren frowned but nodded.

"Be sure to read the school rules before class tomorrow," Kawakami told him. "Any violations will send you straight to the guidance office. And if by chance you cause any problems, I won't be able to protect you at all. ...That IS your promise, yes, Principal Kobayakawa?"

Ren's frown deepened as the principal nodded his head and replied, "He is responsible for all his actions."

"But really though, why me?" Kawakami whined. "There should have been better candidates."

"Yeah, why her class?" Ren suddenly asked. "It sounds like she doesn't even want me. And she's certainly not endearing herself to me by talking about me like I'm some burden right in my face."

Kawakami had the decency to look guilty by this.

"I can understand both of your apprehension about this," Kobayakawa said with a placating tone. "It was a sudden transfer, and your class was the only one that had an opening."

"Such a waste of time being in class with someone that doesn't even want me there," Ren said in English. It was his go-to to reveal his distress since no one would understand him. "I doubt I'll even be treated fairly. What's the point in trying to be here?"

Unfortunately for Ren, he noticed Kawakami's eyes widen slightly.

Damn it.

He turned to Sojiro and asked, "Mind if I step out into the hallway?"

"Sure. The principal and I have to discuss a few more things," Sojiro answered.

Ren nodded and stepped out of the office and into the hallway, closing the door behind him. Ren let out a sigh and removed his glasses, only to hear the door open beside him. He turned his head to see Kawakami closing the office door behind her.

"Tateyama-san…." Kawakami began. "I wanted to apologize about my comment in there. It was out of line."

Ren placed his glasses over his eyes as Kawakami continued, "I don't the situation of you being here, but I'm sure you're already having a hard time. I should have been more professional and not allowed my personal feelings to reveal themselves."

"What does it matter?" Ren asked her as he stared straight ahead. "Your reaction isn't new to me. Truthfully, I don't even know why I got mad. All everyone sees in me is a criminal now. Not the person I was. I should have expected and accepted that by now."

"Still, I'm sorry," Kawakami murmured.

Ren shrugged.

Kawakami sighed and said, "Anyways, come to the faculty office when you arrive at school tomorrow. I'll show you to your classroom. Maybe tomorrow we can have a chance to start over."

"…Sure," Ren mumbled as Sojiro stepped out of the office.

"Alright kid, I got a store to get back to. Let's get out of here," Sojiro said.

Ren nodded and the two walked away.

Like Sojiro promised, Ren was stuck taking the train to get to Shujin and despite nearly missing the train, Ren managed to get where he needed to go.

However, what Ren didn't expect was for the world to further kick him while he was down by raining on the first day of his temporary new life. "Great," Ren sighed as he stood beneath an awning to shield himself from being wet. "Just what I needed."

Ren looked down at his phone and said, "Thankfully, I should still be on time…"

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone standing beside him under the awning. He turned around and watched as the figure removed their hood, to reveal that girl he had seen just a day ago.

And like yesterday, he was taken aback by how pretty she was. So much so, without thinking, he said, "Pretty," in English.

The girl looked at him for a moment and then offered a tiny, flattered smile.

"Thanks," she replied in English.

Captain Blues: I hope people are enjoying this so far. Also, the urge to keep Kawakami/Ren from also becoming a thing because damn, I kinda wanted it lol. The next chapter should be out soon so I hope people tell me what they think or if they have any sort of ideas. Until next time, time to set sail!