Chapter 10
The Chariot and his Shepard…
The key to making a good first impression is finding a way to stand out in a positive light. Though the day before was no doubt stressful in its own right, there's something about being the center of everyone's attention that makes Revland feel more than a little uncomfortable. He noticed that though some try to ignore him until he's out of earshot, a few make eye contact before looking away.
The first was a plain looking girl who he'd later find out is named Monica Yuki, with long black hair and full cheeks, wearing black rim glasses and seemed to be taking notes on a small note pad. The second was a nervous looking young man that kept taking quick glances in his direction. He was very… average looking, with black hair and black eyes. He wore the school issued pants with the suspenders hanging down by his legs and a long-sleeved white turtleneck with two arches on the left side of his neck. What stood out to Revland was that he was the second person at Shujin that was visibly injured with bruises running down the side of his face and his left arm was wrapped in a bandage. He was going to mention it to Ann but noticed that she was staring off in the distance with a thoughtful look as if she was daydreaming.
Ann had quite a few things running through her mind. First was Shiho's sudden confession about her feelings for Ryuji, second was Ryuji's quick acceptance of those feelings and lastly was something she'd rather not think too much about. Problem was if she continued to ignore him, he'll try to follow through with his threats to remove Shiho from her number one spot on the team.
Feeling a familiar gaze, she turned and found Revland staring at her with a small look of worry in his eyes though his face showed nothing.
"Something I can help you with?" She asked with a small smirk.
"Oh, sorry… you seemed upset… and I was going to ask you were okay."
He was worried about me… Why…?
"It would seem that she's suspicious of you." Arséne added.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." Revland said returning to his text book.
Damn it, that's not what I…
"No-no it's alright… I just…" Ann sighs, "have a lot on my mind."
Revland looked back to her with the same questioning look that caused her to hesitate.
"Are you… are you free… after school today…?" she asked awkwardly.
He pulled his phone out to check for messages; expecting one from Sojiro but instead found one from an unknown number.
"Hey, It's Futaba…
I wanted to thank you for yesterday. Sorry for messing things up last night, I want to make it up to you and Sojiro. Is there any way we can reschedule for another personal concert… hopefully sometime soon?"
At the end of the message was a pleading cat emoji that reminded him a lot of Morgana, enough to make him smile.
"Defiantly, how about tonight?"
Hitting send, Revland turned his attention to Ann, "It seems like I may already have plans, how about during lunch?"
"I'm supposed to be meeting a friend…" a buzz from Ann's and Revland's phone, causing her to pause. Looking down, she found that Shiho had messaged her with a change in location while Revland had one from Ryuji asking if would be willing to join them on the roof for lunch. Revland remembered that they were in the middle of discussing that "other" world before Shiho's confession and figured that it might be time to continue that conversation. "Looks like I'm meeting someone as well." Revland added.
"So, it all works out." Ann added with a halfhearted grin.
"I could walk with you to the station at least, would that be okay?" Revland asked looking for an alternative.
"No-no, it's alright…" she said with a note of defeat. "I have somewhere to be anyway…"
She remembered having told Kamoshida that she'd stop by his office after school, knowing that it wouldn't be a good idea to cancel on him again. He's been pushier than usual today, she thought it was because of the upcoming meet but, in actuality, it was because of what happened earlier that morning.
"It's alright." Revland said with a smile, "some other time then."
Ann cheered up a little at that, he reminded her a lot of Shiho while she was talking to him. Only a few moments with him had made her feel more at ease, to the point that she felt like she could tell him just about anything… even the things concerning Kamoshida.
"Well it seems like I have to go and meet Ryuji on the roof, so I'll see you around." Revland said as he stood.
"The roof?"
"Yeah, just received the invite."
"Talk about coincidence!" Ann said excitedly jumping to her feet, "Come on, shouldn't keep them waiting!" She took Revland by the arm and started for the door. He had enough sense to grab his bag before being drug out the room, noticing some jealous looks for some of the other students as they were leaving.
Ryuji and Shiho agreed to meet on the roof for lunch before separating for class though most of his mind was still focused on what'd happened that morning. He wasn't sure why he was so bothered by it, it wasn't the first time he'd picked a fight with Kamoshida nor the first time he's nearly lost his temper.
Maybe it was because Shiho was involved this time…
An image of a worn stuffed bear in the hands of a much bigger kid came to mind. He remembered that it had belonged Shiho and that he wanted to get it back. He did manage to retrieve the bear and while everything didn't go completely to plan, the memory brought a smile to his lips.
Better times… even if I did get my ass kicked up one way and down the other.
He stared up into the sky and watched the clouds as they roll by. He remembered his short-lived fight with Kamoshida all those months ago. Kamoshida somehow found out about his dad and used it to purposely piss him off to the point of lashing out, breaking his leg in three places in the process. After that, he had him expelled from the track team before shutting it down out of spite.
Ryuji felt he could have lived with being kicked off the team but having the team completely stripped of everything else was him just being an asshole.
He never did like our team. To him, we were too soft and got in the way of his volleyball team getting the recognition that he wanted.
That asshole managed to take everything, from the club room to authorized time on the field and even the chance to compete in the regional championship. The whole thing left a bitter taste in his mouth which made him feel awful.
Looking back on it, he remembered his mother had to come to the school to discuss not only his actions but whether or not he would continue his education at Shujin. His mother, a beautiful woman with raven black hair and hard golden eyes, sat listening as the staff explained how her son was considered a menace and that she should be ashamed for raising a child so poorly. Through it all, she showed no emotion and when the councilor and the principal finally finished their tirade, she only asked one question as if they never said a word, "Will he be able to continue his education?" When they hesitated, she turned her question to Ryuji.
He tried to remember what made him want to stay. It wasn't the team; simple fact of the matter was that they turned on him after the fight. It wasn't the school; their loyalties were clear. It wasn't Kamoshida's fault, Sakamoto attacked him, he was simply defending himself.
So, with no friends and most the school turned against him, what made him want to stay?
"Hey, you're here early." Shiho said with a smile.
His thoughts scattered as his eyes fell on the petite figure of Suzui.
Oh… now I remember… it was you and your unjudging eyes…
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." She said sheepishly
His mouth a gape, he shook his thoughts away and smiled as he looked up at her. "You… have nothing to apologize for… never to me…"
Shiho sat down next to Ryuji, placing her lunch between them so she would be able to share. Laying her head on his shoulder, she let out a contented sigh.
"You looked like you were lost in a dream, what were you thinking about?"
Ryuji thought a moment on how he should answer and decided on the truth.
"Thinking about this morning, yesterday, my mom... a lot of things I guess…"
Shiho nudged closer, "Want to talk about it?"
Ryuji thought for a moment, he wanted to be open with Shiho so she would be more open with him in the future.
"Last fall… after I got into that fight with Kamoshida… my mom took the ass chewing of the century… she asked me if I wanted to stay here at Shujin, I was just remembering why…" he said with a small smile.
"Oh?"
"Had to think about it but I figured it out…"
"If you don't mind me asking, what made you want to stay?"
"Less of what… more like who…"
Confused, Shiho lifted her head to stare at him. She noticed that Ryuji was look her in the eyes, she saw that his face had gone a light shade of pink and wondered what he had to be embarrassed about. A small voice began to whisper in the back her mind.
"You stayed… because of me?"
Ryuji hesitated for just a moment, then nodded.
The fact that Ryuji had had feelings for her surprised her to the point that she was at a loss for words. Without thinking, she placed a hand on the side of his face and kissed him. Startled at first, he relaxed into the kiss as he focused on the softness of her lips and let that feeling wash over him.
When they finally separated for air, Ryuji managed to ask the one question that had been haunting his mind. "Are you sure you want this?" he asked with heated breaths.
"What do you mean?"
"What if I turn out to be just like him… and I end up hurting you…"
"Where did this come from?"
"This morning… with Kamoshida… the way he talked to you… the way he looked at me. Don't get me wrong, I've been angry before and I don't really care about feeling that way towards him of all people. But never to the point that I actually want to throw a punch… never like that."
Shiho laid her head on his shoulder and listened, "Do 'you' want this?"
"Of course I do… that's not what worries me…"
"What does?"
Ryuji took a moment to put his fears into words. He found that it was easier than he thought it would be, Maybe it's because Shiho's here with me…
"You remember my dad… the way he treated my mom and me?"
She thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"Right, that would have been before I met you and Ann." Ryuji took a breath and continued. "We moved to Tokyo after he vanished one day… probably one of the best things that had ever happened to us. He was a mean old bastard, beat me and my mom silly most days. Most of the time we didn't know why but we figured it had something to do with the booze."
Shiho tried to imagine what it would have been like and came up short. She'd always had the love and support of both her parents, so she didn't, couldn't, understand the pain that Ryuji had been put thought and it bothered her.
"When Kamoshida was in charge of the track team, it seemed like he was purposely trying to break us… see which one of us would snap first. I finally had enough… gave him a piece of my mind… I didn't plan on attacking him. He somehow found out about my dad… said I was going to be just like him and that's when I lost it, I saw red."
Shiho had heard all this before but never the first-hand account. She rubbed her head into his shoulder as she listened, determined to hear the end.
"All I remember after that was thinking my leg was on fire… everything went white after that. I woke up in the hospital to mom explaining to me how the team was temporally shut down while the school board discussed what would become of it. In the end, the team was permanently shut down due to the possibility of there being another incident. Without a couch, we lost the opportunity to compete at the regional championship resulting in the school being disqualified, loss by default... and it was all my fault…"
Shiho looked up after she heard Ryuji's voice break and saw that tears were trailing down is face. She turned to him with some type of cloth that materialized in her hand as she started to dab at his eyes. Ryuji reluctantly let her as he stared into her eyes, "What if he's right?" he asked, trying to control his voice.
"Who?" Shiho asked softly.
"That bastard Kamoshida… what if he's right about me?"
"About what?"
"What if I turn out just like my old man… what if I get angry for no better reason than because I can…?" He looked deeply into her eyes, "What if I do something I'll later regret?"
Ryuji looked away, "What if I hurt you…?"
Shiho noticed out of the corner of her eye that he subconsciously rubbed that part of his leg that she thought was where it was broken. She thought about what he was saying and where it might be coming from, the memory of them stand at the front gate and the look that Ryuji gave Kamoshida and the one he gave in return.
"You're scared of being just like your dad?"
Ryuji bowed his head as if in shame, "The mere thought of everyone… thinking that they may have been right all along… it scares me. And now that I have you, I don't want to think about what I would do if something were to happen to you… and god forbid if I was the one responsible."
Shiho placed her hands on both sides of his face and tilted his head until he was looking at her again. "That right there… is why you will be nothing like him."
"But…"
"No buts, you're worried about being just like your dad. The mere fact that your worried is what will help you avoid it in the future. Plus, you said it yourself… you have me…"
"What if I lose it… like this morning?"
"But you didn't."
"Only because Revland was there, the guy has a way with words that'll make it sound like you were never in the wrong… he even had the President backing your excused absence."
"It's never a bad thing to have help, you know you can talk to me anytime."
Ryuji reached up, placing a hand over one of Shiho's and leaned his forehead against hers, "I know, I appreciate it… I'm… I'm just…" He hesitated, swallowed, then continued; "I'm scared… of hurting you… and end up losing you…"
Shiho let his words hang in the air, letting the silence linger before giving him her answer. She closed her eyes as if in thought and felt the wind rustle her hair. She could feel the light thumping of his pulse and the slight wetness of tear tracks on his cheeks. She already knew her answer even before he voiced his concerns.
"I'm not going anywhere Ryuji, it's going to take a lot more than that to scare me away. I meant what I said yesterday, I want to be with you." Ryuji was about to speak but Shiho cut him off, "Regardless of how you see yourself… I always will be." After finishing, she kissed him and wrapped her arms around him.
Ryuji was stunned by the kiss as the scent of her hair put him at ease. He relaxed into her and returned her embrace as he buried his face into her shoulder, "I love you…" he whispered.
"Never a finer lass in all the high seas… a fine find, if I do say so myself."
Her embrace tightened around him, "I love you too."
Both were completely lost in each other's arms that no one noticed the sound of foot step coming from the stairwell as the door opened.
Revland and Ann were climbing the stairs to the third floor with Revland taking the lead as they both came to a stop as a chill ran down Revland's spine and Ann skin had gone ghostly white.
What is this feeling?
"It's your sixth sense Sir Antrie, your father referred to it as your instincts. Something… no… someone is coming…"
Like what… who… I don't under- a foul odor caused him to lose his train of thought. The smell reminded him of bad body odor and rotting wet leaves.
"Rotten leaves…? Can signify the loss of purity… and that odor… only one being comes to mind…"
A tall figure came around the corner with a look that could Revland thought could kill small creatures at a glance.
His lordship… is making rounds in his castle.
A quick glance at Ann's skin tone and sudden change in attitude, told him that she wasn't in any hurry to see him. Revland made a snap decision, taking Ann by the arm and went down the hallway leading to the facility office and the student council room.
One or both, I don't care which… please just let there be somebody there…
Ann seemed to be going wherever Revland led her. She came to when she realized where he was leading her, "No!" she shrieked. "No teachers, he'll know."
"Not all the teachers are in his pocket, I know of at least one… maybe two that aren't big fans of his." He said in a whisper with his head bowed towards her ear.
He already knew Kawakami was on their side but he didn't know enough about the other teachers, or the school as a whole, to know where he could place his trust. The teacher he saw yesterday at the front gate didn't seem to like Kamoshida as much as the 'lord' may think and Revland figured he might be able to use that to his advantage. Funny enough, he thought Suzui's description of her homeroom teacher fit the man almost perfectly to the one he met yesterday.
He saw her reluctance and relented, "Then it's the student council, Niijima-san will help or at least try to."
If the idea of seeing the school staff was met with reluctance then the idea of asking the student council president was met with outright refusal, "Uh-uh, no way. She's a teacher's pet, she'd be the one to rat us out and do it with a smile."
Revland was getting annoyed, no one seemed to trust anyone around here. "Those are your choices, we can run the risk and hope Kawakami or Suzui's homeroom teacher are in there… or we go to someone I 'know' will help us if we asked." He whispered in a low growling voice. "Third option is to turn around and face what caused your skin to go three shades lighter than normal."
Doesn't he know how things work here? We don't have a choice, we have to do what he says… otherwise you won't be around long enough to regret it…
Though her mind was racing, she saw the fire in his eyes and knew that he's about to make the decision for her whether she liked it or not. "You don't understand what you're asking Antrie, Shujin isn't like other schools…"
"Oh, I understand…" he said with an edge. "I 'understand' that you are absolutely terrified at the idea of even facing him. I 'understand' enough to know you don't trust the staff or the council president… what you need to understand is that I'm not asking you to trust anyone… I asking you, to trust me."
The fire that she saw in Revland's eyes was now ablaze. A feeling of warmth washed her as she nodded without uttering a word.
Revland nodded as he reached for the facility door but something told him that now wasn't the 'correct' time to enter. He threw the Council room door open to see a now startled Makoto along with 3 others that Revland assumed was the vice president, the secretary and the treasurer of the student council. Each one of them were staring at him with a question on the tip of their tongue. Before they could voice them however, "Afternoon, could I perhaps borrow a moment of your time?" pulling Ann in after him before closing the door behind them.
His instincts told him that this wasn't enough, they were too slow and too many people saw them come in here. He thought for a moment and a spark of brilliance struck him.
"Takamaki-San… you're not claustrophobic, are you?" He asked with a small grin.
"Nooo… why?" She asked nervously trying to follow his gaze.
"Perfect, I'll apologize later."
The room itself was small, housing only a trophy case, a couch, a small table big enough to seat about six comfortably, a two-level book shelf and a storage locker. He took Ann by the arm and led her to the back of the room. One of the council members tried to step in front of him to stop him but a look from Revland stopped him for voicing his objection.
Revland pulled the locker door open, "After you."
"Oh no, that's not happening." She tried to object.
"Sorry deary, I'm wasn't asking." He said as he shoved Ann into the locker and shut the door. She let out a quick squeak as he shut her in, noticing that if her butt was just a bit bigger she may not have been able to fit into the tight space.
"Antrie-kun, what is the meaning of this?" Makoto managed to ask.
"No time to explain, she's not here and I've been here with you discussing a tour of the campus."
"Campus tour?"
"He's here…" he said with a hint of venom in his whisper.
She saw the change come over him as he stood at the front of the room in front of the door. Revland wore a smile that, if she didn't know any better, she would have sworn was there from the moment he walked in. The question of who he meant was answered as Kamoshida opened the door and came inside.
"I'm sorry to interrupt…" He started to say then his eyes fell on the back of Revland's head as Revland's own smile grew wider as if he knew that his attention was solely on him.
Makoto, ever observant, figured out what Revland was up to and decided to play along.
"It's quite alright Mr. Kamoshida. We were just discussing some possible locations that might interest Mr. Antrie… seeing that he just transferred here only yesterday and may not have had a chance to tour the campus." Makoto said in a matter of fact tone.
"I see… and there was no one else with him?" he asked with an underlining tone that showed that he already knew the answer.
I'm aware of that other side of yours… but what about you Niijima… can you sense his madness?
Revland never took his eyes off of Makoto as he wore the same smile he had when he came to stand at the front of the room. Makoto, for her part, was more than happy to help Revland play his game. It was possibly the most fun she's had in a while, though she'd never admit it.
"Should there be?" She asked with an innocent smile.
"Well… a few students outside said that they saw two others rush in here and slam the door… one can only assume that they'd be up to no good… especially when one of those said students was our notorious transfer student."
"You're under the assumption that I'm here to cause trouble, I'm just having a little discussion with the President." Revland said with that same smile on his face.
"If they saw Mr. Antrie then who was the other?" Makoto managed to ask before Kamoshida could form a retort.
"No one seems to know…" Kamoshida said.
Revland could hear the suspicion drip with every word Kamoshida says.
"But they all agree that two students came in here… one of them being Antrie. I can't get a clear answer on who the other was…" He stated in his 'teacher' voice.
Revland decided to play into his gambit some more, Hopefully Niijima can keep up.
"President Niijima offered to take me on a tour of the campus while on our way to school this morning, I happened to walk by while she was closing the door for what I would assume was a meeting and, in her excitement, ran after me. She caught up with me and brought me back here for to discuss possible times we could conduct the tour to where we wouldn't interrupt anything important… like say a sport team's valuable practice time." While forming the lie, he turned to Kamoshida and stared him dead in the eye as he explained. To Makoto, it was if he was daring Kamoshida to challenge his story.
It seemed like Kamoshida was about to buy into it, then he asked the question Revland was expecting. "While that is an interesting story, you're the only one who has been able to explain what happened and… forgive me for not believing the word of a known criminal…" he added with hidden distain.
Revland expected it and its why he involved Makoto to help collaborate. After seeing the 'other' Kamoshida, Revland can hear his real intentions through his honeyed words. What was more of a surprise was that Makoto caught the small hints of distain in Kamoshida's voice.
"While you may not be compelled to believe him, he is telling the truth… I… followed him and brought him here to get his thoughts on his current school life. As you said… he is the notorious transfer student and I felt it was prudent to discuss the matter with Mr. Antrie right away. He has assured us that, other than the incident that he was involved in yesterday, the very one that he was deemed the victim as well as another student who was involved, the staff have treated him very well… even offering to excuse him for the remainder of the day… for which he refused… but as he is the notorious transfer student, I'm sure he was up to no good… Right Mr. Antrie?"
While the whole thing wasn't a complete lie, she was comfortable enough to take her story and add it to Revland's.
"It's alright madam President, I know the school is weary of me… though I'm still curious to how the student body became aware of certain personal facts about my situation… some of which were never made public… though I do wish to discuss that with you and the council some other time…"
Judging by the tone of your voice and how you acted in the castle… I know you had a hand in it you son of a bitch… I just don't know how yet…
"Students talk… nothing more than rumors and hearsay… if they happen to stumble upon certain facts then it sounds like coincidence to me."
"Just like it was a coincidence that you just so happen to be in the same area where I'm having a private meeting and also know which room I was in?" Revland challenged with a small grin.
That seemed to have strike a nerve in Kamoshida as his grin faltered and though he hid it well, Revland, even Makoto, caught it.
Before he could push the issue, Makoto spoke. "Is there anything else we can help you with Mr. Kamoshida?"
Kamoshida turned his glare to Makoto, it reminded her a lot of her sister and one she was familiar with. Not only has he been put on the backfoot, he's been made to be fool to a certain degree and wasn't too thrilled at that prospect. To someone who believes they have complete control of any given situation, even the smallest slip can send them into a blind panic or even rage.
He gave Makoto a Cheshire grin that made Revland's skin crawl, placing himself between the two on reflex. Kamoshida's eyes fell upon Revland once more, the voice of the 'other' Kamoshida came to mind, "That look in your eyes… that look of defiance… it disgusts me."
It was what he said right before he started throwing punches… if it wasn't for the fact that we have an audience… something tells me he'd have already attacked.
"I guess… there is one more thing…" he said directing his attention towards Revland.
"And that would be?" Revland said.
I know the look of a predator all too well… I won't let you near them… He growled internally feeling his flame glow brighter.
"Have you seen Takamaki-San?"
"He preys on the innocence of the young… there is no fouler creature than thee…" Arséne growled incoherently.
Revland gave him a smile that matched his, "Who? I'm sorry sir… I don't know anyone by that name… I did just transfer here... after all."
Revland saw the fury mounting in Kamoshida's eyes while he kept the smile in place, "Is that so… I see… then I guess I'll leave you to your meeting…"
He's almost cracked… If I could apply the right amount of pressure… I might get him to fly off the handle and have him do something he'll regret… or… I could let it be as a reminder that I won't bend the knee so easily…
Sojiro's words came to mind, "Keep your head down and stay out trouble… I'm going to be counting on you to help protect Futaba."
Well… Shit…
"Enjoy the rest of your day sir." Revland said with a small bow of his head, never taking his eyes off him.
Kamoshida gave a slight jerk of his head and exited the room. Revland waited for a moment, then another, only after he was certain that he was gone did he start to relax. He let out a long-held breath and turn to find that he was receiving death glares from both the Vice President and the Secretary.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" The VP asked.
"Thanks to you, we'll have a target on our backs for sure." The Secretary added.
"Oh, I think he managed to do more than that…" Makoto said.
The council turned their attention to their President, "He's shown that even Kamoshida will back down… so long as we are in a group… when you leave here today… don't go alone, take someone with you."
So, she did notice that lustful look… she's sharp.
As the rest of the council was leaving, Makoto spoke up, "Antrie-Kun, could I have a word?"
"Of course, just let me get Takamaki out of the locker first."
Revland walked over to the locker and opened the door, he found Ann cramped between a dust pan and a mop sporting a none too happy look on her face.
"He's gone now, you can come out."
She just stared at him.
After a moment he posed a question, "Are you stuck?" he asked with a slight grin
"Gee… I wonder why…" she replied drily.
"Want some help?" he asked trying to stifle a laugh.
"Shut the hell up and give a hand ass hole…"
He instructed her to try to get arm out on her own, that way he'd be able to get an arm around her waist to pull her out and, much to his surprise, she listened without complaint. As soon as she was free, she tried to slap Revland though he saw it coming and was ready to dodge it, he needn't have bothered. Makoto grabbed her arm by the wrist before she could get it into full swing.
"That's one way to show your appreciation to one who's gone so far out of his way to help you…" Makoto said coldly.
Ann turned her glare to Makoto, "I didn't… Want… To go in there…"
"And if it wasn't for his quick thinking then Kamoshida would've found you. It's good to see you've gained some of your color back, you were white as a sheet when Antrie brought you in."
Suddenly, Ann remembered who she was talking to, "Wait… you're the student council president Niijima… Oh my God, I'm so sorry Senpai…"
Makoto waved it off, "You have nothing to apologize for."
"Then allow me to say thank you Niijima, kind of figured he wasn't going to take me at my word unless you said something to back it up." Revland said.
"You played a pretty big gamble Antrie-kun. How were you so sure I wouldn't sell you out, I just met you?"
Crap, she did hear me… Ann thought to herself.
Revland thought for a moment, then responded. "That's just it, I wasn't… just a feeling if I had to guess. I felt I could put my faith in you and you came thought for me... so thank you."
Makoto was dumbfounded, he essentially said that he trusted her and had nothing to back it up. The idea that a total stranger had so much trust in her made her blush slightly. She shook it off and tried to avoid eye contact, "You were reckless, try not to make it a habit… alright?"
"Can't say I won't but I'll certainly try. Anyway, Ann, seriously… are you alright." Revland asked.
"Stiff, but I'll be fine… thanks Antrie… I really don't know how much longer I can continue to avoid him."
"You've been avoiding him?" Revland asked.
Whoops… No one but Shiho knew about her issues with Kamoshida and she just slipped in front of a total stranger and the class president.
Revland and Makoto looked at each other, then back to Ann whose face had gone a dark red and looked to on the verge of tears.
"Was this what you wanted to talk about?" Revland asked.
Ann took a minute to respond but nodded, unable to speak without breaking down into tears.
Revland place a hand on her shoulder and bent down so she'd be able to see him, "Come on, lets get to the roof…"
"The roof?" Makoto asked.
"Yeah, we're suppose to be meeting some friends for lunch."
"You are aware that that area is considered off limits… Right?"
Well fuck me… wait… I have an idea…
"Then it sounds like we are in need of supervision, have you eaten?"
That caught her off guard, "Why…?"
"I figured you're involved now and you'd get to meet the rest of the group… figured you'd like to be a part of it. You did say that it was a good idea to stick together."
it's the first time someone has invited her to… well, anything.
Makoto thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, I don't see why not."
"Great, but first we need to do something about Takamaki…"
"I think you're right, if Kamoshida is looking for her then she's going to stand out."
Revland tapped his chin in thought, then a thought accord,"You happen to have a lost and found in here?"
Makoto nodded and guided a very nervous looking Ann to a chair for a 'makeshift' makeover.
The door to the roof opened to as a slim figure in a gray hoodie and a black and white panda ball cap. Her red leggings were switched out for black shorts, leaving her legs bare and her leather boots with white sneakers. At first Ryuji didn't recognize her but saw that she was accompanied by Revland and a new comer.
"Ann?" Shiho asked cautiously.
Ann lowered the hood and took the panda cap off to let her hair down as Shiho took one look at Ann's red puffy eyes to know that something was wrong. She stood and quickly walked over to Ann to see what was wrong. As she got closer, the third member came through and closed the door.
"Sorry we're a little late… had to make a detour on our way here." Revland started to explain.
"What happened?" Ryuji asked as he stood.
"We had to dodge Kamoshida…"
"He didn't do anything did he?"
"Come on, look who you're talking to."
Ryuji gave him a half worried, half hopeful look.
"He tried, but we had him cornered to the point that he backed off." Revland explained.
"We?" Ryuji asked.
Revland motioned to Makoto and waved her over. "We did have a little help."
Ryuji's eyes widen as recognition dawned on him, "Madam President?!" he reached out and grabbed Revland in a forced huddle. "What the hell is wrong with you, are you out of your damn mind?!" he said in a forced whisper.
"What is with you guys? Seriously, what do you two have against Niijima?"
"She's a rat, a teacher's pet… she'll sell us out if she thinks it'll help improve her chances on getting into a college of her choice."
"If it wasn't for that 'teacher's pet' than Kamoshida would have found Ann and gotten my ass some unwanted attention." Revland said curtly. "I think you owe her your thanks, might as well add an apology… which reminds me…" he turned to Ann and Shiho. "We need to talk about Kamoshida…"
After some coaxing from Revland and then later from Shiho, Ann told the group about Kamoshida. Lately, he has been trying to get Ann to go home with him and how, so far, she has been able to avoid him. But it seems now he's been looking for her during school hours. After which, Shiho had a thoughtful look as if she just put something together.
"You figure something out?" Ryuji asked.
"I think so… Ann's been dodging Kamoshida for the last month or so… it's when practice started to get… intense…" She added.
"How intense?"
Shiho looked down at her lap and subconsciously rubbed her left elbow where Ann knew she was wearing a brace. Revland and Ryuji noticed too.
"You alright?" Ryuji asked.
"Suzui-san… those injuries… your knee, your ankle… even your arm, how did you get them?" Revland asked.
Shiho looked up at him in surprise, "How did you…?"
"Yesterday you favored your right ankle when you sat down and your holding your elbow in close… and I can see the knee brace. I also saw what I thought was dirt on your cheek, I take it that's actually a bruise." Revland said thoughtfully.
As he was talking, Shiho couldn't meet anyone's eyes. He knew… and didn't say anything… but why?
"Suzui?" Revland asked in a calming tone, "Did Kamoshida give you those injuries?"
Ryuji's eyes shot from Revland to Shiho with both a mixture a fear and anger. Before he could say anything, Revland put up a hand to stall him.
Ann already knew the answer but she had never asked her to clarify before.
Makoto, for her part, had only heard rumors of possible abuse but, with no one willing to come forward, there was only so much that she and the council could accomplish.
Shiho, holding back tears, nodded shakily.
All of Ryuji's anger evaporated as he placed an arm around her to comfort her.
Revland nodded, it confirmed what they saw in the castle.
That means everything we saw in the castle has a correlation with the real world. Ryuji's fight, his odd dress… the dungeon…
Revland's eyes widened at the realization, "No… it can't be… could it…?" he whispered.
He looked up at Shiho, then to Ann.
"Takamaki… Suzui… I have one more question… I just don't know how to put it." He looked to Makoto for help explaining but realized she only had half the story to go off of. Only he and Ryuji have seen the castle dungeon, so she wouldn't be able to put everything together.
What can we tell them that doesn't make it seem like we've lost our minds?
"Yesterday, one of the officer's that found me and Ryuji payed me a follow up visit. He showed me the official police report with our medical assessments. But what stood out to me was that they found something disturbing."
Ryuji looked to Revland and knew he was talking about the castle. "They found a secret room with quite a bit of 'torture equipment' inside of an abandoned building."
That… wasn't in the castle… Ryuji thought to himself.
Revland's eyes grew cold, "So my question is… do either of you know who… or have been subject to… any type of sexual abuse by Kamoshida?"
"Of course not, do you have any idea what your saying?" Ann said incredulously.
Revland turned to Ann, "I know exactly what I'm asking Takamaki, I just hope I'm wrong. From how you all act around him and how no one seems to do anything to stop him… I don't like where this is going. Niijima, has there been any student's coming forward with such information?"
"Well, none that I can think of… there were some rumors about the P.E. faculty office. Some of the students refuse to go anywhere near it because they hear weird sounds at odd times of the day."
As Makoto explained, Shiho skin had gone a pale white and Revland noticed.
"I think he's been sexually abusing female students for quite some time, they found the mini-dungeon with more than a few items of note that would add to that assumption." He continued to stare at Shiho, who's skin was starting to turn pale, not liking his conclusion, "I hate to say it… but I think we have to do something about it before someone else ends up getting hurt… or worse."
It's not my place to put her out like this…
"But what can we do against someone like him?" Ryuji asked.
Revland thought for a moment and thought of the best way to word it. As he put into words, he felt Morgana's presence in his heart. "We dethrone the king…"
As he spoke the words, everyone felt a pulse deep within their heart. Ryuji, however, heard something more.
"Let us weigh anchor and have dealt with this scurvy ridden bastard!"
Aye-Aye captain… wait… where did that come from?
Some color had returned to Shiho's skin, "What if we can't?" she asked in a whimper.
"All we can do is try, just need to know where to start… who's the biggest rumor monger at Shujin?"
Now it was Ann's turn to speak, "Why?"
"I want to know what's happened to everyone that's stood up to Kamoshida. Ryuji got his leg broken, that alone is enough to say he goes to the extreme when dealing with anything that annoys him."
"Well two come to mind, there's Mishima from the volleyball team and Yuki from the Newspaper Club."
"So Mishima is out, possible rat…" Revland was thinking out loud, "Yuki-san… would she be the one in our class that wears glasses and seems to be taking notes all the time?"
"That would be her."
"Then I'll see if she's willing to share anything with me."
They all seem to stare at Revland with looks of awe, but in Ryuji's case it was more a look of complete bewilderment.
"You're not joking are you… you actually plan on going against Kamoshida?" Ryuji asked with hope laced in his words.
Revland turned to him with a look that fueled the fires of hope that was kindling within him.
"Never thought I would side with an Englishmen… very well… let us fallow the brit to the ends of the earth and to the depths of the sea."
Ryuji started, it was the same voice from before but it was louder, clearer, than it was a moment ago.
Wait… who's there? Why can't I see you? He said glancing from side to side looking for the owner of the voice.
"In due time… your captain awaits…"
"Suzui?" Revland said in a low, calming tone.
Shiho flinched at the mention of her name and slowly raised her head to look at him. There was no sign of judgement but understanding in his eyes as he gave her a soft smile. "I will only ask this once and only once, if you choose not to answer then I'll leave it at that and will never bring it up again." He paused to make sure that she understood what he was saying. "You don't have to saying anything if you don't want to."
Why is he being so kind to me… we've only just met… She thought as she was holding back tears.
She knew what he was asking and somehow knew that he wouldn't put it into words unless she was the one to voice them. She hardened her resolve as she looked into his cool grey eyes that seems to put her at ease and shook her head in the negative. After a moment she added, "But I know who has…"
Author's Note:
Surprise, I still exist! Christ this was a hard one for some reason… and I do apologize for being inactive for (looks at the calendar) … nearly two months…
Allow me to explain, while working on the first draft of chapter 10, I was given a trainee at work and wasn't working on the chapter for about a week. I had been working on it for the better part of a month and was steadily make progress but continuously found myself pausing to stare at it for about an hour before deciding what to do next. The original working title for this chapter was "Wrath of The Moon" as a way to introduce both Mishima as a character and hint at Futaba's future role as the sin of wrath… however, after being away from the chapter for a week and going through my normal round of editing… I found that I… didn't really like it… it felt forced, like I was pushing scenes just to get them done and over with. So, after spending about 3 weeks on it, I decided to scrap it and start again from scratch.
I made a whole new outline and followed it pretty well, though I did make a drastic change while half asleep on an overtime shift.
(Side note: my imagination works very well while tired for some reason.)
When I came back for my usual edits, I found that I liked the change and showed a more calculated side to certain characters. Even the attempt to face Kamoshida in mundane terms before attacking him in his keep felt like a good road to take, this way it shows that the group really is making a choice as a last resort later on.
To make up for the absence, I'll tell you a little bit about the next chapter.
The next chapter will focus on wrath as a character and their relationship with Revland. The identity of the bandit from the original game will be given a proper explanation and Revland will be more involved with healing Wrath's fractured heart and psych. And finally, Revland will finally be able to wear his thief attire without issue… provided I finish that damn thing before fall.
I want to apologize again for the long wait and I've already started on the next chapter to try to make it up to y'all. No promises on when it will be finished to the standards that I try to keep but I will say I will try to get it out as quick as I can.
Hope to see you sooner than the last,
JWS
Deep within the desert, a rumble echoes through the shifting sands. A figure dressed in light clothing of light colors and shades of brown with his head dress doubling as a face covering. He carried a scimitar on his hip and a rolled piece of parchment under one arm. In the distance, he saw the peak of his destination and the source of the rumbling he felt from under the soles of his boots. "The treasures are most certainly there" he mused. "And soon they, and she, will be mine." His musing were interrupted by a harried scream as a ball of blue flame fell from the sky like a star. It was no ordinary star, he knew, for this star was being carried by black wings that were darker than the night sky. "Now this… should be interesting…"
