A/N: Sorry that this is late. Finals week has been busy. I'm done with school on Thursday, so I'll go back to the Wednesday upload schedule next week and chapters will increase in length.
Wednesday, 7/6
"So… do anything fun recently?" Ren asked at the door after not visiting for nearly a week.
As soon as Ren had walked into Leblanc that evening, Sojiro had informed him that Futaba would be alright with another visit. Seeing no reason to not go, and not wanting to end things on a sour note with the shut-in, Ren found himself at the impenetrable door yet again.
Speaking to a door was always difficult, but starting off was the hardest part. Ren never knew how to begin, and Sojiro observing from behind him only added to the pressure. He would also read the messages from Futaba from over Ren's shoulder.
Unknown Number:
-Video games, anime, etc.
"Yeah?" Ren found an opening. "What games do you play?"
Unknown Number:
-All the good shit, but there's this new game where you manage a spaceship of aliens and you can bang them. Pretty awesome... mweheheheh.
Ren was able to read the message before Sojiro did and shielded the phone against his chest. Sojiro didn't seem offended, but he did chuckle. "I get it, I get it. No room for the old man." He moved to go down the stairs but turned back to Ren before doing so. "I'll be downstairs if you need anything."
Ren nodded and turned back to the door. He remembered seeing an ad for the game, as well as Ryuji briefly mentioning it. "Oh yeah… I think my friend plays that. Something like… was it… Blastoid Effect?"
Unknown Number
-Yep. You talking about Ryuji? You know he doesn't even play on insanity mode? Not really playing the game until you crank the difficulty up.
Ren laughed. "What a bitch."
Unknown Number:
-For sure. I'll be sure to let him know.
"I'd rather you didn't."
Unknown Number:
-Aw… please?
Why does she want to tell Ryuji? Is it just so she can feel better about her own skills? Eh, fair enough. Ryuji would want to do the same. Wait… I could use this as an opportunity.
"If you speak to me aloud, you can message Ryuji whatever you want."
Silence from the other side of the door for nearly a minute until Ren's phone vibrated with a notification.
Unknown Number:
-No deal! Did it anyway.
"Futaba… what'd you do?" Curious as to how mischievous the girl was, Ren was eager, and a little nervous, to see if Ryuji had any words.
It didn't take long. A new message came onto Ren's phone screen.
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Dude! This random effing dude just messaged me to say that my hairline is military crawling away from my eyebrows because they look like a war zone! The eff?!
Ren Amamiya:
-And you shared this because…?
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Because this was the full message:
Ren opened the file and looked at the screenshot of Ryuji's messages. It was from an unknown number, as expected. Ren read the message aloud. "You play Blastoid Effect like a toddler on Adderall. And your hairline is military crawling away from your eyebrows because they look like a war zone. Courtesy of Ren Amamiya," Ren read as he chuckled at that last bit.
I wish I could come up with something as creatively fucked as that. What the hell does playing games like a toddler on Adderall even mean?!
Ren Amamiya:
-Sorry. Friend from the arcade took my phone and wanted to be a little shit.
*'Unknown Number' has been added to the chat*
This is literally a private chat… how the fuck did she do that?
Unknown Number:
-Little shit? Really?! With how much you guys suck at Rash Bros, NO WAY you can call me little shit. You should be bowing before me.
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Listen here: you effed up when you talked shit on my hairline. Now that you're talking down on the Rash Bros god, you gotta pay. Where, when, and what's the username?
Interesting that Ryuji's insecure about his hairline. I'd say that it's normal for his age, and definitely better than somepeople I know.
Unknown Number:
-Like I need to waste time with casuals like you.
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Casual?!
Ren Amamiya:
-Ryuji is the least casual person I know. He stays up all night just so he can lose more often.
Unknown Number:
-Hah, fax. Ryuji, I don't want to embarrass you in Rash Bros.
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Drop your username right now or else I'll send the worst thing you've ever seen.
Unknown Number:
-Try me.
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-You've forced my hand…
Unknown Number:
-Really? Everyone and their mom know that one! I thought you were gonna send something really bad, like a dick pic!
Ren Amamiya:
-Can we please end this now?
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Bullshit! My dick pics are great!
Ren Amamiya:
-Not an argument that should ever be had, guys.
Unknown Number:
-They're probs worse than your Woo Fit Trainer gameplay.
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Okay, that's it. Ren, who is this pussy and when are we jumping them?
Ren Amamiya:
-Fuck, just stop already. Ryuji, we all know how bad you are at Rash Toes. Look at what Alibaba did to you. Shit, look at what Yusuke did to you. Just accept it.
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Eh, I'm out. I'll prove my skills another day. Just you guys wait. And you better have a username for me to type in within a week, got it?
Unknown Number:
-Yeah, or else your hairline will recede even more from the stress.
Ryuji didn't respond. Ren figured he'd have to slightly apologize for what Futaba had said, but it wasn't even that bad. It was just a playful insult that hit Ryuji's weak spot. After that, well, Ren wished he hadn't read after Futaba joined the chat.
"Was that necessary, Futaba? What's he done to you?" Ren asked at the door.
Unknown Number:
-He talks a lot of shit over Rash Toes.
"How would you know?"
Unknown Number:
-I've seen his gameplay.
Wait a damn minute…
"How? He doesn't stream, and Rash Bros doesn't automatically record gameplay. How would you have seen it without playing against him?" Ren knew he was on to something, becoming more and more confident as he verbally put the pieces together.
Unknown Number:
-No comment.
"The only person I know that Ryuji goes back and forth hard with is…" Ren paused for the dramatic reveal. "…Someone named 'Alibaba.'"
Unknown Number:
-Took you long enough.
"Huh. What a small world. So why won't you talk to me in person, here, but you will over game chat?" Ren asked, excited over the revelation and that he was finally making progress.
Unknown Number:
-In-person interaction is weird.
"Would you ever consider talking with me face-to-face?"
Unknown Number:
-For the right price.
"Futaba…" Ren chided, reminding the girl that he was attempting to be serious.
Unknown Number:
-Maybe.
"And that would take…?"
Unknown Number:
-Idk, don't rush me!
"I get it. We can just keep meeting like this for a while, alright?" Ren asked in conclusion. He considered the night successful, as he had learned that he was actually closer to Futaba than he thought and the interaction with Ryuji may have made her trust Ren slightly more.
Unknown Number:
-Play Rash Toes with me, tho?
"Sure, we can play Rash Toes. Just message me when I'm online. Or Ryuji. I'm sure he'll be eager to prove himself."
Unknown Number:
-Yeah, right. First, he's gotta prove himself against someone decent before he can even comprehend playing me.
"I'll be sure to tell him," Ren said. "See ya, Futaba."
Unknown Number:
-Bye, Ren.
Thursday, 7/7
Order dissolved as each student of Kawakami's class began changing seats so that they were with their partner for the final project. Ren and Ann stayed where they were seated, with the only adjustment being Ann turning around and holding her phone towards Ren so he could see.
"I made the poster the other day when I was bored," she explained as Ren looked at the screen. It was a simple, large green poster that featured various drawings and photos relating to Lord of the Pies. It also featured excerpts from their written dissection of the book.
I'll never think of Lord of the Pies in the same way after learning that it is also a porno.
Ren had little artistic skill, and he also had contributed nothing to the poster, so it wouldn't be fair to critique it. Even if it was fair, the poster still looked pretty damn good. "Looks great. You could've asked for help, you know."
"It's fine," Ann dismissed as she put her phone back in her pocket. "You had Ryuji's birthday thing or whatever it was, and I had a lazy Sunday."
"Oh. Well, thanks."
"Have you memorized your part of the presentation yet?" Ann asked as if she had done so.
"Er… no," Ren guiltily admitted. Ann was carrying the project on her back and he was riding her coattails. "I was going to memorize more of the general concepts of what I was saying than memorizing the exact writing. Easier that way."
"Duh… no way anyone is memorizing three pages of that stuff," Ann agreed, making Ren feel relieved. "Just don't be a total mess up there and we'll do well. Final projects are never graded that harshly. It's just something for classes to do in the last weeks of a semester instead of studying the whole time. The teachers really only care about the exams."
"Figures. You been studying?"
Speaking of, I should definitely be doing more of that. I need to score highly, or else Kobayakawa will not be happy.
"Eh… kinda." Ann didn't sound the slightest bit confident about her answer. "I'm just relying on my English grade to carry my score into average territory. You?"
"Here and there… Makoto came over and helped study for a bit."
Ann made an interested face. "Yeah? Did you two study hard?"
A little surprising to hear that from Ann instead of Ryuji. Actually, no. Ryuji would just flat-out ask.
"Woah," Ren said with a chuckle as he defensively held his hands up. "A Residing Lord of GRAVY-esque Goodness never kisses and tells."
"Holy shit, you di-"
"But there can be no telling without any kissing," Ren sneakily interrupted.
Ann laughed. "You dork. And I can't believe you're still going with that whole Residing Lord of a subpar gardening club thing."
"Kobayakawa did tell me to strengthen the club. I gotta remind people of my power to keep the club spirit alive."
"Hah, sure," Ann said before segueing. "Speaking of club spirit, we should get the group together again. The fireworks festival is coming up on the eighteenth. The girls and I could wear yukatas, you and the guys could try and be gentlemen for once."
"Hey, 'gentlemen for once?' The fuck are you talking about?" Ren responded, though not angrily at the accusation.
"Name one thing gentlemanly that any of you three have done."
"Uh… I let Makoto stay at my house?"
"Doesn't count; group idea."
"Um… fuck, you got me."
"Oh, and what was the last thing you guys did together, just you and the other guys?"
Finally, an easy question.
"Ryuji's birthday dinner."
"And where was that?" Ann further pressed to cement her point that she had already gotten across.
"Random diner in Shinjuku."
"Bullshit. Don't think I didn't recognize the walls of Mandy's Maid Cafe."
Man, how the hell does she know that?
"How do you-"
"Had a gig at that place to promote it. Nice bunch of girls. Did they sing you the song?"
"Okay, that's enough. I'd rather not have the maid cafe trip become common knowledge for all of Shujin."
"Did they sing you the song?" Ann persisted, a playful smirk on her face. Ren knew she wouldn't let up until he answered.
"…Yes."
"Hah! Nice. Okay, do you wanna send the text to the group about the fireworks festival, or should I?"
"You do it. It'll guarantee that Ryuji comes."
Ann laughed, shook her head, and took her phone out. Ren got the message half a minute later.
GRAVY
Ann Takamaki:
-How does the fireworks festival on the eighteenth sound?
I wonder if Haru will respond. It'd be strange for this to be the first thing to respond to if she was able to, and it'd be even stranger if she just randomly got her phone back after a few days. Fuck, I hope she replies. I haven't been able to find her, so who knows what's happening.
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Sounds like an effing sweet night!
Knew it.
Yusuke Kitagawa:
-It sounds interesting. Perhaps the visuals could spark inspiration.
Makoto Niijima:
-I'm also interested. It's been too long since I last went to one.
Too long? Doesn't nearly everyone go to these annually? Even in my hometown, everyone would go. I'll have to ask Makoto why.
Ren Amamiya:
-Sounds fun.
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Just "fun?" Ren, this is a Tokyo fireworks festival. Think of the food! Think of the fireworks! Think about the YUKATAS!
Yusuke Kitagawa:
-Shall we wear yukatas?
Ann Takamaki:
-Ofc! It'll be fun to see everyone dressed up.
Makoto Niijima:
-I agree. We've never seen each other in yukata before, so the change of clothes would be interesting.
Ren Amamiya:
-Great. So, fireworks festival is on the 18th. We can figure out the finer details later, but try to dress nicely. Everyone down to go?
Makoto Niijima:
-Yes.
Yusuke Kitagawa:
-I will attend.
Ryuji Sakamoto:
-Eff yeah!
Ann Takamaki:
-Yep.
Ren waited a few seconds just to make sure the last person was truly missing. With no response, he concluded his wait.
Not surprised. Just disappointed.
Ren put away his phone and kept making small talk with Ann
Ren opened the door to the roof. While he did have reasons to come to the roof, such as watering the plants and checking for Haru, he also planned on eating his lunch on the roof. It was isolated, and there was a low chance of anyone actually going up there. Pretty much the only people who would go up there during lunch were GRAVY members, but there was still a low chance of even that happening.
To Ren's pleasant surprise, he wasn't the only one on the roof. Also, judging by who it was, Ren would be too busy talking to eat his lunch.
It was Haru. She was dressed the same as ever, the only difference being that she seemed tidier, if that was even possible. Her clothes were perfected, with no visible creases. It was a bit jarring to see the girl so well put together after what Ren expected her to look like: tired, and slightly disheveled.
I guess I forgot that it's still Haru. Of course she's going to dress nicely.
Haru hadn't noticed Ren. She was busy watering the plants. If she had heard the door open and close, which she most definitely had, she didn't show it.
Maybe it's only her appearance that's been perfected. Oh fuck. I am not good at this stuff. Ren, do not fuck up. Do not fuck up. Please, I'm begging you, don't fuck up.
"Hey, Haru." Even saying hi was a balancing act that Ren couldn't make a mistake doing, at least he believed he couldn't. Being too outgoing and cheerful would give off the impression that he wasn't considering what Haru was going through. Being too melancholy would give off the impression that Haru was making him feel like shit.
If there's one thing I've learned about Haru, it's that she doesn't like burdening others. She wouldn't even tell Ryuji and me her last name when we first met, and she has barely even expressed how she feels about Sugimura. No shit that she doesn't like him, but she hasn't gone deeper than that. Not that she has to.
Haru turned, a surprised look on her face, which had her usual makeup that had as much effort going into it as her outfit. The same couldn't be said for the failed smile that she gave Ren. "Hello, Ren."
Can't blame her. Smiling would be tough if I was getting forced to married a weasel.
"Could we… could we talk?" Ren said cautiously, before quickly adding, "Over there, at the desks?"
Haru looked in the opposite direction of the abandoned desks, towards the view of the city. For a few seconds, she held that gaze before sighing. "Of course."
Oh… she doesn't want to talk, does she? Dammit, Ren. You already fucked up. Even worse, backing out would be like fucking up to the second power.
Haru and Ren both approached the desks. Ren felt bad about seemingly rushing over to the desks, so he slowed his pace to make sure he got there after Haru. They both sat down. Haru looked at Ren a few times, her gaze going back and forth between him and the view of the city.
How do I open this? Fuck it, just say the safest thing that comes to mind.
"I'm guessing you got your phone taken?"
"That's right…" Haru confirmed. Her gaze was still on the city, giving her voice a disconnected tone.
"Shit… I'm sorry… everyone's worried, you know."
"Hm…" Haru didn't even seem to consider the idea, mostly just filling the blank in the conversation for Ren to speak again.
"I think we're going to the fireworks festival together on the eighteenth. You should come." Ren had not anticipated that she would be this difficult to talk to. To be honest, he didn't even anticipate he would be talking to her. He hated himself for doubting, but after not finding her on his first roof-check the other day, he didn't think he would ever find her there.
"I'd like that."
"So you'll go?"
"Well… I don't know," Haru said as her gaze turned to Ren. "I can't leave."
"Shit, sorry… did that apply to attending school for a bit? We couldn't find you the other day."
"It did. I only convinced Father to let me go so that I could complete the semester. I won't be attending after summer."
Does that mean that the wedding is during the summer? Aw fuck.
"I'm… that sucks, Haru."
"I was hoping to spend time with you guys at school, now that I'm here." She focused again on the view, and her words didn't sound like she meant them.
"You want me to text the others to come up here so we can do lunch together?"
"I don't know."
"Are you su-"
"I said that I don't know," Haru repeated, sounding slightly frustrated now. Ren couldn't understand why, as the girl had just said that she wanted to spend time with the others.
"Haru, I could just send a-"
"No, Ren!" Haru turned back to Ren with not only frustration in her eyes, but tears. "Every time I've brought up the marriage, it only makes everyone feel horrible. I can see it on Makoto's face. She knows that there's nothing she can do. I know that there's nothing anyone can do." Haru said, the tears welling in her eyes. She brought a hand to her eyes to wipe. "Maybe you can come to the wedding," she spitefully remarked as if she was reminding herself what was coming.
Well if Makoto can't think of anything that can be done… no, Ren, that's admitting that you lose. That's admitting that Haru will get married. You can't do that. You have to try something. GRAVY has to try something. We can't give up on Haru, even if she asks us to. Easier thought than said, considering that she probably will get married… fuck.
"Haru…" Ren trailed off. He had nothing to say. He couldn't lie to Haru, nor could he even lie if it was to benefit her. Maybe this was what she wanted for him. Maybe he wasn't supposed to tell her that things will be alright. "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry, Ren. I'm sorry for joining the club. Now everyone will have to see me getting my life taken away," Haru said as she let out choked sobs.
Okay, fine. She's crying. Just fucking lie to her, Ren. Like you do to everyone.
"Haru, you won't have your life taken away. Look, I'm sure there's something we can do to-"
"Ren," Haru interrupted to silence him as she wiped away more tears. "Thank you for saying that, but empty words are just a waste of time."
"I'm… I'm sorry…" Ren knew that he was an idiot. All he could do was apologize to a girl who was getting forced into what was going to be an abusive marriage when he was supposed to be helping her. Makoto would probably hate Ren if she saw what he was doing.
"Ren, please, just accept it. There's less to worry about that way, and everybody's lives are easier if you don't have to think about me." Haru was back to staring at the view.
Ren couldn't say anything. He couldn't do anything to help the heiress, nor could he say anything to change her mind. All Ren could do was follow Haru's lead and accept that the marriage was inevitable.
Ren laid in bed on his phone. He thought about the conversation with Haru, if he could even call it that, and realized that he needed to tell Makoto. Not telling her that he had talked to Haru would be stupid, along with worsening the relationship between the two. Ren navigated to his messaging app.
Ren Amamiya:
-Spoke with Haru today.
Shame washed over Ren as he briefly relived the conversation.
Makoto Niijima:
-You did? How did it go? What did she say?
Ren Amamiya:
-Too much. The marriage is happening this summer, but I didn't get a date. She had pretty much accepted it. I tried to change her mind, but fuck, I couldn't just sit there and lie to her.
Makoto Niijima:
-Ren… you wouldn't be lying to her. We can't let her marry that bastard.
Ren Amamiya:
-You're right, but what the fuck can we do? Call Hajime Sugimura's campaign line and file a complaint? Makoto, even when I got to Tokyo, the marriage was still probably inevitable. The time to act on it passed way before I even arrived. There's fucking nothing.
Makoto Niijima:
-Ren! We have to stay positive about this!
Ren Amamiya:
-I'm sorry, but I can't. I can't lie to her. I can't even lie to myself about it.
Makoto Niijima:
-How do you think I felt about Kaneshiro?
Ren Amamiya:
-Makoto, what?
Makoto Niijima:
-Horrible. Like I couldn't stop whatever was coming my way. But you told me it was going to be alright. You comforted me.
Ren Amamiya:
-I lied to you and you knew it. I could see it in your eyes.
Makoto Niijima:
-But you said it enough that I did believe it. By the time I fell asleep next to you, I thought I was going to be alright.
Ren Amamiya:
-Ok… but this is different. None of us are seeing Haru often enough that we can just bash lies into her head until she believes them.
Makoto Niijima:
-No, but the least we can do is be optimistic with her. That would make a little difference, right?
Ren Amamiya:
-I don't know.
Makoto Niijima:
-It will. Ren, we're going to speak to Haru tomorrow, together. We'll at least bring her mood up.
Ren Amamiya:
-Ok. I'll see you then. I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Makoto. Thanks for the pep talk.
Makoto Niijima:
-No need to thank me. Just help with Haru and do well on your exams. Goodnight, Ren.
Ren put his phone on his nightstand and went to bed.
Friday, 7/8
The bell rang for lunch. Ren dreaded going to speak with Haru again, but he had already agreed to go with Makoto. Ditching her would be a tremendously douchey move, and leaving Haru to sink on her own would be even worse. Even if Ren believed he was unable to do any good by speaking with Haru, the feeling he would get from abandoning her would be worse.
He stood up from his desk and began to walk towards the door. He planned on going to the roof again, assuming that Haru would be there to water the plants. Makoto had agreed to do the same. A from Ren's left voice made him stop halfway to the door.
"Amamiya-kun? Could you please come here?" Kawakami asked from her desk. A few of the students who were leaving let out a few whispers, wondering what the transfer student had done this time. Ren wondered the same.
Shit. Did I do something recently that would warrant this? Eh, probably. Better to get this over with. I should send a quick text to Makoto that I'll be late.
Ren Amamiya:
-Going to be a few minutes late. Kawakami wants to talk.
No immediate response, but Ren didn't have time to wait for one. Kawakami was expectantly looking at him. He finally approached her desk after all the time he had wasted. "You called?" he asked in a mildly annoyed tone, letting her know that he wanted to get this over with.
Kawakami glanced around the room a few times before she opened her mouth to speak. "Have you been studying? You haven't asked for help."
Dammit. This is really what I'm going to be late for?
"I've been studying, with someone my age, actually," Ren joked.
"Ren, shit, Amamiya-kun, do I need to remind you that I'm your teacher and you can't speak to me like that?" Kawakami chided.
"You probably do need to remind me. It's hard, pause, to remember you as my teacher when I also ordered you as a maid."
"Hey! Don't bring that up here!" Kawakami immediately ordered.
"Okay, sorry. You can relax about me studying. I'm working with Makoto on it."
"Niijima-san, huh? Well, I guess that's good…" Kawakami trailed off, her eyes rapidly darting around. Ren couldn't read the teacher, but he could tell that she was thinking of something. "I'm still willing to study with you, you know."
"I'm fine, thanks. Can I go?"
"Amami-, fuck it, Ren, could you just think a little harder for once? Do I have to say it directly?"
"Uh… excuse me?"
"Dammit… um, well, I kinda need money. If you order me from the maid service, I get some money, you get extra help studying. It's a win-win, right?" Kawakami explained, almost a little desperately.
This was not what I was expecting. Shit, at least this is easier than getting anywhere with Haru.
"Um, sure. Does…" Ren considered his schedule for a few seconds before continuing, "Sunday evening work?"
"Yeah, that's fine," Kawakami immediately said. "Sorry that I have to ask you to do this."
"Don't worry about it."
That's a lie. She definitely should worry about it. Asking your student to order you from a sex worker service not once, but twice is some serious shit. Honestly, it'd be way easier to just blackmail Kawakami with the maid stuff into giving me good exam scores, but that'd only work for her class. Eh, whatever. I probably shouldn't be considering blackmailing her anyway.
"You may go, Amamiya-kun," Kawakami dismissed.
Ren nodded, turned away, and left the classroom. He headed through the halls, a few students lingering and checking their lockers, and made his way up the stairs to the roof. As he reached the top, he saw Makoto, reading through a notebook, waiting in front of the rooftop exit.
"Hey," he said to get her attention. "Sorry I'm late. Thanks for waiting."
"What did Kawakami have to say?" she asked as she put her notebook away.
"Not much. Just asked if I was keeping up with my studying for finals."
"Oh. Good of her to check."
"Yep."
The two fell into silence, despite knowing exactly why they were there. The stronger-willed of the two broke the silence. "Ready?" Makoto asked.
"No, but I won't ever be."
"Alright. Let's go talk to Haru," Makoto said as she pushed the door open with Ren following behind her.
The dark walls of the factory provided little light for Akechi as he maneuvered across the platforms. He had just come to a section of the palace where the floor would occasionally drop out, among other traps. It took as much effort as swatting a fly, but it remained a hated activity for Akechi. Making his way through the palace was the worst part. He was expected to be as efficient as possible, and that required skipping the fun part. Humiliating shadows before executing them was just too time-consuming and had to be left out. Instead, Akechi had to stealthily make his way through palaces. With extra energy conserved from sneaking past shadows, Akechi was usually able to kill a palace owner within a day. Two was pushing it, and three was unheard of for Akechi.
But now, as Akechi skillfully moved through the dark halls of the factory, he considered leaving early. The portion of the palace he was in was left in complete darkness. Perhaps it was the palace ruler's cognition that their deepest desires were undiscoverable.
Akechi always thought that it was funny how confidently incorrect one becomes when powerful. This palace ruler's deepest desires were nearly the opposite of undiscoverable. The only thing stopping them from becoming general public knowledge was the massive influence exerted by the people behind Akechi. It allowed the palace ruler to act on those deepest desires, as well as get others in on the "fun."
Ugh. The thought of what the palace ruler had referred to as "fun" when previously speaking with Akechi disgusted him. Most people he worked with and for were despicable, but this one was a bad apple amongst a rotten bushel. His rot even spreads to the others within proximity. Akechi often had to do cleanup for the victims of the palace ruler, most of them too innocent to provide pleasure in killing them.
But it didn't matter anymore. Of Akechi's memories of the past few years, receiving the new assignment had been a highlight. He looked forward to tearing this man's shadow limb from limb. He was pitiful trash with the least self-awareness possible. It wasn't his behavior that mainly put him on the naughty list, no, it was his political aspirations that did that. Plus, there were bonuses to eliminating him. The man had become too ambitious for his own good, his name was too known, his abuses too costly and numerous to cover up.
The factory had yielded few interesting tidbits to Akechi. Occasionally, when he would come across some truly sick fuck, their palace would be filled with what many would consider tragic stories. If Akechi weren't so busy, he could make a living off of selling these stories to film studios.
Maybe not. The stories always ended in the palace rulers getting shot and dying a horrible death.
Horrible deaths were Akechi's specialty. They acted as a reward for the monotony of sneaking his way through a palace. Inflicting the most brutal death possible was where the real challenge came in. Now more than ever, there was pressure to make the death memorable. While the last one had been a mere warm-up for greater things along with being a statement, this one was where things began to matter. Making the death stick in the public consciousness was important to both plans, and important to Akechi being adequately rewarded, which was basically guaranteed at this point.
And he would be paid. And praised. And given whatever he wanted from those he hated. And maybe get Amamiya to finally pay attention. Kaneshiro's death had been one thing, but a second death with close proximity to Amamiya would hopefully spark something within the teenager; a feeling of being in debt, Akechi hoped. Kaneshiro's death must've felt coincidental to Amamiya, but another figure imposing over his life dying so gruesomely would alert the teenager that something was happening.
The fact that Amamiya hadn't been more curious over Kaneshiro's death, at least when conversing with Akechi, baffled him. Perhaps he was unfocused because of the many events that had occurred. Takata's admission of guilt would've confused anyone.
Hell, it still confused Akechi. He hadn't even been able to speak with Takata about it. The former volleyball player followed a perfected schedule: go to school in the morning, leave in the afternoon, get home, repeat. He never left the house, except for school, and Takata's mother had declined all requests from Akechi to speak with Takata. The possibility of using the metaverse to learn anything was also ruled out, as Takata's shadow still proved elusive. No palace, no place in Mementos, nothing. Surely the guy who kidnapped a girl to sell her into prostitution had their own corner of the metaverse.
Perhaps not, Akechi dismissively thought as he kept going through the dark factory halls. He decided to think harder about the palace ruler's imminent death to distract himself from the thought of going home to his apartment and going to sleep; his only escape from the brutality of his job. He didn't dislike said brutality, but the weightlessness he felt as he woke from sleep was incomparable to butchering the innocent.
Jumping from the bridge? No, the moment will be missed. Maybe the body won't even be found. What if…? An idea popped into Akechi's head. It would bring enough publicity along with being one of the most striking things in recent Japanese history. Perhaps it would even be a wake-up call for the herds. That'll do.
Akechi kept moving towards his goal, now with a smirk on his face.