Chapter 10

A buzz vibrated in his pocket, breaking his concentration. Yu rolled his eyes as he slowly repositioned himself in his classroom desk so his hand could fish for the phone. It wasn't easy, but it was imperative he remain indiscriminate with the chalk-tosser teaching the class up front. He didn't need another shard of chalk embedded into his skull today. He's got other headaching reasons for being here.

Looking down at the display he could see the sender was his conspirator, Ryuji.

[Ryuji] So about witnesses…

[Ryuji] I was wondering if we could get something outta Takamaki.

Wait, Ann? The girl from yesterday?

[Ren] She doesn't want anything to do with Kamoshida

[Ryuji] I know. Just hear me out.

[Ryuji] I figured it'd be a good idea to talk to someone who knows them.

[Ryuji] Takamaki's BFFs with a starter. A girl named Suzui.

[Ryuji] I tried to talk to that girl during break, but I got nothing.

[Ryuji] That's why we should have Takamaki talk to her.

[Ryuji] Then again, I guess it'll be hard getting her to help us…

[Ryuji] Sorry. Lemme see what else I can come up with.

Man he texts a lot. Maybe broken up to keep it hidden from Ryuji's teacher, but still. Yu looked up to the front and quickly stashed the phone away. The teacher was looking his way.

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Where was he supposed to find Ann? After some consideration, Ryuji's idea had some merit so he was planning to ask her if they could speak. Yet, she left the classroom like a ninja. He hadn't notice she vanished till he was in front of her desk. It's not like he gave up on the spot. There was some searching the school, admittedly half-heartedly, but it proved just as beneficial as calling out her name in central square. Having scornful eyes following him around also wasn't helping much. About ten minutes into the search Yu threw in the towel and headed toward the central school grounds exit. He should meat up with Ryuji to discuss this further. Stepping up to the doors he jumped and stopped hard. The reaction caught the attention of the black-haired girl he hardly noticed in time. His detective eyes instantly appraised her up and down. Bruises littered her face and arms while her leg had some sort of knee press around it making him wonder if her leg was injured. Still, he didn't want to bother her.

Tilting her head, she appraised him as well, "What?" She looked back to the doors behind her. "Oh… I'm in the way, aren't I? Sorry."

"No problem. Are you hurt?"

"Huh? Um, well…" She looked down at her feet, shoes shuffling against the floor as her hands writhed together behind her back.

Must be part of the volleyball team. Seems shy and timid, maybe scared. He shouldn't try and force something out of her. There was really no reason to go down that path. The Investigation Team never pushed people past their comfort zone. Though that may have been because they never actually spoken with victims, so maybe he should?

Before it could get more awkward, she took a closer look at him. "Hm, you don't look familiar. Could you be that transfer student from Class D?"

A change of subject, but he wasn't going to complain. It was an excuse to dismiss the decision. He nodded in affirmation.

"Um, this might not be any of my business, but don't let the rumors get to you, ok?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, I've helped with a similar situation before. My best friend is often misunderstood too, all because of her looks."

Yu pushed in his glasses. Could she be talking about Ann? "Are you Shiho, perhaps?"

She jumped, a little crimson on her cheeks. "Y-you've heard of me?"

"Only good things." Yu smiled. "I hear you're good friends with Ann. I understand her looks give her trouble. Especially with those lies people are spreading. Is she doing okay?"

Shiho looked downcast. "She's coping. I'm pretty sure she's hiding something from me though." A look of shock came over her and she covered her mouth. "I-I'm sorry. I said too much."

"It's fine. I don't spread rumors."

"Th-thank you." Looking away she stepped around him. "Anyway, I have to go to practice… I'll see you around."

"Shiho."

"Hmm?" She paused, looking at him.

"I'm also a good listener." He pointed at his ear. "I can see something's bothering you. I don't need to know everything, but I'll listen to whatever you have to say. If you feel overwhelmed or if no one will listen. Know I will. No judgment. No unsolicited advice."

She smiled, bowing her head softly. "I'm fine. Thank you." With that she left.

He watched her go, heart heavy. Well, that didn't work. At least he gave her the idea. Might as well try with Ann regardless. She'd be better with Shiho than him anyways.

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"Dammit. What the hell?" Ryuji tapped his foot on the ground, arms crossed over his chest.

Yu walked up to their little vending machine corner, appraising his friend. "No luck?"

The blond bashed his fist against the vending machine. "All of 'em kept sayin' the same shit Mishima was talkin' about! Kamoshida had to have told 'em something!"

"I was pushy the other day."

"At this rate… it looks like we'll have to go to him directly." Ryuji looked up at Yu worriedly. "He didn't… talk to principle, did he?"

"He did. They tried a reprimand, but they can't expel me for worrying over a student's health. Might try to come after me later, though."

"Well… better than gettin' thrown out on your ass."

"At any rate. There's no point confronting Kamoshida. He'll just twist it or push it back on us."

"I know." Ryuji dropped his hand, his voice long and annoyed. "But seriously, isn't there somethin' we can do? No way I'm gonna give in like this! You can't think of anything?"

Yu planted his hand on his hip and gazed up into the blue sky, all thoughts reflecting back to Inaba. When he and his friends were in the Metaverse they fought the person's shadow. After beating it the real person accepted their inner self and it vanished. Maybe they could try something like that. "A sneak attack?"

"That'd be fine if we could do it without gettin' caught, but… if we did, we'd be seriously done for. Got another idea?"

"I meant we could go after the king."

"The king? You mean that other Kamoshida? I didn't think of that, but is there any meaning to-."

"I finally found you." That irritate voice sounded familiar.

The teens looked around to no avail, nothing caught their eye. Ryuji turned to Yu. "Did you say something?"

A black cat jumped on the round table between the them. It looked up and opened its mouth. "L-look- I risked my life to help you guys. You two could have at least… heard me out before running off."

"That voice… Is that you, Morgana?" Ryuji leaned over cat, wide eyed.

"Uhg, who else would I be?"

"The cat's talkin'!?"

"I am NOT a cat!"

Yu pushed in his glasses, definitely Morgana.

"This is just what happened when I came to this world! It was a lot of trouble finding you two."

"Wait… you came to our world?!" With an audible gasp, Ryuji leaned in closer looking over the fur of the cat. "Does that mean you've got a phone!?"

Morgana turned away from them and sat down. "You don't need one when you're at my level. I did get pretty lost making my escape though."

"That aside, why can you talk?! You're a cat!"

"How should I know!?"

Looking to Yu, Ryuji waved over at theirsudden guest. "You hearin' this too?"

"Meow?" Yu tilted his head aside.

"This is no time to be jokin' around!"

Ignoring the display, Morgana swallowed. "You guys are… err you're struggling with how to solve this right? I heard you mention something about witnesses."

"Why're you actin' all timid?" Ryuji scowled.

"You know, I could tell you a thing or two about what to do about Kamoshida." Morgana nodded over to Yu. "He was pretty close just a moment ago."

So going after the Shadow Kamoshida was a good idea.

"God, that condescendin' attitude! This thing's gotta be Morgana!"

"You were still doubting me!?"

With a yelp, Ryuji stomped his foot. "Quiet down!"

A heavy sigh emanated from behind the three. Two teachers walked up into the clearing, neither looking pleased,, "We really have to be looking for a cat in a busy time like this?"

The second teacher peered around at the shrubs in the grass. "I just heard a meow somewhere near here. Didn't you hear it?"

"Make sure you check every nook and cranny around." Despite his words, the first teacher didn't sound invested at all.

Ryuji stared at Morgana. "Meow? Does that mean only us two can understand what 'you're sayin'?"

"Looks like it."

"What the hell's goin' on?"

Yu couldn't understand it either. Teddie wasn't like this, so he had no frame of reference this time. Then again, Teddie became a human- or something human-like. That automattically didn't make it a fair comparison.

Recollecting himself Ryuji addressed Morgana again. "Anyways, what you were talkin' about earlier… Is it for real?"

"You're quite the skeptic for being an idiot."

"Hey, tell us more. Then again, this probably ain't the best place." Ryuji looked around, eyeing some of the students talking or reading a book. They weren't near them, but still risky . He snatched the back of a startled Morgana's neck, handing the frantic cat to Yu. "Here, stick it in your bag for now! It should be just small enough to fit!"

"Hey! Wait! Please don't."

"In you go." Yu threw his bag under the cat and scooped it in. He slung it over his shoulder and turned to look over at it. "Com-fur-table?"

"J-just don't hurt me…"

Yu felt his heart stop at the plea. Why did Morgana beg like that?

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On the roof Yu knelt and set the bag down as gently as eh could before opening it with a fine touch. Morgana leapt out, hair standing on end and ominous glimmering beads in his eyes. The non-cat quickly shook himself off before stretching out and sitting down to look up at them.

Ryuji bent down. "You said you know how we can do something about Kamoshida, right?"

Rather quickly, Morgana smiled, nodding. "I-it has to do with what this guy was talking about earlier." He nodded toward Yu. Clearing his throat, the non-cat cat continued. "You'll need to attack his castle."

"What do you mean?" Ryuji scratched his head.

"That castle is how Kamoshida views this school. He doesn't realize what happens in there, but it's deeply connected to the depths of his heart. Thus, if the castle disappears, it would naturally impact the real Kamoshida."

Standing back, Ryuji crossed his arms and looked the little feline over with a skeptical frown. "What'd happen?"

"A Palace is a manifestation of a person's distorted desires. So, if that castle were no more."

Like a flip of a switch the answer popped into Yu's head. "His desires would revert back to normal."

"P-precisely! You sure pick up things fast!"

"For real!? H-He's gonna turn good!?" The excitement in Ruiji's eyes faded. "But… is that really getting' back at him?"

"Erasing A Palace essentially means forcing the owner to have a change of heart. However, even though their warped wants disappear, the crimes they committed remain. Kamoshida will become unable to bear the weight of those crimes, and he'll confess them himself!"

Yu scratched his chin as he scrutinized their newcomer. Morgana has been engaging with Ryuji primarily while actively avoiding eye contact with him. This and the little feline- was that okay to call him- has been acting timid in every interaction where Yu was involved. Did he do something to the little guy?

The oblivious Ryuji looked stunned. "You for real!? That's possible!?"

"And since the Palace will no longer exist, he'll forget what we did there as well. Not only will be able to bring Kamoshida down, but there won't even be a trace of our involvement."

No evidence? Yu's heart froze over.

"That's amazing! You are one incredible cat!" Ryuji laughed.

"True. Except for the cat part!"

Fingers trembling, Yu pushed his glasses back up his nose. A part of him was starting to doubt this. He shouldn't have to focus on leaving no evidence. That means hiding, lying. Crime.

"So?" Ryuji eagerly bent down. "How do we get rid of the Palace!?"

"By stealing the Treasure held within."

Stealing?! Yu's hand crushed into a trembling fist, knuckles slowly paling into a white rage. To stop a criminal, he had to become one? He was trying to get back to being a member of the Investigation Team not inaugurate himself into some cesspool of villainy. Wasn't this going too far? Did he really have to do this? Why was there no other way? Surely if he kept looking, he'll find another option.

"Stealing?" Ryuji voiced the question.

"I'll tell you more once you agree to go ahead with this. It's my most valuable, secret plan, after all. If you want to help me out, I'll gladly teach you. What's your call?"

Yu twitched, his jaw clenching then relaxing. How was this a good idea? Is he sacrificing the last of who he is just to enforce his idea of justice? Of morality? It felt like… going back on what he believes. He fought a giant monster trying to rob people of truth. All human minds would only accept whatever is in front of them. No sense of true value. Wouldn't this be similar. Forcing the 'truth' on someone else? Or maybe this is exposing the truth. There were so many contradictions he couldn't decide.

As if understanding his conundrum, Ryuji shrugged over at him, "Our luck's runnin' dry lookin' for witnesses. Guess we have no choice but to go along."

"…Maybe." Yu bit the tip of his finger.

"Oh, right. There's one more thing I should tell you." Morgana lifted a paw. "If we erase a Palace, there is no doubt that the person's distorted desires will be erased as well. But desires are what we all need in order to survive. The will to sleep, eat, fall in love- those sorts of things."

Yu did not like the sound of this.

"What're you gettin' at?" Ryuji narrowed his eyes.

"If all of those yearnings were to vanish, they'd be no different than someone who has shut down entirely."

'Shut down.' Yu's mind warped, thinking of the twisted corpses hung upside down on roofs and power lines. The whole town of Inaba in an uproar. Murder. A serial killer.

Morgana just continued, "They may even die if they're not given proper care. So…"

"They might die!?" Ryuji snapped.

"W-well, can you just listen to everything first?"

"Would their death be our fault?"

Yu bowed his head, shadows falling over his eyes. "Yes. It would be murder."

Morgana flinched. "A-aren't you determined enough to face those kinds of risks?"

"You expect me to be a murderer?" Yu's cold voice chilled the both of them.

"I-I mean… It's not like anyone will find out."

"There were murders, six years ago. They sound just like what you described. Unknown cause of death. Even today. No evidence, no suspects, nothing. They only caught the killer cause he confessed. Are you asking me to be like him?"

"We aren't trying to kill, we're trying to-."

"What's the difference?!" Yu's foot stomped the ground, causing Morgana to dive down shaking into his paws.

Seeing this, Yu stepped back. "Look, I get what you're trying to say. But… if we go in knowing full well that he might die, and if he does, we have to take responsibility. We would be murderers, regardless of our intentions." As Morgana slowly looked out from under his paws Yu looked away fighting back tears."I've already lost so much, I'm not losing my morality. The only sense of what makes me human. She'd never forgive me."

"What makes you human?" Morgana dropped his gaze.

Yu didn't respond. He couldn't. There would be no point. Who he was thinking of… it wouldn't just be her disappointed. Everyone he ever called a friend, family, they'd all look upon him in horror. He couldn't do that. He was still hoping to reconnect with them someday. If he went through with this, he might as well be someone else.

Ryuji crossed his arms. "Yeah, if we just go around secretly doin' whatever we want, we'd be no better than Kamoshida, and his acts ain't humane."

Clearing his throat, Morgana sat back up. "Isn't this your only option?" The cat shook his head. "I'll come back later. Just… think it over. Please?" He got up and ran away. Leaving the two teens staring after him.

A moment of silence surrounded them, only the gust of wind waving their jackets kept them grounded in reality. With a tsk, Ryuji kicked the ground. "Man, we're getting' all worked up for nothing… Dammit! I'll try and see if I can figure out another way. Come on, let's get outta here." He looked at Yu sympathetically.

Yu nodded, bending down to pick up his bag. He didn't know what to say to that. It felt like they had no other options, but whatever was left of Yu was all wrapped in the sense of right and just. There was nothing that would make him give that up. Nothing.

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Yu stepped out of the train station. All thoughts on getting home as quick as possible for some eye-rest. Maybe clear his head. Everything Morgana told them echoed in his brain like a graveyard bell. A cry from the damn.

"Will you please give it a rest!?" A female voice broke through the general murmur of the crowd.

That voice… Yu stopped and looked over at the girl talking on her phone. It was Ann.

Ann was shaking as she held the phone in a death grip. "I told you, I'm not feeling up to it… Wait, what!? That's not what you promised! And you call yourself a teacher!?"

Kamoshida. Yu stood there, on the fence. This was a private discussion, something he clearly wasn't supposed to be listening in on, but… damn it, she sounded so troubled, he couldn't pass up the chance to learn more.

Ann continued. "This has nothing to do with Shiho!" Yu could hear the phone going dead, and Ann's expression going sullen. "Ah…" She looked at the dead line and crouched down to hug her knees. Her body shivered, and silent sobs began lulling the air. "Shiho's… starting position."

Yu looked away. Maybe he should leave, he got enough information about her relationship with the bastard... but leaving her like this? He shouldn't. He couldn't. With a firm step, and a deep breath, he stepped right up to her.

Startled by seeing his feet, Ann looked up at him and jumped up. "Wait… were you listening?"

"I was eavesdropping." He needed to be honest.

"Haven't you heard of privacy?" Averting her eyes, her shoulders rid up the side of her neck. "…No, I was out of line. Sorry. So how much did you hear?"

"Something about Shiho, your friend."

Ann's gaze left him again, a firm look overcoming the depressed one she had. "It's nothing at all. Nothing." Wiping her eyes, she tore into the station and down the stairs.

Rolling his eyes, Yu ran after her. This wasn't something he could just ignore anymore. Not this time. He wasn't abandoning a victim of all people. Turning the corner he watched her rush down the escalator. He brushed sides with others as he followed, excusing himself as he went. Reaching the bottom, he bolted after her fleeing form as it whipped around a pillar. He didn't see her leave the other side, so she must be resting… or hiding.

He slowly came to a walk and turned around the corner, leaning up against it with nonchalance. She stood there, shriveled up to be thinner. Upon seeing him she growled. "Stop following me… Just leave me alone!"

"Are you okay?" That was all he asked.

Her walls came crashing down, and she fell against the pillar. "Why? Why do you keep worrying about me?" She buried her face in her hands, the dam behind her eyes shattered and the strong voice within her tongue fell into sobs.

Yu bowed his head, he didn't know how to help someone feel better. Not a victim of a crime like this. Despite that he couldn't abandon her. Stepping up to her and held out his hand. She looked up at him, unsure. With a smile, he raised his head with a smile. "Let's go somewhere safe."

Sniffing, the teen girl rubbed the tears under her eyes with the back of her hands. "What the heck? I really don't get you." She sounded confused, but she still took his hand and allowed him to take her away.