The Mask Shatters
Gaiden
Ichisake Miyara
"Behold… The life of another through their eyes…"
Author's Note
Howdy y'all. Long time no see. Where have I been, you might wonder?
Well. It's a long story. A story full of stress, hospitalization, and a promotion at work. I'll just cut it like this: I got promoted at my job to a full time management position in November of 2022 (Which I am currently maintaining at the time of writing this) and the stress of it, combined with the stress of my homelife and the stress of other factors hospitalized me for a while. That and the fact I am a full time manager now, I just haven't had the time to even think of this story. At the time of writing this, I haven't had a day off for a full month. But I won't give up on this story, this I swear. We will see this through. :)
This chapter has been sitting on my GDrive for a while now, so I'm gonna publish it and resume writing Chapter 23. Thank you all so much for your understanding and your patience, and it will be rewarded. This I swear.
"...And without a confession, Inaba Police have realized they've hit a stump."
The television chanted as Ichisake passively watched on with some level of vague, obscured interest, allowing it to echo and circulate throughout the quiet, empty living room like a phantom presenter. Darkened, dim lights focused in on him from above, idly illuminating the throw pillow in his lap, the stylus in his hand, and the tablet held aloft in the other.
His eyes were sharpened, and his mind silent, as the news reporter stood outside the local precinct with a microphone in hand and a dull frown that vaguely spoke to Ichisake. And it said: "I couldn't care less about what I'm reporting on."
Nevertheless, he listened on as she spoke, highly interested and curious as to the outcome of the recent murder that has been on everyone's mind.
No less Ichisake's.
"While locals, enraged by the sudden theft of life and dumbfounded by law enforcement's dead end, take to the streets for the fourth time this week to demand justice, both Public Security and the Inaba Police Department simply cannot prosecute their suspect due to substantial evidence proving that they weren't even in Inaba during the time of the murder…"
Ichisake blinked, and for a moment he was silent as the reporter mentioned the victim's name - a name that meant nothing to him - but then came a sigh as he hummed out a response. "Huh…" Ichisake huffed, finding himself disappointed in the verdict. "Could've sworn he did it…"
This murder that has plagued the small, sleepy town of Inaba has been the subject of many a-debate and many a-sleepless night for everyone. No less Ichisake and his family. When they had arrived, they had already found themselves under scrutiny by both locals and law enforcement.
Ichisake's grandmother herself having been the only reason they are currently free of suspicion, with his grandmother being a pillar of the community.
Ichisake sighed, stretching his arms out for a brief moment and basking in the warm air as his bones popped in response to the strain before he reached out towards the nearby remote, finding himself completely done with and over the recent depressing news.
"...And with all suspects and leads exhausted, Police are skeptical and - dare I say it - beyond doubtful that the murderer remains within Inaba." She added, with Ichisake noting the small vigil being held in the background. He could faintly make out a picture of the victim placed silently and respectfully upon a makeshift epitaph. It seemed to be that of a young police officer in their formal wear. Short, pixie blue hair and sharp gray eyes that spoke of nothing but intelligence. Around the epitaph were candles, illuminating the dusk over Inaba, and finely picked flowers of blue and gold.
He lingered a moment, watching the background carefully. Police Honor Guards stood by, keeping the epitaph safe, with cars lining the streets and many of the attendees seemed to be on the verge of tears.
Including a tall, blond, thuggish-looking boy.
Ichisake cocked his head, finding himself rather surprised to see such a tough looking individual on the brink of emotional ruin.
"But if one thing's clear:" The reporter said, finalizing her broadcast. "It's that, for now, the murder of Detective Naoto Shirogane goes without its justice."
Ichisake nodded, knowing full well that many people in this world go without the proper justice they deserve. Yet, he also knew that there wasn't much many could do about it. The police did their job as far as it could go, but even they had their limits.
Ichisake knew this well, his parents being law enforcement professionals themselves.
From there, he sat alone in the dark.
His parents and grandparents asleep upstairs.
With only the light from his tablet illuminating his presence.
But the news report had set him on course for depression, and he could no longer stomach the idea of working on his little side hobby.
Glancing down at his photo workshop, and at the image of a samurai from an anime show he would watch when he was younger, he shook his head solemnly and quietly powered the device down, wondering aloud: "What would Arthur say in this situation…? Oh, yeah!" He coughed into his fist, attempting his best to summon a proper Arthur impression. "She's just another statistic in the end, man."
He tried chuckling, but there was nothing funny about this situation.
Instead, he was more curious if Arthur was even following the story online. He knew well that Arthur had found himself in deep trouble with the yakuza back in Tokyo - something that worried Ichisake to no end but in the same vein, he tried to not think of it - and he also knew that Arthur hadn't the time as a result to really do his own thing for a bit.
Exactly what Arthur has said in his texts as of late - that he only has time to go to school and come home. Himura, his guardian, seems to have him on a tight leash at the moment which, even to Ichisake, isn't completely unfounded.
But even so, such unfortunate news only emboldened further Ichisake's dissatisfaction with the status quo.
"Ugh." Ichisake huffed, slowly standing to his feet. "There just doesn't seem to be any good news these days…"
The day was a rather inopportune day for Ichisake.
Rain was pouring.
Lightning was thundering.
The wind was blowing.
Such a small town in the middle of nowhere, but it didn't go unnoticed by the elements in any capacity.
However, it was a minor maelstrom compared to the one Tokyo suffered from not too long ago.
Even so, Ichisake's parents - being the law enforcements officials they were - felt compelled to aid the local authorities however they could and left early in the morning with both their credentials and side arms in tow.
They were gone before Ichisake even woke up, having learned about their departure from a note left by his grandparents.
The latter of whom had decided to leave as well in order to pay their respects to the fallen officer, Naoto Shirogane.
"I wonder if they knew how bad the weather would get…?" Ichisake asked himself, standing idly by the glass-paned front doors of his grandparent's humble abode. Arm resting against the sturdy glass, his face pressed firmly against it, he hummed as he watched this act of God blow everything aside. "This must've been what Tokyo got… I can only imagine how bad it was there…"
He huffed, stepping back from the door. Suddenly, his stomach grumbled. He could only shake his head dimly as he realized then that he also hadn't eaten since yesterday morning.
"They could've taken me to see the memorial, at least…." He grumbled, striding his way away from the door and towards the kitchen. "Although, I didn't know her and they probably did… " He thought further, putting a finger to his chin as he pondered upon it. Then, with a wave of his hand, he turned away and shook his head. "Ah, whatever."
Looking around, it was clear to Ichisake that, despite his being alone with a small storm raging outside, he could keep himself occupied for the current time being. His grandparents, being a well off couple living the upper middle-class life in the hills around Inaba, had plenty of things around to keep their grandson busy.
Such as a plasma television in the spacious living room furnished by a gray and black sofa, crimson diamond rugs and darkened oak furniture such as a bookshelf by the front door and end tables by the sofa and an equally dark rocking chair in the farthest corner - a small little throw pillow tossed casually upon it.
Even glancing at it all, Ichisake could barely see a difference from here and his home back in Tokyo.
Walking into the kitchen, it was pretty much the same as home. Appliances lining the walls, a gas stove with a sleek retro design all around and finished off by various old-style paintings. Both western and eastern in origin, with there being an old painting of a starry night sky that Ichisake himself felt slight awe when his eyes fell on it.
But aside from all that, it was much like home.
And much like home, he was left to his own devices.
Grunting, he crossed his arms in a combination of both boredom and slight disappointment.
"Hmm." He hummed, tapping his foot as the pitter-patter of rain interjected his thoughts. He cast a side glance to the windows, noting the sudden thunderclap that sounded off and shook the building. He remained still, however, and his thoughts drifted to his parents. "I hope they're alright…."
Throughout this whole trip, he hadn't spent even a single moment with them. They were always out and about, whether it being shopping for their elderly family or aiding the local authorities however they could, be it in the ongoing investigation or even checking on people during the current inclement showdown between the sky and the earth. But to Ichisake, this was normal. His parents were always busybodies, since the day he was born he was left with others or even sometimes by himself.
His grandparents, on the other hand, spent as much time as they could with their grandson, and for this Ichisake was very grateful to have them. They were pretty high up in the age bracket, in their late 80s with there only being a three year gap between the two. Like his son-in-law, his grandfather was at one point a police officer for the Inaba Police Force, and his grandmother a stay-at-home mother. But now all she did was be a stay-at-home wife.
But even so, they loved their grandson with all their hearts, and it was apparent to even Ichisake, who at times felt neglected by his own two workaholic parents.
Board games, sightseeing, stories. They did it all, and had even bought Ichisake a new tablet that he could mess around with during his downtime.
And what did his parents do?
Absolutely nothing.
Ichisake's stomach growled, and he couldn't help but grunt with discomfort.
"Hmm." Ichisake hummed, an idle hand drifting towards his stomach. "I could sure use a bite…"
His grandparents were kind enough to allow him to use the kitchen as he saw fit, so grabbing a hanging pot and filling it with water, Ichisake had decided that some ramen was in order. He filled the pot halfway before retrieving some noodle packages from the nearby cupboard. Opening it, he couldn't help but look in awe of how neatly stacked and organized everything was.
A stark contrast to the room he called his own back home.
Returning to the stove, he cracked the noodles in half on his knee before setting them to the side, pulling his phone out of his pocket and leaning against the counter as he waited for the water to reach its boiling point.
Scrolling through his phone, ignoring the games and a mematic app, the technological news weekly and the video sharing services, he found himself staring at the texting thread he shared with Arthur Williams, his new best friend back in Tokyo.
Ichisake, once again, was filled with worry for his friend upon reading over the last few texts they had passed back and forth a mere few days ago.
To anyone, this was a norm. Not everyone shares texts with one another every single day of their lives, but to Ichisake, Arthur was his only real friend. He tried to text Arthur every day he could, but sometimes his texts would either not go through, or Arthur wouldn't answer.
Or, for the most part, he would. Just with a huge delay that would sometimes span hours or even a full day.
Ichisake sighed, scrolling up through the texts as the breath parted ways with his lips. He was an otherwise closed off individual, avoiding the gazes of his peers and hiding the fact that his family were members of law enforcement. Embezzling the information out of fear that the other students and, maybe, even the faculty would further exclude him from society. To the public, he was what was called a "nerd". Tech savvy, in love with memes and drawing, and drawn to the more occult aspects of the social norm, such as the Phantom Thieves.
This "earned" himself the ire of many students, who saw him as an easy target. Bullying was inevitable. But when word came out he was a child of law enforcement officials, that bullying, thankfully, came to an end.
But with that came a further sense of exclusion from everyone around him at school , a new loneliness the likes of which he had never before seen.
Even now, he remembered it well. The distance everyone put before him, the lone meals in the cafeteria, the idle gazes of those who thought Ichisake was a "snitch", and much, much more.
At least when he was still being bullied, he was spoken to and interacted with. Granted, the words were filled with venom and he was approached with malice within the hearts and minds of many upperclassmen.
This went on for years, from the middle grades to the final years of school, until one day, an American arrived at Shujin.
An American with no history, nor knowledge, of Ichisake's parents' involvement with the police. An American with no knowledge of Ichisake's pastimes, interests, or even his history. An American with no knowledge of the local occult business taking Japan by storm.
An American with no reason to dislike Ichisake in general.
Ichisake saw the potential to end his loneliness.
And what surprised him was how easy he won over Arthur.
He figured, when he met Arthur, that Arthur would turn out like everyone else. Even more so, with the rumors that Americans were an arrogant people. But it was a pleasant surprise to see that Arthur was, in a way, like Ichisake. An outcast, unfairly judged by the others over the words of another, and extremely knowledgeable in many things Japanese. It was even a well-regarded surprise to see how fluent he was in Japanese, but Ichisake always determined that Arthur was more of a "weeb" than he let on.
It sounded horrible that Ichisake was happy Arthur turned out the way he did, and in a way Ichisake agreed that it was. But in the same vein, he was not just proud to call Arthur a friend, but also happy that he finally found camaraderie within a school of cutthroats and sharp tongues.
Camaraderie that he wouldn't trade for the world.
But in that same vein, he quietly feared what would happen when Arthur would eventually return home to America.
Would Arthur remain in contact with Ichisake?
Would he come to visit?
Or would he just forget about Ichisake?
Would he return to the company of, as he described, his ne'er-do-well friends?
Would he return to the company of therapists and an awful homelife?
Would he forget all about the friendship that he's maintained and nurtured, and was he only friends with Ichisake out of sheer convenience? Once upon a time, Ichisake had friends like that: People who called him 'friend' because it was convenient for them, but never stuck around long enough to actually become friends. They might as well have been imaginary for how seemingly present they were in his life.
He sighed, crossing his arms in place as he thought up all these questions.
And, of course, for now, he would receive no answers.
And instead was only met with the silence of the kitchen, plagued quietly with the sounds of boiling water.
He looked over at the pot, realizing quickly that the water was overboiling.
But he didn't move.
Instead, he simply gazed back at his texts. Worry and, to a sense, and overbearing sense of anxiety overcoming him.
Quietly, he told himself:
"I hope Arthur is alright…"
Post-Chapter Author's Note
Edited by Frozen Foe and Kabuto S. Inferno.