Author Notes: Hey just thought I would do a strange hello to anyone who plans to stay around for the long haul hope you enjoy the story. Going past this point I will be posting probably about a chapter either every month or twice a month. However don't quote me on that yet as I am finding my sea legs on this one once again. Wish me luck, and definitely leave reviews if you liked it x3.
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Persona 5: Alternative
Chapter 2
Everything felt so stiff, and cold like a snowy fog entering a graveyard consuming the light of any comfort. Hina felt a shiver of unfamiliarity attempt to rattle her awake which she resisted at first until she tried to move. Something was latched to her leg producing a disturbing jingle sort of sound disallowing her to bury further into the bed. As the sound of dripping water started to commence a sudden change of tone could be felt in the room.
With confused eyes, she finally lifted herself off a cold, and unforgiving mattress attached to a side wall-chained plate of metal. The rush of realization that this was not the hotel room took her breath as she fully awoke within an instant falling off the bed in her panic as she looked around. Her surroundings were now that of a prison cell, and attached to her leg was a menacing ball, and chain. Positioning herself up she noticed her attire was that of black and white tatters.
Hyperventilation quickly took in. How had she been made, was her uncle alright, when did they catch up? Thousands of questions flooded her mind each more compromising to her ability to breathe as the next. Panic, and fear set in as she rushed for the bars slamming into them with an animalistic scream. She didn't deserve this, not for something she hadn't done. She was about to ram herself against the bars again before a baton smacked across them making Hina's grip fail to hold as she fell backward at the sight of a deep yellowed eye woman with a menacing smile sneering at her.
"Such a barbaric animal of society that you can't even use words to speak? Rather bash against your cage would you little rat," a very piercing giggle of contempt escaped the lips of a woman dressed in a rather contradicting matter of police garb mixed with a punk rock aesthetic. Her pants were cut clean' and tailored to that of a prison guard in blue yet above the belt it was anything but authoritarian a design. Dozens of spiked bracelets slung over her wrists & forearms, nails with metallic claw-like wire art, a bright blue tank top barely modest for such an environment painted with deeper blues creating an emblem of anarchy among tattoos. Matching & continued its design on her skin, and most of all wildly spikey black & white striped-like hair with the left side front corner buzzed off. She was nothing like how she should look almost as if going completely out of her way to not match her apparent position as she held tightly to the baton she had used to scare Hina. However, what held the prisoner's gaze was the guard's disturbing single left yellow eye while the right was covered with a foreboding eyepatch.
"I shouldn't be jailed for something I didn't do. But you have done enough to deserve these bars haven't you," a voice that at first mimicked Hina's perfectly yet it had light sounds of static as if a record from an old vinyl player. The voice turned into a more monotonal reverb as down there in the levels of Hina's floor embraced across the bars kneeled to the ground another woman rather identical in physicality to the punk girl staring at her with no emotion to Hina's predicament.
On the other side of being way too dressed in blue frills of a dark blue dress coming off like a hauntingly disturbed psyche ward inmate, she carried with her a strange book of sorts. Her legs were laced in long boots reaching almost to her knees with velvet-covered laces. Her arms were almost completely engulfed by the sleeves of her dress with belt-like latches hanging off the ends. The torso, and skirt of the dress were so heavily, and tightly garter belted it was questionable to say if her pale complexion was natural, cosmetic, or a lack of being able to breathe. Her face was heavily cosmetic giving her an eerie but undeniable beauty in strange light to her one yellow right eye to her sapphire lips. Her hair was straightened out completely though matched her counterpart's black, and white striped theme.
"I..." Hina at first had felt fear that turned to frustration yet as she climbed back up returning to height... she couldn't deny the weight of the question asked. Thus for a moment felt a form of shame as guilt took over yet she stuffed it away just as quickly clinging to the bars at the bottom in frustration. She had done enough to deserve these bars by society's means, but screw society it didn't care about her, it didn't care about anyone at the bottom. After all it was what deemed her a random chip to play at anyone's leisure. Yet in some fashion of refusal, she grabbed further up the bars giving both girls a hostile glare. Though she couldn't give voice to it there was still that sign of resistance that refused to surrender to a false claim. Yes, she had done bad things, but that gave her no right to be robbed of a life by a false charge.
"Yet with all that whimpering you plan to stand tall... seems you might have some rebellion worth ironing out," the punk warden smiled all too happy to see the hostile stare from Hina as the Goth warden followed in the same motion Hina's climb back up.
"If you are willing to weather the storm past your sins it will make perfection your rehabilitation," the monotone voice jabbed again causing Hina to wince at the realization of her judgment. This time, however, she had some ground to finally argue back.
"Everything I've done is just to survive if my crime is to live then your DAMN RIGHT I'll push back. SO YOU CAN TAKE BOTH YOUR OPINIONS AND SHOVE THEM UP YOUR ASS CAUSE YOU DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME," Hina finally vocalized in anger seeming to earn a wider grin from the Punk Warden, and somewhat of a eerie look of acceptable turnout from the Goth Warden. A resounding solo clap filled the air as the snowy fog started to clear past the supposed twins revealing a circular room with cobblestone flooring, and a circle of likewise jail cells around it. In the center though was a lone desk with a few small things akin to parchment, and a pen laying out a jail booking table. A blue feather pen, next to a sapphire lamp revealed a long-nosed strange individual whose clasped hands seemed to be amused by Hina's response to the right of existence.
"Trickster... welcome to my Velvet room," the long-nosed oddity of a hunched man dressed in a blue suit spoke with a deep voice causing the twins to take the form of an official at-attention stance before about facing away from Hina taking a step away from each other to be at the ends of the jail door that held her captive.
"The you in reality are currently fast asleep you are only experiencing this as a dream," the Goth Warden spoke insanity dripping with each word into Hina's mind. what kind of acid-induced dream was this was she at the cusp of a mental break?
"You're in the presence of our master stand up straight inmate," the Punk Warden hissed slamming her baton against the door to get Hina's full attention.
"Welcome, I am delighted to make your acquaintance. This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room that only those that are bound by a "contract" may enter. I am Igor, the master of this place remember it well," the man spoke with an odd wide smile as he rested his face against one of his hands. "I summoned you to speak of important matters. It involves your life as well."
"How about you let me out of this nightmare dream, and stay out of my life cause I haven't signed on to any psychotic contract you think I have," Hina yelled out having quite enough of this dream, and madness induced by it her pause only lasting as long as the man's nose to which had caught her off guard momentarily. She didn't give a damn what they wanted any more she wasn't meant to be here, and she wouldn't be a prison of her mind of all things. It was what was to follow that would finally gain some manner of silence from her though.
"Still, this is a surprise... the state of this room reflects the state of your own heart. To think a prison would appear as such, you truly are a prisoner of fate. In the near future, there is no mistake that ruin awaits you," Igor spoke surprised by the form of the room. Was he suggesting that Hina had made this "Velvet room" willingly her prison? That she was locked up by her state of emotional affairs? Hina couldn't find the words to counter or chastise the claim as she now found herself in some strange form of doubt that Igor was wrong. At the very least the last bit confused her.
"What do you mean ruin? Are you trying to warn me that I'll get caught? News flash you already got me in a cell pretty sure I am caught as can be?"
"No, I speak of the end to everything. However, there is a means to oppose such a fate. You must be "rehabilitated". Rehabilitated towards freedom. That is your only means to escape ruin. Do you have the resolve to challenge the distortion of the world," Igor asked nonchalantly causing Nina to abnormally calm down as if taking in her bizarre dream a bit better than she had been. With a calm mind for a moment she answered.
"I rather avoid distortion... and that nose all the same," she expressed.
"Then allow me to observe the path of your rehabilitation," this caused the twins to about-face again in perfect unison turning back to their prisoner as Igor ignored the jab causing Hina to squint her eyes in annoyance at her inability to shake him up.
"Ah, pardon me for not introducing the others. To your right is Clow: to your left Wysteria. They serve as wardens here."
"Hmph, try and struggle as hard as you like," Clow sneered smugly.
"The duty of wardens is to protect inmates. We are also your collaborators... that is if you remain obedient," Wysteria warned with zero sense of tolerance it seemed as her one eye dug into Hina's mind.
"I shall explain the roles of these two at another occasion," the two again about facing away from Hina as she tried to decipher what the hell her mind was trying to tell her with this dream though Igor seemed to give some means to an end from this madness. "Now then, it seems the night is waning... it is almost time. Take your time to slowly come to understand this place. We will surely meet again, eventually...," Igor suddenly faced upward as the chains of what sounded like a jail call rang causing Hina to look up in confusion as Clow turned to her.
"Times up. Now hurry up, and go back to sleep little rat," Hina in her frustrations, and confusion pulled against the bars about to ask many questions yet the snow blue fog arose... and her consciousness slipped with it.
~A month Later: April 10, 2016~
"Well... aren't I just a mess," Hina spoke... no Masami... spoke snarky to her reflection in the mirror at her new appearance, and identity. Messy dark green hair terribly ironed out via lack of experience, a medical face mask freshly hooked onto her ears to better help keep discretion. The worst bit though was the intensive bandage wrap care that couldn't be seen that downgraded her two cup sizes threatening to freaking choke her to death as the girls felt like water balloons ready to pop. The mask would also help keep up the false sickly image of a girl with a weak immune system.
She could handle it though it wasn't the worst part like pretending to be of another name. It had been a month since everything had transpired, and try as her uncle might there was no escaping as Hina Oygi was still hot on the police force's mind in Japan. Along with no real amount of money to leave the country that meant they had to ride out the statute of limitation on assault: Three Years. That meant to her uncle she would need to have a normal new school life in his area of residence the choice being one of some caliber called Shujin Academy. It had a good sleepy yet solid reputation and was in a well-populated area for Masami to phase through without being noticed.
As she finished getting her school uniform on she felt annoyed by the strict red-black skirt/black clingy pants combo wearing requirement over her usual baggy pants. Though the top was kind of cool with the black vest over a long white shirt was nifty enough. With her light blue medical face mask on she sighed turning to her attic of a room.
Her uncle wasn't a wealthy man he didn't even own a house, but he did own a small jazz/coffee shop called The Sloop William named after a deceased foreign friend of his. It had an unused rather cluttered/messy attic with a spot that a small twin sized bed was able to fit against. She had thought about cleaning it up originally, but she had avoided doing so in hopes of something popping up to change her situation... nothing had, and now she just avoided it out of gloom. Picking up her backpack she jumped on the railing of the stairs riding it down as she jumped off next to the beginning of the booth seats on the first floor.
The layout of the little shop was pretty simple upon entering it on the left side, a row of booth seats for casual goers just looking for some chill drinks. The row ended at the stairwell leading up to the doorway to the attic. On the left was the L shape bar where all the magic happened with a few steel welded seats next to it for those wanting to chat up the bartender, or wanting faster service for the blues. Behind those counters are numerous shelves, a small snack freezer, and a big fridge along with some cooking stands. For the more adult clientele, a locked cabinet filled with spirits was used as ingredients for her uncle's more unique blend drinks. From the front view further on the right was a a bit of a more open spot filled with tables, a dance floor, and some raised flooring for a band to play on. Masami smiled remembering constantly back when her father had brought her around to visit how her uncle would regal them about Ryo Kawasaki having one of his very first gigs at the shop.
Her parents... no one had heard anything of them in the month since. Masami still felt the gut-wrenching abandonment... she shook her head. They made their choice after all that emotionless delivery sealed it. She noticed a sticky note on the door as she headed to leave. It was her uncle wishing her a special first day at school, and to not worry about any such thing. Yet it also reminded her to keep her head low and be a normal student. Nodding in acknowledgment she headed out into the springtime sun flipping through her phone to remember her train route. She was however interrupted in the process noticing a weird app on her phone a red, and black color scheme with a star-studded eyeball. Having no recollection of what it was she immediately deleted it as she closed the door.
The train ride wasn't bad surprisingly she had even caught a seat spot upon entry. The view of the surrounding area was a nice breath of fresh air from her stuffy attic. A lot of things had been on her mind, but for today all she had to do was survive a day of school, and in all honesty that was a nice change in of itself. Getting off at her first stop she was quick to run a bit around the Shibuya train station. The next train wasn't for another fifteen minutes leaving her with some time to try out some street vendor Takoyaki. As the city life hustled about she was able to nab some very quickly making her venture back to her station easy until a bit of an alley scene bleed out into the street.
"Come on. A pretty thing like you doesn't need to be so down in the dumbs looking like yesterday's trash. Hangout with us we will pamper ya right," a thuggish-looking boy spoke chasing after a bit of a bum girl dressed up in an oversized work coat with matted jet-black locks and humble hazel eyes trying to avoid and get away from the trio of boys trying to pick her up. The girl's eyes shifted fast trying to find someone potentially anyone to assist her eyes locked on to the passing-by green-haired Masami.
Nope. Not getting involved with that keeps heading forward into civilization. The wannabe thugs they would give up, that was what quickly crossed Masami's mind as she edged away from the scene quickly aiming to get distance, but the girl started to tail her gaining some annoyance from the boys real quick.
"What the hell? What gives? Who the fucks that," the thuggish boy yelled out now showing signs of irritation as his once attempting-to be charming façade waned. Given no interest was received by the girl, and now atop that any further attempt was lost to some random passerby.
OYE GO AWAY I DON'T HAVE ANY TREATS. Don't just follow someone else, and ignore them, THAT WILL TRIGGER THEM TO NOT GIVE UP, Masami mentally screamed realizing the girl was now acting like a heat-seeking missile launched to get her in trouble right out the gate of her first school day. Unfortunately even with Masami's flawlessly effective speed of walking the girl caught up to her like a bullet latching onto her non-Takoyaki carrying arm as the pissed-off thug approached.
"You don't know know how to appreciate a great off... GAHHH," Right as Masami could see the doom of fated ruin trying to fetch her soul out of existence an unopened soda can came hurdling right into the thug's face. Indenting hard into his cheekbones he sidestepped out of pain. The two girls paused in their flight as did the wannabe thug's goons as everyone was very confused very quickly.
"WHO THE FUCK THREW THA... GAHHHHH," As the thug reoriented himself during his demand for knowledge another boy wearing without a doubt a Shujin Academy outfit came jumping from the side delivering what was without a doubt a Superman punch. Straight across the jaw of the thug, the build-up to knocking him clean off his feet sent the thug right into the brick wall toward the alley. Upon a loud impact the thug slowly slid down to the ground in agonizing defeat as the two cronies, and the girls watched the reveal of their... "Savior". A white-haired stubby ponytailed boy with a few spikey streaks around his temple turns to the villains before making a circle with his hands lifting a foot to slam it to the ground extending a wide open palm towards the thugs.
In the madness of the display, Masami could feel the girl's hand latched to her slowly slip off in both confusion and awe at the deranged show in front of them. Yet when reality kicked back in the girl ran away into another alleyway leaving Masami alone to deal with the aftermath. No... please... take me with you, quickly came to mind as she could only fathom what insane thought this psyche ward escapee who without a doubt had stolen a Shujin academy uniform planned to do going forward.
"Did you just... hero pose," Masami asked still trying to register all that was happening. Yet her question was ignored as the albino boy gave his full attention to the "villains".
"Time someone took you pieces of trash to the curb. Prepare to face the wraith of the Makage," the new boy with red eyes spoke with a high air of confidence followed by the wild smile of someone who had pulled a combo off they had not expected to work. Masami could now see past the façade this boy was carrying way over with his lucky shot that was about to send him plummeting hard.
"Let's fuck him up," one of the two goons said as both the wannabe thugs rushed him.
"WAIT NO YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO COME AT ME ONE AT A TIMMMMMMEEEEE GAHHHHH," and as Masami had figured the boy's reality check came full circle as the scene did not play out as it had in his head. Both of the wannabe thugs rushed each side of Makage grabbing/lifting him by the shoulders before slamming him down hard into the concrete knocking the fight right out of him. The two then proceeded to kick him repeatedly until a phone tone interrupted them.
"119 what is your emergency," the police teller asked via Masami's phone speaker. The two wannabe thugs immediately sweated bullets before bouncing as quickly as possible grabbing their bro in the process as they hightailed it out of the scene dragging the unconscious wannabe thug in a panic.
"Sorry false alarm... I hate wanna-be thugs," Masami politely spoke to the teller before hanging up and returning to her annoyed snarky tone. Makage as he seemed to call himself was getting back up albeit a little slowly. Masami wasn't about to help him up though he had chosen this life, and by golly, she was going to let him collect the bruising result he earned.
"Hey? A tip of thanks for your rescue," Makage joked verbally showing pain via wheezing sounds as he looked at her rather rude attempt to leave expecting some form of thanks. Masami turned back to him rubbing her temple in annoyance as she decided to make this quick.
"Here's a tip. Acts of heroism are moronic. Especially if you expect a delusional sense of reward, or you know can't win the fight," Masami rather coldly incanted to the boy now up on his knees. Her own prior experience made her a bit more jaded about the act at hand.
"Jeez, I was just trying to help you..." Makage quickly found himself interrupted.
"No, you were trying to help that vagabond girl who rather moronically instead of heading into a populated spot nabbed me into her problem. You just happen to be stupid enough to jump in willingly into someone else's business," Masami criticized before turning around again heading off before Makage in his daze of unexpected ungratefulness suddenly launched out in retaliation.
"Never met such an unappreciated, abandoning people in need, morally directional challenged, inflated bag of mangy mosshead before," Makage jabbed verbally, and rather surprisingly halted Masami's departure. The girl was a seasoned pro when it came to getting under people's skin, hell it helped a lot with her long, and short cons. She had been raised to have iron-thick skin, but now in that moment somehow... that boy's mundane insult had triggered her as she turned around, and rushed right back over to him immediately jabbing a finger into his chest.
"What did I just say about picking fights you can't win you desperate, attention-wanting, girlfriendless, CHUUNI," Makage's face immediately was struck with a look of verbal impalement as the comments hit a little too close to home. The surprise of brutality though quickly turned to irritation as he stood up pushing away Masami's jabbing finger coming toe to toe with the face-masked girl.
"DOUCHENOZZLE."
"ASSHAT."
"THOT."
"CLOD."
"JADED MASK BREATH."
"PRI... wait what," Masami halted her next insult as her brain processed the last insult tilting her head in confusion. Makage went wide-eyed in a panic realizing his last attack was a dud, and an extremely bad one as his mouth was left a bit a gap. Masami held to her confusion not sure if she should continue, and finish him... or just let him retreat in pity.
"No wait I mean... ya you... um... Ja...," in the stupor of his brain trying to reengage the battlefield upon finally formulating something his right hand had raised upward as if to bring the verbal smackdown, but instead smacked the Takoyaki right out of Masami's hand. One particular spice-powdered ball slam-dunked right into his right eyeball. There was a moment of silence as the two simply looked at each other Masami watching the sweat build on Makage's face trying not to break his bravado. He was annoying, and a hopeless fool... but Masami had to admit he had some impressive moxie to hold his ground this long.
"Are you o...," Masami flinched as the boy screamed dropping to the ground and rolling in all directions as his eye seared with the pain of a thousand suns. As quick as she could she pulled out the water bottle that had come with her purchase immediately kneeling down. Attempting to drown him she splashed his face with the bottle contents trying to help before the alarm on her phone caused her to panic.
"Shit, shit, shit. ENJOY YOUR DELUSIONAL REWARD," Masami bolted yelling the final jab as snarky as one could be to a boy kicked down towards the train station which was responded to in a gurgling resounding:
"FUUUUUCCKKKKKK YOOOOOUUUUUU."
Seriously talk about a freaking dodge of the day, Masami's tolerance for other people's issues was now at its cusp. More annoyingly she had never experienced someone getting under her skin like that. Must have been his sheepishly benign sense of how he thought everything would go in some insane TV show way. Ya that was it she was unnerved cause he was insane. Dear souls, she hoped they weren't going to be in the same class.
As she got off the last stop Shujin Academy was a sight of pure bliss ahead as she knew nothing could go wrong from this point. Starting her trek she noticed a few students coming along ahead, and behind... finally something normal just a casual walk to school. That was until the rain started to come down. Quickly the students started to scatter in all directions seeking shelter as did Masami to the front of a bookstore.
"Oh come on the news said there was no chance of rain," Masami hissed pulling out her phone in frustration as she had left her umbrella at home. Right before she could access the weather app she paused noticing that weird red, and black-eyed app again.
"Not now," she immediately deleted the invasive app wondering if her phone was corrupt as she just let her hand droop in frustration. Turning to her left she noticed some of the TVs at the window playing some news.
"EDM DJ Acid Heart's out of nowhere second new album collection "Brewing The Storm" just hit shelves to high sales right out the door. This up-and-coming talent really took many in the music industry off guard upon her "Meteor Impact" album on the scene last year as EDM has seemed to be the current youths' generational music of choice. Most think she is a fade hiding behind a boxcar shying away from the spotlight known only to appear at raves, and music festivals apparently unannounced. This has caused her to be condemned by many musicians for her odd behavior in the industry," a showing of a lime green raindrop designed box vehicle with numerous neon lights blaring off it was a known staple of how Acid Heart appeared to the public. Masami herself was a huge fan of the artist and her unusual methods of musical expression. The TV went on about a scheduled special interview with one of the music industry folks who would reveal why she would crash and burn.
"Speaking of rising talents. The modeling nemesis duo of the piercingly beautiful, and powerful GOL-Den along with the exotic alluring, and mesmerizing Gleicia are at it again. Clashing in the fashion world of Shibuya causing yet another wave of girls, & women to vote with their wallets for the new spring fashion outfits lined up by Goddess Sip," Masami's interest declined rather quickly. Fashion left a weird taste in her mouth. On the one hand, it kicked the crap out of your wallet to just bite you in the ass with people thinking you wanted their attention rather than just wanting to be pretty. On the other, it extremely could annoy you to death with how quickly it changes on you. Making you feel like you're in a sack of potatoes a month after buying said outfit. She liked neither version of the problem and thought those obsessed with it to be insane.
"Imagine those three coming together for a photo shoot. The magazines would have to be airlifted by the truckloads," the newscaster's supporting anchor joked causing some chuckles.
"Oh this just in a freak wave of rain is reported to be rolling in so hopefully you were the cautious type today."
"Oh? NOW YOU MENTION IT ASSHOLES WHEN I AM ALREADY TRAPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF IT," Masami yelled a bit violently raising her fists up in the air.
"Um... do you want to share my umbrella," Masami with a bit of a jolt, and embarrassment at her display turned to the wellspring of a soothing springtime fairy. A voice garnering to a girl that immediately floored by the concept of youthful beauty. So smooth, and well-taken care was the girl's skin that it almost dazed Masami's mind as to what steps were needed to reach such levels of skin care.
Bushy yet wavy at the same cosmic sunshine-colored pigtailed hair brushed effortlessly to the sides. The new girl's bright sky blue yet notably sleep-deprived eyes gave worry to Masami's silence creating a strange air of warmth from the girl's aura. Realizing she was probably staring intensely Masami shook her head at the awkward thoughts flooding her mind as she softly rebooted her brain. Of course, feeling like she was looking at a creature taken straight out of a fantasy novel Masami strangely found her attitude a bit aloof now as if all prior misgivings were naught but a thing of the past.
"I would be very much in your debt," Masami embarrassingly admitted with a hesitant voice rubbing the back of her neck.
"No worries we first years got to stick together right," the girl smiled sweetly with pearly whites. A glance of the girl's blazer coat revealed she was a Shujin High School first-year like Masami.
"Ya... why not," Masami chuckled smiling back as the two headed out back into the rain under the safety of a violet umbrella. The trek was a bit silent though as the rain continued to hammer against the umbrella the youthful girl started to hum of all things Acid Hearts' "Brine Halt" song. Masami rather taken aback by such a sweet, and innocent angel being into such a music type started to hum with her in a cute little moment as the girl's sleepy appearance seemed to brighten up to the kindred spirit of a fellow fan. As the two made it to the school's overhang the violet umbrella was relieved of its duty.
"So... I am kyaaa," before she could properly introduce herself right as she had her umbrella almost tied up she accidentally hit the button on the handle causing the umbrella to expand back out spraying the two girls with the water they had originally evaded. Masami held a blank expression, as the beautiful girl looked red-faced from embarrassment.
"A ditz," Masami concluded reverting to her snarky tendencies, slapping her hand over her already masked-covered mouth not having meant to blurt out the slip-up from her brain. The girl stood there taken off guard by the comment before bursting into laughing which quickly infected Masami burning away some of her pent-up stress as of late... this was nice. As the two calmed down with other students looking at them in confusion as they passed by the girl reattempted her introduction.
"Second time is the charm as they say. I am Tsukara Machiki, and I would totally like to be friends," Tsukara expressed rather forward with a ray of sunshine of a smile over their goofy moment. In actuality that really was what Masami could use about now. Thus with her snarkiness in check this time she was about to accept before an interception came in hot in an unexpected form.
"Masami Ogawa correct," a rather tall, and very well up kept 3rd year student with short slicked-back silver hair and hazel eyes perfectly protected by a thin pair of glasses. From the moment he had walked past the automatic doors, Tsukara seemed to flinch with a bit of conflict on her face. Though the 3rd year noticed her as well donning a face of concern almost reaching out a hand for her instead of comfort this caused Tsukara to run past them both heading deep into the school without a word.
"Yes. That's me," just like that the gentle normal moment was gone as Masami immediately played to the character she was given her voice now a bit more worn down as if straining against a constant up, and down life. Her body language was more loose like someone used to having to rest a lot. The perfect image of an easily sickly girl, and thankfully the older classman was none the wiser.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you two. In-house quarrel," the 3rd Year sighed rubbing his chin wishing that hadn't been how he had been blindsided by Tsukara. Were they a couple? To be fair first years getting with 3rd years wasn't unheard of. Yet his ability to give a simple answer was appreciated it was hard to decipher any further knowledge from it.
"Am I in some sort of trouble," Masami asked with a curiously concerned voice as to why someone would be already hunting her down name in hand.
"By no means. Your transition was just so last second that the Student Council was also tasked with giving you a proper tour during today's morning assembly. Normally this would be more of Agata's, or Chiyumi's dealing as they are better socializers in one on one. Unfortunately, they were pretty busy last night with preparations so I wasn't going to stress this on the last second. So as your Shujin Student Council President Kajik Sato, I will see to it you're given an honorable tour," Kajik explained bowing politely to welcome Masami to the school. In kind, she bowed back as he motioned for her to follow him in. He had quite the air to him even with something so personal seen by an outsider he wasn't rattled just kept things professional. Quite the skill that was as most would be embarrassed.
Not even a minute in, she again felt above the safety line. This was first-rate treatment appreciatively, but again it had the potential to be notable as well which was what Masami hoped wouldn't continue to be a pattern. Part of her wished this could have been traded for what she had almost worked out with Tsukara, but it wasn't her right or business to dig into it via a proxy.
Thankfully the tour was pretty precise and clean. Kajik only gave brief explanations not wasting time with minor or boring details, but halting for any questions Masami had about the faculties. The brown wood floors with white lines to control student traffic, the red lockers indented into the walls to save space, the white top and gray bottom hallways, and even quite a few vending machine hangout spots made for a rather chill yet elite atmosphere. There were even blue billboards to accent the school events, clubs, and future activities all polished and neat. Had her uncle not informed her it was a sleepy location she would have believed it to be a high-ranked school. All in all, it was a solid building with a solid structure as things were kept simple amongst the three floors. Though on their way back via the walkway on the second floor, Masami decided to comment.
"This place seems rather a high standard for a regular school," Kajik nearly halted dead in his tracks causing Masami to take a left step to avoid crashing into him. From that moment of dodge, she was able to catch a moment of a dead stare at the flooring almost like a frustration yet as he turned to her it impressively morphed into a soft sigh of knowing.
"You have a good eye about you. Truth be told four years ago this school was known as a top contender in Japan's elite school program. Even being on par with Gekkoukan High School on Tatsumi Port Island. Unfortunately, it hit a run-in with many high-standard public school program problems and got bogged down by everyone wanting their kids to succeed from lower schools. Yet, you fill a ranked school with lower scoring students... and it tends to drag the name, and credibility through the mud pretty quick," Sato explained to which the logic made sense to Masami good parents would want their kids in an environment that could raise them up, but if you overlapped the skilled with the unskilled the operation instead was dragged down to the medium level of the common grade.
"We were even almost graced with an Olympic gold medalist for our Physical & Health Education Teacher a few years ago. Fortunately, which you may have seen on the news a while back we dodged a rather messy bullet. Though that was the type of pull Shujin Academies standards once held to," Sato mentioned to which Masami was sure she knew who he was speaking of, and in agreement. It was thankful that creep got thrown into a cell before harming potentially a whole student body.
"Shujin Academy still holds in positive regard, but the astute purity of its weight is definitely in recovery," Kajik said this time with a confident smirk as if he knew something that others didn't.
"You make it sound like it is about to turn the tide," Masami questioned.
"Last year we saw a massive spike up in athletic victories, awarding musical venue reviews, a rise in proper club activities beneficial to real word prep, and even our overall high-grade standards returned promptly where they should be. To say craft full culling of excess waste took well off the disease would be an understatement. All of us in the student council last year took prominent action to evaluate what are fellow students were up to, and what was wasting their time, and attention. For our efforts Principal Kobayakawa has even been informed the Board of Learning plans to return to reevaluate and reinstate Shujin to the Elite School Board program. Thus as you can imagine we're pretty invigorated in the Student Council to make the right calls to bring back the schools worth in full force," Kajik expressed with a prompt, and visible sense of success at his hard work put in last year. While Masami had a bit of a hard time keeping up with what he was passionately about it did seem he put his heart, and soul into solid results. Probably one of those people she would hear about in the future in a high position in society. The very type she felt unsure how to feel about it, but from the sounds of it the Student Council was an important part of this school aiming to help out it sounded like wherever they could. That was a positive program for sure.
"Of course, that doesn't mean there isn't a bit of trimming left to be done," Masami could immediately hear the unexpected hint of seething annoyance well laced in the respectful tone now in Kajik's voice as his attention turned to the end of the hall.
Following his gaze Masami's view landed on a rather tall, and somewhat broad girl with long dark blue hair tied up into a rather intensely tight bun. Notable though not at the same time was the closer she got to them the more Masami started to notice quite a few makeup-covered scars via the sunlight shining in. All over not just her face, her hands, and if it wasn't for her long skirt probably her legs as well. Masami had only caught the signs of the cuts due to her using such tricks before in her work with her parents anyone else would probably be none the wiser. Her mere presence held an unnerving aura of sorts the type one would feel from a real threat, but it was rather self-contained a feeling almost as if only an outer layer to much more.
The element of animosity was equally shared as the girl strikingly another fellow first year like Masami held a look of blank intent not giving what Sato was suggesting. Further in thought the vibes of distaste, and hostility were clearly in the tall girl's light brown eyes as she held intense eye contact with Kajik the whole walk past. Near the middle though where Masami would end up between the two the tall girl gave her a glance studying her almost concluded in what felt like... concern unexplainably. Once she was past them Sato spoke up.
"Hopefully not late again on your first day Akiyama," Sato asked with almost a dagger ready to inject visible in his words to which the girl raised her hand showing a hall pass from her teacher. Kajik gave a notable tch in response. She was gone as fast as she was there, but the impact held. Was she a delinquent Sato clashed with a lot? Akiyama as she had been called unquestionably held the physique and presence to be a Sukeban which Masami had the displeasure of meeting quite a few, but something felt different in the air with this girl. Nevertheless, she was gone as quickly as she had arrived.
"Lot of girl trouble in your life," Masami joked hesitantly not wanting to be left with the weird aftertaste of the scene which caused Sato to gain a look of surprise before he laughed, and shook his head.
"No just the two. One which I am happy to have, the other not so much," As quick as he had answered he also derailed further inspection cleverly to avoid further question.
"Agata, our Vice President is the real deal for girl problems, "poor" boy is rather popular, to say the least. When you meet him don't be surprised if he lays the charm on fast, but know it's not the bad kind. He's just naturally charismatic as it were in all things he does. It's why I trust him so much. We've been through a lot, and understand how things go really. However, if Akiyama gives you any trouble or tries to get you to do anything let me know alright? That goes doubles for Agata," Sato summed up this Agata with a smile as a clear distraction, but from it, she could tell Sato held strongly a positive view of this other boy's capability. Again it was rude to push further on the subject of Akiyama just like with Tsukara, and honestly, she just wanted to steer away from trouble so she nodded in compliance with his request.
"Excellent. All things considered, as long as you strive hard, and show initiative the school will take good care of you. That said Ms. Ogawa let's get you to your class as I am sure Mr. Gomimo would like you for part of his day. The school assembly should be about over so at least I managed to save you from Principal Kobayakawa's tiresome speech," Sato smiled leading Masami back down to the first floor. From everything seen, he was just a passionate achiever looking to uphold the school back to its original glory. It was a bold goal, but it seemed like it was going in the right direction for a noble desire. However, it also meant she would have to be a bit on her toes more than expected holding up her grades, and probably be expected to join a club or sport. That was a worry for another day no doubt.
As they neared her homeroom the sounds of laughter, and somewhat of what seemed to be a mad rambling could be heard by a rather pleasantly eccentric voice. As Sato gave a small knock on the door a calm command for peace was given as Sato opened the door.
"Oh? Sato what do we owe the pleasure," a rather calm yet excited voice sprung from a rather youthful teacher no doubt around his mid-twenties sporting wild Mozart light brown hair with bushy eyebrows above brown eyes, and a smile so fatherly it could make even the most harsh heart feel cozy. Sato kept a rather tidy composure as he politely bowed to the teacher for the interruption.
"I thought you would like to have Ms. Ogawa back before her first official class of the day," Kajik figured as he moved a step to the right to allow the class to see her. With a soft bow to the class she started to enter only pausing in thought as she realized the excited, and funny lovingly sounded class now bore awkward, and hesitant faces. It was like someone had sucked the concept of happiness right out of their souls, and replaced it with a sense of obedience Even the teacher while still standing a ground of excitement seemed less talkative watching Kajik in particular the whole time.
"You're very lucky Ogawa. Mr. Gomimo is known as the most thrilling Homeroom teacher to have at Shujin Academy as well as a college-level History teacher. With that said I have my own classes to attend. Be well," Kajik gave a soft nod to Masami before leaving as the door closed Masami could have sworn she heard a few sighs of relief.
"He's too kind. Ms. Ogawa welcome I was almost worried the seas of Shujin's long-winded halls had claimed you to an abysmal depth. Tell me what you know of Davy Jones," before she could register the oddity it seemed Mr. Gomimo intended to clear the air back to positive vibes to which Masami felt a bit of a whiplash effect to freeze in place causing some of the students to laugh though almost in a cheerful "don't worry he got us to" way.
"Carefully stay frozen too long and you'll be nabbed to the afterlife by the Kraken on your way to the locker. Heh, don't mind my terrible jokes I just love to throw random historical bits about to keep you all on your toes. I promise there are no pop quizzes here. However If you can throw out unusual figures my way from history you might just be able to save your classmates, and yourself from homework bringing about my lecturer's side," offered her a piece of chalk giving her the board to write down her name where the clear debris of others made it evident that the class had been spent introducing, and probably having fun throwing unexpected details their way. Masami though curious of the oddity that took place found herself once again in that nestled comfort zone of normality to which she decided to hold to. Thus throwing misplaced caution to the wind she took the chalk and routed her new name out to this place that would be a part of her life.
"Masami Ogawa, I hope to grow as much as possible with you all," she expressed bowing to the class who gave her back a round of soft warming applause followed by some hellos, and nice to meetcha's. As this was going on she looked around the class seeing no signs of that delusional hero chuuni Makage, nor an empty seat which meant neither was the intimidating sukeban Akiyama in her class. At this moment she had dodged the troublemakers she was aware of for now. It would make things a lot easier mentally if she avoided students like that. With that in mind Masami was directed to her seat as Mr. Gomimo sparingly having held off on official requirements and roll calls until her arrival... she had to admit he was a very inclusive teacher.
"Hey...," a small voice jutted from behind, and to Masami's delight it was revealed to be Tsukara with her blazer hoodie up pulling it back down in delight to see her almost buddy again. Masami gave her a soft smile, and gentle wave yet had to quickly turn back around as her name was called.
As things went on the day fell under expectation normalcy at its finest. The teachers for the most part were pretty solid. Mr. Gomimo the most passionate of the bunch was their homeroom instructor, and their History teacher. Ms. Yoshua was a scarf-obsessed fashionista who jarringly brought mathematics to life via sewing methods of all things. Their Japanese/English Teacher Mr. Ugway had a very Zen method of approaching mixing the two languages in balance to better help those who stressed over English as their second language. Mrs. Myoga a self-taught herbalist gushed about the plant life abundant in their future science/chemistry experiments. Alon with the best fruits and vegetables for your health along with how they could affect your mood via different cooking or prep methods. Then there was the overpowering queen of Caffeine Ms. Jinja their PE teacher to which Masami nearly had an aneurism trying to keep up with the youthful teacher's words as she went over their expected year chart.
As the half day to prep the students for the year, and not overwhelm them right out the door announced its end the school bells rung for the closure of the day. Masami finally started to feel like maybe her uncle's plan was for the better, and with how it was holding good things could even be on the horizon at this rate.
Collecting things from her locker with a satisfied sigh she awaited to see if she could find Machiki to walk home with potentially as they hadn't gotten another chance to really chat since the morning interruption. As she headed out via the backway she would need to take the bullet train home instead of Shibuya station. She was, however, brought to the surprising sight of Akiyama sitting on the steps leaning against a stone pillar while reading a book. Suddenly Masami felt a bit of hesitation as she started to go down the stairs slowly with silently non-existent steps. As she neared the imposing girl Masami could get a read on the book titled "Two Essays on Analytical Psychology" by C. G. Jung... well that was not something you would expect in the hands of a delinquent girl. Well unless they were about to smash someone's skull open maybe, but from the legit look of it she was full on engrossed with it seemingly mulling its contents over.
From her disconnected concentration on the next step, the green-haired girl stepped a bit too fast onto a pebble that triggered it to slip against the watery steps launching it forward downward echoing out load with each step it bounced on. Almost if on perfect queue, her phone dinged as well, in reaction the book that Akiyama was reading slammed shut as she looked up to see Masami. They shared a silent moment of interlocking eyes before the delinquent stood up dusting her skirt off, and taking a step up towards Masami. Looking to see what had executed her life Masami pulled out her phone slowly seeing that damning red and black app once again.
Was this how the day was to end? Being mugged? Beaten for standing between two clashing factions during their stare-down? Getting stabbed for being pretty... okay that last one was weird panic-induced hopeful thinking... BUT IT COULD BE TRUE. Masami was frozen to the spot like a sinking sailor the words of Mr. Gomimo's joke ironically haunting her imagination as she envisioned Akiyama as an almighty tentacle ready to drag her down into the depths. Before the menacing girl's lips could part and start the beatdown commencement a loud voice came screaming in.
"AKIYAMA, SHIRO PREPARE TO FACE DEFEAT AND BECOME MY GAL," both girl's faces went completely blank slate as they almost in unison turned turn to the left seeing a hell of a thugged-out student potentially from another school by the design of his uniform screaming like a wild bull fist at the ready. Bewildered by the very notion of what had just been said Masami suddenly found herself catching the book Shiro had been reading. Masami watched as the surprised blank expression quickly turned into a full-on throttle of annoyance as a pissed-off look took over Shiro's face. As the boy threw his punch all he caught was air as Akiyama simply tilted flawlessly to the left as her right hand catched the front of the neck of his shirt and twisting it as she stepped forward.
"ORRRRRRRAAAAAAA," With the force of a semi-truck Shiro's right knee impacted into the boy's crouch causing the very air to leave his lungs with a face that spat out saliva spelling instant death. Turning in a half circle back towards Masami who now held gritted teeth defied imagination of what the pain must have felt like. Shiro proceeded to throw the boy over her shoulder into the air. Masami's mouth gapped wide open behind her mask upon the sight in pure shock as her face followed the boy's flight like a spinning ice skater nearing the end of the performance before slamming into the grassy patches, tumbling down the school slope, and slamming potentially dead into the gates. During this Masami mindlessly tried to delete the app unknowingly turning it on as it overtook the screen pulling up a search bar.
Now fully flushed with embarrassment at what had just transpired Shiro turned to Masami giving a small ahem before taking a few steps forward composing herself before finally speaking. "Were you at Shibuya station this morning by a Takoyaki stand by any chance," Shiro asked as all the bizarre emotions of everything that took place caused Masami to answer in honesty.
"Ya."
"I owe you an apology, and thanks on behalf of my friend Koyuki. I keep telling her even with her disguises she needs to stay away from those alleyway shortcuts... but her passions for the other "Drivers" get ahead of her a lot," Shiro gruffly responded before bowing in thanks out of now before coming up, and handing her a few yen about the amount of the Takoyaki she had lost earlier that day to that weirdo. Wait was that why she had been on the second floor early? To check on some friends? Masami's bewilderment by the monetary appreciation seemed to have her come full circle snapping out of her stupor. This was about that girl the wannabe thugs were harassing.
"Well, you might want to find some nutjob named Makage. He's the one you should thank. I was honestly trying to avoid it all," Masami admitted unwilling to take someone else's reward for doing a good deed even if done stupidly. That and taking advantage of things, or people was no longer a viable option here as hands needed to stay clean. With that said she offered the money back to a mildly surprised Shiro.
"No. Keep it. You had every right to feel that way it wasn't your problem to bear. Honestly, if she could Koyushi would apologize to you in person. I just appreciate that you didn't pull away leaving her alone, or run making her feel like trash. For that, I do owe you thanks... you must be talking about Imato Makage... I'll make sure to thank him as well. Koyushi had a bit of a hard time remembering him apparently over some unexpected display," Shiro mulled not sure what Koyushi meant by that while Masami was all too aware. Yet the concentration was more on the expected nature of the tall girl. Given all things considered her personality seemed not on a complete wavelength to how she appeared to be yet in complete opposite the way she reacted, and interacted with things seemed to completely match how she appeared. Masami had to admit she really couldn't get a read on the girl. Beyond that though she felt a guilty aftertaste from the way the girl thought, but she refused to have done anything different... her life was too on the line to care for others.
"Masami Ogawa," Shiro gave a confused look as Masami introduced herself out of the blue even bowing back politely the very least of what she could do to alleviate the shame that she hadn't felt in quite a long while... why was this bothering her now? Was the lack of her profession, and detox from her prior activities starting to mess with her?
"Shirome Akiyama...," Shiro responded a tad confused as to what this introduction was about yet before she could ask another voice took part in the scene.
"Really Shiro, on school grounds of all places," from atop the steps another girl with a tired aspirated voice of unsurprised expectation came speeding down with sharp orange eyes, and ponytailed Smoky Quartz hair waving left, and right as she locked eyes past her grey thin circular glasses on Shiro.
"He rushed me, and it was self-defense. You know just another day dealing with good ole Shiro under the Team Kajik Sato banner," Shiro hissed at the second-year student as a small beep escaped Masami's phone.
"I can confirm that he just came in like a wild bull threatening her to date him after he beat her ass," Masami protested only pointing out what happen... why was she getting into others' businesses willingly? Something was wrong she was starting to feel nauseous. Was it her instincts telling her to stop being stupid, and stay behind the line unseen? In truth stepping out just once is what got her into this... her parents... taught her what happened when you acted kind to others... betrayal.
"Akiyama..." the glasses girl started but Shiro interrupted with an unbridled frustration.
"Oh? What is it Chiyumi? Gonna continue to pretend that Shujin Academy hasn't turned into his professional portfolio project? Are we going to ignore the deeds of the last two years, or your betrayal for that matter? Look at that guy he's not even from our school you know since there's no troubled youths left other than stubborn me. Ironic huh? How useful those he got rid of could have been," Shiro spoke with a more calmed tone taking a step towards the more book-smart-looking girl who unexpectedly stood her ground not flinching at Shiro got in her face. Masami now felt uncomfortable as this seemed to be way more personal along with stuff she was completely not in the loop to know about. During the cause at the mention of the school, her phone lightly beeped again.
"Ever thought...," Chiyumi was about to counter but Shiro turned away giving her the bird.
"I originally left that to you. Didn't do me or the others well though, did it? That's okay though their sacrifices built his castle right," Shiro commented walking away causing Chiyumi to close her eyes in frustration... she was holding something back. The boiling point seemed not to be where the smart girl wanted to go as such she left right as Masami's phone once again beeped causing her to finally look at what was going.
"Kajik Sato, Shujin Academy, Castle," Masami read out loud a bit confused about what the hell was up with the app a perturbed ring resounded off causing Shiro to pause and turn back around, and as Masami looked up her eyes went wide as where a small gate once was now stood erect a massive redwood, and black stone wall. Masami slowly turned in a full circle as she and Shiro now seemed trapped in a massive enclosed area where Shujin Academy once was. Shiro herself stood locked in place the breath leaving her lips as she looked up at the imposing multiple electrical rod-jutting castle that stood tall and was constantly being struck by lightning from ominous red clouds circling around a blood-red moon. Reality, had gone right out the door.