HEY GUYS THIS IS KINGNIKEN WITH CHAPTER 2 OF POCKET CHANGE.
REALLY APPRECIATED ALL THE REVIEWS/COMMENTS. WILL DO MY BEST TO RESPOND TO ALL.
THANKS FOR ALL THE KUDOS/FAVS/ALERTS AS WELL.
HERE WE GO!
"Where have you disappeared to Futaba?"
Akira's shoulders tensed as he did best to keep a brisk pace while maneuvering his way around the city's evening throng. He would have preferred to move a little faster but running made no sense in a crowd this thick, he would only crash into someone and delay himself even further.
Every shortcut and side-street would prove invaluable as he made his way back to Shujin.
Speaking of invaluable...
Another glance at his phone had confirmed the fact that Futaba had not yet responded to his messages.
He had contacted the computer genius from the very moment he had gotten off the phone with Tae but she was yet to respond.
That didn't happen very often...
His plan to help Shiho relied heavily on the orange haired girl's skillset so it was a bit worrying that he didn't have his secret weapon at the ready.
The small LED light on Akira's earpiece started flashing as his phone rang. Akira couldn't help the small pulse of relief that swept through him.
He wasted no time in answering the call.
"Oracle."
"Sorry for the delay, I was-"
"It's fine. I'm running short on time. Is the line secure?"
"Of course. What's the situation?"
Akira slipped into an empty back alley, this wasn't a conversation for the public.
"I need you to hack into Shujin's mainframe."
"I did that weeks ago."
Akira blinked in surprise but decided to hold off on that line of conversation until another time.
"If I'm right they're supposed to have one of those new digital fire alarm systems,correct?"
A few seconds passed as Futaba checked.
"Yes, it was installed eleven weeks ago."
"Can you trigger it?
The sound of Futaba's mach speed typing echoed over the line.
"Let me see...I could trigger it for the whole school but there's also a digital test mode that would allow me to target a specific block."
"Digital Test mode?"
"It's mainly to test the infrastructure of the alarm system. It still sends out the phone alerts to all the safety monitors on duty while the alarm is played on a much lower volume."
"We'll work with the second option.Do you know who the safety monitors are?"
"Hmmmm not yet but I do know that there is one user currently signed in to the network."
"Trigger it, our target's the P.E. faculty office, second floor of the Practice Building."
"Done. Anything else?"
Akira frowned as he ran a quick mental calculation, he was still a few minutes out from Shujin.
"Run a phone check for Ann Takamaki. Is she still at school? I wanna talk to her."
"...the last ping I got from her phone does have her at Shujin but it seems her phone is either off or the battery's dead. I can't patch through."
"Tch..."
Akira exited the alley and started to cut though the crowd again, running his mind through several scenarios.
"Run a check for Ryuji Sakamoto."
Sadayo Kawakami groaned as she made her way over to the P.E. Faculty office.
She had just gotten into her final stack of assignments to grade when the alarm had went off.
The alert on her phone did confirm that it was a test and not a genuine emergency but she was sure the principal would chew her out if she didn't follow the protocol that the Shujin staff had been trained to carry out.
Which included wearing this atrociously bright green security vest.
Thankfully most of the rooms in the area were locked or unoccupied. Her final stop was the P.E. Faculty room which was mostly used by Kamoshida . One of her eyebrows rose in curiosity when she noticed that the room's lights were still on.
"He's still here? Well the volleyball tournament's coming up. He's probably just making some final preparations."
Kawakami politely knocked on the door.
"Kamoshida-san? Are you in there?
Kamoshida's voice could be heard clearly through the door.
"K-k-kawakami-san? Is something wrong."
"It's that silly new fire alarm system the Principal had installed... it must be running a surprise test or something. Anyways I was just checking around since I'm the Safety Monitor for today."
"I see..well...everything's...fine here...I won't keep you...from your duty."
There was a sound coming from the office in-between Kamoshida's words that Kawakami couldn't quite place.
A...muffled voice ?
"Is everything ok in there?"
"Yes! Of course! Ow! Stop scratching me!"
Kawakami had heard his whispered words.
"Kamoshida-sensei. What's going on? Are you hurt ? Should I come in?"
Kamoshida barked out his response.
"NO! Uh... There's no need for you to- SHIT! YOU FUCKING LITTLE..."
"LET GO OF ME!"
Kawakami's eyes widened.
That was a girl's voice.
"OUT OF THE WAY!"
Kawakami yelped in surprise as her butt hit the ground, she had been literally barreled over by a storm of blond fury that was now banging on the office's door.
She recognised the person immediately.
"Sakomoto? What are you..."
Her eyes also caught sight of the girl standing behind him.
"Takamaki?"
Ryuji roared as his hands pulled franticly at the only thing between them and Kamoshida.
"OPEN THIS DOOR YOU FUCKING PERVERT! I KNOW SUZUI'S IN THERE YOU BASTARD!"
Kawakami's mouth fell open.
"Suzui...as in Shiho Suzui...but why?"
Ann spoke next.
"SHIHO! ARE YOU OKAY?"
Ryuji stepped back and steadied himself, both women realised that he planned to kick the door in.
Kawakami was still stuck in a cyclone made of confusion, shock and disbelief.
"Sakomoto! Wait!"
Her words were enough to distract Ryuji for a singular moment.
Just before that moment came to an end, the office door opened on it's own.
A crying, disheveled Shiho Suzui ran out of the room and into Ann's arms.
The blonde girl started crying as well as she held on to her best friend.
"I'm sorry Shiho. I'm so sorry."
Ryuji didn't want to interrupt the moment but his concerns weighed heavily on him.
"Ann...is she ok?"
Neither girl seemed to have the strength to answer him at the moment.
Kamoshida stepped out of his office, several scratches could be seen on his arms and face.
"So that was your plan all along huh?"
Ryuji found his rage re-ignited as he turned his focus back to the volleyball coach.
"What did you say you piece of shit?"
Kamoshida continued, a cold smugness echoed through his words that made Kawakami's skin crawl.
"Suzui was supposed to seduce me, and in return I was supposed to give her the answer sheets for the upcoming exams, am I right?"
The female teacher was beyond confused.
"W-w-what?"
Ryuji grit his teeth.
"Don't make up stories now, Kamoshida! You were trying to..."
Kamoshida cut him off.
"And since your idea failed, your Plan B was to blackmail me with this fake story of how I've been sexually harassing Suzui and other female students, right ? Well too bad! Neither of your schemes are gonna work, I'm sure Kawakami-sensei saw everything! "
Kawakami felt like she was going to have a panic attack as she noticed both Kamoshida and Ryuji were looking directly at her.
"I...saw everything?"
Ryuji misunderstood Kawakami's question as an agreement.
"You fucking adults are all the same! Even when the truth is right in front of you, you only protect each other. You're all rotten to the core."
Kamoshida smirked.
"Whine all you want, I'm reporting all three of you at the next board meeting. You're all getting expelled because of this stupid plan of yours."
Expelled?
Kawakami spoke up as she stood to her feet.
"Kamoshida-san, wait...what you're saying can't be true. This must be some kind of stupid prank. These kids wouldn't do something like this."
Kamoshida frowned.
"Don't be so naive Sadayo, they're as deceptive as they come. Don't worry you'll see the truth soon enough. These three are just delinquents that are trying to make it through life the cheap way while other students study and work hard."
Ryuji stepped forward.
"The only cheap thing here is your bullshit, Kamoshida. But don't worry you'll get yours soon enough."
Kamoshida chuckled.
"See what I mean? Now they're threatening me too. But I shouldn't be too surprised by that. Sakamoto has always been famous for his violent outbursts. I suppose we'll be having another justified case of self-defense. Hopefully your other leg will take longer to heal..."
Kamoshida's verbal jab worked and Ryuji was left only seeing red.
His chest heaved as his fists curled into a tight ball. The P.E. teacher grinned as he watched Ryuji shake with fury.
"Too easy."
Kawakami was trying to find the right words to de-escalate the situation before anything regrettable happened. She could see that Ryuji was just a hair lengths away from exploding.
"Kamoshida-san...please stop. Let's take a moment. I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding. Sakamoto, You should walk Takamaki and Suzui home-"
Kamoshida interrupted.
"You can't reason with a brute like him, Kawakami. It's in his nature. I guess the apple really doesn't fall from. the tree, does it ?"
That was the breaking point.
Ryuji pulled his fist back in wild fury and would have thrown a sloppy haymaker if someone had not attacked him first...
PLOP!
Well attack was maybe too strong of a word.
A bag of jam bread slapped right into the side of Ryuji's head, the speed behind the throw was enough to create a slight impact.
Most importantly It was enough to deter and distract the former track-star.
"What the hell?!...Kurusu?!"
Akira approached the gathering of students and teachers, sparing a few seconds to carefully observe the still embracing Ann and Shiho before speaking.
"You were about to make a mistake, Sakomoto. I thought a delicious snack would help you calm down."
Ryuji's anger was rolling off him in waves.
"Are you fucking kidding me?! This asshole was going to-"
"Sakamoto."
Ryuji tried to continue.
"... I'm not letting him get away with-."
"Sakamoto!"
Ryuji stopped. Not only shocked by how strongly Akira had said his name but also by the look in his eyes.
"Attacking him doesn't help the situation. I know you're angry but rage often makes us jumpy and irrational when it is not channeled correctly."
"But I-"
"Kawakami suggested that you get Takamaki and Suzui-san out of here. Please take her advice."
Ryuji leveled Kamoshida with one last burning glare before going over to Ann and Shiho. He patiently persuaded the girls to leave the school with him.
Akira watched the group leave with a sigh of relief. Kamoshida sneered.
"I never knew a violent delinquent like you could ever play peacemaker. You should be proud of yourself...Perhaps this whole plan of theirs was really yours to begin with? You do seem like the type to use others to do your bidding."
Akira turned to Kawakami.
"Hey sensei. That vest looks good on you."
Kawakami sighed.
"Kurusu...how..."
"I forgot to return a book I borrowed from the library, so I came back. I would have waited till tomorrow but then it'd be overdue and trust me those late fees are no joke."
"Ah...I see."
Kamoshida growled.
"Don't think you can just ignore me like that, you little brat!"
Kawakami responded before Akira could.
"Please Kamoshida-san just stop! What's gotten into you?!"
Kamoshida grunted.
"Forgive me Kawakami but these students sometimes draw out the worst of me with their behaviour and attitude. I'm making a full report to the principal tomorrow, I've had enough of this...Excuse me, I have work to do."
SLAM!
Kamoshida slammed the office door behind him. Kawakami shook her head in disbelief.
"I don't understand this at all. Could those students really do something like this? What I saw...the way Suzui was crying...that was an act? I think I'll need to talk to the Principal about this as well."
Akira noticed his homeroom teacher's troubled expression and spoke again to get her attention.
"Sensei?"
"Hmm?"
" You should get some rest, you look even more exhausted than usual."
Kawakami would have retorted immediately but she knew her student was right. She felt completely drained, there was no way she could go to her second job tonight.
She decided to simply agree.
"You're right...and thank you for calming Sakamoto down, I don't think he would have listened to me."
"Anything for my favourite teacher."
"Favourite teacher? Ever since you've gotten here all you've done is annoy me."
"It's all a part of my charm."
"Go home Kurusu. You're giving me an even bigger headache."
"Yes ma'am. But before I do..."
Akira quickly took something up from off the ground and showed it to Kawakami.
It was the jam bread...well the remnants of the jam bread as someone must have stepped on it while they were leaving. The pastry was mostly squished and the bag had some dirt on it.
Akira presented it to Kawakami with a smile and the type of energy that conveyed the idea that he was giving her an expensive gift.
"I may be late with my homework assignments tomorrow. Please accept this token as a peace offering."
Kawakami's eye twiched.
"I'm going to flunk you and then strangle you."
Akira reactivated his earpiece as he made his way back home.
"Oracle."
"Here. How can I help?"
"Reconnect me with Sakomoto,please."
"Of course...contact in three, two..."
"...Hello?"
"Sakamoto, it's me."
"Dude! How do you keep calling me from a blank number ? How did you even get my cell number ? You some sort of super spy ?"
"Sometimes. How are the girls?"
"Better. Ann is taking Shiho home with her."
"Is it safe?"
"Yeah, she lives in some kind of fancy apartment with a twenty-four hour security desk. They won't let anyone up to her room without her permission."
"Good."
"Hey how'd ya know about Shiho being back at school. Ann and I were sure we had seen her leave school today."
"Super spy remember?"
"Come on man..."
"Its not something I wish to discuss."
"...Fine...I also wanted to say thanks."
"For?"
"Stopping me. Hitting Kamoshida wouldn't have done much to help our situation and would have definitely gotten me into more trouble . My Mom doesn't need that type of stress right now."
"You're far more valuable to me as a Shujin student. It makes things easier for our group moving forward."
" 'Our group'?! We haven't even agreed to your deal yet!"
"The cat's too smart not to. Speaking of which I'm requesting an un-negotiable five hundred yen bonus."
"FOR REAL?! You're charging us for helping with Shiho?"
"No, I'm charging you because I had to waste a jam bread on you."
"You're the worst, dude."
"My bank account doesn't think so."
The Next Day
Kawakami took a deep breath before knocking on Principal Kobayakawa's door. She had requested a meeting with him through his secretary when she had arrived at school and he had finally cleared time in his busy schedule for her.
The principal's soft voice responded to her knocking.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Kawakami."
"Oh yes, please come in Kawakami-sensei."
The Japanese Language teacher quietly entered the room before closing the door behind her. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion when she realised that the Principal had company.
Kamoshida was leaning against the wall. A small plastic smile in his face.
"Hey Kawakami-san, you look lovely today."
Kawakami eyed the volleyball coach for a few seconds before nodding.
"Thank you... Principal Kobayakawa I was hoping to speak with you in private. I can come back later if you-"
The principal interrupted.
"Nonsense! If it's about yesterday's...incident. Kamoshida-sensei has all right to be here since he's been reporting this issue for weeks now."
"Weeks? This has been going on for weeks?"
The bald headed man nodded.
"Yes, Kamoshida-sensei has been troubled these feral females for some time now."
"Then shouldn't this have been brought up before ? At least at a staff meeting?"
"You must understand that in this time and age we must be rather careful with what we accuse our female students of. Things can quickly escalate and it can easily become a case of hearsay and testimony versus testimony. But with what you've witnessed yesterday, we have enough proof to have these troublesome students removed from our world class Academy."
Kawakami shuddered.
"What I witnessed..."
"Indeed. We can't have these students believe they can charge around like un-domesticated animals inside our halls. They must understand that there is order here and we are the keepers of that order. Expelling Sakomoto, Takamaki and Suzui for their actions will make that clear to all."
Kamoshida joined in.
"I'd like to also add the delinquent transfer student to that list. He was also present yesterday."
Kawakami folded her arms.
"What?! He came back to school to drop off a library book! It was mere coincidence that he was even there. Do you have any proof that he was involved?"
"No. But do you have any proof that he wasn't involved? We can't also ignore the fact that his conduct towards me has been nothing short of disrespectful."
"I may not have proof that he wasn't involved but can we really expel a student because of sass?"
The principal stopped the impromptu debate.
"I must agree with Kawakami-sensei on this one, Kamoshida-san. We have no real proof that the transfer student was involved here. I will admit that things have gotten rather...wild since his arrival though. I'll be assigning someone to keep an eye on him soon. If there are any other situations of misconduct, he will be dealt with accordingly."
Kamoshida nodded.
"Fair enough."
Kawakami sighed.
"Thank you sir."
The principal continued.
"Back to the matter at hand, you will be invited to the board meeting as a key witness, Kawakami-sensei. Do we have your word and support in this matter ?"
Kawakami hesitated, there were still so many things that felt wrong about this. Even if the principal and Kamoshida were telling the truth...it still felt off...
The Principal's voice broke her concentration. His tone carried an obvious weight of...displeasure.
"Kawakami-sensei?"
"Yes."
"Do we have your support?"
Kawakami slowly nodded even though something deep inside her heart screamed in resistance. A lot things still made no sense to her.
"Uh...yes. You have my support."
The Principal smiled.
"Good. Kawakami-sensei, did I ever mention to you that that some of the teachers from the languages department are retiring next year?"
Kawakami was visibly confused. She wasn't sure as to how this was related to their present conversation.
"No sir, you haven't."
"It must have slipped my mind...our current Head of Department will be replaced by their assistant which will leave a position open. A good word from me could have you in that spot next year, Kawakami-sensei."
Kawakami's heart trembled.
"Are they...?"
The Principal spoke again.
"A young, ambitious teacher like yourself should be thinking about their future, a new position comes with more possibilities, a higher salary and greater benefits."
Kawakami lowered.
"Yes you're right...may I be excused ? I have some final alterations to make to our exam papers."
The Principal nodded.
"Of course.."
Kawakami only offered Kamoshida a small nod of salutation as she sought eagerly to leave the principal's office. The principal called out to her one last time before she closed the door behind her.
"Kawakami-sensei?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for your help. We appreciate it."
"Please excuse me."
Kawakami quickly made her way to one of the teacher's bathrooms.
She quietly shed a few tears as she locked the door behind her. Both hands grabbed on to the sink as she took several deep breaths.
"Those bastards are lying... and they're trying to bribe me to their side...I don't know what to do...I should stay out of this...right? It's not like I can stop them...would anyone even believe me?"
The brown haired teacher took one look at herself in the mirror and recoiled at the sad face she saw looking back at her.
"I'm pathetic..."
Kawakami promptly emptied the contents of her stomach into the sink below.
"Yo."
Akira sighed as Ryuji took a seat across from him at an empty lunch table.
"You know Sakomoto, if there's any upside from being viewed as a murderous psychopath it's that people normally allow me to eat alone."
"I need your help with something."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"There's this guy from the volleyball club I want to talk to. I think he has information that could help us with Kamoshida."
"You guys can't handle a simple interrogation?"
"Yeah well Takamaki isn't here at school today, she and Shiho are still at the apartment. Only people who have been to the other world can understand Morgana..plus he's a cat, no one would take him seriously."
Akira rolled his eyes.
"I wasn't suggesting you use Morgana. I'm sure you're big, bad and scary enough to get the answers you need."
Ryuji scratched his face.
"Yea well.. it's just that you seem to have this whole mental warfare thing figured out. I may not even be asking the right questions."
"Please keep in mind that you haven't accepted my proposal yet. I have no reason to help."
Ryuji groaned.
"Come on man! Mishima may know a shitload of information."
"Mishima? From my class? Why do you think he knows anything special?"
"Because Kamoshida used his phone to call Suzui yesterday!"
Akira paused mid-bite.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, well that's what Shiho told Ann anyways."
"Oh..."
Akira took one final bite of his meal before standing up.
"I'll handle Mishima. I need you to check on Kamoshida's palace after school. I think it should be accessible by now."
"O...K. You sure you won't need any backup?"
"I'm sure."
Ryuji groaned as a thought crossed his mind.
"You're gonna charge us for this too, aren't you?"
Akira offered Ryuji a genuine smile.
"Nah, this one's for free."
Akira smiled gently as he handed a can of Manta to a positively terrified Mishima Yuuki.
"And that's all you know?"
Mishima nodded.
"See? Wasn't that easy?"
"I-i-i-i'm not sure what you think you're gonna do, Kurusu. Kamoshida's got friends everywhere in this school ! He's almost untouchable."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON HERE?!"
Mishima visibly flinched as Kamoshida approached them. Akira regarded the volleyball coach with a look laced with disinterest.
"My class mate Yuuki-san was helping me figure out how these stupid vending machines work. I had a wicked thirst for a Manta. You know what I mean?"
Kamoshida addressed Mishima.
"Get to practice before you're late Mishima. I don't want to see you talking to this delinquent trash again."
Mishima squeaked out a response as he ran off.
"Yes sir!"
With Mishima gone, Kamoshia stepped closer to Akira. Narrowing his eyes as he stood over the transfer student.
"I don't know what part you're playing in all of this but I will find out and I will remove you from my school. No one disrespects me and gets away with it, am I understood?"
"Of course. Can I go now?"
"Not until I'm finished! Why aren't Takamaki and Suzui at school today? Where are they?"
"Why do you think I would know that?"
"Answer me!"
"Who knows? You have a real interest in high school girls don't you?"
"What did you say to me?"
"Their attendance records I mean. I never see you act this way when the boys are absent from school."
Kamoshida grabbed Akira's collar.
"Don't get smart with me you little shit. Do you know who I am?"
"Unfortunately, I do."
"What?!"
Kamoshida's eyes widened.
He suddenly felt cold.
Goosebumps littered his skin, as tiny rivers of sweat began to race down the back of his head.
Akira was surrounded by a blue aura, an otherworldly being surrounded by chains was peeking over his shoulder.
Sadistic glee etched on its face.
Akira's voice felt like a drill slowly piercing his brain.
"I know who you are Suguru Kamoshida. Not just the mask you wear but the hideous person hidden behind it. I've seen them both."
Akira easily pulled Kamoshida's hand off his collar.
"But you need not worry about the injustice of the situation..."
Akira whispered his next words with great conviction.
His eyes were an eerie discomforting yellow.
"You're gonna get to see me without my mask too... real soon..."
Kamoshida blinked.
He suddenly felt like himself again. He must have been coming down with a bad flu or something...
"Wait...Where did he..."
The P.E. teacher took a few seconds to look around to confirm his suspicions.
Akira Kurusu was gone.
Later that Evening
Sojiro Sakura casually flipped to a new page of the magazine he was reading.
"It's been a slow evening, I might lock up early."
Akira nodded as he stood over a boiling pot.
"Well it gives me time to perfect this Curry recipe I've been working on."
"You're still trying to make a Curry dish that Futaba will recognise as superior to mine? Keep dreaming."
Akira scowled.
"Don't underestimate me old man, I'm gonna surpass you one day and then you'll all have to acknowledge me."
Sojiro turned another page.
"Uh huh."
Akira deflated.
"You could at least take me seriously you know."
"I'll take you seriously when you can cook and keep up a conversation at the same time. Your pot's about to overflow."
"HUH?! SHIT! OUCH HOT HOT HOT HOT!"
Sojiro chuckled as he watched Akira struggle and jump around trying to save his curry.
He would begrudgingly admit that Akira was close to his level where it concerned making coffee and other drinks but there was no contest in the cooking department.
TING A LING!
The door to LeBlanc slowly opened as a new prospective patron entered . Sojiro was the first to speak, as he discarded his magazine.
"Welcome, what can I do for ya?"
"Uh...hello is Kurusu-kun here?"
Akira stepped out from the kitchen. He recognised the voice.
"Suzui..."
Shiho awkwardly waved.
"Uh...Hi..."
Sojiro took a moment to study both teenagers before sighing.
"Well if the young lady's here to see you, you could at least offer her a drink, Akira."
"Oh right."
Shiho seemed nervous.
"Oh if you're still working I could always come back-"
Sojiro shook his head as he took off his apron.
"We were just locking up anyways. See ya tomorrow kid. I'll flip the sign."
Akira just nodded.
"Thanks Boss."
The older gentleman paused as he walked past Akira, whispering so Shiho would not hear him.
"Is everything ok ? Some of those bruises look a little fresh."
"I'll update you later."
"Hmph...don't get into any more trouble."
"No promises."
Sojiro grumbled before walking away, he gave Shiho a gentle smile before leaving.
The black haired girl spoke as Akira locked the door.
"Your manager seems kind. He even trusts you to lock up."
Akira scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah Boss is cool and I kinda live upstairs so I'm the one who locks up most of the time."
Shiho blushed.
"Oh sorry I didn't know."
"It's fine. Have a seat, can I get you anything to drink? It's on me."
"Uh, that's ok."
"You sure? I've learnt from the very best when it comes on to coffee and other stuff. My skills would amaze you."
Shiho snickered a little.
"Coffee is fine. Thank you."
Akira tipped his imaginary hat.
"Anything for the lady."
Shiho watched Akira as he returned from the kitchen, they had just finished enjoying some coffee and a few light treats. There was something on the young lady's mind. She just had to know.
She spoke softly as she lowered her head.
"Kurusu-kun...Why have you done so much to help me?"
Akira looked away.
"I just recommended a doctor. I could tell you were in pain. I think it was the humane thing to do at the very least."
"A Doctor that you covered the cost for. Ann said that you're the one who told them about me in being Kamoshida's office too."
Akira's eyebrow twitched.
"Damnit Takamaki!"
Shiho continued.
"It was Dr.Takemi, right? She must have overheard my conversation with Kamoshida over the phone."
"Don't blame her. She said you sounded scared and she was worried for your safety. You mentioned you were going back to Shujin and she gave me a call. I figured that only Kamoshida would have you so spooked."
"I don't blame her, I actually stopped by her clinic today to thank her, she even insisted on examining me again. She's the one who told me that you worked close by."
"Oh..."
"Please answer my question, Kurusu-kun. Why help me?"
"...You were kind to me."
"...What?"
"Ever since I came to Shujin all everyone has ever done is gossip, point their fingers and avoid me like the plague. You were the first person who said something kind to me...and I appreciated that."
"Kurusu-kun..."
"It may be a silly or selfish reason but when I saw you that look in your eyes, I realised that you know how I felt...Alone."
Shiho nodded.
"I did feel alone, I couldn't tell anyone about what was going on, not even Ann. I felt like I was drowning. When Kamoshida called me yesterday, he told me that if I didn't come to practice, he would spread the pictures he had of Ann and destroy her modelling career."
"He has pictures of Takamaki?"
"No it was a lie...a lie I was stupid enough to believe. He fed the both of us enough lies to keep us afraid and quiet.We couldn't even be honest with each other, not until yesterday."
Akira steeled himself.
"Why...did he call you back to his office?"
"I thought he was just going snack me around as usual. He always seemed particularly angry on certain days, yesterday I realised it was mostly when Ann had rejected his offers."
Akira bit his lip in anger as Shiho continued.
"But yesterday he wanted more and when I realised that I fought back. He was overpowering me when Kawakami-sensei knocked on the door. He became even more distracted when Ryuji got there. I took the opportunity to scratch him in the eye before biting him. That's how I got away."
"That was very brave and strong of you...Shiho."
Shiho shook her head.
"I don't feel very brave and strong. Because of me, Ryuji and Ann are going to get expelled."
"What?!"
"The rumours are all over school according to Ryuji. Kamoshida's getting all three of us expelled for our plan to get the exam answer sheet from him."
"Why didn't that idiot tell me?"
"When's it gonna happen?"
"More than likely at the next board meeting. All expulsions have to be approved there."
"Do you know the date?"
"Not sure but it should be some time in early May."
"That only gives us about a week and a half."
"Don't worry Shiho. I'm sure things will work out. Kawakami-sensei was there after all, hopefully she can offer us some kind of help."
"Yea...I hope so too..."
Shiho still seemed sad and with good reason. Akira rolled a few ideas around his mind until he found a winner that would hopefully help cheer Shiho up.
The female volleyball player yelped in surprise as Akira threw something on to her lap.
She studied the article of clothing before speaking.
"An apron?"
Akira smiled.
"I'm gonna teach you to do what I do when I feel down."
"Huh?"
Akira's grin got even wider.
"We're gonna make my world renowned chocolate-vanilla swirl!"
"Wha?!?!?"
Shiho had a rather large smile on her face as she walked into Ann's apartment.
Her blonde best friend who was relaxing in the living room couldn't help but notice Shiho's positive aura.
"Hey Shiho, what's gotten you in such a good mood?"
Shiho blushed as she placed a small cup on the kitchen counter.
"Uh I was just um...out..."
Ann rose an eyebrow.
"Yeah I know you were out...what were you doing,?"
"Well first I went to thank the back alley doctor I told you about and then I went to see Akira-kun..."
"Akira-kun?!?!?"
"And that's why you're coming back so late?"
"Well I just wanted to thank him for his help and we ended up talking for a long time. He did walk me back though. I hope you don't mind."
"No that's fine. What's in the cup?"
Shiho blushed.
"Um...his world renowned chocolate-vanilla swirl?"
Ann blinked.
"He made you a milkshake?"
"Well...we kinda made it together..."
"Huh?"
"He did it to cheer me up...and it worked, it was really fun."
Ann was a little confused.
"Are you sure we're talking about the same Akira Kurusu?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Uh...No reason. I ordered some dinner for us, so you can get washed up before it arrives."
"Ok thanks...Ann?"
"Yeah."
"We'll have to go school tomorrow won't we?"
"Yeah, if we miss two days in a row the school will contact our parents for sure."
"I figured as much. We'll just have to face it and push on."
"Don't give up Shiho. We'll find a way to fix this! We'll make that dirtbag confess, I swear it!"
"I'm not sure how we're gonna do that though...Ann...are you and Ryuji planning anything dangerous ?"
"N-n-no not all. We just have to believe and I'm sure we'll find a way."
Shiho nodded even though she wasn't particularly convinced by Ann's answer.
"Okay... I'm going to take a quick shower...you should really try the milkshake, it's better than most of the stuff at the underground mall."
Ann smiled as Shiho walked away.
"Ok, sure."
Ann looked down at the cup with great scrutiny.
"There's no way it's that good,right?"
She reflected for a moment on the mystery of Akira Kurusu.
"...I hope Morgana's okay."
Akira walked up to his attic bedroom with a bowl of food in his hand. He was actually smiling.
Spending time with Shiho had actually lifted his own mood quite a bit. The teenage male didn't even mind cleaning up the kitchen again after their milkshake making shenanigans.
Just the image of her smiling face, was enough to make him feel a little warm inside.
"Look at you Akira, you've only been back in this stupid city for a few weeks and you've already got a crush. What's gonna distract you next?"
"Hopefully next time, you'll allow her to distract you with her tongue down your throat."
Akira blinked.
"Arsene?"
"Sorry. Incubus and Succubus asked me to say it."
"And you agreed?"
"A love life isn't the worst thing that could happen to you Wild Card..."
"Ok, I'm not having this conversation, right now. I'm sure discussing love with several reflections of myself within my heart and mind counts as schizophrenic behaviour for most doctors."
"As you wish Wild Card."
Akira sighed before setting the food down on his work desk.
Perhaps it would best for him to check himself into a mental hospital after this was all over?
The black haired youth opened his bedroom window before talking.
"Hey! You should come in, outside should be rather chilly tonight."
A few seconds of utter silence passed before a black cat jumped down from the roof into Akira's room.
Morgana watched Akira cautiously as he re-closed the window.
"How did you know that I had you under surveillance?"
"Because you suck at it."
"Hey!"
"Just kidding, the owner of this place has a neighbour that really likes cats. She told him earlier that she noticed that the neighbourhood had a new black cat that was hanging around this place a lot. I just did the math."
Morgana seemed annoyed.
"I see."
Akira placed the bowl of food down on the floor.
"Here. You must be hungry."
"Why would you think that?"
"Shiho never mentioned seeing you at Ann's apartment so you must have been keeping an eye on this place for at least a day. There's not a lot of food for a new cat to get on these streets."
Morgana didn't aim for a rebuttal, he sniffed the meal a few times.
"Is this poisoned?"
"If it was, would I tell you?"
A few more second of awkward silence passed before Morgana took a small bites, it wasn't long before the black cat wolfed down the entire dish.
" Mrrrrroowwwww. That was pretty good, frizzy-hair. Thanks."
Akira picked up the plate.
"Don't mention it. I'll be back."
True to his word, Akira returned abfew minutes later to find Morgana snooping around his work desk.
"Isn't it rude to betray the trust of the people who feed you?"
Morgana offered a feline smirk.
"You're the one who let me in."
"Touche. You find anything that interests you?"
"Plenty. You're making infiltration tools right, lock-picks and the like ?"
"Yeah. Don't you guys make yours?"
Morgana sighed.
"Lady Ann keeps pricking her fingers with the pins and Ryuji isn't allowed to try again after he almost set his room on fire."
Akira snorted.
"Figures."
Morgana stretched.
"You know your designs aren't flawless either...I could make a few suggestions even teach you a few things."
"Yeah like what?"
Morgana shook his head.
"Lower your asking price first."
"Ah, here to negotiate I see."
"We both know that the Phantom Theives need your help."
Akira snorted.
"That's what you call yourselves?"
"It's not a bad name!...As I was saying, we need your help. Your price is just a bit much right now. There must be something else of value that can help lower it."
"Hmmmm, Ok. I have an idea."
"What?"
Akira answered by taking up his phone and sending what seemed to be a text message.
Morgana watched with interest as the phone rang shortly after.
"This is Oracle."
Akira responded.
"This is Wild Card. Protocol three. I need a conference call."
"Protocol three!?..but that means..."
"Oracle."
"Right. Who are the targets?"
"Takamaki and Sakomoto."
"Contact in three...two..."
Ryuji: "Hello?"
Ann:"Ryuji !? How'd you call me from a blank number?"
Akira spoke up.
"Actually that was me."
R: "Kurusu! I told you Ann. He's a super spy!"
A:"What do you want Kurusu?"
Akira responded.
"Can you talk now, where's Shiho?"
A:"...she's asleep. I'll go out on the balcony."
Akira spoke again.
"Oh yeah, Morgan Freeman is here too."
"My name is Morgana!"
Ann:"Morgana! Are you ok?"
"I'm fine Lady Ann. Frizzy-hair detected my presence and offered me sanctuary. We've been negotiating our deal since then."
A:"I'm happy that you're safe...Have we come to an agreement yet, Kurusu?"
Akira smirked.
"Not yet...but before we get into that. Ryuji is Kamoshida's Palace accessible again?"
R:"Uh...yeah. The Shadows seemed in a good mood too before I left."
Akira smirked.
"He's gotten confident. He thinks he's won by setting up your expulsion. We should secure the Treasure's location tomorrow."
Morgana seemed surprised.
"You think we can get to it in one day?"
"Of course. I'll be there after all."
R:" So you're gonna help us?"
Akira smirked.
"Once you pay up."
Ann groaned.
A:"We don't have the money yet!"
Akira responded.
"I'm well aware but time is of the essence, we have to bring about the change of heart before the next board meeting, so I'll take some collateral until you find the funds to pay up."
Ryuji seemed unsure.
R:"Collateral?"
Morgana answered.
"An item of value that he can hold on to until we pay him. If we fail he'll basically be the owner. Right?"
Akira smiled.
"Exactly."
R" Well I don't have anything that valuable."
Ann spoke up.
A:"I...have some expensive dresses and a few pieces of jewelry. They're important to me so you can't sell them. Will that work ?"
"Nope...I want the cat."
A: WHAT?
R: YOU CAN'T HAVE OUR CAT.
Morgana frowned.
" I'm not a cat and I'm not an item to be used for collateral!"
Akira continued.
"New terms. Allow...Morgana to stay with me until you've paid up. He'll assist me with some information and a few favours. If I abuse or mistreat him, he can return to your care and you won't owe me a thing. I'll also drop my asking price to thirty thousand yen."
R:"Deal!"
A:"Ryuji!"
R: "Come on Ann, even I know that's a great deal."
A:"But we can't just give up Morgana!"
Morgana sighed.
"It's fine Lady Ann, I'll do it."
A:"What? Are you sure?"
"Yeah. It's a rather small price to pay if we're to be honest and it helps us prevent your expulsion. I'm tough, a few days with this guy won't crack me."
Akira spoke.
"He says all of this with a stomach full of warm food by the way."
Morgana blushed.
"Did you have to mention that?"
A:"Morgana..."
The feline spoke again.
"He seems to be a man of his word, Lady Ann. Let's trust him for now. Okay?"
A:"...Fine. Make sure you take care of him Kurusu."
"What part of 'stomach filled with warm food' did you not get?"
A:"Just make sure nothing happens to him."
"By the way, how was the chocolate-vanilla swirl?"
Ann blushed.
A:"I-i-it was ok."
Carmen, Ann's Persona chuckled deep within her mind-scape.
"It was delicious and you know it."
R: "Chocolate-vanilla swirl?"
A:" We're getting off topic...so do we have a deal?"
Akira scratched his chin before speaking.
"One final clause. Whatever is discussed between Morgana and I will stay in between us. He cannot tell and you may not ask."
R:"...Uh sure."
A:"...fine."
Morgana nodded.
"Of course."
Akira smiled.
"Good. Now go to bed kids, it's a school night."
Morgana spoke next.
"Good Night Lady Ann."
A: "Good Night Morgana, stay safe."
R:"Don't cause any trouble for Kurusu, you little furball."
Morgana hissed.
"Whatever you moron!"
Akira disconnected the call.
"Well that was easy wasn't it?"
Morgana tilted his head.
"So... who's Oracle?"
"If you wanted the right to ask me questions about my affairs, you should have included that in the deal."
"You're such a cheat!"
"You should play more board games. It helps you learn how to get a better bargain."
"Whatever."
"Tell me Morgana,what do you know about your creation, your origin...your purpose?"
"...Uh not much. I don't remember most things, I only know that I woke up in the Metaverse one day with all this knowledge about Personas, cognition and changing hearts...and even that info is a little fuzzy in my brain at times."
"You truly believe you're a human?"
Morgana nodded.
"I am."
Akira took note of that as he glanced at his wall clock.
He needed to get some sleep...speaking of sleep...
"Do you have dreams, Morgana?"
"Yeah,most of them are about Lady Ann though."
"Ever seen twin blonde girls posing as prison guards?"
"Pffft. You need to stop watching all that anime stuff before you go to bed."
"Hmmmm...how about a long nosed bald guy in a black suit?"
Silence.
Morgana blinked a few times.
"...How do you know about him?"
WOW.
THAT WAS A KIND OF A LENGTHY CHAPTER FOR ME BUT I HAD A LOT I WANTED TO COVER.
ANYWAYS, THANKS AGAIN FOR READING.
PLEASE REVIEW/COMMENT AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS FOR THE KUDOS/FAVS AND ALERTS AS WELL.
THIS WAS YOUR BOY, KINGNIKEN.
PEACE OUT.