"Toby, would you like to start from the beginning?"

After Kagami ran off to who knows where, Mr. O Brian brought Toby to his office. Frankly, recounting the events from a couple minutes ago isn't a great way to spend the morning in Toby's opinion. Nothing would change in the long run if he tells Mr. O Brian the whole truth. He'd still be the bad guy. In everyone's eyes, Kagami could do no wrong. So, Toby doesn't answer, fashioning his feet more interest than facing his teacher.

Waiting for the incoming lecture from the adult, to the boy's surprise, Mr. O Brian doesn't lash out on him. Instead, he clasps his hands together before conversing with him.

"Toby, I know the relationship between you and the school isn't on…. ideal terms -"

Toby mentally scoffs at the comment. Like the numerous report cards and calls to his parents weren't a major giveaway. At least he hasn't been suspended yet, miraculously he had to include.

"But know that I'm not here to give out to you."

That garnered Toby's attention. He takes a quick glance at teacher only to discover him smiling right back at Toby.

Mr. O Brian stands from his desk, engrossed in the scenery outside his window. "You know, I was a rebel in my youth back in day." The older man chuckles to himself as the memories flood his mind. "I'd skip class on the daily, never submitted my homework on time and pulled a few pranks here and there."

Toby scorns at the idea. "You, a prankster?"

"Let's just say I had a few tricks up my sleeve."

"And you're telling me this why?" Toby couldn't help but ask.

At this, Mr. O Brian turns to face Toby, a stern look on his features. "Toby, not everyone is out to get you."

Toby's pouts like a small child being told what to do. "Yeah, right. Kagami hates me, Jessica wants nothing to do with me since she started dating Mark and Nick and Lucas abandoned me for Kagami!"

"I have no one!" Toby exclaims.

"That isn't exactly true." The teacher states, prompting a raised eyebrow from Toby.

"You have me."

Toby stares at the teacher somewhat bewildered but also grateful.

"You don't have to tell me what went on between you and Kagami." Mr O Brian walks by Toby's side, placing a reassuring hand on his back. "Just know I'm here for you when you need someone to talk too."

Toby couldn't help but smile back at the teacher. It's nice having an adult on his side for once.

"Hey, I have a great idea!" the history teacher snaps his fingers with an idea. He's eyes perks up as if he was a teen again.

"Why don't you go out and have yourself some fun? Being cooped up in school won't you any good now would it?"

Toby stares puzzled at his teacher. A trusted staff at the school, allowing him to cut class? Did Kagami's slap impair his hearing or is Mr. O Brian really the rebel he said he is?

"Sir, are you sure?" Toby probes still not believing the words coming out of this man's mouth.

"Don't worry about it. Let's just say you went home sick. Our secret." Mr O Brian winks at his pupil.

Toby takes a while to sink in what Mr. O Brian's saying. Given their conversation, Mr. O Brian proves he isn't like the other teachers, he truly cares about his students even the worse of them.

"Wow..uh.. thanks sir! I'll make it up to you someday!"

"There's no need Toby, just enjoy yourself for today."

Toby waves goodbye before leaving; a heavy weight lifted off his shoulders. At least he can spend the afternoon relaxing. Though he knows when the topic of today's drama will reach Nick's ear and Toby would have a mouthful to deal with when he returns home.


The cold October wind brushes past Toby's hair granting him a clear view of the salty sea waters. He wandered to the beach after Mr. O Brian had given him to go ahead to skip classes for the day. Initially, he intended to hit the arcade though after today's events he needed somewhere to clear his mind and the sea always tends to calm him down.

Toby ambles to the shoreline and breathes in the fresh sea salt in the air. Toby didn't know if it's because he's the lord of water or this was always the case, but the ocean always seems to relax him. He removes his shoes and sockets, desiring the touch of the waves and sands. They cool his feet, dousing him further into a relaxing state. Yet calmed by the ocean, he couldn't stop his mind from leaping to his argument with Kagami.

"Do you think I like being in the student council? That I like being the perfect student?"

"I'm only doing this because my mother..."

Those words rotate in his mind and they wouldn't leave no matter how hard he tried to think about something else. There is something special about Kagami, something she's hiding.

"You will never understand what I've gone through to make it this far!"

Toby messes his hair in frustration. "Why do girls have to be so complicated!"

Toby wonders if she's still somewhere in the school. Or did she run off home or to somewhere else? Would she really risk her perfect attendance over some stupid argument? Yet, she did appear upset, so upset she 'unbecame' of her nice student council persona and attacked him. And yeah, she struck him but Toby for some reason empathises for the girl.

Toby still can't fathom what the hell is going on but he could feel that Kagami's the same as him. Not being accepted by anyone. Would Toby have felt the same way if he was forced to become someone he's not just to appease his parents and stop being compared to Nick all the time? Did Kagami go through a similar situation, being compared to someone infinitely better than her, reminded every single day how inferior she is? He didn't know.

All he knows is the guilt plaguing his entire being for all those awful things he said to her. He has to make emends but he isn't going to slave himself away to get an A. No, he'd be there for her, a supportive friend she can rely on.

She wouldn't have to be alone anymore.


The evening grew chilly and not wanting to catch a cold Toby went home to rest for the day. He'll make up with Kagami tomorrow, that is if she shows up to school. Worst case scenario, she doesn't show up; then he'll have to take drastic measures. What will he do? Toby had no iota, but he'll work on it when he's had a dinner and his daily dose of gaming. His parents went off to a party and wouldn't arrive home till late.

Once he arrived home, he attempts to open to door but it's locked. He knocks on the door knowing full well that Nick should be home by now. No reply.

'This isn't funny.'

A bright red bag pack crossed Toby's line of sight. It's Kagami's. She must've left it back in that room when she ran off. But how did it get here? Is she at his home? Why would she be here unless Nick -

Nick!

Toby races to the front porch of the house. He collects some small pebbles from the walkway, aiming them at Nick's window of his bedroom. The window shields open, revealing Toby's one and only brother.

"Oh, I see you've made it back home dear brother of mine." Nick says with an eerie calmness to his voice.

Toby shouts back, "Nick, what is this?! Open up the door and let me in!"

Nick chuckles. What the hell is he planning? "Okay but first you gotta return Kagami her backpack. And apologise for making her cry and ruin her perfect attendance."

So, she did leave the school campus. Damn.

Toby should've known Nick would pull something like this. Though he is somewhat glad Nick wasn't present during the argument.

"Do you think I like being in the student council? That I like being the perfect student?"

Those words still ring through Toby's head. If Nick found out she said those things, he'd be heartbroken. He admires Kagami for being the so-called 'perfect student', would he still befriend her even if she isn't perfect? And Kagami, how would she feel if Nick completely dumps her for being a fake? Damn, how did Toby end up in all this drama? Regardless if Toby told Nick the truth, he wouldn't believe him. Just another excuse to get out of the assignment even with the evidence. Nick can be stubborn like that sometimes.

"Dude! I'm planning on apologising to her tomorrow at school, just let me in already!"

"Great then you can do it right now and get it over with." With that Nick slams his window shut, already making up his mind.

The freezing cold is getting to Toby and the brothers knew their parents wouldn't return home till late. Toby facepalms as he goes to retrieve Kagami's backpack. He hauls it over his shoulder with his own backpack in his hand. Time to visit the Sugawara household, hopefully she'll there or else Toby would've to spend the night outside.


Everyone knows that Kagami's grandfather is the owner of Shinzuku. Toby found it strange in a cool way that Kagami lived in the second floor of a restaurant. To think, a posh girl like herself would live somewhere so…modern. Though the entrance to the restaurant is at the front, the back is where you get to the apartment through a flight of stairs – Nick had told him once.

A nasty odour enters his nose and Toby resists the urge to barf. The trash from the restaurant is dumped in the back into large rectangular bins. It's obvious they can't leave it at the front but still? He didn't think Kagami would live in such a place. Whatever hygiene routine she has, it works wonders. She smells amazing, like a freshly baked bread loaf. Not that Toby spends his time sniffing girls or anything.

Toby rings the doorbell, somewhat anxious about whoever would answer the door? Toby realizes then and there that he didn't know much about Kagami. The most he heard is from Nick but even then, that there is so little to go by. She lives with her grandfather, but her parents are back in Japan. He wonders why that's the case.

The door unlocks and Toby stiffens. No turning back now. Out comes a 30-ish looking muscular man with wavy black hair and a goatee. He's wearing a low tank top, revealing his plethora of tattoos plastered on his muscular arms. The minute their eyes locked, Toby could already tell, he hated his guts.

"Who are you?" the man says with a thick, angry, Japanese accent. Now Shujin never liked high school boys. One, they are perverted little shits that only think with what's between their legs. When he saw this blond kid at his doorstep he knew he was there for Kagami. He didn't know his relation to Kagami, but he did know one thing. If he dares do anything to hurt her or physical harm her he wouldn't hesitant to sock the kid. He didn't care if he goes to jail if it meant Kagami is safe.

Toby couldn't control his beating heart. "I'm Toby, I was just wondering if Kagami's home?"

For some reason, mentioning Kagami pissed the guy off even more. "Why do you want to see Kagami? Are you her boyfriend or something?"

Toby's pretty sure he's ruined any opportunity in dating Kagami, not that he was interested in dating her in the first place. "No! We have an assignment together! She..forgot her bag back in school."

The man says some things Toby couldn't comprehend. It was probably in Japanese but with the sound of it, he doesn't sound so happy.

Shujin snatches the bag from Toby, surprising the boy. "Thank you for returning her bag. I'll make sure she gets it. Bye."

Signalling he's done with the conversation he reaches out the shut the door though something stops him. Toby's foot is peeking out from the man's view. Shujin sighs, opening the door for Toby once more.

"What is it kid?"

"Can I at least speak to Kagami? You know, about our assignment." This is the most nervous Toby has ever been. One wrong move and the man could easily punch him to next morning.

Shujin mumbles some more Japanese before conceding and letting Toby in. They walk up the flight of stairs in silence. Then it hit Toby. This is the first time he steps foot into Kagami's house. For some reason it feels…weird.

They reach another door. The man shuffles through his jeans about pulls out another key, unlocking this door in the process. They both enter the apartment. Toby's filled with a sense of cosiness. The inside is ten times better than the dumpster fire that is the front porch of Kagami's house.

"Kagami's in her room." Shujin states, pointing to a door on their right.

Toby thanks Shujin though before he could retreat to Kagami's room a large firm hand grabs his shoulder. Toby stiffens.

"If you try to do anything weird in there, I won't hesitate to kick you out kid." Shujin warns before retreating to his own room.

Toby could still feel Shujin's stare even after he shut the door to his room. He's sheer presence sends Toby's knees wobbling and he clings to a nearby table. If he found out he made Kagami cry…just the thought sends shivers up Toby's spine.

His knees return to normal with a few deep breathes and Toby proceeds to Kagami's room. He places a hand on the door handle, ready to open the door but something is stopping him. This is the first time he steps into a girl's room. Heck, he's never been to Jessica's room and they've been friends since forever! This is practically foreign territory to him.

Yet something else is bugging him. It's unusual but he is in fact nervous to talk to Kagami. Not cause of that other man (though he did play a part in his nervous. Once he detects something suspicious is going on, Toby's getting the boot.) Toby genuinely wants to make amends for what happened. Deep down, he wants Kagami to not hate him. Regardless, Toby musters the courage to open the door.

Low and behold, to his displeasure Kagami's fast asleep on her bed. She isn't even wearing her pyjamas.

What a huge bummer. He hyped himself up for this? He should've let the man take the bag and go home; lie to Nick and say everything went okay.

Anyways, Toby leaves the bag by her desk, taking a good look at her room. Her room is standard, neat and tidy, with a shelf of books, closet and her desk with her computer. Nothing out of ordinary, almost reminiscent of Nick's room. So there isn't really much of a difference between girls and guy's rooms after all.

Something struck out to Toby. An old hardcover book laying on her desk. For some reason he's drawn to that book and unable to contain his intrigued he picks it up. Toby fiddles with the book for a while, general curious as to why Kagami would have such an old, torn book, especially a book with no title. Curiosity got the better of Toby and he opens it. He lets out a gasp at it's contents. He couldn't believe it. A book about Gormiti. Why does Kagami have this book?

He scans through the book in its entirety, making sure he isn't dreaming out anything from that man knocking him out or something. He even pinched himself.

To that one incident at the mall, now this? Something's amiss in Venture Falls and Gorm. Toby's determined to find out what, even if he must do so on his own. So, he takes the book, stuffing it into his own bag before heading off.


Obscurio slams his fists into a nearby stalagmite, demolishing it in the process. He couldn't contain his seething rage for the low life that is Vestalt. Magor is his lord, and Obscurio swore to serve him for all eternity but to take orders from a mere foot soldier? His lord is asking for too much. Oh, but through the harsh insults he throws at Vestalt's way, he knows she isn't just any ordinary foot soldier. Her connection to him is particularly worrisome. For Magor to invite Vestalt so quickly to his ranks and promote her to commander, there is no doubt in Obscurio's mind that Vestalt had ulterior motives.

"Obscurio please calm down. Our master can hear you!" calls out Magmion.

"Shut up Magmion! It doesn't matter anymore."

Vestalt had become Magor's favourite, casting Obscurio to the wayside. And to think, a mere foot soldier has taken his spot. Him, the lord of darkness himself. Obscurio isn't going to take this lightly. Whatever plan Vestalt had in motion, Obscurio is determined to stop Vestalt in her tracks. First, he'll start with one of her experiments.

He cackles murderously to himself, "Magmion, I think I may have a plan."


HELL YEAH I DID IT. GOT A CHAPTER OUT UNDER A WEEK.

and yeah so this chapter literally took 2-3 days to write so uh next chapter is 95.9% done. Not to spoil anyone but um ya'll are gonna lose your minds in that scene. It's so juicy that I have to bring up the rating of this fic from K+ to T. (Don't worry nothing M rated is gonna happen in this fic. If it was, I would've rated it M in the first place.) What scene am I talking about? You'll know next week. (Yes I have a schedule now. I would upload today or tomorrow but I haven't started writing chapter 10)

See ya'll next week. Hint for next week's chapter : Romantic undertones.