All right! The eighth chapter. Some of you have been waiting for this. I made the prequel to this chapter some time ago. I finally have a solid chapter all thought up and ready for you. I did some research for this chapter for some of the things you're going to read. For those that support this story, tell more of your friends to read this fan-fic. I would really like that. For now, chapter eight! Here we go.
Phase 08 - Summer Day: The Plan To Capture The Rock!
Today was the day. Shu's bags were packed. His items for his club's trip in order. And his clothes for the day were appropriate, considering where he was going. There was just one problem. His mother was struggling to open a jar.
"Shu, honey. Be manly for me, will ya?"
Shu gave his mother an exasperated look. Then, Haruka notices some fully packed bags on the floor.
"Wait a sec. What are all those bags for?"
"How many times I have to say it? My A/V club is going on a trip."
"Huh. Come to think of it, that does ring a bell. Are you sure you told me?"
"Yes, Haruka I did. I need to get ready now."
"At least open this for me."
Haruka held the jar she couldn't open in front of Shu's face.
"I'm not going to be here for a while."
Haruka went into melodramatic mode.
"What? You're running of to leave me all by myself? But then, who's gonna take of me?"
"Please stop acting all co-dependent."
"You don't want me to die of loneliness, do you? Guess I got to pack a bag and come along, huh?"
Haruka kept swinging her body while she held on to Shu. This irritated him.
"Would you stop already? It's like you're trying to break my neck!"
Haruka turned up the melodrama up to 11.
"Inori! SHU WANTS TO LEAVE ME! HIS OWN MOTHER! Isn't that so heartless?"
Shu's patience for his mother's behavior was getting real thin real fast.
"Enough of the clingly mother hold!"
Haruka finally let go, and spoke in a normal tone.
"You're going to Oshima. See, I remember. Just have fun, and go visit your dad for me."
xxxxxx
Shu and Inori made to the docks where the ferry was. Both of them were early and waited for the rest of their club to arrive. While they were waiting, Shu took out his holo-tablet to watch DJ Sagara's webcast before leaving for Oshima. He knew he was going to be busy there, so he might as well check it out before entertaining his friends and engage in another underground resistance mission. He got on the webcast site. It made Shu feel weird.
'It's funny. First, he guides me to signing up for Funeral Parlor. Then I find out that he uses me as a test subject. Then he works with us as a double agent. I can't get a read on this guy. Most of all, he seems to actually have an interest in me. I just hope its not inappropriate.'
Shu tuned in to the webcast and was already mesmerized by DJ Sagara's energy.
"DJ HOTLINE! Helllllooooo Tokyo and everyone in it. This is DJ Sagara here giving you the latest in music and news. For the music scene, something great is happening for anyone who lived through 2014. AKB48 is planning a reunion show. How long has it been since these ladies worked together? The groups started in 2005 and made their start in the Akihabara district. Hence the initials A K B."
Computer animations show big pink puffy letters.
"By the time it was 2013, these ladies were one of the highest paying music artists in the country. And man am I telling you, the guys in this country went gaga over them."
The screen rumbles a bit before Sagara turned his left and a huge sweat drop animation appeared on the side of his head. Further computer animation show anime-style otakus stampeding like a herd of elephants. After the animation was done, DJ Sagara had footprints all oer his face.
"Look at them go."
This made Shu laugh. Inori was close to him to see what was so funny. She watched the webcast along with him, but Shu was too entertained to notice.
"Like I was saying, the group's popularity was so huge that the record companies decided to make more of these all girl singing groups. In 2014, there were more than 140 members ranging from their early teens to their mid-20's. In short, these girls were every guys jerk-off fantasy."
Shu laughed as hard as he could due to that dirty joke.
"However, due to a number of controversies..."
Various media featuring members of the group, from pictures to articles to videos, were shown. Including the YouTube video of the idol Minami Minegeshi, who shaved her head as an apology to her fans for breaking a contract by-law forbidding her to have a boyfriend.
"The music companies ultimately decided to dissolve the groups in 2020. This made these guys cried like their mommas died."
The same anime-style otaku horde that stampeded a little while ago all gathered to weep like little babies.
"However, a few of the members got together in a small reunion party. They ultimately decided to pull off one last show. After contacting some of the record executives, whom they still had contact, liked the idea of a reunion show and agreed to the idea."
The animated otaku horde turned around to Sagara with a look that said 'is thet true?' Sagara turned around to talk to them like they were real.
"That's right. It's a reunion show made for you. Now, would you let do my show already?"
The animated otaku horde cheered as they exited the screen. This made Shu, as well as Inori, laugh.
"That's all for music. Now for the news. Now I want to cover the new Kamen Rider, Bravo, I'm saving that for later because of some things that happened in Oshima that I think you need to know."
Shu could not help but feel that Sagara was taking to him about his mission indirectly. This was the source of why it now felt weird for Shu to still see Sagara's webcast.
"There's good and bad. I'll start with bad first."
The clang-clang sound from Law and Order played as Sagara finished speaking.
"A dead body was found on the northern Oshima shore. Authorities have sealed off the area pending further investigation. The victim was utilities worker Hamato Miyamoto, age 35. What made this murder so mysterious as well as gruesome was that the victim was torn to shreds. Initial reports stated that most likely wild animals manged to kill poor Mr. Miyamoto. Here are my thoughts. When was the last time you ever heard of wild animals in a beach? I mean, unless a shark grew legs, my bullshit senses are tingling."
Background animation flash on one side of Sagara's face the mask of Spider-Man with little wavy line animations. Shu chuckled a bit as it reminded him of an old Robot Chicken skit.
"Police are absolutely confused as to how this took place. Witnesses say it wasn't a wild animal that tore the man apart. It was a monster."
Lighnting flashes and thunder noises with ominous music playing on cue.
"That's right. Before this gruesome murder, that have been sightings of a bat-like creature flying the night skies of Oshima for the past few days. Now you may chalk this up to local superstition, but may I remind all of you that we live in an age of Freaks and Super-Creeps?"
Sagara plays a video clip compilation of Gaim fighting off Inves attacks.
"So now that's out of the way, time for the good news. The weather in Oshima is calling for sunny, hot days, and cool, breezy nights. And if you're in the mood to laugh your ass off, Oshima's top night club called The Red Door is hosting a comedy festival called 'Night of a 1000 LMFAOs.' It guaranteed to make you do just that. Many new comic blood as well as a few legends will be there as well. Who? I don't know! You're just gonna have to go there to see it for yourself. Well that's my show for now. This is DJ Sagara saying don't forget to have fun while you work."
As Sagara signed off, Shu had another thought in his head.
'Okay. That last part had to have been for me.'
As Shu turned off his holo-tablet, he not only saw Inori standing behind him, but also the rest of his friends. This startled him.
"GUH! When did you guys get here?"
Souta had a big grin on his face while Hare and Kanon looked awkward behind Souta. Shu was blushing in embarrassment when he looked like a doofus in front of his crush.
"About the time your net idol said something about murder in Oshima."
"Yeah well, so what? I like that guy. I think he's funny and Inori here feels the same way I do."
Souta intantly stopped all intention to bust Shu's balls when he heard Inori liking the same thing he did, and took the chance to get closer to Inori.
"Oh hell yeah man. I know what you mean. I think DJ Sagara is, like, awesome too."
Shu was confused as to why Souta said that.
"Really? Because I remember telling you about the guy and you said..."
"...that he was awesome and I should tune in to his webcast because he's so awesome. Yeah man, I remember. I mean he's so funny, right Inori?"
"That's not what I remember..."
"OKAY! Let's go to Oshima!"
Shu, Hare, and Kanon had a look on their faces that expressed as to just how transparent he was when it came to getting Inori to like him. Transparent for Hare and Kanon.
xxxxxx
The ferry finally docked and Shu and his friends stood on island ground. They were loving the island scenery and weather. Souta more excited than everyone else combined.
"Welcome to paradise!"
"It's so beautiful out today. Nothing but sunshine."
Shu looked at Hare when she said that. It made him smile when he saw her happy. But then Souta acted the way he usually acts that got on Shu's nerves sometimes.
"Hey Shu, you sure you're not pulling our leg with this whole 'vacation home' thing?"
"Nope, it's real. I actually used to live out here when I was a kid."
"Yeah? Well thanks man!"
Souta slapped Shu on the back real hard. This made him wince with pain and stand up on this toes. Hare noticed how uncomfortable it made Shu, and chastised Souta for it.
"Okay enough, Souta. Let's just get to the vacation home already."
"Yeah fine. Hurry up, deadweights."
As soon Souta was out of range, Shu spoke to Hare as she, Kanon, and Inori were him.
"Hey Hare. Um... Thanks for that."
Shu blushed a little bit, as did Hare when she saw him.
"Oh... no problem."
Kanon looked at the two of them with a sly smile, and detected heat between the two.
xxxxxx
The A/V club finally made to the vacation home, and it was bigger than what any of them expected. It was bigger than what Shu expected.
"Whoa! This place is the bomb!"
Shu thought,
'Hey Souta, the 90's called. They want their catchphrase back.'
Hare and Kanon were amazed at just how luxurious the place was.
"This mansion is glorious."
"No kidding. Just what do your folks do for a living, Shu?"
Shu was drawing a blank as to think of an adequate explanation. He whispered to Inori.
"Hey, why is my vacation home so big?"
"The Kouhouin group gave Gai permission to use this mansion for the mission. Is there a problem?"
"Kind of. My mom would have to work, like, quadruple overtime just to get the down payment of this place."
Souta heard Shu and Inori whisper to each other.
"Hey, you two. Quit being all lovey-dovey while nobody's looking. Save it for home."
"We're not being lovey-dovey. We're just having a talk."
"Please man, I know you're shacking up with her."
Hare and Kanon were both surprised by this revelation.
"What? Shacking up?"
"Seriously. they're living together?"
"Yeah, I saw them going home together."
Hare and Kanon looked at Shu and Inori with a shocked look while Souta looked at Shu with the same mischievous grin from earlier.
"Yeah it's true. She's got this brother who works long hours and little pay. The only place he could afford was a shabby apartment in a bad neighborhood. So, I offered Inori a place to stay at my place."
Kanon tried to bring some logic into this situation.
"But she's a pop star. I thought she would get paid to live in a nicer place."
"Record company executives. Basically professional rip-off artists."
Inori spoke next, going along the story Shu was making up on the spot.
"It's true. My brother and I work so hard for so little. I'm grateful for Shu's kindness."
Hare and Kanon were teary eyed at the sory and looked at Shu like a catholic saint in a human avatar body.
"It's no big deal. Like I told you, I'm more than willing to having you stay at my place until things get better for you and your brother."
"NO BIG DEAL?"
Hare yelled while everyone was focused on her.
"Oh... I'm sorry I yelled like that. But the point I am trying to make is that is so generous of you Shu. Taking her into your home like that. I mean, of course it's a big deal."
Shu was taken aback by Hare's praise. This made him blush again to know that something like this was enough to get the attention of the girl he really likes. He scratched the back of his head in humbleness. While Souta looked at Inori smiling at Shu. He frowned a little bit in jealously. Then he acted like a loud, little kid again.
"While you ladies pat Shu on the pack, I'm going to have fun."
Kanon spoke up.
"Wait, aren't we going to unpack?"
"Who has the time? You nerds can stay here all you like, but I'm going on vacation mode!"
"Hey! Don't run off without us! You get back here Souta."
xxxxxx
The boys were the first ones who made ot to the beach. As Shu was setting up the parasol, Souta ran right into the water.
"LAST ONE IN'S A ROTTEN EGG!"
As Hare and Kanon came to the beach, Kanon was exasperated for the manic energy Souta was exhuming.
"Why's he always gotta be like that?"
Hare just giggled at Souta's manic energy.
"He's just being himself. You can't blame him for that."
Shu had finished setting up their shade spot on the beach. He internally complained as to how has to put up with Souta's mannerisms while on the job.
'I swear, Souta drives me nuts sometimes. Sometimes he's fun to be with. But when he gets like this, all pushy and loud, he can make you feel like he's in you face all the time. Not to mention my mission involves his void. So now I need to keep him happy, but it's becoming harder than I thought.'
Shu looked at the beach scenery and took the frustration of the job in stride.
'Still, I have to admit. One hell of a view. Big, blue sky. Big, blue ocean. The feel of the summer air caressing your face. I don't know how it is for other people, but for me, it's hard to stay irritated when it comes to something righteous like this.'
As Shu looked around some more, he noticed Inori in her pink bikini. Her petite figure made Shu feel aroused.
'Like I said, righteous.'
Hare looked at Shu ogling at Inori, and felt she had to make her move.
"This is what I get for playing the waiting game. Okay, Hare. Make Shu yours."
She unzipped her light jacket, ran towards Shu, and spoke in a sweet and enticing tone to get his attention.
"Hi Shu. How's about we go for a swim?"
Shu turned around to see Hare in a white bikini that revealed that she had assets that grabbed his attention. Shu was redder than ever before. There was even a trickle of blood coming out of his nose. Hare grabbed Shu's arm and ran with him to the ocean water. However, Shu pitched up a tent that he did not want anyone to see.
"Hare, would you let me go right now?! Running is very hard to do at the moment."
As Shu and the rest of his friends had fun in the sun, some members of Funeral Parlor were sitting near a snack hut, watching Shu having enjoying himself with his friends. Argo and Ougumo had slight envy while Shibungi was there to oversee the operation while reading a book.
"Against all odds, Tamadate seems to have made it here in one piece."
"Shu's having way too much fun to be on a mission. My assignments never turn out like this."
Ougumo spoke to quiet down Argo's complaints after eating some of his yakisoba noodles.
"A little R&R never hurt anybody. I'm more worried about how we're going to get past security tonight."
"Tsugumi and Ayase are looking into it as we speak."
"So in the meantime, we just cool our jets? I wonder what kind of buried treausre our fearless leader is hunting?"
"Ours is not to question the reason why. But to simply believe in Gai. Tell me Argo, aren't you hot in your uniform?"
Argo was wearing his Funeral Parlor uniform on the beach in the sun.
"Not really."
xxxxxx
The sun was setting over Oshima, and the girls were walking back the the mansion with snacks in hand. Hare spoke up.
"Hey, where's Shu?"
"Last time I checked, he was heading into the forest."
"Oh yeah, now I remember. Shu's father's buried here."
Elsewhere in a farther distance and on a higher altitude, Souta was setting up his camera to take long distance shots of Inori. As he finished the setup, he then noticed a sun hat with a red ribbon flailing in the wind. When it came down, Souta grabbed it. Then he heard wheelchair noise close to him. He saw a red-haired girl being pushed by a younger black-haired girl in a maid outfit. It was Ayase and Tsugumi in disguise.
"Excuse me, sir. May I have my hat back?"
Souta asked,
"This one?"
Ayase nodded. Souta approached her and gave the hat back. Ayase covered her face with the hat.
"Ta-Ta, then."
Tsugumi pushed Ayase, carrying on their way. Souta remarked on Ayase as soon she was out of hearing distance.
"Man, that chick must be loaded. She had a maid and everything."
Ayase still had her face covered when she talked to Tsugumi.
"Tsugumi, tell me again why we're dressed like this."
"Your outfit is so adorable. Surely my mistress does not object to that."
Ayase groaned in embarrassment while Tsugumi laughed in a way old-school noblity would laugh.
xxxxxx
Shu was standing in the middle of a graveyard over his father's final resting place. He stood silent as he tried to remember anything about his old man. He held a bouquet of flowers and laid it on his grave. As Shu continued to stand, a memory suddenly came to him. Images of candles on top of a cake were there. Then his father with a beard stubble, smiling to him and saying something to him. He couldn't make out the words. Then his father reached for his pocket and took out a familiar item. It was Shu's Orange Lockseed. He gave it to Shu, and talked with him further. Shu felt a sense of wonder as his father talked to him, but could not make out the words. Shu said something back, but the words could not be heard as well. Then seven words were finally heard.
"Happy Birthday, Shu. I love you, son."
He heard someone walking to him, and it was Gai.
"Kurosu Ouma was a brilliant man."
"You've heard of him?"
"Sure. He worked as professor in Tenozu College. And he was the world-leading expert on the Apocalypse Virus when he died."
"You kidding me?"
"You telling me you don't know you're own father?"
"We don't talk about the past too much. I knew he was Haruka's teacher, but that was it."
"Haruka?"
"I call my mom by her first name. To be honest, I hardly remember my dad at all. I mean, he died 10 years ago."
"During Lost Christmas."
"Yeah. Actually, I do remember something about my dad. I think it was my birthday. The memory is kind of fuzzy, but I remember my dad giving me this."
Shu brought out his Orange Lockseed. This made Gai curious.
"I think he gave it to me as a birthday gift. Haruka says that he used to work a lot. Maybe that's why he gave this to me. I felt kind of happy when he gave me this. So Gai, what bring you out here? Is it for the view?"
"Indeed."
Gai led Shu to another spot on the graveyard where they saw a japanese shrine gate from afar.
"So, what's so special about that?"
"Take a closer look."
Gai gave Shu a special kind of telescope that gave infrared readings. Shu found trip lasers at the sides of the shrine gate.
"Oh. Now I get it. This is the mission."
"A GHQ lab is hidden inside. I'm here to take what's inside."
"What is it?"
"The rock that started everything. Taking possession of the meteor fragment that gave birth to the Apocalypse Virus is our number one priority right now. The void necessary for this operation is the key to accomplish this mission. We can't do this without you...or him."
"Souta Tamadate. So that's how he fits in."
"Mission starts at 1200 hours. Just get him to the rendezvous point, and we're good."
"Easier said than done."
"Don't worry. Believe it or not, you have the perfect bait."
"I do?"
"Souta's an ardent fan of EGOIST, isn't he?"
Shu was putting two and two together.
"Oh, now I get it. Use his fanboy interests against him."
"Now you're getting it. You lure a person in with what they desire. It's not exactly rocket science."
"Wait, are you sure that Inori will go with this?"
"Why? Is the thought of using her as a bargaining chip makes you mad for some reason?"
"Why does everybody automatically assume that I yearn to have a romantic attachment for her?"
Gai was stunned by what Shu said. This was one of the few instances where Gai's readings of people were off the mark.
"I mean I care about her, no question. But for some reason, she's just not my type."
Gai laughed as he did before when Shu said something that made him burst out while leaving Shu confused.
"Ah. Just be there for the mission."
Gai left the graveyard with Shu following behind. However, back at the grave, near Kurosu's grave, was Keido, in white priest's clothing, and the Komori Inves.
xxxxxx
Nighttime fell. Hare and Kanon were taking a bath together. Kanon was scrubbing herself while Hare soaked in the tub.
"I haven't gone on a trip with friends in forever. Thanks for coming along, Kanon. I'm really glad."
"Of course I did. I am a memeber of the club, you know. Just not officially."
"Yeah, but since Yahiro isn't here, i just thought..."
Kanon jumped a bit when she heard Yahiro's name.
"So what if he's here? Like I care about that."
"It's just nice of you to tag along."
Inori came inside to take a bath as well. As soon as came, both Kanon and Hare were amazed by her skin composition. Hare blushed while Kanon spoke in astonishment.
"Wow Inori. Your skin is so gorgeous. Can I touch it?"
"Um..."
"It's so soft. What do you use for it? And is it soft down there as well?"
Kanon playfully felt Inori's nether-regions and it made Inori feel uncomfortable. Hare was seeing the whole thing from the tub.
'If she any feelings for Shu, I don't stand a chance.'
xxxxxx
Shu and Souta were in their room, and Souta talked to Shu about Inori.
"So Shu, spill it."
"Spill what? I don't want to make a mess here."
"I don't mean that. I meant you and Inori. Are you sure that there is nothing going on between you and Inori?"
"Yeah. We're just friends, and I honestly like it that way."
Souta was on his holo-tablet when he was speaking to Shu. Shu wondered if the conversation was going somewhere.
"Then I'm going for it. I'm going to tell Inori how I feel. I like her, so screw it. I'm taking a shot."
"Um... This is a big decision. Are you sure about this, Souta? What if she rejects you? What if she doesn't feel the same way about you?"
"I wanna do it, Shu. If I don't now, then when?"
Shu was surprised at just how committed Souta was to this. To put his heart on the line while not knowing how it as going to turn out. Shu looked at Souta, and his face expressed determination. Shu approached Souta to encourage him to confess his feelings to Inori. Considering Souta's void is intergral to his mission, it was like Gai's plan was falling into place.
"You should go for it."
Inori had finished her bath and was heading to her room. Shu met up with her and told her that he got Souta to listen to him and that he was planning to met up with her later.
"I got it, Shu. I'll meet up with Souta at the location where you will extract his void."
"Great."
Shu was going to leave, but stopped to talk with Inori further.
"Just one more thing. Are you sure that you're comfortable with this? I don't think of you as a means to an end, but part of this was Gai's idea and..."
"It's ok. If Gai thinks this is best, I will follow his orders. Don't worry, Shu. I'm not mad if Souta's feelings for me will help make this operation a success."
"Okay. Just so you know, he really likes you. So, please be nice to him. I don't know if you know, but when a guy puts his heart on the line for a girl he really likes, or even love, he really wants the girl to feel the same way for him. Guys may act like it doesn't affect them, but rejections can hurt. So, take it easy with him."
"Okay."
"I'll see you later."
xxxxxx
Gai was in a steel trailer with a video monitor talking to Shibungi.
"A mission in which one uses one's friends. Not very suitable for someone like Shu."
"Friends are an asset, like everything else. It'll be a waste not to use them."
"How very Gai."
"Besides, a life without turmoil is a life unlived. Maybe Shu feels guilty about doing to Souta, but I believe that Shu is doing him a favor. Stirring up some emotion in him just this once."
xxxxxx
Inori finally met up with Souta, and both walked to a secluded spot near some industrial docks. Shu was hiding in some bushes, waiting for both of them to come.
"Hey. Thanks for coming out. It means a lot to me."
"No problem."
"The stars are real pretty out here tonight. You hardly see them in Tokyo."
Souta and Inori kept walking to a nearby park bench. Shu crept out of the nearby bushes a little bit to get a good look of where they are.
'Okay. They're already here.'
Souta took out his holo-tablet while they sat doen on the park bench.
"There's something I want to show you. I was watching the new EGOIST video the other day, and it really got under my skin. In a good way, you know? So, I borrowed your song and made one of my own."
Inori got closer to Souta and her shoulder touched his. Shu looked at the both of them and wondered,
'Huh. Wonder what they're doing?'
Souta pressed play and the video that played Inori's song with pictures and short videos he took when he first came to Oshima. It looked like it was made recently, but it was well done. Shu crept closer to get a better look at what the two of them were doing.
'I didn't know he made a video like that. So that's why he was taking all those pictures when he got here. He took his A/V equipment with him just to impress Inori. Man Souta. When you want to impress a girl, you go all out. This could be one of the biggest moments of your life. Kind of makes me feel guilty for what I have to do to you later. Really."
Inori commented on Souta's video
"It's pretty."
'Hey, that's the same thing she said about my video. Hmmm. Either Inori needs to develop a discriminating taste for art, or maybe I'm not as good at making videos as I thought I was.'
As the music played on, Souta got up.
"Listen, Inori. I know that... we only met a while ago and we don't talk much. But, whenever I hear you sing, I feel like my heart is drowning in a tsunami of pure emotion."
'Did he come up with that himself, or did he get from a movie or book?'
Souta held Inori's hand like he was going to propose.
"I know that you don't know me, but I think you should. Because... Because I think you should know..."
'Woah. Is this what tension feels like? It feels like my body is in a straightjacket, and struggling to get out. Maybe the reason why I feel this is because... I want Souta to find happiness? Or maybe it's the moment of things?'
Souta, with all his heart and soul, struggled for the grand confession.
"Inori... I love..."
Inori, with her other hand, placed her finger on Souta's lips as soon as they were closed.
"Do you mind closing your eyes?"
"Uh... yeah. Sure."
Souta did so, and waited for what was going to happen next. Inori grabbed both sides of Souta, and turned him to a certain direction.
"No peeking, now."
Souta was tense with anticipation, curious with what was going to happen next. Inori then waved her arms to signal Shu to begin to extract Souta's void. Shu saw the signal and ran to Souta. As he started, everything around him began to slow down. Shu was deep in thought.
'So what was up with what I was feeling? When Souta was going to say I love you to Inori, I felt something. I don't think it was jealousy because I don't feel like I want to punch him in the face for confessing to Inori. Rather, I hoped that things would turn out okay for him because...'
(Play Choujin Sentai Jetman ED)
Shu then had flashbacks to when he first met Hare, and how he started a friendship with her. He also remembered when his feelings for her started to blossom. All those times when he got close to her were the times that he felt grateful just to see her lovely smile up close. Her hair in those adorable twintails that only made her more cute. He even loved at just how she was not just tolerant of Shu, but enjoyed his company as well. It made him feel that there was something about that didn't seem to completely suck. Hare saw him as a real person when all of Shu's life, as he remembered it, he never felt normal like everyone else. What he felt for Hare was no different to what Souta felt for Inori.
'Now I know. He wants to be together with Inori the same way I want to be together with Hare. We both believe they're the greatest thing that ever happened to us, and we just wanna hold to that as long as we can. Because we don't know if it is ever going to happen again. And I'm taking that away from him. I feel like scum. And the worst part, he won't remember any of this.'
(End music)
Shu felt like everything around him was speeding. He was still rushing to Souta to extract his void. As Shu ran towards Souta, he yelled out.
"SOUTA, I'M REALLY SORRY I HAVE TO DO THIS YOU!"
Shu finally slammed his hand on Souta's chest, and extracted his void.
"THIS HURTS ME MORE THAN IT HURTS YOU!"
Inori saw Shu's face. It was expressing guilt and sadness. Shu saw Souta lying down on the ground.
"I don't like this."
"What don't you like about this? I mean, the guy wasn't exactly Romeo or anything."
Argo and Ougumo came out of a nearby bush. Shu was shocked at see the both of them behind him and notice.
"How long have you guys been there?"
"Why are you beating yourself up? You actually followed orders without screwing up. So, what's up with this whole self-imposed guilt trip?"
Shu thought he heard Ayase's voice out of nowhere, but she was there in a cloak that helped her go camoflague.
"It's because of this."
Tsugumi hung upside down from a tree while Funell came out of a bush near the tree. It played a recording of Shu when he talked to Inori earlier.
'I don't know if you know, but when a guy puts his heart on the line for a girl he really likes, or even love, he really wants the girl to feel the same way for him. Guys may act like it doesn't affect them, but rejections can hurt.'
"But I'm not wrong!"
Shibungi simply walked to where everyone was and said to Shu.
"Relax, Shu. You waited until Inori called for you. Isn't that right, Gai?"
Shu turned to see Gai standing next to Inori.
"We stick to the plan. So far, everything is on track. We move forward to the next step."
xxxxxx
Near the base, Keido was nearing to where The Rock was located. The Komori Inves was flying above him.
xxxxxx
Shu was carrying Souta on his back to the rendezvous point and Gai.
"Good. You're finally here. Tsugumi's blinded the guards, but they're inconsequential. The real challenge lies within. Ougumo."
"Yes sir."
Shu gently put Souta on the ground for Ougumo to pick up and carry on his back. Ougumo spoke to Shu.
"Don't beat yourself up, Shu. Guys like Souta bounce back faster than you can knock them down. Just focus on the mission. And then you'll have the time to make it up with him."
Shu took his advice and finally focused on the mission.
"Thanks, Ougumo."
As Ougumo left with Souta, Gai gave his orders to Shu.
"Shu, I want you to shoot the gate with that camera you've pulled."
Shu followed Gai's orders, and shot the gate with the camera. When he did, the gate simply disappeared.
"I didn't realize that this was a void for opening things."
"Let's go."
Gai, Inori, and Shu stepped inside the base.
xxxxxx
At the other side of the base, a guard saw a man with a brown book approaching him.
"Hey!"
Upon closer examination, the guard saw one of his superiors.
"Didn't realize it was you! Keido, Sir!"
"Don't you worry about it, soldier. You were just doing your duty."
Keido snapped his fingers and the Komori Inves swooped down and bit a huge chunk of the guard's neck.
"Me and my friend here are just ghosts. As are you."
Keido swiped a security card. The card reader recognized the authorization of Kurosu Ouma. When that happened, the alarms started to go off. This alerted Shu, Gai, and Inori.
"Sounds like they're on to us."
"No, they can't. If they know we're here, then..."
The security system activated metal walls that was designed to trap any intruders. However, Shu used the void to make one of them disappear.
"Hurry!"
Gai and Inori ran ahead, with Shu following behind. One of the security solders came up from behind Shu and was prepared to fire on him. Inori turned around to stop it.
"SHU!"
Inori took out a small gun, shot the soldier on the helmet to disorient him, and delivered a knee-kick in his face to knock him out. The three of them continued to where The Rock was located. However, Keido was already of them. He and the Komori Inves were already inside the vault where The Rock was located. Inside the vault were numerous vines that held a certain kind of fruit. The Komori Inves looked at the fruit and wanted to eat it. Keido gave it an order.
"You already ate. I don't want you getting fat for nothing. I have a job for you. Intruders from Funeral Parlor will be coming here soon. I want you stay here and exterminate them as soon as they arrive."
The Komori Inves understood Keido's orders, and waited in the shadows of the vault. Back at the corridor to where The Rock was located, Shu spoke to Gai with a question he had in his mind.
"I don't get it! Why would Souta have a camera for a void?"
"I don't know, and frankly, I couldn't care less. I just know that we need him."
Gai, Inori, and Shu finally made to the vault where The Rock was located. All three were surprised to see what was in that vault. Vegetation growing all over the place. The vines had some strange fruit on them. They thought the same thing. Is The Rock capable of doing something like this? Can it create organic life on its own? The fragment responsible for the Apocalypse Virus? While Shu and Inori were mesmerized by the plant life in the vault, Gai was focused on the task at hand.
"Let's get a move on."
All three finally arrive at the center of the vault where The Rock was stored.
"Souta's void is the only thing capable of cutting thought this security system. Just point and shoot."
"So this whole room is one big lock? Then what's up with all the plants in here?"
"I don't know. But once we have the rock, we can study it, and maybe get some answers. Our objective lies beyond this point, Shu. Do it."
Shu pointed the camera at the room, and flashed it. The whole vault glowed red, and at the middle of it was a panel that opened.
"Gai, is The Rock really here?"
"It has to be."
A pillar rose, but nothing was on the top of it.
"Gai, was there something that was supposed to be here?"
Gai looked around to find a computer monitor that indicated that someone took The Rock before they got to. He growled and shot the monitor. Shu was confused as to why he did that.
"Gai?"
"We're leaving."
Just then, a loud screeching noise was heard. Shu, Inori, and Gai cringed in pain while covering their ears before they looked up. An Inves was there waiting for them, and it was possible it had orders to exterminate any intruders. The Inves swooped down and lunged towards the three. Shu tried to summon his Sengoku Driver, but could not. Luckily, Gai remembered the last time he had face one of them, and took out a flash bomb. He threw the bomb, and it blinded the Inves. Gai gave the order.
"Run, now!"
Shu and Inori did just that. Gai caught up with them soon after. The Komori Inves regained its eyesight, and saw the vault empty, realizing the intruders escaped.
xxxxxx
Keido was at the same graveyard he was earlier. He stood over Kurosu's grave.
"Dante once said 'the devil grief of a lost bliss is to remember those happier hours while in pain.' Kurosu... I will not be deterred."
Keido held in his hand, the canister that holds The Rock.
xxxxxx
Gai, Inori, and Shu finally made out to the base, and made it to the park bench where Ougumo put Souta. Shu approached Souta, but not before he asked Gai a question.
"Why couldn't I summoned my void back there?"
"Because Shu, you can't wield two voids at once. That's beyond what the Void Genome can do."
A loud screeching sound was heard again. Gai told Shu,
"We don't time. Give back Souta's void, and transform into Gaim."
"Okay. Inori, lie down on the ground. We need to make this convincing."
Inori knew what Shu meant, and did so. Gai ran as far as he could to hide himself. As soon as Shu returned Souta's void, the Komori Inves was overhead. It dived to where Shu was, but Shu did three backflips to distance himself from the Inves. Shu did managed to summon his Sengoku Driver and put it on his waist. But the Komori Inves took a swing at Shu. Shu blocked the swing, and punched it in the face. Shu was amazed that he could do that with his own bare hands.
'Woah. Didn't realized I could do that. Maybe I'm getting physically stronger wearing that armor.'
The Komori Inves charged at Shu once again, but Shu deliver a roundhouse kick to the face. The Inves fell down near where Inori was. Then a scream was heard. Souta had woke up and saw the monster that was in front of Inori.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!"
The Inves heard Souta , and was going to kill him. But Shu grabbed the Inves from behind, pulled it away from Inori and Souta, got in front of it, and pushed it away from them. The Inves snarled at Shu. Souta was panicking and asking Shu what was going on.
"SHU! Wha-Wha-Wha... What is that thing?"
"Just take Inori and get out of here!"
"What about you?!"
"JUST GO!"
Souta gathered whatever courage was in him, and carried Inori who was 'unconscious'. He ran as far as he could with Inori in her arms. Shu saw Souta running until he could not see him anymore. With no one else around, Shu got out his orange lockseed and yelled out,
"HENSHIN!"
"ORANGE! "
A metallic orange appeared over him. Shu did his pose and placed his lockseed on his driver.
"LOCK-ON !"
The driver then played the Japanese horagai music with a techno beat before Shu used the cutting blade on his driver to slice his orange lockseed.
"SOIYA! ORANGE ARMS! HANAMICHI ON STAGE! "
"Alright. Let's get it on!"
xxxxxx
Hare and Kanon woke up early to see the sunrise on Oshima.
"Wow. It's so pretty."
Kanon noticed three people missing.
"Hey, where's everybody else?"
"Maybe they're still sleeping?"
Just then, Kanon saw Souta running towards them with an unconscious Inori in his arms.
"Oh my god."
"What is it, Kanon?"
"Look!"
Hare did so, and was shocked at what she saw. Souta eventually got to where the girls are, and was panting and gasping for air.
"Souta, what happened?"
"Something bad. One of those monsters that Gaim destroys is here in Oshima. Shu stayed behind for me to carry Inori and escape."
As soon as Hare heard that last part and almost cried in fear. Kanon spoke up for a solution.
'We need to call the cops."
"What are you, crazy?! They can't handle that!"
Souta ran inside to put Inori on a couch to rest. Then he ran outside. Kanon yelled,
"Hey! Where you going?!"
"I NEED TO GO BACK FOR SHU!"
xxxxxx
Shu was battling the Komori Inves with some difficulty. While he did land some blows, the fact that this Inves can fly made landing an effective strike hard. It was like trying to hit a piñata with a toothpick. The Komori Inves, meanwhile, had no problem making Gaim an easy target for abuse. The fight dragged on. Shu thought,
'DAMN IT! I can't land a good attack on this guy! The fact that he can fly puts me on one hell of a spot. I need to switch to a lockseed that good for long-distance combat.'
Shu took off his Orange Lockseed...
"LOCK-OFF."
and switched to his Ichigo lockseed.
"ICHIGO!"
A metallic strawberry was above Shu. He then latched the Ichigo lockseed on his driver...
"LOCK-ON! "
and used the Cutting blade to slice it. Before the metallic orange disapated, he bowed so that the metallic orange would launch at the Inves, causing disorientation.
"Eat this!"
The metallic orange hit the Komori Inves, giving Shu time to complete the switch.
"SOIYA! ICHIGO ARMS! SHUSHUTO SPARK! "
Shu charged towards the Inves.
"Now it's my stage."
Shu and the Komori inves exchanged blows at each other. The Inves used its wings while Shu used his Ichigo kunai. Shu held his ground as he and it kept on fighting each other. Shu threw his Ichigo kunai at the Komori Inves. He landed a couple of hits before it flew around Shu. This made hard for Shu to land a decent blow, again. The Komori Inves was preparing to fly away again, but Shu was ready this time. He unsheathed his Musou saber, and took off the Ichigo lockseed on his belt and placed it on his sword.
"You got away from me once! NO SECOND CHANCES!"
"LOCK-ON! 1-10-100! "
Shu swings his saber into the air.
"ICHIGO CHARGE! "
Shu swung his saber to produce a kunai storm. Rather aiming for the Inves completely, he aimed for one of its wings to remove its chances for escaping. On the first swing he missed. It was the second swing that did the job. The kunai storm hit the Komori Inves's left wing, and it landed on the shore near where the park bench. Shu leapt over the park edge, and made it to the beach where the Inves fell. While he was running to there, he switched back from his Ichigo lockseed to his Orange one. By the time that finished, Shu saw the Inves recovering from the fall. The Inves saw Gaim and growled at him, indicating he was ready continue where they left off. Shu readied his Daidaimaru while wielding his Musou Saber. The Komori Inves charged at Gaim, and vice-versa. Shu did notice that the tips of its wings were sword-like, and knew this Inves knew how to use them. They clashed on the white-sandy shore with the sun rising behind them. The Inves gave it everything it had to kill Gaim, but Shu put up a strong offensive. Shu and the Komori Inves eventually crossed their respective weapons, but the Inves used its supersonic screeching to disable Shu for a bit.
"Th-This again?! Gotta... shut it up!"
Shu kicked some sand onto the Inves, and it stopped for a bit before continuing its supersonic screech. Shu then cocked the gun of his Musou saber, and fired at the sand, thereby creating a mini-sandstorm. Some of the sand from the blast got into the Inves's eyes and vocal cords. Shu attached the bottom of his Musou saber and his Daidaimaru to make his naginata. He swung it at the Inves to weaken it before he could used a final move that would kill it. Shu too off his Orange lockseed, and latched it on his naginata.
"LOCK-ON! 1, 10, 100, 1000, 10000 "
Shu took a stance while waiting for his weapon to be fully charged, ran towards at the Komori Inves to attack it with his naginata, resulting in a sword slice that cut throught the Inves...
"ORANGE CHARGE! "
and the resulting explosion, which resembled a whole orange, killed it. Though the flames on the corpse of the Komori Inves were still burning, there was quiet on the shores of Oshima as morning set in. However, that quiet was gone as soon as Shu heard Souta's voice calling for him.
"SHU! SHU!"
"Ah crap. I gotta get back there."
xxxxxx
Souta was running frantically while yelling out Shu's name. He felt bad for leaving behind Shu to that monster that was going to kill them. He feared for the worst if Shu got hurt in anyway.
'Oh man! Please Shu. Please be all right. I will seriously feel a shitload of guilt if you die.'
Souta made it to the park bench from last night, and saw Shu laying face down on the concrete ground.
"SHU!"
Souta ran to Shu, who was 'unconscious.' Souta turned him, and shaked him while yelling to wake him up.
"Shu! Shu! Wake up, man. WAKE UP! DON'T DIE ON ME, DUDE! WAKE UP!"
Shu was faking it, but he was hiding his irritation of Souta's panicked voice.
'And here I thought that Inves's screech was unbearable.'
Souta kept on shaking Shu until Shu placed his hand on Souta's right shoulder.
"And I was having such a nice dream."
"Holy crap. You're alive.
Souta hugged Shu, but it was a constricting one.
"With the way you're hugging me, not for long."
Souta immediately let go of Shu.
"Sorry, man. I was afraid that monster killed you. Then I would be sad, our friends would be sad, even your mom. I was actually afraid of all that... Pheeh, who am I kidding? I was ready to shit my pants if you didn't buy me time so I can save my chicken ass."
"You remembered to pick up Inori when you ran. You saved her, too. That means something."
Souta looked at Shu like he could something inside of him that no one else would notice. Souta was teary-eyed when Shu said something nice about him.
"Uh... You okay?"
"...Yeah, I'm just fine. Inori's back in the house. I put her on a couch while she was still unconscious."
"Great."
"So, what happened? Where's the monster?"
"I don't know. One moment, I'm standing my ground so you can get away. The next, I'm out cold."
"Oh. Well, you're still alright. So, that's awesome. But I gotta ask: weren't you scared when you were face-to-face with that freak?"
"A little bit, but no so much that it stopped me from fighting it."
"You fought the damn thing?! What the hell's the matter with you, Shu?! You could've died, man."
"So what?! Why do you care?!"
"Man, I just don't understand you! WHAT THE HELL?!"
"You're one to talk! There are times when you bug the crap out of me! You can also be pushy, loud, and clueless all the time! It pushes me to do something batshit insane!"
Souta was stunned by that last statement.
"Sorry, but that's how I feel sometimes. Other times, you're not so bad."
Only the sounds of the beach breeze rustling thought the palm trees was heard as Shu and Souta stood in silence. Shu spoke in this thoughts.
'Even if I said that last part, he's gonna hate me for saying all that stuff. At least I finally spoke my mind about him. I just had to do it.'
"I thought that might be the case."
Shu was surprised not only by what Souta said, but how he said it.
"Glad you're being straight with me. It just that you always seemed kind of distant. Know what I'm saying dude? Hell, if we're being honest here, sometimes you bug the crap out of me. It's cool that you got it out of you. It means a lot. So, I guess that means we can be friends for real, right?"
Souta had a smile on his face that was sincere, and Shu didn't know what to make of the situation. The only thing that came to Shu's mind in a situation like this was to smile back.
xxxxxx
When the both of them returned to the mansion, they were greeted with panicked girls. Shu calmed Hare and Kanon down, explaining that he got away due to Gaim.
"Really, dude? I thought you were knocked out cold by that freak."
"Well Souta, before we came back here, I noticed that there was something burning on the beach near us. I had a closer look and it was that same freak that attacked us."
"Seriously?! Then that means..."
Hare and Kanon joined in.
"Gaim is here in Oshima."
"But why?"
"Heroes of Justice. It's in their job description."
Everyone took Shu's simple, but accurate explanation of why Gaim was here. Hare expressed gratitude for Gaim.
"Well I'm glad he's here. That meant he saved you, Souta, and Inori. I wish I could thank him for that."
Shu internally commented on Hare's wish.
'This is one of those reasons why I want to tell them.'
Shu and the rest of his friends had one more day on Oshima. They decided to take in the sights and play tourists for a day. It was kind of fun. Some of the sights they saw were nice, some of them were amazing. From the whale sightings to the tram rides touring the nearby city. They enjoyed the sushi and the seafood ramen Oshima had to offer. When they went to a local aquarium, Souta made fun of the fish by making faces. Shu thought that was lame.
"Oh yeah? You got something better?"
"You see that fish over there? The one that puffy and fat?"
"Yeah."
Shu changed the tone of his voice to resemble that of a chronic couch potato.
"Getting my big, fat, farty ass up to my motor scooter to get half a bag of chips with my claw hand is all the exercise I need today. I'll be rolling in bitches in no time!"
Everyone, including Inori, laughed at what Shu did. Souta was the loudest one of all.
"That's so funny, man! Do another one, Do another one."
"All right."
Shu looked for another fish to give it an exaggerated human voice. He found one that was long, green, and had a elongated nose.
"That's a good one."
Shu changed his tone to resemble that of a cartoony gay person.
"I just had my nose done today. Isn't it cute? My boyfriend, L'Michael, is gonna loooove it. Look out, Tom. Your re-done ass surgery is gonna get up~staaaaggeed."
More laughs were made by the A/V club as Shu killed it again.
xxxxxx
The sun was setting over Oshima again as the A/V club went back to the mansion on their last day in paradise. They gathered at the dinner table, eating their leftovers from earlier. The only one that was absent was Shu. Hare noticed.
"Um guys... Shu isn't here?"
"Really? I hadn't noticed."
Kanon was irritated by Souta's cluelessness.
"Souta. Didn't you remember what happened earlier? What if it happens again?"
"What are you talking about? It's not like Oshima is overrun by monsters. I mean, seriously, what are the chances?"
Hare was irritated by Souta as well. He was treating Shu's safty like what happened yesterday was a one-time thing.
"I agree with Kanon, Souta. What if Shu gets hurt again? Didn't you remember what that DJ Sagara said about that murder that happened here?"
Inori spoke with a clear memory about the murder.
"Utilities worker, Hamato Miyamoto, Age: 35. Found dead on the northern Oshima shore. Cause of death: ripped to shreds. Authorities claimed that cause of death was most likely caused by a wild animal."
Everyone around the table was stunned by Inori's accurate description of the murder. It was almost like it was described by an android.
"But, I think that's not the case."
"What makes you say that, Inori?"
Inori had a yellow piece of paper with her. She got up from her seat, and gave the paper to Hare. Hare unraveled it and read what was on it. It was a promotional flyer.
"A comedy festival?"
"It's called 'Night of a 1000 LMFAOs.' Before we came here, Shu was on their website. He was signing up for the event."
"Is that where he is now?"
"Yes."
Souta got up from his chair.
"Then let's go."
"To where?"
Kanon asked skeptically.
"To the comedy festival. Where else? We need to Shu our support. I bet he didn't tell us because he thinks we don't thinks he's funny."
Hare remembered their trip to the aquarium, and she agreed.
"Well, that's just stupid. Shu is actually kind of funny."
"I know, right?"
"And I know where we're going."
Hare had the flyer with her, and showed everyone what the address and what time it started. Souta spoke about how he was going to take care of everything.
"Awesome. It starts in 45 minutes. Let's go get ready. I'll call a cab to see if it can get us there."
Inori spoke up.
"I already did. It will arrive here in 20 minutes. The ride itself will take 10. So we'll be 15 minutes early, before the festival starts."
Hare, excited to see Shu making people laugh, was the next one to get off her chair and the first one to rush to her room. Kanon remarked,
"Well, I'll that as a sign that I should get ready too."
Kanon got off her chair and went to her room as well, with Inori following her. Souta was the last person to get ready, but the first one to finish changing clothes for a night out. He was wearing jeans, a blue tee with a black dress shirt over it underneath a jean jacket. The cab finally arrived at the mansion. Souta saw it and called for the girls.
"Hey ladies! The cab's here! You done already?"
Kanon yelled back,
"Alright! Just keep it down! We're coming."
Kanon was the first to come down. She was wearing a red tee with a white spot in the middle, a polka-dot skirt with black leggings, and a red light jacket. Hare came next. She was wearing a long and yellow, frilly dress with high-heel sandals. Last to come down was Inori. She was wearing a frilly dress as well, but it was white with small streams of orange across.
"Okay. We're all here, and so is our cab. Let's go ladies."
Souta ran to the cab due to his manic energy. The girls walked after him. Souta sat on on side of the cab while the girls sat on the other side. The cab driver spode to his passengers.
"Alright kids. Where to?"
Inori stood up for a moment to give the flyer to the cab driver, which turned out to be Shibungi in disguise. He looked for the address on the flyer, and wanted to confim with the rest of his passengers.
"Is this the place?"
Hare spoke out to confirm.
"Yes sir. The Red Door."
"Alright then. Please fasten your seatbelts, and enjoy the ride."
The cab drove to the night club. While on the route, the A/V club looked through the cab windows to see if they were getting close. After a relatively short ride, Kanon saw the nightclub through her side.
"Hey, I think we're here."
The cab stopped in a nearby parking lot. The A/V club got out of the cab. Souta reached into his pockets for cash.
"Hang on, man. I'll pay for the fare."
"No need. It's on the house."
"Really? Thanks, man."
xxxxxx
Shibungi waved goodbye to the club. Before he drove off, he got to the back of the cab, opened it to let Funell out.
"You are aware of your mission?"
Tsugumi was speaking through Funell.
"I got it. I'll make sure to live-stream the whole thing. What I don't get is how Gai thinks Shu is funny."
"Indeed. I'm quite curious as to what kind of sense of humor does Shu possess that would make Gai feel that way."
Tsugumi typed the command for Funell to enter the nightclub through the back door. Funell wheeled itself to the back entrance of the nightclub. Funell waited for someone to open the back door so it can sneak inside without anybody noticing. Eventually, someone got out through the back entrance, and Funell wheeled inside without a sound. Its next objective was to locate a security camera, and wirelessly hack into its live feed. The feed was connected to the monitors in the Funeral Parlor library where Gai holds the mission meetings. All were waiting to see one of their own members, who is also an armored superhero, be as funny as their leader thinks he is.
xxxxxx
The A/V club walked to the entrance of the Red Door, and encountered a rather large bodyguard towering over them. Inori knew him as it was Ougumo.
"Are you aware that this is no place for minors?"
Hare spoke up, explaining they were here for a different reason.
"We know, sir. We're actually here for this."
Hare handed to him the flyer for the 'Night of a 1000 LMFAOs.' Ougumo looked at them and said,
"If you're here for this, I'm going to have to give all of you kids some wristbands stating that you are minors."
"Sure, sir. We'll do anything if it means we can go inside to support our friend."
Ougumo had some wristbands that told people that they were minors and, as such, were not to be served alcoholic beverages to. The A/V club got inside, and looked for booth or table to sit at. They found one in the back, but they had a good view of the stage. Backstage, Shu had his holo-tablet set up to a mini-projector as a part of his stand-up act. He was memorizing his material for his act, which was coming after the sixth performance of another comic. The whole room went dark except the main stage. The crowd went silent, and the owner of the club made an appearance to announce the start of the comedy festival. The club owner had a suit on, and he looked a little like Groucho Marx.
"Welcome, everybody. Welcome to Night of a 1000 LMFAOs. We're glad you're all here, tonight. We have very funny people backstage, all waiting to make you laugh. And if they don't, rotten fruit and vegetables are on sale for 500 yen a pound."
The crowd laughed a bit.
"All right, then. Let's get started a pair of veterans. They got back together for this one night. Give it up for AMEAGARI!"
The crowd cheered, with some of them cheered louder than the rest. This was an indication that some of those people were fans. Five more came after the duo. The second act made the audience laugh a little while the third and fith acts was killing them. The fourth was the one that had only crickets sounds. Finally it was Shu's turn.
'Okay. Well, here's another guy who's here on vacation. He's a high school kid, so take it easy on him."
The crowd chuckled at that last comment.
"Here's Shu Ouma!"
The audience applauded with his friends making the most sounds. Souta even did a loud whistle. Before Shu started, he was setting up his A/V equipment on a little glass table he had with him. Along with a duffel bag to carry his equipment with. This took a little while.
"As you can see, I'm an A/V nerd. All I'm missing is a pair of black glasses and an inhaler."
The crowd actually laughed at that. His friends and comrade included. Shu finally set up everything.
"Okay, now that's out of the way, let me introduce myself. I'm Shu Ouma, and I have no life."
The crowd laughed to that as Shu was making fun of himself to get things started.
"But enough about me. Today I want to show you a PowerPoint presentation about our provisional government."
Everyone in the audience wondered what this was all about. Shu turned on his mini-projector, connected it to his holo-tablet. The title read in bold lettering,
'GHQ: Why the f**king hell are they still here?'
The crowd laughed and cheered at the kid who was going to rip on the provisional government hard.
"Wow. I'm not the only guy that feels that way. That's awesome because if you actually like the provisional government and how they're doing, then basically, you like being butt-f**cked."
Laughs were heard. Both inside the nightclub and inside the Funeral Parlor headquarters.
"Speaking of being butt-f**cked, I don't know if this made the news are not, but I went to prison on false pretenses."
The audience went silent over that last statement.
"It's true. I did the right thing for the provisional government, and they haul my ass into jail for that. And I thought laws against feeding the homeless was the limit of legislative ridiculousness."
Loud laughter was heard once more, and Shu smiled because he was killing it.
"It's true. I did go to jail. And I'm still scrawny. But you want to know the strangest thing when I went to jail? None of the other prisoners looked at me. None of them called me anything. Hell, nobody even noticed me. I didn't know whether to feel relieved or insulted."
(laughter)
"I know. Eventually, I got out cause..."
Shu shifted his voice tone to resemble an American gangsta.
"Motherf**kers ain't got nothing on me."
The audience cheered not only at Shu's freedom, but how he matched what everyone felt about the occupational government.
"I don't know if you noticed, but the GHQ are really dropping the ball lately. First there's this Funeral Parlor organization. Making GHQ look like they have shit for brains."
(laughter)
"And then, there are the monster attacks."
Shu put down his microphone on the glass table, picked up his holo-tablet to switch to a new slide that featured a picture of the Komori Inves attack in Shinjuku. Shu feigned shock at the picture.
"Holy crap! That looks a horse's vagina crossed with a centipede in a white suit."
(laughter)
"In all seriousness, where do the hell do these things came from? This is a question that many have asked. Hell, I'm wondering if they can even handle these things at all. Cause every time when these things appear, it's not the soldiers of GHQ that kick their asses. It's this guy."
Shu switched to a new slide to show a compilation clip that shows Kamen Rider Gaim (himself) destroying the monsters.
"Just where the hell are the GHQ soldiers? What? Are they shitting and pissing their pants while sucking their thumbs? Acting like
little bitches yelling 'AHH! HOLY F**K! HOLY F**K! HOLY F**K! HOLY F**K! WE'RE ALL GONNA F**CKING DIE! WE'RE ALL GONNA F**CKING DIE! I DON'T WANNA F**KING DIE!'"
(Loud laughter)
"I remember this one story I saw on the news one night. It had this GHQ scientist who had a press conference in front of their main building. I'll play it for you."
Shu switched to another slide that had a video clip of that same press conference. The scientist was Keido. Shu felt that the crowd did not want to see the whole thing, so he trimmed it down to the last 30 seconds which stopped when Keido said,
"Rest assured, GHQ is doing every it can to investigate the cause of these monster attacks. We are a professional organization dedicated to the safety of Japan. What we do to ensure that fact is no joke."
The clip stopped at that last part, and Shu changed his voice tone to resemble that of Joe Pesci.
"You wanna know why? Cause for it to be a joke is for it to be funny. So, how am I funny?"
Shu switched the controls of his PowerPoint from his holo-tablet to a little remote he had in his pocket and held it in his hand as he switched to another slide featuring Keido in a clown wig. Everyone laughed so hard as the sound transition was that of a honk when the presentation switched. Every slide after that made the same noise with a different slide, changing the serious full body picture of Keido with photoshopped slides of him with clown get-up. He was changing one of the leading scientists and authorities of GHQ into a clown, one photoshopped slide at a time. Shu continued his Joe Pesci imitation a little while longer.
"Funny how? How is this funny?"
(honk)
"Cause maybe it's me, maybe I'm a little f**ked up in the head, but how am I funny?"
(honk)
"What? Do I look like a clown?"
(honk)
"Do I amuse you or something?"
(honk)
"I'm here to make you laugh, I'm here to f**kin' amuse you?"
(honk)
"I don't know how am I funny! You people said it, not me."
(honk)
"How the f**k am I funny? What the f**k is so funny about me?!"
(honk)
Shu shifted back to his regular tone of voice.
"I honestly don't know. Do any of you here?"
That last honk and comment made nearly half the audience, including Souta, fall off of their seats laughing hard. More than half of Shu's comrades from Funeral Parlor fell off of their chairs laughing. As the crowds continued to laugh hard, Shu shut down his A/V equipment and put all of it back in his duffel bag.
"Thank you all so much. You all have been a wonderful audience. And remember, tipping is an option you can say no to."
The audience laughed and cheered for Shu Ouma. He got backstage, and saw the rest of the comics approach him and
congratulating him on a stand-up act well done. One of them shook Shu's hand. His name was Yoshio Kojima, a veteran of comedy.
"Nice job, kid. If you ever want to do comedy as a serious occupation, then I have a good feeling that you'll have a good future in it. Just keep up the material."
"Thanks. I appreciate that."
"No problem. Right now, I'm after you."
"Oh. Just let me get out of your way."
Shu did so. Kojima was waiting for the club owner to announce him while Shu exited through the backdoor. He was outside to get some and process what had just happened.
'Okay. I just went in front of a bunch of people. People who I thought were gonna boo me for a crappy stand-up act. Instead, they all laughed. They honestly believe I was funny. Heck, even some of the other comics who were waiting for me to finish just congratulated me because I was really good. I think I might want to be a comedian when I'm done with school. Or maybe something else along those lines. Still, nice to know that I'm actually funny.'
When Shu turned around, he saw Funell under him.
"You saw everything?"
Funell had Tsugumi's voice speaking through it.
"Yep, sure did. Me, Ayase, Argo, and Gai. Practically everybody connected through our private network."
Shu suddenly felt a surge of embarrassment thought his body.
"What's with that look on your face? You should be happy."
The embarrassment disappeared.
"Wait, what?"
"That's right. Everyone who ever saw you act Shu were genuinely ticked pinked pink. Scratch that. That was an understatement. Everyone practically died laughing when you got on stage. Even me..."
Tsugumi started to giggle a bit before outright laughing. Shu smiled a bit as he heard Tsugumi laugh. The next voice to talk through Funell was Ayase.
"I have to admit, you knew how to get to my funny bone, Shu. I'm impressed, really. Now I know why Gai thinks you're funny."
Shu was touched to know that he could change in more ways than one. There was another side to him that he never showed everyone, and now that he did, everyone loves that side of him.
"Tell everyone who saw my act this: I'm grateful for your support, and I hope to make you laugh some more in the future. But if you think I suck, then f**k you."
Ayase and Tsugumi laughed some more.
"Please stop, Shu. You're...You're seriously killing us."
Funell wheeled to the cab where Shibungi parked. Shu walked for a bit to the front of the nightclub. He didn't turn around to see Ougumo acting as the bouncer for tonight. Ougumo didn't mind, though. He understood that Shu wanted a moment to savor his new-found self-esteem. That moment ended soon as the A/V club came outside to smother Shu with pride. Souta was the first one to break the silence.
"SHU! WAY TO GO, MAN! You were seriously funny back there. I fell off my seat after that last joke you told."
Hare, Kanon, and Inori appeared shortly after Souta. Hare spoke next with joy in her voice.
"While I didn't like the cursing you did, it was actually so funny, I thought I was going to burst something in my body."
"It's true. I actually saw her trying to hold herself together. That was you, Shu!"
"Thanks, Kanon."
As Souta called for a cab, Inori was near Shu, and congratulated him for his performance.
"I thought you were very funny."
"Everyone's been saying that. Still, thank you for saying that. I'm glad I could make you laugh. One more thing. You told everyone what I was doing."
Inori nodded no.
"It was Gai. He's the one who told me."
"Right. Now I remember. Makes sense considering you're supposed to keep an eye on me. Still, I'm not mad. Actually, I feel quite happy with myself now. I don't know how long since that happened. But I'm glad it did. The more I move forward, the closer I am to being the person I want to be."
After a night full of LMFAOs, It was time for some well-earned sleep and a trip back home.
xxxxxx
The day finally came when the A/V club finally had to go back to Oshima. Shu was alone with Inori just to talk. The rest of the club was inside the ferry taking naps.
"I know it's a little late to be asking, but I wanted to know. What exactly are voids, anyway? I don't get what they're all about, but at some point, I have to. I should. I mean, I'm reaching into their hearts and using them as tools for rebellion."
Inori looked at Shu as he looked at his hand that summons not just his void, but other people's voids as well.
"Gai once told me that they can change. Just like a person's heart changes, their voids changes as well."
"They do? Guess that's good to know."
Shu was in his thoughts, processing what he learned with his experiences.
'So, if I form a bond with someone, will my power change? If so, why does my void exists? Is it because of my bonds? Or is it that I don't know what it means to have a bond? Maybe... it's because I don't understand bonds? If so, Am I destined to be alone in my fight? I knew I wanted to change. Guess I should've put more thought into it.'
Here it is. I hope you enjoyed it. I actually did some research into Japanese comedians, idols, and to see if Oshima was a real place. Other places, like the Red Door, I got from regular TV. I learned about AKB 48 from an YouTube video made by someone called Gaijin Goomba. Just type his name and J-Pop. You'll find the video there. It's really interesting. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Later.