Chapter I: Meet Kamoshida

Part II: Enter Takamaki

2-D Classroom, Shujin Academy

Kawakami cleared her throat, "Attention everyone. A moment of your time."

All their eyes turned on her.

She then smiled. "This is Ren Amamiya. A new student. He wasn't feeling well, so we let him come in late. He's going to introduce himself now." She then turned to him, smiled warmly, and whispered in his ear, "I can see you shaking. Stay calm. As we discussed…I've got your back. Go on."

He just gave her a nod, "Thanks." He then bowed to everyone. "Nice to meet everyone. I'm Ren. Ren Amamiya. Hope we get along."

Nobody gave him a smile or a bow back. He just shrugged. He expected the cold shoulder. Kawakami then smiled, "Okay. Let us see where we can put you." She pointed to a seat next to a particular blonde. "You can sit by Takamaki."

A loud series of groans and ahhs filled the room.

Kawakami narrowed her eyes, "Now, now. Enough of that."

She then beamed at Ren, "Go on Amamiya-kun. Take your seat."

Ren nodded at her. He ignored the whispers and took his seat. Suddenly, he found himself eye-to-eye with the blonde. Her ice-cold blue eyes annoyed him. She then growled, "Whatever you do…keep your distance. I'm not interested in dating a criminal."

Ren nodded as he took his seat, eyeing her."

Everyone suddenly gasped.

Some giggled.

Ren just shrugged, "Whatever you say." Kawakami smiled, "Let us begin."

Class ended with little fanfare.

Sadayo smiled at everyone, "Okay. Class is over."

Everyone filled out the room.

That same blonde glared at Ren as she walked out of the room.

He ignored her, choosing to read a book.

After everyone else left, Ren quickly picked up his bag and started to walk off.

Sadayo turned to him and smiled, "Amamiya-kun…Can I have a moment?"

He turned to her and blinked, "Sure. What do you need, Kawakami-sensei?"

She nodded, "I'd like to speak to you in private. Follow me to the teachers' lounge."

He nodded, "Sure."

Sadayo smiled, "So…I need you to do something for me, Ren."

He nodded, "What?" She sighed, "Stay away from Sakamoto-kun. I overheard how the two of you came in here together. He's bad news."

Ren blinked, quipping sarcastically, "And what am I then? The model honor student?"

She smirked, pursed her lips, and placed a hand over his, "No, but you have potential. I have actual faith in you. You are smart, quick-witted, and full of potential. He's just a punk. I don't want to see your name sullied with his."

He sighed and nodded, "Well, you don't have to worry about that. He isn't a friend." She smiled warmly at him, "Good. Glad to hear it." She then smirked, "You'll be glad to know. I called Sojiro and told him how well you did today."

Ren blinked, "Thank you for that." She smiled, "Anything for my favorite student." She stood up, walked around before him, crossed her arms, and smirked, "You know…I know it's only been a few hours…and I don't want you to think I'm flirting with you or anything…but you are quickly becoming very special to me. I hope you understand how lucky you are to have me in my corner. I'm not the type to go the distance for just any student. "

Ren crossed his arms at her and nodded, "I'm aware…and I appreciate it." She smirked, "Good. As you should." He nodded, turned around, and threw up a peace sign. "See you, Ms. Kawakami."

She half-smiled, "See you, Ren. Get home safe."

As Ren walked out…Ryuji tried running after him, "Hey Ren! Wait up, man!"

Ren sighed and stopped, turning around, "I thought I was clear."

Ryuji sighed as he tried to catch his breath. "I know. I know. Just listen, alright? I need to talk to you."

Ren narrowed his eyes as he crossed his arms, "About what? I need to get home."

Ryuji narrowed his eyes. "You remember all those tortured students we saw back at the castle? Takamaki?"

Ren crossed his arms at him, raising an eyebrow, "Name rings a bell? What about all of it?"

Ryuji's face scrunched up, "We got to do something about all that man. That's proof Kamoshida is up to some sketchy shit."

Ren sarcastically quipped, "That so? You do something about it, then. I've got studying to do."

Ryuji growled as he put his hand on his shoulder, "Come on, man. I don't have anyone else to talk about this to. I'm pretty much considered a delinquent by everyone in this damn school! Isn't it the same for you? Didn't you get charged with assault?"

Ren suddenly stopped and turned to him with a severe look, "Watch what you say Ryuji." He balled a fist, "You're treading on thin ice here."

Ryuji sighed as he put his hands up. "Okay. Okay. Point taken. I'm sorry." He sighed, " Come to the rooftop and hear me out. That's all I'm askin'."

Ren closed his eyes but nodded, "Alright! Fine! You've got five minutes!"


Rooftop, Shujin Academy

Ryuji leaned against one of the chairs with a grin. "Okay. So here's the plan. We know that Kamoshida is physically abusin' members of the volleyball team. I want to gather proof, nab that bastard, and...I need your help to do that."

Ren crossed his arms, his expression cold under his gray eyes. He scoffed, "And what makes you think I want to get involved? Kawakami-sensei warned me about you, you know. She said you were trouble."

Ryuji rolled his eyes, "That doesn't mean shit. Everyone says that about me." He then narrowed his eyes at Ren as he crossed his arms at him, "And it ain't like you're much better…everyone around school thinks you're just like me, man. A vagrant. A criminal. An outcast. Just like me."

Ren balled his fist but then unballed it. He sighed, "You do have a point there."

Ryuji smirked, "Hell of a life we live, huh?"

Ren nodded cautiously. Ryuji then crossed his arms, "Plus, you should know…it was Kamoshida who made one of the volleyball players spread the rumors about your record all over the school. Ren's eyes widened as he stiffened, "You're not serious."

Ryuji sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Afraid so. Kamoshida made sure to sully your rep before you even arrived. You aren't exactly his favorite."

The blonde then crookedly grinned at him, "I'm not either. I used to be on the Shujin track team. I was good. I was damn good. That was until Kamoshida rolled in." He sighed as he grunted in frustration, "He worked us hard. Too hard. Long story short…I lost my temper and hit him. I got suspended. Mom was called in, the track team was disbanded, and I was branded a delinquent by the whole school." He shook his head, scoffing, "Not that I care about all that. I just feel guilty for putting my mom through that. She's a single mom and has a lot on her plate. My dad was a real piece of shit. He…drank a lot."

Ryuji then wiped his eyes. "Fuck. Sorry. It's a rough topic for me, honestly."

Ren went quiet for a moment before he nodded, speaking in a comforting tone, "I can relate. My parents were court-ordered to send me away after I stopped a woman from getting assaulted. The man…was someone with power and influence. He scared the woman into believing I assaulted him. The case was against me from the start." He growled through his teeth, "I still remember the disappointed looks on their faces as they sent me away. It was all sudden. They hugged me with tears in their eyes and just walked away. I..let them down."

Ryuji blinked as he reached forward, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Shit man. That's fucked up. I'm sorry."

The two boys glanced at one another.

A moment of understanding had occurred between them.

Ryuji then sighed, "Look...we both know Kamoshida is doing some fucked up shit. And the way I see it…nobody is doing anything about it. I can't do this alone. It's risky, but don't you want to find some way to redeem yourself for the fucked up shit you've done?"

He then sighed, "We've got these powers, man. We can make a difference. It ain't gonna be easy, but don't you want to do something about all this?"

Ren closed his eyes and sighed. Ryuji's words had struck a chord in him. He's right. I have to do something here. I can't just let all this bullshit pass.

Ren then nodded with a look of determination in his eyes. "What's our plan?"

Ryuji grinned, "That's the spirit!"

Shibuya Square, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

Ren was walking on his way home when he overheard a terse conversation.

"What? But you promised you'd keep her on the team!"

He turned to his right and blinked. He stopped in his tracks.

It was the blonde girl. Takamaki…who is she talking to?

Takamaki shouted again over the phone, "But….but…I'm exhausted! I just got back from a shoot! I can't right now!" "Urgh! What kind of teacher are you? You're eighteen years my senior! I can't do that!" She gasped as her blue eyes widened, "But…but…wait…I…" She sighed in exasperation, "I'll consider it. Yes…I promise. Bye." She then ended the call and stashed the phone in her purse. Putting her hands over her face, she sobbed, "Oh Shiho…I don't know if I can bear this any longer."

Ren then looked away from her, scowling. Bitterness filled his very being. He thought back to when he had seen her get in Kamoshida's car and the almost sad look in her eyes. Something was up between her and Kamoshida. She was in deep trouble of some sort. Well…it's none of my business. She's been nothing but a bitch to me. Calling me a vagrant and a criminal. Just let her be Ren. The sounds of Ann's sobs began to bother him. They weren't loud enough to attract unwanted attention. The passerby around her ignored her, but he could hear it. He balled up a fist and scowled. This was just like with Kasumi. Something about a pretty girl crying tugged at his heart…despite all he had been through. Granted…this girl wasn't flirting with him. He inwardly sighed. Damn it. I can't just walk away like this. My mother would scold me if I did. He then put his hands in his pockets and slowly walked over to Takamaki, placing both hands on her shoulders, "Hey. It's Takamaki, right? What's bothering you?"

The girl stopped crying for a moment and eyed him. She wiped the tears from her eyes and scowled, pushing herself out of his grasp. "Leave me alone!" She then picked up her things and rushed into the Underground Mall.

Ren groaned and rolled his eyes for a moment. Of course, this happens. Well, at least I'll have an excuse for Sojiro when I return home. He then ran after her.


Shibuya Underground Mall, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

The girl was fast, but Ren was just as fast. One positive of being a delinquent was that you got a lot of cardio when you ran from cops. He finally cornered her in a private, secluded area. "Hey! Stop! I just wanted to make sure you were okay!"

She glared at him and shouted, "I told you to leave me alone! It's none of your business!"

Ren scowled, his temper flaring up a bit, "I agree…but I can't help it, alright? I see a pretty girl crying all by herself, and…well, I can't ignore it. Powers of the feminine mystique, y'know?"

The blonde blinked at him as she put her arms around herself protectively. She forced herself to look down and away from him. Does he have a heart? A conscience? "Y-You came to see if I was okay?"

Ren facepalmed, groaning loudly as she shook his head, "No. I was going for my late-night jog. Yes. What? Do you think I make a habit of going around stalking girls?" He sighed as he shook his head, putting his hands up, "You know what? I don't need this shit. I'm leaving."

The blonde's eyes widened in horror. Probably the only other person who had shown her such kindness was Shiho. She was so used to being ignored or mistreated that anger seemed the go-to reaction.

Usually, she made the right call.

This time wasn't one of those scenarios.

She sighed as she grabbed Ren's arm, holding it for dear life. She began crying into his shoulder. "Wait…please…don't go. I...I…thank you. I…I..need someone to listen to me. P…Please…don't leave." She looked up at him with watery blue eyes and a look that made his heart melt. "Please."

Ren closed his eyes and sighed as he put his arms around her. "Alright. We shouldn't talk here—too many people for my liking. I know a diner here in Shibuya. You hungry?"

She giggled as she held on even tighter. "Mhm. I'm starving. You going to buy me a Big Bang Burger?"

Ren looked down at her, "Depends. You promise not to shout my ear off?"

The blonde laughed, "I think I can do that."

Ren nodded, "Good. Let's go." He then walked off with the blonde still clinging to his arm.


Big Bang Burger, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan

Ren and the blonde both ate in silence for a moment.

Finally, the blonde smiled sweetly at him as she sipped her drink, "Thanks for the meal. You're quite the gentleman.."

Ren took a sip and crossed his arms, "Eh. I have my moments. I do have a criminal record, after all."

The blonde smiled at him, turned red, and laughed, "Maybe so…but if all bad boys are truly as charming as you…I might consider dating them from now on.." She then rested her face on a hand and batted her eyelashes at him, "I'm Ann, by the way. Ann Takamaki. Second-year."

Ren Amamiya just grunted with a nod, "Ren. Ren Amamiya. Second-year transfer student."

She smiled as she gazed into his eyes, "Pleasure to meet you, Ren."

There was another long silence as she sighed, taking in a bit of fry in her mouth, "So…yeah. I was on the phone with Kamoshida." She looked down at the table, "He's offered to keep Shiho…my best friend on the girls' volleyball team, as long as I agree to sleep with him."

Ren nodded, "I see."

Ann suddenly pounded a fist on the table, speaking with venom in her tone, "I relented from giving my number for the longest time, but he was insistent. He told me that if I didn't put out…he would cut Shiho from the team." She sighed as her mouth turned into a frown. "So…I caved in…for her sake at least."

Ren nodded again. Ann sighed as she sniffled, wiping snot from her nose as tears ran down her face, "Damn it. Pretty girls aren't supposed to get runny noses. It ruins our makeup."

Ren looked around and spotted the napkin dispenser. He pulled a couple of napkins and outstretched a hand, "Here."

She looked up at him and smiled, "Thanks, Ren." She cleaned herself up and beamed at him as she began twirling the straw in her glass. She smirked, "You know you are not what I expected."

Ren blinked and crossed his arms at her, "What did you expect exactly."

Ann giggled as she smiled, "Well…I expected you to be…I don't know…bad, dangerous, and a bit of a prick."

Ren's eyes narrowed, "Oh, I'm bad, alright. Bad to the bone."

Ann couldn't help but laugh again. "Is that supposed to be a joke? It's hilarious." She sighed and giggled, "Who knew you were such a softie on the inside."

Ren grunted, "Like I said…I have my moments." He then took one final bite of his burger. "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't say that to everyone. I have a rep to keep, after all."

Ann smirked back at him. "Well…you were kind enough to sit here and listen to me bitch about my problems." She then took one of his hands into hers and interlocked the fingers together, speaking flirtatiously, "I think I can keep a secret or two. So long as you keep my business with Kamoshida a secret."

Ren crossed his arms again and shrugged, "Fine by me, but he needs to be stopped. What he's doing to the students…to you…isn't right."

She sighed as she left his gaze, "You're right, but you don't know how powerful he is, Ren. He can make or break Shiho's volleyball career. He can ruin my reputation as well."

Ren tilted his head at her and nodded. She knew about Kamoshida's crimes. Maybe she could help us. That is…if she's interested. "What would you say we had a plan to bring him down?" Ann took another bite of her burger as her eyes widened, "I'd say…I was interested." Her mouth formed into a smirk, "Very interested."

Ren nodded with a look in his eyes. "Look. This is secret info. For your ears only."

She looked around. No one's listening. We're in the clear. She spoke in a whisper, "What's the plan?"

Ren then explained all the details he and Ryuji had discussed on the rooftop.

Ann blinked as her eyes widened and smiled, "Oh, I love this idea. Getting dirt on him. Very crafty."

Ren nodded, "You in? I know how the girls talk. Ryuji and I can only do so much. We'd be depending on you."

Ann smirked as she finished the last of her burger and washed it down. "I'd be more than happy to help." She flirtatiously batted her eyes at him as she pulled out her phone. "Can I get your number?"

Ann stood up from her seat and turned to Ren, smirking, "Well, I suppose I'll see you and Ryuji tomorrow on the rooftop."

Ren just nodded with a slight smile, "I suppose so."

Ann smirked at him as she walked around the booth. She then touched Ren's shoulder, leaned over, and kissed him. "Thanks for listening, Ren. For what it's worth….I've got your back from now on. Keep playing your cards right, and I might even go on a date with you sometime. Care to walk me home? It's rather late."

He shrugged, "Sure. Just let me leave a tip first. He put down a tip, took her arm, and led her out of the diner.


Leblanc, Yongen-Jaya, Tokyo, Japan

The bell rang as the door closed.

Sojiro turned and rubbed his eyes, "Oh. You're back. Finally. Do you have any idea how late it is?"

Ren smirked at the older man, "Sorry, I was walking one of my friends home. She tends to get nervous at night."

Sojiro smirked, "Oh. Oh, I see now. I can respect that." He then raised a finger, "One moment." Ren nodded.

Sojiro then pulled out a spare set of keys and tossed them to Ren, who caught them in his hand, "There. Now, you can lock up whenever you need to. I can't be bothered to wait around anyway."

Ren smirked, "Appreciate it, Boss."

Sojiro chuckled, "Don't mention it. Lock up."


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