Chapter 27: Leaderless Part 1
Thursday June 30th, 20XX Evening
Kasumi nibbled thoughtfully on a carrot as she stared at her sister. Elbow propped on the kitchen table; Kasumi's half-finished homework lay open. Its droll contents were unable to interest her. None of it was due tomorrow, most of it was exam prep.
Across from Kasumi, Sumire sat with the same homework, achieving just as much progress as Kasumi. Her eyes were facing down at the sheets of paper, but her gaze saw straight through them.
Distracted.
That is how Kasumi thought a stranger would describe Sumire. A girl whose mind was in the clouds, seeking escape from the monotony in front of her. Kasumi, however, knew better. Her sister's cheeks were never this pale, her eyes weren't this wide. This was not standard Sumire. The signs were subtle, but Kasumi was sure something was wrong.
"Well, this was a good start. Shall we shower?" Kasumi probed.
Sumire's shoulders hitched as her mind returned to body. Blinking up at Kasumi over her glasses, Sumire was slow to answer. "No, that's… I mean, I will go after, please go ahead of me."
"Ahh," Kasumi pouted. "But I miss having you wash my back. It's so hard on my own!"
"…Not today Kas. Tomorrow, if I sur—" Stopping her own quiet words, Sumire finally looked Kasumi in the eyes. "Tomorrow I will."
"Okay." Walking around the table, Kasumi ran a hand through Sumire's bright red hair. As always, it stung comparing it to her own dull brown. At the moment though, that was low on her mind. Leaning over, Kasumi kissed the top of her sister's head softly.
Stay safe.
The Yoshizawa bath/shower combo was in the style of traditional Japanese principles. Using the cleaning showerhead, Kasumi barely noticed the process, completing it in a couple of minutes before lowering herself into the bathtub. Her aching, overworked muscles briefly distracted her as Kasumi let out an uncontainable sigh, the tension leaving her body. Leaning her head against the wall of the white tub, Kasumi stared at the ceiling, the thoughts returning.
What happened to her? Do I have the right to question?
Frowning, Kasumi felt confused yet again. As much as she tried to appear composed, Kasumi had spent the last season of her life reeling. Almost everyday, she felt like something changed with Sumire. The timid girl had undergone a transformation, no, was still transforming in high school. Kasumi wondered how much of that change was due to Ren-Senpai.
The enigmatic boy had clearly stolen her sister's heart. Kasumi had joked about it, but she had not confronted the fact. "He must be the reason she is like this…"
Quickly coming to a conclusion, Kasumi rose from the bath. It was boring to bathe alone, and Kasumi was hot-blooded enough that she did not get the same pleasure that others did.
Toweling herself off, Kasumi threw on a pair of pajama shorts and a tank top. The thin material was still too much for the summer heat. Like the previous nights, she would likely ditch the top before the night was over.
Retreating to her room, Kasumi grabbed her phone and dialed one of her contacts. She had not used the number much before, but it was a good one to have.
Ring, ring!
Again and again, the sound rang out with no change. After twenty seconds, the ringing ended, and an automated voice asked her if she wanted to leave a message.
"Hi, Ren-Senpai. Please call me back when you get this. I know it is probably not my business, but my sister seems pretty upset. I was wondering if you… never mind. Thank you for looking after her."
Sighing, Kasumi threw a hand over her eyes as she abruptly cut off the voicemail. "Why didn't he answer…?" Taking a quick glance at the time, Kasumi frowned as it ticked past 10 pm. It was her usual bedtime so she could wake up in time to exercise before school. There was no way Ren-Senpai went to bed before her… was there?
Could something have happened to him?
Frowning, Kasumi did not want to do it, but she fired off a quick text message to Makoto. The student council president seemed to have fallen in with him as well. She may know something. Yo, do you know if something happened to Ren's phone, he isn't answering.
A few heartbeats later, a reply arrived.
Ren? Not really. I am sure he is fine.
"Not really?" Kasumi cursed at the girl. Eye twitching, Kasumi assumed that their previous rift had not completely closed. "Hold on… He is fine?"
Kasumi frowned, she hadn't suspected that the boy was in trouble. Only that he had forgotten his phone at school or something. Unable to resist herself, Kasumi fired off a quick, irritated response. Who said he isn't?
Time ticked with languid slowness. Kasumi could imagine Makoto sitting at home sweating, trying to come up with an answer. While there may have been a dozen reasons for the delay, Kasumi felt an odd certainty that something had happened. There were too many signs to ignore. It explained Sumire's mood perfectly.
Eventually, Makoto's short reply came. I'm sorry. I don't know much either.
Tsking, Kasumi stormed out of her room. As she exited, she saw Sumire's door shut as her sister went to bed. The girl had likely just finished bathing. Striding up to it, Kasumi rapped a short sequence.
"Kas?"
"Can I talk to you?" Kasumi asked, her voice implying it wasn't a request.
"I… I really need to sleep. You know… School and stuff."
Why? Why does no one depend on me? Wondering when she became so undependable, Kasumi whispered through the door. "I… I know about Ren."
Bang! With a thud, the door flew open, Sumire's startled fac appeared, mouth gaping. "H-How…?"
Jackpot. Smirking, Kasumi bopped her on the nose. "You just told me."
Sumire's gaping expression froze before sliding off like molasses. With jerking motions, she tried to close the door again.
"None of that now." Kasumi stopped it easily.
Hand on the door shaking, Sumire was staring at the floor, not meeting Kasumi's eyes. "Senpai… Senpai is my responsibility. I don't need you to save me."
"…Then how about a hug?" Kasumi offered.
"Huh?"
Ignoring her sister's words, Kasumi stepped forward and wrapped the girl in a tight hug. Standing of an equal height, Kasumi could feel her sister's body, how similar it was to her own. Like two sides of a coin, so similar and yet distinct.
"I'm scared." Sumire whispered, her voice breaking. "I-I can't lose him… Not when… Not when I finally admitted to myself how important he is."
"You won't." Kasumi assured her sister, pulling her tighter. "Come on, let's get you to sleep."
Pulling her sister's arms from her shoulder, Kasumi walked Sumire to the bed. Pulling back the covers, Kasumi gently guided her sister down unto the silken sheet.
Unsure if she should go, Kasumi looked at her right hand that Sumire refused to let go of, wide teary eyes staring up at her.
She held it together so well during supper… In the faint light drifting through the window, Kasumi could see the lingering puffiness of her sister's eyes. She had been crying in the shower.
Unable to leave, Kasumi settled herself into the bed beside Sumire. "Come here." Spreading her arms wide, Kasumi pulled her sister to her bosom, resting her head upon the scarlet hair.
"Say it again, please." Sumire begged; her words stifled against her skin.
"Ren will be alright," Kasumi spoke gently. She repeated the words again and again, baseless platitudes falling easily from her lips. Yet, there were no traces of lies or uncertainties in Kasumi's voice.
It would happen. Sumire would make it and happen. If she couldn't, then Kasumi would do it for her. For as she lay there stroking her sister's hair whose sobs gradually faded to the soft breaths of sleep, Kasumi reaffirmed the belief she had sworn to herself. That she would always, always put her sister first.
Friday July 1st, 20XX, After school
Stifling a heavy sigh, Sumire rose as the final bell rang. Keeping her emotions supressed, Sumire walked unsteadily to the door, emotions roiling inside her.
Please be okay, Senpai. Please.
Her fervent prayers had no answer as she strode from the room. She had to admit though, that without Kasumi's calming presence last night, she probably would have broken down throughout the school day. Raged and fled to the palace. She had gotten out-voted on skipping school to help Senpai.
That warm embrace and kind words kept her feet moving. I'm pathetic. Sumire smirked to herself. It was why she would never catch Kasumi. Every time something was wrong, Sumire was consoled by someone. Most often it was Kasumi, recently Ren had done a lot, but the other phantom thieves as well: Haru, Ann, and Makoto.
"Sumi!"
Halting awkwardly, Sumire turned to find her sister walking confidently toward her. As usual Kasumi was alone but had a following of eyes. Most of the hallway had frozen as well to listen to the conversation.
"S-Sorry, I can't train with you today."
Kasumi scoffed, stopping right in front of her. "I already knew that."
Sumire felt a finger on her chin lifting it up. When her eyes were once again level with Kasumi's her sister leaned in so that their faces were almost touching. If anyone else had done this, Sumire would expect them to kiss her.
"He'll be fine. Let me know if you need anything."
"…Thank you." Sumire murmured in reply. Kasumi nodded and hesistated before releasing her. When she did, Kasumi rose up on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on Sumire forehead.
Eyes flicking around the room Sumire knew that the other students had not heard the whispered words. Still, Kasumi had given them all something else to talk about. Mouths gaped, cheeks flushing, students brought their heads together and began to whisper to each other.
Great, now look what you started.
Still, Sumire felt grateful. Her sister had helped restore the confidence that had faded over the day. Striding to the staircase, Sumire walked quickly through the halls to the front door. Exiting, when she got to the front door, all of the thieves were there already, besides Yusuke.
Ryuji was scowling, kicking the ground. Students passing by gave him a large berth. Ann was resplendent as always, but her gaze was far-off. Makoto and Haru had their heads together whispering, but their gazes were anything but friendly. Mona stalked between them all, the cat's tail twitching side-to-side.
"Ready?" Sumire didn't wait for a reply, continuing to walk towards the train station. She could feel their surprise, but no one complained and caught up to her quickly.
"Remember," Mona was saying, "Ren was a large part of our versatility and power. We need to maintain rigid discipline, or we will fail."
"Mona is right," Makoto followed up, "we will encounter many problems that Ren typically solves. That means please think before you act, Ryuji."
"Tch, I'll make sure we get him back. No worries there."
This doesn't matter. Sumire thought to herself. I'll tear that pyramid apart brick by brick on my own if need be.
"Sumire?"
"…"
"Sumire?"
Finally noticing the calling voices, Sumire blinked and turned her head to acknowledge the following group. "What?"
They had stopped in an awkward huddle only a few steps form the subway entrance. The milling crowds parting grumpily around the large group.
"That goes double for you, okay?" Makoto's voice was soft, yet stern. "If we don't get him out today, we will retreat and—"
"No." Sumire cut her off. "You aren't our leader. I agreed to leave yesterday. I will not today."
"Sumire…" Makoto's voice trembled uncertainly. "Be sensible, I am just—"
"Let's go, we are losing time." Cutting off the useless words again, Sumire stalked down the stairs to the subway. Why? Why did they not understand like Kasumi did?
The subway ride was not long, but every second felt like an hour. Sumire struggled not to scream at the pressing swarms of people. Students, mostly, in the short time before the blue-collar jobs finished. When the speakers at last announced Yongen-Jaya as a stop, Sumire pushed her way to the door. A pair of boys were too slow and Sumire's elbow caught one in the side, almost knocking him over.
"Hey, watch it!"
"Damn dude, she's hot."
"Hee, I'll forgive you if you go… Umm, that is… N-Never mind!"
As Sumire turned her glare to the boy, his words stumbled and eventually cut off. Sniffing, Sumire was already striding out of the door before they were even fully opened.
Exiting the underground, Sumire emerged once more into the afternoon light. Tsking at how the sun continued to lower, her pace sped up. They did not have time to enter from LeBlanc and cross that desert.
"Sumire? Where are you going?"
"Just follow me," she shot back. Remembering the tale, Sumire was confident in her direction. Before long, she arrived upon the house that had the distinctive 'Sakura' nameplate.
"Excuse me."
Opening the gate, Sumire strode up the door and hesitated. What is my plan if it is locked? Frowning, Sumire realized that she had yet to try it. Placing a hand on the doorknob, she twisted it, and met no resistance. Smiling, she entered the residence.
"W-What are you doing!?" Makoto squeaked. The president's head whipping back and forth, as if worried a squad of policemen would materialize and arrest them.
"Getting answers," Sumire growled. "Come on."
Marching through the hallway, Sumire found the door. As Senpai had said, it was a mirror to the barrier across the final elevator in the depths of that accursed pyramid.
Eye twitching, Sumire's fist balled up with anger moments before she slammed it against the door. "OPEN UP!"
"EEK!" A panicked female voice squeaked inside.
"W-What are you doing!?" Makoto and Ann yelled their eyes wide with fear.
"W-Who is there! L-Leave or I'll call the police!"
"The police won't save you," Sumire growled through the door. "Open this door and tell me why, why did you betray us!?"
"B-Betray?"
"Ren is lost in your palace! WHY!? Why…" Voice failing, Sumire's anger fled briefly as fear threatened to return and cripple her.
Suddenly, the door was thrown open, a young orange-haired girl standing in front of her. Sumire guessed they were probably the same age, but the girl was incredibly frail, making her look even younger.
"W-What happened to Ren? In… In my palace? What is happening?"
"We were trying to help you, that's what is happening." Ryuji spoke up, shouldering himself ahead so he stood right Sumire.
"You mean… You are trying to change my heart?" Futaba gasped, "why?"
"Beat's me," Sumire growled. "Clearly you don't want us to."
"N-No, I do! I-I…"
"Grr…" Fed up with the girl's muttering, Sumire grabbed her arm and leaned over her. "We are going back into your palace to rescue him. Meanwhile, you're going to sit on your floor and repeat to yourself how you want Ren to be safe and your heart changed."
"I-I…" Futaba stuttered again, tears starting to rise in her eyes.
"That's enough Sumire!"
Sumire did not move until Ann physically grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Reluctantly Sumire let go of the girl. "Why? She is the source of all our problems."
"That… sounds about right." Collapsing to her knees, Futaba laughed hollowly, her cheeks wet under the large glasses. "I can't even get my heart changed right. Sorry… I-I didn't want to drag anyone else down with me. Save him if you can but forget about me. This is my tomb, let me die."
"Shut up."
Even Sumire was taken about by Ryuji's harsh tone. The boy entered the room and kneeled across from the girl.
"We are going to help you, okay? This room will not be your tomb."
"B-But I… because of me Ren is!"
"He is fine." Ryuji assured her. "We are going to save him. Just relax and look for our return."
"…Okay. Umm," Lowering her gaze, Futaba shifted. "T-Take care."
"…Let's go." Sumire did not apologize, but neither did she press further. Escaping through the door again, Sumire pushed past the small group crowding the hallway. They needed a place to enter the palace, afterall, they could not bring Futaba into her own palace.
…Could they? It may be possible, but the defenseless girl with zero stamina would only be a detriment to their rescue mission.
Standing in the front entrance, Sumire saw a figure on the other side of the door through the stained windows. Nervously, she pulled the door open, wondering what she would say to the boss.
"Ah, so you are here," Yusuke said from the other side.
"Ah, yeah. How did you find us?"
"Ann messaged me. I wasn't sure if I believed it, but I suppose it makes more sense to enter from the house to avoid the desert."
Sumire scanned the boy's face but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Away from the mess she had created, Sumire began to sense the guilt that was creeping into her. Of course, the traumatized girl was not to blame.
Pulling awkwardly on her hair, Sumire waited as the others finished checking on the young girl and grouped up around her.
"Well?" Haru asked, her eyes on Sumire.
"Huh?"
Makoto frowned, glancing at Haru. "We will enter from here. I doubt it matters outside or right here. Is everyone ready?"
"Hell yeah!" Ryuji fist pumped, other acknowledgements following behind his.
"Then let's go." Sumire spoke before Makoto could. Phone in hand already, she clicked on Futaba's palace from her list of travelled places.
Sumire barely noticed the change in scenery. Her glare changed from dark hallway to a pyramid. Even from inside the entryway however, it was several hundred meters from the pyramid entrance.
"Tsk, let's go." Stalking across the hot sand, Violet barely noticed the heat that had been so stifling yesterday. She managed to keep her pace to a stiff walk as the distance was slow to shrink. If she ran, she could get there in less than a minute.
Hold on Senpai… I'm coming.
Friday July 1st, 20XX After school
"Why… did I do this?" Groaning, Joker pulled his knife from the dead shadow. Letting it disintegrate, he stared down fearfully at the large black dogs that stalked across the stone floor beneath. His ledge was only a couple meters above them.
Panting, Joker waited for them to notice, but thankfully the shadows continued to move. He definitely would have died if they had noticed him. Every muscle ached; Joker's panting symbolizing how close he was to passing out.
Originally, Joker had dived into a safe room. Set off the main hallway, the quaint room was a haven from shadows. As minuted turned to hours and night fell, Joker grew bored of waiting. Feeling stupid for forcing the others to rescue him, Joker left the safe area. The main hallway was closed off completely by great doors that spanned floor to ceiling. Large green gems situated in the center of them. Joker thought they hinted at an opening mechanism but could not even begin to contemplate what it was.
Unable to simply lay around and allow himself to get rescued, Joker had gone looking for a way to return to the exit. One jump later that he couldn't reverse, Joker had been stranded in the midst of shadows for the better part of half a day.
Nursing his injuries with only the pressure of his hands, Joker's head leaned back against solid rock, consciousness flickering in and out. He had called on his personas too often already to defeat the shadows he had encountered. Hidden now in a small alcove, Joker knew that he would be going no further. Based on his observations, there should be a few more hours until some sort of 'reset' occurred, replacing all the shadows that he had destroyed.
If the others did not show up within that window to rescue him, Joker knew that he would die in one last desperate push for the exit.
"Please… everyone." Whispering, Joker sank into a half-conscious sleep, the constant terror of discovery continuing to erode his mind.
Friday July 1st, 20XX After school
"Ah… Ah…" Clutching her head, Futaba kneeled on her floor shivering. "Ren… Because of me that boy…"
Unable to take the consequences, Futaba shook her head wildly trying to clear the invading thoughts. However, as always they came. The guilt that she could never truly shake.
He is going to die trying to help you. Funny, isn't it? The nice boy starting a second life is going to die because of the walking corpse. But this isn't the first innocent you've killed, is it?
"NO!" Futaba's throat broke as she stammered her rejection to the thoughts. The thoughts that were hers now. Once she had heard them spoken by others. The men at the funeral, her mother. Now though, Futaba's own voice whispered lullabies in her mind. The truth of her imminent death. Her frail body was on the verge of breakdown. Sojiro did not realize how few calories she kept down. How many ended up regurgitated into the toilet bowl as her mother's haunting laughter reminded her she did not deserve to eat.
Did not deserve to live.
"N-No, I was a child! I-I didn't know! Please… save me…"
The only answers to her cry were the laughter of the men in black suits. Fake smiles, like a vulture's, waiting for the moment when she would finally stop moving. Waiting for their moment to descend.
Friday July 1st, 20XX After school
"That… is… all I know…" Kasumi panted out between high kicks. Breaths coming hard from exertion, Kasumi's muscles burned from the work-out. With the tournament drifting ever closer, Kasumi felt an omnipresent need to work-out and practice.
Even with the situation with Ren, whatever it may be, Kasumi could not afford to take a day of. That was why Akechi sat on a park bench looking bored as he chewed on a street kebab while watching her.
"Hmm, not much to go off of…" Akechi murmured thoughtfully as he took another large bite.
The smell from the sizzling meat, sauce dripping in large viscous drops was driving Kasumi crazy. If the overly processed food wouldn't completely ruin her diet and build-up for the tournament, Kasumi would be downing a dozen of them.
"But?" Kasumi asked hopefully.
"But it is curious that there is no missing persons report from his guardian. Also, the school was not particularly concerned he was missing either. Is it not more likely that he returned home to visit a relative?"
That would make sense… Kasumi frowned stopping her exercising so she could think clearer. Downing a large gulp of water, Kasumi spoke the obvious counterargument. "Why not just tell me then? Why the secrecy?"
Akechi shrugged. "To me, I see only two options. Wait and see if returns or visit his guardian and inquire about his whereabouts."
Kasumi nodded slowly. It was nice having someone she could show uncertainty in front of. "What if his guardian does not know?"
"Well, I could threaten to bring his lack of reliability to Child Services." Akechi did not sound like that was something he wanted to get involved with. "That may persuade him to reveal what he knows or issue an actual missing persons report."
"…We can go as friends," Kasumi suggested. "Simply ask him if he knows about Ren, don't bring up anything else."
Akechi raised an eyebrow. "Yes, but I have to imagine that is a waste of time. Your sister has likely pursued that, correct?"
"…I just feel so useless," Kasumi finally admitted with a light blush that was hopefully not noticeable against her skin flushed from exertion. "Sumire was so distraught… I just wish I could help her."
Akechi once more shrugged in a lackadaisical manner, munching on his kebab once more. Between chewing, the usually refined detective spoke, as if suddenly thinking of something. "He is resourceful enough. I'm sure he won't fail yet."
"…What?" Blinking, Kasumi wasn't sure if she had heard the detective correctly. For as loud as her question was though, he seemed to have not heard as he continued munching away without a care in the world. With only one sphere of meat left, Kasumi grew fed-up and swiped the stick from him.
"Hey!"
Sticking out her tongue, Kasumi devoured the savory ball. Its delicious juices coating her mouth. Vision blurring as she reveled in the taste, it lasted only a moment or two more until she swallowed and only memories remained.
"M-My kebab…"
Kasumi sniffed, feeling slightly guilty. "It was comforting me. Better than other people."
Akechi's eyes finally sharpened, the aloof detective replacing the sulky high school boy. A half smirk splaying itself across his face. "Do not worry about Mr. Amamiya, he will be okay… for now."
For now? "That's the second weird thing you've said in the past minute," Kasumi complained, knowing Akechi would not say a word more even if she pressed.
"No one knows what the future holds." Standing up, Akechi looked Kasumi up and down. "Keep up the good work, I look forward to your victory."
"Thank you…" Kasumi murmured, shuffling from the praise. As Akechi began walking away to return to work or home, Kasumi yelled out to him. "Hey, if you hear something… you'll tell me, right?"
"Of course." The boy answered without looking back. "I've got things to attend to, later."
"Yeah, later…" Sighing, Kasumi rubbed her temple. Already, the delicious was starting to curdle in her stomach. The food far too heavy for one in the midst of a workout. "Why…? Why can no one put up with me for more than an hour?"
Energy leaving her body, Kasumi collapsed to the bench, hating her laziness even as she did. She needed to stretch if she was done working out. No, she needed to continue working out.
Swallowing, Kasumi forced the words out. Forced herself to focus beyond the confusing present. "I will win this tournament. I will win regionals. I will win nationals. I will win Olympic gold."
And then? Her internal voice taunted her. You'll play fun aunt for your sister's future children? Stare at your precious medals in a silent room while drinking wine?
"Grr…" Growling, Kasumi stood up and flew down the path for another lap of cardio. Moving as if running from herself. But the lump in her stomach could not be erased.
Friday July 1st, 20XX After school
"Where. Is. He?" Rapier out, Violet held it unwavering at the ghost-like shadow of Futaba. Her Egyptian costume accentuating how thin and frail the girl really was.
"I… do not know." It replied from the entranceway of the pyramid where it had materialized to meet them. "However… I have a deal for you. A thief took something from the pyramid, if you find it for me, I will help you."
Violet struggled not to growl at the shadow. Its eyes shadowed behind the round frames of glasses were impossible to glean emotion or meaning from.
"Where is the thief?" Queen asked, stepping forward. As she did, she pushed Violet's rapier down.
Rolling her eyes, Violet stepped back and allowed the older girl to take charge for now. It was after all, the only lead they had. The stairs forward were still completely blocked by a gigantic door they could not open.
"Let's go find this village," Queen asserted after exchanging a couple more lines of dialogue about the exact location of the village. Violet could remember the small town to the left of the pyramid as they had approached. It looked small and deserted. Almost buried under the blowing sand.
Exiting the pyramid, Violet was almost glad for the return of the heat and sun. Outside at least, the shadows did not seem to reach at her, whispering about how she had lost the best thing to ever happen to her.
About to stalk forward, Violet had to pause and wait, as she had not listened to where the village was. Trying not to grow impatient, something told her that they were running out of time. That Senpai needed them now.
"We take this slow," Queen was saying as she stood on a wooden platform looking out at the village. "If we screw this up, we won't be able to help Joker."
"We do not know what the situation is," Violet countered, unable to hold it in. "He could be bleeding in a corner, barely clutching at life…" Trailing off, she placed a hand on her mouth, as if confirming that she was the one that had spoken. That she was the one who had made that horrible possibility a reality.
"Which is why we need to succeed." Queen continued, as if unaffected.
"…Very well." Violet relented. "But if we find him and he is… I mean if we could have saved him…"
Queen swallowed now, her eyes wavering with hesitation. "We… We can't screw up. Mona please."
"…Yeah." Mood heavy, the cat became a bus, and everyone piled in. For the second time, Violet found herself in the back left seat. The place that Joker had once sat. With him missing, the vehicle was the perfect size. That thought made Violet hate the comfortable seat. She wished she was plastered against the windshield, or laying across the boys' laps, with Skull openly ogling her. Anything would be better than this.
Why Senpai? Why did you leave me?
"Here." Queen's voice broke into the monotony. It was the first word any of them had spoken since Queen ordered Mona to change.
Piling out of the vehicle, Violet looked at the dusty streets in displeasure. It looked like a place you would expect thieves. Everything was cracked and worn. As the brief glance when coming in suggested, no one lived here.
"This thief…" Panther asked slowly, looking around as if questioning whether it was okay to speak at all, "are they a real person? Could they be Black mask?"
"…We need to be even more careful than I originally—"
"It doesn't matter," Violet cut Queen off. "If it is, then I will strike him down. If it isn't, then I'll do the same."
"Violet…" Noir muttered softly reaching out a hand.
Smacking it away, Violet strode forward. "Break off into groups of four and find the thief."
"Hey! I am… Never mind." Sighing loudly, Queen quickly instructed Noir, Skull, and Fox to follow Violet, keeping Panther, and Mona.
"…One of you can join them." Violet said awkwardly as she chose a direction at random. The haphazard sprawl gave no indications of where the thief would be.
Although I bet Senpai would know… He seemed to be able to do things like this instinctively.
"We're alright," Noir answered when the boys did not. "Queen is tough, she can look after herself with a smaller group."
"And I'm not?" Violet bit off her words.
They look down on me because I'm younger than them! That's how it always is…
"I didn't say that…" Noir laughed awkwardly. "Umm, it is just that… Uhh…"
"Don't bother." Skull spoke suddenly. "All we gotta do is rescue Joker. We can talk things out then."
At least one person understands.
"Perhaps…" Fox said. To her back, Violet could not see them, but she got the distinct impression he kept glancing at Noir. "However… has something good happened, Noir?"
"Good!?" Violet almost shrieked whirling around. "Nothing about this is good! Nothing can be good until he returns! Do you understand? I need him!"
Panting, Violet realized how deranged her words were beginning to sound. How deranged she was becoming. Putting a hand to her head, she staggered back eventually hitting a wooden wall where she slid to the ground. "He needs… He needs me."
"Violet!" Noir leaned down over her. "Its okay! Joker is alive, we will get him back, we can do this!"
"What if we don't?" Violet spoke the words the shadows had been whispering to her. She breathed the terrors to life. The fear that the pit in her stomach was telling her they were losing their chance. "I-I don't know how to live without him anymore."
"I know." Noir pulled Violet into a tight hug. "All of our lives are entwined now. That's why… That's why we will get him back. We can do this. Just lean on us, and we will get through this."
Feeling both better and worse, Violet nodded against Noir's shoulder. After another second, she pushed on Noir, indicating that she was ready to move again.
Brushing herself off, Violet did not run off down another identical dusty street. Trying to get her bearings, she thought that perhaps the city was quite a bit smaller than she had initially assumed. Whole districts appeared to be buried under sand.
"So, umm, does anyone know what we should—"
"I SAID FREEZE!" Queen's dominating shout came from a street over.
Sharing only a small glance, the four of them took off down the nearest street to reach her. Peeking out their heads one at time, Violet was unsure how they were able to achieve the feat. Either way, all four gasped as a shady looking thief dashed toward them closly pursued by Queen on Johanna.
"Spectacular…" Fox breathed. "Perhaps I shall paint this."
"Not if you get crushed!" Acting as the voice of reason for once, Skull pulled them all back before the rampaging beings could trample them.
"Well, that answers your question, Violet." Haru said, her voice breaking into a laugh partway.
"Yeah, it really isn't black mask," Violet agreed, the faint markings of a smile pulling at her lips. The absurd scene planted into her mind brought some brevity to the situation.
"Poor Mako-chan must have snapped," Haru sighed. "Getting so impatient to try and run the thief down on Johanna is very unlike her."
"Is that… my fault?" Violet wondered, still following the dust trail with her eyes.
"Only a factor," Noir assured Violet, before turning a teasing smile to her. "You may have noticed, but we all like our leader quite a lot."
Blushing under her mask, Violet twisted awkwardly. "Umm, shouldn't we… go help her?"
"How?" Skull asked. "I mean… like actually? The streets are too tight for Mona to have a chance at keeping up."
"Indeed…" Fox sighed. "I guess we shall leave this to Queen, or try to get ahead of them again and ambush the thief."
"Duh!" Skull smacked himself hard enough that Violet thought there was damage. "We can just shoot it with our guns when they run past next time."
Shrugging, Violet had no issues with that plan. The path of the two racers was easy enough to follow. The dust trail had turned, making a wide circle, slowly angling back toward them. As they settled in to wait, two figures turned the corner, moving far slower than the racers.
"Panther!" Noir waved at the girl, beckoning for her and Mona to come over.
"Ah… There you are…" Panting, she came to a stop, gasping against the wall.
Violet was unsure how she managed to be attractive while panting. It probably had something to do with how her skinsuit outlined her shapely breasts and moved with them. I wonder if Senpai would like to see me in something like that…
"!?" Jumping, Violet shook her head violently. Everything was a confusing mix of idle thoughts. Anything to distract from the encroaching doom. Perhaps checking out her female team members was not the worst option.
"Coming!" Haru hissed loudly. As they all took out their guns, Panther and Mona figured it out without anyone having to say something.
Before too long, they appeared again, Queen's incessant screaming audible over the loud engine and footsteps.
Aiming down her scopes, Violet felt her finger tighten on the trigger. In the seconds before firing the thief starting speaking.
"You're crazy! Screw this!" Throwing its arms above its head, the thief took a hard turn and left the paper to flutter to the road. "I'm retiring to a swamp somewhere to write haikus!"
"…Huh?" Violet blinked.
"Oh, that's an old one," Skull commented placidly as if it had been an everyday occurrence. "Don't worry if you didn't understand that."
Completely lost now, Violet briefly wondered if she had fallen into an alternate world. I guess… I kind of did?
"YES!" Queen screamed, jumping off Johanna as she came to a stop. Before her mask could reform, Violet could see the joy and excitement in her eyes. The pure adrenaline rush she had experienced.
Happy for her, Violet reached over and picked up the piece of paper that Queen had won for them. "This is that Futaba wanted, yes?" Opening it, she frowned. "This is just a map of the pyramid? Why did she want this back?"
"We will know when we return. Get in kiddos, we have a leader to rescue!" Mona yelled before turning into a bus once more.
Quickly, everyone nodded and piled in. The mood was far better than it had been all day. Despite not actually making any progress, they felt like they had. Violet could feel them growing closer to Senpai. He was still alright; they would make it. They would.
Before long, they were rushing back into air conditioning. The artificial megastructure that housed them at least kept them cool.
Running down to the first entry landing, they skidded to a half as shadow Futaba materialized. The girl's skin changing from translucent to simply pale in a matter of seconds.
"You have succeeded." Futaba spoke happily. "That is good, you will need that."
"Hold on, what?" Violet could not ask more about the ominous words before the floor beneath them opened. "Why you little—!"
Violet's words and everyone else's screams faded into nothingness as the floor snapped up sealing them below. Shadow Futaba did not smile, instead her shoulders bent slowly.
"Is this enough… Mother? Somehow… I find myself wanting to bet on them." Placing a hand on her heart, shadow Futaba vanished once again, returning to her sarcophagus to await her true death.
Friday July 1st, 20XX After school
"You wanted to see me, Mr. Sakura?" Akechi's smile was genuine, if a bit sardonic. He never would have imagined that he of all people would receive this call. That fate would put him in this situation.
But then again… It was not fate. Akechi had forgotten that it was Wakaba's daughter that lived here. The final loose end, Shido had muttered unhappily once the researcher met her timely end. Of course the man's extensive network would lead to any call from this household getting forwarded to Akechi. Keeping it away from the prying eyes of an uninitiated, or even worse, Sae.
"I… I didn't want to but with no word…" The older man still seemed to be debating whether he trusted the police enough to speak.
With the information Akechi already had, he decided to prod, poke the man's feelings to make him reveal more. "Your charge… That is the boy you took on as a foster… He was not at school today."
"That is correct," Mr. Sakura admitted gruffly. "Amamiya Ren."
"Is this the first time?" Akechi left the question open ended.
"Yes! Well… second I guess…"
Akechi put a hand over his mouth, assuming a thoughtful guise. Or to keep the laughter in. No one looking would ever know. "Second time he has ran away?"
"N-No!" Mr. Sakura scratched his head, finally realizing it was never clarified. "Just the second time he has missed school in three months. He had a good attendance record. This time though…"
"He never mentioned anything."
"…Yeah. I also don't think he ever returned last night." Mr. Sakura admitted eventually. Now that Akechi had gotten him talking, the man let his worry take over, forgetting his reservations about police. Forgetting to guard his tongue as his concern tainted his thoughts and logic.
"I suppose there is not much you can do," Mr. Sakura laughed drily. "Nothing anyone can do…"
"That is not necessarily true," Akechi spoke slowly. "Is there anyone else living around here who Ren may have talked to? Someone he may be trying to help, causing him to disappear?"
"N-No… could that fool boy actually be…?"
Akechi bit his lip to repress the laugh. Taking a moment, he continued in a soothing voice, practiced to perfection fooling dozens of people. "Mr. Sakura, you need to tell me for me to help. Does this… have to do with your daughter?"
The man froze awkwardly, his face fluctuating between suspicion and alarm. Eventually though the emotions slid off and only left the worry for Ren.
"Guess that's in my file." He laughed gruffly. "I… I think he may have left trying to help her. Maybe he just got delayed and his phone died…"
"There is only one way to find out." Akechi stood up, smiling broadly. "Shall we ask her?"
Sojiro hesitated. The detective's outstretched hand was resting just above the counter of LeBlanc. The black glove hiding the skin beneath. People said you tell a lot by a person's hands. Swallowing, Sojiro closed his eyes and begged for Wakaba and Futaba's forgiveness. Unable to do anything else, he shook the detective's hand.