Good Day Readers! Obviously, I do not own anything connected to the Persona series in general or Persona 5 specifically, I DO own Chiba Natsumi and Anais Ouvrard, along with Natsumi's immediate family members and the original Personas that will be showing up on occasion.

Thank you to the guest Hhhhh for their review.

I would appreciate any responses that you have, please enjoy.

Chapter 14: - Pain of the Heart

Sakamoto had taken off after we got down from the roof, but I just couldn't care anymore at the moment, I was too stressed out regarding our dead end of trying to get someone to crack and the boys' fear of harming Kamoshida – I understood it but my perspective was different due to Ouvrard – to focus. It was probably best I avoid going into the Palace today, Amamiya stood beside me and I could feel his eyes on me but he said nothing. A sudden buzzing came on my phone.

Ryūji: Yo, some of the guys in my class have been talking.

Ryūji: About that Suzui girl… looks like rumours are going around about her and Kamoshida.

Natsumi: Seriously?

Natsumi: Apart from impossible, that's just disgusting.

Ryūji: But if they're true, it's no wonder I couldn't get her to talk.

"Why do you think they're impossible?" Amamiya asked. I jerked up, looking at the boy in surprise at his question, then again it was odd for us to be in the same area and actually able to talk about what was being said on the Chat, still it was also nice as I much preferred talking to people in person even though the Chat was convenient for our Metaverse conversations as finding somewhere private could be awkward and time consuming.

"I saw Suzui-san once with Kamoshida. She looked like she would have run for the hills or preferred the ground to swallow her whole if given the choice. In short, she was terrified of being near him. I might not be capable of empathy, but I at least know that this is no mutual relationship if it exists at all," I explained. I ignored the raised eyebrow that Amamiya had shown when I claimed not to be empathic.

Ryūji: Still, something doesn't seem right.

Ren: Chiba-san said Suzui-san was afraid of Kamoshida when she'd seen them together once.

Ren: But why do you say that?

Ryūji: Like Natsumi said, it's impossible.

Ryūji: I've known Takamaki and Suzui since middle school.

Ryūji: There's just no way Kamoshida's their type, y'know?

Ryūji: So… I gotta wonder where those rumours came from.

Natsumi: People misreading things and making assumptions about half understood events.

Ryūji: I guess we'll get to it tomorrow. See ya!

"Want to see if we can overhear anything on the way back to the train station?" Amamiya suggested. I nodded my head since it seemed like a good idea and we might get some new information about whatever these awful rumours were saying, moving down the steps we slowly turned towards the pathway to the train station as I heard the words of two female students drifting towards me.

"Takamaki always looks kind of unhappy whenever Kamoshida-sensei talks to her," One of the students commented. The one right beside her immediately claimed that Takamaki didn't want people to know how wrapped around her finger he was before calling it gross. "Oh, so that's what's going on… I wonder how far they've gone together?" The first student commenting. Restraining the desperate urge to gag at such a disgusting suggestion, I shook my head slightly in disbelief we continued our walk away.

"I saw that new transfer student hanging out with Sakamoto-kun. The two of them are so scary," One female student spoke up. I looked at Amamiya and saw he had gone tense, if these girls ever spoke to him then they'd know there was nothing scary about Amamiya at all; certainly, he had moments of cold rage, but that rage had never been directed at me, so I never felt afraid. Amamiya was also very kind and considerate to other. "But the weird thing was, I saw Chiba-san with them too. Why is a girl like her hanging out with those two?" The girl added on. Oh boy… here we go.

"The transfer student sure doesn't look like the kind of guy who'd have a criminal record. Maybe he's one of those. You know, the people in those accidents. Maybe he suddenly freaks out and attacks people," The female student beside her suggested. That was a weird suggestion, but I suppose that wasn't an entirely impossible thing to happen… except for the fact that Amamiya clearly remembers and was in full control of his actions during the incident. "As for Chiba-san, she doesn't talk much but maybe she likes to court danger," The same student added on.

"Huh? I don't think so. Amamiya-kun's just been coming to school. Actually, he almost seems normal. And from what I hear, after you have a psychotic breakdown, you go brain dead and die right there," The first student commented. Amamiya seemed to brighten slightly at the girl's first part and that news about the psychotic breakdowns was interesting. We decided to continue with our walk.

"Sakamoto's been asking questions about the volleyball team. Just who does he think he is?" A male student asked. That caused my eyebrows to furrow with tension as Amamiya also went stiff as we glanced at the two conversing students; even if it had been only three days – three days, wow – since I started to know Sakamoto better, but I didn't like hearing people dismiss him.

"The volleyball team's never going to tell him anything. They're all completely loyal to Kamoshida," The student beside him pointed out. That was unfortunately true from what we'd seen during our investigation, the first student pointed out how the future of the volleyball team was set so they'd obviously back him, oh yes set in pain and suffering with post-traumatic stress highly likely along with injuries that could impede the rest of their lives.

"Speaking of which, I hear Kamoshida's new favourite girl is someone named Suzui," The first student added on. I perked up hearing that so this could mean that we might get some information about the Suzui-Kamoshida rumours; the boy beside him spoke up about how Suzui was a regular and her face was swollen badly… nope, nothing we didn't already know.

"Well, this was a bust. Shall we head off?" I suggested. With no more signs of people languishing and discussing topics that might help us out; we were without any more information and there was an increasing chance I'd have to head into the Palace on my own to find the Treasure and steal it in order to stop Kamoshida for good… well, maybe Morgana could be of some help.

"Sure," Amamiya agreed. We proceeded to continue with our walk towards the station, easily managing to keep pace with each other. "By the way, do you like to court danger?" Amamiya asked. I glanced up at the ravenette and immediately saw that a curl of his lips that wasn't quite a smirk nor was it a smile, yet was completely teasing, rested on his lips which caused me to raise an eyebrow even as my lips lightly curled upwards.

"Maybe. But like I said yesterday, you and Sakamoto are interesting to be around," I answered. If 'courting danger' meant being with people who were actively trying to stop a horrid individual from committing more crimes, then I'd gladly court danger a hundred times; Amamiya's lips curled into a smile and we kept walking.

*Persona 5 Royal*

The ride back to Shibuya had been cramped as usual so I was quite glad to get out into the brief walk me and Amamiya would have before boarding the train that would get us back to Yongen-Jaya. I honestly considered heading to LeBlanc for some time to relax, but I also really wanted to just crawl into my bed and sleep for the next several hours.

"Will you please give it a rest!?" Takamaki's voice yelled. I twisted around immediately, to see that the blonde girl was stood slightly away from me and Amamiya, but she wasn't paying any attention to us, instead having her red cased phone pressed firmly against her ear. "I told you; I'm not feeling up to it…," Takamaki insisted. Amamiya had also stopped and I sensed he was watching Takamaki who turned away from us. "Wait, what!? That's not what you promised! And you call yourself a teacher!? This has nothing to do with Shiho!" Takamaki exclaimed. Suddenly she froze up and her expression twisted into one that seemed like a harrowing event was happening. "Ah…," Takamki let out. She then proceeded to crumple to the ground in a ball "Shiho's… starting position…," Takamaki breathed out. I could practically see the tears gathering in her bright blue eyes.

"Takamaki-san," I called out. There was nothing else I could say, things like 'are you okay?' or 'are you alright?' were stupid to ask after what I had just heard, I walked over to the girl and when the blonde realised I was there, she leapt to her feet and proceeded to scurry away from me as I felt Amamiya hover at my side.

"Wait… were you two listening?" Takamaki accused. It wasn't like it was wrong, but still her tone could have been a little warmer especially since she had that conversation in a very public place, anyone could have overheard that conversation; Amamiya shuffled slightly in place as I sensed him reach a hand upwards, I simply linked my fingers together in front of me.

"Not on purpose," Amamiya stated. He was quite right as we hadn't known that Takamaki would have been right there having a conversation, we might have stopped and listened but given the things she had said, it seemed like she needed someone to be present right now and there hadn't been anyone else around apart from me and Amamiya who could be guaranteed to reach out to her.

"Haven't you heard of privacy?" Takamaki challenged. This was a public place! Privacy doesn't exist in those. "No, I was out of line. Sorry," Takamaki apologised. Her expression had shifted from anger to remorse as she realised what she had just said, Takamaki reached up to wipe away her budding tears. "So, how much did you hear?" Takamaki asked. She seemed fidgety, likely based on wondering how much we had overheard about her talk.

"You were arguing with a teacher… and Suzui-san was brought up," I admitted. Takamaki curled in on herself as she breathed out Suzui's first name before claiming it was nothing, with a wipe away of tears she took off running towards the JL Line. "Go on if you want Amamiya-san. I'm going after her," I insisted. Takamaki looked like she really shouldn't be left alone at the moment and I wasn't about.

"I'm going with you," Amamiya insisted. I decided not to argue and instead took off towards the JL Line and down the stairs that Takamaki had used, I turned the corner and spotted Takamaki legging it down to the line that would connect to Yongen-Jaya; a quick run down the escalator brought us to the underground walkway and I easily found the blonde girl trying to hide by one of the coloured pillars. "Takamaki-san," Amamiya called out. The girl proceeded to turn around to face us with anger on her face.

"Stop following me… just leave me alone!" Takamaki yelled. However, neither me nor Amamiya walked away from her, we stood like mountains in the fact of her stormy anger and I saw Takamaki's face slacken as she realised we weren't going to walk away; Amamiya walked over and gently reached out a hand yet he didn't touch her instead his hand remained close enough for Takamaki to reach out to him.

"I can't and I don't think Chiba-san can either," Amamiya stated. His voice was soothingly calming, his hand a clear offer of an anchor but Takamaki wouldn't be forced to take it and instead she could reach out any time to take it; Takamaki looked at the hand that Amamiya had extended to her with untrusting eyes before looking over at me.

"Why? Why do you, both of you, keep worrying about me?" Takamaki asked. Her expression was twisted into confusion as she looked between the two of us, a small sob escaped from her as she looked at the ground whilst more tears began to gather in her eyes; the stress of whatever she was going through was likely overwhelming her so much, especially if, from what I heard, Suzui was being targeted.

"We just want to talk Takamaki-san. But first, let's go somewhere else," I suggested. Takamaki nodded her head and that was all both of us needed; I moved to Takamaki's left as Amamiya took her right, I cupped her hand whilst Amamiya gently rested his hand on her shoulder and we guided the teary eyed beauty towards a nearby restaurant where we gently set her down in one of the corner booths.

"What the heck? I really don't get you… either of you…," Takamaki let out. I moved off and ordered all of us some water which I set on the table and sat beside Takamaki as Amamiya sat across from us. "I don't have anything to talk about with you two," Takamaki snapped. I could practically see porcupine spikes jutting out from the model as she looked between the two of us. "It was just an argument," Takamaki softly insisted. Her anger fading away as her hands curled into white knuckled fists.

"With Kamoshida?" Amamiya questioned. It was probably more direct than necessary, but the evidence of what Takamaki had spoken pointed solely to that individual being the one that she had been arguing with on the phone; Takamaki proceeded to sigh heavily as she vocally realised that we'd heard everything about her argument.

"You've heard the rumours… haven't you? About Kamoshida-sensei?" Takamaki asked. I nodded my head and so did Amamiya, there was no way we hadn't by this point; Takamaki reached out her hand and began to rub her right pointer finger over a napkin's surface. "Everyone says we're getting it on. But that's so not true, that was him on the other end. I avoided giving him my number for the longest time. He told me to go to his place after this," Takamaki admitted. I clamped a hand over my mouth in horror as Amamiya's mouth opened in shock, Takamaki stopped playing with the napkin and then violently wrapped her hand around the napkin. "You know what it means. If I turn him down, he said he'd take my friend off as a regular on the team. I've been telling myself this is all for Shiho's sake, but I can't take it anymore," Takamaki revealed. She slumped into the booth seat, Amamiya made some sounds, but it seemed like he couldn't think of what to say, not that I was any different. "I've had enough of this! I hate him! But still… Shiho's my best friend! She's all I have in that sorry excuse of a school!" Takamaki declared. Tears budded up and flowed freely from her eyes this time, dropping onto her lap as she shook her head, making her blonde hair flap about. "Tell me, what should I do?" Takamaki asked.

What could we say? This was not something I had any experience with, I'd never really had a friend in this situation before, even back when I did have a friend, the friend I had was too strong willed to let anything like this happen, along with the fact that she could punch out most people's lights. I lowered my hand from my mouth and clasped my hands together as I tried to think about what to say… what to tell Takamaki?

"Sorry. I shouldn't have asked," Takamaki apologised. She proceeded to wipe her eyes to clear the tears away. "It's not your problem," Takamaki commented. Amamiya lifted his gaze, which had drifted to the side, to look at Takamaki as the blonde model seemed to have recovered her composure. "What… what am I saying? I've barely even talked to either of you before," Takamaki wondered.

"Maybe that's why? Because we don't have any preconceptions about you," Amamiya suggested. Takamaki's lips twitched into a small smile even as she kept looking down at the table, the smile quickly faded as she shook her head almost like she was attempting to clear her thoughts regarding what was happening to her.

"You're so weird. Usually everyone just ignores me," Takamaki stated. She lifted her head to look directly at Amamiya. "Are you really a bad person? I've heard people talking about you, but… I just don't see it," Takamaki admitted. Amamiya moved his hand up to the back of his neck and began to rub it as he looked down at the table top.

"He's one of the kindest people I've ever met," I stated. Takamaki lifted her head to look at me with her blue eyes still being misted by her tears as I shrugged my shoulders. "It's what I think, Amamiya-san is one of the kindest people I've ever met," I repeated. It might just be my opinion, but it was the conclusion that I had come to based on the exchanges I had with him and events I'd witnessed involving him.

"I kind of a had a feeling they were all just exaggerations," Takamaki stated. Takamaki turned her attention back to Amamiya who I noticed had turned red on his cheeks. "You seemed lonely, almost like you didn't belong anywhere," Takamaki admitted. Amamiya's blush softened as he tensed up, perhaps at the way Takamaki had managed to read him. "Just like Chiba-san," Takamaki added on. I looked at the blonde who was softly smiling at the table. "We three are the same in that regard. Maybe that's why it was so easy for me to talk to both of you," Takamaki admitted. However, a pained expression twisted its' way across her face as her grip on the water glass tightened. "Is there really no way for me to help Shiho? I wish he'd just change his mind… like forget about me and everything," Takamaki wondered. A Change of Heart, that could do it as Kamoshida's desire for Takamaki would leave then. "As if something like that would ever happen," Takamaki commented. She released her drink and slumped back into the booth seat.

"Yeah… that's too convenient," Amamiya stated. I glanced at him and saw he was looking at the table top with a serious expression on his face, no doubt having come to the same conclusion that I had but given his earlier reluctance, he wouldn't want to go through with it. "So, what are you going to do now?" Amamiya asked. He lifted his face up which was now more relaxed, but I guess he was trying to turn his mind away from it.

"Well, I feel a bit better now. I'm going to head home," Takamaki stated. I stood up and moved back so that she could slide out of the booth. "Don't tell anyone what I told you two, okay?" Takamaki insisted. Her face had taken on a serious expression as he looked between us. "I'll try and think of a way to persuade Kamoshida. Well… thanks," Takamaki stated. With that she proceeded to walk away.

Yet as she did, I felt a queasy sensation in my stomach.

*Persona 5 Royal*

The next day and my queasy feeling was only increasing as during the walk to school that morning, I heard two volleyball members mentioning about how Suzui had gone and missed an important meeting, even more so when the volleyball player beside her mentioned how Kamoshida had asked to see Suzui. They dismissed any possibility of a relationship and one of them worried since all they'd had was bad news recently.

First class was Social Studies, but I could barely pay any attention to Ushimaru-sensei as he droned on about the different government branches. After all, I was far too concerned about what to do regarding Kamoshida, first thing was my need to find Morgana and those thoughts occupied my mind more than this lecture… though it probably wasn't helped by my intense dislike of most things political due to my uncle.

"Have you made up your mind?" Morgana's voice suddenly came. I barely restrained myself from jumping upright at hearing him, but I did quickly cut my eyes across before eventually finding the little fur ball sticking his head out of Amamiya's desk and judging by the flung wide arms and stunned expression, Amamiya hadn't been expecting the ambush. "No matter how much thinking you do, there's only one option. You'd be better off just listening to me," Morgana insisted.

"Don't talk!" Amamiya hissed. He also flung his arms down and made as if to push Morgana back into the desk. "Also, what are you doing in there?" Amamiya wondered. It was a bit counterproductive to order Morgana not to talk and then demanding answers, but I couldn't fault Amamiya as I had the same question rattling around in my head.

"Hm? Did I hear a cat just now?" Ushimaru-sensei wondered. Everyone began to look around in surprise at his words as Amamiya continued to try and push Morgana back under, who let out a meow from his mouth that sounded more convincing than any human should have a right to sound. "Hm… could that rumoured cat be somewhere nearby?" Ushimaru-sensei wondered. The people in class were starting to get a little excited. "Settle down! We're in the middle of an important lecture!" Ushimaru demanded. He then turned back to the board right as my phone buzzed.

Ryūji: It's no use… I can't think of another way…

Ren: Concentrate on class.

Natsumi: Or are you cutting?

Natsumi: Besides the point, me and Amamiya-san have Ushimaru-sensei, I don't need torpedo chalk being sent at me.

Ren: Torpedo chalk?

Ryūji: You'll learn soon enough.

Ryūji: Anyway, I can't deal with that shit right now. I mean, what're we gonna do about Kamoshida.

Ryūji: Do we just gotta go along with what that cat says?

Ryūji: Urgh, that damn furball…

"If only he knew I'm reading this too," Morgana commented. It was a accurate statement, Sakamoto might have chosen different words if he knew that Morgana was actually present and reading the messages we were exchanging… or maybe not, Sakamoto did seem like the kind of person who might blurt out things even in front of the person he was talking about.

"Hey… what's that!?" A male student suddenly exclaimed. I put my phone away in my pocket when I heard those words as I looked over, Ushimaru-sensei tried to get the student to settle down, but things went quickly downhill when a female student declared that someone was going to jump… of course things when from bad to horrific when Mishima suddenly stood up.

"Suzui…," Mishima spoke. I bolted up from my seat and moved around to see through the windows and which revealed that unfortunately the words were true; Suzui Shiho was stood on the roof passed the metal fencing that encircled it with her gaze tilted downwards, as if I needed to see any more in order to know her intentions.

Rushing out of the entanglement of desks, I threw open the door and moved out into the hallway, completely uncaring of voices and what they said. I didn't pause to look at the window and instead made my way towards the stairs, hoping that I would be able to reach the roof before Suzui threw herself from the building's roof… before she committed suicide!

"SHIHO!" Takamaki's agonised cry was the only thing I heard. A quick look proved I was too late, Suzui had already jumped; I stuffed my hand into my pocket and quickly retrieved my phone to punch in the emergency services number. I continued to run down the stairs as the dial tone blared like a siren in my ear, the moment I was connected I spoke without waiting.

"Ambulance! Shūjin High School! Aoyama-Itchome! A girl just jumped from the roof!" I yelled. The poor operator on the other end swiftly agreed all the while shakily speaking but at least someone was coming; I hung up and put my phone back in as I started to run full pelt towards the courtyard where Suzui would have landed.

'Be alive Suzui! Please be alive! If not for yourself then for Takamaki!' I pleaded. I ran right passed every other student, even shoving some of them aside to reach my destination, I slammed open the courtyard door and jumped over the walkway's railing in order to have a straight shot for Suzui as more students began to flow out into the courtyard.

I dropped down beside her and pressed my head to her chest, and with an almost sobbed gasp of relief escaping my lips the instant I heard a heartbeat. But I didn't dare risk moving her at all, Suzui could have fractured anything along her spine and I knew enough thanks to my mum's work as a forensic pathologist that breaks to the spine, if the person was moved incorrectly, could lead to lifelong paralysis.

"Excuse me! Miss!" A voice called. I looked up and felt relieved when I saw a group of paramedics heading towards us. "Is this the girl who jumped?" The lead paramedic calmly asked. I felt old memories starting to boil up seeing those suits again, but I clamped down and shoved them back into the darkest corner of my mind; Suzui was a whole lot damn more important than me getting emotional over my family.

"She's alive! But she could have damages to her spine!" I exclaimed. My tone was heavy with panic and I think something was stinging the corners of my eyes but I ignored it as I shuffled away to let the paramedics flock around her, I watched with heaving lungs as they set towards carefully moving Suzui in order to prevent aggravating her wounds whilst one paramedic checked her over for any other wounds or signs of blood loss, thankfully the grass was free of such a reddish stain but that just meant her internal injuries could be horrific.

"We need someone to go with her. Are there any teachers around?" The lead paramedic asked. I looked back and saw a massive gathering of students, many of them with their phones out pointed at the scene – are you kidding me?! How disgusting can people be?! This isn't something to film! – I spotted Takamaki blankly staring at Suzui's form from the front of the crowd with Amamiya and Sakamoto stuck inside at the middle and Mishima at the back.

Teachers were flowing through the ranks and appeared to be trying to manhandle the students away from the scene but when the paramedic asked that question, they all froze up and looked towards the person who'd spoken. Then, the most utterly absurd thing started to happen, multiple teachers let out weak, pathetic, feeble excuses as to not go with Suzui, one even suggested leaving this to the principal… the principal who was as much responsible for Suzui's suffering as Kamoshida!

"I'll go!" I declared. The paramedic looked at me and I stared back with a dead serious expression. "I called the ambulance here, I want to make sure Suzui-san is taken care of," I insisted. It was also apparent that none of the teachers had enough spine to actually step forward and try to help out the student who had almost died on their watch; I would not be such a coward.

"Let me come too!" Takamaki hysterically cried. I looked over and saw that she looked close to tears, I nodded my head at the paramedics and they agreed for both of us to come, I quickly walked over to Suzui with Takamaki running up to her side as both of us knelt down beside her. "Shiho… why?" Takamaki asked. Her voice sounded close to breaking into tears as she looked down at her friend.

"Ann… I'm sorry. I… I can't take this… anymore…," Suzui wheezed out. Her eyes were fluttering rapidly but I could see she was losing the fight to stay conscious; Takamaki leant her head in close as she called out to her best friend. "Kamo…shida… he… he raped me," Suzui choked out. I felt every nerve in my body stiffen up as my eyes widened in horror at the word that had escaped from Suzui.

"Huh? Kamoshida!?" Takamaki exclaimed. Her own horror was plastered clear on her face, but we could get no more information out of Suzui as her eyes drifted shut. "No! Shiho!?" Takamaki cried. The paramedics took that as their cue to lift Suzui up and into the ambulance, I thrust my left hand out to Takamaki and she took it as I quickly pulled out my phone and opened the Chat as we headed for the ambulance.

Natsumi: Sorry you two, you'll have to handle today.

Ryūji: Don't apologise!

Ryūji: Besides, we might have a lead!

Ren: We'll explain later. Just take care of Suzui-san and Takamaki-san.

Tucking the phone away, I slid into the ambulance as I looked at Suzui, unconscious and with medical apparatus around her to help her breath. Takamaki was as ridged as a statue as she stared with wide yet empty eyes and ashen skin; I looked at Takamaki warily, wondering what to do, eventually I reached a hand out and lay it on her shoulder.

Almost instantaneously, Takamaki all but threw herself into me, sending me swaying back but I kept my seating. I reached my arms up and wrapped them around Takamaki who immediately started to cry, her deep aching sobs permeated the atmosphere as I felt a damp spot being to form on my blazer, but I didn't let go. I simply firmed up the wrapping of my arms as I rested my head atop Takamaki's head.

The paramedics were silent as they focused on racing through the bustling streets of Tokyo whilst making sure Suzui stayed in as stable a condition as was possible. But I saw, unlike Takamaki who continued to cry, the grim looks on their faces; whatever assessment they made of Suzui's condition, it clearly wasn't good.

When the ambulance slowed to a stop, the paramedics sprung into action, bolting out of the vehicle in a clean and executed manner as they moved to the back and rolled Suzui out. Takamaki had bolted up, her eyes dry for now, once Suzui was out of the vehicle we followed after her as the paramedics rushed her into the building; even though I wanted to avoid those memories, I used the last time I was in a hospital as a guide as to what to do.

Taking a hold of Takamaki's hand, I guided her in and moved over to the nearest nurse explaining the situation. She gave us directions to where Suzui had been taken and I moved off, my legs marching a quick walk as I weaved between the staff, patients and visitors clogging the hallway as Takamaki tightened her grip on me in order to not be left behind. Once we reached the hallway linked to the intensive care unit, I sat down and Takamaki followed suit.

Heavy shaky breathes rattled out of Takamaki as her manicured fingers tightly gripped the squashy fabric of the bench. The last time I'd been here had been painful as my uncle crushed my heart, but I could at least use that in order to know what not to do for Takamaki. Reaching a hand out, I rested it on her back and slowly began to rub it in circles.

"Let it out Takamaki-san, it's fine to let it out," I reassured. Takamaki started to allow choking half-sobs to escape her as her shoulders began to shudder, but her hunch over position didn't relax and no tears came from her; I continued my soft words as I desperately suppressed the painful memories of why I had been in a hospital three years ago, focusing on the living girl beside me suffering through the anxiety of not knowing whether or not someone dear would survive a horrible event.

"Excuse me, are you two with the young lady from Shūjin?" A voice called. I looked up. Seeing a woman approaching us with a clipboard and a firm expression on her face, Takamaki seized the hand that had been resting in my lap within an iron grip as her whole body started to tremble as the woman's question received a positive answer. "She's alive, but I'm afraid she ended up slipping into a coma," The woman stated. Her expression became grim, a kind of grim I felt was familiar to me. "I'm sorry but… her chances of recovery… they're slim," The woman admitted.

"No!" Takamaki cried. She made as if to get up, but her legs gave out and she crumbled to the floor, I moved over and wrapped the blonde in another hug as she broke down into tears once again. "This is his fault! It's all Kamoshida's fault!" Takamaki wailed. She was right, Kamoshida's distortion had caused this to happen, all because he believed he deserved whatever he wanted regardless of truth.

'That's it!' I mentally vowed. This was wrong, more than wrong, it was abhorrent. 'Kamoshida has gone too far this time! Whether he lives or dies, I don't care! I'll rip his distorted desires out on my own if I must!' I decided. Ouvrard had done awful things to me, but never once had I considered suicide, never had I been pushed to the brink like this.

'For Suzui-san's sake! I'll get justice for her!' I vowed.