-Shujin Academy; Morning-
The next day came as the next thing Ren, Dide and Kai knew, they were standing in front of the school they would be attending. Sojiro had been guiding the boys over as they were each wearing the uniform; Dide even had his hair fixed up for the part.
Sojiro had even been fixed up as he had on a fedora and a suit jacket of grey and pink.
"Do me a favor and behave yourselves all right?" Sojiro told them, "Don't get me wrong--I don't care what happens to you, just don't cause me any trouble."
"Yes Sir." Dide replied.
"Fine." Kai said as he rolled his eyes.
"R-Right." Ren said.
Sojiro soon started to lead them inside as the boys looked over the school.
"Liking how out of the way this place is---" Dide said with a smile, "---This will be a perfect place to lay low!"
"Please, this doesn't look any different from the last school I was at." Kai said.
"Don't be sour, Kai." Dide told him as he nudged him, "New beginning, remember?"
"Yeah yeah." Kai said.
Ren only shook his head before he rubbed his eyes. Dide and Kai both noticed. "Hey, four eyes—" Kai said, "—You all good?"
"Yeah, I just---" Ren said as he thought about the dream, "---Had a weird dream last night."
"Might be from those cup noodles we had." Dide said, "Not a good diet in my opinion."
"Oh God, don't tell me you plan on cooking all our meals?" Kai said rolling his eyes.
"Ya damn skippy I am!" Dide said. "Remember, y'all gotta get a balance meal of 3 a day!"
"Barf." Kai said, "Your food is crap."
Dide gasped looking offended, "HEY! IT'S NOT CRAP! YOU AND REN TRIED MY FOOD BEFORE AND HE LIKES IT!"
"Ren will eat anything." Kai siad. "So it doesn't count."
"Come on you two…" Ren said awkwardly.
"Hey, come on what's the hold up?" Sojiro called out.
The boys soon caught up with Sojiro, until Ren felt something under his foot. He quickly picked up the object before pocketing as he caught up with the others.
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Kawakami had been walking through the archway with Murdock as she had been contemplating the situation at hand. As Murdock had been reassuring his co-worker, his face turned sour at the sight of--
"What troublesome students."
They looked to a man that had long black unkempt hair and thick eyebrows. His jawline is broad and square. He wore a white T-shirt and black track pants with double white stripes. Around his neck he wears what appears to be a red timer and a whistle. He also seems to be unnaturally tall when compared to his co workers.
Murdock took a deep breath before he greeted with a forced smile, "Afternoon Kamoshida."
"Yo Murdock!" The teacher Kamoshida said as he gave a dab as Murdock delivered.
"Still the tight gripper, aren;'t ya?" Kamoshida asked with a smile.
"Yeah--" Murdock said, "---Still a gripper."
"So you heard about the students that we're getting." Kawakami said, before she sighed, "I can't believe they pushed two people with records on me. A male teacher like Marsel-kun would be more suited for this…"
Kamoshida shook his head, "Why in the world would someone like them be admitted here."
"Who knows?" Kawakami said, "It was the principal's decision."
"From what I understand it was for the school's reputation." Murdock said.
"I would've thought that my volleyball team has contributed more than enough to cover that." Kamoshida said with confidence making Murdock roll his eyes.
"That's certainly true." Kawakami said.
"Don't encourage him." Murdock said.
"Still you two be careful." Kamoshida said, "Then again if anything were to happen, I'd kick those students out right away."
"Let's not jump to conclusions." Murdock told him. "I'm sure those boys won't get themselves into trouble."
"Come on Murdock. That's being too soft on them." Kamoshida said as he pat him on the back a bit hard much to his dismay.
"I keep wishing that they don't come to school---" Kawakami said, "---But that's not something I should be saying as a teacher."
"Well---" Kamoshida said, "--I should be returning to practice."
"Right, the tournament is coming up isn't it?" She said.
Kamoshida laughed to himself, "Having such high expectations placed on you by others is quite a problem itself. We'll have to work hard to make up for the track team too."
"Yeah, wonder why that happened." Murdock mumbled to himself. Thankfully Kamoshida didn't seem to hear as he went towards the practice building.
Murdock sighed as he said, "Thank god, he's gone. Must he even be here."
"Marsel be nice." Kawakami said, before she sighed, "... Of all the classes, why did it have to be mine?"
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-SIU Headquarters-
"According to the police, the engineer's life was not in danger despite his injuries. After questioning, even he could not explain his high speed when approaching the station. No further comments were made. Police are still looking for a plausible motive"
Yet another train accident had aired on the news. From what was seen it had speed through several stations. It might as well have been the only thing that could be airing for the next hour or so.
The director couldn't help but make a comment, "It's less of an operating accident and more of a crime of the company and the government. Site inspectors apparently reported all of this six months ago… The deterioration of the tracks and the ATC. Seems the railway company and the Ministry of Transport both turned a blind eye to the truth."
He soon turned to a young woman wearing a black business suit and a black turtleneck.
"There's no way they can hide, this will go all the way to the top." He said.
"Right." She replied before the Newswoman continued on.
"Now, on to our main story, with this derailment accident, as well as other recent incidents of unknown motive, concern is spreading among the general public. Just what could be causing such a drastic change so suddenly in these people?"
"Everything's linked---" The Director said to the young lady, "---That's what you're thinking, correct?"
The woman said nothing as she still looked to the TV.
The Director sighed, "Ah, well. Are you free? You and I haven't gone for a drink in awhile."
"Thank you sir---" She said, "---But I have another meeting to attend, excuse me."
With a bow she took her leave from the office. After gathering her things she had proceeded to the lobby of the headquarters. There she was met with a young man with shaggy, neck length brown hair with bangs and reddish-brown eyes. He wore a tan peacoat with black buttons, striped black and white tie, black pants, black gloves and black loafers. He looked to be carrying a silver suitcase with the letter A at the center.
Goro Akechi---soon noticed the young woman as he pocketed his phone.
"Nijima-san---" He said, "--Did you ask for me? Is it a case?"
"Not quite." The woman--Sae Nijima replied, "Sorry, I know you have your other project, but I want your opinion on something."
"Sure, I don't mind." Akechi said, "Your judgment is often correct, though. Can we discuss it over sushi, perhaps? You are making a student work late, after all."
"... Conveyor belt only." She stated.
Akechi couldn't help but pout at this before he followed her out the door. He looked back before he moved forward with one thing in mind.
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-LeBlanc; Later that Day-
It hadn't been long before Ren, Dide and Kai returned to LeBlanc with Sojiro. By the time they did however---
---It had been the evening.
"There you are!" Yukihara said as he had been mopping up the floor, "I'd thought you'd be back in the afternoon, where were you guys?"
"We got held up in traffic." Sojiro said, "There was another accident at the subway, eighty people were involved." He soon turned to the boy's, "Just so we're clear, you three are taking the train."
"Yeah, yeah, we got it." Kai said, "By the way your car is WAY too small for four people to fit in."
"Well beggars can't be choosers." Sojiro told him.
Dide said as he patted Kai on the shoulder, "Yeah Dude, You gotta make due with what you got in life."
"See?" Sojiro said. "At least Dide makes sense. Well, he is the eldest out of you three."
"Figures you'd say that considering you and your family are rich to the teeth." Kai mumbled.
"Hey, hey, just because our family is rich doesn't mean we don't believe in a thing called savings." Dide said, "Even they can find themselves poor at some point in their lives, it's happened before."
"Whatever." Kai said, "Can you believe this guy Ren?"
Ren himself had been looking at the pin he had picked up earlier, his mind seemed to wandered. "Hey! Four eyes!"
"Huh?" Ren said almost dropping the pin as he pocketed it, "Sorry, what were you saying?"
"What's going on? You've been acting more quiet than usual since we left." Dide asked.
"Yeah, everything good with ya Four Eyes?" Kai asked.
"Oh I'm just---Nervous I guess." Ren said.
"First day jitters?" Dide asked, "Oof been there. Done that."
"Don't worry that'll get easier as the school year goes on." Yukihara reassured him, "Before you know it the year will go just right by ya."
"... Right." Ren said.
Dide soon ruffled his hair as he said, "Don't worry about it Ren! You got Kai in the same class, afterall! As long as we three stick together We can handle anything!"
"And Don't forget, don't get yourselves in any unnecessary trouble." Sojiro told them. "That's the last thing we need."
"R-right." Dide said
"That reminds me---" Sojiro said, "---Why don't you three head upstairs, I got something I want to give you."
"I'll close up shop." Yukihara said.
The boys soon went up the stairs, as Yukihara went to finish things up. Just as Ren was about to head up, he heard the phone ring. When Yukihara went to answer, it had been from his cellphone.
"Uchiyama speaking." He heard him say before he noticed his expression changed, "Oh--Azami. It's been awhile." He saw him pause, before he looked mad, "What?! Why the fuck would you---For the last time I am not just gonna give you that amount of money---Well I don't care if you lost it on a goddaman host guy I'm not wasting my money for you---You know why I think that!"
"Ren!" Sojiro called out.
"Coming!" Ren said as he looked hesitant to go up, but he eventually did as he couldn't help but look a little concerned as Yukihara continued his argument with whomever had been on the phone.
The moment he met with Sojiro up in their room, each of them were handed a journal.
"What's this?" Ren asked.
"It's diaries, one for each of you." Sojiro replied, "Make sure you guys keep it up to date. You three may be under probation, but there's no special limitations on what you do in particular. Besides following the law, that is. However, I'm obligated to report on you which is why I'm having you record your daily activities."
"... Damn it, there's always a catch." Kai said.
"Don't complain Kai, it's only fair." Dide said.
"Of course, you'll be up for it, mister celebrity." Kai said.
"You should really take his advice." Sojiro said.
He soon heard his phone ring; he turned it around as he picked up his phone, "Hey, what's up?" He paused for a moment allowing who ever had been on the phone to continue, "... I'm about to leave right now. Don't worry, I'll there in no time. I'll see you soon."
"Who is he talking to?" Ren thought.
Sojiro soon hung up before he turned to the three boys, "Well I'm off. I'll lock the place up, so do whatever you want for the rest of the night."
"Oh Sakura-san---" Dide said as Sojiro froze, "---I noticed you have a cooking area, would you mind if I use it for cooking dinner tonight?"
"You can cook?" Sojiro asked surprised.
"Yeah! I cooked for my parents and even Ren and Kai before when we were little." He said.
"And it tastes like crap." kai said before Dide lightly smacked the back of his head.
"It does not, you're just picky." Dide told him.
Sojiro sighed, "Fine, just don't set anything on fire and don't mess up my store. If something goes missing I'll report you to the cops."
"Yes sir!" Dide said as he saluted.
With that, Sojiro left the boys alone; Dide soon clapped his hands, "Welp now that I got permission, we gotta go get ingredients!"
"Right now?" Ren asked, "Isn't it kind of late? We have to get up early tomorrow for school, you know."
"We can't go to sleep with our empty stomachs!" Dide said, "Sides, I saw a grocery store when we were getting here yesterday. Let's go and get ingredients so I can whip us some hamburger steak!"
"... Fine, but I'm choosing the filling for my own steak, not that pepper cheese you stuff em with." Kai said.
"It's called Pepper jack." Dide told him. "Honestly Kai, How Ignorant can you get."
"Let's just get out of this uniform." Kai said as he went to change. Dide and Ren followed suit, removing their jackets until they heard a---CLANG!
Ren noticed that the dull colored pin from before fell out of his pocket. Before Ren could pick it up, Dide was quick to snatch up. "What's this? A flower pin?" Dide asked before noticing the detail, "It's a Chrysanthemum?
"That's not your style, what gives?" Kai asked.
"Oh---" Ren said, "---I found it at the school entrance."
"You found it.." Dide said as he gave Ren a look.
"That pin looks a little old doesn't it?" Kai asked, "Why did you pick it up?"
Ren looked to the pin again. For a moment, he thought back to the person he had encountered, just mere moments before the unfortunate incident. He recalled they saw it on their person as plan as day as the unique birthmark on their cheek.
"... I think someone must've lost it." Ren said, "I figured I could give it back to them… That's all."
"...Well as long as we stay out of trouble." Dide said. "A simple return is okay."
"Yeah, it's not like it's gonna cause any more problems." Kai said, "Come on, let's go and get to that grocery store."
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-Later that Night-
After a hearty meal and a quick trip to the bathhouse, the boy's had turned in for the night. Once again, Ren had been the last one to fall asleep as he looked to the pin in his hand. He couldn't help but have a thought.
"... I haven't thought about that person in months… I wonder why it didn't come back till now."
He soon recalled the adults that had been chasing the person and the boy that was with them. He even remembered the bruises on the person's face.
"... I wonder if they got away alright… Or who they were for that matter."
Ren sighed, "I wonder if that person goes to Shujin? I should give them back their pin."
His phone let out a chime again, as he immediately went to pick it up, thinking it was a News alert. However to his own surprise…
… It had been the app with the red eye again.
Immediately without a second thought, he went and deleted it, before he went to sleep.
There was a dark corridor, someone had been running from what looked to be a monstrous figure of some sort. They saw no matter how far they ran more of the strange figures seemed to corner the person.
"TAKE THEM TO THE DUNGEON!" One of them shouted before they were tackled.
The person had been struggling as the strange figure had been over them. The figure had tried their best to fight them off but it had been no use.
It hadn't been long before they heard someone shout their name before they hit with a blunt object.
"KIKU!!!"
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Ren shot up awake as he let out a gasp. He had been covered in sweat though he calmed himself down as he took a breath. He didn't realize it was morning until he felt someone tap his shoulder. It had been Dide.
"Yo Ren!" Dide said, "You good?"
"Dide?" Ren said a bit confused at first.
"I was coming to wake you up, but you woke up suddenly like that." Dide said, "Everything alright?"
"I---Just had a nightmare…" Ren replied, "... It felt like I was someone else… It… Felt real…"
Dide patted his back as he said, "Hey, don't let it get to ya. Just remember, fresh start." He soon handed him his uniform, "Speaking of, hurry and get dressed, we're gonna be late."
"Right." Ren said taking the uniform.
"Kai and I will be waiting downstairs for you!" He said before he went to take his leave to give him privacy. Ren soon looked to the pin again, as he thought back to the nightmare he had; he soon started to get ready as the person he encountered came to mind again.
"... Kiku…"
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After fixing himself up in his uniform and adjusting his glasses, Ren hurried down the stairs to join Dide and Kai whom had been waiting at the booths. Though Kai had his shirt untucked and his hair had been a mess.
"Seriously dude, are you trying to get yourself in juvie?" Dide asked
"What did you expect, you got me up early." Kai said as he yawned, "If it wasn't for the fact that we were told go to school, I would sleep in."
Dide told him as he got out a comb, "early bird gets the worm.
"DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE!!" Kai shriekd as he hopped from the chair before moving five feet from him.
"Hey, hey, knock it off---" Yukihara said, "---How about you start the day with breakfast?"
The boys looked over before they noticed, three plates of curry freshly made.
"... Curry?" Ren said, "Did you make this?"
"Oh no, not me, I don't make curry that well." Yukihara replied, "It was actually Sojiro-kun."
"Shut up Yukihara." Sojiro mumbled before he said to them, "Just, hurry up and finish it before the customers start coming in."
"... Well, I am a little hungry." Ren said.
"Normally I don't see Curry as breakfast but---" Dide started to say.
"Seriously are you STILL on that Food Pyramid crap?!" kai asked before he dragged Dide over to the bar. "Let's eat already!"
The moment they took a bite from the curry---There eyes immediately sparkled.
"... Holy shit…" Kai said, "This is so fucking good!"
"It's not just good--" Dide said "---This is---THIS IS---A RARE GEM YOU FIND HIDDEN IN THE TRENCHES! IT'S LIKE A DISCOVERY OF FLAVORS!!"
"..you flatter me too much, kid." Sojiro said.
"You gotta show me the recipe!" Dide said. "What did you use? How long does it takes?!"
"And there he goes…" Kai said as he rolled his eyes.
"I didn't expect there to be a complex of flavors within the bold spiciness." Ren admitted.
"Oh don't you start!" kai told him.
"What are you still doing?!" Dide said as he began to eat like there's no tomorrow.. "Hurry up and chow down already!"
"Hey hey calm down." Yukihara said, "Just say you guys enjoy it."
"I thought we just did." Kai said earning a chuckle from Yukihara. Dide soon looked to his watch, "Oh geez we gotta go! Come on guys speed eat!"
Ren and Kai looked at each other before they started to eat like their was no tomorrow. The minute they downed their glasses they caught their breath. "Thanks for the meal!" Ren said.
Sojiro softly chuckled, "Turns out you do have manners after all."
"OH SHOOT, THE EXPRESS IS GONNA LEAVE IN 5 MINS!" Didie exclaimed.
"SHIT, WE GOTTA GO!" Kai exclaimed before he took Ren, "LET'S FUCKING GO REN!"
"YIPE!" Ren shrieked as he was dragged away, "By-Bye!"
The boys soon ran out the door and towards the train station, trying to keep up the pace.
"We're gonna make it!" Dide said relieved, "WE ARE----"
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"---So fucked."
They managed to make it to the train on time, unfortunately when they did arrive… It started to pour with rain. Thankfully they managed to find shelter at a store nearby.
"...Nice one, Mister Celebrity." Kai said. 'What? You forgot your daily forecast check?"
"SHUT!" Dide shouted
"Don't worry---" Ren said as he looked at his phone, "---The rain should let up in a few minutes and Shujin is nearby so it's not like we have to run there."
Dide took a breath, "Right---You're so right."
"Next time check your app before you rush us out the door." Kai said, "Seriously, we could've grabbed our umbrella's."
Ren's phone soon let out a ping as it had gotten his attention; when he did he saw it had been the strange app again. He was confused as he remember he just deleted the app yesterday. He was about to again, before…
…Someone had joined them.
From their appearance they saw it had been teenage girl, having a second year badge on their blazer. She had the standard black blazer over a white varsity-like hooded sweatshirt, worn long to cover most of her short plaid skirt. Her sweatshirt had a red stripe between two blue stripes at the bottom, an S symbol near the front bottom on one side and a green four-leaf-clover symbol on the back of the hood.
When she removed her hood---
---Ren and Kai in particular had been taken back by her beauty.
She had fair skin and platinum blonde hair that is styled in bushy pigtails with parted side bangs on the right side of her face. She had a single yellow hair clip above her left ear as well as small circular earrings on both ears and bright blue eyes.
She didn't seem to notice the boys as she had been drying herself off as best as she could before she looked to the skies.
"... Holy… Shit…" Kai said absolutely stunned.
The girl looked over, finally noticing them, though she had been looking at Kai. "Oh you got a---" She said before she reach out, "---Here."
Kai froze before he realized she had plucked a stray cherry blossom petal that he didn't realize was there. Ren noticed that his face turned red.
She sighed, "I hate the rain. The blossoms are so pretty right now, and this rain just makes them go everywhere."
"Y-yeah." Kai said at a loss for words.
"Kai?" Ren said stunned that his friend was even fumbling
Dide looked over the young girl as it seemed to hit him. "Hey---" He said as the girl looked to him, "---I know you---"
Before the girl could say, they noticed a car pull up. The window rolled down revealing a teacher. It had been Kamoshida.
"Good morning." He said with a friendly smile, "You want me to give you a ride to school? You're gonna be late."
"Um sure---" The girl said, as she went towards the car, "---Thank you."
"How about you boys?" He said, "Do you need a lift too?"
"No thank you." Ren replied.
"y-yeah, we're good." Dide said.
The young girl entered the car, but they couldn't help but notice the expression on her face as the window rolled up; the car soon drove away leaving them stunned.
"... What was that all about?" Kai couldn't help but ask.
Just then another boy came into view as it seemed like he wanted to chase after the car, but stopped. The young man had short spiky blond hair and dark brown eyes. He wore a black blazer with red buttons, unbuttoned to reveal a yellow T-shirt with a comic style star symbol and the word "ZOMG!".
He also had black pants with a red plaid pattern rolled up to reveal his ankles. His pants have black suspenders that hang down instead of being worn on his shoulders, white belt and white sneakers that have a rising sun flag motif.
He looked to be pissed, "Damn it! Screw that pervy teacher!"
Ren, Dide and Kai couldn't help but look confused.
"... Pervy teacher?" Ren said getting his attention; he didn't realize that the strange app picked up on his voice as it activated something.
"What do you guys want?" He asked approaching them, "You guys planning on ratting me out to Kamoshida?"
"Whoa pal, what the hell are you talking about?" Kai said, as the boy himself looked confused.
"Yeah, We're just as confused as you are." Dide added
"Huh?" The Vulgar Boy said, "In that car just now it was Kamoshida."
"Yeah, we got that." Kai asked.
"Hold on---" Ren said, "---You just called him a Pervy Teacher. What did you mean by that?"
"It because it's what he is." The Vulgar Boy said, before he clicked his tongue, "He does whatever the hell he wants. Who does he think he is---The king of a castle? Don't you agree?"
The three of them looked to one another befuddled. "Ooookay---" Dide said, "---That's a whole lot to unpack.like ALOT".
"Wait, do you guys seriously not know Kamoshida? Are you for real?" The Vulgar Boy said even more confused, "You're from Shujin right?"
"Same as you." Kai said as he crossed his arms.
The Vulgar Boy soon looked to the badges on their blazers. "So you two are second-years?" The Vulgar Boy said looking to Ren and Kai, "Guess we're in the same grade." He soon looked to Dide, "And---You're a third year?"
"Yup, says it right here on the badge!" Dide said showing it off.
The Vulgar Boy pondered, "I've---Never seen you guys before."
"Yes!" Dide said softly as Kai rolled his eyes.
"Looks like his disguise is working." Ren whispered.
"Yeah, he's never gonna let this one go…" Kai mumbled.
It soon hit the Vulgar Boy, "Oh I get it, you guys must be transfers."
"That's right." Ren said.
"Then no wonder you guys don't know him." The Vulgar Boy said, "Well, the rain's not so bad. Come on, we're gonna be late."
"Lead the way!" Dide said as the Vulgar Boy walked ahead. Dide soon whispered, "See? I told you this look would work!"
"Don't count your chickens Neat Freak." Kai told him.
"I'm still surprised, all you really had to do was change your hair." Ren said in a low voice.
Dide said as he laughed confidently, "And It worked perfectly.
Just they were ready to turn the corner---
---A strange red shimmer seemed to go through their vision. But it went by so quick they didn't notice---But the four of them had a splitting headache.
"Ow---" Ren groaned.
"Fuck---" Kai groaned.
"Ow my head…" The Vulgar Boy said, "... Damn it, I wanna go home."
"Ouch… Damn allergies." Dide said, "Always appearing before or after seasons." He soon stepped over to the Vulgar Boy, "By the way since we're gonna be in the same school, I'm Dide! Dide Inoue" He soon pointed to Ren and Kai, "Those are my two friends, Ren Amamiya and Kai Higuchi! What's your name?"
"Uh---Ryuji Sakamoto." The Vulgar Boy replied, a bit taken back by his energy. "You're--Not from here are you?"
"O-Oh! T-that's because I uh---" Dide started to say trying to come up with an excuse. It hadn't been long till Ren stepped in, and spoke up, "---He recently moved from America."
"America huh?" The Vulgar Boy---Ryuji said, "Guess that explains the hyper activity."
"Too hyper if you ask me." Kai said under his breath.
"Anyway follow me---" Ryuji said as he lead them down an alley, "---We can take this shortcut to school."
"Well that seems sketchy." Kai said earning an elbow from Dide as he grunted.
"Thanks man!" Dide said.
They soon followed Ryuji through the shortcut; neither of them seemed to notice Ren's strange app had activated something. They didn't even seem to realize the people around them seemed to have vanished. For a moment everything to them… seemed normal, even as they continued to follow Ryuji.
The moment they turned the corner, Ren felt a strange sensation as he stepped in a puddle; It caused him to look back.
"Four Eyes---" Kai said, "---What's the problem?"
"... Didn't you feel that?" Ren asked.
"Huh?" Kai asked before---
"WHAT THE FUCK!?"
They heard the sound of Dide's voice as they realized, he and Ryuji were ahead of them. Ren and Kai immediately caught with them as they were taken back by---A very peculiar sight.
Before them wasn't a school anymore…
… Instead it was a castle.
It stood taller than any building that they have ever seen in Shibuya, as it practically touched the odd pink clouds above. At this the boy's looked very confused, especially Ryuji.
"... We---Didn't come the wrong way though." Ryuji said looking back at the alleyway.
"The hell is this?!" Kai said, "Some kind of weird fever dream?!"
"It's impossible to have the same one though!" Dide argued.
"This should be the right place---" Ryuji said, before he pointed over to the sign, "---I mean it says it's Shujin Academy right there."
"What should we do?" Ren asked.
Ryuji sighed, "No choice, let's go check it out."
"Wait, you want us to go in there?" Kai asked, "We don't even know if that's really Shujin."
"Yeah--I'm feeling a bad vibe here.." Dide said
"See?!"
"You got a better idea?" Ryuji asked him
Dide soon said, "then again-a quick peek wouldn't hurt."
"DIDE!" Kai shouted, "Aren't you supposed to be the eldest guy here!?"
"I mean--the sign's there and it is Shijun.." Dide said. "Maybe they're having a change of scenery foir the school year?"
Kai had a look of disbelief, "Okay yeah sure that makes senses. Except there is just one problem with that little theory…" He soon got in his face before shouting as he shook him, "....HOW IN THE FUCK DOES AN ENTIRE SCHOOL CHANGE INTO A CASTLE ONE NIGHT?! IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S MAGIC OR SOME STUPID SHIT LIKE THAT!!"
"Would you relax?!" Dide exclaimed as he got him off. "Seriously."
"... In any case there's no point in standing out here." Ren said.
"He's right, let's go in." Ryuji said.
Ryuji and Ren went on ahead as Kai and Dide had been hesitant. Eventually Dide stepped forward before motioning Kai to follow.
"... I got a bad feeling about this." Kai said as he went to follow close behind.
The boy's entered through the drawbridge and inside the strange castle. For a moment as they stepped through, they could almost swear they their school for all but a few seconds. It hadn't been long before they found themselves standing in what they would've assumed would've been the entryway to the school.
Instead it had been replaced with a fairly large room, with candles and pillars and a large chandiler. A staircase that lead to the second floor, and a fairly large painting.
Though neither of them seemed to notice as they looked around the surrounding area before them.
"T-That's weird…" Ryuji said, "... Where's the school?"
"We sure we're in the right place?" Kai asked.
"We should be---" Ryuji said, "---Like Inoue said, it had Shujin on the sign outside."
"Hello!" Dide called out startling himself when his voice echoed, "Hello?! Hello!?" He waited for an answer but he didn't get any answer, "... Looks like nobody's here. Either that or they didn't hear me."
Ren soon looked to his phone before he noticed something off, "... That's odd. There isn't any service here."
"How is that even possible?" Kai asked, "Where did we even end up?"
Just then they heard an odd sound. It sounded like clanking. When they turned to the source, they saw a strange man that appeared to be in armor and was wearing a mask. He was even armed with a sword and shield.
"Okay…" Dide said being the first to speak up, "That---Is sus."
"Geez---" Ryuji said not thinking much on his appearance, "---You freaked me out… So who are you? You a student."
"Hey---" Ren started to say before Ryuji approached the knight.
"Man, your costume's impressive." Ryuji said, "Is that armor real?"
The Knight stayed silent as he looked to Ryuji.
"C'mon, don't just stand there. Say something." He said.
"Hey guy---" Kai said, "---Something about him doesn't scream--"
All of a sudden another Knight advanced on the boy's, followed by a few others; in mere moments they found themselves surrounded.
"H-Hey! What's going on?!" Ryuji said.
"Back off!" Kai said as he readied his fists.
Dide immediately got his fists up as they stepped closer, "I'm warning you! I'm a black belt in Akido! Don't make me hurt you!"
The knights advanced backing the boys in the corner. "Well this is a problem---" Dide said, "---They didn't take the threat."
"This shit's real!" Ryuji said in a panic, "We gotta make a run for it!"
"How do we do that? They got us surrounded!" Ren said.
WHAM!!!
The boys were startled by the sound but noticed one of the Knights fall over. It turns a person hit him from behind with a wooden beam. It had been a young boy with red-orange eyes and round glasses that were cracked.
"What---?!" Ren said startled.
"RUN!" The Boy told them as the Knights turned to him, "GET TO THE DOOR! I'LL HOLD THEM OFF AS LONG AS I CAN!"
Without hesitation, they boy's attempted to get to the door, while boy went to block their path. However it had been short lived as two new Knights seemed to manifest at the door.
"HOLY SHIT!" Kai exclaimed.
"THERE'S MORE OF THESE ASSHOLES!?" Ryuji exclaimed.
"Okay--" Dide said as he got in position. "---YOU ASKED FOR IT!"
Dide went to lad a hit on the Knight but he immediately blocked him with his shield before ramming it in his face, knocking him over.
"Dide!" Kai shouted before he was hit too.
"Crap---!" Ryuji exclaimed before he was hit in the back making him cry out in pain
"Hey!" Ren shouted as he went to him before the Knights advanced. "Take them to the dungeon!" One of the Knights said, before they knocked Ren out too.
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"Hey…! Hey! Wake up!"
Ren awoke with a throbbing headache, at the sight of Ryuji and Dide looking over him. It wasn't long till he realized they were in a different area all together. They had been in a cell of somekind; he even noticed the strange young boy over at the bars looking to the side, while Kai had been feeling around the wall.
"You okay?" Ryuji asked.
Ren groaned, "I'm fine. How about you?"
"I'm okay---" Ryuji said as he gave his arm a stretch, "---More or less."
"Come on! Come on!" Kai said as he moved a barrel from the wall, "There's gotta be some way out of here!"
"Shh!" The boy with round glasses said, "They'll hear you!"
Kai grunted before whispering, "Sorry."
"... You?" Ren said as he stood as the boy looked to him, "You tried to help us earlier."
"Yeah…" The Boy with Round Glasses said as he rubbed the back of his head, "... Sorry you got caught. In my head I saw that going WAY differently. Did not account them well appearing out of thin air!"
"Who the heck are you?" Dide asked, "A resident of this place?"
The Boy with Round Glasses shook his head, "No, I'm trapped here same as you guys."
"Then what's your name?" Ryuji asked.
"Haruto." The Boy with Round Glasses replied.
"Nice to meet you.." Didie said a he groaned while rubbing his head. "Ow..What a nasty bash."
"Well that guy did hit you with a shi---" Kai started to say before he looked to the boy---Haruto, "Wait, is it just that? What's your last name?"
"Don't got a last name. Just Haruto." Haruto replied casually.
"For real?" Ryuji said stunned.
"What are you doing here in a place like this?" Ren asked.
"I don't know how I got here honestly." Haruto replied, "One minute I'm looking for a cat that took off with a friend, and the next thing I knew we both winded up here! We tried going back out the way we came in, but that's when those Knights showed up." His expression soon changed, "I managed to get away but they caught my friend and our dog. Or at least---I think it's our dog." He shook his head, "Anyway--I overheard one of them while I was hiding that they threw them in the dungeon!"
"Wait, wait, wait, wait---You're here with someone else?" Dide said, "That's why you didn't leave here?"
"Well I couldn't leave them in this weird place, especially with that weird looking King guy." Haruto explained, "I was on my way to find them when I saw you guys wander in here!"
The boy's paused on this as they couldn't help but look confused processing the information Haruto had said.
"...Did you just say King?" Dide asked.
"Yes I did!" Haruto said, "And let me tell you, he isn't friendly! That's why I gotta find my friends before he realizes that---"
Just then they heard the sounds of metal clanking again. They looked outside of the cell and saw the Knights approach again.
"Be glad that your punishment has been decided upon." The Knight said, "Your all charged with unlawful entry. Thus you will be sentenced to death."
"Say what!?" Ryuji shouted.
"Okay to be fair, you guys left your door unlocked, so I wouldn't call it unlawful entry." Dide pointed out.
"SERIOUSLY NEAT FREAK?!" Kai shouted, "RIGHT NOW?!"
Dide told him, "If someone doesn't point it out who will?"
"How about you read the fucking room?!" He said.
"No one's allowed to do as they please in my Castle."
The group had been taken back by a new voice, and yet to Ren, Kai, Dide and Ryuji… It sounded all to familiar.
To their own surprise---
---It was Kamoshida.
Yet he looked different.
Sure, it looked like him, it sounded like him, yet his appearance had been entirely different. He had a gold crown on his head, a red heart printed cape and pink underwear, leaving his torso and hairy legs exposed.
"What in the---" Kai said.
"Wait---!" Ryuji said stunned, "---Is that you Kamoshida?!"
"Kamoshida?!" Ren, Dide and Kai said.
"The guy from before--?!" Ren said shocked.
"That's him!" Haruto said, "That's the King!"
"That's the King?!" Kai said.
"What the fuck is wearing?!" Dide asked stunned.
"I thought it was some petty thief---" The supposed Kamoshida said, "---But to think it'd be you Sakamoto."
"You know him?" Haruto asked Ryuji shocked. Though Ryuji didn't have time to answer as the Supposed Kamoshida spoke again, "Are you trying to disobey me again? It looks like you haven't learned your lesson at all, huh?"
He soon turned to the other teens, "And you brought a few friends this time---Because you can't do anything for yourself."
"What's going on?" Dide said, "He seems---Different from the Kamoshida we met."
"Just what the hell is going on here?" Kai asked.
"This ain't funny asshole!" Ryuji shouted.
The Supposed Kamoshida looked offended, "Is that how you speak to a king? It seems you don't understand the position you're in at all."
"King?" Dide asked. "Okay now you're just being cringey."
"SILENCE!" The Supposed Kamoshida shouted making them jump, "Not only did you sneak into MY castle, you committed the crime of insulting me---THE KING!"
"Okay seriously---What the fuck?" Kai said.
"The punishment for that---" The Supposed Kamoshida said, "---IS DEATH."
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Dide and Kai exclaimed.
"It's time for an execution!" The Supposed Kamoshida said, "TAKE HIM OUT!"
The cell opened up as before they advanced on Ryuji. "Hey!" Haruto exclaimed with worry, "Stop leave him alone!"
"G-Goddamn it..!" Ryuji said.
Without thinking he went and tackled one of the knights knocking them over startling them. "I ain't down for this shit!" Ryuji said, "Come on! We're out of here!"
Before they could run, one of the knights hit Ryuji in the stomach causing him to get knocked to the floor.
"STOP IT!" Ren shouted as he ran to pull the Knight back shocking most.
"Just go!" Ryuji shouted as he fell to the ground, "Get out of here! These guys are serious!"
"But---" Ren started to say.
"You heard him!" Dide said as he and Kai got up and got ready.
"Oh ho?" The Supposed Kamoshida said, "Running away are you? What a heartless friend you are."
"They're… Not my friends." Ryuji said before he shouted, "COME ON, HURRY UP AND GO!"
"I---" Ren said started to say before the Supposed Kamoshida chuckled.
"What's the matter? Too scared to run away?" He said, "Whatever, pathetic trash like you isn't worth my time. I'll focus on this one's execution."
"What?!" Dide said, "Wait you can't---"
Before Dide and Kai knew it they were both pinned to the wall, while Ren and Haruto had been left untouched. Kamoshida soon picked Ryuji up before he smiled.
"Take this---LOWLY SCUM!"
He started to punch Ryuji hard, making them freeze before he was knocked to the floor.
Haruto couldn't help but look away as Ren watched in horror. Dide and Kai had shocked looks on their faces at the sight of what had been happening.
Ryuji soon fell to the floor again as the Supposed Kamoshida laughed.
"Where did your energy from earlier go?" He said before he motioned one of the Knights.
One of the Knights picked up Ryuji by the arm as he grunted. He soon tossed him against the wall as he shrieked.
"Hey!" Dide shouted.
"LET him go, Asshole!" kai added
The Supposed Kamoshida laughed, ignoring them, "I'll have you kill right now."
"Stop it!" Ren called out.
This time the Supoosed Kamoshida flinched; he turned to Ren.
"What…?" He said, "Don't you dare tell me you don't know who I am."
He stepped to Ren as he glared. The Supposed Kamoshida couldn't help but look ticked off, "That look in your eyes irritates me me!"
He soon punched kicked him in the stomach causing him to fall over.
"REN!" Dide and Kai shouted.
He was soon picked up by the knights as he was pinned to the wall. "Hold him there---" The Supposed Kamoshida said, "---After this peasant he's next to die."
Ren was about to help but he was soon pinned to the wall. "Hey!" Haruto exclaimed before he was stopped by one of the knights when they blocked him by the Knight's sword.
The Supposed Kamoshida stepped towards Ryuji, ready to execute him. Ren had struggled to get free, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get loose, even when he kicked the guard. There he watched as Ryuji was moments away from getting executed.
He didn't know what to do. He didn't know how he should help. All he could do… Was watch…
"…What's the matter?"
Ren flinched at the sound of a voice that seemed to echo around him. Kai nor Dide seemed to hear it as they were calling out for Kamoshida to stop… Yet their own voices were drowned out.
"Are you simply going to watch? Are you forsaking him to save yourself?"
Ren looked to Ryuji as time seemed to have slowed down; his hand clenched as he thought back… To when his life changed all those months ago.
"Death awaits if you do nothing… Was your previous decision a mistake then?"
Ren gritted his teeth as he already knew the answer, "No… It wasn't."
The Knight lifted Ryuji by the neck, holding its sword, ready to stab him through the head. Ren started to struggle harder at this.
"Very Well...I have heeded your resolve…"
Ren suddenly felt a pulse go through his body. He started to cry out in pain, getting the attention of Dide and Kai.
"Ren?!" Dide asked.
"Hey! What's wrong with you?!" Kai asked.
Ren couldn't seem to hear them as he thrashed harder against the knights grip.
"Vow to me.
I am thou, thou art I…
Thou who art willing to perform all sacrilegious acts of thine justice!"
Ren let out a shriek as the Knights couldn't keep their grip on him. "Hey! Get it together!" Kai shouted.
Dide called out to him, "One on, Ren! Snap out of it!"
Ren nearly hit his head against the wall, as he let out one final scream.
"Call upon my name…
And release thy rage!
Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own, though thou be chained to Hell itself!"
Ren's head had gone limp for only a few moments before he looked over to the Supposed Kamoshida.
"EXECUTE HIM!" The Supposed Kamoshida said before---
"That's--ENOUGH." Ren suddenly said as it got his attention, "Leave him alone, you hear me?"
"... Ren?" Dide said stunned by the sudden change in his friend.
"... What was that?" The Supposed Kamoshida said. Ryuji was soon dropped to the floor. "You desire to be killed that much? Fine!" The Supposed Kamoshida said before the knight smacked their shield across his face before pinning him.
"HEY! LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Kai shouted as he tried to get free.
"REN!" Dide shouted as he tried to do the same.
The Supposed Kamoshida motioned the knight to finish him off as his friends watched in horror. Right before they tried to get free---
---There was a sudden gust of wind.
The force of it knocked the Knights onto the ground as it allowed the others to get free. But when they recovered… They and Ren were shocked to find…
… A strange mask appeared on his face.