Kiku, Haruto and Yukihara had been taking it easy as they were walking through the streets of Shujin. Each of them was satisfied with what the day had to offer them and especially with Kiku and Haruto's new found situation.
They both could almost swear that they were in a dream that they couldn't wake up from. And it was the best.
They had just gotten the last of their things before they started to make their way back towards the station, intending to return to Yongen-Jaya for the day. Kiku soon stopped as she noticed a particular pathway that had looked all too familiar.
"Kiku?" Haruto said, "You coming?"
"That path---" Kiku soon said as she looked to Yukihira, "---That's towards Shujin isn't it?"
Yukihara looked a bit confused till he noticed the path, "Oh yeah it is. It's the boy's school. We can talk about that when we get back to the cafe."
"I wonder…" She said softly before she spoke up to Yukihara, "... Is it okay if I meet them over there?"
"Sure that's alright. The boys will make sure you get back home." He said, "Just hand your stuff to Haruto-kun."
"Kiku?" Haruto said.
"Don't worry, there's something I want to check." She said as she handed him the bags, "I'll meet you back at the cafe."
Haruto nodded before he went to catch up with Yukihara. Kiku meanwhile immediately went down the path to Shujin. She minded the crowd of students as she shimmied her way through the crowd. She figured most had been staying late because of the clubs they had.
She stood at the entrance as if she had been expecting something to happen. Yet for a brief moment---
---She saw a castle instead of a school.
She lightly gasped as she backed up.
"... It's just as I thought. The school and castle are one in the same. But how can that be?"
"It's because of the one's distorted heart created this place."
Kiku jumped at the sound of a voice. When she turned around---
---She noticed two twins oddly dressed as if they were prison guards before her. She jumped at the sight of them.
"Who are you two?!"
"No time to explain girlie!" The twin---Caroline said, "All you need to know is you are required to assist the inmate in his rehabilitation!"
"H-Huh?!" Kiku said confused, "What are you talking about?"
"You will understand why soon enough, miss." Her sister---Justine said, "For now, we have been asked by our master to take you to the distorted desire."
"You mean… That castle?" Kiku said, "Did someone make it?"
"No more questions!" Caroline said as Kiku jumped at her tone, "Be grateful you get a couple of guides, but you will only get this once because of a special case!"
"Special case? What are--" Kiku started to repeat before---
"NOW GET GOING!" Caroline shouted, cutting her off as Kiku was suddenly kicked back.
Instead of falling to the ground, she found herself falling through what appeared to be a strange red portal; though in her line of view she could see the red shimmers once more.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Kamoshida's Castle-
Ren along with Dide, Kai and Ryuji followed Morgana through the castle, being careful not to alert any of the knights that had been lurking about. Based on the information Kiku had told Ren, and with Morgana's direction they eventually made it.
But when they looked in the cell---
---There was no one inside.
"Are you sure Kiku said a guy was here?" Dide asked Ren as he had been looking in the cell.
"I'm sure she did." Ren replied.
"But no one is here." Kai said.
"Where in the heck did they go?!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"Shhh!" Morgana said, shushing him, "Quiet down! You're gonna lead them right to us!"
"Okay, okay let's try to think about this calmly." Dide said, "If Kiku said there was a person here, then obviously it means they must've moved him."
"Or he was never there to begin with." Kai said.
"Kai!" Ren said, surprised.
"No offense to her, but we were literally trying to run from danger the last time we were here." Kai said, "Minds can do weird things when someone's afraid."
"Hey, she seems like an honest girl!" Dide said, "I don't think she would lie about something like that."
"Even that were the case---" Ryuji said, "---It's not like we can just ask her to confirm it."
All of a sudden they heard a faint shriek, this time--It had been from a girl. Strangely enough they heard it coming from… The ceiling?
The boy's looked up and noticed a strange shimmer above confusing them.
"What the---?" Morgana started to say before they were taken back---
---When Kiku fell out of it.
Ren, realizing he had been under her, out of instinct he held out his arms and managed to catch her bridal style.
"Kiku-san!?" Ren said, shocked as Kiku recovered.
Kiku caught her breath before she looked up, realizing the outfit he had been wearing. "Amamiya-kun?" Kiku said, stunned.
"Kiku!?" Dide, Kai, Ryuji and even Morgana exclaimed shocked.
"What are you doing here?!" Kai asked, "Why did you fall through the ceiling?!"
"I did?" Kiku said before she looked up noticing the shimmer vanished; the information seemed to sink in, "Holy moly, I really did…"
"How did you get in here?!" Dide asked in a panic.
"I-I-Don't know!" She said, "I just fell on the floor and fell in somehow!" She soon looked around, "Is---This the castle?"
"You---You shouldn't be here!" Morgana exclaimed as he flailed his arms, "You shouldn't be here at all!"
"Mo-chan?" Kiku said, "Is that really you? So you looking like that yesterday wasn't a dream."
They soon heard the sound of metal clangs from a distance. "Crap! They heard us! And it sounds like there's a lot of them!" Ryuji said, "What do we do?!"
Morgana soon looked over, noticing a door that had been shimmering oddly. He soon ran over before opening the door, "Quick in here!"
Without hesitation, the boys ran inside, with Ren still carrying Kiku. The second he ran inside with her, Morgana shut the door just as the guards arrived. They stayed quiet as they could hear them outside.
"Relax--" Morgana said, as he stretched, "---The shadows won't come in here."
"How can you tell?" Ryuji asked.
"There's a lack of distortion here." Morgana explained, "Meaning the ruler's control over the area is weak."
As this was said, for a brief moment it went from a castle room to looking like a classroom in a blink of an eye.
"The classroom?" Ren said, shocked.
"Now do you get it?" Morgana said, "This place is another reality that the ruler's heart projects."
"This is Kamoshida's reality?" Ryuji said as he looked more annoyed, "Shit makes no sense!"
Dide gave a sigh as he said, "Whew well now that's settled--" he turned to Kiku as he shaked her when Ren set her on the floor "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING COMING BACK HERE?! YOU AND HARUTO GOT KIDNAPPED WHEN YOU GOT HERE!!"
"ENOUGH!" Kai shouted as he got him to stop shaking her; Kiku's eyes were spinning, "You're gonna rattle her brain if you do that!"
"Oh---Sorry." Dide said.
Kiku managed to recover before Ren asked, "Kiku-san--What made you come back here?"
Kiku fixed herself as she replied, "I--Just wanted to confirm if the castle and school were one and the same. But the next thing I knew, I just fell through it apparently."
"That Quick?!" Dide exclaimed.
"But---How did you even fall in here?" Ren asked, "From what I can tell the only way to travel here is through the app."
"That part I haven't quite figured out yet." Kiku said, "But more importantly, what are you guys doing here?"
"We're here to stop Kamoshida!" Ryuji said with his proud smile.
"Correction, we're here to see this place's dungeon to confirm what you told us---" Dide said, "---Speaking of which---" He soon turned to Morgana, "---You just said Kamoshida actually made this place?"
"You called it another reality." Kai said.
"I did." Morgana said, "One could say it's a world in which one's distorted desire has been materialized. I call places like this one---A Palace."
"Palace?" The group said.
"Basically---" Morgana said, "---This is happening because he thinks the school is his own castle."
"In other words, it became like this simply because he thought of it." Ren said.
"Exactly." He replied.
They heard Ryuji let out a laugh before he hit the wall in frustration, "THAT SON OF A BITCH!!"
"Sakamoto-san…" Kiku said with worry.
"Wow---" Morgana said, "---You must REALLY hate this Kamoshida guy."
"Hate? Hate?!" Ryuji said, "Hate doesn't even begin to cover it! Everything is all that asshole's fault!"
"Okay, okay let's dial it back from ten to a three." Dide said. "But I understand the hate. Either way. Now with Kiku here i can say, you were right about one thing, There were people here. But they must've been moved."
"I see…" Kiku said, "... So you're really here to get information."
"By the way---" Morgana said, getting the group's attention, "---You guys are wondering why Frizzy Hair's outfit is different, right?"
"Yeah, I was wondering about that." Kai said, "If it wasn't for those two liking the outfit.
DIde looked offended, "What?! It's cool! Don't be dissing the look because you don;t have a kickass one like Ren!
"HUH?! THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE!" Kai shouted.
"That's also because of this world." Morgana said, as they looked confused.
"It is?" Ren asked as he looked at himself again, earning a nod from him.
"Anything distorts according to how a ruler pleases within his Palace." Morgana said, "A school. In order to prevent such distortions, one must hold a powerful will of rebellion."
"Will of Rebellion?" Kiku said.
Ren soon thought back to the strange creature when his mask appeared and he ripped it off. He thought back to the one called---
"... Arsene." Ren said, "You mean he had something to do with this?"
"That's right!" Morgana said, "Your appearance is a manifestation of that. Arsene is the image of rebellion that you held within you."
Ryuji grunted, "I am so fed up with all of this! I'm more curious about you than his clothes right now!"
"I'm with him on this." Kai said, "If you know all this, what does that make you?"
"I'm a human!" Morgana said, "An honest to God human!" His expression soon changed, "... At least, I think I was."
At this the group looked shocked.
"... You---Can't remember?" Kiku asked with her expression softened.
"No…" Morgana replied.
"If---You're a human, then why do you look like a cat?" Dide asked.
"I think I lost my true form and I ended up looking like this…" Morgana replied, "And well---Kiku and Haruto ended up finding me outside of this well---Palace."
Kiku sat by him before she picked him up and surprised him with a hug, "Mo-chan… I had no idea."
Morgana blushed for a bit before he said "C-Come on! F-Focus! Who said you can feel bad for me? I don't need your pity."
"But---You always liked my hugs." Kiku said.
"Oh does he now?" Ren asked with a raised eyebrow.
Morgana soon cleared his throat before he got Kiku to let go, "I-In any case, I know how to regain my true form! The reason why I've been making rounds here was for a preliminary investigation for those means."
"So that's why Haruto and I couldn't find you on those nights." Kiku said.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry--" Morgana said, "--Sides it was my fault we were caught that time." He soon had a determined look, "Not to mention, Kamoshida tortured me and you! I'm gonna make him pay for both of us Kiku!"
"Mo-chan---!" Kiku said surprised.
"... This is really like something you'd hear from a comic book." Kai said.
"Yeah, this is seriously crazy…" Ryuji said, stunned.
"Come on--!" Morgana said as he made his way to the door, "---If we're gonna keep going we should hurry along!"
"What about Kiku?" Dide asked.
"We're too far in to turn back now." Morgana said, "We're gonna have to take her with us." He soon looked to Ren, "I'll be counting on your skills to keep her safe for me, alright?"
"Right." Ren said, "Let's go."
"Onward to the dungeon!" Morgana said before he started to lead again, "Follow me!"
Thus they each went outside the safe room; Though Ren soon noticed that--
---Kiku hadn't been following them out.
"What's wrong?" Ren asked, concerned.
"I'm not sure---" Kiku replied with a nervous smile, "--I know I should go with you. But--I can't seem to move for some reason…"
Ren soon noticed that her legs had been shaking; though she had her smile her fear had been clear to her. He couldn't blame her---After what she had gone through while being trapped, he wouldn't blame her if she wanted to run at that very moment.
Ren soon held his hand out to her.
"Give me your hand." He said.
Kiku looked at him befuddled, but she couldn't seem to do it.
"... Do you trust me?" He asked.
Kiku had been taken back by the question; yet when she looked into his eyes, she could see something sincere about it.
"... Y-Yes." She said nervously before reaching out and took his hand.
Ren tightened his grip on her slightly, "Don't worry, if you get scared just know I'm right here. I'll keep you safe from whatever is in here."
Kiku smiled at him, "... Thank you Amamiya-kun."
Ren looked to her, stunned by the sight of her smile as he found himself blushing. Though he quickly hid it.
"Anyway--Let's go." He said as he lead her out of the room, "Don't let go of my hand."
"Okay." She said as she allowed him to guide her along with the group.
They made it through, making every twist and turn with the help of Morgana's guidance. All the while, Ren's hand had been intertwined with Kiku's. It hadn't been long before they came upon what looked to be a door.
They each quickly hid themselves as they noticed a guard watching the door. "Look up there---" Kai said pointing to a sign.
"Training Hall of Love?" Kai said, as he made a sour face, "Oh, what the fuck?"
"Seriously?" Ryuji said, "What a joke!"
Dide gagged at the sign as he said, "God--I wish I can UNSEE that.."
"Keep it together Clean Freak." Kai said.
"That place…" Kiku said, looking at the sign.
"What's wrong?" Ren asked, noticing her expression.
"Before I was caught I remember hearing the guards talking about it." Kiku said, "They took their prisoners in their to---Train Kamoshida's slaves."
"Train them? Slaves?!" Kai said, shocked.
"In that case, I bet you anything that's where we'll find the other prisoners." Morgana said.
"Makes sense but---" Dide said, as he looked over, "---What do we do about that guard?"
"Oh!" Ryuji said, "I have something that could help."
The group looked over and were taken back when---
---He pulled out a gun.
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" Dide said as he swiped it and kept it at arm's length, "Easy! This isn't America! You can't just carry this! It could go off!"
"Don't worry---" Ryuji said as he took it from him, "--It's a model gun. I figured we can scare them off with a sound."
"It's a model?!" Dide said shocked, "But it looks so real."
"Where did you even find that!?" Kai asked
"I know a guy." Ryuji replied.
"Wait---" Morgana said, noticing the detail, "---That actually might come in handy."
"How?" Kai asked.
"Give it to Frizzy Hair and I'll tell you." Morgana said.
The boys looked confused till Ryuji handed the gun to Ren. "Now what?" Ren asked.
"Now--Follow my lead!" Morgana said before he ran out.
"Mo-chan no!" Kiku exclaimed.
Ren quickly followed Morgana out, as the guard soon noticed them. "STOP IN THE NAME OF KAMOSHIDA!!" The guard shouted before it transformed into another strange creature in front of them, this time it appeared to be a fairy.
"Here it comes!" Morgana said, as he readied his weapon which had been a sword, "When I tell you to, point the gun at the Shadow and pull the trigger!"
"What?!" Ren said.
"But Sakamoto-san said it's a toy!" Dide said, "There's no way it'll have live ammunition!"
"Trust me!" Morgana said before he charged at the shadow with full force. The Fairy soon attacked Morgana as he was quick to dodge.
As Ren got the toy gun and aimed at the fairy. He didn't quite understand it, but he made sure that the line of fire was centered.
Morgana soon summoned his Persona Zorro, as it knocked the fairy back.
"NOW!" Morgana called out.
With a pull of the trigger, they were surprised to hear the gun go off with a--
BANG!
Ren made the shot as it hit the fairy causing it to scream and collapse onto the floor. "IT'S LOADED?!" Dide shrieked out of confusion. "IT'S FUCKING LOADED?!"
"But--It's a toy isn't it?" Kiku said shocked, "How could it be--?!"
"It's how the Metaverse works." Morgana said, "If the enemies perceive it as a real gun, then it becomes a real gun here."
"FOR REAL?!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"Okay that's fucking insane." Kai said.
"Ow!" The Shadow soon said, which startled them, "That hurt a lot!"
Dide blinked twice before he smacked himself. "IT CAN TALK?!"
"Of course it can talk---All Shadows can talk." Morgana said, "It makes it easier to do this." He soon pulled out his slingshot as the group looked startled, "GIVE US YOUR MONEY!"
"WHOA!" The group exclaimed.
"WE'RE MUGGING THEM NOW?!" Dide exclaimed.
"What? I'm negotiating!" Morgana said.
"BY THREATENING TO SHOOT IT?!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"It's the fastest way to do things!" He said.
The group paused at this as they looked at one another. "... He's not wrong." Dide said before shouting, "Still, that's excessive! That's something you see in the Bronx! No disrespect to the Bronx though"
"THAT'S WAY TOO SPECIFIC!" Kai and Ryuji shouted.
"Mo-chan maybe we don't have to threaten it---" Kiku said, as she pulled him back, "--Maybe we can talk to it instead."
"Y-Yeah, so please don't kill me!" The Fairy creature said.
"I'll take care of this." Ren said, stepping to the fairy.
"Please have a heart! Don't kill me!" The Fairy said, "I won't tell King Kamoshida I promise!"
"... If you mean what you say---" Ren said, "---Then give us something useful we can use."
"Y-You'll let me go? Just like that?" The Fairy said, "Why? Is it because I'm pretty?"
Ren had been a bit taken back by this, "Um---Yes?"
The Fairy looked really ecstatic, "Aw, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."
The group couldn't help but look confused as they watched the Fairy fawn a little.
"..Uhh--" Kai said, "---What is happening?"
"Wow---Just--Okay.." Dide said. "Weird but okay."
They soon noticed the Fairy's expression changed, "Hold on… I remember now…" She soon fluttered, "... I don't work for Kamoshida… I am Pixie." She soon turned to Ren, "I will become a part of you to help you fight, so you better no disappoint me."
The group had been taken back when the Fairy---Or rather Pixie, shifted into Ren's mask, before it went on his face. Each of their jaws dropped at this.
"WHAAAAA?!" Dide shrieked. "DID--THAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
"It did.." Kai said, "What the fuck even was that?!"
"That's incredible---" Morgana said, "---He just gained a new Persona! Not even I could do that!"
"You didn't know about that?!" Ryuji said.
"Amamiya-kun---" Kiku said, "---You're amazing."
Ren turned red at this again before he shook his head in an attempt to get rid of it. "Alright enough of that!" Morgana said, "Let's just go!"
Thus the group quickly went inside the training hall of love. When they went inside, what they saw next was sickening to their stomachs.
The first they noticed when they walked inside the supposed Hall of Love… Had been the sound of screams followed by sounds of whipping. This confused the group as they followed the sounds. For one brief moment they could see they had been walking to the school gym.
When they looked in… Their faces turned to horror as their stomachs churned. Their they could see teens like them, dressed in PE uniforms, tied to the volleyball nets---The knights behind them, had been smacking them hard to the point where they were bleeding.
"... Oh Dear God…" Was the only thing Dide could say as he had been stunned.
"What the actual fuck?" Kai said
"DAMN IT!" Ryuji shouted as they jumped, "THIS IS BULLSHIT!"
"Shh!" Kiku calmed him down, "Someone will hear!"
"But this is all bullshit!" Ryuji said.
"Do you want to get caught?" Morgana said, "Be my guest."
"This---" Ren said as he watched the scene unfold, "---This isn't training… It's abuse."
Kai soon looked to the cell over, noticing a student had been hanging upside down and had been getting hit with a barrage of volleyballs.
"This is beyond abuse!" Kai said, "It's a fucking massacure!"
Dide looked into the last cell, and noticed students had been running on a conveyor belt, looking quinched; hanging at the end had been a teapot filled with water but way out of their reach.
"Jesus Christ---!" Dide said shocked, "---This is just torture at this point! Not even the military does this kind of training! And their uniforms---"
"Kiku-san?" Ren said, "Are these the people you saw in the cells? And when you were at Shujin?"
Kiku nodded, "I'm sure of it… But… I didn't expect it to be this bad."
Ryuji soon started to look around in the cells, "Damn it! How do I open this up?!"
"Stop it!"
The group had been taken back by a voice. They looked over and noticed a student coming over… He had been banged up and bruised. They even noticed his arm had been broken.
"L-Leave us alone." He said dejectedly, "It's useless."
"What?!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"You can't be serious about this!" Dide said.
Another soon came over looking like he had been in the same condition, "... if we stay obedient we won't end up like you guys!"
"You're just gonna give up!? What's wrong with you?!" Kai said as he pulled on the bars, "You can't be fucking serious!"
"Come on, we're getting you out of here!" Ryuji said before he turned to Kai, "Higuchi help me with this!"
"Wait a minute---" Morgana said, "---You guys are trying to---?"
Kiku looked over to the students in the cells, noticing the looks in their eyes. "... Guys…" Kiku said, as they froze, "... They're not the real ones…"
"Huh?!" Ryuji and Kai said shocked.
"Look at them… Their eyes---" Kiku said, "---They don't have a soul in them."
"Kiku how can you say---" Ryuji started to say before---
"Kiku's actually right on the money." Morgana said, "They're not real. They're only cognitions of Kamoshida's mind."
"Cognitions?" Dide said, "What are you talking about? That doesn't make any sense!"
"In other words, they're not real people. They're different " Morgana explained, "Think of them as extremely similar looking dolls."
"This is way too freaky…" Kai said.
"So the school's a castle, and the students are slaves…" Ryuji said before scoffing, "... It's so on point it just makes me want to laugh. This really is the inside of that asshole's head!"
"Geez, you really have beef with this fucking pervert don't you?" Kai said, "Can't say I blame ya. He reminds me of an asshole I knew back home. Just not this bad."
"Still this is all awful." Kiku said, "If the ones in here are being treated like this… Then it must mean he treats them the same way too.."
"Yeah, I can't imagine the pain they must go through." Morgana said.
"You recognize them, right Kiku-san?" Ren asked.
Kiku approached the bars as she looked at them closely. She soon pointed to a certain couple of people, "Those two their… I recognize them from when they were outside running laps. I wanted to help them but… Kamoshida was there watching."
"What about you?" Dide asked Ryuji, "Do you recognize any of them?"
Ryuji looked at their uniforms as his eyes widened in shock. "Yeah--I know them! They're from the volleyball team, the one Kamoshida coaches!"
"Then---They must be physically abused every day…" Morgana said, "... There's no way they'd be so beat up normally."
Kai gritted his teeth as his hand shook, "This shit is all kinds of fucked up. You mean to tell me they're going through this kind of treatment!?"
"Most likely---" Morgana replied, "---Kamoshida thinks of them as slaves after all."
"I mean---I heard Kamoshida's usin' physical punishment." Ryuji said, "They're just rumors but… If they're true then wouldn't this be something to report to the police?"
"You're right!" Dide said as he got out his phone, "Let's use them as evidence so---WHAT THE!?"
The moment Dide got out his phone, he saw the camera had been disabled. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE CAMERA APP IS DISABLED?!"
"WHAT?!" Kai shouted, "IS YOUR PHONE BROKEN?!"
"THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING!" He shouted.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Kai yelled, "THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD'VE GONE WITH A FUCKING PEAR PHONE!"
"HELL NO! I LIKE HAVING MY PHONE CUSTOMIZED TO MY EXPERIENCE! EVEN BUYING MY MUSIC TO DOWNLOAD FOR KEEPS!" Dide exclaimed.
"You two, really?!" Ren said, "Right now?!"
"WHAT!? IT'S NOT MY FAULT HE MADE A POOR CHOICE IN PHONES!" Kai shouted.
Dide gasped, "ME?! YOU'RE THE ONE THAT BOUGHT THE PEAR!"
"Are you serious?!" Ryuji said, "We can use that Navigation App but we can't use our phones!?"
"I guess things work differently in this world." Kiku said.
"You guys were mentioning an app before---" Morgana said, "---What were you talking about?"
"Oh that's how we got here, with some navigation app." Ryuji said, before looking to Ren, "What about you? Does yours work?"
Ren soon got out his phone as he noticed all of his apps had been out of order, "It's no good."
"Damn it---" Ryuji said, as he looked through the bars, "---Okay, plan B. I've gotta memorize their faces before going home."
"No, I got a better idea." Kai said, "Dide! You got some paper and a pen?"
"Of course I do---" Dide said as he got out a notebook and a pen from his bag, "---You should know me by now dude."
Kai took it from Dide before he appeared to be scribbling on the paper. To the group's own shock---In a matter of seconds Kai had drawn the faces of the students in each cage. "Here's your image!" He said handing them to Ryuji and giving back the pen to Dide, "Now let's get out of here!" With that Kai went on ahead as the group still looked surprised.
"... That's incredible…" Kiku said, stunned.
"...Are we not gonna talk about how you drew that in the span of 5 seconds?" Ryuji asked.
"With skills like that, you'll give a mangaka a run for their money!" Dide added.
"SHUT UP AND LET'S GO!" Kai shouted.
The group wasted no time before they started to make their way out of the Training Hall of Love, before the guards showed up. The group quickly went back the way they came, intending to get out of the Castle as quickly as possible. They kept to the shadows, and made sure not to engage in unnecessary conflict.
However when they were about to cut across from the lobby…
… Knights soon surrounded them. The boy's immediately stood on guard, as Ren had Kiku behind her while his dagger had been ready.
Shadow---Or rather King Kamoshida soon stepped over as he rolled his eyes.
"You Knaves again?" He said, "To think you'd make the same mistake again. You're hopeless!" He soon flinched as he noticed Kiku, "Oh ho---Is that a young girl I see behind you?"
"Quit eying fucking her you perv!" Kai said.
"This school ain't your castle!" Ryuji said, "We've got their faces so we're gonna use them to take you down!"
"It seems it's true when they say 'barking dogs seldom bite'" King Kamoshida said, "Oh look how the star runner has fallen."
"What does that mean?!" Dide said.
"What the hell are you getting at?!" Kai said with a glare.
"Oh? So you don't know?" King Kamoshida said, "I speak of the 'Track Traitor' who acted in violence ending his teammates' dreams!"
Ren, Kiku, Kai and Dide looked at Ryuji stunned by this information as Ryuji's hand shook with anger.
"The… Track Traitor?" Kiku said.
"What is he talking about?" Ren asked.
King Kamoshida laughed, "Oh, I can imagine the pain of the others who were dragged under your… Selfish act."
"Sakamoto-san?" Dide said as he noticed the glare Ryuji had.
"What a surprise---" King Kamoshida said, "---You guys are accompanying him without knowing anything at all? He betrayed his teammates and crushed their hopes, yet he still carries on as carefree as ever."
"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Ryuji shouted.
"Quit talking about him like that you fucking asshole!" Kai said, "You're supposed to be a teacher aren't you?!"
"Yeah! You have no right to talk, especially how you treat the volleyball team, you sad excuse for a king!" Dide added.
"Oh what a tragedy…" King Kamoshida said, "... You blindly trusted this fool and he led you right to your death. Hurry up and dispose of them---Except for the girl."
The Knights soon advanced on them as they readied their weapons. Kiku had a fearful look; though she felt Ren squeeze her hand.
"Don't worry---" He said, "---I won't let him near you." He soon turned to Morgana, "Come on!"
"You got it!" Morgana said before he turned to Dide, "Hey, you can fight right?"
Just as a knight was about to charge at them, Dide soon moved out of the way before disarming him and delivering a spin kick to its face much to Ryuji and Morgana's shock.
"That Answer your question?" Dide asked.
"What kind of move is that?!" Morgana said.
As another was about to get him, Dide took its arm as he moved his hands as if it was water flowing before he gave it a flip as it crashed down.
Dide turned to Kai as he told him, "Told ya Aikido aint useless."
"Oh Bite me! It's just chopping, flipping and grabbing!" Kai said as he socked one in the face with his punches, "You couldn't do something like Jeet Kwan Do?"
"It's NOT just flipping and grabbing! It's a combination of different fighting styles. I told you this a million times! It's better than whatever brute fighting style you have!" Dide asked as he gave a couple of them knife hand strikes to the face as they fell down
"Kiku-san, stay behind me!" Ren said as the knights manifested into a set of horses. They went and charged before Ren went on the offensive. With swift movements he quickly sliced away a couple of the horses.
"ARSENE!" He called out as his mask manifested into his Persona.
He soon attacked the horses with ease, taking a few of them down. However one charged at him from behind.
"LOOK OUT!" Kiku exclaimed.
She ran and pushed Ren out of the way before she was tackled to the floor.
"Kiku-san!" Ren called out as the horse went to squish her.
Ren was quick on his feet as it seemed like he moved faster and quicker then the beast. He slid across the floor as he managed to grab Kiku. They both rolled across the floor as the horse came after them; taking down Arsene with ease with a tackle. Just as it did---
"PIXIE!" Ren suddenly shouted.
With a flash of blue flames, Pixie from before manifested before attacking it with a red sphere. The horse had been knocked down with a shriek.
Morgana saw this as he had a look of shock.
"Did he just use---That Persona from earlier?" He said, stunned.
"MORGANA YOUR LEFT!" Dide exclaimed.
Morgana quickly reacted as he was almost hit by lightning by one of the Knight shadows that manifested.
"ZORRO! SHOW YOUR MIGHT!" Morgana called out as Zorro manifested.
He attacked three of them with wind, taking them out instantly before he helped out Dide. "Quick throw me!" Dide called out.
With no hesitation, Zorro grabbed the young man as he was tossed before he delivered a jump kick to the knights causing them to tumble down.
"WOOHOO!" Dide cheered before he got smacked by a shield, "D'OH!"
"So--What was that about Aikido NOT being useless?" Kai asked before he got smacked himself; though he managed to catch himself.
"Shut! It's better than JUST Punching and kicking!" Dide exclaimed before he was smacked away again.
"Shit!" Kai exclaimed before he quickly moved out of harm's way when one of the Shadows went to attack him. Kai quickly went on the offensive and kicked and punched down two of them before another attacked with wind from behind him which knocked him over easily.
The wind sent him flying right into Ryuji as he did his best to catch him.
By the time anyone noticed, the shadows had already knocked them down as they all shrieked; in one single gust Ren, Dide, Morgana and Kiku were all taken down.
"D-Damn it!" Morgana said before he shrieked when he felt Kamoshida step on his back.
"Amamiya-kun!" Kiku exclaimed as she stood. She tried to run over to him only to be grabbed by one of the Knights as she was restrained.
"Kiku-san!" Ren called out before he felt the foot of the Knight step onto his back.
"Hey! Let them go!" Dide shouted before he was pinned by three of the knights. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I'M ONE GUY!!" He shouted as he thrashed, "LET GO!"
"Guys! Shit!" Kai said as he stood. He soon turned to Ryuji, "Hey! Get up! We gotta take down these assholes!"
King Kamoshida soon spoke again, "I bet you simply came here on a whim and ended up like this. Isn't that right?"
"No…" Ryuji said.
"Hey! Don't listen to this asshole!" Kai told him, "He's just trying to get in your head!"
"What a worthless piece of trash, getting emotional so quickly…" King Kamoshida said, "How dare you raise your hand at me!"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP BASTARD!" Kai shouted.
"And then there's you---" King Kamoshida said, "---Don't think I know about your situation! What? Daddy left you and baby sisters to fend for yourself?"
Kai flinched at this as his face paled. "And your own mom---She can't stand the sight of you. You being a delinquent and always starting fights. What? You think you're doing right? You're just a leech causing trouble and your mother knows you're a worthless piece of shit. Everyone that's ever around you---All suffer because of your actions. And you little shit---Get to live with that."
Kai at that moment… Froze.
All of his thoughts just stopped processing as his body turned to jelly as he thought of his family… And what lead up to his predicament. He fell to his knees startling most of them. He seemed to go limp like a doll as everything around him had become muffled. He couldn't even hear his own friends calling out to him as his body trembled and his mind went blank.
"Kai!" Ren and Dide called out before they were restrained.
"Guess you and Sakamoto will have something in common after all---" King Kamoshida said, "---In the end… You two are nothing but pathetic losers. I mean---" He laughed to himself, "---Have you forgotten my kindness in supervising track practice?!"
"THAT WASN'T PRACTICE!" Ryuji shouted as he looked to be on the verge of tears, "THAT WAS PHYSICAL ABUSE YOU PUT US THROUGH!" He soon slammed his fists on the ground, "YOU JUST… Didn't like our team!"
"It was nothing but an eyesore!" He stated, "The only one who needs to achieve results is me! The coach who got fired was hopeless too…"
Ryuji flinched at this as he looked up.
"Had he not opposed me with a sound argument…" King Kamoshida said with a sinister smile, "... I would've settled it by only breaking his star's leg."
Everyone had been left shocked by this, especially Morgana and Kiku.
"Do you need me to deal with the other one too?" King Kamoshida said, "The school will call it self defense anyway!"
"... So that's why…" Morgana said, stunned.
"BASTARD! HOW CAN YOU DO THAT!" Dide exclaimed. "HOW CAN YOU TREAT PEOPLE THIS WAY! AREN'T YOU A TEACHER?! YOU BREAKING A STUDENT'S LEG FOR WHAT?! SO YOU CAN BE JUST ABOVE BOARD?!"
"I'm sorry...Is the foreigner trying to speak up when he doesn't know his own business?!" Kamoshida asked.
Ryuji's body shook as tears were threatening to fall. "... D-Damnit---!" He said for a moment looking at Kai as he had been petrified, "---Am… I gonna lose again? I.. Can't run anymore… And the track team is gone too 'cause of this asshole!"
"Sakamoto-san…" Kiku said with worry as she looked at Kai, "... Higuchi-san…"
"Once they're dealt with---I'm dealing with you two." King Kamoshida said, "Though, I think I'll have some fun with this redhead girl before I finish her off."
"DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE!!" Dide shouted as he tried to get free.
The Knights soon readied to finish the boy's off, as King Kamoshida laughed. Everything around them seemed to slow down as Morgana and Dide called out to Ryuji and Kai however they didn't move. As King Kamoshida moved, allowing another Knight to pin Morgana, he advanced towards Kiku. Though just as he was in her personal bubble---
"DON'T GIVE IN!" Kiku and Ren soon shouted.
Everyone's attention was all on them both. Ren and Kiku had been looking towards Ryuji and Kai as they seemed to have snapped back in reality.
"That's just what he wants you to do!" Ren yelled, "He wants you to give up so he can have some superiority over you! If you give up now, I promise you---You'll be telling him that he wins!"
"He's right!" Kiku told them, "You're both better than him! I don't know much about you two, that's true enough! But your actions alone showed me that you're both a better person than he could ever be! I know because---I'm just like you!"
"So stand up and fight for yourself!" Ren and Kiku ended up shouting in unison.
Ryuji and Kai looked at them both stunned and yet… Something in them both clicked.
"... You're right." Ryuji said, rubbing his face, "... You're both right."
Kai soon stood, as he couldn't help but chuckle, "... To think… I'd almost let this fucking piece of trash talk to me like that."
King Kamoshida looked stunned at the fact that they were both standing.
"... Everything that was important to me was taken by him!" Ryuji said, "I'll never get 'em back!"
"What do you think you're doing?!" King Kamoshida said, "Stay down!"
"... You just made the worst mistake of your life." Kai said, "And that is---You don't understand one fucking thing about me. Everything I did---Was for them. Never my piece of shit parents."
"I said---Stay down!" King Kamoshida shouted, motioning one of the Knights towards them.
Ryuji looked at Kai as they both had a smirk. "You wanna say it, or should I?" Kai asked.
"... Nah---Let's both say it." Ryuji said.
"Guards ki---" King Kamoshida started to say before both of the boy's shouted with all of their might---
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!!"
All of a sudden, a pulse went through their bodies; their eyes had shifted to gold. They both soon collapsed to their knees as they let out a cry.
Kai could hear a voice come over his head as the others could hear it too.
"Well, well, well---It's about damn time you came around."
Ryuji let out a cry as he could hear a voice too, which of course the others heard.
"You made me wait quite awhile."
Kai found himself clawing the floor as he shrieked. The strange voice spoke again, "You want the power to protect the ones you care about right? So let us form a contract together."
The voice spoke to Ryuji as if something had been over his shoulder, "You seek power, correct? Then let us form a pact."
"Your name is already dragged through the mud. You might as well give the people the monster they're asking for. The other you… Is asking for this afterall." Kai's Inner Voice told him.
"Since your name is disgraced already---" Ryuji's Inner Voice said, "---Why not hoist the flag and wreak havoc?"
The inner voices had spoken in unison, "I am thou… Thou art I. There is no turning back---"
"--Raise your gun and fire at those that have wronged you!"
"--The skull of rebellion is your flag henceforth!"
At this, masks had manifested on their faces. Ryuji's mask had a skull while Kai's looked to be a bandit mask over his own face.
"Masks?" Kiku said, stunned.
"It's---Just like with Ren's!" Dide said.
Out of instinct, Ryuji and Kai reached for the masks on their faces---And proceeded to rip them off of their faces, despite the pain and blood. That was when a sudden burst of blue flames blew them all back as well as the Knights allowing the others to go free.
When they recovered, they saw two new figures behind Ryuji and Kai---As their entire outfits had been different.
Behind Ryuji looked to be a pirate, as he had been standing aboard a ship; a cannon had been one of his hands.
The strange figure that appeared to Kai, had its body around him as if it had been a giant snake. Yet it had on a black hat and its tail looked to be a gun---It looked to have a bandit mask around its eyes as it appeared to have a sinister smile; it even appeared to be laughing.
Ryuji's outfit consisted of matching black jacket with elbow pads and what appears to be a metal vertebral column attached to its back, pants with knee pads and a double-sided holster belt with ammo on each side, a red ascot, combat boots, a pair of yellow gloves with metal knuckle protectors.
Kai looked to have a black western hat atop of his head. Along with a sleeveless leather vest, and gloves that reached to his elbows and a set of brass knuckles, he also had a bandana around his neck that had been black and had a skull insignia with a menacing smile in the form with a snake; he had on black combat boots with jet black spurs at the end of each boot, with gray pants. He even had two pistols and on his back he had a desert sword and even a whip.
They both had a smirk as if they had gained their confidence.
"WHAT?!" King Kamoshida exclaimed. "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!"
"I don't believe it---" Morgana said, "---They---Have Persona's!"
"Persona? That thing you mentioned?" Kiku asked, stunned.
"Well look at that---" Kai said with a chuckle, "---I can get used to this."
"Right on…" Ryuji said as he looked to himself, "... What up Persona? This effin rocks!"
Ren and Dide recovered as did Morgana. Each of them had smiles on their faces.
"We can use this power as payback!" Ryuji said.
"Get ready King---You're about to get fucked!" Kai stated as he had a smile on his face.
"D-Damn it!" King Kamoshida said, "GUARDS! KILL THEM NOW!"
The Knights---Or rather Shadows manifested into a set of beasts---The horses and fairies manifested once more.
Ryuji cracked his fist as Kai readied himself as well. "I'm ready---" Ryuji said, "---BRING IT!" The Shadows soon charged towards them as Ren, Kai, Ryuji and Morgana readied themselves.
"Dide! Look after Kiku-san!" Ren said as he readied his dagger.
"I'm on it!" Dide said as he ran over to Kiku and took her hand, "This way!"
Kiku didn't have time to argue nor protest as Dide took her over to the side.
"Let's do this thing---" Kai said before he shouted, "---SHOOT EM ALL DOWN--BILLY THE KID!"
Kai's Persona---Billy the Kid took aim, as its tail turned rapidly fired a series of shots that had been laced with fire. He managed to turn an army into only a few men which shocked Kamoshida. "WHOO!" Kai cheered.
"MY KNIGHTS!" King Kamoshida exclaimed.
The fairies soon surrounded them on all sides, Ryuji soon made his move.
"BLAST THEM AWAY---CAPTAIN KIDD!!"
Ryuji's Persona---Captain Kidd focused all of his energy as he seemed to have fired electricity which knocked them all down. Ren and Morgana moved ahead as they both traded with each other, exchanging it with a high five.
"ARSENE!" Ren shouted as Arsene manifested and attacked, taking out three of the Shadows.
That was when the largest Shadow appeared, which had been a knight on a horse. "What troublemakers you are---!" It said as it went to attack, though they quickly dodged, "---How dare you bother Kamoshida with such troublesome trivialities!"
"Like we give a shit about that!" Kai yelled as he readied his blade, "He's the one that's a goddamn leech!"
"If all he's gonna see me as trouble---" Ryuji said as he readied his melee weapon which had been an iron pipe, "Then--I'll just act like the troublemaker I am!"
As the fairies began to charge, Kai and Ryuji began to charge with ease just as Kai sliced a few while he smirked.
Meanwhile Ryuji revved his bat for a full swing before he knocked the fairies in the face as it ended up knocking them out of the sky, which caused them to vanish in a set of red mist just like that. Kai and Ryuji had a smile before they fist bumped into each other.
Ren and Morgana readied their own weapons as they attacked together. Morgana shot at one while Ren shot at another taking each of the shadows down one by one. They even had a tag team as they hit the Knight on the horse as he shrieked.
"NOW! ATTACK HIM TOGETHER!" Morgana shouted.
Ren, Kai, Ryuji and Morgana soon let out a warcry as they went and charged. They attacked all at once on all sides giving the Shadow no time to react. In an instant he had been taken out, impressing both Kiku and Dide as they had a look of awe.
"Holy crap.." Dide said in shock.
"Wow…" Kiku said.
The group soon caught their breath, especially Kai and Ryuji.
"Shit…" Kai said, before he looked at himself, "... That was intense…!"
"How--Do you like that?!" Ryuji said.
"... Wow---So these guys had potential too?" Morgana asked.
"Even if you apologize now---" Ryuji said as he glared, "---I am NEVER gonna forgive you!!"
"I told you---" King Kamoshida said as he seemed to be confident, "----This is my castle. It seems you still don't understand…"
Just as this was said---A familiar face walked in which shocked them to the core. To Ren and Kai's shock, they saw that it was their classmate, Takamaki. Yet she was wearing something completely different. She had a cat hair band, pink heels, and was in nothing but a string bikini.
"Ta---TAKAMAKI!?" Ryuji shouted.
"... Holy… Shit…" Kai said shocked as he couldn't help but blush a little.
Immediately Morgana had hearts in his eyes, "Wha---What a meow-velous and beautiful girl~!"
They saw Takamaki get close to King Kamoshida as he had a smile at the sight of her.
Dide turned red as he turned his head away while covering his pants which ended up confusing Kiku. "Are---You okay?"
"YUP!" Dide shouted as she jumped a little, "TOTALLY FINE!"
"Wh-What's going on!? Why is she here?!" Ryuji said.
"Something's not right." Ren said.
"Well---Now that you mention it." Ryuji said as he looked her over, "There's no way she would wear something like that."
"Hold on--You know her?!" Kai asked, shocked.
"That's her!" Kiku soon said as the boy's looked to her shocked, "That's the girl I saw before I was thrown in the dungeon!"
"What?!" The Boy shouted.
They soon saw King Kamoshida place his hand under Takamaki's chin. "HEY! DON'T TOUCH HER, SHE'S NOT OF AGE!" Dide yelled.
"How many times must I say it until I get you to understand---" King Kamoshida said, "---This is MY castle, a place in which I can do whatever I want, everyone wishes they were LOVED by me! That is---Everyone besides slow witted thieves like you."
"How far is your head up your own ass?" Kai asked as he made a face.
"Takamaki! Say something!" Ryuji said as he went to step over, though Kiku stopped him.
"Sakamoto-san---It isn't her." Kiku said while gently holding him back, "She's like the other slaves here, she's that cognition Mo-chan talked about."
"She's right!" Morgana said, "If you really do know that girl, then you know she's not the real one!"
Dide grunted as he said, "This is all kinds of messed up!
It hadn't been long before more of the Shadows appeared as it made them jump. "Come on---" Ren said, "---We have to go!"
"Right---" Kai said before he took Ryuji's hand, "---Let's bounce!"
"W-Wait a minute!" Ryuji said before he was dragged away, "TAKAMAKI!"
Dide soon took Kiku's hand as they followed the others out of the castle before the Shadows could advance on them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They made it outside as they soon caught their breath all the while they were contemplating what had just occurred; Ryuji and Kai didn't seem to notice masks appearing on their faces. Ryuji had a mask of a skull while Kai's had a bandit style mask.
"Holy shit---Just---Holy shit---" Kai said shocked.
"Kai---Your clothes---!" Dide said.
Kai soon looked over his outfit, and even removed his hat to take a closer look.
"... Am… Am I a cowboy?" Kai asked, stunned.
"Somehow that really suits you." Ren said.
"WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!" Kai shouted.
Dide added with a nod, "Well Cowboys are considered to be rowdy, brash and shoot first ask questions too." He soon said "Hmm I guess an outlaw would also fit you better because you don't believe in the rules."
"Oh Fuck off, Dide!" Kai shouted.
"Shhh! Keep it down!" Morgana said.
"This mask---" Ryuji said, feeling it, "---Is this a skull?"
"It is---" Kiku said as she looked at Ryuji, "---You actually look like a badass in that outfit."
"You think so?" Ryuji asked before he ended up yelling, "Hang on, that's not the issue here!"
"Wait, so---If they have these outfits---" Dide said, "---Does that mean---"
"Yes." Morgana said, "They unlocked their Persona's, or rather the rebellion within their own heart."
Kai and Ryuji looked at one another before they looked at their outfits again. "Then---Why are we wearing these like we just walked out of a costume store?" Kai asked.
"Think of it as a failsafe." Morgana replied, "When a Persona opposes the palace's ruler and becomes a threat to them, this happens. It's to prevent you from being affected by distortions. Your appearance reflects the rebel that resides within you."
"Then--How come it hasn't happened to me or Kiku yet?" Dide asked.
"I guess everyone's rebellion is different." Morgana said with a shrug.
"... Makes sense to me." Kiku said with a shrug.
"Well if we're done." Dide said. "I guess we can head out and confront the real Kamoshida--now that we know about his TRUE intentions."
Ryuji soon shrieked as they jumped. "What?!" Ren said, "What is it?!"
"We're in deep shit!" Ryuji soon said in a panic, "We might've gotten away here but we're screwed with Kamoshida at the real school! If he finds out---!"
"I don't think we have to worry about that Sakamoto-san." Kiku said as the boy's looked confused.
"Kiku-san?" Ren asked.
"I've been thinking since Mo-chan told us about the cognitions of the people inside." Kiku said, "I think the King Kamoshida in there--And the Kamoshida out there are two different people. They may look the same but---They don't share the same minds. Meaning they don't share the same memory of each other."
"Huh---You are actually right again Kiku." Morgana said, "You're smarter than you let on!"
"Wait, so what you're saying is---" Dide started to say, "---He won't know what we did there?"
"Exactly." Morgana replied, "A Shadow is the true self that is suppressed---A side of one's personality they don't want to see. Think--Did the Kamoshida in reality remember about the execution?"
The boys pondered as they recalled their encounter with Kamoshida. It was then that they realized… He didn't recall a single then.
"There you have it." Morgana said.
"That's---Actually a relief!" Ryuji said as he sighed, "Now that we know that we can---"
"Now just a second!" Morgana said as the group looked confused, "I guided you guys as I promised, now it's your turn to cooperate with me! That's why I was super nice about teaching you guys everything."
"Mo-chan, what are you talking about?" Kiku asked.
"Don't you remember?" He asked, "I originally came here for an investigation. I need to erase the distortion from my body so I can regain my true form. That's why we must dive deep into Mementos to---"
"Uh---" Kai soon said as he cut him off, "---I don't remember agreeing to that."
Morgana's jaw dropped at this, "HUH?!"
Dide added as he nodded, "yeah--this sounds like an MLM."
"A WHAT?!" Morgana asked
"Multi Level marketing. Almost been there, done that." Dide said.
"W-Wait, don't tell me you're going back on a gentlemen's agreement?!" Morgana asked.
"... Gentleman's what?" Ren asked.
"EVEN YOU NOW?!" Morgana shouted.
"Look we got our own crap to deal with." Ryuji said, "Thanks for everything---Even though you're a cat but if you don't mind, we gotta go and take care of Kamoshida."
"What he said." Kai said before he started to make his exit, "See you around!"
"W-WAIT!" Morgana exclaimed.
"Come Ren, Kiku time to go home!" Dide said as he left with Ryuji and Kai.
"Lets go." Ren said as he took Kiku's hand and lead her out.
"I-I'll see you Mo-chan!" Kiku said, "Find us at LeBlanc over at Yongen!"
"WAIT!" Morgana shouted, "SERIOUSLY!? WHY ARE YOU LEAVING THINGS ALL HUNKY DORY!? GET BACK HERE!!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Later; Beef Bowl Shop-
Once they had returned to the real world, they not only felt exhausted, but they felt famished as well. Because they had time on their hands they had decided to get some food over in Shibuya. Ryuji had been kind enough to lead them over to a place that served good food.
They had made plans to find evidence on Kamoshida's abuse starting tomorrow. They all had seemed confident and had the advantage on the coming challenge ahead of them.
Though it wasn't long before Ryuji had been curious about each of them. Since they had time before the rush hour had been over, he had asked to share to him exactly where they had come from.
Needless to say---He was surprised.
"Seriously?!" Ryuji exclaimed, as he had been looking to Dide in particular, "You're not only a famous actor but you actually punched a director?!"
"Like I said--I Punched two." Dide said as he drank from his glass.
"It's bad enough you punched a famous one but the one who made our childhood awesome?! I mean We would watch his anime on your days off!" Kai asked. "What's wrong with you?!"
"Moral of the story---never meet your heroes." Dide replied to Kai.
"That's almost as surprising as this guy---" Ryuji said, "---You have like--Two sisters?"
"Three actually." Kai replied, "Third one is in college, but I was looking after two of my younger ones. Some stalker was looking at my sister the wrong way. Thought he was her sweetheart. So I ended up punching his lights out. Unfortunately he ended up pressing charges. Rather than send me to juvy my folks ended up banishing me over here since they had a friend of theirs."
"Guys like that make me sick…" Ryuji said, as he ate from his bowl, "It's about as bad as yours, Amamiya. I mean---Who just does that?! You didn't do anything wrong yet you got sent to the slammer and expelled from your old school!"
"... Did… That really happened to you Amamiya-kun?" Kiku asked.
"... Yeah…" Ren said as he had a solemn look.
"Do you at least remember what he looked like?" Ryuji asked.
Ren shook his head, "... It was dark when I encountered them… It was hard to say."
"Jesus fucking christ…" Kai said.
Ryuji soon finished off his bowl of ramen before he looked to Kiku, "How about you?"
Kiku flinched a little, "Me?"
"Yeah, what's your story? You and that other guy---Haruto was his name right?" Ryuji asked.
Kiku looked a little nervous as she twiddled her thumbs. "... You---Might not like what you hear." She said.
Ren soon took her hand in a comforting way, "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
Kiku took a deep breath before she noticed the expression in Ren's eyes. She soon took a breath before she began to explain.
"Have you ever heard of a place called Sunny Side Orphanage?" She asked.
"Sunny Side, what's it?" Dide said.
"Oh yeah, I heard about that place---It got closed a few months back didn't it?" Ryuji asked.
Kiku nodded, "...Well it was home for awhile. My parents abandoned me as a baby so I was there most of my life. The only thing I had from them was that pin. Haruto was left the same time I was, that's how we knew each other. It used to be a nice place. All of us kids had a good thing going on. A nice director, nice staff… We had a good thing. Until a year ago. The director unexpectedly died of a heart attack and most of the staff was laid off."
"What?!" Dide exclaimed. "That's horrible! Why would they do that?"
"That's only half of it…" She said, "... We all nicknamed him the Dictator. He didn't care about kids… He just cared about money. Everything at Sunny Side was run to the ground, and… He wouldn't even let us get adopted by other people. He just put us to work… And when we didn't do a good job… He'd hit us with a belt…"
The boy's looked a bit shocked by this while Ren had a solemn look of solemn. "Those scars I saw on your back… Was it from him?"
Kiku nodded before she continued, "... One day… He decided he would adopt us out… For the right price. And---I was the one picked out for it. He decided I would be sold off to this man… He was like Kamoshida except he was older… He liked young girls. And… I happened to be the only girl in Sunny Side at the time."
"What?!" Ryuji exclaimed, shocked.
Kai slammed his fists on the table, "Bastards---everyone of them!"
Dide said nothing as he looked at his cup with an angry expression as he remembered an event from his past.
"That day I ran into you then---?" Ren soon asked as he recalled the day he ran into them.
"Haruto came up with the idea to escape." Kiku said, "For me and the other kids. He purposely set a controlled fire in one of the storage rooms and tricked them into thinking I was the one inside the flames. Everyone managed to get away to the station, including us. We parted ways since then."
"... Holy shit…" Kai said.
Ren only looked concerned as he comforted Kiku by patting her on the shoulder. She looked shocked by this gesture before she smiled in gratitude.
"You know something---" Ryuji said, "---We're all pretty alike."
"How so?" Ren asked.
"Well---" Ryuji clarified, "---I guess it's how we're treated like a pain in the ass by the people around us like we don't belong. I---Did something stupid at school too before."
"Huh… You know you actually make a good point about that." Dide said as he patted his back, "Well said Sakamoto."
"... So what are we gonna do with Kamoshida?" Kai asked.
"Don't worry---" Ryuji said as he winked his eye, "--I got a plan, just wait till tomorrow. I'll watch your back and you guys watch mine, okay?"
Ren, Kai and Dide looked at one another before Kiku spoke up.
"Even though I can't be there---Haruto and I will do whatever we can to help." She said, "I don't want anyone else to suffer from that man. Especially that girl, Takamaki-san."
"Here here." Dide said. "It's about damn time someone teaches him a lesson!"
"And what better people than us?" Kai added, "Right Ren?"
Ren smiled as he said, "Yeah… Let's do it!"
"It sounds like we're all in agreement!" Dide said with a smile. He held his drink out as he said "To exposing Kamoshida!"
The group followed suit as they clinked their drinks together. Ryuji soon noticed the bowl of ramen Ren had.
"Hey man, you barely touched your bowl!" He said before he started to fill it with ginger, "Here as a token of my appreciation."
"Whoa, whoa, hang on, it's too much!" Ren said as he tried to stop him though it proved to be futile.
"Dude! Dude! You're gonna ruin the flavor!" Dide exclaimed as he flailed his arms, "trust me, i know!"
"Hey, hey, I know what I'm doing. this is my way of showing thanks." Ryuji said with a smile.
"... I'm starting to like this guy." Kai said nonchalantly.
"Even if he's ruining a good dish?" Dide asked.
"Trust me, dude! I know what i'm doing.
"That's besides the point!" Dide exclaimed.
Ren and Kiku watched awkwardly as the three of them argued. All they could do was exchange one look before shrugging.