"I am thou… Thou art I… It is time to break the rules of the world and make your own path!"
Kiku caught her breath as the pain faded. She couldn't help but smile realizing what this meant.
"...I hear you...I hear you!"
The green vines bursted into rose petals revealing that only one flower remained on the corner as the mask itself looked to be a chessboard of some kind as it had a golden lining. She stood tall and took hold of the mask, ready to remove it, "Alright let's show them--"
Shadow Kamoshida soon readied his attack as the others looked helplessly, wondering how they should even defend themselves. Until they heard---
"Come to me---ALICE!!!"
The group had been taken aback when the cage broke apart in blue flames; even Kamoshida looked shocked by this sudden burst. They looked up as they had been shocked to see what had been there. They saw the form of a tall woman, with a sinister looking green. She had on a dark blue dress and white apron, with a cat that smiled sitting on her shoulders.
The group had been taken back when they saw a familiar girl though her appearance had been strikingly different. She had on a dark blue dress with white striped leggings and an apron that had been decorated with red roses and green symbols, one that had represented transcendent. She had on a pair of black boots that reached to her knees; on her right arm she had an armor gauntlet and on her left she had a buckled fingerless glove.
On her back she had a silver sword with carvings along it. She had a pair of purple cat ears with magenta stripes and even a tail to go with it. Upon her head she had a small black top hat with a card on its ribbon. Even her hair had changed its color; rather than brown with red, it had been black and white instead.
Though despite this they immediately recognized to be---
"KIKU?!" Crescent said, shocked.
Kiku turned over as she gave them a wink. "Wh-whoa!" Mona said, "That Persona---!"
"OH MY GOD, SHE'S SO FUCKING COOL!!!" Dayzer cheered.
"YOU?!" The Shadow Kamoshida said, "HOW DID YOU GET FREE, YOU BITCH?!"
"Can't you tell?" Kiku said, as she gave him a look, "I'm not someone who's going to sit by and watch---While you hurt the people that matter to me!" She soon drew her blade and pointed it towards him, "So once again---Your tyranny ends here!"
Everyone was in amazement by the change in her mood.
"Sounds like she's about to pop up and show fellas.." Dayzer said with a smirk
Kamoshida hadn't been happy, "YOU LITTLE BITCH---"
Kamoshida soon thrusted his fork to her though she immediately blocked it, knocking it out of his hand which made him shriek.
"Now Alice!" Kiku called out, "Make it rain!"
Her Persona---Alice gave a laugh as did the cat, before she attacked. She charged an attack which looked to be a waterball, before it fired. Kamoshida shrieked as he shut his eyes, however---It brushed past him.
"HA! YOU DUMB BITCH! YOU MISSED!" He taunted.
"... Didn't I?" Kiku said smugly.
The water ball bounced against the walls before it hit the trophy---It broke on contact which shocked the group. "WHAT?! NOOO!" Kamoshida shrieked as the trophy turned to dirt and brass along with its contents, "I WON THAT OUT OF THE REGIONAL NATIONALS!"
"Now without that---" Kiku said as she pulled out her gun which had been a 1900s revolver, "---You won't be able to heal from even this!"
She fired three shots as it hit Kamoshida dead center; one even hit his forehead causing him to shriek. "OUCH! DAMN IT YOU LITTLE---!"
Kiku took the opportunity to run over to grab Joker and Mona while the others hid as Kamoshida did his best to recover from the attack. Kiku activated her persona again, "Alice! Heal!" She commanded.
Alice manifested what looked to be a cake in the palm of her hands, before she helped Joker eat it. They saw in an instant, his wounds healed and Joker awoke. He looked at her, stunned.
"Kiku-san?!" He said shocked.
Kiku sighed with relief, "Thank goodness it worked."
Joker took her hands as he looked her over, "Your Persona---You really---"
Kiku smiled as her mask manifested on her face, "I know---I know---It's incredible…"
"But, how?" He asked.
"Let's just say… I took your advice to heart." She said.
"She was a badass out there!" Skull said, "She managed to get rid of the trophy that he was using to heal up!"
"That was Grade A Footwork if you ask me!" Dayzer added
"Kiku-chan---" Panther said as she hugged her, "---You and your Persona are amazing!"
Kiku couldn't help but turn red before she hugged Panther, "Thank you."
"Save the cheers and compliments for after!" Mona said, "We got a job to do!"
"Oh right!" Crescent said. "W-well now that we have the Crown!"
"Shouldn't kicking his ass be at the top of the list?!" Skull asked.
"No, Crescent is right!" Mona said, "Kamoshida is getting his power from his crown! If we take it, then we'll have a chance!"
"How are we supposed to do that?!" Dayzer asked, "That crown is on top of his head!"
"We'll have to steal it without him noticing!" Joker said, "One of us will go for the crown while the rest of us will keep him distracted!"
"That sounds easy enough---" Gunslinger said, "---But, who's going to do it?"
"... I will." Skull said.
The group looked at him shocked. "I'll go and get the crown off of his head!" Skull said, "You guys just keep his attention away!"
Dayzer couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder, "We're counting on you."
Skull nodded as he smiled before he separated himself from the group. The rest soon stood before they entered the fray once more, just as Kamoshida recovered. "YOU LITTLE BRATS!!" Kamoshida shouted as he hit his fist to the ground, "YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THIS!"
"No---" Panther said, "---You're the one that's going to pay you perverted bastard!"
"After everything you've done-!" Crescent said.
"We'll make sure your evil deeds never see daylight again!" Dayzer said
King Kamoshoda let out a roar just as he hurled his attack on them, Dayzer only had his hands in his pockets before he blocked the punch with his kick.
"What's wrong?" Dayzer asked. "Having trouble?"
"Don't underestimate me!" King Kamoshoda said as Dayzer kicked him again, "Soon enough Panther's whip wrapped around the same arm as she pulled him in just as Cresent got his blades as he was able to damage him.
"My face---MY BEAUTIFUL FACE!!"
"Quit your whining you damn coward!!" Gunslinger yelled as he got out a whip of his own. He tossed it as it wrapped around one of the volleyballs.
"LET'S SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT!!" Gunslinger shouted before he tossed the Volleyballs back at a raging speed. It hit Kamoshida on the stomach, making him gag and pushed back into the wall.
Kamoshida glared towards them. "YOU---" He shouted aggressively, "---DO YOU ALL KNOW WHO YOU'RE MESSING WITH?! I AM KING OF THIS FUCKING CASTLE! AND I DESERVED EVERYTHING, EVEN YOUR RESPECT YOU UNGRATEFUL BRATS!!"
"How can they show respect when you've done nothing to earn it!?" Crescent said, "You've taken everyone for granted, and the students only follow you because they're afraid of getting hurt! That's not praise or respect at all!"
"Yeah Cut the crap!" Dayzer added as he slicked his foot with his toy sword, "IF YOU REALLY RESPECTED THEM, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE DONE WHAT YOU DID! ESPECIALLY TO SEIKO!'
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!!!" Kamoshida shouted before he went to attack them, after he took a drink from the wine glass with the cognition of Ann in it. The sight of it made them shiver.
"E-Ew…" Crescent said.
"...I think I'm gonna be sick." Dayzer said with a gag
"... I'm gonna kill this mother fucker." Gunslinger said.
"Seconded.." Panther added
"Come on!" Joker said before he charged with Kiku.
The group did the same as they armed themselves, all of them had been ready for an all out attack but---
"ENOUGH!!" Kamoshida shouted before he fired a volleyball towards them; It had manifested into fire as he sent it rocketing towards them causing them to stop in their tracks.
"NO!" Kiku exclaimed as she got in front of the group. She quickly summoned her Persona as she was able to manifest a barrier made of ice. However Kamoshida quickly fired another flaming volleyball. This time it broke through the barrier as all anyone could hear was the sound of Kiku's shriek.
"Guys!" Skull exclaimed softly as he had almost reached the point to jump and grab the crown.
When the dust cleared, Skull could see most of the group had been on the ground though still had still been conscious; Kiku unfortunately had been unconscious as her Persona vanished. "Kiku!" Joker exclaimed with worry as he tried to stand.
Though he ended up falling to the floor as he could feel the sting in his wounds.
"Joker! Just stay down!" Dayzer said, "I'll---Ow!" He soon fell to the floor as he ended up dropping the supplies, "Oh crap!"
King Kamoshida laughed, "One more coming your way!"
"Go, go, go Kamoshida~!" Princess Ann chanted.
"This is the end, you little punks!" Kamoshida shouted as he went to attack. Though he was aiming right for Kiku just as she started to wake up. Joker tried to stand again attempting to reach Kiku. However---
RING!
---He suddenly felt dizzy. His vision became blurry before he found himself falling on his side… He could hear his friends faintly call out to him.
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Upon opening his eyes… Ren found himself within the cell once more of the strange dreamscape. The sight of it put him into shock; he ran to the bars confirming his suspicions at the sight of not only Igor, but the guards, Caroline and Justine.
Caroline scoffed, "How pathetic inmate!"
"Behave." Justine said, "You're in the presence of our master."
"What is this?!" Ren said, "Why am I here?!"
Igor chuckled, "I thought that would be obvious."
Ren pulled on the bars, "You have to send me back! Right now! They're going to get killed!"
"... Are you really satisfied with this?" Igor asked, "Will you refuse to resist or do anything at all like you have your entire life?"
"It's not over!" He told him, "I can still fight! Send me back right now!"
Igor looked satisfied at this. "Very well."
With a snap of his fingers, Ren suddenly felt light headed. He fell to his knees; two of his persona's soon floated from him. One of which… Had been Arsene.
"Allow me to offer you some modest aid." Igor said.
"Wha---What do you mean?" Ren asked as he did his best not to pass out, again.
"Each Persona is an aspect of your inner personality." Caroline soon said.
"By casting away unwanted traits." Justine stated, "We can give birth to new ones."
Ren looked confused, until in a blink; he saw a pair of guillotines before his very eyes. He saw Arsen standing before it, looking content.
"Though I may vanish for now---" Arsene said, "--Know I shall remain by your side. Know when your fate is sealed… Let us meet again."
The guards soon covered their heads with cloth before the guillotine's blade fell suddenly. Ren had jumped at this before they both vanished into light; they seemed to combine themselves as suddenly… It seemed to form a new creature.
Once more Igor looked satisfied.
"And thus… A new Persona is born. One more step on the road to rehabilitation. Now continue to strive toward that goal…"
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Kiku felt dizzy as she came too. Her vision had been somewhat blurry as she felt a couple of new wounds open up; she groaned as she held her side, noticing it had been bleeding. Kamoshida laughed at their misfortune as the group struggled to stand. "D-Damn it---" Mona said, "---This guy isn't messing around!"
Shadow Kamoshida laughed, "This is the end! YOU PUNKS!"
He tossed the ball in the air as he leaped high in the air. This time the ball turned gold as he went to hit it.
"GOLD MEDAL ATTACK!!!" He called out as he fired.
The group braced themselves for the attack, as Kiku looked ready to summon her persona despite how tired she looked. Although---
"PERSONA!!!!"
---With Joker standing tall, everyone had been taken back at the sight… Of a new Persona. Rather than Arsene or Pixie, it had been a strange little blue imp in a gold pot. It was able to block Kamoshida's attack and even cancel it entirely.
"WH-WHAT THE---?!" Shadow Kamoshida exclaimed.
Kiku looked stunned as Joker landed in front of her. She had a look of awe, as her own face couldn't help but turn red.
"... Joker…?" She said, stunned.
"I--I don't believe it!" Dayzer said, "Is that a new Persona?!"
"... Wow…" Wolf said in awe, as his eyes sparkled and even his tail wagged, "... That is so cool…!"
"Cool is an understatement--this is incredible!" Crescent said.
"Tha---That's impossible!" Mona said, "How can a regular human even make a new Persona?!"
"Who cares?!" Gunslinger before he cheered, "GO KICK THAT KING'S ASS JOKER!!"
Dayzer cheered, "YOU GOT THIS MAN! GET HIM! GET HIM GOOD!!"
Joker nodded with a smirk before turning to Kamoshida.
"Y-You don't scare me!" King Kamoshida exclaimed. "I'm a King! I'm Fearless! I am Mighty! I--"
"---You're no king." Joker said, cutting him off. "You're just a brat pretending to be one."
Joker snapped his fingers as his new Persona attacked. A red aura manifested beneath him before it erupted in energy which made him cry out in pain.
"NOW'S MY CHANCE!" Skull exclaimed before he got a running start and leaped. He kicked the crown off his head as Shadow Kamoshida cried out when it flew out of his reach.
"NOOOOO!" Shadow Kamoshida cried out, "MY--MY SYMBOL OF ROYALTY---GIVE IT BACK!!!"
Joker smiled as his mask manifested, "That's---Checkmate."
The group soon charged, as they performed an all out attack; They each got him on all sides instantly taking him out now that his power had been weakened. All he could do was cry out and shriek in agony at the burning sensation he felt go through him all at once.
As they landed, each of the members' did their own pose as King Kamoshida changed back to his normal form.
"The Show's over." Joker said with a fix of his glove.
King Kamoshida looked at them fearfully. Panicked, he quickly grabbed the crown before he ran to the balcony. "Hey!" Skull called out, as the group chased after him.
Desperately, he tried to look for a way out, but he couldn't; he only trembled further as the rest cornered him.
"... What's wrong?" Gunslinger said with a glare, "You're gonna try and run away? I dare you to give us a reason to kick your ass further."
"... Why don't you run?" Panther asked with a glare, "Aren't you a great athlete?"
"I-It's always been like this…!" King Kamoshida stated nervously, "A-All those goddamn hyenas forcing their expectations on me! D-Don't you see?! I'm the victim here!!"
"That doesn't excuse what you did to everyone at your school!" Crescent said.
Dayzer said as his eyes glowed, "Now Decide, give up now or we beat your ass again."
"Why---Why can't you understand?!" King Kamoshida said, "I-I'm doing this all for them! What's wrong with demanding a reward for that?!"
"Now you're makin' excuses?" Skull said, "We'll do something about that distorted heart of yours."
"Wha--What?!" King Kamoshida said.
"You fucking dumbass. Rewards? Don't make me laugh---" Gunslinger said, "---Last I checked forcing yourself on others ain't exactly a reward."
Dayzer added, "No where in the world, Not even the states accept that type of shit you do."
King Kamoshida only backed up, hitting the balcony railing as he nearly collapsed.
"Scared?" Panther said, "Right now… You're seeing the same view Shiho did."
Each of the teens flinched at this as Panther continued.
"I'm sure she was scared too…" She said, "... Except she had no choice but to jump… What will YOU do?"
King Kamoshida gulped as Panther stepped towards him.
"Will YOU jump? Or would you rather DIE here?"
"Panther---" Kiku said worryingly.
"You heard her." Dayzer said as he joined. "Decide, Either jump now or we beat you up.." He had a look just as his mouth was exposed. "The way we're cornering you right now--You must have done the same to Seiko--leaving her no choice but to suffer in silence."
Skull and Crescent looked to Dide shocked.
"Dude--" Skull said.
"He's--never pissed off like this, is he?" Crescent asked Gunslinger and Joker, who didn't look surprised.
"... Only on special occasions." Gunslinger replied.
Panther soon summoned her Persona as Carmine manifested balls of fire just as Dayzer summoned Adze with his leg charging up. King Kamoshida could only cower at the sight as he sweated.
"Do you want to finish him off?" Mona said, "It's your call."
"N-No please wait!" King Kamoshida pleaded, "I-I beg of you… Just forgive me!"
"Hey now-- this is a bit too far isn't it?" Wolf asked.
"Panther---" Kiku started to say before Joker stopped her.
"She'll do the right thing." He reassured her softly.
Panther glared, "... You're pleading just like that? I bet everyone else told you the same thing. But you… YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM THEM!"
Carmine fired the fireball with Adze charging their kick as King Kamoshida shrieked fearfully. Though to his own surprise… Both missed. He fell to his knees.
"I---I accept defeat…" He soon said, before he held the crowd. "... You want this? Take it."
He tossed the crown over, which Kiku had been quick to catch; thankfully it had been small in size.
King Kamoshida had a look of defeat, "... Go ahead and finish me off… You do that… And my real self will go down too… You have that right… You've won…"
Everyone looked at Panther and Dayzer, wondering what they were going to decide. They even noticed that Carmine had charged another attack as she looked ready to fire with Adze and Dayzer reading their final kick. But---
"... No." She said as she still had her glare. Carmine soon vanished in a blink.
King Kamoshida looked to her surprised by this.
"Wh-What?" He said.
"... If the real one---If his mind shuts down---" She said, "---He can't admit to his crimes."
Dayzer added just as the charging stopped on his leg. "There's no justice if we kill you now."
"... Ann…" Gunslinger said shocked, yet he smiled, "... You really are kind."
Panther looked at him as she couldn't help but smile at him, grateful for the compliment.
"Hey! I was gonna say that!" Mona said offended, which made Gunslinger look at him in confusion.
"Dide--"Joker said with worry.
Dayzer turned to his friend as he smiled, "Don't worry, Ren. I'd never let myself stoop down that low. Even if it's too much of an asshole like him."
Joker had a satisfied smile at this.
King Kamoshida looked even more depressed, "I've lost… You're through when you lose… What am I supposed to do now…?"
"... The only thing you can do." Kiku said as King Kamoshida looked to her, "You atone your sins. Make up for the lives you ruined and all of those you've hurt."
Joker added as he placed his hand on her shoulder, "You do that and you'll be able to figure out what's next. Whether it's bad or good, that's up to you and only you."
King Kamoshida finally picked up his head, as he gave a solemn smile, "... Alright…I'll leave this world… And return to my real self then…"
The group had been taken back when they saw that King Kamoshida started to vanish in a strange light. They looked stunned by this but a second later---
---The whole castle began to shake.
"Ummm---" Dayzer said, "---What's happening?!"
"Is it an earthquake?!" Crescent said.
"CAN THAT HAPPEN IN THIS PLACE?!" Panther shrieked.
"Oh guys relax---" Mona said with a wave of his paw, before he started to clean himself, "---It's just the Palace collapsing since we defeated the ruler, no big deal."
"DON'T SAY SHIT LIKE THAT SO CASUALLY!" Gunslinger yelled.
"WHEN YOU SAY IT LIKE THAT, IT IS A BIG DEAL!" Dayzer shouted as he tapped on his belt. "Come on Come on!"
"Dude, what are you doing?!" Skull shouted.
"Seeing if this belt comes with something other than weapon thing can actually---
The group soon shrieked when a large piece of debris crashed onto the floor. "NO TIME!" Ren yelled, "WE GOTTA RUN!!"
"I'm with him!" Kiku said.
The group wasted no time before they started to make a break for it as the castle's collapse continued. They ended up running through the halls as fast as they could, doing their best to avoid the debris that came crashing down.
"WE'RE GONNA DIE!" Panther shouted in a panic, "WE'RE SO GONNA DIE!"
"TRY AND STAY CALM AND DON'T PANIC!!!!" Dayzer yelled.
"BUT YOU'RE YELLING TOO!" Crescent shouted.
"BECAUSE I'M PANICKING!!" Dayzer shouted as he kept tapping his belt as he said "Please! PLEASE GIVE ME SOMETHING!"
"WHATEVER YOU'RE TRYING TO DO AIN'T WORKING!!" Gunslinger yelled.
"NEVER SAY NEVER!" Dayzer shouted as he kept tapping it.
Panther soon shrieked when she felt Mona---Or rather Morgana hopped on her head. Strangely enough---He was a cat.
"Hey what the--?!" Panther said before he hopped on Dayzer's head.
Dayzer shrieked before he tried to grab Morgana, "OI! ARE YOU FORREAL, STUPID CAT!"
He soon hopped on Skull's head before he hopped on Kiku's shoulder. "NO FAIR YOU JERK!!" Skull shouted.
"Meow!" Morgana said as they looked shocked.
Though most of them jumped when Skull suddenly fell to the floor.
"Ryuji!" Panther exclaimed with worry.
Wolf or rather Shiro whom had now shifted in a dog once more helped him up as Kiku did the same as she held onto the treasure. "Come on I got you---!" He said.
"Take my hand Sakamoto-kun!" She said.
"Don't worry---" Skull said to them with a reassuring smile, "---It's just been awhile since I ran like this!"
Crescent soon shrieked as he pointed behind them. They looked over and saw---The whole ceiling had been coming down. They all continued to scream as they picked up the pace. Eventually when they got to the end of the hall, before they found themselves engulfed in a bright white light.
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The group ended up shrieking as they fell right on top of each. The moment they recovered, they realized---
---They were back in the real world.
"We made it----" Dide said before he cheered as he stood while feeling his face, "---HOLY SHIT WE MADE IT!!"
"Son of a bitch---" Kai said relieved, as he stood and helped Ann up, "---That was fucking insane…"
"Okay… That sucked…!" Ann said, relieved.
"... So… That palace thing is gone now?" Haruto asked.
Ren took out his phone before he opened the app. "Your destination has been deleted." The MetaNav said.
"Looks like it's really gone." Ren said.
"Then that means we can't go back there?" Ann asked.
"But wait, what about the treasure?!" Morgana asked.
"Yeah, what happened to it?!" Shiro asked.
"I still have it." Kiku said as she showed the crown, "Right here."
The group looked relieved at this until… It started to glow. Everyone looked shocked as for a moment it floated from her hand and shifted. Instantaneously… It became a gold medal. Kiku quickly caught it before it could hit the crown.
Dide rubbed his eyes in disbelief, "... What did I just see? Did a crown made of gold and encrusted with jewels turn into a medal?"
"... It's official… We're high." Kai said.
"No, you're not." Morgana said, "If that crown turned into a medal---It means that was the source of all of his desires. To him, that medal is worth as much as the crown we saw in the Palace."
"So all of that was created… Just from one piece of medal?" Haruto said as he fixed his glasses.
"...I think I need a drink." Dide said.
"This… Looks like it's a nationals medal." Kiku said as she examined it, "Maybe this win went to his head. That's why… He thought he could be King in that world."
"In other words he couldn't let go of his past glory." Kai said, "Sick fucker…"
"..that sounds like some MOTW you hear from Kamen Rider.." Dide said. "Though then again after what we witnessed and how much of a creep Kamoshida is--"
"Oh speaking of which---" Ryuji said, "---How do we know if what we did just worked? Is there a way to confirm it?"
"The heck if I know---" Morgana said, "---This is the first successful mission!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW?!" Kai shouted as Morgana jumped while arching his back, "YOU STUPID LITTLE CAT!"
"I AM NOT A CAT!!" Morgana shouted as he hissed.
"WELL YOU MADE US LOOK BAD!" Dide shouted before he got a mask as he shouted "OOGA BOOGA BOOGA!"
Morgana screeched as he jumped up and landed on Ann's arms to which she caught him.
"You two keep away from me!" Morgana said.
"YOU LITTLE---" Kai shouted as he glared.
"Well there's only one way to find out then.." Ren said after a sigh, "...We're just gonna have to wait."
"But our expulsions are on the line! Not to mention Dide's at risk of being deported!" Ryuji pointed out.
Dide flinched as he paled, "O-Oh yeah… I forgot about that part."
"Don't worry---" Morgana said, "---After stealing his treasure there's no doubt it's had a severe effect on him. We'll be able to see the results soon enough."
"Mo-chan's right." Kiku said, "After all we went through I think it did work."
"Here's to hoping.." Dide said with a sigh.
Shiro soon yawned, "I don't know about you guys, but I feel pretty tired after today… What do you say we just go home?"
Ryuji sighed, "... No choice then huh."
"Well---" Kai said, "---Here's hoping all that shit we went through wasn't in vain."
"Yeah…" Ann said, "... We just have to wait for Kamoshida's next move."
Thus the group soon departed as they went to the train station, gathering their things. Though Kiku lagged behind as she suddenly felt woozy, which Ren had noticed.
"Kiku-san? Are you okay?" He asked.
Kiku picked up her head as she gave him a smile, "Yeah… I guess I'm just a little tired after today."
"Come on---" Ren said as he held out his hand, "---You can lean on me if you're tired."
"Thank you Amamiya-kun." She said.
She took his hand as they walked down the alley. Though he didn't seem to notice… fresh blood ran down the wall.
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-The Next Day; LeBlanc Cafe-
Ren, Kai and Dide got ready to go the next day for school, as if the events from yesterday didn't take place. Though neither of them wanted to admit it, they were nervous; they hid it well from Sojiro as they helped themselves to his breakfast curry.
In fact, they were eating at a fast pace.
"Geez slow down would you?" Sojiro said, "You're gonna choke on your food."
"Can't help it---Too good!" Kai said before he continued to down the food.
"Ah, to be young." Yukihara said with a chuckle as he had been washing dishes.
"Are you sure you're not gonna choke?" Haruto asked.
Dide replied with his mouth full of food, "Nope! Done this in a dare on a Japanese game show!"
"Hey! Hey! Don't remind me!" Kai said. "Your episode almost made me hurl!"
Ren managed to swallow the last bit of food, before he drank a whole glass of water, "Thanks for the meal!" He soon gathered his dishes before he got it to the sink.
"Whoa, hey now, you're gonna leave in a hurry?" Yukihara asked.
Ren replied as he had been jogging in place, "Yeah, can't be late today! Dide, Kai, come on, we're gonna miss the train!" He said.
"You already know!" Dide said as he got up and ran.
"Wait What about the plates?" Sojiro said.
Dide rushed in to clean the plates real quick before running back.
"HEY!" Kai shouted as he finished up his food and put his plate away, "DON'T LEAVE ME HERE YOU OCD FREAK!!"
"See you guys after school!" Ren called out as he and the others ran out the door.
"Well they're so energetic." Yukihara said.
"Is that what you call it?" Sojiro asked.
"Shame they can't enjoy your curry." Haruto said, "This is delicious!"
"Glad you think so." Sojiro said with a smile, "You know something, I wasn't sure about you kids, no offense but you turned out alright."
"... Thank you." Kiku replied, "You and Yukihara-san are really sweet.
"Oh how you flatter me." Sojiro said with a laugh.
"By the way kids---" Yukihara said, "---I got you guys a little surprise. Well actually Sojiro and I did."
Haruto and Kiku both looked intrigued. "Oh yeah, what?" Haruto asked.
As Yukihara began to explain, Kiku suddenly felt something run down her face. She noticed that blood had hit the plate as the source of it had been from her nose. It was then she could see blood had been seeping through her shirt and onto her hand. She realized where it was from.
"The wound from yesterday… From when Kamoshida---"
Neither of them seemed to notice Kiku's distress… Until she fell out of her seat and passed out on the floor. "Kiku!" Haruto shouted in a panic as he ran to her.
"Holy---" Yukihara said, noticing her wound, "---Kiku!"
Sojiro wasted no time, as he immediately went to the landline at the counter before he quickly dialed a number; a second later an operator picked up.
"119, what's your emergency?"
"Hello, my name is Sojiro Sakura---I need an ambulance, at Cafe LeBlanc at Yongen Jaya now!"