A week had gone by since Kamoshida had confessed, and neither couldn't really believe it. Everyone at Shujin Academy had still been talking about it, the day Kamoshida confessed. It eventually reached outside of school grounds as it started to be talked about all over the news.
Kiku had returned to LeBlanc, taking it easy as she helped around the cafe with Haruto. Thankfully the weekend hadn't been as busy, so she could keep busy and relax at the same time.
Kiku had been helping clean the tables with Haruto. The boys had been helping out as well. Kai had been mopping the floors, Dide had been dusting up the windows and Ren had been helping with washing the dishes.
Kiku sighed as she wiped the sweat off her forehead, she groaned a little as she took hold of her side.
"You sure you're okay?" Haruto asked, noticing her distress.
"Y-Yeah, I just pulled something that's all." She replied.
"Don't push yourself there---" Yukihara said as he had been prepping, "---If you want to sit down, you're free to."
"Thank you." She said.
"Ow, ow, ow, my goddamn arms---" Kai said as he shook himself, "---Can I call it quits now?"
"That depends, is the floor spotless?" Sojiro asked.
Kai put the mop in the bucket before showing him, "This spotless enough for you?"
Sojiro examined it before he nodded and smiled, "Good job."
Kai sighed with relief, "Thank God, my hands are about to pop off. I don't know how the hell you do it, Clean Freak."
"Patience and taking your time." Dide replied. "It's very therapeutic for the mind."
"Oh brother…" Kai said as he rolled his eyes.
Ren finished the last of the dishes as he sighed, "Okay all done."
"Thanks a lot." Yukihara said, "Sorry for the trouble boys. I know you have things today---"
"No, no, it's okay it's the least we can do." Dide said.
Haruto soon noticed the time, "Oh speaking of which we gotta go. The shop is gonna open up soon!"
"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" Kiku asked.
"No, no---" Ren said, as he took his bag and went to the door with the others, "---You stay here and take it easy."
"Yeah, and don't worry about anything, we'll be just fine." Dide said.
Kiku smiled at this, "In that case---Have a good day."
"Be back before nightfall, understand?" Sojiro told them.
"Yeah, yeah, we got it!" Kai said.
With that the boy's went to exit the Cafe---Though not before they ran into a woman who was entering the establishment. "Oh--" Haruto said as he and the others made room, "---Excuse us ma'am."
"No, it's alright." She said as they left with a bow of their heads.
Kiku had been stunned by the woman's appearance as she looked at her with awe. She was a beautiful woman, who had an asymmetric hairstyle, parted on her right side and brown eyes that were brown. She wore a black business suit with a black turtleneck. Her blazer's cuffs and the lower front have clamshell-like designs. Accessory-wise, she wears a necklace of a section sign (§) which references her judicial occupation, earrings and a few dark hair clips can be seen above her right ear. She has violet fingernails with black high heels and had a black shoulder bag.
"She's so pretty---" Kiku thought, "---She could almost be a model."
"Ah, Niijima-san---" Yukihara said, "---I was wondering when I would see you today."
"Hello Uchiyama-san." The woman---Niijima greeted as she took her seat at a barstool just at the end.
"Oh it's you again---" Sojiro said, "---What will you be having?"
"The House Blend please." She said.
"Knew that was gonna be your first choice." Yukihara said as he went to the kitchen area when he smelled something burning, "Kiku? Can you get the coffee beans for Sojiro-kun?"
"S-Sure!" Kiku said nervously as she quickly went behind the bar to grab the beans on the top shelf. She couldn't help but have a thought, "They're both really friendly to her. She must come by often."
As Kiku handed the coffee beans to Sojiro, the news soon came on as it seemed to get her, Sojiro, Yukihira and Niijima's attention.
"The cause of the runaway train incident in the subway the other day has not been found." The Newscaster said, "Police are hurrying to solve the matter as it may relate to the rise in psychotic breakdown incidents."
"Oh? Is that the thing everyone's been talking about?" Sojiro said as he got the coffee ready.
"Doesn't it make you curious?" Niijima said, "People who were living normal lives suddenly went mad or deranged out of the blue… Not to mention that it's happening one after another… Could they really be coincidental?"
"... No, I don't think so." Kiku seemed to reply.
Niijima looked a bit surprised by Kiku's response. She soon spoke to her, "Are you a part-timer? I'm surprised this place can afford one."
"O-Oh!" Kiku said before she replied nervously, "I--Um---Actually I---"
"She's my new adoptee. As of a week ago she is now my daughter, Kiku Uchiyama---" Yukihara said proudly, "---She's cute isn't she? "
"Adoptee?" Niijima said, "You were in the system?"
"I was until recently---" Kiku said, "---Like Yukihara-san said, he adopted me a week ago."
"... I see." Niijima said, "Are you a high school student?"
Kiku looked a bit hesitant to answer though she found herself replying honestly, "Actually ma'am, I uh---Haven't been to school for awhile because of certain circumstances… But I am planning on attending after Children's Day."
"Is that so?" She said, "Where are you planning on attending?"
"Shujin Academy ma'am." Kiku answered, "It's uh---A bit of a surprise for a certain few friends of mine."
Niijima looked surprised, "Oh? Someone I know goes there as well. I've heard things are rough right now though. A teacher named Kamoshida confessed his crimes like he was a different person supposedly. And it happened all of a sudden one day…"
"I am aware---" Kiku said before she smiled, "--But I think I'll be okay." She soon tilted her head, "You---Know a lot about that situation huh?"
"It did catch my eye when it came on the news." Niijima said, "And given the similar cases I've been seeing, anything can seem to happen now."
"... Cases?" She said.
Yukihara soon told Kiku with a smile, "Sae Niijima here works as a prosecutor. So you can imagine all the interesting stories she has to offer."
"Most of which is classified." Niijima or rather Sae said.
"...A prosecutor?" Kiku said, stunned, before she smiled, "That's amazing! I bet you're really good!"
"Thank you." Sae said, "You might be the first person to ever say something like that."
"Huh?" Kiku said, confused.
"Here you are---" Sojiro said as he placed a cup of coffee in front of her, "---One house blend."
"Thank you." Sae said as she helped herself.
Kiku could see the expression on her face, "Why did she look upset when she said that?"
"Kiku-san was it---?" Sae said, snapping her out of it, "---Since it doesn't seem like it'll be busy, would you mind keeping me company?"
"M-Me?" Kiku said, "I-Is that okay?"
"I don't mind." She said, "And it helps if a third party listens to thoughts on a case."
"Go ahead Kiku---" Yukihara said, "---Doc said you should take it easy, and you deserve it with all the work this morning. And she's right it's gonna be a slow day." He soon left the kitchen area, "I'll fix you up your favorite drink too."
Kiku had a grateful smile, as she took Yukihira up on the offer. Setting aside her apron, she sat beside Sae before she found herself chatting with the young woman.
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-Shibuya Central Street; Untouchable-
It had been early afternoon by the time the boys arrived at Shibuya Central Street. The streets had been crowded as it usually was, which didn't surprise Haruto in the least. Ren, Dide and Kai however couldn't but be a little bit overwhelmed.
"Man---Compared to Times Square or Main Street on a Saturday Afternoon.." Dide said. "Shibuya is tied with all three."
"Tied?" Kai asked
"Just how many cities have you been to?!" Ren asked.
"Oh Only a couple here and there--Hong Kong, Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto. The list goes on." Dide said.
"That ain't a couple!" Kai said.
"Well I betcha Shibuya is the top third in your list of busiest city streets!" Haruto said as he had been getting through the crowd with ease, "It's a shame that Sakamoto-san had that urgent errand."
"Oh it's definitely up---" Dide started to say before he shrieked, "---WHO STEPPED ON MY FOOT!"
"I'M WALKING HERE MAN, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!" The rando shouted.
"OH SCREW YOU!" Dide shouted "YOU--"
"Dide!" Ren and Kai exclaimed as they held him back before they dragged him away.
"Haruto-san---" Ren said, "---How much further is it?"
"It shouldn't be long---" Haruto said as they noticed he had been looking towards alleyways in particular, "---It should be right---" He soon stopped at a particular one, "---Ah, right here!"
They were surprised when Haruto turned over and went into an alleyway. Ren, Dide and Kai looked over, noticing how sketchy it looked.
"Uhhh--" Dide said a bit taken back, "---Haruto-san---You SURE we're not lost?"
"Trust me!" Haruto told him. "We're almost there!"
"... I feel like we're about to get murdered…" Kai said, before turning to see a big rat run in and make a u-turn away from them as he couldn't help but cringe.
Dide hissed as he said, "Ffffffffffilth..."
With hesitation, they followed Haruto down the alleyway. That's when they spotted a shop that had been called, "Untouchable." The store itself looked to have a gated window, and several posters that seemed to advertise a paintball tournament and a certain model.
"Here we are!" Haruto said, "Welcome to the Untouchable!"
"... This is the shop that you frequent to?" Ren asked.
"Yeah, I know how it looks---" Haruto said, "---But trust me, this guy is trustworthy."
"Well I can see why it's--" Dide said as he looked at the appearance of the store before looking at the street they're in. "---Untouchable. No one would dare to look here."
"Come on!" Haruto said before he went into the shop.
"Hey wait a---" Kai said before he groaned. The boys soon followed him inside; they were taken back by the sight of the many---Many----MANY guns that had been on display. The shop had been practically painted with them all over.
"Are---All of these models?" Ren asked.
"... Shiiit…." Kai said, stunned.
"..Jesus christ.." Dide said in shock, ".... Are we even sure these are models?"
Haruto soon approached the desk, as they noticed the front had been empty. "Hello?" Haruto called out, "Iwai-san? It's me---Haruto!"
"Are you sure it's even open?" Ren asked.
"Yeah---" Haruto replied, "---Though I wonder if he's on break."
"Are you sure?" Kai asked, "It looks abandoned."
Haruto soon pondered before he called out again, "Iwai-san! Iwai-san!"
Soon enough a voice came over them.
"Quit shouting kid, I'm coming."
The boy's looked over and noticed a middle aged man coming from the back. He had short gray hair and gray-colored eyes, faint noticeable stubble, sideburns and earrings. A tattoo of a gray-colored gecko is on the left side of his neck near the back. He wore a gray pin-striped hat with yellow ear defenders, a black turtleneck sweater, a long gray raincoat with a red peace symbol on the left hem of his coat, simple blue jeans and black leather boots.
Ren, Dide and even Kai couldn't help but shudder at the sight of the man.
"Oh, it's just you Haru." The man--Iwai said as he looked to have a lollipop in his mouth, "Been awhile, thought you moved to a different city."
"Yeah, sorry for not coming by sooner, but a lot happened these past few weeks. You're not gonna believe what happened!" Haruto said, "Kiku-san and I actually found a place to stay, and we were even adopted."
"Really?" Iwai said surprised, "Good for you."
Haruto turned over as he noticed Ren, Dide and Kai had been shaking. "Hey, what's with you guys?" He asked
"Oh--N-N-N-Nothing---" Dide said as he stammered, "We-We just uh---looking at your fine establishment!"
"...Uh huh." Iwai said, giving a quizzical look.
"Guys I already told you he's cool." Haruto said, "There's no reason to feel nervous."
"WHO SAID WE WERE NERVOUS?! I'M NOT!" Kai shouted though Haruto noticed his face was red.
"Y-yeah! We're fine!" Dide added with a smile.
"..Look, It's not every day folks come in walking to an establishment like mine being scared shitless." Iwai said. "All i can say is, whatever happens in here, I won't be responsible for what happens next."
"THAT'S NOT ENCOURAGING AT ALL!" Ren, Dide and Kai thought in unison.
"Iwai-san?" Haruto said, "My friends and I got something we wanna sell---You mind taking a look?"
Iwai couldn't help but have a quizzical look at this. They soon got the medal out before he started to look it over. Each of the boy's looked a bit nervous as he examined it thoroughly.
"Where did you say you got this from?" Iwai asked.
"U-Um---It's uh---" Haruto said, "---Something I found going through the trash before I found a new home! Figured someone didn't have much use for it."
"Y-Yeah, I even had it polished and cleaned when he showed it to us!" Dide added.
Iwai gave it a look as he could see his reflection on the item. "Huh--it's polished all right."
"So uh---" Kai soon asked awkwardly, "---How much do you think it'll go for?"
Iwai pondered as he looked at the medal, "Well, I'm not gonna ask any further how you found this or if you even found it the way you did---So I'll give you 30,000 yen for it." The boy's looked eager at this as Iwai quickly took notice of it, "Sound like a fair trade"
"Y-Yes it does!" Haruto replied, "We'll take it!"
He soon handed off the money as they handed him the medal. "Thank you so much Iwai-san!" Haruto said, "If there's anything you need from me, don't hesitate to ask!"
Iwai looked at the clock, noticing the time before he went and handed Haruto a paper bag. "Here take this---" He said to Haruto, "---Consider a thanks for selling me the medal."
Haruto took the paper bag as the boy's couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "What is---" Kai started to ask as he reached to open the bag before Iwai stopped him.
"Best not to look in the bag." Iwai said, before he asked Haruto, "Think you can bring it back the next time your here?"
"Of course." Haruto replied.
Just as Haruto said this, two men in suits soon entered the shop; they could feel a strong aura from them.
"Munehisa Iwai, yes?" The Stern Man said, "There are some matters we'd like to discuss with you today."
"... Go now." Iwai told them softly.
The boys looked hesitant before they started to make their way out of the store. Only Ren didn't seem to leave the store right away as he could hear them talking.
"Do you know why we're here?" The Stern Man asked.
"I dunno, lookin' for evidence? You tell me, Detective-san." Iwai said.
"Watch your attitude!" The Vulgar Detective shouted as he slammed his hands on the desk.
Iwai didn't seem phased, "Well you guys gonna search me? Go on, do what you gotta do."
The Vulgar Detective's eye twitched, "Excuse me?"
"An upstandin' citizen supposed to cooperate with the cops, right?" Iwai said.
The Stern Detective looked to his partner, "Hey, you sure we got the right lead."
"... I could've sworn it was." The Vulgar Detective said.
Hearing enough, Ren decided to take his leave. He stepped out the door where he met the others. "What the hell was that even about?" Kai asked.
"I'm not sure--" Ren said, "---Haruto-san, you sure he's not in some kind of trouble?"
"You mean those detectives?" Haruto said, "Don't worry, they always come by like that."
"But why---Did he do something?" Dide asked.
Haruto shook his head, "All Iwai-san told Kiku and I was that he was a different man way back then, but that was it."
"Then---" Kai said, "---What was in the bag?"
"Not sure---" Haruto said before he placed the paper bag in his backpack, "---But I told him I wouldn't look and Iwai-san has never steered me wrong before!"
Before he could zip it up, Dide immediately swiped it making Haruto shriek, "DUDE!"
"Hey, Whatever bad karmas in this bag--no thanks." Dide said before he opened the bag, "Now let's see what's in---OH MY GOD!!!"
Ren, Kai and Haruto looked over his shoulder and they were surprised to see that it was---
"A GUN!!" Dide shrieked in a panic.
"... Dide this is a model." Kai replied.
"I KNEW THAT!" Dide shouted still in a panic. "But Still! We're lucky we didn't get pulled over by the cops or they'll assume otherwise!"
"Are---You sure it's a model?" Ren asked, "It looks different from the one Ryuji had."
Haruto sighed, "Well---Whatever the case---" He soon took the bag from Dide and put it in his backpack, "---I told Iwai-san I'd return the next time I come by and that's what I'll do. So let's pretend we didn't see it."
"IT BOTHERS ME A LOT!!" Dide shouted.
"Knock it off someones gonna hear, idiot." Kai told him as he smacked his head, "Anyway---We got the money so let's head back already and tell Takamaki."
Haruto, Dide and Kai started to make their way to the streets to get back to the subway station. Just as they did, Ren turned back to the store as he pondered something.
"... Maybe I should ask Iwai more about it if I accompany either him or Kiku-san."
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-Children's Day-
The day came for the celebration of their victory over Kamoshida.
The group had been shocked to see how fancy the place had been. Not to mention---Everyone had been salivating at the buffet table they had. Needless to say since it was all you could eat---
---They each got one of everything. And now they were currently stuffing themselves with the food they had chosen. Even Kiku had been feeding Morgana the portion she had gotten.
"Mmm! So good…!" Ryuji said.
"This is delicious!" Kai said, "I can see why you chose this place Takamaki-san."
"Well, this is a famous hotel after all!" Ann said, "The lunch buffet here is a hot topic among my coworkers."
"From your modeling career?" Kiku asked. Ann nodded in reply.
"Wait, co workers?" Ren asked.
"Oh, I didn't tell you?" Ann said, "I do modeling work for magazines. Only once in a while though."
"That's our Lady Ann!" Morgana said as he had been peeking out of Kiku's second hand bag, "No wonder this restaurant has a celebrity atmosphere!"
"No kidding!" Haruto said.
"Oh stop that---" Ann said, "---I'm not a celebrity."
"That's not true, you look so amazing in your magazines!" Kiku said.
Ann smiled at this, "Still it's a great place, I wanted to try coming here once at least."
"10,000 apiece though I could see why we need 30,000." Ryuji said, "Well---29,000 since Inoue wanted to keep some of the money."
"Man it's been a LONG while since I've been to a place like this! It brings back memories!" Dide saud as he was enjoying some Wagyu pieces and Octopus arms. "Oh How I miss you, Wagyu and Octopus!" he took a piece of Clam and crab before eating it "And Crab and Clam too!"
"You really like Wagyu, don't you?" Kiku asked.
"Who doesn't?" Dide said as he had been in happy tears. "It's like eating Caviar or even black truffles! Once you have a taste, you can't eat anything else!"
"I can toast to that!" Ryuji said as he and Dide clinked glasses filled with soda.
"...And you're getting dramatic." Kai said as he rolled his eyes, "At least this food is better than what you cook."
"Oh shut it you!" Dide said. "Watch! The next time we're grocery shopping, best believe Wagyu added to the menu. Beef Bowls, Sandwiches and more! Octopus and crabs too!"
"That sounds yummy!" Haruto said.
"Oh I can't wait!" Morgana said with stars in his eyes.
"... Gross." Kai said.
"Are you not a fan of seafood Higuchi-kun?" Kiku asked.
"HOW CAN YOU NOT BE?!" Morgana exclaimed before he shushed by Ren.
"Nah, not really." Kai said, "Last time I ate those I got a SEVERE case of food poisoning. And that was at Dide's barbecue!"
"So that's why you don't like it when Dide cooks…" Haruto said.
"Yuuup." Kai said as he munched on his food.
"Hey! My cooking ain't terrible!" Dide said, "How was I supposed to know that guy sold me some expired seafood?! Now I look at the date carefully."
"Sure tell that to the burgers you made at that other barbecue." Kai said, "I ended up throwing up the second I took a bite."
"I told you!" Dide shouted, "My annoying neighbors kids decided to switch out my perfectly good hamburgers---With burnt ones!"
"What the heck warranted that prank?" Ann asked.
"Hell If i know." Dide said.
"Are you sure it's nothing to do with that trick or treating incident?" Ren asked.
"Trick or treating?" Ryuji and Ann said.
"I told you never to mention that!" Dide whispered to Ren.
"Dide, it's been years---" Ren said, "---And your neighbors tend to hold a grudge."
"Wait what happened during trick or treating?" Ann asked.
"Oh---" Kai soon started to explain, "---When they didn't give us candy Dide decided to---"
SMACK---Went Dide's hand on Kai's mouth. Dide immediately said, "...We made an oath to never recite what happened again."
"Dude I feel like you did commit murder." Ryuji said with a look.
"... You sure you're not a psycho killer?" Morgana asked.
Dide gave a look before he turned around and got a mask as he shouted "OOGA BOOGA BOOGA!"
"MRROW!" Morgana shrieked as his back arched, before he hopped in Kiku's arms, "WHY DO YOU DO THAT?!"
"Things you saw prompt me to do that." Dide said.
"Maybe we can tone it down?" Ren asked, "People can't know that we brought a cat here."
The teens looked over noticing one or two adults coming by; they immediately hid Morgana as they walked by. "By the way---" Ann said, "---How is your wound Kiku-chan?"
"It still hurts a little---" Kiku replied honestly, "---But it's not as bad as before."
"Just don't push yourself too hard, Kiku-chan." Morgana said, "You still have a while before you recover completely."
"I know Mo-chan, don't worry." Kiku said as she patted his head.
Ren's expression softened, recalling what had happened back in Kamoshida's castle. "Kiku-san…" Ren soon said, "... I'm sorry that you got hurt in the first place." Kiku looked at him shocked, "If I had known that we would carry injuries from that Palace… I would've protected you like I said I would."
"... Amamiya-kun…" Kiku said, stunned as she couldn't help but blush a little, "... It wasn't your fault. That injury was the result of my own choice. And I guarantee, I would've done it again if it meant I could protect all of you from his attack."
"Kiku-san--" Ren said, shocked.
"You don't have to do that, you know?" Ryuji said.
"Yeah! You're not alone in this!" Dide said. "We're in this together."
"For once I agree with this guy." Kai said as he flinched as he turned red. "D-DON'T GET THE WRONG IDEA, HE JUST SAID A SMART THING I CAN'T HELP BUT AGREE WITH!"
"They're all right." Haruto said, "You guys shouldn't do that to yourselves. Especially you Amamiya-san. We're all responsible for what happened, and we pushed through with punishing Kamoshida because he did something bad." He soon smiled, "Besides, he did confess to everything and he's cooperating with the police and everything, so I'd call it a win despite the risks!"
"Haruto my man!" Morgana said, "That's something I can toast to!" He soon showed off his paw, "If you know---I had thumbs."
"... Yeah---" Ann said, "---For what it's worth, we all made a difference. And I'm glad we tried when we did."
The group smiled at this before Ann noticed the time on her phone. "Oh shoot!" Ann exclaimed, "We already used up half the time!"
"WHAT?!" Most of the group shouted.
"WE GOTTA ROLL!" Kai shouted before he sped off to the buffet table.
"WAIT FOR ME!!" Ryuji shouted.
"Well n0 time like the present!" Dide said s he ran ahead.
"Come on Kiku-chan!" Ann said as she took her hand, "We gotta eat our way through the desert!"
"H-Huh?!" Kiku exclaimed nervously as she was dragged, "Ta-Takamaki-chan! I don't think I can eat that much!"
"Wait for me!" Ren exclaimed as he ran after them, putting Morgana in his bag while he was at it; the group hurried to the buffet bar, gathering as much food as they could before they returned to the table.
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-One Eating Session Later-
By the time they finished everything on their plate… They had entered a food coma. All of them had been slumped over on their chairs and groaning as if they were dying.
"Whew--" Dide said. "That was some seasoned fine wagyu and crab."
"... My stomach…Is about to explode…" Kai groaned.
"Don't forget about that octopus and clam--" Ryuji added. "Those were to die for."
"Yeah Makes me think of a new recipe.." Dide said.
"Don't." Kai said. "If you explain it, you're gonna make me hurl."
"...Don't talk… If you talk---" Haruto started to say before he turned green.
"... We ate… so much…" Kiku managed to say.
"Oooh…" Morgana groaned, "... I can't eat another bite…" He soon turned to a container, "... Then again…"
"... No Mo-chan…" Haruto said, "... That's for Shiro…"
"He's a growing dog--he can live.." Morgana said.
"No--Bad kitty." Dide said as he weakly bonked him.
Ren suddenly stood up which startled them. "I need the restroom!" Ren exclaimed as he was sweating. Before anyone knew it, he started to run off with---
"WAIT, I'M STILL IN YOUR BAG!!" Morgana shouted.
"OH CRAP ME TOO!" Ryuji shouted before he ran off, "WAIT FOR ME MAN!"
As the boys ran, the group couldn't help but have an odd look
"...Well then..." Dide said before he stood up suddenly and shouted, "I GOTTA GO BATTLE!"
"WHY ARE YOU WORDING IT LIKE THAT WEIRDO!?" Kai shouted before he flinched, "Crap---I GOTTA GO!"
Kai and Dide took off running after Ren, Ryuji and Morgana as it left the rest befuddled, "... Well that was weird…" Was all Haruto could comment on.
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The boys looked relieved as they stepped out of the bathroom. They couldn't help but feel relieved as they sighed in relaxation.
"Whew---Made the Buzzer beater.." Dide said with a sigh.
"Don't---Word it like that please." Kai said.
"Not gonna lie, I actually thought I was gonna die…" Ryuji said.
"... Ditto." Ren added, "It didn't help that the bathrooms were out of order on our floor."
"Yeah, who knew they would be out of service because someone had a bad case of sushi burritos." Dide said, "Thank God this was open."
"I don't know how you knew that." Kai said.
"Don't ask." Dide said with a traumatized look.
"Seriously, have you been in a war?" Ryuji asked. He soon looked at the buttons and the floor plan. "Okay---What floor was the restaurant on again?"
"We had to use the elevator to get up here right?" Ren asked as he looked to the directory sign, "So the restaurant should be---"
Before Ren could finish---He was suddenly shoved out of the way along with the others, making them stumble. "What the fuck!?" Kai exclaimed.
They noticed that a couple of men in suits had been the ones to shove them out of the way. The one in particular stood out more then the rest. He had been a tall bald man with a small black goatee. He wore a business suit and a pair of orange-tinted square glasses.
"There's still no update on the case?" The Distinguished Man asked.
"N-Not yet." The Haughty Subordinate said, "Excuse me, but why are you so involved? It's not something you should be concerned with…"
"I don't care about your opinion, you incompetent buffoon!" The Distinguished Man stated, "When I say pick up the pace you do it!"
"Hey!" Ryuji said getting their attention, "You're cuttin' in line!"
"Yeah Asshole, Ever heard of 'excuse me'" Dide asked.
"What do you want?" The Haughty Subordinate asked.
"We were here first if you don't mind." Ren said.
"Yeah, so you mind moving your sorry ass?" Kai asked.
"Excuse me, but we're in a hurry." The Haughty Subordinate said.
"Oh I'm sorry!" Ryuji said, "So you can butt in front of other people if you're in a hurry?"
The Distinguished Man took notice of them, "It seems the customer base has changed since I was here last. Have they started a daycare?"
"DAYCARE?!" Dide shouted. "DAYCARE?!"
"DO WE LOOK FIVE TO YOU?!" Kai yelled.
"Sir---" The Haughty Subordinate said, "---We don't have time for this."
"I know." The Distinguished Man said.
"Hey you don't get to---" Kai started to say before he was shoved back startling the boys.
"Don't bother with them." The Distinguished Man said.
Ren had been watching the man closely; he wasn't sure why… But the voice sounded familiar. His head started to throb as he thought about it, as mentally it seemed to bring back to the night where everything had changed for him. He didn't seem to realize that the man left with his subordinates.
"What the fuck is with that guy?!" Kai shouted.
"Yeah, seriously!" Ryuji said, "What is his problem!?"
"... Shouldn't we head back down?" Morgana asked.
"Yeah---" Ryuji said before he pressed the button forcibly, "---That dick really pissed me off! He wasn't even hidin' the fact that he looks down on everyone!"
"I know right?!" Dide said in a huff, "Geez, I can't stand dudes like im, right Ren?"
He soon noticed the way Ren looked as did the others. "Ren?" Dide asked worryingly.
"Are you okay?" Kai asked.
"Y-Yeah…" Ren replied, "... J-Just a bit lightheaded…"
"Ya sure you're feeling alright?" Ryuji asked.
"He almost never eats well---" Morgana said, "---Plus I'm always stuck eating canned cat food…"
Ryuji soon patted his back, "Let's hurry and back to the others, you could use a sit down."
"Yeah… Thanks." Ren said.
"Maybe some desert can cheer you up." Dide said.
An elevator soon opened before they each stepped inside of it.
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Kiku took a bathroom break herself as she looked relieved. Thankfully the restroom for the ladies hadn't been closed like the men's room. "Whew, that was a life saver…" Kiku said as she fixed her hair a little, "...I can't remember the last time I ate like that. I should hurry back to the table, maybe save a little cake for Shiro."
Kiku turned the corner and went to the table just past the elevators. Just as she did… She noticed the Distinguished Man walk out.
She couldn't help but gasp at the sight of him before she immediately hid herself out of his view.
She watched as the man walked with his subordinates.
"I want you to get it done, and I don't care how you do it, just make it fast." The Distinguished Man said.
"Ye-yes sir." The Haughty Subordinate said.
Kiku took the opportunity to get back to the table as their backs were turned. As she did, she covered her face with her hand praying that the man didn't see her.
Little did she know… The Distinguished Man did indeed spot her. He had a raised eyebrow before he gave a look.
"That girl…"
"Shido-san? Is there something wrong?" One of his other subordinates asked.
The Distinguished Man---Shido said nothing at first as he looked in the direction Kiku had gone. "... No, it's nothing." Shido said before he and his subordinates left the hotel.
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The boys returned to the table soon after their trips to the restroom. Though when they returned to the table---They noticed Ann had been in lesser spirits.
"What took you guys so long!?" She said in a somewhat aggressive tone.
"Hey, whoa---" Ryuji said, "---Why are you all pissy?"
Ann sighed as to calm herself down, "Sorry, I had a run-in with some woman a second ago."
"What happened?" Kai asked as he sat next to her.
"Well, the woman ran right into Takamaki-san---" Haruto said, "---But she somehow spun it and said it was her fault when she dropped her plate of food."
"What?!" Most of them exclaimed.
"Sounds like a real bitch." Ryuji said.
"I'll say." Dide said.
Kai growled as he said "Where is she?"
"It's okay--" Ann reassured. "--She's not around anymore. Though… Thanks."
Kai immediately turned red before he turned his head making Ren smile and Ryuji snicker a little while Dide shook his head. Kiku soon returned to the table as she sat herself on the chair provided.
"Safe…!" She said relieved.
"Kiku-san?" Ren said, noticing her expression, "Is everything okay?"
"Hm?" Kiku said before she immediately said, "O-Oh, I'm fine! I just uh--Almost became a part of a nasty cat fight in the ladies room! Had to uh---Get out of dodge!"
"... At least you didn't get any looks." Ann said, "When I bumped into the woman, everyone, even the workers looked at Haruto and me, with this---Disapproving expression." She sighed as she slumped in her chair, "... I wonder if we're out of place here."
The boys soon sat down as they thought about this.
"I get how it can feel like that." Dide said, "Believe you me, I felt like that too back when I was working in show business. There are roles that I really wanted but some just reject me because I'm a foreigner."
"... And us!" Haruto said, "Kiku and I were on the streets for months and we felt out of place all the time!"
Ryuji seemed to ponder something before he turned to Morgana, "Hey---Can anyone have a Palace, like Kamoshida?"
The group looked befuddled by this before Morgana answered, "Anyone with a strong distorted desire can."
"Same for them having a change of heart if their Treasure gets stolen?" He asked.
Morgana nodded, "Yes, that would be the case."
"Sakamoto---?" Ren soon said, "---Where is this going?"
"Yeah, why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?" Ann asked.
"Earlier we had trouble too." Ryuji said, "These selfish shitheads who just looked down on everyone else… I was just wonderin' if… We'd be able to change those kinds of people too."
The group this time looked stunned at this.
"You want us---to continue as the Phantom Thieves?" Kai asked.
"Think about it---" Ryuji soon said, "---We put a lot of work into changing Kamoshida's heart, but nobody believes in the Phantom Thieves. Plus those guys who had no other choice but to just deal with are thanking us. Us! Of all people!"
"What do you mean thanking us?" Ren asked, "How do you know that?"
"Through this!" Ryuji said before he pulled out his phone.
The group looked over as they saw a web browser on his phone. It read---
"Phan-Site?" Kiku said.
"I found it just last night." Ryuji said, "Apparently all sorts of people have logged on here, and are sending us thanks messages all over the message board!"
"Someone---Made this website for us?" Kai asked, stunned.
"Huh, is that right?" Dide said as he browsed through it. "Woah! There's even fanart of us! Though it's not accurate."
Kai soon snickered, "Jesus, look at how they made you Dide!"
They looked to the fanart in particular before they noticed---Someone drew Dide as a Power Ranger.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Dide exclaimed. "Does anyone even watch Super Sentai or Kamen Rider?!""
"What's---A Power Ranger?" Ann asked.
"I think it's that show in America that's like Kamen Rider." Kiku said as she pondered on this.
"Correction: Power Rangers is the American counterpart to Super Sentai." Dide said as he said "Not that it's doing so well there either compared to here."
"I know right? They just copy and paste elements from the first season!" Haruto said. "It's not like they're trying anymore compared to the other seasons before Samurai! At Least with Kamen Rider they're creative with their seasons, even Super Sentai in its 40th Anniversary!"
Dide gasped as his eyes sparkled, "You're a fan of Kamen Rider too?!"
"Well yeah---I used to watch them all the time at the children's home with Kiku." Haruto said.
"It's true." Kiku said with an awkward smile, "If we had the money for it, we would've gone to the fan meetups."
"Great…" Kai said as he rolled his eyes, "... Another nerd."
Dide soon shook his hand as he said, "it's an honor to meet another fan!"
"... You and I are besties now." Haruto soon said as his eyes sparkled.
"SERIOUSLY, WHAT'S WITH THIS CORNY SHOUJO CRAP YOU'RE PULLING?!" Kai shouted.
"Well I'm surprised that's the style since no one knows what we look like." Morgana said, "Still---Continuing as Phantom Thieves…" He soon turned to the others, "... What do you all think?"
"... I think---" Kiku soon said, "---It's a good idea. If they're more people that are suffering like the victims with Kamoshida… Then we can help them by changing their hearts."
"I agree!" Haruto said, "They're more and more people suffering in silence and we can't just sit by and do nothing."
"I… Feel the same way." Ann said, "If we'd ignore people in trouble… I'd go back to being the same as I was before."
"Yeah, In a typical fashion of Kamen Riders." Dide said. "We can't just back out and not help people who can't help themselves." he smiled as he said "I'd say we go all in and help people!"
"I don't get any of it, but I agree with Dide's sentiment!" Morgana said.
"But---" Ann said, "---Wouldn't that mean we would have to fight Shadows again? Kiku-chan almost died from the Shadow Kamoshida."
"Indeed, that can't be avoided. As for Kiku's situation, we'll just have to be more careful with stuff like that from now on." Morgana said, "And some training couldn't hurt either."
"Well how about that? We're on the same page!" Ryuji said.
"How about you Amamiya-kun?" Kiku soon said as Ren flinched, "What do you think?"
Ren pondered on this himself before he replied with a smile, "... I think---As long as we're together, there's nothing we can't accomplish."
"Then this is official!" Morgana said, "Even if you're just fledglings, this means we're an actual organization now!"
"Fledglings?" Ann said, as she smiled, "That's actually pretty fitting isn't it?"
"Fledglings----" Haruto said, "---I like it!"
"ALRIGHT!!" Ryuji cheered.
"WHOO, LET'S FUCKING GO!!" Dide cheered.
"Hey don't get your hopes up!" Morgana said, "We gotta lay low for awhile, plus Kiku still needs to heal her wounds. And if we're really doing this, we gotta figure out a way to get new targets!"
"Hey!" Kiku soon said, "We should come up with a group name, so the next we have to send a Calling Card, we can add it!"
"A group name huh---" Kai said, "---But what would it be?"
"Yeah, it's gotta be---mysterious yet cool at the same time." Dide said.
"Mysterious and Cool?" Haruto said.
"You spend WAY too much time on that Sentai stuff." Kai said.
"No, I'm being for real." Dide said. "For a group like us, we gotta have a name that everyone will know but not know at the same time. Anonymous but not anonymous at the same time, you feel me."
"Huh--that actually makes sense." Ann said.
Ren soon pondered before it clicked, "... What about---The Phantoms?"
"The Phantoms---" Kiku soon enunciated as she wrote it down from a notepad she got from her carrier bag she had, "---Where we steal Hearts from the shadows from all that torment."
"Wait---That's it?" Ryuji asked.
"... I actually like that---" Kai said, "---Simple yet effective."
"See THAT'S mysterious and cool!" Dide said before he stood, "I say this calls---For a after-party celebration!!" He soon raised his fist, "Who's with me?!"
The group seemed to resonate Dide's excitement before they cheered, "YAY!!"
"... Yay." Kai cheered nonchalantly.
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They had soon left the hotel and had gone to the closest arcade available to them in Shibuya. They started competing in various arcade games. Some of them Kai won, some of them Dide won, some even Ryuji won, and on rare occasions had was a tie.
Kiku and Ann even spotted cute little plushies and attempted to win though they ended up losing.
Ren soon played the game before he won the plushies for them which made the girls happy.
It hadn't been long before they started to call a night they went to the station to go their separate ways. "You know---" Kiku said as she hugged the plush, "---Despite the hectic day this was really fun."
"I'll say!" Haruto said as he had his own large plushie of a bear, "I won this on the first try!"
"How you even did that, I'll never know." Ryuji said.
"Be honest, did you cheat?" Kai asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Haruto said with a smug smile.
"W-Well It is luck-based--" Dide said with a twitch. "N-No tricks whatsoever."
"You guys are being so silly." Ann said.
"I'll say, you're acting like a bunch of little kids." Morgana added.
Dide only gave one look to Morgana---Before he broke out a mask. "OOGA BOOGA BOOGA!" He shouted, making Morgana screech as he arched his back. He soon hopped on Ryuji's face, making him shriek.
"OW, OW, OW, OW, OW, OW!!!" Ryuji shrieked as he ran back and forth.
"Oh---" Ann soon said, "---That reminds me. It's kind of weird that we're calling each other by our last names but not Kiku-chan and Haruto-kun isn't it?"
The group looked to them as Kiku and Haruto both flinched. "I---Think it's fine considering their previous situation." Ren said.
"Nope, that won't do!" Ann said with a smile, "From this point onwards--We should start referring to each other by our first names, so this way Kiku-chan and Haruto-kun aren't the odd ones out!"
Kai was the only one that turned red, "O-O-O-Our first names?! But---Is that really okay?!"
"Of course." She said, "After All… We're friends now, aren't we?"
Each of them had looked to each other, processing the information. Though Ren was the first to speak up, "Yeah… You got it Ann-san."
Ann nodded approvingly at this as she still had her smile, "Great to work with you--Ren-san." She soon turned to Kiku, "And you too Kiku-chan."
Kiku looked a bit nervous yet she still had an awkward smile, "Y-Yeah! Same to you---Ann-chan!"
Kai only shook before he said with a blushing face, "I-I-I-I-I'm happy to wo-wo-wo-work with you too---Ann-san!"
Ann patted his shoulder as he froze, "There's no need to be so nervous--Kai-kun."
Kai at that point had been steaming as Ryuji couldn't help but laugh, "Talk about pot, meet kettle huh?"
"S-H-S-HUT UP RYUJI!!" Kai shouted as his face was still red, "I'M NOT NERVOUS!!"
"Hey, you got it on the first try!" Ryuji said as he put his arm around his shoulders, "Good on you Kai!"
"S-see." Dide said. "Y-you guys c-can do it. Watch!" He turned as he said "L-looking fo-forward to it, A-Ann."
"OH LOOK WHO'S TALKING MISTER FORMER CELEB!" Kai exclaimed.
Ann only smiled as she shook Dide's hand. "Don't be nervous, Dide-kun! I mean from one teen model to a teen star, I'd say we're practically siblings in a way."
Dide couldn't help but cry happy tears at this; he took her hands earning a glare from Kai and Morgana, "THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SYMPATHY ANN-SAN!!"
"DON'T TOUCH HER SO CASUALLY!!" Kai shouted as he pulled him off.
"HOW DARE YOU RUFFIAN!!" Morgana shouted as scratched Dide's cheek making him shriek.
"OW! STUPID CAT!" Dide exclaimed before he got the mask again as he shouted "OOGA BOOGA BOOGA!"
"MRROW!!" Morgana shrieked before out instinct---
---He latched on Dide's face.
"EH?! WHY MY FACE?!!" Dide exclaimed as he shouted "OFF! OFF!"
The group watched awkwardly as Dide ran back and forth trying to get him off. Haruto had been the only one to speak up as he shook his head, "... Man Dide-san… You really don't have the touch when it comes to cats.."
"I AM NOT A CAT!" Morgana yelled before Dide fell over as he was still stuck to his face.
"WHY WON'T YOU COME OFF?!" Was all Dide could shout as the group watched awkwardly at this, while other bystanders couldn't help but record at what was unfolding.