Grand Finale

This story had been gone for awhile and in that time my original idea and plan for this story slipped away and when I came back to re-upload I realized this story just isn't what I had set out to make originally so, this WILL be the final chapter of this story. If you enjoyed the original chapter I'm trying to get back to the original drive and purpose I had so I would greatly appreciate if you'd spare a glance at the other stories I'll be releasing soon. Maybe you'll even find something you like.

Well this was a fine mess. How could this even have happened. It all started out so simple. This was a nice trip to meet back up with friends and start the next chapter of our lives. Yet, here I am in nearly the exact same predicament as I was in so long ago. A criminal under close scrutiny of an investigator willing to dispose of me. Some may call it an exaggeration but, they aren't sitting in my seat or the one next to me; at least that one is being filled by an ally.

That is certainly a description of what was occurring at LeBlanc though, many are willing to take the realists approach and realize the truth is that karma has decided to punish the denseness of a charismatic young man who's luck has run out. If one could go back in time they would see a poor turn of events that turned a peaceful and insightful bonding moment between parents and a young couple into a hectic and chaotic witch hunt that was arguably destined to erupt. It's much to difficult to explain so we'll merely have to view it ourselves.

On a fine morning a couple had met up plenty early before their executioners arrived to deliver the final verdict. Akira had given Sadayo coffee, curry, and all the reassurance a young man can give. It was a bit before when Sojiro arrives to prepare for the day which would be followed by Akira's parent's arrival. They had given a limited degree of approval but, it was obvious this discussion would lend more finality to the condition of both their relationship and Akira's future. This was a serious time for answers and acceptance, whether they'd be accepting the end or a new beginning was the most terrifying part of it all.

They'd gotten pretty comfortable snuggled up in a booth saying sweet reassuring words and cheesy phrases from the rom-coms they would rent from Scarlet. It was the peak of ecstasy in their relationship so far, it was hard to imagine in that moment, in just a few short hours it would come crashing down in flames around them. Sojiro's arrival was the first time the reverie would be broken. The handle clicked, the bell chimed, and a grumpy, not-as-old-as-he-looks, man walked in. He gazed at the couple who had turned to stare at him. "I love you kid but, I won't endure your parents like that again". He looked defeated a true shell of a man, "I'm pretty sure that's the only time your old man has actually been mad at me. How they figured out I knew is beyond me". A hand dragged down his face and depressing sigh escaped him. He went behind the counter and took solace in his only comfort, beans, his beans, the sweet beans that wouldn't ask him to give up his will just to get cozy with some woman; true friends.

Choosing to ignore their destitute savior the couple went right back into their lovey-dovey state to bask in the sheer joy of young love. Though the trembling Earth, drop in temperature, yet sweating all the same was a dead give away that their trial was soon to begin.

And begin it did. Koharu was not one to hide her love for her family so now that the time had truly arrived to pass her holy judgement upon this new sinner she took to the opportunity with a fierce grace only a mother could summon; and Riku was there. The door burst forth and in place of the bell's toll the couple swore the heard the trumpets sound marking that the fated day was upon them.

They sat in a booth. The parents on one side facing down the defendants who were gripping to each other for fear that if they were to let go, they may never join together once more. Oddly enough now that Morgana had let Akira actually live his own life and make his own choices and suffer the consequences, the cat was nowhere to be found. Sojiro who had been witness to every step of Akira's life since their meeting and pseudo-adoption was going to bear witness to this moment just the same.

Riku sat across from his boy and Koharu sat before this minx. To the surprise of all present Riku began the debate. "Well son, I must say I don't think I've ever been more proud. We're ecstatic to see you so happy". It was a shock a complete subversion of expectations Riku was laughing and his wife had such a coy look on her face.

"We told you last night that we didn't think Sadayo was bad we hadn't outright approved anything but, me and your father had spoken with Sojiro throughout most of last night and heard about how you two have helped each other so much. It honestly reminded us so much of ourselves back in the day but, we didn't have the hurdles you face so, were here to help you with your relationship moving forward. Me and your father... we had made some rushed decisions when we were young and we want to help ease your burden and help talk you guys through it". Leave it to Koharu to drop bombs with a smile hidden behind her hand.

"What do you mean talk us through it?", a solid question from the stunned boy.

".." Sadayo would have said something but, her mortification still had some time left before it wore off.

"Every couple will have to make big decisions and we want you two to think about those choices earlier unlike we did and we will offer advice from our experiences". Ever benevolent the matriarch offered up a response.

"What kind of choices...?" The boy had an idea but with his preoccupation of the here and now his ideas of the future weren't fully formed. Sadayo however had been long pondering over these questions and picked up on the idea very quickly almost as quickly as she became a red faced mess.

"I...I would appreciate your help", simple thanks from the teacher.

"Akira are you serious about this relationship?" Koharu had leaned over to her son a serious look on her face now and Riku had become stoic. This was the real purpose of today they were actually their to question their son.

The boy however was not one to have his integrity so easily challenged, in not even a moment he had his response, his truth, "Of course, without a single doubt". His speed was stunning but, gratifying to Sadayo and she remembered how every day he finds a way to have her fall in love with him all over again; it's silly and makes her feel like some school girl but, with him it's a pride of hers that she can find new things to love. A stark contrast to her lonely days prior to him.

Sadayo may have been the only one stunned but, all of Akira's parents, coffee man included, were proud of the young man. They all saw how little of the meek and timid boy was left from early in his probation. "A quick answer; an honest answer. I'm proud", the bean man had to get his two cents in. Everyone gave a lighthearted chuckle and basked in the pure nature of the exclamation.

It would have been at this point that they would all discuss the finer points of advancing ones relationship and the responsibilities that entailed but, four angered young women were determined to stop exactly that. The chuckling stopped and the air froze one could feel the loathing fill the air and choke the occupants of the small cafe. It had arrived. Judgment; the thing feared by all intelligent creatures but, mostly this couple, would be delivered today however not in the way any had expected. Judgment would arrive on eight pairs of legs (actually 12 legs but, Morgana was being carried since his interrogation had left him drained and scarred) four young girls had opened the like all those before them and did the impossible they pierced the tension caused by their very existence in this space. These girls would actually bring damnation.

"Good evening everyone" It was the one in front, Haru, who spoke first not in the sickly sweet manner she normally used but pure business. The girl always hid her darker emotions behind barely feigned innocence but, not to see her showing no emotion at all was utterly terrifying.

Stepping up next to her was Futaba. She was holding Morgana in her arms. That's a stretch however he was actually draped over her like a cloth over a butler's arm and one could visibly see his ethereal form leave his body as it struggled to return safety with his creator and father. "Toddles" she had grabbed hold of Morgana's paw and made it wave to everyone a sickening gesture. To desecrate a corpse in such a manner an action fit for such a madman.

The two girls pulled up the chairs from the bar on the far side of the restaurant from the door and faced the booth that the Kurusu family and Sadayo sat at. Next up were the two taller girls. The kohai jumped at the opportunity to address them "Hey guys!", she was using that terrible voiced she had when she 'acted' this time it was horrifyingly obvious to everyone that she was faking her bubbly nature. It forced one to think what monster was pretending to be this vibrant young girl.

To wrap it all up the two girls sat and Makoto faced her audience "Well isn't this a funny coincidence. Imagine running into you here Ms. Kawakami of all the places for a teacher to be during a break we find you here at the home of our dear friends mere days after his return", she turns to look at Riku and Koharu a dead look in her eyes "And if you could believe it your even chatting with his parents ad judging by the way you cling to him I can assume it's not about grades" she scoffs and shakes her head "What ever are we to believe?" her attempt at playing the fool is betrayed by her light trembling and utter lack of any emotion in her eyes. This would be a massacre lacking any violence.

In that moment the prey realized they wouldn't escape this. Akira moved to put, himself between Sadayo and the girls and Riku hid behind Koharu who steeled her will and prepared her rocky defenses.

Then it all shattered the tension in the air didn't disappear but, it was obvious hell was going to rain down. All four of the girls gave different reactions Futaba had tears in her eyes and leaned over into Makoto's shoulder to sob while Makoto held her and said calming soothing phrases while glaring daggers at Akira. Ann had jolted up and was angrily tearful grabbing onto the neck of Akira's shirt and shaking him whilst accusing both him and Kawakami of betraying her to Haru's lack of reaction since she was apathetic to it all.

Sadayo was actually the first to move grabbing Ann and pulling her into an embrace "I'm sorry Takamaki-san" the younger girl returned the hug and sobbed a little harder repeating incoherent mumbles. The others set into motion Sojiro had come in front of Futaba and soothed her in Makoto's place and the older Kurusus' had tried to break Haru from her trance. This meant Akira was left to stare down Makoto who, was very unhappy, and not really willing to talk to him. He began to speak but, she turned her head and refused to look at him.

"Makoto, I have to know what your feeling to understand you. I need you talk to me so we can work through this". This was met with a pout and another turned head.

"I have nothing to say to you philanderer" her pout took a more adorable look "I love you Akira. Could you really never see that?", the question was fair there was no doubt of that.

Akira's face dropped a bit and a spot on the floor suddenly became very interesting he thought for awhile then looked in her eyes, "I think I kinda always had an idea about all of your feelings about me but, I was so consumed by everything and distracted I never really addressed it".

"Why? Why Kawakami then? I wanna know how I lost to someone I never knew I was competing with"

"My time with Kawakami wasn't filled with things that had to be done or duties that distracted me. The time I spent with her was just me and her the outside world couldn't affect us and due to that I realized my feelings for her and I'm pretty sure that's what happened for her too."

Makoto put her head in her hands and sobbed "I-I-It's so p-pure how can I compete with that".

"It's not a competition Makoto your a fine women but, I'm with Sadayo and I plan on staying with her. You have so much life ahead of you you'll find some you love even more I'm sure of it".

"What if I don't".

"Your sister isn't in a relationship and she's happy just to be with you. You'll find your perfect someone I promise".

"I already did".

"I'm sorry Makoto I don't want to hurt you but, I won't leave Sadayo either".

"Good she deserves this, she deserves you. Don't worry I'll lean to handle this, it won't go away but, I think it'll fade", Makoto was hurt but is there any better answer in these situations. He wouldn't abandon Sadayo but, he didn't want to hurt his friends. Truly the ultimate plight of a world saving hero.

He hugged her and she chuckled in a sad somber way but, what else is he to do here. He looked to his side and saw Sojiro consoling Futaba. The coffee man looked up sadly but, he knew this situation all to well since, back in his day... hoo boy. "Look I'll let you two hash this out", and he stepped back.

"Futaba could you look at me?", no response. "Futaba I know you hurt but, we gotta get through this. No more running away right?".

The girls orange locks fell away revealing her teary eyes, "I know but, it's so hard. I've never had any experience with love before this so, I really don't wanna let it go".

"I know you don't want to hear but, I've always seen you as a younger sister. You should wait for some one who can see you as the smart women you are; someone who deserves you". He patted her on the head and she lightened up a bit.

"Yeah I think I can take solace in the little sister role at least then I'll always be close, right?"

"Right", she wasn't 100% but, she would be in time. For now he had Ann actively sobbing in Sadayo's arms.

Sadayo pulled the girl away from her a little bit and looked at her "Takamaki-san can you talk to me?"

The girl swallowed her tears and with a shaky breathed answered,"Yeah I can manage". They sat down with Ann in her bar stool close to Sadayo's spot on the bench. Akira had come up and squatted down to be around their head height.

"I'm sorry for accusing you Ms. Kawakami. That was uncalled for and I just wanted to say something mean. I had accepted you guys when I heard from Morgana that you were the one with him. I mean how could I miss all those looks you give each other in class but, when I got here and saw you both all the feelings just came back. I'm supposed to be stronger than this so, from this point on I'm gonna support you guys with everything I got". The promise was so innocent it made Sadayo giggle. She has never had love support before.

Rather happy Ann was as strong willed as she was Akira left to help his parents calm(?) Haru. Riku was shocked he'd never seen anything like this she was completely catatonic not even responding the the motherly caresses Koharu administered. When Akira walked over his mothered turned to him with a stern look.

"I don't know what you did to this girl but, you better fix her", she humphed and crossed her arms as she sat down at a stool; no one has ever withstood her motherly embrace and she was a little upset. Akira scratched the back of his head and chuckled in awkwardness as any good main character should.

He got right in Haru's face looking right in her eyes and waved his hand in front of her face. Her eyes shut quickly and a sigh escaped her, "It's just my luck with men a scumbag and someone who's already taken". She shook her head and looked at him "Don't worry. I'm pretty sure Mom is more upset than I am. It's not your fault I fell in love with you and it's not your fault you found love with someone else first so, it's not your duty to comfort me. I may not look it but, I'm rather durable. I'll live but, I appreciate you attempt".

So, that's how it all came to a beginning and an end. Curry was ate, coffee was drank, and merry was made alongside plenty of jokes at the expense of the couple at the center of it all. Then it dawned on Akira, "Guys wheres Morgana?", the party came to a halt and everyone realized the feline fiend was indeed missing.

Ann spoke up to assuage their worries, "He's doing Morgana stuff. Probably snatching sushi from some shop or something". A chuckle arose and the party continued on.

Unbeknownst to those below the cat was upstairs stewing in a maelstrom and miasma of resentment for his 'owner'. Have my Lady Ann fall in love with you, fawning over you, then turn her down. This must be his revenge for all the nights I made him go to bed early. You won't pull a fast one on me though.

And that's it I wanna apologize to everyone for the almost year long hiatus and thank everyone who stuck around I'll have more stuff soon for other stories for real this time. I'm gonna have some stuff that I actually have a plan for and have been sitting on for awhile over the year I was gone I like to think I developed and that it can be seen in my writing the original relied heavily on shock and dialogue where as the last parts where comedic in circumstance and the actual writing it's self. A review would be greatly appreciated I wanna here what you thought about the whole series and about this chapter versus the first I will read them and I will take the advice seriously going forward. I hope you'll stick around with me and watch as my stories and skills grow.

Dear Reader,

I've loved the opportunity to be here on the journey with you and I great appreciate every single one of you who has followed, faved, or reviewed.

Till Next Time, Your's Truly, With Love, illwrit'emall!