"A Reversed Fool for Justice"
I - the FOOL (part 1)
The park was empty at this time of day. Children had already gone home, holding hands with their mothers and fathers when they had come to pick them up, after so long of playing out on the monkey bars and slides. The sun had begun to dip down, tinting the sky orange. Yet in spite of this, a single child was still here, resting his back against the fake rock that sat in the middle of the sandbox. His hair was a frizzy mess of black, and his light eyes were narrowed and forlorn, marred with a sense of dismay as he lowered his head into his arms, chest up at his knees.
Unlike the rest of the children that were present, he came to the park alone. He left his house without informing his parents, not that they would've listened anyway, as they were in the middle of yet another argument. This had been going on for months. They would even argue about the littlest of things.
He didn't understand why they argued. Especially every day. He once asked if everything was okay, but his parents just told him to stay out of it...so he did. If even the slightest indication of them about to argue was going to present himself, he would be away from it as fast and as far away as possible. There were a few days when the arguing was really bad, enough so that he had to shut his ears. The park was the only place he could go that was quiet and far away from his parents, yet not far enough that he would be late or missing enough for his parents to go searching. Last thing he needed was them high strung enough...and be on the receiving end of the yelling.
The children who came here played with him sometimes, but they always left, leaving him alone...not that he cared. He was...used to it by now. All he could do was just shoulder on. Besides, he wouldn't necessarily be alone forever. Maybe somewhere along the line...
"...you really like to come here a lot, don't you?"
The boy raised his head and turned to face the source of the voice. It was a young boy around his age, maybe a year older. He had brown hair that fell down to his neck and reddish brown eyes. He was dressed in a simple pair of shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers.
"H-huh?" the boy fumbled with his reaction before realizing that the boy was speaking to him. He paused, trying to think of a way to answer. "I...like to come here. It's quiet."
The older boy tilted his head. "Even though you're all alone here?" he asked, gesturing to the empty park. "I mean, unless there's someone hiding in one of the tractor wheels, there's no one here."
"You're here," the black-haired boy replied. The brown-haired boy blinked, not expecting that, but then a small laugh came from his mouth. "W-what? What did I say?"
"Nothing at all," the brunette said before smiling. "Although, if that's your way of asking if you want to play...I'd hate to see what your idea of asking for something is."
"Hey. I was just stating a fact." The boy poured. But it soon faded and an inquiring expression. "But...do you really wanna play?"
The brunette nodded. "Yep," he answered, smiling. "Truth be told, its...kind of lonely here, even though I mostly come here to think."
"Yeah. I feel the same way." The raven haired youth nodded. "I mostly come here to get out of the house. My parents...have been fighting a lot lately."
The brunette nodded in understanding. While he didn't share the same family situation, he knew that his life at home was...less than pleasing. Still, perhaps that's maybe why he seemed to be so attractive. In a way, they shared some sort of trouble. After an exchange, the two children began to play. Surprisingly, the two children hit it off quite well. They enjoyed the games they played with one another such as tag or hide and seek. Before they knew it, it had gotten late into the afternoon. The sun was now halfway down into the horizon, and the streets were becoming more and more dark. Eventually, the boys were forced to part, though as it turned out, the paths to their house were the same.
"I really had a lot of fun today," the brunette said, his face lit with joy. "We have to do this again sometime!"
The frizzy-haired child nodded strongly in agreement. "Yeah!" he agreed. However, he then recalled something, and his face fell. "Oh...b-but my parents and I are moving away soon. Actually...its what they were arguing about today."
"You don't say? Unfortunately, me and my mother are moving away as well," the older boy said, though at the mention of his mother, he cringed. "She's...really been tired lately. I think something's bothering her, but she won't tell me what."
"What about your dad?"
"I don't have one...he ran out on us years ago. I think that's part of the reason why people don't like my mom."
"But why? It's not like she did anything wrong." The boy argued. "It is your dads fault for leaving her."
The brunette tilted his head, holding his chin. "Hm...you may have a point," he said, though he still looked troubled. "Then again, I suppose some people just...didn't like how my mom and he fell in together. Still, a shame...I was hoping we could see each other again!"
"Me too. I had a lot of fun today."
The boy nodded in agreement. Soon, they reached the intersection, which lead to their houses. "Oh!" the frizzy haired boy said, now realizing something. "I'm Akira! What's your name?"
"Oh yeah, we never introduced ourselves," the brunette chuckled. "My name's..."
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PhantomOfTheOpera HAS JOINED THE CHATROOM
SuperDetective: XD Wow, really Akira? That's what your username is?
PhantomOfTheOpera: speak for yourself :/ superdetective really how creative can you be
SuperDetective: Hey! Don't knock it! :p Joking aside, I'm happy you accepted my invite! Actually, I'm surprised you got online! You made it seem like your parents don't let you have much freedom.
PhantomOfTheOpera: my dad lets me use his laptop sometimes tho i dont use it often to be honest ive barely used this thing before
SuperDetective: That explains the lack of grammar! XD Let me guess, you pay little to no attention in class?
PhantomOfTheOpera: -_-
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PhantomOfTheOpera: Thanks for teaching me how to type, Goro! It really helped! My teacher was also impressed by my grammar!
SuperDetective: Well, I try~ After all, what are friends for?
SuperDetective: ...hey, Akira? You there?
PhantomOfTheOpera: youreallythinkwerefriends?
SuperDetective: First off, its written, 'you really think we're friends,' and secondly, of course I do! In fact...I think you're my first friend!
PhantomOfTheOpera: Yeah...me too.
SuperDetective: Eh?
PhantomOfTheOpera: To tell you the truth...I don't like hanging around other kids much. Mostly because the way they argue reminds me too much of my parents.
SuperDetective: I see...well, guess what, Akira? We're friends now!
PhantomOfTheOpera: :)
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PhantomOfTheOpera: yourleaving
SuperDetective: 'you're leaving,' Akira. And yes...I am.
PhantomOfTheOpera: Why?! I thought you said you wouldn't go until the end of the month!
SuperDetective: ...my mom committed suicide the other day.
SuperDetective: I'm living with some relatives for now, but...it seems like I'll be going to a foster home. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier.
PhantomOfTheOpera: ...what does suicide mean?
SuperDetective: It means she killed herself. I don't know why she did it. Someone told me it was because she was too ashamed.
PhantomOfTheOpera: Of what?
SuperDetective: of me
PhantomOfTheOpera: thatssostupidshelovedyoushebakedcookiesforusallthetimewheniwentovertoyourhousethatoneday
SuperDetective: Yeah, I know, Akira...you know what I think?
PhantomOfTheOpera: What is it?
PhantomOfTheOpera: Goro?
PhantomOfTheOpera: Are you there?
SuperDetectives: ...I think she died because of my father.
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SuperDetective HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM
SuperDetective: Hey, Akira? Are you online?
SuperDetective: Akira?
SuperDetective: I...guess not. I did leave without telling you.
SuperDetective: I'm sorry. I wanted to say goodbye, but...I was told I was being moved to foster home sooner than I expected. There wasn't enough time.
SuperDetective: I know it sounds a lot like excuses, but...there's something I want to tell you.
SuperDetective: Do you remember when we first met, three months ago? And do you remember what I told you? About how I came there to think? Well, the truth is...I came there because I saw you one time, all by yourself. It seemed like you were there almost everyday, and always stayed until the sun went down. I never knew why until I decided to talk to you. The truth is, I talked to you because...it seemed like you were just like me. Someone that...didn't belong.
SuperDetective: Did you know? The man my mother fell in love with? Turns out, he was a politician. Actually, even though she never told me...I knew. I peeked inside her journal she used to keep. I found out other stuff, too. Turns out, a lot of people didn't like the fact that she fell in love with a man like that. I don't know much, but from what I do know...that man made her life hell. She gave birth to me, so ashamed.
SuperDetective: I don't blame her, Akira. I...hate my father for it. If he hadn't left, mother would still be alive. She wouldn't have had to suffer like that.
SuperDetective: Sorry...I didn't mean to ramble like that. What I meant to say before all of that was...I want you to know that you aren't just a friend.
SuperDetective: You are my best friend. So, even if we're apart...please remember that you will always be my best friend.
SuperDetective: And hey...if you ever get lonely...
SuperDetective: You know where to find me XD
SuperDetective HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM
PhantomOfTheOpera HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM
PhantomOfTheOpera: ...you big dummy. Of course we're best friends.
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(Time Skip, 11 years later)
PhantomOfTheOpera HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM
SuperDetective: Wow, you're really late. Did something happen?
PhantomOfTheOpera: Yeah. Something did... :(
SuperDetective: What's wrong?
PhantomOfTheOpera:...I was arrested.
SuperDetective: WHAT?! What happened?!
PhantomOfTheOpera: I don't know -_- I was on my home when I heard this guy messing around with some woman. He was obviously drunk, and I think he mentioned something about owning the police or something. I tried to get him off of her, but he hit his head on the curb. After that, the police came...and because of the drunk, the woman made it seem like I attacked him without warning. I just got home after my hearing...as of now, I'm on probation, and I've been expelled. T_T
SuperDetective: Unbelievable...so what now? I mean, what did your parents say about all of this?
PhantomOfTheOpera: They said I was a trouble child and that I shouldn't have gotten involved. Even when I kept telling them my side of the story, they still didn't believe me. T_T Now I'm being shipped off to live with someone in Tokyo for the next year.
SuperDetective: That's...
PhantomOfTheOpera: It gets worse...they finalized the papers. Mom and Dad are officially getting a divorce. Apparently me getting arrested was the last straw for them. Dad was talking about how mom didn't raise me right, things escalated, and now...well, you know.
SuperDetective: That's...I...I'm really sorry, Akira...If I had known, I could've done something.
PhantomOfTheOpera: It's alright. In all honesty, everything just happened so fast...I was unlucky enough to be in the wrong place in the wrong time. But even though my parents berate me for it, I still don't regret my decision of saving her.
SuperDetective: Even still...well, who are you going to be living with? A family relative?
PhantomOfTheOpera: The owner of a cafe in Yongen-Jaya. Apparently, my parents are friends with a customer of his.
SuperDetective: O.O You're going to live with a stranger?!
PhantomOfTheOpera: Apparently. I was surprised too. I feel like my parents are just eager to get me out of the house now that I have a criminal record...I also feel bad that my parents are just dumping me on someone I haven't even met. I don't want to be a burden for them. -_-
SuperDetective: Well...I hope things work out well. Actually, I'm in Tokyo. Working on a new case!
PhantomOfTheOpera: Really? :D Let me guess...you're working with that girl you've been yacking about for the last year, aren't you?
SuperDetective: :/ One, I do not yack. I mentioned her a few times. Seco
PhantomOfTheOpera: Goro, you talk about her like she's all you ever think about. Haven't you asked her out already?
SuperDetective: Tried T_T She shuts me down every time. Sae-san's a cruel mistress.
PhantomOfTheOpera: XD
SuperDetective: Stop laughing! It's not THAT funny.
PhantomOfTheOpera: Sorry, sorry. Well, I wish you luck on scoring a date with her. Still can't believe you have the balls to try and court an older woman like that.
SuperDetective: Well, you know what they say - there's a first time for everything! I hear she has a younger sister, too. I vaguely remember her saying she's the student council president.
Super Detective: Oh, that's right! Speaking of school, if you're moving to Tokyo, does that mean you'll be attending a new school?
PhantomOfTheOpera: I think so. I'll know more in a week or so.
PhantomOfTheOpera: ...Goro?
SuperDetective: Sorry...still wishing I could have done something. I'm a detective, but...
PhantomOfTheOpera: Hey, it's fine. Really.
SuperDetective: Its not fine, Akira. You now have a criminal record that could've been avoided.
SuperDetective: The guy who got you in this mess, do you remember his name?
PhantomOfTheOpera: No. He never mentioned it, and it seemed like the police knew him. He asked that his name was withheld from the papers.
SuperDetective: Really? Shoot. Well, at least we know that he has some form of connection to the police.
PhantomOfTheOpera: supposedly, he's a politician. He kept going on about steering the country or something.
SuperDetective: you don't say...well, I need to get going. Hey, let's chat again when you get to Tokyo. In person!
PhantomOfTheOpera: :D Yeah. God...how long has it been since we last saw each other, face to face?
SuperDetective: Hm, I dunno...ten? Eleven years now?
PhantomOfTheOpera: It's hard to believe that it's been that long. I mean, looking back, all of our conversations over the years have either been over the phone or in the chatroom.
SuperDetective: Yeah XD Well, see you soon, Akira.
PhantomOfTheOpera: See you in Tokyo, Goro.
SuperDetective HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM
PhantomOfTheOpera HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM
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After a few keys were typed in, 17 year old Goro Akechi sighed as he pulled away, leaning back in his chair. As part of the ever growing passing of years, he had changed immensely from the small boy he used to be. He now stood at 178 centimeters, and being the now famed detective he was, dressed in a rather simple, modest fashion. His brown coat hung over the spine of his chair, leaving him only in his black dress slacks, leather shoes, white dress shirt and striped tie. His hair had grown longer, now closing to his shoulders, stopping just short of the collar of his shirt.
As his gaze locked onto the ceiling of his apartment, a myriad of emotions swirled through his head. Jubilation, relief, regret, sorrow, and anger. It seemed he would have the chance to finally meet his friend after so long...yet the circumstances were less than ideal. For the both of them. He stared at his hands, which were normally gloved, though were now in plain sight, showing unblemished white skin. To his eyes, however, it seemed that they were stained crimson. The fury that beat in his heart burned, and his hand clenched, a scowl forming on his face.
"...damn you, Shido. First you make my life miserable, and now you make Akira's life miserable?"
At that moment, burning rage and hatred welled up from within upon thinking of the one person he resented the most. That man, Masayoshi Shido, will definitely pay for what he's done. Not only to him, but to the one person he can call his best friend. 'Soon,' he thought as he felt something within him stir. A presence he was familiar with. He covered his face with his hand, trying to suppress the side of himself that, up until recently, he had tried to remove. The side he once wore with glee. 'Soon...just wait...just wait, Shido...I'll make you pay.'
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(Time Skip, Two Weeks Later)
SuperDetective HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM
PhantomOfTheOpera: Hey, what took you? :D Were you on a date with that prosecutor?
SuperDetective: Unfortunately, no... :( But I almost got one. I offered to take her out to sushi...but she turned me down and we got conveyor belt instead.
PhantomOfTheOpera: Ouch. So close, man.
SuperDetective: Yeah...So. How's your new school been so far?
PhantomOfTheOpera: ...which do you want first? Good news, or bad news?
SuperDetective: WHAT. HAPPENED.
PhantomOfTheOpera: Well, I made two new friends. One is Ryuji, who's apparently a punk but he's actually a cool guy to hang around, and the other is Ann. She's really pretty, although she has a bit of a temper. She likes to fight with Ryuji a lot, and she's a part-time model at that. The school doesn't like me much. Apparently a teacher leaked my record, so everyone treats me like a common criminal.
SuperDetective: What?! Why would they do that?!
PhantomOfTheOpera: Kamoshida's a scumbag. From what I've heard and seen so far, he treats his male students like shit, and he gets TOO COMFORTABLE with his female students. A few days after I transferred here...a girl tried to commit suicide. Me and Ryuji found out why. The bastard raped her. We tried to call him out on it, and his response was to expel us at the next faculty meeting.
SuperDetective: WHAT?! DX All of that happened and he's STILL a teacher there?! How has he not been fired? Or arrested?!
PhantomOfTheOpera: I don't know the details, but I overheard Kamoshida speak with the principal once. Apparently, they are all buddy-buddy, in which the Principal is using Kamoshida's rep as an Olympic Gold Medalist to bolster the School's reputation. Because of this, it seems like he's turning a blind eye to what the bastard does. And we can't exactly call for his arrest because we don't have any physical evidence for his heinous deeds. The girl he raped fell into a coma after her suicide attempt so there is not testimony for his crimes. The worst part is...the girl is Ann's best friend. She's hospitalized because of the bastard's actions and we can't even do a thing about it!
SuperDetective: ...un-fucking-believable.
PhantomOfTheOpera: Yeah...one hell of a way to start off my new year in school. Its not all bad, though. In fact, if things go the way I think they will...Kamoshida won't be a teacher here for long.
SuperDetective: -_O Akira, what are you planning?
PhantomOfTheOpera: Its nothing. Really. Seriously, it's nothing seashglkj pijbiof07t076-9-98yu4bpibpi3b4pi12b34p9t-fhqwepfijbpidcbpqwuetf
SuperDetective: O.O you okay Akira?
PhantomOfTheOpera: Sorry! DX That was my cat. He got curious about my laptop.
SuperDetective: You got a cat? And your guardian let you keep it?
PhantomOfTheOpera: Morgana says, "I'm a he, not an it." :p And yeah. Sakura-san thinks if I take good care of it, I'll probably be more well-behaved.
SuperDetective: o_o...Okay, then. Out of curiosity, where did you find him? By the way, Morgana says?
PhantomOfTheOpera: Eh, found him in a castle.
SuperDetective: A castle? You mean in one of those amusement parks?
PhantomOfTheOpera: Sort of. The castle is actually a cognition of how Kamoshida sees the school, and he thinks himself as the king.
SuperDetective: ...what?
PhantomOfTheOpera: Let me start from the beginning. On my first day of school, Ryuji and I stumbled into this castle what was in place of Shuujin Academy. Apparently, the castle is a figment of Kamoshida's cognition, and it was there that I found Morgana. He actually showed us the way out and back to reality. We visited the same spot and found the academy to be a normal building.
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Goro stared at the words written by his friend. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly in a bout of confusion, at first unsure if what he was reading was true. Soon, however, it registered.
'It can't be...'
Has his friend...truly entered a Palace? He discovered the Cognitive World?!
Snapping out of his stupor, he typed in his response.
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PhantomOfTheOpera: Goro? You there?
SuperDetective: Y-Yeah. Sorry about that...you surprised me there.
PhantomOfTheOpera: Yeah...crazy huh? :D No, just kidding. Just found him by chance, and he followed me home. Anyway, I need to go early. I've got school. See you sometime soon?
SuperDetective: Sure
SuperDetective HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM
PhantomOfTheOpera HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM
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"Shujin Academy," Goro mumbled, recalling the name of the school Akira had told him shortly after he arrived at Cafe Leblanc, his current place of residence due to his circumstances. "If I remember correctly..."
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(Time Skip, the Next Day, Shujin Academy)
"Yo, Akira!"
16-year-old Akira Kurusu looked up from his desk, pulling himself from his musings, and found two people standing next to his desk. One was Ryuji Sakamoto, who had short spiky dyed blond hair and dark brown eyes. He had a noticeable widow's peak and his eyebrows were unusual in that he lacked the outer sides. He wore his school's uniform a bit modified; it consists of the standard black blazer, unbuttoned to reveal a yellow t-shirt with a comic style star symbol and the word 'ZOMG!' He had his plaid trousers rolled up to reveal his ankles, and his pants have black suspenders that hang down instead of being worn on his shoulders. Around his waist was a white belt, and his white sneakers had a rising sun flag motif.
The other was Ann Takamaki, who had bright sea-blue eyes and ash blonde wavy hair styled in bushy pigtails, with parted side bangs on the right side of her face. She accessorized with a single yellow hair clip above her left ear, as well as small circular earrings on both of herears. She wore her school's uniform modified to her taste like Ryuji; the standard black blazer over a white varsity-like hoodie worn long to cover most of her short plaid skirt. Her hoodie had a zipper, a red stripe between two blue stripes at the bottom, and S symbol near the front bottom on one side, and a green four-leaf-clover symbol on the back of the hood. She also wore red tights and brown boots with yellow laces.
"Hey," the young teen greeted. He had grown much since he was a child. His hair was even more messier than what it used to be, and curled behind his ears. Unlike his friends, he wore his attire in a more traditional manner, with the blazer buttoned up. Since he was supposed to be starting a new slate here, he wore glasses in order to put up the guise of the quiet transfer student, though it appeared it was useless, since the majority of the student body now avoided him like the damned plague. "What's up?"
"We're thinking about heading to the Palace today. You know, to find the Treasure? We gotta do it as soon as possible. The next board meeting is coming up on May 2nd, you know." Ryuji reminded.
"He's got a point," a boyish voice quipped. Akira looked down to find a black feline poking its head out from inside his desk, staring at him with large blue eyes, and a yellow collar around its neck. "We've got until then to secure a infiltration route," the cat said, being none other than Morgana, the one who was currently teaching them about the Cognitive world. "And we've got less than ten days until then. Best to make use of what you can, Joker."
Ann nodded, crossing her arms. "Morgana's right. If we don't find the treasure in ten days, we're screwed."
"What are you so afraid for?" Ryuji asked, cracking a smirk. "We're gonna take Kamoshida's heart, no sweat~ After all, Akira's multi-persona trick's are trump card! With that, the shadows don't stand a chance in-" He stopped when he noticed a familiar woman walking into the classroom, having messy brown hair, a worn-out face, and wearing a yellow-striped sweater with a denim skirt. "hell...yeah, let's head into the Palace soon as we can, yeah?" he asked hastily, and the others nodded in agreement. Morgana, swiftly, moved into Akira's bag as the woman, Sadayo Kawakami, approached them.
The frizzy-haired teen bowed his head. "Sensei," he greeted. "What's wrong?"
"Kurusu-kun," Kawakami spoke. The others noticed there was a slight air of hesitation around her, and it wasn't because she was speaking to a so-called problem child. She then noticed Ann and Ryuji, though she didn't seem too surprised. In fact, she was more accustomed to seeing the three of them together. To her, it seemed natural, since they all seemed to be, in a sense, distant from the normal students. "Oh, Takamaki-chan. Sakamoto-kun."
"What's wrong, Kawakami-sensei?" Ann asked. "Did something happen?"
"You...could say that..." She then turned to the transfer student once more. Akira tilted his head. What did she want to speak with him about? Unless Kamoshida had managed tof ind a way to get rid of him early, he doubted it was about his and Ryuji and Mishima's expulsion. So what was this about? "There's...a visitor for you up in the front office. He said that he needed to talk with you about something."
Akira frowned. A visitor? For him? Who could it be?
"Omigosh, is it true?!" The loud squeal echoed into the classroom, quickly earning the attention of the others. "He's really here?!"
"Yeah, he totally is!" Outside the classroom, tow girls were talking loudly, each with excited faces. "He's right outside the front office!"
Ryuji quirked an eyebrow. "What's got them so excited?"
"No idea. You would think a celebrity was visiting us based on their reactions." Ann shrugged.
Kawakami let out another tired sigh. "That's one way of putting it," she muttered. "Honestly...what on earth brought a detective here?"
Akira's eyes widened upon hearing that word. Detective? Celebrity? Could it be?! If so, then why was he here? Not wanting to waste another moment, Akira quickly left the classroom to head to the front office.
"O-oi, Akira?!"
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"Wow, it really is him!"
"I can't believe he's here, at our school!"
"What's he doing here?"
"You think it might have to do with Suzui-senpai?"
"Maybe it's that transfer student everyone's been talking about?"
'My word,' Goro thought in slight amazement and appall. 'The students here are quite something. Although...its quite disturbing how this place reminds me more of a prison than a school.'
The moment Goro Akechi first stepped foot into Shuujin Academy, he immediately took note of the oppressive atmosphere that contrasted the building's clean and organized interior. It was fairly big, which he expected since it was an elite boarding academy, though he was still a bit off-put by everything. That, and how as soon as someone recognized him, he was swarmed by several girls. He sighed in his head, not wanting to be rude, and tried his best to maintain his public image. So, he put up that smile and talked with the students about whatever they asked, or at least questions he would be able to answer. However, that said, he was annoyed. All he wanted as to see his friend and have a chat with the principal about a certain matter, not get caught in a mass of students!
Hopefully he'd be able to find him soon. He wasn't sure how much longer he can endure the bane that is fan girls. 'How celebrities enjoy them flocking to them, I'll never-'
"Oi, A-Akira! Wait up dammit!" Hearing that single sentence immediately caught his attention. He turned his head to the source of it and saw a frizzy haired teen approaching with a blonde male and blonde female trailing behind him. The black-haired teen looked as if he had been in a mad dash, as his feet skidded across the floorboard, a small sheet of sweat caked on his face. The blonde male was in worse shape, though, as Goro noticed a slight limp on his leg. "G-geez..." he groaned, looking up at the black-haired teen. "What's got you so excited?"
He didn't answer. His eyes were locked on Goro. The commotion they caused some of the students to notice, and immediately, Goro found a slightly tense atmosphere. His eyes softened. 'So, this is what you've been dealing with,' he thought. A small grin spread across his face. 'Well, sadly, I don't care much for a gloomy atmosphere like this, so...'
"Yo, Akira. Long time no see."
"Yeah...its been a while, Goro. You're looking well." Akira nodded with a friendly smile.
With that exchange, every student went bug-eyed and staring back and forth. Goro knew what was coming. 'Wait for it...'
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHH?!"
'Annnnd there it is...' There was the reaction he expected from the student body. Even Akira's friends were surprised, but did not vocalize it excessively like everyone else.
"H-how...how does the trouble student know Akechi-kun?!"
"What is this?!"
"Why wouldn't I know Akira?" Goro asked, folding his arms. "He's my childhood friend, after all."
"...EEEEEHHHHHHHH?!" The other students voiced their shock once more.
Ryuji looked at Akira in shock. "Dude, that true?" he asked. "This guy's your bud way back when?"
Akira gave a nod, and looked back at Goro. He was still confused about what was going on, but he had a slight idea of what was going through his mind. He never expected the guy to actually come to his school and see him personally...or doing what he was doing right now. He gave a small inner sigh. It seemed like he was causing trouble for his friend just by having him be here, at least that was how it felt to him. Although, when he looked at the crowd of people, he began to understand just how popular Goro actually was. Part of him wondered if this was what it was like, being apart of the celebrity world. 'Though he looked annoyed just by being surrounded by these guys,' he noted. 'Then again, I don't blame him. They can get annoying with how much they gossip.'
"B-but he's a delinquent!" one of the students cried. Ann and Ryuji immediately went to glare at the person who said it, while Goro frowned in disapproval. "He has a record!"
The detective rolled his eyes. "Oh, please," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "He got that record because he was helping a woman from being harassed by a drunk, and what do the police do? Take the drunk's side and say he attacked him, unprovoked. Also, I know Akira. He's my friend, I'm pretty sure I'd know if he was as dangerous as everyone believes him to be." He cracked a small grin. "I am a detective, after all."
This caused the protestors to stop and pause. Was this...the truth of what happened? But based on the rumors, the frizzy haired teen was a total delinquent. But the Second coming of the Detective Prince was saying otherwise...
"Hey, what's all the racket over here?"
Akira, Ryuji, and Ann recognized the voice, and scowled. A teacher emerged from around the corner, wearing a gym short and pants, his black hair messy and slightly curled, as well as a defined chin. It was Kamoshida...the same man responsible for breaking Ryuji's leg, and why Shiho Suzui committed suicide. Inside the bag, Morgana let out a small growl, though to the three teens, it was something else. It was a snarl of animosity, both for what this man did, and for how much of a scumbag he was. Goro immediately got a feel for him just by the way he carried himself.
'The king of the castle, I presume,' he thought. 'Which means...he's probably the one who controls the Palace here. I'll have to check the Metaverse Navigator later.'
"Well?" The man asked taping his foot. "What's all the commotion about?"
"My apologies," Goro said, stepping forward a bit and performing a bow. "I came here to see an old friend, yet somehow, I ended up causing trouble." He put on his casual, flashy smile in order to make his stance more convincing. He was already used to playing this role by now. "My name is Goro Akechi. I'm something of a rookie detective. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Detective, huh?" Kamoshida frowned. A detective here? No doubt someone hired him to investigate Suzui's suicide attempt. Well touch luck cuz they're not gonna find anything. Of course, the question was who. Given that, form what little he saw as he arrived, he apparently had some connection to Akira, he was about to wager a guess it was that defiant piece of garbage. Heh, then again, what could he possibly do? After all, it wasn't like he could be caught. Regardless, he put up a smile as to not let himself arouse suspicion. He wasn't about to risk a problem, especially when he had an image to uphold. "I'm assuming this is about Suzui-chan? It's a shame what happened."
"Indeed it is," Goro feigned a nod. "Though while Shiho Suzui's suicide was apart of my visit, I came here to speak about a matter with Principal Kobayakawa. I'm assuming he's here today?"
"Yes, indeed he is," Kamoshida nodded. "If you want, I can take you to him."
"That would be most grateful." The brunette then turned, and smiled back at Akira. "We'll talk more later. After all, we've got 11 years of catching up to do."
"Yeah. I'll see you then." Akira responded with a short wave. While he was wary of Kamoshida offering to accompany Goro, he frizzy haired teen knew that his friend can take care of himself if need be.
Hopefully he wouldn't do anything troublesome, though.
.
XxXxX XxXxX XxXxX
.
"Well, here it is," Kamoshida said after they traversed the halls, now standing at the Principal's office.
"I see. Thank you for the assistance." Goro responded with his polite smile.
Kamoshida grinned, placing his hands on his hips. "It was my pleasure, Akechi-kun," he said. "So, if you don't mind me asking, what's a detective doing here at our school?"
"Well, as I said, I originally planned to meet with a friend and discuss something with the Principal," the detective answered before he placed a hand on his chin. "Although...after hearing about Suzui-san, I must admit, my curiosity was piqued. From what I understand, Suzui-san had a front-liner spot in the upcoming championship, did she not?"
"She did. She worked quite hard for that position. Its a shame what happened," the gym teacher sighed, shaking his head. "I wish I knew what brings a bright girl like that to suicide."
Goro crossed his arms. "Actually...Kamoshida-sensei, if I might ask, I noticed that quite a few of the students I spoke with were acting quite nervous, or had serious injuries. I'm assuming the latter were students of yours?"
"If they were wearing gym outfits, then probably," he answered without a beat. "We take our volleyball practice quite seriously, although one of my students, Mishima, is lacking. He gets hurt more than the others."
"I see...its just, the injuries I saw on those boys," Goro cocked his head. "Had I not known any better, I would have imagined that they were from physical abuse, not practice."
"...And just what are you implying, Detective-san?" Kamoshida narrowed his gaze at the teen.
"I am merely stating an observation, Kamoshida-san. The injuries on those student's faces don't quite match up with normal sports injuries, even of the extreme variety. The various bruises on their face match up most closely with those from physical assault. Severe blunt force trauma from punches and whatnot." Goro answered cooly. "I've seen plenty of physical trauma in previous cases. That, and the nervous behavior of the female students seemed quite familiar. The behavior of women who have been, how shall we say...assaulted in some form or another." There was a tense moment of silence, as Kamoshida, despite keeping his cheerful face, was starting to glare at the detective, and his hands balled into fists. However, Goro then shook his head. "Then again, maybe it's just my imagination...I'm so busy with this one case that I've actually started to dream some of the details. Huh. I wonder if that's what the call overworking?" He chuckled. "Regardless, I apologize if I offended you in some way, Kamoshida-sensei. After all, as someone of your station, I hardly doubt you'd be capable of harming your students!"
"...Yeah. You're right on that." Kamoshida's earlier expression melted into another smile. "Like I said, the practice sessions for the volleyball team are really tough. I tend to be strict with them since I brought the team to Nationals when I was a student. But I only do so because I want them to achieve the same level I do." The teacher folded his arms and nodded in a sage-like manner.
'He's lying through his teeth.' Goro thought as he observed the man's behavior. From his occupation, he learned how to detect the body language of individuals to perceive any lies. Akira was right, the man was anything but a saint. Although, if there was anything Goro was good at...it was riling up assholes like him. "I see," he gave a nod. He then turned to enter, but stopped as he put his hand on the doorknob. "Although...speaking as a detective, should there truly be someone responsible behind Suzui-san's attempted suicide, and if something were to happen to her..." He turned to face Kamoshida, looking him right in the eye. The Physical Education teacher backpedaled half a step from the dark look in the Detective's eyes. "...Say, if she were to die in the end...I'll be treating this investigation as a murder case."
With that, Goro turned the knob, and opened the door, stepping inside the principal's office. Meanwhile, Suguru Kamoshida remained rooted to that spot, processing the detective's words. A...murder case?
If Shiho Suzui died, that detective...was going to treat it as a MURDER?!
Th-That...That's absurd! She...she committed suicide! There was no way it could be seen as murder. Absolutely no way. And it would be impossible to even trace it back to him if he does. He's got the students tight-lipped and the teachers eating out of his hand. He was safe. He was the King!
"Feh," he spat as he turned around. "Go ahead, investigate all you want...you won't find anything, Detective-san!"
.
XxXxX XxXxX XxXxX
.
"Hello, Koyabakawa-san." Goro greeted the portly man at the desk as he shut the door behind him.
Kobayakawa was a large man, even by, ahem, fat standards. His brown suit seemed to struggle fitting his rather large form, his belt strained, and the flab of his skin even spilling out over the collar of his shirt. He was completely bald, and his ears seemed to be sinking into his own fatty flesh. Personally speaking, Goro didn't really like the man. As far as he was concerned, he was just a small fry who was riding Shido by his coattails, as if it weren't for the politician, he wouldn't even have this job. Also, something about the man just screamed 'cowardice,' as Goro had no doubt that the man would sell Shido out if his back was pressed against the wall. Shido shared Goro's sentiments, even keeping a close eye on the man if he did anything that would put him in jeopardy.
"O-oh!" Kobayakawa looked startled by his appearance, but quickly put on a smile. A shaky one, at that. "A-Akechi-san! What a surprise! I heard that a detective was here, but I wasn't expecting it to be you!"
"Yes, well, given how certain events ran their course over the past two weeks, I decided to come investigate into the manner. After all, a student's attempt to commit suicide is a truly significant matter that can not be overlooked."
Kobayakawa sighed, lowering his head. "Indeed...its a sad state of affairs. To be honest, we're still looking into why she-"
"With all due respect, Kobayakawa-san," Goro said, his voice going cold. Immediately, the Principal went rigid, and reeled back as Goro's eyes obtained a dark, sharp look. The eyes of Shido's ever-faithful lapdog. "I think we both know why she REALLY committed suicide." He took a step forward, now directly in front of the fat bastard's desk. "I must say, I'm quite disappointed...to think that a man of your position, who's job is to protect the livelihood of his students, would allow your own teacher to toy with his team as he pleases."
His eyes grew even wider, now developing absolute fear in them. Good. "H-how do you-"
"Akira Kurusu told me," he answered plainly. "You cover up Kamoshida's wrongdoings, all to protect the school's reputation. Even more than that, you're forcing everyone, students and faculty, even their own parents, to stay quiet about what's happened." The brown-haired teen sighed, shaking his head as he placed a hand on the desk, leaning forward. "And, if what Akira told me is true...Kamoshida even plans on expelling him and two other students, all because they stood up to him. I believe they were...Mishima-kun and Sakamoto-kun?"
The principal was now breaking out in a cold sweat and trembled with each passing word, each word filled with intensity and disgust.
"Furthermore, you allowed said teacher to leak Akira Kurusu's criminal record to every member of the student body, when it should have remained under wraps to protect the student body. Instead you chose to ignore it and let it pass."
"B-but," Kobayakawa said weakly, trembling like a leaf in the wind, threatening to be ripped off its branch. "K-Kamoshida-kun is an Olympic Gold M-Medalist! H-him being a teacher here i-improves our school's reputation! B-besides, I-I don't see why that trouble c-child has anything to do with-"
He became silenced when he found himself staring at the muzzle of a gun, aimed directly at his forehead, a long black barrel attached to the very tip. Goro's eyes remained cold and harsh, yet the man's words had ignited a silent, deadly fury within them. Fury so wrathful that Kobayakawa actually felt it the more the detective bore into him.
"Do you know how Akira Kurusu obtained a criminal record?" he asked, his voice deathly calm. "One day, he came across a drunken man harassing a woman. When the police arrived, that man forced the woman to make it seem like the adolescent teen attacked him, unprovoked. And do you know who that man was?"
He pressed the silencer's barrel against Kobayakawa's forehead.
"...it was Shido-san."
The principal felt his stomach drop as the answer registered within his mind.
"It is because of him that an innocent man who did nothing wrong was arrested and convicted as a criminal." Goro's words remained calm, yet the man could easily feel the coldness in them. "Unfortunately, I must remain faithful to Shido-san. After all, it is rather...unwise to go against him. However, that being said...do you know what is the best thing about being his most trusted subordinate, Kobayakawa-san?" He leaned in, a cold, and cruel smile plastered across his face. "I am free to do whatever I please...I can kill anyone I want to, and Shido-san couldn't care less. In fact, he wouldn't even care if I killed you. Do you know why that is, Kobayakawa-san?"
Slowly, Goro squeezed the trigger.
"It's because...you're just a small fish in a very, very big pond. To Shido-san, you and others like you, people who simply hop along for the ride in order to obtain glory...are expendable."
He pulled the trigger. The bullet grazed past Kobayakawa's cheek, creating a small burn with blood leaking, and a small hole, marked with stuffing, embedded in the leather chair in which the man sat in. The poor bastard was hyperventalating, his breaths now pants, sweat rolling down his face like a waterfall, and his mouth open like a trout.
Goro took a step back back, and removed the silencer, slipping both items back into his coat. "Do me a favor, Kobayakawa-san," he said, turning towards the door to take his leave. "Keep a leash on your prized pet...otherwise, there will be two murders I will be forced to investigate here at Shujin Academy." The murderous and dangerous look on Goro's face melted away, fading back into his Charasmatic Prince self. "Well, that's all I wished to discuss. Have a good day, Kobayakawa-san!"
Without waiting for a coherent response, Goro opened the door and left the office, leaving the principal in a nervous, stuttering mess. After a few seconds, the man passed out, right then and there on the spot.
.
XxXxX XxXxX XxXxX
.
"Alright, we're ready to go," Ryuji said as the group sat around a series of chairs, as their base was currently on the rooftop of Shujin Academy. "Everybody ready?"
Ann and Akira nodded while Morgana smirked(?). "You bet!"
"Awesome," the blonde grinned before looking at their other member. "You ready to go too, Kozu-senpai?
The final member of the group silently nodded as he stepped out of the shadows, his Raven hair swaying with each motion. It was a young teen with raven black hair, though at the tips were dark brown tints. He had heterochromia, in which his left eye is red, and his right eye is midnight blue, though few know this, as his bangs cover the right side of his face. He appeared to be a senior, given that he looked a year older than the three second-years, and wore the standard uniform, except the blazer was open to reveal his dress shirt, and wore black headphones with dark blue trims around his neck. Strangely, his left hand was bandaged, leading up his arm, and possibly up to his elbow or shoulder.
"...lets do this." He responded, his voice quiet yet firm. The other members of the group nodded and trudged forth into the Palace of the bastard of Lust.
The world around them distorted, and soon warped into something else entirely.
However, had anyone watched them enter the Palace...it would be as if they simply faded away from existence.
To Be Continued
A/N: Okay, show of hands! Who here wanted to write a fanfic like this with Goro and Akira being childhood friends after playing Persona 5, or having seen "THAT" scene if you are the kind of guy who watches gameplay because you don't own the game?!
All that aside, I knew about Goro long before the english game was released, primarily thanks to youtuber Lettuce Sauce, who translated the entire battle with Goro Akechi. Really, that scene hits you right in the kisser with feels so much, it isn't even funny...so in addition to Persona 5: Hoshi no Bokura to, I am publishing this fic as well!
The character you saw at the end, Nanashi Kozu, is an original character created, since Goro's role has changed significantly. At some point, we're gonna go right off the rails in canon, so expect some divergences here and there! Oh, and if you couldn't tell...it's Goro X Sae. We're pairing the protagonist with Futaba.
SOOOOOOOO CUUUUUUTE~!
Anyway, special thanks go to my co-writer Daemon of Wrath! Later losers, and we'll see you all next chapter!