↳ CHAPTER NINE:

LEAP OF FAITH ↲

FRIDAY, 15 APRIL |MORNING

DID KAORI HATE SOCIAL STUDIES?
YES, YES SHE DID.

But here she sat again, the second time this week, in class listening to Mr. Ushimaru giving his boring lecture about society and the government and bla bla bla.

"So, I assume all of you know about the separation of powers? There are three branches in our government. The National Diet is legislative, the Cabinet is executive, and the Supreme Court is judiciary. This division of power provides checks and balances, which ensures no one branch becomes unstoppable."

Kaori averted her eyes from her teacher and looked out the window. It was still grey, fitting weather, seeing the mess the school was in right now.

If only Ryuji could make up his mind a little bit faster, he was the only one out of the three still debating.

Kaori made her resolution last night, while doing her homework and listening to music. Morgana already told them it was the only way and he was right, and to be completely honest she didn't care what happens to Kamoshida once their finished.

Her recent run in with Riko-san made her think again. Nozomi transferred schools because of this shit, she was being abused and no one bat an eye and once it was to much she practically had to plea to her parents to change schools.

They didn't care, the teachers didn't care and Kamoshida abso-freaking-lutely didn't give a shit about the damage he's doing to those teens.

"Have you made up your mind?" A familiar boyish voice asked.

Kaori turned her head and searched for the source only to find the small pitch black cat being crammed under Ren's desk.

"No matter how much thinking you do, there's only one option. You'd be better off just listening to me."

"Don't talk," Ren whispered to the cat. If Mr. Ushimaru caught Morgana right now he'd be dead.

Unfortunately for them though Mr. Ushimaru heard the small feline, "Hm? Did I just hear a cat just now?" He asked around the class.

Everyone started to murmur and look around to catch that cat. It was hard for Kaori to stifle her laughs by the absurdity of this situation.

"M-Meow!" Morgana yelled out in hopes of misdirecting them.

"Could that rumored cat be somewhere nearby...?" Mr. Ushimaru asked, "Settle down! We're in the middle of an important lecture!"

The class settled down again and Mr.Ushimaru continued on with his lecture after the cat incident.

To Kaori's rescue though, her phone vibrated underneath her text book. Ever since Ryuji started texting them in the middle of the class she kept it nearby.

R⃣y⃣u⃣j⃣i⃣: It's no use... I can't think of any other way...

R⃣e⃣n⃣: Concentrate on class

K⃣a⃣o⃣r⃣i⃣: ^

R⃣y⃣u⃣j⃣i⃣: I can't deal with that shit right now. I mean, what're we gonna do about Kamoshida?

R⃣y⃣u⃣j⃣i⃣: Do we just gotta go along with what that cat says?

R⃣y⃣u⃣j⃣i⃣: Urgh, that damn furball...

Kaori put her phone away and smiled slightly at Ryuji's reaction, if only he knew that Morgana was reading this too. On second thought though, he'd probably still insult him, so it doesn't matter anyway.

Suddenly, catching Kaori off guard, one of the students stood up from their desk in surprise, "Hey... What's that...!?" He asked.

"Enough! This is a classroom!" Mr. Ushimaru said, but another student stood up and continued, "Wait... She's going to jump...!"

Kaori's eyes widened in horror, slowly one by one multiple students, including Mishima, Ann and Ren, got up from their seats to watch the scene enfolding in front of the window in the hallway. God, why would anybody want to watch that.

"Hey! Stay in your seats! Do not step foot outside of this room!" Mr. Ushimaru yelled, but the students didn't listen.

Under them Ann Takamaki running straight passed their teacher and outside the room. Ren was quick to run after her and so was Kaori along with most of the class.

They crowded around the windows as they saw Shiho standing at the ledge of the school roof, looking down with a dead expression.

She looked down at the ground one last time with her gray eyes... before taking one step forward, off the ledge, and slowly falling to her demise.

Everyone screamed and panicked as they saw her fragile body hit the ground.

Kaori herself took a step backwards in shock, cupping her hands over her mouth.

She stumbled backwards a bit into Ren, who was frozen in shock, and turned around and held on to him tightly, turning away from the window and the sight of Shiho laying motionless on the ground, and burying herself into his torso.

For someone to kill themselves it takes a lot, what horrible thing must have happened to her. Kaori can only imagine, she had many downs in her live but she never wanted to take her own life.

Ann went pale at the sight of her best friend attempting sucide and covered her mouth with her hands also, "No... Why...? Shiho...!" She cried out, before immediately starting to sprint towards the courtyard to check on her best and only friend.

Ren, a bit calmer now, looked after her as she ran, hoping that she was going to be okay. After what she told him yesterday this will certainly take a big toll on her.

He then turned to look at Kaori, who quickly let go of him in embarrassment and stood on her own now again. She hugged herself and stared out the window in silence.

Ren hoped that she also was going to be okay, it seems like her life wasn't an easy ride and this certainly looks like it's affecting her quite a bit.

Kaori kind of, but not really, went back to normal. Her breathing was still heavy and she was shaking, but she managed to stand on her own now again, so she should be fine for now.

She can't believe she hugged Ren, it was a spurt of the moment thing, but still... Usually she isn't the one for physical affection, especially hugging someone she only met five days ago.

The two saw Ryuji running towards them, also in a panic, "H-Hey! What's goin' on!? We should head to the courtyard too!"

The two teens agreed and together the three of them ran down through the crowd into the courtyard.

They, mostly Ryuji, pushed through the crowd and they made it to the front watching the paramedics helping Shiho.

"Class is still is session!" A teacher yelled at the students.

"Shiho...!" Ann whispered, standing in the very front of the crowd.

"What the hell's wrong with these people...!?" Ryuji shouted angrily, seeing students filming and taking photos of the scene.

"A whole lot," Kaori replied, disgust lacing her voice.

A paramedic walked out to the large sea of students, "We need someone to go with her... Are there any teachers around?"

"I-I'm not in charge of her class though..." A teacher responded.

"We should leave this to Principal Kobayakawa..." Another teacher said.

Suddenly Ann stepped forward, "I'll go!"

"Please hurry!" The paramedic shouted.

Ann nodded and ran up to the tied down Shiho. She kneeled down next to her with tears in her eyes, "Shiho... Why...?" She asked, her voice trembling. 

"Ann...? I'm sorry, I... I can't take this... Anymore..." Shiho responded starting to tear up as well.

"Shiho...?"

The dark haired girl started to whisper into Ann's ear and with every word she whispered one could see Ann's heart breaking more and more.

"Huh...? Kamoshida...?" Ann asked confused and shocked before Shiho passed out on to the stretcher.

"No... Shiho!?"

The paramedics quickly got both of them into the ambulance truck and drove them off to the hospital.

Soon after the whole crowd of students started to talk about what the girls said to each other.

"Volleyball team..." Ryuji muttered to himself.

"Return to your classrooms at once!" A teacher shouted.

And out of nowhere Mishima, who stood a little bit behind them, started to ran away from the crowd.

This caught the attention of the infamous trio.

"That guy... Hey, wasn't Mishima acting weird?" Ryuji asked his two partners in crime. 

Kaori nodded, "Definitely weird."

"He knows something," Ren confirmed.

"... We're gonna make him talk this time," Ryuji added grimly before the three ran after the fragile boy.

Just then he principal walked into the crowd, "Teachers, return to your classrooms for the time being! Please do not let any students go home yet!"

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"That hurts!" Mishima yelled out as Ryuji pushed him against some lockers.

After the ordeal in the courtyard the three teens followed the poor boy and cornered him by some lockers. On their way Morgana also decided to join them, now hiding above the lockers.

"Why'd you run like that? Huh?" Ryuji asked while taking a step back to give him some air.

"I didn't run..." Mishima answered quietly.

Ryuji slammed his fist against a locker, scaring Mishima and involuntarily Kaori in the process, "She jumped and tried to kill herself!" He shouted angrily.

But Mishima stayed stubborn, "...L-Leave me alone..." He stuttered looking on to the floor uncomfortably.

"Just tell us," Ren finally spoke up.

Kaori shifted uncomfortably around  and also decided to say something, "Mishima, you're only going to make things worse. It may have been only Suzui-san now, but what if there's someone else in her situation?"

"They're right!" Ryuji crossed his arms and sighed, "Look, we ain't trying' to get you busted and we won't say you talked either!"

Suddenly the poor boy looked up at the three and sighed. He grabbed his head, not being able to take the guilt anymore, and began to speak, "Suzui... She was called out by Mr. Kamoshida!"

The trio looked at each other in surprise and taken aback at Mishima, surprised by his sudden confession.

"Wait, what!?"

Mishima put his hands back down and looked down at the floor again, "I was called by him a number of times too... To the teacher's room. It wasn't just me or Suzui either. He'd nominate someone when he was in a bad mood... And hit them," Mishima explained.

"So the physical punishment thing was for real, Kaori wasn't joking."

Kaori looked at Ryuji with a look of betrayal, as if he'd ever doubted her. Besides they saw it in the castle too.

Mishima nodded at Ryuji and continued, "But yesterday, he called Suzui out of the blue. She didn't make any mistakes or anything... Mr. Kamoshida seemed really irritated that day, so it must've been... Worse than usual..."

After Mishima spoke those words everyone's eyes widened in shock and horror, already knowing what the blue haired boy meant by that.

"He didn't...!" Ryuji said angrily, "That son of a bitch...!"

Quickly did he turn away from the rest of the group and  started running off towards the faculty office.

"Ryuji! Wait!" Kaori shouted, running after the vulgar boy. She was quick to follow him, wanting to prevent another disaster that was bound to happen.

Ren also ran after his two friends, with Mishima following hesitantly.

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Ren and Mishima run into the PE faculty office only to find Ryuji and Kaori with Kamoshida in there.

"... Huh?" Kamoshida turned his head as the other two teens enters the room.

"You bastard! The hell did you do the that girl!?" Ryuji yelled at Kamoshida.

"What are you talking about?" Kamoshida asked from his place by the desk.

"Don't play dumb with me!"

"That is enough!" Kamoshida shouted.

Mishima shook his head, "What you did... Wasn't coaching...!"

Everyone turned to look at the small boy.

"What did you say?" Kamoshida asked angrily.

"You... You ordered me to call Suzui here... I can only imagine what you did to her...!"

Kamoshida got out of his chair and walked towards the group of teens, "You're going on and on about things you have no proof of... Basically, you're simply making these claims because you can't be a regular on the team, right?"

Mishima looked shocked at him, "That's not what this is about...!" He denied.

"Even if it is exactly as you imagine it to be, hypothetically speaking... What can you do?" Kamoshida began, bending down to their level, "We just received a call from the hospital. Suzui's in a coma, and her chances of recovery are silm... How would someone like that make a statement? There's no chance of her getting better, I hear... The poor girl."

"No... That's can't be..." Mishima whispered.

"No..." Kaori mumbled under her breath from behind an angry Ryuji, "You goddamn...!"

"This, again...? Does this mean we need to have yet another case of "self-defense"?"

"You shut your mouth, you son of a bitch!" Ryuji yelled. He formed his hand into a fist and was about to punch Kamoshida, when he suddenly got stopped by Ren stepping up to him and holding onto his arm.

"Why're you stoppin' me...!?" Ryuji asked confused.

Ren shook his head, "Don't let him get to you."

"But still!"

"Ryuji, don't," Kaori said softly, pushing down his fist.

Kamoshida perked up at that in surprise with a cocky smirk, "Oh? You two are stopping him? What a surprise, especially from you Watanabe. There's no need to hold back. Why not attack me? Ohhh, you can't. Hahaha, but of course you can't!"

Kamoshida turned away from the group  of teens and sat in front of his computer, while they watched him carefully, "Everyone present right now... Will be expelled. I'm reporting all of you at the next board meeting."

"Wha-" "You can't!" Ryuji and Kaori said at the same time in shock.

"You can't make a decision like that...!" Mishima also exclaimed in shock.

"Who would seriously consider what scum like you say? You threatened me too, Mishima, so you're just as responsible," Kamoshida turned to face the boy, "To think you didn't know why I kept someone as talentless as you on the team. You act like you're a victim, but you leaked his criminal records, didn't you? It's all over the internet, correct? How terrible."

The trio looked at Mishima in shock.

"Mishima...?"

"You leaked the information?" Kaori asked from next to Ryuji.

Mishima backed away slightly, "He told me to do it. I had no choice..." He said as he fell to the ground.

Kaori looked concerned at the boy sitting on the floor.

Kamoshida only laughed, now facing his computer again, "Now, are we finished here? You're all expelled! You're done for; your futures are mine to take. Now get out of my sight."

"I can't believe this asshole's gettin' away with this...!" Ryuji yelled, turning to his friends.

"He'll eat his words," Ren replied calmly, while Kaori nodded supportingly at this.

Ryuji looked curiously at the two for a moment, before realising what he meant, "Huh...? Oh right. We have that!" He whispered.

Kamoshida turned to the group one last time, "Huh? Have you lost your minds?" He then dismissed them and turned back to his computer, "I don't understand what garbage like you are thinking, but go ahead and try. All you can do is wait for your disposal though..."

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FRIDAY, 15 APRIL |AFTER SCHOOL

After classes have ended for the day, the trio and Morgana met up at their usual spot by the vending machines.

Ryuji stood by the machines, while Kaori and Morgana sat on the table nearby. Her legs dangled off the edge, while she swung them back and forth, her schoolbag was laying on her lap and in her hands was a small strawberry milk carton, which she was drinking happily with a straw.

Ren stood in front of the table, having a good look at both of his friends. Kaori seemed so carefree, even though the decision they were gonna make today was going to be determining their futures.

Ryuji slammed his fist on to one of the vending machines, "We can't waste any time. We gotta hurry up and go to that world and beat the shit outta that asshole!"

"... We're not beating him up. We simply stealing his distorted desires," Morgana corrected from next to Kaori, "Can I assume that you've made up your minds about this- about how he might suffer a mental shutdown?"

The teens look at one another, Ryuji was the first to speak up, "I have. Someone almost died because of him! I don't give a rat's ass what happens to him anymore!"

Kaori nodded, taking a break from her drink, "Ryuji is right. He's a terrible person, who has done bad things."

Morgana turned to Ren, "And you?"

Ren slightly pushed his glasses up his nose, "I agree."

"Then it's settled."

"By the way, is gettin' rid of a Palace hard...? You've tried it before, right?" Ryuji asked.

"When did I ever say that?" Morgana replied.

"...Eh?" Ryuji wondered, before it finally made sense to him, "WHAT!? Were you just pretendin' to know!?" Ryuji shouted at him.

Before the cat could answer though, another voice cut in, "Is it true that you're getting expelled?"

Everyone turned to see Ann Takamaki standing before them, just around the corner, "Everyone's talking about it..."

"That asshole's at it again...!" Ryuji mumbled, before speaking directly to Ann.

"So, you came all this way to tell us that?" Ryuji questioned.

Ann shook her head and began speaking in a low voice, "If you're going to deal with Kamoshida... Let me in on it too."

Everyone looked surprised for a second at the blonde.

She however continued, "I can't just sit back and do nothing after what happened to Shiho!"

This time Ryuji shook his head aggressively, "This has nothing to do with you... Don't butt your head into this..."

"But it does! Shiho's my-" Ann tried to protest, but was quickly cut off by Ryuji again, "I said don't get in our way!"

Ann didn't respond to this and only ran away from the group.

"... That was harsh," Morgana commented.

"Yeah Ryuji, she was only trying to help," Kaori said, still hugging her bag close.

"We can't take her somewhere like that..." Ryuji replied, trying to defend himself and his actions. He had to admit he could have worded it a bit nicer, but it was only for her best.

"But you can take me there?" Kaori asked her blond friend sceptically.

Ryuji shook his head, in embarrassment, "You're different. You can defend yourself."

Kaori still wasn't convinced by Ryuji's point, "I think we should give her a little more credit."

"Still, I hope that she doesn't torment herself over this," Morgana spoke up, trying to break up the argument, "When it comes down to it, women don't hesitate."

"I can vouch for that!" Kaori mumbled while continuing her drink.

"We just gotta hurry up and deal with Kamoshida," Ryuji quickly said changing the subject.

"Let's go already!"

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The group quickly walked to the alleyway that leads to the school, and where they first entered the castle from.

"The moment we cross over, we'll treat each other like phantom thieves, so I hope you're ready."

Ryuji turned to Morgana. "Huh? Phantom thieves?"

"Those who covertly sneak in and stylishly steal Treasure- that is what we become!" Morgana explained.

"So we just gotta say the school, Kamoshida's name, and... Castle? Then we end up in bizarro world." Ryuji said as he took out his phone, "... How the hell's all this work? Someone make it?" Ryuji questioned.

"I dunno," Ren answered.

"That's kinda creepy, but eh, it seems useful enough." Ryuji said as he put his phone back in his pocket. "We'll show that effin' Kamoshida!" 

"Let's go!"

Ren got his phone out, preparing the app to let them enter the other world and castle, but little did the group of Phantom thieves know that a familiar girl was spying on them just around the corner.

"They really are going to do something... They're doing something on their phone? A name... School...?" Ann recapped somewhat confused, after having listened to their conversation.

Suddenly a weird noise made her jump and from one moment to the next the entire scenery around her changed.

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The group stood in front of the castle.

Kaori looked around and noticed that Ryuji, Ren and herself changed clothes, while Morgana looked like the first time Kaori met him again.

Ryuji turned to the group, "All right! Time to bust on through!" 

Everyone nodded determinedly and was about to enter the castle, when they heard a high pitched scream.

"What is this!?" Ann yelled running up to where the group was standing.

"T-Takamaki?" Ryuji shouted.

Suddenly realisation hit her, "That voice... Sakamoto!? And... Are you Amamiya-kun and Watanabe-San!?"

"Wh-Wh-Why are you here!?" Ryuji asked.

"How should I know!?" She replied, "What's going on? Hey, where are we...!? Isn't this the school?"

As Ann was looking around, Morgana seemed to be awestruck by her, but after a moment and a quick hit to the head by Kaori, who noticed the cat's weird behaviour, he snapped out of it.

"I see. Perhaps she was dragged in because of that app thing," Morgana began. The group turned to look at him.

"If multiple people can enter with the person who uses it, it stands to reason it'll pull anyone nearby." 

"For real...?"  Ryuji asked.

"Wait, so THIS is related to Kamoshida!?" Ann questioned.

"Anyways, you gotta leave!" Ryuji told the girl quickly.

But Ann didn't oblige and stomped her foot in protest, "No!" She said rather loudly.

"The Shadows are going to find us if you make a scene." Morgana whisper shouted at the blond.

Ann took a step back at seeing Morgana, "No way! It talked!? Oh my god, it's a monster cat...! You better explain what's going on! I won't leave until you do!" 

Ryuji sighed. "Looks like we gotta force her. But... How're we supposed to do that?" 

"Just take her back to where we came in. That's how it worked last time, right?"

"O-Oh, yeah," Ryuji exclaimed. He then turn towards Ren, "Can you lend me a hand?"

He nodded, "Got it." 

Everyone looked at Ann and Ryuji and Joker started approaching her. Kaori and Morgana watched as the scene unfold.

"What are you-"  Ann began to ask, but was quickly cut off by Ryuji.

"We'll explain after everything's over!"

"Hey! And just where are you touching!?"

"Whoa, sorry. I didn't mean- ... That's not important!"

"You guys seriously- Ah!?" Was the last thing everyone heard from Ann as she was transported back into the real world.

The two boys casually walked back to the rest group. Kaori couldn't help but feel bad for Ann, all she wants to do is help them get back at Kamoshida.

"We better be careful from now on when we use that app...." Ryuji stated.

"You should've checked the tools you used!" Morgana scolded, "Why do I- the one who was just watching- know more about it than you three!?" 

"Sh-Shudup!" 

Ryuji sighed, "Geez, Takamaki found out right when we were startin' off... We gotta deal with this fast!"

"That girl's name is Ann Takamaki, right?" Morgana suddenly asked.

Kaori looked confused at the cat, "Yeah, why?"

Morgana didn't reply though and only stared at the way Ann left through, "Lady Ann..." 

The group went closer to the castle and his behind a stone wall at the entrance.

Morgana turned towards the group of teens, "The Shadows have noticed us. You better brace yourselves, got it?" He turned towards Ren, "We're counting on you, Joker!"

"Joker?" Kaori wondered.

"That a nickname?" Ryuji added, also confused.

"Don't refer, to it in such a lame way. It's a code name," Morgana began to explain, "What kind of stupid phantom thief would use their real name? I'm not down for that! And there's no telling what kind of effect yelling our real names will have on the Palace... It just a precaution."

Ryuji scratched his head in confusion, "So, why's he Joker?" 

"Because he's our trump card when it comes to fighting strength."

"That's embarrassing," Ren mumbled.

"Just go with it! You're Joker!"

"It ain't too bad, yeah?" Ryuji tried to complement.

"I actually really like it, it has something... mysterious to it," Kaori said with a small smile, which the frizzy haired boy gladly returned.

Morgana turned to face Ryuji, "Next up is you, Ryuji. You'll be... Let's see... "Thug"" 

Ryuji stomped his foot in protest, "Are you pickin' a fight with me!? I'll choose it myself!" The vulgar boy thought for a moment, "Um... When it comes to me, it's gotta be this mask. Honestly, I actually kinda like it. What if we named me after this?" 

"Fine... Why not "Skull" then?" 

"Ooh! That sounds awesome! I'm Skull!"

Morgana then went to face Kaori, "Alright now your name... Anybody got an idea?"

Both boys thought about it for a moment, but Joker was ultimately the first to speak up, "How about Blossom? You know, because of the flowers.."

Kaori smiled kindly at him, "I like it, so what do we do about this one's code name?" She said mentioning to Morgana.

"Anything's good."

"How 'bout "Mona"?" Skull suggested.

Morgana turned their head towards Joker, "Well, if Joker thinks it's easier to call me that, then I'll go with it."

"All right. From here on out, we're Joker, Skull, Blossom, and Mona. We need to be absolutely thorough about using those code names from now on!"

Everyone nodded at Morgana. 

"All right! Let's go nab this Treasure thing!"

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