Part 1

The sound of heavy pants enveloped the room.

The room was far from bright. Only a dim light was present.

There, a certain girl had her right leg on the punching bag, stuck. It seems as though it was due to the extraordinary strong kick that it penetrated to the thick lining of the punching bag. Slowly the girl pulled her foot away, letting it land on the ground.

Both of her hands were laid on the top part of the punching bag, detaching it from the hook. She effortlessly threw it to a pile of punching bags who appeared to be beyond repair; meaning, it was just as destroyed as the new one.

The teen then attaches another one. Wasting no time, she began to train once again. Punching with enormous strength, kicking it mercilessly, experimenting different patterns non-stop.

After a few more punches, the girl backed off, panting heavily.

“No… no… this is not enough,”

The girl mustered.

“Never enough.”

A firm resolve.

“Never enough!”

With that, the girl once again dashed to the punching bag, delivering a powerful punch. Her eyes were flaming in determination. Her blue fiery gaze hid her feelings in the depths of her heart. It was just so strong that the punching bag got detached and thrown away to the wall, producing a loud ‘thump’ sound.

The white-haired panted heavily, her white locks dripping in sweat. Between seconds, lights, probably from cars that passed by, shone through the window, which revealed the figure of the girl.

The girl wore a fitted black short that lengths up to her thighs, and a white sports bra. Her outfit was rather revealing, showing her toned and somehow muscular body of a girl. Her lightly toned abs, prominent biceps, and muscular legs were not as is for no reason— it was obviously the result of a consistent training and powerful body.

She fell to her knees, unable to bear the weight of her heavy regret and frustration in her heart. Tears uncontrollably rolled down her cheeks, her hair shadowing her eyes. Her fists were tightly clenched to the point her knuckles turned white. In frustration, she punched the floor. Due to that, her hand bled heavily, yet she didn't falter from the pain.

“If… if only…”

“... I was strong enough that day…”

Part 2

Hallways filled with students, chatters of different opinions… It was a normal day at Shujin Academy. Though for some few students, it was far from a normal day. That goes for a certain group of friends.

Walking through the hallways was the white-haired girl in her modified uniform. Everything was the same except for the fact that both of her hands were bandaged along with some part of her legs. The presence of the bandages alone caused the students around her to make their own speculations. The students began to lean on each other. God knows well what they are doing.

“Did she get into a fight?”

“But she has no wounds on the face. She must be impressive.”

“I wonder who she got into a fight with?”

“I think it's a fight with a larger scale! Maybe a gang fight?”

No one even got it right.

The black-haired teen, who was also walking through the hallways, appeared to be absent-minded. Soon enough, the chatters reached him causing him to lift his gaze and saw the white-haired girl walking past him.

‘Kyoko…’

Knowing that he must reach her, he sped up his pace. Noticing that she didn't seem to have any intentions to stop nor look at him, despite the fact that she probably already had felt him behind her, he couldn't help but be confused.

‘There's probably more to her actions.’

And that. He figured it out.

‘So that's it…’

The girl didn't even bother to look back, listen, reply to their chatters… All she did was walk past them not caring about it at the moment. She was tired… tired from everything.

As they passed by the hallways, the students around seem to be gradually decreasing. With a turn to the left, a small dead end where the fire extinguishers was, they finally saw an unpopulated area. There was no other students aside from them.

“It's good that you got my gesture. It would be uncomfortable for them to hear our conversation,” Stopping her tracks, the white-haired teen spoke.

“Your bruises, where did it come from?” The black-haired teen asked, his voice hinting concern.

“Everything’s just so complicated.” Kyoko blurted out. By the looks of it, she was frustrated.

“It’s just that— no, I can't tell you. To sum it up, I think…”

“We can't stay as friends anymore.”

Part 3

“That jerk's words made me cry a mess, how inconvenient.”

Time passed unknowingly, and night time came once again. In a certain room, a girl, laying down on the bed, was sobbing almost non-stop as well as the tears that came from her eyes. Her words were more of a complaint rather than a depressing thought, and it seems as though her mood was pretty lit up compared before.

Yes, she was crying. But no one knew if it was due to sadness or happiness. Even the teen herself was confused and failed to understand how she felt and why the tears just won't stop.

‘What he told me… made my heart flutter so much,’ A faint blush came across her face as she recalled their conversation.

Earlier this morning…

“We can't stay as friends anymore.”

The fact that Kyoko blurted it out so casually shattered Ren's heart. His eyes widened, as he slowly looked down. A few of his black locks shadowed his eyes.

With that, Kyoko planned to take her leave, a few locks shadowing her cerulean orbs as well. She made a turn and walked passed the teen who appeared to be frozen at his place.

Suddenly, the white-haired teen stopped her tracks.

The moment she felt a hand, holding her own.

The owner of the hand was the black-haired teen. Kyoko's eyes glittered and appeared to have soften. His hand were big, and his fingers were long and slender. The way Ren held her hand gave her a secure feeling… just like how her father used to hold it protectively.

“I'm ready. No, we're ready,” Ren paused, leaving Kyoko confused by his words yet she was attached to his touch. “We're ready to face the consequences of staying with you.”

###

“That jerk's really good at making me cry…” Kyoko muttered as she hugged her thick blanket, hiding her tomato cheeks under it.

It seems as though the girl's tears subsided, and the room slowly approached silence. Her thoughts were a complete mess. She was used to suppressing her desire, and this is the first time she—

A loud sound of vase shattering.

Immediately, the girl perked up from her bed before cautiously standing up. She wore a short white night dress that only length up to her thighs. It revealed a part of her chest and shoulders and her milky long legs. Her petite hands laid upon her pillow, lifting it, revealing a loaded pistol.

She held the gun with both hands, as she let her mind ponder of the possibilities. It can't be Hana, she was told she won't be back until tomorrow. A thief? It was possible. Though Kyoko swore she locked all that was supposed to be locked, she can't cross out the possibility. A killer? Possible, but the chances are low. The enemies just sent one recently and failed, so they are most likely thinking of different methods to eliminate her. And plus, a killer won't be as reckless. The enemy won't send a half-cooked killer knowing her abilities.

Whoever it might be, she took a handcuff just in case.

With a bang, she opened the door in a flash, then turned on the lights before running on. She immediately went to where the vase broke, and saw a figure of a hooded man trying to lockpick a certain drawer.

The teen immediately took action as she gave a powerful kick in the stomach to the intruder who failed to react in time. The kick sent him flying a few steps away. Groaning in pain, he clenched to his stomach and involuntarily coughed blood.

“Your purpose?”

Kyoko's eyes looked life as if she was about to dismember someone. A few seconds passed and still, no reply. The teen got impatient then leveled her sight, closing the distance between them, then pointed her gun directly to his head.

“Talk.”

Her intimidating voice and gaze did it all.

“I did this for my family! My daughter needs to have a transplant…” Panicked, the intruder immediately replied.

‘So he was supposed to steal, huh.’ Kyoko thought, then shifted her gaze to the drawer the thief was trying to open. ‘But… why that drawer?’

“And I am very determined to protect them within my capabilities as long as I am living. They are the ones that always made me happy…” A bitter smile was across his face.

“A family, huh? Must've been great…” The teen trailed, hinting sadness. “Why this apartment though? There's a bigger house besides this. If you went to that house, you might've gotten a million by now.”

“The house most of the time had their lights open. But this one… Most of the time, it's dark.” The intruder explained. He seemed… unusually confident.

“Nah, no way. I hate the dark.” Kyoko laughed off, shrugging. She forcefully turned him around causing the thief to gasp. She cuffed him with ease, and went away.

“How much do you need?”

Those words caused a billow of shock to the thief, as he stared at the teen's figure walking to the drawer he was supposed to open, and used a certain key to open it. The thief narrowed his eyes, but soon gave in.

“6 million yen… for the surgery.”

Before he could even finish his sentence, Kyoko threw a bag at him. The teen took a bag of chips then opened it with ease and began to eat. She sat beside the thief keeping distance, then leaned her back against the wall.

“Chips? Oh right, you can’t use your hands.” Mischievously, Kyoko teased causing the thief to sweatdrop.

Silence was between them. Aside from the crunching sounds of the chips, no one talked and there was no other sound.

“You made me realize something… I should protect my family at any cost. To show you my mercy, I'll send you to jail and make sure your daughter is safe.”

Breaking the silence, Kyoko talked. Each word of her caused the thief to be shocked. He started sweating rapidly for a reason, maybe guilt. His hands began to shake.

And he dared lift his hand against Kyoko.

"Heh. Mistake."

The girl muttered in a dark voice, a devilish smile plastered on her face as she, amused, watched the man moving against her.

The thief stood and charged at her immaturely, and it seems as though Kyoko wasn't shocked at all. The teen set her chips aside so that she can munch on them later. She stood, held the rod he that was about to use to hit her, then gave him a knee-kick to his balls. With that, Kyoko apprehended the thief on the ground and her gun was pointed right at his head.

Everything happened in a blink of an eye.

The teen slowly leaned her lips to the ears of the thief. With her intimidating voice, she spoke.

“I can't believe you decided to betray my trust. Shame on you.”

Part 4

After a few days, in Shujin Academy Gymnasium.

The students have gathered in the said place for an assembly. In that situation, it was the thought solution to calm the rumors and the students who were studying for good.

There, the principal of the Shujin Academy was standing in the middle of the stage, in front of the microphone, giving a speech.

"Much has happened recently. I know you're all nervous and even confused at times. But it's during times like this that you need to remain calm and go back to an orderly school life." The voice of the principal echoed throughout the gym.

Among the crowd, the buddies, Ren, Ryuji was standing like the other students.

"That bastard, Kamoshida. The hell's he up to?" Ryuji whispered to Ren, speaking to the principal.

"Hm..." Ren said as their conversation about mental shutdown rose to his mind.

'If all his desires vanish, he'll have a mental shutdown. Unless he's protected—' Morgana told the group.

'Worst-case, he could die.' Ren continued the cat's sentence.

"We did it right, didn't we?" Worried, Ryuji asked. As a reply, Ren firmly nodded.

Gazing around the area, the blonde noticed the absence of the certain white-haired girl in the assembly.

“Speaking of which, where's Mochizuki?”

His thoughts were interrupted when the door of the gym was opened. The students looked at the direction, only to see their teacher, Kamoshida, looking down in shame. 'A very rare sight', those words were perfect to describe the scene.

"Mr. Kamoshida?" The principal that was giving a speech was interrupted.

"I have done things that were unbecoming of a teacher. Verbally abusing students, physically abusing my team... and sexually abusing female students. I am the reason why Shiho Suzui tried to kill herself." These words came from the teacher.

"I am an arrogant, shallow, and shameful person. No, I'm more worse than that. I'll apologize for killing myself." Kamoshida knelt in shame and sincerity. However, his words were more than enough to get the teachers alerted. As if their instinct, they helped the ashamed teacher to stand.

"I... I..." The man trailed while tears fell from his eyes and his actions caused more panic, especially to the principal.

"Mr. Kamoshida! Calm down!"

The principal exclaimed nervously, having a cold sweat running to his face. Watching the turn of events as well, Ann clicked her tongue and decided to stop restraining herself from talking.

"Don't run!" The blonde shouted, her voice echoing throughout the gym attracted everyone's attention. Eyes staring at her doesn't seem to bother her and decided to continue voicing out her opinion.

"Before she jumped, there was a lot Shiho pretended to not see. We all have to keep living a life full of regrets. You have no right to run away from this!"

Hearing her voice, among the students was Mishima on the verge of tears. Feeling strong relation to the girl's words, living a life full of regrets, being unable to do anything for others... It was indeed troublesome for him. But seeing the man who ruined his life confess his crimes, it was as if the burden on his shoulders were lifted up.

On a side note, Kamoshida agreed to the blonde's opinion. "You're right... You're absolutely right... I should be punished under the law and atone for my crimes. I'll turn myself in and confess." Kamoshida said before looking at the teacher to his right. "Please call the police!"

Before the teacher could finish his sentence, the sound of police’s sirens were already heard outside for the gymnasium.

Students began scanning the area with their eyes as they felt confused on how the police arrived just in time.

In the crowd of students, murmurs and whispers were heard all over. Gossips and rumor-lovers had a lot to say about the turn of events.

"It's just as the calling card said..."

"Does that mean that the thing with the Phantom Thieves thing was real?"

Gritting his teeth, a cold sweat rolled down his face, the principal was the most nervous and displeased with the scene.

"The assembly is over! Dismissed! Dismissed!"

On the other hand, Ryuji looked at his buddy before grinning from ear-to-ear. While Ren as a reply, smiled back at the blonde.

Part 5

The teacher who used to keep his head high arrogantly was now looking down in shame. Exiting the gymnasium, he walked with his eyes on the ground.

“Mr. Kamoshida.”

One of the teachers called. It served as a cue for Kamoshida to lift his sight— and what his eyes met was the police, waiting to take him into custody. It was not that only that caught his attention, but also a certain white-haired girl who he despised, and it appears as though the girl was responsible for his arrest. She probably showed the recording to the police, he thought. Looking back to the ground, he let out a bitter laugh.

“The timing's too perfect,”

Those words came from the Detective Prince who just went out of the car to accompany his partner. Kyoko, as usual, has her hands on her pocket of her coat. Funny, she was wearing her school uniform when she went with the police.

Turning her head to exchange eye contact with the Detective Prince, she spoke, carefreely with a mischievous smile on her face. “Nah, just luck.”

Taking the initiation, the chief police officer walked towards the teacher, showing the warrant of arrest.

“Suguru Kamoshida, you are under arrest for sexual harassment and physical injury and will be punished according to law.” The officer was about to cuff his hand until—

A petite hand stopped him.

“Can I do the honor?”

The officer, quite shocked, turned his head to look at the owner of the hand. What his eyes saw was something you could either call cute or creepy, your decision. The eyes’ of the white-hair were pleading, as if a cat asking for food. She blinked her eyes several times in a pleading eyes and a pinkish blush was imaginable. Her lips were curved into a cute cat smile.

The officer sweatdropped, but unmindfully let go of the silver cuffs which the girl immediately caught. In that instance, Kyoko dropped her act and had a wry smile plastered on her face. She held Kamoshida's hands, where the teacher didn't bother to defy. As she cuffed his hands, she leaned her face to the teacher's ear.

“Ah, I really didn't want to cuff your hands. After all, you have changed for the good.” The girl whispered to his ear. Before continuing on, her lips curved into a dark, yet a bitter smile. “But I never break a promise.”

Part 6

Walking towards his classroom, the raven-haired was walking in the hallways crowded with students hanging out. Opening the door at the back, he immediately went to his seat to get his things. Only to see a note in a white paper, quarterly folded.

Unfolding it, he wandered his eyes on the paper, "Meet me at the rooftop before you go home. Bring your friends as well."

"Who did..?" The boy trailed while flipping the paper, seeing that the sender didn't put his name.

Part 7

"Thank ya for coming."

As soon as the rooftop door opened, a familiar voice was heard from the white-haired. She was sitting on the table with her legs crossed, four canned drinks beside her, and two empty cans on the ground.

The sun was shining through them, emphasizing their shadows. That includes the things thrown to the rooftop, like an abandoned storage room.

“Kyoko…” The black-haired teen trailed, his gaze fixed on the girl. He didn't expect her to have had that aloof smile on her face, probably thought she'll still be in a vulnerable state.

“Last night, I had a lot ponder on. And brought me to a resolve, that...” The girl said, her sight on the floor. Lifting her gaze, her eyes reflected strong determination which was somehow foreign to them. “... that I will always protect you at any cost.”

“Renren… It’s all thanks to you.” The white-haired pulled a closed-eyed smile.

It was too beautiful. It was a while since the last time Ren had seen this smile, and it cheers him up to see it once again. His words and sincerity were effective and managed to reach Kyoko to her heart.

The others, too, were shocked at her sudden change. Before, they’d think, Kyoko Mochizuki is a Giant Mystery, due to the fact she was just so hard to understand. But now, it seemed to have subsided. They can learn more about her when the right time arrives. And a there’s a lot of time on her hands, so it’s impossible to not learn something about her on the course of their journey.

Everyone had genuine smiles across their faces.

Ren nodded with a smile, then exchanged nods with each other. "Welcome aboard. We hope to get to know you better, Kyoko."

Hearing this, Kyoko rejoiced, and grinned excitedly. Getting carried away, she wrapped her arms around Ren's neck, but Ren didn't give any meaning to it, knowing that she is unusually comfortable with boys.

Ryuji looked at Ren with a light blush on his face. He furrowed his eyebrows as he then walked to the two and pushed Kyoko away before placing his arm on Ren's back.

Shocked at the sudden interruption, Kyoko narrowed her eyes to the blonde. She pouted childishly to him then said, "What's your problem? Jelly?"

The blush on Ryuji's cheeks suddenly deepened, but shaking away his fear to lose his buddy to a very-much-aggressive-scary-strong girl.

Scratch that, he can't.

"Huuuuh? Why would I be? We're the best buddies after all!" Ryuji said as he bragged to the white-haired.

"Our bond is deeper, he's my hero!"

"What do you mean he's your hero? He's my hero too!"

Ren, watching the two fight over him, smiled and can't help but giggle to himself. He can't believe that in such a terrible incident that had happened to him, the 'God of Fate' gave him was brighter than rainbow, giving him such friends he will treasure.

"Anyways, about your codename..." Ann trailed, in the process stopping the two from arguing. The rivals turned their head to her along with Ren.

Forgetting about their little debate, Ryuji grinned in excitement and exclaimed, "I'm Skull!"

Kyoko tried to hold back her laugh while clenching to her stomach, "Is that because your head is only composed of your skull and no brain?"

"Hell no!" Ryuji yelled at the white-haired girl. "It's because I'm wearing a skull mask, didn't you see?!"

However, it did not stop Kyoko from laughing quietly. "Pfft..."

"Moving on, I'm Panther. And he's Mona, and..." Ann trailed, while Morgana continued her sentence.

“We haven’t decided on it yet.”

Kyoko's lips curved into a refined smile, before making eye contact with Ren. "I go by Alice."

"Huh? Why Alice?" Ryuji asked, tilting his head with furrowed eyebrows.

"Because I have a wonderland." Saying this, Kyoko scratched her cheek.

Ryuji, in reply, couldn't help but break into laughter. "Can't believe you're that childish! Pfffftt, hahahahaha!"

“Hey, you’re too rude!” Ann scolded the troublemaker before smacking his head.

The others looked at the scene and sweatdropped, except Kyoko who looked entertained.

“Ouch!” In defeat, Ryuji scratched his head painfully. Shaking off the pain, the boy looked at Kyoko rather seriously. “Anyways, Mochizuki, don’t do that again. Y’know, the other night.”

“Yeah, you scared us all.” With a worried face, the blonde-haired girl followed.

“We appreciate that you care for our well-being, and we had put a lot of thoughts on your words as well.” Morgana said.

“Tee-hee.” The white-haired gave off a laugh, then scratched her head. “Yeah, I promise I won’t do it again.”

“That’s a relief.” Ren said.

“And you, kitty.” The teen shifted her gaze to Morgana. “I've never seen anything like you before.”

“But…”

It was rather intense. Morgana gulped nervously, as thoughts flooded him. Does she have an idea about him? Does she know how to turn him back into a human? Does she know his true memories?

“You're sooo cute!”

Eh?

In a blink of an eye, Morgana was already at Kyoko's arms. The white-haired scratched his head obsessively, as the cat immediately fell for her embrace.

The scene caused them to sweatdrop heavily.

______________________________________

A/N: Now that's a long chapter. The one and only chapter with 4,000+ words. 

There was a lot of changes in this chapter. The details added are much more significant to the plot. But my grammar's pretty off, and I think the chapter didn't flow well. TT.TT

Regardless of that, it can be comprehended, right...?

Anyways, don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts!

I love you guys and always will! 💜

xoxo,
Eth.