At the police department, Yamamoto and Kiria open the two big blue doors at the entrance. As they walk in they’re met with a slew of police officers. Some of them are working at their desks and others are moving around getting papers, and heading out. The gray walls match with the gray desks and blue and black chairs. The walls are filled with different picture frames of various officers over the years. Yamato and Kiria walk through the bright, hardworking atmosphere and head upstairs to a door with the words “Detectives Room” on top of it.
When they open the door they’re met with a gray and blue room with desks sectioned off for each group. The bright lights illuminate the room in a white glow. The room is mostly empty except for Kiara and senior detective Kikyo who appear to have been having a conversation before Yamato and Kiria walked in.
“Alright Yamato, I'll start making calls. Go ahead and start making a new file for this drug dealer.”
“Yes sir. After that I’ll hit the streets and see what I can find.”
“HEY YAMATO, WHAT’S UP!”
“Hey Kiara, nothing much. Kiria’s following up on a lead we got for the vigilante case. I’m about to make a file for this drug dealer who’s been making a name for himself by giving out some new kind of drug.”
“Wow y’all have your hands full.”
“Yeah I know.”
“Detective Fujimura, it’s so nice to finally be able to talk to you.”
“Oh detective Tahara, nice to talk to you as well. Please call me Yamato.”
“Yamato, so how are you? I hope you’ve been living up to your reputation. I remember when we were picking candidates and your name was the main topic.”
“Ahah, well I've been good. As for my reputation, well… I try not to think of it honestly. If I’m out trying to do my job, thinking of what other people think and expect of me will be a pain.”
“Heh heh, just as I expected of you.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, where’s Kai? Isn’t he supposed to be with your group?”
“Well, it’s complicated.”
“Complicated? It’s not complicated. That annoying idiot kept getting on my last nerves so I made up some random task for him to do in the science department. I don’t know why he’s been down there for so long but I’m not complaining. It’s all ‘uh why do I have to sit here with you guys.’ ‘Uh I need to be out there doing something instead of rotting away with the relief squad.’ Screw him.”
“Wow Kiara, the amount of passion you had while saying that with no remorse should be documented.”
“Why would I have any remorse for that fool?”
Yamato shakes his head at Kiara in disappointment.
“Well anyways, I have to file this new case and then hit the streets. Nice talking to the two of you.”
Yamato walks to his and Kiria’s desk and begins working.
***
In the commons sector of Daimon Island, the streets are loaded with civilians walking around to different stores. In the middle of the sidewalk, Yuto is walking towards the corner of the street where Kuro, Choji, and Riku are gathered waiting for him.
“Hey Yuto, what's up?”
“THERE’S NO WHAT’S UP KURO! Yuto we’ve been waiting forever. How long were you gonna make us wait huh?”
“Uhh…Riku. We’ve been waiting for three minutes.”
“YEAH AND THAT’S THREE MINUTES TOO LONG! What if we were waiting twenty minutes huh? What then? What about an hour? Or two hours? How about three hours, or four, or five or how ever long we could’ve waited, being on time is important that what my dad taught me and that’s why I’m always early to everything, well not everything there are sometimes when I’m late or maybe more than sometimes butlongstoryshortyouneedtobeontimewiththesethingbecauseitshowscourtesytoyourfriendsandareyoulisteningtomeareyouareyouyoubetternotbeignoringme.”
Kuro grabs Riku and covers her mouth to stop her from talking. She can still be heard mumbling even through Kuro’s hand.
“Well Riku, next time I’ll make sure I’m on time so that it doesn't trigger your unusually short attention span.”
“Hmph.”
Riku folds her arms and turns her head to the side.
“Anyways, Riku wanted to go to ‘AngelWears' first didn’t you Riku?”
Riku’s demeanor instantly changes as she becomes filled with excitement and a sparkle lights her eyes.
“Yes that’s right Choji. Today’s the two hundred year anniversary of Daimon Island. Because of that, everything's fifty percent off. AngelWears clothes are notorious for being the top of the line in fashion. They’re incredibly expensive and worn by all of Daimon’s prestigious families. I JUST HAVE TO GET ONE!”
“So, that’s where we’re headed, Yuto.”
“Well Choji, who am I to tell Riku no. She’d probably kill me if I said no anyways… I wish I could say I was joking.”
“That’s the spirit, Yuto. Now then, onward to AngelWears so I can get the best fashion EVER.”
The group walks across the street going through a large crowd and past different stores. They eventually end up on the same street as AngelWears. This street in particular is heavily crowded. All parking spaces are taken up and there’s a person within half an arms length of each other.
“Here we are. This is Angels street, named after AngelWears.”
“Whoa, the place is so famous it even has a street named after it?”
“Yeah Yuto, you’d know if you weren’t such a recluse.”
“What Kuro? I’m not a recluse. I just do most of my activities by myself which happens to preoccupy my day.”
“HAHAHAH! That has to be the lamest excuse you’ve come up with yet.”
“You’d know a lot about lame Mr.peed his pants as a fifth grader.”
Riku and Choji's eyes immediately widen as they stare at Kuro in disbelief.
“Wha- The hell is wrong with you? You think you’re funny Sir.went to summer school three times?”
Riku and Choji’s wide eyed stare moved to Yuto.
“That’s not fair, that was a complicated time in my life.”
Kuro grabbed Yuto around his neck and pulled him away from Riku and Choji.
“You know what’s not fair? You bringing up the time I pissed my pants.”
“Yeah well if you don’t let me go I’ll tell Riku that you like her.”
“AHHHH.”
Kuro immediately lets go of Yuto and gets in his face.
“Y-You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh I would.”
“What are you two talking about?”
“Uh nothing Riku, me and Yuto were just reminiscing that’s all.”
“WELL REMINISCE ANOTHER DAMN TIME I’VE WAITED LONG ENOUGH!”
“Yes ma’am.”
Across the street on the left, the news reporter Sierra Reeds is being recorded with a large line outside a store behind her. The large crowd and booming noises across the area make it hard to hear her.
“Well I don’t know if y’all can hear me but that’s it for today. Tune in everyday to get the latest up to date news.”
She puts her microphone down and the cameraman ends the broadcast. As she looks around the area, she sees Yuto across the street.
“Whoa no way. That’s it for today you can go ahead and leave.” She tells the cameraman.
Sierra scurries across the street avoiding near misses with cars and getting honked at. She makes her way through the crowd and gets to Yuto and his friends.
“YUTO! YUTO SASAKI!”
Yuto turns around to an out of breath Sierra Reeds in front of him.
“Sierra Reeds?”
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“Yep…that’s-that’s me. Hold on, let me catch my breath… Okay. Yuto I don’t want to take up much of your time. I just wanted to say that your dad Yuki Sasaki is who inspired me to become a reporter. As a kid I looked up to how he stared danger in the eyes and kept moving forward. He wasn’t scared of what would happen. So when he and your mom died I was shocked.”
“Don’t you think it’s inappropriate to talk about his parents and bring up bad memories?”
“It’s fine, Kuro. I’m glad my dad inspired you Ms.Reeds.”
“He did more than just inspire me. He guided me to this path. If it wasn’t for him, I never would’ve made my own reporting channel and got to where I am today. And so, I’ll take the same path he did and brave the danger on this island.”
“You’d take the same path that got him and my mom killed? Why? Why take a path that you know could and probably will kill you?”
“Well that’s easy, I’m doing it because if I don't, no one will. Sometimes the right path isn’t always the easy path. Sometimes, the right path is the tough path. The path everyone is scared to take. The path that many people have already failed. And the path that many people will continue to fail.”
Yuto looks away and stares into the distance lost in thought.
“Well that’s all I wanted to say. Thank you for your time and out of respect for your father, if you need anything I’d be glad to help.”
Sierra walks off into the crowd. Yuto remains frozen and staring into space as he remembers Shunji’s lecture about the path he will have to choose. Either to take down his parents' killer and stop being a vigilante. Or to take down his parent’s killer and continue in his dads footsteps protecting the Island. For a brief moment, the outside noise disappeared as a thoughtful silence embraced Yuto’s head.
“Yuto? Yuto? Yuto, you okay?”
Yuto snaps back to reality and the loud noise once again overtakes his ears.
“Yeah Kuro I’m good. I was just lost in thought.”
“So can we finally head in now? I’ve been patiently waiting.”
“Sorry Riku, yeah lets head in now.”
***
In another part of the commons sector, Yamato is walking down a street filled with homeless and sketchy people. He approaches a man in a gray coat and taps his shoulder.
“Excuse me.”
“Hmm? Yeah, what do you want?”
“I’m detective Fujimura of the DIPD. Do you mind if I ask you some questions?”
“Look man I ain’t do nothing wrong. I’m just enjoying the sunlight.”
“Then there shouldn’t be a problem should there?”
The man nervously turns his head away from Yamato.
“Y-Yeah, sure man go ahead.”
“Do you know anything about a new drug that’s popping up?”
“Uh… A new drug? N-Nah man I don’t know anything. Can I go now?”
“Really? That was an awful attempt at a lie. You wanna try again or do you wanna come with me down to the department for a full interrogation?”
“Alright, alright. About a week ago me and some friends were hanging out in an alley. That's when this weird guy came up to us and asked if we wanted his homemade drug. I refused, but my friends took it. First they started screaming in agony, then within ten minutes they all died. It was like their bodies were burned from the inside out.”
“Do you know what the guy looked like?”
“He had on some black pants and a black and green jacket with a black shirt. I was only able to get a glimpse of his face though. Half of it was messed up by some kind of burn or something. Seriously, that's all I know man.”
“Why didn’t you report this to the cops?”
“Oh please like y’all would care.”
“We would care. We would try to help.”
“Yeah? Like how y’all helped during the red raid? Slaughtered countless people just cause y’all were scared.”
“The people who did that are all dead. We're different from them.”
“Yeah… That’s what they all say. Bye.”
The man angrily walks away from Yamato. Suddenly, a brown haired blue eyed girl who was walking down the street comes to a stop in front of Yamato.
“Yamato?”
“Sky? What are you doing in a place like this?”
“Hmph, is that how you talk to someone who hasn’t seen you in two months?”
“Uh right my bad. Hey Sky it’s been a while hasn’t it?”
“Ugh, I guess that’ll do. I’m out doing research for my first report. It’s over the lasting effects of the red raid and how people are still affected. What about you?”
“Oh I’m just asking around trying to get information about a case. Did you have to pick a dangerous place like this to do your research?”
“Of course, if I’m not willing to brave danger for my story then that just means I’m not dedicated enough.”
“Yeah… You’re just like your sister.”
“Well she is my big sister after all. What kind of little sister doesn’t want to be like her big sister? And look at her now, Sierra Reeds, the famous reporter. My sister's amazing isn’t she?”
“Yeah she is. I just wish you would’ve at least had someone with you for protection.”
“Well… Now I do.”
“Sky, I can’t. I’m working right now.”
“PLEEEEASE?”
“Ok fine just this once.”
Sky smiles profoundly as she grabs Yamato’s hand and leads him away into the city.
***
Yuto and his friends have finally made it to the entrance of AngelWears. When they open the door and walk inside, they are met with an intense and glorious atmosphere. There’s a bright red carpet similar to the ones used for famous models. Every last piece of clothing has the best design with the best fabrics and cloths anyone could imagine. The bright lights give off a vibe similar to a fashion show. Everyone stood at the entrance shocked by the amazing scene. Riku’s eyes have a massive sparkle in them to accompany her happy face.
“WOW, IT’S EVEN BETTER THAN I IMAGINED! LOOK AT ALL THE AMAZING CLOTHES! I’VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY LIFE!”
One of the employees comes up to the group with a smile.
“Welcome. Is there anything you would like to try on?”
“EVERYTHING. I WANT TO TRY ON EVERYTHING!”
“Okay ma’am right this way.”
The employee shows everyone around the store as they each look at different clothes they took an interest in. After a while, Yuto, Kuro, and Choji sat down on a bench while Riku tried on clothes in the dressing room. Riku walks out of the dressing room in a beautiful shiny black dress with blue lightning bolts on it. Yuto and Choji look in awe at Riku’s beauty. Kuro blushes hard and turns around covering his face with his hands.
“Well, how do I look?”
“You look amazing Riku, like seriously.”
“Thank you Choji.”
“Yeah Riku, you look great.”
“Aww you guys and the best. What about you Kuro? What do you think?”
“Huh? Uhhh. WOW Riku, y-you’re absolutely beautiful.”
Riku’s shocked at Kuro’s response. She blushes and quickly goes back into the dressing room.
“T-THANK YOU!”
Kuro becomes frozen with embarrassment and can’t speak.
“You know Yuto, you might find this odd but the lightning bolts on that symbol reminded me of a study I read about from the science department.”
“What study?”
“Well, it's interesting. The study was over each individual elemental power. As you know, elemental powers are the most common types of power that people have which is why non elemental powers are called rare powers. Anyways the study was to find any weaknesses in the different elemental types. Of course with elemental powers being common, the only difference is how each individual fights and uses that power. The study suggested that even with the different styles of fighting throughout the world, there might be a common weakness to exploit for each element. The study hit its stride in West Africa where an elemental only tournament was being held for anyone across the world to join. For some reason, most lightning users who lost had a common reason. That reason was that when they fought a close range opponent, the opponent would hit them with a powerful ranged attack out of nowhere and knock them out. So they thought that since lightning is one of the more dominant ranged powers, when they fought a close ranged opponent who they have the advantage over, the close ranged opponent has a eighty percent chance of winning if they wait and pull out an unsuspecting long ranged attack. Sadly the study was proven wrong about a year later and lost all its funding leading to it being scrapped. I know the whole study was a major stretch and in my opinion really dumb but it was interesting for an aspiring science guy like me. Sorry I rambled too much.”
“No, it's fine Choji. A ranged attack huh? Interesting.”
“AHHH WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS TALKING ABOUT! WHY AREN’T YOU TALKING ABOUT HOW AMAZING RIKU LOOKED IN THAT DRESS?”
“You know Kuro, you really should just go and ask her out.”
“Oh I should just go and ask her out should I Yuto. Why should I take advice from the least social person in the world?”
“In the world… Really?”
“Well Kuro you can’t just keep it hidden from her all your life. You have to tell her eventually.”
“Yeah Choji but, but. I can’t, not right now.”
“Okay, but you should soon or else you’ll lose your chance.”
Riku comes out of the dressing room and selects the clothes she wants to buy. After leaving the store, the group goes around to different places eating candy, desserts, and playing games. It finally gets dark out and the groups say their goodbyes before leaving their separate ways.
***
Yamato and Sky have finally finished going around the sector. They stop at the corner of a street and a car stops in front of them. As the window rolls down, Yamato and Sky see Sierra Reeds in the driver's seat.
“Hey sis.”
“Hey Sky, hey Yamato. I hope you two had fun. I know Sky can be quite troublesome at times.”
“SIS!!!”
“It’s fine Ms.Reeds we had fun.”
Before Sky gets in the car she pulls out her phone, makes a couple of swipes, and puts it in Yamato’s face.
“Here, this is my number. You better text and call me once in a while.”
“Yeah I will.”
Yamato puts Sky’s number in his phone and Sky gets in the car and leaves. Before he could put it in his pocket, his phone started ringing.
“Hello?”
“Hey, just making sure you actually put my number in.”
“You didn’t even give me a chance to put your name in the contact.”
“Opps, well bye then. And don’t you forget to text and call me.”
“Yeah I will, don’t worry.”
The phone call ends and once again before he could put his phone in his pocket it starts ringing again. This time it showed Kiria as the caller.
“Hello?”
“Yamato I found out Mark works at Renewal Infrastructure, a business that takes torn down places and rebuilds them into a new place. Lucky for us he works the overnight shift meaning he’s still there now. Meet me there as soon as possible.”
“Yes sir, I’m on my way.”
***
In the bunker of Shunji’s house, Shunji is monitoring the computers. Yuto walks down into the basement and begins suiting up.
“How was your day?”
“It was fun, what’s up with our guy?”
“The tracker has him heading into the business sector. I can’t even fathom why but it’s time you put a stop to him.”
“As good as you are at getting information and you can’t find out? Guess I’m not the only one getting my ass handed to me.”
“Oh very funny. Yuto… This time, don’t lose.”
“Yeah, I won’t.”