11 AM

Earlier, the same day of the apartment bombing.

Naoki wakes up in one of Gretchen's vats. Opening his eyes, he slowly pushes the lid upwards, and rises above the vat. He sees Makoto, in the middle of dressing up.

She looks back at him as she's buttoning up her shirt. "Hey. How you feeling?"

With tired eyes and a slacked jaw, he responds: "Emotionally or physically?"

"All of the above. Come here," says Makoto, motioning over with her hand.

Naoki crawls out of the vat wearing only his underwear. He walks up to her.

Makoto grabs onto Naoki's face, looking all over.

She inspects Naoki's popped eyeball. It's clearly healing, however, its slightly discolored and the iris is slightly misshapen. She then opens Naoki's mouth. The teeth are starting to form again, though clearly still in the beginning stages. One of his cheeks is still somewhat swollen. She circles around him. There's still several yellow and purple blotches peppering throughout Naoki's body. No bones sticking out, thankfully. Yet Naoki's arms and legs are slightly crooked in some places. She hugs him. "Oh Naoki."

His tired eyes simply stare out into space. "It still kinda hurts but overall, the pain is getting bearable. My head still feels fuzzy, but a lot better compared to last night."

"Right, sorry," says Makoto, pulling back from the hug. "Is there anything else?" She continues.

Naoki pauses for a while. He eventually goes to his cubby, dries himself up with a towel, and starts dressing himself up in his uniform. He finally responds. "Where did the others go?"

"It was just you and me and when I woke up. I'm assuming they went back to their rooms already."

"...Ok."

"How are you feeling?" Asks Makoto.

"I don't see the point in talking about it. What's done is done and quite frankly, I don't know what to do about it. I just want to get the contract over with."

"Right, the contract... and what then?"

Naoki looks at the ground and eventually responds. "...I don't know."

They don't say anything for a couple seconds, until Makoto starts up again. "Why don't we just go to Principal Hanayama now to fulfill the conditions."

"Ok." Simply says Naoki.

Trudging through the winding halls, Makoto and Naoki pass through a couple of people. In the middle of the quiet walk towards the principal, Naoki recognizes Saizo's dorm. A malicious aura radiates underneath the door.

Eventually, Makoto and Naoki stand in front of Principal Hanayama's office door.

"Well," starts Makoto. "Are you ready?"

With a tired gaze, Naoki only comments "yeah."

Both of them knock on the principal's door.

"Enter." Commands the Principal from within.

Upon entering the principal's office, both Naoki and Makoto notice two unfamiliar things. One of them is that the principal is wearing a suit for once rather than his typical kimono. The other is that he has a small television on top of a cart standing right next to his desk.

"Ah, it's you two," says the principal. With only a mere glance at the students, he immediately goes back to writing a paper.

"Is it about the contract you two told me about last night?" Asks Hanayama.

"Yes," say the two.

"Alright." Hanayama stops writing and looks at both of them. "Before we get any conditions down, I need to understand everything."

Naoki starts. "To reiterate, in order to spare Makoto, the the other three vessels, and my life, I made a contract saying that us five will vote for Kito for mayor."

"You made the contract? Or all five of you?" Asks Hanayama.

"Just me and Naoki," responds Makoto. "The other three were unconscious."

Hanayama squints. "Then how are the other three involved in the contract if they're unconscious?"

Naoki continues. "So for the sake of the contract, we explained to him that we'll use the system and contract put on to them when they signed the contract to work as a vessel for the Ordinance Academy. Since we overlook the vessels, they have to say what we do. So in this contract, by using the ability to report them, that would force them to vote for Kito."

Hanayama strokes his beard. "But you know that would have to eventually go through me, right?"

"Yes." Says Naoki.

"So you lied."

"I didn't lie. I was just taking advantage of something he didn't know. And by extension, he didn't add a stipulation on the contract saying I can't explain it to anyone else."

Hanayama smiled. "Not bad, boy."

Naoki keeps his tired stare.

"What else did you tell him," asks Hanayama.

"Another part of the contract is that Makoto and I, had to vote for him."

Hanayama's smile evaporates into an annoyed pursing of the lips. "Well, not sure if there's much I can do there. I could try to say that your two votes are null and void since you two aren't technically citizens, but I'm not sure how that would affect your contracts, nor if I even have the power to enforce something like that. Again, I may have complete power over in this school, but in terms of actual favors? Its the conservatives that have that in spades. Asking to grant you temporary citizenship to vote is one thing. Asking to manipulate actual votes for the sake of protecting you two doesn't matter as much to them. Now, if they know that this guy is a terrorist, something will happen... but that doesn't involve you. So we're going to have to play this one safe for this one. Besides, its not like he's going to win with a two vote lead, so it's no big deal."

"Fair enough," says Makoto.

"Is that all that he asked of you two?" Asks Hanayama.

"Yes," says Naoki.

"Alright. Then what did you ask in return?"

"That he spare our lives."

"That's it?"

"Well, he added another condition to our condition. He said he'll spare our lives 'tonight,' under the definition of until midnight that night."

Hanayama winces. "So despite that, you two are still under his threat."

"Well, no," says Makoto. "He still needs all of us to vote for him if he wants it so badly. What would be the point of sparing us if he would do that before we could even vote?"

"Though that is true, he could keep that as a sort of cautionary opportunity. Such as in the case that you bump into him in a future date and you fight back, he won't be threatened by the contract since he got rid of the condition that night. He'll lose his vote but at the same time, if you're proving to be an annoyance to him, he'll have no penalty for killing you. Not to mention, after the voting process ends, what then? He could get rid of you two if he ever bumped into you."

Makoto sucks some air. "Damn. That's pretty cautious."

"Yeah. Anyway, is there anything else he mentioned?"

"No." Says Naoki. "Should we start the actual process of getting rid of the condition now?"

"We shall." Says Hanayama.

Both Naoki and Makoto stand up. "Principal Hanayama," starts Naoki. "As overseers for the vessels 'Saizo,' 'Viral,' and 'Ken,' during our previous mission, Makoto Yatagarasu and I, Naoki Miyamoto, would like to request that you give the vessels the ability to vote for the upcoming Kyoto mayoral election."

Hands clasped together, Hanayama sternly stares at the both of them and responds. "As principal of the Kyoto campus for the Ordinance Academy, I deny your request."

"I understand." Says Naoki. "Hang on a second," continues Naoki. "Kito did mention during the contract that Makoto and I had to do everything in our power to have the vessels vote. So, though we went directly to the principal to resolve this issue, it might not be completely safe yet. Thus, I'll clarify for the sake of the contract. Please?"

"...No."

"Alright. Well," says Makoto, as both her and Naoki sit down. "That takes care of that issue. Now we just have to vote for election day. Say, what's with the tv?"

"I'm watching the news. With this guy running around, I'm actively keeping an eye out. I doubt he'll get interviewed soon but, if there's a terrorist running around, we'll need to get rid of him. Just the matter of planning and resources. We have enough students here but they've already got their own cases to take care of. Not to mention, places still need to be patrolled. We could dump all our eggs to hunt this guy down, but it'll be chaos everywhere else."

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"Then why don't you hunt him down." Says Naoki.

Makoto glances at Naoki, before quickly looking at Hanayama. "(Shit)." She thinks to herself.

Hanayama grimaces. Air escapes his nose.

"Boy." Grumbles Hanayama.

"I'm just saying. You're the strongest in the world, right? So why don't you-"

WHAM

Instantly, Naoki is telekinetically yanked off his chair and slammed to the wooden wall. "GUHAH-AHHHH!" Yells Naoki, as air escapes his lungs.

"I may be the strongest* but, I'm still an old man. I can't go out there doing all of your jobs just because you're too weak to do it. My strength only goes so far. Same thing with Taberu or Django. They're strong, but they all have their own responsibilities. For Django and I, we have to stay here to protect the school."

Makoto looks at Hanayama's sheer strength. "(Damn.)" She thinks to herself. "(I have a lot to catch up to. And more importantly...)"

"Hey, chief" Says Makoto to Hanayama.

"Naoki didn't mean it. Let him down. He's just a kid, remember?"

"Hmph." Grumbles Hanayama. "You have no right to tell me what to do. But, you have a point."

Naoki falls to the ground. He gets on his knees, gasps for air and looks at the two of them. "Oh yeah? Then what about Christmas? We were attacked and you guys didn't do anything. The students had to take care of them."

"That's because they were weak." Says Hanayama. "If we knew that you students couldn't take care of them, then we would have stepped in. But though you may not realize it, despite being unknown to the grand majority of the world, there are still idiots who try to seize our power. Whether it be the Americans, or even people closer to us. If I'm gone, half of the school's defense is in jeopardy. If Django is gone, same thing. You all can protect yourselves, but an entire school? I only wish."

Hanayama gets up from his chair and walks over to Naoki, who's still on his knees. Naoki grits his teeth.

"Naoki, I've been alive for over a hundred years. I've been the principal since even before Naota was alive. These are my decisions because I've lived through it all, so unless you've experienced something that I haven't, I think I know what the fuck I'm talking about."

Naoki looks down and says nothing.

"That being said, you should rest up and find a way to continue the case whatever way necessary. I don't expect you to solve it tomorrow, but time is ticking. That is, if you're strong enough to continue."

Naoki looks up. He sees Hanayama's hand go near his neck. Makoto from afar, grips the chair's armrest.

"If you want to give up, I don't blame you. However, if you're too weak to continue, then do us all a favor, put your neck forward, and relinquish your right to live."

Naoki narrows his eyes. A couple seconds pass. He hesitates. He grimaces and slaps Hanayama's hand away. "I'll do it." Responds Naoki with a scowl.

"Hoho, what a way to respond." Says Hanayama with a sneer. He walks back to his desk and sits down. "I like your attitude when you're angry rather than a mopey loser. But be warned, next time you respond with that tone."

His smile evaporates into a stern expression. "I'll kill you."

Hanayama waves his hand. "You both are dismissed."

Makoto runs over to Naoki and picks him up. Naoki shakes her help off. "I'm fine." He grumbles. Both of them leave.

The office doors close.

Hanayama leans back in his chair, sighs, and shakes his head. "It might've been hypocritical. On the other hand, I don't know a better way."

.

.

.

Naoki storms off as Makoto follows him from behind.

"Fine then, if you don't need my help then just say so." Angrily says Makoto. "But the more you push people away, the lonelier your life will get."

Naoki shoots back a scowl. "Isn't that the fucking point?"

Makoto growls and grabs Naoki by the uniform. "Listen asshole-"

She looks at Naoki's cold, dead eyes. A face so malicious, so unwelcoming, yet also unexpressive. She feels her middle fingers extend. She looks down at her hands. Naoki has already grasped onto her middle fingers, threatening to pull them back so far they break off of their sockets.

She shoots back a grimace, staring into his eyes. Contesting to see through this mask.

"Do it." She says.

They stare.

Naoki lets go, turns around, and walks away.

"Tch." She scoffs and walks away.

.

.

.

Hours pass.

Makoto, who has been avoiding the vats all day, eventually comes back in. Upon entering, she sees Naoki, resting in a vat with only his neck and head above the liquid. He's staring at the ceiling. It takes him a couple seconds to look at Makoto, yet his tired expression doesn't change, and he only goes back to looking back up.

Makoto makes an annoyed face. "Tch."

She slams the door.

Naoki doesn't say a word.

.

.

.

A couple more hours pass.

Naoki is still sitting in the vat, staring at the ceiling. Drool escapes his lips.

"(Kito.)" Thinks Naoki to himself. "(How could I be so stupid. Someone that strong. Someone so calloused. Of course something was suspicious about him. But I didn't even sense an ounce of ki within him when I shook his hand. worthless. And if he could hide his presence that well, then who knows what else he can do. Was he even using all of his abilities against me? worthless. Did he even use any abilities? worthless. Was I so weak that it wasn't necessary to do so?)"

In the back of his mind, a quiet word whispers a phrase.

"(And I'm back to square one. I still haven't proven him wrong. He's not wrong about men. Man is conflict. It's in our nature to fight for any reason. And these people and their loyalty. Loyalty is a fickle thing. I wasn't all that close with Kito, but I still trusted him to be a normal, albeit cynical person. worthless. And now he risked me and my friend's lives. And though I didn't know that spirit, someone dying at the end of the day is terrible.

I used to hold the belief that spirits dying wasn't completely a bad thing. But I only ever killed spirits if they were outright malicious. Though its not enough to judge Saizo's friend as evil or good, I know that our fight was a misunderstanding. And now he's dead. worthless. I didn't know him but, at the same time, I can't help but feel like if it weren't for me being there, and we just traded groups, things would have ended up differently.

Speaking of loyalty, that stupid geezer Hanayama, treating me like that. I asked a simple question and he slams me to the fucking wall. He threatens my life and of course, like the subservient little bitch I am, I chose to continue. worthless. How loyal. Though, it's not like I can say no. It's my job; my existence. There's nothing stopping him from killing me, aside from my use to him and the Academy. How loyal. My contribution to this country sure is fucking worthwhile. And despite it all, no matter what he says, my hesitation, my inadequacy, my failure to realize and to stop Kito, much less one of his men. I really am-"

"Worthless." Says Naoki aloud.

"(And yet, Kito is still right. It really does some like being cynical helps you. To hell with the tofu passing and vegetable eating animals. We're all a bunch of creatures living for our own sake. The boat will always be rocked. True loyalty doesn't exist. There are no friends nor family, only people reciprocating favors and feelings. We are all ultimately alone. The cynical way is the optimal way to live. It is selfish. It is calloused. But that doesn't matter, if at the end of the day-)"

"He won." Croaks Naoki.

"(There is good and there is evil. It's just that it doesn't matter if one of them always prevails)."

Makoto enters the office. Sweating and with twitching motions, she frantically takes off her clothes and gets back into the vat.

Her pain immediately subsides, quickly calming down.

Both of them look out into space. One of them unintentionally, and the for the sake of ignoring.

"Makoto." Says Naoki.

She doesn't say anything.

"I'm sorry." He says. "I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you."

"Well I didn't ask for your forgiveness," says Makoto.

"..."

He stares out in the open.

"But you still got it anyway," he says.

She gives an annoyed glance to her brother. She sees that her brother isn't snarking, nor pouting, nor grimacing.

He's dead.

Emotionally, spiritually, physically, drained.

She hesitates but doesn't say anything.

"Makoto." Says Naoki. "I almost put my neck in his hand."

She stays quiet.

"You don't need to say anything. I'm just rambling.

...

I'm scared.

Of course I wanted to run away.

Not to save myself and make it someone else's problem, because that's the wrong thing to do. But because I'm too weak. I don't know what to do. I don't know how we could physically stop him. I just...

I think I'd rather be ____.

Sorry for pushing you away.

I would just prefer not to drag you into this. I already did it once, and look where it got us.

Makoto.

I don't want anyone else to get hurt."

Makoto sighs.

She crawls out of her vat, walks to Naoki's vat, and hugs him from behind.

"Naoki, I think it's a little too late for that."

Their cold bodies warm each other up within the liquid. She holds onto his hands and rests her chin on his shoulder.

"You may think you're doing them a favor, but pushing people away will only make things worse for you, and for them.

Naoki, I want you to listen to me, and listen to me carefully.

Until you can confirm that all of us are dead,

you will never be alone."

Something wet goes down Naoki's cheek.

.

.

.

About an hour later, both Makoto and Naoki are sitting in the cafeteria. They're eating an earlier dinner. Naoki has a sandwich and tea, while Makoto has tonkatsu soup. Makoto strokes Naoki's hair. He gently smiles while still looking down.

A tv within the cafeteria has the tv on. A bright flashing yellow and red appears. Both of them immediately look up.

"Makoto," says Naoki. "Turn up the volume."

"-is just in, a giant explosion at the Happy Mountain apartments in Kyoto was recently caught on tape. Reports are saying that the explosion was caused by a gas leakage within the building. There's damage to other buildings as well as debris and several injuries, but by some miracle, nobody has died from the explosion."

Naoki and Makoto both share a look of confusion and worry.

"There didn't seem to be any civilians inside the building at the time- except for one. Despite the burns the person refused to be taken to the hospital and insisted in coming up to us."

Naoki's eyes widen. His heart sinks. He tries to say something yet nothing comes out. Makoto holds him.

"The victim happens to be one of the people running for mayor in the Kyoto prefecture, Ushiyama Kito. Sir, are you sure you're fine with being interviewed?"

"Yes, I'm fine for now." Says Kito.

"Please, tell us what happened?"

"Well, I was coming home from a hard day at work when all of a sudden, right as I opened my door, the entire building exploded. Yet by some sheer miracle, I saw Kami-sama. I was up in the clouds, and they said to me, 'now is not your time. You still have business on Earth. Do not come back, until you have succeeded.' With their blessing, I came out of the pillars of flames on fire. By Kannon's blessing, she, along with the firefighters and policemen who risked their lives to help me, saved me and put out of fire."

Kami-sama is the closest thing to a westerner's translation or interpretation of "God" in Japanese culture.

Kannon is the Japanese name of the Bodhisatva or deity of compassion in Buddhism. They also go by the name "G/Kuanyin in Chinese or Avalokitesvara in sanskrit.

"That's incredible Mr. Kito. By any chance, could you-"

As Kito and the news reporter spoke, Kito kept blinking in odd, rapid intervals.

Naoki squints his eyes. "W...wait."

He recognizes the manner.

He stares into the screen in disbelief. "Makoto, rewind a couple seconds."

She does so and restarts the clip.

-- . . - / -- . / .- - / - .... . / -... . .- -.-. ....

Naoki, falls out of his chair and holds his chest.

"Naoki, what is it? What happened?" Asks Makoto, her breathing also haggard.

After stammering for a bit, Naoki let's it out.

"Meet me at the beach."