[ARC 14: I REALLY THINK SO]

[October 1st, 2020]

The Elite Four met in the Elite Four's office. Matoi, the leader of the Elite Four, had called a midnight meeting for the Elite Four in the Elite Four's office.

"Apologies for the lack of notice." she muttered, thumbing through a pocket English-Japanese dictionary. "This only came to my attention five minutes ago - though we'll be setting out immediately."

Her head shook as she sat up. "As you might remember, I mentioned that Japan's academy - Ueno - was one of the few that was amicable to my offer of help. They've decided to ask for it, now. I've reviewed my Japanese - I'll act as translator while we're there."

"We're going to Japan, then?" said Mia, and Matoi nodded.

"You have an hour to pack, so I'll be brief. Preliminarily, though we'll receive more information when we arrive - they're concerned over a man they believe is creating artificial Revenants."

"He's - what do you mean?" said Marisa.

"Precisely what I'll ask in-person." laughed Matoi. "I would presume it has to do with some… form of 'designer' Revenants, for lack of a better word."

"Custom-made." said Samuel, and the president nodded.

"Correct. You have an hour to pack. Return back here once you do."

◆◆◆

Matoi's blackmail had allowed travel expenses covered. The four took a private plane to Tokyo, knowing they wouldn't ever have to deal with a mid-flight Revenant again.

"Man, Serena's gonna be so jealous of you." chimed Marisa, gesturing to Mia, and Matoi gave her eyes odd.

"She's very in to anime." laughed Mia, and Matoi with her.

"It might be better she isn't here, then. Most Westerners have their fantasies about Japan ruined if they visit outside of the tourist areas."

"What's it gonna be like?" said Marisa.

"Etiquette is far more important in Japan than it is in America - though I've already requested Daishi overlook any accidental rudeness out of you three."

"You - asking someone else for permission?" laughed Samuel.

"As I said - etiquette is important - tedious as it may be. He'll apologize for my having to ask, I'll apologize again for asking, and he'll apologize for my apologizing. Eventually, we might even fight a Revenant."

The three laughed.

"Is there really over twenty ways to say sorry in Japanese?" said Samuel. "I was checking some articles while we were waiting."

"It wouldn't surprise me." laughed Matoi. "Regardless, I'll relay the etiquette as it's relevant. It's a fourteen hour flight, and we'll arrive…" She checked her tablet. "…at five A.M."

The three nodded.

◆◆◆

The four stepped out of the airport in Tokyo and came out to the city. Matoi hadn't been in Japan in years, but her father would find out she was in the country soon, & avoid her if he was smart.

She led them around one street corner, murals of anime art left. 

"I've already notified them - our badges will work with their scanners, fortunately." yawned Matoi, gate up ahead and left.

"What's with, um -" - Marisa gestured left - " - that stuff?"

"The anime, President Matoi." said Samuel to Matoi's questioning head.

"Ah." She laughed. "Japan has a different relationship with their heroes. Their academy only has twelve students - this art is meant for a younger crowd. Note, here." She stopped at one mural, twelve men and women together. "They're always portrayed together, or in pairs. Far tighter-knit - they have no ranking system, and the government gives them far more funding. They're given a government job post-graduation."

"… Isn't that a clothing company's logo?" said Marisa, gesturing to their outfits.

"I… wouldn't know - but I presume so. Fewer students makes for more easily marketable reputations. I believe there's a manga series in the works - something meant for children to read, to understand law enforcement." She shook her head. "Japan has far more to it than anime and manga, of course."

"The comparison I found was it's how cartoons are perceived. Is that correct?" said Samuel.

"…close enough. It's been eight years since I lived here - but for most adults, it was simply something they knew existed, and would either watch - or not. Quite amusing to see a 90 year-old man reading the latest Shonen Jump - a weekly manga magazine for teenage males."

"'When I became a man, I put away my fear of childish things...'" started Samuel, and Matoi laughed.

"Regardless - it's simply a medium." The four started down the sidewalk again as Matoi spoke. "And before I forget - Japanese heroes use regular public transportation."

"No like, super fast trains?" said Marisa, and the three blinked at her.

"… er." murmured Mia. "Marisa - the - trains Urasaria uses were invented in Japan."

Her cheeks filled as the three laughed. Matoi shook her head as she came up to the gate, scanner right. She crouched down for retinal, placed her badge in the slot, and as she put her finger to the screen -

- the gates peeled open to the long path beyond, three towers at the end, two white and one red. Ueno had far better accomodations than Urasaria, and new governments often funnelled money to show their support for the country's students, even if they had too much already. The four stepped inside, and the gate closed automatically as they saw a man walking towards them, hailing them.

The man was an utter leviathan, the size of two men. Mia felt an uneasy familiarity with his muscularity as he came up.

"(Rain-On-A-Wedding.)" he said, and the two bowed, the rest following a second after. "(My apologies for my lateness.)"

"(My apologies, as well - I should have notified you of our early arrival.)" she said, and he went down the four, shaking their hands.

"(It is good to see you. Does your squadron speak Japanese?)"

"(Only myself. I'll translate as needed.)"

He nodded. "(Fortunate. I cannot remember much English, but I will speak in it, if you would prefer.)"

"(There's no need, though it's appreciated. Apologies - one moment.)" She glanced down the line, pointing to each. "Boudoir - Marisa. Swarm - Mia. Boar - Samuel. This is Daishi - Ueno's student body president."

"The…" He gestured to Swarm. "… Scarabs?"

"(The elemental scarabs.)" smirked Matoi. "(I'll relay their abilities to you while we walk.)"

"(Thank you. It would be best to - would you like any refreshments? Meals? I understand you've had a long flight.)"

The five started down the path.

"(One moment.)" said Matoi. "Swarm - Boudoir - Boar. What would you like for a meal?"

"Do they have their own Luna?" grinned Marisa, and the four laughed nostalgic.

"(She made a joke about a woman who worked in Urasaria's infirmary - she cooked meals for students. She asked if 'they have their own Luna'.)" said Matoi, and Daishi laughed like he'd heard it.

"Is there something you would recommend, Matoi?" said Mia.

"I'll trust your judgment." muttered Samuel, and with a wave from the fashionista, their culinary fates were sealed.

"Of course. (Four plates of pork curry. As spicy as possible on three of them, and four glasses of soy milk.)"

"(Understood.)" nodded Daishi. "(One - matter to discuss, before we eat, however. In Japan. I - understand that, in America, heroes are allowed to…)"

"(Japan has far stricter regulations on the use of lethal force. Of course.)"

"(Correct.)" He nodded. "(I understand that, for your Revenants, it may be difficult. Fortunately, mine is well-suited for it.)"

"(One moment.) Swarm - Boudoir - Boar. You'll be required to be nonlethal while in Japan. Remember what we've trained."

"First time in a while." chimed Marisa.

"It shall be -" - Matoi's head shook, and she held her hand to Daishi. "(It shall be difficult for myself and Boar - but Swarm and Boudoir will manage well. They have excellent control over their Revenants.)"

Daishi nodded. "(Thank you. Still, if you are forced - do not hesitate. I will aid you as well as I can.)"

Matoi nodded, and the four came to the red tower in the middle. The doors opened to a building sleeker than Urasaria's, monitors along the hall. They spoke as they got in one of the elevators at the end, ten floor buttons and a keyboard beside.

"(Apologies. One moment.)" said Daishi, going fast at the keys. He nodded as he finished up and tapped the 10. "(I was relaying your orders. They will bring it personally when it is done.)"

"(Thank you.)" said Matoi. "Our orders. I hope you enjoy."

"What did you get us?" said Samuel.

"A surprise." said Matoi, and nodded to Daishi. "(Simply translating. While we have time, I'll relay their Revenants to you.)"

"(Thank you.)" nodded Daishi, standing at attention as they went up.

"Mia Schultz - Swarm." Matoi tapped Mia's shoulder. "Show him your three scarabs. (Don't break them.)"

"Of course." nodded Mia, handing Daishi her three scarabs. He took them like they were precious.

"(She has an infinite swarm - thus the name. Fire, ice, and lightning - and a sword that reacts with each.)"

"(Understood.)" Daishi handed them back to her.

"Marisa Gwynvere - Boudoir. Marisa, give him a sample of Boudoir."

Marisa gave him a sample of Boudoir.

"(Go ahead - you can squeeze it.)" laughed Matoi, and Daishi squeezed it. "Harden it."

It hardened, and Daishi nodded again. "(She controls the consistency of this material, then?)"

"(Correct. She creates ropes - gas masks - similar items - and acts as our medic. I'll demonstrate.)" She pulled a knife from her pocket and slit her palm. "Marisa - heal me."

Marisa gave her wound a sample of Boudoir, fabric turning to new flesh.

"(As for myself and Samuel - we'll require a better area to demonstrate.)"

"(Of course. Thank you, Rain-On-A-Wedding. As for my own.) Kiseru."

Two flat pipes burst out of his left shoulder, and two out of his right shoulder. One was covered in purple&black spots, another in red&white, the third green&blue, and the last yellow&pink.

"(These - for lack of a better word, pipes - allow me to aim and release specific gases. Corrosive acids, viruses that mutate animals, flesh-eating bacteria, and the like.)"

"(Quite a violent Revenant.)" laughed Matoi, and Daishi shook his head.

"(Fortunately, one allows sleeping gas. I've developed good control over each - so do not hesitate to ask me if you require a demonstration.)"

"(It would be best, eventually.)" She turned to the others. "(His Revenant allows -)"

- the other four laughed as they caught it, and she frowned for a second.

"We're - discussing his Revenant." laughed Matoi. "It allows him to eject certain gasses. Corrosive, flesh-eating, mutation of animals, and sleeping gas."

"Is that how you and I are gonna be non-lethal?" said Samuel.

"At worst, I'll bash them unconscious with Wedding's missiles."

The elevator doors opened to a room with a table near the floor, five cushions on one side, another elevator to their right as they exited. A door left led to a similar room. Daishi waited for the rest to take their seats -

" - kneel." said Matoi, holding her hand out to the others. "This is a chabudai. These seats are zabuton. You sit kneeling."

The three helpless foreigners nodded and kneeled. Daishi stifled a laugh as he kneeled next to Matoi.

"(My apologies. It should be -)"

- the second elevator opened, and in stepped an elderly woman with a tray, five plates of tonkatsu curry and five glasses of soy milk. Daishi nodded and stood, bowing his head as he took it from her.

"(Thank you.)" he said, and she was gone. He set it down on the table, and Matoi swiped the Japanese notes off the other three's plates before they could ask. The five ate together, and three soon had tear-filled faces.

"Something amiss?" said Matoi, gesturing to the three pranked.

"Er - j-just - spicy." winced Mia, wishing Aimee were around. (As was often the case.)

"Y-Yep." panted Marisa.

"(Is - everything alright with your squadron?)" said Daishi, and Matoi nodded.

"(They said it's slightly mild - but don't worry. They're a fan of spicy food.)"

Daishi nodded, unable to comprehend any of it.

"Am I - allowed to blow my nose?" panted Samuel, sniffling like a true boar.

"It's considered rude." smirked Matoi. "Step outside for it."

The boar nodded, gesturing vague to Daishi as he went outside.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"(Blowing his nose.)" said Matoi, taking her portion far more pleased. "It's a very mild dish. I don't know why the rest of you are having such trouble with it."

"Y-You - bitch." winced Marisa, catching the trend now, and Matoi laughed.

"(She referenced an American movie.)" laughed Matoi, and Daishi followed it.

"(I'm glad that you enjoy your meals. If it's - not improper, we should discuss now why I requested your aid, once Boar returns.)"

As if on cue, he did.

"(Convenient.)" laughed Matoi. "(One moment.) Swarm - Boudoir, Boar. I'll be speaking with Daishi on why he requested our help - I'll translate after."

"Time for business." nodded Samuel, and Matoi gestured for Daishi to start.

"(Thank you.)" he nodded. "(…essentially, this began nearly two months ago. Normally, Japan has a very low crime rate - so, for Ueno students, we confront, at most, four hosts in a month. Sometimes more, but generally - well, generally very low.)"

"(Yes.)" nodded Matoi. "(Continue.)"

"(However, there's recently been a much higher frequency of Revenant-related crime. Often violent, and often by men with… seemingly little motivation. They're usually salarymen with stable employment, and no criminal history.)"

"(Of course.)"

"(But - I requested your assistance after speaking with Prime Minister Hito. I had given him the letter you sent us, and we decided it would be best for us to cooperate, as… well. Admittedly, some Ueno students have been - caught off-guard by the frequency of fighting.)"

"(How frequent, exactly?)"

"(In the last month - thirty.)" winced Daishi. "(Spread across eleven students able to fight. I understand these numbers may not sound high, due to the population difference, but -)"

"( - of course. It's cause for concern, regardless.)"

"(Yes.)" nodded Daishi. "(We're very capable, of course - but we both agreed it would be best to cooperate - in keeping the peace.)"

"(I agree.)" said Matoi. "(You mentioned - in your earlier message. Some form of 'consumable' Revenant?)"

"(I did. That's the name the police has given to these - kinds of Revenants we've been dealing with. Apparently, they wither - very, very fast, when taken out of the body. Quickly enough that they can't be studied.)"

"(They can't find their abilities then, I assume.)"

"(Correct.)"

"(Has there been something in common?)" said Matoi.

Daishi's head shook. "(Unfortunately - it appears not. They're as varied as one would expect, but - they're clearly manmade in some way. Currently, we believe it may be from another Revenant, or by a possible - Revenant researcher, for lack of a better phrase.)"

"(A mad scientist.)"

Daishi laughed. "(That would be a better phrase, yes. They don't appear to be gaining strength - but, if they are made by a Revenant - well. It would be best to find the source as quickly as possible.)"

Matoi nodded, three foreigners in anticipation beside. "(Have you found any leads, then?)"

"(…unfortunately little.)" murmured Daishi. "(The police have… They're currently searching for suspects - and should have their search narrowed soon.)"

"(Of course.)" said Matoi. "(We'll be peacekeeping with Ueno students, then?)"

"(Yes.)" said Daishi. "(Including myself, there's only a dozen students - only eleven that can fight - but four of Urasaria's best will certainly help.)"

The two smiled.

"(Of course. One moment - I'll translate for my squadron.)"

"(Go ahead.)"

Matoi turned to the three, eyes listening to her every word.

"So?" grinned Marisa. "What's going on?"

"We'll be assisting Ueno students with law enforcement. Recently, they've had to deal with…" She paused. "… 'consumable' Revenants. They decay rapidly once they're taken out of the host's body, and they haven't been able to study the abilities."

"They're trying to figure out where it's from, then?" said Samuel, and Matoi nodded.

"With no leads, yet."

"Oof." winced Marisa. "I guess it'll mostly be, like, what we normally do, right?"

"Non-lethally." chimed Mia, and Matoi nodded.

"Correct. The police will handle investigation - our job is simply to fight Revenants as they come up."

"Simple enough." nodded Samuel.

"Any questions?"

"Yeah, uh." said Marisa, gesturing to her full glass of soy milk. "Why does this taste weird -"

- the three laughed -

" - it's - soy milk, Marisa -" laughed Mia -

" - I meant on the investigation -" laughed Matoi, turning to Daishi - "( - she - she was asking why the milk tasted odd - she didn't realize it was soy milk -)"

"( - of course.)" laughed Daishi like he'd heard it. "(If she would prefer something more Western - Ueno's staff is more than willing to accommodate that.)"

"(We'll see.)" laughed Matoi. "(Was that all for now, then?)"

"(One last matter.)" said Daishi, standing, and the four with him. "(There is a student we must meet with. He will appear as soon as I call him. Can you warn your squadron?)"

"(Of course.) Mia - Marisa, Samuel. There's a student we need to meet - stay still. (Go ahead.)"

Daishi nodded, tapping his phone, and in the next instant -

- a young man wearing a suit&tie appeared beside him, black hair and beard shadow.

("This is Junpei Yamazaki - our transporter.") said Daishi, and Junpei bowed.

"(Urasaria Academy's Elite Four. Thank you for coming.)"

The four bowed.

"(Your transporter?)" said Matoi, and Daishi nodded.

"(Junpei. Explain to them your Revenant, in English.)"

"(Yes, Daishi.)" He smiled. "…alright. You guys don't care if I'm formal, do you?"

"Not at all." said Mia, nodding to keep the illusion, and Junpei held a laugh. They seemed less formal, though he admittedly only knew Americans through Western action shows.

"Its name is Bōkun."

"It's - called Tyrant?" said Matoi -

" - hey, don't look at me, I didn't choose it." He stifled a grin. "Bōkun."

A throne formed on his back, and he turned, purple seat and golden trim. "What I do - one second."

He disappeared, and in the next instant -

- was back again, holding a plate of takoyaki.

"Just took this right outta someone's hands, so -"

- he disappeared, and in the next instant -

- returned with no takoyaki.

"That's - incredibly fast." sputtered Mia, and he nodded.

"Doesn't do anything against hosts, though - I just pass right through them. What we'll do - you call me, I get to you guys, help direct you, and when you're fighting -" - he turned his throne to them - " - civilians get to ride in this. Only takes a minute to get them all out safe." He turned. "Any questions?"

"Can you, by chance - carry missiles?" said Samuel.

"Doubt it - but try it."

Marisa ripped a ball out of her dress, handing it to him. Matoi handed a missile, and Mia a scarab; he disappeared -

- and the three gifts fell to the ground - he appeared again, nodding.

"Yep. Always happens - anything a host gives me. No tricks allowed."

"I believe that's everything, then." nodded Matoi, and Junpei bowed.

"(Thank you. It was my pleasure.)"

"(He's explained his role to you, then?)" said Daishi, and Matoi nodded.

"(Quite polite.)"

Junpei disappeared, and Daishi relayed his number to their phones.

"(If he does not respond immediately - call him, no matter what hour. This is his job -)" - his phone rang, and he took it quick. "( - Daishi. No - I was meeting with Urasaria Academy's Elite Four. Where? One moment.)" He stifled a sigh as he took the phone to his chest. "(My apologies for my rudeness. There's a host threatening people at a nearby airport, and other students are currently busy - I must leave.)"

"(I can come with you.)" said Matoi, and Daishi nodded, leading her to the elevator entrance; she glanced back and waved the three down. "We're responding to a call - rest."

Junpei appeared beside them, and Marisa stifled a surprised shriek as Daishi&Matoi took the elevator down. "Hey-o."

"I - warn us." panted Marisa, and he laughed.

"Sorry. Daishi and your president - airport, some dudelio making a scene."

"Er - did you evacuate the civilians, then?" said Mia, and Junpei nodded.

"All safe. I'll get you to your room."

The three nodded. Below, Daishi and Matoi ran out of Ueno, speaking as they went.

"(Junpei has already evacuated the airport - as a matter of safety. Apologies - what was your Revenant?)"

"Kekkonshiki. Wedding." Her veil flashed on. "(Missiles and lasers - the lasers would be lethal, but I control whether the missiles explode. If they don't explode - they're only shockwaves.)"

"(Fortunate.)" he panted, still trying his etiquette as they ran. "(Be - careful with property destruction. Japan - only has two professionals for reconstruction.)"

"(America has twenty - but I'll leave that to you.)"

"(Thank you. Follow my lead, please.)"

The two ran for a few minutes longer, coming eventually to a familiar airport, already evacuated as they entered the first floor.

"(Right after we arrived.)" sighed Matoi, and Daishi led her up to the second floor, to the third.

"(I was about to say.)" laughed Daishi. "(Still. Junpei said there was a man on the third floor - near Concourse A, right before the runway We'll start our search there.)"

The two came to Concourse A, overpriced stores&restaurants left, rows of seats right, glass walls that showed the grounded flights below.

'I could destroy this entire floor to find him if this were America. No one would miss paying $5 for a bottle of water.' thought Matoi, eyes left as they walked. '…or five hundred yen.'

They passed one casual store and heard footsteps behind; they turned -

- and Matoi clenched back her explosive urge as they saw their foe a hundred feet away, having just stepped out of one store, dozens of tubes hanging off of his back, filled with liquid -

"( - stop, please!)" shouted Daishi, holding his hand out as the man halted, turning to face them. "(My name is Daishi Moto. Ueno Academy's student body president.)"

"(I know who you are -) - said the man - "( - who the hell is that chick?!)"

"(Matoi Kujo - Urasaria Academy's student body president.)" said Matoi Kujo - Urasaria Academy's student body president.

"(Neither of us wish to hurt you.)"

'Don't be so sure.' thought Matoi.

"(We were called here after - hearing someone was threatening others. Is there - something recently in your life you wish to speak about? If you surrender - we'll ensure no harm comes to you.)" said Daishi.

"(There's American heroes here?)"

"(There are - to help us with an investigation.)"

"(Who the hell invited them?)"

"(The Prime Minister - and myself.)"

"(…right.)" muttered the man, and in the next instant -

- a green globe erupted from one of the tubes and shot towards the two; the duo split in separate directions, green goo splattering uselessly between -

- and corroding a section clear through the floor, Daishi still calm as he stepped up.

"(If you continue, we'll be forced to use force. Are you -)"

- and he swept underneath the next dozen acidic replies, man starting to run away with tubes taut; with a sigh, Daishi nodded to Matoi as the two started their chase, endless line of stores right as they ran, a hundred feet separating them from their foe but gaining speed.

"Wakareku!" shouted the man as he turned, tubes going taut, and as another dozen globes shot towards Daishi -

- a blue puff of Kiseru hit the globes; and down fell the projectiles, neutralized metaphorically and literally. The next volley shot to Matoi -

"( - handle this for me.)" she laughed, shockwaves blasting the globes back to Daishi -

- and another dozen puffs of Kiseru diluted the acid as they kept their rush forward, constant volley useless but for the pockmarked floor behind. The man swept in to a store right&ahead, disappearing within, and as they came up fifty feet away -

"( - here.)" said Matoi. The two peeled right in to another store just behind their target, running up to the wall separating them and the next.

"(Go ahead.)" nodded Daishi.

Permission for property damage given, a volley of missiles hit the wall -

- and the explosions tore the barrier apart; their foe shrieked in the other store and thirty feet away, tubes dipping in to bottles of hydrogen peroxide & nail polish as he stumbled back against the shelves. A new barrage erupted from Wedding's shoulders -

- but a dozen jets of tube-water slashed each to bits, new liquid filling his Revenant as the duo started ahead -

" - Wakareku!" shouted the man, two tubes spraying hydrogen peroxide & acetone ahead, and in the next instant -

- an explosion blast the two with the strength with a thousand away, shockwaves diluting their momentum as they flew back, backs hitting the wall as they landed. Grunting as they stood, a second volley of liquid hit their faces -

- and started instantly to harden, blinding their vision and claiming their eyes; the two stumbled, hearing a new volley of acid erupt ahead -

" - Kiseru!"

- and a swift puff of blue kept them safe, hydraulic concrete on their entire faces -

" - Wedding!"

- and Wedding's lasers burnt their prisons to ash, freeing the two as they wiped their faces, vision clear as they stood again. A volley of missiles flew below, burrowing as they rushed forward again; ahead, the man's tubes swept out and back -

- and launched a dozen white globes towards them; with the speed of literal light, Wedding's beams sliced them in half -

- and set Matoi sighing as each burst in to smoke, blinding their vision and filling their sight again; but a dozen shockwaves blast the clouds away -

- and the two saw with aghast eyes the wall repaired, new material surrounding the store, trapping them within as they ran up to the wall.

"(Don't -)" - said Daishi -

"( - a trap.)" nodded Matoi, and the two stepped careful to the middle of the room. "(He wants me to use my missiles on the wall again.)"

Daishi nodded. "(Yes - or my acid.)"

"(Do they know your Revenant?)"

"(I would assume.)"

The two nodded, and in the next instant -

- they heard hissing from the blocked entrance, steady stream of water starting to fill the room. Sword drawn, Matoi rushed to the entrance, Daishi at her side as she slashed at the wall -

- and cut halfway through, exposing the bouquet of tubes embedded from outside, leaking water as they were sliced in half, liquid up to their ankles by then. With no time to waste, another sweep went through the wall, slicing through another set of tubes -

- and she felt with aghast blade her steel starting to rust -

- and falling to shattered pieces in the next, still trapped within the store as the water came up, new set of tubes replacing their fallen brethren -

- and another steady hiss began, gas starting to fill the enclosure. The two staggered back and away, coughing as the vapors entered their lungs -

" - Wedding -" gagged Matoi, missiles flying forward -

- and the shockwaves blasted the vapors up to the ceiling, constant set keeping it trapped, giving them more time as they stood again, blood dripping down their lips.

"(We -)" - coughed Daishi - "( - need to shatter the wall, but -)"

- and he laughed, Matoi following as she realized it -

"( - it's your idea.)" she laughed, and with no time to waste, the thick skulled man ran to the back of the store; then turned, trust in the American president as he ran and leaped back -

- and a set of shockwaves blasted him with the strength of a thousand forward, human battering ram screaming towards the barrier -

- and smashing clear through the wall, man outside & left as Daishi flew out of the store -

- and the man laughed as Daishi shot through the window in a rain of glass, third-floor fall on to the runway below -

"( - did you really -)"

"( - correcting course!)" shouted Matoi, Daishi still holding one missile behind his back -

- and another shockwave blasted him back in to the airport and in to the man, and the two combatants hit the ground fighting. In a whirlwind of blows they revolved down the concourse, and as a tube shot to Daishi's chest -

- a geyser of blood blasted him with the strength of a thousand up -

- and a puff of acid cleared an exit as he flew through the roof, disappearing beyond. No option left, the man shot up and started to flee, hearing Matoi in pursuit behind, only thirty feet between the two -

"( - moron.)" droned Matoi, final set of missiles erupting ahead; tubes readied, the man turned to counter -

- but saw with aghast eyes the missile fly above his head, blasting the ceiling behind him -

- and the rain of rubble blocked his escape behind; truly no option left, he staggered against the sudden barrier -

- and as he heard a section behind corrode away, he was doomed and he knew it.

Out of the sudden aperture stepped Daishi -

" - Kiseru."

- and a puff of purple haze filled the man's nostrils, knocking him unconscious in an instant. Daishi nodded as he crouched down, and tapped his back ruefully. Matoi came over, and he laughed with a wince.

"(Slightly painful - but nothing our medic cannot handle. Excellent work. Thank you, Rain-On-A-Wedding.)"

"(Of course.)" said Matoi. "(He's unconscious, then?)"

"(Correct.)" nodded Daishi. "(For - well. Usually, one hour - but I'll ensure he's unconscious until his Revenant is removed. How does that usually go in America, with - ah - Wedding?)"

Matoi shrugged, crouching down beside. "(Urasaria students are allowed to use lethal force immediately.)"

"(…ah.)" he muttered. "(Apologies. I must notify Junpei to bring police here. They'll remove his Revenant before questioning.)"

"(Far more peaceful than America.)" laughed Matoi.

"(I suppose we have different histories on that, after all.)" nodded Daishi. "(Japan has not dealt with this - frequency of Revenants since the early 80's.)" A second puff of Kiseru's purple haze filled the man's nostrils. "(Apologies. I should notify the police, now.)"

Matoi nodded -

- and Junpei appeared with two police officers in Tyrant's throne. They stepped off and thanked him, and he disappeared.

"(Good to see you.)" said one and bowed. Daishi replied likewise, scooping the unconscious cargo in his arms as they started outside. "(Apologies - is this woman a Ueno student? I haven't seen her before.)"

"(I am not.)" laughed Matoi. "(Matoi Kujo - Urasaria's student body president.)"

"(The academy over in America?)" he said, and she nodded.

"(Her - and her three best - were called here to help us on the Revenant investigation.)" said Daishi.

"(Hopefully it'll end soon.)" remarked the second man. "(Do you believe this man is part of it?)"

"(That would be your job.)" said Daishi, and the four laughed. They came out to the street, police car already pulled up, and Daishi turned to Matoi. "(My apologies - I must accompany them, to ensure this man does not wake before his Revenant is removed. Junpei will lead you back to Ueno - but feel free to go anywhere you like.)"

"(Of course.)" nodded Matoi. Junpei appeared beside Daishi, and the wide president got in the back with his cargo. Junpei waited until they were gone to speak.

"Big man's gone." chimed Junpei, starting down the street and back to Ueno. "Sorry - should ask again - you care about formality?"

"I had enough for one day with Daishi." said Matoi, and Junpei laughed.

"That's about right - about right-io. I mean - I gotta do it, I gotta - but you only have to deal until you're done." His head shook. "Your squad's still in their rooms - they'll fill you in better than me on all the wonderful, wonderful services Ueno has to offer our esteemed guests."

Matoi laughed. "Don't sound so bitter."

"I'm not." grinned Junpei. "I tried to look up Urasaria soon as I heard someone was coming - you guys keep it pretty secret there, eh? Someone was saying something about rankings? #1 - a, Rain-On-A-Wedding?"

"Myself." smirked Matoi. "Urasaria has a ranking system for its students, based on confirmed kills -"

" - oh, and that too, man-io, man-io. America really is more violent." laughed Junpei. "Really though - you're saving time. Taxpayer money, really."

"By killing them?"

"Yeah! Yeah - it's - oh - shit, you used to live here, didn't you -"

" - I left eight years ago -" laughed Matoi -

" - yeah - well, that's still old enough to know, isn't it? Those dudes usually get - how do you say it?"

"The death penalty?" said Matoi, and he nodded as they came up to the gates. Badge scanned, fingerprint scanned, retinal scanned, they went inside.

"Yep, yep-io. They get life in prison - attempted murder, concealing their…" He paused as he led her to the right white tower. "…concealing their...ikiryō." He shook his head as the doors opened. Matoi followed him to the elevator. "It's on the eighth floor. Call me if you need anything. Daishi'll get mad if I don't."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

And he was gone. She took the elevator up. The doors opened, and she laughed at the familiarity of the dining room, made to look more luxurious Western than Japanese. A kitchen was at the left, a hall to the right with four doors that led to their bedrooms, one to the bathroom, and a living room further ahead.

"Yeah." grinned Marisa, already sat down, three at work on bowls of shrimp tempura and miso soup. "They made it look like - like a luxury hotel or something."

"Apparently." laughed Matoi. Samuel gestured to her serving beside, and she sat down.

"How'd having to be nonlethal go?"

"Well enough. Daishi was willing to be the sacrificial lamb - he took every hit." The four laughed. "He has to go file reports, of all things - stay with the police the entire time - and then, Junpei tells me that most hosts in Japan receive life in prison or the death penalty regardless."

"Guess we're just efficient." offered Samuel.

Marisa nodded. "Man - this is super good though, like. They seem super polite, too."

Mia nodded as she got up and to the hall, stepping in to the bathroom.

"Oh, like - Junpei said if we wanna order anything, there's a keyboard in the living room."

"Almost like home." said Matoi, thinking of her mansion. "If -"

- a shriek came from the bathroom; the three shot up -

- followed by Mia laughing - " - I'm - I'm alright!"

- she opened the bathroom door - " - you - you have to come see this."

The three came to see it. Matoi stifled her laugh at Mia gesturing to the toilet with a control panel. She sat down and pressed one button, then stood as a miniscule jet of water came out of the bowl. "It's - meant to clean you."

Matoi laughed with the others. "It'll also warm your seat. Most Japanese homes have these - bidets."

"They really are more advanced." murmured Samuel, relevantly.

"Yeah - but, uh - Mia-Mia, you can do all that on your own." chimed Marisa, and Mia-Mia blinked.

"...I never thought of that." she murmured, and the four laughed as they headed back.