Tatsurou, Yukikaze, and Rinko stood in the training area. Sweat glistened on their skin from their workout, but Tatsurou's mind was elsewhere, on a plan.
He would hurt himself on purpose. Go straight to Muroi's medical room. Simple. Except doing it himself was much harder than it looked. It made him respect Ryuji's handling of pain even more. So he needed help.
"Sis." He turned to Rinko. "You need to do this. It's the only way to get closer to him."
Rinko's expression hardened. "I am not hurting you, Tatsurou."
He sighed. Of course she refused. His sister cared for him too much, it had gotten to the point where she held back in every spar, terrified of causing him even a scratch. He loved her for it, but right now, it was infuriating.
"Yukikaze?" He turned to her, hope fading.
"I-I don't want to either." Yukikaze shrank back, shaking her head.
Tatsurou's jaw tightened. There was another way. Ever since his senpai had come into their lives, he'd learned a new aspect of his sister. A button he could press.
He took a breath, then shouted. "Do it, you meathead!"
Rinko froze. Her jaw tightened, and fury flashed across her face. "Miyatake Ryuji! Once you come back, I'll cut you for corrupting Tatsurou!"
Tatsurou's mind reeled. ‘No! Be angry at me! Why would you be angry at Ryuji? He isn't even here!’
He had to push harder. "Stupid meathead sis! Ryuji is right, maybe your brains are in your boobs. That explains why they're so big!"
"Tatsurou…" Rinko's voice was dangerously low. "Stop it. I know you admired Ryuji, but that doesn’t mean you should act like him." Her hand tightened on the bokken, the wooden sword creaking under her grip.
"Shut up!" Now he was genuinely angry, frustration boiling over. "Just hit me already, you stupid big-boobs bitch!"
The words hung in the air.
Then Rinko spoke, her voice trembling with rage. "You never talked to me like that in our whole life." She stepped forward, bokken raised. "But the moment Ryuji entered our life, you've gotten… bad." Her eyes blazed. "I need to discipline you."
Tatsurou and Yukikaze shrank back instinctively. Yukikaze didn't hesitate as she turned and walked away, putting as much distance as possible between herself and the inevitable explosion.
Tatsurou, however, stood his ground. His legs wanted to run, but he forced them to stay. This was what he'd wanted, wasn't it? To get hurt? To have an excuse to visit Muroi?
.
.
.
The medical room was quiet, and sterile. Tatsurou sat on the examination table, trying not to move too much. Which was difficult, considering the angle of his arm. He had already set his phone to a voice recorder to gather evidence in their conversation.
"Oh my, what happened to you, young man?" Muroi's voice was calm, professional, as he approached.
Tatsurou attempted a laugh. It came out more like a wheeze. "Haha, well… sparring with my sister got a little too far." He gestured vaguely at his bruised face and broken arm. "And, well, I ended up like this."
Muroi's eyes narrowed slightly, studying him. Then recognition dawned. "Hm, I recognize you… Ah, Akiyama Tatsurou. The little brother of that student prodigy, Akiyama Rinko."
"Yeah, that's me…" The tone was sad, and it wasn't an act. Tatsurou hated being known by that title.
"What's wrong?" Muroi's voice softened with sympathy.
This was Tatsurou's chance. "I-I don't like being called that. 'The little brother.'"
"Why?"
‘Show your vulnerability.’ Ryuji's words echoed in his mind. "I feel… I don't do enough. My sister is a prodigy. My childhood friend is a prodigy. I feel like I'm holding them back." He paused. "I don't deserve their kindness. Their friendship." Another pause, heavier. "And my clan… my father is disappointed in me. He's considering making my sister the heir instead."
Silence filled the room. "I-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. Just treat me, and I'll leave."
"I understand how you feel, Tatsurou." Muroi's voice was gentle. "Many students I've treated said something similar, that their effort isn't enough. Always trying hard, yet feeling their effort is for nothing." Then his expression shifted, a devilish smile."I can help you. Make you stronger than before." A pause. "Will you accept?"
Tatsurou gulped. He didn't understand what this meant. Every instinct screamed at him to run. But then he thought of Ryuji, who always accepted the hard path despite the consequences. Who took risks others wouldn't. And that power he receives, will make him stronger.
“I accept.”
The room is moving. Walls rippled, transforming into something organic. Flesh and pulse and wetness. They were inside something living.
And Muroi the kind, sympathetic doctor began to change. His body swelled, skin stretching over newfound fat. His hair fell away. His features shifted until he stood before Tatsurou as a fat, bald old man.
Tatsurou shot to his feet, ready to fight.
"Oh? Didn't you want to receive power?" Muroi said mockingly. "Don't worry. All I will do is implant this flesh bud inside you. The power you would receive will be greater than you can imagine."
Tatsurou froze, mind racing. He couldn't back down now. If he tried to run, there was a good chance he'd be killed to silence him. He had no choice.
"Just get it over with."
Tentacles emerged from the flesh wall, slowly approaching. Each tip was sharp, spear-like. Then one struck, stabbing into Tatsurou's body. Something began injecting into him, something that felt alive.
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.
Morning light slipped through a crack in the window shade, painting a pale line across the room. Ryuji's eyes fluttered open. He sat up, stretched, and felt the tension drain from his body. Last night had been incredible.
The alcohol, the magazine, the toy. It had all come together perfectly. For a few hours, it felt real. The sweet smell, the soft milky skin, the sensation of dick moving against flesh. He could almost believe Sakura had actually been there.
Then he heard a small snore. It was cute, a soft little sound. But to Ryuji, it made his skin crawl. Last night had been too good to be true. And now, the possibility that it had actually been Sakura.
He looked at the blanket, his heart beaten fast. Someone was under there, cutely snoring. He pulled the blanket back, revealing Sakura. Sleeping peacefully beside him.
"Fuck…" Ryuji whispered. So he'd done it. He'd actually done it. And he hadn't even gotten the full experience thanks to being drunk. Damn it!
But Ryuji quickly refocused. He needed confirmation. He pulled the blanket further, revealing Sakura's naked body. It was sexy, alluring. So he repeated a mantra.
"Develop the mind on foulness,
One-pointed, well concentrated;
Apply your mindfulness to the body,
Be engrossed in revulsion."
It helped him focus on the more important matter. He gently parted her legs, revealing her pussy, but his attention was elsewhere. He looked at the futon beneath her, searching for… nothing. No stains.
Ryuji figured he must have either pulled out or worn protection. Still, he needed to wake her up for confirmation.
"Sakura, wake up." Ryuji gently whispered, shaking her.
"Mmm… One more minute, Asagi-neesan." Sakura murmured, still asleep.
Hmm. It seemed he needed more… force. "WAKE UP!
"Uwah! Huh?!" Sakura jolted awake in a panic. Until she noticed Ryuji. "R-Ryuji?" Then she hugged him, pressing close. "Ryuji!" And then she kissed him on the lips.
Ryuji froze. Fear clenched in his chest as her warmth lingered against him. When she finally pulled back, he forced the words out. "S-Sakura… What happened last night?"
"Eh? You don't remember… boyfriend?" Sakura said lovingly, then gently laid her head on his chest.
"Boy… friend?" Now he understood. Sakura didn't know he had been drunk. She assumed he had lost control. That they had both surrendered to instinct together.
“Sakura…” Ryuji was afraid of her reaction. But he needs to be honest. “I was drunk last night.”
"What?" Sakura pulled back, her brow furrowing in confusion.
He swallowed hard. "It means last night… I wasn't thinking clearly. Any of it. I was drunk."
"B-but, then…" Worry flickered in Sakura's eyes. "What about being my boyfriend? Y-you accepted it?"
Ryuji said flatly. "I don't remember."
But Sakura didn't give up. There was still a chance. After all, if Ryuji had said yes when he was drunk, there was still a chance. "Then do you want to?"
"No."
"W-wha…" Tears welled up, spilling down her cheeks. "W-why?"
"I'm not interested in a relationship." Ryuji's voice was flat, his face empty of emotion. "I have something more important than this. I can't waste time playing lover with someone."
Sakura's heart clenched. The words cut deeper than any blade. She hadn't been enough. And worse, she had taken advantage of him when he was vulnerable.
Then Ryuji's hands were on her face, gentle, cupping her cheeks. His thumbs wiped away her tears. "Don't cry." His voice was soft now, nothing like the flat stranger from moments ago. "Don't blame yourself. If my situation were different… maybe I could have said yes."
He smiled, a genuine warm smile. His flame flowed through her, soothing the edges of her pain. "You deserve someone much better than me. And let me tell you, that person will come one day. You're an amazing girl. So don't give up."
Sakura didn’t answer. She stood up, grabbed her clothes, and ran. Bursting through the door before he could stop her.
"Sakura!" Ryuji lunged after her, but froze in the doorway.
Asuka and Kirara stood there. Both of them were pissed. Very pissed.
“Uhm…" Ryuji didn't know what to say. In fact, whatever he said would not stop what was coming. So he prepared for the pain.
"You piece of shit!" Asuka spoke, anger in her voice. "After you use her, you throw her away. Playing with her heart. I thought you were an amazing guy!" Then she kicked him in the balls.
Pain exploded through him but manageable, he had it worse. Ryuji fell to his knees, gasping. Asuka turned and walked away without looking back.
Now it was Kirara's turn. "I thought you were a good person." Her voice was sad, disappointed. "But at the end of the day, you men will always be scumbags when you get the chance."
Her fist crashed into his face. Ryuji's jaw dislocated, his body flying into the wall. The window behind him exploded into a thousand shards.
Once they were gone, Ryuji stood up and fixed his dislocated jaw. He could hear the bones cracking as he reset them. He hadn't sustained any serious injuries, just pain. Now he needed a shower to forget this morning.
He started putting on clothes, grabbing towels and a fresh set. Then he began his journey to the bathhouse.
.
.
.
He entered the hot bath. Chung Ae was there, relaxing across from him. Now that he thought back, he remembered this Korean man from when Ryuji was sixteen. He had been with the previous Sword Saint, Takeshi.
They continued to stay silent until Chung Ae spoke. "So… I remember you. A brat that was Takeshi's student."
"Yup, that was me." Despite the hostile tone from Chung Ae, Ryuji remained calm. "I remember being his favorite."
"Heh, you changed." Chung Ae's expression shifted, the hostility softening into something like respect. "I heard stories about you. A year after graduating from being his student, you went on a rampage. Conquered northern Japan. Beat up teen rebels and delinquents mages. Created a vigilante group."
"Pft." Ryuji scoffed, waving a hand through the steam. "Nothing to be impressed about. It didn't last long. As I got closer to Tokyo, I ran into a military police blockade and was stopped. Once the momentum died, I disbanded everything. Let the Militia absorb it."
"Still, it's impressive." Chung Ae's voice carried genuine respect now. "No one has rebelled against the government openly for a long time. Not since the communist party, before they were destroyed. I figured you Japanese would continue to be pansies."
Ryuji's eyes narrowed slightly. "Don't blame us. It's not our fault our country is a US puppet."
The steam seemed to thicken between them.
Chung Ae's gaze sharpened. "You would say that, given what your country did to mine?"
Ryuji met his eyes without flinching. "I won't. I have no love for this country." His voice was calm, measured. “I know the crimes the Imperial Japanese committed against Koreans. They hide it. Some people, even in the government, are proud of it. We haven't forgiven or compensated for the war crimes against your people. So be angry at us until that hatred leaves your body."
Then Chung Ae smiled. A warm and approving one. "Good. You're not one of those nationalists. Sometimes the Militia has those kinds of people. I'm happy that this branch, and you, don't have that."
"Say…" He hesitated. "Aren’t you angry that I got Takeshi killed?"
Chung Ae's expression remained calm, thoughtful. "No. I'm not." He shook his head slowly. "I'm already over it. It was inevitable anyway."
He met Ryuji's eyes through the mist.
"The Sword Saint hasn't had a good reputation with the government ever since WWII, or even further back, during the colonization of Korea. When he helped China fight against the Japanese invasion. Every reincarnation, the moment the government notices the signs, they do whatever it takes to end Takeshi as quickly as they can, before he reaches full mastery." Chung Ae's voice was tired, resigned. "Nothing I, or anyone, could do about it."
Ryuji exhaled slowly. The weight he'd carried. The guilt, the whispered accusation that he'd failed his big brother, lifted from his chest. He sank deeper into the hot water, feeling it embrace him.
"About Kyousuke…" Ryuji's voice drifted through the steam. "You seem loyal to him. Really loyal."
Chung Ae considered this. "Well, Takeshi and Kyousuke do share some similarities."
"Like?"
"He is loyal. He cares deeply for his friends and family." A soft smile touched his lips. "Had a heart of gold, and was willing to fight for justice and protect the innocent, even if they came from a criminal background." He paused, considering. "Though there are differences. Kyousuke is more gentle. Less prone to using violence like Takeshi was." The smile widened slightly. "And he seems to have more of a parental personality instead of the older brother type. You should see how he acts at school. Always looking out for his students."
They stayed silent for a moment, steam curling between them. "What part of Korea are you from, Chung-san?"
"Pyongyang."
"Pyongyang?" Ryuji thought for a moment. He had heard that name before. Then it clicked. "You're a North Korean!"
"Heh." Chung Ae's smirk returned, but softer now. Amused. "I have respect for the communists. That didn't give it away?
An awkward silence settled between them.
"Uhm… What was it like living there? I heard weird stories. People eating grass and pulling trains to get places."
Chung Ae scoffed. "Oh please, that's obvious propaganda. Aren't you Japanese supposed to be smarter than the stupid Americans?"
"Sorry. It's just, every news report I saw on TV and the internet made it sound so strange. The only time I heard the North Korean perspective was in documentaries."
Chung Ae raised an eyebrow. "You watch documentaries?
"On YouTube. An old one. The things I heard are so ridiculous that I had to watch a documentary to stop my curiosity from annoying me."
"I see…" Chung Ae paused, steam curling around his weathered face. "It's a normal place. Like any other place in the world. Though if there was a difference…" He considered his words. "We don't have much of a consumerist lifestyle compared to the South. Thanks to UN sanctions. By the USA."
Bitterness crept into his voice. "Seriously, do you have any idea how hard it is getting a passport to travel the world? The only place I can tour and find work is China." He shrugged, but there was weight in the gesture. "Though it's still better than living in a capitalist hellhole."
He studied Ryuji for a moment, slowly learning about this interesting young man. "So about this morning. I heard noises and saw a naked orange-haired girl burst through the door. Then I saw you getting beaten up. What was that about?"
"Uh…" Ryuji winced. "I rejected being Sakura's boyfriend, and… well, she didn't take it well."
"Why didn't you accept it?"
"Because I have nothing. No money, no status. I'm a nobody with nothing. How can I be in a relationship with a girl belonging to an influential clan?"
"I don't think you're a nobody. You're clearly famous in our world."
"That's the thing." Ryuji's voice hardened slightly. "'Our world.' In this world, I'm nobody.”
Chung Ae studied him, unimpressed. "That still isn't a good excuse. I heard you are a smart guy." His voice was calm, practical. "There's more to it, isn't there? This Sakura likes you. You didn't want to attract trouble." He shrugged. "So hide the relationship. Keep it quiet until your reputation gets better. Until you become acceptable to the community. Problem solved."
Ryuji fell silent for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was different, meditative.
"Lust begets sorrow, lust begets fear. For him who is free from lust, there is no sorrow; how can there be fear for him?"
Chung Ae blinked. "Uh… is that a scripture?"
"Dhammapada Verse 215." Ryuji's eyes drifted closed. “I'm not good with emotions. I know I appear in control, but I'm not. I'm scared of them. I've lost control before and done something terrible."
The confession hung in the steam between them.
Chung Ae broke the silence first. "I heard stories. About your rampage in the north. The hope and loyalty you instilled in your followers. The brutality and fear you inflicted on your enemies." He paused. "It was both amazing and horrible. I figured some were exaggerated."
Ryuji's lips curved, not quite a smile, but close. "Heh. Some of those exaggerations were true." His voice grew distant, thoughtful. "If it wasn't for my Pirate master, I figure I would have continued on that bloody path."
The steam swirled between them.
"Was it really that terrible?" Chung Ae asked quietly. "Everyone speaks highly of what you did."
Ryuji didn't answer immediately. Instead, his voice shifted. Becoming steady and meditative. remembering the words of the scriptures. Words to fight the lust in his body toward Sakura's image.
"It is through an inversion of perception
That your mind is engulfed by fire.
Turn away from the sign of beauty
Provocative of sensual lust.
See formations as alien,
As suffering, not as self.
Extinguish the great fire of lust;
Don't burn up again and again.
Develop the mind on foulness,
One-pointed, well concentrated;
Apply your mindfulness to the body,
Be engrossed in revulsion.
Develop meditation on the signless,
And discard the tendency to conceit.
Then, by breaking through conceit,
You will be one who fares at peace."
Ryuji wasn't a religious person in the past and now. But meeting his master made him change, made him want to be better. To search for a spiritual answer to the emotions swirling inside him. So he looked to his clan and to the Sanctuary. He learned and learned. To be better than the person he was before.
"Until I become a better person, I won't indulge in the pleasures of life."
Chung Ae could only stare in surprise. "You're very mature about this, Ryuji. Too mature. You're a young kid, you should embrace that side of yourself more."
"Should I? I'll just end up hurting someone."
"Who hasn't? It's normal to make mistakes, to hurt someone. That's called being a kid."
Ryuji closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "I'm sorry. I won't be in a relationship. I'll have fun being a kid, but not lovey-dovey stuff." He paused. "And besides, it's not like we're going to stay in this world for long."
"Yeah, about that. You should speak to Gin Daishou."
Ryuji could only raise an eyebrow at that. They stayed silent for a moment, until they got out of the bath, feeling refreshed.
.
.
.
As they finished bathing, Ryuji went to Gin's office to have a talk. He needed more information about this world and to understand what Chung Ae had just said. When he entered the main area, several members were already there. Some lacked energy, another felt enthusiastic and ready to work.
"Morning, guys." Ryuji waved at them.
The lavender-haired woman approached him. "Ryuji. I heard you made a girl cry?"
Ryuji looked at her, and… she wasn't angry? "Aunty Shoot, I did what I had to. I'm not interested in a relationship with her."
Shoot pat Ryuj’s shoulder and sigh. “I heard it from Sakura, you rejected after sleeping with her. At first I was angry until she clarified you were under the effects of alcohol. I heard you got it from Oiwa.” Then she cracks her knuckles. “I need to teach that man a lesson.”
“Don’t be, I was under the effects of aphrodisiac and was uncomfortable to… well pleasure myself. Oiwa's suggestions were good, just didn’t factor that Sakura would enter my room when I was drunk.”
Shoot sighed, her lavender hair swaying slightly as she shook her head. "Alright I won’t punch Oiwa-sensei, and don't blame yourself for rejecting her and getting beaten up for it." Her voice was calm. "You did the mature thing. Instead of a one-sided relationship doomed to fail, you ended it quickly. Made the pain just an itch." She met his eyes. "That Sakura girl will get over it soon enough."
"Thank you, Aunty Shoot." With that, Ryuji excused himself and made his way to Gin's office. Oiwa was there as well.
.
.
.
Gin looked up with a knowing smirk. "Good morning. I heard about this morning."
Oiwa chimed in, matching Gin's expression. "Good morning, Ryuji. Looks like you've been a victim of the Eroge curse. Now I won't be the only one who suffers from this."
"Damn it," Ryuji muttered under his breath. He straightened, forcing composure. "So, Gin-san, is there progress on returning to our world?"
Gin's smirk faded. "Yeah, about that." He hesitated, and Ryuji's stomach dropped. "There's no point in going back since… well, our world is coming here."
Ryuji blinked. "What?"
The words didn't make sense. Their world. Coming here. The scale of the destruction, the chaos as two worlds colliding.
"It is what you think it is, Ryuji." Gin's voice was calm, but his eyes were serious. "This world, this universe, is unstable. Time keeps resetting, over and over, disrupting the natural flow." He leaned back on his chair. "This world seeks to fix itself by searching for another world, to find someone or something to heal this disturbance. It plucks them from our world, our universe." A pause. "Like injecting foreign bacteria or a virus to improve the immune system."
Oiwa was silent now, the teasing gone.
"Time and time again, it failed." Gin's voice grew heavier. "And in its desperation to relieve itself from pain, the mother earth seeks to merge our worlds."
Ryuji said. “There must be a way to fix this. Have you found the cause?”
"We found the cause, thanks to Oiwa." Gin gestured for Oiwa to speak.
Oiwa straightened, suddenly the center of attention. "I've played the games and done research on them." He hesitated. "Though… I mostly focused on Murasaki. Ignored everything else." He shrugged. "The one who caused all this is Edwin Black."
Ryuji's eyes narrowed. Edwin Black—the name from Sakura's story. "What did he do? Resetting time would require a tremendous amount of power."
"Uhm…" Oiwa's confidence evaporated. He scratched his head, looking anywhere but at Ryuji. "I, uh… don't know. I said I did research, but only on Murasaki, okay?" He held up his hands defensively. "I read the wiki. Played Taimanin Asagi 3, Murasaki, a small percentage of Yukikaze 1 and 2, and RPGX." His voice trailed off. "Though the last one I, uh… kind of gave up after a few days, so I couldn't get into the parts of the story where she was in." He shrugged again. "All I know is—that guy can reset time."
Gin shook his head slowly. "I don't understand you. You clearly like her, and yet you avoid her like the plague." A pause. "I wonder if getting killed multiple times has deteriorated your brain."
"Geh!" The noise escaped Oiwa before he could stop it.
Ryuji sighed. "Is there any useful information you got from the games?" He tried to keep the disappointment from his voice.
Oiwa perked up slightly. "Well… Asagi was supposed to have an important role. Edward is very interested in her. I know some members of the NOMAD and their personalities." He frowned, thinking. "Oh, and Kyousuke was supposed to be dead. Like it's a canon event that he dies. The only time he didn't is when he and Asagi didn't end up together in RPGX?
Ryuji's eyes widened. If that was true, did death still loom over Kyousuke? Ryuji would do his best to protect him.
"Hmm… Fuuma Kotaro was supposed to be a protagonist in RPGX and the current Taimanin games. He's a gacha protagonist, so don't get your hopes up." Oiwa shrugged. "All I know is, he's the current head of the Fuuma clan. They were supposedly influential once, until the Gosha Village and the government Sector Three picked the Igawa clan as the representative. Fuuma Danjo, the previous head, got jealous and launched a revolt. Then they lost."
Ryuji's mind turned the words over. A gacha protagonist.
Those types were always a gamble. Some were useless, barely more than a face to be inserted for the player, good only for giving orders and tactical suggestions while others did the real work. Their presence in the story could be baffling, explained away by plot contrivances.
But others were different. Useful. Strong. They had personalities that shone through the game stories, becoming genuine characters in their own right. Which kind was Kotaro?
Ryuji broke the silence. "Fuuma Kotaro. I met him in the Academy. I tried to learn about him, and become allies with him."
Gin nodded, picking up the thread. "We've met him as well." A pause. "Kyousuke saved him and his friends when Fuuma was on a mission searching for us." His expression flickered, something like regret, or perhaps caution. "Sadly for them, we weren't ready to be known yet."
Ryuji returns to the main point. "Is there a plan to kill this Edward Black?"
"No. The guy can just reset the world if we make an attempt." Gin shook his head. "Though another group is working on a way to counter his reset ability."
Ryuji asks. "Another group?"
Gin answered. Short and simple. "Led by an immortal Grand Wizard, that's all you need to know."
Ryuji blinked. He'd never met someone like that. In his world, they were living fossils. Human beings who live for a long, long time.
Ryuji changed the subject. "I have to ask, is there any suggestion for my role in this world? Anyway, can I contribute?" Right now he felt lost, not knowing which direction to take. Fearing he might make a mistake.
Gin considered this. "Gain their trust. Climb the ranks of the Gosha Village." His voice was firm, practical. "Make clans your allies. Become someone who can influence the village from within."
"I'm already on that." Ryuji hesitated, then decided to share. "I've made a Soul Bind contract with the Head of Sector Three."
Both men's eyes widened.
"Good job," Gin said slowly, "though… isn't there any other way?"
Ryuji shrugged. "The other way is getting my mind probed."
A beat of silence. Then Oiwa nodded. "Yeah, the contract is the better choice."
The unspoken hung in the air, information about them must be kept secret at all costs. Must never fall into enemy hands. They were a small group, vulnerable, with only the DSO as an ally. Another small group.
But Ryuji had one more question. "Yesterday, that demon woman mentioned Kyoto. Said something happened to her there. Though there's something I don't understand: Amidahara and Barde. Those two words."
Gin's expression turned thoughtful. "Amidahara is a criminal city in Kyoto." He shook his head. "And yes, apparently in this future there are a lot of crime cities in Japan. Speaks to the incompetence of the Japanese government." A pause. "As for Barde, I don't know what that is. Possibly an object or a person's name. I'll make a call to The Shepherds of the Lost Lamb to investigate."
Ryuji absorbed this without flinching. He was past being surprised that people he knew had somehow ended up in this world too. "So those guys are here, huh?" A pause. "Does that include their Church of the Lamb's Refuge?" Ryuji added jokingly.
"Yes, apparently the whole building, even the underground complex, got teleported here as well."
Ryuji blinked. "I was just joking." A pause. "An entire building ended up in this world?" He slumped back in his chair. "Things just keep getting worse."
Gin glanced at the clock and excitement written on his face. "Oh, I need to go. There is someone I need to meet. You guys can stay here and continue the discussion. Oh and Ryuji,” His voice turned threatening. “Forget about going to Kyoto, if you do I will physically restrain you and break your bones." He was out the door before Ryuji could respond.
Silence settled between the two remaining men. Ryuji then spoke.
"The aphrodisiac cure… How did you make it?" Ryuji was sure there was no cure, since the Taimanin didn’t carry the cure during missions.
Oiwa's smirk returned, but this time it was different. Darker. "That?" A pause. "A lot of… human and demon experimentation."
The words landed like stones. Ryuji felt his stomach tighten.
"Uh…" He kept his voice steady. "Can you expand on that?"
"Very well." Oiwa's smile didn't waver. If anything, it grew. "I kidnapped some criminals. Especially the cooks and distributors of the drugs." His eyes took on a distant, hungry look. "They were my favorites. Hehehe."
The laugh crawled down Ryuji's spine.
"I would inject the drugs into them, then inject the experimental cure." Oiwa spoke like he was describing a hobby. "Some died. Some survived. And to make sure they lived longer…" He leaned forward slightly. "I allowed them to make love with each other."
Ryuji gagged as he started to imagine multiple old men having gay sex orgies. "Is there a reason for that level of cruelty?"
"Ryuji, if you've been in this world for years, the most annoying part is the constant use of aphrodisiacs. Your enemies will constantly use them. Hell, all of us have suffered from them." He paused. "Though all of us manage to overcome it. Like Shoot, who turns the lust into battlelust and becomes a berserker."
Ryuji nodded slowly. He'd only been here two weeks and already suffered aphrodisiac poisoning. He couldn't imagine years of it. "Yeah, I agree. Luckily I have high poison resistance."
Oiwa's eyes lit up. "Oh. Can I draw your blood? I could improve the cure and probably speed up the whole process of making one."
Ryuji didn't hesitate. "Sure. I'm happy to give as much blood as needed to help."
"Thanks."
Silence settled again, but Ryuji wasn't done. There was something he'd been curious about.
"So about you and Murasaki. When did you two meet?"
Oiwa's expression shifted. The creepy scientist is fading, replaced by something softer. "Hmm, about… nine years ago in this world. I got whisked away and landed in the Tokyo Kingdom. I was lost and confused, trying my best not to cause trouble, until I met her." A pause, heavy with memory. "She was the light in the darkness. And I figured, if she was one of the good guys, I'd help her."
Ryuji studied him. "You just helped her because she was part of the good guys?"
Oiwa's expression flickered. Defensiveness maybe? Or old shame. "It was in my younger years, okay?" His voice came out sharper than intended. "I wanted to be good. To follow the Militia's ideals after the horrible crimes I committed." He coughed, abruptly changing the subject. "Anyway, we worked together for a month. Hunting a guy named Sabato Kiryu."
Ryuji's eyes narrowed. "Wait… isn't that the asshole scientist at Militia Main HQ? The one who keeps insulting everyone and making weird monster things?"
"Yeah, that's him." Oiwa nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Anyway, we spent time together. We bonded. And when the battle came, we fought Kiryu and won." His voice dropped, becoming almost confessional. "Though at a cost. We both suffered from aphrodisiac exposure. Neither of us could control it, so we… uh, made love with each other."
He paused, that unsettling smile returning. "Though I swear I could hear Kiryu crying during that."
Ryuji rubbed his temples. He was getting really tired of Oiwa's casual sadism. "So how did it end?"
"Oh right, sorry." Oiwa's demeanor shifted, the creepy smile fading. "The Hell Knight Ingrid appeared, and we got our asses beat. We managed to escape, and I encountered the League of Mages Specialist searching around for me. After that, we parted ways. I return to our world."
After that they both satisfied and left the office so Oiwa could extract Ryuji’s blood.
.
.
.
Ryuji came out of the medical room feeling anemic. He'd said he was willing to give a lot of blood, but this was ridiculous. He sat at a table and laid his head down, trying to conserve energy.
Then he noticed someone near him. Sakura.
"What do you want?" Ryuji just wanted to be left alone.
Sakura bowed. "I'm sorry."
Ryuji's eyes widened in surprise.
"For taking advantage of you when you were drunk." Her voice trembled slightly. "It was stupid of me. I wanted to help, and I thought I could… relieve your pain. I'm sorry."
Ryuji stared at her for a long moment. Then, slowly, he smiled. "Sakura… don't be. You were just trying to help me, and you didn't know I was drunk." His voice softened. "For that… thank you."
The tension in Sakura's shoulders melted. "You're welcome." She beamed at him, with a bright smile then turned to gesture at Asuka and Kirara. "You guys should apologize to him for beating him up." Her expression shifted to an angry pout.
Asuka stepped forward, her voice flat. "I'm sorry."
Sakura's hand connected with the back of her head with a sharp smack. "Do it properly!" Sakura's eyes blazed.
Asuka rubbed her head, then straightened. "I'm sorry for kicking you in the balls." She bent into a 90-degree bow and held it.
"Now your turn, Kirara." Sakura's voice anger leaves no argument.
Kirara opened her mouth, but only a strangled sound emerged. "I-I…" Words failed her completely.
Ryuji, still slumped in his chair, raised a tired hand. "You don't have to apologize, Kirara. I already forgave you."
Instead of relief, Kirara's expression twisted. Her jaw tightened, teeth grinding together. Shame burned in her chest. Shame at her actions, and worse, shame that she can’t ask for simple forgiveness.
"I'm sorry for punching you!" The words burst out. "So be angry at me, you idiot?!"
Ryuji's tired smile didn't waver. "I can't be angry at you guys. You're my precious friends."
Kirara's face flushed bright red. She pouted at him, unable to form a coherent response. Beside her, Asuka stared at the floor, shame radiating from every line of her body.
Before anyone could speak further, the door swung open.
"Hey guys, I'm back!" Gin strode in, followed by two figures. A woman in a mask, and a blond foreigner with glasses.
The masked woman stopped dead. Her gaze locked onto Asuka, and she approached with deliberate steps, circling slowly as she analyzed every inch of her. Finally, she spoke. "You've grown to be a beautiful woman."
Confusion rippled through the room. Before anyone could react, Gin was there, physically pushing the woman away from Asuka. "Koukawa," he whispered urgently, "didn't you want to keep it a secret?"
The woman, Koukawa, whispered back, her voice thick with emotion. "Sorry. The only family member alive, and it's my niece. I couldn't control it."
The blond foreigner leaned in, also whispering. "Why are you guys whispering about?"
Gin waved a dismissive hand. "Nothing, Emily. Nothing at all."
He straightened, shifting to a more cheerful tone as he addressed the four. "You four, since yesterday's mission was a success, you should celebrate." He handed over an envelope on each of the Taimanin. "10,000 yen each. Spend them. Have fun in this city."
Asuka reached for the money, but Koukawa intercepted her.
"Oh, Asuka." The masked woman pressed another envelope into her hands, this one noticeably thicker. "Here you go. Congratulations on succeeding the mission."
Asuka opened it instinctively. 50,000 yen. “Uh… thanks?” She really is confused and Asuka can’t help but feel she knows her.
Before she could dwell on it, Ryuji's groan drew everyone's attention. "Ugh, I want to stay here. Oiwa-sensei drained a lot of my blood."
Gin snorted. "Oh, walk it off." His tone was pure teasing. "You lose arms and legs and you keep fighting, but lose a little blood and suddenly you're tired?"
"Come on, Ryuji." Sakura's voice cut through his exhaustion. She was standing there, looking at him with hope. "I want to have fun with you."
Ryuji blinked. After everything that happened, she wanted to spend time with him? "Ugh, fine." He surrendered. "As long as it's not labor-intensive."
"Can I opt out of this one?" Asuka raised her hand. "I'm planning to visit Midoribashi Academy."
Ryuji waved vaguely. "Sure, go ahead."
Sakura said. "Eh, you want to visit Kosuke-kun and Kyousuke-nii?"
"Yup." Asuka grinned. "You want to tag along?"
“No, I'm not interested in going to school.” The moment Ryuji says it, he can feel excitement from her. Asuka must want to spend time with Kosuke alone.
"Then if Ryuji doesn't want to go then I won’t." Sakura shook her head. "I want to be with Ryuji." Which again surprises him, making him suspect Sakura will attempt to make Ryuji fall for her. Ryuji can’t help but wonder, why him?
"What about you, Kirara?" Asuka turned to the blond girl.
Kirara met Ryuji's eyes briefly, then looked away. "I'll stay with Ryuji."
‘Ring, ring.’ Ryuji’s phone rang.
He fumbled for it, still feeling lightheaded from blood loss. "Hello?"
A familiar voice came through, calm and professional. {Miyatake? This is Asagi speaking.}
Ryuji straightened despite himself. Even through a phone call, Asagi commanded attention. "Asagi-sensei? Ah, how are you?"
{I’m fine, I want to know how did the mission go?”}
"It was a success. We’re currently assisting them with a task to gain their trust." Ryuji, of course, was lying. He'd already succeeded yesterday, finding the children wasn’t necessary. They were only doing this because these girls demanded it.
{Good. How are Asuka and Sakura? Are they alright?}
"They're fine." He glanced at the girls nearby. "Sakura suffered minor injuries, and the others are okay. As for me, I got my left arm cut off."
{Miyatake-kun!} The shout was sharp enough to make him wince. {I—I never knew you took your promise so seriously!}
‘Promise? Oh shit!’ "N-no, I didn't cut off my own hand!" The words tumbled out in a rush. "A demon did it! Don't worry, Asagi-sensei. I've already reattached my arm!"
A silent moment.
{I see. Miyatake-kun, when will the mission be over?}
Ryuji rubbed his tired eyes. "Tonight. We're hunting a group that committed child trafficking. So tomorrow morning you can send the dropship."
Gin leaned in. "Ryuji, ask her about me."
Right. Ryuji straightened. "Ah, to inform you, the leader of the Militia wishes to personally meet you."
Gin added quickly, "And the representative of the DSO."
Ryuji repeated, "And the representative of the DSO as well."
{I see. The leader of the Militia and… DSO!}
Ryuji jerked the phone away from his ear. "Asagi-sensei, please don't shout. You're on the phone. It's unnecessary."
{Forgive me, Miyatake-kun.} Her voice was slightly embarrassed. {It's just… I'm surprised. Yes they are invited to the village.}
"Yeah, apparently the Militia and the DSO are allies." Ryuji's exhaustion was catching up again. He wanted this call to end. "I'm going to hang up now. See you tomorrow." He almost did, then added casually. "Oh, and I found your ex-fiancé and his brother."
{Wait a minute, Miyatake-k—}
‘Click.’
It was done. Now to—
‘Ring. Ring.’
‘Now what?’ Ryuji grabbed the phone, exhaustion making him irritable. "This is Ryuji. Who's calling?"
{Uh, Ryuji-senpai. This is Tatsurou.} Tatsurou's voice was calm but Ryuji felt hesitation when he spoke. {When will you come back?}
Ryuji's irritation faded. Something was wrong. "Tomorrow. Why?"
{I… I got evidence of Muroi being the spy. Through voice recording. And… Well, he did something to me.}
"I need a moment." He excused himself abruptly, moving far from the others before raising the phone again. "Did something happen to you? What did he do?”
{I-I can't tell you.}
Ryuji's mind raced through possibilities. "Do Yukikaze and Rinko know what happened?"
{No.}
"Then I already have an idea what he did to you." Muroi may have blackmailed him, possibly threatening Tatsurou's life. The possibility he may have done this to multiple students. He kept his voice calm. "Once I come back, I'll help with whatever he did. Keep silent until I return."
{Senpai?}
"Yes, Tatsurou?"
{One of the teachers… Shizuru-sensei may have gotten suspicious of Muroi.} A pause. {Should we let her know?}
"Show her the voice recording." His voice hardened slightly. "Tell her, if you expose Muroi now, some of the students may be killed, or worse. Keep silent for now."
{Very well, senpai. See you tomorrow.}
"Have a good day at the Academy, Tatsurou." Ryuji hung up and stared at the phone.
Gin suddenly spoke. "You didn't mention a spy to me, Ryuji-kun."
Ryuji looked at Gin, stood nearby, arms crossed, expressing a mix of irritation and curiosity.
"If I'd known sooner, I would have canceled it." Gin shook his head. "But I shouldn't let a spy interfere with this important decision." He fixed Ryuji with a steady gaze. "You do have this under control, right?"
Ryuji met his eyes without flinching. "Right now, my allies and I are gathering information about him. Now we have evidence that he's a spy. But I need to focus on saving the students first. Before going after him."
Gin's brow furrowed. "Is he a threat?"
"I don’t know. All I know is he's just there to gather information on the Taimanin and preying on the vulnerable, making them his allies. That's all." Ryuji paused. "Though there's potential he may have committed sabotage."
Gin considered this, then suddenly grinned becoming wide and bold. "Hmm, that's not reassuring." He puffed out his chest, striking a theatrical pose. "But I'm not afraid. After all, I am Gin Daishou! The commander of the Tokyo Branch who operates in the heart of the enemy! The bane of the Japanese Government! The one who led his comrades against insurmountable odds many times and came out victorious!"
Ryuji watched the display with tired eyes. Despite the haughtiness, despite the obvious bravado. In a way, it was reassuring. If Gin is in this world, if things went truly bad, he had someone to fall back on. A safety net he desperately needed.