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“Akio! You’re completely helpless without me!”

“Can’t take a hit? If you can’t stand back up, nephew… then you’re useless to me.”

“Akio, you best be studying. I don’t want to see my nephew grow up useless.”

Useless… Helpless…

From early days in middle-school, the name “Akio Naito” carried a weight whenever spoken. Cool, charismatic, and strong as a bear, everyone flocked to Akio. Akio Naito stood as a god among his peers, and he knew it. He could do no wrong. A beacon of confidence and raw talent, destined to succeed in everything he set his mind to. A God…

… But gods draw their power from belief.

Akio Naito, the god, was a lie.

It was always an act.

The true Akio could never be seen by anyone. They would lose faith. Their belief in the myth would wane.

And once that image fell, they’d see the truth behind the name Akio Naito.

Akio Naito… was helpless.

You could only ever pretend to be anything else.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj7ecVrNdPU

“WOOHOO!” You exclaim, putting up a front for the zombified patrons of the casino. “Akio Naito just can’t stop winning!”

Reiji speaks in a hushed tone towards you, with Ryoji also hunching over into your concealed huddle. “It’s all well and good to put up a front, but if we stand around and play, how are we expected to rescue Hikaru and put a stop to this?”

You shake your head. “Somebody’s gotta find a way to the upper suites without raising suspicion.”

Ryoji nods. “Right… and the remaining two have to stay behind and keep up the act to avoid suspicion.”

“Leave it to me to find an alternate entryway,” Reiji remarks. “Akio should stay behind. He can act boisterous and draw attention, in matters of espionage he’s completely useless.”

Your eye twitches. “What did you call me, new kid?”

“It’s true, isn’t it?” Reiji adjusts his glasses. “Not even you are so overconfident as to think you’re better for the job than me, right?”

He was a spy, wasn’t he? Espionage and recon are that bespectacled nerd’s speciality… but it still burns your chest to give in to his insult… you have a pride to uphold, don’t you?

>I’m not useless when it comes to my girl being in danger. You two sit back, and I’ll find a way in.
>Whatever… you probably won’t get noticed.
>Ryoji, you go. You’ve got your wits about you.

>>4328938
>>Whatever… you probably won’t get noticed.

>>4328938
>Whatever… you probably won’t get noticed.
No one would notice the new kid when Akio's in da house

>>4328938
>I’m not useless when it comes to my girl being in danger. You two sit back, and I’ll find a way in.
>Booker keeps adding new characters to the cast
Who even is this guy, I expected Reiji to solo the Archdemon

>>4328938
>>Whatever… you probably won’t get noticed.

>>4328938
>>Whatever… you probably won’t get noticed.
big oof for our boy

Calling for
>Whatever… you probably won’t get noticed.

Writing now.

>>4328938
>Whatever… you probably won’t get noticed
Leave it to the main character, background characters like Akio should just follow orders.

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>Whatever… you probably won’t get noticed.

Reiji stares at you for a moment, before nodding. "Right. Keep up the act, I'll report back."

As he clears off, you roll the dice and come up big again. The illusion of this place is strong. Those who desire it will always see victory in their gambles, at the cost of becoming obsessed, their mind taken over by the allure of the casino. Only thing saving you from falling victim is your desire to win is tied to being able to rescue Hikaru from this place. Your desire is inherently temporary. You may be a bit of a dummy sometimes, but even you can work that out.

You look over to Akihito... he was one of the unlucky ones who got swept away. Your own teacher and uncle.

He's not so high and mighty now, is he?

Despite being your uncle, he's closer in age to you than his own brothers. As such he's been much more of an overbearing, overachieving big brother throughout your life.

Still... seeing him like that... it sure as hell doesn't make you feel good.

It's always been a duty of a Naito to be strong. Descended from a long line of men who trained deep in the heart of the mountains, there was only one thing that mattered to them. To be the strongest around. The world flocks to powerful leaders, the kind that can be relied on to always shoulder the burden of the whole. That has always been their duty.

But they never were strong? Were they?

>Days ago

"Uncle, can I ask you something?"

Akihito looks up at you, puzzled. "Akio, you're not usually the type to ask questions after class. Shouldn't you be off enjoying your lunch-break by now?"

"Well... there's something that's been bothering me..."

Akihito shakes his head. "Well, if you're puzzled by the arithmetic-"

"Huh? I don't give a damn about that!" you reply. "Uncle... you're the only one of your brothers left."

Akihito pauses. "Yes..."

"Naoaki was the oldest," you remark. "He dropped dead at 40 from some illness."

Akihito turns silent.

"The same heart disease that killed my dad."

"Akio..."

"Tell me. Honestly... will that happen to us?"

Akihito shakes his head. "Akio... you're not a stupid kid. No Naito has made it beyond the age of forty. Your uncle Naoaki was the most stubborn among us. Nobody knows why... my grandfather used to say it was a curse placed on the family generations ago. But... there you have it."

"I see..."

Akihito stands from his chair, but you're already out the door. You heard all that you needed.

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>Present day

You roll the die... and it comes up a failure.

Ryoji nudges you on the elbow. "What's up with your face? Keep up the act!"

You shake it off, gathering yourself. "Right... dammit, where's that new kid."

"Still on with this new kid stuff," Ryoji sighs. "You're going to piss off Reiji too much one of these days."

Reiji slinks into conversation, as unassuming as ever. "There's a stairwell just outside the back door of the staff-room," he explains.

"They just let you in?" you ask.

"I walked in, nobody noticed me," Reiji remarks.

You shrug. "No surprise there, you mob character."

"What did you just call me?"

"You two are impossible..." Ryoji mutters.

You look around. "So, how do you suggest the three of us get through at the same time. Us main characters can't be as unremarkable as you."

"Stop with this mob character crap!" Reiji protests, his face turning red.

>We should try to disguise ourselves as staff and sneak through, right?
>We don't have to worry about these zombies beyond that point. We don't have any time to lose, let's just barge in and go!

>>4329005
>>We don't have to worry about these zombies beyond that point. We don't have any time to lose, let's just barge in and go!
Gotta get our Blue back

>>4329005
>We don't have to worry about these zombies beyond that point. We don't have any time to lose, let's just barge in and go

>>4329005
>>We don't have to worry about these zombies beyond that point. We don't have any time to lose, let's just barge in and go!

>>4329005
>We don't have to worry about these zombies beyond that point. We don't have any time to lose, let's just barge in and go!

>Reiji betrays us and unseals the Darkworld
>Gets Nina killed
>Betrays the cult
>Kills his own family
>Gets forgiven for all his crimes
When Reiji snaps no one'll care when he walks around with Akio's severed head.

Calling for
>We don't have to worry about these zombies beyond that point. We don't have any time to lose, let's just barge in and go!

Roll 1d100, BO3.

Rolled 96 (1d100)

>>4329025

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>4329025

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>4329025

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>96

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVNRYQ10IXk

"Are you kidding?" Reiji remarks, but it's too late. You're already running. Hikaru... you can't let her wait.

Reiji and Ryoji struggle to catch up with you, as many heads in the casino look to you.

"Dammit!" Ryoji exclaims. "We're drawing their attention!"

"Doesn't matter, our path is clear!" you exclaim, kicking down the double doors to the staff room. As patrons of the casino trail behind the three of you, you shove one of the staff aside. "Sorry, coming through!"

You run through the doors towards the stairwell, and as Reiji and Ryoji follow you through, you slam them shut, using a metal pole to jam the door shut as staff and patrons try to get through.

"You idiot..." Reiji remarks.

"Idiot?" you reply. "I think you'll find this worked a charm!"

"They'll get through eventually!" Reiji exclaims. "And we can't fight them! They're normal people, just brainwashed! You can't muscle your way out of this one!"

Ryoji steps in, ever the mediator. "Shut it, both of you. If all goes well, we won't have to muscle our way out of anything. Understood?"

Reiji turns his head and start walking up the steps. You follow as well. "Oh come on!" you protest. "It's easy for you to give a damn about discretion! Hikaru's in danger! If you had anyone you cared about, you'd be reckless too!"

"No, I wouldn't!" Reiji fires back. "I wouldn't have to be! Recklessness doesn't equal nobility of bravery, no matter what you were taught. It only makes matters worse! You don't just want to help, you want to look like you're good at helping, and you constantly pull stunts like this!"

"I am good at helping!" you return fire. "I'm the strongest man on earth!"

"You keep saying that..." Reiji remarks. "But it means nothing when all of your actions are born of selfishness. You're so self-centred, even at a time like this!"

"Look, new kid-"

"And again with this new kid insult!" Reiji's words are almost spitting. "You've always been like this. Always!"

"Calm down both of-" Ryoji begins, his words clearly in vain.

"Always?! You don't know me at all!" You reply. "You're just the quiet kid in class. How can you say something with-"

"I sat next to you in middle school, idiot."

Oh.

Now that you think about it... he did.

Your desk neighbour... quiet, unassuming, bespectacled, dark haired kid.

Shit, it was him, wasn't it?

>Well... in my defence, you don't leave much of an impression.
>I... never noticed. Sorry.
>Why didn't you tell me?

>>4329071
>>Well... in my defence, you don't leave much of an impression.

>>4329071
>Well... in my defence, you don't leave much of an impression.
Every class has to have a new kid. also
>akio
>apologizing
HA

>>4329071
>>Well... in my defence, you don't leave much of an impression.
HAHAHAHAA OOF

>>4329071
>Well... in my defence, you don't leave much of an impression.
I mean you probably don’t want to get too much attention and have friends when your parents are cultist and your “funny uncles” are a cold blooded killer samurai and a crazy demon worshipper.

>>4329071
>Well... in my defence, you don't leave much of an impression.
The guy killed his own family and you still never noticed him

>>4329071
>Why didn't you tell me?
Reiji probably did. Multiple times.

Calling for
>Well... in my defence, you don't leave much of an impression.

Writing now.

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>Well... in my defence, you don't leave much of an impression.

Reiji shakes his head. "I was never supposed to. I couldn't leave much of an impression. I had to live an ordinary, unremarkable school life to never raise suspicion. But you..."

Reiji looks to you, before shaking his head. "Whatever. Let's go."

The banging on the door continues, as Ryoji hurries up the pace. "Seriously, let's get moving. That door's not gonna hold much longer."

>Meanwhile

"I can't believe I let myself get caught like this..."

Hikaru curses to herself as she sits in a booth in the penthouse suite, surrounded by guards, as she observes Naofumi Nakanishi counting his money. "Oh come on... you can't possibly be that one-note, can you? You give your soul away to a demon for money?"

Nakanishi shakes his head. "Money is nice, of course... but it's hardly the be-all, end-all. You saw those people back there, didn't you?"

"What do you mean?" Hikaru asks. "They were just gambling."

"They were winning!" Naofumi does a twirl, clutching his chest. "Didn't you see the smiles on their faces? They were all having the time of their lives! No pain, no stress, no fears... just an endless rush of endorphins! And who do they have to thank?"

Hikaru grimaces. "I see... you want them to be indebted to you forever. Stuck forever in a twisted version of what you consider fun. And you're so delusional you think we would simply be okay with that arrangement?"

"I had hoped so, yes."

"Yet you still hold onto me like a bargaining chip," Hikaru points out. "Why don't you kill me and get it over with?"

Naofumi shakes his head. "I don't want to kill anyone, my dear! I simply want everyone to be eternally grateful to me."

Hikaru smirks, letting out a small laugh.

"What's that about?" Naofumi asks. "Are you mocking my dream?"

Hikaru shakes her head. "I don't give a damn about that... but you really are a fool, aren't you? Just keeping me here... you've committed the greatest mistake of your life."

"Is that so?"

Hikaru nods, a grin forming on her face, and her eyes widening with frightening confidence. "Yeah, you know why? Because you just upset the most reckless idiot I've ever met in my life."

>Back to Akio

Hikaru... she has to be around here somewhere. Just where is that bastard keeping her?

A burst is hurt from down the stairs. "Dammit, the door is opened..." Ryoji sighs, turning around.

"Ryoji, dude!" you exclaim. "Where are you going?"

"I'll hold them off!" he remarks. "I can't hurt them and they can't hurt me. I'll be able to distract them long enough for you two to find Hikaru."

"... Down another number..." Reiji remarks. "This was supposed to be much more than a two-man mission..."

"When has anything ever gone to plan?" Ryoji points out. "Just get going, you two!"

>We can't work together! We need you to lead!
>Like hell! We need your help against a demon!
>Okay... keep them busy. We'll take care of Nakanishi.

>>4329142
>Okay... keep them busy. We'll take care of Nakanishi.

>>4329142
>>Okay... keep them busy. We'll take care of Nakanishi.

>>4329142
>>Okay... keep them busy. We'll take care of Nakanishi.
THE POWER OF SHONEN IDIOT

>>4329142
>Like hell! We need your help against a demon!
You let them out, you bring them back.

>>4329142
We can't work together! We need you to lead!

>>4329142
>Okay... keep them busy. We'll take care of Nakanishi.
Gonna solo this demon

Calling for
>Okay... keep them busy. We'll take care of Nakanishi.

Writing now.

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>Okay... keep them busy. We'll take care of Nakanishi.

Ryoji gives a nod. "I'll see you guys when this craziness is cleared up, okay?"

You nod back. "Alright. Give them hell, Ryoji."

Ryoji shakes his head. "Dammit... this is gonna hurt..."

Ryoji goes running down the stairs towards the hoard, as you and Reiji keep moving upwards. "We need to get to the penthouse suite!" Reiji notes.

"Why there?" you ask. "What makes you so sure Hikaru is there?"

"I'm not... but even if she's not, that's where Nakanishi will be," he explains. "If we take care of him, this madness will be over."

You pause. "We gotta save Hikaru first. Who knows what could be happening to her?"

"Taking out Nakanishi IS saving Hikaru," Reiji points out. "Use your brain for once in your life."

Dammit, he's right. Still, anything bar the image of kicking down the door and princess carrying Hikaru to safety doesn't seem right to you... maybe he's more right about you than you know. Maybe it is about the image, the look of power... it always has been, hasn't it?

"You really sat next to me?" you mutter.

"I did, yes. I don't see how it's important right now, though..."

"... Did we ever talk?"

Reiji turns away from you, and continues moving.

>POV Shift: Saki

"Come on, Kobashi! Are you just going to stand around and let her get away!" Rei berates you.

"I..." you mutter, shaking it off. "I was just shocked. Who is she?"

"Who cares?" Rei replies. "She's definitely a danger, we need to follow her."

Wait... but she told you to chase her... that's almost definitely a trap. "Rei, wait-"

No good, Rei gets moving already. You let out a sigh, and follow suit. Though you can't keep up with Rei's speed, it doesn't matter. When the two of you are searching around the mall, speed isn't a factor. Awareness of your surroundings is. And in that regard, you have Rei beat.

You grab Rei by the wrist once you manage to collide with her. "Don't run off on your own into what could be a trap!" you inform her.

"You think I'm so stupid I don't know the risk of a trap?" Rei scoffs. "You really do have an inflated ego, Kobashi."

"Darn it..." you sigh. "Look, let's stick together in this search, okay?"

Rei shakes her head. "I don't need you holding me back."

>I'm trying to help you... you're trying to help me, right?
>We're sticking together... that's an order. From your leader.
>Enough with the attitude. We've already got Chihiro searching with her doves.

>>4329215
>We're sticking together... that's an order. From your leader.

>>4329215
>>I'm trying to help you... you're trying to help me, right?
I feel like Rei doesn't like that authority stuff.

>>4329215
>We're sticking together... that's an order. From your leader.
Raise your hand if you spent most of your Darkworld incursions relaxing in a coma.

>>4329215
>Enough with the attitude. We've already got Chihiro searching with her doves.
Saki's Archdemon kill count 1 to Rei's 0, hell Isamu was the one that mostly took out Hermes.

>>4329215
>>We're sticking together... that's an order. From your leader.
I feel like this is not the best answer but I also believe this is exactly what Saki would say, poor girl probably doesn’t even realizes that sometimes she sound exactly like her parents.

>>4329215
>>I'm trying to help you... you're trying to help me, right?

Calling for
>We're sticking together... that's an order. From your leader.

Will be writing later in the night, stay tuned.

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>We're sticking together... that's an order. From your leader.

"From my... what?"

The venom in Rei's tone is clear. Pulling rank didn't feel good to you either... but you felt it was the only way that Rei would listen.

She certainly listened at least. And it compelled her to turn the other way. You grab her by the wrist... but she keeps running, taking you with her at a speed you can barely even comprehend.

By the time Rei stops to look in a back alley by the mall, you feel about ready to throw up.

"Why did you grab hold of me?!" Rei protests as you hunker over, dry heaving against a wall.

"You weren't... supposed to... run away..." you communicate between gasps.

Rei is at least a little sympathetic, patting your back as you process your severe and sudden motion sickness. "Pull yourself together, Kobashi... I found her."

You pick your head up, to see the hooded woman standing before you. She beams a bright smile as she looks at the two of you. "Now, wasn't that fun?"

"Fun isn't the word for it!" You protest, clutching your stomach.

"You were good to help out your friend," Kaori explains. "Even though I had hoped our game would be just between the two of us."

"She's not my friend..." Rei mutters. "Kobashi is just... the leader."

Rei...

Kaori gives a respectful bow. "I see..." she states, before placing a finger to her chin. "Let me see... now that I know the girl to your left is indeed Saki Kobashi, I can deduce your identity... let me see... the blonde hair denotes that you're either Sayeka Ohko, Rei Arisato or Rini Tozawa..."

She knows all of your names? She was just luring you with that thievery stunt, wasn't she?

"I'm not telling you my damn name," Rei notes.

"That temper... means you cannot be Sayeka Ohko," Kaori continues to deduce, a wide smile on her face still. "Please don't tell me... ah, of course. Based on your figure, I can also rule out Rini Tozawa, by all accounts the difference in cup size is-"

"DON'T LET THAT BE THE DETERMINING FACTOR!" Rei explodes. "MY HAT IS WAY MORE DISTINCTIVE, YOU ASS!"

You almost have to hold Rei back as you address Kaori. "How do you know us? And what's your message?"

Kaori outstretches her arms. "Oh, isn't that interesting. You make so many enemies you can't even deduce it? And you claim to be the heroes of this world, do you?"

"I don't have time for these games," Rei notes. "You're talking way too slow."

"I of course memorised all the names and faces of our list..." Kaori notes.

She slipped up. Our... she's not acting alone!

"List of what?"

"The list of those who took away my dear brother-in-law!" Kaori explains. "Surely you understand that?"

>You have to be more specific. Like you said, we have many enemies.
>Kaori Taguchi... of course. Tori Taguchi is the one who... killed Yamada-san. You're working with him, aren't you?
>So this is a matter of revenge, is it? Everyone we've thought has been a threat to the world, we're not bloodthirsty.

>>4329715
>>So this is a matter of revenge, is it? Everyone we've thought has been a threat to the world, we're not bloodthirsty.
big oof

>>4329715
>Kaori Taguchi... of course. Tori Taguchi is the one who... killed Yamada-san. You're working with him, aren't you?

>Option 3
>Everyone we've thought has been a threat to the world, we're not bloodthirsty.
Saki please, don't you know lying is wrong?

>>4329715
>>Kaori Taguchi... of course. Tori Taguchi is the one who... killed Yamada-san. You're working with him, aren't you?

>>4329715
>Kaori Taguchi... of course. Tori Taguchi is the one who... killed Yamada-san. You're working with him, aren't you?

Calling for
>Kaori Taguchi... of course. Tori Taguchi is the one who... killed Yamada-san. You're working with him, aren't you?

Writing now.

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>Kaori Taguchi... of course. Tori Taguchi is the one who... killed Yamada-san. You're working with him, aren't you?

Kaori tilts her head as she stares directly at you. "Working with...? You make it sound so formal..."

"Take the hint, Kobashi... they share a surname, how can you not figure this out?" Rei points out.

You pause. "Brother and sister?"

"Ugh, no!" Kaori widens her eyes. "This is disappointing, I figured you for a fellow romantic."

"Romantic?"

"How are you this dense?!" a shocked Rei yells. "They're married, idiot!"

Married... MARRIED?!

Your mouth hangs agape. "But... b-but...?!"

"What part is hard for you to grasp?"

A blush forms on your face. "Well... he's a bad guy, and... bad guys aren't allowed to find love..."

Rei's face turns sickly pale as she examines you with disgust. "What kinda grade school storybook understanding do you have of the world?"

Kaori in turn pouts. "How dare you! You've never even met my hubby! My Tori is one of the swellest, nicest guys in the world I'll have you know!"

"He's a murderer!" you protest.

"And a romantic!" Kaori swoons.

Rei shakes her head. "I'm getting sick of this. If you're going to fight, then fight me."

Kaori pauses. "You won't attack me as a pair? Of course, how could I forget. The file on you, Rei Arisato..."

"File?!" Rei mutters.

"By your classmate, Reiji Yasukawa..." she explains. "During his time as a spy for the order... under the lead of my brother-in-law."

"So Settan's the one she's talking about..." Rei mutters. "I should have figured. Only a nutjob cult leader like him would have someone just as batty as you in his family... wait, what did Yasukawa write about me?"

Kaori produces pages of notes, before tossing them to Rei. "Read for yourself."

"If you're trying to turn us against our classmate, it won't work..." you point out. "We know Yasukawa was forced by his situation. He's been welcomed with open arms ever since."

"Why would I care about tearing your class apart?" Kaori notes. "This is just a matter of goodwill, to let you know how honest we are in our intentions."

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"Intentions?"

Kaori smiles yet again, but this time... there's a clear darkness behind those eyes. "That's right!" she snaps her finger. "We don't have any intention of killing you... well, except for one."

One?

Kaori hold up a finger. "I am of course referring to the top of our list of revenge targets. Ryoji Shida. We simply want to kill him. None of you would come to physical harm. We figure the emotional harm of losing someone who seems so influential to you would make us even. Besides, he is the one who killed Settan. Once he's dead, our score will be settled, and we'll never come to face each-other again. That's the message I'm passing on."

Kill... Ryoji?

Your face twists into a cold one. One you rarely show. "How dare you speak such treasonous words to me," you spit with an icy tone. "You think I would ever sacrifice one of my own. You will never have your revenge, not as long as I draw breath."

Kaori shrugs. "Agree to disagree."

"What?!" you break out into your usual high-pitched tone. "Did my sudden change of expression have no effect on her?"

A visibly shaken Rei lets out a cough. "That was... intimidating."

"Again, there's no need to be so defensive," Kaori remarks. "I do not want to spill a single drop of your blood, and we won't! We simply intend to visit Ryoji Shida a few days from now... and with his co-operation, take his life!"

With his co-operation? How deluded are they?

"You can't do that!" you exclaim in a flustered tone. "I won't let harm befall any of my class! Let alone my lovey-dovey jellybean!"

"You just said that out loud!" Rei mutters. "Still, I'd like to see you try. Don't you know, Ryoji can't-"

"Can't die?" Kaori smirks. Stopping you both in your tracks. "Hmm... cute. That's what he thinks. I'll be happy to introduce you all to my hubby very soon!"

You step forward, ready to fight back, as Kaori disappears into the ether. "She's gone..." you mutter, before rapidly scratching your hair with both hands, scrambling your brain for some sense. "That was so bizarre!"

"You're telling me..." Rei mutters. "You had no sense of composure. You were all over the place. We were up against an enemy, yet you ended up spouting some really embarrassing things..."

"I don't know what happened!" you exclaim. "Her demeanour... her approach. She was telling me these awful things, making the most insulting threat I ever heard in my life... but she spoke to me like a friend. It was so unnatural, I couldn't even react properly..."

Rei nods. "She was a weird one... no doubt it's an intentional tactic to throw people of their game, let their guard down... though we both saw how she could phase through items. I imagine that's why neither of us attacked her directly."

>I would have been even more lost without you there. Thanks, Rei.
>They're going to terrorise Ryoji... we have to be ready for when that happens.
>I don't understand her demands... it seemed so straightforward, yet twisted and bizarre.

>>4329806
>>They're going to terrorise Ryoji... we have to be ready for when that happens.
Protect the lovey-dovey jellybean!

>>4329806
>>I would have been even more lost without you there. Thanks, Rei.
Oooooh she's a weirdo I like her

>>4329806
>>They're going to terrorise Ryoji... we have to be ready for when that happens.

>>4329806
>I don't understand her demands... it seemed so straightforward, yet twisted and bizarre.
What's not to get Saki? Who wouldn't want to see KILLER QUEEN in action?

>>4329806
>I don't understand her demands... it seemed so straightforward, yet twisted and bizarre.
I fully expect Tori and Kaori to actually be genuinely nice people that are pissed Ryoji killed one of their family

Gonna call it for tonight, gonna post more updates tomorrow!

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>Three years prior

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g85nzFqgSac

“You have an interesting resume, Miss Arisato.”

Rei shifts in her chair uncomfortably. The man across the long desk from her sits composed, his grey hair belying his years of hard work, a cup of coffee resting in his hand.

… Mitsuo Kobashi. The head of one of the richest families in all of Japan.

Rei sat there, in an oversized pantsuit borrowed from her mother, as she awaited a response from the man. It brought her a great deal of shame to pander to the wealthy, but a job like this… it was her last hope.

“Experience in working mundane part time jobs, decent albeit unremarkable grades in school… and a track star, I understand?” Mitsuo remarks. “Just why would someone like you be applying for a job like this.”

“I…” Rei mutters. “I’m just seeking to challenge myself.”

Mitsuo stares at her, unamused. “You do know I’ve heard every cliché possible from applicants, right? The girl who came in before you was just seeking to challenge herself, and she had a great deal more experience.”

“Well, I just-”

“She at least knew how to tie a windsor knot,” he remarks, highlighting the terrible job Rei had done on her neck-tie. “She knew better to patch up any seams in her blazer.”

Rei stammers. “Well sir, I-”

“Is that the first time in your life you’ve ever said sir?” he wonders. “That low-class drawl of yours would suggest as much.”

“I don’t see how it matters that-”

Mitsuo slides the papers across the desk. “You’re simply not qualified to work as my daughter’s assistant.”

“But-”

Mitsuo turns a framed photo on his desk. Inside is a young girl, brown-haired and blue-eyed. Standing upright, a perfect model of professionalism. The picture looks less of a keepsake of a daughter and more a posing doll, a set decoration and nothing more.

“This is my daughter,” Mitsuo explains. “Look at that girl. This role of assistant requires much more than simply cleaning up after her and fetching her bath towels. There’s a reason we’re hiring among girls in your age bracket. We want someone who would make fitting company for our Saki, an ally and a compatriot.”

“You’re running a casting call to play your daughter’s friend?” Rei mutters. “How pathetic is that spoiled brat?”

File: Rei61.jpg (269 KB, 850x1202)

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Rei quickly panics, realising what she said out loud. “I… umm…”

“What did you say?”

“N-nothing-”

“You sit there, the low-class yokel that you are, without the decency to wear a fitted suit, and you insult my daughter? Saki Kobashi is the heir to the Kobashi fortune, a bright business oriented mind, a piano prodigy, trained in etiquette, equestrian riding, the art of diplomacy… do you honestly think someone like you would be worthy company? You insult our family simply by showing your face.”

Rei is speechless. Mitsuo simply stares.

“Now,” he replies. “Please refrain from insulting my family further, by walking out without a fuss.”

As Mitsuo stands and motions to the door, Rei takes a deep breath, and bows before him. Throwing all sense of pride and shame behind, the desperate Rei falls to her hands and knees and bows her head down before him. “P-please, sir…” she mutters, her eyes welling up, partly due to fear, and partly due to the anger she feels at herself. “I… I need this job more than anything in the world. My mother was fired, and… and my father is in a great deal of debt. I… I hate the idea of being bossed around by a spoiled rich brat, I hate wearing this suit, I hate having to speak like a robot just to appease you… It pisses me off how much you look down on us.”

Rei takes a gulp, as Mitsuo looks on in silence. “And yet… if it means earning enough money to support my family, to keep my folks safe… I’ll do it. I’ll do all of it. I’ll wait on her hand and foot. I’ll run her bath, I’ll-”

“You’re encompassed by a rebellious spirit,” Mitsuo notes. “My father… he’s often fond of saying that a rebellious spirit is the most admirable thing on earth.”

Rei raises her head, a tinge of hope seeping through her voice. “Sir?”

“But I am not my father,” Mitsuo replies. “You can talk at length about how much you hate people like me… but when it comes to it, you grovel like all the rest. You’ll never be fit to accompany my Saki. Go now, and never come here again.”

And that last bright spark of hope Rei had in her heart was suddenly snuffed out.

She stands, shambling out of the interview room and into the foyer of the mansion. She ends up bumping into the mistress of the house on her way, accompanied by their daughter. “Mother, who is that?”

“Another failed applicant, I assume…” Her mother explains. “Rather pathetic really. It seems we’ll never find someone up to your standards.”

“Right… of course…”

Of course.

How could Rei expect to involve herself in that world?

She’d never be up to their standards. She’d never be good enough.

To hell with them all.

File: Akio09.jpg (176 KB, 800x1136)

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>Present Day

"I don't understand her demands... it seemed so straightforward, yet twisted and bizarre."

Rei looks back at you with a sigh. "What do you expect from the crazies we always end up fighting? I'd think you'd be more composed to that type by now."

"They're going to terrorise Ryoji... we have to be ready for when that happens."

"I'm already prepared," Rei notes. "Maybe you should catch up, Kobashi."

You sigh. "I'm serious. There's no need to keep challenging me like this."

Rei turns away, and keeps walking. "Yes... there is."

>POV Shift: Akio

"We're almost at the top..." Reiji notes.

"This casino is so damn tall..." you mutter. "Even I'm getting winded on these stairs."

"It's just the two of us..." he notes. "Against an Archdemon, the odds are well against us."

"I'm not gonna worry about that," you reply. "I'm just worried about-"

"Hikaru," Reiji replies. "I know. But ultimately, we need a plan if we're going to save her."

You scratch your head. Coming up with ideas was never your strong point...

>If I'm fighting that guy, I'm gonna need you to back me up with your spells.
>I'm gonna kick Naofumi's ass, and while I do, you sneak by and free Hikaru.
>You distract him while I rescue my girl. Got it?

>>4331057
>If I'm fighting that guy, I'm gonna need you to back me up with your spells.
Let's go for that teamwork thing that Ryoji does.

>>4331057
>I'm gonna kick Naofumi's ass, and while I do, you sneak by and free Hikaru.

FUCKING OUCH THAT WAS PAINFUL TO READ
>I'm gonna kick Naofumi's ass, and while I do, you sneak by and free Hikaru.
>3 is better than 1, even if that 1 is a fucking badass who could beat him alone.

>>4331057
>I'm gonna kick Naofumi's ass, and while I do, you sneak by and free Hikaru.
>3 is better than 1, even if that 1 is a fucking badass who could beat him alone.

>>4331057
>>I'm gonna kick Naofumi's ass, and while I do, you sneak by and free Hikaru.
>>3 is better than 1, even if that 1 is a fucking badass who could beat him alone
Les go

Calling for
>I'm gonna kick Naofumi's ass, and while I do, you sneak by and free Hikaru.
>3 is better than 1, even if that 1 is a fucking badass who could beat him alone.

Writing now.

File: Akio10.jpg (44 KB, 358x811)

44 KB JPG

>I'm gonna kick Naofumi's ass, and while I do, you sneak by and free Hikaru.
>Three is better than one, even if that one is a fucking badass who could beat him alone.

"Always with the ego..." Reiji mutters. "I thought you'd be able to give it a rest when the woman you supposedly love is in danger."

Reiji doesn't know how right he is... he also doesn't know how wrong he is.

The truth is, you're terrified.

What if she's hurt? What if he already took her away? Without Hikaru... you'd be helpless.

But you're not supposed to be the helpless one. You can never show that.

You have to be Akio Naito, now more than ever.

But you don't know if you can.

Your hands are sweating, your feet aren't steady, you have none of your usual composure. You can only be a facsimile of Akio Naito in this moment, not the real thing. Right now, all you can be is a scared kid.

As you reach the top of the stairs, the penthouse is within reach. "We can make it... and the patrons are far behind us..." Reiji notes. "Now it's only a matter of defeating Naofumi... but we have no idea as to what his powers are."

Reiji tends to say 'we' a lot. Does he really not think of himself as a solo act? For a guy who wasn't on your side for the longest time, he sure cares about the collective of the class.

"Hey-"

"Akio, I don't have time for another of your-"

"Reiji."

He stops. Calling him by his real name sure grabbed his attention. "What?"

"Did we really never speak throughout middle school?" you ask. "Did I really ignore you that much?"

"You didn't ignore me... you just never noticed," Reiji explains. "I don't blame you... but I noticed you, of course. It's hard for anyone not to."

>I'm sorry, just so you know. I'm a bit less of a jackass than I was then.
>What's that supposed to mean?
>Yeah... I was the god of the school... until...

>>4331120
>What's that supposed to mean?
Looks like Seishiro's got a rival for the Akiobowl

>>4331120
>>What's that supposed to mean?

>>4331120
>What's that supposed to mean?
god i kinda want that last choice

>>4331120
>>Yeah... I was the god of the school... until...
TRAGEDY

>>4331120
>Yeah... I was the god of the school... until...
"Someone saw me wearing crocs."

>>4331133
Alright fuck it, I'll switch. lets see whats in that UNTIL

Calling for
>Yeah... I was the god of the school... until...

Writing soon.

File: Akio (past).jpg (68 KB, 850x745)

68 KB JPG

>Yeah... I was the god of the school... until...

Reiji's face shifts. His usual cold demeanour gives way, as he looks to you with a frown. "Yes... that's right."

After your father died, you weren't the same.

When you walked into school after being absent for a few weeks, you could tell immediately how they looked at you differently.

You always took great effort to keep your hair cut down to a certain length in order to fit in. After your father died, you allowed it to grow out. There were bags under your eyes, you kept your head down in the hall...

They pitied you.

The god that was Akio Naito was exposed. Once you let slip of the mortal underneath that shell, there was no recovery. Akio Naito was gone... and you could never bring him back again.

From that point on, it was over for you.

"You withdrew from most classes at that point," Reiji notes. "You rarely appeared in class, and you would never appear at lunch."

"I broke up with Michiko around that time..." you note. "The only one I spoke to back then was Seishiro. He was the only one who went out of his way to keep up with me."

Reiji pauses. "Not the only one, Naito-san."

"What?"

Reiji looks away. "You're from the Naito family. You were always destined to wind up in that school. As such... you were the first one I ever started writing notes on to send back to the order. So... I knew where you went every lunchtime."

"You knew, huh?" you mutter.

Every day from then on, you went to the roof of the school... and trained. Your trained your body and your spirit, pushing yourself to your limits until you collapsed. You would often skip class as a result while you recovered. Yet every day... someone would leave a bento box to fill you up afterwards.

"I always wondered who that was..." you mutter. "Seishiro never knew, and Michiko would be the type to stalk, but too selfish to leave anything like that behind..."

Reiji adjusts his glasses. "Yes, it being either of them is out of the realm of poss-"

"So why was it you?" you ask. "You hate me, you were spying on me for some group... you hate me. Why were you looking out for me?"

"Do you honestly want to know?" Reiji asks.

>Yes, I do. Tell me.
>Whatever, keep your secrets. We don't have time for this.

Likely won't be updating until later tonight at earliest, so keep voting/discussing!

>>4331269
>Whatever, keep your secrets. We don't have time for this.
Akio's puny mob brain can't comprehend Reiji's GIGACHAD 5th dimensional chess game.

>>4331269
>>Whatever, keep your secrets. We don't have time for this.

>>4331269
>>Yes, I do. Tell me.
OH NO IT'S ADORABLE AND SAD
The yaoi shippers go overtime

>>4331269
>Whatever, keep your secrets. We don't have time for this.

>>4331269
>>Whatever, keep your secrets. We don't have time for this.

>>4331269
>>Whatever, keep your secrets. We don't have time for this.
Already too sappy, we gotta get MANLY again

File: Naofumi Nakanishi03.jpg (227 KB, 760x1074)

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>Whatever, keep your secrets. We don't have time for this.

"Of course," Reiji nods. "Come on, Akio. It's time to play the heroes."

Play the hero? That's what you're best at, isn't it?

When it came time to start high-school at Dakugeto, you saw your chance to start anew. Cut your hair, clean your face... become that god once more. Again putting on the costume of Akio Naito.

But then you met... her.

That blue haired librarian who completely caught you off guard. The kind of person you would never speak to with your mask on.

She talked back, she mocked you, she insulted you regularly... but always with a smile on her face.

She didn't dislike you at any point... she just always wanted you to know, that she could see right through you.

Hikaru Shirai stabbed right through your facade and gripped your heart tight. You didn't have to pretend anymore.

Without her... you're helpless.

"Let's go..." you mutter. "You can do this."

"Thank you for the encouragement," Reiji nods.

You weren't talking to him.

With a deep breath, you kick the doors to the penthouse down.

"Come on now!" the voice of Naofumi rings out. "You could have kicked them open! Did you really need to take them off their hinges, you brute?"

"It's not an entrance worthy of Akio Naito if it ain't!" you smirk, puffing out your chest. You don't meet his gaze though, instead your eyes instantly scan the room to find Hikaru sitting in a booth blocked off by guards.

"Akio? Heh, you actually made it..."

Naofumi smiles. "So this is your guy?" he asks Hikaru. "You should have heard her. She never once doubted you'd make it here. She honestly thinks a lot of you, it's rather heartwarming... though even I expected more than two of you."

Naofumi begins chuckling to himself, which soon turns to a cackle. "Oh, isn't this a hoot! Two! I run a casino, you know. I know better than anyone when the odds are overwhelmingly stacked in my favour!"

>Odds mean nothing, Nakanishi. I'm going to kick you in the balls.
>Hikaru, babe! You're not hurt, are you?
>I'm a truly awful gambler... but even I know my victory is certain.

>>4331922
>>Odds mean nothing, Nakanishi. I'm going to kick you in the balls.

>>4331922
>Odds mean nothing, Nakanishi. I'm going to kick you in the balls.
Akio has no honour.

>>4331922
>Odds mean nothing, Nakanishi. I'm going to kick you in the balls.
What sort of surprise will we be having today.

>>4331922
>>Hikaru, babe! You're not hurt, are you?
>>Odds mean nothing, Nakanishi. I'm going to kick you in the balls

Calling for
>Odds mean nothing, Nakanishi. I'm going to kick you in the balls

Gonna continue writing tomorrow, early afternoon GMT at the earliest.

File: Naofumi Nakanishi02.jpg (592 KB, 952x1000)

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>Odds mean nothing, Nakanishi. I'm going to kick you in the balls.

Reiji, Hikaru and Naofumi all pause.

Naofumi blinks twice, trying to process what you just said. "I... expected a different response, if I'm being perfectly honest."

"You idiot!" Hikaru yells. "I hyped you up so much and that's the most sophisticated one-liner you can come up with?!"

"Not a one-liner," you explain. "I'm just going to kick him in the balls."

"Stop saying that!" Naofumi protests.

Reiji, however, lets out a small laugh. You've never heard him laugh before. You didn't even know he was capable.

"Well..." Reiji mutters as he adjusts his glasses. "That's just Naito-san, isn't it?"

He's right... that's just you.

You summon your spear, as Naofumi stands tall in his suit. "I must warn you, I'm not much of a fight-"

"You've got an archdemon, I'm not dumb," you reply. "Overwhelming demonic power is kind of a given."

"There's so much more than physical strength, my boy..." Naofumi explains. "I suppose it would be difficult for one like you to understand. You see, The Temptation-"

"The Temptation?" You smirk. "That's a stupid name for a demon. You sound like an old school vocal band-"

Naofumi's eye twitches. "Stop interrupting me! Didn't your parents teach you any manners?!"

You, Reiji and Hikaru chuckle at the thought.

Naofumi looks around, confused. "I expected a much more dignified group of opponents, this is far too embarrassing. Allow me to eliminate the two of you as quickly as possible."

>Correction, three of us. Reiji, now!
>I'm not giving you that chance! I'll take you on myself!
>Reiji, back me up! I'm gonna rush him!

>>4333072
>>I'm not giving you that chance! I'll take you on myself!
>Motion at Reiji to go around

>>4333072
>>I'm not giving you that chance! I'll take you on myself!
Akio need a few kicks in the ass before actually realizing he needs help.

>>4333072
>I'm not giving you that chance! I'll take you on myself!

>>4333075
I'll back this

>>4333072
Seconding >>4333075

Calling for
>I'm not giving you that chance! I'll take you on myself!
>Motion at Reiji to go around

Roll 1d100, BO3.

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>4333101

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>4333101
AAAAAAAAAA

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>4333101

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>4333101

File: Naofumi Nakanishi.jpg (183 KB, 850x1809)

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>90

You notice Naofumi's hands glowing, but you don't waste any time springing into action. You lunge forward, and before he can rattle off any kind of attack, you catch him square in the jaw with your fist. He falls back, and clutches his jaw, as... tears begin to well in his eyes?

"You're the worst!" Naofumi exclaims. "Do you know how many investor meetings I have after this. Nothing above the chin!"

"Then I'll stick to below the belt," you reply.

"Wait no-"

"Too late!" you reply, sweeping his leg before sending him flying across the room.

"You're making a fool out of me..." Naofumi remarks. "That's no fun. That's no fun at all!"

Naofumi snaps his fingers, as the two security guards come rushing towards you with batons. You simply smirk. "You're actually kidding, right? Man, all the others made fighting an Archdemon look so hard! I guess they just aren't on par with me!"

You easily dodge the two security guards, and with the gentlest of taps, send them both flying across the room. You had to go a lot easier on them, with the pair being normal humans and all.

While they're taken care of, Reiji moves to Hikaru's side. "Do you need-"

Hikaru doesn't waste time before raising her hand and firing an aqua jet which flies past your ear, catching Naofumi in the chest. "Stay alert, Akio. I swear, you'd be hel-"

"I know," you smirk. "Nice shot by the way, babe."

Naofumi rises to a knee, his cheerful demeanour peeling away as his eye twitches. "That's it! It's no fun when I'm not winning! We're playing my game now!"

Around you, the archdemon summons thirteen gigantic playing cards, surrounding you. You can only make out Hikaru, Reiji and Naofumi through small gaps as the cards begin to spin and rotate around you.

"Hey, what are you-" Hikaru begins, before Naofumi throws up a finger.

"No cheating!" Naofumi explains. "This game is tied to his life-force... if he can't pick the right card while they're spinning, I'll drain the energy from him."

Great... targeting your complete inability to gamble, as always...

The cards turn, as you can only see the back ends circling around you. "Now, pick the Queen!" Naofumi exclaims. "Or else your energy is mine!"

Dammit... you've got a one in thirteen chance of picking the right card... with your luck, those are terrible odds.

>Focus on Hikaru between the gaps. She might be able to signal the right card...
>I've got to trust in myself... I know I can get it right!

>>4333221
>I've got to trust in myself... I know I can get it right!
BELIEVE IN THE HEART OF THE CARDS

>>4333221
>>Focus on Hikaru between the gaps. She might be able to signal the right card...
Fuck the house, we cheat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOlxCMhZPUg

>>4333221
>>I've got to trust in myself... I know I can get it right!

>>4333221
>>I've got to trust in myself... I know I can get it right
Feels like both the very wrong but also extremely right answer

>>4333221
>>I've got to trust in myself... I know I can get it right!
hhhhh

Calling for
>I've got to trust in myself... I know I can get it right!

Roll 1d100, BO3.

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>4333262

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>4333262

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>4333262

File: Akio12.png (894 KB, 749x1200)

894 KB PNG

>98

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XneukMwAGL8

As the cards spin around you, you take a deep breath... and close your eyes.

"Not even going to track the cards?" Naofumi smirks. "Are you really going to give up that easi-"

You bring your spear down, slashing through the card directly in front of you.

You can hear the silence from the room.

"That... that was the Queen!" Hikaru exclaims.

Reiji pauses. "Did he figure something out, or is he just flying by the seat of his pants...?"

Naofumi gives out a nervous chuckle. "How... how did you...? N-no matter!"

Naofumi summons another thirteen to create a row of twenty-six cards.

"Try finding the Queen of Hearts now!"

The cards begins spinning, and once again, you close your eyes.

A slash from the spear, and they're stunned again.

"H-how are you doing this?!" Naofumi exclaims.

"I don't even know myself..." Hikaru mutters. "Akio, what are you up to?"

Fifty-two cards. The full deck. Swirling around you at incredible speed.

You simply smirk.

One more slash, and all the cards disappear. Naofumi falls back, stunned.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" He exclaims. "You couldn't possibly be that lucky!"

You point a finger towards him, dramatically. "You better believe I am! Maybe next time you won't ever make the mistake of messing with Akio Naito!"

"Who... who is this guy?" Naofumi Nakanishi. "I've never heard of him before..."

You wag your finger. "That's your problem! I may not be as known as Reiji here... but I have the two most dedicated fanboys in the world cheering me on!"

Your thoughts turn to those two nerds operating a fan club out of a broom closet, and you throw up a spiritual thumbs up. "And with them, my girl... and my friend Reiji on my side, I had complete faith in myself! I hit every card because even instinctively, I couldn't possibly let them down!"

File: Akio13.jpg (93 KB, 509x500)

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Naofumi's eyes widen, as he falls back and begins to scramble in a panic. "Are you telling me... you were so confident in yourself, it was impossible for you to be incorrect, even in a game of luck. That's insane!"

"You bet it's insane!" you reply. "But that's just how Akio Naito rolls!"

... Of course, this is all a bunch of bullshit.

In reality, you had it figured out from the moment he talked about fun. He said games weren't fun if he wasn't winning, the mark of a cheater all the way. You figured those cards were summoned in the image of his memory... and being a cheater his entire life, his recreations of cards would still be marked. Sure enough... in a classic display of trickery, a small circular pattern on the back of the cards, a different one in each corner to denote the suit, was marked with a dot going clockwise around the pattern like a clock, conveying each card from Ace all the way up to King.

Once you had that figured out, it was only a matter of avoiding motion sickness while keeping track of the movement of the Queen of Hearts.

Of course, you're not going to say that. You look way cooler having done it through sheer force of will.

"You're... you're not going to kill me, right?" he asks.

"You aren't attacking me right now, so I don't see reason to," you reply. "Do you submit?"

"I do... I do!" Naofumi begins snivelling, pounding his fist against the floor. He lies flat, throwing what amounts to a tantrum. "It's no use! This useless demon didn't help me at all! It's no fun! No fun!"

Fitting for a demon that feeds on the hopeless wishes of others. The second it doesn't get exactly what it wants, The Temptation calls it quits. Pathetic.

"You'll have that demon removed from you by some allies of ours," Reiji notes. "And you'll likely be incarcerated by our government agents."

"But... my casino!" Naofumi's eyes widen. "Who'll inherit my-"

"I'll be glad to take it," you reply.

"It'll be demolished, most likely..." Reiji points out.

You and Naofumi both cry out. "NOOOOO!"

Reiji sighs, as you turn back to Naofumi.

"So..." Naofumi mutters. "We good?"

>Not yet. I still owe you a kick to the balls.
>We won't be good until you make one thousand apologies to Hikaru.
>Sure... as long as you admit that I won, fair and square.

>>4333324
>>Not yet. I still owe you a kick to the balls.

>>4333324
>Not yet. I still owe you a kick to the balls.
>Do it before anyone smarter or nicer can stop you
HELL YEAH MY BOI AINT DUMB

>>4333324
>Not yet. I still owe you a kick to the balls.
Well....that was dissapointingly easy, hope there is a phase two.

>>4333324
>>Not yet. I still owe you a kick to the balls
NUT

>>4333324
>Not yet. I still owe you a kick to the balls.

Rolled 56 (1d100)

Just want a quick roll for nut crackin

>>4333364
That's a walnut half now

Calling for
>Not yet. I still owe you a kick to the balls.

Writing now.

File: Hikaru25.jpg (45 KB, 850x637)

45 KB JPG

>Not yet. I still owe you a kick to the balls.

Naofumi lets out a chuckle. "Haha... good one..."

You give a blank smile. "Stand up."

Naofumi slowly, hesitantly picks himself up. "H-heh, but... I gave up. Y-you win! We're cool now, right-"

"You kidnapped my girlfriend," you state plainly, before going in for the punt kick.

Naofumi's face turns red upon impact, with the villain crumpling to the ground, clutching his tender areas.

"Not the most dignified of moments..." Reiji mutters.

Hikaru looks to you with a smile. "Disappointed?"

"Why?"

"Come on," Hikaru replies with a slight laugh. "You've been ranting forever about wanting a big epic fight against an archdemon. Ryoji got one, Saki got one, Chihiro got one... even Hiro got one. But this guy... well, I think he was a lot lamer than you were hoping."

You throw your hands behind your head as your turn back to her casually. "Why would I give a damn about any of that? You're safe. That's what matters."

Hikaru's face turns red, as a smirk forms on your face.

Heh, she might see right through you... but you see right through her as well.

You move towards each-other, embracing in the middle of the room. She places her hand upon your cheek and stares up at you, admiring your face. "You're so reckless, you know..." she remarks. "Leave it to you to pull a stunt like this."

Another victory for Akio Naito-

"No Naito has made it beyond the age of forty..."

Dammit, why are your uncle's words ringing in your ears now?

>Babe... Hikaru, there's something I need to tell you...
>Shut up, intrusive thought. I'll tell her later.
>I couldn't have done it without Reiji. He's one smart guy, you know.

>>4333381
>>Shut up, intrusive thought. I'll tell her later.
Gotta get a quiet moment.

>>4333381
>I couldn't have done it without Reiji. He's one smart guy, you know.
The man, the myth, the legend

>>4333381
>Shut up, intrusive thought. I'll tell her later.
shut up inner voice, we'll figure it out later. dont ruin the moment

>>4333381
>>Shut up, intrusive thought. I'll tell her later.

>>4333381
>>Shut up, intrusive thought. I'll tell her later.
Let him have this

>>4333381
>>I couldn't have done it without Reiji. He's one smart guy, you know.
DISTRACT OURSELVES WITH COMPLIMENTS

Calling for
>Shut up, intrusive thought. I'll tell her later.

Writing now.

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>Shut up, intrusive thought. I'll tell her later.

Now's not the time for bad news. You're just going to enjoy this moment.

"Wait, the others!" Hikaru pulls away. "We have to make sure they're okay! What happened to them, anyway?"

"It's complicated," you reply, as Hikaru exits the room. You move behind her, but Reiji's words stop you.

"It's because you were strong."

You turn around, facing him, with an eyebrow raised. "What?"

"I was always told never to interfere, only to observe..." he explains. "I wasn't supposed to become a fixture of anyone else's attention. But... you lost everything. Your entire world had come crumbling around on you... and yet when I saw you there... you were still working on yourself. Pushing through your hate and your fear, you continued on your quest of self-improvement. Away from anyone's eyes..."

Reiji adjusts his glasses, before letting out a cough. "You were always so annoying. You would yell, you would slack off, you would barrel through me without even acknowledging my existence... during that time, I hated you. I could see the god Akio Naito for what he was, a-"

"A fake," you interrupt.

Reiji pauses. "Yes... a fake. A mask put on to keep up appearances. A fragile ego bolstered with theatrics. I always assumed underneath it all, you were a scared, pathetic, weak-willed boy, who couldn't handle the very thought of a single person not liking him. And then I saw you that day..."

"You were right."

Reiji shakes his head. "Is that what you think? Because I couldn't have been more wrong. You had the ability to divorce yourself from your image, to separate from your lies... and the person behind the mask proved to be far stronger and more courageous than I have him credit for. I... envied you, Akio. I didn't have to strength to break free of my role... I wouldn't for quite some time. But seeing you, I knew that it was possible."

A heavy silence hangs in the air between. "So... that's why I helped you. And... I hope that whatever has been plaguing your mind lately, you'll have the strength to see through."

It's that obvious that something's been weighing on you, huh? Well, Reiji always was the observant kind.

>Thanks... now keep an eye on Naofumi.
>I think I will, buddy.
>And I hope that one day you'll have the courage to... do whatever you want to do? What is that? Ask out Sanada, maybe?

>>4333442
>>And I hope that one day you'll have the courage to... do whatever you want to do? What is that? Ask out Sanada, maybe?
DO IT, BITCH.

>>4333442
>I think I will, New Kid
Best bit

>>4333442
>>And I hope that one day you'll have the courage to... do whatever you want to do? What is that? Ask out Sanada, maybe?
DO IT COWARD POWER OF LOVE

>>4333442
>Thanks... now keep an eye on Naofumi.

>>4333442
>Thanks... now keep an eye on Naofumi.
Remember that KT got killed by the Demon Slayers after we beat him, lets try and avoid that this time.

>>4333442
>>And I hope that one day you'll have the courage to... do whatever you want to do? What is that? Ask out Sanada, maybe?

Calling for
>And I hope that one day you'll have the courage to... do whatever you want to do? What is that? Ask out Sanada, maybe?

Writing now.

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>And I hope that one day you'll have the courage to... do whatever you want to do? What is that? Ask out Sanada, maybe?

"Is this your chance to tease me again?" Reiji asks, while adjusting his glasses. "You really don't know me at all, Naito-san."

You smirk. "Well, you spent all that time spying on me, you never let me know you."

"I suppose you have a point..." Reiji admits. "Still... you're right that I have goals I'm fearful over. I want to be able to separate myself from the world I was forced into by birth, but I don't know if I have the courage to step away. When all of this is over, once we graduate... I would like to study abroad. Far away from Dakugeto."

You give a small smile. "That ain't so hard. I'll make sure you never break that promise to yourself, okay?"

Reiji nods. "Okay."

Naofumi, meanwhile, stares at the two of you. "I'm sure this would be touching if I had any semblance of context, but... should I go? Are you taking me somewhere?"

Reiji keeps an eye on Naofumi while you and Hikaru wrangle up the others.

"I can't believe it..." Utako mutters to herself. "How did I fall for such a simple trick?"

"It was fun at first..." Nishi admits. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Utako. Everyone fell for it!"

"The meathead didn't..." Utako glares at you with her one eye, causing you to shrug.

Ryoji pats you on the shoulder. "Nice work. I always love it when I don't have to be the hero. It's such a chore."

Being you, you're quick to wave it off. "Ah, it was totally lame! You set yourself on fire to take on a demon once, while this guy could barely take a punch! So disappointing! Dibs on the next epic fight, cause I feel cheated here!"

Seishiro clutches his head. "Bro, can't believe it was down to you and Reiji..."

"He really helped me out," you admit. "The new kid's got some real spirit."

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Seishiro's eyes glance over to Reiji, before walking over to him. They speaked in hushed whispers to each-other, occasionally glancing over to you.

Finally, you come across your uncle, sitting down with his head hanging low. "I warned you all about being overconfident, yet I was the one who fell into the trap..."

"Happens to the best of us," you tell him.

Akihito looks to you, before shaking his head. "You did great today, Akio. As your teacher, I'm very proud of you."

"And as my uncle?"

"As family, I'm unconditionally proud," he points out. "The teacher aspect carries more weight, believe me."

You sit next to Akio, hunkering down and letting out a sigh. "It's still on my mind, uncle."

Akihito's smile fades, his face sharpening. "It's a dangerous thought, I know. It's hung heavy over me for years now. Some of my brothers, I barely even knew... you're all I have left. What have you been thinking?"

>We butt heads a lot, uncle... but I don't know what I'd do with you gone.
>Naoaki wasn't the smartest, but he was right about one thing. He never worried himself over what could happen, he just kept pushing ahead. I think I'll do the same.
>In a way... it's motivating. I can live my life to the fullest... better to burn out than to fade away, right?

>>4333507
>You sit next to Akio
Well, I guess Hikaru has two meatheads now.
>>Naoaki wasn't the smartest, but he was right about one thing. He never worried himself over what could happen, he just kept pushing ahead. I think I'll do the same.

>>4333507
>Naoaki wasn't the smartest, but he was right about one thing. He never worried himself over what could happen, he just kept pushing ahead. I think I'll do the same
Def the way to go, I feel

>>4333507
>Naoaki wasn't the smartest, but he was right about one thing. He never worried himself over what could happen, he just kept pushing ahead. I think I'll do the same
God rest his bear fucking heart

Calling for
>Naoaki wasn't the smartest, but he was right about one thing. He never worried himself over what could happen, he just kept pushing ahead. I think I'll do the same.

Writing now.

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>Naoaki wasn't the smartest, but he was right about one thing. He never worried himself over what could happen, he just kept pushing ahead. I think I'll do the same.

Akihito pauses, looking to the ground. "That's a good way to think, Akio. Maybe... I'll have to take your advice for once."

"About time," you smirk. "Nephew - One. Uncle - Well, about forty to fifty."

"That's a lie," he remarks with a laugh. "You've never taken my advice once."

With Naofumi in custody, it came time for you to travel back home to the academy. What a long day that was... you bet everyone else had a great time without you. You chuckle to yourself at the thought. Once upon a time, you wouldn't have been able to handle being out of the spotlight for a second.

Nowadays, you tend to enjoy staying off to the side. Tends to be more relaxing.

Every once in a while, you don't need to be Akio Naito. You can just be you.

>POV Shift: Saki

Coming onto your line now, Sak <3

You place your phone back into your jacket as you look to the others. "Train's coming, it's got the rest of them on it."

The train pulls in and your group hops on. It's not difficult to spot those coming back from Raibaru. For whatever reason, students of Dakugeto tend to stand out in crowds. Something you've never quite been able to put your finger on.

As Nanami steps past you, almost knocking off her pirate hat in the busy train, you begin to have a clue.

You find yourself sitting next to Ryoji, before letting out a deep breath. "So... how was your day?"

"Standard," Ryoji replies. "Beat a demon, got mobbed by a zombified horde of casino patrons."

You gasp. "What did they do to you?"

"Mainly wanted to play card," Ryoji explains.

"I... that's a joke, right?"

Ryoji is quick to change the subject. "And you? Seems you skipped studying for a day on the town. What a regular delinquent."

"It was fun!" you reply. "We had... trouble with a pickpocket..."

"You okay?"

You nod. "Yeah... I'll tell you about it, later."

Chihiro lets out an exasperated sigh. "Oh, it's such a shame we were never able to find that pickpocket! At least you were able to find your wallet, Saki!"

You and Rei elected not to tell the others about Kaori for now. You didn't want to put a damper on your fin day out, after all.

You and Ryoji share stories of your day, as the train pulls into Dakugeto. As you move to leave the train, you find being shoved into Rei. "Hey, watch where you're going, Kobashi..." she warns.

>So... we should go out on the town again soon, right?
>Sorry... thanks for your help earlier, by the way.
>Y-you too, Arisato! Oh, I'm just bubbling up with... uhh... Rival Rage! Is that what you wanted to hear?

>>4333556
>>So... we should go out on the town again soon, right?

>>4333556
>>So... we should go out on the town again soon, right?

>>4333556
>>So... we should go out on the town again soon, right?
LADIES NIIIGHT

>>4333556
>>Y-you too, Arisato! Oh, I'm just bubbling up with... uhh... Rival Rage! Is that what you wanted to hear?

>>4333556
>So... we should go out on the town again soon, right?
Rei ain't gonna do shit

Calling for
>So... we should go out on the town again soon, right?

Writing now.

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>So... we should go out on the town again soon, right?

Rei looks away from you, raising her leg in the cramped space, digging her fingers into her trainers and adjusting them as the train door opens.

"Sure."

With that, she exits without a word, and the rest of you follow. "It seems my ears were burning..." a smug Chihiro clings to your arm. "Could it be I overheard you say we should do this again?"

You smile. "Yes, maybe we should. Heck, after finals... maybe we could all have a party, as a class?"

Chihiro's eyes widen. "A... party? Why, Saki Kobashi! Could it be after two long years under my wing, you've finally learned how to... have fun?"

Chihiro gives her typical smug laugh, as you look over to Rei walking ahead of you. "Maybe I have."

You arrive back at the academy, and as you enter the courtyard, Hoshi is there... accompanied by Agent White and Wei. They seem deep in conversation, and that look on your grandfather's face.

"Oh no..." Ryoji mutters. "This looks bad."

The two of you look to each-other, and then rush to the scene. "Hoshi!" you exclaim. "Is something wrong?"

Hoshi looks back to you, her eyes wet and red as she trembles. "S-S-Saki... R-Ryoji... it's horrible... Class 1..."

"What about them?"

Wei steps forward. "They're trapped... and we don't know where."

"What?!" you exclaim.

"They travelled to the Darkworld to investigate a classmate's death and... and..." Hoshi mutters. "We lost contact."

All of them?

Ryoji stares ahead. "Dammit... there's always something, isn't there?"

"We'll find them," you assure Hoshi and Ryoji at once. "Losing contact with them once doesn't mean they're gone."

Ryoji sighs. "I know... that group can handle themselves fine... it's just..."

You turns his head away. "I don't want anyone to get hurt because I wasn't there again..."

Ryoji...

In that moment, you're reminded of the great heart possessed by Ryoji Shida. Kaori and Tori... that pair see him as some villain, a target for revenge.

Could they be talked down? If not... you'll have to stop them. But you don't know if you can.

END OF EPISODE 37

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>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F64yFFnZfkI

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Dark%20Gate%20Academy

>Twitter
https://twitter.com/bookerman32

>Discord
https://discord.gg/yz7sDra

Thanks for playing! Very sorry for the wait, and thanks for the patience! I'm hoping to have the next thread in the next week, follow the Twitter for any updates!

>Player Questions
We'll be moving onto Class 1 for the next arc, what trouble do you think they've landed in? What are your thoughts on these upcoming villains in Kaori and Tori? And what are your thoughts on the backgrounds of Akio, Reiji and Rei revealed this go around?

>>4333611
Oh no.
It's a closed circle.
THE PERFECT SETTING
FOR A MURDER MYSTERY

>>4333618
Thanks for running Booker.

>PQ
I honestly can see Tori and Kaori being nice people that just go ape shit when you piss them off.

As for backstory, Rei has no honour, Akio has a cool backstory for one shot character and Reiji continues to be boss.

>>4333618
Thanks for running I really missed this quest
>>Player Questions
With Hosh in charge of the teleportation spell anything can happen.
The two new villians seemed like they could stab you while eloquently explaining why they are killing you with a smile on their face.
Good to know that Rei has been losing her whole life.

>>4333618
Good run bookles, was fun being Akio.

I can't believe they're trapped in hell with the murderer! I love forward to the murder mystery arc of DGA.
Kaori is a mixed bag of fruit loops, she seems fun. Tori seems scary with his tiktok account deletion, wonder how we'll end up beating him.

>>4333618
I thought the Rei stuff has been one of the more interesting character reveals in awhile.