//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 - A day of study and coffee shops. // Story: Hexan, the Phantom Thief // by Hexan Tronic //------------------------------// 4/21 Thur Not spending much time getting ready today, except for a good breakfast., I make my way to the subway. “Ate too much… Please don’t-Please don’t shake me…” Abigale says, sounding unwell. “You always nail our tests. What’s your study secret?” A shallow sounding college student asks. “I go to diners, like the one on Central Street.” their peppy friend replies. “Plenty of work space, plus you can order food if you get hungry, which is cool.” “Diners, huh? Now there’s a thought.” The shallow friend replies. “Makes sense, having nutrition handy and all. Makes it easier to study.” Abigale agrees. “Okay… No more food talk.” She makes a gagging sound, and I hope she hasn’t made a mess of my bag. --------------------- While waiting for our train, we ran into Rirī. “Morning. I still feel a little tired from all that hard work. How about you?” She asks, still sounding tired. “We found the Treasure, so all that’s left is to send the calling card.” “We have some time until the board meeting though. What do you want to do today?” She asks. “I wanna take my time with this, I’m still a bit tired from yesterday too.” I point out, stretching. “I see… We found the Treasure, but I guess we still don’t know what else is there.” She agrees. “We still have time, and I don’t want to make mistakes just because I was being impatient.” “I’m glad you’re the calm one, Hexan, but let me know if you change your mind.” She finishes. I nod and we get on the train to school. --------------------- “Sending the calling card will be a make-or-break decision, so really think on it, okay?” Abigale suggests. “I’m sure both Hayai and Rirī are uneasy, too.” “So make sure you talk to them about it, okay?” She finishes, going back to rest in my bag. With a destination in mind, I head out into the hallway, where I overheard a pair of football members talking. “Hey… I hear you guys’re getting expelled?” An arrogant sounding guy says, drawing my attention, as well as Hayai’s, who is nearby. “You two are idiots trying to go against Kikku and shit…” “I don’t know what you said to him, but the football team is the lifeblood of Shujin.” A cruel sounding guy says. “We’ve come to accept that. Don’t butt into something you have no concept of.”  “It’s too late now though… Kikku’s pissed, so you’re totally done for.” the arrogant kid says, causing me to chuckle, a bit of Tasukete coming through. “You say it’s too late for me, yet I’m still here, aren’t I? What makes you so sure he can get rid of me that easily? And that ‘Football is the lifeblood of Shujin’ crap you were spouting is nonsense too. Your team was probably as useful as all the rest before Kikku turned up and pushed the rest aside. Maybe think about your fellow students instead of inflating your coaches already inflated ego.” I say, beginning to walk off. “And another thing, I’d probably put more time into your studies, I’ve heard there is someone looking to take Kikku down. And that they know people in high enough places to do so, so you might not have football to fall back on too much longer.” I finish saying, as I head downstairs, noticing a smirking Hayai as I go. As I’m walking through the first floor, I overhear another group talking, while Kikku is stalking the halls. “I hear those second-year guys got an expulsion notice from Kikku. Those idiots!” One says. “Since that jumper incident, things have been really hectic. The teachers are all uptight too.” Another mentions, which I did notice. “Still, I’m surprised there’d be students who’d even speak up against Mr. Kikku.” The third says. “Why do you think they behaved like that?” He asks, as I continue walking. Just as I’m walking calmly to the exit, Kikku stops me. “You again, Tronic…?” The arrogant idiot questions. “Where’s that garbage friend of yours, huh? Hey, answer me!” I just turn and walk away, knowing he’d get his soon enough. “Hmph. Dealing with you is a waste of time…” He finishes off. “There’s no point trying to butter me up now. I’m going to get rid of both of you in one fell swoop.”  “Why in the world would I want to butter up a meat head like yourself? Last I check, I’m not into men, plus, your a teacher. Pretty sure there’s a rule against student-teacher relations…” I say out loud, walking off and not listening to his rant. Getting outside, I pull out my umbrella and head to the station. With nothing else to do, I got on the train. After a bit, I got off at the Ginza Line Gate, and noticed some of the staff talking, and decided to get some info. “I’m Shibuya Station’s new hire! I’m ready to begin my training, Chief!” Exclaims what appears to be a rookie here. “Don’t call me ‘Chief’. Just relax. I know you’re new, but you don’t need to be so formal.” The more experienced man states. “A lot of people are still anxious about the accidents. We need to be at ease to help them feel safe.” “Of course, Chief! There won’t be any accidents on my watch! Full speed ahead!” The rookie says, and I decide I’ve heard enough and head out. Leaving the gate, I notice a pair of older woman speaking. “Man, I’m tired… I’ve been doing a lot of overtime lately… See these dark circles under my eyes?” A middle-aged woman asks her friend. “Be careful. I hear stress can lead to all sorts of bad things nowadays…” A younger woman warns. “Yeah, like those train accidents, right…?” Those people collapsed all of a sudden and that was it…” The older woman states. “Stress isn’t good for wrinkles, either. You need to soothe your heart to smooth your skin.” The younger woman points out, leading to me leaving. Heading to Shibuya, I recall the door I walked through in the Metaverse. ‘Come to think of it…’ I think, leading to me recalling Igor’s words. ‘“Return here whenever you wish. It shall be of your own accord…”’ ‘That’s what he said… But, how do I go back to that room?’ I finish thinking, before heading towards Untouchable to pawn off my loot. On the way, I find a curious looking man, standing at the entrance to the alley. “Lately, some suspicious guys have been showing up near the airsoft shop at night.” He states when I ask if he’s alright. “They’re sneaking around, making phone calls, but they’re wearing suits. Maybe they’re detectives?” “I just can’t bring myself to go to that shop as much anymore.” He finishes. “That’s too bad. It has a lot of good stuff. If you were a loyal customer, a few detectives probably sent on a wild goose chase shouldn’t scare you off.” I point out, before I lose his attention. “You may be right kid. Were you heading there right now?” He asks. That’s when I noticed the door. “Yeah, but I have something to do first. Maybe I’ll see you around.” I say, as he nods and heads to the store. Once he is gone, I head to the door. “Hey, Inmate!” Caroline says, drawing my attention. “Our master awaits. Please come this way.” Justine says. Once I’m sure they are done, I head though the door, and back into the Velvet room. “So you’ve come.” Igor states, as I grip the bars. “How does it feel slipping into the unusual from your usual life…?” He asks. “Our master has arranged an access point to assist you in coming here directly from the real world.” Justine states. “That door you just went through is it! Be thankful, Inmate!” Caroline exclaims. ‘I could have figured that out myself, you noisy child!’ a voice yells out in my head as well as nearby, causing me and the twins to look around. “Who said that!? And I’m not a child!” Caroline continues to yell out at nothing, but there is no reply. “Curious… In any case, this too shall aid in your rehabilitation. Make good use of it.” Igor continues, before I get sent back out. After shaking my head, and deciding to ignore that, I head into Untouchable, glad Abigale was asleep for that. Inside I notice both the owner, as well as a military buff browsing the store, as well as the man from before in the back. I head to talk to the browsing man first. “Oh, are you a fan of this store too?” The military buff asks. “This shop’s customized guns are in a league of their own. I get excited just by looking at them.” Then he goes back to browsing. ‘Perhaps I should look into those at some point…’ I think as I turn to the owner. “...What do you want today, kid?” The manager asks. “Is there any way I can dump this stuff off for some yen?” I ask, opening the sack I was storing all the trash in. “Let me have a look before I decide…” He says, looking in the sack. “Some damaged props, as well as strange dinner wear. And gems? A strange assortment you got there kid. But sure, I can either use some of this stuff, or just get rid of it myself. I’ll give you ¥14,400 for the lot.” He says, after he finishes looking it over. “Seems like a fair deal.” I say, giving him the sack. He empties it into a box behind the counter, then gives the sack back. “If you have any more stuff like this, just bring it here and I’ll give you a fair price. Anything else?” He asks. As I shake my head no, he nods and I head on out. With nothing else to do in Shibuya, I head down to the underground stations, and head to Yongen. Walking through the station to my target, I notice an old, homeless man, and decide to see if he’s alright. “Is something wrong? Though, it’s nice that you’re paying attention to someone like me.” The homeless man says. “You’re young, so let me give you some advice. Make sure you don’t fall over to this side of life.”  “I don’t mean to scare you, but anyone can end up like this if they’re not being careful.” He finishes. I nod to show I heard him and continued on my way. With nothing to slow me down, I make it quickly to Yongen, and head straight to the clinic. The clinic seems to be having a slow day, allowing me to go right to Miss Ishi. “It feels like a day off because I don’t have many patients today…” She says, sounding a bit down. “But it’s raining… so I may get an influx of people with colds.” She finishes.‘Come to think of it, I might collapse again if I take that medicine…’ I think to myself. ‘I feel like I’m not gutsy enough to take that medicine yet… I shouldn’t suggest the clinical trial…’  “So, what are you here for today?” She asks.  “Never mind, I don’t think I have anything to do here today.” I mutter, a bit annoyed at myself. “Take care. And maybe next time you and I could spend some time on those trials.” She suggests as I head out, and take a moment to think of what to do. With nothing much else to do, I head back to Shibuya, and head to the bookstore for some books, walking out with: Tidying the Heart, Buchiko’s Story, and Playing the Game. After that was done with, I head to the diner to study. “Oh, are you going to study in that diner?” Abigale asks. “It might be more empty since it’s raining today…” I nod and head in. “The rain’s keeping the customers away!” Abigale exclaims quietly once we’ve taken a seat, while she remains in my bag. Then a waitress walks over. “Welcome, may I take your order?” She asks. Looking at the menu, I make a decision, and look up at her. “A Hot Coffee please.” I ask. “I got it. I’ll be right back with your order.” She says, walking off, then coming back with my order as I’m studying. “Hey… How many cups does that make now?” Abigale askes after a while. “I can’t believe you stayed this long ordering just coffee. You’ve got some guts.” ‘That was some good coffee, but not as good as Roast-sans.’ “It looks like your studying went well, too.” She mentions, looking at my work. “I think the lack of people here made it easier to study too, thanks to the quiet.” “Well, that should be enough for today. Come on, let’s head home.” She says, as I pack up and head back to the coffee shop I call home. --------------------- “Hey, you got a minute?” Roast-san asks as I walk in. “Somethin’ I wanna ask you. C’mere, let’s have a chat.” Deciding there is no harm in it, I decided to chat with him. “Hey, you’re free tonight, aren’t you?” He asks. “Would you care to have a little chat with me? What, can’t handle a bit of small talk?” He asks when I hesitate a bit. ‘This could be a good opportunity to close the divide between us.’ “Sure, let’s talk.” I say, setting Abigale’s bag on a chair. “Good. There’s a lot of things I wanna ask you.” Roast-san says. “I’ll clean up, so just wait there.” “Hey, how’s school treating ya?” He asks, when everything is cleaned up. “You’re not causing any trouble, are you?” “Nope. Nothing that I would class as trouble.” I answer. “That’s good, I suppose.” He nods. “I’ve gotta report to your probation officer twice a month.”  “It’s already a pain in the ass as is, so please don’t make me have to write more crap.” He continues. “Got that? This society is kept in check by laws and authority figures.” “You can go and get yourself killed if you want, but don’t go dragging other people into your mess.” He says seriously. “The last thing we need is more people like you roaming around.” That’s when his phone goes off. “Hm? What’s wrong?” He asks the person on the other end. “Yeah, I’m heading out now. Sorry about that.” “...I know. The usual, right?” He says with his smirk. “OK. I’ll see you later.” “As you can probably see. I’m pretty damn busy both at work, and in my private life.” He says, after hanging up. “If you would be able to help out here and there, it would be a big help…”  “I’d be glad to help out.” I nod, giving a smile. “Now we’re talking.” He nods. “Either way, I won’t be asking you to work for free. If you agree to help me, then…” He begins. “I’ll teach you how to make the perfect cup of coffee. Not a bad trade, eh?” He asks. “Sounds interesting. I’m in.” I agree. “Alright. Looks like we’ve made ourselves a deal.” He agrees. ‘I can feel the distance between us closing a bit…’ I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. “I’ll be counting on your help.” He says. “Alright. I’ll see you later.” He says, and heads out. After I get upstairs, I check my phone, and sure enough, Roast-san has become a ‘Confidant’ as well. With nothing else to do, I go to bed.