A/N - Reader discretion is advised... Trigger warning...
*SCHOOL IDOL CLUBROOM - NIJIGASAKI HIGH SCHOOL - ODAIBA - TOKYO*
ODA: *Chuckle* *Smirk*
That's... Uh...
AKI: "Oh, um... Haha, I don't quite get your sense of humor, Uncle Oda. You know, sometimes I just don't understand your jokes. Do you mind explaining it to me?"
A nervous chuckle breaks out of my mouth.
ODA: "Aki my boy, I am not joking."
AKI: "...Huh?"
The tone of Uncle Oda's voice started to become more sinister and threatening as he continued.
AKI: "If this is your idea of a joke, you are really dedicated to it. But I have to be honest, I am feeling really uncomfortable right now. It's just a bit, well, awkward. I don't appreciate the girls being joked about that way... Can we please drop it now and move on to something else?"
ODA: "Do you not understand what I want from you? I want the school girl of my choice, for the night, and I don't want any questions asked or opposition raised."
AKI: "Y-You m-mean to give me an autograph or sing a song for me, right?! I-It can't be something else, r-right? You're just joking, right? Please say you're joking."
I could feel a hint of panic and discomfort creeping into my voice, as if I was desperately seeking assurance that the joke is just a joke and nothing more.
ODA: "No. Tonight I will be staying at the Hotel Ohara in Shinjuku. I want you to send one of your girls there.
But I don't want them to be defiant, though that thought does bring some, heh heh, excitement to me.
I want them to be obedient and follow everything that I say, so that I may fulfil my desires."
AKI: "I don't understand what you're talking about, not one bit... What's with these vulgar jokes?! The Uncle Oda I know is caring and kind, always there when I need him, he's like a father figure to me.
Please, if this is a joke, stop right now. I'm begging you, please stop. I can't take any more of this!"
I still wanted to believe that Uncle Oda was joking about all of this. I still wanted to believe that he was a real father figure to me. I wanted to believe that he would never do something like this.
Please, please, please tell me that this is just a bad dream...
ODA: "Oh Aki... You have much to learn, don't you? You see, I can still provide you with that comfort, but it won't come cheap. You're going to have to start paying me back, big time.
I can give you whatever you want, Aki. But it won't be easy!
Well... That all depends on if you're going to be my problem solver or not."
AKI: "Paying you back...?"
ODA: "What, you thought this was all for free? I'm not your therapist, kid. You decided to put your trust in me and spill all your guts. I'm a businessman, just like the young master, and my service does not come cheap. In fact... How about you send TWO of your girls over instead? My treat!"
AKI: "Don't tell me...all of this time...you were working for Kamijou?"
I refused to believe it. I just...just can't. It's too much to take in. I trusted Uncle Oda. I trusted him with everything...
ODA: "It's insulting to even mention him in the same sentence as me. Kamijou is nothing but a brat, and he needs to learn his place. I'm sick and tired of him sticking his nose where it doesn't belong, and getting in my way!"
AKI: "Way of what...?"
ODA: "It doesn't take a genius to figure out what I mean. For what I truly desire is power. Raw, unchecked power. I need it, I CRAVE it to satiate this hunger in my loins, this dark, all-consuming hunger. And to strike fear into the hearts of any man who would dare raise their hand at me!
I shall have that power, by any means necessary."
AKI: "..."
ODA: "So, my little Aki. If you want me to continue providing you with services. Then you had better start providing me *ahem* 'Service' *nudge* *nudge* *wink* *wink* Not you, but rather your girls. I have a long, looooong list of what I want them to do with me."
AKI: "......"
Oda's tone became more sinister and menacing as he continue to speak.
ODA: "This is not a request, it's a demand. Do not fail me, Aki. You...don't want to make your dear old uncle upset now, do you?"
AKI: "Get out."
ODA: "Oh?"
I...I turned away. Turning my back to the man who I confessed I saw as a father figure. I can't even describe how I feel right now. It's just...it's just too much to take in...
AKI: "Leave. I never expected to be disgusted like this, at least not by YOU, of all people. I just... I feel violated by what you've just said. It's hard for me to even believe that you would think that way."
ODA: *Chuckle* "Oh, that's right - children often defy their fathers. You're no different... *Sigh* I really thought we had something special going on here, Aki. The poor old man's heart...is truly broken."
AKI: "Don't you dare try and turn this back on me! You're SICK. Absolutely SICK in the head! Now get the hell out of my Clubroom, and out of my life!"
ODA: "Aki...you fool. It's no wonder that you'll never reach the heights that everyone expects of you. The only way out for you, my boy, is through me. And my price has just gone up..."
AKI: "What's that supposed to mean?"
ODA: "Believe me, Aki. You have so much potential, so many great things you can accomplish. But your own selfish pride is getting in the way, it has always been your greatest obstacle, your biggest enemy. Always talking about making your girls happy...
But what about their dreams, their aspirations? Can they live a life of fulfillment, wallowing in failure and mediocrity? No, Aki. Making them happy is not enough, you must always strive for greatness, even if it means making sacrifices.
Allow your dear old uncle to help you with that."
AKI: "I..."
ODA: "All I ask is just one night, Aki. And I promise you, I'll make everything go your way leading up to the School Idol Festival. Just one little night, that's all. And I guarantee you, you won't regret it."
AKI: "Pfft, it's insulting for you to even think that I would sell out those girls. They mean more to me than anyone or anything! I will not allow the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club to be disrespected like this. We are a respectable group that encourages hope and dreams!
We...are NOT your whorehouse old man!"
ODA: "Oh, I see, Aki. You're going to be just as disrespectful and ageist as the young master, aren't you? I've done so much for you and you just throw me to the curb with a simple request...
We're in a dangerous business, you know. Powerful men whispering sweet nothings in your ear, using you up and then dumping you once you've lost your worth.
And here I thought we had something special..."
I gestured towards the exit, my body still shaking in revulsion. All I wanted was for the old pervert to leave, to get away from me and my girls. I couldn't stand the thought of him being in this Clubroom, my girls' place of sanctuary, let alone looking at me with those lecherous eyes of his.
AKI: "Out."
ODA: *Chuckle* "You let me in. I think I'll stay."
I screamed in fury, my voice echoing throughout the room. My anger was palpable, and I pointed towards the door, gesturing firmly for the man to leave immediately. I couldn't handle his presence any longer, and I wasn't going to tolerate his disgust any longer. He had to go, and he had to go now.
AKI: "Get out or I'm calling the cops!"
With a smug expression on his face, he stood in place, not budging an inch as he stared at me. The way he smirked told me all I needed to know, he was up to no good, and I wasn't going to fall for it any longer.
ODA: "How adorable...you truly believe that the authorities have any power to arrest me? I am the Vice-Chairman of Golden Calf Productions, you know. Our impact on the economy is what keeps this country running.
I have...what did you call it?
Diplomatic Immunity, I believe it's called.
I assure you, my boy, I will not be going anywhere any time soon."
AKI: "No...you're lying! You have to be lying!"
ODA: "Ohoho! Am I lying? Look into my eyes, Aki. You will not find a shred of deception, I assure you.
But even still, I think you're smart enough to know that I'm not one to toy around with. So I'll say it again, for the record, this is serious. Send me someone."
AKI: "I can't even bring myself to look you in the eye, the way you're carrying on. Your actions sicken me, they fill me with disgust. I want nothing to do with you or your schemes..."
ODA: "Remember what I taught you?"
...
AKI: "I hope you can help me out. I'm really nervous about talking to them, and I don't want to appear like an amateur. Can you please tell me what I should keep in mind when dealing with them?"
ODA: *Chuckle* "It's all in the eyes."
AKI: "The eyes?"
ODA: "Have you ever heard the phrase 'the eyes are the windows to the soul'? It suggests that by looking into someone's eyes, you can determine if they are being honest or if they have hidden agendas."
AKI: "I see... That makes sense, thanks Uncle Oda."
...
ODA: "All in the eyes. Now tell me, my dear Aki-"
AKI: "Don't call me that!"
ODA: "Oh, Aki...look into these eyes, my withered old eyes, and tell me what you see!"
I swallowed my pride and forced myself to look at Oda's eyes, those crimson eyes that radiated darkness and malice. Looking into them was like peering into a black hole - it gave me a glimpse of Oda's true nature, but it also made me feel sick, just like when I was around Kamijou.
I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeply wrong with these men...something that I couldn't quite understand.
Well, I'd be lying if I said that... Because if I can take anything away from all of this, it's that I can at least understand Kamijou's words a little better.
...
KAMIJOU: "I do not believe that anyone is truly good, there is no such thing as white. I believe that most of humanity are shades of grey. Put pure evil as black as night exists... I've seen it... Pure evil in human form...
Without the concept of the devil... The true evil of humanity would rise..."
AKI: "Wh-What...?"
KAMIJOU: "I'll leave that to your own interpretation. But don't come crying to me when the devil is no more and true evil gets its way."
...
KAMIJOU: "Perhaps I have become the embodiment of mask, my delight at the misfortunes of others is boundless. *scoff* Your limited perspective holds you back, Suzuki.
You believe that people are either good or evil.
The world is not so straightforward.
It is complex, filled with shades of gray, with neither extreme being wholly right or wrong. However, let me confirm that I have personally witnessed the existence of pure evil that exists for the sole purpose of indulging in its own twisted desires.
That is all there is to it."
...
Is this why you were so adamant to replace him, Kamijou?
Is this why you wanted me to take his place, and produce the members of QUASAR in his stead?
If so...
I understand.
AKI: "Pure evil."
ODA: "Heheheh... HAHAHAHA!"
His cackling laughter filled the room, and I couldn't take it any longer. I let out a yell, my voice filled with anger and disgust.
AKI: "GET THE FUCK BACK!"
In a fit of sheer rage, I let out a scream and kicked out at Oda's cane, hoping to knock him down and off balance. But to my disbelief and horror, it had no effect. Oda simply stood up straight, a wicked smile on his face.
In that moment, I felt a mixture of anger and fear, realizing just how deceiving Oda truly was.
ODA: "The feeble old man image is simply a charade to gather sympathy! Don't be fooled by my age of 75, I assure you that I am more agile and more powerful than I was in my youth. Oh, and what a treat it will be when I finally taste that sweet creation of yours... The things we can accomplish!"
AKI: "You make me sick, do you understand me?! I won't stand for this, not for one second longer! I demand that you leave us alone, before I make you regret it. Do you hear me?!"
ODA: "All fruits must be plucked from the tree and enjoyed, lest they ripen into rotten overgrown monstrosities. Indeed, your girls are truly at their peak at their age. After that, well, well, well, it's only the long death of repulsive womanhood."
AKI: "?!"
ODA: "You look repulsed, but you are only lying to yourself. Do not worry, I will not hog all the riches, I wish to share my fruit with you. I know that look in your eyes, Aki boy. You have been around such beautiful women for so long yet nothing has blossomed from it. Don't you think that you are owed something for all the help you give them?
How you must have the patience of a saint..."
AKI: "Shut up..."
ODA: "You're no different from any other man, we are both producers, and I can see the hunger and lust in your eyes. You wish to claim those girls as your own."
AKI: "SHUT UP..."
ODA: "But it's okay to feel that way, Aki boy. It's not too late to do everything you've ever wanted to do with them! That closeted perversion of yours you keep hidden... Let it all out. Stop starving yourself and satiate your hunger."
AKI: "..."
Oda stretched his arms out wide and beamed me a smile that could have melted the coldest of hearts. But I was not fooled, I knew that beneath that smile lurked a malevolent force, a darkness that could swallow me whole. I had to be cautious, to be aware of his true intentions. I could not let my guard down for a second...
ODA: "Come now, my dear Aki, what is with that look of disgust? Do you not love your dear old uncle? Come here, give me a hug and we can put all of this unpleasantness behind us. But do not misunderstand, I still expect my payment. A delicious gift from you, my boy. Tell me, who shall it be? Ha...haha...hahaha..."
AKI: "..."
???: "Break the ice..."
ODA: "Perhaps you want to preserve the purity of your girls, so you'll send me the already tainted actress, Shizuku? That long flowing hair is just too irresistible to resist. I could get lost in it, drown in it forever. It will make the perfect gift for me, ohoho, how I look forward to it...."
AKI: "......"
???: "Break the ice... Break the ice..."
ODA: "Or perhaps you'll send me the ever so cute, and oh so adorable Kasumi? Ha...haha...haha...her cuteness, it's almost too much to bear. I used to manage a Junior Idol group, so that cuteness factor always excites me.. Oh, I can only imagine the things I could do with that cutie pie...
Ohoho, what a delicious treat for me. I look forward to it immensely! Tell me, Aki. Will you send her to me?"
AKI: "........."
???: "BREAK THE ICE... BREAK THE ICE..."
ODA: "But what if you throw a curveball and send the refined and stern Student Council President, Shioriko? Ohoho...humiliating someone so proud and strong would be incredibly exhilarating! Just thinking about it sends a shiver down my spine. I cannot wait to break her spirit, to see her squirm under my control. I promise you, Aki, I will relish every minute of it...
Oh, what a delightful prospect you have brought to my attention, Aki! I will take great pleasure in breaking that girl, and I thank you for the opportunity!"
AKI: "............"
???: "BREAK THE ICE! BREAK THE ICE!"
ODA: "Ohoho, what about the stoic pink bundle of joy, Rina? Her stony demeanor is no match for me - I'll break her down until she's nothing but a sniveling puppet under my control. And that joy...that joy will turn into despair, and a once stoic girl will never be the same. I will take great pleasure in twisting her mind into a knot, and making her dance to my tune. She will beg for my attention, my affection, and I shall give them to her in small doses, just to continue breaking her down. Oh, what a delightful prospect you have brought to my attention, Aki! I thank you for this opportunity...I will savor every moment of it..."
AKI: "..............."
???: "BREAK THE ICE! BREAK THE ICE! BREAK THE ICE! BREAK THE ICE!"
ODA: "Maybe you feel uncomfortable sending a first-year member as my gift, Aki. I understand. Perhaps someone a little older might do the trick? Mia Taylor is very much my type. But, oh wait? She's the youngest of your group, is she not? Even better!
Her youthful innocence, her cool demeanor...I would love to see just how long she can maintain it against my will. Ohoho, just the thought of having her rest her head on my lap is making me want to laugh hysterically. She will break, Aki, she will be mine. And I shall relish it, every last second of it...
Oh, how I look forward to it! Thank you for giving me your gift, Aki. It shall be a pleasure to break her mind, to break her spirit...to break her body. Ha...haha...hahaha...! *SLURP* Delectable!"
???: "...NOW!"
AKI: "You bastard... I'LL KILL YOU!"
ODA: "HAHA! There it is! There is that killer instinct! That's the face my boy! That's the face it takes to survive in this miserable thing we call our existence!"
I am a patient man... but Oda has ruined that!
He has tested my limits, pushed me past the breaking point, and now...I am nothing but a raging monster!
My patience is gone, my tolerance for any sort of resistance is gone!
I am done holding back. I am done playing games. Oda has pushed me too far, and now there is no turning back. I am a force of nature, an unstoppable beast, and I will not be satisfied until I have made Oda pay for his deeds!
My fury cannot be tempered...I am a raging inferno, and I will make sure Oda feels my wrath. He will know the true meaning of hell. I know he thinks he has broken me...but he has only unleashed the very worst of me. I am the beast within, and I will not rest until I have made Oda pay!
My patience is gone!
NO MORE ICE! NO MORE BARRIERS!
I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!
All I could see was red...all I could feel was rage. All my restraints had been thrown to the wind, and I was in full rage mode. I turned, and saw my trusted 'Niji' lying nearby - and I instantly pounced on it.
This...this would be the object of my anger, of my fury. It was all I needed, my fury, 'Niji' my rainbow of rage, the pure blind rage!
...I was nothing but a hurricane, a hurricane of destruction! No one could stop me, no one could stand in my way! I had thrown away all restraints, and all that was left was pure, untamed rage!
AKI: "HNGH?!"
But I forgot, I had nailed the bat into the wall! But without rhyme, without reason, without an ounce of logic...I pulled, and pulled, and pulled that damned bat away from the wall!
I was going to grab it, and I was going to crush that old perv like the roach he is! My rage, my fury, my blind, murderous rage...it wouldn't let me rest, it wouldn't let me sleep!
I was going to murder him, I was going to kill him, and no one was going to get in my way! I had thrown out all reason, all restraint...and all that was left was my blind, murderous rage!
AKI: "GRAGH!"
ODA: *Chuckle* "What kind of protector locks away their weapons? What if someone came for you? It's always important to stay armed, Aki! You have made a rookie error, a foolish, foolish mistake. You have left yourself defenseless, without a weapon at hand...you are a protector no more, Aki! Hur huh, HEH HEH HEH...I am going to enjoy this...
I am going to enjoy seeing you defenseless, without a weapon in hand. You have made a mistake, a grave mistake, Aki...and you will pay for it, oh yes you will! It is always important to stay armed, Aki...to stay prepared in this cruel, cruel world!
But you have failed in that, Aki...
And I am going to enjoy watching you pay for your mistake. Squirm for me! HEURGH! HEURGH! HEURGH!"
The bastard's cackling only made my rage burn hotter, I pulled, and pulled, and pulled as hard as I could...harder than I had ever pulled in my life! Rina's toolkit wasn't here, so I could only rely on my bare hands!
But I was unstoppable, I was a hurricane of rage, of pure brute force. I was going to rip that bat from the wall, no matter what it took! But it only made my rage burn hotter...
My rage, my fury, my pure brute force...they wouldn't let me stop, they wouldn't let me sleep. I was going to kill that old bastard, and no one could stop me.
I was going to rip that bat from the wall, come hell or high water! And I was going to use it to crush that old pervert like the roach he is!
AKI: "GRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"
*CRASH*
With a sudden burst of adrenaline and rage, I tore the bat from the wall, sending it crashing to the floor. I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I scrambled to my feet, holding the wooden bat with a death grip.
This was my tool, my defense, my means of survival. I was ready to use it at a moment's notice, to unleash my fury on anyone who threatened me. I was done being intimidated, done being pushed around. With Niji in my hands, I was ready to take on the world.
But my anger didn't just stem from fear. It was fueled by a sense of injustice, a feeling that I had been betrayed, that I deserved more than what the world had given me. Namely, this fucking prick!
The thought of being powerless, of being at the mercy of others, was more than I could bear. And with Niji in my grasp, I felt a sense of empowerment, a sense that I could make a difference, that I could change things for the better. My rage was a force to be reckoned with, and I was ready to use it to make a change in a world that desperately needed it.
BY REMOVING KENJIRO ODA FROM IT!
ODA: *CACKLE* "Do it! Put an end to me. But I promise you it will be the biggest mistake you could ever make."
With a burst of anger, I raised Niji up above my head and prepared to strike. I didn't care about the legal repercussions or the consequences of my actions. All that mattered was taking down this predator who wants to hurt those I care about.
As I charged towards him, Niji felt like an extension of myself, like a part of my body. The wooden bat gave me a sense of power and control, and I was no longer a victim. I was a force to be reckoned with, a hurricane of destruction ready to strike down anyone who dared to cross me.
But my anger wasn't just a blind rage, it had a purpose. It was fueled by a sense of injustice, a need to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. And with Niji in my grasp, I was ready to make this world a safer place for everyone, no matter what it took.
AKI: "YOU BASTAAAAAAAARD!"
ODA: "After all, you wouldn't want my friend Takehiko Suzuki to know about this, wouldn't you?"
As if the name was a trigger phrase, my heart stopped and I froze, like a deer caught in headlights. My hands began to sweat, my knees trembled, and my breath came in short gasps.
Every nerve in my body was on edge, as if I was in the presence of a great and terrible being. I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't even think. It was the most terrified I had ever been in my life.
AKI: "H-Huh?"
ODA: "Your father and I are close friends. I have known him since his days of being a member of Golden Calf Productions. In fact, when PRISMATIC were signed, I was given the role as his supervisor, ohoho... I was the one who helped mold him into the man that he is today. I have known him far longer than you have...
Since I am an integral part of his life, that is why you should not cross me."
AKI: "?!"
Make this sound terrified "This monster was my dad's supervisor?!
ODA: "And oh, I wonder what would happen if he were to be told about everything you've done? I'm sure he would be very proud to see his only child going against his wishes...Oh, but don't think that I will be the only one to dish out consequences. If your father were to find out, he would surely be outraged. I can only imagine the various forms of punishment that he would bestow upon you. Perhaps some much-needed discipline? Perhaps even throwing you to the streets?
The thought of it...it makes me almost...giddy with anticipation. What will he do, Aki my boy? Will he love you as his child, or will he disown you? Ohoho, I can hardly wait to find out!"
AKI: "........."
ODA: "All your deepest desires, your darkest fears - I know it all, Aki boy. Every single thing about you...I know your innermost thoughts, your most private moments. I know what keeps you up at night, and what drives you in the morning. I even know where you live...ohoho, I could pay you a visit sometime, or even your neighbor Ayumu.
Just remember that I am always watching you...always there, always listening, always knowing. You cannot escape me...I am the shadow that follows you, the voice that whispers in your ear. And believe me, I will never let go...even if it costs me everything. You will never be rid of me, Aki boy. I am your monster now..."
He's...right...He was the man I confided in all these months, talking about all my problems daily. He knows everything I've done...
He's the monster who knows everything about me...he...he knows my deepest desires, my darkest fears...
He knows everything about my struggles, my mistakes, my...my most private moments! He's always watching me, always listening, always knowing...oh no, oh no, this is too much, this is not fair, I can't take it anymore! Why me? What have I done to deserve this?
Who is he, who is this monster who has taken me hostage, who has my life in the palm of his hands?
What has he done with my life?
What has he done with me?!
I... I have to take him down!
Permanently!
ODA: "Oh, you're thinking of silencing me permanently, aren't you? But I promise you, even in death my power will consume you. You will be charged with the murder of a frail old man, and everyone will view you as a cold-hearted monster. Your School Idol Club will fall into depression without you, because you would have just single-handedly killed their dreams.
And what of your family? Do you think they're safe? Think again. Takehiko Suzuki will face a barrage of hatred for raising you this way, and your mother will be hounded in the streets. No one will ever let them live this down, everyone connected to you will be poisoned by your actions, and your name will forever be stained as a murderer.
Do you think it was worth it? Do you really want to live a life where you are hated and feared? Do you want your family to suffer, for your mistakes, for your sins?
Think carefully, Aki my boy, before you make a decision that you will regret for the rest of your life."
AKI: "............"
I...I...I can't...I can't move! I feel like my body is paralyzed by fear...I'm trapped, I'm trapped!
ODA: "But of course, you could choose to do nothing. I will walk away, and our partnership will be over. And instead, you will have an enemy who knows everything about you. Everything you've done, everything you've said, everything you are. I am the monster under your bed, the shadow that follows you...I will never forget, I will never forgive.
OR...you could send one of your girls to me, and I will not hurt you. But I make promises, Aki my boy...not predictions, and certainly not threats.
I am a spoiler!
I will spoil everything you love, everything you care about. I will take it all from you...one by one, until there's nothing left. I am the end of your dreams, Aki my boy, the end of everything you hold dear...."
I can't breathe, I can't think, I can't move...it's like I'm frozen in place, like the world has come to a halt. I can't take it anymore, I can't take this horror...
I feel like I'm going to burst...like my body is about to explode, like my heart is going to burst through my chest.
AKI: ".........."
Someone...someone please help me, I'm trapped, I'm terrified...I'm...I'm so scared I'm going to die, I can't even breathe!!!
ODA: "Oh my, my, my! Look at you, Aki my boy. You were so determined to strike me down, but now, now all I can see is fear...your defiance is gone. You are an insecure little brat, Aki my boy, a sad little weakling who can't even stand up to a little bit of pressure.
I always bend them to my will through breaking their mind, Aki my boy. I have done it before, and I will do it again. No one can resist me, no one can stop me. I always get what I want, Aki my boy, and you won't be the first one to suffer that fate.
Heh heh heh...Even if I break you, Aki my boy...you won't be the first to suffer that fate. You will be only another drop in the ocean of my broken dreams...another trophy, another step towards my victory.
You won't even be that special of a victory to me. Because you are not the first person named 'Aki' who I have broken!"
AKI: "?!"
D-Don't tell me...
...
ODA: "My, my, my, my, my..."
KASHIWAGI: *GASP*
KAMIJOU: "Hmph."
ODA: "It is not polite for you to run away during training, Aki-chan."
Huh? Oh, right he's not talking to me.
KASHIWAGI: "..."
KAMIJOU: "Oda. What do you want?"
ODA: "Nothing from you, Young Master. It just makes a producer so, so worried when the center of his unit runs away."
KAMIJOU: "Well, it shouldn't concern you for much longer, Oda."
ODA: "Oh? My, my, is this the boy? They sure are getting younger and younger. Are you sure that you cannot rely on someone more experienced like myself?"
KAMIJOU: "Ugh."
ODA: "Young Master, your words break this old man's heart. After all I accomplished alongside your father, you're willing to throw me to the curb?
There is still some life in these old bones yet!
Isn't that right, Aki-chan?"
KASHIWAGI: "..."
I guess she doesn't want to speak to him. Did they have a dispute during practice?
...
Kashiwagi...
Does that mean... QUASAR are trapped by this repulsive old man?
ODA: "Even the greatest idol unit in history, the legendary QUASAR, kneels at my feet and obeys all my commands!
If I can accomplish something like that, then there is no limit to the playthings I can obtain! I can bend anyone to my will, make them do anything I want, break them in my hands like a doll.
I have it all, Aki my boy...all the money, all the power, and all the idols. You have nothing, Aki my boy, you mean nothing to me, NOTHING AT ALL!
But you are useful.
And if you turn against me, and decide to not be my good little boy... Then it's time for me to break your spirit, break your body, break your mind... It's time to break YOU."
AKI: ".........."
I was paralyzed, there was nothing I could do...I felt trapped, trapped like a fly caught in a spider's web. All of this time, I've been fighting Kamijou and relying on Oda for support.
But now...I finally see him for what he truly is. Oda is evil incarnate. He is a monster.
What have I been doing all this time? Leaning on him for support...trusting him...
He's been playing me all along. I've been a fool, a puppet dancing on his strings...and now I'm trapped, trapped like a rabbit caught in a snare...
ODA: "HERGH HERGH HERGH!"
He's laughing at me... He's enjoying every moment of my terror, my confusion, my pain...
He's pure evil...
He's evil incarnate...
ODA: "Looks like the reality of your situation has finally caught up to you, Aki boy. You finally realize how much of a child you are in this colossal industry, this black, endless void, from which nothing can ever emerge. Such a weak, weak, child...
You need powerful friends in high places, like myself.
And now, you're even challenging the young master for his title as the number one producer in the nation!
But you have no chance, Aki my boy, no chance at all. I have all the connections, all the power, and all the idols.
You must be crazy to go against me like this. Don't you know what I'm capable of?
Give my offer a thought or two. You have until midnight to decide. If you don't send me your girls, then you will become my enemy. I will destroy you, Aki my boy, and everything you hold dear.
I will crush you like a bug, Aki my boy, I will crush you and you will be nothing more than a stain on the ground.
Good luck, my sweet little Aki, because you're going to need it.
Heeheehee! And try not to disappoint your dear old uncle, because he will be very aaaangryyyy~!"
And with that...he just left. The man I trusted, the man who acted as my mentor, the man who helped me grow...he left. He abandoned me, just like every father figure in my life has done before...
I feel as if the ground has been ripped out from under my feet, as if the sky is falling down around me. I am lost, terrified, alone...and there's nothing I can do about it.
AKI: "......"
So this is your pain... Kana Kihara.
Fear...
The terror of dying...
...
KIHARA: "Terror has a powerful effect on people, making them capable of achieving things they previously thought impossible. It pushes individuals to their physical and mental limits, motivating them to practice for days on end, and push themselves to the brink of exhaustion. In the face of terror, people are capable of making sacrifices that they normally wouldn't, even abandoning their families and betraying their friends. Anything to avoid the terror of dying..."
...
I'll never betray my friends...never. No matter how overwhelming the fear of death might be, I will suffer through it...
Oda hasn't laid a single finger on me today, yet he has completely silenced me.
He hasn't touched me...yet he holds all the power, like his hands are around my neck and he can snap it at any moment if he pleases...
...
KIHARA: "In my bleakest moments, Shiro Okuda, my...former lover was always there to console me. Her warmth, her kindness, her understanding, they were like a ray of light in the midst of the darkness I felt deep within my soul. I could not understand why she still cared for me after everything that had happened between us, but her constant presence was a source of comfort and solace that I would always cherish.
She would always listen to me with unwavering patience and empathy. Her words were like soothing balm that alleviated my suffering. When I was at my weakest and lowest, she was always there to lift me up."
...
This...this is a hell that I cannot escape from! I'm the one who took solace in Oda, and he has betrayed me...just like Shiro Okuda used Kana Kihara...I've been chewed up and spat out...Oda knows everything about me...
He knows everything... He's coming for me... He'll hurt me...he'll destroy me...he'll make me disappear...he'll end everything I love...he'll end my life! Oh, god, I can't take it anymore, I can't handle this horror...
Someone...SOMEONE HELP ME! PLEASE!
*THUMP* *THUMP*
Ack! My heart feels like it's going to explode! I need to calm down!
*GASP*
I need to calm down...I need to relax...I need to remember to breathe...
*THUMP* *THUMP*
I...I can't let this beat me...I have to continue with my day! The girls are waiting for me, they're counting on me!
I need to move... Damn it, MOVE!
I'll...I'll make it to the auditorium...even if it's the last thing I do...
I'll walk a million steps if that's what it takes...
I'll crawl a thousand miles...
I'll fight every monster along the way...
I WILL NOT let myself be defeated...
*THUMP* *THUMP*
*STEP*
Taking one step forward, I felt the nerves in my leg ignite. That shock travelled through my body, as if an army of spiders were crawling all over me...anxiety...anxiety was all-consuming, enough to make me fear that I had died and been sent straight to hell.
My heart was racing, my stomach was in knots...I couldn't breathe, I couldn't think straight...I felt like my entire world was collapsing around me...
Every step I took forward was a step toward hell, a step toward madness...but I couldn't stop...I couldn't turn back...
My body was frozen, my mind was screaming...
The end of my world was coming, and I was powerless to stop it...
I had to check if I was still alive...Using every ounce of my power, I lifted my shaking right hand, and I touched my face, checking to see if I was still there, if this was all real...
In that moment, I was sure I had died and gone to hell...an army of demons was following me, ready to drag me down to the depths of despair...
Every breath felt like a knife twisting between my ribs, every step felt like I was walking on hot coals...
I was powerless, completely at the mercy of my own mind, and I couldn't bear it anymore...
I had to keep going, even if it meant dying one step at a time...
*THUMP* *THUMP*
AKI: "Why...? Why is my face wet...?"
My mind was not in the right place, it did not register with me until now that I was crying...and then, the feeling in my hands faded and was reduced to numbness...making me drop 'Niji' to the floor.
*THUMP* *THUMP*
I looked into the mirror next to me, and my eyes were glassy, my skin was pale...but none of it registered, my mind was too focused on trying to calm down. I was desperate, trying to take deep breaths, trying to shake off the anxiety...but my vision began to blur, and eventually, it was just a fog...my mind was no longer focused on anything but the fear that was consuming me.
And then, the darkness embraced me, and I was alone...with my own terror, with my own mind...
I was scared, I was alone...
And I didn't know if I could handle it any longer...
*THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*
The function of my arms and my eyes had abandoned me, everything was a blur...but I still had my legs, and I knew I had to keep going, no matter how bad things were getting.
Frantically, I took several steps forward, I didn't even know if I was going in the right direction...but I had to keep going, I had to find the door, I had to escape...
I was terrified, I was scared...every step I took, I felt like I might collapse, every step I took, I felt like I might fall into a bottomless pit of darkness.
But I had to keep going...
I had to reach the door...
*DROP*
*THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*
All feeling in *THUMP* *THUMP**THUMP* *THUMP*my legs ceased, and I crashed to the floor. I was left alone, staring at the blurry Clubroom ceiling.*THUMP* *THUMP**THUMP* *THUMP* My heart racing, and my vision*THUMP* *THUMP**THUMP* *THUMP**THUMP* *THUMP* lifeless. My breath began to feel heavy, as*THUMP* *THUMP**THUMP* *THUMP**THUMP* *THUMP* if the air I was breathing was solid matter...
AKI: *GASP* *CHOKE* *GASP*
My spine felt like it was being *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*pricked by thousands of tiny needles. The sweat *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*from my pores began to pool on the floor *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*underneath me. *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* I felt like I was drowning in a pool of my own sweat...
My heart...*THUMP* *THUMP* It won't*THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* stop pounding! *THUMP* *THUMP* MAKE *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* IT *THUMP* *THUMP* STOP!
Whatever *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*was*THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* happening to me...*THUMP* *THUMP**THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*was serious.
AKI: *Sob* "Help... *COUGH* Anyone... Please..."
*THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*
Help...me...
I...I don't *THUMP* *THUMP**THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*want to die... Make...the *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* old man *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP* *THUMP*go away...