No one's POV
Currently, Nhazul is laying in his bed, while Akira and Morgana are sitting on the couch as the three of them were watching a movie, and suddenly his phone started ringing and it was Makoto.
Nhazul: Hey, Asuna.
Makoto: Hello, Nhazul.
Nhazul: So, what's up?
Makoto: I need to talk to you about Eiko. Do you think we could meet up?
Nhazul: Sure. Where at?
Makoto: The arcade.
Nhazul: Cool. I'll see you soon.
(Timeskip)
After getting dressed, Nhazul had met Makoto.
Makoto: Thank you for coming so suddenly, Nhazul.
Nhazul: Don't worry about it. So what's up?
Makoto: Apparently Eiko has started dating a host from a club near her job. I guess he, I'm hit on her one day after her shift, and that was that. Since then, he's the only thing she'll talk about. She even sent me a picture of their date at Destiny land.
Nhazul: Not gonna lie, if it's a host from a club, then that's a little suspicious, 95% of those people there are pretty shady.
Makoto: You think so as well? For now it seems he hasn't forced her to spend any money at his club, but I'm still nervous...Beyond that, he calls her his "princess" and constantly tells her how special she is. Makes me sick to my stomach...But Eiko refuses to listen to me. She said the idea that all hosts are bad people is outdated...
Nhazul: To be fair, it's not a good thing to judge a book by it's cover, but still.
Makoto: She even said she was shocked to be getting advice from someone who would" totally flunk a test about love". Tests about love aren't thing though...and even if they were, I most certainly wouldn't flunk them!
Nhazul: Right...
Makoto: S-Sorry about that...I'm probably just being biased towards him. I mean I don't have any proof that he's untrustworthy...But that's why I want to meet him and find out for myself what kind of person he really is...And...If it isn't to much to ask, I'd like you to accompany me on this excursion as well...
Makoto then started blushing like crazy.
Makoto: A-A-As my boyfriend...
Nhazul: Sure. I don't mind going on a date with the Student Council President.
Makoto looked at Nhazul surprised as she continued to blush.
Makoto: R-Really? You're so reliable, Nhazul. I think if I have a boyfriend, Eiko might be more inclined to listen to me. And to tell you the truth... I actually already made plans with her and her boyfriend for a double date this afternoon...S-Sorry...But it's nothing fancy, I promise.
Nhazul: Nash, you're fine.
Makoto then smiled at Nhazul.
Makoto: Thank you so much, Nhazul. You're a tremendous help. I'm so glad you said yes, I'm not sure what I'd do if you said no...
Nhazul: Nah, I couldn't turn down my favorite Student Council President.
Makoto then started blushing again.
Makoto: I'm the only Student Council President you know.
Nhazul: Still doesn't mean you can't be my favorite.
Arcana Priestess Rank 5
(Timeskip)
After agreeing to Makoto's pretend boyfriend for the double date, the two made their way to the diner where Eiko and her boyfriend would be and they found them and sat in the booth with them.
Tsukasa: Yo, the names Tsukasa. I heard all about you two. So I heard the Student Council Prez, Makoto? I totally wish I could be one of your council members.
Nhazul just gave him a annoyed look.
Nhazul's thoughts: I already don't like him...
Makoto: Y-Yes, I am... Totally...
Tsukasa then looked at Nhazul.
Tsukasa:Headphones is your boyfriend, yeah?
Makoto then started blushing again.
Makoto: Y-Yeah...
Nhazul: ...-_-... "Headphones"does have a name...
Tsukasa: Huh. Looks like you two don't get along, it's like your love level's rock bottom. Are you really datin?
Nhazul: I mean, love comes in many forms.
Makoto: R-Right! He doesn't really like when I get all clingy with him...
Tsukasa: Oh, I get it, you just don't get affection compared to us.
Eiko: Yeah!
Tsukasa then looked at Eiko up and down.
Tsukasa: Hey, babe, did you do something special today? I don't remember you looking this sexy.
Eiko: Oh, Tsukasaaa!
Nhazul and Makoto: ...-_-...
Eiko then left to use the bathroom and Makoto looked at Tsukasa.
Makoto: Um, you're going steady with her, right?
Tsukasa: Is that anti host bias, thinking we're all playboys? We're seriously, head over heels in pure love with each other.
Makoto: ...
Tsukasa: Caring about your friends, huh? Well, a friend of my girlfriend is a friend of mine. How about sharing your number?
Makoto: That's a little...
Nhazul: I don't think she wants or needs your number.
Tsukasa: No one asked you, headphones. Anyway, Princess already gave me your number.
Nhazul: Princess, huh?
Makoto: You're talking about her?
Tsukasa: Yeah, you got it. She's important to me, y'know? That's why she's like a princess. "I love you! You're my number one!"
Makoto: Hmmm.
(Timeskip)
After their double date, Eiko and Tsubaki both left and Makoto spoke up.
Makoto: I definitely have a bad feeling about him now...
Nhazul: Same.
Arcana Priestess Rank 6
(Timeskip)
Currently, Nhazul and Makoto are sitting inside the Student Council room talking about Eiko's boyfriend.
Makoto: Eiko's boyfriend has been sending me a lot of texts recently...
Nhazul: Like?
Makoto: Mostly " Good mornings", but he often sends them late at night due to his work schedule.
Nhazul: I get the feeling thar he's into you.
Makoto: I'm not sure. I'd definitely tell Eiko if he asked me on a date...But for now things are generally pretty normal. Mostly his messages are like " how's your bf" " hope u had a gr8 day 2day". Do you think their relationship could be serious? Was I just biased to think that all he wants from Eiko is her money?
Nhazul: No. he's definitely up to something.
Makoto: I mean, it does sound like a TV show. A lying host that tricks women into debt, then forces them to sell their bodies...But those things really do exist in reality as well. Immoral hosts, human trafficking rings...My father even mentioned to me about gangs of been that look specifically for depressed women in Shinjuku...They took advantage of the loneliness those girls feel to force them into horribly abusive situations...Then after ensuring the girls are buried in crippling debt, they make them sell their bodies to pay it off. There are other ways they force girls into it as well. Blackmail, illegal immigration...There are countless victims of schemes like that...Countless gangs as well.
Makoto then looked down saddened.
Makoto: My father was going after a particularly notorious one when he...
Nhazul: You okay?
Makoto then told Nhazul how her father had died trying to bring a notorious gang to justice and due to his death, they were able to push the gang back into the shadows.
Nhazul: Your dad sounds like a very noble man.
Makoto: Thank you. That's actually why my sister became a prosecutor to begin with. She couldn't stand by and watched as evil prevailed over justice...That passion undoubtedly came from father. Our mother passed away many years ago, so when father was killed, we had to survive on our own. The responsibility...The pressure of that all fell on my sister. Because of that, she can't help but talk down on our father at times..She's says death is no different then surrender...But...I still look up to him. I was often lonely because of how much time he spent at work...But seeing himself tirelessly pursue one case after the next was nothing short of incredible.
Nhazul: I guess we have something in common. Because I look up to my big sister the same way.
Makoto: Come to think of it, there was something he used to say to me all the time..."the most important part of your live is how you choose to live it". How have I chosen to live it...? And more importantly, how do I want to live...?
Nhazul: Well, you can figure it out right now.
Makoto looked at Nhazul confused.
Makoto: Now...? You're right. I can still change my path going forward...To be honest, I've been determined to follow the path my sister laid out for me...After my father's death, I wanted to lighten the burden on her as much as I possibly could... O-Oh, we were supposed to be talking about Eiko here. Sorry for going so off topic...
Nhazul: Nah, don't worry about it.
Makoto: You know, I've never actually talked this much about my father to anyone. It's such a painful memory to look back on...
Nhazul: Don't worry. I completely understand. As you know, I was the exact same way when the topic of my family would over come up.
Makoto: Maybe that's why I feel so comfortable talking about it with you. Since we've both been through similar situations.
Nhazul: Yeah, I guess so.
Makoto: Beyond that, I think I understand my life a bit better now...So thank you, Nhazul.
Nhazul: Anytime.
Arcana Priestess Rank 7
(Timeskip)
Currently, Nhazul and Makoto are at Big Bang Burger with Eiko, as she had a favor to ask of Makoto.
Makoto: So, what did you want to talk about?
Eiko: Well, um...I was wondering if you could maybe lend me some cash...
Nhazul and Makoto looked at Eiko surprised.
Makoto: What?!
Eiko: It's nothing real major, but I need it like right now...I'll pay you back though, honest! Please!
Nhazul and Makoto both looked at each other and then Eiko.
Makoto: Does this have something to do with Tsukasa?
Eiko: Yeah. He dropped a super experience bottle of sake at work, so the club's making him pay for it...but he needs help.
Nhazul: Oh, I'm sure he does...
Makoto: He's lying to you, Eiko. Don't give him any money.
Eiko: He's not lying! I know you're weirded out by the fact that he's a host, but my Tsukasa isn't like that! He's really gentle, and honest too...
Nhazul: Oh, I'm sure he is...
Eiko: He even calls me" Princess"! I'm the only one he says that to! He says it cause I'm special!
Makoto: So he calls you his " special princess"...What do you think, Nhazul?
Nhazul: I'm pretty sure he calls all his " special princesses" that to rope them in...
Makoto: I have to agree. Every girl who gives him money is his" princes". That way he can never get their names mixed up.
Eiko: Don't accuse him of that stuff! You don't have any proof!
Makoto: You're not wrong about that.
Nhazul: But do you have any proof of this so called bottle he broke?
Eiko: W-Well, um...no...He told me not to talk to them about it though! He's too proud to have me go crying to his boss. Please, Makoto. You're the only person I can trust! All my other friends would rather focus on cram school and entrance exams then take the time to help me...And who knows what my parents say if I'd tried asking them...Please. Even a little...
Makoto: I think you should end your relationship with him. If you don't, he might try and drag you down into some suspicious line of work...
Eiko: Oh, he's already got me a job. It's nothing weird though. I'm just serving drinks at a bar to help pay off that broken bottle. He said I'll be number one on no time. Maybe I'll just kee doing that after I graduate. I mean it's not like I'm going to college.
Makoto: Eiko! You can't just do what he says! He's trying to deceive you...!
Eiko: A smart person like you totally wouldn't understand what it's like. You're just gonna go to a good college, work at a fancy company, and then what?! At the end of the day, you're life's gonna be totally boring. I mean, is that seriously how you want to live?!
Makoto: I...I'm not sure yet...But be that as it may, you should still stay away from him.
Eiko: So you're not gonna help me? Fine, forget it! If I just let some customers take me out on dates after work.
Nhazul: What?
Makoto: Eiko, wait! I didn't want to tell you this, but Tsukasa has been texting me almost constantly. Recently he's been asking if me and my sister live alone , and he'd be glad to help us out. Even today he asked if I'm still happy with my boyfriend...Listen to me, Eiko. He's not serious about you.
Eiko then looked at Makoto pissed.
Eiko: Don't give me that crap! Tsukasa's just so nice that he'd worry about my friends for me...Wait, you were texting him behind my back?! What the hell, Makoto?!
Makoto: He's mostly texting me...
Nhazul: And shouldn't you be more mad at him? Since he's texting her behind your back?
Eiko: Ugh! You have the grades, the looks, a cool boyfriend...and you seriously still want more?! Tsukasa is all I have...! You can't take him from me!
Makoto: That's not what I'm trying to do!
Eiko: Yeah right. Just keep your hands off! I'd never forgive you if you stole him away, Makoto!
Eiko then got up and left, leaving Nhazul and Makoto alone.
Makoto: Tsukasa is all she has...? You know, I think she's exactly the kind of girl those gangs in Shinjuku are on the lookout for. Lonely, depressed girls who have no where to vent their frustrations...Eiko's family is quite well off.
Nhazul: How so?
Makoto: Her multi talented younger brother seems to be the sole focus of her parents attention though. I'm sure that's why she fell for him. He treats her special. But asking a high schooler for money isn't normal boyfriend behavior. She needs to realize that. You're going to help me, right?
Nhazul: I mean, order me another order of large cheese fries, and I'm yours forever.
Makoto rolled her eyes and giggled.
Makoto: Alright, that seems like a fair trade for your help.
Arcana Priestess Rank 8
(Timeskip)
Currently Nhazul and Makoto are at the Red light district.
Makoto: I see stories online about horrible hosts like Tsukasa all the time. However, we'll need solid proof of what he's doing if we're going to convince Eiko. I believe some of the promoters around here may know something. As my father always said, finding, evidence takes serious legwork.
Nhazul: Alright then, let's get to work.
Nhazul and Makoto then started asking around about Tsukasa and everyone would say how horrible of a host he is, how he'd use his" bottle trick" to hey cash from girls, and ends up selling them off to pay it back and possibly connected to a gang.
Makoto: We have proof now. It's almost time for Eiko's shift to end. Let's wait for her in front of the shop.
Nhazul: Right.
The two of them went over to where Eiko works to wait for her and she came out and saw them.
Eiko: What do you want...?
Makoto: Eiko...Your "boyfriend" is infamous around here for tricking girls into debt, then forcing them to tell their bodies.
Nhazul: He's possibility connected to criminal gangs as well.
Eiko: You seriously came all this way here to tell me that?! Get out of here, Makoto! I've had enough of your lying bullshit!
Makoto: We have testimony from one of the promoters in this area. You're not the first girl Tsukasa has lied to about a "broken sake bottle".
Nhazul: And you definitely won't be the last.
Makoto: He doesn't ask for much at first, but the interest piles up. Eventually he'll ask you you to sell your body for money. Please, reconsider this relationship.
Eiko: Shut it! I already have a date planned with him for today. We're gonna stop by his club. So stay outta my way!
Suddenly, Tsukasa walked up to the three of them.
Tsukasa: Yo! Did I make ya wait, babe? I came a little later like you said, but..Huh? Your friends are here, too?
Eiko: They were talking trash about you, Tsukasa! They said you're using me!
Tsukasa: What the hell is that? I would never lie to you, Princess.
Makoto: It's always "princess" with you. Why don't you call her by her real name?
Nhazul: He probably can't. There's to many princesses for him to remember.
Eiko: Tsukasa?
Tsukasa: Oh, come on! You're Makoto, right? You just texted me!
Nhazul: Ooh, big oofs all around.
Eiko then looked at Tsukasa completely shocked.
Makoto: I knew it. I'm the one who texted you. I said that I would be five minutes late to our meeting. I even added tons of emojis at the end, just like Eiko would've. Every girl you get money from is your "princess". You can't even remember names anymore. Don't you see, Eiko? This is who your "boyfriend" really is!
Eiko: Don't stick your nose into my business...What do you want?! I'm sick of hearing you talk! What would you know about love, huh?! Just leave me alone, bitch!
Suddenly, Makoto slapped Eiko in the face, surprising her.
Makoto: Wake the hell up! You already know the truth, you just don't want to believe it! Stop lying to yourself!
Eiko then looked down and started crying.
Eiko: But...But Tsukasa is all I have...No one else will look at me...Whoever I go out with, wherever I work...My parents, my classmates...Nobody cares about me! A council president who lives up to everyone's expectations could never know how I feel! Don't butt in with your homer student crap!
Makoto: This has nothing to do with being an honor student. But I just can't abandon a friend!
Eiko just looked at Makoto and then ran off crying and Tsukasa looked at Makoto pissed.
Tsukasa: You fucking whore!
Tsukasa then went to hit Makoto, but Nhazul got in front of her, and punched Tsukasa in the face, breaking his nose and making him fall on his ass, as well as surprising Makoto that he defended her once again.
Makoto: N-Nhazul?
Tsukasa: You fucking punk, is that all you got?!
Nhazul: I mean, it seemed to be enough.
Tsukasa: I have connections, I can seriously have you messed up!
Nhazul: Oh, yeah, I'm sure your connections would love to her that a grown man was knocked that by a 16 year old high school student.
Tsukasa then got up and quickly ran away.
Tsukasa: You'll regret this!
After Tsukasa ran away, Nhazul and Makoto noticed people were watching and he quickly grabbed Makoto's hand, making her blush.
Nhazul: Follow me.
(Timeskip)
Nhazul then took Makoto to the bar he meets Ohya at and they both sat down at the bar.
Makoto: I can't believe I actually hit one of my friends...
Nhazul: I mean, you hit me all the time...
Makoto: I mean...
Nhazul: Plus, there was that time you threw a tool box full of tools at my head.
Makoto: You're the exception alright?
Nhazul: ...-_-...I'm not sure how I feel about that...
Makoto: Anyway...You know, I have a bad habit of acting in the moment. I can't help but bet swept up in emotion...
Nhazul: Oh, I definitely know that.
Makoto: That aside, this is a interesting place...How did you ever find somewhere like this? You know so much.
Nhazul: Well, I'm a regular here.
Makoto: Oh? So you come here often?
Nhazul: Yeah. They have the meanest cup of orange soda you'd ever taste.
Makoto just giggled at Nhazul and spoke up.
Makoto: It's hard to believe you're really my junior in high school. You have so much more life experience then me...Honestly, spending time with you and getting to know Eiko has given me a great deal to think about. There's so much you miss by living with your head buried between the pages of a book...I guess there's something things you need other people to teach you.
Makoto then looked down saddened.
Makoto: Do you remember how Eiko said I'd flunk a test about love? Well, um..I don't know how to study that subject... I can't learn about romance by myself...
Nhazul: Hey, don't feel bad about that. That's not something you can learn easily. Hell I don't even know much about it. But I'm sure we'll both be able to learn about it some day.
Makoto then looked at Nhazul.
Makoto: Yeah. I guess you're right.
Nhazul then smiled at Makoto, making her blush more then before and she just smiled at Nhazul.
Makoto's thoughts: You're right. One day I hope to learn more about romance. But I think I already learned something about it. What falling in love feels like...and I'm positive that I fell in love with you, Nhazul...
Arcana Priestess Rank 9