"Well now looks like he's still alive right and her?" he asked " this kinda surprising doc, I didn't expect to see you with him again since you've run out on him before, and what she doing here?"

"...i think you've got the wrong person" she said

" your sure of that?"

" stop it already, what in the hell does he want with me now lacky?!"

The man just smirked

Time skip

After Tae went to bed and Aoba decided to watch T.V along with kyouka

"We're welcoming you with the executive director of the Toue concern, Mr. Tetsuo Toue!" the woman said. 

"Just do me a favor and ask me easy questions." Toue said. 

"Oh, dear, I wonder what I should start the questions with." The interviewer and Toue laughed

"Well, how about this? I'm more than ready about hitting some of the high points of creating Platinum Jail. I'm really excited about getting this off the ground."

The screen switched to showing what Platinum Jail looks like. A well lit city with multiple screens and light all over, people wandering "I've always wanted to give the public the kind of place  that perfectly caters to their pleasures."

"And you honestly think you're achieving that?  I believe so. Perfect pleasure, as I call it, begins with an environment that frees them from worry. A worry free life creates peace an joy, leading to healthier minds and bodies. There are a lot of people who claim their happiness is a byproduct of the hardships they faced over time. But, I don't think that's true at all."

"Yeah whatever. It's not like folks like us from the old town are gonna be able to play around in this Platinum Jail he's created." Aoba said, he then noticed kyouka not watching the screen, more looking down " you okay?" She snapped out of whatever she was thinking about

" Huh? Y-yeah I'm fine" she said then turned to the tv " just thinking.."

" do you, wanna share?" He asked worried " if somethings bothering you, sharing helps" she shook her head smiling " don't worry, I'm okay"

Then turned back to the tv, aoba could tell something was off but didn't want to push her

"You've hit that right on the head, my dear." Toue continued "Perfect pleasure is the pathway to real happiness. Imagine if we could create environments like that all over. Just think about it. Violence as a concept would disappear forever. Platinum Jail is the first step in what I hope is progress to worldwide peace." Aoba clicked the T.V. off. Aoba groaned lying back

"Don't you think Platinum Jail is a good idea, Aoba?" Ren asked.  "Not really." Aoba replied. "If you were gonna put me on that television show right now, I would have to say that I actually have a lot of fun living where I am."

"Honestly?" Ren asked.

  "Oh yeah, things are ju-" he stopped in the middle of his sentence when he and kyouka, who turned her head in the direction of the door, heard it slide open. 

They got up and went over to see tae walking in.  "What are you doing up? Are you sure you're okay Grandma?" Aoba asked. 

"I...uh...w-went to take some of the trash out." she stuttered. 

She took off her shoes and put them on the doorstep.  "You should've asked me to take out the trash." Aoba said. "You shouldn't push yourself." Kyouka said.  "Yeah yeah.." she said. "Alright I'm going to bed! Goodnight!" she said. 

Aoba sighed. "Goodnight." he said. 

Kyouka stared in the direction the woman went in feeling concerned and suspicious

In some place

The same man with the pipe say with someone standing in front of him "  I'm already to go, is everything prepared?" He questioned

" we're all set" the guy confirmed

" good" the guy says lighting his pipe " I'm gonna get my hands on that thing no matter what, and I won't loose her again"  he then takes a puff

At the tower

Mr toue stood outside talking with some people as his ride arrived " thank you so much for today" toue thanked

" I was really moved by your wonderful words, and it seems like social mediaS are buzzing about it" one of the man Says

Toue turned a little "Oh please, the pleasure was all mine gentlemen, I'd be more than happy to come back" he then turned and walked to the car " take care"

In the car it was silent until

"That was amazing sir, a really nice piece of Public relations" his assistant started

"Oh course, they want positive, and I sell them exactly what they want" toue sighs " you spoke to the old woman?" He asked

" and I got the same answer" his assistant replied

" understood, some people won't change so easily, actually I should say they can't" he turned and looked out the window

After a couple of minutes, Aoba laid on his bed, he was completely silent while kyouka played around on her Coil.  "Aoba." Ren said. "Are you having another headache?" Ren asked.  "I'm good. Grandma's new medicine seems to me working pretty good on the headaches for now, I guess." Aoba replied

"Okay. You still look like you're pretty down, but your not sick." Ren said.  "I'm sick of something." Aoba said. "That one-eyed jackass from Toue Concerns was spouting off about perfect happiness and Platinum Jail." he said"How can you find happiness in a place called "jail?" he asked

He then looked a kyouka again, she was still acting strange, and he was getting even more worried " okay kyouka what's going on?" He spoke which she flinched turning to him

" huh?...." she turned her head away "I don't know what you mean..."

" ever since the rhyme fight, you've been acting differently and distancing yourself from us, please" he got up and pulled her towards him, making her eyes widened " let me help you..."

" I don't know what's wrong though" she said which confused him

" what?"

" I just...don't know what's wrong myself, i just...feel odd, and I don't like it" she frowned

" hmm..." he then had an idea and pulled her to the bed

"Ahh! Aoba stop! Hahaha. Please stop! Hahahaha." He was on top tickling her.  "Haha, never!"

" s-stop! My stomach!" She cried laughing
It's good to hear laugh.  "Please stop! Your making my stomach hurt! hahaha. Please! Hahaha."

Just then they heard singing and stopped

"huh?"

They went out to his balcony to seen where it was coming from "Master! Mistress!" Clear said, popping his head out from the roof. 

Both nearly screamed

" c-clear" Kyouka stuttered

"Okay dude. What are you doing out here on my balcony so late?" Aoba asked

"Singing the Jellyfish song of course!" Clear replied happily

"Huh?" Aoba said confused

Aoba and kyouka joined Clear on the roof above the balcony, Clear had an umbrella out and it was open.  "So, tell me, what's the Jellyfish Song?" Aoba asked.

"My grandfather taught me all kinds of things about jellyfish when I lived with him. So, I made up this song." Aoba stared at him for a moment.

"I guess I really don't get it."

"Master, mistress, did you know..it's a known fact jellyfish are mostly made up of water. Isn't that interesting?" Aoba and kyouka smiled "Really? I didn't know that. I guess it is interesting." 

"I firmly believe that jellyfish dream when they're asleep."  Clear says

"They dream?" Aoba quirked an eyebrow

"Yes."

"Oh, yeah. I definitely don't know that."

Kyouka smiled.  "You like jellyfish, Clear?"

  "I do. I find them interesting." She chuckled.

"So, what's the umbrella for, Clear, huh?" Aoba asked. Clear looked up.  "It just looks like the stars are going to rain down." Aoba and kyouka looked up.  "You've got to be kidding me," They stared up at the sky and Aoba smiled, "I mean, I don't even see any stars out tonight."

"By the way, Master..." Aoba cut him off. "Can you stop calling me "Master" for pete's sake!" he snapped.  "But why should I?" Clear asked.  "It just kind of makes me uncomfortable, you know? Just call me by my name, alright?" Aoba said.  "But you are my master, Master. So I'll just be calling you "master"." he said. And then seemed to look at kyouka. "And you're my Mistress." he said.  "I...really don't know about that." She said unsure

"Is that not okay. Master?" he asked. "I'll learn to live with it, I guess." Aoba said.

"And if you would, please call me by the name my grandfather gave me. It's Clear." 

"Are you talking about the grandfather that taught you all that stuff about jellyfish?" Aoba asked.  "Yes. But...he's asleep now."

"He's as--?" Aoba's eyes softened, "I get it." 

"Oh, Clear. I'm sorry." Kyouka said, as she placed a hand to his arm.  "Master? Mistress?"

"Hm?" Aoba asked.  "I'm certain you were thinking about what happiness really is, weren't you? Unless I'm mistaken."

"How did you know that?" Aoba asked

"I heard your voice, Master." Clear replied looking up

"Huh?"

"Why do you think everyone wants happiness, but they expect someone else to give it to them?" Clear asks

"Uh..."

"Everyone's going to die one day. But you know...it just seems really strange that in a short life, people are hungry to be happy."

Aoba hugged his legs and sighed.  "Well, I sure don't understand it. And I'm not sure if I will get it, either. I suppose people just think happiness is apart of living the best lives that they can, really. Thing is, no one can really imagine what things are going to be like after they die, so they grab for whatever happiness they can." 

"They can't imagine it?"  Clear looked curious even behind the mask

"Well...it's not like any of us ever found out. And you kind of have to die to really know. So, I suppose people try to leave proof that they were alive through things they said and did. They believe that if people remember them, that they will have some sort of life after they've passed away."  Aoba says smiling

"If they're remembered, they live?"

"To be honest, I don't really know what makes me or other people happy. You know, I just want to keep on having fun while I'm still alive, and not let it get complicated." Clear gasped, the set his umbrella down, shifting his body.  "Master!"

"Hm?"

  "The way you think is wonderful! You've taught me something. Something important that I didn't know, Master." He leaned forward, causing Aoba to back up, "Thanks for teaching me something new! It's really great! And to thank you, I'd like to sing for you and mistress again. May I?" Aoba looked to kyouka. She smiled and nodded.

Aoba smiled and looked to Clear again.  "Yeah, sure. Your singing's nice. It really is." Clear looked back to the sky.  "My grandfather always said he was pleased to hear me sing too. I'd like to please you as well, Master. So, I'll sing. Right now, nothing would make me happier than to please someone by singing for them." 

"Okay. You wouldn't happen to know any lullabies, would you?" Kyouka stretched her arms.  "I don't know, Aoba. I really like his Jellyfish Song. How about it, Clear? Can you sing that one for us?" Clear looked to her.  "Yes! Of course I can, mistres." 

Aoba and kyouka returned to they're rooms

They both were able to fall into a peaceful sleep as Clear sang his song.

Time skip

In dry juice territory everyone was just sitting on the ground as if they were possessed, except mizuki, he looked at the wall which had been reclaimed as morphine

Kojaku was working on a woman's hair

" is everything gyour hair seems to be showing a lot of ware and tear" he said

Just then one of his gang members run to him "Kojaku, it looks like somethings wrong at Dry juice's hangout!"

His eyes Widen before narrowing

Elsewhere

"Thank you for your hard work!" Aoba said as he and kyouka left the shop just then his coil went off

"Koujaku." Aoba said.  "Aoba you two need to get here quick" He heard, Aoba and kyouka then started to run off again

Kojaku and his guys were looking abandoned the place " this can't be good can it boss?" One of them asked

" no" kojaku replied as he looked at the morphine graffiti

" I wonder where mizuki and the dry juice guys are, they wouldn't just pick up and leave

He then heard the sound of footsteps running towards them

" kojaku!" they turned and saw aoba and kyouka run towards him

" aoba! Kyouka!"

"What happened here?" Aoba asked.  "It's Mizuki. He's disappeared," Koujaku replied.

While aoba gasped, they all started looking around

"I've been trying to get in touch with him since yesterday. No dice. I came to check on him. And I found this here." He glanced around

searching all day, no matter where they went, all they saw were Morphine's tag art.

" morphine erased and retagged everything, they didn't just get spirited away did they?" Kyouka noted

There were many possibilities of their disappearance, but hopefully being Spirited Away wasn't one of them. After hours and hours of relentless searching, Aoba met up with Koujaku, ani and their gangs again at Dry Juice's base.

"Where the hell are they?" Aoba asked.  "It's not like they just grabbed all their gear an picked a new territory." Koujaku added

Koujaku looked around, "Oh, shit. Look at that." Aoba looked over by the stairs and they saw blood.

Kyouka's eyes widened in horror

Just then they heard footsteps.  "Well now! Fancy meeting you here Aoba!" Virus said

"Hey aoba, good to see ya again!" Trip said.

"Trip and Virus." Aoba said. "What are you guys doing here?" 

"Me and the Tripster are actually running things around here." Virus said. 

"I didn't know Kyouka was here as well. She doesn't belong in a dark, gloomy place like here, right Trip?" He added, fixing his glasses.  "Mm." Trip agreed.

Koujaku glared at them. "Yakuza clowns." he growled, along with his two gang members

"Aoba. Don't tell me you and kyouka actually hanging around with these guys." Koujaku said.

  "I don't hang with them, and I met Trip and Virus before they joined up anyway. "I met the two of them while you were off the island." Aoba said " kyouka...doesn't really talk to them a lot, this is the second time they've met really..." Koujaku squinted his eyes at them before looking at kyouka worriedly

"Actually the three of us have been pretty close for a while now." Virus said. "That's right. Works got nothin' to do with it." Trip replied.  "I know they're a lot of jerks who do what we do. But I'm proud to say that never used violence or broken the law. We're just taking a look around the block like we usually do. It's a pleasure to meet you." Virus said. 

"Yakuza are still Yakuza." Koujaku said. "Be as friendly as you wanna be, but once you've fall in with the mob." he then gave a stern look.  "It corrupts you all the way down to the bone!" he said. 

"Maybe. But think about this for a moment okay? The difference between the cops and the crooks on the island isn't a whole lot. Am I right?" Virus said. "You're a street gang leader yourself, aren't you Koujaku?" Virus asked.  "I'm sure you have a friend or two who keep the local cops off of your back." Virus said.

"It's not like everyone in the police department is in the business of organized crime." Koujaku said. "They are some honest ones out there too."

"Well it looks like actually went and made my point for me  about what I do." Virus said. "We're you're friendly neighborhood Yakuza!" he said.  Trip laughed.

"Do you know anything at all about what happened to the guys from DryJuice?" Aoba asked.  "Looks like we're the only ones here doesn't it?" Trip said.  "That's right. It's like they all disappeared." Aoba said

"Disappeared?" Virus asked

"We just got here and found all of DryJuice tags have been spraypainted over and there wasn't anyone here to ask about it. And what's even weirder is that all only the Morphine tag's are here." Aoba explained.  "Who are Morphine?" Virus asked. "Are you talking about that mythical group that people are talkin' about, like it's kinda monster?" Trip asked.

"That's them." Aoba said. "I mean it could actually be possible that someone did something to the DryJuice guys and made it look like Morphine carried out the attack." Aoba said. 

"This looks kinda brutal, don't you think? An entire gang just disappears at once? This whole scenario sounds like something you'd read in a strange horror novel." Virus said.

"That's what I mean. S-so what?" Aoba asked. "Yeah I get it. You've painted a pretty clear picture for us now." Virus said. "We'll give you a buzz if something comes up while were looking" Virus said.  "Thanks for that." Aoba said

"The crazy thing is that a lot of out guys are starting to see more things like this happening. Just be careful, Aoba."

"There's a lot going about this situation and we don't have the complete picture on just yet." Trip stated.

"I'm sure you don't really give a damn about what happens to anyone in the Ribsteiz gang. Are you going to do something about it, or not?" Kojaku asked

"Remember, you're in the middle of my territory and all of this is happening in my city. Like it or not, we both have a common goal here in mind. Finding out who's really behind this. And they can call themselves Morphine or whatever they want to. I don't want them trashing my territory anymore than you do. Attracting my attention isn't smart, wouldn't you say?" Virus explained.

Koujaku scoffed

"Anyway, it's time for the two of us to take our leave now. I promise I'll call you if we find anything at all."

"Yeah, thanks." Aoba said.

Kyouka sighed in relief as they left

The group left Dry Juice's base and went into some back alleys, thinking about their next move. "Damn, this is some crazy shit." Koujaku stated.

"I don't know where to start. It's weird." Aoba said.

Kyouka sat on the ground, her back against a building, She was suddenly startled as a cube jumped onto her hand, She gasped, "Huh? You again?" She looked up and saw that Noiz was behind Aoba and immediately got nervous

"They're going to be starting another one here pretty soon. You and her better think about fighting again." Noiz stated

"And why should they?" Koujaku questioned, "You don't give up, do you? Aoba and kyouka said he didn't want to do it anymore."

"I wasn't talking to you, asshole." Noiz said. "What the hell!?" one of Kou's members said. Koujaku blocked him with his arm. "Don't bother!" he said

"You better watch what you say, little boy." Koujaku warned. "But it's the truth." Noiz replied.

"And you're exhausting all the goodwill I got." Koujaku said. "Whatever." Noiz replied. "Talking to you really makes me want to put an end to all your little Rhymeheads." Koujaku said, glaring at him

"I don't give a damn. Show me someone who likes you Ribsteez creeps, and it'll be the first." Noiz said.

"Hey guys, take it easy okay?" Aoba said, trying to stop them, but they ignored him. 

"Stupid Rib. What kind of idiot fights with his hands and feet nowadays? That's right, you do!" Noiz insulted.

"Nobody ever achieved anything by screwing around with some dumass VR game! You don't know a damn thing!" Koujaku shot back. 

"Hey!" Aoba shouted.

"I guess I can't count on a caveman to talk about anything, can I?" Noiz said. "You want me to send smoke signals?" 

"You think I'm gonna take that from a guy who looks like a giant toiletbrush?!" Koujaku insulted.

"At least I know how to use the toilet." Noiz shot back.  "Is that that right? That doesn't explain why you've got a diaper on your head, does it?" Koujaku insulted. 

Noiz seemed to have enough, he slid metal gloves or something over his bandaged hands. 

His crew start backing out

"Are you ready to back up your words with some action?" Koujaku asked

"This is really stupid. When I'm in the mood to kick your ass, so I'll crush you!" Noiz said.  "You won't be crushing anything after I get done with you, boy?"

Koujaku said, taking of his sword straps. Aoba got in bewtween them.  "Come on man, why are letting this guy get under your skin!?" Aoba asked

"Sorry Aoba. ." Kojaku said

"You wanna talk trash? Then you better be ready to pay the piper!" Koujaku said. "Whatever." Noiz said. 

Koujaku threw his sword behind him and one of his gang members caught it.  "Noiz! For the love of God, will you take it easy before he tries to cut your head off!" Aoba said. "I'm not the one who came here looking for a fight, alright?" Noiz replied. 

"Hey wait a minute!" Aoba tried to say. 

Koujaku charged at Noiz, and threw a punch at him, Noiz dodged it pretty easily. 

"Koujaku! Noiz!" Aoba called, it almost went further until they heard a voice through a bullhorn.  "What in the hell are you doing?" Akushima shouted. 

It all stopped and looked at the crazy cop.  "Oh shit!" Aoba said. 

" oh no" kyouka's eyes widened

"Looks like I found me a fight! Rhymeheads and Ribsteez all in one place! So who wants to be the first one to die!?" he asked.

"Don't think I'm done dude." Noiz said. Before he left

"This way guys!" Koujaku said. "Yeah!" The two said in unison as they ran.  "I've got something to tell you but it's gonna have to wait until we get to your place!" Koujaku said  to aoba and ran a different direction. 

"Sounds good!" Aoba said as he and kyouka ran one way. 

They finally came to a halt out of breath but away from the cops "Damn it." He said.

" we...barely...got...away..." Kyouka breathed

Suddenly, Aoba's watch began to ring. He clicked on it and a screen opened as he received the mail.  "The Kidnapped Princess?" He asked, reading the mail's title "Is this spam?" He clicked on his watch to delete it. But, as soon as he did, it rang again and he received the same mail.

" what the?..." Kyouka looked at it and him confused as did he with her and his coil

He tried to delete it again, but he only got it again. "Oh, come on."

Elsewhere a van appeared outside his house and someone was picking the lock

He kept trying to delete it, but he only kept getting them again, "Give me a break. Enough is enough already!" Even after he stopped deleting the mails, he kept receiving them. "Damn it all." He opened his bag, "Wake up." Ren opened his eyes, then he lifted his head "What's going on?" He asked.

"There's something wrong with my email. This message just won't delete." He showed Ren the continuous incoming messages.  "Let me have a look at it. One moment, please." He scanned the screen.

"Analysis complete. It's not a virus. But, I'm still taking a few precautions, just in case it's something I've never seen before." 

"Couldn't you just put a little something in the firewall to keep them from getting to me?" Aoba asked

"I appears that the sender is connected directly to your mail server. I can't stop that from here." Ten stated

"Are you kidding? It's like they're harassing me."  Aoba complained

"Maybe opening it will stop them from mail bombing you."  Ren suggested

"Uh...are you sure it's okay to open it?" 

" do you  batter idea?" Kyouka asked

"Fine, jackass! You win!" Aoba yelled to his watch, "I can always get myself another data watch." Suddenly, the messages stopped, "What's this? No, seriously."

"The data appears to be a game." Ren informed.  "So, there's a game in it? Wait. Just like the last one?" The data finished uploading and it was the same game.

'Silent Oath', "That's lame. It looks like the same one, too. There's no start button, just speeds. Ren. It's not doing anything at all. Nothing."

"It might be like the one you got the other day."

"Some kind of demo? Two of the same game I can't play taking up space on my watch. Great. Or...maybe not. What's going on?" It appeared to be a character getting taken away by bats.

Then it's taken to what looks like a shack or something. Then, it was finished, "If that was a game, it didn't make any sense at all."

"Definitely."

" more confusing by the minute" Kyouka huffed

"And now I gotta clean a bunch of spam off my watch. I'm definitely not happy at all." Aoba said grumpy

"Let's call it a night, okay?" Kyouka suggested, Suddenly, someone walked in front of them. It looked like...  "Mizuki?" He asked.  "Mizuki? Uh, hey, wait up, man!" Aoba called. He placed his hand to his shoulder, but as he turned around, it wasn't Mizuki, "Sorry about that."

" Mizuki..." he whispered.  The two began to make theyre. way home, but came to a halt at a stop, for he weren't clear to walk the crosswalk.

The whole thing of today was flooding through his minds. A car horn beeped and startled him.  "Aoba? Are you okay?" Ren asked

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Aoba answered, "I better call Grandma, now." He pulled up the number and clicked call. It rang and it continued to ring.  "She hasn't picked up yet?" Ren asked. 

Kyouka started feeling uneasy

"Grandma. Pick up already, will you, please?" The call dropped, "Damn it!" 

" let's go!" Kyouka yelled as the stop sign went away

They began to run home.  After a long run, he finally arrived and to his shock, the door was unlocked. Aoba flew the door open

"Grandma!" He called.

" tae?!" Kyuoka excalimrd

" Kyouka listen to me...i want you leave the place and hide" he said which made her eyes widen " what?...no I'm coming to" he looked at her with a serious look " please just go hide" he pleaded

She didn't want to argue so left

All the lights were off and it was silent, aoba zipped up his bag.  "Grandma?" Aoba took a step in, but his foot kicked something

He looked down and saw that it was the holder for umbrellas and canes.

Aoba gasped and rushed in, He went to the dining room first, "Grandma?! Where are you?"

. Aoba looked down as he saw bodies of people on the floor. He checked them, but none of them were guys he knew. He sighed with relief.  "Thank God, it's not her." However, he recognized that on their necks were the Morphine tags,

"Morphine's tag art!" Aoba gasped and checked another, but he was of Morphine, too, "Another one." He gasped, "Akira! We need to--" He turned around, only to be met by a tall man. He sprang to his feet, "What did you do with her?!" He didn't answer, "You better tell me where she is, bastard!"

Aoba then noticed he was surrounded.

The one in a long coat suddenly advanced on Aoba and punched him right in the abdomen.

He groaned and his vision blurred.  "Damn you..." He collapsed onto the floor.

Kyuoka hid in an alley near the house, she took a peak outside and her eyes widened at what she saw, some guys came out and....they had aoba unconscious, dragging him away

She couldn't stop shaking 'aoba...tae....please no...please someone....help...'

She suddenly felt a hand behind her, and when she turned her eyes widened at what she saw, the thing, or rather the spirit of the woman with the sword who protected her from
Being attacked, here she was, but only.....

She wasn't in a rhyme field