"Tsutsui-chan..." Akira whispered as he caught a glimpse of Mikono before she ran around a corner and vanished. He released the boy's jersey, glaring at him and his friend with clenched fists. His anger swelled, but he remembered what Principal Kobayakawa told him on Sunday. Suppressing his rage, he headed in the direction his friend disappeared in. Soon, his brisk walk turned into a full sprint. He tried asking a few students if they'd seen where Mikono went, but all he received was the cold shoulder.

Unable to rely on his fellow students, Akira began searching the classrooms on the first floor. He called out to her every time he opened a door, but he received only silence in return. He decided to thoroughly check the room before moving on to another.

After searching for fifteen minutes, Akira entered a room filled with unused desks, chairs, and stacks of boxes. "Tsutsui-chan?" He called out as he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. He searched every possible hiding spot and stumbled upon a figure hiding under a desk surrounded by boxes. Carefully, the boy approached the person and recognized who it was. "Are you okay?" He asked, pushing aside the boxes and kneeling down in front of Mikono.

The girl lifted her head from her knees, hugging them closer to her chest. "I-I'm fine. I'm more shocked than hurt by their words."

Akira stared into her crystalline eyes as he adjusted his position and sat down in front of her. "Are you sure the teachers and principal were the only ones you told about Kamoshida's abuse?"

"I'm positive! I didn't speak to a single student! Maybe... Maybe someone overheard the teachers talking about it?" She combed her hands through her inky locks frantically. "Gah, this so frustrating!"

All of a sudden, their phones buzzed. The two teens pulled out their phones and realized Ryuji was texting them.

Ryuji: How's it going?

Akira glances at Mikono before texting back.

Akira: It didn't go as planned.

Mikono read the message he just sent and elaborated.

Mikono: It was my fault. I ran away before we could ask him.

Ryuji: What happened?

Akira: It's not Tsutsui-chan's fault. They knew about her previous attempt to report Kamoshida's abuse.

Ryuji: Whoa! Whoa! How the hell did they know 'bout that?

Mikono: It doesn't matter. What does is proving Kamoshida's abuse is not just a rumor, but reality. What do we do now?

Ryuji: I got a lead. A first-year, new member.

Ryuji: He just joined, so he might not be all wrapped up in Kamoshida's web of bullshit yet.

Ryuji: Pretty sure he's in class 1-B.

Mikono: Then Kurusu and I will head up to the third floor. We'll message you soon, Ryuji.

Ryuji: Good luck.

Mikono and Akira sheathed their phones in their pockets and headed to the third floor. Fortunately, they located the boy standing outside the door to class 1-B. Just like the other members of the volleyball team, he sported a bandage on his arm and a bandaid on his cheek. The boy stuttered as he cautiously addressed Akira and Mikono, which gave away his nervousness.

Without hesitation, Akira got straight to the point and asked if Kamoshida was abusing him. Like the other two team members, he denied the coach's physical punishments and brought up Mishima's name. Mikono asked about the blue-haired boy, but all she received in response was, "P-Please... Just stop talking to me. Ask someone else if you wanna know anything more..." The boy rushed off down the hallway to avoid any other questions from the duo. Akira and Mikono sighed in defeat just as the intercom came to life.

"Attention, attention. All matches have concluded. Please get ready to go home for today."

Mikono tugged her phone out of her gym shorts just as she and Akira received a message from Ryuji in the group chat.

Ryuji: Dammit, we're outta time. How'd it go?

Akira: Take a wild guess.

Ryuji: So you guys didn't have any luck, either...

Mikono: I'm not surprised. Even if they did speak up, the school will deny all claims and continue to turn a blind eye. It's what happened to me.

Ryuji: Yeah...

Ryuji: Mkay, let's regroup for now. See you guys in the courtyard?

Akira: We'll be there.

|| 4/13 Wednesday ||
|| After School ||

Akira and Mikono waited for Ryuji by the vending machines in the courtyard. The girl bought her friend a drink and handed it to him. The frizzy-haired boy thanked her, enjoying the cold exterior of the can as he held it in his hand. Before he could pop open the tab, he saw someone walking toward them. It was Ann Takamaki. Her pigtails swayed with every step she took before stopping a few feet from her classmates. "Can I talk to you both for a sec?"

"What is it?" Akira questioned.

"It'll be quick." Ann crosses her arms with a scowl. "Anyway, what's with you two? Like, how you both were late the other day was a lie and all. There's also that weird rumor about you, too," she said, pointing at Akira.

"Which one? There's tons of them," Mikono remarks.

Before Takamaki could reply, she was startled when Ryuji appeared behind her. "Whaddya want with them?"

Takamaki turned and glared at the fake blonde. "Right back at you. You're not even in our class."

Ryuji frowned. "We just happened to get to know each other. Mikky's the one who introduced us."

Takamaki pushed aside how Akira got involved with Ryuji and Mikono, questioning the trio of friends. "What're you planning on doing to Mr. Kamoshida?"

"Huh?!" The chocolate-eyed boy gasped, eyes wide as saucers. Then, his expression mellowed and he grumbled, "I see... I getcha. You're all buddy-buddy with Kamoshida after all."

"H-Hey, Ryuji," Mikono tried to speak up to defend Takamaki.

Unfortunately, she was unable to finish her warning before the pigtail-wearing girl lashed out. "This has nothing to do with you, Sakamoto!"

"If you found out what he's been doin' behind your back, you'd dump him right away," Ryuji rebuttals, scowling at Takamaki.

Her eyes widened in bewilderment. "Behind my back...? What's that supposed to mean?"

Ryuji prodded a finger toward Mikono. "That son of a bitch has been abusin' my best friend! If you think-!"

"Ryuji!" Mikono hollered, silencing him. "That's enough."

He looked at her before glowering at the taller girl. "You wouldn't get it."

Takamaki glanced at Mikono from the corner of her eye before masking her worried expression with one of annoyance. "Anyway, people are already talking about you three. I don't know what you're trying to pull, but no one's gonna help you." She then looked away, her concerned expression returning. "I'm warning you, just in case. That's all." Takamaki walked away, casting a glare in the trio's direction.

When the girl was out of sight, Ryuji grimaced. "Why's she gotta be so aggressive all the time?"

"You know her?" Akira inquired.

"We just went to the same middle school," Ryuji replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Anyways, that's not what we're here to talk about. I had no luck on my end. What about you guys? Did anything like someone's name turn up?"

"Now that you mention it..." Mikono muttered, remembering their interactions with the members of the volleyball team.

"Mishima's name came up more than once," the obsidian-eyed boy stated.

"Huh?" Ryuji gaped.

"One boy mentioned something about Mishima and how he receives "special coaching" from Kamoshida. I'm not entirely sure what that means, but it doesn't sound good..." Mikono explained.

Ryuji sighed, eyes closed and arms crossed. "Special "coaching," huh? I always see the guy covered in bruises. Let's go talk to him before he leaves, then."

"We should be able to catch him," the cerulean-eyed girl said. "He would have to gather his things after leaving the nurse's office. We should beat him to the school entrance if we hurry."

Not wasting a single second, the friends rush to the entrance of Shujin Academy. Just as Mikono said, they arrived shortly before Mishima arrived and intercepted him. Ryuji grabbed the boy's uninjured arm and tugged him to a stop. "Hey, got a second?"

Mishima yanked his arm out of the blonde's grip and took a few steps back. "Sakamoto? Tsutsui-chan?" He then gasped when he saw who else was with them. "And you, too?!"

"C'mon, we just wanna chat," the blonde boy groaned, folding his arms over his chest. "Kamoshida's been "coaching" you, huh? You sure it's not just physical abuse?"

"Certainly not!" Mishima denied vehemently.

"What're you talkin' all polite for? Anyways... We saw him spike you today. Right in the face."

"That was just because I'm not good at the sport..." The cobalt-haired boy stared down at the ground with a crestfallen gaze.

"Still, that doesn't explain all the other bruises you've got," he remarks.

"They're from practice!" Mishima hissed with a glower.

"Mishima-kun..." Mikono frowned.

"Is he forcin' you to keep quiet?" Ryuji continued to question the student regardless of his defensive, sharp tone.

Mishima immediately averted his gaze. "That's..."

"What's going on here?" A voice demanded. The teens spot Kamoshida approaching them. The man looked around at the group before focusing on Yuuki. "Mishima, isn't it time for practice?"

The boy shrunk back in fear. "I-I'm not feeling well today..."

The coach placed his hands on his hips and gazed disapprovingly at him. "What? Maybe you're better off quitting then. You're never going to improve that crappy form unless you show up to practice."

Mikono couldn't stand listening to Kamoshida any longer and came to Mishima's defense. "At this rate, all his old injuries will reopen! As a coach, you should know the limits of your team!"

Kamoshida crosses his arms, smirking at the girl. "It seems you haven't learned your lesson yet, Tsutsui. Maybe we should take this to my office-alone..."

"You're a sick and delusional man," she snarled under her breath, glaring daggers at him.

"Right now, you're not my concern. I'll make sure to teach you a lesson on how to speak to your superiors later, Tsutsui." Kamoshida turned his head and eyed Yuuki once again. "Well, Mishima? Are you coming to practice or not?"

The boy lowered his head, unable to match the man's intimidating gaze. "I'll go..."

"What?" The sable-haired girl gasped, eyes wide in horror.

Kamoshida grinned victoriously, turning it toward Ryuji. "As for you, any more trouble and it won't be only Tsutsui who pays the price. You'll be gone from this school for sure."

"Bastard..." Ryuji snarled, his fists clenched tightly by his sides.

"Same goes for you," Kamoshida directed toward Akira. "Didn't the principal tell you to keep in line?"

"I was just leaving," Akira explained, meeting Kamoshida's gaze with his seemingly innocent one.

"Hmph," Kamoshida scoffed. "Just don't get in the way of my practice. All these unsettling rumors are making the students anxious, after all."

"That's your own goddamn fault..." Ryuji grumbled.

"This won't get us anywhere..." The coach sighed, deciding not to entertain the teens any further. "Let's go, Mishima. Shujin Academy is a place where those with aspirations come to learn. Unworthy students like yourselves don't have any right to be here. Get with the program!"

"Yes, sir..." Mishima responded defeatedly, staring horrifically at Kamoshida as he walked away.

"That asshole..." Ryuji cursed. "He's gonna pay for this!"

"There's no point," Mishima said.

"Huh?!" The blonde faced the injured student.

"Proving that he's physically abusing us...is meaningless. Everybody knows... The principal, our parents... They all know, and they all keep quiet about it."

"This has gotta be a joke..." Ryuji tried to deny.

"Don't be a pain," Mishima scowled at him. "You don't understand what I'm going through. After all, you let Tsutsui-chan take the fall for you."

Ryuji gritted his teeth, his fists shaking in anger. "I didn't-!"

"Shouldn't you of all people know that nothing's going to help?!" Mishima shouted, interrupting Ryuji before dashing off.

Baffled, the blonde watched Mishima storm away before staring down at the ground. "Dammit..."

"What now?" Akira inquired.

"We can't give up," Mikono stated. "We've come too far to give up now. There's got to be a way to reveal Kamoshida for what he truly is."

Ryuji faces his friends. "I'll try one more time to persuade the other guys. That's...all I can do."

"You won't be alone, Ryuji," Mikono beamed. "For now, let's head out. Today has really worn me out..."

"Yeah," Akira agreed. "Let's go change and call it a day."

|| 4/13 Wednesday ||
|| Evening ||

After parting with Akira at Shibuya Station, Mikono headed to her parents' museum and manned the front desk. It was only a few minutes past 5 o'clock and her shift would only last a little less than a couple hours since the museum closed at 7 on weekdays.

She spun around in the chair, staring at the ceiling. Hardly anyone visited the museum this late during the weekdays, but there were a few visitors who were wandering around and admiring the exhibits. They had exhibits from all across the world-from South America to China. She feels honored to be the daughter of such hardworking archaeologists and knows she wants to follow in their footsteps one day.

"Excuse me," a sweet voice echoed in Mikono's ears.

She nearly tipped over in her chair when the person startled her but was saved by the stranger. They grabbed her arm before the chair could fall and steadied her. She blushed in embarrassment when she gave them her full attention. "I-I am so sorry. I was lost in thought and didn't see you there. Thank you for keeping me from falling."

The shaggy-haired boy smiled kindly at her. "It's all right. I'm glad I was able to catch you."

Mikono combed a strand of hair behind her ear and cleared her throat. "Are you here to visit the exhibits?" She looked away, realizing what she asked. "That was a stupid question... Anyway! Admission is 1,800 yen."

The boy handed over the exact amount, his smile widening. "I was also hoping for a tour, but it seems I'm a little late for that."

"Oh, nonsense!" A cheery voice giggled.

"M-Mom..." Mikono stuttered as Ichika walked over with a giddy grin on her face.

"Go ahead and give this young man a tour!" The older woman patted her daughter on the back. "You know the exhibits just as much as your father and I do."

"All right, then," Mikono agreed, excited to share her vast knowledge even if it was with a complete stranger.

"Are you sure it's all right?" The boy asked with furrowed brows. "I wouldn't wish to push my selfish request on you."

"No!" Mikono retorts. "It's fine. I'll gladly give you a tour-free of charge. But, who will manage the front desk?"

"Don't worry, Honey," Ichika reassured her. "I'll handle the front desk until you're done."

Mikono then smiled at the boy, taking the lead and guiding him to the first exhibit. "Then please, follow me. We'll begin our tour in the Aztec exhibit."

"I appreciate this very much, Tsutsui-chan," he smiled.

The young girl froze, eyes wide as she met his gaze. "How do you...?"

"I've read numerous of articles about your parents. A few mention you by name and even have a picture. My name's Goro Akechi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Tsutsui-chan. I've been a fan of your parents for quite a while. Their work is marvelous and their discoveries are breathtaking."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, too, Akechi-kun. I hope I don't bore you with my tour," Mikono chortled.

"I doubt you will, Tsutsui-chan," Goro replied, smiling. "I look forward to what you will teach me."

<-----<<<<<

Halfway through the tour, Mikono felt her phone buzz and pulled it out of her pocket. Looking down at the screen, she saw Akira and Ryuji messaging the group chat. She read their texts before deciding to turn off her phone and give her full attention to Goro.

The brunette titled his head when he caught a glimpse of Akira's name on the screen of her phone before she turned it off. "A boyfriend, perhaps?"

"No," Mikono denied. "Just friends. Now, let's move on to the Ancient Greece exhibit. It happens to be my parents' favorite."

"Which one is yours, Tsutsui-chan?" Goro asked out of curiosity.

"My favorite is the Ancient Egypt exhibit. I happened to be with my parents when they found a few of the amulets and canopic jars on display."

"They took you along on excavations?" Goro's eyes widen with shock.

"When I was old enough," she explained. "Another reason it's my favorite exhibit is because I was born in Egypt. All the artifacts... They make it feel like I'm home. I know that sounds weird, but..."

"No," Goro shook his head. "It's not weird at all. Could you show me the Egyptian exhibit next?"

"You...want to skip the Greek exhibit?"

"For now, yes. I would like to know more about where you grew up. What better place to do that than in the exhibit that reminds you of home?"

Mikono smiled. "I'd be happy to, Akechi-kun."