As Shinji begun moving in a counterclockwise spiral from Sakura-sensei's home — moving such that their winding path was fifteen meters apart — he couldn't help but feel the gaze of Kurosawa fall upon him, every so often. Misato's presence made it tolerable, at the very least...but then, why should he be surprised?
This man...he's part of the same group that Saori Hasegawa was with...he was her senpai. He couldn't help but wonder if the man blamed him for the deaths of his subordinates...
The Beast watched as a ship burned brightly.
"And who wouldn't?"
It sank beneath the churning waves.
"Death follows you wherever you go."
...and he couldn't blame him. But there would be another time for that; right now, Mayumi Yamagishi's circumstances were more important. "Yamagishi-san!" he yelled, cupping his hands beside his mouth as he moved through the woods.
Where are you? "Yamagishi-san!"
The search continued.
xxxx
As minutes, and then hours ticked by, Ryuji Sakamoto and Ren Amamiya watched the news in relative silence.
"
-we've just received a report from Okayama's Anti-Terror Task Force about an incident in the village of Nishiawakura. It appears dozens of civilians unknowingly slipped into the Metaverse this morning, followed by several incidents of Angel Syndrome. Although the identities of the victims have not yet been made public-"
Without a word, Ryuji muted the television.
No time like the present.
"Hey, I was listening to that," protested Amamiya.
"Yeah yeah, like you'd care. You've got direct access to the people who were involved." Leaning on his cane, Ryuji tried to put aside every other problem he
should be worrying about: the upcoming new moon, the fact that Hirofumi Kurosawa had showed up at all (and the adults had just been
talking about him yesterday!), Strega, and the existence of unknown parties like Sokila. Right now, he had to focus on one particular oddity before it could actually
become a problem. "So. Let's be honest with each other."
"...about what?" said Amamiya with a blink. "Have I not been honest?"
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TBKA75H1h8
Ryuji forcefully thumped his cane against the floor. "Yeah, let's go ahead and cut the
bullshit." He mustered forth as much of a glare as he could (which wouldn't be difficult the more the kid kept lying to him). "Did you really think that crap of an explanation you gave on the ferry passed muster? I mean, a 'masked guy' coming out of nowhere and vanishing
just as we arrived in the car dock? Gimme a break."
"...in all fairness, I was a bit under pressure at the time," Amamiya said, who at least had enough sense (or courtesy) to not try and spin something on the spot. "So...you think I'm suspicious or something?"
"That's putting it mildly. And if it weren't for that little visit from 'Sokila' or whoever, I wouldn't be so irritated as I am right now." Leaning forward on his cane, he growled, "I could see it in your eyes: you
saw what happened when Sokila was leaving."
(August the 11th: with everyone gathered outside, they watched in silence as Sokila audibly grunted. "And...there!" He couldn't see whatever it was that the strange girl had done; however, judging by Amamiya's reaction — slight widening of the eyes, the mouthing of an unheard word — that boy certainly did.)
"And furthermore...you immediately lied about it, by
pretending you couldn't see anything."
"...it was just a door," admitted Ren with an even voice. "It wasn't a big deal."
"...yeah, not buying it. People don't just lie about a damn
door."
"You'd be surprised what people would lie about."
Grimacing, Ryuji rose to his feet, towering over the younger man. "You've obviously got powers; powers that you've declined to let anyone in on. Powers that you apparently used to help us escape from the
Ai ferry...powers that no one has any clue about. Not the A.T. Task Force, not NERV, not the government, not
anybody."
"And why would you assume that?"
"Because if you were with the Task Force or NERV, Katsuragi would be in the know. If you were with the
government, you would have acted differently on the ferry...and given your attitude, you probably would have told PubSec that their whole 'operation' was a pisspoor idea. Because if nothing else, you don't seem like an idiot."
"I'll take the compliment."
"A
dumbass for thinking you could lie so blatantly...but not an idiot. And now that I've got an inkling that there's other cognitive entities involved beyond just Angels and our fellow man...well, can you blame a guy for being paranoid?"
"Depends."
Ryuji snorted. "Funny guy. So level with me: why
shouldn't I blow the whistle on you? Gimme a reason." Inwardly, he desperately hoped that the kid wouldn't.
xx
Well Ren, you've gone and done it now, he couldn't help but think.
Sloppy sloppy...you've gotten too used to thinking of this man in terms of your old friend. Even if the core of Ryuji Sakamoto was still there, this man had been sharpened by years of experience; he was happy to be laid back and easygoing most of the time, but he
wasn't a fool.
Well...what am I going to do?
(He had to play a hand.)
(
Will you go all in?)
...hmph. No need to be that desperate. After all, the game was still young.
xx
Ryuji watched warily as the boy stood up, drawing himself to full height; slowly removing his glasses, Ren Amamiya stared directly into his eyes. "Do you think I'm a threat, Sakamoto-san?" When he didn't answer, Amamiya added, "do you think I'm a threat to you? To your comrades? To Shinji Ikari, or to his friends? Do you think I would willingly harm
any of them?"
Those eyes...they look pretty old, for a kid your age. Somehow, that made him sad.
"Well?" pressed Ren. "An answer would be nice."
It was strange, to hear this kid speak as though he were someone used to being in authority (used to being a
leader). Even stranger, was the fact that instead of smacking the kid for being so uppity...he bought it. Chihaya and Shiho help him, he
bought it. "It's a hell of a thing," he forced himself to admit. "But despite how suspicious you are...something makes me want to trust you."
And I have no clue why. He couldn't sense any odd mind tricks involved, no unusual cognitive games; there was simply a strange sensation, born from the very depths of his
soul, that this young man was trustworthy. "...so no. I don't think you're a threat to me."
"...good."
"So why the
lying?"
"...the reason I have these 'powers', as you call them...I'm not at liberty to explain. If you never want to trust me again, then I can live with that...but when I'm telling you that I
can't say, know that it's for the best."
"And why should I believe you?"
"Because if I had something nefarious planned,
willingly getting close to people that can collectively kick my ass would be a horrible idea."
"...but if hiding your powers was the point, then why volunteer to be the kids' driver for this road trip?
Why get involved?"
"...I can't say." With a suddenly exhausted expression, Ren stepped back, sinking back into his chair. "...but Ikari has to survive. He
has to. And if I can provide another set of eyes on his back...then that's enough for me."
"...you're glossing over a lot of details I'd like to know about."
Like how you got whatever powers you have; why you think Ikari's so damn important; why you're so cagey. Was there an enemy beyond Strega or the Angels that Amamiya knew about? "Two questions."
"I
may have two answers."
Ryuji snorted. "Cheeky. First: did you tell the truth about Yamagishi knocking you out?"
Ren nodded. "Yeah...no hyperbole there. She legitimately slammed me against the wall without laying a finger on me...and before I knew it, everything went dark."
"...fair enough." That seemed fairly upfront. "Second: do you know who killed Saori Hasegawa on the ferry?"
"...no. I really don't know."
...he's telling the truth. He pressed further regardless. "But do you have an
idea?"
"...I can't say." The deadset stare on his face was sufficient to prove his resilience on that regard. "I
can't."
"...hmph. Anyone with half a brain would put a warrant on your ass to talk with your Shadow."
Ren smirked. "Good luck with that one."
That, in and of itself, said plenty.
Which means you have a Persona. That information had been offered willingly.
Yet you've never even hinted at showing it off. Why? "...damn it kid, I've already got enough trouble without you adding to it."
"I've been told that trouble follows me," he answered, as an uneasy ceasefire settled between them: one that hadn't been voiced, yet was silently agreed upon regardless. "If it were up to me...well..." He trailed off, saying nothing more.
...which means it's not up to you, whatever 'it' is. Damn it, was this kind of paranoia what Katsuragi felt like all the time?
A miracle she hasn't snapped even sooner.
xxxx
As the sun set and darkness settled upon Japan, everyone was forced to reconvene at Sojiro Sakura's home. There had been no luck.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1giYRAYFTHQ
"So what, are we just going to leave Yamagishi out who knows
where?" protested Toji.
"We all covered several kilometers, and it's dark now," Ken Amada was forced to admit. "We're not going to be able to cover anymore ground tonight."
"Should we call the police?" asked Kensuke with a worried frown.
"Already did so on my way back," explained Kurosawa. "Thanks to the physical description provided by Katsuragi and Ikari, the prefectural police for Okayama
and Hyōgo will be able to file to follow up on a proper Missing Persons report. We'll be able to continue our search efforts tomorrow."
"...it doesn't feel right," grumbled Mana, her lips contorted into a grimace. "It feels like...giving up."
"You all were already involved with combat operations in the cognitive world today, from what I've been told. And I had already driven many hours before traipsing through the woods; it's not an exaggeration for me to see that
everyone is exhausted." Kurosawa's points couldn't exactly be refuted. "If foul play was involved in Yamagishi's disappearance, then exhaustion on your part won't help anyone."
As the government officer's word lingered, Sojiro cleared his throat. "Well...all that being said, it'd probably be for the best if you stayed in one of the empty rooms."
Kurosawa shook his head. "I don't want to impose. I would rather not unnecessarily antagonize you all any further."
"And from the sound of it,
everyone here has a vested interest in your wellbeing. If you die, it doesn't reflect well on them in the eyes of the goverment, does it? Better to keep you in one place, in case something goes wrong."
"...very well. I'm grateful for your hospitality," acknowledged Kurosawa with a small nod. "I'll see to it that you're properly compensated."
Sojiro huffed, turning away towards the kitchen. "Your 'compensation' will be your survival. These folks already have enough on their plate."
As the older man went out of earshot, Junpei couldn't help but lean down and whisper, "
seriously kid, why'd you leave this place? That guy's pretty damn chill."
...yeah, he is, thought Shinji. His attempt at a grateful smile was marred by his concern for Mayumi.
Yamagishi-san...where are you...?
There was more discussion over leftover curry regarding plans for tomorrow, until tiredness and fatigue prompted everyone to turn in for the night.
Lying upon his bed, Shinji stared wistfully at the ceiling, pondering the events of the day...and wondering what tomorrow would bring.
xxxx
Mayumi Yamagishi had meandered and walked for well over twelve kilometers, sticking mostly to wilderness and crossing few roads.
Improbably, her bare feet had not become torn or wounded by all of the walking she had done. (Something greater empowered her, now.)
Yet...as she walked up the slopes of the mountain overlooking the city of Shiso from the northeast, she could feel...a different sort of fatigue. One that beckoned her to an eternal slumber.
(Sleep...sounded wonderful.)
The masked 'Mayumi Yamagishi' sat upon a great and lonely mountain, overlooking all things. "The-pain-and-weariness-you-feel...a-reflection-of-what-we-feel...which-is-in-turn-a-reflection-of-your-own...an-infinite-cycle-of-sorrow-that-never-ends..."
Perhaps, if she went to sleep...she wouldn't have to feel, anymore. That strange and wretched dread that had clung to her for so long like invisible chains...would no longer weigh down upon her.
The masked 'Mayumi' held out her hand. "...through-you, others-will-also-find-freedom..."
(Freedom. What an odd concept. Did she ever truly have freedom?)
(
The plot was rigged against you from the beginning.)
"...tell-us...young-child-of-the-lilim...do-you-wish-to-be-one-with-me...?"
(If it would make the drudgery come to an end. If the uncertainty would finally cease. If if if.)
...I'm tired. With a tired sigh, Mayumi slumped down at the base of a tree, upon a mountain peak stretching over a thousand meters into the air. Alone amidst the dark, none would dare bother her...for her presence was already anathema to the base lifeforms that scurried through the forests.
The masked 'Mayumi' quietly embraced her. "Tomorrow...will-be-the-end..."
(She had already stopped thinking.)
(
If you stop now, then it's all over.)
xxxx
Minako Arisato stood soundlessly upon a tree, witnessing the metaphysical transformation in Mayumi Yamagishi; it would not physically manifest until the appointed time tomorrow.
The One Who Sat Upon the Throne watched with great interest.
"This will be an interesting test for Shinji Ikari."
If nothing else, the Angel's machinations on this individual were not clouded.
"I wonder how much pain you will have to endure before ending her unfortunate life?"
What were the limits of Ikari's mercy? Would Armisael prompt him to unleash his fury? The possibilities were manifold.
"I can't wait to find out."
Minako kept her silent vigil, unseen by all.
xxxx
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXEk7Ip9pGk
As the world turned, and the Sun's reflected light slowly decreased in Earth's eyes; as the new moon began its inevitable rise...the distorted skull of the Angel of Might gaze upon the world.
"THE DAY TO COME WILL BE A GREAT RECKONING."
(In Japan, the First Child pondered what course of action she would take on the day to come.)
(In Europe, a small charter boat departed from the Spanish port town of Marin; the Second Child tried to get some sleep, preparing for the day to come.)
(In Japan, mere kilometers away from where Armisael's apotheosis was occurring, the Third Child worried about the day to come.)
"SHINJI IKARI: WILL YOU BE CONSUMED BY WEAKNESS? OR WILL YOUR RAGE DRIVE YOU TO EXTINGUISH THE LIGHT OF MY KIN?"
Time would tell.
And so the world continued to turn.
xxxx
END OF 8/13/2015
xxxx
/hoo boy
//I've been waiting for 8/14 to get here
