As the teams exited the arena, marking the end of the opening ceremony, the crowd cheered with excitement. As The Voyage approached the tunnel off the arena floor they could hear some of the insults thrown at them.
"Lazy scumbags!"
"Go home!"
"We don't want you here!"
The Voyage continued walking. They walked until they were back in the parking lot and away from as many people as possible. Immediately, Sel punched the arena wall in frustration.
"They don't know anything!" He shouted angrily.
Enai placed a hand on his shoulder. Sel expected some mocking tone but was instead met with a voice that shared the same sentiment.
"It's really annoying, isn't it?" She said with a sigh.
"Thanks for keeping it together," Hitsu said as he leaned against the wall with a hand on his chin.
"That could have been worse," Nox said trying to lighten the mood.
"But now we are the priority," Jinsuke explained, "everyone is going to be gunning for us first thing tomorrow."
"Maybe tonight if today is anything to go off of," Hitsu joked.
"We should get back to the hotel," Nox suggested.
"Yeah," Enai agreed, "lay low and rest."
"We got a lot to prove," Sel said taking his fist off of the wall.
"That's right," Hitsu agreed, "this isn't just about proving a crowd wrong."
Hitsu stood in the middle of his teammates and addressed them all.
"We're doing this for Master Takeshi, for Tristram, for all the heroes out there who are too scared or not respected enough to be here beside us."
Hitsu looked directly at Nox.
"We're doing this for family. Not just The Future Veins but for anyone else who's gotten us this far."
Nox looked to her friends, their faces all said that they shared they agreed.
"You're right," she agreed, "but let's be just a little selfish. Let's do this to show the world that The Voyage is number one!"
Everyone cheered in agreeance, a sign they would all fight their hardest.
...
"Does she have to go?" Mirai pouted dropping her elegant aura momentarily.
"Yes," Takeshi said firmly, "that kid and cat can't function without each other for long."
Takeshi looked down at Juno who happily lay in Mirai's arms. Hitsu had brought her to the headmaster's room so he could go down for the introductions. She was calm now but would soon be missing Hitsu's presence. Takeshi couldn't help but think about the conversation he had with Hitsu when Juno was dropped off.
"Be careful Master," Hitsu told him seriously, "some kid tried to attack me early, I think he might be a competitor."
Takeshi had a hunch that Nobuo was the attacker's headmaster. His reaction to the team led by a kid that matched the attacker's description made his suspicions all but confirmed.
"How about this," Takeshi suggested, "you can watch the cat whenever I have it."
"Oh alright," Mirai pouted, "I'll see you soon cutie."
With that, she gently handed Juno back to Takeshi, and her elegant mannerisms returned.
"Are we to expect you to return?" She asked, "I'm sure old man Shibata would love to talk with you more."
"If it's over drinks I'll gladly be back," Takeshi responded before making his way towards the door.
...
"I'm gonna go find him," Hitsu said tired of waiting for Juno's return.
"Are you sure?" Enai asked, "What if someone tries something again?"
"I'll go with him," Sel answered.
"Alright," Hitsu agreed, "you guys stay here and try not to get noticed."
The other three members nodded in agreement. With that, Hitsu and Sel walked their way back into the arena.
"The headmaster's room is on the third floor," Hitsu informed Sel.
They found a staircase and climbed the two floors to the third. Once they reached it they exited the stairwell and started walking through the grand rounded corridor towards where they assumed Takeshi would be. They barely spoke as they ventured, their nerves getting the better of them.
"Do you think somebody tried the same thing on the Big Boss?" Sel asked.
"Doubt it," Hitsu replied, "if they did they are in bad shape. Master Takeshi has been drinking since we arrived."
As they rounded the curved corridor they saw something that made them stop in their tracks.
"Hey, isn't that the guy?" Sel asked surprised.
Just out of earshot stood Koji and a man who rivaled Takeshi in size.
"That's probably his headmaster," Hitsu guessed.
From the other side of the hall, Takeshi walked down the corridor with Juno on his shoulder. Juno's suddenly stood on end and hissed. Takeshi looked ahead to see Nobuo standing by his student, Koji.
"Aw great," Takeshi sighed, "now what."
Before any of the three Future Veins had a chance to say, think, or do anything else, Nobuo acted. He raised his right hand high towards the sky and swung it down at an angle. Koji's head violently snapped to the side as the hand struck his face. The sound of the hit echoed in the unpopulated corridor, a sickening reminder of the sound lingering far longer than anyone would have liked. After what felt like an eternity, without saying a word, Nobuo walked past Koji towards Hitsu and Sel. He stopped when he reached them.
"Don't look so surprised," he spat, "this is your fault."
With that, he carried on, his footsteps the only sound in Hitsu's ears. After several more moments passed Koji stood up straight, put his hands in his pockets, and followed after his headmaster.
"H-hey," Hitsu said as he approached, "I-"
Koji quickly cut him off, the handprint on his cheek still bright red.
"You want to help me out hero?" He asked angrily, "Help me out by dropping dead."
Without another word, he too walked down the silent corridor.
"What the hell was that? Sel asked in disbelief.
"That... That was just wrong," Hitsu answered shakily.
The two only noticed Takeshi standing by them when he spoke.
"A real piece of garbage," Takeshi said coldly, "and he has the gall to call us scum."
"Master," Hitsu said with clenched fists, "what do we do?"
"You two focus on winning," Takeshi responded as Juno jumped off his shoulder to Hitsu's side, "I'll make sure Nobuo gets what he deserves."
Hitsu nodded. This tournament had shifted drastically. The fun event to inspire hope hid a dark underbelly. Nobody on the outside knew just how hostile things had become. This was no longer just a game, it had become something much more.
...
End of Episode 58