It was Friday, two days since Kibe had joined the Chess club. Kibe was at school along with the rest of the members of the chess club. They were all eating lunch together at the cafeteria.
"So Kibe, you coming to the club after school today?" asked Yos
"I can't. I got to go check out this audition." Kibe said as he finished his lunch and got up, something then caught his eye and as he turned his head saw Takashi there smiling at him from around the corner. Kibe and him shared a glance for a few moments before Takashi left around the corner.
"What you looking at man?" asked Hika asked as he fixed his hair
"...Nothing." Kibe said as he then grabbed his bag, Kenji though looked from where Kibe was looking and back to him. Kibe's eyes then moved to him only to see Kenji on his phone.
"I'll see you guys next week." Kibe said as he walked out with Yos and Hika waving him goodbye.
"He sure is the distant one." Yos said
"Yea, hes crazy good at chess too. Like how does he do that? He plays with my mind and my expectations." Hika said as Kenji simply continued to mess with his phone as his eyes watched Kibe leave. As Kibe left he'd immediately get hugged by Mi who surprised him.
"KIBE! Gets to see you, are you coming to the audition?" Mi asked as she looked at him. Kibe was about to answer but would be cut off.
"Young love, how poetic, you know Romeo and Juliet were young and I love too." said Takashi from around a corner. He stepped out wearing a black coat and a masquerade mask. Kibe didn't say anything.
"Oh Takashi! Its good to see you! What's the director doing here?" Mi asked as Takashi then bowed.
"Forgive the intrusion, I was hoping to get a chance to talk with Kibe, I didn't mean to interfere with your lovey Dovey time." Takashi chuckled, which made Mi's face turn hot red in embarrassment.
"I-I-I-I-I-I, Its not like that! I was just giving him a hug was all." Mi stuttered.
"Oh please its alright." Takashi said, thats when his mind began to think.
"What is this Kibe? Are you getting slow? Your escape from the station was not what I expected you capable to do, however showing a link? Are you baiting me into using sweet little Ouchie? Or did you honestly slip up? No, thats why you haven't said anything is it?" Takashi thought as his eyes were homed in on Kibe's. This moment between them going faster than a heartbeat. Kibe's cold emerald eyes stared at Takashi.
"What is your move Nori Kibe?" Takashi thought to himself. Thats when he'd begin to see Kibe's mouth begin to open.
"Do you have scripts for the play?" Kibe asked
"They're in the auditorium, we're still getting a few things ready. So it'll be a minute before we're ready. After school is when it starts." Takashi answered.
"Thanks, see you around." Kibe said as he walked away with Mi looking at him and Takashi confused. She then waved at Takashi as she ran after Kibe. Kibe and Mi walked to they're class together where they'd see some students looking at scripts for the play. Kibe looked around the classroom, he saw most of his classmates there, his teacher was attempting to fix his laptop, some of the students were reading the script for the play and others were on their phones.
"Wow, looks like some of our classmates wanted to get in on the play too." Mi said
"I don't see why. Its just another play. Its not like Takashi hasn't made several others. If I was to set anything up that required actual skill, I'd make it chess." Kibe said
"Acting is a skill, also whats up with you and chess? Don't think I didn't notice you going somewhere after school. AH! Your in the chess club!" Mi said with confidence.
"What gave it away." Kibe said
"Ah your back, well go ahead and take your seat. I'm almost done fixing this blasted thing. Go ahead." the teacher said, everyone began to look as he got more and more frustrated and until he just threw his hands up with a scoff.
"Damnit all, the one day I don't have to really teach and we can just watch a movie. And my computer goes out! What are the odds." said the teacher with a disappointed tone.
"Excuse me, if you don't mind I'd like to give it a shot." said a voice next to Kibe, he looked next to him and saw Jun with her hand raised. The teacher breathed on his glasses before wiping them with a handkerchief.
"You know how to fix a Cac?" asked the teacher with a shocked expression.
"Teacher, I can fix anything that runs on electricity and deals with systems." Jun said as she got up and walked to the teacher. He gestured her towards the laptop, she then grabbed it and immediately closed it and put it on its back, opening it up.
"Looks like a M8 model, nice one too. Good pick." Jun said as the whole classroom watched in shock. As they did Kibe looked at the seat next to him and saw his classmate was distracted, he then pulled the play pamphlet from him without him even realizing. He then began to read it.
"It comes in Russian, American, German and even Latin. Can't afford to miss any possible information that may be hidden in translations. I'll have to read it all. 400-page long play? Is he writing a series or a retelling of the human race." Kibe thought as he started reading the play's script along with its other translated variants. While Kibe read, the class watched as Jun took apart the teacher's computer quickly and began to fix it up with simply her nails, a pin and the teacher's glasses's fixing equipment.
"Wow Jun, I didn't know you were so capable!" the teacher said impressed.
"My father would always come home telling me about, stories from his job. He talked about robberies, heist, kidnappings and all such. But one thing he talked about more than anything was technology.
He once told me about a bomb, one that would trigger if anyone with a pulse got close to it. It was a insane story. He never told me if it was true, but he said the only way that his team was able to get past it. Was to use anti-thermal detection body armor. It worked, not only that, but it showed them that there are devices out there that require real thinking. I was intrigued with it." Jun said as she then put the laptop back together again in record time, a shocking 4 minutes. She then turned it on and just like that. It was working again.
"Wow, a round-of-applause for Jun everyone!" said the teacher as everyone got up and cheered for her. She smiled a bit, the recognition was nice to see and something she didn't get much often growing older.
"The problem had to do with your CPU, luckily I got to it before any real damage could be done. Try not to overwork. Though Cacs are pretty bad anyway." Jun said with a smile. Her eyes though, when she focused them she looked around the room. Her mind going back to a previous day.
"You really think it's foul play?" asked Jun, in her room. She was making her own computer and currently working on installing her graphics card. As her father was sitting on her bed relaxing.
"Yes, I think it was one of your classmates. the bullying rate in Japan schools, especially middle and high schools went up last year by 10%. Quite a leap. A even greater increase on suicides. When I looked into the boy, Tatsuo. He seemed very troubled, apparently, he accidently shot his sister with her father's handgun.
The fault of the parent really, but his fault, nonetheless. But its still isn't adding up for me though. He was a bully in school from what other students say. He had thugs involved with him and even ran other kids up for their money." Mr. Nakayama said as he was playing with his badge.
"What are you gonna do? You can't go around asking all them if they did it." Jun said
"No, which is why I wanted to ask if you'll be helping me with this case Jun." Her father asked, she stopped and turned to him.
"Me?" She asked
"Yes, you see the student responsible isn't likely looking to get caught. He knows we'll be there to look through everything. What they won't expect though is a secret little surprise I've hidden in they're ranks. You will look for any and all possible signs of potential suspects. I need you Jun. Your my eyes on the inside.
And we're not looking to get out any trump cards. This guy thinks hes clever, well hes about to find out today just how intense the real world can be." said Mr. Nakayama as he got up and got on his phone.
"You sure?" Jun asked
"I am, I believe you'll be the key to cracking this case. I want to see my little girl get some recognition for a change." Mr. Nakayama smiled, the two looked at one another and smiled. Thats when Jun would be brought back to reality as she saw her classmates clapping and smiling at her. Kibe got finished reading the play script and it's alternate translated versions. He then set it to the side as the teacher began to get the movie up and running.
"Alright students, thank again Jun. Lets go ahead and continue with class." said the teacher, as everyone was watching the movie. Kibe could overhear some students behind him mumbling about something.
"Did you see those guys in masks? Bet they're for the play." said one female student
"Yea, and they all speak funny too. Sounds German." said the male student
"Well, you all known how Takashi gets once he starts working with actors again." said another male student, Kibe used those words and began to think up more of a plan for the day. After class the school day would end, but everyone interested in the play had already went to the auditorium. However, behind the stage was some of the student council. Kita Rin, she was sitting on a chair with two other large men around her guarding her. Katsumi was leaning against the back wall like before, flipping his coin constantly. At the same time a small TV was there with a symbol of a small bunny's face. Takashi was looking from behind the curtains of the play and saw around and close to fifty students all in the auditorium ready to join the play.
"Takashi, you sure about this? I believe canceling the play would be wise. That way our focus can be put more onto this Kibe fellow than anything else." Rin said as she fanned herself with her fan. Katsumi looked at her and then back to Takashi.
"No this is perfect, the yearly plays have always gathered attention not just from all of Japan, but from even outsiders too. Kibe may be clever, but he seems to do best when hes without eyes watching him. Lets see how well he'll do with them on him at all times." Takashi said
"And if he decides not to join the play?" asked Katsumi
"I've already thought about that too. If he join he won't be able to make any moves against me without the police asking questions on the activities going on. Hes already got the eyes and not just the school, but the police too. He can't even breath without someone watching over him. Where is Hideaki? His involvement in this plan will be needed." Takashi asked
"The head of the snake has detached, he is on a business trip." said a distorted voice on the small TV. Everyone looked to it.
"Ah, I see the treasure of the council has finally decided to speak." Takashi said
"Don't talk like as if I'm helping you. I want nothing to do with Nori Kibe." said the treasure of the council. To which made them all look at the TV with a shred of shock.
"What?" Takashi said
"You heard me, I want nothing to do with Nori Kibe." said the treasure of the council
"Scared?" Takashi asked to which the treasure said nothing.
"Hmp, no matter. Nori Kibe won't be able to stop this play nor will he be still attending this school come it's showing. I'll make sure of that." Takashi said as he snapped his fingers and four men wearing black and red hoodies came onto the backstage. Rin and Katsumi looked over and saw them wearing rabbit mask, they walked over and stood next to Takashi.
"The president has given me his suite in order to do today's special auditions. I need you to make sure nothing and no body intervenes with them. Your eyes will be focused on one man. Nori Kibe. I've already sent all the information to him to each of you and the rest of the groups phones.
Do not let him get a slip in on you. If he can fool the police, then he definitely will fool you." Takashi said
"I see you've taken some liberties, you even grabbed some of that boy's, Tatsuo's, friends." Rin said as she moved her hand out to which one of her guards got out a bag of grapes. He then handed her three to which she ate. She licked her lips afterwards.
"You'll each have numbers. They've been texted to you. Don't forget them and under no circumstance, are you to tell someone else your number." Takashi said, Rin and Katsumi looked to one another before both stood up.
"Ah, you plan to join in?" He asked
"No, I have a clothing line I need to look into." Rin said as she held her fan to her face, she then walked over to him, her face still covered by her fan. Her eyes all that were visible as she looked at him.
"Know this though Takashi, if you fail in this advance towards Kibe. If we suspect in any way that you have slipped an have drawn attention to us. You will be casted out and we will gladly give what the treasure has been asking for." Rin said with a calm and yet also menacing tone, Takashi scoffed as he walked closer to exiting the backstage and going close to presenting himself.
"Don't worry, I have no intentions to fail. Kibe has shown his determination to outwit me, now I will show him just what I can do." Takashi said as he left for the stage, Rin and Katsumi walked away with the men in bunny mask walking out with Takashi. Everyone cheered as Takashi walked out onto the stage. Kibe was on his way to the auditorium when he saw Mr. Nakayama talking to a teacher. Jun was also there.
"More eyes than I like, but still won't stop me." Kibe said as he walked away and went to the auditorium to see a line of other students outside of it with some of the guys in bunny mask outside guarding the doors. Kibe looked at his phone and searched through social media to find anyone posting what was going on. He saw some his classmates had already posted videos of what was being said inside. Kibe then turned to see some of the bunny masked men walk outside.
"I see, so its a widespread play. Other young actors from other schools are even joining in. Its huge, even renting out a theatre to do it all in. Hundreds of people. The advertisement for it seems to already be blowing up. Which means I'll need to start now. Otherwise my placement in things will be off and seem iffy to others." Kibe thought to himself, he then looked at a few more photos before he then saw Mi in one of them. Looks like she had gotten inside with the first batch of students trying out. Kibe had heard a few rumors when it came to the female actors, things about them having to do...unpleasant things to guarantee their role in the play was truly theirs. Kibe looked at his phone before he then closed it and walked outside following the men from before.
"This Takashi guy sure is something else. Taking the girls to that place and doing all that. What a weirdo." said goon #1 as he lit a cigarette.
"Well, your working for him aren't ya. Not that too unbelievable." said goon #2 as he kicked the dumpster next to them. The three men were hanging out, just relaxing as they awaited for Takashi's signal. The other two then looked to he third man, he was shaking and walking back a and forth.
"Hey chill the hell out. Whats wrong with you?" asked goon #2
"I just...I don't want to end up like Tatsuo..." said goon #3
"Oh your from him, heard the guy killed himself." said goon #2
"NO! He didn't that motherfucker! that freak, he made him do it." said goon #3 in a hasty and nervous voice
"quiet down you loony. Alright, but I don't see how you can force someone kill themself." said goon #1
"That guy isn't a person, the way he was talking, how he stood...no that isnt a person." goon #3 said
"Yea?" goon #1 said
"Nori Kibe...hes the devil." said goon #3, the other two looked to each other, thats when he appeared, Nori Kibe walked right out of the door they left through. All three of them looked at him, Kibe then reached in his bag and pulled out two black gloves, he put them on. Goon #3's head was spinning, he saw Kibe and immediately his body reacted like he was in danger. His fight or flight immediately activating.
"Who the fuck are you?" asked goon #1
"Wait man, isn't that the guy from the photo? the one Takashi sent us all?" said goon #2
"....Kibe..." stuttered goon #3, Kibe then put his bag down, he looked around and behind him and saw no cameras. A place without cameras? Perfect.
"Your mask, the entire outfit. I need it." Kibe said
"What were our orders from Takashi? What did he say to do?" asked goon #1
"He didn't say anything, but I reckon we'll get a nice reward if we bring him in." said goon #2, but thats when goon #3 grabbed goon #2 by his shoulder.
"No, run. We have to run and tell Takashi, we can't bring him in." goon #3 said with fear in his voice, he was visibly shaking. Goon #1 began to get a bit worried as he looked to goon #3 and then to #2. He then jerked his shoulder away from goon #3.
"Please! He's just one guy! We're bringing him in, you all with me?" goon #2 asked, #1 nodded his head while #3 backed away and hid behind the dumpster, running immediately to hide. #2 got out his pocketknife while #1 pulled a metal pipe from where the trash surrounding the dumpster.
"We've been filled in on you Nori Kibe, unfortunately for you. You'll have to see the play from the hospital." said goon #2 as he approached Kibe.
"Carful Leo." said goon #1 as he walked behind him. Kibe looked as the two began to circle him. As they did the cheering and screaming from inside the auditorium could be heard, it was almost like being next to a stadium.
"We're part of the dragon gang pal, we ain't like those boys you faced before. You face us, you get burned." said Leo as he inched closer and closer. Goon #1 got his pipe ready and held it almost like a sword.
"They're stances, even the from the way they move. They've definitely studied Aikido, no. Maybe even some Jujutsu too. Rather their amateurs or not will have to be seen." Kibe thought, thats when the cheering from inside would roar out again, in that moment Leo and goon #1 would rush in and immediately begin combat with Kibe. Kibe dodged an attack for his neck, Leo kept using his knife to swipe at Kibe's neck and head while his legs went for tripping and sweeping him. Kibe would simply move and dodge the attacks. Kibe then watched the shadow of the guy behind him as he took a swing with his metal pipe, Kibe ducked it and watched as the guy then went for a jab with it for Kibe's back. Kibe immediately went to jab at goon #1, but his attack would be redirected and send him going to the wall. Goon #1 then went in and went for three quick punches, one for the neck, one for the head and the other for the chest.
Kibe would move his head out of the way, redirect the punch for his chest to hit the wall instead, allowing for Kibe to get the guy in the choak hold in between his inner arm and chest. Kibe then saw as Leo rushed in with his knife and swung for Kibe's head, which he dodged and then used his other leg to attempt to sweep Leo, but Leo would jump back evading it. Kibe and Leo made eye contact before Kibe then backed up and smashed goon #1's face right against the wall knocking him out. Kibe then dropped him as he fixed his school uniform and looked at Leo.
"Not bad." Kibe thought to himself as he then got in a stance similar to something from taekwondo's fighting stance.
"Nice stance, too bad it won't do shit for you." said Leo as he rushed in with his knife and began to swing at Kibe who redirected each of his attacks. Kibe then switched his stance to that of the rear foot, and immediately retaliated with quick kicks, each one hitting Leo's side and the last one being a spin kick to his head sending the guy flying. Leo got up and wiped his nose, only to see it was bleeding. He then felt his nose and felt it was broken.
"YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" Leo shouted as he then ripped his mask off and rushed Kibe, Kibe then stood straight as he dodged the guy's punch and redirected it to the ground, to which Kibe would then deliver a devastating drop kick to the back of Leo's neck immediately paralyzing him. Kibe got up and looked around. He saw behind the fence of the school was a pair of bushes and trees. On the other side of them were apartments and houses. Kibe went over to Leo and kneeled down. The guy couldn't move a single muscle.
"No way! How the hell did I- I CAN'T FEEL MY FUCKING BODY!" Leo shouted, but his shouts would be unheard over the sound of the people from the auditorium.
"Tell me what you're really doing here." Kibe asked
"Like hell I'd do that!" Leo said with aggression, Kibe then could feel someone else, he looked over and saw goon #3 hiding behind the dumpster. Kibe then got up and stomped on Leo's head knocking him out and completely destroying his nose. He then grabbed Leo's hand and would break every finger on each hand before lifting him and throwing him over the fence. He'd do the same to goon# 1 before he walked over to goon #3.
"PLEASE! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME! I-I surrender I mean it!" whined goon #3, Kibe bent down to him and removed his mask. He looked at it. It was a snow bunny, red eyes. He looked at the other mask the guys were wearing and saw they had black bunnies. Kibe then looked back to goon #3, they both locked eyes, but goon #3's eyes were shaking, filled with fear and clear shock. Kibe raised his hand and the guy flinched away. He was in total shock.
"What are you doing here?" Kibe asked
"Takashi, he said he had a plan for you. I don't know much else, other than the fact that, he was going to take all of the special actors he found to some weird suite. Other than that I don't know anything I swear!" whined goon #3, Kibe stood up as he then tried out the mask. He then took it off again and looked at the guy.
"Keys." Kibe said
"I don-"
"Lying to me, will be the worst and last thing you ever do. Keys." Kibe said, goon #3 began to cry as he pulled his car keys out of his pocket, Kibe looked at the keys and the stuff attached to it.
"Which one?" Kibe asked
"One parked at the motel down the street. Black slim one, has a dragon on the side." said goon #3
"Am I stealing your car?" Kibe asked
"....Uuuuse it as long as you like." goon #3 said with his hands up. Kibe the put the keys in his pocket.
"Your very kind." Kibe said before he then kicked the guy's face into the wall knocking him out and breaking his nose too. Kibe then lifted the guy and opened the dumpster dropping him in it.
"HEY HEY! What gives!? Who said you can just go ahead and toss whatever you want in here?" shouted a voice inside the dumpster, Kibe reopened it and looked inside to see Kat. She was laying in the trash eating some sort of snacks that goon #3 had on him.
"What are you doing in there?" Kibe asked, his brain immediately thinking of how to deal with her.
"Just chilling and of course eating." Kat said
"What are you really doing in there." Kibe asked again
"I don't like groups and I also don't like being alone. So I've decided to just camp outside the place with the most people. Didn't expect to see you out here." Kat smirked
"Likewise. What did you hear?" Kibe asked
"Oh nothing, just the sounds of broken bones, crying and really loud people." Kat smiled as she licked her finger of the snack gel. Kibe looked at her with his cold eyes.
"Are you going to kill me Kibe?" Kat asked with a smile
"..."
"Well rest assured this will be our little secret. Don't worry I wont tell. Remember, I hate people just like you do." Kat said
"..."
"What do you want me to do to prove it? I can cut off my finger, my ear, how about an eye? Or maybe...you want something more...crazy?" Kat smiled as she pulled out a knife from under her skirt and put it in Kibe's face. She waved it side to side before she stabbed it in between Kibe's fingers.
"Lets try this huh? First, if you move your hand away or If I stab your hand, then you can ask me to do anything. I'll obey. If you move your hand away though or show any fear. Then I win." Kat smiled widely, Kibe just stared at her.
"And If you win?" Kibe asked
"Then I get to kill you!" Kat smiled, Kibe then put his hand out, Kat was taken aback by his quickness to do it, but she got started anyway. She began to poke the knife between each of his fingers, as she kept going. She got faster, and faster and faster! Until-
STAB
Kat had stabbed Kibe right in his index finger, her knife barley inside, but inside nonetheless. Kat looked at it and then to Kibe. Her face then got wider as she smiled more and more. Kibe hadn't even flinched.
"Oh wow, thats not even fair." Kat said as she looked into Kibe's eyes.
"I thought I was playing a game with someone, but no. Its not someone rather its something." Kat said, Kibe then inched closer to her. Her smile to looking at him.
"Keep what you heard a secret." Kibe said as he back up and looked at his hand.
"Roger that, but I want you to make me a promise." Kat asked, Kibe turned to her before he put the mask on.
"Play with me again, but next time. A game with more risk to it." Kat said, Kibe looked away as he put the mask on and grabbed goon #3's phone and his school bag. As he did, he'd begin to hack into the guy's phone on the way to the man's car. Kibe walked over to where he guy said. The motel down the street. Kibe looked around for the car, he then got a message on the guy's phone. He looked at it and saw it was group message, with someone called "big T" being the host of it.
"Almost got some good picks, meeting at the suite now." Kibe read the message, thats when a message would come in showing the address. Kibe looked at it and the left the phone. He walked back to the school and made it to the side of the auditorium where he had previously fought with the members of the black dragon. Kibe looked around and saw that Kat was gone and the dumpster was open. He then looked to the goon #3 who was still unconcise. He placed the phone back on him. He then went to the door leading inside and peeked in to still saw Jun and Mr. Nakayama there talking. The noise coming from the auditorium was much less than before. Kibe then walked back out closing the door. He grabbed the metal pipe from earlier and went to the dumpster. He looked around, still no one. Thats when he'd get the metal pipe and somehow, even though everyone was cheering and talking. The sound of Kibe's hitting that dumpster with the metal pipe sounded like a bomb had went off outside the building. Mr. Nakayama immediately shouted for everyone to get down as he ran outside with his pistol in hand. Jun watched her father go against the door, before peeking out to see no one there. He came out and pointed his gun wherever he could, he looked around him and saw nothing.
"What the hell was that noise?" Mr. Nakayama said as he walked around, he saw the metal pipe and kicked it a bit, thats before he saw goon #3 against the wall.
"HEY! You alright!? My god its a student." Mr. Nakayama said, thats when he saw the phone, he picked it up and looked at it. He saw all the text and messages, however any messages regarding Kibe had been deleted, unknown to him.
"Something being planned? For the special applicants of the play? What the hell?" Mr. Nakayama said
"FATHER!" Jun shouted as she rushed outside.
"JUN! I thought I told you to get down, not come outside." Mr. Nakayama shouted, Jun halted as she had completely forgotten that and instead went to help her father.
"I-...I'm sorry." Jun said with a disappointed tone.
"...This...the mentions of Tatsuo. This has to have something to do with him for sure. Jun, tell your mother I'm going to be late home. I need to go and look into this. We may have gotten closer to cracking this." Mr. Nakayama said as he started jogging to the front of the school, driving away to the police station. However on the other side of town, Kibe had driven home. He got out of the car, leaving the mask inside. He looked at his phone and saw the time. 5:24 PM. Kibe then went into his house and closed the door behind him. He picked up his shoes and walked to the stairs.
"Hey Kibey! How was school? I'm making some scones and sweet bread. American stuff." Mrs. Nori said
"It was alright, I have to go out with some friends from the chess club though. So I'll be back." Kibe said as he walked up stairs
"Ok, just be sure not to get into any trouble." she said
"Understood." Kibe said, as he walked into his room. He then hung his shoes on his door. He looked at them and saw they were bloody from kicking those goons from earlier. He then walked outside of his home and into they're backyard. He turned left and right next to their home was a door leading to their basement. Kibe opened it and walked down, turning on a light and down there in his basement was many things, mostly his mother's though. There were tons of workout equipment. From a treadmill to her own bench. Down there though, was a computer. Kibe then sat down at the desk, plugged his phone into it and put in a USB. He logged into it and began to login.
As he did, he then brought up multiple screens, each one with the locations of every member and person who is attached and, in the group chat he had seen on the phone. As he had hacked its simcard and the phone itself. Getting all the data from it and now, it was on his phone. Kibe looked at all of them.
"Now, let it begin." Kibe said.