Years ago. In a small town east of Ginza. In a foster home called Saint Terry's Home for Lost Girls. There were many women there, staff who were known and well educated with children. There were many girls there, on this particular day however. Kat would arrive outside of it from a police car, she was in handcuffs and roughly around 12yrs old. She was staring at the building. It was a bright pale blue, it had a feeling of authority to it. The officer then escorted her to the front door. When she walked inside she saw a variety of things.
She saw there was a children's area, where they colored and played with toys. She also saw the caretakers, they were older women who were all gathered at the front desk. "Hello ladies, sorry for the early call, just got this one out of the county. You'll want to hear this report before signing anything. If you're really serious about this." The officer said.
"We are sir, I'm Jin, I'm the head caretaker and you can speak with me." Said Jin as her and the officer walked away. Kat watched them leave before she then turned to the stairs leading up to the dorms and saw some girls looking at her. She saw them staring at her and pointing a little. Kat smiled at them.
The officer and Jin stopped a few paces away, the officer taking a quick look to Kat before looking at Jin. "Don't do this one Jin, she has charges of battery, assault and arson. For God's sake she wrote down a name of the other students at her school that she wanted to kill, to kill Jin. She's a lunatic.
I-I don't think this is right." The officer said.
"With all due respect officer, we've had ruddy and tough girls before. I know me and my staff can help her, she just needs someone to listen to her is all. What's her story?" Jin asked. The officer sighed as he read a file he had.
"Her father was a drunk, drunk himself to misery. He was killed by this girl's sister after raping her. After that the girl was taken into foster care, but ran away from every family she's been in.
The only family she didn't run from was a couple called the Hokus." The officer said.
"Oh? And why is that?" Jin asked.
"They all ended up dying in a bad car crash, they're brakes had been tampered with. Both the couple and they're baby boy were all killed after their car wouldn't stop at a railway. They were hit by a bullet train." The officer said. Jin looked at him and then to Kat. She was looking down at the ground, her feet picking at broken tile.
"...We...we can handle her. Thank you officer." Jin said. The officer looked at her worried before he waved her away "Alright, just be sure that a officer is here for the first week, no need to prove anything alright?" The officer said to which Jin nodded. He then walked over and took the handcuffs off of Kat who then immediately hugged him. He was preemptive to hug her back, infact he was shocked that she did. "Thank you so much officer, I sure hope you live the day to see you're daughter." Kat said, the officer got a chill up his spine.
He never told her that, somehow she had just read that off of him. Kat then let go of the officer as he coughed and nodded to them all before he left. Kat watched the officer leave. "Ever since I was young.
I've always been an outcast to so many. I didn't play like the other girls. I didn't talk like the other girls...I didn't look like the other girls.
Growing up....the idea never came to me. As I've always felt like I was a perfect level of maturity no matter my age. I accepted the world as it was from the moment I could speak, I never have once been deceived by the puppets and actors of the world. These non-living things going around calling themselves people. When really they all couldn't be further from the truth.
Why would I resist who I am, killers get set free everyday, rapist get away with the crime and horrible people still continue to pollute this world. Its their want to be better that makes them the worst.
Why should I deny how bad I am?" Kat thought. Thats when Jin and the other nurses woukd approach her. Jin took a knee to Kat and put a hand on her shoulder.
"So tell me Kat, what happened?" Jin asked.
"Nothing." Kat said. Thats when Kat would return to the present time, she looked at Kenji and Brandon once again. The two of them ready to begin again. The school day was beginning to come to its hall point.
"So one of us got the year right? Just exactly how good is this guy?" Kenji thought
"One year is right, the possibility that it could be either someone she knew is highly likely now. Or it could be someone she used to be pals with.
If its the year 1997 it has be someone older." Brandon thought "And if its 2001, then its someone younger. Her hint is just telling us one of us is right.
Kenji doesn't like to lose. Likely due to his relationship with Kibe. I can use that to my advantage, I can get him to act more irrationally. I need to find a way to get him to believe my answer is correct." Brandon thought.
"Hes going to try to bait me. I need to reverse his method and make it part of my strategy." Kenji thought. "He'll attempt to do the same to me, but even so, he'll have to give me some information about Kibe in order to prevent my deception." Brandon thought.
"Kibe can sort himself out of any problem that stems from this. Infact I wouldn't be suprised if thats exactly what he wants.
...that is if he truly does know this Fraudrin guy." Kenji thought.
The two of them then leaned focused on each other.
"1997." Kenji said, Brandon looked to him with curiosity.
"Thats what you think is correct? Really? I don't mean to brag, but 2001 is a more definite number. Its more likely that she would go for one closer to her date if birth, I can't see Kat being so interested in a time where she wasn't around." Brandon said
"Maybe, but you can't rule out the possibility that she could be a fan of some of the older gens famous delinquents. KIZZ, Scream, or even KILLERZ. All great bands and names from popular groups she is no doubt interested in." Kenji said "I've never heard of two of those names until you just said them." Kat said. Kenji looked at her, studied her posture and eyes quickly.
"No? Not even KIZZ? I figured that would be you're whole thing. Seeing how you are." Kenji said.
"And just how am I?" Kat asked. Kenji looked at her once again before answering.
"You're isolated, you don't care what people think. You like it that way." Kenji said. Kat smiled widely as she leaned aginst the table. "Oh please, go on. You're going to make blush." Kat said sarcastically.
"You see Kenji, people like Kat or really just Kat herself. She just likes herself. She is a narcissistic sadist; who finds pleasure in the misery of others, even her own.
In 2001, a lot of terrible things happened. One of them being 9/11 in New York city. The trading center. The birthday of America's paranoia towards the rest of the world." Brandon said. Kenji squinted his eyes at Brandon before he scratched his chin a little. Kat looked at Brandon too. Kenji noticed the eye contact between them, he began to assume that perhaps Brandon was infact onto something. He started to think that perhaps Brandon was infact correct in his guess.
"...Hes good. Really good. Theres still nothing that proves that it could be that date, but his read of her and his talk on the hardships of America did infact sound like a promising lead. Damnit, he is good.
There's no other way around it. I need to pull things my direction. Which means, rushing things along. He doesn't truly intend to drag this on long enough to actually use that hammer. Hes gutsy though, I can use that." Kenji thought.
"You know what, maybe you're right." Kenji said leaning back. Brandon took a minute to process what he said.
"What?" Brandon asked
"I said, you're right. Maybe. I'd be a fool to deny that 2001 wouldn't appeal to Kat's...uh...personality." Kenji said
"So you agree with me on the date then?" Brandon said. "Just the year. I believe I already have the date in mind." Kenji said as he wiped his mouth.
"Shit...this isn't good. If he's anything like Kibe, then he isn't bluffing. FUCK, I need to get something to prove his association with Kibe and that he's the white rabbit." Brandon thought as he leaned forward a bit. Some sweat on his palms. Kenji noticed his change in demeanor.
"Nervous Fraudrin? Feeling a little stressed maybe? You said you like to gamble big. How about we see of you're next guess can compete with mine." Kenji said, Kat smiled as she felt her chest a bit. Her heart was racing at the thought of these two men breaking their fingers.
"Just how far you going to go? I can't wait to see!" Kat thought as she held her face with anticipation. Thats when the two knew it was time. It was time for them to begin to guess.
Kenji grabbed the hammer and waved it casually as he stared at Brandon.
"Ready?" Kenji asked. Brandon took a deep breath and then looked to Kenji. "Ready." Brandon answered.
"Alright then, on the count of 3 then." Kat smiled as she began to feel her crouch. Her hands rubbing the spot between her legs, but the two men weren't looking at her. They were focused on one another.
"1!" Kat said with a joyful moan.
"2...3!!!" Kat shouted with suspense.
"September 1st, 2001." Brandon said
"October 4th, 2001." Kenji said, Kat recognized those dates immediately and just as they said she almost began to drool over them. She gave a sadistic smile as the two of them looked to one another.
"Oh my gosh! I don't know if I want to keep the date i worth or change it. You guys have such wonderful answers! The death of all those poor souls at the trading center, and the death of all those passengers on that flight.
Terrorism, what a way to assert dominance over another person." Kat said. "Yea...sure is." Brandon said
"So which one is the one then? Which is right and which is wrong." Kenji asked
"Yes. Indeed." Brandon said. Kat looked at them, she was getting ready to reveal which may be right, if either were.
"Well, as good of a answer as those are, you're both still wrong." Kat said Thats when Brandon would slam his hands on the table slightly spooking Kat, but her reaction was out of ecstasy. Kenji smirked as he watched Brandon's sweat go down his forehead. His eyes were shaky and filled with fear.
"FUCK!" Brandon shouted. Kat looked at him with a wide smile. "Scared?" She asked.
"So much for playing it big huh? Any regrets yet? I know I'd have some if I were you, but I'm not.
And I don't lose." Kenji said with a wry laugh, he looked over to the window. Clearly he was no longer concerned over the control of the game. It was now all his.
"Is that right? Is that why Kibe sent me here? To lose to you? Cause from how he worded it, you seemed like a easy mark." Brandon said
"Don't try to spin this, I see through what you're saying now. You honestly believe Kibe would put someone like you aginst me? Please.
What a insult." Kenji said.
"You just going to take that?" Kat asked with a grin. "No, for someone so high and mighty, you sure seem to feel the need to express your control over the situation.
Even though you never will be." Brandon said. Kenji still wasn't facing him.
"Yes thats exactly it, you're afraid of disappointing him." Brandon said, Kenji gave a small chuckle as he looked to Brandon unamused.
"Even though he embarrasses you and makes you look like a simpleton, you still put up with it.
You admire him. You want to be like him." Brandon said.
"You finished reaching? Cause this-"
"Oh not even close. Tell me something, when he first came to the chess club were you happy or disgusted?" Brandon asked. Kat was getting even more excited from all of this. Kenji looked at Brandon's eyes and vice versa. "Why do you care? Don't you see what he's done Fraudrin? He's pitted you against me in some attempt to deceive you, and to deceive..." that's when it hit Kenji. Thats when he realized just what was going on.
"Don't you see it?! Hes using you! He wants to see if you'll go the distance, but you can't. You're afraid of the consequences. You're afraid of failure. Just like poor old daddy, that's why he instilled it into you." Brandon said, that immediately got Kenji's attention. "Tell me I'm wrong, tell me you'll go the distance. Tell me your willing do whatever it takes to show him up." Brandon said. However Kenji couldn't answer.
"You see? Thats why I'm here, because I can, I have and I WILL!" Brandon shouted, thats when Kenji stood up. Both of them face to face now.
"Heheheh, oh my God this is fucking great." Kat said.
"SHUT UP!" Kenji shouted to Kat who didn't care. She was just enjoying herself. He then pointed to Brandon.
"You...you don't know a damn thing about me or how I feel about Kibe. You don't know anything. You don't know how far I will go, how much approval means to me." Kenji said
"Then prove it right now! You have the tool in you're hand. All it takes is just one good swing, whats a broken finger right?
What's a broken anything, when winning is on the table. A victory over Nori Kibe." Brandon said. Thats when Kenji remembered he was holding the hammer. He stared at it. Its steel and cold surface.
Thats when Kenji would have remember something, before Kibe left he met him at the runway to his airstrip. Kenji was leaning against a wall nearby the jet Kibe would be taking.
Kibe walked to him with his luggage. "Kenji, whats the occasion?" Kibe asked. Kenji looked off into the airstrip as other planes and private jets flew off into the sky. He then put his hands in his pockets.
"I want you to know what I did for you at the mall, that stunt. It won't be happening all the time. We aren't allies. Just occasional men both going down the same path." Kenji said. Kibe just stared at him. Blinking a few times as Kenji stared back.
"If you feel that way, then why are you here?" Kibe asked. "I'm here because I wanted to make that clear." Kenji said.
"You can lie to anyone you want Moriyama, but lying to me will get you no further than where you're standing." Kibe said as he walked past him and towards his jet. Kenji looked down before turning to him. Kibe kept walking towards the jet before stopping for a moment. He let go of it. Kibe then turned to Kenji. The wind howled around them, it was very dark night. Clouds covering the moon. Not a sign of light besides from the few around them and lamppost.
"...I don't have a shred of normalcy in my life Kenji. Not one since I can remember. Does it bother me? No. No not really. You can't miss something you have never related to or cherished before.
But, I would be a liar...of I didn't say these past few months. With you, Kiko and everything else. Has given me something to look forward to when I wake up these days. I know we may never be allies, but I do hope you can see me as a friend." Kibe said. Kenji looked at him with shock and suprise as the wind picked up for a moment. The two staring at each other.
"..."
"Mmm...goodbye Moriyama, see you when I get back." Kibe said.
Thats when Kenji would be brought back to reality. His mind now filled with Kibe's words. Kenji still staring at the hammer.
"You think you know him so well huh? Well let me show you, just how far I'm willing to go!" Brandon shouted as he yanked the hammer from Kenji and lifted it into the air. His hand placed flat on the table. Kenji looked at him.
"You want to be better than me? You want to be better than him? Then you need to be willing to risk it all! Every last DROP!" Brandon said. Kenji just stared at him.
"Thats why...thats why you and me are so different. Thats why..." Brandon stuttered. Brandon's mind began to race as sweat poured from his forehead.
"I need to reel it in, hes in my snare now! I've given him a nibble now all I need is to catch him. Everything points to him, he IS the trickster, but how can I prove it?! GIVE IT TO ME MORIYAMA! GIVE ME UNDENIABLE PROOF! Do it Wright, you've made gambles crazier than this!
Come on...DO IT!
DOOOO IIIITTT!" Brandon thought. Thats when he grew a devilish grin.
"THATS WHY I CAN DO THIS!" Brandon shouted as he raised the hammer high into the air ready to smash his index finger. However a few seconds before he did so there would be a knock at the door of the club.
Everyone froze, Brandon, Kenji and Kat all looked back at the door and saw it open. Thats when Kenji and Brandon would both be shocked at just who they saw.
Several minutes before.
In the conference room, Bato, Piko and Junna. Piko had a laptop that she had brought. She then set it down on the table. Bato sitting down from across them. "So what's going on?" Bato asked.
"That Brandon guy, he may have been right actually. We found this in Kibe's home." Piko said. "You entered his home?" Bato asked
"...Yes, we wanted to be sure." Piko said. "Just look what it shows though." She also said as she then clicked on a video thats was the only icon on screen. It then brought up a video showing the white rabbit himself. The mask, to the brown hair and even a dark coat.
Bato stared at the video. It was a live video, however he didn't speak. Instead small text of stick figures appeared at the bottom slowly sliding across the screen. It then went to a screen filled with colors for a brief moment. The screen was covered in 4x4 colored squares, each one a different color. There was over 30 to 50 squares. Bato looked at it and studied it as it was only up for a mere 3 seconds.
The video then ended. Piko closed the laptop. Junna stared at Bato.
"What do you make of it? Seems like code. I bet if we-"
"Its a red-herring." Bato said. "Huh?" Piko asked.
"The first code, its a poem from Alice in wonderland.
I'm a little lost
Like Alice,
I'm in a hurry
Like the white rabbit.
I'm a bit insane
Like the Cheshire cat,
I'm a tad crazy
Like the queen of hearts.
But most of all, I'm mad as the hatter.
Alice and wonderland." Bato said as he closed his eyes and folded his arms.
"Is it Nori?" Junna asked
"...Could be. It could also not be." Bato said "what do we do?" Piko asked
"We follow what the second code said." Bato said
"What was it?" Piko asked
"Hexahue. The message were directions to meet at the chess club around this exact time." Bato said. He then rested his eyes on them laptop.
"The messages both could be nothing, a simple distraction from Kibe or a follower. It seems that someone is trying to make either Kibe or me make a move.
If I were to make a move, this person no doubt woukd receive confirmation that Kibe and I have history. Which could prove troublesome. Someone is trying to get between me and Kibe, or Kibe wants it to seem that way.
Hmm...quite the crossroad." Bato thought, thats when he looked to Piko. "Did you act on your own on this?" Bato asked them. "No, we actually were told to do so." Junna answered which mildly shocked Bato.
"Really? By who?" Bato asked
"It was-"
"Eiji!?" Kenji said, as nonother than Eiji who was now standing in the club room. Brandon immediately got a intense feeling from him, something he didn't feel the first time he saw him. However his appearance meant something at this moment. Although, he still needed to know why it was him and not the one he really wanted to show up.
"Awww! No fun, you completely ruined the anticipation!" Kat groaned loudly.
"W-What are you doing here?" Kenji asked.
"I'm not, infact. I'm hoping after today, you both will pretend this conversation didn't happen." Eiji said to which all of them then looked at one another before staring at him again.
"I'm here because Nori kibe, is the white rabbit." Said Eiji.
Elsewhere in Ushin, Himmy was at her apartment. She was laying on her bed watching TV, her legs swinging as she played with her nails. Her eyes however would occur jump to her table which had a burner phone on it. She was waiting.
"...It wouldn't hurt him to call. Gosh, who figured he'd still be ghosting me even now.
...I wonder of he'd respond if I sent him a nude picture. Ewe, I can't believe I said that. What a creepy thought." Himmy said to herself. Her hands falling flat on the bed.
Thats when the phone would ring. She immediately jumped up and ran to the phone, picking it up. "Yes!" Himmy answered.
"Hi Himmy." Said Kibe on the other end. Himmy's cheeks got a little red at the sound of his voice. Hearing it again after so long was actually something good to her now. But she couldn't let him know that.
"Where the hell have you been? You should have called me days ago." Himmy said frustrated.
"Mmm sorry, I had a lot of thinking to do." Kibe said. "You mean planning or scheming?" Himmy said
"No real difference." Kibe said. Himmy sat down on her bed and leaned back.
"Well? Did you find out some way to beat this Bato guy? You mentioned needing to die before. What was that about." Himmy asked.
"It meant exactly as I said, Bato wanted to kill Nori Kibe.
So here, I managed to do that for him. When I return to tomorrow, the only thing he'll be facing.
Is the Machine." Kibe said. Himmy nodded from that.
"So, then what?" She asked
"I'll need to change up what I wanted before. No doubt Brandon has mad his move thanks to what I said to him before I left, same for Mr.Nakayama.
The only thing I need now is to make my motive known. We've studied the first act, waited through the second. Now it's time to begin the third act." Kibe said.