As Kira moved through the bustling streets of neo-Morioh, his mind wandered to the intriguing information he had uncovered on the cafe's community board. "The Morioh train station has undergone multiple changes since my time," he thought, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "The grand unveiling in 2193, captured in that photograph - quite futuristic compared to the 2123 and 2046 forms, dates that hold no meaning for me in this present context."
Kira paused, considering the coincidence. "Yet, how fortuitous that it aligns so perfectly with my current objectives, as if fate reminded me of the train station existence... It should be situated around the same location as in the past."
He continued his leisurely pace, his keen eyes scanning the faces of the passersby, taking in their unfamiliar features and foreign voices. Despite their strangeness, Kira couldn't shake the peculiar sense of connection he felt with these individuals, a bond that transcended the constraints of time and space.
"It's quite fortunate that in this world, much like my own, Stands remain invisible to normal people, it seems that those Quirks must be different than Stands, in origin at least." Kira pondered, his fingers idly tracing the contours of his chin. "Anyway, it is a comforting thought, indeed. It grants me the freedom to operate without the looming threat of discovery or unwanted attention."
Momentarily lost in his musings, Kira almost failed to notice the approaching man, his gaze fixed on the ground and his head bowed. However, as the distance between them diminished, Kira's senses, honed by years of meticulous practice and experience, quickly snapped into focus.
The Stand materialized beside him, its gauntleted hand poised and ready to strike. Kira watched, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes, as Killer Queen's hand moved with inhuman precision and speed, deftly plucking the man's wallet from his pocket. In a fraction of a second, the deed was done, and the wallet was securely tucked away in Kira's own pocket, hidden from prying eyes.
Kira maintained his composure, his expression neutral as he continued his walk, the very picture of a man without a care in the world. Behind him, the sound of confused and angry shouts began to rise, the man's voice tinged with panic as he realized his loss. "My wallet! It's gone! Someone's stolen it!" The words echoed through the street, a symphony of chaos that brought a faint smile to Kira's lips.
"A necessary evil," Kira mused, his thoughts as calm and unruffled as his outward demeanor. "A small price to pay for the means to continue my journey unhindered." He understood that such petty thievery was beneath him, a man of his intellect and power, but he also recognized the importance of blending in, of not drawing undue attention to himself.
As he walked, Kira's eyes scanned the surrounding area, searching for the perfect opportunity to further his little game. His gaze settled on another man, oblivious to the world around him, his attention focused on some distant thought or concern. A flicker of amusement danced in Kira's eyes as he called upon Killer Queen once more.
With a subtle flick of the Stand's wrist, the stolen wallet was deposited into the unsuspecting man's back pocket, nestled snugly against the fabric. He continued his walk as he examined the wallet's former contents with a critical eye. He extracted a handful of yen notes, his gaze lingering on the unfamiliar faces and designs that adorned the currency. Well, yen sure changed.
"Money is money, regardless of the world or the faces printed upon it," Kira mused, his voice low and contemplative. He pocketed the cash, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in a faint smile. 5,000 yen, all of them being 1,000-yen notes. "This should be more than enough for an uneventful train ride."
As Kira walked away from the scene, his steps measured and unhurried, the man in the faded blue jacket suddenly noticed something peculiar. There, peeking out from the back pocket of the man in the crisp white shirt, was a familiar sight - his own wallet. The realization hit him like a thunderbolt, his eyes widening in a mix of disbelief and rage.
"You! You stole my wallet!" the man in the blue jacket shouted, his voice cutting through the bustling noise of the street. He lunged forward, his hand outstretched, ready to grab the thief by the shoulder and confront him.
The man in the white shirt spun around, his face a picture of confusion and indignation. "What are you talking about? I didn't steal anything!" he retorted, his brow furrowed in anger.
But the man in the blue jacket was not to be deterred. He pointed an accusing finger at the wallet protruding from the other man's pocket, his eyes blazing with fury. "Don't play dumb with me! That's my wallet, and you know it!"
The man in the white shirt glanced down at his pocket, his expression shifting from confusion to shock as he noticed the unfamiliar wallet. "What the hell? How did that get there?" he sputtered, his hands instinctively moving to remove the offending item.
But the man in the blue jacket was faster. He snatched the wallet from the other man's pocket, his fingers trembling with rage as he flipped it open to confirm its contents. "You lying bastard! You thought you could just walk away with my hard-earned cash?" he snarled, his face contorted in a mask of anger.
The man in the white shirt took a step back, his hands raised in a gesture of surrender. "Listen, I don't know how that wallet got in my pocket, but I swear I didn't take it!" he pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation.
The man in the blue jacket scoffed, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Do you take me for a fool? You slowed down after passing me I saw that! Don't you could just slip away unnoticed!" He took a menacing step forward, his fists clenched at his sides.
The man in the white shirt's face flushed with anger, his own hands balling into fists as he squared off against his accuser. "Who are you calling a thief, you delusional prick? I told you, I didn't take your damn wallet!"
The two men stood mere inches apart, their chests heaving with barely contained rage. The air around them crackled with tension, the sound of their heated words drawing the attention of nearby pedestrians. Curious onlookers began to gather, their whispers and murmurs adding to the growing chaos of the scene, however, Kira was long gone.
x-x-x
The scene shifted, the chaos of the immediate aftermath giving way to a more somber, structured atmosphere as the police arrived on the scene. The cafe was now cordoned off with yellow police tape, the flashing red and blue lights of the squad cars casting an eerie glow over the proceedings.
Inside, the waitress sat at a table, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she recounted her story to the police officer sitting across from her. Her voice was shaky, her eyes still wide with residual shock and fear as she described the events of the last hour in painstaking detail.
"...and then he just... disappeared," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "There was this flash of light, and a sound like... like a muffled explosion. And when I looked back, there was nothing left of him. Not even a trace."
The police officer nodded, his pen scratching across the surface of his notepad as he took down her statement. He had seen a lot of strange things in his time on the force, but this... this was something else entirely.
"And you're sure there was nothing left?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral. "No... remains, or anything like that?"
The waitress shook her head, her lips trembling. "No, nothing," she said softly. "It was like he had just... ceased to exist. Like he had been erased from the world entirely."
The police officer frowned, his brow furrowing in thought. He had heard of quirks that could do some pretty incredible things, but complete and instantaneous vaporization of a human body? That was a new one, even for him.
Just then, the bell above the cafe door jingled, signaling the arrival of a new visitor. The police officer looked up, his eyes widening slightly as he caught sight of the figure standing in the doorway.
He was an older man, with a shock of grey hair. He was dressed in a simple but well-tailored suit, his posture straight and proud despite the slight stoop of his shoulders. But it was his eyes that truly caught the police officer's attention - they were a piercing brown, sharp and intelligent, with a depth of knowledge and experience that seemed to belie his age.
The waitress looked up at the sound of the bell, her face breaking into a small, relieved smile as she caught sight of the newcomer. "Ah, Higashikata-san," she said, rising to her feet and bowing deeply. "Welcome back. I'm so sorry for the commotion, we had a bit of an... incident earlier."
The man - Higashikata Ryohei - waved away her apology with a small, understanding smile. "No need to apologize, my dear," he said, his voice deep and calming. "I heard about what happened on my way over. I'm just glad to see that you're alright."
He turned to the police officer, his expression growing more serious. "Officer," he said, nodding in greeting. "I trust that you're doing everything in your power to get to the bottom of this?"
The police officer nodded, rising to his feet and bowing slightly in return. "Of course, Chief," he said, his voice respectful. "We're taking statements from all the witnesses and gathering what evidence we can. But I have to admit, this is a bit of a strange one."
Higashikata raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Oh?" he said, his voice calm but curious. "How so?"
The police officer hesitated for a moment, glancing at the waitress before continuing. "Well, according to the witness statements, the suspect just... vanished," he said, his voice low and uncertain. "There was a flash of light, and then... nothing. No body, no remains, not even a trace of ash or residue. It's like he was just... erased from existence."
Higashikata frowned, his eyes narrowing in thought. "I see," he said slowly, his mind already racing with possibilities. "And there was no sign of any quirk usage from anyone else in the cafe? No other suspects or persons of interest?"
The police officer shook his head. "No, sir," he said, his voice firm. "As far as we can tell, the suspect was acting alone. And none of the other witnesses reported seeing anyone else using a quirk during the incident."
Higashikata nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Very well," he said, his voice calm and measured. "Keep me informed of any new developments, officer. I have a feeling that this case may be more complex than it appears at first glance."
The police officer nodded, his posture straightening slightly at the note of authority in Higashikata's voice. "Of course, sir," he said, bowing once more. "We'll do everything we can to get to the bottom of this."
Higashikata smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I have no doubt that you will, officer," he said, his voice warm and reassuring. "In the meantime, I think it's best if we let this young lady get some rest. She's been through quite an ordeal today."
He turned back to the waitress, his expression softening. "Take the rest of the day off, my dear," he said gently, reaching out to pat her hand. "Get some rest, and don't worry about anything. We'll take care of everything from here."
Higashikata's smile faded slightly, his brow furrowing in concern as he turned back to the police officer. "Officer," he said, his voice low and serious. "Have you taken statements from all the witnesses?"
The police officer hesitated for a moment, glancing down at his notepad before responding. "Well, sir," he said slowly, his voice uncertain. "We've taken statements from everyone who was still on the scene when we arrived. But according to everyone, there was one man who left before we got here."
Higashikata's eyes narrowed, his gaze shifting to the waitress. "Is that true, my dear?" he asked, his voice gentle but probing. "Can you tell me more about this man?"
The waitress nodded, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. "Yes, Higashikata-san," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "He was here when the robber first came in. He was sitting at a table by the window, drinking a cup of tea. But after the robber... disappeared, he said he had to leave. Something about an important meeting he couldn't miss."
Higashikata's frown deepened, his mind racing with possibilities. "I see," he said slowly, his voice thoughtful. "This man who left before the police arrived," he said, his voice low and serious. "Did you notice anything unusual about his behavior during the robbery? Did he seem nervous or agitated, or did he make any suspicious movements?"
The waitress hesitated, her brow furrowing as she tried to remember. "I... I don't think so, I mean, I didn't see anything obvious," she said, her voice uncertain. "He seemed just as shocked as everyone else during the robbery and when the robber vanished. But..."
She trailed off, her eyes widening slightly as a sudden thought occurred to her. "Come to think of it," she said slowly, her voice growing more confident. "He did say something a bit odd, right before he left. Something about being grateful for my kindness, and how if it hadn't been for the free cup of tea, who knows what might have happened."
Higashikata's eyebrows shot up, his interest piqued. "A free cup of tea?" he repeated, his voice sharp with surprise. "And you're sure he said that? That he was grateful for your kindness?"
The waitress nodded, her expression confused. "Yes, Higashikata-san," she said, her voice certain. "I remember it clearly because it seemed like such an odd thing to say, given the circumstances. But I didn't think much of it at the time, what with everything else that was going on."
Higashikata nodded, his expression thoughtful. He turned back to the police officer, his gaze intense. "Officer," he said, his voice low and urgent. "I think it's imperative that we find this man and bring him in for questioning. If he left the scene before your arrival, it's possible that he may have seen or heard something that could shed light on this incident."
The police officer nodded, his posture straightening as he sensed the urgency in Higashikata's voice. "Of course, sir," he said, his hand already reaching for his radio. "I'll put out an APB and have my men canvas the area. We'll find him."
Higashikata nodded, his expression grim. "See that you do, officer," he said, his voice low and serious. "I have a feeling that this man may be the key to unraveling this mystery."
He turned back to the waitress, his expression softening slightly. "Can you describe this man?" he asked gently, his voice encouraging. "What did he look like? What was he wearing?"
The waitress closed her eyes, her brow furrowing in concentration as she tried to conjure up a clear image of the man in her mind. She took a deep breath, her voice calm and steady as she began to describe him in detail.
"He was young, probably in his late twenties or early thirties," she said, her eyes still closed. "He had dark black hair combed backward, but there were these odd white outlines between his hair. It was a strange style, not something you see every day."
She paused for a moment, her lips pursed in thought. "His face was handsome, I suppose," she continued, her voice distant. "He had high cheekbones and a strong jawline, and his skin was pale and smooth.
Higashikata leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Go on," he said gently, his voice encouraging.
The waitress nodded, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. "He was dressed nicely like he was going to a fancy office job or something. He had on a white suit, well-tailored and expensive-looking. Also, he has a strange-looking green tie with skulls on it resembling felines."
Higashikata nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good," he said, his voice warm with approval. "That's very helpful, my dear. Thank you." He glanced at the police officer, who was scribbling furiously in his notebook. "Did you get all that?" he asked, his voice sharp.
The police officer nodded, his eyes still on his notes. "Yes, sir," he said, his voice firm.
He turned toward the police officer, his gaze sharp and focused. "I want this man found," he said, his voice low and intense. "Whatever it takes. I have a feeling that he may be more involved in this incident than he's letting on considering his actions."
The police officer nodded, his expression serious. "We'll find him, sir," he said, his voice firm with determination. "You can count on it."
Higashikata nodded, his lips pressed together in a thin line. He had a sinking feeling that this case was far from over, that there were dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly simple robbery gone wrong.
But he was determined to get to the bottom of it, to unravel the tangled web of lies and deceit that seemed to surround this mysterious disappearance.
With that, he turned and strode out of the cafe, his posture straight and proud as he disappeared into the bustling streets of the city. The police officer watched him go, a small frown creasing his brow.
There was something about this case that didn't quite add up, something that tugged at the edges of his mind like a half-remembered dream. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he had a feeling that Higashikata was right - there was more to this incident than met the eye.
x-x-x
As Kira made his way towards the train station, his mind still savoring the delicious chaos he had left in his wake. Amidst the sea of ordinary faces, there were those who stood out like beacons, their outlandish attire and larger-than-life presence drawing the eye like moths to a flame.
At first, Kira paid them little heed, his focus solely on reaching his destination without drawing undue attention to himself. But as he walked, he began to notice a pattern emerging. These flamboyantly dressed individuals seemed to move with a purpose, their strides confident and their eyes alert, as if they were constantly scanning their surroundings for some unseen threat.
"Heroes," Kira muttered under his breath, a hint of disgust coloring his tone. "Or at least, that's what they fancy themselves."
There was a man in a skintight red and blue bodysuit, his face obscured by a mask that left only his eyes and mouth exposed. A woman in a flowing green cape, her hair a shocking shade of purple and her eyes gleaming with excitement and eagerness. A man in his twenties in a black leather jacket, his hair spiked and his ears adorned with a multitude of piercings, a guitar slung across his back like a weapon.
As the group of heroes passed by, the woman in the green cape, known as Emerald Enchantress, turned to her red and blue-clad companion, Captain Courageous, and remarked with a grin, "Did you see the way those kids were looking at us? They totally wanted our autographs!"
Captain Courageous chuckled, his eyes crinkling behind his mask as he replied, "Well, that's the price of fame, I suppose. But remember, we're here to help people, not to stroke our own egos."
The young man with the guitar, who went by the name of Soundwave, rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Speak for yourself, Cap. I'm just here to rock and roll."
Emerald Enchantress laughed and playfully punched Soundwave's arm, her eyes sparkling with mirth as they continued their patrol.
As he watched them pass by with a sort of detached fascination, his eyes tracking their movements with the clinical precision of a scientist observing a particularly interesting specimen. He couldn't help but wonder what had driven them to this life, what had compelled them to don these outrageous outfits and set themselves up as protectors of the weak and helpless.
Was it a sense of duty, a burning desire to make a difference in a world that often seemed so cold and uncaring? A need for attention, perhaps, a craving for the adulation of the masses? Or maybe it was simply a way to escape the drudgery of everyday life, to feel special and important in a world that so often made one feel small and insignificant.
Whatever their reasons, Kira found himself strangely grateful for their presence. In a world where he was the outsider, the stranger in a strange land, these colorful characters made him feel almost invisible by comparison. With their eye-catching costumes and their larger-than-life personalities, they drew the attention of the crowds like a magnet, leaving Kira free to move through the throng unnoticed and unremarked.
It was a strange sort of camouflage, one that he had never had cause to employ before. In his old life, he had always taken great pains to blend in, to be the unremarkable face in the crowd, the man that no one looked at twice. But here, in this world of heroes and villains, of capes and cowls and secret identities, it seemed that the key to anonymity was to stand out, to be so outrageous, so over-the-top, that one became just another part of the scenery.
As Kira stepped into the train station, he was immediately struck by the sleek, modern yet futuristic design that surrounded him. The walls were a pristine white, almost blindingly so, broken up only by the large windows that allowed the midday sun to pour in, bathing the interior in a warm, natural glow. The floor beneath his feet was a polished gray stone, so smooth and reflective that he could almost make out his own features in its surface. Above him, the ceiling soared, supported by gleaming metal beams that arched gracefully overhead, their curves and angles reminiscent of some futuristic sculpture.
"Wow, this is completely different than what I used to know, there are no similarities to the old station..."
The large electronic board that dominated one wall displayed the train schedules in both Japanese and English, the characters and letters scrolling by in a mesmerizing dance of light and color. Vending machines lined the opposite wall, their brightly lit facades offering an array of drinks and snacks, from steaming hot coffee to icy cold green tea to a dizzying variety of sweet and savory treats.
But what caught Kira's eye more than anything else were the advertisements that seemed to cover every available surface. Posters and billboards featured larger-than-life images of the colorful, flamboyant heroes that appeared to be the lifeblood of this society. There was All-Might, the legendary symbol of peace, with his impossibly broad shoulders and dazzling smile. Endeavor, the flame-haired hero known for his intensity and unwavering dedication to justice. And countless others, their bold, eye-catching designs and catchy slogans promoting everything from action figures to clothing to limited-edition collectibles.
As Kira approached the ticket machines, he was confronted with a sight that left him utterly dumbfounded. The sleek, modern contraptions before him bore little resemblance to the ticket booths and counters he was accustomed to back in Morioh. In place of the familiar human attendants and their reassuring presence, he found himself facing a wall of glassy, brightly lit screens that seemed to pulse with a life of their own.
"What on earth..." Kira muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing as he took in the alien sight. He had heard of these advanced ticket machines, of course - they were becoming increasingly common in the larger train stations across Japan - but he had never actually used one himself. In Morioh, such technologies were still a rarity, the stuff of science fiction.
Hesitantly, Kira stepped closer to one of the ticket machines, his eyes scanning the array of buttons and options displayed on the screen. He noticed that the machine offered a choice between purchasing individual tickets or recharging a prepaid IC card. Kira had heard of these cards - they were quite new, it was introduced around 1997 in the Kansai region, allowing them to simply tap in and out of the ticket gates without the hassle of purchasing a ticket each time.
However, given his unfamiliarity with the system and his lack of a prepaid card, Kira opted to purchase an individual ticket. He studied the route map displayed on the screen, trying to make sense of the intricate web of lines and stations. After a moment of deliberation, he selected his destination and proceeded to the payment screen.
To his surprise, the machine offered a variety of payment options, including cash, credit card, and even mobile payment. "How could someone pay with a mobile phone?" Kira wondered as he fished out the stolen cash, extracting the right amount of fee, 1000 yen perfectly. Inflation was a sure thing, as back in the past this should have been around 350 yen. He fed it into the machine. The device whirred to life, processing the payment with a series of beeps and flashes.
As he waited for his ticket to emerge, Kira couldn't help but marvel at the efficiency and speed of the process. In a matter of seconds, the machine dispensed his ticket, along with a small receipt.
Now ticket in hand, Kira made his way towards the ticket gates, which stood as a gleaming row of automated barriers. He watched as other passengers approached the gates, some tapping their IC cards against the sensors, others feeding their tickets into the slots. Kira followed suit, inserting his ticket into the designated slot and waiting for the gate to open.
With a soft beep and a click, the gate parted, granting Kira access to the platform beyond. As he stepped through, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment, a satisfaction that came from successfully navigating this unfamiliar system.
"So, this is how it goes in big cities," Kira thought to himself, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as pocketed the ticket away. "Well, I suppose I can live with that..."
However, before he could walk through the gate a sudden, harsh yowling noise shattered the relative tranquility of the station. The piercing sound and feeling in his abdomen sent a jolt through his body making him hold onto his abdomen, his heart pounding against his ribcage in a frantic staccato. The familiar yet utterly unexpected noise in this foreign environment caused Kira to whirl around toward the source, his eyes widening in a mixture of shock.
From within the shimmering, ethereal form of Killer Queen, his companion summoned without his master's command, Stray Cat burst forth with a ferocious, guttural snarl that reverberated through the cavernous station. The plant-like Stand, emerged as Killer Queen's abdomen split open. Stray Cat tumbled out, its bulbous form striking the cold, unyielding tiles with a dull thud. In the whirlwind of events that had engulfed Kira, the presence of Stray Cat in Killer Queen had completely slipped his mind.
Stray Cat's leaves bristled with unbridled fury and disorientation, its hisses and spits filling the air like a discordant symphony. Nearby shoppers recoiled in a mixture of horror and morbid fascination, their expressions contorted into masks of fear and incredulity. A wide-eyed child pointed excitedly, tugging at his mother's sleeve with insistent urgency, while some fumbled for their phones, eager to capture this bizarre spectacle for posterity.
"Quiet down, you little...!" Kira hissed through clenched teeth almost cursing, his voice a harsh whisper as he lunged towards Stray Cat. Gone was his usual icy composure, replaced by a palpable undercurrent of panic that threatened to consume him. Despite the relief at seeing his deadly companion in this strange new world, Kira cursed the timing and the unwanted attention Stray Cat's appearance had drawn.
As Kira approached, Stray Cat's eyes flickered with a glimmer of recognition, yet its agitation remained unabated. The plant's grotesque, flower-like body swayed menacingly, its leaves rustling. Kira reached out, his fingers trembling slightly as he attempted to soothe the creature, but Stray Cat's leafy tendrils recoiled from his touch as if burned, still reeling from its abrupt and disorienting liberation.
Curious faces and the glint of smartphone cameras targeted the two as now multiple people watched them. Kira's mind raced, acutely aware of the need for swift and decisive action.
"Listen up," Kira murmured, his voice barely audible above the growing din of the crowd. "This isn't... our Morioh anymore. Things have changed. No more of your usual antics got it?"
Stray Cat's agitation seemed to ebb slightly, its leaves settling as if absorbing the weight of Kira's words. The creature's expressive eyes, pools of intelligence and mischief, reflected a flicker of understanding mingled with lingering suspicion. It surveyed its surroundings, taking in the alien glow of the ticket machines and the sea of unfamiliar faces, a jarring contrast to the comforting familiarity of Morioh's streets.
Kira's gaze darted anxiously around the station, his heart pounding in his ears. The bystanders continued to gawk, their whispers and the incessant clicking of cameras filling the air. He knew he had to extract Stray Cat from this unwanted spotlight, to reassert control over the rapidly deteriorating situation. With a swift, fluid motion, Kira scooped up Stray Cat, tucking the creature securely under his arm like an oversized, grotesque bouquet.
"We're getting out of here. Now," Kira muttered, his voice laced with steely determination despite the underlying current of urgency. He strode purposefully towards the exit, his footsteps echoing with a newfound resolve. Stray Cat, nestled under his arm, seemed to accept its fate, its body relaxing ever so slightly as they made their escape.
As Kira hurried towards the exit, his mind raced with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The unexpected appearance of Stray Cat had thrown a wrench into his plans, drawing unwanted attention and complicating his already precarious situation. With the creature tucked securely under his arm, Kira quickened his pace, desperate to escape the prying eyes and curious gazes of the onlookers.
Just as he neared the station's entrance, a sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. He couldn't simply walk out into the street with Stray Cat exposed for all to see. The plant-like Stand, with its bizarre appearance and unpredictable nature, would only invite further scrutiny and raise more questions than he was willing to answer. No, he needed to conceal Stray Cat, to tuck it away from the world's prying eyes. His eyes searched for restrooms so he could finish this business.
His eyes darted around the station, desperately searching for a place of refuge, a sanctuary where he could tuck Stray Cat away without anyone grazing its eyes on them.
His gaze settled on the restrooms, a glimmer of hope sparking in his chest. If he could just reach the privacy of a stall, he could take the necessary steps to hide Stray Cat within the confines of Killer Queen's waiting abdomen. However, as he approached the facilities, his heart sank. Affixed to the doors of both the male and female restrooms were signs bearing a message that shattered his hopes: "Out of Order."
Kira's lips pressed into a thin line, a mixture of frustration and desperation welling up inside him. It seemed that fate had dealt him yet another cruel hand, denying him even the simple comfort of a functional restroom. He was left with no choice but to carry out his task in the liminal space between the station's entrance and the outside world, a precarious position that left him vulnerable to prying eyes and curious onlookers.
With a heavy sigh, Kira steeled himself for the challenge ahead. He would have to be quick, efficient, and above all, discreet. The stakes were high, and he couldn't afford to make a single misstep. As he stepped towards the threshold, Stray Cat tucked securely under his arm, Kira's mind raced with the intricacies of the task at hand.
With a sense of grim determination, Kira summoned Killer Queen, materializing beside him in a shimmering haze. Kira knew what he had to do, even if the prospect filled him with a sense of dread.
"Alright, kitty," Kira muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as he addressed Stray Cat. "It's time for you to go back where you belong."
Stray Cat, however, had other ideas. As Kira attempted to shove the creature back into Killer Queen's waiting abdomen, Stray Cat let out a ferocious hiss, its leaves bristling with defiance. The plant-like Stand squirmed and thrashed in Kira's grip, its tendrils lashing out like whips, leaving stinging welts on Kira's skin.
Kira's face contorted in a grimace of unadulterated agony and seething frustration as he grappled with the rebellious Stray Cat, the plant-like Stand thrashing and writhing in his grasp with a ferocity that belied its seemingly innocuous appearance. The creature's resistance was fierce, fueled by a primal hunger and an obstinate refusal to be confined once more within the depths of Killer Queen's waiting abdomen. Kira's hands, already bearing the marks of their previous struggle, angry red welts, and blistering burns, became the unwitting targets of Stray Cat's renewed fury.
Invisible to the naked eye, Stray Cat began to form air bubbles, each one taking on a deadly, nail-like shape that promised nothing but pain and suffering. These projectiles, imbued with the Stand's malevolent power, hurtled toward Kira's exposed skin with terrifying precision and speed, guided by an instinctive desire to inflict maximum damage. The first impact caught Kira off guard, a sudden, searing pain that lanced through his palm like a white-hot needle, sending shockwaves of agony racing up his arm.
"Gah!" Kira hissed through clenched teeth, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief as he felt the air bubble pierce his flesh, burrowing deep into the tender meat of his palm. Blood welled up from the wound, a crimson bead that stood in stark contrast to his pale, clammy skin. But there was no time to dwell on the injury, no respite from the onslaught, as more of Stray Cat's air-nails found their mark with unerring accuracy.
Each air needle burst against Kira's hands with a sickening pop, leaving behind a constellation of bloody punctures that wept crimson tears. The pain was excruciating, a relentless assault that threatened to break Kira's resolve and send him spiraling into the depths of despair. He could feel the air-nails burrowing deep into his skin, tearing through muscle and sinew with ruthless efficiency, as if they were guided by a malevolent intelligence hell-bent on his destruction.
"Damn it, Stray Cat!" Kira growled, his voice a guttural rasp that dripped with equal parts pain and rage. "I am your master, and you will obey me!"
Kira's mind raced, his thoughts consumed by the searing agony that engulfed his hands, a pain so intense that it threatened to white out his vision and send him crashing to his knees. He knew he had to act fast, to put an end to Stray Cat's rebellion before it could do any more damage, before it could jeopardize his carefully laid plans and expose him to the world's prying eyes. With a burst of desperate strength, Kira tightened his grip on the squirming creature, his fingers digging into its leafy flesh with bruising force, as if he could crush the defiance out of it through sheer force of will.
Stray Cat let out a shrill, piercing cry, its body convulsing as it fought against Kira's iron grasp, the sound a mixture of pain and primal fury. But Kira was relentless, driven by a potent cocktail of agony and desperation, a man pushed to the brink of his endurance. He yanked Stray Cat towards Killer Queen's waiting abdomen, the Stand's form shimmering into existence beside him, its presence a cold comfort in the face of such unrelenting pain.
For a fleeting moment, a dark thought flashed through Kira's mind, a temptation that whispered seductively in his ear. He could end this right now, could use Killer Queen's power to obliterate Stray Cat once and for all, to erase this troublesome creature from existence with a single, decisive blow. It would be so easy, so satisfying, to watch Stray Cat disintegrate into nothingness, to feel its essence scatter to the winds like so much ash.
"I could do it," Kira muttered, his voice a hoarse whisper that dripped with barely contained malice. "I could rid myself of this troublesome Stand and be done with it. It would be so simple, so final."
His hand twitched, fingers flexing as he considered the tempting prospect, the promise of sweet release from the torment that Stray Cat had inflicted upon him. But even through the haze of pain and anger, even as his vision swam and his mind reeled, Kira knew he couldn't do it. Stray Cat, for all its defiance and unpredictability, was still an invaluable asset, a weapon that could tip the scales when the most needed. And in this strange new world, where danger could lurk around every corner, Kira needed every advantage he could get.
"No," Kira hissed, his voice a strained whisper as he fought to master his rage, to quell the murderous impulses that surged through his veins. "I need you, Stray Cat. As much as it pains me to admit it, I cannot afford to lose you. Not now, not when so much hangs in the balance."
With a final, herculean effort, Kira shoved Stray Cat into Killer Queen's abdomen, the Stand's form sealing shut around the thrashing creature with a sickening squelch. The sudden absence of Stray Cat's struggles left Kira reeling, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he stumbled back, his legs trembling beneath him as the adrenaline began to fade and the true extent of his injuries made itself known.
Kira's hands throbbed with a dull, persistent ache, the wounds left by Stray Cat's air-nails still weeping blood. He cradled his injured hands against his napkin that he held on himself before venturing from Kawajiri residence, his mind racing as he tried to process the events of the last few minutes, to come to terms with the fact that he had very nearly lost control, and had come perilously close to succumbing to his baser instincts.
As Kira fought to catch his breath, a sudden sight cut through the chaos, causing his blood to run cold. The distant sound of a car engine caught his attention, and as he turned his head, he saw a police car slowly cruising down the street while others zoomed past it.
As the police car drew closer, Kira could make out the faces of the two officers inside, their expressions serious and intent as they scanned the street. For a moment, their gazes locked onto Kira, and he felt a jolt of pure, unadulterated terror shoot through his body.
The officers seemed to slow down, their car crawling to a stop just a few meters away from where Kira stood. Through the windshield, he could see them exchange a meaningful glance as if confirming something between themselves. The sight made Kira's blood run cold, his mind reeling with the implications of what this could mean.
"It must be that damned waitress, or perhaps one of the other customers from the cafe," Kira muttered under his breath, his voice a hoarse, bitter rasp. "They must have given their statement to the police and they found me suspicious enough to follow. Damn it all!"
Kira couldn't believe he had allowed himself to be so careless, to step in and save that girl who had shown him a moment's kindness. It was a mistake, a foolish act of sentimentality that he now deeply regretted. The memory of her grateful smile, the way her eyes had shone with warmth and appreciation, now made his skin crawl with disgust.
"I should have left her to her fate," Kira hissed, his hands clenching into fists at his sides, ignoring the sharp stab of pain that shot through his injured palms. "I should have acted like a normal citizen and let her fend for herself. What the hell was I thinking, risking everything for a stranger?"
The realization that he had acted so impulsively, so recklessly, filled Kira with a deep sense of self-loathing. He had always prided himself on his careful planning, his meticulous attention to detail. But now, in a moment of weakness, he had thrown all of that away, and for what?
Kira's mind flashed back to the incident with Shinobu, the way he had leaped to her defense without a second thought when Stray Cat had attacked as it awakened its stand power. It was the same damn mistake, the same foolish impulse that had now landed him in this precarious situation... He forced himself to think it was only to preserve his identity as Kosaku, her husband, but deep down he knew something was changing inside of him, and it terrified him.
"I'm getting sloppy," Kira muttered, his voice dripping with self-contempt. "Too damn affectionate for my own good. It's disgusting, pathetic. I should know better than to let my emotions cloud my judgment like this."
As the police car continued to idle just a few meters away, Kira's mind raced with the possibilities of what he could do. He could try to run, to flee the scene before the officers had a chance to confront him. But with his injured hand and the unpredictable nature of Stray Cat still lurking within him, he knew that was a risky gambit at best.
Alternatively, he could try to bluff his way out of the situation, to play the innocent bystander and hope that the officers hadn't gotten a good look at his face. But even as the thought crossed his mind, Kira knew it was a long shot. His appearance was hardly inconspicuous, and if the waitress had given a detailed description of him, he would be hard-pressed to talk his way out of it.
"Damn it all to hell," Kira growled, his mind churning with the weight of his own mistakes. "I never should have let myself get involved. I should have stuck to the plan and kept my head down and my nose clean."
As the police car's engine continued to idle, the sound of a low, ominous drone in the otherwise quiet parking lot at the station. Kira knew he had to make a decision. He couldn't just stand there and wait for the officers to make their move. He had to act, and fast, before it was too late.
With a deep, shuddering breath, Kira straightened his spine and squared his shoulders, his eyes narrowing with a newfound resolve. He had come too far, had sacrificed too much, to let a moment's weakness be his undoing. He would find a way out of this, one way or another.
"Alright, Yoshikage," he muttered under his breath, his voice a low, determined growl. "Time to put that brilliant mind of yours to work. You've gotten out of tighter spots than this before, and you'll do it again. Just stay calm, stay focused, and above all else, stay in control."
Kira's heart raced as he heard the distant announcement echoing from the train station, the words cutting through the tense atmosphere like a knife. "Train Joetsu Shinkansen bound for Niigata with stops in Natori, arriving in five minutes. All passengers, please proceed to the platform."
The message was clear, he had to stall the policemen out for five minutes to make his escape. He had to act fast, had to find a way to buy himself enough time to slip away before the police could close in on him.
Kira's mind whirred with possibilities, his brilliant intellect working overtime to find a solution to this seemingly impossible situation. He glanced down at his injured hands, still cradling the napkin that was now stained with his own blood. The wounds were a liability, a weakness that he couldn't afford to show in front of the officers.
With a quick, decisive motion, Kira stuffed the napkin into his pocket, ignoring the sharp stab of pain that shot through his palms as he did so. He had to maintain an air of calm, of innocence, if he was going to have any chance of bluffing his way out of this.
Taking a deep breath, Kira put on his most disarming smile, the same charming grin that had won over so many unsuspecting victims in the past. He knew that he had to play the part of the confused, slightly annoyed citizen, someone who had no idea why the police would be interested in him.
With a casual, unhurried stride, Kira began to walk towards the police car, his eyes locked on the officers as they watched him approach. He could feel their gazes boring into him, could sense the suspicion and unease that radiated from them like a physical force.
"Officers," Kira called out, his voice strong and steady despite the turmoil that raged within him. "Is there a problem? I couldn't help but notice you've been watching me."
The two policemen exchanged a glance, and Kira could see the hesitation in their eyes. They were unsure, he realized, not entirely convinced that he was the man they were looking for, and even if he was walking right at them would be stupid, if not idiotically genius. It was a small opening, but it was all he needed.
"I'm just waiting for my train," Kira continued, gesturing towards the station with a nonchalant wave of his hand. "I have a business meeting in Natori that I can't afford to miss. Surely you understand."
The officers looked at each other again, this was the target for sure, and Kira could see their eyes instantly locked into his expressions watchful for any tiny changes.
"Sir, if I may!" Kira froze, his blood running cold as he slowly made eye contact with the questioning officer. They were both staring at him intently, their eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"Is there something, officers?" Kira asked, forcing his voice to remain calm and steady.
The older of the two policemen looked at his pocket, his gaze locked on Kira's hands as it was slightly out from his pocket enough to see the bloodied napkin around his hand. "What's that you've got there, sir? Is that a napkin around your right hand? And is that... blood?"
Kira's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a plausible explanation. He glanced down at his hand, still wrapped in the bloodied napkin, and cursed Stray Cat's antics.
"Ah, this?" Kira said, holding up his hands with a rueful smile. "Just a little accident, I'm afraid. I was in a bit of a rush to catch my train and wasn't watching where I was going, making me trip. Managed to slice my hand open on a bit of broken glass. Clumsy of me, really."
Kira held up his hand, still wrapped in the bloodied napkin, and gave a rueful smile. "I know it looks bad, but I can assure you it's nothing serious. Just a minor cut, nothing that will keep me from my meeting."
The officers exchanged a long, measured look, their eyes filled with a deep, pervasive skepticism that made it clear they were far from convinced by Kira's explanations. The younger officer, his face etched with a mix of suspicion and disbelief, his gaze boring into Kira like a laser from the car.
"Is that so? Well, anyways..." he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm and doubt. "We received a very interesting report earlier today, sir. A report about a robbery at a nearby cafe, just a few blocks from here."
The officer paused, letting his words hang in the air for a moment, watching Kira's face closely for any sign of reaction. Kira fought to keep his expression neutral, his heart pounding in his chest as he realized the precariousness of his situation.
"According to the witnesses," the officer continued, his tone growing more pointed with each word, "someone may have used a Quirk to stop and possibly kill the robber and save a waitress from harm. A very noble deed, on the surface... but if this incident indeed contained killing, then it is unforgivable. Unfortunately, we cannot confirm the latter yet."
The officer's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharpening as he leaned in closer to Kira. "But here's the thing. The description of the person who might intervened, the one who might used their Quirk to play hero? It matches you. Exactly."
Kira's mind whirred, trying to piece together the implications of the officer's words. They couldn't possibly know about his involvement with the robber's fate, could they? The way they were looking at him, the suspicion in their eyes... Are these Quirks, could be, if not more versatile than Stands?
His mind raced as he tried to come up with a response. He had been so careful. Yet only one misstep was enough to bring him down? No... Not today at least.
"I'm not sure what you're implying, officer," Kira said at last, his voice carefully measured and controlled. "But I can assure you, I had nothing to do with any of this or any use of a Quirk. As I said, I'm just a businessman trying to go about my day."
The older officer stepped forward, his expression grim and unyielding. "Be that as it may, the use of a Quirk against another individual, even in defense of others, is still illegal without proper authorization. And your description, combined with your sudden departure from the area, does raise some serious questions not even talking about that interesting working schedule, I'm really jealous, you know."
Kira could feel the noose tightening around his neck, and could sense the officers' suspicion growing with each passing moment. He had to do something, had to find a way to throw them off his scent before it was too late.
"I understand your concerns, officers," Kira began, his voice smooth and measured. "And I appreciate your diligence in investigating any potential wrongdoing. But I can assure you, my schedule and sudden departure have nothing to do with any illegal activities."
Kira paused, his mind working furiously to craft a plausible explanation. He had to make them believe him, had to find a way to allay their suspicions without arousing further scrutiny.
"You see," Kira continued, his tone taking on a note of confidentiality. "I work primarily with international clients, which means my schedule is often dictated by time differences and the needs of my overseas partners. It's not uncommon for me to have meetings or calls at odd hours, or to have to adjust my plans at the last minute to accommodate their schedules."
Kira could see the officers' expressions shifting, their skepticism giving way to a grudging understanding.
The younger officer nodded, his expression softening slightly. "We understand, sir. And we apologize for any inconvenience. But you must understand, we have a duty to investigate any suspicious activity, no matter how innocent it may seem at first glance."
Kira nodded, his face a mask of sympathy and understanding. "Of course, officer. And I respect that duty. I would never want to impede an investigation or hinder the work of law enforcement."
The older officer cleared his throat, his gaze still fixed on Kira. "One last thing, sir. Could we get your name, for our records? We'll let you go for now. But we will be following up on this matter, and we may need to speak with you again in the future. Please make sure to be available and cooperative if we do reach out."
Kira nodded, his heart pounding with relief as he realized that he had bought himself a little more time. "My name is Kosaku Kawajiri and I'll be happy to assist in any way I can. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
With a final nod from the officers, Kira turned and made his way into the train station, his heart still pounding with the adrenaline of his narrow escape. He could feel the weight of their gazes on his back, could sense their lingering suspicion and doubt even as he walked away.
He walked with steady, purposeful steps, his head held high and his shoulders squared, every inch the confident, successful businessman he had claimed to be.
As he stepped into the station back again, the cool, recycled air hitting his face like a balm, Kira allowed himself a small, private smile of triumph and a sigh of relief. He had done it, once again... The madman did it once more! Even if they try to search for this possibly non-existent name, Kosaku Kawajiri, he'll be already on another person's body by then, for sure.
As Kira stepped into the bustling train station, his mind still reeling from his close encounter with the police, he heard the crackle of the loudspeaker overhead. "Attention passengers," the announcer's voice echoed through the cavernous space, "the Joetsu Shinkansen, bound for Niigata with stops in Natori, has just arrived on platform 3. Please make your way to the platform for immediate boarding."
This was it, his ticket out of Morioh and away from the prying eyes of the law.
He quickened his pace, weaving through the crowds of commuters with a deftness born of long practice. His black leather briefcase swung at his side, its contents a carefully curated collection of tools and trophies that he never let out of his sight.
As he reached platform 3, he could see the sleek, bullet-nosed shape of the Shinkansen gliding into the station, its white and blue livery gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights. Kira allowed himself a moment to admire the train's sleek, futuristic design, a marvel of future engineering that he had never seen.
He joined the throng of passengers queuing up to board, his briefcase clutched tightly in his hand. He could feel the eyes of the other passengers on him, could sense their curiosity and mild suspicion at his disheveled appearance, the bandaged hand, and from the scene that Stray Cat did before still lingering in some of the people amidst the crowd.
But Kira paid them no mind, his focus entirely on the train and the promise of escape it represented. He had come too far and had sacrificed too much to let a few wary glances from strangers derail his plans now.
He stepped aboard the train, finding his seat with practiced ease and stowing his briefcase in the overhead compartment. As he settled into the plush, comfortable chair, he couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief.
He was on his way, putting distance between himself and the prying eyes of the police with every passing moment. And his destination, the Beauty Salon Metamorphosis in Natori, held the key to his next move.
It was there that he would shed his current identity like a snake shedding its skin, would take on a new face and a new name, and disappear into the teeming masses of Japan's populous cities.
As the train pulled out of the station, gathering speed as it hurtled towards Natori, Kira allowed himself to relax, just a bit. He watched the cityscape of Morioh flash by outside the window, the familiar streets and buildings giving way to the lush green countryside of rural Japan.
x-x-x
As Shinkansen Hayabusa pulled away from the platform and gathered speed, the older officer watched it intently from the window of his police car parked nearby. His eyes narrowed as he focused on the train, his mind racing with suspicions about the mysterious man they had just questioned.
"Atsushi," he barked at his younger partner. "Get that photo of him, quickly. We need to run it through the database and see what we can find on this 'Kosaku Kawajiri.'"
Atsushi nodded, already pulling out the portable machine from the glove compartment. He held one of his hands, covering his right eye while closing his left one, activating his quirk - 「Photographic Memory」. His quirk allowed him to capture images with perfect clarity using his eyes and storing them for at least 15 minutes, and then print them out through a specialized hole at the back of his head, hidden beneath his thick mop of hair.
He focused on the mental image of the man they had just spoken to, his quirk whirring to life as it processed the data. A moment later, a small, glossy photo emerged from the hole at the back of his head, like from an old-school photo camera. Atsushi handed it to his partner.
The older officer snatched it up, scrutinizing the image closely. The man's face stared back at him, his expression calm and composed, betraying no hint of the unease or suspicion that the officer was sure he must be feeling.
He fed the photo into the machine, his fingers flying over the keys as he input the man's supposed name and identifying details. The machine hummed and beeped as it processed the request, searching through the vast databases of quirk users and citizens that the police had access to.
But as the seconds ticked by with no result, the officer's unease grew. He expanded the search, broadening the parameters to include all of Japan, and then the international stage. Still nothing.
The officer sat back in his seat, his brow furrowed with confusion and concern. "How is this possible?" he questioned aloud, his voice tinged with disbelief. "No records, no history, not even a trace of this man's existence? It's like he doesn't even exist?!"
Atsushi leaned over, peering at the screen with a puzzled expression. "Could it be a glitch in the system? Maybe the databases are down, or there's some kind of error?"
The older officer shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the enigmatic image of Kosaku Kawajiri. "No, that's not it. The system is working fine. It's this man who's the anomaly."
He turned to Atsushi, his gaze intense. "Think about it. In this day and age, with the kind of surveillance and record-keeping we have, it should be impossible for someone to just slip through the cracks like this. Especially someone who might have a quirk powerful enough to make someone vanish into thin air."
Atsushi nodded slowly, his own mind grappling with the implications. "So what are you saying?"
The older officer's jaw clenched, his expression grim. "I don't know what he is. But I know one thing for sure - he's no ordinary man. And we need to find out who he really is, and what he's hiding before it's too late."
- TO BE CONTINUED! -
A/N: Well, that was a chapter for sure and I hope I shivered some timbers with the last part, now the whole law enforcement is after our poor Isekaier.
Thank you for your support dear readers, I really appreciate all this encouragement be it collections or power stones, even comments, just by reading two chapters. It is an amazing feeling you know. I also really enjoy seeing how people react to my work, and I'm sure if there is a question, I will answer it as well.
Sorry, if this story is so slow-paced, I really like to make sure I can perfectly channel through how I perceive the scenes, making sure I give enough description while also trying to find a balance so it wouldn't be a pain reading through, now some genuine questions are incoming:
Is the story way too slow-paced? And do you find this style boring, or painful to read? If so I try to fix these issues.
But one thing is sure! In the next chapter, I want to wrap up this arc, and make Kira finally shed his identity and take a new one, finally starting the real story... or I hope so. In the end, I hope you had a nice read, have a great day or night!