The last Therian was knocked out ending the App battle. Everyone who was attacking us were knocked on the ground except for one that Kengo punched to the ground . I was rolling my shoulder trying to ease the tension in them. Shiro was pushing his glasses up, still having a pissed off expression on his face. Kengo had a smirk on his face as he cracked his knuckles having a pleased look on his face.
“Thinking you can win just by ganging up on somebody proves you’re not even worth my time! You better not show your faces here again!” Kengo was smirking at the Therian he knocked onto the ground causing them to glare at him as they struggled to get back onto their feet.
D-Dammit! H-Hand over. . . all your money. . .! Or else. . .! We’ll. . . get your. . . friends and family. . .” Kengo grew quiet as the expression on his face got unreadable for a while making me look at him in concern at what the Therian just said to him.
Kengo kicked the Therian who was still on the ground causing them to let out a pained grunt before they passed out. I looked at Kengo in surprise at how he basically hit the Therian while they were down.
“What are you talking about? Friends? Ha! Don’t have any. Shut up and get lost already, you losers. The money I make belongs to me, and me alone. As if I’d give it away! And I’ll have you know I don’t have any family or friends. Don’t want’em, either. . . Oh, you’re all unconscious already.” Kengo scratched his head just noticing the Therian was knocked out. Shiro walked towards Kengo with a pissed off look on his face and I was worried they would start fighting again.
“Hey Kengo. What did you just say?” Kengo just stays silent as Shiro questions him, causing Shiro to get even more mad. “What was that about money!? Do you have money riding on these fights!? Answer me, Kengo! Don’t tell me you’re involved with something illegal. . .”
Kengo punched Shiro in the face causing him to fall to the ground letting out a sound of pain. Shiro looked at him in surprise at the fact he just punched him in the face but Kengo just glared at him like he didn’t care what he just did.
“Did that hurt, teacher’s pet? You need to shut your mouth. You’re getting on my nerves.” I quickly ran over to Shiro who was still just looking at Kengo in silence. I was worried that he was feeling hurt at the moment. I was rubbing his back in comforting circles hoping that will help him out.
“I’m okay. . . Thank you, Masato.” Even though he told me he was okay the way his voice sounded at the moment didn’t make me believe him at all. I looked at Kengo who was still glaring at Shiro.
“Good timing. I’ve made up my mind. I’m never going back to that stupid school. You and I live in different worlds. I’m done playing buddy-buddy with you all.” Kengo started to turn around causing Shiro to stand up quickly making him stop in his place. I was just standing by not knowing what I should say at the moment.
“Kengo. . . What are you saying. . .?” Shiro went to get closer to Kengo but Kengo turned around quickly and punched Shiro again but in the stomach causing him to fall back on the ground. I let out a surprised gasp as I went to his side again. Shiro was coughing, holding his stomach in pain.
“Ha. Serves you right. Your stupid face was really pissing me off. You too, Masato. If you came looking for me, I’ve got news for you.” Kengo was glaring at me but I couldn’t help but wonder if something was happening to him at the moment. He was a bit rough when we first met too but it was kind of in an endearing way.
“Kengo. . . Are you serious?” I wanted to make sure he wanted to do what he wanted to do. Kengo just gave me a smirk as his answer but I didn’t fully believe it at all. I feel like making something more was happening but what it was I have no idea.
“Yeah. I was wondering when to make my move, but this is perfect timing. I have no business with you, or that lame school, either. Get outta my face, you two. And I better not see you again!” Kengo turns around and walks toward a person who was standing waiting for Kengo to finish up with what he was doing.
“Thanks for waiting, cannon fodder! Let’s get outta here and go another round!” Kengo started to leave and Shiro who finally stopped coughing and holding his stomach called out to Kengo who was about to leave our sight.
“Kengo! Wait! Please, wait! Listen to me. . .!” Kengo stops at Shiro's voice but doesn’t turn around to look at him but I could see that his shoulders were tensing up like he was holding himself back at the moment.
Kengo then continues walking leaving with the unknown person not once looking back. Shiro had hurt expression on his face and I could only put my hand on his shoulder not knowing what I should do at the moment. I wanted to chase after him but I don’t know if Shiro would want that. ‘I am an outsider to them after all. . .’
“Do you feel a little better? Or does it still hurt?” I was questioning a quiet Shiro who hadn’t said anything at all after Kengo left our sight a few moments ago. I was getting worried about him especially since he still had a hurt expression on his face.
“Yeah, thanks. I’m fine now.” Shiro grew quiet for a while again and I was wondering if I should pick him off the ground but I flinched when he suddenly hit the ground with his fist. “What happened to Kengo? How did it end up like this?!”
“He’s stupid. . . a total simpleton, and just plain impulsive! He’s a muscle-brained moron who always rushes in fist-first! But. . . he’s not a bad guy, deep down. I know that better than anyone, because I’ve been with him all along! He couldn’t possibly mean something like that. You have to believe me! Is it my fault? Did I back him into a corner? I just did what I thought was best for him. Please, Masato! Please believe me. Kengo is. . . He’s. . .” Shiro was grabbing at me desperately looking like he was going to cry soon. I slowly took his hands off me and then I stood up looking at him with a gentle smile on my face holding my hand out to him.
“It’s okay. I believe you, Shiro. I believe in Kengo. So don’t worry about it at all!” Shiro looked at me shocked but slowly put his hand in mine causing me to hold it tightly hoping that would comfort him somewhat then pull him off the ground.
“Masato. . .” Shiro wanted to say something but I put both my hands on his shoulder and looked at him seriously. Shiro was looking at me with admiration and I would have made a flirty comment but the situation right now didn’t allow it. ‘I will do it at a later time!’
“He’s a precious friend to you so I believe you. Also there was something odd about him just now.” Shir just nodded his head still processing what I was saying. I hope the way I was looking at him wasn’t making him uncomfortable at all.
“Thank you. . .” Shiro put a hand on the one on his shoulder. He took in a deep breath then his expression got better making me smile at him taking my hands off his shoulder. “Phew! I’m okay. I’m okay now.”
“You always catch me at the worst times. I usually keep it together, you know? The teachers rely on me a lot and I do my job well, bringing the class together. . . That’s right. . . That’s right! I’m the representative of our class! It’s my job to worry about my classmates! Thank you, Masato. This is my duty. I must go after Kengo! We’ll deal with the App later. Hold on. I need to send a message! S-o-r-r-y. . . There. I’ll apologize formally for canceling our meeting later.” After Shiro sent the message to his online friend he nodded his head satisfied with handling that.
“We’d better get on his tail, quickly!” After I went to start walking, Shiro stopped me by holding up his hand. I look at him confused but he just summoned his book from the App making me understand what he wanted to do.
“Yes! Now that that’s decided. . . We must hurry!” Shiro summons many of his familiars from out of his book and they jump happily in place when seeing Shiro. “D-Evils. . . My precious friends and protectors . . . Will you lend me your aid?”
The D-Evils let out a noise of agreement and Shiro smiled at them before letting them go off in different directions in search of Kengo. “Lovely! Find Kengo, my D-Evils! Search throughout Ikebukuro!”
“You seem to have them under control.” I was impressed at how Shiro was able to control his familiars now. Happy that their relationship was better than before. ‘I mean a life and death situation would make anyone relationship better to be honest’
“Yeah. I feel as though my Sacred Artifact is in contact with the D-Evils somehow. When I’m touching the Book, I get this strange sensation of being connected to them. And then. . .Here. Look at this page. Each of my D-Evils sends a report directly to a page of the Book.” I was looking in Shiro's book seeing many messages appearing from his familiars as they tried to find Kengo.
“Oh, it looks like they found Kengo. He’s. . . Okay, got it! Let’s go!” Shiro closed the book quickly before I was able to read what the message said and quickly followed after Shiro who started to run in the direction his familiars gave him.
After a few minutes of running we came to a glass building and saw some of Shiro familiars waiting for him in front of the building. They let out happy noises once they saw him but Shiro quickly put his finger to his lips.
“Shhhh! Don’t make so much noise! But well done, my D-Evils. Thank you. I’ll give you some homemade treats later. Though I don’t know if you can eat them. . .” Shiro mumble that but his familiar just gives him thumbs up with their tiny hands before disappearing back in his book.
“Looks like he went inside this building. The D-Evils all report that someone resembling Kengo entered this building. What is this place? A theater? Why would Kengo come here?” We decided to go towards the entrance of the building . As we got towards the entrance we saw a student being knocked to the ground.
“W-What was that? Someone just went flying!” Shiro was shocked at seeing that and I got in front of him in a natural way just in case we had to fight someone. The student who was sent flying got up again glaring at a figure in front of him.
“Guh. . .Damn your weird moves. . .!” Shiro went over to the injured student and I just let out a sigh at how his guard wasn’t up at the moment. ‘How about we focus on the person who sent him flying just in case he went to attack us.’
“Are you okay. . .? Ah! You’re bleeding!” Shiro looked at the student who was hurt with concern in his eyes and I did notice that the student was bleeding pretty badly making me lower my guard in concern.
“That looks pretty bad! You need some first aid!” I went to get closer to the student but stopped when he glared at me angrily. I felt hurt when he glared at me for worrying about him. ‘Well fine! Bleed out them you jerk!’
“Shut up! Lay a hand on me and I’ll crush you! That damn, monstrous cat. . .!” The student took his glaring eyes off of me and kept glaring in front of him. And I followed his line of sight to see a figure walking closer to us.
“Oh, dear. I can’t have you making a commotion at the entrance, lest people think our estate is unrefined.” A giant lion Therian with white fur dressed in a butler outfit appears in front and I felt a strong urge to pet him bloom in me. ‘He looks so fluffy! Looking so elegant in that butler outfit.’
The lion Therian kept maintaining an emotionless countenance as he addressed the student who was still glaring at him angrily without batting an eyelid. “I regret I must ask you to leave, if you would be so kind.”
“Damn cat! You just caught me off guard! I heard there’s a bunch of money here! I’m gonna take it all! Outta my way!” The student went stomping towards the lion butler who just shakes his head disapprovingly at his attitude.
“Goodness. . . My, my. . . I had thought that our name was more widely known around Ikebukuro. To think we would attract such a hasty, half-baked intruder. . . I am ashamed to admit I have much to improve on. The quality of an estate’s guest is like to deem the quality of that estate’s butler. At this rate, I dare not face my darling master.” The lion butler tone was light and pleasant but I noticed a sharp look in his eyes which caused me to put Shiro behind me ignoring his sound of confusion.
“What are you talking about?! You see this knife?! I’m serious! I’m not afraid of you! Gimme your money! I know you have plenty!” The student waves his knife in front of him wildly which just causes the lion butler to sigh deeply.
“So unsightly. . .” The lion butler's eyes grew even sharper and I could feel a bit of a killing intent coming from him as he stared down the student who didn’t seem to notice that he was currently in danger at the moment.
“What did you say?!” I kind of felt bad for the student who was clearly not on the same level of the lion butler and I just kind of hoped he would just like notice already how unmatched he was to the butler. ‘This is getting sad to watch. . . He should know when a fight is a losing fight.’
“One who cannot ascertain his opponent’s strength is inferior to a wild beast. One mustn’t confuse a penchant for reckless endangerment for actual courage. Furthermore. . .” The lion butler moved one step forward then quicker than I could notice he was in front of the student who was shocked at how quickly he appeared in front of him.
“I will show no mercy to those who show no courtesy.” What just happened was over in an instant the lion butler moved so quickly that his silhouette blurs momentarily. In the next breath the student was sent flying once more. When he hit the ground he didn’t get up which meant he passed out from the attack.
“Huh?! W-What just. . .?!” Shiro looked over from my shoulder at the lion butler who was turned to face us with a gentle smile. He no longer had a sharp look in his eyes but I still didn’t move from in front of Shiro.
“You must excuse me. That was rather unbecoming of me. Now then. I am called Snow. How may I help you?” I felt confused at his elegant demeanor due to just seeing his fearless and imperious attitude. I felt there was something about him that defies comprehension.
“E-Excuse me. Do you know. . . Th-That is, we. . . are looking for a friend.” Shiro had moved from behind me but not fully and I could feel his nervousness so I just gave him a look from the corner of my eye and went to stand in front of Snow.
“We came here because we are looking for a friend who went into this building.” I was straight forward with Snow not looking away from him once and he just nodded his head at what I just told him.
“Ah. . . I see. Very well. Your purpose has been noted. However, I am terribly sorry. Only my master’s guests are allowed inside. I am afraid that were I to speak carelessly of my master’s guests, it would reflect poorly on me as the manager of this Ikebukuro Colosseum. I am terribly sorry, but I must ask you to leave.” Snow politely told us to leave and I felt like I couldn’t get mad at him since he said it in such a polite way.
“Ikebukuro. . . Colosseum? Then this isn’t a theater?” I looked at the glass building again wondering what it was like inside and why Kengo would go into the building. ‘Hmm. . . Is this a bad feeling I am getting or am I just overthinking it?’
“I have heard that it was once a theater, yes. However, my master has refurbished it into its current incarnation. Only the strongest heroes may be allowed to pass through the gate. That is the rule set in place by my master.” I was wondering what Snow was suggesting when he mentioned only the strongest hero may be allowed to pass through the gate.
“Our friend is inside. . . Isn’t there any way we can go in?” Shiro kept on questioning Snow who just shook his head again which caused me and Shiro to frown at our line being cut off.
“Unfortunately, you may not. I must ask that you leave.” Snow seemed to be unwilling to listen to Shiro, and I couldn’t help but figure out what was off about Snow. Underneath Snow calm demeanor and tone is an undisguisable fighting spirit. This butler is without a doubt, a warrior; a blood-thirsty, battle-lusting berserker.
“In other words, if we prove that we’re heroes. . . We can go inside? Is that what you mean?” I noticed Snow's eyes flash briefly and that helped me know I was going in the right direction. ‘So he wanted to fight us to see if we are strong enough to go into the building. . .’
“Hm. . . I see. You are quite the perceptive one. That is correct. To pass through the gate, your strength must be recognized. That is the first condition. However. . . I have already told you that only the strongest heroes may pass. Unless you have been introduced by a gladiator recognized at the Ikebukuro Colosseum, you may not enter. As this is what my master has ordained. . . There can be no exceptions. Now, I must ask that you leave.” Snow motion for me and Shiro to leave but Shiro had a hard expression refusing to move from the building which caused Snow to raise his eyebrow in interest.
“That’s easy enough to say, but we can’t turn back now! If you’re going to be like that. . .” I was worried that Shiro was going to do something reckless so I tried to naturally put myself close enough to him just in case I needed to protect him from getting hurt.
“If I am going to be like this. . . What of it? What might you possibly intend to do with your knees buckling as they are?” Snow eyes looked down at Shiro's legs which I noticed were shaking pretty badly. Shiro grew silent as he looked at Snow with an unreadable expression.
“Naturally, if you were able to subdue my humble self by force, it would be a different story. . . but I hardly find that plausible. Perhaps you may be powerful. . . but it is clear that you lack courage. Fatally so.” Snow looked at Shiro with a look an adult would give to a child who was acting up which caused Shiro to glare at him in anger.
“H-How dare you?!” Shiro was getting really angry and I was worried he would just attack Snow which wouldn’t end well for either of us. ‘Snow is really strong and I have a feeling he is just provoking Shiro right now.’
“I am merely pointing out your evident lack of nerve required to force your way in. This very lack of courage is the epitome of unworthiness. Such a coward should put his tail between his legs and endeavor never to show his unsightly form. If you insist on remaining here, I will be forced to take a more. . . unrefined approach.” Snow got that killer intent in his eyes and I could feel Shiro take a step back which caused me to glare at Snow.
“That’s enough. I won’t let you lay a finger on Shiro.” I took a step forward toward Snow not caring that he could hurt me. I was mad that he was being so rude to Shiro for no good reason. ‘I may find him cute but he isn’t cute enough to move past him being a jerk to my friend.’
Shiro called my name but I didn’t look at him, too focused on Snow's reaction. I saw his eyes grow sharp as he gave me a smile that sent chills down my back but I didn’t break eye contact with him.
“Ah, so it seems you have the courage to respond to taunts. Now, let us determine whether it is courage, or pure recklessness. Please allow me to ascertain it for myself. Let us begin.” As Snow said this an App battle started and I saw Snow summoned getting ready to fight.
I summoned my Sword and got in front of Shiro who started to summon all of his familiars from his Book to help me out in the battle. I knew that Snow wouldn’t probably attack first so I just rushed towards him hoping for the best.
