Hiding In Plain Sight

Bloody Mementos

Shuichi patrolled the street, searching for any hints for anything to do with the other Ultimates he hadn't contacted yet. The group had agreed to gather as many as possible due to power in numbers, and their superpowers most likely being useful in combinations. When the government could have any trick up their sleeve to play at any moment, they needed all the luck and power they could get.

Shit, cops again?! Shuichi noticed a collection of police officers putting up wanted posters, his and his friends faces plastered on them like they were criminals. Rolling his eyes, the bluenette slipped into another alleyway, becoming familiar with the setting as he lived amongst them whilst on the run. Holding his head, the male slipped around the corner, the scent of cigarette smoke clogging his lungs. "Well this is unexpected."

Opening his eyes, Shuichi glimpsed a blonde female leaning against the wall next to him, dressed entirely in black with chains and fishnet accessories. "O-Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude!" Shuichi apologised, pushing himself off the wall to stand across from her. "There was someone I knew and I didn't want to talk to them so I thought I'd hide."

"Cut the bullshit, I know you're an Ultimate, I think your name was Saihara. I don't know, I hate watching the news." The female sighed, taking one more puff of the cigarette between her index and middle finger before dropping it, putting out the embers with her platform boot. "No need to fret, I won't call the police. They don't like me and I don't like them."

"Thank you, it's nice to know there are people who don't hate us," Shuichi sighed. Leaning his head against the brick wall, he closed his exhausted eyes, feeling safe.

"Oh, I just said I wouldn't call the police, not that I liked you. You're a fucking freak after all," the woman laughed with malice, storming up to Shuichi and punching him in the middle of his face. Shuichi grunted, doubling over and holding his face in pain as the woman kneed him in the stomach, laughing at his distress. "Poor boy, does that hurt?" Shit, I can't run because the police are out there, what do I do? I don't know how to fight, maybe I should've learned.

Noticing a dumpster beside them, Shuichi shoved the woman off-balance, falling to the floor as he jumped on the closed plastic lid. As he jumped up to grab a pole and escape, the woman grabbed his ankle and tugged him to the ground, Shuichi's body exploding in pain as he landed on his back. "Trying to get away? I thought an Ultimate would be much better at fighting. Use your power on me, don't play nice, I want to see what you're made of." She mocked, teasing the boy she held against the gravel ground with her boot.

Shuichi attempted to roll out of the woman's grip, only to be stepped on and kicked again. Lifting the male by the collar of his shirt, she held a fist out in the air, ready to punch him. Squeezing his eyes shut to prepare for impact, Shuichi gasped as he fell to the ground again. Scrambling to his feet, Shuichi watched as a tall male with spiky, plum-coloured hair kicked the woman to the ground.

Wiping what he thought was sweat from his face, Shuichi's eyes widened as his hand came back stained red with blood, more of it pouring from his nose and lip. He tugged his hoodie up, hiding his face as the male who saved him grabbed his wrist and dragged him into the street. Please don't let the police notice us, at least we're walking away from them. "You're safe with me, relax." Pulling out a cigarette and lighter, the stranger lit the stick of tobacco and placed it in between his lips.

The two walked through the crowded streets, finding themselves in a park. Sitting on a bench hidden by trees, the male sat beside Shuichi, breathing out cigarette smoke. Shuichi took notice of the male's attire, matching that of the woman that attacked him, minus the fishnet accessories. "I never introduced myself. Momota Kaito, a pleasure to meet you," Shuichi shook Momota's outstretched hand.

"Saihara Shuichi, nice to meet you too. Thanks for your help back there." 

"No problem. Never thought an Ultimate so bad at fighting." Momota laughed, leaning back on the wooden bench, his arm resting along the back with his legs spread. "Especially a man." Oh, he's one of those types.

"Never thought I needed to learn. I didn't expect to be kidnapped and tested on years ago," Shuichi glared at the grass, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.

"I get that, nor did I," Momota chuckled.

"Huh? You're an Ultimate?" Shuichi frowned, turning to stare at Momota.

"Yep, it's a shocker, ain't it?" 

"I don't recognise you from the documents, or the news," Shuichi mumbled, thinking out loud.

"I changed my hair and name when everything was released, mainly so I could get a job. Speaking of which, you got a place I could crash? That woman was my boss and I used to live there so I just ruined that."

"You can stay with us, I've rounded up ten other Ultimates, by the way. Should we get going? We can't stay in a single place for too long," Shuichi stood, wiping the blood again from his face as it continued to pour out.

"Alright, lead the way," Momota chuckled, putting out his cigarette and following Shuichi towards his new home. Well, that went well considering the fight that happened.

<--o--🩸--o-->

Approaching the home, Shuichi's heart dropped to the core of the earth, he instantly knew something had gone horribly wrong. The door had disappeared, only splinters remained scattered amongst smashed potted plants. Picking up the splinters, Shuichi inspected it, a memory flashing through his mind. "Kiibo did this... Momota, be careful, there might still be people inside."

"Got it, I'll keep an eye out, but why don't you go first?" Momota seemed terrified, although trying his hardest to hide it. Tough on the outside, wimp on the inside, huh? I shouldn't talk, I'm a wimp outside and inside. Shuichi listened to the crunch under his feet as he entered the home, finding it exactly how it'd been left when he'd first returned with his Ultimate friends, minus the dust.

Investigating the seemingly empty home, Shuichi noticed food, medical supplies and weapons missing from their usual areas. Momota seemed to catch on, patting the male's back. "They had enough time to take stuff and get out, they've probably regrouped somewhere, right? Don't overthink it."

"I guess you're right, sorry," Shuichi sighed, continuing through the house for any hint of where his new family had gone. 

"Oi! Men don't apologise!" Momota shouted, punching his fists together. Huh? Why wouldn't a man apologise? He's a little bit toxic, but I shouldn't judge him without knowing how his mind works. Almost slipping on trash, Shuichi fell into the wall, looking around to see what he slipped on only to notice two familiar items lying further down the hallway. Creeping closer, Shuichi shouted an audible cry, snatching checkered fabric and ring from the rubble. Blood soaked Kokichi's scarf, the white squares brown and crusted with blood. Investigating the ring, Shuichi realised it was a different colour than Rantaro's, only to scrape off a layer of blood from the metal.

Tears mixed with the blood drying on his face as he imagined the worst. A voice snapped him from his thoughts, one he didn't recognise. "Hands in the air!"