Working With Phantoms

The Skull of Rebellion

April 12

Madran's POV

Madran, who had just arrived to school, couldn't wait to meet the new kid. According to Philemon, he had already awakened to his persona, and the reason why Ryuji and him weren't at school on Monday was due to them falling into the Metaverse. This confused Madran, but Philemon wouldn't say anymore, which led her to go find out for herself. Along the way, Madran went to chat with Suga.

"So, how are ya?"

"Well, I'm fine, but I'm mostly worried about Ryuji. Yes, I know what happened, but he might not have had a good time in there..."

"According to him, well, Ryuji was all freaked out, but did ok."

"Good morning, everyone!"

Sheila caught up to the pair, and Madran was reminded of when Sheila had dropped from a chandelier in Kamoshida's palace yesterday and surprised a shadow.

"Hi, Sheila. So, remember, today at lunch, look for that kid Philemon described."

"Right."

The group discussed some plans and chatted more about other less suspicious subjects, and arrived at school. A few hours later, when everyone had arrived at lunch, Madran began to scan the crowd arriving from the table.

"Uh, Madran, what's wrong?"

"I'm looking for that new kid."

"Oh, him?"

Rosana looked at Madran and looked back when she nodded.

"Why so?"

"Well, he couldn't possibly be that bad, so I just wanted to check him out."

"Ooh, there!"

Sheila pointed at Akira, who had just arrived in the cafeteria and looked very confused.

"Hey, new kid, over here!"

Madran shouted across the room, which attracted Akira's attention, as well as some other students. He then walked over and sat down.

"Hi! You're Akira, yeah?"

Akira looked down and appeared to be rather quiet.

"Don't be shy, we don't think you're crazy."

Sheila smiled at him and Akira chuckled.

"Thanks, I guess you guys also don't like Kamoshida."

"Yeah, it was kinda uncool of him to spread all of those rumors."

"Yep."

Akira looked up at Madran, and they both appeared to suffer the odd color invert effect, due to Akira flinching in the same way Madran did. Madran then saw an image of Shadow Kamoshida cowering before a much taller figure before her vision returned.

"Um... that was weird."

Akira shook his head.

"I saw something... kinda like you, but with a dress?"

"Eh, don't worry about it, it may just be fatigue."

Everyone introduced themselves to Akira and they chatted about Shibuya, with Akira revealing that he lived with the bartender from the LeBlanc Cafe, due to him being one of his parent's friends. However, time was rather fleeting, and the lunch period ended, which forced everyone to part ways for the time being.

"Hey, if you want to, we can meet again after school!"

"Well, maybe. Sakura-san wants to make sure I'm clean for a few days."