The One Who Never Told | P5

23

Needless to say, they tossed Ann back.

Suzuki gave a soft sigh. Even with the three of them, she wasn't exactly the lightest thing ever. Or, maybe Suzuki was just kind of weak. Regardless that didn't matter right now.

"You guys have a seriously bad track record of using this whole app thing." Suzuki mused. It was the same way he had gotten dragged into this whole ordeal, although he wasn't complaining too much. Now, he had power.

Ryuji groaned. "We have to be more careful from now on when we use that app." He commented. It seemed like it was pretty easy to drag people into this strange world with them.

It was probably for the best that they went somewhere completely secluded before they used it.

"Geez," Ryuji ran his fingers through his dyed locks. "Takamaki found out right when we were startin' off." His gaze shifted to the oversized castle before them. Once they crossed the drawbridge, it'd be game on. "We gotta deal with this fast!"

Morgana looked up at Ryuji. "That girl's name is Ann Takamaki, right?" He questioned.

Suzuki looked down at the feline surprised. He expected that he'd be the one most ready to set off.  She was beautiful, for sure, but was Morgana smitten with her too? He was definitely amused at the thought.

"Lady Ann..." Morgana whispered to himself, dreamily.

Suzuki bit back the laughter he could feel bubbling up. He could feel himself getting ready to burst, but laughing at Morgana so directly would have been rude. He did his best to keep it together when he noticed something strange.

He looked at his companions and in an instant, the need to laugh died down. "Oh, the shadows must have noticed us." He commented, pointing out their new wardrobe change.

Morgana looked over the bridge and nodded. Suzuki was spot on. "Everyone better brace yourselves, got it?" He looked at everyone before turning around to face Akira directly. "We're counting on you, Joker."

"Joker?" Ryuji tilted his head down towards the lil' feline. "That a nickname?"

Morgana jumped up and shook his head. "Don't refer to it in such a lame way. It's a code name." He explained. His body shook as his little, feline limbs flailed around him as he tried to convey his point. "What kind of stupid phantom thief would use their real name!?" He hissed.

"I'm not down for that!" He added, a clear frown on his kitten face.

He continued without leaving room for interjection. "And there's no telling what kind of effect yelling our real names would have on the palace. It's just a precaution." He finished.

Ryuji rubbed the back of his head. Sure, that made sense and all, but Suzuki still had a lingering question. "So, uh, why is he Joker?" He questioned. He got everything but that part.

Morgana looked over at Akira. "Because he's our trump card when it comes to fighting strength." He commented.

Akira scratched his cheek, feeling a bit shy. "Uh, that's a bit embarrassing." He admitted after a brief pause.

"Just go with it! You're Joker!" Morgana was definitely not taking no for an answer. There was no room for arguing. Ryuji gave a slight nod as he thought about it for a moment. It was starting to grow on everyone.

Morgana shifted his attention away from Akira and planted his gaze on Ryuji. "You'll be..." He started, but nothing came to mind. "Let's see..." He tried again. "Mm, Thug." He suggested.

"Ha!?" Ryuji glared down at the cat. "Are you pickin' a fight with me!?" He shouted.

Suzuki hummed as he admired Ryuji's outfit. "How about Skull?" It was a simple name, but it was totally Ryuji's style. Ryuji paused for a moment and looked towards Suzuki.

He pondered for a moment, before nodding. "Honestly, I actually kinda like it." He admitted.

"I figured you would." Suzuki commented as he looked over at Morgana. "What should we do about him?" He questioned, looking at the other two for possible suggestions.

Akira looked down at the black cat before looking back at Suzuki. He had nothing. "Anything's fine." Akira was a man of many trades, naming things was definitely not one of them though.

Ryuji hummed, as it was his turn to examine the cat. "...How 'bout Mona?" He tossed out the name. It seemed pretty good, and Suzuki already called the feline Mona Mona. It was nothing too hard for him to say.

"That's a good name, I like it." Suzuki commented as all eyes turned towards him.

Ryuji looked over at Akira. "I think Ak--, I mean Joker should pick this one." He suggested. They had all picked names out for each other. Suzuki named Ryuji, Ryuji named Morgana, and Morgana named Akira. It was only fair he got to pick a name too.

Akira nodded as he examined Suzuki's small frame.

His fit was a standard one. He was completely covered in the dark material. His mask, was like a typical gas mask, however it covered his entire lower section of his mouth and his left eye. In his bangs, he would have four hairpins that created the shape of "XIII", or thirteen in roman numerals. His once jet black hair had turned silver.

The roman numerals caught Akira's eye. "Thirteen." He said aloud. That was a fitting nickname for him. Suzuki paused for a moment before nodding. He liked it too.

Although they couldn't see it, Suzuki smiled under the mask. "It's a good one, I like it a lot." It was perfect. It was something that Suzuki could wear with honor.

Morgana nodded. "From here on out, we're Joker, Skull, Thirteen and Mona."