Clicks were heard as handcuffs wrapped themselves around Yami’s wrists.

“Why am I under arrest?! I was the one who was attacked!”

“I’ll explain everything later. Shitto Yuutsu, due to your condition, we are allowing you to rest in the hospital as long as the doctors recommend. Do not attempt to leave this room unless you are under supervision of either police or hospital staff. Let’s go, Yami.”

Yami walked with Frank Posche out of the room and into the hallway. As they drove to the police station and walked into the interrogation room, neither Yami nor Frank spoke a word. As they entered, Frank spoke to the two policemen guarding the room.

“Both of you, go get some coffee or something.”

Both of the officers responded with a “Yes’sir,” and abandoned their posts.

“There,” Frank said as he shut the door. “Now we can speak.”

Inside of the interrogation room sat a metal table with two metal chairs on both sides of it. On top lay a manilla folder, a hot plate with a pot full of coffee, two mugs, sugar packets, and small creamer pouches.

“What is it you want with me, Chief?”

Frank walked to Yami’s side of the table and undid his handcuffs. Yami rubbed his wrists and Frank began to speak to him.

“Well Yami, I’d like to start this conversation by saying thank you. You saved my son and stopped those terrorists, who would’ve likely killed some of my men. That being said, I have nothing but the utmost respect for you as a man. However, my occupation as Police Chief leads me to disagree with everything I stand for in regards to your situation. It is a conflict of interest, if you will.” Frank began to pour himself a cup of coffee. “Would you like a cup? We have sugar and creamer.”

“Sure,” Yami said.

Frank poured Yami a cup of coffee, and Yami opened one sugar packet and one creamer pouch and poured their contents into the cup.

“So, as a Police Chief, why am I under arrest? What crimes have I committed?”

“Well, Yami, I’ll be frank with you. This world has a distorted view of justice. What you did was perfectly under law, and you did not inherently cause any trouble. But the President of the School Board will not stand with what has happened inside of his school. Not only does he have to pay for the damages to the school itself, but he must also pay for the hospital bills of the student and for the late teacher.”

“But with all due respect, none of this is my fault! AKIJI attacked the school. AKIJI hurt everyone. NOT ME! Besides, with a school like mine, he should have insurance!”

“I know Yami, but the President of the School Board is a very influential man. You may not know this, but he is also the mayor of this town. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants, may it be damning one of his students.”

“In that case, thanks for the coffee, but I’d rather go meet my cellmate.”

“All hope is not lost yet, Yami. I am aware of your… situation. Your teacher, Phil Posche, is my son. He has informed me of everything thus far, and I know you are currently being targeted by thousands of people right now.”

“Then why don’t you pull some strings with the mayor? Get me the hell outta here!”

“I can’t, Yami. All we can do now is wait for the mayor to calm down and see what the media’s reaction is.”

“Chief… What’ll happen to me if I’m not released?”

“You’ll likely be locked for for multiple life sentences.”

Yami looked at the ground.

“I’m not going to sit idly by and be locked up like an animal.”

“I know, and I won’t let you be. Like I said, I think you’re a hero. No matter what the media says, you used your unfortunate circumstances to help others, which is more than you had to do at your age.”

“The media will be persuaded by the mayor, won’t they?”

“They will, but humanity will prevail.”

Yami closed his eyes.

“I hope.”

…

“Alright, Yami. I need you to tell me everything that happened on recording.”

“I hope you have enough tape.”

Knock knock knock

As the door slid open, Rikai walked into the room, waving her hand and carrying a basket full of fruit and flowers.

“Hey guys! I heard you were hospitalized here, so I figured I’d come by and say hi!”

Setting the basket on the table next to Yami’s bed, she opened the curtain that separated the beds. Shitto waved his hand at Rikai.

“Hey, Rikai!”

Rikai held her hands up against the sides of her face and let out a small scream.

“MUMMY!”

“Rikai, it’s me! Shitto!”

Rikai stopped screaming.

“Wait, that’s you, Shitto?”

“Yes ma’a-”

Rikai began to poke Shitto’s arms.

“Hey! Stop that!”

Rikai sat on the bed behind her.

“Sorry, I just wanted to make sure that was you!”

“Of course it’s me! Anyways, what’s up?”

“Oh, I wanted to bring you and Yami something while you were staying in the hospital. Speaking of which, where is Yami?”

“Hmm… How do I put this?” Shitto turned and looked at Rikai, speaking to her in a playful tone. “He’s under arrest!”

Rikai froze.

“What do you mean, ‘he’s under arrest’?”

Returning to a more serious tone, Shitto began to explain the events that had unfolded.

“I am not to sure myself. A guy named Frank Posche came and arrested him. I think he took Yami to question him.”

Rikai sighed.

“You guys are always getting into trouble. Why don’t you guys just slow down?”

Shitto chuckled.

“We just can’t sit still.”

Rikai looked at the floor.

“Shitto, I need to ask you something.”

“You’re always full of questions, Rikai. What is it this time?”

Rikai looked up at Shitto.

“How were you two able to fight that guy?”

Shitto’s eyes widened.

“I mean, you two are the same age as everyone else, so why did you ask me to text Yami? That guy said he was going to kill us, Shitto! So why would you want him to kill Yami too?! I understand that you two are friends, but asking him to come and help you fight the guy who was going to kill him and his classmates is too far!”

Shitto clenched his teeth. Tears ran down Rikai’s face

“You wanted him to die, didn’t you?! You aren’t his friend at all!”

“What did you just say,” Shitto growled?

“I said you aren’t Yami’s friend! Anyone who hurts their friends isn’t a friend of mine, either!”

“If you want to know how we were able to fight him, ask Yami. I don’t have time for your bullshit.”

Rikai was taken back by this remark.

“What did you just say to me?”

Shitto rolled over in his bed.

“You heard me. Beat it.”

Rikai wiped her face and stormed out of the hospital room. On her way down the hallway, she ran into Posche.

“Oh, Rikai! I’m sorry, I didn’t see you!”

Rikai walked past Posche.

Posche, looking confused, walked into Shitto’s room.

“What’s her deal?”

Shitto didn’t answer Posche.

“No problem. Tell me when you feel comfortable. Speaking of which, how are you feeling?”

Shitto rolled onto his back.

“Minus feeling like I am being crushed on all sides by these bandages, pretty good. They have me on some strong painkillers, so I can’t feel any pain.”

Posche looked at the empty bed.

“They took Yami in?”

Shitto nodded.

“No need to worry, Shitto. The Police Chief is my father, and he will make sure you two are taken care of.”

“That’s a relief. He said I am going to stay here until the doctors say I am able to go to the station.”

“See? If it weren’t for him, you’d already be in a prison hospital. I just hope that the mayor will drop the charges.”

“The mayor?!”

Posche sighed.

“I see he didn’t inform you of anything. Long story short, the mayor is trying to make money off of this incident by pinning it on you two.”

Shitto sighed.

“Well, I hope your dad can help us.”

“He will.”

“Very interesting, Yami. It seems as though I was correct. You are, in fact, a hero. This, along with evidence from the crime scene, is sure to win the media over.”

“I hope so, but if I may make a request?”

“Anything.”

“I need a cover up for my Sirushi Inochi. If anyone finds out who I am, it will only make things worse.”

Frank sat back.

“I’ve already thought about it. Don’t worry. I will hide those details under the cover of confidentiality.”

“Thank you, Chief.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”

Frank stood up from the chair and opened the door.

“Try to get some rest. I’ll be back in a few hours. Do you need anything?”

Yami shook his head.

“Alright. I’ll be back.”

Yami stood up from his chair as the door shut. Stretching, Yami yawned. Reaching for his phone, Yami remembered that it had been confiscated on his way into the interrogation room. Sighing, Yami laid himself onto the ceramic floor. Yawning, Yami closed his dreary eyes.

Knock knock knock

Yami sat up and wiped his eyes. Looking at the door, he saw a woman in a police uniform.

“Yami Shinpai?”

“Yes?”

“You have a visitor. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t be allowed, but the Chief of Police gave the clearance to allow this visit. You had better thank him later.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Come in.”

Rikai, blushing, walked into the room.

“Let us know when you would like to come out. Please refrain from giving the prisoner any items.”

“Thank you.”

The door shut behind Rikai. Yami stood up.

“Hey, Rikai! What brings you here?”

Rikai’s eyes began to tear up. Runing over to him, she gave him a hug. She sstarted to weep into his arms.

“Y-Yami! I’m so sorry for texting you! I shouldn’t have listened to Shitto!”

“H-Hey, what’re you saying? I really appreciated that text.”

“You shouldn’t! Shitto probably wanted you to die the whole time!”

Yami’s smile turned serious.

“What do you mean, Rikai?”

“The terrorist came in asking for your head! That’s why he had me text you!”

Yami grabbed Rikai’s shoulders and pushed her off of himself. He felt pain in his right shoulder, but disregarded the pain. He looked her in the eyes.

“Rikai, do not make that assumption. He needed my help!”

“No he didn’t! He needed you to die so he could get away himself! He isn’t your friend!”

“Rikai, you have no idea what you are talking about.”

“I do to! He is not our friend!”

Yami’s stares were daggers. Rikai froze.

“I don’t give two shits if you don’t want to be friends with Shitto, but don’t you EVER say he isn’t MY friend. He saved your life, and that’s how you want to treat him? YOU are the only one who is trying to hurt someone.”

Tears rolled down Rikai’s face.

“Y-Yami…”

Yami let go of Rikai.

“I’m sorry, Rikai. I shouldn’t have blown up like that.”

“No, I’m the one who should be apologizing.”

“Well? Is that all you came to say?”

Rikai turned and walked towards the door. Just as she was about to put her hand on it, she stopped herself. Doing a 180, she stared at Yami.

“Why are you acting like it’s your duty to save the world? How were you two able to beat him? What are you?!”

Yami gulped. As he opened his move to speak, he suddenly closed it.

“You don’t want to get involved with us anymore. Just go away, Rikai.”

“Fuck this.”

Rikai turned around and knocked on the door. The police officer opened the door, and Rikai’s back was the last thing Yami saw before the door shut.

“Time to get some more sleep, I suppose.”