Act 2, Chapter 14: Steadfast Spirit

Hours had blurred since Shinagawa Live House's final chord faded. Hiroki, Aoi, Riku, Takane, and Sara now crowded a corner table in a cozy Cantonese restaurant. Liam Feng Tsui and Misato Kitamura treating them after Poltergeist’s blistering set.

The place was rarely quiet without a rush hour, giving the group space to unwind. The savory restaurant’s aroma was a balm after the live house chaos.

"CHEERS!" The five kids clinked iced tea glasses, while Liam and Misato raised their foamy beer mugs.

Liam and Misato chugged, the fizz soothing their post-performance throats. "That’s hit the spot!" Misato slammed her mug down with exaggerated gusto, like a salary woman after overtime.

Laughter erupted—recaps of Poltergeist’s prank breakdown, Aoi’s guest shredding with Notto Maigo, the ejection of anarchic metalheads during Sparklin'Star's set, and more. But Hiroki’s mind wandered; his mind was telling him something different.

"L-Liam-sensei!" He called.

Liam chuckled. "It’s alright. Drop the 'sensei' tonight, kid."

Hiroki hesitated. "There’s… something I want to ask."

"What is it?" Liam tilted his head, curious.

"Have you heard of Izakaya No Mani?" Hiroki’s gaze was sharp with curiosity.

Liam and Misato nodded. "Oh, you mean Matsuda Toshinaga’s old band, right?" Misato raised her eyebrows.

Hiroki nodded, but somewhat dissatisfied. "Yeah, I know that. But… I’m asking you about Kaito Yamada; he's the frontman of that band. And he was… my late brother…"

Liam leaned closer, gently smiled, but was sympathetic. "Yeah. I ever scouted Kaito at every gig. Honestly, that kid had fire."

"Decent, I must say." Misato added with a dry chuckle.

Hiroki’s dry chuckle faded. "It’s a shame…" The painful memory stung his thought, melancholy creeping in. "I just can’t forget that post-gig crash—that road rage…"

Silence fell, sympathy softening their gazes. Misato patted his shoulder, maternal warmth softening her stoicism.

She spoke softly. "You know, I, Liam, and Shinozaki-san conducted an investigation to trace the origin of it years ago."

Hiroki’s eyes widened. "Wait, Headmaster Shinozaki?!"

Liam nodded. "Yes. In fact, it happened during a riot between Hagakure and Kurenai middle schools."

It stunned the group into silence of Liam’s elaboration.

Takane’s eyes were wide open. "Wait… that’s…" She stuttered.

Riku added, her gaze grim. "Kenta’s middle school!"

Sara frowned. "Was he even involved?"

Liam shook his head. "No. But his so-called friends were."

He and Misato pulled photos from bags—four boys in death metal gear: painted faces, fake piercings, chains, leather coats, devil horns, and tongues out.

"Grindor Gore," Liam’s tone was grave. "Kenta’s old middle school band."

Misato continued. "I ever asked Kenta about the riot and his homeschooling. His friends pressured him to join."

Takane’s eyebrows furrowed with worry. "But… did he even join the riot?"

"No," Liam shook his head. "He refused—but they beat him for it."

Sara clenched her fist. "That’s bullshit!"

Misato’s voice dropped, and she crossed her arms. "Worse—they molested him."

Gasps of disbelief rippled like a sudden gust of wind through the room.

Riku jumped up from his seat. "MOLES—"

Sara hushed him. "Pipe it down!"

Misato’s glare was steel. "We’re dead serious! They ever stripped him, penetrated him, and even did SM stuff to him. For three months!"

Silence crushed the table. But he didn’t even tell us about that. Some are muttering to each other in worry, worried about Kenta's current condition.

Liam added, low. "In fact, they filmed it and uploaded it to porn sites. They also blackmailed him for the whole three months—where if they caught Kenta deleting it, they’d double down."

Takane and Sara covered their mouths in disgust and worry.

Riku’s gaze darkened. "That’s fucked up…" He glanced down, guilty. "Oh... sorry for cussing…"

Liam and Misato chuckled faintly, easing him.

Liam continued, his tone grave. "Fighting school bullying in Japan is far from easy—they tend to have a network of cabal. Even if you catch the main perpetrator, another one takes over."

He leaned in, whispering. "But here’s the twist—their families are Iseki Sakakibara’s lawyers."

"W-What?!" Takane, Sara, Riku, and Hiroki gasped.

Liam nodded. "We’re currently building a case—we’ve got 37 new pieces of evidence against Iseki and his lawyers."

Misato’s glare darkened. "But still… Iseki Sakakibara still got the upper hand from the loophole."

The group looked down in defeat. Knowing they were playing a losing game.

Misato suddenly spoke up. "But that’s not the end of the world yet." She smiled grimly. "Thanks to Kenta and Hasumi’s consultations, we’ll take it to the court on next Monday."

Half-relief sighs from the group escaped. Knowing that there is still hope to turn back the tide.

Someone suddenly banged the table. "This is preposterous!" Her tone was sharp.

The latter turned their head; it was Aoi. She clenched her fist above the table.

She suddenly stood up. Hand on the chest, dramatically. "We must lay those filthy hands off our companions and retain the purity of sanctuary of frequency!" Her priestess chuunibyou went into overdrive.

Hiroki sighed in frustration. "Aoi, no time for jest! This is a serious matter!"

But Aoi never backed down. "Even if Kenta and Hasumi teeter on the brink of insanity, we must shed light against all darkness—by any means!" She dramatically raised her hands upward.

Is she for real?! Takane, Sara, and Riku exchanged worried glances—worried if her flair would cause any trouble. And Aoi’s violent rescue of Hasumi suddenly crept into his thoughts. Worried she might repeat it someday.

Riku casually chuckled. "It’s cool." He rolled up his sleeve and flexed his bicep. "If those Grindor Gore scums try to desecrate Kenta again, they better say hello to my fists instead!"

Laughter broke the tension. And luckily, the waiter has arrived with the steaming bowls of hand-pulled noodle soup, crispy potstickers, another glass of iced tea, and foamy beers.

Liam smiled warmly. "Anyway, let’s keep this between us, okay?"

"Yes, sensei!" the five chorused, grinning.

They finally dug in, warmth filling bellies and hearts after the arduous evening, bonds forged stronger in shared secrets and steaming bowls.

A perfect reward for Hiroki after passing the midterm remedial test. But Hiroki's certain that both Kenta and Hasumi still have steadfast spirit in them. No matter what.

***

Dinner has wrapped up; the group stood outside of the Cantonese restaurant with satisfaction. Ready to part ways.

Liam called the group. "Anyway, stay safe out there and be careful, kids." He was embracing a drunken Misato. Due to drinking too much on the table.

Hiroki, Aoi, Riku, Takane, and Sara bowed. "Thank you very much, sensei!" They chorused.

With that, the five kids and the two sensei parted ways. But while walking their way back home, the five kids’ chatter never falters even after the gig and the delightful dinner.

"Ahh… I’m stuffed." Sara patted her toned belly, grinning widely.

"The hand-pulled noodles were the best. I wish I could come again sometimes." Takane smiled.

Riku’s eyes were blazing. "That gig was something else, dude!" He glanced at Aoi. "Aoi’s guitar solo was like…" He suddenly mimicked Aoi’s head thrashing and her exaggerated Toru Kitajima-esque solo.

Aoi shrugged. "I could do better than that," but her cheeks were slightly beet red from the compliment.

With his black-gold Les Paul’s gig bag on Hiroki’s back, he glanced at Aoi and asserted. "Oh, come on! It’s not nice to take my Les Paul without my consent!" He tightened the gig bag again, like it was his lifeline.

"Consider this as a punishment." Aoi pouted.

Hiroki clapped Aoi’s back. "Punishment, your ass."

This surprised her, and the group erupted into laughter. The group then parted ways through the night alley of Osaka.