A necessary reunion [Nea]

It's been a while after the whole incident at Penecia's Caverns. Not too long ago, though, and maybe that's part of the reason why Shunnosuke couldn't just leave it be and give himself more time to overcome it. Something — or rather, everything — was still fresh in his mind, and confusing. What happened to the boy who introduced himself as Akira? And that girl under the boyish disguise? They chose to stay at the Cave for a reason and while he greatly disliked the fact he was not obeyed (with the best intentions at heart), there wasn't anything he could effectively do about it. Plus, no news about their disappearance spread, so it was safe to assume both Akira and Mayu didn't vanish or anything worse than that.

And there he was, at the third-year floor, waiting for the boy known as Nea, close to his classroom door, with his briefcase leaned against his right leg. It wasn't too hard to discover he's also a student at Zela Academy and find as information to where to meet him. It's not like the other boy was hiding, anyway. Their first and, until now, only contact was back then, when everything happened and there still things they needed to figure out. He needed to figure out. The good thing about being a sophomore is that you have more time free after the schooltime, bonus if you don't have a party-time job nor have joined a club. That's Shunnosuke's case and, apparently, he was one of a kind as everybody else he knew —figuratively speaking, since despite his supposed popularity, he most likely wouldn't be seen hanging out with anyone at school — had applied themselves to at least one club. Therefore, he had plenty of time to spend in front of a closed door, leaning against a wall, filing his nails with contempt and waiting for Nea's classes to end. The bad thing is that any junior passing by would look down on him. What a student year (or years?) below would do on their floor is something they'd wonder from time to time, while giving him weird and fixed glances. Gladly for them, Shun had other more important things to bother himself with...

And the bell rung, finally. While the quantity of junior students were to leave the classroom, Shunnosuke wouldn't move a bit, however; the others would have to notice he was there first and, therefore, it was their job to avoid to not stomp on his feet or shove him and if it were to happen, the boy was ready to make a scene. However, thanks Heaven that wasn't necessary. As Nea made his way through the comotion to approach him, Shunnosuke blew his nails in a condescending manner and, after putting his nail file back in his briefcase, grabbing the portable by its handle.

— Waiting for you. Say goodbye to your friends 'cause we need to talk. — He'd reply to Nea, though his tone was somewhat a bit of imperative for his own good. Usually he had this naturally authority tone, but the way he normally speaks wouldn't sport a harsh, unpleasant characteristic to it...except when he was acting serious, which happened to be the case. — But not here, though. Is there any private place for us?

Shun hummed, turning a bit reflexive after Nea's statement. Well...he had a point. The school won't serve for that purpose; its immensity is proportional to its population, and there wouldn't be a single place for them to talk on a first analysis. Giving a second thought to it, his classes — Shun's — have already ended for quite some time by now. Probably his classroom would be empty like when he arrived at school that morning. Chances are there would be a few people there, mostly sophomores, who would find it a bit odd a sudden visit from an upperclassman, but this wasn't worth the concern.

— My classroom fits the second option. Most of my classmates are either at their clubs or have gone home already. — He'd reply after to Nea, concluding his thought process. — Then...shall we go? You're free to go after we talk, probably it won't take too long.

— Oh? — He glanced at the darkhaired guy with a surprised expression. How come he forgot a proper introduction? It was sort of a shame the politeness initiative came not from him, but the other instead. Nevertheless, Shunnosuke gave him a mincing, restrained smile. — Kurosawa is the name. Shunnosuke Kurosawa.

He didn't have much to talk on that matter. It was always nice to meet new people, mainly those who you can form a strong alliance with (although the meaning of alliance, in Shun's dictionary, is more related to a strong, financial bond than something else), but in those circumstances...not really. Quickly, they managed to pass through the corridors and staircases and make it to the younger's classroom, silently. Shun wasn't up to conversations until they make it to their room, which had a few students hanging out together, but nonetheless, they were too busy with themselves to bother with the presence of the two guys. Should Nea enter, Shunnosuke would let his briefcase rest on a table and start the main topic of that whole meeting, in a lower-than-usual voice tone.

— So...you've probably guessed by now what I wanted to discuss. That. Do you have anything to say?

— So YOU have met THAT girl. I knew nothing bad had happened to them... — He'd say, crossing his arms and assuming a thoughtful stance. Oh well. Part of him was glad they were okay for real. If Mayu was with Nea and they went to an amusement park, it could be safe to assume she and Akira left the Cave unscathed and healthy. Healthy enough for the girl to even consider a moment of fun and pleasure. Then again, he couldn't say he wasn't annoyed at how they didn't come to search for him. At least, Shun had his ways to find for them and, honestly, that wasn't any hard.

— We were attacked by "Shadows". Those monsters... — He uttered, calmly, trying to reunite all the information he gathered with another friend, whom he had a conversation with. — Though I don't know why the time stood still at that moment, I can say that much. Anyway...do you remember what we went through in details? — Shun leaned his behind against the main desk, the one belonging to the teacher. He wanted to see what Nea could speak about the whole incident before voicing an explanation.

— That's the point. Turns out the "strange guy" is a criminal. — Shun would say in a stern manner. — I tried to go to the police the day after, but as you can see, it's fruitless. They don't believe in paranormal activities and "can only work with 'solid evidence'". — His sarcastic tone was obviously bitter about the subject. To Shun, resort to the police was the main and, obviously, most legitimate option once they knew they're dealing with a kidnapper; after all, they were no super heroes but mere teenagers, and this task should be dealt by the ones whose duty is, well, deal with that matter. Needless to say how that decision turned out against the wealthy boy, who let a deep breath out of his mouth ajar, in an obvious displeasure.

— Honestly, how come you have not inquired Mayu about what succeeded after our departure? Really, Nea, what do YOU have in mind? Why did you forget that? — One could assume Shun had daggers in his eyes. The way he hissed those words out was just...not the best, although he professed those words with no elevated tone in his speech. Still, he wasn't angry at Nea. Most likely, he unleashed his irritation on the poor darkhaired guy because, you know, he was there to receive it; however, Mayu and Akira were the ones to blame. There were a lot of things he disliked at other people and one of them is negligence.

— Don't. "Sheesh". Me. — Shunnosuke said with an eerie calmness, clenching his teeth and narrowing his gaze at Nea. He is the one who usually "sheeshes" the others, and normally with enough reason. To receive that back is to have his buttons pushed. However, he indeed was right; it wasn't the most rational think to do to discuss such a private topic in public. —  You have a point, though. Except the "I wouldn't either if I was them" part. That is soooo motivational, you have noooo idea, thank you. — He would reply with an affected, sarcastic smirk, only to roll his eyes after that sentence is done and rub the left side of his own temples. One thing he didn't need right now is the confirmation he was wrong in his decisions to go firstly for the (not so) competent authority rather than trying to solve something on his own, he already knew that. Since it didn't work as expected, it left him wondering what should be their next move...and why weren't the other two participants worried enough. —  I know that guy is a criminal because he implicitly mentioned it in his speech. You clearly didn't pay enough attention to what he said and, for once, I won't blame you. I don't know how I did, in fact, but this theory makes sense once you look into the details. — He wouldn't talk about how his acquaintance, Hyde, let him know about those infos. If there were people already dealing with that, there wasn't any need to involve more people for nothing. Still, the teen wanted to meet with the others and be aware of whatever they went through after he was gone. A part (very small part) was also concerned — or rather, curious — about their welfare and had to confirm how well they in reality are. —  We need to talk with Mayu and Akira. And you are going to give me your cellphone number.

Shun would reply a simple "Please do so" to Nea's offer. It could be quicker if he had just been told of Nea's number and register it in his contact list right off the bat, but if his senpai felt like writing it, he wouldn't object. And besides, he didn't feel like saving the darkhaired boy's trouble of writing the phone number that time. Yes, he's that uptight and that'd be too much of a punishment already for his insolence.

— He didn't "disappear". Chances are he didn't even know he was being observed that time, which can explain why he went on and on about whatever secret matter he was worried at, but doesn't explain why he appeared to us in first place... — He said, putting a hand at his face and tilting his head, thoughtfully. The whole deductive process would do no good, it's not like they have all the pieces connected to realize why that apparition happened. — There are people already handling this occurrence, though. That means you don't necessarily have to get involved, but I still want to go back to the Rocky Caverns and analyze what happened there. Of course I won't do it alone and I can count on you and the others to come with me, right? — Once he knew their whereabouts, of course, but that wouldn't pose as a real problem once he has the information they attend to the same school. After the end of his saying, Shun would stare deeply at Nea with clear expectation on receiving a positive response, hence his confident smile towards the upperclassman. The very first, affected smile since the beginning of that conversation.

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