[sfx: passing train]

[sfx: fridge opening]
Nayuta: Kanata, you want a cola?
Kanata: A'ight.
Nayuta: And you?
Kenta: Whatever.
Nayuta: Alright, then, same for you. Here.
[sfx: Kenta having a soda foisted upon him]
Nayuta: And here's yours, Kanata.
Kanata: Thanks.
Nayuta: [humming to himself, cracking open a soda, taking a big swig of it] Aha! That'll bring me right back to life. Been a while since we had to run away at full tilt like that.
Kanata: [opening a can] I'm fuckin' tired. [chugging]
Nayuta: So, then, what did you mean when you said that if you got caught then there'd be no battle?
Kenta: Tch.
Kanata: What about your buddies? Isn't that dumbass guard supposed to be keeping an eye on you?
Kenta: ... I broke out.
Nayuta: Eh?
Kanata: Ain't that dangerous?
Kenta: Oh, yes, if I get caught I'm sure there'll be massive consequences. No doubt, we won't be able to participate in the next battle. So if you've got a problem with that, let me hide out here for a bit.
[sfx: distant police sirens]
Kenta: Tch... that asshole. He actually called the cops on me.
Kanata and Nayuta: ...
[sfx: siren fades away]
[sfx: passing train]
Nayuta: So what do we do, Kanata?
Kanata: What can we do? Once the heat is off, we kick him out.
Kenta: Watch it. [opening can of soda, chugging it]
Nayuta: But it seems like you got into some kind of scuffle. Did you do something to get the cops called on you?
Kenta: I didn't do shit! I just went to pay a visit to the director of the facility I used to be at.
Nayuta: Would that be Future House, then?
Kenta: Yeah. ... you know it?
Nayuta: ... ah, well. [clearing throat] Heard the name somewhere. We were placed in an institution as kids too.
Kenta: ...
Nayuta: But then why would you go to all the trouble of escaping and running away just to meet up with someone like that?
Kanata: You're the one who dragged us into this mess, so you at least owe us an explanation.
Kenta: ... That guy-- that asshole... I wanted to punch him.
[sfx: police sirens]

[flashback begins]
[sfx: footsteps, door opening, paper rustling]
Director: Th-this is...! There must be some kind of mistake! To create a virus so dangerous as to threaten the entire country is simply--!
Officer: Don't move. You're a materal witness. There is a possibility that you've been destroying the evidence.
Director: Material witness? Do you mean to say that you suspect that I'm the culprit behind all this?!
Officer: I'm not at liberty to answer that.
Director: You've got the wrong person! There's no way that I could have done anything on such a scale--! T-that's right! If anyone could do it, it would be that boy!!
[sfx: footsteps]
Kenta: Sensei? What's going on?
Director: Kenta!
Officer: You, leave. Children should stay out of this.
Director: No, you see, this boy! Here, come here, come here!
[sfx: Kenta being pulled towards the director]
Kenta: S-sensei?
Director: The culprit behind that dangerous virus is Mikoshiba Kenta! This boy here!
Officer: Don't be a fool. That's not the kind of thing a mere child could do.
Director: I'm not lying! This boy is a genius! Isn't that right, Kenta?
Kenta: ... sen...sei?
Director: [nervous laughter] T-this boy, is a very special kid, you see...!
[flashback ends]

[sfx: passing train]
Kenta: I was eight. I just made that virus for fun. If I just kept doing more and more amazing things, I'd get praised more and more. It was just a prank to prove that I was special. That's what I thought, anyway.
Kanata: A virus that shook the country...
Nayuta: You really are a genius, huh.
Kenta: [bitter laugh] Then I ended up being placed in extrajudicial protection, since I posed such a danger to the nation. Sounds great on the surface, but in reality it just means I'm going to rot in captivity for the rest of my life. They run their mouths about re-education and rehabilitation... hah. They're just the same as that facility director. Maybe I'd have been better off if I'd just stuck to doing low-level cracking jobs for chump change.
[sfx: pause while Kenta chugs the rest of his soda]
Kenta: ... and that's all I'm saying.
Kanata and Nayuta: ...
Kanata: ... so? Did you actually end up punching the guy?
Kenta: ... no. Bastard isn't even worth the effort it'd take to hit him.
Kanata and Nayuta: ...?
Kenta: Maybe it isn't even him that I really wanted to hit. ... the one I wanted to hit was myself.
Kanata: Hah? Why? No matter what way you cut it, the facility director is the one in the wrong.
Nayuta: Even if it wasn't worth it, you still should've taken at least one good swing at him.
Kenta: ... because I still had hope.
Kanata and Nayuta: Eh?
Kenta: Because even after all the shit he put me through, I still dared to hope. That maybe he had changed. And if he hadn't, then at least I could have punched that annoying smile right off his face! And yet when he smiled with that same look as always on his face, I felt amazing, like a genius, like I was special, even though I know it was nothing but bullshit! For a moment I felt... happy. ... hah! What's wrong with me, right? You can't trust adults, they'll all sell you down the river in a heartbeat-- my head's sounding the fucking alarms, but my heart won't let me forget that feeling. ... I made the idiotic mistake of trusting someone. Back then, I...

[flashback begins]
[sfx: children playing, laughing]
Director: That's amazing, Kenta! Perfect results again!
Kenta: Hehe. That quiz was really easy.
Director: Was it, now?
Kenta: Don't you have anything more difficult?
Director: Hm... well, I mean...
Kenta: It's fine. I'll just keep doing my best, and one day, I'm gonna figure it out and find a way to surprise you, sensei. Because I'm a special kid, right, sensei?
Director: Yes, you certainly are. You're a very special kid, Kenta. But let's keep all of this a secret between just the two of us, okay?
Kenta: 'Kay!
[flashback ends]

[sfx: passing train]
Kenta: ... so I didn't punch him. I piss myself off more than he ever could.
Kanata: ... our mother was a really awful parent.
Kenta: ... ah?
Kanata: She said horrible things to her own children. And she hit us.
Nayuta: Kanata.
Kanata: ... Whenever she had a man over, she would kick us out of the house, even in the dead of winter. ... but whenever she had nobody else to turn to, she would hug us and say that she loved us. And whenever she did that, she would always buy us each an ice cream. She let us both choose whatever kind we wanted, and we'd get to share a sweet bread between us for dinner. ... that ice cream always tasted so good.
Kenta: ...
Nayuta: ... [deep breath] ... right? It was the best treat in the entire world. And you should have seen the bruises on our faces from where she hit us. But it was so good.
Kenta: ...
Nayuta: Now we've got money, and we can eat whatever we want. But I don't think I've ever eaten anything that tastes as good as that ice cream did.
Kanata: Gonna be honest, I don't even really remember our mother's face anymore. But I'll never forget the taste of that ice cream. How good it was, and how happy I was, just in that moment.
Nayuta: So that's us. We're not gonna try and pretend otherwise.
Kenta: ...! But that's--
Kanata: It's frustrating. But what about it?
Kenta: --!
Kanata: You've been wronged by an adult. But you can't just forget about the praise you got. Being told the same thing as you did back then makes you remember the feeling. Or am I wrong?
Kenta: ...!!
Kanata: If you want to beat yourself up over that, then start punching. Put those punches into a track, into your lyrics. Spill some blood and beat it into your sound. That's why you became a rapper in the first place, right?
Kenta: ...
Nayuta: Mm. Well, not to be blunt about it, but no amount of denial is going to change the past. It's not going to change your shitty memories, your regrets, your fears, or your sadness. But it's because you've got all of that that you are who you are, right? I mean, even setting all of that aside, you still had it pretty rough as a kid, right?
Kenta: ...
Nayuta: Well, I suppose the only people who get really caught being self-conscious about their own coolness are... little kids, right?
Kenta: --! ... ... hm. Well, excuse me for being a kid.
Kanata: Well, you can't help it, since you're actually still a kid and all.
Nayuta: Yeah, he's still got a lot of room to grow, so it's fine.
Kenta: Shut up!
Nayuta: If you're upset about it, hit us with your best shot in the next battle.
Kanata: Yeah. Prove to us that you're not just some scrub who's all bark and no bite.
Kenta: You must be joking. You're on! I'm gonna beat both of your asses with my sound-- it's gonna be a total one-sided KO. I'll show you just who's the scrub here!
Nayuta: Heh? Well, seems like you're feeling better.
Kenta: --!
[sfx: passing train]
Nayuta: By the way, I haven't heard any police cars for a while now.
Kanata: Seems like they gave up.
Kenta: ...
Kanata: That's your cue to get out.
Kenta: ... I was gonna do that without being told!
Nayuta: [liltingly] Don't get busted on your way back.
Kenta: Shut the fuck up, asshole!! ... hmph.
[sfx: footsteps, door opening]
Kenta: ... ... ... hey, you-- ... ... .. Prepare to get your asses beat!!
[sfx: door slamming]
Kanata and Nayuta: [sigh] ... [laughing]
Nayuta: "Prepare to get our asses beat"?
Kanata: Does he think this is a delinquent turf war or something?
Kanata and Nayuta: [laughing]
Nayuta: Ah.
Kanata: 'Sup?
Nayuta: We didn't get around to checking out Future House.
Kanata: Ah. ... Well, what now, then? Do you wanna go now?
Nayuta: Mmm... no, sounds like a pain in the ass.
Kanata: You sure? It sounds like that facility director is a real piece of shit.
Nayuta: Adults are just like that. He's lucky he didn't get punched.
Kanata: I guess.
Nayuta: I'm sure that facility director is gonna come to his senses real quick after what happened today, since we're dealing with a real genius hacker and all that. So if he used the money we donated to do anything under the table...
Kanata: Ah... Heh. He ain't gonna be able to keep it quiet for long, huh?
Nayuta: Basically. And moreover, no matter how bitter it may be, if that's what his "ice cream" is, what's business is it of ours to say anything, as outsiders?
Kanata: Right?
Kanata and Nayuta: [laughing]
[sfx: passing train]

Yuto: Yes, sir. So, you see, that report must have been the result of a misunderstanding, and... yes! Yes, Mikoshiba-kun has been here since morning. ... uh, so I should... put him on the phone? Well, um, well, you see... ah, the thing is, Mikoshiba-kun is hard at work right now on the song for our next performance! ... Yes, that's right! So, you see, if I interrupt him, he might get very cross with me, and... yes, he's been holed up in his room since first thing in the morning. So, there's no way he could possbly have escaped. ... yes, of course. Then, thank you very much, I'll excuse myself...
[sfx: phone tapping]
Yuto: [audibly slumping] I can't believe I somehow made it through that without being found out...
Shion: Is that really a good thing, though? After all, if anyone finds out that you lied to the chief, you'll be fired on the spot, won't you?
Ryoga: He'd already be getting fired for letting a prisoner escape.
Yuto: Ahaha... that's right, isn't it?
Ryoga: [sigh]
Shion: So who reported him?
Yuto: It was the facility directory of the orphanage where Mikoshiba-kun used to live. That's why I had to tell them that the report must have been a mistake.
Ryoga: Why the hell would he go somewhere like that, though?
Yuto: I can't say. From there, it sounds like he was spotted running away together with two young men not far from the facility.
Shion: Old compatriots of his, maybe? Old friends?
Ryoga: Does he even have any of those?
Inukai and Shion: Hm...
Shion: Well, let's not dwell on that for the time being. What are we to do right now?
Inukai: That's a good question...
Ryoga: So we don't have a plan?
Shion: Even if we went out to try and find him, we only have that one vague lead.
Yuto: I think we should just have faith in him and wait here for him to come back.
Shion and Ryoga: ...?
Yuto: I'm certain that Mikoshiba-kun will come back. I don't think he would betray GokuLuck like that.
Shion and Ryoga: ...
Ryoga: That really gonna be okay?
Yuto: Yes. In the worst case scenario where Mikoshiba-kun doesn't come back... [short laugh] I'll accept my fate and face being fired.
Shion and Ryoga: ...
Shion: Well, it's not like we can do much more than wait, I suppose.
Ryoga: I don't think he's the type who'd back out right before a battle.
Shion and Yuto: ...
[sfx: electronics whirring]
Shion, Ryoga, and Yuto: --!
[sfx: door opening]
Shion and Yuto: --!
Ryoga: You--!
Yuto: Mikoshiba-kun!!
[sfx: footsteps]
Kenta: ... ... what do you want.
Ryoga: The fuck you mean, what do we want!?
Shion: Don't you think that this might have been a bit excessive for "just a little walk"?
Kenta: Hmph.
Yuto: Mikoshiba-kun.
[sfx: footsteps]
Kenta: Let's get this over with. Just go ahead and punish me.
Yuto: Before that, isn't there something you need to say to the other two?
Kenta: ...
Shion: We were this close to being suspended from the next battle, you know.
Ryoga: Because we have to face joint responsibility.
Kenta: ... ... tch. Fine. I won't do it again. There, you happy now?
Inukai: I am not.
Kenta: Hah!?
Inukai: Please apologize properly. This is something you need to do.
Kenta: --?
Inukai: When you've wronged someone, you should properly say "I'm sorry". This is a common courtesy that shows that you respect the people you're apologizing to.
Kenta: ...
Inukai: Are you unable to do that?
Kenta: ...! ... ... ad.
Shion: "Ad"?
Kenta: ... ... ... sorry. My bad.
Ryoga: Ah.
Shion: Oh? You're being uncharacteristically honest today.
Kenta: --! There. So what about the punishment?
Yuto: There will be none.
Kenta: ... hah?
Yuto: Because you're very sorry about what you've done, aren't you?
Kenta: ... ...
Yuto: If anyone should face punishment, it should be me. I was negligent in my duties as supervisor; I should probably write a formal letter of apology. Or, more realistically, I suppose I should be fired. I'm very sorry, Mikoshiba-kun.
Kenta: --!
Ryoga: Hey...
Shion: What's with this? Why're you bowing, Inukai?
Yuto: Mikoshiba-kun, I believe that you must have a deeper reason for doing all of this. As your supervisor, I have failed to understand your emotions, and I left you with no choice but to act out.
Kenta: ... the hell!? Since when is that part of the job as a prison guard!?
Yuto: That may be true; however, I am your teammate, and I am an adult with whom you spend the majority of your day-to-day.
Kenta: What's your point?
Yuto: As an adult, it is my responsibility to protect a child. If a child that I am ward of is suffering, it is my job to support them. If they have any concerns, it is my job to listen to them, and to help find a way to resolve their problem together. That is what an adult should do.
Kenta: [laughing nervously] What a load of bullshit! Have you finally lost your marbles, you dumb-ass prison guard!? "That's what an adult should do"!? In what fucking universe do any adults act like that!? Adults are all just a bunch of useless liars!! They're all just assholes who take advantage of the kids around them the second they have something to gain!! Every last one of them! Everyone's just looking out for themselves first and foremost! Because if that's not true, then how the fuck could he have sold me out with a smile!?!
[sfx: Kenta shuddering and totally not trying not to cry]
Yuto: Mikoshiba-kun, I know that you find it difficult to trust adults. And on top of that, I am the adult that's closest to you. It's natural that you find it difficult to rely on me. However... is it alright if I ask you to talk to me about what happened?
Kenta: ... there's no point.
Yuto: Even so, I would like to know what it is that hurt you enough to make you do this, and what pain you carry in your heart.
Kenta: ...
Yuto: So please, share it with me. I would like to understand you better.
Kenta: ...
Yuto: You asked what kind of universe exists where any adults act like that. There is at least one adult in this one who wants to protect you.
Kenta: ...
Yuto: I'm not smart enough to deceive you. And I'm not that good at lying, anyway.
Shion: Heh. Even his penchant for being unreliable has its perks, I suppose.
Ryoga: But he was lying through his teeth to the chief just a little bit ago about you being here the whole time.
Kenta: ...
Yuto: What do you think, Mikoshiba-kun?
Kenta: ... [sigh] This is gonna take a while to explain. You sure you wanna hear it?
Yuto: Yes. Of course.
[sfx: footsteps]