GRUDGE BURST - Urban Fantasy Multi Protag Downward Spiral

Earlier that day.

8 PM

Naota and Naoki were having dinner at the dimly lit cafeteria; Naoki had a salad and some wagyu steak whilst Sen ate tofu and curry.

Both of them were enjoying their meals. Naoki rambled on about his steak while Sen contemplated on something else.

Naoki went on to explain what was on his mind: "*muncha muncha muncha* you know, for a meat that's so expensive *muncha muncha muncha muncha*... it's kinda... alright. Like, I get wagyu's entire selling point is the fat right *sluuuuurp* and fat gives it flavor but... this feels like a brick of butter in my mouth, not gonna lie."

Sen blurted out a delayed question seconds after Naoki complained.

"Naoki... do you consider yourself a good person?"

The teenager furrowed his eyebrows in near disgust.

"...what's with the corny question?"

"Sorry I've just been... thinking about things..."

"Well to answer your question: no. Absolutely not. I'm an asshole through and through, and I'm perfectly fine with that."

"...Really? Why do you think so?"

"I know so because I couldn't care less for these civilians. We do it because its our job, not because we want to. And it's not like we can quit because *muncha muncha*, you know."

Naota looked away and and rested his hand on his chin, pondering.

"...

So you only do the bare minimum?"

"I mean... yeah, I guess so *muncha muncha sluuuuuuuuuuuuurp*."

"...

I don't believe you Naoki."

"You don't have to believe me if you want, but I know me more than anyone else."

"...

Is that so?"

"*sluuurp*, yup."

"...

If that's true then, why can't you use magic?"

In that instant, Naoki started choking on his piece of steak, before coughing up said chunk of meat onto his platter. Afterwards, he turned to his sponsor and responded with a displeased face.

"Low blow dude."

"I'm just stating what I see."

Naota then ruffled Naoki's hair, before continuing with his schpeal.

"Look, I know there's better ways to teach you compared to preaching to you with a monotonous tone. I've tried it before and it won't work on you. I also disapprove of forcing people to do things. It's one thing to teach kids, but its another to force them when they're at a (semi) mature age."

"Counterpoint," interrupted Naoki.

"I'm being genuine when I say that. It's not just about saving people you know. I don't care much about like, yeah its annoying, and I'll be hunted down if I don't do it but like... it's whatever, you know? I think my main issue is that the more I see it, the more I realize that I shouldn't really waste my time to help others."

"So you wouldn't 'waste time' helping Makoto?"

"PAH. You already know how she is. Besides, she's the one who told me this in the first place. She said something about the lines of like... if you help.... no it was like, if you can't help yourself...

...

wait hang on."

As Naoki was busy trying to remember the quote she said, Sen put two and two together.

"And assuming she got this perspective from Kuragari, right?"

"Uhhhhhh yyyyyyyyeeeeah. Yeah. I'm 99% sure at least."

Sen groaned aloud.

"It's one thing to hear it from her, but it's another if what she's hearing is coming from him."

"Geez dude, I don't think it's that deep. Whatever happened to everyone has a right to have an opinion?"

"Everyone has a right to have an opinion unless they're just objectively wrong."

Naota took a scoop of his curry while he aggressively chewed down on his tofu.

"....ehhh... right..." commented Naoki.

Silence occurred between the two for a good minute or two. In that minute of silence, Naoki finally remembered:

"Oh yeah! She said something along the lines of 'if you depend on others to help you, you won't progress yourself; if you help others, they'll soon begin to depend on you. And that's annoying.'"

Sen looked up at his student with a lightened up look.

"Did she add that last part or was that you."

"Oh come on now, you know damn well she would say that."

"...would?"

"Shit."

Both of them chuckled.

"Alright well... at least that sounds a lot less sociopathic so it must've come from Makoto more than Kuragari. And to an extent, I understand what she's saying, and it does hold some merit. But-"

Before Naota continued, he paused and had a blank look on his face. Seconds later, he looked at his student. He took off his sunglasses and paid attention to Naoki's eyes. Naoki was obviously very confused on what the hell was going on with Sen. The teacher gave a warm smile, then put his sunglasses back on.

"Nevermind Naoki.

Whatever you believe in, I have faith in your judgement. That's all I have to say."

"...

...

Dude you're freaking me out."

.

.

.

Several hours later

Present day

11 PM

Miyamoto sits on his chair while playing a fighting game. Despite getting his ass kicked, wondering what the hell he should do during this cutscene of a combo, that simmering comment Sen made swirls in the back of Naoki's head.

"(I hate it when he gets wishy washy and vague,)" thinks Naoki. "(What, does he think reality is a novel? Does he want me to read his mind? I mean sure, I guess I technically can do that but like... ugh.)"

"(And Makoto's logic makes sense. Nobody helps us so we just have to depend on ourselves. Strangers don't go around doing kind acts of charity or give money to the homeless. They know better. The naïve are the ones that get punished. The homeless guy I just felt bad for spent the money I gave him on alcohol and drugs. The person who I gave a hundred dollars to because I felt bad for his situation disappeared from the face of the earth. The guy who I thought was my best friend asked if he could borrow my motorcycle; motherfucker ran off with it.

...I suppose these aren't my stories...

But whenever I go out on weekends to the grocery store or to the mall, I sometimes read the minds of the people who roam there. All these strangers and their mundane lives. I thought I had it rough but seeing it through forced empathy, feeling those exact same emotions in the first person perspective is just... damn. And that's how I know Makoto isn't bullshitting around.

If society is crawling around with these actual occurrences, then who's to say she's wrong? Naota constantly preaches about helping others and how there's no downside to it but like... there's this quote that goes along the lines of "no kind act goes unpunished." And I hate to admit it but the more I venture out into the world, the more cruel it seems. I thought fighting spiritual manifestations of sentiments was worse... and it still is- by a fucking mile. But seeing the actual causes of these things popping up, it really makes me think. Sure, hindering the misery by preventing a spirit's manifestation is grand and all, but we already know humans are vile. We won't ever stop because it's in our nature.

Shiet, if we even entertain the idea of a utopia where everyone is nice to each other and there's no malice, one would think that there would be no spirits manifesting... until I remember, oh wait, it doesn't matter if the emotion is positive or negative, too much of anything will manifest it. It's just that negative ones are way more common compared to some twisted visage of love.

Ugh.

So why should I care? No matter how hard I try, the world always spits back in my face. Hell, if my life is already hard as it is, what makes people think I have enough time or care for others? It's one thing if its a loved one, but its another if its a complete stranger...

I mean, I guess I could argue the point of preventing spirits from roaming around but even then... I'm not a savior. I'm just a kid doing what I can. But with that attitude, one might say otherwise. The more I care, the more hopeless it seems.

Then why do I even try.

...Yeah fuck it, Makoto is right... She's smarter anyway so, I guess I'll just follow her example.)"

``Naoki.`` calls out a harrowing, cold, telepathic voice.

With a sigh, Naoki commented to himself; "Oh come on, do I really have to do a mission now?"

"(Yeah what's up)" responds Naoki telepathically.

``There is an urgent mission in Osaka that needs your assistance.``

"WHAT? Osaka? That's like... not that far but still annoyingly far..."

"(Don't they have a school or... at least a station over there at Osaka?)"

Naoki opens his bottle of soda and begins drinking it.

``They are either unavailable or are waiting on standby for a bigger threat to come by.``

"(And what's that got to do with me?)"

``The person requesting your assistance deems you as a perfect candidate for such a weak opponent.``

PPPPPPFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTT-

Naoki spits soda all over his computer monitor upon hearing the news.

"...ouch 💀"

"(What's the mission?)"

``They have tasked you with taking down a recently transformed evil sorcerer.

You must hunt down the cockroach by the name of Kenji Yamada.``

Naoki blankly stares at his soda spewed monitor. Grabbing couple of paper towels, he then telepathically communicates with the receptionist at work again.

"(So how am I going to go over there? I don't think they'd want me to run all the way over there.)"

``You will take the campus transporter. There, you will head to the Yamagishi Apartments without being noticed. You will apprehend and kill Kenji Yamada before he does anymore damage. Dispose the body near a forest then return back to base the way you came.''

"(Hm. Alright.

Sounds easy enough...

Say, what did this guy even do?)"

''He caused a great disturbance to the people who witnessed him. The report states that the terrorist also caused damage of property in their escape attempt.''

"(...That's it? He was ugly and he caused property damage? I didn't know being ugly could be a crime but... I guess I'm wrong. Then there's the obvious issue of the people who saw him so... Alright. I'll be there shortly.)"

''In the name of the Rising Sun.''

The telepathic line between the receptionist and Naoki ends. Naoki readies himself with his iconic black long brimmed hat, cloak, tank-top, pants, and overpriced shoes. He picks up his flute and saunters throughout the long winding halls of the academy, eventually reaching the first floor. He walks near the receptionists and glances at the person in the dark glass cage. The white garb. The veils that cover their faces. All slowly swaying side to side in an endless hypnotic pace. With a raised eyebrow, he scoffs and shakes his head.

Near the area, Naoki opened up a couple of doors until he finally reached a dimly lit cramped room with a large sigil on the concrete floor. The walls, much like a majority of the campus, are wooden. There was a trash can in the corner of the room. Kanji and western style archaic symbols were scattered inside the circle. A wire ran on the edge of the circle, eventually leading up to the wall with buttons and lights.

東京 - ◉

京都 - ◉

大阪 - ◉

北海道 一 - ◉

北海道 二 - ◉

北海道 三 - ◉

富山 - ◉

宮城 - ◉

新潟 - ◉

島根 - ◉

高知 - ◉

鹿児島 - ◉

佐賀 - ◉

All of the buttons glow with a green blinking light. Naoki coughs, waving the dust away from his face.

"(Tch,)" thought Naoki to himself.

"(I mean typically people do their job and have their own stations for that sort of stuff but, whatever I guess...)"

He presses the button labeled 大阪 and held his breath. The markings on the ground glow fervently. Naoki felt his body vibrate quicker, at the same pace as the blinking symbols. A loud whirring noise clashes with the whispers of a dead language. Feeling his heart race, Naoki held on to his hat whilst gritting his teeth.

A flash of light blinks Naoki out of existence, before blinking him back into the transporter in Osaka.

"Uh oh

Uh Oh

Here it- HHHGGGKKKK"

Running over to a trash can that was thankfully in the corner of the room, Naoki vomits into it before spitting out any leftover residue.

"Ugghhh..."

Opening the door, Naoki was greeted by a soundly modern aesthetic compared to the Kyoto campus. Bright lights that actually enable a person to see where they're going. Walls with a boring, flat white color to them. Tiles that could barely make up the drabness of the halls. Naoki squints his eyes before angling his hat downwards.

"Too bright..." he mutters.

With a loose sense of memory, Naoki navigates his way throughout the halls until he reaches some stairs and goes upwards. In a surprise, the lounge area has a comfier atmosphere, complete with lighting that doesn't blind anyone, and walls that are decorated with a minimalistic yet appealing color to them. Sitting down on a small café style table and chair is a black man wearing a gi. His build is bulky, but not to the point where his muscles ripped his clothes. His hair is short and aside from a goatee, nothing really stood out in terms of design. Aside from repping his favorite metal band underneath his gi, but that is barely noticeable to Naoki.

"Ah- Ernesto sensei," comments Naoki in a tone loud enough for the man to hear.

Looking to his left, Ernesto smiles and waves towards the student, taking one last sip of his tea.

"Ah...Nnnaoki, was it?"

The teacher speaks with an accent that was obviously carried over from his original tongue.

"Correct," responds Naoki.

"How have you been? It's been a while."

"Oh the same old, same old. I think it's been like two... three years since we had the sister school festival, right?"

"Yes; it was two years ago. I am surprised you even remember me haha."

"Oh trust me dude, not even Naota has been able to throw me that hard."

"Ah yes, Naota. How has he been?"

"Psh, you already know. Boring as usual."

"PPPFFTTT-"

Ernesto spits out a bit of his tea.

"Oh my, excuse me, you just caught me off-guard."

"Eh... yeah no, it's fine..." says Naoki, wiping away the tea from his face.

"Say," continues Naoki, "what are you doing here anyway? Especially wearing a gi and all?"

"I'm glad you asked Naoki. One of the higher ups appointed a quick meeting with one of the sister schools. Something to do with paperwork and a possible merger. Since we're already one of the smaller schools, on top of Osaka being one of the provinces with lesser issues, they thought it was a good idea for me to hold the fort while everyone else is gone. In all honesty I think it's going to blow over since these types of issues tend to be a waste of time, but even as a teacher, my opinion only goes so far."

"Huh. And that's why they sent me all the way over here?"

"Correct."

"Tch. Politics... how annoying..."

"☕"

"Well anyway, I have to get going on this mission. I'll see you when I come back."

"Don't die."

"Tch, I wouldn't entertain the idea."

Naoki shoots Ernesto a smirk. The teacher responds with a gentle smile and a sip.

Sprinting out the door, Naoki whips out his phone and opens the GPS app. A few seconds later, he stops on his tracks.

"...

...shit, what was the place called again?"

.

.

.

Meanwhile, at the apartments, Yamada's apartment has several notes posted on the door. The leftovers of prior notices being ripped away. The most recent one has claw marks on it as well as a red page instead of the typical yellow or white page. Behind the door is the desolate remains of Yamada's room. Glass still litters the room. Furniture scatters the floor in a frenzy. Claw marks on the walls and ceiling are present. The broken window lets in the harsh cold breeze. The electricity, water, and gas has been shut off for the specific room. Within days, most of what was left in the fridge was frantically eaten, with wrappers still lying on the floor. Whatever was left spoiled within hours. Every couple hours or so, the neighbors hear either a brief shriek or a ghastly whimper.

In the corner of its bedroom, a nearly two-meter tall cockroach with barely any features resembling a human trembles. No matter the amount of blankets that wrap him, he still endlessly shivers. One hand over his mouth, the other grasping his head, the teary eyed creature restlessly whimpers. It studies the remains of the life before him. And even then, no matter how much it cries, and no matter how hard it wants to wake up, its feeble wishes won't change anything.

.

.

.

A twenty year old figure walks up the stairs of the apartments. Grumbling, they navigate towards the room that the office complained to them about.

**Knock knock knock knock knock knock**

...

No response.

**KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK**

"Fuckin hell..." grunts the figure.

"Yamada Kenji, I know you're in there. This is the Police Department of Osaka. You are under arrest for not complying with the eviction notice sent by Yamagishi Apartments. You've had several days to comply with the order, and due to your refusal, here we are. I hate to do this but if you want to do this through brute force, you leave me no choice."

...

No response.

"God damn...

I'm always stuck with the annoying jobs...

Yamada, this is your final warning. Please comply before we escalate the situation."

...

"Tsk."

The Police Officer pops open the holster of his revolver.

ch-k

The door handle jiggles.

"Tch. About time."

...

The door handle stops and a voice is heard from behind the door.

"Uh- H-hello officer, how can I help you?"

"Well you can help the both of us if you can come out of there with your arms above your head."

"...

With all due respect, I'm afraid I can't do that officer."

The officer lets out a brief chuckle.

"Oh? We're doing this now? Huh. Ok. I'll humor you for a sec: what is your excuse?"

"Well you see officer, I'm facing a bit of a difficulty with my body. I suffered a deformation recently, and I hope there would be a simpler way to go about these things..."

The officer's eye twitches.

"What... so you need a wheelchair or..?"

"Not- not really, it's just that I would prefer not to be seen in such a way... I can't really go out like this... isn't there a way I can make it up to the company? Pay a fine or such?"

The officer shakes his head with an irked smile.

"Oh my fuckin..." he says under his breath. "Listen here. The owners of Yamagishi Apartments have given you several notices, and since you refused to comply, we're far past negotiating, do you understand that? Besides, paying me would put you for even longer in jail under charges of bribery. Social anxiety sucks but, you're just gonna have to suck it up. I'm sorry to say, but you're coming with me one way or another."

...

...

...

"...

Yamada?

Are you there?"

...

...

...

The frustrated face of the officer shifts into one of stern determination. He slowly reaches for the handle of his gun.

"Yamada, I'm warning you, if you don't open the door by the count of three, I'm going to have to enter through force. I don't want to do this so please, don't force me to."

...

...

"One..."

...

...

"Two."

His hand slithers the gun out of its holster.

...

...

"Thr-"

The handle jingles one last time, before slowly creaking open. Barely visible, the silhouette of a towering cockroach head peeks behind the door slit. The large eyes making the visage of a large pupil stare down at the officer. A large antenna is the only thing that pokes out of the shadows.

The officer, unsure of what to do stands there. His shaky aim attempts to concentrate on the creature's head. His brain signals to scream, and punch, and flail, and kick, and dodge, and shout, and shoot, and sprint and just try to signal the body, yet to no avail. They both stand there staring at each other for what feels like five minutes.

"...

I tried shooting myself already," says Yamada, breaking the silence.

"It won't work."

The pale officer stammers for a few seconds, before failing, giving up, tilting his cap downwards, and walking back towards the stairs in a stiff manner.

Five minutes pass. Yamada's door closes, while the officer sits on the stairs with a petrified look. He stares at the ground.

"What...

What the f....

What....

...."

He retches to himself before stopping.

"I...I...

...

I need to find a new job... No... I-I... I need to forget about... This didn't happen this...

This can't be happening...."

"You're right.

It's not."

Looking up, the officer sees a pilgrim looking dork with a shit eating grin on his face.

"...?

Can I help you-"

"Nah. I got it."

Naoki whips out his flute and plays three notes from it. A brief melody. Lavender fragrance. Peaceful times. Spaghetti dinner with mother. Cheerful cries.

The officer falls fast asleep.

"You'd weigh me down anyway.

Now... down that hall huh?

Walking casually by, he walks up to Yamada's door.

Dead silent. Even for a sorcerer, much less a human, that's pretty hard to pull off.

"Brief in and out mission right? Easy.

..."

"(Tch. I don't think I'll even need psychopower for this one)" thought Naoki to himself, smirking.

Using his brute strength, he breaks the lock of the door simply by turning the handle. Creaking the door open, Naoki analyses the room.

Pitch black. The only sense of light in the entire room was the light from the hallway, and the moonlight coming from the broken window. Naoki closes the door behind him and takes a couple steps in. Stepping on some glass and wrappers, he makes a face of disgust.

"Ugh, you live like this?" he comments aloud.

"(Now that I think about it, this might be how Naota sees my room...)"

"...

I asked you a question," continues Naoki.

"I know you're in here so you might as well show yourself."

...

...

...

Step.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Step.

A large bulbous silhouette stands inches before the light could reach him.

"Who... who are you? Why are you invading my apartment?" says a shaky voice.

"Tch, your apartment?"

Sizing up his opponent, Naoki analyses the figure's spiritual pressure. Seeing as how he emits the same type of "aura" as a normal person, this guy for sure is doing it intentionally to blend in crowds.

"P-P-Please. Leave. I don't want any trouble."

"Too late asshole. People have seen you use your ability, and you've damaged private property. If you're going to use your powers to hurt others, you've should've thought about the consequences. Say your prayers-"

"No- NO, I DON'T WANT TO DIE," shrieks the large figure.

"NOT LIKE THIS

NOT LIKE THIS PLEASE!"

Naoki shoots a confused look.

"(What the...? No... This guy is trying to trip me up. I won't fall for something so stupid.)"

He shakes his head and hardens his muscles.

"COME HERE," shouts Naoki.

"Please don't hurt me!"

Out from the shadows, a nearly two meter tall cockroach frantically screams and runs towards Naoki with its four arms reaching out.

"WHAT THE FUCK HE'S AN ACTUAL COCKROACH?"

In an automatic response, Naoki instinctively shoots forward and dodges the cockroach's grasp, launching his own meaty punch towards the creature's abdomen. A satisfying crunch emits aloud as the strike lands on the insect's stomach.

"Hhoouuugghhh-"

Yamada's eyes bug out as the fist clashes against his abdomen. He then gets on his knees and holds his stomach while he vomits out a liter of saliva.

"(His skin is tough but... what visceral reaction...)" thought Naoki to himself.

"(Also I knew the receptionists referred to him as a cockroach but I thought they said it in like a demeaning way not like... an actual cockroach.)"

"Ggrrrr.....GYAH!"

In frustration, Yamada uses his lowered position to his advantage, and bursts forward in desperate attempt to ram into Naoki.

"COCKROACH DAAASH!"

Seeing the attempt a mile away, Naoki sidesteps the insect. Yamada rams straight into his kitchen, breaking his sink.

While the insect holds his head and tries to regain his composure, Naoki stands there, staring at the puzzle piece in front of him.

"(This guy... his speed isn't bad but... he's so obvious. I know I'm good but this is just 💀. Also, if he's lowering his presence so that he isn't noticed by civilians... why did he transform himself into a cockroach in the first place? Is he stupid? Did he mean to transform himself into a literal tiny cockroach but tried to gain the upsides of being... huge?)"

"...

Dude what are you?"

Yamada, wobbling back and forth tries to focus on the teenager in front of him.

"I... I didn't want any of this...

But you leave me no choice but to defend myself. HYYAAAAAHHHHH."

The cockroach sprints forward, flailing all of his arms in a brutish display of violence. With his steel-like fists, the insect in a blind fury valiantly strikes, pummels, and hammers away at the intruder.

With a confused look, Naoki nonchalantly parries all of the strikes for twelve seconds straight.

"GGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"🤨"

The student couldn't help but think to himself.

"(What the hell... this guy is a threat? To fucking WHAT? I know I fight more spirits than rogue sorcerers but... there's no way they're THIS weak? This guy's punches.... he doesn't turn, they're really weak, his durability is tough but that means jack shit when the force behind it is equivalent to a toddler's, all of the strikes are boring, slow, sloppy, and just a disrespect to anyone who knows how to fight- much less, knows how to throw a punch.

...

Why am I here?)"

For a split second, Naoki lets his guard down.

"I got you now!"

For the first time this entire fight, Yamada lands a punch directly on the teenager's cheek.

Naoki's head doesn't budge an inch. The teenager simply stares at the cretin.

"...What the hell was that?" Asks Naoki.

"...h-huh?"

"No seriously what was that? You're kidding with me right? Hit me again."

Doing a baseball wind up, Yamada cocks his arm back to gain "maximum potential", and attempts to clock Naoki's cheek again.

Upon impact, an audible crack was heard.

"AH-HA-HA-HAAAOOOWWWWWwwwwwwwwww...."

The insect holds his hand while groveling on his knees.

Staring in disbelief, Naoki thinks to himself.

"(He...

He broke his wrist punching me.)"

"...Stand up for a sec," commands Naoki.

"Wha? Uh? Ok...?"

"Cool, thanks."

Within a split second, Naoki performs a spinning back kick and clocks Yamada in the brain. Continuing as a blur, Naoki swiftly punches Yamada in the stomach before the beast could even fall on the ground. The former business man gets launched across the apartment, landing in the remains of his room. Slumped on the wall, his executioner walks towards Yamada.

The teenager furrows his brow and wears a concentrated stare. He looks at his unconscious opponent, twitching in defeat.

"There is nothing to be done...

There's nothing I can do...

I am a soldier through and through...

I am no hero...

I am no saint..."

He grits his teeth.

"Mercy is not a virtue. It encourages weakness.

Pity is not a virtue. it encourages weakness.

There is no such thing as good... so I do...

So I do what I..."

With a heavy hand, he raises his fist.

"I....

I...."