Ren and Rick were walking in the dark and almost empty streets, the air was filled with cool breeze of the night as they talked.
Rick was staring at his phone which read,
" INFILTRATE THE HEADLESS GANG AND LEARN OF HOW THEY OPERATE, + 200 PTS "
" RECOMMEND PLAYER: TATSUYA KAGAMI. "
" This is just cruel, picking the weakest one of us to have the most fun, " Rick said as he tried to scroll down but there was nothing. " And we haven't received any quests, "
He then turned and faced Ren, " Do you think Tatsuya can handle it? "
" I think he'll fine it's an easy quest, " Ren reply immediately his red eyes focusing on the road in front of them, " although I think his skill set might will hinder his performance. "
" I see, Tatsuya certainly did surprised me, I expected him to panic at the quest but, he didn't. " Rick admitted.
" He has levelled a bit, and it's not like he's weak, he just needs to believe in himself and then maybe he'll be strong enough to rival even me. " Ren explained the tone of his voice was calm.
" Hahaha, as if? " Rick chuckled while leaning a bit forward as he wiped away a fake tear away, " Boss man your unfunny jokes are funny sometime. "
" That makes no sense. " Ren commented.
" It does in my head " Rick said while poking the side of his head with a finger. " By the way boss I've been have this feeling... like someone is constantly watching us or following us, whichever makes sense. "
Ren didn't say anything at Rick's sentence he just continued walking.
Then Rick continue with a question, " Boss man, have you felt like that theses passed few days? "
Ren answered in a calm tone, " No I haven't, maybe it's a status effect is causing you to feel that way. "
" I wish it was like that... but I'm alright and it just feels so real, " Rick explained.
He then added, " so I had thought you noticed already or maybe it's just in my head. " Rick said with a puzzled expression. " And it's not like there's a chance Tatsuya would notice. "
" Speaking of Tatsuya, do you think you can help him with his preparations. " Ren asked without turning to look at Rick.
Rick then straightened his posture and replied, " hmmmm... I don't think so, I have plans, " then a smirk appeared on his face. " Boss man, you worry too much. Tatsuya said he'll handle it so let him handle it. "
The was a bit of silence before Ren replied, " worry... me " he repeated the words slowly like they were foreign to him.
" The wish," Ren added and it was like he cut through the air and made it heavy.
With two words Rick stopped walking, his eyes narrowed and focused on Ren, he stared and listened attentively.
" Remember, it's all for the wish, " Ren's voice was serious but also strangely calm. " we can't afford to mess it up and i don't like that we are not earning points fast enough. "
Rick's eyes widened as he stood behind looking Ren.
He then faced down and his expression was unreadable as he clenched his fists.
' of course I haven't forgotten, ' his pupils began to to move like their shaking as he thought to himself. ' how could I?... I'm always ready to do whatever it takes to get that wish and you can count on me. '
The next day came and Rick was walking through a long white hallway with a bag in his hands.
He walked pass a few people in the white gowns, some were in wheel chairs some being rushed through with drips on them.
As Rick walked he thought to himself, ' hospitals always have a depressing feeling, I need to get out of here. '
He then arrived at door and knocked on the door with a tag which read, " Ken Togashi. "
The door opened almost immediately and a boy walked out.
The boy didn't look at Rick as he walked pass him but Rick payed attention his eye going straight to the boys neck.
It was a tattoo which grab his attention, it was a tattoo of a spider with no head.
' blonde and blue hair that's a first seeing it and that tattoo, there's something about it.... wait why do I care about that tattoo anyways. ' he thought as he entered the door.
Inside Ken was laying down the bed and upon seeing Rick, he moved to a sitting posture.
" Rick, it's, it's nice to see you again. " Ken said as his eyes lit up, as the sound of his breathing was audible due to the respiratory mask on his face.
Rick placed the bag on the side of Ken's bed as he spoke, " you look better but terrible. "
" Well yes I, I'm still recovering, I didn't expect you to visit so soon. " Ken said as he place his hand on the mask.
" Actually it wasn't on my part of my plan but I just suddenly remembered I bought you a get well gift so I had no choice but to come. " Rick stated cheerfully.
With a amused scoff Ken reply, " pufff, thank you, I, I really appreciate. "
" Yeah yeah, I'm curious the blonde, I mean who is the guy who just walked out the room. " Rick asked as he tapped the back of his neck with his fingers.
" I don't know his name but he's friends with, with those two. " Ken stated his tone dropping.
" What do you mean by those two? "
" Hanemiya and Kiyomasa, they're all part of a gang. " Ken explained then his hand started to shake slightly, " he, he wanted to recruit me. "
A smirk appeared on Rick's face, " recruit you, now that's interesting. What did you say?
" I, i refused obviously. " Ken answered while stammering, " those guys made my... my life... a living hell. "
" They made fun of me for caring about my sister they called me sister lover which really got to me and some of my friends started using it which made my chest really hurt. "
Rick let a scoff slip as he held back laughter, ' dawn bullies these days are cruel. '
" They beat me up me over nothing and forced me into debt but I'm so weak I couldn't do anything about it but I'd never join them. " Ken continued explaining his voice clear for the first time this conversation.
" The nickname bothered you, I don't think a person's opinion should define you, " Rick said, he let words hung in the air and sink in. " And you're safe now the debt can be cleared later so no worries, right. "
Ken eyes studying Rick's face, looking a reaction of deception or mocking but only found a cheerful looking face with a smile.
" I guess you are right. " Ken said a smile appeared on his face.
Rick's sky blue eyes practically glowed as he started at Ken as he thought, ' I'm glad you've cheered up a little, life is hard but it's worse when you're hard on yourself I know your live has been terrible but you can change it. I did too. '
When he finished his thought the sound of his phone ringing filled the room.
He got it and on the screen it showed, it was call from Ren, he answered, " Hey Rick, I'm in trouble, I need your help. "