70 Behind the Scenes Part II
[Word Count: 2636]
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"This the place?" Richard asked, gazing up at a dense apartment building that stood ten stories tall.
"Yup," Leo muttered, his eyes fixed on the fifth floor.
"Man, it feels weird being back in Japan without the jetlag," Jeremy commented, leaning against a wall and looking up at the building.
Jeremy and Richard had accompanied Leo to act as lookouts while he handled business. Using the Glass Devil's convenient ability to walk through glass, they had returned to Japan within seconds. Now all that was left was to wrap up the scene so they could go back to their normal duties.
"So, which floor is it again?" Jeremy asked.
"The fifth floor," Leo replied, surprising Jeremy.
"Fifth floor?" Jeremy repeated, receiving a nod. "Fuck... you don't think this place has an elevator, do you?"
Richard chuckled as he playfully punched Jeremy in the arm. "Let's get those steps in."
"Five floors..." Jeremy muttered. "Fuck..."
Pushing himself off the wall, Jeremy and Richard followed Leo as he led them up the stairs.
Minutes felt like hours to Jeremy as the three of them ascended, floor by floor, step by step. Finally, reaching their floor, Jeremy was winded as he leaned on a guard rail.
"God damn..." he muttered, catching his breath, while Richard chuckled at his condition.
"C'mon, Clarkson, we're nearly there," Richard sarcastically encouraged.
"...shut up Hammond," Jeremy muttered in response, eliciting a chuckle from Richard. The banter between them eased some of the rising tension, even amid a tense situation.
Richard then turned more serious and asked, "You need anything else before you go in?"
"...Another suit," Leo replied.
Jeremy and Richard exchanged knowing smiles as they made their way down the hall.
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For the past five years, Hikaru Kamiki had harbored a burning desire for revenge against Leo. Ever since their school days, he had relentlessly sought ways to outshine and defeat his rival, but every attempt had ended in failure.
Leo had always been a prominent figure, shining in the spotlight, while Hikaru was relegated to a mere background character in comparison. Despite being intelligent enough to answer any question thrown his way, Hikaru felt overshadowed by Leo's presence. He was an enigma, with little information available about his background even after Hikaru's extensive research, only the tip of the iceberg was revealed in a police report.
In the beginning, Leo seemed to have it all. He had a cheerful and supportive mother, and the strength to pursue his dreams. However, life's cruel hand struck Leo when his mother tragically lost her life during the Gun Devil attack. Hikaru rejoiced when he discovered Yuki's name among the casualties, viewing it as a day worth celebrating.
Hikaru reveled in seeing Leo's pain, even going so far as to suggest a mural as a reminder of the lost lives. The sight of Leo's grief-stricken expression when he first saw the mural brought Hikaru immense satisfaction. He wanted to relish in Leo's lowest moment and make him feel powerless.
Yet, Leo turned the tables with a vengeance. In an astonishing display of strength, the middle schooler confronted a devil that towered over the school, defeating it with unprecedented might. The image of Leo ripping out the Moose Devil's heart and dousing Hikaru with its blood while wearing a smirk haunted his nightmares.
In mere seconds, Hikaru's year of plotting and scheming had been dismantled. He hadn't seen Leo in person since that fateful day, as rumors spread like wildfire following the shocking encounter. The event forced him to move away, unable to bear the constant scrutiny and talk that followed after having devil's blood spilled on him.
Now, in a frenzied rush, Hikaru swiftly packed whatever belongings he could. His thirst for revenge had driven him to dark depths, manipulating an obsessed fanboy named Ryosuke to take the life of his favorite idol, Ai, whom Hikaru suspected of having a secret family given the obvious clues, making it all the easier to manipulate the unhinged fanboy. As a twisted prank, Hikaru had instructed Ryosuke to mention Leo's last name if he found himself cornered.
When the fateful day arrived for Ryosuke to carry out the grim task, Leo surprisingly answered the door, thwarting whatever sinister plans Hikaru had set in motion.
His mind raced with confusion and curiosity. Hikaru had been closely monitoring Leo through various news sources, yet none of them had ever hinted at him having a family, let alone a family with an idol.
However, the cogs in Hikaru's devious mind were already turning. If he couldn't directly harm Leo, targeting his family seemed like the next best option. After all, Leo had already experienced the pain of losing two families; what would one more loss matter?
As Hikaru finished packing his belongings, he made his way toward the front door, thoughts of escape dominating his mind.
"I've lingered here long enough. If the police get involved, it's best to disappear to another city until things cool down," he pondered to himself
But as Hikaru reached the hallway, his blood ran cold, freezing him in place. There, blocking his exit, was someone unmistakable: black-haired Leo, hunched over as he removed his shoes in Hikaru's own home. The sight struck Hikaru like a bolt of lightning, leaving him paralyzed with shock and fear. He had seen that distinct hair color from every angle in the news articles; now, it was right before his eyes.
Hikaru's grip on reality slipped as he dropped his luggage bag with a loud thud, the sound echoing through the tense atmosphere. His heart pounded violently in his chest, threatening to break free from its confines.
Time seemed to stretch as Leo rose to his feet, his calm demeanor only added to the overwhelming sense of dread that engulfed Hikaru.
"Yo," Leo greeted casually, his tone contrasting sharply with the gravity of the situation. "I hope you don't mind, but I let myself in when no one answered."
Hikaru's throat felt constricted, and he had to force himself to swallow, attempting to regain some composure. "H-Hey," he managed to stammer, his voice betraying the weight of fear that bore down on him. He struggled to match Leo's casual demeanor, knowing all too well the gravity of his own actions.
Leo's piercing eyes seemed to bore into Hikaru's very soul, his unwavering gaze leaving no room for evasion. It was as if Leo could see through all the layers of deception, exposing Hikaru's darkest intentions and actions. A shiver ran down Hikaru's spine as he felt a sense of vulnerability he had never experienced before.
"You busy?" Leo asked casually, gesturing at Hikaru's luggage. "I can come back later if you want."
Although the words seemed like an offer to leave, the intensity in Leo's eyes suggested otherwise. Hikaru felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
"N-No, is there s-something you need," Hikaru stammered, desperately trying to regain control over his nerves.
Leo scratched the back of his head, a small gesture that didn't seem to diminish the weight of his presence. "I've come to apologize."
Hikaru's eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. The last thing he anticipated was Leo offering an apology.
Leo's expression remained unchanged as he pointed toward the interior of Hikaru's apartment. "Can we sit down?" he asked calmly, giving no hint of the reason behind his visit.
Hikaru hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. He knew he couldn't escape the situation, so he reluctantly gestured toward the living room, silently inviting Leo to take a seat.
As they both settled on the couch, a tense silence hung in the air, amplifying Hikaru's anxiety. Leo's cool composure only added to the mystery, leaving Hikaru on edge, awaiting an explanation.
Finally, Leo broke the silence, his tone eerily calm. "For starters, I wanted to apologize for what I did back in middle school. It wasn't very cool of me to do what I did. I was grieving, but that shouldn't be an excuse. I humiliated you, and for that, I want to apologize."
Hikaru nodded slightly but didn't say anything.
"I've done some terrible things," Leo continued, his voice steady and composed. "When I was ten, I killed my father. I used a devil contract to burn him and our house down."
"W-What-" Hikaru was caught off-guard by the revelation.
Before Hikaru could process it all, Leo continued. "I was also behind the subsequent fires that plagued Japan after the Gun Devil attack, and most recently, I was behind the fire that consumed Germany's capital."
Hikaru was left stunned, unable to fully comprehend the gravity of Leo's confessions. He found himself only able to ask one question. "W-Why are you telling me this?"
Leo stopped looking forward and slowly turned his gaze to meet Hikaru's. "I think we both know why," he said calmly, leaving Hikaru with a haunting realization.
Hikaru swallowed hard, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon him. "Dead men tell no tales," he thought to himself, understanding the dangerous position he now found himself in.
Hikaru's mind raced as he tried to grasp the implications of Leo's revelation. He felt a mixture of fear, uncertainty, and a strange sense of understanding.
Leo's confession wasn't a boast or a mere bragging of his misdeeds. Hikaru knew he was standing face to face with someone who had the potential to bring devastation on an unimaginable scale on a whim.
"I won't say anything," Hikaru finally managed to utter, trying to control the tremor in his voice.
Leo's expression remained inscrutable, his gaze unyielding. "I know," he replied, his words carrying an unsettling weight.
The silence between them stretched on. Hikaru knew he was in no position to threaten or manipulate Leo. He had underestimated the depth of his abilities and the consequences of his actions.
"You won't see me again," Hikaru said, the weight of Leo's presence pressing upon him. "I'll leave this city, and I won't come back."
Leo nodded slightly, acknowledging Hikaru's decision. "It would probably be best," he replied simply.
As Hikaru gathered his belongings, the weight of his past actions felt heavier than ever before. He realized that he had been playing with fire, and now he was left with the consequences of his recklessness.
Sitting his luggage bag on the couch, Hikaru organized the rest of his things while Leo leaned on the doorframe leading to the hallway.
"Can I have this bat?" Leo asked casually, pointing at the bat leaning against the wall.
"Uhh, s-sure," Hikaru replied, too nervous to look back.
"Thanks," Leo said simply, picking up the bat and feeling its weight in his grip.
A heavy silence followed between the two, with only the rustling of Hikaru's items until Leo spoke again.
"Hey, Hikaru... Do you know, where the wild things are?" Leo asked casually.
"No...?" Hikaru replied anxiously.
Leo breathed out slowly. "That's too bad."
Another heavy silence.
"How's Taiki? Do you visit him at all?" Leo asked suddenly.
Hikaru's eyes widened as he turned around. "How do you-"
Before he could finish, the bat swung violently, smashing into Hikaru's face. The force alone broke his nose and sent him back crashing into a wall. Hikaru felt the air leave his chest as he fell forward onto the floor with a thud. Barely clinging to consciousness, Hikaru tried getting off the floor but was met with the bat pressing down against his head, leaving him utterly defenseless.
"Do you know, where the wild things are?" Leo asked calmly.
"N-No," Hikaru said weakly.
"Too bad," Leo muttered, bringing the bat up high in the air before swinging it down with a vengeance.
A series of brutal thuds followed as Leo repeated the process, bringing the bat up high and slamming it down against the back of Hikaru's head. The sickening sound echoed in the room, and each blow sent shockwaves of pain through Hikaru's body. He tried to shield himself, but the force of the blows was overwhelming.
Leo's expression remained cold and indifferent as he continued his relentless assault. He seemed like a force of nature, delivering justice in his own brutal way. There was no mercy in his actions, only a raw and unyielding determination.
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Outside, Jeremy and Richard stood near the door, gazing out at the view provided by the dense apartments. The sound of banging reverberated from inside the apartment, but they both seemed unfazed, as if they had become accustomed to such occurrences.
"Hey, Clarkson, I've had something on my mind since this whole thing started," Richard suddenly said, ignoring the banging from within.
"What's that, Hammond?" Jeremy asked, also dismissing the noise.
"It's about second Boss," Richard admitted.
"Oh?" Jeremy perked up with curiosity.
"All things considered, wouldn't he be considered a Yandere?" Richard asked, closing his eyes and resting his chin in thought.
"A Yandere?" Jeremy repeated, paying attention to Richard's explanation. "What's that? I've never heard of a Yandere before."
"Well, it's an archetype," Richard clarified, and Jeremy nodded along. "It's basically a character whose love, admiration, and devotion are so strong that they have a tendency to harm or even kill people who would get in the way of their love."
"Ah, I see..." Jeremy said, understanding the concept. He pondered the idea for a moment, the banging providing a somewhat fitting backdrop to their discussion.
But then Jeremy shook his head and looked forward.
"Clarkson?" Richard asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"I have too much respect for the little matchbox to think of him as anything else," Jeremy admitted honestly.
"Ah..." Richard acknowledged with a nod of understanding.
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Soon, the banging came to an abrupt halt as Leo let out a slow breath through his nose. Under him, Hikaru was an unrecognizable mess of red. The once tidy living room was now a gruesome scene of carnage, with Leo's once clean suit now stained with blood.
Throwing the bloodied bat onto the couch, Leo straightened his jacket and turned to leave.
"Oof, that's not coming out anytime soon," Richard joked, eyeing the messy suit, prompting a chuckle from Jeremy.
"Eh," Leo dismissed the bloody mess as he started walking away.
Nearing the stairs, Richard decided to bring back the earlier topic, this time asking Leo directly.
"Hey, second boss," Richard called out, getting Leo's attention.
"Hmm?" Leo hummed, turning around to look at Richard as he continued walking.
"Are you a Yandere?" Richard asked bluntly.
"Oh god," Jeremy muttered under his breath.
Leo stopped and gave Richard an odd look. "A Yandere?"
"Yeah, you know, the archetype..." Richard began to explain, but Leo interrupted him.
"No, no, I know what a Yandere is," Leo clarified. "What gives you the idea that I'm a Yandere?"
"You know, killing people who would get in the way of their love and whatnot," Richard said with a shrug.
"Personally," Leo began, giving Richard a nod. "I don't think I'm a Yandere."
"Could you give a reason?" Richard asked formally, eliciting a groan from Jeremy.
"Alright, if you really want to know," Leo said with a hint of amusement. "First of all, I don't go around killing people for love. That's just not my style. I might be ruthless when it comes to protecting those I care about, but there are limits to what I'd do."
Richard crossed his arms skeptically. "Go on."
"Secondly," Leo continued, "Yanderes are usually obsessed with one person to the point of madness. I have people I care about, but I'm not obsessed with any one individual. My focus is on my family and friends as a whole."
Richard raised an eyebrow. "Keep going."
"Thirdly," Leo said, "Yanderes tend to be possessive and controlling. I may be protective, but I don't try to control others or force them to do things against their will. Everyone has their own choices to make."
Richard leaned against the wall, still not fully convinced. "And lastly, Yanderes often appear innocent and sweet on the surface, hiding their dark tendencies. As you can see, I'm not exactly innocent-looking," Leo pointed out, gesturing at his bloodied suit and the aftermath of his actions.
Jeremy then snapped his fingers, and Richard nodded in agreement.
"That's it, that's the one," Jeremy laughed.
"Second boss is anything but sweet and innocent!" Richard exploded into laughter.
Leo stared at the two laughing with an unamused expression. "Glad we cleared that up..." he deadpanned.
