Outside of the school, Axel watched silently as the paramedics slowly left. Shiho was in a coma. The shock from both her attempt and it's consequential failure caused her already strained mind to crash.

They needed to run some tests at the hospital but the paramedics assured the school that she would be fine.

The principal cancelled school for the day, stating that tension was far too high for anyone to study. However, Axel could see that he just wanted time to figure out how to deal with the media.

Axel was thankful for this though. Ann was a mess, tears streaming down her face as she watched the ambulance leave. He wrapped her in his arms and whispered words of comfort into her ear.

She was mostly unresponsive for a few minutes. Then, she hugged him back as she cried into his chest. Akira and Ryuji stood next to the pair, a dark shadow covering their eyes.

Clenching his fist, Ryuji trembled as he squeezed out the words, venom laced in his tone, "That bastard…"

It was clear that something must have happened between Shiho and Kamoshida, considering what shadow Kamoshida was going on about last night. Axel just hoped it wasn't as bad as he thought.

It was never specified in the anime or game, but it was insinuated that Kamoshida… raped Shiho. He had trouble remembering the plot, sure, but some events were too shocking to forget.

Akira stayed silent, looking as calm as usual. However, Axel could feel the cold rage coming off him. Unlike the burning rage Ryuji was giving off, Akira's anger made him cold and calculating.

There was a sharp gleam in his eyes as he watched the departing back of the scumbag king. Suddenly, Axel's hand landed on his shoulder, pulling him back to reality.

Find authorized novels in Webnovel,faster updates, better experience,Please click www.novelhall.com for visiting.

By now, Ann had cried herself to sleep. He knew she wanted to go with Shiho but the paramedics refused. Shiho wasn't badly hurt, only unconscious from shock.

They were told that she was going to be tested and the paramedics didn't want any distractions.

---

After half an hour, Ann stirred from her slumber, sniffling as she slowly opened her red and puffy eyed. Axel, being the gentleman he is, carried her to a local cafe as he and the boys ate and chatted.

Seeing the concern on Axel's face as he glanced down towards her, Ann felt her heartbeat quicken as she blushed. That was when she noticed.

She was laying in his lap. He smiled when her cheeks became red, stroking her hair in a soothing manner as he said, "How're you feeling, sleeping beauty?"

Ann stayed silent for a few seconds, clutching Axel's shirt as he hands trembled. Even the embarrassment she was feeling ended up being pushed back by her sorrow.

Seeing her like this, Axel felt a sharp pain in his chest as he hugged her close.

A few minutes passed as the couple sat in silence. Suddenly, Ann let his shirt go as she slowly climb his body and planted a long and loving kiss on Axel's lips.

"Thanks for being there for me…" Whispered Ann.

Axel only smiled as he kissed her forehead, "Anytime Ann."

Now that Ann was awake, Axel and the boys decided to get down to business. What happened today was unforgivable. Axel restrained the burning inferno of rage building inside him as he muttered, "Alright boys, I need ideas. How are we gonna do this?"

A dark smirked appeared on Akira's face as he lightly pushed his glasses up, "Last night, I had a very long and informative talk with Morgana about the metaverse. If we want to 'save' Kamoshida and make him repent for his actions, all we need to do is steal the core of the palace."

"You see, according to Morgana, the core of the palace literally holds the palace together. However, that's not all. The core also serves as a container for the palace ruler's negative emotions."

Akira smiled as he continued, "If we managed to steal the core, in theory, all the crimes Kamoshida has committed will all come back to bite him, guilt tripping him into being a better person."

Suddenly, the zip to Akira's bag lowered itself as Morgana popped out and said, "Your forgetting one important detail, Akira. Make sure you tell them."

Rolling his eyes, Akira muttered, "I was getting to that part…"

"One… tiny little thing I should mention… Don't kill the palace ruler."

Everyone stopped for a second before turning to Axel. He tilted his head slightly as he muttered, "What?"

Axel knew exactly why everyone was looking at him but he decided to act confused instead. He didn't plan to kill the shadow Kamoshida but he did plan to kick his ass until not even his mother could recognise.

Sighing, Akira rubbed his forehead and said, "The core, the ruler, and their real life counterpart are connected. If you kill the ruler, the counterpart dies as well."

The group froze. Akira was fine, considering he learned this the other night but the others?

Ryuji was a bit shaken up. He hated Kamoshida, sure. But he didn't want to kill the guy. Maybe just kick him in the nuts a couple hundred times then everything would be water under the bridge.

Ann… She was a difficult one. Her face, stained with tears, wore a mask of icy indifference. She didn't seem to care at all if Kamoshida died or not.

Axel wanted nothing more than to tear Kamoshida a new one. However, this world was based off his original world. The laws here were strict and Axel didn't wish to spend his life in prison, even if there was no way to prove they did it.

After a few minutes of silence, Axel sighed as he said, "Fine. From now on, we work under a 'No Killing People' rule. Shadows? Go to town. Just don't hurt the palace ruler's."

Akira and Ryuji sighed in relief hearing his answer. However, not evem a second later, Axel smiled as he said, "However, anything else is fair game."

This time, Ann smiled but not out of happiness. Her smile was chilling, making the boys, Axel included, drawback from her a bit.

She said nothing as she looked over at the boys. Still smiling, she slowly raised her hand into the air. A touch of savagery suddenly appeared in her smile as she opened her palm before viciously clutching it shut.

The three boys (and cat) paled as they subconsciously crossed their legs, hissing in imaginary pain.

Ann rolled her eyes and giggled as she cutely squirmed her way into Axel's arms. She ignored the fact that he flinched when she touched him as she said, "I'm not gonna hurt you Axel~. I like you, remember?"

Once she was wrapped up in his arms, Ann sighed in content and smiled. Axel quietly sighed in relief as he hugged Ann by her waist.

Hearing the muffled giggles coming from Ann, the momentary fear for his future children disappeared as he lightly kissed her neck.

Watching the pair disappear into their own little world, Akira, Ryuji and Morgana all seemed to share the exact same thought.

'Riajuu… Go Explode!'