"My Counterpart," the Beast snarled. "You're risking your life foolishly. But, I'll allow it, with one condition."
5 fights over 5 days. Each day, another person will fight the Beast 1-on-1. He promises it'll be a fair fight, with no killing. If one of us impresses him, then Shiori can live.
(3/3)

"F#?£ this," shouted Meg as well mused over this. "I'm going to present a third option to him!"
...
The Beast's main reason for wanting to hunt down Shiori was due to her "tainted blood", and the known risk of it. So, Meg ask him to let us handle the consequences of keeping Shiori alive.
(2/3)

A tough almost impossible decision had to be made today. With Cheese Leaf's Crescent Moon Beast pounding on Respect Gang's door, wanting to kill and devour Shiori due to her suffering from OVERDRIVE, we seemingly had two options.
One, give her up, or two, die along with her.
(1/3)

"I can smell it from down here," a voice boomed at the base of the market building that homes the Respect Gang. "There's a tainted one you're all keeping up there. So, hand her over soon, or you all die."

We all forgot that the Cheese Leaf's Crescent Moon Beast would be after Shiori now!

It's troublesome to forget about something which in hindsight was very important to not lose focus of.
And looking back at my posts, I did in fact notice that one thing, but when Shiori went into OVERDRIVE, then we defeated her, then the funeral happened, that one thing escaped our minds.
(1/2)

"...We will henceforth no longer be called the Romantic Strings, instead, we are now the Respect Gang.
Finally, we will keep a close cooperation with the Sliced Bread Inc.
Thank you, and please enjoy the rest of the day."
...
I know for certain I will. Anyway, best get back to it.
(6/6)

"...And we now need to also focus on more than just our city, more than just our world.
So, I have a few announcements to make.
Henceforth, I will take leadership of my brother's gang. And to memorialize all the hard work he has done, and to show our new path forward..."
(5/6)

"...Having a gang focused so heavily on earning the respect of the community around it. But, I eventually warmed up to the idea. And, like many others, respected my brother for it.
We got a tough path ahead. Our leader, our driving force is gone. Yet our gang is bigger than ever. ..."
(4/6)

There were still tears, but they were mixed with smiles as everyone remembers all the good things he had done.
Although, the most emotional part was when his sister, Glade, made a speech.
"I never wanted to be a part of his gang. Always thought the idea was silly...
(3/6)

The Chain Rogue and the two underlings from the Romantic Strings also had moments for people to pay respect to.
And it's strange, I would have thought a funeral would be a place to mourn, but Gust's plans for his own one was a time of celebration instead.
To cheer for the life that was lived.
(2/6)

Today was (and still is, as it's planned to last right into the night) Gust's funeral. And it's been a big turnout for it, as many people from across the city, and further afield have come down to show their respects to him.
Although, the funeral isn't just for him...
(1/6)

Attention all Sliced Bread Inc™ employees!
Tomorrow is the funeral of Gust, known as the Respect King, a man who recently played an important role in helping the recon team's adventure within the Egg Leaf, his world.
All staff members are allowed to attend, but it's not mandatory.
Thanks,
Betty.

"And that energy is what helps upgrade a Will Item."
"It can do more than that. But I won't tell you more, not until someone in your office receives a Determined Spirit."
(5/5)

"That he did. Before he formed the Wolf Gang. There was a moment when he heard others mumble that name in fear, that was when he realised his goal."
"His goal?"
"When one gets their Determined Spirit, they visualise the person they want to be, and this fuels the energy that burns outwards."
(4/5)

"Blue Oni, Light Reaper, Sheep Baaitch, myself, and the Crescent Moon Beast. All of us had nicknames that were strong enough to enhance our Will Items."
"Sorry," injected Thomas. "Was one of them named Sheep Baaitch?"
"More importantly," I added. "Your version of the Beast had one?"
(3/5)

"Did you know anyone who had one," I asked. "Perhaps your Leaf's version of Gust."
"No one named Gust comes to mind. But, I can think of a certain group of notorious assassins whose names strikes fears into their targets, that all had one."
"As in, the Wolf Gang, the group you were a part of?"
(2/5)

"Determined Spirit? Yeah I know what that is."
"Then, Chain Hanger, why didn't you tell us about it before?"
"Heh. Cause you never asked, Thomas Peter."
To be fair, while I'd normally take the side of my old CEO, Chain Hanger had a good point when we were visiting him yesterday in the Void.
(1/5)

Da boss here. 😎
Everyone else is super busy today to make any posts. And the social media manager said I could post anything today.
Buuuuutttttt, I'm also super busy today... playing Tomodachi Life. ... I made lobster cake in it. 🦞🍰

"Hopefully you didn't cry too much when I did croak. I know it sucked for me to die, but it would have sucked more if I allowed this city to fall.
So, I got one rule at my funeral, brah.
Don't cry at it, instead have a ball and celebrate. You dig?"
Yes, Gust, 🥲 we dig it.
(7/7)

"Beatdown territory. That's what I call it when people get stuck in it. Essentially, everyone stuck in it is pounded by punches from every direction. Myself and Shiori's monster form must have taken a good beating in it. ... Good enough that I'm now six feet under."
(6/7)

"In my case, my uncontrollable heart balloon with fists starts to expand over a whole area. Anyone in that territory is trapped inside until I unsummon it.
I can't see into the future, but seeing as you're viewing this video, I must have used that ability on Shiori and myself. Yeah... myself."
(5/7)

"Don't even know why I know it's called that. My heart just knows that I have a Determined Spirit.
Essentially, when you get a nickname of certain notoriety, it starts giving this freaky magic energy to your body. Said energy can temporarily upgrade one's Will Item."
(4/7)

"I'm guessing you at least saw two things. One, my Will Heart powering up. Two, myself shouting out my nickname 'The Respect King'. Both those things are related.
You see I have a thing called a Determined Spirit. It's hard to describe, especially since I don't know anyone else who got one."
(3/7)

The video started with Gust laying back on a chair at his desk.
"Yo, Sliced Bread peeps. If you're watching this vid, then not only did I die, but I went out in an epic flame of glory, brah.
Sorry about that, but I knew the cost of that technique, how it was a last option I might have to do."
(2/7)

"There's a video Gust wanted you all to watch," told Alan to myself, Steve, and Meg. "I was going to show it to you earlier, but preparation with the funeral kept me really busy. It should explain exactly how Gust managed to defeat Shiori's OVERDRIVE form, and why he died because of it."
(1/7)

She's physically doing fine at the moment. Her levels back to before she had transformed. But, mentally on the other hand...
She's been silent, apart from asking for the occasional thing like food and water. 😮‍💨 Can't imagine what must be going through her head after all of these events.
(2/2)

Preparation for Gust's funeral has begun. Given his status as a gang leader, who a lot of people respected, it's going to be a big one. Especially because Alan will announce who will take over the Romantic Strings during it.
Meanwhile, Shiori is still recovering from her transformation.
(1/2)

I said three people died in the battle. Two Romantic Strings lackey, and the Chain Rogue.
But, sadly, I've just been informed that Gust passed away in the hospital bed. The damage he took from that last gambit was too much for even him.
At least he was able to save Shiori and the whole city.
(14/14)

When the dust settled, Gust, covered in cuts and bruises, walked forward, carrying a back to normal Shiori.
"You did it, Gust," cried Steve as he came over to both of them.
"Yeah, brah," said Gust with exhausted breath. "Take her from me. I need some sleep now."
Gust fell onto the floor.
(13/14)

"Because, I'm the Respect King," a light flashed all around him, as if saying that name was enough to empower him.
The heart balloon with fists, his Will Heart, grew in size, encapsulated him and Shiori in it.
I don't know what happened after that point. But eventually the balloon burst.
(12/14)