(Before the story begins, I just want to give a HUGE thank you to Ode Imaginations on Youtube for creating a palace theme for me based around this story!:
(youtube)/watch?v=OqiYa0jHOiI
He creates seriously fantastic music, and I highly suggest you check him out!)
10/7
UnsaltedChips36: Hey, Admin. I sent u a request via email, I'm UnsaltedChips on there.
10/9
UnsaltedChips36: Admin I rlly need help, email me asap.
10/10
UnsaltedChips36: I don't know if you've seen my msgs or emails but respond please soon.
10/11
UnsaltedChips36: (1/2) Hey Look I need help with some1 but I don't wanna say their name-
UnsaltedChips36: (2/2) on here publicly plz respond soon to my email, same as username
10/23
UnsaltedChips36: Hey. I need help, please respond, quickly. This isn't a joke
10/25
UnsaltedChips36: Phantom thevies, pplease I need help.
10/26
UnsaltedChips36: I know no1 believes you rn w/ justice n stuff I do please help me, msg me.
UnsaltedChips36: plz I still believe in u, if u still wanna help people still plz respond
UnsaltedChips36: If this is abou their name I can email you after u verify
10/30
UnsaltedChips36: Screw it, this is probably fake anyways.
11/22
UnsaltedChips36: ADMIN CHECK UR MESSAGES AND EMAIL
UnsaltedChips36: ADMIN CHECK UR MESSAGES AND EMAIL
UnsaltedChips36: ADMIN CHECK UR MESSAGES AND EMAIL
UnsaltedChips36: [reported for potential spam]
UnsaltedChips36: ADMIN SEARCH YOUR MSGS AND INBOX, MY EMAIL IS MY USERNAME
UnsaltedChips36: I'MS ORRY FOR DOUBTIING YOU PLEASE
UnsaltedChips36: MY NMAE IS ENA TANAKA I EMAILED U LO OK AT UR EMAIL EMAUL
UnsaltedChips36: Ppease do n t ignro e th is
Well, shoot.
Mishima hadn't seen any of these cries for help until now, not when it was buried under all of the previous hate from months before, now with the time just entering December. He only now discovered it by accident, reviewing any messages that were detected as possible spam.
On the Phansite, it was common to see people asking for a change of heart, as that had been its main purpose,
But with this, it felt off.
Other than the obvious, the fact that most of these types of messages took place in Late-October to November was an uncommon sight. Back then, they were already deep into the whole Okumura and blame-for-the-shutdowns fiasco, it seemed the entire world was ready to see how the Phantom Thieves would fall. Now, it seemed like they didn't care as much, which Mishima had started to take notice to, but that's beside the point.
It didn't help the feeling of uneasiness about how desperate in tone those last messages were. This was before Shido's calling card, so this sudden apology and exclamations were probably motivated from an event in this user's own life. He re-read the messages over and over again as he sat in the darkness of his room. The only light source, his monitor, reflected in his now narrow and focused eyes, Mishima felt a pit in his stomach set it. Like an unwanted lump of coal.
He got many messages like this a day, and disregarding it, even after so much time has passed, felt wrong to do. It wouldn't hurt to let Akira at least know about this, even if they had nothing really to go off of. He knew the Phantom Thieves were still taking requests, as he just had gotten back yesterday, a few responses from ones that had been recently fulfilled. It would be best to make an attempt to reach out to this person as well. It would at least help resolve some of the guilt from not seeing this earlier.
Mishima opened his browser and logged into his email. There was a slight feeling of anxiety about if the email could still be there, under the flood of hate and accusations, but a small sigh of relief left the boys mouth as soon as their Phansite username showed up suggested in the browsers search bar.
Many more recent emails, well, 'recent' as in before December, were written in the same frantic and demanding style as their messages left on the Phansite. However, many of them, if they didn't serve to remind him to look at it, were just repeats of the same first email sent to him.
Bzzt!-Bzzt!
The sudden buzz of Akira's phone alongside his mattress suddenly brought him back to reality from his attempt sleeping for the night. He turned to his side, careful not to cause any sort of shuffle towards his feet as to not disturb Morgana's rest, who decided to sleep towards the end of the dusty mattress.
The unexpected surprise from the fully turned up brightness from his phone caused him to recoil somewhat, having to give himself a moment to adjust.
When he recovered, he could read clearly Mishima's message:
Sorry, it's late, but I've received a request.
It wasn't really late, only being 10:55. Even during school nights, despite not having to go, Akira has before received texts much later into the night than this. Heck, he usually would be up around this time if he wasn't so exhausted from spending his Sunday in Mementos.
He responded,
It's ok, what's up? He was a bit too tired to poke fun at what Mishima considered to be late.
Mishima answered back quickly.
There is this girl, Ena, and she's asking for a change of heart for her friend, I think.
Apparently, she knows a person who's gone through a lot, but is still feeling the effects from it long afterward and has let the incident corrupt them.
She emailed me back in October, and I've only started to see her messages now, but in her more recent posts it sounded like things have taken a turn for the worst, and she's gone silent on the Phansite since November.
The last line peaked Akira's concern and a bit of guilty interest in this case.
Did she give you a name? He asked.
Not yet, she was actually pretty cryptic in her email.
That might be a problem.
She says she wants to keep the identity of her friend private until she knows that the Phantom Thieves are gonna help, to which I made sure now to tell her that they are, and she shouldn't doubt that for a second! Mishima texted.
Well, she had a right at least to be cautious, Akira thought. To her, they were just some strangers who claimed to be heroes. Mishima always seemed a bit overly-defensive when it came to the subject of the Phantom Thieves.
Nevertheless, this want to protect the groups' honor came from a place of admiration, not malice, although, it's been at times concerning.
A few familiar 'PI!'s' moved Akira's attention back to the chat.
She hasn't gotten back to me yet, and I don't have any other useful info at the moment, but I just wanted to let you about this now for when or if she does get back to me.
It sounded like she desperately needed our help, and I hope that we can give her that chance now. I feel kinda lousy that I didn't get to respond earlier.
Don't beat yourself up about it. You're only finding out about this now, right? Akira asked.
Yes, and I know but, that's just wishful thinking, I guess. Mishima texted back.
Anyways, what's important now is to see what we can do for her.
Btw, I'm gonna send you a screenshot of the email she sent me, one sec.
Shortly after, the promised picture was sent. Akira tapped on it, now moving to both sit up and reaching for his glasses, trying to pick them off of the floor to get a better look at what Mishima had sent him. Akira was still careful in his movements as not to disturb the sleeping ball of fur.
Hello,
I don't know much about how this all works, but I want you to 'steal' the heart of someone I know. I don't want to give away their name yet, I need to make sure that this is legit first.
But for the basics of this person, they're someone who's gone through some drama, and they've started really lashing out onto people because of it. They haven't shown up to school a couple of times as well. They're ignoring their own basic needs, other's needs, and I've just watched their relationships and all-around life fall apart.
I don't know if the Phantom Thieves help people like this, but without getting into detail, I think they're heading down a dark path, and I can't talk them out of it. I'm worried about them, and I'm worried about others.
Even if this is all a hoax or a viral marketing thing, I genuinely do believe that you guys are setting a good example for society and giving us a reason to hope and fight for a better future, and I'm getting towards the end of my rope here. Figured it was worth a shot.
Please respond to me soon, thank you for reading,
Ena
"And that's it? That's all she gave you?"
"Ah- well, that's all that she told Mishima." Akira swiftly responded to Ann's question.
Ann studied the screenshot on Akira's phone, eyes shifting through to read the email again.
"Well, hm. Actually, it's good that she cares enough to not to just expose her friend." She sighed, "A lot of people on here are way too eager to give away something like that."
Ann had stopped by Leblanc's to take shelter from the snow, and to grab a cup of coffee to warm herself up.
The café's relaxed and coffee-scented atmosphere was a nice contrast to the frigid air howling outside. Snowflakes were tapping at the window, as if asking its patrons to be inside as well. And on occasional instances, being loud enough to be heard over the quiet jazz playing over the speakers.
Nothing had been planned for today, as to take allow everyone to take a breather from their previous adventures. It seemed like the Phantom Thieves had been going non-stop lately; stealing Sae's heart seemed like ages ago now. Through running through Shido's palace as fast as they could, dealing with everything about Akechi, and still trying to get the depths of Mementos, or at least as far as they could go while waiting for Shido's change of heart. It felt odd but certainly welcomed to take some time off.
However, this mysterious request for the Phantom Thieves help proved that there still was work to be done.
"Have you thought about sending this to Futaba? I'm sure she could find some way to contact Ena like that." Ann snapped her fingers as she finished her sentence.
"I did, but I think she's completely knocked out today." Akira began, "She hasn't gotten back to me yet."
he continued "She's been working hard lately, and I don't want to bother her now."
Ann sat back in her chair at the bar, "Then, I guess all we can do for now is wait, huh?"
Akira nodded.
"Well, that's kinda anti-climactic," Ann took a deep breath in. "I could ask around at school for Ena, maybe she goes to Shujin?"
"That'll be too risky now, don't you think?"
"Yea true, but I just-," Ann looked up to the ceiling, "I don't wanna sit around and do nothing."
"You've done a lot Ann, all of us have." Akira turned himself to face his pigtailed friend, "I'm sure Futaba will look into it as soon as she wakes up, you shouldn't worry too much about it right now."
Ann didn't let go of her unmoving gaze towards the sky, still trying to process Akira's words into relief. He continued,
"We'll help her as soon as we can."
Ann had finally stopped her interest in the bumpy ceiling and fan and turned her head back to the conversation. Still thinking, her eyes glanced aside, her shoulders tensed up, and then relaxed as she let out a sigh.
"Yea, you're right. I should be more patient."
The conversation moved on from Ena, and eventually, anything Phantom Thief related. It led on into the evening, until Ann was able to return home when the storm had let up. Even though she had let her face and form relax, and the topic to drop, Akira thought she still seemed to have the subject of Ena on her mind, although reluctant to say anything further about it.