A/N:
Hello and welcome, to Chapter 6 of Codename: Songbird. I am happy to announce that in four chapters, you will all get to see the persona that Takumi has awakened. It took me awhile to pick the right one, but I am sure that this persona will fit him, and once you figure out and or see who it is, you will get it too. One thing that I'm sure you are curious of, is Takumi's codename...well you'll also get to see that during the Kaneshiro Palace Infiltration. With him joining the Phantom Thieves, will come a bit more seriousness to infiltrations, as well as a wider variety in Infiltration tools and the like. I always wondered why Joker didn't have a grappling hook or a grapple gun in the game, wouldn't that be a useful tool for a thief? I also wondered why he didn't have that fancy laser spray for Madarame's palace, though I guess the Eagle Vision thing works as that.
I am also going to make a bit of a change. I said in chapter one that he had a steel sword strapped to his back, but that actually doesn't go well with his outfit. So, he will use short swords instead of long swords. They're much easier to work with and very light, almost like Joker's dagger. I always wondered where it was that they all kept their weapons. For Joker, it was obvious, he kept his gun and dagger behind his back beneath his coat. But did Skull carry that bat on his shoulders? Panther obviously has her whip strapped to her side, and Yusuke carries his Katana around. Makoto has her knuckles, Futaba is in her flying saucer...and then we have Haru with a fucking axe and a grenade launcher. You know, her choice in weapons really makes me laugh. Someone sweet and innocent packs a fucking punch, you'd never expect her to waltz into a fight with a damn battle axe. But it fits her, a long with her Musketeer look, though I would had prefered her using a Rapier instead of an axe, it fits her motif better. Then we got Crow, who decided to take a page from Star Wars the Force Unleashed and brought a fucking lightsaber to the party. I can still hear Cartman in my head, softly saying, Kevin Goddamnit. In fact, I recite this whenever I use Crow in battle, it's kinda funny really.
Well...I'll leave this chapter here for you all to enjoy. Let me know what you think, from here on, the plot to the third part of the game will begin along with the plans behind the third heist. I will make sure to include Takumi into the mix as well as keep the story balanced with new events as well as the canon ones. I was actually going to have Takumi and Makoto's awakening's happening at the same time, but I ended up writing something different, so I hope you all look forward to it. This chapter will be the true beginning to Takumi's transition from regular boring kid to moonlighting Phantom Thief. It'll still be a little slow, but it is necessary to ensure everything is flowing as smooth as a soft bowel movement...I apologize for that analogy, it was a rather bad one. Eh...better than saying it flows like shit...because that would just make it sound like shit.
Persona 5
Codename: Songbird
Chapter 6
Gathering Information
Date: Wednesday June 8th 20XX
Time: Afternoon
Location: Shujin Academy(Aoyama-Itchome)
Weather: Sunny
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
"Alright students, as you all know tomorrow is the Social Studies trip. Because of this, the you will be able to go home early to prepare for the trip. Those of you who have chosen to go to the Television Studio will have to report to classroom 2-D as Ms. Kawakami will be in charge of that trip, for those that chose the Art Museum in Ueno, you will report here and check in with me. If you have any other questions, about other locations and teachers, I shall answer them now." Ms. Chuono said, earning nods of agreement from her class.
Some people instantly rose their hands, asking the woman various questions, while others continued texting or chatting with their friends. Takumi had been half paying attention...he had chosen to go to the Art Museum, as he had never been to Ueno. But due to some twisted fate, he had been called by the television studio and asked if he would be willing to participate in a celebrity report. He wasn't really looking forward, and have been considering turning it down, but figured he could use the media to at least settle some of the allegations against him. He still couldn't believe that after so many years, this stuff kept rearing it's ugly head back at him. He was getting sick of it, so now would be the perfect time. He'd have to rip his good boy mask and tell them like it was.
Except, he couldn't...he was more worried about other things. He hadn't been able to get anything about Ryoutaro Shimizu, so he didn't know where the Metaverse Navigator would take him. Since he didn't have the last word, he decided to abandon it. He had tried asking Kanami if she knew about any abuse or other things going on, but she had refused to say anything. The bruise on her side was bothering him as well, when he was walking past her bedroom, he had caught her putting some ointment on her side, and he had spotted a rather ugly bruise on her side. He had wanted to ask her, but he already knew she wasn't going to tell him, so he left it at that. The fact that his sister was being hit, was enough to piss him off, but he had no information to go by. Since he wasn't allowed on the set, he couldn't prod the workers for information either.
So he had resorted to the other pressing matter, the one that dealt with his mother. He and Ayumi had kept quiet about what happened in that other world, in fact he was convinced that Ayumi had forgotten it entirely. She had claimed it to be some weird daydream that never happened, and he of course went along with it. But that didn't ease his worry in the slightest. He knew something was going on with his mother, that he needed to handle. She was the person that had given him lodging for an entire year, and that reminded him so much of his deceased mother. He wasn't going to let some bastard do whatever he wanted with her. He had yet to ask her any questions, because he was sure she wasn't going to say anything. He sighed, tapping away at his screen, having received a message from his sister saying that she had Cheer Practice that afternoon, and that he could go ahead home if he wanted.
"Yo dude, you've been sighing a lot...bored?" Ryuji asked. Takumi glanced up from his phone, giving him a nod. He hadn't interacted much with his blond haired classmate, mostly because he didn't feel like he could trust him yet. After all of the rumors he had been hearing, he had just fallen into his normal routine of putting on a mask and staying on guard.
"We got no actual classes this afternoon, but I haven't got shit to do. On top of that, I had a very important audition earlier this week and I blew it. It was my first big gig in awhile."
"Bummer...I didn't think you'd actually want to go back to acting...you know, with all the crap flying around."
"Yeah...but you know what they say, when the going gets tough, the tough kicks ass. I can't just sit back because some asshole behind a computer keeps saying I like shooting heroin behind a Big Bang Burger dumpster...which is unsanitary by the way. Out of all the places I would want to do that, it would be in a place with a lot of bleach." he said, earning a chuckle from the blond.
"Tell me about it, some of these rumors are shit man. This social studies trip is gonna be a bust...me and my friends picked the TV station...how about you? What did you pick?" Ryuji asked, turning himself sideways, to fully face him. The teacher was still answering questions, so they knew she wouldn't actually continue teaching.
"I didn't...I was actually looking forward to going to Ueno's art museum. I heard there was a replica of the Mona Lisa on display for two days only, and the tickets were free. I also heard some other famous works, including an original Picasso was going to be there. But the local TV station called me, asked me if I was interested in doing a Celebrity interview. As luck would have it, it's the same one you're all going too."
"Whoa really? That means you're gonna be on TV right? What's it like?" he asked.
"It's alright...but the lights get so damn hot, you actually start to sweat. You know how sometimes, people have shiny foreheads on screen? Yeah, that's because of the make up they use. It's actually so you don't sweat, but it feels like you made sweet love to a custard cake...fuckin sucks." Takumi said, glancing at his phone, shooting a reply to his sister.
"Aw...man, I thought it was because of the sweat. So, do the ladies dig the suave celebrity vibe or nah?"
"Hmm? Are you asking me if I'm always surrounded by girls? Because currently, I'm not. At one point, maybe I would have been...besides, all of them are fake. Ooh, I want your autograph...would you go out with me? Here's my number, text me...it's all bullshit. They only like you because your famous and have money, not because of who you are."
"Right right...I figured it was like that...anyway man, if you got nothing to do, my buddy Ren and I are gonna head to Shibuya. You should totally tag along, I mean if you want of course."
"Whoa...he's seriously asking me to hang out? That actually sounds better than sitting at home. And it gives me a good excuse to scout around the area."
"Sure, we can stop by my place first. I can leave all of my shit there and change out of this damn uniform." he said.
"Oh yeah sure, rumor has it you live in some dilapidated house. I wanna see it with my own eyes so I can tell them you actually have a sweet pad."
"Well, if you like music then you'll be right at home." Takumi said, a reassuring tone in his voice. The bell started to ring, causing all of the students to shoot up to their feet.
"Remember, if you are going to the television station tomorrow, head to Ms. Kawakami's homeroom. I'm not paying for your tickets if you decide too late to come to Ueno with us." Ms. Chuono barked loudly, watching as her students rushed out of the room.
"Finally...come on, my buddy Ren is in 2-D right now...maybe if we're lucky we can get Ann to hang out too."
"Ann? Is her last name Takamaki?" Takumi asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
"Yeah...you meet her yet?"
"We did actually, on Monday. We were both heading to Akihabara...she made for pleasant company, she's really sweet."
"Tch...wait until you actually get to know her more. The sweetness is just a front, I'm telling ya now man, for your own safety." he said, earning a chuckle from Takumi.
Maybe hanging out with someone his age would help him relax a bit. He didn't know why, but he felt like he could take off his mask around Ryuji. Of course he'd still be wary, after all, many people had befriended him and asked him for money days after they had met. He had gotten to used to it, that he didn't bother making friends anywhere he went, only talking to his fellow cast members and some of the interns. Even then he didn't want to hang out after a shoot or anything, not wanting to be lulled into a sense of false security, like many others had before.
As they walked out into the hall, Takumi noticed a tall young man slowly approaching them, with frizzy black hair, and a wide pair of glasses. Like all the other boys, he was wearing a white collared shirt, with Shujin's emblem on the front, and was wearing a pair of pants, with red and white plaid markings on them, along with a pair of brown shoes. He had a bag on his shoulder, which was slightly open. Takumi swore he saw a white tipped tail sticking out of it.
"Hey Ren, hope you don't mind...this dude's tagging along with us. He's the new kid."
"That's fine...my name is Ren Amamiya...it's nice to formally meet you, Takumi Mashita-san." the boy politely said, holding his hand out to him. Takumi returned the gesture, giving him a firm hand shake.
"Nice to meet you too. You can call me Takumi, I don't really like the honorifics."
"Alright, feel free to do the same for me."
"We haven't decided where exactly we're going, but Taku here wants to stop by his place. And don't worry Ren, it isn't dilapidated crack house like the rumors say."
"I'm pretty sure that was obvious. He walks to school with one of our juniors, a girl named Isoshima-san. If I recall, she lives in a music store." Ren said, causing Takumi to raise his brows.
"Wow...that's pretty much right. Rumors really do travel fast...unless it's something else, maybe you're trying to score a date with my little sis. Is that it?" Takumi asked, making the boy back away, a crossed look on his face.
"Um...no, that isn't it at all."
"Hehe...come on man, I'm breaking your balls. Let's go, mom sometimes let's me play instruments while there are customers. Maybe we can jam out and piss off the pedestrians." he said, taking the lead.
"Heh, you're talking my language man...you know, you aren't half bad!" Ryuji said, following him down the stairs.
xxx(Take Your Heart)xxx
Date: Thursday June 8th 20XX
Location: Shibuya
Time: After School
Weather: Sunny
xxx
After reaching Shibuya Square, Takumi and his new friends, Ryuji and Ren started walking toward Erica's shop. They had been getting to know each other on the train, getting some stories from each of them. Ryuji had asked Takumi about where the rumors about him originated, and he had told him that it had all been a scheme that his father had created to ruin his acting career. That he had done it because he wanted his only heir to inherit his company when he passed on. To say the blond boy was mad was an understatement. But Takumi had gotten pretty mad himself when Ren had told him that he had gone on probation for helping a woman from a drunkard. Apparently, the man had thrown a punch and had fallen and hurt himself. The police showed up and the man said he had been assaulted, worse yet, the woman had said the same thing, and Ren had gotten arrested and kicked out of his previous school. It really pissed him off how adults could take advantage of teenagers like that.
"Still though, your old man is scumbag for doing that to ya. Wouldn't he be happy that you were a successful actor? I mean I've seen some of your old stuff and I still laugh at those innocent jokes. Even Fleeting Angel was great for it's time, those are all critically acclaimed. How can he be so goddamn selfish?"
"That's just how it is man. People see your success and they just shit on it. My father just wanted me there to run his ship when he died, he doesn't care what I want. He doesn't care that I want to be an actor, or that I like skateboarding, or that I'm half decent sketch artist. You know for as long as I have known him, the bastard has never asked me, oh son, how's your day been?"
"Seriously?" Ren asked.
"Yeah...all he said was...the company's stocks have gone up today son. That means we're gonna get some money our way. You gotta learn to read the stock market, after all you hold a lot of shares here. Like the fuck? Don't you wanna know what I did today? What I ate? Who I fucked?"
"Whoa...I wouldn't tell my old man that last part."
"I was exaggerating...but you get the point. I mean, he wasn't even excited when I told him I was recording New Age...I mean the show was shit...but still. That's why I decided to just leave LA and come back here. Yet when I get here, I find even more shitty adults." Takumi said, stopping at the crosswalk, pressing the button a few times.
"What do you mean by that?" Ren calmly asked, pushing his glasses up his nose, the glare on the lenses finally clearing.
"It's like this...I met this famous director last Friday. He was such an awesome dude, and sounded really kind. Even praised my acting, but I was late on Monday, as I said before. He just gave me the third degree so fuckin bad man. He shouted at me, saying that if I wanted to be a serious actor, I had to be punctual. I mean it's not my goddamn fault the fucking trains were late. Not only that, he was shouting at the workers, and even threw a fake orange at a girl for fucking up his coffee."
"Sounds like a bastard to me. But that's not unheard of, directors are pretty rough on their actors right?" Ryuji asked.
"Generally yes...they want them to look as best as they can on camera. But shouting at them when they aren't filming and putting the fear of god in them...that's something else. You don't throw an orange at someone when Starbucks fucks your coffee up. Then there was that Akihiko Shouji douche dick...he got my leading role, and then just treated me like horse shit when he bumped into me. I really wish I could hit him in the face, the bastard." Takumi said, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked. They made it across the street, seeing the music store not far from where they were.
"Sounds like everyone's got it rough. No matter what path you walk in life, there's always just a sprinkle of bullshit to mess up your day." Ren said.
"Couldn't have said it better myself...eh, who needs them? I'm sure you'll find a movie that's right for you. Perhaps you could work on Cake Knight II. I'd love to see you be the main baddie in that movie."
"Isn't that the movie where the guy fights with pies?"
"Mhmm...we went to see it last week...it's pretty funny." Ren said, earning an eye roll from Takumi. He glanced at the boy's shoulder bag, noticing something flicking around. He looked closely, seeing it was actually a pair of ears, belonging to a black cat.
"You know...you shouldn't put your cat in a bag like that. Did you...seriously bring him to school?" Takumi asked, causing the two boys to stiffen a bit.
"He uh...get's lonely at home. I live at a cafe, and he can't be downstairs while it's open so...I bring him with me. Don't snitch me out."
"Relax, I won't...you got balls though, bringing a cat to school and all. He's pretty cute."
"Ugh...I am not cute!"
"Eh...what was that?"
"What was what?" Ryuji asked, causing Takumi to stop, glancing around the area.
"Hmm...thought I heard a kid or something...never mind. Well, here we all...my humble abode...or rather the store. The abode is above it." he said, pulling the doors open, leading the two teenagers and one cat into the store.
"Whoa...check it out Ren! It's like musical heaven, oh oh...look at that Les Paul, and that Flying V...dude there's even an Explorer over here." the blond cried, moving toward the guitar section of the store. Erica looked up from her magazine, as the store had been empty a few moments ago.
"Huh...oh Takumi, you're home."
"Hey mom...hope you don't mind, I brought some friends with me. This here's Ren, and that's Ryuji."
"Nice to meet you two...you can call me Erica. I'm Takumi's step mom...or was before his bastard father divorced me. Eh...it doesn't matter, I'm his mom and that's final. Either of you need advice on an instrument?"
"Oh...maybe some other time. Some of these are really expensive and I'm pretty much broke. It's nice to meet you ma'am...you have a nice store." Ryuji said.
"I agree, your selection of musical instruments is astounding. Though I prefer the quiet tune of a flute myself." Ren said, earning a curious look from Takumi. He shrugged, heading toward the back.
"I'm gonna change real quick, then we can head out." he said, heading upstairs to the second floor.
"Well...feel free to look around, if you do find anything, do tell. Since you're my son's friends, I'll give you a store discount." Erica said, giving the two boys a smile.
"Wow, thanks...I might actually take you up on that. Let's go Ren, that Gibson Explorer is screamin' my name." Ryuji said, pulling his friend along.
"Hey Ren...there's something weird about that Takumi kid."
"Hmm? Are you sure Morgana? He seems normal to me." Ren said softly, glancing at one of the guitars on display.
"I'm pretty sure he heard me speak. When he called me cute, I said I wasn't cute, and he started looking around, as if he heard my voice."
"But that's impossible...only people who've gone to the Metaverse can understand you...right?" Ryuji asked softly.
"That's right...which is why I find it a little odd that he heard me. It might be a coincidence, but I think something's going on with him. That Akihiko Shouji fellow...wasn't his name on the Phan-Site?"
"That's right...Mishima said that there was an actor who bullied other actors. He often times faked phone calls to some of the auditioners and took their roles. He hasn't been in any movies, and has in fact tried to get on the big screen before." Ren said, glancing at his phone screen.
"He seems like a suitable target...wanna discuss him on our next meeting? Maybe we can go to Mementos and change his heart."
"That's the thing Ryuji...that Takumi boy...if he heard my voice, then maybe he's been to the Metaverse. If I could take a look at his phone and try to find the Meta-Nav, I'll know for sure. If that's the case, then he might've accidentally gone there if he said Akihiko's name and Mementos." Morgana said.
"But...isn't that a good thing? He might be a Persona user like us."
"And that's the thing, if he is and he's running around Mementos, that could be bad. He could be changing people's hearts, or even causing mental breakdowns. This is something we can't ignore."
"He seems like a good kid...I think we should monitor him closely." Ren said, earning a nod from Ryuji and Morgana. The three heard a loud jingle and looked toward the door, seeing two men in suits walking into the store. They looked rather firm, as if they had business with someone. Erica glanced up from her magazine, gasping a bit when she saw them. Their presence was enough for her to jump out of her seat.
"H-hello...m-may I h-help you?" she asked.
"Yes...we've come to pick up an order. Are you busy?" the man asked, glancing at the two boys standing near the guitars, who were pretending to mind their business.
"Huh...oh they're just waiting for my son...would you mind waiting for a few minutes? They should be gone by then."
"It's urgent that we pick up this order...they'll have to wait outside." the man said.
"Hey you two...beat it. We have to speak to the owner of this joint, in private." the second man said, approaching Ren and Ryuji, who turned around to meet his gaze.
"We're waiting for our friend...we'll be gone in a few minutes." Ren said calmly.
"I don't think you understand...this is a private matter...so either leave, or I'll throw you out!"
"You can't throw us out? Who the hell do you think you are? The cops? We aren't doing shit! Besides, she's the one who can throw us out because it's her store. So why don't you step off?" Ryuji snapped, standing firm. The man growled angrily, reaching into his vest.
"R-Ren...R-Ryuji...why don't you boys go upstairs? The door should be open, you can go and help yourselves to anything you'd like. Takumi will understand, this will only be a moment." Erica said.
"Huh? Um...alright I guess." Ryuji said. Ren spared one last look at the woman, who looked genuinely frightened, silently telling him to go upstairs, as if her life depended on it. He followed Ryuji toward the door, heading up the stairs.
"I don't like the looks of this...those two looked like rough housers. Pretty sure that one had a gun." Morgana said softly, once they had made it into the apartment.
"For real? How can you tell?" Ryuji asked.
"Well, for one he reached inside his suit. What other reason would someone have to do that, unless they were serving you papers or offering you a cigar?" the cat replied.
"Pardon me...you do know customers are not allowed upstairs correct? That is a breach of privacy, I'm gonna have to ask you kindly to leave, before I mace the two of you."
"Eh?" Ryuji muttered, looking down at the source of the voice, finding a black haired girl with a green can in her hand.
"I won't ask you again...if you do not leave, you will get maced. You have until the count of five...one...two...three."
"Hang on squirt, we're friends of your brother. Your mom sent us up here because two dudes showed up. Said they had pressing matters to attend too." the boy said.
"Tch...again? Do those men not understand that my mother is not their personal bank? This is the fourth time this month this has happened, and we aren't even half way through June." the girl said, turning around.
"What...this has happened before?" Ren asked curiously.
"I'm not at liberty to discuss such matters. I do recommend you stay up here until she is done speaking with them. I fear you may be in danger if you do go down there. The kitchen is over there, if mother has given you access, then you may grab whatever you like." she said, sitting down at the love seat.
"Mitsu? Who are you talking too, I'm the only one...whoa, what are you guys doing up here?" Takumi asked, as he finished putting his shirt on, grabbing his backpack off the floor.
"Your mom sent us, there are two men in suits down stairs. She looked pretty scared." Ren said.
"And you left her alone with them? What did they look like?" Takumi asked.
"Um...they're pretty tall...black suits, pressed ties, one of them probably has a gun." Ryuji said. Takumi growled angrily, moving toward the door, pulling the door open.
"Big brother don't!" Mitsuhide cried, following after the boy, only for Ren to grab her.
"You'll get hurt, we'll go down there...here, watch my cat for me." he said, handing the girl his school bag. She saw the black cat inside poke his head out, meowing loudly at her. She gave him a worried look, hugging the bag tightly.
"I don't want my mommy to get hurt...I don't want my big brother to get hurt either. This is all my fault." she said softly.
"Excuse me...what are you guys doing here?" Takumi asked, stopping next to the counter, grabbing the two men's attention. One of them smirked, turning to face him.
"We're just purchasing some musical instruments. This is between adults son, don't worry we'll be gone in no time."
"Tch...that's a bullshit lie. I'm an actor, so I can tell when someone is lying to me. Let me guess, you're here for money aren't you?"
"Takumi stop this...these respectable men have come here to buy instruments for their idol group. They come here regularly, the only reason you haven't seen them is because you are in school all day." Erica said.
"Oh really? Then why did that little girl upstairs say you were their personal bank? Come on miss, I may have just met you, but even I know this isn't right!" Ryuji said.
"I'm afraid we're gonna have to ask you to leave us be. Our idol group has a pretty big gig tonight, and they need these instruments."
"Idol group huh? What's their name? Maybe I know them, after all I know some of the idol groups personally. Go on, tell me the name." Takumi said, crossing his arms, a smirk on his face.
"Honestly kid, you are starting to piss me off. The idol group is called Kanamin's Kitchen. They're pretty famous, you probably haven't even met them, so please leave us be." the taller of the two said. Takumi reached for his cellphone, opening his contact list, hitting Kanami's name. He held the phone to his ear, waiting for the girl to pick up, which luckily she did. He put it on speaker for everyone to hear.
"Hey Kanami, it's Takumi...how are you?"
"I'm fine little brother, why are you calling me? You know I was just about to pee, so make it quick."
"Is Kanamin's Kitchen performing tonight?"
"What? No...you know Ayane has a broken leg. We aren't gonna preform for a long time...why are you asking?"
"That's all I needed to know...thanks sis, love ya." he said, hanging up the call. He glanced at the man, a smug look on his face.
"So...Kanamin's Kitchen eh? Bet you didn't know I'm related to Kanami huh? I'm gonna ask you again...who are you? And what do you want here? If you don't leave in the next five minutes, I'm calling the fucking cops."
"Takumi, you will do no such thing. These men are honest business men, I'm sorry. I just needed to confirm the order. Here's the guitar you were asking for. That'll be no cost to you." the woman said, handing them a black guitar case. The man turned it slightly, flicking it open to look inside. He nodded, holding his hand out to her.
"Thanks for your business. We will return soon with our next order...it would be best for us to meet during school hours. If you'll excuse us." the man said, turning to leave the store.
"What the hell is wrong with you? I told you not to come down here when I'm handling business."
"You call extortion business? I'm sorry but that was not business. You were scared shitless, don't deny it." Ryuji said, glaring at the woman, who shied back a bit.
"I was not...if you're gonna hang out with your friends, I think you should do it somewhere else. If you have the time, take Mitsu with you alright?"
"Mom...this is serious...why haven't you called the police? You and I both know they aren't businessmen. Businessmen don't scare store owners, and they definitely don't refer to their clients as banks." Takumi said firmly.
"I dunno what you are talking about...they come here all the time. I'm a music store owner, I help a lot of upcoming idols out. We've done business many times before, and now you've made me look bad in front of them...I'm worried they won't come back."
"Tch...and I'm worried they might pop a cap in your ass...listen, it isn't my place, but your little girl was seriously worried about you. Especially because she had a can of mace with her." Ryuji said.
"You should tell the police about this ma'am...it's for the safety of your family and yourself." Ren said.
"I'm fine...everything is fine, it's nice that you worry about me. But I am not in danger and neither are we."
"How much did they take?"
"Huh?" Erica said, glancing at her son who had a frown on his face.
"How much money did they take? It must have been all of it right? The register is empty, I can see the box from here." he said. She quickly closed it, a sigh escaping her lips.
"I can't...I can't tell you, you might get hurt." she said. The boy pulled his backpack off his shoulders, and placed it on the counter, reaching inside for a black box, which was the same dimensions as a thick text book. He pulled the cover off of it once he had placed it on the counter, taking out ten stacks of bills, each of them being 50,000Y.
"Here, I usually keep a bit of cash on me in case I need it...that's a million yen. I hope it helps you keep this store running, as well as keep your family fed. I love you mom, but please...cut ties with those men...they'll only bring you misery and pain." he said.
"Son...I can't accept this."
"You can and you will. I'm not taking it back, make sure Mitsuhide is fine. You guys still up for hanging out somewhere?" Takumi asked, turning to his new friends.
"Sure if you want...but after all of this, I've sort of lost the mood, you know?" Ryuji said.
"I know, wanna go to Central Street's diner and grab something to eat? I'll cover it. We can check out the mall or hit on girls, whatever you city dudes do."
"It can't hurt to use my good looks to attract the ladies." Ren said, earning a laugh from Erica, who covered her mouth with her hand.
"Oh...I haven't laughed like that in awhile. Go on, enjoy the afternoon, Takumi make sure you pick up your sister after Cheer Practice, you hear?"
"Loud and clear mom...hey, what about your cat? Didn't you leave him upstairs?" the brunette asked, turning to the frizzy haired boy.
"Your sister is taking care of him...he'll be fine. He likes little girls." he said, a smirk on his face. Ryuji noticed his smirk, and bit back his own laughter, as the three headed out the door.
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
"Hey man...I know it ain't my place but...did you know what your mom was doing beforehand?" Ryuji asked curiously.
"If he had, he wouldn't have reacted that way Ryuji." Ren replied, earning a glare from his friend.
"I wasn't...but knowing that she is pisses me off. Makes me wonder what piece of shit decided to mess around with her. My mother is tough as nails, she even put up with my dad's bullshit. Why would she turn into a submissive house wife all of a sudden?"
"You know...this might have to do with that crime ring. We've heard some people in school are getting scammed in Shibuya." the frizzy haired lad said, causing Takumi to look at him.
"Crime ring huh? I heard the same thing, it's why I have to pick my sister up as soon as she gets into Shibuya. Hmm...I need to get to the bottom of this, so I can help my mom out. What say you to a little sleuthing...it might be dangerous, but if I can find a solid lead, I can stop these fuckers from terrorizing people like my mom."
"Hehe...you're talking my language. But eh...where do we start?" Ryuji asked.
"Good question...it would have to be in a place full of people. People that are gullible enough to buy a scam. They could be anywhere, but they could also be working in pairs. I think me and Ren should be the ones asking questions, while Ryuji watches." Takumi said.
"I agree...if these guys are being targeted, they might get scared with his abrasiveness." the boy replied.
"What...ugh...seriously?" the blond said.
"Sorry man...oh right, let's exchange information. It might be easier to text each other instead of speaking openly." Takumi said.
"Good idea." Ren said, reaching for his phone, with Ryuji doing the same. They traded information, all three of them smirking.
"Let's stop some shitty adults."
With that, the three teenagers walked into Central Street, glancing around for some people. They acted like they were just hanging out, speaking about random topics as they walked. Takumi spotted a girl leaning next to some vending machines, looking quite lonely. She also had a frightened look on her face as she kept glancing around shyly, as if she was being followed. Takumi texted Ren about her, and he glanced over to the machines, giving the brunette a nod. They told Ryuji to wait nearby and started walking towards her.
"Excuse me." Takumi said softly.
"Huh? I'm blocking the machine aren't I? Sorry." she said softly, about to walk away.
"That uniform...you go to Kosei right?" Ren asked, glancing at the emblem on her shirt, and the navy blue skirt.
"Y-yes...you got to Shujin right? I've been hearing those nasty rumors recently."
"Mhmm...they're pretty bad...but something else is bothering me. Why's a pretty girl like you here by herself? Looking like she's lost...like she's being followed?" Takumi asked, causing her to shy away from him.
"I'm uh...new to the city is all. I just got a little lost, nothing major...I'm waiting for my dad to pick me up."
"Don't lie to me, I know when people are lying sweetie. I'm not gonna rat you out or anything...I wanna help. We've been hearing rumor of people getting scammed, have you fallen victim to that as well?" he asked.
"Um...yes. This man came up to me, telling me that if I gave him fifty thousand yen, he'd get me a real cheap car. So I told him that I would pay him in installments, ten thousand yen every week. But when I came for the keys, he never showed up. I've come here this whole week and he hasn't shown up, and the phone number he gave me is no good. I ran into him earlier, and he said that if I wanted that car, I'd have to give him something else, and that's when I ran for it." she said.
"What an asshole...so he took your money and tried sexually abusing you. Why didn't you call the police?" Ren asked curiously.
"Because...he said that if I did, something bad would happen to my family. He had grabbed my arm, and when I threatened him, he said that, so I kicked him in the leg and that's when I ran. I'm sorry, I can't say anymore, he might hurt me." she said, turning around to leave. Takumi grabbed a hold of her arm, pulling her to a stop.
"Wait...I'm not done."
"Please, just leave me be...I don't want you to get hurt either." she said. Takumi reached inside his backpack, pulling out a stack of bills, unzipping her back and placing it inside.
"I'm not gonna say anything...I've just payed you for your for the information. And to keep you silent, if you will. Go home, and don't come back here, just in case." he said. The girl glanced inside her bag, eyes widening in shock.
"I...thank you."
"No problem, let's go Ren." he said, turning away from the girl heading back toward Ryuji.
"That was nice...giving her some money back."
"Well, I hate when people get scammed. Trust me, back in LA, I had a lot of fake friends. They talk to you like they care, and hang out with you, pretend to care about your interests, until they ask ya for a loan that you'll never see in your life. Poor girl must have worked her ass off thinking she'd get a car for herself. Hopefully she'll think twice about who she deals with in the future." he said.
"Yo...I just spoke to a kid inside the video rental store. He said this dude was selling chocolate bars, claiming that they'd make the girl you like fall in love with you. The idiot bought two cases, and it turns out they were just regular chocolates." Ryuji said.
"Okay...so that's two...I'm sure we'll be able to find more people if we walk around some more."
"Yeah but...what are we gonna do with this information? I mean...it isn't like we can stop these bastards ourselves."
"Well...maybe. But if we manage to get a name...I think we'll be able to do something about it. Or rather, the Phantom Thieves will...I heard, that all you have to do, is post a name on the Phan-Site, and they'll take care of it. Maybe if we find a location too, that would probably help them a lot." Takumi said.
"You...believe in the Phantom Thieves?" Ren asked, causing the boy to stop.
"If there's someone out there, willing to change this oppressed society. To help people break the chains that hold them back, to do the things that people are afraid to do. To raise their voices and fight this injustice...then I have to believe in them. Because if they exist, then maybe...just maybe...I can ask them to help me out. To make my father have a change of heart, so I can finally rip this mask off my face." he said.
"Mask huh...you know, I've noticed something...you act a lot differently in school. But out here you've been acting so differently...like the real you is struggling to break free." Ryuji said.
"Is that about right? I never noticed it...you are right, it's all an act, I'm an actor after all. All of those rumors, the allegations, the insults...I just want them to stop...I want to stop them so bad I can taste it. But I can't...I'm powerless to stop it. I guess I'm just destined to fail at everything I do...but at least I'm glad, I feel like you two are real. Not fakes like the ones I'm used too...I'm glad we met." Takumi said, a smile on his face. Ren nodded, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
Date: Unknown
Location: Unknown
Time: Unknown
Weather: Unknown
xxx
Ren clutched his head, his clouded eyes glancing at the woman before him. The one who had been interrogating him for quite some time now. She gave him a curious look, leaning back in his seat, a small smirk on her face.
"It's impressive that someone like you could lead a double life without being caught. Being able to lie on the spot, act like you were fine, ignore your pain and put a smile on your face. You must have learned all of that from someone...someone who knows how to act."
Ren looked up at her, giving her a shrug, causing her to slam her hand against the table, making him jolt back a bit. His heart raced as the woman forced herself to come back.
"I'm sure you know what'll happen...we can track down someone with reasonable acting skills. We already know someone who fits the bill...tell me, is he also your accomplice? Did he teach you all how to act like you were fine, while moonlighting as the Phantom Thieves at night? Tell me..."
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
Date: Thursday June 8th 20XX
Location: Central Street(Shibuya)
Time: After School
Weather: Sunny
xxx
"I am thou, thou art I...
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity...
With the birth of the Tower Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power..."
"Anyway, we should keep searching around this area...we might find some more people. After we get enough information, I'll write the post and place it on the Phan-Site forum." Takumi said, a smirk on his face.
"If you say so...ah...but you gotta get your sister. How about you go get her and we'll finish this off. We'll send you all of our information via chat and then you can do the rest yourself...deal?" Ryuji said.
"Okay...we can talk more during the field trip, seeing as I'll be heading to the TV station with you." Takumi said, reaching for his phone, receiving a text from his sister a second after.
"I'll come by to get my cat later, good luck Takumi."
"Thanks Ren...and don't be shy about texting me either...like I said before, I feel like I can be myself around you two. Let's work together to bring those bastards down!" he said happily, earning nods from the two teenagers.
xxx(Take Your Time)xxx
"Ah...you're back." Sojiro said, earning a nod from Ren as he stopped in front of the counter, checking his messages.
"Do you need any help tonight? I have some free time." he said, earning a small smile from the man.
"I'm all set for tonight. If you could wash those dishes for me, I'd appreciate it. You'll be heading to the TV station tomorrow right? Try not to make an ass out of yourself on television, spare the rest of Japan your ineptness."
"What are you talking about? You and I both know that I'd be able to charm anyone, even through their television screens." he said, causing the man to chuckle.
"Right...well I'm leaving, make sure you lock up. There's some curry left in the pot, don't let it go to waste." Sojiro said, grabbing his white fedora from the hat rack, leaving the cafe right after, making sure to flip the sign. Ren set his bag down, letting Morgana jump to the floor as he walked around the counter, grabbing the dish soap from the sink.
"Hey Ren, I've got some intel for you...I'm sure you were doing the same today, right?"
"Me, Ryuji and Takumi spent most of the afternoon walking around Shibuya. Looks like the rumors are true, students and people are getting scammed out of their money. Though what we saw at the music store was way worse." Ren said, opening the tap water, filling the basin with warm water.
"Remember how I said that Takumi boy could understand me? My hunch was right...his sister, who I found out was named Mitsuhide, was talking to herself, most likely for reassurance. She said that the people who came to the store were there because of her. That her mom took out a loan with someone because the store was going bankrupt. She said something about a college fund." Morgana said, jumping up to one of the chairs, licking one of his paws.
"A loan shark huh? That makes sense...if she missed her date, then they might have added interest...it fits in with her saying that her mother wasn't their personal bank. But it's obvious those guys do the dirty work. One girl we spoke too said one sharply dressed man, promised her a car for fifty thousand yen, and tried sexually assaulting her too."
"Do you think it's the same people then?"
"Definitely...but we don't know who's leading them...they might be someone powerful, someone dangerous...now about your hunch?"
"Right, I almost forgot. As it turns out, Mitsuhide has an older sister, a girl named Ayumi. She was talking to her about dreams a few days before, apparently this little girl is some sort of genius, because I saw some Philosophy and Psychology books in her room. She said her sister made mentions to some weird distorted Shibuya. She also said two sharply dressed businessmen morphed into onion looking things and attacked them with what she could only describe as magic."
"What? Are you certain?" Ren asked curiously.
"I thought it was all a delusion, until Mitsuhide said the word Mementos. I'm sure Takumi and his sister stumbled into Mementos together. That means that Takumi can understand me, and if I'm right, his sister can understand me too." Morgana said, his ears flicking to and fro.
"Hmm...alright then...but what do we do? We can't exactly drag them with us to Mementos...they might get hurt."
"I've been thinking...maybe Takumi is that black mask guy Madarame was talking about. He has to know about Palaces, if he can freely enter them. He might be causing Mental Shutdowns. If that's the case, then we as Phantom Thieves have to stop him!"
"I don't think that's the case. He was genuine...do you actually think someone who handed a million yen to his mother out of his backpack, has what it takes to hurt people like that?" Ren asked curiously.
"It could be an act...he is an actor."
"No...that isn't it. Whatever the case, this does bring some concern forth...not only are people being swindled, but an innocent woman is being extorted, girls are being sexually attack. Worse yet, there's some rotten bastard out there leading it all. We need to nail his name so we can stop him."
"Hehe...you actually think he has a palace?" Morgana asked. Ren dried his hands off, finishing with the last dish. He had set one aside, having turned the stove on to reheat the left over curry.
"More than likely. Madarame looked like an honest artist, and he turned out to be a bastard. I'm sure whoever this is, that's stealing money from people, has a desire so distorted that they manifested a palace. And if that's the case, then their heart is ours for the taking."
"That's my Joker...let's watch Takumi for a bit, see if he says or does anything incriminating. We have to test his sister too, Takumi seems cautious, and with his acting we're not sure what he can do. But his sister is probably more open about it."
"Hmm...I have the perfect idea...I'll relay it to the squad tomorrow. For now, lets eat. I'm sure Sojiro won't mind if I use a bit of this salmon."
"Yes! Ren you are the best!"