"Access granted."

"Stop right there!"

Kunikazu turned around to face the people calling him. "So the Phantom Thieves have come for me."

Sae conjured up an anti-materiel rifle and aimed it at the older man. "We need information from you. Stay right there and answer-"

"-and you'll let me go? You're a Phantom Thief. I know of what you people do. I'll take my chances." Kunikazu pulled a robot in front of him to distract Sae and ducked under her warning shot, launching himself through the door and running away as it closed behind him.

Sae ran over to the door, stopping as the monitor above it began to scan her. "Access denied."

"Oracle, override this door," Sae commanded.

Inside of the Necronomicon, Futaba quickly pulled up a screen and started typing away on it, pouting as a red alarm symbol immediately flagged up on it. "No fair, it's a biometric lock!" She whined.

"So you can't override it?"

"Nope. Not unless you've got a lot of skin flakes from him and I mean a lot, this thing scans everything. Or a relative, this thing is not that precise."

"A relative would be easier. Do some research online, see what you can find-"

"Don't need to," Futaba chirped. "He has a daughter who's getting married. It's all over the internet! I think there were a couple of posts on the Phansite asking us to change her fiancé's heart so he wouldn't marry her."

"Seriously?"

"Yep!"

Sae sighed. "Then what do you know?" She asked as she turned around and began to walk away from the door.

"Her name's Haru Okumura, she's 18 years old, she studies at Shujin Academy and she recently bought eight sacks of fertilizer online at-"

"Too much information, Oracle." Sae cut her off. "Haru Okumura? I've met her before, I believe Queen is friends with her. We'll ask her to get in contact with Haru and see if she can help us with her father."

"Aww, but I wanted to try to fool the lock! Do you know how many places I can get to that have biometric locks?!"

"If she can't or won't help us, you and Mona can work on gathering whatever it is you need to get us through that door."

"Yay!"

...

"Kurusu-san, the interview will start soon."

Akira glanced into the mirror one last time to make sure his hair was fixed up and ready before putting on the glasses and standing up.

"Right this way please," the runner called. Akira nodded, and began to follow him towards the set for the show.

"Shido-sama has explained to you what the plan for today's show is, yes?" The runner asked as they weaved through narrow corridors towards where the others were waiting.

"No...?"

"He and Okumura-sama will be going on first to discuss their new political party, then it'll be you and Okumura-san to discuss your engagement, and then the special guest will go on."

"Special guest?" Akira asked.

"I'm not allowed to talk about them," the runner answered sheepishly.

"Oh."

"But Shido-sama said that they might be someone you know." The two stopped outside the room to the set. "Here we are."

"Thank you."

The runner nodded, and walked away at the call of another crew member as Akira looked around for any sign of the others.

"...there he is. Just wait with him, the others should be along shortly," another runner explained as they led someone else over.

"Haru," Akira greeted the fluffy brunette. "You okay?"

"Yes, but I'm a little nervous," she admitted as she walked over to stand next to him.

"I am too. Never been on a talk show before."

Haru quietly hummed to herself. "There's supposed to be a special guest as well."

"Yeah, I got told that it might be someone I know."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"That's reassuring. You'll have someone else you know there." Haru paused for a moment, before reaching over and adjusting the glasses that were balancing precariously on Akira's nose. "I'm not sure why Shido-san insisted you wear these. They make you look different."

"Apparently, it makes me look more professional and modest."

"Very well, but I still feel like you shouldn't wear them."

"Why's that?"

"You look more handsome without them."

Akira blinked for a moment, before blushing. "I-um, Thanks?"

Haru smiled upon noticing the reaction. "You've gone all red, Akira. Is something wrong?"

It only made his blush worse. "No, no-"

It was at this moment that a third runner came around the corner with Shido and the elder Okumura in tow. "There's everyone else," the runner said, pointing at them.

Haru's expression became more somber as she saw her father.

"So, you two managed to get here on time. The runners must actually be doing their job, then," Shido said as he walked over to them, Kunikazu walking close behind them.

"Hmph." Kunikazu looked over Haru. "That outfit will do fine. Just don't embarrass me."

"I won't, father."

"I take it you have been going over the script I prepared?" Shido asked. Akira nodded, causing Shido's frown to deepen. "Good. Just stick to that and let me and Kunikazu do most of the talking while we're on the stage."

"Script?" Haru whispered as Kunikazu and Shido started to talk amongst themselves.

"Talking about what Shido's taught me, how I'm finding Tokyo. Making sure it supports the story Shido's telling them," Akira explained quietly.

"Oh."

The sounds of the show's theme song began to play as another runner walked over to them. "Shido-sama, Okumura-sama, it's time."

The two nodded. "Don't mess this up for us," Shido hissed as the two walked over towards the stage entrance, leaving Akira and Haru to wait.

"Any ideas what sort of questions they'll ask us?" Akira asked as the crowd cheered.

"They might ask you about how I've been doing. They won't ask me anything."

"Why? You're a part of this too."

Silence reigned as Akira faintly heard Shido answering some questions, before Haru shook her head. "I am not supposed to answer questions. Father told me I need to sit there and look good for you and him."

"What? No. Haru, you're allowed to answer, this is as much about you as it is about me."

Haru simply shook her head again, and Akira understood.

"That's not fair."

Haru gave no response.

"Then why-"

"Kurusu-san, Okumura-san, you two are up next," a runner called from near the stage. The two nodded and glanced at each other.

"Eyes bright-"

"-chins up-"

"-smiles on-"

"-and do try to look like you want to be here, Akira." Both of them snickered as they walked towards the stage, repeating the advice given to them by Shido before they had arrived at the TV station.

"-by leading Japan."

"A very interesting take there, Shido-san. But now, let's welcome on our second set of guests! They recently stole the hearts of Japan with their engagement, and are set to have the wedding of the decade in the spring! Ladies and gentlemen, it's Akira Kurusu and Haru Okumura!"

The audience began to applaud as Akira and Haru walked onto the stage, meekly waving as they walked together, towards where the other guests and the show's presenter were sat. Shido glancing over at them as they bowed and sat down themselves.

"So, Kurusu-san," the presenter began. "We know you moved to Tokyo a few months ago from a small town. How are you finding the big city?"

Akira glanced over to Shido, who subtlely nodded back at him. "It is a very wonderful place. It's so big, and colourful as well."

"It is, isn't it! Even the audience agrees!" The presenter gestured to the audience, who were nodding and murmuring in agreement. "And now you're marrying a beautiful woman! Isn't that every man's dream?"

No. At least not when the alternative is going to juvenile hall, Akira thought, but he remained silent.

"But I have to ask, what are your thoughts on the recent events involving your fiancé's company?"

"Company?" Akira looked over at the presenter. "Okumura Foods?"

"Yes, that's right. Employees have been seen protesting outside of Okumura Foods Headquarters-"

"Location detected."

Shido's eyes narrowed for a brief moment, but he reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone. "My apologies, I must have forgotten to turn my phone off," he said with a chuckle, frowning as he checked it, before putting it away and smiling again.

"Anyway... So, what are your thoughts in regards to the protests?"

This was something Shido had covered in the script he'd given him, so he replied with the rehearsed reply. "I can understand where they are coming from, and I hope they will be able to negotiate with management soon."

Kunikazu scowled, but Shido nodded briefly.

"That is a very thoughtful way of putting it! But before we go on a commercial break, I have one last thing to ask you." The presenter leaned over slightly and spoke in a stage whisper. "What do you think of the Phantom Thieves?"

Haru jumped slightly, but Akira spoke as sincerely as he could, as if he hadn't been fed lines about this subject by Shido. "I haven't been paying attention to the Phantom Thieves. I'm sure they'll go out of fashion soon."

"Interesting. You're aware that your name has appeared on the website dedicated to people who need their hearts stealing by the Phantom Thieves, yes?"

Internally, he groaned, but he spoke with the same sincerity and added in a tad bit of shyness to his next words. "But my heart has already been stolen by my wonderful fiancé."

The audience let out a collective "awwww" as the presenter turned back around to face them. "What a heartfelt thing to say! And with that, we will have our special guest on after the commercial break!" The shortened jingle of the show's theme played as the audience clapped and the cameras panned away, allowing Akira and Haru to walk off of the set together, Shido following after them.

"Maybe you two are good for something other than being teenagers after all," he muttered behind them as they walked backstage, before raising his voice to address them. "You won't be needed after the break. Transportation has been arranged and we will see you once we're finished here."

"What about the-"

"Excuse me, Shido?"

The three of them turned around to see who had spoken, and were greeted by the sight of a young woman walking forward.

"I wanted to speak with you, before the interview."

Shido nodded and threw a glance to Akira and Haru over his shoulder to dismiss them as he quickly walked towards the woman, steering her away from them and walking back down another corridor with her.

"I think she's the special guest," Akira observed."

Haru looked to Akira in surprise. "How do you know?"

"I grew up watching the Neo Feathermen. She sounds like Pink Argus."

"Pink Argus?"

"From Featherman Victory."

"I do not know who that is," Haru admitted. Akira frowned and nodded, and the two started to walk down another corridor away from the stage.

"You haven't watched Neo Featherman?"

"No. Father deemed such shows unladylike to watch."

Akira frowned and looked down. "Unladylike...?"

Haru quickly decided to change the subject. "Your heart has been stolen by your wonderful fiancé, Akira?"

Akira groaned and scratched his head. "Shido's script, not my words. I was just as surprised as you were when he mentioned the Phantom Thieves, especially when he mentioned that my name was on the Phansite. I thought they only went after bad people?"

"They do." Haru's gaze dropped. "I don't know who could think you were a bad person," she mumbled.

"I can."

Haru looked up at him in surprise.

"But I don't want to talk about it."

"I see."

Both fell into silence until they came up to their dressing rooms. "So what now?"

Haru remained silent, absent-mindedly staring down the hallway as she thought.

"Haru?"

Still no answer. Akira tapped her on the shoulder, causing her to jump slightly. "You alright?" he asked.

"Yes. What are you going to do now?"

"I-um..." Akira was caught off guard by how quickly Haru had answered. "I guess I'll be going home. What about you?"

"I'm not sure." Before Akira could ask any further, Haru's phone began to ring. "Hello?"

Akira looked down at his phone, noticed the red eye icon was flashing again.

"Yes, we've just finished with the TV interview."

With an annoyed mutter, he swiped the icon away. That could be dealt with later.

"I'm free now. I'll head over there." Haru ended the call as Akira looked up from his phone. "Mako-chan wants to meet me."

"Want any company?"

Haru shook her head and smiled. "I'll be fine. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Stay safe."

"I will." A hint of sadness flickered in Haru's eyes as she tried to reach out to his hand, before deciding against it. "Please, be careful, Akira," she said before she turned away from him and walked into her dressing room.

Akira watched her go, before walking into his own dressing room with a frown on his face. Setting aside the glasses Shido had given him, he sat down at the dressing table in front of him and laid his face on the tabletop with a solid thud, letting out a small groan as he did.

"I never want to learn a script again."

...

The bell above the door rang, drawing Makoto's attention to the person entering the café.

"You work here, Mako-chan?" Haru asked as she stepped through the entrance of Leblanc.

"Sometimes. Boss wanted me to help out here, and it's a nice break from my studies. So I've been learning how to make coffee and curry. Would you like to try some?" Haru nodded, and took a seat in the booth near to the door, missing the curious glance Sojiro threw Makoto's way.

"She's a quick learner," Was all Sojiro had to say in response. Makoto finished making the coffee and brought it over to where Haru was sitting, taking a seat opposite her as she took a sip.

"It's good," Haru said. Makoto frowned, but didn't inquire further. "What did you want to talk about?"

"We need your help."

"Oh?" Haru set her coffee cup down. "What with?"

"Your father."

A chill went through Haru. "My father? Is he alright?" she asked, fear accompanying her words and causing Makoto's frown to disappear, alarm taking its place.

"I mean-your father is okay, but we want to help him with something!"

Haru frowned. You are a bad liar, Mako-chan, she thought. "Okay... What is it?" she asked instead.

"I- I mean, we, we think someone's causing him some trouble and we're worried it'll bother you, so we want your help to help him!" Makoto explained, a nervous giggle escaping her as she talked. When Haru's frown deepened, she sighed and shook her head. "My sis can explain it better. Am I okay to go?" Makoto asked, turning to look at Sojiro.

"Fine." Sojiro turned to look at the TV, not acknowledging Makoto as she took off her LeBlanc apron and hung it up. Haru quickly drained the rest of her coffee as she waited for Makoto. Too cold, she thought sadly as she brought the cup over to the counter.

"Thanks." Sojiro took the cup without looking and walked over to the sink to clean it us as Haru and Makoto walked out of the café.

"Sae's parked nearby, so it won't be too far to walk," Makoto explained, more to break the silence than anything. She quickly gave up when Haru didn't answer.

Why would Sae be here? Mako-chan said she had a case today, Haru thought. The two walked in silence, Makoto occasionally glancing at Haru as she tried to think of ways to broach the subject.

She decided to try a different track. "Did Yusuke say anything to you while they were painting you?"

"Yes. They mentioned you were worried about me."

The two reached the car. If Makoto's behaviour so far hadn't concerned Haru, her apprehension upon seeing her sister's car most certainly did.

"Is everything alright, Mako-chan?" she asked, the frown from earlier replaced by a concerned expression.

"Yes. We shouldn't keep Sae waiting," Makoto said, walking around to the side of the car and opening the door. Haru nodded and climbed in, moving over to the other side of the car to let Makoto sit down.

"Did you ask?" Sae asked as Makoto closed the door.

"Yes, well..."

"She said my father is in danger." Haru glanced at the mirror to see Sae looking at her.

"You don't mind if we go for a drive, do you? Goro needs to pick up some things for his apartment."

The way Sae spoke set a small alarm bell off ringing in the back of her mind, but she chose to ignore it. "No, not at all."

"Good." The car doors locked and the engine started, and Sae turned her attention to driving down the road.

"Are we sure it's safe to tell her?" Akechi asked from the front of the car, looking next to him at Sae.

"I don't see why not. She doesn't need to do much, get us past that door and then she can leave and forget it happened."

"You know it's more complicated than that."

"Whatever it takes, Goro." Sae put the brakes on while waiting for the lights ahead to turn green, allowing her to turn her attention back to Haru. "What do you know about the Phantom Thieves?" she asked.

"The Phantom Thieves? They're made Kamoshida confess, and a few others too."

The lights ahead turned green. Sae released the brakes and started driving again, now wondering how best to word what she needed to say next.

She didn't need to.

"You are the Phantom Thieves, aren't you?"

It wasn't a question, rather a statement. One that drew surprised looks from the other occupants of the car.

"Yes. How did you figure it out?" Goro asked.

"There were a few rumours that one of the Phantom Thieves went to Shujin, and Mako-chan kept turning up at school with looking exhausted with fresh bruises all of the time." Haru looked pointedly at Makoto, who winced in response. "She never told me where they came from."

"I didn't want you worrying, you had enough with your wedding..."

"In any case, it makes what we wanted to speak to you about easier." Haru looked back at Sae, who flicked on the indicator as she turned down a road. "Do you remember Medjed?"

"Yes. You defeated them in the summer."

"That was less us and more Oracle. But when Oracle looked into the people who'd posed as Medjed, they found an electronic paper trail showing money transactions from an unknown party."

The alarm bell was joined by several others, ringing louder and louder by the second.

"The trail led back to your father's accounts."

"You think my father paid Medjed to try and force you to reveal yourselves?"

"That is what we believe, yes." Akechi turned to look at Haru. "But we won't know for certain unless we get the truth from him. We have methods of achieving that, but we need your help."

Haru's expression darkened, and she glared at the man in front of her. "I won't let you hurt my father."

Akechi quickly turned back around to face the front. "I promise you, Haru, no harm will come to your father."

If Haru had been sat in the front, she might have seen the crossed fingers behind Akechi's back. "Good. Then what do you need me for?"

Makoto turned back from the car window she had been looking out of. "We need to access a locked area, but the only way through is with the DNA of your father or you. We would like you to accompany us to unlock it."

"That's it?"

"Yes. That's it."

"Can I ask something?" Sae frowned, but nodded. "Can you really change people's hearts, like the calling card said?"

"Yes, we can."

"Then I would like you to help me in return. I need you to change someone's heart."

"That depends on who it is.

Haru took a deep breath and steeled herself. "Masayoshi Shido."

The temperature of the car dropped several degrees as Sae parked the car next to the pavement, giving the group time to digest what had just been asked of them.

Akechi recovered first. "Why?"

"He's blackmailing Akira into marrying me. If he doesn't, Shido will send him to prison. It's not fair on him to have to do this, but if Shido gets his heart changed, he'll confess the truth and Akira should be free to leave."

"He's blackmailing him into marrying you." Makoto's voice was laced with disbelief.

"That makes sense, considering this is Shido she's talking about. If it helps him gain more control, he'll use whatever pawns and advantages he can take," Akechi said bitterly.

Sae caught the bitterness and frowned. "I take it you know him well?"

"Knew him well. He's not the same man I used to know. Now he's obsessed with gaining power and keeping it, whatever it takes. Blackmailing someone into a marriage would be an easy choice for him."

Sae's frown deepened at Akechi throwing her words back at him, but she didn't comment.

"I know you're planning to change my father's heart, or you wouldn't need my help to access this locked away area. I'll help you get to my father, but I want you to help Akira get away from what Shido's holding over him. Please."

"You know, Akira isn't the person you think he is," Akechi warned.

"Goro, you of all people do not get to hold that against someone."

"I beg to differ. And why are you considering helping him? He doesn't know who we are, and he most likely is happier living with Shido than when he was-"

"Goro." Sae's voice was ice cold, the glare accompanying it even more so, and it shut down any further comments from the man.

"I'm sure Akira will tell me if it's something I need to know," Haru said. "But that is what I want."

Silence reigned in the car for a moment.

"I say yes, we should agree," Makoto said breaking the silence as Sae started driving again.

"Thank you, Mako-chan."

"Shido is not someone you want to cross, Okumura-san. Are you sure about this?" Akechi asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. I want Akira to be happy."

Akechi frowned, but nodded. "I guess it is your funeral, then. Sae-san?"

"If Oracle and Mona agree to it, then yes."

"Thank you, Niijima-san."

"Call me Sae." The car stopped, and Sae put the break on and turned off the engine.

"You might want to prepare yourself, Haru," Makoto said. "It's a strange place."

Strange? Haru thought. How strange?

...

How very strange, Haru thought.

They were traveling downwards in a lift. But that was not what struck her as strange.

"Why is she not freaking out about this?" The orange haired one called Oracle complained. "This is totally weird!"

"Perhaps her upbringing made her better at keeping her composure?" Akechi offered, drawing her attention over to him.

The others around her were all clad in odd outfits. Oracle's had green neon lines running along hers, Makoto was clad in leather, which looked quite similar to the clothes the bikers she had seen in some of Akira's shows wore. Sae appeared to be wearing a judge's robe with a peruke resting on her head. Yet it was Akechi and Mona's outfits that baffled her the most.

"Makoto-"

"In here, my codename is Queen," Makoto corrected her.

"My apologies, but Queen, why is the cat walking on two legs?"

"I'm not a cat!" Mona quickly snapped.

"That is what Mona looks like in here."

"Oh." The elevator stopped, and the group started walking through several corridors, Sae and Oracle moving ahead while the others stayed with Haru to continue escorting her towards their destination. "What about Akechi-"

"Crow."

"-Crow, my apologies. But why is he dressed like that?" Haru gestured to the black and blue striped outfit he was clad in, the helmet/mask covering up most of his head and face.

"This is what my rebellious heart looks like."

"Your rebellious heart?"

"It's complicated," Sae said as she walked back over to the group. "Joker, we need you to stand in front of the door for us."

"Joker?"

"You don't have a code name yet, so that will hide who you are."

"I see." Haru walked away from the group and stood in front of the door, flinching slightly as it started to scan her.

"Access granted."

"It worked!" Oracle cheered.

"Good. Mona, can you-"

"What are you doing here!?"

Haru flinched and looked up, the Phantom Thieves instantly moving to form a protective wall in front of her.

"Father!"

"Kunikazu." Sae's eyes narrowed. "You should've taken my offer."

"That's his Shadow?" Makoto asked.

Akechi nodded. "That's his distortion."

"You're associating with such vulgar people as the Thieves? I thought that boy would know better than to let you go around on your own." Kunikazu's anger briefly cooled, a small smirk forming as an idea formed in his head. "Unless you're bringing them to me as a gift? You owe me that much after I let you leave the country, and the white mask is getting impatient."

"White mask?" Haru looked at him in confusion, before shaking her head. "I mean no! They just want to ask you about that Medjed group!"

Kunikazu let out a short bark of a laugh. "They want to ask me something. That's why they brought you along, as opposed to speaking to me in person?" He shook his head and turned away. "Since you don't realise what you've been doing, I'll let you off with a warning."

Kunikazu snapped his fingers, before hitting a button on the elevator and descending. "Take care of the Thieves, and send her back home."

"Yes, father."

Haru spun around to see a person stood behind her, flanked by three worker robots. As she tried could get a word out, the figure moved, conjuring up multiple rainbow coloured spheres and launching them at the Thieves behind her back, knocking them away. Taking advantage, the worker robots quickly moved forward and surrounded Haru, preventing her from running away.

"Who are you?" She asked.

"It's your first time being out from under your father's thumb, isn't it?" The figure asked, walking forwards towards Haru. "You don't even realise where you are, do you?" When Haru didn't answer, the figure took off the hat balancing on its head. "Surely you must recognise me now."

And Haru did. It felt like staring into a mirror, only more surreal. "You look just like me."

"Except I'm not trapped. I'm free."

"I am free."

"That's why you're marrying a stranger." Haru fell silent, and the other her continued talking. "But your father has cast the first stone. He ordered me to murder your friends. I've been waiting for a long time for him to make that mistake, to give you a reason to rebel. A very long time." She held her arms out, conjuring a long axe and holding it out in both of her hands. "I don't want to hear you say that you want freedom, that you want to save your father. I want your actions to tell me that. Place your hands upon our liberation, and let us go to war for our freedom."

Haru looked down at the axe, and back up at her other self. "For our freedom?"

"Yours, and the boy's."

Haru placed her hands upon the axe, and as though commanded by an otherworldly power, the two spoke at once.

"I am thou."

"And thou art I."

"For his freedom."

"And for ours."

"We fight as one."

A blue pillar of light erupted from where the two were stood, consuming them both and knocking as the Phantom Thieves began to awaken and stir.

Sae was the first to recover, turning around to see the blue light dissipating to reveal a figure stood before her, hat balancing on her head, axe in one hand, clad in a French musketeer outfit.

"Haru...?" She asked in surprise.

"I'm alright. I'll handle the workers." Haru spun round and launched her axe at one of the robots, knocking it down before putting her hand to her head.

"Descend, Astarte! Mapsio!" Haru commanded, a Persona appearing behind her that summoned several rainbow coloured balls, which were launched at the two remaining robots, knocking them down and causing them to dissolve.

"...why is the Fuhrer boss just Hitler wearing sunglasses?" Futaba mumbled from somewhere to Sae's left. Sae quickly cast a Mediarama as she stumbled to her feet and walked over to Haru, who'd picked her axe up from where the robot had dissolved.

"You have a Persona?"

Haru turned to face Sae, a small smile now on her face.

"I think I would like the codename Noir, if you will allow me to join you in finding my father?"

Sae frowned. "We'll ask the rest of the team first, but Noir is fine with me."

Haru nodded. "Thank you, Sae."

"It's Jury."

"Thank you, Jury."

...

Author's Note: I know I'm a month late. But I've been busy with my personal life. Went to Comic-Con, saw a Joker cosplayer and two Futabas, and I've had to rewrite two chapters I've already written for Wedding because I decided to change the plot somewhat. Next chapter might take a while too, so if you're worried, hit me up on Twitter or Tumblr and I'll let you know what's going on.

Also, I really hope someone catches the reference.