Hello once again everyone! I am proud to (almost) triumphantly return with a new chapter! Almost being because I have yet to finish chapter 15, but I now have wifi again so I'll be able to write better now! :)
Thanks to RosyMiranto18 (Thank you for your continued enjoyment and joining in all my fun games, haha XD) for reviewing, all 17 followers, 12 favorites and 1,422 readers!
And now we have entered the time right before the Madarame arc! I've skipped over some parts because nothing really changes and, most of the time, Miku would've been silent and Akira would've been worrying over her, so I saw no need to include that scene. Because of that, this chapter's a bit shorter than what you're all used to, but I hope that's okay.
In exchange, this chapter includes two reveals that are probably obvious by now: Akira's parents and the big change to Goro's character.
I hope you all enjoy and I'll see you at the bottom!
Golden Week went by quickly, in Miku's opinion. She spent the first two days working in WildKat for the whole day.
Not that she was complaining, she had fun working with Mr. and Mrs. H.
Mr. H always teased the customers, giving the newbies nicknames and calling the regulars by established ones. He also always taught her something new when it came to making coffee, whether it was some kind of foam art technique he thought she'd enjoy or a fun way to make a certain brand of coffee. He always added a bunch of coffee trivia in as well, something his wife teased him about good-naturedly.
Mrs. H, on the other hand, always greeted everyone, regardless of who they are, with a smile. She made sure everyone had a place to sit and they were smiling the whole time they were in the café. She also made sure Miku took her breaks and always gave her something to eat when she was on a break. Miku had become her unofficial taste tester since that "lazy brother of mine had to deal with the family business" (yes, those are her exact words). It helped that all of the food she had Miku taste was delicious.
Together, they lit up the entire café and there was never a single dull moment for Miku.
She didn't see Goro too often outside of breakfast and dinner simply because he was working as hard as she was, rent was coming up after all. On top of that, he admitted he wanted to get his sister something for Children's Day, since he would be spending the day with her and their adopted father, well as much as he could anyway.
Akira called her and Goro at night, telling them about his days as well. He admitted he was spending most of his time helping Sojiro out and it was…surprisingly nice. Miku had teased him about being born to be a barista. Akira refused to accept that, even as he admitted he could smell coffee on most of his clothes these days…Goro said that being a barista built character and that was something Akira needed. Akira countered that Goro couldn't talk when his main part time job was a library assistant.
When Children's Day came, however, Miku found herself in an extremely fancy hotel eating lunch with Akira, Ryuji, Ann and Morgana.
She felt terribly out of place in her sweater, scarf, jeans, jean skirt and boots. She had thrown on a leather jacket to keep her warm in the cool May wind, but Ann had confiscated it, saying it'd make Miku stand out too much. Honestly, Miku almost wished she still had it as she placed her headphones over her ears, trying to ease the awkwardness that refused to leave her.
She didn't belong here…not at all.
As Ann and Ryuji pigged out while Akira and Morgana went to hunt down for food, Miku simply listened to her music as she picked at her food.
When Akira returned and handed her a plate of chocolate covered strawberries with a small smile, Miku tried to return it around the awkwardness and misplacement pushing down on her.
She was silent as the rest of the thieves stuffed themselves silly, determined to not waste any food. Of course, then the boys ended up feeling sick and had to head to the bathrooms.
When they came back, Miku noticed the faraway look in Akira's eyes.
Of course, she didn't bring it up as the conversation turned to the possibility of continuing as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. Miku herself wanted to continue as she remembered what it was like for her brother and his friends before they met each other. If she could help people like them…she'd want to do it.
In the end, all five of them agreed to continue as the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
As their time for the buffet ran out, Akira offered to take Miku home, sending Morgana ahead on his own as Ann returned Miku's leather jacket to her.
"Are you okay…?" Miku asked softly as they walked.
"I'm fine, why?" Akira questioned, confused.
"It's just…you had a far off look in your eyes when you and Ryuji came back." Miku explained. "I just…was worried something happened."
"Don't worry, I just had a headache." Akira smiled slightly. "Thanks for worrying about me, but I'm worried about you too."
"I'm fine, I just felt so…awkward in there. I belonged less than any of you." Miku explained. "I mean, they look at me and think that I'm just a waste of potential cause my physical appearance doesn't match the clothes I wear."
"I think they match you just fine." Akira protested.
"Yeah, and nobody thought Rhyme shouldn't be wearing what she did." Miku scoffed. "Everyone thinks because I'm cute and delicate looking that I should match my clothes to that, when I prefer what I'm already wearing. And what I prefer to wear is not something a girl like me should be wearing."
"But you're comfortable in these clothes, right? So, their opinion doesn't matter. Only yours does." Akira insisted.
"I know that, but it doesn't make their judgements any easier to deal with." Miku sighed as she crossed her arms.
"I can understand that, at least." Akira chuckled humorlessly. Miku bit her lip at that.
"Why do you wear those glasses? I know your vision is practically perfect." Miku said instead of what was on her mind.
"I guess…it's because when I came here, nobody knew me. It's kinda like I wanted a fresh start, and the glasses help me look less…intense, I guess?" Akira tried to explain.
"They definitely make you look more innocent than you are." Miku agreed. "But…"
"But…?" Akira prompted curiously.
"I…don't like…seeing you wear those." She admitted, bowing her head to hide her eyes. "It…it feels like you're trying to…hide from me when you wear those…hide from yourself…"
Akira stared at her, his eyes wide. Without even thinking about it, he took his glasses off and tucked them into his shirt before gently turning Miku's face, so she was staring into his eyes.
"I promise, I will never hide from you. You're one of the people who are dear to me." He swore, his intense obsidian eyes staring directly into her striking blue ones.
Miku stared at him, her eyes wide, as a blush slowly crawled across her face. But she never broke his gaze.
Neither did Akira.
"You're…one of the people who is dear to me too." She admitted.
Akira smiled gently at her before he leaned his forehead against hers, a blush crossing his own face now as Miku's deepened.
"I'm glad to hear that." He whispered, as if his words were a secret for her ears alone.
"I am too." She whispered back, her tone identical to his.
They fell silent as they simply stood there, a small distance away from her apartment, and stared into each other's eyes, foreheads pressed together as if they were the only two people in the world.
Neither of them particularly minded.
That night, when Akira returned to Leblanc, his phone rang. At the same time, Sojiro muttered how there was a package for him in his room.
With a quiet thanks, Akira answered the phone as he made his way to the attic.
"Hello?"
"Happy Children's Day, dear!"
"Papa!" Akira grinned as he relaxed.
"Your dad's here too." He could hear the smile in his papa's voice.
"Hi Akira." His dad's quiet, yet strong voice came through.
"Hi Dad." Akira smiled as he sat down, though his eye caught the small package in the middle of his room. "Happy Children's Day."
"I'm so sorry we couldn't come visit you this week." His papa apologized. "We've been very busy, but we really did want to come see you."
"I know, don't worry. I miss you guys, but you called. That's enough." Akira reassured.
"We sent you a package. Do you see it?" His dad asked.
"I thought that's what this might be." Akira grinned as he grabbed the package and returned to his bed. Morgana looked over the package curiously but remained silent. After all, who knew how Akira's parents would react after the reaction his uncle had to him having a cat.
Carefully, Akira opened the package, only to find several letters, a flower pressed into each one, and a picture frame. Inside the frame, there was a picture of Akira and his parents, it was taken right before everything went to hell.
Akira stood in the middle between his parents. His dad, Tatsuya Suou, was on his right and his papa, Jun Kurosu, was on his left. All three of them were dressed in casual clothing and had small, genuine smiles on their faces. The picture had been taken to celebrate Akira finishing his first year of high school, at Yukino Mayuzumi's, a family friend of theirs, insistence. She had taken the picture personally.
We all look so happy…Akira thought to himself, feeling tears well in his eyes.
"Akira?" Jun called through the phone, his voice concerned.
"I'm here. Sorry, I just…got a little emotional." Akira admitted as he pushed his glasses up on top of his head and wiped his eyes.
"That's alright, we understand dear." Jun said softly. Akira knew exactly the smile he wore, the one that said he understood and still loved you dearly.
Sometimes Akira wondered what he did to deserve that smile…
"The letters are from everyone who believes in you." Tatsuya spoke up. Akira could just see him awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "They're from Lisa, Eikichi, Dojima, Nanako-chan, Yukino, Ulala and Baofu. Some of Yukino's friends wrote you a letter too, the ones that know you at least. Jun added a flower to each one."
"Dad…Papa…thank you…" Akira smiled as he stared at all the letters.
He still questioned why he was so lucky, why someone so caring and someone so kind chose to have him, him of all the children in the world, to be their child.
He didn't think he deserved them, not by a long shot, but he would be forever grateful Tatsuya and Jun had taken him away from the awful life he was living in the orphanage. He'd never change a single moment with them, ever.
With happy tears in his eyes, Akira sat on his bed and read through every letter and deciphered every flower meaning that was included while he continued to talk to his parents for a long time that night.
Morgana didn't even try to get him to go to sleep.
Akira wouldn't admit it, but it was very difficult to be a phantom thief when one of his best friends wasn't one. Especially when said best friend was studying to be a detective.
Now, don't get him wrong, he enjoyed spending time with Goro. But…when Morgana, Ann and Ryuji wanted to discuss phantom thief business, they usually couldn't get either Akira or Miku or even both of them to join because Goro was usually nearby.
It was a struggle sometimes, sometimes Akira even wished Goro had joined them in Kamoshida's Palace, so they could just tell him, but he had to deal with the hand he was dealt.
He didn't complain though when Goro asked him to hang out. And, for once, it wasn't to study (though he did say they would later since exams were coming up).
Goro led Akira to Akihabara, saying he wanted to get something for his sister. Akira had heard a lot about Akihabara, but seeing it in person was something else.
"You get things for your sister often?" Akira asked as they walked through the aisles of video games.
"Yes." Goro nodded. "Futaba doesn't like coming out, so she asks me to get her new games when she finishes another one."
"Sounds like you're more of an errand boy to me." Akira teased with a grin.
"Perhaps, but these games make her happy, so I see no reason to complain." Goro chuckled as he browsed the games.
"She still as into Featherman as she was as a kid?" Akira asked curiously.
"Do your parents own a Black Condor mask and a Red Hawk mask?" Goro raised an eyebrow sarcastically.
"Point taken." Akira chuckled. "Don't forget my Green Parakeet mask."
"How could I forget? You were so excited, you wouldn't let it go for an entire week. The teachers' called a conference with your parents over that." Goro chuckled, Akira joining in.
"Lisa-san threw a fit over it too, Papa and Eikichi-san just found it funny and Dad and Aunt Maya had to calm Lisa-san down while Yukino-san just took pictures of the whole thing." The frizzy haired boy added.
"Oh dear…I still can't decide who's extended family is crazier, yours or Miku's." Goro chuckled as he picked up The Legend of Selda: Ocarina of Ages.
"I think that's one question you'll never find the answer to." Akira chuckled when he noticed a crane machine in the corner of his eye that contained stuffed Jack Frosts. "Say, mind if I try that game?"
"Go ahead, but you won't win." Goro shrugged. "It's rigged."
"We'll see." Akira winked at his friend.
He did not win. Not once in a half hour of trying.
He only stopped because Goro said they had to go.
Akira pouted the entire way home as Goro laughed at him.
The next day, Saturday May 7th, found the five Phantom Thieves up on the roof, discussing the Phantom Aficionado website. Luckily, Goro had to go straight to work while Miku had some time to spare, so all five were able to meet up.
The conversation was normal enough…that is, until the roof door opened. In reaction, Morgana jumped out of sight in the nick of time as…
"Oh…" Ann trailed off as none other than the student council president, Makoto Niijima, walked towards them.
"This place is off limits, you know." She stated.
"Nice to see you too, Makoto-senpai." Miku answered sarcastically. Even her smile was sarcastic as she placed her headphones on her ears and cocked a challenging eyebrow at the brown haired girl.
"…We'll get outta here once we're done chattin'." Ryuji stated. "Anyways, what's Miss. Council President want with us?
"The troublemaker, the girl of rumor, the standoffish punk and the infamous transfer student…interesting combination." Makoto noted.
"Great way to start a conversation…" Ann scoffed under her breath.
"By the way…it seems as though you got to know Mr. Kamoshida pretty well." Makoto continued, ignoring Ann's comment.
"Somewhat. So, what?" Akira asked, his voice suspicious. He could tell there was something about her that he just couldn't trust, and his teammates seemed to agree.
"Anyone who attends this school would have interacted with him, whether they liked it or not." Ann protested, her voice irritated.
"Hm…" Makoto trailed off.
"Something you want to say, Makoto?" Miku questioned, her eyes narrowing and her voice containing a warning. Everyone noted how she dropped the honorific.
Completely ignoring her, Makoto turned to Akira.
"I heard Mr. Kamoshida used a volleyball team member to spread details of your past record." She stated.
Miku noticed right away as Akira stiffened up at that.
"Don't you hate him? Mr. Kamoshida, I mean." Makoto asked.
Akira remained silent as he gazed stoically at the student council president.
"What's all this about?" Ryuji demanded. "My friend here's an upstanding guy."
"I'd watch what you say about Akira, Makoto." Miku warned, her glare sharpening.
Ann narrowed her eyes even more and Akira shifted his stance.
"I don't mean to offend. Many students have been shaken up by what happened with Mr. Kamoshida." Makoto explained. "The rumors about that odd calling card-esque posting aren't going away either."
Ryuji and Ann shared a look while Akira and Miku kept their eyes on Makoto.
"I didn't expect someone like you would care about that tactless stuff, Niijima-senpai." Ann commented.
"I dunno that it was tactless…" Ryuji mumbled under his breath at that before he turned back to Makoto. "Anyways, we done here? We can't leave if you keep talkin' to us."
"At least try to understand my position. Being forced to deal with this horseplay…" Makoto trailed off.
"Horseplay…!?" Ann cried indignantly.
"Oh, poor Makoto, having to work for the asshole principal. You signed up for your job, so don't complain about it!" Miku scoffed. Akira gently placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her.
"Ah yes, by the way…it's been decided that this place will be closed off due to the incident." Makoto reported. "I heard some people are coming up here without permission, after all…I'm sorry to have interrupted you." With that said, Makoto turned and left the roof.
"Ugh! I hate her so much sometimes!" Miku cried as she slammed her headphones back onto her shoulders.
"Yeah, I know the feeling." Ryuji agreed as he crossed his arms.
"What was that about?" Ann asked as she stood up. Just then, Morgana jumped down from his hiding place and back onto the table.
"…She's onto us." He stated. "That girl seems rather sharp. We should be cautious of her."
"She really pisses me off!" Ryuji complained.
"I know how you feel, but we have to be careful around her." Akira warned. "If she figures us out, the principal will know by morning."
"Talk about a pain in the ass…" Ryuji groaned as he sat back.
The subject was changed to studying then until Morgana revealed he had something to show them.
What he wanted to show them turned out to be a Palace…a giant Palace known as Mementos and was apparently part of the collective unconscious.
The five Phantom Thieves spent some time down there, training and driving in the Morganamobile (his transformation into a bus had just been weird, even if Raven did get the reference for what it was).
They also took care of a request (a stalker case) and explored the platform between the first and second floor of Mementos.
Mementos was, in one word, creepy. Especially when you consider that it's the collective unconscious.
Miku couldn't help but wonder why the collective unconscious would look like…that.
"Are you sure the cat called it the collective unconscious?" Chika clarified as Miku finished explaining everything that night.
"Yeah, that's what he called it. It was creepy as hell itself would be. And it worries me that that is the unconscious of the general public." Miku explained.
"I can understand why…Elizabeth might be able to help here, hold on." Chika said.
Minutes later, Miku told the whole story once again to the former resident of the Velvet Room.
"Ah, I remember a part of the Sea of Souls resembling what you described before everything changed." Elizabeth said. "I hadn't given it much thought at the time, but I had warned our master just in mace."
"Mace…?" Miku repeated dryly.
"Vase? Lace?" Elizabeth tried.
"It's case, Elizabeth." Chika sighed.
"Ah, yes, of course! In any case, I would very much like to research this Mementos, as you called it. Hmm…" Elizabeth trailed off then.
"Well, if nothing else, keep an eye on it, Miku. And if you ever need some help, we're all just a phone call away. I'm sure you'll figure it out." Chika reassured.
"And if everything goes to hell?" Miku asked.
"Then we shall bring it back up together!" Elizabeth cheered.
"Um, Elizabeth-san, that's just a figure of speech." Ken said in the background.
"Ah, yes, your male friends are quite fond of that speech figure, are they not?" Elizabeth said.
"Ken-kun, don't try to explain it to her. I've given up." Chika sighed. "Only Minato could explain things well enough to her that she'd understand."
"Well, he was my guest, after all." Elizabeth stated.
"That's not something to be proud of, Elizabeth-san." Miku chuckled as she found herself relaxing.
When Goro came home that night, the conversation had shifted to a more casual topic, allowing Miku to put it on speaker so they could all talk together.
It was a nice night.
The next several days consisted of studying, one Mementos request (this time about a bully at Shujin) and taking exams.
By the time May 14th came around, Akira felt like his brain was fried. That was exactly how he felt as he stood with Ryuji, waiting for their friends and the train to arrive on their last day of exams.
"So sleepy…" Ryuji yawned. "I ended up pullin' an all-nighter once I realized today's the last day of exams."
"You? Staying up studying?" Morgana questioned, surprised.
"I wish I could do that." Akira sarcastically muttered as he looked at the cat resting on his shoulder.
"Hey, sleep is important!" Morgana protested.
"You gave me a bedtime. Not even my papa, a teacher, does that anymore." Akira argued. "Besides, it's a good thing Ryuji's working hard for this."
"Nah, I gave up on the exam." Ryuji shook his head. "I was playin' some games, then before I knew it, it was morning."
"I know that feeling." Akira chuckled as he played with his hair.
"Bull. You say that, but you prolly just spent the whole night studyin'." Ryuji disagreed.
"No, cause this cat here gave me a bedtime." Akira shook his head.
"I'm not a cat!" Morgana protested.
"No matter how many times you say it, it doesn't change the fact that, in reality, you're actually a cat." Akira stated, causing said cat to growl when he had no rebuttal.
"Point Akira!" Ryuji laughed as he and Akira high fived.
Just then, Ann, Miku and Goro walked up to them.
"Morning…" Ann yawned.
"Stop yawning!" Miku whined as she laid her forehead on Goro's arm.
"Yo, look who else is yawnin'." Ryuji teased.
"I'm sure Takamaki-chan is simply exhausted after studying for so long." Goro chuckled.
"Unlike video-game-playing-Ryuji here." Akira teased.
"Shuddup!" Ryuji groaned as he rubbed his eyes.
"Exams are almost over, so I thought I'd make one last effort across the finish line." Ann explained.
Morgana moved to say something, but Akira instantly pushed him into the bag, shutting the cat up along with whatever insult towards Ryuji he had prepared.
"I'm sure you'll all be fine, it's the last day, it is what it is at this point." Miku sighed.
"Someone's still half asleep." Ryuji teased.
"More like someone's fighting to stay awake." Miku rolled her eyes.
"You're doing a yawnmirable job so far." Akira grinned.
"Was that a pun on 'yawn' and 'admirable'?" Miku narrowed her eyes.
Akira simply grinned.
"Horrible, Akira, simply horrible." Goro shook his head in mock disappointment.
"Can you guys please stop?" Ann asked politely. "I think I'll forget everything I memo-"
Ann fell silent as she turned around.
"Am I imagining things…?" She whispered.
"I don't believe you are." Goro whispered in reply.
"What is it?" Akira asked.
"What, you see a groper or somethin'?" Ryuji added.
That earned him a smack upside the head from Miku and Ann both.
"No, that's not it. It's…nothing." Ann brushed it off as she played with her hair.
Just then their train came and they all got on in silence.
Minutes later, they were riding up the escalator when Ann turned around.
"Oh my god, that guy got off!" She whispered, her voice scared. "Isn't this bad?"
Akira and Miku looked back at the guy as Ryuji simply yawned while Goro kept his eyes on Ann.
"Hey, at least act like you care!" Ann glared at Ryuji.
"Uh, fine. C'mon." Ryuji sighed as he led the whole group up the escalator.
Once they were up, he and Goro worked out the kinks in the plan they agreed on.
Ann and Miku waited outside the subway when they heard the guy's keys jingle as he approached them. A second before he reached them, however, Akira, Ryuji and Goro stepped out in front of them.
The guy, however, simply cocked his head in confusion, which in turn confused the five Shujin students. (As she stared at him, Miku had the passing thought that he reminded her of her cousin.) (As he stared at him, Akira had the passing thought that he reminded him of his papa.)
"Hey, uh…are you sure it's him or are you just that self-conscious?" Ryuji asked.
"I'm not that-" Ann started to protest.
"Is there something you want?" The blue haired guy cut in.
Ann pushed past the three boys and pointed a finger in the boy's face.
"That's my line! You were the one stalking me!" She protested.
"We simply want to be sure you don't intend to hurt out friend." Goro added carefully.
"Stalking you? That's outrageous." The boy said as he brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes.
"I know you've been following me! Ever since the train!" Ann protested.
"Calm down, Ann." Miku cut in carefully. "Let him explain why your claim is 'outrageous' first."
"That's because-" The boy started only for a car horn to cut him off.
Turning, the six teenagers watched as a completely black car pulled up and the back window rolled down to reveal an older man.
"My goodness, I was wondering why you left the car. This is where your passion led. All's well that ends well." The man said before he began to laugh as the teenagers stared at him.
"I saw you from the car…and I couldn't help myself from chasing after you." The boy explained. "I didn't even notice the calls from Sensei…but thank goodness, I caught up to you."
"Okay…" Ann trailed off.
In the corner of his eye, Akira could see Goro's eyes narrow as they darted from the man to the boy.
"What?" Ryuji asked, confused.
"Please explain." Miku sighed as she cocked her head to the side.
"You're the woman I've been searching for all this time! Please, won't you-" The boy started to ask.
"W-wait a minute, I-" Ann stuttered.
"-be the model for my next art piece!?" The boy finished.
"I…thought he was proposing or something…" Akira trailed off in surprise, which earned him a smack from Miku.
"…Model?" Ann repeated.
"All that I've drawn till now has been lacking, but I feel a passion from you unlike anyone else." The boy explained.
"This man's highly suspicious!" Morgana cried indignantly.
"Shush!" Akira hissed, turning from the boy to Goro to the man in quick succession to see if any of them noticed.
"Ain't this a recruit for some shady business?" Ryuji asked.
"Will you cooperate with me? What do you say?" The boy begged.
"I think she'd need a bit more information first." Goro spoke up. "How about you tell us about yourself?"
"Oh, where are my manners? I'm a second year at Kosei High's fine arts division. My name is Yusuke Kitagawa." The boy, Kitagawa, introduced himself. He then stepped closer to Ann. "I'm Madarame-sensei's pupil, and I am being allowed residence at his place. I'm striving to become an artist."
"Madarame, huh…" Goro trailed off.
"Huh!? Do you mean THAT Madarame? The one who was on 'Good Morning Japan' the other day?" Ann asked.
"The very same." Kitagawa nodded.
"You know who that is?" Ryuji asked, looking at Ann.
"He was introduced as a super-famous Japanese-style artist who's been recognized all over the world." Ann explained. "But we heard that name the other day in Mementos…"
"Shush!" Ryuji and Akira hissed in unison as Kitagawa looked confused and Goro's eyes snapped towards them.
"Yusuke!" The man in the car, Madarame, suddenly called.
"I'm sorry, Sensei. I'll be right there!" Kitagawa apologized instantly.
Akira could see how Goro was carefully watching the blue haired boy. Does he know something we don't?
"That old guy's Madarame…?" Ryuji asked.
"Noooo, he's Yusuke's grandpa." Miku rolled her eyes sarcastically. However, from the way she was standing, Akira knew she was curious about what Goro thought as well.
"Madarame-sensei's exhibition will begin at the department store near the station tomorrow." Kitagawa said to Ann. "I'll be there to help out on opening day. Please stop by. It'd be great if you could give me your answer in regard to being a model then…" He then turned to the rest of the group of teenagers. "I bet you have no interest in the fine arts, but I'll give you tickets too."
"Thanks." Akira smiled. "I'd actually like to go and check this place out."
"As would I…" Goro mumbled to himself.
"Well then, I hope to see you there tomorrow." Kitagawa smiled as he moved to get in the car with his teacher.
Once the car pulled away, Ryuji spoke up.
"That guy's as easy to read as a book…" He scoffed. "You're not plannin' on goin', are you?"
"…I think I will." Ann said. Before anyone could say anything, however, she looked at the time on her phone. "Crap! Look at the time! I'll see you later." With that, the blonde girl took off.
Curious, Miku, Goro and Akira took all their phones out as Morgana grumbled under his breath.
Seeing how little time they had to get to school, the three took off running, a semi-unwilling Ryuji right on their heels.
RANK UP!
Mikumo Sakuraba
Aeon Confidant Rank 4
RANK UP!
Goro Akechi
Justice Confidant Rank 2
And there's the chapter! Now for some explanations!
First and foremost, Makoto. Miku's reaction to Makoto is due to what I have already established about Miku's character, that she does not like most people with the Thieves slowly becoming an exception (to clarify, at this point she is slowly coming to accept she can trust Ann, Ryuji and Morgana. Don't worry, you'll know the exact moment when she trusts them ;)) and that she can be very standoffish to people. Along with this, it goes with my original impression of Makoto from her interactions with the Thieves. So, to any Makoto fans who are reading this, Queen will not be liked for a while in this story. She needs to earn their trust and simply Awakening to her Persona will not earn her that trust.
And now onto Akira. In this universe, Akira is an orphan that was adopted by Tatsuya and Jun when he was younger. He was old enough to remember the orphanage but young enough that Tatsuya and Jun, who are both only 18 years older than Akira, can legally adopt him.
Next: Goro. I've made it quite obvious here, but yes, he IS Futaba's brother by blood here. This change is the reason his character and arc are so different, which the following chapters will follow closely.
Now, if it hasn't been made obvious yet, this story is Akira/Miku and many parts of it will focus on them, mostly due to the fact that they have the largest portion of POVs right now. There will be a pairing for every thief, excluding Morgana of course, and all of the relationships will be explored to develop the characters themselves. An example is when Ryuji and Ann had their POVs.
And finally, I would like to officially welcome Yusuke to the party! He's gonna be a fun one to write about, I'm particularly proud of how I've written scenes with him so far, especially Akira's thoughts on them.
I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! I'm off to finish beating up Madarame so I can move on to another chapter! Please leave a review to let me know what you think! Bye!