4/17/17 – Sunday

The past couple of days had consisted of Akira and company running around Tokyo to prepare themselves for the assault on Kamoshida's castle. They needed everything and anything at their disposal to save the boys' hides from expulsion and obtain justice for the girls. Akira had made some rather strange bedfellows during his Phantom Thief moonlighting. The surly manager of the Untouchable airsoft store and the languid doctor from the clinic with rather unique fashion choices. Guns and medicine. A rather unorthodox combination, but one that would see regular use.

Kamoshida was going down as swiftly as possible. They'd spend the next two days helping ease Ann into the Phantom Thieves. Then they'd finish the job and free Shujin from the coach's vice grip once and for all. Baby steps. The lower layers of Kamoshida's Palace would be cleaned up, with them slowly making their way upwards. Another setback in their plan but necessary. Time wasn't on their side, but it would've been far too risky and negligent to jump right into the fray with Ann so wet behind the ears. And Akira had no intention of living up to his arcana's namesake as the Fool.

It would be the busiest week in Tokyo for them. The little evening reprieve Akira was taking would be the last time he'd know some semblance of peace until Kamoshida's heart changed. He perused the chapters of the small book in his hands while Morgana slept by his feet. Though, it was hard to focus on the words while his mind wandered. The prospect of failure lingered at the back of his mind. One misstep of his would take the others down with him. Morgana would never become human, Ryuji would be expelled and left alone while Akira was carted to juvenile hall, and there was no clue as to what would befall Ann. Left alone with Kamoshida at that school. Disgust slithered up his spine at the thought of what he would try to pull.

The phone vibrated on his nightstand, offering a greatly appreciated break from the mental anguish. To his surprise, it was Ann once again.

Ann: Hey, you got a sec?

Akira: Of course. What's up?

Ann: So I went to see Shiho in the hospital…

Akira: She okay?

Ann: Mm-hmm. Her condition is stable. They don't know when she'll regain consciousness though.

A chance, albeit a brief one. Shiho was one of the few people that had been nice to him at Shujin. Even had she not been, nobody deserved what Kamoshida had done. At the very least, she'd make it. Though the rest of it was out of their hands. The Personas' power only extended so far. And Akira found it highly unlikely they could successfully kidnap Shiho from the hospital and heal her in the Metaverse.

Akira: I'm sure she'll be okay. Call it a hunch, but I got a good feeling.

Ann: Yeah. She'll get better, I know it. I just need to believe in her. But I'll never forgive Kamoshida. He's going to pay for what he did, no matter what.

Akira: Damn right. We're gonna kick his ass into next week. For you, Ryuji, Mishima, Shiho, and anyone else he fucked over. No matter what.

Ann: You're part of that lineup too, you know. Don't leave yourself out.

Akira: Hey, I'm worried as shit about getting expelled, but I'm more concerned about letting you guys down. If I can help you guys, everything else will fall into place.

Ann: Akira, can I just say I'm glad you're in charge? I feel a lot more at ease about all this.

Akira: Don't be too confident in me now. We haven't even done anything yet.

Ann: Not true. I count saving my life as something. :P

In the meager lamplight that cast his room in a cozy glow, Akira caught himself smiling at their quippy exchange. Ann was something special alright. In spite of everything, she still kept her head held high. Ann, Ryuji, Morgana. It was beyond refreshing to be surrounded by such positive people after the cloud that had hung over Akira's head for the past couple months.

All the more important that he succeed. To go back to all that choking negativity, to that bleak apathetic outlook on life. Had it not been for that fateful day where Ryuji led him astray into the Palace, he'd still be there. Just looking to get by.

There was no way he'd go back. Not without a fight.

4/20/17 – Wednesday

"A calling card…?"

"I heard it was already posted by the time everyone got here this morning."

Shujin was ablaze with activity at the newfound discovery. Students were flocked all around the bulletin boards to behold the postings. Ann made her way past the group to investigate further. All along the walls and lockers were tiny calling cards, red and black with lettering done in calligraphy. It reminded Ann of her and Akira's outfits with the color scheme. Very fitting, she had to admit. A logo hovered above the text, with a sharp-toothed man grinning wickedly from beneath a top hat. "Take Your Heart" was scrawled beneath it in pen.

Is that supposed to be Akira's Persona? Ann thought to herself with a quirked brow. Ryuji may have been ambitious, but he had no talent for the arts. Though it was a rather good idea to avoid using his handwriting.

"'Sir Suguru Kamoshida, the utter bastard of lust. We know how shitty you are, and that you put your twisted desires on students that can't fight back. That's why we have decided to steal away those desires and make you confess your sins. This will be done tomorrow, so we hope you will be ready. From, the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.'"

Ann merely closed her eyes, slowly shaking her head. Ryuji also didn't possess a talent for the pen either. Next time, she would be sure to proofread his work beforehand. Though hopefully there won't be a next time.

"…Wow." The blonde slinked away from the group of students to join Akira and Ryuji in the far corner of the hallway, who had been idly observing the chaos. Ryuji was grinning like a parent at their child's graduation while Akira looked over the card in his hands. He wasn't quite sure what to think of it. Very amateur, but it got the job done. It did deliver him a twinge of pride to see his "bastard of lust" line utilized.

"Not bad, eh?" Ryuji gloated, leaning against the wall with a smug grin. "I looked up a bunch of similar stuff online for reference. And how about that callback? 'Utter bastard of lust.' Eh? Eh?" He playfully nudged Akira with a cheeky wink.

"I do dig the calligraphy angle," Akira admitted before tucking the card into his satchel. "Very picaresque."

"Um… Yeah…" Ann was debating on whether or not to pull the rug out from under him. She valued her honesty, but they needed this confidence high right now.

"Not impressed?" Akira probed, earning a perturbed look from Ryuji. Ann merely shrugged with an awkward wince.

"I know what you wanted to say, but it just sounded like an idiot trying to be an adult." Ann's criticism prompted Morgana to pop from his satchel with his critiques as well. As though he truly needed a reason to rag on Ryuji.

"Your logo's a little lacking, too." With that statement, Akira bore witness to the most offended expression Ryuji had ever mustered. Even rivaling his tale of his wrongful expulsion.

"Hey! Okay, you know what? That ain't true! I worked very hard on that!"

"But you suck at it," the cat piped up before Akira shoved him back into the satchel. Morgana wasn't even supposed to be here in the first place. But the cat insisted, and Akira would rather not have gotten into trouble before doing anything yet.

"And no offense, but that 'utter bastard of lust' line was really eye-roll worthy. I almost gave myself whiplash." Ryuji's mouth hung agape in complete offense, as though he had been gobsmacked right before them.

"Man, you guys are harsh," Akira said, nursing the back of his neck.

"Hey, wait, but that was his-" Before Ryuji could rat Akira out, Kamoshida stormed down the hallway and tore the cards from the wall with wild abandon. For the first time, Akira was grateful for his intrusion. However these calling cards truly worked, they seemed to be doing just fine. Kamoshida was pissed. Beyond pissed. Akira had never seen him this angry.

"Who's responsible for this!?" he demanded, throwing fistfuls of the cards to the ground. The students warily withdrew from him as none of them wished to be the recipient of his wrath. "Did you do this!? Or was it you!?" Morgana peered out through the small opening in Akira's satchel, cackling softly to himself.

"Look at that. A predictable reaction for someone who knows what we mean by distorted desires." The students swiftly fled to their classrooms, for once craving the monotony of the curriculum. As Kamoshida turned around in a blind rage, only Akira, Ryuji, and Ann stood before him. Unblinking, unflinching. And that lack of fear seemed to twist the knife even further.

"Was it you two?" he huffed, baring down on the boys. Ann clenched her fist and took a step forward, but a glance from Akira through his peripheral got her to back down. What she wouldn't give to tear into Kamoshida right here and now. She'll have her chance soon enough. Then she can focus on healing with Shiho. Ryuji deferred to Akira for judgment, whose brow was equally furrowed with disdain.

"There a problem?" Akira replied coyly, a flat but smug expression upon his face. Kamoshida merely huffed while glowering down at the boys. Ann was no concern of his. To him, she was just a mere plaything for him to eventually make his move onto. Once the boys were gone.

"Eh, it's not a problem," he said, taking a step back. "You're be expelled soon enough anyway." As the coach walked away, the gauntlet had been thrown down. They had one chance to make this a success, or they were all finished. No room for errors or mistakes. Oversights or overconfidence. Strictly by the book. That is if there were a Phantom Thief playbook. The three exchanged determined glances and split off to their respective classrooms. It would be the longest school day of their lives. And hopefully not the last.

Come… Steal it if you can!

At the very top of the Palace had the battle raged. The four Phantom Thieves engaged in battle against Shadow Kamoshida's twisted and grotesque form, Asmodeus. Their toughest fight yet, with too many a close call. Yet even in the face of the overwhelming odds against them, they stood firm, unwavering. And their determination paid off as Kamoshida was now forced out onto a balcony. Desperately clinging to his giant crown after his defeat. Forced out with nowhere to go, he peered down at the courtyard below. He had never truly known just how tall his tower was, and he felt his stomach starting to sink.

"Dammit…" Shadow Kamoshida muttered, a fine sweat upon his brow. His knees buckled from the fear that grasped at his soul.

"End of the line, Kamoshida," Akira said, pointing a finger at him. The Joker, the Skull, Mona, and the Panther had him surrounded. There would be no escape this time. No magic spells, sleight of hands, or guards to bail him out. "Your kingdom has finally come. And you're gonna be buried with it." The smugness and haughtiness the shadowy doppelganger once carried with him had been dashed. He had no strength left to fight. No more allies. Nothing.

"No response?" Ann inquired. "What's wrong? Nothing to say? Not running away? Why don't you run? You could surely get past a couple teenagers. I mean, aren't you a great athlete?" Her tongue dripped with ire and venom, hot enough to burn a hole through the floor. With each word, she took a step forward. Her boots echoed throughout the hall as she brought her heel down.

"It's always been like this!" Shadow Kamoshida barked, mainly to himself. The life he had lived was now catching up to him. The people he had stepped on. What had driven him to such a state. To be the best, that if he worked hard, he would earn everything that he wanted. Look out for number one, to hell with anyone else. If he proved himself in the eyes of everyone, he would be loved and adored as he deserved to be. "All those goddamn hyenas forcing their expectations upon me! I was always supposed to be the best since day one! To show the world I was great, that I could do anything! Shujin had the highest standards of any school in Tokyo! Why do you think they hired a champion like me? I did everything to keep this school on the map like they wanted! I'm doing this all for them! What's wrong about demanding a reward for that!?"

"Now you're makin' excuses?" Ryuji asked, shelving his hands into his pockets. A low sigh escaped Akira as he shook his head.

"A bully's a bully up until they're called out. Suddenly they're a victim. You think you're the only person who was held to high expectations? That wanted something for themselves instead of just for others' satisfaction?" Akira shelved his hands into the pockets of his trenchcoat and glared down at Shadow Kamoshida. Pity, contempt. The things that stung him the most. But this time, all he could do was take it. "You're not special. And it certainly doesn't mean you deserve anything. Admiration, friendship, power, security, love. These are things you earn. Not things you step on the backs of others to get." He scoffed and spat upon the red carpet beneath his feet. "You honestly make me sick. You're pathetic. A manchild still living in the past, clinging to days gone by. And your immaturity has cost everyone greatly. Especially my friends here."

"We'll do something about that distorted heart of yours," Ryuji said. Seeing Kamoshida like this. Reduced to a fumbling fool at the end of his rope. It made all the anger he held for him since he was kicked from track and had his leg broken feel so trivial. As though he were angry with a child. He had wanted revenge for the longest time against him. For everything he had done to the Shujin populace. Hard to believe he had ever let this man push him around. That anyone had, for that matter.

"Scared?" Ann's voice grew deathly low. Cold and calculating. Whatever sentiments Ryuji wore, she did not share them. Kamoshida stared down over the railing to behold the vista below once more. It only seemed to grow ever further into the clouds the longer he looked. "Right now, you're seeing the same view that Shiho did." Ann left the other two behind and glided slowly towards Kamoshida, footsteps now silent like she were a ghost of vengeance. Akira had to admit that he even found himself somewhat intimidated. "You remember her now? Shiho Suzui. Second year, volleyball player that you instructed. That you raped. Remember now?" Ann kept her voice under control through gritted teeth, though Akira could sense the anger that raged in her heart. It was so palpable, he could taste it on his tongue. "I'm sure she was scared too… except she had no choice but to jump. What will you do? Will you jump? Or would you rather die here?"

"Uhh… Joker?" Akira glanced over to Ryuji who bore the same worried expression he did, visible even beneath the mask. The name of the game had been to make Kamoshida confess. To change his heart and make his crimes known to the world, that no one would have to live in silence of the exploitation they endured. Death had been something that they hadn't confronted before. It had been fairly possible that Kamoshida might die, but they had never anticipated they would kill him directly.

Akira was at a crossroads. Raping Shiho and exploiting all the students was unforgivable. He would shed no tears if he passed. But to outright kill him? Act as his judge, jury, and executioner right then and there? Maybe he did deserve it in the boy's mind. But they weren't murderers. They were just kids. This was the last threshold of their innocence. Something Akira still treasured and wished he retained more of. Was this a line he was willing to cross, even if it seemed just? But it wasn't his decision regardless. Ann seemed to be willing to carry that weight for the lot of them.

Carmen strode boldly behind Ann, juggling balls of fire in her gloved hands. The flames danced before Kamoshida and singed the carpet beneath their feet. His entire life flashed before his eyes as the very real possibility of his demise unfolded before him. And no matter what scenario he tried to run through his head, there wasn't an escape plan. Not for him.

"Do you want to finish him off?" Morgana asked, deferring to Akira. "It's your call." Akira said nothing, even as Ann peered briefly back at him. This wasn't his fight anymore.

"No, please wait! I beg you! Just forgive me!"

"Shut up!" Ann spat, fingers gnarled as the fire raged in her palms. "I bet everyone told you the same. But you… you took everything from them! You're afraid, you're sorry? You don't get to be! Carmen shot forth a fireball that nearly set Kamoshida flame. Instead, it melted the stone railing behind him. Kamoshida shook and cradled his crown, pleading for his life. Ann was toying with him now. Like he had done to her.

"I accept defeat!" Kamoshida swiftly took a knee in admittance. The last of his pride had been sacrificed in an attempt to spare his meager life. "You want this? Take it! It's yours! All yours!" He tossed the crown to Akira, who caught it nonchalantly in his hand. What they would do with it was beyond him. But none of that mattered at the moment. They were juggling a man's life in their hands. A man now reduced to silent tears. His fear now slowly being eclipsed by reluctant acceptance. A man coming to terms with his end. "Go ahead and finish me off. You do that, and my real self will go down too. You have that right since you've won." Ann clenched her fist in anger, the fire rising to the very roof of the central chamber.

"I don't need your permission. I can do whatever I want. Sound familiar?" With that did Ann hurl her fireball towards Kamoshida's form. He closed his eyes in acceptance and made whatever peace he could as the seconds clicked away. But death didn't come. The fireball whooshed right past him. Carmen faded away behind her as the two boys and Morgana watched on in surprise. He clenched her jaw, still shaking with anger. "But I won't. Because I'm better than you."

"Ann…" Akira muttered softly. She looked back to him for a fleeting moment. Her angered and pained expression fading briefly. Before she turned back to face Kamoshida.

"If his mind shuts down, he can't admit his crimes. But don't mistake this for forgiveness. I'll never forgive you – Kamoshida – and I hope you burn in whatever hell awaits us. And if there isn't, then I'll make one all my own just for you." It seemed Ann possessed a spirit for theatrics like Akira did, in the heat of intense emotion.

"You're kind, Lady Ann," Morgana said. Ryuji wiped his brow with relief. For a second, he truly thought Kamoshida was done for. Not that he would miss him. But they needed that confession for all of Shujin to witness. He reminded himself never to get on her bad side.

"I've lost. You're through when you lose…" A broken man. A shell of his former arrogant self. Falling from grace after flying too close upon his wings of wax. And he would hit the ground hard once he confessed. "What am I… what am I supposed to do now?" Directionless and lost. No more goals in sight. A lingering fear that had haunted him all his life.

"Spare me your tears," Akira said. "You haven't earned them. Had it not been for Ann's decision, you'd be toast where you stood. And I wouldn't miss you. As for what you need to do, you tell me. You're the adult here. The king, as you so please. You never had trouble figuring it out before when you let your ego and dick guide you." Slowly did Kamoshida raise his head to meet them, the tears gone from his eyes. The ghostly yellow slowly beginning to fade as his form dissipated into the light.

"Alright. I will leave now and return to my real self. I'll make certain that I…" In those brief moments before he faded away completely, Akira swore he could see a smile on his face. One of gratitude and relief. To be allowed to keep his life and to be relieved of his burdens. Of the anger and selfish desires that ruled over him. Perhaps in a way, they had done him as much a favor as the students. A heavy sigh left Ann's soft lips as her head drooped down. The weight of the world seemed to come off her shoulders. But it wasn't over yet. Not by a long shot. Akira slowly reached out, tentative to touch her. In response, she turned to him with a tired look. Tired and relieved. At last, it seemed to be over. Though they all knew there was still a long way go. Just not the extent of it.

Out of all the things to occur within the Palace, none of them could've anticipated the mad dash out while it collapsed around their ears. They were all very lucky to have made it out, especially Ryuji with his bad leg. Akira was definitely worried about him keeping up in there. But Ryuji was tougher than he looked. His injury never stopped him from routinely practicing track, even with nowhere to practice it. Even with everything looking up, Akira still felt himself apprehensive about the future. It all seemed to go well. But twelve days was a long time to wait. He considered himself a patient man but not when his future was on the line.

He'd have to find some way to relax in his spare time while he counted the minutes away. No doubt it would only make the days seem longer. Akira sighed as he lounged about in his room in the Leblanc attic. Sojiro brewed his coffee and tended to dishes as expected. Akira was surprised Sojiro wasn't the one living in the café.

"Today was good," Morgana said, curled up at the foot of the bed. Soon, they would sell Kamoshida's medal and have a celebration party. At least, Akira hoped they would.

"Don't celebrate too early. Kamoshida hasn't confessed just yet."

"You worry too much. Have faith. Would I have steered you wrong?" Akira merely smiled, huffing through his nose with amusement. Morgana had been on the money with them so far. It wouldn't be too much to ask to put his confidence in the cat for a little while longer. His attention swiftly shifted from Morgana to Ann as a text graced his screen.

Ann: Today was pretty crazy, huh?

Akira: Tell me about it. You had Kamoshida scared shitless. That was pretty cool.

Ann: Thanks. You were absolutely great too. I finally got to avenge Shiho because of you guys. I'm pretty sure there was no way I'd have been able to do anything on my own. So seriously. Thank you. I owe you so much.

Akira: You pulled your own weight too, you know. We wouldn't have been able to do it without you. We did it all together.

Ann: You think? I'm glad to hear that. You're really humble, Akira. I respect that a lot. Did Morgana teach you that? :P

Akira: Yes, M'Lady Ann. ;P

Ann: STOP!

Akira snickered quietly to himself and swiftly earned the attention of Morgana. The cat wormed his way up to him, but Akira kept his phone out of his line of sight.

"Are you talking to Lady Ann?" Morgana inquired as his tail twitched eagerly. "Did she mention me?"

"Oh yes," Akira said with a smirk. "She was telling me how much she admires that you taught me how to be such a gentleman." This put a real spring in Morgana's step as he paced up and down the bed, showboating about all the ways he knew how to court a woman. Akira let him have his fun and tuned him out, instead focusing on speaking with Ann.

Ann: Anyway, that cognitive world was pretty crazy, huh? What a mysterious place. I can't believe we actually stole someone's heart.

Akira: We won't know for sure until May 2nd. I'm not too thrilled about the prospect of waiting so long.

Ann: Me neither, but don't stress yourself out. You did your best, and we saved Shiho. Try to keep yourself relaxed.

Akira: I'll feel a lot better once we put this all behind us, and we can focus on helping Morgana.

Ann: Morgana is more mysterious than the Metaverse, I have to admit. When we were turning back, didn't he turn into a cat even though we were still at a Palace?

"Lady Ann sure is sharp. I'm impressed." Morgana had managed to blindside Akira and was perched up on his nightstand, reading his screen. "Basically, the treasure changes the shape of things. Once that's gone, that power no longer works. Though the real reason I changed quickly back then was because I'm so incredibly skilled! How's that? Isn't that amazing?"

"Humble to a fault," Akira said with a smirk. It was either his infatuation for Ann or his desire to mock Ryuji that got him into these moods.

Akira: He says he's amazing.

Ann: Oh yeah, I forgot Morgana is reading these messages too. How nosy of him. :P

Akira: It's only your texts that get his attention. Can't possibly imagine why.

Ann: LOL! To be serious though, I think I feel a little better after talking to you. Thanks. We still haven't seen any results, but it feels like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders. I hope you don't mind talking to me too much.

Akira: Not at all. I'm glad to talk to you anytime. It's good to have someone from my class that I'm good friends with. Makes it so less tedious.

Ann: Wouldn't be tedious if you paid attention. :P

Akira: I pay attention all the time, first of all. :P Who do you think I am? Ryuji?

Ann: I don't remember Ryuji getting hit in the forehead with chalk.

Akira: Don't remind me. He's got a mean right arm. Shit clocked me right between the eyes.

Ann: Get good at dodging, nerd. :P See you tomorrow.

Akira: Psh, whatever. Seeya.

Morgana mentioned something about Akira increasing his proficiency as he plugged his phone in and snuggled into bed. His words were lost on him as his mind wandered to the uncertain future. What was in store for all of them. If they really did change Kamoshida's heart.

Only time would tell.