5/02/17 – Monday

For what felt like the first time in forever, Ann walked along with her head held high and hope in her heart. It felt like a dream, all of today. The comeback of the century for all of them. Akira had wanted to arrange a meeting on the roof, but she couldn't bring herself to attend. She was too much of a teary-eyed mess to properly face them. He had seen her cry before, granted. But it wasn't really something she was proud of. Though, she did offer her apologies. Akira was thankfully an incredibly understanding person and postponed the meeting to tomorrow. Now all that was left to do was treat herself to a well earned and heavy night's rest.

She unlocked the penthouse door and slipped inside, seeing Baba standing over the oven with a phone in her hand. And from the look on her face, she was greatly angered by something.

"Oh, thank goodness," she said, taking notice of the young blonde. "She's here, dear. Your mother wants to speak with you."

"Everything alright?" Ann asked, warily taking the phone in her hands. Baba merely scoffed and shook her head.

"I should be asking you that." The heavyset woman turned back to tending the food she was cooking, ranting and raving to herself. "I just got off the phone with Shiho's parents. They told us everything that happened." The TV on the counter was running the story in question, with Kamoshida's mugshot on display for the world to see. The titles onscreen before the reporters weren't flattering in the slightest.

Word got out fast, Ann thought to herself as she raised the phone to her ear.

"Mom?"

"Honey, I just heard about the news, and your father and I are absolutely furious!" She had never heard her mother this angry before. "Your father is on the phone contacting a lawyer for Shiho's parents right now. Shujin doesn't know how lucky it is that Shiho is conscious again." Ann felt a sadistic spark flicker in her soul at the thought of them making Principal Kobayakawa pay for Kamoshida's transgressions. "I'm so proud of Shiho for having the courage to come forward and say something about it. I just wished she had done it sooner. Poor dear…"

"It wasn't her fault," Ann said, twirling a finger around her twintail. "Kamoshida had everybody scared at Shujin, and people were covering for him."

"Oh, you don't have to tell me, dear," her mother continued. "Your father is reading the news report online now. Beating up children, sexual assault. I've never been more disgusted in all my life! I-oh, hold on, dear. Your father wants to speak to you."

"Honey?"

"Hi, Daddy."

"Honey, don't worry a single hair on your head about Shiho. We'll be helping her parents take care of everything. Ooh, once we're done with them, they're gonna have to sell that school to pay for the lawsuit." Her father was prone to exaggeration as part of his eccentric personality and occupation, but from the tone of his voice, he might just go that far. "And, honey, I need you to be honest with me, okay?" Ann knew what was coming next. Her father's low and delicate tone had supplanted his vindictive and angry disposition from second ago. "Did that man touch you in any way? I swear on my life, we will sue that school for every penny they have to their name if they laid a single finger on you." From the number of fingers Kamoshida had laid on her, Principal Kobayakawa could be paying even in the afterlife. Caressing her hair, groping her thighs and breasts, squeezing her rear. One thing she had managed to avoid was his kiss, thankfully enough. Sometimes, she would scrub extra hard in the shower to remove the imaginary stain that lingered on her from his touch. Ann wasn't quite sure she'd ever feel a hundred percent comfortable in her skin again.

"…No. He didn't." But this wasn't about her. This was about Shiho. Always had been. Her time to be taken care of. Ann felt guilty at the prospect of taking away any focus on her. She had suffered as well at the hands of Kamoshida but would sacrifice her voice so Shiho could heal.

"You're telling the truth? It's not your fault, and we won't get mad at you. You did nothing wrong. You don't have to be afraid anymore, dear."

"He didn't touch me," she lied reluctantly. Her silence was the price to pay for getting Shiho the retribution she deserved. At least in her mind, it was. Though, it didn't make her conscience feel any better.

"Oh, thank goodness," her father breathed with great relief. "Your mother and I can't tell you how lucky we are."

"Count our blessings," Ann said, peaking over to her nana with a smile. "Just like Baba says." For a brief moment, the caretaker cracked a smile. Even in these times, Ann never lost that optimism. A trait Baba had grown more and more thankful for over the coming years. The conversation switched back and forth between her parents and with Baba while the caretaker took dinner off the stove. At first, Ann hadn't been that hungry, but it hit her like a ton of bricks once Baba set it out upon the table. It had been the busiest in the penthouse it had been in a whole year. And she ate what felt like a year's worth of food. Ann winded down the rest of her day by taking a nice long shower and snuggling right into bed. The warm blanket felt like heaven's embrace around her body. She sank like a stone into the center of the mattress. Though even with everything, it was hard to sit still or get comfortable.

Too many things were now on her mind. For all the peace Kamoshida's fall from grace seemed to bring, uncertainty and worry began to subset it. Shiho still had a long way to go – both emotionally and physically – before she would be able to rejoin them at Shujin. Even then, it wouldn't be easy. What she had been subjected to wasn't something one could just walk away from. The blonde resolved to be at Shiho's side and push on towards the road of recovery. She owed it to Shiho for putting her in this position to begin with.

This was to be a second chance for both of them. Never again would Ann put a friend in such a position. Their struggles were each other's, and they were in it together. For better or worse. For Shiho and for her new Phantom Thief friends.


5/03/17 – Tuesday

School couldn't have been more awkward for the teachers. Principal Kobayakawa was nowhere to be found the entire day, laying as low as possible no doubt. The teachers had to press on like everything was somewhat normal. But nothing would ever be the same at Shujin again. Kamoshida had blown the doors wide open on that one.

Ann hovered outside Shiho's ward after school and waited for the nurses to finish. She wanted to visit her before attending the meeting on the roof. Akira had bestowed her another kindness in letting her be late for this one. She owed him for a lot. The nurses vacated, and one gave her a confirming nod of approval to head in. Ann needed little prompting as she flew to Shiho's side in the blink of an eye. The girl embraced as gently as she could her bedbound friend, but it was hard to resist the urge to squeeze her tightly. Despite coming in calm and collected, Ann felt the waterworks bubbling to the surface.

"How have you been?" Ann asked, clumsily wiping her eyes in the hopes Shiho wouldn't notice. If she did, the girl refused to say anything, instead choosing to offer a warm and beaming smile that restored the happiness Ann felt.

"A little stiff," she confessed. "Not in any position to start physical therapy just yet. But the doctors say I'm getting close." Ann clasped her hands and gave a soft sigh of relief. She couldn't wait to see her walking again. They were gonna have lots of plans once she got out of here. "To be honest, I'm kinda bored. I never thought I'd miss school."

"Believe me, you're not missing anything," Ann said with a flick of her hand. "Only thing at school to miss is you. I'll be here at your side to support you once you start your therapy."

"The doctors say it's gonna be rough. Really painful too."

"You can do it, Shiho. You can do anything." The thought of Shiho struggling set Ann at slight ill ease. But she'd weather through anything for her. If Shiho could still trudge on through after her rape and abuse with a smile, Ann could retain hope as well. "So how's the food here?"

"Sucks," Shiho said with a snicker. Ann felt herself giggling alongside her. The first genuine and good laugh in what felt like years. "I can't have sweets just yet. I'm craving some crepes something severe." Ann felt herself beaming at the thought. They would always grab crepes after school to unwind. Though that had fallen out of practice since her inception into the volleyball team. And being put under the thumb of Kamoshida. "Tell Akira I said "hi." How's class with him?"

"We're actually friends now," Ann said with a prideful beam. "And with Ryuji too."

"Sakamoto-kun?"

"Mm-hmm! When you come back, we can all hang out together. The first thing we're doing is grabbing crepes. My treat!" Shiho's gaze faltered, and the girl looked down to her hands. The smile disappeared as the news her family was planning came to the forefront.

"About that… you see, my mom doesn't want me to go back to Shujin…" A surprised and pained whimper rose up in Ann's throat, quickly pushed back down. "Because of what happened… and I don't really want to go back either. It's too… well…"

"You don't have to explain to me, Shiho," Ann said, crestfallen. It deflated her completely to hear the news, but it wasn't surprising in hindsight. Expecting her to willingly return to Shujin after what Kamoshida had done would be too good to be true. It was strange to have to imagine. Shiho permanently gone from Shujin. Though maybe things would change between now and when she can fully walk again. She hoped. She prayed.

"No, I do, Ann. I'm sorry for all this…"

"For what? You didn't do anything."

"If I had been a better player, you wouldn't have to hang around with Kamoshida to keep me on it." Shiho shook her head with disappointment at herself. The girl enjoyed volleyball immensely but wasn't exactly in the top spot. Kamoshida had high standards, and his discipline was even higher when those standards weren't met.

"It's not your fault," Ann said, leaning in with a stern look. "I chose to do what I did. Kamoshida exploited us both." Hypocritical it was to reprimand Shiho only for her to blame herself in secret for her condition. It wasn't lost on Ann nor did it sit well. But there was no way she'd allow for Shiho of all people to throw herself under the bus in such a way. "I'd kick his dick in if I could." Shiho couldn't help but snicker at her friend's ire. Ann's profanity always managed to spice up her mundane life. Though it had never managed to rub off on her. Shiho found herself too soft-spoken and self-conscious to swear.

"I'd give him one too if I could. But I gotta ask: what made Kamoshida confess?" Ann paused and nursed her neck. She hadn't counted on that question despite being a painfully obvious one. Kamoshida feeling guilty of his own volition was too far a stretch to convince Shiho with. She was a bit naïve but not a fool.

"The Phantom Thieves."

"The… who?"

"They're like crusaders of justice and stuff. Make corrupt people confess to their crimes by making them publicly known. At least I think so." Ann had to make sure to underplay her hand in what she knew. "I got a calling card of theirs they sent to the school." Ann removed the red piece of parchment and handed it to Shiho, who analyzed the fine detailing and calligraphy that went into crafting it.

""Sir Suguru Kamoshida, the... bastard of lust?"" Shiho couldn't retain her composure and started snickering. "You've got to be kidding me. That's so lame!"

"Oh my God, right?" Ann said, giggling. "It's ridiculous!" The two girls lost themselves in laughter, and for a moment everything seemed as it always had been. That Kamoshida had just been a bad dream and they were little girls again at a sleepover or on the playground. Simpler times, ones that Ann would find herself missing more and more in the coming months.


Akira lounged in his seat on the rooftop of the school, listening to Ryuji and Morgana talk amongst themselves. On the table before them was the gold medal stolen from the Palace. Akira had an idea of who he would pawn it off to, but that was hardly any of his concern at the moment. He peered out over the horizon to stare at the sunset. It had been a long time since he found himself appreciative of such a simple vista. Everything seemed to be a lot brighter and cleaner now with Kamoshida gone.

"So we can get 'em to confess with no bad stuff?" Ryuji asked. "Hey! That works for me!" Akira hadn't been paying them any attention. He registered their words but wasn't in focus. Something about how killing the shadow wouldn't trigger a mental shutdown.

"Do you have to be so loud?" Upon hearing her voice, Akira immediately snapped back to reality and turned to see Ann approach the group. "Sorry again for being late. I wanted to catch up with Shiho."

"Eh, don't worry about it," Ryuji said, leaning back in his chair. The blond boy was feeling atop of the world. "So how'd it go? With Shiho, I mean."

"She says "hi"," Ann said with a solemn smile. "She's happy to hear we're friends. It was only for a little bit, but I got to talk to her." The blonde took a seat to recuperate. This week was proving to be more emotional than desired. "I was able to tell her that Kamoshida admitted to what he did. Shiho, she… she told me she was sorry. Looks like she found out that I was flirting with Kamoshida for her sake. And here I was, wanting to apologize to her." A sad laugh escaped her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring the mood down."

"It's quite alright, Lady Ann," Morgana said, leaning on the edge of the table closest to her. "Kamoshida's at fault for all this."

"I know," Ann said as she took a deep breath to regain composure. "Shiho's mom is thinking of transferring her to another school after she recovers. The whole sexual harassment and attempted suicide… people will label her after that. Sounded like Shiho had the same idea too."

"Ah, jeez…" Akira muttered to himself, nursing his neck. It made sense, but it would suck to see Shiho go. To have to pick up everything and move away because of someone else's cruelty. It wasn't fair.

"It's gonna get lonely…" Ryuji said with a downtrodden look. Looks like they couldn't fix everything. Unsurprising but still disheartening to face. "Well, at least you got us, right?" Ann gave a small smile of acknowledgment and nodded. These three goofball boys were her friends now too. And she wouldn't trade them for the world.

"Yeah. You're right. Plus, it'll be a while before Shiho can leave the hospital. They might change their minds before then, but if they don't, I think it's for the best. I'm sure it'll be hard if she stays here."

"She's alive," Ryuji said. "That's what matters in the end, don't it? You can see her anytime. She might be goin', but she'll always be your friend."

"Get in as much time as you can with her, Ann," Akira spoke up. The boy had sat in silence for the longest time, listening to her speak. It was uncertain what to say or how it should be said. Delicate subjects like this weren't his forte. Like handling a puzzle made of glass. "Spend every day with her if you need to. Don't worry about waiting up for us."

"Heh. Finally decided to speak up, huh? You've been awful quiet." Akira smirked at Ryuji's playful ribbing, turning back to face the sun.

"Had a lot on my mind. Everything feels different now. We've all changed in some way. It's… it feels good."

"I need to change too," Ann muttered to herself. Far too much had occurred to relapse into her old life again. Of remaining quiet and pretending everything was fine despite the contrary. There was no going back. Though in what way would she move forward? Living a sheltered life, lingering so long in silence. She wasn't sure exactly how to proceed.

"That aside, I was surprised you could hold yourself back against Kamoshida's Shadow." Ann blinked and turned to face Ryuji. It hadn't occurred to her until now just how truly angry she was with him. How much hate she harvested in her heart for such an evil man. It fed something deep inside her soul to put him onto his knees, groveling for his life. To be in a position where she could reduce him to ashes with a flick of her wrist. Intoxicating and also pretty scary.

"I'm glad you did." Akira gave a soft smile while leaning forward in his seat. "I couldn't blame you in the slightest if you had decided to finish him off. It took a lot of restraint and control to make that decision. I'm really proud of you, Ann." Ann felt the heat swell up on her neck from his words. She hadn't really been told that by anyone else besides her parents and Baba. To hear it from someone else was odd. In a good way. She sheepishly rubbed her neck and face as the blush started to creep around the edges to her cheeks.

"Th-thanks," she clumsily offered. The blonde cleared her throat to regain her lost composure. "I didn't want to kill him. It wasn't like that. I just wanted Kamoshida to apologize himself. Just… I'm not a murderer."

"You're so kind, Lady Ann," Morgana said. "Your mercy is as heavenly as your beauty."

"No matter how much of a shit bag he was, finishing him off woulda left a bad aftertaste, huh?" Ryuji added. He hadn't reflected much on how to properly and responsibly use their powers. They had to exercise some degree of restraint.

"Huh?" Ann glanced between the cat and the other blond, rather baffled by their words. As they sank in, she couldn't help but laugh just a bit. It was a rather cold sound, rather uncharacteristic of Ann. The two boys and the cat felt a chill run down their spines as her amusement met their ears. "Oh, no. That's not it. I think revenge is better served if I make him repent." Her voice slowly fell in pitch, growing more calculated and dark. And her blue eyes were as ice cold as the words she spoke. "Realizing what he's done, he'll grovel for forgiveness for the rest of his life, you know? Even if he gets out of prison, he'll have nowhere to go. No job will take him, no friends to help him when hard times fall on his shoulders, nowhere to go. Take everything from him like he did to Shiho. If he dies, no one will ever know what a piece of shit he was and Shiho could never get the justice she deserves. I just believe there are fates worse than death. Way worse."

The silence that lingered was positively deafening. Each of their hearts hung in their throats from her tirade. Morgana had slunk down beneath Ryuji's chair for cover. Ryuji felt the hairs on his arms stand on edge. It was hard to breathe, she had rendered the atmosphere so tense.

"Holy shit…" was all he could muster. If this was her being "kind" according to Morgana, he prayed he never got to see her unhinged and angry. Akira was feeling something much more different. The passion and drive with which she spoke had his heart racing. Both in the Metaverse and outside of it, she had a fiery drive that made her someone to be respected and feared. It was impressive, scary, and even arousing. Akira clenched his thighs and avoided eye contact, brushing a little of his hair in front of his face to mask the blush. For safekeeping, he tugged the front of his uniform slightly down to obscure his crotch a bit. A small twisted part of him didn't mind the idea of being on the receiving end of her fury.

The conversation continued onwards, with the Phantom Thieves discussing other Palaces, the skepticism surrounding their existence, what to do with the medal, and finally to a celebration of their triumph. At Ann's request, they were to dine at a fancy restaurant she and Shiho had wished to go for a while. It was decided unanimously. May 5th, Children's' Day. Akira volunteered to sell the medal tomorrow. It wasn't worth as much as he imagined, and it wasn't a truly authentic one. But he surmised that the owner of Untouchable wouldn't complain. The three of them split off, Morgana lounging about in Akira's satchel as usual. Sometimes the boy forgot he was in there.

"Hey, Akira?" He came to a halt at hearing Ann's voice. "I was just wanted to say thanks for what you said. It was… really nice. It means a lot that you have some faith in me." Akira merely smiled warmly.

"I'd be a fool not to." The two said their goodbyes and split off, Ann turning the corner and shaking her head. What he had said. It was getting to her. Butterflies in her stomach and a slight warmth on her cheeks. She hadn't felt this way before. It wasn't unpleasant. Just confusing and unusual.

What is wrong with me?