.
The school bell tolled. Pigeons took off the bell tower, their wings catching opalescent grey on the sun rays which fell divided on Kosei High School. From inside the prayer room, Hifumi opened her eyes. The arabesque statue of the Virgin Mary stared down at her.
Ding.
In the many months since her father became ill, Hifumi had become familiar with Mary's eyes.
Ding.
Those empty stone eyes.
Ding.
Hifumi raised herself, picking up her bag. Wooden pieces clacked inside her bag. The pieces of the shogi set she carried around with her.
"Does she send you off in peace?" the visiting school missionary asked Hifumi.
Hifumi turned around – back at the statue. Her classical Japanese beauty caught highlighted by the stained church windows, like the many facets of a turning diamond.
Ding.
Her lying lips were the colour of emeralds and dreams.
"Yes," said Hifumi.
Gravel scraunched outside the prayer room entrance. Freshmen boys ran past Hifumi laughing. Kosei's front courtyard had students unwinding on the minty green grass. Some were about to head home, others back to the on-campus dormitories. The loud peals of laughter reminded Hifumi that a happy world existed outside the Virgin Mary's sombre atmosphere. Outside her father's bedroom.
Hifumi checked her phone. Akechi had not yet replied from the previous messages.
Even the 'Gold General' piece has its limits. Akechi must be occupied, thought Hifumi.
She never told anyone, not even Akechi – but Hifumi sometimes liked to stereotype people after shogi pieces. Akechi was naturally identified as the piece that was the king's helper. It was good she kept stuff like that under wraps; anyone would freak out if they saw just how much she really was obsessed with shogi. Hifumi caught herself more than once, muttering metaphorical declarations during a professional match.
While walking on the gravel path, Hifumi realised someone had stopped to speak to her. It was Yokohama sensei, Hifumi's homeroom teacher.
"…so have you seen her, Togo-san?"
Hifumi blinked. The world was dimming earlier; a sign of her not eating well these days. The episodes brought her moments of sensory static. That reminded Hifumi, her Persona had been unhappy with her poor diet habits.
"I beg your pardon, sensei?"
"Airi. She did not come to school today and her parents do not know where she is either. The police came by again, this time regarding a missing student," said Yokohama.
Airi…
The girl from class 2-A, Hifumi remembered. Hifumi knew her by face and a few polite words of exchange. That girl hung out with those types though. It was already that time of the school year when social circles were tightening, so Hifumi had not interacted with her that much. Not that Hifumi really wanted to. There were scary rumours that Airi's friends were the ones who killed some poor cat. People were talking about it after the police paid a visit to the school.
"I have not. Airi and I were not really friends," said Hifumi.
Yokohama nodded.
"Alright then. If you do find out anything, please let the school know," he said.
Yokohama's crunching footsteps faded.
That left Hifumi a bit concerned. A bit surprised too. Hifumi did not think she had any room to spare for worry, with her dad not being well. Hifumi continued her way, wondering what else she knew about this Airi. The girl hung out with the popular kids from the art stream. Who were the popular ones from there? Tanaka, Daisuke, Morishima, "Jettomero" the aspiring mangaka and…
Hifumi reached the school gates, a stairway Z-shaping down to the road. A few students were here, idly strutting, no hurry to leave. One student stuck out. He sat on the steps, arms hugging himself as if cold. Although his back was turned to her, Hifumi instantly recognised him from his blue hair.
Kitagawa Yusuke. He was also part of Airi's clique.
Hifumi shaded her eyes. The bleached concrete steps lit-up under the sunlight, containing some reflective mineral rock from the time it was slurry mixed. Thousands of tiny diamonds glittered and smarted under Hifumi's steps, her black shoes tapping off at each step down.
With the hazy mirage of heat going up to her waist, Hifumi felt like she was walking in a dream, an effect complimented by sudden lightheadedness. One of her light dizzy spells was happening. The white concrete became brighter and brighter. So bright, that in front of her, Yusuke's white shirt was indistinguishable.
The world turned when Hifumi fell forward.
#
Yusuke was so zoned out, he almost did not feel the impact being Hifumi's cushion, preventing her from injury. They both rolled down two steps before stopping at a plateau segment of the stairway; the fleshy mass of Hifumi's buttocks pressed against Yusuke's face, suffocating him to a death by snoo-snoo.
Yusuke laid starfish on the concrete, not even bothering to remove himself from his classmate. He decided this was not the worst way to die. There was some muffled shout, Yusuke was not sure. He did not give a shit.
Just as his vision was starting to form white spots, someone lifted Hifumi off him. On reflex, Yusuke's mouth gasped open for air, his beating heart stubbornly reminding him, 'I win this round you suicidal fuck!'.
A strand of blonde hair tickled Yusuke's nose. Yusuke blinked. Kofuki was kneeling above him, hands-on-thighs. Beside her was a male student, steadying Hifumi. The disappointment must have been evident on Yusuke's face because Kofuki's face melted into a grin, squeezing his cheek.
"What were you hoping for?" Kofuki teased.
"That I'd be in heaven," replied Yusuke.
Kofuki dimpled.
"If you can see me, you're still on Earth," she said.
"Or hell."
"That too."
Yusuke got up, dusting down his shirt. Yusuke's shirt collar had been snipped open, during the spinning collision. Kofuki tidied his collar, her finger briefly pausing on the red skin where Hifumi's shogi board had pressed through the bag. Kofuki clipped his collar shut.
"Thank you. Is she…" Yusuke gestured over Kofuki's shoulder, to Hifumi.
The other student was fussing over Hifumi, asking if she had any injuries.
"I'm fine, thank you…" said Hifumi.
When Hifumi caught attention of Yusuke, she said to him, "I'm so sorry, Kitagawa-kun! I hope I did not hurt you. My footing caught in the wrong place…"
Hifumi's hair was a bit messy from the fall. By some miracle, there was not a single scratch on that pretty face of hers.
Yusuke told her he was fine. Hifumi's face reddened, as if his nonchalance implied something which embarrassed her.
"Right. OK then…" said Hifumi, hesitating.
Now that they were in-front of her, Hifumi wanted to ask Kofuki and Yusuke about Airi. But then again, the slight dizziness was still fringing.
No…it's better if I leave now, before I pass out, thought Hifumi.
Hifumi gave a quick bow, muttering to be excused. The tapping of her shoes sounded skittish, as Hifumi hurried down the steps.
"Strange girl," commented Kofuki.
"That's Hifumi Togo. She's the shogi idol, yo!" piped the boy who helped her up.
Kofuki shrugged. She knew who Hifumi was but did not buy into the girl's hype as a shogi genius. A lot of normal things become a bigger deal if you take a person who is doing something – whether having a hobby or competing in a sport – and they happen to be beautiful. Not that Kofuki resented the phenomenon. It was normal society behaviour.
"Well I'll see you tomorrow, Yusuke! Try not to bury your face into any more asses in the meantime!" said Kofuki.
Yusuke lethargically waved bye. He noticed something red by his shoe.
"What is this…" he said to himself.
Yusuke picked it up. It was a loosened knot, tied from a novelty red rope. The sort that could pass for a hair accessory. The shape was akin to a three-leaf clover.
Is this Togo-san's? Thought Yusuke.
Shiori was watching Pacific Rim when Ren texted her. She clicked pause, the screen freezing at a frame of Gypsy Danger punching a kaiju.
_Ren: You free after this? _
_Shiori: Why? _
_Ren: Mishima just texted me. _
_Ren: He said Nakanohara's ex posted in the forums _
_Ren: Saying the PTs changed his heart _
_Ren: Now he wants to meet _
_Shiori: Now? _
_Ren: Told me he's already sitting at the diner _
_Ren: Normally I would have refused but… _
_Ren: Jeez. It sounds like he's going to wait there for hours anyway _
_Shiori: Why drag me into this ('д')/_
_Ren: He also asked if you'd be coming… _
_Shiori: …you're shitting me _
_Ren: Yeah. Congratulations. The Phantom Thieves P.R manager takes a fancy to you _
_Shiori: He's not our PR manager! _
_Ren: Well he IS managing the Phan-Site _
_Shiori: Where are you anyway? Morgana said you're not at home _
_Ren: At the gym _
_Ren: With Ryuji _
_Ren: Working out is great. You should try it sometimes _
_Shiori: Paying money to run on the same spot for an hour? Yeah, sounds real clever to me… _
_Ren: -.- You know it's a lot more than that. _
_Ren: Try to be a little bit nice when you're there, OK? _
Excuse me? I did not say I agreed, thought Shiori. She replied:
_Shiori: I don't need to be nice. I'm pretty. _
#
Ren sighed. He could almost hear Shiori's sassy voice as he read that.
_Ren: Just…be there _
He was in the changing room lockers at Protein Lovers gym. A couple of lockers slammed. Showerheads blasted. Ryuji was waiting for him outside.
Ren found Ryuji talking to a boy in a red T-shirt.
"…oh? Is this your friend? I don't recognise him from the school track team," said the stranger.
"This is Ren. He just transferred to Shujin this yea'. Ren, this is Ikeda-senpai. He graduated last year," said Ryuji.
"Nice to meet you," said Ikeda.
Ren nodded.
"Well met."
"Speaking of the track team, how's your leg, man?" asked Ikeda.
Earlier on, during their strenuous workout, Ren was impressed at how Ryuji was willing to push himself, despite his lopsided posture. Ryuji seemed smart about fitness too, always taking care not to needlessly injure his leg.
"Eh. I'm managin'…How about you, senpai? Still runnin'?" asked Ryuji.
"I've actually joined my university's track team. You'd think I would have quit after…heh. After what happened…" said Ikeda.
Ryuji scratched his head, on reflex.
"About that…I just wanna say again I'm really sorry about what I did last year," said Ryuji.
Ikeda shook his head.
"No. What happened last year, was on me. I was the track team leader yet I took Kamoshida's power abuse in silent resignation. I did not even stand up for you when Kamoshida had a go at your family. I should be the one apologising," said Ikeda.
"But you had to be like that so Kamoshida could write your letter of rec', right?" said Ryuji.
Ren thought about Makoto. Was that why she was doing the principal's bidding? A letter of recommendation? Ren was not sure. He did not know Niijima all that well.
"You were just looking out for your future…but I still managed to fuck it up anyway," said Ryuji.
"Nah. I know now Kamoshida never intended to write that letter. Why would he? He only wanted successful volleyball players coming out of Shujin, not us. You were just his official excuse not to do it. And to be honest, I enjoy where I am now. The track team is not special, but it feels good to know I earned my spot without bending my integrity. Maybe…I should be thanking you, Sakamoto. What you did, helped open my eyes," said Ikeda.
"S-senpai…"
Ikeda smiled. A sad smile.
"I always regretted not doing more to protect you guys. But my guilt eased when I heard some good news, yesterday. The Shujin track being reinstated, I mean," said Ikeda.
Even Ren did not know this. Ryuji too seemed surprised.
"For real?!" exclaimed Ryuji.
"I mean, Kamoshida confessed doing all that horrible stuff he did, right? I guess the school had to redact their decision and got the old team back together, to try and start it back up again," said Ikeda.
"…none of the guys told me about that," said Ryuji, sounding a bit crushed.
"Huh, odd. The rumours got as far as me and I'm not even a student anymore. I was pretty surprised when I heard who was put in-charge of this though."
"Who?" asked Ryuji.
"Mr. Yamauchi."
"Yamauchi. . .? Hang on, THAT Yamauchi!?" said Ryuji.
Ikeda looked sheepish himself.
"Yeap. Kamoshida's little lapdog. Apparently, he volunteered when he heard about the initiative. Sounded pretty enthusiastic about reviving the track team from the ashes."
"Is he now…" Ryuji said slowly.
"You know, now that the team is being reinstated, there should not be any need for bad-blood. I think you should give him a chance, Sakamoto. Go talk to them. They could use someone with your passion."
Ryuji did not look entirely convinced.
"Yeah…"
After leaving the gym, Ren could tell Ryuji was still thinking about his conversation with Ikeda.
"The track team is coming back…good for them, I guess," said Ryuji.
"Do you want to re-join?" asked Ren.
Ryuji shook his head.
"Nah. Not really…but for real. I am glad for Nakoaka and the others that the team is coming back. They'll be allowed to start trainin' with the proper amenities now. It's just Yamauchi that bugs me. He's basically a mini-Kamoshida," said Ryuji.
"Another asshole. Shujin seems to be a manufacturing plant for these types," Ren said wryly.
"If you knew half of it, dude. He'd always yell his head off during practice then become all kiss-arse when our parents were around. Ugh…I can't believe a moron like that is going to be advising the track team. He can't even teach P.E!"
". . ."
"Imma keep my ear to the ground. In case something is going on. I'll be countin' on your help if something happens, aite?"
"No problem."
Shiori was already waiting outside the diner when Ren arrived.
"You were quick," said Ren.
"You're the one who forced me to be here," grumbled Shiori.
"I'm not the one who forced the other to drink some of Tae's spooky juice!"
"…but did you die?"
"I missed like a ton of missed calls from Sojiro!"
"…but did you die?"
Ren scowled.
"Let's just get this over with," he said.
Three empty cups of coffee were in-front of Mishima. He was on his fourth, Shiori observed. Class 2-D's representative looked really tired to her. Ren ordered tea for Shiori and himself then sat down with her at the booth.
"Glad you two could make it. How have things been? You know, with the. . .special-" Mishima yawned, "-special activities?"
Kind of discomforting he believes we're the Phantom Thieves, thought Shiori.
"You seem tired," said Ren.
"Oh yeah, sorry about that. I've been staying up, managing the Phan-Site all night, every night. I think it's called, PR?" said Mishima.
Ren gave Shiori a 'I-told-you-so' look.
"I'm not sure if I follow, Mishima. Why the PR?" asked Shiori.
"I mean, what's the point in being heroes if no-one's going to know about it? The Phantom Thieves need to be celebrated by the people. That's why I've started platform accounts. There's the-" Mishima began counting on fingers, "Phan-Site, Twitter account, Vero, WhatsApp page, a subreddit and just opened this morning, a Discord server. It's been a lot of work blocking and filtering out the haters."
". . ."
". . ."
Mishima continued.
"We need the Phantom Thieves to be seen in the proper light if you wanna get popular, right?"
Shiori frowned.
"I don't think we need the popularity. It's kind of weird," said Shiori.
"Nonsense. People need to know the good you're doing," insisted Mishima.
". . ."
"This all sounds, kinda tough, Mishima. Do you really want to do this?" asked Ren.
Nobody asked you to do this, thought Shiori.
"You're not wrong. But hey, I bet it's nothing compared to what you guys are doing in the shadows. Part of me is curious what your methods are. . .haha, don't look so stressed! It's fine. I actually don't want to know. Would spoil the mystery and glamour surrounding the Phantom Thieves," said Mishima.
The waitress arrived with the tea. Being red-headed, the waitress reminded Shiori of Erica from Catherine. Mishima waited until she was gone, when he spoke again.
"I do sometimes wish…I could be more like you guys somehow."
Shiori's eyes narrowed.
"Meaning?" she asked.
"A Phantom Thief," replied Mishima, looking down at the table.
Ren noticed Shiori had her thinking face on – rapid blinking as if she was taking Polaroid pictures with her eyes. The girl was processing this new bit of information, filing it away for future references and deviltries.
Mishima brightened.
"But! I'll still be here to draw attention to the stuff you do! You can leave that part to me! I'm going to use the Phan-Site franchise to promote the Phantom Thieves and weed out any negative comments. Your popularity is going to be at my mercy – or uh…my fingertips. If you'd like Shiori, we can meet-up after school to discuss slogans," said Mishima.
Shiori pretended she did not hear, taking a long sip of her tea with her eyes closed.
This arrangement is a dry tinderbox, thought Ren.
But it was already too late. Mishima knew too much and the last thing they needed now with Makoto snooping around, was upsetting the guy.
"It's like I'll be your strategic image management representative, so to speak," Mishima hastily added, trying to fill the awkward silence.
"You…" Ren began, trying to collect diplomatic words, "…seem really hyped for this," said Ren.
"Hehe. Just you wait. Oh, I don't have your number, do I, Shiori? I got Ren's but not yours. Let's exchange," said Mishima.
Shiori wordlessly complied. The Bluetooth contact exchange confirmed on their phone screens. If Shiori felt anything about Mishima's prompt, she did not show it. Mishima yawned.
"I gotta say though. Managing all this is really tiring work," said Mishima.
"You should get some rest, Mishima. Exams are coming up. I think Shiori and I will leave now; we don't want you to be held back from a pillow because of us," said Ren, getting up from his untouched tea.
Mishima nodded.
"Yeah, OK. I'll see you around, Ren, Shiori. Goodnight," said Mishima.
"Night," said Ren.
Shiori got up too. Mishima looked up at her expectantly.
"Goodnight, Mishima," said Shiori.
Shiori did not say anything until they were back in Yogen-Jaya. They stopped in front of Leblanc café. The café's interior was distinguishable - cosy lighting showing a couple of customers and its owner. Sojiro caught sight of the two standing outside and waved; Shiori half-smiled, waving back.
Shiori commented, "Mishima's got a bit of power over us."
"Get why I wanted you there? It wasn't just because he asked. I wanted you to understand first-hand how Mishima complicates things," said Ren.
"You meant to do more than you're admitting, Ren. You also want me to hand little 'treats' to Mishima, to keep him calm. Like me giving him attention and other cheap trinkets of 'friendship'."
"You don't sound mad."
"Is there a point for that? No, I'm not angry at you. This is the guy who leaked your criminal record on Kamoshida's whim, just so he could play fucking volleyball. However, I need you to promise me something, Ren," said Shiori.
"What?" asked Ren; his finger brushed over the dew laden plants, Sojiro kept at the front. The light-kissed droplets on a large yellow flower, vortexed like a starry galaxy over the curlicue petals.
"Don't ever – try to hide even the smallest details about anything, ever again. Like what you did today. I am not a fool. I will see through you, no matter what you hide – no, stop that," Shiori grabbed Ren by the chin, turning his face down to her.
"Give me your full attention, Ren Amamiya. I don't like sharing."
They both quieted. Passerbys would glance curiously at the two teenagers, their side silhouettes stark against the diffused yellow window light of Leblanc, divided by thin black lines; the window panes.
Shiori pressed a finger onto Ren's chin. The sharp nail dug onto the vague stubble
"Promise me," she said.
"I can't do that, Shiori. Even I have secrets to keep," said Ren.
"Then at least give me your word, you won't hide anything that involves me."
Shiori's nail had indented a small red line. It had to be the chin, thought Shiori. The lips were another's territory and a mark there would raise unneeded questions. Ren's eyes widened a slight, realising this must mean a lot to Shiori if she was pushing so close to boundaries.
". . .you have my word," said Ren.
On the double-sized bed, Hifumi forced herself to lie on the side facing the wall. Her phone's charger was not long enough to lie on her right shoulder, her preference, while she messaged her friends and boyfriend.
_Akechi: How was your day? _
Hifumi thought about it. It had started raining while walking from the train station. She arrived home, tired and drenched. Her father immediately asked for her help in setting up the living room for guests. Friends from the golf club (although these days her father was too sickly to go there) were coming over.
Once she was done, Hifumi quickly grabbed a snack to refuel, but then her mother arrived home. It started off polite enough, mother and daughter talking about normal things until the topic went to magazine shoots and shogi; where the argument started. Losing her appetite, Hifumi stormed out of the kitchen, with her mother's screams being hurled at her back. The guests were staring, her father embarrassed.
Hifumi then took a respite shower than hid herself in her room, before being forced back into the kitchen to help out with dinner.
Eating was a cold affair. Little was said, aside her father's occasional naïve bantering. Hifumi barely ate, wanting to get out of there quickly.
Hifumi tugged the blanket up higher. She felt feverish, cold and her Persona writhing inside her, restless, was not helping either.
Probably from the rain, thought Hifumi.
_Hifumi: It was good. _
_Hifumi: But I'm feeling tired right now. _
_Hifumi: Goodnight ( ˊᵕˋ ) .°⑅ _
There was a knock at the door. Hifumi lightly gasped, turning off her phone screen before she could see Akechi's reply. She hid her head under the blanket, with only a small rhombus opening of where her pillow ended. The door opened. Hifumi saw light stream on the wall.
Was it her mother or father?
Hifumi waited. The door closed, nothing more was said. Must have been mum.
Hifumi waited a few seconds, then unlocked her phone to read Akechi's perfect boyfriend reply. His words were always very perfect, as if written by an Oscar-winning scriptwriter who was caricaturing a great boyfriend on page. It was sometimes strange, but she did not mind.
Hifumi idly scrolled through her other WhatsApp pages. Lots of fluff, so her eyes were drooping into sleepiness from the uninteresting. Then her finger stopped scrolling. What is this?
Hifumi opened the page link which took her to a social media page. Her lips opened with troutlike surprise of being hooked. She read the forum posts. These allegations, these stories…what is this? She re-read the highest voted post that was there.
". . .The Phantom Thieves changed my ex's heart. . ." she whispered.
Hifumi sat up on her bed.
Got held back a little by this one-shot I wrote (still a bit surprised I indited something like that lmao). Updates should feel a bit more regular from now.