Chapter 20: Mine of Gluttony/Will Power
June 17th
Kazumi went out of the clinic before Takeo opened it for business. She checked her phone for messages from her friends as she went to LeBlanc. As expected, there wasn't any. Sojiro saw her getting in:
-"Ah. You're back."- he said.-"What did the doctor say?"
-"I need a few days to recover, and I should prevent being stressed if I don't want to have an attack."- she replied as she sat on the serving table side.
-"Well, you are officially excused from the school…"- Sojiro said.-"The Principal is giving you a temporary suspension and the police is investigating in the hospital about the incident…"
-"I don't see what could stress you here."-he added.
-"This sucks…"-Kazumi dropped her head on the table.-"I can never do something helpful without worsing it…"
-"Are you going to stay here lamenting? Go outside, you haven't even gotten Blacky back."- Sojiro told her in order to ignore the problem.
-"That's right...I have to text Ann to get him back."- Kazumi said.-"And also, I will come to help on the store later."
-"No need. It will be problematic if you get a panic attack here."- Sojiro said.
-"Hey, don't treat me like that."- Kazumi made a pout.-"...I am sorry, Sojiro-san...for everything…"
-"..."- he kept silent as he saw her leave the store.
That morning, Kazumi spent her time outside in Central Street as she went at the theater to watch a horror movie.
*Kazumi's courage increases by 3*
In Shujin Academy, Makoto was walking around the halls of the first floor hearing the rumors. It was either about the made up relationship with Kazumi, not like recent events didn't make it seem like nothing was happening between them, or the fact that she was hospitalized. He went to the next floor to talk with the Principal as it was required:
-"Did you want to see me, Sir?"- he said as he closed the door.
-"Nijima-san, what is the meaning of this?"- Kobayakawa said with a passive-aggressive tone.-"How did that delinquent get off your hands so easily to drug herself?"
-"I thought we were clear about your role and yet…"- he was clearly mad.
-"She was fine until she raised up her voice in the conference."- Makoto explained.-"In the hospital, she confessed that the syringe wasn't even hers."
-"Did you believe that kind of thing?"- Kobayakawa asked.-"That girl got her probation in the first place because an honorary nurse found her out with drugs in her bag! Criminals are always found in the same setting of their crime…"
-"An honorary nurse…?"- Makoto asked.
-"Haruka Furukawa. I'm sure you have seen how far she got in life with that righteous behavior."-he mentioned.
-"Wait, really?"- Makoto said surprised. He made the connection that maybe that was why Kazumi was tense after talking about her and also...Furukawa did get out from the same way with a red stain on her white dress.
-"Nijima, your actions have consequences and so, I ask that on top of your investigation of Kamoshida, you give me a written report about this incident."- Kobayakawa demanded.-"Do not cut yourself in words. That delinquent is getting kicked out for sure…"
-"...Understood, sir."- Makoto said frustrated and he got out of the room to go to his classes.
For Makoto, it made sense now. The reason why Kazumi rejected the visit, the reason why she was tense talking to that woman, her incident, that woman's behavior when he found her in the hallway and the reason why Ryuji and the others blamed him. It was his fault that Kazumi was hurt because he encouraged her to go. Perhaps, as his sister said, he was a burden.
At lunchtime, Ann talked with Morgana and Ryuji on the courtyard along with Yusuke on the phone:
-"Have you guys heard anythin' about Kazumi since yesterday?"- Ryuji asked.
-"Nothing."- Yusuke replied.
-"Me either."- Ann said.-"I hesitated to even text her…"
-"This sucks…"- the blonde said looking down.-"Was she bein' serious about moving out?"
-"I hope not. If Kazumi is gone, Les Blues Rebelles is done for…"- Morgana said.
-"You said it like none of us can be the leader."- Yusuke said.
-"Can you?"- the cat asked back but he received nothing more than silence.-"That's what I thought."
-"We have to do something at least!"- Ann said.-"Like look for clues about that Palace!"
-"Yeah. After the visit to the hospital, we did check the name on the MetaNav but couldn't figure out any other keywords…"- Yusuke said.-"By the way, did Ryuji get in trouble for hitting Nijima on the face?"
-"Haven't seen that asshole since yesterday."- Ryuji replied.-"I bet he went to the Principal to blame it all on Kazumi so he can look great on the issue."
-"Can we talk about that later? Our main concern is doing something about Kazumi."- Morgana said. Ann's phone rang with a message.
-"I just received a message. Hold on, Yusuke."- Ann checked that it was from Kazumi.-"It's Kazumi! She wants to meet up to get Morgana back…"
-"So she's fine now? What a relief…"- Yusuke said.
-"Huh...I wonder…"- Ryuji sighed.
-"It is better if Lady Ann and I met with her alone. That attack she had in the hospital might be serious."- Morgana meowed.
Behind the wall next to the vending machines, Makoto heard everything they were talking about:
-"These people never learn from their mistakes…"- he thought and looked at his cellphone before leaving the place.
-"The Phantom Thieves took care of that mafia boss after Asaka asked me about it…"-he was looking for the said website where the Phantom Thieves supposedly attended requests.-"If they are real then…"
-"I need to help out Asaka before she leaves the town."- it was his determination. A responsibility he took for himself after failing to help students before.
After school, Kazumi arrived to Shibuya station to meet with her friends. Before that, she found a big fuss going on in the bakery of the station. As soon as she saw people leave, she approached:
-"Excuse me. What was that right now?"- she asked.
-"Hello, miss. We are offering our melon breads today…"- the baker told her.-"Unfortunately, they sell like crazy these days so we have to limit the amount per customer."
-"Are you interested?"- she asked her as she pulled out the last one from a tray.-"It's the last one of the day."
-"Sure! I'll take it."- Kazumi said with a smile and paid for the bread.
-"Thank you for your purchase!"- the lady said as she gave it to her on a paper bag.
-"Oh!"-a voice expressed as Kazumi took the bag and turned around to see no other than Goro Akechi.
-"Hi...Goro Akechi, right?"- Kazumi asked.
-"You must be Kazumi Asaka from Shujin Academy."- he said.
-"Yes…"- Kazumi nodded.
-"Hey! Is that Akechi-kun?"- someone said on the distance which put him on guard.
-"Yes! It's him! Let's ask him for his sign!"-said another.
-"Oh my...This is not what I had planned…"- Akechi sighed.
-"Fangirls, huh?"- Kazumi said.-"Let me lend you a hand…"
-"I appreciate that but it's not necce-"-before Akechi could say something, she just pushed him from the back to a further corner of the station.
-"I think we lost them."- Kazumi said as she was guarding the corner.
-"...Thank you, I suppose."- Akechi said as he was adjusting his tie.-"I didn't knew you were so pushy…"
-"S-Sorry about that!"- Kazumi apologized with a reverence.-"I kind of tend to be like this when helping others…"
-"I told you it wasn't necessary."- Akechi replied still adamant.-"As a sort of celebrity, I have to keep an image…"
-"I understand that but you did seem very conflicted when they noticed you."- Kazumi said.
-"Ahaha. You're right."- Akechi laughed.-"I sometimes want to get the last melon bread before getting into work and not to be interrupted…"
-"Last melon bread?"- Kazumi thought and lift up the paper bag between.-"Uhm...You can have it if you want…"
-"Don't worry, you can take it for this time."- Akechi said.-"You were very lucky indeed."
-"No! I insist that you take it as an apology for pushing you like that."-she insisted as she put the paper bag closer to him.
-"No. I insist that you keep it."- Akechi replied back.
-"How about we take half and half?"- Kazumi offered.
-"Half…?"- Akechi was actually surprised she suggested something like that.-"How can someone be satisfied with that?"
-"Why not? The point is not the ingested calories but the feeling of sharing."- Kazumi said surprised.-"Oh, but you can just take it all if you don't like the idea, Mr. Detective."
-"Ehehe. Feeling of sharing, huh? Very well, I guess there's no harm to try it out."- Akechi said with his charming voice. He was the one who took the bread and split it on half, giving the other to Kazumi.
-"Bon appetit!"- Kazumi said with a smile and she gave the bite of her half.-"Wow! No wonder why they sell so fast!"
-"It truly is a delightful sweet."- Akechi said as he observed her.
-"What is it? Aren't you going to eat?"- Kazumi asked him as she felt his gaze.
-"It's nothing at all."- Akechi said as he ate his half.-"Uhm...It does taste different from when I eat it alone…"
-"Right? You smiled honestly right there."- Kazumi mentioned.
-"Huh…?"-Akechi was taken by surprise for her comment.
-"Oh, the time! I have to take my cat back!"- Kazumi noticed the clock behind Akechi.-"I have to leave now. See you, Akechi-san."
-"Yes. Let's meet again."- Akechi nodded as he saw her leave. With the girl out of his sight, he felt like crushing the bread on his hands.
Later, Kazumi met with Ann in central street:
-"Welcome back, Morgana."- Kazumi said to the cat as she took it in her hands.
-"I'm glad you look fine but…"- Morgana meowed.-"I'm gonna miss staying with Lady Ann…"
-"When you don't sheed your black fur on the couches, maybe you can come back."- Ann said with a sarcastic smile.
-"Sorry about it, let me go and help you clean up."- Kazumi said to her.
-"No need for that. My caretakers will handle it…"-Ann said to her. They stayed on silence.
-"By the way, what was that attack you had in the hospital?"- Morgana broke the silence with that question.
-"The drug's effect. I can't give in stress or it will trigger a panic attack."- Kazumi said.-"It won't stay in my body for long…"
-"You were suspended from school. What are you planning to do in the meantime?"- Ann asked.
-"I have lots of things to do here…"-Kazumi mentioned.-"I won't abandon the Phantom Thieves until the end. We still have to get to depths and help Morgana recover his human form."
-"And also…"- Kazumi remembered the twins. She said she wouldn't fail to them and yet…
-"Also?"- Ann wanted her to proceed, but…
-"Yo! How're you doin', girls?"- Ryuji suddenly popped out.
-"Ryuji-kun!"- Kazumi said surprised by his sudden appearance.
-"What are you doing here?"- Ann asked suddenly. It was only Morgana and her who were supposed to get there.
-"Well, Kazumi made a promise and I think it's the perfect time she fulfills it."- Ryuji said.-"Mind if I take her now?"
-"Well, I don't have a problem with that…"-Ann said.
-"Perfect. Let's go, cutie."-Ryuji said as he took her from the forearm.-"We're going to a place to train!"
-"Wait, now?"- Kazumi said confused as Ryuji began to pull her.-"Ryuji-kun! I didn't bring my sports gear!"
-"...I guess I'll just go home."- Ann said when her sight crossed with Makoto, they both looked at each other and Ann decided to ignore him and keep going stairs down. Makoto knew Tamaki also resented him.
In the gym Protein Lovers in Central Street, Ryuju convinced Kazumi of just looking at him while he was training since she didn't bring any spare clothes:
-"..."- Kazumi was watching him quietly while he increased the rhythm of the treadmill. Every step he seemed to be more in pain, but he didn't give in until half an hour after.
-"Phew…"- Ryuji was breathing heavily after his exercise routine.-"My form's...coming back...but...I got no...stamina…"
-"Here. I got some ice for your water."- Kazumi said as she gave him the bottle.
-"Thanks."- he drank the whole bottle at once.-"Ahh! So refreshing…"
-"So, whaddaya think? It has pretty nice gear and you pay for visit so you don't have to be tied up by crappy memberships."- he said.
-"It's a nice place, yes."- Kazumi said to him.-"It is a shame we can't run in here though."
-"Whatcha lookin' at?"- Ryuji asked when he saw her direct stare.
-"Well, I am glad you're recovering…"- Kazumi replied.-"I was just thinking how you wanted to start running again for our secret job and now…"
-"What are you going to do once I…?"- Kazumi asked but before she could continue.
-"Wow, Sakamoto?"- a young man older than them approached.
-"Ikeda-senpai! What's bonkin'?"- Ryuji suddenly greeted nervous.
-"Bonkin'? What's that supposed to mean?"- the guy, Ikeda, asked him with certain humor.
-"I've been tryin' to come up with a new slang. Maybe it'll catch on."- the blonde replied proud.
-"You can't just do that."- Ikeda said sweating nervously.-"Besides, you don't need to call me senpai anymore. I've already graduated."
-"Good day."- Kazumi waved at the guy when he looked at her.
-"Who's this? A girlfriend? Or is the track team now accepting females at school?"- Ikeda asked.
-"Nothing of the sort. She's a friend."- Ryuji replied as he crossed his arms.-"By the time she came to school, the track team was...well, you know."
-"I see...So, how's your leg?"- Ikeda asked him.
-"I'm managin'."-Ryuji replied.-"You still running, senpai?"
-"Yes. I got into my university's track team. You'll think I'll quit entirely after what happened with Kamoshida and you…"- Ikeda replied making Ryuji feel down.
-"I'm really sorry about that…"- he apologized as he scratched his head embarrassed.-"Back then you were aiming for a letter of rec and I just ruined everything, right?"
-"No. I should be the one apologizing."- Ikeda said.-"I was the leader of the team and yet I just resigned myself to Kamoshida. It ends up that you were just his excuse to not giving me a letter of recommendation."
-"In truth, I should be thanking you for what you did. The track team of the uni isn't anything special but it's the right place for me."- Ikeda said happily.-"By the way, have you heard the track team will be re-installed?"
-"Really? That sounds like good news!"- Kazumi said surprised as much as Ryuji.-"But, we never heard about it until now…"
-"Well, the rumors got as far as me and I'm not a student anymore."- Ikeda said.-"I am sure the school is trying to make up for what Kamoshida did."
-"Anyway, I heard they are going to have Yamauchi as their new advisor."- Ikeda mentioned.-"Apparently he volunteered to put the team back on rails."
-"Why don't you go and talk to them? I'm sure they will need that passion of yours."- Ikeda said.-"Well, I have to leave. See you around."
-"Yeah. See you."-Ryuji said lost in thought.
-"Who is Yamauchi?"- Kazumi asked him.
-"Kamoshida's lapdog. He was a huge asshole in practices and will be kissing ass to our parents when they were around."- Ryuji said.-"It's good that Nakaoka and the others got the team back, but…"
-"Well, if he was under Kamoshida, he can't be a saint…"- Kazumi said.
-"That moron doesn't even teach PE. He's definitely up to something…"- Ryuji said.-"I'll investigate…"
-"You always caring about others…"- Kazumi said with a smile as she punched his elbow softly.-"I'm going to miss you, little sun."
-"About that, I believe in ya, cutie."-Ryuji said as he thrusted her with his elbow.-"I will keep improving so you just don't run away from that woman forever, ok?"
-"I guess I'll try to fulfill those expectations of yours."- Kazumi said trying to look up. Their bond grow deeper and the Chariot arcana got its fifth star.
-"Agh. My muscles are sore. I'm going home…"- Ryuji complained as he went to the change room.
-"See you."- Kazumi waved him goodbye.
When Kazumi arrived home, she greeted Sojiro before going to her room and received a message from Mishima:
#"Good evening. How are you doing?"
#"After all, you didn't come to school today…"
"I feel better."
"About the requests for the website, don't worry...I'll keep taking care of them."
#"Seriously? Wow. You work even in times of adversity, that should make people see you in positive light…"
#"Although...that will be too personal to post, won't it?"
"You got it."
#"Anyways, here's the first request"
#"Someone wants you to change the heart of Haruka Furukawa, that new councillor. The person said that Furukawa blames people of carrying drugs but she's actually the one who gives them."
"Huh…?"- Kazumi was confused for such request.
"Mishima-kun, you better skip that one...It doesn't sound so plausible."
#"You think so? The woman works for the government. It will be a huge scandal…"
"The information you gave me doesn't make any sense, you know?"
#"...Now that you say it."
#"Yes. I guess it's just trash."
#"There's still that one about the thievery on restaurants at night."
#"It seems the person who posted it was the younger brother of the leader. He refuses to post his name online or he'll have problems with his brother."
"So, any leads to where we can find the younger brother at least?"
#"Not at all."
"You don't have anything else, do you?"
#"I...uhmm…"
#"Wow. The internet started to lose signal! I'll search the rest of them later!"
-"Just great…"- Kazumi complained as she sat down on her bed.-"Guess I'll have to look for requests on my own…"
-"Why would you do that, Kazumi?"- Morgana asked her as he slid out of the bag.
-"I made promises, Morgana."- Kazumi replied as she crossed her legs.-"I have to continue getting stronger in the Metaverse…"
-"You can't recover your memories otherwise."- she added.
-"As much as I appreciate the thought, I know that it will be fruitless."- Morgana said on her face.-"Unless we find someone with a palace…"
-"No, WE know someone with a palace and we have to steal her treasure."- he added.-"This is how it has been working."
-"I see...So you guys did check for her in the MetaNav."- Kazumi said as she looked down.-"Did you get the keywords? When are you going inside?"
-"We didn't do any of that."- Morgana said getting a bad feeling of her reaction.-"We lack of discipline and you're the only one who knows about Furukawa's true face more than any of us!"
-"Fine. Deal with the palace yourselves."- Kazumi said getting a bit stressed.-"I will find my own way to the depths!"
-"So be it!"- Morgana jumped out of the bed and laid down on the sofa.-"I will be here when you actually decide to face up your fears."
-"Geez. What are you even going to do when I leave?"- Kazumi asked as she stood up from her bed.-"You are just in a cat body right now."
-"I'll adapt to the life of an stray cat and keep looking for a way to get to the depths!"- Morgana replied.
-"Well, then you can…!"- before Kazumi could reply angry, she started to feel dizzy again.-"No...This again…"
She fell on the floor to Morgana's surprise and started to feel in pain:
-"Kazumi!?"- Morgana tried to help her.
-"The medicine...on my bag…"- she said as she was moaning in pain.
-"R-Right!"- Morgana hurried to jump on the drawer next to the exit and pull the bag.
-"Hey, everything ok?"-Sojiro said at the other side of the attic's door.
-"Guh...It hurts…!"- Kazumi was still in pain.
-"I brought your bag! W-What does it look like?"- Morgana said worried.
-"Hey!"- Sojiro hurried to her after getting in the room alarmed by her screams.-"Another stress attack? I'll call that doctor."
-"Meow!"- Morgana meowed to show Sojiro the medicine.
-"What do you have there…?"- Sojiro took the bottle with pills.-"I see. Ok. Let me bring you something to drink."
Moments later after Kazumi ingested her medicine, she was starting to recover:
-"Are you feeling ok now?"- Sojiro asked.
-"...Sort of…"- Kazumi replied.-"I am so sorry...I didn't scare of your clients, didn't I?"
-"Luckily you didn't, but worry about yourself more."- Sojiro said after he let a sigh.-"So, what was that attack for?"
-"I…"- she looked at Morgana who was pretending to sleep facing away from her.-"I got into a fight with a friend by phone…"
-"I see."- Sojiro said.-"I will admit you don't seem so eager as before. You better keep that low profile, now it is for your health, got it?"
-"...Yes."- Kazumi nodded.
-"I'll go and clean up downstairs then."- Sojiro said as he left the room.
-"I'll prepare to go to sleep."- Kazumi said in response and saw Sojiro leave as he closed the door behind.
-"Morgana…"- Kazumi tried to talk to the cat but it doesn't seem like he was in that disposition.-"Nevermind."
Kazumi received another message shortly after, from Mishima too. He was complaining how the woman she set him up with was totally crazy and only asked her about stuff about Kamoshida. That journalist, Ichiko Ohya, she was really good for her job. Kazumi thought maybe she could give her some clues about other people in need of a change of heart.
She also thought about calling the maid service. Her room needed a clean up after so many visits from her friends:
-"Well, my lady, did you enjoy the "Maid's cooking" service that I provided you today?"- Becky said with her cute 'business' voice.
-"I will definitely say this is not worth 5,000 yen…"- Kazumi said as she was looking at her finished microwavable ramen cup.
-"Oh, but my lady. It was really~ hard to get them done nice."- Becky apologized.-"I had to drain the hot water and leave the sauce packet on top of the lid, that's too much work…"
-"..."- Kazumi was looking at her with deception.
-"Alright. But you were the one who requested me so don't complain."- Kawakami said grumpy.-"Also, why would you even request me again?"
-"I am leaving this place soon...I thought I could help you a bit more in terms of money."-Kazumi said to her directly.
-"I heard that. You are really leaving in three weeks if I am not mistaken."- Kawakami said.-"Nobody else in the school but the staff knows and we have been keeping quiet about it because of the incident on May."
-"...I have to say, I have cleaned this place three times already and there was no sign of a drug or something."- Kawakami stood up looking around.-"Oh? What's that?"
-"W-What thing?"- Kazumi said nervous as Kawakami approached under her bed to much of her surprise.
-"What the-? Are these real!?"- Kawakami said in shock after seeing the weapons under her bed.
-"Oh no…"- Kazumi started to feel in stressed. She had to do something before a panic attack.-"You noticed them? Well, they are all models! Toys!"
-"I have an uncle that is a big collectionist of that stuff and he gave me the money to buy them. He said there was an awesome store where you could buy weapons that looked real."- she made that up.
-"Uh-huh."- Kawakami stood up.-"You have never brought those to the school right?"
-"No. They all stay here in their covers."- Kazumi replied-"My guardian doesn't know about it because, it could actually affect his business even if they are not real."
-"Geez. You seriously are the weirdest girl I have ever treated with."- Kawakami said after doing a sigh.-"I'll say nothing about this as long as you don't cause any trouble."
-"Thank you, Becky!"- Kazumi said with a smile.-"I should definitely request you more often then!"
-"Will you? Oh, I am grateful my lady."- Kawakami said with a laugh. She then, received another call.-"Excuse me for a second."
The call Kawakami received was from her money collectors who said that the money of that month wasn't enough:
-"Yes, yes, it's my responsibility for everything that happened back then…"- she said with a sad face that Kazumi noticed.
-"It was the hospital. It seems the payment is a little behind for my sister's treatment…"- Kawakami said to Kazumi.-"Ugh...I'll have to take more shifts to make up for that."
-"Is that treatment really that expensive?"- Kazumi asked.
-"Yes. I-It seems it is an incurable disease and the procedure to provide a medicine is rough."- Kawakami said sweating nervously.-"I hope for your continued patronage, my lady, but I must go."
-"By the way, let me know if you need some housework done. I can cook and do laundry for you since you don't have parents around and…"- Kawakami tried to say something else.-"Please try to stay quiet until your father arrives for you, got it?"
-"Roger that."- Kazumi replied with a smile in consideration of Kawakami's care for her. The Temperance Arcana got a third star.
June 18th
St. Luke's hospital, in the morning…
Haruka went to visit the chief in medicine to ask about the girl that was found on the bathroom two days ago, Kazumi. The conference will likely keep going for a week more and after that, she will have some businesses to take care of in Tokyo. She felt mad about the fact that they transferred the girl to another hospital:
-"That brat escaped…"- Haruka said in a private meeting room where she was with her other agents.-"I will definitely not let that miner skip her turn this time…"
-"I have done as far as to keep this out of the news…"- she started to thrust her hand with anxiety, where she had her wedding ring.-"Once this conference is over and that other issue too, release an arrest order against her."
-"Understood."- one of the female agents said.
At lunchtime, in Shujin Academy, Makoto was in the rooftop looking at his phone. He was checking the Phantom Aficionado Website in case the Phantom Thieves replied to his request but he couldn't find it anywhere. It was ignored and erased:
-"It's nowhere…"- he said surprised.-"Is that really not of their interest!? I even left a name!"
-"...Maybe I was too simple."- he murmured for himself.-"I'll need some reference…"-suddenly, the rooftop door was opened.
-"Is someone here…? This place is closed."- a feminine voice said surprising him and he hid his phone on his pocket as the girl got in.
-"Yes. This place is closed."- Makoto turned around to see the uninvited interruption.-"I was investigating something here, so…"
-"Oh, it's you, Nijima-san right?"- the voice belonged to a girl with curly short light auburn hair and brown eyes with a sleeveless pink sweater over her uniform.-"Of course, no one will use this place…"
-"Oh, you are Haru Okumura, right?"- Makoto asked and she nodded.-"You were authorized to grow crops here and yet...I'm sorry they suddenly shut it down."
-"You don't need to apologize."- Haru said.-"These late incidents have hit us all hard. You seem to also be the focus of many rumors now."
-"It's a total mess…"- Makoto said as he held his front.-"If only I knew how the Phantom Thieves target people...It will be easier for me to find if they are at school or not."
-"The Phantom Thieves? Uhmm…"- Haru started to think.-"Well, they target corrupt people...The ones who have done horrible things to others and the police can't even catch them, right?"
-"I think they wouldn't target something so simply like a vulgar that steals money for need...Perhaps, someone who really has done the worst…"- she said and saw someone confused the woke eyes of the council president.-"...Nijima-san?"
-"That's it!"- Makoto said with an idea in mind.-"I have an idea now. Thank you, Okumura."
-"Your welcome?"- the girl saw him confused still.
-"I will pay this favor back!"- Makoto said.-"Let me ask the staff to reopen this place!"
-"Eh? Well, thank you…"- Haru just saw him leave the rooftop.
-"People who really had done the worst…"- Haru thought to herself.
During the day, Kazumi decided to study on her desk. She didn't know for certain if she could go back to school anytime but she couldn't slack off either.
*Kazumi's knowledge increases by 3*
Morgana was outside of the house looking for information by himself. A newspaper caught his attention about the Minister of Health: After his inability to come up with a solution about the increasing numbers of mental shutdowns and psychotic breakdowns that affect the hospitals, he was at risk of getting thrown out of the political party he belonged to and his replacement? Haruka Furukawa.
At night, Kazumi went by train to Shinjuku, to look for Ichiko Ohya. She took a deep breath before she went inside Crossroads:
-"Oh, dear. You are again?"- Lala said as she recognized her.-"Don't blame me if you are eaten alive, ok?"
-"Don't worry. I'll leave as soon as I talk to someone."- Kazumi said as she saw Ohya in the serving table.
-"Man...How many glasses have I drunk today? Eh, who cares?"- Ohya said as she saw the ice cubes on her glass. She was drunk at the moment.-"Oh wait, I care!"
-"...You have to do this, Kazumi!"- Kazumi said as she tried to cheer herself up while Ohya ordered another drink to the bartender.
-"Hey! Lala-chan, are you sure this isn't some water?"- the journalist said annoyed.-"If you're trying to rip me off, I'll reveal all of your secrets in my next article!"
-"Uhm...Ohya-san."- Kazumi called her from behind.
-"Oh! It's you! The fangirl!"- Ohya said with an uncomfortable joyfulness.-"Come, have a seat."
-"So, what's up? Got anything new on the Phantom Thieves?"- Ohya asked her.-"Or maybe...you are just falling in love with me, right?"
-"...She's definitely drunk to the head."-Kazumi thought.
-"Well, yes. I have news about the Phantom Thieves."- she replied.
-"Really? Thank god...my publisher just assigned me to be the beat reporter for the Phantom Thieves…"- Ohya said relieved as she was taking a serious posture. Kazumi was now doubting the alcohol tolerance of that woman.-"This will help me out…"
-"Are you seriously going to use a child as a source of information?"- Lala said to Ichiko with a judging pose.
-"Oh. Don't be such a killjoy."- Ohya replied.-"Kids these days have access to things we adults don't even know."
-"Besides, what's important now is that I have a reliable third-source party for my stories."- she added.-"Just you wait at the article you help me out last time."
-"I can't wait…"- Kazumi replied.-"But, I came here for a favor if that's not asking too much…"
-"Oh yeah, what is it?"- Ohya said.
-"I have been looking for more targets for Les Blues Rebelles."- Kazumi said.-"You don't happen to know about anyone who can be dangerous enough?"
-"I might have one in mind…"- Ichiko said.-"Oh, but hold your horses girl. I can't let my little gold goose off for one favor."
-"Huh?"- Kazumi wondered what she was going to ask this time.
-"Here's a deal. I will give you info of this person in exchange for more news about the Phantom Thieves, what do you think?"- Ohya offered.
-"I don't think that is fair…"- Kazumi said.-"How about you give me the name and you write positive things about the Phantom Thieves in exchange for the info?"
-"Hummm…"- Ichiko was actually thinking about it.
-"Hey, I am not going to let you use this kid so you can slack off at work."- Lala said to her.
-"Relax. I actually do my own private investigation in my free time."- Ohya said to her with a reassuring smile.
-"Wait...Are you still…?"- Lala said in surprise to that reply.
-"Oh, little fangirl. Let's do that deal then."- Ohya changed the focus of the conversation.-"I will write the articles based on what you tell me about them."
-"Sure."- Kazumi said. She had formed a deal with the upbringing and suspicious journalist.
-"I am thou. Thou art I.
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Devil Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
Shall lead to freedom and new power."- to their bond, the Devil Arcana appeared with one star.
-"Now, about the person you were asking me for."- Ohya added.-"Have you heard the news about the Ministry of Health and Wellness? The Minister Yamaoto is in actual risk of being stripped office his title. The new councillor, Haruka Furukawa has increased her influence in the Ministry to replace him."
-"Rumors said she has been using money of doubtful precedences to pay up for her luxuries and even invested a great amount of money in the investigation about mental shutdowns."- she added.
-"..."- Kazumi was actually surprised and frustrated that her new clue was also about that woman after the request Mishima asked her about.
-"Alright. Lala-chan! Time to ceeeelebrate our agreement!"- Ohya said with that drunk tone she had before.-"Bring out my bottle and two glasses…"
-"..."-Lala was looking at her with disapproval.
-"C'mon...please?"- Ohya asked again but Lala was silent.-"God. Her silence is golden. Fine, fine, I won't make the high schooler drink…"
-"Buagh. I gotta use the bathroom."- Ohya said feeling dizzy and ran towards the back.
-"...Does she have a drunk switch or something?"- Kazumi asked herself.
-"She's going to be there for a while. You better should get home."- Lala said.-"No detours, the streets are dangerous at this time."
-"Yes. Thank you for your concern."- Kazumi said as she waved goodbye to the bartender and took the train home.
That night, neither Morgana or her spoke a word to each other.
June 19th
Early morning, Kazumi decided to go to Shibuya. She went first to the Velvet Room and fused a couple of personas before getting the promised Ame-no-Uzume, a woman dressed in a short kimono with long sleeves and holding yellow fans on her hands and one covering her face:
-"Brillant. You have brought us the requested Persona."- Victor said as he checked the skills of the persona.
-"It's pretty interesting that you keep on going with this list even if it is not mandatory."- Will said.
-"It's for the sake of my rehabilitation…"- Kazumi replied.-"Besides, you two also want to know the purpose of that list, isn't that right?"
-"Yeah. It will be totally weird that this list is to make us closer as you said last time."- Will mentioned and looked at the list.
-"Wait a minute, I recognize this handwriting."- Will said as he looked at the list.-"Where have I seen it before?"
-"Which one?"- Victor said confused and noticed a page with a writing different of the rest. He started to read:
-"Compliment the client after she accomplishes each task. Don't spoil her though, you must maintain a firm tone and a serious attitude all the time."- Will blushed when he read that loud.
-"T-Those are my notes!"- the loud twin exclaimed.-"And that's not what I am referring to! I meant the list!"
-"Oh, that writing? Yes, I recall seeing it before too."- Victor said.
-"Can I have my reward now…?"- Kazumi interrupted them.
-"In a moment, client!"- Will exclaimed at her while talking to his twin.-"This is our master's handwriting isn't it?"
-"I can assure it's not."-Victor mentioned.-"Even if we haven't seen his writing before."
-"How can you be so sure?"- Will mentioned.
-"The simple fact that it tasks us to leave the Velvet room with our client is enough."- Victor said.
-"True…"- Will said as he put his hand on the forehead.
-"We shall try to recall this matter later. Our client is waiting."- Victor said as he looked at her.
-"Alright, client. Your reward this time is the Guillotine booster."- Will said.-"It will help you use the guillotine to fuse more than 3 personas at the same time."
-"The results will be very powerful so it won't harm you to try them."- Victor said.-"That is, if you are strong enough."
The Strength Arcana got a fifth star.
-"Now onto your next assignment."- Victor said as the next point appeared.-"Take us to a place where people prove their abilities in throwing a ball with a stick."
-"One of these assignments, again?"-Will seemed annoyed.-"Just so you know, the next aid is very powerful so we will have to give you three tasks before you can get it."
-"Understood."- Kazumi nodded.-"We can resume this another time…"- and then she left the Velvet room to the concerned sign of her lawyers.
When she left the Velvet room, she saw a message in her phone. It was from the group chat where Yusuke mentioned that he was able to get the name of the target that Mishima mentioned to her yesterday. The little brother Mishima was talking about attended Yusuke's school and so, he was about to bring out the name of the burglar: Kazuya Makigami.
-"Dude, it's something crazy that someone involved into that shit goes to your school."- Ryuji texted.
-"Nice going, Yusuke!"
x"You even found the name we were looking for!"
x"All we have to do is to punish him in Mementos now."
*"Leader, are we unanimous to this decision?"
"Yes, Yusuke-kun."
"I was starting to get mad that no requests were popping up."
-"So, are we meeting today to get down on Mementos?"
"There no need for that."
×"Huh? What is that supposed to mean?"- Ann asked but Kazumi simply disconnected herself from the chat and entered the name given to get in Mementos by herself. Not even Morgana was with her.
In Mementos, Ace used the Nav to transport her to the last path and search the target on her own.
Hours later, in Shujin Academy, Makoto finished his investigation of Haruka Furukawa and wrote a much more larger and convincing argument in the Phansite about her. He thought it was ironic that he had to ask the Phantom Thieves for help when he was trying to get the truth out of them.
Before he left the school, he called Kazumi but she wasn't available at the moment:
-"Hello, Asaka. It's Nijima. I am sorry to hear that you are leaving the town, but I want you to know that I am now conscious about your situation with Councillor Furukawa and also, I am ready to clear your name."- he recorded before leaving the message on her cellphone.
In the hideout of Les Blues Rebelles, Ann and Ryuji reunited with Yusuke and Morgana, who was found by previous on his way to the accessway:
-"Yusuke, why do you have Morgana?"- Ryuji asked.
-"He escorted me. I can't enter in here without raising suspicions after all."-Morgana meowed.
-"Actually, I just found you on my way here."- Yusuke clarified.-"My question is the same though, why are you not with Kazumi-san? Where is she?"
-"..."- Morgana jumped to the floor silent.-"She decided to...be on her own."
-"On her own? You mean like…?"- Ann was surprised and checked the previous conversation they had.-"No way, could she have gone alone to Mementos this whole time!?"
-"She what!?"- Morgana said in shock.-"This isn't good…"
-"I mean, it's just a request...she can handle it right?"- Ryuji said.
-"That's not the point."- Yusuke said worried.-"Try calling her now."
-"No response."- Ryuji said after giving her a call and only getting the auto reply message.
-"It's been long since she texted us…"- Yusuke said.-"If she's taking this long…"
-"What if she…?"- Morgana thought about the worst.-"The Reaper…"
Meanwhile in Mementos, Kazumi was finally able to defeat Shadow Makigami. Since it was three enemies against one, she had to take her time to not die on battle:
-"Damn it. Just what are you Phantom Thief, anyways?"- Shadow Makigami said after vanishing from his other form.-"This is impossible…"
-"This will teach you that assaulting innocents is not real rebellion…"- Ace said to him.
-"I get it...You were sent here by my brother right?"- the shadow said and Ace nodded.-"I see...So he did this for me…"
-"I have a request. Tell him to use this key on the chest of my room…"- Shadow Makigami said as he vanished leaving his treasure behind.-"You're supposed to be the good kind of thief, right?"
-"Understood…"- Ace said as she took the key with her. She fell on the floor tired soon after.
-"Who would have thought this will be so hard alone?"- Ace said to herself.-"I have almost no stamina left…"
After drinking energy drinks and eating, she decided to keep walking until the blocked door towards the next path of Mementos. It was then when she heard the rattling chains again:
-"That noise…"- she turned around and heard the chains coming closer.-"I have to run!"-Ace started to run away so that shadow didn't reach her, however, since she couldn't check the nav for guidance, she ended up in a room without exit and the powerful demon caught up to her.
-"Damn it…"- Ace was cornered, yet a thought crossed her mind.-"If this shadow is so powerful, if I defeat it...maybe I can become the strongest."
The shadow raised his shotgun to the sky and an aura covered him. Ace summoned her persona Phoenix and used rakunda to drop his defense. The reaper then assaulted her with Ziodyne, a very powerful thunder attack:
-"Oh no…"- Ace hurried to use a magical ointment to repel it. This made the Reaper angry and he proceeded to create a ginormous white explosion under her that throw her into the wall and left her weak.-"What...What is this power…?"
-"I need to run away…"- Ace tried to get up while the Reaper was pointing out his shotgun at her for the final blow.-"I can't die in this place…"
-"Goodness…"- she heard in front of her and before the reaper could use one-shot kill, his attack was absorbed by someone. It was actually two.
-"Will...Victor…"-she recognized them.
-"Master says that we can't interfere with the actions of the trickster. But…"- Victor said as he looked at his twin.
-"To be able to withstand this guy's Megidolaon at your level is something we can't ignore."- Will said excited and they summoned a persona on their own, a bear with human skulls on the inside (Bugs).
-"Eigaon!"- they both exclaimed together as a powerful curse attack made the Reaper disintegrate.
-"..."- Ace watched with her mouth full open to this event. She didn't know those little kids were actually that powerful nor the fact that they were able to use Personas.
-"What are you standing around for?"- Will exclaimed at her.-"Hurry up and finish what you were going to do here!"
-"Yes…"- Ace said weak as she used Diarama to heal herself.
-"We are leaving now."- Victor said to her with a direct voice and they left.
-"...So much for becoming the strongest…"- Ace said to herself and checked the nav before advancing.
As soon as she arrived to the blocked path, she found no reaction on the door or whatsoever. It didn't seem like people believed enough about them after taking down a mafia and a group of burglars. That made her frustrated:
-"Open! Open! Open! Open!"- she started to hit the door with her own hands.-"I am not the strongest...but I need to pass…"
-"He needs me…"- she said before starting to hit it again.-"I want my friends back… I don't want to see that woman again!"
-"Why aren't you opening!?"-she exclaimed with all of her force.
-"Ace!"- she heard Mona's voice as the others were suddenly there.-"Why did you come here!?"
-"..."- she stood up silent and wiped out her tears.
-"Are you ok? Hey, we aren't mad at you for movin' out."-Skull said as he approached to her.-"Just, don't do shit like this again. We were worried you would've died!"
-"Why don't you say anything?"- Panther asked her anxious. Ace's silence was mortifying.-"Is this how you want to lead this team for now on!?"
-"I completed the mission. That's it."-Ace said as she walked towards them and Skull followed her.
-"Here."- Ace gave Fox the key that Makigami gave to her.-"The Shadow of Kazuya Makigami asked me to give it to his brother."
-"I see…"- Fox just took the key.
-"Ace!"- Morgana exclaimed to her as she was taking her phone.
-"Leave me alone."- she limited to answer as all of them were brought back to reality, in a corner of Shibuya's train station.
-"Kazumi-san, I have a question before you leave."- Yusuke said to her.
-"What is it?"- Kazumi asked.-"I can't help you with the keywords to Furukawa's palace."
-"Why do you fear her?"- Yusuke asked.-"She made all these horrible stuff to you and your family…"
-"I already said that I don't want to become like her."- Kazumi replied. Suddenly, her phone vibrated and she received a text from Mishima.
-"It's Mishima-kun."- she said as she read the message:
#"Hey, Asaka."
#"This might be serious."
#"Remember the trash post that was posted yesterday? The same person requested the same target and added even more information."
#"It says here that Furukawa is dealing with potentially dangerous drugs and uses them to blackmail people into believing they are drug addicts and violent."
"..."-she texted.
#"Asaka?"
"Who wrote that post?"
#"It's anonymous still…"
"Ask the person to leave their name."
"I need to make sure this is not a mistake at all."
#"I get what you mean. I'll try to get that person."-Kazumi then proceed to cut the conversation.
-"Are you going back there alone?"- Ann asked her.
-"No. I'm going home now."- Kazumi replied.-"I am exhausted."
-"For real…"- Ryuji said as he noticed her mood.
-"Allow me to remind you that we are still a group. If you need to go to Mementos, we will go with you."- Yusuke said to her.
-"I know, everyone."- Kasumi said.-"Morgana, are you coming?"
-"I'll leave the key on the Makigami's house then I'll catch up to you."- Morgana said.
-"Do as you want."- Kazumi said as she left them.-"I will wait around central street."
-"Yusuke, will you guide me?"- Morgana asked and he did as told.
-"It doesn't sound like we are getting our leader back any time soon…"- Ryuji said to Ann who was looking down.
-"You don't say."- she replied mad.-"I am starting to get tired of this…"
-"What if it is our fault? Because we suggested her to do it…"- Ann said.
-"You are overthinking it."- Ryuji said back.-"It's obviously that bitch's fault. After all, she was the one who assaulted Kazumi twice."
-"Not to mention that boot-licking good for nothing president…"- Ryuji said mad as he kicked some dirt.
In the evening, Kazumi arrived home with Morgana. She changed her clothes and saw a message on her voicemail:
-"I don't recognize this number…"- she said as she played the message:
-"Hello, Asaka. It's Nijima. I am sorry to hear that you are leaving the town, but I want you to know that I am now conscious about your situation with Councillor Furukawa and also, I am ready to clear your name."- Morgana hear that message from the couch as well and saw Kazumi's shocked face that suddenly turned pissed off as she almost crushed her phone on her hands.
-"I can't believe this…"- Kazumi said.-"It must have been him…"
-"Is something wrong?"- Morgana asked her.
-"I am at my limit now."- Kazumi said trying to contain her anger now.-"It is not only you nor the others now…"
-"First it was that message in the forum, then Ohya-san's information and now this…"-Kazumi explained.-"FINE! Damn it!"
-"I will go to that woman's palace!"- she raised her voice in anger. Good thing that it was that Sojiro was not present.
-"Huh…?"- Morgana was somehow confused by her reaction.-"Why are you taking that decision now?"
-"Nijima-senpai, he must have wrote on the Phansite a post about Furukawa."- Kazumi said.-"If he knows about this and I do nothing, he will surely suspect our identities."
She proceeded to communicate to Mishima to cancel the search of the one who posted that and also:
"We are doing this."- she texted in the group chat.
-"Kazumi! We are doing what…?"- Ryuji was the one to reply first.
"Let's do our meeting at Nanai Bridge in Inokashira Park."
"We are going to that palace."
-"For real?"
×"To the Palace!?"
*"How unprecedented."
*"What made you change your mind?"
"I will explain tomorrow."
"I will wait for you guys at the entrance of the Academy."
*"Roger."
×"Fine, I guess…"
-"Glad to have you back, cutie!".
She stopped the conversation as Morgana was watching over her shoulder:
-"Look at that, everyone is still willing to believe in you after what you've done today."- the cat said.
-"I know…"- Kazumi replied.-"Let's get some rest…"
June 20th
Kazumi was eating Sojiro's famous curry early morning:
-"..."- Kazumi stopped eating suddenly as she heard the news talking about the psychotic breakdown of the manager of a store who ended up taking nude photos of him during the job.
-"What's wrong?"- Sojiro asked her seeing her sudden mood change.
-"It's nothing. I can't stop thinking that in a few weeks, I will never taste this delicious curry again."- she replied.
-"I see…"-Sojiro replied.
-"Hey, Sojiro-san. Have you ever felt that everything you have done might have been wrong?"- Kazumi suddenly asked.-"Outside of taking a person like me that is…"
-"You are asking for something very problematic."- Sojiro replied.-"But, yes, I have had those days…"
-"That is why I stay here in this cafe of my own...away from starting and getting involved in troubles."- he added as he started grinding some grains.
-"Like if it was your own bubble, huh?"- Kazumi said silently and she started to eat again until she finished her plate.
Later, Kazumi went to the surroundings of Aoyama-Itchome station at the time her teammates will get out of classes:
-"Asaka!"-to her surprise, she was recognized by Makoto as she waited near the vending machines.
-"Nijima-senpai…"- Kazumi looked at him with resentment after she grasped her tea can.
-"Are you feeling alright?"- he asked feeling unwelcomed.
-"Yes."- Kazumi replied coldly.-"I received your voice message. What exactly did you do to clear my name?"
-"I did exactly as you would have done."- he replied.
-"I knew it. You were the one who wrote that post in the website."- Kazumi was growing irritated.
-"Wait… How do you know it was me?"- Makoto suddenly realized of the possibilities.-"I made sure to not lead to any indications that it was me."
-"That's not your business."-Kazumi exclaimed at him.-"Why did you have to get into this!? It has nothing to do with you!"
-"Stop it. Of course it has."- Makoto replied serious.-"I didn't get this bruise in my face for nothing!"
-"What does that have to do with me?"- Kazumi said.-"If you so much want to get into the side of the Principal, you didn't even need to request that, you know?"
-"I know that...but…"- Makoto was getting pushed by the fact that he was being accused of being a teacher's pet yet again.-"I am not doing this for my own benefit."
-"Nor mine it seems. You just made a burden for me."- Kazumi started to feel the stress coming in and looked for her pills at the sight of Makoto being shock for being called a burden yet again.
-"I am leaving now…"- Kazumi said after taking her pills.
-"Kazumi!"- Ryuji and Ann noticed her as they were going to Aoyama-Itchome.
-"Hello. Are we ready?"- Kazumi went with them.
-"You bet!"- Ryuji said excited and noticed the president.-"What's with this guy?"
-"We'll talk later about that."- she replied.
-"Wait…!"- Makoto tried to call out for her after leaving his shock. He noticed the teens were already gone and decided to follow them. He wasn't going let it slide. He had to make his intentions of helping her clear.
They reunited in the Nanai bridge near the park where no public was passing by at that time of the day:
-"So, is this our new hideout?"- Yusuke asked.-"The atmosphere is lovely…"
-"You might call it like that."- Kazumi replied.-"We can't keep being in a public area like the train station anymore."
-"So, care to explain the change of opinion?"- Ann said.
-"..."- Kazumi was doubting to tell them the truth.-"I just keep getting signs that I have to do this."
-"Not to mention, Nijima-senpai figured out about my issues with Furukawa and asked the Phantom Thieves to change her heart. If we don't do it, he might be smart enough to figure out our identities."- she added.
-"Dude…"- Ryuji reactioned shocked.-"We can't let that happen!"
-"Just great…"- Ann said ironically.
-"So we agree anonymously to target for Furukawa's heart?"- Yusuke asked and the rest of them nodded in response.
-"Alright. So, let's get with the keywords."- Morgana meowed as he stood in the bridge's handles. Makoto finally reached them in the park near the pathway to the bridge.
-"There they are…"- Makoto said trying to recover his breath.-"Yusuke Kitagawa is there too…"
-"Since her palace was transferred to Mementos, the location might be out of hands for now."-Morgana said.-"We should start with the distortion."
-"A distortion, huh?"- Ann said.-"Well, Kazumi said she saw a sort of gallery through the glass wall…"
-"There's also what Shadow Kaneshiro said about jewels…"- Yusuke said.
-"A gallery and jewels, huh?"- Ryuji summarized.-"Perhaps, a stone museum?"
-"Candidate not found."- the AI replied to his voice in Kazumi's phone.
-"What about an auction house?"- Ann said but it was the same message.
-"How about it Kazumi-san? Does anything you saw about her rang clues about jewels or a gallery?"- Yusuke asked.
-"She was wearing simple but pretty jewerly in the conference…"- Kazumi remembered.
-"So, she likes jewels? I guess we can know what is the treasure now…"- Morgana said.-"But, anything to do with her distortion?"
-"A Jewel Exhibition? A fly market?"-Ryuji tried again but no results were found.-"Well, this is hard… Where else you can find jewels?"
-"Find…?"- Kazumi suddenly remembered what Haruka said when she was losing consciousness: "Sweet dreams, my precious miner".
-"A miner…"-she murmured.
-"What did you say?"- Morgana asked.
-"It's a mine."- Kazumi said in a louder voice.
-"Results found."-the AI picked it up.
-"A mine…?"- Ann said.-"That was hard to pick up considering the gallery building appearance…"
-"It might be just for show."- Morgana explained.-"The true palace might be hiding underground."
-"What do we do about the location now?"- Yusuke asked.-"Considering it is transferred, it should be somewhere in your hometown."
-"The Koshigaya Hospital?"- Kazumi said but there was no results found.
-"No results? What about the Ministry of Health building?"- Ann asked but it was the same.
-"I finally caught up with you!"- Makoto said as he came into their reunion.
-"Do you have any business with us? We are busy here."- Yusuke was the first one to speak.
-"Nijima-senpai…Why have you followed us?"- Kazumi said to him with a cold tone.
-"I will make myself clear."- Makoto said as he stood up.-"My only intention to contact the Phantom Thieves was to help you."
-"You were right."- he looked at Ann and Ryuji.-"I was at fault that Furukawa did whatever she did to Asaka in the bathroom. I failed as the council president I am supposed to be and, that haunted me back."
-"If that is a burden, then let me do something else to help! Anything will do!"- he said with an honest tone as he closed his eyes.
-"I don't we do need anything from you…"- Ann replied.-"Right, Kazumi?"
-"I agree."- Kazumi said.-"You should just leave this be."
-"Yeah. It's not like Mr. president has any idea of Furukawa's first office or somethin'."- Ryuji said out loud which caught the attention of the others.
-"You idiot!"- Morgana scolded him.-"Why can't you keep your mouth shut for a second!?"
-"I-Ignore what he said!"- Kazumi suddenly exclaimed.
-"Yes. He was joking. Ah, Ryuji, you big fool…"- Ann said.
-"Furukawa's first office?"- Makoto wondered.-"That's easy to figure out. It should be the one in Dokkyo Medical University as the earliest records of her career show up."
-"Candidate found. Beginning navigation."- the AI said as the MetaNav started to distort everything surrounding them including Makoto.
-"What's wrong?"- Makoto saw them being nervous and suddenly a humming noise gave him a headache as they were transported right in front of that Mementos floor with the glass seal.
-"We are in Mementos…"- Ace said impressed and suddenly the glass wall between Mementos and the other palace was shattered, allowing them to pass.
-"It opened!"- Mona said impressed. Ace used her third eye to check for anyone suspicious.
-"W-What the-!?"- Makoto reacted impacted by their surroundings and the five that stood in front of him.
-"Great. He was dragged inside here as well."- Panther said sarcastic.
-"It makes sense since he was the one who said the last keyword."- Fox mentioned.
-"Those voices…"- Makoto tried to make sense of what was going on.-"Are you all…?"
-"Hey, leader. We have a problem here."- Skull said.
-"..."- Ace saw the same person as before in between the bushes, her brother.
-"Ace?"- Mona brought her attention back and she turned around to see the others.
-"It's nothing."- she said.-"Since Nijima-senpai is here, I think there's no point in hiding it out."
-"Asaka…?"- he asked confused and they went into the yard of the gallery to leave Mementos.
They explained him everything about their identities, where they were, what was Mona and the reason he was dragged there:
-"I see...A world where people's desires are manifested as another reality designed at their liking."- Makoto summarized.-"And you all are in effect, Les Blues Rebelles, the so called Phantom Thieves."
-"That's right. We don't have anything about blue tho."- Skull commented.
-"Are we a joke to you, Skull?"- Ace said crossing her arms as she stood next to Fox.
-"That's not relevant!"- Mona scolded them and Makoto approached to him.
-"And this one here is the cat you carry around, Asaka."- he said.
-"I am not a cat!"- Mona complained swaying his paws up and down. Makoto took one of them and pressed it softly.-"Mew!"
-"So soft and tiny…"- he said as he was analyzing it but he actually felt like he could start petting Mona.-"Good boy, good boy…"
-"Meow~! It does feel good!"- Mona was totally enchanted to the confused sight of the others.
-"Anyways, we can't let you in with us to this place."- Panther said.
-"Why not? I was able to get in here like you guys."- Makoto said as he was rubbing Mona's back.
-"You mentioned earlier that you wanted to help our leader."- Fox mentioned.-"Since we managed to get here thanks to you, I think your role is already done."
-"Fox is right. Besides, what expects us inside that place is nothing but battles."- Ace said as she took Mona apart from him.
-"No problem. I am black belt in Akido."- Makoto said as he stood up.
-"Seriously, you are very persistent."- Panther said annoyed.-"Are you realizing that you are willing to help the same Phantom Thieves that you were snooping about the whole last month?"
-"I don't see an issue."- Makoto said.-"After all, you already showed to me that you are just. You took care of the mafia that was assaulting students from Shujin."
-"Sister!"-Ace heard a voice behind her and saw the kid waving at her in the distance.
-"Kazuya…"-she saw the boy smiling. Why and since when was he there? Was he an illusion? Why did he looked so similar to the same Kazuya that she saw for the last time?
Take Your Time.