Disclaimer: All characters and events that take place within the story are fictional. Any relations to real people or events are purely coincidental. All copyrights belong to Atlus.

Art by Zengoro on Pixiv. Thanks so much!

Warning: Deviants explores psychological disorders, thoughts of suicide, attempted suicide, sexual assault, and emotional trauma both from an intrapersonal and interpersonal perspective. If you or anyone you know are suffering from any of the above, please seek professional help.

Friday, April 22

Early Morning

"The Ginza line to Aoyame-Itchome is approaching the station. Please stand behind the yellow line."

The cheerful chime of the rail station's announcement system barely made anyone look up from their phone screens. Ren would have been one of them if it wasn't sheer willpower in combination with his morning coffee that kept him standing. The monotony of looking at his phone would only put him to sleep.

With an ear piercing screech the train slowed to a stop. The door's opened and the flood of commuters poured out like water through a dam, though plenty remained inside. Steeling himself for another cramped ride Ren joined the flow of people into the train.

Not finding an available seat this morning he resided to grasping one of the hand holds dangling from the low-hanging bars above. Though Ren doubted he'd need to hold on with the amount of people squeezing him from every side.

The quick acceleration was abrupt enough to catch him off guard, an embarrassment having ridden the train his whole life. He bumped into the person to his left. The quiet apology left his lips before his tired brain even registered what happened. "Sorry."

"It's fi- Oh." Platinum blonde hair whipped back as Ann looked straight ahead out the window. The heavy bags under her eyes were well-concealed by makeup, though the exhaustion in her expression wasn't quite up to par. "Morning."

"Morning," Ren replied as silence followed.

It was hardly surprising since they'd departed without a word to each other yesterday. That didn't make things any less awkward.

"So uh… how are you feeling today?" Ren whispered, conscious of everyone around them.

She barely glanced his direction. "I'm fine."

"Really? You don't look fine to me."

She looked at him this time. "Are you trying to get on my bad side?"

"No, I'm just-" Ren rubbed the bridge of his nose. "That came out wrong. Just don't push yourself, all right?"

"Don't worry about me," Ann replied with a huff. "I can handle myself."

"Can you?" Ren wondered aloud. "You look like you're falling apart to me."

"Wow," Ann rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Is that how you approach these things?"

"I know it sounds insensitive but come on! If I tiptoe around the subject you're just going to get more annoyed."

Ann didn't even deny it. "I'm just trying to get through this, okay? I can sort this all out later. But right now I have better things to focus on."

Was that why she was so eager to send the calling card today? She just didn't want time to think about everything?

Ren's grasp tightened on the handhold. He didn't want to think too hard about it. He knew what'd come if he did.

"As long as you aren't trying to deny anything," Ren poked her lightly with his elbow. "Hey, when we finish everything don't be afraid to talk to us."

Ann returned her focus to the city that lay beyond the windows. "You too."

"What?"

"I'm not going to pretend I'm the only one that was hurt that day," Ann readjusted the bag on her shoulders. "I know you're angry about it, too. And I'm… thankful that you are."

"Well… you're welcome, I guess," Ren didn't know how else to reply to that.

"Believe me, it means more than you realize," Ann really did sound exhausted. "Especially when almost everyone else seems to have forgotten it even happened. Or not care. I don't know which is worse."

"I have no idea," Ren shook his head.

"You and me both, Ren."

"Excuse me, is Kawakami-sensei here today?" Makoto bowed to everyone in the faculty office.

"Oh, Niijima-san!" Hiruta-sensei waved at her. "I'm sorry, but Kawakami-sensei still isn't feeling well apparently. Is there something I can help you with?"

"No, that's quite all right. I was going to ask about the upcoming midterms. I'll take my leave, then," Makoto dismissed herself.

Good. Hiruta-sensei didn't seem to have any suspicions about his missing keys. On the other hand, Kawakami-sensei still wasn't in. She'd arrived earlier than usual under the pretense of student council work, but teachers should be in by now. Was her theory correct? If so, Makoto really hoped it wasn't the entirety of the faculty that was in on it. She sincerely liked some of the teachers here.

Makoto shook the thought out of her head. She had other things to focus on. Namely, talking to Amamiya Ren, Takamaki Ann, and Sakamoto Ryuji as well as finding out who that student Kamoshida was looking into yesterday. If she did all that then maybe she'd find her answers.

She checked the time. It was almost 7:30; about time students started arriving on school grounds. Instead of searching for them once school started, why not greet them at the gates? Perhaps under the guise of a surprise uniform inspection? That would work. Makoto grinned at her own ingenuity.

Within the next ten minutes Makoto was standing by the school gates, greeting the early birds and catching a few rule-breakers. She had to in order to make this look natural, right?

Time flew by faster than Makoto realized; a fact that came with aching feet. But it was nothing more than a minor nuisance. A nuisance that quickly left her attention as Makoto recognized two faces she was looking for. Platinum blonde hair and curly black hair.

They came to school together. Interesting. Unfortunately their uniforms are in order, although a few liberties were taken. Makoto eyed the rather casual attire of Takamaki Ann. Now how to stop them…

Amamiya Ren's eyes met Makoto's. Her eyes widened momentarily out of surprise. No, wait, why was she surprised? She corrected her expression as quickly as she could.

Makoto watched the two of them casually chat as they drew closer. Takamaki Ann's pale blue eyes met Makoto's brown. A passing glance.

"Is she still staring?" Ren asked, pretending to be interested in a sign.

"Yeah, she is. Look at me for a second," Ann chuckled as if he'd said a joke. "I don't know how you noticed so quickly, but I get the feeling she's been watching us since we entered her sight."

Ren smiled as naturally as he could at Ann's perfect smile. His own smile felt fake. "Who is she?"

"Niijima… Makoto, I think? Student Council President and teacher's pet." Ann didn't bother hiding the distaste in her voice.

Ren shrugged. "Got something against her?"

"Not really. It just feels like she does what people tell her to. It annoys me. Not to mention the goody-two-shoes act she's got going on."

"You think it's an act?"

Ann rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. You think anyone can be that prim and proper and not be a bit psycho?"

Ren hazarded a glance at the Student Council President. She was still watching them even as she spoke to some other students. "Maybe. Think she's going to stop us?"

"We'll find out," Ann said, eager to get this over with.

They didn't have to wait long as they quickly approached the gate.

"Good morning, you two," Makoto smiled at the two students. She addressed Takamaki Ann, first. "Can I get your name and class, please?"

Takamaki Ann's eyes narrowed. "Takamaki Ann. Class 2-D. Did I do something wrong?"

"I just want to issue you a warning for your barely qualifying uniform." Makoto's mind raced. "And is it all right if I ask a personal question?"

"No."

"Can you tell-" Makoto's brain finally caught up. "Excuse me?"

Takamaki Ann raised an eyebrow. "I said 'no.'"

"I heard what you said, but-"

Amamiya Ren bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry, President, but if there's nothing else we must really be off to class."

"O-Of course, haha. By all means, who am I to stop students from going to class?" Makoto wanted to punch herself. Why was she giving in?

"Then if you don't mind." Takamaki Ann turned towards the entrance.

Makoto grabbed the blonde's wrist. "Wait."

Both of their heads whipped towards her. Their eyes were wary. "Can you please tell me what happened in regards to Suzui Shiho?"

That certainly caused them to stir. Bingo.

Takamaki Ann pulled her hand free of Makoto's grasp, her blue eyes flaring. "So now you act like you care?"

Makoto's breath caught. "What do you mean?"

"I don't remember you coming out to help when she jumped. I wonder what you were doing as my best friend lay on the ground dying, Miss President." The expression on Takamaki Ann's face was haunting.

"No, please! I just want to-"

"'Want to' what?" Takamaki Ann interrupted and leaned in close. "Get rid of that guilty conscience of yours? How about you continue minding your own damn business and live your little sheltered life?"

Makoto flinched like she'd been slapped across the face. Any words she had dried up in her throat.

"Hey," Amamiya Ren put a hand on Takamaki Ann's shoulder and pulled her back. "That's enough."

Takamaki Ann gave Makoto one last accusatory glare. "We can handle our own problems, thanks."

"What the fuck was that?" Takamaki Ann fumed as they made their way up the stairs. She felt like screaming and the day had just started.

"Look, Ann, I get your pissed but can we think about this for a second?" Ren attempted to reign her in. "The Student Council President just asked about Suzui-san. Why?"

"You heard why, Ren," Ann spun to face him. "To clear her goddamn conscience."

"Ann, you said that."

Ann threw open the classroom door. She hated it when people turned her own words against her. Ren seemed to have that down to pat. "And you don't think it's true?"

Ren raised a finger before lowering it again. "Yes, but no. Guilty conscience or not, she asked about her. Why'd you shut her down like that?"

Ann groaned as they took their seats. "I thought you were supposed to be the logical one, Ren. Do I need to spell it out for you? She's the Student Council President. She's like this with the teachers," Ann crossed her fingers for emphasis. "You think that she didn't know what was going on with the volleyball team? She has the influence and power to stop things, yet she did nothing."

Ren thought for a moment. "I'll admit that did not cross my mind."

Ann smirked. "Glad I could convince you."

"You still didn't have to put her down so hard."

"Cry me a river," Ann sighed. "If she couldn't handle that I'm amazed she made it this far."

"If you want someone to cry I think you just about made her," Ren crossed his arms.

"What? You want me to apologize?"

Ren shook his head. "I'm not going to say it."

"Say what?" Ann asked, exasperated. "Go ahead. Say whatever it is you want to say."

Ren worked his jaw. "I want you to stop lashing out at people."

"Are we really going to talk about that now?" Ann mader sure her voice was completely flat.

Ren threw up his hands. "See? This is why I didn't want to say it."

"Yeah, Ren. I have problems right now. Surprise! Who would have thought?" Ann sarcastically motioned with her hands.

"Ann, everyone has problems. I get-"

"Don't you fucking say you 'get it.' Until your best friend jumps off a goddamn roof you don't 'get it.' Until you see your best friend being…" Ann took a deep breath. "You don't 'get it.'"

Ren leaned back into his chair and combed a hand through his hair. He opened to speak and closed his mouth several times. He spoke in a much softer tone when he finally found the words. "You're right. I don't get it. I can't imagine what it is you're going through but that doesn't mean you have to bring that misery to other people. Talking about it is one thing but you can't just force what you're feeling onto everyone else."

Thankfully the bell rang right at that moment.

Ann faced the board and chewed her lip. She knew Ren was right, but a part of her wanted to see the world Shiho hated so much to burn. What good was the world that might have killed her best friend?

Kasumi felt herself hesitating. She didn't know why. It was something that would have been a trivial thing to do before. But for whatever reason Kasumi stood rooted at the spot wondering if she should go talk to that girl by the school gate who looked shocked in disbelief, like she'd heard bad news or something.

She took a deep breath in. Why was she hesitating? Wasn't it a good thing to help? Just like that senpai from earlier. Kasumi recalled the messy, stylish black hair and glasses. 'The delinquent transfer student,' she'd said. How could she say that to his face? It was beyond rude!

Her lungs relaxed and she strode up to the brown haired girl.

"Good morning. I don't mean to pry, but is everything alright?" Kasumi noticed the third year pin on the girl's vest. "Senpai?"

"Wha-" The senpai seemed to realize Kasumi was talking to her. "Red hair."

"Um… yeah," Kasumi smiled cheerfully. "Strange, I know. But I promise it's my natural color."

The girl was suddenly invigorated. "You're the- Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm Niijima Makoto, the Student Council President."

"Yoshizawa Kasumi. A first year." Kasumi introduced herself and lowered her head politely. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Niijima-senpai."

"Right, of course!" Niijima-senpai gave a nervous laugh. "I know this is sudden but do you mind if I ask you some questions?"

"Is this a survey of some kind? If so, I'll be more than happy to!" Kasumi smiled brightly.

"Um… not really, no. It's more for my personal curiosity," Niijima-senpai anxiously admitted. "Do you mind coming to the Student Council Room after school? I want to talk to you privately when we aren't under time restraints."

"Oh, of course! I don't have practice today. So that works out quite well!" Kasumi nodded enthusiastically. "If I recall the Student Council Room is on the third floor where the first-year classrooms are, correct?"

"Yes, that's right!" Niijima-senpai said hurriedly. "I'll be there once classes are done."

"Then I bid you farewell until then, senpai," Kasumi bowed once more and skipped up the school steps.

Lunchtime

"So what's the play today?" Ryuji asked while stuffing a yakisoba pan into his face.

They were in the small alcove in the courtyard. Once people saw them there no one even bothered to come by for the vending machines. They must have gone to other ones. It worked out, all things considered.

"We go over everything one more time and make sure we have it right," Ren pulled out a sketch of the Palace maps he'd drawn previously. "We make sure we know what route we're taking there and back. Any last minute preparations should be done today."

"Like I said previously we need to make the Treasure manifest in physical form. We do that by giving them a calling card, a warning that their desire's are in danger," Mona said from Ren's bag, still partially obscured. "Once that's done we're able to go in and steal it. What we should figure out is who's doing the calling card."

"Oh, me! Me! Pick me!" Ryuji raised his hand and bounced up and down like a kid.

"Can we really trust you with that?" Ann wondered, tapping her lip with her straw. "That's step one and if we mess that up…"

"Don't worry! I've been thinkin' stuff up since yesterday. I've got so many ideas I don't even know where to start!" Ryuji seemed rather proud.

"Well…" Morgana's tone of voice made it sound like he hoped anyone else would volunteer. "Any objections?"

"Fine with me. I can focus on other things, then," Ren tapped the map.

"I guess that works. I'll go visit Shiho, then." Ann glanced around after a lengthy silence. "What?"

Ryuji froze mid bite and lowered his hand, covering his food like he'd lost all appetite. "How's she uh… doing? She any better?"

"She's stable but… no sign of her waking up," Ann averted her eyes and put her drink down.

Morgana glanced between them. "Don't worry, Lady Ann. I'm sure that she'll wake up and you'll be able to talk to her soon. But right now we have to focus."

"You're right," Ann sighed and leaned over the table. "So what route are we thinking?"

"I think we should avoid the cathedral at all costs. That last fight there was a doozy and I want to arrive at the Treasure without encountering any Shadows if at all possible," Ren traced a line with his finger.

Ryuji sniffed and rubbed his nose. "How do we do that? We had to pass through the cathedral place, right?"

"We did," Ann confirmed.

"Did you all notice the light sources in the cathedral? Other than the big window in the front?" Ren looked around to shaking heads. "They were chandeliers."

"You've got to be-"

"Dude we're gonna swing from 'em?!"

"I thought my plan was crazy."

Ren smirked. It wasn't that crazy if they all immediately thought what he did. "It's a risk but we could make it work. We won't change our path up to the cathedral, we've travelled there several times by now and we should stick to the familiar."

"We should take it slow from that point on. Once we get outside we could just scale the walls. There's a ton of imperfections in the stone work we can take advantage of," Morgana offered. "And it's a clear path to the Treasure from there."

"How's security going to be?" Ann asked as she eyed the planned route. "I can't imagine it's going to be lax. Especially when we've warned the king that we're breaking in."

"I suspect high. We should anticipate and prepare for that," Morgana glanced around. "We only have one shot at this, so we shouldn't take any chances."

"We'll succeed," Ann said with absolute confidence. Ren wondered where she got it from.

"Same plan tomorrow. We grab our stuff after school and meet in the alley as soon as possible," Ren folded up the map. "Then it's game on."

"I'll arrive extra early tomorrow morning to set things up," Ryuji gave a devilish grin. "We're gonna get that bastard good."

"And make sure he won't forget it. Ever," Ann added.

After School

Makoto practically leapt out of her seat as soon as the bell rang, stuffing her belongings into her bag without any organization. She was out the door in record time, before the teacher, in fact.

After overcoming the initial shock of Takamaki Ann's overwhelming and unanticipated response Makoto had gotten pissed. Not just annoyed. Pissed. She's just let that girl completely control the conversation. Makoto didn't even manage to get a word in! If that was the way it was going to be, fine. She'd get her answers either way.

Bounding up the stairs two at a time Makoto speed walked to the Student Council Room. Despite her arriving on record time the red-haired girl, Yoshizawa Kasumi, was already waiting.

"Hello again, Yoshizawa-san," Makoto greeted as she unlocked the door and offered the girl a smile. "Thank you again for agreeing to speak with me."

"No problem at all, Niijima-senpai. It's my pleasure," Kasumi bowed once again.

Makoto offered the first-year a seat and took her place on the opposite side. "Make yourself comfortable, please."

"So what's this about, Niijima-senpai?" Kasumi asked as she brought out her water bottle.

No sense beating around the bush. Makoto was here to get answers. "This may seem abrupt, but I was wondering what you thought of Kamoshida-sensei."

"Kamoshida-sensei? Although he isn't my coach, he must be great if the volleyball team's been able to achieve such fantastic results since the time he's arrived. He's been kind enough to provide academic counseling since I am an athlete myself." Kasumi took this moment to sip from her water.

"You're an athlete, Yoshizawa-san?" Makoto looked the girl up and down. Far too skinny for anything too physically demanding, Makoto had flagged her as one of those petite girls. Makoto guessed Yoshizawa-san's weight. She could probably throw the red-haired girl across the room without breaking a sweat.

Yoshizawa-san gave a firm nod. "That's correct. A gymnast, to be exact."

"A gymnast, huh?" Makoto repeated. Her slim build made sense then. "I'm not too familiar with academic counseling for athletes myself, but is it normal for Kamoshida-sensei to be the advisor?"

"I… am not sure," Yoshizawa-san frowned. "I assumed it was, given that he's the physical education teacher and all."

More questions that needed answers, then. Makoto sighed and continued. "So how is his counseling so far?"

"So far it's just been things to help me adjust to Shujin Academy and high school in general. Things like who to avoid and what I should watch out for." Yoshizawa-san grimaced for a moment.

"Oh?" Makoto perked up. "And who did he tell you to avoid?"

"Well…" Yoshizawa-san looked embarrassed, growing a little red. "For starters, a second-year transfer student."

"Amamiya Ren?" Makoto couldn't believe it. Why single out a student who wasn't even in the same grade? Because of his criminal record?

"Is that his name?" Yoshizawa-san mouthed his name. "Slightly curly hair and glasses? Tall and lanky?"

"Yes…" Makoto said off-handedly. That was Amamiya Ren, all right. Criminal record? How come she hadn't thought of it before? The criminal record was in his file. A file only accessible to faculty. How the hell did the students find that out if it wasn't leaked by faculty? What teacher would sabotage a student like that? "Did Kamoshida-sensei say anything in particular about him?"

"Only that he transferred here because he assaulted someone."

Makoto felt the blood drain from her face. It was him. Kamoshida-sensei divulged private information directly to a student. Even if it was rumors he shouldn't have just disclosed it. But the question remained: why?

"Did Kamoshida...sensei," Why was that harder to say now? "Say anything about a Takamaki Ann?"

"'Takamaki Ann?'" Yoshizawa-san repeated, her brow furrowing. "No, I don't believe he did."

"What about Sakamoto Ryuji?"

"That name sounds familiar," Yoshizawa-san snapped her finger. "That's right! Kamoshida-sensei said to 'avoid Sakamoto and the delinquent transfer student. They've gotten familiar since they both arrived late on the same day.'"

"They did?" That was new information.

Yoshizawa-san nodded as she continued. "It just so happens Kawakami-sensei had asked me to meet Amamiya-senpai that day. She proposed it was a way to transition into Shujin, being transfer students and all. But unfortunately he arrived late."

Kawakami-sensei did? "Wait, 'unfortunately?'"

Yoshizawa-san's cheeks reddened. "He actually helped me out one morning. I didn't know who he was at the time. When we did see each other at school it was in front of the Guidance Room. I had just finished a counseling session with Kamoshida-sensei and Amamiya-senpai was about to have one with Kawakami-sensei. I… accidentally called him 'the delinquent transfer student.'"

"He helped you out?" Makoto thought back to this morning. He certainly hadn't given her any bad vibes in particular.

"Yes. It was a minor thing. But I've been hoping to ask him for help since…" Yoshizawa-san's voice trailed off.

"'Since?'"

Yoshizawa-san averted her gaze. "Last Friday. When the girl jumped."

Makoto's heart leapt into her throat.

"I saw him helping out when no one else did," Yoshizawa-san was rubbing her arms. "I don't think he's what the rumors and Kamoshida-sensei make him out to be."

Makoto's eyes stung. Goddamnit. That all-to-familiar wave of shame washed over her.

"I don't really get why Kamoshida-sensei is so adamant about me avoiding him. Their exchange in front of the Guidance Room was very odd," Yoshizawa-san continued.

"O-Odd how?" Her voice just cracked. Makoto cleared her throat.

"Kamoshida-sensei seemed very aggressive towards Amamiya-senpai. His tone of voice completely changed and he kept emphasizing 'delinquent.' Amamiya-senpai looked so… frustrated."

"He had to stand there and take it." Kamoshida-sensei wasn't even hiding his animosity.

Yoshizawa-san's lip trembled slightly. "I've been wanting to apologize since then. I think I really hurt him when I called him a 'delinquent.'"

This girl was sensitive. That and far too kind. But she might just work. "Yoshizawa-san?"

"Yes, Niijima-senpai?"

Makoto folded her hands in front of her. "May I confide in you with something?"

"Oh… um… of course."

"You have to promise me that what I show you and what we talk about does not leave this room." Makoto wanted to make that absolutely clear. If they got caught they'd both get burned.

"Okay…" Yoshizawa-san still looked lost. "I promise."

Makoto took out her phone.

A/N

Apologies about last week, some life stuff came up. In the event I don't make it clear I'm not releasing a chapter one week just check out my profile and I'll leave an update there on release day if there's no new chapter. That's better than leaving you wondering and me not having a way to update without posting a false chapter.

I know there was a lot of dialogue in this chapter. It's practically all dialogue. I hope it's as enjoyable to read as it was to write. I finally get to play around with the narrative!

I know, I know, it's the shortest chapter thus far but that's just the way things are right now. I'd love to work on this more but time isn't being generous at the moment. Hopefully I can squeeze this in as the weeks go on and get some actual substance in.

With luck and time there should be a chapter next week. If not then for sure the week after. I'll release a chapter at least once every two weeks until I can return to a weekly release, promise!