.
Skinny long fingers outstretched at the ceiling. His vision blurred then refocused on the trembling hand. From beyond the bedroom, glass shattered from someone throwing his drink in anger.
Yusuke laid on his bed, trying to ignore the shouts outside his bedroom but fusuma walls were not exactly meant for acoustic reduction.
"What do you mean you don't know where those calling cards came from?! All those CCTV cameras and no perpetrators found!? . . .What?! Well find out! If the venue managers don't give us names, I'll have my lawyers sue them!" Madarame screamed.
Yusuke pulled out his smartphone and opened the MediBang Paint app. He clicked on 'Recent Projects'. A file opened showing a four-layer illustration of the Phantom Thieves logo which Yusuke drew for the calling card's new design. Upon reaching the formless Treasure last week, the final procedures were pushed into motion for revealing sensei's heart. The way the talking cat explained it, sending the calling card would threaten Madarame's cognition to materialise the Treasure in his Palace. Steal the Treasure then sensei confesses to all his crimes and is thus ruined. After that. . .
Yusuke closed his eyes. He pinched the bridge of his nose when he felt his eyelashes dampened. Behind the pillow, Yusuke was aware of the bottle of pills he kept.
It became quiet outside. Madarame's associates must have left.
Yusuke closed the paint app and opened the photo gallery. He clicked on the picture sorted at the very top. A digital scan of 'Sayuri'.
Mother painted this, thought Yusuke.
Knowing she did, made it hurt more. Why did this world have to beat his mother down as she struggled against everything?! Why?! The more Yusuke thought about the inequities dealt, the more it filled him with bitterness and self-loathing.
"Art. What a filthy thing," Yusuke uttered through clenched teeth.
Around the room, all his pencils and paintbrushes were snapped in half. Yet no matter how much Yusuke destroyed, no matter how much he grieved, it was not going to change the one simple fact of things. His mother was gone forever. Yusuke will never see her again.
Shujin Academy staffroom.
Tahara Ushimaru reviewed the paper before him. He looked back up at his homeroom student, standing with her arms crossed behind her, then back down at her application.
"I'm not sure I understand, Kasumi-kun. Aren't you already loaded with gymnastics? You're Shujin's sole representative in the sport," said Ushimaru.
A person's signature can be owed to the definition of their colour. A young man with hair of ebony broods in the night's shadows as the colour of his soul darkles to black. A platinum blonde may radiate cheeriness – curly swirls of buttermilk that betrays a personality just as warm and sweet.
Now, red. Red is the flag of passion. Of romance. Of hearts. Fittingly so as Kasumi Yoshizawa woke up today, carrying the hearts of two girls with such fervid that it may have deepened her shade. When the broken fall alive, raw nerves awakening into the pain of seeing their familiar die. Red was the colour she saw in the streets when tragedy struck.
Kasumi's coiffure was pulled back in a long pony-tail, save for the few loosened strands from gym practise that suggested erotic disarray. Geranium red.
Her eyes showed friendliness and more importantly, a kind of boldness that said this one needed no alcohol to lubricate her tongue, for Kasumi was so keen to speak her mind that you could find liquid intoxication in her eyes. Her pupils were the colour of red wine.
And finally, a bow. A cute one and it was of course – red.
"I mean, it doesn't seem like you have trouble keeping fit either. Or is it that you don't want to be alone for extracurricular activities?" said Ushimaru.
Kasumi nodded, coiffing red-strand behind her elfin ear.
"That's exactly why, sensei. It's kind of lonely being the only one in gymnastics. And everyone in my class acts like I'm something special so I'm trying to be 'more average' now. If I can also be a part of a sport where others are my equal, folks are more likely to see me as a real person, rather than this. . .artificial actress they think I am. The differences from gymnastics aren't drastic too since there are interchangeable skills. Even a few people in my field have also tried at this and have been successful," said Kasumi.
"But not everyone at Shujin has the grace and finesse of a gymnast. Sports-wise, we have here – volleyball students, basketball. . .I believe there used to be a track team too," said Ushimaru.
"The track team is getting back together, from what I've been hearing," said Kasumi.
Ushimaru nodded. He reached for his teacher's seal stamp and imprinted the approval on the application form. Kasumi could barely contain her excitement, bouncing on her heels. Ever since Kasumi transferred to Shujin, the conservative teacher had developed a soft spot for her (Ushimaru could not help it, Kasumi had that warm charm to her) while still being Hitler-incarnate strict with the other students – much to their disgruntlement.
"There are conditions. You're aware of that, right?"
Kasumi nodded.
"Yes. Minimum of six members before any club or team is officiated in the next staff meeting."
"Not just that-" Ushimaru looked around the staffroom apprehensively to make sure no one was in ear-shot, "-you also understand the delicate situation with the volleyball students, yes? The media has painted them as exploited students which Shujin has damaged. If you ask me – Shujin is using you too, with your prestige and accolades in gymnastics. It is ironic but some lessons haven't been learned by that irritating man," harrumphed Ushimaru.
Kasumi was stricken. It was a huge deal if even someone like Ushimaru-sensei did not like Principal Kobayakawa.
"I see. In that case, I shall be prudent about not recruiting any of the volleyball members," said Kasumi.
"Hmph! Don't forget to keep away from the perverts of this school. Some of these boys I teach, I tell you, they're like rabbits in uniforms. You never know what they might try on a sweet girl like you."
"Ah. . .really, sensei? Everyone here has been nice to me, including the guys. I'm sure my peers and senpais are all good people-"
"That's exactly what I'm talking about, Kasumi-kun. You're too naïvely innocent for how deceptive people can be about who they are. Take that Amamiya boy for example. You wouldn't know him yet since you arrived after his transfer. He was arrested for brutalising an innocent man before his parents sent him here. Who knows what that deviant might connive if he knew you trusted him blind."
"I-I see. . ."
"That reminds me. I'm supposed to hand over his student profile folder to the new counsellor that's coming in today since Kawakami-sensei called in sick today."
"Sensei?"
Ushimaru slid out four clear folders from a stack on his desk. In pizza slice cuts at the top, Kasumi saw the names of the student profile data – 'Takamaki Ann', 'Oshiro Shiori', 'Amamiya Ren' and 'Sakamoto Ryuji'. Ushimaru considered the files and slid out Amamiya's. He opened the folder and showed Kasumi the portrait shot of the bespectacled student.
"This is him," said Ushimaru.
Amamiya was not what she expected. Subdued grey eyes behind a black-frame glasses, over an indifferent expression. Kasumi imagined a lot of girls would probably swipe right if he was on the Tinder app. Otherwise, Kasumi could not pin anything else that was stereotypical of a criminal.
Unless Amamiya hides superpowers with glasses like Superman, he seems quite harmless, thought Kasumi.
"On your way to homeroom, drop these files off at the nurse's office. The counsellor should be there. His name is Takuto, you will give these to him. We've been told the principal will introduce him officially to the school today," said Ushimaru.
". . .Takuto? He wouldn't happen to be a Takuto Maruki, would it?"
"Yes. You know him?"
"I do. He was my therapist once."
Ushimaru frowned, biting back the blithe remark that his generation never suffered from mental illnesses.
"I see. In any case, good luck with the formation of Shujin's swimming team, Kasumi-kun. It will be the first one in the school's history."
Takuto stood back, surveying his work. The seating arrangement, proximity of snacks, online resource pamphlets and the hidden rosemary oil diffuser were all in place in the nurse's office. Takuto made fourth and fifth minute shifts to adjusting a cushion's placement, just to make it feel right. First impressions of the guidance rooms vibes were going to be important.
Not for the first time since he stepped into Shujin, Takuto thought about his being here. To the principle, he was a P.R anaesthetic for the scandal his school was facing. To the L.M Syndicate, he was here to have the next canvass ready by the next semester. For himself?
Takuto looked out the window, which was yellowed in its dusty light. From beyond the door, he could hear Chopin's Nocturne being played from the school's music room.
For himself, why was Takuto here?
Takuto's eyes landed at the thing on the ceiling that was watching him.
The door opened, entering Kasumi.
"So it is you, Dr Maruki," said Kasumi.
Takuto tore his eyes away. She would not be able to see it. His manner relaxed, amiable and smiling.
"Kasumi. Keeping it together okay, I hope?"
Kasumi nodded, proffering the four folders to him. Takuto took them, scanning the names.
"Ah yes. Principle Kobayakawa did mention this lot. I can't imagine they'll be pleased once I get around to hounding them," said Takuto.
"Counselling is it? Because of what Kamoshida did?" asked Kasumi.
"Yes-" Takuto peered at her, pushing up his glasses frame, "-how well did you know the man?"
"Not closely, thankfully. Ushimaru-sensei, he's my homeroom teacher – he advised me to keep my head down when I first transferred here. And to avoid the P.E teacher as much as I could."
"Oh? Did your sensei know about the abuse?"
Kasumi thought about it.
"I don't think so. But Ushimaru-sensei did figure out something before I did. Kamoshida wasn't exactly excited about sharing the school's sports prestige with someone like me. I didn't realise it until that one-time we spoke on my orientation day. He made some polite enquiries about my training drills but I got the feeling that he didn't like me. Perhaps because Kamoshida thought I would steal the spotlight from his volleyball squad. I did my best to stick to the shadows during the drama show," said Kasumi.
"I see. At least you're allowed to relax, now that he's gone."
"I'm sure things will get better with you here, Dr Maruki. The guidance did help me a lot after Sumire's accident," said Kasumi.
". . ."
"Right, Dr Maruki? It's helped me a lot, yes?" pressed 'Kasumi', her tone edging a touch distressed, seeking reassurance.
"She's your younger mirror. A sorrowful naïve girl who runs away from who she should be, seeking the ideal rather than real."
In the entire duration of Takuto's conversation with Kasumi, 'Rumi' clung onto the ceiling like a spider. Her head was unnaturally twisted upside down, leering with those yellow eyes. Relatively speaking, today's torment was dialled down to a minimal. That thing bided its time to corrode Takuto armour, gradually.
"Takuto?"
Now his first name. Takuto inhaled, remembering that counselling session – the first time Kasumi sighed his forename. What tatters this girl had for a torquated identity – a fusion cognition of her sister and Actualisation, creating. . . well this.
Takuto rested his hand on Kasumi's shoulder. Power rippled in the room; a shackled hint of something greater than Tricksters and demi-gods.
"You are well, Kasumi. There's nothing to stress about," he said.
Simple, yet cogent commands to Kasumi's psyche. If she had a Persona, there would have been resistance against this. It would be near impossible against someone who would have multiple Personae. Not without their permission anyway. But what were the odds of running into those? Takuto mused.
Kasumi visibly relaxed, her eyelashes fluttering trance-like for a spell.
Takuto turned away to the window at the desk. He watched the students of Shujin mill about in the courtyard. Did the syndicate's target stand in that crowd? Takuto idly wondered.
"You advised me that finding a new interest outside of gymnastics would help ease the grieving process. I'm planning on starting a swim team here at Shujin. Ushimaru-sensei told me it will be the school's first," said Kasumi.
"Oh?"
Takuto placed the folders on the desk. He opened the first document, showing a messy-hair brunet boy in glasses. Takuto's page-flip finger paused. What was this?
"I just need a minimum of six members to make it official. There's also the conundrum of finding an adequate swimming pool for training sessions since Shujin Academy doesn't have one. This is going to be difficult, I fear," said Kasumi, putting up a moue.
There was a revelation in this student's photo that caught Takuto off-guard. Takuto had expected a run-of-the-mill juvenile from the briefing he received at the principal's office. But this. . .
"Curious. . ." murmured Takuto.
Being what he was, Takuto's precognition of the world seeped deeper into symbols and imagery, understanding the metaverse extensions and its unseen realms.
Those eyes. . .thought Takuto.
Well well. This school might be more interesting than he anticipated. Perhaps more sinister too.
"Well, I'd best be going now. Sorry to blabber onto you with my dotty affairs, Dr Maruki."
Takuto looked up.
"No need to apologise, Kasumi. You're almost always privileged to the services of Shujin's counsellor as a student. I can even-" Takuto picked up Ren's profile. An ad hoc plan formed in his mind. Yes. This will have to do, to observe if certain evils needed to be kept in check, "-impart some useful pointers for this swimming team of yours. Did you have any candidates in mind for the membership? For the supervisor position?"
"Not yet."
Takuto hummed a tune, smiling. His fingers drummed at the other three folders. From a drawer, he retrieved the tarot cards Yamanaka gave him. Spreading Tarot de Marseille, Takuto slid out the 'Le Fool' card and placed it next to Amamiya's photo.
"You mean, you'd help fill in the supervisor position?" prompted Kasumi.
From the Visconti-Sforza deck, Takuto picked up the Faith Arcana card and held it in level with his gaze at Kasumi.
Rumi was scathing.
"Woe to mortals who find themselves in the realm of gods."
"I'd be happy to serve as the supervisor. As for who you might approach for membership in this swim team. . ."
Shujin assembly hall.
Shutters went off from the reporters positioned by the auditorium. The students lined at the front screwed their foreheads at the camera flashes, uncomfortable with the principal's P.R manoeuvre for calling the media in today.
Shiori sighed at the sight of Kobayakawa on-stage. At this point, she did not hate the corrupted man. Shiori was simply weary of being subjected to the whims of principal's attempts at collateral, after Kamoshida's downfall. Being summoned into the assembly hall was all for the serving of Kobayakawa's self-preservation in the eyes of the public. The principal began to speak:
"Ever since that specific incident, many of you have voiced concerns that I could not bear to ignore-"
Next to Ren, Ann hissed under her breath, "She had a name you dickhead. What happened to Shiho is not something you box into 'specific incident'."
By the sidelines, Ms Chouno heard that but did not admonish Ann for speaking during the principal's talk. The teacher did agree with the sentiment.
"-We believe that the mental health of our student body is absolutely vital for growing young adults in an environment for learning – so we the school administration, have taken to acquiring the service of a therapist who will serve as Shujin's guidance counsellor for the rest of this year," Kobayakawa paused, looking to his side, "-The floor is yours, doctor," said the principal.
A man walked into the proscenium, the backdrop of maroon curtains contrasting his stark white coat. The students broke into whispers; hush surprises, cynics' dismissals and from some, admiration.
"Isn't he hot?" Ryuji heard the third-year girl next to him say.
"Gosh. I wouldn't mind this one doing a Kamoshida on me," assented her friend.
Someone fucking shoot me, thought Ryuji.
Ann considered the therapist on stage. She guessed him to be in his early thirties, perhaps. The glasses and dark curly hair reminded Ann of Ren somewhat.
The therapist on stage cleared his throat. The assembly went quiet to an effect.
"It's nice to meet you all."
"Whoa. Even his voice is sexy!" yipped on the girl.
Ryuji's mouth compressed like a dry prune. He side-leaned to Shiori, saying:
"Can you believe these two?"
When she did not respond, Ryuji turned and saw Shiori was gazing up at the stage in jaw-hanging transfixion.
"My name is Takuto Maruki. Thank you for welcoming me to your school," said Takuto bowing; his forehead knocked against the microphone, almost toppling it down. To Kobayakawa's dismay, the cameras from the press flashed at that moment.
With the students, the clumsy motion earned Takuto the ice-breaking laughter. Takuto kept on speaking:
"No need to be formal with me though. I'm here to listen or give counselling to anyone who's interested. You can even call me 'Doc', if that would feel more amiable to you. Any assistance you need, I'll be- Oh. . .just a disclaimer though; I'm not any good with helping out with money problems," said Takuto.
More laughter.
"Not exactly the transparent sort, are you?" muttered Ren.
"What do you mean?" asked Ann.
"Perhaps I'm overestimating Maruki, but a psychologist in his shoes knows he's going to be dealing with a student body that's largely jaded, cynical and wary of any adult authority after the scorch marks which Kamoshida and Kobayakawa left. Yet look at our peers now-"
Ann looked around. There was bemusement and amusement all around. Not a single face was broody or suspicious like a minute ago.
"-Maruki's broken the ice with two cracks of humour. A little convenient, isn't it? Either he's genuinely a clumsy guy. . .or we have a school counsellor here playing chess, not checkers – to get the ball rolling in his cordiality with the students," said Ren.
"Wow. He must be pretty good at his job as a psychologist. What do you think?" asked Ann.
". . ."
"Ren?"
"I guess he's experienced. That's a given," Ren answered hesitantly.
Truth was, Ren was not sure if he liked this insight. Mentalists who betrayed a cloaked aptitude for understanding or manipulating people in layers pressed his 'En garde' button. Ren's former best friend, Shu liked to call such types, 'sigma'.
After the assembly.
Ryuji stretched back while walking with the gang, hands at the back of his head.
"You ever really expect this place to give a shit about our mental health?" said Ryuji.
Everyone stopped by the vending machines.
"The school did make national news. Maybe Shujin figured they'd look even worse in the public eye if they didn't do anything for the students," said Ann.
"Right. And that Dr. . . .uh. . .Dr. Whathisname-"
"His name is Takuto Maruki," said Shiori, sounding a little short on oxygen.
Ryuji rolled his eyes.
"Yeah yeah. Maruki. Wasn't that guy just basically clownin' it up on stage? Tch. How is someone like that really supposed to do us any good?"
Ren was leaning against the wall in the hustler's classic one-foot-against-the-wall stance. He caught Ann's eye, her intuiting to what Ren observed during the assembly.
"Hey! Of course, he will. I bet Dr Maruki will be able to help everyone a lot," Shiori objected.
Ryuji snorted.
"Ohhh. Really? And which mental illnesses did you look up so that you'd have an excuse to see him a lot, Shiori?"
Shiori unabashedly counted at four fingers.
"Circadian disorder sleep syndrome, partialism, frotteurism and impulse-control disorder. There was also 'pathological liar' but pffft, everyone knows I come off as an honest angel."
"Yeah, well I ain't gonna bother. He's another tool of Kobayakawa's," said Ryuji.
"I wonder if I ought to go see him. . .Ren? Will you see Dr Maruki?" asked Ann.
"The only time I will ever open up to someone is during my autopsy."
Shiori nicked Ren's glasses off him, putting it on. She spun on her heels in a flourish flashing anime-glasses.
"I won't confide in Dr Maruki because I'm too cool and full of darkness," Shiori said in a lampoon of Ren's style, imitating his deeper voice.
Everyone (except an annoyed Ren) laughed so hard that they did not notice Takuto's approach at the four. Ren straightened up at the doctor.
"Hey there. I see there's plenty of the best medicine to go around with you lot," said Takuto.
The laughter died when the three of them saw who it was. Shiori gasped then smothered down her excitement. Her heel shimmied coyly in Takuto's direction.
Takuto looked at each of their faces. The echoes from their psyche gave Takuto flashes of images. A crumbling castle, a pirate firing a cannon, a dark figure leaping at a yellow dragon while a young woman hurled flames. . .
These four are different from the rest of the student body- Takuto looked to Ren last, -especially you, Amamiya, thought Takuto.
"Sakamoto-kun, Oshiro-kun and Takamaki-kun right? And that must make you. . .Amamiya-kun."
!?
"How do you know our names?" asked Ryuji.
Takuto rubbed his head, abashed.
"Let's say I was. . .informed of certain students before beginning my tenure here. Those that had uh. . .unique interactions with Mr Kamoshida-" More flashes of images. This time from Ren, the image of a manic laughing face in blue fire. Takuto looked at Ren, "-It must have been especially tough for you, Amamiya-kun. Having just transferred to a new school to deal with a teacher like that.
Ren shrugged.
"Wasn't that bad. I managed by at least. Better than Kamoshida's volleyball team you could say. Talked to those students yet?" asked Ren.
Takuto nodded.
"I've seen some just before now. Was it really not bad? Well – you seem like quite. . ." In the psyche visions, a menacing shadow was present on a deeper level than the Arsène Persona. That thing was dormant and it had a heartbeat, ". . .the tough youngster. Just be mindful not to overdo it, okay?" said Takuto.
"So. . .whaddaya want with us?" Ryuji asked bluntly.
"Ah yes. . .I'd forgotten. I know I've already offered my services to the student body earlier, but would you four be interested in specialised counselling?" asked Takuto.
"Nope!" said Ryuji, popping the 'P'.
Takuto recoiled in surprise.
"What's so surprising about that?" said Ryuji.
"You were just a touch more empathic than I expected," said Takuto.
Shiori clapped her hands once.
"I'll come, Dr," Shiori said.
I sense a conquest, thought Ren.
"That's wonderful. I'd urge everyone to come in their own time. If you come to my office, you can have free snacks! 'All you can eat'. . .would be nice. But – there's still plenty to be had," said Takuto.
"I love snacks. They're yummy," said Shiori.
"What kind of snacks?" asked Ren.
Ann and Ryuji gave them the look.
"Hey! Don't fall for that!" said Ann.
They're too jaded. I have to come clean, thought Takuto.
"To be frank, I've been explicitly ordered to give counselling to every student that directly fell to the brunt of Kamoshida's behaviour. That includes you four. In the principal's words, 'It's in the school's interest. . .for its students'," said Takuto.
Ryuji folded his arms. Even Shiori winced a little at that.
"Ahhhh. The school's interest. Yeah, I've heard that one before when they suspended me last year," said Ryuji.
"I'm sorry for the inequities Kamoshida dealt you, Sakamoto-kun," Takuto said softly, catching Ryuji off-guard.
"Sorry for all of you-" Takuto added, "-It is a huge leap, to take a chance and open up to a stranger who is part of the establishment that has failed you repeatedly. Had it had been in my means to stop those awful things then; believe me I would have tried."
Takuto took off his glasses to wipe them. Ann saw in his brown eyes, bright intelligence and more subtle; the misty look of somebody tormented. Takuto sighed.
"The matter that the principal has made this compulsory isn't going to do either of you any good. What I'm trying to posit here is. . .if the school is making counselling mandatory then we all might as well try and make a good experience out of these sessions. Heck – I'll even throw in some mental training that will help you with exams, studying or learning how to not be nervous on a date. What do you say?"
"Uh. . ." Ann trailed off, unconvinced.
"Will there also be tea or coffee to go with the snacks?" asked Shiori, making a mental note to check for aphrodisiacs to order online.
"All right, all right! Enough with the snacks!" said Ryuji.
Everyone looked expectantly at Ren. He's the leader, noted Takuto.
"Well? Which way are you leanin'?" Ryuji asked Ren.
Ren thought about it. On one hand, Ren was not sure if he could trust his friends (especially Ryuji) to not slip something Phantom Thief-related in these sessions. On the other, they were being investigated by the school president. If everyone was attending these sessions, Takuto would make for a good smokescreen to keep Makoto from prying into their affairs too audaciously. Between Shiori trying to seduce Takuto and Shiori fighting with Makoto, Ren knew which would be less of a pain in the ass.
Ren nodded.
"No harm in a little chat," said Ren.
"Exactly," said Shiori.
Ryuji sighed.
"Guess it would be a hassle if we didn't go," grumbled Ryuji.
"True that," said Ann, resigned.
Takuto was relieved. His plan with Kasumi's swimming team was looking more probable now.
"Really? Then I guess it's a deal. I'll be at the nurse's office. Please feel free to drop by whenever it's convenient for you," said Takuto.
The school bell rang for class.
"Welp. We should be goin'," said Ryuji.
"Okay. See you later."
The others left. Ren was the last to follow suit when Takuto prompted him one more time. Takuto wanted to gauge something about Ren – especially in regards to these 'echoes' he was getting from the young man.
"Thanks for considering my counselling. Truth is, I don't think I would have been able to convince your friends if it weren't for you, Amamiya-kun. Cynicism is a hard wall to climb over," said Takuto.
"Cynicism. Right. Do you genuinely believe this will amount to something meaningful?" Ren asked.
Takuto peered at Ren, further intrigued. Ren did not like the level of perception he was sensing here.
"I hope they will. And Ren?"
The first-name basis shifted the vibes between them.
"Yes?"
"Nietzsche was right about many things. He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster himself. Gaze into the abyss long enough and the abyss becomes aware of you."
". . ."
"Take care now."
Hoo boy, it's starting to smell like Shin Megami Tensei in here.
I'm doing my take on the tragedy of the Yoshizawa twins. Certain themes have been tightened up or changed, secrets are a shade darker and excess fat has been shed from the original storyline. Kasumi's swimming team initiative may or may not be due to the influence of me playing hundreds of hours of the 'Trails of Cold Steel' games. Who knows? It could be fun though.
Oshiro Silver Screens Discord server: a336erJ
Come and chat. We could always use fresh meat to feed the resident dragons.