Meanwhile, inside the principal's office…
"You asked for me, Principal? About what?" said Kanakubo-sensei to Principal Kobayakawa after he came into his office.
"Yes, I did, Kanakubo-sensei. It's about your deplorable behaviour to Kamoshida-kun and the students that day in the auditorium. Do you know how disappointed am I at what you did, Kanakubo-sensei?" said Principal Kobayakawa with a disappointed look on his face at Kanakubo-sensei.
"Oh, I'm sorry. If you seeing me doing the right thing that day in the auditorium in front of all teachers and students is disappointing to you, I'd hate to see what I did that'd make you proud, principal." said Kanakubo-sensei as he narrowed his eyes at Principal Kobayakawa.
"Now you listen to me…" said Principal Kobayakawa threateningly to Kanakubo-sensei.
"No, it's you who should listen to me! Shujin Academy is supposed to be a school that teach, help, encourage and guide students in their studies, sports and exams, not a school where teachers like Suguru Kamoshida can take advantage of his positions as PE teacher and former Olympic medalist to abused, hurt and sexually harassed those poor, unfortunate students that joined the volleyball club!" snapped Kanakubo-sensei angrily at Principal Kobayakawa.
"I know what he did to those students is wrong but…" said Principal Kobayakawa.
"But nothing! Because that's what you and the other teachers and the parents of those poor students did to them, not a damn thing! Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll take my leave before I became more angry and did something that I'd regret, principal." Said Kanakubo-sensei calmly and coldly to Principal Kobayakawa before he turned and walked out of the office (while ignoring the principal calling him to come back), saw Makoto standing outside and nodded to her before he walk past her away from the principal office.
"Excuse me. Did you wish to see me and did something happened between you and Kanakubo-sensei, Principal Kobayakawa?" asked Makoto concernly to Principal Kobayakawa about what happened between him and Kanakubo-sensei after she came into his office.
"Yes, I did and pay no mind to what happened between me and Kanakubo-sensei earlier. You saw the state Kamoshida-kun was in, didn't you, Makoto Niijima-san?" replied Principal Kobayakawa after he dismissed what Makoto seen between him and Kanakubo-sensei earlier. "It's as if his personality has completely changed. Something is definitely wrong here."
"I'm not sure I follow…" said Makoto in confusion to Principal Kobayakawa.
"From what I've heard, it appears as though some students were meddling in his business. If they did something to him… Who could they be…?" said Principal Kobayakawa suspiciously to Makoto.
"Are you saying that these students may have caused Kamoshida-sensei to change…?" said Makoto as she raised and placed her hand under her chin while she think about it.
"That is what I wish to know… Even if it takes some probing into student matters… I would like you to look into this matter for me and also, I would like you to ask Minato Arisato on whether he can help you with it." said Principal Kobayakawa firmly to Makoto.
"It is true that there are many rumors regarding Kamoshida-sensei, but… Do you mean all of this talk about those Phantom Thieves?" asked Makoto.
"It is undeniable that Kamoshida-kun has "changed" in some way. I'd like to have a grasp of the cause." said Principal Kobayakawa as he closed his eyes and had a slightly scowl look on his face. "This shall also ensure that I handle the mass media and the police in the correct fashion."
"Oh…" said Makoto as she lowered her hand from her chin.
"I will continue speaking to Kamoshida-kun myself. Unless you or Arisato-kun find whomever did this to him, these irresponsible rumors will likely never died down. Don't you agreed, Niijima-san?" said Principal Kobayakawa.
"Yes, sir…" said Makoto as she look down at the floor.
"You have been at the top spot since day one. Your conduct is good, and teachers favour you a lot. I could write you a letter of recommendation for any colleges of your choosing, Niijima-san. And I'll also do the same for Arisato-kun if he agrees to help you out." said Principal Kobayakawa as he smiled at her.
"Th-Thank you…" said Makoto with a slightly surprise then flatter look on her face.
"Your lineage must certainly play a part in this excellence. Your older sister is still young, yet she holds an admirable position at the Public Prosecutor Office, no…? While Arisato-kun is a close friend of Mitsuru Kirijo of the Kirijo group, isn't it…?" said Principal Kobayakawa as he continue to smiled at her (which surprises Makoto even more when he suddenly talk about her older sister and about Minato being friends with Mitsuru Kirijo). "If something disappointing were to happen here, that wouldn't reflect very well on your sister or his distinguished friend… Do you understand?"
"… Yes." sighed Makoto as a resigned look appear on her face.
"How wise. It's no wonder you are our student council president. I'd appreciate it if you and Arisato-kun looked into this as soon as possible. I ask that you tell him now so that you two can begin at once." said Principal Kobayakawa proudly to Makoto.
"Yes. If you'll excuse me then." said Makoto as she bowed to Principal Kobayakawa before she turned around and left the principal's office, not knowing that he called someone else after she left the office. Soon after Makoto stepped out of the principal's office, she bumped into Minato.
"Oh, sorry about that. I didn't see you there, Makoto-san." said Minato apologetically to Makoto.
"It's fine. Just be more careful next time, Minato-kun. Also, perfect timing because there's something I wanted to tell you." said Makoto.
"Oh? Like what?" said Minato as he tilted his head.
"Well, like Principal Kobayakawa's request. He wanted me to look into the matter of the Phantom Thieves to search for the students responsible for changing Kamoshida-sensei's heart among all of the students here and he also wanted me to ask on whether you'll agreed to help me or not." said Makoto.
"He what!? What kind of principal is he, telling Makoto-san to do this and told her to ask me to help too? Looks like I've to tell the others about it so that we'll be careful around Makoto-san and the principal." thought Minato in surprise, disbelief then anger at the principal for giving such a task to Makoto.
"So, what's your answer, Minato-kun?" said Makoto.
"Hm… Will you let me think about it, Makoto-san? Because lunch time's almost over and we need to get back to class now." said Minato.
"Right. Let's go." said Makoto as she nodded to Minato before they turned and went toward their classroom.
XXXX
Inside the classroom…
As Hiruta-sensei is busy teaching the class, both Akira and Ann's phones started buzzing and they quietly pull their phones out to see and read the messages.
RS: The police are really here… I saw 'em at the entrance.
AT: I saw them too! They were talking to the teachers and students too!
AK: If any of them came and talk to us, be sure that we don't say anything suspicious or weird to them, alright?
MA: Yeah, we got it. And speaking of police talking to the teachers and students, I've just heard from a classmate of mine that Principal Kobayakawa has told her to look into the matter of Phantom Thieves and he also had her ask me on whether I'll help her or not.
RS: He what!? That no good, fat-ass principal…
KK: Just when I thought he couldn't get any worse in my opinion…
AT: That doesn't sound good. I hope neither of them don't find out that we're responsible and that you won't consider helping her out, senpai…
MA: Don't worry. Because I don't intend to help her with it.
KK: Good. Wise decision from you, Arisato-kun.
RS: I'm pretty sure we'll be fine. They've no proof that it was us.
AK: Someone sure sounds a bit overconfident. But we'll try to not worry about it.
RS: Yeah, that's right!
MA: You guys are just terrible and not fully alert sometimes.
AT: But I mean, haven't rumors been going around about how you guys and sensei threatened Kamoshida?
RS: This world's Kamoshida shouldn't know anything about what actually happened to him though.
AT: Still…
RS: We and teach did what was right. Don't go freaking out over some label, Takamaki.
AT: I guess that's true…
RS: Man, I really can't wait to keep living this double life! All right, Kurusu! We're gonna be counting on you!
After Akira and Ann are done in messaging with Ryuji, Minato and Kanakubo-sensei, they quietly put their phones back into their blazer pockets and resumed listening to Hiruta-sensei's lecture.
XXXX
After school...
As Akira packed up and tucked Morgana into his school bag, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching him, look up and saw that it's Mishima.
"…Hey." greeted Mishima.
"Uh, hello. What do you want?" asked Akira.
"Have you seen that Phantom Aficionado Website?" asked Mishima.
"Uh, yeah. I've seen and heard of it." replied Akira as he nodded to Mishima. "Why?"
"I'm the one who started it." said Mishima (which surprises Akira) as he scratch the right side of his head with his fingers a little before he suddenly move closer to Akira.
"Whoa. Personal space, buddy, please." said Akira as he move backward a little from Mishima.
"Um… You guys are the Phantom Thieves, aren't you?" whisper Mishima curiously and a little hopefully to Akira.
"W-What…? What makes you say that to me?" Akira whisper back to him while feeling mentally shock that Mishima knew that's he's a phantom thief.
"Sorry." said Mishima when he realised how close he is to Akira and quickly backed up away from him. "Although… if things really are as I think, I should keep it a secret. Kamoshida used me, and I did some horrible things to you and to the others." added Mishima sullenly to Akira.
"… It's fine, I don't blame you for doing that to me and to the others anymore." said Akira softly to Mishima.
"I know you do, Kurusu-kun. This isn't much of a way for me to apologize for it… But if there's anything that I can do to help, just let me know!" said Mishima as he crossed his arms and glance resolutely at Akira.
"That's great, but…" said Akira before Mishima cut him off.
"There are many more evil adults outside of Kamoshida. But I'm sure the Phantom Thieves will do something… They can't let this end after just one target." said Mishima as he briefly look away and furrowed his eyebrow in anger before he glance back at Akira. "That's why I wanted to make a forum where people could post their problems. There are probably a lot of people who have high hopes for the Phantom Thieves next more. So I've also implemented an anonymous poll on the side." added Mishima as he pull out his phone, turned it on and show his website to Akira.
"Do you believe in the Phantom Thieves, or not?" Mishima recited some of the words on his phone to Akira. "I… hope someday my forum is filled with supportful posts. I'd really like to help out in the Phantom Thieves's acts of justice!… Can I, please?" asked Mishima hopefully to Akira.
"… Very well. If you want to do it so much then do it." replied Akira.
"Thank you, Kurusu-kun! I'll live up to your expectations… I promise." said Mishima happily and gratefully to Akira (who smiled before he froze as he sensed abundantly high expectations from Mishima, felt the time stopped and heard the same girl's voice spoke to her in his head).
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 Moon Persona,
I have obtained the wings of blessing,
That shall lead to freedom and new power…
After the girl's voice fell silent, Akira look up and saw a green card with the pale yellow figure of a crescent moon in the middle of it and with the black figures of two sticks and a lobster at the top of it appeared and formed above Mishima's head before the card fell and landed on his outstretch hand before he quickly put the new card into his blazer pocket just as time resumed.
"…See you." said Mishima before he run past him out of the classroom. Soon after he left, Akira saw Ryuji, Ann and Minato came into the classroom before they approach him.
"We heard all that, Kurusu. Geez… It was a little awkward tryin' to figure out when to walk over here." said Ryuji.
"So that forum is Mishima-kun's…" said Ann with a surprise look on her face.
"Has he figured out our identities?" asked Morgana with a wide-eyed look on his face.
"Most probably. He did say to him that he knew that we're the phantom thieves." replied Minato sarcastically to Morgana (which make him scowled at Minato).
"Even so, I think it'll be fine. He seemed to be playing it cool." said Ann as she shrugged her shoulders.
"I guess we should have a little chat about this and about Miss Prez later." said Ryuji.
"Yeah, you're right." said Minato as he nodded at Ryuji.
"I will say though… A forum where people can post problems may prove unexpectedly useful." said Morgana as he smiled at them.
"True." said Akira as he nodded in agreement to Morgana.
"Anyways, we gotta get lookin' for a new target." said Ryuji a little urgingly to them.
"And we need to stay sharp until we managed to find one. Once we do, we'll have to head into another Palace, so we should prep our equipment and-" added Ann.
"Wait, oh CRAP!" yell Ryuji suddenly to them, cutting off Ann's words and making her, Akira, Morgana and Minato jumped a little from his outburst.
"Geez, pipe down, will you?" said Minato as he scowled at Ryuji.
"He's right! What's with you!?" said Ann as she scowled at Ryuji as well.
"D-D-Don't we have exams coming up!?" said Ryuji in horror to them.
"Yeah, we do." said Akira as he scowled at Ryuji too.
"…Judging by that reaction, I'd assume you're going to struggle this time too?" said Ann in an unimpressed tone of voice to Ryuji.
"I-It's not like you're any better! All you're good at is English!" retorted Ryuji indignantly to Ann.
"I'd rather that than be bad at every other subjects! If you're so worry about exams then why don't we ask Kanakubo-sensei to help us?" Ann retorted back to him before she suggest asking Kanakubo-sensei help for their exams.
"Oh sure, let's go ask teach to help us with our exams!" said Ryuji more indignantly to Ann.
"Hey, you guys, pipe down already." said Minato slightly sternly to them both but they ignored him.
"Even your Japanese is questionable at best, Ryuji." said Morgana mischievously to Ryuji.
"What's questionable is whether you're really even a human." said Ryuji as he glance at Morgana while briefly kicked the floor before he glance and smiled at Akira. "…Good comeback, huh, leader?" asked Ryuji.
"Uh…" replied Akira.
"…Let's discuss this with our fists!" snapped Morgana as he glared at Ryuji.
"Bring it, cat!" said Ryuji as he crouched down in preparation to pounce Morgana.
"Alright, that's enough now, you two!" snapped Minato as he scowled darkly at Morgana while smacking the back of Ryuji's head with his hand, which make Ryuji yelp in pain as he rubbed his head from Minato smacking him while Morgana shrunk back into Akira's bag before he make them both apologize to each other then all of them bade farewell and left the school together and head home.
