Persona 5 Royal: tmdrago Special Edition
By Tayla Drago
Episode #154 - Deep within the Paradise Palace
So many things to happen. Returning back to Maruki's Palace to search around the place and his Treasure to take some time...Sumire Yoshizawa now joins them to be herself as Violet of the Phantom Thieves for her and the spirit of Kasumi aids her, even for Cendrillon and her last five Arcana and bonding opens up this time. Same for Sumire and Kiwa's love was much stronger now. Oh! Same with Aika/Templar and Hitomi/Jester's Personas into their two powerful forms to be ready for anything now. For these three, Jack Frost, Junko/Witch, Keiko/Joker, Akechi/Black Crow, Morgana/Mona, Ryuji/Skull, Ann/Panther, Yusuke/Fox, Makoto/Queen, Futaba/Oracle, and Haru/Noir continue finding another route in the Palace, same with Sith will make his move for Cthulhu's sake until then to make their worlds into one.
Aika: Cool new Personas we got, Jester. They're like sisters, the same as we are.
One with beauty, and the other to be the same thing to have a Shujin girl's uniform on.
Hitomi: I agree. For you and me, Templar. Let's make them very good in battle.
As Kiwa, Daisuke, and Tohru continue to guide them back in the real world.
Kiwa: Okay, there should be another room to go into. It should be somewhere in the room you guys are in.
Seeing it to be some type of door to have a key card to use to enter in and open it up, it's a little different for this Palace to have it.
Futaba: Kiwa's right. I see a key card for an ID thing we need to open this door.
Ryuji: Sweet! We just need to find a Shadow who's carrying one, same as always?
Sumire: But something tells me there's a clue from these Shadows we need to find first.
She was right for the others on headphones agree.
Daisuke and Tohru: No shit, Sherlock.
A little joke there for the marry couple to be laughing, Futaba spotted a Shadow from above them on the upper floor.
Futaba: Oh...! Look!
Seeing this Shadow could be the one with a ID card.
Guard: Yes, their ambush attempt failed. Now they're examining the authentication device. They're not getting anywhere without this ID, though. This is the end of the line for them.
Well, this will be another thing to figure out next with something on Futaba's mind.
Ryuji: Wassup, Oracle?
Akechi: From the look on your face, I take it we might have a chance to get the ID card?
Keiko: And that's by heading upstairs...But with a plan I bet.
So what was Futaba's plan she has in mind?
Futaba: I intercepted some communication between the Shadows...Our ID hunt's finally come to an end. That Shadow over there has one.
Junko: Clever little hacker you are, Oracle.
Ryuji: Looks like your snooping-I mean, your tech skills came in handy again. I didn't even spot that Shadow.
Well, thank to Kiwa to detect one and Futaba's hacking skills.
Futaba: I don't think he knows I heard him. Why don't you ambush him for the ID? You can't reach him from here, though. You'll have to go around the back and through the auditorium.
Sumire: Understood. We need to take that hall up ahead. Let's go!
Kiwa: Then you thieves better get going.
Moving pass through the other patients to keep on going – to get more items, treasure chests to open up, or unlock and back into the bigger room where they met up with Maruki to make their way around the next floor and such. Fighting their way from more Shadows and some to sneak around to not fight 'sometimes' and seeing the door...but it was locked.
Keiko: This one's locked. Do we need a key?
Ryuji: The hell? It's locked?
It was the only door in this room to go to.
Makoto: There doesn't seem to be a way around this one.
Then looking above them was a beam path, so maybe...One of the Shadows had something they needed.
Junko: Hey, look. See those scaffolds? They help auditorium workers get around more easily-perhaps they can do the same for us?
Akechi: From one door to open with a special key after another. Hmm...I have a feeling this is our only opinion.
Makoto: ...Yes, that's not a bad idea. Joker, see if your grappling hook can help us out here.
Using the grappling hook to have a look around from bottom and to top now.
Keiko: Let's start looking around.
Making their way around the getting things and equipping some to others, and Shadows to fight off for Morgana puts his third Persona to the test.
Morgana: Show your might, Diego! Here's our new attack combined...Whirlwind Tackle!
Two of the strong powers of the whirlwind attacks blows the other Shadows away to go flying and falling down to their dooms. Ouch. This also has Kaguya and Kaguya Picaro for both Aika and Hitomi to use their Personas in next battle, from gravity power and water combined to make their attacks count.
Hitomi: Lend me your power, Kaguya! Brighten Splash!
Aika: Give them hell, Kaguya Picaro! Laser Explosion!
Wow, such power they had to be great to stop all of the Shadows. Also a new weapon for Sumire to equip from her ability to be added from a special treasure chest.
Sumire: Yes, what luck! I'll use this weapon well.
Lots of cameras all over to weird writing of computer things to scan into walls to be seeing from up top. Weird...Finally get through the other side to go back down and through the hallways, in front of them was the Shadow they needed the ID card from. They've made it and doing a sneak attack was the next move.
Sumire: There's that Shadow. Should we go for it?
Keiko: Let's go get that key card.
A wise choice to make.
Futaba: Use your thinking wisely, Joker. We need the ID key card by beating up the Shadow first. So go for the sneak attack.
The two Shadows talk form top to bottom on their work to go well 'so far'.
Guard: All fine up here still.
Patrolman: You should head back to your post. You're supposed to be in the observation room. And stick with the plan-don't go acting on your own.
Guard: I'm only trying to eliminate any potential risks for our master. But I guess I shouldn't keep my ID on me out here...Fine. I'll return to my post.
Well now he says it, they better hurry.
Futaba: Wha-?! Sorry, Joker...That Shadow's about to head out! Ambush him! Quick! Go, go, go!
It's time for them to hook shot to go down now to stop the two Shadows right away.
Akechi: Don't move!
Keiko: Give us the key card or else!
They were caught by surprise.
Guard: What the-Phantom Thieves! I must've been followed!
Patrolman: Dammit! I told you! Now we have to eliminate them! For our master!
Turning into two different Shadows to stop the Phantom Thieves, with Jack Frost freeze the floor to make them lose balance to standing up for one, and Junko to kunai cut down the rest...The others join in to stopping them both.
Futaba: Gotcha! Web Cage!
Trapping them to finish them off next, to boosting up their attacks to go up a lot.
Keiko: Black Crow, join me.
Akechi: Let's finish them together, Joker.
All together now in the name of love.
Keiko and Akechi: Light and Dark - Energy Blast!
Well, they're now dead and the key card was there to open the door at long last.
Sumire: We got the ID! Now, we just have to...
Futaba: It sure feels like we're one step closer to the Treasure. Might as well try the ID out on that door now
Going up to the card to scanning it machine for Keiko to place it inside...
Keiko: Like this, right?
From scanning and it works to unlock the door.
Sumire: It opened! You did it, Oracle-senpai!
Futaba: Oracle-senpai...Mweheheh, I like the sound of that! From here on out, we're off the map. Keep your guard up, everyone!
Nice way for Sumire to call Futaba senpai and such for the others too. Opening the door to enter in the other room, it was like in a storage of some kind. A big one with tons of different boxes all stacked up.
Ryuji: Hm? Is this some kinda storage area? Ugh, we go through the hassle of gettin' this ID and THIS is where we wind up?
Makoto: Don't be too disheartened just yet.
Akechi: Considering the size of the room, there are most likely a few different exits. If we can make our way through here, I believe we'll be much closer to the Palace's central area.
Trying to find a way out of a corn maze from the sound of it.
Junko: What are to Maruki, a bunch of rats? Seriously...
Ryuji: Sooo, basically, we just gotta keep chargin' on! Well, then let's hurry and get the hell outta here!
Something along the lines there.
Morgana: Being psyched is fine and all, but we don't have the best visibility here. Stay on guard, all right?
Keiko: We won't get loss here. We fight, look around, get things, and keep on going. This is what we've been doing to make the last one count. Come on.
Off the twelve Phantom Thieves, Junko, and Jack Frost find their way through the storage room – as Kiwa, Daisuke, and Tohru got their backs too. From Shadows to fight off and getting other items...inside of robotic brains in jars, gross.
Haru: How horrible...!
Yusuke: Such sickening things!
Ann: I don't want to know what these brains belong to...! Can we keep on going please?
And they do, from climbing the boxes and hook shot to the upper floors. With some old and newer Shadows to fight against with the same old battles to getting stronger for each of them.
Tayla: Persona #195 - Fafnir
Fafnir was the son of the dwarf king Hreidmar, and the brother of Regin and Ótr in Norse mythology.
After Ótr was killed by Loki, Hreidmar received the cursed gold of the dwarf Andvari's as repayment for the loss of his son. Fafnir and Regin then killed their father to get the gold, but Fafnir decided he wanted it all, becoming a dragon (symbol of greed). Regin then sent his foster-son, Sigurd, to kill the dragon. Sigurd succeeded by digging a pit under the trail Fáfnir used to walk to a stream and plunging his sword Gram into his heart as he walked past. Regin, however, corrupted by the curse on Andvari's gold, planned to kill Sigurd to take the treasure for himself, but Sigurd, having eaten part of Fafnir's cooked heart, was warned by birds of Regin's attack and ended up killing him.
Fighting, weapon slashing, shooting, using their Personas, and attacks to make their way around the storage room to give the Shadows a beat down and finding more money and items; soon getting down the hallways from climbing up and jump across to the other side of the room to get to the elevator to go down...all the way to the monitor room.
Ryuji: Ah man, finally...! We made it.
Keiko: But we still got to find the other rooms next. Still, I believe we're getting closer so far.
Morgana: Well no one say things wouldn't be this easy, is like saving the best for last.
What awaits in the different rooms for them this time? What a strange monitor room it was all blue and all electrical things around them to see. In a Safe Room they go to heal up from HP and SP of theirs to keep on going.
Aika: It's like a real life RPG game we're in.
Hitomi: *chuckle*If that's how you truly feel, Templar.
I think we get the joke there to be true for a real role playing game of my story to be the best one too. Moving on into another room to be lots of computers and screens all over to be all functioning and such.
Makoto: Hold on-look over there!
Looking carefully from downstairs showed two muscle type of Shadows to be guarding the monitors very well for them to face with next.
Yusuke: Security is even tighter here, apparently. They appear quite formidable.
Akechi: That means this place must be important. Let's take them out whenever we're ready.
Junko: Fine, but none of you don't die like this.
Going downstairs to be ready to battle.
Daisuke: Hey, Kid!
It was time for Kiwa to get the data on his end.
Kiwa: I'm on it...Just give me a minute.
Tohru: Maybe 30 seconds at least?
He'll get it down for the Phantom Thieves handle with the rest of the work.
Yusuke: We will surely be walking into a fight-please be ready, Joker.
Keiko: I'm all set and ready to lead my team.
Yusuke: Very well. Let's go!
Downstairs for the Shadows won't hold anything back.
Guard Shadow: So, you all dare to defy His Excellency!
Keiko: Let us past.
Junko: Outta the way.
They all mean business.
Guard Shadow: You shall not interfere with out master's work!
Transforming into a male warrior Shadow and a female witch Shadow to fight off the Phantom Thieves from spell magic and weapons to throw at, but this was nothing for the Phantom Thieves to handle them.
Junko: Let's us each give them some hell...Steel of One-Thousand Kunais!
Disabling the two Shadows to have the other Phantom Thieves take care of the rest, boosting up their speed and defense mode too.
Ryuji: Lighting Flash Attack!
Ann: Flame Shooter!
Yusuke: Frozen Waves!
Makoto: Viper Sting!
Haru: Petals of Doom!
Sumire: Outstanding...Nova Double Take-down!
And they were...gone! What a great team work there. Even Loki was enjoying taking out the bad Shadows.
Loki: I'll break them all...!
Junko: I believe that takes care of that.
Akechi: In some parts to be done, we're doing great. Not bad, Loki.
The stronger bond of the spirit to make up from his bad deeds in death, Loki would've more a change of heart if he did live. With the fight taken care of, what will they do next in this room. Anything...?
Ryuji: So, where are we now?
Kiwa: Something very important.
From the looks of things, some type of monitor room.
Aika: Hey, Kiwa...Tell me you're getting all of this data.
Kiwa: Way ahead of you guys.
Hitomi: Then please get as many as you can.
With that back the real world, leave the rest to Futaba to do the rest of the work.
Haru: Hmm...This room seems very different to the rest of the Palace...It was more heavily guarded as well.
From lots of wires working, screens on all over, the monitors to gather all the data it can, and such for Maruki's research from his powers doing.
Makoto: Could this be...some sort of surveillance room?
Keiko: I think it is, Queen. Look at all of this work.
Makoto: The monitors are displaying various rooms within the Palace.
Now that is call someone who's a major perverted of a peeping tom to be doing this.
Ann: Wait...We were being watched this whole time?
Junko: How utterly disturbing...! Maruki's a pervert.
That's not the case here...
Futaba: I dunno about that...Hey, Kiwa, let me lend a hand.
Approaching to one of the monitors to do some hacking time, she wants to know what they do from Maruki's powers. From seeing a bit of someone's heart to be check on the computer screens.
Akechi: We leave it to you, Oracle. Try to see what you can find.
Futaba: Yep! I knew it. This room's more of a mainframe than a monitoring system. All sorts of information's being collected here from across the Palace and getting converted into raw data.
So it was data collecting for Maruki isn't doing this alone.
Yusuke: Data collection? But, what for?
Tohru: A real pervert?
Daisuke: I hope not!
I think Maruki really wants to help out people, but using his powers without knowing its true method for all the wrong reasons.
Ryuji: Y'know, this room ain't got any sorta way forward. Think we gotta find another path somewhere else?
There might be, Jack Frost points out the location to be another path way to get through...However, it's blocked by other weird cable wires right now and active.
Junko: Is this the path?
Morgana: Actually, yes. It does look like there's a path beyond those cables-we're sure not using it as is, though.
Trying to cut them down for Aika and Hitomi give it a try one at a time...it just shocks the damages to not leave any marks.
Hitomi: It's active all right.
Aika: We walk into it, then we be deep fried.
So, any other ideas? Soon the screens show from Mementos area next of the many floors.
Ann: Oh! What is it now?
Yusuke: Is that...Mementos?
Futaba: I've tracked the location all the data is being sent to! Looks like it's going into Mementos. We might be able to make some headway if we investigate this location.
From that end and the other gathered up.
Kiwa: I got it. The rest I'll do more work on, so leave everything else to me.
All taken care of there for all of them and hopefully not hurting where Jose was at right now.
Akechi: I hope this isn't bothering Jose.
Makoto: That reminds me, Lavenza did tell us...Dr. Maruki is utilizing Mementos to distort all of reality. Even still...Are those really data cables?
It could be since they couldn't be destroyed or remove right now, unless they do something in Mementos.
Keiko: In any case, Let's go to Mementos first. And then we can come back here to finish up later on.
Akechi: Joker's right. I think we're done here for now. We do this, we can remove the cables to be gone.
Sounds like it was their only choice to do.
Futaba: Agreed, love birds. Sticking around here isn't going to help us any.
Ryuji: Alright, let's get outta here for now. Let's see if a Mementos trip does us any good!
They all agree to do so.
Aika: Then we're heading back.
Hitomi: We'll keep in touch.
Sumire: Then I'll see you all later? Kiwa, I'll see you in a bit.
The other three were ready to sign out too.
Kiwa: Of course, Violet. The rest of you guys take care. Templar and Jester will get anything else on Maruki's Palace to get back to you guys later.
Daisuke and Tohru: Bye for now.
With them leaving the Palace first and the other three to be signing out now, the others will to.
Junko: This is going quite well for all of us, heh. Not bad...I like this. Joker, you and the others do keep this up for me.
Seems fair...For Keiko and Junko's bonding and Arcana of hers goes up to five now and five more to go. A little bonus for this one...Her Persona Jack Frost fuses into Black Frost now. A bit bigger and ready to fight.
Keiko: Cool, your Persona's getting stronger, Junko.
Junko: (I see...So this is what it feels like when it happens. Not bad at all.)
Pretty cool, huh? Now it was time to leave the Palace back outside of it from one of the Safe Rooms and return to the real world now.
Keiko: Well done, everyone. Okay, we'll be back her later after Mementos is done...Whatever the next floor will be this time. Talk to you guys later. Bye.
Akechi: We're close to Maruki-san's treasure the further we go.
Team Drago of the Phantom Thief of Hearts leave back to their homes now. Not bad for their first infiltration so far. First they needed to unlock the other floor in Mementos for some requests to do, and then they can all go back. From Sumire joining the team along with three more power up and Personas, not bad. Getting ready for bed for Keiko and Morgana to be doing to do the group text message next...With Sumire now added in the group to talk to besides Junko and Morgana to read the rest of it. Also, Sumire change her profile image from her sister Kasumi and now as her real self.
[Sumire: I'd just like to thank everyone for letting me join the team like Kiwa's other team has. I'm glad to be here! I'll do my best t pull my weight!]
[Haru: We're happy to have you!]
[Ann: Yeah, welcome! But you can loosen up a little, okay? Don't worry about being so formal!]
[Sumire: I'm sorry! I'll try to address that in the future!]
[Futaba: Still sounds pretty dang stiff to me. No wonder why you and Kiwa were made for each other.]
[Sumire: A thousand pardons!]
[Junko: Listen, she can't help being who she is. So live with it.]
[Yusuke: And now she sounds like some kind of samurai.]
[Ryuji: Hey, either way, we got another teammate now! That's awesome!]
[Makoto: Indeed. We're glad to have you as well, Yoshizawa-san.]
[Sumire: Well, as long as we're dropping the formalities...You don't have to bother with the honorifics. If it's okay, I'd like everyone to just call me Sumire...]
[Makoto: If you're sure. In that case...once again, welcome to the team, Sumire.]
[Sumire: Thank you! Oh, about tomorrow-are we all going to that Mementos place? 'I think that was the name'?]
[Yusuke: That's an option.]
[Akechi: If we wish to continue locating Maruki-san's treasure, then this is the only way to do it.]
[Yusuke: But we still have plenty of time. We don't need to attempt an infiltration if we're not wholly prepared.]
[Ryuji: Yeah, that's our leader babe's call! We'll be counting on you more than ever, Keiko!]
[Keiko: I hear you, Ryuji. I got all of your backs.]
[Akechi: For my friends and my Princess, we can get through this.]
[Sumire: I'm ready any time!]
All set up then, for them to go in at any time.
Morgana: The more power, the better. That's what I always say.
Now it was time to get to sleep for another school day tomorrow.
Year 20xx
Day #279 - January 1/13th – Thursday
Still cold outside for Keiko 'to be all bundle up in her winter clothing', as she and Morgan waited for their train ride to school...With Yuuki joining them to be himself still and not affected by Maruki's false reality to talk to his friend.
Yuuki: Oh, good morning, Amamiya.
Keiko: Good morning to you too, Yuuki. (I'm glad you're not affected by Maruki's illusions.)
Yuuki: About the Phan-Site requests. If I find any this year, I'll be sure to pass the info on to you as always!
Keiko: Sure thing, just don't over do yourself this time.
Yuuki: There aren't as many posts now, but it looks like there are still plenty of people in trouble. We're all counting on you, Phantom Thieves! Dispense justice!
With one person to change the heart of, others in Mementos need the help too.
Morgana: There are still people in trouble out there, huh? ...That could mean there are still some targets left in Mementos. Whether there are or not, we'd better be prepared for anything-who knows what might happen, Madame Keiko.
Keiko: I know.
Time for the three to ride the train to school at Shujin Academy. From there, Ann sees them to walk in the entrance.
Ann: Morning, Keiko, Mishma-kun.
Keiko: Morning, Ann...Ah, what's wrong?
There's was something big on Ann's mind right now.
Ann: ...Hey, if it's okay with you, then...Can I see you after school? I'll be in the usual spot.
Sounds important to talk about.
Keiko: I'll be there soon enough this week, Ann. I promise.
Ann: All right. Thanks.
This was Yuuki's time to head to his classroom first before the two two girls join him.
Yuuki: Uh...I can go on ahead...
Ann: Oh, sorry! We're all good now! I'm gonna get going. See you later, Keiko! Just make sure to talk to me when you're free. Okay?
Sounds like a plan. During class time for the three to do well on their subjects 'and others the best they can', Keiko and Ann answer their text message of their team to be talking about when to go Mementos...In a few weeks to have plenty of time.
[Haru: Does the school's atmosphere seem...different to anyone else?]
[Yusuke: "Atmosphere" being?]
[Haru: The general mood, I suppose. Everyone seems so happy...Some of them seem like entirely new people, even.]
[Ann: I've been seeing it too. You think this is Dr. Maruki's influence?]
[Akechi: If their stories and circumstances seem radically different from before, it's a safe bet.]
[Junko: I knew it. Now do you all see why Keiko had to heal your hearts to wake up? You're welcome.]
[Ryuji: Shit. This is all so crazy...Keiko, let us know if you wanna go to Mementos when you're ready. I can be at the hideout anytime.]
[Sumire: Hideout?]
[Ryuji: What's up?]
[Sumire: Where are you all gathering?]
[Keiko: We all meet at Leblanc to be our Phantom Thieves' hideout.]
[Sumire: Um...Maybe a really seedy-looking bar?]
[Futaba: Oof! So close!]
[Ryuji: Yeah, that ain't close at all. Anyhow, come to Leblanc after school, yeah? We always gather up there.]
[Akechi: How about when Keiko gives us to word. One thing at a time to be prepare before going to Mementos. Trust me.]
[Keiko: Thank you, Akechi-Cun. I'll keep everyone posted, I promise.]
[Sumire: Okay! But are we allowed to gather there? It's a cafe.]
[Futaba: Nah,it's fine. Nobody ever goes there anyway.]
[Ann: Then it's settled! We'll all meet up at Leblanc when the time's right.]
[Sumire: Okay! I will see you all there when Keiko gives out the word.]
Finishing up with school throughout the rest of the day, and other stuff to do to talk to Ann, maybe the others too, an Sumire of their bonding and Arcana to finish growing...Later at Mementos to go back to Maruki's Palace in the a bit. They have until a month, February the 3rd. So 21 days to use very carefully.
Morgana: Okay, Madame Keiko. You know what must be done first. So be sure to take care of the rest before the dead line.
All set for this mission to start things off. After school was over, Keiko goes out to get armor, gear, guns, and weapons for her team to buy at Iwai's shop to be doing well.
Iwai: Keep it coming, Keiko.
And then down to Kichijoji - Shopping District area for Keiko and Morgana see Sumire to be shopping after school. Feeling like herself now and happier with Kiwa tagging along to be going out on their date l lot and training hard.
Sumire: Everyone in the world seems so happy...but it isn't right...
Kiwa: Yeah, it's like being in a never ending dream.
It was time to get the bonding and Arcana to grow for Keiko to hang out with Sumire today, and Kiwa tagging along too.
Keiko: This is something to deal with for one month until then. Sumire. Kiwa. Come on, we should hang out and do something together.
From friends to hang out and a date to continue on for those two. So why not?
Sumire: Okay! Oh wait, Keiko-Senpai. Kiwa and I will do those things and...I want to talk to you about something. Do you have time?
Kiwa: Please, Amamiya...? I really want to really bond in our love more.
He meant it for Keiko to keep these two together.
Keiko: I'll help you guys.
Kiwa: Yes!
Sumire: Thank you! Um, can we go elsewhere? Just the three of us? It's a bit difficult to talk about it here...
Yeah, talking at a place like this was not the same to have false reality in some areas.
Keiko: Huh? Oh, right...Come on, we'll go up to Shujin Academy school roof top.
The three go there right away and Morgana to wonder on his own again.
Morgana: I'll see you guys later.
And so, Keiko takes Kiwa and Sumire to the roof top of the high school building. To not only have Sumire to work harder to pass as a gymnast and for Kiwa to be n love with her too. So much involvement this time.
Kiwa: Go ahead, Sumire. Tell her.
She does her best to speak up.
Sumire: Um, Keiko-Senpai...
Keiko: What's up?
This has Sumire bowing down to apologize to Keiko again.
Sumire: You too, Kiwa...I am so, so sorry! To you both!
Kiwa: Wait...me to?
Keiko: Sorry for what?
Sumire: Seeing me trying to act like Kasumi must have been so painful and awkward for everyone...Everyone must have noticed that I was acting strangely...They were probably nice to me, knowing I'd just lost my sister...
It just happened under Maruki's spell.
Keiko: Hey, it's okay. It happened.
Kiwa: We know how much your sister loved you.
Sumire: But even then...I had no idea I was even supposed to be sad. I didn't remember that my sister was gone. When my coach told me "think about who I really am," I thought it was just...figurative. Something about my slump. I was just living my life-like I didn't even care that she was gone! I can't take this shame...
It just hard to get over on someone you care about to die like that.
Kiwa: Sumire...It wasn't on purpose. What could you have done? I wanted to save you to almost losing who you really are.
Keiko: He's right. At least you realize it now.
Neither Sumire's boyfriend or Keiko, her best friend aren't mad at her at all.
Sumire: Yes...I have to reflect on everything I've done wrong. Ever since we were kids, Kasumi was always the one who decided what I did, what I chose, where I went...I couldn't do anything without her...I suppose it's clear why my grades weren't going up much. I was never on Kasumi's level to begin with. I was so pretentious, so wrapped up in my own stupid little problems...I was too self-absorbed to do anything!
Trying to be someone you're not, but for Kasumi wanted Sumire to join with her for both their dreams to come true.
Kiwa: Please calm down and don't beat yourself up. I'm here for you...We all are.
From love, family, and friendship. With Kiwa hugging his girlfriend.
Sumire: Kiwa...!
Keiko: You see? You're not alone. So what'll you do now?
Good question - what was Sumire's new goal this time since she has awaken and back to normal.
Sumire: I'm fine...Really, I am for almost losing my composure. Keiko, you're a good friend to talk to you...I'm starting to remember things from our past now. It's hard, but I'm trying.
Kiwa: From your sister and your time with each other?
Sumire: From sad ones and really happy ones. There's a lot. It covers everything, starting from when Kasumi and I first got into gymnastics up until just recently. I want to talk about how it used to be for Kasumi and me. Would you listen?
For Kiwa and Keiko listens in to what Sumire wanted to tell them, with boyfriend and girlfriend holding hands with each other next.
Keiko: Okay, let's go sit down.
And they do for all three of them.
Sumire: Kasumi started gymnastics really early. And I was even younger, so I copied her in almost everything. I went to the class too. I was too little to really understand the spot or the rules...But everyone praised me when I did well. The coach would get me little rewards, like ice cream cones. We did our best trying to learn the moves and routines, since it kept getting us ice cream.
Keiko: *chuckle* You two were close, then. Those must be good memories.
Kiwa: All for ice cream, huh? No, I'm just joking. It was only the beginning for them.
For Kiwa was an outcast for Kasumi and Sumire to help him out to becoming friends, and Kiwa to fall in love with the younger sister for so long.
Sumire: Haha...Oh, Kiwa. I suppose you two are right. Keiko, I'm sure you have other siblings to have some good memories.
For some good and bad times, Keiko was happy to have her older sister and younger brother, a middle child to still be loved.
Keiko: Yeah, I'm happy.
Sumire: See what I mean? Kasumi and I ate ice cream together, we talked, we laughed...Those days were so fun. And one day, around when we started going to junior meets, Kasumi asked me... "If we can be number one in the world, does that mean we'd get all the ice cream we could eat?" ...All with a straight face, of course. She could be really funny sometimes.
Kiwa: Those two always got a long so well. Such great sisters.
Seeing Sumire happy made Kiwa and Keiko happy.
Sumire: So obviously, I told her, "Kasumi, you're a super genius!"
Keiko: …That IS genius. I like ice cream too. Teenagers or not, you two were acting like little kids.
Sumire: She really was a genius, though. Everything came so easily to her. And every day, she only got better. You remember what my coach said, Keiko. That my...well, that Kasumi's greatest weapon was her boldness? Kasumi was always so bold. She was like a beacon of confidence. And one day, I realized I'd never catch up. It didn't matter how hard I tried. I'd have consolation prizes for the rest of my life. Kasumi was always the one up the podium. But...even when she won her ice cream, she never ate it without me. I always told her not to worry about me, but she still said she'd wait until we could enjoy it together. She really believed in me. She said we'd be the best in the world someday. She had her own practices to do, but she was always so busy helping me...She spent hours trying to help me.
A lot to be told of the real Kasumi here.
Keiko: She cared about you.
Kiwa: Sounds like tough training. But this, that was nothing compare to those sisters.
Training and caring, it means something else alright.
Sumire: She was so kind and strong...She was the perfect older sister...Kasumi's kindness was so...so...infuriating.
Keiko: Why? I can imagine the good times and the bad, and it was so bad to you?
Not in a bad way to putting it.
Kiwa: She meant of worrying about her sister to be a bit care free too much. Kasumi was a good person deep down.
Sumire: She was always the one on the podium, surrounded by flashing cameras. But all I could do was watch from the shadows. I'm not Kasumi...and not matter what I do. I'll never be like her! If she'd just given up on me, it wouldn't have hurt so much! At least then people would stop trying to compare us!
Keiko: It must have been hard. And what about Kasumi's feelings?
Yeah, how did she feel during the time they wanted to make their dreams come true.
Kiwa: She was feeling joyful and doing so well, without noticing Sumire's feelings. Well, for joining together to still care as real sisters.
Sumire: You both are right...I suppose I was just selfish in the end...The thought kept coming back. Every day, my mind went back to it. Everyone would be better off if I didn't exist. Either that, or I should just be Kasumi. She's the one people really want. Sumire's the one who's useless. Pointless. Who would care if she died? ...But my sister died instead. Why did she have to protect an idiot like me...? I...I watched her-
Feeling sad for Sumire to cry and Kiwa was there for her.
Kiwa: No, Sumire. Please don't such things.
Keiko: You have to accept it so much. And try not to think about it, little at a time. It does hurt, but soon you can move on from all of this.
Yeah, Kasumi jumped in to save Sumire's life because she loved her sister a lot.
Sumire: I thought I can't do it anymore if I tried! I told myself I wouldn't hide from it! Keiko...Kiwa...I can't stop here. Now, I want to keep doing gymnastics as me...Sumire. I want to hit those heights Kasumi was aiming for. Otherwise...I'd never be able to face her again.
Getting up from the chair to be strong this time.
Kiwa: Yeah, Sumire! You say it!
Sumire: Please...will you two keep going out with me now that I'm Sumire? For love and friendship? Kiwa, always stay by my side for our love to grow! And Keiko, I want you to hold me to this. To make sure I don't run away from who I am again.
They were for Sumire to make through all of this.
Keiko and Kiwa: I will manage. To be a deal and us as friends, to care on being yourself.
Kiwa's love for Sumire and Keiko's friendship for her, it was all going to be okay.
Sumire: R-Really? Thank you both so much...Eheh...You must think I'm pretty lame, Keiko...
Keiko: No way!
Kiwa: Please don't over think it.
She tries not to.
Sumire: I know...But I guess that's Sumire. That's who I am. I have to be stronger. Both in my heart, and with my gymnastic skills...But for now...I'm Sumire Yoshizawa. And it's nice to meet the two of you, again.
Bowing to them both, Sumire was happy to get everything off her chest.
Kiwa: Oh! It's nice to meet you too, Sumire Yoshizawa!
This has the couples laughing together and Keiko too.
Keiko: Oh, you two. (A deeper bond with Sumire is growing more and more.)
And it is...For Sumire's bonding and Arcana goes up to six for today.
Sumire: Phew...I feel so much better with all of that off my chest, Keiko.
Kiwa: Cool, you feel all better now. Good. It's great to get the past out of you for a better tomorrow.
True, it does make you feel a whole lot better.
Sumire: I think this really helped me. Now I can focus on turning over a new leaf, and doing my best. Let's get some practice in until I ave to go to club, Keiko. And Kiwa, you'll be our back up coach.
Kiwa: OK!
He was fine with the whole thing.
Sumire: Thanks! We'll be training even harder than before, Keiko-Senpai. I'll be extra strict from now on.
Keiko: I'll try to keep up! (I endured a long training session with Sumire...And Kiwa seeing on how well we do, including getting much closer to Kiwa a lot more.)
Doing well to train and working out for Keiko and Sumire do the same old thing to using the school's showers, Keiko heads back to Leblanc with Morgana; while Kiwa stayed with Sumire since he was living in a big house where her family lives in...to also get a phone call from her friend to check on one another.
Morgana: It's Yoshizawa calling.
Answering the phone...
Keiko: Hey, Sumire.
[Sumire: Um...hello. I'd like to thank you and Kiwa for what happened earlier today. And I'm sorry you had to see such a pathetic side of me the most...As soon as I acknowledged myself as Sumire, my gymnastics training started to fall apart, too...But this is the real me, I guess.]
Keiko: You have to face it head on. And so what? Sumire, what if it is?
[Sumire: Yes. I'm done turning my eyes from it. Kiwa loved me for who I really am to not turn back from it now. I need to move forward, even without Kasumi. It doesn't matter how painful it is-I'll accept everything.]
Keiko: And not just us, the others are there to cheer you on as well.
[Sumire: Yeah! I'll think about where Kasumi got her strength from. And what I can o as Sumire...I'll calm down, and think all of this through. Thank you for listening to all that, Keiko. Okay, I'll talk to you again soon.]
Keiko: Be careful training, Sumire. Bye, talk to you later.
Calling it a day for Keiko helps Sojiro at Leblanc all through the evening for a bit and Morgana to relax...With a lot to be done for Sumire's bonding and the others to talk to as well for another upgrade to get like Morgana got, who knows what type of Personas the other other Phantom Thieves will be getting soon enough. Also one of the requests in Mementos for Futaba to text Keiko about a mother who wants to die for some reason with her child, and she needs to have a change of heart real soon. On it!
Operation Quest - Kuniko Kagami = Target (A Small Cry for Help)
And a few more other requests to get later on too, so until next time...
