Captain Blues: Ahoy-hoy, I am back with a new chapter. And some news. I have been updating this fic to add more things. I have so far updated the prologue to chapter nineteen due to uploading this fic onto AO3. With that, a lot of things have changed, not only with Ren's past but added a bonding scene with Mishima and Ren which I find pretty cute.
With that said, I've also decided on a pairing. With how I am planning Mishima's personality and his social link, his pairing of Chiharu/Mishima is not going to work. With how things are going to go, I'm locking in the Yusuke/Mishima pairing. I know Rain originally planned it, and I was someone who voted against it and wanted Futaba/Yusuke when he put that out there but now, I'm honestly kind of digging the thought of it.
I feel bad for the person who created that TV Tropes page because they'll have to add this pairing on the pairing list, along with some of the changes I put in for Ren and his past with the female Persona 3 Portable Protagonist.
Now before people freak regarding the Yusuke/Mishima pairing, trust me. Now! Let's start the chapter, shall we?
Persona V: Reversing the Wheel of Fate
Chapter Thirty – Seven
[Opening Scene: Shibuya - Teikyu Building Accessway (Afternoon)
Theme of Team Meeting: Zodiac from Persona 2: Innocent Sin]
"That old lady totally elbowed me," Ryuji whined as he sat there beside Mishima, who was bandaging the small cut on Ryuji's cheek, caused by that old lady.
The two had barely escaped that stampede at the Museum, and in desperation, they fled to the Accessway. As Mishima bandaged him up, Ryuji was looking at the Phan-site on his phone.
"All d-done," Mishima told him as he put his medical supplies back into his bookbag.
"Thanks, Cinnamon Bun, You're a lifesaver," Ryuji chirped with a wide smile.
Mishima let out a flustered sound as his cheeks heated. "Y-You're welcome, Ryuji-kun," Mishima mumbled before he glanced at Ryuji's phone. "You're on t-the Phan-site," Mishima commented. "How come?"
"Hm? Oh, duh, you made the damn site!" Ryuji laughed before he handed Mishima his phone. "There was a post that reminded me of Madarame. It was about a plagiarizing artist, I think. Can you find it for me?"
Mishima beamed and gingerly pushed Ryuji's phone away before he pulled his laptop from his bookbag. "T-Thank you, but it's easier for me to find p-posts due to me needing to allow the anonymous postings. I-It will take a moment," Mishima said as he turned on his laptop.
"So this is where you two went!" Ren's voice shouted out.
Ryuji turned his head and waved Ann and Ren over with a grin. "About time," Ryuji said.
Ann immediately caught sight of the bandage on his right cheek and asked, "How did you get hurt? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just an old lady with a mean elbow," Ryuji joked.
"I-I found it!" Mishima exclaimed.
[Theme of Information: Suspicion from Persona 5]
"Found what?" Ren and Ann asked at the same time.
"This post I was looking for," Ryuji explained before he turned to Mishima and said, "Tell them."
Mishima nodded and said, "W-Well. The post says, "A monster of the Japanese arts is plagiarizing his pupil's work. Only his public face is shown on TV." W-Wow, this posted just last night…"
"That's when I saw it, but at the time, I didn't think much of it. But when I heard this reporter talking to Madarame about his "shack" today, something triggered my memory of it," Ryuji told the group.
"T-There is more," Mishima said. "The post continues with, "His treatment of the pupils who live with him is awful. He teaches nothing and bosses them around. He treats them inhumanely as if disciplining a dog…" How awful…"
Mishima's eyes began to tear up.
Ryuji noticed this and slung an arm around Mishima and said, "Hey, it'll be alright little moe."
"Ryuji's right," Ann said as she walked in front of Mishima then knelt to brush his hair. "I know it brings awful memories of that monster. I'm sorry."
Mishima shook his head and murmured, "It's alright…"
"Hm, Abuse on top of plagiarism…" Ryuji heard Morgana say as the cat-like being poked his head out of Ren's bag.
"If this is real, it'll be a huge scandal," Ryuji said to the group while nodding to Morgana to let him know that he heard him.
"Do you think Kitagawa-san could have posted this?" Ann asked Ren, who crossed his arms in thought.
"He could have," Ren answered before he looked at Mishima and said, "Are you able to tell if Kitagawa Yusuke posted it?"
"It's anonymous," Mishima quietly replied.
"Damn," Ren muttered. "Doesn't matter. While I would like for us to confirm that the post is about Madarame, my gut is telling me that the artist the post is talking about is describing Madarame, so we should continue to investigate."
Ryuji and Ann nodded.
"Speaking of that Yusuke guy, you guys decide on his proposal?" Ryuji asked.
"We're doing it," Ann said with a frown. "It's our only key to getting closer to this Madarame thing. Might as well use it."
"I don't like it, but a key is a key," Ren said. "We got the address to his sensei's atelier."
"Which could be a potential location of his palace if he as one," Morgana said.
Ren, Ryuji, and Ann nodded while Mishima looked at Morgana curiously. "Why do you guys go s-silent anytime that cat speaks?" Mishima asked.
"I'm not a cat!" Morgana exclaimed.
"Just thinking," The trio said in unison before Ryuji stood up and asked, "How fast can we get this modeling thing going?"
"Yusuke said he could do it whenever we want, and that time didn't matter, just do it sooner rather than later," Ann muttered.
"We have some free time now. Why don't we go zip over there now?" Ryuji offered.
"S-So soon?!" Ann exclaimed.
"If I was a betting man, Ann and I might be Madarame's next "Piece," so he's not going to care if it's short notice. Especially if he's on some deadline," Ren said as he crossed his arms. "Doing it today would be a good idea. Maybe we can find some clues as well."
"Ugh, I hate modeling on short notice…" Ann whined.
"We're just going over to talk and get the lay of the land," Ryuji said. "You guys can set up the modeling some other time."
Ann nodded then said, "Well, let's get over there."
[Scene Change: Shibuya - Inokashira (Afternoon)
Theme of Meeting: Honmaru Park from Persona 2: Innocent Sin]
"What a nice day," Shiho said as she walked beside Haru, a cheerful expression on her face.
"I agree. Despite the dark cloud of our future conversation, it's a beautiful day today," Haru agreed as she shut her eyes and enjoyed the nice cool breeze on her face.
"So Haru-chan, how did you meet with this Hifumi, anyways?" Shiho questioned.
"O-Oh, remember before we celebrated Kamoshida's defeat?" Haru asked.
Shiho nodded.
"Well, I went on a cruise where all of the rich and famous went. Hifumi-san's mother was talking with my father, and we hit it off," Haru explained.
"Hit it off so well that you two traded numbers?" Shiho questioned.
"Yeah, I thought she was pretty cool," Haru bashfully admitted. "I'm glad she did."
Shiho eyed her friend thoughtfully and went to reply before Haru pointed ahead and said, "There she is. Come on."
Shiho nodded, and the duo ran to Hifumi, who sat on a bench looking out at the lake. Once the two got near, Shiho watched as Hifumi stood up and dusted off her skirt before she offered a small smile. "Hello Haru-san," Hifumi said.
"Hi Hifumi-san," Haru replied as she stood straighter. "Um, this my friend and someone that can help us. Her name is Suzui Shiho," Haru introduced.
"Nice to meet you," Shiho said as she held out her hand.
"I'm Togo Hifumi. Nice to meet you too, Suzui-san," Hifumi told her.
"Shiho, please," Shiho kindly corrected as the trio sat down on the bench. "So, Haru-chan has told me about your issue…Just to confirm, how long has it been?"
"It was a little bit after Haru-san and I met," Hifumi answered, her eyes glancing at Haru briefly before looking back at Shiho. "I had won against an opponent, and while I was in my dressing room, this person that looked like me was in the mirror."
Shiho and Haru exchanged a look. "Did this thing speak to you?"
"Yeah. She's been…" Hifumi paused as an upset expression appeared on her face. "She's been accusing my mother of things. Things my mother hasn't done."
"Like what?" Haru gently prodded.
"Like my mom is using me and abusing me by forcing me to do things I don't want to do," Hifumi replied. "It's nothing terrible, I assure you. Just things like magazine shoots and dates with socialites. Things like that…"
Shiho noted the uncomfortable look on Hifumi and frowned. Shiho felt that there was more to it than what Hifumi was telling them.
But she would not push it for now.
"Every day, she taunts me and eggs me on, and I don't know how this happened or what to do anymore. So I told Haru-san about it, and she said that you and her could help me," Hifumi explained. "But I'm unsure of what this thing even is and how anyone can help."
Shiho and Haru look at one another for a moment and then looked to Hifumi. "We know what's going on with you, but it's difficult to explain. At least in public," Shiho said.
"Would you be willing to come to my home so we can talk further?" Haru questioned.
Hifumi opened her mouth to answer until a small chime stopped her. She pulled out her phone, and Shiho watched the green-eyed girl visibly deflate. "I can't…" Hifumi whispered. "My mother requires my assistance. Can we do this later by chance?"
"Sure," Haru answered before Shiho could get a word in.
"G-Great. Um, I'm available the day after tomorrow, so if you want, I can come to your place then?" Hifumi suggested.
"That would work great, Hifumi-san," Haru replied as Hifumi stood up. "I do not wish for you to be harmed or to harm yourself if this thing continues to ramp up its taunting, so contact me. Heck, even if it doesn't, and you just need someone to talk to, I will always be available. No matter what the time. All you have to do is call, okay?"
Shiho watched as Hifumi looked taken aback as she asked, "Really?"
Haru nodded. "Yes. We may have only talked sparingly, but I like to think we're friends. And friends look out for one another."
Hifumi stared at Haru before a soft expression appeared on her face, which caused Haru's cheeks to redden slightly. "Thank you, Haru-san. You have no idea how much that means to me. My mother says friendship only gets in the way of competition, so I would be happy to count you as my first friend."
Haru beamed in response and to Shiho's surprise, a hint of red appeared on Hifumi's cheeks. "W-Well," Hifumi began. "Thank you both for the meeting with me, despite how short it was," Hifumi said as she gave an apologetic bow before she looked at Haru and said, "So I'll see you later."
"I'll see you later," Haru replied.
Their gaze seemed to linger for a moment before Hifumi cleared her throat and rushed out a, "See you both later," and quickly retreated, leaving Shiho and Haru on the bench alone.
Shiho slowly turned to Haru with a wide grin on her face and asked, "So um, how well did you two hit it off?"
[Scene Change: Shibuya – Madarame's Shack (Afternoon)
Theme of Madarame's Shack: Disquiet from Persona 5]
"Is…That it?" Ryuji asked with an unsure tone in his voice.
"This is the right address," Ann confirmed after looking at the address in her phone then back at the shack. "The door plate does say "Madarame" on it."
"Cool…So uh. Who's knocking on the door?" Ryuji asked.
"Do you think it could survive a knock?" Ann asked, which caused Ren, Mishima, and Ryuji to snort.
"No one sneezes, or we'll blow this house down, okay?" Morgana quipped, which caused Ryuji to laugh.
"Come on, let's get in there," An amused Ren said as he leads the group to the front door. Once at the door, Ren rings the doorbell.
"Who is it?" Yusuke's voice asked. "Sensei is currently-"
"It's Takamaki and Amamiya," Ann answered.
"I'll be right out!" Yusuke exclaimed before the line went dead.
"Holy shit, people do live here…." Ryuji muttered with disbelief.
A few seconds later, Yusuke opened the sliding door with a slight smile on his face. "Amamiya-san, Takama-" Yusuke paused at the sight of Mishima and Ryuji. "Oh, you two are here as well."
"Don't sound so disappointed," Ryuji dryly quipped.
"M-My apology. I-I can leave i-if you want," Mishima stammered out.
Yusuke's eyes softened somewhat at Mishima before he sighed and said to Mishima, "There is no need for that." He turned his attention to Ryuji and said, "I apologize for my tone. I just wasn't expecting more guests."
"S'okay," Ryuji said, waving off Yusuke's apology. "Besides, we ain't here to talk about the modeling gig you want Ren and Ann to do. There's something we gotta ask you.:"
"Oh?" Yusuke replied.
"Yes," Ren began.
He didn't know why but he had a feeling he needed to step in before Ryuji bungled it all up. " Kitagawa-san, forgive us, but we've come to ask you a few questions about Madarame."
"Sensei? What questions do you have about him?" Yusuke asked.
"There have been some rumors that we read about him. It says he is plagiarizing the works his students do and is abusing them on top of that," Ren explained. "It's my fault. After you met with us, I wanted to learn more about this Madarame character and saw several posts that said the same thing. Ann and I got worried when our friend Mishima found another post, so we wanted to make sure you were alright."
"Yeah," Ann followed up. "You seemed so distracted when Madarame was near us at the museum, and we just worried that our painter was having his work stolen from him."
Ren focused on Yusuke, and for a moment, he saw panic and horror in the blue-haired teen's eyes before they were replaced by mirth. "I thank you for your concern, but that is the most preposterous thing I've ever heard," Yusuke said with a chuckle. "Not only is plagiarism impossible, but abuse?"
Suddenly, Ren heard a chime coming from his cellphone.
Yusuke chuckled again and added, "If he hated children so much to have them, he would never allow pupils like me into his home."
"There is more than one way for people to abuse others," Ren told him softly.
Ren noticed Yusuke stiffen at this. "I know it's presumptuous to ask this of you since you reside here and are studying under him, but we just wanted to make sure because if not, then we can laugh this off. But if he is, we want to help you in any way we can," Ren told him with a compassionate tone.
Yusuke faltered for a moment before he replied, "I had no family when Sensei took me in and raised me into what you see now. I thank you again for your concern, but without a shadow of a doubt, he is not abusing me in any way. Those website forums you read that on is utter rubbish."
Ren could see that he was rattled by the concern he and his friends were giving him, but before he could get another word in, Madarame walked out into the open and said, "Yusuke, what's going on? I hear talking."
"It's nothing, Sensei. They were just concerned about modeling for me, and I was soothing their worries," Yusuke explained.
Ren narrowed his eyes at Yusuke.
He lied.
Interesting.
"Ah, that is very good. Modeling, especially if it is your first time, can be a troubling experience," Madarame said to the group with a smile before he patted Yusuke on the shoulder and added, "But don't you kids worry, you're in good hands with Yusuke."
"We're glad to hear that," Ann said with a hesitant smile.
"Well, I better get back inside. Do try and keep it down out here, Yusuke," Madarame admonished, but Ren frowned as the man looked at the teen, which made Yusuke subtly flinch. "I apologize for interrupting. Continue with your conversation," Madarame said as he walked back inside, leaving the group of teens alone.
Once Madarame was gone, Ryuji said, "Dude, you didn't have to lie like that."
"I know," Yusuke replied. "But you all came here out of concern for my safety, and as offended as I was, I am also grateful that you all came just for me." Yusuke's eyes suddenly lit up as he reached into his pocket. "I know! I think you'll be able to believe that sensei means no harm if I show you that painting."
Yusuke pulled out his phone and showed the group a beautiful painting of a pale-skinned woman sitting before the moon and a tree branch, wearing a red sweater with a look of adoration on her face as she gazed down at the gray smoke that lined the bottom of the picture.
"This is his maiden work as well as his most representative piece. It's titled "Sayuri." Beautiful, is it not?" Yusuke asked as Mishima and Ann nodded in agreement.
"Sayuri…What a b-beautiful name," Mishima said, entranced by the beautiful image.
"It is," Yusuke murmured. "This was the painting that inspired me to become an artist."
"Look, I'll be the first one to admit that I know dick about fine art shit. But even I can tell that this is impressive," Ryuji breathed out.
"It truly is," Ren agreed.
Yusuke softly smiled as he looked to Ann and Ren, then said, "When I first saw you two, I felt the same powerful emotion as when I saw this painting. I wish to pursue beauty like this. And I believe that drawing the two of you will be part of that pursuit."
"W-Well, when you put it like that," Ren muttered. "Tomorrow. We can do it tomorrow, right Ann?"
"Y-yeah," Ann said with a questioning look to Ren.
"Marvelous," Yusuke said with a beaming smile. "I will see you both tomorrow then. You all have a wonderful night and again, thank you for your concerns." Yusuke bowed and walked back into the house and closed the door, leaving the four alone outside.
The four walked across the street in silence, and once they were on the other side, Mishima stammered out, "They s-seem like nice p-people, don't they?"
"Yusuke does," Ren said with narrowed eyes. "But I can tell he was rattled by us reaching out to him."
"And that painting, I cannot see someone like Madarame painting that. I see love and compassion in the painting, and from the way, Madarame was staring at Yusuke, I doubt he even knows what those words mean," Ann hissed out.
"And poor Yusuke, that dude looks deep into denial," Ryuji said.
"Hey Ren," Morgana whispered as he poked his head out of his bag. "I heard a chime from your phone earlier. Check the Meta-Nav."
Ren pulled out his phone and chuckled. "Well, it seems we're right on the ball," Ren said as he held up his phone to reveal the Meta-Nav, with the keywords of "Madarame-Plagiarism-Shack" already entered.
"W-What is that?" Mishima asked.
"Whoa, it picked up our conversation and found the keywords," Ryuji said.
"I knew it," Ann said. "But it looks like we're missing one word."
"Damn, so close but so far," Ryuji said. "Looks like we're going to have to guess the last word."
"Guess what? W-What is going on?" Mishima mumbled.
The trio looked at one another then turned to Mishima. "I think you should head on out," Ren told Mishima gently. "This is part of the Phantom Thieves thing, and we don't want you to get in a huge mess in case we're caught."
"O-Oh, okay," Mishima replied with a sad expression, which made Ren feel like he had just kicked a puppy. Mishima's eyes then widened with horror. "Oh n-no! I left my dad at the museum! He's going to be so ma-"
"Beginning Navigation."
Captain Blues: And that is the end of this chapter. See you guys next time!