Akira laid on his bed. Stuffed and tired from the party, everyone retired for the evening.
"Wow, it was so cool getting to meet everyone again." Sophia said. Morgana stretched his legs over the cover as he meowed in agreement.
"It's always an event with the Phantom Thieves."
"Sophia, are you planning to spend the night or are you gonna transfer to Futaba's phone?" Akira asked.
The AI hummed. "Well, I've spent some time with Futaba beforehand and Ichinose improved the program where I can jump around at will. I can leave when I have to, but I feel like spending time with you."
"If you say so."
"Speaking of which." Sophia pulled up Akira's messages.
Phantom Thieves Chat
R: Oh guys, I forgot to tell you, but Shibuya's having a massive event going on in central street, tomorrow. A street festival I think
A: Really? Oh, I heard about that. There's gonna be music, food, and everything.
Z: Hm, really? Good thing that Akane and I are here for it.
Y: Ah a street festival. A grand way to start our time together.
M: Yeah, it's perfect. We'll have to figure out a plan.
R: Plan? We just go do as we want and totally rock out the day.
F: Those crowds are pretty intimidating. I've leveled up a bit since our last grouping, but still.
Ak: Agreed. We should plan something. Haru, Makoto.
H: Us?
M: Leave it to us. Zenkichi, you don't mind Akane being away from you.
Z: Nah, if there's anyone I trust with my daughter, it's you guys.
F: Aw, thanks Gramps.
Z: Do you really have to keep calling me that? I don't even have gray hairs.
A: ...well
Z: Aw, you kids are always bullying me. You're lucky Valjean isn't here.
R: Hey, whoa, no need to whip out the Personas. Though I'd put up a fight. Right, guys?
Morgana huffed. "You guys are seriously arguing about this? Personas are only as strong as the individual. Put my name down over Ryuji's."
"Really?" Akira asked.
Ak: Zorro has something to say.
R: You can't be serious! Morgana!
A: Boys.
F: This is not the time to compare Personas. Besides we all know we'd lose to Akira.
M: Yeah
H: I don't disagree.
Y: Our leader is powerful.
R: Yeah I know that, but still!
Z: Look, we'll meet in Shibuya tomorrow. Enjoy the festival and go from there.
Ak: Sounds like a plan.
Z: See?
R: ok, ok. Night guys.
A: See ya.
Everyone gave their goodbyes as Akira put down the phone. He stretched and laid down on the bed. Morgana curled up while Sophia powered down. This trip was off to a good start, now if only he could only close his eyes.
Akira blinked a bit. The roof of LeBlanc over him before the rattling of chains suddenly appeared.
He sat up immediately. Morgana was gone as was his attic room of LeBlanc. The bed was replaced with one of his cells and the ambience shifted to a more mythical tone. He turned over and saw the surprised face of the attendant.
"Trickster?"
"Lavenza!" He got up and looked at his clothes. They weren't the prison clothes when he was trapped nor the Phantom attire during the climaxes of his adventure. It was simply his normal clothes. "What's going on here? Is there another Calamity?"
"I...do not know."
"Yeah, I knew something was...wait, you don't know."
The attendant shook her head. "I am just as surprised to see you. It's not normal for former guyests of the Velvet Room to return under such peaceful conditions."
"There's no calamity. No power seeking to take the masses?"
The girl shook her head. "None that I am aware of. And I've seen my master recently, he bears no change like before."
"Then why am I here?" Akira walked out of his cell. Lavenza waved her hand and the desk in the middle turned to a table. She twirled her fingers and a tea set appeared. "I suppose I'll be here for awhile."
"The room exists between realities. Time has little value here. I do remember you spending almost hours here, perfecting your personas. Even completing numerous tasks of Justine and Caroline in one sitting." Lavenza sat down and poured Akira a cup of tea.
He joined her as the attendant smiled.
"Perhaps we should take this moment in. It's almost a near impossibility that we've seen each other in times of peace. I do savor our time together."
"I can say the same. We barely got to know each other during the fake Igor's reign and summer was a time crunch compared to the Palaces." Lavenza hummed in agreement as she took a sip. "But something does feel off. I've been feeling off."
Lavenza tilted her head.
"I had this weird dream before I came here. I was fighting someone, I can barely remember the words, and then I saw you. You looked desperate and were calling out to me."
"...you've come to my aid plenty of times and I for one and grateful for that. Trickster, I'm the last person to ask, but has the effects of being a Phantom Thief weighed on you?"
"Hm?"
"I mean, for the past year you've delved into many situations that would break mere men. The balance of the world was on your shoulders, not to mention the tasks of your confidants."
Akira blinked and looked at his drink. Was that his problem?
"No. I didn't mind that. Stressful as it was, I strived forward to solve everything with everyone." He looked at Lavenza. "Being a Phantom Thief isn't the problem."
Lavenza sipped her drink and stared at Akira. Her golden eyes trying to find a place to pierce.
"Perhaps it is...your future."
Akira looked at her surprised.
"We may not be able to see each other nor am I what you call a real human, but I am aware of the proceeding all of humanity goes through, especially your age. In this realm, time is irrelevant. What may seem like hours to days to you may feel like mere seconds to a being such as I. This is your next stage in life."
Akira sighed. "Yeah, it is. But that shouldn't mean much. My friends here, the college I chose let me come back to them, and things are perfect. I just can't figure out why it doesn't feel real."
"Have you ever been truly happy?" Lavenza asked.
The trickster looked surprised at the question as Lavenza pulled out her book. She flipped through several pages.
"In the beginning, you were at your lowest. Yet you gained allies, family, and power. Even after you returned to your home town, that did not diminish your feelings. Though you've gone through a considerable amount of pain to do so."
"I thought we knew it wasn't me being a Phantom Thief."
"Perhaps not your accomplishments, but your regrets."
The silence between the two weighed heavily as Lavenza stared at her "prisoner". Akira's hands clenched his pants as he unconsciously tried pushing up his glasses. He stopped when he realized he wasn't wearing any.
"So that's it." Lavenza muttered. "You still think of-"
"Lavenza…" She put a hand to stop him. He looked around and saw nothing.
"Trickster, it appears your reality is calling to you. This was...a pleasant surprise. I do hope we get another chance to do so." She reached out and held out her hand. He reached out to hold hers when his eyes snapped open.
Morgana was looking over him.
"You ok? You were tossing and turning again."
Akira blinked and got up. "I'm fine."
Sophia was already on and shared a look with Morgana. The two didn't say anything as Akira got dressed.
Running down the stairs, Akira was greeted by the sight of Futaba and Sojiro. "Yo, Akira. Are you ready for today?"
"Oh, yeah. Festival right?" Akira sat down and started eating the food in front of him.
Sojiro crossed his arms. "You'll be alright Futaba?"
"Please, I've gotten much stronger. My PE records are definitely higher now." Futaba said. Akira sat down next to Futaba and patted her head. "H-Hey, what's the big idea?"
"Just proud of you."
Futaba grinned. "Yes, praise me more."
Sojiro smiled at the scene between the two when the bell jingled. The three looked at the door and saw Ryuji there. The blonde ran up to them. "Morning boss. Futaba, Kira."
Morgana walked down. "Ah Ryuji, never dull moment."
"Silence cat." Ryuji said. "Anyways, I was up for a morning run when I realized I could just meet you guys here. Ann texted me and said she was going to meet up with Makoto and Haru for Akane."
"And Inari."
The door opened and in came Yusuke. "Behold, I went out and bought some juice bottles for Akira to hold in his bag."
"You kids really know how to make a morning interesting." Sojiro said. "If it's Shibuya today, I recommend leaving now. The trains will only get more packed as the day continues. Eat, use the bathroom, whatever it is. Better get that done now."
Ryuji sighed. "Yeah, you're right there boss. Is there anything you gotta do Akira?"
Akira hummed. "Just the bathroom then we'll go. You guys?"
"We're good." Ryuji said. Akira nodded and went to do his business.
As he was washing his hands, he turned to the side. "Sophia, you there?"
"Always." The AI responded.
"What's the weather going to be? Hate for another rainy day." Akira said. Sophia loaded up her info and began to tell him of a sunny day when he looked in the mirror. Her voice was drowned out as he was weirdly focusing on his reflection.
Were there bags under his eyes? Visits to the Velvet Room never left with these marks. He leaned a bit closer when his Joker self appeared. The mask was torn off and all that was left was the blood splatter from the tear.
Akira felt his heart leapt into his chest as he stared into his reflection's eyes. One of his gray eyes was golden like Lavenza's. He curiously touched his face as the reflection did the same. They held the same pose when Joker slammed his head into the mirror. Akira almost leapt back at the sudden move as blood poured from Joker's head.
"Free them." Joker begged. Suddenly, lightning and fire lit up behind his Metaverse self. His reflection turned and crossed his arms. "FREE THEM!"
"What?!" Akira said before falling over.
"Joker!" Sophia cried out. Akira was panting as he got up. The mirror wasn't cracked and there was no blood.
Akira wiped off the cold sweat as he pulled out his phone. Sofia gave him a worried look. "Akira, are you ok? You looked scared."
"I'm...I'm fine, Sophia. I just remembered something I'd regret to do when we leave."
"What is it?"
Akira touched his head as he tried racking up an excuse. "It's...trying some pancakes. An old friend really liked them."
Sophia just stared at Akira.
"I'm serious."
"Very well. I'll add pancakes to your to-do list at the festival." Sophia said. Akira nodded and cleaned himself up. He walked out and saw Futaba waiting out for him.
"Dude, you ok? I heard you fall and honestly I expected Sojiro first before you."
Akira laughed a little at the implication, but shook his head. "I'm fine Futaba. I just remembered looking online at a possible pancake station. Just made me remember Akechi and all that."
"Oh, Akechi. I haven't heard that name in awhile." Futaba said.
"Yeah, me too." Akira said. He stretched his arms and walked ahead. "Where's Ryuji and Yusuke?"
"Outside with Morgana. They're arguing something about group turns. You know Mona insults Ryuji, Ryuji fires back, and Yusuke manages to get involved through friendly fire." Futaba said.
"Yeah. Makes sense."
Up above them in the sky where no one truly looked. A crackle of white lightning sparked across the clouds.