Today's Infiltration: Takemi Clinic. Objective: Talk to Tae Takemi about Joker. Checkpoints: The Clinic Entrance.

Futaba took a deep breath as she stared at the door. While she wasn't the upfront with confrontation, this was simply an interview. She only had to ask questions and not be suspicious.

She took one step and fell into a crouch.

'Wah! What am I doing?! Dr. Takemi is too much for me! From what I hear from the cafe and Joker, she can easily banter with them. How am I supposed to talk with her like this!'

"Excuse me?" A mature voice called out.

"AAH!" Futaba screamed as she turned to see her target. The punk doctor was in more casual wear. Rather impressive wear that Futaba wouldn't mind rocking if she ever got the stones for it. "D-Dr. Takemi."

"Sakura, I take it. What brings you to my doorstep?"

"W-Well, I-I came by t-to ask you something. Nothing important, I mean it's a bit important, but I-you can judge depending on the matter. I just think-" Futaba rambled on until Takemi put a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"I'll be the judge of what's important. Come inside."

Futaba soon found herself in the examination room with Dr. Takemi putting on her medical coat. The doctor sat in front of her and crossed her legs.

'Holy cow those legs! I thought Ann's or Makoto's were impressive! If Joker sees this then I wouldn't be shocked at all.'

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"What did you want to ask me?" Dr. Takemi leaned forward. "You're not sick from the last time we saw each other. Your guardian, Sojiro Sakura, has told me from my visits to the cafe that you've had excellent health."

Futaba swallowed nervously. "Um, I suffer intense anxiety and medicine might help."

Dr. Takemi looked at her for a second before shaking her head with a chuckle. "You got a prescription? I know there's rumors of my...dealings, but I've stopped doing such things."

"Oh." Futaba sweated even more. If there was a conversation then the drugs would've been a good leaping off point. "I'm picking up stress medicine for...Ren."

The look in Takemi's eyes changed. "Ah. You're part of his little group, I assume."

"What?! No! N-N-No! Group, I mean, what group?"

Takemi chuckled. "There's no need to hide these things from me, Sakura. I've been quite aware for awhile that my medicine was being used by a particular group of thieves. After all, your leader has done wonderful things for me."

"Things?"

"You know, tests, examines, experimentation." Futaba's mind saw the look in Tae's eyes and with her tainted mind of memes, internet culture, and the deep recesses of man, it lead to more...lewd things. "What did you do to Joker!"

"Joker? Amamiya, correct?"

Futaba sighed. It was already too late. The woman was already aware of the identity of the Phantom Thieves leader. "Yeah."

"I guess I should ask why you seem so particular about seeing me? Did something happen with my products that the Phantom Thieves need to check on me?"

"No. I mean, check on you yes, but we were curious." Takemi raised an eyebrow. "Ren does all these things for the Phantom Thieves. Armor, weapons, medicine. We...wanted to know about his confidants and how they feel about him."

"Feel, you say." Takemi echoed. The young girl's blush meant this was something deeper, but what she said to her now wasn't a lie. "Grateful and happy to assist the thieves in their activities."

"Really?"

"Yes. I've dedicated myself to medicine for some time and I've always done it under the pretense of helping bring smiles to those in need. If my medicine helps the Thieves bring those smiles then I'm grateful."

"Ok, but what Ren himself." Futaba looked at the ground. "He's the one you interacted the most with."

"True." Takemi said. "Ren has done plenty of things to gain access to my more potent items and for some discounts too. I'm grateful to him as well, but if two girls are talking about a boy then I'm guessing your questions are of more...romantic nature?"

Futaba eeped. The doctor was drowning her in her cool composure and breaking down her defenses.

"Hm, you know I'm much older than he is." Futaba nodded. "I won't deny he's a looker for his age and he's very mature for his age, but younger guys don't do it for me."

"Okay. I just assumed a lot since he's very cool."

Takemi nodded. "That he is. I won't deny that. He's quite the conundrum. I, sometimes, have trouble making heads or tails of his decisions. Like the aftermath of that investigation stint."

Futaba nodded.

"Did I answer your questions?"

"Yes, you did! Sorry for disturbing you!"

"It's no problem. Although next time be more upfront with what you want. If it's something like this then we can discuss at Leblanc." Takemi said. Futaba got up and nodded. Bowing respectfully, she walked out of the clinic.

Futaba walked to Leblanc with her head swirling from the interaction. "I need Sojiro's curry to replenish me."

Takemi watched her go before flipping her sign closed.

"Ren Amamiya, a match for me? That's hilarious." She muttered to herself. Takemi paused as she looked at the examination room. Her eyes flickered at the bed as she did remember...the investigation room aftermath.

A While Ago…

Takemi's Clinic was doing its rounds per usual. Though the main doctor was a bit preoccupied when her small TV reported something she didn't quite catch.

-The Leader of The Phantom Thieves has committed suicide with in police headquaters-

"It can't be." The clinic was empty, luckily. Tae Takemi, the Plague, was no stranger to death. Her field practically demanded that she comes to terms with those who die, who she can't save. And as far as she knows, she can't save someone from their own hand.

"Ren." Her instincts as a doctor took over. Whatever nerves were shaking her body went still. She took deep breaths and stepped away from the TV.

Still this was her guinea pig, her assistant, her friend. Takemi saw her hand still shaking and clutched her wrist.

"You idiot. What did you do to warrant such actions?" Takemi pondered.

Suddenly a loud knock on the door.

"Patients?" She walked over to the door and opened. "Hello, how can I...Sakura?"

Sojiro Sakura stood in front of her. The old boss of her favorite cafe was holding someone covered in a blanket.

"Dr. Takemi. I need your help!"

"Your daughter? I'm sorry, but wrapping her in a blanket will-" She lifted the blanket and her eyes widened. A bloody and beaten Joker greeted her. "Bring him in! Once we lay him down, I want you to make sure no one knows who brought you or if you were followed."

Sojiro nodded and moved outside.

Her instincts kicked into overdrive as she took the groaning teen into the examination room. Laying him down, Takemi took off the blanket.

Ren was covered in bruises. There was some blood splattered on Shujin turtleneck as well.

"What happened to you!" The Japanese police force wasn't well known for its kindness. Takemi herself had done numerous research papers on the conditions suspects were treated from the leaked controversies surrounding the public servants of the law. Still this was excessive.

"It's just scratch." He croaked.

"Alongside a concussion, several lacerations, bruised wrists, and god knows how many more." Takemi said.

She grabbed his jacket and tossed it off. There was no time for modesty, the extent of the injuries had to be examined. Not only from the incident itself, but from what else he may have received from escaping.

"Tae, I'm fine. I can sleep it off and Morgana can cast Dia."

"You are definitely not ok." He was also disoriented. He kept muttering about his friends and how they had "Personas" that could heal him. The fact that he said that his cat was the best medic sealed the deal for how badly he was injured.

What felt like hours later and Ren was out like a light. Takemi found the right pills and antibiotics to prescribe alongside some fresh gauzes and ointments for his injuries. She almost collapsed in her chair exhausted.

She sat right next to his bedside. He looked so peaceful despite being wrapped up. He wore some compression on his leg. Apparently a detective stomped on it during the end of his torture session.

The real horror was from the amount of drugs in his system. A close examination at his neck and she could see the needle marks. Drawing some blood and examining it, she knew how to counteract any future problems.

"Damn it, my guinea pig. You really scared me." She muttered. Sojiro was informed and Takemi decided to keep her clinic closed tomorrow for Ren to sleep in before transferring him back to the cafe where it was safe.

She looked closer and tsked. "Hopefully they didn't ruin your health or looks in the future. It'd be a shame."

Her hand twirled a bang of his hair.

Takemi didn't know she was blushing a little as she shook her head. "He really scared me back then. Though, I guess he made it up later on."

Weeks Later…

Takemi looked up at the newest arrival. And surprise, surprise. It was a dead man walking.

"Hey Tae."

"Ren. Are you being careful?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just wanted to come over. See you."

"Me? You flatter me." Takemi said. "Well, we no longer have to do anymore clinical trials. So I don't think-"

Ren cleared his throat. "I was actually thinking about dinner."

The doctor blinked. "Eh?"

The teen rubbed the back of his head. "We're close. Really close to finishing our business, but before that day comes, I thought I'd thank you for helping get back in the fight. Medicine and all."

"You pay up front for all my products and you've taken good care of yourself since that night. I think we're square."

"Please, I insist." It takes a man full stats in charm and intelligence to even think of asking that. Takemi sighed and shrugged.

"Sure, why not. You have an idea or are you treating me to what I want?"

"Whichever."

"Heh, good to know you're still flexible my dear guinea pig." She took off her medical coat and grabbed her leather jacket. "Let's go somewhere healthy. Can't imagine your diet of coffee and curry are doing you favors."

"You'd be surprised." Ren said with a smirk.

The two went out, ate, and soon were walking down Inokashira Park. Tae rubbed her stomach. "Mhm, that was delicious. The sake was great with the sushi."

"It's a good thing I maxed out Mementos on cash." Ren muttered. Tae looked confused when Ren coughed in his fist. "I mean it was a pleasure eating with you."

"I guess. Though I suppose it's nice to walk things off before heading home." The doctor and the teen stopped at the lake.

Takemi let out a huff, the heat forming a small puff of steam.

"Cold?"

"Don't dote on me." Takemi said. "I'm an adult and a doctor. I should know more than anyone my limits."

Ren raised his hands in surrender. "Just making sure. I don't want to make things burdensome for you."

"You, a burden? That'd be a first." Tae said. "You've always been helpful and sometimes a pain in the ass when you called me out on helping that girl."

"Well, you did help."

Tae rolled her eyes. "Still, you helped me with Miwa and saved my ass from Oyamada. So we can call things even my guinea pig."

"Will I ever escape that nickname?"

"Not really. Because it's true, Mr. Dead-Man." Tae jokes. Ren smiled and looked at the moon.

The two fell into silence as they looked at the sky. The light of the city made it hard to find stars, but the moon still shined over them.

"You're still good, right. I noticed you were touching your head a bit more than usual."

"I was stepped on. It feels...off at times."

"Are you serious? You idiot!" Ren turned to Tae facing him. "If you're still facing challenges after all the medication and treatment, you should've let me know! What's wrong with you?"

"Tae, it's ok."

"It's not." The doctor scooted a bit closer. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him. "You keep acting strong despite all you've been through. If I had a week, I could give the physical and psychological reasons that it's not good to do so."

Ren looked ashamed.

"Come on, we're going to the clinic and looking it over." She got up and tried pulling him up.

"Tae, I'm fine." He resisted.

"Let me be the judge of that." She tugged again.

"Tae!" Ren stopped her and stood up. Her breath hitched at the sudden close proximity. He towered over and looked down with his piercing grey eyes. "There's no need to do so. I need to trust me."

"Trust?"

"Yeah, trust. You know I'd go to you if I really needed help." Ren looked at the ground and then at her. "Besides, I need to prepare for tomorrow."

Tae glared at him. "Fine, you know what, do what you need to do. Hell, I throw a couple of new experimental medicines for a higher discount."

"That's not what I'm hoping for." Ren started. Tae backed away. "Tae, I know you're worried about losing your guinea pig."

"It's about my friend, Ren." Tae stopped him. "We are friends. And friends do what they can for each other. If you have something going that I missed and it screws you over and your group, I can't live with that. What if you die for real?"

"I won't die. The man we're after, he needs to pay. Not just for me, but for another friend of mine." He paused. "You saved me from injuries that night and I just wanted to show my gratitude. What I do next is my personal business."

Tae sighed angrily and dropped her glare. Her heart was pounding now. How could he still have that neutral look in his eye despite this. Refusing her help and now she was acting all worried like…

Tae stopped thinking about that moment as she remembered her conversation with Futaba. Obviously they made up afterwards around the time Shido confessed. But he was still Ren. Still the leader of the Phantom Thieves. Still this conundrum.

They were friends. It was natural to be protective of your friends, but what if she indulged in Futaba's mindset. What if it was a bit more…?

Tae could feel her face heat up as she thought up more of their "close encounters". Spending time with the trials, getting closer with her past, stopping Oyamada. Even staying by his side as he recovered from his beating. The doctor clutched at her heart.

"Damn it, no." Tae muttered. "I really thought I wasn't into younger guys."

Shinjuku…

Haru Okumura waited as the person in front of her got their fortune read. "Mona said she's really good too. Perhaps a look into business ventures and maybe…"

Haru covered her cheeks at the thought of a compatibility test. "No, I need to make sure of her first!"

Chihaya Mifune looked up from her table when the client left. "Ah, Empress. I've been expecting you!"

"...huh?"