"Lady Ann! Lady Ann! I'm so excited to see Lady Ann again!" Morgana trembled in anticipation inside of Ren's bag. "Just wait until she sees me in my dashing new collar! She'll be charmed for sure!"

"I'm sure she will buddy." Ren patted the cat's head. "Calm down, we'll be there soon." As he looked outside, watching the heavy rain bat against the windows of the train, he felt an arm bump against his shoulder.

"Storm's gettin' pretty bad out there, don't ya think?" Junpei Iori asked, leaning against him. "Didja make sure to bring an umbrella?"

"I...kinda forgot." Ren admitted sheepishly.

"Guess we're in the same boat then. Think they sell'em at the station?"

"Not sure." He shrugged. "I hope so."

The trio of Shadow Ops members were currently on their way to Tokyo via bullet train. Their reason for doing so; Ann had texted Ren yesterday about an upcoming photoshoot that she and Yukari were doing together in Shibuya. Having not seen each other for 6 months, Ann invited him to stop by and visit, as well as possibly catch up afterwards over coffee.

Morgana, having seen the message, promptly invited himself along, assuring Ren that the text was for the both of them. As for Junpei...he just happened to be in the room when Ren requested time off. After hearing Yukari's name come up, he decided to pay his friend from high school a surprise visit. The fact that he would be in a room full of models was only an added bonus and had no impact on his decision whatsoever.

"So...You and Takamaki…You guys a thing?" Junpei asked, breaking the silence between them.

"Huh? Ann and I?" Ren raised an eyebrow. "N-No, nothing like that. Just friends is all. It honestly wouldn't surprise me to hear that she's already seeing someone."

"Lady Ann would never!" Morgana protested, poking his head out of the bag once more. "I refuse to believe that! You take that back this instant! Lady Ann is a pure maiden who would never-"

"Kitty!" Two small children nearby ran up in excitement. "Mister, can we pet your kitty?"

Smiling, Ren kneeled down in front of them. "Sure thing." He replied, handing them the bag.

"W-What!?" Morgana's eyes widened in fear.

"He's a very nice boy who loves headpats." Ren explained. "The louder he meows, the more headpats he's asking for. Just be sure to return him before the next stop."

"Okay!" The two kids ran off, carrying the bag.

"Traitoooorrrrr!" Morgana called as he was carried off.

"You sure about that?" Junpei asked, watching the kids go. "You're just gonna let'im go?"

"Eh, he's a smart cat." Ren shrugged. "He knows where we're going."

"Ah." Junpei nodded.

"So what about you and Takeba? Is there anything going on there?"

"What? Yuka-tan? Hell no." Junpei shook his head, smiling. "Nah, our relationship ain't like that. She's more like an annoyin' sister to me, y'know? I'm just coming along cuz I know it'll piss her off." He snickered at the thought of it. "And let me tell you, there ain't many guys in the world that can handle that fiery temper of her's, no doubt in my mind she's still single."

"Huh."

"..."

"..."

Ren liked Junpei, he reminded him a lot of Ryuji. And given that he was currently busy with his Olympic training, Junpei was a nice substitute for the blond delinquent. But that being said, the two of them didn't know each other very well, which led to some awkward gaps in their conversations.

"Hey," Junpei broke the silence once more. "Can I ask you a question?"

"What's up?"

"Well...Did you do somethin'?"

"I'm going to need a little more context than that Junpei." Ren replied.

"Sorry, it's just…" He struggled to phrase it. "Word around the base is Mitsuru was asking around about you. I don't know the specifics, but apparently she was talking to the staff and your name came up a few times. I just wanted to make sure there was no trouble."

"Trouble?" Ren's eyes widened. "I hope not. Nothing comes to mind, but I could be forgetting something. I guess I'll ask when we get ba-"

"We are now arriving in Tokyo. Please clear the doors." The announcer's voice came over the intercom.

"Welp, looks like we're here." Junpei shifted his bag onto his shoulder.

Right on cue, the children from before ran up with Ren's bag and a nauseous looking Morgana.

"Here you go Mister! Thanks for letting us play with him!"

"Anytime." Ren smiled, accepting the bag.

"I'll *huff* get you *huff* for this." Morgana spoke breathlessly.

"Not likely."

The trio made their way through the station and over to Shibuya. Unfortunately, the station didn't sell umbrellas, so they had to run through the pouring rain to the address Ann had given Ren, getting soaked in the process. Luckily for Ren, he had a hoodie on to shield him from the rain. Unluckily for Morgana, Ren hadn't sealed his bag, allowing for the rain to pour onto the already disgruntled cat.

"Whew!" Junpei let out a sigh of relief as they got inside. "Made it!"

As they looked up and around them, they noticed the building was swarming with people running around crazily, barking orders at one another, and yelling into their phones. The two men felt incredibly out of place in the crowd of angry employees, unsure who to ask for directions.

"Finally! You're here!" A woman in a red pantsuit with a clipboard in hand stepped out of the sea of people, approaching the pair. "We're running incredibly behind schedule right now. Which one of you is the oil boy?"

"O-Oil boy?" Junpei asked, his eyes wide.

"The oil boy for our swimsuit models?" The woman answered as if it were obvious. "The shoot is already 15 minutes behind schedule. So which of you is it?"

"ME! Me! It's me!" Junpei raised his hand enthusiastically.

"Great, follow me." The pantsuit woman began to walk off with Junpei close behind.

"Junpei! What about Takeba?" Ren called after him.

"Tell her I said hi!" He called back before disappearing out of sight.

"Great." Ren looked around awkwardly, rocking back and forth on his feet. "Guess I'll just...yeah."

Meanwhile in her dressing room, Ann Takamaki checked her makeup once again, ensuring that there were no smears before the shoot began. Opening her phone, she sighed at the lack of messages from a certain boy. He should've been here by now. What could the holdup be? Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Y-Yes?" She asked excitedly, checking her makeup once more.

After graduating from high school, Ann had decided to drop the pigtails and change up her look a bit. Now at 20, she let her naturally wavy blonde hair flow freely down her back and frame her face. Today's shoot had a more high class theme to it, so she and the rest of the models were dressed in flowing gowns of varying colors. Currently, Ann was wearing a bright red, low cut dress that went down to her feet, dark red lipstick, heavy black eyeshadow, and black stilettos.

"Hey." Yukari Takeba poked her head in through the door.

"Oh…" Ann tried her best, but failed to hide her disappointment. "Hey."

"Still not here yet huh?" Yukari asked, stepping into the room.

Yukari was dressed up for the shoot as well. Her outfit consisted of a pink, backless dress that ended just above her feet, bright pink lipstick, a white lace choker, and high heeled beige sandals. While Yukari was 7 years Ann's senior, she didn't look it, still appearing to be in her early 20s. Her light brown hair was cut short, ending halfway down her neck and matching her amber eyes. Several silver piercing ran down one of her ears, sticking out from beneath her hair, contrasting the classy outfit she had on, yet somehow complementing the overall look.

"No...not yet." Ann sighed. "And I haven't gotten any messages from him either."

"Think he maybe forgot?"

"Ren would never!" Ann protested. "I'm sure he's on his way here now. He probably just got held up by the storm."

Yukari couldn't help but snicker. "He really means a lot to you doesn't he?"

"Wha-?" Ann looked up, her cheeks flushing red. "N-Not like that! I just...I really value his opinion is all. I want to show him how much I've grown since we last saw each other. I guess I kinda want him to be proud of me."

"Sounds like there are some serious daddy issues going on there, but you know I'm not really one to judge." Yukari smirked.

Ann couldn't help but let out a giggle. "Shut up." The two of them were used to teasing each other like this. Having worked together at the Vague model agency for the past year and a half, they had grown fairly close through their work. Ann stood up from her chair, walking over to the older model. "So what's up?"

"We're starting in a few minutes, we should get out there."

"...Right." Ann nodded, checking her phone one last time before the two of them left the dressing room.

As they stepped out into the studio, the two models immediately found themselves swarmed by the staff, all speaking at once trying to get their attention.

"Ann-chan!" Her manager stepped through the crowd, grabbing Ann's hand as she led her onto the set. "Okay, there's been a minor change of plans. The male model we had previously booked cancelled on us last minute. He says his daughter is sick and he needs to stay home to look after her. But don't worry, we managed to find a replacement."

"Oh, that's too bad." Ann frowned at that. She liked Hiroshi, he was someone she'd worked with several times and felt comfortable with. He loved his family more than anything and unlike most other male models she met on the job, he never tried to hit on her. "Who'd you find to replace him?"

"You'll meet him in a minute, we just got him out of hair and makeup and he's already on set. He's great, trust me." Her manager assured her, ushering her onto the stage where various pieces of high end furniture sat on a stark white floor with a matching white background.

"Okay Takamaki, can we get you and the new guy posing together on the armchair? I think that's as good a place as any to start."

"Sure thing." Ann replied, walking over to the black leather armchair, out of the corner of her eye, she saw another figure, presumably the other model, approaching as well. "Nice to meet you I'm…" She trailed off when she saw the new model's face. "R-Ren!?"

"Hey Ann." Ren greeted, giving a small awkward wave.

Ann quickly took in his appearance with a stunned silence. Dressed in an immaculate black suit and tie, his usual mop of jet black hair neatly combed and coiffed, he looked nothing short of stunning. Ren always looked great no matter what he wore, it was part of his charm, but today especially, he looked incredible.

"Ren! Wha...What are you doing?" She asked, her eyes wide.

"I honestly have no idea. I was asking around for you when suddenly I got pulled aside and the next thing I know I'm sat in a dressing room with a team of interns putting makeup on me." He explained before leaning in to whisper. "If I'm being honest, I'm not so sure anyone knows what's going on around here."

Ann let out a hearty laugh. "Welcome to show business."

"Alright people! We're on a tight schedule here! Let's hurry up and get started!" The man behind the camera spoke, clearly aimed at the two of them.

"R-Right." Ann nodded, turning back to Ren. "Ready?"

"Not really, but that hasn't stopped me in the past." He smirked, giving his signature 'Joker' look.

The photoshoot went better than expected considering one of the models was completely inexperienced in the field. In fact, it was actually Ann who got called out for mistakes more often than Ren was. Normally Ann was able to maintain her composure during shoots, being put in compromising positions with other models didn't bother her much anymore, it was just part of the industry.

But with Ren, it was different. Staring deep into each other's eyes, him placing his hand on her hip, sitting on his lap...The blush that the makeup team applied earlier ended up completely unnecessary. Ann could barely keep it together. Ren meanwhile, seemed to show no signs of his nerves getting to him. Keeping a straight face the entire time, his only issue was not understanding the industry jargon, needing Ann or one of the interns to explain what they wanted from him.

"Wow." Ann let out a breath as they finally called cut. "You...You're really good at this."

"Really?" Ren raised an eyebrow, unbuttoning his jacket to cool off. "Felt like they were yelling at me a lot out there."

"Yeah, but you learned quickly and adapted. My first day I got yelled at so much, I actually started crying." She smiled. "You're a natural, I wouldn't be surprised if they asked you to join full time after this."

"So...are we grabbing coffee now?" Ren asked.

Giving a perplexed look, Ann tilted her head. "What do you mean? The shoot's not over yet. This is just a short break. We've still got like 3 more hours."

"What!?" Ren's eyes widened. "There's more!?" He was exhausted after what they'd just done, he couldn't imagine doing it for 3 more hours!

"Yeah, a lot more." Ann laughed. "I've gotta go change now. You should grab some water in the meantime. If you don't, you'll end up passing out under the heat of the lights."

"Will do." Ren nodded. He could feel his sweat leaking onto his dress shirt.

Ann walked off in the direction of her dressing room, leaving Ren to his devices. Looking around, he spotted a bucket of ice with bottles of water on top. Walking over to the bucket, he picked up a bottle and read the label.

"Mountain Oasis Organic Gluten Free Non-GMO Icy Coconut Mineral Water?" He gave the bottle a perplexed look. "That became more confusing with every word." He shrugged before taking a sip and immediately coughing it up. "What the fuck? How do you make water taste bad?"

"C'mon, it'll only be a minute." A man's voice spoke from nearby, getting Ren's attention.

"Yeah, I bet it would." Another voice responded smugly, this one somewhat familiar.

"What did you just say bitch?" The man spoke again, clearly angered.

Searching for the source, Ren followed the voices into a nearby hallway. When he turned the corner, he spotted the familiar figure of Yukari Takeba in a stunning pink gown speaking to an older, balding man who seemed frustrated with her.

"Listen, women your age, in this industry, they need certain...advantages to stay in the game. Plenty of pretty young girls are trying to break into the modelling game, so to stay relevant, you need to perform duties to keep a uh 'leg up' on the competition."

"Excuse me!? Women 'my age'!? I'm still in my 20s!" Yukari responded angrily. "And second, I would sooner walk through a mile of broken glass than touch that shriveled up old thing between your legs." As Yukari tried to walk away from the situation, a hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her back toward the man.

"Bitch, you have no idea what I'm capable of. I can make it so you never work in this industry again in your life! So if you don't give me a 'job', you'll quickly find yourself without one."

"Let go!" Yukari yelled, snatching her wrist away.

As the man was about to grab her again, he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning to face the owner, he was caught off guard by Ren's grey eyes piercing into his own.

"W-Who the fuck are you?" The man asked.

"Amamiya!?" Yukari gasped. When had he gotten here? Did Ann know he was here? Why was he in a suit?

"Hey buddy," Ren tightened his grip on the man's shoulder, causing the man to wince. "She's not interested."

"What the fuck? D-Do you know who I am? I could end your career with the snap of my finger!" He yelled, trying to intimidate Ren however he could. "I'll make it so you can never work again!"

"Yeah, you said that." Ren rolled his eyes, unbothered. "Takeba, are you okay?" He asked, turning his attention to Yukari.

"Y-Yeah. Fine." She replied.

"Did you hear me!?" The man yelled once more. "I'll end both of your careers here and n-"

"No, you listen to me." Ren tightened his grip once more, this time causing the man to yelp. "Last time I came across a situation like this, I went to jail after what I did to the guy. You think I'm not willing to go back?"

The man let out an audible gulp, shrinking in fear as Ren loomed over him. When he finally released his grip, the man stumbled back, quickly escaping the hallway.

"That was pretty stupid y'know. He's almost certainly on his way to tattle on you to security right now." Yukari spoke up after watching him leave. Crossing her arms and pouting her lips, she turned to Ren. "I could've handled the situation on my own."

"I know. But I wasn't about to stand by and watch." Ren replied casually, putting his hands in his pockets, a gesture that reminded Yukari of someone she once knew.

"They're gonna throw you off the property now. You'll be banned for life. You're okay with that?"

"Eh, I got to try the whole modelling thing." He shrugged. "Not really for me. Plus, the water here sucks. You and Ann are better suited for this anyways." He took in her appearance once more. "You look really beautiful by the way."

"I...Y-You…" Yukari was about to yell at him, but suddenly found herself struggling to speak, a large blush forming on her cheeks.

"Oh and before I go, do you think you could explain to Ann why I had to go? I don't want her thinking I just ran off."

"Y-Yeah...Sure."

As if on cue, the man from earlier arrived with two security guards in tow. Pointing out Ren, the guards grabbed him and began to lead him away. Yukari tried to protest that he hadn't done anything, but they didn't listen. Evidently, the man's earlier claims weren't a bluff and he actually did hold some power in the industry.

"Oh and by the way, Junpei says hi!" Ren called back before disappearing out of sight.

Yukari let out a breath as she was left alone in the hall. Playing the situation over again in her head, she tried to think of what she could've done to help. As she did so, another blush began to grow on her face. Why had he gone out of his way and done something so stupidly selfless!? And for her!? They barely knew each other! Why did he have to be such a fucking hero and why did she find it so...hot!?

As security threw him back into the pouring rain outside, Ren turned to see a familiar face there already waiting for him under an awning.

"S'up?"

"Junpei?" Ren looked confused. "What are you doing out here?"

"I got outta there as fast as I could." He shrugged. "Figured I'd wait for you out here."

"Why? What about the swimsuit models?"

Junpei hesitated before answering, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "They um...They weren't women."

"Oh."

"Anyways, what happened to you? Where'd ya get the suit?" He then noticed Ren's missing bag. "And for that matter where's Mona?"

Meanwhile, inside the studio:

"My god, he's incredible! Such style! Such grace!" The photographer said in amazement, snapping picture after picture. "Never in my life have I seen a cat actually strike a pose for a photo!"

On the stage in front of him, a black and white cat proudly posed for each photo, putting his beautiful self on display for all to see. 'Hehe, take that Ren! Now Lady Ann will see who's the real model!'

"He's a prodigy! We'll make millions!" Morgana smirked, enjoying the attention. "We'll just need to put him on a diet and schedule him to get fixed."

"Mrow?"

[Shadow Operative File: 025]

Morgana

Codename: Mona

Status: Active

Species: Shadow / Cat

Age: 4 (Presumed)

Sex: M

Persona: Diego, formerly Mercurius, formerly Zorro

Description: Morgana is an enigma to the Shadow Ops' science division. The second known Shadow to gain sentience, after Operative 019, Morgana has been determined by the science team to be biologically identical to an average cat, an American Shorthair to be specific. Despite this however, his brain waves are nothing like a normal cat's, instead being near identical to a human's. Relating to his origin, Morgana claims to be from a location beyond reality known as 'The Velvet Room', the existence of this location is supported by several operatives, but descriptions vary. To date, no physical data has been collected on this mysterious place.

Notes: While Morgana cannot be understood by anyone who hasn't been inside the Metaverse, he has, by proxy, made his wishes clear to the staff. To date, he has requested: Sushi for every meal (denied), a daily brushing (denied), a penthouse suite (denied), and his own monthly paycheck (pending). After undergoing several official personality tests including Myers Briggs, Morgana was discovered to possess several traits that indicated acute narcissism.