This story is a work of fiction.

Any relation to persons, living or dead, as well as events, are purely coincidental.

The author owns none of the characters, or events, that take place here.

The world is not as it should be.

It's filled with distortion, and "ruin" will soon descend.

However...there are those who would challenge fate, in desire for change.

Since time immemorial...they were known as,

"Tricksters."

Persona 5: Hoshi to Bokura to

13th Heist: Backstage Preparations

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"Acting by yourself would have been more efficient." Sae said as Akira took a moment to gather his thoughts after a small bout of pain. The drugs effects were still leaving behind a cloudy haze, making it difficult to recall the exact details of his past, though he was still able to power through it. He had been remembering events perfectly - as perfect as can be with his rather incredulous story - in spite of the horrible condition he was in. "After all, if you went through this solo, there wouldn't have been any need to rely on others and risk them becoming involved." Her eyes softened as the teen looked up, barely able to stand his battered face. Her knuckles shook with anger, wanting nothing more than to pommel the face of whoever did this to him. "But there were merits to having comrades, aren't there? Resources, information..."

Akira nodded dimly. "There were." There was a brief pause as he bit his lip, closing his eyes. "But...they weren't just associates or comrades. They were...people I could trust. Friends. People I could entrust with my life."

"...was I one of those people, Akira-kun?"

A tense silence followed.

"...forget it." she sighed, shaking her head. No, she shouldn't get emotional. She couldn't let personal feelings meddle with her job. She was not here as someone who cared for him. She was here as a prosecutor investigating the Phantom Thieves. Nothing more. Nothing less. Even still...it angered her that things wound up like this. "Continue on with your story."

Akira gave a slow nod and continued his rather bizarre tale. "After Morgana told us that if we stole Kamoshida's Treasure from the Palace, with the added possibility he could die, we tried to find another way. We investigated the students again. There had to be someone - anyone - who was willing to tell us." He gave a somber laugh, shaking his head. "Of course...it wasn't that easy. After all..." There was a coldness in his eyes - a chilling look that sent shivers down Sae's spine as she looked at him - as he looked up and looked her dead in the eye, the beginnings of a scowl touching upon the corners of his lips. "...Kamoshida was just that careful."

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The night they returned, Sae Niijima was nowhere to be found. She had left behind a note, saying that she would be home late once again, which of course led Makoto and Akira to go to bed early. The frizzy-haired teen half-expected to enter the Velvet Room once again, though he surprisingly found himself waking up to the sound of Makoto knocking at his door. The way to school had been in tense silence, no doubt due to the lingering effects of Morgana's words to them. Neither one spoke a word, unwilling to remember the severity of such words.

Classes came and went before the rally had begun. Currently, everyone who wished to participate, or at least spectate the game, stood in the gym. On one side of the court was the teachers - Kamoshida among them and the fan favorite. On the other side were a mixture of male and female students, trying - and failing - to defend. Akira, for his part, wasn't interested in the game whatsoever, though even he was forced to admit that the perverse king of the castle was certainly worthy of the gold medal he obtained in the past. The students were clumsy in their movements and only a few were actually competent enough to move in and take the initiative. Kamoshida, however, easily showed his dominance in this field as he effortlessly scored and defended.

"Go, go! Let's go Ka-mo-shida~!"

Ryuji groaned as he shook his head. "Seriously?" he asked in exasperation. "The bastard even has his own cheerleading squad?"

Akira shrugged his shoulders as he continued to fiddle with his phone. His eyes were primarily fixed on the Metaverse Navigator application. He was still no closer to figuring out why his phone, of all things, had been installed with such impressive hardware. It was even stranger given the fact that it enabled one to traverse a world made purely of cognition. The idea was absurd, had he not experienced it himself. The pulse that resonated at regular intervals - his Persona - was proof of that. He idly noted how another pulse accompanied the first, this one much softer and kind in comparison to Arsene's rapturous waves of repressed rage and vengeance. If Igor and Morgana's words were true - in that a Persona embodied one's own rebellious soul, then it was understandable.

So what made Orpheus so unique? Moreover...why was he granted the power to wield multiple Personas? The more he thought about it, the more confused he became.

A small vibration rippled through his hand as his screen displayed a notification. Out of the corner of his eye, Akira found Ryuji taking out his own phone. Opening up the notification, it was a message from Makoto.

MN: Pretty sure by now that Kamoshida's aware that we're snooping around, given how many people I asked the other day. I hate to ask this, but can you and Ryuji ask around?

RS: You sure that's a good idea, Prez? In case you forgot, me and Akira aren't exactly...well, you know.

As much as Akira hated to admit it, Ryuji had a point. The chances of anyone willing to talk to them was next to nothing. Both were marked by Kamoshida as 'delinquents' and 'troublemakers.' Therefore, trying to gather info would be a daunting task.

AK: We'll see what we can do.

MN: Thank you, Akira. I'll try as best I can on my end. I'm counting on the both of you.

The discussion ended there as the two teens closed the chat. Around that time, they noticed how the crowd seemed to be especially charged. Looking at the match, they soon began to see why. The students looked like they were so ragged and barely able to keep up, it wouldn't be a surprise if one fell flat on their butt at this point. Some hadn't noticed, but Akira and Ryuji did. There was a brief, subtle yet malicious smile on Kamoshida's face as the volleyball went high into the air.

The king chose then to assert his dominance in the sport.

With an impressive jump, he reached the ball in seconds and struck it straight down. The ball was sent fast at the ground and would have hit the floor, thus marking another point, had one boy chosen to move. He remained rooted on his feet in spite of the urgent warnings earlier before the spike to move and paid the price. The ball slammed right into his face and knocked him right off his feet, knocking him to the floor.

A whistle blew to mark a suspension in the match as a few students clamored around the fallen. Kamoshida seemed to have a smug smirk on his face, but it disappeared as soon as it appeared as he rushed over, ducking underneath the net. "You okay?!" he called as he rushed over. The student groaned as he sat up, rubbing his face. Already, the beginnings of a black eye were beginning to form as a ring of black and blue formed around his socket. Grimacing, the teacher looked around. "Would someone take Mishima-kun to the nurse's office?"

Ryuji rolled his eyes, scoffing. "Of course..."

Where the former athlete found disgust, Akira found opportunity. As soon as he got a good look at the fallen teen's face, his feet were already moving, ignorant of Ryuji's confused remark behind him. "I can take him, Kamoshida-sensei." he said as he walked over. Hearing him, some immediately backed off. Though Akira didn't pay much attention to the passing faces in the halls, a few looked familiar - among the faces were those who continued to make up new rumors. He paid them no heed, however, instead focusing on the bruised student on the ground. Sure enough, as he got closer, his suspicions were confirmed.

It was the boy from the cage.

"A-ah...!"

There was a slight fear in the boy's eyes, recognizing Akira immediately. Kamoshida ignored this as he instead gave a nod of gratitude to Akira. Reluctantly, the boy staggered to his feet as Akira pulled him up. Once he made sure that he was capable of walking, albeit shakily due to the force of the blow, he escorted the named Mishima to the nurse's office.

TakeYourTime

"Sorry to take your time, Suzui-san."

The rather pale girl who sat at the table, second-year Shiho Suzui, manage to give Makoto a sheepish smile as she gratefully accepted the cup of tea she was offered. "It's no problem." she assured as she gently wrapped her hands around the cup, bringing it to her lips. After a small sip, she set it down to the table. As she did, Makoto took notice of her physical form. It took every ounce of willpower not to visibly cringe at the sight of her battered body.

Her knee was wrapped in a black brace, there was a dark red, angry bruise right above her right eye, and just below her eye there was a band-aid with a clearly visible bruise right underneath. It was far too big to be an ordinary bruise. Ignoring it for now, she took her seat opposing Suzui. "Are you alright?" Makoto asked in concern. "Those bruises look awfully painful. If you want, I can ask you another time."

"N-no, really." Suzui shook her head. "It's fine. Honest!"

"If you're certain." Makoto shrugged.

Truth be told, this was a tactic she had seen on shows and movies once. An interrogation technique, if you will. The purpose was to lure your target into a false sense of security, ease them a little before tightening their hold. In a way, it was like trying to bait a fish and then reel them in. Given that this was real life, however, and not fiction, the idea of this succeeding would be up for debate. Either way, there were lessons to learn from.

"Before we start, I have to ask. How is your time in the volleyball team? Good, I hope."

There! A small fidgeting motion. Nervousness in the hands as they unconsciously rubbed together. "It is." she answered shyly. "It's a bit tough for me. Like Mishima-kun, I'm rather horrible at it. I tend to mess up easily."

"Really?" Makoto smiled somewhat, leaning forward. "The way I heard, Kamoshida-sensei-" Ugh. Gods forbid, it was so disgusting to add that to that filthy bastard's name! "-gave you a starter position in the upcoming tournament, right? I'd say you're doing something right."

"I-I suppose." Suzui tried to give a reassuring smile, whether to herself or Makoto was up for debate. However, the girl could recognize it easily - it was fake. Strike two. "The training is rather harsh."

The Student Council President nodded. "It must, given how many of your teammates end up needing medical attention." She most certainly did not miss the look of nervousness and fear in Suzui's eyes. "If it's that stressfull, couldn't you ask Kamoshida-sensei to lessen up? As a teacher, he would have to listen to your complaint, shouldn't he?"

"It-it's not as troubling as you think." There it was again. The hasty defense. Just as quick as the others. Her eyes narrowed. Strike three. "I mean...it's...um..."

Makoto brought her cup to her lips, letting the soothing green tea slide down her esophagus before she set it down, closing her eyes. "...Suzui-san." she spoke with a clipped tone. There must have been a hidden edge to it as Suzui seemed to freeze up after hearing it. Slowly, Makoto's eyes opened and stared back at her with an eerie calm. "I'll have to apologize. I didn't ask you here about how you're doing in the volleyball team."

Her next words made her feel partially guilty, especially as Suzui's color drained from her face.

"Kamoshida is abusing the volleyball team...isn't he?"

TakeYourTime

Yuuki Mishima hissed slightly as a bag of ice pressed against his swollen eye, in spite of the cloth placed over it. "Just apply pressure for a good half hour or so and the swelling should go down." Akira suggested to him as he went over to the cooler, grabbing a plastic cup and pulling down on the tab. "You okay? That spike must have hurt."

"N-not really." Mishima answered, albeit nervously as Akira returned seconds later, offering him a cup. He bowed his head and accepted it, taking it into his hand. "Um...t-thank you for bringing me here."

Akira waved a hand. "It's fine."

There was no mistaking it. The boy in front of him was the same one he found back during their second visit in Kamoshida's Palace. In truth, Akira felt a bit sick as there was hardly any difference in appearance between Mishima and Kamoshida's cognition of the poor boy. There was more meat on him, but he was horribly skittish. Don't even get him started on the bruises. He caught several angry black and blue blemishes on his arm when he rolled up his sleeve for a brief moment. He avoided giving the boy a pitiful look, given that it wouldn't help him. Mishima seemed like the type who didn't like pity.

The two simply sat in silence, as if waiting for the other to speak. Instead, Akira merely drank from his own cup. After several seconds of silence, however, his patience paid off. "...why did you agree to help me?" Mishima asked weakly. Akira tilted his head to the side. Thinking he made a blunder, Mishima spluttered out an apology. "I-I mean, you don't have to tell me! It's cool if you don't wanna say..."

"Cause it just seemed like the right thing to do." came the simple answer.

Mishima blinked. It was as if the response was almost foreign to him. "I-I see..." he said slowly. He took a quick drink of his cup before he looked up at Akira again. Unlike before, his nervousness was much more apparent in his voice. "C-Can I...ask you something?" Akira nodded as he drank the last of the cup's contents, tossing it into the trash bin next to him. "Is-is it true that you live with Niijima-senpai?"

That piece of info alarmed him. Inwardly, he narrowed his eyes.

How the hell does he even know that? Akira thought in mild distress. My record, that can be explained, but not my living situation.

It was one thing for someone to have access to his record, but it was another thing altogether for someone to have access to his private life. If this information wasn't already out in the ears and mouths of the students, then he didn't doubt it would be long before it did. Just wonderful. He was doing his best not to get Makoto into trouble, and instead it seemed like someone wanted to do it for him.

Dammit...

"I'm living with her because her older sister is my guardian and probation officer." Akira answered, making sure that his irritation wasn't seeping in his tone. "If possible, Mishima-kun, I'd appreciate it if you kept that to yourself. I don't want rumors to start spreading around Makoto-san as well."

Mishima vigorously shook his head. "O-of course not!" he swore. "I promise I won't." Akira nodded in gratitude, and the two were once again in silence. Unlike before, though, it barely lasted more than ten seconds as Mishima spoke up in wonder. "Y-you know...you're nothing like the rumors say." The frizzy-haired teen tilted his head. "You're...quiet. Docile, even. A-are you really as bad as everyone says?"

Akira smirked as he pushed up his glasses. "Oh yeah," he said, trying to muster an evil voice. "I'm really bad. Bad to the bone~"

Mishima blinked. Moments later, he laughed. It hurt for him to do so, due to one of the many hidden bruises underneath his clothes, but he laughed nonetheless. The transfer student was nothing like he imagined. When he learned about his record, he was terrified out of his wits that there might be someone worse than the coach, but talking with him now...it was different. That last line pretty much proved it.

...of course, it only made the immense feeling of guilt in his heart worsen.

"...Mishima." The bruised teen jumped, startled by Akira speaking up so suddenly. He looked up to find a pensive expression on the frizzy-haired teen's face. An expression that left him unnerved. "There's something I want to ask."

"W-what is it?"

Akira's next words made his heart sink.

"Those bruises...those are from Kamoshida, aren't they?" Mishima opened his mouth to speak, but they died when a glare - a cold and sharp glare, far worse than the one Kamoshida often gave him when he gave him that damnable special training - dug right into him. He couldn't even find a voice in his throat. Not a squeak or a yelp. "Don't lie, Mishima. We already know about the abuse."

His eyes widened to the point where they threatened to bulge. This time, he found his voice returning. "Y-you do?!" he shouted a bit more loudly than he would have liked. In fright, he looked around, scared that anyone could be hearing before he leaned forward, lowering his voice in a whisper. "H-how did you find out?"

"You'd have to be an idiot not to notice." Akira responded with a scoff as he rested his chin against his hands. "What I'd like to know is why no one is saying anything." A beat passed before he added, "Unless, of course, you're all masochists."

"W-what?! No!" Mishima shook his head. Where in the hell did he get that idea from?! He then gave a tired sigh as he looked down. Out of all the people to find out...he didn't expect it to be Akira. He was aware that the Student Council President had been calling a lot of people from the volleyball team into the office to ask about something. He wasn't a fool - he knew that she was investigating. Now that he thought about it more, he soon realized it was natural that Akira would also know about it as well, given that he and Makoto were living together and therefore have a lot of contact with each other.

There was no way he could lie or make excuses for Kamoshida. Not with those two.

After several seconds, Mishima mustered up the courage to look at Akira in the eyes, face marred with forlorn. "The reason why no one will say anything...is because everyone knows."

TakeYourTime

Makoto nearly dropped her cup in utter shock. Her eyes were wide with disbelief clearly written across them. "W-what?" she whispered in horror. "W-what do you mean that everyone knows?"

TakeYourTime

"I-I mean..." a member of the volleyball team struggled to find the right words as his eyes constantly shifted around, looking for anyone who might be listening. Especially a certain teacher. "Everyone already knows about the abuse. The students, the faculty, even the principal and our parents."

Ryuji's face turned red in rage. "Are you shitting me?!" he snarled. The volleyball member flinched as he backed up against the wall, cowering underneath Ryuji's frightful rage. "The eff does that mean?!"

TakeYourTime

"A-at first, Kamoshida wasn't being discreet." Mishima explained nervously. "People noticed right away what was happening. It got worse because Kobayakawa values him. He's Shujin's 'golden goose' as he puts it. B-but, after what happened with Sakamoto and the Track Team, he started to get really careful. He covered up the incident to make it look like Sakamoto attacked him unprovoked. Worse, a lot of the Track Team turned on him. Since then, he keeps the abuse as discreet as possible." The scrawny bundle of nerves clutched the fabric of his pants, grimacing. "The beatings get worse whenever he's in a foul mood..." He gritted his teeth, trying to force out the images that he constantly heard whenever he found himself outside the room of the bastard's office. "...and that's not the worst. All of that...is just for the male students."

Akira's eyes narrowed dangerously. Inside, he felt Arsene let out another wrathful pulse. Anger was beginning to bubble in his heart. Swiftly, however, Orpheus let out a pulse of its own, relieving him of the anger and instead leaving him significantly outraged.

"I-it happens to the girls too." Mishima continued with regret and horror. "B-but...that isn't the worst of what happens to them." He tried to get it out, but he couldn't find the words, nor the strength to do so.

Instead, he broke down. Tears fall from his eyes, unable to lift his head. Akira's face was calm, but within, Orpheus was trying its best to soothe the boiling rage that Arsene constantly released. He pushed up the false glasses sitting on his nose as he stood up, making his way for the door.

"K-Kurusu-san..." Mishima called weakly. He looked over his shoulder and found a sniffling Mishima looking up at him. "K-Kamoshida...he knows Niijima-senpai is investigating. You...you have to be careful."

"...thank you, Mishima-kun."

He stepped out of the Nurse's Office, shutting the door behind him. For the briefest moment, his mask broke and a scowl emerged over his lips.

TakeYourTime

The three had reconvened in the Student Council Room, sharing the info they gathered from those who had the strength to talk, or at least reveal the truth. In the end, the info they obtained was the same.

Out of anger, Ryuji slammed his fist down on the table, utterly livid. "That son of a bitch!" he roared in anger. Above his eye, a vein bulged. "That motherfucking son of a bitch! I can't believe this!"

Makoto could scarcely found a word to describe the situation. It was clear as day how utterly shaken she was by what Shiho told her. For the longest time, she's held nothing but the highest opinion for the faculty of Shujin. To hear that all of them were purposely keeping quiet about Kamoshida's wrongdoings was...it was unbelievable. "You okay?" Akira asked. Makoto looked up, showing how shaken she was with her eyes left downcast, but she eventually gave a nod. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be fine. We'll expose him."

"Damn right we will." Ryuji said strongly, turning to the two. "There's gotta be someone who's willing to talk." He looked away, muttering under his breath. "There's gotta be..."

No one could say anything more. Even now, their thoughts went back to what Morgana told them. By taking the Treasure from the Palace, they could force Kamoshida to confess. At the same time, they would risk him dying through a mental shutdown. The thought alone brought forth an unspoken, almost chilling realization for such a scenario: If it happened, it would be their fault. They couldn't stand that idea. No matter what, they had to find an alternative.

Strangely, Akira found himself in disagreement. Recently, Arsene's pulses have been growing stronger by the day. He wasn't sure why that was, but it was different than usual. Yes, whenever Arsene let out a pulse, it emboldened his feelings of anger towards Kamoshida - as if tempting him to take action against this cruel injustice. However, at times, these pulses would also become assurance. As if the Persona was telling him that this course of action was the correct one. The Persona was telling him to rob the King of the Castle blind. To take his prized possession and make him atone for his crimes. His hand went up to his chest, grasping it.

That's right. He hadn't forgotten the words and their meaning. I am thou. Thou art I. They were one of the same. Arsene was him. His truest feelings.

The decision had to be made...

...at least, soon.

"...it's getting late." he said, ending the silence. "Let's call it a day. We can continue investigating tomorrow."

Ryuji nodded. "Sounds fine by me." he said as he stood up, sliding the chair back into its proper position.

As they left the Student Council Room, Akira stopped Makoto briefly, earning a confused look. "Mishima-kun said that Kamoshida knows we're looking into him." he said, causing her eyes to widen. "We have to be careful." Makoto's eyes steeled, and bobbed her head. They then made their way home.

TO BE CONTINUED...

A/N: A rather short chapter, but required given that I'm setting up some rather heart-wrenching moments. Hope you all enjoy!