A/N: Had a lot of fun writing this one! Hope you enjoy reading as much as I did writing!
5/8
Makoto eats her breakfast in silence. Her sister, Sae, was gone before Makoto awoke this morning. The nice high-end apartment was now home only to Makoto and the sound of her fork clinking against her plate. Life has been strange for Makoto since Kamoshida's confession.
Should I have done more? Was there more I could even do? What could I have done if I'd have even known for sure? Would it have been effective?
These thoughts have floated through Makoto's mind now for the past week. What was normally a clear mind full of calculation and looking for small details in speech and posture was now just full of questions that can never be answered.
Makoto continues thinking about this as she finishes her eggs and moves to her crustless toast. Makoto knows that nothing is wrong with the crust, really, but she has never been able to outgrow some of the more childish things in life. She stares at her Buchimaru-kun pencil bag and smiles slightly as she remembers how much simpler life used to be back then.
A knock at the door brings Makoto out of her daydream.
"She's here," Makoto says to herself under her breath as she shoves the last of the toast in her mouth. She quickly drops her plate and utensils into the sink and moves to the door to answer it. As she opens the door, Makoto sees Haru and one of her assistants standing there.
"There, you see?" Haru says to the assistant. "She's here, I promise I'll call when I'm ready to come home."
"Alright Okumura-san," the assistant says with a bow. "We'll inform your father of your location should he return home before you."
"Thank you. You are dismissed," Haru says with her own bow. Haru's assistant turns and heads down the hallway as Makoto sidesteps to allow Haru into the apartment. As Haru steps inside and turns around, Makoto closes the door and throws her arms around Haru.
"I'm so sorry for not returning your calls or texts this week," Makoto says.
"Oh! It's ok Mako-chan," Haru says returning the hug. "I'm just glad you asked me to come over today." Makoto breaks the hug and gestures to the table.
"Coffee? Tea?" Makoto asks as Haru takes a seat.
"Coffee, please," Haru replies. "I left as soon as I was awake and bathed this morning. The assistants almost didn't bring me."
"Can they do that?"
"Well since they technically work for my father, they're not required to follow any orders I give them like the house staff do. But they will typically do so out of courtesy," Haru explains. "They had never met or heard of you before today, so they were reluctant and wanted to call my father."
"Yeah I saw your escort to the door," Makoto says as the coffee maker begins to drip the black liquid into the pot.
"Yes, I had to remind them that father is thousands of feet in the air in another hemisphere and would likely not appreciate a phone call at early hours of the morning just for me to go to a friends place. They agreed to bring me so long as they could ensure that I was meeting who I said I was."
"Sounds frustrating," Makoto says.
"It can be. I enjoy the life that I've been given but sometimes I just want a little more freedom. It's the main reason I took that job in the mall."
"How's that going by the way?"
"Excellent," Haru says as her face lights up in a large smile. "I really enjoy it there."
"I'm glad to hear that," Makoto says pouring the coffee into a mug. "Here you go," she says sitting down.
"Thank you," Haru says taking the mug and sipping the coffee inside. "This is quite good, thank you. So, what do you need help with? Your text message on Friday was awfully vague Mako-chan."
"This," Makoto says reaching into her bag draped over the chair and pulling out five manila folders. "Here, I've been asked by Principal Kobayakawa to investigate what may have happened between Kamoshida and these 'Phantom Thieves' that everyone is talking about."
Haru grabs the manila envelopes and sets them down in front of her. She flips through them, taking a moment to pause at each picture and study the student in them.
"He wants you to investigate the Phantom Thieves and what relation they have to Kamoshida-sensei? Doesn't that… sound like something the police should be doing?" Haru asks.
"That's exactly what I thought," Makoto says. "There's something going on here. Principal Kobayakawa has been trying to keep the police and the media away from the students since the confession. Now the media is understandable, but why the police?"
"He… doesn't want the police involved?" Haru says inquisitively.
"Exactly! But why?"
"Because he doesn't want them to find anything?"
"More specifically, something," Makoto says. "I think Principal Kobayakawa has something he wants to hide from the police."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Could be that he knew about what Kamoshida was doing. Could be that he's involved in something else even shadier than that and this could bring even more heat towards whatever that is," Makoto rattles off.
"Do you think that's likely?" Haru asks.
"I'm sure of it…" Makoto says. "After what Kurusu-kun said and what… Takamaki-san did that day… I've wondered why I didn't act on my suspicions sooner."
"You've always done the best you could, Mako-chan," Haru reassures. "What Kurusu-kun said and what Takamaki-chan did were not acceptable under any circumstances."
"Maybe they weren't," Makoto nods, "but they woke me up to what I was doing. I was neglecting some of my duties by trying to focus on what I thought was important. I ignored my suspicions and chose not to act on them because I was afraid they'd affect my chances of getting into a good college or my odds of getting a letter of recommendation. I won't act through inaction anymore."
"That's quite noble, Mako-chan," Haru says smiling. "But what does this investigation have to do with you? Why does Principal Kobayakawa want you investigating instead of the police?"
"He thinks I'm loyal to him and the faculty. He thinks I'll bring anything I find straight to him," Makoto says. "But I don't want to investigate the Phantom Thieves because he told me to. I'm going to investigate them because I want to. Their calling card posted all over school spoke of making Kamoshida confessing all his sins. So, I think whoever these students are, because they're obviously students. Whoever these students are, were well aware of what Kamoshida was doing."
"So did Principal Kobayakawa it seems," Haru says opening all the manila folders and spreading them across the table.
"Haru," Makoto says. "I'm going to investigate the Phantom Thieves and figure out who they are and why they did what they did to Kamoshida. I want to know if it was for revenge or some sense of karmic justice. I want to know if they blackmailed him or threatened him or whatever they did to cause him to change like that.
I want you to help me in this investigation, Haru. Will you?"
"Mako-chan," Haru says. "You know you don't even need to ask." Makoto feels a lump in her throat as she grabs Haru's hand and thanks her. "So, are these our suspects?" Haru asks.
"Yes, these are the individuals that Principal Kobayakawa thought were likely to be involved with Kamoshida and his change. I mostly agree with his selection of students."
"So," Haru says picking up the first folder, "Akira Kurusu. Recently transferred, expelled from previous school for criminal record."
"I think he's a likely candidate," Makoto says. "He was seen in Kamoshida's office with Sakamoto-kun and Mishima-kun when Suzui-san jumped. Apparently when they left, Sakamoto-kun was furious about something and Mishima-kun looked nauseous. Shortly after that, rumors of their pending expulsions began to circulate."
"Well that certainly gives the three of them motive," Haru says stacking their folders together. Why do you think they were in Kamoshida-sensei's office?"
"He's not our teacher anymore, Haru," Makoto corrects. "And I think they were in there because they may have known at this point what Kamoshida was doing. I don't know how exactly, but that's my running theory. Suzui-san jumping must've caused them to pursue Kamoshida directly."
"Ok," Haru says grabbing the next folder, "Shiho Suzui, second year in class C. Average grades and joined the volleyball team this year," Haru reads.
"This is the only one I'm doubtful about," Makoto says. "She's been in a medically induced coma for the better part of two weeks since her jump and didn't wake up until after Kamoshida confessed by all accounts I've heard."
"We'll make her a 'maybe' pile and put her there," Haru says. "And the last one is Ann Takamaki, second year in Class D. Below average grades except English where she has 112% and participates in no extra curriculars after school. Never has either from what this says."
"Apparently her and Suzui-san are each other's only friend," Makoto says. "If Suzui-san told Takamaki-san at any point about what she was going through then that would give her motive. Certainly, the jump gave some motivation as did all the things that Kamoshida has done to her just to keep Suzui-san on the team."
"I feel bad for her…" Haru says quietly. "I can't imagine what that must have been like. I hope I never have to…"
"Me too," Makoto agrees. "It's why I haven't done anything about her hitting me. I think I overstepped my position a bit by trying to stop her from confronting Kamoshida at the assembly. And I think her emotions got the better of her. Can't really blame her…"
"Yeah…" Haru agrees. "Well, we've got four viable suspects with a reason to do what they may have done to Kamoshida. How do we find out for sure?"
"I have no clue," Makoto says. "Kamoshida was adamant in the faculty office after his confession he wasn't threatened, coerced, bribed, blackmailed, or otherwise harmed in any way to do it. He just woke up one day and decided he couldn't continue doing it anymore."
"Do you think he's telling the truth?" Haru asks. "Could he be trying to protect them? Or someone else maybe? Why wouldn't he say who did it to him?"
"He may not know," Makoto says quietly. "And I don't know which thought scares me more. The idea that he was made to confess the way he did without anyone threatening him, or the idea that whatever they did do to him has got him willing to take a potential life sentence in prison for them."
"So, he may not know who did it," Haru says to clarify for herself, "and whether he did or not, we don't know whether they did or did not do something to him that would make him confess?"
"Precisely," Makoto says smiling as she leans back in her chair.
"This is making my head spin…" Haru mutters.
XXXX
Akira: Just arrived. Where are you at?
Ann: Underground mall. I'm clothes shopping.
Akira: Be right there.
Akira pockets his phone and readjusts the bag slung over his shoulder as he makes his way towards the stairs. Morgana was in the bag, of course, so Akira's day with Ann would be accompanied by Morgana. But Akira didn't mind though, Morgana's company was usually quite nice. He just hopes Morgana doesn't throw himself into too much of whatever Ann has planned for today.
Akira descends the stairs to the mall and heads towards the stores. As he rounds the corner to see the jewelry shop and the gardening store, he makes a mental note to come by and get some plant fertilizer for the plant in his room sometime. Akira spots the clothes store and sees a blonde head poking just above the merchandise. As he makes his way over, Ann spots him and waves.
"Hey…" she says.
"Hey," Akira replies. "Getting some new outfits?"
"I think so? I don't know…" Ann sighs.
"Lady Ann seems depressed," Morgana says sticking his head out of the bag.
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing!" Ann replies with a smile. "I'm fine seriously. I don't mean to trouble you."
"Ann," Akira says, "tell me about your problems. You know that you and Ryuji can rely on me. It's no trouble."
Ann blushes a bit at hearing Akira say this. She grabs her elbow with her opposite arm and shifts her weight to one foot.
"I don't know…" Ann says. "You've already done so much for me and Shiho."
"I can do more if you need. Talk or listen, whichever you need," Akira says.
"Oh, ok. I guess it wouldn't be so bad talking to you about this stuff," Ann replies. "The truth is, there's something I want to tell you…"
"Wanna tell me over lunch?" Akira asks. "We can head to the diner up on Central."
"OK, let's go there," Ann says smiling.
"I'm gonna take a walk," Morgana says hopping out of Akira's bag. "I'll meet you outside the diner in an hour or so. If you're not done, I'll wait."
XXXX
Ann and Akira both take their seats in a booth at the diner. They order their drinks and wait for their waitress to arrive to take their order.
"There's something I want to talk with about with you, Akira," Ann says. "It's Shiho…"
"Is she ok?" Akira asks.
"Well I went to visit her in the hospital yesterday… she… she said she was sorry," Ann says quietly. "Sorry for not telling me about Kamoshida… about all the things he was doing to her… But it was my fault too. I didn't realize how much trouble she was in… I wasn't there for her…" Ann begins to choke back tears. "So, I apologized as well."
"Ann," Akira replies, "it wasn't your fault what happened. You know you were there for her. Hell, you nearly had what happened to her happen to you, for her! You did what you could at the time."
"I don't know Akira," Ann says. "I don't think it's that easy to just say I did what I could. I remember seeing how she was different but rather than do something when I noticed it, I told myself I'd do it the next day. I should've done more."
"Shiho's strong, Ann. What she put up with would've broken most."
"But it did break her. She jumped, remember?" Ann asks with a bit harshness to her words. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to snap at you like that. Shiho is strong. She's a great girl. I guess after everything that has happened, I'm glad I got to tell her everything I couldn't bring myself to say before."
"Like what?" Akira asks.
"How much she really means to me," Ann says as their drinks arrive. "Can I get a slice of apple pie and with extra whip cream? Anyway," Ann says turning back to Akira, "how much she really means to me. I wanted to say she knows already but I realized as I sat with her in the hospital room that I never said it aloud. I just assumed she knew how I felt."
"I know that feeling," Akira says sipping his coffee. "I felt the same way back when I was on trial."
"So, you know how it feels to realize that you didn't say what you thought you'd said as often as you thought you'd said it."
"So, how did she react being told that?" Akira asks.
"She cried. I cried. We both just cried a lot really," Ann says with a chuckle. "I told myself that day that I wouldn't do it again. I'd make sure people knew how I feel about them. When I know how I feel about them, I'll tell them from here on out."
"That sounds good," Akira says with a smile. "Sounds like a nice way to change how your relationships in life will work."
"I hope so," Ann says. "Now I have to figure out how to put my feelings I have about everyone I know into words. It's difficult. But Shiho said she'd help me with it. She said I'd done enough to help her with Kamoshida…" Ann trails off staring at her drink.
"You remember how I said Kamoshida threatened to take Shiho off the team if I didn't sleep with him?" Akira nods. "I had only agreed to it so that I wouldn't ruin Shiho's dreams… But the more I've been thinking about it since then… the more I'm realizing he never would've played her anyway. He'd never risk costing his team their games…"
Akira sits quietly as Ann pauses to collect her thoughts. Akira can't help but think that she's been preparing to say this for a while.
"I seriously should have dared him to take her starting spot," Ann said with hatred bubbling through her words. "Should've dared him to try and retaliate against me when he was trying to get into a students' pants! I should've...!" Ann pauses. "I should've believed in her abilities more."
"What do you mean?" Akira asks.
"I believed more in Kamoshida's authority and less on Shiho's ability to earn her starting spot. I know you've never seen her play, but she was really really good. She could serve the ball better than anyone else. But that bastard Kamoshida used her to get to me. And I let him…"
"No, you didn't Ann," Akira replies. "You weren't weak for falling for his plan. You were strong for standing up for your friend. You stood up for her and put yourself directly in danger by being alone with him for her. Kamoshida had the upper hand but you're not the one to blame."
"Do you really think so? I appreciate it. I've just been having trouble telling myself that these past few weeks. Akira, do you remember the last time I talked to you like this?"
"Of course, I found you nearly in tears in the subway station after getting that phone call from Kamoshida. I told you to come get a coffee with me."
"Actually, you said to come to a 'safe place' with you," Ann corrects smiling. "And I actually went with you. My mother always told me to be careful of men you meet on the street. Especially if you're emotional," Ann chuckles, "but I felt so alone, boxed-in, scared… I didn't know what I was going to do. I thought I'd have to go to Kamoshida's.
But you were there. Because you were there for me that day, I decided not to go…" Ann takes a moment to collect herself and wipe the tears forming in her eyes. "I never slept with Kamoshida."
"I wouldn't have asked," Akira replies quietly. "Didn't think it was my place to know."
"I want you to know," Ann replies. "He got to see more of me than any modeling shoot has yet, but, he never saw anything private. God I can't believe it ever came that close though. Looking back, I should have listened to my mom's advice and not gone with you. I was way too emotional to think straight and the stress I'm certain was making me irrational but… I now realize that you just wanted to help."
Ann smiles and reaches across the table to take Akira's hand in her own. He smiles and gives it a gentle squeeze and holds it there.
"Thank you, Akira. For coming into my life."
"Hehe, you're welcome, Ann."
"You know, people used to call me all sorts of names back then," Ann says. "'Prissy bitch' or 'Kamoshida's girl' or 'Blonde slut' or whatever else they could come up with. I got tired of it pretty quickly. But to tell you the truth, someday I want to be able to take labels like that in stride."
"What do you mean?" Akira asks.
"Morgana said Personas are the powers of the heart, right?"
"Yeah something like that," Akira replies.
"So, if my heart gets stronger, then my Persona will too?"
"I would assume so."
"What I mean by all that is… is that I want to strengthen my heart. I want to use the strength of my heart and help those around me. Like you have," Ann says squeezing his hand. "I want the Phantom Thieves to be able to save people like Shiho. People like me. People like everyone Kamoshida abused. I want us to be able to change the hearts of rotten people who would rather see others below them than see them as equals."
"That's very noble, Ann," Akira replies smiling.
"You think so? There's only one problem with it," Ann says. "I don't even know what 'strength' is. But I'm going to find the answer. Somehow someway I'll find it."
"I've been given a similar goal," Akira says as Ann looks at him puzzled. "It's not important," he says trying to brush off her curiousness, "but what would you say to finding it together?"
"I'd love that," Ann says with the biggest smile Akira has ever seen. That smile could light up the world, he thinks.