5/14
Makoto is just finishing up making breakfast for two when there's a knocking at the door. She quickly scoops eggs onto both plates alongside bagels and rushes to put them on the table before going to the door. Makoto opens it to find a happy, if somewhat tired Haru on the other side.
"Good morning, Haru," Makoto says as she lets Haru inside. "I made breakfast."
"Good morning, that's very kind of you Mako-chan! Thank you!" Haru says as she moves towards the table. "It looks delicious!"
"Oh please, Haru!" Makoto says. "It's just eggs and toasted bagels."
"Is Sae-san gone again?" Haru asks.
"Yes, she's been very busy at work. She's about to be assigned a new case with a high priority," Makoto explains. "She only comes back to get a change of clothes. What about you? Is your father back?"
Haru's face visibly falls and she stops eating. She stiffens in her chair as she responds.
"He is," Haru says shortly.
"Is something wrong Haru?" Makoto asks.
Haru fidgets in her seat as she ponders the question. Makoto sees her face begin to contort as she attempts to find an answer. Haru's eyes briefly tear up.
"Father… Father has seen fit to… seen fit to find me," Haru attempts to say without breaking down. "Father has informed me… that I am to be married to a qualified suitor," Haru says as tears streak down her cheeks.
Makoto stares at her friend horrified. Breakfast is long forgotten as Makoto digests the words she's just heard.
Okumura Foods. Haru: Heiress to the company. Father could gain significant money from appropriate marriage. Family has money. Could he want power? Physical like military? Political? Intelligence? No, must be either money or power.
"Father has always wanted the family to marry into something that would grow our power and possessions," Haru says as she gathers her emotions. "He's going to begin interviewing candiat—" Haru is interrupted as Makoto slams her fork to the table.
"INTERVIEW?!" Makoto shouts. "He's going to interview potential husbands?! Like it's a job or something?! What the hell Haru?!"
"Mako-chan, please!" Haru pleads with her friend to calm. "It's still somewhat far off! Father doesn't think we'll be able to find anybody for at least a few months if not years."
"Haru you can't be fine with this," Makoto gasps in disbelief.
"I'm… I'm not. Not really… But we must think of the family. That's what Father keeps saying. We need to secure the company and our family."
"Haru your family are billionaires!" Makoto says. "You're secure! What else does he want? More money? Power?"
"Y-yes. He's going to find political families with lots of pull in the Diet and marry me to one of their sons," Haru says quietly.
Makoto sits back in her chair attempting to take it all in. Haru's words fill her with anger and frustration. The objectification of Haru and her feelings, her future, was simply despicable. Makoto knows her own father would never have done such a thing. He would never have allowed such a thing.
"Mako-chan, I don't really wish to talk about it any further," Haru says poking at her breakfast. "As I said, Father thinks it'll be some time before anyone suitable is found so it may not be for another few years."
"Do you trust your father to pick what is best for you, not just for himself?" Makoto asks quietly.
"I do. Until he proves to me otherwise," Haru says with a small smile. "Father has always worked very hard, but I know he's always done so with the intent for what is best for our family."
"Ok Haru," Makoto says. "I don't agree with it, but if you're fine with it, I suppose I will be alright with it."
Haru smiles at Makoto's words and continues eating the breakfast in front of her. The meal between the two girls stretches on in silence as each wonder how to pick up the conversation again. Sounds of food in mouths and scrapes of silverware against plates are the only thing that occupies the volume of silence in the apartment.
"Are we still planning on discussing the investigation from the previous week?" Haru asks.
"Yes," Makoto says with a slight smile, "if you're still up for it."
"Of course! I am curious to see what you have learned as I am afraid I didn't get much information myself," Haru replies.
"What do you mean? Do you feel Mishima-kun is not involved?" Makoto asks.
"I'm not sure yet," Haru says as she bites into her bagel, "'ut if he is in'ol'ed… then he isn't going anywhere to do anything."
"I don't follow," Makoto replies.
"He spends most of his time either at home or at school," Haru explains. "One day he went to the arcade for nearly six hours! Unless the Phantom Thieves are operating out of the backroom of an arcade on Central Street, then I doubt he's involved."
"That certainly makes sense," Makoto says. "But if they're not currently operating right now then he could just be spending time off. Do you think that is a possibility?"
"I'm not sure," Haru says. "But I suppose anything is possible. Do we know how they operate yet? Do we know if they even have down time?"
"I don't know. Let's put Mishima-kun into the maybe pile and focus on the other three students."
"What did you find about them?" Haru asks.
"Thankfully they typically spend time together so they're rather easy to track and even easier to keep track of in a crowd," Makoto says reaching for her notebook. "During exams, they all seemed to go straight home. Takamaki-san lives in a penthouse with a doorman to the building so following her any closer isn't possible. Sakamoto-kun lives with his mother in some small apartments just off Central. And interestingly, Kurusu-kun lives in a coffee shop."
"He lives in a coffee shop?"
"I think so," Makoto says flipping through her notes. "He goes in there after school, occasionally works the counter, and doesn't come out until fairly late at night. If he comes out at all. I don't stick around all night to make sure."
"Sounds like you want to," Haru says.
"I'd like to be sure," Makoto nods. "Still, for the most part, they seem to just be three typical high school students. Nothing about their behavior stands out yet. If they're lying low after Kamoshida, they're doing a good job so far."
"Will we continue to investigate them then?" Haru asks.
"I'd like to give it another week to make sure," Makoto says. "Though I admit, staying on top of school and tailing them is exceptionally difficult."
"I agree Mako-chan," Haru says. "I know that you want to find out if they're the Phantom Thieves, but is it possible that they aren't and we're following the wrong people?"
"Yes, the thought has crossed my mind," Makoto says. "But the fact stands that they're all friends, with motive to do it, something to gain if it happened, and they all seem to be better off now that it has. If it isn't them… I'd eat an entire Big Bang Burger."
"I wouldn't do that," Haru says stifling a laugh. "I know what goes on behind the counter!"
XXXX
Akira: You still ok with going to the exhibit today? Ryuji and I can go if you don't feel comfortable.
Ann: I'll be fine. I worry that Madarame's student will have you removed if I'm not there.
-What the hell did he mean that he wants me to model for him and that's why he was following me?
Akira: I don't know. I thought that was strange too.
Ann: He seems strange in more ways than one.
-Anyway, we can talk more once we're there. Come find me before we go in, OK?
Akira: Got it. See you there
Ann: See you!
XXXX
Akira steps off the train and onto the platform and heads for the stairs. Morgana pokes his nose out of Akira's bag enough to speak but not enough to notice.
"I'm telling you, I've got a weird feeling about this guy. Don't you?" Akira nods. "Good, then we're on the same page. Listen, I think we should get someone to tail Madarame himself and someone else to tail the student. Seems like they're pretty cushy together so I'm not expecting one to roll over on the other." Akira nods again.
Akira climbs the stairs and turns the corner to see Ann standing nearby outside the exhibit. Crowds of people are all gathered around trying to get in or get a glimpse of Madarame himself based on what they're shouting. Akira walks up to Ann as she's texting someone.
"Hey!" Ann says in her bubbly manner. Ryuji just texted me. He's going to be a bit late."
"Never would have seen that coming," Akira mutters with a smile. Ann smiles back and stands a bit closer as the crowd seems to grow and pushes the students away from the door. Akira's heart flutters a bit as he realizes that they're standing so close their arms are pressed up against each other.
Akira feels a hand slap his back and as he turns around, he sees a smiling blonde standing behind him.
"What's up!" Ryuji says. "Sorry I'm late, traffic was a real bastard."
"Traffic? You can't drive!" Ann says.
"Foot traffic! Man, you really are blonde," Ryuji teases which causes Ann to blush and remain silent. "Anyway, should we go in"
XXXX
"Sure is crowded in here," Morgana says as the Shujin students maneuver their way into the exhibit itself. "I'm getting squished back here in the crowd."
"It'd be a pain in the ass if someone sees you," Ryuji tells Morgana. "So don't stick your head out too much, alright?"
"You came!" A voice exclaims causing all students to jump. Akira turns and sees Yusuke walking towards them. Ann visibly stiffens up as he approaches.
"Um… yeah," Ann says.
"Oh, I see everybody came," Yusuke says looking Ryuji up and down.
"Well you did give us all tickets," Ryuji spits back.
"Indeed. Just make sure you don't get in the way of the other visitors," Yusuke replies. Yusuke turns to Ann, "Come now, I'll show you around. I'd like to speak more about the picture I'd like to draw too."
"Uh…" Ann says looking to Akira. Akira removes his bag containing Morgana and hands it to her.
"Could you hold this? I need to use the restroom." Ann's eyes light up at realizing his plan.
"Of course!" she says taking the bag and placing over her own shoulder. "I'll see you guys later!" Ann says and walks off with Yusuke, apparently more relaxed.
"Good idea," Ryuji nudges him. "Now we can have Morgana keep an eye on Ann while we go find the big guy himself." Akira nods and moves with Ryuji to the middle of the exhibition room.
Sure enough, the boys find Madarame standing in front of one of his works in the middle of the room being interviewed by a small crowd of reporters.
"We continue to be truly inspired by your imagination!" One exclaims.
"You have such expansive styles!" Another shouts.
"Where does all your inspiration come from?" A reporter in the front asks.
"Well, it's rather difficult… to put into words," Madarame responds. "They naturally well up from within my heart like bubbles rising one after another in a spring. What's important is to distance oneself from worldly desires such as money and fame."
"Guy seems real full of himself huh?" Ryuji whispers.
"My atelier is a modest shack," Madarame continues, "but it is more than enough to pursue true beauty."
"A shack…" Akira mutters.
"So, the act of emptying one's mind gives rise to inner beauty?" A reporter clarifies. "Still, to think that we could hear the word 'shack' coming from the great artist Madarame."
"You would understand if you saw it, hahaha" Madarame says as the reporters laugh with him.
Ryuji and Akira step out of the way as fans are let into the exhibit and spot Madarame. Shrieks are heard as a crowd of fans gather around Madarame.
"H-hey!" Ryuji says being jostled by the crowd. "Stop pushin'! Watch it you old man!" Akira chuckles and grabs Ryuji's sleeve and pulls him out of the crowd and towards an exit.
XXXX
Ann stands with her back to Yusuke. Yusuke asks her a question, but she doesn't catch it.
"Uh-huh. Yeah, I didn't realize there were so many types of Japanese art," Ann says feigning a response to the question.
"Usually one concentrates on their own style. However, Sensei creates all this by himself," Yusuke says. "He's truly special."
"There you are, Yusuke," Ann hears behind her. She turns to see Madarame approaching the two of them. "Ah, the girl from yesterday. Are you enjoying the exhibit?"
"Yes," Ann says with a small bow. "I don't know how to put it into words, but some of this work is really amazing."
"You're sensing something from the artwork? That alone is enough to give us artists satisfaction," Madarame chortles. "I hope that, with her, this becomes a wonderful piece Yusuke. Now, please excuse me," Madarame says as he leaves them again.
"You'd imagine artists would be difficult to approach, but he seems really friendly," Ann says.
"Indeed," Yusuke nods.
Ann turns and spots the piece she saw in the montage on the television the other day. She moves towards it.
"Oh, this is it! The painting I wanted to see in person!"
"You wanted to see this one?" Yusuke asks.
"Mhmm, I really like this one. I feel like… I can sense the artist's anger. It seems like strong frustration went into making it," Ann says. Yusuke makes a noise in his throat. "Is something wrong?" Ann asks.
"It's nothing. Come, there are better pieces than this here," Yusuke says as he turns to leave. He moves to a secluded part of the room. As Ann follows him he turns to speak to her.
"I apologize if you came here today expecting to be my model but I'm suddenly unable to focus my creativity. May I give you my contact info and the address to Sensei's atelier? You could schedule a time that works best for you this way," Yusuke says.
"Oh, uh… sure," Ann says. Yusuke pulls out a pen and scrap of paper and scribbles his information on it. He hands it to Ann.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I must go," Yusuke says and leaves Ann standing there without a second glance.
"Uh…" Ann says stunned.
"Maybe it's an artist thing," Morgana whispers to her.
"I guess."
XXXX
Ann leaves the exhibit and sees the boys standing in the place they met up at before they went in as she moves closer to them, she hears Ryuji speaking.
"Hey Ann, listen to this," Ryuji says acknowledging her arrival. Ann touches Akira's hand and hands him back his bag with Morgana inside of it as Ryuji continues to read from his phone. "A master of the Japanese arts is plagiarizing his pupil's work. Only his pubic face is shown on TV."
"Plagiarizing?!" Ann says. Ryuji nods and continues.
"I didn't think much of it but hearing Madarame mention his shack triggered it. There's more. His treatment of the pupils who live with him is awful. He teaches them nothing and bosses them around. He treats them inhumanely as if disciplining a dog…"
"Abuse on top of plagiarism?" Morgana says.
"Terrible," Akira mutters.
"It's more than that, it's awful! Poor Kitagawa-kun is probably being abused too!" Ann says.
"If this is real, it'll be a huge scandal. And good publicity for the Phantom Thieves," Ryuji says eagerly.
"Wonder who posted it," Ann says.
"Could be anyone, it's anonymous after all," Ryuji replies.
"I think this absolutely confirms it," Morgana says. "This Madarame is the same one we heard about in Mementos."
"Agreed," Akira says.
Ryuji nods as Ann looks nervous at the revelation.
"A nice old man like that doing such a thing?" Ann whispers to herself. "Do you think we could ask that shadow from earlier about this?"
"Doubtful," Morgana says. "Unless the guy relapsed and went back to stalking his girlfriend that shadow is long gone. I don't even know if people can relapse like that."
"What about Mishima?" Akira suggests. "He runs the site, maybe he's got a way of tracking down the guy who posted it."
"That could work," Morgana says.
"That settles it then," Akira says. "I'll ask Mishima about it tomorrow. What happened with the modeling gig with Yusuke?" Akira asks.
"Oh, Kitagawa-kun gave me his contact info. And the address to his Sensei's atelier," Ann says.
"Perfect, we can use that to go there and check for his palace," Akira says.
"And Yusuke said he lives there, right?" Ryuji says. "So, we'll just accompany you to your gig and check then. We can go right after school!"
"Huh?!" Ann says as a knot forms in her stomach. "You want me to model tomorrow?! Th-this is too sudden!"
"What's wrong Ann?" Akira asks.
"What's wrong?! This guy was stalking me a couple of days ago and now we're talking about going to his place to have me model for him! W-we don't know anything about him! What if Ryuji is right and this is all some elaborate ruse to sleep with me?!" Ann rapidly fires off.
"Annie," Akira says calmly as he reaches out and puts a hand on her shoulder, "the choice is yours. Just say you don't want to do it and we'll call it off and plan something else."
Ann's stomach knot tightens even more as she imagines the group having to re-plan everything because of her. She tries to hide it as she swallows.
"N-no, that's ok…"
"Well why don't we meet up tomorrow at the hideout?" Akira suggests. "We'll discuss it further from the school roof and see how we're all feeling about it tomorrow?"
"Yes," Ann says. "That would be appreciated."
"Works for me," Ryuji replies.
"Alright. Then let's call it a day," Akira says. "We'll reconvene tomorrow."
Everyone bids their farewells as they all separate and go home.
XXXX
Ann rides the elevator up to her penthouse apartment at the end of another long day. Her stomach is restless and tight as the knot from earlier in the day remains. The elevator arrives to the floor and dings as she steps out of the opening doors. She checks over her shoulder one final time before inserting her key into the lock and going inside. Ann is once again greeted to a dark apartment, no lights on in any room. No life here.
Ann sets her bag down on the counter and flips on the light above the sink, bathing the kitchen in a warm orange glow. Ann digs in the cupboard for some packaged brownies and snags one as she knocks it off the shelf. She makes her way into the bathroom, unwrapping and snacking on the brownie as she heads in. Ann looks through the mirror cabinet for some stomach medicine to ease her unpleasant feeling. Taking a dosage of the medicine, and finishing her brownie, Ann heads into her bedroom to get changed for bed. As she throws her shirt and tights into the corner of the room, her phone pings.
Shiho: I swear if I have to eat another one of Nurse Fujinoki's pudding cups, I'll hurl it out the window
Ann giggles at her friends' message and quickly sits to respond.
Ann: I'll bring you something better next time I come visit XD
Shiho: When are you coming by next?
Ann: Tuesday maybe? I don't know, my schedules kinda meh at the moment
Shiho: PT things?
Ann: Yep! We may have someone new to target!
Shiho: Awesome! Are they a real scumbag?
Ann: I'll let you know once we've officially confirmed it. We're still kinda up in the air about it right now
-Ryuji wants to get anybody if it'll make us famous
-I think he forgets he can't actually use it to impress girls
Shiho: Sounds like him haha. Well I'm excited to see if you've 'strengthened your heart' at all
Ann: I told Akira about that…
Shiho: How're things going with him?
Ann: I don't know
-Sometimes we act like we're a couple together, but it seems like most of the time we're together I'm just another member of the team to him
Shiho: Have you told him how you feel about him?
Ann: No, I don't know what to say!
-If I'm going to say something, I want it to be meaningful not just some stammering over what words to use
Shiho: Yeah, I get that. We'll work on when you come visit
Ann: Can I ask you something? Something personal?
Shiho: Annie, you know you can ask me anything. Nothing is off limits between us
Ann: You're gonna make me cry!
-Did you ever feel like a different person? Like you're lost in the world and the person you are today is different from the person a month ago?
Shiho: You feel like you've become a different person since the PTs?
Ann: Kinda…
Shiho: Yeah, I've felt that way. I didn't really know how to deal with it. After the jump, I feel like I'm getting back to old me again. My therapist thinks it's because of the police finally arresting him. Finally paying for his crimes.
-But I keep going back to this thing my grandma used to say all the time when I was younger
- "Memento Mori"
Ann: If that's English, I don't know it
Shiho: It's not, lol. It's Latin
-Grandma used to say all the time that we've only got one life. One chance here on this planet to make things worth it
-Literally translated, it means 'remember death'
-But Grandma said it meant to remember that you are mortal, and you've got to make life count. Do what you want and live life to the fullest to get the most out of every moment
Ann: That's beautiful. And kinda morbid haha
Shiho: Right? Lol
-But Grandma always said up until she passed that she had no regrets and was proud of the life she lived
-Moving forward, I'm going to be more like her. I want to be someone that she recognizes and welcomes when I meet her. But I only want to meet her when the time is right
-I am not sure if this helps you at all, sorry :P
Ann: It does actually :D
-Changing who I am in life isn't a huge deal if I can still be proud of the person I am
-I've got you, and the boys, and I'm proud of myself for what we've accomplished. I'm excited to see what we can do, and who we can help moving forward
Shiho: That sounds like a plan Ann!
-Puns aside, I'm glad it helped. I'll forever be thankful for everything you've done for me. I know you guys are going to keep going on to do great things.
-I think the meds they've got me on are making me drowsy LOL
Ann: You can just admit you're tired haha
Shiho: NEVER!
Ann: Well how about I tell you all about our meeting tomorrow?
Shiho: That sounds good, good night Ann! 3 U!
Ann: Love you too! See you!
Ann sets the phone down and wipes the tears from her eyes. "Memento Mori," she whispers to herself. Ann gets her pajamas on and lays down in bed. Before she rolls over and goes to sleep, she makes one last quick phone call.
"Hello?" Ann's mother says.
"Good morning, Mom," Ann says.
"Annie! How are you doing? Is everything OK since we last spoke?"
"Yeah," Ann says smiling, "I just wanted to call and tell you I love you."