5/8

Daisuke Takanashi opens his eyes to sunlight trickling in through the shades. He yawns. Remembering that it is Sunday, he rolls over and throws his blanket back over his head. He's got a lazy day ahead of him, and he intends to make the most of it.

His phone vibrates from its place on his nightstand. He snatches it up and curses when he sees who it is. The instructions are simple. The whole gang is meeting up at the arcade, and Takanashi is expected to bring enough money for all of them.

They want all the yen he'd taken from Maehara the day before. "Man, what a drag."

All he wants is to stay in bed, and not go outside. Now he's got to go to the arcade and entertain those jackasses.

He hops out of bed, and makes his way downstairs, a scowl on his face.

His mother stands over the stove, eyes focused on whatever she's cooking. It smells like eggs. "Morning," he grumbles.

She grunts in response, which is about as warm as it gets in the Takanashi household. Then, straightening as if she's just remembered something, she says, "You've got a letter."

"Huh?" Daisuke asks, as he pulls up a chair at the kitchen table. "A what?"

"A letter," his mother says, slowly, as if he's a moron. "A paper and envelope one. I found it in the hallway this morning. Must've been slipped through the mail slot." She nods towards the table. There's a small white envelop there, with his name scrawled across its front.

Daisuke leans over and takes it up the envelope. "Maybe it's a love letter," he says, smirking.

"For you?" His mother asks. "Doubtful."

Daisuke frowns, stands, and grabs a piece of crisp bread from the toaster. "I'll eat in my room," he mumbles, and turns back towards the stairs.

"If you want to be rude, go ahead," she snaps in response.

He returns to his room, shuts the door, and plops down in his desk's chair. He bites into the bread, then takes another look at the envelope. It looks simple, nothing like those love letters he's seen in anime. With a sigh, he slides one finger into the groove and starts to rip it open.

Maybe I've won a million yen.

He hasn't.

A red and black card greets him. "What the-?" He whispers, then he sees what it says.

Dear Daisuke Takanashi, the Scourge of Shujin:

We've been watching. We know how you bully your fellow students. How you cheat and lie and steal from them. Your actions have harmed your schoolmates and are leading you down the road to ruin. That is why we have decided to change your heart. We will steal the corruption out of you, and you will see the error of your ways. This will happen tomorrow. Prepare yourself.

Sincerely,

The Phantom Thieves of Hearts

"No way," he says. "No freaking way."

He knew his name had popped up on the PhanSite, that that idiot Maehara had put a request out on him. But who would've thought the Phantom Thieves would bother with some kid like him? Didn't they have more important things to do?

Evidently not.

Unless.

Unless this was a trick. A scam. He reads the note through once more, then crumples it up. "Maehara, you fuck!" This was all that fat asshole's doing! He was trying to pull a fast one! Trying to get him to back off, thinking that the Phantom Thieves were after him.

His breath comes in shorter and shorter gasps. Calm down, he tells himself. Calm down. It was all bullshit. He didn't care what the rumors said. The Phantom Thieves weren't superheroes, and they weren't supernatural. They had blackmailed Kamoshida, somehow. And that other request people were talking about? The one with the stalker? That could've easily been faked. He throws the Calling Card into his waste basket.

"Yeah," he says, to no one. "Nothing to worry about. Nothing."

But, of course he doesn't believe it.

#

Joker stands before the gaping maw of Mementos. Mona sits on the ground alongside him, eyes narrowed and focused.

Skull leans against a pillar behind them, tapping his foot against the diseased concrete. "How much longer is this gonna take?" He asks.

"As long as it's supposed to, Bonehead," Mona hisses through gritted teeth. "This isn't an exact science."

"Yeah, well, we're kinda on a schedule here!"

Joker holds up a hand towards Skull. "Just let Mona do his thing. He's got this."

Skull rolls his eyes and keeps tapping his foot.

Joker turns his attention back to the stairwell leading down into the depths, and asks, "How is it going, Mona?"

"It would be going a lot easier if you didn't keep distracting me!"

"Okay," Joker says, taking a few steps away from the cat. "Sorry." He turns and joins Skull against the pillar.

"What if Mona can't sense Takanashi's shadow?" Skull asks. "We've already sent the calling card!"

Their plan had a lot of moving parts, and Joker had to admit, he was nervous about their capacity to pull it off. But he was the leader, and he couldn't let the others know that. "He'll find it. And if he can't, we'll come up with something else."

"Got it!" Mona shouts, standing. "I can totally sense Takanashi. He just appeared."

"So?" Skull asks, pushing himself off the pillar. "How far down is he?"

Mona turns to them with a cocky smile. "Two floors. Piece of cake."

Joker lets out a sigh, and allows himself to relax a bit. "That's good."

"Yeah," Skull says. "If he was deeper than that, we would've been screwed."

"Let's head back," Mona says, jogging up to them. "And check in with Lady Ann."

"I gotta meet up with Mishima in a few minutes," Skull says, taking his phone from his pocket.

"Remember," Joker says, as Mona hops up onto his shoulder. "Don't go into too much detail. Just show him the ropes, tell him where to go, and give him the script."

"I got it, I got it," Skull says, grinning. "Don't worry. I won't screw this up."

"It's not you I'm worried about," Joker mutters, as Skull uses his phone to take them out of the Metaverse.

#

Ann stands outside Room 345. She takes a moment to prepare herself, then opens the door.

Shiho's eyes shoot her way, and they brighten when they see her. "Hi, Ann!"

"Hey, Shiho," Ann says, and shuts the door behind her. She closes the distance between them and wraps the girl in a light hug. "How're you feeling?"

"Better," Shiho says, and moves a sticky strand of hair from her face. "The doctors say I can start physical therapy soon."

"That's great."

"Mmmhmm," Shiho replies. "I can't wait. I feel like I've been sitting in this bed forever. I want to move around, even if it hurts."

Ann pulls up a chair and sits down. "You're really brave, Shiho."

The girl's cheeks redden and she shakes her head. "No. I'm not really." She smiles, and it looks almost like her old one. "I'm just bored." She glances past Ann, towards the door. Then, she leans towards her friend and whispers, "I saw that website. The PhanSite. I guess that means you guys are going to keep changing hearts, right?"

Ann frowns and nods. "Um, yeah. We're working on our next move, as a matter of fact."

"Wow," Shiho says, eyes widening. "I still can't believe you were the ones who took down Kamoshida."

"Yeah, well, that bastard deserved a lot worse than he got."

Shiho nods but doesn't reply. Then she reaches out and takes Ann's hand. "Are you okay? You seem off today."

Ann bites her lip and averts her eyes. "Well, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. Two things, actually."

"What's up?"

Ann tells her what Morgana overheard. "They suspect me?" Shiho asks, paling. "B-but, I was in a coma!"

"I know," Ann says, nodding, patting Shiho's arm as the girl's breath starts to grow more ragged. "We know. Calm down. It's probably because you were the last person Kamoshida hurt before he confessed. Maybe they just think you're an accomplice, or you asked us to do something to him. Maybe they don't really suspect you, but figure they might as well make sure. Just, be careful, okay? We're doing our best to handle it." She frowns and dips her head forward. "And, well, that's the second thing I wanted to talk to you about."

"Yeah?" Shiho asks, refocusing.

Ann locks eyes with her friend. "We need your help." She walks Shiho through the plan.

#

Akechi raps his knuckles against the office door. "Knock, knock," he intones, pleasantly.

Sae Niijima looks up from her desk. Immaculate for the most part, her eyes are bloodshot. Unsurprising, given how long she's been bent over her case files.

"You really should get some more light in here, Niijima-san," Akechi mutters, but waits patiently at the door. His eyes flicker over the office. Everything is neat. Everything is in its place. There's just so much of it. Dozens of files are stacked atop filing cabinets Akechi happens to know are filled to the brim. Her desk is seemingly giftwrapped in manila folders, files, and reams of paper.

The look Sae gives him isn't one of warmth, but it holds no malice. If Akechi had to name it, it would be 'neutral.'

"Akechi-kun," Sae says after a time. "May I help you?"

Akechi takes a single, soft step inside. "It's been some time since we've spoken, I thought we might catch up. A new sushi place recently opened in Shibuya and I've been dying to check it out." He flashes her his best grin. "Your treat, of course."

Her eyes roll. "I'm afraid I'm too busy to entertain you."

"Well then," Akechi says, and takes another step forward. "Perhaps I could entertain you instead? Or, at least, be of assistance? Are there any cases you'd like me to take a look at?"

Sae eyes glaze over, and swim over the forest that is her office. "I haven't actually looked at all my assigned cases. There very well may be something for you to take a look at, but I haven't come across it yet."

"I see," Akechi replies, and steals his way into a seat across from her. "Well, it's no surprise you've a lot of cases. Things are getting crazy out there, in the city." Sae only nods in response. "Take that gym teacher, Suguru Kamoshida, I think his name was? Unbelievable, wouldn't you say?"

At the name, Sae visibly stiffens. Alright, Akechi thinks. Let's find out just how much your sister told you. Akechi's interrogation of Kamoshida was kept off the books. As far as Sae Niijima knew, Akechi had never spoken with the rapist.

"Your sister," Akechi says, as if just remembering it. "She attends Shujin Academy, yes? It must've been quite shocking for her, to see that man confess to his crimes like that."

Sae frowns. "Makoto was... fazed, yes."

Fazed. So she told you about his advances on her. That was only natural. "What does she think about these, so-called, Phantom Thieves? Does she think they're her fellow students?"

Sae shrugs. "Does it matter? Suguru Kamoshida confessed to his crimes. He'll rot in jail, where he belongs."

Akechi nods. "I suppose," he says, with a speculative lilt to his voice. "But it would appear that, given their recent activities, the Phantom Thieves are more than just a new urban legend. If it could be proven that Kamoshida's confession was coerced, it might be disregarded as evidence."

Sae's hand tightens around her pen. "That won't happen. Suguru Kamoshida will be sent to jail, and if I have anything to say about it, he'll die there."

"I see," Akechi replies, his voice appropriately awed. "Well, onto cheerier topics then. How is your sister doing? She's a third year, correct?"

"Why the interest in my sister, Akechi?"

"I like to think of it as an interest in you, Niijima-san. We're friends, aren't we?"

By response, Sae says, "Makoto is fine. She..." and here she pauses for a moment, before continuing on, "strayed from her path, recently. But she's fine."

"Oh? Strayed, how? If you don't mind my asking?"

Sae sighs, lets her pen fall, and leans back in her chair. "There is a boy. Was, a boy."

My, aren't we candid tonight? Akechi's eyes widen and he lets out a small chuckle. "I see. I think I can fill in the blanks. Does this boy unfortunate enough to have drawn your ire have a name?"

Sae scoffs. "Believe it or not, he's a criminal."

Makoto likes bad boys, huh? "Well, what are we talking about here? A shoplifter? A yakuza enforcer?"

"I'd appreciate it you didn't joke about this."

"Sorry."

Sae shakes her head. "He's a transfer student. He assaulted someone a few months ago. Got himself expelled. And now he's at Shujin."

Oh. She's talking about Akira Kurusu. Interesting. Given that he jumped to rescue Makoto from Kamoshida, I would say the feelings are mutual. How does Sae feel about that, I wonder? "You said there 'was' a boy. I take it you confronted him?"

Sae arches an eyebrow. "Why would you think I did anything?"

Because you won't let anything interfere with your trajectory, and the younger sister of a Public Prosecutor falling in love with a criminal would be a scandal used against you. "Because you love your sister and would do anything to protect her."

A faint smile tugs at the edges of Sae's mouth. "Am I that easy to read, Akechi?"

More than you know. He shrugs and smiles. "I am a detective, Niijima-san."

"I did talk to him. I'd like to think that he understands his place, but I don't know. There's something about him." Her smile fades and she focuses on Akechi. Really focuses on him. "He reminds me of you."

Akechi feels his adrenaline spike, but he keeps his face impassive. "How so?" He asks, teasingly.

Sae leans forward, and is silent for a moment. Then she says, "I don't know."

Akechi brushes a few strands of hair from his face. "I hope you won't start treating me like you do this young man."

Sae's frown deepens. "We'll see."

Akechi gives her his best, 'slightly intimidated chuckle,' and averts his eyes. "Geez, now I am worried." Sae Niijima. What does she know? Does she know anything? She's smart and driven, but that makes her blind. She may have some of the dots, but she doesn't know they connect. Akechi knew firsthand, that while Sae maintained a stern demeanor, internally she was an absolute mess. She contributes to this thing of ours without knowing anything about it. That's valuable, but it also makes her a liability. Kobayakowa was wrong. Killing Sae Niijima was the wrong move. That didn't mean it would always be so.

"Actually," Sae says, and her eyes take on the faraway look she sometimes gets when her brain works overtime. "I did want to ask you something, Akechi."

"Oh?"

"It's about Yukio Kan."

Akechi covers his shock by pretending to think about the name. "Ah, yes. That was the name of the 'New Dawn' politician who died a few days ago, correct?"

His shadow had been a sniveling little thing.

"His death was ultimately ruled a heart attack."

"I believe I read that in the paper."

"I'm not so sure it was."

Perhaps she's not as blind as I think. "And what do you think he died of?"

"I have no idea," Sae replies. "But something about the whole thing rubs me the wrong way."

"How so?"

"How quickly it was wrapped up. Yukio Kan was an up and coming politician. Yet his demise, after the initial report, was never really followed up on. They threw out a cursory article detailing his cause of death, but it wasn't picked up by any news outlets. It feels... off somehow."

"Off?"

She nods. "I know it sounds strange, but I've got this feeling. And it's something I've only felt twice before."

Akechi listens as she speaks, and begins to wonder if he shouldn't consider hastening Sae Niijima towards her inevitable downfall.