The Saturday school day went without much incidents, but Kobayakawa's threat still lingered in the back of Yu's mind. They had less than two weeks to give him a change of heart, or else his life would be over. He told his team members that they would resume infiltration on Monday, but Akechi told Yu that he would most likely have to take Monday off if he still planned on going to Sae's kickboxing. Yu told him it would be fine, while Akechi told him it would not be fine. Their arguing was broken up with a single text from Morgana.
Morgana: I'm bored. Can any of you guys show me around?
Yu: Akechi?
Akechi: Sorry. Sae-san needs help with a case today.
Yu: Shiho?
Shiho: Still healing. Shoichi's meds have been a lot of help, but the docs still want to keep me locked up for today.
Morgana: Oh come on! You were just fine when you first entered the Metaverse!
Shiho: I know, but the docs don't want me out. I'm sorry Morgana.
Yu: I'll go. Don't have anything planned.
Morgana: Alright! Wild Card to the rescue!
Yu: Meet me outside school.
Morgana: Going there now.
Yu sat outside the school gates until he heard his name being called. Looking over, he saw Morgana strutting over to him. Unlike before, she was dressed in a black sundress with several yellow cat faces printed on it, high-heel leather boots that went up to her knees, with a purse that had a cat paw stitched in. The final touch was the scarf that covered up her collarbone, and her 'V' belt secure around her waist.
"Oh Yu! I'm ready!" She squealed like a spoiled schoolgirl.
"Hello yourself, Morgana. Where do you want to go?"
"Hmmmmmm… how about a diner Akechi told me about? He said that it serves something called sushi."
"Sushi? Alright. Do you know where it is?"
"Yup! Akechi showed me the way, but no one was inside when we got there. Akechi said it was because the place was 'closed', even though the door wasn't boarded up or anything. But it should be open now! All I need is what you humans call money!"
"Oh, so that's why you wanted someone."
"Heheh. Yea, sorry. But, look at this way, you get to make sure I don't embarrass myself." Morgana suggested.
"Yea, better I come with you so we don't get any complications from you getting arrested." Yu agreed.
"That's the spirit! Follow me! I know the way."
Morgana did not, in fact, know the way. At least, not from school. After getting lost for a whole hour, they had to backpedal to school, then head to Akechi's appartement, then go to the sushi place. Thankfully, most of the customers were clearing out by the time they arrived, so they were able to place their orders. While they were waiting, Yu knew that Morgana looked like a tourist with all of her 'Oohh's and 'Aahh's at everything. And, to be fair, she technically was.
"Is this what all food providing places look like?"
"No. This place is called a sit-down restaurant. Different places serve different foods."
"Oh, then that explains why Akechi wanted to go to the… oh, what did he call it… 'American Diner', I think. He said they served something called pancakes."
"Pancakes, huh? Didn't know Akechi liked those."
"What are they like?"
"Well, they're very different from sushi, that's for sure."
"Well, in that case, I'd like to try it some time. What else is there in the way of restaurants?"
Before the two could continue their discussion, the chef came by with their meals. While Yu ordered regular sushi, Morgana ordered everything on the menu, and her food came in on various plates. Yu knew he would have to spend his life savings this time for sure. He ate his sushi casually, but when Morgana tried her first piece, she froze. For a moment, Yu was worried that she didn't like it, and all that money would go to waste. But instead, she grabbed the plate and started to wolf it all down her throat like there was no tomorrow. Yu let out a gasp and quickly stopped her, but the damage was already done. He could hear everyone around them mutter to themselves how disrespectful the foreign girl was. Yu rubbed his eyes, expecting the shop owner to kick them out, but instead, he simply laughed.
"Haha! You love sushi that much girl?"
"Yush sher!"
"HAHA! Well, in that case, please, try not to kill yourself with that much. I'd hate to lose such a valuable customer."
The man returned to his work, and the two resumed eating, ignoring the small glares sent their way. Yu was afraid that Morgana wouldn't be able to finish what she had, but to his surprise, she was going strong long after he himself finished his food. Once she put in the final bite and washed it down, she let out a burp so loud and obnoxious, one could be forgiven for thinking it was a sound effect for a text or whatnot. The other customers shot looks, but Morgana was not fazed in the slightest, so Yu was embarrassed for her. The chef came over, taking the loud and sudden noise as his cue.
"Well god damn, you actually managed to eat it all lady! You want anything else?"
Morgana opened her mouth, but whatever she was going to say got cut off by Yu.
"No, we will not. Could we have the check now, please?"
"Sure sure. One minute."
This is going to bankrupt me.
The man returned with the bill, and as Yu suspected, this time he would have to cough up all of his money to pay. But when he handed the cash to the chef, he saw Morgana's puzzled look.
"Wait, that's money?"
"Yea, it is."
"But… it's paper."
"Yea, it is." Yu repeated.
"Why is it paper? I thought money would be something that could actually be useful."
"Money is useful."
"It's paper. Paper can't be eaten, or used as a weapon. It's flimsy, is destroyed easily, and-"
Morgana let out a gasp, like she came to a sudden realization.
"Paper makes excellent kindling! Is money used to keep someone warm?"
"What? No."
"T-Then… what's the purpose of money? It's completely worthless."
"That's not true. Some money comes in the form of coins."
"Ahhh, and coins come in the form of metal. And since humans grow in number, but metal doesn't, the paper is meant to be a substitute. I see now."
"Correct. Hey, shouldn't you know this already? I mean, you already know movies, since you thought Akechi was evil just because of his eye color."
"Movies? What are those? I just thought he was evil because Shadows also have red eyes."
"Oh."
The chef returned with the receipt. Yu took it and thanked the man for his hospitality, and when they got out of the restaurant, Morgana stretched and licked her lips, followed by a belch. She turned to regard Yu, a huge smile on her face.
"This was all kinds of fun Yu! Thanks for taking me here!"
"I'm glad you liked it."
"I wonder: If this is where humans go to feed, I wonder what other aspects of human life are like. Like those things you called movies!"
"Well, I'll be happy to show you, but not today. Today, I need to head back. If you want to head to somewhere else, then I advise you take Akechi with you."
"Yea, ok. I'd prefer you, but if you can't take me, then hey, nothing I can do. Thanks again Yu!" Morgana thanked as she turned around and started to run back to Akechi's apartment.
I am thou. Thou art I.
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of freedom that will lead thee to the truth.
With the birth of the MagicianArcana,
Thou hast obtained the blessing that will grant thee new power.
Yu had returned to his room and decided to study, which lead to an increase in his knowledge. As soon as he finished, his cell phone began to ring. Examining the number, he smiled.
"Hi dad." Yu greeted with a smile.
"Hey son. How's my favorite son doing?"
"Your only son is doing fine. I've made a few friends here."
"I'm glad to hear that. How are Sae and Makoto treating you?"
"They've been very considerate. I have to be back by 9, and write in a probation diary, but I'll manage."
"I see. I'm glad you're doing well. Nanako told me you called."
"Yea, I did. Speaking of that, I heard that you've taken someone in."
"Ah, right. Minato Arisato. Apparently, his parents died, and he was sent to live with his godfather since then. And that godfather just so happened to be married to your aunt."
"So… he's my cousin?"
"In name only. He doesn't have Narukami blood in him."
"How's he been treating you? When I talked to him, he seemed like a stuck up prick."
"WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE!" Dojima ordered so loudly Yu had to pull the phone back.
"Sorry dad." Yu apologized after a few seconds.
"Yea, yea. Back to your question… yea, Minato can be… blunt sometimes, but so far, I haven't seen any malice from him. He's been around Nanako plenty of times, and she's only seemed happier afterwords."
"Huh, interesting. So what have you been up to?"
"There's been a serial murder case. But don't worry, I'll have the perp behind bars before you come back."
"A serial killer? Is everyone safe?"
"He's only struck twice, but so far, no one close to you has been hurt."
"I'm glad to hear it. How have my work places been faring?"
"Well… the kids at the daycare miss you, the hospital's been more filthy since you left, and Shu Nakujima's grades have started slipping since you stopped tutoring him, or at least according to his mother."
"What about Yosuke?"
"He… he's been better, if I'm honest. When you were around, he was just an outcast, but now, he's straight up hated because he was your friend. People give him the silent treatment, push and shove him whenever they walk side-by-side, and some restaurants straight up refuse to serve him."
"Wow. I figured it would be bad, but that's on another level."
"Yea. But Minato's been nice to him at least. Or rather, his version of nice."
"I'm glad not everyone treats him bad. What's Minato like?"
"He's… he's honest. And quiet."
"Describe 'honest'."
"I once cooked for him-"
"Oh dear God."
"And he said that I should be arrested for testing chemical warfare on a civilian."
Yu let out a hearty laugh, and Dojima joined in shortly after. They both knew that Dojima couldn't cook, relying on his wife for food, and after she passed away, it fell on Yu. Once, Dojima tried to cook to show his son that he was grateful for everything Yu did for him. The result was Yu needing to have his stomach pumped so he wouldn't die of food poisoning. After the two had calmed down, Dojima spoke again.
"How about you, son? Anything interesting happen?"
"I've befriended Goro Akechi. The Goro Akechi."
"Wait, really? I've met him. He asked me to sign his pea coat, said I was the reason that he joined the police to begin with. Didn't think you'd manage to befriend someone famous."
"I managed to get a date with Rise Kujikawa."
"That's different."
Yu heard a voice that sounded suspiciously like Minato's in the background, and Dojima regarded his son shortly after.
"Look Yu, I have to go. Keep doing what you're doing."
"Alright dad. I love you."
"Love you too, son. Make me proud."
The line went dead, and Yu hung up as well. Then he heard it buzz and saw a text from none other than Akechi himself.
Akechi: Excuse me for bothering you so late an hour, Narukami-san, I just wanted to say thank you for indulging in Morgana-san's desires.
Yu: It's no problem Akechi. And word of advise; if she wants to go somewhere, go with her. And be prepared to keep her in eyesight.
Akechi: She told me about the restaurant. Her wolfing down sushi sounds like a humorous sight. And you can bet some students caught wind of that and will no doubt bring it up at school.
Yu: Great. Just great.
Akechi: Yes…
Yu: Akechi, what's the real reason you wanted to talk to me?
Akechi: It's about your training session tomorrow with Sae-san.
Yu: I thought we settled this.'
Akechi: I'm still worried about you. Especially since you're our leader, and the success of our infiltration is dependant on your health.'
Yu: Well, stop worrying. I'll be fine.'
Akechi: I doubt it.'
Yu: Look, even if I do get beaten to a pulp, I still have a few personas that can heal, not to mention Shoichi's meds. Don't worry, we'll steal Kobayakawa's heart before the deadline.
Akechi: I hope you're right. I have to go now, Morgana's adamant about me going to bed.
Yu: Hehe. Good night.
Akechi: Good night.
Before Yu went to bed for the night, he decided to get some studying done. He felt his knowledge increase afterwords.