April 11th, the beginning of the first semester. Lately, Japan had been rocked with incidents known as Psychotic Breakdowns; incidents in which people suddenly lose their minds and commit terrible tragedies. The last few days were no different. "And this is a report of the subway crash that happened just the other day. The driver of the subway train suddenly crashed the train, resulting in the death and injury of 80 people. When questioned about the incident, the man was unable to form even a single sentence." The newswoman reported.

Hifumi was sitting at a table at home, listening to the news. There was a frown on her lips and she shook her head slowly. "What an awful accident…."

"I wonder how these things keep happening." That came from Hifumi's mother, Mitsuyo Togo. "Such terrible incidents. Who knows what will happen if they keep happening."

Hifumi finished her breakfast, now moving to the doorway to put her shoes on. "Mhm…" She wasn't really sure what to say on the matter. The cause behind them was unknown and far be it from her to try and figure it all out. There was also that tragic accident just last month, where a girl around her age had died. All these incidents so close together... "I'll be going to school now, Mother."

"Be careful, Hifumi." Mitsuyo said. "The last thing I would want for you is to be caught in a terrible train accident. I heard some of them are running late today. …It would be truly tragic if you were unable to compete in another shogi match because of someone's incompetence."

So close. Hifumi almost walked out the door with a smile on her face. While she did get the notion that her mother did genuinely care about her wellbeing, it also seemed like her career as a Shogi player a little bit more. That soured an almost emotional moment. "I will be careful, Mother…" Speaking quietly, Hifumi went out the door, and made her way to Kosei High, grabbing an umbrella on the way out. It was scheduled to rain later.

Mitsuyo sat quietly after Hifumi left, mulling something over. "Oh, that's right. There's a match for her later this week. I should make arrangements to ensure that it goes precisely the way I want it to. I need Hifumi to achieve the dream that I was never able to…"

.

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Even with the subway accident discouraging many people from riding the trains, it was still a viable way of transportation, especially since it was raining today. While waiting for her train, she ended up standing next to a young man dressed in a Shujin uniform. "Oh…I'm sorry…" She thought she accidentally bumped into him.

"Huh? It's all right." Ren hardly noticed, adjusting his glasses. "Don't worry about it."

"Oh…okay. Well…goodbye then. My train is here." With a slight nod, Hifumi hurried onto her train.

Hifumi kept to herself as usual, but she could hear numerous murmurs of concerned and skeptical civilians about being in a subway. They could very well be next. "These incidents keep happening, who's going to stop it?"

"Are we in danger next?"

"…" Hifumi didn't say a word. She just glanced around at all the nervous people. "I wish they wouldn't say these things…" It made her nervous. But she hardly had the time to think about such things. Her stop was here. She stepped out of the train and started the walk to Kosei High, keeping her umbrella open to not get wet. It wouldn't take very long to walk to the school from here. During her walk, she happened to be behind two students who were conversing about current rumors.

"Hey, did you hear about Shujin academy?"

"Oh yeah! I saw something about it online the other day. That transfer student, right?"

"Yeah, him. Apparently no other school would accept him."

"For good reason! He's got a criminal record after all, doesn't he? You'd have to be insane to let someone like that into your school."

"Shujin is crazy. I don't know what their principal is thinking. If something bad happens at Shujin it'll be all his fault!"

"Shujin has their volleyball team to carry all the publicity…meanwhile; all we have is the Shogi Queen over there who's never lost a match. I bet she thinks she's too good for all of us just because she's undefeated."

"…!" Hifumi wasn't really trying to eavesdrop on the conversation, they were just talking loudly. But when the topic shifted to her, she averted her gaze to the ground. Were they aware that she was behind them, or were they just saying things out of spite? She honestly didn't want to know the truth of the matter.

"I hope she loses a match soon. I'm tired of being around that high and mighty attitude of hers…"

"Yeah…popular, beautiful, it's hardly fair. You think the rumors about her are true?"

Hifumi heard enough. Without saying a word, she quickly walked past the two students and into the building. "It's not like that at all…" Were the words that were always on her mind, but she wasn't strong enough to say them aloud. She was quiet and kept to herself, and she was well aware of all the rumors circulating around her, but there was hardly a thing she could do about it. Her mother insisted on everything she did during her road to a professional Shogi player, and yet…this wasn't everything she wanted….

.

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April 15th. Kosei High didn't have any exciting news going about, but…Shujin Academy was the talk of the town today. While Hifumi was on the train, she could overhear some Shujin students talking about the big event that occurred earlier in the day.

"I can't believe she jumped!"

"I know…that gave me a heart attack. Do you think she's going to be okay…?"

"I dunno…it didn't seem like it was high enough to die from, but she did seem really hurt."

"I can't believe someone really attempted to commit suicide…she was on the volleyball team, right…?"

"Do you think those rumors are true after all?"

"…" Hifumi wasn't trying to listen, but the topic of conversation was extremely concerning as well. Someone attempted to commit suicide at school?! She could only wonder what sort of heinous events took place to drive a person into such a corner. Thinking about it made her angry and she tightened the grip on her bag. Not that there was anything she could do, but… "I hope whoever caused that girl to jump is delivered justice…"

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May 5th, Children's Day. School was out for the day, but that did not mean Hifumi's day was free. She had a Shogi match to play and win. Before she was able to head out, she turned to watch the news. It was covering the incident the other day concerning a teacher by the name of Kamoshida. "Abuse at Shujin! A few days ago, the coach of the volleyball team, Suguru Kamoshida, turned himself in under crimes of abuse and sexual misconduct towards students."

"How awful…" Hifumi watched the news report with widened eyes. She listened to the various remarks of the students who had just heard about this, or from the volleyball members themselves.

"To think that a high school teacher would abuse his power like that. Those children were unable to fight back." Mitsuyo said, unaware of the irony within her own words.

"…I wonder if other people knew." Hifumi said quietly.

"Speak up, Hifumi." Mitsuyo glanced towards her daughter.

"Oh…I just…" Hifumi didn't actually want to say anything, but since she was caught, she may as well try at least. "I was just wondering…if anyone else knew about such abuse. I…I don't think it impossible that someone was unaware of this happening."

"You don't need to worry about those sorts of things." Mitsuyo was completely dismissive of Hifumi's thoughts. "All you need to do is focus on your match later this afternoon. I expect you to win."

"…Yes, Mother." Hifumi sighed quietly. So much for having a conversation, but she was used to it.

"Prior to turning himself in, it seems that Mr. Kamoshida was targeted by a group known as The Phantom Thieves. Whether or not this group has anything to do with the turn of events has yet to be determined."

"The…Phantom Thieves?" What an odd name. Did that group somehow expose the wrongdoings of that teacher? "They sound like heroes…" Would they strike again? Hifumi wasn't sure, but this was something she'd like to keep an eye on…

"Hifumi…" The voice came from her ill father.

"Oh! Father…" Even though Hifumi did have a match to attend later in the evening, she would always make time for her father. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling better than before." Her father smiled, though with his condition that unfortunately wasn't saying much. "I just wanted to wish you good luck in your match today."

To that, Hifumi could actually smile. Her father always supported her, more so than her mother did on an emotional level. "Thank you, Father. I'll be sure to win. No foe so far has been able to withstand my Shining Excalibur."

"That's the spirit…" Hifumi's father chuckled lightly, only to then turn his head away and cough profusely.

"Father…!" Hifumi gasped.

"I-I'm all right. Do not worry about me. Simply focus on governing the kingdom that is your shogi board and you will emerge victorious." Her father spoke with a weary smile.

"Yes…I will." Hifumi certainly couldn't lose now! First things first…she'd have to eat some Katsu Curry, she'd need the luck to help her in her coming match. She had yet to lose thus far and today would not be the first. At least, so she hoped…

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May 14th, the end of what was a brutal mid-term week. Between studying, her matches, and playing shogi in Kanda's church, it was safe to say that Hifumi was beginning to feel mentally exhausted. The one thing that kept her interests outside of Shogi were the Phantom Thieves. While there was no update on their activity, but she was keeping up with a new site focused on them. The Phantom Aficionado Website or Phan-site for short. The question on the site read as followed: Do you believe in the Phantom Thieves? The poll was roughly about 10% at most.

"…They haven't done much after…was it just a joke?" Hifumi was unsure. She was into her phone and didn't notice a student walking by, and as such, she ran right into them. "Oof…! Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Yusuke seemed rather unfazed. In fact, considering the inspiration he found this morning, he was on top of the world. "Pay it no mind, Togo-san."

"Oh, Kitagawa-san. You seem…very happy today." Hifumi had seen Yusuke a few times in school. He was in the Fine Arts division, so they hardly had conversations, but he had a reputation as a budding artist under the tutelage of Japan's most famous artist: Ichiryusai Madarame.

"Indeed!" Yusuke said with a smile, eyes closed as he relished in the memory. "I happen to come across a most beautiful inspiration earlier today. So much so that I ran out of sensei's car to hunt her down."

"H-Her…?" Hifumi was pretty shocked. He ran out of a car? That seemed…pretty eccentric.

"I haven't felt such inspiration in ages. Not since the Sayuri…" Yusuke was about to go off on a tangent, but was then struck by a generous feeling. "I understand you may be busy with Shogi, but if you have time, please stop by Sensei's art exhibit tomorrow." As Yusuke said this, he handed Hifumi a ticket.

How unexpected. Hifumi also felt pretty awkward about this but accepted the ticket nonetheless. It was hard to say no to such a kind offer. "I'm not sure I can make any promises, but I'll try to stop by if I can. So…um…goodbye." With that, Hifumi shuffled away. "I wasn't expecting that…but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a quick look…"

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May 15th.

Ren, Ryuji, Ann, and Morgana entered art exhibit. Morgana poked his head out of Ren's back, taking a quick look around at the crowded area. "So crowded…"

"It'll be a pain in the ass if someone sees you, so don't stick your head out too much, all right?" Ryuji warned Morgana. They really couldn't be seen with a pet in a building like this. Morgana did as suggested and hid within the bag.

Yusuke approached Ann with a grin on his face, elated to see that she did indeed show up. "You came!" And then he noticed Ryuji and Ren, his expression falling just as fast. "You really came…"

"What'd you expect when you left us those tickets!?" Ryuji replied. They couldn't just up and say no. Especially since this was the perfect chance for their investigation.

"Make sure you don't get in the way of the other guests." Yusuke told Ryuji and Ren dismissively before turning to Ann once again. "Come now, I'll show you around. I'd like to speak more about the picture I'd like to draw too."

It didn't seem like Ann had a choice. She may as well go for it. "Well, see you guys later." And off she went with Yusuke.

Morgana poked his head out of the bag, panicking for Ann's wellbeing. "Will Lady Ann be all right!? What if he drags her behind some painting and tries something funny!?"

"I told you not to come out!" Ryuji snapped. "Anyway, are we really gonna 'appreciate' the fine arts? Can't we just go home…?"

Ren understood how Ryuji felt, truly. But this was a chance they couldn't pass out. "Let's investigate Madarame."

Ryuji conceded. Ren made a fair point. "I guess we should do a quick go around once. Uh…which way were we supposed to start again?"

As Ren and Ryuji walked into the exhibit, Hifumi was right behind them. She ended up having a little bit of time and decided to stop by after all. "There's certainly a lot of art here…" She thought to herself. As she arrived, she stopped upon seeing Madarame having an interview.

"Where in the world does all your inspiration come from?" A reporter asked, curious since every piece in the exhibit was under his name, all drawn in vastly different styles. It was extremely impressive that a single person was capable of all this.

"It is…rather difficult to put into words." The old artist said. "They naturally well up from within my heart, like bubbles rising one after another in a spring."

"Naturally, you say?" The report questioned.

"What's important is to distance oneself from worldly desires such as money and fame. My atelier is a modest shack, but it is more than enough to pursue true beauty." Madarame said with a slight smile, giving the people a brief look into where his inspiration came from.

"…Shack…?" Ryuji felt like he heard that word somewhere. "Wasn't the word shack something…?"

Hifumi tilted her head ever so slightly at Madarame's words. Not that there was anything wrong with them, but it seemed…oddly rehearsed? Perhaps she was looking into things too much. Before she could say too much more, a crowd of people started to gather around, pushing everyone aside as they all wanted to get a look at Madarame. "Eep…!"

Ryuji, Ren, and Morgana were also swept in this sensation. "Hey, stop pushin'…! There's way too many people…!"

"I'm…getting…crushed…!" Morgana groaned.

"It's like…a sea of people…" Ren was fighting through it all.

"Anyways…we gotta…head for the exit!" Ryuji said. "Don't die on us, all right!?"

The trio were barely able escape the sudden mob of people. Ryuji had his hands on his knees, panting heavily. "G-Geez…they were just shovin' each other around without a care! Pretty sure an old lady elbowed my ribs too…"

"Ugh…" Hifumi was a little disoriented. She managed to escape but that took a lot out of her.

Concerned, Ren took a few steps over. "Are you okay?"

"Huh?" Hifumi looked towards Ren. Had she seen him before…? "I-I'm all right. I wasn't expecting to be swept away by a large crowd. It was very exhausting."

"You're tellin' me…!" Ryuji had to agree with that sentiment. "What brings you here to this place? Appreciating the fine arts too?" Appreciating being used loosely by Ryuji here.

"I was invited by an acquaintance." Hifumi explained. "But he seemed busy with a girl and I didn't want to intrude."

"You mean Kitagawa?" Ryuji asked. Hm…maybe they could get some info on Madarame through her? "You know him or something?"

"We go to the same school." Hifumi said.

"So do you happen to…know anything about Kitagawa or Madarame…?" Ryuji asked as subtly as possible, and knowing him, it wasn't very subtle.

"Smooth…." Morgama rolled his eyes.

"Um…no, sorry." Hifumi shook her head. "All I know is that Kitagawa-san is known as Madarame's only pupil. Also…there are rumors, but I don't think I should be spreading them. They're only rumors after all…I'm sorry, but I should be going. It was nice meeting you." With a quick bow, Hifumi hurried off.

"It was worth a shot…" Ryuji crossed his arms. "…But man, don't you think she was kinda cute?"

Ren tilted his head, adjusting his glasses a bit. "I guess so…"

"Right?! Ah…we didn't get her name…" Darn. Ryuji groaned and rubbed his ribs. "Anyway…let's head back to the station…"

Hifumi wasn't aware of it, at the time but that was her first encounter with the Phantom Thieves. Little did she know that this first encounter would be the one to change her life forever…