July 1st.
"Is it just me, or did the last month seem really long?" Maruki asked Ren while taking a seat. He always enjoyed having Ren to talk to. It helped greatly with his research.
"A lot happened…" Ren replied. Maruki was right, though. June contained Madarame's confession, the Phantom Thieves beginning to be known, Makoto and Hifumi joining the team, along with the defeat and arrest of Kaneshiro. That was just putting it lightly as well. "It's been a busy month."
"No doubt you've been fairly busy as well with your studies and all." Maruki replied. "I hope you've been keeping out of trouble as well, not that I'm worried about you stirring anything up."
"Me? Trouble? Come on." Ren waved a hand.
"I figured I should ask." Chuckling, the psychiatrist leaned back in his seat. "I know summer is right around the corner. I've often heard of a lot of students whispering how they can't wait until the first semester is over. I'm sure they've a lot of plans for summer. What about you, Amamiya-kun?"
"…No idea yet." Ren said. "I haven't thought about it yet. Been pretty busy making it through June."
"Hahaha, me too." Maruki replied. "Here, look. I feel a bit bad that I've been making you listen to me talk about grief, loss, and heartbreak. So I decided to give you a treat." Gesturing to the table, he pointed to the cookies laid out. "I brought these at an underground mall, so there's plenty even for seconds."
"Huh…you don't say? Well, I'll gladly help myself to that." Ren nodded and took a cookie. They weren't bad and he could enjoy them at his leisure. "Hm…pretty good. Nice pick, Doc."
"I'm glad you enjoy them." Maruki said with a nod. "Actually, this sort of reminds me of an experiment. Scientist put ten cookies on one plate, and a single one of the same kind on a separate plate. When asked which one was tastier, what do you think the result was?"
"The single one?" Ren asked.
"That's right." Maruki nodded; impressed that Ren was able to find the answer so quickly. "It's something we call the 'law of scarcity'. It's about what you'd imagine from the name: people are drawn to things that are more scarce. You can see how this law is in action when you see people freak out over limited time merchandise."
"You know, you're right. I never considered that." Ren said before finishing the cookie he had in his hand.
"Haha, isn't it fascinating?" Maruki had a good chuckle over that one. "In becoming aware of scarcity, we trigger our own desires and change our cognition…Not only that – the effect spreads to our senses and creates a subjective, observable difference in our reality."
"Huh…" Ren took that bit of information in. The rest of their conversation went as usual. For the sake of their deal, which wasn't a bad one as far as they both were concerned. They were helping each other out, which was a running trend with a lot of the relationships Ren formed with people.
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Afterschool was a busy time for Ren. As soon as he was done with Maruki, he had to go over to Ann. He did promise to hang out with her afterschool, so he was going to do just that and meet her in Shibuya. When he did notice Ann in front of a parfait shop, he saw that Hifumi was with her. Not a problem, he waved to them both once he got close. "Hey."
"Glad you made it!" Ann grinned as Ren approached.
"Hello." Hifumi gave a slight wave. "Sorry if I'm intruding on anything, but I…er…"
"We're all friends here. No problem." Ren shook his head. That answer was satisfactory enough for Ann.
"Great!" Ann beamed, before stepping a bit closer to Ren. "I didn't want to leave her alone…I'm a bit worried about her…er, I can explain later." She stepped back. "I went to visit Shiho in the hospital the other day."
"Your friend? How is she doing?" Hifumi asked.
"She's…doing her best." Ann tried to smile, but ended up frowning a bit instead. "I did tell her I want to get stronger, and I hope that motivated her to try harder in her physical therapy. But I wish I could do a bit more for her. I was thinking about getting her something sweet…"
"And I told you that I doubt they'd let her have any." Hifumi said.
"I knooooow." Ann sighed.
"But I'm sure she knows you're doing your best." Hifumi added.
"Yeah. That's probably why she wanted to work hard to begin with," Ren affirmed.
"Thanks you two. That means a lot." Ann could bring herself to smile now. The conversation didn't go much farther since Ann's phone began to buzz. "Huh?" Curious as to who was contacting her, she took a look and her eyes widened. "What? Now!?"
"Uh…is something the matter?" Hifumi tilted her head. It wasn't often she saw Ann so distressed.
"Some of the models for a shoot nearby didn't show up, so they're asking me to fill in for them." Ann explained. She wasn't given a reason but it was urgent. "It's actually not too far from here…I'll show you where it is – actually, I'll race you both!" And Ann just ran off, leaving Ren and Hifumi in the dust behind her.
"Uh…" Hifumi look at Ren, who just shrugged. They didn't really have a choice but to be left in the dust by Ann and eventually catch up to her. When they arrived, the two men in charge of the shoot were talking with a pretty woman. "…I've never actually been to a modeling shoot." Hifumi turned to Ren. "What actually goes on here?"
"Your guess is as good as mine." Ren replied. "I mean…take photos of course, but…" He didn't know anything beyond that.
The pretty girl turned around and noticed Ann, walking over to her with a sweet smile. "Ann-senpai! I'm soooo pumped I get to work with you today! After I saw you in last year's show, I just…ah, I think I'm gonna cry."
"…!" Hifumi's eyes narrowed as she stared at the girl. Her tone was sweet enough, but Hifumi felt the lie within her words.
"…?" Ren noticed Hifumi's shift in expression.
Ann was a bit taken aback. "O-Oh, you know…that fashion show wasn't very…"
"You can call me Mika! And please, no honorifics." Mika said with a bright smile.
"O-Okay, Mika…wow, it feels weird saying it like that…" Ann said sheepishly. "Oh, and you don't need to use honorifics with me! A-Anyway…it's a…pleasure to meet you!"
"Thanks, Ann-chan. You're so nice." Mika said with a giggle. That flustered Ann and bit and she noticed. "Hey, can you teach me to be a better model. You know, your everyday routines, stretches, all that!"
Ann stared at Mika quizzically, having no idea what she meant. "Routines? You mean like…singing in the shower?"
"Oh no." Ren could already see this conversation going downhill.
Mika could tell Ann was serious with that answer and well, didn't really like it. "O-Oh, is that all you do? What kind of foods do you eat, then? I've been looking all over to import some organic green almonds. Plus I'm suuuuuuper tired of eating quinoa. Do I need to like, boil it in hard water or something?"
"Um, almonds? Only when they're covered in chocolate. And hard water? Doesn't that just mean ice?" Ann asked.
"Please stop talking." Hifumi pinched the bridge of her nose. She may have been new to social cues, but even she could see how terribly this conversation was going.
"Do you weigh yourself?" Mika asked, hoping Ann would give her a serious answer about SOMETHING.
"Of course!" Ann smiled. "Once a year during school health inspections!"
"…Please." Hifumi's shoulders dropped.
"There is no saving this." Ren sighed.
"…I get it." Mika huffed. "It makes sense that you wouldn't trust someone you just met."
"T-That's not it!" Ann said frantically. "It's nothing about trusting you! It's just…modeling is more like a hobby to me!"
Whatever friendliness remained in the air was gone at that very second. "What?" Mika stared at Ann in disbelief. This was the moment Ren and Hifumi knew the train wreck was incoming. "Ann-senpai! That's so horrible!" Mika made sure her voice carried so the cameraman and his assistance could hear it. "What do you mean you don't care about modeling for these guys!?"
"…!" Ann, Ren, and Hifumi's eyes widened as Mika played this card.
"You said that, Ann-chan?" The cameraman asked, shocked by those words.
Ann was suddenly put on the spot. "W-Wait, I…"
"I love this magazine!" Mika exclaimed loudly, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.. "Everyone works hard to make sure their product is the best!"
"C-Calm down, Mika-chan…" The assistant said. "We know you're giving it your all…"
"And here I am, still being comforted by you guys…" Mika sniffed once more.
"…Ann-chan, to tell you the truth, we wanted you and Mika to cover for the two models who didn't show up." The Cameraman explained. "But if you aren't really that interested…"
"W-Wait a second…!" Ann was trying to defend herself, but Mika was working too fast for her to keep up with.
"Don't worry…I…I can do it alone…" Mika sniffled once more. "I read the concept on the way here…" She turned her head away, that pout of hers turning into a subtle smirk. "…Heh…"
"I knew it…!" Hifumi whispered. As much as she wanted to step in, she was aware that it kind of wasn't her place…plus Mika was clearly an expert at this manipulation game. If Hifumi tried to make an objection there was no doubt Mika's crocodile tears alone would beat her out.
"Wow, she's good…" Ren mumbled.
"Faker…!" Ann said in a hushed whisper.
"Do you really hate me that much, Ann-chan!?" Mika just used the ammo Ann gave her to her advantage.
"Keep it civil, you two." The Cameraman said. "Sorry, Ann-chan, but it looks like we won't need you today. We'll reimburse you for coming out here, though."
"Hmph…" Mika sniffled and walked towards the cameramen as they prepared to leave for the shoot. But not before she turned back to Ann, her tears instantly drying up and gave a vindictive smile. They were gone soon after.
"…" Ann just stood there, placing two fingers on her forehead as she just had to soak in that situation.
"I'm sorry, Ann." Hifumi sighed. "I would've stood up for you, but that girl had masterful control over the battlefield. I would've been shut down the moment I tried. I haven't the slightest clue how to combat emotional manipulation…"
"She's pretty good, huh?" Ren said.
"Yeah…" Ann had no choice but to concede for the time being. "She takes this stuff way more seriously than I do. She saw right through me. She's really good…those crocodile tears were top notch!"
"I had bad vibes from her the moment she began speaking." Hifumi said, huffing.
"Do you wanna know the secret behind crocodile tears? You don't actually cry!" Ann said with a few nods.
Again, Ren and Hifumi looked at each other. This was an exhausting hangout. "I never would've guessed." Ren said flatly. It was best to just go with it for the time being.
"I have something I need to do…but I'm going to work harder for the Phantom Thieves too!" Ann could at least smile. "I gotta go, but will you be alright?"
"Mhm. Thanks for letting me tag along today." Hifumi gave a slight smile. "I'll be fine."
"Okay! See you guys later!" Ann waved and made her exit.
"That was an experience." Ren said while pushing his glasses up.
"Hanging with her always is…" Hifumi gave a small sigh, but she was smiling all the same.
.
.
Ren's day was far from over. It was another long one. His late evening was going to be occupied by helping out Iwai, the man in charge of the airsoft shop. They had a bit of a deal going where Iwai would let Ren see some better model guns in exchange for helping him out. Though this did put him in a situation he wasn't expecting to be in; eavesdropping on some guy's conversation in the nearby diner. Aside from one close call, Ren was under no scrutiny whatsoever.
"A deal?" Iwai was on the other end of the line. Ren kept his phone on so Iwai could listen in on the conversation, and what he heard was of great interest to him. "Sounds like some stuff's goin' down…."
"Huh, you don't say…" Ren wasn't really let in on the details, but clearly this was something of interest to Iwai. "…So, how's your cold?" He asked, referencing how Iwai dipped out of the diner with a cough before Ren picking up the phone.
Iwai couldn't help but laugh at that response. Ren was something else alright. "You're all good for the day. I gotta say I wasn't expectin' much outta you, kid. It might be worth it to keep you around."
"Good to know." Ren nodded.
"I'll have to thank you in person. Go ahead and order yourself something nice, it'll be on me. Make sure to bring me the receipt in person so I can pay ya back." Iwai said before hanging up the line.
"Man, I wonder what I got myself into with all this…" Ren mumbled. This was all for the team anyway, to keep their equipment up to date as Shadows got stronger and stronger. Oh well, it was still worthwhile to keep everyone fitted properly. And it wasn't the most outrageous thing he had to do…yet…
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July 3rd.
Yusuke was on a continuous quest to capture the essence of the human heart. He believed scouting Mementos would give him a clear image of what Desire was like. This was his way of escaping the slump he found himself in after Madarame had been arrested, but after presenting this photo to the public in an exhibition, he received a critique that stuck with him. How his painting lacked individuality. It stuck with him. So that's why he needed Ren's help to get a better grasp of such concepts…which led them to the church in Kanda. "Yes, this location should be the perfect location to understand anguish."
"Please don't cause a disturbance." Hifumi was playing shogi by herself to practice. She wasn't expecting Yusuke or Ren to drop by…least of all together. So she had to hope something ridiculous wouldn't happen.
"No promises." Ren said before turning back to Yusuke. "What exactly are we doing here, though?"
"I need inspiration." Yusuke replied, turning his gaze to Hifumi who, while acknowledging them, was also attempting to block them out. If they did anything dumb in this public space she didn't want to be affiliated with them. "Hifumi, would you be my model!?"
Welp. Anyone nearby would now know they knew each other, so there went that plan. "…I'm practicing." Hifumi replied while shaking her head. She could at least stay out of this.
"I see. How unfortunate…" Yusuke lowered his head. "It seems I have no choice. I have to ask you to be my model for today, Ren."
"Do you want me to strip?" Ren asked. In the background, Hifumi fumbled a few shogi pieces and her face was bright red from Ren's boldness and the fact that it didn't sound like he was kidding.
"…Yes, that must be it! That is what I need!" Yusuke gasped as he had this epiphany. "Only a subject naked as the day they were born can convey the true anguish of birth! Now then…strip! Take it all-!"
"NO. STOP." Hifumi had to interject. This was too much. "Do I need to remind you where you are right now…!?"
"…She's right. Being stark-naked in a church would be even bigger news than the Phantom Thieves." Yusuke realized the error of his ways.
"…I was just joking…" Ren rubbed the back of his neck.
Hifumi just narrowed her eyes. "…Part of me feels like you weren't…now please don't cause another scene." Hifumi went back to her seat. "Maybe I should just leave…but I feel like something awful will happen if I leave them to their own devices…" She wasn't wrong about that either. She looked away from them for three minutes and…
"Now, raise your hands higher!" Yusuke suddenly exclaimed. "Like this!" And he took a pose that was supposed to resemble the crucifixion of Christ. Ren hastily followed suit out of surprise. "Hrm! This position…so THIS is the Passion of Christ! Forsaken by his disciples, abhorred as a criminal by the public, pierced with nails and hung on the cross…I understand now! This is the true anguish of Passion!"
"…." Hifumi just closed her eyes and pretended not to see. She refused to get involved.
"Should we be doing this?" Ren blinked.
The answer to that question was no. As a priest glanced at Hifumi to ask her a question. "Do you know those two?"
"….At this particular moment, I wish I didn't." Hifumi sighed heavily, unable to look at Yusuke and Ren in this situation due to the secondhand embarrassment. She was rapidly learning that making friends meant you had to deal with situations like this. So far this was the only negative when it came to friendship.
Ren and Yusuke got a talking to from the priest, and through it Yusuke learned something through it all. Obtaining hope through anguish. It left him perplexed to say the least, causing him to speak aloud. "I see…do you think I'll ever grasp the truth, Ren?"
"I'm sure you will one day." Ren said with a firm nod.
"Can you two do me a favor? Please do not do something so embarrassing in public again…" Hifumi pleaded.
"That can't be promised." Ren said.
"Not at all, when my passion and curiosity for discovering the human heart knows no end!" Yusuke added onto this. None of what they said were making Hifumi feel any better.
All Hifumi could do was groan. She knew what to expect, but was still hopeful in the end. That was her mistake. "Ugh…."
.
.
"Thank you again for helping with my speech." An older man in station square in Shibuya told Ren. This was Toranosuke Yoshida, a politician who sought to better Japan with his messages. But this was largely due to his past as 'No-Good-Tora'. Whenever he was called that publicly, he froze up. Thanks to Ren, it had gotten a bit better…
"It's no issue." Ren said.
"Do you think I've regained a bit of my confidence lately?" Yoshida asked. Making public speeches and passing along a massage in this day and age was rather difficult in his position. His reputation was smeared with his own actions, yet he was trying to better himself.
"I'd say so. But be careful about the media…" Ren warned. The media always did try to get the most interesting story possible no matter what it took.
"Haha, I am aware." Yoshida managed a light chuckle. "Mind if I tell you a story? It was about the foolish man I was 20 years ago."
"Okay." Ren gave a nod. He listened to Yoshida's story, on how his mistakes and own choices turned him into the infamous No-Good-Tora. At the end of it of it all, Ren only had this to say. "I get it…but it's important that you've been moving from your mistakes. I don't see a lot of people in doing that."
"Haha, you may have a point there." Yoshida managed a laugh. "Being ambitious and striving to advance in the political world will change your outlook on life. But that also applies to life as well…and remember this, do not let your ambition blind you. It's easy to lose track of what's important to you if you let the glory and fame go to your head."
Considering the status of the Phantom Thieves and their growing popularity…that wasn't a bad bit of advice. Though Ren was sure they wouldn't lose sight of their goals, it was a piece of advice he should at least sit on. "Yeah, you're right. I'll be sure to remember that. Yoshida-san."
.
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July 5th.
A sick girl was brought to Takemi's medical office. The father was beside himself trying to figure out a way to help her feel better. The hospital he went to effectively brushed them off and he was out of options. Takemi on the other hand wasn't so willing to lend a hand immediately, even as the girl was coughing in front of her. "…Listen…" She began. She had her reasons and all, but…
"Dr. Takemi will help you feel better." Ren said.
"What." Takemi's gaze went to Ren. She was a bit shocked at the audacity her dear little guinea pig had to blurt something out so carelessly. She couldn't very well say no now…unfortunately. "Hm, how bold of you to volunteer me for something like that. I'll have to make sure today's examination is extra special."
That wasn't what Ren wanted to hear when it came to all the weird stuff she had him consume. He was definitely going to pay for his little outburst when this was over. "T-That can wait…right?" Ren did buy himself just a little bit of time…but when all was said and done, he was going to have to call it an early night. Takemi never went easy on him and today showed him the difference between her concoctions being nice and being straight up terrible…
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June 8th.
The days felt like they were going by slowly. Between studying and blending in with normal students, Ren hardly had much to do. So he decided to lend Sojiro a hand in the shop, though it was a bit empty at the moment. It didn't bother either of them. Sojiro was getting a lot more receptive to Ren over the last few weeks since he was staying out of trouble, helping out, and even making friends. It was hard to believe someone like him was charged with an assault. "…This is a tiny shop after all. Self-satisfaction is the only thing keeping me going." The conversation would've continued, but a man walked through the doors, and based on the way Sojiro was looking at him, he wasn't here to enjoy the coffee. "You…haven't I told you I don't have the money? Look at this place. You see many customers in here?"
The middle aged man just laughed. "Oh, no need to hide it, Sakura-san! You must have saved plenty from your time in the government. Aren't you taking care of that employee right there? I wish you'd show me the same kindness you show others."
"…" Ren did not like the vibes he was getting from this guy.
Sojiro scoffed. "If you're not going to buy anything, please leave. I'm expecting a phone call and I don't have time to deal with you."
"Oh, that's perfectly fine." The man said. "I can just talk to your little friend there, if you can't talk with me. Or should we just talk while waiting for your phone call? That's not too much trouble, is it?"
Sojiro wasn't expecting the man to be so persistent. "Well…"
"…I got an idea…" Ren was pretty silent the whole time, so he carefully slid his phone out of his pocket and speed dialed Sojiro's phone. He didn't know the specifics of the situation but that wouldn't stop him from lending a hand.
Sojiro's cellphone rang and he stared at the number. This was the out he needed. "Ah, it's the social services call I was waiting for. They come 'round pretty often to make sure this guy's not getting into trouble. Want me to introduce you?"
"You know what, I just recalled I had some business to take care of! I'll have to come back some other time!" Clearly this was enough to scare the man off. So he made a hasty retreat out of the café.
"Yeesh, doesn't he have anything better to do?" Sojiro sighed. "Still, you were pretty quick witted to think of something like that on the spot. I suppose I should tell you in case he drops by again…that man is an acquaintance of mine who's short on cash. He's nothing but trouble."
"Shady guy is trouble. Got it." Ren said.
"I'd report him to the police if he wasn't related to her…" Sojiro muttered.
Ren heard that. "Her…?"
"Don't worry about it. Why don't you go and close up for me, alright?" Sojiro said. "And hey, if you want to make yourself some dinner or something, just don't go and use up everything in the fridge, got it?"
"Yeah, thanks." Ren said as Sojiro left. The store was closed for the day, so Ren decided to end his day by watching a movie with Morgana upstairs. It was some cheesy romance movie yet they were both invested in it. Ren set his phone down on the table so it wouldn't disturb him, but it started to buzz uncontrollably.
"…Who's texting you at this hour?" Morgana asked, a bit annoyed since it was a disturbance.
"Ugh, let me see…" Ren reached for his phone. "Oh…it's…Mishima…?"
Mishima: WHY DIDN'T YOU WARN ME ABOUT THAT OHYA CHICK! SHE'S SO OVERBEARING! HOW DID YOU EVEN FIND HER!? SHE'S ASKING SO MANY QUESTIONS! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO-
Ren turned his phone off. He wasn't going to dignify any of Mishima's pleas for help with a response. He was just going to leave him alone with the alcoholic of a reporter. "That's for abandoning me during Operation Maid Watch." Ren was still holding onto that grudge , but payback was finally served.
.
.
Knowing what she knew about the MetaNav, Hifumi sat in bed, staring at it on her phone. "Mitsuyo Togo is a hit…" She mumbled, trying to figure out what her mother's 'keywords' would be, if she had any. It was selfish indulgence, but after being exposed to Kaneshiro's Palace, she just had t make sure. "TV studio…?"
"No candidate found,"
"Hm…" Furrowing her brows, she kept trying a few things. "Where would her place of distortion even be, if she had one? Maybe I'm just overthinking this…" Hifumi sighed and set her phone next to her head. "It is unwise for the ruler of the Togo Kingdom to be so worried or act without…"
"Candidate found."
"What!?" Hifumi sat up, staring at her phone in shock. Green eyes were wide in surprise. She had a name…and a distortion. And that put a pit in her stomach, because the only thing that left was…a location…
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Date: ?
"Don't be ridiculous!" Sae stood up from her chair, slamming her hands down on the table. Ren's story was reaching a point where some of the things he told her she just didn't want to accept. "One of the new allies you gained was Makoto!?" While Ren never officially dropped Makoto's name, he referred to her as the Student Council President in his story. That alone told Sae everything she needed to know and she didn't like it. "Tell me the truth!"
"You already know the truth…" Ren replied.
"…" Sae recoiled from those words and sat back down. "That's preposterous..! If what you say is true, does that mean Makoto was running from the police as well?"
"I don't want to say." Ren couldn't answer that question. Sae was free to ask whatever she liked, but when it came to the names of the others, he had to remain silent. He couldn't sell them out.
Sae thought back on the timeframe. "She did start asking a lot of questions about the investigation…" She could unpack that later. "Makoto aside, there was something else important that you mentioned. Was it true that Kaneshiro said there was someone else in the Palaces?"
"Yeah." Ren nodded.
"That could be seen as you shifting blame onto someone else." Sae retorted, but immediately found that notion odd if Ren was telling the truth this whole time. "But why would you fabricate such an elaborate story only to shift the blame…have you been telling me the truth this whole time…?"
"I'll let you decide that." Ren replied.
Sae had to think for a moment. As crazy as this all sounded… "I'll trust you, so long as you tell me the truth and nothing but."
Finally, he was starting to make some headway. It took a bit longer than he would've liked, but he secured his foothold. Time was running short, but he was still managing. He just had to keep it up. "I swear."
"Now then, it's time for your next target." Sae opened her case file once more. "Or rather, they targeted your group first." The identity of this target? Unknown. Only the username Medjed was written on a green card. "Nobody knows their name, face, or even location. If what you told me is true, then you shouldn't have been able to target them. Tell me everything."