August 27th.
Ann and Ren (and Morgana) had the same idea. They knew that Hifumi would likely be at the church on her own after her loss yesterday. Her mother was still using Hifumi, even worse using her sick husband's condition to tie Hifumi's hands and force her into situations she didn't want to be in. With the knowledge of her having a Palace, everyone was itching to change her heart…but that decision ultimately relied on Hifumi. Even if she wasn't ready to try, they at least owed it to her as her friends to check up on her.
"I hope she's okay…" Ann frowned. She hated seeing that defeated look on Hifumi's face. "She said she was fine in her texts, but I know that's not something she'd admit."
"That's why we're going to check in with her. I think we've given her enough space…maybe too much." Ren rubbed the back of his neck. Leaving Hifumi alone too long just allowed Mitsuyo to use her, which is what they wanted to avoid. But there was still time to amend that mistake. Ren pushed the church doors open and they could see Hifumi there. But someone else was there as well…
"Oh crap…" Ann gulped. It was the one person she really didn't want to see right now: Mitsuyo Togo. Seems she arrived just before they did and was currently talking to Hifumi.
"Her mom is here…!" Morgana spoke with a hushed whisper.
"Everything is turning out so nicely, don't you think?" Mitsuyo asked Hifumi, who didn't really respond. "I've managed to stage a story so moving that you actually have even more fans after your very first defeat. After your brief break from your loss, your next opponent is another professional. I've already set up your next match. My client is a big shot in the Pro Shogi Player's association, so I worked really hard to set it up."
Hifumi didn't want this. Her face said far more than any words she could muster. "But…"
"Oh, and tomorrow you have a photo spread with Mika. A summer edition, it'll draw more fans to you and her. A win-win." Mitsuyo replied.
"…." Hifumi just sighed. Then, out the corner of her eye, she noticed Ann and Ren. Not good since her mother was right there.
Unfortunately for Hifumi, Mitsuyo followed Hifumi's gaze. She was going to notice sooner or later, but that didn't mean she was entirely pleased to see Ren and Ann. "Oh. You two."
"H..!" Ann was about to say something very not nice, but Ren opted to speak first.
"Hello." Ren said with a quick nod, speaking over Ann.
"And what are you doing here?" Mitsuyo asked, lifting a brow. Yes, these were Hifumi's friends, but that didn't mean she liked them. She only met Ren once, however, and just tilted her head. "Oh, is this one your Shogi friend?"
"Yes…" Hifumi said with a slight nod.
"Let me just say this then." Mitsuyo was speaking to both Ann and Ren, who didn't even have the chance to answer her original question. "I hope you two aren't harboring any weird feelings for Hifumi.
"Mother…!" Hifumi exclaimed. "That comment is unnecessary…!"
"As I'm sure you've already aware, you are not allowed to date, young lady." Mitsuyo said. "Since your photo spreads, you've been attracting a number of male fans. Even more since you started working with Mika. So it is important you retain the image of someone who is possibly obtainable. You can get dozens of boys or girls like them when you're famous. I need you to accomplish the things I was never able to…and this way perhaps we can help your father. You want that, don't you?"
"She asks a question then doesn't let us answer…!" Ann was holding her tongue. "She's just treating Hifumi like she's an object…!"
"Lady Ann, I know you want to say something, but if you do…" Morgana was trying to remind Ann of the Palace. They were already on thin ice with Mitsuyo, so aggravating her in any way could make their lives difficult in the future. That wasn't to say he wanted to sit back and actually witness Mitsuyo say these things to Hifumi in reality.
Hifumi's gaze just lowered. "Yes, Mo…"
"We were here to check up on Hifumi." Ren said, stopping Hifumi before she could dully respond to her mother. "After we heard what happened, we were worried."
"Yeah." Ann nodded, just giving Mitsuyo a slight glare. "It didn't feel right leaving her alone like that when she's going through something so difficult." Mitsuyo and Ann glared at each other for a bit. The tension in the church was rising around them; Hifumi was sweating, while Ren and Morgana just watched.
Mitsuyo took a step forward towards Ann and Ren, looking them both over. "Because you are Hifumi's friends, I will give you one chance to do the right thing. Lately Hifumi has been a little defiant, I suppose that's her rebellion phase, But the last thing she needs are poor influences like yourselves."
"You'd really punish Hifumi for having friends?" Ann asked. She couldn't help it. She couldn't stand and listen to this woman attempting to control every single aspect of Hifumi's life.
"Don't push me, Takamaki." Mitsuyo said with a low tone. "I'll make sure your modeling career plummets before it can even take off the ground."
"That's enough…" Hifumi said, speaking to both her mother and Mitsuyo.
"Hmph." Mitsuyo relented for now. "I have to go to work anyway. Don't wait for me, Hifumi. And remember, you two. Make the right choice." Those were her parting words to Ren and Ann before she left.
"Well…she's just as pleasant in the Metaverse. At least she's consistent." Morgana said.
"I'm so sorry." Hifumi sighed and slumped back into her seat. Ann sat next to her while Ren stood. "I didn't mean for you two to get caught up in that."
"Forget about her. We're here for you." Ann said, placing a hand on Hifumi's shoulder. "What happened…?"
Hifumi let out another sigh, staring down at her lap. "I caved. My mother suggested I take a dive for popularity and…with my father's condition…I just let her take control. But I…I really didn't want to lose. I wanted to do my best like I always have but…I suppose it didn't matter."
"Hey, don't say that!" Ann shook her head. "You doing your best has always been important to me and the others. I know things are rough right now, but we're here for you, Hifumi."
"Yeah. You always have us to rely on." Ren said with a nod.
"So…can you at least come hang out with us again?" Ann asked. She wasn't going to ask too much of Hifumi, but she really did want Hifumi to be around them again.
"…I can try." Hifumi gave a slight smile. "Before meeting you all, I was used to being by myself. But this week without you…I felt a little empty. I suppose that just shows how much I've come to rely on everyone. I don't mean to be too much trouble."
"It's no trouble at all." Ren said while adjusting his glasses. "You always have a place with us."
Hifumi let out a sigh of relief. "That means more to me than you know. Thank you both…"
"It's no problem!" Ann flashed a friendly smile. "Summer's almost over. So let us try and make these last few days good for you, alright?"
"Alright." Hifumi conceded. How could she even try and fight the first surge of positivity that came her way in a week? "I do have to deal with the shoot tomorrow with Mika…but after that I should be free until school starts again. So message me and I'll be prepared!"
"Gh, Mika…" Ann couldn't help but scowl reflexively at the name.
"She could never produce a smile as beautiful as yours, Lady Ann!" Morgana had to add that in while he could.
"She actually could…" Ann's expression just grew more determined. "But I can make mine even better!" In short, Morgana's compliment fell flat. Unfortunate. But at the very least, this did make Hifumi giggle in the first time for a week.
.
.
August 28th.
This was the second time Hifumi donned her swimsuit and so soon, too. This summer shoot with Mika was…not something she actually wanted to do. But she already agreed to it and everything, so backing out was unfortunately not an option. She just stood around awkwardly, shifting her weight from side to side. The thought of other people seeing her in a swimsuit was unnerving.
"Oh, there you are, Hifumi-chan!" That voice belonged to Mika.
"Ah-" At least Hifumi felt comfortable enough around Mika. So Hifumi turned to greet her and well…she was immediately reminded this was a summer swimsuit shoot. Mika was clad in a two piece purple bikini, tinted sunglasses resting on her head, while she wore a flowery wristband to complete the look. "M-Mika…!" Hifumi could feel the heat rising to her cheeks.
"You look like you're doing much better!" Mika said with a giggle, pulling Hifumi into a brief hug.
"Y-Yes, I am…!" Hifumi felt her head spin and quickly pulled back from Mika's hug, giving a sheepish smile. Now she was just more embarrassed than before for one reason or another. "Although I am…not sure about this…"
"Oh, you'll be fine." Mika gave Hifumi a smile. "Simply follow my lead! This type of shoot is precisely what I've been working towards. With my elegance and sexiness, and your adorableness, this will be a hit."
"A-Adorable…? Er…I…I don't think…" Hifumi was flustered. She placed her hands on her cheeks and turned away. She could feel how warm her palms were. She couldn't do this, she wished she backed out now.
While Hifumi was attempting to cool down, Mika just had a slight smirk. "This nerd is so easy to fluster…but it is cute." Mika excelled in lying on top of fake niceness. There was a reason Hifumi had not been able to detect any lies when she was with Mika. She was slippery and an expert at what she did. Mitsuyo setting her up with Hifumi to create a rift between her and Ann would work sooner or later. "Come on, Hifumi-chan." Her smirk immediately shifted into a coy smile, her hand reaching out to grab Hifumi's.
"Ah, wait…! I'm not ready…" Hifumi was trying to cover her face with one hand. She was failing. Her hand was grabbed and Mika was already leading her off.
"You'll be just fine, trust me~" Mika's finishing blow was a wink.
Hifumi couldn't say anything after that. She just nodded slowly. She had her reservations with this swimsuit shoot. She was going to be extremely embarrassed if people she knew saw it as well, but it was for her rising popularity.
.
.
August 30th.
Everyone gathered at Leblanc for a few reasons. The first was because Ryuji wanted to get some last minute studying in before school started. The second was because Hifumi wanted to talk and tell everyone how she was feeling currently. The latter took priority first, since Makoto invited Haru to join the study session, but Haru responded that she would be there in a little bit. As such, they currently gathered in Ren's room in the attic, sitting around the table while Hifumi glanced at them all. "I apologize for making this very short notice…"
"That's alright. We're here for you." Makoto replied. "So…how are you feeling?"
"I am…alright. I could be better, but I think the worst of it has passed, at the very least." Hifumi admitted. She could not imagine how things got worse, she already felt like she was at rock bottom with nowhere left to dig. "I imagine how inconvenient this must be, considering how our larger goal is taking a big shift, what with wanting to find out about the Mental Shutdowns and all."
"Hey, don't do that." Futaba shook her head. "We're all friends here, right? We won't just brush off your problems if you're willing to talk about 'em."
That did make Hifumi smile a bit. "Thank you. So…about my situation with my mother…"
"You wanna go back in there and kick the crap outta her Shadow, right?" Ryuji asked. Of course he was itching to go back.
"Ryuji!" Ann gave Ryuji a slight glare. "Let her finish first!"
"Yeah, stop being an idiot and rushing to conclusions." Morgana shook his head.
"Yes, let us hear her out first." Yusuke said.
"Go on." Ren nodded.
Hifumi gave a slight nod in response, tugging at the end of her dress. "Truth be told, I…I do not feel ready to confront my mother's Shadow once again. I know you all want to help, and I want that too…but I don't think I have it in me at the moment. I was willing once before, but when I learned what I did, I felt my resolve crumble. I…I did not once think about the repercussions of my actions. I did not know it would turn out like this…"
Everyone frowned. They didn't see it coming either, but how could they? They were doing the right thing, of that they were certain. This was just…an unfortunate turn of events. "That's okay." Makoto said with a slight nod. "We understand. You know that our decision making is unanimous. So…even though the rest of us are prepared to change your mother's heart, the decision of us doing so ultimately falls to you."
"We will not act until you are ready, or until you tell us it is okay." Yusuke said. "That is the basis of our operation, after all." It felt like Yusuke had more to say, but he left it at that for the time being.
"But at least let us help you out somehow." Ryuji added. "You shouldn't hafta be dealin' with that bullshit all by yourself. If we can't jump into your Mom's Palace yet, then…!"
"I know." Hifumi managed a slight smile. "I…I think it was a mistake distancing myself for that amount of time. I caved under the pressure and felt very lonely. You all are my friends and have kept me afloat more than I realized. She cannot take you all away from me and this is the only place for me. So I promise I'll rely on you all more like I should be."
"Hey, come down here. Your friend is here." Sojiro called up to the group. Haru arrived.
"Man…time to study…" Ryuji's shoulder slumped.
"You're the one that wanted this. So I better not hear complaints coming from your mouth." Makoto gave Ryuji a stern look and he straightened up. Everyone started to head downstairs.
Ann looked back at Hifumi while going downstairs. "…Are you really okay?"
"Mhm." Hifumi nodded.
Ann pursed her lips. It felt like Hifumi was holding back…but she didn't have the means to prove it. Oh, to have Hifumi's powers of truth to detect if she were lying or not. "Okay. But if you need me, just let me know." Ann then went downstairs.
Hifumi was about to go down as well, but…
"Hifumi." Yusuke was still lingering in Ren's room.
"What is it, Yusuke?" Hifumi blinked curiously.
"I believe I know how you are feeling more than the others." Yusuke began, crossing his arms. "So that is why I want to tell you that you should not wait too long. I know how it feels to endure harsh living conditions but brushing it off as 'being okay'. I cannot claim to know how you feel exactly, but I just wanted to tell you that the longer you wait, the harder it will become for you. I…simply do not want to see you break under the pressure. That is all." He could speak from experience. When confronted by Ren and the others at first, he felt as though things were fine, even though deep down he knew that to be a lie. He didn't want Hifumi to start lying to herself to feel like things were okay when they weren't. She looked out for him, even before joining the Phantom Thieves and becoming his friend. So he had to return the favor. Having said that, Yusuke walked past Hifumi to go downstairs.
"….Break under the pressure?" Hifumi muttered those words under her breath.
.
.
Leblanc was empty, so it was the perfect time to work on schoolwork. The highschool students fathered at a table with their notes out, while Futaba sat at the counter, watching them struggle. She sure was glad she didn't have to endure that. Ann was the first one to cave. "Whew. I'm done."
"Yeah, I'm out." Ryuji leaned back into his seat.
"…I suddenly regret coming." Haru slumped in her seat. This was a mistake. But at least she was around friends so it was better that trying and failing schoolwork alone.
"Talk about a clichéd way to end your summer vacation." Futaba was enjoying watching this, though.
"I can't believe you haven't touched your homework since last night." Makoto shook her head. It was far worse than she thought it was. This was directed at Ryuji but Haru also looked away sheepishly.
"Well, everyone's free to spend their time as they choose. I guess SOME PEOPLE just can't help themselves." Ann said with a smile.
"Ahahaha…who would do that…" Haru glanced away.
"I'm sorrrrry!" Ryuji groaned.
"Come on, I think he's learned his lesson." Sojiro came to Ryuji's aid. "More importantly, why don't you guys take a break?"
"Boss! You're lifesaver!" Ryuji was so glad to have someone on his side.
"I'm gonna go pick up some groceries. Mind the shop for a bit." Sojiro said.
"Of course!" Haru nodded. Now this, she could do.
Ren was about to respond but Haru beat him to it. "…"
Sojiro left and Haru was quick to stand behind the counter, preparing herself for any potential customers. "I am ready to serve coffee!"
"You've really made yourself at home behind that counter, huh?" Futaba asked. Haru was still a bit new to her…but she knew Haru wasn't bad at all, so she felt more comfortable around her than most others outside of the Phantom Thieves.
"Oh, yes!" Haru gave a smile. "If any of you want a drink, I'll happily serve it to you!"
"I think I might take you up on that offer…" Yusuke remarked. "…Will it be on the house?"
"Of course you'd ask that." Hifumi pinched the bridge of her nose.
"The sports team club has aggressively applied kinesthesiology to their team's practice." The newscaster on TV said. "By incorporating their lab's findings on human efficiency into the training regimen, they've developed a…"
Haru felt her head spin at all the big words being spoken aloud. "Uhhh, what are they talking about…?"
"Oh, that reminds me!" Ann spoke up. "Isn't there a female athlete at our school that's made the news recently?"
"Do you mean the one in gymnastics?" Makoto turned to Ann.
"Oh, Yoshizawa." Ren said.
"Wasn't she gonna compete in the summer games, or izzat already over?" Ryuji asked.
Awkward. Makoto brushed her hair behind her ear in silence. "Well…"
"Makoto?" Yusuke said.
"I overheard a few teachers discussing it when heading to school the other day. It appears that Yoshizawa-san's results in the meet…they weren't exactly stellar."
"I see…" Ann frowned.
"…." Ren was especially quiet.
"Oh, that's very unfortunate." Haru said with a frown.
"There seemed to have been a great many people expecting her success there. It's got to be tough for her." Makoto sighed.
"Ain't there one more meet left this year in gymnastics, though? If she can nail that, who cares about the shit anyone at school says?" Ryuji was looking at the bright side.
When Ryuji mentioned the school, Ann suddenly remembered something she heard. "Oh…actually, that reminds me…" As she said that, everyone glanced at her confusedly. "I ran into Mishima-kun. He seemed really mad about. I asked him what was wrong and he showed me some posts on an underground site about our school. It pretty much said the school's plannignt o abandon any honors student who isn't actively making Shujin look better."
"Whoa, wait a sec…!" Ryuji was taken aback.
"Would your school really do such a thing…?" Hifumi could hardly believe that.
"There was no name, and it sounded like just another rumor at first…" Ann continued. "But…could this be about Yoshizawa-san…?"
"….I hope not…" Ren muttered.
"Ever since the case of Kamoshida, the school's been frantically trying to improve its public image, right?" Makoto asked the others.
"The case with Kamoshida was awful…" Haru frowned. Everyone turned to her. "I still can't believe something like that happened. I was far removed from the situation myself, but I always wondered with the rumors." That's when Haru turned to Ann. "You were very cool when you told him how you felt during the assembly."
Ann would never forget that day. Kamoshida planned to repent by killing himself, but Ann told him he had to repent for his actions by living with him. That was the drive her own justice led her to. But…she did truthfully forget the part where she told him off in front of the whole school. So with a sheepish laugh, Ann scratched her cheek. "Thanks. I couldn't let him get off easy."
"Still, though…" Haru stared down at the counter. "At the time, I was just curious if those rumors were true or not. Whenever the people at the volleyball team came to school with injuries, I could only wonder. In fact, one of them fell in front of me. I offered to help and asked where their injuries came from, but they didn't answer. And then there was the girl who jumped. I actually…saw her the day before, on the way to the roof. I saw her meet with Kamoshida, but I didn't think anything of it at the time. I know it's easier to say this now, but I wonder if I could've helped in some way…"
"We all think that way after something bad happens." Ann said. "I thought the same way a lot, about how what I could've done better. Thinking that way doesn't do you any good though. If you can still do something to help, then that's what you have to do."
"And that's why we-" Ryuji was definitely about to say they were the Phantom Thieves. But he was stopped by a quick jab to his side by Hifumi's elbow. Her job of making sure Ryuji didn't slip up never ended. "Ack…! That's why we supported the Phantom Thieves when they changed his heart!"
"I didn't think about that at the time. I've always been a little afraid to act before or after something happens." Haru admitted, poking her fingers together bashfully. "But I think I've been getting better at that thanks to you all…oh, and the Phantom Thieves. I support them too." Haru smiled. "I cannot thank the Phantom Thieves in person, but I do want to thank all of you for making me feel welcome and a little more courageous. So…thank you for sticking up for me on that rainy summer day."
Oh, Haru did not realize the irony of her words. But it did make everyone smile a bit. "You're welcome." Ren said.
Haru then blushed, realizing she shifted the topic of conversation too much. "Oh! I'm sorry! I did not mean to make the conversation about me. I-I just wanted to talk about that…uhm. Shujin being bad."
"Well, at the very least, the abandonment of honors students would fall in line with the school's real mission. I can't deny they would do that to Yoshizawa-san." Makoto said, getting back to the original topic since Haru was trying to steer things that way.
"They dump all their hopes on the athletes, and when they don't cut the mustard, they're out like the rest of the trash, huh?" Futaba asked.
"Whatever the reason, it is entirely self-serving." Yusuke said.
"Kosei doesn't have half the issues Shujin has…" Hifumi brushed her hair back behind her ear. She was thankful she didn't have to deal with such a stressful school situation on top of everything else.
"There's still a ton of shit wrong with society…" Ryuji grumbled. This granted him another jab with an elbow from Hfiumi since Haru was right there. "E-Even after all the Phantom Thieves are doing!"
"Yeah…but at the very least, we can keep up our efforts to prevent the worst case scenario." Morgana remarked. Of course, Haru only heard a meow and thought it was cute.
.
.
Later that same day, Morgana jolted awake in a cold sweat. He had that nightmare again. The nightmare where something just manifested into existence in an unknown location. The first time he had it, the identity of the creature was unknown. But this time it turned around and it was…him. This contradicted his claims that he was human. "T-That black thing was…me!? That can't be true. I'm supposed to be human…I should be…!" He was silent for a moment. "If we get rid of the distortion in Mementos, I'm sure it will be fine! It has to be.."
"Hey…are you okay…?" Ren blinked awake.
"Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?" Morgana frowned.
"You were groaning." Ren said groggily.
"Oh, uh…no reason! Probably something I ate! That's all!" Morgana was trying to laugh it all off.
"…Seriously, are you good?" Ren asked once again.
"Oh…um. I'm not sure what to do when you show me genuine concern like that…" Morgana said, taken aback by Ren's concern. "Okay, listen. Listen. Hypothetically speaking, what would you do if I turned about to be some weird…thing?"
"It wouldn't bother me." Ren said.
"But it would bother me!" Morgana immediately replied, as if Ren's answer didn't matter. "If what I saw was true, is it okay for me to stay with the Phantom Thieves? And even if I'm with the team, I'm useless at the moment…" He grumbled that last part.
"…?" Ren tilted his head.
"Oh, it's nothing…" Morgana shook his head. "I've gotten used to my life as a cat; this storage room isn't so bad. Then again, I can't wait to turn back to being a human so I can move out. Maybe I'll live a life of luxury in a suite on the highest floor. ….But rather some weird thing, maybe staying as a cat isn't so bad." He then looked at Ren. "You and me made a deal, right? So I can stay here, right?"
"Of course." Ren nodded. "You don't have to ask."
Morgana felt a little relieved. The first time he had in a while. "Thought so. Don't forget what ou just said, alright? Come on, let's go back to sleep…"
.
.
August 31st.
The last day of summer vacation. Students had to make the most of it. So Ryuji's idea of spending the last day of summer was taking Ren fishing! A good day to relax and take it easy before the monotony of school began once more. "Yeah, this'll be great. Just two guys goin' finishing."
"Wake me up when we're doing something fun…" Morgana was asleep in Ren's bag.
"Why are you asleep!? I thought you loved fish…" Ryuji rolled his eyes. Then he saw someone very familiar fishing. "Wha…Ms. Kawakami?"
Kawakami turned and she could not believe this. She immediately wished she didn't respond. "Oh, are you serious!? Why me…"
"Oh, uh…" Ren wasn't expecting to see Kawakami here. But she looked…okay?
"What are you doing here?" Ryuji asked.
"What? I come here on my time off. Adults need to relax too." Kawakami replied, bringing her sleeve to her mouth to cough slightly. She was trying to hide it. "What kind of teemagers come to a fishing pond on their summer vacation?"
"Nothing better to do, huh?" Ryuji said while sitting down.
"Ack…!" Kawakami was going to respond, but she had a bite and this fish was a fighter.
Before Ren and Ryuji could truly start fishing, they got a text from Futaba that said she was in Akihabara. All by herself. That…wasn't good, knowing she was still getting used to being in public. Brave, yes. But ultimately not the best call. So they had to hurry to Akihabara before something bad happened to Futaba.
Just as they left, Kawakami managed to pull up a golden fish from the water. "Oh I reeled in a fish…!" She….kind of did want to share with Ren and Ryuji. But by the time she turned around, they were already gone. So…that was a little disappointing to tell the truth. But at least now she could let out a few coughs without making Ren worry like she thought would happen.
.
.
Ryuji and Ren arrived in Akihabara just in time. Futaba got lost faster than she expected, and once that realization set it, so did the anxiety from being alone in an unfamiliar place. She was in tears and stuttering when a police officer questioned her, but Ren and Ryuji were able to set the matter straight and the officer went on his way. "Are you okay?" Morgana asked.
"S-Sorry…" Futaba rubbed her eyes. "I thought I conquered my fears at the beach. But I got lost…then I froze up and nobody I knew was here with me…so I just kinda curled up into a ball. Then people started staring, then the police came…"
"Damn…" Ryuji scratched the back of his head.
"Hey, look Futaba. If you're ever feeling uneasy, just call Ren." Morgana said.
"…I don't like how you said it when I'm standin' right here." Ryuji grumbled.
"Well…I do feel calmer already." Futaba nodded. "Oh, I wonder…maybe Ren is a Key Item of some sort!"
"…what?" Ren blinked. Why did she phrase it like that?
.
.
Date: ?
"We were impressed with the intel gathering of the Phantom Thieves." Sae said. "We also know this would've been impossible unless you had a skilled hacker. Who was doing this?"
Of course, Ren wasn't going to answer that question. He couldn't afford to, even if Sae was smart and could deduce things on her own. As long as he himself didn't say anything, all she could do was make an educated guess.
.
.
September 1st.
Ren walked downstairs with his school uniform on. Futaba and Sojiro were already there, the former surprised that Ren was in school clothes. "Oh, a uniform!"
"Yeah, we're back to school today." Ren answered.
"Make sure you study hard." Futaba said.
"Futaba said she's going to shift to a morning person's life." Sojiro told Ren.
"A healthy mission starts with a healthy lifestyle." Futaba gave a firm nod.
"Mission…?" Sojiro blinked.
"In regard to the Phantom Thieves events that have been a hot topic among the general public, the prime minster held a press conference at his residence to address the problem." The newscaster on TV said.
"The government acknowledges the rumors of the group called the Phantom Thieves. We are currently confirming facts with the police to deal with it in an appropriate…"
"Even the prime minister is talking about the Phantom Thieves?" Sojiro couldn't help but sigh. It felt like that was all the people were talking about lately.
"They are allies of justice after all." Futaba said.
"Looks like we're finally being recognized across the country!" Morgana said with a wide grin.
"You think so? Well…let's just stay calm." Ren said.
"Even though you have ambitions, you remain cool. You must've stolen that from me." Morgana said with a chuckle. "Let's find clues for that mission as soon as possible. For Futaba's sake, too."
"You two really get along, don't you?" Sojiro glanced at Ren and Futaba. This was nice, he could appreciate this. "You're going to be late if you don't hurry."
"Good luck on your student duties!" Futaba said with a smile.
"Right. See you guys later." Ren nodded and walked out of Leblanc. Today was a big after all. The second semester was finally going to begin.