The first thing Yusuke notices when they escape the golden museum of vanity is that everyone's clothes change back to normal. It took him a moment to notice that his unusual attire had changed back to his school uniform... and they are close to Madarame's shack. The group takes shelter in a nearby alley. Yusuke had nearly forgotten his master's threat of bringing in security to arrest him and Akiko for discovering his secrets... and he almost forgot Akiko has gone back to wearing nothing but undergarments. Now that is incredibly difficult to not notice.
"Babe, where are your clothes!?" Ryuji's eyes grow so wide they might pop like balloons and his jaw drops, literally drooling at how slim and gorgeous she looks without her uniform.
Unfortunately, Yusuke doesn't appreciate the barbarian gawking at her like a heathen. If he doesn't stop, he's going to cross the line of never committing an act of violence and punch him in the face.
"Eeek!" Akiko's face glows a bright scarlet color. She covers her chest; despite the fact her bra is still on. "I forgot! I was going to... pose nude..."
"Did you try forcing her to take her clothes off!? Or did you do anything weird to make her do it!?" Ann turns to display an accusatory scowl directly at Yusuke, who isn't quite sure what the blonde is implying... until the memory of his close intimacy with his muse comes back to him. At the corner of her eye, she catches Ryuji mentally drooling over Akiko and it only irritates her further.
"Amamiya-san was kind enough to go through with it," he simply replies.
"Could somebody please get me some clothes, right now!?" The poor ravenette begins massaging the skin of her arms, trying to keep herself warm. The atmosphere around them is slightly chilly, especially with the sun gone.
Yusuke's heart breaks to see his muse shiver in the cold like this. "Here, you can borrow my skirt." He starts unbuttoning his shirt in attempt to take it off and cover her body to stop the shivers.
"Nope!" In a flash, Ann stops him from doing the rest. "You're not walking the streets shirtless! What if you catch a cold? We'll find a clothing store somewhere!"
Before Yusuke could protest even further, the black and white cat who attacked Madarame earlier has returned, this time carrying a hefty load of Akiko's clothes all contained inside her school bag. Yusuke's eyebrows were raised in befuddlement. Since when are cats trained to do something like this? This feline must have smarts equal to those of chimpanzees or dolphins.
"While you guys were busy discussing the situation regarding Akiko's attire, I took the liberty of sneaking in through the back window and gathering all her clothes," the cat replied in a seemingly proud manner.
"Thanks, Morgana! You're a life saver!" Relieved, Akiko gives the feline an affectionate head scratch and grabs the bag. She gestures everyone to look away, which the gang willingly obliges, while she puts on her attire. Once she finished, the ravenette gives a startled jump when she heard something hard and firm was made contact with somebody's face.
An infuriated Ann and pissed off Morgana were in the midst of giving Ryuji, who was holding his jaw to massage the pain, the scolding of a lifetime. To Akiko's surprise, Yusuke, who was holding his wrist and shaking it, revealed himself to be the culprit behind the punch. She stole a hard look at Ryuji for being such a peeping tom, reminding herself to give him a piece of her mind someday. Right now, she was a little touched that someone like Yusuke would defend her honor.
Enough said, Akiko decided that everyone should make their way back to Shibuya, just in case any certain men in authority uniforms lingered the area. It took them a while to find Central Street and seated themselves in the comfort of a local diner.
Before going in, Yusuke receives an angered number of text messages from Madarame demanding his whereabouts. The chat logs confirmed that he has no knowledge about this alleged Palace the Phantom Thieves themselves had mentioned earlier. Probably for the best if Yusuke doesn't wish to be seen as a lunatic.
Unfortunately, he and Akiko are still in hot water.
What Madarame has dared to do next was so irrational that Yusuke felt a chill touch his skin.
Akiko and Ann sat on one area of the booth, placing the bag containing the talking cat on the table. Yusuke sat on other side next to Ryuji. A waitress walked up to them to take their orders, and the group ordered drinks for a start. Left alone, the individuals explained the details in order: what their Personas truly stand for, the incident with Kamoshida, and the main reason why they desired to become the Phantom Thieves.
"...I see." Yusuke paid strict attention to their story, glad they were able to answer any questions he has and receiving a better understanding of their situations. "And because of that, this PE teacher's had a change of heart..." He stares wide eyed down at these people as the information they had told him was quickly absorbed. "The Phantom Thieves who steal hearts... To think they truly exist."
"Is it hard to believe?" Akiko questioned.
"Indeed. I have to believe your words. Especially after seeing a world like that..." Yusuke grimaces before shifting his concerned gaze to look Akiko in the eyes. "So your plan with Madarame-Sensei... with Madarame, is to force a change of heart in him, correct?" Any thought of referring to that monster as his Sensei had gone down the drain after learning the dark truth.
Akiko nodded to confirm their decision is unanimous. "That's correct. We've also been asked to act directly on behalf of Nakanohara to change that bastard's heart... and to save your life."
The name of a brother whom Yusuke had abandoned for so long. He stares at his muse, stunned. "Senpai... asked you to save me?" Everyone's heads are nodding without doubt. "To think he still remembers me after these last few years..." he smiled bitterly.
Nakanohara was the last pupil aside him Yusuke himself who lived with him for several years before his departure. Their last conversation ended on a bittersweet farewell. Oh, how Yusuke wished he had left with him, but he selfishly couldn't risk giving up his dreams to become an artist.
A conviction is evidently strong in his voice when Yusuke makes the decision to aide them in their quest. "Let me join... as a member of the Phantom Thieves." He ignored their shocked reactions to his request. "Had I faced reality sooner, this may have been avoided. I must put an end to this for the sake of the others whose futures as artists were robbed, as well. That... is the most civil thing I can do for the man who was... in some manner, my father."
"Civil, huh." Ann offered him a supportive grin.
Ryuji had no complaints either. "Sounds fine to me. We're gonna deal with Madarame anyways."
The cat, now aware he's named Morgana, poked his head out Akiko's bag. Yusuke figured she must've placed it on the table strategically so the feline can get involved in the conversation. "He may have a mental shutdown if we screw up. We have ways to prevent that, but they aren't fail-safe. Remember how we mentioned this on our way here?"
Yusuke nodded. "Madarame is a man who has the art world under his thumb. He has connections to many organizations. If someone like me raises my voice, it'll only be snubbed out..." Just like so many others before him. "We have no option but this." The risk of Madarame dying is enough to frighten Yusuke on the inside, but ultimately, this change of heart is the only option they have.
"Kitagawa-kun..." Ann frowned sorrowfully.
"It's a deal then." Morgana purred in delight.
"We have a new member in the Phantom Thieves now!" Ann beamed excitedly, picking up her glass beverage and lightly clicked it against Yusuke's tea cup. "I hope we get along, Yusuke!"
"You better not slow us down." Ryuji playfully punched his arm to let him know that he was only teasing him lightheartedly when he said it.
"I'll do my best." Yusuke smiled, determined to not be a burden.
"Welcome aboard!" Akiko accepts him without hesitation. Then, her cheeks gradually become a gentle shade of pink. "Oh, and can we put that modeling gig on hold, please? Especially after what happened before..."
The young artist blinked confusingly, mentally connecting the dots in his head. The realization of what her true intentions are during the nude modeling job goes through him like lightening. "So that was all plan? That was quite daring, Amamiya-san." If this is true, did what she do to him was an act as well? Was the physical contact a lie?
"It wasn't her idea, it was THEIR'S!" Ann's pretty face scrunched up indignantly, stabbing an accusing finger in the faces of Ryuji and Morgana.
"What else were we supposed to do!?" Now it's Ryuji's turn to scowl annoyingly, also shifting it toward the young artist at the corner of his eye. "It's his fault for going on and on about the nude modeling thing!"
"I haven't given up on that yet though." Yusuke's passive response displays a firm resolve to do it, even after witnessing Akiko completely in the nude, won't be the last she hears of it.
"Give it up!" Ann shrieked.
Yusuke gasped at her outburst. Completely shocked by the blonde's refusal to deny him the pure beauty he had been exposed to hours ago. However, he noticed a guilty Akiko giving him a silent look and mouthing the words 'We'll discuss it some other time.' He obliges, nodding. If this is regarding what occurred between them at the atelier, he's up for it. Either tomorrow or the day after, he will be patient.
"Oh, that reminds me..." Ann's short-filled rage had ceased to relax. "I wonder what's going on with the real Madarame. Ever since Aki-chan brought Yusuke with her to the Palace, I suspected you guys were in a pretty tight situation..."
"Uhhh..." Akiko was frozen on the spot, unable to say a word. And the painter can understand why.
"Actually, I contacted him before we came here." Yusuke makes the explanation before his muse does, saving them both the trouble of not revealing their sexual and physical interaction. "He believes I continued pursuing Amamiya-san. I gave him a false spelling of your last name, just in case if he does make a report, they shouldn't be able to find you, Amamiya-san."
"Thank you." Akiko's face is still flushed pink but is grateful, nonetheless.
"And, just as you all explained, it appears he knows nothing about his Shadow. In fact, he was complaining to the security company how they couldn't even catch one high school girl, half naked. However..." Yusuke's grip on the cup hardens, considering his master's threat in the chat log of what he plans to do to his muse, "he's still furious about it, and said that he's going to take legal action against everyone."
Everyone gasped, terror planted on their faces.
"Talk about being completely on guard..." Ryuji groaned.
"Legal action!?" Ann shuddered in her seat. "He's acting way too desperate. Maybe he still has more secrets."
"This is not good..." Akiko's face turned slightly pale.
"If he were to act, it'd be after the exhibit is over," Yusuke deduced. "Any scandal during the show would be his loss."
Ann kicked herself under the table. "Right when I think the talk about Aki-chan being a nude model is over, this happens!?"
Morgana's frown hardens in increased determination. "We'll have to force a change of heart before then, if we're to dodge this 'legal action' thing. Looks like our plan must be accomplished while the exhibit is still open." The thieves nodded. After all, they had already made plenty of progress within the Palace before this threat came up.
Of course, this brings up another puzzling issue for Yusuke. This cat, Morgana, is speaking perfect vocabulary words like no other creature would ever do. Come to think of it, he has the same voice as that child dressed in the cat costume with a matching color pattern similar to his own. Does that mean THIS is the same cat from Madarame's Palace? "By the way... what is this?"
"Huh?" Ryuji looked between the two before he realized that the young artist wasn't used to this. "A cat."
"But it's talking." This is not normal for a cat to interact with humans, but after all of the craziness which Yusuke had to endure and witness, he should just accept it.
The feline's blue eyes narrowed offendedly. "You have a problem with that!?"
"No, not really."
"Why not?" The blonde male is taken aback by his easy acceptance of a talking cat.
"He's just on a different wavelength than other people." Ann shrugged with a little sweatdrop.
After calming down, Morgana smiled brightly at the newest member of their group. "Do you wish to draw me? You better bring out the best of me, in that case."
"Hm..." Yusuke contemplated this for a moment. Drawing a cat would make a nice picture, especially if he's a talking cat. Whoever and whatever Morgana is, he doesn't seem like a bad cat, considering he aided them in their fight against those Shadows back at the Palace. Wait a second... black cat... black... Thinking about it, the artist was in the mood for some black bean jelly and slowly reached over the table.
For some reason, Morgana assumed that he was going to touch him. "Hey, don't touch me like-"
A simple ring of the table bell silenced him. Everyone aimed blank stares at Yusuke for what he just did as sat back down. "I was thinking of ordering some black bean jelly," he explained.
"I bet he got that idea from a 'black cat'..." Ryuji's quiet voice doesn't go unheard.
Well, obviously, a black cat giving him the idea of ordering black bean jelly seemed like a good idea, until Yusuke stiffened once he realized he his wallet his empty. "Oh! I didn't bring any money."
Ann just shook her head, sighing. "Never mind. He's just weird."
Akiko, on the other hand, stifled with a light chuckle in her throat. Why she was trying not to laugh, Yusuke has no idea. Although, she kind of looks adorable like that. "Don't sweat it, Yusuke. I'll pay for it."
Blinking in surprise at the generous offer, Yusuke eventually smiles at her kindness. "Thank you." Whether the physical contact was a trick or not, she doesn't seem like the person to deceive others with malicious intent.
The same waitress from before came up to their table and takes their orders. Everyone got what they wanted, feeling the satisfaction of food drop in their stomachs and renewed their energy. Yusuke practically devoured his dinner, savoring the taste of warm meat in his mouth. In the back of his mind, he suspected Madarame would no doubt punish him for what happened today by forbidding him anything to eat.
After the trio paid for their meals (and paying for Yusuke's as well), the group exchanged phone numbers and Chat IDs with their newest member. They left the diner and decided to go their separate ways homeward once they noticed the hour had grown quite late.
Akiko paused in the midst of her steps, turning back to the artist when a terrible thought crossed her mind. "Yusuke, will you be okay if you go back to the atelier?" Recalling how furious the phony master painter was when they discovered his secrets, she feared for the bluenette's safety.
Her voice was full of terror and concern, it caught him off-guard. The artist guessed that she of all people would display anxiety after being there to witness Madarame's temper. Yusuke tried not to let the distress get the best of her. "I'll be fine. As long as Madarame needs a new piece, he won't kick me out. I'm only a tool to gain what he needs." Those last words were spoken with venom.
Akiko cringed at the reminder of sinister shogun's callous boasting. "If he does try to threaten you, don't hesitate to call me at any time. And if he does beat you, you could hide out at my place. You'll be safe there."
"Huh? W-Why...?" Yusuke stammered for his words to find the correct response, before realizing it would probably be better to just appreciate the offer. If Akiko is truly honest and serious about what she meant, all thoughts of her deceiving him just to open the storage door through use of intimacy were banished. Still, they needed to have a serious discussion about it some other time. "That is unnecessary, but thank you for your kindness."
He brought her hand up to his lips for a brief kiss, grinning at the blush visibly shown on her cheeks. Doing so, part of Yusuke longed to kiss more of her skin, to pick up where they left off... No, this is not the time nor the place for such inappropriate thoughts. The offer to give him shelter at her home was appreciated, but he can take care of himself. If Madarame does go too far, he will rely on his loyal muse for her assistance.