Ever since Yusuke had returned home, the punishment for his and Akiko's actions proved to be a lot agonizing than he recalled. No sooner did he enter the house, Madarame abruptly grabbed his arm and yanked him inside. The young apprentice didn't have time to think, before he was taken into a small room, one which he and his fellow peers were very familiar with.
There was only one thing that this could mean.
He yelped at the slap, enduring those colorful arrays of insults. Yusuke tried to step back, but a firm grip on his collar pulled him down to Madarame's level to keep him in place. When he was a young boy, the young painter had screamed the first few times it happened, but soon learned it only made things worse. As he grew older, Yusuke learned to bite his tongue and never scream.
Madarame's yelling pierces his ears, only what hurt the most was an order to never see Akiko again. He himself will be the one to pick the new muse for a nude portrait. And on top of that, he's firmly resolved to take legal action against Akiko and her friends.
Yusuke did try to convince him not to because nobody would believe a group of teenagers. Madarame told him that he has to remain cautious because there's a slight chance someone would, like a tabloid writer for example. His mentor made the promise of carrying out this threat on the final day of the exhibit: June 5th.
Once the slaps had come to an end, Yusuke's pale cheeks were extremely swollen and two very noticeably pink marks were displayed. Taking a deep breath, the young man calmly enticed the cover story his newfound friends had given him: Yes, he did pursue Akiko until they reached downtown. She did try to convince him to go against Madarame for deceiving him. Yusuke refused to believe those abominable rumors because he believed his master has a reason for lying. Their falling out led to him abandoning her in the middle of nowhere.
Thankfully, Madarame bought the story and sent his apprentice to his room without any supper. Yusuke wasn't concerned, for he had already eaten a big meal at the diner. Now alone, he lay in his futon staring mindlessly up at the ceiling, wondering if this change of heart will officially work to save his muse from Madarame. Slowly, his eyelids grew heavy and he fell asleep.
The next day truly felt like an escape for Yusuke to get away from that conniving bastard. Most boys would never enjoy the idea of going to school, but regarding Yusuke's case, this is entirely different. Those lethal eyes silently terrorized the young artist's soul when he sensed Madarame's presence lingering in the atelier while he made his leave for school. Not only that, but his guardian had refused to let him have anything to eat for breakfast, nor was he allowed to make or buy his own lunch. The only money he has for today is for the train's fare only.
Poor Yusuke couldn't tune out the loud rumbles in his stomach, knowing it's a clear sign his body is demanding food. Everywhere he goes, his mouth slightly drools at several food stands in the station. Remembering Akiko's kindness back at the exhibit a few days ago, he decided to send her a text message in the hopes of either providing him with some money for food or if she can bring him some food.
To his relief, she responds with this message:
Akiko: I'm glad you texted me. I was just thinking about you last night.
Akiko: Meet me at the Ginza line in Shibuya.
Akiko: I've got a surprise for you.
A surprise? Whatever it is, it has to be good. Without wasting another second, Yusuke takes the train to Shibuya and locates the Teikyu building. Arriving at his destination, finding his way into a cluster of crowds wasn't that difficult for Yusuke to squeeze through. Once he found his precious muse waiting for him outside the ticket gate, Yusuke's heart skipped a beat. He called out her name with invigorated passion, "Akiko!"
Except she didn't respond.
And she wasn't alone.
"C'mon, why don't you get away from school for a while and come enjoy some alone time with me? You won't regret it, babe."
To Yusuke's horror, it was that same repulsive, overweight man who had knocked him to the ground several days ago during his pursuit of Akiko the first time he saw her. The memory of that day was like opening an old box of memories within his mind.
"Watch where you're going, punk!"
And now he's back to stir up more trouble. The barbarian had this sleazy grin on his ugly face, leaning much too far into Akiko's personal space. Yusuke recalled how the first time he met Akiko, he was captivated by her unique looks, but he could see clearly that he wasn't the only one who thought so. The young painter scowled in disgust. "Has this man no decency? Amamiya-san is too young for a man his age! If he harms her..."
With barely restrained fury, Akiko took a step back and gave the bastard a defiant glare to which Yusuke was secretly impressed. Her inner jaguar is showing one again. "I'd rather waste my time with people my age than with old farts like you!" she scoffed, trying to dissuade the fat bastard from making more inappropriate attempts. "Besides, I already told you that I'm waiting for-Aah!"
Yusuke's pulse quickened when the slimy bastard forcibly seized her by the wrist and dragged her toward him. What's worse is the people who did notice the situation started murmuring and... nobody actually cared to lift a finger to help the poor girl. Pedestrians didn't hesitate to leave or turn a blind eye as if this doesn't concern them.
"C'mon, babe. There's no need to be shy." That pompous oaf refused to take no for an answer.
His grip tightened on the girl's wrist, and Akiko's little pained cry was enough to force Yusuke to intervene, pushing around the group of pedestrians to reach them, whilst he aimed a brief disappointed glare at these heartless people for ignoring the damsel in distress. "I'd appreciate it if you let her go right this second!" he snarled, bravely reaching forward to grab Akiko's arm.
"Y-Yusuke!" Akiko's attention jerked toward him, her expression shifted to relief and joy. Sensing the man's attention now focused on Yusuke, she took this chance to tug her arm out of the man's grasp and took a step closely beside her knight in shining armor.
The overweight man scowled irritatingly at the boy for ruining his fun, before he gave Yusuke a mocking sneer, "No need to be rude. I'm just being friendly." Then, recognition crosses his ugly face. "Hey, you're that punk who bumped into me days ago!" He took a step closer, trying to loom over him and appear intimidating. "You still trying to cause trouble for me?"
Such an insult lacks true callousness and the man's cowardice is hidden behind the mask. Yusuke found himself mirthlessly chuckling, his eyes glazed defiantly and waving his phone tauntingly. "If that is what you're implying, be prepared to explain yourself to the police after I show them a video of you harassing my friend." He had no idea why he said it, but he concocted this little scheme if he could bluff this idiot into believing he had recorded the incident, things will work in his favor.
Fortunately, the bluff forced the man to finally relent. He glared daggers at both of them. "Fine! As if you're anything special, bitch." How fast he was to change his mind when his prize had fled his grasp. He stormed off through the crowd as he left, acting like a child throwing a tantrum.
Once he was out of sight, Akiko let out a sigh that loosens the stress and fear. She bowed in gratitude for the painter's actions. "Thank you so much, Yusuke! I was beginning to think he would never leave me alone."
"I can never look away when a young lady is in trouble. But I apologize for not interfering sooner." Yusuke cordially accepted her thanks. He refrained from telling her about the punishment he received upon his homecoming, just so not to worry Akiko or else she will unleash her wrath on Madarame, which could make things worse. Then he caught notice of those apathetic pedestrians lingering their wary gazes at them. Perhaps his driving the man away is going to convince people that HE is a troublemaker rather than that barbaric heathen. "You would think someone would help you during a situation such as that..."
"Yeah, everybody seems to assume that adult men forcing themselves on young girls is a normal, everyday thing! Anyway, you were really clever in catching him in the act when you recorded it on your phone."
"Actually, I never recorded it. I was just bluffing to scare him off."
Akiko's eyes widened in astonishment, which gradually forms into a pleased smirk. "Oh... that is clever." Her eyes enlarge when something amiss crosses her mind. "Oh, I almost forgot." She reached into her bag and pulled out a package perfectly wrapped in white cloth with red roses for a pattern. The package looked large enough to lay flat on both her palms, and yet small enough to fit in her bag. "Here's your surprise! I made you a boxed lunch early this morning. Considering the fact Madarame is keeping you starved, I'd figured you'd probably need some food, so you won't go hungry all day."
Yusuke was practically stunned by the gift she had presented him. He couldn't remember the last time anyone made him a bento box lunch, other than his senpai Kiku. He accepted the gift graciously. Words alone can't describe how grateful he is, but he just had to let her know all her efforts in creating a special bento box isn't for nothing. "You have my thanks, Amamiya-san. I'm in your debt."
Her giggle was like something Yusuke has never heard before. It was a pleasant sound to hear, bubbly and cheerful. Very different than how she is in the Metaverse. And yet, it was cute.
"I'm glad you like it. Think of it as an apology for what happened at-" Akiko's words trail off and a light pink shade colors her cheeks. Her gaze shifts to the ground all of a sudden to avoid eye contact.
Her change in behavior brought concern for Yusuke. "An apology? For what?"
"For my behavior at the atelier... And I'm glad Morgana is at the vet with Sojiro, that way he won't hear what I'm saying..." The ravenette takes a deep breath to release more stress and anxiety. "I'm so sorry! I know you wanted me to pose nude, but I was really nervous about doing it. And I had grown torn between wanting to do it the second I took off my clothes and staying focused on the plan to unlock the storage door. I don't know why I suddenly wanted to do it... perhaps it's Succubus's doing or it's my own fault..."
"Succubus...?"
"I can summon more Personas other than Elphaba, and Succubus is one of them. However, it doesn't change the fact that I took advantage of you to get that door open. The reason Morgana and I needed that door open was to change the cognition in the museum, a door with a matching peacock pattern just like at the atelier. And I never meant to get you into trouble with Madarame, either." Although Akiko's tone displays true guilt, fear and shame linger in her tone. "I just wanted you to know how sorry I am..."
Yusuke is a little shocked that she's apologizing for her strange seduction act the other day, but he can understand where she's going with this. Of all the girls who tried flirting with him to get intimate, there was something very enchanting about Akiko when she somehow got him to strip and make out with her. None of the girls regretted their actions whenever he turned them down, but Akiko was truly sorry for what she had done. He gets that she had her reasons and he respects that, but is touched by her genuine remorse. If her kind offer to make him food isn't enough to say she's a good person, than risking her life to keep him safe from those Shadow creatures is enough to say she's the true epitome of an angel.
She waited anxiously for him to respond, so the young artist nods softly in response, "Rest assured, I don't hold a grudge against you for that."
Akiko glanced up at him with a look of surprise. "Huh? Really?"
"Quite the contrary, you helped me out so much by showing me the truth. Being able to meet someone like you who expresses compassion for those less fortunate is like a breath of fresh air for me."
Akiko's cheeks seem to glow bright red, a small sigh of relief escapes from her lips. "I'm glad you think so..."
"And I must also apologize to you as well. I'm sure that, when we first met, you must have thought I was going to do the same to you or to Ann when that barbarian refused to leave you alone." Yusuke feels a twinge of guilt at the memory - Akiko and Ryuji had originally believed he had the same intentions due to his poor actions, as well as regarding Ann due to her captivating looks, but they were just trying to protect her.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry for mistaking you as a stalker... it did scare us, but I know you're not that kind of person. You're a good man, Yusuke. And I'm definitely looking forward to working alongside you on the team."
"Thank you. As this situation concerns putting an end to Madarame's crimes, I promise to be very useful to you and everyone else." Yusuke felt a sense of motivation bubble inside his chest, determined not to let her down and become a most valuable ally to her.
With that said and done, Akiko pointed to the nearby bakery stall behind her. "While we're here, I can buy you a quick breakfast at Yon German. At least your stomach won't sound like a hungry bear for most of the morning!" She checked her phone for a brief second. "My train arrives in ten minutes, but we still got some time left."
"Excellent!" What she recently said about his stomach made Yusuke's eyes widened, mildly confusing him. "Wait... What do you mean I sound like a hungry bear?" Akiko's amused chuckles caught him off guard, but he can never grow tired of hearing it.