Chapter Ten
The Roommate Agreement

Friday, April 15th

He traveled the halls of Shujin Academy with his hands jammed into his jacket pockets. Principal Kobayakawa had reached out to him on a recommendation after one of the students attempted suicide by jumping off the roof earlier that day during class hours. He had spent the last half-hour trying to arrange something for the students, mostly for the girl's classmates and friends and any other student that was feeling frightened by what happened, or even if they were thinking of following the girl's example.

It was not difficult to get a read on Kobayakawa's character. The way Kobayakawa approached him over the phone, the way he spoke to him face-to-face made it clear that Kobayakawa was mostly concern about the school's reputation and a few calls from parents than the student's mental health and well-being.

But, he wasn't about to say no to this opportunity. Something like this was frightening no matter where they were in life. But while individuals were still literal children…

He descended the stairway outside leading to the front gate and took a left when something peculiar caught his eye.

Three students in the Shujin blazer just… ran out of thin air. A group of three, two girls and a boy. The lone boy had the legs of his trousers rolled up a few times and his hair was bleached blond. One of the girls was likely half, he needed a closer look, with sandy blonde hair that had a natural look to it. The other girl had powder grey hair and black-framed glasses, she was the only one of the trio who hadn't altered the uniform in any way.

They just ran out of thin air. He knew what he saw. Was it possible that…

He kept his eyes down on the sidewalk as he continued his trek. Perhaps he had one more reason to seriously consider the job at this school.

They brought Ann to the station before she could allow herself to calm down. Ann gave the verbal okay for Chiyo to explain what was going on. Ryuji took off to get the group a few drinks during the story. As Chiyo explained as best as she could, Ann brought the story to a halt several times with her questions, 'Wait, that's why you two were so late Monday?' 'So that's why you were questioning the volleyball team?' 'So Kamoshida sees me as a walking sex toy?!' 'Kamoshida wants you to what?!' 'But why does that monster cat look like a regular cat now?'

"Which one you want?" Ryuji asked, offering a couple of drinks to Ann.

"Whichever's not carbonated."

"Uh… they're both actually…"

Ann swiped the nearest bottle from Ryuji, who offered the remaining drink to Chiyo. Breaking it open, Chiyo took a cautious whiff. She could smell bubbles, with a hint of fruit. The first sip caused her brow to rise in a delightful surprise to find the taste of… pomelo, maybe. The belch that came out seconds later produced tears in the corners of her eyes. "Aw, jeez…" Chiyo breathed out patting her chest. "That kinda hurt…"

"What about me?" Morgana asked, his head poking out of Chiyo's bag.

Ryuji crossed his arms over his chest and list his head. "But you're a cat," he said dumbly.

Chiyo's brow rose in silent agreement. Could Morgana even have the foods cats normally couldn't? Ignoring that question, it would likely raise more than a few eyebrows if they just gave a cat carbonated drinks.

"Have you calmed down, Lady Ann?" Morgana asked, changing the subject.

"Morgana, right?" Ann eyed the cat in Chiyo's bag. She brought her free hand to her head. "I really am talking to a cat… This feels so strange… Oh, sorry!" Her hand flew to her mouth. "You're not a cat, right?"

"It's only natural that you're confused. Demanding that you understand all of this right after what you went through is asking too much."

"Unless your names are Ryuji and Chiyo, otherwise your expected to understand it all right off the bat," quipped Chiyo.

Ann's blue eyes traveled to Ryuji, silently asking his opinion on the matter, he just shrugged in response. "Oh," she said allowing her face to drop, "Morgana's one of those types."

"Wait, what types?!" Morgana asked frantically. "What types?! I'm not like those types!"

"Still," Ann brought her hand back to her head, "I can't believe what happened… And that power… my Persona… You two have them too, right?"

"It's the will of your rebellion, Lady Ann," Morgana explained, changing the subject. "With it, you'll be able to fight in that other world."

"So if what you told me is true, we can make Kamoshida have a change of heart, right? Can we actually force him to confess his crimes?"

"The volleyball team's keepin' quiet about this, while the teachers and parents turn a blind eye." Ryuji slid his hands into his pants pockets. "If guys like us try and complain, they're just gonna shoot us down. Goin' all in on this plan is the only choice we got."

Ann gripped her drink, letting out a humorless chuckle. "I thought about telling Shiho's parents what she told me," she confessed. "She told me Kamoshida forced himself. I know they'd take my word on it, but if it gets out, I'm sure Kamoshida will turn it around on me. Probably say I'm just looking for someone to blame at best. The whispers about me at school will not help in the matter. It's too much bullshit to put the Suzui's through right now.

"So, let me help too. I want to make him pay for what he did to Shiho. He just keeps going like nothing happened, even after he…" Ann grit her teeth for a moment. "I'll never forgive him."

"Wait," Ryuji held a hand up, "did you just say, 'let me help?' As in you want us to take you along?"

"She has just as much of a right to as either of us," said Chiyo.

"I agree," said Morgana. "We are lacking in manpower, after all. Don't worry, I'll protect her."

"Yeah… I really don't think she needs it."

"Fine, I guess you guys have a point," sighed Ryuji.

"Then it's decided," announced Ann. "Well, I hope we get along!" She turned to Chiyo with a deadly serious look in her eye. "I'm going to make Kamoshida atone for what he did. Not just for Shiho's sake… but for everything he's done. I won't let any more people suffer because of him. I'll do whatever it takes!"

"Good to have you on board," said Chiyo. "Oh! We should probably exchange numbers."

It took about five minutes for Ann to add in her schoolmate's numbers and chat IDs. Less time for them to do the same with hers. "Let's just make sure Morgana's kept updated," said Ann. She placed her phone in her bag and waved goodbye to the others before she walked off.

"What a kind girl," Morgana purred. "Such admirable consideration for others. And the innocence to cast herself into the jaws of death to achieve her goal…"

Ryuji gestured to Chiyo's bag. "Did he just imply she doesn't understand what she's getting herself into?"

"I… think so…" Chiyo said dully.

"She cares about her friends, and she's beautiful to boot," Morgana continued, blissfully ignoring Ryuji and Chiyo's words. "What a girl! She's captured my heart…"

Chiyo could feel something vibrating throughout her bag. Morgana insisted he wasn't a cat, yet here he was, purring. "You know," said Ryuji, "it'd be better if this group could get together quickly from now on… "

"True," Morgana's purring ceased. "Our best option would be to make a secret hideout where we could discuss these things."

"A hideout, huh?" pondered Ryuji. "I like the sound of that."

"And how much of this is because it sounds cool?" Chiyo pondered aloud.

The fur along Morgana's spine bristled. "I-I mean… It's a better idea to discuss these things in private."

"Yeah, okay, I'll give you that.

"The school rooftop should fit that criteria. And Lady Ann was certainly right about one thing, I can't keep in touch with you from inside a Palace. So I'll stay in this world. That being said, I'll need someone to take care of me. I'm personally nominating Chiyo. You should feel honored."

"Wait, why me?! Why not Ryuji?!"

Ryuji shook his head. "There's no way I can keep a cat at my place."

"B-But I…" she looked down in half-hearted defeat, "I live over a restaurant…"

Kasumi had been hyper-focused on the tasks at hand. Her mom and granny were away for the weekend for a hot springs retreat, so that left her and her dad home alone until Monday. She figured on surprising Shinichi nice hot meal to come home to. Her sister used to do the same thing all the time before…

Lately, Kasumi had been taking it upon herself to ease into some of the household chores her sister did in her place. Even if Kasumi's cooking skills were less than sub-par compared to her sisters…

Maybe if she tried her hand at something simple. Like fried rice?

The kitchen island was generously space, granting Kasumi a skyline view that was honestly better at night. Her sister always liked using it for her cooking projects for its space, that the kitchen sink was right there, and the burners were right behind her. The sink certainly made washing the vegetables easier.

She was in the middle of dicing celery when she heard the front door open with a loud BANG. A middle-aged man with graying black hair stood in the doorway. He had on his grey work suit under his long jacket; a pair of wire-frame glasses sat in front of his eyes. Despite pushing fifty Shinichi Yoshizawa was a handsome man, but anyone who knew him could see that he had aged within the last month or so.

"Dad?" Kasumi asked as soon as the shock left her. "Did you… run all the way up here?"

"I needed the workout..." Shinichi said, shrugging his jacket off. "You didn't answer your phone."

Arching her brow, Kasumi reached out to the far end of the island for her smartphone. After a little prodding, she found that there were three missed messages from Shinichi, five from her mom, and even one from Granny. "I'm sorry," Kasumi sighed, placing the phone back down. "I'm not sure what happened, I didn't have it on vibrate."

"Your mother called me when you didn't answer. She heard about what happened at your school today before I did…. Did you want to talk to him about what happened, he said you were okay to call him if you felt that you needed to."

Kasumi placed the knife down on the cutting board, vaguely aware of Shinichi eyeing it. "I think I'm okay," she said at length. "I didn't know who the girl was-" She took a moment to flinch guiltily. Kasumi was talking like the girl was dead when she didn't know if that were true or not. "- just that she's a grade above me and on the volleyball team."

"You're sure?"

She nodded, her ponytail bouncing in conjunction with her. "I guess it was kind of scary that someone tried to kill themselves at school in the middle of class. I suppose everyone will be talking about it for the next few days."

"Well, the doctor just called me as I was on my way home. He said he might be doing a job at your school."

"So that might work out pretty well!" Kasumi said cheerfully.

"Uh… yes," Shinichi said uncertainly.

"Well, then, you just relax. I'll see if I can get this fried rice ready before too long."

Shinichi watched as his daughter went back to work. As cheerful as ever. As cheerful as her. He was relieved that what happened at school didn't trigger anything. But it was still a struggle to look his daughter in the face.

They all knew she needed help after what happened, the doctor was recommended to him by Shibusawa from work. It was his mother-in-law Suisen who successfully coaxed her out of the bedroom. Shinichi and his wife, Tsutsuji, accompanied their daughter to the doctor's office. The doctor said he might try a form of an experimental treatment plan.

Maybe the usage of the word 'experimental' should have been a red flag. Maybe Shinichi was just a desperate man trying to keep his surviving daughter alive. All he knew was that he brought his daughter to see the doctor, and she came out significantly happier than when she went in… Eerily happier, not quite like nothing happened, but a complete one-eighty all the same. What's stranger still, was that she began acting… not like herself.

The doctor described it as being like a form of roleplay. That if she just spent a bit of time like this, she would get it out of her system. But only when she was ready to stop playing.

"That doctor is a scam artist," Suisen said when they brought her home that evening. "Roleplay he calls it. Avoiding the problem is what it is."

Maybe he should talk to Tsutsuji when she got back. If nothing else they ought to talk to the doctor about this treatment plan. It was getting harder and harder for Shinichi to look his daughter in the face.

Chiyo stood outside Leblanc with her arms crossed over her chest. She did not want to go through with what was abound to be a discussion and try to convince Sojiro to let Morgana stay. "What're you waiting for?" Morgana asked, poking his head out of Chiyo's bag.

Heaving a sigh, Chiyo shoved Morgana back down and pulled the door open. There was a single customer, seated at one of the booths. For better or worse. "The store's still open," Sojiro said without looking up at her. "Go upstairs or be quick about going and coming."

Chiyo didn't say anything, instead opting to keep her head down, trying to be inconspicuous about Morgana in her bag. However, walking past the customer in the booth, Chiyo couldn't help but look at her. Her black hair had a blue sheen to it and cut in a messy bob with blunt bangs. She had a black spiked choker around her neck and a black jacket over a blue dress. A different sort of beauty.

But Chiyo ended up staring too long. The woman looked up at her. "Yes?"

"Lay off the customers," Sojiro ordered. "Sorry if she was rude, Doctor?"

"Doctor?" Chiyo echoed.

"I don't mind," said the woman. The woman placed a bit of money on the table before she got up. She revealed herself to be a rather slender woman with long legs. She had on a pair of heels that looked like they could easily stab any potential attacker. "Thanks for the coffee. I'll see you later."

"Come back again," Sojiro called as the woman walked out the door. "And that's it for the day."

"Who was that?" asked Chiyo.

"She's the head doctor over at the clinic down the street. Rumor has it she gives pretty crappy examinations and sells some weird homemade medicines on top of that. At least, that's what I've heard. I haven't been there myself. They should really just leave her alone. It's not like she's getting in the way of their lives…"

"They?"

"Hey," Morgana spoke from the inside of Chiyo's bag, "are we there yet?"

Chiyo paled instantaneously; Sojiro's eyes wandered to the front door. Dare she hope he thought he heard an alley cat? "Anyway…" Sojiro said at length, "I've gotta get home and start making dinner."

"Sure." Chiyo nodded. "I should be fine with everything until tomorrow."

She didn't wait for Sojiro to respond with anything else. She hurried up to her room and dropped her bag on her bed. Morgana let out a small 'oomph' before he poked his head out. He climbed out of the bag and sat himself down on the bed; he scrutinized the room for a few moments in silence.

"What the heck is this place?!" he demanded. "Some kind of abandoned house?!"

"It's an attic!" Chiyo hissed. "Keep your voice down before…"

She squeezed her eyes shut as she heard Sojiro's footfalls travel up the stairs. Chiyo sighed, decided it was probably for the best he find out like this. Somehow she doubted it would matter if she was delicate about the situation. Morgana crouched down, his eyes on the approaching man. Perhaps he was afraid and that's why he was crouching. Or perhaps he was trying to make himself cute and endearing. Chiyo could easily believe either option. "I knew I heard meowing… What did you bring it here for?!" demanded Sojiro.

Chiyo held her hands up in defense and went with what was technically true, "He followed me!"

Sighing, Sojiro removed his glasses and rubbed his temples with his free hand. "Look, this place is a restaurant. Animals are a no-go… Though I guess you might stay on good behavior if you've got a pet to take care of… Fine, it can stay."

Chiyo's head list to the right in shock. That was… easier than she was ever expecting. "But keep it quiet when we're opening for business," Sojiro continued. "And don't let it roam downstairs, or I'll toss it out. And make sure the cat hair is under control up here." Turning, Sojiro headed back downstairs. "Like your clothes. It's just common decency."

"Yeah…" replied Chiyo. Her gaze traveled to the side, her brow arched, still trying to understand how easy this became. "Yeah…"

"Was that the ruler of this place?" Morgana asked when he was certain Sojiro was out of earshot.

"If you want to put it that way…"

"He seemed pretty understanding for someone who keeps you cramped up in this dump." Chiyo couldn't help the snort that escaped. Yeah, understanding. "Then again, I suppose to normal people I just sound like a regular house cat."

"You look like a regular house cat."

To the surprise of both of them, Sojiro came back upstairs with a saucer of white rice in hand. "Seriously, it had to keep calling out in that cute little voice…" he muttered.

"Make sure you wash that dish," instructed Sojiro. "So… have you decided on a name yet?"

"Morgana." Chiyo's head tilted to the right once again as she heard Sojiro muttering something about him naming it. "Wow. I would never have pegged you as a cat person."

"Hush, you. Don't forget the dish."

"I won't."

Sojiro went back downstairs again. Morgana's tail started to happily sway. "Looks like the chief likes me better than you."

"That's because to him, you don't talk back," snarked Chiyo.

"Well, to be honest, this place is heaven compared to Kamoshida's cells."

Chiyo waited until she was certain Sojiro locked up for the night before she heated up a helping of cup ramen. Morgana was still working on his rice when she returned upstairs. Chiyo placed her cup ramen down and removed her blazer. "Remember how you guys asked me before what I am?" Morgana asked as Chiyo sat down at the edge of the bed.

"I guess. It might've gotten lost amongst the plethora of crap since then, but I think so."

"To be honest…" Morgana lowered his head, "I don't remember anything about my birth. I think the Metaverse's distortions made me lose both my memories and my true form."

"And you're… certain that form is human?"

"It has to be!" he asserted. "I mean, why else would a cat be able to talk like this? There's no other possible explanation."

Chiyo didn't bother arguing that he wasn't talking to everyone, just a select few. Nor did she outwardly doubt that it was the only possible explanation. "There's no doubt that the distortions were what caused me to lose my real self." Morgana looked down at the saucer. "I'm sure that once they're purged, I'll finally be able to get that self back. And I have a pretty good idea of how to do it too. That's why I was in the castle in the first place. Come to think of it… I didn't get hungry over in that world…"

Morgana lowered his head to take another mouthful of rice. After a few minutes of silence, Chiyo took it as a sign it was okay for her to eat. Less than thirty minutes later the saucer was licked clean of rice, with an empty cup placed on top. There was a bit of idle chatter between the two. Morgana asked why Sojiro was making her eat nothing but cup ramen, but Chiyo quickly shot back that it was simply her giving it a try.

"Let me make myself clear," Morgana said as Chiyo took the cup and saucer into her hands. "Your taking care of me won't be for nothing. It'll be give and take. Due to my knowledgeable and dexterous nature, I have a lot of intel on infiltration tools."

"What kind of tools are we talking about?"

"I can't tell you more unless we settle on a deal. In exchange for keeping me here, I'll teach you about these tools. How does that sound?"

"Sure."

"I like that answer. Then it's a deal. I'll lecture you about the infiltration tools over time. The power you used in the Palace was seriously amazing. The stronger that power gets, the more reliable it'll be as a trump card." Morgana scratched his ear with his back leg. "All right, I'm gonna stick with you wherever you go from today on. Personas are the strength born from one's heart. Depending on what kind of life experience you gain, I bet it'll affect that power as well! I expect great things from you. Don't let me down, okay?"

Chiyo took care of Morgana's plate and headed back upstairs. Her hands reached for the hem of her shirt before she paused. She glanced down at Morgana, her brow furrowed. "You uh…" she said tentatively, "you present as male?"

"Yes," Morgana said irritably. Thinking about it for a moment, his ears plastered against his skull. "At least I think so… It feels right…"

"You know what?" Chiyo took her sleep clothes into her hands and headed for the stairs. "It doesn't matter. I'd feel uncomfortable changing in front of you regardless."

She changed clothes in the downstairs bathroom and idly realized she might need to do the same thing in the morning now. So she decided if Sojiro asked her about it, she would reply that she was trying to prevent him from accidentally walking in on her while changing.

During her sleep that night, Chiyo could have sworn something was weighing down on her. Come morning, she simply assumed it was Kamoshida's threats getting to her. What Chiyo didn't know, however, was that it was Morgana sleeping on her stomach throughout the night.

Saturday, April 16th

She didn't realize what it was at first, what she did realize was where it was. And the moment Chiyo realized what she was feeling, her eyes snapped open. In her rush to get out of bed, she'd sent Morgana momentarily flying with a yelp, and skidding across the floor. Chiyo rushed downstairs, not caring if Sojiro was in the store, not caring if she was in her pajamas, and not caring if there were any customers.

Shit, shit, shit, shit! It was on time, it had always been fairly regular, and it completely slipped her mind. Not that Chiyo didn't have reason to forget it was coming.

She marched out of the bathroom and back upstairs with a flush on her cheeks. She only told Morgana they were leaving as soon as possible, that she needed to pick up something on the way to school. Without many complaints, Morgana stretched his back out as Chiyo got her uniform and made another trip down to the bathroom.

After Chiyo put her hair up, Morgana was already waiting in her bag, only ducking his head in when she looped it around her shoulder. She brought them to the nearest convince store and immediately went to cash out. Morgana complained a little bit when she placed the box inside her bag. Apparently, he had just gotten comfortable and the box threw him off.

They left the store and headed for the station. Chiyo was going to have to hope she got to school early enough to take care of the matter before class started.

"What's wrong? You don't look so good."

"I haven't been feeling well lately. My head's all foggy, and I have no energy. I've tried every drug at the pharmacy, but nothing works. Do I have some new virus? Is this the onset of a psychotic breakdown?! Wh-What should I do?! Am I going to die?!"

"Calm down! Let's just go to the clinic. Come on. I'm sure the doctor can prescribe something that'll fix you right up!"

"Doctors have the best medicine, huh," Morgana piped from Chiyo's bag. "Wasn't that customer at Leblanc last night a doctor?"

"That's what Sojiro said," said Chiyo. "Why? Do you have a cold?"

"No! I just thought it might be nice to have some strong medicine to use in the Palace."

The day had gone by surprisingly calm, all things considered. Though whispers did flurry around here and there. Some claimed Suzui had died in the hospital. Others said the fall damaged her spine so she was paralyzed from the neck down. And then there were the whispers about the three student expulsion.

There were about thirty minutes left before class let out for the day when Chiyo's phone started to vibrate. Reaching for her, she noticed Ann do the same. She knew Ryuji had sent them a message before she even looked at the screen.

Ryuji: Hey, we're meeting up at the hideout after school, right?
Ann: Don't text now! We're in class!
Chiyo: But aren't we rebels now?
Ann: That's beside the point!
Ryuji: You're actually listening to all this crap?
Ann: Yeah, but none of it is really sticking today…
Ryuji: I know, right?
Ryuji: Anyways, hideout after school?
Ann: Where exactly is this 'hideout?'
Ryuji: The school roof.
Ann: Wait, we can still go up there?
Chiyo: Ryuji and I've done it with no problem.
Ryuji: Welp, I'll be waiting. Just come on up once school's over.
Chiyo: I'll be there.
Ann: Me too, I guess.
Ryuji: I'll fine you if you're late!

"Kusakabe!" Ushimaru shouted causing Chiyo and Ann to look up. "Pay attention! Is that how you listen when someone's talking to you?!"

Ushimaru drew his arm back before anyone could realize it. The chalk went flying moments later. Chiyo's natural reflexes, added with her gymnast agility, leaned to the left, out of the chalk's path. "Kids these days have no respect for their elders," Ushimaru muttered, getting out a fresh piece of chalk.

'Start earning instead of demanding it, then we'll talk,' thought Chiyo.

After spending the better part of the day cramped in either Chiyo's bag, or her desk, Morgana took the opportunity to stretch out on the roof. "Looks like we're all here," said Ryuji from his folding chair. "Mkay, let's get goin'!"

"Hold on!" Morgana said. "It's still too early for us to head to the Palace."

"Why? Don't we just gotta steal that Treasure thing?"

"Don't underestimate the dangers of that place. We need to prepare."

"Ain't that Persona shit we got enough to deal with it?"

"I'd rather we not solely rely on it," said Chiyo. "We're always fatigued after using them."

"And even if we didn't use our Persona too often, there's still a very real chance those Shadow things could maim or kill us," added Ann.

"That's exactly what I mean." Morgana nodded. "All it takes is one wrong move before you end up dead. That's why we need to properly prepare before we head back in."

"That much I understand," said Ann. "But how exactly should we prepare?"

"I'm glad you asked, Lady Ann. First, we'll need to find better equipment for all of you. I'd prefer all of us to have a gun. Ryuji's doing okay, I guess, but if we end up separated, it's good to have."

"If that's what you want, I know a kick-ass place," said Ryuji.

"In that case, you can handle that side of things. The only other thing would be stocking up on medicine. Fatigue is unavoidable in a Palace, as Chiyo said."

Ann asked, "And where can we get medicine?"

"Morgana and I heard about a clinic nearby yesterday," Chiyo explained.

Morgana started scratching the back of his ear with his back leg. "Which means Chiyo and I have some business in Yongen, so let's head off for today!"

"Takemi Medical Clinic," Chiyo read aloud, staring at the sign. "It's the only clinic we could find in the area. Sojiro said that she's into some freaky shit."

"If she's the kind of doctor who gets sketchy rumors like that, maybe she'll help us out," Morgana explained. "She's sure to understand the importance of secrecy."

"And how much are we keeping secret?" asked Chiyo. "We can't exactly be upfront about why we need ex-amount of medicine at a time."

Morgana's ears plastered against his skull. "I guess you're right… Oh!" His ears perked back up. "You could just say you're having trouble focusing in class. From what I saw today, it's not that far from the truth."

Chiyo released a sigh, her brow dropped, less than impressed. She headed upstairs and inside to find a small waiting room. The woman from last night sat behind the reception desk, she glanced up at Chiyo when she heard the door open. "Is this your first visit?"

"Yes."

"I feel like I've seen you somewhere before…"

"At Leblanc. Last night."

"Hmm…" she pursed her lips in thought. "Well, whatever… So, what're you here for today?"

Chiyo rubbed the back of her neck and tried looking away bashfully. "I've… been feeling a bit lethargic lately…"

The woman pointed at the door beside the reception counter with her pen. "Please head to the exam room."

'Just like that?' Chiyo couldn't help but think.

Takemi asked Chiyo several questions in the exam room, personal history, what she's been feeling within the last week or so. Chiyo gave her a watered-down version of everything. Chiyo moved to Tokyo earlier in the week, transferred to a new school. When she mentioned Shujin's name Takemi asked if it was the same Shujin where that girl threw herself off of the roof the day before.

"In a case like yours," Takemi said at length, "it's usually just due to stress. I'm going to prescribe you some pain relievers, okay? Actually," she brought the tip of her pen to her lips in thought, "I still need to restock on those…" Shaking her head, clearing her thoughts, Takemi grabbed her clipboard and jotted down her notes. "So let's go with sleeping pills. Sleep is the best medicine anyway. Which type of pill do you want, a sweet-tasting one or a bitter one?"

Sleeping pills? Sleeping was hardly an issue after going to the other world. And, call it a hunch, but Chiyo was certain that wasn't what Morgana had in mind. "I'd rather take the painkillers."

"Huh?" Takemi looked slightly bemused by Chiyo's question. "You're the patient here, you know. Do you think you should be telling me how to do my job?"

"I'm not. I just don't think this is an issue that can be solved by sleeping meds."

"So, it's just like I thought," Takemi said in a sing-song tone. She pointed her pen straight at Chiyo. "You're not sick at all, are you? I'm not as dumb as I look, you know."

"I never insinuated you were dumb," Chiyo said.

"And it's a good thing you didn't. I'm guessing you're here because you heard the rumors about me, huh?"

Did it really count as a rumor if Chiyo only heard about Takemi from one source? Still, she fiddled with a lock of hair. "Does that mean they're true?" she asked.

"Who's to say? But as a result, all I get are patients with ulterior motives now."

Chiyo bit on her lower lip. Maybe this was a bad idea. It sounded like Takemi was having a difficult time with business as it was. "I guess high school kids have it tough nowadays too, huh?" Takemi said before Chiyo had a chance to reply.

"Huh?"

"But only medication that will help you recover your health. I guess it's fine. You seem pretty earnest, and you don't look like you'll be any trouble."

Chiyo fought down the bout of laughter that wanted to erupt. She didn't look like she'd be any trouble? If that wasn't the first time Chiyo heard that in weeks.

"This is my private practice," Takemi explained. "All the medicine I dispense is original. I have a license to make my own formulas. You've likely seen them being sold at various hospitals. It's your responsibility to take care of yourself. So if that's okay with you, stop by anytime."

"Thank you," Chiyo bowed her head briefly, "that'll really help."

"Well, it's nice that you're so quick on the uptake. Saves me the hassle." She twirled to the side on her chair and pulled out a bottle of pills from a drawer at her desk. "You're a pretty weird kid, you know?"

"I've been called that a lot lately, so, kind of," said Chiyo.

Takemi placed the pill bottle on the desk in front of Chiyo. "I can't say I'm not curious about what you're doing with that," she said, tapping her finger against the bottle. "But, as long as you don't cause me any trouble, it's not my problem. This is all I've got right now. It's fast-acting, so if you're feeling a bit fatigued just take one. But I don't recommend downing them like candies."

Chiyo took the bottle into her hand as Takemi explained this. She turned it over, reading the name on the label. "'Recov-R?'"

"The names a work-in-progress. Take care."

Chiyo pocketed the bottle and handed Takemi ¥800. There was a man in a black suit in the waiting room when Chiyo opened the door. She stepped out of the way, allowing the man to pass by. He closed the door behind him, and Chiyo would have left right then and there, were it not for the tone in Takemi's tone when she spoke, "What's the reason for your visit? Do you have a cold? Stomachache? Athlete's foot? Whatever it is, you'll need to take a number-"

"Enough of this! You're the only one who could have developed that type of medicine."

"I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb with me. Rumor has it, it's a drug so potent it can give a person unlimited power."

"Really? That's news to me."

"Developing experimental drugs, medicine, and herbal remedies violates all health regulations. Are you attempting to create a super-stimulant? A drug like that will only become a social issue."

"You're really persistent, you know that? I'm just a quack."

"The police may not be taking action, but I imagine the media will soon pick up on it. You intend to ruin my reputation again, huh? You're a disgrace to the medical community."

A moment of silence. Chiyo's hand hovered over the doorknob.

"What's with the look?" the man asked. "That was your mistake, was it not? I won't be responsible for your criminal actions. Dispose of that 'medicine' immediately and resign. The name Tae Takemi will never-"

Chiyo shuffled her feet, an action that did not go unnoticed by the man in the suit. "Is somebody there?!"

"Geez, that was a close one," Morgana muttered. "Sounded like they were talking about something dangerous…"

"Speaking of dangerous, you sure you want to use this stuff?" Chiyo held her phone between her shoulder and ear. She wasn't actually talking to anyone on the other line, but she figured it looked better than a girl who was talking to her bag, or the cat inside in the middle of the grocery store. "I'm just a little concerned about possible side-effects."

"I'm kind of, too. But I also don't think she'd give you those pills if there was a huge risk of side effects. Or, at least, she would have told you."

"Yeah, I guess you have a point." Chiyo took two trays of sushi in her hands, surveying them. "If something were to happen because she didn't tell us, I don't doubt she'd have a court case on her hands."

"It sounded she might be hiding some extra strong medicine…"

"I highly doubt she'd just give it to us, though."

"She might if we get her to cooperate with us."

"Maybe… But if it looks like it's going to take too long, I'd rather we call it quits on that endeavor."

"Okay, I'll give you that."

Chiyo placed one of the sushi trays down and picked up a can of fish. She was checking out when the phone buzzed; she nearly dropped it out of fright.

Ryuji: You know there's a shop in Shibuya that sells model guns.
Ryuji: I'd be glad to take you there if you want.

"Is he asking me to go with him?" Chiyo wondered aloud.

Chiyo: Sure. Where do we meet?
Chiyo: Just Shibuya station?
Ann: Hey. I can't make it. Can I trust you guys to check the place out for me?
Ryuji: You can't come?
Chiyo: You wanted to come?
Ann: What's that supposed to mean?!
Ann: I made plans to go see Shiho in the hospital.
Ryuji: Ah, gotcha.
Ryuji: Don't worry, we got this.
Chiyo: Hope she's doing okay.
Ann: I'm sure she appreciates the thought.
Ryuji: I'll see ya in Shibuya, Yoyo! I'll be in front of the station!

The Lovers Rank 1
The Magician Rank 1

Authors Note: One area where Atlus really dropped the ball in the third semester was not showing how Maruki's methods could be harmful. Or at least not bringing it to the forefront, given how many prefer the Bad End. Then again, when you're options are the bad end and that craptastic "True" End it's like asking if you want to die through poison or a bullet in the head. Getting back on topic, 'Sumi especially should have been shown hurting people because… frankly, it's really sick. It's one of the reasons why I can't empathize with her. Yes, what happened was awful, but she's not the only one suffering because of what happened. And the worst part is, everyone else is living with it, when the truth comes out, you literally have to drag her back to reality kicking and screaming. I felt worse for Shinichi, a character has, what, twenty-thirty lines at best, than I ever did for 'Sumi.

Though I looked, I couldn't find anything that suggested what Shibusawa did for a living. So I figure he works at the same station Shinichi does for the sake of convenience and have him be the one who recommended Maruki to Shinichi.

I was surprised by how unsurprised I was when I realized it was pretty easy to explain Maruki's cameo, even within the context of the game itself. Helps that Shujin has been pretty transparent about covering their asses from potential PR disasters. It doesn't seem like that much of a stretch to assume Kobayakawa was working out something with Maruki after Shiho jumped, then he stuck around after Kamoshida's confession.