"Nice." Futaba smirked.
Makoto turned around to glance at Futaba. "What's so nice about this?!"
"If this guy's a shadow, that means we don't have to go to Mementos to take him on!" Futaba explained.
"I suppose that's true…" Makoto trailed off.
She glanced at Haru, who had a nervous expression on her face.
"Are you…"
"I'll be fine." Haru insisted. "I… won't run away."
"What sort of mischief have you gotten up to now?"
Okumura walked over to Sugimura's side, a grin on his face.
"Hold on… ah, of course! You decided to hand over these thieves to me. Wonderful!" Okumura said, giving a proud grin. "That is what you're doing here, yes?"
"You… want me to betray them?" Haru stammered.
"Betray others before you yourself are betrayed." Okumura stated. "That is the motto we live by. That's the motto that the entire world follows."
"Why is everything only gains or losses to you?!" Haru cried. "You treat people like tools, and it's why our company has such a bad reputation. People are getting overworked and even dying because of these working conditions."
"It doesn't matter how bad the conditions are." Okumura scoffed. "The public at large don't care about some low-class servers and cooks, and neither should we."
"If all you care about is money, ain't you worried about getting fined whenever your workers get hurt?!" Ryuji countered.
"That's just another cost of doing business." Okumura dismissed. "Our profits easily exceed any fines they could give to me."
"You don't have any morals at all." Makoto glared. "You're despicable."
"No one has ever risen to power by playing by all the rules." Okumura stated. "To get into the upper echelons of society, one must dirty their hands. One must betray others before they are betrayed themselves. One must let nothing stand in their way."
"So, Okumura Foods and all of its employees are just a stepping stone for you." Ren scowled.
Okumura turned towards Haru, ignoring the rest of them.
"Don't you agree, my daughter?" Okumura asked. "Will you rid yourself of these vulgar thieves? Will you betray them and take your place in my new empire?!"
"I… I…" Haru stammered.
"Join me, and together, we can rule the country as father and daughter." Okumura offered.
"N-No, I… I…"
"Hrmp… We don't have any need for a girl who's been sullied by thieves." Sugimura smirked. "I can't introduce her to my father if she's going to act like this?"
Okumura frowned. "Well, you don't need to take her as your lawful wife. A mistress will do, won't it?"
"M-Mistress?!" Haru gasped.
"Hmm… yes, that would certainly do." Sugimura smirked.
"The hell are you sayin', you old bastard?!" Ryuji snapped. "That's your own daughter!"
"Father, why?!" Haru yelled. "I was willing to do everything you asked… even agree to a political marriage! You'd have me be this man's plaything just to satisfy your own ambitions?!"
"Right from the beginning, being able to be married off was the only value you had." Okumura cruelly stated.
"But I suppose a mistress works just as well…" Sugimura smirked. "What a lucky man I am, having my own mistress in high school."
"How can you say something like that?!" Ann cried.
"Let's let the guards deal with this rabble." Sugimura told Haru. "Why don't you come over to my place? We'll have lots of fun together."
Haru lowered her head, not able to look Sugimura in the eye.
Sugimura tried to forcefully grab her arm, but Haru stepped back.
"Before that, Sugimura…" Haru whispered calmly.
"Yes?" Sugimura asked, confused.
"Would you please be a dear, and do me a favor?"
"A favor?"
Haru lifted her head, glaring as she pulled a grenadine launcher.
"… Shut up!"
Haru fired, blasting Sugimura across the room.
"W-What?" Okumura gasped.
"What a shot!" Ryuji cheered.
"A-A grenade launcher?" Makoto stammered in disbelief.
"Woah. You go, girl." Ann said.
"Guards! Guards! Seize them!" Okumura commanded.
Haru suddenly fell to the floor, clutching her head as tears started to fall from her eyes.
"I see you've finally made up your mind… my dear, fated princess."
A headless lady in a giant pink dress appeared behind Haru.
"A Persona…!" Ryuji realized.
"She's getting much stronger!" Futaba realized.
"Freedom for you must stem from betrayal." the persona said. "If you still yearn for it now, then you must not err."
Haru slowly rose to her as guards began to pour into the room.
"Now tell me, who shall you betray?"
"My heart has been set… but I suppose you already knew." Haru replied.
"Yes, that gaze!" the Persona exclaimed. "I can finally unleash my true power!"
Haru defiantly glared at the robots that stood before them.
"I am thou, thou art I… Let us adorn your departure into freedom with a beautiful betrayal!"
"Tempt them, Milday!" Haru cried.
Suddenly, several guns shot out of Milday's dress, showering the guards in bullets.
"Do you see my worth now, father?" Haru calmly said. "Betray others before you are betrayed yourself… is that not what you said?"
"Turning my own words against me, will you?" Okumura frowned. "Very well then! I'll have you crushed with the rest of this rabble!"
As Haru's father left the room, they heard some groaning in the back of the room.
"Looks like Sugimura's not finished off just yet." Ren muttered. "Keep on your guard, everyone."
Sugimura stood up from where Haru had blasted him, frantically feeling his face.
"Y-You…" Sugimura stammered, his expression quickly turning to one of rage. "How dare you! How dare you strike me! Who do you think you are?!"
Haru met his gaze, unflinching.
"I am… Noir, the Phantom Thief!" Haru declared. "I will never be your plaything!"
"You… you little whore!" Sugimura snapped. "I'm going to play with you until you BREAK!"
Sugimura became engulfed in a black and red aura, laughing as his body began to transform.
His body morphed into a tall, pale skinned man with flowing blonde hair and flowers growing out of his head, with only a red cloth covering him.
The shadow began to embrace and caress itself, as if it was enamored with its own body.
"Oooooh, yeeees!" Sugimura moaned. "This form is perfect!"
"Ugh, what a creep." Ann spat.
"Everyone! Attack, now!" Makoto commanded. "Don't give him a chance to strike us!
She rushed ahead, Yusuke and Ryuji flanking her, and the others supporting them with magic.
Sugimura tried to fight the three of them off, but only managed to dodge a few attacks before Makoto landed a punch to his face.
The shadow winced in pain before jumping back to create some distance.
Sugimura flashed dizzying rays of light, disorienting the Thieves.
"W-Why are there two of you?" Ryuji muttered.
"Ahahaha!" Sugimura taunted. "If you think you're dizzy now, just wait!"
Sugimura shot out several gusts of wind, damaging and disorienting them even further.
"Get out of my sight!" Sugimura exclaimed, preparing another Magarula spell.
Thankfully, the power of Haru's Persona allowed her to recover faster than the others, just in time to see Sugimura preparing his spell.
"Makarakarn!" Haru cried, calling a barrier to block the spell just in time.
Sugimura gasped as his spell was bounced back at him, blowing him back.
Haru quickly began working on healing the others while Sugimura recovered.
After recovering from their ailments, the Thieves wasted no time battering him with magic and gunfire.
"Youuuu…!" Sugimura roared. "You've struck me in my beautiful face! You're going to pay for that!"
As Sugimura began to prepare another attack, Haru and Ryuji glanced at each other.
"You ready?" Ryuji called.
"Let's do this!" Haru cried.
Ryuji and Haru went on opposite sides of Sugimura, preparing to strike.
Haru blasted Sugimura with psychokinesis, lifting him high up into the air.
"Now!" Haru shouted, firing a grenade at Ryuji.
Ryuji got into position, holding his club at the ready and charging it with thunder.
"Here… we… GO!" Ryuji shouted.
Ryuji slammed his club into the grenade, launching it high into the air, right at Sugimura.
The grenade exploded right as it hit Sugimura, creating a huge explosion in the air.
Sugimura came crashing down to the ground, groaning in pain.
"Hell yeah, it worked!" Ryuji cheered.
"H-How?" Makoto stammered. "That was…"
"Pretty awesome, huh?" Ryuji grinned. "We've been practicing it a bunch!"
"Skull only got blown up a few times!" Haru happily added.
"You didn't need to tell them that…" Ryuji groaned.
"Guys, you have to focus!" Futaba cried. "He's getting back up!"
Haru quickly turned around, seeing an enraged Sugimura slowly climbing to his feet.
"How dare you!" Sugimura roared. "Okumura's daughter or no, I'll destroy you!"
Sugimura desperately charged forward, but Haru was ready, striking with her ax without hesitation.
"Grahhhhhhh! HAAAARUUUUUU!" Sugimura shouted.
Sugimura collapsed, his shadow form morphing back to normal.
"G-Get away from me…!" Sugimura cried.
"Hey!" Ryuji yelled. "I think you owe her an apology!"
"S-Sorry!" Sugimura stammered. "I-I must have made things so stressful for you. I w-won't bother you ever again, I promise!"
"I think that would be for the best." Haru nodded.
As Sugimura disappeared, they heard a rumbling around them.
"Wha- Don't tell me that the entire palace is collapsing?!" Ryuji shouted.
"W-What?! But all I did was grab the treasure?!" Haru cried. "I didn't know this would happen!"
"You didn't tell her that part?!" Ann snapped.
"I was gunna tell her when we got to Okumura's treasure! Honest!" Ryuji defended.
"Hold on guys, I think it's just this room!" Futaba called. "I'm not sensing anything in other parts of the palace."
"Then let's get out of here!" Ren shouted.
They rushed out of Sugimura's room right before it collapsed, not stopping until they had left the palace entirely.
"Is… everyone ok?" Makoto asked after they had escaped.
"I-I'm ok." Haru replied. "That was… pretty close…"
"You should get some rest." Ren suggested. "You must be exhausted after what just happened."
"Y-Yes… I think I'll do that." Haru nodded.
After ensuring that everyone was ok, Makoto began to address them.
"Alright, here's the plan." Makoto began. "We'll meet up again tomorrow at Leblanc. We can work out a plan then when we're not so exhausted.
"I'll update you all on the situation with Sugimura." Haru said.
"Thank you." Makoto replied. "Is everyone clear on what's happening?"
They all nodded, even Ryuji.
"Alright, I'll see you all then." Makoto finished.
As everyone left, Makoto went home for the day, getting some much needed rest.
9/15 Wednesday
They all met up at Leblanc as soon as school ended for the day.
Haru still seemed to be exhausted from yesterday, so she lied on the couch while the others sat around the table.
"How are you feeling, Haru?" Makoto asked.
"I'm still a little tired, but much better than yesterday." Haru answered.
"Has anything strange happened with Sugimura?" Yusuke asked.
"Father told me that Sugimura started feeling unwell lately." Haru explained. "That must be a result of us changing his heart, right?"
"Most likely." Makoto nodded. "He may start confessing to his actions soon."
"My father seems to suspect something." Haru added. "He muttered something about how it seemed similar to a change of heart."
"Think he just heard about them on the news, or does he know something about the Metaverse?" Ann asked.
"I… don't know." Haru muttered.
"He's gotta have some knowledge of the Metaverse." Futaba reasoned. "How else would he be able to merge Sugimura's shadow into his own palace?"
"I'd never seen anything like it before." Morgana noted. "He definitely has some knowledge of the Metaverse."
"Does that mean…" Haru trailed off. "Could father have something to do with the mental shutdowns…?"
The others looked away, not sure what to say.
"We… don't know for sure." Makoto admitted. "But I imagine that we'll find out if we keep going through the palace."
"Are you going to be ok?" Ren asked.
"Yes, I'll be alright." Haru assured them. "No matter what the truth ends up being… I'm ready for it."
"Your dad had to have known what Sugimura was really like." Ann said. "So why would he agree to have you marry that creep?!"
"My father has always been interested in politics, and saw this as the opportunity to jumpstart his career." Haru explained. "For the past year, he'd been in talks with Sugimura's family. Finally, a few months ago, he invited Sugimura to lunch and offered my hand in marriage."
"… He offered your hand in marriage… over lunch?" Makoto asked.
"Oh… I guess it would seem rather strange to a lot of people." Haru admitted. "But from what I understand, this type of thing is more common for, uh… wealthy business owners like my father."
"Surely there are other ways of getting into politics, especially for a businessman of his social standing." Yusuke noted.
"That's not the only reason he's doing it." Haru explained.
"What's the other reason, then?" Ren asked.
"The family name is very important." Haru said. "The Okumura name carries a lot of weight. So when Sugimura and I are married, he'll take on the name of Okumura, so that he can inherit the family business."
"I don't understand." Makoto frowned. "Why not just let you inherit it?"
"Because I'm a woman." Haru said. "Traditionally, only men inherit family business. And since I don't have any brothers, or any siblings for that matter, the only solution is to marry me off."
"Ugh… even if Sugimura wasn't a creep, that just sounds like he doesn't care about what you think at all!" Ann frowned.
"I… I thought everything would be fine if I just did whatever I was told." Haru admitted. "But I can't do it anymore. Especially not now that I've seen father's shadow.
Makoto felt a pang of sympathy for her fellow third year.
"What about you, Haru?" Ann asked. "Do you want to do that kinda stuff too?"
"Oh no, I'm not brave enough for politics." Haru insisted. "To be honest, I'm not sure what I want to do in the future… for now, though, I do know that we have to change my father's heart."
"And what about
"I'm… sorry for the trouble I caused." Ryuji apologized. "I guess… I was just feelin' like I wasn't doin' enough. Wanted to be in the spotlight more… I ended up dragging Haru and the rest of you guys into this mess."
"That's alright." Makoto told him. "Just let me know if you ever start feeling like this again. We're a team, after all."
"It's alright, Ryuji." Haru beamed. "If it wasn't for you, I would have never been able to find the resolve to stand against my father."
"Then… I guess… I'm just wondering… would it be alright if I could rejoin the team? Please?" Ryuji pleaded.
"Heh… you were always a part of it." Morgana grinned. "That never changed."
"Heh… thanks, Morgana." Ryuji grinned.
"Besides, someone's gotta be there to make me look good." Morgana smirked.
"More like keep your ego in check." Ryuji smirked.
"You belong here, Ryuji." Makoto stressed. "With us."
Ryuji glanced around, seeing everyone seemed to be smiling… except for Ann.
"You're so reckless, Ryuji, rushing straight into the palace." Ann muttered. "You'd better not ever make me worry like that again…"
"S-Sorry…" Ryuji muttered. "I promise that won't do somethin' that reckless again."
"… Good." Ann whispered.
"So, is everyone on board with the plan?" Makoto asked. "We'll wait a few days, prepare, and head back into the palace. Understood?"
Everyone nodded, their determination stronger than ever.
With Haru joining the group, and Ryuji rejoining, the group felt closer than ever before.
FORTUNE CONFIDANT: RANK 6
After making some plans for the upcoming trip to the palace, they all went home for the day.
9/16 Tuesday
As classes and council business ended for the day, Makoto began to make her way back home.
As she was leaving, however, she spotted Eiko stepping out of Makuri's office.
"Heeeeeeey, Makoto." Eiko greeted, before spinning around and giggling. "Notice anything different about me?"
Makoto raised an eyebrow, looking Eiko over.
As she did so, she noticed something familiar…
"Oh… that headband." Makoto noticed.
"Cute, isn't it?" Eiko giggled. "Or at least, I thought so. That's why I thought I'd try and copy it! Hope you don't mind!"
"No, it's fine, just… unexpected." Makoto commented.
"Looks like we match now!" Eiko grinned. "Oh, I know! Let's take a photo!"
"Eep!"
Eiko grabbed her and pulled her close, snapping a photo of them with her phone.
Makoto let out a small, bashful smile as Eiko showed her the picture.
"Ah… I'm not very photogenic." Makoto mumbled.
"Aww, come on, Miss Prez, you look great!" Eiko beamed. "I should know! I did copy your style a bit!"
Both girls began to laugh before Eiko gave a thoughtful expression.
"You know Miss Prez…I've been thinking lately… um, more than I usually do, anyway." Eiko nervously laughed.
"About what?" Makoto asked.
"Well… I guess… I mean, I was thinking about you, Miss Prez." Eiko admitted.
"Me?" Makoto questioned.
Eiko nodded. "I mean, I always knew you were amazing, but… I'm starting to realize just how amazing. I mean, you're smart, kind, hardworking, pretty… and you're so strong and independent. To be honest… you're kinda like a role model to me."
"R-Really?" Makoto stammered. "I'm a role model to you. I-I don't know what to say…"
"It's ok, Makoto." Eiko grinned. "You don't have to say anything. I just… hope that one day, I can be more like you. It took a while to realize it, but after talking with Dr. Maruki, I finally understood that."
"With Dr. Maruki?" Makoto asked. "Is that so?"
"Yup!" Eiko beamed. "He's been helping a lot with telling me about my feelings and stuff."
"I… see." Makoto muttered.
"Oh, I gotta go! See ya later, Prez!" Eiko called, waving as she left.
"Yeah… see you later." Makoto replied halfheartedly.
Makoto found herself conflicted. On one hand, she was happy that Eiko was doing well, and even a little flattered over the copied headband and about her saying she was a role model, but she couldn't help but worry.
She knew that Maruki was using his position to further his research. Since Eiko and other students were seeing him quite regularly, she could only hope that he wasn't prioritizing his job too much…
"Oh! Hello, Niijima-san!"
She turned, seeing Maruki walking out of his office.
"Oh. Hello, Dr. Maruki." Makoto greeted. "I was just talking to Eiko. She said that you've been… helping her understand her feelings."
"Of course! I'm glad that it seems to be effective!" Maruki smiled.
"...What exactly are you saying to her?" Makoto asked.
"Now Niijima-san, I can't really tell you that." Maruki replied. "That's confidential."
"As student council president, I do have to make sure that the students aren't getting involved in something that could harm them." Makoto mentioned.
"You don't need to worry about that at all, Niijima-san." Maruki assured her. "It's true that… this job is helping my research, but it's benefiting everyone involved."
"Alright…" Makoto accepted. "I'll try and talk to her, though."
"I assure you, Takao-san will be perfectly fine." Maruki said. "I only wish to help her."
Makoto sighed, but didn't argue further.
She said goodbye to Maruki and headed home after grabbing some supplies.
As she crawled into bed, she heard Morgana jump up next to her.
"It's been a crazy few days, huh?" Morgana said.
Makoto nodded. "It certainly has."
"You better make sure you get plenty of sleep so that you'll have lots of energy tomorrow!" Morgana exclaimed.
"Mmm…" Makoto lazily nodded, about to close her eyes before she saw Morgana pacing in front of her.
"What is it?" she asked.
"What's what?!" Morgana quickly asked.
"Why are you pacing around?" Makoto asked. "Usually that means that you have something to say."
"... It's just… I'll always be able to stay here, right?" Morgana asked.
"Of course you will." Makoto answered. "Where is this coming from?"
"I was thinking about how you said that Ryuji belonged with us." Morgana said. "What about me? What if, say, instead of a human, I was a weird… thing?"
"Did you remember something?" Makoto wondered.
"NO!" Morgana cried. "I'm just talking hypothetically!"
"Well, it wouldn't matter." Makoto answered truthfully.
"Really?"
"It doesn't matter what you are." Makoto told him. "You're still Morgana. You're still our friend."
"Thanks, Makoto." Morgana smiled. "You really are something special."
She felt a little closer to Morgana.
MAGICIAN CONFIDANT: RANK 7
Makoto's Confidant Progress:
THE FOOL - Ren Amamiya: Rank 9
THE HUNGER - Igor: Rank 8
THE CHARIOT - Ryuji Sakamoto: Rank 7
THE MAGICIAN - Morgana: Rank 7
THE FAITH - Eiko Takao: Rank 6
THE TOWER - Chiaki Yasui: Rank 6
THE SUN - Shiho Suzui: Rank 8
THE MOON - Takayo Tachibana: Rank 7
THE HIEROPHANT - Sojiro Sakura: Rank 6
THE TEMPERANCE - Naoya Makigami: Rank 6
THE STAR - Hifumi Togo: Rank 6
THE DEVIL - Mitsuhide Matsuoka: Rank 4
THE HANGED MAN - Munehisa Iwai: Rank 4
THE DEATH - Yohei Kiritani: Rank 4
THE EMPEROR - Yusuke Kitagawa: Rank 6
THE EMPRESS - Haru Okumura: Rank 4
THE LOVERS - Ann Takamaki: Rank 6
THE HERMIT - Futaba Sakura: Rank 3
THE STRENGTH - Caroline and Justine: Rank 6
THE JUSTICE - Goro Akechi: Rank 4
THE PRIESTESS - Kasumi Yoshizawa: Rank 4
THE FORTUNE - Phantom Thieves of Heart: Rank 6
THE JUDGMENT - Sae Niijima: Rank 5
THE COUNCILOR - Takuto Maruki: Rank 6
Are the Phantom Thieves just? Yes 79.2%