Everything was great now.
Kamoshida admitted to his crimes and didn't have a mental shutdown.People had apologized for making up and spreading rumors. Shiho regained consciousness and none of them were getting expelled.
It was finally over.
The group relaxed on the rooftop, staring at Kamoshida's treasure.
An Olympic gold medal.
Ryuji busied himself to see how much they could sell it for while Ann and Akira made small talk.
"Thirty thousand yen!? That's all a gold medal's worth!?"
The girls turned to the blonde.
"That's enough to celebrate a successful mission." Morgana grinned.
"Celebrate?" Akira asked.
"It would be nonsense if we didn't." The cat added.
Ryuji nodded in agreement.
"I guess we could blow this dirty money on something fun."
"Discussions among phantom thieves are to take place over luxurious food. How about it?" Morgana grinned.
Akira's mouth began to water at the thought. Sojiro's food was good but she had yet to try most of the food the city offered.
"Any recommendations?" Akira asked, looking at the group.
"Hmmm... There's somewhere I want to go. It's somewhere Shiho and I have been wanting to go for a while."
"Sounds nice."
"What kind of food they got there?" Ryuji asked.
After a bit of debate, and Ann stating Ryuji owed her because he never paid her back in middle school, they agreed on Ann's recommendation. They'd enjoy their celebratory feast on the last day of the holidays. Ann would call in to check the prices and Akira would go sell the medal.
The group then began to head their separate ways.
"Hey! Hold up Akira."
The dark haired girl stopped to let Ryuji catch up.
"What's up?"
"I just needed to talk to you for a sec."
She gave him a look.
"You could've just texted me."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I mean yeah, but... That's not the point!"
She giggled at him.
"Alright, then what is it?"
Ryuji hesitated for a moment.
Should he really bring this up?
How long ago had he comforted her when Kamoshida sexually assaulted her? He didn't want to bring up bad memories, but he had to be sure she was ok.
"I um... wanted to ask if..."
"If?"
A million thoughts raced through her mind.
If what?
If I want to walk with him to the train?
If I want to go get some ramen?
If I want to hang out some time?
If what Ryuji?
As her mind processed, her cheeks reddened.
"...If you're feeling better?
She immediately deflated.
"Huh?"
"You've been looking really tired and stuff. Your whole face is red too."
She coughed and placed her hands on her cheeks.
Good grief, what the hell am I thinking?
"I'm fine Ryuji."
He gave her a skeptical look.
"Or at least I'm fine now."
"Just talk to me if you're not, ok?"
She smiled at him.
"Of course I will."
Akira closes the distance between them, capturing a surprised Ryuji in a hug. She gave him another smile then waved goodbye.
Leaving Ryuji standing there, dumbfounded.
TAKE YOUR TIME
Akira sighed as she enter Leblanc.
She needed a nap.
As she made her way up the stairs, her phone trilled in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw it was a text from Ann.
Ann: Is that gold medal real? When did it get in his Palace?
That's a good question.
Morgana poked out of her bag.
"Tell Lady Ann that it's a fake. It's just a by-product of his cognition. The real one should still be in his possession." He said.
Akira nodded and began typing.
Akira: Mona says this one's a fake. Kamoshida still has the real one.
Ryuji: What...? You're telling me Kamoshida's still got the medal?
Ann: Who cares?
Akira: Ann's right. What matters is that we changed his heart and won't be expelled.
Ann: Anyway, if we had taken the real medal that'd be stealing!
Akira: Either way, I doubt he'll be proud of that medal anymore.
The texting drifted from Kamoshida to hilarious banter about Ryuji's debt to Ann as well as something about a dolphin. It was small moments like these Akira lived for.
It had slowly begun to get dark when the conversation died down.
Holding Morgana in her arms, she came back downstairs.
Sojiro was still there.
He turned to her and sighed.
"Must be nice to have so much time off starting tomorrow... For meme, it just means more customers and even more work."
Akira felt a tiny bit guilty.
"If you want, I can help out around the shop." She offered.
He stared at her for moment.
Maybe I shouldn't have asked...?
"I'll think about it."
She brightened when he spoke and nodded. Sojiro left soon after and Akira spent some time studying.
When she awoke the next day, Morgana was already up.
"Come on, we're going to pawn that medal today."
"Right!"
Akira began to dress and get ready only to hear Sojiro calling to her.
"Hey, you can hear me right?"
"Yes!"
"You offered to help out yesterday so come down. Don't sleep your life away."
Crap. I forgot about that.
As happy as she was that Sojiro trusted her to help him, she had plans. Maybe she could pawn the medal afterwards.
"We'll wait on that. I better hurry down and help." She said.
"Yeah, we do owe it to him." Morgana sighed.
She hurried down the stairs and set out to help. Sojiro didn't let her make coffee, but he did let her clean down tables and wash dishes.
"Heh, sorry I made you work on your day off." He said with a sheepish grin.
"It's fine. I did offer."
Sojiro opened his mouth to speak but the television interrupted him.
"And now to our next topic... Fall from Grace: The story of a dishonored Olympic medalist."
Sojiro frowned at the screen, which showed pictures of Shujin Academy as the newscaster spoke.
"Just recently, a high school coach admitted to his school that he had been perpetually abusing students. Given his prior Olympic achievements, this has caused quite the stir. What caused this habitual offender to suddenly confess these heinous crimes to his entire school? The police are hoping the upcoming interrogations will bring light to this question."
Akira smiled to herself as she heard students speak up and tell the world what happened.
"Hmm? Isn't this...?" Sojiro mumbled.
Akira was too busy smiling to hear him.
"This is your school isn't it?" He said.
She jumped a bit, almost dropping a plate.
"Yeah... Seems like it." She said.
Sojiro sighed.
"Things might be gettung turbulent at school. Just keep your head down, all right?"
"Right."
"Finish up with those dishes. We've got more work."
"... Right."
TAKE YOUR TIME
Akira collasped onto her bed, face first.
She felt exhausted.
"The chief really worked you hard." Morgana said.
"So. Many. Dishes."
Pi-Pi-Pi!
Blindly, she felt around for her phone and looked at the text.
Ryuji was freaking out about the news covering the Kamoshida case. Ann saw it too. She was glad to hear they didn't mention anything about Shiho.
"There's no way the school can keep this quiet." Akira said.
Morgana nodded in agreement.
The rest of the conversation Akira didn't remember. She had fallen asleep while using her phone. Morgana sighes at her.
"She didn't even change..."
He shook his head and carefully climbed around Akira's sleeping body.
"Ugh. This might be tough." He mumbled.
Using his mouth, he yanked at the blanket in the bed. After a couple minutes of struggling, he'd finally managed to cover Akira.
"Now the glasses."
Ever so carefully, he removed her glasses and placed them on the windowsill. He climbed down and stared at the girl.
"We'll go sell that gold medal tomorrow."
Hopping off the bed, he made his way to his own sleeping area and turned in for the night.
TAKE YOUR TIME
"Make sure to do the dishes."
Akira sweated under Sojiro's gaze.
Morgana had just told her upstairs that she'd have to turn down Sojiro if he asked her for help.
But she felt so bad doing that!
"I... I can't right now. How about when I get back?"
He stared at her.
She was afraid he'd say something but the bell rang as the door opened.
A customer.
"Welcome." Sojiro said.
A tall woman with silver hair and a business suit came in. She lookes at the two.
"Am I interrupting something?" She asked.
"Not at all."
She sat down silently, the newscaster in the television was the only noise to be heard.
"The cause of the runaway train incident in the subway the other day has not been found. Police are hurrying to solve the matter as it may be related to the rise in psychotic breakdown incidents."
"That's the thing everyone's been talking about?"
Akira nodded.
"Doesn't it make you curious?"
Akira and Sojiro turned to the woman.
"People who were living normal lives suddenly went mad out of the blue... Not to mention that it's happening one after another. Could they really be a coincidence?" She continued.
Both her and Sojiro didn't comment.
"..Leaving that aside, what'll you have?" He asked, breaking the uneasy tension.
The woman didn't look fazed. Instead she gave in, ordering the house blend. She then focused on Akira, who had been standing there quite awkwardly.
"Are you a part timer? I'm surprised this place can afford one."
Damn. That was a low blow.
Before Akira could interject, Sojiro quickly answered.
"That's exactly the case."
"Are you a high school student? Where do you attend?" She asked.
"I go to Shujin Academy."
"Really? Someone I know goes there as well. I heard things are rough right now." The woman said.
When Akira nodded, she began talking about Kamoshida.
She probably watched the news and heard about it.
"Can a person's mental state change so easily?"
You wouldn't believe it...
With Sojiro making her drink and the once curious woman silenced, Akira slipped out the door with Mona in bag.
At that time, Akira didn't know it, but that woman would play a large role in a bigger game.
That woman was Sae.
Sae Niijima.
TAKE YOUR TIME
A subway ride to Shibuya and walk through a back alley took her to the gun shop she'd been to with Ryuji.
The surly manager was still behind the counter, feet up and everything. When she walked in and met his eyes, he looked surprised.
He put his feet down and leaned over the counter.
"You again? I'm surprised you came back without your boyfriend." He grinned.
"He's not my boyfriend." She said.
"Right, right. What do you want?"
"I want you to buy this."
Akira slid the medal across the table. He examined it, then gave her a suspicious look.
"A gold medal? Why do you have this?"
Akira opened her mouth only to be cut off.
"We don't buy any fake or stolen goods here, kid."
He looks down at the medal in front of him and frowns. He gazes up at her again, which in turn makes her gaze back at him.
Why's he staring at me?
"... Hold on a sec. Lemme see it."
She nods and he examines it from all angles before putting it back down.
"I'm just... not gonna ask where you got this. How's 30,000 yen sound for it?"
"Works for me." She says with a nod.
"30,000 it is then." He says with a grin.
Suddenly, the grin leaves his face as he glances at the door.
"It's almost time..."
"Almost time?" She asks.
He doesn't answer her. Instead, he pulls out a paper bag from under the counter and holds it out to her.
"Here, take this with you. It's a thanks for selling me that medal."
She blinks at him as she takes the bag.
A... present?
"But, uh... best not to open it. Just bring it with you next time you come back here."
This better not be a bomb.
"Got it, but this is a little weird sir. What's inside?"
He grins at her.
"It's all fine, trust me."
And for some reason, she did.
Maybe it was because he bought he stuff without question? Maybe it was because she thought he was attractive?
Or maybe it was because deep down she saw him as a good guy?
No matter the reason, it didn't stop her from blushing a bit from embarrassment.
"...Alright." She said.
He seemed to smile at her but it faded as his eyes flickered back to the door.
"They're here."
Not even a minute passed before two men in suits came into the shop.
They stared at the manager sternly.
"Munehisa Iwai, yes? There are some matters we'd like to discuss with you today."
Iwai nodded and turned to Akira.
"... Go, kid."
She nodded and began to head out.
Once she moved, the men got closer to Iwai.
"Do you know why we're here?" One asked.
Iwai didn't seem fazed.
"I dunno, lookin' for evidence? You tell me Detective-san."
The other man slammed his hand on the counter, making Akira jump.
"Watch your attitude!"
"Well, you guys gonna search me? Go on, do what you gotta do."
Iwai seemed to be enjoying messing with the detectives, but that didn't explain why they were here in the first place.
"Can you two hurry it up? I've got a business to run here." He smirked.
The more aggressive detective seemed pissed. He suddenly turned and glared at her.
"Hey, you!"
"Yes?" She answered.
"What's in the bag, huh? Show me!"
Akira blinked and backed up a bit. She couldn't risk getting caught with the police, especially of she didn't know what was in the bag in the first place.
"Well!?" The man's voice rose, "Show me!"
Akira trembled under his eyes. The other man's eyes softened and he prodded his partner.
"Calm down. She's just a young girl and you're scaring it for no reason."
"That girl's just a regular customer. You can check the tapes if that'll convince you. They'll show everything that's gone down here today." Iwai said.
I need to leave. No way I can stay when they're gonna watch a tape of me pawning off a totally suspicious gold medal.
Akira turned to leave but the louder detective wouldn't let her go so easily.
"Hey! Stay right there! I won't let you get away that easy! Show us what's in the bag!"
Akira hesitated and hugged the bag to her chest.
"It's... It's embarrassing..." She mumbled, trying to make her voice sound small.
"To hell if it's embarrassing!" The man yelled.
"But... I don't want to show a grown man I don't know my... my panties..." She said with a dark blush.
Iwai blushed a bit, pulling his cap down a bit.
In fact, no one in the room could stop a blush from growing on their faces.
"Now you've gone and done it. I told you to stop harrassing this young woman. Now apologize and let her be on her way." The calmer detective spat.
"... I'm very sorry young lady. Believe me, it was not my intention to be rude."
Akira nodded and quickly left. She heard Iwai say safe trip home but she didn't dare to stop and return the greeting. Once outside, she knelt to the ground and felt herself die a little on the inside.
"That was... so embarrassing." She squeaked.
Morgana poked his head out of the bag.
"At least you got out of there without them checking the tapes and the bag first."
The things she did to stay out of trouble would surely kill her one day.
"But what were those detectives doing there?" Morgana asked.
"I don't know. I hope Iwai-san isn't wrapped up in some shady business."
"More importantly, aren't you curious about what's in the bag?"
She glared at Mona.
"I just had to lie and announce this bag was filled with my underwear. I'm about one hundred and ten percent done with this paper bag."
They stood in silence for a moment.
"Well? Are you going to open it."
"...Yes, I'm opening the damn bag."
Both Morgana and Akira's eyes widened.
Is that a REAL GUN!?
WHAT THE HELL!?
"A real gun!?" Morgana yelled.
He stuck his head into the bag and sighed in relief.
"No, wait. I think it's just a model."
"Oh thank god." Akira sighed.
Akira gave the model a hard stare.
It was incredible. It seriously looked like a real gun, not at all like the toy-like one Ryuji had.
"There's something weird about this place... But we should totally buy this gun and from him later."
"What! Why?"
"I mean, it's perfect. Something this real looking would work wonders in the Metaverse."
"... You're not wrong."
Akira thought about it and nodded. Perhaps a more realistic weapon would be stronger and help them in the future.
"When I bring it back next time, I'll ask him about it." She said.
"Alright! Now let's head home."
She nodded and made her way back to the station. Once home, she went upstairs and pondered where the best place to hide the gun would be.
Her thought process got interrupted by her ringtone.
It's Ann.
"Hey, it's me."
"Hey Ann."
"So, um... the Kamoshida case is getting a lot of coverage huh?"
"Yeah... How do you feel?"
"I'm a bit uneasy. The reaction's so much bigger than I expected. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we did anything wrong. I guess I'm just... surprised."
"It's alright Ann. We can finally breath easy. And so can Shiho."
"Yeah. You know those students that spoke up for the interviews they showed? I wonder if we helped them finally speak up."
"I think we did. It's pretty amazing huh?"
"I know right? I didn't think we'd actually be abke to do it!"
Akira chuckled.
"You didn't believe in us?" She teased.
"Of course I did. You know what I mean!" Ann laughed back.
They talked for a bit longer about the randomest things, only to end after agreeing to meet the next day at the Shibuya Station for their celebration.
"See you tomorrow at noon."
"Yeah. See you Ann."
Akira plopped onto her bed, fantasizing about the great food she was bound to eat.
"Finally, a good meal!" Morgana cheered.
"You say that as if we don't feed you." Akira said.
"Chief only feeds me cat food and you give me scraps of whatever you're eating! This time I'll have my food of what I want." He said.
She grinned and scratched behind his ears.
"Of course."
"Hey, what do you think we're gonna be eating? Fish? I hope it's fish."
"Maybe they'll have sushi?"
Morgana's eyes flashed in wonder and pure joy.
"Ooooooh! Tuna, sea urchin, and maybe the wonderful salmon roe!"
"You're really looking forward to this." She said, smiling.
"Of course! Let's head to bed and get a good night's sleep."
She nodded and after changing, turned the lights off and got into bed.
Tomorrow's gonna be great!
TAKE YOUR TIME
The area was dark and misty. Akira could barely see what was ahead of her.
"Where am I?"
She had no recollection of how she ended up in such a place.
"Morgana!" She called.
No response.
"Ann!"
Nothing.
"Ryuji!"
Silence.
She looked around for any distinguishable signs or places but there was nothing.
This place was an empty wasteland.
A void devoid of all life.
And if felt as if she was suffocating.
"What is this place?"
"Little girl..."
Her eyes darted around. She didn't see anyone.
"Little girl... Are you lost?"
But someone was definitely talking to her.
"Who's there!?"
"Little girl... come here."
Her head began to ache.
She closed her eyes in an effort to calm herself, but all she could see and hear was static.
"Little girl..."
It sounded so familiar too.
Police sirens.
Blinding lights.
It finally clicked.
So she ran.
She ran and ran as far as she could.
It was him.
The man who started it all.
"Damn brat! I'll sue!"
The man who's face she couldn't remember.
Her wrist was grabbed, yanking her to a stop. A second hand grabbed her chin, forcing her to face him.
A classy business suit.
Foreign watch.
That stupid drunken grin.
She could remember and clearly see all those things.
So why?
Why couldn't she remember his face?
The place were his face should've been was clouded by the dark mist. She struggled against his grip, but it was futile.
He continued to pull her face closer to his.
"What do you say? Accept my proposal." He said.
And she said the same thing she had said that day.
"As if!"
With a shove, she forced him off her and ran again.
His laughter followed her as she ran endlessly.
"Shut up! Leave me alone!" She screamed.
Wham!
She fell back, her vision spinning from knocking into something hard. Rubbing her head, she looked up.
She recognized this room and felt the blood leave her body.
"Kurusu-san. It's nice to see you here."
Kamoshida stood before her, grinning like he always did in her nightmares. She began backing up.
"This is dream. This a dream!"
"Kurusu-san~"
Her back met the wall and Kamoshida closed in on her.
"This is a nightmare. This is a nightmare! Wake up!"
She slapped her cheeks but was stopped by Kamoshida's strong hands.
He smiled at her and brought his lips close to her ear. She tried scooting away, but there was no where to run.
His hot breath sent chills down her spine.
"Let's finish what we started..." He whispered.
And she screamed.
She screamed and screamed until she woke up in bed. She sat up and hugged herself, looking around her room.
Her screaming must've only been in her dream because Morgana was still sleeping peacefully across the room.
Good. I'm glad I didn't wake him.
Carefully, she tiptoed out of bed and down the stares.
She splashed her face with water in the sink behind the cafe counter. Akira stood there, holding the sink as the water dripped down her face.
"It's over Akira. It's just a dream..."
She sighed and made her way over to the booth closest to the front door. She took a seat and stared out at the sky.
The moon was full tonight.
She thought to call Ryuji but she'd have to sneak back upstairs and get her phone. She wasn't ready to lie back in bed.
At least not yet.
So she stayed alone downstairs, staring at the moon gracing the sky.
Hey guys! Happy New Year! Long time no see. What's up? Sorry the update took so long. I had to really get into study mode for finals and I spent a lot of time catching up with my family and friends for the holidays. I've been updating all my stories across multiple platforms. And I also go a Nintendo switch (My friend code is SW 0738-7412-1316)so I've been crazy busy. This story is not abandoned nor will it ever be, so never fear about that.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Trauma is something that you can't always just forget and I don't want the sexual harrassment from Kamoshida to just be brushed over. It's a serious thing that'll take time to move past. ButI must have I'm having fun thinking of scenarios with a female protagonist. That paper bag scene was tons of fun hehe. I also love it when you guys send me suggestions. Shoutout to kvsyaoran and oOShinahiOo for being really sweet and suggesting ideas for the story.
Now for questions I've received.
Did you hear Joker was released as a DLC character for Smash Ultimate?
Yo. I fangirled so hard. You know I'm about to buy that and main the life out of Joker. I can't help but wonder who else will be released as DLC.
What do you dislike about Persona 5?
I did not like how shallow some characters are. Like Ann's makes her seem like an air head and after the first palace I feel as if she didn't get as much development. Same for Ryuji. He literally becomes the punching bag of the group. I wish there was also more time to get to know Haru. Like she comes in pretty late so its it's hard to really fall in love with her. I still did anyway though.
What other video games besides Persona do you like?
Too many my friends. Too many.
As always thanks for reading. If you have any comments or questions please review or contact me personally. I cannot respond if you're a guest account so sorry about that. Thank you and have a nice day!
