Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #26 - The Twins' Memories
So much to be going on so far, to not leave Sendai yet. After staying and hearing Konoe's speech from a convention who's the CEO of Madicce, the Phantom Thieves heard what they could from the man. A likely suspect to be working for the mastermind and the Guyver twins, huh? Even their Mother boss along with the two other mysterious people. They have to be the old researchers who unleashed and re-made the Gegasites too. With Zen waiting for them in the next destination – Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia then talk to each other when the crowd left the show to just be ten of them now. Hopefully, they've heard something important so far.
Ryuji: Yo, how long was I out...? So what'd the dude say?
He fell asleep from the whole thing even to be yawning like this.
Ann: ...Can I smack you?
Ryuji: Please be gentle...!
For what they've heard 'to those who stayed up' to not hear anything off throughout the entire speech.
Akechi: So much for sitting through the whole thing. Sorry, Master.
Makoto: Well, he didn't exactly say anything out of the ordinary. Then again, I wouldn't expect him to trip up that easily...
Keiko: I still think of him as an odd suspect.
Akechi: He won't be the type to not let Konoe slip by.
I guess they still have to wait until they find out more clues.
Ryuji: Well, I'm stravin', so maybe we should just head back? That guy was talkin' for friggin' ever.
About to leave, someone being Kuon Ichinose who was also at the convention today as she sees the Phantom Thieves es again and being...her weird odd self again.
Kuon: Hey, guys? That stuff you said earlier...was all of that true?
Ann: Huh?
Wait...Did she hear them talking about all of it? Every single word?
Akechi: It's you! (Kuon Ichinose!)
Seeing her face again to be like his mother to look a lot like her.
Kuon: Hello there. So tell me...Are you really the Phantom Thieves of Hearts?
Not good to have her hearing the whole thing too. As well as Akechi seeing quick flashbacks of his mother who did something...from even one of the five children? Did she once have a connection with the Guyver twins and twin sisters too with a little red-haired girl?
Ann: Wha-?!
Makoto: You're the woman from the beef tongue restaurant...
Haru: Oh...Ichinose-san, right?
Keiko: And she thinks we're...? (Crap! This is really bad.)
Futaba: Y-You heard all that?!
I think she just did. They were sort of busted now.
Kuon: Well, the thing is, I'm really good at picking up when a cat meows. Honestly, I found that way more interesting than Konoe's lecture.
Yet again, Morgana had an accident here.
Futaba: Mona!
Morgana: M-Me?! But you guys are the ones she overheard!
Akechi's aside to help Morgana be more careful, he gets annoyed to still care.
Akechi: Morgana! (Little mistakes like these...! It's not his fault, I think Kuon might have some powers to feel things out like Keiko and me. And my Mom was the same thing.)
Hmm...A connection there. Maybe. But right now, they have more problems to try to deal with first.
Ryuji: The hell are we gonna do?!
Keiko: (Looks like there's no use trying to run away or play innocent. I think we should say it to her.) Come on, you guys. It's time to come clean.
I think it was a bit too fast here.
Kuon: Whoa, stop, stop! It's all right! If you want to come clean, I'm on your side. I'm not against any of you. Let's talk more outside.
Akechi: If you say so then. Let's hear her out then but outside, just to be safe.
And all of them headed outside of the building for Kuon wanted to hear everything from the nine Phantom Thieves and Sophia, she wanted to know of them being as the Phantom Thieves. For she was more and being an oddball and a weirdo, a whole lot more.
Kuon: Wow! To think you guys are the famous Phantom Thieves!
Keiko: I think you misheard us? Sorry, we're afraid to tell anyone else for their own safety.
What else can anyone else say to get out of this one?
Kuon: Come on now, don't try to hide it. I wouldn't judge a book by its covers really. When you guys mentioned Alice and Natsume, I imagine you were referring to Alice Hiiragi and Ango Natsume from the press conferences, yes? Is it safe to assume those were your doing? Oh, and what was that about EMMA giving people access to Jails? Is that related to everyone's hearts getting changed?
It proves Kuon heard everything, not good for everyone else.
Akechi: Wow...! She's too good. She's very good.
Ann: She...She heard everything...
Makoto: Um...Can we ask what you're doing here, Ichinose-san?
Yeah, what was she doing at the convention speech of Konoe in the first place?
Kuon: Oh, I told you at the beef tongue place, didn't I? I'm a researcher at the university.
Haru: Oh...That's right.
Keiko: You are a researcher, we almost forgot.
But that's not all - here comes the real bomb dropper.
Kuon: I'm also the one who designed the base for EMMA.
Really? Surprising for no one else, didn't any of this come at all? It makes sense why Kuon's researching something.
Futaba: You made the base?!
Keiko: You made the original EMMA?
Kuon: I didn't tell you? I specialize in the research and development of artificial intelligence.
She didn't say anything at all to them until now.
Ann: Uh...We definitely didn't hear about that.
Akechi: Then she's a good suspect to question. Please tell us more, Kuon, if you would be so kind.
And so, she tells them all about it. Kuon can be useful for the Phantom Thieves, and with Akechi to see Kuon to be like his mother and something to do from the past of the five gifted children.
Kuon: I will, thank you detective sir. So around the time I finished devolving EMMA, Madicce came to me with an offer to buy it. I was actually pretty tight on money at the time, so I went ahead and sold it.
Just like that though? Okay then...
Ryuji: Is this lady for real...?
Keiko: Who's to really say, and yet...she has powers like Akechi and me. At least a little.
Kuon: Oh, by the way, that's why Madicce is participating in the lecture today. Well, to be more accurate, the university asked me to reach out to them. I certainly didn't expect the CEO himself to show up, though. I only got invited because of my little connection with the company. Anyhow, yeah, that's how I ended up being there to overhear everything.
Just seeing and hearing the real creator of EMMA is still hard to believe like this.
Yusuke: So you're EMMA's creator and Madicce is simply the one running it?
This has Akechi staring at Kuon to see the look alike of his mother and this woman.
Kuon: Ah, Mr. Detective?
Akechi: Sorry! I was thinking?! I wasn't staring!
Kuon: I know...I can tell you and this girl with the beautiful long hair love each other to soon be married. Congratulations to the two of you.
Wow, I can already tell from the ring on Keiko's finger, huh?
Keiko: It is true, I love Akechi so much and he loves me.
Akechi: Thank you. (Why does Kuon look like my Mom? I don't understand.)
Kuon: Oh...Well, they're definitely the ones running it, but I can't say for sure if that's all they've been doing. I just designed the base. Who knows what Madicce did once I sold it to them...
It makes sense to those who use EMMA differently than Kuon's original work.
Ann: So, you know all about EMMA, then, right?
Kuon: Naturally. It's like my baby, you know? And at the risk of tooting my own horn, it's a really good baby.
Thinking hard on this one, there was no going back now.
Keiko: Ah, Kuon? Please give us a second to talk this out? Just stay right there. Thank you.
Having all the nine Phantom Thief members 'and Sophia from Keiko's cell phone gather in a circle to talk about how to go on with this since Kuon now knows who they are.
Morgana: Well...Never would've expected this turn of events.
Keiko: Not likely for some people we barely met.
And Kuon was another one of those people.
Ann: Do you think she's telling the truth about designing EMMA?
Akechi: She is. I can tell from her skills and looks, and she only tells the people she knows who's trustworthy. And we're one of them.
He was once again right.
Haru: I do think it's impressive that the CEO of Madicce came to personally give a lecture. If she's the one who made it happen, doesn't that mean she has a lot of influence?
Akechi: I said, it has to be. (A lot more about this woman I need to still learn why he looks like my Mom.
Yusuke: This is true...And let's not forget the university asked her to attend the lecture.
Any options in mind to trust in Kuon or not?
Morgana: What should we do? She could probably tell us a lot about EMMA.
Ann: Not to mention she knows who we are now...
Ryuji: Whaddya think, Keiko? Maybe play dumb and run for it?
Not even close, Kuon doesn't seem to be life threatening to them. An odd person, but she seems fine even to Akechi as well.
Keiko: From what Akechi has gotten right...Let's ask for her help, and tell her the truth.
Futaba: Nice thinking, Big Sis. And Ryuji, come on. It would be too late to just run away.
Ryuji: Okay that time...I just say thinks out of my mouth.
So it was finally official.
Yusuke: Then, we may as well go all in to find out what we can. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Akechi: I agree. Neither Keiko nor I feel anything dangerous about Kuon at all.
Keiko: Yeah, what he said.
I guess they've all come to an agreement.
Makoto: It's settled, then. We'll tell her everything.
They tell Kuon the whole thing - how they all became Phantom Thieves and why on what they did before. And what they were doing today for a good reason for her to understand them. Hard to believe at first, but it was all true.
Keiko: And that's the whole truth.
Kuon: Is all of that true?
Ryuji: Right, we know, it's kinda hard to believe, huh?
Futaba: Hey, what if we show her, like we did with Zenkichi?
That was funny when they did the same with Kuon. But she had the same powers like Keiko and Akechi had to feel it out of them being the real Phantom Thieves. So they were fine.
Kuon: Wow! It really does exist! I mean, how else could you explain all this?!
She seems happy.
Akechi: So she does have powers like Keiko and me.
Keiko: Really? Oh, I can feel some from Kuon. (Some people are born differently then.)
Kuon: So we're the same, love birds, and have powers. Aren't we? I'm glad I'm not the only one.
Keiko And Akechi: You can tell?!
Kuon: I can tell from your faces, that's all. Anyways...So EMMA functions as the entry point here, huh? No, that's...If I consider the possibilities...
Well, she was on board. They still think Kuon was very weird.
Ann: Uh...She believed all that?
Kuon: Oh, you have no idea how FASCINATING this is! What an incredible development!
They don't have to take Kuon to the Metaverse to say the least for her.
Ryuji: Haha...Uh, well...At least we don't gotta go through the trouble of convincin' her.
Keiko: And to feel out of the power both Akechi and I are born with.
Akechi: She's somehow like us almost.
Now to get back with the topic at hand next.
Makoto: Ichinose-san, do you have any idea why EMMA is serving as an entry point to the Jails?
Kuon: Oh, no, couldn't tell you. I'm surprised this other world even exists. There's no way I could've thought up a way to get in if I didn't even know it existed to begin with.
This was news to her then, then EMMA was fixed a bit without Kuon letting her know from the latest project.
Futaba: Yeah, that figures...Wait, so that means...That function was added later?
Kuon: A world where people's Desires are stolen and their hearts are changed...Hmm...So many questions. Oh, wait, maybe I should be heartbroken here...My baby is being used for evil, after all.
Keiko: Then do you think you can help us out?
Kuon: I'll do the best I can.
Akechi: We'd like your cooperation then. Let's help each other out.
One thing will lead to another to save Kuon's latest project to be used for good, and not for evil.
Makoto: Right. How about we make a deal?
Kuon: Ooh, I like the sound of that. Sure phantom thief-y! I'd be glad to help however I can. And I can't say I don't feel kinda responsible for all of this. More than anything, though, I think I'd die of curiosity if I didn't get involved! So what do you need me to look into? Say the word, and I'm on it.
Keiko: Well...Tell us about Madicce and/or EMMA.
Akechi: And what happened after you sold it?
Will any of the answers 'or one of them' for Kuon to know what to do for one another.
Kuon: For one of them...I sold it to two couples to aid Akira Konoe. A strange man to hide his face and his girlfriend who's pretty but doesn't speak. Then they made the company of Madicce.
Okay, those were a few things Kuon did say so far to have Akechi figure out the rest from the flashbacks of the two other people. The same ones who took the five kids in? Maybe the same ones who are aiding Mother with the Guyver twins.
Makoto: Right...So far, it's a good lead. Well, for the other question, we'd like you to find whatever you can about EMMA's current state. Maybe try and figure out how it's different from the base you created.
Kuon: I see. Basically, you'd like to know the secret behind this new version of EMMA. And if someone's responsible, you want to know who.
Getting to it right away since Kuon feels like she might be on the case already, but not alone on this one this time.
Futaba: Oh, hey. We found some of those mystery junk parts out there, didn't we? Maybe if she takes a look at 'em, we'll learn more about that world.
Akechi: These things? I guess they can be useful for Kuon to use.
Handing some of the parts over for Kuon to look into. She will get it delivered by Zen's help, for her and the Phantom Thieves helping out one another.
Kuon: Ooh, so you're gonna give me a bunch of neat stuff to analyze? Yes, that's excellent, just wonderful. In fact, I'll even buy them from you, as research materials.
Keiko: Then some money for our vacation times and work to be done, we got to act normal around others.
Makoto: Well, if this is going to be a deal, then we'll need to provide something as well. Hmm...
But she says this instead...
Kuon: Nonsense, it's fine just the way it is! My inner researcher is just squealing with delight! So, what do you say we seal the deal?
Keiko: It's a deal, then. We'll be counting on you, Kuon. So...I guess, here's to working together.
They've sealed the deal to do what needs to be done. Alrighty.
Kuon: Okay! Looking forward to it!
Any parts Kuon gets will be great. They were all in this now, with two more things to talk about.
Ryuji: Oh, yo. If she specializes in AI, maybe we should ask about Sophia, yeah?
Kuon: Huh? Sophia?
This was news to this woman.
Keiko: An AI who's aiding us from the other world. But in our world, she talks through my cell phone. See?
More proof to show Kuon to see Sophia on the phone as more proof.
Sophia: [Hi, I'm Sophia, humanity's companion. It's nice to meet you, Ichinose.]
Kuon: This is...Sophia? Huh...It's nice to meet you, too.
Weird...She doesn't know about Sophia then to have her attitude change just a little. How odd...I think Keiko and Akechi caught on to her only, leaving the others left confused.
Ryuji: Who flipped the switch on her?!
Akechi: Sorry! We just wanted some help. We didn't mean to trouble you.
Kuon: Oh, no, it's just that I've got so much on my mind right now...I guess even I'm a little confused. She must be special. You look like one of the five missing children. How odd, but she's a special AI.
Makoto: Sophia's an AI we met in the Metaverse. Is there anything you can tell us about her?
If she did, Kuon would've said something about Sophia already.
Kuon: No, can't say I know anything about her...Think you could send me her code later, though?
Leave it to Futaba to do so...
Futaba: Huh? Oh, sure! No problem!
Kuon: Here, I'll give you my contact information!
The two genesis have each of their contact information now.
Keiko: Thank you for all of your help, Kuon.
Kuon: Well, then! I'm excited to see how this all develops!
And now for one other thing to ask Kuon about to catch Akechi's attention.
Akechi: Excuse me, Kuon. But before we depart, I have a question to ask you. Who does Sophia remind you of again?
Keiko: Akechi's right. He's a detective after all. So please tell us about Sophia's other look alike.
Kuon: Look alike...? Oh! When I said something about the five missing children missing case? Why?
Akechi: Are you part of it from a few years ago?
Thinking really hard on this one...
Kuon: Hmm...Sort of, but I wasn't part of the team to learn what happened to the five kids. It was such a sad story.
This one might be useful to everyone else to be surprised about. Could it be about the mysterious little girl, Guyver twins, and Kaguyas from that time?
Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru: You do!?
Morgana: What!? Now this changes everything!
Sophia: [Then this might be very important to learn about.]
Akechi: Please! If there's anything you know about, please tell us! Master, me, and my friends need to learn more. It has something to do with the entire case.
Seeing how serious this was and how Akechi's so smart, Kuon sees how serious this was. She too wants to learn about what really happened herself.
Kuon: Still want to learn the truth, I see...A detective who's also a Phantom Thief with one woman he loves and other members. I know of the other few names...The little girl with the red hair is still unknown, there's Eiko Guyver, her brother Hans Guyver, and there were other twin girls with different names...Who were they again? Oh, right. Aika Iwamura and Hitomi Kanakubo.
There we have it – the Kaguya Hime and Kaguya Picaro might be the other twin sisters, Aika Iwamura and Hitomi Kanakubo. As for the Guyver twins to also be part of the project too.
Akechi: Hans and Eiko Guyver. Aika Iwamura and Hitomi Kanakubo... (The Kaguya sisters might like those two girls.)
Tayla: Now remember, these two OC female characters are completely different in this version here than the Royal one. Just so all of you fans know who's who. OK? Good...Now back to our story for the next part. It was very important. So please pay close attention.
Keiko: Then if you could explain everything, that'd be great. Anything will do well, Kuon, just tell us what you do know.
A long story for Kuon to remember what she does know of the event from five years ago. Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, Sophia, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru all listen to learn about the 'five missing children case'. On what Kuon used to work on from the background on what she did learn about from before.
Kuon: Alright, let me see what I do remember about the case...Well, for the five children on who they are. Aika Iwamura and Hitomi Kanakubo were cousins who grew up together in a true family to be like real cousins, the eldest of the five; one was tough to love taking photos while the other one was kind to read different books from different countries. As for the Guyver twins of Eiko and Hans to be the second young ones in the group...it was sad to have them lose their parents who were researchers with one of the best groups from back then, same with the cousins other parents of one mother and father working together as they were brother and sister. There was a party one night of the adults successfully discovering something big to celebrate going home one night to suddenly die in a car crash. I don't know why either but because the older siblings of their own kids, the Guyvers, and the little girl's father to be the only single parent after losing his wife just crash together and are killed. Leaving all of the five kids to meet up the next night and make a home together.
From losing their parents to be all researchers once, that was how they all met together to become a family and friends. How and why they all were killed was still unknown to cause an accident like that one.
Keiko: How awful... (All five of their parents died to leave their children behind? Just out of nowhere to be killed for no reason.) I can see how they knew each other to stay close after that.
Kuon: It was very sad, the police had trouble finding them the next day to give them a new home to live in. They were all born to be very smart in fact. Instincts, I think...The brother Hans always protected his sister Eiko to be very close of caring siblings with smarts, same with their big sisters for Aika and Hitomi cared for them and the other little girl with the red hair to be a navigator type – who's the youngest member of them all, they say she was like a doll image for girls in Japan to buy lots of her project a lot. With them living together to borrow money, food, clothing, other fun things, drinks, and such to pick a pocket until they made it a bit to pay everyone back alone in the big city was hard but worth everything. Sadly though, the red-haired girl was ill with something very rare to not have a cure to have all of her step-sisters and one step-brother to all feel sad to lose another one at such a young age. Until...the other researchers of the remaining four found them. The main boss himself, another one who was a mother, an odd woman, and the strange looking man all came forward to the children to offer them a deal. After losing their parents for them to give them a home and care for the red-haired girl's illness, they needed the four to do some testing on their abilities in return. They all accepted and for me to keep a paper report. That was it.
So that's what happened to get through this point while Kuon heard so much to be on standby only.
Sophia: [Four out of five children were all test subjects.]
Morgana: But they're not lab rats!
Akechi: So what happened after? What type of tests were they all put into? Again, I hope we're not troubling you or anything...
She didn't mind telling them everything Kuon knows about so far on her end.
Kuon: Oh no, don't be. I don't mind. It was very sad to try remembering the important parts. I want to know the rest myself too. Now where was I...? Now the leader of the research group was Shuzo Ubukata – he knew something about those kids to try to change the world and the other three, I wish I knew who they were. With the kids each had different abilities for only the red hair girl had technologies skills on hacking only. Now for the rest of them...Eiko with cute things to control on her own free will, Hans target skills to never miss anything to use any item as his bullets, Aika with the power to move the earth parts of the ground elements, and Hitomi to have the calmness of the ocean waters from her emotions. I think it's like heart, fire, water, earth, and air like in some type of fairy tale come to life. Now that was an amazing thing to ever happen in all of history in the world! OK? OK. Now what happened next...The red hair girl sadly died on the operation table to have someone save her, or tried to. Only Shuzo and a few other members got into a fight to set the entire laboratory up in flames, with the researchers trapped and the other four...they escaped by their youngest sister to go...Well, it's still unknown five years later. But for those members who started the fight and Shuzo, some say they were killed already before getting consumed in the fire. Because of it, it was haunted to never get cleared out of the area, something about the little girl's spirit haunting the place. I think that's how the rumors were. Sadly, I had to let the case go to still try to learn on my own, while the others to never speak about it ever again or some say they'll be cursed forever. Scary...Still, I think the other members might be alive today and did something with one of the four kids. But that's it.
So that's what happened 'for the time being' on what Kuon remembered as much as she could.
Ryuji: A haunted lab...?
Ann: From one to die and the other four kids went missing?
Makoto: By haunted, you mean...Ghosts in abandoned labatory?
For Makoto to still be afraid of haunted ghosts and such.
Yusuke: It is fine, Ms. Makoto. And yet, it's still a sad story.
Haru: So if the twin Guyvers are the enemies we all know and have witnessed so far...
Futaba: Yeah...Could the Kaguya twins be Aika Iwamura as Kaguya Picaro? And Hitomi Kanakubo as Kaguya Hime? Can humans become Personas after their deaths...?
Well, Lava did say something or somewhere along those lines to Keiko at one point 'when she first meant with the twins the first time'.
Morgana: Well, some can. It's like their deaths just happened to get another chance to fix things until they can move on. Then...Aika and Hitomi were killed from the five years of innocence and they're not Personas to try to fix things, since the Guyver twins are now their enemies. I didn't think something like this could ever happen. Loki's one thing, but them...It's kind of sad just thinking about it.
It just happened then? It sucks for Aika as Picaro and Hitomi as Kaguya for their faiths to end up like this, the good ones to be dead and Personas now and the Guyvers as villains...whoever they were now.
Keiko: If that's the case, then that's when you, Akechi-Cun, and Zenny went to investigate the event a few days later, right?
And what does Akechi explain about how he and Zen from their investigation from five years ago? This was the time when Zen took Akechi in as a step-son to learn detective solving skills in the police force 'and before Akechi and Keiko first met'...
Akechi: I remember it clearly a few years ago, one of my first ones to try solving together after he took me in as a real family I never had. We've learned about the five children who've gone missing after losing their parents and staying at a nearby research lab. By the time we arrived there – it was a mess. Some bodies were found dead and burned, other work destroyed, the other four kids were missing, a few researchers only, and one child who was sadly gone. Both Master and I knew this case wouldn't be solved right away, but it was big for him to solve it because it might have some connections with the other case we're also working on. Since then, I kept the project safe during the time to stop Shido...I kept him posted while living on my own. And that was it until Kuon told us the rest of the story. I think Master will be happy to hear the rest of this.
Keiko: And the Kaguya twins too, don't forget.
For everyone to get it now, they were close to the truth soon enough.
Kuon: Oh, so you are a young detective working on the case...Good, that's very good. Keep me posted there, would you? Thanks. Now is there anything else you wish to tell me about the other children who are around still?
Akechi: We think the sisters were killed to become Personas in the real world and reborn. The Guyver ones are working with someone known as Mother with two more people.
Futaba: From the haunted researchers?
Keiko: And even if so, why are the Guyvers against us? It seems those four don't know each other at all.
Meaning they have to fight each other for one to rest on and the other two to be stopped either way.
Morgana: No, we have no choice. With two on our side, the other two are against us.
It's all sad but it's very much true...
Kuon: Oh, how sad. Shocking but in an unhappy way. But I'm sure the Phantom Thieves can do something about it somehow. Those two girls, other Persona friends, and your skills can do something. Even if you have to snap the evil looks of the Guyver twins out of it, I'm sure the real ones need it. I'm just saying...
Sophia: [For something to get destroyed and have something haunted? Hmm...There has to be a scientifically logical motive there.]
Hey, Sophia might be onto something there.
Kuon: Maybe from your thing than just an evil ghost. Looks like I have more work to do. So I hope I was useful to you all.
Keiko: We just need to solve more and keep the enemy away from both the wielder and the Pandora's Box weapon away from the enemy. Kuon, we'll give you more parts and help out one another.
Akechi: Thank you again for your help, Kuon. (I think I'll ask her about my Mom in the future, not right now though. It takes time for others to trust in one another.) So we hope to see each other again to solve all of this together.
One way or another, it will be done.
Kuon: Of course, Akechi. Keiko. And everyone else of the Phantom Thieves, let's all do our very best out there. Now then, I have to get going for work to be done, but we'll keep each other posted of course. So...See you around!
She then takes off to do other business and hears more from the Phantom Thieves later, and other things to be useful later on 'to get lots of information they needed from one another'. Kuon is again an odd one, but she's very smart to be their backup.
Ryuji: Uh...Welp. There she goes. Oh well, we got something good.
Akechi: Looks like it.
And so much to not have Sophia remember anything, bummer...Just one to get from only, and not the other.
Futaba: Would've been nice if she'd known something about Sophia.
Sophia: [I'm okay as long as I can stay useful to you guys. I can at least help you all with this other case while also trying to learn about myself more, it'll happen]
Keiko: You're right, Sophia. (She's a very understanding of AI.) One thing to be solved at a time, it wasn't so easy to be done.
Morgana: Guess that takes care of that...
The rest to still follow for now and keep the Kaguya twins on track too; as for stopping the Guyver twins to be unknown but to not let them or the real enemy get the weapon at all. With some other things taken care of in Sendai, it was time to head to Sapporo next.
Ryuji: ...Oh, yeah, I totally forgot after all that's just happened, but we're headin' to Sapporo next, right?
Morgana: Yeah, we should get going. Zenkichi's waiting for us in Hokkaido.
Akechi: Let's get going, we can't keep Master waiting forever. (I guess we owe Kuon one for some clues to gather, I need to report this back to Master right away before we leave.)
It was time to get ready to head on out then.
Ryuji: Hell yeah. Hokkaido, here we come!
But before heading out...everyone wanted to do something real quick – one was from Futaba text messaging Keiko to do something real quick.
Keiko: Huh? It's from Futaba.
[Futaba: Heyo, Big Sis! Can I borrow you? There's something I wanna do before we go. I shall await at the entrance of the Mt. Aoba Park shrine!]
You heard the young hacker there.
Morgana: Let's go see what Futaba wants, Madame Keiko, while we wait for the others.
Sophia: [Yes, Keiko, let's go see.]
Good idea. From Keiko, Morgana, and Sophia to go see what Futaba wanted...While Akechi reported some good news on the other case to Zen on the phone and let them know they were heading out in the bit, and some shopping to be done for Makoto to keep everyone to drink and eat right; while Futaba wanted to do something with Keiko with a poster head shot photos to do for tourist to make this a fun one.
Morgana: We're here.
Futaba: There you are, Big Sis. I wanna get a picture in this cutout board before we head out!
Keiko: This thing?
Of a male and female of old time Japan of a warrior fighting for his princess of the land cutout photo.
Futaba: Yeah! This is a great photo-op, so it'd be a real waste not to. I've gone ahead and called Inari over, too, so you should join in!
Keiko: Sure. Let's do a fun friend thing here.
Futaba: Hey, thanks! Then, let's start makin' some memories!
Once Futaba calls up Yusuke to join them, the photo friend group can begin for him and Keiko. Well, this should be fun for a summer part to do.
Yusuke: I'm here, Futaba, like you wanted me to.
Keiko: Yusuke, I'm glad you arrived.
Futaba: Okay, without further ado, it's time to play "Who looks more like Date Masamune?"! A girl or a boy...? In the blue corner, we have...Inari!
He just goes along with them. Seeing them together, they get along with brother and sister.
Yusuke: Hm...I don't quite follow, but I'll do my best...How's this?
Placing his head in the cutout photo of Date, Futaba judges it next.
Futaba: Whoa, this is crazy! You really do look like him!
Morgana: Mewhehe, lookin' good Yusuke.
Sophia: [It's like he's wearing armor. How interesting.]
Keiko: *chuckle* Very artistic.
I think Yusuke has heard all four of the judges loud and clear.
Yusuke: Hah...I can't say I don't like the sound of that many comments for me.
Futaba: Hold up. Hmm, there's still something missing...Oh, I know!
Keiko: What is it?
To complete the cutout photo, one more person must join in with Yusuke too.
Futaba: Big Sis, you get the other one!
Keiko: Oh! I can be the princess. Got it.
With Yusuke as Date and Keiko as the princess, it looked good on both of them.
Futaba: Ahaha, here comes the real princess herself! Cute friends, and Inari used to hit on Big Sis!
But they are now friends who love the ones they really care about Keiko with Akechi and Yusuke with Makoto. Yusuke will always love Keiko, to be very close friends.
Yusuke: Almost a couple we used to be.
Keiko: Yeah, but I think Ryuji was harder to take a hint from than you or Yuuki were.
They laughed about it to be memories to still have good times on other parts they did do.
Yusuke: Still, Ms. Keiko, is it just me, or are we being exploited for Futaba's entertainment?
Keiko: It's her. So I wouldn't worry so much about it, this is a road trip type of fun.
Yusuke: I suppose.
Good times to hang out with friends are fun and silly.
Futaba: Yeah, looks great! I know you two have your own true loves, me too...Now maybe you could get a little more into the role.
Yusuke: Like this?
Futaba: Nope, not even close. Look, Inari, you're Lord Date Masamune. As ruler of the Tohoku region, everyone's throwin' mad respect your way. You gotta own it!
More posing time please.
Yusuke: I see...Then, perhaps like this!
Futaba: You think you can win the respect of your people like that?!
Yusuke: Rgh...Then, how about...THIS?!
The last one on Yusuke's reaction did the trick.
Futaba: ...
Keiko: Futaba, please try not to strain Yusuke too much.
Futaba: Sorry, you actually kinda freaked me out.
Yusuke: ...
Morgana: Just take the picture please...
And with Futaba doing so and some for Morgana to have Sophia on the rest, it looked good on Yusuke and Keiko from the photoshoot.
Sophia: [Say cheese.]
And it was done.
Keiko: Nice shot. (Everyone had fun at the photo stand-in...)
Well, that part was entertaining, huh? How were everyone else doing? Ramen for Ryuji, a Tanabata decoration for Yusuke to have, with some history to learn more about it next.
Sophia: [The Tanabata decorations...Apparently, these festival decoration types are not solely for display-individuals may write down their own wishes and tie them to the branches. Common wishes include the happiness and success of family and loved ones.]
Keiko: Oh, I guess lots of things to learn about and buy to remember where we went to, huh? Thanks for the tip, Sophia.
Nice one, Sophia, good to give out information like those with Yusuke buying one for the RV. As Futaba was taking more photos from her cell phone, more bananas to get for Haru to be doing, and Ann was happy to not see anymore Natsume posters of his work anymore, well not a lot to deal with other Gegasites in Jail of the Metaverse from time to time. The town was looking normal now. All done now to meet back up in the RV, for the Phantom Thieves next drive was to Sapporo for Makoto to drive and everyone chilling out from the front seat and the back too. To the next Monarch of the Jail to find? Probably so.
Ann: So, how long to Sapporo?
Driving for a while now, it'll take a few more stops until they finally arrive there. Hey, some driving to other cities wasn't going to be so easy to do. Good thing that Sophia is their GPS.
Sophia: [From here, it'll take approximately twelve hours under normal driving conditions, as well as a trip by ferry.]
Ann: No way! I thought we were closer than that.
Akechi: Some places are further away even when we get there by car. We would take a plane, but...we don't want to get caught by other cops, right? Lucky for Master to know we'll be there in no time.
It wouldn't be good at all.
Morgana: Guess we'll have to stop and snooze another night before we get there.
Haru: Even after landing in Hokkaido, we still have a long drive ahead of us. Will you be alright, Mako-chan?
She didn't mind driving, but Makoto could use a break from time to time.
Keiko: Please don't strain yourself too much, Makoto. For all of the driving you're doing since none of us but Haru can't drive yet.
Makoto: Don't worry, I'll be able to power the whole way through.
Futaba: You rock, Makoto! I like that energy!
And so, Makoto has to take a break for the day until tomorrow. It was best in order to see the other town on what's happening there like the last one was.
A few hours later...
A certain parking area
Good thing there are other motels 'to be nice looking ones to stay in' and other food stands to stop your car to rest throughout anyone's trip. Sitting down to drink and eat for Makoto to take it easy for today. They'll get there by tomorrow for sure - to Sapporo that is.
Makoto: Whew...I have to admit, I'm kind of exhausted.
Keiko: Makoto, are you okay? You should rest for a bit.
Akechi: Please don't push yourself too much for our sake. Maybe I should start driving myself.
That's one thing for Akechi and Keiko to both think about later on. For Makoto to relax on the bench on what she did today.
Makoto: Thanks, you two. I should be fine after a little rest.
Morgana: That's true-we were in the camper all day. We definitely owe you a break.
Haru: Sorry if we're asking too much of you, Mako-chan. I wish I could drive in your stead...
She could if someone was with her like Makoto. Even if her drive permits, to still count.
Makoto: Don't you worry about me. Driving's a responsibility I enjoy. Plus, it's nice listening to everyone chatter away in the back. Keeps me alert and motivated.
Yusuke: Then we will find a way to repay your devotion, Ms. Makoto. I worry about you a lot more.
From friendship and Yusuke's love for Makoto keeps this girl going at least.
Makoto: Thank you, Yusuke, you're the best.
Futaba: Quickly! Ryuji, massage her shoulders at once! And procure the finest soft serve money can buy!
Now Futaba was making Ryuji do all the work for Makoto out of nowhere.
Ryuji: On it! Wait, why's it hafta be me?
Everyone laughs for the fun of it to still care for their friend Ryuji to do something for them. He didn't mind at all.
Ann: Please, Ryuji...?
Ryuji: Fine. For you, Ann, I can take your act than you do with other people.
Ann: Thank you. Hey, Makoto, I'll massage you too before bed. I know this technique that works wonders on sore muscles - us models use it all the time!
Anything will help Makoto to keep on driving, little at a time that is.
Makoto: That'd be great. I could use a good massage.
Sophia: [...Makoto, I need to apologize.]
Makoto: What? Why?
She felt bad to guide them and information in the real world only, and nothing else. Aw, Sophia's a good AI.
Sophia: [Because I can't help you, even though I know how effective physical stimulation is at treating fatigue. But I'm all digital, and therefore incapable of massaging. An AI that can't provide assistance cannot be humanity's companion. I'm as worthless as a bug.]
Akechi: Ah, come now. It isn't true, Sophia. We all like you the way you are.
It is true, so there was no shame in feeling sad at all.
Futaba: Sophia? Are you going through mood swings or something?
Keiko: Sophia, it's okay. You're far from worthless. Sometimes we all feel down, and you're a good fighter too. You're one of us.
She's learning sadness and feeling down for an AI, not bad.
Makoto: Yeah, no need to be so hard on yourself. You've been a great deal of help so far. We owe you a lot, Sophia.
Sophia: [You all mean it? That makes me happy. And I do want to try this "soft serve" you speak of.]
That's our Sophia for you to learn so much.
Ryuji: Her mood swung right back to normal...
Morgana: Makoto, you look spent. I say we call it a day the moment we reach Hokkaido.
To Hokkaido, Sapporo that is.
Yusuke: In that case, we should treat ourselves to some local cuisine for dinner. Anything to treat my lady from a fine job she's doing.
Haru: Ooh, I've always wanted to try wasabi soda!
Some soda was good in Japan, but...not all of them are good for you.
Ann: Uh, no thanks.
Keiko and Akechi: Same here.
See what I mean? Yeah, I'm not into soda either. For everyone to be sleeping throughout the rest of the night and...Having Keiko and Akechi make love again at their hotel, all was good for what Kuon told them of the big case lately. Still, nothing about Sophia or what the woman looked like Akechi's mother. Lots to be solved for Loki caught all of it to try telling Kaguya and Picaro about their past to remember a few things, but he helps refresh their memories even more 'so far that is'.
Loki: Ladies, we need to talk.
Picaro: Is it bad?
Kaguya: What's the matter?
Loki: Trust me, you two want to hear what comes out of my mouth next...
And we all know what happens there, right? The same as what Kuon told the Phantom Thieves about for Loki to overhear even from the Metaverse. So yeah...Now back in the real world, Keiko and Akechi were holding each other in bed and covered in blankets after making love to still be naked 'with protection' to spend time like this and still do their jobs. As Zen heard of their arrival tomorrow at Hokkaido, Sapporo for sure.
Keiko: Amazing...
Akechi: As always.
Soon to be cuddling together with a lot on their minds to think about from today, a whole lot of it.
Keiko: With Kuon helping us out now...
Akechi: And Loki telling the Kaguya twins about their true identities...I think they'll have trouble not remembering everything from their human selves yet.
Yeah, it could be a bit. They believe in the Phantom Thieves, but it will take a while to understand their pasts for sure.
Keiko: And it's not like the Guyver twins wouldn't understand. Like Eiko was to try to have all of us killed. Both she and Hans mean business.
Akechi: But it's Mother, their boss we have to worry about. And the other two members who are aiding the twins and their boss, I have a funny feeling about them.
Keiko: The missing researchers? I thought they all died. Other than your mother wasn't there to die by Shido's hands.
Who couldn't forget about that part? So sad, huh? But Akechi was strong enough to defeat Shido in the end at least and his heart to change too.
Akechi: She left to then felt ill when Shido was poisoning her to slowly suffer to her death, yes...As for those two, a hooded man and his mistress...It's them I don't try to restrain the twins and get Pandora's Box with the wielder before they do. I have a feeling we can save them both and the Kaguya twins to remember everything. I hope we can.
Keiko: We will, Akechi-Cun. We are the Phantom Thieves to stop the main threat while changing the bad guys hearts and helping out others to feel stronger. It's what we have been doing since we became them.
Holding each other, Akechi was glad to find a place he belonged to.
Akechi: Princess, thank you. Let's continue on what we do best. This is what Master wants Kuon to learn more from the five missing children event. All of it. I have you and our friends to pull through this.
Keiko: As well as aiding the dead girl to rest on once we aid the four children on who they are today. Oh! And the same thing to have Sophia remember everything. We can do this.
Akechi: And we will. We still have a long way to go. I love you so much.
Keiko: And I love you too
With holding each other so much until they both fell asleep while cuddling, everyone was well rested to bathe, get dressed, clean up, eat, and then drive off to Sapporo. Good thing the motels had a laundry mats there for a brand new day to continue driving. Well rested and taking breaks is what Makoto needed to keep on going.
8 – August/8th/Tuesday
Hopefully...back in the Metaverse of the other few Jails so far as Loki, Picaro, and Kaguya can understand the rest of the past while also solving the case too. Anyways, more driving time in the RV.
Akechi: More driving today, but we'll make it today for sure.
Futaba: Glad to hear it. Hang in there, Makoto! Sapporo's just a stone's throw away!
And a good thing to have Sophia to double check on it too.
Makoto: I hear you. Hokkaido sure is vast, isn't it?
Futaba: Vast enough to call it "Huge-kaido" by my reckoning!
A lot more in this area to be more fun and bigger for tourist visits.
Morgana: It's supposed to be a lot cooler up here, so hopefully that means no more stuffy, sleepless nights.
Isn't it bad to sleep a lot during the summer season...?
Ryuji: You said it...There's nothin' more hellish than sleepin' in a hot, sweaty tent crammed with dudes.
Keiko: Not for Akechi and me.
They have a motel room, while the others have the RV and other parts from it. And of course showering too to change their clothes in another one.
Yusuke: Hellish indeed. We were so overheated, we'd nearly stripped naked by morning time...I found it obscenely refreshing.
Not all of the guys did it.
Akechi: And I'm glad I didn't do it...
Haru: Just make sure you keep the nudity inside the tent, please.
Keiko: Yes, no talking about getting naked!
This allows for Akechi to hit Ryuji and Yusuke upside the heads.
Akechi: Don't say those things in public again please.
Ryuji: I wasn't gonna...
Yusuke: Sorry.
Morgana: Ha! Serves you two right.
This made the girls feel better now. Ann still loves Ryuji and Makoto with her Yusuke too. With Futaba, Morgana, and Haru having their true love- for Akechi and Keiko have their movement time in love with each other only in private.
Keiko: Thank you, Akechi-Cun. (Next stop, Hokkaido, Sapporo. Who knows which Monarch of their Jail in the Metaverse is next to face with and the Guyver twins to stop, we're close to learning more about some of the mysteries to this case, little at a time.)
Making their day, for this next area will be something else for one of the Phantom Thief members will be a certain someone to have his or her heart to change from the Jail and the Metaverse's doing of the Gegasites controlling people of their Desires. As well as Hans Guyver to make his move against his enemies 'but the girls' for the event to take place here. It's a nice area to be a bit cooler there even during the summer season. More next time!