Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #27 - Haru's Mayor-like Friend
8 - August/8th/Tuesday (Sapporo)
Driving to their destination for the Phantom Thieves to get from Sendai and to Sapporo next for Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia get there by car. Well, an RV type of car that is. During the ride, a little singing happens for two people to do for fun with the music playing random songs – 'Robbie Dupree – Hot Rod Hearts'.
Morgana: Hey, Madame Keiko, listen to this song. Sophia and I did something together. (Singing) Ten miles east of the highway
Hot sparks burnin' the night away
Two lips touchin' together
Cheek to cheek, sweatshirt to sweater.
Sophia: [Young love, born in a back seat
Two hearts pound out a back beat
Headlights, somebody's comin'
Got to move, keep on a runnin'.]
Morgana and Sophia: [With the hot rod hearts
Out on the boulevard tonight
Here come those hungry sharks
Up from the bottom for another bite.]
Something to do from time to time during a road trip. Remember for some songs here a little, then the other ones for Keiko to sing in the game, like I did from the original one from my last story.
Keiko: Nice singing, you two.
Sophia: [Thank you, I've e practicing and I've been getting good music to enjoy. It's nice.]
Morgana: And it's all thanks to me introducing them to Sophia.
Nice for a friend like Morgana to do so for Sophia to learn so much more. And a few minutes later – they've finally arrived in Hokkaido, Sapporo to be one of the coolest places during the Summer time and more in the winter time with snow. From tourist parking areas with bath houses, motels, and tons of shopping places too. The team arrived with a big tower of the entire town as a very popular one.
Futaba: Hellooooo Sapporo!
Yusuke: So this is Sapporo Central City - a bustling outpost of civilization, cradled by the untamed wilderness..
Using his art pose to see the tower view, that's Yusuke's thing to like something amazing.
Ryuji: Hey, you think they're still doin' the Snow Festival?
Ann: Are you seriously that dumb? Oh, Ryuji...I still love you, but please.
Yeah, it's during the winter season only.
Akechi: She's right. Snow Festival is only during the winter times, not in the summer times.
Haru: Well, it certainly is cooler here than Tokyo. It should be a nice change of pace.
Makoto: I know we just got here, but I want to check whether there's a Jail nearby, Sophia?
Double checking, she tries to feel one out in this area. And with such luck...
Sophia: [...I do smell a Jail. An intense one.]
Well, Zen was onto something for something funny is happening in Sapporo for a Jail was there with an important person.
Keiko: There is?
Ryuji: Just like Gramps said...
Morgana: That means whoever Zenkichi's looking into is the Monarch of Sapporo.
Makoto: Then may I suggest we comb the area for intel?
Best to get more information, is to look around the area and listen to people like the last two they have done.
Akechi: I agree. The more we can learn, gather, hear, and see...The better we can learn which one has a Jail.
Ann: Uh, before that, I think we should hit the bath. Seriously, I've been feeling all gross since yesterday after we had an early shower back in Sendai.
Yep, bath house first and then more work to be done.
Haru: Agreed! It would be nice to freshen up a little first.
Sophia: [Then let me help. I've already located a bathing facility only 500 meters from here.]
One nearby to stay for a few days in Sapporo so this was perfect.
Futaba: Wow Sophia, you work quick.
Morgana: Guess it's bath time for you guys, then. In the meantime, I'll be on the prowl for that intel.
Haru: Don't worry, Mona-chan. I'll rinse you down as soon as we're done.
Sadly, there were in cats allowed in any bath house 'unless he sneaked inside'.
Morgana: Wh-What?! No, no...I can clean myself just fine.
Sophia: [It's just as the data says - cats hate getting wet.]
Akechi: And cats never like to get baths, they also clean themselves with their clean tongues. If Morgana can take a bath with his tail, I don't see any problem.
Morgana: Sophia! Don't lump me in with those other fur-balls! I demand you give your data a full rewrite!
He still hates to be called a cat.
Sophia: [I'd like to try a bath. Would someone mind bringing this phone in?]
Ryuji: Uh, wouldn't the hot water, like, wreck it? Along with you inside?
Not in the bath, but to see the view on the girls' side.
Makoto: I'm sure we can work out the details. Now Sophia, will you guide us there?
For Sophia to do what she does best as their GPS, they head to where the nearest hot bath building was at. Around Sapporo looked great in their surroundings to be lots of people enjoying their tour there or living there...with some type of food to eat up on, a little too much there if you ask me with some type of tasty chocolate on top sales in Sapporo. Well, getting clean up comes first to find a bathhouse for Sophia to locate while also enjoying their walk around downtown.
Sophia: [This is Odori Park. It's famous for its fountain and TV tower. The bathhouse is in a place called Suzushino. It should only be a short walk away from here, so let's get going.]
Many people have also parked there, with other food and drinks stands as well, and a nice view of a very big water fountain in the middle. Soon to move somewhere else to get to their destination...they stop to see a mother with her children to place flowers near a certain spot.
Keiko: Hey, look. It looks like some small grave.
Seems like it at a light pole, for whatever happened was a sad one at that.
Small Girl: Mommy, do you think Kaho-chan will like these?
Maternal Woman: I do. She'll say, "Thank you for the pretty flowers."
Small Girl: If only heaven wasn't so far away...then maybe I could see her.
A sad scene for one incident must've accrued to lose a life, for some good people will never forget, this was news to the Phantom Thieves from seeing this.
Ann: Did...something happen over there?
Haru: They're leaving flowers...Maybe somebody passed away.
Whatever happened over there? Was it really that bad? Well, from the looks of it then maybe.
Makoto: Now that you mention it, I do recall there was an accident on the news...Something about a snow sculpture collapsing in Odori Park? It ended up taking a young girl's life...Maybe that was where it happened.
Akechi: That's not all...I also heard she was eating something to have a weak heart at such a young and healthy age to fall, and then...Yes, it was a very sad one.
From some food to affect a poor kid to fall and a weak setting on an ice statue to fall on top of her too? Damn, that sucks.
Keiko: Some food hurt a child to have a statue fall on top of her? (For someone who was healthy to then get crushed on a false set up.)
Akechi: I know, it's an odd case to still be on my mind after it happened.
Yusuke: I can only imagine the sorrow her family must be suffering.
Haru: Yeah...
Stopping to think about something that happened to be sad, this has Sophia questioning about it.
Sophia: [What's wrong? Are we not taking a bath anymore?]
Keiko: No, we are. Just something sad happened to me. We're good.
Still left unknown, so what food got to the kid to fall? A heart failure at a healthy young age? She choked, an allergic reaction, or something far worse...? Well, the food to be special had something to do with the sell out food to be going on today still for Akechi to notice it while he and the others were walking around. Arriving downtown to look really nice to have everything all over the building and people walking around.
Sophia: [Now we're in Suzushino, which is apparently a haven for pedestrians around this time. I wonder why it's so crowded, though. Everybody's talking about voting...Well, no matter. Back to the bathhouse. Just go straight for a bit, then take a right and you'll be there.]
Keiko: Thanks, Sophia, and away we go.
On their way there, they saw lots of posters to vote for a certain woman to be very famous as mayor. Who was she and what does she look like? Moving down to take a right, finally they've made it to be a nice looking bath house.
Sophia: [Okay, we're here.]
Morgana: Ooh, what a fancy spot. Okay, go get yourselves cleaned up. Go have some fun while I do some work. And I will give myself a bath. But thank you, Haru, I'll still be just fine.
It was bath house time besides using the showers during the trip so far...With Morgana on a look around town to do some work, and Sophia hanging out in the girl's locker room of the bath house to learn more about it on her end.
Sophia: [So this is the detail of what a bath house looks like, it looks amazing.]
She sure loves to learn so much. For the guys and girls side to have a relaxing time – with Keiko, Futaba, Ann, Makoto, and Haru to love it; same came be saved about Akechi, Ryuji, and Yusuke on their side. Lots to talk about on their own ends next.
Ryuji: Ahhhhh...Now this is paradise.
Yusuke: I'll say. The heat has crept into my bones.
Akechi: This really melts the stress away. The temperature's perfect, just like the other place near Leblanc felt like.
True, it's still a nice bath house. The boys were all relaxed like this.
Ryuji: Yeah, that bath was pretty solid. We should go again when we're in town. Look at us, hanging out with Akechi. Thought we didn't trust you, but I was wrong. You're alright.
Akechi: Such kind words from what I did before was for Keiko's protection to be more open minded in the end.
Yeah...it's good for Akechi to be free to learn and see more friends to be with now. He wasn't bad to begin with, he was just lost in the world at first.
Ryuji: Anyways, it's nice havin' a bath like this all to ourselves. Can't get that at home.
Yusuke: What's more, we're in the middle of a long journey. We must take proper measures to recover our strength and stamina...
Relaxing on the guys' end, the girls were doing good as well to see the part, not seeing the girls naked at all but in the waters and having their bodies covered in towels.
Futaba: Whoaaaaaa! Ann, are those CGI?!
Akechi: Huh? (I think I can hear voices coming from the girl's side...Keiko.)
They just have to hear them to both be together but blocked off, huh?
Keiko: Well, Ann's are normal looking ones and real.
Futaba: What cheat codes did you use to get those? Dieting life-hacks? You're so skinny, yet-
Ann: Could you stop drawing attention to me? Go bother Haru instead-hers are no different.
Does it matter who has the biggest boobs or not? Well, it isn't to me. This made Futaba feel Ann's to Haru's next.
Haru: *gasp* Stop it!
Futaba: Haru, not bad! These could knock someone flat! And Big Sis, not bad with yours either. No wonder why Akechi loves you.
She does Haru and Keiko together.
Keiko: Futaba! (At least we're not like the fake women who make their boobs also fake and bigger.)
Makoto: Would you please keep it down? Remember, it's not only us here.
The three boys kept their mouths shut. Seeing how Ryuji loved Ann, Yusuke and Makoto, and Keiko and Akechi to keep some of their relationship aside or private - Keiko and Akechi were one of them.
Ryuji: ... (Ann's fine boobs...!)
Yusuke: ... (Ms. Makoto's fine body beauty...)
Akechi: I know what you guys are thinking, but please keep it to yourselves. Love life is great. (Even if Keiko naked is still very cute to see...!)
Seeing from between their legs of this view only, Ryuji and Yusuke could tell who has the "biggest" pride in the bathhouse.
Ryuji: God dammit! Akechi beat us!
Yusuke: I didn't think we were the only ones with huge penises.
Akechi: Sorry, boys, but mine's bigger than yours. Even when it comes to love.
Ryuji: So...what does sex feel like?
Saying that, Akechi almost fell out of the tub to be very shocked here.
Akechi: Excuse me!?
Yusuke: Yes, please tell us what it feels like.
Akechi: It's too soon for you two to do it! What Keiko and I share is completely different!
Ryuji: We know! Both Yusuke and I aren't with our girlfriends yet...Maybe one day. Chill out, man.
Yusuke: We just want to understand the feeling from it, nothing more.
Oh, so that's what they meant. So Akechi tries to answer it as much as he could think of it.
Akechi: What Keiko and I do...It means we really love each other a lot. From every kiss, hugs, touch, and feeling we get to feel...very good. We are protected of course. We're not planning to have kids, maybe adopt one in the future after settling in and get married first. With Morgana as part of our family, he's like a guardian. So Keiko and I love each other a lot to have a wonderful life together. She saved me and I made wonderful friends from the path I almost went down to. So thank you again.
I think they get it to understand Akechi more and more. What a nice way to describe someone's love.
Ryuji and Yusuke: We get it now.
Akechi: I'm glad I told you both on what love truly is more and more.
And they have to wait for way later down the line, maybe when they each get married in the future.
Ryuji: Man, this water feels great. Morgana really shoulda been here. Maybe next time.
Yusuke: Sophia might like it as well. Though, being incorporeal may pose a challenge.
Ryuji: She really is a mystery, ain't she? What're you think of her, Akechi?
Their new AI friend and member of the Phantom Thieves Sophia? She's great at what she does best.
Akechi: Sophia? Hmm...Let me think...She's a really cool AI and she's truly humanity's companion.
Ryuji: Those things are obvious, but didn't she say somethin' about wanting to understand people's hearts?
Yusuke: Ah, the heart of mankind...Try as I may, I have yet to depict its full essence in my paintings. It hides both darkness and light, mingling beauty and atrocity in its depths. Try as you may to unravel it, its enigma grows deeper still.
Now that sounded like a poem rather than a saying there.
Ryuji: Hmm...Not sure I can comment on that. But I do know Sophia gets along with all of us. Gets me thinkin' she might not need to worry 'bout all that heart stuff.
Akechi: Maybe a good point there, but she does it so she can grow more. It's also to become a good companion.
Yusuke: But is she one already? Perhaps she wishes to uncover the workings of the heart in order to achieve this.
And it's something else to see Sophia grow more and more.
Ryuji: Uhh...Yeah, what you said. She seems pretty dead-set on it, too.
Yusuke: If that's what Sophia has decided, we should lend her our full support. She is our precious ally, after all.
Ryuji: Heh, true enough. She could use all the help she can get.
Akechi: Any friends of mine and a Phantom Thief member, is always a friend of mine.
Keep that in mind there...And now it was time to leave the tub.
Ryuji: Damn...The heat's startin' to get to me. Wanna ditch the bath and grab some milk coffee?
Akechi: Yes please. I'll take strawberry milk or maybe some other fruit medley milk.
Ryuji: Whoa, that sounds good too! Now I can't make up my mind...
Yusuke: I protest. We are in Hokkaido, as you may recall. It would forgo its fresh diary offering for some artificial substitute. To appreciate it properly, we must partake right as it's squeezed from the udder-the way farmers have done for millennia!
Yeah, I think they get the point there.
Ryuji: Uh, yeah...Knock yourself out, man.
Akechi: I must say, this was quite fun today.
Good for the boys, now let's see what was going on with the girls during the time after the boob size loud talk during the guys time.
Futaba: OK, looks official has been confirmed with me. Ann, the best boob size, Haru's too, Makoto and I with two real fine butts, and Big Sis...She has both of them. I think we have a winner.
Keiko: Hey, Futaba, this isn't a fine body size contest.
Makoto: Still, it's fine the way we all look and eat well.
Haru: Even you, Ann-chan. For someone who wants to be a model and loves sweets, you do an amazing job.
Ann: I work out more while having some small treats from time to time while keeping up with my image.
A nice tip and the other girls were just fine.
Keiko: Still keeping it fine without the whole dream thing to never happen again.
Not with the chef of the Slime Shadow in the dream world Metaverse thing, nope. They'll be ready for anything next time. For now they talk about something else besides laughing and splashing a little at one another after the body check test 'for Futaba to do for fun'.
Ann: So, Keiko, I don't want to pressure you between the love of yours and Akechi's. But please tell us...what does sex feel like?
Falling into the water in shock, Keiko gets back up to breathe to have trouble answering the question at all.
Keiko: Huh!? Come again?!
Makoto: Really, Ann?
Ann: What? I want to know, don't you?
Makoto: Maybe. But not to do it right away.
Makoto and Ann want to know and for Futaba and Haru to learn about with their boyfriends for the future.
Keiko: It's still private...
Haru: I think what Mako-Chan and Ann-Chan are trying to say is this...They want to know what true love from your two feels like. That's all. We're not going to have sex until we're all married one day. Whether we also want to have children or not.
Futaba: I like how Haru and I are our lovers...Me with Mishima-san and Sugimura with Haru are a perfect couple. While Ann has Ryuji and Makoto has Yusuke, they were also made for each other.
Good point there. For Keiko to get it now, she tells the four girls the best she can about sex of the feeling of true love but that was all in words.
Keiko: So that's it. Okay, I'll try to describe it the best I can. Well, for Akechi to save me the first time we met, it was love at first sight to go out a lot. He's always there for me and to become a Phantom Thief to understand us more; and for me to free Loki from his Shadow self and heal his heart to make the right choice which he did to not kill Shido his father but he didn't. When we first did it...with protection! Well, it felt wonderful. From the feeling, touch, kiss, hug, and such to be married soon. Morgana as the guardian in our family, one day adopt a child one day, and work on good jobs to love each other even more. It's funny too...I made good friends with you guys to understand me and make sure Akechi was right for me, you all like him now. All this to believe in me and not being a bad guy, I'm really happy to have you guys. The same can be said with Morgana, Ryuji, and Yusuke too.
Good friends and finding true love to have Keiko's life changed forever and for them to be saved thanks to her.
Futaba: I hear ya. Our hero Big Sis's the best.
Ann: So that's what it is. OK! We'll keep this talk between us girls only.
Makoto: We're the best friends to be the Phantom Thieves and Sophia. She's a great ally. I really hope we can help her find the memories of who she really is soon.
Haru: And we will too. She does so much for us as a special AI. In her case she is a girl, so it's okay to ask her certain things about what we just talked about.
Since Sophia was a girl to understand some parts for an AI and keep things to herself, she would get it.
Keiko: Then we'll do everything we can to help out Sophia, since she has done so much on our end. She's a good friend too. And it was fine what we all talked about, you didn't say this to anyone else after the event at Shido's Palace.
From that event when Keiko admits it for them to hear about her and Akechi's love, yeah...we remember that part.
Futaba: That still got us in shock. But we get it.
Ann: Same here. I love Ryuji to not be...a total weirdo, but he's still the best.
Makoto: And Yusuke to always be weird, I love him to be a caring one.
Haru: We learn, we grow, and we do more for the upcoming future.
Keiko: We do. (I'm glad to have friends to be with, and these girls to always be there for me.) Well, we better start getting out soon before we all start to pass out from the heat. Who wants fruit flavored milk?
Ann, Makoto, and Haru: We do!
Futaba: Make my banana flavor please!
And with them getting out of the bath to leave the building and dress 'same with the boys', they all had a relaxing time there. What a fun time Keiko, Akechi, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru had. With Sophia learning so much on her end, and hopefully Morgana might've found something down town too.
Ryuji: All right! Body and mind refreshed!
Haru: That bath was just what we needed. Thanks for suggesting this place, Sophia!
It's what she does best of her programming and a friend to all of them.
Sophia: [No prob. Glad I could be of service.]
Ann: Hey, I noticed you guys were pretty quiet.
Ryuji: Oh, uh, well...You know...same with you ladies...
Ann: ...?
From the love of Ryuji and Ann and Yusuke and Makoto to what they said on their sides...Same with Keiko and Akechi, their love will always be strong.
Akechi: What we talked about, it was just some guy stuff.
Keiko: Yeah...And the same with us girls too.
Soon Keiko was getting a call from Zen from her cell phone to answer it.
Sophia: [Keiko, you have a phone call from Zenkichi.]
She answers it. With this going on, a loudspeaker was going on for someone was talking throughout the entire town. Sounded important too.
Keiko: Hello?
Zen: [Greetings, you are now speaking to the long arm of the law! So, you guys in Sapporo yet?
Keiko: We are...Ah, wait. "Long arm of the law?"
Zen: [What? I thought I said something cool, not good Amamiya? Sorry. Anyway, I wanted to set up a meeting. How 'bout I swing by the RV in the evening?
Akechi: Master's meeting up later? Good to know.
And Morgana joined back to hear the details too.
Morgana: Zenkichi gonna meet us? Then let's go be ready for him.
For them, on Zen's arrival from the day to night time now, the Phantom Thieves and him talk about the event going on in Sapporo. During the time where the bath house was at with Eiko relaxing on her end 'for the two twins have arrived'...
Eiko: (Ah...So relaxing...I still wish Brother can be here with me, but we have to play our parts to fool the humans. But soon when we change things for the better, then maybe...)
And Hans enjoys seeing the beauties 'but not during them being naked' of the other girls of Keiko and the others. Wow, he's so messed up!
Hans: (What I saw but I couldn't see any further...What true beauties...From Keiko and the hero the ladies' friends are simply fine. Still, my eyes are set on Keiko Amamiya herself. As the other female Phantom Thieves too.)
Not happening, pervert! So back in the RV to talk about the next target who has a Jail.
Zen: Now that we're all together, let's talk about the Monarch of Sapporo. Our suspect's name is Mariko Hyodo. Oh, and-wait for it-she's the mayor of Sapporo Central.
Shocking truth there, huh?
Keiko: A mayor?! (I don't think any of us accepted this.)
Futaba: Our target's a mayor?!
Akechi: It's no wonder why I heard so many things going on from downtown earlier when we arrived.
How to find her Jail and keyword on what it is and what Mariko was doing was so bad, now that's the next part to find out.
Ann: No way! Wouldn't that make her the most influential person in Sapporo?
Yusuke: How could someone like that be a Monarch?
Keiko: Shido wasn't so different.
Akechi: And this could complicate things.
Politician people can be hard to stop, and let alone Shido's almost on his end.
Yusuke: This is true. Such things have happened before.
Ryuji: How'd you find out she's the one?
For an adult like Zen to get used to their work, he was really good to still be the best officer of the law.
Zen: Because everybody's suddenly in love with her. And eating something she has brought around the area just a few weeks again, it's like a drug to them, none stop eatin'!
The weird food chocolate thing again and loving the mayor too much? So weird...
Keiko: Food?
Zen: I get a weird feeling to not eat it at all. And get this...Mayor Hyodo's approval rating now sits at a lofty 88%. She gained fifty points in the last two months alone.
I don't know much about these things or care, but I know they take a bit longer than that to happen.
Makoto: Did you say fifty?!
Futaba: So she got crazy popular outta nowhere?
Makoto: It's more than just crazy. It's unheard of.
And that's not all to talk about yet...
Zen: There's more. Last month, three city councilmen who opposed her bill admitted corruption and resigned. Any remaining councilmen who opposed her suddenly became her most fervent advocates. Not to mention, the election's coming up. It's all too convenient. Rumor has it, Hyodo wants to expand her political influence to the national level. PubSec's been investigating that...But alas. We haven' run across any solid leads just yet. So what do you make of all this?
Keiko: Well, it's not a coincidence...I think someone's changing people's hearts. From this mayor getting re-elected a lot and the sweets giving out to eat it and see her more. Now I know this isn't normal.
Yeah, there's something odd happening alright.
Zen: Bingo, Amamiya. And that's where you guys come in.
Yusuke: It is suspicious, I will admit.
Morgana: But we'd need a keyword to confirm whether she's a Monarch or not.
Some good news there to be easy for all of them.
Zen: That won't be a problem. She's already referenced EMMA several times in her speeches. Meaning there's a good chance she's been announcing her keyword in public.
Akechi: Well, this saves us a lot of trouble.
Ann: So you're saying we can find out her keyword if we go see her speak?
It was the only option they had. Also, what was on Haru's mind right now?
Zen: Very likely, yes. In fact, Hyodo's gonna be in Suzushino on the 10th making a speech. Since it's close to the election, the crowds may well be in the thousands.
Akechi: In two days then.
Ryuji: That's a grip...
From Mariko's words, people loving her, and the food to keep on eating...yeah, something was really up.
Yusuke: If she is indeed changing people's hearts, then perhaps this is no surprise.
Haru: Hmm...
Something was really up with Haru right now.
Makoto: Is something wrong, Haru?
Haru: No, it's just...Mm, it's hard to explain. Mariko...Hyodo...The name seems familiar somehow.
Keiko: You do, Haru? How so?
And not because she's famous in Sapporo.
Ann: I mean, she is the mayor of town. Maybe you've heard her name on TV?
Haru: Possibly...Sorry. Let's put that aside for now.
Zen: Whatever you do, don't try and contact her directly. I'm saying this to keep you safe. Goro, please do your part to keep their distance from her if so.
Akechi: Yes, Master.
They won't make any mistakes to say a fair warning here.
Zen: Please do. It'll be a downright pain in the ass if she finds out we're on to her. I suggest you enjoy your lecture time until the day of the speech.
Makoto: ...Hey, Keiko-Chan. Should we tell him what happened with Ichinose-chan? She's an important part of our investigation now.
Oh right, they need to tell Zen about Kuon right away since she was aiding them.
Keiko: Yeah, he should know.
Morgana: Good call, Madame Keiko. I think you oughta to give Zenkichi the details.
Akechi: It's a good idea. Master, we need to tell you something. We have a new ally on our side...
And so, he tells Zen everything about Kuon to learn about who they were as the Phantom Thieves. For her to be the creator of EMMA too, they agree to help out one another. This comes as a big surprise to Zen, and slowly understands it. Any help of the phone app to stop would be the best.
Zen: You made a deal with the inventor of EMMA?!
Akechi: Please calm down...
Zen: Wait, hold on. That's Kuon Ichinose, you said? Where have I heard that before...
Akechi: From the even researcher from a few years ago of the missing five children?
I think he recalls that one and another thing too.
Zen: Right, that one. And she was on my report. Good call, Goro. I think we can solve the case together then. Ichinose's also the one who wrote EMMA from scratch.
So it does involve this case and the other from a few years ago.
Ryuji: Were you lookin' into her too? Even before knowing about the five kids thing?
Zen: From there, yes. Goro and I still have a long way to go. That and...I was looking into Madicce, actually. Wasn't long before her name popped up. "The famous inventor who sold off EMMA to Madicce." Tell me, how'd you get cozy with someone like that?
Ann: Oh, well...I guess it just sorta happened?
From bumping into Kuon and making a deal together on something to get all the things solved, one thing at a time. One thing was on Akechi's mind the most.
Akechi: (Should I soon ask Kuon about knowing my Mom?)
Makoto: What matters is her familiarity with EMMA. If anyone abuses it, she could help us find out who and why. Connection to the four out of the five kids, Kaguya sisters are on our side, the Guyver twins are our enemies. We all need to sort this whole thing out.
Futaba: And the missions too. Only Ichinose knows EMMA's ins and outs, no matter what version it is.
It was the only way to find any other leads.
Zen: Makes sense. The report didn't make her out to be somebody dangerous. Still...Guyver twins you met the girl name Eiko and her brother are enemies with their mother boss and two other people. And the Kaguya sisters in the other world are on our side. Leaving the youngest one sad...she's long gone.
Keiko: I hope we can solve everything and complete the tasks at hand.
Zen: And while she does sound like a valuable source of info-I really want you guys to be more careful about this operation. I'm trusting you guys a lot by sharing all this classified intel. So I'd prefer you don't go creating liabilities like this behind my back. Same goes for you too, Goro, I taught you everything you need to know.
They all get the drill.
Akechi: We would never betray your words, that's for sure, Master.
Makoto: Understood. We'll take your advice to heart.
Zen: Good, and besides-shouldn't I be your go-to guy for help? Seeing you guys run off making confidants left and right makes me feel like a lonely old man!
I guess he wants to be in on the action as well.
Futaba: Are you trying to gain trust or get attention?
Keiko: Maybe both...
Ryuji: Hate to say it, Gramps, but we do shit on our own 'cause your help only gets us so far.
Akechi: What Ryuji is trying to say is...We just don't want to see you get hurt.
In other words, they or Akechi don't want Zen to be put in danger. He can sense things out no, but not have powers like they do.
Zen: What, it's not my fault I'm not an expert on all this cognitive mumbo-jumbo. And would it kill you to ditch the "gramps?" I'm as fly as any one of you kids!
Keiko: It was not a good word to put it, Zenny, sorry..
Ann: ...
Makoto: ...
Total silence in the RV right now.
Zen: At least say something! Goro!
Akechi: Don't look at me. You were supposed to say you're like us, not you're fly. But your glasses and goatee are nice.
Hey, he was trying to cheer his father/teacher up somehow.
Zen: I don't need your pity!
This has Keiko laughing in a funny way and Akechi too.
Ryuji: You're the one bringin' it up...
Zen: Never mind that! Point is, there's a speech on the 10th and I'm counting on you to be there. I'll see you guys again soon.
Keiko tries to cheer Zen up before leaving.
Keiko: Hey, don't let this get to you. We love all the help you're doing.
Zen: Thanks, Amamiya. If you were a bit older like I am, I could fall for you. But you and Goro are getting married soon. Well, I'll see you guys later.
I think he'll be fine to get the job done somehow. With everyone else in the RV now on other things to talk about last for the night.
Makoto: I wish there was something we could do until then...I'm not a fan of waiting.
Man, aren't we all hate waiting around too.
Haru: What else can we do but be prepared and keep ourselves in top condition?
Morgana: It's like Zenkichi said earlier-lets enjoy our leisure time and make the most of our trip.
You all know what that means then, right...?
Ryuji: Hey, since we're in Hokkaido, we should chow down on seafood!
Yusuke: I hear Hokkaido soup curry is also not to be missed.
Akechi: But seafood is different from soup.
A food is food in different areas either way.
Haru: I'd like to visit the former government office. Their flowers are supposed to be breathtaking.
Sophia: [Okay. Then I'll set a route that takes us to each of those detonations.]
All set to go by any means.
Ann: Thanks, Sophia! The directions are all yours tomorrow!
And now it was time to get some sleep from the RV and motel rooms 'for Keiko and Akechi with their special ones'. They will do those things tomorrow and then on the 10th, they'll see and hear Mariko's speech to find her key word for sure.
Akechi: Keiko...Master's hitting on you again.
Keiko: But he's not my type, Akechi. It's fine. I just wanted to make him feel better.
The two hugged each other.
Akechi: Oh, you're the best...So cute! Then let's do the best we can then.
Keiko: And we will. We've done other things to keep on going, this won't stop us. (This time, our next target's a mayor.)
With the ten resting up for tomorrow morning on things they can do until the speech the next day for one more day to do something for food and seeing the flowers of the town. It was better than waiting around and feeling bored, right? Maybe then they'll find something big. With Zen passing by the Guyver twins on the streets to get some attention for some reason? Instincts kicking in? Maybe...
Zen: (Hmmm...These feelings from those siblings...What gives?)
Maybe he might be onto something sooner than he thinks.
8 - August/9th/Wednesday (Sapporo)
Sapporo Central
Former Hokkaido Government Office
Arriving at the perfect garden to see a good view of it the next morning for the Phantom Thieves...Where else? At the Sapporo Central – Former Hokkaido Government Office building to be a nice looking one with a very nice garden set up. And another thing of trees, benches, water fountains, and other parts to tourist attractions like this. Amazing to see such work to be done, huh?
Ann: Check it out! It's actually pretty hip for such an old place!
Keiko: Fancy type of tourist attraction.
With Makoto telling the others the details of the building next.
Makoto: It was once the main office for the Hokkaido government. Now it remains a symbol of the island, and an important cultural property.
Akechi: One leads to power, and leaves a symbol towards it too.
Yusuke: ...Simply marvelous. There's a stillness and symmetry here that ignites my artist's soul!
He was still at it again, but this area is very pretty to look at.
Haru: And the garden is so lovely...How many kinds of flowers do you think there are?
Keiko: I bet there's a lot. (Someone hired a good gardener.)
Soon Haru spotted something close to them.
Haru: What's going on over there...?
Walking up, it was the mayor herself - Mariko Hyodo, for she was yelling at her co-workers that one of the flowers was dying from the rest of the other good ones. Really? Over one flower to let it die out?
Mariko: This flower is completely wilted! How could you overlook this?!
Rebuked Man: Ma'am, I'm so sorry! It's just that this summer's been much hotter than last year...
Mariko: Spare me your excuses. This flowerbed is one of the city's main attractions. How do you forget you work for the most powerful woman in Sapporo Central? Perhaps you won't much longer.
Ouch, sounds like a threat there.
Rebuked Man: Please, no! I'll do anything to fix this!
Mariko: You can keep your eyes glued to these flowers around the clock for all I care-just do not let this happen again!
He'll try to make sure of it since he was very tired.
Rebuked Man: Then that's what I'll do, Mayor!
Hard to watch this play out, huh?
Ryuji: Geez...That's one scary lady.
Morgana: Hold on...Did he just call her "mayor"?
Hearing the man calling Mariko the mayor, she's the one and only.
Akechi: So this is the mayor herself. Master was right...Mariko Hyodo. Having some women become the mayor in town, it has more from Japan and the United States to prove how powerful and responsible they can get; no matter what they face to do the right thing for the people in the entire area of their hometown. To think I would meet with one of the mayors in person.
First time for everything really, Mariko soon turns around to see tourists to act from mean to friendly now. So weird for this lady.
Mariko: ...Oh. Are you all here for sightseeing? I'm sorry you had to witness such unprofessional behavior from our staff during your visit.
Makoto: Oh, no...
Just play along 'for now' so no one will get caught.
Keiko: It's fine... (Wow! She's like a completely different person here. From mean to niceness so easily to switch.)
Soon Mariko walks to someone she recognizes right away. Huh?
Mariko: Hmm...? Could it be? You're...Haru-chan?
Haru: Huh?
Do they know each other from somewhere before?
Mariko: Of course you wouldn't recognize me. You were tiny the last time I saw you. It's me, Mariko Hyodo. Your father, President Okumura, was a very good friend of mine.
So Mariko and Okumura were working together and became good friends once to remember Haru. I guess it's been a while and this woman was no doubt the mayor in person.
Ann: Hyodo...She's the mayor?!
Futaba: O-O-Okay guys, don't panic!
Now Haru remembers who Mariko really is.
Haru: Oh, could it be...you're Mari-san?
Mariko: Yes! Oh, that lifts my heart! It's been so long.
Makoto: Haru, do you know this lady?
Keiko: But how?
A lot of explaining to be done...It's no wonder why Mariko's name was on Haru's mind since yesterday.
Haru: Yes, of course I do! She used to come visit me back when I was little! Mari-san was one of my father's clients. They used to go golfing all the time. And she'd always keep me company whenever I was bored or lonely.
Ryuji: Some frickin' coincidence...
Morgana: You got that right.
But it was nice for Mariko to help out Haru during this time, this was before Okumura changed a lot. Sucked he was killed, to be in jail instead if he was still alive today. I think she heard what happened to feel bad for Haru as the only child left in the family besides her true love Sugimura to still be a couple right now.
Mariko: Haru-chan...I'm so sorry about what happened to your father.
Haru: Oh, no...Thank you for your concern.
Mariko: Well, if there's anything that's been troubling you, you know that I'm here for you with open arms.
Haru: I appreciate you saying that, but I'm okay. I have good people managing my company, and I'm working hard to finish my degree with my boyfriend by my side too. And while I'm grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful people, I still have to talk on my own two feet.
She sees how much Haru has grown.
Mariko: Haru-chan...My, how you've grown.
The mayor walks up to hug Haru to be part of her family, related or not.
Haru: Mari-san! I'm not a little kid anymore...
Mariko: Aha, please forgive me. It seems my emotions got the better of me. Now then, are you here visiting with your friends? I hope you're all enjoying Sapporo to the fullest. Rest assured, my staff is working hard to make Sapporo a beautiful and worthwhile destination for all.
Akechi: If you say so, Mayor Hyodo. It's nice for Haru to see someone from her childhood again.
The mayor goes back to being mean to her staff member again to do his job right.
Mariko: Don't just stare at the ground! Replace these hideous flowers at once!
Rebuked Man: I'm on it! And please honor guests...On the house. Enjoy the new Coco Fudge for our Mayor Hyodo to keep Sapporo looking perfect and stress free. Bye now!
He leaves to get to work and leaves some treats for the others, for this guy looked like he was going to fall asleep. He looked like he was in a hurry, huh? And the food was a bit weird.
Mariko: Goodness...The moment I turn away, they all start slacking off. Again, I'm sorry you had to see that. Now, as much as I'd like to keep chatting, there are preparations to be done. This election has kept me busy night and day. But do let me know if there's any way I can help you. Enjoy the Coco Fudges too, on the house. But next time, get some at the bakery in Sapporo. They are good to let the sweetest take you away. Now please excuse me.
Leaving now to get back to work, for Morgana tries some...
Morgana: Coco-Fudge...? Mmm? Mmmm!
And he already likes it after one bite.
Keiko: Morgana?
Morgana: So good...! You guys need to try this!
Akechi: Ah-choo!
From Akechi's bad timing to sneezing to trip and pushing away the food to fall on the ground...
Morgana: Ah...!
Keiko: Oops!
Akechi: I'm sorry, I tripped! I guessed it caused me to ruin the fudges.
Keiko: Are you okay, Akechi-Cun?
Akechi: I'm just fine. I'll clean it up since I made the mess by accident.
It looked like it was more of an acted than an accident there, huh?
Morgana: Don't worry about it.
For people to love it and even Morgana, something was up. Even Akechi was onto something about the food all over town. While Haru was a bit worried about Mariko's behavior there, no kidding.
Haru: ...
Makoto: Sorry to be so blunt, but she seems really two-faced.
Keiko: Like Harvey Dent becomes the villain Two Face himself from the Batman comic books.
Only for Mariko was doing it more to be changing people's hearts. But why?
Haru: Mari-san...You used to be so kind to everyone...
Ann: You think maybe she's not the Monarch we're after?
Ryuji: I dunno, we just saw her go apeshit on that guy. Normal people don't get pissed over plants.
A bit overreacted too if you ask me.
Akechi: I would say something's up besides the mayor's odd behavior. I should investigate this by tomorrow.
He got some food to look into right away in a baggie on Akechi's end. Smart! Will Haru be fine with this type of mess?
Ann: Are you okay, Haru?
Haru: Yes, I'm fine...Just a little surprised is all. Oh, and sorry I didn't get her keyword, I was...preoccupied.
Keiko: Haru, it's nothing to apologize for. So please don't stress over it. We'll get it soon enough.
Having friends by Haru's side to get through this mystery soon enough.
Makoto: Yeah, it's like we discussed. We'll hear it when she makes her speech.
Morgana: Makoto's right. Our chances will come. For today, let's go around asking for rumors on Hyodo and make that our objective.
To hear the rumors again? Good idea there.
Haru: Yes...I'd like to find out what changed her.
Morgana: I want more of the Coco-Fudges...
Akechi: One was enough for you, Morgana, sorry. Now let's get to work.
After the walk tour they all do, the night time is where they get to hear people's rumors all over town about Mariko's work as their mayor right away. All of them as a team.
Keiko: He's right, we'll eat other food later. It fell over anyways, so don't eat it like this. It's dirty. Now then, let's get to work.
He'll be fine to try to get over the hunger of the new sweet to be way too much to munch on. And so...Keiko, Morgana, Akechi, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru 'to hopefully get through this', and Sophia. What was up with the sweets of Coco-Fudge and Mariko's behavior of making everything too perfect? In the Metaverse of Mariko Shadow's Jail of the Monarch to of course have on – with both Kaguya and Picaro already there on a look out around the place...While Loki sees something from two homeless men to of their Shadows to have some of the Coco-Fudges there as well of snowy ice world 'more on that later'; something happens to try some for one to have their bodies to grow to die from a heart attack on the spot and the other one was the same thing to grow too fast from their shadows point of view, that he explodes! Ew, what a bad way to die! Well, seeing the horror to make you super fast a little in the Real World, it takes more effect in this world if the Desires are taken away from the Gegasites' doing.
Loki: Shit! Even these chocolate flavors can kill humans in this world, I hate to think what the other or my other goodie half have seen or maybe eaten these things. It'll turn out real ugly if oneeats one bite of these things. Only their will power can restore their wealth and find some special potion to reverse the effect. That is if they're not all fatten up like dirty pigs. Not the way the Gegasite King will be once I find him first! The thieves better arrive here soon the way they are still and not like these men.
Off this Persona goes off too for more work, and for one to Morgana to eat one to like some more, I hope Akechi was on to something big here as well, for his act of sneezing to pushing the food down was the only thing to study one and not have others eat it too, as they ate something else and a little treat in Sapporo town instead. Good call. Will all go well for others to not become glutton pigs here or in the Metaverse? Well, more next time. And remember to eat right and stay healthy to eat some good treats from time to time – then it's okay. So fair warning in my made up story...do not eat the Coco-Fudge!