A/N Hello everyone. So the new chapter is officially up. This replaced the previous AN that was posted. I'll try to not make this note long, I had a slight delayed with posting due to my job hours increasing around like 60+ a week. (I do tech stuff for hospitals but I don't work directly at a hospital) so writing got put on the back burner. Things are starting to calm down to our normal pace hopefully in the coming week.
During downtime, I did finally get a chance to play some P5R haven't gotten far just finishing up Kamoshida's palace at the moment. I also took some shows advice. I forgot who suggest Castlevania BUT OMG THAT SHOW IS FANTTTTTTASSTIC...(its better than sex) XD.
Anyway it was a good breather between work so I appreciate the suggestion. We are still in the Okumura arc, I hope you all enjoy the chapter.
Feel free to review
Chapter 33
It's been 2 days since they last saw Morgana, 3 days since they arrived here. 1 hour since he's been awake sitting on the porch of the guest house. Ren was giving Morgana till noon to show back up before he searched himself.
He decided to walk back inside to see what the others were doing. Most were caught on rest. Sojiro was enjoying a smoke in cigar room, Dr. Takemi was busy keep track of her inventory. He probably can take a guess where Ann and Ryuji were, just as he knew Makoto has practically camped out in the library room.
Ren found Yusuke in the foyer room, cleaning his throwing knives. Thoroughly inspecting each one, wiping them down before sheathing it back.
"Hello Ren," the Artist greets.
"Yusuke," Ren nods back, "Keeping yourself occupied?"
"In a way, yes." He set down his knives as he took a sip of the lemonade the Butler was kind enough to bring earlier. "You've been the busiest out of all of us. This break must be welcoming."
"Perhaps." Ren lets Yusuke continue his work as he laid his head back on one of the comfy chairs. He was nearing a doze when the elder Amamiya brother was roughly shaken awake.
"Wake up, wake up!" Futaba yells at him.
"Whoa! Where's the fire?" Ren shouts back startled awake.
"Have you seen Mona?" she questions.
"I believe Ren was in the process of taking a nap since he got here."
"No one asked you Inari."
"I told you, my name is—"
"Enough between you two. Futaba I'm up, what's wrong?"
"I've been looking for Morgana and I haven't seen him anywhere." She had a look of concern on her face.
Ren stretched his back allowing all the knots to crack. "For today, I haven't seen him but let's take a walk around the estate to see if he's somewhere."
She nods back as she grabs his arm and went outside. They checked the stables but didn't see his horse, they then check the main house where neither Kasumi or Edgar saw the young man. They passed by the Gazebo, the study hall, even the kitchen no sign of the younger Amamiya brother. Futaba crouched down in what Ren believed was her "thinking" stance. Squatting at the knees arms wrapped around her sometimes biting her thumb.
Ren gets down on one knee to be at eye level to the young girl, "What's wrong now Futaba?" he asked her.
"I haven't seen Morgana the past few days, I'm worried." Placing a gentle hand on her head, Ren offered her a soft smile.
"Morgana and I had a small argument and he went out for a bit. He should be back soon. Okay?"
"Okay…"
"Come on, let's get a snack from the kitchen, I hear the apples here are very sweet." He offered her trying to brighten up the day.
"Do you think the cooks can make an apple pie?"
Ren scratched his head in thought. The cooks probably could if they asked nicely, Kasumi had told them to treat themselves to whatever they like while staying here.
"Let's go asked them okay." They walk back to the kitchen to request an apple pie to snack on. The main chef who remembered Ren a few years ago agrees to personally make it if the two thieves were willing to fetch the apples themselves.
There was a nice large apple tree on the grounds that Ren may have snuck up on those two years ago to take a nap, "Wait here Futaba, I'll get them." He gracefully climbed up the tree to the middle branch was he knew he could reach the best apples. Grabbing around 4-5 of them, he placed them in his satchel while making the climb back down.
"Think that should be enough?"
"Yep, come on come on." She dragged him back to the kitchen and the nice Chef so he could get started on their request.
They were waiting for the dessert to be baked while they leaned on the brick wall outside.
"I know things have been chaotic since we left town but how have you been holding up Futaba?" Ren had asked the younger girl.
"I guess I am okay. But I can't be scared all the time."
"It is okay to be scared, it's okay to be courageous. There are so many emotions that flow through us some at the same time. Like right now I am happy."
"Really." She looks back at him in shock.
"Yeah, it's always fun hanging out with you, you and Morgana are around the same age almost as if you're the little sister we never had. And you're quirky. Innovated. Half the time I'm not sure what you built for us, so you can be surprising. And I'm sure Boss and Morgana think the same way. Though Boss might be a little more strict when it comes to you."
"I can't shoot a gun or fight but I wanna help you however I can!" She said to him.
"You already are, no one ever said you weren't part of the team. You've been here since the beginning." He explains giving her another pat on the head. She'll never admit it but she secretly likes when Ren does that. It was a comforting gesture.
"Mr. Ren, your pie is done." The chef had poked his head out the back door to let the two know.
"Excellent timing, though I'm sure lunch is soon." They took some slices and sat at a table this time enjoying the sweet yet crunchy flavor of their
dessert. Tea was also provided by the estate main butler. Ren wasn't sure how the man could be everywhere, this place was huge.
Ren was finishing off his second slice while Futaba was starting on her fourth when he notices a rider coming down the main path towards the estate, he's seen that horse many times.
"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in."
Morgana had stepped off his horse before holding the reins in hand, "You started lunch without me?"
"More of Futaba and I had a taste for the sweets." The elder Amamiya's brother walked up to Morgana place both hands on his shoulder, "But I am really glad you're back. Come, I'll walk you to the stables while we talk. We'll be back Futaba," Ren addressed her.
"Mmmm'mmmm" She replied back with food still in her mouth.
Walking the long way around the brothers had a moment to themselves the past few days.
"I need to apologize to you Mona, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that the other day."
".…..I'm sorry too and about Miss Kasumi."
"It must've been scary, me going off on a mission and no word from me in months. Yes, I was here with her during that time. I got hurt and she nursed me back. I guess…..after some time I started to have feelings for her, I even drummed up the courage to propose."
Morgana had stopped in his tracked mouth open at the prior statement.
"Close your mouth brother or bugs will fly in," Ren laughed.
"So….why didn't it work out?"
Ren took a deep breath before continuing, "Her parents were murdered shortly after. I was so engulfed in my own happiness that I failed to realize I was being hunted by enemies I swore I killed, and innocent people paid the price. Even if I accepted the guilt and stayed, more would've just came after me, after her. Sure, my life would've been more stabled, I would've been guarantee food, shelter, money. But that not me. I couldn't ask her to walk away from the only life she's known. She wouldn't survive out here."
"I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to tell me everything. And I'm sorry I acted like well a brat," Morgana said offering another apology.
"When did you get older?" Ren said ruffling his hair.
Morgana knocks his brother's hand off. "So I can cover your mistakes. Still, I think you should've been healthy enough to write some letter to us." Reaching the stables he guides Mercurius into a stall before taking off the saddle.
"How distracted can you be to forget to write a letter?"
"When you lay with a woman, 'Distracted' is nothing but a length of time."
"Sorry I even asked." Morgana said disgustedly.
"It's my turn to ask you, how'd you get that cut on your head?" Ren could see a faint blush on the young man's face as we tried to busy himself making his mare comfortable.
"I had a slight run-in. Nothing important." He replied back trying to hide his face.
"Now who's keeping secrets from whom?" Ren teased "You only blush like that when you see a fair skin in a pretty skirt, who is it?"
"Shut up," Morgana yelled back as we threw a rag at the elder Amamiya attempting to distract him. The boys ran out in laughter. It was welcoming to be on good terms again.
Elsewhere, 1885
It was hot, so unbearably hot. No matter where he went the sweat dripped down the Detectives brow, his shirt and vest clinging to his back.
"Would you like another lemonade Detective?" A young maid had asked him.
"That would be wonderful, thank you." He turned back around on the comfy chair eyeing the reason he's down here in the first place. An older gentleman in a three-piece suit sat on a chair outside on the balcony reading his papers and enjoying a cigar.
"Sir—"
"I'm reading boy."
"Mr. Okumura, time is of the essence, I would like to go over these security plans," Akechi had pleaded to the man.
"And I said, I am reading. Your Captain said great things about you boy. I should HOPE they live up to the standards while your here. If there's nothing else, leave."
"Indeed, if you'll excuse me then." Akechi got up just as the maid came back with his refill of lemonade.
"Thank you for the trouble, Miss." Taking the glass he walked around the Mansion on his own, he and Sae had arrived at the Okumura mansion a little over a week ago and hardly any progress was done. They were sent because it was this big important mission his Captain wanted him on. In charge of the security detail for one Kunikazu Okumura and his daughter.
For someone that has enough money to burn in a fireplace without care, one would assume he has his own band of security. No need for SIU resources, he was a Detective not a babysitter.
Akechi leaned on the entry doorway staring out onto a large plot of land. Land that had been built up by this family for generations, but an economic boom didn't happen until the current head.
"Is the lemonade to your liking Monsieur?" To his left was the sole child of the Okumura fortune, Haru Okumura.
"It is quite splendid Miss Okumura, thank you." He has seen her around here and there but the two never shared further conversation beyond basic greetings.
"I hope my father hasn't been troublesome of late," She added.
Akechi had a few choice words of how Okumura was treating them since they got here," He's been just….pleasant."
"No worries, I won't take your true words to heart. He can be a bit rough around the edges and distance."
"Akechi offered a small smile as he went to take another sip of his lemonade. She didn't bother him further as she fiddle with some of the flower pots on the porch, humming to herself.
The sound of a horse carriage interrupted the peace as it came to stop at the circled pavement. A pompous man walked out wearing an expensive suit, top hat all while holding a cane. This was arrogance in the flesh.
"Oh no not him," The Detective heard the young girl mutter behind him. The affluent man walked up to the porch as if he owned it.
"Lady Haru, you haven't return any of my letters recently, why is that?" The man asked. He hovering over her in an intimidating stance.
"I've been quite busy, now if you'll excuse me." She spoke, trying to get around him.
"Well that's not good enough, why don't we have a talk about it with your father," the man threatened. He roughly grabbed her arm trying to drag her inside.
Akechi yanked the two apart taking Haru behind him as he stared the rude visitor in the eye.
"Who do you think you are!?"
"Detective Goro Akechi, someone who has authority to arrest you for harassment if you don't leave right now." The other man huffed at Akechi before taking his losses and walking away.
"I'll be back," he says slamming the door to his carriage.
"Should we be expecting to see him again, "Akechi asked the young heiress.
"Sugiumara comes around once in a while, though mostly for my father's attention." She explains.
"If he ever comes around again here, come find me, I'll help scare him away."
"I appreciate that very much. Maybe you can keep him from trampling in my flower garden?"
"Will do Miss Okumura." Akechi excused himself, leaving the heiress outside to tend to her flowers, he himself went to the guest room assigned to him. Seeing the lock undisturbed, he entered his room, ready to get some more work around here done.
Present Day, 1885
It's been over a week since they arrive at the Yoshizawa estate. The group was relaxing in the living room after a quick breakfast looking for a new plan.
"We need to get back on track and soon," Ren addressed them.
"To where? Kaneshiro was our last lead," Ryuji chimed in.
"Not quite," Mishima walked in dropping a newspaper in Ren's lap, "When's the last time you read the paper." He asked the Leader.
"Its been a while, why?"
"Page 5," Mishima mentioned.
Thieves or Heroes?
By: Ichiko Ohya
The good citizens of Northsbury are now free from the tyranny of the Kaneshiro gang. Months upon months the people lived in fear as the man worked them to death. Yet most of the denizens had reported a similar story of another gang taking over, no in harm but Freedom.
A rival gang known as the Phantom Thieves overcame Kaneshiro and free the townsfolks. However, according to the SIU during there conference, these groups of people are considered dangerous.
This reporter has found conflicting evidence of these supposed dangerous criminals. The same description of these supposes heroes match those found after the Ridgeway Spring brothel fire. Some women who said they were rescued by three mask men had discovered an underground prostitution ring. The sources, while not fully sure if these are indeed the same men associated with this group.
When asked about the gang, SIU ace Detective Goro Akechi had this to say
"An act of good doesn't salvage prior acts of law-breaking."
The Detective did not answer further questions but acknowledge these Phantom Thieves as not wholehearted evil. This leaves this reporter to wonder does the SIU has the people's interest at heart. Are there still outlaws out there that refuse to conform for the good of society. Many questions still remain on who the Phantom Thieves really are and what are their motives. Are they the criminals the SIU wants us to believe? Or are they something more?
"What's the point you are presenting Mishima?"
"SIU has been keeping a small eye on you all for a while, but after the Kaneshiro incident, they're seeing you as bigger fish that disrupts the order. Before the raid, my resources were able to decode some information for you."
"What is it?" Ren asked his informant.
"Trains."
"Trains?" Morgana questioned this time.
"Who owns the largest share of railroads in this country," Mishima asked them.
"Are you referring to Okumura the Railroad Tycoon. His Big Bang Rail Company owns about 3/4 of the entire railway." Makoto answered.
"Yes, and with that kind of money comes bid donations for benefits. Especially to the SIU according to my sources."
The gears in Ren's head were moving as he processes the information. Trains….trains…trains?
"Wait a minute, that train mission three years ago, was that own by him Mishima?"
"It went by a different name, but I've looked through some records and newspapers, it seems he bought out the company but not before using it to sell illegal goods."
"Hmm, I did find about 20 crates of a powdery substance, maybe opium? So we have him on illegal drugs and supporter to SIU, but no concrete evidence to Samael. SIU will be something to keep an eye on but keep looking. I think I'm going to do some scouting in the meanwhile." Ren gets up to pat his friend on the back. He knows Mishima does his best for the group.
"Ren one moment, I'll join you." He turns to see Makoto jogging up to him as he walks towards the stables.
"Gotten tired of the library already?" He jokingly asked.
"There's a lot of fascinating literature in there but I could use the fresh air," She said.
"Good, grab your horse we're heading into town."
A/N I actually cut part of their outing out and will post it with the next chapter. The flow just didn't seem right to me. So I liked where I ended it here. Its also so much fun writing some of the other charaters, especially Mishima he gets no love in the game so I'm happy to make him useful here.
Not much else to say. Hope ya'll enjoy and see you next time. Hopefully in two weeks.