A/N: And we're back! Oh that was a much needed brief break. This chapter replaces the previous AN that was here and is the official Chap 37. As mention previously, I have finish P5 Royal and it was fantastic. I love the new characters, I thought the new ending was really cool and during this brief break I was looking into revisions to hopefully include new stuff.

So when I started this story, I hadn't played Royal yet but I had Kasumi as an idea based off some of the trailers I remember seeing before playing. She's definitely different than what imagine. But anyway, I had really great time working on this chapter and things are gonna be rolling quick soon with Okumura arc.

I'm also going to be posting the side story series after I finish this. I mention in some chapter ago about doing a side chapter basically there have been stuff mention in this story that is briefly mention but because it doesn't have anything to do with the direct plot, it doesn't get a flashback. And some of the stories may be how some of the characters meet. We also might meet characters again that were only cameo in here.

Enough of my rambling enjoy the chapter and feel free to review. :)

CHAPTER 37

PRESENT DAY 1885

Papers and folders littered the desk and nearby floor as the two young men searched for what they needed. Cabinets drawer, desk drawers, and any other place that could hold a document was ripped through.

"Any luck Skull?"

"You asked me that 10 minutes ago, I can't read half this stuff!"

"Hand me those files there," the artist mention. Ryuji passed him the pile of papers over as he tried to make sense of his new pile.

Yusuke received said files were his new task, browsing the papers as quickly as possible. Most of them were finance papers for his company. Maintenance cost, wages, estimates.

"These wages are abysmal! 10 cents an hour?"

"I made more than that doing odd jobs" Ryuji added. Backbreaking labor to barely have enough to put food on the two men continue to look with no hope of anything odd. It seems Mr. Okumura had his papers in order even if he was cheap to his employees.

"Ugh, this is so stupid!" Ryuji yelled slamming the folder down in frustration," Maybe it's not here Fox."

"It would probably be best to put this back as quickly as possible. This mission was a failure and those guards could be waking up any minute now." Hurrying up to put the folders back where they vaguely remember, loud footsteps were echoing on the hallway floor getting closer to the office.

"Hide!" The blonde hair man whispered yelled.

"Where!?"

"Somewhere!" Whispering back harshly. Ryuji yanked open the second door in the room to what appeared to be a closet. "Here, hurry." Yusuke and Ryuji stuff themselves inside as best as possible. Right as their door clicked shut, the other open. They hoped they didn't leave any evidence of their visit to whoever just entered. The bodyguards had been stuffed in the second room they opened, still knocked out they prayed.

From what the two could tell it sounded like two different footsteps entered the room, hearing one of the two speaking first.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, it must have been a long trip. Would you like a drink?" They heard someone say.

"The pleasures all mine Mr. Okumura. I'll skip the drink, what can I do for you?"

The man now identified as Mr. Okumura poured his own brandy before taking a sip, "I've been dealing with a number of rebellions in my company lately and they need to be…..made an example of."

"My skills will cost Mr. Okumura you should know."

"I do indeed know." They heard shuffling around and the sound of paper being written on, "Will this amount be sufficient?"

A pause was held before a short chuckle was made, "Certainly Sir."

"I will throw in a bonus if it can be done quickly and quietly, given your prior record that shouldn't be a problem now is it?" Mr. Okumura told the other man.

"All this much to get rid of some low wage rail workers?"

"There strikes are slowing down production. Lack of production is costing ME money and I can't move the goods around when stations are being shut down because of them. Even the small ant can cause disruption in the foot chain."

"Point taken. I am to assume you will keep your end of the bargain as well. My employer wasn't happy you were late last time."

"Yes, I will have the money wired to him Tuesday. I better see some progress from him this time. I'm the one providing him his finances and I can cut him off just as easily!"

The two hidden Phantom Thieves could here some more shuffling around before a thud and grunt was heard.

"Was that a threat Mammon? You of all people should know Mr. Samuel does not like threats. As I'm the one they call when there's a threat" He drops the older man by his collar before walking towards the door, "Your job will be done swiftly and best not let the power get to you Mr. Okumura, or else you'll be seeing me non-friendly. Good night." Slamming the door shut, the Company President gather himself again before making his own exit moments after.

Yusuke and Ryuji waited a good 10 minutes searching for any returning noises before decided it was safe to move out of the closet.

"We can't go out the way we came or else we'll run into someone else. But we have our proof of a connection," Ryuji stated.

"We need to get back to the others right away. Let's use the balcony."

"From the 3rd floor?!"

"Any other ideas Skull?"

".….Balcony it is."

Ann had been waiting by the Carriage the entire night so far. Bored as she was, she drew the short stick and had to keep an eye on their escape route.

"Ugh." she heard a groan.

The guard from earlier that Ryuji and Yusuke knocked out was coming to. Ann went to fluff her hair a bit to make sure she was presentable. Buy sometime was her job now.

"Oh Mister, I'm soooo happy you woke up, I was getting sooooo lonely."

"Huh…who are you?" The man asked her,

"What me? You don't remember, we were having a great time drinking," Ann explained with a fake giggle, "And uh…uh we were going to have some fun in the carriage." The blonde hair woman tried to drag him away.

"Now hold on! I swore there were others here." He broke away from her grip.

"Others?" Ann shimmers her dress down a little to expose her shoulders," You're just gonna leave little ole me here alone." She tried to put on the seductive smile she had to use back at the brothel but felt grossed out by the man in front of her.

He took a good look up and down and started leering at her. She hopes the others would arrive soon before she was forced to do something drastic. This was becoming uncomfortable by the minute.

She wrapped her arms around his holding the guard in an embrace, "Why don't we…" before finishing her sentence, she could see two shadowy figures dangling from the balcony to balcony sticking to the building as close as possible.

"Why don't we what darling"

"Oh, uh why don't we get some more drinks at the party…" The guard's tone seemed to change as he tried to kiss her. Ann turned her cheek away on instinct as she hoped the others would move faster.

Yusuke and Ryuji had to sneak down the building carefully sticking to the shadows or else they faced a horrible fall.

"Uh, actually Mister…..um why don't just talk," Ann was running out of excuses. She tried to move around him as he was becoming more and more aggressive.

"I don't wanna talk, I thought you wanted some 'fun'"

"How about we tried that later, let's just go over here where the people are." She continued to force herself away from him before he grabbed her wrist yanking her back.

"What's your problem lady! Are you hiding something!"

"Please let go of me, you're hurting my arm."

"I'll let you go when I say so," he demanded yanking Ann back to him.

The blonde hair thief did her best kneeing him in the groin allowing a brief pause to move away. Making an attempt to the mansion, the guard in his stumble grabbed her arm again in the pursuit. Curse her dress shoes. Making a move to elbow his face, missing just slightly left. The grip on her arm was going to leave a bruise if he held on any tighter.

"Now you've done it you bitch!"

"Hey Asshole!"

The guard turned around only to be met with a fist to the face. Falling down unconscious in a bloody mess.

"Thanks," Ann mention offering Ryuji a hug. "I saw you still climbing though, how did you get here so fast?" She questioned the gunslinger.

"He left me behind on the second floor before he jumped down," Yusuke was behind the couple huffing to reclaim his breath.

"You jumped from the 2nd floor?"

"No I jump from the second and the 1st broke my fall. My legs not gonna appreciate that tomorrow."

"While watching you in misery is fascinating, It would be best to take our leave from here," Yusuke mentioned.

"Right."

Ren was trying his best to remove his scowl as the Detective lead Makoto away from the dance floor. She didn't look worse apart from the slight red tint on her cheeks.

"As promised, she's been returned unharmed. Thank you for the dance Miss Niijima." He brushed down the imaginary wrinkles on his jacket," If you'll excuse me, I shall be taking my leave. Mr. Amamiya and Miss…."

"Kasumi Yoshizawa."

"...Miss Yoshizawa, enjoy the rest of your evening." He offers a soft bow before turning away. For a brief moment, Ren saw a glare directed his way, a warning.

The elder Amamiya brother couldn't help the smirk on his face. Challenge accepted.

"It is getting quite late, do we still need a few moments to look around?" Kasumi asked them?"

"Mhhh." Most of the guests didn't have anything worthwhile about Okumura when walking about. They were repeated information found in the papers. To his neighbors, he was an upstanding citizen, a stern owner of his company. He hopes the others had better outcomes than this. It's becoming a bust.

Checking his pocket watch, he could see it was getting close to the midnight hour. He would need to gather Morgana to head ba—

"Oof."

"Ren!" The young man in question yelled after running into his back."

"Shhh, not so loud," Others were nearby after all.

"Sorry, but we have a problem."

"Problem? What kind of problem?"

"Okumura, he might be running straight into Skull and Fox. We need to leave now before a commotion start," the younger brother spoke quickly.

"Ok….calm down. Look take the women back to the meetup, I'll check around real quick before heading there."

"What do you plan to do? Makoto questioned this time.

"Doing what I do best…. improvise." Ren leaves the group in search of a possible commotion involving his companions. The champagne was really flowing amongst the guest, most not paying him any mind. No commotion so far, but he had trouble getting near an entrance with all the servants running about.

There was always the front door but what stranger would even dare walk straight up to the front of the building in the middle of a Gala? The Detective was probably patrolling inside now as well, another run in to avoid again.

Ren could give it a shot, he's been surprised all day today. He peeps a bit closer hiding by the bushes keeping his back as close to the wall as he can. No guards visual from this angle, no other noises than the clicks of the servant's boots and the murmur chatter of the party behind him. Stepping out he cautiously walked up the first step

"Morgana?" He heard behind him. How are people sneaking behind him….?

"Wait, it can't be your to tall, I'm sorry," a young woman said.

"I believe there was a mistake Miss. I was looking for a place to relieve myself," Ren lied hoping she wasn't someone that could call the guards for intruders.

"No, it was my fault for mistaking you for someone else. Excuse me," the young woman mention walking to the front door.

Now that Ren thought about it, he might've seen this woman roaming around before in the Gala, "You mention a Morgana? Was he about yay high, hair like mine, and faint whisker scar on his cheek?

She hesitantly turned around to the Phantom Thief, "….Yes, is he alright, he left very quickly."

"He is okay, a little wobbly from drinks but fine. Would you happen to be Miss Okumura, daughter of Mr. Okumura?"

"May I know who's asking?"

The young man offered a bow before introducing himself, "My name is Ren, Morgana is my younger brother you see."

"That's probably why I made the mistake, you two do look a bit similar," the heiress giggled.

"He had explained to me your brief run-in that day, an accident on his fault." Maye their argument was a blessing in disguise that lead them to the Okumura heir.

"The accident has been forgiven Mr. Ren there's no need—"

"I insist on a formal apology on behalf of my brother. Perhaps over tea say tomorrow at noon?" the elder brother offered her.

"Well…."

"We are currently guests at the Yoshizawa estate, you are familiar with that family correct?" She thought about it briefly before smiling.

".….Tea would be splendid. I accept your offer."

"Perfect, we will be awaiting your visit tomorrow then. Its been a pleasure talking to you, have a wonderful night Milady."

The day had gone better than plan, things were indeed falling in place with little effort. They will see what info Morgana might collect from their invite. With no further commotion heard, Ren decided to return to the others.

Ren walks back to the carriage to find the whole gang there Ryuji and Yusuke included. He lets out a sigh before confronting them.

"If everyone is accounted for, we should head back, Mona, we'll need to talk." They all loaded into the carriage leaving just as they came. All the planning wasn't for not, they snuck in under the enemy's nose and left without a trace.

"By the way, why was there a guard with a bloody nose on the ground," Ren wondered.

"Don't ask man…"

"We're back, everyone out!" Ryuji banged on the roof.

"We heard you the first time blondie, its the middle of the night."

Kasumi had let out her own yawn as the women filed out first, "It is late, I will be heading off to bed myself. Feel free to use the drawing-room."

"Will do, thank you once again," She had offered him a smile back before leaving to her room.

Ren directed the others to the drawing-room to hold a quick meeting.

"Must it be now, its kinda late Ren," Ann complained just as tired as everyone else.

"I like to have the information when the mind is still awake and clear. Yusuke, Ryuji, any success on your end in the office?"

The artist speaking first, "We didn't find any info from the papers, but Okumura had an unusual visitor while we hid.

"We couldn't see his face but he called him Okumura 'Mammon'. Sounded like one of those assassin guys," Ryuji said this time.

"Mammon!?" Didn't Kaneshiro mention that name before? "Kaneshiro had mention that name when we confronted him. Was anything else mention?"

"Uh yeah, whoever the second guy was seemed to work directly under the Samuel guy we're tracking."

Ren started to pace the room, he find the connection and their lead to Samuel restored. Now they need Okumura to talk. "This just leaves us for tomorrow. Morgana, you'll be having tea with our guest tomorrow, a Miss Okumura."

"Huh!?" he yelled in shock. "How? Why?"

"We had a brief run-in. Make sure to offer a 'formal' apology about the other day while getting any info you can. It's wise to keep any potential ally close."

"But Tea Ren! T-T-T-Tomorrow? I'm not prepared for that, what if she follows up with another request for tea. Or she wants a carriage ride, or someday invites me to her—"

"Stop your thoughts before they wander to far…."

"I can't handle that type of pressure."

The elder brother pats Morgana on the shoulder in confidence, "You'll be fine, I know you will be." He turns back around to address the others for one final thought.

"One more thing, if you come across Detective Akechi in the future, do not hard him. I'm not entirely sure what his plans may be, but he doesn't seem to be actively tracking us down for now. We need to use this time period wisely. Does everyone understand?"

He received a few nods back in confirmation, "Okay, the meeting adjourned. Good work everyone gets some rest." The rest of them got up to go to their assigned rooms for the night, Ren himself still felt wide awake for the night.

He walked outside into the summer night, stopping at the Gazebo. It had been in better shape the last he saw it. Vines creeping up the pillars while smaller flowers bloomed on the side.

"Would you like some company?" Ren looked to see Makoto at the steps still in her evening gown.

"Sure." He said patting the spot next to him on the bench. He had discarded his jack and vest on the railing leaving him in his clean long sleeve shirt and suit pants.

"Wild night wasn't it?"

Ren shrugs at the question, "There have been some crazier stories than tonight believe me. This wouldn't make the top 10."

"Would you tell me them someday?" She asked.

"...Yeah, I promise." The two sat in silence for a few moments enjoying the rare breeze, the sounds of the night.

Makoto had been resting her eyes when she hears Ren rustling next to her. Opening them, she sees him in front of her hand outreaching.

"I do believe I still owe you a dance Miss Niijima."

"B-But there's no music?"

"It will be fine," he confirms. She decides to take his hand as he brings her closer to the middle of the Gazebo. Placing his right hand on her waist while the other grabbed her hand, "Relax you're stiffing up."

"Sorry." Makoto blushed back at the man in front of her. They begin to sway to the sounds of the summer nights with nothing but the Gazebo covering them.

Ren holds a space between them as they made a few rotations. After the tension of earlier, it was nice to take a moment once in a while. He tried not to think hard about the feel of her waist beneath his hand. The softness he still could feel on her hand, even underneath the growing scars. The hint of perfume invading his nose. This was probably the most intimate he's been with his fellow Thief. He remembers a sense of worry down his spine when he saw the Detective whisk her away. The moment his heart skipped, it shouldn't be doing that. He couldn't afford 'THAT' again.

"That Detective Akechi….he didn't say anything weird to you did he?" He suddenly asked Makoto.

She was still holding his hand while the other rested on his shoulder, "He just asked me a few questions about my sister….and whether you were lying to him."

Ren subtly raised his eyebrow at her answer, "That was all he asked?"

"I think I can handle him if it needs to get physical."

The elder brother chuckled back at her, "I do not doubt that…." The two fell back in a comfortable silence once more, still soothed by the calming silence.

Makoto laid her head on his shoulder partly due to her sleepiness, Ren didn't mind the added closeness, it was very late into the night after all. But it felt so natural, so different than it was with Kasumi.

The moment in time was interrupted by the vision of a bright flash and a crack in the sky. The women in his arms jumped back but still in arms reach.

"Sounds like a storm is nearby, we should head back before the weather gets worse.

"Right," Makoto agreeing just the same.

The two rush back as fast as they could to the guest house hoping to avoid the incoming downpour. Unfortunately, they were unable to keep some of their clothes dry.

"I guess the storm came faster than I thought," Ren laughed.

"It's probably best to change into some dry clothes, we wouldn't want to catch a cold at this time."

".…Of course." He had to put his thoughts together before speaking again to her, "Did you at least enjoy the dance this evening?"

"I..I did, I enjoyed it too," Makoto didn't make an attempt to cover her flushed cheeks.

"Well, it's gotten quite late, probably best to change and get some sleep. Tomorrow's a busy day."

"Well then, good night Ren," She bids him a farewell walking up the main staircase to her room, she looks back once more before turning the corner.

"Good night…..Makoto."

A/N And scene. I love how the final third of this chapter came out. They have reached the level of "there's definitely an attractiveness there. but not quite sure what IT is." Ren is sorta sensing it but he isn't sure cause its different then what he felt with Kasumi. But Ren was younger back then, less harded, more cocky, and just young enough to get caught up in feelings without fully thinking of consequences.

Also Morgana probably has a dirty mind for his age. XD

Anyway, I will be splitting my time with working/editing on future chapters, Work, and finishing Last of Us Part 2 since I beat persona. Thanks for reading and feel free to leave a review, or game suggestions, tv shows. etc