[June 3rd, early morning]

To be honest, waking up to Mishima's texts wasn't to Ren's expectations. If there was a list of "things he'd like to wake up to", it probably wasn't even on the list in the first place.

However, it still happened to him.

"Urgh…" Still half-asleep, Ren pulled out his phone and checked his text.

Mishima: Hey! Sorry for texting this late, I pulled an all-nighter and forget to text you about it.

Mishima: Anyway, I got a new request from the Phan-site.

Mishima: It's about that rumored stalker girl in Shujin.

Somewhat more awake now, Ren sat up on his bed and took a closer look at the text. He did hear those rumors concerning some 'stalker girl' before, just that he never really put any thought into it.

After all, he was the leader of The Phantom.

Snapping out from that thought, Ren quickly typed a response.

Ren: Okay, a stalker girl.

Ren: I kinda heard about it before.

Mishima: Great, so I don't need to explain too much about it.

Mishima: Either way, the request post mentioned her name, it's Mogami Yumeko.

Ren: Got it. I'll talk with the team later.

Tapping the 'send' button, Ren turned to the desktop of his smartphone to check the time. Surprisingly, it was four in the morning, at least two hours earlier than how he'd usually wake up.

And unfortunately, Morgana also woke up because of the light emitting from the phone's screen. "Ren… what the hell…" He murmured, squinting his eyes from the intense light. "Turn the brightness down, I'm going blind…"

"One sec, it's just Mishima texting at the worst time possible…" Ren murmured, turning down the screen's brightness. "And he just gave me a request about a stalker girl…"

"But still… why the hell is he texting this early in the morning?" With a tired groan, Morgana curled himself, and used the tail to cover his eyes from the screen's light. "We still have school tomorrow…"

"Beats me," With a mental shrug, an idea suddenly popped up in Ren's head. "Actually, maybe I should let Akira know that Mishima's the admin behind the Phan-site too."

"Huh? What's that for?"

"So Mishima would split some requests to him instead," Imagining Akira dealing with what he was facing at this very moment, a slightly devious smirk crept up to Ren's face. "And now, he's gonna understand the pain of being disturbed by Mishima's text at four in the morning."

"…That's…" With no words to fully respond to Ren, Morgana just sighed and closed his eyes. "I don't even know what to say. Poor Ichijo…"

"I just hope his sleep wouldn't be destroyed because of this…"


[Later, the courtyard]

"Huh, so a request about that girl…"

After listening to what Ren said about the request, the thieves just all had a nod of understanding and recognition. Well, most of them, other than Keigo, and the two Kosei students shown on Akira's phone screen.

"Why do I feel like I'm missing something here?" Keigo asked plainly, as the two faces on Akira's phone screen nodded in agreement. "Anyone care to explain the gaps in the information?"

"Oh right, you got here after talks 'bout her died down," Volunteered to take the mantle of 'explaining the rumors', Ryuji stood up and positioned himself in the middle of the group. "Anyway, Mogami is a classmate of me 'n' Shiho. And she's very, very obsessed with a third-year guy."

"And because she's actually like… stalkin' him, people talked about her for a while," The ex-runner continued, arm crossed. "But it died down not long after, and it just happened to be before you got here, Kamisaki."

"And completely foreign for us too," Hifumi added from the phone screen, tilting her head in slight intrigue. "But that sounds like she needs help."

"Yeah, I think so," Shiho nodded, with everyone's focus drawn to her. "Since I'm also in Sakamoto's class, Mogami is also my classmate. From what I saw of her, she was quiet and… lonely. Very lonely."

"Being called a 'stalker' would do just that," Akira commented, with a sigh leaking from his mouth. "But honestly, I think she's… somewhat of a victim too. Maybe there's something wrong in her life that led her to be like this, and then the rumor piled on top…"

"That reminds me of a certain someone…" Morgana murmured, also giving out a long breath as his gaze landed on Ren.

"Still, from what I heard, this Mogami person seems to be more akin to a victim of her own thought than a bad person…" Yusuke said, stroking his chin in deep thought. "That's quite different from the targets we've had to deal with before."

"Yeah, it is," Ann nodded.

"But it happened to be what The Fool's been dealt with," Akira added, brushing his bang aside. "Togo-san's palace is essentially a palace of her own grief. But anyway, we're taking this request, right?"

"Of course!" Shiho exclaimed, arm crossed and with a determined look. "I admit that I don't really know her, but… no one should be like this. No one should be this lonely."

"I'm with Suzui," Ryuji added. "Even though she's that closed off, and no one really ever sees her… I don't want to do that too."

Ann nodded. "I'm in too, let's save her."

With a nod from everyone, even for the two Kosei students on Akira's phone screen, the two leaders exchanged a knowing nod. And Ren stood up and pushed his glasses. "Now then, about the whole 'Materializing the desire' part. So the admin does leave a comment as usual. But it seems like we're gonna make a calling card for her, right?"

"Yeah, I don't think Mogami would notice it if we let the admin do the job," Shiho nodded, casting her gaze over to a certain half-Frenchman. "Keigo, since you did the calling card for Togo-san, how about you also make the calling card-"

"Wait, you had your OWN calling cards?" Cutting her off, Yusuke had his eyes widened with pure shock. And he quickly turned his gaze over to Keigo as well. "Kamisaki, I know it is out of the blue, but do you have any sample for the calling card? I would like to take a look."

"Well, sure… I think I did save it on my phone…" With a few taps on his phone's screen, everyone's phone buzzed with a notification of a new message in the group chat. "Here, if you wanna take upgrade or change the design, I'm fine with it too."

"That's…" Focusing on the photo Keigo just sent in the group chat, Yusuke nodded. "I think I might change it up for the better here, and I'll take the job of making the card this time. It should be done tonight, or tomorrow at the latest."

"I'm fine with it too," Keigo shrugged.

"That settles it then," Pocketing his phone and nodding, Ren crossed his arm with a thoughtful look. "Then about how we send the calling card to her… Ryuji, can you do that again?"

"Sure," Ryuji nodded in return.

"Good, then anything else to add?" Seeing no objection from everyone, Ren nodded and relaxed. "Okay, then we're gonna send the calling card tomorrow then."

As if waiting for his cue, the bell just rang at the exact moment he finished his announcement. "Ow man, I thought we could still hang out like a bunch of friends for a while," Ren sighed, leaning against the pillar behind him. "But it shouldn't be a tough one."

In return, Ryuji just deadpanned.

"Don't jinx it, dude."


[June 4th, Afterschool, Class 2-B's room]

Just as Yusuke promised, he did finish the calling card in just a night. After all, it wasn't like he need to create copies after copies of the card, it was just a single card, and that's it. Besides, with his own artistic view and value, he did improve on Keigo's original design.

Of course, he kept the collar scheme of mostly blue and black. And instead of making the words look like they were stapled together from newspaper clips, it felt more like something typed out on a retro computer. And on the back, Yusuke even designed a new logo for them.

It was similar to The Phantom's logo of a mask with a top hat. However, it had a black angular mask without the flaming 'eye' on one side. And a subtle '0' on the top hat itself as well.

"Well, it's definitely an upgrade from Keigo's original design," Shiho commented, passing the card to Ryuji, who sat next to her. "But seriously, we're just gonna… put it on Mogami's desk?"

"Yeah, it's not like anyone would bat an eye," Ryuji nodded, giving another glance to a certain empty desk, Yumeko's own desk. "As much as I don't want it happenin', but it… did help us to the send the calling card without bein' noticed."

"Unless Mogami made a huge reaction from the calling card."

"Well yeah, you have a point…" Trailing off, the ex-runner turned and gave the calling card another look. "But in the end, it's just a gamble, a huge one."

"Then let's hope it pays off well."

Sharing a somewhat determined look with one another, Ryuji stood up from his seat and put down the calling card. And slipped it under the water bottle Yumeko left on her desk, it wasn't obvious, but not subtle enough to be easily ignored.

Once he was sure that no one noticed or took note of what Ryuji had just done, he hastily returned to his seat. And the two waited, for Yumeko's return.

"…Actually, it kinda sucks that both of The Fool's stuff never got any attention though," Ryuji said, casting a sympathetic gaze to Shiho. "Like, you guys still helped someone, there should be some credit."

"Probably, but it doesn't matter," Returning with a shrug, Shiho leaned back into her chair. "As long as we're helping people, that's enough. I think Akira had the same thought too."

"Yeah, you have a point, Suzui. It's just…" Trailing off, the ex-runner was about to continue when the door quietly opened. And caught both of their full focus on the said door.

And standing right before the gap between the hallway and the classroom, Yumeko looked… oddly conflicted.


Why did Akiyama have to come back?

Why did she just… hug her for no reason?

She never deserved it, she shouldn't get it.

But it felt… good. It felt warm. And as much as Yumeko didn't want to admit it, she wanted to feel that warmth again. It made her feel like she was… actually someone worthy of any kind of attention. For the first time in her life.

With all these conflicting thoughts, either feeling the warmth from her Ikesugi-senpai or what she just had with Akiyama, Yumeko slowly stepped into the classroom. Trying her best to keep her composure and her face free from any tears, she felt how heavy each step was.

In some deep part of her mind, it was tempting her to run back to Akiyama's class and returned the embrace. No, it wasn't just to return the embrace, it was to feel that warmth again. And she took in a deep breath, trying her best to bury that thought as deep as she could.

However, all those thoughts were thrown out of the window once she arrived at her desk.

A blue small card with a logo similar to the Phantom Thieves lay on there, just under the water bottle. The water bottle she had all the way back from her elementary days.

Scanning the entire classroom around her, no one gave any glances over to her. Just like before, just as always. However, there was one thing that caught her gaze. It was Suzui and Sakamoto, Sakamoto's seat… wasn't next to Suzui's. And from the rumors, Suzui was dating Ichijo over on Class 2-D… Then why was he sitting next to her, for no reason?

That thought didn't last long though. "No… there's still… this…" Yumeko murmured to herself, sitting down and turning around the card.

It was a message, written in a font that's similar to a font in a VHS player. But at this moment, Yumeko's mind wasn't about the font of any design choice, but what the message itself was.

"Mogami Yumeko-

We've received a request about your obsession, especially toward someone.

We understand that there are deeper reasons for your obsession, but it is merely a downward spiral.

For him, and for you, we will change your heart.

And save you from your own twisted desire.

From,

The Phantom Thieves of Heart,

The Fools."

"…W-wha…" Her eyes widened and her mouth hung open, Yumeko didn't know if a single word could come out of her lips. "What is this?"

As much as she didn't want to admit it, she knew exactly what this card was. A calling card from the Phantom Thief, even if it wasn't the same design as the one shown on the Internet or the news. Or the fact that they called themselves 'The Fools' instead of 'The Phantoms'.

Feeling how her hand started shaking, she dropped the card to the desk.

"W-why… why they're going after me? I… I didn't do anything wrong."

"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG!" Tossing the table aside and standing up, Yumeko's shadow screamed. "I'm just… I just… THIS IS ALL I CAN DO!"

"IF I DO ANYTHING ELSE, NOTHING GOOD WOULD COME OUT OF IT!" With her fist tightened, Yumeko's shadow glared at the copy of herself. Lying on the ground, motionless. "I don't care whether it's a downward spiral or not, just leave me alone and let me live like this!"

Gritting her teeth, she stomped her foot at her copy's chest. And then she intensified the pressure, not stopping until crimson covered the copy. However, it wasn't enough, and she raised her foot, and stomped again.

"I apologize, but we're not going to leave you alone."

Eyes widened, and Yumeko's shadow snapped her head around. Shiho stood before her, with a grim, but determined expression. "I know we're not friends, just classmates. But that doesn't mean you should be left alone, no one should suffer like this."

"Stop… Don't say that, I'm not… Just… ignore me like everyone else."

"We're not goin' to do that, Mogami," Ryuji added, standing beside Shiho and sharing the same look as her. "And we're not goin' to ignore you, like everyone else."

"If you're this stubborn… then do it. In the end, nothing would change."


[Afterschool, Mementos]

"So nothing happened physically when she got the calling card, but her shadow…" Trailing off, Swan let her gaze shifted to the red tunnel outside of the Mona-bus. "She didn't take it well."

"And we're definitely gonna get some big fight when we reach Mogami," Skull said, tightening his grip on his bat.

"Well, it's good to know that we're not going to be exposed or anything," With his hands behind the steering wheel, Jester narrowed his gaze. "But her problem… it's way deeper than just obsession toward Ikesugi-senpai."

"From what you two described, it's a miracle how she didn't turn out to have a palace," Sitting next to Jester, Joker took another check of his pistol. "Then let's save her before it's too late."

"Yeah," Raven nodded, casting his gaze over to Jester. "But… why did you volunteer to steer the wheel this time, Jester?"

"Isn't that obvious?" With a deadpan, Majesty leaned forward and laid her head on Fox's shoulder. "We don't trust you and Joker's driving skills, after that disaster you two called a 'trip to Mementos'."

"Besides, Jester seems to be doing well behind the steering wheel here," Noticing the sudden focus on him from her words, Jester looked away and kept his eyes on the road.

"Well, it's not like this is complicated," He shrugged, turned around the corner and came face-to-face with a familiar sight.

The same crimson portal, with the rail on the ground twisted and swirled into the red abyss.

"Here we are, folks," Jester said, feeling his grip on the steering wheel tighten. "Ready?"

Seeing a nod from everyone else in the back-view mirror, Jester nodded to himself. And he stepped to the gas pedal.

[Mementos Chamber - Mogami Yumeko]

As the Mona-bus came to a screeching halt, mostly from the jump itself, the first sight that caught the thieves' attention was the shadow herself. Yumeko's shadow.

Wearing Shujin's uniform, she was a perfect replica of the real version of Yumeko. However, within her golden gaze of her, sorrow was as clear as day.

"So, you all just not going to leave me alone, huh?" With her fist tightened, the aura around Yumeko's shadow slowly darkened. "Even though nothing would change?"

"We told you, we're not gonna do that," Swan said, feeling her grip on her sword whip tighten. "You're not as alone as you thought."

"Then let me tell you, that's exactly what I wanted," With a deep scowl and rage-filled glare, a pool of darkness emerged at the shadow's feet. "I'm just a disappointment to everyone, and I'm never worthy of anything in the first place…"

"If you're this stubborn, then so be it!"

Before the thieves could respond to what she said, the darkness reached out violently and engulfed Yumeko's shadow. And a burst of shock-wave accompanied it, forcing them to shield themselves with their arms.

And emerged from the darkness, Yumeko's shadow took in a new form. Instead of a perfect replica of the real Yumeko, it was a giant teddy bear with yellow eyes and blood leaking from its mouth. On top of that, it had a bearly-sewed stomach containing skulls on the urge of dropping out.

With a deafening roar, she rushed toward the thieves as bone claws burst from its hand. And with her gaze narrowed, Swan took the first step and deflected the slash with her whip sword.

Taking the opportunity, she immediately followed up with several quick slashes, and ended with a Cleave from Le Pucelle. Meanwhile, the rest of the thieves quickly followed, as Skull readied his shotgun and blasted the shadow's other arm, knocking it back.

Focused her mind's eye onto the shadow itself, Majesty was pleased to see nothing special in its affinities. "She resists nothing, just giver her all you got!"

"Got it!" Taking off his mask and summoning Jack Forst, Joker leaped into the air and delivered a diving slash, followed up by a ball of ice from his Persona.

However, with claws of bone bursting through both of her arms, the Bugbear suddenly roared again. And spread a green mist that covered the entire arena, alongside a purple glow that covered her entire body.

"It's Stagnant Air!" Recognizing the move, Raven rolled away and narrowly dodged a strike from the bone claws. "Her attacks definitely would inflict something on us!"

"And she just improved her defenses!" With flame engulfing her Naginata, Majesty leaped and spun forward. Leaving a trail of flame behind as she slashed through the shadow. "Odani-dono! Psi!"

Knocked back by the blast of color, Yumeko's shadow narrowly dodged a Magnum Blast from Moriarty. It immediately rushed forward and grabbed ahold of Fox, sucking out part of his stamina before tossing him aside. Thankfully, Fox was fast enough to summon Goemon and softened his landing.

Seeing how the shadow's health increased, Majesty narrowed her gaze and feel more energy flowing Naginata as its flame flourished and filled with color. "Mona, I'm gonna borrow your skill here!"

"Eye of Yahata: Dia!"

With an aura of healing surrounding Fox and replenishing his lost stamina, Majesty leaped and rapidly slashed the said shadow. Then Joker immediately followed and send a burst of razor-sharp wind with his Kodama, as Panther also fired a barrage of bullets from her submachine gun.

Firing his grappling hook to the ground behind Yumeko's shadow, Raven soared through the air as Fou Roux fired a wave of atomic ice shard accompanying a heavy slash from his sword crane. And before he landed on the ground, his light machine gun materialized in his hand and fired.

With ice emerging from the bullet wounds and covering the shadow's arm, Raven turned his gaze to Swan. "Now, Swan!"

Nodding, The thief in white dashed with her whip sword glowing in yellow and sparks, delivering a flurry of slashes and stabs before ending with a blast of pure light from Le Pucelle.

Knocked down and shook the whole room with her fall, the teddy bear roared and slammed to the ground. And the entire chamber shook before bone claws broke through from the ground, sending everyone flying and crashing to the wall. And in the meantime, the bone claws send out a wave of pink energy, pulsing through the entire chamber once.

"Urgh… That hurts…" Stabbing his saber to the ground and helping him stand, Mona turned around and noticed something weird. "W-wait, Joker, Majesty, are you two-"

Watching as they raised their blades on their teammates, Mona found his body frozen. Thankfully, Raven and Fox immediately blocked their strike and pushed them away from the team.

"Dammit, they're brainwashed!" Raven shouted, struggling to keep the blade locked between Joker's dagger and his crane. "And it just has to be Joker, huh? Anyone got skills to cure Mental Ailments?"

"I only got Patra," Morgana groaned, as Swan also shook her head in response. "And all the medicine is on Joker!"

"Great, just great…" Grunting to himself, Fox pushed brainwashed Majesty back and kept his hold on her Naginata. "And Majesty's the only person who could copy skills…"

"Then we'll just buy you guys time then!" Deflecting a strike from brainwashed Joker, Raven exchanged a nod with Fox. "The brainwashing should be undone when you guys beat her!"

Exchanging a look with one another, the remaining thieves silently agreed. And Jester took the lead here. "Then let's get some sense in Mogami's head then," Looking at how the shadow also struggled to stand up after the blast, Jester shakily readied his scythe. "Mona, Handle our healing, and the rest of us… you know what to do."

With that said, Mona immediately summoned Zorro and cast a green aura around the remaining thieves. And without another word, the makeshift team broke into a sprint toward the shadow.

"We can't afford to get hit and have another one of us brainwashed," Jester said, feeling his hold on the scythe tighten. "So dodge everything she got."

Firing her grappling hook and hooking onto the shadow itself, Swan felt her whipsword to be covered with sparkles and electricity. And she immediately slashed upward, creating a lightning aftershock alongside the slash itself.

"Captain Kidd! Zio!"

Then not letting a single moment recover, another spark of lightning struck her again. Just as another grappling hook attached itself to the bear, with Panther on the other end.

Feeling the pain from the hook, Mogami's shadow raised its claw again, reaching for her. However, Jester slid to the ground and fired his hand cannon, knocking the claw aside and creating the opening.

Meanwhile, Swan changed her whipsword's blade into whip mode, as Panther's whip also started to be engulfed with red flame. And the two delivered a flurry of whip and slashes, both leaving trails of flame and sparkles.

"Dance! Carmen/Le Pucelle!"

Sending a burst of flame and light toward the shadow, they hopped back and avoided a slash from it. Skull followed as he leaped from behind, his bat up above his head. He immediately struck right at the head of Yumeko's shadow and delivered more.

"Captain Kidd!"

With another lightning struck upon the shadow, Jester fired a few more shots from his hand cannon, followed by a burst of darkness from Moriarty.

"Swan! Now!"

Turning her blade from a whip back to sword mode, Swan Dashed and delivered a final slash. And in the meanwhile, her Persona also materialized right beside her, her blade readied.

"Giant Slice!"

With a scream of anguish, the teddy bear's form started to melt away. And the replica of Yumeko herself emerged and fell to the ground like a string-less puppet, only to be held up by Swan's arms.

And back on the other side, Raven narrowly dodged another stab from Joker's dagger and kicked right at his stomach. Sending him crashed to the wall, he was about to follow up when Joker started to groan out of pain.

"…O-ow, it hurt…" Panting and looking back, Raven could see the light returned into Joker's eyes. "W-what happened? Why are you kicking me this hard…"

"You got brainwashed, and thank god I had experience fighting other Persona users…" Also panting heavily, the half-Frenchman clutched his abdomen. "Majesty also got brainwashed, but if you're back to normal, she should be too…"

"…Oh, so that's the special ailment Mogami's shadow has, huh?" Shifting his gaze to the direction of the shadow, Joker was about to say something else when he saw the position Fox and Majesty were in. "…What?"

They were on the ground, with Majesty sitting on top of Fox. And the two were struggling with her Naginata's handle. Thankfully, the light also returned to her gaze, as her grip on the Naginata relaxed.

"…Huh? Why am I-" Cutting her off and realizing a compromising position, blood quickly rushed onto her cheeks as she hastily stood up and helped Fox to get up. "I… I got brainwashed, isn't it?"

"Y-you did…" With the same shade of crimson on his cheeks, Fox was on the urge to say something when he noticed the gaze of Joker and Raven.

Silence hung between them for a good five seconds, until Majesty took a step forward. "W-we're not gonna talk about it to anyone!"

"I'm not planning to anyway…" Exchanging a glance and a sigh with Joker, Raven used his crane for support and cast his glance beyond them. "Also, we're here for serious business, save those stuff for later…"

Following his gaze, the makeshift group walked in and approached the rest of the thieves.


"Mogami!"

With concern and slight fear clear within her gaze, Swan was about to shake the shadow's body when the shadow spoke up.

"…I'm the worst, isn't it?" just like how strength was nowhere to be found in her, her voice was merely louder than a whisper. "I can't even put up a desperate fight, it's just…"

"Just like how I resolved to just stalk Ikesugi-senpai and keep my distance, huh?"

"No, you're not a bad person, Mogami," Swan said with a stern look, but also filled with sympathy in her voice. "You're-"

"Don't make excuses for me!" Yumeko's shadow exclaimed, cutting her off as she sat up and tightly gripped Swan's armor. "It was never someone else's problem, it wasn't caused by someone else. It's all my own fault!"

"I saw how Senpai was popular with girls, and I… I got jealous!" Feeling her jaw shiver and teeth clicking, she let her head rest against the armor plate on Swan's chest. "I resolved to just look at him from afar because he'd hate what I've become now!"

"I'm just a coward, just a disappointment to everyone around me…"

"But you're not unaware of your fault," With both of her hands on the shadow's shoulder, Swan softly pushed her back and met her gaze. "That means you can change for the better, there's still time."

"But… he's a third-year already, how much time how I have left?"

"Then make the most out of it," Skull added, crouching down to the shadow's level With a small smile. "You still got a chance to get him, you just had to take it."

With her eyes darted between the warm gazes before her, Yumeko's shadow felt the corner of her mouth raise for a millimeter but immediately dropped afterward. "No, it wouldn't make any sense. Why would anyone, let alone him see something good in me…"

"It doesn't have to make any sense, Mogami," Swan said, as her gaze subtly glanced back to Jester behind her. "Maybe he does see something good in you. But you'd never know if you don't face it head-on."

"I…" Trailing off, tears slowly built up inside the shadow's shining eyes. "I don't know, I'm just a coward, I'd only run away."

"But it has done nothin', right?" Skull nodded with a gaze full of sympathy. "I know how you feel, Mogami. It's scary to be hurt, but runnin' away won't solve anythin'."

"You just had to face it head-on."

"I… I don't think I'd be brave enough to face it head-on…" Clutching her eyes shut, Yumeko's shadow look back at them with a look filled with both hesitation and courage. "But… I'll try."

"That's the spirit," With her smile widened at this sight, Swan gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "It'll be fine, I'm sure."

Nodding without a response, the shadow suddenly took out a small notebook and gave it to Swan. "I… I don't know how to say it without being awkward, but… can you give it back to my real self?"

"Sure," Taking the notebook from her hand, Swan took a look at it with a raised eye. "But why?"

"It's just something that I regret throwing away," With her body slowly glowing white and fading, Yumeko's shadow took in a deep, and shaky breath. "And… I promise, I'll try."

With that said, the shadow faded into nothing and returned to her real self. And Swan and Skull both gave out a breath of relief and stood up. However, their gazes were averted as Jester spoke up from behind.

"Well, that's a request done," still somewhat relying on his scythe to keep him up straight, Jester gave out a sigh of relief. "But hey, you both did well."

"…I guess so," With her gaze turned back to the notebook in her hand, Swan's gaze softened.


[June 6th, Class 2-B's classroom]

"You're sure it's a good idea?"

With a hint of deja vu with where they sat again, Ryuji crossed his arms and glanced at Yumeko's empty seat. "Like, her shadow did tell us to give the notebook back to her real self, but… alongside a note?"

"It'd be weird if the notebook just show up on her desk out of nowhere," Shiho shrugged, also casting her gaze on the empty table. "Besides, I just want her to know she's not alone."

"…Can't argue with that."

"And hey, Ann and I saw how she's seeming to make friends," With a small smile creeping to her face, Shiho was about to continue when Yumeko came in. "Oh, there she is!"

Unlike the last time they were waiting for her, Yumeko here looked actually happy. Gone was the gloomy aura around her, and a smile was even present on her face. Feeling the warmth emerge as she remembered what Saya said to her, she was about to take her seat when she noticed the notebook laying on her table.

"Wha-" With her eyes widened in recognition, she shakily took the small note and opened it. It was clearly written by someone, and just as sincere as it looked, it was just as sincere in how it felt.

"Dear Mogami:

We got ahold of this during our operation to change your heart. And we should give it back, it seemed important to you. We didn't take a look into what it has, don't worry.

Also, don't be afraid to go face-to-face with Ikesugi.

From,

The Phantom Thieves of Heart,

The Fools."

Genuinely speechless at the words before her, Yumeko hastily opened the notebook and took a look inside. "N-no way… It's the same one…" Seeing page after page of old drawings of landscapes and sketches, a bright smile emerged.

Closing the notebook, Yumeko hugged the notebook tightly. And a chuckle leaked out from her mouth.

"…Thank you, Phantom Thieves."

(Phantom Thieves' Side-Fin)


Preview:

Even with the use of the Metaverse, the thieves still could only see a glimpse into the true Mogami Yumeko.

But then, who exactly is Mogami Yumeko?

Why did she fall into the spiral of self-hatred?

Why did she resort to stalking?

But in the end, the one person who knows her the best... is herself.

Next Chapter:

"Case 1: Stalker Girl (Yumeko's side)"

Stay tuned!


Well, after over 2 months, the second perspective/chapter of Mementos Mission's first case is finally here!

So, for why this chapter took this long to come out m, it was because of the lack of stake and central focus. Which made it really hard to write.

Not only that, there's also working on the main Story's chapters too. I just had to shift the focus to finish that chapter first.

And that's why at the start, Ren mentioned introducing Akira to Mishima. It was supposed to complement the last chapter.

Anyway, you can probably see who I've put the focus onto. Ryuji and Shiho (mainly Shiho).

as they're both in the same class as Yumeko, they're also having a lot of sympathy for her. And Their being the main focus also helped a lot in writing this chapter.

Also, for the fight itself, I did

Also, for some trivia:

The calling card scene is actually influenced a lot by Evangelion here. With the slight stream-of-consciousness style of writing, and harsh cut/transition into the shadow.

Also, for the calling card's font, it's actually inspired by... Better Call Saul's intro and its VHS fonts XD.

Yes, I've been watching that show and Breaking Bad.

I think it'd make a good contrast between this and The Phantom's more "Stitched together" vibe they went for. And makes a good difference between them.

Sidenote, a certain scene in Season 6 episode 12 in BSC actually helped me with writing Makoto's scene in Chapter 40.

And thanks for the review too, Malestrom Resurrected! Sorry that it wouldn't be like 'fun' in the future though. Since the chapter can be a bit serious.

Anyway, I hope you all like the story so far, reviews and Favorites are welcomed!