Neptunia56: Maybe, maybe not

SG138: Nope

Guest chapter 38 Aug 14: (Futaba) NEVER!

youngmark: Thanks, I am really proud having thought of that.

MementoMori115: We have said, no. We will not. We will NEVER do a story like this again. Good GOD was it WAAYY too much. However, we will not STOP doing PERSONA stories. They will just be oneshots from now on. Or anthologies

UltimateCCC, blood enraged, Silent Master of Winds, Obiki Doragon: Thank you all. Thank you all for pointing out the editing fuck-ups. The Kawakami/Kobayakawa one was because of an autocorrect that I never notived. Both begin with a K, and if I had a typo early enough in the word then predictive text would have changed it without me knowing. Obiki Doragon, the Sadayo one... my computer somehow fucked that up. In our messages, in our writing, in our previous chapters, ALL of them spelt Sadayo correctly. But in the original post of last chapter the computer decided... 'no' and changed it all in the editing file. And, again, I never noticed. Although you did come across as a bit of a dick with how you phrased it.

Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:

Obiki Doragon: Okay, we're human. We make mistakes. Plus, we have to remember a shit tonne of names and we have reference material, but it's easy for us to forget... and frigging auto-correct is a pain as well.

Shadow Joestar: Oh yeah, that guy needed to pay... but not with his death.

MementoMori115: We don't have any plans for Strikers. If we did then it'd be another three years of writing, planning and making.

StevieBond: Don't worry about the palaces in canon, we've got plans for them.

delubyo420: Oh, you think so?

youngmark: Well, you'll have to wait and see what we have plans for Kobayakawa.

Guest, chapter 38, Aug 14: You underestimate their power!

Neptunia56: Hmm, not necessarily 'free'; but happier than he was in the first timeline.

Disclaimer: We do not own Persona 5. That belongs to Atlus.

Co-written by GhostKaiser23


AUTHOR'S NOTE

Well, hey guys!

Here we are with another new chapter. Perfect time for a new update!

Hahaha!

Well then, cool down time before the next Palace!

Let's go!


Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 39
Fallout Of Victory, The Future And Fun


It was the following day, Ren was feeling exhausted after the events in Kobayakawa's Palace and decided to go meet up with some people. 'H-hmm...' He stretched out and then sighed. "What a day... I wonder what I can do?" He wondered, checking his messages on the group.

Sorry, can't hang out. Mum's making me clean my room.- Ryuji responded.
Apologies, I must attend to my art supplies. They are starting to run out.- Yusuke answered.
Sorry, I've got Aikido classes today.- Makoto added.
I'm out shopping with Shiho/Ann, having a girls day. Sorry, Ren.- Both Ann and Shiho apologised.
I'm catching up on Featherman. Sorry. sweatdrop emoji- Futaba added.

...

"Guys~!" He complained but smiled

"Well, looks like we're on our own, Ren." Morgana commented, waking up from his nap.

"Yeah, it does... Maybe I can go to the arcade." Ren answered, picking up his bag.

"Meet that kid again?" the black cat asked

"Yeah, maybe." He nodded. "If he's up for meeting again."

"I'm sure he is. You're a good guy." Morgana answered, leaping into the bag. "Let's go, Joker express!"

Ren chuckled as he heard that, Mona was just a cute cat doing cute things now. "Choo-choo." He jokingly responded.


*Time Skip*

Ren had arrived at the arcade, where Shinya was playing a game...or what seemed to be the end of one. "Whew... what a game."

"Yoh, King." Ren called out, catching his attention.

"Oh, hey. It's you." Shinya responded.

"You alright?" Ren asked.

"Yep, just finished this game." He answered, before rubbing his stomach. "... Just... gotten hungry."

"You want something to eat?" Ren offered.

"Really?!" Shinya's eyes widened. "Thanks. Um. Being hungry while playing doesn't bother me, I just focus solely on the game and it just... sorta goes."

"Not healthy." Ren admitted.

"Yeah well... consider today's lesson to be a lecture... if you came for a lesson." Shinya answered.

"Yeah, I did." He nodded.

"Right. You pay for my meal, I'll give you this lecture for nothing." Shinya smirked.

'Played you there, Ren.' Morgana thought.

"There's the cafe next door. I'll get you what you want." Ren offered.

"Thanks!" Shinya responded.


*Time Skip*

After going next door and paying for a meal for Shinya... with a coffee for Ren to have. Shinya patted his stomach. "Phew, that was great. I'm actually fighting a war."

"Beg your pardon?"

"I've been having serious battles with kids at school. They attack me in large numbers so I can't let my guard down." Shinya admitted. "All they did was throw eraser crumbs into my lunch, so I won that round."

"Sounds like 'fun'." Ren thought sadly. 'Still getting bullied.'

"It's not 'fun', there's nothing 'fun' about war." Shinya frowned. "I'm on the defensive right now, but I'm looking for a way to counterattack. I could finish them in a second if I put my mind to it. It's...kind of annoying that I have to keep watching on my back all the time, though. Could I ask the Phantom Thieves for help?"

Over in the next table, was a crying grade-schooler and his mother. The mother was reassuring him kindly. "It's okay, sweetheart. Your food is here. Well, today you lost, but that means you have to try harder next time. Okay?" She comforted him.

"Y-You're not mad?" The kid sniffed.

The conversation caught Shinya's attention since this was a similar thing to what he was going through.

"Of course not. You did your best and that's what counts. Now, no more crying." the mother urged softly

"What a joke." Shinya pulled his cap over his eyes. "Once you lose, it's over." Ren took note at that. "That's... what my mum told me."

"Is she fighting the school to change your classes or something?" Ren asked.

"Y-Yeah. How'd you-?"

"Logical step."

"Since the divorce... she's been working early and coming home late, just to take care of me." Shinya responded. "... But my classmates call her a 'complainer' and make fun of her."

"And that's when the 'war' started?" Ren asked

"Yeah. My mum's made fun of because I'm weak! That's why I need to get stronger." Shinya answered.

"That's the spirit." Ren answered, knowing this would have to be positive.

"Well... the Phantom Thieves would laugh at me if I lost now." Shinya admitted.

"I'm sure they wouldn't." Ren reassured him.

"Thanks... Okay, I'm gonna show you this technique, it's a guaranteed way to win." Shinya responded.

Ren nodded as he felt the bond with Shinya growing deeper.

Tower: Rank 3

"Hey... Shinya?" Ren asked as he prepared to leave

"Yeah?" Shinya asked, looking up at Ren.

"If you need help, come get me." Ren smiled "You can't win a war by yourself. If you're getting picked on, call me and I'll sort them out "

Shinya nodded as he heard that. "O-Okay. Thanks. I don't-"

"Here's my number. Okay?" Ren responded, writing down his number for him. "Only for emergencies."

"... So, no Phantom Thieves stuff?" Shinya joked lightly.

"We'll see." Ren chuckled. "I'll see you later. You okay to get home?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Don't worry." Shinya waved. "I'll see you around."

Ren shuffled his bag just slightly and noted the time, giving a small yawn before leaving.

"Nya~, are you done?" Morgana yawned as he woke up from his nap.

"You missed quite a bit, Morgana." He chuckled.

"You should know by now that I leave that sort of stuff to you." Morgana responded.

"Yeah, I can go drone on quite a bit." Ren answered.

"Forget that, you've been up for nearly a day straight you've been this worked up. It's gonna be fine." Morgana answered. "Kobayakawa disappeared into the Palace safely."

"I know... I was just worried. I think that was the first time I've actually held someone when the Palace was disappearing around us. It's kind of surreal." Ren responded.

"You're still that same compassionate person in the first timeline. Don't ever lose that, Ren." Morgana yawned.

"Thanks, bro. Jeez, is that the time?" Ren blinked as he saw the time on his phone.

"Need to be somewhere?" Morgana asked.

"No, not really. But it's a little late." Ren answered, rubbing his eye. "I might head to Shibuya."

"Oh really? You going to meet that fortune teller?" Morgana asked.

"Chihaya. Yeah." He nodded and responded "I think it'd be nice to meet up with her." he smiled

"Well, careful of the customes at the Red Light part." Morgana yawned "Or the people who might think you are -visiting- one of those girls."

"Yeah yeah." Ren rolled his eyes


*time skip*

As Ren disembarked the train, he headed into Shinjuku and aimed for the Red Light district, not that he was expecting-

"The heck?" He blinked in shock, dressed in his normal white shirt, black trousers and shoes as he saw a line going around the corner. He saw three girls arguing a bit in front of the blonde fortune teller.

Hifumi, Ohya and... Haru?

"You can't be serious!" Hifumi frowned

"Please, you gotta be joking!" Ohya added, almost snapping at her.

"I... I don't believe you." Haru mumbled as she heard that.

'What is going on over there?' Joker thought as he hid away, piercing out behind his mask for a moment.

"I am sorry, but this is what the cards have foretold," Chihaya answered sadly.

"But-but I know someone who is very nice and kind. I can't just be..." Hifumi frowned.

"No way I can't end up al-... No one..." Ohya mumbled, looking down "I know he's young, but I was hoping..."

"But... I-I was hoping... People have said you were the best... that you gave accurate predictions." Haru added "I'm... actually ending up with him?"

"Yes, my predictions are..." Chihaya began but froze for a moment, looking among them and feeling a twing in her head...

...

"My predictions are true. They will always come true. If you stay on the path you are on." Chihaya said softly "Especially as, knowing your future, you stay on this path you will keep to this destiny if you want it or not. The only way to change it... is to change it yourself." She began to pick up the tarot cards and began to shuffle them "Take a moment. Close your eyes and think, focus. Think about what different path you could take, what change you could make. What road may lead to the ending you want. And I shall give you another reading for free once you have your goal in mind."

The three did so, thinking about what they would do. Thinking about who they would go with. How they could change.

'I will tell him.' Hifumi thought as she pictured her black haired student in her mind. His smirk, his charming personality, his softness and caring 'I will not wait for him... I will push! I shall concur his territory, win his heart!' she brought her hands to her chest, over her heart 'Ren...'

'That kid...' Ohya thought as she closed her eyes, licking her red lips for a moment 'He is probably worried about the age gap. Or worried about being creepy. Or too shy to make the first move. Looks like I have to push harder.' She raised her arm, setting it against her chin softly while the other crossed over her side 'Hmm~, my little informat. I'll have you. Hehe... my Ren~'

Haru closed her eyes, thought of the person in her mind. First, it was a tall man with red hair and wearing a white posh suit, but then it changed... her mind went to a younger man, black hair, a school uniform... and a pair of glasses. She ignored that first man. The heartless, selfish man being forced upon her. Instead going to the kind young man who helped her. She 'walked' towards that young kind man. And felt safe nearer to him. She would pursue him. Try to, hope that, she could talk her father out of this. That she would find happyness.

"Do you have it?" Chihaya asked as she began to draw the cards.

"Yes." Hifumi said passionatly as her eyes snapped open. She brought one arm down to her side, the other still gripping her chest

Joker's eyes widened as he saw blue flames rushing from the shoji genius' body and into the air

"Yes." Ohya nodded, her eyes opening smoothly as she brought her hands down to her hips

'W-What?!' Joker thought in shock, seieing the blue flames come off the reporter now as well

"Calm down Joker. They have not awakened to a Persona or anything." Morgana quickly whispered "I mean... they COULD. Everyone can, technically. That is just the fire of Rebellion as they steady themselves and throw off a shackle that held them back."

"Oh." he nodded as he saw the two pillars of blue flame, everyone's attention on Haru

Haru gulped nervously as she continued to think on that young man... and Joker saw the blue flames of Rebellion flare from within her. However they where not the towers like Hifumi nor Ohya, just the flames licking just past the surface.

"They're there... but they're not big." Ren whispered to Morgana.

"I know. But she is still cautious." Morgana responded.

"Miss Togo first." Chihaya said as she set out the cards

"Thank you." Hifumi nodded, sitting down at the table so the cards were directly going to her.

Chihaya drew the cards and then placed them on the table.

Hifumi gulped as she saw them.

Chihaya smiled. "It seems that your fortunes have changed, Ms Togo. You will find love, and forgiveness in your future."

"R-Really?" Hifumi asked hopefully.

"Yes. Your fortune shows that your heart has been changed by someone close to you. Someone who has helped you become better. Your future will be filled with love and a changed path to your benefit." Chihaya smiled.

"Thank you." Hifumi smiled as she heard that, realising what this could mean for her.

"Ms Ohya?" Chihaya asked, gesturing to the seat as she collected her cards once again. "Please, take a seat."

"Right." she nodded, sitting down

Chihaya shuffled the deck, humming, before setting it down "Mind cutting the deck, please?" she asked calmly

"Sure." Ohya nodded and took the deck, shuffling it as best as she could, cutting the deck and shuffling from the middle, halving it and fanned it into each other. "Okay. Here."

Chihaya nodded as she drew the cards.

The Lovers. Signifying love.

Another card. One that signified that her fortunes in her career will improve.

Another card. Relationships with new people.

"This is incredible." Chihaya smiled as she saw the cards.

"What?" Ohya asked eagerly

"It's nearly identical to Ms Togo's." Chihaya responded.

"Are you certain?" Ohya smiled hopefully.

"Yes. Your future shows that your life has been changed by someone you know, your heart is opening up more and giving you the confidence to pursue your career to fix the mistakes of your past." Chihaya smiled. "That person must be very special."

"He is." Ohya smiled and blushed a little.

'Snrt!' Morgana stifled a laugh as he heard that.

"Mona, shush!" Ren turned to the cat with a stern gaze.

"Thank you." Ohya responded, getting up from her seat.

"Ms Okumura." Chihaya asked. "Please take a seat and cut the deck."

Haru nodded, sitting down and shuffled the deck, rinsing and repeating the process, though she was a little clumsy since it wasn't a 'full poker' shuffle, but more like kids playing 'go fish' with the cards spinning in the deck so they frayed out a little. "S-Sorry."

"Don't worry, it's alright. Now. Let's see what your future holds."

'Noir.' Ren thought as he was waiting in anticipation.

Flip.
Flip.
Flip.
Flip

"Hmm... Interesting. Very interesting." Chihaya commented, pondering the answer within the cards.

"Wh-what is it?" Haru gulped.

"Should you continue on this path... your future will be led with the starts of the past. A humble start, but slowly over time, it will blossom. Like a garden that you would tend." Chihaya smiled.

Haru's heart lightened as she heard that.

"But there's more... your love life will change for the better." Chihaya added. "You will find many friendships should you keep this path with this person you truly care for."

Haru blinked and smiled softly at that, hopefully

"I hope this has helped you all." Chihaya asked.

"Yes, it-it definitely has." Haru nodded.

"Certainly has for me." Hifumi added.

"Yep, same here." Ohya agreed, thinking about Ren.

"How much do we owe you?" Haru asked politely.

"All together, only three thousand yen." Chihaya answered gently.

"Really? That's great!" Ohya answered, getting her purse out.

Ren, still hiding behind the corner, smiled.

"Thank you." Haru answered, paying for them.

"You didn't-" Hifumi commented.

"It's no trouble." Haru responded, paying Chihaya.

After the exchange, the three ladies began to leave, meaning Ren had to hide just enough not to get caught. He let out a breath, hoping his friends would be fine, before he turned the corner wand walked towards the blonde fortune teller

"Hi, Chihaya. Not too late am I?" Ren asked, waving gently at her.

"It's you!" Chihaya's eyes sparkled a little.

"Er... Hi?" He chuckled at her excitement

"I'm glad to see you." She answered. "Please, take a seat. I've much to talk to you about."

"Oh, sure. Okay." He answered, seeing her bring out some books. "What are-?"

"I bought these. 'Mental training for sports', 'Building a successful business from the ground up'. Even a book about how to be a good listener, all these things are reference material so I can further help my clients." Chihaya explained.

'Huh, okay.' Ren thought to himself.

"This is so I can suggest new alternatives than just leaving them to fate." she added passionatly

"I guess you must have a lot of free time." Ren commented.

"You'd think, wouldn't you? But I'm actually really busy. But... I've come to a new fortune-telling philosophy. Those with strong convictions can change their fate, and helping those think of people in their lives who helped them. And for the people I sold 'holy stones' too... I've started to give them readings free of charge. I'd like to give them their money back, but..."

"Did you spend it all?" Ren frowned.

"W-well, um..." She mumbled.

"Am I interrupting?" A different voice spoke up.

Ren frowned, his eyes filling with anger.

"Mr Yokoda?" Chihaya asked in shock.

"It's been a while, Maiden." He responded, walking in an unassertive man with glasses.

"Um... wh-what are you doing here?" She asked.

"The Chairman asked that I come and see how things are going. And... who is this?" Mr Yokoda asked.

"That's my apprentice!" She quickly lied. "I actually haven't introduced him to the Chairman yet."

"You're telling me that you're so busy you had to hire on an apprentice?"

"Yes! He's been a wonderful help!" She answered.

"I see. I guess I should've expected great foresight from you, Maiden. I should get going." Mr Yokoda answered.

"Thanks for stopping by." She answered, seeing him leave. "Hmm... Sorry that you had to see that." She apologised with shame.

"'Maiden'? As in a 'Shrine Maiden'?" Ren asked, trying not to upset her.

"It's more like a nickname of sorts. It's nothing to concern yourself with, Ren. It's a private matter." She deflected before she saw his glasses-covered eyes. "Are... you concerned about me?" To which Ren nodded. "I feel lucky when you are around. Let me help you gain a bit more luck too."

"Thanks. That actually sounds great." Ren answered, feeling the connection between him and her grow closer.

Fortune: Rank 5

"I'm not going to let him hurt you." he encouraged

"Who? Mr Yokoda?" Chihaya asked in shock. "He's a good person."

"Not him." Ren answered calmly but seriously.

"Huh?" She blinked

"I'm gonna protect you. I can promise you that." He answered as he held her hand for a moment.

A spark shot through the secret country girl, her face going bright red "I-I better close up shop. This-This has been-been a very full day!" She squeaked, trying to cover her face up.

"Okay. Want a drink?" Ren asked, pointing at the bending machine not far from them

"Oh, yes please, that would be lovely." Chihaya nodded

Ren nodded as he stood up, walking away

Chihaya sighed... And quickly began to shuffle her deck, preforming a self fortune 'Please. Please let me know.' She thought as she focussed on Ren as she drew her cards.

Flip.
Flip.
Flip.
Flip

"Oh." She blinked as she looked at them with a smile spreading across her face


*Time Skip*

It was the next day as the Phantom Thieves met up at Big Bang Burger, the tram shocked to see Kawakami in casual cloths at first.

"Oh. My. God!" Ryuji's jaw dropped as he saw her.

She was wearing a yellow shirt and blue shorts with a pair of sandals, nothing too scandalous but showing a little skin on her arms and legs.

"Wow..." Ren blinked

"Sorry, is this too much?" Sadayo asked nervously. "It's been a while since I've worn my casual clothes."

"It is fine." Ann nodded

"So, who's up for some burgers?" Futaba asked, clapping her hands excitedly as Ms Kawakami sat down with them.

"Sure, I'definitely going to win the 'Challenge' this time!" Ryuji answered.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Makoto asked in concern.

"Yeah, I've been working a good hunger." Ryuji smirked.

"I'll just have a medium-sized meal, please." Yusuke responded calmly.

"Ooh, 'big spender'." Futaba chuckled. "I'm going for the 'Star Meal'."

"... Doesn't that have a 'Neo Featherman' toy with it?" Shiho whispered.

"That might be the reason." Ann chuckled knowingly

"What'll you have, Makoto?" Ren asked.

"Er..." She blinked, looking through the menu "I... I think I'll have the 'Cadet Burger'?"

"Good choice." Futaba answered.

"Hmm... what to get." Ren hummed as he looked over his menu, tapping his chin

"Dude... you're not gonna get what I think you're gonna get; right?" Ryuji flinched.

"What is he talking about?" Ms Kawakami asked

"The-"

"Big. Bang. Challenge." Ren nodded while Ryuji sighed heavily.

"No..." the blone spoke in fear

"Are you serious? That's got to be over a kilogram of meat!" Sadayo commented "PLUS everything else IN the burger!"

Pat, pat

"Not failed yet." Ren answered.

"... Your stomach must be a black hole." Morgana muttered, deadpanning

"You'd think. You'd very much think." Ryuji answered.

"Th-that can't be healthy." Sadayo commented. "... I think I'll just have a 'cadet burger' and fries."

"Well, I burn off a lot of calories." Ren chuckled, walking away

"I love him... but he grosses me out sometimes." Ann said honestly

"Which is normal." Yusuke commented

"Not everyone is perfect." Shiho chuckled

"Everyone has their quirks, I guess." Makoto nodded

"So... what do we do with that book?" Futaba asked

"What CAN we do? It's just a book." Shiho commented

"Who else is in that thing anyway?" Ryuji asked.

"Here." Futaba sighed and brought the book out.

Ryuji took the book and began to flick through it.

"Here's the Principal. There's a movie star and celebrity." Yusuke spoke, pointing to each picture.

"A famous model." Ann added.

"Could we maybe... I dunno. Keep this one? I don't know who'd want a school book of famous people." Makoto asked.

"Agreed." Yusuke nodded

"I'll be honest, could we sell these? There might be collectors out there who might want 'high-school pics' of their favourite actor or something." Ryuji pondered.

"Maybe, but there's also the fact that for every good fan out there, there are about a million creeps who might take it way too far." Shiho responded.

"... Touche." Ryuji pointed at her in agreement.

"Meaning... it's just a nice prop." Sadayo sighed.

"Hmm... What about Kobayakawa? Is he gonna be okay?" Futaba asked.

"He should be." Morgana stretched

"So... what exactly happens when a Palace is destroyed?" Sadayo asked nervously.

"It fades away." Ren explained as he returned with food

"Oh, I-Good god!" Sadayo answered before she exclaimed seeing the Big Bang Burger Challenge that Ren had.

"Yep." Ren nodded, passing them over. "A palace fades once the treasure is taken. And as long as the Palace Ruler is not hurt, their Shadow can return to them and they will be fine."

"Okay. That... makes sense." Sadayo answered, still put off by Ren's order.

"Meaning that it vanishing in that light mean's he's okay?" Ryuji asked for further clarification

"Yep. You've been through this enough to know that, Ryuji." Morgana added as everyone was given their food and drink

"Thank you, Ren." Yusuke spoke as he took his meal.

"This is going straight to my hips." Shiho commented.

"Yeah, but it's good." Futaba answered as she looked down at Shiho's ass "The food AND the a-"

"Futaba." Kawakami scolded

"Hmm...These are actually kinda good." Makoto commented as she took a fry.

"Really?" Ann asked with a frown "It seems like... Well... Has the quality gone down here recently to anyone else?"

"Nom... Yeah... It's... kinda bad." Ryuji admitted, taking a bite from his burger. "I guess. Don't notice too much, definatly off though."

"I don't often have fast food so... this is new to me." Makoto added.

"Bleh! This tastes cold!" Futaba coughed out the fries.

"Try mine." Yusuke offered

Ren was listening... As he muched away at his giant burger. And yes, it did taste a little different than before. Was it less meaty than before? No, the burgers where meaty enough. Just... Lower quality? 'What the heck is...?' He thought before he realised what it meant. 'Oh. Mr Okumura must be cutting back.' More profits. Makes sen-

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T DO FULL FAT ANYMORE?!" A man yelled at the woman at the counter

"I-I'm sorry, sir. But due to demand, we don't stock the full-fat drinks." The cashier flinched at the sight of this angry man demanding a specific drink.

"Diet Eispep and Eispep Ultra is disgusting! The only good one is the full fat stuff!" The man ranted

"Seriously?!" Ryuji's jaw dropped. "What's going on?"

"Sounds like Big Bang Burger is skimping on the quality of stuff." Ann commented.

"From what I heard, there is an increase on price with stuff with too much sugar." Makoto commented

"Then just charge extra to make up the loss. Just makes sense. Most people are willing to pay the extra." Shiho commented

"But they save more money by just dropping it." Kawakami said bitterly "Seen lots of big companies do stuff like that over the years. Save those pennies and make it harder for their employees as the millionares get richer."

"Urgh... frigging money-grubbing, low-life, abusive-" Ryuji groaned.

"We get it." Ren answered as he sat back, finished with his meal "I'm not eating for the rest of the day." He groaned

"Yeah, you just cleaned off a four or five-layered burger!" Shiho responded.

"Again, babe. Love you... But you make me feel a BIT sick." Ann flinched

"Considering that this is my last one, I don't need to worry about it." Ren answered.

"What do you-?" Yusuke pondered, before a woman came out.

"Congratulations! You've succeeded in finishing the Big Bang Burger Challenge three times!" The woman answered. "You've won the coveted 'Captain Badge'!" As she produced a somewhat large pin-badge for Ren to have. "And also, a spot on the 'Big Bang Challenge' wall."

"Thank you." He nodded

"All this for a badge?" Makoto deadpanned

"... It's the principle of the thing. A trophy of hard work and dedication." Ren responded. "Recognition and Guts." as everyone gave him 'that' look "... What?"

"You're talking crazy again." Ann commented. "It's... worrying."

"I'm fine." He waved off

"If... you are sure." Yusuke answered.

"So... what do you think about this book?" Futaba asked, since she kind of knew what Ren was thinking.

"I'd throw it in a dumpster, personally." He sighed as he flicked through the book to a random page

"Seriously? We threw that fake money in a dumpster. But this?" Shiho asked.

"That feels... like desecration, Ren." Sadayo commented. "I know he wasn't the best Principal."

"He wasn't. Using Makoto as a pawn to find the Phantom Thieves. Holding you accountable for things you didn't have control over. Allowing Kamoshida to teach at the school despite knowing who he was as a person. It's better to let him keep his own pictures while we get rid of these." Ren answered, tapping the book.

"If that's what you think." Futaba responded.

"Hmm..." Makoto hummed as she looked at him, mumbling gently as she finished her fries.

...

"Makoto. Sadeyo. You two choose." Ren sighed

The two of them looked at each other, then at the book. "I think... we should destroy it. It's just a fake, right?" Makoto asked. "The real one is in his house?"

"Right." Morgana yawned

"Then... I think. We get rid of it." Makoto finalized her thoughts. "Just having this is almost blackmail to the other people in here. I mean, what're we going to do with someone's old high-school photo if they had braces or acne?"

Most of the group shuddered as they imagined that.

"It goes against my code of conduct. But I agree with Makoto. People's privacy should be their own." Sadayo responded.

"Okay." Ren nodded "Then we'll get rid of it when we head back to LeBlanc."

"Sounds fair to me. Maybe we can hit the sauna on the way?" Futaba asked

"There's a sauna?" Ann asked in shock.

"Yeah, it's in Yongen-Jaya and it's really relaxing. Not sure if they allow mixed bathing; but still." Ren answered.

"... Is it a 'bring your own towel' situation or do they have their own?" Makoto asked.

"They have their own, but bringing your own is appreciated." Ren answered, having gone there many times. "It is a nice bathhouse."

"We're coming over." Sadayo smiled as she heard that.

"Great!" Ren chuckled

'Wow, taking the initiative, Teach.' Ryuji thought in shock. "... Gonna take bring my own towel."


*time skip*

The gang was back in Yongen-Jaya, each of them carrying their own towels and bathing suits; for obvious reasons.

"Huh, this looks nice." Yusuke commented.

"I come here most days to relax." Ren nodded. "Let's go in."

"Ooh, I hope there's a partition." Futaba chuckle-mumbled to herself, getting a little pervy thought in her head.

"Futaba, this is a bathhouse, not an ecchi manga." Ann deadpanned.

"And from my research, there is usually an obscene amount of impossible cleavage that it occurs with." Yusuke answered.

...

"How much ecchi manga have you been reading?" Shiho asked in worry.

"Enough to appreciate artist's styles and appreciate a woman's body." Yusuke responded in his own flowery artistic fashion.

"Are we just standing out here or can we go in?" Futaba asked.

"Yes, let's." Sadayo nodded.

"Come on, I'll show you around." Ren offered.

"Hey, Ren. Can I talk to you for a sec?" Ryuji asked.

"Yeah, sure. You guys go in first." He nodded

The group headed inside, barring Ryuji and Ren. "... Okay. I'm just gonna be straight. What the heck was that back there? In Kobayakawa's Palace."

"What do you mean? I just helped him avoid being crushed. Same as we did with the others." Ren answered

"Dude, you where TALKING to him! Speaking about some conspiracy or some shit." He shot back

"Someone did that to Futaba's mother." Ren shot back "Someone had to be behind it. Profiting from it. And HOW did he get a gold medalist to be a GYM coach?" Ren sighed, hands in his pocket.

He felt like dirt. Lying like this. Well, half lying. But he had no choice. They'd think he was crazy if he just spoke about coming from the future.

"And why was he so desperate to stop us unless we where a threat to SOMETHING." Ren continued "It was obvious he was involved in something big. But he isn't important in it, otherwise he wouldn't be a principal. So who could be behind everything and how would he be involved? It had to be someone he knew he managed to force his way into the plot by chance. With his treasure being a year book I had to risk it."

"What?" Ryuji asked

"Listen buddy. I just bluffed to save his life." Ren responded "If I didn't do anything... 'splat gose the shadow' and the principal could have died."

Ryuji sighed heavily as he heard that. "I guess that makes sense. I don't think we'd handle it if we 'killed' the guy."

"None of us wants that sort of thing on our consciences," Ren answered. "Want to head in now?"

"... Yeah. My muscles feel like they're on fire and need soothing." Ryuji nodded making Ren laugh "I guess Morgana isn't coming."

"Nah, he's doing his own thing." Ren patted his friend's back. "Come on."


*with the girls*

Inside the bath, the girls were getting ready for their own side.

"Wow, it's... quite steamed in here," Sadayo commented.

"Guys. I can't see." Futaba mumbled as her glasses were fogged up.

"It's okay. I've got you." Shiho reassured her, holding her hand.

"This is going to be... Interesting." Ann chuckled

"At least the boys will be on their own side and not sneak into our side of the bathhouse." Makoto answered.

"Would it be so bad if a certain someone came over for a peak?" Futaba giggled and blushed

"If a 'certain' person did, it might be okay. If anyone else did so, I'd throw a wash-basin in their face." Ann responded a bit louder than she normally would. And somewhere, in the boy's side of the bathhouse, the Phantom Thief boys gulped nervously.

"Come on, let's go wash before entering." Makoto rolled her eyes.

"... Hehehe..." Ann began to giggle

"What? What did I say?" Makoto blushed


*With the guys*

Yusuke was waiting patiently and wearing a towel around his waist while Ryujo and Ren got themselves sorted. "Have you had your conversation settled now?"

"Yeah, we got it." Ryuji nodded

"Yeah." Ren nodded "Sorry for the wait, Yusuke."

"It's fine." He answered. "Though... the cold air is worrying."

"Cold air?" The guys asked

"When the doors opened when you came in." Yusuke pointed.

"Ah, gotcha." they nodded as they slipped into the bath

"Ah~, oh... this is goo~d." Ryuji sighed in relief as he dipped into the water.

"Hoo-hoo... Oh, this is good." Yusuke groaned as he felt the warm water penetrate through his skin.

"Hmmm~" Ren sighed peacefully

"Ah~." Ryuji sunk in a little more until the water was up to his chin. "This is great."

"This is the life, a relaxing bath that soothes the muscles." Yusuke nodded.

"Blub, blub, blub..." Ryuji sunk a little more, before being pulled out.

"Don't drown on us, Ryuji!" Ren brought him back up.

"Thanks." Ryuji coughed a little. "It's just this place is really relaxing." Ryuji answered. "It feels like we've been going none-stop for weeks now."

"Agreed." Yusuke nodded

"Hey, you think Boss will let us stay over for dinner?" Ryuji asked.

"I dunno, I think he might be expecting a quiet night." Ren commented.

"Huh...?" Ryuji's jaw dropped as he heard that.

"Snrt! I'm kidding, I'll see what I can do." Ren chuckled.

Squeak
Squeak

In Yusuke's hands was a small rubber duck, seeing him stare at it intensely.

...

"You okay buddy?" Ren asked

"What. Is the function. Of this small object?" He answered as he peered into the vacant eyes of the rubber duck.

Squeak

"Pbtt!" Both Ren and Ryuji laughed.


*with the girls*

"Sounds like the boys are having fun." Sadayo commented on their laghter.

"Yeah." Ann smiled "Hehe. If Take was here we'd have the whole couple here."

"Oh yeah. Where is our resident doctor?" Futaba asked, making little whirlpools with her fingers in the water.

"Tae?" Kawakami asked

"Yeah... wait, have you met her, Sadayo?" Shiho asked, unintentionally being too relaxed with her.

"I don't think so." she commented

"Huh, well, I think you'd like her. She's been giving us health tips for a while now." Shiho responded.

"She runs a clinic not too far from here. Like just down the road." Ann explained

"Huh, I might have to go down there soon." She mumbled to herself, lowering her head to the water.

"Why?" Makoto asked in concern

"General health checks." Sadayo answered. "If she's good, I may want to change GP."

"Oh? Is someone talking about me?" A voice called into the baths

SPLASH!

"GYAAAAAH!" Futaba screamed dramatically, splashing around wildly for a moment

"Tae!" The girls turned and accidentally spilt water over the sides of the large bath, seeing Tae stand in only a towel. A rather lovely sight, honestly.

"Hello girls." she nodded with a sway of her hips that rivaled Ann's sexual movements as Panther

"What're you doing here?" Futaba asked.

"It's a bathhouse?" Tae responded, before removing the towel to slip inside the water. "Mmmm~, oh~! You girls picked the perfect temperature."

"Oh, thanks. It was like this when we got here." Ann commented as Tae slipped between the blonde and Shiho

"Now, what have you all been doing that's taken you away from my clinic?" Tae asked jovially.

"Er..." Sadeyo blinked, unsure what to say

"Life. It's been so busy for us at school." Makoto lied.

"I see." Tae nodded, holding Ann's chin "I missed you all." She said innocently, kissing the blonde while her other hand ran over Shiho's thigh

"Ooh~" both girls blushed but didn't fight back

Sadayo blushed and looked away, feeling a little embarrassed for her students. True, this was a sort of polyamorous relationship, but seeing another woman embracing Ann and Shiho was a little... alluring.

"Wow..." Futaba mumbled, her glasses fogging over

"Something wrong, Ms Sakura?" Tae asked as she looked at her, keeping a respectful distance from Futaba.

"Sexy as hell..." The little gamer gremlin mumbled with oerverted giggles

"Is that right?" Tae chuckled and swam over to her.

"Wh-What is..." Kawakami stuttered our

"Well, perhaps I'm going to have to teach you how 'sexy' I can be." Tae seduced Futaba with a smile as she reached up, grasping the red heads chinnsoftly

"Excuse me, but isn't this inappropriate?" Sadayo asked, looking at her brazen flirts.

"Is it?" Tae asked "From what I've heard you are the new girl. We are all in a relationship together. This isn't any more inappropriate than what you probably did with our special 'friend' next door."

"Um... ahem. S-Sorry." She mumbled, clearing her throat and felt embarrassed by her hypocrisy

"Don't worry teach." Ann said as she swam over. And, felling brave, kissed her lips

Sadayo's eyes widened before she relaxed and remained in that embrace for a moment. It was honestly just as relaxing as the bath.

...

"Oh my!" Makoto blushed and covered her eyes

"Ann!" Shiho gasped softly

...

"We going full lesbian orgy in here?" Futaba asked pervertedly

"No, nope. Not me. Not now." Makoto answered, standing up and walked towards the edge of the bath.

"What's wrong Makoto?" Ann asked as she broke the kiss with Kawakami

"I-I'm just a little uncomfortable about all this. This... public display of affection." Makoto whispered

"Really?" Tae blinked

"I... It's just-I'm nervous around it." Makoto admitted, sinking back under the water.

"Why? We care about you." Futaba pointed out

"Most of my time has been spent trying to be a good student... I've not really done anything like this. Okay?" Makoto responded making the girls frown.

Shiho and Futaba came over, moving carefully, and hugged her softly "Sorry, Makoto." Shiho apologised "We didn't mean to."

"Not your fault... It's just how I lived." She answered.

"We'll stop." Tae nodded

"Thank you. I'll... I'll probably get more comfortable around this when... I dunno. When it happens, I guess." Makoto responded.

"No problem, you'll be alright." Ann answered.

Over by the doors, Ren waved his arm. "Everything okay in there?" He asked.

...

"Ren?" the girls all asked

"Yep." He nodded, accidentally pushing his head through.

...

WHOOSH!
BONK!

"OW!"

"Who threw that?" Ann asked, seeing a water basin being thrown at their shared boyfriend.

"S-Sorry. I-Instinct." Makoto mumbled "Force of habit. Sorry."

"Don't worry about it. Just take your time." He reassured her "I just heard yelling and wanted to check up on you."

"That's sweet babe, but might wanna head back." Tae commented "In case any random gal's walk in."

"Yeah, good idea. Have a good bath." Ren waved before walking off and met up with Ryuji outside the men's bath

"You okay?" Ryuji asked

...

...

"... Yeah, it happened." Ren admitted

Facepalm

"Knew it. I freaking knew it." Ryuji facepalmed and sighed "Those damn girls."

"At least you're not THAT lucky." Ryuji laughed

"Yeah, totally." Ren laughed "I guess." he grinned


CONFIDANT RECAP:

Fool: Rank 10

Magician: Rank 10

Lovers: Rank 10

Chariot: Rank 10

Sun: Rank 10

Lust: Rank 9

Strength: Rank 8

Hierophant: Rank 7

Death: Rank 7

Temperance: Rank 6

Hanged-Man: Rank 6

World: Rank 5

Emperor: Rank 5

Devil: Rank 5

Fortune: Rank 5

High Priestess: Rank 4

Star: Rank 4

Moon: Rank 3

Empress: Rank 3

Hermit: Rank 3

Tower: Rank 3