Sunday, November 20: Evening

Undisclosed Location

"Shido-san, my job is complete."

Masayoshi Shido grimaced, furrowing his eyebrows in annoyance. "I've told you not to call me by name."

"My apologies." Akechi coarsely straightened his badge. "I'm simply trying to be a respectable ally."

Shido slid his chair closer to his desk. "That said, has the SIU decided how to dispose of the body?"

Akechi squeezed his gloved hand into a fist. "The medical examiner will handle that soon enough. Once he forges Akira Kurusu's death certificate, the public will never know what happened inside that room. They'll buy our cover story without a second thought."

"Since you've neutralized the leader, all that's left is to deal with the remnants."

"My thoughts exactly," Akechi said. "Once the Phantom Thieves have been dealt with, no one will dare to stand against us. We will have this country right where we want it: longing for a law-and-order Prime Minister."

Shido fumbled with his glasses. "How do you plan to eliminate the other members?"

"I considered making it appear they had a falling out, but that would only amplify public frenzy." A malicious grin captivated Akechi's face. "It would be best to have each of them meet with an unfortunate accident once the storm blows over."

Shido folded his arms against the table. "Make sure to kill that strange cat once you find it, as well."

Akechi nodded in agreement. "Understood. Though, I doubt there is anything to worry about. It's merely a cat, after all."

"Is there any possibility the Phantom Thieves will plan to avenge their leader?" Shido asked.

Akechi's hand retreated into his pocket. "They've stared death in the face countless times and refused to give in. I'm almost certain they'll try to get even with us. I'll have to keep my eye on them."

"I'll be counting on you."

"Even if they decide to exact revenge, they will live their lives cowering in fear of death—an apt punishment for obstructing our work." Akechi set his briefcase on Shido's desk. "More importantly, they should be dealing with the suicide right about now. I'll need to prepare my comments on the matter."

Shido looked at Akechi pensively. "I must be prepared to deal with it on my end as well. Beyond that… what of the owner of Leblanc?"

Akechi flashed a sordid look. "Perhaps he'll be struck by a mysterious illness sometime soon… but I also need to be cautious. The death of Sakura-san would be a bit much, don't you think?"

"Continue monitoring him for now," Shido ordered. "If he becomes a loose cannon, deal with him however you please."

Akechi unlocked his briefcase gingerly, guiding its black lid open with the tips of his fingers. A thirty-five millimeter film reel was nestled deep inside its main pocket. He rotated the reel on its side as he handed it off to Shido. His boss paid special attention to the title sloppily pasted on the case: AKIRA KURUSU.

"I also made sure to collect this for you. It's only a formality, but proves my dedication to our goals."

"Excellent," Shido said. "That tape will be the finest item in my collection."

"If everything goes according to plan, it will only continue to grow. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have plans to get in order."

Akechi pivoted on his heels to make a quick exit from Shido's office. He snaked into the hallway, his thoughts soon drifting to his final encounter with the man they called Joker—and the treasure he'd plundered from his lifeless body. The ace detective relished in pride, his hand slipping into his jacket to retrieve Akira's most prized possession: a wooden tiki necklace bearing the name of his beloved, Makoto Niijima.


Monday, November 21: Early Morning

Shibuya - Ginza Line

Makoto bobbed languidly through the morning rush hour to reach the train platform. Her emotional scars from the day before remained red and raw, never relenting in their ferocious assault on her typically confident demeanor. She desperately yearned to return home, where no one would have to witness her reddened eyes and unkempt hair—to witness her mask as the student council president crack and crumble to dust. Even so, she steeled herself to continue on for the sake of her teammates and their future.

Makoto broke pace to fumble with her headband when she spotted a pair of blonde pigtails in the corner of her eye. She spun around, quickly recognizing Ann's form through the chaotic sea of fellow commuters. Both girls instantly discerned the shared feelings which strangled their troubled hearts and the fate of ruin pitting its burden against their weary souls.

"Hi," Makoto said, her strained voice barely audible above the clacking of wheels on metal.

Ann turned towards the floor. "Hey, Makoto… can I be honest for a sec?"

"Yeah. Of course."

"I feel terrible." Ann frowned. "It took me all night to fall asleep after leaving Leblanc."

Makoto's eyes narrowed in dejection. "I lost count of all the things I thought about last night. Besides the obvious, I really got hung up about what the police might be planning right now."

Ann bit her lower lip. "If they're really coming after the rest of us, how would they do it?"

Makoto dug her palms into her satchel. "They'd probably start off by searching Shujin again. It's also likely they'd try to get people we know to sell us out. Perhaps they'd even offer a reward to anyone with information on the Phantom Thieves."

"Is there any way we could stop them?" Ann asked.

"There are a few things we could try." Makoto pulled her vest down. "For one, I could sit in Akira's chair during class today. Fewer people would notice he didn't show up to school. We could also have our allies make a cover story for Akira's death. That might buy us just enough time to take care of Akechi."

Ann brushed one of her pigtails to the side. "But don't you have your own classes? Won't your teachers know you're gone?"

Makoto pulled her arms closer to her body. "Let's just say I have… special privileges, since I'm the student council president."

A computerized voice rang out from the speakers above the platform, marking the arrival of the next train to Aoyama-Itchome. A rush of air surged by, lifting up strands of Ann's lengthy blonde hair.

Ann beckoned to Makoto. "You ready to go?"

The brunette sighed, averting her somber eyes. "Y-Yeah. Let's get going."


Monday, November 21: Morning

Shujin Academy

Makoto squeezed her Buchimaru-kun pencil case, hoping its familiar texture would quell her fluttering heart and trembling hands. No level of preparation could have readied her for the moment she sat down at Akira's empty desk. Her overtaxed mind darted from one scenario to the next, immersing itself in an endless cycle of dread. Makoto fixated on Mr. Ushimaru as he approached her, hoping her last shreds of calm could carry her through his daunting history lecture.

"Good morning, Niijima-san," he said. "It's surprising to see you today."

"Oh." Makoto forced her back tightly against her chair. "Well, you see, it's for my public speaking class. I'm writing a paper on persuasion techniques and need to observe some examples."

Ushimaru mulled over the information, his face crowned by chronic indifference.

"In that case, make yourself at home. I expect you to set an example for the rest of the class."

"O-Of course."

Mr. Ushimaru returned to the front of the room and cleared his throat.

"Before we start, I want to remind you slackers of something important. The next round of exams begins a few weeks from now. Review the material closely or you won't score above a fifty. Got it?"

The entire class nodded in agreement, their efforts more lifeless than ever.

"Good. Now, let's continue where we left off: the purpose of government and its role in our lives."

Makoto honed in on the class's demeanor, analyzing the actions of those around her with incessant resolve. Her fear heightened each time a nosy classmate eyed her, or her ears picked up a sidebar from somewhere inside the room. Mr. Ushimaru steadily faded into obscurity in the face of Makoto's magnifying anxiety, only to be throttled back front and center as class reached its conclusion.

"Sakamoto," Ushimaru announced, taking a sip from his coffee mug.

Ryuji jolted back to attention. "Uh… yes, Mr. Ushimaru?"

"An important distinction to make between governments is the categories they fall under. We talked about three basic groups last week: autocracies, oligarchies, and democracies. These are the most common forms of rule, but there are others. One rare type of government is a kleptocracy. Could you tell the class what that means?"

Ryuji froze, his eyes parted in fear. "Uh… I think I know what it means, it's just that I, well—"

"My apologies." Makoto raised her hand. "If I may, I'd like to help Sakamoto-kun answer the question."

Ushimaru reached over to clench some chalk. "I don't see why not. After all, it is the duty of the educated to guide the foolish masses."

"The word 'kleptocracy' comes from two Greek words," Makoto explained. "Kleptes, meaning 'thieves', and kratos, meaning 'power' or 'rule'. Taken together, the word literally means 'rule by thieves'."

The persistent scowl that defined Mr. Ushimaru's face budged just an inch as he brought his hands together in applause.

"Excellent work, Niijima-san. Your personal intellect is unmatched."

The rest of the class turned to Makoto, clearly intimidated by her prowess.

"The typical kleptocracy is run by corrupt politicians. However, a certain group decided to use their heists for a more sinister purpose—the breakdown of Japan into a thieves' den. Fortunately, their leader has died by his own hand. They ignored a basic rule: there is no room in a modern society for revolution."

Makoto bit the inside of her cheek, trying her best to resist the sting of Mr. Ushimaru's words.

Ushimaru gestured towards the rest of the class. "There's another topic I need to address as well. The kid with the record didn't show up today. I don't suppose anyone knows why?"

"Akira said he was staying home today because he got the flu," Ann said.

Ushimaru scowled with contempt. "In my day, you put on a face mask and pushed through it. Remember, you won't get a pass when you're on the job. I bet his guardian will agree."

A buzzing sound drew Makoto's attention back to her satchel. She picked up her phone, quickly noticing the text messages lighting up the screen.


Ryuji S.: Dammit! Ushimaru's gonna blow our cover! Can't we do something about it?

Ann T.: We'll have to distract him somehow. But how can we do that?

Makoto N.: We could call him into the office. After all, Akira had Ms. Kawakami's number on his phone.

Ryuji S.: But the cops have all his stuff! What are we supposed to do now?

Futaba S.: Hold on, guys. Support is on the way.


A series of chimes played over the intercom, drawing Ushimaru's attention towards the ceiling.

"...Is this on? Mr. Ushimaru, please come to the faculty office at once."

"Get to work on your studying." Ushimaru grumbled an obscenity to himself in frustration. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Mr. Ushimaru shoved the receiver down in disgust before stomping out of the classroom. As he exited the students' line of sight, the intercom returned to life, sounding the long-awaited dismissal bell. Students rushed for the hallway, leaving Makoto, Ann, and Ryuji alone inside the room.

"That was way too close," Ann said.

Ryuji slumped against his chair. "Talk about it."

"We really owe Futaba for getting us out of this one." Makoto brought her hands together. "That said, we can't rely on her like this forever."

Ryuji stood up from his desk. "How are we gonna keep Akira's death a secret, then, Mako?"

Makoto's face lit up slightly. "I have an idea. It involves a certain someone who knows about our leader's secret identity. I'll explain everything later."


Monday, November 21: Lunchtime

Shujin Academy - Student Council Office

"Hi, Makoto." Ms. Kawakami took a seat across from Makoto's desk. "You wanted to speak with me?"

Makoto returned an inviting look. "Yes. I know my request is on short notice, but I figured you were the right person to talk to."

Kawakami looked to Makoto in interest. "People don't often seek me out, but I'll do my best."

"Have you paid attention to the news over the past few days?"

"Not that I remember," Kawakami said. "I've been pretty busy with planning out my lessons. Have you?"

Makoto dropped her shoulders and sighed. "Ms. Kawakami… there's something you need to know."

Kawakami grimaced. "It's… not good news, is it?"

Makoto gripped the side of her chair for support. "Akira was arrested and taken to jail on Saturday. I was really worried after what happened—mostly because they could be doing anything to him in there. But just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, things really got bad."

Kawakami's eyes widened in horror. "What happened to him?"

"The police found Akira… dead in his prison cell. To make matters worse, my friends and I have doubts that his death was an accident."

Kawakami's expression turned somber. "Do you really think that someone might have killed him?"

Makoto's eyes shined with passion. "I'm sure of it. It's the only way Akira could've ended up like this."

"To think he was murdered," Kawakami muttered. "The mere thought of it seems unthinkable."

Makoto stiffly crossed her legs. "I know it's really sudden, but I wanted to make sure you knew the truth about what happened. This also brings up something else I wanted to ask you about."

"I'm all ears, Makoto," Kawakami said, smoothing the ruffles out of her dress.

Makoto rested her hands on her desk. "I'm wondering if you could do a favor for me. The way things are going, more people at Shujin will realize that Akira was the leader of the Phantom Thieves. If too many people figure it out, they could inadvertently put me and the others in danger. I'd like you to help us make a cover story about Akira's death."

Ms. Kawakami's face lit up with resolve. "I'll make sure I have one ready by tomorrow morning. I owe you guys after everything Akira has done for me. Hopefully this counts as me repaying my debt."

Makoto dipped her head in respect. "Absolutely, Ms. Kawakami. Thank you very much."

Kawakami parted her hair away from her face. "I'm not sure if this is too personal, but how have you been doing since the news broke?"

Makoto slumped into her chair. "I haven't handled my emotions the best, if I'm being honest."

"Maybe you guys should talk to Dr. Maruki about it. After all, his presence around Shujin seemed to help after the Kamoshida incident."

A small glint of optimism arose on Makoto's face. "That sounds like a pretty good idea. It's always nice to have someone you can speak to about the feelings you have. Another thing going for us is that Dr. Maruki was close to the Phantom Thieves."

"I'll give him a call and see if he can stop by later," Ms. Kawakami said.

Makoto whipped out her phone, her fingers spelling out the latest order for the team.

Makoto N.: Let's meet up in the guidance office this afternoon. Ms. Kawakami wants us to see Dr. Maruki.


Monday, November 21: After School

Shujin Academy - Guidance Office

"I heard you wanted to speak with me because Kurusu-kun passed away," Dr. Maruki said.

Haru rested her elbows on her knees. "Akira's death blindsided all of us. We didn't think it was possible for someone our age to end up this way."

Ryuji frowned, settling deeper into his chair. "You could say that again."

Maruki's face turned somber. "I'm very sorry for your loss. Kurusu-kun was a great student and an even better confidant. He also helped me finish some important research I was working on. I'm sure he'll be remembered as one of Shujin Academy's finest pupils."

Yusuke brought a hand to his chin. "Dr. Maruki, we're hoping you could shed some greater light on our feelings."

"Of course." Maruki adjusted his glasses. "We all experience grieving in different ways. Some of us feel angry. Others feel sad or that they are at fault for a person's death. It's more than okay to struggle with these emotions or have them change over time. What matters most is that you're honest with yourself about how you feel."

Kasumi turned to face the floor. "I can't stop thinking about how much I miss Senpai."

Ryuji tightened his hands into fists. "I wish Akira hadn't been stolen away from us."

"I just wish we'd had a chance to say goodbye," Ann muttered.

"I, too, know what your grief feels like." Dr. Maruki paused, anxiety taking root in his voice. "Someone close to me passed away a few years ago and it affected me very strongly. It took me a long time for me to feel comfortable with myself again. In the long run, that experience helped me understand my clients better when they ended up in similar circumstances."

"I take it this is what motivated you to work with teenagers like us?" Makoto asked.

Maruki's expression lightened somewhat. "It definitely motivated me to become the best psychiatrist I could. I wanted to make sure that no one would have to suffer like I had. That one day, everyone could be happy and find true happiness that comes from within."

"Sounds really inspirational," Futaba said.

"I'm glad. Now then, let's get started."

Dr. Maruki quickly got to work, laying out countless strategies for the team: how to use an emotion wheel to identify troubling emotions, tracking their evolving feelings using a diary, and how to keep their bearings in the face of extreme stressors. As their meeting drew to a close, Dr. Maruki addressed them again.

"The last thing I'd like to say is something I mentioned a few days ago: I don't want a single one of you to think that an unfair reality you've been forced into is the only one you have to live. I firmly believe that we can make a better future for all of you—one where you enjoy life as it ought to be lived."

Makoto returned a grateful expression. "Thank you again, Dr. Maruki. You could've moved on to your next post after your time at Shujin, but you came back for our sake. That speaks volumes about your dedication to your field."

"Glad I could help. Oh, and please take some snacks. Have as many of them as you please."

Ann flashed an enthusiastic grin. "I'm going all in on the chocolate!"

Dr. Maruki turned towards the door, satisfaction evident on his face. "It was a pleasure to see you all again and I look forward to our meeting next week. Until then, see you."