8/7 Sunday
Days until the Cleanse: 14
As soon as the day began, Makoto immediately called an emergency Phantom Thief meeting.
Thankfully, everyone was able to attend.
"What is this about, Makoto?" Yusuke asked. "Has Futaba awakened?"
"She has." Makoto nodded. "And she's dealing with Medjed as we speak. But that's not why I called all of you here."
"It's not?" Ren wondered. "Then why did you call us?"
"I think we might have another target." Makoto stated.
"Another target?" Ryuji repeated. "Wait, do they not have to do with Medjed?"
"They don't, but it's still pretty important." Makoto answered."
Makoto explained to the group everything about Shiho and Kaya, and the circumstances surrounding them.
"It's even worse than I thought…" Ann muttered. "Poor Shiho…"
"Damn it!" Ryuji snapped. "Even with Kamoshida gone things are still effed up cause of him!"
"Still… why take it out on Shiho of all people?" Ren frowned. "She's the last person who deserves this."
"It looks like she resents Shiho because of Kamoshida leaving." Morgana noted.
"I can't believe that she's taking it out on Shiho when it's Kamoshida's fault…" Ann muttered.
"Even so, Shiho wanted me to at least try and talk to her." Makoto stated. "Would it be possible to convince a shadow to change just by talking to it, Morgana?"
"Well… it might be possible, but I don't really know for sure." Morgana admitted.
"If it's what Shiho wants, then we'll try our best!" Ann exclaimed.
"But if worse comes to worse, we'll probably have to change her heart the normal way." Morgana warned.
"Changin' Kamoshida's heart was definitely the right thing to do!" Ryuji declared. "But if him leavin' is causing problems, then we should help to solve those too!"
Makoto nodded. "Are there any objections?"
Nobody said a thing.
"Alright then. Since we're all in agreement, let's go." Makoto said.
She ended the meeting, but before they went to the Metaverse, Ann stopped her.
"Hey, Makoto?" Ann asked. "I was thinking… if we do have to end up fighting, then maybe we should have some kinda ace in the hole, you know?"
"Ace in the hole?" Makoto questioned.
"Yeah, you know, like a special attack or something." Ann suggested. "Doesn't that sound cool?"
"That could work." Makoto nodded. "Did you have anything in mind?"
"I did actually!" Ann grinned. "Ok, here's how it's going to work…"
Ann started to explain the special move that she had come up with.
It seemed a little strange to her at first, but it did seem doable.
"Yeah, I think that we might be able to make it work." Makoto said. "Let's try it some time."
As she said that, the star that Jose had given her began to flow once again."
"Woah, what's that?" Ann gasped.
"It's a wish granting star." Makoto explained. "I suppose since we wanted to do this special move so badly, the star granted our wish."
"That's amazing!" Ann exclaimed. "Those shadows won't know what hit them!"
They discussed the move for a little longer before they joined the others and went into the Metaverse.
Things were very quiet as they made their way to Kaya's location. Makoto wasted no time brutally defeating any shadow that got in their way, focused only on ensuring that Kaya's heart changed.
They eventually found themselves in front of a void-like object.
"That should be where our target is." Morgana stated.
"Then let's go." Makoto commanded.
They entered the red, swirling void, seeing Kaya on the other side.
"Eh? Who the hell are you guys?" Kaya glared.
"We're the Phantom Thieves!" Ryuji grinned. "And we're gonna change your heart!"
"Change my heart?! What are you talking about?!" Kaya snapped. "Don't you realize that I'm a victim here?!"
"Even if you are a victim, that doesn't give you the right to hurt other people!" Ren shouted.
"And why not?!" Kaya snapped. "It's Shiho's fault that Kamoshida's gone… and now that I think about it…"
Kaya glared. "Kamoshida would have never confessed if you guys hadn't threatened him!"
"You've seen all of the injuries that your fellow athletes had, didn't you?!" Ann cried. "Those were caused by Kamoshida's abuse!"
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Kaya snapped. "T-That was just training!"
"I don't think she'll listen right now." Ren frowned.
"You guys are at fault for Kamoshida leaving too…" Kaya muttered. "So I'm going to make sure you can't ruin anything else!"
Kaya's shadow transformed into a blonde angel wearing strange bondage gear.
"I'll make all of you pay!" Kaya shouted.
Several other angels appeared around Kaya, ready to strike.
"Raaaargh!" Kaya screamed as she and the rest of the angels started firing Kouha spells.
"Watch out, everyone!" Morgana warned.
Makoto quickly dodged the attack, wasting no time summoning her Persona.
"Chorozon!" Makoto called. "Maeiha!"
Dark energy blasted the angels, sending most of them to the ground, the other thieves picking them off with gunshots.
"You bitch!" Kaya snapped.
Kaya's shadow started wildly firing spells at them, completely consumed by rage.
"Queen!" Ann cried. "Let's try our special move!"
"Got it!" Queen nodded.
Ann quickly moved to Makoto's side, the two of them striking a pose as several spotlights shined on them.
"We'll steal…!" Ann began.
"Y-You're heart!" Makoto finished.
Ann jumped into the air, firing multiple shots at Kaya, while Makoto rode on her motorcycle, doing the same.
Ann flung a grenade right before landing on the back of Makoto's motorcycle and driving off.
After driving a safe distance away, Makoto stopped, both girls giving one last pose as they looked away from the grenade exploding.
"Woah, that was badass!" Ryuji cheered.
Makoto stood on guard, watching carefully for any sign of movement inside of the cloud of smoke that had formed.
Her eyes widened, and she quickly dodged out of the way of a Hama spell.
The smoke cleared, revealing a heavily wounded Kaya.
Her desperate attack failing, Kaya's shadow fell to one knee, all of their guns pointed at her in case she made any sudden movements.
"It's over." Makoto stated. "You barely have any energy left, right?"
"Why are you going after me?!" Kaya snapped. "What the hell have I ever done to Shiho?!"
"You don't remember?" Makoto asked. "You tore apart her things and said tons of nasty things to her."
"That's because she's the reason why Kamoshida can't teach us anymore!" Kaya snapped. "She's getting what she deserves!"
"The reason that Kamoshida can't teach you is because he's a predator!" Ann snapped. "Don't you remember what he did to Shiho?!"
"I…" Kaya trailed off. "I know… that Kamoshida did some awful things to her. But I don't care!"
"...You admired him, didn't you?" Makoto pointed out.
Kaya faltered. "Admired… yes. Yes I did."
Kaya glanced towards the ground.
"He was my inspiration. I've loved volleyball ever since I was little. Going to Shujin and learning from an Olympic athlete was like a dream come true. I was on a team of people who were my trusted friends… I even thought that we could make it to nationals."
Kaya grit her teeth in anger.
"But now everything's ruined, and it's all Shiho's fault!" Kaya snapped. "Kamoshida gave her all of his attention, and she still threw it all away."
"All of his attention…" Ann repeated. "You were jealous of Shiho, weren't you?"
"Me…? Jealous of Shiho?" Kaya questioned.
"You were jealous of how she got all of Kamoshida's attention.
"It… It's true that Kamoshida gave all of his attention to Shiho… we barely even tried to coach any of the rest of us…" Kaya admitted.
"I know that the entire volleyball team suffered… but that includes Shiho." Ann reasoned. "You know what he did to her because Shiho was his 'favorite', don't you?"
Kaya glanced downwards, not meeting her gaze.
"But despite everything, Shiho is still trying to move forward." Makoto added.
"Ngh… Shiho had to deal with so much… and I…" Kaya trailed off.
Kaya's shadow slowly began to transform back into her human form.
"Now do you understand?" Makoto asked. "Do you understand that Shiho suffered as well?"
"Yes… I get that now." Kaya admitted. "But what was I supposed to do?! Volleyball was the only thing that I had!"
"I know how hard it is to have your entire club destroyed." Ryuji sympathized. "But you can't just take it out on Suzui!"
"You still have most of the volleyball team members. You should try and restart the team, not give up!" Ann insisted.
"But… the team is…" Kaya muttered.
"Your love and passion for volleyball is obvious." Makoto stated. "I'm sure that you, Shiho, and all of the other volleyball team members would want the volleyball team to continue!"
"Continue… the team. My passion… for volleyball…" Kaya repeated. "Yeah… Kamoshida and Shiho may both be gone… but my love for volleyball isn't. For everyone's sake… I can't give up."
Kaya's body began to shine with a bright light.
"What's going on?!" Ren exclaimed.
"I think… that her heart is changing on its own…" Morgana muttered.
Kaya began to smile as her shadow began to slowly fade away.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble that I caused… and… if you see Shiho… tell her I'm sorry to." Kaya said.
Kaya's shadow completely faded away, as did the chamber that they were in, the thieves finding themselves back in the regular part of Mementos.
"So… did it work?" Ryuji asked.
"I think so." Ann said. "We should check in with Shiho just in case, right Makoto?"
Makoto, however, found herself deep in thought. Of course people would be able to change their own hearts. In retrospect, it was rather obvious. People change all the time, for better or worse. But it did make her wonder… if they could change the hearts of people like Kaya without having to force them to change… then maybe they could do the same to-
"Makoto?" Ann repeated.
"Sorry. I was just deep in thought." Makoto excused. "We should check up on Shiho later, just in case. But for now, let's head back to the real world."
They left Mementos, and as soon as they did, they said their goodbyes, and Makoto went home for the day.
8/8 Sunday
Days until the Cleanse: 13
With it being summer, and with them already having finished with Futaba's palace, Makoto found herself with a little bit of free time on her hands.
She decided that she would get some coffee at Leblanc and get some studying in. Maybe check on Futaba as well.
As she made her way to Leblanc, however, she ran into a familiar face about to enter Leblanc.
"Oh! Okumura-san!" Makoto called. "Hello."
Haru turned around, giving her a smile. "Oh, hello there, Niijima-san."
"Were you about to enter Leblanc as well?" Makoto asked.
"I was. Is this place a favorite of yours, Niijima-san?" Haru asked.
"It is, actually." she nodded. "I was a little skeptical of the coffee and curry combo at first, but they actually go surprisingly well together."
"Well then I simply have to get it now!" Haru beamed. "Would you like to get some with me, Niijima-san?"
"I'd love to." Makoto smiled.
The two girls went inside of Leblanc, each grabbing some coffee and curry for themselves.
"This is quite good!" Haru smiled.
Makoto nodded. "I told you. Say, Haru, how's your garden doing? You can't tend to them since school isn't in session, right?"
"I managed to find a different place to put them at my home." Haru told her. "The roof would be better, but the place I found will do for now."
"That's good." Makoto nodded.
"You know, aside from gardening, I also have an interest in coffee." Haru told her.
"Oh really?" Makoto asked.
"I've tried to start going to different establishments to try out their coffee." Haru explained. "The last place I went to had its Dark Ivory coffee cost about six thousand yen a cup."
"That's… that's very expensive." Makoto gasped. "Was it actually worth the price?"
"Well… it was a unique experience." Haru stated. "But my father told me that I should never skimp out when it comes to learning experiences."
"Learning experiences?" Makoto repeated.
"Oh yes!" Haru beamed. "One day, I'd like to open my own little cafe. Although… I haven't exactly told my fiancé about my dream yet…"
"He wouldn't approve, would he?" Makoto frowned.
"Probably not." Haru sighed. "I doubt he'd want me to have much freedom…"
"Haru-chan?"
A middle-aged man wearing a suit walked up to them.
"T-Takakura-san!" Haru gasped.
"What a strange place for us to meet." Takakura said. "I didn't expect to see you in a small cafe like this."
He glanced at her.
"And who is this?" he asked.
"This is a friend from school." Haru explained. "Niijima-san, this is Takakura-san. He's an executive at Okumura Foods." Haru introduced.
"It's good to meet you." Makoto expressed.
"Likewise." the man nodded before turning to Haru. "By the way, how are things going with Sugimura-san?"
"It's … fine." Haru whispered.
"That's good." Takakura smiled. "You know, I hear that nowadays you have to reserve a wedding venue at least a year in advance if you want a good one. I'm worried about how laid-back you are about this…"
"I'll… keep that in mind." Haru muttered. "We'll start working on it…"
"I have to get back to the office." Takakura said. "Oh, but let me pay for your meals."
"N-No, that's quite all right." Haru insisted.
"Well, all right." Takakura replied.
As he left, Haru let out a loud sigh.
"I'm not sure what to do…" Haru admitted. "I want to follow my hobbies… but I don't want to disappoint my father. And then there's the executives like Takakura-san."
"What about them?" Makoto asked.
"I'm not sure if I can trust them." Haru admitted. "A lot of them have a lot to gain from getting close to me. But that's also why I appreciate you, Niijima-san."
"Appreciate me?" Makoto questioned.
"I can tell that your friendship is genuine." Haru smiled. "That you don't care about my position or money. Thani you for that."
She could sense Haru's sincerity and happiness.
EMPRESS CONFIDANT: RANK 4
The two girls talked for a little longer before Makoto went home for the day.
8/9 Monday
Days until the Cleanse: 12
Even though they had done everything that they could, Makoto still couldn't help but wonder if they would be able to defeat Medjed in time.
She was just a worrier sometimes, it seemed.
She tried to take her mind off of the situation by going on a walk around.
As she walked around a park, she noticed a couple of other people walking around, one of them being a familiar face.
"Kiritani-san." Makoto greeted. "Hello."
Yohei gave her an odd look. "Do I know you?"
Makoto raised an eyebrow.
Did he really not remember?
"Oh, wait… you were the girl who I met in the park, aren't you?" Yohei recalled. "But… I don't think I gave you my name…"
"You did. Don't you remember?" Makoto asked.
"Ah… my memory's not what it used to be." Yohei admitted.
"Are those other people with you…"
"They're also homeless, yes." Yohei nodded. "We have a small camp nearby. I try to help them as best as I can. They're good people… just down on their luck."
Maybe it was because they weren't training, but for some reason, Yohei seemed kinder and more approachable to her at the moment.
As the two of them sat down, Makoto thought to try and learn a little more about him.
"You have some really good reflexes." Makoto said. "Do you practice martial arts, or maybe something else?"
Yohei paused for a moment before answering.
"I was… a soldier." he answered.
"Ah, that makes sense." Makoto answered.
Yohei looked visibly uncomfortable, looking away.
She thought that he must have seen some horrible things as a soldier, so she thought to change the subject.
"How has everything been going with you?" Makoto asked.
"It's been fine." Yohei answered. "What about you? Still in school?"
Makoto nodded. "I am, but I'm on summer break right now."
"Good. Enjoy yourself. Once you get a little older, you're gonna wish you had more time to take breaks." Yohei smiled. "But try to stay in school too. You wouldn't want to end up as bad as me…"
Makoto frowned. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. You seem like a good person to me. You even saved me from those Yakuza."
"Yakuza…" Yohei muttered.
"Is something wrong?" Makoto asked.
"No, it's fine. Thank you." Yohei said.
The older man let out a smile, but it seemed strained, as if he had trouble accepting the compliment.
She was surprised that the strict mentor from before had a much softer side to him, and felt like she understood him a little better.
DEATH CONFIDANT: RANK 3
She spoke to him a little longer before heading home for the day.
Makoto's Confidant Progress:
THE FOOL - Ren Amamiya: Rank 8
THE HUNGER - Igor: Rank 6
THE CHARIOT - Ryuji Sakamoto: Rank 5
THE MAGICIAN - Morgana: Rank 6
THE FAITH - Eiko Takao: Rank 6
THE TOWER - Chiaki Yasui: Rank 5
THE SUN - Shiho Suzui: Rank 7
THE MOON - Takayo Tachibana: Rank 5
THE HIEROPHANT - Sojiro Sakura: Rank 5
THE TEMPERANCE - Naoya Makigami: Rank 4
THE STAR - Hifumi Togo: Rank 4
THE DEVIL - Mitsuhide Matsuoka: Rank 2
THE HANGED MAN - Munehisa Iwai: Rank 2
THE DEATH - Yohei Kiritani: Rank 3
THE EMPEROR - Yusuke Kitagawa: Rank 4
THE EMPRESS - Haru Okumura: Rank 4
THE LOVERS - Ann Takamaki: Rank 4
THE STRENGTH - Caroline and Justine: Rank 5
THE JUSTICE - Goro Akechi: Rank 4
THE PRIESTESS - Kasumi Yoshizawa: Rank 3
THE FORTUNE - Phantom Thieves of Heart: Rank 4
THE JUDGMENT - Sae Niijima: Rank 4
THE COUNCILOR - Takuto Maruki: Rank 5
Are the Phantom Thieves just? Yes 42.3%
