Yu found focusing this time during classes around much easier. Maybe it was because Kawakami suddenly had massive energy today. Maybe it was because he had pulled off a successful heist before. Or maybe it was both. But whichever reason, he was able to do much better in school and regular life then the time he was forced into a deadline by Kobayakawa. During lunch, the first thing he did was send a text to Hifumi.

Yu: So how long do you think it'll be until you can change your mother's cognition?

Hifumi: Visiting hours for the hospital are over for today. Plus my mom is a very busy.

Yu: Can you do it before the week's up?

Hifumi: I can, don't worry.

Yu: Good, good. We need to take the Treasure as soon as possible.

Hifumi: I know what's at stake, don't worry. But in the meantime, do you happen to have free time right now?

Yu: Yea. Why?

Hifumi: Come by the church. There's something I need to show you.

Yu: On my way.

After Yu got inside the church, he found that only Hifumi and the priest were there, and the new Phantom had already set up a Shogi board, and was waiting for him, like a teacher ready to give private lessons to a student. She gestured for him to sit, which he did, and she cleared her throat.

"So, last night, a certain scenario had popped into my head; what would happen if the Team was somehow separated from me?"

"I imagine we'd be fine. I mean, we were able to do well enough with Kobayakawa."

"True, but there's always a chance to improve. So, I've decided I'm going to take time to help you improve in strategy."

"Except this is a board game, which is very different from real life."

"Also true. But it can give you ideas."

"What if I say no?"

"Then when one of our team members is lying dead because of your stubbornness, I'll say 'I told you so'. That good enough?" Hifumi replied with a small twitch in her eye.

Holy shit, that escalated quickly.

"Ok, ok, fine, I got nothing better to do. Where do we begin?"

It had taken a few hours of Hifumi explaining the rules of Shogi, but once Yu had grasped the basics, he and Hifumi decided to play a few games. Which Yu had lost completely and so badly that apparently even Ryuji did better when he first started out. Of course, Yu didn't let it get to him… too much. After all, he was good when it counted; in the middle in combat, and he emerged from the defeats with Hifumi smarter, and some of those maneuvers could come in handy in battle. Lost deep in thought, he didn't watch where he was going and accidentally bumped into someone.

"Sorry sir, that was my… Ryuji?" Yu asked.

"Oh hey man. Whatcha up to?" The delinquent asked.

"Nothing much, just… got a lot on my mind."

"That goes for everyone else."

"True. What about you? On your way to see Hifumi?"

"Yea."

"Alright, I'll be on my way then. Sorry for bumping into you." Yu finished, continuing on his way.

"Hey hold up." Ryuji called, running after his friend.

"What is it?"

"What were you doin' with Hifumi yesterday at her school? I went there to check up on her." Ryuji asked, his innocent expression trying to mask his accusatory tone.

"Oh, nothing really. We just… talked."

"The two of you were alone together…"

"Yup."

"And all you did was talk." Ryuji said, making it clear he didn't believe Yu.

"Yea. She had a lot to say about you."

Ryuji's eyes widened.

"Really? What'd she say?"

Yu's mouth turned upwards into a smirk.

"You should ask her yourself."

Yu began to walk away, but Ryuji called out to him once again.

"Hey hold up!"

The teenager ran to the Wild Card.

"As someone who already has a girlfriend… any advice on how to ask a girl out?"

Yu's jaw dropped.

"No way… you have a crush on Hifumi?"

"Agggh, yea. Kinda worried though I'll look like a moron for askin'. I mean, she's smart, a model, and has a ton of cash. I can't really give her anything. I ain't sure it'll work out between us."

"If you don't know what to give, just give her love."

"... Huh ?"

"Right now, her home is in turmoil. Her father's in the hospital, and her mother is not the shining model of what a parent is supposed to be. Right now, I'd say she needs support. You can give that, can't you?"

"Well… maybe…"

"Ryuji, you let me spend 10,000 of your yen on ramen just to let me know I wasn't alone when it came to dealing with Kobayakawa. If you care about her, then I know you'll do more than that."

"So… what are you saying?"

"I'm saying go for it. Don't waste time on 'what ifs'."

"Alright. Yea. I'm gonna do it! Wish me luck."

"Good luck Ryuji. You got this!" Yu cheered as his friend went into the church, while he himself continued home. The blonde-haired boy walked in just as the girl he was looking for was already about to leave. She had a brief look of surprise, but it turned into a look of happiness.

"Ryuji! It's nice to see you."

"Yea, same here Hifumi. Hey, I um… I gotta ask ya something."

"What?"

"So… I know that this might be a bad time, but… you wanna go on a date?"

Hifumi looked at him with a blank stare at first, then she had a look of 'Really? That's the best you had?' Ryuji took it as his cue to explain, his heart starting to pound at the idea that he screwed up.

"Yea, I know it's a shit time with all that's goin' on, but I just thought, well, uh… maybe you could use a break, ya know? Escape all the crap that's going on. If ya don't, that's ok, I get it, but if you're good with it…" He trailed off.

Hifumi raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you want to date me?" she questioned with suspicion in her tone.

"Well, because… because I see the crap you're in, and I'm reminded of what happened when dad was in the hospital. Ann and Shiho, my two only friends, didn't talk to me because they thought I needed space, but I needed a way to vent, something to hit, someone to talk to, or shit like that. I don't wanna repeat their mistakes. Plus, hanging around you is fun. Even if you always put down my peasant revolts, I still have a good time playing with you. Also, you're the only girl that doesn't mind me being weird sometimes."

"That's it?"

"Yea… yea, that's all I can think of." Ryuji replied meekly.

Hifumi rubbed her arm and cast her gaze to the floor.

"Ryuji… I appreciate the sentiment… but I can't. Not yet. Once this business with my mother is concluded, perhaps we can start to get to know each other better. But for now, I just can't. I'm sorry."

Ryuji glanced at the floor in defeat. True, he knew this was a possibility, but it still hurt. But he had to look on the bright side; hopefully the Phantom Team was hard at work stealing Mitsuyo's heart. As Hifumi left, she turned around to talk to Ryuji once again.

"And Ryuji?"

The delinquent turned to her.

"I'm glad you don't mind me being weird too."

Ryuji gave a small smile and nodded as he left. And he couldn't shake the feeling that neither Hifumi nor Yu were telling him everything.

With his business with Hifumi concluded, Yu first went to a nearby store and bought himself the five seasons of BroBro's Bizarre Adventure, as well as a DvD to play them on. Once he did that, he stuffed them in his bag, ready to be delivered next time he met the twins. But as he made his way through the subway, he heard a voice call out to him by his side.

"Excuse me Narukami-san, do you have a moment?"

Turning, he saw that none other than Yusuke approaching him.

"I do. What's up?"

"Have you, by chance, heard of the art exhibition being held?"

"No, I haven't. I've been busy."

"I understand. I'm not mad at you for taking Hifumi's case seriously. But, if you have the free time, I'd like to take you there."

"I'm free now."

"Oh, wonderful! Come, I need to show you the work I submitted to the exhibition."

Yusuke lead the way, borderline running through the throngs of people, and Yu had to admit his curiosity was peaked. He'd seen what Yusuke could do with a few minutes of sketching, and he certainly wanted to see what the skinny teenager could do with a ton of time on his hands. Making their way through, Yusuke was able to get by the guard without paying the entry fee by telling him who he was, and that Yu was his friend. Once inside, Yu noticed how packed the place was, and how diverse the art pieces were. Inside there were sketches, water colors, cell shades, negative space works, and that was just the techniques. As for what the subjects of the artwork were, Yu saw landscapes, abstracts, portraits, among others.

"This way my friend."

Yusuke guided Yu to where the crowds were thickest, crowded around a rather large painting.

"I have you to thank. Normally, I stick to abstract concepts, but I could not find inspiration for anything else. I hope you don't mind."

Yu got close to the painting and his eyes shot wide open. The painting in question was of him. He was mounted on top of a horse, in a traditional samurai's armor, his sword pointing away from him, as if he was signaling a charge. His expression was the same hardened look Yusuke captured back when they first met. The people around him gave various amounts of praise, from the form, the composition, and of course, the subject himself. And a lot of the girls were remarking about how cute he looked.

"What do you think?" Yusuke asked, pleased with himself.

"It's very good." Yu admitted.

"I'm happy you approve." The artist beamed.

"But I really wish you'd ask for permission first."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Yusuke, while the painting is nice, I really don't feel comfortable with my image becoming public."

The last thing I need is a group of fangirls stalking me while I'm trying to steal hearts

"O-oh. I'm sorry Narukami-san. It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable."

Before Yu could grill him further, a man approached them.

"Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear. You're Yusuke, right? The same man who created this beautiful piece in front of me."

Both teenagers turned to face the man, who was standing tall and proud as he evaluated the two, more so Yusuke than Yu. The blue-haired student gave a curt nod.

"I am."

"I'm Akiko Kawanabe. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." He replied, handing him a business card, which Yusuke took carefully.

"The pleasure is all mine." Yusuke replied.

"I came to this exhibition in search of talent, and I believe I've finally found it. Young man, I'm offering you an opportunity, to become known across the world. I'm willing to be your patron, to help you grow, both in skill and reputation as an artist."

"Reputation?"

"Yes, reputation. My organization, the Japanese Art Support Foundation, was founded for the purpose of finding young and talented artists, and help them make a living out of it. I would like for you to join us, so that we can help you like we have so many others."

"I… I don't know what to say."

"That's fine. For now, I would like you to think on it. When you've decided on an answer, call me."

And with that, Akiko gave a small nod and walked away. Yusuke turned to Yu, confusion evident on his face.

"I must admit, I'm at a loss. I didn't expect something like that. What… what do you think I should do?" Yusuke asked.

"I think you should see if he's willing to at least let you get a taste of the life he's offering. If you don't think you're cut out for it, then see if you can back out. And if you do like it, then you can take him up on his offer."

"I see. I'll take that into consideration. Thank you."

"No problem. I'm going to head back now, but…"

Yu looked around for more evesdroppers.

"Once this is exhibition is done, I'd like that painting in my room."

Yusuke gave a gentle grin, reading the address.

"Of course."

And with that, Yu turned on his heel and left.