I own nothing. Monika does.

"Valiant, watch your back!" Joker shouted, gloved hand pointing at the creeping shadow that had slowly been edging towards the girl. Sayori made haste, swivelling around and blocking the creature with her shield. When he was sure his teammate could handle herself, Joker directed his attention back towards his right, smirking as he made quick work of his own enemy.

"Looking cool, Joker," Mona shouted, causing Sayori to groan slightly.

How many times is he going to say that? It was annoying most times, though sometimes the pink-haired thief found it oddly endearing. Still, "looking cool, Valiant, or Panther, or Fox, or literally anybody else" might be encouraging.

The snarky thought was brought to an abrupt halt as Sayori lifted her own mask, Psyche emerging to deal damage to the now crowding shadows. The deeper into this place they went, the more exhausting it became to continue forward. There was a poetic ring to it, Sayori supposed. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Joker, calm and collected, giving orders and occasional shouts of encouragement. He lead his band of thieves in the same way a composer leads his orchestra. The constant hand movements that he made as he talked (including the occasional lewd hand gesture to a beaten shadow) only added to the illusion.

Sayori watched their leader, and her other teammates, and felt an odd burst of pride. She was a part of this odd little group of thieves, and every day she was getting better. In the real world, Goro was there, and Sayori felt content knowing that she felt no burden in receiving his affection, and giving him her own. It had been so sudden at first, her change of heart. The unexpected lightness in her core had made her feel like she was drifting on the air itself. Though there were still times when the crushing weight of her false reality came back, heavy on her shoulders, it never seemed to stay. Clear and sunny skies were now her norm, and the occasional rain clouds held the promise of making flowers grow.

Sayori's thoughts stayed with her as she continued to deal damage to shadow after shadow. When they had cleared enough of a path for themselves, Mona turned into his bus form, and they continued moving forward. Mementos was a poem… or a complicated riddle. Every day they were closer to discovering the truth, the answer.

So close, and yet so far… Sayori's thoughts were interrupted by a snide remark from Ryuji.

He and Mona had been starting to get into more fights lately. It was a common occurrence during trips into Mementos… or whenever the two interacted, really. As far as she could tell, the only time they ever got along was during the actual battles, most of the time. Afterall, cooperation was required for that.

"I think we've gained enough ground for today," Akira announced. Everyone nodded in agreement, except for Morgana, since he couldn't really nod as a bus.

"Sayo- uh, Valiant, you want to come over later?" Ann asked, remembering last minute to use code names. "I was thinking we could do each other's nails. I asked Queen earlier, but she's busy studying," the red dressed thief stuck her tongue out playfully at their strategist.

Makoto shrugged, "School may almost be over, but I can't afford to lag behind. Besides, if you're inviting Valiant, we all know exactly what you two will be talking about."

"That's not fair!" Ann replied. "As if the only thing I have to talk about is dating and boys. Besides, I already got those two together. The fact that Joker only just got his his old amount of money back is proof of that."

Akira grumbled from the front seat, before taking a second to immaturely slam on the breaks. Everyone slammed into whatever was in front of them, and Morgana's hissing made the bus shudder and vibrate.

"Please refrain from doing that," Yusuke moaned. "Mona doesn't really have good seatbelts, and I'm trying not to reveal my identity as a Phantom Thief by having a permanent imprint of my mask on my face." The artist pointed dramatically at his head, where he had smacked it on the dashboard.

"Yeah, and I've already suffered enough from your road rage, Joker," Morgana remarked. The thieves all began to complain, except for a very frustrated Sayori. She hadn't appreciated the jolt anymore than the rest of them, but they would never leave if they continued to bicker and moan. With that, the black and gold clad thief glued a smile onto her face.

"Enough fighting," Sayori giggled. "Let's all just go home!"

Everyone grumbled their agreement, and Akira sheepishly apologized. Barely a second later, the dark red of the Metaverse blurred away.

I'm so tired.

The thought came to Goro Akechi so suddenly, echoing through his being like a heartbeat. The detective sighed, leaning back in his chair. He had barely done anything that day, and yet the many burdens he carried weighed him down like an anvil. I need to work…

There were still so many things he needed to do. He had been progressing slower and slower with all of his plans. They were conflicting with each other, causing him to hesitate whenever he tried to move forward with one of them. There were two paths to journey down, but which one was more important right now? Opening his eyes, the light practically blinded him. One gloved hand reached out, grasping the new thing he had that most potently represented his turmoil.

This postcard…

The picture of the bridge, of the woman on top who was waiting for something… anything, reminded him of the goals that ravaged his heart so. Avenge her, the picture seemed to whisper. Make the ones that are keeping her waiting suffer, for they are the ones who made her give up everything. Akechi gulped… A deep, gaping, angry void making itself present inside of him. He should get it over with, shouldn't he? His very existence was supposed to be for that. He was going to fall eventually, so he might as well drag the one who deserves it down with him. Too many sacrifices had already been made for him to be getting cold feet now…

I truly am horrible, for thinking of them like that… This was a truth he had known for a long time. Those people, for his purposes, were best left viewed as objective, and for the longest time that was exactly how he looked at them. His cold empty void that had taken root in his heart had made it all but too easy to do it.

But things had been changing lately…

The girl who had given him this, she was making her way into his life like a herd of stampeding kittens. As odd as it sounded, it was the only way he could describe her. Well, there were many ways he could describe her, actually. The journal he had been trying to fill with objective facts to help her get home was being filled with them. There were times where she reminded him of his goals for revenge… of the women he was trying to avenge, but now he was starting to realize she was something completely different.

Sayori was Sayori, a childish young lady who made him feel like what he was supposed to be, a stupid teenager, and not the broken shell he always used to view himself as. Yet for all of her childishness, she was also wise beyond her years, often times not even realizing it for herself. She was a miracle, a childish, noble, complicated miracle.

Despite all of that though, he was trying to push her away, because she needed to go home. Goro Akechi stared at his now black computer screen with contempt. The stupid flash drive still wasn't opening for him, and he had no idea if it ever would… Sayori needs to go home… needs to get away from me before my own stupidity crushes me, and crushes her too.

It was stupid, wasn't it?

He was too far gone to even truly enjoy her for the gift she was… treading water in a well, so deep in that if he looked up he could see stars during the day. Yet when he reached out, for something to keep himself from falling further, or something to boost himself up, or even to escape his situation entirely, the stone walls closed further in, crumbling in his grasp.

And he fell deeper into that lonely well. Perhaps it would be better to drown…

He needed something… anything… any sign to tell him where to go, or what to do next. He was a stupid teenager… That was how he had gotten into this mess. It was time to be mature about it. He shouldn't wallow in self pity with all of the other cruel miseries to be upset about, many of which he caused…

No! Akechi straightened in his chair, mentally scolding himself for his hypocrisy. He was supposed to be figuring things out right now! Come on! Think, detective!

His eyes scanned the growing pile of items on his desk. The postcard of the waiting woman, her patient loving gaze reminding him of things he could no longer change, waiting for him to either fall or persevere… with what, he had no way of knowing.

A journal filled with nothing but illusions, and a few stone cold facts that he had compiled from only knowing Sayori a few days… He had probably already picked her brain of any useful content… Except for…

Goro eyed the flash drive that was sticking tauntingly out of his computer. He had given up on any ideas of showing it to Sayori the moment he had known for certain that she was a Phantom Thief. Afterall. Her comrades couldn't know that what they had was a fake. He'd be discovered for sure. But maybe…

He remembered the strange occurrences that had surrounded the reveal of Sayori's Palace. There was something, or someone, waiting for him to figure something out. It hadn't intervened, but who could know for certain when its patience would run out? What were its intentions?

An untraceable person had left a message on the Phansite to tip off the Phantom Thieves, and him as well, for a note was left in the Palace by someone that was confident he would discover it… Was that a sign of some sort? These two occurrences could be connected… Connected…

The puzzle pieces were laying themselves out before him… he needed to put them together…

But first he needed to find Sayori. He knew his next course of action. No matter what path he decided to go down, his next step was clear. Goro Akechi grabbed his bike helmet and ran outside.

Find the Phantom Thieves!

Things are about to become much more serious, yet I'm certain that was his plan all along.

The fun and relaxed days of the past are drawing to an end. My friend's fun in the sun… I wish it could have lasted longer.

Yet I've kept the rest of them waiting for far too long. I've let him toy and tease with those two to his heart's content, without so much of a reassurance that I will see the fruit of our deal.

He thinks he has all of the cards in his hand.

I'll just have to play dirty, and use the ones I have hidden up my sleeve.

After going their separate ways for the day, Sayori exited the subway practically skipping. She was incredibly tired, and felt like collapsing, but the satisfied feeling welling up inside her seemed to prohibit her from doing anything less than a leap of boundless joy.

Maybe it's just meant to be one of those days… Sayori thought to herself, her eyes trailing over the many sights of the cityscape around her. She was tempted to take out her phone and snap a picture of the afternoon sky, which would soon be turning a lovely shade of pink as it began its transition to evening. Perhaps Yusuke would appreciate it if she sent him a picture of that, but the artist would be able to see it well enough on his own. That would probably be how he would want to do it too.

Sayori's legs itched, but not in the way that needed to be physically scratched. Despite her exhaustion, she felt an unexplainable urge to be doing something in the lively background around her. But what to do?

The itch in her legs rose up to her nose, and before Sayori could help herself a small sneeze brought an immediate damper on her afternoon. The pink haired girl pouted. Maybe it's just allergies… But wait… Do I even have allergies?

So many questions she had, and such a suddenly topsy turvy afternoon that she barely even registered her name being called until Goro Akechi was waving a hand in front of her face.

"Say-or-i," the detective sounded out each syllable, as if she were a baby that still had trouble pronouncing the simplest of words. "Have you suddenly lost your hearing? Or perhaps I have simply lost my voice and have yet to realize it?"

Now knocked out of her stupor, Sayori glanced at the detective teasingly. "Your voice is like wind blowing softly through my ears, Goro. You are barely a whisper in my head."

"If that is so, perhaps I should consider cancelling my next interview?" The small smirk on the detective's face made Sayori laugh, despite the fact that she could see the intense look in his eyes that told her one thing. He needed to talk about something.

"Goro, you don't need to do that. I guess I was just lost in thought… and tired," Sayori explained, causing her roommate to nod in sympathy.

"What were you thinking about?" Goro asked, following Sayori's now distracted gaze to their surroundings.

The girl sighed, looking down at her feet shyly. "I was just thinking about how it's such a beautiful day, but I barely got to enjoy it today. Now I'm too tired to even bother entertaining the idea," Sayori said mournfully.

"Weren't you spending time with your friends today?" The detective asked innocently. "Did you just stay inside the entire time?"

Sayori thought sheepishly back to the darkly lit tunnels of Mementos. Technically, they had started outside, near the subway, but that hardly counted, in Sayori's humble opinion.

Rather than complicate things by trying to explain this to her roommate, without actually telling him about her continued exploits in Mementos, the girl just nodded her head. "Yeah, we stayed inside most of the time."

Goro Akechi shook his head. He knew exactly where Sayori and her friends had been, but for Sayori's peace of mind he would play along. It could be helpful for his own purposes to do that anyway.

"I'll never understand it, Sayori. If you're going to go to all of the trouble of going to visit your friends and spend time with them, why stay inside so much?" The detective noticed Sayori blanch. She obviously hadn't thought through this particular lie very well.

"Um… Well… It's hard to explain… I figured it would be common sense, you know?' Sayori stuttered, only to suddenly feel like smacking herself in the forehead.

"No, I don't really think I would know…" Goro trailed off. His face looked as neutral and charming as ever, but his eyes betrayed the sadness, and… bitterness, that he felt with that remark.

Sayori felt a barely contained tightness in her chest as she desperately floundered for something to say… something to both still cover for her friends, and also stop her from offending Goro more than she already had.

The detective had just about finished collecting himself, ready to continue his part in the ruse, when he felt Sayori grasp his hand in her own. Goro felt that familiar content feeling he always seemed to get during moments like these. Even before they had finally each gotten over their fears, he had felt it, though it had so rarely been done in such a public place. After all, the last time had caused Sae to overreact, as so many adults did.

Before he could continue his thoughts, Sayori was meeting his eyes with that usual sweet smile that he had come to adore. "It's… it's sort of like how it is for us when we're at the apartment." The girl shook her head, as if to correct herself. "Well, not exactly like that," her giggles did nothing to mask her blush. "I mean, it's just that we never really seem to go anywhere besides that, because we never really need to. We're perfectly fine to just stay in and spend time together."

The detective nodded. "I can understand that. You simply like to enjoy your friends' company." He took a deep breath, knowing very well that he could continue to pick apart Sayori's lie with a "but perhaps you could have enjoyed your friends' company more outside." However, he didn't have the time or patience as he checked his phone and realized just how late it would be getting. He had to move onto his own topic of interest.

"Sayori, if that's the case, maybe your friends could come over to the apartment as well?"

Sayori physically froze at that statement. The corners of her lips curved upwards in a terrifying, nervous smile. "Y-You… Why would you want to do that?" She giggled nervously, hiding her suddenly shaking legs by kicking at a nearby pebble.

"Well, I was just thinking that I might enjoy some more company myself. Summer is, afterall, encroaching on us incredibly fast. Depending on how we choose to spend our time, it might get incredibly boring and lonely for me." Oh, woe is me, Goro thought sarcastically to himself.

Sayori forced herself not to shudder, not liking the idea of her Phantom Thief friends meeting with the person investigating them for very long at all, yet knowing it was a perfectly reasonable thing for Goro to say. As far as she knew, she was probably this boy's first friend that wasn't a stuffed animal, or a bully that he mistook for a friend because, Damn it, Goro. Those aren't friends and you need a hug so, so badly!

As Sayori's inner logic clashed with her emotions in a deadly civil war, Goro Akechi watched nervously, finally beginning to think he might have caused a psychotic breakdown on the only person he really cared about.

He had obviously done something wrong here. Maybe he had been too fast to approach the topic? If that were the case, there wasn't much he could do to remedy the situation. If he tried to shrug it off, Sayori would feel guilty, but also relieved because he would have just solved the problem for her. If he tried to press the issue in any way, Sayori might grow suspicious.

In the end, Sayori would have to be the one to diffuse this turmoil of hers.

When in doubt, blame Ryuji, was a common saying of Morgana's. That was the first random thought in Sayori's head, and it gave her an idea.

"I'll have to let them decide on that. Sorry, Goro." Sayori already knew what everyone's response would be to such a request. She internally patted herself on the back.

Goro knew too, which was why he couldn't keep the frown off his face. It was obviously time to switch objectives. Now that they both had that matter settled, Sayori's attention had once again drifted to the quickly darkening sky, and the city around her, with a look of longing.

"So you said you're too tired. Luckily for you, Sayori, I am not," the detective grinned at Sayori, the girl having paused in her reverie to look at him in amusement.

"What are you getting at, Goro?" the girl laughed as he gripped her hand even tighter, walking her away from the subway that had been quickly attracting a crowd of curious onlookers, their busy body-selves wanting to know why the Second Coming of the Detective Prince was loitering with a girl.

"It's nothing special, but I just figured it's been awhile, and I do live to please," the detective replied, knowing he sounded like a braggart, all the while remaining as vague as possible. For this, Sayori lightly hit him on the shoulder.

"You meanie! Just tell me what it is!" Sayori tried to sound harsh, remembering how Natsuki used to act when she showed up to the club cranky. However, all of her efforts only made the detective smirk and laugh.

Right back to where we began, Goro thought nervously. It was a stroke of pure bad luck that the only place he could find a place to park his bike was on this street. Sayori definitely realized where they were too, for she looked immediately to her right, spotting the familiar bench.

"Oh," she said softly, noticing the bike chained to the nearby rack. "I suppose it has been a while… a while since we met, and a while since you took me biking." Sayori blushed at the memory, running her fingers through her pink hair nervously.

"Yeah. I think it would be a good way for you to look at the beautiful day without having to lift a finger," Goro responded, his hands on his hips, obviously very proud of himself.

"It really is perfect, but… how did you know I was having that problem?" Sayori asked, a teasing smile on her face. "Are you a psychic?"

The detective shook his head. "Oh, how I wish… But sadly no," He offered a hand, escorting her to the chained bike as a princess is escorted to her carriage.

"I am merely a very handsome detective, and this evening… your humble escort." Said detective plucked Sayori's bike helmet off of a bike handle as if picking a flower, offering it to her with that pleasant smile of his.

"Hmm… Yes, very humble, and handsome as well," Sayori played along, winking at the detective as she put the helmet on her head. She waited patiently for Goro to undo the chain on his bike, looking at the park bench. Something unfamiliar once again welled up inside of her, as if she were on the verge of hiccuping.

This was close to the place she had woken up, so scared and alone. Cold too. The thought of what might have happened before that, whatever had sent her so far from home, sent an involuntary shudder running up her spine.

And then she felt the familiar gloved hand on her shoulder, and she once again felt the welcoming warmth, snapping her out of her sad, scared musings. She coughed that hiccup sensation down, and turned her blue eyes away from the past to meet the red-brown ones of her present.

"Are you alright?" Goro asked, concern lacing his voice.

"Y-yeah. Never better." That odd feeling returned to her throat, and Sayori sheepishly looked away, ashamed of her stutter. She was fine. Why did her body make her trick others with an impending hiccup?

Goro gave her that look, as if he didn't quite believe her, before turning his attention back to his bike, taking a second to strap on his own helmet. "Maybe a bike ride home will make you feel better? Though I advise you not to talk too much. Forgive me, but I probably won't really be listening too much."

"Like I'd want to distract the driver," Sayori joked, nodding in understanding at the detective's statement.

"In that case…" Goro Akechi grinned, before helping Sayori onto the bike. When they were situated the way they liked, Sayori on the bike seat, holding onto the back of Goro's waist, with him standing to pedal, the detective finally turned to her to finish his statement.

"Just enjoy the scenery."

And they were off.

Sayori clung tightly to his waist. This definitely isn't safe, she thought to herself.

Goro's feet were practically a blur as he peddled, years of experience aiding him in going as fast as he needed. They would probably be home before the sun completely set for the night, and it was already starting to dip below the horizon. The slight wind caused by the speed whipped the hair not contained in their helmets, and, as if on cue, Goro laughed at the sensation.

So Sayori laughed too. They were leaving that street behind, for which she was grateful. Attempting to lean her head forward, the girl decided to take her roommate's advice and began to study the slightly blurred city.

People were closing and opening stores for the night, rearranging displays in the front windows, and hanging new posters. Others walked the street, either preparing to head home and get some long awaited rest, or looking refreshed ready to start their nightly commute. City lights blinked, disorienting Sayori. So much so, that for a split second she thought she saw her homeroom teacher walking the streets, dressed in a maid costume of all things. The thought made Sayori laugh even harder. All of this she had seen in only a few streets.

This is definitely the way to travel, Sayori sighed as the light breeze continued to hit her face. She could hear Goro above her, panting slightly with the exertion of his fast-moving legs, and hugged him tighter. Her motivation made the tired boy's red face go even redder from embarrassment, yet he smiled all the same.

Sayori smiled too, having forgotten the hiccup feeling riding in her chest and throughout her throat, which had sense then spread through her entire body in the form of an off light numbness. It went first through her arms, spreading all the way to the the tips of her fingers, before travelling down through her stomach, down her legs, and then finally her right big toe. It was like a wire, pulled so taught that one small touch would cause it to snap.

And then Goro Akechi turned the street.

Sayori's laughter turned into a soundless gasp. It would have been a horrified shriek, if not for the fact that for a split second, her vocal chords, along with the rest of her body, had blinked and winked out of existence.

The second Goro felt the arms around his waist vanish, he immediately pulled the brakes on his bike. He tightly gripped the handle brakes, feeling his knuckles turn bone white, before he quickly attempted to peddle backwards and completely stop the bicycle. The force which he used caused the bike to skid across the street, and for a second he thought he was going to go flying off,but thankfully it stopped without incident.

Did she fall off? The brown haired boy panicked, silently berating himself as he looked behind himself further down the street, searching for the familiar pink hair.

"Goro…" A weak voice said from below him.

The detective's eyes snapped down to find Sayori exactly where he had left her, as if he had never felt her leave. She had a stunned look in her eyes, and her skin was especially pale. Her normally sweet smile was replaced by a thin line, a grimace if he ever saw one.

Maybe she just let go of my waist for a second? The detective quietly tried to reason with himself, even as the more observant side of him argued. For a split second, the bike had felt lighter than it should have. Perhaps he had hit a bump in the road and just hadn't noticed?

"G-Goro," Sayori began to sniffle, and the detective felt like jumping off of a bridge. He could entertain thoughts about what had happened later.

"It's alright… You're alright, Sayori. W-We are almost home…" Goro Akechi could feel the panic in himself rising. They were definitely not almost home, at least not by walking distance, and there was no way he was going to continue riding when this had just happened. No, he needed to keep an eye on Sayori until they got home, and he could figure out what was going on.

"No…" Tears began to fall down her face, making the detective blanch.

"Sayori, I need you to calm down and tell me what's wrong." Goro quickly put the kickstand down, rolling the bike onto the sidewalk. When he was sure it was steady, he quickly and carefully helped the crying girl off, wrapping her in a hug the moment she got off.

Sayori began to whimper and mumble, and an indescribable fear began to take root in Goro Akechi's heart. The last few functioning brain cells in his head were now in a turmoil, trying to figure out what was wrong so he could fix it. Was she sick, was that what all this was about? Did she have some indescribable, incurable disease that she should be in the hospital for, meanwhile he had been keeping her in his ill equipped apartment this entire time? Or maybe something had attacked her in the Metaverse and he had just been too dense to notice? Yet, there was also the possibility that-

"Goro, stop… stop shaking," Sayori finally managed to say, hugging the now trembling boy just as tightly.

"Sayori!" the detective, thoroughly panicked, began to inspect the girl, somehow managing not to break the hug all the while. "Are you okay?"

"I'm…" Sayori struggled to meet his gaze, placing a hand over her chest as she thought deeply. "I'm fine now, Goro. Let's just get out of here before it gets too dark."

"A-alright," the detective said, propping up his kickstand and bringing the handlebars to his side. He would just to walk it home, chain it up, burn it for causing such a ruckus, and then-

"Goro, you're shaking again," Sayori pointed out, frowning at the carefully masked distraught look on the boy's face.

"S-So I am. We should best get going then, Sayori."

"Yeah… I guess we should."

Both of them had the same panicked thought as they walked down the street.

What had happened? And why now, when everything had felt so perfect?

The next day, Sayori arrived at the library for her normal duties. Yet, today didn't seem normal. After the strangeness that was last night with Akechi, nothing felt right anymore. Sayori felt as though her body could fall apart at any moment, but she didn't know why. It was a fear that flowed through her entire being. For a moment, though, she would be distracted from this fear by a familiar voice.

"Hey, Sayori! What's up?" Mai was sitting at the desk, same as ever.

"Uh, nothing much. It's just… a normal day," Sayori replied, brushing her hair out of her face nervously. It was obvious to the librarian that she was hiding something.

"It sure doesn't sound like it. You sound like you're gonna have a freak-out or something," said Mai, concerned.

"Y'know, I just might. You never know," grumbled Sayori.

Mai was surprised by this. Sayori was usually the one who would backtrack from any hints towards her own misfortune, so to hear her not try to hide her feelings was certainly different. "Huh. Well, uh… I hope you get better, then."

Sayori looked over at Mai for a moment, but couldn't bring herself to keep looking. "Yeah, yeah, me too."

Mai's concern levels began to rise, inspiring her to inquire further. "Soooo... any news?"

Sayori took a deep breath. "Nothing. No news, no updates about getting home, no nothing," she said, dejectedly.

Hearing this made Mai feel a strange tension throughout her entire body. For a fleeting moment, she felt compelled to straighten her unkempt hair, but she stopped herself. Something inside was telling her to make a move.

"Hey, Sayori… how's the situation with Goro?" Mai asked calmly.

"The situation, huh? That's an unusually big word for you. Well, the situation is no good at all either. I scared him and myself half to death last night, and then had to spend an hour walking home with him miserable and freezing cold. It wasn't even cold, so why did it feel that way!?" Sayori looked as though she was about to have a breakdown. She wa beginning to wonder if she was delusional.

"Are you feeling okay, Sayori? Do you need medical attention?" asked Mai with legitimate concern.

"No, I don't! I just need… I don't know what I need. I don't know anything anymore."

Mai moved over and started to comb her fingers through Sayori's frazzled hair, humming a soft tune. "Well, I'd say that you need a rest, and maybe a break from all of the ridiculousness going on. You've got a new boyfriend, a new school, a new everything. Maybe you should try and slow down."

Sayori raised her hands to her head in agitation. "But I've been here for months! I should be used to all of this!"

"You're clearly not. I don't know what you can do, but all I can tell you is that you need rest, okay? Perhaps a break from all of the romance would do you well," replied Mai, as if giving a lecture.

Sayori looked over at Mai in disbelief. "Romance… What are you talking about? Goro's been one of the best things to happen to me during this whole mess. Why would I ever do that?"

Mai smiled. "I'm just saying, it's an option." She began to look away at nothing in particular. "I remember I used to know a boy who I loved very much, and my entire life changed because of him. It was a lot of… well, a lot of drama. It probably wasn't worth it, really. All of the stress, you know? So, maybe you're going through the same thing."

"You had a boyfriend, huh? Color me surprised."

Mai pouted, obviously offended. "Rude. I'm trying to give you advice, Sayori. When you get out of here, get some rest, and maybe tomorrow you'll have a clearer head. Then, you can find your path again."

"I guess… Thanks, Mai. I'll see about getting some rest tonight. You're a big help." A hint of the signature Sayori smile began to creep back onto her face.

"I'm glad to hear it," Mai said with a comforting grin.

"Say, Mai… How come you're so much more formal today?" asked Sayori, giving Mai a puzzled expression

"Oh, it's just, uh… my motherly intuition! You needed my help, so I got into that mode," laughed Mai, putting her hands up nervously

"Well, I'm happy for it. You've made me feel much better."

"That's wonderful to hear!"

Yes, wonderful indeed...

"These are the details of the message that are posted on Medjed's website."

Sayori had been lounging on the apartment couch, attempting to enjoy a restful, homework-less Monday evening to herself while Goro was at his interview, when the announcement had been made. Message?! Yet another puzzle piece was being placed in front of her, one that Sayori would inspect closer when she heard the message in its entirety.

"To the Phantom Thieves causing an uproar in Japan: Do not speak of your false justice. We do not need the spread of such falsehood. We are the true executors of justice."

Sayori could only roll her eyes. Not at the direct attack on her teammates, no. She could do that later in the security of their company. She was in actuality rolling them in response to the poorly executed message. So much "false" and "justice." Don't repeat yourself! It's not only repetitive, it's redundant, and people have heard it before.

Yes, the Phantom Thieves had heard it plenty of times before, but they were steady in their belief that they could make a difference. Yet, this time Sayori had a feeling this might be a serious threat. In that case, she needed to keep listening to this tripe.

"However, we are magnanimous. We will give you an opportunity to repent your ways."

Magnanimous… Now there's a twenty dollar word, Sayori thought to herself with a smile. Maybe they wouldn't need to educate Medjed about Language Arts, along with the fact that the Phantom Thieves were helpful on most occasions.

"If you agree to a change of heart, we will accept you as our own. If you reject our offer, the hammer of justice will find you."

Sayori released a low and angry groan. What a horrible, horrible message. Not only concerning, but also they were still being repetitive!

"We are Medjed. We are unseen. We will eliminate evil. Akechi-san, why do you think this announcement was made at this time?" The interviewer looked to the brown haired detective, and the camera view flipped to Goro's face as well.

Sayori was beginning to wish she had taken notes on the conversation she had overheard. If these two things were linked, this might be something she could better report to her friends if she needed to.

"I don't know the details, but there's no doubt they were provoked by the Phantom Thieves. Whether it's a sense of rivalry or a simple attention grab given the recent trends, I cannot say…" His voice sounded so neutral and honest. Sayori really did want to believe these two things had nothing to do with each other. However, the timing couldn't be denied.

"Regardless, it's quite a nuisance." Sayori heard that sentence and released a sigh. She knew that at least a part of it was only to uphold appearances, but still… It always made her feel awful when this part of his interviews would begin. The message now over, Sayori turned the volume on the TV down and got out her phone. She would just have to see the message for herself. Maybe she could find a way to read between the lines and get even more information.

All the while, the girl kept one ear open to the TV. The Phantom Thieves would definitely be discussing this tonight, and she needed to be prepared.

Sayori sighed, leaning back tiredly. An empty and sad feeling riddled her core after the discussion. She decided to name it epic failure.

She hated having to use a chatroom to communicate their ideas. Everyone had been so excited about the new target, she felt like she had no room to mention that it might be a bad idea. When she did mention the idea, they had simply waved it off. Afterall, they had to keep up appearances.

Sayori scowled an uncharacteristic scowl. She hated that word even more. Goro's boss, whatever kind of corrupt cop he might be to have contact with a bunch of "crackers," according to Makoto, had obviously thought through more than she and Goro had originally assumed. The Phantom Thieves had accepted Medjed's challenge, and might fall into their trap hook, line, and sinker.

Sayori shook her head. She did better when she was face to face with her team. Tomorrow, she would definitely tell them about a few of her suspicions.

"Hey, your phone was buzzing earlier."

Akira was briefly awoken from the malaise of school life by Morgana. He opened his phone, finding himself surprised to see a mass of notifications lined up.

I've gotten a lot of messages from an unknown account…

Akira was shocked upon opening these messages. A strange, cat-like icon appeared on his direct messages, one that he had never seen before.

"Nice to meet you. I am the one they call Alibaba. I want to ask you something."

Who is this? Are they related to Medjed?

"You're a phantom thief, aren't you? Can you really steal hearts?"

What!?

"There is someone whose heart I would like you to steal. But I'm not asking for charity. Let's make a deal. You wish to know about Medjed, correct? I can give you information on them if the change of heart is successful."

Information, huh…

"If you so desire, I can take them out as well. Do you believe in my skills? I can track down their accounts as well, just as I have with yours. I've prepared the necessary tool on my end. Look forward to it."

Akira attempted to respond, but couldn't. All that would appear was an error message. Alibaba had disappeared.

And we are back. I hope you all enjoyed the new chapter as much as I had fun writing it. It was amazing to get back into after so many weeks. I encourage you to please read, and review. The schedule is going to be slowed down a bit, but trust me when I say it will be for the best. I'll see you all next time!