I own nothing. Monika does.
Goro reviewed the papers he had grabbed for what felt like the thousandth time, making sure he wouldn't make any mistakes when Sayori arrived. After a few more minutes of this, he set the paper down, a heaviness settling on his chest as he thought about finally seeing her again. He was both excited about, and dreading that moment.
She hates me… And that's why I can't afford to mess this up. One thing he knew from having to speak in public was that if he wasn't well liked, he had less room for error. With the reasons Sayori had to hate him, if he said even one thing wrong she might leave and never talk to him again. He could accept that if it wasn't so dangerous. She needed to know what the Phantom Thieves were up against.
A quiet knock on the door snapped Goro out of his thoughts. He swallowed the bile rising up his throat as his heartbeat began to quicken. It's time… Don't mess this up, detective. He rose to his feet and walked towards the door, trying to make even the rhythm of his feet not too loud and not too quiet. If he was too loud he might come off as angry and dangerous, and stepping too lightly could be interpreted as an ambush. These certain details invaded the detective's head, making him increasingly anxious.
Finally at the door, Goro reached one trembling hand out and gripped the doorknob, trying to make himself calm down. Opening the door too slow or too fast were also hazards he needed to avoid. He paused to take a deep breath, before swiftly turning the knob and gently pulling the door open.
The hallway was dark, but his vision was somehow flooded with light. Sayori stood there nervously, her hands clasped tightly against her chest as she looked anywhere except at him. Goro found himself backing up, allowing room for Sayori to enter.
She did so with slow shuffling steps, looking cautiously around the room, as if she were expecting something to jump out at her at any moment. Neither of them knew, but this act was hurting them both inside. Sayori felt horrified at how corrupted everything that had once been normal had become. Goro felt incredible guilt, seeing how scared she was because of him. They really should have called, or perhaps met somewhere else. Maybe she would feel safer if others were around.
Without realizing he was doing it, the detective backed away to the other side of the room, wanting to give Sayori distance, just like that night when the truth had come to light. Sayori peeked up at him and noticed, before looking down at the floor and picking up her pace slightly. She turned around and shut the door, hesitating for a moment before flipping the lock on the doorknob.
Sayori gave one last close look of her surroundings, very aware that she had just trapped herself in this apartment. If she walked away from the door she could be abandoning her only chance to escape safely. She shivered, not in fear but in disgust at herself, knowing she had every right to feel this way… but it still felt so wrong. After that small moment of reflection, Sayori pulled her hand off of the doorknob and walked further into the room.
Glancing down, she noticed that a couple papers were sitting on the coffee table. Goro's normally neat handwriting had become a scribbled and illegible mess, looking disorganized to Sayori's eyes. "Do you need these?" She asked, pointing to the papers. Goro followed the direction of her pointer finger from his position against the wall, before slowly nodding and walking over towards the table at an even slower pace. He picked up the papers and sat on the chair, before instinctually glancing at Sayori. He didn't even realize how hopeful he felt until she shook her head.
"I… I think I'll just keep standing… if that's not a problem." Her legs shook and her stomach seemed to shrink with nausea at the thought of sitting on that couch. Hundreds of memories were bombarding her, making it hard to remain composed. Sayori hugged herself, taking deep breaths. She hadn't felt scared on her way over here… Why did she feel like this now?
Goro nodded slowly, painfully. This entire situation was agonizing, and he felt as though invisible shackles were attaching themselves to his ankles and wrists. Hundreds of chains weighing him down as he had nobody but himself to blame for this feeling.
"So… ready or not… tell me what's going on," Sayori said, trying to sound authoritative but falling incredibly short. "I… I want a full explanation!" That sounded much better in her ears.
"I… see," Goro began. He opened his mouth to start speaking, only to cough instead, taking a few seconds too long to clear his throat. He had given Sayori a few details about his past before, but dredging it up now filled him with anxiety. Before, he had felt safe telling her about his childhood, knowing that she wouldn't hate him simply because of the origins of his birth. But now, she would hate him for it. She already did hate him, after all.
Then you have nothing to lose… You already know you'll tell her everything she asks you for, a voice spoke up in his head, and the detective finally stopped trying to compose himself, nodding to himself and turning to Sayori. She had avoided his eyes since she had arrived, perhaps too afraid to meet the eyes of a murderer that she had been close with.
Make eye contact… Look back, and look deeper. Listen to him… Sayori's own inner voice spoke, and soon enough her body seemed to relax on her own. The girl felt herself begin to calm down, and nodded once. She lifted her head up and met Goro's eyes, somehow surprised at how normal it almost was. In the past, none of this would have been a problem…
"So… Sayori, do you remember the fireworks festival from a few months ago?" the detective asked. "More specifically… do you remember what we talked about when we got back home afterwards?"
"About your mother?" Sayori asked. Was he starting out with his motive then?
"Well… actually this has a lot more to do with… my father," the detective clarified. "I think it's important to keep in mind how I acted when I talked about him, while I am talking about this."
Sayori nodded, her mind drifting back to that night. Goro had been furious. He had seemed like a completely different person, with none of the carefully thought out words he normally gave.
"Sayori, pay attention now that you hopefully remember that," Goro said, snapping Sayori's mind back into focus. Once more, he sighed. "All of the murders I have committed were not under my own wishes. I was ordered to do them by others. To put it plainly I was a hitman. Still, I decided to carry them out. Until recently, I wasn't even a hostage of the situation. Each of those killings were ones I carried out willingly." He explained all of this calmly, though he soon became hypersensitive to the thought that serial killers that talked casually about their crimes were much more disturbing than those who felt shame for their actions. Even thinking of it like this made it worse.
Still, Sayori only nodded, absorbing this fact like ripping off a bandage. It hurt, but she had to get her grief over with if she was going to feel alright again. The situation sounded almost cut and dry. Goro wasn't killing someone just for the sake of killing. He was killing because someone else told him to, but just because it hadn't naturally occurred to him didn't mean he objected to it. For whatever reason, he had killed people with no fear of consequences or justice. Yet, Sayori also took note of how these feelings were past tense. Not only that, but he had mentioned he was a "hostage," too.
"The blood on my hands belong to Wakaba Isshiki and Kobayakawa, among many others. I caused their deaths by making them have mental shutdowns. Also, I am responsible for the psychotic breakdowns as well. Both of these things were done in the cognitive world, but psychotic breakdowns are an ability unique to only myself," Goro continued to explain. "But I did not kill Kunikazu Okumura."
He said that before… Sayori thought to herself, hesitant to believe him at first. But then again, he had admitted to the deaths of more than two people in the past. Why would he lie about Okumura specifically? I have to believe him on this, then…
"Who… who told you to do these things?" Sayori asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Who would wish for the deaths of these people? Who would have a teenager to commit such heinous acts?
Goro nearly recoiled as Sayori suddenly looked away sadly. She had seemed to understand what he had been saying, so why was she acting so sorrowfully?
"That's a long story that you need to hear. Just know that when I tell you these things that I'm not trying to excuse my actions," the detective said again. "They are inexcusable, after all."
Sayori gave a single, short nod, looking up to meet his eyes once more, so Goro continued. "Remember when I told you that my father was a good-for-nothing man?" He got another small nod. "Well, for a long time I wanted revenge… Before that, I wanted to force him to apologize to her, but that is no longer possible… Anyway, as I grew up, I became obsessed with finding him. When I finally did, he was in quite an interesting position… My goal of revenge took an interesting twist…" The detective's breath hitched as he realized he shouldn't be talking about this. It wasn't important enough to be in this explanation. Sayori didn't need to know why he did it, just what he did. Or maybe that was just him thinking that… She needed all of the information she could get, after all.
"My father was, and still is, a popular politician that is climbing his way up the ladder. I began working for him in order to get him to the very top, before using my origins as his bastard child to send it all crashing down," saying that part aloud only made the detective shake his head. "What a stupid plan. Whose word would they trust more?" Goro felt so incredibly stupid, but he was only interrupting himself with pointless thoughts now. "Anyway, that's important to know. My father has a massive backing behind him. He is actually supported by an entire conspiracy of influential figures. As his hitman, I would kill whoever they strategically picked out, in order to boost his popularity."
Goro looked at Sayori, who at some point had bowed her head slightly. She organized all of the information in her head. He started with all the things he did to make it clear that nothing following it was an excuse. He killed all of those people… for revenge, yet now he seems to think it was all pointless. I wonder… does he feel ashamed that those deaths will lead to nothing? Such meaningless murders… Still…
"What changed your mind?" Sayori asked, almost hesitantly. In that moment, she felt so afraid she knew the answer. Was she the reason there was no longer any meaning to those deaths? It was selfish and cruel to think, but she still couldn't get it out of her head. Was it a good or bad thing? It sounded like Goro wasn't killing people anymore, but so many lives had already been extinguished for nothing. Sayori sighed, ashamed of herself for thinking that way now of all times. "Why didn't you continue killing? Why did you spare Okumura?"
He could see the guilt starting to build in Sayori's worried gaze, so he felt somewhat relieved as he could honestly get rid of those fears. "It wasn't simply because of you, Sayori. It may have been part of it, but the real reason I began to want to quit so bad because of a revelation I had while I was following you… in Futaba Sakura's Palace."
So those shiny lights I saw really were his bike reflectors… Sayori realized, looking at him to continue his story.
Goro was put off when Sayori barely seemed shocked. Shouldn't she be more surprised, and creeped out that he had basically been stalking her? Well, he supposed neither of them wanted to let their emotions get in the way. "During your battle with the giant version of Wakaba Isshiki, I came to a disturbing realization. A memory I had unintentionally buried came to the surface…" The detective felt himself begin to shiver as two ghosts wandered around in his head. "My mother actually knew Wakaba… I suspect that they may have even been friends…" The detective tried to bring his trembles under control. I murdered her… Even now he was hurting his mother, who had never done anything but love him. He was hurting her by hurting others, ruining lives, and making himself into more and more of a monster. He knew he shouldn't think about it too deeply right now, but it never seemed to stop repeating itself anyway… That guilt had been repeating in his day since the day he started out on this path.
"Hey, calm down," Sayori spoke, her voice even and composed. "You need to tell me something else…" She clenched her fists tightly to her side, resisting the urge to reach out. Not now… For everyone else's sake, they had to finish this conversation.
Goro nodded, digging his fingers into the cushion of the chair, trying to find some sense of stability to continue. His own emotions definitely weren't, nor his head in general. His body wouldn't stop shaking either. He had no other way to support himself, but no matter what he had to. He had nothing to keep heading towards, and no goals to aim for. There was little reason to keep going at all.
Sayori took a deep breath, her hands beginning to tremble as well. She honestly couldn't help it. It was impossible to stop herself as she said, "Goro…I need you to tell me something."
Three simple words were all it took. There was confusion and questions about why Sayori would word it like that… But he wasn't going to question it as his mind and body finally stopped shaking back and forth. He looked at Sayori with wide eyes that he couldn't help but make. "What do you want to know?"
Sayori didn't allow herself to smile. The closest she allowed herself was a nearly straight line formed by her lips. She finally asked the question that had been torturing her mind for days now. "If it wasn't you, then who killed Okumura?"
Goro felt crushing disappointment as his shoulders slumped. "I'm afraid that I don't know the answer to that… But I have a theory. Though it is rather bare bones at the moment. I'll need to get more information."
"Well, start with what you are thinking right now," Sayori said firmly.
The detective nodded, before handing the papers with illegible writing to her. "Over the past few days, I have been twisting the information I do know in a few different directions. Still… the only thing I am fairly certain about is that there is someone else in the Metaverse besides the Phantom Thieves and myself. I have more reasons than just the fact that someone killed Okumura, and it was neither me nor the Phantom Thieves," he said regretfully. "Ever since going into your Palace, Sayori, I have been receiving very strange messages from some entity within the Metaverse. I don't have any of these notes… but I do have one thing." The detective suddenly got up and disappeared into his room, before reappearing with something in his hand. He walked back and handed Sayori what he had been holding.
Sayori gasped in shock. "This… This is my Treasure! But it's different somehow… The color..." The notebook Akira had shown her was black, but this was pink.
Goro nodded. "The first message I ever received told me to take this one from a secret room I stumbled across in your Palace. It said to take this notebook and place the other backstage, though it did not mention why. But it was easy to guess that this is actually your real Treasure, and the other one was a fake."
Why would they have done that, though? Sayori thought to herself, but decided not to ask. Perhaps Goro would reveal that to her as he continued with his theory.
"As I followed you through a few more Palaces, I received even more messages. In Okumura's Palace, the one giving them to me seemed far more aggressive than usual, so I know whoever it was must have been there," Goro explained. "Honestly, the fact that there is someone or something else in the Metaverse is all but confirmed at this point… That part isn't a theory, honestly. The thing I do not know is whether this entity is responsible for what happened to Okumura."
"What do you mean?" Sayori asked nervously. It all seemed pretty cut and dry, but was he saying that there were even more people entering the Metaverse?
"The contents of the messages I received in Okumura's Palace contradict what happened to Okumura," Goro explained. "All of them were telling me not to kill Okumura. They were trying to convince me to get off this destructive path I've laid ahead of myself…" Why is this so important to them? "If they did indeed kill Okumura, why not just save themselves the effort and let me be the one to do it?"
"Maybe they just really wanted to be the one to kill him?" Sayori asked. "I think it would fit for someone like that to manipulate you into not doing that… just so they could do it themselves." It's scary to think that someone like that could have been in my Palace. "People were really angry at Okumura before he died. Someone even tried to break into his building. Maybe one of those angry people had access to the Metaverse, and wanted to do the job themselves."
"That possibility is why I haven't completely eliminated the message-giver as a suspect… But an angry, irrational person on par with someone breaking into a building for no reason or gain doesn't match the profile of a manipulative liar that's been around for so long," Goro said, bringing his hand up to his chin and reviewing those thoughts yet again. "There is something very big happening right underneath all of our noses… and I'm sad to say there isn't anything more I can conclude without more information.
Sayori flipped through her Treasure, reviewing all of the pages. However, all of the things written inside matched her handwriting and writing style too much to belong to anyone else besides her. She felt rather foolish for thinking Goro hadn't already looked at it for clues.
"Sayori…" Goro began softly. The girl looked at him, almost able to shrug off her anxiousness as she looked at him in curiosity. "I imagine all of this new information is distressing to hear. I think one of the most important things to do right now is to figure out what none of us know. I have already told you exactly who you are fighting against, and I plan to tell you his name soon enough, so your group can change his heart if you so desire. But I don't know who this message-giver is, who killed Okumura, or even if that is the same person… There is not enough information available to us."
Sayori nodded, wondering where he was going with this. She set her Treasure on the back of the couch, before leaning over the back of it slightly. Her legs were starting to get tired, but she didn't want to sit down.
"Aside from a theory about what might be going on, I have a plan to get more information… But it is not something I can achieve on my own. I need your help." Goro sighed. This was the true test. Had he done enough to have Sayori listen, and possibly accept his plan?
"What is it?" Sayori asked, feeling wide-awake at the possibility to find the answer they were looking for.
"I would like to temporarily join the Phantom Thieves. If there are others around to worry about battling with Shadows, I can put more of my focus into our surroundings. The person leaving these messages only ever seems to contact me. I have no idea if they will continue to do so while I am with others, but I can't rule that out either," Goro said. "If this person does continue to contact me, then perhaps I can chase them down… Maybe their identity can even be discovered."
Sayori was frozen, unease building in her stomach as he explained his plan. It felt so messy for Goro, who was normally more thought out than this. Though there really wasn't much to go on, was there? He had already had so many encounters with this unknown Metaverse-user, with no progress made towards discovering who they were. If they really were an enemy, then Sayori had to do her part in stopping them. She straightened up and stood. "What can I do to help?"
Goro shot up straight in shock. Sayori is really going to listen this far? He tried not to continue to look shocked. He had to be confident in his own plan if he wanted to have any hopes of succeeding. "Well, I plan on confronting the rest of the Phantom Thieves during Shujin's culture festival. I'm not telling them everything… If they knew I was the one who killed Wakaba Isshiki, they would undoubtedly turn me away… among other things. I need to persuade them to let me join their group." He looked at Sayori nervously. "This is where you come in."
"Eh?" Sayori felt her confusion grow.
"I have very little reasons to give them that would effectively convince them to let me join. However, you are a trusted member that has been on the team for a long time. They would give more consideration to what you have to say," Goro explained. "Basically, I need you to vouch for me, and convince them to let me join after I have said my peace."
Would I even be capable of doing that? Sayori thought nervously to herself. The thought suddenly occurred to her that she didn't know all of the details to what she was agreeing to. "Where would our group be going to, then? Your father's Palace?"
"Not yet," Goro answered, before wincing. "I would like to save that for after we have already accomplished something else. That place would obviously have a personal effect on me… and I want to be able to tell the rest of your friends the whole truth about myself before that. Again, if I did that now then they would surely turn me away. Hell… they may still turn me away after the Palace I already have in mind."
Sayori nodded to herself. "I guess that makes sense… Whose Palace would we infiltrate, then?"
In response, Goro got out his phone and opened his own Metaverse Navigator app. He sighed, thinking of his friend about to get involved in things she shouldn't. "Sae Niijima." The app confirmed that she did indeed have a Palace, causing Sayori to nearly fall over in shock.
"Makoto's older sister?' Sayori asked, feeling so much more unsure. If her heart needed to be changed, wouldn't Makoto have said something earlier?
"Makoto doesn't know it yet, but her sister is in terrible danger," Goro answered. "My father's conspiracy have set their sights on indoctrinating her into their cause… and if they don't have their way, things will not turn out well for Sae-san."
"Wouldn't she just refuse?" Sayori asked, remembering all that she had seen of Sae. Sure, she was incredibly rude and prone to lash out in anger, but she had more common sense than that… Right?
"Sae-san has become rather single-minded, lately. She is so obsessed with succeeding, that she may fall for the conspiracy's allure. It is filled with powerful people of influence," the detective said sadly. "I think that this is necessary to do, before it is too late."
"I… I see," Sayori said quietly. Has it really gotten that bad? Has Makoto not noticed, or has she been purposefully not saying anything for a reason?
"So… I have come up with other plans," Goro said shyly, "Though this one is the best option so far… So before we continue this conversation I have to know… Will you help me with this, Sayori?"
Sayori froze, her brain coming to a halt as she tried to process what she had heard. Goro was giving her an option of whether or not he would use this as his plan to get more information. He had other options available to him, but he had claimed this would be the best one… What would the other options be? Was there a reason Goro hadn't explained those plans? Were they a danger to other people, or the Phantom Thieves, themselves?
No… As much as I don't want to entertain ideas like that, violence would probably prove to be a much more efficient way of hunting down information… So if working with the Phantom Thieves is the best option, he must not be planning to use such methods, anymore… I hope… Sayori resisted the urge to tremble or hug herself. She couldn't give Goro the wrong signs so she could come up with a decision.
Perhaps he could try getting into the Phantom Thieves on his own? Without needing me to vouch for him… Though if I said I didn't want to do something simple like that, he would probably abandon the plan altogether. After he got onto the team, we would have to spend an uncomfortable amount of time in the Palace together. Goro cares too much about my feelings to make me spend time with him if I refused the notion of simply defending him… Or does he? Sayori felt the sudden urge to cry at the notion that he no longer cared… Get it together, Sayori! It doesn't matter if he cares about you or not, anymore!
Now she just wanted to vomit. Because no matter how many times she told herself things like this, it never felt true. Goro was the same person he had been when they first met. If anything, by not killing Okumura, and telling her all these things, he had improved. It mattered to her back then that he cared about her, and it mattered to her now!
Back and forth went the possibilities in her mind. Over and over, the argument repeated in her mind. Her head was telling her to cut her losses and run, and finally go to the police about all of this… but the police wouldn't help her, would they? No, they would only hurt everyone, because she knew too much.
Whatever she decided on right now would stay between her and him, and eventually the rest of the Phantom Thieves. The only ones that mattered in this situation were them, and right now Goro wasn't asking for the rest of the Phantom Thieves' opinion. He just wanted to know if Sayori would help him or not.
What did she want? As Sayori looked down at him, she suddenly remembered what she had thought not too long ago. When they were wandering through Okumura's Palace, and through Futaba's as well… She had been worried, and wanted to doubt what her evidence was pointing towards. Even as her worst fears and suspicions had been confirmed, Sayori now found she felt the same way as she did before.
I want to trust Goro… That's all I really can think. Also… I just really want things to go back to the way they were before… But maybe it's better this way. Neither of us have to hide anymore. I don't have to spend my time doubting him, or doubting myself. I can believe in what I say next, and believe in my choices going forward… Sayori found herself beginning to calm down now. Her mind settled and she was finally able to concentrate. For no one but herself… It was a selfish choice to make, but there wasn't any fixing that. Even without her own emotions and selfish desires, Sayori knew the best option to make in this situation.
She's taking a long time to respond, Goro thought to himself, already dreading the rejection he suspected more and more was going to happen. He should just wave it off now, and simply request she visit Sae's Palace with the team she already had. He could wait until Shido was taken down to turn himself in… And then-
"Okay, I will do my best to make sure the rest of the Phantom Thieves accept you into the group," Sayori said, speaking so suddenly that Goro nearly jumped out of his seat. He actually did when his mind processed what she had said.
Sayori backed up a small step as Goro looked on in shock. "Really? You'd really do that? I understand completely if your feelings towards me make you adverse to the situation! I could do something else…" The detective found himself beginning to ramble. Clearly, this plan made the most sense in terms of strategy, but he had to take Sayori's feelings about him into account. She knew exactly what he was, so forcing her to persuade everyone to let him join would be unnecessarily cruel to-
"Goro, I don't think you understand how I feel about you at all," Sayori tried not to let too much emotion into her voice. Her true feelings might make her seem more naive than she wanted. Her choice could be discredited, in that case. "The truth is… I've actually suspected that you might be Black Mask for a while."
"What?!" Goro yelled, before clamping his hands over his mouth. Sayori nodded calmly, but he could barely concentrate. He had been so sure all this time that he had been pulling the wool over her eyes, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. It made sense that she would figure it out, too. She had been the only person to see him in her Palace. So knowing for certain that he had been in the Metaverse, it would have been easy to link the two together as a possibility.
She's known about it for a very long time then… And she's kept quiet about it? Goro didn't know whether he should be impressed or worried. In fact, a storm of emotions were clashing for control in his head. Sayori has suspected him of this for so long… and been confronted with all of the terrible things he's done, and she kept his secret? Goro was confused if Sayori was really so clueless, or if she was simply smart but naive at the same time.
"I suppose you're wondering why I wouldn't say anything until now," Sayori whispered. She felt ashamed of herself for it, but she also knew she wouldn't have done anything different. "It's selfish… But my theory also felt incredibly loose. You just said yourself that there is someone else in the Metaverse, after all…I suppose I just wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt until now… No, that's not right." Sayori actually did feel tears beginning to well in her eyes now. "I just… really wanted to believe in you, Goro."
Tears spilled down her face, and Goro took a step forward to offer comfort, but thought better of it.
"I wanted to trust what you were presenting yourself as… I didn't want to accept this reality… I just…" Sayori fell to her knees, no longer able to support herself. "It was foolish and selfish… But I never could make up my mind… I didn't want to doubt you or think of you as my enemy… I…"
I need to get a hold of myself… Start acting professionally again, even if it's nothing more than an act… Sayori sniffled and wiped her eyes, before grabbing onto the back of the couch and lifting herself up. She felt tears in the back of her eyes, and knew she hadn't let it all out yet, but she refused to do it now.
"I'm sorry… that I did this to you," Goro whispered, shaken to his core as Sayori once again tried to rebuild the walls she had constructed over the past few days. He should have been paying more attention to her unease, and realized how smart she actually was… He wasn't being fair to Sayori by thinking that she wouldn't put things together on her own. She was bright in more than just the mood she presented to everyone else…
"You haven't done anything to me," Sayori replied, shaking her head. "I think- or I would like to think- that all of this has only strengthened my resolve. Because what I said earlier is still true. Goro, I want to believe you. Now that I'm finally making a choice, I want to believe in myself, too… I want to believe I can make the right choice. Isn't that the same for you?"
Goro felt like his legs turned into jelly at that last sentence. She had just described his own dilemma, that he had been feeling for more than two months now, in only one sentence. More than anything right now, he wanted to make the right choice. He wanted to believe he still had it in him to be better… Why… did I ever underestimate her?
"Y-yes… That's an accurate statement," the detective replied sheepishly.
Sayori smiled. "Well… I think now more than ever we both have a second chance to do that. This time, I'm going to believe in the real you! I'm going to believe in the real Goro that believes in me, and the real Sayori that believes in me and the real Goro. And-"
"I get the idea," Goro replied, interrupting the girl's tangent. He smirked at her as she pouted. "So we have a new agreement then?' He stuck his hand out.
"Yup!" Sayori chirped, slamming her palm into his and gripping his hand. They shook on it, before quickly letting go. Despite their new agreement, the idea of being intimate with each other was still unfathomable.
Sayori looked around the room for a moment, before smiling sadly at the detective. "I'm going to continue staying at Ann's… At least for now. I don't know how I'll feel in the future, but this place just feels uncomfortable to me, now…"
"I was about to suggest you do the same," Goro replied, before sighing tiredly. "The truth is that I no longer trust you'll be safe staying here with me. I checked this place thoroughly over the past few days, so I know there aren't any cameras or bugs… but I never can be too sure."
Sayori smiled a bit more brightly, feeling relieved that he was fine with this decision. She wouldn't have changed her mind if he had disagreed, but it was a lot less difficult to deal with this way. "Would you help me get my stuff together, then?"
Goro nodded. "I'm happy I had the foresight to dig out that old trunk when you first came to stay. You can use my old suitcase, too."
"Thank you!" Sayori shouted, immediately going over to the closet where her clothes were kept. Goro disappeared into the bathroom to grab all of her toiletries that she had kept in there. Soon enough, the space on the coffee table was piled high with all of her stuff. Sayori took a seat on the couch she had slept on, and Goro reseated himself on the chair, and they both began to sort through the pile and pack it away.
"This reminds me..." Goro began, causing Sayori to look over at him. "Since you're officially moving out now, with all of your stuff, should we make it official that we have broken up?"
Sayori felt a painful lump form in her throat at the thought. Perhaps it did make logical sense to say that, but her own feelings told her no. Even after everything… Sayori didn't want their relationship to end. After a few more moments of thinking it through, she finally shook her head.
"No… At least not yet. Aside from my own emotions… It would make my job easier when you finally talked to everyone about being the Phantom Thieves." Goro looked over at her quizzically.
"How so?" the detective asked.
Sayori sighed, giving him a sheepish smile. "I suppose it makes sense you wouldn't know… But my friends have very strong opinions of our relationship… Most of them have wanted us to be together since they learned I had a crush on you a while back, and others still wanted us together. Through it all, they have supported me and what I want, despite their opinions of you," She explained. "Now imagine that you basically just learned we broke up, and suddenly you got asked by my ex to be a part of the group again?'
"I see," Goro nodded. "Somehow I expected your group would be more professional when it came to matters such as this."
"They are," Sayori defended. "But things like that would definitely make an impact on their decision. In a lot of ways, staying together is easier for me."
The detective nodded. "I understand. Then we will stay official… at least for now." The thought of breaking up pained him, of course, but he had to think rationally.
The two finished packing, and Goro called a cab to come pick Sayori and her stuff up. As they moved her luggage outside, they quietly talked about when to talk to the Phantom Thieves. In the end, they realized Shujin's culture festival would be the best time and place. Just as the cab pulled up, they both agreed to discuss the details later, when they would have a better idea of how the culture festival would be organized.
The cab finally arrived, and Sayori reluctantly put all of her luggage in the trunk. Despite knowing that it was for the best, she still felt sad. It was like she was losing her home again, only this time she was fully aware of it, and making that was some comfort in knowing she had the option to return, but it felt bittersweet. Even if she did return to stay, the apartment would never feel the same.
"So…" Goro trailed off, suddenly feeling nervous, and incredibly awkward. "We'll see each other again soon?"
"As soon as we find the opportunity, let's get together and figure out a plan with the culture festival," Sayori agreed, trying to smile. It ended up feeling forced, so she stopped trying. They were both avoiding a lot of what they had just discussed, in regards for the cab driver's safety.
"Call Ann, now. Explain the situation, and that you should be arriving in a cab," the detective ordered. He hesitated, before quickly adding, "and text me when you get there." He leaned over and whispered, "Don't trust any stranger you meet from now on… Make sure you're always with at least one member of your friends… or with me." He glared at the taxi driver. He didn't recognize him, but the members of Shido's conspiracy were hidden everywhere. This would be a great kidnapping opportunity.
Sayori followed his gaze, and nodded. She tapped the side of his face, and he turned his head so she could whisper into his ear as well. "I promise. And if they try anything, then I'll use… the app, to escape." She wasn't sure if it would work very well that way, but she could hopefully escape into Mementos, or somewhere, if she found herself in that situation.
The detective felt satisfied, and took a step away from her. Sayori quickly got out her phone and called Ann. After a couple minutes of telling her what she had been doing (minus anything that would reveal the truth about Goro) Sayori told Ann to be expecting her to arrive.
Putting her phone back into her pocket, Sayori stared back up at Goro and tried to smile. Despite having a clearer view of what she wanted, there was still a conflict as they both stared at each other for a few seconds too long. The cab driver finally honked his horn impatiently, and the two jumped.
Without really thinking about it, Goro patted Sayori on the shoulder, before gently nudging her to the open car door. Sayori obediently got in, glancing one more time at Goro. "Goodbye… for now, Goro."
"Goodbye, Sayori," he replied, shutting the door after he was sure she was comfortable inside. A few seconds later, the car drove away. Adrenaline and anxiety burst in his chest as paranoia fully invaded his brain. As Goro walked back into his apartment building and up the stairs, he knew he would be waiting as long as it took to get Sayori's text before he even entertained the notion of sleeping.
Thankfully, he had nothing to worry about. About forty-five minutes later, Sayori sent him a text, and upon request, answered a question that only she would know the answer to so Goro knew it wasn't an impersonator.
As for Sayori, she had spent most of the ride to Ann's silently crying. The tears had been building up even more as she tried to hold them in earlier. So she did her best to get them all out and calm down before she got to Ann's place. The last thing she wanted right now was for Ann to see her crying and draw the wrong conclusions about what she and Goro had discussed.
Still, as they both went to sleep that night, among the fear and sadness they were drowning in, there was relief. The truth had been revealed, and they could finally move forward.
Sayori sat awkwardly among the rest of her friends. Leblanc gave a soothing atmosphere for all of them to relax in after midterms, though they were meeting now to discuss pure business. Futaba had called them all here to make an important announcement. However, a constant disturbance came in the form of someone loudly speaking through a microphone not far from the cafe.
"... Gathering everyone's opinions and immediately acting upon them…" Sayori felt a shiver run down her spine. That voice filled her with unease, though she wasn't sure why. "In order to make that natural course of action a reality, I will-"
"Ugh, again? It's so damn loud!" Ryuji grumbled angrily.
It's going to be important, somehow… Sayori felt it in her gut. The more she thought about it, she regretted not asking Goro more about what he had been helping with. Now everyone outside of the people she knew were close to Akira, and a few certain others, were potential enemies.
Soon enough, Futaba revealed what she had figured out. As everyone began to discuss that the person claiming to be Medjed had been a fake when they had been threatened, Sayori began to piece together where this line of information was going.
So this is when they all find out about the length of this trap… This must be the true meaning of that phone call I overheard with Goro, Sayori thought to herself, feeling angry at herself. This wouldn't have happened if I had just… No. I can't dwell on that now.
"... I think I'm starting to see the big picture," Makoto stated. "Both Medjed's provocation and the tampering of the website brought attention to us as a result. On top of that, our reasoning for targeting Okumura was influenced by the public and the rankings…The perfect timing, and the perfect target. If both of those had been set up…"
"... It would all make sense," Yusuke finished.
"So, the culprit was planning to put the blame on us from the start…!?" Ann shouted in disbelief. "No way…"
"This is all hypothetical. We lack any hard evidence…" Makoto reassured. She glanced over and noticed Sayori seemed more and more uneasy. Not wanting a repeat of the last Phantom Thief meeting, she reached over and patted her shoulder comfortingly.
"But if all your deductions happen to be correct…" Morgana said, a distraught frown on his face, "That would mean we've been playing right into their hands for the past two months or so…"
"W-We gotta be overthinkin' things," Ryuji stuttered. "I mean, we're talkin' both the rankings AND Medjed…! Everyone made a big deal about it! If this was all set up… Then… What kind of guy did we make an enemy of…?"
Sayori shook her head sadly. If all went according to the deal she had made, they would be facing down the villain behind this soon enough.
"There's no point in getting anxious over speculation," Yusuke said with a calm face that contradicted his cautious tone. "Regardless, we'll be falsely charged at this rate, and with murder. We must overcome this."
"But, we don't even know who we're up against…" Haru lamented, looking down sadly. An unseen enemy had killed her father, and she hadn't been that far away when it had happened!
"Hey… you think we're fallin' into another trap, even at this very moment?" Ryuji asked, looking at Akira nervously. Everyone looked now, wanting guidance from the leader.
No… We aren't! Sayori thought to herself, as she went over all of the information the others now knew. Maybe in the past, but it's different now!
"Calm down…" Akira said, only able to come up with that simple sentence under everyone's eyes. Still, it was as if the tone majorly shifted in the room. Sayori found it alarming.
"Yeah. This doesn't mean that we've lost yet," Morgana agreed, a determined frown on his face.
"Even if this is the actions of a meticulous enemy, we'll just have to get back at them," Makoto added, sounding confident. "We need to find clues… No matter what."
Everyone nodded. They discussed things for a few more minutes, before getting up to leave. As everyone began to make their way downstairs, Haru glanced over at Sayori and sighed, before going over to the girl and tapping her on the shoulder.
"Hey, Sayori…" Haru began, "Can I talk to you alone for a moment?"
"If this is about the last meeting I was at… I'm sorry," Sayori said, the guilt of her breakdown and interrupting everything coming back to her.
"No! It's not about that… I just wanted to talk to you," Haru reassured. A very different matter was on her mind right now.
"Alright then," Sayori agreed, going back over to sit on Akira's couch. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Akira sigh and mumble something about staying down in the cafe for a while.
Haru sat next to the girl, and took a deep breath. "So… How are things going with you?"
Sayori blinked in confusion. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? You're the one who wanted to talk."
"I know, but it's just… answer the question. It's been awhile since we could all talk like this. Not to mention, that night Ann texted before midterms was worrying," Haru explained.
"Oh…" Sayori said in realization, before looking down sadly. "I'm sorry for making you guys worry so much lately. I know I've been acting much more distressed since your father died, which I know isn't fair to you. After all, he's your father, yet you're taking all of this so calmly…"
Haru looked away from the girl uncomfortably, rubbing her arm. "I've just been dealing with it in my own way. It's hard to deal with my own grief when I'm busy trying to figure out all of my affairs with my business, and with…" She didn't want to finish that, thinking of the other thing she wanted to talk to Sayori about. "So… you and Goro. All of us have been wondering what's been up with the two of you. Especially after you went out to talk with him."
"I think we're doing alright now. It's just that everything that happened before that was a lot to process. We both agreed we just need space from each other for right now, but we are still together," Sayori explained, trying to explain the subject without saying anything she shouldn't say.
"I see…" Haru replied with a smile. "Next time you see him, can you tell him I said this? I wanted to tell both of you…" The girl waited a moment as Sayori nodded and turned to give her full attention.
"I'm sorry that I wasted your time shopping with you that one afternoon. As it turns out, I'm not breaking up with Sugimura, at least not yet."
"What!?" Sayori shouted in shock. She had to fight the urge to give Haru a tight hug. Why was she suddenly changing her mind?
"It's not that I don't want to cancel my engagement with Sugimura… It just isn't the right time. My own grief for my father, and the responsibilities he left me with regarding his company, is my top priority right now," Haru explained, before sighing and closing her eyes in sorrow. "Also, the arrangement was made by my father. If I canceled it now, during a period when I'm supposed to be in mourning for him, I worry it would be seen as disrespectful."
"Haru… you said so yourself that you couldn't stand Sugimura…" Sayori said sadly, leaving out the nickname Ann had given him during that shopping trip. "I know all of those things are a problem… I understand, or at least I'm trying to… But I'm more worried about you. You have to do what's right for yourself."
"I know that…" Haru admitted. "It's all just so much to figure out at once, and I just need to take everything step by step. Akira is helping me figure out all of this financial business, but right now I need to organize and get my priorities straight."
"Well, in my honest opinion, the sooner you can cut Sugimura out of your life, the better," Sayori said, giving Haru an earnest stare. "It wouldn't take that much. Just one conversation is all it takes, and you don't have to wear that outfit we picked out either."
"You're… right," Haru agreed, before shaking her head. "Still…"
"Still what?" Sayori asked, tilting her head. "I'm sorry in advance for saying this, but your father can't cancel your engagement, Haru. That's something you have to do now."
"You're right," Haru agreed once more, sounding a little bit less hesitant. "I suppose it's also just… I wanted my father's support when I broke up with him. After all the trouble we've had… I wanted to hear him agree with what I know is best for me… But I never did hear him say it."
Sayori smiled kindly. "You have my support, and the rest of the Phantom Thieves, too! Just ask and I bet they'll tell you exactly that!" Sayori looked away for a moment and thought about the day they had spent shopping. All of them had been so eager to make Haru feel the most confident that she possibly could be. She had been enthusiastic, imagining the bastard finally getting kicked off of his high and mighty throne, especially after the insults he had said to her…
"Haru, that man is toxic! The thought of having any of my dear friends throw away any part of their lives to such a piece of trash is… It's heartbreaking!" Sayori said, her voice breaking. She thought of Goro, whose life had been ruined by such a person. She didn't want anyone to suffer like that! She had to fix what she could, now.
Haru nodded, her eyes wide in shock and worry as Sayori seemed to be growing more and more distressed. "Sayori, I… thank you. All you've said is true… I just need some time."
"But-"
"To mentally prepare myself," Haru interrupted. She suddenly gave Sayori a sweet smile that was almost scary. "I shouldn't waste any time I can spare on Sugimura. I am going to break things off as soon as I can. Thank you for your kind words, Sayori."
"That's… good," Sayori replied. Haru's determination was very scary in the Metaverse, so Sayori knew she shouldn't be so shocked. At the very least, it was better than the meek calmness Haru had been sporting ever since her father had died. She deserved to have that confidence.
"Thank you, Sayori!" Haru said, giving the girl a hug. "It feels like forever since I've felt this energized to do something!"
Sayori smiled back, and the two separated. Haru promised to let everyone know when she dumped her fiance, and the two parted ways for the day.
"Next up is Matsu-san and Mishima-kun," Ms. Kawakami suddenly said, making both the boy and girl jump in their seats.
"The detectives want to see us now?" Mishima asked, looking nervous. Sayori gave him a sympathetic smile as their teacher nodded tiredly.
"Yes, but you know the drill," the teacher said calmly. "Don't say more than necessary, and get it over with quickly."
The two got up silently and made their way outside of the classroom. Mishima was sweating bullets, and Sayori knew he had good reason to. He was the administrator of the Phansite, after all.
"Hey, Matsu-san," Mishima asked suddenly. "I know it's way too late for me to be asking this, but are you okay? I learned that you were…" The boy slammed a palm to his forehead, knowing he was probably breeching her privacy.
Is he talking about my name being on the Phansite? Sayori realized, before giving him a kind smile. "I'm doing alright, Mishima. I hope you're doing better, too, after what Kamoshida put you through. I'm sorry I didn't heed you or Suzui-san's warning about him at first…" The pink-haired girl shook her head and snapped out of it. "The only things the detectives are probably going to ask you about is your experience with Kamoshida… and maybe that day you, Ryuji, and Akira were threatened by expulsion. Answer that stuff calmly and you'll be fine."
Mishima looked shocked. "Oh, you think so? I'll do my best. My best guess for you is about your name being on the Phansite… So, um… the same advice to you." The boy gave a nervous sounding laugh just as they reached the room the detectives were waiting in.
Sayori had to go in first, being directed to a table in the middle of the room. Two chairs were on opposite ends, with a detective sitting in one of them with a few notebooks and files spread out before him. Another stood on the opposite side of the room with his arms crossed.
"We're sorry to take your time. This will be over quick," the seated detective said, unaware that his calm voice sounded robotic and sterile. It didn't do anything to calm Sayori's nerves.
"Don't trust any stranger you meet from now on…"
Sayori took a deep breath, and forced her body to relax. She gave the detective a smile, though she knew it looked shaky.
"You seem nervous," the detective commented, and Sayori was internally amazed as she let out a nervous giggle.
"Well, it's always scary when you get called into an office, even if you know you're most likely fine," Sayori answered.
"Right," the detective calmly agreed, looking down at his notepad for his list of questions. "Let's see… Sayori Matsu. It says here that Mr. Kamoshida assaulted you?"
"Yes," Sayori confirmed, cringing at the memory. It wasn't as bad as most girls here, but it was still something that had happened to her.
"Hm…" the police officer noted down her answer, making Sayori even more nervous. "Another important note is that your name was posted on the Phansite, and judging from an earlier interview done by Sae Niijima, as well as a notification on the Phansite, your heart was stolen?"
"I believe so," Sayori replied, shifting uncomfortably.
"As of now, what is your response to this?" the officer asked, and Sayori thought for a moment that this was an unusual question.
"I… Well now all I can think is that it's really scary that murderers might have been messing with me," Sayori said with a whimper. She hugged herself and shivered, and the officer nodded sympathetically.
"Don't worry. We're here to protect you," the officer reassured. "One more question and then we're done. You have been noted to spend your time with two notable individuals; Haru Okumura and Yusuke Kitagawa?" The detective took a note of that and looked at the girl in interest.
Sayori felt herself grow nervous again as he barely even waited for her response. She couldn't think of one to give either. Would a simple yes be more suspicious than her explaining how she met them?
Before she could debate this further, the two detectives looked at each other and nodded. "The more friends the better I suppose…" he made another note, before smiling gently at her. "Thank you for your time. You are free to go."
"Thank you…" Sayori trailed off. After another moment she got up and was led out of the room. As she made her way back to class, she thought it might be a good idea to bring this up when she made further plans for the culture festival with Goro.
"We have the results," Makoto said as she counted up all of the votes. Ryuji, Sayori, Haru, Akira, and Ann looked at her from around the table. They were counting the votes for who would come be the special guest at their culture festival as a way to lay low. Makoto looked thoughtful as she tapped her stack of votes on the table to straighten them out. "First place is Goro Akechi."
This could either complicate things, or make them easier, Sayori thought to herself. The original plan had just been to have it seem like Sayori had invited him there as a date, and then find a private spot to talk to everyone. However, Mai had recently told Sayori that she might need to help with the library during that time. Since that was the best place to find information about culture, it made sense that the library would need to be handled as if it were any other booth.
"Well, it does seem a bit dangerous honestly. He may be on our side in theory, but it's important to be cautious," Ann said with a sigh,
"Also, it could be a problem for Sayori if that tabloid from so long ago is still relevant to any of the fangirls in the school," Haru pointed out. "So many people voted for him…"
"I would be worried, too. What if something similar to the fireworks festival occurred?" Makoto asked, remembering the fangirls that had swarmed the detective like flies to honey.
"I think Mai needs me to help her with the library during the culture festival actually," Sayori pointed out, before leaning her head on the table and sighing. "I was looking forward to walking around with everyone and enjoying the festival, too."
Everyone looked at her with sympathy until she finally sat up and stretched. "Still, there are more important things to be worried about. As Ann already said, are we all really willing to take the risk that he already knows who we are, and that he's on our side?" She already knew the answer, of course, but she wanted to hear what everyone wanted to say.
"Before, we were willing to trust him enough to reach out first," Akira said quietly. "Now, we should probably exercise more caution…"
"So maybe just don't tell him we're the Phantom Thieves, then?" Ryuji asked.
"Would you even be up to that, Ryuji?" Morgana asked innocently. Ryuji was about to snap back, but one stern glare from the girls in the room made them sit back.
"This could be a good opportunity to get more intel…" Makoto theorized. "I don't think I can get any more information out of my sister, either."
"Not to mention, we have a trump card to convince him to come!" Ann exclaimed, looking at Sayori with a smile.
"You want me to ask him to come as the guest, then?" Sayori asked. She could bring that up the next time they talked, now that she thought about it. Now that she thought about it, it was almost certain she would have to run the library with Mai, so this would be the best option for Goro to come and find a private area to confront everyone.
"I'll ask him first, since I'm the Student Council President," Makoto answered. "Our school should be professional right now. Though if he gives us an unclear answer, we'll have you convince him."
"If he says no?" Sayori asks.
"We'll have you convince him," Haru repeated, though in a much more insistent voice.
Sayori smiled nervously, already aware that she could do it. In fact, she could probably call Goro ahead and tell him to just say yes. It would give him the foreshadowing to make sure his schedule was free during the festival.
After chatting for a few more minutes, the group cleaned up all of the voting slips and packed up for the day. After a few more minutes of idle chit chat, the group all went their separate ways for the day. Sayori felt bad as she excused herself from Ann, then went to call Goro and arrange a meetup. She was pretty sure he had an interview today, but at the very least they could have it arranged.
I hope you all like the new chapter. Please read, review, and I'll see you all next chapter.