5/13

Haru sits across from Makoto. The girl's smile is infectious, but Makoto doesn't feel much like returning it. She feels slimy.

"And then, Akira-kun thought I was asking him these questions because he thought I wanted to ask him out, but I 'let slip' that I was asking for someone else."

Makoto nods. "I see." She lifts up her tea cup and takes a long sip. Longer than necessary. "Did he say anything else?"

"Well, he said he doesn't have any plans for the weekend, or if he does, he didn't tell them to me. It might be a good idea to corner him after exams and ask him to the movies or something. Or the Planetarium. I hear that place can be quite romantic."

Makoto has never heard of the Planetarium being referred to as 'romantic' before.

Tomorrow is the last day of exams. Despite her many distractions, Makoto is sure of her continued spot at the top of her class.

It's everything else in her life that's keeping her up at night. She looks over at Haru. This is my friend, she thinks. Haru Okumura is my friend, and I'm lying to her.

I'm lying to and disobeying Sae.

I'm lying to and investigating Akira.

There is no one in the world that she is being honest with.

Last night, Makoto had woken at two in the morning, her skin slick with sweat, her breath in ragged gasps, the faint remnants of a nightmare skittering from her mind and into the shadows. For the first time, in a very long time, Makoto had called for Sae.

"Sis!" She had shouted into the black. "Sis!"

Sae had not come, because Sae was not there.

Makoto was alone.

And even now, sitting across from Haru Okumura, an actual, honest to goodness, friend, she is alone.

The last few weeks have been some of the most exciting and terrifying of her life, but here she is.

Alone.

Haru continues on with her story.

Makoto dips her head forward. "Haru?"

The girl pauses, smiles and asks, "Yes?"

"I'm sorry," Makoto says, her voice a mumbled squeak.

"Hmm? For what?"

Makoto shakes her head. "Just... I'm sorry."

Not yet. I'm close. So close.

A sensation has scratched within her chest for the last few days. She is so close to something, and she wants to believe it is the truth. The truth about Akira. The truth about the Phantom Thieves. If she can hold on just a bit longer, something will give, and she'll learn it all.

Haru reaches out a hand and wraps it around Makoto's own. "Are you alright, Mako-chan?" She asks.

Makoto sighs, nods and smiles over at her friend. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit worn out from the exams."

Once I learn the truth, I'll tell Haru everything. I'll tell Akira everything.

She has made her decision. There's one more person she needs to talk to. And that conversation, she's sure, will provide the last bit of data she needs.

It has to.

#

"I had to come up with something," Akira says.

Ryuji and Ann sit across from him in the diner, and stare at him, wide-eyed. "So, what did you tell her?" Ryuji asks, words bubbling out of him.

Akira shakes his head. "I told Takemi that I helped the Phantom Thieves, but I wasn't one of them."

"How'd you explain that?"

"I told her I was approached by a confidant of the Phantom Thieves, and that they wanted to change Kamoshida's heart, but they needed my help. They needed to get Kamoshida's address, so I told Takemi I snuck into the faculty office and got it from the directory. I gave it to the courier. The next day, the Phantom Thieves changed Kamoshida's heart."

Ryuji and Ann glance at one another. "And she believed that?" Ann asks, brows raised.

Akira lets out a breath. "Of course not. Then she got... mad."

A smirk plays itself across Ryuji's face. "You know, I don't think I'd mind it if she got mad at me." Ann slaps his arm. "Ow!"

"Perv," she scolds, then turns her glare back to Akira. "So, what happened?"

"Well, she threatened to poison me a few times if I didn't come clean, and I didn't know what else to do, so..." And he tries to smile. "Surprise?"

"She knows?" Ann asks, groaning.

Akira nods. "And she's not happy about it either."

Ryuji piles his forearms atop one another, then drops his head down onto them. "We're so bad at this."

"Tell me about it," Morgana mumbles, from Akira's bag. "Mishima, Nakanohara, Shiho, probably Makoto, the Principal, and now Doctor Takemi? There are more people who know about the Phantom Thieves, than actual Phantom Thieves!"

"Well, what now?" Ann asks. "Is she still going to sell us medicine?"

Akira nods. "Yeah, but only because I begged her. I didn't bother trying to explain the Metaverse, so she still doesn't really understand why we need it."

"Can we trust her?"

"I think so," Akira says, and stares off into space. "I mean, she's conducting illegal experiments on me. So, if I go down, she goes down."

"Sounds like a healthy relationship," Ann mutters.

"But the Doc had to have guessed, before, right?" Ryuji asks, looking from Ann to Akira. "I mean, we dropped you off, all bloody and shit, to her office. You went to her after that dude died at the hotel. She had to know something was going on. And she didn't rat on us then. Why don't we give her a shot?"

Akira frowns. The problem is that we keep giving people shots. We keep letting people in on the secret, and even though this one is my fault, if we don't stop the outward flow of information, eventually we'll give someone a shot who stabs us in the back.

"Well," Ann says, and leans back in her seat and crosses her arms. "I guess what's done is done. You said you spoke with that Ohya reporter too, right? How'd that go?"

Akira tells them of his brief time in Crossroads bar, and of his intense conversation with Ohya. He left out the calming one with Lala Escargot.

"Wow," Ryuji says, when he finishes. "Shinjuku sure is a weird place."

Morgana shakes his head. "That's your takeaway from the story?"

Ryuji shrugs. "What'd you want me to say? I don't know who this Yusuke Kitagawa guy is either."

"Umm," Ann says.

Akira looks at her. Her eyes are wider than usual, and her lips are sucked in to slash a thin, worried line across her face. "What's wrong?"

"You said, 'Yusuke Kitagawa,' right?" Ann asks, in a small voice.

Akira nods. "Yeah. Do you know who that is?"

"Kinda."

"For real?" Ryuji blurts out. He pumps a fist into the air. "Alright! Way to go, Ann!"

"That's great," Akira says, leaning in closer. "Who is he?"

Ann, for whatever reason, looks reluctant to speak. "So, uh, remember how I told you that I may have had an 'in' with Madarame?" Both boys nod. Morgana pokes his head up and over the edge of the table. "Well, a few days ago, I heard about a modeling gig at Kosei High. Not 'modeling' modeling, like I usually do. The offer was to pose for an art student. And the big draw of it was that the art student was the famous Madarame's apprentice. His name is Yusuke Kitagawa."

Ryuji continues to grin. Akira's fades.

"So, anyway," Ann continues. "I asked my manager if I could take the gig. He was confused, of course, since it didn't pay much and it's not something I usually do, but I convinced him that I'm a huge fan of Madarame's, and I wanted to meet one of his apprentices and ask him what it was like to 'learn under the master's hand,' or something like that. He said he would see. I just got word today, actually. Tomorrow, after the exams end, I'm supposed to go to Kosei High and meet with Kitagawa. Then, he'll paint me. And then, I can pick his brain about Madarame."

"He's gonna paint you?" Ryuji asks, a worried look on his face. "Like, naked?"

"No, you idiot!" Ann growls, and slaps him on the arm again. "I'll be clothed. I'm supposed to wear a kimono. He wants to create a classical piece, or something."

"Oh," Ryuji says, then smiles once more. "That's awesome, right Akira?" He turns to look at Akira, and frowns. "What's wrong?"

Akira couldn't tell what he looked like, but he could tell he wasn't smiling. "This is why I asked you to tell us beforehand," he says. Morgana shifts away from him.

Ann looks down at the table, then glares back at him. "Oh, like you tell us everything?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Whoa, whoa, guys, chill out," Ryuji says, patting the air. "What's the big deal, Akira? Now we know who Yusuke Kitagawa is."

"Yes," Akira replies. "But if I'd known that before the meeting with Ohya, I could've told her I already knew who Kitagawa was. Then, she probably would've given me some other information that might've proved useful. Instead, I spent the last two days trying to figure out who Kitagawa was, when Ann knew the whole time."

"Well excuse me, Mister My Plans Always Work!" Ann spits. "But you didn't know when we were going to get the burners. You didn't know when you were going to meet Ohya. You didn't know anything about Madarame. So I took some initiative, so what?"

Akira shakes his head. "It's not that you took initiative. It's that you didn't tell us about it. I told you that we shouldn't keep secrets from one another."

"Unless they're your secrets, right?" Ann asks. Before Akira replies, she keeps going. "You're allowed to keep secrets. You're allowed to tell people about the Phantom Thieves, but we're not?"

"I told Takemi because I had to. She more or less figured it all out, anyway." He groans. "And that's not the point. And I don't have any other secrets."

"Oh, that's such bullshit," Ann says, throwing her hands into the air. "What about all that stuff you said about your dad?"

"Okay!" Ryuji says, almost throwing himself across the table. "I think it's time to chill the hell out, you guys."

"Are you saying what I told you about my father was a lie?" Akira asks, eyes narrow. "Because if it is, I want you to be very clear about it."

Ann's face flickers for the barest of seconds, but she just shakes her head. "You know, Akira, you act like everyone is an idiot except for you. But it was your idea to have Nakanohara walk through Shibuya Underground, right past the flower shop. You got involved with Makoto before we knew she was investigating us. Your plan nearly got Ryuji, Morgana and me killed by Takanashi's shadow, while you hung out at the library with her. And it doesn't even look like it worked! And you tipped off the Doctor with all your crazy crap!"

"Ann, seriously," Ryuji says, quickly. "That's enough!" Morgana is hunched down in the bag, quivering.

Akira sits and stares at Ann for a long time. Then he says, "You're going to Kosei High tomorrow?"

Ann frowns. "I am. Right after the exams."

He nods. "See what you can get out of Yusuke Kitagawa. If he's Madarame's apprentice, he should have plenty of dirt on the guy. We'll meet on Sunday and discuss our next move." He slides out of the booth, and pulls a few banknotes from his pocket, before setting them gingerly on the table. Then he scoops up his bag, Morgana in tow. "Good luck on your exams, guys. I'll see you tomorrow, I guess."

"Akira, c'mon," Ryuji says, a half-smile on his lips. "Just sit back down, dude. It's all good. Ann didn't mean it. We're all just fried from exams."

"Ryuji's right," Morgana says, from the bag. "You're all on edge. Take a minute to calm down."

"Yeah," Ryuji says. "This is a cause for celebration, right? Mona and I finally agree on somethin'!"

"Later, man," Akira says. He turns, and walks off.

#

Ann stares at her drink. "Oh, just let him go, Ryuji."

Ryuji shakes his head and drops it back onto the table. "Ann, what the hell?"

She glares over at him. "You're taking his side?"

"I'm on his side. And I'm on your side too! We're all on the same side, remember?"

"He acts like he's the only one who can make plans, that we're both idiots who can't possibly fathom his massive intellect."

Ryuji rolls his eyes. "No, he doesn't, Ann. You're just mad at him. And we're not geniuses, Ann. You can check my test scores next week for proof of that."

She shakes her head. "You defend him, all the time."

"Because he's my freakin' friend, just like you. If he started ripping into you like you just did to him, you better believe I'd say something. But you went too far there, Ann."

"Too far?"

He glares up at her. "Yes! All that shit about his dad? I told you not to bring that stuff up!"

Ann bites her lip, but doesn't let up. "Oh, come on. He's definitely lying about all of that."

Ryuji just shakes his head and lets out an exhausted sigh. "You could've told us you knew about Kitagawa, Ann. He's not wrong about that."

Ann doesn't say anything for a time, then huffs out an, "I guess."

"Look," Ryuji says, straightening himself. "I'm wiped from the tests. I'm gonna go home, and sleep my ass off. You should do the same. And tomorrow, you guys should knock this crap off."

"We'll see," Ann mumbles.

#

Akira ends his silent march through Yongen-jaya when he enters LeBlanc. Morgana, wisely, had kept quiet for their trip home. Thoughts raced through his head, but they were muddy. White noise. Everything Ann had shouted at him bounces through his head.

They wanted me to lead, and when shit hits the fan, it's my fucking fault?!

And it was. Because he was the leader. His plans. His responsibilities.

"What's wrong with you?" Sojiro asks.

Akira refocuses on his environment. It's late, but not that late. LeBlanc is absent customers, and Sojiro stands behind the bar, drying mugs with a rag. The television blares in the background, some nonsense from TV Tokyo.

He considers going up to his room, but knows the second he gets there, Morgana will break his silent spell and start blabbing about how he needs to make up with Lady Ann, so he grabs a seat at the bar.

"Were your exams that bad?" Sojiro asks, smirking.

"Tomorrow's the last day," Akira replies.

Sojiro shrugs. "That wasn't what I asked, but fine." He walks off into the kitchen, and returns a few moments later with a plate covered in foil. "Here," he says, setting it down in front of him. "If you haven't eaten."

"Thanks," Akira grumbles, but pulls back the foil and grabs a spoon for the curry. He takes a bite and sighs. Why can't this be my life? Just eating curry. All the time. No school. No Phantom Thievery.

The more he eats, the more his thoughts begin to come together.

Ann shouldn't have brought up my dad.

And I shouldn't have made Ann feel bad about not telling us about Kitagawa.

But she should've told us.

Yeah, but she's just as new to this as I am. And she wasn't wrong. My stupid, elaborate plan must've failed if Makoto's still investigating us.

Division isn't good. It'll drive the group apart.

She's also my friend. I'll apologize tomorrow.

He takes another bite.

Or maybe on Sunday or Monday. As much as he hates to admit it, he likes feeling angry. When he feels angry, he doesn't have to think, and to Akira, not thinking is a wonderful, rare luxury.

Then, a voice from the television draws his attention.

"Phantom Thieves!"

His eyes snap to the set. A heavily made up, middle aged woman sits on a stage, smiling into the camera. "Hackers!" She continues. "Bandits! Today, we'll be talking about the rise of these supposed 'purveyors of justice,' and how they've captured the imagination of the public. I'm Mitsuyo Togo, and this is 'Eye on Tokyo!'"

Applause as the camera pans out, and Akira sees that the woman is seated next to a young man.

He is a good looking boy, and Akira would guess that he is around his own age. His hair is long, and a sandy brown that matches his uniform. His smile is bright, but a bit embarrassed.

"Joining me," Mitsuyo Togo continues, "is the ever-popular Detective Prince, Goro Akechi!"

Even more applause, wilder this time, with a fair amount of young, feminine shrieks mixed in.

"Thank you for having me, Togo-san," Akechi replies. His voice is soft and apologetic, as if he doesn't believe he deserves to be there. The grin he flashes the audience is a shy one. "I'm quite honored to be here."

"Oh, please, Akechi-kun," Togo states, her grin almost painful. "It's an absolute joy to have you on the show with us today. I admit, I'm something of a fan of yours, myself!" The audience laughs, and Akechi's cheeks redden.

"That's, uh, very kind of you to say."

"Oh my," the host states, taking in the camera and audience with a sweeping glance. "I do believe I've made the Detective Prince blush!"

Even more laughter.

"But honestly," Togo rolls on. "I, and I'm certain my audience shares this sentiment, are simply in awe of your abilities. To have solved so many cases, at such a young age, it's truly remarkable!"

"No, no," Akechi says, shaking his head. "While I appreciate your words, the truth is I would be nowhere without the cooperation of the police, the Public Prosecutor's office, and the hundreds of hard-working men and women who strive to keep us all safe. Perhaps I have made some deductions, but it is their efforts that bring the evidence to light. They're the ones who put themselves in harm's way, all in the name of justice. Really, they are the ones who deserve your admiration."

Sojiro turns with a smirk towards Akira, "How many times do you think he rehearsed that line?"

Akira doesn't reply, and Sojiro turns back to the television, grumbling.

"Well said, well said!" Togo says, clapping her hands together in an almost frantic beat. The audience follows in kind. Once it has died down, the host continues with, "Now, Akechi-kun, we brought you on the show today to share your insights into the recent, well, explosive rise in a particular type of crime."

Akechi nods, his expression growing serious. "Of course, I understand just what you mean. To a person going about his or her daily life, the news about groups like Medjed and their ilk may seem sparse, but statistically, there has been an, as you put it, dramatic rise in criminal activity, cloaking itself in the disguise of justice."

Togo's eyes widen. "Wow. 'Cloaking itself in the disguise of justice.' What an incredible way of putting it! May I ask you to clarify for our viewers, just what you mean by that?"

Akechi turns his full attention out to the cameras. "Recently, our society has seen an increase in a kind of vigilantism. Specifically, groups have formed that appear to target the wealthy, the powerful, and - in the minds of the criminals - the corrupt and unjust.

"Now, this alone is not something new. However, the actions that are being taken by these groups are what lends these cases their... quirkiness, I suppose you can say. These criminals do not just target and rob or hack their victims. They seek to embarrass them. They do not just commit crimes, but they rub their victims' noses in it."

Togo nods along as he says all this. "You mentioned Medjed, specifically."

"Correct," Akechi intones. "Medjed, the international hacker group, claims they are the 'Executors of Justice.' Since their initial rise to fame, some three odd years ago, they have claimed responsibility for hundreds of computer attacks across the world. They electronically break into companies, steal or corrupt valuable data, and sneak back out again. But that is not all they do. Oftentimes, they accumulate evidence of corruption and illicit business practices, and expose this information to the public. One could say the inevitable PR nightmares that followed were more disastrous to the companies in question, than the loss of the stolen or corrupted files."

"But certainly Medjed isn't the only group to have done something like this?"

"They aren't. Plenty of other groups scurry around the Internet that do the same thing. Blitzkrieg. LOL U. DowdzDrinks2Much. But Medjed is so flamboyant in their boasting, in their proclamations. They announce what they're doing. They come right out and say who they will target, what they will do, and then they do it. They don't accept bribes from the companies they hack. They don't show any mercy."

"Much has been said about this group in the past. I understand that they are not so popular anymore, yes?"

"Correct. Recently, some rumors have been circulating around certain online gathering places that the Medjed of today, is not the original Medjed. No one is quite sure how this came to be, but members of those other groups I mentioned claim that Medjed presently operates, and indeed, may have always operated, as a kind of corporate hitman."

"Can you explain what you mean by that?"

"Again," Akechi says, padding the air. "I'm not one to indulge in rumors. But the prevailing theory is that Medjed is hired by corporations to hack into their competitors, steal and corrupt data, and then expose their executives' skeletons."

"All under the guise of promoting justice."

"Correct. If it's true, then Medjed have been nothing but liars from the start. Similar to the other popular group, Tatterdemalion."

Akira spoons another bit of curry into his mouth, and straightens.

"They struck again a few months ago," Togo says, eagerness infecting her voice. "That was... quite the heist."

"Indeed," Akechi replies, and frowns. "For those of you unaware, Tatterdemalion is a group of thieves that have operated on and off for the last several years, not just in Japan, but internationally as well. Their most recent crime, was to steal the prized car collection of one, Morihiro Koshiishi, CEO of Kohiishi Synthetics. Naturally, as a CEO, Koshiishi-san received many threats during his tenure. However, it is - as ever - the way in which Tatterdemalion declared their intention that caused such a fuss."

Togo smiles and looks at the crowd. "And that would be... the Calling Card!"

Akechi's frown deepens. "Yes. Koshiishi-san discovered a 'Calling Card' in his dining room from Tatterdemalion. In it, they exclaimed that they disagreed with his 'shady business practices,' and had decided to steal the entirety of his prized car collection that night. Naturally, having heard of Tatterdemalion, Koshiishi-san took, what he thought would be, necessary precautions."

"Which were?" Togo asks, prodding.

"He had his cars loaded into several trucks, to be delivered to a secure location."

"And what happened?" Togo asks, giddy.

Akechi sighs. "When the trucks arrived, and they were reopened, it was discovered that somehow the prized cars had been replaced with papier-mache replicas."

The audience bursts into laughter. Even Togo joins in. Akechi does not. He draws a long, sad look over the crowd. "I fail to see the humor in this."

Togo brings her giggles under control. "Well, you have to admit, Akechi-kun, it was quite clever."

"Was it?" Akira mumbles.

"Was it?" Akechi asks. Togo blinks in response, and Akechi sighs. "I'm sorry if I don't share the admiration so many people seem to have for this group. But, Tatterdemalion consistently cites itself as a group fighting for the common man against overlord oppressors. Against the rich and the corrupt. But what have they really done for anyone other than themselves?

"Some weeks after the cars were stolen, a number of them showed up on the black market. I'm told they fetched a significant price. How much of that money went to 'the people?' Was any of it donated? Not that we can tell. Was any of it used to further the causes of the 'common people' Tatterdemalion supposedly represents? Again, no. How much of it went to line Tatterdemalion's own pockets? I believe, all of it." Akechi's eyes drift back towards the camera, and this time it appears to Akira as if they are imploring the audience. "These people are criminals, nothing more. Perhaps they have more panache than the average group, but criminals they remain. Their choice of victim is irrelevant. Their methods and their tricks and all their little tools are irrelevant. They steal. They flaunt the law. And they do it, not out of some Robin Hood-esque loyalty to the common man, but to further themselves. They are selfish. They are liars. I'll say it again, they are criminals."

Togo is no longer laughing. Instead, she clears her throat and says, "You seem very opinionated about Tatterdemalion, Akechi-kun."

He nods. "My apologies, but I am. I know, better than some, how disappointing and frustrating the world can be. I was orphaned at a very young age. I was cycled through the foster system, and can tell you that it is a place filled with corruption. I'm not naive. I know this same corruption pervades many levels of our society. So I can understand the desire to strike back, vicariously, through groups like Medjed and Tatterdemalion. These people spit in the faces of the unjust and corrupt. It can feel so cathartic to see a vile person getting what we all believe they deserve. But we are a society based on law and order. We put our faith in the justice of our systems."

Akira shakes his head. Because that works so well for everyone.

"Sometimes," Akechi continues. "Those systems fail us. Sometimes they even hurt us. But our response should not be to lash out with lawlessness. Real change can only occur through the reformation of our systems. It is a slow process. It is a frustrating process. But it is our only option." The crowd is silent. Togo looks unsure of herself. "If we instead, chose to commit crimes to get back at those who have wronged us, then we are saying that illegal activity is acceptable, as long as we're doing it. That it's okay to break the law, if we're hurting those who first hurt us. This is not the way of a just society. This is medieval."

"Man," Sojiro says, breaking Akira's fugue. "This kid sure has a way with words, doesn't he?"

"I guess," Akira replies with a grumble.

Togo clears her throat once more. "So, then, Akechi-kun. Having said all of that, tell us, what do you make of this latest group? The ones calling themselves the 'Phantom Thieves?'"

Akechi nods, as if to himself, and sits still for a moment. His face takes on a speculative look. "On the surface, the Phantom Thieves would appear to be nothing more than an internet fad. A juvenile Tatterdemalion rip-off. I'm sure most of the audience has seen the images of the calling card that was placed at Shujin Academy. It's… very lackluster in its design. What's more, the language used was almost identical to that of Tatterdemalion's. They set themselves up as these mysterious thieves who would steal the corruption directly out of Suguru Kamoshida's heart." Togo nods along, eyes staring directly into Akechi's. "Here's the thing though. You can't steal corruption. It's intangible. You'd have just as much luck stealing joy, or fear. And yet, as evidenced by Suguru Kamoshida's public confession, it would appear that the Phantom Thieves succeeded." Togo opens her mouth to reply, but Akechi continues onward.

"But it's not only that. Let's set aside the fact that the Phantom Thieves were able to steal the corruption from Kamoshida. Our follow up investigation has detected that nothing was stolen from Kamoshida's home. There were no outlandish or odd bank transactions. A thorough probing of his recent communications indicates he had received no additional threats, or messages or communications from the Phantom Thieves, aside from the Calling Card."

"What exactly are you trying to say, Akechi-kun?" Togo asks, brows furrowed.

Yeah, Akira thinks. Just what the hell are you trying to say?

"Unlike the other groups we've discussed, the Phantom Thieves seem to have targeted Kamoshida for the sole purpose of stealing his corruption. They did not rob him. They did not, as far as we can tell, blackmail him. There was no extortion. No threat of physical harm if he did not confess. Nothing. The Phantom Thieves targeted him because he was a rapist, and took him down for that reason alone. They sought no reimbursement. I don't see how they could have made a single yen off of this 'heist.'"

Togo brightens. "So, wouldn't that prove that the Phantom Thieves are what those other groups claim to be, in actuality? You say that Medjed and Tatterdemalion lie about their true purpose. Would it be safe to say that the Phantom Thieves aren't lying?"

Akechi shrugs. "It is a bit too early to say. But from what we've seen, it would appear that the Phantom Thieves are just what they claim to be. A group capable of stealing the corruption out of evil men and women."

Togo grins. "Well, then-"

"And that should terrify you," Akechi states, his voice hollow and cold.

Akira feels his blood run cold.

"A-and why is that, Akechi-kun?" Togo asks.

"Because if they can steal the corruption out of someone, what else can they do? Tatterdemalion steals valuable objects. Medjed steals data. But the Phantom Thieves appear to steal states of being. And if they could do it to Suguru Kamoshida, why couldn't they do it to me?" He looks at Togo. "Or you?" Then, he runs his eyes over the audience. "Or any of you? We've seen, what? One major case involving the Phantom Thieves, so far? Yes, there are those two minor ones from their website, but who knows if those are real? Who knows if the Phantom Thieves haven't done other damage? Who knows what kind of damage they could do?" He looks imploringly into the camera. "I pray that we discover that this is all something much more mundane. That we overlooked something and the Phantom Thieves really did bribe or blackmail Suguru Kamoshida into a confession. Because, if that is not the case, then we, as a society, are being held hostage. Held hostage by a group that could alter the very make-up of our personalities and minds."

Togo blinks, and no one says anything for a time. "Th-that does seem rather scary," she says.

Akechi shakes his head. "I apologize. I didn't mean to upset anyone. I just believe in looking at things clearly. At facts, rather than fads."

"Of course," she says, nodding. "Of course." Then she looks at the camera. "We'll take a quick commercial break, and return soon. Our upcoming guest will be a former prosecutor who got involved in the Tatterdemalion case back when they first appeared on the scene. Please, join me in thanking Goro Akechi, the Detective Prince, for his incredible insight!" A smattering of applause breaks out in the studio, nowhere near as rambunctious as it had been before. "As ever, keep an eye, on 'Eye on Tokyo!'" Togo states, and the screen shifts to a commercial.

"Wow," Sojiro says, staring at the screen. "I guess I never thought of it like that, huh?"

He turns and looks at Akira, who stares at his now empty plate, mind a million miles away. Without a word, Akira snatches his bag off the stool next to him, and marches upstairs.

##

A/N: Hey gang, happy Friday! Hope you enjoyed this chapter of Crimson. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm going to be able to post next week. A number of things just came up, and I've got to handle them all soon, which means I can't give this fic the attention it deserves.

Never fear though, I will be back the week of the 13th with more Crimson. We get to meet Yusuke!

Thank you all for your understanding, and I hope to see you back here soon! As always, thank you very much for reading Crimson!