Chapter Twenty Two: To Steel Oneself Azure

Time ago, Yuuki Mishima would daydream about sneaking a girl home. Two years back, his friends and he attempted something similar by hiring a maid for the night. It was not quite what he had hoped for, but the prospect was too tantalising to reject. Before that night came to a close, their escapade met an awkward derailing. He never did let go of the prospect, nonetheless. Now, circumstances compelled him to truly sneak a girl home. But once again, this was far from what he had hoped for.

If there was any consolation, it was that Lavenza was small enough to sneak about the narrow hallways in the Mishima household. The young man's frame did more than enough to shield her from his parents' eyes as she made for his room, as quiet as a shadow. While he kept up some small talk to buy Lavenza enough time to creep along the hallways, he mentally prepared himself for what would no doubt be a long night sleeping on the floor of his cramped up room. His back felt stiff already.

Lavenza spoke too quickly for Yuuki to keep up with everything she meant to say. All Yuuki and Hifumi understood was that she had a plan, but she needed plentiful provisions beforehand. The girl in blue did not regard Hifumi Togo any different than Mishima, sensing the same familiarity with Joker in her; therefore she relayed all of what she gathered in her presence as well. Yuuki noticed Hifumi was relatively unfazed by the subject of the Phantom Thieves, which hinted that she also knew who they truly were.

Perhaps, he thought, others knew about the Phantom Thieves' true identities also; people who would care if they came to know about their disappearance. Furthermore, something very serious was occurring aside – something that needed the Phantom Thieves' attention, judging by Lavenza's words. It was very clear to Hifumi and he that they could not stand idle while this strange, blue-clad girl did her duty. The last thing the two did before parting was exchanging contact information and be ready for the following day.

One day having Hifumi Togo's phone number was one thing far beyond Yuuki Mishima's wildest imaginings, but it was no occasion to feel glee over such a thing. For that matter, thinking of the next day's works was also out of the question when he had a very clear problem glaring straight at him in the present moment: keeping Lavenza, a formidably curious individual, from disrupting the logic to the chaos in Yuuki's room. All of his filming equipment was out in the open, as were his reading materials on film theory and multiple drafts in the narrative screenplay to his documentary on the Phantom Thieves.

He knew his passion project was of minimal importance in face of the current threat, but there was no reason to endanger his undertaking just to give Lavenza a roof for the night. Quite as he feared, the girl took notice of it all as soon as she entered the room. Lavenza was nowhere near as quiet as he would have liked when she asked about these artefacts. She seemingly ignored his fidgety explanation as she went over to the desk and focused on the things she believed she could readily understand: the stacks of paper containing several drafts of the film's narration, all belonging to the auteur's reflections.

"Very eloquent." She said, as her eyes dashed through the lengthy paragraphs at inhuman speed. "What's all of this?"

"It's, uh, something about the Phantom Thieves." Yuuki rubbed the back of his head.

"That much I can gather, but what's the purpose? All these objects, they're to be applied on your writings, are they not?"

"Well, yeah. But, I guess it's something of a complicated question."

"Why so?"

"What?"

"Why is it a complicated question?" Lavenza repeated herself patiently. Mishima was somewhat accustomed to people punctuating each word with a slightly hostile inflexion, as if they were diminishing him. To hear a departure from that was as reassuring as it was surprising. "What is your reason?"

"My reason…" Yuuki did not need to give this much thought. The answer was an immediate awareness, bonded close to his work. "I want to tell a story about what the Phantom Thieves mean for the people they helped."

"Did they help you?" Lavenza was curious to know if that was why she sensed such strong connection to Akira in him.

"Yes. Yes, they did." A flash of times past brought a shadow to his brow. "In many ways. I know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them, and I know it was the same for many others. I wish to tell all their different stories. But I also wish to understand the Phantom Thieves' sense of justice. I cannot be a Phantom Thief, but I want to live with justice… with dignity."

"So this is an effort to communicate to others, and to your self?"

"I think so."

"Good." Lavenza said, her voice sounding a little distant. It was one thing to contemplate Akira and his friends' deeds on a general sense, but to observe it all on a closer, more intimate scope was to acknowledge the individuality of the human soul, in all its countless variants, its transformations and expressions. Limitless paths to one place located in the spaces between. Yuuki Mishima's reason was a gloom reminder of Lavenza's own.

"What can I do? How can I help?" The young man asked, unknowingly aiding her from dwelling.

"I'll need you to help me procure resources. Great, energising food, and weapons."

"W-weapons?"

"In great quantities. Should I err, I will on the side of safety."

"If you say so…" His mood slightly deflated. He then wondered if it would truly be a good idea to get Hifumi to help them. "What exactly are you going to do?"

"The site of the Phantom Thieves' disappearance, that place is…" Lavenza squinted as if the right way to conceive the place and situation escaped her. "... can be a gate, leading somewhere. I don't know what is on the other side, but I'm certain the Phantom Thieves are there."

"But the weapons… do you think it's dangerous over there?"

"I'm certain of it."

Deep, constant worry was not a state foreign to Mishima. But years of precariously living on the edge of his nerves were still poor preparation now. A sense of hopelessness settled over him, knowing he might not fully comprehend all the nuances to Lavenza's plan. All he could do was do his part, and hope for success. It was too late to turn back, and even if there was a chance, he did not think he would pick an easy way out of this.

"Alright, then. If it's gonna be dangerous, maybe you should get an early night." Yuuki suggested. "You can have the futon. I'll… sleep on this… rag."

"Sleep." Lavenza squinted at the mention of the word.

"Yeah." Yuuki repeated awkwardly. Every minute she spent asleep would be one minute she did not spend potentially scrutinising through his film equipment and drafts.

Yet he already suspected it would take some time for the girl to turn in. The notion of sleep was a peculiar thing to Lavenza. It was not a need to her, or her siblings; just a thing they did every now and then when they could think of nothing else to do. Margaret did it the most, but never when the others were awake. Theodore had a tendency to 'take naps' at uneven intervals, and Elizabeth never slept at all. Lavenza wondered if those patterns would translate into the ways each was approaching the trouble around the Velvet Room.

Lavenza never did observe her own sleeping habits, so the equivalence could well be lost on her. It mattered none: she knew what she was going to do on her end, and that sufficed. But perhaps Yuuki Mishima was right, sleep could be a sensible measure before the long day ahead. She took him as an example, as despite being incredibly uncomfortable, he managed to fall asleep. She stated without blinking for a moment, and wondered if sleeping was something she could do at will, whenever she pleased.

Her last waking moment on the dark side of morning had her thinking of Akira's sleep on the days since he said his farewells to the Velvet Room. She hoped he slept well, wherever, however he was.

[ ]

Yuuki still felt baffled when morning came, as his parents seemed blissfully unaware of Lavenza's presence in the Mishima household. It was not that she brought any attention to the young man's room, incidental or not, but somehow he felt that her very being summoned eventfulness towards her. But as if his guest was not outlandish enough, seeing a message from Hifumi on his phone early in the morning made him question whether he was awake or asleep.

Hifumi: I'm available and ready. I await your response.

It was sent twenty minutes ago. Yuuki practically fumbled with the device for around two minutes as he hastened to reply.

Yuuki: About to feed Lavenza. I'll let you know when she's ready to go out.

The young man mentally kicked himself after sending the message, out of how much it sounded like Lavenza was a pet of sorts, but having witnessed the aftermath of her visit to Mogami's the day before, the phrasing may not be entirely unfitting. The girl, however, did not seem dissatisfied with the half portion Yuuki managed to smuggle into his room. Just a few minutes for a quick shower, and the unlikely duo was out in the streets, ready to carry out the plan.

Following a brief text conversation, they agreed to meet with Hifumi at the Ginza subway line under Shibuya. One awkward ride after, they met up with the young woman in the subway station, wherein Lavenza relayed the ins and outs of her plan, including the nature of the Velvet Room and the possible dangers at hand. There was no telling whether Hifumi understood anything beyond the need for her to procure good food and weapons, but she certainly seemed attentive and interested in Lavenza's words, stopping her every now and then for some clarification. At no point did Yuuki hear disbelief or sarcasm in Hifumi's voice.

"Food and weapons." Hifumi repeated to herself. "I don't suppose any type of food will do."

"If I'm right, any type of food could have some effect. But delicious, truly delicious food would yield better results."

"Then, perhaps fast food won't quite do the trick. I mean, those burgers over there are nice, but I wouldn't go as far as calling them 'truly delicious'." Yuuki scanned their surroundings in search for viable options. "Maybe food from a diner or a restaurant?"

"I think she will want something handmade, something with ingredients chosen and cooked with the utmost devotion to the craft." Hifumi brought a hand to her chin.

"When you put it that way…" Mishima's thoughts immediately went to Boss and Akira. At this time, it would be their curry what best suit Lavenza's needs, and it also happened to be the least viable option at present.

"There are many possible alternatives. But the other need worries me the most…" Hifumi said.

"There is no need for concern regarding that." Lavenza smiled confidently. "There is an individual around these parts that can provide us with a grand arsenal."

"Huh?" Yuuki and Hifumi uttered in unison. They shared a look of apprehension as they each thought dreadful images, cariscaturesquely akin to bloodthirsty thugs, smugglers and hitmen.

"Follow me!" Lavenza ran off into the streets of Shibuya, following the memory of the previous day and the invisible trace that led to one individual in particular. Though these sights were no longer unfamiliar to her by now, she still walked the streets like an outsider – this time with careless abandon, earning looks of astonishment and suspicion by becoming a blue and white blur plunging into the alleyways.

Her companions had no choice but to run after her, and pray. They gained the luxury of stopping for breath when they saw her walking into a somewhat unfriendly-looking establishment by the name of UNTOUCHABLE.

Promising.

"You've gotta be kidding me…" A man growled within. From outside the airsoft store, Hifumi and Yuuki overheard his deep, gravelly voice reacting to Lavenza. Regardless of their reluctance, they walked in and immediately froze at seeing the man behind the counter, whose appearance was somehow more intimidating than his voice.

And yet, Lavenza did not seemed fazed in the slightest.

"I'll have all your merchandise, please." The girl said with an easy smile on her face.

And of all the possible reactions one could possibly expect to follow such request, Iwai Munehisa only looked moderately annoyed.

"You'll what now?" Iwai grumbled. "You two come with her?" He turned to the two frightened youths, who were only now taking notice of the merchandise around them. Iwai could basically smell their fear.

"W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-we were just, oh god, we w-w-w-were just leaving, I swear!" Yuuki stuttered his way towards Lavenza, feeling intense fear at every step. Behind him, Hifumi's lips quivered as if she also were stuttering, but no words came out – not at first, before they stopped moving.

With a quick, very audible sniff, the young woman stood straight, and steeled herself for the moment.

"Yes, Sir. She's with us." Hifumi all but marched her way to the counter next to Yuuki and Lavenza. "Please, supply her with the materials she requests. It's of the utmost importance." Having said this, she bowed in ceremony, and stayed like that.

Yuuki was too busy staring at her to continue shaking.

"Damn it, kid. What the hell is going on?" Iwai asked Lavenza.

"You see, Sir. There's a lot at stake. I need all the resources I can procure to-" The girl began.

"Hold up, hold up, hold up." Iwai rubbed his eyelids. "Save it. Just answer me this. Does this have anything to do with Akira?"

The mention of his name made Hifumi's posture ricochet straight. Both she and Yuuki were wide-eyed and pale at the apparent connection between this man and their friend.

"You know him?!" Yuuki asked a bit louder than he intended.

"Something like that."

"I can sense a very strong bond between this kind man and Akira." Lavenza nodded. "I know he'll do what he can to help us find him."

"Find him? Wait, what? Something happen to him?" Iwai looked at them all with alertness, suddenly looking uncharacteristically humane.

"He is… missing." Hifumi answered. "As is Makoto Niijima, and several of their friends."

"Shit." The man took off his hat and put it despondently on the counter. "You there." He spoke to Mishima. "Flip the sign."

Once UNTOUCHABLE was 'closed' for the time being, they were at freedom to bring Iwai up to speed. Yuuki prepared himself to hear Lavenza's narrative for the third time, hoping to understand further than he did the two times before. Hifumi's interest did not wane in the slightest though there was nothing different about the girl's words this time either. Neither of the two youths could read Iwai's expression. They could not tell if he believed Lavenza, or if her words were causing him to lean in favour of their request.

The man's expression did not change at mention of the Phantom Thieves either. Yuuki approached the possibility that this man knew their true identities with caution.

"So that Niijima girl is a Phantom Thief also. Figures." The man chucked. "Alright, so… going off what you say, they were spirited away, somehow, and they may be trapped. And you think they're in danger."

"Indeed." Lavenza said calmly.

"And you need them to save this Velvet Room place, but you don't really know what exactly is wrong with it, right?"

"I don't. But if something were to happen to it… It's a place of vital importance for you as well, even if you've lived unaware of it, it's a haven for the human soul beneath the plane of the conscious. It exists for and because of it."

"And you need my stuff because it will turn real on the other side…"

"I believe so."

Silence. Yuuki and Hifumi exchanged nervous looks.

"Alright… I'll just-" Iwai began, but Lavenza enthusiastically cut him short with the brightest smile he had ever seen.

"Excellent! You'll be well recompensed for this, kind Sir!" Lavenza dug into the pockets of her coat, pulling out obscene amounts of money in countless currencies, and putting them in careless handfuls on the counter, just like she did back at Mogami's.

"Wait, wait, WAIT!" Iwai exclaimed, seeing the amount piling up exceed the quantities of a small fortune. "Keep your money. Just…" He paused, and fished out a couple of notes that would equate to a box of lollipops, and a replacement for the mirror in the store's restroom. "Just stay put. I'll be back in a minute."

The man went to the back of the store and brought a large cardboard box with him.

"Here. Kurusu gave me a lot of stuff when he left Tokyo. Said it was a thank you, that I could fetch some money with it" He opened the box and pulled out several artefacts, guns and blades of all types, the likes of which he had only seen in his son's cartoons and manga. Despite their uncanny appearance, they all looked as real as the rest of the things he sold. "These others, though, he only asked me to keep since he couldn't take them with him. But even the ordinary stuff… never could bring myself to sell any it, you know?"

"Is this the stuff they used…?" Yuuki asked.

"Yes, it is." Lavenza's pupils dilated as she held up a shining revolver. "Judge of Hell… Michael." Lavenza remembered the day he asked her – back when she was split into Caroline and Justine – to fuse a powerful Persona with a base gun model he found, to make something grandiose out of it. She scanned each item, remembering the occasion like it was only yesterday Akira stood in the Velvet Room, pushing and fighting through his rehabilitation.

Behind her, Hifumi stared at every weapon with awe and wonder, feeling an old vigour kindling.

"Stuff like this, turned real, must pack a punch." Iwai chuckled.

"Thank you so much for your help, Iwai Munehisa." Lavenza spoke warmly. "I will never forget your kindness."

"Think nothing of it. Just… er… keep me updated about Akira, alright?"

"We shall." Hifumi said with enthusiasm.

In the meantime, Lavenza carefully took every item in the box and deposited in the inner pockets of her coat. Sometimes, she would struggle with getting a grenade launcher or an axe through, at which point, Yuuki had no alternative but to help her, all the while Hifumi and Iwai stood mystified. When Lavenza was finally done, there was not even a lump sticking out in her blue coat.

Suspension of disbelief was a thing much altered since the days of the Phantom Thieves. Still, it was quite the spectacle to see this strange little girl defying the laws of physics like this.

Next was the subject of food, which as Lavenza explained, would serve as a resource of reinvigorating properties if needed. The better the food, the more lasting the effects. If things were as bad as Lavenza feared, the Phantom Thieves would need food – rich and hot, and lots of it. Despite Yuuki's earlier concerns, this proved the most troublesome step, seemingly making little more progress than when they discussed it earlier.

However, in the end, their inability to decide on one thing proved to be the solution. Quality was a necessity, but diversity could only prove efficient. Thus, Lavenza tasked Hifumi to buy food from the best places she knew in the area, providing her with enough money to make the purchases, and then some – a quite large some. Meanwhile, Lavenza and Yuuki would get food on their own somewhere else. Mishima knew what she was talking about as soon as she brought it up.

And indeed, quite as he expected, this meant Lavenza wanted to return to Mogami's to clear the place out again. The owner of the small restaurant visibly panicked as soon as they walked in, his anxiety peaking as once again, the girl in blue far overpaid for a week's worth of food. His daughter Yumeko showed great diligence in trying to calm her father down. This episode would have his regulars know him as Howling, Screeching Mogami. Regardless, this time Lavenza showed considerable restraint, consuming only one helping for herself; Yuuki got to eat as well, as they remembered to buy one for Hifumi as well. But everything else the restaurant had to offer was destined for the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.

As they walked out, Mishima looked in the direction of LeBlanc, and saw it closed. Sojiro Sakura was probably not at home either.

That evening, Lavenza, Yuuki and Hifumi reconvened at Shibuya, the latter carrying plentiful plastic containers, each with a delightful, carefully picked, culinary choice.

"I really don't know what to make of all this." Hifumi told Yuuki as they witnessed Lavenza stuffing her inner pockets with the food. This proved far less difficult than storing weapons, but just as laborious in terms of quantities.

"You mean as in, being able to do that, or… in general?" There was a hint of exhaustion in the young man's voice.

"Everything has been a shock these past few days." Hifumi looked up at the purple-turning-grey in the sky. "Do you think it's silly of me to think like this after Akira and the rest?"

"Not really." Yuuki thought his response. "I think there will always be one thing to be surprised about. I think it's a good thing. Keeps life from getting boring, or hopeless."

Hifumi hummed in acknowledgement. Neither denial nor agreement. Now that their mission for the day was coming to an end, she was alone with her thoughts and her increasing worries. At the end of the day, everything was oriented to saving the Phantom Thieves, to saving two of her dearest friends from an unknown menace. But perhaps, she dared to suggest herself, things were not actually as bad as they seemed.

But when did that ever hold true?

Lavenza was finished packing everything she needed. She approached Yuuki and Hifumi with decisive steps. The girl they saw was unchanged in appearance, but her eyes no longer gave off the same aura. She was no longer some alien little girl lost in the city. She was now a soldier, ready to march a battlefield, not knowing and not caring for any guarantee of her own safety. Yuuki Mishima hardly knew her, but he was saddened to see her about to give her farewells.

"Thank you so much, Yuuki Mishima, Hifumi Togo." Lavenza bowed in a manner more belonging to European aristocracy. "For all you have done for me today, and for the help you have given Akira Kurusu throughout his journey. You two have proven a vital part of it, and I, as well as my siblings and my Master owe you a debt of fathomless gratitude." Lavenza looked at them with tenderness. "Fare well."

"Wait." Yuuki stopped her. "There has to be something else we can do. Please, tell us how we can help them, help you."

"All I can think of is… " The girl in blue slanted her head in contemplation. "Be well, be kind. And keep your friends in your thoughts always."

The echo of her words kept the two youths in place as they saw Lavenza disappear into the crowd. Neither of them knew just what to make of the hesitation each felt, but they shook it off and walked into the rivers of people, knowing she made for the second floor of Arancia.

Shortly after, they arrived at the soda joint. Hurrying to climb the stairs leading to the haunting site of the Phantom Thieves' disappearance.

"Lavenza!" Hifumi called out loud, but all she and Yuuki got was a fleeting glimpse of blue disappearing into the invisible. She thought she saw something like ripples cast in the air, distorting the view of the room. At this point, the young woman doubted she imagined that.

"Who was that just now?" A low, familiar voice reached Yuuki's ears. As he turned to the stairs, he saw Sojiro Sakura, standing tall and looking exhausted. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"That was…" Mishima processed Lavenza's explanation, heard three times across the last two days. But try as he might, he could not hope to faithfully relay the same information as effectively. So he decided to speak from the heart, not caring how compromising the information may be. "She's a friend of the Phantom Thieves, of Futaba, and Akira, and Makoto, and Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Haru… and the cat, I think. She's trying to find and help them. As are we."

Sojiro remained silent. He dragged his feet towards the table where all eight sat days ago, and dropped himself into a seat.

"Boss… are you okay?" The young man was worried.

"Do I look okay to you?" His made as if to reach for a cigarette, but they had run out again.

"Boss, it's complicated. But they may have disappeared into another world. I don't know why, or how. Still, there must be a way to get them back. I mean, Lavenza, that girl in blue just went in. I'm sure she'll make it. But there's something else going on, and I'm not sure I understand it well myself. We'll need the Phantom Thieves."

"Haven't those kids been through enough already?" Sojiro said.

"Yeah, they have. But they won't be alone, whatever it is they have to do. I'll do all I can to help, Boss." Yuuki spoke with a resolve that took even him by surprise.

"I'll help as well… Boss." Hifumi said, adding her will to Yuuki's, and Sojiro's.

"Alright…" Sojiro Sakura conceded. "I'll be counting on you."

"Thanks, Boss." Yuuki bowed no differently than Hifumi did earlier for Iwai Munehisa.

"Now…" Hifumi took a seat at the table. "There are things you need to know, things I didn't know about myself days ago. I think we are to understand them if we mean to aid our friends. But first… " Hifumi pulled out a plastic container with food she set apart for her own consumption. "Please eat, Boss. You don't look well."

While Hifumi encouraged Boss to eat this hasty dinner, Yuuki thought about the things he has learned so far. If there was one thing he understood clearly, it was that several people knew the Phantom Thieves in a more intimate scope than most people, all of whom appeared to be friends of Akira Kurusu. If the Phantom Thieves of Hearts had managed to work anonymously for as long as they did, it must mean these people were trustworthy enough to safeguard the knowledge.

At this moment, Yuuki Mishima himself did not know a concrete way to aid Akira and the rest. But others may. He vowed to reach out to others like Hifumi, like Iwai, and himself. The young man had not the slightest doubt they too would put their shoulder to the wheel.