Yeet! Here we are with chapter 28 folks!

Akira looked over the abundance of paperwork sent in by the student body that covered the primary table of the student council room. Outside, the rain pelted against the glass windows, droplets of water trickling down the panes of glass only adding to the daunting atmosphere that engulfed the room.

"This… is quite the predicament," Akira heard Suzune mutter which only caused him to scoff lightly at the understatement. The amount of forms that had flooded them was frankly ludicrous following the posting on the school noticeboard by Principal Kobayakawa.

"No kidding," Akira murmured as he began to sort through the paperwork, the whole thing made difficult since nearly all of them were sent in anonymously via the student request box. Even with Azusa's help, making heads or tails of the requests and pleas sent in was a difficult task.

"W-what?"

Akira and Suzune looked at Azusa curiously, the chestnut-haired girl gripping onto a piece of paper, reading through its contents with wide and worried eyes. "Nakajou-san, is something the matter?" Suzune queried, blue tresses falling as she cocked her head to the side slightly.

Azusa didn't say anything but merely extended the piece of paper in her hand to Akira who took it before she sat quietly in her chair. Akira gave her a brief look of concern before shaking his head and began to read through the contents of the paper. An internal brow rose as he quickly realised exactly what most of these were likely going to be about.

The drug cartel in Shibuya being run by Kaneshiro and his mafia. Students of Shujin were already being blackmailed and hounded by his goons for more tasks and money.

The door to the room opened and closed quickly, admitting a haggard-looking Makoto.

"Niijima-san, what was the meaning of the posting on the first-floor noticeboard?" was the first thing that left Suzune's mouth the moment the student president was five feet away from the main table.

Makoto's response was to let out a heavy grimace as she surveyed the burdened table buried beneath mounds of requests. "Principal Kobayakawa placed it without my permission-" Makoto began but didn't get far in the way of her explanation as Suzune shook her head.

"We're receiving anonymous information both by word-of-mouth and through the student request box," Suzune informed her, already moving away from the motive behind it and onto the matter at hand. The blue-haired treasurer picked up a scrap of paper with writing scrawled along its surface and began to read it aloud.

"'I heard some students are getting threatened. I'm so scared… Please do something,'" Suzune reiterated its contents.

"What?!" Makoto recoiled shocked, her genuine response causing Akira to realise something.

The purpose of the notice placed up by Principal Kobayakawa about any information from the student body had likely been about the Phantom Thieves as Makoto had once admitted that he was searching for information around this time. It just so happened that students were also being blackmailed by Kaneshiro, and because of that, it was what caused the influx of pleas for help.

And what would likely send Makoto after Kaneshiro himself.

Akira was thankful that Cybele didn't seem all that concerned, only a light presence in his mind. "That's not all," Akira added to the conversation as he waved that paper in his hand to get Makoto's attention.

"'They have dirt on me, and they're demanding money. I can't go to the police… What should I do?'" Akira read the paper aloud, Azusa beside him wringing her hands nervously.

"Th-They're talking about the crimes that have been rumoured to be happening in Shibuya, aren't they?" Azusa asked hesitantly, green eyes looking around for confirmation.

"The likelihood is high and judging from these anonymous pleas, there are victims of such crimes attending Shujin," Suzune summarized succinctly but a light grimace marred her face as she continued with a heavy tone, "However, these are not duties that the Student Council are able to assist with. While we must help out fellow peers, doing so… would have consequences…"

A silence befell the room.

"Niijima-san, Principal Kobayakawa called you into his office yesterday. Were you informed of this?" Suzune broached quietly.

Her words broke Makoto from her reverie, startling her into a response. "N-No, he didn't tell me at all," she stammered before closing her eyes, a heavy and invisible weight falling onto her shoulders. "He's out today, but I'll ask him tomorrow. Would you all be able to wait on this for the time being…?" the red-eyed third year looked around.

"I-If you say so…" Azusa nodded, but the other three members could tell how much this was affecting her with how her hands were clenching at her skirt.

"We shall leave it to you, for the time being, Niijima-san," Suzune nodded before exhaling heavily, the only thing showing the agitation roiling within her.

Akira similarly sighed but more because he knew what the end result of all this would be. "I'll leave it to you as well, but I won't be able to assist with anything tomorrow or the day after," he warned Makoto. "I'm tied up as it is getting the final points of the field trip study locations set up, and needless to say about the field trip day itself."

Makoto let out a heavy sigh but nonetheless nodded in understanding. "I understand Akira-san… if need be I'll let you know of what I can find after the social studies trip," she said.

"Don't worry, I'll find a way to fix all of this," Makoto assured them even though it meant shouldering even more.

With their pieces said, the student council was quick to sort through the forms and organise them off to the side for viewing when they next reconvened. After everything was done, the four went their separate ways, with Akira staying behind in the student council room while the other three went to their respective classes.

….

"Dammit…" Akira cursed as he shut his eyes, hating himself for being unable to do something. It was like a roiling itch, he wanted to just make his way into Kaneshiro's Palace and steal his treasure.

He'd still be staying right by the game since it was never specified that Rem had to steal his heart… but if he did that, then she and the others wouldn't grow. A soft growl of irritation left his lips as Cybele in one of her late rare moments of empathy sent a small wave of Dia flowing through his body, easing the forming headache that for once wasn't being caused by his persona.

Fine.

If he was going to play right by the game, he'd make sure someone could run interference for now. He was many things, and the student council vice-president was only one of them. He'd be damned if Makoto had to handle more grief just because he sat back.

He was already pulling out his phone, thumb pressing forcefully against a name in his contact list before bringing it up to his ears.

"Been a while Kurusu-san, I was beginning to think you'd finished your use for us," a smooth but also gravelly voice came from across the connection. "What can I help you with?"

"How much would it cost for you to run interference with Junya Kaneshiro and his mafia? They're being a nuisance with school," Akira smoothly went straight for his request, silence reigning over the line for a moment.

"Do I wanna know why you're suddenly going against him? I thought you and he were- no. Never mind," Tsuda cut himself, his words causing Akira to quirk a brow in confusion. "Ever since he took over though he's been playing low, the family won't be happy if we go against him but I can make them look the other way."

Akira nodded. "Good, how much?" he asked unworried about whatever amount Tsuda could have demanded. After three years of brainwashing Shadows along with Jose's ability to rewrite Mementos to suit Akira's needs, Akira could be labelled a billionaire if people were willing to not question how he'd gotten so much yen.

"Nothing, I want a favour in return."

Tsuda's voice was dead-serious.

"That… would depend," Akira said in slow consideration. "What do you want?"

"…Someone in the family is trying to go behind my back. Trying to re-open up that deal with the Hong Kong mafia that I told you about," Tsuda said.

Akira knew who he was likely talking about. Masa or something or the other, that blonde dude that tried holding up Kaoru. He was already accepting before Attis could finish making his way into his mind. The Phrygian/Greek god had barely made his way into his mind before Akira had accepted.

"I don't know who it is, all I know is they're going after an ex-lieutenant. I have a feeling it might be one of my boys but I don't know for sure-"

"I'll do it. What do you need me to do," Akira cut him off, accepting the deal.

Tsuda gave a brief pause.

"Just be ready. Don't know when I'll find out but I want you there, got me? You do this for me and I'll have the family keep the mafia off your Shujin brats," Tsuda offered in exchange.

Attis gave a disembodied smile.

"Deal," Akira accepted. Just as he was about to cut the connection, Tsuda spoke up again.

"Kurusu."

Akira halted, his finger hovering over the red button that would disconnect the call.

"I went against the code… I know I told you if you needed shit from me, you'd get it," Tsuda said before pausing, Akira waiting patiently for him to continue. "But the guy that this traitor is going after, he's an old buddy of mine. Can't let that shit slide."

Akira gave a small smirk. Attis nodding in approval while Cybele rolled her eyes at her past love-interest. It seems some changes had been for the better.

"Iwai's a good man."

"Heh… course you fuckin' knew who I was talking about," Tsuda huffed in amusement. "After this, I'll owe you a favour. I broke the code, and I intend to make up for that."

"I'll hold you to it," Akira said seriously.

Akira could faintly make out a rustle from Tsuda's side of the connection, likely him nodding his head. "You do that. I'll call you when I need your help. I'll get ready and begin having my boys hustle the pricks over in Shibuya."

The connection cut off, Akira's thumb finally landing on the bright red disconnect bottom before sliding into his pants to deposit his phone. "There… two birds with one stone, you two happy?" Akira murmured aloud, addressing the Ultimates of the Hanged and the Priestess Arcana.

He felt twin nods of confirmation and agreement from both Phrygian Deities, Attis quickly returning to the Seas of Souls away from Cybele while said goddess didn't make any motion to move.

Allowing a light sigh to leave his lips now that he'd done something to mitigate Makoto's stress, Akira began to make his way to class.

Rem gave a light moan of relief as a particularly sore muscle in her shoulder popped loudly, the pain abating from the appendage. Just the day prior she'd gone to Inokashira Park to practice some gymnastics, and while it had gotten her much more flexible and limber it was also surprisingly physically demanding, much more than what she'd expected.

She'd also managed to boost her bond with the Faith Arcana so that had been a nice bonus on top of spending time with the red-headed first-year as they chatted about inane topics once their practice was over.

"Damn, that sounded horrible," Ryuji winced at the loud pop that emanated from Rem's shoulder, then even more by the little series of pops and crackles as her vertebrae released air bubbles from between the discs.

"Could you two at least pay attention?" Ann scolded as she herself paid rapt attention to the PR Woman for Good Morning Japan.

Rem and Ryuji both shrugged lazily, not at all enthused about the social studies trip that they were currently attending. Nonetheless, Rem decided to pay at least a modicum of attentiveness to the woman who was simply doing her job for the sixty or so odd students that had chosen the TV station as their social studies location.

"…And that we recruit sponsors to help make TV shows."

Ryuji leaned over to her while the woman continued on. "Please tell me it isn't just me who thinks this is borin' as hell," he pleaded. While Rem wasn't one to normally agree, the TV station was just about the most boring place to be so Rem quietly nodded.

"I'm sure you know about commercial breaks? Well, those are actually sponsor-related product placements," the PR woman continued speaking. "To sum things up, ratings are vitally important for a station's production funding, and…"

"Oh, dear god, someone kill me now…" Ryuji murmured as he hung his head in resignation at the continuing infodump of things they already knew.

Rem looked at Ann who was still keeping rapt attention somehow on the woman.

At least one of them was interested.

The PR woman kept on continuing her explanation of the intricacies and details of the TV station's daily schedule for another half hour. "For example, soap operas reruns are shown in the day whereas alluring newswomen are broadcast at night. Thus, the scheduling department is where we decide what time we broadcast which program," the woman said monotonously to which it was slowly becoming apparent that this was likely recited.

It was also at this time that Ann seemed to lose her enthusiasm. "Could this get any more obvious?" the blonde-haired girl muttered in disappointment.

Rem was slowly pondering if she could upbraid her hair and let it hang free so she could hide some earphones to listen to some music rather than the PR woman.

"So, the best parts are taken from the footage in order to cut down the program to the desired length," the lady continued, "The place where this filmed footage is edited would be the editing room."

That was it.

Rem reached into her pocket and began to pull out her phone and earphones, untangling them as she did so.

"You're finally givin' up, huh?" Ryuji muttered as he watched Rem with more interest than the PR spokesperson, "I don't blame you… I swear, I'm not gonna last…" he said with a yawn.

Rem felt Morgana rustle in her bag. "How much longer does this go for…?" Morgana asked curiously, having been cooped up for the last hour now. Rem looked at her phone's clock.

9:15

Rem felt her soul leave her body.

Another seven hours to go before they were finished for the day.

"Ah, excuse me, young lady," a mature voice said from behind her causing her to turn around in surprise, coming face to face with a middle-aged man with black hair swept back and crimson red eyes, all while wearing a form-fitting beige suit. "Sorry, may I cut through?" the man asked pleasantly, a fatherly tone to his voice.

Rem didn't say anything but rather nodded, moving to the side and allowing him passage. The four watched as the most interesting person in the last hour walked up to the PR woman.

"Would you please move the Shujin students for now? We're going to begin setting up for the interview soon," the man asked pleasantly but firmly, the woman quickly nodding.

"Of course!" the woman said before turning to the group of Shujin students. "I'm afraid I'll have to hold off for the moment since we're currently undergoing some cosmetic changes for the studio set, but not to worry! This just means we can begin on some hands-on experience!" the PR woman announced cheerily while the man returned from when he came, moving further into the television station.

The group of Shujin students were quickly split off into different groups.

Rem rose a brow as she noticed a familiar head of frizzy-hair move to the side of the black-haired man, joining him.

"Mmmm, finally something interesting," Ann hummed gleefully.

"It's good to see you again Akira-kun," Shinichi said jovially as Akira closed the door to Shinichi's office behind him.

"It's good to see you as well Yoshizawa-san," Akira greeted but was quickly stopped at Shinichi rose a hand.

"Please, Akira-kun. Shinichi is fine," the middle-aged father of Sumire smiled warmly, "I believe that's the least I could do after everything you've done for my family."

Akira hesitated for a moment, feeling uniquely out of his depths as all of his Persona stood quietly. "Of course, Shinichi-san," Akira eventually nodded to which the middle-aged man smiled once more, offering a seat at the four comfortable looking chairs surrounding a coffee table within his rather spacious office.

"Would you like anything to drink? I have water, some juices, sodas…" Shinichi offered as he moved over to a small bar fridge to the side of his office, opening it and revealing its contents to be full of chilled beverages. "I'd offer you cold-brew coffee, however, Sumire's more than told me about your preferences," Shinichi said with a chuckle.

"Actually, coffee is fine with me," Akira allowed a mirthful chuckle to respond in kind, "Life on the student council made me realise I can't be too picky with caffeine when I'm doing paperwork."

Shinichi gave a commiserating grin, picking out a glass bottle of chilled coffee and some light grape juice for himself, handing the coffee to Akira before sitting down himself.

"Ah yes, Sumire did tell me about how you joined the Student Council of Shujin. Congratulations," Shinichi congratulated him, all the while making himself comfortable in the chair.

"Thank you," Akira inclined his head politely but felt slightly off as he did so, a slight hammering in his chest as he looked at the man opposite him. "I have to ask, isn't this a bit much? I understand we didn't get much of a chance to talk over the phone but taking me into your office during the social studies trip?" Akira couldn't help but ask.

Shinichi just waved it off with a wry grin, "Let's just call it an abuse of power, shall we?"

Akira grimaced lightly. "Ah, she told you about that did she?" Akira asked as he popped open the lid of his coffee.

Shinichi nodded, a light in his eyes. "I don't think there isn't a day that goes by when Sumire doesn't talk about you…" Sumire's father said as he did the same with his grape beverage, twisting the lid with his before taking a light sip.

"You're right, however… this is a bit much…" Shinichi sighed as he placed down his juice onto the table with a light clink of glass meeting wood. "But this was the best time at a moment's notice that I could find to properly do this."

Akira looked up just in time to see him stand up and bow deeply, the suddenness of the act causing Akira to still, stunned.

"Thank you, Akira-kun," Shinichi intoned, his voice full of feeling and gratefulness before he straightened himself, red eyes shining with a deep sense of gratitude. "After all these months I haven't had the time to properly thank you… it's because of you that both my daughters are still here."

Akira slowly placed down his chilled coffee onto the table as small droplets of moisture began to form in the corner of Shinichi's eyes. "I thank you… for being there for Sumire. She's smiling brighter these last two months than she has in years, and it's all because you're there for her."

"It makes me ashamed to say it… but neither I nor my wife could see that Sumire was hurting," the tears began to fall as guilt and shame wracked Shinichi's words, red eyes closing even as he stood before Akira. "It's because of you that I can go home every day and know that both my daughters are okay."

Akira stood up, so that he and Shinichi could look at each other. Red eyes opened once more to look at Akira standing up, grey eyes meeting red. Shinichi looked at Akira for a moment before dipping once more into a deep bow.

"Thank you Akira-kun, truly. From the bottom of my heart," Shinichi thanked him profusely.

Akira didn't wave him off as he usually would. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat," he said truthfully, the hammering in his chest coming full-force as Shinichi stood up to look at him. Akira extended a hand, in his grasp a handkerchief.

Shinichi sent him a smile as he accepted the handkerchief. "You're a good man, Akira-kun," he said as he wiped his eyes with the handkerchief, carefully folding the piece of cloth and pocketing it, intending to wash and return it at a later date.

Akira found red orbs staring at him. "Know that you're always welcome in the Yoshizawa household," Shinichi said meaningfully, his words making Akira feel like there was a certain significance behind them that he wasn't understanding.

A smile suddenly bloomed across the older man's face. "One of these days once Kasumi is fully recovered, you should join my family for dinner," the man said jovially, the solemn and serious atmosphere lightening with his words. "My wife wants to meet the man Sumire is always talking about."

And once more Akira felt out of his depths. "I-I'd love to," he said unsurely for a moment, unable to rescind his words as the smile on Shinichi's face grew wider.

"Wonderful! I'll let Momo know, she'll be ecstatic," Sumire's father grinned as he moved over to his chair and sitting down, Akira doing the same.

"Momo?" Akira questioned curiously at the new name. Shinichi only smiled in response.

"Yes," he hummed in affirmation, "My wife. Her name is Momo. As you can probably tell, she was the one who named Kasumi and Sumire."

"Prunus perisca, blossom, and violet," Akira mused, allowing himself to be distracted by the inane conversation rather than future thoughts of dinner at the Yoshizawa household.

Wonderful, now he was thinking about it.

"You're much more learned about flowers than I'd expected," Shinichi nodded. "They inherited her hair but my eyes. Sumire's hair is much closer to her mothers in colour though while Kasumi is a shade darker like mine."

Akira vaguely recalled that Kasumi had a slightly darker shade of hair compared to Sumire's during his time in the hospital, but at the time he wasn't sure if it'd been matted by dried blood or if it was simply her natural hair colour. Suddenly, Akira realised he wasn't all too sure on Kasumi's progress.

"How is Kasumi-san, by the way?" Akira asked, "The last I'd heard from Doctor Hisegawa was that she was in therapy. That was back in April and he said she'd have two and a half months to go."

"How did you-" Shinichi looked at him in confusion before it became dawning understanding. "Ah, Sumire did tell me that you were involved with the incident regarding that girl from your school… and I did see mentions about it online…" he murmured, to himself for the most part before looking back at Akira.

"Kasumi's recovery is going splendid. Doctor Hisegawa says she'll be fully recovered come the first week of next month," Shinichi informed him.

"That's good to hear," Akira nodded.

"She's excited to meet you actually," he said earning him a look from Akira. "Sumire goes to great lengths to talk about you, so much so that Kasumi and Momo look forward to meeting you. Especially after they saw the video."

Akira winced. "Ah… heh, I suppose it was a bit much in hoping that would've been unnoticed," Akira gave a beaten chuckle, Shinichi giving a belly-aching laugh that stretched his form-fitting beige suit.

"Of course I knew Akira-kun," Shinichi beamed, "It was the reason why I'd asked to talk to you from Sumire's phone. Of course, since it was raining I reconsidered asking."

The light atmosphere sharpened as red eyes stared at grey sincerely. "That's another thing I want to thank you for, Akira-kun. You've done so much for Sumire. Helped her, protected her, saved her… I want to emphasize that as a father I am indebted to you," Shinichi informed him .genuinely.

"It's like I said Shinichi-san, I'd do it again in a heartbeat," Akira shook his head.

A broad grin stretched Shinichi's face. "Let's at least keep the injuries to a minimum yes? You've gotten lucky twice, and no one in my family would like to see if the third time's the charm," Shinichi rumbled jovially, Akira letting out a small laugh of his own, his shoulder feeling light and his heart no longer hammering in his chest.

"Yes, I'd much like not to keep hearing or seeing you on the news," a voice drawled, the sound of the door closing causing Akira to halt in his laughter and look at the source of the familiar voice.

"Ah, Akechi-kun! You're right on time!" Shinichi stood up and greeted the second coming of the detective prince. "I was merely taking the time to thank Akira-kun while he was here."

"I see…" Goro nodded before looking at Akira, burgundy red sending him a raised brow.

"I told you to take it easy. Just because your skull wasn't injured doesn't mean you should try and shatter it against someone else's," Goro deadpanned.

Here's a shout out to Chadzura's fanfic Retribution of the Trickster on Ao3

/works/24405181/chapters/58872412

And here's a shoutout for Fool's Protection by D1g1taldude on

s/13591616/1/Fool-s-protection