The Ambassador interrupted again. "Miss Amamiya, while this is fascinating, I'm not entirely certain what the point is to this lengthy explanation."

Rei sighed. "The truth is, it is all connected sir. The Phantom Thieves, our contacts in society, in the underworld, everything was put together in these early days. Plus, the power of Persona is the power of relationships, strengthening and supporting the wielders."

There was a loud cough. "You mean to say, the power of friendship?"

"Corny, isn't it?" Rei laughed. "But...well, you'll see. Metaphors and concepts are what it's all about."

Rei curled up under the sheet that served as her only privacy in the building. The chill of the March air forced her to sleep fully dressed, although she probably would have done that anyway under the circumstances. She twisted and turned in her sleep as the cold air curled around her, to her sleeping mind feeling like ghostly chains that slowly pulled her down to her bed in the Velvet Room. She 'awoke' to the asylum and slowly took in her surroundings. "Ugh. This dream again." She stood up, trying to shake out the straightjacket into something a little more comfortable.

She jumped as the door to her cell was rattled by Caroline's baton slamming against it. "Quiet! Our Master wishes to speak with you, Patient!"

"It's for your own sake that you take his words to heart," Justine added, making a note on her clipboard.

Rei concluded there was nothing to be gained by fighting this time and turned her attention obediently to the man. "Welcome back. Let us celebrate our reunion." He gave her a very careful looking over, followed by a broad smile. "I see you've awakened to your powers...and very special ones, at that. Your rehabilitation can finally begin."

Rei shook out her head. "You mentioned something about that last time, too. I thought my parole was supposed to be about that, but I get the feeling you've got something else in mind."

Igor laughed. "You are a clever one. Let's just say that coming to terms with your role is also a part of your rehabilitation, Trickster." He became more serious. "You will be training in the power of Persona."

Rei started to pace as best as she could in the confined space, until Caroline slammed the bars again. "Hey!"

The little girl glared at her. "Show our Master proper respect!"

Rei growled. "Pacing helps me think...but if you insist." She looked to Igor. "Okay, so, growing up I had to spend some time with a psychiatrist." It was actually a great deal, but she didn't bother telling him that. He probably knew anyway. "I've heard the word before, but can you remind me?"

"The Persona is a 'mask' of sorts - the armor that protects your true self when confronting worldly matters," Igor said by way of an explanation.

Rei thought about that. "And in the Metaverse, things like that become a great deal more literal." She took a deep breath. "What do you want?"

Igor laughed. "There is no need for concern. You will learn when the time comes. In the meantime, I am content to merely observe your progress." Suddenly, he changed topics. "Have you come to appreciate the Metaverse Navigator? It will be a powerful tool on your path to becoming a thief."

Rei blinked. "Wait, that crazy app was what am I saying? Of course you did it."

Igor chuckled. "With the Metaverse Navigator, you can travel between the real world and the Metaverse. Your primary use for it will be to explore Palaces, but I expect you will discover other functions in time." Igor seemed to consider her again. "It must be disheartening to make use of it alone, however. If there are others who would prove useful to you, you need only ask and I will grant it to them, as well. This is all so that you might grow to be a most excellent thief."

Rei was about to reply to that, when she heard the sound of a bell ringing. Caroline immediately followed that with her own pronouncement. "Looks like time's up today, Patient. Get some rest for your next session."

Justine made another note. "Please take care to make good use of the Navigator. It's a gift from our Master, after all."

Suddenly, Rei felt incredibly tired, as if she'd just been given a heavy shot of morphine. She stumbled, fell back onto the padded floor, and knew no more for the rest of the night.

When Makoto opened up the door to Cafe LeBlanc, she was surprised. In addition to the strangely alluring combination of coffee and curry, there was something sweeter in the air. When she looked around, she noticed that Rei, already in her school uniform, was busy portioning a number of small, chocolate-dipped macaroons onto wax paper. "Wait, you can make stuff like that?"

"Well, I like them, and I couldn't get them back home," Rei said. "I used to come to Tokyo a lot for medical checkups, but if I wanted them any time, I had to figure out how to make them myself." She nodded to Sojiro. "Anyway, he's skeptical, so you've been recruited."

"Huh?"

Sojiro chuckled. "What the kid means is that you get to be the judge." He put down a cup of coffee next to one of the sweets. "Coffee's on the house, this time. But you gotta try the thing too."

Rei just smiled. "It's called a 'Macaroon,' Chief."

Makoto sipped the coffee first, before she picked up the macaroon carefully, afraid it might still be hot, and bit into it, chewing thoughtfully. "It's a bit sweet, isn't it?"

Rei shrugged. "It's supposed to be, but that's why you have it with the coffee."

Makoto took another sip of the coffee. "That is much better, yes. Although I'd definitely say the coffee deserves center stage, I can see where there might be a point to selling these as well."

Rei grinned at Sojiro, who actually laughed. "Okay, you win. I'll put up a sign, and you get a cut."

"Thanks," Rei said gratefully. "Whatever you think is fair. I just don't feel right not helping out at all, but I'm busy with school." She turned to Makoto. "So. You showed up. I'm guessing you've got questions."

Makoto shook her head. "After I left I looked into the matter a little more thoroughly online. I just…" She swallowed. "This is hard for me. I wanted to apologize."

Rei nodded and stood up. Makoto had to suppress her surprise at the sudden change that came over the girl. Even though it was just a change of posture, suddenly everything feminine disappeared and she looked like almost any other male student of Shuujin. "Very well," she said, her voice suddenly very formal. "We are going to be late, though. The trains are working again?"

Makoto tried again as soon as they were out of the door. "I...I really am sorry. It's just that I saw you hanging out with Sakamoto, and after everything I was told…"

Rei shook her head. "I'm...I'm sorry too," she said. "It's just...if I don't talk like this as 'Ren' I slip and someone can catch on something's wrong."

Makoto nodded. "It's because formal is more gender-neutral than casual forms, right? And...and don't worry. I won't tell anyone about your secret."

"Thank you."

Neither of them noticed a black cat with white markings following them.

Actually showing up on time seemed to surprise everyone in the school, but the whispers from yesterday continued. The only thing Rei was grateful for was that they seemed to have died down a bit, but that just meant some of the more macho guys were probably building up their courage.

She was under no illusions. She wasn't the smallest 'boy' in school but she was damn close, and with her record even an actual block might be taken as fighting. When they got up to the second floor, even Makoto was looking nervous. She knew full well the only thing keeping problems at bay was the presence of another power in the school. Finally, Makoto looked over at her meaningfully. "Are you going to be fine on your own?"

Rei seriously considered taking the implied offer, but shook her head. She lowered her voice, and let herself slip out of the Ren persona. "I have to deal with it sooner or later. Anyone I should seriously be looking out for?"

"If you're as experienced as the paperwork says, probably not," Makoto conceded. "I could probably challenge you."

Rei brightened up at that. "Wanna spar some time? Informal, of course. Can't set foot in a real dojo 'till my probation's up."

Makoto grinned. "Sure. I think I'm looking forward to that, as long as you don't play too rough."

"It's Kyokushin," Rei said deadpan. "I'm just lucky blunt-force trauma doesn't leave a mark, usually. No compound fractures yet, either."

Makoto chuckled. "Well, Aikido's almost as rough. No burn marks from the mats, though."

Rei nodded. "Looking forward to it, then."

Makoto nodded. "By the way, I understand that Sakamoto-san helped you out, but maybe you shouldn't be quite as public in hanging out with him."

"Thanks, but no thanks," Rei said with a shake of her head. "He accepted things right away. That's rare." She lowered her voice again. "Thanks for ensuring I made it to school on time this morning. I don't believe I'll have any further trouble." She bowed. "You have business before classes start, correct?"

Makoto nodded and returned the bow. "You're welcome. My door is always open to students who are having trouble."

Rei went down the hallway in the opposite direction. She still heard the whispers, but now they'd changed. 'First Sakamoto, now Niijima. What's the deal with this guy?' seemed to be the gist of it, and she couldn't quite help a smile when she reached the classroom, stopping to look at the notice board.

She felt two people come up behind her, but didn't realize in time they weren't even going to make a pretense of intimidating her before proceeding to the beating, and in full view of the hallway! She was slammed hard into the wall, arm twisted behind her. "Not so tough, are ya?"

Rei growled under her breath, but managed to keep to the 'Ren' voice. "I can't believe you are this stupid. One teacher comes out and - "

"They won't do nothing," the boy said, with the affected air of a punk. "Not to the best Volleyball team in the country."

Rei felt her lips twist up. While he was talking, he had stopped focusing on holding her down. One quick motion later, and the boy was spinning around while Rei was free. She was about to say something, when she felt another, much bigger, presence behind her.

"That's enough, boys. Break it up." It was Kamoshida. "I taught you better than this."

"But...but Coach!" The boy who had been manhandling her tried to protest, but Kamoshida raised up a hand as if to backhand the boy and he went quiet.

"We'll talk about this at practice," Kamoshida said, and the two of them fled.

Rei still didn't turn around, not really wanting to admit that she felt slightly grateful to the man. "Thank you, Sensei," she said, before trying to hurry past him into the classroom.

Kamoshida leaned in and whispered in her ear. "You should know that Principal Kabayokawa told all the teachers about your little secret. Don't worry, girl," Rei froze, not just at the word, but at the sudden presence of his hand rubbing across the small of her back through the uniform. "There's a special restroom in the southwest corner of the gym. Use that to change." Rei swallowed and nodded, not trusting her voice. "Well, seeya in gym. Just a shame you won't be able to join the team!"

It wasn't hard for Rei to slip back into the act after that. Ren didn't have to worry about things like that happening to him. Ren was a boy, boys didn't...She took her seat stiffly, not wanting to let any of those thoughts take hold. For a moment, she thought she'd successfully hid the sudden rollercoaster her emotions were on, but Ann turned and stared at her with a concerned expression. "Are you all right?"

"Wh-what makes you ask that, Takamaki-san?" Rei asked, even more stiffly than she usually would have.

Ann raised an eyebrow. "There was a loud noise outside. Oh, and your hand's shaking."

"Is...is that so…?" Rei asked, quickly shoving it into her desk as if to retrieve the math book for her first period class.

Ann's lip quirked slightly. "Amamiya, we have Japanese History first period, not math."

"Oh, is that so?" Rei repeated, not sure what else to say.

Ann looked at her a few moments longer. "Are you sure you shouldn't go to the nurses' office? You're really not looking well."

Rei nodded. "Definitely not after yesterday. I'll. . . I shouldn't talk about it here. Can you meet me after school?"

Ann sighed. "Sorry, not today. I've got work."

"Th..that's fine. Another time maybe."

As soon as the lunch bell rang, Rei stood up shakily and made her way to the Student Council room. She was in luck, as Makoto was already standing outside. "Niijima...you...you said I could come to you if there was a problem." She didn't even bother with the 'Ren' voice now. "Is there somewhere private we can discuss things? The second years have gym after lunch, and...and…"

Makoto swallowed back her immediate response. "Uhh...I'm not sure there's anywhere like that…"

Rei gulped. "The roof?"

Makoto was about to point out it was off limits, but something in Rei's eyes told her that that wasn't the correct response. "Yeah. I've got the keys."

It turned out the roof was off-limits for good reason. At any normal school, it would have been kept well-maintained by the students, but here it had been turned into a dumping ground. Old desks, probably once repairable but now long past that due to rain damage, were stacked up in a corner. There were also some waterlogged gym mats, an old shopping cart of all things, and a couple of very uncomfortable looking chairs. The roof tiles were chipped and coming loose, and the HVAC equipment had absolutely no protections to keep a student up there from messing around, probably to their detriment. Even the fence around the edge was rusting.

Rei didn't care about any of that. As soon as the door was closed, the entire story started spilling from her mouth. Makoto listened silently, wishing she'd insisted on accompanying Rei, until the end. "Then...then...he put his hand on me. It...I…"

Makoto felt her stomach drop out of her. "No...not...not Kamoshida-sensei! I don't believe it!"

Rei just stared at her. "What?"

"That's...that's just not possible!" Makoto was breathing harder. "He...he's done everything for this school!"

Rei tried to formulate a response to that, when they heard another voice at the door. "Hey, Amamiya, ya up here?" It was Ryuji. "Heard you were coming up with - oh." His voice died the second he saw that Makoto was, indeed, present. "Uhh...this a bad time?"

Rei threw her arms around Ryuji and let out a sob. Ryuji didn't quite seem to know how to respond to that, so he put one arm around Rei to try to comfort her while he thought about it. "Geez, what the hell did you do to her last night?!"

"Wasn't…" Rei gasped out. "Wasn't her. Ka-ka-ka-"

Ryuji's expression darkened. "Kamoshida."

"There's no sense blaming others for your mistakes, Sakamoto-san." Makoto said.

"ARGH!" Ryuji screamed. His free hand gestured to the still-sniffling Rei emphatically "Are you kidding me? This ain't what nothing looks like!"

Makoto swallowed again. "I...I didn't mean...I'm sure something happened, but…"

"I'm...I'm sorry." Rei said, finally pulling it together a little. "I just...I wasn't expecting it. Not right then, in the middle of the hallway…" She shook her head. "It was through the uniform. I couldn't say anything, especially because…"

"Yeah, that'd fit," Ryuji grumbled. "He doesn't like guys who fight back."

Makoto shook her head. "I'm not so sure I believe it...and if it was just that...according to the school, you're a boy. If it was any other teacher, maybe, but...but...Kamoshida?!"

"What...what's the big deal?" Rei asked with a sniffle. "How can any teacher get away with...with…"

Ryuji tried to answer, but Makoto held up a hand. "No offense, Sakamoto-san, but Rei deserves an objective answer. I'm a little more inclined to believe your version of events after this, but you're still biased." She reached over and put her hand on Rei's shoulder, gently pulling her away from Ryuji to look her in the eye. "Rei-chan, ever since Kamoshida was recruited by the school, things have been a lot better around here. He was on the Olympic volleyball team and won the gold medal for Japan back in 2006. We were very lucky to get him. He could be making a whole lot more money coaching the current Olympic team, but instead he's taking our school team all the way to the National level."

Rei nodded, understanding. With that kind of recognition, the school's fees could be set at astronomical rates. Books would be replaced, lab equipment updated, club budgets could be expanded, and they might even attract talent in other areas. "He's. . . he's the goose that laid the golden egg,"

"Huh? Can't say I know that one," Ryuji said.

Rei giggled. "It's an old picture book. In the story, this goose laid gold eggs, literally. But eventually, idiots wanted to get all the golden eggs out of the goose and killed it, only that isn't how eggs work."

Ryuji nodded. "Gotcha. Except in this case the goose molests girls."

Makoto sighed. "I guess so. But there's nothing I can do. We need more proof, and I don't even know where to start looking."

Rei swallowed. "I...I might. If you can meet me in the alleyway right after school, I'll take you to meet someone. You're not going to believe this if I don't show you." She held up a hand. "You'll have plenty of time to get Student Council stuff done after, since I have to go home today."

Ryuji looked down at the girl, taking a step back from Rei to let her wipe off her face with a handkerchief. "You sure we should bring her in on this?"

Rei looked up and gave him a nod. "It's a risk, but…"

Ryuji didn't know how to respond to that.

Rei allowed herself to grin in satisfaction at seeing Makoto waiting uncomfortably in the middle of the alleyway, as instructed. She walked up and gave her a quick bow. "Right. So, just so you can't claim I tricked you, first, go back the other way and verify the school's still there."

Makoto gave her a skeptical look, but did as she was told. "O-kay. As expected, the school is still there."

Rei nodded. "Now, this seems obvious, but you're sure no matter how times we repeat that, it'll be the same?" When Makoto just made an exasperated noise, Rei activated the strange app on her phone. "Now, what if I told you that the story about the bad nav app was true, sort of? It did take me to the wrong Shujin Academy….but one in the right place?" Makoto raised an eyebrow. Rei nodded, then carefully checked to make sure no one else was around. "Sorry, this is gonna give you a bit of a headache," Rei warned her, then spoke to the phone. "Nav. Kamoshida. Shujin Academy. Castle."

"Match Found. Beginning Navigation," the phone said helpfully, and then the world shifted.

Makoto put her hand to her forehead with a wince and a groan. Rei had been expecting to feel the same, but this time the pain was lessened. "...must be something you get used to," Rei conjectured. "Okay, you all right?"

"Y-yeah. What was that?" Makoto asked as she recovered.

"Well, why don't you tell me?" Rei said mischievously. "Head back to the end of the alleyway again." Makoto started walking, and Rei counted the steps before the scream, jogging up behind her.

Makoto was pointing at the castle, which, as Rei predicted, had replaced the school. "What. The Hell. Is THAT?"

Rei chuckled. "That, Niijima-sama, is the mind of our esteemed gym teacher, made real." Makoto's eyes took on a distinctly glazed look. Rei decided that was the cue to push it a little further. "Actually, that's not all. Let's see if I can do this on demand or if I need to be in danger." She closed her eyes, and a puff of smoke obscured her body for a moment. When it cleared, her costume from the previous day had reappeared, complete with mask. She smirked at the way Makoto's jaw dropped. "Yeah, see why you had to see this to believe it?"

Makoto took a step back. "What's going on? Why do you have that knife? Where is everyone?!"

Rei blinked. "Oh, the knife?" She pulled it out, then flipped it over in her hand to offer it to Makoto, handle-first. "Sorry, forgot for a second I'd have it on me too." When Makoto, reluctantly, took it from her, she continued. "This place is called the Metaverse. I admit I don't know too much about it yet, but this bit in particular...well, it's just as I said. The castle in front of you is a literal manifestation of the contents of Kamoshida's mind. So far, I know about the bedroom on the second floor, the existence of a harem somewhere else, and the dungeons. I can also infer the existence of a torture chamber or three from the sounds of screaming in the dungeon."

Makoto nodded. "So this is why you were late yesterday?"

"Yeah," Rei said. "I didn't actually mean to, and there's a lot I don't know. But I expect you have a lot of questions, and I'm not really the person to answer them. Follow me, and stay close." Rei walked up to the drawbridge leading to the entrance. "The courtyard's safe, but Kamoshida's here too. Well, not the real one, but his mental self's in charge of this place. We don't want to run into him."

"Why not?" Makoto asked, following as instructed.

Rei glanced at her. "Well, one, he tried to kill Ryuji, throw me in his harem, then kill me when I wasn't instantly enchanted by him. Two, he's only wearing a speedo."

Makoto made a disgusted face. "That...was more than I needed to know."

"It makes it easy to tell the two versions apart," Rei half-joked. "Anyway, it's not all bad news. There may be someone around here who can tell you more. You seem pretty sharp, so maybe you'll have better questions to ask. Just remember, Makoto, I can bring you here, but so far as I know you don't have the special powers needed to actually accomplish much."

Makoto glared. "Then why bring me here at all?"

It was a fair question, one Rei answered with "Well...honestly, you're not just 'pretty sharp', you're probably smarter than I am. I'm hoping if you talk with Morgana, you can figure out the best way to go about exploring this place."

Makoto nodded her understanding thoughtfully. "I suppose it's already occurred to you that any evidence you can find in here isn't admissible to the Principal, or the courts, right?"

"Of course," Rei said. "But it's all I've got, and maybe if we find the harem we can figure out the other victims on the girls' side. Just don't land there yourself. Better yet, don't go past the courtyard, and if you see anyone, run for it."

Makoto considered, then held the knife back out slowly. "You need this, right?"

Rei took it with a grin. "Couldn't hurt." Once she'd resheathed it, she looked to the Palace. "If this all goes horribly wrong, I'm sorry in advance."

Another voice shouted from behind them. "What are you doing?" Behind them was Morgana rushing to catch up. "Rei-san, why did you bring someone else here?! Yeesh, we can't protect her too!"

Rei sighed. "That's not the plan. I'm sorry, Morgana, but I've got business in the real world today. That's why I brought Niijima-san here." She looked at the other girl.

Makoto backed slowly away, towards the Palace's door. "A-a-a cat monster!"

Morgana jumped up and down in place. "NO! I'm human!"

Rei blinked. "Uhh…" She looked Morgana up and down carefully. "I don't have long, but...uh, well…"

"I don't know how this happened," Morgana said, his voice falling into depression. "I...honestly, I don't remember much after I went into the depths of the Metaverse. But never mind that." He pointed at Rei. "What about the deal we made!"

"Yeah," Rei said. "About that. Like I said, today I can't, because of all the trouble I got in the first time." Morgana snorted. "This is my way of showing I'm acting in good faith. After the first time I was exhausted. I was barely holding together with Adler. If you really want me to help you out, I'm gonna need training."

Morgana nodded. "Well, that's true."

"...and it turns out, I need to go back in there," Rei said, pointing. "So….how about you train me on this place?"

Morgana grinned. "Sounds good...but where does she fit in?"

"I would like to know too." Makoto added.

Rei grinned. "Put simply, then? Morgana, you've spent more time in this place than I have. Makoto's wicked smart. Put your heads together when you have time and come up with a plan of attack. We need to find evidence about the sexual harassment committed by the owner of this Palace. Kamoshida."

Makoto nodded. "Okay, that makes sense. But Morgana, can you even go to the real world?"

"Hmph, just shows what you know." Morgana said with an arrogant smirk. "I don't even need a phone anymore. Follow me."

Makoto and Rei shrugged at each other, and followed the spirit through the gates of the school and back into the alleyway. The world seemed to shift on them, and then, suddenly, Morgana was a cat. Visibly the same cat, if cats routinely changed shape like that, with bright blue eyes, and completely covered in black fur save for his chin and paws, which were completely white. "Don't say it," he said, before they could. "When I came to the real world I looked like this. But I was human, I know it!"

Rei blinked. "Wait, so in the depths of the Metaverse you can have your shape changed?" she asked, being very sure to enunciate each word carefully. "I mean, if this happened to you there, then is it something that could be done deliberately?"

It was Morgana's turn to blink in surprise. "Uhh...I guess it could be done. But why would you want to be a cat?"

But by this point Rei wasn't listening. She was skipping - skipping - off. Makoto thought she looked like she might just burst out into song. "Remember! You've got to keep up the act until you change your clothes!"

Rei immediately froze. "Oh. Right. Sorry. Anyway, you two got this?" They both made affirmative noises, and Rei headed off.

Morgana looked up to Makoto as soon as Rei was out of sight. "Anyway, wasn't she a girl?"

By the time she had gotten back to Yongenjaya, her mood had deflated quite a bit. Reaching the depths of the Metaverse was clearly going to be a long-term project, if she couldn't handle a ten minute run through that castle. And even if she could, dealing with the law the way it was, with her criminal record, would likely be beating her head against a brick wall until she was 20. It probably wouldn't get her out of the male uniform either, as long as the idiot Principal Kobayakawa was still in charge.

Also, there was the problem of her room. Sojiro hadn't bothered to give her any extra cleaning supplies, which meant yet another dip into her savings. Sure, for a high school student she had a lot of money just laying around, but she had been saving that, dammit. And a lot of it was actually her dad's, just to make it worse. Every single yen spent without making it up somewhere was progress lost.

At least she had the prospect of baking, and the macaroons would keep for a few days. She didn't expect that sideline to take off right away, but if it did maybe she could offset her expenses enough that this year wouldn't be completely awful. If it really took off she could even see getting ahead a bit, but that seemed unlikely.

Laden down with various cleaners, a bucket, and a mop on top of more ingredients, she barely managed to work the handle to LeBlanc's door and nearly stumbled on the way through. "I'm home!"

Sojiro's reaction was a dropped jaw. "Geez, kid, if you'd needed stuff you could have asked." Rei gulped. "Yeah, okay, just leave whatever's leftover under the sink and I'll pay you back." He jerked his head meaningfully to one of the booths. "Anyway, you know this punk?"

Rei had to shift her supplies to look, where she noticed a rather familiar head of spikey blond hair, the head it was attached to turning around to look at her. "Yo! Niijima said you could use a hand, and I'm not doing anything after school these days."

Rei flashed him a huge smile. "That'll be a big help. Thanks." She turned around to Sojiro. "Get this guy some coffee and a sweet while I change? On me." Sojiro raised an eyebrow. "Pull it out of my check?"

Sojiro nodded. "I didn't sell too many, but they seem more popular with the afternoon crowd. You've got enough for that." Rei turned her attention to the pile. It wasn't untouched, but Sojiro definitely hadn't sold as many of the macaroons as she'd hoped. "Sorry, kid. Got some requests, though. Didn't know what to make of it, but if you've got some other recipes in your head we can give those a try."

Rei nodded. "I can probably manage something."

A few minutes later, Rei was in an old shirt and sweatpants, and Ryuji was staring shock at the absolute mess. "Man, you actually sleep here."

"Just for the past couple of days, yeah," Rei said. "Anyway, this was gonna take me all night, but now that you're here we can at least get the trash cleaned out before Sojiro locks up."

Ryuji gave her another unbelieving look. "He locks you in every night, too? Do ya at least have a computer?"

"I wish," Rei muttered. "I had a decent desktop back home but I left it behind. All my homework gets done by hand."

Ryuji nodded. "Yeah, well, lucky you Shujin hasn't gotten with the times yet. No server, so all the homework's offline. Principal says it's 'traditional'."

Rei snorted. "So much for Kamoshida's sexual harassment improving the lives of students, huh? Wonder what kind of a paycheck he pockets."

"Think we could use the Metaverse to find out?" Ryuji asked.

Rei thought about it. "We can find out if it's possible now, maybe," She said, pulling out her phone and pushing the button for the Metaverse Nav. "Principal Kabayokawa,"

The app took a moment, then came back with a cheerful "Potential match found,"

Ryuji grinned. "Awesome! Know how to make it do the rest?"

Rei peered at the screen. "It says it needs a . . . location, and a 'distortion.' Whatever that is. We should probably hold off and ask Morgana about that." She backed out of the navigator. She looked at Ryuji again. "To be honest, this thing makes me a little nervous."

"Yeah." Ryuji said with a defeated tone. "This thing's too weird. I just don't wanna have to rely on that cat, y'know?"

Rei bent over to start picking up trash. "Well, unless you know someone else, our choices are 'depend on Morgana' or 'try to figure this out on our own.' Strange as this sounds, I'd rather have the cat with the machete as backup. Makoto-chan's really nice too."

"Yeah, that's kinda weird." Ryuji started to get to work as well. "Don't suppose you're any good with tech."

"Baking, yes, tech no." Rei grinned. "Believe me, I didn't hack together an app that breaks the rules of physics. No idea where that thing came from."

Ryuji chuckled. "Well, it's just...I've got a virus."

Rei gulped. "Weird app?" She pulled her phone back out and showed Ryuji the icon.

"Oh, cool!" Ryuji's reaction was no what she had expected. "This is great! Maybe I've got one of those Persona things after all!"

Rei nodded. "We can ask Morgana how you get one next time we see him. He's with Makoto now." She smirked. "Now, let's get to it. No more cognitive world weirdness today!"

By the time the cafe closed, the two of them had at least cleared most of the trash out. The books were neatly placed on the shelf, even if there was nothing resembling organization. The boxes were in the basement, and there was enough space to actually set some things up. "Whew." Rei said with a smile. "I still need to mop and dust and so on, but this is a great start." She turned to her new friend. "Thanks. Seriously, I couldn't have gotten this much done without you."

That got a simple "Don't mention it," while Ryuji was picking up his book bag. "Oh, yeah, I almost forgot." He pulled out a small brown paper bag and tossed it to her. "I heard about this place in Shibuya. I know you're tight for money, and I couldn't let you go back without doing something to help out." He lowered his voice. "Don't let the boss catch you with that."

Rei narrowed her eyes suspiciously, and felt the weight. Whatever it was, it was heavy. Slowly, she opened the package. Inside was a shining chrome handgun. Rei would be the first to admit, even as a country girl, she didn't know much about weapons that weren't practiced by her own branch of karate, but this thing looked and felt real. "Are you crazy?! I'm a criminal!" she whispered harshly. "If I get caught with this thing it's curtains!"

"Relax," Ryuji grinned, but it was a very nervous one. "It's not real. Just don't go flashing it at school or trying to get through a checkpoint. But that weird, fake Kamoshida don't know that. And it's even got a realistic sound effect, so maybe you can scare some of those Shadow things or something."

Rei forced herself to calm down. It wasn't actually a terrible idea, and he probably didn't know the kinds of restrictions she was under. Besides, if she couldn't find a hiding spot in the attic she could just ditch it somewhere and tell Ryuji she lost it in the Metaverse. "Sorry. Thank you. I'll make good use of it."

The next morning, Rei yawned and grabbed the cup of coffee Sojiro put in front of her. "Keep trying with the Macaroons for today," she mumbled. "They'll keep till Thursday, then half-price'em for a day and I'll throw them out after you close."

"Well, they're yours," Sojiro said. "Just remember that they reflect on me if they're no good." He picked one up and popped it into his mouth. "Eh, you're probably right."

The TV's news broadcaster was the only one speaking in the room for awhile while Rei slowly woke herself up. Eventually, though, the story caught her attention. "In other news, authorities report that the subway accident in Shibuya station two days ago was the result of a psychotic break. The driver of the train claims he could not recall his actions. We have received a report that he's died in custody."

Rei felt her blood run cold for a moment.

Sojiro shook his head. "Another one? Seems like you can't turn on the news lately without something like that happening." He saw Rei's expression. "Hey, you all right?" Then he remembered. "Oh, yeah, you were down there. Sorry. Should I put it on cartoons or something? Just till customers come in."

Rei shook her head. "I'm sixteen. I can handle it."

Makoto and Ryuji ran up to Rei at the Shibuya station while she was waiting. It was an odd enough sight that Rei noticed several other students eyeing them while they were panting. "Uh, hey guys," she said nervously. "What's up?"

"I totally forgot there's a volleyball rally today!" Ryuji gasped out.

Makoto was a little more reserved. "All the classes are going to have to play against Kamoshida and the other teachers. I...I managed to get 2-D first in the lineup." Rei stared at her uncomprehendingly. "Classes are canceled for the rally?" Makoto tried to explain again.

"...gotcha. I can head to the Metaverse after the match, right?" Rei said, finally getting it. "Thanks."

Morgana stuck his head out of Makoto's book bag. "Wooooah! Hard to breathe in there!"

Rei gave Makoto an incredulous look. "Well, he can't go on the subway without a human like this."

"Okay, that's true." Rei conceded. "Did you come up with anything?"

Morgana gave Rei a long look. "Yeah. We decided you're being waaaay too cautious."

Makoto glared at Morgana. "You decided she was being too cautious. I'm not exactly arguing, but there's something to be said for thinking things through." She looked at Rei. "I think we should both go in today."

"WHAT?!" Ryuji shouted. "No way! If you're going, I'm going!"

Rei hung her head. "I could have told you he'd say that." She turned her attention back to Morgana. "Is it safe to bring them both? I mean, obviously it's not completely safe, but…"

Morgana hmmed. "Well, as long as Blondie there can keep his trap shut, things should have calmed down by now. You really stirred up the hornet's nest the other day."

Rei nodded. "Okay. Now, why the hell should I let both of you come?" They both stared at her incredulously. "I was already kind of iffy on letting one of you follow us around, but both of you...you know what's going to happen if something goes wrong, right? Death...or worse?"

"I...I know," Makoto said quietly. "Rei, there's something you need to know. I didn't just follow you to the diner the other day by accident." Rei's look back screamed 'I knew that' so Makoto went on. "You see…"

Makoto was standing in the Principal's office, watching the man pace in his yellow suit. "It's an outrage, that a boy like that's being foisted on us. I'd have refused if I could have, but...well, it's for the school's reputation. You understand that, right, Niijima?"

Makoto nodded. "Absolutely, sir. We can't let that sort of thing go on under the Shujin name." Then, she hesitated. "If that's what's going on. Do you have proof?"

Kabayokawa glared at her. "That's what you're here for. The one thing I couldn't find in the record was direct evidence of sex work. Of course, it was a small town, so they don't have anything organized. I'm sure he was just going to homes or something."

Makoto felt her stomach drop. "But you don't know that for sure."

"What other explanation is there?!" the man roared at her, before coughing. "Sorry. It's just very important that he understand that his delusions hold no weight here. He is a boy, he will behave like one, and he will be one by the end of this year if it's the last thing we do."

"Yes, sir." Makoto said with a slight bow of acknowledgement. "I'll ensure he understands the situation."

"No." Kobayakawa said with definite finality. "Catch him in the act first. That way we can hold it over him, or kick him out if he insists on continuing to defy the school." Makoto hesitated, so he added, in an almost conversational tone, "I'm sure it wouldn't look good for you if your Letter of Recommendation were to come from a school with a freak like that known to be attending….if you even get one."

Makoto got the message. "Yes, sir."

Rei slammed her face into her hand so hard it nearly disrupted the careful work on her hair. "Two of them."

Ryuji's reaction far less restrained. "That bastard."

"I know." Makoto said with a sigh. "I'm really sorry, Rei-chan. I'm going to need to report to him today, and I'd like something to distract him. This Kamoshida issue would do nicely, but we need the proof before the volleyball rally is over. Otherwise, I'll have to tell him the truth. He's...not going to like that."

"Just because I'm a transgirl, he's convinced I'm a slut and a whore," Rei said with a sigh. "Well, just tell him the truth, then. Other than putting on dresses and taking hormones, you can't find any evidence of unusual behavior for a boy. I go straight home, or as close to it as I can get, every day so far. I'm looking for a part time job at the flower shop, I bake for the cafe I'm living at, and I'm locked in at 5 pm sharp when it closes. Problem solved."

"I hope so," Makoto said.

"Ren, can I talk to you?" Ann was seriously looking concerned as Rei passed her desk. "Seriously, I'm sorry for brushing you off yesterday, but I really need to know now."

Rei took her seat. "I said I can't risk discussing it at school."

"Will you drop the formal stuff and have an honest conversation?" Ann grumbled. "Seriously, I want to help!"

Rei raised an eyebrow. "Do you wish to help, or do you wish me to help?"

Ann started, the words like a slap across the face, but then she thought about it. "Maybe...both, I dunno."

Rei softened just a bit. She leaned in to whisper to the blonde. "I believe Niijima-san has left the roof unlocked. There won't be much time to explain the situation, so I will have to do something that will shock you. I have something...scheduled during the rally, so we will have to handle this after.

As the bell rang, Rei made her way to the 'special' bathroom Kamoshida had pointed out to her. Ugh, I just wish it wasn't his advice...but it is good. She did make sure the door was locked - and, for good measure, subtly pushed the wastebasket into the door's path so if someone came in everyone around would be alerted. No sense taking any chances. Then she checked that thought. "Dammit, Rei, you're being paranoid." She pulled on the gym uniform and double-checked her hair as quickly as she could.

It turned out she didn't need to worry. Ryuji was already waiting when she got out. "Figured you could use a lookout after yesterday."

Rei quirked her lip up slightly. "This was Makoto-chan's idea, wasn't it?"

"Well, uh...she may have mentioned you'd be nervous about Kamoshida tryin' something," Ryuji said with a slight stammer. "But I did offer to watch before she asked."

Rei chuckled. "Thanks. No, really. So much for a quiet year, huh?" She looked around cautiously. "You on your class team?"

"Nah, and I was gonna skip before all this came up," Ryuji confirmed. "Especially with my leg, y'know."

Rei wisely didn't comment. "Okay. Where's Morgana?"

"Hiding in the Student Council room, for now. Makoto's doing some last minute setup, but she'll let him out during the first match." Ryuji explained.

Rei shook her head. "We need a better solution than this, but for today it'll have to do. Anyway, A classmate's of mine is almost ready to spill, so don't go saying anything about the Metaverse on the rooftop just yet. I have an idea, but I'd rather not bring anyone else into that aspect if we don't have to."

"Gotcha," the boy suddenly reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, Rei-chan. This is getting bad. Are you sure we shouldn't just, y'know...do this with the Metaverse?"

Rei stared at him, a part of her not sure she heard that correctly.

Ryuji looked around. "That Kamoshida, the other one. You knocked him out and the real one went home for the day. What happens if, y'know, you just stab him?"

Rei swallowed. "I...I have no idea."

"I guess...it's something to think about, yeah?" Ryuji muttered. "It's not like he's not gonna do bad things to you sooner or later. It's self defense."

Rei swallowed. "It's...it's not off the table anymore." That was all she could say. "We'll ask Morgana."

Ryuji nodded. "We'll see. In the meantime, don't go anywhere alone, okay?" He grinned. "You're the best chance we've got at taking the bastard down, right?"

"Ass," Rei said playfully, punching his arm.