December 12th Thursday.
Naoto rubbed her temples as she fought off the headache that was threatening to take over her brain. The word document in front of her displayed all the clues she had towards Yu's disappearance. Besides the revelation that had been made the day before, there were no other leads or clues. No matter how long Naoto stared at the screen, she couldn't suddenly make a new clue appears. She went over everything for about the fourth time that day alone looking for any little bit of information they might have overlooked, but nothing stood out. They had reached the end of the trail and unless Ren could invite them all into his velvet room this is where the investigation stalled. It had been concluded Ren would not go sniffing for clues about Igor in his velvet room unless someone was there to back him up. Naoto wouldn't risk Ren even if that was currently the only option that was left to explore. Surely there had to be something else, but so far only the piercing ache in Naoto's head was the sole focus of her mind.
Naoto groaned quietly, as she continued to rub her temples. Normally she didn't get headaches this bad, but this was quickly turning towards migraine level pain. This wasn't the time for pain through, Naoto needed answers. She had been fighting through this most of the morning but now it was starting to become unbearable. How was she expected to find Yu when her brain was exploding? The door to the office opened and shut, but Naoto didn't bother acknowledging it. Despite the pain, she tried going over the facts once again trying to extrapolate a new conclusion from the little clues she had. Her pained mind strained under the effort before Naoto felt a pair of warm hands on her shoulders.
Without any guidance from Naoto, the hands moved over her shoulders and neck in a soothing matter. The detective leaned into the warm touch. Maybe a small break from trying to think too hard was something she needed. Closing her eyes she just enjoyed the welcoming touch as it melted away some of the aches. For several long minutes, Naoto indulged in the feeling before she opened her eyes and looked up at the owner of the wonderful hands.
"Thanks, Kanji." Naoto smiled up at her fiancé.
"Ya can thank me by drinkin' that cup of coffee. Jeez, Naoto you got some pretty big knots in yer neck! Hold still." Kanji cracked his knuckles before his hands returned to her shoulders.
Naoto glanced at the cup of coffee that had appeared in front of her. The steam that came off it meant Kanji must have brought it in with him when he had come in. Naoto reached for the cup and slowly took in the aroma. How could she have forgotten to grab a coffee that morning? Surely Kanji must have noticed and that's why he had delivered this current cup to her. Taking a sip of the dark brew it was the perfect temperature, allowing for follow up sips to turn into more gulps than sips. The caffeine would surely help her focus on the task ahead and combined with Kanji's gentle massage, the migraine was slowly easing off. A few painkillers and she'd be fine for sure.
"Alright another cup of coffee and some painkillers, then I should be good." Naoto started to get up but Kanji's kept her pinned to her chair, as he held onto her shoulders.
"How about some breakfast, another cup of coffee, some pills, then you relax a bit. Ya have been at this since you got that call Sunday mornin'." Kanji seemed to insist.
Naoto sighed, she knew what Kanji was trying to do but she couldn't share his sentiment at that moment. "No Kanji, Yu is still out there somewhere!" Suddenly Kanji seemed to reject her answer as he spun her chair around and picked her up. "Kanji what are you doing?!" Naoto demanded but she was quickly thrown over his shoulder. "Let me down this instant Kanji!"
"No freakin' way Naoto! Yer pushing yourself way to fuckin' hard and it ain't gonna help Yu get back any faster! Damn it!" Kanji's voice was raised, while he raised his voice quite often; he rarely did it to Naoto.
Naoto didn't know how to respond to that. As Kanji had her now she lacked the necessary leverage to break free from him and Kanji was way stronger than her. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she could do nothing now that Kanji had her like this. Kanji turned to head out of the office and stepped into the living room. The sound of Rise's guitar from the studio was the first thing Naoto noticed as Kanji held her. Still, Naoto having not yet accepted her fate tried to wiggle free but Kanji held her tight. Goro quickly put the book down he had been reading, his eyes registering shock as he seemed like he was trying to figure out what to do in this particular situation. Yosuke who was also on one of the couches in the living room glanced up at them before pulling down his headphone he had been wearing.
"Aniki, what are you doing to Nee-san?" Goro demanded.
"Bro, go get Naoto some headache pills from the bathroom," Kanji ordered.
"Sure…" With that Goro slipped from the living room and disappeared.
Kanji then stepped up to Yosuke. "Can ya get the kids together, along with the robot and the dog?"
Naoto could hear the music from Yosuke's headphones as they approached. "I probably could. You got a plan, big guy?"
"Yeah, I'm fuckin' sick of this damn depressed attitude everyone's been havin'. We all are going to come together and figure out what we are gonna fuckin' do. I know Yu's gone and he was our leader but I know for damn sure he wouldn't want us wearing ourselves to the damn bone trying to find him. We need a better plan than see if we can find more clues. If this Igor guy is involved then we need to fuckin' deal with this Igor guy. If he's not, we need to figure out what we are goin' do. Okay?" Kanji boomed, clearly riled up.
"Sounds like a plan Kanji." Yosuke got to his feet. "I'll round everyone up."
"Good." Kanji nodded.
"Can you let me down now?" Naoto asked.
"Not yet." Kanji's voice was firm as he turned and headed into the kitchen.
Kanji entered the kitchen and sat Naoto down upon a kitchen chair. Naoto finally free from her fiancé got to her feet and shook her head at his behavior. He was treating her like a child, a child that couldn't take care of herself. Naoto was fine, this headache was nothing. Granted the kitchen smelled of freshly brewed coffee and something about that aroma drew Naoto in. Fine, she'd play Kanji's game. Getting a new mug from the cupboard she poured herself another cup of coffee and basked in its rich dark brew. This time she let herself savor it a little more. Goro stepped into the kitchen, pill bottle in hand. Naoto moved to take some from him but she was quickly blocked by Kanji.
"Eat." Kanji insisted as he stood at the kitchen door like a sentinel guarding her way out.
"Stop treating me like a child Kanji." Naoto kept her voice low, her headache was starting to sour her attitude.
"Then stop actin' like one." Kanji kept his voice level as he squared his jaw.
Naoto glared at Kanji from her spot next to the coffee pot. Kanji just folded his arms across his chest and met her glare with an impartial look. Poor Goro didn't know what to do and quickly retreated to the table looking between the two. Naoto was wise enough to know she wasn't going to win this argument because she knew deep down that Kanji was right. She really should take a break and de-stress from this all, but part of her feared if she did she'd miss something. Still, as long as Kanji stood in her way returning to work was an impossibility so it'd be wiser to suck it up now.
"Fine!" Naoto growled before she turned to the pantry and pulled out some cereal.
About a minute later Naoto was sitting down at the table with a bowl of cold cereal, not really enjoying it but still eating as she was now forced to do. Goro set the pill bottle down next to hero, at some point in time his cautious look had turned to one of light amusement. Much to the chagrin of Naoto, so she shot him a glare too. This only made a smirk crack on Goro's lip as he opened the pill bottle and set two pills now next to her. Naoto accepted the pills begrudgingly before taking them with a swig of her remaining coffee. Goro took her cup and refilled it before Kanji slipped down next to her at the kitchen table.
"See that wasn't so hard." Kanji's voice held a gentle tone to it.
"Only cost me my dignity." Naoto sniped back at Kanji.
Goro put her refilled coffee cup next to her. "Sometimes we need to swallow our pride for our own good." Goro slipped into another empty chair at the table.
Naoto accepted Goro's offering before she looked between the two. The two were teaming up against her. If she wasn't so bothered by that at the moment, she might have found it endearing; but currently, it was just annoying. Still, this wasn't the first time Kanji had been used as a tool against her, Yu in the past had employed him several times to deal with Naoto when she had 'overworked' herself. Naoto didn't see how much of a problem it was, but those around her seemed to think it was one. Naoto finished her cereal while two of the men she cared most about watched her. As aggravating as it was, Naoto accepted that she couldn't escape Kanji's insistence. Getting up and loading her empty cereal bowl into the dishwasher. Naoto topped off her coffee before leaning against the kitchen island, looking at the two.
"Am I free to go now?" Naoto asked taking a sip of her coffee as she looked at them.
"How are ya feelin'?" Kanji questioned as he got to his feet.
"In 20 minutes the painkillers should kick in and I'll be fine," Naoto answered before Yosuke stepped into the kitchen
"Hey Naoto, your phone in the office keeps going off. It would seem someone wants to contact you." Yosuke said, there was a slight worry in his eyes.
Pushing past Yosuke, Naoto stepped out into the living room the sound of her ringtone echoing in the air. Goro shadowed behind her as Naoto moved back to the office and for a second the ringtone stopped as if she had been too late to answer it before it began to ring again. Naoto quickened her pace and picked up her from the space to the left of her laptop.
"Shirogane here," Naoto answered in a curt professional tone.
"Shirogane, get out of there. The police are coming to the condo you are at." Sae Niijima's tone left little to argue with.
"What?!" Naoto exclaimed as her heart rate started to rise.
"Shido is dead and they are secretly blaming the Phantom Thieves for it. Also, there is a warrant out for the arrest of Goro Akechi under suspicions of collusion with the Phantom Thieves. Just get out of there now! They are trying to sweep the Shadow Operatives up in this operation because someone knows about their objectives about the otherworld. You aren't safe." Sae explained as the squeal of tires echoed in the background. "You also have to make sure the kids get out, I know they are also sending a SWAT team to Shujin."
"What about you?" Naoto asked her breath catching in her chest.
"They will find me, but that doesn't matter. Get the kids out. This whole damn corrupt system is making a last-ditch effort to stay in power and all of our evidence is useless as long as there are still people at the top. I might have a way out of this but I need you to focus on warning everyone else." Sae's voice remained surprisingly calm. "I need to hang up now, hopefully, I'll see you on the other side of this." With that, the line went dead.
Naoto stood there for a moment, the shock of what was happening clear on her face. Goro took a tentative step forward before Naoto snapped back into attention. She needed to get everyone out of here. Whatever was happening it was bigger than Shido ever was. It was bigger than all of them, this was ruin moving pieces to try and get everyone into check. Naoto's eye narrowed as her mind started to form a plan. They needed to escape to the other world and make a plan there. Mementos would probably be the best place.
"Nee-san..?" Goro asked reaching out for her.
"Goro-Kun, we need to get everyone together. The police are coming here to capture us, get everyone together. We need to get to mementos but first I need to make a phone call." Naoto's tone was dark but it caused Goro to snap to attention.
"Sure thing Nee-san." With that, he left the office.
Naoto looked down at the phone in her hand before she dialed a new number. The first couple of rings went through, causing Naoto to clench her fist. If there was ever a time she needed to contact someone it was now and there was only one person she felt she could get all the kids out of that school before they were all captured. After about the fourth ring there was the sound of someone picking up and Naoto could feel her heart lifting slightly.
"Aigis here, is something the matter Naoto-san?" Aigis's voice echoed on the other end of the line as someone's voice seemed to yell behind her.
"Aigis listen to me, I need you to get all the kids out of class and get them to Mementos. Something has happened and I'll explain once we are all safe in Mementos." Naoto pressed hoping her words alone would spur the android into action.
"Roger." With that Aigis hung up.
Ren was trying hard to pay attention in class. He didn't want his grades to suffer anymore then they needed to this semester. The study session last night had been most helpful until teenage hormones took over and all thoughts of studying were forgotten. Ren smirked to himself as fond memories returned to his teenage brain. Maybe he could head to Makoto's place tonight to get some more studying in. The idea caused him to space out slightly before a noise caught his attention. An annoying ring tone. Ren glanced up and over to Aigis as the noise seemed to be originating from her.
Mr. Ushimaru started to complain about phones in the classroom but Aigis seemed to ignore his outburst with an almost robotic flair. Getting up from her desk she promptly left the classroom as Mr. Ushimaru followed her, berating her the whole time about proper classroom etiquette and how she should put the phone away. Ren watched Aigis disappear through the door. Ann spun around in her seat shooting Ren a curious look, Ren could only shrug as he looked towards the door. A few seconds later, Aigis stepped back into the classroom, the look on her face causing Ren's heart to skip a beat.
"Ren-Kun, Takamaki-san, Morgana-san… We need to leave and collect the others and go to Mementos. Our lives are in danger." Aigis curtly informed them.
Ren was to his feet instantly, quickly shadowed by Ann. Morgana jumped out of his desk and for the first time made himself known to the rest of the class. A few startled gasps echoed from Ren's schoolmates at the sudden appearance of a feline and Aigis's current level of urgency. Ren didn't have time to pay them any mind before Aigis turned to leave. Ren shot Ann a quick look before all three of them exited the room after Aigis. Mr. Ushimaru tried to stand in their way but Aigis quickly cut him off, casting the teacher a serious look.
"Forgive me Ushimaru-sensei, but I must see to it that several of this school's students remain safe. I ask you don't get in my way." Aigis politely addressed the teacher.
"This is highly unusual, what is going on here?!" Mr. Ushimaru boomed loudly no doubt alerting the other classes.
"Ren, I'll get Ryuji. You get our third year. Meet at the school entryway." Ann called to Ren.
"Okay!" Ren answered before he made his way down the stairs to the third year classrooms, Morgana at his heels.
Ren flew down the stairs as his heart pounded in his chest. He landed hard as he skipped the last four steps in favor of jumping them. Morgana leaped to his side before Ren turned and headed down the hall. Luckily Haru, Makoto, and Ken were all in the same class together. However, if their lives were in danger what about Futaba and Yusuke? They would need to be contacted pronto. As Ren approached the third year classroom, Makoto was already out in the hall. She wore a pensive gaze holding her phone close to her chest. Ren didn't have time to question what was going through her mind. His heated footfall down the hall quickly drew her attention towards him.
"Get Haru and Ken," Ren ordered.
"Shido's dead," Makoto informed him.
"What?!" Ren snapped coming to a stop next to her.
"That's not good." Morgana hissed.
"My sister… She texted me and told me we need to get out of here, but if you know I take it it's fairly urgent." Makoto explained before she turned back to the door that led to her classroom, she quickly slid it open. "Haru, Ken. We need to go!" She ordered.
There was a general murmur of surprise that echoed in the classroom before Ren spotted Ken and Haru at the door. They wore confused looks on their faces but Ren didn't have time to explain everything to them. That could wait until after they were all together in Mementos. Ren motioned them to follow him so they could meet up with Aigis, Ann, and Ryuji. Haru seemed a bit hesitant but Ken quickly grabbed her and they were all following him.
Morgana took charge darting ahead back towards the school entry away before he froze as he came to a stop. Instantly Morgana's hackles raised as his tail puffed up, Ren didn't need to know much about feline behavior to understand Morgana was looking at something he didn't like. Ren quickly skidded to a stop at the doors, casting a glance at what the cat was looking at. Large black vans had pulled up just outside of the school gate and men in tactical gear were outside talking to each other. In an instant Ren had a flashback to the time he was captured just outside of Sae's Palace, the problem was this time, there was no escape plan.
"No way." Makoto gasped as they all stopped.
"Oh, dear." Haru echoed, her hands going to her face.
"That's not a welcoming sight." Ken proclaimed.
"We need to get out of here." Morgana yowled to the others. "Now!"
"Run and get to the roof! Someone call Yusuke! We are jumping to Mementos from there!" Ren loudly ordered.
A teacher who was walking the hallway gave the group a confused look before shouting at them about what was going on. However, Ren and his friends didn't have time to even acknowledge him. This had now just turned into a life or death situation and they needed to leave now! Ren's friend obeyed silently heading towards the nearest staircase and darting up. Makoto was already reaching for her phone to get in contact with their artistic friend. Hopefully, they'd reach him before the doom that was right outside their school's doors affected him as well.
Ren wondered about the adults and Goro but had to believe they had to be the one that called Aigis in the first place. Running up the stairs Ren reached for his phone to call Futaba. As they headed up to the second floor; Ann, Ryuji, and Aigis were coming down to no doubt try and meet them in the entryway. However down there was not safe. With a quick motion for them to follow, they quickly joined the rest of the group in the ascent upstairs towards the roof. Ren prayed Futaba would pick up and was relieved when Futaba picked up after the second ring.
"What's up? Shouldn't you be in class?" There was sleepiness to Futaba's voice.
"Get to Mementos… We aren't safe." Ren ordered.
"Wha..? Give me a second…" There was the sound of movement on the other side of the phone.
"Futaba now!" Ren called into his phone fearing for his sister.
"I can't reach Yusuke," Makoto said to Ren as they reached the top of the stairs.
"Try again!" Ren ordered probably a bit more harshly than he would have wanted but hopefully, Makoto would understand.
Ryuji burst through the doors that led to the roof and everyone quickly followed him. Ken ran to the side of the chain-link fence that surrounded the roof. Ren had a feeling he was assessing their situation. Aigis quickly joined him as Ryuji gave everyone a confused look as to what was happening. Suddenly the fire alarm went off, ringing throughout the school. Ren had no clue who did it but he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth; that alarm was just what they needed to escape soundly.
"Well damn…" Futaba sighed. "They are already at Leblanc. I'm headed to Mementos, see you there."
Suddenly an idea struck Ren. "Wait, do you have access to Yusuke's phone?"
"I could if you give me a second. Why?" Futaba asked.
"Use his phone to force him into Mementos like you did Goro that one time, we can't reach him," Ren explained.
"Done," Futaba answered. "See you in Mementos bro." With that Futaba hung up.
Ren had to believe Futaba and Yusuke would be there when they all got into Mementos.
"They got the whole building surrounded," Ken informed the group as he ran his hand through his hair.
"What the hell's going on?!" Ryuji asked, there was an urgency to his voice that demanded answers.
"We are heading to Mementos. We can't stay here any longer." Ren pulled his phone up and quickly pressed the navigate button.
Margaret shifted ever so slightly in her chair as she gazed off in the darkness. Yu perked up, wondering what could have drawn the attendant's attention. They had been sitting in relative silence for the past few hours. While he didn't know how that translated to the real world, he had to admit he was getting rather bored of sitting here doing nothing. Theodore suddenly sighed before he shook his head.
"It would appear Ruin is showing his whole hand." Margaret proclaimed before she looked at Theodore, a slow smile working its way to her lips. "It would appear that perhaps our ploy has made it nervous."
"So this is good news?" Yu asked as he rolled his shoulders.
"It depends…" Margaret's gaze returned to Yu, there was an intensity to that look. "How much do you believe in your friends?"
Yu leaned forward and offered Margaret a smirk. "Do you need to ask that question?" Yu countered.
That caused a light laugh to escape Margaret's normally professional personality. "Then yes, this is a good thing."
I've been having some serious trouble with my editing software not working probably, and considering I suck at editing I figured I'd wait until they patched the problem. In the meantime, I went over the first 2 chapters again to try and fix some problems with them and the horrible editing they had. I don't know how that all turned out but I got rid of like 20 mistakes so yay. Finally, an update to fix my problem... Well folks I give you this chapter.