Chapter Thirty-One

Yume is finally, finally, finished going through Madam Himura's dungeon. Every single unlocked room has been checked and all vents traversed through. Sure, any normal four year old would be let with a lot of questions about the things she can't un-see, but Yume is mature and tough and sneaky - and still level one. Plus side to the hours she spend fixing the code of the app means she now has inventory space. Her phone is bubble wrapped and tucked into her empty backpack, but everything else is magically in a pocket dimension inside her phone. A pocket dimension that's divided into sections.

Yume prefers not to think too deeply about the physics behind it all. Especially when earlier in the day she accidently knocked over this awful vase and now she has broken cane bits in her 'Treasures' tab. Not thinking about it for the win.

However, now in the final room – an empty, musical auditorium – Yume is sitting on the back of a seat, pouting at a glowing, hovering orb that doesn't do anything. This obviously means Something Important to the dungeon, but walking up to it didn't trigger anything. She's now trying her hand at waving her phone at it.

Nope. Nada. Nothing.

With a sigh and the sound of footsteps approaching the door, Yume brings up the safe rooms tab. She scrolls down to the first one she found; there were vases around there that she can dig through to see if finding more broken cane bits can give her something. A click and Yume's out of there just as soon as Madam Himura storms into the room to see who's messing with her treasure.

Yume blinks up at the masked people chilling in the safe room.

The two people blink back.

With a strangled sound Yume presses down and enter and appears in her living room. She collapses on the ground, removing the scarf from her mouth so she feels like she can breathe again. It takes another ten minutes before she remembers to exit the Metaverse and another dozen before she's methodically hidden everything she wore today in separate, very hard to find places. The only thing she keeps out is her phone and, after a long pep talk, she's thoroughly convinced herself there is no way they would know it's her. Her hair is always tied back so none of the red shows through and her face was obscured by the scarf.

She does, however, prepare a ton of information against Hitoshi that can be sent out at a push of a button. Clicking enter on her phone will throw him under the bus for things he probably wasn't involved with – wrong place wrong time situations – as well as bring attention to his ability to pay rent without actually having a job; among other things of course. Yume remembers his questions yesterday, and all she needs is enough blackmail to keep whoever comes to her door – if they come at all – quiet.

"I can handle this," Yume mutters, hugging a pillow to her chest as she waits. She lifts the remote and turns the television on. Something about an aquarium or something is on the news. She flips it to a child-friendly station.

It takes a minimum of fifteen minutes to get to or from Yume's apartment and the dance studio; that's if someone's rushing. The knock on her door comes forty-five minutes after she ditched the masked people. Yume hops off the couch and makes a show of yelling, "Who is it?"

"It's Hitoshi and Kayo," is the reply because of course it is.

Yume unlocks the door and opens it for them with a bright smile. "Hi Hitoshi! Hi Ms. Murakami! How are you today?"

They look a bit confused to see her, but Ms. Murakami smiles and bends down to Yume's height. "I'm doing well today, thank you Yume. Do you mind if we come in?"

"It's okay!" Yume chirps and opens the door. She locks it and wanders into the living room to see them discreetly searching – well, Ms. Murakami is being discreet about it – around. Ever the hostess, "Would you like something to drink?"

"No thank you, Yume," Ms. Murakami says, smiling a bit forcedly. "Would you mind if we sat down?"

"Iie!" Yume shakes her head and pulls a chair from the kitchen so she can face both of them on the couch. "What did you need?"

"What do you know about the Metaverse?" Hitoshi asks. Ms. Murakami hisses at him and he just gives her a confused look. "That's why we're here."

"I'm sorry," Yume hesitantly raises a hand. "What's a Met-a-ver-se?"

"We know you were there, Yume," Ms. Murakami apparently decides to cut the small talk as well. Yume's acting is on-par though. "We just want to know what you were doing there."

"Eh?" Yume goes for the slightly-scared-but-honestly-confused frown. "I've been here most of the day, Ms. Murakami. I went out for a very short run because we're doing extra-long sessions today in dance class."

"See, that's very believable." Especially when Yume shifts to the you-don't-believe-me-and-I'm-actually-crushed-by-it face. "And I'm not calling you a lair, but the Metaverse is a dangerous place and you shouldn't be wandering around in it."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Yume sniffs a bit and wipes her eyes. Hitoshi's at least uncomfortable by the crying.

Ms. Murakami takes a pause to look between Hitoshi and Yume. Then she smiles at the girl. "What if we promise to deal with Himura? And we can find a way to get people off your back about your missing babysitter."

Well now. Yume sniffs a bit more and gives a hopeful look. She hopes her eyebrows didn't twitch at her interest. "You can make Madame Himura stop being mean to us?"

"And make it so you have legal guardian permission to do things you want," Ms. Murakami raises a single eyebrow, ignoring Hitoshi's mutter of 'we can do that?'. Yume's a slight bit jealous. "You are going to have to think about school in the coming years. Without a guardian around, you won't be able to do any fun things with your classmates."

Lady, please, Yume scoffs in her head. She wipes her eyes and sniffles while wondering just what this woman's playing at. "I want to have fun with my friends."

"Then how about this," Ms. Murakami soothes with a charming, friendly reporter smile. "We make Hitoshi your legal guardian and make Himura stop being mean to everyone, and in exchange you tell us how you ended up in the Metaverse."

Yume puts on the act for a few more seconds. It's actually a rather good deal. This way she doesn't need to keep forging her guardian's signature, and she can keep up-to-date with the ongoing main characters. Maybe she'll finally find out where Mementos is. Alright. She can play this game.

Yume sits up straight, arms crossing and legs swinging as she stares coolly at Ms. Murakami. The shift obviously shocks the adults, but that's a plus in her court. "I accept." And if they don't hold up their end, she can always ruin them. After all, who would believe sweet, little Yume is actually a diabolical exploiter when she wants to be. "I downloaded the app on my phone and have been entering the Metaverse via it. Now, what do you need to stop Himura?"

"Oh, wow," Ms. Murakami says with both shock and impressed disbelief. "You really had me going there. How long have you had that act?"

"It's not really an act," Yume says with an easy shrug. Both women ignore Hitoshi's innocent-puppy confusion. "We're talking shop, though. This is serious business, and so must be treated as such. I'll get the forms and forge my parents' signatures so Hitoshi becomes my legal guardian, don't worry about that. What I want to know is how soon you can rid of Himura."

"Well, we'll have to wait for our team to get back, and then we'll have to get the layout-"

"Done," Yume cuts in. "Just let me know who I have to send the file too."

"Done," Hitoshi repeats. "Done. You've already finished entire dungeon?"

"Just this morning." Yume raises her eyebrows at their disbelieving expressions. "What? I've had a lot of free time."

"I'll say," Ms. Murakami laughs sharply.

"I have to know," Hitoshi draws out his words, frowning. "Do you have a Persona?"

"Iie," Yume shakes her head. "Got a message saying I was locked from having one."

"That's okay," Ms. Murakami says with an almost excited smile. "I don't have one either."

Well, the morning is full of interesting tidbits. "Why's that?"

"I didn't meet the requirements. My social link started in the real world and I didn't previously have a Persona, so I got the notice I wouldn't be able to get one once I entered the Metaverse again."

"Really?" Yin tilts her head in thought. "So arcana have requirements, huh?"

"You know about social links," Hitoshi says flatly. Ms. Murakami's eyes widen as she realizes that too. "You know about Persona's and the Metaverse. You said you downloaded the app onto your phone?"

"Ee," Yume nods. She goes for cutesy. "I tried to research, buuut there wasn't anything online. You being my babysitter will really help, Hitoshi!"

"You're not going back in," Ms. Murakami says with a sharp laugh. Yume's sharp smile could cut glass and clearly throws the woman for a loop. "Yume, it's extremely dangerous in there. You could get killed."

"That's why Mr. Eguchi will be here," Yume says patiently. "If I don't get help, I'm likely to die. Ms. Murakami, you can't do anything to stop me from going in there. I have friends whose parents and teachers need a smack-down in the other world. Your best choice would be to roll with it. I get help, or I continue to explore alone."

"Seems fair," Hitoshi nods. He gets yelled at by his friend. "Kayo, I really don't see the problem."

"We were almost killed last year!"

"And she's scouted an entire dungeon by herself." He turns to the girl with the vaguely interested expression. "I think we should give her some credit. How often do I need to be here?"

"Oh?" Yume smiles sweetly. "Honestly, you could probably never come and I'd be fine. It's just easier to have legal documents. Forging signatures is a pain."

He nods like he understands. Poor guy, he has no idea. Making sure the payments for dance lessons were in order was a nightmare and a half. "Do you have space for me to live here?"

"Guest room," Yume answers. "My room's off-limits and you can't talk about the things I do online."

"Fair enough." He probably thinks she means paying bills. Sucker. "I want to know when you go off by yourself, whether it's for runs or playdates or the Metaverse."

"Easy," Yume's smile is a bit real. "It will be like having a real guardian."

"You'll be good practice for my goddaughter." He frowns when the smile is wiped from the girl's face. Yume's not upset she's the extra, even now. No, of course not. "Also, I have full rights to leave you at the Library when I'm off doing my job."

"When you're fighting monsters?" Yume says dryly. "I think I'll be better off doing my own thing in the Metaverse or, you know, sleeping." He works late a lot. Ms. Eguchi complains about it still.

"It's not a normal library," Ms. Murakami speaks up. She's still obviously weary about letting a child run around a dangerous other-world filled with creepy and disturbing distortions. That's fair. She has no control over said child, though. "The Library is a building that holds archives for all things Persona users may need. It's a Building with a capital B."

"What about rooms?"

"Those are run by the Others," Ms. Murakami looks at her curiously. "Buildings are run by humans, normally past Persona users. Have you seen a Room?"

"No, just something I overheard once."

"I wonder what arcana you are," Hitoshi hums. "I guess we don't have time to get you tested today."

"Bring her to the Library tomorrow," Ms. Murakami says, calculating eyes on the girl. "The others should be done by tonight, and we have time while they aren't here. What say you, Yume? Want to meet the Librarians tomorrow?"

"Can I read in the library?"

They laugh at that, tension fading as they assume her another tiny bookworm. "Of course. Will nine o'clock in the morning be too early?"

"Nope." She'll be up much earlier anyway. "I need to be back by noon, though." A strict sleep schedule to keep.

"That will work," Ms. Murakami hums as she gets to her feet. She forces Hitoshi to stay seated. "We need to keep an eye on the news tomorrow anyway. I'm going to go now. Why don't you and Hitoshi get to know one another better?"

It's not a suggestion.

Yume keeps up the sweet act until the door's shut and locked. She grabs the spare key and holds it out to the man with a serious face. "Nothing you see me do leaves this apartment. It's better if you claim plausible deniability for everything." At his dazed and hurt-puppy look she leans forward and forces the key into his hand. "I won't tell your mother about the Metaverse if you don't."

"Deal."

The start of a beautiful friendship.

;;;

"I want to teach you to dance," Akira declares quietly that night with a sweet intensity that could rot teeth. Yume feels something dig into her chest and warm her. Her shoulders loosen and she hugs her knees closer while the warmth promises to relax her with safety if she just agrees.

"What type?" Yume asks instead.

"Everything," Akira says and she knows he isn't focused on the conversation. It's in his tone; dreamy and far away, like he's imagining a goal he knows won't be completed soon. "Ballroom, street, freestyle. Everything."

"There're a lot of different types in those," Yume says with a fond smile in her voice. "And I'm already learning ballet."

"Waltz and tango first," he says earnestly. "I'm learning those now."

That sounds amazing, but she doesn't want their friendship to be based on him teaching her. "What brought this on?"

He pauses for a long moment. "There is someone in my class who looks like you do when dancing." She hums neutrally when he pauses. "I asked her why and she said dancing is her life. I want to be part of your life."

"You already are," Yume replies easily. "Every time you phone you make me smile. You care to remember me, and that makes me happier than dancing ever could."

He sucks in a heavy breath. "I still want to teach you something."

"Then teach me classic literature. I know you enjoy it. Then I can stay a part of your life too."

"You're my best friend," he says and there's shuffling on the other side. More definite, he tells her, "You need more classics in your life."

Yume laughs, smile hurting it's so wide. "You'll be sure to tell me the good ones, right Akira?"

The warmth in her chest tightens possessively as his easy answer comes, "Of course, Yume."

If she ignores it, she can almost pretend it isn't the stronger version of what she feels when entering the Metaverse. Why it even happens now of all times, she doesn't know. Like many strange events, Yume pretends it isn't happening and will continue to ignore until she has time or it smacks her in the face.

She really hopes this won't smack her in the face. She likes being friends with Akira.

;;;

"Aaaand, clear." Mary hums and presses Enter. "No trace left."

"Thanks, Navi," comes the tired voice of the leader. "I really appreciate it. Now, try to get some sleep."

"Aww, Tetsuya…"

"It won't happen tonight. Look for it around noon."

"Fine, spoilsport."

"I won't sell the treasure before you see it."

"That wasn't what I was talking about but okay. Night night!"

A/N: I'm sorry this wasn't the biggest meeting it could have been. I've rewritten this chapter four times and just had to stop with this one or the plot would never move forward. I hope it's at least found interesting… (In a completely unrelated note, Persona 5: Dancing Star Night comes out this month). Thanks for reading!

Thank you, kalmaegi, for your review! Poor Yume, it all falls because of a phone call. Sojiro's happy someone's interested in his old textbooks hahaha. Thank you so much for your review and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you, xxMockingbirdxxx, for your review! It's hinted a bit, but hasn't been revealed why there are Phantom Thieves now. So far all that's implied is that Morgana didn't just come up with the name on the spot… I hope this helps. I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you for your review!

Thank you, Avatar . NIX, for your review! Yume definitely needs to cover her tracks better, but she's recovering well so far. Now she just has to convince the other Persona users to let her continue in the Metaverse… Yume's definitely thinking a bit too advance when facing Akechi. He may just surprise her when he eases off the defensive. Thank you so much for your review, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you, guisniperman, for your review! If she never gets her level up, maybe she'll get an achievement for defeating a dungeon! Or she'll struggle. Hopefully she'll learn something next chapter. I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you for your review!

Thank you, InnocentSerenade, for your review! Yume's going to need a little more skill to work this situation in her favour. Maybe should have kept claiming deniability… Sojiro tells Ms. Eguchi on the side, though she's had suspicions for months. It's alright to not have picked it up, Sojiro is sneaky when he wants to be. Absolutely agree, I wanted to put in Akira last chapter but it felt better for a few future chapters. Thank you so much for your review and I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you, MorteSangriz, for your review! Akechi will probably be grateful, if he ever realizes he's got someone's support. One day. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you so much for your review!

Thank you, starfish, for your review! Very good guess, though it took them a while to corner her. Thank you so much for your review! I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you, gost, for your reviews! Here's hoping the conversation was at least somewhere near expectation; she's still got some smooth talking to do though. I really appreciate hearing that. Thank you so much for your reviews, and I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Have a great May