Chapter Thirty-Two
"It's good you two are getting along," Sojiro comments that morning with a flash of… relief? Yes, that was definitely relief. He's back to bored and unaffected but it makes Yume wonder what that's all about. Did he really think Yume wouldn't try to get along with Ms. Eguchi's youngest son?
…That's a fair conclusion.
"Do you recommend any books?" Yume asks after she's finished breakfast.
"I can write you a list," he hums thoughtfully. "But you'll have to get Hitoshi to take out the books for you. You can't get your library card without a guardian's permission."
Yume blinks. How coincidental he brings that up. The girl eyes the man suspiciously. Sojiro only raises an eyebrow when he catches her. He couldn't be conspiring to give Hitoshi a real job and her an approved baby-sitter, right? Sojiro isn't sneaky enough for that.
The man's phone rings and he sighs, putting down the pen and sliding a half-done sheet to her. Yume starts to read over the choices while he answers. It's a varied range from books Sojiro's mentioned Futaba loves reading to hypothetical government philosophies. The latter even has one labelled 'What to look for in an Aspiring Dictator'.
"Fine," Sojiro snaps and hangs up.
Yume dutifully plays the curious child. "Who was that?"
"Work." Sojiro takes her plate. "I'm going to be looking in on those mysterious building fires until the department's got enough people back from sick leave. They pulled my name out of a hat, if you can believe it."
There's an address on her tongue and the name of a crime syndicate in the back of her mind. However, little kids wouldn't know their legal guardian's address after months without contact. Civilian kids wouldn't know that only one of the fires wasn't done by the arsonist. It's just bad luck the police chose that case to focus on. Now that Sojiro is involved, no matter how temporary, she'll have to look to around and see who's moved from lighting matches to burning down apartments.
Then she'll have to decide who to give the information to. Leave a few hints for the police to find the person. Or maybe data dump on the syndicates who lost people to the fires. It's not like she's being paid for information anymore.
It's not like her babysitter remembered anything about her life in Tokyo after the car accident. She was moved from the hospital to her home town long before the fire. Her parents signed away the place for her. Nobody lived there, and then it burned down so it doesn't matter.
It. Doesn't. Matter.
The address on her tongue gets swallowed and Yume puts on a show about how she hopes Sojiro won't miss these breakfasts with her. "Be safe, Sojiro."
"You too, kid."
Yume smiles and greets Hitoshi when the man arrives at her door. He helps her lock up, and after a 'thank you' their walk is silent. The girl's forgotten how nice it is to be silent with company around. When Ms. Murakami drives around to pick them up, Yume is all smiles and comments once again. Hitoshi watches her, but only says a few words himself. Yume 'learns' that Ms. Murakami is a journalist. The woman knows 'all the scoop' around town.
What is interesting is how the journalist and Hitoshi met their current leader.
"Hitoshi was around when King was in charge of the area," Ms. Murakami says, apparently not noticing Hitoshi's wince. "I came after he vanished; there were three of us at the time. Then Nani left, leaving Hitoshi and myself to oversee the whole of Tokyo. Without the Library, I don't think we could have kept at it. We met Ace about a year ago, maybe a year and a half ago? He started to recruit members and now the streets of Tokyo are as safe as ever."
That's a lie and tells Yume nothing. If she really had been a four-year-old, that 'explanation' might have awed her. Hitoshi says nothing, just watches the world pass outside while his eyes are glued to hers in the side mirror. She wants to ask who King was, and more importantly what happened to him.
Yume smiles and instead tells Ms. Murakami, "Thank you for all the help."
But not for what you think.
They park outside an actual library. Yume's a bit disappointed, but she plays the adorable, "What is this place?" very well.
"This is a library," Ms. Murakami says, holding a hand out and waiting for Yume to take it. "We have to go in. You see that sign over there?"
Yume hums at the upside-down V plastered against a red T. She curious why a well-known videogame company is symbolized on there, but… oh. Oh fu- "Does that mean library?"
"No," Ms. Murakami laughs and leads her inside, Hitoshi trailing after them with an eye always on Yume. The smell of books is relaxing, but the old building has too many blind stops that the girl wouldn't want to come here unless necessary. "Atlantus owns and funds this place. If you see their symbol on a wall, you'll know it's a Building. The only way to access, though, is with your very own library card." She winks and holds out a purple card in her hand.
The two ladies they pass at the front desk look bored, but greet Ms. Murakami and Hitoshi as they pass. Neither looks down and Yume's too short so she manages to sneak by without a coo or small talk. Yume stares at every person they pass on the way to the staircase. She wonders which of these people work directly for Atlanus. How many know about the side business of the building? What are the chances the company head, Mr. Amano, started this as protection for Persona users? What are the chances they're all signing their life away for demons?
She's as relaxed as her smile is real.
(And squashing all hope someone in the company is reincarnated like she was.)
"Can you see the staircase?" Hitoshi relaxes when Yume gives a positive answer. "Good. Keep holding onto Kayo. Stand beside her on the third step; just like that. See you guys on the other side."
What?
Ms. Murakami drops her card. It trails purple and Yume's so mesmerized by the sparkles she almost misses the way the world bends and flexes around them. Red shades over every colour and darkness flips like squares through the air. In a blink the squares overtake the world behind them while they face a large, pillared building that looks something out of ancient Greece.
"Come on," Ms. Murakami smiles and tugs the girl up the stairs they're on. "It's not fun being on the steps when someone else shows up." The card – The Star tarot card, though it was once the library card – is snatched from where it floats midair. She notices Yume's brain faltering at the blatant magic trick and lowers it to let her see. "Once we get you a library card, you can access this place anywhere. Without one, we had to go through the procedure to let you in."
"So cool," Yume breathes. "Why a tarot card?"
Hitoshi answers from where he appears on the third step from the bottom. "To match our arcana affiliation. The colour is your choice."
"Nice," the girl says and smiles simply while she's guided up to the large double doors. She might actually want a library card if it can do stuff like that. "What's with the outfit?"
"Those of us with Personas change outfits," Hitoshi says, running his hands self-consciously over the black toga. The spiked leather boots with long knifes on the side are a nice touch, and the detail of his mask to make it fold up and around his head life a laurel wreath is amazing. Spiked armguards are a bit overkill. What does that have to do with his personality? What does any of this? "You will need one if you are to continue coming. We use codenames here, as well. Tokyo's large population means there are too many reflections on this side of the world. The risk of others recognizing us as threats is too dangerous to walk around like smaller town users can."
"So, overpopulation means Persona users hide?"
"How do you even know that word?" Ms. Murakami asks.
"Yes," replies Hitoshi. "Living in a city reflects living with so many people. Living in the country reflects the isolation. There are a few exceptions, but those are better avoided."
The library really is a library, with shelves upon shelves of books and parchment and everything. The two receptionists in the half-circle desk across the room glance up, tilting their heads in time to take in the three. The two are both explosions of colour. The man is more showman or magician-like, while the woman is virgin sacrifice or priestess-like. They both wear masks. He has a bo staff, and her a cutlass. She has a slingshot. He has a handgun.
Yume stumbles, causing Hitoshi to take a half step in front of her so she can see the rifle on his back.
I'm not freaking out, Yume repeats the mantra to herself as her breathing gets shallow and the hand in Ms. Murakami's tightens. It's just a gun.
(Critical hit.)
It's not something she hasn't seen before.
(Headshot.)
She pulls herself together by the time they reach the front desk, but knows she'll be having nightmares for weeks after that setback.
(There's a baby crying. She's the baby.)
"These are Chemist and Angel," Ms. Murakami introduces the receptionists. "They run the Library. Librarians, this is Yume. She's the one I told you about yesterday."
Chemist smiles politely while Angel narrows her eyes under her mask and leans over the desk to loom over Yume. "How did you get the app on your phone?"
"I downloaded it," Yume keeps smiling.
"Downloaded?" Chemist repeats faintly, frowning a hint.
"That's not possible," Angel gripes, reaching up to run her fingers under her beautifully braided auburn hair. "You can't just download the Metaverse App onto your phone."
"I did." Off of her laptop, but explaining that might break them since computers aren't supposed to have the app accessed on them either. "How did you get it?"
"After we entered the Metaverse, it appeared automatically on our phones," says Chemist as the voice of reason. "If we get a new phone, we have to have someone bring us back in to activate it. Knowing it can be downloaded would make it easier, if you wouldn't mind showing us one day."
Yah, no way no how. Yume shrugs and watches Angel scribble something down, cursing the fact she's too short to see what the woman writes. "I don't know. It just happened."
If one counts copying and pasting items as 'just happened'.
"Well… welcome to the library!" Chemist is all smiles while Angel walks off into one of the six back rooms. Ms. Murakami follows while Hitoshi bends down to Yume's level. After giving consent, he lifts her onto the table where Yume goes crossed-legged to turn fully to the man. Being this close to the guns makes her feel a little faint, but she's worked in more stressful situations. If she wonders why the notepad says 'downloaded', she doesn't ask. "Angel and I are here to help you live through your times in Metaverse. Whether you need a safe place, information, or anything's bothering you, we are here to help!"
"Can you put a stop to my dance teacher?" Yume asks quietly, eyes shifting to watch his answer.
Chemist's smile never falters. "We'll try."
"She has the entire palace laid out," Hitoshi says, looking down at her. "Show him your phone?"
Yume does, even pulling out the maps she's collected. Chemist falters a little bit before barking a laugh in awe. "Will you let me upload the map?"
"Can I watch?"
"Of course!"
Ms. Murakami and Angel come back when Yume's cooing over their preparedness and adding the treasure chests she found to their map with little online stickers. She missed technology being more advanced than 'teach you typing'. "So I wouldn't have triggered anything unlocking these chests?"
"No," Hitoshi says, leaning beside her to watch her match her notes with the digital map. "If you tried to force the locked ones open, it might have triggered something. I can teach you to make lockpicks."
"I'd like that. Thank you!"
"Think you could come over here, Yume?" Ms. Murakami calls from Angel's computer terminal. When Yume looks up with panicked eyes, she smiles indulgingly. "After you're finished, of course."
When she finishes with the men, Yume sits with her legs hanging over the edge beside the women. Angel has her put a heart monitor clip on her finger, spit into a cup, and put a pin-drop of blood on a glass slide.
"Can I have your full name?" Angel asks, bored. After typing out the answer, she asks about a colour for a library card and shows off a rainbow of colours.
"Black, please," Yume holds back drooling at the sleek black one. All the better to hide in a wallet.
"You've got it-" Angel cuts off when the machine scanning fluids and heart beat bleeps. Yume can't see the results, but it causes Ms. Murakami to look back like Yume is the best scoop of a lifetime and Angel to yell out, in English of all things, "No f-ing way!"
"What?" Chemist slides over while Angel growls and has Yume spit into another cup and poked with another sterilized needle. "Oh, too bad. The machine was getting old, though. Sorry about the wait, Yume."
"It's… no problem?" the girl looks between Librarians confused.
"I think it's right," Ms. Murakami says, bouncing on her feet.
"That's impossible," Angel snaps.
"But think about it. She downloaded the app. It would be impossible under normal circumstances, but Yume didn't go into the other side before getting it. It would make sense why she doesn't have a Persona."
"If she's who Ace ran into…" Chemist mutters to himself.
"It isn't possible," Angel growls and slams the items into the machine she grabbed from the back with a bit more force then necessary. Yume's reaching and grabbing her phone is only noticed by Hitoshi, who moves to stand beside her while the others talk like she isn't here. Quietly, Yume clicks until she's a confirmation away from teleporting to her living room. The machine beeps, the adults read the result, and Angel throws her hands out. "That's a hack. She must have cheated the machine too!"
"She's four and doesn't know who to work our computers, never mind our expensive and reliable arcana checker," Chemist drawls with a small smile. "Congratulations, Yume. Your current Primary Arcana is the Fool, with a low Secondary Arcana of the Universe."
Yume blinks because they make that seem like a bad thing. "So that means…?"
"You're the first recorded female to be a Fool since the timeline corruption in the nineties," Angel grits out and flops into a rolling chair. "Not many people have Universe as a secondary, but it makes sense if you really are a Fool."
It actually doesn't make any sense but back up. "Timeline corruption?"
The Librarians share a look, while Hitoshi and Ms. Murakami are off to Yume's side as if they don't register this conversation. "When does a leap year happen?"
"If the year is a multiple of four," Yume replies. The Librarians look shocked, but it could be either because she knows what a leap year is or that Sojiro taught her the correct word for 'multiple'.
"Correct," Angel recovers the fastest. "Was there a leap year this year?"
"Ee."
Chemist asks, "What year is it?"
"Two-thousand fi-…" Yume trails off as her brain stabs with pain at the connection she makes. "2005… But that doesn't make sense."
"This world hasn't corrected itself, and may never correct itself," Chemist says softly. "No one's sure what happened exactly, but there's was a year which went missing in the nineties. From then on, a lot of things changed. Such as no females ever becoming Fools."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Yume asks, her panic forced into a small locked box to deal with the problems clearly.
"Two types of people have the ability to realign the timeline, even if it's just for a little while," Angel stares at Yume like the secrets of life are right in front of her. "The demons can, and I mean the real ones who live on the plane of existence far below the Metaverse. Their copies in this level can't do anything.
"Fools are known for their ability of change. There are many crossover powers between genders, but while males affect themselves and the bonds they form, a female Fool affects the world. In your case, you have the power to change the universe."
That's probably the scariest thing Yume's heard since waking up in this world.
"She's four," Ms. Murakami drawls. "No offence, Yume, but I don't think you need to worry about having so much power. Besides, your Secondary Arcana is always changing."
"That's true," Hitoshi says, grabbing the sheet of paper with her results from the Librarians to show the girl. "Your primary has a chance to change until you form a connection with a male Fool. It's so high here, it probably won't change without a lot of effort on your part. Your secondary is low enough it's probably just luck that Universe is a little bit higher."
"I wonder if it's because she's so young," Chemist mutters, writing down a few things.
Angel stands up and heads for the shelves. "The youngest so far was eight, correct?"
"I think so, yah."
"And Ace was looking for a Fool to pair with," Ms. Murakami hums, coming to Yume's other side to read the low percent of arcana numbers. "Our leader's a good guy. When he gets back, we can see if you'll link up. It may take time, but then this way you have a support system in the team if you need us."
"Okay," Yume responds a little faintly. It's a lot to take in, and she doesn't like how special she's suddenly become. That's asking to have a tragic death or face extreme conflict later.
She is a Fool. Close to one-hundred percent of her personality and genetic makeup has her predisposed as a Fool. The World and the Universe are the only other traits with full numbers next to them, Hermit and Chariot tied for fourth place and everything in varying micro decimals after that. It may be because she's so young, but it's more likely because of who she is. She is Yume Ishii, but she was once someone else. The first Primary Fool with the ability to one-day screw with time as someone once did to corrupt the world. Powers she never wanted.
"When Angel comes back we'll show you the special mixture to have a mask and accessories stay on you while travelling," Ms. Murakami says excitedly. "It's really great. Maybe we can even find you a mask!"
"Okay."
"Keeping your identity a secret is important," Hitoshi speaks up from memorizing her chart.
"Don't you trust your teammates?" Yume frowns.
"We do, but it's better if there's no chance of accidently calling out your real name in the palaces. Things like that carry over into the real world and if our targets recognize us and decide to target us in the real world, we are screwed."
Yume gets it. She wants a really cool codename, and almost debates using her hacker one from last life. Too many crossovers are dangerous, though. "So, what should I be called?"
"I'm River," says Ms. Murakami.
Hitoshi raises a hand. "Spike. For you though… Chīsana."
"I don't want to be called Tiny!"
"Have better manners, Spike," Ms. Murakami taunts. "Hmm… Dansā?"
Chemist makes a face. "I guess that would fit. Dancer. No offence though, but Yume doesn't look like a dancer."
"Hey!"
"I think Sagi-shi," Angel grumbles, setting down a large stack of books with a thud.
"Cheater?" Yume feels her face fall and doesn't even try to hold the shock from her voice. "But I don't cheat! I swear!" Not that they need to know that, but she cheats the world just by being.
"No, no that could work," Ms. Murakamibrightens. "We don't think you are cheating, Yume, but you are a um… a cheat code! Yes! You've found an entire palace layout, survived the Metaverse by yourself, and know ways to make deals!"
"You know how to get around problems." Hitoshi adds dryly, smiling.
"But Cheater's never win!" Yume protests.
"Sure they do," Angel scoffs. "It depends on how what you cheat at and how skilled you are. None of the Phantom Thieves would be able to get all the things they have without a little cheating every now and then."
"Thanks, Angel," Hitoshi drawls. "That truly means a lot. It's not like it's my life's work to fix all the supplies we gather."
"Which he wouldn't have gotten without stealing," Angel tells Yume. "But we're not calling you Stealer. That's stupid."
Like Cheater isn't. But they go along with it and now it's her official codename on her profile. Yume disproves on the inside, but she has more things to worry about than being called out on her worse habits from time to time. There is a lot of planning to be done at home.
"Let's get you a mask," Ms. Murakami smiles with Angel and they lead her to a backroom full of storage containers.
They don't stop at the mask, though. Yume gets a full list of recommended items for when she goes to traverse the other world. The women also present hairstyles that keep the red in her hair hidden. The less used to identify her, the better. Closed-toe shoes are a must, as are gloves but they can be fingerless as long as the dungeon isn't a forensic laboratory of sorts. If clothes are not tight, then they must be unable to catch on objects. Yume doesn't have the security of a loose-fitting Metaverse-Persona-Awakened outfit.
"Not everyone has masks," Angel says, pulling a book up beside the girl. Inside are pictures of headgear, face-paint, and everything in between. She flicks to 'J', and then to Tokyo, Japan. "Here in Tokyo, it is the public opinion that masks are what people hide behind, so that is why they come with the awakening. Do any of these styles fit your liking?"
Yume chooses a rather plain looking one. When Angel comes back with a box of unused masks, they spend another ten minutes going through and looking for one. Yume picks a black one, which will match well with one of her bandanas back home.
"Now, we'll show you the secret to making it stick."
An old, non-Persona user recipe. The items are a mix of Earth-found and Metaverse-found material, so if she wants to make her them Yume will have to get them herself. The only way to remove the sticky solution is to put water on it. So no water dungeons or intense crying while the mask in on, lest she lose it. Yume is perfectly fine with that deal. The mask is temple-to-temple width and forehead-to-nose height, the bottom corners swooping down to cover her cheekbones and most of her cheeks.
It doesn't come off, no matter how hard she pulls.
"Don't stretch your face," Ms. Murakami laughs and traces wet fingertips along the edges of the mask. It tingles a bit as the mixture dissolves against her skin, but there's nothing to prove it was there when she removes the mask. "Well, what do you think?"
Yume loves it. "This is amazing!"
"Glad to hear," Angel smiles.
"We'll go through her stats tomorrow," Chemist says when they arrive back. He glances between Hitoshi and Ms. Murakami before sending a pleading glance towards his partner.
"Go through the weapons catalogue," Angel says, practically shoving the two away. "This better not become common," she mutters in Italian and Yume stills. Hearing song recordings is a lot different from hearing someone speak it. That was more nostalgic than anything, and she's already a mess. Hold it together and pretend it's not a balm on the soul. "We need to cover some safety things with Yume. You've already heard it, so shoo."
They sit her back on the counter and show her her own profile. No picture, but there are descriptions. Yume raises her eyebrows on a few things, but it's the 'Add to Compendium' button at the bottom that makes her wonder just who's going to see this.
"We've put the security on your profile at the highest setting," Angel says quietly. "Normally we put it on moderate, so other Building employees can see who's where. This way, only us two Librarians and the corporate head for the Other World Division in Atlantus can see who you are. Fools are all protected, but you being female is going to raise a few flags. We may need to see you a few times this coming week for everything to get sorted, but Hitoshi will bring you if that's the case."
Or, Yume can find these alerts and halt them. She'll have a long night ahead of her, but thankfully tomorrow's Sunday. If this Compendium is part of what she thinks it is, then that's her work load cut by a fifth already. She nods along.
"Now, for the warnings," Chemist straightens his white hat and pushes back his red cape. Angel hands over the black librarian card that looks like the Fool tarot. "You must first come to us with your plans if you decide to enter the Metaverse. This is for your safety, because if you go missing we'll be the ones to alert the other App users so they search for you." Yume hears the buried hint. They'll be the ones to alert her family and friends if she's gone for good. "You can report in by phone call or text if you are going to be longer than planned. We won't phone you back or text you, because some missions are sensitive and we don't want to be the reason you can't come home."
"Other than that, training rooms and books are all here," Angel takes over. "You'll learn more as you come and go, but basic rules are: if the training room is free you can use it and you can't take out books."
"But it's a library?"
"Library, with a capital L," Angel stresses. "It's what's known as a Building, with a capital B. There are plenty of books if you want to learn more, but you'll have to read them here."
"Okay," Yume whispers, nodding. "Anything else?"
"You won't meet any real demons, but they can cross over from time to time," Chemist hums. "If you see one, get to a safe room as soon as possible."
"You shouldn't tell her that," Angel hisses in English.
"I won't be responsible for a demon not connecting with her," he hisses back. Still with that friendly smile, he talks to Yume not knowing she understood every word. "That's mostly it. Hitoshi can answer questions you have about how we'll test your stats tomorrow, but it's nothing to be worried about."
"Okay," Yume smiles and pretends she's not concerned about the possibility of forming a connection to a demon without a Persona. "Thank you very much for all the help!"
"I hope we'll see you often," Angel offers honestly. "Chemist and I don't leave the Library often, so someone will always be here when you show up."
Yume just smiles and nods and says her goodbyes. It's given her a lot to think about, but she takes the car ride home with a few books from the real library to question the adults on what tomorrow will bring. Strengths and weaknesses, they tell her. Everyone has at least one strength or weakness; it's all about their psyche. She'll face down attacks ranging from magic, to physicals, to projectiles.
"It's all mental," Hitoshi elaborates. "I actually have a strength against nuclear attacks. It's always interesting, figuring out what you should avoid and what demons you can face."
A part of the girl wonders if she'll have a strength or a weakness.
;;;
It's a simple message to all Phantom Thieves. The deadline has been reached with success. The palace ruler went back and the real person is breaking down about the horrible things they've done. Tomorrow, it should be all over the news about the animal abuse and black-market selling of the creatures.
Tetsuya reads a reply message about meeting someone when he gets back, and he sighs. The memories of why he is relieved aren't there, but he knows it is good news. Something good has happened; the person to meet is important to some future event. He's succeeded in a goal, even if he's unsure what's changed.
The memories of the coming month are kind-of a blur. Maybe he should check-in at the library to see what he wrote. Maybe once he's back from the school trip tomorrow.
All he knows is that Hitoshi's mother won't die next month and that's good enough for Tetsuya.
;;;
"I may be getting a new guardian soon," Yume tells Akira. It's good to get the hints out there, like she threw out quietly to the girls at dance. Better to build up while she's going through laws and papers and forging signatures. She doesn't expect the stiffening she hears on the other line. "Akira?"
"Do you like them?"
"Hitoshi is nice. He carried the books for us, remember?"
Akira slumps against the wall, letting out a small noise of pain when his head bangs. "I remember. He would be good to look after you."
"I hope so. Though, he can't do too much worse than my current babysitter."
"How is she?"
"Fine." In some small-town away from here. That prompts Yume to write down reminders about looking out for Sojiro while he's on the arsonist case. Three things to do tonight, then. Sleep and nightmares are for the weak, so she'll probably make it to two AM before crashing on the couch again. "How are your current tutors? Any changes?"
"Still taskmasters. No new stories."
Too bad. Sometimes his teachers can be really out-there, especially his English and literature teachers. "Do you want me to read you some of the books I got from the library today?"
He affirms and she cracks open a math-y book just to get him to laugh. "Choose a story book."
"Okay," Yume agrees with a smile and pulls out a history book on the first emperor of Rome, Augustus. Hitoshi recommended she read this one, while Ms. Murakami had her check out one on Cleopatra. Akira falls silent and lets the words flow through the phone.
After they've hung up, Yume wonders if she and Akira really have social linked or if she'll be stuck with main character Tetsuya when they finally, officially meet.
A/N: All who guessed what Yume's arcana could be had excellent choices and reasonings; in the end she is a Fool. Primary and Secondary Arcana will be explained next chapter… along with other things… I was trying to make this and the next chapter one whole thing but next chapter's a bit of an info-dump. Thank you all who guessed! Thanks for reading!
Thank you, kalmaegi, for your review! So much information… a whole Library… Hitoshi was definitely going to be tricked without his partner there, but he knows better now. Them meeting in the safe room has been a favourite of mine to write. I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you again for your review!
Thank you, Avatar . NIX, for your review! There will be lots covered next chapter, including the requirements mentioned. I'm glad you picked up on it. Sometimes I wonder if I should just write their first in-game meeting since it's one of the few events set in stone. Until then, going to keep throwing fluff when I can. Thank you so much for your review, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Thank you, InnocentSerenade, for your review! They're working on it, though Akira won't get good on 'sharing is caring' until much later. She more-or-less gave it up because she needs more information (for Haru and Ryuji). Trust is a big word, especially for masked super-heroes; though Yume already knows their identities so... I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you so much for your review!
Thank you, Maxxus Herald, for your review! Hopefully the start of visiting the Library lived up to the hype; there's so much more next chapter. Don't know if you saw it but there's a very tiny, half-hearted suggestion towards the P2 games. It will be brought up again later, so don't worry if it's missed now. Thank you for your review, and I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Thank you, guisniperman, for your review! Yume finally getting to that Library was the most exciting moment to write since I introduced Akira. Did not think it would take this long. I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you for your review!
Thank you, saebest, for your reviews! 'Ee' is Yume answering 'yes' a little too friendly while 'iie' is her answering a direct 'no' usually in the wrong tone of voice for it. It's a set-up for a later problem, since the adults think it's cute now and don't correct her formalities. I'm glad you're enjoying it! Games one and two don't have complete impact on this story, and will be explained if they come up so don't worry (P5 is the only game I played so it's a work in progress for lore). Games three and four should be pretty minor overall with their crossover. I hope this helps! Thank you so much for your review, and I really hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Thank you, Mia, for your review! Everything's slowly getting there, and by getting there I mean Yume's finally going to meet the current team of Phantom Thieves. I've been looking forward to writing a lot of what's coming up, so hopefully it all comes together well! I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you so much for your review!
Have a great June