"Hello. Mind if I chat with you again?"
The Phantom Thieves has gone inside Okumura's Palace to try and steal its treasure again. Yet, their exploration feels off without the mouthful Magician. The group searches around for the treasure room based on their instinct. Without Mona sharp senses, they are at a lost on their tracks. It feels as if they are going around in circle, trapped in the maze of the Palace. A sigh can be heard as steps echoed through the hallway the group walked in.
"Man, without Morgana around, it sure is boring." Ryuji stated out of nowhere.
Yusuke agreed, " Without him, we felt helpless and lost. His support is crucial."
The others who heard this has their expression sadden. They can only let out noises of tone of depressed as they move along the hallway. The cat's remarks and loudness right now will be able to liven up the mood easily, except he is not by their side anymore. Lost without a trace, nothing is left behind for them to remember about him other than the memories they crafted. Reminiscing on it makes them smile among themselves. Their bonds feel a bit closer towards each other as they discussed their shared experience with the mischievous feline. Their exploration ended fruitless, not even a crossing path with Mona or the figure Akira has gotten used to. A disappointing sigh can be heard as he lays down on his bed, staring up the ceiling as his train of thoughts continue running.
"You just lost your way home, didn't you? Good thing you're in a good care." Yu exclaimed.
Morgana has taken refugee at Yu's house after their talk at the park. Since Haru cannot have him stay there for too long, due to Sugimura's aggressiveness to cats, he decides to get a helping hand from the grey haired boy. He seems trustworthy enough since he has saved them before. The cat is mad by his remarks.
"Shut up! You don't know anything!" Morgana replied, seemingly stuttered. "They are better without me... I'm just going to bring them down. After all, he had gain some great teammates. He can grow stronger even without me being there."
Yu took its words into consideration, "True, but don't you think he can be quite clueless when it comes to these things? Without your guidance, he will not be where he is now. I'm sure, at this right moment, he is finding a way for you to join back. They need you. You're a part of their team, and you'll always be."
With that last statement, Morgana lifts his head to the boy before him. He feels the weight put upon his heart has been lifted along with his smiles. His facade ends up copying his, sighing as he feels stupid for acting this way. It is a childish act, a tantrum-like argument that cries for attention. He snuggles up on Yu's lap which he receives a pat in return. Though he has some trust issues on this boy, he gives in to his kindness. As a cat lover himself, Yu seems to fall into his habit of petting any cat before him endlessly. Mona feels annoyed by it, but decides to let him go. He needs this, and he needs his daily dose of affection from someone. He misses Akira. The two of them talk a bit more before dismissing themselves to bed.
The next night, is the same night Yu decides to help Haru and Mona confronting Kunikazu's Shadows, in other words Haru's father. Since Haru is still weak without her Persona, someone has to get her back. Having Mona alone to protect her will make him worried even more since the Shadows in the Palace keeps on getting stronger each level, just like where he used to fight. After much inspection on his own, his conclusion is to be on their side. The three of them are on their way to the treasure room, suddenly stumble upon the Phantom Thieves. The two groups are shocked to see each other that they paused in motion for a bit. The other party is fast on their words than the other, leaving them in silent.
"Mona! You're okay! We were worried about you!" Makoto said in relief.
Futaba joined in, "We've looked everywhere for you! We even made a poster!"
"Who is this... Guy?" Ann questioned, "He seems familiar..."
While they are trying to inquire on Mona's reason and Yu's appearance, the shadow of Kunikazu Okumura appears before them. Sugimura's cognitive shadow accompanies him as they step into the room the Phantom Theives' are in. Despite coming from separate ways and unsettled business between the two groups, they unite to become one against the cognitive Kunikazu before them. They do share the same goal, it is best to work together in bringing him down. Even so, the enemy they are facing first is not Kunikazu but Sugimura. The brown hair man in his white tuxedo approaches them, making Haru backs off out of worries. He has done a lot of horrible things to her, even to a harmless cat like Morgana. The man before her is heartless, much more cruel than a monster. The moment he
tries to release all of his lust to Haru, the moment he kicks Morgana away, the arranged marriage she is forced into just for her father's pleasure, and how he has punched Yu for being with her. She cannot accept this. She does not want this. She cannot live this life. Haru screams as she lets out the pain from her head, the awakening of her Persona, Milady of the Empress arcana. As soon as she has grasp of her power, together with Morgana and Yu, the three of them brings Sugimura down as the others back them up. The night settles down as they end their exploration until next time, the day they will change Haru father's heart.
The strange thing is, why is Yu not joining them in their last day of expedition? The very day they steal away Okumura's heart. They succeeded as expected, though it would have been a grand battle if he were there. It would make their battle a lot easier too since this is his field. Perhaps he give some spaces for Haru to properly change her father's heart, like a serious talk between father and daughter, a time of bonding. As her father prepares for a confessional conference to the public, they take the time to meet Yu outside the Metaverse. Other than Morgana and Akira, maybe Makoto too, the Phantom Thieves do not know anything about this man other than his name. They have only been aware of him in the other world, never in reality. Since they know that Yu can be of use to their team, the Phantom Thieves decide to recruit a new member. Even so, every time they approached him, the grey hair boy avoid them. He does not even look towards their direction when being called upon. Luckily one day, Ryuji gets him cornered in the hallway. They question him, persuade him, and talking him into joining. Even so, he refuses all of it. Not even a moment of his time are spared to them. This somehow frustrates the leader. It has been fine for them to meet before so why now is not a good time?
"Why are you avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?" Akira said out of the blue, not taking his teammates' reaction on it.
Troubled, Yu replied to his question. "No, you didn't. Approaching me suddenly after that is a bit... Too personal... We didn't know each other that well either, so it's a bit awkward. Please gives this thought some consideration."
The grey haired boy said before leaving the group, joining the crowd of the bustling city. The Phantom Thieves are left dumbfounded by his statement, the most affected is the leader. Joker feels annoyed by his answer. He is the one that approached him first and now, he runs away from him. Without any further commands, the day ended with their thoughts hanging on the clouds on Yu's answer. They do not even explore Mementos for the night to fulfill the citizens request. Akira lays down on his bed, having a hard time falling asleep after what he heard. He has his train of thoughts running around in his mind as Mona sleeps on his chest.
"But... Didn't we have a bond?"
Author's note: Not doing too hot. :(