Marcus sighed to himself as he closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair he was sitting in, thinking about the events that had transpired that day. After leaving headquarters, he and Labrys had walked around the city, checking out some of the shops and sites in the area. Along the way, they visited Gekkoukan High School, where Mitsuru and the other members of the Shadow Operatives had started their journey. Although he had not attended the school himself, something about it seemed familiar; the unknown nostalgic feeling unsettling him even after they had left.

Continuing their stroll, the two eventually found a café with out-door seating and had decided to relax and order some food. While they waited for their food, they began to talk about the events in their lives over the last few weeks. Marcus seemed to open up a bit more this time around, now reflecting on how much things had changed for him in the past week and what it felt like to have people that trusted and relied on him. Not to mention the new friend he had found in Labrys, which he also highly considered as a plus as well.

At that moment, Marcus' phone began to ring, and seeing who it was, he raised an eyebrow while picking up the call. "If you keep this up, I might start thinking you have more than a professional interest in me," Marcus said mildly, grinning as he gave Labrys a wink.

"I've come to expect better from you, I'll have you know," Mitsuru replied, sounding slightly resigned. "Yet despite my efforts, you can be as obnoxious as Junpei at times."

"I'll take that as a compliment, thank you very much," Marcus cheerfully quipped, causing Labrys to laugh lightly across from him. "So what do I owe this pleasant call?"

"More bad news, I'm afraid. There's a new development that I need you to take care of, and I mean now." Mitsuru sounded strained, as though she were dealing with a particularly bad headache.

"I would be happy to help, Mitsuru. What problem are we dealing with?" Marcus asked his smile fading as he noted her tone.

"It's Public Safety. There was a notification I received during a press conference: they are planning on launching an investigation against us," Mitsuru said grimly.

The young adult grimaced; Public Safety was a private division of law enforcement that proclaimed to protect the public and its best interests. However, in reality they were a morally corrupt group who sought to further their own agendas as well as those of private interest groups. There had been tension between the Kirijo Group and Public Safety for years now, and things had hardly changed even after Mitsuru had gained control of her family's business.

"Of all the times for a visit from Public Safety…what reason do they have to inspect us? Have they given any justification for their actions?" Marcus was beginning to see why Mitsuru was so aggravated; between trying to tighten security and track down the culprit of the theft, dealing with Public Safety was the last thing she would want.

"They claim it's a matter of ensuring protection for the public," Mitsuru replied, an edge of frustration creeping into her voice. "As our security was breached recently, they obviously see this as an opportunity to collect as much incriminating evidence as they can against us. I'm not in town myself, or else I would handle this personally. I need you to head back to headquarters immediately and coordinate with a detective I happen to be acquainted with. Meanwhile I will make some calls to shut down their inquiries, but I need time."

"You'll have it. What should Labrys do?" Marcus glanced at Labrys, who had a confused look on her face.

"She should return to my house. The last thing we need is Public Safety getting its hands on one of our operatives, especially one who also happens to be an Anti-Shadow weapon. I'll arrange a ride to pick her up; where are you currently?"

"Just north of Gekkoukan High, at the café two blocks down from the campus. What's the name of this detective I'm supposed to meet up with?" Marcus stood up, indicating that Labrys should do the same.

"Her name is Naoto Shirogane," Mitsuru said, sounding as though she were recalling the name of a new friend. "While she is currently affiliated with Public Safety, she's a brilliant detective who always looks for the truth. You can trust her to keep Public Safety in check, at least until I can intervene."

"Alright, I'll let you know what the situation is when I have the chance. Good luck." Marcus hung up, frowning as he put his phone back into his pocket.

"What's going on?" Labrys asked, giving Marcus a look of concern.

"Something's come up at headquarters," Marcus replied, reassuring Labrys with a quick smile. "Nothing too serious yet, though it could escalate fast if left unchecked. I need to head back to supervise the situation, and intervene if I have to."

"Okay, what should I do?" Labrys looked determined, like she would face anything in her way.

"You stay here. Mitsuru is arranging a ride to pick you up." Marcus started to turn away, aiming in the direction of the Kirijo Group headquarters.

"Why can't I come with you? I want to help," Labrys insisted, coming around the table towards him.

"Sorry, can't do that." After a brief pause, Marcus sighed and turned to face Labrys again. "It's not that I don't want you with me, but the people involved aren't…pleasant. If they find out about you, things could get way more complicated than they already are. For your safety and the safety of the rest of the Shadow Operatives, I need you to stay put. Mitsuru and I will sort this out, I promise."

"Alright, if you say so," Labrys responded, looking dejected.

"Hey, this isn't the end of the world," Marcus said gently, giving Labrys a pat on the shoulder. "I'm not happy about this either. I will make it up to you later, you'll see."

"Yeah, okay…" Labrys replied perking up at the sincerity Marcus gave her. "Good luck then. Hope you give them a good piece of mind from me."

"I most certainly will. See you later." With that, Marcus turned around, heading down the street towards headquarters.


As Marcus walked into headquarters, he could tell immediately that things were not in order; there was a distinct tension in the reception room and all of the employees seemed exceedingly nervous. The only person who seemed calm was a young woman, dressed in a boy's uniform, who was waiting patiently in one of the reception chairs around the couch in the center of the room. As most of the staff members were glancing at her every few seconds or so, Marcus deduced this was the representative from Public Safety.

The young woman glanced up as Marcus made his way over to her seat. She cast a quick look over him, with a gaze that was as sharp as a laser that pinpointed every detail.

Hmm this should be interesting, Marcus thought, smiling politely as he stopped next to the young woman and glanced down at her. "Hello there Miss, I take it you are here on behalf of Public Safety."

"I see you're well informed, which means you must be affiliated with the Kirijo Group," the young woman replied, standing up and offering her hand. "My name is Naoto Shirogane. Who might you be?"

"I'm Marcus Gishki, a consultant for the Kirijo Group," Marcus said, giving Naoto a firm handshake. "Perhaps we can talk somewhere more private. Would you care to follow me upstairs to one of our conference rooms?"

"Very well, lead the way."

The pair headed over to the elevator and stepped in as soon as the doors opened. Clearing his throat, Marcus pushed the button to head up to the 5th floor and both he and Naoto stood in an almost awkward silence as it started its ascent. After a few seconds however, Marcus looked over at the Public Safety representative casually.

"For the record: I know all about the Midnight Channel."

His response made the woman give Marcus a look mixed with both surprise and fear. "How do you know about that? We're you-?"

"No, I've never experienced the Midnight Channel myself, although I am aware of the recent incident between the Kirijo Group and your friends," the boy replied coolly, casually spinning the ring on his finger as he continued to study the girl across from him.

Naoto composed herself, although she still looked at Marcus with a certain amount of surprise. "I gather from your awareness of events and association with the Kirijo Group that you're a Persona User."

"Correct Miss Shirogane, I am a Persona user," Marcus replied lightly as the elevator doors opened onto the 5th floor. "If you will follow me, we're almost there." After a brief walk down the hallway, Marcus opened a door on the right side into a conference room that was significantly smaller than the one he had been in with Mitsuru previously.

"Thank you. And I would prefer if you called me Detective," Naoto said, stepping into the conference room and sitting down in one of the chairs set around the conference table in the middle of the room.

"Very well, if that's what you want," he nodded, moving to sit in a chair opposite from Naoto. "Would that be because of your insecurity around the fact that you are a girl and not a boy?"

A look of surprise crossed Naoto's face again, and a light blush crept into her cheeks. "Wh-what makes you say that?"

"Well, from what I deduced from your attire and the way you speak and bear yourself, it seems like you're trying to be as much of a boy as possible. And if I were to guess why, it would be that it is in direct connection to your job," Marcus said, tilting his head in curiosity as he waited for Naoto's response.

Her blush deepened as she adjusted the hat on her head lower. "I…I feel that people won't take me seriously because of my gender. I try to draw attention away from that so people can focus on facts, rather than who provides them."

"Yes; that is how most people, especially men, choose to see things," Marcus said, nodding slightly. "It's a sad truth that should be changed. I'm sorry if I put you into an uncomfortable situation."

"You seem to be a puzzling person yourself," Naoto replied, glancing up from her lap as her blushing slowly faded away. "While your outward personality appears to be polite and pleasant, you have a need to be in control and an unwillingness to open up to others."

"While you are a brilliant detective by reputation, you only have part of the truth," Marcus said, his face becoming a blank slate as a shadow crossed his eyes. "It is true that I don't open up to others much, but I don't actively seek control over everything. I merely accept the situations I find myself in and act according to the interests of my associates and myself."

"It appears that I've misjudged you," Naoto mused, frowning slightly as she studied Marcus. "You seem to be hiding a deep pain, but carry a strong sense of loyalty and duty as well. I understand now why Mitsuru Kirijo has made you a Shadow Operative."

"Thank you for the kind sentiment," Marcus responded, smiling slightly, "but now let us return to the matter at hand; about Public Safety planning to launch an investigation against the Kirijo Group."

"Yes, about that," Naoto said while straightening up in her chair. "My superiors know that there was an incident involving a security breach with one of your facilities, and they sent me to give them a preliminary report on how the situation is, and make any necessary decisions forthwith."

"So, they basically sent a scout to see whether the enemy is in enough disarray that they can attack," Marcus quipped cheerfully, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "How quaint of them taking advantage of current situations like this; you are in a unique situation, as you already have prior correspondence with Mitsuru and the Shadow Operatives. I wonder how your superiors reacted to you having already personally met the head of the Kirijo Group."

At Naoto's slight hesitation in her answer, Marcus' eyebrows shot up as he fully realized the implications. "They don't know, do they? Which puts you at liberty of having a biased opinion, making any report you submit liable to dismissal, and they will make their own judgments in the meantime. "

"…That is the dilemma I'm in," Naoto mumbled, adjusting her hat again. "I need to provide my superiors with an assessment on this situation within a week, or they may proceed without my input. In the interest of my career as well as my integrity, I have to do something."

"I see…" Marcus mused, looking at the tips of his fingers spread out on the desk in front of him. "I may have a solution to your problem, and I am willing to provide it, in exchange for…a favor."

Naoto narrowed her eyes slightly, giving Marcus a piercing look. "What kind of favor are you suggesting?"

"Some help with the investigation we are currently conducting," Marcus replied, leaning forward and looking Naoto dead in the eye. "While we don't have any leads on who the culprit is, we do know one thing…this person is a potential Persona user."

Naoto's face paled, and her eyes widened in shock. "How…can you be sure?"

"We have evidence from the night of the incident that suggests this thief has…unnatural talents," Marcus explained, continuing to look intently at Naoto. "If you can provide any insight on who would be capable of pulling this off, I am willing to give you access to our latest developments in tightening security and employee background checks as a sign of good faith from myself and Mitsuru Kirijo personally."

"Well…" the detective said slowly, frowning as she glanced away in thought. "It may be a remote possibility, but there is one person I know who could pull this off. Although how he would in his current state, I'm not sure…"

"If you were willing to share who this suspect is, the Kirijo Group will greatly appreciate it," Marcus said firmly, leaning back in his chair to pull out a note pad tucked in one of the drawers in the desk.

"His name…is Adachi Tohru," Naoto said grimly, and a slight twitch of her hand showed the nerves that lay beneath her outward calm. "He was involved in several cases of murder and kidnapping, and I imagine robbery would not be an issue for him if he wanted something enough."

"Where might I find this man?" Marcus asked, writing down the name with a pen he had on him and holding it ready.

"He's currently being held at the detention facility in Inaba," Naoto responded, glancing down at the notes that Marcus was writing down. "He was brought to justice by me and some colleagues of mine."

"Yes, the same group that the Kirojo Group encountered in the Midnight Channel if I'm not mistaken," Marcus replied lightly, tucking the notes he made into his pocket and standing up. "I don't know if this will lead anywhere, but I'm grateful for your cooperation."

"No worries," Naoto said standing up as well as Marcus walked around the desk towards the door. "I will let my friends know that there may be a visit to Inaba in the near future."

"We'll be in touch when plans are made," Marcus commented smoothly, holding the door open for Naoto to leave before him. "If you would be willing to wait in the lobby, I will have the files you need for your report within 15 minutes."

"Thank you, I'll be sure to be discreet," Naoto replied, walking with Marcus towards the elevator yet again.

"You know…if things change and you were looking for somewhere else to be employed, would you be interested in joining the Kirijo Group?"

Naoto glanced at Marcus in surprise, a look he was beginning to wonder how often she wore on a daily basis. "Wh-where is this coming from?"

"Well, given your position with Public Safety and your history of being a Persona user, I'm sure Mitsuru and the Shadow Operatives would provide great possibilities with your knowledge and skills," Marcus responded kindly, smiling as the doors to the elevator opened.

"While the offer is very generous, I'm afraid I must decline it at the moment," Naoto said firmly, composing herself once again as she stepped into the elevator. "I like where I am now, and the freedom my position offers me."

"Very well, I understand. Have a nice day, Detective," Marcus nonchalantly said, giving Naoto a wink as the doors closed, causing her to blush again and avert her eyes.

All business and no pleasure, I guess. Well, you know what they say about the quiet, reserved ones… Marcus thought, grinning as he pulled out his phone to check in with Mitsuru and send a message to Fukka about the files he needed to be copied and sent to Naoto posthaste.


I am so sorry about the delay on this chapter. Between two jobs, college, and stuff in my personal life, my time on writing has been shortened by a lot. I have not forgotten about this story, and intend to continue writing it out when I can. Thanks for your patience, and I hope you enjoy my work, or at least not dislike it.