Mitsuru hadn't intended to walk in on a welcome party for Ren's parents when she'd stopped by Leblanc to see how the Phantom Thieves were doing (and get another taste of Leblanc's signature coffee of course). Yet somehow she'd done just that, and suddenly she, Aigis, and Labrys had all been invited on the spot and now all three of them were gathered around the crimson-covered buffet table on the bottom floor of the Thieves' Den with the entire roster of the Phantom Thieves.

Ren raised his coffee mug. "You all know that I'm rather a man of few words. So for now, I'll just say this: welcome to Tokyo, Mom and Dad!"

Ren's mother smiled abashedly as a round of clapping (and a loud whoop from Ryuji) went around the table. His father on the other hand, gave an extravagant bow to the rest of the room, and as the clapping died down, he practically bellowed, "Now stuff your faces!"

Several people laughed and made comments about where Joker got his sense of humor. Then everyone started grabbing food and splitting up into groups to enjoy it.

Mitsuru took up position on one of the couches around the border of the room with a plate of Leblanc curry. There were more fancy or traditional options on the table, but several people had already sworn how amazing it was, so she'd decided to give it a shot. Mitsuru began to survey the other groups as she ate.

Haru and Futaba had managed to corner Ann and were obviously pestering her about something. Well, it was mostly Futaba doing the pestering, while Haru gave mild commentary that still managed to make Ann blush and spit denials. Ryuji on the other hand was chatting up Ren's father, the two of them having an amicable discussion about sports. Inspector Hasegawa was sitting on a couch much like hers next to a young girl who could only have been his daughter Akane. Mitsuru had not yet met the new Persona-user, but she could already tell that she had potential from the maturity she displayed.

Sophia, Aigis, and Labrys had moved to their own corner of the room and were having a friendly discussion among fellow AIs, with Morgana hanging around nearby next to Yusuke where either of them could occasionally add their own unique perspectives. Mitsuru's eyes were naturally drawn to the top of Morgana's head, where his black cat ears twitched on top of his fluffy hair. Mitsuru once again stamped down all urge to pet him.

Makoto, Sumire, Ren, and his mother were all having their own discussion just a little away from Mitsuru. Apparently it was a sort of laydown of how the Phantom Thieves worked, with Sumire occasionally asking her senpai to clarify on points she hadn't really internallized. From what Mitsuru understood, the redhead had apparently only been with the Phantom Thieves for a short time during their first outing and hadn't been able to be there for their second, so she was still getting the hang of some of the finer points of Shadows and Personas.

Which left one person standing out from the rest: Kenzo Okuda. The young man honestly looked quite lost as he stood there in the middle of the room, only just having finished filling his plate and now looking for someone to converse with, only to find that everyone had already split into groups and left him behind. Eventually, he turned and noticed Mitsuru also sitting by herself and wandered over.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked quietly.

"Not in the slightest," Mitsuru assured him. As the boy sat down and started picking at his plate, she continued, "I'm not entirely sure what to make of you, Okuda-kun."

"Can't really blame you there, Kirijo-san," he replied gravely. "About all anyone can really agree on is that I'm weird."

"In that case, you should fit right in around here," Mitsuru remarked.

Okuda gave a short laugh. "I've been an outcast my entire life, and I highly doubt that that's about to start changing just because the world is ending."

"You claim to be an outcast, but might I ask how so?" Mitsuru asked. "I'm afraid that I fail to see what is so 'weird' about you."

"I've just gotten really good at faking that I'm not," Okuda replied. "Mostly by keeping my head down, ignoring other people, and keeping my mouth shut about the things I like to talk about because no one is ever interested in anything I have to say. Before I got a golden feather in the back of my hand, I was practically invisible."

Mitsuru didn't really know how to respond to this. People had paid attention to her all her life, whether because she was the daughter of the head of the Kirijo group, the head herself, the student council president, or the leader of S.E.E.S. or the Shadow Operatives, so being ignored by everyone around you was a foreign concept to her.

"I wish I could tell you something that would help," Mitsuru admitted. "But I'm afraid I have very little experience with what you speak of. I...I don't really know what to say."

After a moment, Okuda told her, "Well, either way, it's not like I actually dislike being alone most of the time. In fact, by the time the party's over I'm probably going to be thoroughly exhausted. Still," he rose to his feet, "might as well try and make some friends while I can."

The strange young man left Mitsuru with some things to think about.

Aigis was certainly curious about Morgana and Sophia. From what she and Labrys understood, Morgana was an incarnation of hope created by Igor when the Velvet Room was taken over two and a half years ago, while Sophia was an A.I. but had possessed a human body when Ren/Joker had entered the EMMA version of the Metaverse. Which led to their current conversation.

"I don't really know what to tell you," Morgana was saying. "I can turn into a car, so that's something, but I've never really thought about being stuck in that form for longer than a few hours. I mean, I've been stuck in a cat body for two and a half years, so I guess that's kinda comparable, but even as a cat I could still eat things and had proper emotions, so I don't really know."

"I s'pose it's not easy to talk about how human you are when you've got a robot body," Labrys remarked.

"I don't really mind that I'm not human," Sophia said brightly. "My purpose is to be a friend to humanity. It is a little sad that I can't enjoy food anymore now that I'm not in the body I had in the jails, but if I find enough Vanes of Order, Oracle might be able to give me one!"

"That so?" Labrys asked, intrigued. "Then maybe we could become human too?"

"Uncertain," Aigis remarked. "Massive amounts of energy would be required, and more than likely a strong desire to become human as well. Personally, I think I am happy as I am. I've been active for almost a decade now, and I think I am most useful as I am. My computer-based core and mechanical body can do many things a flesh one is incapable of, and thanks to my Papillon Heart, I can still enjoy human emotions. So I am satisfied."

"Yeah, I get that," Labrys remarked. "Still, it kinda stinks how some people get all paranoid or judgy when they realize we're not organic."

"Hey, at least you get a massive, cool axe that attaches to your back like a pair of wings," Morgana told the 5th-gen Anti-Shadow Weapon. "All I get are cat ears and a tail."

"Do not belittle yourself," Aigis told him. "Having cat ears no doubt gives you superior hearing compared to a human. In addition, they do make you seem quite cute."

"Hey!" Morgana tried to protest.

"I agree. Mona's ears are very cute!" Sophia hummed brightly, bouncing up and down a little.

Morgana groaned, putting both hands on his head and flattening his ears against his very fluffy hair. "Please stooooop," he begged.

Sophia tilted her head, confused. "What is wrong with being cute, Mona?"

"I'll tell you what's wrong with Mona being cute. Nothiiiing!" sang a little orange-haired computer gremlin.

"Ack!" Morgana exclaimed, dodging Futaba's fingers homing in on his headful of fluff. "Will you stop that already!?"

There was a snort of laughter a little ways away. Kenzo was watching them and desperately trying to contain an outburst, but he caught Morgana's glare, raised his hands in surrender, and wandered in Ren's direction.

"Sorry, Mona," Futaba told the former feline. Quickly flipping the script, she turned to eagerly address the androids. "So the three of you were all built by the Kirijo Group, right? I want to know everything. How do your engines function? How much can you feel through your metal skin? What sorts of cool features do you have? Do you two have any code that I can look at?"

Sophia was more or less used to Futaba, but needless to say Aigis and Labrys were quickly overwhelmed by the little gremlin.

"Yeah, the palaces were pretty wild," Ren was telling Kenzo, Sumire, and Akari. "Aside from Sae's casino, Maruki's palace was probably the most normal looking, despite the sci-fi aesthetic and the roving tentacled Shadows."

Sumire winced a bit, no doubt remembering the incident when her illusion had been shattered. Akari squeezed her shoulder comfortingly.

"So is there any chance that these palaces could possibly reappear?" Kenzo asked. "I mean, with the Metaverse combining with the real world and all that."

"We aren't sure," Makoto answered him. "A person already had to be pretty distorted to have a palace in the first place, so it's unclear whether it's possible for one to appear in reality, even after the merger."

"Still, I hadn't really thought of that," Ren remarked. Kenzo certainly seemed to be an interesting and unique character.

"One thing I'm good for," Kenzo remarked. "Thinking of things no one else does."

"What else are you good at?" Ryuji barged in. He and Kazushi had finished their talk about sports and decided to jump into Ren's conversation. "Ren and Makoto tell me you can at least sing and speak English. What else can you do?"

"I simultaneously want to say 'everything' and 'nothing'," Kenzo answered. "I'm something of a jack-of-all-trades. I like to be able to do things myself, but I only really develop skills when I need to, so I never really specialized in many things."

"Being a Wild Card should be a fine fit for you then," Ren remarked.

"You like any sports?" Ryuji asked. "Track? Kendo? Baseball?"

"When I was a kid, I used to play baseball all the time with my siblings," Kenzo admitted. "But that was back in America, where we had a big open yard to run around in. And when I got a little older, I started to really hate losing, so I eventually just stopped. And don't get me wrong, I generally enjoy playing sports from time to time, mostly because I tend to approach games in different ways than other people, but I just never really got into them."

"Well what about track? You're not losing if you're just trying to beat your personal best," Ryuji asked.

"Doesn't really cut it for me," Kenzo replied. "I need a more concrete goal for me to get into training myself. One like kicking the crap out of Shadows."

"Speaking of which," Makoto interjected, "you should get yourself a weapon. It's going to be much harder for you to fight Shadows if all you're using is your fists, not even any knuckledusters or gauntlets."

"And where would I get a weapon?" Kenzo asked. "Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a couple of swords to fight Shadows with, but weapons are expensive, and my mom already hates it when I fight Shadows at all, regardless of how many people I save or how often I just have random encounters on the street, so she definitely won't encourage that by letting me handle weapons. So what am I going to use? My mom's carving knives? My dad's decorative wakazashi? My weaksauce 25-pound kid's bow?"

"Wait, you have a bow?" Ryuji interrupted.

"Yeah, I've been into archery and swordplay for a long time thanks to being practically raised on the 1938 Robin Hood movie, and I've been dual-wielding since before a certain anime character ever uttered the words 'Starburst Stream'."

"So why aren't you in the school's kendo club?" Sumire asked.

"Well first, as I said before, I hate losing," Kenzo replied, "second, I would probably take the sport way too seriously because kendo is weapons handling, and third, I'm more into western swords."

"Cuz you grew up in America?" Ryuji asked.

Kenzo gave him a short glance. "Yeah. Pro: I can speak fluent English and Japanese. Con: I have no friends and nowhere to belong."

"Seriously?" Ryuji laughed. "You're still thinking that way, dude? The only thing keepin' you from being one of us already is that you've been avoiding us for so long."

"Look, I'm not used to it, okay?" Kenzo shot back. "When other kids asked me aside during free time back in Grade School, it was so they could surround me and taunt me, pour sand in my hair, or shove me into the mud. Guess why I don't trust people my age?"

"Then you just need time," Ren surmised. "People don't become best friends instantly. You need time to build up bonds of mutual trust and respect."

Kenzo let out a little sigh. "I know," he said quietly. "But how can I know that people will give me that time?"

"You don't," Ren said flatly. "But you have to try. The strength of a Wild Card's Personas depends on the strength of their bonds. Sooner or later, you will have to open up to someone. I managed, and I was on probation the year I learned about the Metaverse. So if you need help, you can come to me. Alright?"

Kenzo took a deep breath before looking Ren in the eyes. "Alright. I'll be counting on you."

These words had barely left my lips when time seemed to slow down and a familiar voice echoed in my mind:

I am thou, thou art I...

Manifest hast been thine vow...

Reforge thy soul and seize thy future with thine own hands...

The birth of the Star Arcana shall give thee the power to open thy wings to freedom...

"Saraiah?" I said under my breath as time returned to normal.

Ren looked at me, confused. "Saraiah? Your attendant?"

"I...I think I just heard her voice in my head. Something about vows, seizing my future, and the Star Arcana?"

Ren's eyes widened and he broke out into a smile. "Wow. Looks like I'm your Star Arcana confidant. I'm honored."

"But what does that mean?" I asked.

Ren moved to sit down at one of the nearby couches. "You may want to sit down. This could take a while."

"Seems Kenzo-kun is doing alright now," Haru told Mitsuru.

Mitsuru gave a faint smile. "He certainly does. Even if Minako and Aigis hadn't told me he was going to be the new Wild Card, I would have guessed he would find kinship in Ren-kun."

"A lot of people do," the Okumura heiress agreed. "Myself included. Sumire-chan actually had a crush on him for a while before she learned he was already together with Mako-chan."

"Wild Cards in general tend to possess qualities that others are drawn to," Mitsuru mentioned. "Narukami-kun for instance, though quite softspoken, is quite charming and honest, almost to a fault. Minato was even quieter than Narukami-kun, but the intensity of his passions was quite unmatched when he did display them. As for Minako-chan, well, everyone loves her for how bold and outgoing she is." Mitsuru allowed herself a faint smile at her last remark.

Haru nodded and returned her gaze to her leader. "I doubt that anyone in this world can match Ren-kun though. I've never met anyone more dedicated to helping everyone around them. It's almost as though he has some sort of saviour complex. I doubt I would have had the courage to make the decisions I made with Okumura Foods if Ren hadn't been there for me."

"Trying to fill your father's shoes is very difficult. I know that from experience," Mitsuru stated. "Especially when they owned a massive corporation."

"Speaking of which," Haru continued, "I believe your own experience would be very useful to me."

"How so?"

"I've long been an admirer, Kirijo-san," Haru explained. "Ever since my father started to treat his workers like tools, I've looked at what you've done with the Kirijo Group and dreamed of doing it myself. But there are still plenty of people in powerful positions in the company that seem to find pleasure in being a roadblock for everything I want to accomplish."

"I understand," Mitsuru told her. "Heavens know I've faced more than a few people deserving of execution when I first took over the Kirijo Group, and more often than not, it took years to undo the damage some of those monsters inflicted. Even now, there are still several loose ends that we haven't accounted for. Regardless, if you wish to learn from me, then so be it. I will teach you everything I know."

Haru smiled sweetly at Mitsuru's acceptance. "Thank you very much, Kirijo-sensei!"

Mitsuru let out a small breath of laughter. "Just Mitsuru is fine, Haru-chan."

"Mitsuru-sensei," Haru said firmly. "I can't wait to learn how to put those men in their place."

"Sounds like being a Wild Card is some complicated stuff," Zenkichi remarked.

I nodded along. "It's going to take a lot of time and effort to get used to, that's for sure," I agreed. "If nothing else, having this stupid Vane in my hand gives me a little time to mentally prepare myself for what's to come."

"But what makes a Wild Card any different from a normal Persona-user?" Akane asked.

"I was wondering that, too," Sumire asked. "We've all met Yu Narukami, and while I admit he certainly has a similar aura to Ren-senpai, it's a little hard to put my finger on why."

"From what that long-nosed Igor guy told me in the Velvet Room, the power of the Wild Card is like the number zero," I explained. "If we connect that to Personas being a manifestation of a person's psyche, then maybe it means that people like me, Ren, and Yu can change our psyches depending on the situation? Almost like we're becoming a different...no, wait...is it like that?"

"Like what?" Akane asked.

"I was just thinking about a metaphor I like to use every now and then," I told them. "About how I'm like a mirror. I treat people the way they treat me and others. I like what I see, I make it me. Maybe that's why people like me and Ren are Wild Cards. We can change ourselves more easily than most people."

"That makes sense," Sumire reasoned. "Senpai can get pretty scary when he's mad."

"And he's pretty hard to predict," Akane continued. "I never know whether he's going to react seriously, crack a joke, or ask a sarcastic question whenever I say something to him, but it's somehow always what I need to hear."

"A lot of people get that from him," Sumire beamed. "But when it comes to Personas, I think I'm satisfied with Ella. I still have some catching up to do before I can match the others, but I can use light magic, physical attacks, healing, and a spell that enhances everyone's ability to land critical hits, so I'm pretty well-rounded already. Having to manage as many Personas as Ren does would drive me crazy."

Kenzo grinned. "Well, I'm already crazy, so no danger there."

Everyone snickered at that.

Phantom Thieves Groupchat

Ren: Did everyone have a good time?

Ryuji: You know it! You've got awesome parents man!

Sumire: Your mom is really sweet, senpai.

Ann: Agreed!

Futaba: I wasn't expecting Mitsuru and her Anti-Shadow Androids to show up though.

Haru: Still, it was nice to have them there.

Makoto: What were the two of you talking about, Haru?

Haru: Nothing you need to worry about.

Haru: Just some things that will make it easier for me to run the company.

Ren: I'm more worried about anyone in your way with the two of you teaming up.

Yusuke: Forgive my forwardness Ren, but I noticed something that still intrigues me.

Yusuke: You very much resemble your mother, but I saw very little similarity to your father.

Ren: Ah, that.

Yusuke: Did I say something I shouldn't have?

Makoto: No, Ren just has a...complicated past.

Ryuji: You mean more than we already knew?

Sumire: More than getting arrested on false charges?

Ren: Short version: my birth father raped my mother and created me, then my mom met my current dad (Kazushi) and they've been together ever since.

Ann: That's awful!

Yusuke: I very much agree.

Ryuji: Who's the bastard that did it?

Ren: My mom never told me his name.

Ren: I should get some sleep. I'm on morning patrol.

Ren: You all know your patrols, so rest up. You'll need your sleep. Morgana taught me that much.

Sumire: You got it senpai!

Yusuke: Understood.

Futaba: Pulling an all-nighter every once in a while is child's play for me.

Makoto: You know that's still an unhealthy habit, Futaba.

Makoto: Good night Joker 3

Ryuji: Get a room you two!

Ren: I will not save you from the wrath of Queen, Ryuji.

Ryuji: ImsorryQueenpleaseforgivemeIdon'tknowwhyIsaidthat

Makoto: Just do your patrol, Skull. Kill enough Shadows and I may forgive you.

Ryuji: You got it!

Ren: Night, everyone.

Ann: Goodnight, Joker!

Ann: ...

Ann: So, about Ren's birth dad…

Futaba: You want to find the bastard?

Makoto: I know I certainly do.

Ryuji: Gonna give him the fist of justice, Queen?

Makoto: Depends on how much he deserves it.

Futaba: If I can get his name from Akari, I'll have him doxxed in a week.

Sumire: Do it!

Well, that experience was certainly fulfilling.

Not only had I managed to show the Phantom Thieves what I'd learned about Spellstone, I'd also been dragged into a full-on party to welcome their leader's parents to town, had a talk (albeit a short one) with Mitsuru Kirijo of all people, and had formed the first inkling of a bond with Ren Amamiya, the leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. And even better, the more I enjoyed myself, the more I let down my walls, the more the Vane of Order in my right hand fell silent.

It had certainly been quite some time since I'd been allowed out this late at night. I contemplated the sunset as I walked home from the station. There were so many words for this hour. Sunset. Sundown. Dusk. Twilight. Nightfall. Unconsciously, my mind started dividing each word into the different zones of the hour that it referred to. I paused in my walk to glance further up at the sky at the first stars peeking through the last rays of sunlight.

A hand with a cloth grabbed me by the nose and mouth.