Saturday - May 14th

"So tired…" Ryuji moaned, letting out an exaggerated yawn. It was contagious as Lynn followed suit.

She nodded in solidarity. "Yeah, me too." She groaned as she rubbed her eyes. With what happened during the first day of exams, Lynn had taken to diving head first into studying in a desperate bid to keep herself occupied. As such, the last few days involved passing out in one of Le Blanc's booths surrounded by books and stationary. "Think of it this way; today's the last day and we have a day off tomorrow."

Not that they had anything planned to look forward to. Still, that mini pep talk seemed to have worked somewhat as Ryuji sniggered. No doubt the goofball was planning on spending the day playing video games.

Lynn - meanwhile - had been mulling things over during study breaks for the past few days.

What V had talked about in Crossroads hit hard. The merc was dying, had already died once before and had spent almost a year with a dead terrorist inside her head. A year spent with a slowly decaying mind and sense of self must have been hard on her. Lynn could partially relate to her identity issues.

What made it worse was that the 11th was apparently her birthday. However, she celebrated it like a memorial rather than a happy occasion.

That night was mainly spent with the three foreigners recalling tales of their past exploits.

Some were downright horrifying.

For now, Lynn had decided against letting the rest of the Phantom Thieves know of V's condition as it really wasn't her place to tell. She did, however, make sure to update the group chat of V's recovery.

"Where's the cat?" Ryuji suddenly asked. Lynn jumped a little and her brain decided to jam for a moment. After a few seconds of a system reboot - no doubt accompanied by the sound of Dial Up internet - Lynn finally replied.

"He's with the V Team. V was apparently getting restless without anything to do, so Mona's taking them into the Metaverse to show them the ropes."

The blond boy slowly began to smirk. "Sounds like he just wants to show off." The two shared a chuckle as the sight of Ann riding the escalator down into the station caught their attention. They waved her over and she gave a brief smile before yawning.

"Hey guys…" Ann's voice seemed somewhat distracted as she approached. Lynn noted the heavy bags under the model's eyes. Similar to Ryuji's, though likely not for the same reasons. She muttered something under her breath that Lynn couldn't pick up. She then forced herself to smile. "Ugh, long night last night. Studying is such a drag!"

"I gave up studyin' two days ago. I've been stuck on this damn Dark Souls boss ever since." The two girls glanced at Ryuji with a look of mild judgement. Of course he had been wasting time like that.

"No Shiho this morning?"

Ann shook her head with another yawn. "She has a meeting. She mentioned it was to do with the future of the volleyball team. She seemed fine when I saw her leave her apartment, but I can't help but worry."

"I forgot you two live in the same buildin'. Rich people…" Ryuji's grin was quickly taken off his face via a swift and forceful punch to the shoulder.

Even still, their morning commute was fairly routine up until they reached Aoyama Itchome for the last leg of their journey. As they started to ride the escalator, Ann froze in fear. Her eyes grew wide and immediately she almost seemed to shrink into herself.

"Oh my god, he got off…" Ann muttered. "There's been a guy following me all morning!"

Ryuji seemed somewhat uninterested until a literal death glare from the two girls forced him to take note. He looked around and sure enough, spied a tall, slender boy with blueish-black hair staring at Ann. He sighed in exasperation and took hold of Lynn's arm. "Fine. Fine. Come on, let's get this over with."

Ryuji was almost dragging Lynn up the escalator, leaving Ann behind. At first, she wanted to protest, though mainly on instinct. Suddenly getting dragged off was always going to catch anyone off guard.

Still, she let him lead her on. It was for Ann after all.

As such, both Lynn and Ryuji lay in wait just outside the station entrance. Ann stood in plain sight without much idea of what Ryuji had planned. Uncomfortable was likely an understatement. Clueless, she simply stared down the street with her back facing the station.

Until she heard the footsteps quickly approach her from behind.

"Hold it, buddy." Both Lynn and Ryuji stepped in front of the approaching boy. Sure enough, the slender boy was indeed after Ann. Lynn's eyes squinted in suspicion as she studied him. All things considered, he wasn't unattractive. Far from it. That aside, she didn't like his confused expression.

"What is this about?" He uttered as he stared at both Lynn and Ryuji. He looked completely lost. Snarling, Ryuji jabbed the boy's shoulder.

"That's our line. Why are you followin' our friend? You got somethin' to say?"

Blankly, the boy continued his staring, somewhat unphased by the jab. Lynn could tell Ryuji was getting increasingly annoyed, and although she too felt the twinge of irritation, she had to act as the voice of reason. "Listen, you don't look like a bad guy, so just tell us what you want from her and this doesn't need to involve the police."

That seemed to grab his attention. The boy stepped back and gasped in dramatic shock. "Please. There is no need for such a thing. My name is Yusuke Kitagawa and I have been enthralled by this girl's beauty." He gestured to Ann who immediately turned as red as a tomato. "I simply wish to capture that beauty on canvas. To immortalise you in paint."

Ann hesitantly took a step forward and managed to stutter a sentence. "W-what do you mean?"

"I wish for you to be my next model. For a painting. You see… I have been afflicted with a severe case of artist's block. However, when I gazed upon your stunning presence, it was like I was struck with a bolt of inspiration." His features briefly turned sour as he glanced at Lynn and Ryuji. "Unfortunately, you always seem to be accompanied by rather unscrupulous people."

"Unscru… wha…?" It was Ryuji's turn to look surprised and confused.

Lynn quickly leaned in and whispered. "He means suspicious."

"What are you tryin' to say, buddy? You tryin' to start somethin'?"

Yusuke slowly blinked. "My point exactly." He shrugged off the threat and returned his attention back to Ann. "I am under the tutelage of Ichiryusai Madarame, the master artist. He was kind enough to take me into his home when I had no one else to turn to. However, I feel my recent lack of productivity is starting to weigh heavy on his heart."

A chord struck in Lynn's mind.

Nakanohara's plea came back to the forefront. V had also mentioned the name coming up during their visit to the art shop.

So this was the other student Nakanohara mentioned.

"Madarame?" Lynn reflexively queried. Yusuke's gaze briefly lolled in her direction with all the disdain a boy of his age could muster. The girl couldn't help but feel a little insulted. Amusingly enough. She supposed she just wasn't his type.

In response, Yusuke rummaged through a back pocket and pulled out a flyer. "He is having an exhibition in Shibuya starting tomorrow. I would love for you to come and see his masterful works for yourself!" The boy was not talking to Lynn. He handed the flyer to Ann who gingerly took it. "Naturally… your friends can come too. Though I doubt they would understand."

"What was that?" Ryuji scowled. Ann held a hand in front of him in a bid to halt any advance. The blond boy raised an eyebrow as he noted a strange smile tugging at Ann's lips. Lynn noted it too and also noted that it did not reach her eyes.

"I'd love to go! And… I'll think your offer through, ok? Can I get back to you about it tomorrow?"

"Certainly! Yes!" Yusuke was about to say something else before a rather swanky looking car pulled up just beside them.

The window slowly rolled down revealing a rather friendly looking old man. His grey hair was pulled back into a tight bun and his chin was decorated with a beard not too dissimilar to the Boss's. His attire was a humble kimono that held the feel of a worn and well used outfit. It didn't match the car at all. The man's wrinkles shifted as he gave a smile. "Ah, Yusuke. I see this is where your inspiration has dragged you to? I was worried when you suddenly ran out of the car and into the station."

"Sensei!" Yusuke almost seemed to jump out of his skin. So this old man was Ichiryusai Madarame?

Truth be told, he really didn't look like such a bad guy.

The three Shujin students watched as Yusuke bowed apologetically to his teacher. Madarame let out a warm laugh. "There is no need for such prostration, my child! Come, Yusuke. I would rather you not be late to school." His gaze turned to the three Shujin students. "You should be getting a move on too. I hope my young protege hasn't caused too much hassle."

"Not at all!" Ann was quick to hush up the other two. She bore that same fake smile.

Finally, after Yusuke had left in Madarame's car, Ryuji turned to glare at Ann. "What was all that about? I don't got any interest in fine art!"

"Ryuji…" Ann shot a glare of her own right back at him. "That old guy has come up way too many times. There has to be something to this. So going to this show of his and taking Kitagawa up on his offer is a good way to start looking into it. We have been looking for a new target, after all."

Ann's reasoning was sound.

However, Lynn couldn't shake a nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. A perfect opportunity like this usually came with a catch.

Plus she didn't particularly like this Yusuke guy and his strange obsession with Ann. Sure, the clear disdain he held for her and Ryuji was off putting, but she was more concerned for Ann's safety for now.

Either way, it seemed they did have plans for tomorrow after all. A grand adventure to an art exhibit.

For a moment, Lynn indulged herself in a brief irritable grumble. Until Ryuji suddenly yelped in urgency. His eyes widened as he checked his phone which he almost dropped.

"Oh shit! We're gonna be late!"

"Absolutely not!"

With a furrowed brow, hands firmly planted on her hips and a fiery glare that could melt tungsten, Shiho voiced her objections. Ann sat at her school desk with the posture of a child being yelled at by her mother. Lynn couldn't help but giggle at the sight. Even if she did agree with Shiho, it was still quite amusing to see her like this.

Even if Shiho's raised voice did draw the attention of the lingering few students getting ready to go home. Thankfully, it seemed the potential drama wasn't worth it to said onlookers. After-Exam celebrations were calling them.

"There's no way in hell I'm going to let some creepy stalker artist get his spindally claws in you!" The girl almost seemed to blow steam out from her nose. "Rin, this is your fault too."

"What did I do!?"

"Nothing, apparently! That's what I mean." Shiho's gaze bore down on Lynn with the pressure of a pneumatic press. "This Madarame guy might be a person of interest, but that doesn't mean we should just throw ourselves at whatever lead comes up. Especially if it puts one of us in an uncomfortable spot."

"Shiho, it's fine. Kitagawa didn't strike me as some pervert. A bit pushy, sure… but I didn't pick up any gross vibes from him once he actually talked to us." Ann seemed to have recovered from Shiho's ire and looked up at her friend with surprising determination.

Lynn could even feel a faint heat coming from her.

"Besides, I don't want to go alone. I want all of A Team there. Y'know… just in case anything does happen."

Beneath a lock of black hair, Lynn grimaced. An off-handed joke about "A and V Team" uttered during a completely unrelated conversation in the Phantom Thief group chat seemed to have stuck as the official name.

Shiho looked to have caught on to Ann's determination and finally sagged her shoulders in defeat. "Fine. But if he even so much as looks at you funny, I'll bring down Boudica's wrath on his ass." Threats and raised tempers aside, it was somewhat refreshing to see Shiho so passionate. The once meek and oppressed volleyball star was starting to regain her confidence. Lynn had to smile to herself. Though it was far from gone, her mental scarring was beginning to heal.

"All that aside, I kind'a am excited about this exhibit. I was looking it up during lunch earlier and I saw this one painting. There was something about it that drew me in." Ann spoke with a smile. Surprisingly, she seemed genuinely interested.

Who knew the fashionista was a fine art fan?

"Speaking of lunch, I haven't seen Ryuji since then." Lynn mused almost to herself.

"I think he mentioned something about the roof." Ann replied, then immediately shut her mouth tight. She sheepishly glanced at Shiho who seemed somewhat shaken. Her expression was hard to read but given past events, it was quite obvious what was going through her mind.

With understanding, Lynn gave a warm smile and rose to her feet. "Don't worry, I'll go grab him. He's probably moping about the exams."

As Lynn walked through the school's halls, she picked up various bits of chatter. It was something of a habit she had picked up during the past month in the school. The student body was oddly vocal about a lot of things. Including Lynn herself. People were still scared of her. Although Mishima had unwillingly leaked the information revolving around her arrest and probation, she still found it somewhat difficult to forgive him.

"Hey, isn't that…"

"Shhh. She might go berserk if you provoke her."

"She's kind'a cute though."

The last remark stopped her flat in her tracks. Her face darkened and slowly, her head creaked towards the poor soul who uttered the word "cute." Said soul was a mere first year boy who immediately began sweating. He let out a quiet squeal as Lynn glared. Her searing silver gaze lingered for what felt like an eternity before she finally continued down the hall. Only this time with an accompanying aura of menace to go along with the whispering and chitter-chatter.

"I thought she was going to kill that guy!"

"She really is a demon!"

"So scary… I don't feel safe here anymore."

Eventually, Lynn made it to the stairwell leading up to the roof.

It wasn't until she reached the door - that had been blocked from closing using an old soda can - that she heard Ryuji talking. "Whoa! So big. You juice 'em up with steroids or somethin'?" Curiosity got the better of her as she lingered at the door, listening in. Another voice drifted in through the crack in the door. A girl's voice.

The mystery girl giggled. It was an impossibly sweet giggle. It was like sugar was being pumped directly into Lynn's bloodstream.

"No, no. Of course not, Sakamoto. It's love, affection and a lot of effort."

"No kiddin'. This sucker is thicker than my arm… I usually ain't one for stuff like this, but even I gotta admit this is pretty cool."

"I'm happy you think so, Sakamoto. Honestly, I'm a little embarrassed about showing you…"

"Oh… well, gee… now I'm gettin' embarrassed."

Lynn could no longer hold in her unyielding desire. She swung the door open a little more forcefully than intended and the resulting CLANG sent a shockwave through her entire body. The mystery girl gave a high pitched yelp and Ryuji screamed in almost the same pitch.

"Sorry!" Lynn flinched and reflexively apologised. She then immediately relaxed and gave Ryuji a curious study. He was kneeling next to one of the planter boxes that had been sitting on the school roof since the Thieves started using it as their base. In his muddied hands was an incredibly thick carrot. The girl he was with looked like a deer in headlights. She was surprisingly cute. Even if she was dressed in the school's gym clothes. What stood out especially was the nearly unnatural fluffiness of her auburn hair coupled with large doe eyes.

Lynn had seen the girl around, but had no clue who she was.

"What are you doin' here, Rin?" Ryuji looked confused for a moment. His eyes then widened in clarity. "Shit, what time is it?"

"Veggie time, apparently. Who's your friend?" Lynn glanced over to the girl. She was still frozen in what looked like abject terror. It wasn't clear if it was terror because of the rumours surrounding Lynn or simply the loud bang of the door.

Gently, Ryuji placed the carrot in a wicker basket along with a few other equally thick carrots. With a quick brush off of the mud on his hands, he gave a big dopey grin. "This is Haru! Haru Okumura. She's the one who tends these planters as well as those flower bushes outside the school entrance."

The name didn't ring a bell. The flower bushes did, however.

Lynn had occasionally wondered who tended them, seeing as there didn't seem to be any sort of caretaker or janitor employed by the school. Still, she gave a polite smile and waved. Haru snapped out of her fear and gracefully nodded back a greeting. "It's a pleasure, Okumura. I'm Lynn Amamiya, but everyone just calls me Rin."

"That's an interesting name. It's Welsh, isn't it?" Haru's response pulled at Lynn's curiosity. She nodded and Haru smiled. "I thought so. You came for Sakamoto?" Lynn nodded once again. She felt oddly dumbstruck in Haru's presence. As if her very existence exuded some mesmerising charm.

Ryuji came to her rescue and stood up with a sheepish chuckle. "Sorry, Okumura. I completely forgot I was gonna grab a bite with Rin, Ann and Shiho."

With the grace and elegance of an aristocrat, Haru giggled. "I see. Sakamoto likes the company of women." She uttered almost to herself. Lynn couldn't catch the sudden outburst of laughter in time and smirked at Ryuji. His completely lost, blank stare only added to Lynn's amusement. For someone who claimed to be a ladies man, the boy was completely clueless.

"I dunno what's so funny… but it's nice hearin' you laugh again, Rin."

THUMP

The girl was definitely not ready for something so honest and - to be frank - sweet. Her heart skipped a beat before overcompensating on the next hundred.

Was it suddenly getting hot?

"Come on, you damn Cassanova. The others are waiting." She turned and beckoned Ryuji to follow. Only she knew the motion was to hide the growing blush invading her cheeks. "It was nice to meet you, Okumura. Thank you for your service to the school!"

With that, Lynn hurried off down the stairs, not giving Haru a chance to respond.

If Ryuji didn't follow, she was going to kill him.

That night, sleep came easier than expected.

Morgana's gentle snoring acted as a soothing source of white noise and within minutes of the lights going off, Lynn was also snoring peacefully.

That was until the rattling of chains and a slow descent into an endless blue abyss disrupted her rest. For a moment, it felt as though someone was squeezing her skull before she opened her eyes to the sight of a jail cell. The Velvet Room. With a groggy moan and a little bit of shifting, the Trickster got up from her cell bed.

"Greetings, Trickster." Igor's deep voice called on her attention. As usual, the crooked man sat at his ornate desk in the centre of the room just beyond her cell. To his left and right were the two wardens, Justine and Caroline, staring her down with disdain. "I trust your rehabilitation is going well?"

"I still have no clue what you even mean by rehabilitation…"

Igor nodded. "You needn't worry. I have called upon you tonight for a simple matter." He shifted his weight and chuckled to himself. "You will soon come up against a dangerous opponent. Overcome your next hardship and you will be one step closer to your goal of rehabilitation."

Lynn awkwardly glanced around as if waiting for something more.

"T-that's it? Just… some ominous warning and a reminder?"

THUNK

Caroline slammed her baton against the bars of Lynn's cell. The pint-sized warden had moved so fast from her position next to Igor that Lynn couldn't even see her move. The little girl scowled. "You should feel honoured, Inmate! Our master's warnings should never be taken so flippantly!"

"As loyal as ever." Lynn smiled down at the tiny ball of anger.

Honestly, the twins had unknowingly endeared themselves to Lynn. Perhaps it was a maternal instinct on the Trickster's part.

Caroline faltered for a brief moment. Her visible eye narrowed in an attempt to look threatening. But the slight shake of her back leg and a very faint - almost non-existent - dusting of a blush betrayed that the smile was getting to her.

"Of course, I did not simply bring you here for just a warning." Igor clicked his fingers with a loud snap. Immediately, Caroline rejoined his side. "To aid your journey, I shall grant you further power. Your potential for the Wildcard is impressive, though I feel you under utilise it. Something is weighing on your soul. Perhaps a waning sense of self? Perhaps a lack of resolve? If you do not overcome these issues, you will fail to stop the coming Ruin."

The crooked man gestured a hand and a warm sensation grew in Lynn's chest.

A familiar feeling by now. One that gave way to a sense of growing power. Like something was slowly building up in the depths of her very existence.

That aside, the blunt manner Igor used to point out Lynn's innermost issues might as well have been a literal sledge hammer. She felt exposed as he spoke.

The Wildcard didn't sit well with Lynn. If Personas were manifestations of someone's personality, what did it mean if Lynn could have an infinite number of them? Was she even human at that point? Did she even have a true self? Who exactly was Lynn Amamiya?

A violent sociopath?

A caring and loyal friend?

A hurt and betrayed victim of injustice?

Briefly, she thought of V. An understanding set in as she tried pushing back the incoming feelings. Once more, the warm feeling in her chest returned and faded, bringing up the same sensation of growing power.

"Perhaps this growing power will push you to create even greater Personas. Rehabilitation continues, Trickster." Expecting the conversation to end, Lynn sighed and began to walk back to the cell bed. "There is one more thing before I return you to your physical self. Your new allies lack the power of rebellion but I sense a similar power to the Wildcard in one of them. A word of advice, these people are dangerous. Keep an eye on them."

With that said, the conversation truly had ended and Lynn felt herself lose consciousness once more.

Author's Notes

Haru makes her first appearance! This little idea came from Ryuji all the way back in Chapter 2 when he showed understanding of plants and such. Haru never got enough screen time to truly shine as her own character. So I've taken to introducing her a little earlier than in canon. I've also noticed a lot of the cast have displayed some budding interest in Ryuji. I'm undecided on any romances outside of Judy and V. We'll see what happens going forward.