The investigation on Okinawa began. The team split up to question the locals about a possible laboratory here on this very island of Kukojima. With everyone doing their own thing on the island. Akechi decided, for once, to speak with someone. So his person of choice to talk to was Ren, and the two of them asked around the area about clues to the laboratory. "Excuse me, sir." Ren spoke to a native. "Do you know anything about a lab of some sort around here?"

"A lab?" The local man looked at Ren for a moment, then laughed a bit. "Nope, I haven't heard of such a thing! You two are tourists, right? Why not relax and enjoy the sights?"

"We'll pass." Akechi said bluntly. He and Ren stepped away from the local and he let out a somewhat annoyed sigh. "That is the fourth person to say the exact same thing." It was getting irritating for multiple reasons.

'Maybe they don't know anything." Ren suggested. It was possible, but he was fully aware that couldn't entirely be the case. "This particular island isn't that big...so if the lab exists, it has to be here somewhere."

"I think they're hiding something from us." Akechi crossed his arms. "It bothers me that they all laugh and dismiss the question. I could excuse one or two, but everyone we've spoken to has done the same thing. I believe they know exactly what we're looking for, but we do not have the means to pull the information out of them."

"If they're hiding the lab, that would mean they are in leagues with Maddice..." Ren surmised. That was the only thing that made sense. That was if they were even on the right track. "I wonder how the others are doing. I bet Hifumi can answer if they're lying to us or not."

"I suppose we'll find out later." Akechi glanced over in the direction of the RV. Zenkichi was no longer there, but it did give Akechi the chance to say something. "...What do you think about Hasegawa?"

"Huh?" Ren looked at Akechi, a little surprised by that question. "Where'd that come from?"

"I was merely curious. Despite how the partnership is supposed to be working you, we somehow ended up in his home and involved in his family drama. A far cry from the initial beginning of this give and take relationship." Akechi commented.

"...Yeah, you make a good point there. Things have definitely taken a turn. But I don't think he's a bad guy, not at all." Ren said. "I know his experience as a policeman gives him a different world view than the rest of us, but that's to be expected."

"Hm." Was Akechi's initial response. "Well, do not forget what's at stake here."

"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten." Ren said with a dry laugh. "It's my ass on the line if things fall through. I know there's been a target on my back the whole time. That said...I think we'll be okay. We've been making slow progress, and that's better than no progress at all. If we can find that lab, that should give us the clues we need to pin down the real culprit."

"As long as you don't forget that. I'd hate to see the almighty Joker taken down so swiftly." Akechi remarked.

"Before you can?" Ren raised a brow.

"Hardly. I'd be disappointed more than anything else." Akechi shrugged. "So, I'll do my part to ensure you don't end up behind bars again. I want to find out the truth of this matter just as much as everyone else."

"Your help is greatly appreciated." Ren said, but Akechi just let out a silent grunt of annoyance in response to that. Ren didn't expect Akechi to take the compliment, but he did find some enjoyment out of annoying him with them. As he continued to look around until he spotted some familiar white hair nearby. "...No way."

"...?" Akechi tilted his head and followed Ren's gaze. He saw it too. "...Is that?"

It was indeed Lavenza. She could come and go as she pleased between the Velvet Room and reality. She was in a cute blue one piece swimsuit with some ice cream in hand. She noticed Ren and Akechi approaching her, so she smiled at them. "Hello, Trickster and his companion. I have been waiting for your arrival."

"You...knew we'd be here?" Akechi lifted a brow.

"It is my goal to help the Trickster in all his endeavors." Lavenza replied with a nod, before sticking some ice cream into her mouth. It was vanilla and chocolate.

"By...eating chocolate and getting ready to play on the beach?" Ren asked, knowingly.

Even if that was a tease, Lavenza was more than capable of keeping her composure. "It is...quite hot." That was the one thing she could not deny. Okinawa in her standard outfit would've melted her. "But I did have something important knowledge to impart with you, Trickster."

"Do you know where the lab is?" Ren asked, hopefully.

"Lab?" Lavenza blinked once and shook her head. Not at all. "I do not have any information regarding that, but about that malevolent presence I warned you about...I believe I can sense it nearby, faintly."

"Seriously?" Ren's joking attitude faded. "Where?"

"I'm sorry, I cannot say. But it is close to you...which is why I had to warn you." Lavenza stepped out this far purely for business. But she did have a little bit of pleasure in the midst of it with her ice cream.

"...Well, isn't that pleasant." Akechi rolled his eyes. Something else they had to worry about. "...If you can sense it, why do you not come with us?"

"I'm afraid I would be outpaced by the lot of you." Lavenza said, modestly. "It is my duty to help guide the Trickster through his adventures as is. It is not my place to interfere."

"That's helpful." Akechi once again rolled his eyes. Lavenza was good for advice but not much else, it seemed. But when she mentioned something about a malevolent force, it did get him wondering. Something about this island felt wrong. Perhaps it was due to his own internal bloodthirsty nature, but he could sense a hidden hostility deep within...

.

.

Ann and Hifumi were sidetracked because Ann wanted some local sweets. In the meantime, Hifumi took the chance to ask around at the counters about a potential lab. But she was continuously hit with the same responses that Ren, Akechi, and likely the others were: a laugh and dismissal of the question. "Mmm..."

"What's wrong, Fumi?" Ann tilted her head. "I guess it is a little annoying that we haven't been able get any information." She was less bothered about it than Hifumi, but was fully aware of how troublesome it could be longterm.

"Actually, I think we got a little more than expected." Hifumi stroked her chin. "Every time I asked if I knew something, they all said they didn't know what I was talking about, right?"

"Mhm." Ann nodded. "It's kinda making me doubt if there's actually anything on this island in the first place. Oh, wait!"

"That's right." Hifumi said with a nod. "They were all lying." Once again, her power to detect lies was coming in clutch. "There is definitely something here. That said, though...I sincerely doubt we could even trick them into telling us where it is..."

"Still, that's huge!" Ann wrapped her free arm around Hifumi for a hug. "You're amazing, Fumi! We just gotta find it now!" Ann was looking on the bright side. She trusted in Hifumi and her power, so she was confident the lab was around here somewhere. The question of where was next...

Hifumi pulled out her phone. "I'll message the others...oh..." She just now noticed the text messages from Mika. Since they were on the water with no reception, she wasn't notified of them. "I guess I should respond to this first and explain where I was..."

"Mika again?" Ann furrowed her brows. She still couldn't believe that Hifumi and Mika were friends. Well, she could because Hifumi was sweet and nice; but Mika was the opposite of that.

"She was trying to reach me. I forgot we didn't have any service while on the water." Hifumi said with a small smile. "I told her where we were." She then felt her phone vibrate once again. "Oh, she replied already."

"I think I see you?" Ann tilted her head, looking at Mika's text curiously. "What does that mean?"

They would both find out. Because Mika was coming in hot, arms wrapping around Hifumi tightly for a surprise hug. "Hifumi-chaaaaan! It's so good to see you again!"

"Mika!?" Both Hifumi and Ann's eyes widened at Mika's appearance.

"Who would've guessed I'd run into you here!" Mika had a bright smile. She saw Ann and silently gagged, right at her, before turning back to Hifumi. Mika was in a swimsuit since she just finished taking some pictures.

"I knew you'd be here in Okinawa, but I didn't think we would encounter each other." Hifumi said with a sheepish smile. "But I'm happy to see you too, Mika."

"I feel like I've seen you a little too much over the course of my summer." Ann replied while rolling her eyes.

"I know you're just jealous." Mika said with a haughty smile. Ann wasn't going to acknowledge that. "What brings you all the way here to Okinawa, though? This is pretty far from Sapporo."

"Oh, um..." Hifumi wasn't sure how to phrase it.

Ann, on the other hand, was freaking out. She didn't know that Mika knew about the Phantom Thieves' identities. So she was thinking of a lie. "We're just...here to see the sights!" She had her terrible acting tone on too.

And naturally, Mika wasn't buying it. She just narrowed her eyes at Ann. "You're such a bad liar, Ann. You're going to have to be more authentic with your fakeness. How do you think I got so far? I'm as fake as they get."

"...Do you seriously not hear yourself sometimes?" Ann shook her head. But that was just classic Mika.

"We're just...working on something." Hifumi cleared her throat.

"Working?" Mika blinked a few times. But when it came from Hifumi, she understood what that meant. There was some super secret Phantom Thief stuff going on! Oh, she wanted to ask more...but she would keep her mouth shut for now. "I'm working too, actually. I'm getting so many good shots. You wanna see them, Hifumi-chan~? I have some just for you." Mika winked, and Hifumi started to blush.

"Sorry, but Hifumi is with me, in case you forgot." Ann said with a slight smirk, tugging Hifumi closer to her and away from Mika. "Plus we're busy...!"

"Yes, we are busy..." Hifumi said with a small frown. "But if we happen to have some time, I'll let you know? I would be remiss if I didn't have the chance to spend time on the beach. It looks so nice..." Hifumi really did want to spend time on the beach, but she wasn't so sure if their investigation would allow it.

Even though the sight of Ann holding Hifumi's hand like that did slightly irritate Mika, she ended up smirking slightly. "Let me know. I'd love to show off on the beach. You'll make me look better, Ann!"

"Oh yeah!? I'll blow you out of the water!" Ann said while narrowing her eyes at Mika. They didn't need to be in Tokyo for their rivalry to spark up. As long as they were in the same spot, it could flare up at any time.

"O-Okay, you two!" Hifumi started to pull Ann away. This was detrimental to their investigation. "We'll get back to you!"

"Heh." Mika turned on her heel and tapped her chin. "You won't be able to look away from me soon, Hifumi-chan..."

.

.

"Nothing new." Makoto let out a sigh.

"Everyone's said the same thing." Haru placed her finger on her chin. Some of the people they spoke to really were tourists, so it made sense they might not know anything. But the natives were a different story.

"I think they're hiding something from us." Makoto surmised. It just felt too unnatural. If there was truly a lab present, someone should have known about it.

"When everyone denies it, I feel silly for asking..." Sumire said while holding her hands behind her back. "But when everyone denies it, I also feel like something's off..."

"Exactly." Makoto nodded. "It feels like they're trying to cover something else. When everyone has the same story to tell, you cannot help but think it's a little suspicious."

"I wonder if anyone else has found anything." Haru said while turning her attention to the shops. She wasn't sure how long they'd be in Okinawa, so she was thinking about grabbing a few things...a lot of things. She had to think about the RV space.

At that moment, everyone's phones buzzed. "Huh?" Sumire blinked and looked at her phone.

"There is a message from Ren. It appears he, Akechi, and Zenkichi have found something." Sophia reported.

.

.

The group gathered at a pathway with a big building at the end of it. It was very out of the way, though. "Is this the path to the research facility?" Yusuke asked.

"I believe so, yes..." Makoto said. Everyone's gaze lifted up to the little gate in front of them.

"A scared festoon?" Zenkichi tilted his head.

"Don'tcha only see that stuff at shrines and shit? What's it doing it?" Ryuji asked a valid question. If a research facility was ahead, it didn't make sense for something like a festoon to be present.

"Oh, oh! I got it!" Futaba piped up. "They sealed a legendary yokai here!"

"Be serious..." Akechi groaned.

"This is a lab, though." Ann said, logically. "Wouldn't we find zombies or things like that instead?"

"Good point!" Ren said. Hifumi sighed.

All of this talk about scary stuff made Makoto stiffen up. "D-Don't be ridiculous! You...You were kidding, right?"

Zenkichi let out a sigh. "Enough nonsense. This lab is in the real world. So let's get to work."

"Oh, Sophia!" Sumire looked at her phone. "I want to ask just to make sure, but there isn't a Jail here, right?"

"There is no Jail on this island - I think." Sophia said, partially confident.

"You think?" Ryuji blinked. "But I know you can smell 'em, right?"

"Yeah, you said you could detect Jails based on their scent." Zenkichi recalled. Hearing this information was not something he'd be forgetting anytime soon.

"I am currently detecting zero scents, unlike Sendai and Sapporo." Sophia said. "However, there is something odd about this place. I'm getting...a bad feeling..."

"...A bad feeling, huh...?" Ren repeated. He was thinking back to what Lavenza told him earlier.

"Maybe you're picking up somebody with a grudge!" Futaba snickered. "I'm coming for yoooooooou!"

"Eek!" Makoto yelped. "C-Cut it out! It's not funny, Futaba!"

"Good grief..." Akechi pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Whatever it is, we have to check it out." Morgana wanted to get everyone back on track.

Everyone walked up the path to the research facility. There was a notice on the window, so Zenkichi went to read it. "We are closed until August 18th due to prior engagements? Welp, sure didn't see that one coming."

"I guess we're done here?" Ren blinked. "I mean...we could always sneak in..."

"Oooh! Now there's an idea! We can get up to a little Phantom Thief action in the real world!" Morgana was down for that.

"Don't be stupid." Akechi said immediately.

"Yeah, what he said. Nothing that lands you in jail." Zenkichi quickly added. He wasn't sure if Ren was just making a dumb joke or not, but that was not a risk he was willing to take. "This whole trip would be pointless otherwise."

"I froze up at the idea of sneaking in..." Sumire admitted bashfully. Sneaking around in the Metaverse was fine, but she couldn't dare try it in reality.

"I suppose there's nothing we can do..." Hifumi tapped her chin.

"I mean, we know, but..." Ryuji grumbled.

"The sign says the 18th, so we'll just wait for tomorrow." Zenkichi said. "Easier, AND less illegal. Once the staff is ack, I can start flashing my badge and asking questions. This place is all kinds of shady, so I'm sure I can find plenty of dirt just by poking around. Once I've got some evidence, I can announce the start of an official investigation, and at that point we confiscate whatever we need."

"Yes, it would be nice if the usual procedure could go off without a hitch." Akechi commented. He wasn't going to keep his hopes too high, but it was nice to see that they were finally making some actual progress in the case for once.

"That is quite the tactical approach." Yusuke was impressed with Zenkichi's foresight.

"Whoa! Check out the skills of Zenkichi, Private Eye!" Futaba snickered.

"I'm in 'Public' Security." Zenkichi sighed.

"If we're waiting until tomorrow, that gives us quite some time..." Makoto pondered aloud.

Ryuji was picking up what she was hinting at. "You mean we get to party ALL day on the beach!?"

"Yeah, we don't want to waste anymore time! How often do we get a chance like this!?" Ann was already excited. She was hoping they'd have this chance, and the chance came right to them.

"C'mon now...we are on a case, you know..." Makoto said. It was clear she was not hinting at them spending all day on the beach.

"That's not a bad idea." Zenkichi pointed out. "Getting too nosy right away could get people suspicious, and we can't have that. We'd be better off trying to lie low like tourist right now."

"So...!" Haru said hopefully.

"We GET TO PARTY!?" Ryuji was looking at the others.

"On the beach!" Ann beamed.

"..." Akechi was silent. Partying on the beach? That was absolutely not his style. He already felt out of his comfort zone just by being present in this kind of conversation.

"Pristine sands...!" Morgana mumbled something else under his breath too.

"Crystal clear waters!" Sumire clasped her hands together.

"And top it off, a barbecue!" Futaba gasped.

"And on top of that: LOBSTER!" Yusuke said with his chest.

"We have a winner! Let's round up the supplies before we venture forth!" Futaba exclaimed.

"Okay, I'll search nearby stores." Sophia paused. "Or rather...nearby store. There's only one store here, and it's back at the port." The others realized what it was they had to do, and began to make their way back to the port. Hifumi lingered behind a bit, glancing back at the notice on the lab window.

"...Tomorrow, hm?" Something was nagging at her. It was rare that things lined up so nicely for the. The timing just...felt too coincidental. "Is it really that simple? Or..."

"C'mon, Fumi!" Ann shouted from the distance.

Hifumi snapped out of her thoughts. "Sorry, I am on my way!" Hifumi exclaimed back. She'd have more time to think about it later. For now...she was excited to enjoy the beach with Ann and everyone else.