[May 21st, Lunchtime, Kosei High, Student Council Room]

Hifumi was… bizarrely happy and active today. Compared to a few days before, her mood was night and day different. Sitting opposite to her, Hinaki couldn't help but kept questioning this sudden change.

But of course, the Shogi princess caught the furrowed brow on her face. "Hinaki, you're alright?" She asked, and the said president quickly shook her head in response.

"O-oh, it's nothing," Hinaki smiled, trying her best to reassure HIfumi. "It's just… nice to see you being happy again."

"R-really?!" Blinked in confusion, Hifumi tilted her head while pointing to herself. "I uh… I didn't sense any difference though…"

"But you did, I can see it," Shaking her head, The student council president gestured to her eyes. "Your eyes, I can see the glimmer of hope shining behind it."

"Glimmer… of hope?"

"Yeah, it just… it was like you just found your light again," Smiling, Hinaki looked away out of awkwardness. "Uh… I hope you can understand what I meant…"

"No, I get it," Hifumi replied with the same smile as her friend's. "I guess I just… find my way to break out from the situation right now… To move forward."

Blinking a few times, Hinaki found herself… shocked, to say the least. Of course, she was happy for Hifumi to find her reason to keep moving, but… it was too quick for a change as big as this.

Like… literally just a few days ago, she was… without any other ways to say it, quite depressed. But then… how?

However, her train of thought was stopped with Hifumi's word. "Hinaki? Hinaki?"

"Hu-huh?"

"You went silent for a bit, and uh… just looking at nowhere."

"O-oh, I apologize," Adjusting her glasses, Hinaki hastily turned her mind back to what's happening right now. "I was just lost in my mind for a bit."

"Guessed that," Letting a small giggle leaked through her mouth, Hifumi shook her head. "Then uh… how's things with Izumo? I heard that he reconciled with Akashi a while ago."

"Oh, for Izumo-kun…" Trailing off, the president wiped a loose strand of hair aside. "To be honest, we haven't talked ever since he snapped at me."

"But I'm still happy that they reconciled, after everything that had happened."

"Same for me," The Shogi princess nodded, arms crossed as she leaned back into her chair. "I just hope I can do the same for mom too."

"You definitely can, Hifumi," Hinaki tried to reassure her, even though from her look… Hifumi didn't look like she needed it. Unlike before, she looked… determined, but still have that familiar softness Hinaki knew her of.

"I know, thank you," Nodding again, Hifumi was about to say something else when her phone suddenly buzzed. However, it wasn't something like a call, if Hinaki's memories served her right, it was a text notification.

Not that she really paid attention to Hifumi's phone's notification, it was just… she heard too many times of Mitsuyo calling her, hearing someone sending a text to her was weird.

Raising her eyes in surprise, the Shogi player pulled out her phone and smiled before looking back to the president. "Oh uh… I need to answer some text so… I'll be right back, Hinaki."

Blinked, Hinaki nodded slowly. "S-sure…"

With that said, Hifumi left the student council room, leaving Hinaki all alone with questions. A lot of questions.

But for now, she was happy for Hifumi.

[iM Group: The Fools]

Keigo: So Hifumi, how you're feeling?

Hifumi: Oh, I'm fine. It just took me a good night's sleep, that's all.

Shiho: That's great!

Akira: Definitely good news :)

Hifumi: Then actually, I wanted to ask. Are we going into mom's palace today? I wanted to finish it as soon as possible.

Akira: Today?!

Akira: Shiho, Keigo? What is your opinion about it?

Keigo: As long as you're alright with it, I'm okay with it, Hifumi.

Shiho: I'm the same with Keigo.

Akira: Okay… Then Hifumi we'll meet up in front of your house after school, okay?

Keigo: I don't think you need to specify that, Akira. We've been gathering at her place for a while now.

Akira: It's just a reminder, that's all.

Keigo: Whatever.

Keigo: Speaking of in front of Hifumi's house, it's a miracle that we still haven't been questioned or being weird for constantly gathering up at her house.

Hifumi: Oh yeah… You're right. Now that you've said it… There's never been any paparazzi at my house either.

Hifumi: I think it's just mom forced all magazine journalists away. Or dad did.

Akira: Well… it sounds like Togo-san did that… That's just my intuition.

Shiho: But whoever did it doesn't matter. At least we don't need to worry about being found at all.

Akira: And oh, that's the longest text you've ever sent in this Group Chat too, Keigo.

Keigo: What.

Hifumi: What?

Shiho: …What

"Why the hell is that your focus, Akira?" Looking up from her phone, Shiho just deadpanned at his weird priority.

"And I'm going to make a longer text down the line," Keigo added, lifting his glasses just to reflect the light from outside. "More just with how weird your priority can be. Besides, we're talking serious business here."

Winced at their comments, Akira gave out a long breath. "Then…" Trailing off, he finally moved from his 'leaned forward' posture. "Wait, why are we talking in the group chat when we're literally right next to one another?"

And Akira was right. Because right at this moment, the trio was sitting in the courtyard, and around the round table in the middle. The weird glances the passing by students gave them gave nothing but more awkwardness, alongside the one that was already here.

"Because we're going to talk with Hifumi, and she's… not in our school?" The volleyball player said with a shrug. "I think that's what you said."

"Don't you remember that this whole thing is your idea?" The half-Frenchman deadpanned, adjusting his glasses again. "Like, we can just do a call to her or something."

"But it's inconvenient to uh… call her one by one-"

"We can just call her while together."

"Yeah, I agree with Keigo here," Shiho nodded, but still have that deadpanned look on her face. "What we're doing now is just… worse than the other solution."

"…W-well, I uh…"

Thankfully, Akira's explanation was interrupted as their phone vibrated simultaneously. And their attention was dragged back to their phone.

Hifumi: Uh… Did something happen? Why did you guys just go silent?

Shiho: It's Akira's fault.

Keigo: It's Akira's fault.

Winced at how in sync their messages were, Akira glanced up from his phone and only met with their narrowed gaze. "…I'm sorry…"

Akira: Well, I just made the stupidest decision of my life, so far.

Hifumi: Huh?

Shiho: We're currently sitting right across from each other, that's all. It's Akira's idea, by the way.

Hifumi: Oh, so that's why.

Hifumi: But either way, we're still meeting up at my home, right?

Keigo: Yeah, probably.

Shiho: Akira?

Feeling a slight shiver of fear from the message (and Shiho's gaze), Akira hastily typed the response.

Akira: Y-yeah, so after school, at your place.

Hifumi: Got it.

Hifumi: Then uh… I'll leave you three with uh… whatever is happening between you guys. See you there!

With that sent, Akira's gaze hesitantly moved up from his phone. And just like a few seconds beforehand, he was met with Shiho and Keigo's deadpanned glare.

With a wry smile on his face, the amateur writer felt like he wanted to crawl a hole and hid inside.


[After school, Mitsuyo's palace]

Back into the palace, Hifumi finally noticed the Phantom Thief attire she was wearing. And… she loved this new look of her.

"It… it makes me look like a… a character straight from a Mosou game!" Exclaiming in joy and twirled around, Hifumi stopped at her track as she noticed the face the trio was giving her.

The trio couldn't help but giggle at the sight of her checking out the outfit. For some reason, it just looked like a kid being excited over her Halloween outfit.

"S-stop looking at me like that!" Blushing hard, the Shogi princess looked at the ground for a bit before returning to them. "I-it just looks great. A-and you guys definitely had the same reaction as mine, right?"

However, the trio only exchanged an awkward glance, before they shook their head in unison. "Uh… no."

"I only mentioned that it looked cool when Swan first got into Metaverse," Jester said.

"I never said anything about it," Swan added.

"It looked like my Shadow Operative uniform, so no," Raven concluded.

Blinked in surprise, Hifumi tried to make up anything to retort them. But… in the end, nothing came out from her mouth as she slumped her shoulder.

"W-well, n-nevermind," Giving out a long breath, she hastily diverting the topic to something else. "Let's just move on… uh…"

"Oh right, we still haven't decided on my codename, right?"

"O-oh yeah, you're right," Nodding with an awkward smile, the leader of The Fools rubbed the back of his head. "Um… Swan, Raven, any ideas?"

"Huh?" Blinked in surprise, Swan crossed her arms and pondered. "W-well, how about… 'Princess'? It just popped up in my mind."

"Uh… I don't like the sound of that…" Trailing off, Hifumi only shook her head in response.

"What about 'Hime'?" Raven suggested. "At least that's more Japanese-sounding than just 'princess'."

"No, it isn't just whether it's Japanese-sounding or not," Shaking her head, the Shogi player rested her arms on her hip. "It's just… being a princess meant my life is still controlled by something else…"

"So maybe something else would be nice."

Nodding at her explanation, Jester pondered for a moment. "Then… what about 'Oni'?" He said. "Judging from the trend of how our codename is just from how our mask looked."

"'Oni'…" Trailing off, Swan's glanced moved onto Hifumi's mask. On one end, Jester was right, Hifumi's mask did look like an oni (mostly from the horns).

But… it was just a hard time imagining Hifumi as an oni, for some reason. Maybe it was just the aura she was projecting, it gave out more of a… empress, or a queen than an oni.

"Aha! What about 'Queen'?"

"Huh… But I think 'Empress' suits her more if we're going on this route…" Jester shrugged, rubbing his chin in thought.

"What about 'Majesty'?" Raven suggested, landing his gaze on Hifumi. "But maybe you can give us some suggestions too. Or just choose one out of what we mentioned."

"M-me… uh…" Trailing off, The Shogi player tilted her head in deep thought. She never mentioned it, but… it was always hard to choose from that.

Well, when it's just about Shogi, it was much easier with what Mamoru taught her. But for other things like this… what should she choose?

In hindsight, all three suggestions they made were great, and they somewhat suited her. But… which one?

Giving out a long breath, her eyes scanned through the trio. "I think… I'll take 'Majesty'."

"'Majesty'… huh…" Raising an eye, Jester pondered for a while before nodding. "Well, it's your choice, I'll respect it anyways."

"Well, at least 'Majesty' is a bit more unique than just 'Queen'," Swan said, holding a small smile. "So, welcome to the team, Majesty."

"That should be my line, but whatever," Sighing, Jester held up the same smile on his face. "We'll be counting on you, Majesty."

"Yep, same for me," Raven nodded, taking out the same small grappling like Swan's and tossed it to her. "Also, grappling hook for you too, we all have it... and you shouldn't be left behind here."

Even though for all this time, they were already giving her kind words, but… Majesty still found herself surprised by them. The fact they were putting trust in her…

Took a deep breath and clutched the grappling hook in her hands., she pondered for a moment before nodding, filled with determination. "Okay, so let's go, shall we?"

The trio nodded in unison, and Jester took out his phone and teleported them into the deepest saferoom.


[Mitsuyo's palace, Fifth Floor]

Once the thieves arrived at the said floor, they wasted no time and rushed through the arena and to the full floor itself. Just as they expected, the arena was just a part of the entire floor.

"Of course it wouldn't be this easy to get there…" Giving out a long breath, Jester reached into his pocket for the map before he froze. "Wait a second…"

"Did we get any map for this floor?"

"Uh… I don't think so," Shaking her head, Swan rubbed the back of her neck out of slight frustration. "But great, so we're gonna get through this floor without a map?"

"It might be," Raven said, but was interrupted by Majesty.

"Don't worry about that, I can be our guide here," Taking a few steps forward, she let her mind concentrated. And like a radar wave, all of the layout and locations of the guards were shown for her. "Got it, just follow my lead."

Even though a bit surprised by her words, but the trio still followed her. And she didn't fail her promise, not at all.

Just like last time, Majesty was able to guide them to a route without any encounter with any guards. Each cover for them to avoid the guards, each room they encountered, each step they took…

It was all in her calculation, timed perfectly.

"Three… Two… One… Now." Tapping her fingers, the Shogi player waited for a moment before dashing out from her cover. And the trio immediately followed.

However, just as they were about to reach the gate toward the top floor. Something stood before them.

Even though the final elevator room was just in front of them, but there was still one more obstacle. A lone guard stood before them, before it ripped off its mask, revealing its true self.

Instead of the usual guard, or something similar to any shadow they encountered before, it looked like a lady in a green robe. And with two green hairbrushes on her head.

"Of course there'd be a final battle before the treasure," Jester sighed, adjusting his hat. "Well, at least it's not an explosion."

"But one less heroic moment from you though," Swan giggled. "But this time, we have one extra member here."

"And a battle navigator, on top of it," Raven corrected her.

"Maybe mom wanted us to have a fair fight," Majesty said, pulling out her Naginata from her back. "After what happened with my other self."

However, as Majesty's gaze fell upon her, the same vision happened again.

"Kushinada…" Eyes narrowed, the Shogi player concentrated for a few moments before turning back to her teammates. "I'm still analyzing its affinity, please just buy me some time."

"Well, let's hope that it isn't curse," Giving out a breath of relief, the leader of The Fools readied his scythe. "But don't take too long."

"I'll focus on healing and sniping duty then," The thief in white said, pulling out her sniper rifle and operated the bolt.

"We'll be counting on you, Majesty," Raven said, patting her shoulder with a reassuring smile as he pulled out his sword cane. "Jester and I will be handing the frontline."

"Don't worry about it," Jester added. "I'm the leader, after all."

"Trying to be a good leader… That's new," Feeling a faint smirk crept to his face, the half-Frenchman unsheathed the blade. "On one."

"One!"

With that said, the two sprung to their feet and sprinted toward the shadow. And their mask dissolved into azure flame as Moriarty and Fou Roux materialized behind them.

"Eiha!"

"Atomic Shard!"

Even though the lady in the green robe started moving as soon as they rushed toward her, but a few ice shards still hit her legs. And a split second later, it grew and locked her in place.

And the dark flame hit right after, exploding and knocked her back.

Taking this as their opportunity, the two leaped through the smoke, their weapon raised. And they swung down in sync, only to be stopped by the shadow's grip on their blade.

And its eyes suddenly flashed, and a barrage of light showered both Jester and Raven. Launching them through the new arena and knocked them down.

Just as the shadow was about to follow up its attack, a lone sniper bullet directly hit its side. Then a flash of light followed right after.

"Dia!" Seeing the green aura healed both of them, Swan gave out a small breath of relief.

"Okay… that's stronger than I thought…" Trailing off, Jester stood up, with slight staggering, Moriarty appeared behind him again. "Eiha!"

Breaking free from the ice, the Kushinada quickly moved aside and dodged the burst of darkness. And another bullet from Swan's sniper rifle. However, instead of a normal bullet, it was filled with light and stuck in its shoulder.

"So it works for me too… Then it definitely works for everyone else…" Swan murmured, operating the bolt and cycled the next round. "And I should give it a name… Then…"

"...Blind Out," With that said, the said bullet exploded with blinding lights, disorienting it.

Meanwhile, Majesty kept her gaze locked onto the shadow, as more and more information popped up. But… it looked out of place, it looked… weird.

"Affinity… wait… it's strength…" Murmuring under her breath, the Shogi player widened her eyes in shock. "Everyone! Its strength is at least three times higher than us!"

"And its weakness is…" Trailing off, Majesty concentrated again, but the result wasn't what she wished for. "None."

"Then we need to change our approach of battle, another way to exploit greater damage and other stuff," As her mind moved through the possibilities before ending on one. "…Status ailment. Right."

Readying her Naginata, she raised her voice again. "Divert the shadow's attention!" Sprung to her feet, her grip on the naginata tightened. "Odani-dono! Stagnant air!"

The said Persona materialized behind her, raising its hand and summoned a could of green smoke around the shadow. "Jester! Raven! Use every status ailment you have!"

"Got it!" Exclaiming in unison, the two thieves leaped backward. And their Persona both summoned behind them.

"Killing Joke!"

"Evil Touch!"

Seeing the sign of despair appeared on the Kushinada, Majesty summed Odani-dono again, keeping her sprint. "Psi!"

Leaping to the air, she spun held her Naginata back as a ball of color grew in front of her. Her gaze locked onto the ball made from psychokinesis energy, and the blade clashed with the said ball, launching it right to the shadow.

And it exploded right into it, knocking it down.

"Nice! Good job Majesty!" Giving her a thumbs up, Jester narrowed his gaze onto the downed shadow. "Let's do this, All-Out Attack!"

Without a second thought, the four thieves immediately sprinted to the shadow. As their blades sliced against it, strike after strike.

Leaping back and landed with a backward roll, Majesty concentrated again. "We only got half of her health!"

"Then it means we gotta do it again," Adjusted his top hat, Jester summoned Moriarty once again. "Killing joke!"

As the said Persona cast the same skill on the shadow, but… just before the skill hit it, the aura for the shadow changed. And the skill did nothing, as if it was blocked by the shadow.

"Wait, it works just a few moments ago-"

Before anyone could even finish their thought, a flash of light struck everyone. Knocking them back.

Quickly got her focus back onto the Kushinada, it didn't take long for Majesty to notice something off with it. Its elemental affinity was changed, drastically.

"Wait, it blocks… Wasn't all those the skills we just used on it, even ailments," Muttering to herself, Majesty lowered her Naginata. "But it still didn't block Physical and Gun damage, and other elements that we hadn't hit it with…"

"Everyone, either use any element that you didn't use before or just focus on physical attacks!"

Even though they didn't answer right away, but the trio still followed. As the sound of bullets and slashes continued, and with them using fewer elements. Meanwhile, for Majesty, she had other plans.

Breath in, breath out… Let the energy flourish…

"Blade… Of… Yomi!"

As she concentrated, Odani-dono materialized behind her and raised her hand. And flame ignited on the blade of her Naginata again, just like last time.

And her gaze landed on Raven, as a small list of his skill suddenly popped up beside him. "Wait… that's… So I can do that, huh?"

"Raven, I'm borrowing your skill!" She exclaimed, lowering her body and readied to sprint. "I need a name for this… Then…"

"Eyes of Yahata… Sukukaja!"

(Eyes of Yahata: Majesty's Analysis skill. Allow her to see foe's information, and be able to copy a selected number of skills from teammates or foes.)

"Huh, wait what-" Before Raven could realize what she just said, his eyes widened as a familiar green aura covered her. "No way…"

Feeling a sense of weightlessness washed over her body, Majesty sprung to her feet. And she dashed, as the trail of flame followed, just like a stroke on a canvas.

Leaped to the air, she instantly slashed down and clashed with the shadow's body. And before it could react to what just happened, she immediately tightened her grip, and did another cross slash.

Then another three more, before a small gap of her attacks was just enough for Kushinada to fight back. Eyes flashed, it quickly knocked them back, and the aura around it changed again.

"It's affinity changed again…" Majesty concentrated, and quickly checked its new affinity. "Just as I thought."

"Jester, Raven! Use ailment on it again!" She exclaimed, and the flame on her blade started to burn with multiple colors with the Psy energy. "Blade of Yomi, Second form!"

"Psycho Flame!"

With the colored flame burned brightly, the Shogi player sprung to her feet. As another wave of ice shards hit the shadow, freezing its feet at its place. And not letting it even have another chance to change her affinity, another light-filled bullet hit it. Exploding and blinded the shadow, giving Majesty the perfect opportunity.

"Killing Joke!" Seeing the despair appearing on the Kushinada, Jester felt a smirk crept up on his face.

Leaped to the air, Majesty's gaze locked onto the shadow, and slashed it across. Letting the trail of Psy-filled fire explode, knocking it down.

Taking this opportunity, the leader readied his scythe. "Now, let's finish this! All-Out Attack!"

Without a second thought, the four immediately sprinted at full speed, attacking the shadow without mercy.

Landing with a smooth crouch, Majesty calmly took a few steps forward. Raising her right hand and snapped her finger as the shadow exploded in black ooze.

"All According To The Plan, Checkmate."

As the guard before them fell, the gate opened on its own, revealing a lone staircase. A line of white in a black void.

"That's convenient," Swan deadpanned, re-chambering another round in her sniper rifle. "I'm not trusting this."

"Same," Raven nodded. "It's just too much inconsistency in this palace in general…"

"Don't worry, I can check is there any trap," Majesty stepped up, taking the first step toward the stairs. "And the treasure is in front of us, isn't it?"

"Well… As much as how suspicious it is…" Giving out a long sigh, Jester put his scythe on his back. "I guess we have no choice. Let's go."

Even though they're reluctant, but the thieves followed.

Surprisingly, the stair was void of any traps or encounters. It was just an… absurdly long, but still normal staircase. Reaching the end of it, they came face-to-face with a large and empty hall.

Still surrounded by a black void, the floor below them looked like they were made from stone. Just like something that belonged to the past.

However, with each step, Majesty's Deja Vu of this place only grew bigger and bigger. It was just like that one time, the one time she saw the inside of this palace.

Maybe it was because of her connection to her cognitive self? Or just Odani-dono giving away a hint of information, to subtly urge her to come into the palace as well.

However, as they reached the end. Her Deja Vu was confirmed.

Standing before them was a large red Shinto, leading them to an old traditional Shrine. And from what could see from the opened door, it was a coffin, a wooden coffin in the middle of it.

However, between the Shinto and the shrine, floating in the middle of the large space was a white orb. Shined bright inside the dark void surrounded it.

"So… so this is where that vision was located…" Murmuring to herself, Majesty scanned through her surrounding. "But… why did it happen?"

"Aha, so here's the treasure," Unaware of Majesty's murmurs, Jester giving out a breath of relief as the treasure came into their view. "Finally."

"It looked just like the one in Kamoshida's palace though…" Trailing off, Swan only groaned in slight annoyance. "Then that means we needed to send a calling card to Togo-san."

"Well, we can talk about it when we got back to the real world," the leader answered, adjusting his tophat. "But the route is secured, let's head back."


[outside of the Togo Residence]

Back in the real world, there was a bit of silence between the four thieves at first. Maybe it's just the nervousness. After all, this would be their first own fight, just four of them. Ren and their group wouldn't be helping them this time.

"So when are we going to do the heist?" Shiho asked, crossing her arms and leaned against the fences. "Now we got the route secured, it's just that… and maybe a fight with Togo-san's shadow."

"Well, it's best to finish this as soon as possible," Akira sighed. "For Togo-san's sake, and your's too, Hifumi."

"I know," Hifumi nodded, clutching her eyes shut for a moment and pondered. "But… Then… What about we do the heist tomorrow?"

"Even though Akira said that it's best to finish to it as soon as possible, but it might be a bit too much though…" Trailing off, she found herself started to regret suggesting that, and this feeling only intensified by each passing second.

"No, I'm fine with it," Keigo shook his head in response, pushing his glasses. "We're still alright after that whole fight, especially with your help… I think we still have enough strength for another big fight."

"Keigo's right, I still got strength," Akira laughed, stretching his arms up into the air. "All it takes is just a good night's sleep, after all."

"Same for me," Shiho added. "So then… now it's just with the calling card, right?"

"Calling card?" Hifumi asked, her head tilted in slight confusion.

"Oh right, we never tell you about it," Rubbing the back of his neck, Akira pondered for a moment, recalling his memory of before. "So basically… we need to make Togo-san aware of her desire is going to be stolen. So that while blob… thingy would materialize to something we can steal."

"Ah, so that's why you had to send that card to Kamoshida," Keigo said, nodding out of realization. "I've been questioning about that for a while now, but now it makes sense…"

"But that card though…"

"It wasn't by us," Cutting him off, Shiho gave out a long breath. "Well… let's just say if we're gonna write the calling card, it'd be much better than that one."

"Wait, how bad was that calling card?" Confused and out of the loop with what they were talking about, Hifumi asked. "It wouldn't be THAT bad, right?"

And for a second there, silence filled the area between them. As Hifumi's eyes slowly widened in realization, and a bit of disbelief.

"W-well…" Trailing off, Akira's gaze darted between both Shiho and Keigo before landing back on her. "I guess the first line of that calling card is good enough evidence of how bad it was…"

Clearing his throat, he paused for short while, just for dramatic effect. And possibly to recount the calling card's content from his distant memory. "Dear Kamoshida Suguru, the utter bastard of lust…"

"O-okay, I get the picture now," Interrupting him, Hifumi had to try and suppress the shiver from cringe (probably). "…That line was… vulgar. In a sense. I hope you get what I mean, but it… just came off like someone who's just vulgar…"

"Wow, you managed to derisive Sakamoto in one word," Shiho blinked in surprise. "Well… I never knew you were this good in things like this too!"

"O-oh, it's just I uh… stick around too long with Hinaki, that's all," Looking away with slight embarrassment, the Shogi player hastily shook her head and pulled back the subject matter. "Anyway, back on topic. About our calling card… can I be the one who wrote it?"

"I guess… it's just a bit personal for me…"

"Of course you can," Shiho said reassuringly. "After all, you're Togo-san's daughter. You should be the one who writes it."

"I agree with Shiho," Akira nodded.

"I can make the card itself, there are already a few ideas of design in my head anyway," Keigo followed, taking out his phone and opened his options for the calling card's template. "Just send the text over on iM. I'll do the rest and send you the card in the morning."

"Okay, so we're sending the calling card tomorrow, right?" With everyone's nod beside him, Akira left the railing he was leaning against, stretching his arms. "Well, we're gonna have a busy day tomorrow, thank god it's a Sunday…"

"But we can do it, I'm sure," He smiled, resting his palms against his waist. "We're The Fools, after all."

With that said, the thieves called it a day and returned to their homes. Preparing for the calling card and the heist tomorrow.


[May 22nd, Morning, Togo Household, Mitsuyo's room]

Eyes widened, Mitsuyo found her head tilted as she saw the small card placed before her. At first sight, it looked just a bit bigger than a name card. However, the blue zero on the black background just gave off a weird sense.

Picking the card up, she turned it around and read what was on it. And her eyes only widened further, as her hands started shaking.

"Togo Mitsuyo,

The Empress of Grief,

We know how much you have been fixing your daughter's matches to retain the honor of Togo Mamoru. And how the grief of his passing made you fell into a spiral.

Even though we understand why did you do it, but we still have to do the right thing. For her, and you.

We will free your heart from the chain of grief bounded around you. To free you from the prison disguised as a palace, to steal the distorted desire inside your heart.

We will change your heart, and save you from the spiral of grief.

From,

The Phantom Thieves of Heart,

The Fools."

As she read everything written on the card, once, twice, thrice, and more… Mitsuyo didn't know what kind of reaction she should, or could have at the spot.

She could be angry or even furious at this. The fact that anyone would just write something like this… claiming that they could save her… To change her heart. It should be laughable, and she should be angry.

But… there was only one person who would know this. It was Hifumi, right? The look she always gave her during dinner, the number of times she came in to check on her…

She would be the only person who knew how much of her heart was bounded by Mamoru's death. Just like… when he died, a piece of her died with him.

Before she could realize it, Mitsuyo found herself started laughing. It wasn't directed toward anyone, it was at herself, and no one else. How much pain did she force Hifumi to experience with her?

She wasn't a good mother. She didn't deserve to be a mother.

It's just that… Hifumi was naive, a bit too naive. To believe that there was a way to save her from all of that… Just like what Mamoru once said about her being his light, it was the same for her too.

Everything was just…

"…Hifumi…" Chocked between her laughter, Mitsuyo felt tears slowly poured down her cheeks. "W-why did she had to…"

As her mouth slowly dragged down by gravity, and the tears intensified… Maybe it was guilt, maybe it was grief, maybe it was… something. But she found emotion erupted like a broken dam.

Why did Hifumi have to be this caring for her? When she found out everything about fixing matches, she should be angry. She should hate her, but she just… never did.

"Mother, just… I understand why you did that. But… I don't think father would like to see us like this…"

Burying her face with her palms, Mitsuyo wept. The guilt of making Hifumi worried this much about her, making Hifumi sad because of how much grief she let herself sink into.

However, she didn't notice the said Shogi player watching her through the crack of the room's door. Feeling her grip on the doorknob tightened, Hifumi wanted to rush in and comfort her. Seeing how she wept… it hurt.

Taking a deep breath, Hifumi twisted the door knock and opened the door. "M-mother…" Swallowing a lump in her throat, she was about to take a step forward before the world around her distorted like a broken TV.

A split second later, only a void of darkness surrounded Hifumi. And right in front of her was Shadow Mitsuyo, the empress herself.

"So… it's today, right?" The Empress asked, her gaze down-casted.

"Y-yes, it's today," Hesitantly nodded, Hifumi felt the sense of nervousness intensified with every second. "Just… hang in there, I am going to save you-"

"You can't. It's too late," Inerrtutped her, shadow Mitsuyo took out a fan and covered her face's lower half. "There's no other way-"

"No, there are other ways, I'm sure of it,"

The empress stayed silent and averted her gaze away from her daughter. Maybe there was a hint of hope inside her, a hope for freedom from those chains.

"I… I don't know."

"Have faith in me, and my friends," Feeling her fist tightened, Hifumi took a step forward. "We will save you."

"…Then tell them that I will be waiting for you," Gaining a bit more firm in her voice, she closed the fan and dropped her hand. "I will be waiting, on the top of the palace. Before the shrine I built for Mamoru."

Even though she wanted to say many other things, but all Hifumi could do was a nod. "Okay, we won't make you wait for too long."

"Good."

With that said, the world around Hifumi returned to normal, and the real Mitsuyo's weeping continued, not noticing that her daughter was standing behind her.

Quickly grabbed a few pieces of tissue from the box aside, the daughter handed them to her. "Here mom… just…"

"…H-Hifumi…" Choked between the word, Mitsuyo took the tissue and nodded. "I-I'm okay… I just need some time alone…"

Teeth gritted, Hifumi wanted to say something to comfort her, but…

'Screw it, if I had to expose myself, so be it,' Shaking her head, she crouched to her eye-level and held her hand. "Mom… don't worry about it. Everything will be alright," She said, with a confident smile on her face.

"And… I think I should give you some time alone," With that said, Hifumi left the room, closing the door behind her.

Taking a deep breath, she took out her phone and messaged in the group chat.

Hifumi: Mom's shadow is waiting for us in the palace.

Hifumi: Let's change her heart.

(to be continued)


Preview:

Waiting in the promised land, Togo Mitsuyo readied her weapon.

For one last fight.

And the toughest battle they had faced await The Fools.

However, they won't give up.

Next Chapter:

"Tsume Problems"

Stay tuned!


Well, Chapter 29 is finally here! At least it's within a month before the next chapter.

The calling card is finally sent! And the battle with Mitsuyo is just around the corner.

Let's hope I won't take too long for that one though, even though the fight is becoming more complicated than I expected XD.

And well, the Mitsuyo battle is slowly turning into one of the most unique battles and palaces in general XD.

Review response:

Jake Hallows: Oh, thank you :D. And for the Keigo part, I've changed that a while ago, so it's 'Frenchman' now. So yeah.

But thanks for leaving regular reviews though.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the story so far, and Reviews are definitely welcomed!