AN: Really good timing with this chapter, being on the same day as a new HB episode, huh?

Chapter 25: It's All in the Cards

June 24

Shin: Hey. Hope you didn't forget our deal. If you want to learn to defend yourself, meet me outside the front of the school. Or don't. It's your choice, really.

Ren: I'll be there.

Shin: Good. And bring that cousin of yours as well.

"Ah, you decided to show up," Shin greeted as Ren and Octavia approached him. "You must really be serious about learning what I have to offer then."

"Of course we are," Ren said with confidence.

"Then let's get going," Shin nodded. The third year took the two of them to the park, where he set down a bag and pulled out a pair of fingerless gloves, slipping them on. "So, if you want to know how to fight, here's your first lesson: pick your battles and only resort to violence when absolutely necessary."

"That seems a bit counter intuitive for learning to fight," Octavia noted.

Shin rolled his eyes. "Sure, it sounds that way, but anyone that knows how to scrap also knows when it's better to simply get away. Like I said when we first made this deal, I don't want Amamiya-kun to be beating down on other students. If you learn discipline and control first, then you'll have a better understanding of when to use what I teach you."

"I guess that makes sense," Ren nodded. "You seem to have a lot of experience in that subject, Igami-sensei."

"I had a good teacher myself. Just passing on his knowledge," Shin replied. "Now then, your second lesson is to use your environment to your advantage. See a trash can? Knock it over to make it harder for your opponents to get to you. Find a working water hose? Spray them down to keep your enemy at a distance. If you can make for a quick escape and slow down your pursuers, then you'll be one step ahead of the game."

"Yeah, that makes sense," Octavia nodded.

Shin smiled. "Now then, what do you think you could use in this park to your advantage?"

"The trees, obviously," Ren said. "I could climb up one and have the higher ground."

"True, but it could also turn into you being trapped in one spot," Shin pointed out. "The lake over there would be a good spot to run to as well. Of course, if you're in an open space like this park, there are plenty of places like the trees for you to hide around. If we were in the city, hiding in the crowds is another good way of getting your enemies off your back."

"Still not actual fighting techniques, though," Octavia muttered.

Shin looked at her, then reached into his bag and tossed a soda to her. "Well, if you want an actual fighting technique, then how about creating a distraction? If you can catch your opponent off-guard, then they'll be more susceptible to getting blindsided by your own attack. Shake up that soda and open it in their face, and what happens?"

"It turns into a blinding distraction, like a smoke bomb," Ren said.

"Sure, but this isn't a movie where you can just pull out ninja tools," Shin chuckled. "And tying back into lesson two, there's plenty of stuff just lying around you could use in a similar way."

"I get the feeling that your lessons are all going to tie into each other like that," Octavia mused.

Shin shrugged. "That's just how I like it. I work as one unit, so making sure that all the parts work is my own thing. Like a motorcycle: if you didn't have the wheels, you wouldn't get anywhere."

'I feel like our bond with Shin is growing stronger…' Octavia and Ren thought.

"But enough of that. I can at least show you some basic punches," Shin said, cracking his knuckles. "Square up, Ren. Let's see what you've got." The boys spent the rest of the day training, while Octavia caught up on some reading, occasionally answering questions from Shin. By the end of the training, Ren was just a bit more proficient and confident in himself and his fighting skills. Maybe even a bit more gutsy, if he was to be bold…

[***]

June 25

Octavia: Hey Ren. Just wanted to see if you're down to hang out today. I think there's some things we need to talk about after everything that's happened recently.

Ren: I'm free whenever.

Octavia: Thanks. Let's just meet at the hideout. We'll be the only ones there today.

Octavia took a deep breath, smelling the fresh coffee Ren had made as she thought carefully about what she wanted to say. "Okay, so… God, where do I begin with this topic? Remember how I said there was a certain incident regarding my father that strained my family's reputation in Hell? That's what I want to talk about today." The Goetia frowned as she dredged up the memories. "To put it plainly, my father cheated on my mother… with an imp of all demons."

"I'm guessing that's bad," Ren said. "I mean, cheating on your spouse in general is a bad move, but the way you put it makes it sound like who he cheated with is more important that the action itself."

"Yeah, sleeping with a "lowborn" demon as imps are sometimes called is a big taboo to the Goetia, unless you're Asmodeus because he's literally the embodiment of Lust and can get with whoever he wants," Octavia explained. "Anyways, as if sleeping with an imp wasn't enough, said imp then made the affair known to my mother by literally crashing her tea party. Her screams woke me up that morning, and it honestly only got worse from there."

"Did your dad apologize?" Ren asked.

Octavia gave a bitter laugh. "What, you think he'd apologize? He was elated at how pissed my mom was, say that it was the, and these are his words, "the sound of a fucking divorce." If only he had the guts to actually go through with it, then and there. The next day he practically backtracked and tried his best to appease Mom, but at that point she was too pissed to be reasoned with…"

Ren sat in silence as Octavia continued her rant. "And I know that he said he'd never abandon me for that imp, but sometimes it feels like he's just saying that so that I don't… I don't know, turn against him or something? Because for as much as he says he loves me, he's honestly really shit at actually showing that to me. He tried to take me to an amusement park once, one I haven't liked since I was a little girl, but he spent most of the time flirting with his imp instead…"

Ren moved closer and put an arm around Octavia's shoulder in comfort. "I can tell that this affair is weighing on you. Is part of the reason you accepted to come help me here on Earth so you could get some distance between you guys?"

"Partially…" Octavia sighed. "I was just… tired of all the shouting between my parents. I know they can't stand each other, but I hate that they act like I can't see what's going on. At least with this affair my mom is more honest about those feelings, even if it's in the most loud and worst way possible. Dad… he just wants to act like nothing is wrong half the time…" She wiped away a tear she felt coming down her cheek. "There is something I'm leaving out, though… the imp my dad is seeing, is Blitz."

"Loona's dad?" Ren asked.

Octavia nodded. "Yeah. Apparently, Blitz has been using my family's grimoire to come to the human realm for his assassination business, on the condition that he continues seeing my dad on a monthly basis. Of course, that deal is null now that IMP have Asmodean Crystals, but still…" She looked away. "Honestly, for as much resentment as I have for Blitz and his part in my family's drama, I'm trying- and I mean really, really trying- to not let that fact get in the way of Loona and I's friendship. She doesn't deserve for me to hate her because of who her dad happens to be."

Ren hummed. "It must be hard, though. You're still a kid, and you don't deserve to have to deal with the fallout of adults making bad decisions."

"Heh, says the guy with a criminal record because of adults and their stupid decisions," Octavia chuckled. "Thanks for getting me to laugh, Ren. Whenever we have time to talk, it makes my shoulders feel lighter." She sighed and took a sip of her coffee. "I hope that after this ordeal is over with, I'll be able to fix my relationship with my dad. I think our time apart will let both of us reflect on how we can do better… and that goes for both of my parents. My mom is a right piece of work with her anger issues among other things, but I know she cares for me too. They may be divorced now, but I don't want to give up on either of them… It's just…"

"Hard to forgive things that affect you emotionally," Ren finished her thought. "You know, the Phantom Thieves could always pay them a visit if need be."

Octavia spit out some of her coffee in a laugh. "Hah, don't joke about that! Besides, with how Hell is as a place, would Shadows or Palaces even be able to appear?"

"I guess it is kinda silly, but you never know," Ren chuckled. "Now then, how about we talk about something more lighter? It doesn't even have to be about magic."

"Well, I could explain to you about Goth fashion," Octavia mused. "I think you could easily fit into the goth scene if you tried, Ren."

"Then inform me, master," Ren said, giving a mock bow.

"Okay, now the jokes are a bit much," Octavia said, covering her mouth to hide her grin. The cousins enjoyed having some small talk, letting their worries and fears float away as they just had a moment to be just teenagers.

Ryuji: Y'know, I've been curious… What's Kosei like? Is it filled with guys like Yusuke?
Ann: I imagine there are a lot of… "different" people there.

Yusuke: Now that you mention it, I have one very interesting classmate. She is a female shogi player, and seemingly quite the skilled one at that.

Makoto: Are you talking about Hifumi Togo? I remember hearing she's a student at Kosei. They say she's the most beautiful shogi player around right now.

Ryuji: Dude, that sounds too good to be true! Gimme some more info!

Loona: Someone sounds desperate…

Yusuke: I do not know much about it. She is not the kind of person to let others close to her.

Makoto: It sounds like she only focuses on her shogi pursuits. After all, it's said she is a lone genius…

Yusuke: However, I have heard she is commonly seen at the church over in Kanda.

Collin: Oh, that's the church I found! Now that I think about it, there is a girl a Kosei uniform that usually playing with tiles at a pew by herself… That must be Hifumi.

Ryuji: For real!? We gotta go!

Loona: You'll probably get struck down by a bolt of lightning if you're going for that ulterior motive.

Ryuji: That ain't it! This is for the Phantom Thieves! I mean, shogi's a kinda battle, right? She's gotta know all sorts of insane strategies and stuff!

Ann: Uh…

Yusuke: That is quite the stretch.

Collin: Church is a holy place. Don't do this, Ryuji. I forbid it!

Ryuji: Urgh, you guys're gonna pay for this one day! Ren, you go spy on her for me! Find out if she's really as cute as they say she is.

[***]

June 26

"…So, let me get this straight: You got your fortune read, bought a 'Holy Stone' to protect yourself from ruin, and it turned out that said stone was actually just rock salt and you got scammed," Octavia recapped.

"Pretty much," Morgana nodded.

"I should have been more careful and less impulsive," Ren admitted.

"If you want your fortune read, just ask me and I can ask Dad. He's got some skills in that field… I think," Octavia said. She looked over to see the fortune teller, one Chihaya Mifune, already talking to another client. "Looks like she's already with someone else. How about we listen in to see what she's going about now?"

Ren nodded, the two listening in on what Chihaya was talking about. "How are you healing?" the fortune teller asked.

"I-I'm fine. It's my fault anyway, Yuya said so…" the client replied. "He says he doesn't want to hit me, but I just make him so mad…"

"I suggest you break up with him. Things are only going to get worse at this rate," Chihaya said.

"B-But I'm the only person that cares about him! If I leave, how will he survive?" the woman said. "Please, is there any other way?"

Chihaya shook her head. "Let us ask the tarot. O divine power, shed light upon her fate…" She spread out her cards and flipped them over one by one. Octavia let out a small noise as she saw the faintest flash of light as the final card was turned over. "Yes, I've seen everything. Hm… I can sense a dark presence within your boyfriend. His heart seems to be possessed by a demon. This demon may hide itself away at times, but when it strikes, it will bring with it great misery."

"Wh-What kind of misery?" the woman asked nervously.

"You will be hospitalized for severe injuries in a domestic abuse incident, and he will be arrested," Chihaya said.

"What? Hospitalized? A-Arrested!?" The woman gasped. "I knew I shouldn't have let Yuya throw my Holy Stone away! He said I shouldn't be wasting my money on some dumb rock… that I should be giving it to him instead. This is my punishment for letting him do that, right? Please, let me buy another one from you!"

Chihaya looked surprised. "Wh-What? You want another?"

The woman nodded. "My next stone will need to be even bigger. I'm a little low on cash at the moment… but you said I can pay in up to thirty-six installments, right?"

"Um, truthfully, I feel breaking up with him would be the best-" Chihaya tried to say.

"I can't abandon Yuya!" the woman insisted.

"She really thinks her boyfriend will stop being abusive as long as she has a Holy Stone?" Morgana questioned. "There's no way that could be true… right?"

"It's just rock salt," Octavia said.

Morgana nodded. "Right. It would make our jobs way easier if you could really change someone's heart with a Holy Stone. It's clear that Chihaya has some fortune telling skills, but that stone isn't going to do anything…"

"You know, we could always change that "Yuya" guy's heart ourselves," Octavia suggested.

"We could!" Morgana grinned. "I mean, he's hurting this woman here, right? This is the perfect chance for the Phantom Thieves to save her!"

"Hm? Meowing?" Chihaya tilted her head in confusion at the noise, before looking over to see the trio standing there. "H-Hey! Were you eavesdropping on us? That's an invasion of privacy, you know!"

"It's not good to scam people," Ren said as he walked over.

"I don't appreciate your accusation!" Chihaya huffed. She turned back to her client. "You see, some fates in this world are simply inescapable. The demon within your boyfriend's heart… cannot be exorcised by normal human methodologies. Fate is… absolute. A-Although, I guess you might be able to control the demon's power if you bought another Holy Stone…" She went silent.

"U-Um, I'm not entirely sure who you are…" the woman said to the teens. "But do you know of any other way I can approach this problem?"

"Ever heard of the Phantom Thieves?" Octavia asked. "It's said they can change the heart of the wicked, those that act like they're possessed by demons. If you give them their full name on the Phan-Site, they can change your boyfriend's heart."

"Huh? Phantom Thieves?" the woman said. "I heard about them in a news article, I think… Do you really think they'd change his heart?"

"It's worth a try, and it won't even cost you a cent," Ren nodded, pulling up the Phan-Site. Just put his name in here and what your problems are.

"N-Now wait just a second!" Chihaya said, but the woman had already typed up her post, with the name Yuya Uchimura coming up in Octavia's Metaverse Nav as well as a Mementos Shadow. "What do you expect you happen, putting this woman's worries in the hands of strangers?"

"The Phantom Thieves are going to change fate. You'll see," Octavia said vaguely.

"I…I trust them," the woman said quietly.

"Excuse me!?" Chihaya said in surprise, a bit of a county accent slipping out.

"It feels like they're telling the truth," the woman explained. "Besides, Yuya has all my money. He's going to pay me back someday… But for now, I would rather put my trust in the Phantom Thieves than in thirty-six payments for a Holy Stone."

"What!?" Chihaya exclaimed. As the woman walked off, the fortune teller looked at the teens angerly. "You! What do you think you're doing!? If you keep making false accusations like that, the divine power will rain punishment down upon you!"

She paused as both Ren and Octavia shared a knowing look. "You look so pleased with yourself… Hm, I've seen everything. A vision of you groveling on the ground… Fate cannot be changed… and I will prove that fact to you! If that woman stays with her abusive boyfriend, she will meet a horrible injury within a year's time. Now, if you honestly believe you or those Phantom Thieves can change destiny, go ahead and try! But once you realize the error in your thinking, come back and let a true expert handle things. I will save her… with a Holy stone!"

"Just you wait, and we'll show you that fate can change," Octavia said with confidence.

Chihaya huffed. "Well then, are we done here? I'm way too busy for this!"

"I don't see a line," Octavia teased, feeling satisfaction as they walked off. "I think it's time to fulfill some Mementos requests, Joker…"

[***]

June 27

Adventuring down into Mementos, the Phantom Thieves cleared out some new requests, including a teen blackmailing other kids into being bullies in his stead, a shop manager overworking and blackmailing his employees, and taking down a burglary ring. In Chemdah, the team eventually found the request they were looking for. "There it is. That should be the Shadow of the man named Uchimura," Mona said.

"He's abusing his girlfriend, right?" Panther recalled.

Omen nodded. "The fortune teller said that he'll eventually hurt his girlfriend to the point of hospitalization. We can't just let that happen."

"We need to change his heart, and fast!" Templar exclaimed.

"Dammit… I gambled away all my money again…" the Shadow cursed. "Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit! Where is she? Get over here, so I can beat you!"

"Don't beat your girlfriend," Joker said, getting the Shadow's attention.

"What!? Don't you dare lecture me! She's mine! I can do whatever I want with her!" the Shadow ranted. "Beating her is a right that only I have! I'll have you know that she loves it too! If you wanna get in my way, then you're gonna die!" He turned into his true form, a Fuu-ki. "I'm gonna punch you too!"

"Nothing we haven't faced before," Omen smirked. "I remember this Shadow type resisting physical attacks last time. Let's get our magic on!" The Phantom Thieves poked at the Shadow with magic, with Fox even managing to get a frozen effect off on their enemy.

"Hm, that seemed easier than normal," the artist mused. "That training of yours is paying off, Joker."

"Let's strike while he's down!" Queen called, Templar nodding as he stabbed his spear into the Shadow, knocking it down.

"Time to mess this guy up!" Lycan shouted, the Phantom Thieves rushing in for an All-Out Attack, ending the battle.

"Why'd it… turn out this way…?" the Shadow groaned before returning to normal. "I hate it, I hate it when people look at me like I'm just a bug to them… I can do better… I'm a superior human being... All the people around me just don't get it…" He faded away and Joker took the treasure.

"Phew… The right to beat his girlfriend? He was really the worst of the worst to think that," Mona frowned.

"We changed his heart, so let's go tell the fortune teller when we get the chance," Omen said. As the gang went to head out, the Mona Bus suddenly halted as someone on a motorcycle suddenly rushed past them.

"What the-!?" Mona exclaimed.

"Was that… someone on a motorcycle?" Lycan questioned.

"The Black Mask?" Omen wondered. She suddenly felt an evil presence in the air, and the others shuttered as well as the sound of chains started to get closer to them.

"Oh shit… is that the freaking Reaper!?" Skull shouted.

"Punch in, Lycan!" Queen ordered, the hellhound quickly nodding as she gunned it for the nearest terminal, the gang escaping back to the entrance of Mementos before the Reaper could catch them.

"We all saw that, right?" Templar asked nervously.

"Indeed. There was another person down here in Mementos with us," Fox nodded.

"This could be bad… but it seemed like that guy on the motorcycle was too focused on escaping the Reaper to notice us," Mona noted.

"If we see him down here again, let's chase him down," Joker suggested. "Then we can get some answers as to what his goals are."

"And if he- or she- is a friend or foe," Omen nodded. "For now, though, let's just head back to the real world. Running for your life from the embodiment of death really takes a lot out of you…"

[***]

June 28

The next night, Ren and Octavia returned to Chihaya to report the change of heart. "Well? Did her fate change?" the fortune teller asked. "I have doubts if those Phantom Thieves are even real or not…"

"Why don't you do a reading and find out?" Octavia said with a hit of smugness.

"Fine, let's see then. Please sit down," Chihaya said. Ren took the stool while Octavia sat on the nearby railing. Ren explained that the Phantom Thieves had changed Yaya's heart, even showing the confirmation post, making Chihaya gasp. "G-Goodness gracious! Her boyfriend stopped abusing her? I don't believe it! But even if he did stop, her fate should still be heading down the path of misery, without changing! I mean… look!"

Chihaya quickly did a reading, Octavia seeing the flash of light again. "What!? The sequence of arcana has completely changed! "Death" has moved far off into the future…" she said in disbelief.

"Fate is not absolute," Ren said.

"Hearts can be changed," Octavia added.

Chihaya cringed. "No, no, no! This must be some sort of trick. What are you, a scam artist? You made a deal with her boyfriend or something, didn't you?"

"No deals. We just persuaded him," Octavia said vaguely.

"That's an obvious lie! It couldn't have been that simple…" Chihaya grumbled. "Did you plunge him into Tokyo Bay, or cram him into a metal drum and dump insects on him? You must've taken some sort of extreme measures!"

"Yeah, like this guy is capable of that stuff," Octavia scoffed.

"I'm just an ordinary student," Ren said.

"Well… you certainly do seem ordinary… Yes, quite ordinary, indeed," Chihaya sighed. "But there's no way that couldn't happened… without you breaking the law. I mean, how could an ordinary high school student change the course of fate?" She looked up at the two. "Fine. I'm just going to have to verify your power. The very power to reverse my tarot card prediction!"

"Wha…?" Octavia tilted her head in confusion.

"This is quite a serious situation for a fortune teller like me. I need to get to the bottom of this," Chihaya said seriously. "You won't have to do anything. Just sit next to me while I tell fortunes. And if another unopposable fate happens to appear… then I'll test your power."

"And what do you we get out of this?" Octavia asked.

Chihaya hummed in thought. "Oh, I know… I'll read your fortune! Please? I'll even prioritize your readings over my regular customers. Besides, I'll be able to provide much more accurate predictions once I get to know you better! How does that sound? Is it a deal?" She sighed. "Otherwise, I won't be able to go on… Please, I beg you… I need to know if fate truly can be changed…"

"All right, just don't start crying," Octavia sighed.

"I suppose you do seem useful," Ren nodded.

Chihaya perked up. "Oh, I am! I am! Okay then, I look forward to verifying your "skills"! Please don't blow me off, okay? We made a deal, after all." Ren and Octavia felt a bond form between them and Chihaya, which to no surprise to Octavia turned out to be the Fortune arcana.

'Hah, no surprise there…' she thought. 'Although, I feel like there is a bit more in common between us and Chihaya than any of us know yet, for some reason…'

"Is fate… really something that can be changed?" Chihaya said to herself. "If it's really possible, then…" She looked down. "Oh, it's getting late! Let's close up shop for today. It's past your curfew…"

"Here's our contact info," Octavia said, holding out her phone.

"Oh, good idea!" Chihaya said, taking her and Ren's phone to add a contact page. "There we go! I'll be contacting you soon, so please come for the verification test, okay? I suggest you don't try to get out of it. Or else, who knows what kind of black magic I'll have to resort to…?"

"Nothing I can't do better," Octavia scoffed.

"We'll be there," Ren answered a bit more seriously.

"Great! Now our deal is official!" Chihaya cheered. "Sorry for taking up so much of your time. Please be careful on your way home. I'll see you soon." With that the three parted ways, a new confidant having been formed that night.

[***]

June 30

Chihaya: I really want to verify your skills! I have the perfect client for your test. When's a good time for you?

Ren: We'll be right there.

Chihaya: I'll be waiting for you at my shop! I'm going to expose your so-called skills! You can't fool me!

"Good evening," Chihaya greeted her client. Ren and Octavia were seated on either side of the fortune teller.

"Hell there, Mifune-sensei. I can't wait for today's session. Your last prediction was practically perfect," the client said. She looked at the teens. "By the way, um… who are these kids?"

Chihaya shook her head. "Oh, you needn't mind them. They're just my apprentices. If anything, you can think of them as human-sized stuffed animals. I mean, look how fluffy their hair is." Ren sighed as Octavia subconsciously reached up, touching at her bangs to feel if they really were fluffy or not.

"Wait… So he's okay with working for a woman, even though he's a guy?" the lady questioned. She sighed. "Something like that is just unthinkable in my line of work…"

"I take that to mean something else has happened with your job?" Chihaya guessed.

"Yes. A male coworker of mine was given all the credit for a successful project I poured my soul into," the lady explained. "And do you know what my boss told me? He said it was just the natural order of things, because I'm a woman."

"How terrible!" Chihaya said. Octavia nodded in agreement, all too familiar with sexism in the workplace, or Hell's royal families in her case.

"That's why I'm thinking of leaving and starting up my own business! I've actually been planning for some time," the woman continued. "I'm not sure if we'll be able to find a foothold in the market though…"

"In that case, let's ask the tarot!" Chihaya suggested, spreading out her cards. "Show us the truth, O divine power…" She flipped the cards over. "Yes… I've seen everything. Hm, the cards have appeared in reverse. In other words… it seems as though your business is doomed to failure."

"No! Wh-What should I do!?" the woman gasped.

"I'm sorry… but in this case, it appears your fate in inescapable," Chihaya said, looking down.

"Inescapable?" Octavia repeated. "Ren, what do you think?" He sudden shot up in surprise. "Where you even listening?"

Chihaya sighed. "What can we do to help this woman who is so oppressed by the savagery of a male-dominated work environment?"

Ren thought about his answer before replying, "Encourage her."

"What?" Chihaya scoffed. "It's a little idealistic to expect that will actually work… Incidentally, what would you say if you wanted to encourage her?"

"Overturn your fate!" Ren exclaimed with passion.

"Don't be so irresponsible! That's simply not an option!" Chihaya scowled. "How can you expect her to overturn that which is inescapable!?"

"Overturning fate?" the woman repeated. "That's right… I don't have to follow the rules of this oppressive society! I can do it… I'll reshape every aspect of my antiquated industry!"

"You go for it!" Octavia encouraged.

The woman nodded. "My mind is made up. I'm going to quit my job and set off on my own private business venture! And even if I fail, at least I won't be wasting away doing busywork for that sexist bastard anymore… Thank you, children! If you'll excuse me, Mifune-sensei."

"H-Huh…?" Chihaya said in shock. The woman then got up and left, leaving the fortune teller to scowl at her students. "You're far too irresponsible, Amamiya-san! Her misfortune has already been made clear!" She looked down at her cards. "The cards will surely back me up on that… Wh-What!? I-It seems the sequence of cards has changed… Her financial future is now appearing as extremely successful!" She looked at the teens. "What did you do? Are you… Are you psychic? Did you use your powers to change the order of the cards!? My divine power is capable of sending people like you down to the depths of hell, you know!"

"Good luck, I already live there," Octavia joked.

Chihaya groaned. "Yes… That has to be it. That's the only way this could happen… Fate cannot be changed. Fate is absolute… That is how it must be."

"You're so stubborn," Octavia shook her head.

"Open your mind to change," Ren encouraged.

"That may not be such a bad idea…" Chihaya admitted. "But if that possibility were the truth, how would I keep my Holy Stone business intact?"

"You actually want to sell salt rocks?" Octavia raised an eyebrow.

Chihaya snapped her head up. "A-Anyway! You've changed the flow of destiny twice now, both times coming before my very eyes… It seems this verification process is turning out to be much more meaningful than I expected! You'll come back again soon, right? Promise me!"

"We promise…" Octavia said, shaking her head. "So needy…"

Confidant Rank Up

Confidant: Octavia Goetia

Arcana: Aeon

Rank 4 Description: Octavia opened up to you about the situation involving her father. Despite her mixed feelings she still wants to be on good terms with both of her parents.

Rank 4 Ability: Goth Talk- If negotiation with a gloomy Shadow fails, you can try again.

Confidant Rank Up

Confidant: Shin Igami

Arcana: Void

Rank 2 Description: You trained in in the park with Shin and Octavia. He taught you some essentials in using your environment to evade and subdue enemies in combat.

Rank 2 Ability: Ailment Boost- raises the change of status effects to take hold against enemies.

Author's Note

This and the next chapter are going to be a lot of Confidant ranks, mostly because we finished up the Kaneshiro Palace so early. It's time to increase our bonds! First up is Shin, who gives some sage advice to Ren when it comes to battles. His new Confidant skill "Aliment Boost" is one that makes it easier to land status effects, unless an enemy blocks status skills. I can see this ability getting broken pretty fast if paired up with the advanced technical skills Joker gets from playing billiards.

Octavia gets a new rank up, with "Goth Talk" being her signature negotiation skill that all party members give Joker. I hope I portrayed her mixed feelings regarding the Stolas/Blitzo affair well. She doesn't hate her father, but she also wants some space for the time being. Luckily she has Ren, Loona, and the rest of the Phantom Thieves to give her support!

And finally, we start a new Confidant with Chihaya (who's name is really irritating to remember how to spell correctly lol). I think she's one of the more underrated Confidants, and her abilities in game are super useful too. I wanted Octavia to be a part of this one because of some... ideas I have in regards to Chihaya's character. Her Mementos Mission did lead to the Phantom Thieves running into a new person in Mementos, though, along with an encounter with the Reaper! Is this newcomer the Black Mask, or someone else entirely...?

There's going to be another new Confidant next time, and one that gives Loona the spotlight! Stay tuned!