The True Duet

by asdf1asdf1

*WARNING* P5R Spoilers With the help of a taunting voice, Kasumi stops her younger sister Sumire from running into traffic, changing the course of their lives. Now both sisters must face their first year of high school together at Shujin academy. Feeling stunted in Kasumi's shadow, Sumire insists on doing this separately. Follow the girls as they change fate once more.

3. Chapter 3

Author's Note:

Hello again,

I must say the support for this story has suprised me. Nonetheless, I'm glad you are enjoying it.

Anyway, funny story, I would have had this chapter done awhile ago, but there I was, with 80% of it written, and my intuition was telling me something was wrong. Finally checking on it, I realized that this week in the story is golden week and they don't go to school. Ergo, I had to rewrite almost the entire thing, with quite a few events and implications changing as well. I think I prefer this new version though.

Enjoy! I'll be back some time.

-asdf1asdf1

PS. Yes, events are drifting further away from the canon story. It remains to be seen how far the story shifts. Hopefully we can see together!

---

Chapter 3: The Formation of The Phantoms

Monday May 2nd, 20XX Late Evening

"None of this helps…" Bent over the family tablet, Kasumi had it angled on a pile of textbooks as she furiously scrolled through walls of text. Giant bags adorned her bloodshot eyes as she continued to read. Despite the late hour, a fervent passion and fear kept her going as time passed with inevitable speed.

Nothing she had come across so far had been able to answer her question. It was all conspiracy theories and ancient experiments from a crueler world. Even worse, a large portion of it had been in English. The difficult and unfamiliar words swimming in front of her eyes compared to the simple sentences and phrases that they'd learnt in class.

Although many would consider these hours wasted, Kasumi was becoming more confident in one fact. That no matter how she looked at it, this… 'change of heart' or whatever the calling card had claimed, was not impossible.

"What did it say again… distorted desires?"

Murmuring to herself, Kasumi's mind dragged back up the long-forgotten words slowly. She'd only read the card once, skimmed it quickly when she arrived at school last Friday. Snorting at the ill-conceived prank, Kasumi had forgotten about it altogether until today.

Right before she'd gone to bed, that's when the thought struck her. That if whomever had done this done to Kamoshida wanted to, they could do it to her. They could remove her desire to compete. Her wish to reach the top of the gymnastics world. Essentially… they could remove her reason for living.

At that point sleep had been a secondary priority for Kasumi. She was filled with a need to know. Whether these 'Phantom Thieves' were real and how they had pulled off this brainwashing. Kasumi knew something happened to Mr. Kamoshida. She'd talked to the man and sensed his desires personally. No blackmailing in the world could produce such a heartfelt confession.

"Now let's see…" Blinking, Kasumi wasn't sure if she could believe her eyes. The top search result for 'distorted desires' was another conspiracy article. However, it was in Japanese.

Cognitive Psience: The forgotten discipline?

Taking a deep breath, Kasumi tried not to shudder at the time in the corner that had ticked past 2. Diving back in one last time, Kasumi searched once more to see if her fears were unfounded.

---

Tuesday May 3rd, 20XX Morning

"Good, good…" Principal Kobayakawa muttered as he reviewed the documents that had been brought to him. Standing on the other side of the desk stood the vice principal in his signature black suit. Kobayakawa had, on more than occasion tried to convince the man to wear something a little less formal. It was strange when the vice-principal was better dressed than the principal.

"I'm sure you'll find that everything is in order."

"I'm sure it is," Kobayakawa agreed with a sigh. "I'm shocked you managed all of this so quickly, however. A day to clean up the park to improve reputation, hiring a councillor… Easier said than done. Especially with today being a holiday."

"Honestly," the vice-principal admits, "the councillor seemed surprisingly eager to come once I mentioned the school's name."

"Perhaps he simply thinks it will raise his reputation after this Kamoshida debacle." Shaking his head, Kabayakawa felt another headache coming on. His carefully planned speech on avoiding suicide had been interrupted by Kamoshida confessing to his crimes. The man had behaved completely different from normal!

"Perhaps," the vice principal agrees with a nod. "This wouldn't have happened if Kamoshida hadn't been so zealous. You should have taken my advice and restrained him better."

Kobayakawa could only cough awkwardly in answer. If he had been paying active attention to Kamoshida, perhaps Kobayakawa would have stopped his rasher actions. However, Kobayakawa had stopped paying attention once the donations continued to roll in, the school made famous with Kamoshida present.

"Is there anything else you can think of?" Kobayakawa asked insistent. "It is absolutely imperative that we restore the school's reputation before too long."

"Hmm, I guess there are a few things, warnings more than anything…"

"Anything that will help!" Kobayakawa repeated. Sweat dripping down his face from the strain.

"First, we need to make sure that nothing else happens at this school to bring it negative press." The vice principal answered, the ideas coming as he spoke. "The second then, to lean heavily upon the honour students, especially the Yoshizawa sisters. If they perform well, we can leverage their success as a success for the school."

"The Yoshizawa sisters," Kobayakawa muttered leaning back in his chair. The ominous creaking from the overburdened furniture went unheaded. "Yes, I'll make sure that they perform well for us. As for the negative press, I can have the student council president check out any untoward developments."

"Very good then," the vice principal bows, turning to leave. "Let us hope that the worst is behind us."

With the final ominous message ringing through his head, Kobayakawa groaned in self sympathy for the troubles in his life. He had been looking forward to golden week. Three days of no school where he could focus solely on spending time with his waifus. Kamoshida and these… Phantom thieves had put an end to that.

Taking a minute to compose himself, Kobayakawa simply rocked on his chair for awhile, thinking about the conversation. "The Yoshizawa sisters… We do need to be careful of them, especially the position their father holds…" Trailing off, Kobayakawa smiled nastily. The expression grotesque as he used underworked muscles to move masses of flesh around.

Opening up the school registry, Kobayakawa scrolled through until he found Yo. There was a phone call that he had to make.

---

Tuesday May 3rd, 20XX Afternoon

Sumire walked along the busy street, throwing surreptitious glances over her shoulder. Since they all had the day off, Sumire found herself roped into a family outing to Shibuya. Why they had chosen the massive prefecture, Sumire didn't understand. Harajuku would have been better for clothes, Akihabara was better for electronics, many places had a variety of restaurants.

More than any of that, Sumire didn't understand what was wrong with Kasumi. The girl was walking along in a trance. She had barely stumbled out of bed before it was time to leave.

"Oh, I wanted to check out an underground mall around here!" Shinichi intoned, louder than necessary. Sumire couldn't help but feel like he was forcing himself to overly cheerful for some reason.

"…That sounds wonderful," Sumire replied a second later when it became obvious that Kasumi wouldn't be doing so. "Are you looking for something there?"

"Oh, not really," Shinichi replied mysteriously. "I thought you girls may be interested in some of the shops. I heard that not only do they have a fantastic accessory store, they also have a sports store there!"

The words did catch Sumire's attention as she automatically turned towards Kasumi, assuming her sister would begin talking. Yet again though, the zombie appeared to have heard nothing, just plodding along behind them. "I look forward to it…"

The half-hearted words got a frown from their parents as they shared a knowing look. "Look girls… I know this Kamoshida business has the two of you upset."

"Upset?" Sumire asked confused, "why would I be upset?"

"He was a mentor to you… wasn't he?" Shinichi asked confused.

"No," Sumire replied sharply, "He was a horrible person that I'm glad will spend the rest of his life behind bars."

"Sumire!" Their mother replied in shock.

"T-that certainly wasn't the answer I expected…" Shinichi breathed. "And you Kasumi, you've been awfully quiet."

"Me?" Kasumi repeated dumbly. "Umm… what was the question?"

At this, everyone stopped to look at her. Sumire openly gaped at her sister. She had never, ever, seen Kasumi in a state even close to this one. "What happened?"

Accidently speaking her thoughts, Sumire wanted to know what could have unhinged Kasumi this badly.

"L-look, its nothing," Kasumi stuttered awkwardly under the combined gazes. "I just stayed up a little too late last night. Was looking into some things."

"Some things?" Sumire questioned disbelievingly. "Weren't you the one who just last week lectured me about going to bed on time?"

"I-I know," Kasumi answered, blushing. "But it was a holiday, and… I'm sorry I worried you all." Bowing slightly, Kasumi was the picture of repentance.

"It isn't like we're enforcing your bedtime…" Shinichi replied, put on the defensive from Kasumi's overwhelming display of apology. "Just try not to make a habit of it."

"Yes father."

Forced to keep walking as her family resumed their movement, Sumire tried to send one last questioning look at Kasumi. It had only been yesterday that Sumire had found her motivation and made her first steps along the road to international gymnastics.

Walking along, they quickly arrived at the crowded narrow corridors that their father was leading them to. Lined with shops on both sides, Sumire couldn't help but fling her head back and forth, peering at the various goods.

"Can Sumire and I go look at some of the stores?"

"Huh?" Blindsided by the question, Sumire stared at her sister in confusion.

"Yes, I think that's a good idea," Shinichi agreed with a sagacious nod of his head. "Have fun and…"

"We will meet you at the sports store in an hour," Kasumi confirmed, some of her previous confidence starting to return.

"Umm, take care…" Sumire wished her parents as Kasumi pulled her hand and began grabbing her away. "Uhh…" Muttering softly, Sumire didn't know what to say, or how to interact with Kasumi anymore. Scratch that, despite all this time, Sumire still never figured out how to behave around her. She always second guessed her words or decisions to try and emulate Kasumi's perfect mannerisms.

"Is something wrong?" Kasumi asked. "It's been forever since we've last gone shopping. Not since…"

"…Christmas eve," Sumire finished with a wince. That day had been a painful one. Shuddering at the mention, Sumire was wondering if the horrors of the day would begin to surface again, when Kasumi tightened her grip on Sumire's hand.

"Hey," she smiled, Kasumi's natural enthusiasm warring with the exhaustion in her face, "nothing like that will happen this time. So keep your chin up, alright?"

"A-alright…" Sumire muttered, thankful that the topic had moved on. "Why are you doing this though? I thought you said you weren't helping me anymore?"

"You're right," Kasumi agreed. "But if you aren't buying anything then I'll need someone to hold my bags."

"Why are you assuming I'm not buying anything!?" Sumire fired back.

"Because I'm not picking anything out for you silly," Kasumi teased. "Therefore, you aren't going to buy anything."

"Grr…" Growling slightly, Sumire had no response as the remark hit home. Looking down at her casual spring outfit, Sumire realized that every piece was picked out by either Kasumi or her mother. She liked the ensemble, but right now it was another reminder of her weakness. "F-fine then!"

"Hmm?" Kasumi asked, stopping.

"I-I'll buy at least one thing on my own today!"

"Hehe, alright!" Kasumi shot back, the answer seeming to excite her. "What happens if you don't?"

"I-if I don't?" Sumire blinked. "T-then… nothing?"

"That's no good," Kasumi shook her head, a small teasing smile playing across her lips. Snapping her fingers, Kasumi's stance changed. "I got it! The practice slot this afternoon. If you can't pick out something that fits you on your own, I get it. If you do, you get it."

"D-deal!" Sumire replied, still stuttering from the nerves. Strangely though, the conversation had felt natural. It was just like Kasumi to try and turn something like a shopping trip into a bargain. This was one of the first times that Sumire had actually played along however.

"Good! Now then… where to start… Oh, there!"

"W-wait!" Getting pulled along again, Sumire tried to weave through the shifting masses as Kasumi pulled her along, a path seeming to open before her and closing before Sumire could get there. "Gah!" Bursting through at last, Sumire panted beside Kasumi as they stopped in the entrance of a fairly empty store.

Glancing around, Sumire saw what were obviously three couples looking through the various displays. The women staring eagerly while the men had the same morose expression of people who would soon be losing their hard-earned cash. Besides them, another pair of girls, were also poring over the shelves while a couple of lone men wandering about, lost expressions on their faces.

"Maybe we can get matching amulets," Kasumi teased. "Then when you feel yourself running out of energy you can grab hold of it and yell: the power of sisterhood is coursing through me!"

"I-I would never do that!" Sumire stuttered back, face heating up as she felt the nearby shoppers stop and smirk at her. "L-let's look quickly!"

Entering the store, they found themselves looking a row of amulets. Each one was gorgeous and set with a different stone.

"That one would look amazing on you!" Kasumi pointed to one inlaid with a large ruby. "It matches your eyes perfectly."

"It's 400,000 Yen!" Sumire squeaked in disbelief. B-besides… I actually like that one." Pointing to one slightly further down the line, Sumire couldn't rip her eyes away from the clear stone, inlaid in starburst pattern, beautifully scattering light. It seemed vaguely religious in nature, but Sumire couldn't figure out why she felt that way. Although it was a fraction of the price of the previous, it was still well outside her budget.

"Hmm…" Kasumi muttered impressed. "Maybe you can actually do this. But unless you find a rich boyfriend, I don't think it's in your near future."

"B-boyfriend!?" Sumire squeaked. "I-It's not like I'm looking for one."

"I never said you were," Kasumi replied. Facing Sumire, Kasumi's face turned more serious. "Although I'm guessing you haven't given up on that transfer student, have you?"

"I-I'm not sure." Glancing at the ground, Sumire remembered Kasumi's words from last week. The humiliation as she'd stared up at Kasumi while she lectured her. About how Sumire didn't even know the transfer student.

"Sumire…" Kasumi said gently, "If you go diving into a relationship without knowing the person, you're only going to get hurt."

"I know! Okay?" Sumire spat back, upset at her sister's condescending tone. "I'm the same age as you, alright? There's just… something special about him." Blushing again, Sumire was shocked she actually spoke her feelings out loud.

"I think you're right…"

"Huh?" Grabbing onto her sister's words with surprising alacrity, Sumire's head jumped back up so that she could stare into Sumire's brown eyes.

"I-I mean… I just…"

"Kasumi do you…"

"From the few times we've talked…"

"Have a crush on him?"

"…" Blushing bright red Kasumi's whole body shuffled under the question. "N-no, I don't. I just think… he seems like a… dependable person."

"Grr…" Sumire pouted as she stared at her sister. The fears of last week were coming back. Even if Kasumi wasn't dating him, Sumire had no chance against the perfect Kasumi!

"A-anyway," Kasumi spoke with forced enthusiasm, "We should move ooooon." The final syllable contorted into a yawn as Kasumi's upper body swayed slightly.

"Are you alright?" Sumire asked quickly, the previous anger inconsequential before Kasumi's health. "Maybe we should find a place you can sit down."

"N-no, we can keep going," Kasumi assured her, however, much of the previous energy had been lost. "So what store are we going to next."

"…Umm, yes, let's go!" Shouting the words in embarrassment a few seconds late, Sumire found herself distracted by the look in Kasumi's eyes. There had been some other emotion besides exhaustion present. For a brief, foolish second, Sumire thought it may have been fear.

Unable to process the strangeness for now, Sumire led them out of the accessories until they eventually found a clothing store. This one was far busier, with all sorts of people flooding the cramped spaces searching for good deals, or clothes to try.

"Well, good luck!" Kasumi called to her before entering the aisles for herself, quickly disappearing from Sumire's view.

"Oh no… I can't do this…" Muttering to herself, Sumire stood frozen at the entrance. It wasn't that she was afraid of cramped spaces, or many people… It was the impossibility of the task that she'd signed herself up for. How on earth was she supposed to find something that fit her among the massive selections, all while people wove in and out, searching for themselves.

"Excuse me missy, can I help you?"

Turning around, Sumire let out a yelp upon seeing a stranger behind her. The tall man had an imposing beard and ragged clothes. With a lump in her throat, Sumire quickly waved her head in denial.

"Are you sure?"

"My sister is waiting inside!" Leaving it there, Sumire fled into the shop for solace. Throwing herself amidst the shifting masses, Sumire received multiple glares which she ignored as she began searching.

Panic driving her, Sumire kept weaving, looking for an immaculate brown ponytail that would signify the presence of her sister. Kasumi would have been able to handle the man.

"Sumire?"

"Kasumi!" Sumire pled throwing herself on Kasumi. Hands tight around her waist, Sumire felt the fear slowly recede due to her sister's calming presence.

"Umm… Sumire, are you alright?"

"No," Sumire admitted, slowly releasing her sister. "I got so scared when you left, and then a man talked to me…"

"Did he touch you?" Kasumi asked urgently.

"No," Sumire replied meekly. "He may have just been trying to help."

"…"

"I was wrong, I'm too weak to find something for myself." The admission cut Sumire like a knife. Kasumi had no problems with this. The phantom thieves would laugh at Sumire's weakness if they saw her now.

"I'm sorry," Kasumi muttered, "I shouldn't have left you."

"Why are you apologizing?" Sumire sniffed back, ashamed at her weakness. "I failed you again…"

"Sumire," Kasumi chided her weakly. Taking her hand in hers, Kasumi forced Sumire to look at her before finishing. "You only fail when you've given up. Remember the amulet, you already found something you like. Now we just need to find something a little more affordable."

"W-wait…" Sumire stuttered with a realization. "I… already did it?"

"Of course you did," Kasumi answered with a roll of her eyes. "Do you know what you would have said before when I pointed out the first amulet?"

"Umm… Probably something about how right you are?"

"Something like that," Kasumi chuckled. "So, one more try, together?"

"Together." Sumire replied with a slight smile. "And Kasumi…"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for not giving up on me."

"Never."

Sharing one last smile, the girls scanned the wares, no different than any of the other patrons.

---

Tuesday May 3rd, 20XX Afternoon

Sighing, Kasumi leaned back in her seat after the long day. The time had passed by quickly and yet, Kasumi had failed to do the one thing she'd meant to do. Ask Sumire about the calling card. Every time she had come close, Kasumi couldn't bring herself to do so. Even when the perfect chance had arisen.

There was something in Sumire's words that had stopped her. Something that had awoken a tingling in the back of Kasumi's neck. An intuition that Sumire had not viewed the recent events the same way Kasumi did. Blinking again, Kasumi tried to think past the infernal headache that had plagued her all day. A dull throbbing that dulled her senses and commanded her to go back to bed.

After meeting back up with their parents, Kasumi had lost all of the energy that had awoken at the thought of a sister's shopping trip. Kasumi vaguely remembered going to a restaurant, but couldn't even remember the food or its name.

Safe in her house, Kasumi was quickly losing the motivation to fight against the oncoming sleep. Even the guilt from knowing that her sister was working out right now couldn't motivate her to get up.

"Maybe just ten minutes… Until supper."

'Knock, knock.' "Kasumi, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Huh?" Head mired in a fog, Kasumi was confused by the question. "What do you need?"

"To talk to you…" Her father's voice repeated slowly. "Were you… napping?"

"N-no," Kasumi replied, the yawn giving her away. "What do you need?" Forcing herself out the chair, Kasumi almost gave up halfway there. The sheer act of standing contrary to her body's demands. Kasumi couldn't believe how badly one late night had impaired her functions.

"Well…" Shinichi began once the door was open, "I got a call from your principal this morning."

"So that's why you were acting weird…" Kasumi muttered. The information had been told to her by Sumire, and it seemed she was right. Slightly embarrassed at not noticing, Kasumi tried to focus on the conversation.

"So, you noticed huh? I tried to play it off so that we could enjoy the day, however… I figured I should tell you now."

"Tell me what…"

"That the principal wants to meet us for lunch on Thursday."

Blinking, Kasumi wasn't sure she had heard correctly. "Just… the two of us?"

"No, the four of us." Shinichi replied seriously. "The way he wouldn't give me a straight answer… I'm sure this is related to the incident with that teacher, but I can't figure out how. Of course, if you don't want to attend, that's fine. But I accepted and so did your mother."

"I'll be there," Kasumi assured him. Positive despite her state. "I can't keep relying on you and mom to solve all of my problems."

"I'm not sure the last time I solved one of your problems was," Shinichi laughed. "But I am relieved to hear you say that. Something tells me the principal would be quite irate if your mom and I showed up without you two."

"Is Sumire coming?" Kasumi asked hesitantly. "Or have you not asked her yet?"

"Not yet, when she returns from training I will. Also, I wanted to ask about that… Did you give her your training spot because you were tired?"

"No!" Kasumi bit back, slightly ashamed that the thought had crossed her mind as well. "She won it off me fair and square."

"Well, I won't interfere in your business. I'm just glad to see the two of you getting along again."

"…Me too dad, me too." Kasumi muttered at his retreating form. Rubbing her eyes, Kasumi doubted she could take a nap now. "What the hell does the principal want?"

There was no way that they were in trouble. That would go through official school channels. The more she thought about, the less it made sense. No doubt her father had spent the entire trip mulling it over. If he had come to a conclusion, however, he hadn't shared it.

Giving up on figuring out a reason behind it, Kasumi returned to her desk for the time being. Pulling out her textbooks and class notes, Kasumi tried to throw herself into studying. Midterms were next week already. It was crazy how fast the first month had flown by.

Remembering the constant struggles of last night and numerous uses of google translate, Kasumi opened her English textbook with some interest. "Tsk," muttering irritably, the textbook and material was exactly what she remembered from class. The chapters were filled with reminders that English sentences must contain a subject and that verbs come before the object. Nothing that aided Kasumi in the translation of utter nonsense like: Through the obfuscation of specifics pertaining to the anatomy of the trigeminal nerve, revelations relating to cognitive manipulation have been diminished.

Even now, Kasumi could see the lines of text burned into her eyes. The characters that she prided herself on her knowledge of, swam before her eyes in lines of unpronounceable garbage. All except that last article she found.

Studying forgotten, Kasumi ran her fingers along the desk, thinking about the claims contained. That research on a subject called 'cognitive science', had recently, and mysteriously, been wiped from existence. Some of the claims had been far beyond Kasumi's beliefs. That the government had discovered some powerful secret involving the discipline and therefore wiped out all traces of it. One concrete example, buried within the rambling text, had stood out to Kasumi. That a research lab had been funded for the sole purpose of studying this. Then, strangely, all the funding disappeared, and the land would turn into a stadium. It even listed a location: Odaiba.

That statement was the one that sent Kasumi to bed. She now had a tangible location to study. One that she knew well. Sumire and her had already talked about performing there, walking there sometimes merely to check on its progress. "Maybe I'll go there tomorrow… ask around."

Yet, even as she talked to herself, Kasumi found her eyes drawn to the corner of the room where the tablet sat, plugged in still from this morning. No doubt a simple internet search would reveal the truth easily enough. Whether or not the stadium in Odaiba had initially been a research lab. But Kasumi couldn't do it. She wasn't brave enough to face the fact that this… this change of heart may be a real thing. An untraceable crime to manipulate people as they feel free.

Groaning at her cowardice, Kasumi crumbled to her desk. Strangely, she found herself thinking of the transfer student, with his calm aura. "I want to talk to him…" Kasumi realized suddenly. To hear how he feels about the card. To spill her worries about it and have him assure her that everything is fine. Eyes closing, Kasumi's mouth split into a soft smile as sleep overtook her.

---

Tuesday May 3rd, 20XX Evening

"I'm home…" Opening the door, Sumire swayed from exhaustion as she let herself in. Coach Hiraguchi had been extra strict on her today. She had prepped a workout for Kasumi only to be greeted by Sumire. Therefore, Sumire had to do the workout instead.

No doubt supper had come and gone long ago. Every single rep, Hiraguchi could get had been drawn from Sumire. The training went probably an hour longer than normal. Add on top of that the shower, Sumire had soaked for far too long, and the slow walking pace had made it very late.

Walking pace?

Ignoring the errant thought, Sumire took in the darker than usual surroundings. Sitting at the table was her father, reading a newspaper. Beside him was a plate with food on it. Sumire's portion of supper that had been left out, wrapped to preserve it. Wincing, Sumire realized it was probably even later than she thought.

"There you are," her father spoke softly, his voice revealing no emotions. "Is there a reason you didn't return my call?"

"You're call?" Utterly spent form the long day, Sumire muttered in confusion. Her hand reaching automatically for the pocket with her cell phone. Bringing it out, Sumire looked at it for awhile only to realize it had died.

Sighing, Shinichi rubbed his eyes. "Your phone died? We need to replace that at some point. I've been sitting here thinking about calling the police for hours. Coach Hiraguichi said you left over two hours ago, what happened?"

"Uhhh…" At the question Sumire had no good answer. Had it really taken her so long to get home? She remembered stopping briefly to listen to a politician in Shibuya, but that shouldn't have taken so long. Except… "M-My apologies!"

Stuttering nervously, the time finally came back to Sumire. How after listening to the politician she had begun walking. Walking home. Completely forgetting about the subway beneath her feet that could have completed the trip in a fraction of the time. Wincing, Sumire wondered how she could have made this mistake.

"…Well, anyway," Shinichi sighed, putting down the newspaper to rub his temples. "Why don't you warm up supper quickly, then we can talk while you eat it."

"Y-yes!" Sumire replied obediently. As she worked though, which involved throwing the plate in the microwave for a sensor reheat, her once dormant stomach growled loudly in urgency. It had reached its limit of being ignored.

The few minutes of heating were uninterrupted by conversation. An awkward silence hanging over the room as Sumire waited. She couldn't help but fret over what was coming. It was clearly a matter important enough that it couldn't wait for tomorrow.

With an incessant beep, the microwave announced the completion of its task. Gingerly withdrawing the heated contents, Sumire sat down to sate her ravenous appetite. Throwing out a quick "Itadakimasu," Sumire began shoveling the food down her throat. Each bite was restoring some of the energy she'd spent today, turning her back into a functioning human.

"W-well," Shinichi stuttered, unable to quite get used to his girls' eating habits when they really got going. "I got a call from your principal this morning."

"Urk!" The shocking words halting her carefully designed system of inhaling food, Sumire coughed loudly as she chocked on the food. Pounding on her chest, Sumire tried to dislodge the food that had gotten stuck.

"This is why you shouldn't eat so fast," Shinichi berated her lightly, sliding a glass of water toward her.

Drinking noisily from the cup, Sumire panted as she finally finished removing the chocking hazard. "You… could have acted like you were worried…"

Chuckling softy at his daughter's retort, Shinichi answered wryly, "I knew that food wouldn't finish you off."

Sticking her tongue out at him, Sumire stopped eating so that she could process her father's words. "Do… Do you know what the principal wants?"

"Yes. Lunch together on Thursday. Whole family. To… discuss things."

"Discuss things?" Sumire muttered. "Isn't this… a little strange?"

"Absolutely," Shinichi agreed. "He should have had to get board approval to meet with us in this manner. More than that, school dollars must be paying for the lunch. I don't see how he could have possibly managed it."

Slowly starting back on her food, Sumire found herself with nothing to say. She felt blindsided by this development. Sumire wanted nothing to do with school except pass it… and maybe get to know a certain someone. Except… Wincing, Sumire tried to banish the decision that tried to cripple her. Besides that, Sumire wanted to concentrate on gymnastics.

"I wanted to say, if you don't want to come, that's fine."

"I can not show up?" Sumire blinked in confusion.

"That's right. This is an unsanctioned event; he can't punish you for not coming."

"…" Musing it over, Sumire asked another question, "what's Kasumi doing?"

"She decided to come," Shinichi spoke slowly, "however, you should make your own decision."

"No. If Kasumi is going, I'll go as well." Leaving it there, Sumire had nothing more to say, her mind was a mess. She was beginning to remember what happened to her today. Why she had spent so long coming home.

Bowing her head, Sumire tried to lose herself in the food. To eat and eat and forget about her thoughts for a minute. The swirling inconsistencies that had been brought on by the shopping trip.

"Are you alright?" Shinichi asked again. "Like I said, even if Kasumi goes, you don't…"

"I do!" Sumire interrupted. "Why don't you understand that!? If Kasumi can endure a lunch with the principal then so can I!"

"S-Sumire!?"

Ignoring her father's confused voice, Sumire chucked her dishes in the sink and stalked off to her room. Not even bothering to wash off the residual pieces. She was still hungry but couldn't face her father anymore. Not after what she'd said.

Opening her door, Sumire have expected her father to call after her. To apologize or demand an apology. When nothing came, Sumire retreated into the room, closing it soundly behind her. Finding the plug-in for her phone, Sumire sat on the ground so she could watch as her phone began its bootup sequence. The logo flashed awkwardly, simply one more sign of the device's impending doom.

As it finally loaded, Sumire winced as the list of missed call notifications rolled in. And there, near the bottom, was a different kind of notification, a text message. From Kasumi.

Are you alright?

That's all the message said. Still, Sumire smiled when she saw it. Kasumi, despite her promise, couldn't help but worry about Sumire. Soon after, Sumire felt the pain. It was things like this that had brought on the revelation for Sumire. The one that had sent her on a spiral of emotions culminating in a two hour walk home.

Do you like the transfer student?

Sending it without thinking, Sumire waited anxiously for the reply. She was sure she knew what the answer was but wanted confirmation.

This again? I thought I told you that there was nothing between us.

I'm glad you're home.

The two messages came in quick succession, one after another. No doubt Kasumi had heard Sumire shouting at their father. Discarding that, Sumire frowned at the first message she received.

That wasn't what I asked. You like him, right?

Putting it into words, Sumire was sure now. That slight blush on Kasumi's cheeks. How she talked about his mysterious aura.

I'm not sure.

The reply came back a few minutes later. Kasumi clearly seemed torn about answering. Chewing on a fingernail, Sumire thought about her reply as she rocked back and forth. Sumire was sure she knew the answer that was floating in her heart, but it was still so hard to say. She knew that if this was in person, she wouldn't be able to do it.

Kasumi, you've always helped me out, today reminded me of that. Even if I won the bet, it was only because you were there.

Taking a break, Sumire's hands literally shook as she tried to compose the rest of the message. It was more difficult than she thought it would be. She was doing the right thing! Wasn't she? Groaning, Sumire hated her indecisive self. She'd decided Kasumi was right. That she simply had to get over her crush and focus on gymnastics! This was the right thing to do! Repeatedly telling herself the same thing in hopes that she would eventually believe it, Sumire typed out the rest of the message.

That's why, I'll support you if you go after the transfer student. I'm so far behind you, I need to focus only on gymnastics if I hope on catching up to you.

Breathes coming ragged, Sumire felt like she was melting as she waited for the reply. Rocking quicker now, it was only a few seconds later when her phone buzzed again. Quickly bringing it up to read the response, Sumire's heart was hammering with anticipation. She couldn't predict what Kasumi's response would be.

"It… died?"

Groaning again, Sumire briefly debated throwing her phone against the wall. The continued use had proved too much for the phone. However… Finding the cord, Sumire blushed as she realized she'd unplugged it while rocking.

Quickly grabbing the cord, Sumire fumbled for a few seconds before slotting the connecting pieces together. Peering at the phone, she released a relieved sigh as the bootup sequence started again. Sumire suspected that the continual death was bad for the device.

Even when it finally rebooted, there was no notification waiting for her. Sumire was unsure what to make of that. She doubted Kasumi had gotten distracted by something else. She probably just didn't know how to reply.

Setting the phone back on the floor, Sumire stretched and stood back up. Even though she had showered back at the training facility, she found herself wanting to take a bath. A long, hot bath to soak away her troubles. Besides, Sumire decided she deserved it. Sure, it felt like letting Kasumi have the transfer student felt like giving up. But it was totally for focusing on gymnastics. Totally.

"I'm not running away…"

The words sounded hollow to her hears. The red scarf around neck felt like it was strangling her. The lightweight cloth was designed for spring and summertime. Sumire had found it herself and Kasumi agreed it fit her well. It was what got her an extra training slot today. Now, the scarf felt like a brick. As if Sumire had abandoned the principals that had led her to picking it out. Allowing it drop to the floor, Sumire repeated the words once again to herself.

"I am not running away."

Trying to convince herself of that fact, Kasumi left to go to the bathroom as her phone buzzed behind her.

---

Wednesday May 4th, 20XX Morning

Ren stood at the counter awkwardly, as he got called out on his gambit. "30,000 is fine."

"That's what I thought," the storekeeper smirked. "Here ya go. Remember, no questions."

Nodding in understanding, Ren quickly pocketed the money. Funds for the lunch he'd be going to tomorrow with Ann and Ryuji. A celebration in taking down Kamoshida. Ren found himself strangely excited for it. Even if Ann hadn't told them where they were going yet.

"Hmm, so they're finally coming."

"…?"

"Here kid, take this bag. Don't look at it and get out of here."

Hesitantly taking the brown paper bag, Ren was thoroughly confused at this change in events. With the sound of soft chimes, the front door opened revealing two men in suits.

"Get out of here kid."

Taking the storekeeper's advice to heart, Ren stepped out of the way as the two men barged to the counter, taking his place. Pausing at the door, Ren felt awkward just walking out. Would that make him look suspicious?

"Munehisa Iwai, yes?"

"That's me," the shopkeeper answered agreeably. "Can I help you folks out?"

"We're going to need security tapes of the past day."

Uh oh. Starting to sweat, Ren wasn't sure what to do. If they got those security tapes… his transaction with the medal would be seen. He couldn't have cops interrogating him about a fake Olympic gold medal.

"Of course you can."

!?

"What do you mean, of course?" The cop prodded, suspicious.

"That's what a good upstanding citizen is supposed to say, right?" Iwai replied languidly, his teasing smile counter to his words.

"Are you sure that lead was legit?"

"I'm sure it was…" Turning the cop locked unto Ren, still meandering by the door. "Hey kid, what's in the bag?"

Shit.

Cursing himself internally, Ren didn't know what to say. Any of the immediate answers all sounded suspicious. "What's it matter?"

Oops.

Ren could practically hear Iwai's repressed groan at his suspicious answer. Standing there awkwardly, Ren could only wait as the suspicious cop advanced toward him.

"Ah, leave the kid be," his partner laughed.

"Fine. Get out of here punk."

Taking his cue, Ren left and hoped that Iwai would be able to keep them away from the security footage. Outside in the sun, it seemed like a completely different world from the dark shop just a few feet away.

"Well?" Morgana asked insistently, poking out of his bag.

"Well what?"

"Aren't you going to look?" Morgana asked again. "I mean, what did he give you that he couldn't let those cops see? Suspicious, isn't it?"

Staying silent, Ren showed his agreement by opening the bag. Inside was…

"A real gun!?" Morgana shouted, shocked.

"No…" Ren denied, taking a closer look at it.

"Ah, I see," Morgana agreed after a closer look. "It's a model, but it's so similar to the real thing! Imagine how strong it would be in the metaverse!"

"That's true," Ren agreed. "Although, you're implying that we'll be going again."

"W-wait! What does that mean?" Morgana hissed as Ren began walking, tucking the bag away for now. "Y-you promised that you'll help me find my memories."

"Yes," Ren agreed slowly, "I just don't see how that involves visiting the metaverse. Unless… you know something you haven't told us."

"No," Morgana growled, "I already said that I feel like the answer lays in a palace somewhere. Or maybe… a little in every palace? Never mind for now, I have an idea we can check out later."

"Alright," Ren shrugged. "But we can't go around changing the heart of everybody just because we don't like them."

"Why not?" Morgana shot back. "Their desires are distorted, you're correcting them."

"It just…" Ren frowned, "doesn't seem right. Kamoshida was a necessity. He had hurt too many people and had help covering up his crimes."

"You know," Morgana said sympathetically. "There are plenty of worse people out there than Kamoshida. Ones that have hurt far more than Kamoshida."

"…I know," Ren sighed. "The world is filled with horrible people that act only for themselves, taking everything they can."

"Adults abusing the one's they are supposed to be protecting," Morgana agreed to the solemn conversation. "Anyway, we should probably return to LeBlanc pretty soon. The master doesn't like you staying out."

"Yeah, he's a bit of a hard ass," Ren winced, thinking about his guardian. "Although he does like you."

"Who doesn't?" Morgana scoffed. "Although sometimes I wish our room wasn't so dusty."

"Or that we had a real bed," Ren winced, remembering the first few nights of trying to sleep, only to wake up with aches. Even now the rickety thing was almost as hard as the floor.

"I can only imagine," Morgana sighed. "Although… did the boss ever say why you can't stay at his house?"

"Mentioned on the first day," Ren replied tonelessly, "Reasons."

"Seriously? That sucks."

The silence lapsed for awhile as Ren navigated his way across the packed crossing and too the subway station. One train ride to Yongen station.

"Isn't that suspicious though?" Morgana asked continuing the lapsed conversation. "Maybe the boss is hiding something!"

"Or he doesn't trust me enough to not kill him in his sleep," Ren laughed sharply, not feeling the humour.

"Ouch, I don't think it's quite that bad."

"True…" Ren agreed with a sigh. "Just a bit on edge after that run-in with the cops. Brings back bad memories."

"Right," Morgana answered sadly. "No wonder you lost your cool back then."

"No, it isn't an excuse I can use, I have to get better." Ren denied. He had felt the improvements within himself ever since that first day here and awakening to his persona. He may not belief in the 'rehabilitation' preached by the velvet room attendees, but Ren was still convinced that he could continue to improve.

"You really are special; you know that Ren?" Morgana laughed. "Just for you, I'll check out the Boss's house in my spare time, see if there's anything suspicious with the place."

"That would be helpful," Ren agreed. "I'll check his name in the Nav when we return just to make sure. I doubt it'll generate a hit."

"Why's that?"

"He took in," Red answered, like the words explained everything. "As far as I can tell, he gets nothing out of it besides some forced help around the store. I doubt that what I do pays for the money he spends on food for me."

"You got a point there," Morgana agreed. "Still better safe than sorry."

Nodding in agreement, Ren appreciated having Morgana here. Even if the cat could be annoying at times, he was still a friend that had helped Ren immensely. Smiling slightly, Ren looked forward to the celebration tomorrow.

---

Wednesday May 4th, 20XX Afternoon

"A-again?" stuttering in fear, Kasumi was slowly being overwhelmed by coach Hiraguchi's strict training. Her body felt slow and uncoordinated from the two days off. Now, Hiraguchi was coming down on her with a vicious revenge.

"I thought you wanted to compete internationally!?"

"I do," Kasumi groaned in reply, the pained words escaping her lips as she began another set of leg lifts, her core muscles screaming in agony.

"Then why are you complaining? You know, Sumire did all of this yesterday without a complaint."

"S-Sumire did?" Kasumi replied stunned. Mind lost in the thought, Kasumi briefly forgot about the pain as she considered Hiraguchi's remark. How did the Sumire that had given up on her crush possibly have the motivation to finish this routine? It was madness. "Was she… acting strangely?"

"No stranger than you," Hiraguchi replied. "Gloves up, triple jab into left hook."

"Y-yes," Pulling herself off the floor, Kasumi felt her chest tighten with a sullen rage. Sumire had never replied to Kasumi's final message, a simple two words: I see.

While Kasumi certainly hadn't been thrilled by Sumire's immediate attraction to such an infamous character, this surrendering was even more strange. Kasumi had thought Sumire's confidence had been building. She'd picked things out while shopping and had even bought a beautiful scarf that turned her into a mysterious beauty when wrapped correctly.

"Let's go!"

"Y-yes!" chastised for lagging, Kasumi picked the routine up, trying to dive back into it. Hearing Sumire had finished this lit a fire within Kasumi to do the same. To push past Sumire's accomplishments and go further. However, her sister's strange mood about the transfer student had dampened that desire. The strange swirl and mix or emotions and circumstances made Kasumi want to scream.

She wasn't made to handle Phantom thieves, and romance, and odd sisters, and odd meetings with principals. Kasumi had been built to get good grades and perform high level rhythmic gymnastics. Not all of this complicated garbage!

Channeling all of her confusion, Kasumi turned it into anger and funneled it into her punches. Hoping that the exercise and thrill of punching something would help her sort through her issues.

"That's more like it!" Hiraguchi praised her, adapting to the increase in tempo flawlessly. "Now change it up!"

Flipping her stance, Kasumi began the routine as a left-handed person would. Hiraguchi didn't allow them to have a weaker arm or leg. A gymnast needed perfect balance in order to perform optimally. With unrelenting force, Kasumi dove into the routine with the proficiency of a lefthander. Years of this treatment removing any awkwardness from her off hand.

"Nice! Take a break."

"Huh?" Stumbling from cancelling her punch halfway through, Kasumi staggered from the rush of exhaustion. All the of the flowing anger had dispersed leaving her empty. The exercise had been a welcome relief; however, it still didn't change the reality that Kasumi was facing.

Coach Hiraguchi was going to the wall, getting a drink as she made her rounds through the other students. None of them received the same level of attention of Kasumi. But none of them were worked as hard as Kasumi was either. None of them had the same ambitions.

Glancing toward the water station, Kasumi swallowed once more, her parched throat demanding aqua nourishment. Deciding she could manage for another minute, Kasumi followed Hiraguchi, waiting until she finished working with one of the other students.

"Coach?"

"What is it Kasumi? I have other people to train you know."

"Please, I have to know. What was Sumire like yesterday."

Finally stopping, Hiraguchi sighed before turning to stare straight at Kasumi. "It's hard to describe. She did everything I asked of her with no complaints or whining. Never asked for a break. But at the same time, she didn't push herself either and was unresponsive to my prodding. Her body was present, but her mind was somewhere else." Leaving it there, coach stalked away from Kasumi, completing her rounds.

"Sumire…" Muttering her name, Kasumi slid down to the ground at her designated portion of wall. Taking small sips from the bottle, Kasumi was confused. Her sister's actions were so illogical. Saying one thing and then doing another. Barely a week ago, Sumire had refused to talk to Kasumi based on a misunderstanding! Now, after it's been cleared up, she gave up on the guy she liked.

Hand reaching unconsciously behind her, Kasumi flipped her ponytail in front of her and began tugging on it lightly. A habit Kasumi had broken years ago.

The relief from the workout was already completely gone. Usually completing a routine would feel Kasumi with joy, a tangible feeling that she was getting closer to her goal. Now, she could hardly focus. Sumire was such a conundrum to Kasumi. She was beginning to doubt that she ever understood her sister.

"Maybe she's just depressed…"

Breathing the words out, Kasumi considered it briefly. As last year had come to a close, Sumire had stopped smiling. A tangible aura of sorrow surrounding the girl. But…

"That's impossible, isn't it?"

Kasumi didn't know much about the mental illness that was entering mainstream media more and more, however, Sumire wasn't like those people. Sumire was successful, Sumire had a happy family, Sumire worked out. She couldn't possibly succumb to something like that. Her life may not be perfect, but it wasn't far from it.

Yet, a small voice in the back of Kasumi's head wouldn't go away. It sounded like Hiraguchi. The coach's words from last month coming back: who was it perfect for? Pulling harder on her ponytail, Kasumi forced the voice away.

"I'm in the middle of a workout…"

Reminding herself of that fact, Kasumi took one last drink and stood-up, waiting for the next circuit anxiously.

---

Wednesday May 4th, Evening

"You can't possibly…"

"Don't make me repeat myself!" The voice on the other side of the telephone raged. The person unable to handle any disloyalty. "We can't take any chances, not when we're this close to greatness. Begin investigating immediately!"

"…Yes sir." Containing his sigh until after he hung up, Akechi stowed his cell phone. He couldn't believe the impossible demands that had been inflicted upon him. And yet, glancing over the notes from the confession, Akechi began to notice the strange peculiarities. The man in question, Suguru Kamoshida had never gone missing or had any strange encounters. The time leading up his confession was perfectly ordinary, and he had full recollection of it.

Clenching his fist, Akechi had to hand it to Shido, the case was exceedingly similar to the psychotic incidents that he started. Akechi's eyes blazed in anger as he considered it. He couldn't figure out how it was done. That, more than anything infuriated him. Even if his reputation as the detective prince was fabricated with self-perpetuated crimes, Akechi still prided himself on his intelligence.

In the case of Kamoshida… nothing. It was truly as if the man's moral compass had changed one night. The weight of his crimes too much to bear. Even considering the tools available in the cognitive world, Akechi was coming up blank. He hated that there may be someone else out there with his powers. No, even worse, someone whose powers exceeded his own, in some strange way. Someone who no doubt thought they were carrying out justice by forcing Kamoshida to reveal his crimes.

"I don't know you… But I hate you, and I swear I'll kill you one day."

Revealing his true face to the world for one brief second, Akechi's face split into a wicked smile, his deranged madness on display for any to see.

Closing his eyes, Akechi flipped that switch inside and let the detective prince take over. The carefully crafted personality that hid the trickster within.

---

Thursday May 5th, Morning

"Are those… cakes? And that's… meat." Speaking dully, Ren stared nonplussed at his companions. Returning to their table each one had only grabbed copious amounts of one type of food.

"Ugh, these fools," Morgana moaned, "so what did you get for us."

"Oh, uh we weren't sure," Ryuji answered carefully.

"Yep! You seem like daring people so… here you go!"

"Beans," Ren and Morgana spoke at the same time. Their overlapping voices carrying with them a twin condemnation of the two.

"Let's go get our own food."

"Yeah. Thanks for uh… You know what, nevermind." Unable to even thank them, Ren picked up Morgana's bag and sauntered toward the buffet. People, mainly well-dressed adults lined rows of food. Each person only putting at most a bite of each dish on their plate. Like they were having a competition for who could eat the least of each.

"So, where do we start?" Ren asked Morgana.

"Hmm, over there. Near the rice dishes."

"A solid base," Ren agreed with a nod. Rice was the perfect foundation upon which they could add the other delicacies.

Beginning to scoop the dish, Ren couldn't help but overhear the conversation going on beside him. A well-dressed man was lecturing to a woman about how the current minister of transportation was all but done. He would be forced to resign, destabilizing the current government. He didn't sound very remorseful about it either.

"And soon!... Huh, is this kid staring at us?"

"Crap!" Morgana hissed, "keep moving."

Quickly grabbing the rest of what he wanted, Ren moved on, leaving the adults to their conversation. Turning he went to find the next dish.

"May as well grab the dessert since its right there," Morgana advised. "Looks like there are more conversations we can eavesdrop on. May be a good place to get information."

Nodding in agreement, Ren moved over there. Keeping his head low to avoid suspicion, Ren tried to listen while keeping an ear out. Grabbing some of the first dessert quickly, Ren moved his hand to the next, looking for the tongs.

"Eep!"

Feeling another hand touch his, Ren quickly retracted his hand and raised his head, losing concentration on the conversation. Hopefully Morgana could tell him the details later.

However… "You!"

"S-Senpai!" The red-haired girl squeaked loudly drawing the disapproving gazes of the other patrons.

"What is a child doing in an establishment like this?"

"Indeed, if you're rich you should know better and leave them with the nanny."

While the rude words dampened the mood, Ren barely heard them as he blinked in shock. While the girl had certainly been cute the first time Ren had seen her, she looked downright gorgeous now. The pale blue dress and sparkling earrings accented her pale skin tone and red eyes beautifully. Even the glasses didn't detract from her looks. They simply made her seem more approachable. Without them, Ren doubted he'd be able to come up with anything to say.

"I-I'm sorry I interrupted you."

That wasn't it.

Berating himself internally, Ren was glad that at least the sentence hadn't been stupid. Even if it was vague and awkward.

"N-no," the girl replied back, voice only slightly quieter than before. "I-I stopped you after all."

"Serve her some!" Morgana berated Ren quietly.

Thanking him internally, Ren scooped a portion that he was going to take and proffered the dish to the girl.

"Oh, umm thanks. I guess I should just come back if I want more later…" The girl muttered sadly, looking down at the generous portion as if Ren had given her a small morsel.

"O-oh, uh…" Scooping another plate, Ren doubled the size and switched the dishes.

"N-no, senpai! I couldn't possibly leave you with so little," the girl protested.

How much does she eat!?

Baffled by her sense of portion size, Ren could only smile, in what he hoped was a reassuring way. Regrettably, the chance meeting had completely disarmed him. Followed by this weird food interaction, Ren had no idea what to say next.

"Umm, y-you've met my sister, right?"

Tilting his head in confusion, Ren didn't understand the question. He had literally seen them at the same time outside the guidance office. Unsure if it was a trick question, Ren decided nodding was the safest path at this point.

"W-what do you think of her?"

"Your sister?" Ren murmured, thinking of the brown-haired Yoshizawa sister, with the beauty mark under her left eye. "She's very… serious?"

"What?" Morgana muttered, his backseat commentary less than helpful at this time. Still, serious was the first word that came to mind when Ren thought about her. Of the two times they had talked, the first she'd demanded to know what Kamoshida had done to Ryuji. The second, she wanted to know the truth about Ren's record.

"So… You don't like her?"

"…What?"

"Umm… Thank you, senpai! I have to return to my group now."

Turning his head to look at Morgana, the cat seemed just as confused as he was. Returning to the food, Ren quickly finished collecting the dishes, only paying half an ear to the conversations around him.

Sitting down, Ren laid the spread he'd collected out in a semicircle around him. Looking at it now, it was a fearsome amount of food. Adding in Ryuji and Ann's portions, it was an unsurmountable amount for three people and a cat to consume.

"Dude, why'd you get so much?" Ryuji berated him.

"Seriously," Ann agreed with a frown. "That's a lot."

"We had to cover for you two not knowing how to choose!" Morgana spat back in defense of Ren. "Now pass me that plate with the fish on it!"

"Woah! Hold up guys," Ryuji called. "Is that… the principal?"

"Can't be…" Ann denied, also turning to look past Ren's head. A second later, the fork she was holding fell to the plate with a soft clatter.

"Also… Damn! That fine first-year that's into me is with him!" Ryuji guffawed.

Ren took the news silently, not turning around. He wasn't surprised to hear both sisters were here. What did shock him was that they were with the principal. That seemed… unethical? Unmoral maybe? If not, then at least strange, especially considering how one teacher at the school just confessed to sexual assault. The principal should be trying to distance himself from any possible implications of impropriety at this time.

"Yeah right," Ann replied following Ryuji's gaze, "as if you could land a girl like that."

"Dude!" Ryuji replied offended. "We're both athletes so you know… we vibe."

"Whatever," Ann dismissed him, "those older people, the girl's parents?"

"Probably," Ren agreed without turning around. "It would be strange for the principal to invite just the girls out to a fancy lunch."

Receiving two noncommittal grunts, everyone's gazes were drawn back to the food. Even the presence of their principal unable to stop them from admiring the upper-class food they'd never normally be able to eat.

Still even as he began digging into the food, Ren kept thinking about the two sisters. He hadn't actually talked to the red-haired one since she ran into him on the train last month. Ren had simply trying to be nice to her then, he wasn't prepared for the butterflies in his stomach seeing her like this. Even stranger, was that Ren wanted to turn around and see how her sister looked as well. Would the more mature brown-haired one wear a dress that complimented that side or her? Or perhaps she'd play up her innocent side?

Only through sheer force of will and the delectability of the food was Ren able to keep his gaze fixed upon his own table. Ren was glad that no one was talking, too focused on the food in front of them. If they were, there was no way he'd be able to focus on the contents. He wanted to look so badly!

Caught between heaven and hell, the meal continued.

---

Thursday May 5th, 20XX Morning

"It seems you sister has yet to return."

"Umm, yes…" Replying meekly, Kasumi didn't know what to say. Not feeling very hungry, Kasumi had rushed through the buffet, only grabbing some portions of everything. Still, Sumire should have returned to the table by now. Kasumi had seen her eyeing the dessert stand, but that had been a while ago.

"Well, no sense in waiting," the principal decided. "Itadaki…"

"I'm here!" Throwing her plates on the table, Sumire crushed in on the sofa beside Kasumi, closer than she need to be.

"…"

"O-oh, did I interrupt. M-my apologies principal…"

"…Pay it no mind child. Now, let's eat, shall we?"

"Itadakimasu!"

Saying the traditional greeting, the adults began to dig into their food. The principal with far less poise then their parents were showing. Kasumi was able to deduce the reason for the principal's girth rather easily from the display that he was making. Not that she ate much slower, but certainly healthier. The amount of sugar and fat on the principal's plate would put Kasumi into a coma.

Trying to begin eating as well, Kasumi felt a poke on her arm. Turning her head, Sumire was smiling at her, an excited gleam in her eyes.

"Look over there."

Whispering the words, Kasumi followed the pointed chopstick to a nearby table. There were two chairs and sofa surrounding it. Staring at the back of the sofa, Kasumi locked onto a person she knew. "Sakamoto-senpai…" Going to the other chair, Kasumi found herself strangely disappointed that it was a girl sitting there and not the transfer student. Still, it was a girl she knew, even if she had never talked to her. Ann Takamaki, the famous victim of Kamoshida. Opinion on her had really done a 180.

Then… Getting distracted, Sumire found the third person. A mop of black hair peeking over the sofa. Heart beginning to pick up speed, Kasumi couldn't believe the coincidence.

"Why don't you go say hello?" Sumire teased.

"M-maybe I will later," Kasumi shot back quietly. "Why don't you?"

"I already did." Sumire sniffed imperiously. Moments after, a strange look entered her eyes. Like she was conflicted about something. Second guessing giving up on the transfer stundent after meeting him again, Kasumi thought.

"You aren't eating girls?"

Quickly facing front again, Kasumi couldn't help but blush under her father's gaze. "J-just a quick chat. Nothing important."

Why did I say that?

Unable to face her father's understandable confusion, Kasumi dug into her food with a fervor. The small portion sizes she had taken disappearing quickly with her rejuvenated appetite. All too soon, her chopsticks were scraping the bottom, nothing else left to inhale. Awkwardly dropping the utensils, Kasumi blushed as she caught a knowing glance from Sumire.

"My, it seems like I'm not the only one here with an appetite!" Kobayakawa chuckled, his considerably larger plate also drained already. "Why don't we grab seconds while the others clean up?"

"Actually, I…" Cutting off, Kasumi looked back at Sumire. This time her expression was guarded. Briefly debating the meaning, Kasumi nodded. "That sounds wonderful."

Without a word Sumire moved to let Kasumi out. Taking the offer hesitantly, Kasumi let herself up and had access to the food once more.

"Oh ho, well don't mind me!" Waddling off, Kobayakawa headed in a straight line toward the dessert table.

Sending Sumire one final, confused glance, Kasumi began walking slowly among the mingling adults. She was struggling to figure out her sister's strange acceptance. That hesitation in her eyes earlier, she was second guessing her decision, right?

I shouldn't talk to the transfer student.

With that thought floating through her head, Kasumi groaned internally. It was the right thing to do, especially with Sumire being so weird. But what was one innocent conversation? Especially when Kasumi longed so badly to hear his take on the phantom thieves and their strange powers.

Torn, Kasumi found herself staring dully at the food, avoiding looking at that table. However, she no longer had an appetite. Not like she ever had; she just ate to avoid Sumire's glances.

"Are you done yet?"

"Huh? Oh, uh my apologies." Getting chastised by a well-dressed adult, Kasumi moved out of the way.

"You know though…" The man murmured, stopping, and looking at her. "You are working that dress. If you're free, why not join me at my table. I'm sure I can find some work for you."

"T-that's…" Frozen, Kasumi found herself not knowing what to say. How was she supposed to deny this person? Many people had heard his words, they just didn't seem to care. Glancing around for help, Kasumi was sure that at least one of the adults would tell him to leave her alone. Anyone would do… All she needed was a small excuse.

"Is that a yes then? Well, come along, oh and be sure to stay silent."

"N-N…" Unable to get a single word out, Kasumi found his hand on her elbow, beginning to drag her with him.

I'm stronger than this. I don't need people to help me.

Trying to repeat the mantra in her head, Kasumi jerked her elbow from his grip.

"Excuse me?" The man asked, his voice low and deadly.

"I-I have prior engagements but thank you for your offer."

"Prior engagements?" He sneered. "Don't make me laugh, the only reason you're here is to make a quick dollar. Now shut up and…"

"She's with me," another voice interrupted. "I believe you were getting food sir."

"Tck, no good brats," Turning around with a dismissive sniff, the man finally left.

"Thank you so much sir, I don't know… S-Senpai!?" Squeaking, Kasumi found her face on fire as she turned to view her saviour. There he was, casual clothes and all he stood out massively in this crowd. Even with her sun yellow dress, Kasumi felt a little-undressed. The majority of the women had gaudy amulets compared to her simple necklace.

"It's good to see you again," he spoke that calm aura still unfazed. "I talked to your sister earlier."

"D-did you!?" Kasumi answered, voice starting to come under control. "T-thank you for your help. I didn't know how to get rid of him."

"I think you would have managed," the transfer student answered with a mysterious confidence. "You look like someone that can accomplish anything they put their mind to."

"Again, thank you for the kind words," Kasumi muttered in answer. "However, I'm not so sure of that anymore."

"I think he's coming back," her senpai spoke, staring over Kasumi's shoulder. "Why don't you come sit at our table for awhile until he goes away?"

"Again, thank you for the offer…" Following along meekly, Kasumi was a jumble of emotions. She hadn't planned on talking to him. No matter how tempted she was, she simply wasn't going to do it. Not to a boy her sister probably still liked, whatever her messages had said.

"U-umm, please excuse me," Sitting meekly beside the transfer student at the table, Kasumi pretended not to notice the cat in his bag that had quickly retracted its head when it saw her. The two people in the chairs were gaping at her.

"She was being bothered by some guy, so I offered a spot for now."

"I-I see…" Sakamoto responded. "H-hey there, how's school going?"

"M-me?" Kasumi answered awkwardly. Raising her head, she wasn't quite sure what was wrong with Sakamoto-senpai. His face had a fake grin plastered upon it. "I think it is going well. Midterms next week shouldn't be too hard."

For some reason the word midterms sucked all energy out of the boy. "Why'd you have to remind me…"

"That's next week?" Takamaki groaned. "I haven't studied at all."

"Ignore them," the transfer student advised. "Although I must admit, I'm surprised to see you here with the principal."

"Oh," Kasumi answered agreeing internally with him. It would probably bad if it got out that they were getting preferential treatment. "Please don't mention this at school to anyone! I'm still not sure why he invited my family here."

Sakamoto snorted in response. The rather vulgar gesture totally opposite the atmosphere of the restaurant. "Like we have any friends to tell anyway."

"Actually," Kasumi found herself asking, intrigue piqued as her residual fear and embarrassment began to fade. "What are the three of you doing here? I can't imagine that it's easy to afford on a student's budget."

"We celebrating, of course!" Sakamoto replied instantly with a big grin. "Kamoshida is good and gone!"

Although the other two didn't answer, Kasumi felt a similar thrill of joy from them. The teacher that had caused them so much pain was finally gone. They could enjoy the rest of their school days in relative peace and happiness.

"Do you know what happened to him?" Kasumi found herself asking. The opportunity was too good to pass up. These three students were, along with the Suzui girl, the people most affected by Kamoshida.

At the question, the joy promptly faded, an awkward tension rising in its place. "No more than you," the transfer student answered.

Although Kasumi detected no change in him, only those unreadable eyes, she didn't believe him. She had no reason not to, except for the change in mood. Sakamoto and Takamaki shared a lengthy look as well.

"P-please senpai, I'm not a child. I… I have to know."

"…Why?"

Thinking about this response, Kasumi tried to frame her answer. Glancing at the other two, Kasumi began to lose her resolve. If she couldn't say this to her sister, how could she say it to strangers. Except… Looking back up, Kasumi met those peaceful black orbs. So patient, so easy to talk to.

"I need to know if these phantom thieves are real. How they operate. I… I was terrified Monday night after the confession. I thought… they may come for me next."

Focussing solely on the transfer student, Kasumi didn't notice the shifting and mutters from the others. There was only one person whose opinion she wanted now.

"…You have no reason to fear them."

"How? How are you so confident senpai?"

"They only target criminals," he tried to assure her. "There's no way they would go after someone like you."

"I… I guess that makes sense. I don't know why, but I believe you senpai. Umm… Did my sister say anything to you?"

Thrown off by the change in subject, the transfer student looked confused for the first time. Tilting his head, he was perhaps trying to recall the conversation. "Not really, just…"

Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, Kasumi got the feeling he was hiding something. "What did she say?"

"I-it was nothing, really."

"Senpai…"

"…Fine. She wanted to know what I thought of you."

Blushing deeply, Kasumi cast her eyes nervously around at the others that were hearing every word of this conversation. Heart hammering, Kasumi couldn't believe Sumire had the courage to ask something like that.

"A-and, what did you… What did you…" Shaking her head quickly, Kasumi gave up on the whole endeavour. "Thank you for your hospitality senpai!"

Leaping to her feet, Kasumi made a beeline back to the table where her family was sitting. The principal was just returning as well. Plates stacked high with only desserts this time. Kasumi shuddered to think of the daily percentage of sugar content he was consuming.

Sliding in beside Sumire, Kasumi avoided her sister's piercing gaze. There was no way she missed Kasumi sitting beside the transfer student.

"Ah, good timing Kasumi," her father greeted her, "although I notice you didn't get any more food."

"Oh, I couldn't find anything I wanted," Kasumi replied with a half-hearted smile.

"Any food that is…" Sumire added on quietly only for Kasumi's ears.

"Eep!" Flinching slightly, Kasumi wasn't sure who she was sitting beside anymore. When did her sister become this prying and teasing? That was Kasumi's role as the older sister!

"No matter," Kobayakawa began through mouthfuls of cake. "Let us begin the subject we came here to discuss."

With that, the mood around the table darkened quickly. Kasumi sent a hesitant look to her father but only received a half-hearted smile back.

"As I'm sure you girls know, you are enjoying a life at school that most students dream of." Stopping to take another bite, the principal eventually continued. "As such, the school expects certain… benefits back."

"We are already aware," Kasumi found herself speaking. Some confidence returned after talking to the transfer student. "We were called to the guidance office a few weeks ago in addition to our meeting with you before school started."

"Ah," the principal replied thoughtfully, the gleam of a ruthless intelligence sparkling in his eyes. Not necessarily smarts, or a vast sum of knowledge, merely the ability to get what he wanted. "You see before, we were merely outlining the conditions upon which you hold your honor student status. This is… a little different."

"Different how?" Shinichi interrupted, clearly not liking the way the conversation was going.

"You see," the principal nodded, as if expecting the question, "Kamoshida has endangered not only my position at the school, but the two of you as well."

"W-what!?" Kasumi shouted back, Sumire merely shuddering beside her. Her arm brushing up against Kasumi in solidarity.

"These criminals that blackmailed him have forced him to speak a series of nasty lies, interwoven with a few uncomfortable truths of which he, most unfortunately, will be convicted."

"That's not…" Sumire muttered under her breath

"What was that my dear?" Kobayakawa asked, missing Sumire's words.

"I-It's nothing principal!" She squeaked, clearly lying.

"No, please! All opinions are welcome. After all, we are eating lunch as equals today."

Kasumi wished she could help as the principal smiled at Sumire. That fake smile making the food in Kasumi's stomach begin to stir.

"I… I said it isn't unfortunate. Kamoshida is getting what he deserved."

The words silenced the entire table. Eyes bulging, Kasumi faced her sister in horror. There was no way the principal would let that go unpunished. This moment would come back to bite her.

"Perhaps you feel that way now," the principal answered, surprisingly unfazed, "however, I should tell you, that already students are beginning to remember the time you spent with Mr. Kamoshida. If it should get out that you knew of his crimes and aided in protecting him…"

"How dare you!" Shinichi sputtered, shooting to his feet. "I won't sit here and listen to you threaten my daughters!"

"I did nothing of the sort!" Kobayakawa insisted, raising his hands in a gesture of innocence. "I'm just saying… students can be… a little cruel." Picking up the cherry adorning the central dessert, Kobayakawa began to crush it, red liquid slowly seeping out like a rivulet of blood. "I want to protect them from this fate. To do that… It may be beneficial to have a media presence."

At once, Kasumi's face went straight to Shinichi who sat there awkwardly, half out of his seat. His face mottled with rage. Kasumi felt bad for her father. He was getting pressured into this because of them. No wonder the principal set this up. He needed an unofficial channel.

"What for?" He reluctantly asked.

"Hmm, why I just think Japan should focus less on the culprit here and more on the victim… and hero." The principal's eyes faced Kasumi straight on. Squirming under it, she found herself unable to look away. "The gymnast, who through all of Kamoshida's abuse, found the courage to tell the school what he was doing to her. Struck by the guilt of his actions, Kamoshida finally confessed, all because one girl had the courage to stand up to him…"

"A lie…"

"No… A story."

"It won't work," Shinichi dismissed with a wave of his hand. "The police will be on it in an instant. Apparently this Kamoshida fellow is being extremely cooperative according to the media."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Kobayakawa answered, wiping his hands on the napkin, turning the pristine white surface red. "I've paid already, you have this table for another fifteen minutes, so enjoy it. Just remember, next week at school, your daughters could be a villain. It matters not to me."

Kasumi found her body shaking. A primal terror as helplessness filled her. So, there were indeed situations where one person, no, one child, was helpless to do anything. Feeling like she understood her sister a little more, Kasumi bowed her head and stared, seeing nothing and hearing nothing as her parents talked in hush whispers.

---

Thursday May 5th, 20XX Morning

Sumire found it hard to breath. The dress wasn't tight, nor was the buffet room sweltering. She just couldn't catch her breath, each one coming faster and faster. Kasumi beside her was looking only at the table. Sumire turned to her expectantly, waiting for her to shoot up, to solve the problem.

"K-Kasumi?" Speaking her name, Sumire was sure it would happen. Her sister always bounced back and fixed things. Always.

"Let's go, I need to make a phone call." Shinichi muttered finally, it seemed like he had come to a conclusion about something. "Are you two alright?"

"I… Yes father." Answering blankly, Sumire blinked in confusion. All of the bravado from earlier had vanished completely. Sumire barely understood where it had come from. One second she was stunned by the transfer student's less than positive opinion about Kasumi, next Sumire was practically begging Kasumi to go talk to him.

All of that had been rendered pointless though. Kasumi still wasn't responding. Reaching out, Sumire weakly shook her arm. "It's uh, it's time to go."

"…Yes."

The weak response was so un-Kasumi-like, Sumire wasn't sure she'd actually said it. Nonetheless, Kasumi stood up, looking like a zombie, she operated on autopilot, filing in behind her mother.

"…I'll be right there." Sumire called out from behind them. Leaving them to gather their effects, Sumire wandered, knowing where she wanted to go, but unsure if she had the conviction. "It's empty!?"

Taking a quick glance towards his table, Sumire groaned in disbelief. Just her luck. The one time she may have the courage or desperation to talk to him, he wasn't there. Leaning against the pillar next to the now vacant pillar, Sumire sighed.

"Why is the principal doing this…" It wasn't fair. Shouldn't he be protecting them? As students at his school? Yet, Sumire got the impression that he didn't see them that way. They were merely connections that would let the principal write a compelling tale about how amazing his school is.

"Damn it! All of these snotty, shitty adults!"

"Huh?" Freezing at the loud voice, Sumire thought the speaker was a teenager.

"Calm down Ryuji!" The female voice that answered back was one that Sumire had heard before. The girl that had called out Mr. Kamoshida during his confession. They must be the two with the transfer student.

"Isn't he right though?" the transfer student himself shot back. "They all walk around with their noses in the air."

"Sorry…" The girl sighed. "This woman walked into me and spilled her food. Then she blamed me for it. All of the waiters stared at me like I shouldn't be here…"

"Sounds like a bitch," the other boy replied.

Sumire realized that they must have just gone to the washroom or something. Standing there nervously, Sumire wasn't sure what to do. She wanted to talk to them, but something about their conversation, the way they were wording things intrigued her. Like these people were something they could deal with, or change.

"It's like there's something rotten with society," the transfer student sighed.

"We could do something about that," the first boy answered. "Come on, think about it!"

"Still… that girl's words. Are we… scary? I thought we were giving people hope."

"…" Trying to focus her hearing on the conversation, Sumire felt like there was odd pause. Like someone was talking she couldn't hear. Except was that… meowing?

"So, are in agreement Leader?"

"…I think we are. We have a chance to make a real difference here. To help people."

"To reform society."

"To get back at shitty adults."

"Meow!" This time, Sumire was positive she heard a cat. Blinking in confusion, she carefully turned around so that she could peer through the nearby fronds at the group.

"So each target must be unanimous, yes?"

"Of course!"

"A name, huh?" the transfer student muttered, a piece of paper in his hands. Thinking it over, a few tense seconds passed. "Better stay simple I think. How's this?"

Say it aloud! Or at least tilt it this way!

Gnashing her teeth in frustration, the import of the conversation was beginning to register. Sumire couldn't believe it, but at the same time, it made so much sense. The boy that grabbed her attention so wholly at the beginning of school, driving away that darkness she always found herself in. The group that had given her the confidence to begin trying things on her own. Even if she had failed a lot, Sumire had been trying. Of course they were the same.

Smiling wildly, Sumire whispered the name to herself as the sheet finally turned towards her. "Thank you, The Phantoms." Sliding away from the group, Sumire put all of her gymnastics training to use to flee without being seen.