Author's note:
I have no idea how the weeks vanished, but they did.
I give up on predicting when the next chapter will be out.
This one is also short for some reason. It felt like a decent length.
Later, and sorry again,
-asdf
Chapter 21: Time Crunch
Wednesday June 22nd, 20XX Evening
"That… That about sums it up," Ren finished awkwardly. The Phantom thieves had absconded from Kaneshiro's bank palace to a café in the real world.
Their group had grown to such a size that it was a struggle for them to sit together in more popular locations. It had taken more than one attempt to find a seedy enough café on the outskirts of Shibuya that was empty enough for the group.
After arriving, Ren had summarized what happened last night with Futaba. The group was predictably stunned into silence. To be fair, it was a hard tale to believe. Ren wished he knew more as he saw questions bubbling up in their eyes.
"What happened?"
"Was she always crazy?"
"How did you encounter her?"
These questions and more barraged Ren who smiled weakly. "I'll do my best to—" Bzzt!
Frowning, Ren silenced the call on his phone. It was the second one since he had begun explaining about Futaba. There couldn't possibly be something more important happening at this moment.
"Is something happening, Senpai?" Sumire asked, worry touching her voice. As usual, her instincts on when something was disturbing Ren were spot on.
"Not sure, my phone just keeps—" Bzzt! A message this time moved his phone. Sighing, Ren pulled it out. "Sorry, just give me…"
Trailing off, Ren scanned a list of incoming messages from almost the last person he would have expected, his homeroom teacher.
Answer the damn phone!
I need to talk to you.
Hire me.
NOW!
"I-I have to take this. We can continue this tomorrow." Waving a hand, Ren grabbed a bag and darted out.
"S-Senpai!?"
"…What's up with him?" Ryuji's voice chased him out.
Heart palpitating, Ren entered a comfortable jog as he wove his way through the late afternoon traffic to Shibuya station.
"Yo, you seriously need to tell me what's happening…" Morgana complained from the bumpy bag.
"Something's up with Kawakami," Ren bit back. Sweat started to accumulate on his forehead. There was no way that this was going to be good.
Running through his mind were the most likely possibilities. First, Ren knew that Kawakami was lying about her reason for working. She needed a lot of money, for what, Ren didn't know. Could that be all this was? She needed Ren to give her money so she could meet some sort of deadline?
Calming down somewhat, Ren hoped that was it. If so, he was looking forward to lying on his bed and relaxing as Kawakami did laundry or something. Send some apology messages to the rest of the thieves.
Entering the half-full train, Ren whipped his phone out to reply. Barely unlocked, another call lit up his screen. Smashing the accept button, Ren held his phone to his ear. "He—"
"Finally!" Kawakami yelled over him. "Where are you!?"
"On the train back to my place. I was in the middle of something. What is all of this?"
"That is what you'll need to tell me! I was at the desk and then there was a package… and oh gods, I couldn't just do that to you all…"
Stomach sinking, Ren assumed a worse case scenario. "Where are you? I'll be back in five minutes and can let you in like usual."
"I'm in the company car on a nearby street. I'll head over when you message me."
"Alright…" Lowering the phone with a shaky hand, Ren stored it mindlessly back into his front pocket. Kawakami's vague words echoed in his mind. It didn't make any sense. None of this did.
"Y-Yikes!" Morgana commented having overheard the conversation. "This could be bad."
Ren nodded curtly, anxiously tapping away the minutes until the train arrived at the station.
"Excuse me." Pushing his way to the forefront of the departing citizens, Ren ran from Jongyen-jaya. Mid sprint he sent a quick message to Kawakami.
Sliding to a halt in front of a darkened LeBlanc, Ren opened it with his key. Darting through the empty café, Ren shortly arrived at the dilapidated secondary exit. Heaving it open with a bang, Ren was greeted by a startled maid.
Kawakami, or rather Becky, had barely attempted her maid outfit. Her hair was pulled into twintails but hadn't been properly straightened resulting in frizzy ends. More telling were the bra straps that were visible running up and over her shoulders. She must have forgotten to switch before throwing on the rest of her maid outfit.
"Hurry up." Grabbing her hand, Ren pulled her inside and gestured at the stairs. Taking one look out at the back alley, Ren saw no one and shut the door.
When Ren arrived at the top of the stairs, Kawakami was standing there giving the area a critical eye. "I was right last time; this attic really is too dusty for-"
"Enough!" Ren cut her off, grabbing her upper arm to twist her. "What is this about?"
"Ow!" Shaking him off, Kawakami rubbed her arm. "Not so rough. I'm going out on a limb for you here, you know!?"
"I…" Biting back his fear, Ren bowed slightly. "My apologies. Please take a seat and explain."
"First…" Opening the bag she had entered with, clutched to her stomach, Kawakami took out a parcel package.
"You mentioned a package…"
"Here." Kawakami removed a small 6x4 square of glossy paper. A picture.
It couldn't be…
"It is." Gazing in disbelief, Ren sent out a silent protest. Why are cellphone cameras so good nowadays!?
"Can you explain this?" Kawakami asked desperately. "I-I shouldn't have taken these… I should have called the police. Oh if they look at the security cameras I'll be fired! Not just that, I will also be investigated by the police! Urgh, why did I do this."
Gulping, Ren began to see a bit more clearly the potential fallout from this. The pictures must have been sent to the school by Kaneshiro. For some reason, he had reneged on his time limit.
"…Did anyone else see these?"
"No, no one." Kawakami confirmed. "Also… I kind of booked you for a double session."
"So.. I owe you 20K? That's fine. I owe you more than that for this favour." Ren nodded in appreciation, reaching for his wallet.
"No, only 18," Kawakami smiled her best maid smile. "You get a discount for booking a longer slot, Master."
"Oh? Acting like Becky now, are you?" Ren teased.
"What are you saying Master? Becky is Becky…" Kawakami's fake attitude slid off. "Seriously though, what is this?"
"…It isn't your problem. Thank you for bringing it to me, but your role here is done."
"Not my problem? Not my problem!?" Kawakami shook a finger between Ren's eyes, forcing them to cross. "Didn't you hear me!? Getting laid off at that point would be the least of my issues! You think the school is gonna protect me? Huh!?"
"…I can't offer you protection though," Ren shrugged. "I'm just a highschool student. There's nothing I can do to help."
"Yeah, I know," Kawakami sighed turning away from Ren. Heading over to the bed, she collapsed upon it. "I'm the adult here, I couldn't just turn you in… Having a record, they'd probably blame everything on you."
"…Probably." Ren spoke aloud. I'd make sure of it. There was no way Ren would let Sumire or any of them get into trouble.
"Urgh, just thinking about it… makes me sleepy… wake me up in… Zzz"
"…Haha, there's no way she just fell asleep…" Ren chuckled to himself.
"Yeah, I don't think she'll be helping us anymore," Morgana sighed.
"…That's fine," Ren sighed, exhaustion settling thick on his body.. Grabbing extra blankets, he draped one over his teacher's prone form. Taking another for himself, Ren stretched. Laying down on the couch, Ren covered himself and felt his eyelids droop. "She's done enough already."
"Yeah, you're right," Morgana curled up on Ren's chest – his usual location.
"Every day will count from now on," Ren continued to mutter as sleep came closer. "Ideally we find a route tomorrow, send a calling card the card after…"
Still plotting, Ren wondered if there was still a way out of his predicament as sleep overtook him.
Thursday June 23rd, 20XX Early Morning
"A-A-AHHHHH!"
Receiving a splitting scream as a wake-up call, Ren jolted off the couch instantly. Still dressed from last night, Ren quickly found the source, Kawakami.
"You're still here?" He asked in surprise. "Why are you yelling?"
"How are you not!?" Ren's teacher squeaked out, her hair and clothes a mess. That was, her maid outfit was a mess.
"…It's too early to freak out," Ren yawned. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he tsked at the remaining charge, less than a quarter.
"Ha… Ha… Somehow seeing you so composed is helping… but seriously, what's wrong with you? Your teacher spent the night in your room, how does that not creep you out?"
"Uhh…"
"Oh wait," Kawakami gave Ren her signature glare, hips cocked. "You're one of those weird ones that dream of hooking up with their teacher, aren't you? Well sir, let me disappoint you now, that is never happening, in no universe ever!"
"Err…" Ignoring Morgana's stifled laughs from the side, Ren decided to just ignore the spiel. "Do you want coffee before you head to the school?"
"Do I…? …You're a sly one… but yes, that would be wonderful."
"Be right back." Heading downstairs, Ren hoped the store wouldn't be open yet. Of course, Sojiro was walking in at just that moment.
"Howdy there. Could have sworn I heard a scream, did something happen."
"…Just trying out a new alarm. Good for waking up, but a little too startling." Ren lied easily.
Sojiro chuckled, appearing to buy it. "Ha, skipping out on coffee then?"
I can't take two glasses up…
Cursing internally, Ren shook his head. "Wouldn't miss your coffee for anything."
"Ha! Got an appreciation for it now, do ya? Ahh, I remember back in April when you couldn't tell them apart. Seems like a distant memory."
"Haha, for sure…" Grabbing the cup, Ren took a few awkward steps back. Sojiro was way more talkative then usual.
"Huh? You taking it to your room?"
"Y-Yeah, since I have some time I was going to study up there."
"No need to be a stranger," Sojiro chuckled, "come study down here."
"…"
"Is something wrong?"
"I… err, don't want to be a nuisance. Thanks for the coffee!" Darting away before Sojiro could say anything further, Ren climbed the stairs. Ren wondered how much damage he had done to the relationship he had just established with his guardian.
Is the café open already?" Kawakami grumbled as she took the cup.
"Yes," Ren sighed sitting back down on the couch. "Finish that quickly, I'll bring it down and distract him while you sneak out the backdoor."
"Urgh, how humiliating," Kawakami winced. Instantly though, she glared again. "You didn't pay me for yesterday."
"Oh yeah, here." Taking out the cash, Ren's fingers brushed hers as the transaction took place. Locking eyes with her soft brown eyes, a blush crept unto Ren's cheeks. This is just like I'm paying her for…
"D-Don't look at me that way!" Kawakami yelled, snatching the bills away.
"Is something wrong?" Sojiro's voice echoed up. "I could have sworn I heard…"
"Nothing!" Ren shouted back, voice cracking. "Just… an app."
"…Kids and their crazy devices."
Disaster averted; Ren heaved a giant sigh as he sat back down. "I hate to kick you out but…"
"No, I need to go before I'm discovered," Kawakami nodded sternly. Removing the hair ties, she shook it out into a rough approximation of her everyday style. "Take the other half."
Grabbing the coffee cup, Ren nodded. "You could always run a study session and take a nap during class."
"I may very well do that," Kawakami smiled lightly. "Now then… good luck and I hope I get to finish the year as your teacher."
"Me too," Ren agreed as he took the stairs quickly, bag over his shoulder. "Me too."
Thursday June 23rd, 20XX After school
Hands shivering, Sumire couldn't move as angry voices swirled around her. She was too busy staring at the photo held in those shaking hands.
More exactly, she was staring at a mop of red hair in the corner of it. The main focus was certainly Haru, but Sumire's face was visible and identifiable. If other people saw this, things would get bad, really bad.
"Dude, I'm going to get expelled!" Ryuji complained. "How did this happen?"
"I don't know," Senpai sighed, having gone over all of this before. "The photos showed up at the school. If we don't hurry, Kaneshiro may wonder why nothing has happened yet."
"This will be hard…" Panther muttered. "We've never cleared a palace in such a rush before…"
"Ha!" Morgana laughed, jumping up on Senpai's head to become the center of attention. "What's the problem? We've been there before. Plus, we owe this to our leader! Ren will take most of the heat if these go public!"
"T-That's right!" Sumire agreed, contributing to the conversation for the first time. With the blow from the photos, Sumire's insides were a mess. Her brain felt scrambled. This was by far the worst situation she had found herself in.
Well, maybe besides that time she was seconds away from dying. But that was metaverse stuff, it was different.
"We need to save Senpai!" Sumire finished.
"I-I agree," Makoto sighed, rubbing her head. Her face looked defeated. "Sis is gonna kill me if she finds out but… Let's do this."
"Damn it," Ryuji cursed again. "Just doesn't feel right to leave Futaba alone but…"
"We have no choice." Yusuke sympathized.
"We should hurry up and go," Haru suggested. "We have a lot of palace left to clear."
"Hold on!" Morgana declared. "We've put this off for long enough. Don't think it will fly any longer!"
"Oh yeah! Codenames!" Ryuji fist pumped.
"True! It's been too long!" Panther agreed happily.
Sumire as well was looking forward to this. It was weird calling them by their first name in the metaverse. Plus, Sumire's geeky side loved the mystery the codenames introduced to their group.
"Who to start with though," Senpai murmured.
"I-I have an idea!" Haru declared, dramatically clutching a fist.
"Alright, what is it?" Senpai asked.
"…I need to be in the metaverse."
"Probably better so we can view the outfits."
A quick transition later, the group was standing on the broken main street of Kaneshiro's Shibuya. Ignoring the broken ATMs, everyone focused on Haru.
She was standing with her back to the group. Haru was muttering something to herself, having given no indications about what her plans are.
"Senpai… Should we be worried?" Violet asked.
"Nah… I mean, how bad can it be?"
"Okay!" Haru yelled suddenly, straightening her posture. Grabbing her hat, Haru turned around and flourished it. "I am beauty thief!"
…
A tumbleweed crossed between them while the group was silent.
"D-Don't just stand there and not say anything!" Haru protested. "I was trying to come up with a cool name and entrance!"
"…I was wrong." Senpai managed to speak. "We should have been more worried."
Crashing to her knees, Haru looked totally defeated. "That's… too cruel."
"D-Don't give up yet Haru!" Makoto yelled, rushing to her side. "We can think up some new ideas!"
"Like?"
"Err, blackie?"
"Blackie!?" Haru retorted angrily. "What the hell am I, an extra!?"
What on earthl is happening? Violet wondered to herself as she tracked back and forth between the two friends.
"We don't got time for you two to do a damn tsukkomi skit!" Skull roared.
"Skull is right, no matter how vulgar his delivery," Mona sighed. "Alright, why not name you both after your outfits. Something like… Shoulderpads and Feather."
"Oh Mona," Haru smiled sweetly. "I didn't realize you desired death that badly."
"No, but I'll oblige him," Makoto growled in agreement.
"H-Hey wait! It was just an idea!"
"Be a bit more practical," Joker berated him. "Something like Rider would fit Makoto far better."
"Grr…" Makoto growled still displeased.
"Oh, I like that one!" Haru changed direction.
"I agree!" Panther nodded, leaving Sumire as the only girl that hadn't given it her seal of approval.
"No! That name is no good!"
"Maybe we should try Haru in the meantime?" Sumire suggested. Makoto had rejected the obvious codenames. It was clear that finding something to fit her wouldn't be easy.
"Me again? Umm, maybe Makoto was on the right track with the black motif?"
"Oh, I see!" Panther snapped her fingers. "Like Noir, or something, yeah? It's French and suave."
"Wow, you know things like that?" Skull gaped.
"Rude!" Panther smacked him lightly with her outfit's tail.
"I like it!" Haru nodded happily. "From now on, call me Noir!"
"You got it!" Sumire gave Noir a thumbs up.
"Now its just Mako-chan!"
"She certainly is an enigma…" Fox spoke quietly. "I am unsure, she seems to dislike names based on her outfit but… Pugilist? Perhaps Pug, for short?"
"…Do you want me to hit you?" Makoto threatened the poor artist.
"She's more like a Dom," Skull muttered. "Hey, maybe we should-"
Twack!
"Urgh!"
Sumire winced at the sight of the prone, moaning Skull. She was pretty sure Makoto hadn't injured him too much. This time at least. Next time might be difference.
"Ah, a cold-hearted empress that rules with an iron fist. I never thought such an entity would join our ranks!"
"Empress?" Makoto didn't reject in instantly. That was a major improvement. "I think it could be improved… what about… Queen?"
Queen!? Violet glanced around the group, waiting for someone to object. As no one did, Sumire spoke up herself. "H-Hold on, another card-based name? Isn't that a little strange? It gives the impression that you and Joker are well… You know."
"It does?" Skull asked, his head poking off the ground. "I don't see it."
"No, no, she has a point," Panther agreed.
"Yeah, now that mention it, it is a little…"
"Enough!" Makoto bellowed. "It's decided. Now, let the infiltration begin!"
"Yes ma'am!" Skull saluted.
Pouting, Sumire led the back of the group. She glared at the backs of the others. Mainly Senpai. Violet couldn't understand why he hadn't spoken up. Leadership of the group was getting swiped from him and he didn't say a word.
"I feel like my back is going to catch fire," Senpai muttered back to her.
Blushing, Violet averted her gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not upset about anything."
Senpai simply chuckled, slowing down so that he could walk beside her. "If I tell you, you can't say a word about it."
Feeling nervous, Violet's throat dried up. Lacking words, she nodded her agreement.
"I'm worried that we won't finish in time. In that situation, we need the thieves to continue. I think Makoto, I mean Queen, would be able to do that."
"Yes… But promise me that won't happen. Senpai I won't let you take the hit for this."
"If the pictures go public, it won't matter," he spoke matter-of-factly. The mask obscured his expressions, preventing Violet from telling what was going on in his mind. "I'll get blamed regardless of what you say, the only out is Kaneshiro confessing."
"Urgh… This was my fault… Actually, there is something I can do."
"Umm, Violet?" Senpai asked warily.
Ignoring him, Violet grabbed the hilt of her blade for comfort. A dim light emitting in response to the contact. "Let's hurry up, we have a palace to clear."
Thursday June 23rd, 20XX Evening
"C-Calm down!" Joker cried, but it was pointless. The golden warrior before them was getting shredded. Violet had encountered the guardian and said nothing before beginning to slaughter it.
"Dude, we have shadows filtering in from the side!" Skull called out.
"Take care of them!" Joker shot back. "I need to make sure Violet doesn't get herself killed."
Even as he said it though, Joker wondered if there was a point to worrying. Her gymnastics skills were on full display as she dealt with the demon's massive blade with ease.
Each of its large swings passed harmlessly past her while her numerous swift strikes landed each time. The gold armour was starting to come apart at the seams.
"Hah! Yeah! Hiyah!"
"Yeah, you go girl!"
"Don't egg her on, Panther!" Joker yelled.
"Aww, don't be such a worrywart of a boyfriend. She's killing it!"
The flow of the battle suddenly shifted. Violet was somehow turning around and facing them while blocking an attack. "H-He is not my boyfriend! Stop spreading rumours."
"Pay attention!" Joker screamed for what felt like tenth time. It was too late however as the creature's powerful physical attack broke through the block and hit Violet in the back.
"Tsk," Sliding, Joker reached out and grabbed Violet's airborne body. Wrapping it against his own, Joker felt as the path of his slide was altered by the collision.
"Uff."
What a cute noise…
Shaking his head, Joker tried to focus on the situation. Despite her risky antics, Violet had almost single-handedly removed one of Kaneshiro's powerful guardians. Their path to securing a treasure route was becoming clearer.
"How dare you oppose Lord Kaneshiro!? Thanks to him, I'm going to be rich!" The guardian roared.
"Kind of killed the tension…" Noir muttered, just loud enough to be heard by everyone.
It really did… Joker agreed silently. More important though was Violet who was moving slowly in his arms. "Are you alright."
"Urgh, sorry Senpai. I let my guard down."
"Don't worry about it, heal up here and we will finish the fight."
"…Sorry."
No objection? Concerned that the injury was worse than she was letting on, Joker ran an eye over her closely. Nothing looked wrong. The same transcendent outfit as usual. Like the other girls, it wasn't revealing, but accentuated her hard-won athletic figure.
"S-Senpai…"
"Does it hurt?"
"N-No, but when you look at me like that…"
"I have no idea what you are talking about, but if you aren't injured, I'll help out in the fight." Standing up, Joker could have sworn Violet pouted. Assuming it to be his imagination, Joker turned to face the weakened foe.
This new guardian was clearly related to the other demonic creatures that they had faced in the past. Based on its design and power however, this was their leader. Hopefully the last of Kaneshiro's cronies that would stand in their way.
It stood a good three metres tall with a double-ended blade weapon that it spun around easily. It was currently using the weapon to keep Queen and Noir at bay. Neither girl was using their persona in their haste, relying instead on brute force.
"Rargh!" Queen screamed, unleashing a devastating punch. While it connected solidly with the shadows stomach, it barely flinched. Combined with incredible toughness, it was able to resist physical attacks.
"Hua Po!" Not joining the melee, Joker called forth a fairy-like persona to lower the guard's attack. It was just in time as it retaliated against Queen.
Slamming its weapon into the ground, it unleashed a wave of power that washed over everyone nearby striking them once or more.
"Gragh!" Taking the brunt of the blow from close quarters, Queen fell to one knee, injured.
"Queen! Why you…" Growling at the guardian, Noir changed tactics. Removing her mask with an elegant flourish, the large persona materialized before her. The headless lady twirled slightly distorting the air with magical power.
Even away from the attack, Joker could feel the mind-bending power that the attack possessed. Getting hit with it would be as bad as fire or a sword.
"NOOO!" The guardian screamed, lifting its hands to its head. Haru had found its vulnerability. "I can buy the dip with my next paycheck! The losses… aren't realized yet…"
Muttering these strange incomprehensible words, the shadow began to melt into nothingness. As it finally disappeared with a trace, Joker could only stare.
"Umm, what the hell was that?" Skull asked. He led the side group back suggesting they had defeated the reinforcements.
"Uhh, it may have referred to the stock market… Maybe?" Queen suggested, peeling herself off the ground.
"Hmm, I shall take his advice seriously." Fox declared grandly, his expression pensive. "If I take what little funds I have and buy the dip… Why I'll be rich in no time!"
"Umm, Fox? Probably not the best idea to take advice from a shadow that was rendered retarded from mental damage." Skull sighed.
"The term is intellectual disability!" Panther corrected him. "Retarded is so 90's."
"Huh? The hells the difference? Calling it a different name doesn't change what it is!"
"Ugh, Men!" Panther rolled her eyes. "So uncouth."
"Don't worry Panther! Not all men are like that!" Mona pled.
"Ugh, obviously but you don't need to… never mind."
"Lady Ann…" Mona lamented as the object of his fancies stalked off to check on Queen's condition.
Feeling slightly bad about leaving the cat alone, Joker did the same but went back to Violet who was only now standing up against a banister.
"Hey, that was quite the blow."
"Yeah," Violet winced, poking at her back where the massive blade had hit her. The outfit was uninjured which made any injury hard to find.
"Stand still," Joker ordered, fishing through his endless bag. The wonders of the metaverse never ceased to amaze him. Quickly, he extracted an object that he had purchased from Tae.
"S-Senpai?"
"Hush." Assuming it would work here, Joker just placed the pad over the general area. It was supposed to heal an injured area so…
"A-Ahh! Its like a hot pad. No wait, it's getting cold! What is this!?"
"Umm… experimental medicine?"
"Senpai!?"
"It will work," he soothed her. "…Probably."
"What did you say!?"
Not replying, Joker watched with interest as the pad began glowing and getting absorbed by Violet's uniform. It probably had something to do with cognition, but for now Joker was simply fascinated by the show.
"W-What's happening!?"
"Huh? Oh, you can move now," Joker decided. "Are you feeling better."
"Actually…" Stretching slowly, Violet trailed off as she moved through a sequence of movements. First lifting her arms over her head, she bent double to the point where her head was almost touching the ground with her legs still straight. Looking at Joker from between her legs Violet nodded. "Yep! All good."
"That's good." Struggling not to flush, Joker turned away from the slightly provocative sight. She's just stretching!
Wondering what was wrong with him, Joker turned around and almost ran into Skull and Fox.
"Magnificent… What a picture I could paint from this sight?"
"Duuuuude!"
"…Get going." Pushing on them, Joker wasn't sure if their reactions made him feel better or worse about his own.
"Hey perverts!" Panther called them out. "Stop ogling her and let's go."
"Already on our way," Joker assured her.
With the guardian gone, this area of the bank was completely empty. Earlier, Kaneshiro had fled down the elevator before them. The large central column looked important. Lined with glass, the elevator would have cost a fortune to install.
Walking forward, Joker breathed a sigh of relief as it answered his button presses. There was no lock here. As everyone piled in, the press of bodies reminded him of the rush-hour subway. The only difference being…
"Ugh, don't press against me Ryuji!" Panther pushed at the boy as he pressed against her.
"It isn't my fault!" He answered back. "But damn, you've really grown since middle school…"
"…Do you want to die?"
"It isn't my fault!" Skull protested again.
"Get off Lady Ann you vulgar ape!"
"Shut up dude! There are too many of us!"
Trying to zone out the perpetual banter that seemed to flow between those three, Joker operated the somewhat complex button array. One could even darken the glass to make the walls opaque if the control array was to be believed.
For now, all Joker did was press the descend to basement button. With the soft whir of pressurized gas, they began the descent evenly. After only a few seconds, light began to creep in through the bottom of the windows.
"What…?"
Joker did know who had spoken, it could have been him. Unfurling before him was a fantastical circular array of walls. This was the center of the bank alright. The source of Kaneshiro's wealth. Actually… "Those are all vaults… aren't they?"
"N-No way…." Skull muttered; argument forgotten completely. "We can't search every one of those for the treasure!"
"We won't have to," Mona assured him. "I can sense Treasure but still…"
"They aren't special enough," Violet concluded. That was Joker's thought as well. While the number was outrageous, these vaults were ones that normal people would store goods in.
"I think…" Queen spoke slowly, her eyes still analysing the sight before her, "that this whole thing is a massive vault."
"…What?" Joker asked despite having heard her clearly. "This thing is the circumference of the flying bank. There is nowhere for a door to retract to."
It was hard imagining something on that scale, but if Queen was right then that is what would happen.
"Hmm… wait no, at the center there!" Everyone rushed to the same edge, looking for what she had pointed out. Just as they descended behind the walls of vaults, Joker saw it, another elevator.
"Get to the center, ride another elevator." Fox summarized. "Easy enough."
"True," Joker said, "we need to be concerned about what is below however. It will be the center of Kaneshiro's stronghold."
Mona nodded his agreement. "I think that as long as I can sense the treasure from below, we won't go down. It is too risky before it is materialized."
Unanimously agreeing, the final leg of their journey started. Once again, Violet began to press forward at the front. Her previous beating was unable to quench her flames of determination.
Joker was touched that she was going this far for his sake. Actually, as he scanned the group, Joker was sure that someone would have asked for a break by now. It seemed that they were united in their decision to press forward and discover a treasure route.
Walking along the walls of vaults, Joker quickly found the first dead end. They wouldn't get any closer to the center without descending into a different area.
Joker was pretty sure that there wasn't supposed to be anything below the vault room in a bank but… In the metaverse it seemed that anything could fly. Literally.
"Shadows ahead…" Violet warned. After informing them though, she darted ahead and fought it head on.
"That isn't how we are supposed to…"
"Hell yeah!" Skull charged ahead.
"Let's smash it!" Queen added on.
"Oh my, how fun!" Noir smiled sadistically.
"Ah, the thralls of battle and beauty, once more I have come to drink of your succor!" Fox laughed.
Joker sighed heavily. "They've lost their minds. We're supposed to be phantom thieves."
"Yeah," Mona said, "it is almost like they are worried about you or something."
"Huh, weird, why would they be?" Joker spoke, only somewhat sarcastic.
"Couldn't imagine," Mona shrugged. "I'm just working this hard because you make a comfortable sleeping place!"
"Aww, are you being a tsundere?" Panther asked, the one person not to run forward into battle.
"P-Panther!?" Mona leapt into the air. "W-What do you mean!? I was just saying that…. That… I'm going to help fight!"
As the cat dashed off, Joker struggled to not laugh. The laughter faded as Panther cut off his path with serious eyes.
"What's up?"
"Violet's working really hard for you."
"Y-Yeah, she is…" Joker replied baffled by the direct confrontation.
Panther poked him in the chest hard with one finger. "Make sure you repay her in full, alright? Her shoulders are bound to be tense so give her a massage or something, okay?"
"Sure… But you all are working hard."
"Men!" Panther lamented once more. "Why can't at least one of you… never mind. Just treat her nice, okay?"
"I-I'll do my best." Blinking, Joker was still confused as he followed Panther. He certainly wasn't planning on mistreating Violet, although he did wish she would be a little more careful.
Getting to the bottom of the stairs, Joker looked around in confusion. "Uhh… Where did they go?"
"I heard something from that direction," Panther said pointing to the right.
Going in that direction, Joker followed the steel corridor past some security cameras that weren't on. A good indication that they had been this way.
"What the hell is this, a speedrun?" Joker muttered angrily to himself as he rounded the corner. Once again, the thieves were absent. Only fading damage from a fight suggested that they had been here.
Joker could almost sense the security level rising. Like a huge monster breathing down his neck, the shadows were growing more alert. Their position was getting locked in on. Waves of reinforcements would be hard to avoid in such close corridors.
"I need to stop these idiots…" Muttering to himself, Joker couldn't believe they would do something like this. Their egos must be building off each other, seeing who could do the most.
Dashing forward, Joker could hear Panther panting from exertion a few steps behind. A room contained what looked like the shut-off switch.
"How far ahead of us are they?" Joker muttered.
"I don't know!" Panther cried.
"Damn it…" Chasing after the reckless fools, Joker realized that somehow even Morgana had left them behind. Activating his secret vision, Joker breathed a small sigh of relief. He could track them this way. Their footsteps were illuminated against the hard steel floor.
Turning another corridor, Joker found a set of stairs that led back up. Reaching the giant vault room again, Joker finally locked unto the group standing ahead of a pig's head and arguing.
"What are you doing!?"
"Senpai!" Violet chirped. Bouncing to his side, she smiled radiantly. "We cleared the path for you!"
"…Great." It's too hard to get mad when she's this cute…
"Around her little finger…"
"Did you say something Panther?" Joker asked testily.
"Nope!"
"Urgh, anyway, the security level is through the roof. Please everyone, can we try to employ some stealth?"
"Fine, fine," Skull tsked. "But man, it felt great to just unleash and not worry about hiding!"
"True!" Queen smirked to herself. "Riding Johanna through the shadows was an indescribable pleasure."
"I was really hoping you would help rein them in…" Joker despaired as Queen revealed her true colours as another battle nut.
"S-Sorry…"
"Moving on, what's the issue?"
"Math dude!" Skull lamented.
"Oh no!" Ann gasped looking over their shoulder and reading the notes that they were carrying. "The worst kind of math! The one with letters in it!"
"But that's just…" Shaking his head, Joker locked eyes with Queen. "I would have thought this would be easy for you."
"It is! But I was trying to teach Skull how to solve it and…"
"I don't get it!" Skull broke in. "How are you supposed to subtract letters!? Like they aren't numbers, you can't do operations with them!"
"You can though!" Queen insisted. "See, each letter corresponds to a numerical value. For example, if you have five apples and three oranges, then I ask the amount of fruit you have is…"
"Eight! But that's totally different!"
"Not at all, now see here…"
"I'm sorry," Joker cut in. "Just solve it please. We don't have unlimited time to teach Skull math."
"Door is open!" Violet cheered. "Let's continue, Senpai!"
"You got it." Travelling as a party now, the phantom thieves entered the final chambers of Kaneshiro's palace in high spirits.
Thursday June 23rd, 20XX Late Evening
"…A letter?" Talking to herself, Sae Nijima was surprised to find an unlabelled letter that had been slid under their apartment door.
Glancing up from it, Sao quickly found her sister. Makoto was sitting at the table head resting against her open schoolbooks lightly snoring. Smiling softly at her sister, Sae wondered the last time she had seen Makoto fall asleep studying.
Despite how studious she was, her years of Aikido had given Makoto the resilience to power through a task before finding sleep. It was a trait they shared.
Smile fading, Sae turned back to the letter in her hand. She should probably turn it into the police. It wouldn't be the first time someone sent something dangerous to a prosecutor's house.
But… something about this one seemed different.
With peerless precision, Sae opened the envelope with one slash of one of her immaculate fingernails. Unable to rid herself of all caution, Sae held it away from her body as she opened the top.
As she had suspected, nothing exploded or tried to kill her. Turning it over, she dumped the contents unto her hand. "A letter, huh?"
Yo Sae,
You're probs just hereing bout dos piks I took.
If you want your sis to stay safe den cum to da place de were taken tomorrow at ten pm.
Late,
Kane
Sae's face remained impassive as she finished the nearly imperceptible few line letter. The only sign of her anger was a slight shake in her hands.
Walking over to the table, Sae's forgotten high heels clicked imperiously against the laminate kitchen floor. Sae slammed her hand against the table creating a large bang.
"Aah!" Shooting up, Makoto blinked with sleep-fatigue. "What happened?"
"What happened?" Sae deadpanned. "Read this!"
"H-Huh?" The startled girl struggled to focus. Gulping, Makoto slowly turned to the piece of paper. "N-No way!"
"Explain." Sae growled. She already knew that Makoto was in some sort of trouble with Kaneshiro. To get a threatening letter was beyond her expectations.
"I-I can't."
"You can't or you won't?" Sae insisted.
"…I won't." Makoto answered, bowing her head.
"Look at me!" Sae slammed her hand on the table again. "Why? What have you done? Where are these pictures?"
Makoto pursed her lips and shook her head.
"Talk to me!" Sae demanded again.
Only tears flowed out of Makoto, no words. Watching silently for a few moments, Sae sighed in disgust. "Do what you want. I'm heading back to the office to get this letter analyzed."
"You can't!" Makoto declared, finally talking.
"Oh, why can't I?" Standing over her, Sae completely dominated the room.
"B-Because… then the police would know about the pictures' existence."
"…Why is that a problem?"
Makoto withered again, her mouth sealing.
"God dammit, say something!"
"P-Please just ignore the letter, I beg you!"
Gritting her teeth, Sae struggled not to lash out at the uncooperative girl. "You are asking me to cover up evidence of extortion. Why? Do you understand the consequences of this!?"
"Y-Yes…"
"And you still believe I shouldn't take this to the police? Why?"
"…I can't say."
"Ugh…" Throwing her hands up in the air, Sae stalked away from the table. "I need to think."
Leaving the apartment, Sae slammed the door behind her. Makoto was left alone at the table with only her tears and textbooks to keep her company.
After a deep breath she removed her phone and made a call. The others had to know.
Friday June 24th, 20XX Afternoon
"Ms. Kawakami, thank you for coming."
"D-Did," coughing to try and cover the stutter, Sadayo stood up straighter. "Did you need something sir?"
Standing in front of the interim principal, Sadayo had randomly gotten a missive to come to the principal's office. Her mind continuously spit out various possibilities as to the reason. Unfortunately, there were two options that kept coming back and neither were good.
"You see, the school received a strange phone call this afternoon. It was a stranger wondering why we hadn't acted upon the package that we received two days ago."
Ah, so I'm fucked.
"P-Package, sir?"
"Yes, it should have come when you were on the secretary shift after school hours were done. Do you remember seeing anything? It was easier to ask you before going through the security cameras or phoning the police."
The interim principal wasn't smiling, but he didn't look suspicious either. In fact, Kawakami suspected he found the entire position a bit of a bore.
"Haha…" Laughing awkwardly, Sadayo played with her hair. It still felt weird ever since that night she had slept with the hair ties in. It didn't sit right anymore.
"Umm, Ms. Kawakami?"
"Sir?"
"The package?" He asked sounding visibly annoyed.
She shrugged trying to play it cool. "It was probably a prank call… I wouldn't put much stock into strange voices."
"…Perhaps you are right." The interim tapped the desk, his head leaning against his hand.
Please be too bored to pursue this further. Please be too bored.
"Still, it is a little odd… Why call about a package that they didn't send? Just a prank to waste our time? Is that it?"
"P-Probably." Sadayo jumped on the easy way out. "I would leave it for today. Or just black the number and forget about it."
"Hmm, yeah, maybe…" The interim principal waffled again. Boredom and curiosity warring inside the indulgent man. "Hearing their message though… Hmm, you can go Ms. Kawakami, I will think about it some more."
"P-Please excuse me then." Bowing at the waist, Sadyo turned to leave, a huge sigh of relief threatening to escape from her throat. She wasn't in the clear yet, but if she could get to the desk and block the number then maybe…
"Oh, Ms. Kawakami," The principal called out as she opened the door. "While I do want to believe you, I shouldn't have to remind you that taking packages not addressed to you is a felony."
"N-No sir! I'd never do anything like that."
"Good, have a nice day."
"I'll try my best sir…" Getting the door closed behind her, Sadayo made it all of four steps before collapsing against the wall. Body shaking with nerves, her stomach had curdled. Sadayo had to put a hand over her mouth to restrain the building nausea.
"Ms. Kawakami, are you alright?" The secretary outside asked.
Forcing herself back upright, Kawakami nodded. "Yes, thank you. Things have just been stressful lately…"
"I see, please take care of your health."
"I'll do my best…" Walking away in a daze, Sadayo found the staff bathroom and collapsed in it. Sitting with her head in her hands, she made one last fervent, impossible prayer. "I don't know how but please Ren… figure out a way to deal with this."