A/N: I really enjoyed writing this one! As always, editing and proofreading done by Ghost Fire 6!
Chapter 25: Let's Prove Our Justice!
Saturday, 6/11/20XX, Lunchtime
"Ugh, I cant stop thinking about what that stupid Akechi said!" The track star turned Phantom Thief groaned to his leader, the two gathered in their usual lunch spot. "That dude's actin' like we're the bad guys, talkin' about how we're a threat!"
"Calm down, Ryuji."
"I'm trying, but it's just…so…gah!" Ryuji groaned out, pacing around the vending machine area. "I'd like to see him try and do even half of what we've done! If someone else could help 'em, then we wouldn't be doing things as the Phantom Thieves to start with!" He declared, which resulted in Ann hitting him in the back of the head as she walked up. "Ow!"
"You're being too loud." The model stated around a mouthful of Jagariko, sitting next to Jolyne and Morgana, offering one to her boss.
"Who cares? Everyone's talkin' about the Phantom Thieves anyway. I mean, if anything, it'd be more suspicious if we were just whisperin' in a huddle." The false blonde justified, sighing as he looked at the snack. "Can Uh…can I get one of those?"
"Sorry, I just gave the last one to Jolyne." Ann states, Jolyne shrugged as she ate the last one.
"You snooze, you lose."
"You guys are way too relaxed about this. The police are getting involved now!" Morgana commented.
"And? It's not like anyone can prove that we're doin this. Unless they got like, a crazy Stand or anything."
"There's still a lot we don't know." Ann spoke up. "Remember when Madarame told us about that guy in the black mask? He could have that weird eyeball app, he could have a Persona, a Stand…we don't really know anything all that." Jolyne was about to respond…when a camera flash went off. This startled all of them, looking to see Makoto Niijima, standing them with her phone.
"The hell?"
"Oh, my apologies. You all looked like you were having so much fun, I wanted to commemorate it." Niijima replied, Jolyne noticed Ann tensing up.
"You snoopin' on us again? We already told you on the roof, we don't know anything about Kamoshida!" Ryuji stated, causing Makoto to feign a confused look.
"Why would you think I'm here to question you? You three aren't hiding anything, are you? If you ever want to talk, my ears are always open to the concerns of my peers."
"Oh, I'm sure you are. Anything for a good letter of recommendation?" Ann asked, causing the smile to falter.
"I'm sorry?"
"I mean, that's why you took this crappy job, right? Selling your soul and playing the teacher's pet for a letter of recommendation to a good college…I mean, that is a pretty good deal." Ann spat, causing Jolyne's brow to furrow. This…normally wasn't like Ann at all.
Makoto was clearly caught off guard by this, blinking twice. "I don't know what you're trying to say, Takamaki-san."
"Then let me cut to the chase." Ann stated, getting off the table and approaching Makoto. "You're the student council president. You know things normal students don't. Wouldn't have known what Kamoshida was doing to his students?" This caused all of their eyes to widen, especially Makoto's.
"E-Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You knew what Kamoshida was doing to his students the entire time, didn't you?"
"Of course not! I heard rumors about how…intensely he could push his team members, but I was assured that was just his training method!"
"Huh, taking the teacher's side. Should've figured as much. That is what a good student council president does, right?" The model spat out, getting Jolyne to lean forward. Having attended an American middle school, Jolyne could recognize the sights of a fight fast approaching. She had faith that Ann would keep a cool head, but better to be prepared…
Makoto stepped back a little, bit she held her ground. "Then…how about you? Can you honestly say that you were the best friend to Suzui-san?" This clearly took Ann aback, only for her to sneer.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" She demanded, causing Makoto to swallow. In for a penny, in for a pound…
"Well, you were much closer to Suzui-San than I was. What did you do to help her?"
"There wasn't anything I could do to help! Kamoshida had me trapped, and I couldn't do anything to help her! Not on my own, anyways!"
"Calm down, Takamaki-san. There's no need to shout." In a rare moment of level headedness, Ryuji decided to step in.
"I mean, you ask me, those Phantom Thieves were helpin' us out when they took down Kamoshida. Ask me, they're more dependable than some people I know." This hurt Makoto as well, and for a moment…Jolyne saw it. That same thing she'd seen when they first met in the train station, and she was finally able to figure out what it was.
There was a rage inside Makoto. As Ann and Ryuji spoke, reminded her of her failings in addressing the student body's true concerns, it bubbled to the surface once more, Makoto clenching her fists and gritting here teeth.
And then, just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, and Makoto looked away. "…just attend your classes." And without another word, the president walked off, and Ann stormed back to sit on the bench, slightly shaking. Jolyne frowned, placing a hand on her back.
"You ok?" She asked, Ann took a few deep breaths. Jolyne's hand on her back seemed to calm her, something Morgana noticed.
"…yeah, I'm fine." Ann reassured, looking at Jolyne. "Remember earlier, when you said to trust we were doing the right thing? You're right. We can't let it end now."
"Hell yeah. It's about time we found our next target, too." Ryuji agreed, Jolyne nodded.
"I'll text Yusuke, tell him to meet us in Shibuya."
In the practice building, Makoto ducked into the restroom, grabbing the sink as she let out a few harrowed breaths. She'd been prepared to ask Jolyne to follow her into the student council room, where she would confront her about the video. But what Ann and Ryuji had said, about how she had failed the students…were they right? Was she doing this because it was the right thing, or because it was expected of her by her teachers?
"Who am I…?"
Shibuya, Afterschool
The Phantom Thieves were gathered in front of the Hachiko statue in Shibuya Square, Yusuke looking at his phone. "I've been monitoring the Phan-Site for the past several days. Comments have been coming in at a truly impressive rate. However, negative comments have been mostly dominant." Yusuke explaiend, Ryuji sighed.
"Seriously?"
"I'm afraid so. It was mostly balanced, but after that teenage detective went on tv yesterday, the negative comments increased dramatically."
"I knew Akechi was popular, but I didn't think he would sway that many people."
"It seems we've made quite the charismatic enemy. If anything, we'll just have to step up our game." Morgana commented, and Yusuke simply frowned.
"When a pupil would turn against him, Madarame would leverage his own media presence in order to turn the art community against them. I cannot help but draw parallels."
"While I think that's a bit of an exaggeration, I am kinda bummed. We were just starting to get people excited about us." Jolyne spoke up, getting Yusuke's attention.
"You'll be interested to know there were quite a few comments about you as well." He reported, earning a raised eyebrow.
"Really? What'd they say?"
"Well, while most focused on your appearance, there were quite a few about your repertoire with Akechi. Apparently, viewers at home quite enjoyed your chemistry. One noteworthy comment said, and I quote, 'I ship them so hard.' Whatever that means."
"I really wish I could have recorded him saying that…" Ryuji muttered, as Ann blushed.
"I uh, I didn't see it. I honestly thought he was real pretentious…"
"I have no idea what those people saw. I'm not even into guys that much, so I don't know where they got that." Jolyne stated, not noticing Ann take a sharp inhale. "Anything about another target?"
"None. Though I have noticed a number of posts regarding their friends acting strange upon taking jobs here in Shibuya." Yusuke answered, Ann's brow furrowed.
"What does that mean?"
"I'm not sure. They've been awfully vague."
"I mean, that could be anything, right? Maybe they're having trouble balancing school and homework?" Ryuji suggested, letting out a sigh. "Damn, this is real irritatin'…"
"Sounds like we've hit a dead end for now. Moving on…" Jolyne stated, turning to Yusuke. "What's with the luggage?" The group's artist had brought with him a suitcase and a wrapped painting, which was most likely the 'Sayuri.'
"Hm? Oh, I decided to leave the dorms. Did I not tell you?" He asked, only they all blinked in confusions
"Uh, no? I think we would have remembered that…" Ann fomented.
"Dude, you just moved in there, and you're already leaving? The hell?"
"Those dorms are filthy. The ceiling has water damage, I've seen more than few cockroaches, and the noise…one neighbor insists on watching his television at the highest volume, and the other sneaks her boyfriend in after curfew. No true art can be made in a place such as that…" Yusuke explained, and Jolyne's face contorted in confusion.
"So you left the dorms…that are covered by your scholarship…because you can't make art?" She asked, he looked at her as if she grew a second head.
"Of course." He replied like it was the most normal thing in the world, Jolyne was about to make a retort…
"You know what? Considering who I'm talking to, that makes perfect sense. So what're you gonna do? I hope you're not going back to Madarame."
"Of course not. That bridge has been burned. As for my lodging…I was thinking of staying at Ann's." He stated, causing said model's eyes to widen. "I even prepared a thank you gift. I hope your parents enjoy Chinese sweets."
"There's no way that's going to happen!" She replied, taking Yusuke aback.
"Impossible…!"
"You're the impossible one!"
"But…I spent all I had on these delectable Chinese sweets!"
"If that's all the money you had, then why'd you leave?! I thought Ryuji was the impulsive one!"
"You can't just assume people'll let you stay at their house without asking!" Ryuji scolded, drawing the blue haired boy's attention.
"Perhaps…I could stay at yours?"
"As much I'd like to, I can't. Me and my mom ain't got room for guests. Sorry, dude."
"I see…"
"You can stay with us." Jolyne spoke up, drawing his attention. "I mean, we've got plenty of room, and it shouldn't be a problem with Sojiro."
"Sojiro? Is that your guardian?" Yusuke asked, Ryuji clicked his tongue.
"That's right, Yusuke hasn't been to Leblanc!"
"Oh, Boss is the coolest. He even made us coffee while we were studying!" Ann reminisced.
"It'll take some work to convince him, but Jolyne can handle it." Morgana offered, Ann clapped her hands.
"Why don't we go there now? We never did celebrate Madarame!"
"Not unless you count Ryuji vomiting at Dome Town!" Morgana teased, the fake blonde scowled at the not-cat.
"You seriously gonna keep bringin' that up?" He muttered, as Yusuke collected his things.
"I am quite looking forward to it. Though keep in mind, I do prefer sleeping on a futon."
Yongen-Jaya
Sojiro was looking under the cabinet of the bar, looking over his coffee beans. "Huh, almost out of the Jamaican Blue Mountain. Gonna have to order more of that…"
"Hey, Boss." Jolyne's voice was preceded by the bell ringing above the door, and Sojiro looked up to see Jolyne and her friends entering Leblanc.
"Welcome back. Another big test coming up?"
"Nah, we just thought we'd hang out." She explained, and Sojiro looked at her friends.
"If I remember right…Sakamoto and Takamaki, right?" He asked, earning a nod from both blondes. "And…I'm sorry, I don't think we've met."
"My name is Yusuke Kitagawa. It is a pleasure to meet you." The artist greeted, looking around. "This cafe has the an outdated look, but it adds to its charm. I believe my art instructor at school describes this as 'retro.'" He analyzed, and Jolyne stepped forward.
"Is it alright if Yusuke stays here with me for a few days? He doesn't exactly have a place to go right now, and I was wondering if he could crash here until he figures something out."
"I see…" Sojiro responded, tapping his chin as he looked over Yusuke. "Well, you don't look like you're on drugs...sure, why not? But if he breaks anything, you're paying for it."
"Thanks, Boss. I appreciate it." Jolyne thanked, and Boss turned to the others.
"You guys want some coffee? It's on the house."
"No thanks. I don't like that bitter stuff." Ryuji stated, and Sojiro actually chuckled at that.
"I wasn't that big a fan of coffee when I was your age either. You'll grow into it." He stated, and Jolyne turned to the others.
"Follow me."
A short while later, they were all gathered in the attic that was Jolyne's bedroom. "Man, I still can't believe you've got all this space. And he just lets you live here free of charge?" Ryuji asked.
"Apparently he's an old friend of my dad's. When I moved here, he made the arrangements. Guess my dad is good for something." Jolyne explained, setting the Mona bag down and letting the feline out. "Just set your stuff wherever, and leave your shoes by the stairs."
"So…why don't you live in Boss's house?" Ann asked, causing the green haired woman to shrug.
"Never asked. I just assumed he didn't want a strange girl living in his house."
"Hm…" Yusuke hummed to himself, looking over the room. "There's a certain rustic charm to this place, though I wouldn't have expected your taste to veer towards spartan decor."
"Well, I kinda had to leave everything I owned behind…" she muttered, and Ryuji clapped his hands together.
"So, let's talk about our next target!" He suggested, and Ann sighed.
"Yusuke already said he hasn't found anything on the Phan-Site. And we don't have any kind of leads to start looking around."
"Well yeah, but we've got a bunch of requests, right? Why don't we start sniffing around Mementos? Maybe we'll find something like we did with Madarame." The track runner explained, and Morgana pursed his little kitty lips.
"Hm, that's not a bad idea. However, I'm worried about what'll happen if we run into the Cleaner again." Morgana stated, and Ann shuddered.
"I had a nightmare about that thing last week. I can't stop thinking about those creepy dead eyes…" She recalled, frowning. "How do you think that guy ended up there? I mean, he had a Stand, so he had to have been a normal person at some point. Do you think…it's related to Morgana's memories?"
"Oh yeah, maybe they were like partners or something, exploring the Metaverse." Ryuji suggested, and Morgana shook his head.
"I doubt it. I've only seen the Cleaner a handful of times, but I felt nothing. No recognition, no emotions, not even a flash of memory. I doubt we have any kind of connection." The mascot answered, and Jolyne was about to ask something…
*gurglegurgle*
They turned towards the sound of the noise, a blushing Yusuke. "Yusuke, did you forget to eat lunch again today?" Jolyne asked, and Yusuke looked away.
"No, I didn't forget. …I couldn't afford it."
"You seriously spent all your money on those sweets?!" Ryuji asked, and Ann sighed.
"Well, we're not going to find our next target just sitting around, and Yusuke needs to eat. So…how about that welcome party!"
"I think there's a portable stove around here somewhere." Jolyne said, an idea forming. "Oh, we could do hot pot."
"Yo, that sounds great! I ain't had that in forever!"
"I've heard that eating hot pot with your friends brings you closer together! Let's do it!" Morgana cheered, prompting a raised eyebrow from his caretaker.
"Where do you hear this stuff?"
"Oh, I heard that too! I want lotsa meat!"
"We should add plenty of vegetables."
"I just request that we finish it off with porridge. Extra parsley, of course."
"And we'll finish it off with udon." Jolyne finished, chasing Ryuji's eyes to widen.
"Hot pot and udon? Does Boss even have all that stuff down there?"
"We'll just have to go out and buy the ingredients ourselves. There's a grocery store just around the corner." Jolyne explained. "Ann, you take the boys and go get the ingredients. Don't worry about the cost, we'll split it evenly later. I'll see if I can borrow from Boss."
"Sounds good! C'mon, guys!"
"Right!" And with that, Ann, Ryuji, and Yusuke left, and Jolyne wasn't far behind them. Arriving in Leblanc just in time for the door, Sojiro turned to her.
"Your friends said something about...hot pot? In this weather?"
"Hey, it's never a bad time for good food with good friends." She responded, earning a laugh from Sojiro.
"I suppose that is true, isn't it?" He laughed, a smile crossing his face. "They all seem like good kids. I gotta say, when I took you in, this was the last thing I ever expected. You've become quite popular."
"What can I say? It's just my natural charisma." She replied, looking towards the kitchen. "You mind if I borrow a pot from there? There's not really anything big enough for hot pot up there."
"Sure, I don't mind. I should have a pot big enough down here somewhere." He asnwered, and the two opened the cabinets up to look. "Let's see, last time I saw it...here it is!" Boss declared, as they pulled out a rather sizable earthenware pot. "This big enough?"
"Should be. Thanks, Boss." Jolyne thanked with a smile, he nodded.
"No problem. Just be careful. You burn the place down, I'll take you to prison myself." Two months ago, Jolyne would have taken this as a threat, but she simply replied with a smile at the joke.
"You'll have to take me alive first." She joked as she headed back upstairs, seeing Morgana looking among the shelves. "You find it?"
"It's somewhere back there. We're going to have to move some stuff to get to it." He stated, and Jolyne noticed he looked...down.
"What's wrong? I thought you were all excited for hot pot."
"Hm? Oh, I am. It's just…" He muttered, sighing. "Jolyne...what are your thoughts on Lady Ann?" He asked, causing her to blink.
"Uh, she's a great friend."
"I mean...honestly. Do you...like Lady Ann?" He asked, causing her cheeks to turn red and eyes to widen.
"I uh...I dunno what you mean."
"I'm with you everyday. I see how you act with other people, and then I see how you act with her. It's...different. It's like...talking with her makes you happier, and you get this doughy look in your eyes." Morgana explained, and Jolyne sighed. He had a point: Morgana knew her better than most people did, and she knew better than to lie to him.
"Yeah, you're right. I like Ann. Like...a lot. I...think I have since I first saw her." The transfer student admitted, sitting across from Morgana.
"Why haven't you said anything? You've heard me fawning over her." He asked, Jolyne sighed as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"I had a bad experience a while ago. Long story short, I was interested in someone who...wasn't, and it ended pretty badly. I didn't wanna risk something like that again. And Ann...it's different. Whenever I look at her, I get all...warm and fuzzy. Like my stomach's full of butterflies, and my heart's about to jump out of my chest. She's so...sweet, and kind, and understanding."
"Isn't she?" Morgana asked, frowning. "Do you...know why I act like I do around Lady Ann?"
"You...like her?" Jolyne asked, and he shook his head.
"When I woke up in Mementos, I didn't remember anything. Even my name didn't come to me until later. All I knew was that I had been human, and how to travel through the Metaverse. So when you and Ryuji broke me out of that cell in the Castle, I felt like I belonged. Like I wasn't some outcast. And then when I saw Lady Ann…" Morgana seemed to blush (if it was possible for a cat to do so) and normally swallowed. "...I feel guilty even saying it…"
"C'mon, Mona. I pour my heart out to you, and you pour my heart out for me. That's how it works."
"I...felt desire." He admitted. "You have to understand, waking up with no memories, not even a faint sense of self...that was the first kind of human emotion I had that wasn't tied to my infiltration skills. I thought if I could...indulge in those affections, then maybe my memories could return."
"So...you had a crush on the first pretty girl you saw, and you thought that it would help you figure out who you are?" Jolyne remarked, smiling. "I know a thing or two about that. Trust me, yours is the story of every middle schooler around the world."
"The thing is...it hasn't been working. I think my feelings for Lady Ann were just that: a superficial crush." Morgana continued. "The more time goes by, the more I notice Lady Ann doesn't seem interested in me. In fact...I think she's interested in you." If Jolyne wasn't surprised before, she was now, turning beat red.
"I-I...I mean, I don't,uh...s-she probably doesn't-"
"Oh, don't tell me you haven't noticed." Morgana cut off. "Whenever we have a meeting, she stays behind to talk to you. Yesterday, at the television station, she waited until Ryuji left to bring up her concerns. When she was panicking about what Akechi said, you reassured her. When Niijima confronted us earlier today, you were the one who calmed her down. She seemed jealous when Yusuke notes your chemistry with Akechi. And I'm sure you had some sort of moment when Josuke went to go heal Shiho."
Well, when he put it like that, it did make sense. All the soft smiles, half hugs, the leaning on one another on the train, the way Ann's eyes seemed to light whenever they talked and the incident in the hospital and the- "Oh my god she has a crush on me."
"Sheesh, I wouldn't have thought our leader would have been so blind to what was right in front of her…" Morgana sighed out. "Anyways, the reason I'm telling you this now...is because I'm swearing off my feelings for her."
"Whoa, are you serious? Does this mean no more 'Lady Ann?'"
"Hey, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. After all, it's only appropriate that I refer to a lady of her status like that."
"Then what about me?"
"T-that's different! You're...I mean…" He tried to justify, but Jolyne just smirked.
"Relax. You've seen me smash a few too many faces to think of me as a 'proper lady.'" She reassured. "So, mind if I ask why?"
"Well, for starters, such a love triangle would only serve to harm our teamwork. After all, I can't have you decide to let a Shadow finish me off to remove your rival." He stated, before he seemed to smile. "But more importantly...I don't feel a need to cling to those feelings anymore. When we all made our hot pot strategy...I felt my heart soar. I wasn't just some weird cat-thing that decided to tag along. It felt...like I was one of you. That I truly belonged."
"Well that's because you do." She reassured. "I mean, none of us really had a place to belong before all this. In that regard, you're just like us. And we're all glad to have you. Even if Ryuji wouldn't admit it." She reassured, earning a smile from the cat.
"If you tell him I said this, I'll deny it, but that loudmouth isn't so bad himself." Morgana agreed, before his usual proud demeanor creeped back in. "Heh, to think a bunch of misfits like ourselves would find each other...things have played out even better than I could have anticipated."
"So, we're good?" She asked, and Morgana nodded.
"We're good." Mkrgsna held up his paw, and Jolyne smirked as she first bumped the cat.
Rank Up! Magician Rank 4!
"Now, hurry up and get that stove out! The others will be back any minute!"
Evening, Niijima Apartment
Makoto and Sae Niijima has just sat down for dinner, enjoying the meal Makoto had prepared. "How's your hand?" Sae asked, gesturing to Makoto's bandaged hand.
"Hm? Oh, they're fine. Almost healed already. I'm just keeping them on to keep from picking at them while I study." She explained, causing Sae to frown.
"And what did you say happened?"
"Oh, I was walking home, and a student on a bike was in a hurry and knocked me down. I just scraped my hands catching myself." Makoto didn't feel like explaining that Kobayakawa had made her so angry she'd clenched her fists so hard they broke the skin.
"You could have been seriously hurt. Did you know who the student was?"
"I didn't recognize him. It's no big deal, really."
"Hm. If you insist." Sae accepted as she ate her meal, and Makoto couldn't help but look at the TV, which was displaying a rerun of Akechi's interview at the studio.
"I feel like I've been seeing this clip everywhere lately. All the students were watching it at lunch, and I swear they reran this yesterday…"
"I suppose he's quite the ratings magnet." Sae said, taking a bite of her meal. "Hm, this tastes a bit bland…"
"Sorry, we ran out of seasoning. I thought we had more, but I guess I was wrong." Makoto apologized, earning a smile from her older sister.
"It still tastes fine. I forgot to ask, but how were your exams?"
"Oh, they were fine. Placed top of the class as always."
"That's good. The student council president has to be the example, after all. When I was president, I recall almost tearing my hair out because I placed second in my class." The older Niijima. recalled. "Still, you've been balancing it quite well."
"Thanks, Sis, but I'm more worried about you." Makoto replied. "Have you been eating enough? I'm worried you're not getting enough sodium…"
"Oh, do I look tired? Work's been keeping me busy lately, so I've been sleeping at the office some nights." Sae explained, and Makoto's eyes went to the TV showing Akechi.
"-my belief that, if they exists…these Phantom Thirves should be tried in a court of law."
"Is it…a crime to change someone's heart?" She asked, and Sae glanced at the screen.
"Depending on the method, yes. Someone realizing that what they're doing is wrong and admitting guilt is one thing, but to force that on someone, to take away their choice in the matter…it's just like if I were to coerce a confession from someone."
"But…what if there's no other option? What if the only to hold that person accountable is to make them admit their deeds and face their horrible crimes?"
"Trust in the system, Makoto. I know better than anyone that it isn't perfect, so much so that it makes me want to scream sometimes, but it works. We have to make sure that the crimes of individuals like Kamoshida and Madarame will be exposed properly so that they can pay for their crimes properly. Even if they have the best intentions, by taking the law into their own hand, groups like these so called Phantom Thieves only undermine the work done by those like us working within the system." Sae explained. "I'm…sorry, I didn't mean to ramble. Though I have to ask, why the sudden interest?"
"Oh I'm just…paying attention to current events."
"Don't worry about unnecessary things like that. You're focus should be to-"
"'Study hard and attend a prestigious college.' Same thing you've said every day since I started high school."
"And I'll keep saying it, until it happens." Sae stated, setting her arms on the table. "Moving up in the world is difficult as a woman. I had to fight for every inch I got. I've sacrificed friends and relationships to get where I am, things I can never get back. If you slip up, even once, you'll be torn apart by the sharks. For now, focus on doinf what must be done now that will help your future down the road." The prosecutor finished, and Makoto smiled.
"Of course, Sis." Sae's phone vibrating put an end to any conversation, causing the grey haired woman to let out a sigh.
"Now? It never ends…" she sighed, answering the phone. "Niijima. No, I'm not busy. …you wish to know about that case? No, it's no problem. Let me get the files from my briefcase." She let out a silent apology to Makoto as she headed to her room, leaving Makoto alone at the table.
What must be done now…justice…
"I think that they're a necessary element, the weapon of last resort." Jolyne's voice said, as the TV footage displayed Jolyne answering Akechi's question. "There are people who think themselves above everyone else, people who can't be brought down by normal means. Because of this, these people think they can do whatever they want, without a care in the world to who they hurt."
"Weapons of last resort…" The student council president muttered, staring at her bandaged hands. For weeks, she'd been plagued with doubt and uncertainty. About the world and her place in it. But now… now was the time for answers.
Yongen Jaya
"Ugh, I'm full…" Jolyne groaned out from her chair, looking at the remains of their hot pot. "We didn't even get to the udon…the noodles are all soggy now…"
"We went way overboard with our shopping. No way four people and a cat could eat all that…"
"I'm so full I can't even scold you for calling me a cat…" Morgana groaned out from the floor, and Yusuke looked at the bowl of porridge.
"You taunt me, you cruel mistress…"
"But It was all so good…" Ann groaned out, laying back on the sofa as she yawned. "I'm gonna borrow your couch for…five minutes…" the mode yawned out as she laid down with her back to them, light snoring coming from her.
"What should we do with the rest? I'd hate to let all this go to waste…"
"Just stick it in the fridge and save it for next time, man…"
"Actually, that's no good. Fridge is all for curry ingredients only. Boss's orders." Jolyne commented. "I haven't been able to have leftovers since I came here. I think I'm wearing him down, though." She commented, as Morgana looked at the sleeping Ann.
"Is she ok?"
"Ah, let her sleep. It'd be weird if she wasn't tired after eating all that." Ryuji commented, and Yusuke looked at him.
"By the way, how do you know Ann? Judging from how you act towards one another, I can tell you knew each other before you were Phantom Thieves."
"It ain't exactly a complicated story. We were in the same class together in middle school, and were kinda tight."
"What was she like back then?" Jolyne asked, and her friend shrugged.
"Pretty much the same way she is now. We stopped talkin' when we got out in different classes in high school, but we reconnected when all this started." He explained, looking at the sleeping model. "She didn't really have many friends, other than Suzui. She grew up overseas, so she was in kind of a weird place."
"Popular kids hated her, and the quiet kids were scared by her. I know that all too well." Jolyne spoke up, and Yusuke rapped his chin.
"Interesting…what about you two?"
"Huh?"
"I'd like to know more about you two, about what compelled you to become Phantom Thieves."
"Well, considerin' how much we know about you, that's only fair." Ryuji analyzes, leaning back. "It's just a story about a rotten kid, though. Dad was a mean drunk, ran off when I was about…6 or 7, I think. Last I heard, he got arrested in Kyoto. Anyway, it was me and my mom since then. Us against the world. Hell, the reason I started running track in the first place was to try and get a scholarship. Turns out, I just ended up making things harder for her." He sighed out, shaking his head. "I still don't know how, but Kamoshida found out my dad left me. He'd use it to goad me on in practice, and one day I decided I'd had enough. After he busted up my leg, my mom got called down to the school. All these teachers were yelling at her, getting in her face and telling her what a screwup I was. The entire time, she just…stood there, stone faced. Didn't even bat an eye when Kamoshida said we were lucky he wasn't pressing charges. Honestly thought it was the coolest shit I'd ever seen…"
Ryuji sighed out, leaning forward and looking at the ground as he sighed. "When…when we were on our way home, she…apologized to me. For being a single mom and all. Like…like it was her fault, or somethin'."
"So that's what happened…" Yusuke muttered, frowning. "Ever since we were young, we've been told that all men are created equal. Yet we've all seen firsthand how the opposite is true. There are those who hold the power, and those who don't. And unfortunately, the latter outweighs the former."
"I made my peace with it all a while ago. I've spent too much time dwellin' on the last, and now I've gotta move forward." Ryuji stated, looking at Jolyne. "Alright, now that I've said mine, I wanna know your origin story. You've mentioned some vague stuff about your folks, and I know all about the crazy vampire stuff, but I wanna know about how you ended up here."
"Well, it was all anyone could talk about when I first showed up."
"Yeah, but everyone was saying all sorts of crazy shit. You were a gang leader, you beat up the Prime Minister, you sold drugs…oh, my personal favorite was that you were a serial killer who cut a deal with the government." He explained, leaning forward. "I wanna know the truth."
"I'm quite interested as well." Yusuke said, as Morgana sat up.
"Even I don't know everything." He agreed, and Jolyne sighed.
"Alright, fine. Let's tell the secret origin of Jolyne Cujoh." She said, leaning forward.
"See, as you may have guessed from my appearance and the way I talk, I'm not originally from Japan. I grew up in a far off, exotic land known only as…Redford, Florida. A small town about an hour or so away from Orlando, where the big amusement parks are. Not one of those small towns where everybody knew everyone, but not big enough to see new people every day." Jolyne began, reminiscing on her hometown. "My mom was a florist in Redford, and my dad worked at one of the aquariums in the city. Thing is…my dad was always gone. If it wasn't working late, he'd be traveling abroad on 'business trips.'"
"Was he…having an affair?"
"No, nothing that…dramatic." Jolyne answered, frowning as she remembered her childhood. "He always seemed…distant. Like his mind was somewhere else. And when my dad was there…arguing doesn't feel like the right way to describe it. It's like…my mom would yell about how he wasn't there, and he would just listen. They split up when I was about 6, and he moved back here to Japan. Your parents split up, and your dad moves to the other side of the planet? It's kinda hard not to feel unwanted after that." The transfer student explained, her, setting her arms in the table. "After that, it was just me and my mom. I came over here in the summer, to visit my dad's side of the family, but other than that, Ive barely seen my dad in 10 years." The others were all listening intently, to the point that they didn't notice thag Ann wasn't snoring anymore.
"Anyway, I mainly lived with my mom. It…it was a good life. She had her own flower shop, and people came from all over just to get some of her flowers. One time a guy came all the way from Miami just to get a graduation gift for his daughter." She continued, smiling as she remembered her mother. "She was the kindest, sweetest, most beautiful woman I have ever seen. If someone needed help, she'd go out of her way to help them, and if she wasn't in her shop, she was probably out helping someone."
"She sounds like quite the woman." Morgana commented.
"She was." Jolyne nodded, her smile faltering. "I…wasn't always the best daughter. I would lash out, curse out teachers and get into fights with the other kids. Some of it was because they made fun of my dad leaving, other times I just felt like being angry at the world. There was this girl, Mary Walters, who always knew how to press my buttons. Most of the time, I ignored her, but in seventh grade I decided I had enough, and beat the shit out of her with a lunch tray. Actually knocked her front teeth out."
"Goddamn…" Ryuji muttered, Jolyne actually chuckled.
"I was quite the little shit back then. Thing is…my mom didn't care. She never cursed me out, never made me feel like I was a burden. Hell, when I knocked Walters' teeth out, my mom paid for it all out of pocket, and that's the only reason I didn't go to juvie. She just…tried to help me not be so angry all the time. Sometimes…sometimes I wish I'd listened." She felt tears welling up, feeling emotions bubbled up as she reached the least favorite part of this story. "One day, I'm helping her out in her shop. We're working on an order for a guy getting flowers for his wife, and she sent me out to go get some roses. I went out to the garden, and when I came back…she'd collapsed."
"Don't tell me…" Yusuke trailed off, and the three-quarter American nodded.
"She had a brain tumor in her head the size of a baseball. Apparently, it'd been growing for months, but between her shop, taking care of me, and helping out around town, she hadn't had time to go to the doctor. By the time they caught it…it was too late." She recalled, her voice beginning to crack. "It was highly malignant, and very inoperable."
"You…you don't have to keep going if you don't want to." Ryuji reassured, but Jolyne shook her head. She needed to do this.
"Even…even knowing that she was going to die, she never gave up. My mom kept helping people, up until the point where she couldn't even walk straight. She said…she told me that it was her life to live, and she wanted to spend every minute she had left trying to put a little good in the world." She recalled, feeling a tear roll down her cheek. "She…she made me promise that I'd do the same. The last thing she ever said to me was to try and make the world a better place than I found it."
"How old were you when that happened?"
"I was 13. Moved to Japan to live with my dad's family about a month later."
"To think you had to go through such an ordeal at such a young age…" The artist muttered.
"So that's why you reacted like that..." Ann spoke up, drawing their attention as she sat up.
"Oh, look who's awake."
"I wasn't really asleep." She admitted. "When we went to meet Josuke at the hospital so he could heal Shiho, you said something about how I shouldn't blame myself for things I can't control. It…sounded like you knew what you were talking about."
"…yeah. As dumb as it sounds, I…blamed myself for a while." Jolyne admitted, causing Ryuji's brow to furrow.
"But you couldn't have had anything to do with her getting cancer, right?"
"No, I know how stupid that was now. But at the time…I thought that if I'd been less of a handful, she could've gone to the doctor more, and they could've caught it earlier." She explained, wiping away the tear. "I was in a funk for a long time after that. It was only because of my grandparents and Josuke that I was able to get out of it. I was actually starting to get back on track in Nagasaki. I had friends, my grades were going good. And then…it happened."
"The incident that got you sent here." Yusuke guesses, and she nodded. "When I informed you all of Madarame's plans to press charges, you mentioned being on probation before, but you didn't say what for."
"Yeah, I don't really know anything either. Just a whole buncha rumors." The track star commented, and Ann frowned.
"You don't have to keep going if you don't want to."
"It's fine. I don't mind." The green haired girl reassured, taking a deep breath. "It was February. We had a big test coming up in social studies, so I'd gone to my friend Masaki's house to study. We ended up going later than we anticipated, and my grandparents would have already been getting ready for bed. No big deal, I've walked home from there a million times. I was about halfway home…when I heard someone scream. I saw this drunk guy, yelling and trying to push this woman into her car. I went to go help her, and the guy ended up falling and hurting himself."
"Wait, that's why? You made some drunk asshole fall over, so they shipped you off here?" Ryuji asked.
"It…was a bit more complicated than that…" She admitted, recalling that night…
"Ack! Damn brat, I'll sue!" The drunk man yelled out, wobbly rising to his feet.
"Why don't you stay down til the police get here, baldy?" Jolyne retorted, and the woman took a nervous gulp.
"If…if you don't back off…I'll tell them about the money! I'll tell them everything I know!" She stated, and the drunk man scoffed.
"All I have to do is say that you did all that on your own, and your life is over. Who do you think they'll believe, my word or yours?" He spat out, causing her to shirk away.
"But…I was just doing as I was told…" She whimpered out, and Jolyne narrowed her eyes. She had no idea what was going on, but one thing was clear: this man was a bully, and she couldn't stand bullies.
"Leave her alone, asshole." She spat and, and although she couldn't see his face thag well, she could see his eyes. There was something about the way he looked at her, a menacing feeling of dread that made her want to run home and hide under the covers. But she stood her ground, meeting his glare. As the sound of sirens grew closer, the man simply smirked.
"Hey, you wanna know how you can make all this go away?" He asked, getting her attention. He grinned, shakily extending a finger at Jolyne. "'This girl came up and randomly attacked me.' Got it?" He ordered, causing Jolyne's eyes to widen.
"The hell? You fell over on your own!" She protested, but the Drunk Man ignored her.
"Say anything different, and I will ruin you. Understand?"
"Excuse me, folks." One of the responding officers spoke up as they approached them. "We received some noise complaints about an argument between a man and a woman. Mind explaining what's going on here?" He asked, before he seemed to recognize the Drunk Man. "Oh, it's you, sir!" He exclaimed, as Drunk Man looked at the woman.
"Go on. Tell the good officer what happened." He 'suggested,' and the woman nervously swallowed.
"…we were heading towards our car, and this young woman came and assaulted him." She 'confessed', causing Jolyne's eyes to widen.
"The hell?!"
"It's as she says. Oh, and make sure you handle this so that my name isn't mentioned. I trust you can handle that?"
"Y-yes sir!" Cop 1 confirmed, turning to his partner. "Cuff her!"
"Are…are you sure? She's just a kid…" Cop 2 started to protest, but his partner pulled him close.
"Are you stupid? You have any idea who this is? Just go along with it!" And with that, before Jolyne knew what happened, she had been arrested and read her rights, being shoved in the back of the cop car…
"Things moved fast after that. I went straight to juvie, and I was in trial barely a week later. Our chances were good for a minute, but they somehow found out about all the fights I got into in Redford. Once the prosecutors got a hold of that, it was over. I was a dangerous lunatic who got off on fighting. My friends all turned on me, people sent letters to our house, and it looked like I was about to go off to prison for a longtime…if it wasn't for the Speedwagon Foundation."
"Those are the guys in Bunkyo, right?" Ann asked, and Jolyne nodded.
"Their lawyers stepped in, made all sorts of crazy arguments. They got me this probation here in Tokyo, and I've been here ever since."
"That's a buncha bullshit!" Ryuji shouted, slamming his hands on the table. "You got an assault on your record just for that?! God, just listening to it pisses me off!"
"This woman sounds quite horrid as well. She witnessed this, and yet she has remained silent…"
"I dunno, it sounded like that guy had some kind of
leverage on her." Ann countered, and their mascot frowned.
"We need to find this man and change his heart, immediately! He sounds like exactly the kind of person our group was designed to handle!" Morgana declares.
"If you guys can figure out who he is, then let's do it." Jolyne said. "I never learned his name, and it was so dark out I never got a good look at his face."
"Not even during the trial?"
"I find it highly unlikely. Even if the names of assault victims weren't always withheld, it sounds like this man went to great lengths to keep his name from appearing in any records. Identifying him will be nearly impossible." Yusuke observed, before letting out a sigh. "Not that it would do any good. The courts already made their ruling, didn't they? Any kind of revenge would only be a Pyrrhic victory for you."
"God, this world is so effed up! People like us are forced to scramble around, while rotten adults like Kamoshida, Madarame, and that drunk asshole get to do whatever they want."
"And it's not like the people in power are any help. People like Kobayakawa and those cops just rolled over without a second thought."
"So let's change that!" Ann suggested. "I mean, we just need to show the world that they don't have to roll over like that. We have to let them know people like Kamoshida and Madarame can be held accountable."
"This must be why we have been given these bizarre powers. To prove our justice to the world, and try to make the world a better place."
"I mean, it's gotta be, right?" The track star asked. "I mean, out of all the people in the world this could've happened to, it had to be us? No way it's just a coincidence."
"Especially with all this crazy stuff with my family." Jolyne agreed, sighing as she leaned back. "I…do feel kind of bad sometimes. This stuff probably would've happened to me regardless, but it feels like I roped you guys into it."
"Man, eff that." Ryuji cut off. "After Kamoshida busted my leg up, I was freakin' depressed. My grades, which were already bad, turned dogshit. The track team turned their backs on me, and all the teachers started treatin' me like some kind of delinquent, even before I dyed my hair. After we went to the Palace for the first time…man, I never felt so alive. If you hadn't come along, I'd probably still be sulking."
"Same here. Kamoshida would still be bearing down on me."
"And I would doubtless still be toiling away under Madarame." Yusuke agreed, and Jolyne smiled. Sitting here and having a heart to heart with her friends…it made her feel complete, in a way she hadn't been in some time.
"You know, I've got the weirdest feeling right now. Like…I've known you guys forever." Jolyne admitted.
"That's not surprising, considering how similar your backstories are." Morgana added. "You're all quite the collection of misfits, after all."
"Hey, I told you you're one of us. I mean, who's a bigger misfit than an amnesiac monster cat?" Jolyne asked, causing the feline to britstle.
"I am not a cat!" He reflexively protested, Ryuji smirked.
"I'm sure you're just as big a misfit as us."
"Indeed. After all, you fit in so well, I refuse to consider that the case is anything different."
"I actually feel like I've known Morgana for a long time too. I can't really put it into words, but it feels like he's always been there with us." The group's model stated, and Yusuke smiled.
"I must confess I feel the same way. When I am with the four of you, it feels like there is nothing we can't accomplish." The blue haired artist remarked, and Morgana smirked.
"That won't be the case if we don't all keep getting stronger. Our next target, whoever this Whitesnake guy is…but I have faith that we can overcome anything we face together!"
Whitesnake. Jolyne frowned as Morgana said that name, her mind going into overdrive. They were stronger together, and they weren't going to stop anytime soon. If they came up against him again…
"I've…got an idea." Jolyne spoke up, drawing their attention. "You know that me and Ryuji were attacked a few weeks ago by some guy hired to attack me. And then before that, me and Josuke were attacked by some asshole. I've been thinking that someone could come after me again, or that they could attack one of you to get to me. If something happened to you guys…the thought of that makes me sick. That's why…" She swallowed the lump in her throat, giving voice to her thoughts. "That's why I think you all should touch the Arrow. So you can protect yourselves." Ann and Ryuji's eyes widened, as Yusuke's brow furrowed.
"Arrow?"
"It's this weird rock my dad sent me. Just being scratched by it gave me and Ryuji our stands, and I think you guys should touch it, too." She explained, and a determined look spread across Ann's face.
"Someone messes with one of us, they mess with all of us. If some guy comes after you again, they'll have to get through me first."
"And count me in as well. After all you did for me, it is the least I can do." Yusuke agreed, and Jolyne blinked twice.
"Wait, I'm not doing this so you can protect me. I'm doing this so you can take care of yourselves."
"Man, you're not getting it. You're our friend. You helped us out of some pretty bad jams, so the least we can do is help you out of whatever you end up mixed up in." Ryuji explaiend, Jolyne couldn't help but smile.
"I…thanks." If she said anymore, Jolyne would have lost her composure, and she still had an image to maintain, after all. Walking over to her desk, she pulled out the locket, setting it down on the desk. She opened it, the Arrow shard glistening in the light as she picked it up. "Who's first?"
"I am." Ann said, extending her hand toward Jolyne. The transfer student took her by the wrist, looking into the cerulean eyes of the blonde.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." Jolyne didn't break eye contact for a second, and Ann slightly winged as Jolyne dragged the arrow down her finger. It looked like a paper cut, but Ann could feel her finger pulsating.
Once it was done, Jolyne turned to Yusuke, who didn't say anything as he pushed up his sleeve. She dragged it across his arm, jtcreating a thin red line. "It took me and Ryuji a few days to fully manifest our Stands. Remember, Josuke said that Stands can take any shape or form. Make sure you pay attention to anything…weird."
"Such as?"
"I dunno, weird shit. Glowing arms sticking out your legs, weird strings. Could be anything." Ryuji stated, causing the both of them to look at the marks that, strangely enough, weren't even bleeding. They weren't just four strangers and a cat, now. They were truly bonded, beyond the confines of the Metaverse and the struggles as the Phantom Thieves. Whatever came next…they would face it together.
Sunday, 6/12/20XX, Early Morning
Sojiro let out a yawn as he approached Leblanc, rubbing sleep from his eyes. As the owner and sole (official) employee of Leblanc, it fell on him to open up the store, and that meant getting up at the crack of dawn to open the store. Sunday's were especially important, as Leblanc would occasionally attract college students and businessmen on their day off. It wasn't the most exciting life, but Sojiro enjoyed it.
He unlocked the door, surprised to see the lights already on. "Weird. She's never up this early…" He muttered, opening the door to see Yusuke seated at the bar, watching tv. "Oh, morning."
"Hm?" The artist turned to the restaurateur. "Oh, good morning, Sakura-san."
"Please, just call me Boss. 'Sakura-san' makes me feel old." Sojiro beckoned, looking around the cafe. "Where's Jolyne?"
"Oh, she's still asleep. I'm simply accustomed to waking up early." The artist explained, before frowning. "I tried going back to sleep, but…"
"But she snores like no one I've ever met." Boss finished with a smirk as Yusuke nodded.
"Indeed. I could still hear her down here, so I had to turn on the television." The Kosei student explained, and Boss chuckled. "Once again, I'd like to extend my heartfelt thanks for allowing me to stay here."
"No problem. You seem like a good kid, and I wouldn't feel right turning down someone who needed help." Boss explained. "Hell, that's part of why I agreed to take Jolyne in. When her father explained the situation to me, helping them out felt like the right thing to do. I mean, part of it was just a favor from a friend, but she's turned out to be no trouble at all."
"Still, I want you to know my gratitude knows no bounds."
"Stay as long as you like." Boss offered, as he got out his apron. "You drink coffee? I'll fix you a cup, on the house."
"Oh, I don't want to impose…"
"I insist." Sojiro's tone left no room for argument, and so Yusuke yielded. A short while later, Sojiro was setting a cup in front of Yusuke. "Careful, it's hot."
"Thank you." As Yusuke drank his cup, Sojiro leaned on the counter.
"So, you four sounded like you were having quite the time up there. I take it the hot pot was a success?"
"Indeed. I haven't had fun like that in quite a while." The artist admitted, a small smile gracing his face. I had quite a sheltered upbringing, so "I've…never really had friends before. So to sit among them, laughing and eating…I don't think I've ever felt that happy."
"Really? No friends? Not even in grade school?" Sojiro asked, Yusuke shook his head.
"No. I was raised by my art instructor, and he forbade what he called 'tricks distractions.' In hindsight, it was most likely to keep others from helping me realize his true nature."
"Sounds like you've been through a lot, huh?" Sojiro observed, letting out a sigh. "Honestly, the nerve of some people…"
"Because of this, I possess little in terms of understanding the world around me. Even now, with the friends I have now, I lack social graces, and that's not even mentioning the effect this has had on my art…"
"I see…" Sojiro mused, stroking his goatee. "Mind if I make a comment?"
"Of course."
"You've been through a lot, but that's all in the past now. What matters now is how you move forward."
"How I move forward…" Yusuke muttered, his mind going into overdrive. "Of course. I blamed the dorms on my lack of focus, but I see now that I was too fixated on the ways of the past. I was stuck in my ways, trying to pretend that my method and outlook on life was the same. However, I am on a new path now, one that will require a new understanding of the world."
"Uh huh…" Sojiro muttered. He hadn't thought that Yusuke would get all that from some generic advice, but if it worked for him… "Sounds like you've got it figured out."
"Indeed. I shall be returning to the dorms, posthaste." The artist stated, causing the coffee maker's eyes to widen.
"Wait, seriously? Just like that?"
"Indeed. I won't be able to learn more about the world around me if I simply fall back into familiar habits. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone is the only way I'll be able to grow as an artist, and a person." And as a Phantom Thief, but Sojiro didn't need to know that part.
"Well, if you say so. Though if you change your mind, you're welcome here. I'll just add it to Jolyne's tab." Sojiro joker, earning a chuckle from the artist.
"I appreciate the offer. I shall surely return to partake of this delicious coffee again." He remarked, before an idea crossed his mind. "Though…I do have an idea as to how I can show my thanks."
Morning
Jolyne's eyes fluttered open as her alarm went off, yawning and stretching as she sat up. "Morning, guys…"
"Mmmm…five more minutes…" Morgana grumbled our as he curled into a ball, and Jolyne rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"You sleep good, Yusuke?" Jolyne asked, only to be met with silence. She looked to the couch, seeing the blankets Yusuke had used neatly folded, with no trace of the artist or his luggage. "Yusuke? You here?" She asked aloud, only to get no answers. Frowning, she looked at her phone, seeing messages from Yusuke.
YK: Jolyne, I didn't want to wake you. While I was waiting for you and Morgana to awaken, I had a most fascinating conversation with Boss.
YK: I would rather give you the details in person, but after a great deal of inner struggle, I decided to return to the dormitories.
YK: When next our schedules overlap, there is a matter with which I would love to discuss with you.
"Good for him, I guess…" Jolyne yawned out, reading the last message.
YK: Oh, and I left a token of my thanks in Leblanc. Keeping it on my person would raise too many questions, and leaving it at Leblanc simply feels right.
Jolyne's brow furrowed at this, and she decided she should take a look. Fixing her hair as quick as she could, she stepped down to Leblanc, where Sojiro was the sole occupant. "Morning, Boss."
"Mornin', Kid." Her caretaker greeted. "You know, you sure know how to pick some friends. That Yusuke sure is an interesting one."
"Tell me about it. He's unique, that's for sure." Jolyne remarked, leaning against the stairs. "You scare him off?"
"More like help him realize something. Though he did most of the heavy lifting." Sojiro explained, gesturing towards the door. "He did leave us something, though. Said the least he could do was 'add a hint of color to an otherwise ordinary day.'"
"Yeah, that sounds like something he would say…" The Joestar muttered, looking towards the door. As soon as she saw what Yusuke had left, her eyes went wide as dinner plates as she gazed at the cognitive 'Sayuri' they had taken from Madarame's Palace. "Whoa…"
"It's nice, isn't it? He didn't tell me why, but he said that it'd be too much trouble to hang on to it." That was an understatement. While the true 'Sayuri' had been defiled when Madarame began his plagiarism endeavor, the manifestation of the plagiarist desires was practically identical to the real thing. His last pupil hanging onto it would indeed raise questions, but no one would think twice if an out of the way coffeshop in Yongen had it. "You know, I've never really been one for art, but I really like this. The way the lady looks at the baby really speaks to me. Still, I feel like I've seen something like this before…"
"Let's just call it a token of thanks and leave it at that." Jolyne stated, earning a scoff from Sojiro.
"Works for me." As Sojiro set about going about his routine, Jolyne couldn't help but smile at the 'Sayuri' hanging on the wall. For all intents and purposes, this was the last remnant of his mother's art that she poured her heart and soul into, so for Yusuke to leave this here...it spoke to deep level of trust, one she'd never really felt before.
Monday, 6/13/20XX, Lunchtime, Shujin Academy
Jolyne approached the bench, two bottled waters in her hand. "Alright, one sparkly, and one regular." She requested, handing the sparkling water to Ann...and the regular one to Shiho.
"Thank you, Cujoh-san." Shiho thanked, and Jolyne offered up a smile.
"Come on, just call me Jolyne. I don't really like all that formal stuff."Jolyne reassured, sitting down next to the two friends. "So, how's your first day back been?"
"About what you expect. Everyone's keeping their distance, but I've still heard people talking."
"Well, if they say anything to you, let us know and we'll beat them up. Well, we'll get Ryuji to do it." Ann joked, earning a laugh from Shiho.
"I appreciate it, though I think most of them are wondering how I recovered so fast."
"Just tell them it was a miracle. Easier to explain than the truth…" Jolyne muttered. She was about to dig into the boxed lunch she'd bought from the school store, only to see Kawakami approaching them.
"Afternoon, you three." She greeted, not unsubtly avoiding eye contact with Jolyne. Ever since the ill-fated 'Operation Maidwatch', the two hadn't really had much interaction. Jolyne would have to get some answers as to why her teacher was dressing as a maid sometime…
"Hey, Miss Kawakami. How's uh, how's it going?" Ann greeted. "Something we can help you with?"
"I was asked to pass along a message to Cujoh-chan." She answered, looking at Jolyne. "You know Niijima-san, right? The student council president?" Ann scowled at the mention of Makoto, but she didn't say anything as Jolyne nodded. "She wanted me to tell you to meet her in the student council room after school. Something about a...lost item?" Jolyne cocked her head to the side in confusion, brow furrowing.
"I...haven't lost anything?" She protested, and the teacher held up her hands.
"Hey, I'm just the messenger. Whatever it is is between you and Niijima." And with that, the teacher walked off, leaving behind the three girls.
"What does Niijima-san want with you?" Shiho asked, and Jolyne shrugged.
"Beats me. Only one way to find out."
Afterschool
Jolyne, Morgana's bag slung over her shoulder, stood in front of the student council room. "What do you think it is?" Morgana asked, and Jolyne frowned.
"I dunno. Maybe she wants to apologize for the other day?" That seemed like a longshot, but one way or another, she was about to get her answer. Jolyne knocked on the door twice.
"Come in!" The voice of the student council president beckoned, and Jolyne slid the door open to reveal Makoto sitting alone. "Oh, Cujoh-san. I see you got my message."
"Uh, yeah. Kawakami said something about a lost item?"
"Oh, that was a small deception on my part. It seemed like the best way to get you up here, alone." The hairs on the back of Jolyne's stood up as Makoto smiled, gesturing to the chair acros from her. "Please. Sit."
"Uh, sure…" Jolyne sat across from her, elbows on the table. "So, you wanted to talk to me alone?" SHe asked, Makoto nodded.
"That's right. I figured this would go smoother if the two of us had a calm, civilized discussion."
"I've got a bad feeling about this…" Morgana muttered, Makoto's brow furrowed.
"Was that a cat…?" She muttered, but she shook her head. "You've been in Tokyo about three months now. I'm curious, have you seen anything...out of the ordinary?" The way she phrased that made Jolyne narrow her eyes, but she didn't flinch.
"Tokyo's pretty tame, all thing's considered. Last time I visited my...let's call her my cousin...in New York, I saw a rat the size of a small dog. Everything seems pretty tame compared to that."
"That's a...fair point. It's pretty hard to top that…" Makoto admitted, pulling out her phone. "You know, speaking of bizarre phenomenon, the other day, a friend sent me this bizarre video. Would you like to see it?"
"Sure…" Makoto set the phone in front of Jolyne. The transfer student cast one last look at the president, before pressing play. Instantly, footage began to play of Jolyne and Ryuji's fight with Ishigami, causing Jolyne's eyes to widen as she watched footage of Ishigami being pummelled by an invisible force.
"I'd say that's quite out of the ordinary, wouldn't you say?"
"I say that's edited." Jolyne instantly countered. "That's a pretty nice phone you've got there. Get some decent editing apps, and you've got some pretty decent special effects."
"It's interesting that that's what you focus on, rather than the fact that that is clearly you, a student on probation, in a fight with a man."
"Hey, that guy tried shoving me in his car. I think I'm entitled to beating him to a pulp."
"So you're not denying it. That's interesting."
"That's what happened. Call Ryuji if you doubt me."
"Oh, that won't be necessary. If I showed this to the Principal or the authorities, they'd have the same reaction you did." With this, Makoto's smile faded, her face hardening into a steely glare. "We both know that footage is unedited. I know you possess strange, otherworldly powers that allowed you to combat that man, who I'm willing to bet possessed similar abilities. I'm not interested in the 'why'-I'm sure you had your reasons-but I'm more interested in the 'how.' Please, skip whatever routine you're cooking up and give me a straight answer."
"This is bad…" Morgana groaned out, shifting uncomfortably in the bag, only for Jolyne to nudge him with her foot.
"No sense denying it. You've clearly got me in a corner, so I may as well playball." Jolyne said, leaning forward. "In this world, there are people out there who possess crazy powers called Stands. I'm one of those people, and because of my family, assholes who also possess those powers like to pick a fight. That guy right there was the second guy who wanted to prove himself."
"That's quite the story. I don't suppose you have proof?"
"Not that you can see. Only people with the power can see it." Jolyne explained, and Makoto frowned.
"I see...and you said people come after you because of your family name?"
"That's right."
"Then was Coach Kamoshida one of those people?" Jolyne was thrown off, and Makoto smirked as the other girl's jaw dropped.
"I...I don't know what you're talking about?"
"Oh? So...that man who attacked you wasn't related at all to your work as a Phantom Thief?"
"I…" Watching Jolyne's facade crumble, Makoto saw her chance, advancing on the opportunity.
"The day you arrived, you began associating with Sakamoto, who had a well documented feud with Kamoshida. Not long after, you befriended Takamaki, who also had issues with Kamoshida. The calling card posted at the end of April displayed intimate knowledge of Kamoshida's crimes that weren't known by the general public, things that couldn't be proven by normal means."
"Kamoshida was a piece of shit who spent years screwing over who knows how many people. Maybe someone got fed up with seeing him get away with shit." Jolyne retorted, and Makoto seemed to deflate.
"You've got a point. After all, I don't even know for a fact if it was a current student behind that…" She sighed out, and Morgana chuckled.
"Way to keep cool, Joker. I don't know if I could keep cool like that…" Morgana sighed out, and Jolyne was about to smirk to herself..
When Makoto seemed to perk up, and Jolyne knew, at this moment, that she was playing right into the other girl's hands. "That may explain Kamoshida, but what about your connection to the Madarame incident?"
"W-what?"
"Don't tell me you've already forgotten your second big case? It's still all over the news." She stated, and Jolyne frowned. She didn't like where this was going…
"I don't have any connection to him. I never even heard of him until I saw a commercial about his exhibit on tv."
"Is that so? I find that hard to believe, considering how close you seemed to Yusuke Kitagawa. That is the name of Madarame's last pupil, correct?"
"...crap." Morgana cursed, as Makoto continued.
"I've done my homework. I've seen you and the others hanging out with him in Shibuya, and I've researched him. I find it highly unlikely that you could befriend him and not know his connection." She analyzed, and Jolyne narrowed her eyes.
"...is that all? I starred in a weird video, and I have friends with a troubled past? Seems like a stretch to call me a Phantom Thief based on all this." She stated, keeping her cool. "You have no solid evidence. You have no proof. All you have is conjecture and circumstantial evidence. And no, I'm not just repeating stuff I heard on TV.I learned what that stuff meant the hard way."
"...you're right. I don't have any hard evidence. If I were to take what I have to Principal Kobayakwa or the police, I'd be laughed out of the room." Makoto admitted, taking back and unlocking her phone.
"Am I free to go?"
"I guess so. Before you do, I just want to play a song I heard the other day. It's really quite catchy…"
"If someone else could help 'em, then we wouldn't be doing things as the Phantom Thieves to start with!" Jolyne and Morgana's eyes both widened as Ryuji's recorded voice echoed through the room.
"That idiot…!" Morgana groaned out, as Makoto folded her hand in front of her.
"If I were to tell the police about your claims of strange powers, nothing would happen. But if I were to play that recording for them...I wonder what would happen."
This was bad, no doubt about that. Makoto had her in a corner, with evidence linking them to the Phantom Thieves. It was flimsy, no doubt about that, but it would still get people asking questions. Even if they couldn't prove Stands or the Metaverse, police attention was the last thing the transfer student needed. If Makoto went to the police…
Wait.
That was it. That was her out.
"Then go." This clearly wasn't the reaction Makoto and Morgana were expecting, and the brown haired girl faltered.
"I-I'm sorry?"
"Go to the police, or Kobayakawa, or whoever the hell asked you to look into this. Show them what you've got." Jolyne stated, now her turn to go on the attack. "But you haven't gone to the police or Kobayakawa yet. In fact, I'm willing to bet he doesn't know anything about this little conversation. You want something. I wanna know what that is."
"...heh. I have to say, when I called you in here, this wasn't what I was expecting." Makoto admitted, her red eyes meeting Jolyne's chartreuse ones. "Fine. The fact of the matter is...I want the Phantom Thieves' help."
A/N: 25 chapters. Three years. A lot has happened, and there's a lot more coming down the pipe that I can't wait to show you all. As always, leave a review, wear a mask when going outside, wash your hands, and keep your distance from others. Until next time.