Author's Note:

Hello again!

It is September, and as promised, another chapter. I will admit, it is coming about a week later than I would have liked. Part of it was that I simply had less time to write, but I also struggled to get back into the world and the writing.

Anyway, once again things seem to be stagnated timeline wise as this chapter did not get nearly as far as I expected it to. Nonetheless, we will get there eventually!

So, I thank you for your patience, and please enjoy!

-asdf


Chapter 9: The Inevitable fight

Wednesday May 25th, After School

"Back again…" Muttering to himself, Joker took time to observe the playground. Even without entering it, he could feel the difference from yesterday.

"What happened, Senpai?" Violet asked fearfully from his side.

Turning around, Joker cast an appraising eye over his party. To a person they looked wary and slightly tired. The back-to-back days of metaverse exploration were draining. Not just the physical drain, but the mental strain of facing down death.

Not having time to rest between trips could prove to be deadly.

Keeping that in mind, Joker turned his attention to the more pressing issue currently: The playground. The light that illuminated its peak and fended off the darkness consuming the rest of the world had changed. It now resembled a searchlight, rotating in a slow circle, lighting up a thin slice of its previous brilliance. Beyond that, the palace felt like it was on high alert. A continual aura being given off that the security would be much higher than usual.

"The principal appears to on guard…" Joker answered Violet's query. "It's similar to when we send the calling cards, but I don't know why…"

"He can't possibly know we're targeting him yet, can he?" Panther asked, her voice warbling slightly. The minor inflection betraying a similar fear to Violet's.

"Thoughts Mona?" Joker asked the most senior member of the group.

"Uhh…"

Containing a sigh, Joker wasn't surprised that the cat didn't know anything either. After all, he'd already passed all of his knowledge on. And, right about now…

"Wow, Mona didn't know? That's surprising!"

"Shut up, Skull!"

"Cool it guys," Joker was forced to reprimand the two of them as they went off on each other again. "Unfortunately, we have no time to figure out what changed, let's enter the palace."

""Yes!"" Overlapping voices agreed.

Leading them in and up, Joker quickly navigated them through the first, second, and then third floors. As they climbed, the oppressive, intense aura only increased in strength. Previously, the upper floors had been swarming with cognitive beings. Children playing different games and the like. Now they were all… gone.

Even with the air emitting an aura that suggested significantly higher security, they weren't stopped. The 'monitors' from before also suspiciously absent. Concerned, Joker brought them into a safe room at the end of the fourth floor. This one had been especially dangerous the first time.

Shadows had thoroughly coated every corridor. Finally, rather than a game, there was a fight over the passage to the fifth floor. It had been close, but due to their extended roster, Joker had led them to victory over the guardians of the fourth floor.

Now, the next stop was the fifth. Before that though…

"Why are we stopping?" Skull complained. "We haven't even fought anything yet!"

"I know, I know," Joker agreed with pursed lips. Tapping his foot, he let some of his discontent show. Surprised to see their leader so visibly shaken, the rest of the phantom thieves exchanged nervous glances. Almost regardless of what they had encountered, Joker had never looked this perturbed before.

"Is… Everything alright Senpai?" Violet asked anxiously.

"No… I can't help but feel like we're being baited in."

"They removed all resistance to trap us somewhere?" Mona echoed in disbelief.

While Fox and Violet shared dubious looks, the original members nodded grimly. At the time, they had managed to emerge successfully, but there was no doubt that shadow Kamoshida had offered up his treasure as a lure for them. It wasn't impossible that something similar was happening here.

However, there was one important difference that Joker hadn't mentioned yet. That trap had come after the calling card. At a time when the thieves had essentially declared that they would be taking the crown. Now though, they shouldn't be prominent enough in the principal's cognition to elicit such a response.

"Nothing for it except to continue," Mona advised.

"Unfortunately, you're right… Should be interesting." Forcing himself to change out of brooding, Joker flashed them a fearless smile. Hoping that his usual, slightly reckless metaverse self would help instill some confidence in them.

"Dude, sometimes I wonder if you really are insane," Skull shook his head in wonder. Shortly after, a matching smile grew on Skull's face. The two boys quickly becoming fast friends.

"Ah, the unknown does have a certain thrill to it, doesn't it?" Fox added on.

Not waiting any longer, Joker waved an arm and led them out to the end of the fourth floor and to the stairs of the fifth floor. All at once, the feeling of being watched thickened even further. The security and feeling of wrongness reached new highs.

"Guess the principal's a little nervous," Joker commented, hoping that would lighten the mood somewhat. Receiving nothing more than mild chuckles in reply, Joker doubted its efficacy.

Ascending the stairs and opening the door, Joker got his first look of the fifth. "…What the hell!?" There, hanging on a slanted blue wall on the far side of the room was a girl that Joker was keenly aware of: Yoshizawa Kasumi's shadow.

Each of her four limbs were bound in manacles and held tight. A continuous drip of blood fell from her left cheek, and above her head was the word 'traitor' written in large capital letters. Based on the crimson tones, Joker suspected with a sinking certainty that it was written in the same substance that currently fell from her cheek. As a final taunt, a key hung from her neck on a metal chain. There was no doubt in Joker's mind that this key went to her shackles. A punishment knowing that she could never free herself and no one would be willing to free her either.

It was a crucifixion.


Wednesday May 25th, 20XX

"K-Kasumi…" The wretched sound was pulled from Violet's disbelieving lips. Her whole brain froze over as she took in her petite sister's shadow in her tattered shujin uniform. The whole scenario was horrible. Made even worse by the otherwise calm aesthetics of the entry chamber.

Taking an unconscious step forward, Violet moved to free her.

"Wait."

Finding a hand on her shoulder, Violet looked up at her Senpai. His eyes were hooded, hiding any emotion pulsing through them.

"This may be a trap."

The words finally sent heat through Violet's frozen body in the form of anger. Freeing her stiff tongue, Violet lashed back as she ripped her arm free. "I don't care! She's my sister, I can't… I mean I won't…"

"Violet…" Panther murmured in sympathy.

"She's a shadow," Joker reminded Violet, his voice still held emotionless. "Your real sister isn't experiencing this."

"…I know," Violet answered sullenly, bowing her head. As the tears formed, Violet rapidly blinked them back. She had sworn that she was done with crying. "Even if this is a trap… Even if that isn't my real sister…

"I won't leave her like this! She wouldn't let me suffer!"

"Well… I guess there's no helping it then, is there?"

"Huh?" Staring at her Senpai in confusion, it took Violet a second to put everything together. His previous emotionless state, the current happy grin on his face. He had wanted to help Kasumi out as much as she did. "Senpai… You really are…"

The rest of Violet's words faded into oblivion as Senpai shot off, pulled by the grappling hook up to where Kasumi was suspended.

"Catch her."

"Huh? Y-Yes!" Taking a moment to understand that the words were meant for her, Violet dashed over as well, positioning herself below her sister as Joker undid her chains one by one. The weight on each limb increasing as Joker freed them one by one, attempting to make the process as painless as possible. Unfortunately, there was still a period of time where Violet couldn't help but gulp as Kasumi hung by only one arm, the manacle digging painfully into her wrist.

"Uff!" Huffing, Violet staggered slightly upon catching the shadow.

As gently as possible, Violet lowered the body to the strange, somewhat soft floor. The mats that coat the ground do not have enough springiness that either of them had been comfortable simply dropping her.

Seeing her cheek up close, Violet gagged. Throwing a hand over her mouth was all that kept her from retching. Across her face was clearly a punch wound. The bruised outline of all four fingers could be clearly tracked. That wasn't the worst part. Where the knuckles should have been, were four gory puncture words. Some piece of metal or something had broken through the skin, causing the bleeding that Violet had been witnessing.

"Dia."

"…?" Glancing around, Violet found Senpai who had wasted no time in using his own mental energy to begin patching up Kasumi.

"I've changed my mind," Joker spoke, his voice hard and loud enough for everyone to hear. "This isn't a trap. I'm guessing Kasumi did something in the real world. Something to make the principal feel betrayed."

"So that's why the palace is like this…" Mona agreed, "it makes sense."

"Do you think she'll help us?" Panther wondered.

"Urgh…"

As if answering Panther, a moan of pain came from between Kasumi's lips. A moment later, her eyes fluttered and opened. As lucidity slowly returned, no one said anything. Violet hung over her body, watching her with cautious eyes. Despite her earlier words to Senpai, Violet understood how strong this shadow was. It had taken everything she had last time to fend her off.

"You… Rescued me? Why?" The words were hoarse and filled with confusion. It was clear that the shadow's mental capacity still wasn't running perfectly.

"I couldn't leave you there Kasumi!" Violet responded instinctively. "You're my sister…"

"…Sister? I've never met you before in my… Wait… Urng!" The words that started confidently deteriorated into uncertainty before Kasumi gripped her head in pain. "What are these images!?"

"H-Huh!?" Violet panicked. "S-Senpai, what's happening to her!?"

"I wonder…" The unhelpful words were mumbled as theories began ravelling themselves behind his shining eyes.

"Wow, did she forget our fight last time?" Skull muttered out loud.

"That seems strange," Fox agreed. "When we were here yesterday, she appeared to have recognized you from earlier."

"But if the shift in cognition was large enough…" Joker wondered aloud, finally giving voice to his thoughts. "Then this shadow Kasumi is essentially a completely separate existence from the one we encountered last time."

Joker's words struck Violet like a thunderbolt. The meaning of 'shadow' and 'cognitive being' were becoming increasingly clear. They were figments of the ruler's imagination. Nothing important, certainly nothing worth crying over.

Yet how did she reconcile that from the pain and confusion in Kasumi's eyes?

The clashing of wills she had experienced when she had awoken to her persona?

"Well?" Kasumi glared, some more life returning to her. "What do you want from me? Who are you that you would go against the supreme bully's orders?"

"Put simply, we're here to dethrone him." Joker spoke with a slight smile touching his lips.

"…So, you mean to keep climbing?" Kasumi asked warily.

Violet's gaze flickered between the two of them, not understanding why shadow Kasumi cared. She had thought that the girl would be ecstatic to be freed from her torture.

"That's right." Joker nodded. "It would be a big help if…"

"So, you criminals refuse to even leave this one to her punishment?" A voice interrupted. "…I had planned on waiting until the next floor to deal with you myself according to the rules but…"

"Then you should obey the rules, shouldn't you?"

Caught in no man's land, Violet threw her body to the side so that she could observe the newcomer. What she saw made her jaw drop. She had heard about it from the original thieves, but actually seeing the person was completely different. Standing there imperiously, with the same hard red eyes that Violet remembered, was the Shujin student body president.

Every detail the same… except this one barely topped a metre in height.

Confronting her was the shadow Kasumi.

"Wait for your time like a good girl. The guardian of this floor will dispose of them."

"…Very well."

With no more discussion, the president left as quickly as she had come.

"…I'm guessing you won't be helping us then?" Joker asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I…" The shadow seemed torn. Swaying slightly with her hand on her head, she took another confused look at Violet. "I have to go… Perhaps we will… No, I'm sure I will meet you again."

Left speechless, Violet wanted to say something, but couldn't think of anything. In no time at all, the room was empty, only open manacles and bloodstains to remind them of the scene they had walked in on.


Wednesday, May 25th, 20XX, Afterschool

"…It's getting more visible already." Touching her left cheek, Kasumi stared at her reflection in the girl's bathroom. The mirror scrubbed spotless every day displayed her colouring cheek perfectly.

Kasumi had found an excuse almost every hour to come and check on her reflection. Over time, her cheek had changed from its usual whitish tone to a more red and purple disfiguration.

While it was still faint, Kasumi was pretty sure that it would continue to grow worse as time ticked by. Taking out her bag, Kasumi retrieved her small make-up set that she brought with her. Growing up, Kasumi had often been praised as a 'natural beauty'; however, that phrase undermined the huge amount of work and religious moisturizing that Kasumi utilized to attempt to compete with Sumire's looks. In the small make-up bag were a pair of foundations. One matching her skin tone and one a shade lighter.

Pulling out the lighter one, Kasumi tested its ability to cover the wound. Each smattering of the retractable brush left a small blotch of the substance. Waiting for a while, Kasumi spread it around to a small, even layer.

"…Doesn't work, huh?" Muttering in discontent, Kasumi shot an anxious look to the entrance as she heard a group of loud voices pass by. Although school had ended with no one picking up on the wound, Kasumi was still worried that someone would enter and see the injury.

Belatedly, around lunch, as Kasumi realized it would show prominently in the coming days. The problem arose in that she had no story arranged for how she received the injury. Or even if she should let people see it. While it was painful to admit, Kasumi knew she would have to phone Akechi. Both of them had failed to predict this outcome.

With the first layer of foundation finished, Kasumi moved onto the second layer, this time utilizing the make-up that matched her skin tone. Applying it with dextrous skill, Kasumi was extremely proficient at the application of make-up. She had long since been forced to learn its application for competitions where the dancers tended to use quite a bit.

Lowering the brush, Kasumi forced herself to give a wide, competition smile. The action dimpling her cheeks and highlighting the mole beneath her eye more. For many years now, Kasumi had considered that mole a mark of her struggle in life. Her face was the blemished one, the imperfect one. She had ordinary features, brown hair and brown eyes. She wasn't gifted with perfect skin and exotic hair like her sister. Instead, she had to fight for every single inch, every point by launching herself brashly ahead.

"Boldness… My boldness defines me." Muttering to herself, Kasumi ripped her eyes off the mirror and the unblemished cheeks in the reflection. Reaching a hand down to her school-mandated bag, Kasumi withdrew her phone and went to speed dial. The first number listed having received far more uses than Kasumi would have liked.


Wednesday, May 25th 20XX, After school

Joker's thoughts were still a mess as he lodged a bullet inside of a begging shadow. The screams disappearing as its body turned into dark energy and retreated into the ether.

He hadn't heard a word that the shadow had spoken. While a faint feeling of guilt pulled at him, it still wasn't enough to stop Joker from simply going through the motions. Finally, on the fifth floor, he had found a region similar to Kamoshida's palace. A maze of tunnels with shadows lurk

ing inside. Based on the flashing colours and general darkness, Joker was sure it was supposed to be a giant laser tag arena. In his current state of mind though, the fun arcade-like section did nothing to soothe him.

It wasn't just him either, Joker confirmed with a furtive glance over his shoulder. The rest of the thieves were listless as well. None of them could stand still after witnessing the torture of Kasumi's shadow and then how they had argued with each other.

It had been so lifelike, so believable, that Joker had honestly forgotten for a moment that they were shadows.

That scared him.

These cognitive beings within palaces should be no more real than a dream. Nothing more than the creation of a being, resembling someone from the real world, that the ruler of the palace knew. In this case, Kobayakawa knew the Yoshizawa sisters as honour students within his school. Therefore, it made sense that he would visualize them as beings protecting his palace from invasion.

Except… How then to take this most recent change? Finally ripping his mind away from the unsettling potential cognitive beings have for emotions and intelligence, Joker focused solely on the change in cognition that had occurred.

Surely there was a way to use it, to use how the cognitive beings had changed to achieve their goal easier. However, no matter how hard he racked his brain as he made his way through the flashing-light corridors, nothing came to mind.

It was extremely frustrating. This was not the first time, that recently, Joker felt like he was letting down those following him by being an incapable leader.

He was almost glad when another shadow showed up. The masked shujin student walking the halls stiffly with a toy gun cradled in their small arms. Letting it take one more oblivious step towards where he remained crouched around the corner, Joker burst forward.

The familiar attack went off without a hitch. Within a second of the shadow's form being exposed they had it surrounded. With the advantage of surprise on their side, the thieves struck first. Leading them in the assault, Joker ripped into the lone figure with his knife. Three more attacks later, a pitiful scream echoed briefly prior to the shadow dissolving.

It had been a good vent for his anger and uncertainty, but it wasn't nearly enough. Looking at his hand, Joker clenched it into a fist for a moment before releasing it and repeating the action a few more times.

"Senpai… Are you…?"

"Let's go." All that was important right now was getting through this and changing the principal's heart. Save Kasumi from the circumstances that she found herself in and move unto helping Yusuke and proving their justice to the world.

A few turns later, they found the exit of the maze. The darkness within the game area faded as light took over again. A general ambiance with no noticeable source. Walking a few feet further down the hallway, Joker's feet came to an abrupt halt.

"Well, that's an obvious trap."

The area ahead of him opened up into a wide room. The floor possessing a divide in the middle that he would walk on if he continued for another step. It was obvious to everyone looking that the floor would part, dumping anyone unlucky enough to be on it. Dumping them where, Joker didn't want to know.

Crick.

"Hmm?" Tilting his head, Joker was sure that he had heard something. Not quite like wood groaning, more like something slipping. A plank being used as a bridge that didn't possess the friction to bear the weight on it. "Uh oh."

The words turned breathless as the area below Joker's feet collapsed. The square which upon only he stood opening into a smaller replica of the same trap that he had suspected the next room to be.

"SENPAI!"

"JOKER!"

The screams of his party filled the air. Feeling like he was falling in slow motion, a single, soft word echoed in his ears above all the yelling.

"Idiot…"

Hoping against all hope, Joker stuck a hand up. No way to reach the ledge, but…

"Huff!"

With a large exhale, a strong, yet small, hand wrapped around his own. Smiling like nothing was wrong, Joker waited to get pulled back up to safety.

"Huh? W-Wait!" Joker's plea went unanswered as he felt his body grow weightless. With a giant tug on his right arm, he felt himself flipping through the air. After countless rotations, Joker landed hard on his back, a spike of pain running through his head. "…Ow."

"S-Senpai!? A-are you alright!?" Half a second later two large red eyes filled his blurry view.

"Just grand…" He groaned back, forcing himself to begin the long process of standing up. With aid from Violet, Joker managed to get into a sitting position and get a view of his saviour.

Standing there, in a new and fresh Shujin uniform, was none other than a miniature Kasumi. Even as a child, she looked imposing as she strode toward him.

"I thought you'd get through here easily, but here you are getting held up by such an easy illusion…"

"Uh… Sorry?" Joker apologized. Glancing at the ground, he confirmed that he'd been thrown unto the 'trap' that he identified earlier. Looking at it now, it seemed obvious that this was the solid ground while the hallway leading up to it contained the trap. After a few more seconds, the rest of the thieves easily cleared two-metre gap that Joker had fallen into.

"Tch… Well, don't expect any more help…"

"Why did you help?" Joker asked before she could leave.

"…"

"Come on Kas!" Violet pleaded from beside him. "After what happened to you… I mean, the condition you were in… Help us! You must want to beat Kobayakawa as much as we do!"

"…You don't know what you're asking me to do."

The words were quiet and hard, but the shadow did stop retreating. She looked awkwardly to the side, away from all of them. After a few more seconds, her face hardened.

Joker wasn't sure, but he thought he saw a flicker of pain run across her visage.

"Very well. Follow me before that annoying minion shows up again."

"Thank you."

"I always believed in you Kas!"

"…Don't call me that!" The shadow repudiated Violet harshly. "…Please."

Hiding his smile, Joker was positive that he was the only one that heard that final word. Something was going on with the shadow that led them to a solid wall, but the suspicious line of thinking was quickly removed when the wall opened up under her touch.

"Stay close to me."

Obeying, Joker placed himself on her heels as the rest of the thieves struggled to get in before the wall slid shut again with a soft whir. The technology behind it at ends with the playground appearance. The passages through the walls completely dropped that pretense.

Inside, there were screens everywhere, on them were displayed the scene on the other side. It would be easy for someone to monitor the situation on a floor simply by navigating this area. Small pipes ran up and down, no doubt providing the framework and capabilities for the traps and other features that the playground possessed.

Was that word even accurate for this palace?

It had to be. Afterall, that was the word that the metanav accepted. It was just that Kobayakawa's view of one was so distorted that it could hardly be considered one by an average person.

The security, the spying, the monitors, the searchlight, the endless shadows outside. There was only one word to describe Kobayakawa based on all these features: paranoid.

"We will have to cross one section of the floor and we will be there."

"Will there be fighting?" Joker asked, tensing up in anticipation.

"No." The girl denied, shaking her head. "Well… only if you screw up."

Ominous words aside, the wall in front of them opened again with another faint whirring sound. From this side, it was far easier to see how she did it. A small button, that once depressed engaged the mechanism.

"We cross here."

"…O-Oh." Eyes widening, Joker whistled softly at the impressive display. Before him was an expansive indoor chamber. Trampolines were stretched over the gap in sections, forming a path across. There were two solid platforms between them and the far side where the grand door up to the sixth floor resided. Beneath the trampolines, were shadows. Meaning if they fell off, they'd be caught in battle.

The shadow's words came rushing back to mind. No. Well… only if you screw up. The answer simplified the terrifying reality of their circumstance. Falling would spell almost instant death. Running or fighting would be almost impossible. Only if they fell early on near the exit would they have a chance. Near the far side, there was no exit, only the one at the start.

"Let's go."

"Ohh! I really like trampolines!"

Unable to stop her, Joker watched helplessly as Violet took up the challenge first, bounding after the shadow. Taking a step to follow instantly, Joker came to an abrupt stop due to the breathtaking sight.

"Ah, how beautiful…" Fox murmured, succinctly summarising everyone's thoughts.

The shadow Kasumi would make a jump from one trampoline to the next, and Violet would replicate the feat. Neither of them were just jumping either. Every bound was done with grace and poise, even the occasional flip thrown in.

In no time at all the display was done, the two girls landing safely upon the first safe point. "Come on Senpai! It's fun!"

"Right behind you!" Calling on some of that boundless confidence, Joker stepped off the platform. Relying on the enhanced reflexes and strength provided by his persona, Joker jumped off the first one and into the air. Feeling the weightlessness as he descended to the center of the next one, he let loose a boundless smile.

Not to be out done, Joker replicated their feat of landing and bouncing from one trampoline to the next. Landing on the platform, he stumbled only half a step before coming to a halt.

"Not so bad." The shadow admitted.

"Wow, you're were great out there Senpai! Maybe Trampoline is your next calling?"

"Me? The two of you were incredible." He answered sincerely, the praise falling easily from his lips.

"M-Me!?" Violet blushed, the visible tips of her ears changing colour to match her tied back hair. "O-Oh no, those were just simple gymnastics maneuvers I utilized to get across."

"Ugh, get a room." The shadow groaned, staring at the rest of the thieves. "And tell your followers to be less useless."

Trying not to react to the shadow's comments, Joker took one last glance at Violet before turning to look at his party. She was rubbing her hands together shyly, one foot tapping on the ground as she diverted her gaze. The cute pose making Joker's heart beat erratically once.

Breathing deeply, Joker watched the rest of his party struggle. Well, struggle was a harsh way to describe it. Each of them were using their above normal dexterity to swiftly navigate the trampoline peril. It was only compared to the previous crossings that made these look like a struggle.

"This platform is a bit small, let's keep going."

"You got it Kas!"

"Don't call me that!"

Ripping his gaze away from the people that were almost here, Joker looked for the first time at the next set. "Dear god…" Swearing under his breath, Joker realized what was happening. Each section was going to be harder than the last. Rather than the straightforward line of the first section, these trampolines were staggered in a repeating pattern. One would have to stop their momentum on one trampoline before launching themselves into the abyss to reach the next.

Waiting, Joker watched the shadow to see how she would deal with the trampoline puzzle. With no pomp, she hurled herself off the edge onto the first trampoline. Landing on the close corner, she transitioned her velocity into a large leap for the second. With perfect control, she arced down into the middle of the far side of the next. Cancelling her sideways momentum, the trampoline launched her back the way she had come horizontally while her forward momentum was preserved.

"Impressive…" Muttering the word under his breath, Joker knew he wouldn't be able to replicate this.

"Hehe, watch out Kas!" Not to be outdone, Violet followed her sister's shadow through the second obstacle.

"These two…" Shaking his head wryly, Joker followed them into danger with a large smile on his face. Once again, he made his way across with only a small bit of difficulty. When he landed roughly on the platform, with far more horizontal velocity than strictly necessary, Joker cast a nervous glance at the two figures in front of him.

It was clear at a glance that something had occurred between them before he got here. They were standing at the far edge, bodies facing the next trampolines, but heads turned to each other. If forced to guess, Joker would have said that they were preparing to compete.

"Are you two…?"

"S-Senpai!? Y-You got across already. Amazing!"

"Haa… That's really a word that should be saved for the two of you," Joker laughed off the praise. "How hard is this last section?"

"You may fall," the shadow smirked before Violet could reply.

Sending her a pouty glare first, Violet gave Joker a more serious answer. "I think we can do it. Just take it slow and plan your jumps."

Walking up beside her, Joker shook his head at the obstacle ahead of them. The assortment of trampolines was seemingly random. Unlike the last two sections, there was no identifiable pattern here. Every jump would be different and require preparation. Especially…

"What about that big gap?"

"Hmm? Scared?" The shadow taunted once again.

"You know… Your confidence certainly came back quickly." Joker remarked, with a sly sideways glance.

"Tch. Whatever. If you fall, you're on your own."

"We won't!" Violet confirmed for her.

Watching her carefully, Joker couldn't help but feel a jolt of apprehension at their relationship. She was getting far too close to this shadow of her sister. Maybe as a way to make up for their relationship in real life, or maybe just an inability to separate the two, Violet was growing attached way to quickly. Joker worried that when the time came to part, Violet would be unable to do so.

"…Something wrong?" The girl in question asked. Turning around before jumping off, she sensed Joker's gaze upon her.

"…Nothing. Stay safe."

"I will!" With a beautiful smile, she stepped out onto the first platform without even looking at it.

Walking over to where she had departed from, Joker, once again, found himself unable to tear his vision off her. Her beauty as she flipped through the air was transfixing. An unhealthy surge of possessiveness overtook him as he watched.

Dismissing the feeling with a rough shake of his head, Joker stepped unto the final obstacle of the floor. He didn't even bother trying to emulate the speed that the shadow somehow kept over the obstacle. Even Violet was no longer able to transition between each trampoline in a single bounce.

Giving himself time to collect his bearings, Joker gathered height before bending his legs and launching himself at the next one. Flipping once completely in the air, he landed solidly in the center of the next one. Keeping his knees bent, Joker absorbed the momentum, cancelling his speed. Standing up, he turned to locate his next objective.

"W-What the hell is this!?" Skull screeched from behind.

"Not your speed?" Joker taunted back with a smile. One by one, the thieves were assembling on the final platform.

"Yeah Skull, you may as well turn back now!" Mona taunted, his voice only quivering right at the end, betraying some of his own fear.

"Y-Yeah!?" Skull shot back clearly not noticing it. "I-I'll show you!" With no more pomp, Skull leapt unto the first trampoline, almost bouncing off the far side in his haste.

"Slow down!" Panther scolded him harshly. "You'll die for real if you fall off here!"

"I-I know that!" Skull replied sullenly, having clearly forgotten the consequences.

Ignoring the continual squabble, Joker focused on getting through this safely. Let his path act as a guide for the others that don't possess the poise and balance of a gymnast. Doing so slowed his pace to a standstill. If there were any connections between the individual square mats, Joker couldn't see them. That left him with no choice except to thoroughly prepare each and every jump.

A first, and then a second passed without incident. Each time, Joker managed to successful bend his knees to absorb the excess force attempting to throw him back up into the air.

"…Huh?" The unintelligent sound slipped from between Joker's lips as he turned to the next gap. It was gigantic. The gap from the edge of one trampoline to the next had to six, no seven metres. A mindboggling distance.

"Oh yeah, watch out Senpai, that one's a bit harder!" Violet's completely serious voice echoed back from where she stood, almost at the end.

"…Thanks." Joker muttered to himself sizing up the gap. Before he could second guess himself, Joker began jumping up and down at the far side. Waiting until he had maximum height, he adjusted his trajectory. Landing dead in the center of the trampoline, he adjusted his body one last time, and shot off forward.

The ground passed by beneath him with startling speed. The natural rotation in his body sending him through one, then two flips before coming back down. Just before his trajectory took him beneath the mats, the edge of his target blinked past his feet. Landing roughly, Joker tumbled once head over heels before stopping at the far edge.

"A little rough, huh?" He grumbled quietly to himself. However, even as he picked himself up, he couldn't help but smile wildly at the thrill of the flight. The issue was if everyone else would be able to make it. "Hey Violet, are there any other large ones?"

"No Senpai, that's the biggest one you just cleared!" She called back happily from her place safe on solid ground.

"I'll help people cross this one then." Joker decided yelling back. Turning around to wait for the next person unlucky enough to attempt the crossing, Joker prepared his grappling hook. It should be possible to save someone with it as long as he was prepared.

"H-Holy shit! What the fuck is this!?"

"Calm down Skull," Joker tried to soothe. He couldn't even tease the boy for his over-the-top reaction; his had been little different. "Just get a good start and you'll make it. As much speed as possible, I'll stop you."

"Speed, eh? I can do that…" The words seeming to ignite his runner's pride, Skull wound up for the jump different than Joker had. Taking on a runner's posture, Skull's whole body tensed before exploding powerfully forward. Two large steps across the mat before putting all of his strength into his right leg to hurtle himself forward off the edge.

Joker's eyes widened in shock. The leap was at least equal his. It wasn't optimal usage of the trampoline, but instead it maximized Skull's own experience in track running.

"Impressive," Joker commented lightly, grabbing skull's arm as he shot by. The quick contact slowing Skull enough so that he had no chance of falling off the far side.

"Hehe, still got it! Beat that Mona!" He called back excitedly, adrenaline flowing strongly through him.

"Get going to the next platform," Joker teased with a light shove.

"Yeah, yeah, you got it leader! And… Don't let no one fall, ya got that?"

"Get out of here."

"On it!"

With no pomp, Skull launched himself to the adjacent trampoline freeing up this one for the next entrant. Mona, tight on the heels of Skull scowled.

"You know Mona, if you don't think you can make it…" Joker began to offer, an idea forming in his mind.

"Can't make it!? A puny gap like this!? Watch me!" Before the words had even finished, Mona had begun leaping into the air, his jumps in the center of the trampoline carrying him high into the sky, almost in range of the vaulted ceiling. "Hiyah!"

Letting loose an empowered cry, Mona hit the trampoline and ricocheted forward. His lithe black form tracing an arching parabola through the air.

Watching somewhat awestruck, Joker's hands fell to his side, assuming all danger had passed. After all, Mona would easily make it.

"U-Uh-oh…!" Making a panicked noise, Mona began to tilt in mid-air. His top-heavy body dragging his head down toward the trampoline. Crossing the midpoint, Mona crashed, headfirst into the outer bar supporting the fabric. "…Ow."

"Ah, s-sorry." Joker apologized quickly, throwing a hand over his mouth to hide the laughter.

"Shut it…" Mona replied weakly, too injured to make a sassier comment.

"Can you keep going?" Joker asked, slightly more seriously.

"Y-Yeah. No problem."

"…If you're sure then." Keeping one eye on Mona, Joker quickly determined he didn't have to worry as he cleared the gap to the next trampoline with no issues. Skull as well had nearly reached the finish.

"Two more to go…" Muttering softly to himself, Joker prayed that there would be some way to skip this obstacle in the future. He really didn't want to be forced the clear it more than once.

"I suppose it is my turn to surpass this endeavour…" Fox tsked with mild annoyance. His words as poetic as ever, he duplicated Joker's strategy.

Staying silent throughout the feat, Joker simply nodded his congratulations as he stuck out an arm to stabilize the boy. "Well done."

"I am unworthy of praise. I simply took what you did and made a poor duplicate."

"If you say so." Letting the conversation die there, Joker was still uncomfortable around the artist. They had yet to develop the same bond that he could feel with the rest of the thieves.

"Ugh, I can't let a bunch of boys show me up…"

Panther's words were probably supposed to be inaudible, but Joker couldn't help but smile as he just caught them. "Doing alright?"

"Of course, I am! If you all got across then so can I!" Panther yelled back across before examining her situation again. "Now… Skull's method looked easiest, let's just do that."

"W-Wait!" Joker's cry fell on deaf ears as Panther sprinted forward with none of the power Skull summoned to perform his heroic leap.

Panther left the platform with half his height, her eyes wide with disbelief at her miscalculation.

"Damn it!" Swearing, Joker readied the grappling hook and prayed that it would work. "Hold on!" With no more warning he shot it straight at Panther's chest, who was already dropping beneath the mat. With a soft ting, the metal bit bounced off.

"Ahh!" Panther panicked, not taking the aid offered.

"GRAB IT!" Forced to scream at the girl, Joker's mind began panicking. Thoughts of the worst possible scenario raising to the forefront of his mind. Was he about to watch his friend die in front of his eyes?

"Y-Yes!"

Got her!

Crowing mentally, Joker braced his feet and retracted the grapple. With a groan, he withstood the impact of Panther's full weight and speed bearing down on it.

Foot by creaking foot, the grappling gun slowly reeled her in while Joker's arms began to burn from the strain of suspending the swinging girl.

How much does she weigh!?

The rather impolite thought racing through him as he fought to hold up a girl that he had previously considered to be quite light. Maybe she really did need to stop eating so many desserts.

"Ah… Thanks Joker," Ann groaned as she crawled unto the trampoline beside him. "I swung so low the shadows were starting to take notice…"

"We're all safe now," Joker tried to assure her with a weak smile. "Keep going, I'll follow behind."

Thankfully, Violet's advice was correct. The rest of the journey passed without incident. Rejoining the group, Joker realized that the shadow was gone.

"She said she was going on ahead," Violet informed him when she caught Joker's wondering look. "Apparently it's a straight shot to the next floor."

"…Good. Is everyone prepared for a fight? The 'gang' of this floor or whatever they are should be ahead as well."

"You bet!"

"Ah, worry about yourself!"

"Ha, I've been waiting for an opportunity to prove my growth…"

"Let's crush this fight so we can deal justice to the principal."

Surprised by how fired up everyone seemed, Joker's eyes migrated to the only person that didn't say anything. Violet's eyes were flickering around, never settling in one place. Joker couldn't help but wonder if she had come to the same conclusion that he had. That there was really only one choice for who the guardian would be.

"Let's go." Speaking the words calmly drew the gazes of the other four. Some of their energy muting in the process. If he was right, that was bound to happen at some point anyway. Gesturing with his head at Violet, Joker got her to walk beside him. "Can you do this? I mean… You can sit out if it will be too hard for you."

"…Thank you for the suggestion, Joker. But I need to be in this fight. I'm the only one that can keep up with her moves."

Images from the moments before Violet's awakening washed over him. A single blade turned into an unstoppable tornado. The speed and precision of the movements was breathtaking and impossible to keep up with.

Would they face it again?

Faced with uncertainty, Joker could do only one thing, keep moving. The inevitable fight, destined from the second floor. For days now, Joker had stewed silently over whether it may come to this. Taking one silent second to compose himself, Joker pushed the giant double door open.

The aesthetic of the playground was almost completely abandoned in favour of a display of power. The walls appeared to be carved from a single stone that sparkled white. Gold tapestries hanging on the wall covered with an image of an imposing Kobayakawa. On the far side were beautifully carved stairs that ran straight up to the next floor. Only their shockingly bright blue colour completely threw out the realistic aspect. Running from the door Joker opened to the stairs was a thick carpet. It looked expensive, even if the colours were strange. Red in the center with a thick blue exterior the colour of the stairs. Standing right in front of the stairs were two figures.

The child guises from before were no more. Two teenage girls stood side-by-side in complimentary dancing outfits. One striped with silver and black, the other, gold and black. Both shimmered with a metallic gleam that covered their entire bodies.

"Why?" Joker's voice echoed through the room.

"Isn't it obvious?" Shadow Kasumi answered back instantly with a small, somewhat sad smile. "I have no love for Kobayakawa, but I couldn't let my sister fight alone."

"Neither of you have to fight us!" Violet exploded. Stepping ahead of Joker, she shook off his restraining arm. "Come with us! Let us deal with him together!"

"He is our master. I will obey him." The shadow Sumire finally spoke, her eyes still darkened behind her bangs.

With those words an uneasy air filled the room. A fight was no longer avoidable.

"I'll say this now," shadow Kasumi added on as the tension grew. "If you can't beat us, you have no chance at upstaging the king or his puppet."

"Noted. Now I'll say this before we start. Are you sure this is the end you want?"

"Don't…"

"…?" Looking at the suddenly enraged Kasumi in confusion, Joker drew his knife and assumed a battle stance.

"Don't look at me like that!" Exploding forward, Kasumi crossed the ten-metre gap between them in a second. "Don't stare at me with pity!" Their blades clashed in an explosion of sparks. "If you don't fight to win, I will kill you!"

Staring into her wide angry brown eyes at close range, Joker didn't relent. She had been right, if this was the first time they had crossed blades, he would have been unable to fight her at full force.

"Violet, hit her!"

"Y-Yes Senpai!"

With the shadow's weapon trapped, Violet leapt forward. Sword raised; it only shook a little before descending down unto the shadow.

Joker was secretly surprised. He had doubts that Violet would be able to fight Kasumi a second time. Especially after they had bonded today.

"She's not alone either."

The soft, quiet words preceded the air being split by a fourth combatant. A louder, ringing collision consumed the air as Violet's rapier was halted in its trajectory by a massive shield. It's bulk exceeded any medieval variant Joker had heard about. It was well over a metre wide in both directions and shaped like a heart. The metallic surface shone brightly, light from the ceiling reflecting off it's white-gold surface.

"W-What is happening?" Skull puzzled loudly, still stunned by the rapid change in pace.

"W-Who cares!" Panther spat back at him, "Joker needs help!"

However, neither of them moved. Their legs were frozen in place. They couldn't figure out why the person that had helped them was again their enemy. They couldn't bring themselves to attack shadows that so closely resembled their schoolmates.

"A strange turn of fate, but this would truly make a beautiful painting. My blade is yours. Let us go, Goemon!"

"Well said! Show your might, Zorro!"

As the twin magic bombarded the girls, Joker finally got a break from the endless combat as the shadow was driven back.

"Good job you two," Joker congratulated them. "If we keep this up, we'll win."

"Brave talk. Let's get them Sumi!"

"You got it, Kas!"

"YAAARGH!" With a ferocious shout, shadow Kasumi's body was cloaked in a terrible energy. The ground breaking beneath her feet, she charged back into combat, her whole body rotating, turning her into a hurricane.

"I won't let you!" Voice piercing through the oncoming storm of noise, Violet charged straight out to meet her, while Joker was still debating his next move. Her glowing ivory outfit seemed to emit a pure white light that countered the black aura of the shadow.

Cling, Clang!

Continuous ringing impacts washed over the battlefield. Each one sharp, piercing, and pure. Stunned for a moment, Joker could only gape at the display of pure talent. Violet had spoken true in her claim. She was dancing through the hurricane gracefully, no effort or motion wasted. Yet despite her skill, she was still a single person against a hurricane. This contest had but one logical outcome.

"Hit her again!" Joker commanded, ripping off his mask at the same time to do just that. He could hear the sounds of Mona and Fox doing the same. The three distinct magics streaking forward with only a short interval between them.

"Kas."

Just one soft word disrupted their plan. The hurricane abruptly ended as shadow Kasumi threw herself backward. Into that small space, Violet's identical shadow entered. Her large shield absorbing all three attacks with only mild effort.

"W-What defense…"

Standing side-by-side, the two girls made the perfect combo. Bold, powerful offense with a defense that stopped any counter. The whole strategy was predicated on flawless teamwork based on absolute trust in each other.

"S-Sorry Senpai, I'll try to lock her down next time."

"Don't apologize," Joker denied her quickly. "You did amazing. Take a more supportive role and heal."

"Are… Are you sure?"

"Yes… But I'll need you to jump back in again later." Leaving the words there, Joker tried to communicate his real meaning with his eyes. There was a hole in the shadows' strategy that only Violet could take advantage of.

"…Got it."

Nodding at her, Joker hoped she had figured it out. "Fox with me. Mona, support us."

""Yes!""

Mentally switching personas, Joker pulled off his mask for a physical attack. He could practically feel the hardening of his body, the resistance to physical blows that the switch had granted.

"Gragh!" The shadow grunted from pain. Joker was pleasantly surprised that the attack was able to find its way onto shadow Kasumi directly. There would be issues if the shadow Sumire could block everything. "You'll pay, boy!"

Unable to do anything except watch, Joker felt the rapier sink into his aura. Even with the natural protection granted to him by the persona, it hurt. Getting blown back half a step, Joker waited as Fox snuck into the gap created, expertly delivering a blow to the shadow.

"Kas?"

"Not yet!" The shadow screamed back, "I can still… I can keep going. Further… Higher…"

The shadow's brown eyes were still wide, but were now bloodshot. The entire whites consumed by harsh red lines. She looked half possessed by a desire that Joker couldn't fully comprehend. Some need to continue to prove herself as the best.

"This is going to hurt…" Mumbling to himself, Joker graciously accepted the healing light from Mona and Violet, the shadow Kasumi getting aid from the shadow Sumire at the same time.

Raising his knife, Joker simply guarded himself from the onslaught that was about to come. Half a second later than expected, it arrived. That terrifying hurricane of steel and skill. Again and again, her blade struck. Joker didn't try dodging, giving the action up as futile. Instead he grit his teeth and pushed through, relying on his unnatural power of persona to give him the upper hand.

"WHY!? Why aren't you down yet!?"

"Heh. Guess you should have studied us more before leaving," Joker taunted back, giving her a fearless smile despite his dwindling stamina. Around him flew pieces of the carpet they stood on and even the solid stone floor. Nothing was capable of withstanding the force of shadow Kasumi's blade.

"Kas."

The voice rang out again.

"Already?" Seemingly surprised, the shadow slipped up in her attack in her haste to retreat. Darting backwards, her sister wasn't there. "Huh?"

Yes! Joker crowed mentally.

Confusion and a look of betrayal flashed across the shadow's face before understanding clicked into place. Glaring at Violet, her face twisted into a vicious rictus.

"YOU!"

"Now!" Cutting off the shadow's yell, Joker could only watch as Fox and Mona released their personas on the vulnerable shadow. Nearly unblockable, the physical attacks from close range tore into the shadow's flagging form. Her outstanding power came at a price to herself as well.

"Kas!" The shadow Sumire shouted in fear, darting forward to protect her fallen sister. "Stay back!"

"Or what…?" Violet taunted.

No, Joker corrected his interpretation. She wasn't taunting the shadow, it was an honest question. Rapier in hand, Violet approached the large shield fearlessly.

"I'll… I'll…"

All the hesitant words did was confirm what Joker had previously suspected, the shadow Kasumi had all the damage of the pair. It was likely that Shadow Sumire was only responsible for defense and buffing.

"…I should thank you." Violet's quiet words seemed to echo through the room, silencing them all. Ignoring Joker's questioning gaze, Violet continued to speak straight at the shadow. "You're exactly how I used to be. You felt you had no chance at matching Kasumi's skill, so you stopped trying."

"O-Of course I can't match her, no one can! So, I do the best that I can! I protect her!"

"Is that what you're doing? Or are you holding her back?"

"W-What!?"

"You gave up on improving and instead hide behind that shield. Claiming that you're doing your best while not trying at all. …But that's not why I can't forgive you."

As Violet's voice suddenly grew harder, the room seemed to tense up. The battle that was briefly forgotten rearing its head as the two nearly identical girls glared at each other.

"You let your Kasumi… your own sister! Hang there… In that state! You abandoned her! You chose what? Kobayakawa!? How dare you!?"

"Violet…" The word slipping out, Joker could only imagine the tears slipping down her face. How she felt facing the person that was supposed to be her, abandon what she held most dear.

"Grr…" The shadow had no reply, her shield wavering in indecision.

"Give us the key and step aside."

"…I can't."

"Very well."

As conversation died, the tension between the two of them increased. The shadow's shield held before herself with new determination. Violet, not to be outdone, tensed up with her rapier held over her shoulder.

One second, then two passed as the combatants prepared themselves. Then, with an unspoken signal, they both moved. The shield thrusted forward as Violet exploded at her. With a thunderous clang, the tip of the thrusted rapier impacted the center of the shield.

Despite the difference in size and weight of their weapons, it was the shadow that was forced back. Feet sliding across the ruined floor, centimetre by centimetre, Violet had the advantage.

A moment later, the shadow's face twisted in consternation. "You know nothing about me!" As she screamed into Violet's face, the shield began to glow with a golden luster. An aura of invincibility emanating from its surface; powered by tendrils of black energy that were rising from the shadow's body.

The sliding stopped as the shadow gave Violet a nasty smile. At this point, the shadow almost seemed to be toying with her.

"Help me… Jeanne." Using her unused left hand, Violet ripped off her mask, baring the full face that matched the one across from her. Behind and slightly above her, a shimmering form appeared. Barely visible, it was a strange use of a persona. Rather than using any ability, the persona simply laid its hand upon Violet's left shoulder.

As it did, Violet's body was encased with a golden aura, her silvery rapier giving off a pure white light that beat back the darkness of the shadow.

"How beautiful…"

Joker couldn't agree more with Fox's assessment, even if he had said the same thing multiple times at this point. No one even thought of helping. This was what would decide the victor. It would be whomever managed to come out on top of this one attack.

"Haaaargh!"

The two identical voices overlapped in twinned shouts until it was impossible to tell whose was whose.

Gong! Gong!

Every other second another reverberation emanated from the intersection of their weapons. Their auras changing it from the initial metallic ranging to a pure, deep echo like a church bell.

"I-I won't lose! My sister will… Kas will…"

Violet didn't answer the shadow's words, simply leaning forward even more into her attack. As she did, the black energy flickered and wavered like flame on the verge of being extinguished.

"Ah, I see now. She abandoned you… She never mentioned her plans, did she?"

The quiet words changed everything. The shadow's determination and will to fight fleeing in an instant.

"…Why didn't she just ask me? …Kas." The shadow's face contorted, tears falling silently down both cheeks.

"…Sumi."

Half a second later, a heart-wrenching crunch sounded through the room. The source was clear as Violet's rapier tore a hole through the center of the Shadow's shield. Unable to stop the blade, it kept going and tore another perfect hole through the center of her matching shadow.

"Ah…" Breathing out one syllable, the shield crashed to the ground, releasing a cacophony of metallic impacts. Meanwhile, everyone's eyes were focussed on the shadow that collapsed right behind it. All power gone from her body; she began to cough up blood as the power keeping her form together began to disperse.

"Sumi…"

The shadow Kasumi had dropped her rapier, choosing instead to cradle the fading shadow's head in her arms.

"I failed, Kas… You were right. They are too strong."

"No Sumi you fought so hard. I'm so proud of you. So proud… to call you my sister."

"Hehe, thanks." Eyes closing, the shadow's mouth turned up into a bloodstained smile.

With slow steps, Violet approached the pair, the only one who would dare. Sheathing her blade, she knelt beside her fallen foe and grabbed of her hands tightly. "You really are me, aren't you?"

"I… Don't know." The shadow muttered in confusion. "But if you are… Protect your sister. She's not as strong as she appears to be."

"Sumi…" The shadow Kasumi muttered again, a faint blush creeping over cheeks.

"I will." Violet asserted strongly, the mask steadily reappearing on her face. As it did, a miracle happened. The twinned girls, sharing a smile, became one.

Forms shifting unsteadily, the shadow's rate of dissolving sped up and its energy entered Violet and fused with her.

The cognitive Yoshizawa Sumire was no more.

"Mona?" Joker queried while stunned. His eyes were wide, shock clear to see on his face.

"How should I…!? Actually… I may have an idea."

"Shoot." Joker urged, still unable to rip his eyes from where Violet was sitting stunned while the shadow Kasumi struggled to get her emotions under control.

"When Violet accepted the cognitive being as a part of herself, or maybe the same as she is, it became impossible for both of them to exist at the same time. After all, Kobayakawa knows that there is only one Yoshizawa Kasumi. Therefore, he can't visualize more than one in his palace at a time."

"Huh," Joker muttered. "That actually makes sense."

"Haha, you can count on me!" Mona smiled with newfound confidence.

"Whoa, the cat was useful for once…"

"Shut up Skull!"

Ears toning out the rest of his teammates' argument, Joker focused on the sister's that were now staring at each other with newfound emotions.

"So, you really are Sumi… I remember now. I don't know why I didn't before."

"Yes, I am. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you Kas."

"No, it's my fault. I didn't confide in you about my plans. Either way, it doesn't matter. You're strong enough now. Whatever you plan on doing, you can do it. Dethrone Kobayakawa, or whatever it is that you're planning."

"Aren't you coming with us?"

"…Nay. You can deal the principal. I'll just hold you back in that fight with this ruined body of mine. I'll just try and convince that stuck-up doll to not interfere with you."

"…Stay safe."

"You as well…"

Joker knew the conversation wasn't for anyone else's ears, yet it still didn't contain anything he would have considered private. Without even touching, the shadow stood up and limped off. Only then did Joker finally see the penultimate key that was laying on the ground between them.

"Are you alright?" Knowing the question was inadequate, he didn't know what else to say as Violet stared longingly as her sister's shrinking back.

"Hey Senpai… Do you think that I'll ever have that chance?"

"What chance?"

"To fight side-by-side with my sister? As a pair?"

"…What a silly question."

"Huh?" Violet reacted violently, turning her shuddering eyes to Joker, a layer of pain and confusion in her visage.

"You already are." Joker emphasized with a smile. "Working your way up to the top of the gymnastics world together. You've been a pair and always will be."

"Thank you… Senpai."

Before the others could focus on them, Violet leaned her head against his chest, just for a second. The steady heartbeat and warm chest reinvigorating her for the fight ahead.


Wednesday May 25th, 20XX, Evening

"My, my, you must have really pissed him off."

Kasumi did her best not to flinch as Akechi's fingers ran down her cheek. The contact felt strangely artificial. As if Akechi was a robot or was only doing it to get a rise from her. Either way, Kasumi knew that there were no feelings in the contact.

Coming here directly after training, Kasumi had washed all the makeup off so that her co-conspirer could see the growing bruise in all of its purple glory. She still struggled to believe that Akechi actually lived in such a modest apartment. His clothes and image just screamed money and Kasumi was surprised that his living conditions didn't match.

"While I hate to admit my mistakes, it seems I have jumped the gun." Akechi admitted while turning around. Leaving the quaint entryway behind, he made his way into the attached kitchen. "The timing isn't really going to work anymore. We wanted a weekend arrest, Saturday after school… Go the bathroom, put full makeup on, I need to see if it can be hid."

"I already…! Never mind." Choosing not to argue, Kasumi left briefly to fulfill the simple task. If Kasumi was being honest, she enjoyed the chance to leave Akechi's presence in his strange place. It was that, she thought, more than anything that was putting her on edge. Being in his house made her feel… vulnerable.

Maybe even moreso than usual after the flash of terror that consumed her while staring up at the principal from the ground. The sheer difference in power between them had been made clear in that moment.

While she had forgotten about it briefly with school consuming her thoughts and hiding the bruise, she now had nothing else except the principal to think about. With somewhat shaky hands, Kasumi fumbled applying her makeup. It was extremely sloppy from her point of view. However, unless someone was staring into her face from close range, it would be nearly impossible to tell.

Taking one last long look at herself in the mirror, Kasumi smiled, squared her shoulders, and left. Her soft feet made no noise as she entered the kitchen, yet Akechi looked up just as she did anyway. Instantly looking away again, the boy waved at the table where three items were located.

Approaching them cautiously, Kasumi's trepidation turned into confusion. They were an ice pack, a glass of water, and pain killers. "How considerate… and also how unlike you."

Ignoring the chair, Kasumi grabbed the water and painkillers and downed them. Maybe Akechi had been able to tell from the flinches she had tried to hide, but the wound was starting to throb painfully.

"Sit." Akechi commanded.

"I'm fine standing."

"No, you aren't, you're exhausted from practice. Besides, you'll be here awhile."

"Awhile?" Kasumi narrowed her eyes, "It's already past eight." For Tokyo, they lived close together. However, that still meant a more than half an hour commute home by way of the train system.

Concerned with the words, Kasumi stretched out for the icepack and began to raise it to her cheek. However, Akechi's surprisingly strong hand latched onto her arm first and stopped it from reaching.

"What are you…?"

Words cutting off, Kasumi stared at Akechi's face which was now consuming her entire vision. "I thought you'd be better at using make-up," Akechi commented critically. "Nonetheless, it seems you are skilled enough to create an adequate illusion without being caked in blush. All you need now is to keep the swelling down. These painkillers will help, so will ice."

Flushing from the comment, Kasumi couldn't move as Akechi strolled away from her to the opposite side of the two-person table. Sitting down on one of the hard, wooden, straight-backed chairs, Akechi opened his laptop.

"Well," Kasumi responded, finally finding her voice. "I thank you for your hospitality but…"

"Sit." Akechi ordered again. "Besides, as I mentioned, these measures are to reduce the swelling."

Sighing, Kasumi sat down and pressed the ice pack to her face, gasping as it came into contact with her skin. The chill spreading quickly as it interacted with the throb to create a peculiar sensation. While Kasumi had taken some ice baths before on her coach's recommendation, she'd never gotten a serious injury or wound before.

"You'll need to ice your face in the morning before school and again at lunch time. Once school is done for the next two days, come straight here. Make whatever excuses you need to."

"W-Wait, what!?" Kasumi yelped, the instructions quickly growing ludicrous. "I-I couldn't possibly intrude like that…"

"You haven't stopped shaking since you came in…" Akechi commented casually, his eyes rising from his screen to meet Kasumi's. "Is it excitement? Nervousness? Both?"

"Or maybe I'm just creeped out at being in your house!" Kasumi yelled back. A strange sensation rose within her. She was startled to realize that as the fear began to fade, she was excited. The company may not be the best, but the exhilaration of taking on the principal and getting one step closer to beating him was rewarding.

"Hee," Akechi smirked, "I've had many girls petition me to bring them here. It certainly doesn't deserve to be called creepy."

"The place isn't creepy," Kasumi replied, getting more into the familiar banter, "it's the thought of coming to your place. Also, your ego is showing again. They just wanted pictures with a celebrity to show their friends."

"That's not all they wanted from this celebrity."

"That's gross." Kasumi glared at the boy, but she couldn't hold it as heat suffused her. Suddenly, Kasumi was very glad for the icepack that helped hide her expressions and keep her cheeks cool.

"Hehe, indeed," Akechi agreed to her surprise. "Some of them were clearly adults. If I had accepted their proposals, I would have been forced to arrest them afterwards."

Opening her mouth to tell him to stop talking about this, Kasumi hesitated. Had there been a little too much emphasis on their proposals? Does that mean Akechi would have accepted someone else's? Hers!?

"Y-You aren't…" Trying to compose herself under Akechi's piercing eyes, Kasumi fell back on her boldness and attacked the elusive detective. "You better not be flirting with me."

He looked almost curious how he simply turned his head a bit. His mouth pulling back in mock surprise. "Would that be a bad thing? You didn't pull away from my touch after all…"

"You're a horrible liar," Kasumi glared at him. "I didn't pull away because you needed to feel the swelling. Besides, there was no interest in your touch."

"Oh, really?"

Back stiffening, Kasumi could only watch as Akechi suddenly stood up. His words contained a predatory nature that she'd never experienced before.

"W-Whaaa, ahh!"

Her words abruptly ended as Akechi stroked her uninjured cheek with one long finger. Running it down the length, he scooped it under her chin and left it there. "Better?"

"W-Wha…"

"Left speechless I see. I know a few women that could learn from your example." Taking his finger of her chin, Akechi pressed it carelessly against her lips for a brief moment before returning to his chair.

Hands shaking strongly, the ice pack feel from Kasumi's limp left hand. Her right one reaching up to cover her mouth. She didn't know what to do. The difference had left her stunned. For a brief dreadful second, Kasumi had wondered if Akechi would force himself on her. The cloying, overpowering feelings of dominance emanating from the boy were so different from the calm, data collection version from before.

How could that be the same person?

Was it simply the difference in the hand that he used? His left now versus his right before?

These thoughts plagued Kasumi as her fractured mind began to piece itself back together again. She felt one thing keenly though as she stood up to leave. That this detective was far more dangerous than he let on. She could almost believe he had some mystical power.

Like a power to change hearts.

Half snorting at the strange thought, the humour helped her recover from the mental shock that he'd given her. Picking up the ice pack, Kasumi set it on the table and began to leave.

"Sit."

"What?" Kasumi exploded. "It's far too late. My family will begin worrying if I don't…"

Ding!

"Ah, that should be it," Akechi smiled with a superior tone. "Hide over there, I don't want you to be seen here."

Obeying with a grimace, Kasumi wished she could ignore him and open the door to whomever could be paying Akechi a visit.

"Your order."

"Thank you."

"That will be 2040 yen."

"Credit."

"Have a nice day."

"You as well."

Blinking away her confusion, Kasumi walked back around the corner once the door was shut. Akechi placed the package on the table and ripped off the outer layers. Inside was…

"Cooling packs?"

"For you." Akechi explained briefly. "You can't exactly bring a freezer with you to school, nor do you want to alert your family to your injury."

"I-I suppose."

"Therefore, as I told you earlier, use one in the morning, one during lunch, and then come here after school."

Not responding, Kasumi picked one up from the table. While it was slightly cool to the touch, it wasn't cold. As the instructions clearly listed though, simply snap it and the ingredients inside will begin to mix and cool. "How did you get this delivered?" Kasumi asked instead.

"There are a couple of all-purpose stores around here that deliver. While it sounds convenient, most people don't use it due to its exorbitant delivery charges."

"Understandable…" Kasumi muttered. "Does this mean I can leave?"

"Will you follow the rules I have laid out?"

"…Yes," Kasumi sighed, giving into his wishes. Everything Akechi said made sense. Somewhere deep down, Kasumi had accepted that something like this would probably happen from the moment she had dialed his number.

"Then this is goodbye." Akechi confirmed. His mouth turning into a teasing smile a moment later. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Shove off." Glaring at him, Kasumi began the long trek long, bag stuffed full of cooling packs and a head empty of stories to tell her family for her upcoming disappearances.