Chapter 22: Admirable Façade

{R}

It was another day riding the subway with his sister and their friends to Shibuya, this time with him, Aki and Ann managing to grab seats while Ryuji was left to stand by them. And yet...

"Phantom thieves goin' by train..." the faux-blond said. "This ain't different from how I get home from school y'know."

"The train is the fastest way to go," Ann said.

"And it ain't like we can use the Monamobile."

The natural blonde nodded. "Plus we can bring pets here."

"Hey, who are you calling a pet?!" the not-cat said.

"Quiet." Ren frowned. "We didn't pay the pet fare."

He wished he did, but there were other Shujin students nearby and he didn't want more people besides his classmates to know he brought a "cat" to school.

Though he acted more like a real cat that moment, completely disobeying Ren as he said, "I'm the one guiding you to your destination! You should be calling me 'Master'!"

"Ann's the one doin' that, not you," his sister was quick to say.

He was about to follow it up with another shushing but it was too late as a little girl came up and said,

"Ooh, kitty!"

Ann tensed beside him. "Er shoot...!"

Indeed.

But it was easy enough to come up with an excuse.

"No, I'm sorry, young lady, but it's just a stuffed toy," he said with a shake of his head.

"Er, yeah!" Ann said. "It meows when you press on its head!"

"Ooh! Can I see? Can I see?"

Ryuji smirked and said, "You heard her. Press on its head."

And Ren did, pressing on Mona's head in the middle of his complaining. Thankfully, this time the not-cat complied and meowed at command.

"Wowee! Again! Again!"

Ren was about to deny the girl but then Mona just had to say something.

"This is absolutely humilia—"

Ren snapped.

Fine. If Mona was going to say a long sentence, then there was only thing to do...

Time to button mash.

"—ting—mew...meowowowowowowowow!"

Only when he was satisfied did he stop his mashing.

"Blergh!"

The girl laughed. "That's so funny! I wanna hear it again!"

"I just threw up in my mouth..."

It seemed like he would have to do an encore.

"Oh...seriously...?"

But before he needed to, and to Mona's mercy, the PA announced they were arriving at Shibuya.

"Oh, this our stop!" Ann said. "Well, see you later! Bye bye!"

"Mmm-hmm. Bye bye!"

With that, the girl left and they flowed with the crowd departing for Shibuya. As soon as they stepped on the streets, Ren sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"Please keep quiet next time, Mona," he said, stern. "Or next time I'll have Aki join me in button mashing you."

He heard Mona gulp behind him.

"Oh come on, give the guy a break. He threw up from that after all."

"My point still stands."

"G-Got it..."

"Anyways...it seems like this is the closest station to the address..."

"So we gotta walk there then."

"What kind of phantom thief takes the train and walks to their destination?"

"A good phantom thief, that's what," Ren said.

"In other words, a smart one," Aki said with a smirk at Ryuji.

"Exactly. So stop your complaining," Mona said.

From there, they followed Ann's suggestion of heading to Central Street from station square. Before long they found themselves at a very large, but very run-down house, its walls covered with patches of metals and all of it so aged Ren almost confused it for wood. Ann rang the intercom and the one who answered was Kitagawa-san. Unsurprisingly, he was about to turn them away since Madarame was busy, but as soon as Ann spoke, he came out.

Just as predictably, when he noticed them, he glared and said,

"You three are here as well?"

Aki glared back. Ren remained neutral. But Ryuji just grinned and said,

"Hey." Before he went straight to the point...bluntly. "Sorry but uh...we ain't here for the modellin' thing. We got some stuff to ask you. Is it true Madarame's been plagiarizin' stuff? And abusin' people too?"

"Ryuji!" Aki said.

"What? We gotta know."

"But not like that."

Ren agreed, but he said nothing as he kept on an eye on Kitagawa-san who grew more frosted by the minute.

"Are you serious?" he said, his tone as cold as his gaze.

"We read about it online."

"Gee thanks Ryuji. That sounds totally reliable."

"What else am I supposed to say?"

"Anything but that!"

"Fine. Then here, I'll just show 'im."

And he did, holding out his phone, no doubt on a page that had posts about Madarame. Ren tensed as Kitagawa-san moved closer to see it, his worry rising as he then started to laugh like a madman. Ren clenched his fists in his pockets, fearful of him breaking.

Especially as he said in a particularly incensed tone,

"Preposterous! Not only is the plagiarism impossible, but abuse? He welcomes pupils into his own home! This is no act of violence; this is charity! And I'm the one residing here and studying under him and I say it's not true, so it's beyond doubt."

"You could be lyin' 'bout it."

The man's eyes burned with a rage that rivaled Aki's when she whaled on Kamoshida's Shadow and lunged forward right into Ryuji's personal space, making him lean away in shock.

"I had no family when Sensei took me in and raised me into what you see now!"

A boy passionate about the arts with no regards to other people's boundaries, Ren thought but then dismissed. That likely just came from him disliking how he acted around Ann. He didn't want that to color his impression of him...

"If you continue to ridicule the man I owe my life to, you will rue the day!"

...especially when Kitagawa-san was defending his Sensei with as much fierceness as Aki would when someone slighted their own parents.

But that also meant a very high chance of a scuffle.

Just as he was about to prevent that from happening though, Madarame arrived to see what was the commotion and Kitagawa-san explained what had happened. Upon hearing that, the veteran artist just said,

"... Forgive them, Yusuke. They must have heard some bad rumors and came in worry for their friend's safety."

The apprentice was quiet for a moment before he said, "Understood, Sensei."

His teacher chuckled. "Well even I doubt that a cranky old man like myself would be liked by everyone."

Aki snorted but covered it up by rubbing her nose through her mask. Not that Ren blamed her. That phrase was funny.

Then the man said, "I'm sorry to have butt in on your conversation. However I do have neighbors around. Won't you please keep it down?"

"My apologies," Ren said. "We'll make sure to do so."

The veteran artist nodded back before returning inside.

Kitagawa-san, meanwhile, stared at the hallway before turning to them. For a second, Ren thought he was still upset from discussing the rumors earlier...until he bowed and said,

"That was discourteous of me... I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Ren said. "We did accuse your sensei because of rumors after all."

"But still...we're worried, y'know?" Aki said. "It's hard to tell what's real and what's not with those kinds of things. So we thought we'd go straight to the source."

"I see..." The blue haired boy contemplated for a moment until inspiration struck. "I know! I think you'll be able to believe in Sensei if you saw that painting."

Ren, Aki and their friends grew curious.

"That painting?"

"Here..." Kitagawa-san took out his phone. "It's his maiden work, as well as his most representitive. It's titled 'Sayuri'. This was the painting that inspired me to become an artist."

They all leaned and stared.

Ren remembered this painting. There were always paintings featured on the news and TV in general, but this was one that stood out in Ren's mind, the painting reminding him of Mama. So it came as no surprise that Kitagawa-san was so moved by this piece that he felt compelled to become an artist.

"It's so beautiful..."

"Took the words right outta my mouth."

"I don't know about this art stuff but even I can tell it's impressive..."

Still...while Ren understood why he showed the painting and it was indeed breathtaking, it didn't exactly instill in him any trust towards Madarame, just awe in his talents.

If anything it made him trust Kitagawa-san more, especially as he said to Ann,

"When I first saw you, I felt the same powerful emotion as when I saw this painting..."

She stared in disbelief. "Me?"

"Yes... I wish to pursue beauty like this. And I believe drawing you will be part of that pursuit." Once again he bowed. "I implore you seriously consider my offer."

It seemed he could be quite the gentleman when he wasn't too enthralled in his passions.

"Okay...I'll think about it."

"Thank you," the artist said, standing back up. "Now, I'm sorry that you took the time to come here but you'll have to excuse me, I must assist Sensei today. I hope we can discuss this further another time."

With a nod, the apprentice returned inside and they went to the other side of the steeet. However, despite the artists' friendly demeanors, they were all hesitant. It could truly just be malicious people spreading false rumors about the man, much like in Shujin with him and Aki, and he truly wanted to believe that but... There was only one way to know for sure, so they checked the MetaNav as Mona just suggested. Ren frowned as Ann and Ryuji were startled to see they got a hit, the app registering the name as Ichiryusai Madarame, the place as shack and his crime as plagiarism. The only thing missing was the distortion.

Ann and Ryuji threw out several possible, and random, distortions, but unsurprisingly none of them worked.

"If you're gonna guess, then at least make it somethin' related to artist..." Aki said with a deadpan look.

"But what could that be...?"

A place related to artists...

"Well there's gallery for one."

"Uh...paint shop then?"

"Maybe a brush shop then!"

All of those were related to art, true, but if they looked at it through the eyes of a phantom thief, there was only one kind of art place that mattered other than a gallery.

"Museum."

The world blurred in his eyes, but the nausea that had been present before was long gone, just like the afternoon sky, replaced with the dark shroud of night, and their uniforms, replaced with their symbols of rebellion.

"Hey! When did you activate the Nav?! You surprised me!"

Well barring Mona of course, who had a form of rebellion instead of a suit.

"Didn't have much of a choice. He just happened to get it right," Skull said.

"What if I hadn't noticed, wandered off and got caught by an enemy?!"

"Couldn't you tell as soon as you're transformed?" Rogue said, still deadpan.

"Exactly," he said.

"Er, well..."

Mona was saved from further embarrasment when Panther said,

"You can slip in without noticing?"

"Yes, especially if it's a place with minimal distortion. The diffences can be subtle."

"Wouldn't you notice when you get transported to the Metaverse?"

"Even then, it would be easy to not notice, especially if you're used to travelling into the Metaverse."

"Hey, forget that...look!"

Joker turned and, though it was grander than he thought it would be, it wasn't outside his expectations. They stood in a parking lot in front of a building as tall as a skyscaper and structured as if it was made of gold blocks, with light yellow patterns on them, their size and shape varying with no reason beyond being aesthetically pleasing. An equally blocky and artistic wall stood before it, with its only entry point having a long and packed line entering it. In other words, it was much too guady for his tastes. But whatever his preferences, he agreed with Panther and Mona in this still being strange. Madarame had no reason to dream of being showcased when he already has and is doing so, and there were no hints to plagiarism or abuse... Or at least it seemed that way. They definitely needed to investigate further.

"But besides that..." Skull said then grinned. "A museum is a must for phantom thieves, right?

Joker nodded. "Definitely."

"Oh? How come ya know now, Skull?" Rogue said. "I thought you haven't seen any spy or thief movies."

The thug lookalike turned sheepish as he rubbed his neck."Uh...I...kinda saw a few Lupin II episodes whenver it's on TV?"

"Of course."

Well that was good. That meant Joker didn't have to do too much to introduce him to the franchise. But that wasn't important right now. After a shake of his head, and making use of the environment, he led his Thieves over the wall and into the garden. It was easy enough to avoid the few guards in it by using the various ornaments and the structure of the museum. Eventually they found themselves on one of the building's roofs, this one with a skylight, and one of its panels opened slightly. Panther expressed her worry about using it as an entrance if they couldn't also use it as an exit. Of course, to calm his Lady Ann, Mona declared himself the team's tool specialist and had brought out rope. As they prepared to get down, the sight of it made Rogue say,

"That reminds me. Mona, did you make those extra grapples?"

"Don't worry. I did. I just haven't had the chance to give it."

"Well you better. I do not want a repeat of the statue swing."

Joker silently agreed but focused on his surroundings as he dropped down.

One second.

Two seconds.

And three.

Nothing happened, so he gestured it was clear and the rest of the thieves followed.

"It's quiet in here," Mona said. "Almost eerily so."

"My words exactly," Rogue said, eyeing the area. "I don't like this."

"H-Hey this..." Panther said. "It's moving..."

Joker turned to where she was looking and saw a portrait of a man's countenance swirling as if the painting was underwater.

"C'mon, we're in a Palace. That ain't somethin to freak over," Skull said.

"Well it's gotta mean somethin' though if it's movin' and it's a paintin' of a person... Does that mean he sees people like this?" Rogue said.

"But what about the ones outside?"

"Well a Palace reflects the ruler...so it could be possible he only views certain people this way," their guide to the mental world said. "But it's all the more reason we should check them out."

Joker agreed. He and the others went up to each of the many paintings across the room they found themselves in. As expected, there were plaques near them, these ones being stands, but what was actually written on them... He frowned.

"Is this a name and age? What the hell?" Skull said in front of the one he examined.

Joker didn't like this. His hunch was something he hoped wasn't true.

"Let's keep looking. There's other rooms nearby."

Just like the one they landed in, the others had portraits hanging around, all of them having names and ages on their plaques. But there was one other thing he noticed about the paintings as they crossed another doorway that looked like a frame for a painting.

Panther was actually the one to say it. "Hey, this doesn't make any sense... Madarame's known for his different art styles. But all of these are painted the same way."

Rogue threw a questioning and worried look his way but before he could elaborate on Panther's observation, Skull said,

"Wait a sec. That was the guy shit talkin' Madarame in Mementos."

Apprehension crawled like centipedes in Joker's gut.

Mona frowned as he said, "Natsuhiko Nakanohara... His name's written on the plaque."

"Why's there a paintin' of him here? And why's his name under it?"

"Right...doesn't art usually have a title or the artist's name under it?"

That was true and as far as his intuition was concerned, he was already proven right, but Joker wanted one more thing to admit to it.

So he said, "Let's keep looking around for now."

"I agree with that."

They did as he told...

...and unfortunately he did find his confirmation.

"What...? No way!"

"Oh shit..."

Before them stood a portrait much larger than the others, and it was none other than Yusuke Kitagawa, wearing what Joker assumed were his casual clothes.

"Isn't this a paintin' of that guy that lives with Madarame?"

"It says 'Yusuke Kitagawa'. There can be no mistake."

"But wait...if he's here..." Panther said with a frown.

One Joker shared. "Because the paintings are of his pupils."

"For real? All of 'em? But it was only Yusuke at the old man's place..."

"Well if we remember what that post said..." Rogue began.

And Joker finished. "...the others are former students."

"And taking into account what Nakanohara said as well, that all the more confirms it."

It did and Joker didn't like it. If what that post said was true...then the amount of victims Madarame has under his name was a staggering amount, especially in comparison to the students Kamoshida harrassed. All the wounds, the pain, and the doubts about themselves they experienced... Just like... Just like...

"Hey..."

Joker blinked and saw Panther in front of him, frowning.

"You all right?"

It was only then he noticed he fisted his hands and that Panther had hers over one. He forced his body to relax, an overstrung phantom thief wouldn't be a good one.

"I'm fine."

Thankfully the moment was quick enough that the others besides her didn't notice while they were talking.

"So can we just go after him now?"

"No. This is still not enough."

"Why not?!"

"Well, all we know for sure is that he got a lot of pupils. We still don't see any signs of plagiarism or abuse when we saw the abuse on the volleyball members in the Palace," Rogue said, throwing a glance at him.

Joker smiled. Of course his sister noticed.

"Exactly," Mona said. "That's why we should investigate more."

"Then let's go."

"Fine..."

They soon found themselves in the entrance lobby, which was surprisingly empty. No one sat on the seats or stood before the reception desk. The only notable thing was finding the "map" here.

"Brochure, huh? Fitting."

It didn't cover the whole building, or at least Joker assumed so when keeping in mind the last Palace. But it would still be useful.

Now the room behind the lobby though...

"Aaaaand...a contemporary art statue," Rogue said with an unimpressed gaze. "I was wonderin' when we'd see one. Can't have an art museum without one hard to understand piece."

Joker snorted. He could just imagine the defenders and detractors arguing over her joke and her watching the flames in amusement.

That mirth left him however as soon as Mona said,

"Look at this."

And they closed in on the statue to see it had a proper plaque.

"'The Infinite Spring'?" Panther said with curiosity, before she frowned more and more as she read on. "A conglomerate work of art that the great direactor Madarame made with his own funds... These individuals must offer their ideas to the director for the resr of their lives." She tensed and glared. "Those who cannot do so have no worth living?!"

"What the hell?!"

What the hell indeed. But now they knew...

Their fire specialist turned to him and said, "This is most likely about the plagiarism right?"

"Without a doubt," he said. He wished he didn't have to.

"Damnit! What a phony geezer."

"That's why his pupils are portraits... To him, his students are his property and he steals their ideas from them, no matter how talented, in exchange for their livelihoods. He doesn't even qualify as an artist if thats true."

"He's treating them like slaves or tools!"

"Then why's Yusuke keepin quiet 'bout this? He's got no reason to cover it up!"

Joker frowned. That was a good question. But...he remembered how his Dad was before meeting Mama, always telling his own parents, or even his mother's parents, that he was fine whenever they asked...even though he wasn't.

Because he loved her.

And Kitagawa-san clearly cared about his sensei.

Not only that, Panther pointed out,

"He did say he owes his life to him..."

"But still!" Skull said.

"That's probably more than enough reason for him to defend Madarame..."

For some reason, that made Panther contemplative and muse to herself while Skull tisked then said to him,

"What's the call? Ain't this enough to target Madarame?

It should be enough. They saw how Madarame viewed his students as objects and a plaque out right admitting to using them. Joker knows that and yet...

...he can't help but hesitate, thinking on what Kitagawa-san would feel to see his Sensei brought down low.

Did he perhaps not know his father in all but name was crueler than he realized?

Should they change his heart without asking if his pupil wanted it changed?

Did they try to change it now when it seemed like he was rotten to the core?

But the last time Joker hesitated and deliberated on possibilities, it lead to Suzui's fall.

So when that was in mind, the decision was made simple.

But then Rogue grabbed his arm and said,

"Hey, don't do anythin' stupid."

He frowned in confusion.

Rogue noticed as she quickly said, "You want to do somethin' first, right?"

He hesitated, not sure if he should say, but knowing she wouldn't let go until he answered, he nodded.

"Then let's deal with it. You're the leader after all."

Joker looked at her for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and nodded.

"Okay."

Rogue smiled and let go.

He returned it for a brief moment before he said, "Mona. As our expert on cognition, what do you think? Is the way Madarame's cognition shows itself enough?"

"Hmm... No. We should confirm these facts with Yusuke first."

"Confirm what though?!"

"That these crimes were actually comitted and not just a representation of something else. After all, the cognitive version of Panther is nothing like the real one."

If that was the case... "Then let's do it."

Skull tisked again but said nothing against it, besides, "What a pain in the ass..."

"Hey, we don't know much about Madarame yet anyway," Mona said. "We'll need more info for the rest of the Palace."

"True..." Panther said.

"Then how we gonna do it?"

"Well I might be able to get the truth out of Kitagawa-kun if I accept his modelling offer."

Mona was shocked at the revelation. "Wait, you're gonna do that?!"

Not that Joker blamed him. He was uneasy as well. But it was their best, and only, option.

As Rogue pointed out as she gave the not-cat a challenging look. "You got any better ideas?"

"Ugh..."

However, Panther then said, "But you all better come with me, okay? I'm scared to go alone..."

"Of course I'll come," he said quickly, then added, "We'll all come."

Rogue grinned. "Yeah, you didn't even need to ask."

Skull just nodded and said, only having a tiny bit of his annoyance from earlier, "Yup."

Panther smiled. "Thanks."

With that, they had their plan set for tomorrow, Skull incredibly hopeful they wouldn't fail in their first main mission as the Phantom Thieves of Heart. Whatever Joker's reservations about the mission itself though...

...he would do his best to make sure they succeeded.