Chapter 42: A Little Kindness

{R}

Ren was glad that Aki understood why he gave Mona to her, nodding and saying,

"Tell him I'll knock some sense into him if he does that again."

Then she took Mona with her before the not-cat could question it. With that done, he went to another class room on the second year floor and said,

"Ryuji?"

"Huh? Ren?" the faux-blond said, coming to where Ren stood by the classroom door. "What're you doin' here?"

"I wanted to talk," he said. In a whisper, "Preferably by ourselves."

The faux-blond was confused, but nonetheless said,

"All right."

Then he came along with him down the hallway, away from eavesdropping ears.

"What's it that ya wanna talk 'bout?" Ryuji said once Ren was sure no one would hear.

"Remember yesterday?"

"Huh? Course I do. Kinda hard to forget."

"Then do you remember that I'd talk about it?"

"Talk about—" Ryuji flinched. "—oh. That..."

"Yes. That."

"Uh...what did you want to talk about it?"

"What do you mean 'what'? You jumped in the middle of traffic. What were you thinking?"

"Well, what else was I supposed to do? If we didn't hurry, Niijima could've been hurt or worse."

Ren flinched. "I...I know, but..." He looked to him with pleading eyes. "Ryuji. When you jumped in front of that taxi, I thought..." Ren swallowed a gasp. "...I thought you were going to die." Another swallow. "We all did."

Ryuji flinched again, but looked away this time, not meeting his gaze.

"Well...I'm the dumb one, ain't I? That's all I could think of...so of course it's all I could do..."

"Ryuji..."

While he wasn't exactly wrong...Ryuji was never the "smart" one in the group...

"It doesn't matter if you're dumb or not. It's true, you helped a lot by doing that. We wouldn't have saved Makoto without you," he said. "But you're my friend. You're our friend. Aki's, Ann's, Yusuke's, even Mona's... So we don't want to lose you either."

Ryuji stared, as if shocked to hear him say that. Why, Ren couldn't understand. As he just said, he was their friend, their precious friend. He was sure they made it very clear that, no matter how dumb or smart or weak or strong, they would always care about him.

Ren almost thought he broke Ryuji somehow until he sighed, rubbed the back of his neck and said,

"All right...sorry for worryin' you, okay? I just...I just really wanted to save Niijima, y'know? When she charged in like that, it reminded me of me and I was worried..."

Ren smiled, amused. "Now you know what it feels like?"

Ryuji laughed. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Don't gotta rub it in."

"Good. Because Aki said if you do that again, she'd smack some sense into you."

The faux blond flinched and turned nervous. "Ah, yeah, she would do that, wouldn't she...?"

Ren couldn't help it. He laughed. And to his joy, Ryuji joined him as well.

When they stopped, Ryuji said,

"So we good?"

"Yes, we are."

Ryuji grinned. "All right. See ya later, Ren!"

"Good-bye, Ryuji."

Now much lighter, Ren returned to class, and not long after homeroom started, he got messaged.

Akira: So? How'd it go?

Akira: Do I need to clobber him?

He chuckled and smiled.

Ren: No. He understands.

Akira: You sure?

Ren: I'm pretty sure. Of course he's Ryuji and I don't expect him to stop being reckless (like a certain someone...) but he understands.

Akira: Good. Or I really would've smacked him.

Akira: Wait hey! I'm not THAT reckless!

Ren: I never said it was you.

Akira: But you were implying it, damnit!

Ren: You said it not me.

Akira: Grr. Yeah yeah I get it. I'll be careful too...

Akira: But no promises!

Ren smothered a laugh. Thanks Aki.

(A)

Yusuke: I realize this is a mite late, but how should I refer to you, Niijima-san?

Yusuke: I believe some courtesy should be shown to those who are our senior.

Ryuji: Oh yeah...should we call you Niijima-san or Niijima-senpai?

Akira: Guys, why don't we ask when we're doing our meeting? You know AFTER class?

Makoto: No need to be formal. Just treat me the same way you treat everyone else.

Makoto: Ren and Akira were already doing it after all.

Akira: OH COME ON. I THOUGHT MAKOTO WOULDNT ALSO CHAT DURING CLASS.

Ren: Phantom Thief practice, remember?

Ren: Makoto Sorry about calling you that without asking. But I'm glad you don't mind. I'd be honored.

Ryuji: Ain't that still pretty formal dude...?

Akira: He's a gentleman, that's what they're supposed to do.

Ann: I already call her by her first name.

Ryuji: For real?! Did something happen?

Akira: They became friends.

Ann: Ryuji That's a secret between us girls!

Ryuji: Damnit. That sounds like fun...

Akira: WORDS RYUJI HOW MANY TIMES DO I NEED 2 SAY DAT

Ryujj: BUT I DIDNT SAY ANYTHIN WEIRD HOW WAS IT WEIRD

Akira: EXACTLY THE PROBLEM

Makoto: Haha. All of you can call me by my first name now, if you want. No need to hesitate.

Yusuke: Very well. I will do just that.

Akira: Ugh. So we still up to meet after school?

Ann: Um, actually...Makoto and I were thinking of going to a crepe store after school.

Ryuji: WHAT?! But what bout Kaneshiro?

Ren: I'm fine with that. Makoto should take a rest for at least a day.

Yusuke: I am amenable to it as well. It is quite tiring to awaken our power.

Ren: Besides, Mona needs to make her grappling hook anyway, and I need to restock our inventory, especially meds and such.

Akira: Oh yeah speaking of items.

Akira: Makoto Ann Can I at least take Makoto to Untouchables before you guys go for the crepes? She'll need gear. It'll be quick. Promise.

Akira: Plus I wanna join in.

Ryuji: But what are we gonna do?!

Makoto: Akira Untouchables?

Ann: Akira Sure!

Ann: Makoto What do you think?

Makoto: Ann Akira Well if it's gear, then okay.

Ren: Ryuji Wait. We'll all be busy. We'll start on Kaneshiro's Palace tomorrow.

Yusuke: I shall return to my painting then.

Ryuji: Ren Ugh, FINE...

Ren: Then it's settled.

So come afternoon, Ren went off to Takemi's and Akira brought Makoto with Ann to Untouchables.

"Is...this really the place?" the brunette said with a dubious look.

Understandably, she was suspicious of going to a place in an alleyway. But Akira reassured her that the owner, Iwai, was strict on making sure things were legit...more or less. They were selling him from a dubious source after all. Either way, Makoto eventually went inside and calmed down considerably after Akira explained the store and then asked what kind of gun she'd like.

"Well..."

"Come on. Didn't you say you're gonna go full throttle?"

"You're never going to forget that, are you...?"

"Course not! It was awesome."

She eyed the selection. "I'd...like a revolver of some kind then. I'll leave the rest to you, since I'm assuming you're the weapons expert, yes?"

She smirked and puffed up. "And you'd be right! I got just the thing for ya!"

Except Ann said, "Since when were you the weapons expert?"

Akira ignored her after sending her a quick glare. After that, a Peacemaker and some stronger tekko were purchased for their new advisor and then it was off to the crêpes store. Well, minus her eating.

"What?! You don't want to eat a crêpe?!" Ann said when they started ordering.

"I don't really feel up to experimentin'."

Ann pouted. "Well then, tell me what kinds of sweets you already like then! I know I'll find something for you."

"Well, I don't think that'd—"

"I...usually don't eat sweets, but I hear dark chocolate is healthy," Makoto said.

"There! I know just the thing. Try either the strawberries or the banana and honey roasted peanut."

"Makoto! Are you trying to side with Ann?!"

"I'm just taking her offer," the brunette said before she ordered.

The two of them waited for the order and once Makoto got it and took a bite, she made hummed in surprise.

"It's good, Ann. Thank you."

The blonde smirked at her. "So...?"

"Fiiiine. But don't blame me if you're wrong and I don't like it."

Akira ate her words.

Literally.

"You caan sshhtop thatsh sshhmug look now," she said in between bites of the all-chocolate crêpe Ann bought her.

"Nope, I don't think so," the blonde said before she bit into her own sugary crêpe.

Akira rolled her eyes, but smiled nonetheless.

"So...you like all sweets while Akira only likes chocolate?" Makoto said.

"She's a picky eater."

"Am not."

"Are too, and you know it."

"Anyways you mentioned Ann callin' you Makoto already was between you girls..." Akira said, ignoring the sweet lover. "...mind tellin' me what happened? If you don't mind, of course."

"Well, I don't mind if Ann doesn't..."

Ann chuckled. "Nothing much really. We just...apologized to each other."

"Apologized?"

"You know, me putting blame on her for what happened to Shiho."

"And I for how I treated you and your friends..."

Akira grimaced.

Oh...right.

She had been so caught up and excited over Makoto and her Persona that she...forgot about some of the circumstances that led to this...as well as her treatment of the girl.

"Sorry..."

"What? What for? We said we were fine with you knowing."

"Not that. I'm sorry for..." Akira looked Makoto in the eye and said, "I'm sorry for how I treated you. I... I said some real mean things too. You... You didn't deserve any of that."

Those words seemed especially harsh in hindsight now that she knew Makoto was upset with her powerlessness as well.

She was very familiar with the feeling after all.

"It's fine. You were upset at me for treating you unfairly."

"But I called you heartless..." Among many other things she probably forgot at this point, which just made it even worse.

"And I questioned the sincerity of your justice. So, as Ann said..." Makoto smiled. "...let's call it even."

Akira grumbled a bit. "I don't know..."

It didn't feel enough to make up for all she said.

"You really care about this, don't you?"

"Of course I do. Words can hurt, y'know." And my temper got the better of me again.

"Then how about we talk then? And get to know each other better."

"...you sure?"

Makoto smiled. "I'm sure."

Akira took a breath. "All right then."

And so they spent the rest of their time talking. Though Akira wasn't sure how, but their conversation ended up with her teaching her friends all the stuff she did to take care of her hair considering it was naturally curly and all. It felt nice to have another topic she could have a decent conversation with Ann about, not to mention starting to bond with Makoto whose curiosity made her eager to learn.

{R}

Ren twirled his hair, staring at the newly made Phantom Thieves' checkbook. He should really balance it, but well...

"Somethin' on your mind, Big Bro?"

Ren glanced at Aki from the checkbook.

"Just thinking about what Takemi told me."

"About what?"

"She told me why she's doing these tests."

Aki perked up. "She did?"

"Yeah..."

And he told her that it was for a patient she had failed before because some idiot doctor wanted the credit for a new medicine.

"Geez...well, I hope those tests work out."

"What tests?"

They were startled and both looked to see Ms. Kawakami coming down the stairs.

"Just a health check with our doctor, that's all," Ren said.

Ms. Kawakami was unconvinced. "A health check?"

"He's paranoid, all right? Thought I caught somethin' serious."

Ren played along and glowered at her. "It could be serious you know."

"You're worried she might have cuaght some disease when she has a cat right in her lap?"

"I'm not a cat!" Mona said from his perch, taking his "well deserved nap" from finishing Makoto's grappling hook.

Aki laughed. "Don't worry, he's hypoallegenic."

"It's not funny. And I still have a hard time believing that."

"Well, he's been with us for a few months now and I still haven't gone to the hospital, so I'm pretty sure he's fine."

"Speaking of hospitals...how's your 'sister' doing?"

Ms. Kawakami glowered at him. "It's been almost two weeks since I told you...you're still going to keep teasing me about that?"

Ren smirked. "Yes."

Aki bellowed.

Ms. Kawakami sighed. "Why did I expect anything else?" Then she said, less annoyed but just as serious, "That reminds me, did something happen between you two and Niijima-san? You seemed...stressed when I had told you two you were called by her."

Oh right. Ren almost forgot about that. But he appreciated that Ms. Kawakami was worried for him.

"We were having trouble with a favor she asked of us," he said, smiling.

Aki grinned. "But we solved it now! Now we're friends!"

"You're friends?"

"Surprised?"

"Ah, well...that's good. I mean, it seems unusual, but it's still good. For both of you, really."

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Ren said.

Ms. Kawakami cringed from guilt as she said, "I...noticed Niijima-san was always alone whenever she studied, or ate, or anything really, far away from others. I always thought it was because she didn't like company, but maybe..."

"... Maybe she did and only came off that way to others?" Aki offered.

His teacher-turned-maid flinched and instead of continuing, she said, "Now this better be the last time you request me. I already told you it's a bad idea to associate with me."

Then she left.

Now Ren frowned as he stared at the doorway.

"Still haven't figured out her problem?" Aki said.

"No..."

Aki sighed. "Still don't wanna push her?"

Ren gave it a moment's thought.

"I think she'll tell."

"How soon?"

Ren looked back at the checkbook to ignore the uneasiness in his stomach and said,

"Hopefully soon enough."

Besides, he needed to focus on tomorrow.

(A)

While they were waiting for the rest, Mona decided to talk to Ann about this idea he got thanks to her and Ren's combo attack, and Ren busied himself with double checking their inventory, so when she got the notification of a message and it was Akechi, she was more than happy to chat.

Akechi: Hello Akira. How've you been?

Akira: Hey Akechi! I've been good, thanks. What about you?

Akechi: Well I managed to get some free time, so I was wondering if you have any as well.

She flinched. Damn it.

Akira: Nah, sorry. Well technically yeah, but I'm hanging out with my friends right now.

There was a bit of a pause before his next message.

Akechi: Does that include Niijima-san, by any chance?

Akira: Yeah. What? Still worried? XP

Akechi: Well, since you asked, yes. I know you told me you settled things with her, but I can't help it.

Akira: Ha ha, it's fine. Don't blame ya.

Akira: But seriously, don't worry. We're cool.

Akira: Actually she's pretty cool. Bet you'd be shocked if ya knew what she's really like.

For a second, she could've sworn she felt a surge of annoyance, but there was a flash in her periphery and she took out her star to see it was glowing a little brighter. Before any of them could make sense of that, Makoto and Yusuke finally arrived shortly afterwards, so she had to cut things short.

Akira: sry gtg we r gonna start bye akechi!

It was a shame their free times weren't synched for this day, but there would be other chances. Right now, they had a new member to deal with, a new member who...brought up a reasonable, and worrying, thought after explaining the functions of the MetaNav: someone tracking their histories through it.

"Wait, why are you looking at me like that...? Has nobody thought of this before?!"

"It's a supernatural app! Why would we think normal people can get access to it?!" she said.

"But it's something we should confirm... I'll ask our publicist and see if he can access it later."

"You have a publicist?"

"The Phan-Site creator."

"I see..."

"We also don't know where the Nav came from, right?"

"Oh we do."

"For real?! You do?!"

"You just won't believe us."

"Oh," everyone bar Makoto said, who turned confused.

"It can't be that strange, can it?" the brunette said.

"A rocket nose man is distributing it," she and Ren said, flat.

"I'm sorry, what?"

Ann and Ryuji sighed.

"This is why we didn't bother asking..."

"They got weird explanations for things..."

"I don't see how using an electric chair to create weapons is odd, though," Yusuke said.

"Electric...chair...?"

Thankfully, before the conversation derailed any further, Ren brought them back on track, having the briefing finish before they stood before Kaneshiro's bank. And with a new member, that meant...

"So what am I going to be called?" Makoto said. "You were all using codenames, weren't you?"

"Finally! Someone who gets the codenames!" Rogue couldn't help but say.

"You're quite perceptive," Fox said.

Joker nodded with a satisfied smile. "Yes, we were," he said, before introducing all of their codenames.

"I see... They're all rather fitting."

"Thanks! I picked mine myself," Panther said. "What do you want to be called?"

"Well...I believe it be best that you give me suggestions since it'll be a codename you'll have to agree on."

"This time's a hard one though... Maybe somethin' like 'Shoulder Pads'?"

"For real, Skull?" she said.

"Why in the world would you focus on that?" Mona said.

"I refuse to be called that."

"See?"

"Hey! I don't see you comin' up with stuff!"

"That's 'cause I didn't get the chance yet!"

Fox said, "What about 'Rider'?"

"Sounds too much like a smuggler. Next."

What?! "Oh come on! But it fits!" she said. "Like the Riders in the Rider series! You even got a scarf and a bike."

"M-My point still stands."

"Fixer?"

"I'm not a mastermind though. Next."

Joker snorted, leaned towards her and said, "She's as picky as you with food."

"I am not picky."

"Well, I wouldn't be so picky if you gave me something better to work with."

"Then how about Queen?" Joker said.

Rogue perked up and smiled. "Oh yeah! That totally fits you! You got the aura and attitude of one!"

"Queen... It has a nice ring to it. I like it. Let's go with that," the newly dubbed Queen said, unsurprisingly pleased.

"Queen it is!"

"Now, can you explain to me the strategy for the mission?"

"Strategy...?" Skull said before they could answer.

Queen staggered back. "You don't have one? Wait...have the Phantom Thieves been acting without a plan?!"

Rogue said, "What? Hell no! We got a plan!"

"Wait we do?"

"Yes..." Joker said. But then added, "Okay, sort of."

"What do you mean sort of? We do got one! We get in the Palace in a way that won't alert security. Then we explore the place until we find the Treasure."

"I provide navigation when needed and—" Mona said.

Skull said, "If we run into Shadows, we beat the shit outta 'em!"

Everyone was silent.

"Well, when you say it like that, it really does sound like we didn't have any plans."

"Hey! It's not like how you were sayin' it was any better!"

"At least Joker always has a battle plan when we get into a fight!"

"Unlike you, I'm sure," Mona said.

"Hey!"

"Okay, that's enough, break it up," her brother said.

Before any of them could say more, Queen said,

"Very well. I feel like I'll be useful for sure. It seems my role is to be the brains of this team. I'll analyze Mona's information and give out orders. Any objections?"

"N-None, Queen!"

"I bet Skull's the type that'll be under a girl's thumb."

"Mona, will you begin navigating us?"

"Y-Yes, Queen!"

"Him too, it seems..."

Joker, though, was frowning. Had it been any other time, Rogue would've teased him for "seeming to be displeased over being given orders by a girl", but this time she felt his distress through their Confidant, which confused her somewhat. So she said,

"You got an objection, Joker?"

Her brother was startled as everyone's attention was turned to him.

"Um, I...no, not exactly..." he said, the dirstress disappearing only to be replaced with guilt.

"Come on, what is it, Big Bro? You're the leader. You promised to be the best one you can be, right?" she said, hoping that would snap him out of whatever funk he was having.

She was glad it worked as her brother shook it off and stood tall once again, any negative emotions gone.

"No, nothing. Just thinking too much. So, everyone's agreed, yes? Queen will be our strategist on the team as well as advisor."

She and the rest of the team gave their affirmatives.

"Then that settles it," Joker said, and then went on to consult with their new strategist about the enemies they encountered.

And so, after giving Queen her grappling hook, the starter line consisted of her brother, their newest member, Panther and Mona, with herself in charge of directing the backup team.

Seeing as the front entrance was blocked off—which Queen was apolgetic over, but they all reminded her that she saved them, so it wasn't a problem—they had to find another way in. Thankfully, they didn't have to resort to climbing up the building and breaking through the windows as Queen felt a draft coming from one of the piggy bank statues and they examined it to open a secret entrance.

Or rather, it was more likely to be a secret exit, but it didn't matter.

What did matter was that as soon as they found out they were in a stairway by the lobby, they were spotted by a security dog that turned into a two headed one with a lizard tail. In the middle of the battle, Mona said,

"Panther, I think the moment's finally arrived—it's showtime!"

"Eh?! You want to do that right now?! Geez...fine! Let's do it!"

"Everyone! Stay clear!"

And then they proceeded to just barrage bullets and throw a bomb at the poor thing.

"Dude, what was that?! When did you figure out how to do something that? We could've used that to get us outta here last time!" Skull said when the battle ended with that move.

"It's the fruit of our passionate tr—"

"He was inspired by Joker and Rogue's combo attack, that's why."

"Mona still coulda used that bomb before!"

"Er, um...you see, the bomb was supposed to be smaller, so it wouldn't have been that powerful. I don't know how it got bigger."

"Say what now?"

"It's a wonder it still worked..."

"I-It's all thanks of Panther and mine's efforts, that's why!"

"I'm still surprised it went so well... Oh! Wait, could it have been your star, Rogue? The one Jose gave us?"

"Oh yeah... It did glow when you were talkin' about the attack."

"Who is Jose?" Queen said.

"A seller we buy from. We'll introduce you to him soon," Joker said.

"I see... And if this is a star...perhaps it was granting you your wish to perform the attack?"

"If that is truly the case, we're just encountering one strange phenomenon after another."

"Who cares? If not just Panther and Mona can pull it off, but also Joker and Rogue, then don't that mean we can do it too?! That'd be sick!" Skull said. "Hey Fox, wanna come up with one together? We can call it 'Art Run' or something."

Fox was not amused.

"Oh come on, don't give me that look..."

"Okay, I think that's enough discussion for now. I may be new at this, but we should get going."

"Yes, let's."

"All right..."

Before they properly moved on, they combed through the lobby for chests and loot, as per usual. Once they did, they looked into the hallway across the one they entered from, where an old school, grated elevator seemed to only allow certain members access to the lower floors. So they looked for a way to gain access to it. After opening a shortcut, they soon found the elevator control room where, after fighting the guard stationed inside, they found a keycard and the schematic for some of the floors of the Palace framed on the wall.

With both in their hands, they figured out a room that was directly above the elevator and thus they jumped down from there to ride on top of the elevator, letting them go down without alerting any of the guards. As soon as it stopped, they went through the ducts to find themselves in the basement proper, where they heard an agitated Kaneshiro demanding to have his security tightened.

Rogue scoffed. "Not such an impenetrable fortress now, is it, huh?"

"It's quite obvious where the Treasure is now, is it not?"

"But our map doesn't show much of this place..."

"Then we just gotta find another map."

Though that wouldn't be for today, as they found a safe room and Queen was noticeably tired already since she was still new to this. So they all agreed to leave Kaneshiro's Palace for today, with the plan to go the day after tomorrow.

{R}

Ren: Hey Mishima. Do you know how to hack?

Mishima: What? Hack? No! What gave you that idea?

Ren: Just wanted to check. If you knew, I would've asked if you could test my phone's security, as well as other members' phones I would've told you to check.

Mishima: What? Your phone's security? Don't tell me...you think people online might be hunting you?

Ren: A member brought up the possibility. We don't know if someone actually is but it never hurts to be careful.

Mishima: All right then! I'll see what I can do. It might not be much though.

Ren: Anything is better than nothing.

Mishima: Speaking of nothing...

Mishima: You could've just told me it was an interview!

Ren: Huh?

Mishima: Don't "huh" me! It was so embarrassing dressing up and finding out Ohya-san just wanted an interview with me...

Oh, oh... Ren cringed. Now he remembered.

Ren: I'm sorry. I was tired and thought it was funny.

Honestly he still found it funny now that he remembered, but he still thought that was a bit much, even for him, especially considering the place Ohya-san stayed often.

Mishima: THAT'S why you did that?! I can't believe it...

Ren: I'm sorry. I wish I hadn't done that. I would make it up to you soon, but I'm busy with a mission. That was why Ohya-san asked to interview you. So thank you for going along with it.

Mishima: Well, if it was for an important mission, I guess that's fine...

Mishima: But I'll hold you to owing me, okay?

He smiled.

Ren: Sure.

"How long is it going to take until you take us somewhere?!"

Ren was startled, but he turned to see that Aki had gotten a call from Caroline, who was so loud, he could hear her even without the speaker phone on...

"What the hell?! You almost blew out my eardrums!"

"Serves you right, Inmate!"

"I've been busy! Don't you remember?!"

...not that Aki was any better.

Thankfully at that point, Mishima was done as both ends of Aki's call quieted down to normal conversation levels until, eventually, it was over and his sister sighed.

"You're taking them out?" he said.

"Yup. Might as well. It's been a couple weeks anyway. I guess I should be more surprised Caroline waited this long..."

Ren chuckled. "Okay. I'll be calling Ms. Kawakami over."

Aki gave him a curious look, but whatever questions she had, she didn't voice them and just said,

"Good luck, Big Bro."

"I think I should be saying that to you."

Aki pouted. "Yeah, you're probably right... Hopefully there's a pretty good movie showing."

With that, his little sister left along with Mona, though the not-cat wasn't going with her so much as wanting to stretch his legs with an evening stroll around Yongen.

A few rings later and he heard Ms. Kawakami say,

"Thank you for your call!"

"You're welcome."

"Oh," she said. "It's just you."

"I'm wounded, milady."

"...You understand what I told you last time, right? And you still want to request me?"

"... Yes. I need someone to help clean up my room after all."

His teacher sighed. "Fine... I guess I'll have to talk to you properly about it."

I was hoping for that. "I'll send the money then."

Ren put down the receiver before he could hear the entirety of his teacher's grumbling, not that it made a difference as the first thing she said when she got to the attic was,

"Are you serious?"

"Hmm?" he said as he paused his share of the cleaning.

"You know you're being used and yet you're still requesting me?"

"I meant what I said over the phone. I don't want anyone else to help me clean our room."

"... You really are one strange kid," she said. "I'm a mediocre teacher and a mediocre maid...and yet you listen to everything I say." She looked away in shame. "You're the opposite of me. I don't even attend my students needs..."

That...was true, unfortunately, even though he wished to dispute that. She hadn't cared for him much, if at all, when he arrived, for one example. But...

"You're working hard for money you don't even use for yourself."

There were certainly worse reasons than that for being negligent on other things.

Still, Ms. Kawakami flinched, and Ren was about to comfort her when she said,

"The money...is actually an 'apology'."

He stood up. "An apology?"

His teacher sat down on the couch with that and he followed suit beside her as she explained.

There was a student named Takase-san she helped before she came to Shujin. He was labeled a problem child, skipping classes and having low grades, but in truth he was busy working several part-time jobs just to live, his relatives only giving him a place to stay. In fact, he loved to learn, so when she tutored him, his grades improved. But after that, bad rumors circulated around him for some reason and Kawakami was accused of favoring the boy, so she was ordered to stop.

Ren clenched his fists. "That's just... That's terrible..."

"Yeah... But you could say the same about me."

Ren was confused. "What do you mean?"

"I got scared...of losing my job, and of the rumors spread about me. So I...canceled our upcoming tutoring sessions..."

Well, other than that she probably could've stood her ground... "I don't see why is that a problem. You were worried."

And then she said, "Takase-san was on his way to one of his part time jobs when I told him... Out of all the days, it had been New Year's Eve and it had been pouring rain all day... And...he died in a car crash."

Ren lost his breath.

He... He died? And she was likely the last person to call him? Ms. Kawakami... Ren could only imagine what it felt like, the little inkling from his Confidant probably just a fraction of the maelstrom of emotions she had for the event.

"He sounded so depressed that I couldn't tutor him anymore... But then he said it was no big deal because he had to work anyway, so that I wouldn't feel bad," she said. "If only I kept my promise to him..."

"It's not your fault."

That didn't convince Ms. Kawakami though. She just said that his guardians blamed her for exhausting him with tutor sessions on top of his part-time jobs and threatened to sue her.

"See? Nothing good ever comes from getting involved with me," Ms. Kawakami said with a hollow smile. "I have to keep my distance to avoid hurting others, so I don't meddle in my students' lives. So we should be saying good-bye too."

"But I don't want to," he said.

Not when you're so sad.

"You're really not the type to back down, are you?"

"I wouldn't be here if I was."

"Indeed you wouldn't."

Ms. Kawakami sighed.

Luckily, she agreed to continue their arrangement, but her words still didn't sit well with him. It didn't help that when they were done, just as she was leaving, Ms. Kawakami had a coughing fit that she insisted was nothing.

(A)

It turned out that, yes, there was a good film on. It was the cheesy yet entertaining "The Cake Knight Rises". And the twins seemed to enjoy it...even if they were screaming for a lot of it, despite it not being a horror film. Though it turned out it was because of the 3D glasses they put on as Justine justified afterwards, saying the effect was surprising and real.

But despite them complimenting the film's imagination...

"Why is it that humans even create such large and elaborate fabrications in the first place, though?" Caroline said.

...they questioned why in the world people watch a spectacle of fictional events when dreams could suffice.

"Well, everyone's got different reasons for it... Even I got different reasons to watch movies."

"What? You can watch a movie for different reasons?"

"Yeah. Sometimes I wanna watch it 'cause it's a good story that gets me thinking, but most of the time I wanna watch it 'cause it's fun."

"Hmph. What a naïve notion. Humans are such simple minded creatures."

Akira frowned. She was tempted to point out that it was nice having fun, but considering how they were wardens...she wasn't really surprised they thought it stupid, or thought it was a way of escaping reality. Okay, they're not wrong about that, but damn it, that was the last straw.

"Could you please stop dissin' people who like movies? It's like if I dissed ya for just bein' wardens."

"But it's our job!" Caroline said.

"That's my point. Just 'cause you think watching movies is stupid doesn't mean you should call people who watch 'em stupid," Akira said. "Besides, if you think they're so stupid, why'd you even wanna watch one in the first place?"

"We wished to find out more about this 'moving theater', that's why!"

"Then why do you wanna know? You say it's for your job, but even though it's the job of a warden to keep an eye on an prisoner, knowin' the place they come from is like isn't."

To her surprise, the two hesitated. Akira almost thought she had shut them up or something until Justine said,

"We're not sure. We just wish to know the world our Inmates come from."

"N-Not that we want to know you more about you or your brother, Inmate!"

Akira rolled her eyes. Ah, tsunderes... There was always a fine line between annoying and amusing with their behavior.

It gave her a perfect chance though.

"All right then. I'll keep showing you around the human world, but in return...I'll teach ya how to be nicer."

"Huh?"

"What?! You can't make such demands of us, Inmate! We're already giving you rewards for your service to us!"

"And you're intrudin' on my free time when I could, I don't know, be strengthenin' my Confidants instead."

"Grrk!"

Akira smirked behind her mask. Got 'em.

"So, we got a deal? I'll take you wherever you want whenever I'm free, and you'll give me those skill cards while I teach ya to be nice. 'Sides, if I teach ya, you'd be learnin' more 'bout humans that way too."

"That seems fair. We are getting two services while only giving a reward for one. I agree to this deal," Justine said.

The other said nothing.

They both turned to her.

"Well?"

"Caroline?"

The more fiery warden grumbled but quietly said, "Fine. I accept as well..."

"Then it's a deal."

I am thou, thou art I. Thou hast acquired a new vow. It shall be the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity. With the birth of the Temperance Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power.

Akira stared.

Wait what?

She formed a Confidant with the twins?

Before she could think on it, said twins took her attention as they thanked her for her service and gave her a Frei card and a Psi card, before they told her to escort them to the Velvet Room.

She stared at the skill cards.

Akira wasn't sure whether to be glad that she now had another way to discern some of their true feelings, or be annoyed that her own words earlier were thrown back at her.

{R}

The next day came and once school ended, he headed for Takemi's clinic to restock meds, both Metaverse and Aki's, and hopefully perform another clinical trial. However, to his surprise, when he got there, there was a bit of a waiting line before he could speak with the doctor. There were patients from all around Yongen who came for diagnoses and treatments. But he didn't mind the wait too much, not especially when, as shown with the last patient that left, the town was starting to like her.

"Well, someone's popular," he couldn't help but say.

The doctor glowered at him. "Thanks to you."

Ren grew curious. "Me?"

"There's a lot of talk going around town about me, started by that girl and her dad," Takemi said, going on to tell that the man had told others that she's an amazing doctor and thus she now has a bunch of patients asking for a bunch of ridiculous requests.

"And the other day, I had a request for a 'cold-buster'. Ha! A drug like that deserves a Nobel Prize."

But despite her complaining...

"Having fun?" Ren said, amused.

...she was smiling.

Well, at least, until he said that.

"...No," she said, all her cheer gone. "This is all interfering with my development. I'm only interested in completing my new drug. That's my role as the Plague. I'm not suited for all this other stuff."

"You are suited for it. It suits you," he said.

It was nice seeing her smile as she took care of all those patients.

"What?" Takemi said, shocked. "Really...?"

Ren nodded.

Then she closed herself off and said, "Well, you're entitled to your opinion."

Ren couldn't help but deflate as the doctor turned wistful, mumbling about how being the "town doctor" would've been possible before. He wanted to tell her she still could, Yongen's residents were clearly starting to trust her now, but then she said,

"Anyways...you're here for yours and your little sister's meds and a clinical trial, yes? With all these patients, it's taken me a while to analyze the data, so this one's a bit on the strong side. But I'm sure you'll be fine. Go and take it while I get your regular meds ready."

Ren sighed as he nodded, deciding to use the chance to ask about Ms. Kawakami's symptoms and what he could do about it.

But still, he was hopeful Takemi would be more open to the idea of being "town doctor" as she went on to happily comment that the treatment for that girl was going well.

(A)

Akira: Hey Akechi! You free?

Akechi: Luckily I am. I assume you are?

Akira: Well more like I got a quick errand to run in Shibuya but then after that, yeah! You have anywhere you wanna hang out?

Akechi: Not this time, no.

Akira: How about we get something to eat and then see if we wanna go anywhere else after?

Akechi: Very well. I shall meet you at Buchiko then?

Akira: Sure! See ya!

Akira smiled despite the rain, selling the loot they got to Iwai as quickly as possible so that she could meet up with Akechi. On her way to Buchiko though, she passed by the bookstore, where Makoto happened to be at.

"Oh Akira. I didn't realize I would run into you here."

"Was just sellin' stuff. What 'bout you? What are you doin' here?"

"Oh, just looking for prep books."

"Really? Prep books?" She smirked. "I would've thought you'd look for manga since you were readin' one while investigatin' us."

Makoto grumbled. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you...?"

"Nope! It's not everyday a stalker is reading a manga upside-down."

"Akira...!"

She laughed, but then noticed who was standing by Buchiko in the distance. "Oh sorry. Gotta go. Akechi's waitin' for me."

Before she could go though, Makoto was shocked once again and said,

"Akechi? As in, Goro Akechi?"

Akira smiled in pride and amusement under her mask. "Yeah, the same. Unless you know another Goro Akechi."

"But he's..."

"What?"

"He's a detective, Akira. He could find out that you're a Phantom Thief. I mean I did."

Okay, that was a good point, but...

"I know that, Makoto. But it's fine. I'm careful with him," she said. "We've been hanging out for a while and he still hasn't found out yet. So I must be doin' somethin' right."

"What, wait...you've been hanging out for a while?!" Makoto said, shocked. "You're friends with him?"

Akira took down her mask just to reveal her smirk. "What? Don't believe I'm friends with a celebrity? You can come and stalk us if you wanna see for yourself."

"Akira!" Makoto said.

But she ignored her as she returned her mask and made her way to Akechi, who smiled at her approach.

"Hello Akira," he said but then he frowned. "Is that...?"

Akira chuckled. She glanced over to see Makoto, once again, trying to tail them. At least she was doing a little better this time. She was holding her book the right way up.

"Yeah, it's Makoto. Don't mind her. She's just paranoid."

Akechi scoffed and covered his smirk with a hand, but she already spotted it. "I see. Then shall we be on our way?"

"Sure! How 'bout somethin' from Yon-Germain? Big Bro says he gets some of my snacks there."

"Ah, I'm not surprised. I usually buy from there when I need to have a snack since it's convenient."

"What? My chocolate's not enough for ya?" she joked.

Now Akechi showed his smirk. "Not when I don't have it all the time."

"Then maybe I should buy a whole bunch now so you got a stockpile."

"Oh, but then our tradition would be pointless now, wouldn't it?"

"No it wouldn't! It just means I'm adding to your stockpile."

They stared at each other, waiting for the other's reaction, before both of them laughed, their composures broken at the silliness of their "argument".

By that point, they were at Yon-Germain, ordering some sweet pastries and talking about fun facts about pastry food's various ingredients, like flour, yeast and sugar. All throughout it, she couldn't help but chuckle alongside Akechi every once in a while, noticing Makoto was still following them.

But, eventually, when they were done with their sweets, Makoto had left them alone.

She hoped it was because Makoto decided to trust her. But, well, she wouldn't exactly blame her for still being wary.

"Finally, she's gone..." Akechi said, quiet but still loud enough that she caught it.

Akira smirked. "Jelly?"

The detective glowered at her. "Hardly," he said, totally sounding the opposite. "Just annoyed she was stalking when she should know better."

She laughed. "Don't be. She's paranoid."

"And you're too lax."

"Of course I'm relaxed. I'm having a great time with a good friend."

To her surprise, there was a brief flinch that she would've questioned about had he not quickly said,

"You know what I mean."

"I am afraid you will have to elucidate me, detective," she said in her most posh accent.

Akechi rolled his eyes. "Nice try, but no."

She laughed again. Soon enough, though he wasn't exactly laughing along with her, she did see her friend smiling.

"Ha... You know now it makes even more sense why you don't like getting swarmed by your fans if you're being called the 'Second Detective Prince'...though I don't get why you're called that," she said, musing out loud.

Akechi threw a surprised look. "Do you really not know? I thought you would've looked me up by now."

"Hmm, well I could...but I don't wanna."

"And why is that?"

"If you wanted me to know, you'd tell me," she said simply.

She might not have been friends with a celebrity before, but she knew it sucked when someone never looked past prejudices, among the other things she knew of her friend at this point. Not to mention she felt weird to search up Akechi on the internet without his consent. So when her friend turned silent, Akira just waited for him to gather himself.

Eventually, he said, "Then do you want to know?"

Akira smiled. "Sure, but only if you're sure."

Akechi chuckled softly. "Well then..."

Then he went on to tell her. She was grateful he did. Not only was it quite interesting and heartening to hear about Naoto Shirogane, the first Detective "Prince" who only presented herself as such so that her gender wouldn't be used against her, but that her friend felt comfortable enough to tell her about it.

"Heh. Your detective skills must be real good if they're comparin' you to her, huh?" she said, teasing.

To her surprise, though Akechi smiled, she felt some annoyance from their link as he said,

"I certainly hope so. I try my best."

Akira wondered if that annoyance stemmed from the fact that as flattering as it was to be compared to someone as illustrious as Naoto Shirogane...

...he didn't want to be under her shadow.

"One cannot shine if their efforts are diminished by another's light."

So when he changed the topic by asking where they would be going now that their snacks were consumed, Akira let it slide and suggested the arcade again, dropping the previous subject as if it never happened.

Soon enough, her time with Akechi came to an end and, once again, they continued their tradition as she handed him chocolate before they bid each other farewell.

That night, she planned on going to help Yoshida again, this time with a meeting with his old friend. So she had just finished putting on her more formal clothes when she heard Mona mention something about "making things better for us".

"What are you guys talkin' about?" she said.

Her brother looked up from his phone. "Ryuji saw the article Ohya-san wrote. It gave Mona the idea of maybe using her coverage to influence the Metaverse."

"What you mean?"

"Remember how us being known opens more areas of Mementos? Well then if we spread our image even more, I'm sure it'll affect the Metaverse!" Mona said. "And using her articles is a sure fire way to do that. I think."

When put in that way, it made sense. But considering the reporter's usual haunting, both she and Ren were hesitant about it, especially her brother, and would likely not try anytime soon, if at all. As for now, she mentally reviewed all her calming techniques and such Doc gave her. The last thing she wanted was to get Yoshida in trouble because of her being unable to keep her temper. It was a possibility she had to contend with seeing as she had no idea what his old friend was like.

{R}

Makoto: I'm sorry everyone. I have student council duties to do and if I put it aside, others might get suspicious of me. We'll have to do it tomorrow.

Ryuji was, understandably, upset and disappointed over the news.

But since he had free time, he decided to take the chance to buy groceries both for him and Aki, as well as for Ms. Kawakami, which he told to his sister. She readily agreed and wanted to come with him. And when he told Ryuji and Ann about their shopping trip, they decided to come along as well.

And so they had an impromptu group shopping trip, all of them making comments about each other's purchases.

"Here, this one's better. It's just as good and it's cheaper."

"Oh I definitely recommend this one. It's a bit pricey but it's worth it."

"This one's a good substitute if ya run out of onions."

"This seller gives more fresh ones."

And sometimes the comments had nothing to do with their grocery shopping.

While Ren was looking through the insant food section though...

"Gah! What the hell man?!"

"Oh. Ryuji. What are you doing here?"

...he was startled by a surprised Ryuji, who had encountered a staring Yusuke.

"What do ya mean what am I doin' here? Why were you so quiet and starin' at the ramen packs?!"

"Oh. I was deciding which of the cheapest to buy that would last me the longest," Yusuke said, seemingly unaware why the faux-blond was so upset.

His words, however, made Ren frown and he said,

"You didn't use your food budget for you art supplies, did you?"

"Huh? Food budget?"

"Of course not! Your paint bank was quite effective in reminding me of that. I have nearly exhausted it for my food."

"What."

How could... How in the world did Yusuke...? That money that could last him at least a month...?

"You will have to clarify what you are asking, Ren."

"Clarify what? And what was that screamin' about, Ryuji?" Aki said as she came their way. "Oh. Yusuke. Here to buy dinner too?"

"He nearly used up all his food budget," Ren said before either the artist or Ryuji could answer.

"What."

"That's what I said."

"And I am still confused as to what you are shocked about."

"And I'm confused 'bout this food budget!"

Ren and his sister groaned.

"I'll explain the budget later," he said to Ryuji. "Right now I need to teach Yusuke about budgeting."

And so the rest of the impromptu shopping trip was replaced with an impromptu budgeting lesson, or at least the best he and Aki could teach to the artist. With his sister pointing out Makoto likely knew even more budgeting techniques, theirs strategies were likely very basic. That was assuming Yusuke understood and remembered them of course.

He wouldn't be surprised if Yusuke still somehow used up his food budget despite what they did to help him.

So he was glad to return to the café and, once Sojiro left, get things ready for Ms. Kawakami alongside Aki.

Once they were satisfied with the results, Ren called Ms. Kawakami over. When she arrived, he was all the more glad he prepared for her as when she arrived, already in the middle of a coughing fit.

"Hey, you okay?" Aki said.

"I'm fine, it's nothing," Ms. Kawakami said, suppressing her cough.

His sister gave her a flat look. "If I can't hide a cough from Big Bro, there's no way you can either."

His teacher laughed, but it was stiff. "I'm just kidding. I'm just trying to slack off a bit."

"Well then too bad, you're going to 'slack off' whether you like it or not," Ren said, putting the tray down on one of the tables.

"Huh? What's this?"

"It's for you!" Aki said. "Ginger tea, roasted sweet potato and yogurt for your stress, cough and headache."

Ms. Kawakami staggered back. "What? No. There's way I can accept this..."

Ren smirked. "But I thought you said you wanted to slack off."

"No! I mean...if I had less to do, it means I could get to do more shifts and my other part time jobs."

"Then don't that mean all the more reason to have somethin' before you go?"

"But..."

"It's really good sweet potatoes..." Aki said, splitting one open to have Ms. Kawakami smell it.

That made the teacher's stomach grumble.

They smirked.

Ms. Kawakami sighed. "Fine... But only because you insist," she said as finally sat down and dug in.

"Then we insist," Ren said, sitting before her, Aki following suit.

As he hoped, she finished all of her meal, including the ginger tea and yogurt and by that time, Ren and Aki also insisted that she leave for her other jobs. Only because of their persistance that she gave in eventually, but not before adding laundry and cooking to her services in thanks for what they did. Deciding to give mercy, Ren gave in to the new addition to their prior agreement and they bid her good-bye.

Ren hoped she'd get better now that he would be giving her break time.