Persona 5: The Phantom Files

by sithlorde1988

Will cover the events of Persona 5 Royal, with the sequel set to cover Strikers. What happens when in addition to Ren being sentenced to go live in the care of Sojiro Sakura for a year after being sued for assault, his younger brother is also ordered to go and oversee him? How will this extra character change things? Read to find out! More info in chapter 1! Read and review! Enjoy!

29. Enter Kaneshiro! Rebellious Queen part 6

A/N: sithlorde1988 here, with another chapter of Persona 5- The Phantom Files! First of all, I think this is the longest so far that it's taken an arc to lead up to that arc's Palace, but we should (keyword here being SHOULD) be getting close to starting it. If not this chapter, more than likely next chapter should be the start of Palace 3. That said, let's get started with the disclaimer I think.

Disclaimer: sithlorde1988 does NOT own the Persona series in any way, shape or form (save for the OC Kusa/Draconis who he made and thus does own, along with any other OCs that might appear in the story unless otherwise stated), and the actual credit for owning the Persona series belongs to Sega, Atlus and Koei Tecmo so all ownership credit to them!

And with that said, on with chapter 29!

Chapter 29: Of Mobs, Presidents and Thieves! Enter the Third Palace! The Rebellious Queen part 6

(At Leblanc, in the attic with Ren, Kusa and Morgana)

"Well, what's the plan Ren?" Morgana asked Ren after Ren and Kusa finished the second level of 'Star Forneus' out of boredom. Ren thought about it and spoke up.

"Let's go hit up the airsoft shop and sell some stuff then hit the Diner. I feel like a mixed Knowledge/Kindness boost could be a good thing." Ren said as Morgana nodded approvingly as Kusa looked up from the private chat he was having with Futaba to speak up.

"The diner, you say? Have fun with that. I'll be here, relaxing and chatting with people." Kusa said as Ren nodded.

"I will. You have fun as well, but not TOO much fun." Ren said as he and Morgana left to go to the diner, ignoring the huff Kusa gave Ren as they left. After selling off a few things, Ren made a quick 1,600 yen, which would pay for the study session easily. As they approached the diner, Morgana spoke up.

"Ah yes, forgot it was rainy season. As such, the diner shouldn't be as crowded, making it so you can more easily enjoy the menu. Planning to study here?" Morgana asked Ren who spoke up with a nod.

"But of course. Why would I sell stuff to make yen for this if I wasn't going to study?" Ren asked Morgana rhetorically, getting an approving nod from the not-cat as the two went inside. After going in and getting their usual seat, Morgana spoke up.

"Oh! I know I said it'd be less crowded, but wow was I under-stating things when I said that! It's so quiet in here." Morgana said, getting a nod from Ren as he ducked into Ren's bag as the waitress walked over and spoke up.

"Welcome. May I take your order?" The waitress asked Ren who nodded as he spoke up.

"Yes. I'm in a bit of a meat-eating mood, so I'll have a Nostalgic Steak, please." Ren said as he paid the 1,100 yen for the meal up-front, making the waitress smile and speak up with a pleased look on her face as she spoke.

"Certainly. I got it, I'll be right back with your order." The waitress said as Ren nodded. A short time after the waitress walked off, she returned with a plate that had a lot more than a steak on it, making Morgana wince as he spoke up.

"Hmm...That's a lot to snack on while you're studying. Not only is that way more than just a steak, but the proportions of that meal are very grand." Morgana said as Ren nodded approvingly, digging into and devouring the meal with gusto as he studied, being careful not to get food on his notes. After he finished, Morgana spoke up in surprise.

"Hey, hey! You sure look happy. Did you savor the taste of the kindness that went into that steak?" Morgana teased Ren, who simply nodded with a smile as his Kindness got a sufficient boost to finally rank up from rank 2, "Considerate", to rank 3, "Empathic". Morgana then kept speaking.

"Nice! I gotta say, even with all the annoying customers coming in and out, you kept your cool quite well while you studied. I could see how much you were focused by looking at you." Morgana said as Ren nodded, pumping a fist as his Knowledge got bumped up some too. After that, Morgana spoke up once more.

"Wanna head back? You got quite a bit done, but it's getting late. We should probably get going." Morgana said as Ren nodded and Morgana kept speaking.

"Okay. Come on, let's go home." Morgana said as Ren nodded agreeably, the two heading back to Leblanc to get ready for bed, Ren smirking at the sight of Kusa rolled over on the sofa sleeping peacefully, his phone sitting on the nearby desk closed. Morgana smiled as he gently laid on Kusa's shoulder and curled up to sleep as Ren laid down for the night as well, eventually dozing off...

(Around that same time, at the Niijima household with Sae and Makoto)

Makoto made to head towards her room when Sae spoke up to stop her.

"Makoto? I received a call from your school today. They were asking if you've made any lifestyle changes recently." Sae said as Makoto blinked at this and turned to face Sae as she spoke up in surprise.

"Huh?" Makoto asked in surprise as Sae spoke up.

"Ugh...I gave them a suitable enough answer, but...is there some kind of issue at school?" Sae asked Makoto who winced at the question, briefly considering telling Sae about the phishing scams and the mafia being possibly involved with students at Shujin, but deciding against it as she pictured the likely incensed reaction she'd get from Kobayakawa if she did so, so she just shook her head and spoke up once more.

"No...it's nothing. I'm sorry to worry you." Makoto said to Sae, who sighed before she closed her laptop and stood up to walk over to Makoto as she spoke up, looking her in the eyes as she spoke.

"Hey...You've been coming home late these days. I doubt you would do such a thing, but try to avoid wandering around Shibuya late at night. I've heard stories of girls your age throwing their lives away out there. Getting wrapped up in dirty deals, blackmailed into sex work..." Sae said, trailing off as Makoto spoke up, seemingly hesitating as she spoke but eventually speaking.

"...True. I've heard rumors about that as well. People have been mentioning it at school." Makoto said as Sae spoke up.

"These aren't mere rumors. I know of a few such cases." Sae said as Makoto gave Sae a surprised look as she spoke up.

"For real? Do I even want to know how you know of them?" Makoto asked as Sae sighed before shaking her head as she spoke up.

"No, you really don't want to know, Makoto. That said...Well, it should be nothing for you to worry about. Just concentrate on your studies for now." Sae said as she left the room, leaving Makoto to shudder as she spoke to herself.

"Ugh! They're unforgivable!" Makoto said to herself, reinforcing her decision to lean on the Thieves for help with things...

(The next afternoon, in class with Ren, Ann and Morgana)

Ren and Ann's phones went off during class to signify a group chat with Ryuji, Yusuke and Kusa, the former sending the first response.

"Yo, did that reporter get in touch with you yet?" Ryuji sent. Yusuke then sent a response.

"We only just emailed her the other day. Why are you so hasty?" Yusuke sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"I dunno. I've been looking for info, but I can't find a damn thing...We only got two weeks left, man. Duh, we're in a hurry." Ryuji sent as Kusa sent his response.

"Wouldn't it be less than that though Ryuji, since it's been a few days since Niijima-san basically strong-armed us into helping her?" Kusa sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"Indeed, Kusa. Also, to be more precise Ryuji, it's ten days." Yusuke sent. Ryuji sent a response at that pont.

"Either way, we ain't gonna have much time, even if we start right after she responds." Ryuji sent as Ann sent a response at that point.

"Looks like this battle will have to be a quick one then." Ann sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"We must also consider what we do in case she fails to respond entirely." Yusuke sent as Kusa sent a response at that point.

"Agreed. If that reporter doesn't respond, then we might not have a choice but to see if Niijima-san can use her resources to dig up info on the boss. After all, she was about ready to force this one skeevy jerk that tried to recruit us for work to take her to his boss the other day anyways, so I'm sure she'd be eager to help out if it came to that." Kusa sent as Ren blinked at Kusa mentioning the encounter that the three of them, or four with Morgana, had had that day. Ann then sent a response.

"Good point, Kusa. Also, hey! Don't jinx this, Yusuke!" Ann sent as Yusuke sent a response at that point.

"I am merely discussing all the possible outcomes." Yusuke sent as Kusa and Ryuj sent responses close together, Ryuji's coming through first.

"Ain't you nervous about this?" Ryuji sent as Kusa's response came through.

"I'm sure he is, but Yusuke's also being practical by trying to plan for all conceivable scenarios and having contingencies in place for the off chance that our initial plan falls through. If anything, I'm impressed at the level of consideration he's giving the situation." Kusa sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"Indeed. Also, nervousness will not help us solve anything at this point. Were that the solution to our problem, I would be much quicker to turn to panic." Yusuke sent as Ann sent a response at that point.

"Wow, he's like some kind of philosopher..." Ann sent as Ren sent a response at that point.

"First of all, I'm surprised Kusa brought up that run-in that he, Niijima-san and I had the other day. That said, I dunno that I'd call Yusuke a philosopher so much as a realist." Ren sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"Truth! Also, I think he's just an idiot..." Ryuji sent as Kusa sent a response at that point.

"Idiot, you say, Ryuji? That's rich coming from the guy whose lack of filter AND loudness got us into this situation in the first place. That said, I think we should try not to panic if we can help it." Kusa sent as Ren put his phone away as did Ann...

(After school, in the Student Council Office with Niijima and Iida)

"Niijima-senpai...Aren't you going to help me? You said you would keep it a secret, but rumors have started getting out...Wait...You didn't leak that information, did you!?" Iida said to Niijima, who gave Iida a sympathetic look as she spoke up.

"Calm down...They're still targeting you?" Niijima asked Iida who nodded as he kept speaking up.

"Yep. Even the Amamiya brothers found out. I'm not entirely convinced that the elder brother won't try and threaten me too, despite the younger brother's assurances that neither of them would do that. Why is this happening to me? I can't afford to keep paying..." Iida said to Niijima who winced as she spoke up.

"I didn't know they'd confronted you about it. That said, I've found some clues regarding your incident. I just need you to wait a bit longer." Niijima said as Iida spoke up warily.

"You're really gonna help? Everyone thinks you're just doing it for a letter of recommendation..." Iida said as Niijima frowned as she spoke up, not amused by Iida's accusation at all as she spoke.

"That is NOT true. My goal here is to protect the students of this school..." Niijima said as Iida nodded and spoke up again.

"Fair enough...In that case, please...please hurry..." Iida said to Niijima who sighed as she winced at the pleading tone in Iida's voice.

(Meanwhile, in the second-year classroom with Ren and Morgana)

"Well then, we'll just have to wait for any word. Let's just prepare the plan in the meanwhile." Morgana said as Ren nodded, Morgana ducking into his bag in time for Ren's phone to go off, signifying a group chat with Ryuji, Ann, Kusa and Yusuke, and this time it was the latter of the four who sent the first response.

"Sorry to bother you while you are expecting information from that journalist. However, do you remember that thread about the group of burglars in Shibuya?" Yusuke sent as Kusa sent a response at that point.

"You mean the one about those cowardly effing scumbags who are trying to use the Phantom Thieves name in vain for their ill-intentioned ends!? What about it?" Kusa sent as Yusuke sent another response at that point.

"Yes, that one. It seems the one who posted about his brother is a student at my school. And so, after some prodding, I was able to pry a few more details out of him." Yusuke sent as Ann sent a response.

"Oh, right! I was actually wondering about that. It didn't sound like they had anything to do with the mafia we've been chasing." Ann sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"Indeed. Now, I was able to ascertain his brother's name...It's Kazuya Makigami." Yusuke sent as Ryuji chose that point to send a response.

"Dude, it's freaking crazy that someone involved in that shit goes to your school. Nice going, Yusuke!" Ryuji sent as Ann sent a response.

"And you even found the name of the guy we're looking for! That was super awesome!" Ann sent as Ryuji and Ren sent responses close together, Ryuji's coming through first.

"All we gotta do now is punish him in Mementos. This burglar guy isn't gonna be near as scary as the mafia. He's just a plain dude, right? We'll show him what being a phantom thief's really about!" Ryuji sent as Ren's response went through.

"First of all, good work Yusuke! You came through in a big way there! That said, I'm waiting on a Mementos run until we have enough targets for it to be worth our time to go. And I think we're not quite at that number yet, but I'd have to check to be sure." Ren sent as Yusuke and Kusa sent responses close together, Kusa's coming in first.

"I concur with Ren. Though I also agree with Ryuji that it wouldn't be a bad idea to try and fit in a Mementos run before we get word on our big target, since we could probably use the chance to keep our skills sharp for when we land our target, since odds are that target will probably have a Palace." Kusa sent as Yusuke's response came through.

"Indeed. It seems we are unanimous then. We can further discuss the details at the hideout." Yusuke sent. Ren sent another response.

"Yeah, we can discuss that when next we gather at the hideout." Ren sent as he put his phone away as Morgana spoke up.

"We have our target! We also have the mafia to deal with too, so make sure the timing's right." Morgana said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"I will. Depending on if we have enough targets, we'll probably do the run before we hit the next big target if we have enough, and if not it'll be after we deal with the mafia." Ren said so only Morgana could hear as Morgana nodded and spoke up once more.

"Right. Anyway, let's all meet up at the hideout once you're ready." Morgana sent as Ren's phone went off to confirm he'd gotten a request by the name of 'Phantom Thieves VS Burglary Ring'. Morgana then spoke up.

"Hey, shouldn't you tell the others about that target in Mementos?" Morgana asked as Ren spoke up.

"Let me see how many targets we have. I recall saying I was waiting for us to have at least 5 targets before we make our next Mementos run." Ren said as Morgana nodded. After weighing his options, Ren headed to the school gate, remembering that Mishima had mentioned finding the bully behind the bullying that Takanashi had been doing. As he got to the gate, Morgana spoke up.

"Hey, hey! Do you remember that target we had in Mementos? The one about the mastermind behind the bullying? If the target is a student of Shujin, then they could be nearby. We should gather some information." Morgana said as Ren nodded. After a bit, Ren spotted Takanashi being harassed by another student, and listened in.

"You sure about that? I can't imagine you want me to release this video of you stealing..." The other student said to Takanashi who spoke up with a huff.

"Fine! Just stop making me bleed people dry, Sakoda!" Takanashi said to the now-named Sakoda, who frowned at Takanashi as he spoke up.

"Hey, you did all that on your own. You really want me to show this to your teachers, huh, Takanashi-san? Another word out of you and I'll debut your film to the whole world. The 'Yoshimori Sakoda Tapes' will be a huge hit!" Sakoda said as Takanashi frowned as he spoke up once more.

"C'mon, you MADE me do it! Damn it..." Takanashi said as Morgana spoke up with a huff.

"So, a bigger jerk was pulling the strings all along. We gotta do something about this!" Morgana said as Ren nodded, noting that his requests list had updated to reflect that the target for the 'One Who Bullies Bullies' had been identified as Yoshimori Sakoda. After that Ren looked and to his surprise, saw that Yusuke had appeared as a Confidant in the Underground Walkway, making Ren decide to go start that Confidant Link. Thus decided, Ren dumped Morgana off on Kusa and headed to the Underground Walkway, where he saw Yusuke standing near the entrance and walked over to him, making Yusuke smirk as he spoke up after spotting Ren.

"Ah, Ren! Hello. By the way...do you have any business here?" Yusuke asked as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"Yeah, I saw you were here, so I figured I'd come hang out with you since we have a bit of time while we wait on further word on our target." Ren said as Yusuke nodded as he spoke up at that point.

"I see. Hah...You must have a wealth of free time if that is your decision. May I get a word in? I would like to speak with you...Ren, do you have time?" Yusuke asked as Ren nodded.

"Yeah, I've got time for you, Yusuke. Let's talk." Ren said. Yusuke nodded as he spoke up.

"Yes. Do you remember how I mentioned my need to understand the heart? Well, I am having a hard time grasping it. How will I be able to reach the truth of pure beauty...? Ren, what should I paint to capture the contents of the heart?" Yusuke said to Ren who spoke up.

"Thinking about it, as much as either a dream world or a mental landscape is an option, I think in the end the clear answer to your question would have to be Mementos." Ren said after thinking over Yusuke's question briefly. Yusuke looked at Ren in surprise before nodding with a smile as he spoke up.

"Ah, I see...! Mementos! The desire that emanates from that place is the root of humanity! Incredible! You honestly have a unique perspective on things. With that destination in mind, let us make haste!" Yusuke said as he and Ren went into the Metaverse, Ren looking confused as he did so but trusting Yusuke to know what he was doing...

(In Mementos with Fox and Joker)

"This distorted realm, teeming with Shadows...The physical embodiment of the desires of the human heart...The same thing which brought forth the beauty of the 'Sayuri' can also create such morbid fabrications...But I actually find that aspect to be quite fascinating...The heart is akin to an abyss.

Now, regarding the source of my slump...I actually have an idea. In that other dimension, I saw the perversion of Madarame's heart...At that moment, the art realm I had so much faith in was distorted by greed and unchecked desires. That is when the true ugliness of the world became clear to me...And from that point forward, my brush has been stayed by crippling hesitation...Ugh, Does pure beauty truly exist?

And if so, can hands tainted by Madarame's depravity capture it? Considering such intense questions only served to distance me from reality. Doubt filled my mind. I struggled to find a reason to move my brush again...And honestly, I still have yet to discover a suitable answer." Fox said as he kept speaking for awhile longer before blinking as he saw Joker looking at him, making him speak up once more.

"...What's the matter? Have you been overcome by an urge to paint?" Fox asked Joker who huffed as he spoke up.

"Nah, Fox. We all know painting is your field of expertise, not mine. That said, let's hurry it up, just in case that Shadow Mona told us about the other day finds us." Joker said. Fox blinked at Joker's response as he spoke up.

"Good point. That said, please, do not rush me. I only need a little more time...Hm, the lingering uncertainty present in this place seems to be sharpening my senses...I feel a revelation approaching...Heh heh heh...Hm, yes...! Inspiration has struck! That must be it! Such brilliant composition! Ah, my heart races!" Fox said as a Slime appeared in front of Joker and Fox making Fox huff as he spoke up.

"Hmph, how inelegant! You wish to carry out your distorted will, foolish Shadow? Joker, let's go! I shall cut you down for interrupting my work!" Fox said as the battle began. After the battle with not one, but FIVE Silmes, Fox hit level 21, smirking as he leveled up.

"Good, our repertoire is growing!" Fox said as he leveled up. After that, Fox spoke up, giving Joker a sheepish look as he spoke.

"It seems I've become too passionate. I'm glad you were here. You have my thanks. You're like Theo." Fox said as Joker blinked at Fox's remark as he spoke up.

"I'm like who? Fox, what are you talking about?" Joker asked Fox in confusion. Fox blinked at the question before looking at Joker as he spoke up.

"Ah, forgive me. I was referring to Van Gogh's brother, Theo. Van Gogh did not achieve fame in his life time, but found an admirer and supporter in his brother." Fox explained as Joker spoke up with a smile.

"Not really sure what you mean, but what you describe sounds similar to how Draconis tends to be a supporter of sorts for me, and an admirer of others, namely of Mona, so I suppose I'll take that as you comparing me to Draconis, which I take as a compliment, so thank you." Joker said. Fox nodded as he spoke up with a chuckle.

"Fair enough. Well, there aren't many who are willing to deal with my...eccentricity." Fox said as Joker spoke up with a chuckle.

"Perhaps, but I recall hearing a saying once that went to the effect of 'The best people in life are sometimes a bit weird/eccentric.' Granted, that's usually applied to geniuses, but I think it could apply to artists too." Joker said as Fox nodded before blinking as he saw the card in Joker's hand.

"Indeed. By the way, what's in your hand...? A card?" Fox asked as Joker looked at it before speaking up to answer Fox's question.

"It's a blank card that those Shadows dropped when we defeated them." Joker said as Fox nodded and spoke up.

"Hmm...Whenever I see blank paper, I have the urge to draw something on it...May I?" Fox asked as Joker nodded, handing the card to Fox who started drawing on it. After a bit he chuckled before speaking up in surprise.

"Impossible! Good...What!? Hrrm...A satisfactory result." Fox said as he turned to Joker while he kept speaking.

"What do you think? Not bad, wouldn't you say? Soon enough, my slump will be a thing of-" Fox said before being cut off as the card in his hand glowed before turning into a 'Recarm' skill card, to both Fox AND Joker's surprise. Fox blinked as he spoke up in shock.

"My picture...turned into a real skill card?" Fox said as Joker nodded and spoke up.

"Indeed. And I'll be honest, a power like that? Not only is it amazing, but I can easily see it proving to be quite useful." Joker said confidently. Fox nodded as he spoke up, still in awe at the apparent power he'd discovered he had.

"Indeed...Joker. Would you mind helping me further? If I can overcome this slump, I should be able to aid our group like earlier-perhaps even more so. I know...Why don't we act as the thieves we are and strike a deal?" Fox asked Joker who considered it briefly before smiling and nodding as he spoke up.

"I agree, Fox. We should indeed strike a deal. I'm counting on you to hold up your end of it. That said, let's do it." Joker said. Fox nodded as he spoke up once more.

"I concur. It's a deal then." Fox said as Joker smiled, sensing Fox's trust in him...

(Flash forward to the interrogation room with Sae and Joker)

"Multiple cards were discovered among your belongings-replicas of the same design. I don't have a clue how these cards were used, but someone proficient in the arts was close to you...What were you having this person do!?" Sae asked Joker...

(Back in the present with Fox and Joker)

As Joker and Fox shook on their new deal, Joker heard the by-now familiar/expected voice in his head go off.

"I am thou...Thou art I...Thou hast acquired a new vow. It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity. With the birth of the Emperor Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power..." Joker heard as a new card appeared in his mind's eye, this one saying 'Emperor' on it, a 'I' appearing under the word 'Emperor' to signify that his newly-forged Emperor Confidant link with Fox had reached level 1. And as a result, Fox had awakened himself to the power of 'Card Duplication', allowing him to duplicate Skill Cards. Afterwards, Fox spoke up.

"We've done enough for today, I've completed a rough sketch. I'll finish this back at the dorm. I'll contact you once it's done." Fox said to Joker who nodded as he and Fox left Mementos...

(Back in the real world with Ren and Yusuke)

"I am in your debt! Thank you for all your assistance today. You helped me discover some truly wonderful inspiration. I must say... I never expected my art skills would ever prove useful for the Phantom Thieves. I have to hold up my end of the deal, so I'll perform to the best of my ability, You need only ask." Yusuke said as Ren nodded as he spoke up.

"Thanks. I'll probably be asking a lot, so be prepared for that Yusuke." Ren said. Yusuke nodded eagerly as he spoke up.

"It's my turn! Indeed? Then you can count on me. My brush is yours to command. Now, we should be heading back. I have to apply the finishing touches as soon as possible! Hah... For the first time in a long while, my brush will dance again." Yusuke said as Ren nodded agreeably before Yusuke spoke up once more.

"We should probably get going. Well, see you! Farewell." Yusuke said as he and Ren went their separate ways, the latter heading back to Leblanc...

(That evening, at the attic of Leblanc, with Ren and Morgana)

Right when Ren got up to his and Kusa's room, his phone went off. To his surprise, it was a response from the journalist he'd contacted at the group's behest. Apparently she'd invited him to meet up with her at a place called 'The Crossroads Bar'. Morgana frowned and spoke up as Ren showed him the message.

"The Crossroads Bar...This is from that journalist, right? She wants to meet you there now?" Morgana said as Ren nodded, making Morgana speak up once more.

"Looks like this Crossroads place is in Shinjuku. A meetup in Shinjuku..." Morgana said as Ren looked at Morgana before he spoke up.

"Seems that way. I have to wonder though...what do you suppose Shinjuku is like, Morgana?" Ren asked Morgana. Morgana thought about it as he spoke up.

"Let me see...I guess to put it simply, it's a night-life district for adults. You should send everyone a message and let them know what you're up to." Morgana said as Ren nodded, opening up a group chat with Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke and Kusa and sending a message.

"Sorry if I'm disrupting any of your plans, but that journalist just replied to my message. It seems she wants to meet up with me tonight at the Crossroads bar in Shinjuku. Just figured I'd let you all know that she responded." Ren sent as Ryuji and Kusa sent responses close together, Ryuji's coming through first.

"Shinjuku at night, eh?" Ryuji sent as Kusa's response went through, followed by a response from Yusuke.

"Of course she'd want you to meet in Shinjuku. From what I've read, that place is one of the most potentially dangerous, adult-oriented locations in the country! Granted, it has places for kids and teens to go, but not that many, compared to, just to name an example, Kichijoji. Trust your luck to throw you a doozy, Ren." Kusa sent as Ren huffed while Yusuke's response came through.

"I concur with Kusa. That sounds rather dangerous." Yusuke sent as Ann sent a response.

"Where should we meet up?" Ann sent as Ryuji sent a response after pondering Ann's question.

"Stand by, Ann. It'll be easier to move around with less of us." Ryuji sent as Yusuke sent a message.

"My apologies. I don't have the money to take the train there." Yusuke sent as Ryuji and Kusa once again sent responses close together, Ryuji's coming through first.

"Then you're on standby too. Me and Ren, and possibly Kusa if he's not busy, will go, OK?" Ryuji sent as Kusa's response came through.

"First of all Ryuji, I'm not busy. That said, as it happens, I was just leaving from hanging out with a friend to head back to Leblanc, so if Ren wants, I can wait for him outside, and then the two of us will meet you in Shinjuku." Kusa sent as Ren nodded and sent a response of his own.

"Sounds good. I got it. I'm a bit worried, but I think it should be okay with the three of us, well four since Morgana will probably tag along in my bag." Ren sent. Ann sent a response at that point.

"If Ren and Kusa're going, I guess there's no need to worry. We'll leave it to you four then." Ann sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"Well, that's that. Let's meet up in Shibuya." Ryuji sent as Ann sent a response.

"Be careful, you three." Ann sent as Yusuke and Kusa sent responses close together, Yusuke's coming through first.

"I shall be sure to save money for situations like this from now on." Yusuke sent as Kusa's response came through.

"All right, sounds like a plan. I'm outside of Leblanc, so we can go ahead and head to Shibuya to meet Ryuji if you're ready, Ren. Also, if he's coming, try not to rustle Morgana-sensei in your bag too much, yeah?" Kusa sent as Ren put his phone away as Morgana blinked and spoke up, having thought of a potential issue with the plan.

"Wait, are you going to go in your school uniform? It would be bad for you to stand out. You should change before you go." Morgana said as Ren nodded and changed out of his uniform as Ren and Morgana met Kusa outside, the trio heading to meet up with Ryuji at the hideout...

(At the hideout with Ren, Kusa, Morgana and Ryuji)

"You're in your uniform!?" Morgana asked Ryuji, who blinked and spoke up.

"Huh? No choice. I didn't have the time to go home. People aren't gonna notice anyways with this T-shirt over it." Ryuji said as Kusa huffed and spoke up.

"Idiot. You could've went home and changed. We would have waited for you if you'd sent us a message saying that you needed to change. I waited for Ren to change, after all." Kusa said as he kept speaking.

"That said, I doubt that shirt will cover your pants up as much as you want them to, and you said yourself those bottoms are pretty indicative of which school the wearer belongs to. So I would suggest that you either go home and change, or failing that, go buy something and change into it." Kusa said after mulling over the best way to handle Ryuji's poor decision. Ren nodded as he spoke up.

"I agree with Kusa. You stand out like a sore thumb, Ryuji. Not that you don't look good, because you do. But you totally stand out." Ren said. Ryuji blinked as he spoke up.

"Oh, you think so? I thought this is normal..." Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up with a frown.

"Normal for Shibuya, Yongen-Jaya or Shujin, maybe. But Shinjuku is very much an adult-oriented, dangerous area. So they'd likely frown on students exploring it at night. Thus, you stand out." Kusa pointed out bluntly, not in a mood to mince words at that moment. Morgana nodded his agreement as he spoke up.

"Exactly, Kusa! And Ryuji, I'm surprised you were thinking anything...Look, it won't be anyone's fault but your own when the cops catch you." Morgana said as Ryuji spoke up with a grin.

"Don't worry about it. That place ain't so different from Shibuya. C'mon, I'll guide you guys. If we're goin' to Shinjuku, we should prolly hop on the JL. Just get outta this building and then the ticket gate should be on the right. It's go time!" Ryuji said as he walked off, Morgana and Kusa exchanging weary looks as the former spoke up.

"Is this REALLY going to be okay?" Morgana asked Ren and Kusa, the latter of which frowned as he spoke up.

"Hopefully. But I swear, one of these days, that carefree attitude of his is gonna get us into some really deep shit that we won't be able to recover from." Kusa said with a sigh and a shake of his head as the trio followed after Ryuji. After a bit of walking, the group reunited with Ryuji and found the ticket gates he mentioned, making Ryuji grin as he spoke up.

"Yeah! Aight, let's head to Shinjuku!" Ryuji said as Ren and Kusa reluctantly nodded, the former blinking as the location of 'Shinjuku' was marked on his map so he could fast-travel to it later. At that point, Morgana spoke up.

"Hey! Shinjuku's outside of the area where your commuter pass works, right? You'll have to pay a fare." Morgana said as Ren and Kusa nodded before the group went to Shinjuku...

(In Shinjuku with Ren, Kusa, Morgana and Ryuji)

"Whoa...Even at night this place is bright as hell! I guess that's Shinjuku for ya." Ryuji said as Morgana spoke up to rebuke him.

"HEY! Stop looking around so much. You look like a tourist." Morgana rebuked Ryuji, getting an amused chuckle from Kusa as Ryuji sputtered and glared at the not-cat as he spoke up.

"Whoa! I-I was just tryin' to find that place we're lookin' for. Crossroads Bar's right up ahead. I'm sure we'll get there if we keep goin' straight." Ryuji said as Ren and Kusa nodded as the group kept moving. As they moved, they were stopped by a man who spoke up.

"Welcome to our izakaya! How 'bout some all-you-can-drink booze on the cheap? Wait...you underage?" The man asked as Ren and Kusa spoke up.

"Is that a problem if we are?" Ren asked as Kusa spoke up, frowning as he spoke up..

"And even if we were, why are you advertising your business in the middle of the street? You realize that's asking to get hit by a car or something, right?" Kusa pointed out. The man spoke up with a chuckle.

"Kid with a ponytail, you're so naive! No one drives cars through this area! Also, heh, so you're all just kids. Get outta here. You're in the way." The man said as Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"What the hell!? Tch...You're the one who was all wantin' to talk to us." Ryuji huffed as the group kept moving. As they kept moving, they were stopped again, and what this man had to say had both Kusa and Morgana frowning as they both nodded to signify they needed to be ready to stop Ren and/or Ryuji from doing something foolish.

"Hey, man...You wanna come play? Touch all you want, no added fees. We have the cutest girls in town too." The man said as Ren spoke up.

"Sorry man, not interested. I'm here on business. Maybe my friend over there might be interested, but I don't know if he could control himself." Ren said, pointing at Ryuji as he spoke who frowned, while Kusa and Morgana gave Ren approving nods. The man spoke up, apparently not taking no for an answer.

"C'mon, I'll make it cheap. Whaddya say?" The man said as Morgana huffed and spoke up, frowning at Ren and Ryuji as he spoke up.

"Just ignore that guy, you idiots. No matter what way you cut it, he's a shady character." Morgana said. The group then kept moving. Ren then saw a bookstore and decided to look and see what books they had, only for Ryuji to speak up as he went to go inside.

"A bookstore? Whoa dude, why do I feel weird about goin' in there?" Ryuji asked, making Kusa frown before he spoke up, giving Ryuji a deadpan stare for his question as he spoke.

"Maybe because it's an ADULT bookstore? Or was I the only one who noticed that sign? Granted, they probably have a non-adult section for minors, but there's no guarantees, I'd say." Kusa said as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Adult bookstore, you say? Maybe they got some cool stuff to read. Wanna go check it out a bit?" Ryuji asked the others as Morgana huffed.

"HEY! You don't have time for that right now. Save it for later. Meeting with that journalist comes first!" Morgana rebuked Ren and Ryuji, getting an approving nod from Kusa who crossed his arms as he spoke up, giving Ren and Ryuji a disapproving glare of his own as he spoke.

"Seriously. I can't believe you two idiots were about to go into THAT type of a bookstore...sheesh. At least THINK about what your respective crushes might think if they knew you were going into that sort of place before you do stupid things, Ren and Ryuji." Kusa said dryly as Morgana nodded approvingly to Kusa's logic and Ryuji spoke up.

"Yeah, okay. We'll go here some other time." Ryuji said, making Kusa have to keep from facefaulting at Ryuji's remark. The group then kept moving. Ren then looked over at the nearby flower shop only for Ryuji to speak up.

"HEY! You don't need anything from this flower shop. C'mon, we gotta find that store sign. But damn, this place is open till five in the morning? Who's buyin' flowers that late?" Ryuji said as Kusa huffed and spoke up.

"Probably people who are shopping for a specific type of flower, if you catch my drift." Kusa said as Ryuji blinked but nodded at Kusa's point.

"Fair enough, Kusa. Come to think of it, that one plant in the corner IS green enough to look like a certain type of plant." Ryuji said as Morgana huffed and spoke up.

"Yeah, yeah. We get it. Let's keep going." Morgana said as the group kept moving. As they kept moving, they were stopped by an officer.

"You have a moment?" The officer asked as the group walked over to him as he spoke up.

"Are you a student? You shouldn't be out this late." The officer said as Ren nodded.

"We're high-schoolers. But we don't plan on being out long." Ren said. Ryuji blinked as he spoke up.

"Hey, wait! We, uh, graduated a loooong time ago. We're adults, y'know?" Ryuji said as the officer looked at Ryuji as he spoke up.

"Hm? Are you a friend of his? Wait a second...I've seen the pattern on those pants before. Maybe on the news...Oh yeah, it was on that segment about that teacher who was harassing kids! Is that a school uniform...!?" The officer asked as Ryuji winced and spoke up.

"Oh shit." Ryuji said as the officer spoke up.

"You kids have got to be high schoolers! Come with me!" The officer said as Morgana winced and spoke up.

"Shoot! This is why I said uniforms were a bad idea! Let's run!" Morgana said as Kusa blinked at Morgana's remark, but before he could voice an objection, Ryuji and Ren each grabbed one of Kusa's arms as they ran off before the officer could grab any of them. Once he was out of sight, Morgana spoke up after Ren and Ryuji let go of Kusa's arms.

"...How much longer until we get there?" Morgana asked. Ryuji huffed as he spoke up.

"Hey, it ain't our fault we had to deal with that detour! Our school's getting real famous!" Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up.

"Be that as it may, Ren could've at least TRIED to pretend that we weren't high-schoolers! Really bro? I get you were trying to be honest with the guy, but at least TRY to act like we're not minors. Granted, you and Ryuji DO look the part of adults slightly more than I do. But it is what it is. Let's keep moving, yeah?" Kusa said as the others nodded and the group kept moving. As they kept moving, they were stopped by a nearby blonde woman who spoke up.

"E-Excuse me!" The blonde woman said as she spoke up, her words making Kusa blink and Ren laugh as she spoke.

"For the blonde one, I can sense impending woman troubles. Or...perhaps it's something else? As for the ponytailed one next to him, I can see much strife and uncertainty. In any case, horrible disaster is coming for you! Please let me examine your future further!" The blonde lady, who was apparently a fortune-teller given her comment about examining the future, said as Ryuji blinked.

"What!? Me?" Ryuji said as Kusa huffed and spoke up, keeping his voice down so only Ren, Ryuji and Morgana could hear.

"No Ryuji, the OTHER blonde guy in a Shujin uniform. Yes, you! Also, I'm not sure I want to know what she meant about me having strife and uncertainty in my future. And, yes I'm sure she meant me with her 'ponytailed one' remark. After all, I don't see either of you two chuckleheads wearing a ponytail." Kusa said dryly. The blonde woman nodded as she kept speaking.

"Yes, the ponytailed one is very perceptive! I suggest you get your fortune told! What I say will surely come to pass!" The blonde said as Ryuji huffed and spoke up.

"Ugh...More of this shit...? Sorry, but we're in a hurry. And I don't really believe in that stuff anyways." Ryuji said as Kusa turned to the blonde and spoke up.

"Sorry ma'am, but my friend here is correct that we're in a hurry. But maybe some other time when there's time, my brother and I might make it a point to take you up on your suggestion. Even if I don't personally think most fortunes are accurate, it can't hurt to at least hear you out, if for no other reason than sheer curiosity at what you have to say." Kusa said apologetically to the blonde woman who nodded, looking disappointed as she spoke up.

"I...see. My apologies, blonde one. And ponytailed one, thanks for at least being considerate in your refusal. However, if you change your mind, I'll be waiting here, in this spot at night. May your fortunes be well..." The blonde woman said as the group kept moving. After a bit, Ren found a bar near where the officer had previously stopped them, moving to go inside as Ryuji spoke up.

"Whoa, man...We ain't old enough to hang out here. You sure this is the place?" Ryuji said as Kusa huffed and spoke up.

"The sign above this place said 'Bar Crossroads', so I'd say this is it." Kusa said dryly. Morgana huffed as he spoke up.

"Beer, whiskey, wine...Looks like nighttime is bar time." Morgana said as Ryuji spoke up.

"Going in our uniforms is probably a bad idea...We got caught last time too..." Ryuji said as Kusa laughed.

"That's why some of us are smart enough to run home after school and change out of their uniforms before going out for the afternoon, Ryuji. That said, that's on you for not changing." Kusa said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"That's true, Kusa. I'd say Ryuji's useless, but he's really not. I guess, you and Ryuji wait outside since I get a feeling you wouldn't pass for an adult, plus I get a feeling Ryuji would get himself in trouble if I had him wait out here alone." Ren said as Kusa huffed but nodded as Ryuji lightly kicked at the ground and pouted as he spoke up.

"I came all the way to Shinjuku and can't even go in? Ugh...Fiine. I'll kill time somewhere nearby...Just lemme know when you're done." Ryuji said as Kusa smirked and spoke up.

"Since those two are gonna be doing that, as long as we don't get caught, the two of us could go look around the area a bit more. Maybe check out some of the other shops, yeah?" Kusa suggested as Ryuji grinned and nodded, giving Kusa an approving fist-bump as he spoke up.

"Hell yeah, man! Good thing you can think on your feet, Kusa." Ryuji said as Kusa nodded, smirking at Ryuji before turning to Ren as he spoke up.

"Naturally. And Ren, if we're not out here when you get done, you can send me a private chat, and we'll head back here to meet up with you." Kusa said to Ren, who nodded as he went inside, leaving Ryuji and Kusa outside while he and Morgana walked into Crossroads, where the bartender, a blue-haired woman who Ren thought looked admittedly a bit ugly for a woman, looked over and spoke up. *1*

"Welcome, welcome! ...How old are ya, boy?" The bartender asked as Ohya chose then to speak up and make her presence known, not seeing Ren and Morgana wince at seeing her having some drinks at the counter.

"Sorry, Lala-chan. He's with me." Ohya said to the now-named Lala. Lala turned to Ohya with an intrigued look, though she also had a disapproving look as she spoke up.

"Ooh, you picked up a real young one this time...Just don't let a minor drink alcohol, okay?" Lala said as Ohya nodded, as did Ren and Morgana, who walked over to Ohya. Ohya looked at Lala as she spoke up.

"Lala-chan, I'm going to borrow the seats in the back." Ohya said to Lala as she looked over at Ren.

"Go on back there. I'll treat you to some water!" Ohya said as Ren headed to the back where Morgana winced and spoke up so only Ren could hear.

"Ugh, she reeks of booze..." Morgana said as Ohya spoke up, her speech slightly slurred by that point.

"What a surprise! I thought you were joking, yet here you are. I respect that bravery, so I'll listen to what you have to say. Well, what do you want to know?" Ohya asked as Ren spoke up, keeping his voice down as he spoke so that only Morgana and Ohya could hear.

"To make a long story short, students at my school have been getting targeted by things like phishing scams, shady part-time jobs, and even threats! So what I want to know from you, if you know anything about it, is who exactly is controlling Shibuya." Ren said. Ohya gave Ren a surprised look when she heard this as she spoke up.

"Oh? Why that?" Ohya asked. Ren thought about it then spoke up.

"Basically, I have reason to believe that the mafia might be messing with Shujin Academy, and I've been tasked with gathering intel on their boss. And that's where you come in, hopefully. I figured, since you're part of the media, that even if you yourself didn't know about it, maybe you'd be able to at least point me towards someone who does know about the mafia's boss." Ren said so only Ohya and Morgana could hear, the latter giving Ren an approving nod. Ohya looked at Ren in a mix of surprise, uncertainty and curiosity as she spoke up.

"Hm...Well I do happen to know something about that. I could tell you, but..." Ohya said, trailing off as she sipped her drink before continuing to speak, her words making Ren and Morgana exchange wary glances as she spoke.

"Do you know the Phantom Thieves of Hearts? You know, that case the public has been focused on lately. I was pursuing the issue of people randomly entering into a shut-down state, but I'm lacking intel...That's why I'm currently looking for new material to write about. So, do you have any info on these Phantom Thieves?" Ohya asked Ren, who exchanged a considering glance with Morgana as he spoke up, his words making Morgana intrigued as he spoke.

"Why do you ask, Ohya-san? Are those your terms?" Ren asked. Ohya chuckled as she nodded and spoke up, making Ren wince as she spoke.

"Hm, yeah...Something like that. You're a Shujin kid, right? I remember you wearing their uniform the last time we met. I thought you might have some insider knowledge of the Phantom Thieves because of it. Their first incident was that of Kamoshida, you know? Ideally, I'd like to get some exclusive coverage from a student who suffered Kamoshida's abuse. I would love an introduction, if you know of someone who fits the bill. Seems both you and I can't really do our stuff out in the open, so...whaddya say?" Ohya asked as Morgana spoke up so only Ren could hear.

"Hm, a student who suffered from abuse...Oh! What about that Mishima guy? He always seems to be on the side of the Phantom Thieves." Morgana said as Ren nodded before turning to Ohya.

"I accept your offer. As it so happens. I do know of someone that fits that criteria perfectly. I'd have to run it by him first to be sure he's fine with it, but I doubt he'd turn down an exclusive with a woman like you, Ohya-san." Ren said as Ohya smiled and nodded.

"It's a deal then. Send me your friend's contact info later." Ohya said as Morgana spoke up so only Ren could hear.

"You'd better be thankful, Ren. Between Kusa's instincts and my quick wit, mostly my quick wit, those are the only reasons we're getting this far." Morgana said as Ohya kept speaking as Ren nodded to Morgana.

"Now that I think about it, those mental shutdowns and the Phantom Thieves both seem supernatural...Could they be related? Or am I just hoping for a coincidence?" Ohya said to herself before smiling at Ren and chuckling as she kept speaking.

"Oh, sorry. I have a tendency to talk to myself on occasion. Well then, you can't exactly consider this an upfront payment, but...Junya Kaneshiro. I think he's probably the guy you're looking for." Ohya said as Morgana grinned and cheered inside of Ren's bag.

"YES!" Morgana cheered, as Ren hushed the not-cat before he kept listening to Ohya as she kept speaking.

"You should check him out further if you're curious...but I'm not responsible for what happens next!" Ohya said as she turned to Lala and spoke up.

"Lala-chan, can I get a refill for this kid? We need to make a toast to our new acquaintance!" Ohya said as Morgana winced and spoke up,

"It'll be a problem if you stay too long. You should leave right after you finish your water..." Morgana said as Ren nodded, discreetly leaving after his water was finished...

(Outside of Crossroads with Ren and Morgana)

"YES! All right, we did it! We finally got info on the target. Let's meet up with Kusa and Ryuji." Morgana said as Ren nodded and reached for his phone, right at the exact moment that it went off to signify a group chat with Kusa and Ryuji, the first response coming from Ryuji.

"I take it you're done, since I could hear Morgana cheering from down the road a ways. So, how'd it go?" Ryuji sent as Ren sent a response.

"In a nutshell, we nailed it. Is Kusa still with you?" Ren sent. Kusa chose that moment to send a response.

"Yep, I'm with Ryuji. He and I are just exploring Shinjuku a bit while we waited on you two to finish." Kusa sent as Ryuji sent a response at that point.

"For real!? Awesome! Anyways, we should meet up ASAP. I'll be in front of the movie theater with Kusa, so head on over. It's that kinda open area you passed on your way to the bar." Ryuji sent as Kusa sent a response.

"What Ryuji said. And Ryuji? Next time, I pick the movie! That movie we saw was decent, but I think Morgana probably has better taste in films than you do." Kusa sent as Ren put away his phone. Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"So, we just have to go back the way we came then? All right, let's go." Morgana said as Ren nodded and the two kept moving. After a bit, Ren found Kusa and Ryuji waiting in front of a theater called 'CULT9'. Ryuji spoke up as he saw Ren walk over.

"Hey, Kusa and I got tired of waitin'. You get any dirt on our next target?" Ryuji asked as Ren nodded and quietly filled in Kusa and Ryuji, the latter of the two grinning as he spoke up.

"For real!? Junya Kaneshiro!?" Ryuji said as Kusa frowned and spoke up at a level that only Ren, Morgana, and Ryuji could hear, giving Ryuji an unimpressed look as he spoke.

"Ryuji! Volume! Remember, we're not trying to be loud?" Kusa pointed out dryly. Morgana nodded as he spoke up.

"Yeah, what Kusa said. Not so loud!" Morgana said as Ryuij pulled out his phone and put in the name Ren had said as he spoke up.

"Junya Kaneshiro...Aaand enter. All right, there we go! Mkay, now we just gotta get some info on the distortion. Once we know that, it's Palace time!" Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up with a huff.

"And there goes Ryuji, charging in head-first as usual...what a buffoon." Kusa said dryly as Morgana spoke up.

"Wait! Let's try tomorrow. It'll be better when we have the whole team together." Morgana said as Ryuji grinned and nodded as he spoke up.

"Right. I'll tell everyone to meet up in Shibuya. Dude! This is totally crazy though...It's a huge catch! I'm pumped." Ryuji said as Ren, Kusa and Ryuji all blinked as they heard voices from nearby, making Ren and Kusa exchange wary looks as the three stopped to listen to the voices.

"Ooh, you're right! He really WOULD be a natural! But, a graphic tee with plaid pants? Kill me now." Ren, Kusa, and Ryuji heard, the latter wincing as he turned around and saw two guys standing next to him, one wearing mostly red and white with black boots, though the red was mostly hearts, and the other wearing pinkish-purple shoes, a multi-colored button up shirt and cream shorts. Ryuji blinked as he spoke up, shuddering at the almost enamored looks the guys were giving him as he spoke.

"Whoa, who the hell are they!?" Ryuji asked as one of the guys spoke up, giving Ryuji a flirtatious grin as he spoke.

"Oh, hell has nothing to do with it, honey. I'm Angel-straight out of heaven!" The now-named Angel said as Kusa and Ren both winced, the latter trying not to gag at this guy sharing a name with one of his Personas. The other guy then spoke up, smiling coyly as he spoke.

"And I'm Julian. Julie if you're feeling saucy!" The now-named Julian said as Angel spoke up as he looked Ryuji over, smirking as he spoke.

"What a cutie! You'd never guess he was into the drag scene...I say we show him the ropes!" Angel said as Julian nodded as he spoke up, not seeing Kusa and Ren wince as he spoke.

"You can't deny it! We saw you peeking into Crossroads! Well, sweetie, if you're curious, we'll help you look DIVINE!" Julian said as Ryuji blinked before speaking up.

"Whoa! Wait, hey, it's not like that-" Ryuji said as Kusa was now having to keep himself from laughing at the shocked look on Ryuji's face, with Morgana also having similar issues. Ren just huffed at the two guys hitting on Ryuji as Ryuji gave Ren and Kusa a pleading look while he spoke up.

"Dude, help! Tell them we were just investigatin', or something!" Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up, now grinning widely as he spoke.

"I dunno, Ryuji...you ARE kind of a natural. Besides, I do believe we have a cover to not blow." Kusa said as both Ren and Ryuji groaned at Kusa's word choice, and the former spoke up, giving Kusa a disappointed glare as he spoke.

"Seriously, Kusa? That was terrible! You're lucky this is a serious situation. But for real Ryuji, we can't blow our cover." Ren said. Ryuji huffed as he spoke up.

"HEY! The mission's over! We don't even have a cover anymore!" Ryuji said as Julian spoke at that point.

"Oh honey, you've got the chutzpah. And those cheekbones-I LOVE it! That's what it takes to be a star!" Julian said as Angel nodded and spoke up.

"Just follow my lead, stud! We're gonna put your name in lights! And I know just the dress for you..." Angel said as Ryuji winced at that before screaming as he saw Angel literally pull out a dress and advance towards him with it, causing Kusa and Morgana to once again have to stifle laughs at their teammate's expense.

"GAAAAAHHHHH!" Ryuji said as he took off sprinting to avoid the eager men who wanted him. After all three were out of ear and eyeshot, Morgana and Kusa both doubled over laughing at Ryuji's luck, the former eventually calming down enough to speak, while the latter actually smiled after he got his laughter under control as the former spoke.

"Well, uh...hopefully Ryuij finds his calling...or at least makes it out alive." Morgana said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"True. Honestly, I can't decide if I should feel sorry for him, or make a note to send Ann, Yusuke, and maybe even Niijima-san, tickets for when and if he does make his debut." Kusa said teasingly as Ren actually chuckled at that even as he frowned at Kusa.

"Heh, that is pretty good, Kusa. But still, Ryuji IS our teammate. We should be there for him! And don't lie, you'd have probably knocked both of those guys out if they'd tried coming on to you like they did Ryuji." Ren pointed out as Kusa spoke up, nodding as he spoke.

"Only if they tried attacking me. You forget Ren, even though I'm straight, I don't make it a point to judge people for their life choices. What someone wants to do with their life is their business. Or did you forget I said as much to Yusuke the other day when I accidentally thought he had come out to us?" Kusa pointed out as Ren spoke up.

"True, you did say that then. My bad." Ren said as Kusa nodded and Morgana spoke up.

"Well, be that as it may...Hey, there's nothing else for us to do here, right? Let's head back for the night." Morgana said. Ren and Kusa nodded, heading back to Leblanc...

(Back at Leblanc with Ren, Kusa and Morgana)

Once Ren and Kusa had gotten back to Leblanc and into their pajamas, Ren and Kusa's phones went off to signify a group chat from Ann, Ryuji and Yusuke, with Ann being the one to send the first response.

"Did you find any clues?" Ann sent as Ren sent a response.

"I have a name." Ren sent as Ann sent a response.

"You did it! Well then, let's meet up at the hideout tomorrow!" Ann sent as Yusuke sent a response at that point.

"Understood. Ryuji seems to be absent from the conversation. Should we contact him separately?" Yusuke sent as Kusa laughed at the reminder of Ryuji's run-in not that long previous, grinning at the memory of Ryuji's expression as he fled in terror while he sent a response.

"Ryuji will get the messages soon enough. For now, let's just say he's...preoccupied with his own personal fan detail, who thinks the world of him." Kusa sent, trying not to double over laughing as he thought about the look on Ryuji's face when he was chased around with a dress. Ann and Yusuke exchanged worried looks as neither responded while Ren put his phone away, as did Kusa, the latter finally getting his laughter under control enough to listen as Morgana spoke up.

"We're pretty much already in Kaneshiro's Palace! That was surprisingly easy!" Morgana said as Ren and Kusa nodded as Morgana kept speaking.

"Shinjuku sure was crazy, huh..." Morgana said as Kusa nodded, managing to keep a straight face as he spoke up.

"Crazy is one word for it. I almost wish Ann and Yusuke could have come, just to see their reactions to Ryuji running off like a bat out of hell with those two guys after him. I still think that was great, even if it did end up having an incredibly unfortunate outcome for Ryuji. Hoo boy, I haven't had a laugh like that for quite a while. I needed that, especially after how tense the last few days have been. For real though, I do hope Ryuji doesn't end up scarred TOO badly by those guys. After all, jokes aside, he is a valuable member of our group." Kusa said with a smile. Ren nodded as his phone went off once more, this time with a private chat from Mishima.

"Hey, some girl just messaged me saying you told her about me? She said she's interested in me! What's this about!? And what kinda girl is Ohya-san? Is she cute or is she hot?" Mishima sent as Ren smirked and sent a response.

"Oh, you'll see. Consider this you taking one for the team, as well as delayed paybacks for that S&M message you sent the other day that had me answering awkward questions from my friend Morgana." Ren sent. Mishima frowned as he sent a response.

"I said I was sorry about that, Amamiya! And don't tease me! I'm gonna lose sleep over this! Ohya-san...She said she wanted to talk. How much forward can a girl get? Is this really what I think it is? Could it be?" Mishima said as Ren sent another response.

"You'll find out, Mishima. Though don't be surprised if Ohya ends up being possibly more than you can handle, heheh." Ren sent. Mishima smirked and sent a response.

"Man, I am SO looking forward to this! This is all thanks to you. I feel like starting the Phan-Site has really changed me. Anyway, I can handle this. You introduced me, so I'll make sure I don't embarrass you. And I'll totally let you know if we end up hooking up!" Mishima sent as Ren put his phone away, after which Kusa once again burst out laughing, having seen the private chat over Ren's shoulder. After a bit, Kusa spoke up.

"You introduced Mishima to that journalist chick, Ren!? Dude, since when are you a matchmaker? First you indirectly got Ryuji set up with those dudes, and now Mishima and Ohya are together? I almost can't wait to see the look on Mishima's face when he meets Ohya! This must be the night for steamy propositions! Also, what S&M message did Mishima send you, and what does Morgana-sensei have to do with it?" Kusa asked as Ren explained it to Kusa who winced as he looked at Morgana and spoke up.

"Oof, yeah I can see how you'd see that as both cursed and just a tad inappropriate. Also, let's just say that you dodged a bullet NOT knowing about that, Morgana-sensei. What Mishima was messaging Ren about is very adult and also VERY inappropriate. He's lucky I didn't see that or I'd have been punching his moronic ass for being stupid enough to put that in a text chat!" Kusa said huffily to Morgana who nodded.

"I...see. Forget I asked then." Morgana said as Ren and Kusa nodded. After thinking about it, Ren decided to brew some coffee since he hadn't done in awhile. Kusa decided to watch, feeling curious. After Ren approached the coffee machine, Sojiro spoke up.

"I'm headin' home for the day. It's good you've really taken a shine to this stuff. Make sure you close up." Sojiro said as Ren and Kusa nodded. After Sojiro left, Morgana spoke up.

"Mmm! I love the smell of good coffee! The way you're drinking it make it look delicious." Morgana said as Ren got 2 'Leblanc Coffee' items. Morgana then spoke up again.

"Heh heh...Looks ike the chief's gentlemanly charm is rubbing off on you." Morgana said as Kusa laughed and spoke up, an amused grin on his face as he spoke.

"Kind of like how Ryuji's bad-boy charm probably rubbed off on those guys that chased him off earlier?" Kusa said with a chuckle. Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Too true, Kusa. Too true. But all jokes aside, let's hope he's okay. Well then...We should rest now, since we have a big day tomorrow." Morgana said as Ren and Kusa nodded, the three heading to bed...

(The next day, in Shibuya with Ann, Ren, Kusa, Morgana, Ryuji and Yusuke)

Ryuji glared at Ren, Kusa and Morgana, giving the trio a very incensed look as he spoke up, with both Ren and Kusa blinking as they registered he was wearing a new outfit in the form of a yellow muscle shirt, white-grey jean shorts with a matching-color studded belt, a spiked armband on one arm, and a multi-colored waistband while Ryuji spoke.

"I can't believe you three ditched me yesterday! I almost entered a world I want nothing to do with!" Ryuji asked as Ann blinked and spoke up.

"What are you talking about?" Ann asked as Kusa spoke up before Ryuji could say anything.

"I'll explain later, Ann. Suffice it to say, we ran into a couple of dudes in Shinjuku who really, and I do mean REALLY, took a liking to Ryuji here. Correct me if I'm wrong Morgana-sensei, but didn't one of them say Ryuji would look great in a dress?" Kusa said, clearly trying not to laugh while thinking about the night before. Morgana spoke up, frowning at Kusa while ignoring the mixed horrified/confused expressions on Ann and Yusuke's faces from Kusa's remark as he spoke.

"It wasn't a dress specifically, Kusa! They said Ryuji would look fabulous in drag! At least get it right if you're going to tell the story! But you are correct that they did take a shine to Ryuji. Unfortunately for him, he did have to run off so he WASN'T put in drag. Apologies by the way for leaving you like that, Ryuji, but who's to say they wouldn't have tried to move on to Ren and Kusa, and maybe even me, once they finished with you?" Morgana said as Ren and Kusa winced, the latter sobering up immediately as both glared at the not-cat, the latter of the two speaking up.

"They could've tried, but I'd have probably knocked them both out if they came near me at all, or near either of you for that matter. Sorry for bailing on you Ryuji, but it was kind of necessary. For what it's worth, I'm not mad at you anymore over what you and Ann did the other day, since you let me have a laugh like I hadn't had in quite some time. So thanks for that, man." Kusa said as Ryuji huffed and pouted as he spoke up.

"Whatever! Just start it up, Yusuke." Ryuji said as Yusuke nodded and spoke up.

"Okay, I entered Kaneshiro's name into the Nav-and just as expected, it's a hit." Yusuke said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"All we need now are the two other keywords: what he thinks of as his Palace, and where it is. But we don't have any clues other than people falling victim around here...Egh, we'll just have to try whatever keywords we can come up with." Morgana said as Ryuji sighed and spoke up.

"Urgh, that's gonna be impossible...How many buildings do you think there are in Shibuya?" Ryuji said as Ann spoke up.

"No complaining." Ann said as Yusuke spoke up at that point.

"If we can figure out what the Palace is, we may be able to guess where it is by association." Yusuke said as Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"Hmm, it's prolly somewhere he's got complete control over...Maybe a garden?" Ryuji suggested as Yusuke's phone denied him.

"No candidate found!" Yusuke's phone said as Ann spoke up.

"He likes money, so...What about a money bath? I've seen people online with things like that!" Ann said as Yusuke's phone once again denied the group.

"No candidate found!" Yusuke's phone said once more as Yusuke spoke up.

"No...Not even close. How about it, Kusa and Ren? Can you think of anything?" Yusuke asked Ren and Kusa, who looked at each other as the latter spoke up.

"Hmm...he likes money, you say Ann? I wonder...Ren, could it be that simple?" Kusa asked Ren, who nodded in agreement to Kusa's question as he spoke up.

"Probably. And if it is, then that means that Kaneshiro probably views his Palace as..." Ren said as Kusa spoke up with him to voice their guess.

"A bank." Ren and Kusa said in unison. Yusuke frowned as he spoke up.

"I see..." Yusuke said as the phone spoke up to confirm Ren and Kusa's guess.

"Candidate found!" Yusuke's phone said as Yusuke spoke up in slight surprise.

"Okay...that's a hit! So, he thinks of somewhere in this city as his own bank!" Yusuke said. Ann blinked as she spoke up.

"I thought it'd be something less realistic. That's all it is, huh?" Ann said as Morgana spoke up.

"Now then, what location would Kaneshiro think of as his bank?" Morgana asked as Ryuji spoke up.

"If we're talkin' about a place where he keeps his cash, maybe his own hideout?" Ryuji said as Ann spoke up.

"How about... a real bank?" Ann asked as Morgana spoke up.

"His cognition wouldn't be distorted in that case." Morgana said sagely. Ryuji huffed as he spoke up.

"Dammit, we ain't gettin' anywhere..." Ryuji said as Yusuke spoke up.

"This may be difficult to explain...but doesn't it seem we're thinking a little too inside the box? Palaces emanate a passionate madness...It feels as though we're missing that aspect." Yusuke said as Ryuji blinked at Yusuke before speaking up.

"The hell're you talkin' about?" Ryuji asked Yusuke who frowned as he spoke up.

"This Palace is a bank for someone who extorts money with criminal acts. It's something more..." Yusuke said as Ann spoke up.

"But what other ways can we think about it? Oh, could it mean a place you withdraw money?" Ann said as Morgana spoke up.

"Hold on! Do you think it might have something to do with the victims? He's taking money from his victim's wallets, right? That means his bank is wherever they are!" Morgana said as Ann frowned and spoke up.

"That's terrible...but you may just be right." Ann said as Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"Oh come on! How many people do you think Kaneshiro's taken advantage of in all of Shibuya?" Ryuji said as Yusuke's phone spoke up at that point.

"Result found." Yusuke's phone said as Yusuke's eyes widened as he spoke up.

"Wait a second! ...I have a hit." Yusuke said as Ryuji and Kusa both blinked.

"HUH!?" Ryuji and Kusa said in unison as the former kept speaking, ignoring the chuckles from Morgana, Ren, and Ann at their unintended synchronicity.

"Wait, what!? Did I say something right?" Ryuji said as Yusuke nodded.

"The place that Kaneshiro thinks of as a bank is..." Yusuke said as Kusa gaped, speaking up to finish Yusuke's sentence with him.

"'All of Shibuya.'" Kusa and Yusuke both said. Ann gaped at this as she spoke up.

"What!? Like... the entire city?" Ann asked as Morgana spoke up.

"I see...That's certainly where his victims are...It turns out he really is a terrible criminal." Morgana said as Ann spoke up.

"But wait, is it okay for us to go into the Palace right out of a crowd like this?" Ann asked as Ryuji spoke up, ignoring the frown his response got from Kusa as he spoke.

"Eh, nobody notices if a piece of trash disappears from a trash can. This ain't any different." Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up.

"I do hope that you thought about the fact that your analogy basically implies that we're trash in that context, Ryuji." Kusa said with a frown as Ryuji winced at Kusa's point, but Yusuke spoke up before Ryuji could say anything in his own defense.

"In that case...let's go." Yusuke said as he hit the button on his phone.

"Beginning Navigation!" Yusuke's phone said as the group went into the Metaverse...

(Inside the Metaverse with Joker, Mona, Draconis, Skull, Fox and Panther)

"What are those!?" Panther asked as the group saw a group of what appeared to be walking ATM machines, making Fox blink as he spoke up.

"Walking ATMs...That must be his cognition of people. So this is what Kaneshiro considers a 'bank'..." Fox said as Mona looked around and spoke up.

"I never thought it would be the entire district. Look around us... The distortion is affecting the whole of Shibuya." Mona said as Skull blinked and spoke up.

"Huh? Whaddya mean?" Skull asked as Panther spoke up before Mona or Draconis could answer him.

"Ohhh, that's right! Even when we were in the castle and the musuem, the city outside looked normal." Panther said as Fox crossed his arms and spoke up.

"He sees everyone in Shibuya as his patron." Fox said as Skull spoke up.

"No surprise for a mafia boss." Skull said as Draconis spoke up.

"True...Ugh, why does every single Palace ruler we run into have to be complete and utter human garbage!? I mean, I get that's why we have to change their hearts, but would it be too much to ask that at least one of these Palace rulers actually has something of a shred of decency and humanity in them to begin with?" Draconis said huffily as Fox spoke up, giving Draconis a reassuring pat on the shoulder as he spoke.

"Maybe, but no one could say for sure on that, Draconis. In any case, it's best if we focus on finding Kaneshiro's location and stealing his Treasure as soon as possible." Fox said as Skull nodded, stretching as he spoke.

"Yeah, his hideout's gotta be somewhere around here. Let's go look for it." Skull said as the others nodded before Mona spoke up.

"Okay, let's go! In any case, let's look for a bank. There should be a huge one around here somewhere..." Morgana said as the group nodded and kept moving. After a bit, the group was stopped by a sparking ATM being that Panther noticed as she spoke up.

"Hey! Look at that person trembling over there...Do you think he's a victim? We should talk to him!" Panther said as Skull looked at the ATM-esque being and spoke up.

"Uh, do these guys even have mouths...?" Skull asked as Panther spoke up.

"Excuse me, can we-?" Panther said as the ATM being spoke up at that point.

"Ah! P-Please forgive me!" The ATM being said as Joker and Draconis exchanged a resolute nod, both speaking up.

"What happened here?" Joker asked as Draconis spoke up.

"Also, any chance you know where Kaneshiro is?" Draconis said. The ATM being shuddered as they spoke up.

"I-I don't have any more, please! I'm telling you, not even one yen!" The ATM being said as Skull spoke up.

"Come on, man! Whoa, cool it. We're not tryin' to mug you or anything." Skull said as the ATM being spoke up fearfully.

"Please, I don't want to end up like the others...!" The ATM being said as Fox frowned before he spoke up.

"Were you assaulted?" Fox asked as the ATM being looked over and screamed.

"Eeeeek!" The ATM being said as Skull spoke up.

"There's no doubt he's a victim, but he can't even hold a goddamn conversation..." Skull said as Draconis spoke up.

"That could also be a woman in that machine for all we know, Skull. We can't just make assumptions about their gender." Draconis pointed out. Skull huffed and spoke up.

"Whatever. Either way, let's try someone else." Skull said as the group nodded and kept moving. As they kept moving, Fox's eyes widened as he spoke up.

"Perhaps...Are those..." Fox said as Draconis looked down, frowned and shook his head as he spoke up.

"They're all dead, I'm afraid. Every one of them." Draconis said sadly as Panther gasped and spoke up.

"No! This is terrible...All of these are real people, right...?" Panther asked as Draconis nodded while Skull huffed and spoke up.

"This is effed up..." Skull said as Mona spoke up.

"I don't think we can talk to any of the ones here..." Mona said as Draconis huffed and spoke up.

"With all due respect Mona-sensei, no shit we can't talk to any of them! They're dead! And dead people, or beings in this case, tell no tales, as the saying goes." Draconis said as the group nodded solemnly and kept moving. As they reached the end of the alley, Skull swore and spoke up.

"Dammit! Tch...Are all these guys Kaneshiro's victims!?" Skull asked as Fox spoke up.

"That would appear to be the case, but there is nobody we can speak to, let alone a bank anywhere...Joker! Let us try checking around the station once more. We may have overlooked something important." Fox said as Joker and Draconis nodded as the group kept moving. As they neared the exit to the station, Panther spoke up with a gasp.

"Wait! Oh, look! Do you think that person's a victim, too?" Panther asked as Draconis spoke up.

"I'd say so, Panther, if for no other reason than that guy's sparking worse than that one Shadow that Skull accidentally electrocuted while mastering his Elec skills. That and he looks ready to keel over at any moment." Draconis observed, making Skull huff while Fox nodded and looked over at the ATM being that was sparking as he spoke.

"Excuse me, can we have a word? We are-" Fox said but the ATM being cut him off by speaking up.

"It's no use...It's all over...I'll end up just like them..." The ATM being said as Draconis nodded to Joker who stepped back so Draconis could speak up.

"Any chance you can tell us what happened here, if not where we can find Kaneshiro?" Draconis asked the ATM being. The ATM being huffed and spoke up.

"Can't you tell...? I've fallen...fallen so far...From a place where Kaneshiro leaves no tracks..." The ATM being said as Fox frowned and spoke up, not seeing Draconis' eyes widen in realization behind his mask as he spoke.

"What do you mean? Hm, what could that mean...?" Fox asked as Skull spoke up with a frown.

"Hey, you gotta tell us a little more than-" Skull said as the ATM being kept twitching as they spoke.

"I'm...too tired...Please...let me rest..." The ATM being said as it stopped sparking before twitching once more than dropping to the ground, making Draconis frown as he leaned over to check the being for a pulse or heartbeat, and frowning as he found none.

"It doesn't look like this one's going to say anything." Mona said as Draconis spoke up.

"I should think not Mona-sensei, given they're dead. However, I will disagree that he didn't say anything. That one line he said about 'From a place where Kaneshiro leaves no tracks...' was quite informative even if it doesn't seem like it at first glance." Draconis said. Mona spoke up with a frown.

"True...Kaneshiro leaves no tracks...? Does he mean that literally, or could it be figurative?" Mona asked as Panther spoke up.

"Hey, why don't we go over all the intel we have now?" Panther said as the group nodded and Fox spoke up first.

"Hmm...They have apparently fallen quite far..." Fox said as Mona blinked before speaking up.

"Wait a second...They've 'fallen' from a place where Kaneshiro doesn't leave any tracks...? Could that mean...they were actually thrown down from somewhere high up?" Mona asked as Skull spoke up with a frown.

"Uhhh...What, y'mean like a skyscraper? Uhh, there ain't any of those around here, I don't think..." Skull said as he and Panther turned around in time to gasp as the latter spoke up.

"No! W-Wait...! What's that!?" Panther asked as the group saw a round flying object approach from the distance, making Skull gape as he spoke up.

"Is THAT it!?" Skull asked as Fox nodded, speaking up in dumbfounded disbelief.

"Up in the air...No wonder we couldn't find it." Fox said as Draconis spoke up in surprise.

"No freaking way...that thing gives a whole new meaning to 'mobile home'! Not to mention, that's the craziest looking UFO I've ever seen!" Draconis said in surprise. Mona nodded as he spoke up.

"Agreed. 'Kaneshiro doesn't leave any tracks', huh? Figures it'd be floating." Mona said as the others all nodded agreement as Panther looked at Mona and spoke up, Draconis' eyes widening as he listened to what Panther had to say.

"So, how do we get up there? Can you turn into a helicopter, Morgana?" Panther asked Mona who facefaulted as he spoke up.

"No...just a car." Mona said as Draconis spoke up, frowning at Panther as he spoke.

"OI! Panther, did you just call Mona by his real name!? We're in the Metaverse! I'd think you know by now that we go by code names here!" Draconis pointed out as Panther's eyes went wide as she spoke up.

"Crap, my bad. I forgot." Panther said as Skull frowned at Mona as he spoke up.

"C'mon, you're useless! Don't you have some kinda secret gadget or something'!?" Skull asked Mona as Draconis glared at him and spoke up.

"Skull? Do NOT call Mona-sensei useless like that around me! Just because he's not an all-purpose thief does NOT make him useless! Though I will admit that would've been hilarious if he could turn into a helicopter, just because of all the times one of us could be like 'Quickly! To the Mona-Chopper!', which would be freaking hilarious!" Draconis said, as Mona nodded gratefully to Draconis' defense of him as he glared at Skull and spoke up.

"Shut it! I'm not some robot cat!" Mona said as Draconis spoke up, looking amused by Mona's remark as he spoke.

"Nor are you a cat AT ALL, Mona-sensei." Draconis said as Mona blinked and nodded, smiling at Draconis as he spoke.

"Exactly, Draconis! I mean, you get it! I'm not a cat at all!" Mona snapped at Skull as Fox spoke up in frustration.

"This may be the limit of what we can do today." Fox said as Skull huffed and sighed as he spoke up.

"We gotta find a way to get up there..." Skull said as Panther spoke up.

"Let's think about it some more tomorrow, okay?" Panther said as the others nodded while Mona spoke up.

"All right, we should get out of here for now! Let's run for it!" Mona said as the group ran and left the Metaverse...

(That evening at Leblanc with Ren, Kusa and Morgana)

As Ren stood in the attic, his phone went off, with what appeared to be a new message from Ohya, which took the form of a private chat.

"Evening!" Ohya sent as Morgana winced and spoke up, his words nearly making Kusa double over laughing.

"It's that woman who reeks of alcohol..." Morgana said as Ren kept reading Ohya's message.

"You free?" Ohya sent. Ren sent a response.

"Yeah, I'm free. Why do you ask?" Ren sent. Ohya sent a response.

"All right. I have a bit of advice for you. It's about that Kaneshiro guy. He's more dangerous than I thought! The police haven't tracked him down, so I dug a little deeper...Turns out he has some real shady connections. I won't say any more than that." Ohya sent as Morgana spoke up again.

"Shady connections..." Morgana said as Ren kept reading Ohya's message with Kusa reading it over his shoulder.

"He's not someone a teenager like you should mess with. You should really back off, OK? Well, that's all I wanted to say. See you!" Ohya sent as Ren put his phone away. Morgana frowned as he spoke up.

"Proving our justice isn't going to be easy...We'd better discuss this with everyone tomorrow." Morgana said as Ren nodded his agremeent. Morgana then kept speaking.

"And just when we find the Palace, it's all the way up in the sky...What a pain. I'm sure the police are tired of this guy too. Well then...That reminds me, the home shopping program is airing today...You wanna check out the TV?" Morgana asked Ren who shrugged. He then went downstairs to check out the home shopping network, but didn't buy anything as he couldn't afford either of the items on offer.

After considering his options, which were limited as it is for the fact he and Kusa couldn't leave Leblanc due to having gone into the Metaverse, which Kusa didn't agree with since they didn't really do anything in it, the two decided on watching the rest of 'Guy McVer'. As the two shared a bowl of popcorn, Morgana smiling as he sat on Kusa's lap and watched the movie, Morgana spoke up after the movie was over.

"This guy makes all sorts of tools with whatever he has on hand. Impressive..." Morgana said as Kusa and Ren nodded. After the credits, Morgana spoke up once more.

"Oh! So we finished watching 'Guy McVer,' huh...Maybe Ren learned a thing or two about Proficiency from watching this drama." Morgana said as Ren nodded and his Proficiency went up. Morgana then kept speaking up at that point.

"Okay! Let's go return the DVD soon." Morgana said as Kusa spoke up.

"Yeah. Maybe by now they'll have gotten more DVDs in stock for you to rent, Ren." Kusa said with a shrug. Ren nodded his agreement as Morgana spoke up.

"Well then, it's starting to get late. Let's head to bed soon, okay?" Morgana said as Kusa and Ren nodded, the former gently petting Morgana as he got comfortable, while the trio got laid down for the night...

(Meanwhile, around that same time, at the Niijima household with Sae and Makoto)

"I've been thinking lately. About those Phantom Thieves, I mean. If Dad were still alive...Sorry, I...I shouldn't bring this up while we're eating." Makoto said as Sae smiled encouragingly at Makoto as she spoke up.

"it's okay. Keep going." Sae said as Makoto nodded and spoke up.

"I just wonder if he would've been on their side... That's all..." Makoto said as Sae spoke up with a sigh.

"The only reason you have time to think about that is because you depend on someone else." Sae said as Makoto sputtered and spoke up.

"That's not-" Makoto said as Sae angrily cut her off by speaking up.

"You don't have to do a single thing, and you're provided with food, clothes, a home...I've had no time to think on such ridiculous thoughts. Would Dad have been happy with them? I don't care. He died upholding some lofty sense of righteousness, leaving all his responsibilities on us." Sae said with an unimpressed frown at Makoto who winced as she spoke up in a contrite tone.

"A-All I was trying to say was-" Makoto said, trying to speak up but Sae once more cut her off, this time raising her voice slightly as she spoke up.

"Isn't about time you grew up and acknowledged our situation!? Right now, you're useless to me! All you do is eat away at my life." Sae said spitefully to Makoto who gasped at hearing this and looked at Sae in a mix of hurt, disbelief and shock.

"Ah!" Makoto said, looking like she wanted to cry, as Sae sighed and spoke in a much calmer tone.

"Ugh, sorry, that was uncalled for. I'm just...really tired. I'll be eating dinner out from tomorrow on." Sae said bluntly as Makoto winced and gave Sae a slightly hurt look, not wanting to believe what Sae had just said to her. Yet the facts, and her own ears, did not lie. Her own sister basically hated her...

(The next morning, in class with Ren, Morgana and Ann)

"I've been seeing a lot of shows on TV lately about these Phantom Thieves of Hearts...I just wonder, why bother stealing hearts? You can't do anything with them. They have no monetary value, either. If I were them, I would go for something with a concrete, clear value-like gold. ...Speaking of, there's another kind of metal that's very valuable in its own way. They're called minor metals, and they're used in many electronics. In fact, most of you probably have some on your person right now. In your pockets, in your purses...Were you listening, Takamaki-san? Give me an answer! Give me one example of something most of you have that contains minor metals." Usami said as Ann spoke up in shock.

"Huh!? Oh, uh, yeah! I mean-" Ann said as Morgana spoke up so only Ren could hear.

"Hey, wait! Lady Ann is obviously panicking! Be a good guy and help her out!" Morgana said as Ann looked over to Ren and spoke up so only he could hear.

"Hey! This doesn't look good! Wow, I don't know at all...Sorry, Ren, can you help me out? Something that uses minor metals...And all of us have something like that on us...? Uh, right now, I've got...lipstick, my smartphone, and mascara. What do you think, Ren? One of these has minor metals in it, right? " Ann said as Ren thought about it.

"Out of all those, I'd lean towards the smartphone, just because I could see most everyone in this class having one of those." Ren said. Ann blinked as she spoke up.

"My smartphone...? Oh yeah, she said something about electronics, right? Okay, I'm finished! So the answer must be my smartphone!" Ann said as Ren spoke up for them.

"This is it! The answer is a smartphone." Ren said for himself and Ann, making Usami smile and applaud as she spoke up.

"Correct! Precisely. A lot of minor metals are excavated in China. Some countries simply produce more than others. 90% of the minor metals used in Japan are imported. But a lot of the recyclable trash we throw away contains minor metals too. In other words, a junkyard is much more valuable than someone else's heart." Usami said as Ann gave Ren a closed-eye smile as she spoke up so only Ren and Morgana could hear.

"Phew, thanks for the help!" Ann said as Morgana spoke up.

"Nice going, Ren! Lady Ann seems really relieved!" Morgana said as Ren smirked as his Charm went up at that point. Morgana then spoke up once more.

"You're pretty good at studying...I'm impressed." Morgana said as Ren nodded in agreement before the rest of class proceeded uneventfully...

(After school, in the hideout with Ren, Morgana, Kusa, Ryuji, Ann and Yusuke)

"Ugh, we ain't got nothin'..." Ryuji said as Ann spoke up uncertainly.

"Are we out of luck?" Ann asked as Morgana spoke up with a frown.

"It's no fair his Palace is up in the sky..." Morgana said as Yusuke spoke up, his words making Kusa and Ren blanch before exchanging wide-eyed glances with each other as he spoke.

"If only we could contact the real Kaneshiro...Hm?" Yusuke said, turning to look at the entrance to the accessway as Niijima walked up to them, making Ann frown as she spoke up.

"What do you want?" Ann asked Niijima bluntly, not seeing Kusa give her a disapproving look at her dry and rude remark. Niijima spoke up at that point.

"Nothing in particular. I just saw you all together here." Niijima said, looking over at Ryuji and giving him a smile as he spoke up with a huff.

"Huh? That so?" Ryuji asked Niijima who nodded as she spoke up, giving the group an appraising look as she spoke.

"You seem to be having quite a bit of trouble." Niijima said as Ann spoke up before Kusa could do so, her words making Kusa's eyes go comically huge at the, to him, uncharacteristic display of vitriol in Ann's words as she spoke.

"So you're here to check up on us? You may be the student council president, but when it comes to what we do, you're useless." Ann said as Niijima's eyes widened as she spoke up, frowning at Panther's tone as she spoke.

"Useless?" Niijima said as she flashed back to the night before when her sister had said the same thing to her...

"Right now, you're useless to me. All you do is eat away at my life." Sae had said to Niijima, making her frown as Yusuke spoke up, not seeing the disapproving look his words got from Kusa.

"To be frank, yes." Yusuke said as Ann spoke up, her voice positively dripping venom and hatred as she spoke.

"Just stay on your high horse and watch. Or do you wanna eavesdrop, since you're so good at it?" Ann said as Kusa huffed and spoke up.

"Ann, that's enough! Sure, Niijima-san's not been the most professional to us of late, but she's still doing her job. Besides, as I recall, she's the reason we even HAVE a target right now, so in at least THAT respect, she's been of the utmost use to us. So I disagree with both you and Yusuke saying she's useless. Sure, she could stand to be a bit more decisive and proactive as a student council president, but there's still time for her to improve and better herself, so let's not be so quick to dismiss her.

Furthermore, for all we know, she could be our key to getting to Kaneshiro and managing to change his heart." Kusa said, getting fed up with Yusuke and Ann basically projecting their frustrations onto Niijima, not seeing the student council president in question gaping open-mouthed at Kusa coming to her defense the way he did, even as she seemed to visibly recoil as if struck by Ann's words. She then smiled at Kusa as she spoke up, fixing Ann with an unimpressed glare as she spoke.

"Thank you, Amamiya-kun the younger, for at least believing in me to some extent. Nice to know not everyone here seems to think poorly of me. As for you, Takamaki-san...So you wish to get in contact with Kaneshiro." Niijima said as Ren looked at her in surprise as she kept speaking.

"That is what you were just discussing weren't you? It seemed you just needed to find out where he is." Niijima said as Ren looked at her as he spoke up.

"That's true, we do need to find a way to get to him. It could be the difference between success and failure in our mission. But we're not about to ask you to put yourself at risk or do anything reckless and foolish to prove yourself, Niijima-san. Because, whether you believe it or not, not all of us here have Ann's low opinion of you. As far as Yusuke goes, he's just going off of what he's seen so far, and isn't actually opposed to you. And I think Kusa's made his position quite clear.

As for Ryuji, I'm sure he at least respects you, even if he's also conflicted on his opinion of you, given your past actions with regard to the likes of Kamoshida. But I think, given time, even they will come around eventually. But for now, I think Kusa would agree with me when I say asking for your assistance may well be the only way I can see for us to succeed at what you asked of us." Ren said honestly, Kusa nodding his agreement. Ryuji then sputtered as he spoke up.

"Hey, you don't gotta answer her honestly!" Ryuji said to Ren as Kusa spoke up.

"Oh no? Why doesn't he, Ryuji!? Is it not the truth that honesty is usually the best policy at a time like this!? Besides, going by her expression, I think Niijima's been through a rough enough time already. But that's just my opinion." Kusa said sagely, frowning at Ryuji. Niijima frowned at Ryuji's remark as she flashed back to another conversation she'd recently had.

"So, you're just the good-girl type of pushover, Niijima-san." Niijima heard Akechi's voice say in her head. She then flashed to Sae calling her useless. Niijima's eyes hardened as she spoke up in a low but determined voice.

"I'm not..." Niijima said, mostly to herself, as Ryuji blinked and spoke up.

"What was that?" Ryuji said as Niijima glared at Ann, Ryuji and Yusuke as she spoke up, ignoring Ryuji's question and Kusa glaring at Ryuji for his lack of tact as she spoke.

"Fine. I'll help you meet Kaneshiro." Niijima said before she turned on her heel and stormed off leaving Ren, Yusuke, Ann and Ryuji to gape at her dumbfounded as she walked off. Once she was out of sight, Yusuke spoke up.

"What exactly is she planning on doing?" Yusuke asked as Kusa glared at Ann and Yusuke as he spoke up, as well as at Ryuji, not pleased with any of them as he spoke.

"What does it look like she's doing, Yusuke!? She's probably going off to do something very stupid and very half-cocked. If she gets herself into danger or worse, it's on the heads of you, Ann, AND Ryuji, since you all antagonized her just now, Ann especially. Morgana-sensei, I hope you were paying attention to that, since that should let you see another part of Ann, or the girl you claim to have feelings for. Clearly, she has her moments of catty, judgmental, spiteful hatred.

Yes, I get that Niijima might be an accessory of sorts to that crap with Kamoshida, but I'd wager she was just as powerless as the rest of us, if not moreso, due to Kobyakawa keeping her in check using her position as Student Council President to probably get leverage on her. And no matter what she may have done to us in the past, unless she actually physically struck or tried to kill one of us, there's nothing that should prompt us to treat her as callously as Ann just did.

And honestly, I'm very disappointed in her, even more so than I was with Ryuji when his dumb loud ass landed us all in our current predicament. So I want it stated for the record that if anything happens to Niijima, it's on you three for pushing her to feel the need to do something reckless to prove herself." Kusa said huffily as he crossed his arms in a disapproving manner. Ryuji winced as he spoke up, not able to blame Kusa one bit for his outburst, as he was not only right, but what he said made total sense.

"Yeah, you're not wrong Kusa. Also, she had a very dead-serious look in her eyes..." Ryuji said as Yusuke spoke up.

"Does this mean she has an idea as to where Kaneshiro may be?" Yusuke said as Ann spoke up.

"I highly doubt that." Ann said, not looking at Kusa as she spoke, not wanting to admit that he was right about what he said. Morgana then spoke up.

"I also am disappointed in Lady Ann. However, I can understand that she was probably speaking from a place of protective concern for Lady Suzui and not from a place of hatred. That said, I didn't like Niijima's stern face..." Morgana said as Kusa spoke up with a huff.

"Hmph. Be that as it may, Ann was still out of line to snap at her the way she did, even if she was just trying to stand up for Suzui-san. Hatred is NEVER the answer. And I realize that makes me a hypocrite, given how I've been acting to both Akechi-kun and Maruki of recent, but the fact remains that I disapprove of how Ann handled herself just now." Kusa said as Ann huffed and raced off after Niijima.

"Hrrgh! What is up with her!?" Ann said as she chased after Niijima, the guys and Morgana following clowse behind...

(Not long after, on Central Street with Morgana, Ren, Kusa, Ann, Yusuke, Ryuji and Niijima)

"There are way too many people here!" Morgana said as the others ran up to him, Ryuji huffing as he spoke up.

"We're never gonna find her!" Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. If she's heading where I THINK she's heading, Ren and I know EXACTLY where to find her, don't we Ren?" Kusa said as Ren's eyes widened before he nodded and spoke up.

"Oh, right! She's probably by the alley across from the arcade!" Ren said as at that moment, his phone rang. He answered it.

"Hello?" Ren said as he heard Niijima's voice on the other end.

"Hello? It's me...Makoto Niijima. Just stay on the phone and listen. Make sure you record the call as well." Niijima said as Ann spoke up.

"Huh? Who is it?" Ann asked as she and Ryuji walked over to listen in on the conversation, Kusa already listening from behind Ren, his eyes narrowed in worry as he heard Niijima's voice on the other end as Ren put the call on speaker.

"Do you guys know Kaneshiro?" Niijima asked as Ren and the others clearly heard a man's voice say, 'What?', as Ryuji groaned and spoke up.

"That idiot! What's she doin'!?" Ryuji asked as Kusa glared at Ryuji and spoke up in a low voice.

"Something that you, Ann, and Yusuke likely pushed her into doing with how hostile and downright aggressive you acted towards her. I got the sense from looking at her body language that she's been getting called useless a lot recently, and it's bothering her more than she cares to admit to. And I can relate to that feeling. So I don't think I need to say how much I don't blame her for feeling the need to take this step to prove herself." Kusa said huffily as the group kept listening to Niijima's voice.

"I heard I could find someone named Kaneshiro if I came to Central Street." Niijima said as Ann spoke up in shock.

"Central Street!" Ann said as Yusuke huffed and spoke up.

"She's being too rash!" Yusuke said angrily as Kusa spoke up, fixing Yusuke with a disappointed stare as he spoke, still keeping his voice down.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Yusuke, but is that or is that not the same way YOU were acting when YOU first joined us while trying to stop Madarame?" Kusa pointed out bluntly. Yusuke huffed as he reluctantly nodded his agreement and spoke up.

"Fair enough! Let's go help her before she gets in over her head!" Yusuke said as the group nodded and raced to go try and save Niijima from herself as they heard a man's voice on the phone as Ren still had the phone call going.

"What're you getting at?" The group heard a man's voice say to Niijima as they heard her voice once more.

"He's blackmailing the students of Shujin Academy, is he not? Tell him if he doesn't want me talking to the police about it, he'd better agree to meet with me." Niijima said, the group all groaning at her words as the male from before was heard speaking to Niijima once more.

"You got a death wish or somethin'?" The male said to Niijima as a short time later, the group heard a different male's voice speak up as he waved a phone around.

"He says he'll meetcha. Get in." The other male's voice said as Niijima's voice could be heard once more.

"You better be taking me to Kaneshiro." Niijima said as the first male spoke up again, his words making Kusa wince.

"He said get the fuck in!" The group heard as they rounded the corner, doing so just in time to see Niijima hustled into the back of a limo, which then quickly drove off. Ryuji then spoke up.

"Hey, wasn't that-" Ryuji said as Morgana nodded and spoke up in a huff.

"It's the guys that messed with us the other day! So they WERE connected to Kaneshiro!" Morgana said as Ann looked to a horrified looking Ren and Kusa and spoke up.

"Is she still on!?" Ann asked as Ren held up the phone so the group could hear as they heard one of the males from before speaking on their phone.

"Contact Kaneshiro-kun. Tell him we got a good one." The group heard before they heard Niijima's voice speak up once more.

"Where are we going?" Makoto could be heard asking as the other guy spoke up.

"I guess we can't do anythin' to her if she's Kaneshiro-kun's customer." The group heard as they then heard Niijima speak up, her tone making Ren and Kusa wince as she spoke.

"Hey, I asked a question here. Where are we going?" Niijima could be heard asking, making Ann wince in guilt as she spoke up.

"We gotta go after them!" Ann said as the group darted off after the fleeing car that had Niijima in it. Yusuke then spoke up.

"Ryuji, get a taxi! I'll-" Yusuke said as he quickly sketched the limo's license plate as he kept speaking.

"Okay, I've got their license plate. My sketching skills have come in handy." Yusuke said as Kusa gave Yusuke an impressed nod, while Ryuji started trying to hail a taxi, swearing as he was ignored.

"Agh, shit, he ignored me!" Ryuji said as he darted out into the road and spoke up, ignoring the trio of wide-eyed looks of horror on Morgana, Ren, and Kusa's faces as he spoke.

"Dammit, I said STOP!" Ryuji said as he leapt in front of an approaching taxi. Ann huffed as she spoke up in surprise.

"Ryuji!" Ann said as Ryuji huffed as he spoke up.

"Hurry up and get in!" Ryuji said as the group nodded, filing into the taxi as they followed the limo...

(Elsewhere, with Kaneshiro, the men from before and Niijima)

Kaneshiro, a chubby man with greasy brown hair, a round face, small nose, unpleasant smirk, blue-purple jacket worn open over a black button-up dress shirt and diamond choker, plus black leather jeans, and black boots, looked at Niijima and blinked in surprise, recognizing her immediately, despite only having seen her once before.

'Could she be who I think she is...? Is that really Sae-san's little sister!? Out of all odds, did I REALLY stumble into a possible chance to win back the one girl I ever truly loved?" Kaneshiro thought to himself, flashing back to when he was a bit younger, and less chubby...

(Some years before, with a younger Sae and Kaneshiro, Kaneshiro's POV)

"Sae-san, are you serious? What do you mean, it's over between us!? Have I not been nothing, if not good, to both you and Makoto-chan!? What have I done to make you despise me so that you feel the need to end what we have?" A younger Kaneshiro said to Sae who frowned as she spoke up.

"Junya-kun, it's not what you've done, but what you're becoming. You're a good man, but I don't like that you're falling in with the mafia. The Junya I knew and loved growing up would never have fallen in with such a scummy crowd. Not to mention, you swore to my dad you would always follow the law when we got together. I know you're broken up over mine and Makoto's father's death, but Junya, joining the mafia is not the way to avenge him!

If anything, it'll make you just like the people who took him from us! And that's not something I want my 14-year old sister, Makoto, or myself for that matter, exposed to! So if you won't cut your ties to the mafia, then we're done, Junya. So choose. Will it be me and Makoto, or the mob? Which is more important to you?" Sae asked Kaneshiro who looked at Sae before speaking up.

"I wish I could cut my ties as easily as you say, Sae, but you don't understand. Once you join the mob, there's no backing out. It's a life of service, or death. And even though I dearly love you, and little Makoto, I can't do either of you any good if I'm six feet under for deserting the mob. So I'm sorry, but if you're truly opposed to the mob, then I guess this is goodbye for us.

But I won't give up on us! One day, somehow, some way, I'll find a way back here to try and win you back, Sae! So never forget me, okay?" Kaneshiro said as he walked off, not wanting Sae or Makoto to see the tears that had fallen down his face as he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving everything dear to him behind and not looking back. Even though he regretted it almost immediately, he knew he was doing the right thing by ending things with Sae, even though he was sad she didn't trust him enough to stick it out with him. But he realized that with her pursuing a career as a prosecutor, they likely would've been at odds sooner or later anyways...

(End flashback, back in the present, neutral POV)

"So...you're seriously the student council president of Shujin. You know what happens to anyone who snaps at me, don't you?" Kaneshiro said as Makoto gasped, recognizing Kaneshiro once she saw him.

"No way! It can't be...Junya-kun!? You're Kaneshiro!? How could this be!?" Makoto thought to herself in shock as she struggled against her bonds while Kaneshiro looked at her phone which still had an ongoing call and huffed as he spoke up.

"So, whose number is this? Your boyfriend?" Kaneshiro said as Ann's voice could be heard then.

"What in the world!?" Ann said as she and the others ran into the room at that point, the pierced man looking up and glaring at the group as they ran in.

"Who the fuck are you!?" the pierced man said as Kusa spoke up.

"Friends of that young lady you have tied up on the ground there. We just came to get her back, and we'll be on our way. No need for things to escalate here, after all. We're all calm, rational, and civilized people in this room, right?" Kusa said, hoping to keep things from escalating as Yusuke spoke up, seeing Niijima struggling on the ground.

"Niijima-san!" Yusuke said as Ryuji growled, his anger raised as he saw Niijima on the ground struggling, the part of him that respected and liked her winning out over the part of him that was mad at her as he spoke up, glaring at the men next to Niijima as he spoke.

"What the hell'd you do to her!?" Ryuji asked angrily as Kaneshiro spoke up, his eyes narrowing as realization set in as he spoke.

"Ohhh, I get it." Kaneshiro said as he glared at the men with him and spoke up angrily, frowning at them and at the group in front of him as he spoke.

"You got followed, you dumbshits!" Kaneshiro said as he flipped open a briefcase, Morgana's eyes going wide at the stacks of cash inside the case as he spoke up.

"Holy moly!" Morgana said in surprise though only the group with him could understand him, as Kaneshiro turned to the woman next to him and spoke up.

"That bag you saw the other day-the crocodile one. How much was it?" Kaneshiro asked the woman, who spoke up in a vapid voice that made Kusa and Ann both cringe at how gaudy she looked and sounded as she spoke.

"Hmm...about three million?" The woman said as Kaneshiro nodded, pulled some of the cash out of the briefcase, and handed it to the woman, who squealed happily as she spoke up.

"Oh-ho ho! For reals!?" The woman said as Kaneshiro spoke up, the anger in his tone plain to see as he spoke.

"Better thank those guys." Kaneshiro said as Ryuji frowned and spoke up, giving Kaneshiro a confused look as he spoke.

"What?" Ryuji asked as Kaneshiro spoke up, smirking at the group as he spoke, ignoring the annoyed looks on the faces of Ren, Kusa and Yusuke.

"I'm royally pissed right now. Can you tell? You know how spending money relieves stress?" Kaneshiro asked as Kusa frowned but nodded as he spoke up.

"Ahh...you're referring to what's known as 'retail therapy', right Kaneshiro-kun? I've heard of that." Kusa said as Kaneshiro nodded, though he bared his teeth as he spoke up, glaring at the group as he spoke.

"At least you're smart. That said, it's you goddamn brats sniffing around like dogs and barging in here like you own the joint! See this empty space? I'm so pissed that now there's a three million yen gap here. It pisses me off even more if I don't fill it up. I'm a perfectionist. So, good luck." Kaneshiro said as Yusuke frowned and spoke up.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Yusuke said as Kaneshiro smirked, took out his phone and snapped a photo of the group, smirking at the shocked looks on their faces as he spoke up once more.

"Come on, you all look so tense. I think I'll call it... 'Debauchery of Minors at a Club.' So, can I send this to your school?" Kaneshiro asked as Niijima spoke up in shock.

"Th-That's-" Niijima said as Kaneshiro spoke up, cutting her off as he spoke.

"Oh, damn, I got booze and cigs in the shot! Maybe some drugs too? Ahh...This is so hilarious. I feed on dumbshits like you...Understand, pretty little student council president? Now listen up. Run your mouth to the police, and I'll break all of you, starting with your families. I want to give you the usual month, but well, you have such a large group here...Three weeks. Bring three million yen by then. No less. Summer bonuses are around the corner, you know? It'll be easier if you beg your mommies and daddies." Kaneshiro said as the men with him laughed as he kept speaking with a huff.

"Now get out of my sight. I'm about to have some fun." Kaneshiro said as Ryuji sputtered before speaking up, beyond pissed off as he spoke.

"WHAT!? To hell with that!" Ryuji said as Kusa shot him a pointed look, subtly shaking his head as if to say 'not right now!' as Morgana spoke up.

"Don't bother with him. Makoto's safety is more important right now." Morgana said. It was a testament to how tense things were that Kusa didn't correct the not-cat on calling Niijima by her first name. The man closest to Niijima cut her free as she and the others left. Ren winced as he spoke up once they were far enough away from the mafia.

"Seriously!? Three weeks for three million yen...Things have taken a serious turn for the worse..." Ren said as the others nodded and left the area. Once at a safe distance, Niijima turned a regretful, sad gaze onto the others as she spoke up.

"I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to drag you in like this..." Niijima said as Ryuji huffed and spoke up, though his voice lacked any real anger as he spoke.

"Tch, for real." Ryuji said as Niijima winced and spoke up, looking at the group as she spoke.

"I was stupid..." Niijima said as Yusuke spoke up, frowning at Niijima as he spoke.

"I must agree. You should've easily imagined this happening." Yusuke said as Ann spoke up, her voice surprisingly gentle but firm.

"Hey, Yusuke..." Ann said as Kusa spoke up, looking at Niijima with an understanding, if somewhat disappointed, look on his face as he spoke.

"Hey now, Niijima-san. None of that regretful talk. The important thing is that we're all still in one piece. We can worry about our current predicament in detail, later on. For now, it's enough that you're safe, and unharmed. Which, given the fact that some people here basically goaded you into doing what you did, truly is a blessing in and of itself.

I don't care what you may or may not have previously done, Niijima-san. You're still our peer, and just as flawed as the rest of us. So the fact that you're still in one piece is enough for me." Kusa said bluntly, smiling at Niijima-san reassuringly as she spoke up, giving Kusa a grateful smile which she also turned towards Ryuji, recalling how he'd tried to stand up for her before to Kaneshiro, making her stance on both Kusa and Ryuji soften slightly as a result.

"Th-thank you, Amamiya-kun the younger. I was so caught up in trying to be useful..." Niijima said as Ryuji spoke up, turning a surprisingly soft gaze onto Niijima as he spoke up, also giving Kusa a pointed look as he spoke.

"All right, enough of the blame game! What's done is done." Ryuji said as Niijima spoke up once more in a low and almost submissive tone.

"I'm going to cause trouble for Sis too..." Niijima said as Ann looked at Niijima in surprise as she spoke up.

"Sis?" Ann asked as Niijima nodded as she spoke up, looking close to breaking down as she spoke.

"My older sister has a commendable job, and she's a much more remarkable person than me...A lot happened after we lost our father three years ago...so it's just us living together...But I'm still a child, so all I am is a burden to her..." Niijima said as Yusuke frowned and 'hmm'ed as he spoke up.

"...And that's why you were so reckless?" Yusuke said as Niijima nodded and spoke up.

"I just wanted to be useful in some way to someone..." Niijima said as Kusa huffed and spoke up.

"Pardon my language in front of ladies, but bull fucking shit you're not useful, Niijima-san! Sure, you haven't exactly acted in an overt manner to be of help to the students, but you have your own problems to deal with, so you can't be expected to be all things to all people! And so what if your sister doesn't have a high opinion of you!? That's her problem! I may not know you that well Niijima-san, but what I do know of you tells me that you're a very clever, resourceful, stubborn, and determined young woman who doesn't let anything get in her way if it's something she wants! And I do mean anything!

Besides, considering the shit that you put up with from that overweight, nearly obese, cowardly tub of lard who calls himself our principal. A principal, I might add, who would rather hide behind his title and desk and make his subordinates, namely you and the teachers, do his busy work for him. Considering that you put up with that AND find time to be president of the student council, I would hardly call you useless, Niijima-san!

Besides, if anything, you were VERY helpful to us, since if not for you, we wouldn't have our current target in Kaneshiro. So in that way, you've been almost crucial, if not indispensable to us! Sure, what you did was reckless, but we'd be lying if we said you were the only one to blame for it!

After all, as I recall, Ann, Yusuke, AND Ryuji all were pretty rude and unprofessional to you earlier with their remarks, even if they won't admit to it. Ann especially was out of line, regardless of if her reasoning for doing so was justified. So don't feel that you're solely to blame, or that you're useless. If anything, you're more useful than some people I could name." Kusa said, giving Ryuji and Ann a pointed glare as he finished speaking, trying to calm and reassure Niijima as he spoke. Ryuji nodded after wincing after he spoke up, realizing that Kusa was right and that he had been in the wrong before as he spoke.

"Yeah, Kusa's right. I'm sorry for being a dick to you before, Niijima-san. That said, y'know, I might not get your whole situation, but ain't it a bit off saying that you're useless to her?" Ryuji said as Niijima winced as she spoke up, looking mainly at Ann as she spoke.

"Amamiya-kun the younger, thank you. Hearing that from you means a great deal to me. However, what my sis said is the truth though..." Niijima said as she turned to Ann before she continued speaking.

"In particular, I have to apologize for what happened to you." Niijima said to Ann who blinked as she spoke up.

"Eh?" Ann asked Niijima in surprise as she spoke up, looking actually ashamed as she spoke.

"Now that I think on it, the truth about Kamoshida must've been covered up by the whole school. I had my suspicions...but I couldn't do anything about it...No. I DIDN'T do anything. Had I cared enough, I could've done something..." Niijima said, taking responsibility for her part in the whole Kamoshida debacle. Ann gaped as she spoke up.

"Ah!" Ann said in surprise as Niijima kept speaking, looking very disappointed in herself as she spoke.

"People like me...must really be what others call scum of the earth." Niijima said as Kusa winced and spoke up, frowning as he spoke.

"That's a lie, and we ALL know it Niijima-san! If you're scum, then everything I know is a lie." Kusa said bluntly as Ann nodded and spoke up.

"Kusa's right. Real scum wouldn't call themselves that." Ann said as Niijima looked at Ann in surprise as she spoke up.

"Huh?" Niijima said in surprise as Ann kept speaking, looking a bit ashamed now as she spoke.

"I'm the same.. It's just like you said before: I was closest to Shiho, but I didn't do anything...Instead, I was a coward and let that piece of trash Kamoshida do whatever he wanted to the woman I care for above all others. But that's irrelevant. Besides, Kamoshida's to blame. Shiho understands that...and I do too." Ann said as Niijima looked at Ann in surprise as she spoke up, not expecting to hear that from her.

"Takamaki-san..." Niijima said as Yusuke gave her an understanding look as he spoke up.

"You didn't have a place to belong either...Isn't that right?" Yusuke said as Niijima looked at Yusuke in surprise as she spoke up.

"Me either...?" Niijima said as Kusa and Ann nodded, the latter speaking up.

"We won't let anyone fall victim again. Now, what should we do from here?" Ann asked as Niijima spoke up.

"I'll do something about the money! So can we please just drop the case with Kaneshiro?" Niijima said as Ren, who'd been quiet up to that point, spoke up.

"And how do you plan to do that? I don't exactly think they pay you for being Student Council President, Niijima-san. And I doubt your sister has a big enough salary to afford to pay three million yen out of nowhere like that." Ren said. Ryuji nodded his agreement as he spoke up.

"No can do, Miss Prez. Like it or not, we're all caught up in this." Ryuji said as Yusuke nodded and spoke up.

"We can't have you rushing things on your own anymore and making the situation worse." Yusuke said as Ryuji crossed his arms and spoke up, his words making Kusa, Ren and Morgana's eyes all go wide when they realized what Ryuji was saying and who he was saying it in front of.

"If only we could do something about that bank..." Ryuji said as the others, minus Niijima, gaped at him as Yusuke spoke up.

"Ryuji!" Yusuke rebuked Ryuji who winced as he realized what he'd said and who he'd said it in front of, but the damage was done as Niijima spoke up in confusion.

"Bank?" Niijima asked as Morgana spoke up, not paying Niijima any mind as he spoke.

"Oh, right, the bank! She isn't useless at all! She may be our key in! Here me out, you guys!" Morgana said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"True. But that's entirely her choice to make if she chooses to help with that, Morgana-sensei." Kusa said as Ann spoke up before Niijima could reply to Kusa's comment.

"Our key in? What do you mean?" Ann asked as Niijima looked at the group in concern as she spoke up.

"A cat? Um...are you all okay?" Niijima asked the group. Kusa looked at Niijima, choosing to forgive her calling Morgana a cat this once, while giving her a stern look as he spoke up, frowning slightly as he spoke.

"It's a long story, Niijima-san, but the gist of it is he's NOT a cat, he just looks like one, and the rest I can't really get into without discussing stuff related to what you accused us of the other day. Maybe one day, if we find you trustworthy, we'll let you in on stuff. But for now, trust me when I say we're just fine." Kusa explained to Niijima who nodded as she spoke up.

"I...see? I'll trust you know what you're talking about, Amamiya-kun the younger. After all, your grades don't suggest that you're a fool or a dunce, so you likely know what you're doing." Niijima said as Morgana kept speaking.

"We've become Kaneshiro's targets. That means we've become customers of Kaneshiro's bank!" Morgana said as Yusuke blinked as he spoke up.

"I see. The reason we couldn't enter before was because we weren't considered his customers..." Yusuke said as Morgana nodded, looking at Niijima as he kept speaking.

"And wouldn't you say that she in particular is a special customer? Let's take her with us. She is responsible for our current situation." Morgana said as Kusa spoke up in shock.

"Take her with us!? Are you serious, Morgana? You do realize if we do that, we'll pretty much be making her privy to what we do, as if she hasn't probably more or less figured us out already. Still, is it a good idea to risk that she could try to turn us in to try and get into Kobayakawa's good graces!? No offense to you, Niijima-san, but I have to be worried for not just myself, but the others, specifically Ren and Ryuji, who have more reason than most to not want to get into trouble. But you probably knew that after Ren's records were leaked back when he and I first transferred to Shujin, didn't you?" Kusa said to Niijima. Ryuji gaped as he spoke up.

"Whoa, I don't follow this at all..." Ryuji said as Yusuke looked at Kusa and spoke up.

"I see where you're coming from Kusa, but she risked her life doing something so reckless. I think for that alone if nothing else, she's earned the right to know." Yusuke said sagely. Kusa blinked but nodded as he spoke up.

"Okay, that's actually quite fair, Yusuke." Kusa said, backing down at that point as Yusuke looked at Niijima.

"Won't you come with us?" Yusuke asked Niijima who blinked as she spoke up.

"What? ...Wait. To where?" Niijima asked as Ryuji blinked and spoke up.

"Yeah, where are we goin'?" Ryuji asked as Kusa huffed and spoke up.

"Do you even pay attention, Ryuji!? Clearly, we're bringing Niijima-san with us when next we go into the Metaverse. In which case, that means she's about to get an up-close and personal view of the very group she's been tasked with tracking down." Kusa said with a sigh. Ann shrugged as she spoke up.

"Beats me." Ann said as the group headed into the Metaverse with Niijima in tow...

(In the Metaverse with Niijima, Joker, Skull, Mona, Draconis, Panther and Fox)

"A canine!?" Niijima said after the group entered the Metaverse as Fox huffed and spoke up, giving Niijima an irritated look for confusing his kitsune mask for that of a canine, as she'd been looking at him when she said so, as he spoke.

"It's Fox..." Fox corrected Niijima as Mona spoke up in irritation.

"Be quiet! The Shadows are going to notice us." Mona said as Niijima blinked as she understood Mona making her gasp as she spoke up.

"A monster cat!?" Niijima said as Mona whined and spoke up, huffing like a whiny child as he spoke.

"I'm noooooot!" Mona said as Draconis spoke up at that point, looking at Niijima with a stern look in his eyes as he spoke.

"He's not a cat, Niijima-san. Suffice it to say, he's a vital part of our group." Draconis said as Panther spoke up with a nod.

"Pretty much. That's Morgana, the cat that was in Ren's bag. This is what happens when we come here." Panther said as Draconis' eyes widened as he glared at Panther.

"PANTHER! What part of 'code names only in the Metaverse' DIDN'T you understand!? Also, Mona's not a cat! I can see Skull making that mistake since he does it a lot, but NOT you!" Draconis said irately as he turned to Niijima, huffing as he crossed his arms before sighing as he looked at Niijima. Once Draconis' attention was on Niijima, he spoke up to give her a basic rundown of the groups' code names, cussing Panther out rather profusely in his head for being a fool as he spoke.

"Ignore Panther, or the girl who just spoke to you. She means well, but she can be forgetful at times. The guy next to Panther is our leader, but we call him Joker, and the guy next to Joker that you confused for a monster cat is Mona. The one you confused for a canine is Fox, and the buffoon next to Fox is Skull. As for me... for now, Niijima-san, you can just call me Draconis." Draconis said as Niijima gasped as she recognized Draconis' voice and spoke up, blinking at Draconis as she spoke, also frowning as she realized she'd also recognized Panther's voice from when she'd spoken up.

"That voice...Amamiya-kun the younger? And the girl who spoke before...Takamaki-san? Where are we?" Niijima asked. Panther thought about it before she responded.

"We're inside Kaneshiro's...well, the 'world' inside his heart." Panther explained. Niijima gaped as she spoke up.

"What?" Niijima asked as Fox spoke up to explain, Draconis nodding approvingly in Fox's direction as he spoke.

"It's another reality in which Kaneshiro's distorted desires have materialized." Fox said as Niijima frowned and spoke up.

"Another reality?" Niijima asked as she turned and saw the floating object that was Kaneshiro's Palace and gasped as she spoke up more.

"It's floating in the air!? Th-This is reality!? My goodness...Huh...I'm sorry, it's just...But since this really exists, I can't doubt it. A reality that one's heart shows... Is it like the application of optical illusions in social cognitive psychology?" Niijima asked as the group collectively winced at the question as Panther spoke up to answer it.

"That's something we have no idea about..." Panther said as the group retreated a safe distance where Mona and Draconis proceeded to explain the intricacies of the Metaverse to a stunned Niijima who nodded through the explanation until she spoke up when the two were done, nodding in understanding.

"I see, so 'stealing one's heart'...That may be like overwriting their cognition...I think I kind of get the logic behind it..." Niijima said as Skull smiled and spoke up, smirking at Mona as he spoke, his words making Mona AND Draconis glare at him.

"Ain't she more amazing than you?" Skull asked as Draconis huffed and spoke up, frowning at Ryuji as he spoke and ignoring the looks he got from Panther, Mona and Joker.

"Yeah, yeah, we get it. You're smitten with her, Skull. Now you can join the club of thieves with love interests..." Draconis deadpanned, ignoring the unimpressed glares that Panther and Joker both shot him for his dry quip as Mona sputtered and spoke up, looking outraged at Skull suggesting Niijima was better than him.

"W-We're about the same!" Mona said as Niijima spoke up.

"Then, does that mean there's an ATM version of myself somewhere in this world too?" Niijima asked as Draconis frowned and spoke up.

"I don't think so, Niijima-san. At least not yet. Maybe if we'd waited much longer to try coming here, there might have been when we'd actually been customers for long enough. But even if there was, it wouldn't be the real you. At best it'd be a carbon copy made of Kaneshiro's distorted perceptions of you." Draconis responded. Mona nodded as he spoke up.

"Perhaps. Regardless, we can change Kaneshiro's heart and make him confess if we steal his Treasure. ...If it all goes well, that is." Mona said as Skull chuckled and spoke up.

"Heh, we'll MAKE it go well. Everyone'll notice us for sure if we take someone like Kaneshiro down!" Skull said as Fox nodded and spoke up.

"Our justice will also become resolute." Fox said as Panther nodded and spoke up.

"Think we'd be able to give courage to those in need if it happens!?" Panther asked as Niijima chuckled and spoke up.

"For the sake of those in need, huh...You sound like my father." Niijima said happily even if she was a bit saddened to think of her father. Panther and Draconis blinked at this and spoke up in unison, both shocked by what Niijima had said.

"YOUR FATHER?" Panther and Draconis both asked in surprise, both chuckling at their unintentional synchronicity. Niijima spoke up with a chuckle.

"No, don't mind me. You want to go to that bank, right? Let's go then. If I've become a customer of that bank, then they'll have to let me in." Niijima said resolutely, walking towards the bank which lowered to the ground, coming to her as Panther gaped and spoke up in shock.

"For real!?" Panther asked as the bank lowered a ramp as Skull spoke up in surprise.

"It came to us!" Skull said as Mona spoke up, chuckling as he spoke.

"It's just as I calculated!" Mona said as Joker and Draconis looked at each other and both shook their heads, not believing for a second that Mona had calculated that this precisely, but they said nothing as the group followed Niijima up to the bank. Once there, Niijima spoke up.

"You know how you can use your card to get into banks during after hours? I thought that I'd be able to get in since I have the same identity as such customers. I'm Kaneshiro's source of revenue, after all." Niijima said as Fox nodded his understanding and spoke up, clearly impressed with Niijima's logic as he spoke.

"Ah, that makes sense." Fox said agreeably as Panther blinked, looking around as she spoke up.

"But wow...This place is huge." Panther said as Skull winced and spoke up.

"I rarely gotta go to the bank, so...this's making me kinda nervous." Skull said as Panther nodded and spoke up.

"Being in a bank with costumes like these is so obvious-we're totally robbers." Panther said as Skull nodded and spoke up.

"You got that right..." Skull said as Mona spoke up.

"It seems there will be a lot of Shadows from here on." Mona said as Niijima blinked and spoke up.

"Huh? What's that about?" Niijima asked as Panther spoke up, looking at Niijima as she spoke.

"Enemies attack us here." Panther said as Draconis nodded and spoke, fixing Niijima with a stern look as he spoke.

"Not only that, but they fight to kill. So unless you can defend yourself Niijima-san, you'll likely be hiding as the rest of us do the fighting, since we're equipped to handle Shadows if it comes to it. However, you don't seem to be equipped to fight Shadows, unless I'm mistaken." Draconis said bluntly as Niijima nodded and spoke up.

"I see...I've trained in aikido. Don't worry, I can defend myself." Niijima said as Draconis and Joker exchanged wide-eyed glances, both mouthing 'the school rumor grapevine was actually right for once!?' to each other, as Mona spoke up with a nod.

"Self-defense won't do much good against Shadows, but then again, it's better than nothing." Mona said as Niijima nodded as she spoke up.

"We have to go in from the front, don't we? I'm an honorary customer, so I better act like one." Niijima said before she nodded to herself, her eyes taking on a steely glint as she spoke to herself once more, not seeing the sympathetic look Draconis gave her as she spoke.

"I WILL be useful for you guys." Niijima said as she then spoke up so the group could hear.

"C'mon, let's go! Well then, let's head inside." Niijima said to the others, who nodded in agreement, all knowing one thing for sure.

The Third Palace was in front of them, and if the lead-up to it was ANY indication, they'd better not take ANY part of it for granted, since it was clear that the training gloves were off, and that they'd have to bring all of their skills just to survive, much less keep Niijima safe...

END OF CHAPTER

A/N: DUN DUN DUNNNN! At long last, the third Palace has more or less begun! Anyone who's played through Persona 5 Royal or the original Persona 5 at least once probably knows what's coming up next chapter, but will it be the same as in the game? Considering the change I made to the Kaneshiro scene, probably not, but you'll have to wait for the next chapter to know for sure!

Hopefully my readers are enjoying the story so far, and if so, feel free to leave a review (or PM me, I personally am okay with either and take both) with your thoughts/opinions/constructive criticism/feedback on the story. I like hearing from my readers, so I welcome the support and input either way. That said, until next chapter, sithlorde1988 out!

NOTES

*1*- Lala Escargot, from what I noticed when watching through various YouTube playthroughs, along with some throwaway dialogues in Royal, is apparently a drag queen, which explains her surprisingly deep voice for a woman and why she's not the easiest on the eyes. Though I was still legit surprised when I realized during the scene where Angel and Julian confront Ryuji about what they perceived as his interest in the drag scene that Crossroads is apparently a drag bar, which is unusual. And for the record, I have no objections to the drag scene as a whole since people are entitled to do whatever makes them happy, even if I myself am at best neutral on it, but that's more of a comfort zone thing than anything I'd say.

CONFIDANT RANKS AS OF THE START OF THE THIRD PALACE/END OF CHAPTER 29

FOOL (Igor/Prison Master) : Rank 5

MAGICIAN (Morgana) : Rank 3

EMPEROR (Yusuke) : Rank 1

HIEROPHANT (Sojiro) : Rank 3

LOVERS (Ann) : Rank 4

CHARIOT (Ryuji) : Rank 4

JUSTICE (Akechi) : Rank 2

STRENGTH (Caroline and Justine/Twin Wardens) : Rank 2

DEATH (Takemi/Back-Alley Doctor) : Rank 5

MOON (Mishima) : Rank 4

SUN (Yoshida/Man Of The People) : Rank 2

WORLD (Kusa) : Rank 3

FAITH (Kasumi/Yoshizawa) : Rank 2

COUNCILLOR (Maruki) : Rank 4