Ann was startled out of her studying zone by the ringing of her phone on her desk beside her textbook. She growled in frustration at being dragged out of it like this when it was a struggle just to get into that state, even with Makoto's advice. For her friend, it was like she flipped a switch and entered a fugue state from which it was difficult to awaken her. Ann wished she could be that dead to the world when she needed to study. And she needed to study.

Her frustration quickly subsided, however, when she saw the name of the caller: Rise Kujikawa. Ann had met the famous idol in the greenroom of a talk show the two had appeared on together, along with tokusatsu star Yukari Takeba and fitness instructor Lisa Silverman. The four had stayed in contact since, which still blew Ann away, even a few months on. Here were these three gorgeous and accomplished celebrities Ann had talked incessantly about with friends, and they wanted to be her friends! It still felt like a dream.

Said dream finally ended when her phone stopped ringing and she realised just how long she'd been staring at that name on her phone screen. She slapped herself on the forehead and lamented that she couldn't be this focused when she was studying. She quickly called back and was relieved to hear the idol's voice come through and not sound annoyed by being kept waiting.

"Hey, Ann-chan. Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"Uh, n-no, just... doing a little studying. Well, trying to."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt-"

"No! Uh, no, you're not interrupting or anything. I just mean that I have trouble focusing on the work in front of me sometimes you know hahah!"

Rise-chan giggled. "Yeah, I've been there. Memorising lyrics or a script? No problem! But algebra or some famous quote? It's like it refuses to stay in my brain."

"Totally! You so get it!"

"Right? Anyway, if you're busy, I can call-"

"N-No, it's fine. I'm out of the zone now anyway, so I might as well take a break."

"If you're sure. Well, I have some exciting news I wanted to tell you about!"

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I just booked a big part in an upcoming TV drama!"

"Really? That's great."

"Yep. It's about those Phantom Thieves who were all over the news a while ago."

"!"

"You're speechless, huh? Yeah, we're making a show about those guys and I just got cast as Papillon."

"Huh? 'Papillon'?"

"Yeah. Oh, right, they have that whole secret identity thing with the masks and all that, right? So, the showrunner figured they must have codenames, and the lady in the red catsuit with the big hair is called 'Papillon'."

"But aren't papillons, like, a breed of dog?"

"Yeah?"

"Isn't her outfit more of, like, a cat? Like a panther or something?"

"A cat? Oh, I get it! Because she's in a catsuit. Heh. You're funny, Ann-chan."

"Uh, yeah. Haha..."

"I think the idea was the hair. The way her hair is styled looks kinda like a papillon's ears."

"I guess that makes sense. But isn't 'Papillon' French for 'Butterfly'?"

"Ooh, you really know your stuff. One of the producers said it's supposed to have a double meaning: her hair, and her butterfly-like grace. The real Papillon has a great figure, so she must be pretty athletic, right?"

"Y-You think she has a great figure?"

"Well, yeah. You've seen the broadcasts, right? There's not a ton of footage of her, but that lady's body is an easy 10."

"..."

"Ann-chan?"

"..."

"Helloooo?"

"Uh, sorry. Bad connection, I think."

Totally untrue. Ann had been forced to to mute her phone to not let Rise-chan hear her squeeing at unwittingly being given such an immense compliment by such a pretty and seasoned idol.

"So, like, have you told Yukari-san or Lisa-san yet?"

"Not yet, no. I wanted you to be the first to hear."

"WHAT!? ME!?"

"Ow. Yes, you."

"But why?"

"Let's see. You're a fan and a colleague, so I can get both kinds of reaction from you. And you've got a great figure and really pretty hair, and I wanted your advice on that."

"Mine?"

"Yes, yours, silly. You'd make a really great Papillon yourself, at least in model shoots. Your acting's not quite there yet."

"Ouch..."

"Hehe, sorry. But I really do wanna know what your diet and haircare routines are like. I've done big hair before, but this one is something else entirely. But you pull it off like it's totally natural. Wait, is it natural? Is this one of those white things?"

"'White things'? Uh, not really? T-Truth be told, I actually... based my look on you..."

"On me?"

"Y-Yeah. I saw your Love Meets Bonds performance on TV when I was little and your hair was just so pretty and free and I wanted my hair to be like that so I let it grow longer and started styling it up like that because I really looked up to you because you were so pretty and cool and I-"

"Breathe, Ann-chan."

"R-Right... B-But, yeah, You've always been a super big inspiration for me, so I'd be honoured to help you with your hair and diet and whatever else you need."

"Aw, you're sweet. I'll be in your care from now on, Ann-chan."

"Y-Yeah. Same. Wow, this is crazy."

"Oh, you want crazy? Have you heard from Yukari-san about the part she just booked?"

"The part in that show about the murders in your hometown?"

"Yep. She's playing the original Detective Prince, Naoto Shirogane."

"What's so crazy about that?"

"Naoto-kun happens to be one of my best friends in the whole world."

"Really? Huh. I guess it is pretty crazy that you both got parts as people- !"

"Huh? We both got what?"

"Uh, you both got such big parts in these dramas based on real events."

"I guess that's true. I've heard they're even making a show about stuff that happened back when Yukari-san was in high school. Hey, wouldn't it be hilarious if you got cast in that?"

"I-It would?" Had Rise-chan figured out that all three would be playing each other or people close to them?

"Well, yeah. Yukari-san's starring in a show about stuff in Inaba from when I was in high school there, you'd be in one about stuff in Tatsumi from when she was in high school, and I'm in one about stuff that happened in Tokyo while you were in high school there. Wouldn't that just be insane?"

"O-Oh, yeah. I guess that would be pretty crazy."

"And then we'd all have an excuse to get together and talk to each other about it as 'research'."

"That would be awesome!"

"Right? I'd need to invite Naoto-kun too, in that case, so it'd only be fair to let you invite one of your friends as well."

"I'm still blown away by the fact that you're so close with another famous person who isn't part of the industry."

"Oh, I know plenty of incredible people, not just famous ones. Like Yu-senpai. He's so reliable and cool..."

"Sounds like someone has a crush. :3"

"..."

"Oh, that's so sweet! I'm rooting for you, Rise-chan!"

"Th-Thanks... A-Anyway, yeah, I've got some amazing friends. You said you saw the LMB festival, right? They were actually the ones performing with me on-stage there. Yu-senpai was the hot guy with the silver hair. Naoto-kun was the cutie tomboy in blue."

"That was her? Wait... The Detective Prince was a girl?"

"It's a whole thing. But yeah, I think everyone's surprised by that when they first find out."

"I just assumed she was a guy because Akechi was too."

"Oh, that guy. Smug jerk stealing my Naoto-kun's title without permission. I can tell from all the J-pop guys I've worked with that underneath that pretty boy smile, he's a massive manipulator, using his looks and smarts to take advantage of people."

"You have no idea..."

"Huh? Wait, you know Akechi?"

"Uh... Y-Yeah, he came to our school as a guest during our culture fest when I was a second year."

"Huh... It's crazy that we both know a Detective Prince, huh?"

"Yeah, pretty wild... But I bet your DP is way nicer."

"Oh, I guarantee, she is. I'm so gonna introduce you two one day. She's actually going to meet up with Yukari-san in a few days so Yukari-san can make her performance more authentic."

"That sounds useful."

"Yeah. I wish I could talk with the real Papillon... I wonder what kind of person she is..."

"Y-Yeah... I wonder..."

"You okay, Ann-chan? You sound all worried anytime I bring Papillon up. Oh! Are you worried the Phantom Thieves will change my heart to make me their propaganda agent?"

"The Phantom Thieves would never do that!"

"I-It was just a joke, Ann-chan. I don't really think they'd do something like that."

"O-Oh... I see..."

"You a fan of theirs? They did start at your school, right? Or, one of your teachers was their first target, right? Given what you told us about all that, I can imagine why you'd be grateful and supportive of those guys. I'm sorry if I upset you."

"N-No, it's fine. I just... I-I was just worried that you were describing the way they are in the show and that they're not gonna be depicted fairly... is all..."

"I guess that makes sense. Like, I'd hate it if the Inaba Murders show portrayed Naoto-kun or Yukiko-senpai or anyone else in the wrong way. Or you in this PT show."

"M-Me?"

"Well, the characters are fictionalised, but the cases are gonna be treated pretty seriously. I wouldn't be surprised if you got contacted about being depicted in the early episodes soon."

"That's... surreal."

"Yeah. But don't worry. If they do depict you in the show, I'll step in and tell them, 'You'd better not depict my friend Ann-chan in a negative light, or I'll walk'."

"Y-You'd walk?"

"Well, yeah. If they're gonna be exploitative with this show, especially with as serious a case as the Kamoshida one, I can't possibly endorse it, can I? I promise you, I'll only be involved with this show if they represent you and your circumstances with respect and honesty."

Ann chuckled, more at the irony of what Rise-chan was saying than at the thought that such a pretty and famous idol was willing to flaunt her clout on Ann's behalf.

"I'm serious! I won't be a part of that! Honest!"

"I believe you, really. Thanks, Rise-chan. You're so cool."

"That's right, Rise-senpai is the coolest."

Ann laughed out loud. "I wouldn't go that far."

"You're cruel! And after I went to all that trouble for your sake!"

"But still, I bet you'll do Papillon a real service by playing her. I'm sure she'll love it."

"You think so? Awesome! And, hey, the best part about playing her is that I won't have to change up my hairstyle too much, huh?"

"Haha! Yeah, but it'll have to be dyed since I'm pretty sure Papillon is blonde."

"Blonde, huh?"

"Yep! Probably dyed like some yankee or something."

"You don't say... I bet I'd look super pretty with blonde hair."

"You so would! Ooh, I should introduce you to my friend Ryuji. He's a fan of yours and he dyes his hair blonde too. It's a lot more saturated than mine, but I bet you could pull it off."

"You know what's funny? I have a friend who used to dye his hair blonde too - Kanji-kun."

"You mean that big tough guy at LMB? ...Wait, you didn't call him 'Senpai' like with your other friends... Was he not the oldest one there?"

Rise-chan chuckled. "Kanji-kun is actually the youngest in our group. Well, Teddie's probably younger, but I've got no idea how old he really is."

"How is that guy the youngest? Did he eat the oldest one?"

Rise-chan laughed that genuine laugh that Ann could easily recognise as not being her polite stage laugh. "Nah, Kanji-kun's just our reliable, tough, pseudo-delinquent, you know?"

"Just like Ryuji!"

"It's starting to sound like we should just invite all our friends to meet each other at this point."

"That would be so cool!"

"We've got our super stylish and cute celebrities covered."

"That's us!"

"And you've got a reliable leader type too, I believe?"

"Ren is super reliable!"

"There's another."

"We have our blond tough guys."

"Former blond for Kanji-kun, but yep. Do you have a really smart person, maybe a little socially inept too?"

"That's Makoto to a T."

"Awesome."

"Do you guys have an anime and gaming nerd?"

"We have a kung fu nut, if that counts?"

"It so does!"

"Great. Do you guys have a mascot, by any chance?"

"Uh... Ren has a cat?"

"Like a real cat or a guy in a cat costume?"

"Um... a real one?"

"Why do you sound so unsure?"

"B-Because Morgana is way smarter than the average cat! H-He's practically a member of the team. Here, let me send you a pic of him."

"Oh! He's so cute! He looks so affectionate!"

"Like you wouldn't believe..."

"Sounds like someone's a real ladies' man, huh? I think he and Teddie will get along great."

"So, that just leaves Yusuke and Haru... Oh! You've got a friend who runs an old-fashioned inn, right?"

"Yukiko-senpai is the heiress to the Amagi Inn, yeah."

"That's perfect. Haru's training to take over Okumura Foods in the next few years."

"Wait. You're friends with the Haru Okumura?"

"Yeah, why?"

"...What strange circles we hang out in, huh?"

"I guess you're right. I mean, Yusuke used to be the apprentice of Ichiryusai Madarame-"

"That Madarame!? The one who got exposed by the Phantom Thieves?"

"Y-Yeah. That one."

"What, did you guys meet at a Phantom Thief fanclub after they helped you all out?"

"S-Something like that. A-And what about you? I've looked into that Inaba case since we first met. Sounds like some of your friends went missing during that incident as well and now you're all friends. Were you all in some sort of club too?"

"Y-You could say that..."

"We're practically the same person!"

"Right!? It's spooky how similar we are. And our friends too!"

"Hey, you've met Yukari-san's friends as well, right? There must be a few similarities between them and your friends as well, right?"

"A few. They're got a protein junkie who got on really well with our Chie-senpai. And they've got a super cute computer expert as well."

"Sounds like Ryuji and Futaba would have someone to talk to at a meet-up."

"We are so doing this."

"Totally."

"And soon. It can be like a celebration for Yukari-san and me booking our parts."

"Perfect excuse. I'd expect nothing less from the Risette."

"Oh, stop. But, seriously, if you're up for it, I will organise this thing."

"Absolutely, yes."

"Then, it shall be done. Trust me, you're gonna love my friends."

"And you'll adore mine."

"And you'll probably like Yukari-san's friends too, I guess, they seemed alright."

"That's harsh. Don't let her hear you say that."

"To be fair, no one can match up to my senpai."

"All of them, or just that Yu-senpai you always mention?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out."

"You're so evil."

"So I've been told. But people love that about me, so I lean into it."

"So that's how it is!"

"Yep. Trust me, kid, do like I do and you'll go far."

"But I don't like being mean to people. I try not to do that anymore."

"Oh, did you have one of those big group interventions where you all air out your grievances too?"

"Too? HOW ARE WE SO SIMILAR!?"

"RIGHT!? Oh, but another way we're similar is that we both have other obligations right now; I should really get going. But it's been fun talking with you again, Ann-chan."

"Definitely. We should do this more often."

"Absolutely. And we should try and get Yukari-san and Lisa-san in on this too."

"That would be amazing!"

"Yep. I'll talk to you later."

"For sure. See ya."

Ann waited for Rise-chan to hang up and put her phone back down on the desk. She never spoke to her friends over speaker phone, even in the privacy of her own home. She supposed it was a habit she'd picked up from all the secretive conversations she'd had with Kamoshida, then the Phantom Thieves, and now her celebrity friends who occasionally (often, in Rise-chan's case) discussed unannounced projects with her.

Her gaze shifted slightly from the phone to her still open textbook beside it. "How the hell am I supposed to be able to concentrate after all that!?"

The idea of Rise getting cast as Panther and Yukari getting cast as Naoto in TV productions is based on my concept for Persona 5 Arena, which you cna read here: the4thsnake/art/Persona-5-Arena-Concept-890679652