Heart of Justice Chapter 16
5/8
"Kirigiri-san! Hey!"
Kyoko had been in Shibuya that Sunday having intended to go to where the entrance to the Velvet Room awaited in the back alley when she'd heard a familiar voice calling out to her, prompting the teen to turn around.
"Mishima?" Kyoko asked, looking at the boy in curiosity as he excitedly ran up to her.
"Heya!" he replied, taking a second to catch his breath. "Fancy running into you here! I was actually wanting to talk to you at school tomorrow about this, but awesome job on dealing with that stalker!"
"What're you talking about?" the young detective asked.
"You know, that post on the Phantom Aficionado Website? I saw it, too, you know!" Mishima explained. "That Nakanohara guy harassing his ex? Well, his ex just posted again today, said he just messaged her out of the blue last night, apologizing for stalking her and asking her to just call him back so he could apologize to her properly..."
Kyoko raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Well," Mishima continued, taking out his phone and bringing up the post. "She did, and explained it was like he was a totally changed man, he couldn't stop apologizing to her, and promised he'd respect her wishes and leave her alone, and won't ever bother her again! She sent her thanks to the Phantom Thieves and everything."
Kyoko examined the post as Mishima held it out to her. "Hm. Interesting," she said.
"So, my website helped out, didn't it?" Mishima asked with a proud smirk that conflicted with his tired eyes. "C'mon, a little thanks to pay me back for burning the candle all night on it!"
"Very well," Kyoko replied with a faint smile. "What matters, though, is he stopped before he did anything that could have gotten him in serious trouble, and she's now able to feel safe."
"Yeah, all thanks to the Phantom Thieves!" Mishima said with a chuckle. "Hey, wanna go grab a bite at the diner? I'd love for you to hear me out on a few things..."
Kyoko blinked, glancing back at the alley where she saw the faint blue hue, and recalling what the twins had said about those she interacted with. Furthermore, though Mishima seemed to act a little big-headed on it, he wasn't wrong that without the website they may never have known about Nakanohara, nor have stopped him before he did anything especially bad. After a second, the young detective gave a nod. "...As you wish," she said.
"Great! Let's go, I'm starving!" Mishima said, grinning as he headed into the diner Kyoko recalled spending time with Ann at the other day. Once they were seated, Kyoko had ordered herself a coffee, Mishima doing the same as he stifled a yawn.
"So," Mishima said, the yawn finally escaping. "...how have things been with "special activities", and all?"
"...You stayed up all night?" Kyoko asked, her coffee arriving and she abruptly picked up her cup and took a sip.
"Heh, yeah," Mishima replied sheepishly, rubbing his left eye. "I've been managing the Phan-site. All night, every night. Gotta have some PR, right?"
"Phan-site?" Kyoko inquired with a raise of the eyebrow.
Mishima chuckled as he took a rather large sip of his own coffee, the poor boy looking like he could barely stay awake. "Yeah, figured it's a good nickname. Short and sweet, easier to say, ya know?" he asked.
"I suppose so," Kyoko said. "I don't really use computers except for research, whether it's for school or... cases."
"I see, well I was actually taking a little break to pick up some things when I spotted you. Good thing, huh?" Mishima asked. "...But anyway, it's all built around a simple idea: there's no point in taking down bad guys if no one's gonna know about it! That's why I started up a blog for posts from the people you've saved, even if it means having to spend time flushing out the haters. If the Phantom Thieves are gonna be popular, they gotta be seen in a positive light, right?"
"Is it really about popularity?" Kyoko asked, taking another sip. "I hardly find that priority over the work they do. I've never cared about fame, only solving the case and exposing the truth that will ensure justice is served."
"...Well, it's part of it, isn't it?" Mishima asked. "Look, maybe you don't care about fame, but if the Phantom Thieves are popular, more people will trust 'em, and believe there's someone out there who can save them from monsters like Kamoshida! That's something that totally resonates with me! After everything he put me through, how could I not be on board with that?"
The boy took another sip of his coffee. "I'm curious how you guys do it, punishing bad people, but don't worry, I won't ask. Wouldn't be any fun if you just up and told me," he said. "...I mean, the Phantom Thieves are secretive and all, right?"
Kyoko stared in silence as she sipped her coffee, attempting to keep her expression as neutral as possible and hide the fact that she wasn't entirely sure how to respond tactfully to the boy's enthusiasm. It could not be denied Mishima had been through a lot, and was someone who'd been a victim much of his life, but it felt like if someone treated her past detective work like it were a fun game and thinking nothing of the danger and the death surrounding it she'd been exposed to for years.
Luckily, Mishima seemed to notice as he looked down at his coffee cup in his hand. "Sorry... I'd just... I wish I could be more like you guys. Especially you, Kirigiri. You're always so calm and collected, you never let Kamoshida push you around or get you to cave in, no matter what he tried," he said. "...Plus, a trained detective at your age? You're leagues cooler then me..."
"The rest of the school seems to have the opposite opinion, so I imagine many would debate you on that," Kyoko replied dryly. "To them, a reputation I spent years building means nothing to a label thrown on me a few months ago over a situation they know nothing about."
"Still beats everyone seeing you as the pathetic loser anyone can push around," Mishima replied, sighing. "I only joined the volleyball team because I wanted people to give me a little more respect, and how good did that turn out? I was Kamoshida's little whipping boy in no time, and everyone figured he just took me in and kept me around out of pity..."
"To your credit, you seem to have skill regarding web design, judging from Kamoshida's reliance on you for it, and managing the... Phan-site," Kyoko replied. "You needn't sell yourself short."
The boy's face lit up quickly. "Heh, yeah! You're right, Kirigiri! With the Phan-site, I can be there to draw attention to the stuff you do!" he said. "I can help promote the Phantom Thieves, and weed out any negative comments. You're popularity will be at my fingertips!"
"Excuse me?" Kyoko raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of her coffee.
"Sorry, bad wording," Mishima said sheepishly. "I mean, like, a... strategic image management representative!"
"...You mean a publicist?" Kyoko asked, staring.
"Something like that!" Mishima replied. "That and an agent, maybe? Like I'll make sure cases worth looking into get sent your way so you guys don't need to go through all the petty stuff to find something... trust me, that forum gets packed with all sorts of random threads and stuff that got nothing to do with reforming society, or people in real trouble... it'd get pretty tiring even for you guys, I bet."
Kyoko's hand rose to her chin in thought. Mishima filtering through the forum's slush pile would save her and the others a lot of trouble in the long haul, though it was clearly taking a toll on him given how tired the boy across from her looked. "Are you sure you want to do that?"
Mishima answered with a yawn, evident that even the coffee did him little good as he struggled to stifle it. "It's no problem! I'm a night owl anyway, so you can count on me!" he said with a thumbs-up. "I just really wanna make sure I earn that title and all!"
Kyoko stared the boy down a moment. "Very well, if that's what you wish to do, I see no reason to interfere," she replied, finishing her coffee.
"Speaking of which, I got some worthwhile info about our own school!" Mishima explained. "...Which means our quest to boost you guys' popularity can start close to home! I won't let you guys down!"
Taking in the boy's unwavering resolve in his self-appointed mission, Kyoko could hear the sound of a chain break in her mind.
Mishima's resolve, however, quickly faded as another yawn escaped him. "Man, guess I really burned myself out, last night!" he said. "I should probably finish up what I came out here for and head home..."
"Yes, do try and get some rest while you still have your day off, Mishima," Kyoko replied. "...After all, you wouldn't be much good if you don't." she added, deciding to appeal to his goals more.
"Oh! That reminds me!" Mishima said, perking up suddenly and pulling his phone out. "...Can I get your number? I just figure it'll be the easiest way to send you any requests I find in the forums that seem worth a look."
"Fair enough," Kyoko replied, taking hers out as well, and with some brief fiddling, showed the screen of her number for Mishima to copy down.
"Thanks," the boy replied. "I'll also keep you updated on if anything changes with them, as well..."
Putting his phone away once he'd finished saving the number, Mishima's head bobbed a little. "Right, I should get going before I pass out in here. I'll seeya later!"
Getting up, Mishima left money covering his and Kyoko's coffee and headed out, a second later Kyoko saw her bag shuffle as it unzipped itself and Morgana poked his face through.
"He sure is determined," the cat mused aloud, just in time for Kyoko's phone to suddenly ring a minute later. Taking out her phone and switching it on, Kyoko brought it up to her ear.
"Yes?"
"Hey, it's me!" Mishima's voice answered. "I meant to tell you, there's one other thing!"
"...What's that?" Kyoko asked.
"Well, when I was on the Phan-site earlier, there's a bunch of hater comments on the Phantom Thieves!"
"That's all?" the young detective asked, a hint of annoyance in her tone.
"That's all? You have no idea! A bunch of 'em got real vulger!" Mishima's voice answered. "Ugh... just thinking about it again's pissing me off! Don't you worry, I'll pull an all-nighter to fight 'em off for you guys!"
Kyoko was relieved the boy could not see her bring her hand to her forehead in exasperation, nor apparently heard the sigh such a state of mind also brought out of her as well. "Mishima, I deal with this kind of senseless idiocy every day I'm at school, and I've learned to filter it out. Just forget about it and get some rest when you get home."
"Hey, it's fine!" she heard Mishima reply. "Hitting back for the one who saved me from expulsion will just give me a natural high! Anyways, duty calls! I'll buy some energy drinks to keep me going or something, seeya!"
The boy hung up before she could respond and leaving Kyoko staring at her phone with a look of uncertainty in how to respond to the exchange.
"Like I said, determined," Morgana remarked as the young detective stood up, taking out money for the server.
"Indeed," Kyoko replied, picking up her bag with Morgana inside as she headed for the door to resume her original plan...
"Oh, welcome back, Trickster. How have you been faring?" Igor inquired as Kyoko now stood before him in her prison cell once more, the girl giving the smirking Caroline a withering glare from what she'd been subjected to once more upon entry.
"We discovered a place called Mementos, I assume you're familiar with it?"
Igor let out a deep chuckle in response. "...So, you have finally gazed upon the new labyrinth formed by the collective distortion of humanity, have you? Most impressive."
"..."New" labyrinth?" Kyoko asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Humanity's collective thoughts and cognitions are both vast in number and ever-changing, Trickster," Igor replied, the wide rictus on his vaguely human features remaining frozen in place as he spoke. "When distortion forms, shape is given, responding to that collective unconsciousness' desires, much as you recall with the Palace you overthrew..."
The long-nosed warden tapped his index finger on his desk in perfect precision. "...However, what you've seen so far is but only a tiny glimpse of the labyrinth's surface. In time, the further you progress in your rehabilitation, the answers you seek regarding it will come to you..."
Kyoko simply glared in silence, not bothering to conceal her annoyance at Igor's vagueness, which only seemed to amuse him as he let out another guttural chuckle.
"...On that note, would I be correct in my assertion that is what brings you here? You wish to strengthen and form new Personas to aid you as you progress further into the labyrinth?" Igor asked, a hint of slyness in his fixed grimace. "...Then let us begin..."
Fusions, sacrificing, and reclaiming off the Twins' registry had been tiresome, but Kyoko had left the Velvet Room with some satisfaction on what she now carried for the next trip into the Metaverse. Finding herself back in the streets of Shibuya without Morgana seeming to have noticed her absence any more then he did the last time she entered the Velvet Room in front of the others, the young detective could feel Morgana climb out of her schoolbag.
"So, night is young and Boss is letting us stay out, any thoughts on what we should do?" the cat asked.
Kyoko took a moment to ponder as she looked back at the diner she had spent the afternoon with Mishima at, not a bad place for studying, but she'd already promised the others they'd have a group session later, and while Kyoko did not see herself in any danger, with what Ryuji and Ann had implied about their academic performance, they'd need all the help they could get. She'd not heard anything from Iwai, yet, either, and her trip to the Velvet Room had given her the experience that the twins' services with the registry would not be free, either.
Kyoko took notice of a temporary help wanted sign outside a beef bowl diner and approached, noting it was offering to pay anyone willing to work as a temporary server for the night for an apparent rush that was expected to occur this evening.
"Mmm, I can smell it!" Morgana remarked. "Beef bowl? Sounds delicious!"
He took notice of the sign and glanced over at the teen carrying him. "Thinking about working there for the evening?"
Kyoko folded her arms, bringing her hand up as she thought it over. She was hardly someone suited for casual interaction with customers, but she was precise and had a sharp memory that may still be of use, and she could use the extra money judging from what was being offered.
Without another word, the young detective stepped inside...
Kyoko Kirigiri had endured many hardships in her life, even before being forced to move and becoming a Phantom Thief fighting Shadows, but rushing about in a beef bowl diner handling orders that seemed to come at her left and right while wearing a degrading bright purple and orange-striped uniform shirt and hat was something she knew her grandfather would have no doubt scolded her over almost as badly as he did when he picked her up from jail after that fateful night. The diner's management had remarkable foresight to say the least, as moments after Kyoko had gotten the job, the place had become flooded with customers as if it were on cue.
"I'll take a medium barbecue bowl, please!" a middle-aged man in a suit asked softly.
"GIMME A LARGE BEEF BOWL!" a rather toned, well-endowed brunette girl her age declared loudly, balling her fists and grinning widely, causing the suited man to flinch from the sudden outburst.
"Hey, hey! Medium-sized, Owari! Medium!" a very muscular young man in a tracksuit with a large chain around his neck ordered, before noticing Kyoko had her attention on him. "Right. Large natto bowl, please! Don't wanna wreck the stalls later!" he said with a boisterous laugh, perhaps louder then necessary and causing a few to stare before the brunette girl next to him shot them a look.
"...Of course," Kyoko replied, maintaining a poker face as she quickly made her way to the back and wrote down the orders.
"Wow, you remembered every single one! Not bad!" Morgana said with a chuckle from behind a small bin under the counters.
"I'm a detective, observation and memory are essential," Kyoko replied quietly as she set to work on the orders.
When the rush had finally started to calm down enough that Kyoko had begun washing off some bowls, till only one patron was left as he finished up his own.
"I must say, Miss, you've handled yourself quite well, there," he said, causing Kyoko to glance up, recognizing him immediately, now.
It had been a while, but she recognized him as the man she'd seen on her first trip out into Central Street with Ryuji that was giving speeches. He was an older man, perhaps in his late forties or early fifties, with receding dark hair and wearing a gray suit and red tie, a look of concern and awe on his gentle features. "I do my best," Kyoko said, giving a polite, if faint smile as she finished washing another bowl.
"Still, if I may say, it seemed you had some difficulty managing such a rush of patrons," the patron remarked. "I hope your manager is maintaining enough staff. You looked extremely busy, it's rather concerning to see employees become so overworked these days..."
"...I believe I've seen you around, before?" Kyoko asked.
The man chuckled. "Perhaps you have. I give speeches out near Central Street near the station. If you're interested, feel free to come by and listen sometime if you're free," he said with a kind smile. "...In fact, I think my visit here has given me much to think about. I'll leave my payment here, thank you again for the food."
With a polite nod, the man put his money on the table and got up to leave, Kyoko watching as he headed out the doors.
"Kirigiri-san?" the manager called from the back, "Come on back once you're done washing those. The Yakiniku rush should be up by now."
Moments later, Kyoko was walking out of the diner with her schoolbag over her shoulder, pocketing her earnings.
"Wow! You really pulled it off, today!" Morgana cheered as Kyoko left the diner, her schoolbag over her shoulder again. "That was practically, what, almost triple payment back there?"
"Something like that," Kyoko remarked. "Seems he was rather impressed with how I handled it all."
"I'll say," Morgana said with a chuckle. "He seemed like he hopes you'll come by again next time there's any big events. Like I'm sure jobs like that feel a bit..."
"...Beneath me?" Kyoko asked, glancing back at the cat.
"...Um... in more tactful words," Morgana stammered.
Kyoko took a breath before making her way to the station. "Perhaps, but at the time, I have few options until I am able to resume my goals."
"True, but it may work to our benefit, as well," Morgana replied. "If we get more missions in Mementos, people may talk more and share something helpful if we find the right places to temp at. We got lucky with that stalker, not everyone will know the names of who's causing problems."
"Indeed, many are good at covering their tracks," Kyoko said, descending the stairs into the underground walkway towards the trains. "Who knows what we may come across."
Morgana let out a chuckle. "Well, bring 'em on! The Phantom Thieves'll be ready for 'em, right?"
Kyoko closed her eyes, smirking lightly as the train to Yongen-Jaya pulled up. "Yes, they will..."
5/9
Kyoko took a breath as she stepped outside Shujin, a faint smile coming to her face as she'd noticed how much more lively the school had become since Kamoshida's dismissal and arrest. Students were more upbeat, and the athletes in the school were no longer covered in injuries or appeared on edge. It all had given her some degree of relief that allowed her to cope with the whispers about her a little better, as well.
Her phone suddenly chimed, and picking it up, Kyoko noticed a message had come from the team chat.
[Hey, we up for doing the studying session tonight?] a message from Ann asked.
[Aw man! I'd almost forgot about that!] a message from Ryuji replied.
A brief pause followed before Ryuji responded again.
[...Sure we don't wanna do that new Mementos request from Mishima instead? That'd be way more fun!]
Right. Kyoko had recalled a text from him about a bully at school she'd shared with the others.
-Exams are in just two days, Ryuji. We'll handle the Mementos request tomorrow. Kyoko replied. -If you try to cram on the last evening, it won't do you any good.
[Eh, I know, but don't we wanna deal with this asshole first? We got a name and all!] Ryuji replied back.
Morgana couldn't help but laugh as he read off of Kyoko's phone. "He's got a point, but I think he's just trying to get out of studying!" he mused. "I think we can afford to wait until tomorrow after school."
[I definitely need help, though. I've been distracted] Ann said. [Hard to focus.]
[Heh, I know the feelin'!] Ryuji replied. [Fiiiine, guess we'll study.]
[Not what I'm talking about] Ann answered. [I can't shake it but I think I've been getting followed lately.]
[For real?] Ryuji asked.
-You mentioned that the other day. Have you seen anyone suspicious? Kyoko typed in response.
[No. Think I'm paranoid?] Ann asked.
[Hey, we see anyone we'll kick their ass! You can count on it!] Ryuji answered.
[LOL. Thanks.] Ann replied. [So when do we wanna meet up?]
Kyoko heard her phone chime again. A little bit of fiddling and she saw she'd received a text from Dr. Takemi asking if she'd come over for another clinical trial, with confidence that she'd improved it so that Kyoko was unlikely to lose the entire day again. Considering it for a moment, Kyoko switched menus back to the team chat.
-This evening. Let's meet at the diner on central street. I'll let you know when I'm on my way. Kyoko typed.
[Diner?] Ryuji asked.
[I'll help you get there] Ann replied.
[Awesome! Seeya then!]
"Oh, you actually came," Takemi remarked, blinking in surprise from her seat at the reception desk as Kyoko entered, Morgana hopping out of her bag to wait outside. "I hope that salve I gave you for your hands has been working out?"
Kyoko gave a nod. "It has, thank you," she replied with a smile.
"Good to know," Takemi said with a chuckle. "Whenever you need more just come by, I'll give you a discount."
"I appreciate it," Kyoko replied. "You wanted another clinical trial?"
"Yes, please follow me to the exam room," the doctor ordered, getting up from her seat and leading Kyoko to the back and sitting her down while she went over to her desk.
"Alright," Takemi explained, taking a bottle out from a cabinet and pouring it into a small cup. "Drink this, the effects should come instantly this time."
As the doctor handed it to her, Kyoko noticed the mixture was now yellow instead of red as she looked down at it.
"Well, go on," Takemi said, a slight smirk of amusement on her face. "Drink it all down. It's what you came for, correct?"
"Very well," Kyoko replied, raising the cup to her lips and drinking it down.
A few seconds passed, and Kyoko did not feel any impending and overwhelming drowsiness. Takemi watched her intently, raising up her index finger in front of the teen's face.
"Very good. The eyes are focused, look this way," she said, moving her finger to the left, and to the right, Kyoko's gaze following it perfectly. "No drowsiness? Perfect."
Kyoko's eyes suddenly clenched shut, her nose crinkling a little as she suddenly and sharply turned her head and let out a small sneeze.
"...And there it is!" Takemi said, smirking once more and handing the girl a tissue. "The inhibitory effect I was hoping for..."
"Inhibitory effect?" Kyoko asked, accepting the tissue and rubbed her nose with it, blushing a little in embarrassment despite her best efforts.
"That's right," Takemi explained, picking up her clipboard and jotting down notes. "Kicked in right around when I expected for a teenager. I'd say we're making excellent progress, though. Practice makes perfect after all!"
Before she could finish, however, the doctor's phone began to ring. "Takemi Clinic of Internal Medicine, how may I help you?" she asked as she picked it up and answered. The woman cocked an eyebrow as she listened. "...An emergency? We're not a designated hospital. Besides, the head physician here is Tae Takemi..."
Kyoko heard the sound of dial tone suddenly, Takemi meanwhile blinked in surprise as she was hung up on, sighing in annoyance as she put her phone away. "Well, that was awfully rude," she muttered, before glancing over at Kyoko and noticing the intrigued look on the girl's face. "...It's nothing. Just a wrong number is all. Some ambulance driver looking for a transfer location. All the designated hospitals are full."
"...And they called a general practitioner?" Kyoko asked.
"It would seem so. Probably some new paramedic who made a mistake," Takemi replied, turning to face her desk as she rested her chin on her palm. "He seemed to know my name, though..."
"Why would that be cause to hang up so abruptly?" Kyoko asked, "...Especially if it's an emergency?"
Takemi looked down quietly at her desk, letting out an exasperated sigh as her cold scowl softened into a frown. "...Remember the last time you were here? I got called "The Plague" by that officer who came by?" she asked.
"I do, yes," Kyoko replied. "It seems you have a reputation in this neighborhood, if you don't mind my saying."
Takemi exhaled sharply. "Well, aren't you the blunt little guinea pig?" she asked curtly, closing her eyes. "...It's not just this neighborhood. I've been blacklisted by the larger medical community, entirely. That nickname? It came from a grave medical error I made..."
The doctor's gaze wandered about the cabinets, x-ray scans, and other features that adorned her desk, not meeting Kyoko's. "It goes back to my old job. I was working at a university hospital in the city," she explained. "...Though I never got convicted of anything, this... medical error... made me a pariah in the medical industry."
"I see," Kyoko replied, looking to the side for an instant. The doctor's story was, in many ways, relatable to her own as she processed it.
"This doesn't scare you?" Takemi asked, glancing back at her. "...Participating in clinical trials run by a doctor with such a reputation, I mean?"
"Whatever the case may be," Kyoko replied. "...Your medicine has been helpful, nonetheless."
Takemi chuckled lightly. "Oh really?" she asked. "Gotta say, you're a strange kid. It's not all bad, though, I suppose. Being ostracized just means I have more time to focus on my own research and development, and regardless I look forward to continuing to work with you, little guinea pig."
Kyoko felt a little unnerved by the last statement, and what it may entail, but it seemed Takemi was beginning to trust her more, certainly enough to have opened up a little about her own past.
The sound of a chain shattering echoed through the depths of Kyoko's mind.
Takemi smirked, "For your help, I'll discount some more of my medicines for you in return," she said, turning a page on her clipboard and jotting down a list. Right as she finished, however, her phone rang once more.
"Dr. Takemi's Clinic of Internal Medicine?" she asked as she answered. Her expression slowly turned to a look of annoyance as she listened to the person on the other end of the line. "...One order of teriyaki chicken?! No, I didn't."
With an annoyed sigh, the doctor hung up abruptly, glancing over at Kyoko, who'd chosen to remain silent. "Here's your list, you're all good," she said, folding up the paper she'd written on and handing it to the teen. "Come by another day... if you're still alive, then."
Giving a nod, Kyoko gathered her things and headed outside to the waiting Morgana.
"Ready to go get the others?" the cat asked as he approached her. "Just make sure I get something to eat, too!"
Kyoko nodded, about to pull up the Thieves' chat log when her phone suddenly rang again, her screen telling her it was Takemi again. "Hello?" the young detective asked as she answered.
"Hey," Takemi's voice spoke. "That little prank call back there made something slip my mind that I meant to talk to you about..."
"Go on," Kyoko replied.
"...You haven't been telling anyone about my drugs, right? The trials, I mean?"
"Of course not," Kyoko said, her tone stern and honest.
"Good, part of our deal is you are strictly prohibited from sharing anything about what goes on here," Takemi responded, Kyoko heard a light sigh a second after. "...But I suppose I don't have any reason to doubt you. You're certainly blunt, I'll give you that, but you don't seem dishonest."
"Why did you ask, though?" Kyoko replied.
"I've been getting a lot more patients asking for drugs lately, it's making me wonder where they've been hearing about me lately," Takemi replied. "If it's not you, though, then I appreciate it. Anyway, that's all. I'll see you later."
Once Takemi had hung up, Kyoko switched back on the chat log.
-You both ready? she typed.
[The studying? Yeah! No way am I gonna flunk this time!] Ryuji replied.
[I'm ready!] Ann posted.
-Good. Bikkuri Boy diner on Central Street. Be there soon. Kyoko messaged, pocketing her phone and letting Morgana into her bag before making her way back to the Yongen-Jaya subways, thinking about what Takemi had told her of her past, and how it coincided with the officer and the other man who'd come by and harassed her earlier.
Kyoko gave a light sigh as Ryuji devoured his steak. "You understand we're here to study, not fill ourselves?"
"Hffeee," Ryuji replied, his mouth full before noticing Ann and Kyoko's stares and swallowing his food. "Sorry... can't study on an empty stomach is all!"
"You already had like, two already, Ryuji," Morgana quipped from his spot next to Kyoko. "Stop filling your stomach and start filling that head, there's plenty of space left there!"
"You implyin' somethin', cat?" Ryuji snapped.
"Keep it down so we don't get thrown out!" Ann said in a hushed tone before looking over at Kyoko and flashing a big smile. "Sooooo, about this History question right here? I'm still fuzzy on..."
Kyoko leaned over and saw what Ann was talking about, ignoring the escalating threats Ryuji and Morgana whispered back and forth at eachother and her expression fell slightly. "That question is not particularly hard. Look on page 36 and you'll find it."
The blonde turned her textbook back from its quizzes and soon found the answer, a look of exasperation on her face. "Well how was I supposed to know that'd be important?" she pouted. "I swear, they do this on purpose, who's gonna need to know that in their life?"
"Whether you need to or not in the long term, there's every chance it'll be on the exam," Kyoko replied.
"You've been paying attention in class, too, right Lady Ann?" Morgana asked. "I'm sure Ryuji doesn't."
"I do!" Ryuji snapped, taking another bite of his steak. "...Sometimes. I got a few right so far, didn't I?"
"A few, yes," Kyoko replied, sipping her coffee she'd ordered. "You'll need more then a few, though, if you want to pass."
"Phantom Thieves shouldn't have to do this," Ryuji muttered. "We saved the school, we deserve a break!"
"That's life," Ann mused. "I think I'll do better this time, anyway!"
"Hey, just remember to help me out with English, alright?" Ryuji asked, taking a bite from his sandwich.
"Get me that Chocolate Mousse cake slice they had on the dessert menu and you got a deal, Sakamoto!" Ann said with a smirk as she pat her hand on the boy's shoulder.
Ryuji fumed. "Fine, but if I fail that part you better pay me back!"
Kyoko watched the two talk and smiled a little as she resumed going over her own notes once more before the others were ready to go over the next subject, feeling a little closer to them, now.
"Nice to see you're taking your studies seriously," a female voice Kyoko recognized spoke from behind her, causing the young detective to turn and see the Student President herself standing next to where she was seated.
"Aw man, Miss Prez again?" Ryuji groaned looking up at their visitor. "This ain't Shujin! Can'tcha mind your own business for a change?"
Makoto did not look offended at all, but instead looked around at the group before her. "I was here the same reason as you, it seems. I spotted you and thought I'd say hello before I left. Seems the three of you really are remarkably close..."
Kyoko's eyes narrowed at the older girl, the barely concealed suspicion in her tone and the way she was looking at them suggested otherwise. "What are you trying to imply?" she asked sharply.
"I imagine you could tell me, Kirigiri," Makoto replied matter-of-factly, undaunted by Kyoko's curt tone. "You and Sakamoto here spent quite a bit of time together ever since you started attending, and it seems you've also been getting close to Takamaki, here, as well. All of you had problems with Mr. Kamoshida in some way, I'm just curious of if there might be more to it then that?"
"Such as?" Ann asked, not hiding her annoyance as she tapped her pen on her notebook and giving the brunette an impatient look, to which Makoto returned the favor with a relaxed smirk.
"Nothing closer inspection shouldn't be able to clear up," Makoto replied, her smirk showing a hint of satisfaction at the group's frustration, as if certain she could expect them to get careless at any time. "...At any rate, I'm sure you've got more studying to do. Best of luck on your exams..."
As the group watched her leave, Ann let out a sharp, annoyed exhale. "I swear...!"
"She's definitely relentless," Morgana said, climbing back up into the seat from his hiding place. "...Something tells me she knew we'd be here, or might have tailed us."
"It's possible," Kyoko replied. "She's already made it clear she's got her eye on us."
"Great," Ryuji muttered. "Any more of that I might'a lost my appetite."
"Let's focus on our exams for now," said Kyoko. "The better you two do, the less suspicious we'll be.
"Don't forget that cake slice, Ryuji!" Ann said. "...Definitely could use it even more, now."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it..."
5/10
"Alright, everyone, we're ready, right?" Mona asked as the group stood at stairs overlooking the darkened tunnels of Mementos that waited down below after school had let out.
"Hell yeah!" Skull cheered. "After that uppity Miss Prez gettin' on us last night, I couldn't sit still in class all day. Kickin' some bully's ass in Mementos sounds like just the cure!"
"Besides, we already took down that stalker guy, so how tough can he be?" Panther said with a laugh.
"Just be prepared, Lady Ann, the deeper we go, the stronger the Shadows get, I bet," Mona explained. "We know his name's Daisuke Takanashi. I imagine he's deeper down then where we last left off, so let's head there, first!"
"Yeah, I've seen that bastard around, he's always by the front gates after school lets out," Skull said, slamming his fist into his palm. "...It'll be nice makin' him see what it's like to have someone trash him for a change!"
"Then we can proceed," Ace stated. "Let's get to the platform where we last left off and we'll proceed from there..."
Within moments, the four Thieves had made their way to the black stone gates they'd seen on their last visit that remained opened to them, though to Ace the darkness beyond gave it the image of a gaping maw. This, however, was not what had immediately gotten her or the others' attention, rather it was the odd child-sized blue buggy piled high with travelling gear, and what looked to be a strange little boy wearing a star-patterned silver hoodie over black pants and gray boots, a pair of racing goggles hanging off his neck. He did not seem to notice them right away, however, as he was looking at a strange orb filled with gold flowers hovering over his hand.
"W-what?! A person, in Mementos?" Mona gasped.
"Hmm... is it this one?" the boy wondered aloud as the orb and its contents condensed into a small drink that he began sipping and smiled. "Tasty!"
It was then the boy turned, noticing the group watching him. "Ohhh, for a second I thought I sensed something strange!" he said in a friendly, cheerful young voice as they approached, and it became clear he was anything but normal.
From how Ace assessed him, the boy appeared to not be human at all, but rather some kind of puppet or mannequin. His features were flawlessly smoothed and rounded, and while his mouth moved naturally his ears and nose looked as though they had been attached on and carved from wood. His silvery bowl cut also did not look like hair, either, but rather as though it had simply been carved into the shape of hair. He looked up at her with gold eyes that reminded her of those the twins of the Velvet Room had.
"...So who are you guys?" the boy asked, cocking his head up at them as he barely reached past Ace, Skull, and Panther's knees.
"We should be asking you that!" Mona, who was a little shorter then him, replied.
"Hm, good point! Sorry about that!" the boy replied. "It's custom for a human to introduce themselves before asking another human's name, correct? Thanks so much for reminding me, Mr... um... Tanuki? ...Cat?"
"Excuse me?! I'm not either of those!" Mona protested, scowling.
"I dunno, gettin' confused about that seems pretty normal to me," Skull remarked quietly, earning a glare from Mona.
"Well, my name's Jose! I'm here looking for flowers!" the boy said with a smile. "I'm surprised there's normal humans, here! I didn't even know people could come down here!"
Mona chuckled sheepishly. "Well, we are pretty special and-HEY!" the cat creature's eyes widened indignantly. "Th-that's not the important question here! Who exactly are you is what matters, here!"
"You said you were looking for flowers, right?" Panther asked. "Did you mean that floating thing you turned into a drink?"
The wooden boy giggled. "That's right, pretty lady! Those seem to be what I'm looking for!" he explained. "I'm trying to collect as many as I can so I can study humans!"
"Um... turnin' flowers into a drink helps you study humans?" Skull asked.
"Yup!" the boy replied cheerfully.
Skull raised an eyebrow at Jose under his mask. "...How does that work exactly?"
"I dunno," the wooden boy remarked, stroking the side of his head with his fingertip as he cocked it sideways in thought. "It's just what I'm supposed to do." His face suddenly lit up, as much as his artificial features permitted. "Hey! Think you four can help me out with my research a bit?"
"How?" asked Ace, folding her arms as she looked down at the child.
"By collecting flowers for me! They're all over the place in the levels further down past that door!" Jose explained. "I won't ask you do it for free, though. I find all sorts of neat things down here that might help you out if you're gonna explore this place, so if you find any flowers, just bring 'em to me and I'll trade you some stuff for them!"
"This would make our exploring Mementos a little easier," Ace remarked, bringing her hand to her chin as she regarded the boy. Despite his odd, puppet-like appearance he was... strangely adorable in his eagerness. "Still..."
"I say we help him out!" Panther said with a smile. "I'm sure he's fine, and it shouldn't be too hard to find flowers for him if he says they're all over the place down there! Plus... he called me pretty lady!"
"Eh, it's prolly fine, I guess. Plus, useful stuff is always good!" Skull replied.
"Maybe, but we should still be careful. We don't exactly know who or what this kid is," Mona cautioned.
"So... does this mean you'll help me?" Jose asked innocently, offering a hopeful smile.
"For now, we can do that," Ace replied.
"Thanks!" the strange boy said, smiling brightly.
"Wait a second! We have no idea who or what this kid is!" Mona protested indignantly before glaring at Jose. "Don't thank us yet, buddy!" he snapped, doing his best to look intimidating despite being even shorter then the kid in front of him.
Jose gave Mona a look of genuine worry and concern. "You're so grumpy... are you tired? Poor kitty..."
"I AM NOT A CAT!" Mona snapped at the top of his lungs, his fur raising and his ears twitching. "...And I am NOT grumpy!"
Jose, however, did not seem particularly daunted by Mona's outburst at all, as he simply gave a friendly smile again. "Oh, okay, then! You hungry? I've learned hunger can make a person turn grumpy!" he said, reaching into his hoodie and pulling out a small snack package bag of cookies before offering it to Mona. "Here, they're really good! Have some!"
Mona grimaced, taking a step back from the boy's friendly gesture. "Th-thanks, but I-I think I'll pass..."
The boy cocked his head in curiosity. "Oh my... are you sick, now, too? Here, just try some you'll feel better right away!" he said, holding them out once more.
Ace couldn't help but smile in amusement at the two. "It seems the more you resist, Mona, the more you're worrying him," she said.
"Yeah, he doesn't seem like a bad guy," said Skull, trying to hide his own amusement at Mona's plight. "Just humor the kid for now."
"Pantherrrr, help me!" Mona whined, looking to Panther for support, prompting her to giggle in response.
"Aw, don't be so mean, Mona!" Panther said with a smile. "He's trying to be nice. Just take 'em!"
With a defeated sigh, Mona swiped the bag of cookies and stuffed them in his belt pouch. "There. I'll have 'em later, alright?"
Jose thankfully seemed satisfied. "Great! Hope you like 'em!" he said, making his way to his blue, overpacked buggy. "I'm gonna head on in and look for more flowers, so stop by if you see me!"
With a honk of his car's horn, the strange puppet boy sped off down the dark tunnel ahead.
"So what the hell was that about?" Skull asked once Jose was gone.
"Was he some kind of Shadow?" Ace asked, glancing over at Mona. "He didn't come off as malicious at all, let alone threatening, nor did he seem dishonest at all. He seemed..."
"...Innocent?" Panther asked. "I guess he's not human if he's studying humans, but he seemed like just a nice kid."
"...Far as I can tell, he definitely isn't a Shadow. I couldn't sense anything that'd identify him as one, either," Mona replied, taking out the bag of cookies again and staring at it. "...So at least I wouldn't say he's dangerous. If he's got any ill intent he did a pretty good job at hiding it..."
"So why the big freakout and all?" Skull asked.
"He just kind of weirded me out is all!" Mona replied. "I mean, I've been in Mementos before, I've never seen anything like him before!"
"You sure?" Ace questioned, looking down at the catlike thief.
"Of course!" Mona stated. "...I think."
Skull let out an audible sigh. "This again? Look, let's go find that bully's Shadow. It's gonna be through here somewhere, right?" he asked. "Plus, we see any of those flower things that Jose kid wants, guess we can grab those for him, too."
Before the four Thieves could proceed further, however, the tooting of Jose's car horn could be heard once more as he came speeding back through the tunnel towards them, prompting the four of them to instinctively leap out of the way as the buggy emerged and came to an abrupt stop.
"Whoa, sorry!" Jose cried out as he parked and climbed out of his little car. "I almost forgot! I got something I've been meaning to give to all of you!"
"Something for us?" Ace questioned as she emerged from behind the column she'd hid behind and approached.
"Yeah! It's something strange I found while I was exploring earlier!" Jose replied, reaching around in his hoodie's pockets. "Here it is!"
Ace raised an eyebrow at the strange trinket the boy took out and offered to her. It looked to be some kind of faintly glowing, blue-green crystal star, roughly the size of the boy's hand.
"Ooo-kay. What is it?" Skull asked, staring down at it.
"It's a star, of course!" Jose replied cheerfully. "That's what humans call them, right? So that's what I call it."
"A star...?" Mona asked, also perplexed by what Jose was holding.
"So what about it did you want to show us?" Panther asked.
"Humans make wishes on stars, right?" Jose asked. "That's so interesting, stars granting wishes, so this star is gonna grant yours!"
Mona's eyes went wide. "Ou-our wishes?!"
Jose chuckled. "Well, it'd be nice to think that..."
The catlike theif's ears promptly drooped, "..."Nice to think that"? Seriously?"
"Here, I wanna give it to you!" Jose said, holding out out to Ace. "It's so nice and pretty, just like you! A sign of our friendship!"
Ace blinked in surprise, flattered a little by the small boy's gesture and compliment before reaching down and accepting it from him. "Thank you," she replied.
"You're welcome, Miss!" Jose said, closing his eyes and smiling in satisfaction. "I hope you like it! Well, off I go!"
Before anyone could say another word, the boy hopped back into his buggy, and with a sharp spin, sped off back into the waiting gateway and into the dark tunnels beyond.
"Huh... welp, there he goes," Skull remarked, resting his hands at his hips as he watched Jose disappear into the distance before turning his attention to Ace. "So that star... he said it'd grant wishes or somethin'?"
"Ummm, I seriously doubt something like that would happen, Skull, even in Mementos," Morgana replied, ears drooping. "...I mean, I guess you could try and make a wish and we'll see."
"Okay! I wish for all-you-can-eat parfaits with zero calories!" Panther declared.
"One extra-large beef bowl with a side'a pork soup!" Skull cheered.
A moment passed, Ace looked down at the star-like object she was holding, which gave no response.
"...I suspect that's not what this is intended for," Ace remarked.
"I guess Skull's wish was kind of petty," Panther replied.
"Oh, like you're one to talk, Miss Parfaits!" Skull snapped indignantly.
"Whatever it's for, we should probably hold on to it, anyway!" said Mona. "...At any rate, we should move on. We still got a target whose heart we came down here to change!"
Nodding, Ace slid the star into the inner pocket of her coat and the four Thieves made their way into the waiting tunnel ahead.
"Wait!" Mona suddenly shouted as they reached the bottom of the set of stone stairs into the new area.
"What is it now?" Skull asked impatiently.
"We need to be extra careful from here on in," the cat thief explained. "The previous floor was still close to the surface so it doesn't really come up there... though I can't be sure now that the gate's open..."
"...It?" asked Ace.
"There's a Shadow here in Mementos, if we linger on one of the unsafe floors for too long, it'll sense us and come straight for us!" Mona said.
"So? We can handle it, right?" Skull asked.
"No, not this one," Mona explained. "It's way, way stronger then any other Shadow. If it engages us, we'd have no chance against it. There's no hiding because it can always sense us, so if it comes for us, we run for the nearest exit, got it? It won't follow us then."
Ace looked ahead at the tunnel awaiting them. It was noticeably darker then the previous ones, the red veins creeping up the columns and ceilings with only dim blue, flickering lights above provided illumination. A strange draft seemed to draw the group inward, pulling black flecks of debris into the gloomy corridor ahead like it were drawing in a deep breath.
"In that case, it's best we move fast, and stop only when necessary," Ace said.
"My thoughts exactly!" Mona replied, transforming into a van once more. "Get in everyone! We aren't that much farther from our target!"
At long last, the four Thieves found themselves once more in a twisted chamber isolated from the rest of Mementos. Red glyphs like the ones found on the door earlier adorned the stone walls illuminated by faint blue overhead lights, revealing the large red tubes above that seemed to pump glowing red light into a large, pulsating hole in the wall at the far end. As Ace and her teammates emerged from the van, she noticed also that the walls now bear large barred windows with chains feeding into them similar to a prison cell, the place looking even worse then the one Nakanohara had been found in.
Narrowing her eyes, she took note of the figure standing in front of the hole in the wall, a brown-haired teenaged boy in a Shujin uniform that was facing away from them staring off at the hole and the glowing tubes feeding into it.
"So that's Takanashi's Shadow, huh?" Skull whispered.
"It would seem so," Ace replied. "The message from Mishima said he's mostly blackmails others out of their money."
"If we don't change his heart, he may start doing worse," said Panther.
"It won't. That bastard's bullyin' is gonna end, right now!" Skull snapped. "Hey asshole! You the one who's been takin' other kids' money at school?"
Skull's rhetoric question caused the Shadow of Takanashi to turn its head back towards them, a wide, inhuman sneer spread across his face as his glowing gold eyes gleamed at the Thieves from the darkness. "It's not my fault they give it up so easily," he said, his voice deep and reverberating as he spoke. "They were asking for it for not standing up for themselves!"
"That ain't a reason, you piece'a shit!" Skull growled. "How the hell's it their fault when you don't even give 'em a choice, huh?"
"You're the lowest of the low, you know that?!" Panther snapped. "You go around bullying people weaker then you that you know can't fight back!"
"You think this makes you look strong, Takanashi?" asked Ace, regarding him with disgust. "All it does is show what a pathetic coward you really are. I doubt you'd even think of trying this on someone you know can take you... like us," she stated as Mona, Panther, and Skull stood around her, preparing to fight.
"The hell?!" the bully's Shadow protested. "You're all ganging up on me, too! Are you the Phantom Thieves, or some kinda gang?!"
The chamber began to tremble as smoke began gathering around Takanashi, his voice growing deeper and more sinister as his anger rose. "Protectors of Justice, my ass! Don't act high and mighty with me and you don't know anything!"
In seconds, the red and black smoke engulfed the bully's form as it melted down into ooze, reforming into what appeared to be a child-sized white implike creature resembling a snowman, donning a blue scarf, boots, and jester hood, with pitch black eyes and a large open grin with two small fangs.
"I already told you, I didn't do anything wrong! Listen to me and back off, damnit!" the berserk Shadow snapped angrily.
"Heh, looks like he'd hate a little fire! I got this!" Panther shouted, summoning Carmen and preparing to strike, but the creature waved its snowy hand and fired a wave of purple energy at Panther in response, causing her to collapse to the ground in a fetal position.
"Panther!" Ace cried out.
"D-don't... hurt me..." Panther stuttered, huddled on the ground.
"She's been afflicted with a Fear spell!" Mona shouted, leaping in front of the shivering girl. "I'll cover her! Skull, Ace, keep it busy!"
"Damn, so he really is good at makin' people afraid'a him!" Skull growled. "CAPTAIN KIDD!"
The pirate Persona immediately formed over the boy, unleashing a bolt of lightning at the snowy creature and causing it to cry out.
"CAIT SITH!" Ace shouted, summoning the catlike Persona as it swung its rapier, unleashing a blast of fire at the creature. Takanashi let out another shriek as the flames struck it, causing it to stumble back in pain.
"NO ONE CARES ABOUT ME!" the Shadow protested. "THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I GO THROUGH EVERY DAY!" With a snap of its fingers, a spring-loaded boxing glove appeared above it, suddenly rocketing forward at Skull, socking him right in the face and knocking him over. The Shadow chuckled as it did a spin on its foot and snapped its fingers again, another boxing glove appearing as it prepared to smack Skull again, but Ace was ready this time as she leapt forward, pushing him out of the way just as the boxing glove struck her, causing the girl to wince in pain.
"C'mon, Lady Ann! Snap out of it!" Mona snapped, summoning Zorro and firing a blast of wind to knock the Shadow back.
Takanashi's Shadow cackled as it fired another blast of purple energy at Mona, and in an instant, the cat thief was cowering on the floor alongside Panther.
"Okay, I've had enough of this bastard!" shouted Skull as he once more called forth Captain Kidd, who launched himself straight at the Shadow, knocking it on its back. "HA! How do you like it, you little shit?!"
"Now's our chance! Let's finish this quick, Skull!" Ace shouted, summoning her dagger as Skull brandished his mace, the two leaping into the air as one and striking the Shadow repeatedly in a flurry of blows.
With one last cry, the creature fall back, exploding in a cloud of smoke and revealing the human form of Takanashi once more.
"Ohh... it's over..." Mona said, shaking his head as the effects of the spell the Shadow had inflicted on him and Panther wore off.
"Already?" Panther asked indignantly as she stood back up, brandishing her whip as she glared at Takanashi.
"W-wait! Stop!" Takanashi pleaded, holding his hand out and trembling. "Y-you don't understand! If I don't do it, they're gonna hurt me! I don't want people taking my money from me, anymore! Please!"
Ace raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What're you talking about? Who's "they"?"
"If I don't go after anyone, I'm the one who's gonna get bullied!" Takanashi protested, tears welling up in his gold eyes. "I can't take it! I-I just can't!"
Ace brought her hand up to her chin as she regarded the boy. "Then there's a bigger bully that's been extorting you?"
"Y-yes..." Takanashi replied, looking down at the floor. "I-I'll apologize, but please... you're the Phantom Thieves, promise you'll do something about them!"
In a flash of light, the bully's Shadow was gone.
"Seems this is bigger then we thought," said Ace, glancing back at her teammates. "...We should get going. We've done all we can for today..."
"Guess you're right," Skull sighed, kicking his foot against the ground in dismay.
"Besides, you guys got exams tomorrow, remember?" Mona asked with a smirk.
"Ha! Well, I think I'll do better then ever, now!" Panther said with a laugh.
"Like that's an option unless you somehow do worse then usual in English," Skull snarked.
"Excuse me?! Who helped you the other day, huh?" Panther asked indignantly.
"For a cake slice!" Skull snapped in response.
"Rewards are a great motivator I'll have you know!" Panther replied matter-of-factly. "...And most tutors charge money!"
"So now you're my tutor? Think I'll stick with Kyoko, thanks," Skull muttered.
Ace ran her hand through her bangs, letting out an exasperated sigh as she already made her way towards the exit of the chamber, the others following behind her as it slowly began to tremor again with its erasure from the eldritch labyrinth.
Night had long since fallen as Kyoko opened the door to Leblanc, its bell jingling as she walked in.
"Welcome back. Planning to get some studying done for your exams, tonight?" Sojiro asked as Kyoko took a seat and set her bag down. "Yeah, I know they're coming. If you are, head on upstairs. It's still not particularly late I may still get a few customers yet..."
"Last-minute studying often raises stress and does more harm then good," Kyoko replied. "I actually did have a group session with my friends from school yesterday to help them out."
Sojiro smirked. "Well, nice of you to look out for 'em, they're not troublemakers, are they?"
Kyoko gave a faint smile. "No, they've just dealt with a lot lately."
"Well, in that event, business is slow, so if you'd like work on honing your coffee skills, I wouldn't mind the help," Sojiro replied, raising an eyebrow.
Kyoko smiled again and gave a nod. "I could do that."
"Thanks, spare apron's right over there," Sojiro replied, gesturing behind the counter.
"Think I'll head on up. It's been a long day," Morgana remarked, yawning and heading up the stairs, getting a silent nod from the teen in response.
No sooner had Kyoko gone upstairs to change and return downstairs slipping on the apron, however, the bang rang as the door opened, prompting both to turn as the silver-haired young woman Kyoko recognized from the other day when she sold the medal entered.
"Apologies for coming so late," the woman said as she typed away at her phone. Kyoko soon noticed, however, the woman was not alone. With her was a boy her own age. In the much more well-lit cafe, however, she immediately recognized the boy's uniform, and moreso, his face, now.
The boy she remembered leaving Leblanc the night she'd returned from taking Kamoshida's treasure, but getting a better look she realized she'd seen him several times before on TV.
"It is good to come back here, Niijima-san," the boy said with a smile as he entered behind the woman, before looking over at Sojiro. "My apologies, I had no idea she was such a regular, here..."
"It's nice to have you back," Sojiro said, though he did not appear particularly thrilled to see the woman here. "I wouldn't exactly call her a regular, though. So to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" he asked the woman, Niijima.
"No particular reason," she replied, her tone curt and her attention still on her phone as she sat down at the counter. "...I just happen to prefer your coffee is all. I've found it to be worth the trip out here."
Sojiro did not look like he bought it at all but remained polite.
Niijima... Kyoko remembered that name, and what the woman had said to her the last time they'd met. The boy, meanwhile, had taken notice of Kyoko and sat himself across from her at the bar table, setting his briefcase on a nearby stool as he looked her over.
"Excuse me, have I seen you somewhere before?" the boy asked, looking at her in curiosity, but then a smile came to his face. "...Of course! We ran into eachother outside the cafe a while back, didn't we? My name's Goro Akechi."
"The Detective Prince?" Kyoko asked, prompting him to raise an eyebrow. "...I've seen you on TV several times."
The boy, Akechi, chuckled warmly. "You got me!" he replied. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss...?"
"Kirigiri," Kyoko replied, choosing not to be rude and Sojiro too busy being pulled into a conversation by the boy's companion to interject as the woman took out a folder. "Kyoko Kirigiri. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Akechi blinked in surprise as the girl gave a polite bow. "...Kirigiri? Any relation to Fuhito Kirigiri, by any chance?"
It was now Kyoko's turn to blink in surprise, though more by the boy's rather forward question. Her reaction, however slight it was, seemed to give confirmation to the boy seated across from her as he gave a knowing smile in response.
"...Surprised? I am the celebrity ace detective, after all," he said, his smile growing slightly. "I've read all of his cases... To have solved so many, to be the most proficient in every type, his reputation is well-earned. I aspire to one day be the same... To think I'd meet his grand-daughter, of all people, here of all places!"
"I transferred schools, it unfortunately required I move for the commute," Kyoko replied as she glanced over at Sojiro, who looked down at Niijima sternly as she silently flipped through the folder. "...My grandfather called in a favor."
"Is that so?" Akechi asked, bringing his hand to his chin as he smirked at her. "I'm sure you have your reasons. It's very kind of him to give you a place to stay while you're here." The boy suddenly looked embarrassed, giving a sheepish smile. "Oh, where are my manners? One Columbian Narino, please."
"I'll take care of that," Sojiro said, overhearing the boy's order. "And you, Miss?" he asked Niijima.
"My usual," the woman responded, curtly as before.
"Coming right up," Sojiro replied, turning on the burners.
Akechi took in the aroma as the coffee brewed. "...I admit I really like this place. It has a good vibe," he said, now resting his chin in his palm as he looked up at her. "I'm sure you'd agree with me, that a detective is something ambiguous and uncertain, when you think about it. By themselves, there's no guarantee a detective will be useful to society, after all."
"Yes," Kyoko replied. "...And for that reason, it falls on the detective to fulfil the requirements necessary to prove their value."
An intrigued smile formed on Akechi's face. "Very true," he replied. "...And those requirements are...?"
"You're testing my knowledge?" Kyoko asked, brushing back her hair before folding her arms, a small smile on her face as she briefly closed her eyes. "...Very well. The first requirement is a difficult case, one which only he or she can be relied on to solve..."
The boy gave a nod as he watched her, as if sizing the girl up. "Go on..."
"...To solve this case, he or she must have superior skills in memory, observation, and deductive reasoning that no one else can be relied upon to have," Kyoko replied as Sojiro brought over the coffee.
"...And why is that?" Akechi inquired, his smile growing ever so slightly as he took up his cup and took a sip.
"Because a detective's mission is to uncover the truth, and expose it beyond a shadow of a doubt," Kyoko explained. "...As a result, a detective cannot take sides, as the truth exists from fact and evidence, not emotion or personal preference, and therefore has no bias."
"I see," Akechi replied, taking another sip. "...And there is one other requirement. The one which inspires within him or her the drive to find such a case, or perhaps one who makes it... a worthy rival."
Kyoko looked back at the boy. "Have you ever found such a rival?"
Akechi smiled once more, bringing his cup to his lips once more. "...Have you?"
Silence passed between them before Akechi chuckled sheepishly once more. "...Perhaps I should apologize again. I hope I haven't made you uncomfortable or bored you, I'm sure much of this you've heard plenty of times, correct?"
"It's no trouble," Kyoko replied. "...On the contrary, it's nice to discuss it again with someone and keep my own skills and knowledge properly tuned."
"Likewise. We're both still young, after all," Akechi replied as he took another sip. "...A compelling case or not, I can't simply ignore my studies, either."
"It can't be argued that you've done quite well for yourself," Kyoko said. "Between your achievements as a young detective and as a straight-A student, it's quite impressive, to say the least."
"That certainly means a lot coming from you, Kirigiri-san," Akechi chuckled. "After all, as I'd said earlier, I must prove my worth to society for it to accept me as a detective. If I ever have the honor of finally meeting your grandfather, I can only hope by then I'm worthy to hear the same from him."
Before Kyoko could think of a suitable and perhaps tactful response on her grandfather's most recent opinion of him, Niijima stood, closing her folder. "We're done. Finish up, Akechi-kun," she said sternly, gathering up her things.
Akechi glanced over at the woman, finishing his cup as Niijima left money for both orders and stood up, picking up his own briefcase. "Thank you for the coffee, it was delicious!" he said, glancing briefly at Sojiro with a polite bow, then looking back over at Kyoko and doing the same for her. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Kirigiri-san. Perhaps I'll see you again, sometime... who knows what the future may hold for two promising young detectives, after all?"
Kyoko brought her hand to her chin as she watched Akechi leave, processing his words and the way he'd spoken to her upon learning her name. By her assertion, his successes she'd seen on TV that her grandfather was less then pleased about, and his rapid rise to fame that had earned him many interviews, it was hardly surprising the boy had an aura of confidence to the point of arrogance to his demeanor, but at the same time his sincerity, his respect for her grandfather, and the way he tested her in their conversation gave the impression he was sizing her up as a potential rival.
"Honestly, that woman," Sojiro grumbled, hands at his hips and his words taking Kyoko out of her thoughts.
"I assume she wasn't here for just coffee?" Kyoko asked, recalling there had been no talking between them once the woman had opened her folder.
"It's none of your business, so don't worry about it," Sojiro replied. "At least that detective kid was as well-mannered as he was last time."
"Yes, I remember he'd come by before," Kyoko said.
"He wasn't here long, practically forgot about him," Sojiro said, shaking his head as he scratched his hair. "I could certainly do without the other one, but he seems to have taken a shine to you, hasn't he?"
Kyoko glanced away as she took the empty cups and heading to the back. "...I couldn't say," she replied, filling the sink and washing the cups.
"Well, just don't say anything unnecessary if he comes by again, no matter how handsome he is," said Sojiro.
Kyoko stayed silent a moment before finishing her task and drying off the cups. "All I want is to complete my probation and keep my grades up for when it ends, nothing else." she replied.
"Good, I suggest you keep it that way," the older man replied, before suddenly hearing a chime from his phone and answering it.
"What's up?" Sojiro's serious look softened into a smile. "...Of course, I'll be leaving in just a moment. See you soon."
Putting his phone away, Sojiro undid his apron and hung it up, heading to the back to grab his coat and hat. "I'll see you tomorrow. Head on upstairs when you're done, here, alright?"
Kyoko gave a silent nod as he left, closing and locking the door behind him, leaving Kyoko alone with her thoughts until she heard soft footsteps paddling down the stairs.
"So, that guy from the other day is some famous ace detective, huh?" Morgana asked, approaching and sitting on the bar table.
Kyoko responded with a nod. "Yes. Even before coming here, he's been on TV a lot regarding the mental shutdown and psychotic break cases," she explained. "He's managed to solve incidents involving them, exposing a number of government scandals in the process over the past two years and it's given him a great deal of recognition."
"Sounds like he's pretty sharp!" Morgana replied.
"Yes," Kyoko replied, putting away the rubber gloves and sliding her normal ones back on. "Enough so to frustrate my grandfather. He views him a threat to our legacy, should he solve it before we do."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Morgana said. "...If those incidents are metaverse-related, then there's only so far he'll be able to get on any of them."
Kyoko closed her eyes, recalling how Morgana had described what could have happened with Kamoshida, which brought another thought to mind. "His partner, Niijima, had shown interest in the events regarding Kamoshida when she'd visited previously," she explained. "...It stands to reason the law might consider the Phantom Thieves as responsible for all of them the more well-known we become..."
"...And they may become a problem in the future, then," Morgana said, looking down at the floor. "In that case, we'll need to be careful, especially when we go for bigger targets..."
The teen nodded, "Yes, we will." she said, glancing at the door again and thinking of her earlier conversation with Akechi.
Perhaps I'll see you again, sometime... who knows what the future may hold for two promising young detectives, after all?
"What, indeed," Kyoko mused to herself as she headed upstairs to get ready for bed.
A/N: So the choice is made, Jose is now in, figured I should get the next Mementos trip done right away so I could take care of that! As for the other questions... well... wait and see ;) All I'll say is it is my goal to have some more DR cast cameos throughout the story, and I do already have it planned how the Makoto Niijima stalking is gonna play out, and how to make the "Operation Maid Watch" scene happen and still work.
The Fool: Rank 3
The Magician: Rank 2
The Hierophant: Rank 2
The Lovers: Rank 2
The Chariot: Rank 3
The Hanged Man: Rank 1
Death: Rank 3
The Moon: Rank 2
Kyoko's Personas: Agathion, Cait Sith, Saki Mitama, Genbu, Succubus, Berith