Heart of Justice Chapter 21
5/20
Kyoko had made her way to the hallways as lunch period came around. Sojiro had wanted to see her score and she had promised to deliver on that. Some of the students backed away from her as she drew closer, whispering as she passed them.
"Careful, she's here!"
"Move fast, she might hurt you if you don't!"
"I heard she's picking fights with Niijima-senpai..."
"The Student President? Wow, someone's pressing her luck!"
"She must've bombed badly..."
Kyoko paid them no mind, she knew any reaction would only validate their claims. Reaching the bulletin board where the exam scores were posted, the young detective traced her fingertip along the names, finally finding her name around the top. Deciding after hearing the remarks made about her, it was time to make a point to the other students and, with her finger still on where her name was, the young detective turned and faced the other students with a neutral expression, allowing her finger to remain where it was for a second as she took in their stunned faces before walking back to class without a word.
"Way to make 'em eat their words, Kyoko!" Morgana said with a chuckle as he peered out from her's schoolbag, looking back at the astonished students gathering to see where Kyoko had scored.
School had let out and Kyoko prepared to make her way back to Leblanc when her phone chimed with a text. Taking it out and giving it a look, she saw Maruki had sent her a message.
[Hey, how've you been doing since our last talk? Has anything been on your mind?] the message inquired.
[If you have time, I'll be happy to chat with your again after school.]
Kyoko thought it over for a moment before coming to her conclusion.
-Very well, I'll be right over.
[Thanks so much! I look forward to seeing you, then!] Maruki's response read.
Pocketing her phone, Kyoko made her way downstairs, briefly casting a glance at a rather disheveled looking girl leering around the corner at a boy talking to another girl and mumbling to herself. Niijima was also nearby, though she seemed to be immersed in a manga she was reading while leaning against a nearby wall.
Kyoko noticed out of the corner of her eye Makoto lowering the manga and look over as she walked past her, only for her to hurriedly pull it back up and look interested in what she was reading again once Kyoko turned her head to look back at her. The young detective had not pegged someone of Makoto's personality to have any interest in such reading material which only added to the Student President's suspicious behavior.
As she continued down the hall, she took out her phone and dialed Sojiro's number, letting it ring a bit.
"Kyoko?" his voice answered, surprised to have her call him. "Whatever it is make it quick, I do have customers, you know!"
"I'll be home a little later, I've got an appointment with the school counselor," Kyoko replied.
"School counselor? Kyoko please tell me you haven't gotten yourself into-" Sojiro answered, sounding annoyed.
"Nothing like that," Kyoko explained. "The students were asked to have routine therapy sessions at their convenience after the scandal that occurred," she said. "If it's any consolation I checked my exam scores and I was among the top bracket, as expected."
"Huh, well," Sojiro replied, his tone sounding more relaxed. "Good to know I don't have to have any conferences or anything, then. That'd be a real pain in the ass!" he said. "Anyways, I need to get back to work. I'll see you back here, later."
"Of course," Kyoko replied. Once she'd hung up, the teen looked back and thought she saw Niijima ducking around a corner as she did so. Approaching, Kyoko turned sharply and discovered the brunette was nowhere to be found. Brushing back her hair, Kyoko turned around and made her way to the nurse's office where she found Maruki waiting outside.
"Kirigiri! Glad you could make it!" Maruki said with a smile. "Hope you're holding up well, seems a lot of kids are dealing with allergies lately."
"I've managed," Kyoko replied. She recalled the news on the train ride mentioning pollen season had begun. "How have you been?"
"You don't need to worry about me," the doctor said, chuckling. "Anyway, if you're okay with it, I called you over because I'd like your input on something."
"Your research, correct?" Kyoko asked, having suspected as much when he'd first contacted her.
"Naturally. That was the agreement, after all," Maruki replied. "Though no pressure intended, if you've got time and feel up to it, I could use the help."
"I have nothing else going on," Kyoko said, giving a small smile.
"That's great! I just finished a counseling session, so just head on into the Nurse's office," Maruki replied, ushering Kyoko in as Morgana waited until Maruki had looked away before hopping out of Kyoko's bag and making his way to a spot he could hide on the overhead duct pipes.
"I'll meet you at the front gates when you're done. Seeya then!" Morgana said, getting a nod from Kyoko as she went inside.
"I have gotta say, I've been getting quite a lot of students coming in ever since I started here!" Maruki said, shaking his head in disbelief as he took a pair of juice boxes from the minifridge for himself and Kyoko and sat down in his armchair while Kyoko took a seat on the couch across from him. "I admit, it's kind of a relief, to be honest..."
Kyoko raised an eyebrow in response to the doctor's statement. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"Well, the whole Kamoshida scandal was the reason I was called here, after all," Maruki explained. "I was warned a lot of students were impacted, including the sports teams he coached. I knew there'd be a lot of free-floating anxiety even with him gone..."
"Some of the things he did would be a lot harder to forget, let alone overcome, then others," Kyoko replied.
Maruki nodded. "Very true. Thankfully, though, when I actually got to talk to everyone, I was pleasantly surprised. Rather then what they'd endured from him, most of them were stressed over college entrance exams or relationship problems!" he said with a warm chuckle. "...In other words, mostly typical high school student worries! True, there were some that opened up about deeper issues, but not the majority."
"It's good people are starting to be able to move on from it," Kyoko said. "...As difficult as I imagine it may be for some. I'm not entirely sure how long he was here for, to be honest. I did only just start coming here at the start of this school year, after all. I... couldn't imagine what those who have dealt with him longer or more directly on a regular basis had to put up with."
"There are certainly those who are still struggling with the scars from the incident, yes," Maruki replied. "...But at the very least, I'm glad the ones who have come to me for counseling have begun to take necessary steps to recovery... even though that's not to say I've gotten a sense of every single student's emotional state..."
The doctor took a sip from his juice box. "...Either way, I just hope my worries end up being groundless in the end." he explained. "And I know you might not see me as the most reliable guy, but remember that you can always talk to me if something's ever bothering you. I am a counselor, after all! If nothing else, I'm good at listening!" he said with a smirk.
Kyoko looked down at her lap a moment, thinking about certain memories that had crossed her mind the previous night, but chose to remain silent. She wasn't entirely sure how she felt on the matter, or if how she felt was even the right way to feel. A second later, she turned her attention back to the doctor, who now had a look of concern. "...I'll keep that in mind," she said, giving a nod and hoping it'd be reassuring enough he'd not dwell or press on it.
Thankfully, he did not. "I appreciate that," he said. "In that case, having said all that, though, I guess it'd seem awkward or a little weird that I'd ask for your help regarding my research. Don't worry though, it's nothing overly difficult or intensive. I just need you to listen through what I have to say and work through some questions with me."
Kyoko gave a small smile, giving a hint of amusement. "...You're asking someone trained for a career as a detective for a peer review?"
"Not exactly," Maruki said with a laugh. "Maybe more of a testing on theories. I should probably start at the beginning and tell you a little about what the research is for..."
"Go on," Kyoko replied.
"What I'm studying is how emotional pain is felt in the mind, or perhaps, more fancifully, the heart," Maruki explained. "It can be caused in a number of ways, one particular example may be the pain of someone saying hurtful things to you. While this can seem innocuous to some on the outside, these hurtful things are often intended to cut as deep as possible and even make you question your sanity, to the point sometimes being subject to this can cause you to wrongfully believe this form of abuse and the pain that comes from it are deserved, while the ones who hurt you will always make excuses for it to reinforce that mentality. People who have suffered an abuser in their life prior can be especially susceptible to this and can take a long time to recover from..."
Kyoko once more looked down at her lap, some things she didn't want to dwell on, or question, especially in light of what she'd witnessed Yusuke be forced to face in Madarame's Palace that he'd remained in denial of. Pushing it aside, she looked back up at Maruki. "Continue," she said.
"Another common example is being separated from the one you love," Maruki explained. "People often wonder if something will come between them, or if something will happen that robs them of any chance of seeing that person again. Again, another one often brought on by an especially troubling past experience... When the heart is exposed to a pain defined by abstracts, such as trauma or even severe stress, unlike bodily physical pain such as recovering from injury which can be thought of as something necessary and autonomic." Maruki brought his hand to his chin, his gentle smile fading to a look of troubled concern. "...Pains felt within the heart, however... and moreso the means of recovery from them, are an entirely different story from that."
Kyoko nodded. "It's not physical, so it can't heal on its own the same way a cut or a broken bone could, if that's what you mean," she replied.
"Exactly," Maruki said, smiling. "That pain isn't born from any tangible problem in our bodies, right? It's something strange and immaterial. It goes to show there are still a lot of mysteries in our own hearts and minds, huh?"
"Indeed," Kyoko replied. "Often a detective must delve into that to discern a culprit's motive, no matter how abstract it may be, to better catch said culprit or ensure the case is fully investigated."
Maruki chuckled. "And you showed skepticism that a detective wouldn't be of much help?" he asked playfully. "Anyway, though, that is the kind of pain I want to learn more about: these internal, psychological pains."
The doctor took another sip of his juice box and rested his hands on his lap. "Now, here's my question to you, Kirigiri-san... When do you truly feel pain in your heart?"
Kyoko looked down once more, remaining silent.
"It's alright to share, I'm not here to judge you, and I've mentioned being legally bound to confidentiality that nothing short of posing an immediate danger to oneself or others leaves this room," Maruki said reassuringly. "If anything, just say whatever you feel most comfortable sharing."
Kyoko remained quiet for another second, though she kept her expression neutral as she looked back up at him. "Having my trust betrayed, I suppose," she said. Not an untrue statement by any means, but she'd elected to share only half of it for now.
"I see," Maruki replied, bringing his hand to his chin again. "That's a very understandable answer, right there. Sometimes all it can take is one betrayal to turn intense trust into intense pain. Sometimes, we may even preemptively close ourselves off from others to escape that possibility, we fear others may see something they can take advantage of and use against us, and we blame ourselves, believing we've shown weakness and it only adds to that pain..."
Kyoko maintained her neutral expression, though in some ways it felt like the man saw right through her to an extent. She didn't like it, but she wasn't going to let him know he had done so.
"To be honest, Kirigiri-san, it's something far more common then you might think. It's something I can certainly sympathize with, as well," he said, a gentle smile on his face and his tone with a hint of home that Kyoko would be able to see the sincerity in his words. "It can be rough, too," he said, a concerned frown forming on his face. "...It simply doesn't feel good to struggle with pain in your heart..."
The doctor shook his head, sitting back in his chair as he managed a smile again, Kyoko raising an eyebrow in a look of concern. "With that in mind, however," Maruki said. "How about the pain of a broken heart, then, for example? After all, that kind of pain is born from having been in love. What's your take on that kind of pain, Kirigiri-san?"
"...I can't say I've ever been in such a situation," Kyoko replied. "My grandfather was... just as strict regarding my life out of detective work as he was training in it. Prior to Shujin I was attending an all-girls school, and he'd threaten any boy around my age that showed interest in me..."
Maruki sat back, regarding the girl with intrigue at her statement. "I see," he replied. "Are you on board with that?"
Kyoko's words did not come out as she attempted to speak, taking a breath, the girl folded her arms. "...If it will ensure my grandfather's knowledge and skills endure to another generation and ensure our family's continued place in society, then there's little room for discussion on the matter," she replied.
"That is a way of looking at it, I won't argue with that," Maruki replied, sensing Kyoko wasn't quite at a point where she was willing to go further on the matter. "I mentioned how those unhappy with their path, or unsure of the one they walk, can suffer greater pain the further they go as they feel they have used up time they will never get back on a goal they feel was the wrong choice. This sort of internal, emotional pain often becomes more difficult to deal with as it grows worse... though some say it comes coupled with other feelings as well, which is a fair assessment."
The doctor took another sip of his juice box. "Personally, I'd think if that sort of pain can be avoided, it should. Ideally, of course, it shouldn't even have to exist at all..."
"It's unfortunate such a thing is impossible," Kyoko replied, taking a sip of her own drink. "Pain exists in one place or another, for one reason or another. The examples you gave in our sessions proves as much."
The teen grew quiet again, glancing at her drink. "...I suppose," she said, taking a breath and brushing back her hair., "...that my closing off my emotions, it's something I was trained to do, to ensure others would have a harder time knowing what I'm thinking and keep them from being able to find weakness they can use against me."
"And you continue to do so even in everyday situations?" Maruki inquired. "...Because you fear experiencing pain in the heart from having your trust betrayed?"
Kyoko was unsure how to respond, glancing at her drink again.
"Well, I hope with your friends it looks like you have, and others you might allow in, you'll discover that it doesn't necessarily lead to pain inevitably," Maruki said. "It is true that wounds in the heart are far more complex and even harder to detect then a physical injury because we can't always see them. This is the point behind my research, to bring the healing process that can save people who are suffering from internal pain they feel forced to hold on to. You've helped me realize that purpose again with your input, so... thank you, Kirigiri-san..."
Kyoko cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "...I'm not sure I follow," she said.
Maruki chuckled. "Well, thanks to this conversation, I've been able to articulate my thoughts for once!" he said appreciatively.
Kyoko could hear the sound of a chain breaking within her mind as she felt a stronger connection with the school counselor, and having helped him a little further with his work.
"Anyways," Maruki said, standing up from his seat, sliding his hand into his coat pocket. "I think that'll do for today."
The doctor suddenly paused, looking deep in thought for a moment. "...For some reason, though, I feel like I'm forgetting something..."
His eyes widened in realization. "Right! Your mental training! I apologize, I didn't forget about our promise, of course!" Maruki sat himself back down, a sheepish look on his face as he scratched the back of his head. "Sorry about that. Here's a little exercise that will help you focus your energy right away, particularly when faced with an especially stressful situation and make it a little easier to confront. Should be a big help for someone working to become a detective, right?" he asked.
"Fair enough," Kyoko said with a faint smile.
"Alright, let's begin, then," the doctor explained, relaxing in his armchair and resting his hands on his lap once more.
Kyoko had just returned to Leblanc as sunset had finished when her phone chimed, and she saw Maruki was calling. "Hello?"
"Oh, hey, this is Maruki, you have time to talk right now?" the doctor's voice asked on the phone.
Kyoko looked at the alley, then the door leading into the café in front of her before turning away from the latter. "I do."
"I'm taking a breather, just finished my last counseling session for the day so I figured now was the best time," Maruki explained. "I just wanted to take the time to thank you again for our conversation, earlier. It's really given me some insight on my work and my theories, I think."
"I'm glad I could be of help," Kyoko replied, brushing back her hair in the breeze as Morgana poked his head out of her schoolbag.
"I appreciate it," Maruki replied. "A lot of students actually came by to talk today. Hopefully they all got something out of it... though it can get tricky at times when I get that busy, juggling my job and my research at the same time, so thanks again for agreeing to help me with this!"
Kyoko could hear Maruki muttering as it sounded like he was moving things around before he spoke again.
"Anyway, with that being the case, I hope you don't mind me looking to you for help a little more frequently from now on," he explained. "My tenure's till about mid-November, so I'm hoping to try and get all I need for the latter by then if possible. It'd mean a lot if you're able to lend a hand when you have the time!"
"I'll do what I can," Kyoko replied. Maruki had come off by her observation as genuine in wanting to help her as well, and saw no reason not to honor the agreement.
"Thanks a lot!" Maruki said, his tone chipper and relieved. "Well, all right, I'll talk to you later. Have a good rest of your day!"
Pocketing her phone after he'd hung up, Kyoko headed inside to find Sojiro washing some dishes, a pleasant aroma Kyoko recognized as the curry she'd had before gained her notice as well.
"Welcome back," he said. "I trust the session went well?"
"I did," Kyoko said with a nod.
"I got a call from school, as well, your teacher seems pretty impressed with your exam scores," Sojiro replied, smirking. "Looks like you're in the clear for now, but don't let it get to your head."
"It won't," Kyoko said. "I do have my long-term goals once this is over, after all."
Sojiro gave a nod as he finished drying off the last dishes. "Good to know," he said. "So, looks like we're on a slow spell for the time being, so if you got nothing else going on tonight, feel like helping out?"
Kyoko gave a faint smile. "I'm free, yes."
"Glad to hear it," said Sojiro. "...Go change out of your school clothes and I'll get you a spare apron. The curry should be ready, soon..."
Once Kyoko had changed, Morgana remaining upstairs waiting for her to return, the young detective returned downstairs and slid on the apron Sojiro handed her.
"Well, this should do it for tomorrow's curry," Sojiro explained as he watched over the simmering pot. "Now, I know you're pretty well versed in bean types, but we'll be working more on proper handling tonight."
Kyoko gave a nod as she looked at the jars that filled the shelves. The young detective made it a personal goal to sample them all eventually.
Sojiro couldn't help but smirk at Kyoko's interest in them. "Alright, now brewing a cup of coffee is one thing, what you use is only one part of what determines flavor," he explained. "But these three factors are the real key: Grind, heat, and time. Since you are a fan of chocolate, I got just the bean type we're going to experiment with to see what you can come up with."
Sojiro scanned the walls and took one jar out, labeled "Guatemalan SHB". "Familiar with this one?" he asked.
Kyoko brought her hand to her chin as she examined it. When Sojiro opened the lid, the girl could sense the sweet aroma from it. "I'm not familiar with this one, no."
"Well, this is the Guatemalan Strictly Hard Bean, or "SHB", also called "SHG" or Strictly High Growth. It's grown at a high altitude of 4,500 feet above sea level," Sojiro explained. "Thanks to the environment it's grown in, the coffee produced has a citrus-like acidity with a fruity, chocolate flavor."
Kyoko smiled and gave a nod. "I would like to give that one a try."
"Well," Sojiro said with a chuckle. "Good to know I've added some extra incentive for you. Now let's begin... First, is the grind. For the syphons we have here, we'll be aiming for medium-fine. SHB is more brittle and thus easier to grind, making it more versatile in what kind of grindings you want to go with. You with me so far?"
Kyoko nodded. "Medium-fine grind."
"Very good," Sojiro said with a smile. "Now, medium-fine doesn't demand much effort, especially with more brittle beans as I explained, so it doesn't always net a lot in the way of profit, but money's money, but I won't forgive you if you end up serving a crap cup, this place has its quality standard my customers come for and I can't let it be anything less then that..."
"I won't disappoint you," Kyoko replied. "...As a detective, observation is one of my strong points."
Sojiro chuckled again. "Good to know," he replied with a smirk. "Now, let's-!"
Sojiro's phone suddenly chimed, the man looked confused as he looked at the screen. "Who could this be?" he asked. "Yes, hello?"
The man's mood swiftly dropped as he listened, to the point of looking absolutely livid. "...How the hell did you get this number?!" he snapped furiously into the phone. "What do you mean "now"?! No! I won-"
Sojiro fell silent before letting out a defeated sigh. "...Where? ...Fine..."
Hanging up, Sojiro shook his head, looking over at Kyoko apologetically. "I'm sorry, something just came up," he said. "We can keep going with the lessons another time..."
"Is there trouble?" Kyoko asked, concerned.
"What, you worried about me?" Sojiro asked, Kyoko's concern for him seeming to improve his mood a little, though the young detective suspected he may have just been trying to ease her worry. The man looked away though, his expression falling again. "It's nothing you need to concern yourself over."
Kyoko's concern, however, didn't go away, though she knew Sojiro would not want her to press on it. "...If you say so," she replied.
"Just... take care of any dishes left while I'm gone, and be sure to turn off the gas again before you close up," Sojiro explained. A slight smile came back to the man's face. "I really appreciate your dedication. It's nice to have someone around to help out like this. It may not be detective work but I'm sure you'll find ways to put the skill set you have to good use around here."
Kyoko could hear a chain link shatter within the recesses of her mind, as she felt Sojiro's trust in her grow. "As I said, I won't disappoint you," she said with a small smile. "You've done a great deal for me, already, just taking me in. I look forward to learning more from you."
Sojiro did remind her of her grandfather in a few ways, yet in many ways he was the opposite. He could be stern, and did not mince words, but there was those moments where a kinder and gentler side underneath would seep through that, looking back, Kyoko could not recall her grandfather ever demonstrated. Fuhito Kirigiri was always about the mission, and that detective work always came first and all else last... all other things...
...Still, she would not be who she was without him.
Shrugging those thoughts away, she turned her attention back to Sojiro put the jar away, then undid his apron and went to get his coat and hat. "Well, I'd better get going," he said. An amused smirk came to his face. "I'm gonna guess you haven't eaten dinner yet. I think there's plenty of curry so you can grab yourself a spoonful and some rice after you're done here if you like. Just don't overdo it, I know you're a teenager but I can't have you eating all my food when I'm running a restaurant, can I?" he said with a hearty chuckle.
"I appreciate it, thank you, Mr. Sakura," Kyoko replied her soft smile growing slightly.
"Told you, Sojiro or Boss is fine," Sojiro said, smirking before putting his hat on, though Kyoko noticed his smile fade quickly as he turned away and headed towards the door. "I'm gonna head home after I'm done but I'll call and check in after. Have a good rest of the night."
Once Sojiro had left, Kyoko heard Morgana come down the stairs.
"I heard Boss sound pretty upset earlier, something happen?" the cat asked.
Kyoko glanced back at the door, then the cat, her hand at her chin. "Someone called him, he seemed rather surprised to have been called by whoever it was," she explained. "Also... angry, yes..."
"Any idea what it was about?" Morgana inquired, tilting his head.
Kyoko's thoughts wandered back to the last time she'd helped out, when that suspicious man suddenly came by the café that night that Sojiro seemed to know and was none to pleased to see. "...I have my theories," she said. "But I should probably not press my luck asking about it. If my license wasn't suspended until my parole is over I could have dug deeper on the matter, but..." Kyoko sighed. "...That option isn't available to me, right now."
It annoyed her, an obvious case and a situation her guardian who had taken her in was dealing with and she could do nothing about at the moment. Deciding to get her mind off it, the teen turned her attention to the remaining tasks Sojiro had left her with. "I should finish cleaning up. He said I could help myself to some of the curry he'd made for tomorrow after I'm done."
Morgana chuckled. "It's pretty amazing I'll say that much!" he said, making as much of a smile as a cat could manage.
By the time Kyoko had finished, the dishes all cleaned and a late dinner eaten, she'd made her way upstairs when her phone went off. "Hello?" she asked upon answering, noticing Sojiro's name on the screen.
"Hey," Sojiro's voice answered. "I trust everything's all closed up, now?"
"It is, yes," Kyoko replied.
"Sorry to have bailed on you like that," Sojiro said apologetically. "I had some business that couldn't wait. Hope the dinner made up for it at least."
"It did, thank you," Kyoko said. As much as she wanted to ask about the business, she elected to leave it.
"Good," Sojiro replied. "Don't worry, I won't have it happen again, I'll be sure to put you to work. We both got lots of time on our hands, after all."
"Fair enough," Kyoko answered.
Sojiro chuckled over the phone. "I appreciate the work ethic. Quite the dedicated young lady your grandfather raised," he said. "Anyway, I'm back home, don't stay up too late since you still have school tomorrow. Still..."
"Hm?" Kyoko inquired, wondering what Sojiro was getting at.
"You all alone by yourself, I can't imagine you have much to do up there," Sojiro explained. "It got me thinking, there's a thrift store in the neighborhood not far from the café. You may find some things there you might like for cheap so you're not too bored."
Kyoko nodded. "I appreciate the concern. I'll pay a visit when I have the chance," she said.
"You should. I'll admit I hate to think you being alone and bored out of your mind up there all night!" Sojiro replied with a chuckle. "Anyway, I'm gonna go now. Have a good night."
"Thank you," Kyoko replied, putting away and plugging her phone after Sojiro hung up as she got changed for bed.
5/21
Kyoko followed silently as a pair of girls ahead of her gossiped about the library. The mention of it reminded her it'd be a good idea to return the last book she borrowed and get a new one.
"That study corner in the library's a good place to work away from the others," one of the girls, a short-haired one, said. "I keep getting distracted at home and wind up goofing off."
"Yeah, but isn't the environment a bit of a problem?" her friend, a girl with longer hair asked. "That transfer student got into a pretty heated argument with the Student President a while back, there..."
"Wow, really?" the short-haired girl asked. "Can't believe she's trying to get on Niijima-senpai's bad side..."
Kyoko rolled her eyes slightly, yesterday clearly wasn't a fluke it seemed her frequent run-ins with Makoto Niijima were getting noticed by everyone.
"Well, she is a delinquent whose assaulted someone before, guess the Principal wants to keep her in line," the long-haired girl replied.
"Still, if it wasn't for that I don't think you'd hear that much on her anymore," her friend said. "...The whole Kamoshida confession thing was so big I practically forgot about all of that..."
"Back on the studying thing," the short-haired girl continued, "My recent test scores weren't so hot..."
Kyoko tuned the two out as she continued on her way to Shujin's front gates.
With classes having ended for the day, Kyoko was about to leave when Ann got up from her desk and looked over at her. "Hey, Kyoko... we meeting with the others, today? I just wanna be ready if we are."
Kyoko thought it over for a moment. "There's no school tomorrow, I think it'd be best we wait till then," she said.
"This will give us time to prepare as well, Lady Ann," Morgana said, peering out of Kyoko's schoolbag. "Yusuke is still new to all this, after all."
Ann smiled and gave a nod. "Hm, you're right. He's gonna need some weapons as well before we go back in, too."
"I'll handle that," Kyoko replied. "We should probably take him with us and stop by the model store beforehand, then."
"Sure thing!" Ann replied, gathering her things. "...Well, I think I'm gonna go visit Shiho and see how she's doing."
"I'm sure it really helps when you go and see her," Kyoko said. "Tell her I said hi."
"I will!" Ann said, smiling. "I'll seeya tomorrow, then!"
As Ann headed out into the halls, Kyoko made her way to the door as well just in time for her phone to buzz in her pocket. Taking it out, she saw Ryuji had messaged her.
[Hey, Ann said we were takin' the day off before we go in tomorrow?] the message read.
-Yes. We don't have school tomorrow so I felt it'd be a better time to go in then Kyoko replied.
[Works for me. I kinda was hopin' then we could meet up. Wanna talk. Well, more unload a buncha crap off my chest if that's alright.] Ryuji answered back.
[I'll treat ya to this awesome ramen place! Howzat sound?]
Kyoko glanced down at her schoolbag, noticing Morgana peering out at her. She didn't have anything else really planned for the afternoon except for one thing, she wasn't entirely looking forward to after how last time went.
-I'm fine with that. Let me just take care of one thing, first. Kyoko replied.
[Awesome! I'll metcha at the front gates!]
Putting away her phone, Kyoko made her way to the library. The moment she'd entered, however, she heard the student librarian calling out to her. Curious, Kyoko approached the desk.
"I'm glad you came by," the student librarian said, before immediately giving a bow. "I wanted to say... I'm so sorry for how I treated you the last time you were here... After Kamoshida's confession and all, I guess I judged a book by its cover. I'm very sorry for all of it..."
Kyoko blinked, a hint of surprise on her normally stoic expression. Her trip here was already going much better then she'd expected, and it was nice to see at least one student change their opinion about her and go out of her way to apologize.
"You're forgiven," she said, giving the girl a small smile to reassure the other girl.
"Thank you so much!" the student librarian replied with a polite bow. "I know there may be times other students may give you a tough time, but please don't mind them. Know that you're always welcome in here."
"I appreciate it, thank you," Kyoko replied with a nod.
"Think nothing of it," the girl said. "I'm Yui Asami, by the way. You're free to use the library whenever you want, and if you need anything you can just let me know... though I guess you must be here for something if you came by just now..."
"I did, yes," Kyoko replied, reaching into her schoolbag. "I meant to return this, I finished reading it, I'd like to borrow another. Do you still have "The Alluring Dancer"?"
"We do, yes!" Asami replied, accepting the book from Kyoko and placing it on the nearby cart. "Actually, I think it actually just came back in!"
After a quick search, the student librarian found what she was looking for and gave it to Kyoko. "Here you go, hope you enjoy it."
"I'm sure I will," Kyoko said, giving a nod and heading back out into the halls to go outside where Ryuji was waiting.
"Heya, Kyoko!" the boy said. "Got everything taken care of?"
"I have, yes," Kyoko replied. "So, where is this place?"
"It's actually over in Ogikubo, so we'll need to take the train," Ryuji explained. "Still, totally worth it! It'll really help calm my nerves while I tell ya what's goin' on."
With that, the two left the school and made their way to the train station, unaware of the Student President watching them with suspicion nearby as they left together.
It was evident, Kyoko determined, Ryuji certainly knew his ramen diners well. This one was far busier and was a league above the one he'd taken her to last time after their second trip into Kamoshida's castle despite its rather humble appearance.
Ryuji leaned back as he finished his bowl, savoring the blend of noodle, beef, broth, and vegetables. "I tell ya, I love the feel of noodles slidin' down my throat! Sweat drippin' all over my face from the steam!"
"I won't lie, it's quite good," Kyoko said, taking another bite from her own half-finished bowl.
"Good?" Ryuji asked with a laugh. "This shit's the best, Kyoko! Ramen is life! Light soup like this was always good for gettin' my body goin' again after a good run, ya know?"
"You seem to know this place especially well," Kyoko replied. "This your favorite?"
"One of 'em, definitely!" Ryuji replied, grinning. "This'd be the first time I ever brought a girl here, but me an' the guys, we used to come out here after practice..."
Kyoko watched her friend, noticing his grin fade, before he glanced down at his empty bowl. "...I guess that's all in the past, now," he said softly.
"For what it's worth, we did promise eachother something the first time we went running, about focusing on the future, remember?" Kyoko asked.
"Heh, right," Ryuji said, giving a slight smile. "Hope that's workin' out for you, too, I know you got a lot planned when that bullshit's over."
"I do." Kyoko replied. "Your life is far from over, too."
Ryuji gave a nod as he stared ahead in thought, sighing. "Well... anyway, here's what I wanted to talk to ya about," he said. "I been seein' Nakoaka around a few times. Thing was, though, it didn't look like he was gettin' along too well with the others..."
"I remember him, one of the boys that approached us last time we were doing laps," Kyoko replied. "...Are you worried about him?"
"Kinda," Ryuji said, frowning. "It got me thinkin' about what he said... how the whole track team was puttin' up with all of Kamoshida's bullshit, sayin' how I effed everything up for all of 'em... and I think he was right."
Kyoko was silent, but gave Ryuji a look prompting him she was listening and letting him continue.
"After Kamoshida put me in the hospital with a broken leg and got the whole team blamed, he made sure they even lost their club room so they been havin' to store all their stuff behind the gym... made it so they can't even use any of the school gear, too... all they can do now is just run laps around the block for practice."
"He had it out for you," Kyoko said. "In the end, he was jealous, so out of spite he wanted to make sure they had nothing left after he provoked you so they'd hate you, too."
Ryuji sighed. "Whatever his reason, there was no where left for 'em. They were outcasts, in a way kinda like me, now... and it was my fault they ended up as that." The boy shook his head in guilt. "It's good they've kept their heads low, but they didn't deserve to end up like me, and I didn't want 'em to end up like me!"
Kyoko took another bite of her ramen bowl. "Be that as it may, Ryuji, I think you've done better for yourself. You've shown a willingness to rebuild what you can, and get back control."
Ryuji chuckled. "Heh, know what, maybe you ain't wrong," he said. "Plus, screw fittin' in. I doubt I'da met you, or become friends with Ann again if I wasn't an outcast, ya know? Plus, hangin' out with you guys is so freakin' cool!"
"It does seem fate brought us all together, and continues to do so with Kitagawa," she replied.
"Heh, true that. Yeah we had a bad start but he's clearly a good guy. We'll do everything to make him feel like part'a the team!" Ryuji said with a grin.
Kyoko gave a nod, and she heard a chain link shatter within the recesses of her mind as she felt her bond with her teammate deepen.
"...That all said," Ryuji began, leaning back in his chair. "I just hope there's something I can do here, that can help those track guys," he said. "I kinda got 'em all into this, I'd like to make things easier for 'em if I can... though I may just eff that up, too if I butt in."
He glanced over at Kyoko as she finished her bowl. "Oh yeah, we go runnin' again, we're still gotta find a new spot to train." The boy grinned as he paid for their meals. "Doncha worry, though, I'll figure somethin' out!"
"Hm," Kyoko smiled a little, bringing her hand to her chin. "I'll hold you to that, Ryuji."
"I won't letcha down!" Ryuji said with a laugh as the two got up and headed outside. "I'm gonna head on to the station and get home, guess you got some preppin' to do for tomorrow?"
"I do," Kyoko replied, "We'll also bring Kitagawa to the airsoft shop to get him some weapons before we go back into the Palace."
"Right!" Ryuji said, snapping his fingers. "Don't wanna bring him on his first Phantom Thief mission empty-handed!"
Kyoko glanced about, relieved they were not outside but still hoping Ryuji's statement wasn't loud enough to have gotten anyone's attention. Thankfully, it didn't seem to.
"Yes," Kyoko replied, "With any luck we'll be able to fully infiltrate and find where the Treasure is, and we can deal with Madarame."
"We don't have long," Morgana said, walking around the corner of the shop and approaching. "We can already tell this Palace is more protected then Kamoshida's so we'll want to be as ready as possible."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. Anyways, I'll seeya tomorrow, Kyoko! That bastard won't know what hit 'em!" Ryuji said, giving a wave as he headed off to the subways.
"So, where to next?" Morgana asked, looking up at Kyoko.
The young detective remembered a particular task she'd been asked of and her decision was set. "Central street."
Turning the corner towards where Untouchable, Kyoko saw what she was looking for as the blue-tinted gate appeared before her. The girl sighed a little when she saw that it was Caroline standing outside, which made her regard the childlike guard in suspicion as she approached.
"Got business, inmate?" Caroline asked, smirking deviously. "By all means, step right this way!"
Kyoko remained in place, eyeing her.
"What, think I'm gonna do that again?" Caroline asked, mock innocence up in full, before she suddenly disappeared from view and before Kyoko even saw it coming she felt a crisp kick to her rear end as the gate suddenly flew open and she was sent flying through.
Finding herself once more shackled and in her prison scrubs on the cell floor of the Velvet Room, Kyoko stood herself up and shot Caroline a glare.
"Welcome back," Igor said, grinning from his desk as he drummed his fingers. "And what brings you here?"
"I'd like to fuse my Personas," Kyoko explained. "I would also deduce you're aware I've gained a new ally as well."
"Indeed," Igor said with a deep chuckle. "Another Awakening has come to pass. As your circle grows, so to shall your strength, both your own and that which they lend you. Another step, however small, closer to rehabilitation has now happened for you in turn."
"I can already see this new Palace has become more formidable between visits as well."
Igor gave a slight nod, though his large grimace did not change. "All the more reason for your visit. Your incentive does you much credit." he replied. "Now, shall we begin?"
Justine held out the registry, names of Kyoko's Personas, both those she carried and once had, and those she could potentially create appeared before her.
Moments later, Kyoko was finishing her last fusion, the twin orbs of light came together to form the grinning snowman-like creature the bully in Mementos' Shadow had transformed into.
"I'm Jack Frost! Ho!" the creature chuckled in a high-pitched voice, "I know I'm just a mask, but take good care of me-hee, ho!"
As it vanished, Justine and Caroline watched with vested interest.
"That Persona...?" Caroline inquired, before turning to face Kyoko. "Sit right there, inmate!"
As Kyoko obliged, albeit with reluctance, Justine smiled faintly. "Well done, it seems you've brought us the Persona we requested!" the childlike guard said.
"I suppose it'll do," Caroline said with an eyeroll. "I'll accept it."
The more temperamental guard narrowed her one good eye. "By the way, your Personas are still super weak!" she sneered with a condescending smirk. "...Not that I'm too surprised by that!"
Kyoko's brow furrowed ever so slightly, as much as she loathed being patronized, she refused to dignify Caroline's remark with anything more.
"That said..." Caroline's features softened slightly, looking a little more proud and less smug. "...You deserve some praise for completing this penal labor task. Keep this up and you might actually complete your rehabilitation even more smoothly!"
Justine smiled and closed her own good eye, giving an approving nod. "In order to promote that process, we would like to offer you the use of a new facility..."
Caroline looked over at her twin. "Huh, it's rare to see you smile like that, Justine!" she said with a lighter smile of her own.
"It's you who is smiling, Caroline," Justine replied, noting said smile. "Did something happen to make you so joyful?"
Caroline's remaining eye went wide as she stared agape at her sister. "Me?!" she protested, before turning and glaring at Kyoko. "Do I look like I'm smiling to you?!"
Kyoko provided no response, though after Caroline drop-kicking her through the door again and her snide remarks, Kyoko did feel a small amount of satisfaction she hid behind her neutral expression and tone.
Caroline, however, seemed to notice and was not amused, as she slammed her baton on the bars, sparks bursting from the impact. "Know your place, inmate!" she snapped lividly.
"Understand, we merely feel satisfaction in seeing your rehabilitation progress," Justine explained as she, to, turned to face Kyoko. "As such, we hope no misguided amusement has come of this."
"I'm not here for games or humor," Kyoko replied, gazing back at them with a more serious expression. "I'm here and participating to get answers."
Igor chuckled from behind the twins. "Is that truly all?" he asked, his fingers drumming on the desk and chuckling deeply again. "Of course, though the chains that bind your heart continue to break, it is still far from truly free. For now, continue on your journey, only through rehabilitation, will you find all the answers you seek."
"...And with the spirit you've got, you should have no trouble making progress on that, inmate!" Caroline snapped.
"As I mentioned," Justine explained. "We shall be offering you use of a new facility for completing our request. If you continue your penal labor, we can grant you even greater freedom within this prison. Consider that our arrangement, between us and you."
Caroline smirked. "Not that you'd have the right to turn it down, now! Complete the work, and you'll be rewarded. I still stand by what I said about the Personas you have, but that'll change the more you work on this task!"
With both the warden's and the twin guards' words hanging over her, and the potential benefits, Kyoko did not take long to assert that it would be best to accept the offer. Gazing up at the guards from where she was seated, she gave a nod.
"Very well," she said.
Time seemed to suddenly slow down, reality darkening around the young detective as she heard the soft, female voice speak into her mind once more...
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 Strength Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
shall lead to freedom and new power...
Within the depths of her mind, Kyoko heard a chain link shatter, as reality around her returned her to the Velvet Room, and time resumed once more.
"We'll inform you when we have a new request for you," Justine said.
"Be sure you're ready for it, inmate!" Caroline stated sharply as the Velvet Room slowly darkened and Kyoko once more found herself standing in place on Central Street, the gateway to the Velvet Room no where to be found for the time being.
"You alright, Kyoko?" the young detective heard Morgana ask, peering from her schoolbag she'd had slung over her shoulder. "You just kind of stood in place for a second there like you couldn't make up your mind about something..."
"I'm fine," she replied, turning and emerging back out of the alley, making her way back out of Central Street, either a bath or toolmaking as potential activities for the night on her mind but pausing as she reached the entrance to the Shibuya station at the sound of a loud but eloquent voice nearby she recognized.
Looking over around the corner was the patron from the beef bowl restaurant, the same man whom she and Ryuji had passed by giving speeches when they'd first gone out to Central Street. Recalling her past conversation with him at the restaurant, the teen began to approach.
"There have been far too many incidents recently to ignore!" the man declared as he stood on a soapbox before a handful of people. "How can anyone simply deny this?"
As she drew closer, Kyoko noted the man now wore white gloves and a green sash with his suit, the latter reading "Friendly Society, Bright Future" across it. Though he had been rather soft-spoken at the diner, here Kyoko could see his passion as he spoke, and a more fierce, determined look in his eyes when he addressed the meager crowd before him.
"A runaway train incident that left countless people in the hospital, mysterious psychotic breakdowns, and now, so recently, a school whose students suffered at the hands of a corrupt and predatory teacher... and we have yet to discover the truth of it all!" the man stated. "There is an apathy that permeates our society that is the direct result of negligence by our government and deception by our media!"
Kyoko slowly made her way to the front of the small group of people, her hand at her chin as she watched him speak. An aspiring politician, by her deduction, but one that appeared to be sincere in his words and concerns as she studied him.
The politician seemed to take notice of her arrival, regarding her in curiosity. "Oh, you're listening quite attentively... are you interested in politics?" he asked.
Kyoko lowered her hand, giving a nod. Her assertion may have been only partially true, as the concept mattered little to her personally though the issues the man had addressed certainly did, as she'd been investigating the second one, suspected a connection to it and the first, and had a hand in exposing the last one. Still, she could humor him. "I am intrigued by your words," she said.
"I'm pleased to hear that, young lady," the man said with a small but genuine smile. "Are you a student? I'm delighted to be able to captivate the interest of someone your age," he explained, before blinking in recognition at her. "Have I see you somewhere before? You look quite familiar..."
Kyoko nodded again. "We met at the beef bowl diner," she said.
"Oh, yes, of course!" the man said with a kind smile. "I remember, now. You have a lot of perseverance for someone so young. I hope you've been well since we've last spoken."
"I have," Kyoko replied.
"Well, if you're interested, I actually could use some help if you'd like," the politician explained. "Understand, I want to bring positive change to the state of this country, particularly for the sake of our youths, so I feel I'll need the power of youth to help convey that... though, due to certain regulations, I'm afraid I can't offer a job to a student."
Kyoko's hand rose to her chin once more. "Then what would you have me do?" she asked.
"Well, I was thinking at the very least, you'll be able to learn some things if you would like to attend a few of my speeches," he explained.
Kyoko looked at the handful that were still present, some of them starting to look at their phones or losing interest. Returning her attention to the man, and feeling a small amount of sympathy as he seemed truly genuine in the positions he'd made in his speech, and some of what he said did resonate. "Very well, I can do that," she said.
The man's face lit up. "Really? That'd be very helpful indeed!" he said. "How about this, if it's alright with you, if I could get your name and contact information? It'd make it easier for me to let you know when I'm doing my speeches if you'd like to attend them."
Kyoko gave a nod, fiddling with her phone as she managed to pull up her number on the screen and turned it to him for him to see. "I see you're also a Shujin Academy student as well? I recognize the uniform after the scandal, I'm very sorry you had to experience such a thing," he said.
"It's in the past," Kyoko said, folding her arms. "The school has been making... some attempts... at moving forward," she explained. Of course, they were rather transparently in the interests of its headmaster's and the school's images rather then the students' well-being, though at least Dr. Maruki had been sincere in his efforts on his part.
"I see," the man said with a nod. "Either way, it's nice to meet you, young lady. My name is Toranosuke Yoshida. I used to be a member of the National Diet, actually, but I'm... not, anymore. In the past twenty years, I've lost seven elections..."
Before Kyoko could question it, the man, Yoshida, shook his head. "...This isn't good at all. I'm dwelling on the negative right before a speech!" he muttered, taking a breath. "Well, then, I hope I can count on your help immediately, Miss...?"
"Kirigiri," the girl replied. "Kyoko Kirigiri."
Yoshida nodded. "Well, Miss Kirigiri, I hope I can count on your help, then!" he said with a smile. "I have a sign on-hand you can hold up for me, it will help draw in more people. Right over there," he said, gesturing to a discarded white posterboard sign propped near his makeshift stand, which bore the same message his sash had written across it, "Friendly Society, Bright Future". Nodding, Kyoko walked over and picked it up.
"Just stand next to me and hold up the sign while I do my speech," Yoshida explained. "Easy enough, right? And relax a little, too, it will help make those listening more comfortable," he said with a gentle laugh. "Alright, let's get started!"
Yoshida turned to face his small audience as Kyoko held up the sign in front of herself, the young detective relieved Morgana remained quiet in her bag as she set it down behind her and stood in place, following Yoshida's instruction to relax so she adopted a more neutral expression rather then her usual analytical one.
"The lines of what is considered right and wrong in today's society have become blurred," Yoshida stated, his voice once more loud and passionate rather then the softer and gentler tone he'd had during their conversation. Needless to say, he had the peoples' full attention, now.
"...With common sense no longer our guide, we make decisions based on our selfish wants and desires!" the man continued. "This has resulted in a deluge of self-centered people who delight in taking advantage of the weak! However, even in this modern day and age, it is imperative that we act in the best interests of all!"
His expression hardened. "...A world where it is acceptable to trample on the rights of others for your own benefit, a world where the young exist only to be exploited? THAT is a world that must be changed!"
"Hmph! Easy for him to say!" an elderly woman in the gathering snapped. "Old-timers like me have our hands full taking care of ourselves!"
"He is actually making some good points," a young office worker remarked to the man next to him, "...Still, he's a no-name, I doubt he'll get far at all. Nothing's gonna change, we'll just keep getting exploited."
"What's this wannabe-politician blathering about anyway?!" the older, grim-faced man standing next to the younger man asked with a laugh. "He isn't affiliated with a party so how's he expect to get anywhere?"
The man immediately stormed up to where Yoshida was standing. "Hey, how about you leave matters of the state in the capable hands of the Liberal Co-Prosperity Party, huh?"
Kyoko glanced over at Yoshida, a look of concern on her face, but he held his hand out, silently urging she not worry as he faced the man confronting him. "Sir, you mustn't base your decision on whom you support merely according to the party they belong to," he stated.
The man chuckled. "Ah, shut it already!" he sneered, folding his arms. "You're nothing but a worthless, washed-up excuse for a politician!"
Kyoko's gaze narrowed, a disapproving frown forming on her face at the man. Again, Yoshida held his hand up, as if sensing her growing frustration with the man's heckling.
"If I am chosen to represent the will of the people, then I am fully prepared to-"
"Oh, please! "The best interests of all"?! Ha!" the rude man snapped as he took a step closer, cutting Yoshida off before he could finish. "Save your blathering for when you get elected... sorry... if you get elected!" he said with a laugh.
Kyoko's patience wore increasingly thin with the man's disrespectful behavior, but Yoshida continued to silently signal she stay quiet and continue to hold the sign. On one hand, she had to admit she was impressed how well he carried himself and his willingness to tolerate it, as she likely would have snapped at any who would, especially mockingly, call her skills as a detective into question. On the other, it still annoyed her how this man continued to press his luck and heckle him without even allowing him to finish speaking.
"Whatever my chances may be, I refuse to abandon the principles I believe in," Yoshida replied.
"Whatever, a loser like you will never change a thing!" the man said sharply as he walked off. Yoshida, however, instead turned his attention back to the ones remaining and resumed his speech. When he'd finished, the remaining people gave a brief applause and walked off, Yoshida ushered Kyoko over near the subway entrance, bringing his soapbox platform and setting it down to the side.
"Thank you so much, that will be all for today," Yoshida said with a thankful smile. "What did you think of my speech?"
"I'm impressed how well you held it together even with that man heckling you," Kyoko said, folding her arms. "That said, when you spoke on the best interests of all, I admit it resonated with my own concerns."
"Indeed, so you feel the same?" Yoshida asked. "Such as I am, I'd like to believe I am capable of giving a moving speech."
Yoshida's smile faded, as he glanced down a moment, frowning. "On the other matter, I won't lie, it can be quite a test of one's resolve. There are certainly times where, like today, I am faced with those in my audience who have a difference of opinion on a topic," he explained. "For instance, that man who confronted me, believe I should focus on getting elected before I worry about others. Do you agree with that?"
"I don't," Kyoko replied, "...I was raised under the belief that the truth is important and comes first. It takes no sides, and cannot be changed to suit any agenda. I may not be a politician, but I feel this applies. It's a part of why I agreed to help you, I could see you were passionate and sincere in your positions rather then simply using them to get elected."
Yoshida's smile returned and he gave an appreciative nod. "Thank you, it's very encouraging to know that my message has won you over, and your advice is very much appreciated, as well. You're quite wise for your age, Miss Kirigiri," he said. "Still, truth be told, I have grown quite accustomed to reactions like that from people in my audience, so perhaps that's why I was able to remain resilient"
He pushed back his hair, sighing. "Although I admit I don't know if that's necessarily a good thing," he said. "...But regardless, no matter what they may say, I must continue on!"
Kyoko gave a nod, the man having made a valid point. "You think you can help me with that?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, what do you mean, like giving speeches?" Yoshida asked, curious.
"Yes," Kyoko replied. "As I mentioned, your resolve and refusal to give up or compromise yourself impressed me."
"Ahh, I see," Yoshida answered, bringing his hand to his chin. "...Tell you what, I'll let you know when I'm giving another speech, if you'd like to come and help again. Keep watching what I do, and we can discuss it after, how does that sound?"
Kyoko gave a nod. "Fair enough," she said, giving a faint smile. "...I'll be there."
"I appreciate that," Yoshida said, giving a pleasant nod in return. "...Well, I should probably be going, I hope to see you soon!"
As Yoshida made his way to the station, Kyoko felt her schoolbag rustle as Morgana's head poked out.
"I was listening on the whole thing," he said. "You, know, showing that kind of resolve and charisma, I bet you'll have no problem negotiating with Shadows!"
The young detective glanced back at the cat for a second, but gave no answer other then an agreeing nod as she decided to head into the underground walkway to head back home.
5/22
Emerging from the train, Kyoko had made her way through the subway to where Ann had told her Yusuke would be waiting. Admittedly, spotting the boy wasn't that difficult given his height and the rather flawlessly upright way he stood, staring off as if he were in his own world not too far from the stairs leading to the accessway they would all be meeting at later. As she approached him, though, Yusuke did not seem to notice her.
It being a day off from school, both were dressed casually, with Kyoko wearing her simple dark skirt, top, coat and boots. Yusuke had shown up wearing a gray blazer over a striped undershirt and black pants, the colors were an odd selection but Kyoko made no remark on it as she stood before him, arms folded and clearing her throat as he continued to stare ahead in silence.
"Kitagawa?" she asked, a little loudly. Yusuke showed no sign of being startled, simply turning his head to look her way.
"Oh. Good afternoon, Kirigiri," Yusuke said. "Apologies. I was simply passing the time waiting by people-watching."
Kyoko glanced around, though her expression still maintained its otherwise normally stoic demeanor, not so different from Yusuke's own.
"Very well, but now that I'm here," she explained. "I can take you to the airsoft shop on Central Street."
"Ah, yes. Takamaki spoke of that," Yusuke replied. Kyoko noticed he was no longer looking at her and instead had once more returned his attention on the milling crowds. "I haven't much money, the allowance I get from Sensei tends to only limit me to simple meals and art supplies for the most part..."
"We'll cover for you," Morgana said, poking his face from Kyoko's bag. "We can't have you going in there empty-handed after all!"
"I appreciate it. Shall we be off, then?" Yusuke asked, his gaze still not breaking from the crowds it was fixed on.
"You sure you won't be distracted?" Kyoko asked.
"I won't," Yusuke replied.
"Then follow me..."
When the two arrived at the airsoft shop (with Yusuke finger-framing the sign as they walked in), Iwai lowered his magazine as he saw them enter. "Heh, interesting type, where'd you pick this one up?" he asked with an amused smirk.
"He's a friend," Kyoko replied, noticing Yusuke already seemed quite captivated by the displays.
"You try and tell me he's a weapon enthusiast too, I'm gonna have to call bullshit on ya," Iwai said, setting his magazine down.
Yusuke offered no rebuttal, though Kyoko suspected it was because he was too distracted as he studied all that was put on show to do so.
"On the contrary, he's an art student. I'm helping him on subject matter for his next work, so perhaps you have anything that would suit traditional or..." Kyoko began.
"Traditional? Do I look like a historian to you, kid?" Iwai said with an amused laugh. "Let him pick whatever he thinks looks neat. If you want a discount, though, he can pick whatever's on the beginner's menu I showed ya."
The man rubbed his stubbled chin in thought, as if deciding not to let a potential sale go to waste. "...Though I do have a few katanas he might like..."
"Show me," Yusuke said, causing both Kyoko and Iwai to look over and notice they now had his full attention. Iwai smirked in amusement.
"Gimme a sec" the store owner said as he turned and went to the back, taking out three replica katanas and a paper with their discounted prices. "These are the ones you can get on her discount, take it or leave it." he said.
Yusuke took a moment, looking them over before settling on one and noting the price. "I'll take this one."
"Not bad, kid. What can you Tell me about it?" Iwai asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The Gunto?" Yusuke asked. "Why, it's a ceremonial blade once used by the Imperial Japanese military, during the time of conscription. Its history and elegant design are both quite inspiring to me on an artistic perspective."
Iwai's lollipop stick shifted from one corner of his lips to another. "'Kay, for the little history lesson I'm willin' to cut you a deal, provided you got the cash, or somethin' valuable."
"Hm, perhaps this may do?" Yusuke asked, reaching into his pocket and taking out four small pearls. Kyoko raised an eyebrow in curiosity at this, as did Iwai.
The man took the small gem and looked them over, running a magnifying glass on it before putting them in his pocket. "Alright, that's 4000 more off the price if you don't want me askin' anythin' about where you got these. Sound good?"
"That's acceptable," Yusuke replied.
"Anything else get your interest, kid?" Iwai asked.
Yusuke looked around at the displays, his gaze setting upon an assault rifle model. "Perhaps something like that one."
Iwai glanced over at the display, his lollipop stick shifting once more and chuckled. "...What, you plannin' to dress it up or somethin'?" He went to the back, and returned with a fairly simple replica model. "You can start off with this one. Cheapest one I got but still passable quality."
Kyoko glanced at Iwai then at Yusuke, wondering of the boy was aware Iwai was not taking him particularly seriously anymore.
"Very well, I'll take it," Yusuke replied, his expression unchanging.
Iwai's lollipop nearly slid out of his mouth when it came open in surprise. He didn't let it last, though, and chuckled at the boy again. "Suits me fine, a sale's a sale. Price is right there."
"I'll cover it," Kyoko said, taking out some money and placing it on the table.
"You got some interesting friends, kid," Iwai said to Kyoko as he put the money in the register and passing a paper bag to Yusuke before looking over at the boy. "I hope I don't need to tell ya to keep those in that bag while you're out and about. I won't be held responsible if you make a scene that gets the pigs on ya."
"Of course," Yusuke replied, looking over his new purchases as he placed them in the bag. "Together, these may prove aesthetically pleasing subjects..."
"Whatever you say, kid," Iwai said, already reaching for his magazine and sitting back down. "Come again, sometime."
"Looks like we're all ready!" Morgana said, emerging from Kyoko's bag as soon as they were all outside. "Best let the others know!"
Kyoko took out her phone and accessed the group chat. -We're set. Meet at the hideout. Add him to the group chat as well. she messaged.
Kyoko glanced back at Yusuke, who suddenly took out his phone and looked at it in curiosity as they stood in the alley.
"That's our group chat," Kyoko explained. "I should also probably have your contact information as well."
Yusuke gave a nod, pressing a few things on his phone and turning the screen to face her. Kyoko added and saved the number and sent a message to Yusuke, who in turn saved hers.
"Where did those pearls come from, anyway?" Kyoko asked.
"Oh, I saw them as we were going through the Palace," Yusuke said matter-of-factly. "I found them rather pleasing to the eye so I collected them. It's a shame I had to part with them for my equipment..."
"Well done, Yusuke!" Morgana said. "I guess you've sort of stumbled across how we finance our operations!"
"Anyway, we should get going," Kyoko said, she began to walk away only to notice Yusuke hadn't moved but was looking her over. "...What is it?"
"My apologies," Yusuke said. "I was going back to a thought that had crossed my mind the other day when the three of you first came over to the atelier. You have a truly remarkable mystique to you, Kirigiri, a sharp contrast to the radiance Takamaki gives off, as if the mystery of the night and the brilliance of the day stood side by side. I wouldn't mind capturing that in one of my paintings someday."
Kyoko blinked. It didn't sound like flirting, rather it was like something an art critic may say, to which she couldn't be entirely surprised by. Also Yusuke's tone was perfectly serious.
"...If you're asking me to model nude for you, I'm afraid you're wasting your time," Kyoko said, brushing back her hair and glaring slightly.
"If you and Takamaki consented to that, I would have entertained the notion," Yusuke replied, bringing his hand to his chin in thought. "...Though as I would be seeking to capture something... elemental and metaphysical... you both needn't worry about such a thing..."
"Good! Keep it that way!" Morgana said sharply, earning only a confused look from Yusuke.
Kyoko sighed. "...At any rate, the others will be at the hideout, soon, so let's be on our way..."
"Alright, Yusuke, there's still a few basics we need to explain to you, don't we?" Morgana asked as the group finished gathering at the accessway as he climbed out of Kyoko's bag.
"Right, the stuff about the Metaverse, and the Nav. I guess that's all pretty important," Ann said.
"Please elaborate," Yusuke replied, leaning against the rail in front of the windows and folding his arms.
"We'll start from the beginning," Morgana explained. "First, the spots in the Metaverse we act as Phantom Thieves are called "Palaces". They're worlds within the Metaverse that take form from someone's cognition, a materialization of their reality..."
"Do we each old Palaces as well?" Yusuke asked.
"A Palace is only formed by those with especially strong, distorted desires, so no, not just anyone would have one," Morgana replied.
"Yeah," Ryuji said. "Basically... people who're real awful criminals and stuff, total bastards like Kamoshida or Madarame."
"Also, Palaces can't exist within Persona-users. It's just impossible for them to form," Morgana explained.
"And why is that?" Yusuke asked.
"Because basically, your Persona reflects the true feelings of your heart, which arise from accepting your inner Shadow," Morgana replied, "As a result, since you have full control over your emotions, your desires don't get distorted."
"So that's how it works," Ann mused aloud.
"And you enter these Palaces through an... app...?" Yusuke asked.
"Yes," Kyoko explained. "Has it appeared on your phone?"
"It should look like a freaky red eye-thing," Ryuji said.
Yusuke took out his phone and fiddled with it. "Hm, there it is," he said, turning his phone to the others.
"Dude, you're takin' it so casually an' all," Ryuji muttered, raising an eyebrow at Yusuke's poker face, which only earned a quizzical head tilt from the other boy in response.
"Anyway, it's actually pretty simple. We say the person's name, location, and distortion and we're in!" Ann explained.
"Location...?" Yusuke asked.
"Well, with Madarame, for example, the location would be "shack" and the distortion is "museum," Ann explained.
"I see," Yusuke replied. "But how would you know what a Palace is going to look like before setting foot in it?"
"That part's kinda like a quiz or somethin'," Ryuji said. "It'll prolly get tricky from here on out..."
"It's a matter of deduction and thinking like the criminal we are targeting," Kyoko explained. "With Kamoshida, it was entirely by chance from something Ryuji said before we were even aware of the app's nature or how it worked..."
"Heh, yeah, I said his name when I saw him on Kyoko's first day when I didn't realize she was new and didn't know 'em," Ryuji said with an amused laugh. "...Then I mentioned Shujin because'a her uniform, she asked me about Kamoshida and I told her he thinks he's king of the castle, there."
"An accurate assertion on Kamoshida's mentality due to special treatment he got thanks to his influence and fame as a former Olympic gold medalist," Kyoko said. "It ended up sending us there as a result, admittedly by accident. With Madarame, however, we had to think like him based on what we knew and heard about him, and what he would perceive the place he keeps his pupils, as well as the art he plagiarizes from them, as the source of his wealth and fame..."
"I feel I have a good grasp of the basic concepts, now," Yusuke said with a nod. "If anything arises which I fail to understand, I'll rely on those more experienced than myself."
"No worries! We gotcha covered, newbie!" Ryuji said with a grin.
"Probably best to just ask Morgana, he knows more about it than any of us," Ann added.
"Thinking back to Madarame, though," Morgana said. "I can't believe he'd consider pressing charges!"
"Yes, I've never seen him show such anger before," Yusuke explained, "...He is most likely quite serious about that..."
"You exposed his secrets, Ann," Kyoko said, "...And Ryuji and myself will be investigated and likely charged as well by association. On the other hand, you, Kitagawa, will likely be offered lenience, in exchange for your silence and continued cooperation in his crimes."
Yusuke sighed, looking down at the floor. "Regardless of what Sensei has done for me in the past, I also feel there is no going back. I cannot simply allow myself to become as I was again..."
"So what do we do?" Ann asked. "If that happens we'll have no way of winning!"
"As we discussed, though, I'm absolutely confident he won't act on that threat until the exhibit's final day on June 5th is over," Yusuke explained. "Simply put, I doubt he would be so foolish as to taint his name with a trial during his exhibitation."
Kyoko nodded, her hand at her chin. "I agree," she said. "This would only give him a great deal of unwanted attention from the news and press that he would have a far easier time dealing with after it's ended..."
"Alright, then we just gotta steal that bastard's heart before then!" Ryuji said, clenching his fist. "No way we're gonna let him press charges and get away with all this! We'll show everyone who he really is!"
"Then let's get started," Kyoko said, leading the group to their destination.
Reality around the group twisted and reshaped, and Madarame's gold-covered museum once more loomed over the Phantom Thieves as they stood before it.
"Oh, that reminds me!" Mona said, looking over at Yusuke. "We haven't decided on a codename for you, yet!"
"Well, it has to be "Kitsune", right?" Panther asked, "I mean, with the mask and all, it just fits."
"Hell yeah! It really leaves an impression!" Skull added.
Yusuke turned, glancing at them. "...Are you talking about me?"
"What do you want your name to be over here?" Panther asked.
Yusuke folded his arms for a moment. "...I'd say... Da Vinci."
"Nnnnnnope," Skull replied flatly. "You got that mask like Ann said, plus there's that weird tail thing and all. "How about Abura-age?"
"Very well," Yusuke replied with a nod.
"Wait, he actually agreed to it?!" Mona asked, eyes wide in disbelief.
"It's decided then! Abura-age it is!" Skull cheered.
"Nuh-uh. Not happening," Panther said, shaking her head before looking over at Ace. "How about you, Ace? Any ideas what his codename should be?"
Ace looked the boy over, her gaze noting the mask and tail as the others had. "Fox would do. It's simple and easy to remember."
"Keepin' it literal, huh?" Skull asked. "Sounds good to me!"
"It's acceptable," Yusuke replied.
"It's set, then! Fox it is!" Skull said with a grin.
With a shared nod of agreement, the five Thieves made their way to the imposing museum awaiting them across the street...
A/N: At last another chapter done! I hope everyone's enjoying and thank you to all who continue to keep me going with your support! Kyoko's gotten some confidants ranked, and gotten a step closer to unlocking the Sun confidant as well. Next chapter, a full dungeon crawl of the rest of Madarame's Palace!
0 - The Fool: Rank 3
I - The Magician: Rank 2
V - The Hierophant: Rank 3
VI - The Lovers: Rank 2
VII - The Chariot: Rank 4
XI - The Strength: Rank 1
XII - The Hanged Man: Rank 1
XIII - Death: Rank 3
XVIII - The Moon: Rank 2
1 - The Councillor: Rank 3
Kyoko's Personas: Cait Sith, Succubus, Berith, Shiisaa, Kusi Mitama, Kodama, Jack Frost