5/28
"So yeah, the day after tomorrow is the cleanup event," a first-year walking ahead of Kyoko said to a male classmate. "My group'll be on the opposite direction of Inokashira Park..."
Kyoko took note, recalling it as the place she'd went with Ann a few days ago.
"To be honest, I'm kinda looking forward to it!' the boy said. "I even got that new honor student, Yoshizawa, in my group!"
"What, is she your type now all of a sudden?" the girl asked indignantly. "Don't be too excited. I hear honor students are exempt from the cleaning. Totally unfair, am I right?"
The boy's expression fell. "Wait, so I'm alone on a team of nothing but upperclassmen, then?" he asked. "This sucks, I kinda wanna just ditch, now! Seriously, how precious are their honor students to them anyway?"
Kyoko could empathize a little, she wasn't particularly looking forward to this event, either and she suspected with her criminal record still hanging over her she'd not have a particularly enjoyable time with any group she was assigned to.
Class had gone by without incident, Ms. Kawakami even seemed a little more relaxed, albeit still her tired self. At the end of the day, Kyoko had decided to go meet Ryuji, having not met up the previous day like he'd offered. As she expected, he was at his usual spot by the stairs.
"Hey, 'sup?" Ryuji said with a grin, before scratching the back of his head anxiously. "Look, about the other day, with the maid n' all..."
"...Let's just promise not to ever bring it up again, alright?" Kyoko asked, interrupting. "...And promise me you won't do something that idiotic again..."
"Heh, right, yes ma'am!" Ryuji said, clearly relieved Kyoko wanted it as in the past as he did. "Anyways, thanks for comin' by. Remember how I was sayin' we need a new place to train? Well, I was out yesterday and I think I found the place!"
"Where's that?" Kyoko asked.
"I'll show ya, it's right on Central Street in Shibuya!"
"This I need to see!" Morgana said, peering through Kyoko's school bag, Kyoko giving a nod of agreement.
"Well then let's go right now!" Ryuji said with a grin, leading Kyoko down the stairs and to the entrance.
"I have to admit, the location is rather ironic," Kyoko noted, seeing where Ryuji had led her. They were currently standing in an alley right around the corner of where Big Bang Burger was, where a lit-up green and white sign adorned with a musclebound male silhouette with the name "Protein Lovers Gym" written across it was positioned before the doors leading inside.
"Yeah, I'm just now noticin' that," Ryuji said, looking back at where the fast food joint was just outside the alley. "But this is the place. It's pay per visit, so you don't gotta worry about any bullshit contracts or nothin'," he explained. "The equipment's kinda crappy, too, but they got tons of variety, and it's way cheap even without a pool or a tub so totally worth!"
"I see," Kyoko remarked, leaning over to look through the window. There weren't too many patrons, but from what she could see from where she was, the place appeared passable.
"Oh, right, did you bring your stuff?" Ryuji asked.
"My gym clothes?" Kyoko asked. "Yes, remember?"
"Protein powder, towel, spare undies," Ryuji listed.
Kyoko closed her eyes, folding her arms and frowning. "I'll pretend you didn't say that,"
"I ain't tryin' to sound pervy or nothin!" Ryuji protested. "C'mon, you know gettin' back into sweaty clothes after a hot shower or bath or whatever feels way gross!"
Kyoko sighed. "There's a bath house near where I'm staying, I'll go by there once we're done."
"You sure about that?" Ryuji asked, concerned. "I mean the whole havin' to wait till then?"
"I've come home covered in worse grunge from my years of detective work, Ryuji," Kyoko said. "It's unpleasant but I know how to manage."
Ryuji gave a shrug. "If you say so," he said. "I'd just rather have that stuff off me 'fore I go home an' all, I guess, 'cause I'm goin' all in, here! Gotta get my money's worth after all, right?"
"That can't be argued with," Kyoko said.
"Well I think I'll wander around a bit," Morgana said as he climbed out from Kyoko's bag. "I just hope you actually managed to hit paydirt, here, Ryuji!"
"Oh, you better believe it!" Ryuji said with a grin as he led Kyoko inside.
An hour and a half later, Ryuji, now wearing a loose t-shirt and gym shorts, stepped off the treadmill he'd spent the last hour on, though he was not particularly happy as he struggled to catch his breath.
"My form's... comin' back," he gasped. "...But I don't got... any of the... stamina I... had..."
Kyoko, wearing her tracksuit and a pair of trainers and cloth gloves, her hair in a ponytail, watched him with concern.
"Will you be alright?" she asked when he coughed.
"Y-yeah... I'll... be fine," Ryuji said. "...Just... damnit!"
"Sakamoto?"
Kyoko and Ryuji turned to the sound of the male voice that called out to him, noticing as an older boy in a t-shirt and gym shorts came over.
"Ikeda-senpai?!" Ryuji asked, seemingly surprised to see him. "G-goornin'!"
Kyoko blinked in confusion at Ryuji's bizarre word.
"Heh, I think you meant "good morning", right? It's not exactly morning, though! Eloquent as ever, Sakamoto!" the boy, Ikeda, said. "And you don't need to call me "senpai" anymore, seeing as how I've already graduated and all!"
"You know eachother?" Kyoko asked.
"Yeah, he was on the track team back when I started, actually," Ryuji said with a sheepish grin.
"How about you? You on the girl's team, or are you two...?" the boy asked.
"Nah, she's just a friend I made this year, just helpin' me train," Ryuji explained. "By the time she came to Shujin the track team was already... eh, you know..."
Ryuji looked down, embarrassed, but Ikeda spoke up again, looking concerned.
"Speaking of which, how's your leg doing?" he asked.
"I'm managin'," Ryuji said, frowning a bit as he looked down at it, his leg twitching slightly. "So what about you, senpai, still runnin'?"
"Actually, I joined my university's track team!" Ikeda said. "...You'd think I woulda quit entirely after what happened..."
"Yeah, about that," Ryuji replied, scratching the back of his head, sighing. "...I'm really sorry..."
"No, I should be the one apologizing," Ikeda, replied, shaking his head. "...I was supposed to be leader of our team, but I just resigned myself to Kamoshida's will."
"'Cause you needed that letter of rec from him, right?" Ryuji asked, scowling. "...Here you were, tryin' to look out for your own future and I still managed to eff it up, anyways!"
Ikeda shook his head again. "No. Kamoshida never intended on writing my letter of recommendation. You were just his excuse not to."
"Kamoshida couldn't tolerate anyone taking even a little spotlight away from his volleyball team, and I heard about how he got your old coach fired so he could take over and sabotage your track team," Kyoko said. "...And when he couldn't get anyone to quit, once he saw he had a way to provoke Ryuji and injure him he had the excuse he needed to disband you and take your futures from you."
"Exactly," Ikeda said. "It's something as team leader I should have got sooner. Still, I may not have gotten that letter or the golden key to some top university, but I'm happy where I am, now. The track team's not anything special but it's perfect for me," he explained. "So, in truth, I should be thanking you for what you did, Sakamoto."
"Senpai...?" Ryuji asked, surprised by the older boy's statement.
"Look, I still regret not doing more to protect you guys from him," Ikeda said. "...But I was hearing some good news, namely that the track team's being reinstated!"
"For real?!" Ryuji's eyes went wide with shock.
"Yup, now that Kamoshida's in prison and confessed to all the horrible stuff he did, I guess the school's getting the old team back together and telling them they want to try starting it up again," Ikeda explained.
Ryuji's shock, however, turned to a frown. "No one's told me about that. You hear anythin' like that, Kyoko?" he asked.
"Can't say I have," Kyoko replied.
"That's odd. The rumors got as far as me and I'm not even a student, anymore," Ikeda said. "I was hearing, though, that they're going to get Mr. Yamauchi as their new advisor."
"Whoa, wait, THAT Yamauchi?!" Ryuji asked, folding his arms and looking even less pleased then before.
"Who?" Kyoko asked, folding her arms as well and raising an eyebrow.
"Yamauchi's... he was basically Kamoshida's little lapdog the whole time he was here," Ryuji explained. "So much for good news..."
"...Well apparently, he volunteered. Apparently he's really enthusiastic about "pulling the track team up from the ashes", he said," Ikeda explained. "But hey, if the team's being reinstated, there's no need for bad blood, right? Maybe you should go talk to them, I'm sure they could use someone with your passion."
"Yeah, maybe," Ryuji said, managing a faint smile but his tone very uncertain.
"Well, anyway, I should get back to training," Ikeda said. "I'll seeya around later, hope you take my advice, Sakamoto."
Once Ikeda had left, Ryuji turned his attention back to Kyoko. "So, the track team's comin' back. Good for them," he said, Kyoko noting he didn't look particularly happy.
"You seem conflicted about it," Kyoko said, "...There something on your mind regarding it?"
"Not really," Ryuji replied, forcing a smile. "I'm glad, I mean... the team's comin' back, so that means Nakaoka and them can start trainin' again!"
"...But you're concerned about who'll be supervising them," Kyoko's gaze narrowed. "You can be honest with me, you know..."
"Yeah, guess you're right, after all we've been through?" Ryuji said with a sheepish laugh before frowning in concern again. "Look, Yamauchi is basically a Mini-Kamoshida. He ain't got an Olympic gold medal to his name, but he's just as much of an asshole! He'd always yell at us during practice, but then be a huge kiss-ass when our parents were around!"
Ryuji grumbled in frustration, kicking the floor slightly as he shook his head in disbelief. "What really gets me, though, is that they'd get a moron like that to advise the track team! I mean, he doesn't even teach PE!"
Kyoko brought her hand to her chin in thought. "He volunteered, though, and is apparently eager for the position," she said. "...Which means there's something he hopes to gain out of it."
"Yeah! He's gotta be up to somethin'!" Ryuji replied.
Kyoko closed her eyes as she spoke. "I have my theories, my most prominent one is that, the track team would be considered as being among Kamoshida's victims not just for what he did to you and the abuse he subjected the team to, but also it would now be seen as deliberate sabotage, which would generate more sympathy as well as the notion the track team can become the school's pride and joy in place of Kamoshida's volleyball team." The young detective opened her eyes and gave Ryuji a stern look. "...I suspect Mr. Yamauchi is aware of this, too, and wishes to take advantage of it so he can be credited for being the one who makes this happen... in essence, he sees a parade he can potentially place himself at the front of."
"You may be right, but no one's gonna listen to us about it if we don't got proof, right?" Ryuji asked, frowning. "...I wanna look into this, and I think I'm gonna need your help on it. I mean, you're a detective n' all, so it'd be kinda your thing, too!"
Kyoko couldn't help but give a faint smile. "...I see no reason to turn down an opportunity to use my skills."
"Awesome! I'll be countin' on ya, Kyoko!" Ryuji said with a grin, his spirits noticeably up, now, and Kyoko heard the sound of another chain link shatter within her mind.
"...Anyways, I guess we're done here, so I should probably shower..." Ryuji remarked. "I'll get us some protein drinks before we go. Don't wanna collapse on the way back, right?"
As Kyoko arrived at the entrance of Leblanc, her mind entirely focused on getting a bath as soon as she could get her things when she heard her phone chime, and saw that Ryuji was calling her.
"Yo, 'sup?" Ryuji asked. "Make it back alright?"
"Yes," Kyoko replied. "The protein drink did the job."
"Good, hey, about the stuff from today..." Ryuji started, before pausing a moment. "...I can't really let myself be happy about the track team startin' up again with Yamauchi bein' adviser n' all. I think you're right, bastard like him's got a lot to gain for himself it's way fishy."
"Yes, if that's his intention, he could get status similar to what Kamoshida used to have at Shujin," Kyoko replied.
"It's gotta be it, but thanks again for agreein' to have my back on this!" Ryuji said, sounding more upbeat. "I mean, all we got is theories n' all right now, but when these gut feelings happen, I tend to be right, and I think your theory's gotta be it. We just gotta know for sure, so if I hear anything, I'll get back to ya on it!"
"I appreciate it," Kyoko said. "Once we have that, we can properly investigate Yamauchi without raising too much suspicion. Neither of us have exactly the best reputation, and there's still eyes on us regarding Kamoshida."
"True," Ryuji replied. "Anyways, I'll catchya later!"
As Kyoko heard him hang up, she made her way inside to grab her bath supplies for her next destination. Grimy and as she now felt from working out at the gym, Kyoko had a feeling she'd be spending quite a while there, tonight.
5/29
It was Sunday, and an evening at the bath house had left Kyoko feeling refreshed even as she woke up that day. Having gotten her clothes washed at the laundromat across the street, Kyoko had noticed she'd gotten a message from Ann, asking if they could meet up at the park again. Within the next half our, Kyoko, dressed in her casual clothes, met Ann who was waiting at the entrance while Morgana went on another walk around the park to let the two talk.
"Thanks for coming!" Ann said with a smile. "I guess it's a bit weird coming out here when we're gonna be here again tomorrow, huh?"
"I admit I enjoy the tranquility of this place," Kyoko replied. "...Though I suppose that'd hardly be the case when we're all here, tomorrow."
"Yeah, still can't believe we gotta do that," Ann said, pouting a little. A moment of silence followed before the blonde decided to try and change the subject as she pointed over the wood fence at the river. "Oh, hey look at those ducks over there! They must be a family!" she said with an amused laugh.
Kyoko smiled a little as she looked where Ann was pointing, a mother duck swimming by in the river with a train of ducklings following. She couldn't help but find them rather cute. Ann seemed to notice her reaction as well.
"Was that a smile, Kyoko?" she asked with a giggle.
"Am I not allowed to like cute things?" Kyoko responded, glancing back at Ann.
"Oh, I didn't mean it that way, just... it's nice to see you lower your guard sometimes," Ann replied with an assuring smile.
"I'm used to concealing and burying my emotions, it's part of being trained as a detective," Kyoko said. "My grandfather..." The girl paused, as if thinking about him, for once, made her uncomfortable before she shrugged it off. "...It ensures people have a harder time reading me, or knowing what I'm thinking. It's also to better condition me to accept the... things I may come across or have to examine in my line of work, and ensure I come to a conclusion on logic and reason as the truth is what a detective looks for most."
"I see," Ann said. "I guess I'm... kinda the opposite, sometimes. Way back when we got to know eachother, back when I was still dealing with Kamoshida, you saw right through me. I'm a pretty lousy liar, I guess!"
Kyoko closed her eyes, smirking a little as she brought her hand to her chin. "I won't hold it against you."
"I appreciate that," Ann replied, scratching the back of her head as she sat down on the rail of the fence. "You know, places like this, though... it makes me realize how strange Tokyo is."
"What do you mean?" Kyoko asked, sitting down with her.
"Well, you got busy streets full of people and stores like Shibuya, which honestly we're not that far from, then there's duck-filled ponds in parks like this right next to them!" Ann explained. "It's like it's got everything, you know? Kinda scary when I think about it."
"I've had cases bring me here a few times, but I see what you mean," Kyoko said. "I spent a lot of my childhood abroad, and until now attended only private all-girls schools," the girl closed her eyes as she mulled it over. "...Visiting a place and living there can be two very different things."
"Tell me about it!" Ann said, brushing her hand through her pigtail. "When I first came here, I had a super tough time adjusting," she explained. "It's just so... crowded. Everyone's always walking really fast like they're angry or something."
The blonde looked down at the ground, frowning a little. "Even at school, I was only ever the "foreigner". No one ever really knew me; they just spread rumors..."
"What about Ryuji? I recall you two knew eachother since middle school," Kyoko said.
"Sorta. We had class together, but mostly we were acquaintances. We didn't like, hang out or anything. We drifted apart more when he got on the track team," Ann explained. "I don't fault him or anything, I was happy he found something he loved that made him a lot of friends. I mean before... well... you know."
"...And you were still an outsider," Kyoko said.
"Yeah, I thought maybe my looks were the problem. I even thought of turning my hair black once, figured I could stand out a little less, then," Ann replied. "I can't really see myself with that, though. It'd just feel weird, I guess?"
"I personally couldn't imagine you that way," Kyoko answered.
Ann laughed. "I know, right?" she said with a smile. "Anyway, it was in art class when Shiho first talked to me. The very first thing she said to me when she came over was "Takamaki-san, your paintings suck!" Can you believe it?"
Kyoko regarded the girl, she didn't seem offended or bothered by this, rather, it seemed she was entirely amused by it. "I take it you agreed with her?" she asked.
"...Well, at first I thought she was making fun of me like everyone else, but that wasn't her intention," Ann replied. "According to her, they were so bad she just HAD to tell me! Pretty mean, huh? But thing was, it was the first time someone here talked to me without mentioning my looks. I know it sounds weird, but we sorta just grew closer after that, and she's been my best friend ever since!"
"I couldn't judge, I haven't really had friends, or people close... not without something happening to them," Kyoko replied. The young detective frowned apologetically. "...Sorry, I shouldn't make things depressing with those stories."
"Hey, don't worry about it," Ann said, deciding not to ask and giving a comforting smile. "Besides," she said. "Whatever it is... I think I know what... whatever happened makes you feel. But we just gotta move forward, now, right?"
Ann suddenly blinked, her eyes going wide as if realizing something before Kyoko could say anything else. "Oh, right! That's not why we're here! There's something else I wanted to talk to you about!"
Now Kyoko blinked, taken slightly by surprise but gathering Ann was simply trying to move the subject after it'd taken a depressing turn. "Yes?"
"You remember what I told you about the last time we came here?" Ann asked. "The character I liked growing up, that female thief from the anime I loved? Well, I just thought of something!"
Kyoko raised an eyebrow, prompting the other girl to continue.
"You know how the villains in those shows are always about world domination and all?" she asked, resting her chin in her palm. "Well, I was thinking about how even though they get beaten by the heroes all the time they never give up! That must mean they have really solid hearts, right?"
Kyoko gave a faint, amused smile as she rested her own chin on the back of her hand. "I suppose that's one way of looking at it. The shows would end rather quickly if they simply gave up, or would require another adversary for the heroes to face," she said.
"Hm," Ann mused. "Maybe you're right, but in the context of the story, that's gotta be it, though. Maybe that's what I should try and learn from them, to never give up no matter what, because..." the girl stood up, clenching her fist. "...I've decided I wanna star in action movies!"
Kyoko's look of mild amusement quickly faded as she stared at the other girl, trying to decide on the most tactful response she could come up with by Ann's rather unexpected statement that had, admittedly, managed to bait-and-switch the young detective's expectations.
"You have your work cut out for you, then," Kyoko said, as politely as she could.
"True, it's a big task!" Ann replied. Kyoko chose to remain silent rather then clarify that wasn't exactly what she'd meant. "But I'm gonna make that my big goal in life... after all that's happened I was just sorta... going through the motions at school, you know? Never sure what I wanted to really do after."
The blonde's expression grew serious. "...I gotta admit, Kyoko, when I learned about the whole detective thing, and you planning on going to such a big school that practically holds the door open for whatever career path you're going for when you graduate... I guess deep down I felt a little jealous, even with this... setback, you've got a clear goal ahead of you, so I wanted to try and impress you," she explained. "But now... I feel like I have an objective that I really want to reach the more I think of it. I know it's not just the career you grew up learning for you, I know there's something else you want out of going there... well, I've got my reasons for this, too! I want to do for others what those characters I grew up loving did for me!"
As lofty a goal as Ann had set for herself, Kyoko could see in the girl's determination this was not some passing whim or indulgent daydream. Ann was absolutely serious in what she said, and Kyoko could hear the sound of a chain link shattering within the recesses of her mind.
"If I'm gonna be in action movies, though, I'll need to work on my actions... which means I gotta get working out," Ann mused. "Hey, I think Ryuji said he knows a good gym!"
"He does, he showed me last night, actually," Kyoko said.
"Oh, awesome!" Ann replied with a big smile. "I'll have to ask him about it maybe we can all go sometime!"
"Just remember to come prepared," Kyoko said, folding her arms. "In hindsight I should have brought a few things then, but I'd gone with him straight after school."
"Ugh, can't imagine how fun the way home was," Ann said, scrunching her face a little.
"I've been especially grateful for the bath house next to where I'm staying," Kyoko replied, recalling her extended stay the previous night, and how refreshed she'd felt after.
"Oh, you got a bath house near you?" Ann asked, interested. "Is it any good? They got those herbal treatments and stuff like some of the ones I've heard about?"
"They do," Kyoko said.
"Neat! I'd love to check one of those out, sometime," Ann said. "But for now, I still owe you a spa treatment before my next gig. Also, you kinda got me thinking of something else, too..."
Before Kyoko could ask, she saw Morgana approaching from the trail.
"Hey!" Morgana said cheerfully as he walked over. "I never get tired of this place! It's so nice!"
"It really is," Ann replied. "But it probably won't be as fun tomorrow with the cleanup thing. Anyways, follow me, I wanna get you something!"
As Kyoko allowed Morgana to hop into her bag, she quietly followed, unsure what the other girl wanted as they made their way back to the urban Shibuya.
"Okay, pick the one you think's cutest!" Ann said, gesturing to the row of plush toys on the shelf of the store she'd brought Kyoko to. The young detective simply looked at her in confusion.
"I don't understand what this is about," Kyoko said.
"Don't ask, just go ahead and pick the one you think's cutest!" Ann repeated.
Kyoko let out a small sigh, deciding to humor the other girl as she looked them over. The young detective did not consider herself an expert on popular culture, her grandfather considered it a distraction, so many of the more defined characters before her were unfamiliar to her and thus mostly turned her off, until her gaze lingered on a small rabbit plush with pink-tinted white fur that could fit in the palm of her hand, its simple black bead eyes and tiny smile made it... endearing.
"Aw, you like that one? I'll buy her for you!" Ann said, taking it off the shelf as she took it to the counter. "Now you can have something cute for your place!"
Kyoko stared in disbelief. "I appreciate the gesture, but you don't have to."
Ann looked at her in a serious manner as she paid for the plush. "Kyoko, you may be a detective and all, but you're a girl who has a soft side for cute stuff under there, too. No need to starve it!"
"That's so generous of you, Lady Ann!" Morgana fawned from his spot in Kyoko's bag.
Kyoko gave out another small sigh, realizing she wouldn't win this, but looking at the plush again, and at Ann's kind gesture, the young detective gave a small smile. "I appreciate it."
"You're very welcome!" Ann said with a smile, giving Morgana a scratch behind the ears once they were outside the store, which the cat purred excitedly from. "Anyway, I should probably be heading home, now, though. I gotta tell Shiho about my new goal, after all! I'll catch ya later!"
As Ann made her way to the train stations, Kyoko once more looked down at the small plush in the shopping bag.
"I think it'd look good on that shelf in your room," Morgana said, poking his head out of her bag. "Maybe Kawakami was right, too. You should furnish your room a little more, I mean, you're there a whole year, right? Maybe it's a chance to look at things you'd like? Stuff to make memories with!"
"Perhaps," Kyoko said, admittedly the doll was rather cute.
"Memories... wish I could remember mine," Morgana remarked, his ears drooping a little, before quickly deciding to change the subject. "Oh, isn't there a thrift store in Yongen-Jaya? Maybe it has some interesting stuff? Maybe it's just me but we could use a TV in that room!"
Kyoko glanced back at the cat a moment before proceeding to the underground walkway.
"Well, looks like you're all set up, now," Sojiro said, giving the old box TV a simple pat after having it set down and hooked up on the crate next to the sofa of Kyoko's attic room. "And to think the guy threw in a free DVD player to go with it."
"I'm not sure I'd have much use for it, honestly," Kyoko said, folding her arms as she looked at the new addition to her room.
"I like it," Sojiro said. "Between this and the plush you got on that shelf it's looking a little more like a bedroom, don't you think? On the subject, that plant over there's been surviving on watering, but I'm sure some new nutrients would help it get back some of its color if you ever go buy some..."
Kyoko turned her attention to the houseplant, she'd barely paid it much mind aside from the waterings but looking at it now, and thinking of Sojiro's advice, the thought crossed her mind on giving it some better care. "I... don't have much experience tending to plants," she said.
"Well, you can check the store near here, they sell some plant food if you're interested," Sojiro said, "Heck, I'm sure this one here would appreciate it. Anyways, I should get back downstairs in case any customers show up. The dinner patrons'll probably show up soon."
Kyoko closed her eyes, a faint smile on her face. "Hm... appreciate it?" she mused aloud. She had never gardened before, nor given plants much thought other then their appearance. Perhaps it was worth a try...
A half hour later, Kyoko had brought the bag of plant food and carefully followed the instructions on applying it to the plant and the soil, relieved there had been a pair of garden gloves and tools left next to the plant to get the job done. Once she'd finished, the girl slid back on her normal gloves and took a step back, looking it over.
"I'd say it's looking healthier already!" Morgana said, giving a small nod approval.
Kyoko couldn't help but feel curious of how it'd look within a few days was then Kyoko heard the chat log on her phone start chiming and took it out to see what was going on.
[Hey, Yusuke! How's Madarame doing? Any changes?] Ryuji asked.
[He's currently bedridden.] Yusuke replied.
[Wait, you think what we did was too much for the old bastard's heart?] Ryuji asked. Even Kyoko began to feel concerned as she read the messages.
[There's no need to worry. His life does not appear to be in any danger.] Yusuke said. Still, Kyoko felt some concern.
"Hey, let me see!" Morgana called up to Kyoko, prompting her to move to her bed and sit down while the cat climbed up beside her to look at her phone's screen before she began typing.
-Are you certain? Has he said anything? Kyoko messaged.
[I'm certain. There's no decline in his health. He did speak to me, but all he's said is "I'm sorry."] Yusuke replied.
[I haven't been able to speak with him since then, however. He seems to be in no state to hold a conversation.] he added.
[For real?] Ryuji asked.
[If he ends up taking legal action against us, Kyoko will be in big trouble especially.] Ann messaged.
-I am under probation, yes. It would become very problematic for me. Kyoko replied.
-I'm also concerned that if the other worst outcome occurs with Madarame, it will garner a great deal of negative attention from the police. They would likely suspect us immediately of being the cause of the incidents on the news. Kyoko added.
-Think about it, a group sends a threatening message to him, he falls under a mental shutdown much like the ones on the news days later. They would see them as linked and that a culprit has finally made themselves known. This would make things extremely difficult for all of us. Kyoko's message continued.
[WHAT?! That can't happen! Kamoshida didn't die or anything! It's gotta work out with Madarame too, we did everything the same!] Ryuji messaged.
-I know, but I can't rule out the potential of things going wrong. Kyoko answered.
[While I can't forgive Madarame for all he's done, his death would do no one any good. His crimes would remain unknown, and the names of those whose lives he ruined will never be cleared.] Yusuke said.
[We'll be okay, right?] Ann asked.
Kyoko closed her eyes a moment, she heard Morgana move closer before speaking to her.
"Kyoko, we did everything the right way like we did with Kamoshida. Even Yusuke says Madarame's not gotten worse. From what I can see it looks like the change is starting to take hold already," the cat said. "It's not ideal, but we gotta wait!"
Kyoko let out a light sigh. She hated uncertainty. She hated the answers being beyond her reach, but Morgana was right, all they could do was wait. One way or another, something would happen. She wanted to have a more positive opinion as Morgana had said, but she was feeling somewhat unsure, this had only been their second heist as Phantom Thieves, after all.
-Morgana says he's certain we did everything right. All we can do is have faith things will go in our favor. Kyoko messaged.
[It's gotta! No way we screwed up!] Ryuji messaged.
[I'll keep my trust in this, aside from his change of personality Madarame still appears in good health. I'll contact all of you on any progress.] Yusuke messaged.
[Thanks. We'll be waiting for updates, Yusuke.] Ann replied.
Thoughts of the mysterious black-masked person returned to Kyoko's mind as she set her phone down, bringing her hand to her chin as she thought things over. Her earlier theories seemed all the more valid in her mind following the conversation, and then there was another concern...
"Hey, what's up?" Morgana suddenly asked.
"Thinking," Kyoko said. "This "black masked killer", while my deductions are still far from narrowed down on what this individual's nature is... a lone individual or several, a terrorist using the metaverse for their own ends or the assassin acting on behalf of others, the more the Phantom Thieves act, and the more attention we gain, it's likely this person or persons will eventually take notice of us, and decide we can't be ignored."
"You think this person may come after us?"
"Possibly," Kyoko said, standing up. "Whoever it is, in addition to changing the hearts of criminals who have perverted the justice system, I want to make it our business we catch this person. If they're using the metaverse, the authorities, or any other detective for that matter would have no chance of catching them, let alone solving this case that's spanned two years already..."
Her thoughts went back to the conversation she'd had with the celebrity detective, Goro Akechi, when he'd come by Leblanc and discussed the necessities of a successful detective with her.
Kyoko looked back at Morgana, determined. "...Suspended license or not, detective or Phantom Thief, or both, I have every intention of solving this case myself."
"Well, you can count on the rest of us to be there to help with that, however we can!" Morgana said, smiling as much as his feline features allowed.
Kyoko gave a faint smile. "I appreciate it," she said, though her smile soon faded to her normal impassive frown. "For now, though, it seems we can only wait."
"Well, we've still got the night available, so anything you'd like to do before the big cleanup tomorrow?" Morgana asked.
Kyoko heard her phone chime again, seeing a message from Yoshida.
[Good evening, Kirigiri, hope your day's going well. I was wondering if you could help me with another speech tonight if you're free. Same place.] it read.
Kyoko glanced over at Morgana, and remembering Igor's advice, responded.
-Be right over. she messaged as she picked up her jacket, allowing Morgana into her bag as she headed downstairs.
"Well, I hope you gleaned something from today's speech, Kirigiri!" Yoshida said, stepping down from his crate with a smile as the crowds dispersed. "Understand regardless of your audience's size, you must convey your thoughts as if you are talking one-on-one."
Kyoko gave a nod of acknowledgement as she put away the sign.
"Also, I've wondered, was hearing my speeches really all about simply improving your social skills and interacting with others?" the man asked, curious.
Kyoko folded her arms. "Would it matter? What you said, it resonated... more then I'd like to have believed," she said, brushing back her hair. "There was a time I only paid attention to what was expected of me, nothing else, and no one else, just that and a personal goal of mine. Where I am, now, though, I suppose my eyes have been opened to the world around me a little more..."
The irony was not lost on Kyoko, someone meant to become a detective. A world where only the singular truth a detective sought mattered and those who served as a witness or contact to uncover it. The times she had grown attached and the way they'd ended seemed to only reinforce the approach her grandfather had expected of her, but now...
"Well, Kirigiri, I can say it's important for politicians as well to have a very clear goal in mind, but as an elected official, it must be one that benefits the people he or she has been chosen to serve, and show them that he or she sees what they see," Yoshida explained. "That and a willingness to take action is how a politician resonates with others, including yourself."
"I see," Kyoko replied.
"You don't need to tell me exactly what your goals in life are, but that, too, applies in the political world, some act with conviction, while others desire popularity," Yoshida explained. "So allow me to ask: Is it conviction that drives you, or acknowledgement?"
Kyoko's self-embrace tightened a little as she looked down at the pavement in silence. She had the conviction to succeed as a detective and knew she had a genuine devotion to justice, but at the same time she thought of regaining her grandfather's favor and not be seen as a failure and shame to the Kirigiri clan after all the years he spent training her, as well as confronting her father. It felt as though she were noticing gaping holes in parts of her life while others seem to have answers regarding their own.
Yoshida, thankfully, chose to fill the silence. "It's quite alright. You're still young, and have plenty of time to figure that out," he said with a reassuring smile. "I advise, for starters, looking at a central philosophy you follow. One not based on what others say, but one that you truly feel as right even knowing you may face adversity for it. That sort of thing is a foundation to a great speech as it will show you truly believe in it. Do well to remember that."
"I understand," Kyoko replied, "I'll keep that in mind."
"Wonderful," Yoshida said with a nod. "When you've found that, it's important you never give up until your voice is heard! A firm point of view and clear communication are important in negotiating as well, and standing your ground against opposition that would want you to be silent and comply to them."
The man couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Imagine that, getting me reliving my old fighting spirit from back when I first became a politician!"
With the politician's raised spirits, Kyoko could feel a better understanding of what he was saying, resonating with her wishes of how she intended the eventual confrontation with her father to go. The sound of a chain link shattering echoed within her mind.
"Hey! The hell you still doing here?!" a rude voice suddenly snapped, catching Kyoko and Yoshida's attention right away and prompting them to turn and face a sneering young man. Kyoko's eyes narrowed with contempt, it was the same man that heckled Yoshida's last speech.
"Can we help you?" she asked, not concealing her annoyance.
"Was I talking to you, kid?" the man said in a condescending tone before looking over at Yoshida. "Get the hell outta here already, No-Good Tora!"
Kyoko clenched her fist, she'd had enough of this man's rudeness it seemed he just couldn't resist harassing Yoshida again, but she stopped as she heard Yoshida shudder.
"N-No-Good... Tora..." the older man stammered, looking flushed again as the younger man walked off laughing.
"...They're right, I am no good," Yoshida sighed, his earlier confidence and posture deflating entirely as he hung his head.
"Don't listen to him," Kyoko said, folding her arms as she glared at the retreating man as he disappeared into the crowds.
Yoshida just frowned, looking up at Kyoko with shame on his face. "Why not? You heard him, too," he said.
"Would you really let someone that spiteful make you give up so easily after what you told me?" Kyoko asked. The man pondered her words a moment in response.
"...Perhaps you're right," Yoshida said, managing a small, grateful smile. "I'm very sorry you had to see me act like such a coward after telling you all those things meant to help you with your communicative skills. I hope today's incident was a good example of what not to do, at least, and you still took my words to heart."
"I believe I did," Kyoko replied. "I believe you should, as well."
Yoshida closed his eyes, chuckling to himself a little. "Indeed, that moment I was more passionate when giving you advice was nostalgic for me, reminded me of my early days. I'll keep that in mind with my next speech," he said. "I appreciate your help, Kirigiri, and I hope our talks help give you the direction you need."
Yoshida turned and picked up his sign and platform. "I think we're done for today, you have a good rest of your evening! I'll let you know when I have another speech ready," he said with a smile, more relaxed as he made his way to the subways, Kyoko looking back at Morgana as he came around the corner and the two prepared to head home for the evening.
"Learn anything new from him?" Morgana asked, curious as Kyoko made her way to the underground walkways.
"A few things," Kyoko replied.
"Oh, like what?" the cat asked.
"Like you advised, we may have an easier time negotiating with Shadows, and..." the girl paused a brief instant as she thought about her father once more.
Her grandfather came to mind as well, but she pushed it away.
"...Other matters."
"Well, we'd better get to bed soon as we get home, there is the school cleanup at the park tomorrow, after all!" Morgana said.
That, at least, was something that didn't put anything into question, Kyoko thought. It seemed the more time passed, the more things that had once been so clear to the young detective seemed to grow more murky.
5/30
It was a fairly brisk, but sunny afternoon as Kyoko had arrived in Shibuya with the rest of the class, having gotten off the most recent train. Donning her red and white tracksuit from gym class, the jacket now tied around her waist and her hair in a ponytail, and simple black gloves in place, Kyoko had emerged from the subways and paused as she noticed a familiar sight.
Up ahead was Yoshizawa, still in her normal uniform but looking very uncomfortable as a heavyset man who was at least twice her age seemed to have her cornered. The girl seemed to be standing up to herself and turned to walk away when the man suddenly seized her arm, prompting Kyoko to come closer.
"C'mon! There's no need to be shy!" the sleazy man said with a wide grin as he pulled Yoshizawa's arm.
"Ow! L-let go!" Yoshizawa protested as she struggled to free it.
Kyoko scowled as she noticed onlookers simply walked away despite the girl's obvious distress.
"...If you'd just let me put my number in your phone, you can be on your way and I'll call ya later..." the man said, his other hand reaching towards Yoshizawa and traveling downward...
Only to pause as Kyoko's gloved hand seized his and sharply pulled it back.
"Huh...?!" the man looked shocked, freezing a moment as Kyoko proceeded to use her grip to shove him back, causing him to lose his own grip on Yoshizawa, but not enough so that he'd fall over. "What the hell?! I was just bein' friendly!" he protested, nursing his wrist.
Kyoko folded her arms and glared dangerously at him. "I believe she made it clear she isn't interested," she said sternly.
Yoshizawa, nursing her own wrist, immediately ducked behind Kyoko, causing the young detective to glance back at her a moment, then at the man.
"I think you should leave right now," Kyoko said, her tone low and acidic.
"...The hell you makin' a big deal of this for? She like, your girlfriend or somethin'?" the man asked in a mocking voice. "Eh, whatever. Neither of ya are worth it!"
Kyoko's cold glare followed the man as he left, until she heard a shudder from Yoshizawa as she felt the other girl quickly take her hand off her shoulder and back away.
"S-sorry!" Yoshizawa stammered, looking embarrassed.
"It's fine. Are you alright?" Kyoko asked, turning.
"I-I am," Yoshizawa answered, still trembling a little as she did a quick bow. "Thank you, so much! I'm so sorry you got dragged into this!"
"Don't worry about it," Kyoko replied, thinking of what words would best comfort the girl or at least help her relax. "It's... in the past now."
"Yeah, I think I'll be alright, now," Yoshizawa said with a smile, though it didn't last as she looked down, seemingly at a loss of words for a moment or like she was unsure how to word what she wanted to say.
"M-may I... ask you something?" she asked after a pause. "...What made you step in to help me like that?"
Kyoko looked down a moment as well, pondering a way to leave out the details of that fateful night and explain herself in the vaguest way to someone she didn't particularly know that well. "...I'm not heartless, Yoshizawa. I couldn't just ignore it," she replied simply.
"I see," Yoshizawa replied, a guilty look on her face. "I apologize, for asking something so strange."
Kyoko raised an eyebrow at the girl, noting she seemed to apologize a lot when she didn't have her more sunny disposition.
"Oh! You're going to the cleanup, right?" the redhead asked, patting her bag and her eyes immediately went wide. "Oh no! I left my gym clothes at school! I'll see you at the cleanup later, alright? Maybe we can talk more, then? I still haven't thanked you properly, either! I'll see you then!"
Before Kyoko could answer, the girl bowed once more before hurrying back to the train station, the young detective watching her retreating form for a moment before letting a sigh of relief she'd had her gym clothes at home after the trip with Ryuji at the fitness center the other day, and made her way to the park.
"Yo, what took ya?" Ryuji asked as Kyoko arrived at the park. Ann was standing with him, and promptly looked over Kyoko with a bit of surprise.
"Did you wear you gym clothes coming here from home?" she asked, still wearing her usual school clothes.
"I had brought them home after Ryuji and I visited the fitness center, it seemed sensible as it saved me a trip to Shujin," Kyoko replied.
"Yeah, ain't it normal?" Ryuji asked. "I mean, you plannin' on cleanin' up in your regular uniform? Might get all dirty, ya know?"
"Of course not!" Ann protested. "I brought my gym clothes with me, I was gonna change in the bathroom but... there's a huge line."
"Makes sense," Ryuji remarked. "Sounds like it sucks to be a girl."
"It's not without its disadvantages," Kyoko remarked, thinking about Yoshizawa's earlier unfortunate incident.
"Hey, what's up?" Mishima asked, coming over. "It's such a nice day out, feels like even the weather's mocking us for having to do this!"
"Dude, could you try pushin' you way into our conversation a little less awkwardly next time?" Ryuji asked, frowning at the other boy.
Mishima, though, seemed to ignore him. "I'll bet some Kichijoji clean-freak hung paper dolls all over the place and prayed for clear skies all day," he continued, getting an exasperated facepalm from Ryuji. "Hey, Sakamoto, I meant to ask, about the... uh..."
"We're in the clear. Let's bring it up again never, alright?" Ryuji said, sharply and hastily, prompting a look of confusion from Ann and a light sigh from Kyoko.
"Oh, good morning, everyone!" Maruki's cheerful voice called from behind the small group, getting their attention as he came over. "It's quite a nice day out isn't it? Hope you're all doing well."
"You're here for the cleanup too, doc?" Mishima asked, surprised to see him.
"You got it!" Maruki said with a pleasant smile, sliding his hands in his pockets.
"But in those clothes?" Ryuji asked, noticing Maruki's attire wasn't much different then what he wore at school, right down to the slippers.
"Oh, I was in a bit of a hurry, but this is a different-!" Maruki started sheepishly.
"There you are, Dr. Maruki! It's almost time to start prepping, you know!" a female student called, approaching with her friend. Kyoko noted the look in the girls' eyes that made it evident they'd approached for reasons other then what they were claiming.
"Uh, prepping for what exactly?" Ann asked, noticing the girls' looks as well.
"Oh, I was assigned to help with the cooking crew, so I hope you're all looking forward to a solid meal!" he explained. "...Anyways, I should probably get on that. I'll see you all later," he said, before leaving with the other students, though wondering aloud if he'd remembered enough starch and vegetables as he left.
"Heh, he's more like Dr. Popular," Ryuji grumbled.
"Hey, don't stress it," Mishima said with a smile. "I'm sure the Phantom Thieves'll be even bigger, someday!"
Before Ryuji, Ann, or Kyoko could say anything, though, Makoto's voice suddenly spoke over a megaphone, getting everyone's attention.
"Shujin Academy students and staff, good morning," she announced as students began to gather before her. "...Please, pick up all trash located in the areas assigned to your group. Once the cleanup is completed, a lunch of miso soup with pork and vegetables will be served."
"Ooh, pork miso soup! Sounds yummy!" Ann remarked. "So that's what Dr. Maruki's fan club is making.
Kyoko felt a distressed rustle in her school bag, and disappointed meow of a cat who was not happy he'd not get to enjoy it and had remain hidden and quiet the whole time they were here.
"Actually, FYI the groups were all assigned at random by the school. They're four people apiece, boys and girls mixed," Mishima explained.
"...Now that those announcements are out of the way," Makoto continued on her megaphone, "...Please break into your groups and head to your assigned areas."
Kyoko noticed Makoto's gaze lingering where she, Ryuji, and Ann were standing with Mishima as she spoke, before putting the megaphone away and heading over to her own group.
"...Seems she hasn't given up, yet. It'd be best we all remain separate for the rest of the day," Morgana said quietly from Kyoko's bag, the girl folding her arms quietly as she and Makoto watched eachother a moment before the brunette left to one of the other areas of the park.
"At any rate, let's get this cleanup outta the way fast as possible so we can chow down on that soup and get the hell outta here!" Ryuji said with a grin, the others nodding in agreement as they went their separate ways.
"Hey, that girl over there!" Kyoko heard a third-year whisper to his group as he looked her way. "She's that transfer student, isn't she?"
"From all the crazy rumors?" a girl from her class answered. "That's her."
Kyoko silently gazed back at them as she paused from picking up trash.
"Whoa, keep it down! I think she heard us!" the boy whispered urgently, prompting a sigh of annoyance from Kyoko as she gave him a withering look to make it clear that indeed, she did hear them, before walking off to find more trash to pick up. Seemed her predictions had been correct, she thought to herself.
Ann, meanwhile, stared in disbelief at the broken umbrella she was holding, its canopy clinging off the struts to the top of its frame.
"Ugh, anyone who just goes and dumps a broken umbrella on the ground is human garbage!" an annoyed first-year boy grumbled at her as he picked up another one that still had its ruined canopy.
"Oh, before you trash it, remember to separate the plastic from the metal!" Ann said, ripping the canopy off with a sharp tug. "Like this!"
"Great, more steps," a larger second-year mumbled.
Ryuji had found himself near the river, his attention caught when a third-year announced finding a wallet on the ground.
"Hey, anything in it?" a female first-year asked.
"Oh damn! It's loaded!" another boy said, picking it up and opening.
"So, we gonna go splitsies on it?" the third-year asked.
"...Shouldn't we be takin' it to the police box?" Ryuji asked, prompting stares from the others. "What?! How is that weird?!"
Mishima sighed in frustration as he picked up yet another plastic bottle, his bag almost completely full. "Man this park is completely trashed! How did I not notice this, before? No way it was just kids!" he grumbled. "Gotta be the work of no-good adults, too!"
"...If you don't mind, may I have the cap on that bottle?" a third-year with ruffled, reddish-blonde hair asked softly with a polite smile as she approached him.
"Huh? Um, sure," Mishima said, unscrewing the cap. "Hey, are you a collector?"
"Not exactly," the girl said "Recycling companies collect these and convert them into things like vials for vaccines and such, so I thought I'd try and get as many as I can to send to them."
"Oh, I didn't know that," Mishima replied with a shy smile. "...Well, sounds like an awesome way to bring a little more justice to the world!"
The girl frowned, visibly confused by his words "...I'm sorry, I'm not sure I follow you..."
Back at the cooking area, Maruki had just been wrapping up his lecture on preparing the soup, which was now brewing in a massive pot before him on the portable stove, the ingredients pushed off to the side. "...And adding taro to the ingredients, that will reduce the sliminess," he concluded.
"Oh, you're an amazing chef, doctor!" a girl standing next to him fawned.
"Well, I do cook pretty often at home, so it was only natural I'd want to practice!" the doctor replied with a polite nod. "Now, to apply it just right, let's try this technique..."
The doctor took a pinch of seasoning from a nearby bowl, and held his hand above the boiling pot, turning his fingers to sprinkle it on, only to sigh in disappointment when a chance breeze suddenly came through and sent the seasoning scattering into the wind before any of it could enter the pot.
"Well, guess we can just do it the normal way, too," Maruki said, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "Hand me that teaspoon..."
"I dunno the best way to put it," Morgana said, climbing out of Kyoko's bag as she sat down on a park bench having finished her meal. "...But that sure was a crappy time out there."
"It was rather exhausting," Kyoko remarked.
"Still, thanks for sharing some of that pork with me! It was soooo good!" Morgana said, smirking as much as a cat's face allowed.
"Apparently, pork is very healthy for cats," Kyoko said.
"Sure seems like it!" Morgana said, before double-taking. "H-hey, that doesn't make me a cat, though!" he protested.
"Oh?" a familiar voice asked, getting Kyoko's attention as she saw Yoshizawa approach, Morgana quickly hopping back into her bag. "I finally found you, I've been meaning for the chance to thank you properly for this morning!"
The girl looked around, noticing Kyoko was alone. "Wait, where's the rest of your group?"
"They disbanded right away," Kyoko replied.
"Oh, I see," Yoshizawa replied, putting one hand over the other as she looked down. "I'm kind of in the same situation... hey, I noticed they got a lot of leftover soup, wanna go grab seconds?"
Kyoko admittedly did still feel a little hungry, having shared some with Morgana earlier, and she did feel a little concerned for the other girl whom it seemed didn't have anyone else to be around from the look of things, something she could understand. "Very well, if you wish," she replied.
"Great! I'll get us some!" the redhead said with a smile before going off to get some. Kyoko watched the girl as she was near the serving area, it seemed she got sidetracked into a conversation with Dr. Maruki for a few minutes. The young detective noticed some students whispering to one-another as she talked with him, and the fact Maruki seemed to look concerned with her for a moment, Yoshizawa shaking her head and smiling brightly as if assuring him of something before finally coming back and handing her a bowl before joining her on the bench.
"I want to thank you again for this morning," Yoshizawa said after her first bite of her meal. "I admit, I was kind of surprised how fearless you were with that man, I mean... he was pretty scary and... you're a girl like me and not that much taller..."
"I'm the scary delinquent with the assault charge, remember?" Kyoko said flatly.
Yoshizawa's eyes widened. "Oh, right, actually, that reminds me, I wanted to apologize for the other time, too!"
"Hm?" Kyoko raised an eyebrow.
"Remember outside the guidance office? M-Mr. Kamoshida was telling me that stuff about you prior to when you arrived, so I sort of spoke without thinking, there. My classmates gossiped a lot about you, too," Yoshizawa explained. "But now... I remember how you were there for me after Mr. Kamoshida's confession. You came to check on me and let me get it out of my system... I'm sorry I broke down like that in front of you and all, too."
"There's no need to apologize," Kyoko replied as she took a bite of her own food.
"Well, the point is, you really don't seem like that at all. Not remotely the person they described, I mean... burglary, murder, elephant tusk trafficking?" Yoshizawa asked.
"No, none of those things," Kyoko replied. Ironic that she was acquainted with all of them in some way, shape, and form, though thanks to her line of work.
"Oh, that also reminds me!" Yoshizawa blinked in shock and embarrassment. "I never properly introduced myself to you, did I?"
The girl stood herself up and bowed politely. "I'm-!" she said, her eyes suddenly going wide again as she immediately and expertly leaped to the side, grabbing a balloon that a nearby child had lost her grip on.
"Here you go, caught it just in time!" she said to the child as she returned it.
Morgana stared in disbelief at the stunt the girl had pulled from his spot in Kyoko's bag. "Whoa, you see that?! What the hell?!"
Kyoko didn't respond but did recall how the girl was a gymnast. Still, it was rather impressive. Her gaze fell upon a student pocket book on the ground that Yoshizawa had apparently dropped and picked it up, its name reading "Kasumi Yoshizawa".
"Sorry, didn't mean to get sidetracked like that," Kasumi said with an apologetic smile as she returned. "Oh, is that mine?" she asked, noticing the pocket book in Kyoko's hand.
"It is. Would I be right in asserting you were going to tell me your name is Kasumi Yoshizawa?" Kyoko asked.
"Heh, that'd be me alright!" the redhead said with a shy smile. "Quite a bit of sleuthing, there! You've cracked the case, my name's Kasumi Yoshizawa, first year. I hope we get along!"
"Kyoko. Kyoko Kirigiri," Kyoko replied.
Kasumi's eyes went wide again. "Kirigiri... like the detective family? I remember hearing a rumor about that..."
"The same," Kyoko replied. "I was meant to be the next to carry that on."
"Wow, no wonder you sleuthed me so easily!" Kasumi said with a giggle. "It was a joke, I'm sure that one would have been easy for anyone, right? Still, what would bring you to Shujin?"
"Personal reasons," Kyoko replied, brushing back her hair. "The assault charge is... more complicated then others want to think..."
"I see," Kasumi said, concerned. "I transferred in, myself... something happened to me, too, but..." the girl seemed to space out for a second before smiling again. "Well, I misjudged you once, I won't do it again. Besides, after what you've done for me so far, I don't think I have any reason to doubt you, senpai!"
The girl looked anxious a moment when some students walked by, looking at her strangely. Kyoko noticed for once, the attention was not on herself. The redhead looked down, holding her left arm with her right hand as she looked to the side. "Thing is... people whisper about me, too... I don't know why, though... but I get it, having people assume things about you."
"Are they jealous of your honor roll status? That stunt was rather impressive as well," Kyoko said.
"Oh, that? It's basic gymnastics, really. It's not that difficult once you get the hang of it. Just a hop, skip, and a jump!" Kasumi replied.
"Gymnastics, huh?" Morgana whispered as he peered through an opening in Kyoko's school bag. "Moves like that might be useful in the metaverse, you know! The Phantom Thieves could use some sweeter moves, after all!"
"Did I just hear a cat...?" Kasumi asked, glancing around as Morgana quickly ducked back in. Kasumi's curiosity seemed to fade, however, as something else seem to come to her mind, causing her to look down at the ground again. Whatever it was, Kyoko assessed, it seemed to be bothering the other girl greatly as well.
"Is something the matter?" Kyoko asked.
"Talking about gymnastics, it reminds me... I have a favor to ask for myself as well," she explained, looking down again. "...It's really strange but... since I've come here, lately I haven't been getting any of the results I've wanted from my performances, and I'm worried I'm overthinking things..."
"I'm not sure I follow," Kyoko said.
"I used to be better. It got me my honor roll and scholarship here. But now, for some reason, ever since I've come here, my performance... both in gymnastics and academics have been not meeting the standards I used to do even when I know they should. I can't figure it out at all if there's something wrong with me."
"You were talking with Dr. Maruki earlier, have you been seeing him about this?" Kyoko asked, recalling what she'd seen earlier.
"I have, yes, but even then..." Kasumi frowned. "It's like there's something... I dunno... missing with me?"
Kyoko thought about what Morgana had said, and could not help but feel some sympathy for the girl in front of her. She could understand that feeling of being alone and people whispering about her all too well in the past months, and the stress the other girl was dealing with from expectations on her. Though Kyoko was just getting used to the concept of letting others get close to her again, the girl in front of her didn't appear to have anyone at all despite that she did not come off at all as unapproachable, if anything, quite the opposite, which did leave Kyoko curious.
"...Would you be willing to show me those moves?" Kyoko asked.
"You... want to be a gymnist, too?" Kasumi asked, eyes wide in shock.
"I don't want you to think I'm merely pitying you after seeing how others treat you," Kyoko said bluntly, before sighing. "...I apologize, I'm not the best with this sort of thing, as you may remember, but my point is, I'd be willing to be friends with you, if you'd like that, and so that you won't feel indebted to me over it. Also, I am trained as a detective, so I do have a range of skills that may help you with analyzing your performances and investigate the matter for you."
Kasumi was stunned. "Y-you'd do that for me?"
Kyoko gave a small, but genuine smile. "I would. You may have already determined I know how it feels to be an outsider and source of rumors. I've been learning to let people into my life again recently, I'd rather not explain right now it goes deeper then how I got here, but I'd... be willing to spend time with you, and investigate this."
"Thank you so much! I'd be honored and I promise I'll do my part in showing you some of my moves, especially if you'd like to learn any!" Kasumi said, overjoyed by Kyoko's offer. "...And, if it's not too much trouble, I'd also love if you're willing to lend an ear from time to time."
Kyoko gave a nod of agreement. "I can do that. Just know I'm... as I said, not the best on sentimental matters, you'd be better off taking that up with Dr. Maruki, but I'd be willing to... lend an ear when you need it while I investigate this with you."
"Thank you! I won't let you down!" Kasumi said with a smile. "I really appreciate this, and like I said, I'll do my part, too!"
?/?
"I've read in the reports that the Phantom Thieves' physical abilities are more acrobatic then the average person's," Niijima explained, her arms folded as she sat across from Kyoko, her stern gaze on the other girl who continued to struggle to keep her thoughts straight from the drugs she'd been given.
"...It seems you've gained an aptitude for specialized equipment as well," Niijima continued. "So wouldn't a natural conclusion to draw be that you were trained by an expert in that field?"
Kyoko remained silent, rubbing the side of her head as she fought off the dizziness the drugs kept subjecting her to.
"Well, tell me the truth!" Niijima pressured.
5/30
Time slowed down to a halt around Kyoko once more, as she heard the soft voice speak to her 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 Faith Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
shall lead to freedom and new power...
Kyoko heard the sound of a chain link shattering within her mind as reality returned to normal around her.
"Oh! Why don't we exchange contact information?" Kasumi asked, taking out her phone, then promptly frowning at her screen. "It shut down again?" The girl sighed in frustration. "Sorry, my smartphone's been acting up lately..."
Disappointment faded quickly, though, as Kasumi's face lit up again. "Oh, it's back! Here you go!" she said, typing on her screen and turning her phone to Kyoko to show her number. Taking out her own phone, Kyoko, relieved she'd gotten better with working it, punched in the number and messaged Kasumi, and the other girl's phone made a chime, confirming Kyoko's message had gone through and Kyoko saved the number.
"Thank you! I'll contact you when I've got some free time, if it's fine," Kasumi said, saving Kyoko's number as well and both girls put their phones away.
"Attention, Shujin Academy students," Makoto's voice called from the megaphone once more, "...The cleanup event will be ending momentarily. Remember to please not discard your trash in the bins, instead bring them to the predetermined location for disposal. After that, we will be officially releasing everyone for the day. Thank you all for your hard work."
"I guess cleanup is over, now," Kasumi remarked. "Hey, since we're in our gym clothes, wanna do some basic training before heading home? We've been on our feet all day so we'll do some core exercises if you'd like. They're the foundation for staying in shape after all!"
"Fair enough," Kyoko said, noticing Makoto was looking her way again and slowly rose up from the bench to get started.
Kyoko lay back in the spacious tub of the bath house, taking in the pleasing scents of the herbal wash in the hot yet comfortable water, the steam seeming to massage her face as it wafted past her. The girl had since washed her hair and kept it toweled as she sat back, her eyes closed as she thought over the past few days.
Madarame's exhibit would end soon, with any luck the change of heart would compel him to confess as Yusuke's words last time he'd spoken on the chat suggested it had taken effect, if things went as planned, she and the others could continue as Phantom Thieves and she could continue the self-appointed cases at hand.
Case one, Igor and the Velvet Room. Kyoko still was in the dark about so much. The metaverse, she had gained some understanding of how it worked and why it existed, and how Palaces came to be. What she didn't know was why Igor would choose her, or what purpose she served. Was she reforming the corruption in society that allowed that man to ruin her life so easily and get away with his crimes as some kind of hero in a way a normal detective could not do? What was the "ruin" he referred to? The way he dodged her questions with vague responses or non-answers continued to make her wonder what he had to gain from this. Unfortunately, playing along was the only option she had as it was clear he had all the ability to withhold whatever he wanted, and declining would only put her in a worse situation, and she wanted nothing interfering with her own goals that those she'd connected with had brought on uncertainties she tried not to focus on as she continued to mull over the other cases.
Case two, on the subject of the metaverse, there was this "black mask", whom Madarame spoke of. There was another, or others, for now Kyoko decided to go with the notion of one, that was able to access the metaverse as she and the Phantom Thieves could. She already had her theories and the distinct possibility with how Morgana talked of the way the loss of a Shadow self could lead to a mental shutdown meant this intruder was in fact causing the incidents over the past two years, meaning these were murders. She'd found no pattern to them, however, as they appeared random, but the possibility they were a form of assassination was very high as it was an entirely untraceable and unexplainable method to anyone who was unaware of the metaverse. She'd already vowed she'd find and catch this culprit, whoever they were, to end these incidents, and discover if there were more involved.
That came to case three, which was Kasumi. The girl had asked for her help on a matter Kyoko was not completely sure she was qualified on, but perhaps it was some degree of sympathy and concern that had drawn her in. Kasumi didn't seem to have any friends, or anyone she could be close to that was her age and in their run-ins Kyoko had to her understanding, provided that the most regardless of how brief those encounters usually were. The girl was a little... eccentric, in how she was unfailingly polite and apologized often for someone who seemed to have plenty to feel good about, but she was also well-meaning and friendly, not particularly someone Kyoko would imagine to be the center of gossip and caution like someone with her own black mark on her reputation could expect. The things Kasumi discussed with her, though, it was possible she did just need some support from a girl her age, but regardless, she had agreed to help her.
Kyoko let out a deep sigh as she let her thoughts flow from her, and tried to just enjoy the rest of her time here. Tomorrow would be another day, and soon they'd know for sure if their heist against Madarame would ensure the Phantom Thieves' own mission continued.
A/N Thank you everyone for the feedback I appreciate it! I'm glad to get another chapter out now and finally get the Faith Arcana done! Hope you all enjoyed the chapter and I look forward to continuing when I can!
0 - The Fool: Rank 3
I - The Magician: Rank 3
V - The Hierophant: Rank 3
VI - The Lovers: Rank 4
VII - The Chariot: Rank 5
XI - The Strength: Rank 2
XII - The Hanged Man: Rank 2
XIII - Death: Rank 4
XIV - Temperance: Rank 1
XVIII - The Moon: Rank 2
XIX - The Sun: Rank 2
1 - The Councillor: Rank 3
? - Faith: Rank 1
Kyoko's Personas: Berith, Shiisaa, Kusi Mitama, Kodama, Jack Frost, Ame-No-Uzume