Heart of Justice Chapter 28
6/6
Kyoko had just stepped off the train into Shibuya and it had been evident soon as she'd stepped outside Leblanc that warm weather season was truly upon them. The heat and humidity that came with living on an island nation had come in full force and students, including Kyoko herself, were now in their summer uniforms. Kyoko now wore the short-sleeved white dress shirt in place of the turtleneck and blazer, and replaced her tights and boots for black kneesocks and loafers though still wore a pair of her black gloves, choosing a lighter, more breathable pair for the warm weather with touchpads that allowed her to still work her phone properly.
"Hey, Kyoko! Mornin'!" Kyoko turned as she saw Ryuji approach. "You been online? The response to Madarame's press conference is HUGE! Everyone's talkin' about the calling card!"
Kyoko folded her arms and looked the boy over as he continued.
"Aw not you, too, Kyoko!" Ryuji said with a laugh, scratching the back of his head. "I'm kiddin', just... girls have been lookin' at me all day ever since I left home! I tell ya, it's like back when I was on track team! Maybe they're sensin' my overflowin' Phantom Thief charisma?"
"No offense, Ryuji, but I don't think that's it," Kyoko replied, looking him over again, or more precisely, what he was wearing and raising an eyebrow at him on her otherwise neutral expression.
"Oh? What else could it..." Ryuji stopped mid-sentence and looked Kyoko over, or more precisely, what she was wearing. "Oh, SHIT! I forgot we're s'posed to be switchin' into our summer uniforms today!"
Kyoko sighed. "...This thought didn't occur to you soon as you saw how everyone else who goes to Shujin was dressed?" she asked, facepalming and giving a hint of exasperation in her tone.
"Great, so that's why everyone was lookin' at me! Goddamnit!" Ryuji grumbled. "I'm gonna run back home and change, so you go on ahead. I'll catch ya later!"
Kyoko watched as Ryuji put his old track skills to good use and fled back to the stairs and disappeared from sight before making her way to the platforms, curious of what today would bring...
"So tell me, how are things going in regard to that matter we spoke of earlier?" Principal Kobayakawa asked as he sat back in his chair, hands on his protruding stomach as he regarded the girl in front of him.
Makoto Niijima felt like she was barely a few inches tall as she stood before the seated man, and she was certain he was aware and enjoying it. "I'm sorry, but I... don't have anything... concrete... to report yet."
Between Kirigiri cornering her in the hallway to bust her on tailing, followed by Kirigiri and Sakamoto giving her the slip in Kichijoji, Makoto was far from being in the best mood right now and certainly not thrilled in the least to be talked down to by the Principal.
"Nothing at all?!" The Principal asked sharply, visibly displeased by Makoto's response. "How many students are there who could provoke a teacher, exactly?!"
"I've already narrowed it down," Makoto explained. "I just can't get any solid evidence..."
Kobayakawa let out a loud, aggravated sigh as he leaned forward, shaking his head in disapproval.
"You knew... didn't you?" Makoto asked, taking a step forward, a look of uncomfortable realization on her face. "...About Mr. Kamoshida sexually harassing students here..."
The Principal looked away, his expression neutral and disinterested as he didn't respond.
"Sir! Answer me! W-why didn't you take action if you knew what he was doing?!" Makoto demanded, her voice trembling slightly. "Maybe then that girl wouldn't have-!"
"What will come of you asking that, Niijima?" Kobayakawa asked sharply with a dangerous glare in his eyes.
"This investigation is for a just cause, isn't it?" Makoto asked.
"...I believe I understand how flustered this must be making you," the Principal said, his tone harsh. "...I'm sure it was truly shocking for you, as a student council president, to see a peer attempt suicide..."
Makoto looked down, closing her eyes. She'd seen it all that day, she watched helplessly as Shiho Suzui flung herself off the roof. She was very lucky to be alive, yet... learning and now knowing exactly what Kamoshida had done to her that led to such an action, made her feel ill that she could not blame Suzui for feeling compelled to end her own life.
"Yes... it was," she said quietly, before looking back up at the Principal. "But... what Mr. Kamoshida did to her..."
"It certainly can't be argued that in light of what happened, it is important we provide a school environment where all students can feel at ease," Kobayakawa said, cutting her off. "Surely then you understand that is the most pressing issue we have to tackle at the moment."
"So that's your reason behind this whole investigation on these "Phantom Thieves of Hearts", sir?" Makoto asked, confused. "We don't even know if they truly exist, so why are you-"
"...You heard about the incident with that Madarame fellow, correct?" the Principal asked, once more cutting her off as he glanced over at the trophies and awards adorning the nearby wall.
"They said there was a calling card similar to the one used in the Kamoshida case," Makoto said.
"Well, I wish to believe that this is unrelated to our students," Kobayakawa replied, shaking his head before looking over at her once more, the dangerous glare returning to his eyes, along with the tone in his voice. "...That... is where I stand. I suggest you devote your time and energy to the task at hand, and not unnecessary questions, Niijima..."
Makoto felt her previous confidence to speak out deflate quickly, to the point she couldn't manage a response, before giving the Principal an apologetic bow and leaving the office.
By the time lunch period had come, it had since begun to pour outside once again. Kyoko had remained at her desk with Morgana safely tucked inside while Ryuji had shown up to hang out and Ann had stepped out to grab a drink.
"Man, it's not gonna let up, is it?" Ryuji asked, looking outside at the torrential downpour that seemed intent on validating his statement.
"Doesn't appear to be the case," Kyoko said, having just finished her meal she'd bought at the vendors. "I trust you brought your umbrella after you got changed?"
"Annnnd just like that my day takes another hit," Ryuji grumbled. He'd replaced his blazer and yellow t-shirt for a red one, with the words "No Mo Rules" in English and a studded bracelet on his left wrist.
"No one's spoken to you about what you're wearing?" Kyoko asked, noting the boy's shirt.
"A few, told 'em it was all I had. Plus, if I'm gonna be labeled the delinquent why not wear the label with pride, right?" he said with a laugh.
"Just don't push your luck," Kyoko said, folding her arms as she glanced over at the chalkboard on the back wall, where one of the students had doodled a cartoonish sketch of Madarame from his press conference meltdown.
"Gotta say, it's a good likeness! Wish Yusuke coulda seen it!" Ryuji said, grinning as he noticed what Kyoko had been looking at.
"You see Madarame's press conference?" an excited male student asked his friend as the two of them entered and sat down several desks away.
"You mean that old guy who was just falling apart wailing on TV?" his friend asked.
"Yeah, you think it was really those Phantom Thieves? You know, the whole "stealing your heart" thing?" the first boy asked.
"That? There's no way, but then again, it just seems too convenient for it to just be a coincidence," his friend replied.
"...Hey, how's it going?" Ann asked as she returned, approaching Kyoko and Ryuji. "Found our next big target?"
"I just started looking yesterday! There's no way I'd find somethin' that fast!" Ryuji protested.
"Yeah, I guess that's true," Ann replied. "By the way, I decided on the TV station, what about you two?"
Ryuji raised an eyebrow, confused.
"The social studies trip, remember?" Kyoko asked, looking over at him. "They mentioned it last week."
"Oh, crap! That thing!" said Ryuji with a groan. "I just wanna ditch it..."
"You'd better go to your school activities, didn't we agree on not drawing attention to ourselves?" Morgana asked.
"Wouldn't suddenly turnin' into a good student make me stand out more, though?" Ryuji asked anxiously.
"Just quit bickering and go," the cat replied sternly.
"How about we just all choose the tv station?" Ann asked with a playful wink. "I hear if we go there, we'll get to see them tape a show! Oh, maybe there'll be actresses there!"
"Eh, guess I got nothin' better to do while I'm waitin for info online, and this weather's s'posed to be goin' on for a chunk'a the week, so may as well go along with this," Ryuji said. "I should prolly be headin' back, now. Looks like lunch'll be up soon..."
"If it helps," Kyoko said, getting Ryuji's attention. "Mishima helped me with information on a Mementos target, and he's working on digging up more on that bully case we dealt with the last time we went in."
"Ooh! That's somethin' to do to pass the time!" Ryuji said with a big, excited grin.
"It'd be best we wait until we hear from Mishima. The more targets and missions we can take in a single trip, the more people will know the Phantom Thieves exist!" Morgana said. "Furthermore, us defeating Madarame has caused a big boost in support as well, so I'm sure we'll be able to go even further into Mementos, now!"
"It's worth a try!" Ann said. "Just let us know when Mishima gets back to you, Kyoko."
"Of course," Kyoko said with a nod.
"Well, seeya later," Ryuji said, getting up to leave, musing to himself if he should get a haircut before the TV station trip, causing Morgana to sigh and annoyance.
Class resumed and Mr. Ushimaru had been immersed in giving his lecture when Kyoko felt her phone hum. Ann subtly slid her own out to see and Kyoko did the same, Morgana watching with interest from within the desk as Kyoko read the message Ryuji had posted in the group log.
[Feels pretty great having everyone talk about us, huh?] Ryuji's message read.
[Indeed. Madarame is the only topic of the school.] Yusuke replied.
[Angie Yonaga has been permitted to return to the school's art program as well as of today, though she's not spoken to me. In fact, no one has.] Yusuke added.
[It seems as his pupil, my peers have chosen to start ignoring me.] he said.
[For real? That's bullshit!] Ryuji answered.
Kyoko noticed Ann carefully and discreetly typing.
[Will you be okay?] Ann messaged.
[There's no need to worry.] Yusuke replied.
[They had already been treating me differently from others as it stood. This is nothing new to me.] Yusuke added.
[More importantly, do we have any leads on our next mission?] Yusuke asked.
[Nothin yet, but Kyoko says we'll be goin into Mementos soon! This'll be your first time in, so be ready!] Ryuji messaged.
[Mementos. I see. You'll have to fill me in on that. I'll keep myself free, then] Yusuke replied.
"HEY! KIRIGIRI!" Ushimaru's angry voice shouted from across the room, getting the young detective's attention. "This how you listen when someone's talking?!"
Kyoko watched as the man wound his arm back, and narrowed her gaze, having only a split second to calculate the time and speed as his arm swung forward and let the chalk fly.
Kyoko moved her head just in time, the chalk soaring past her, through her long hair, and into the wall behind her with a resounding crack.
"Whoa, you see that?!" a male student said, staring at Kyoko in wide-eyed shock.
"Can't believe she dodged it! Ushimaru-sensei never misses!" a female student said.
Ann couldn't help but smirk in amusement. Across the room, Kyoko saw Mishima could barely hide his own amusement as well.
"Whatever," Ushimaru growled. "Don't get cocky, though, Kirigiri. You won't be so lucky next time, so make sure you're paying attention during my lectures!"
Though mostly relieved she hadn't ended up with another stinging welt on her forehead that'd last the rest of the day, Kyoko couldn't help but feel she'd made quite the impression as Ushimaru turned around and began writing notes on the blackboard.
With school having ended, Kyoko had stepped outside to discover a familiar girl facing away from her, the red ribbon and ponytail quickly identified her as Kasumi Yoshizawa, who was standing at the steps as she stared up at the sky, which continued to generously provide its downpour with no apparent intention of stopping any time soon. The girl was wearing a yellow cardigan over her school blouse, and simple athletic tube socks in place of her black tights for the warm weather.
As if sensing she was being watched, the girl turned, smiling right away at the sight of Kyoko. "Oh! Senpai! What a pleasant surprise!" she said with a polite bow.
"Something on your mind?" Kyoko asked, recalling how she'd found the other girl.
"Not particularly," said Kasumi. "Just noting it's really coming down, and doesn't look like there's any sign of it stopping."
"You forget your umbrella?" the young detective asked.
"Actually... yeah," Kasumi replied, looking away and blushing in embarrassment. "But I'm sure I'll barely get wet if I just run to the station, I mean it's just down the street, after all!" she said with a laugh. "...Plus, it'd be great for training!"
"Maybe I should just walk you there," Kyoko replied, taking out her own umbrella. "I brought mine."
Kasumi looked at her in surprise. "Oh, are you offering to share your umbrella?" the redhead, asked, and smiled appreciatively. "That'd be wonderful, actually! Thank you so much!"
"It's fine," Kyoko said, opening her umbrella. From what she could tell it was large enough to fit both of them under, and Kasumi quickly stepped under before the two walked down the steps and into the street outside the gates.
"I really appreciate it, thanks again!" Kasumi said. "Truth is, prelims are coming up, actually. I wouldn't want to take any chances of getting sick before then!"
"Prelims? You mean for gymnastics?" Kyoko asked.
"Yeah, that's right," replied Kasumi. "I have two huge competitions coming up. One's at the beginning of summer, and the other's at the end. If I'm going to participate, I need to be chosen as my club's representative... plus there's a qualifier meet to determine who that rep will be. It's my dream to compete in gymnastics on a global level!"
"I see," Kyoko replied, bring her free hand to her chin in thought. "...Hence your concerns about your performance lately..."
Kasumi nodded. "Mmhm. I'm planning on maintaining a strict training regimen with my coach! I need to get back to how I was able to perform before if I'm going to do this!" She explained, looking over at Kyoko as they walked. "I'd probably feel invincible if you're there to cheer me on and help evaluate me as well, senpai!"
"I can't promise the cheering, I'm not the type to express moral support in such a bombastic way," Kyoko said, brushing her long hair back and glancing back at the other girl with a serious, but still assuring look. "...That said, I'll support you whenever you want."
"Thank you, I really appreciate that!" Kasumi said with a smile, before pausing as she noticed they were no longer in the rain. "Oh, looks like we're here already..."
Kasumi stepped out from under the umbrella before facing Kyoko again. "I think I'll be fine from here out," she said. "I really can't thank you enough for all you've done for me, I swear, I'll-"
"Hey, isn't that Yoshizawa?" a male student whispered to his friend as they walked by, gaining both girls' attention.
"The honors gymnast?" the boy's friend, a female student, asked as the two paused and looked at the girls. "The VIP treatment at school and from the creepy transfer student? Talk about easy street."
"-Tch!- Ask me, birds of a feather when you think about it. Sure they're cute, but they're both total weirdos, too," the boy said.
Kyoko raised an eyebrow as the two students continued on their way, the rumors referring to her in such a way she was hardly surprised by, but it had taken her off-guard someone would refer to Kasumi, who seemed rather mild-mannered as such.
"What was that about?" Kyoko asked, looking back at Kasumi.
"I'm not sure, really," Kasumi said, looking down at the floor, frowning. "...I'm sorry you have to deal with that, too. People in class just seem so wary of me... Maybe it's because I'm an honor student like you said. The school's expecting me to attain strong results in the upcoming competitions, too after all. It's probably why they said I didn't need to participate in the cleanup event, but I just don't feel right about getting special treatment, you know?"
"You're quite humble," Kyoko said. "I was an honor student at my old school, prior to transfer... a lot of the other girls at my school in that curriculum did admittedly have a certain degree of arrogance to them," she said.
"Well, you don't seem like that type either, senpai!" Kasumi said with a smile.
"I was focused mainly on detective training and attempting to transfer to Hope's Peak," Kyoko replied. "I didn't have a social life outside of those."
"Oh, wow, Hope's Peak?" Kasumi asked, once more in wide-eyed awe. "I'd love to go there! It'd be a real help getting me closer to my dream with what I hear about their program! ...Maybe if I can get out of this... whatever's holding me back, we'll make it in together at the end of the year! That happens I'll be sure to let everyone know who helped me with that!" she said with a giggle.
The girl looked down at the floor again. "...Sorry, I guess it's a sensitive subject, isn't it?" she asked sheepishly.
"It's fine," Kyoko said, "Whether it means you'd be scouted or not, I'll help you on this however I can."
"Of course! I appreciate it!" Kasumi said, smiling. A second later, however, her phone suddenly rang. The redhead took her phone from her bag and glanced at the screen before switching it on and holding it up to her ear.
"Hello? Dad?" she asked, taking a second to listen. "...What was that? Sorry, my phone's been acting up lately... oh, it's okay! Thanks! ...Mmhm, I'll see you later!" Putting her phone back in her bag, Kasumi returned her attention to Kyoko. "...Sorry about that. He was just asking if I needed a ride since it's raining! A bit overprotective, don't you think?" she asked, smiling apologetically.
"I... know the feeling," Kyoko said, "My grandfather was often the same way before my transfer. He'd drive me to and from school regardless."
"Oh?" Kasumi inquired, Kyoko suspecting it was regarding how she'd made no mention of her parents, but the girl quickly shook her head. "...My apologies, it's probably none of my business!" she said. "...Plus, I need to get to practice, anyway! Thanks so much again for today!"
With a polite bow, Kasumi turned and made her way to the platforms.
"I guess Yoshizawa has it pretty rough," Morgana said, concerned as he poked his head out of Kyoko's school bag. "I can't figure her out, sometimes she's so upbeat and polite, other times she's just... falling over herself thanking and apologizing for the slightest thing... think it's the pressure she's under?"
"Who can say," Kyoko replied, bringing her hand to her chin in thought as she watched the girl leave. Morgana wasn't wrong, that much she was certain.
Her thoughts were interrupted when her own phone suddenly chimed. Taking it out, Kyoko saw a message had come in from Mishima.
[Hey! I found some great intel!] his message read.
-On the bully? Kyoko replied.
[Right, that too. But this one first! I got another one for you!] Mishima responded.
[It's another bully case, actually. It's by a Kosei student they call a "queen" and seems to fancy herself as one.] he messaged.
-So she's popular and likes others to feel beneath her? Kyoko messaged back.
[Yup, and not just that, she apparently abuses her boyfriend and makes him spend all his money on her, treating him like a slave! It's a male student who goes by the name "M". Sounds kinda like the M in S&M, huh?] Mishima added.
"..."S" and "M"?" Morgana asked, looking at the screen. "That like, clothing sizes or something?"
"Sado-Masochist," Kyoko replied. "A relationship involving inflicting pain and receiving it due to it causing sexual arousal in the partners. Sadism and masochism."
"...How would you know about that stuff? I thought you've never dated or anything?" Morgana asked, eyes wide and a hint of concern in his tone.
Kyoko gave a small, annoyed sigh. "...I'm a detective, Morgana. A lot of criminals can be motivated by one or the other, and some cases of abuse pretend to be this."
"Weird. Wonder if "M" stands for "Mishima", seems like the kind of role he's used to," Morgana replied.
Kyoko gave another small sigh and typed a reply.
-Do you have a name for this female student? Kyoko asked.
[Right! Yeah, her name's Hikari Shimizu!] Mishima replied.
[An "M" being bullied around by an "S", what a coincidence, huh?] Mishima asked.
-Male or female, abuse is no joke, Mishima. Kyoko replied.
[Yeah, you're right. Anyway, I got a name on the other bully when I was leaving campus.] Mishima messaged back.
[Get this, he's been blackmailing the other one with video recordings to make him bully people for him!] he added.
-What's the name? Kyoko messaged back.
[His name's Yoshimori Sakoda. I heard him say his name when referring to some videos he'll post online if the guy he's blackmailing doesn't keep doing this for him.]
-I see. I appreciate it Mishima. Kyoko replied.
[No problem! Just get it done when you got time!] Mishima messaged back.
"Sounds like we've got three worthy targets, and with there being five of us, now, I think we should be able to get all of them in one trip!" Morgana said, excitement in his voice. "...Not to mention with it raining, I wonder if that'll affect the old man we investigated the other night in the metaverse since those guys mentioned he has joint problems on rainy days!"
Kyoko noticed another message on her phone, one from Maruki.
[Kirigiri-san, hello! I was wondering if you're still on campus if you could come by? I think I'm ready for the next evaluation on my research!] the message read.
[I apologize if this is sudden, but it looks like I won't have any time for the rest of the week, so if you're free I'd really appreciate your help.]
Kyoko brought her hand to her chin as she thought it over, switching to the weather app on her phone with a little effort, discovering there'd be more rain the following day.
"Oh, look at that!" Morgana said. "Hm, seems the rain's gonna go away after tomorrow, so it's up to you on what we do next."
Switching to the Thieves chat log, Kyoko began typing.
-Mementos tomorrow. Be ready at the hideout after school. she said.
[Sup, busy?] Ryuji asked.
-Yes. Something came up. We have three targets we'll be going after tomorrow, so get some rest. Kyoko replied.
[Sweet! Can't wait!] Ryuji posted.
[Sure thing!] Ann responded.
[I look forward to experiencing this place for the first time.] Yusuke answered, responding as well.
Switching back to Maruki's message, Kyoko typed a quick response.
-At the station, be there shortly.
[I really appreciate it! I'll be waiting outside the nurse's office. See you soon!] Maruki responded.
Putting her phone away, Kyoko turned and made her way back to the school.
"Oh, Kirigiri-san!" Maruki said with a welcoming smile as Kyoko approached him outside the nurse's office. "Pretty rainy out there, huh? You know, if you're feeling down, it's probably the weather's fault. You'd be amazed how if can affect peoples' moods even on a subconscious level," he said with a chuckle. "...Unless you like the rain, in which case..."
"...I'm not a fan of it when I'm outside in it, but it can be rather relaxing if I'm inside reading," Kyoko replied.
"I admit, I'm the same way," Maruki said, nodding. "Anyway, I appreciate you coming. My research has been going very smoothly. Surprisingly so, actually, I suppose it's thanks to our discussions! I'm hopeful this one will be just as fruitful!"
Maruki adjusted his glasses as he turned and looked at the windows. "Actually, I was thinking maybe we could talk out in the courtyard," he said. "I've been stuck in the nurse's office for the longest time, so I was hoping for a change of pace, get a little fresh air out in the open!"
"While it's pouring?" Kyoko asked, raising an eyebrow and folding her arms.
"Right," Maruki said, a sheepish smile on his face as he laughed. "...Still, it's out of that office for a little while. I'll bring some juice boxes if you like! You can leave your school bag in the office, no one will mess with it."
Kyoko glanced at the opening in her bag for a second to see what Morgana would say.
"Don't worry! I'll guard it!" the cat whispered, giving a nod of approval from within.
Kyoko gave a small, faint smile of amusement. "Very well," she said, placing her bag and the cat within on the couch while the doctor took out some apple juice boxes from the fridge. "...Lead the way."
Maruki had led Kyoko out to the vestibule in the courtyard, sitting down on a blue bench near a vending machine.
"Oh, I'd forgotten one of those was here!" the doctor said, giving a slightly embarrassed laugh as he took notice of said vending machine. "If you'd prefer something from there..."
"What you brought will be fine," Kyoko said, the doctor obliging and handing her the juice box before sitting down.
"Funny, what a difference being able to stay dry and having to go out into rain has on how people see it," Maruki said, watching the water fall outside the vestibule. "Relaxing, or very inconvenient. I guess it's probably limited a lot of peoples' activities in some manner either way, though..."
"It would depend on the person, I imagine," Kyoko replied, sitting down as well and poking the straw into her juice box. "Whether you're more inclined to being indoors or outdoors."
"Very true, Kirigiri-san," Maruki said. "Still it has its purpose, plants need water, after all. Would a garden be able to flourish as well without the rain?" he asked.
Maruki went quiet a moment, Kyoko noticed he seemed like something bothered him, whether it was simply on his mind or their conversation reminded him of it, but before she could ask, he spoke again.
"...Well, on another note, I learned today just how scary cats can be, despite their cuteness!" he said, changing the subject quickly. Kyoko blinked in curiosity, whatever had been on his mind a moment ago, she gathered, he was trying not to think about, or at least didn't want to discuss. "...It happened on my way to school this morning, actually!"
"Oh?" Kyoko asked, taking a sip of her drink.
"Yeah, there was this poor little kitten that had gotten itself stuck up in a tree!" Maruki explained. "...It was getting pretty cloudy, like it could pour soon, and I didn't want to just leave it there to deal with that, so I tried rescuing it. I succeeded, buuuut..." The doctor pulled his sleeves up, revealing a box worth of band-aids on his arms. "...I got the clawing of a lifetime for my efforts!" he said with a hearty laugh.
"...I had no idea such a tiny thing's claws were already so sharp!" he said, sliding his sleeves back down.
"That can't be denied," Kyoko said, recalling the occasional time Morgana would dig his claws too deep when trying to climb up her shoulder.
"Oh, you speak from experience?" Maruki asked, looking a little surprised. "Yeah, it really did hurt. A lot. Still..." The doctor closed his eyes, smiling in satisfaction. "...I was able to rescue the kitten, so in the end, scratches or not, I think it was worthwhile. Sure it ran off after, but now hopefully it found its way home, or at least somewhere safe from the rain! All I had to do when I got here was get some antibiotics and some band-aids on the scratches and I was good."
"You're a very caring man, doctor," Kyoko observed as she took another sip of her drink. "From what I've seen of you so far, I'd be more surprised if you'd simply chose to leave it there."
"I'm flattered, but, as I've told Yoshizawa-san, I'm nothing special," said Maruki. "I guess that anecdote covers literal pain, doesn't it? It also brings me to what I was meaning to talk about, albeit in the context of a different kind of pain for our discussion for my research. You remember last time, we discussed this for a bit: the pain felt within one's heart..."
Kyoko gave a nod. "I remember."
"Good," Maruki replied, folding his arms and bringing his hand to his chin. "As you know, there's a lot of ways to identify and diagnose physical injuries and illnesses," he explained. "...But when it comes to the pain in that which we call the "heart", we're working in unknown territory. There's just so much we haven't learned yet... I mean, treating trauma sure is difficult when it's the kind that's invisible, after all..."
"Are you saying you'd want a means psychological trauma could be treated in a manner similar to a physical one?" Kyoko asked, letting a hint of curiosity show in her tone to ensure the doctor she was intrigued enough to want him to elaborate.
"Yes! That's exactly what I mean!" Maruki replied with a smile. "Maybe worded a little differently, but yes. Like... if there was a way we could treat it more directly... like... be able to directly reduce it in a healthy way, similar to... say, putting antibiotics on a scratch!"
"Then your research centers around finding a way to do exactly that?" Kyoko asked. The girl set her own box down, folding her arms. "It's quite a coincidence, then, your encounter with that cat."
"Very astute, of you, Kirigiri-san, in regards to what I hope to do, anyway," Maruki replied, smiling. "...As for the cat, well, you can give it thanks for what happened helping me come to the conclusion of what kind of analogy I was looking for!" he said with a laugh. "...Granted, I kinda wish I didn't have to get my arms scratched up to realize it, but still..."
"Perhaps sometimes pain, unpleasant as can be, can lead us to discovering something we didn't realize before?" Kyoko offered.
"That is certainly very possible, yes," Maruki said. "...But unfortunately, it isn't always the case, which brings me to this, those people who aren't able to experience that revelation, or overcoming it simply isn't so feasible, what can we do for them?" he asked.
The doctor looked down, putting his hands in his lap as his smile faded. "...Sadly there's no topical medicine that can properly heal heartache, and psychological issues are even more complex. Those sorts of things would inhibit that sort of growth, or worse, as I mentioned in an earlier discussion, make that pain grow and send a person the opposite direction, into an even darker place..."
Kyoko looked down a moment as well. "...Part of being a detective involves understanding the minds of those involved in a case. Whether it's the criminal's motive, or a surviving victim's mental state to properly extract and discover the truth."
Maruki chuckled a little. "That makes perfect sense, though, doesn't it? Essentially, you're required to try to discern another's emotional pain as best you can to solve a case. Did the criminal, for instance, act out of revenge against someone he or she blames for their pain? Was a victim traumatized by what was done to them to the point their pain could affect their ability to trust their own memories? In both cases, that pain can also affect their ability to properly perceive the truth you seek to find," he explained.
"I'm certainly aware of that, doctor," Kyoko replied flatly.
"Right, I suppose I am preaching to the choir there, aren't I?" Maruki said, giving an embarrassed laugh as he scratched the back of his head. "...I guess what I was trying to get at is the reason is our own emotional pain is the only kind we have a chance of fully comprehending, even if our chosen profession involves looking into and trying to understand another's, something that's obvious but vital to understand as a person's "heart", and subsequently, that pain, cannot be seen." he explained. "Even if they spend their life expressing it to others, there's no way for them to truly grasp it. Others instead make conclusions based on what they can see."
"...And you want a way that would allow the root cause of that pain to be treated, but realizing there'd be barriers from how that person perceives things and personal bias of an outside perspective that would affect that," Kyoko asserted.
"You're on the mark, there, Kirigiri-san," said Maruki. "Unfortunately, it's not like we have that way we'd be able to look directly at their heart unfiltered and remove that root cause then. For me to do any good in that area, I need to conduct further research into the heart... more specifically, I need to know how the heart reacts to the world around it. That'd be the first stepping stone to a breakthrough in that field!"
Maruki sat up straight, his hands at his lap as leaned forward a little to emphasize his point. "See, once that's been figured out, we'll not only comprehend psychological pains that were once unknowable, but more importantly, we'd be able to perform a more effective treatment for those people with wounded hearts. That," he explained. "...is what I'm hoping this research can lead to."
Kyoko took up her juice box again, finishing her drink. "It would certainly benefit a lot of people, I imagine," she said.
"It would, yes. If we could get rid of peoples' pain, that'd be for the best, wouldn't it? I can't imagine anyone being a fan of experiencing it, can you?" Maruki asked, though his smile faded as he clasped his hands on his lap and turned his gaze on the falling rain again. "...On the other hand, I'll be frank with you on this, Kirigiri-san... people have laughed off my ideas as just a silly, pointless dream... and I can't say I blame them."
"In turn, I'll be frank with you as well, doctor," Kyoko said, brushing back her hair as she put her hands on her lap and looking at the rain as well. "As a detective, there are a lot of things in this world I've been exposed to that many probably spend their whole lives without ever experiencing, and probably for the better, and..." The young detective looked down at her gloved hands. "...As you know, I've experienced injustice, and paid for it. It'd be easy for me, or a lot of people who have suffered the pain you refer to, to dismiss your ideas as naïve and optimistic to the point of idealistic based on those... disappointments."
"...And yet you continue to take the time to listen to what I have to say, and you actually try to understand as well. You've stayed with me on it this long, so I'd like to think you're not one of those people dismissing me or my ideas," said Maruki as he looked over at her. "...Perhaps you're not as cynical or pessimistic as you sell yourself out to be, Kirigiri-san...or maybe you've followed a healthy outlook that's helped you grow past it."
Kyoko closed her eyes, giving a faint smile as she thought of what she'd accomplished so far as a Phantom Thief. "...Perhaps I have."
"Well, that's wonderful to hear, Kirigiri-san," Maruki replied with an approving nod. "Understand in turn, it's helped me, as well. Your willingness to have these discussions with me has helped me see I'm getting somewhere in my theories. If I could put a good description on it, I guess I could say your support is making this hazy, hard-to-grasp idea finally appear before me!"
The doctor chuckled warmly. "Truth be told your detective skills allow you to be quite insightful. Have you maybe noticed you're able to empathize with others more then you thought when it isn't simply about a case or detective work, but rather just... listening and connecting with them? I like to believe that's what you've done for me that's helped me feel comfortable discussing my theories. If the detective career doesn't work out, maybe you could be a counselor!"
Kyoko's neutral expression returned. She knew Maruki was simply trying to lighten the mood, it was simply a matter of she wasn't sure how to respond to that. Igor had encouraged it of her to try and connect with others, and without actively pursuing an official case she'd found that Maruki's words did have a ring of truth to them. Not the counselor part, but she had come to know quite a few people in a way different then what she was used to that very, very few were ever afforded the opportunity in the past.
"...I was joking about the last part, I know how much your goals of succeeding your family business mean to you, Kirigiri-san," Maruki said anxiously. "...I hope you weren't offended."
"It's fine, I was just... not expecting what you said," Kyoko replied.
"Thanks, I'm glad there's no misunderstanding there," Maruki said, relieved. "...And... my apologies for taking you off-guard like that. My point was you've been a big help to me, both in going over my theories and your support you've given simply by listening and discussing them with me. I truly am grateful for your assistance, so... thanks, Kirigiri-san..."
Feeling Maruki's gratitude he expressed, Kyoko heard the sound of another chain link shattering within the recesses of her mind.
"...Well, anyway I think we can put a pin in that for today!" Maruki said, "I hope you'll lend an ear again once I've made some progress, if you have the time, of course!"
It was then the doctor noticed he'd left his own juice box unopened. "Oh, looks like I got wrapped up in the discussion I forgot about this, didn't I?" he asked with a small laugh. "Tell you what, how about you have it. I still owe you another mental training session, don't I? This weather between the rain and the heat can cause quite a bit of stress after all!"
Her mental training session with Maruki concluded, Kyoko arrived back at Leblanc after the sun had set, feeling a little more clear-headed despite the weather which had finally begun to clear up as well and eating the piece of chocolate candy he'd offered as a free snack afterwards from his office when she'd gone back to pick up her bag and Morgana afterward.
Perhaps, Kyoko thought to herself, Maruki's intentions for his research could hardly be surprising, the man was very generous and compassionate, almost to a fault considering what had happened to him that morning, it'd make sense his goal was to heal others any way he could.
She'd thought about what she'd said to him as well, that as unpleasant as experiencing something emotionally painful could be, it could still lead to growth. It did make her wonder where Ryuji, Ann, and Yusuke would be right now if she'd never come here. Where she'd be. As clear she wanted to think her long term goals and path were, things about herself and her place in everything felt increasingly murky.
As a Phantom Thief, she already helped affect many lives for the better in just a few months: Her new teammates and others... and now two especially terrible criminals that with their status and connections would have been formidable even for a detective to investigate and arrest were now behind bars where they belonged with the truth of their crimes exposed to all.
...Because she was here. Because everything she spent her entire life working for got derailed by that night...
Shaking her head and deciding not to dwell on it too much lest Morgana take notice she had paused outside the café, Kyoko took a breath, opened the door and stepped inside.
"Welcome back," Sojiro said, cigarette in hand as he leaned against the shelves. Leblanc was currently empty otherwise so it seemed to Kyoko he'd chosen to advantage of it for a break.
Kyoko replied with a nod, when suddenly afterward her phone chimed. Taking it out, she noticed the chat log had gotten busy. Morgana shifted about in her school bag before climbing up her shoulder to read.
[You haven't heard anything from the Student Council President have you?] Ann asked.
[Tried to tail us in Kichijoji yesterday, but Kyoko and me totally gave her the slip! Effing hilarious!] Ryuji posted back.
[Haven't seen her today tho. Musta been busy kissing the teacher's asses as usual.] he added.
[You don't need to be so harsh.] Ann replied.
[Why not? She's a total pain in the ass! I'm sick of trying to act normal cause of her trying to bust us!] Ryuji answered.
[What's this about a Student Council President?] Yusuke messaged.
[The one at our school has been keeping tabs on us. I think she's suspicious.] Ann replied.
-She did attempt to tail me around Shibuya last week. Kyoko messaged.
-I took photos of her following me and confronted her about it after. she added.
[Man, still wish I coulda seen the look on her face when you did that!] Ryuji said.
-Be that as it may, it seems she hasn't given up. She may be trying to lower our guard by backing off a little. Kyoko answered.
[I won't lie the three of you stand out, not to mention you three did have a connection to Kamoshida] Yusuke said.
-Yes, it does place us high on the suspect list regarding his sudden change of heart. Kyoko answered.
[Yes, I would imagine so. Please be careful and keep them safe Kyoko.] Yusuke replied.
-I will. I trust you're well at the student dorm?
[I am, thank you. I think I feel far more at peace now, as well. I appreciate again all you've done for me.] Yusuke answered.
[Don't sweat it, man!] Ryuji answered.
[Yeah it's no problem!] Ann said.
[Even still, thank you. Take care everyone.] Yusuke replied back.
As the log went silent, Kyoko put her phone back.
"I think you're right, Kyoko. That Student Council President probably just wants us to think she's let up so she can take us by surprise," Morgana said. "We just need to stay on guard."
With Sojiro present, Kyoko simply gave a nod when her phone suddenly rang. Looking at her screen she saw there was no number, instead just a blue screen and a large gold letter V framed in gold laurel leaves.
What in the world? Kyoko was deeply confused by this, an arrow indicated she answer and it seemed this was the only way she was going to get to the bottom of this.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hey! Inmate!" Caroline's angry voice snapped from the phone, "We need to talk right now!"
"Caroline, that's not a sufficient explanation at all," Justine's softer, more gentle voice suddenly said. "Inmate, please come to the Velvet Room entrance in the alley of the place you call "Central Street". I ask you hurry before we change our minds. Come alone and tell no one."
Before Kyoko could ask anything, she heard her phone hang up.
"Who was that? They sounded pretty pushy," Morgana asked.
"I need to go out, I'll return later," Kyoko said, setting her bag down.
"You sure you wanna go alone?" Morgana asked, looking back at her as she got out.
"I'll be fine," Kyoko said, looking at Morgana and Sojiro, who'd also given a concerned look.
"Fine, just text me when you get there and call me when you're on your way back, alright? I told you, it's getting more dangerous lately, understand?" Sojiro asked.
Kyoko gave a nod as she turned and left.
"So you've decided to come, inmate," Justine said, standing before the Velvet Room entrance in the alley of Central Street as Kyoko arrived, the young detective sending a quick message to Sojiro to confirm she'd reached her destination okay.
"You're late!" Caroline snapped, glaring down at Kyoko while seated atop the frame of the otherworldly doorway. "Next time we expect you in front of us no later then two seconds after calling!"
"I have to take a train to get here from where I live, that's impossible," Kyoko said, folding her arms. "What is this about?"
"Don't give us excuses, inmate! We call, you come!" Caroline shouted, hopping off the door frame, though being half Kyoko's height did not seem to either bother, or properly occur to her.
"At any rate," Justine said, paying Caroline's anger no mind, "...We've got some new duties lined up for you... let's call them "special assignments"."
"Special assignments? Is this about the next request you have?" Kyoko asked.
"No, this is a separate task entirely," Justine explained. "I'll explain: There are a number of places in your reality's society that may help foster your rehabilitation. You are to prove the value of these places to us in person."
"We will select various locations we suspect would be vital to your rehabilitation," Caroline added. "Should you recognize a place that we mention, you will escort us there so we may evaluate it!"
Kyoko's arms remained folded as she stared down at the childlike guards before her before letting out a small, tired sigh. "...Prior to this, I didn't go out much unless I was on a case, and even then it was only to investigate and find evidence. My grandfather heavily supervised my activities outside the home otherwise."
Caroline sneered at her. "Well good! Now you know how we feel! All the more reason to do this task, inmate!" the girl barked, narrowing her eye at her.
Kyoko paused, taken slightly aback by Caroline's remark that made her think of why she'd even left the house that fateful night in the first place. "...Are you saying you want to explore?"
"I'd think someone trained as a detective would not be so naïve," Justine replied, a hint of annoyance in her otherwise soft tone. "This is for your rehabilitation, it has nothing to do with us. Undertake this task and you will be rewarded for it in the end."
"...And any time a new one comes to mind as you continue your rehabilitation, you'll find us waiting for you together," Caroline explained. "...Which means we're going out of our way here so if you spot us waiting, don't walk away, got it?"
Kyoko closed her eyes, letting out another sigh. With any luck, humoring the two would get her closer to solving all of what she'd been thrown into, and perhaps gain their favor enough she could get to the bottom of what this so-called rehabilitation and ruin were. Her mind made up, she looked at the two guards again. "Very well, what's the first place you have in mind?" she asked.
"Our first location we've come up with is one which..." Justine paused a moment to look at her clipboard. "...One which has grown quite popular lately. Purported to offer foods that simulate the feeling of being in space."
Kyoko began to suspect what they were implying, and suddenly wondered if this was a good idea.
"...The food is said to be a type that moves at great speed!" Caroline explained. "Furthermore, it is apparently massive enough to rival the size of the universe itself, and resembles a mysterious spacecraft!"
Kyoko was now really wondering if this was a good idea as it became all the more apparent what place the twins had in mind.
"...If this food exemplifies both the unknown and vast nothingness of space, it is sure to stimulate the heart," Justine concluded. "We trust you know such a place?"
Another sigh escaped the young detective's lungs. She knew for certain where they spoke of, the mere thought of that kind of food made her nauseous thinking about it, but it seemed she had no way out, now.
"...I do. Let's go."
"That's more like it! Lead the way, inmate!" Caroline said with a condescending grin as Kyoko turned and led the two towards the restaurant right across the street from the alley. Kyoko quickly noticed the stares she was getting, making it clear the people roaming the streets could see them as well as she could. The young detective tried her best to not be too embarrassed and maintain a neutral expression as she approached the Big Bang Burger, stopping at the entrance.
"Hmmm, Big Bang Burger... a fitting name, I suppose!" Caroline said, staring up at the lit sign with its cartoonish mascot logo in awe.
"And this place provides the food of which we describe, with an ability to stimulate the heart?" Justine asked, looking over at Kyoko.
"That's one way of putting what it does," Kyoko said in a flat tone, closing her eyes a moment as she continued to mentally question herself of what she was doing while maintaining her stoic demeanor.
"Then let us confirm that intel for ourselves. Please lead us inside..." Justine replied.
Moments later, Kyoko was seated in one of the booths. Kyoko, to her dismay, had been told by her two companions she was to order herself one of the "foods shaped like a mysterious craft" that she quickly determined as the place's "UFO Burger". Hoping to satisfy the twins' curiosity(and explaining she'd been chaperoning her younger twin cousins who were playing a game with her to the server at the counter) without having to eat more of this grease-filled selection then she had to, Kyoko ordered the smallest one and had it brought to the table.
Unfortunately, it seemed even the best-laid plans were not without their chance of failure.
"It's certainly shaped like a mysterious craft, bit it's much smaller then I'd expected," Caroline observed with a disappointed frown.
"This is the meal they boasted to be as immense as the cosmos?" Justine asked, equally underwhelmed. "...I'm quite disappointed."
"Tell me, inmate," Caroline asked, glaring up at Kyoko with her one good eye, "You don't really expect some kind of reward for this, do you? This simply doesn't measure up! Isn't there a means of testing this establishment's ability to make the claim it has boasted?"
"Hm, it seems there is, Caroline," Justine remarked, looking past Kyoko to a poster on the wall, causing the young detective to turn. "...The Big Bang Challenge... how intriguing. Is humanity intending to generate its own universes?"
"Not exactly," Kyoko said, turning back to face the twins. "It's an... eating contest. You challenge the restaurant by consuming extremely large servings, and if you succeed in finishing them..." Kyoko's words froze as she realized she may have just given the twins an idea she knew she was going to regret.
"...Then you're rewarded for it?" Caroline asked, a large smile spreading across her face as she exchanged a glance at Justine, a small smile forming on the other twin's face as well and it was clear both were thinking the same thing.
"And you're saying they can get that large?" Justine asked, her smile growing as she chuckled softly to herself. "...A very intriguing concept, indeed... then in that case, for the sake of your rehabilitation, you must take this challenge at once!"
Kyoko's eyes widened noticeably with worry. The burger placed on the tray before her was already more then she'd ever like to subject herself to if she could help it. "...You can't be serious..."
"Of course we are. Furthermore, to properly assess this place and what it proclaims, you are required to take the largest they offer," Justine continued.
Kyoko's neutral expression quickly crumbled as she brushed back her hair, a hint of anxiety in her tone. "...I don't think you understand what you're asking of me," she stated. "Are you aware they have a ranking system? I've not even taken the first one!"
"No excuses, inmate!" Caroline snapped.
"Hm, it seems she is right, Caroline. The sign speaks of the challenge requiring advancement through a number of previous stages," Justine replied.
"I! DON'T! CARE!" Caroline stated loudly and punctuating each word. "You're taking that challenge one way or another. Get on your hands and knees and beg if you have to!"
Kyoko folded her arms, glaring, "I may be dealing with a lot right now, but I've still preserved a degree of self-respect that I will not throw away by doing such a thing."
"Well you're smart, aren't you? Think of something because you aren't getting out of this now that you've agreed to it!" Caroline snapped, hitting the table with her tiny fist to emphasize her point.
"Apologies, is something the matter?" a server asked, coming over with a concerned look. Others were now staring their way as well.
Kyoko rested her arms on the table and ran her fingers through her bangs, resting her forehead in her gloved palms and letting out an exasperated sigh. "Nothing, it's... my little cousins' birthday and... they really want to see me to take on the biggest challenge. I've never participated in the challenge but do you think you can make an exception for their sake?"
The server thought about it for a moment and took notice of Kyoko's receipt still on the table. "Wellll, as a matter of fact, you're actually in luck! You're our 10,000th customer, young lady!" she explained, holding up the receipt and pointing to the number on it. "Sooooo, as a sign of appreciation, you'll be treated to our highest tier of the burger challenge: The Cosmic Tower Burger!"
"This is perfect!" Caroline said, grinning widely. "Bring it out immediately!"
"Well, we certainly hope we won't disappoint your little cousins here, so just give us a moment!" the server said to Kyoko with a big smile. "I'll be back shortly!"
Kyoko's remained exactly as she was. She was not looking forward to this...
"...Wow, lucky you!" Caroline remarked as she eyed what the server returned with moments later and set down before Kyoko on her tray in disbelief.
"...You can't be serious," Kyoko muttered once more, any attempt at maintaining her guarded, neutral expression she normally wore proving to be a completely lost cause at this point.
The Cosmic Tower Burger was indeed very aptly named. By Kyoko's assertion, it appeared to be at least a foot tall. Sandwiched between two buns nearly as wide were six identical layers of beef patty, cheese slices, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and onion. She couldn't help but suspect entire bags of said ingredients went into making this thing.
"For the sake of your rehabilitation, we very much are," Justine said with a playful smile, though she, too, was clearly taken by the size of the monstrosity that sat before the young detective. "...I must say, I don't know what you were attempting, that last burger you'd ordered was insultingly insignificant compared to this one..."
"I can't help but feel suddenly unsure about this, Justine. It's bigger then the inmate's stomach!" Caroline observed. "Perhaps she'll suffer her own "Big Bang" if she consumes it all?"
"This challenge, I predict, shall be fairly difficult," Justine remarked with a nod, before turning her attention to Kyoko. "...Be that as it may, you must finish this food tower in its entirety. Failure to join the clean plate club would be a grave offense."
"Then it's settled! You can't add more crimes to your record! Get to the rehabilitating, inmate!" Caroline ordered.
"Oh, your little cousins' game is adorable!" The server said with a laugh. "Well, you wouldn't want to let them down, Miss! The thirty-minute Big Bang Challenge begins... now!"
With a blow of a whistle and the click of a stopwatch the server was holding, Kyoko could only stare at the literal beast of a burger before her.
"Well, what're you waiting for, inmate? This is your challenge, not ours! Get on it!" Caroline protested.
Closing her eyes and taking a breath, Kyoko carefully lifted the burger, feeling its weight in her hands as she leaned it towards her and bit in as much as she could...
...She may as well have picked a crumb off with her fingers with how much progress that made as she struggled to chew down and swallow the massive combination of extremely filling fast food ingredients that had filled her mouth. It was all admittedly fresh but to Kyoko it just tasted like a mouthful of salt and grease that made her want to stop immediately. She could practically feel all the eyes on her, now and she couldn't blame them, the sight of a slim-figured teenage girl attempting to eat a burger larger then her head probably wasn't something one saw every day and it made her feel all the more self-conscious.
"...You've only just begun, inmate," Justine said gently as she watched Kyoko attempt to take in another large bite.
Kyoko could feel sweat gathering on her face from the steam of the burger's heat, and perhaps from her own attempts to continue, causing her to take a breath after swallowing the latest mouthful and taking another.
"You're stopping?" Justine asked once Kyoko had swallowed her latest bite but did not take more. "You're on a time limit, you know. Thirty minutes isn't as long as you might think at this rate," she warned.
"You heard her! Work that jaw!" Caroline demanded.
Kyoko struggled another large bite, her stomach was already feeling full and swallowing only worsened that sensation. The girl's eyes opened and her expression fell somewhat as she noticed she'd still barely made a dent!
"Ahhh, the look of one who has gazed into the infinite, vast emptiness of space," Justine said with an approving smile. "This place indeed has much to boast about..."
"...I don't think that's it, Justine," Caroline replied as she watched, noticing the young detective's looking utterly flushed as the color drained out of the rest of her face. The teen's eye pupils had shrunken significantly as well as her mouth hung open but she made no move to take another bite.
"...You ask me, I think she's about to keel over," Caroline stated at long last as Kyoko attempted yet another large bite, and another, paying the twins no attention, now.
"...You're right, Caroline. It would appear an individual of her size and build is simply not suited for such a task."
"That, kiddies, is both why I come here, and where I come in!" a somewhat nasal male voice announced, causing the twins to glance over in its direction.
"My word, Justine!" Caroline uttered, her good eye wide with shock.
"Its girth... it reminds me of that of a Girimekhala!" Justine remarked, her own good eye equally wide in astonishment.
"I'll just take care of this," the massively obese, bespectacled young man with pointy hair that barely fit into his clothes said in a gentle tone as he took the burger from Kyoko's hands with an equal degree of care as she slowly swallowed the last bite she'd taken and looking very noticeably ill.
"Um, sir? You can't just..." the server said.
"I'll cover the full price, I simply cannot sit back anymore and allow this poor damsel to suffer so greatly! One more bite... would surely have been her undoing!" the young man stated dramatically, opening his mouth wide and somehow consuming the ample remainder of the burger in seconds as though it were nothing.
"He just..." Caroline stammered, still wide-eyed.
"Remarkable..." Justine said, no less wide-eyed as the young man licked his fingers clean, passed the server several yen notes, straightened his orange tie and gray jacket which the three rank badges advertised on the poster adorned, gave a bow to the spectators, and left the restaurant without another word. The childlike guard closed her eye and smiled in amusement. "He must be some... seasoned champion of great esteem in tasks such as this, with years of practice! Were it not for his intervention, we may have had to participate."
"Indeed, the stars have truly aligned, Justine," Caroline replied before looking back at Kyoko. "Inmate! Be grateful that fate was generous!"
Kyoko gave no response as she continued to nurse her now aching stomach ever since she'd been relieved of her challenge.
"Hmm, though you were unable to succeed on your own, your stomach appears to have remained intact with the progress you'd attempted, and you still made a valiant effort to fulfil our request," Justine observed, closing her eye in reflection. "...That said, I'm rather dissatisfied with the moniker "Big Bang Burger". Though they certainly crafted a meal of impressive size, compared to what the big bang generated, it's not grand in the least." She looked across the table at Kyoko once more. "...Is it that humans have a compulsion of exaggerating the sizes of things?"
Kyoko opened her mouth to speak, only to cover it quickly as she felt herself gag.
"That is a good question, Justine," Caroline stated. "In fact, this challenge raises quite a few of them. Despite the unexpected aid you received that may well have saved you from early ruin, you still took the challenge for the sake of your rehabilitation... but who in their right mind would willingly consume so much food?"
Kyoko again wanted to respond, to provide a statement of that the twins had essentially forced her into it and thus were significantly off regarding motive and willingness, but even the slightest movement was harshly interrupted by her stomach turning again. Perhaps, had it been less filling or were it food she enjoyed, Kyoko assessed she may not have felt like this right now. As she was, though, she felt as if she'd consumed a whole house.
"Maybe I don't understand humanity it all," Caroline said, frowning as she watched Kyoko struggling. "Perhaps the question is a matter of why are humans are always attempting to test and push their limits?"
Justine looked the teen over with curiosity. "Caroline, it may be unwise to demand answers from her just yet. She may make a mess of this table..."
"-Tch!- This is for her rehabilitation, Justine! Speak up, inmate!" Caroline demanded, turning her gaze sharply at Kyoko, who looked far too nauseous to speak. "Hm, maybe we should take the challenge ourselves, Justine!"
"I had the very same thought," Justine replied, looking over at her twin. "If we were to thrust ourselves into this ordeal, perhaps we would discover some answers."
"Good idea!" Caroline replied with a wide grin before looking over at the passing server. "Hey! Person!" she shouted, prompting the server to come over.
"Yes, how may I help you?" the server asked. "Oh, my, will your cousin here be alright?"
"She'll be fine! We're taking the Big Bang Challenge!" Caroline stated.
"Um... well... there's a minimum age requirement to be eligible for the Big Bang Challenge, actually," the server explained. "Could I perhaps interest you two in the Lil' Bang Meal instead? It even comes with a toy! It's a cute little spaceship!"
"A spaceship?" Caroline asked, her remaining eye widening in surprise.
"It's a burger, small fries, and a juice box for just 500 yen! It'll be right up!"
"Hey! We didn't ask for-" Caroline started, but the server was already gone.
"It's too late, now. We'll just settle for that," Justine said. "Besides, the diminutive spaceship intrigues me, actually..."
Enjoy it while you can, Kyoko thought bitterly to herself through her stomach-ache as she found the strength to stand and made her way to the restroom in as dignified a manner as she could muster in her haste before the twins could object, her hand pressed firmly against her mouth the entire way.
"Well, we didn't experience the wonders of space, but the taste was passable," Caroline stated as the three of them stood outside the Big Bang Burger.
"You seemed more excited by the toy then the taste anyway, Caroline," Justine remarked with a reserved smile.
"Hey, shut up! I saw you eat around those "pickle" things, Justine!" Caroline protested indignantly, gaining a facepalm from Kyoko, who had spent the remainder of their time at the diner drinking cups of water.
"It was not food from this earth," Justine argued. "...Perhaps an alien spawn of some sort."
"Inmate, is this true about these "pickle" things?" Caroline demanded.
"Not in my experience," Kyoko replied flatly. "They're merely cucumber slices, fermented in brine and vinegar."
"Ah, so they're some sort of alchemical creation, then? I believe I understand now!" Caroline said, giving Justine a smug look while Kyoko silently folded her arms, flinching as she still felt mildly queasy from the challenge and... what followed.
"Be that as it may, we're getting off track, Caroline," Justine said.
"Right," Caroline growled. "We've determined that hamburgers are incapable of conveying the majesty of space. While the toy spaceship helped soften the blow, there's no denying the truth. We will formally acknowledge the completion of your task."
"Take this reward," Justine said, reaching into her uniform pocket and handing Kyoko a shiny purple card. It appeared to be made from some sort of plastic, with a flame and the word "Maragi" engraved on it. "Bring it with you next time you visit the Velvet Room for Persona fusion."
"Show that dedication next time, you'll get more of them! We have lots of places in mind that'll help you in your rehabilitation!" Caroline declared.
Justine, however, seemed to suddenly become occupied by something else as she looked around. "I am still taken aback by the truth, your world is so full of these "shop" places," she observed. "For a reasonable fee, nearly every desire may be fulfilled, all as if it were nothing."
"It's very disappointing you apparently don't frequent these places!" Caroline stated with a displeased frown, looking up at Kyoko.
"Indeed, the experience alone may very well benefit rehabilitation for you," Justine said, also glancing up at her, now. "Perhaps these assignments will do just that. For now, please escort us back to the Velvet Room..."
"Oh, you're back!" Morgana said, coming down the stairs as Kyoko entered the now closed Leblanc, the teen remembering Sojiro was on his way out when she'd called him before heading back. "No trouble, I hope?"
"I didn't see any unusual activity," Kyoko replied. "I was in a well-lit area with many people, and it appeared there were more police officers around, so it'd have been foolish for any criminal to approach me and attempt anything. Furthermore, I don't have much to go on regarding what I should be looking for..."
"What do you mean?" Morgana asked. "...If something's going on down there, maybe another major target's right under our noses!"
"Possibly," Kyoko said. "For now, we have several Mementos targets we'll be able to go after in the meantime tomorrow after school."
"Yeah, we'll need to meet at the hideout tomorrow about that," Morgana said. "So what happened out there?"
"Aside from that I never want to so much as look at a burger again, very little," Kyoko said, brushing back her hair and making her way up the stairs to get read for bed, pausing when she felt the nausea hit her again. Covering her mouth, the young detective quietly went back downstairs to the restroom. Morgana watched in confusion and concern, but decided not to ask.
6/7
"Scam outbreak in Shibuya!" a newscaster announced on the train, immediately taking Kyoko's attention as she kept herself against a wall and held her handbag and Morgana tightly to herself, relieved she'd made it to the station before the latest downpour. "Students are the primary victims, thus we ask you to exercise caution. Organized crime gangs are currently the primary suspect!"
"Hm..." Kyoko looked down, deep in thought.
"So, that danger Boss was talking about is students getting scammed?" Morgana wondered aloud. "Sounds pretty scary, guess we gotta be careful."
"That would mean they're most active during mornings and afternoons, when there'd be more students to target," Kyoko mused.
"It would explain why you didn't see anything unusual last night," Morgana said.
"That and there are more police out at that time," Kyoko replied quietly.
"Then we should probably watch ourselves when we're leaving school, huh?" Morgana asked.
Kyoko gave a quiet nod as she continued to wait for the train to reach her destination.
Kyoko felt her phone hum in class as Ms. Kawakami continued her lecture, taking it from her desk the same time Ann had gotten her own out. She was at least relieved Ushimaru wasn't teaching right now as last time for all she knew had been pure luck.
[Hey! Our name did spread a bit ever since Madarame!] Ryuji messaged.
[But I bet people still wouldn't care if we came out and said we're Phantom Thieves!] he added.
-Don't be so sure. We still have Niijima keeping an eye on us. Kyoko replied.
-I saw a flier on the bulletin board telling students to report anything they might know to her right away, she added.
[Ugh, wish Miss Prez would back off already! We ain't the bad guys here!] Ryuji answered.
[Let's continue our mission and praise can come after.] Yusuke posted.
[Yeah, what he said!] Ann chimed in.
[FINE. Guess we gotta stay modest heroes for now. Is a little recognition too much to ask?] Ryuji replied, prompting a light sigh from Kyoko. Morgana looked like he wanted to say something, but suspected it'd draw attention and thus remained quiet.
-We're going into Mementos after classes, once we've dealt with our targets people may look at us more positively. Kyoko answered.
[Right! Almost forgot! Seeya after class!] Ryuji said.
Niijima seems to be urging other students to investigate, so I advise we leave separately again. Be on guard. Kyoko messaged.
Sliding her phone away and seeing that Ms. Kawakami had not seemed to notice, Kyoko returned her attention to the lecture.
"Miss President, what's the meaning of that posting?" a male student council member asked as he sat at the joined tables across from a female council member when he saw Makoto Niijima enter the room.
"It's not my doing! Principal Kobayakawa put it up without my-" Makoto started, looking extremely flustered.
"...Actually, we've already received some anonymous information," the female council member said. "..."I heard some students are being threatened. I'm so scared! Please do something!"," she read off a note she was holding.
"W-what?!" Makoto recoiled, taken aback by the message.
"That's not all. Check this one," the male council member said, taking out a note as well. "..."They have dirt on me and they're demanding money! I can't go to the police! Please, what should I do?"...Isn't this referring to the blackmail scams rumored to be going on in Shibuya lately?"
"Tenya-kun, this means there are even victims at this school!" the female council member said. "W-what should we do?!"
"This isn't the responsibility of the student council, Iwasaki-san!" the male council member, Tenya, replied, shaking his head. "W-what I mean is, this is way out of our league! This is frightening for us, too!"
"I don't understand, why hasn't Principal Kobayakawa reported this to the police?! They're the ones who should be handling this, not us!" the female council member, Iwasaki, asked.
"He's gotta have heard about this by now!" Tenya replied, before looking back at Makoto. "...He called you in yesterday, right? Did he say anything about this?"
"N-no! He didn't!" Makoto stammered. "He's... out, today, though... I'll try and... ask about it tomorrow. Please try and wait until then."
"If you say so," the boy sighed, visibly disappointed and distraught by her answer.
"My apologies for the confusion," Makoto whispered, ashamed and staring down at the floor a moment. "...But don't worry, I'll do something about all of this!" she said, looking back up at the two with a smile meant to be reassuring, but only came off as forced to the other two council members.
Awkward silence followed, none of them, not even Makoto herself, felt any better, nor convinced there was any chance of things improving.
As class ended, Kyoko looked out the window, noting the rain had continued to pour down with no intention of stopping. Recalling what she'd heard about the target from Kichijoji, and what Morgana had suggested, this meant at least one of them might prove less challenging to take down. Ann had immediately left, as per Kyoko's advice and that she'd leave moments after.
Preparing to leave, Kyoko's phone suddenly chimed and she saw she had another message from Mishima.
[Hey! I got some more info!] the message read.
[Apparently there's this group of burglers terrorizing Shibuya!]
Kyoko raised an eyebrow and typed a response.
-Any connection to the blackmail scam the news has been talking about? Kyoko responded.
[Not from what I can tell, no.] Mishima replied.
[These guys target restaurants. They break in after they close for the day.] Mishima continued.
[Someone online was asking if it's the work of the Phantom Thieves. As if! Just reading that pissed me off!]
Kyoko closed her eyes for a moment. Admittedly, that was a rather ridiculous assumption...
[We can't let people lump you with some petty thieves, right?]
-Do you have any names? Kyoko asked.
[Unfortunately, no. They're pretty good, they don't leave any evidence behind. I'll make a post and see what comes up. I won't let you down!] Mishima replied.
-Speaking of posts, the other three requests are ready? Kyoko messaged.
[Yeah, they're up! Good luck you guys!] Mishima answered.
"Being famous really does bring its own unique set of problems doesn't it?" Morgana asked bitterly. "...Give him some credit, though, at least he's on top of this stuff. Let's head on over and get ready!"
Pocketing her phone, Kyoko nodded and allowed Morgana into her school bag then headed out the door to meet the others at the hideout.
"Look who finally made it, heh heh!" Ryuji said with a grin and sipping the bottled drink he was holding as Kyoko arrived.
"The subways are rather crowded this time of day, unfortunately," Kyoko replied.
"So, this will be my first trip into this "Mementos" place," Yusuke said, leaning against the railing "I will do my best to keep up."
"It's no problem!" Ann said with a smile. "You handled yourself really well in Madarame's Palace, it won't be that different, honestly. It's just... we'll find multiple targets there instead of just a single "Ruler" is all."
"Couldn't have said it better myself, Lady Ann!" Morgana said, climbing out of Kyoko's school bag.
"So, what're the missions we got?" Ryuji asked.
"To begin with," Kyoko started, folding her arms as she leaned against the railing facing the window as well, "...We have the one who was pulling the Shujin bully's strings. His name's Yoshimori Sakoda. Mishima overheard him talking to Takanashi, the one whose Shadow we fought, apparently he has blackmail on him to make him bully others for him."
"Pathetic little shit," Ryuji said. "Not that I'm for bullyin' or anythin', I ain't. It's just... that effin' coward blackmailin' others to do it for him? He too much of a wimp to do it himself?"
"Either way, we'll see to it he's stopped!" Ann said, nodding in resolve.
"Our next target is an old man who frequents the bars of Kichijoji at night," Kyoko explained. "Mishima and I investigated this that evening after you'd brought me out there, Ryuji. His name's Heiji Ono, and is a notorious troublemaker who harasses other patrons and provokes them into fights, then plays victim when they retaliate and acts senile the police confront him so he's not arrested. From what Mishima and I learned, he apparently does it simply for his enjoyment and knowing he can get away with it due to his age..."
Yusuke grew very tense as he listened. "His age does not excuse such reprehensible behavior!" he said, scowling. "Let's change his selfish heart and put an end to it at once!"
"...Yusuke..." Ann looked at the boy with concern, feeling certain why this particular mission struck a nerve with him.
"Furthermore," Morgana interrupted, "...Mishima and Kyoko learned that this man suffers from joint pains during rainy weather. Seeing as how it's raining right now, it is likely to affect the public's cognition, and Mementos, meaning that it's possible his Shadow may be weaker then it normally is today!"
"It's worth a shot," Ryuji said. "How about the last one?"
Kyoko gave a nod. "Our third request is a Kosei student named Hikari Shimizu..."
"I've heard of her," Yusuke said, frowning. "Apparently she's quite popular and likened to a queen."
"What's the story on her?" Ann asked.
"According to Mishima, she treats her boyfriend like a slave, abusing him regularly and forcing him to spend all his money on her," Kyoko explained.
Ann grit her teeth, seething with anger. "How could she treat someone who clearly cares for her like that?! What a stuck-up brat, I can't wait to put her in her place!"
Kyoko examined the Meta-Nav, all three names had appeared on the screen confirming a match. "We'll be able to resolve all of these today. I trust you're all ready?"
"Of course," Yusuke said.
"Hell yeah! Let's give these shitbags a piece of our minds!" Ryuji declared with a grin.
"I'm good to go!" Ann said with a smile.
"Sounds like we're all good. Let's head on in, then!" Morgana ordered, and Kyoko tapped the Meta-Nav, reality beginning to twist and warp around them in a red hue as they made their way to the entrance of Mementos...
A/N: And another chapter done. I was home all week due so I got this done. Next chapter, a break from the daily activities, with new Personas and the return to Mementos! Also as a sidenote, yes, there will be some cameos in confidants. Wait and see!
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 3
XIX - The Sun: Rank 2
1 - The Councillor: Rank 4
? - Faith: Rank 1
Kyoko's Personas: Berith, Shiisaa, Kusi Mitama, Kodama, Jack Frost, Ame-No-Uzume