Heart of Justice

by ShadeJak

Teen detective Kyoko Kirigiri had strived to get into her father's school since she was a child, but one fateful night changed everything and she found herself forced to move and stuck on probation under false charges. But fate had other ideas, for her to take on the role of a trickster and topple corruption. Inspired by EpicLinkSam's P4/DR crossover fic "Nothing But The Truth"

40. Another Week's Work

7/2

With classes over, Kyoko followed Ryuji's message to meet up with him out by the vestibules, her bag and Morgana under Ann's watch and having her phone ready with the recording should things go poorly.

Spotting Ryuji out on the grass, she approached. "I take it the team was planning to meet?" she asked.

"Yeah, I found 'em and I told both Nakaoka and Takeishi to come here. I'm gonna tell 'em what that bastard Yamauchi's up to!" Ryuji explained. "As an added bonus, kinda left this bit out, I got a recording, too!"

The boy took out his phone and played it, chuckling. "While you were recordin' Yamauchi, I took a bit'a initiative as well. Since they'd sound a bit different with me bein' in the bathroom hearin' it through your phone n' you bein' right next to 'em, we got some leverage and prove we didn't just copy n' send it to eachother! With both recordings here to prove it, they'll have to take it as truth this way if they don't believe me!"

"Good initiative, Ryuji," Kyoko said with a small smile, before looking over to her left at the sound of footsteps seeing Takeishi approach.

"Alright, what's this about Sakamoto? What'd you call me out here for?" Takeishi asked.

"T-Takeishi?!" Nakaoka stammered, agape as he came over as well, noticing Takeishi.

"Nakaoka?! The hell?! You n' Sakamoto plannin' to gang up on me?!" Takeishi protested as he looked between them. "...A-and what about you, Kirigiri?! Are all those rumors true after all?! You gonna gut me while they hold me down or something?!"

Kyoko folded her arms, giving the boy a withering look. "Don't be ridiculous. Ryuji brought you both here because he has something important you need to know about, I'm just here to make sure it goes smoothly."

"Yeah, I just wanna talk is all!" Ryuji said. "No tricks, I swear."

"Then start!" Takeishi fumed.

"Okay, listen," Ryuji began. "...I was gonna try n' tell ya first, but I decided eff that, I'm just gonna show ya!" he took out his phone. "This right here, is what's really goin' on with the track team!"

Pressing a button, amidst the background noise, Yamauchi's voice from the conversation at the diner could be heard, from his intention of gaining fame and fortune by stealing credit for the team's success, to getting rid of Nakaoka by making him take the fall for Kamoshida, and doing away with Takeishi once he no longer was of use.

"C-C'mon! That's gotta be fake! It's a joke!" Takeishi protested, staring at Ryuji's phone in disbelief. "Y-Yamauchi said he'd make me the captain!"

"He's telling the truth. All of this is true," Kyoko said, taking out her own phone. "You know my background before the rumors, right? Ryuji asked me to help investigate Yamauchi because he knew how suspicious this all was. I was sitting right near him when he talked. Have a listen..."

Pressing the button, the same conversation, albeit clearer with some background chatter, played.

"It's..." Nakaoka stammered. "Th-that's clearly Yamauchi's voice! And Mr. Sato's! They even said eachothers' names..."

"Not only that, shit's been goin' down exactly how he described it, hasn't it?" Ryuji asked sternly.

Takeishi looked down at the grass, trembling and clenching his fists. "Yamauchi... he's not wrong..." The boy grit his teeth, glaring down at the ground with contempt. "I don't have talent. Not like you, Nakaoka. Or like you did, Sakamoto... No matter how hard I ran, you guys were always so far ahead of me... how the hell's a guy like me supposed to succeed?! What can I ever be proud of myself for?!"

"Proud?" Ryuji asked, concerned.

"My dad's always talkin' about how proud he is of his son, braggin' to everyone how I'd get a track scholarship just like he did when he was my age! That I'd follow in his footsteps, become a next-generation Taisei grad!" Takeishi explained. "That's why... I listened to Yamauchi. He said if I was captain, he'd write me a great letter of rec..."

"So you bought into it just so he'd reward you?" Kyoko asked, giving the boy a disapproving stare.

"Hey, screw you, Kirigiri!" the boy snapped sharply. "Your family's got a pretty solid rep, if you hadn't gone criminal you'd have probably had every damn university holdin' the door open for you with a red carpet! Hell, Hope's Peak woulda taken you, too, I bet! Not everyone's got chances like that already laid out for 'em! What right do you have to lecture me when you threw it all away to get yourself intoxicated on granddad's sake and wound up assaulting some guy?!"

Kyoko grit her teeth, doing all in her power to maintain her neutral gaze. So that's the latest version, huh? she mused darkly to herself. Still, she could find no response, as his words and even, to a lesser extent, Kaneshiro's, stung her a little.

"Dude, shut you damn mouth about shit you only hear about from effin' rumors!" Ryuji shouted, clenching his fists.

"Ryuji... we're getting off-topic," Kyoko said softly, sighing.

Ryuji shook his head, frowning. Much as he wanted to defend his friend when it was clear Takeishi's words had an effect on her, he took a breath to ensure he heeded her wishes to let it go. "...You're right... but... still... you're willin' to turn on your teammates over crap like that, Takeishi?"

"What's a thug like you know, either, Sakamoto?" Takeishi protested. "You were the best! You broke records that have been here for a long time! Just like Kirigiri here if you hadn't thrown it away you'd have had it all, too! How the hell can you get how I feel?! NO ONE does!"

"Bullshit!" Ryuji snapped harshly, his anger returning as he took a step forward. "Regardless of that, how long were we runnin' together, huh? I went through all sorts'a shit with you! I never thought less of you, ever! We were a team! Lemme ask you, who're you livin' your life for... your parents? Teachers? Society?"

"Sakamoto... I..." Takeishi stammered, unsure how to respond.

"Wanna know how I feel? It ain't about talent or that stuff bein' the key to what makes ya happy," Ryuji explained. "What really matters... is you stop tryin' to live your life for them, n' just... try livin' for yourself. You really think betrayin' people is the way to bein' proud of yourself?"

Kyoko glanced over at Ryuji, before her own gaze flickered to the grass as well while Takeishi tried to think of a comeback, but Ryuji spoke again first.

"Listen, Takeishi... if that's seriously what you think, then you're wrong!" The boy's attention turned towards the other track member. "Hey, Nakaoka... judgin' from the recording n' all... you knew Yamauchi was suspicious as hell, too, didn't you?"

"I did..." Nakaoka said softly. "He never cared about track, or any sports... unless it was about getting points with Kamoshida..."

"Yeah, that bastard's never gave a shit about us," Ryuji said, frowning. "...But you kept quiet. You knew he was walkin' all over you and you just let him do it... why?"

Nakaoka's gaze fell. "...I was scared, I guess," he said. "Yamauchi's an asshole, but without him we wouldn't have a team again... a place to belong..."

"You missed runnin' that bad, huh?" Ryuji asked, his tone softening. "Y'know, it ain't so scary not havin' a place you belong. You can kinda be free that way. Truth is, I'd be more scared of bein' a shitty person..."

Thoughts of Kaneshiro's words passed Kyoko's mind again, and the horrible crimes Kamoshida committed for the sake of proving his value and getting respect he never had. It didn't excuse his actions, but it still rang familiar. Even, to an extent, the apathy she often approached a case with outside of detective work. Big Sis was the only one she opened up to and it felt like she paid for that. Straying the path placed on her had punished her twice, yet she thought of what she'd have been like otherwise. Cold, hard, uncaring, rigid...

Her grandfather, a harsh look of contempt normally reserved for when he spoke of her father on his face, when she ended up in jail for the assault came to her mind briefly before she pushed it away.

"Hey... I used to be like you guys, you know," she heard Ryuji say to the track members. "...Afraid, lyin' to myself... before I met Kyoko, here," he explained, giving the young detective an approving nod. "Even if I was outta the track team, I made a friend who's been beside me. It did a lot to help me turn things around for myself..."

The two boys gave no response, both looking unsure where he was going.

"Look, I don't wanna insult you guys or nothin', but I know you're prolly real pissed about this." Ryuji's features hardened in a bold, determined look. "So tellya what, you wanna hit me or somethin', I'm ready for it."

Takeishi and Nakaoka exchanged a glance, smirks forming on their faces respectively.

"Well, in that case..." Takeishi cracked his knuckles.

"...If you insist," Nakaoka said, doing so as well.

"...Ryuji, you sure about this?" Kyoko asked, looking over at him with concern.

Ryuji forced a grin. "No worries!" he looked over at the other two boys. "Get it outta your system, go right ahead. I can take-"

Takeishi's fist impacted with the boy's jaw before he could finish, nearly knocking him right off his feet.

"Th-the hell?!" Ryuji protested, nursing his check and his eyes wide with shock at Takeishi. "Y-You're really doin' it?!"

"Hey, you said it's okay, right?" Nakaoka asked, approaching as well.

"Wait! Hold on!" Ryuji pleaded.

"I think you've made your point, all of you," Kyoko said disapprovingly.

"Don't worry, he can handle it!" Takeishi said. "Honestly, think it's working."

"I'm... fine," Ryuji said, spreading out his arms. "Just... go get me some ice from the nurse's office... and please hurry!"

Sighing, Kyoko headed for the vestibules in the direction of the nurse's office, glancing back as Nakaoka and Takeishi continued to let out their frustrations before resuming her mission.

By the time she'd returned, Ryuji was slowly standing back up, nursing his injuries and readily accepting the ice packs and water bottle Kyoko had brought, giving the gauze pads and cotton balls a glance as well as if contemplating if he'd need them.

"Ya really... hafta keep swingin' so hard?" Ryuji asked, pressing an ice pack against the side of his face and drinking some of the water.

"I'm actually starting to feel better, already!" Nakaoka said with a laugh.

"Me, too," Takeishi said, looking over at Ryuji then Nakaoka with a satisfied smile. "I think I can finally put all this behind me, now."

Takeishi glanced away a moment, then looked back at Nakaoka again. "Hey, man... I'm real sorry. I should never have let Yamauchi string me like that."

"Hey, it's all good. I'm sorry, too, man!" Nakaoka said, chuckling again as he nursed his hand. "So... you wanna bring back the track team?"

"Hell yeah!" Takeishi said, his smile spreading to a grin and looking back at Ryuji. "Thanks, Sakamoto! That really helped sort things out!"

"Ughhh... thanks for all this, that was some serious violence," Ryuji grumbled as he watched the boys leave together, continuing to apply ice, and rinsing his mouth with some of the water from the bottle. "I've been takin' good care of this face, and look what ended up happenin' to it! Thank god we don't got school tomorrow... I don't gotta show up lookin' like this!"

"Still, from my observation it looked like things got resolved," Kyoko said. "...Though to be frank, there were probably less painful ways to go about it..."

"Eh, they're feelin' way better and gettin' along again, now! That's what really matters!" Ryuji said, chuckling. "I think they'll be just fine!"

He winced again, keeping the ice pack on his cheek. "Just hope I don't get a black eye!" he said, managing a smirk. "For real, though... thanks for helpin' me out with this. Bustin' Yamauchi, backin' me up with the recording. Havin' you there really gave me the extra push, too. Like doin' a sprint with you runnin' next to me."

Kyoko gave a small, flattered smile. "Glad I could be of help," she said.

The young detective heard the sound of a chain link shattering echoed within her mind.

"Well... I think I'm gonna head on home... got me pretty good there, so we can go have a celebratory meal another time!" Ryuji said with a laugh.

"You're taking a beating surprisingly well," Kyoko remarked.

"Hey, it was what they needed. It's a guy thing, Kyoko. Don't stress it!" Ryuji said, grinning despite the obvious red gathering on one side of his teeth. "Think of it as bein' like the after-effect of a workout!"

"You sure about that?" Kyoko asked as Ryuji tended to his facial injuries. "...At least just take it easy tomorrow."

"Will do," Ryuji said, sticking some gauze in the corner of his mouth. "Takeishi, Nakaoka, they and the others'll handle the rest now that they know the truth. I think they'll figure things out and make the right call, now! That heart-to-heart moment, they got a good team."

"Then the case is solved?" Kyoko asked.

"I can only hope so," said Ryuji. "They got a ways to go to get things as they were, but otherwise, yeah. I'd say we did all we could. Still..."

"Hm?" Kyoko blinked, curious of what he was thinking.

"Heh, if they're really gonna go for this, it means I gotta really step up my game, too!" he explained, a look of determined enthusiasm on his otherwise bruised face. "I'll be uppin' my own pace, so be ready for that!"

The boy winced again, taking out the now reddened gauze pad. "...Yeah, I'll take tomorrow off. Don't wanna come to school on Monday with Ann askin' why this face looks like hammered steak!" he said with a laugh. "I'll seeya later, if I hear anythin' about the team, I'll keep ya posted!"

Once Ryuji had left, Kyoko returned to the school to gather her things and be ready for the trip home, her neutral expression returning as she thought about what had transpired, and some of what was said.

The girl sighed, brushing back her hair instinctively as she returned to the classroom.

No sooner had she made it to Shibuya, however, that she felt her phone chiming as she sipped a drink she'd bought at the vendors, and she saw the Thief chat had become bustling with activity.

[Y'know I'm kinda curious bout something Yusuke.] Ryuji had messaged.

[Oh? What of?] Yusuke replied.

[It's about your school, Kosei. It filled with guys like you?]

[Whatever do you mean?] Yusuke asked.

[Like between Yonaga and Hagakure the way you describe em, sounds like that place got a lotta... interesting people.] Ryuji said.

[I'm not sure how you feel I fit that term, but there is one who does get a great deal of attention above the rest.] Yusuke explained.

[She's a female shogi player, and apparently an incredibly skilled one at that.]

[Is it Hifumi Togo? I think I heard about a female shogi player idol by that name who is a Kosei student.] Makoto replied.

[They say she's "the most beautiful shogi player around" right now.]

[Dude! That sounds too good to be true! Gimme more info!] Ryuji answered.

[I admittedly don't know much about her, otherwise. Despite her fame at school she isn't the type to let others get close to her.] Yusuke said.

[Sounds like she focuses entirely on her shogi pursuits. It's said she's a lone genius.] Makoto added.

[I've heard she spends time at the Kanda Catholic Church on nights after school.] Yusuke said.

[For real? Dude we gotta swing by some time!] Ryuji answered.

[With your obvious ulterior motive, Ryuji? You'd probably get struck down with a bolt of lightning before you reach the stairs.] Ann said.

[No! That ain't what I mean! It's for the Phantom Thieves!] Ryuji insisted.

[Look, I DO know stuff about shogi, alright? It's a battle game, lotta strategy, right? Maybe we can learn some from her!] he continued.

Finishing her drink, Kyoko felt it was time to join in.

-Ryuji, even if you didn't have an ulterior motive, I sincerely doubt approaching someone like her looking the way I last saw you is a remotely good idea. Kyoko answered.

[C'mon those guys didn't pummel me THAT bad Kyoko!] Ryuji responded.

[WHAT?!] Ann immediately replied.

[Ryuji are you getting in fights?] Makoto asked.

[Ryuji, it's not a good idea to start fights especially when we're still under watch.] Yusuke explained.

[It ain't like that! There was no fight! Just me and the track team sorting stuff out finally! Kyoko was there!] Ryuji explained.

-He's telling the truth. It was a matter of resolving things with the track team after the bad blood Kamoshida helped cause.

[And you got BEAT UP?! Are you alright?] Ann asked.

[I'll be fine! All that matters is the team's getting along again and stuff looks like it's gonna work out!] Ryuji answered.

[I see. I just hope it's not too obvious on Monday.] Makoto said.

"Hm, hair-brained as his motives probably are, Ryuji has a good point," Morgana said as he clung to Kyoko's shoulder reading the chat. "Striking an enemy but with a moment's inspiration? Skillfully strategizing towards victory? He may be right that those kind of tactics may be helpful for the Phantom Thieves!"

Glancing back at the cat on her shoulder, Kyoko began typing up a response.

-Back to the subject at hand, Morgana thinks your idea still has merit, Ryuji.

[See? I was totally right!] Ryuji answered.

[Still, Yusuke, you said she doesn't let others become close to her.] Ann said.

[Correct. I don't know her personally, either, so I doubt I'd have anything she'd buy into if I approached her.] Yusuke replied.

[Makoto, you think you'd be approachable? You're smart and she may be more comfortable with another girl then a boy.] Ann offered.

[I don't know much about shogi, actually, so she may just see me as someone trying to mooch on her own fame.] Makoto said.

[Shogi is a game of the mind, requiring sharp observation and deductive strategy. Perhaps she may find you a worthwhile opponent if you were to challenge her with your detective wit, Kyoko?] Yusuke offered.

Kyoko blinked, unsure what to make of Yusuke's comment. Thinking it over, though, she may have been able to provide a suitable sales pitch for a famous shogi player to give her the time of day.

-I am highly skilled with Othello and chess as well. Perhaps I can get through her defenses and pique her interest. she replied.

[She may actually be there at the church right now, if you wish to go see her.] Yusuke suggested.

Her mind made up, Kyoko examined the train route signs finding one that led to Kanda and was soon on her way.

---

Entering the cathedral of Kanda, Kyoko kept Morgana hidden in her bag as she made her way down the aisle, glancing around the pews. There were a few parishioners near the back, but none of them looked young enough to be the person she was looking for. The priest at the front, meanwhile tended to the alter. Memories of having attended an all-girls Catholic school prior due to her grandfather's not wanting her associating with boys and remain free of distraction passed her mind as she saw one person left sitting at a front pew.

Getting closer, Kyoko could see it was a girl her age in a white blouse, black skirt and white kneesocks and loafers with a striped bow and badge signifying the standard Kosei uniform she recalled from Shimizu's Shadow. She had very fair skin and long dark hair that went down her back, in a hime-style similar to Kyoko's own minus the braid and instead a hair charm with a red string tie resembling a shamrock over her left sidelock, all gave her a dignified beauty and air to herself. As she approached, Kyoko saw the girl was examining a shogi board, deep in thought and seemingly unaware of her presence.

After taking a moment to decide how to break the ice, Kyoko elected for the simple, direct approach.

"Hifumi Togo?" she asked, the girl flinching at being startled from her pensive state as she looked up at her.

"Y-Yes?" she asked, worry on her face. Kyoko deduced right off the girl was probably worried she was some obsessive fan cornering her in a place she wished to get away from them but trying to hide it.

"...It's alright," Kyoko replied, her neutral expression firmly in place. "...I'm not here to cause you trouble. My name's Kyoko. Kyoko Kirigiri."

"So how do you know me, then? Why come here?" Hifumi asked, before glancing away nervously. "...I mean, no one's stopping you if you just came to pray, but..." the other girl glanced back up at her. "...If you're here to see me but you're not familiar with me, then what could I do for you...?"

"I guess you can say I'm into strategy games, they make for decent mental exercises and while I am decent in chess or Othello, I've not had a chance to learn shogi, though it's taken my interest," Kyoko replied. "I have a friend who goes to your school, Kosei, correct? He told me you were a well-known shogi player there and may be able to teach me. I don't suppose you know Yusuke Kitagawa?"

"I've know of him from the school's art program and having studied under Madarame before the scandal, though not much otherwise," Hifumi explained. "...Though I suppose it'd make sense he's heard of me, I'm... pretty well-known at my school..."

Kyoko noted the girl had no pride or even comfort in the last part of what she said, if anything, she sounded embarrassed or ashamed, as if such a thing were something she'd rather do without. "...If so, I'm surprised you'd come here and play alone. Is there no one who'll play against you?"

"It's not like that," Hifumi replied. "I got permission to do so here, and experimenting with new tactics seems to work best playing alone somewhere quiet like this, you see... probably not a plausible explanation for someone who doesn't play, I suppose."

"It seems you put a great deal of focus in the game," Kyoko said, folding her arms. "So, does that mean you'd be able to show me?"

The other girl blinked. "Are you... sure this isn't about..." she shook her head. "There's other ways you can learn, like playing online... you're really interested in shogi?"

"As I've said, I already excel in Othello and chess, so I thought shogi would be worth learning," Kyoko replied, her gaze neutral yet Hifumi could not see any dishonesty in it, at the very least the girl before her was telling the truth, just possibly not all of it.

"Perhaps I can learn to play like you?" Kyoko asked. "Or, at the least, give you a potential worthwhile opponent if I incorporate how I handle other strategic games."

"Like me, huh?" Hifumi asked, smiling a little, now. "...An opponent, hm? You're a bit strange if I may say, but... thank you. If this is your first time, we can do a quick game, twenty seconds each per move. How does that sound to you?"

"Fair enough," Kyoko replied. "I approached, asked something of you, so I accept your terms."

Hifumi's smile grew a little. "A challenge accepted... very well."

The dark-haired girl reset all the pieces and gave a quick lowdown before placing her hands on her lap. "As my challenger, I'd like to assess your skill level and how much you can apply your knowledge of other strategy games to your benefit. Make the first move."

The young detective complied, and in a matter of moments, the pieces had been moved in such a way that it wasn't entirely evident how things would go next as Hifumi studied the pieces for a second.

"Remarkable," Hifumi said, nodding in approval. "However, the dragon which governs the blue sky has fallen into my hands. How do you intend to survive this?"

Kyoko's gaze turned from the board to Hifumi, who now wore a sharp, eagle-eyed gaze of her own, like a cat about to finish its cornered prey. "...Excuse me?"

"Check!" Hifumi cried, out, raising her piece with dramatic flair as she slammed it down on the board with a resounding clack before Kyoko's. "...It's checkmate, no matter how you look at it! Please concede!"

"You're asking I forfeit?" Kyoko asked, raising an eyebrow but her expression unchanging as she gazed back down at the board, and indeed the other girl had managed to successfully corner her regardless of what move she made.

"Your poker face is good, I'll admit. A general must conceal certain feelings in the face of an army or her troops will only gain a sense they are truly doomed. However, to concede, an act of admitting you lost with grace, is what separates a wise general who can accept they cannot win, and a foolish general who would sooner permit the slaughter of those who follow her then surrender with honor and dignity," Hifumi explained. Kyoko blinked at the girl's statement, unsure what to make of it and her rather odd shift in demeanor from demure to dominating when the game had commenced.

"...If you aspire to become a shogi player, I recommend taking your study of the game to heart," she continued, her features softening as she looked away. "...That will be all for today. Thank you for playing with me."

And like that, Kyoko observed, the girl's demeanor had lessened back to as it was before the game as well, though she made no comment as she stood up.

"Hey, um..." Hifumi spoke up again, a shyness in her tone, now. "...To be honest, even if I must say you performed as a novice, I'd like you to know, you fought well and bravely, and your cunning and ability to remain cool-headed despite inexperience in the game were remarkable. I believe there's potential in you and I sensed a spirit of willingness to take risk... like a gambler's spirit perhaps?" she asked.

Kyoko glanced down at the board again, hiding her embarrassment at being described as a novice but she was hardly in a position to argue. Shogi did play differently then Othello and chess and moves were significantly different. Still, she had managed to avoid embarrassing herself entirely.

"...Well, anyway, if you'd like to play another match sometime... may I request that of you?" Hifumi asked. "I'll be happy to teach you more if you'd be willing to become my playing partner so I can better research new moves. Would that be agreeable?"

Kyoko gave the girl a faint smile. It seemed her approach had worked, for better or for worse and had gotten the other girl's cooperation. Folding her arms, Kyoko gave an approving nod. "It would, yes. Perhaps then I'll be able to add Shogi to my list of mind games I can play."

"In that case, it's a deal. I'll teach you how to play, and you can help me with new moves!" Hifumi said, returning her smile.

---

?/?

"Despite your own talants, Kirigiri, I'd suspect very advanced strategies are necessary to succeed at that many criminal acts," Niijima explained as she sat across the table, brushing back her hair and gazing at the dazed girl in front of her. "You're someone used to solving your cases alone, and not confronting danger head-on regularly. Leading a group to carry out your heists and properly direct them against opposition would require wit above that of an amateur..."

"Are you implying I'm... an amateur?" Kyoko asked, her gaze darkening despite the cloudy state of her mind.

Niijima's brow furrowed. "...Private detectives don't exactly take on the role of commanding whole groups into risky situations on a regular basis, and for that reason I have my suspicion you had the aid of a professional to provide you the knowledge of how to finely tune your group's tactics. Someone who regularly deals in such a thing, in one form or another," she explained. "...You have an idea on who that is, don't you?"

---

7/2

Kyoko's world became dark and frozen in time, and the soft voice once more spoke out to her...

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 Star Persona,

I have obtained the winds of blessing that

shall lead to freedom and new power...

A chain link shattered, the ringing echoing within Kyoko's mind as reality slowly returned to normal.

"Well, I think that'll be all for today," Hifumi said, smiling more brightly, now. "Thank you again for playing against me, Kirigiri-san." The girl took out her phone. "So I can contact you when I'm free for another match, would it be alright if we exchanged IDs?"

Kyoko gave a small, friendly nod and took out her phone as well, pulling up her number and showing it to the other girl, who copied it down and sent her a message to confirm.

"Getting to play against another girl my age who just has a passion for strategic games of a sharp mind," Hifumi mused fondly, giggling a little. "...I really appreciate that, so thank you for that as well. I'll be sure to let you know when I've devised new strategies to test out!"

"I'll look forward to it," Kyoko replied, pocketing her phone.

"Thank you, you have a good rest of your night, Kirigiri-san," Hifumi said, packing her things.

"You too," said Kyoko, making a mental note to check the bookstores on the way back to Leblanc for any guide books on the game she could read before their next match, especially after the moves she'd seen Hifumi do to corner her so effectively. Her mind made up, Kyoko made her way to the front doors, glancing back one last time at the other girl before heading back out into the bustling evening streets of Kanda.

---

7/3

As Kyoko ate her breakfast that Sunday morning, she heard her phone chime, and saw Makoto had messaged her. Likely, by her assertion, what they'd planned as they didn't have school today.

[Hey, Kyoko. Regarding visiting the red-light district. Think we can meet up and go now?] her message asked.

[I'm not familiar with the area, so I may need you to guide me around if that's alright.]

"Hey, I'll be opening up shop, soon," Sojiro said, looking over at Kyoko from across the counter. "If you're going out, handle the dishes first."

Nodding, Kyoko typed in a response.

-Finishing breakfast and helping out before the cafe opens. I'll let you know when I'm on my way. she replied.

[Fair enough. I'll be waiting. Be sure you have on normal clothes.] Makoto responded.

Once she'd finished up, Kyoko made her way outside, Morgana staying up in her room waiting for her return while she sent a quick message to Makoto who'd told her to meet up at the station in Shinjuku. Arriving, the young detective cocked her head slightly as she spotted Makoto outside, who smiled upon seeing her and came over.

"Thanks for coming, Kyoko," she said. "I considered looking around since I got here before you, but then decided it better to wait, since you've been here. Still... even from here, just... wow... there's so many people! Guess it really is Asia's biggest red light district, huh?"

"It would seem so," Kyoko said, taking the lead as the two came back out from the station entrance and looked around.

"To think, before they installed all the surveillance cameras, this place was apparently quite a hotbed for criminals and illegal immigrants," Makoto observed.

"I had heard that," Kyoko said, brushing back her long hair. "It looks very different in the day time, though," she remarked, noting people going about their day without any apparent worry, and even foreigner tourists standing around taking selfies. "...Ryuji and I came out here when it was night, it was full of shady barkers and businesses. A policeman even said people connected to the scam were being found around here."

"I can certainly believe that," Makoto said. "...Doesn't really surprise me, though, I've heard they have brothels here. It probably is a very different place at night."

"Seems you're well-informed for someone who's never been here," Kyoko remarked, glancing over at the other girl.

"W-Well, I... heard a lot about it from my father. Sometimes his job took him out here," Makoto explained. "...This would be the first time I've come here, so thanks for accompanying me, Kyoko. Still, with surveillance cameras and efforts by the police to clean the place up, this place is safer then it used to be..."

Kyoko folded her arms. "Unfortunately, it seems there's only so much they can, or will do."

Makoto deflated a little. "I suppose your right. There's no way to eradicate crime entirely."

Kyoko's gaze furrowed as she looked around. "Operations are either better hidden, or sometimes their money talks and the law listens..."

"Which is why we're doing what we're doing," Makoto said, giving Kyoko a small, reassuring smile. "I want to do what my father did, and give people hope that criminals can be punished, and corruption can be fought against. In stopping Kaneshiro I believe that was a big step and once the news goes fully public I'm sure more people will see that."

Kyoko gave out a soft sigh before glancing back at the brunette, unable to argue with her point.

"Well, anyway... we came with a mission, and in learning about how Shinjuku works now... seeing is believing, right?" Makoto asked, deciding to break the brief silence. "I didn't bring a detective out here for sightseeing, so let's go have a look around, and see if we can get a start on why we came."

"It'd be best we stay together," Kyoko said.

"You sure of that? I feel like I should get a feel for it on my own, and it is daytime," Makoto started.

"Just trust me," Kyoko replied. "When I came out here it was like this place knew right away I wasn't someone who frequented."

"I see," Makoto said. "Well, I suppose I'll trust your judgement if you've been here before."

"Twice." Kyoko replied. "At night."

Makoto's eyes widened. "Wait you've been here more then once?"

Kyoko nodded. "The reporter who disclosed Kaneshiro's name to me, I made an agreement with her about giving her any news about Phantom Thief activity to write about... I gave her the impression I'm a fan."

Makoto blinked, regarding the other girl and how strange that last statement sounded coming from someone as stoic as she'd come to know Kyoko to be.

"I see... well, in that case, I say we go around in a loop and ask around a little," Makoto explained, speaking up again. "...If I spot who I'm looking for, I'll let you know..."

Needless to say, in the time and incidents that followed, Makoto could not deny Kyoko's advice they travel together was entirely with merit as it seemed every barker, host, and other breed of shady man tried to approach them with intentions both girls could see through in an instant. Eventually, Kyoko brought the now noticeably stressed-out Makoto to a corner where no one seemed to follow.

"Did we lose that guy?" Makoto asked nervously. "That last one was so persistent!"

"Legit or not, the hosting business isn't for me," Kyoko remarked dryly, gazing around the corner and scanning for any sign of the last one who'd approached them but seeing he'd not followed.

"The way he mentioned "his girls get paid loads to wear lots of cute dresses". Must've been a scout," Makoto said, a small amused chuckle replacing her discomfort. "I gotta admit, though, imagining you in some overly cutesy outfit is kind of..."

Kyoko's gaze furrowed but she remained silent as if daring Makoto to finish that sentence.

"Sorry, just... I guess trying to lighten the mood, I'm just all stressed from what we dealt with. Not trying to offend you," Makoto said. "All that from just asking if Shujin students worked there thanks to what I was hearing and we almost get dragged in... Thanks for getting us out of there when you did."

"Should have been here for what I had to pull Ryuji away from. Shinjuku just seems to be full of places waiting to eat you alive if you get too close," Kyoko replied.

Makoto chuckled again. "I meant for his sake!" she said with a playful smile. "The scout, I mean, I was worried I'd have to knock him out or something, and... well... that woulda probably gotten me into a lot of trouble."

"Still," the brunette mused, bringing her hand to her chin in thought. "...Guess that's how they get people. Regardless, it's taught me something new... and again, thank you for helping me out with this. I hope I'll be able to do the same for you, Kyoko."

A chain link shattered within Kyoko's mind as she felt Makoto's quiet resolve from her words.

"That aside," Makoto observed as she looked around, "...We seem to be in the shopping district but I don't see any other students around aside from us. No Shujin ones, I recognize, anyway... it being Sunday and this being Shinjuku, though, I doubt they'd come in uniform."

"Likely not," Kyoko replied, folding her arms as she looked about and recalling the trouble she and Ryuji nearly got into when they'd come out here due to an officer recognizing his uniform pants.

"Hey! Kyoko! Look!" Makoto whispered suddenly, getting her attention and gesturing to her left. "The girl over there. Black hair put in a side ponytail!"

Glancing over, Kyoko noticed a girl their age walking down the sidewalk nearby matching Makoto's description.

"I take it that's who we were looking for?" she asked.

"Yes, that's her. Keep an eye on her, she'd recognize me right away since we used to be in the same class and I'd stand out," Makoto whispered as she turned her back while Kyoko leaned against a building and held her phone up, pretending to be in a conversation as her gaze followed the girl Makoto pointed out, watching as she made her way to what looked to be a basement establishment as she disappeared down a set of stairs.

"What's she doing?" Makoto whispered.

"She entered a downstairs business. It's called "The After-School Salon"," Kyoko said, reading the bright pink, flashy sign above the stairs. "Curious she'd come all the way out here simply for cosmetics. Even Shibuya while Kaneshiro was running his operation would be closer and less dangerous if one simply knows who to avoid."

"You're right, this is suspicious," Makoto said. "I have my theories, and then there's what I've heard, but I think the best approach is to simply ask her at school... and if you could, I'd really like you to be there with me, as a witness, if that's okay?"

"Just let me know when you've arranged the meeting," Kyoko replied. "I've handled interrogations before so I could analyze her responses while you question her."

"I appreciate that, just... try not to scare her too much, alright?" Makoto asked. "I mean... like... you do have your reputation, so I figure we try and get her comfortable and she'll cooperate more."

Kyoko gave a slight sigh, closing her eyes. "I'll see what I can do. It's probably best you handle all the questions then and I'll observe."

"I can work with that," Makoto said with a smile. "Anyways, we've already spent quite a bit of time out here, haven't we? Let's head back to the station and I'll get you a late lunch, as thanks for tagging along today."

"You don't need to," Kyoko said.

"I insist," Makoto assured. "Learn to accept gratitude more. That was also the first time I've ever dealt with barkers... who knew they could be that persistent! Shinjuku really is a different world from what I suppose someone as admittedly sheltered as me is used to!"

"I suppose I can relate," Kyoko said, brushing back her hair as they headed back. "I have plenty of experience with situations that come with detective work, but normal social matters are... admittedly something I have less experience with. My grandfather didn't like me interacting with my peers, save one and only because she was a skilled detective, herself."

"Oh?" Makoto asked, curious.

Kyoko shook her head, pushing back her thoughts of Big Sis and realizing she'd begun to take this conversation in a less pleasant direction. "...It was a long time ago. Don't worry about it."

"Kyoko, we're friends," Makoto assured. "And remember our discussion from before? We'd stop walling off and be more open."

Kyoko sighed, feeling like she was trying to run through a flooded room with the sense of emotional resistance pushing back. "...Big Sis."

"Big Sis?" Makoto asked. "You have an older sister?"

Kyoko shook her head again as she led the way into the station. "No, just... someone I was close to."

"...Was?" Makoto inquired, concerned about Kyoko's body language and tone that differed from her normally stoic disposition.

"...As I mentioned, she was another young detective, older then me. I admired her, and she was the closest thing I had to a friend. The only person grandfather permitted anything other then professional association with, due to that he expected me to learn from her as well as to surpass her eventually," she explained. Kyoko paused a moment, her gaze down on her gloved hands. "...In a way, I suppose I have..."

"...I see," Makoto replied, certain of what Kyoko was implying and feeling guilty, now, that she'd pressed this from her and choosing not to do so further. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have prodded."

Kyoko was silent a moment before glancing back at Makoto. "It's fine. It's just..." She brushed back her hair. "My apologies for bringing the mood down."

Makoto managed a small smile. "It's alright, if it's not something you're comfortable talking about, I won't make you, but know you can tell me anything," she said. "Now, I believe I promised a late lunch as thanks for coming with me..."

Kyoko nodded, managing a faint smile of her own as well as she pushed the unpleasant memories back for now.

---

The young detective had elected to take a walk around Central Street once more rather then head straight home. To her pleasant surprise, she noticed how Kaneshiro's men were nowhere to be seen anymore, and more people seemed to be out as well. It may have also been due to the increased police presence, which she deduced was due to Kaneshiro having turned himself in and they were likely on the lookout for any of his remaining gang members. While no further details had come out about him, things looked promising, regardless.

Kyoko had just come out of the DVD rental store and paused as she heard her phone chime, a message having come through that she saw was from Toranosuke Yoshida.

[I'm sorry to trouble you, Miss Kirigiri. I was going to do a speech tonight, and something has been on my mind regarding the administration.] His message read, before another one appeared.

[I think they are wrong, honestly.]

[I bring this up because it's what I plan to discuss in the speech I have prepared, and I'd like you to hear it so I can get your honest opinion if that's alright.]

The sun had since begun to set, and Kyoko did not have anything else going on right now. Her mind made up, she made a quick response.

-Very well.

[I appreciate you coming. I'll be in the square at Shibuya Station like always. I'll see you soon.]

Twenty minutes later, Kyoko was standing beside Yoshida, his sign in her hands as he performed his speech from atop his crate. While turnout was only slightly better by maybe a handful, the young detective did notice the people from last time had in fact returned. The man's passion was as strong as ever, she noted, as he continued to speak.

"The conviction of a government is often tested during times of turmoil," Yoshida declared with a stern, determined look on his face. "...However, the current administration refuses to discuss their plans for the future! Can we really accept such an utter lack of transparency?!"

"Hm, I've been hearing this type of criticism about the government a lot lately," a weary-looking woman remarked.

"...That's only because Diet Member Shido has been gaining popularity by saying the same thing," a young man next to her replied.

The woman sneered. "...So you're saying he's just echoing another politician's criticism of the government?"

The young man answered. "Exactly! -Tch!- Whatever..." he chuckled.

"So," a familiar, unwelcome voice taunted, Kyoko turning and noticing the same heckler from before approaching with a smug grin on his face. "...First you steal party funds all those years ago, and now you go stealing other politicians ideas, No-Good Tora?" he asked with a mocking laugh, clearly savoring Yoshida's discomfort. "Stop talking all big you goddamn ex-convict!"

Kyoko's brow furrowed, her gaze growing tense and dangerous at the heckler as he started laughing again at his own remarks then looking around smirking as he was clearly intending to sway everyone against Yoshida and getting a kick out of bullying the man.

"...It seems I'm drawing the ire of the audience again," Yoshida said softly, closing his eyes and looking away, trying not to let the heckler get to him. "Do you really believe those who made mistakes in the past, no matter how long ago it was, should never be granted a second chance? An opportunity to redeem themselves?"

"Ha ha! Look at him shaking! No-Good Tora can't even look me, a voter, in the eye!" the heckler sneered, chuckling again as he knew the hated nickname was getting to him. "Isn't that right, No-Good Tora?"

"Stop interrupting him."

"'Scuse me? You got something to say to me, kid?!" the heckler snapped, though clearly surprised at Kyoko's sudden, ice-cold remark.

"I do, actually. I'm here because I believe the issues he is addressing are a shared sentiment," Kyoko said sternly, lowering the sign and stepping forward, her cold gaze meeting the heckler's now shocked one. "Are you going to let him talk first, or did you just come here to act this way?"

"The hell's up with you?" the heckler asked, growing annoyed, now. "You think you can talk to me like that?"

"...I think what she means, sir, is that government transparency is something any honest politician should be concerned about! Why do you believe only one should?" a young man with spiky black hair, intense red eyes topped with sharp brows, and a pristine white uniform stated sharply, emerging from the crowd behind the heckler, who turned to face him. "...Yoshida-san's speaking from the heart because despite people like you trying to put him down, he's still out here, giving it his all and working hard to get his message out! I, for one, find your childish and disorderly conduct unacceptable! Let the man talk, or leave!" he shouted, pointing a judgmental finger at the heckler, who flinched at the gesture.

A pause followed, the heckler was left speechless and clearly a bit intimidated by the young man's diatribe.

"...Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," Kyoko said, glaring at the heckler before he could make a response.

Yoshida looked over at Kyoko, then at the young man who'd spoken up for him, surprise on his face before he turned his attention to his audience and then the heckler.

"I understand the skepticism and the perspective you stand on, for I cannot deny that my past is not spotless," he said, facing his audience once more. "...It's true that as you all know, I am "No-Good Tora", and I have made mistakes. I understand that because of those mistakes I am unpopular and powerless. I convey this statement to all of you, as well... for all of that has nothing to do with my arguments! These, rather, are all things I learned from my hardships! I invite all of you to consider this, and know that forgiveness and understanding are an important part in our ability to grow and learn and better ourselves and our society as well!"

The man's expression grew stern again as he looked at the heckler once more. "...That said, if you truly have come here only with the intent to mock me, then I this: You are free to ridicule me all you want, but I will continue to keep fighting, and oppose what is wrong in the world!"

The crowed murmured in awe, the young man in the white uniform smiled, his hands at his hips as he nodded approvingly at Yoshida's words. Kyoko herself couldn't help but smile faintly as well. The heckler did not leave, but remained quiet and allowed Yoshida to continue.

---

As the crowds dispersed, the boy who'd spoken up for Yoshida offering his number so he could attend his next speech and promising his support, Kyoko helped Yoshida pack his things and went behind the vestibule.

"I must say, today's speech certainly came with quite a lot of passion, didn't it? Quite unexpectedly, may I say!" Yoshida said with an amused chuckle. "Still, the highlight, I think, was you and that young man coming to my defense... I would not have imagined I would ever inspire such a response."

"I suppose I couldn't stop myself," Kyoko said, folding her arms. "It seemed that man only came with the goal of humiliating you in mind. I've learned that when you have others there to defend you, it can bolster your confidence to keep fighting... people like that want you to feel alone and cornered."

"I suppose I have to admit I envy such a resolve," Yoshida said with a warm smile. "You and that boy back there, he was quite taken by my speech as well. It means a lot to see I can reach out to young people... you both conveyed your thoughts, and stood up for me with such conviction, something I regret I didn't do in the past."

"...Excuse me," a familiar voice said softly, prompting both Kyoko and Yoshida to turn and see the heckler from before approach. "...I wanted to apologize for my behavior, earlier. You two are amazing."

The man looked away a moment, ashamed. "...It was wrong of me," he said, looking over at Kyoko. "...You and that boy were right, Miss, I was completely outta line... and then listening to what you had to say instead of just attacking you, Yoshida, it made me realize you're right... just because someone's messed up bad in the past, that doesn't mean that person can't try again."

The man turned to leave, glancing back at them. "A-Anyway... that's all I wanted to say..."

"Wait," Yoshida called as the man started to walk away, causing him to pause and look back again. "...Thank you," Yoshida said with a kind smile. "...That's all I wanted to say. Thank you."

The man smirked back a little, touched by Yoshida's kindness despite his earlier hostility. "You're a strange one, you know. Like her and that other kid."

"You know, Kirigiri, I believe I learned something from that dauntless spirit you showed," Yoshida said as the man left. "I have a bad habit of getting flustered when people call me "No-Good Tora" even though I know there's a chance I'd hear it... however, you see me as someone of value, and that young man was willing to voice his belief in me for everyone to hear... the realization that I can inspire that in the young, whose futures I wish to fight for, means that I must never cower in the face of criticism, least of all in front of those who will defend me!"

Yoshida gave a grateful smile. "Thank you, for teaching me how I must hold more confidence in my arguments, no matter what is said to me."

Kyoko heard a chain link shatter in response to Yoshida's words.

"Despite what you seem to think of your own skills with people," Yoshida explained, "My way of thinking changes when you're here with me... I believe it's the influence of that youthful spirit of yours, and seeing I'm able to reach out to others, as well... I've felt more hopeful then I have in some time."

Kyoko folded her arms. "There were a lot of ways you could have responded to that man when he heckled you, I remember how you mentioned having insulted a voter who did so at a forum back then. That didn't happen here. Instead you simply told him he was free to say what he wanted but you wouldn't back down on what you stood for."

"I did, yes," Yoshida said, nodding.

"That right there, I suspect also affected that man's perception. He expected you to attack him, too. He could have run off and played victim. You didn't," Kyoko said. "It showed you aren't the man you were all those years ago."

Taking up his crate and sign, Yoshida prepared to leave. "I should hope so, but if that's the case, taking that into consideration and having people starting to believe in me despite my situation, my work has only truly begun, now," he said. "...My apologies, it's getting late. Good work, and thank you again. I shall see you again, soon, when I have another speech ready."

After Yoshida had left, Kyoko made her way back to the subways to head home for the evening.

---

7/4

Kyoko gazed out the nearby window as she sat bored at her desk. Another downpour had reared its ugly head and she couldn't help but understand Ms. Chouno's complaints about it that morning, and the fact of how hot and humid it got shortly after with it being July in Japan, something Kyoko was all too familiar with having given her hairbrush far more business then usual as a result.

Then there had been the mention of exams coming up next week, the week after Kaneshiro's supposed deadline he'd set back then, no less, and summer vacation coming up soon as well. Makoto had not sent her any new updates regarding the former, and Kyoko had not made any plans regarding the latter, not that she had anywhere out of the ordinary she could go being here on probation.

Not that she had, before. Any trips were focused entirely around detective work, anyway, so she didn't think she would be able to come up with anything, anyway. With it pouring, it was unlikely there'd be much to do for the time being, and elected once school was over for the day, she'd head home. She really hoped these downpours would be over, soon.

As she stepped outside, however, she heard her name being called, and she saw Mishima approaching.

"H-Hey, Kirigiri," he said nervously, dipping his hands in his pockets and looking as uneasy as his tone was.

"Do you need something?" Kyoko asked. "Please tell me you did as you said you would or this conversation's going to be very brief."

"Oh, the money and all? Yeah. It's all returned. Promise. Even added an apology to say we've changed our minds and will not be accepting donations of any kind," Mishima said softly. "Don't worry, it's all handled."

Kyoko gave a soft, but relieved sigh. "Good to know. I suspect there's something else to why you approached me?" she asked.

"Right, um, it's actually a new request," Mishima explained. "It's not from the Phan-Site, actually... or a particularly "big" one, I guess. More a personal one."

Kyoko folded her arms, turning to face him completely, now. "...Go on."

"Well, a younger student came to consult with me during lunch, today," Mishima explained. "...From the sound of it, he's getting blackmailed at his job by the store manager of all people."

Kyoko blinked. "Anything else? How's he doing this?" she asked.

"I asked him that. From what he told me, a bunch of money went missing from the register he was supposed to be in charge of," Mishima continued. "...As such, he's now getting falsely accused by the manager of stealing money from the store, and the manager's demanding he pay back the full amount... 50,000 yen..."

Kyoko brought her hand to her chin as she thought it over, before glancing back at Mishima. "That's an awful lot of money, to be honest. Certainly more then your average first-year would be able to pay off."

"Yeah, it's totally fishy as all hell!" Mishima protested. "Not to mention like I sometimes play online games he's on so I know him a bit, and I'm telling you, this guy's like, the most honest person I know! There's no way he'd steal all that money!"

"I'll humor you on your judgement of his character, and as I mentioned, that's a lot of money," Kyoko said. "Still, that's not going to make much of a difference if this escalates. What else do you have?"

"I got plenty, actually!" Mishima said, a determined look on his face. "I did some digging online regarding the store he works at. According to some rumors, it seems real likely the manager is stealing the money, himself. No one but him is able to check the registers, and apparently some staff members saw him taking cash out while calculating the totals!"

"I see," said Kyoko. "Did you get the manager's name?"

"I did!" Mishima said with a nod. "His name's Nozomi Odo. I found it out when I looked up the store. Hope that helps."

"It should," Kyoko replied, her expression softening. "...Good work, Mishima. I'll let you know when we're ready to handle it."

"Sure thing!" Mishima said, a big smile of accomplishment on his face as he ran back inside. Opening her umbrella, Kyoko began her journey home in the downpour.

---

Kyoko had glanced outside her attic window as evening arrived, closing her laptop. To her relief, the rain had finally decided to let up.

"Planning to go somewhere?" Morgana asked, getting up from his place on the bed.

"The rain finally stopped. I may as well," Kyoko said. She paused, however, when her phone chimed. Picking it up off the desk, she saw that the Thieves' chat was now bustling with activity.

[Hey, Makoto. You're sure Kaneshiro deleted the photos, right?] Ann had messaged.

[That's what he said, yes.] Makoto replied.

[You think we can trust him?] Ryuji asked.

[I doubt he'd lie if he really had a change of heart.] Makoto responded.

-Furthermore, Makoto did confirm he turned himself in. Kyoko replied.

-He's still in protective custody, correct?

[Last I heard from my sister, yes, he is.] Makoto answered.

[Then we're in the clear!] Ryuji said.

[We can't be too sure just yet.] Yusuke replied.

[You think he didn't have a change of heart?] Ann asked.

[I'm certain he did. There's no reason to doubt it.] Yusuke said.

[What I mean is, despite his change, his organization has not been apprehended yet. Though there was the word he'd called off the debts, still I wonder...] he continued.

[Kyoko, do you think it possible they absconded the photos?]

Kyoko thought it over a moment before replying.

-While it is possible Kaneshiro's men do keep photographs of those they scam with the delivery job as he obviously wouldn't be there in person for it, I don't think he has any reason to share the one he took of us. She replied.

-So long as he had it, he doesn't need anyone else to. It's likely when he was threatened with a calling card and his name exposed, he'd have become a liability to his benefactors. His protection from the Kuzuryus will have likely been revoked so turning himself in would be his only solution if he couldn't leave Tokyo.

[I see. That's at least a bit comforting. Just hope anyone else caught up in this will be alright.] Ryuji said.

[While the demise of a leader doesn't always mean the end of the group, the opposite is true, too.] Makoto said.

[Some groups that lack a strong guiding hand simply crumble.] she explained.

-I agree with Makoto. Kaneshiro's gang was little more then a well-organized Han-Gure, with a powerful connection. Without Kaneshiro, they won't be remotely as functional, and no longer be of use to their benefactor. Kyoko said.

-I was in Shibuya earlier, and I didn't see any of his men I remember from his club around. So that's at least some indication. she added.

[I see. So what happens next will depend on which way it goes, and his confession.] Ann said.

[Yes. So far it looks good, but we should keep praying the pieces fall in our favor.] Makoto replied.

[Then hopefully his confession will motivate the police even further on cracking down on crime gangs.] Yusuke said.

[I would love nothing more then to see them defeated once and for all!] he added.

[That part'll be up to Makoto's sis I imagine] Ryuji said.

[That aside, we've done all we can for now. We've got until the end of the week before we'll know for sure.] Makoto replied.

-Exams are next week, so if all goes well, we'll still have that ahead of us. Kyoko replied.

[True, I know it's stressful, but I advise all of you to get on that whenever you can.] Makoto said.

[At any rate, we'll talk later. My sis is gonna be home any minute, now.] she added.

-I'm going to investigate Shinjuku. I remember hearing how Kaneshiro's sphere of influence was starting to come there as well, so I'll take a look around now that the rain has cleared. Kyoko said.

[I appreciate it. Be careful.] Makoto said.

[Just let us know if you need company!] Ryuji said.

Kyoko closed her eyes a moment, recalling how that experience had gone with her first visit there with Ryuji.

-I'll be fine. Morgana's coming with me.

Putting her phone away, Kyoko set down her bag for Morgana to climb in, and made her way downstairs and out the door to head to the Yongen-Jaya station.

---

Kyoko studied the establishments of the now illuminated red-light district that was Shinjuku, it was bustling with activity like always, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

"..Wow, you notice it, Kyoko?" Morgana asked, looking around as well from her bag. "Everyone seems more... I dunno, at ease?"

Kyoko nodded, the difference was subtle but it did appear the case compared to the last times she'd been here. "Perhaps indeed Kaneshiro's downfall had played a part after all," she mused.

"Oh! Look! It's that fortune teller from when we first came out there!" Morgana shouted suddenly as Kyoko made a right turn, causing her to pause and look over, recognizing the young woman seated at the small fold-out table from when she'd come through here with Ryuji. "She was totally right about everything last time, right? Maybe we can get our fortune read again!"

"Morgana, I don't believe in that stuff," Kyoko said, facepalming. "It was all coincidence."

"...Um, who are you talking to?" the young woman asked, looking at Kyoko. "...Are you doubting my abilities?"

Kyoko's gaze turned towards the fortune teller. She did come off as offended, but not in a harsh way so much as simply upset. "Don't take this offensively, but I don't believe in such things."

"C'mon! After all you've seen in the metaverse you're doubting maybe she can really see the future?" Morgana asked, peering through her bag.

"Well... how about this? Take a seat and I'll do this one free of charge," the fortune teller said.

Kyoko knew Morgana wasn't going to stop, and the young woman was rather insistent, meaning she was either fully convinced in the authenticity of her alleged abilities or had the means to convince others of them. Sighing and brushing back her hair, the young detective took up the nearby chair, setting her bag and Morgana down under the table as she sat down across from her, resting her elbows on the table and interlaced her fingers together. "...Very well, I accept. I should have you know I've dealt with frauds before, don't think you can mislead me so easily if there are any tricks involved."

The young woman merely smiled, her earlier unease having all but evaporated entirely. "You'd be surprised how often I get that, actually, though I admit girls your age don't come out here often. My name's Chihaya Mifune, and I'll be reading your fortune, this evening!" she explained. "...So, what'll it be? Want to know if you have a chance with a boy you like? Or are you worried about exams? I know they're usually around this time of the year, aren't they?"

Kyoko leaned forward, her head lowering till her gaze was peering over her tented hands. "...Start with telling me my name."

The young fortune teller, Chihaya's smile faded. "Well, I suppose I could divine it if you like... I'll start with your last, just give me a second," she said, closing her eyes. "...Is it... Hikasa? No... Saihara? Okamoto? Hmm... Oh! Kirigiri, perhaps?" Her smile promptly returned. "It's... Kirigiri, correct? Kyoko Kirigiri, to be precise?"

Despite her position intended to better conceal any reaction from herself, Kyoko was admittedly taken off-guard by Chihaya's response.

"A mirror who cuts through fog. A remarkable name, fitting perhaps for someone who would be shrewd to my readings! Still, it can bring luck as well, for its implication to a pursuit of truth means you'd let nothing come between you and your goals!" Chihaya said, clasping her hands proudly. "...So, you believe me, now?"

"You could have heard it when I came through here before," Kyoko said.

"Not once, no," the fortune teller said, shaking her head. "I've only seen you around here twice. Once with that blond haired boy, and once when you came by last week I didn't even speak to you that time. What will it take to fully convince you?"

Kyoko's eyes flickered down a moment, recalling that neither time had she nor anyone else spoken her name anywhere in Chihaya's presence, before returning to the young woman across from her before offering her hand. "Give me the whole package. If you make a prediction that comes true by the end of tonight, then I'll be convinced, and return to confirm it. Deal?"

Chihaya looked concerned as she glanced at Kyoko's gloved hand. "Well, I suppose a high-schooler's life can be troublesome. Very well, I accept."

Extending her own hand, the fortune teller clasped Kyoko's hand and shook it before setting down several cards from a deck she took out of a handbag.

"Now then," she continued, turning her attention to the cards that she'd laid out. "We'll start with an initial reading to test the waters of your fate..."

Chihaya placed her hands on her lap, and closed her eyes. "O divine power... bring forth this young lady's fortune!"

Kyoko watched as the fortune teller turned each card in a sequence. She herself did not know nor understand tarot readings or how they worked, the closest she'd ever come having been a case with a serial killer who'd left them at each crime scene as clues that formed a full reading detailing the entire spree and the killer's endgame, but even then it'd required consulting someone more proficient in something Kyoko normally considered superstition or a hobby and she'd not really dwelt on it after.

When Chihaya was finished flipping and looking over the cards, she turned her attention back up to Kyoko, who watched her with interest. "Yes, I've seen everything, now. A stream of light obscuring the sun, like an arrow tearing through the sky," she said.

"Explain," Kyoko said flatly.

"...I'm saying that there seems to be new wealth in your future!" Chihaya said with an approving, confident smile. "Or, if you'd like me to be more specific, your financial fortune is looking good, today! This wealth I speak of will come this very evening, from your house. Head home immediately, no detours, and precisely five thousand yen will await you there!"

Kyoko blinked, unsure what to make of this woman. She was either crazy or extremely confident in her observation and not in a dangerous way. A thought crossed her mind Chihaya was tied to Kaneshiro or perhaps the Kuzuryus, but with Kaneshiro in police custody and never having contact with her, and having had no involvement with the latter nor given them reason to harass her, neither hypothesis made much sense when she thought about it. Standing up and collecting her bag and the cat within, Kyoko gazed down at the young woman. "You're certain of this?" she asked.

"Fate is absolute and I've seen it!" Chihaya replied. Kyoko had just prepared to leave when she heard her speak again.

"W-wait! Hold on!" the young fortune teller's voice now had concern to it as she looked down at the reading again, then at Kyoko. "...How strange..."

"Hey! What's going on?" Morgana asked, poking his head out in curiosity. Kyoko glanced at him then at Chihaya.

"What's this about?" the young detective asked.

"...There's something else... It's the general flow of your future, it seems to indicate... Hold on, I need to look at this..." The fortune teller blinked in confusion before shuffling the deck and rearranging the cards, sorting them face down randomly before turning them over. Once she'd finished, Chihaya's previously upbeat demeanor was entirely gone, replaced with worry.

"Ten of Swords... Reversed Justice... the Eight of Swords... A sign of Ruin, and I see an inmate, unjustly locked away in a lonely cell..." Chihaya's worry on her face deepened. "...Kirigiri, shrewd you might be, but you seem like a good person. Are you perhaps mixed up with the wrong crowd?"

The fortune teller shook her head, looking noticeably more fearful now as she looked over the cards. "Kirigiri, beyond that, my..." She paused, as if, by Kyoko's observation, trying to find the way to properly convey what she'd say next. "...Kirigiri... this tells me that... continuing on your current path will lead to your death..."

"What?!" Morgana protested. "Kyoko! That can't be true! She's gotta be lying!"

Kyoko looked over at the cat, then studied the young woman in front of her for any sign of deceit, but saw none. From what she could tell, Chihaya seemed to be completely genuine, or at the very least was fully convinced in and believed what she'd said, the distress on her face was very much real.

"What are you implying? What makes you so certain?" she asked, choosing not to divulge how the woman's readings about her were otherwise uncannily precise. "How am I supposed to die if that's what you're reading about my future?"

Chihiya looked down at the completed reading. "...I can't say. It just tells me what is, not how. If the divination is coming this clearly, though, the truth of it is absolute. Although..."

Kyoko raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"There... may be a way to counteract such a destiny," the fortune teller explained, reaching into a bag nearby and placing a small box on the table and giving her best smile as she opened it, revealing a small, glistening, smooth white rock. "...What you'd need is my special spiritual object: My holy stone! With its power in your control, you can avoid even the most unfortunate of futures! ...Well, probably..."

Kyoko glanced down at the object in the box but said nothing as she looked at Chihaya with a skeptical look.

"Listen, unlike that boy who boasted on the news yesterday about getting scouted to Hope's Peak over his meager twenty-to-thirty percent accuracy, mine is always correct... for better or for worse, but the point stands that I would like to think I've more then passed the test," Chihaya stated, a hint of firmness in her voice as her smile wavered a little when she'd implied a drawback regarding her accuracy. "...For that reason it'd be in your best interest to listen," she continued. "Normally I'd only offer this to more experienced customers, but your situation is just too dire to ignore..."

"How does this "holy stone" work exactly?" Kyoko asked, remaining skeptical.

"Well, you see, my holy stone is imbued with an aura of joy and positive energy, which will sap away all the horrible energies that surround you," Chihaya explained. "Essentially, cancel the bad out with the good... provided it is kept wrapped in cloth, and placed under the moonlight every three days to replenish its power."

A forced smile came to the young woman's face. "As for cost, it's only 100,000 yen! Not bad for an item that can change your future, huh?"

Kyoko gave a slow, precise, and clearly unimpressed blink. "You had me curious up until now. I think we're done talking."

The fortune teller frowned, worry on her face. "You... don't believe me, do you? Didn't I prove myself?"

"I don't have an immediate explanation for some of what you told me, but I don't have the money, nor do I trust your motive for demanding such a price for something to allegedly save my life is one considered remotely altruistic," Kyoko replied sharply.

"I see... if you change your mind, and want my help, then I'll be here..." Chihaya said, looking away anxiously as Kyoko made her way back to the station to return home, ignoring Morgana's protests of concern for her.

---

"Hey, welcome back!" Sojiro said with a smile as Kyoko entered the café. "I was waiting for you to show up, actually!"

"Hm, the Chief seems strangely happy! Wonder what this is about?" Morgana inquired excitedly as he emerged partway from Kyoko's bag as she approached the counter, Kyoko herself relieved he'd given up on pressing her to go back.

"Hm?"

"Well, I was curious how your pocket money situation's been looking," Sojiro explained. "I know you haven't been at the beef bowl place in a while..."

"I got a message recently, they say the repairs are almost complete and hope to see me back again when I'm free," Kyoko replied.

"Well, then maybe this'll help," Sojiro said, taking some money from his back pocket and sliding it across the table to her. On closer inspection, Kyoko saw how much.

"What the... it's five thousand yen!" Morgana meowed in surprise, his eyes going wide with shock.

She remembered what the fortune teller had said.

...No, it couldn't be...

"You don't need to," she began.

"Hey, don't fuss over it," Sojiro said with a reassuring smile. "...It got slow so I went out to the store while you were gone and ended up winning some money from the lotto, I don't mind sharing the earnings!"

Kyoko stared down at the money, unable to stop thinking about the fortune teller's words.

She'd gotten her name right.

She'd predicted this. Including the exact amount.

She'd even come unusually close to describing the Velvet Room and what Igor had warned her of.

For a second, the young detective was speechless.

"What, is five thousand yen not enough for you?" Sojiro asked, chuckling. "Anyways, I was just waiting for you to get back so I could give that to you, so I'm gonna head out, now. Just make sure to close up the shop like always before you go to bed, alright?"

"Kyoko! That fortune teller was right!" Morgana said, still shocked but finding his words first as Sojiro got his things and headed out. "She said your fortunes would increase when you got home!" Morgana insisted. "She even got the amount right! Maybe she really can see into the future!"

"Your cat there sure seems excited about your little stroke of luck, Kyoko," Sojiro said as he walked past the stunned girl and made his way to the door. "Have a good night, I'll see you tomorrow."

"It... has to be a coincidence," Kyoko said, staring down at the money after Sojiro had left.

"Or... she really has some kind of power to see into the future!" Morgana said. "After everything you've seen in the metaverse you're doubting the possibility?"

Before Kyoko could even respond, however, Morgana yelped, going tense. "Wait! She said you were gonna die, right? We gotta go talk to her again as soon as possible and figure out what to do!"

"Morgana, if I told you the number of times and ways I've come close to death in my time as a detective alone before all of this," Kyoko began, finding her words and trying to calm her feline companion down. "...And as a detective, I follow things like logic, reason, and observation. What I saw in the metaverse, I saw with my own eyes and can believe reality would bend to belief in a world shaped by cognition."

"But she foresaw what just happened here in this reality! What if it's gonna be soon? Or a time me or the others can't prevent it?" the cat panicked. "We need to see if we can get answers! We need to go see her again, sometime! Soon!"

Kyoko sighed as she took the money and pocketed it, bringing her hand to her chin in thought. She couldn't think of a single logical explanation around what had just happened, or how Chihaya had managed to discern other details about her she had no way of knowing.

Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth...

Whether it was based around the metaverse, or something else, perhaps it was worth looking into, if only because at this point, the young detective felt curious for an explanation.

Still, such a large price when the Phantom Thieves' funds were based on the value of treasure found in the Metaverse and how much Iwai was willing to pay for it, and how it all seemed to turn into some kind of sales pitch at the end left the young detective suspicious, regardless.

"Hey, Kyoko? On a lighter subject, if you're not so stressed over it, we should still go back, anyway! Maybe I can find out my love compatibility with Lady Ann!" Morgana wondered.

Kyoko chose not to dignify Morgana's musings with an answer as she began closing up the café for the evening.

---

7/5

"There he is! That's gotta be him, Nozomi Oda!" Mona said as he transformed back to his catlike form, joining Ace and the other Thieves as they stood in the distorted chamber of Mementos that housed the Shadow of the man Mishima had mentioned in his request.

Ace led the way over, her boots clicking on the obsidian floor as she drew closer, the others close behind. The Shadow-Self at the end of the chamber was a middle-aged man in black slacks and a white button-down shirt, his hair immaculately groomed and a very forced smile on his face as he turned to face them with gleaming gold eyes.

"What an unpleasant smile," Fox muttered in disgust.

"Must be his customer service smile," Mona remarked. "But behind the scenes he's extorting his employees and stealing money for himself! No turning back now!"

"Yeah, who knows if he'll try it on his customers, next!" Skull grumbled.

Ace's brow furrowed under her white mask as she continued to approach. "Nozomi Oda? I suspect by now you've heard from us."

The Shadow-Self chuckled. "Indeed! Welcome, welcome! How may I help you ladies and gents of the Phantom Thieves?" he asked mockingly, spreading his arms in a faux-welcoming manner.

"We know you've been stealing money from your store and blaming it on your employees to extort them," Ace stated coldly.

"Why the hell would you do that?!" Skull protested. "That ain't normal!"

Oda's Shadow cocked his head, sneering as he slid his hands in his pockets. "I run a directly managed store of a large chain, I'll have you know! Since I'm highly competent, I'm in charge!" he declared. "I don't need a bunch of naïve children complaining how I use its money!"

"You have no right to do that! You're using them and taking advantage of those you're supposed to look after!" Queen snapped angrily, clenching her hands tight over her knuckle dusters.

"Look after? Ha! Part-timers are property of the shop! That makes them mine to use as I wish!"

"What?! "Property"?!" Panther protested. "Just who the hell do you think you are?!"

"Enough with the excuses," Ace said. "Aside from abusing your employees you're embezzling money that doesn't belong to you. That's still a crime either way!"

The ground began to tremor as smoke gathered around Oda's Shadow.

"...I get it, now," he said, smoke rising up and engulfing his form. "You pretend to be heroes, but you're all just criminals! I'M GONNA KILL YOU ALL!"

Oda disappeared from sight before bursting apart in black and red ooze, reshaping into a very tall, humanoid figure wearing studded, thick white leather armor suited for cold weather and a flowing cape, his fair, boyish features partly concealed by a blue plaid scarf and wielding a silver lance in his right hand.

The transformed Oda snarled, twirling his lance. "Outlaws like you who'd trespass on my sanctuary, though? I'll have you royally obliterated by my own hand!"

Leaping into the air, the Shadow thrust his lance forward, a spear-like shaft of light suddenly firing at the Thieves, who quickly scattered out of the way.

"We'll see about that!" Ace shouted, touching her mask. "SUZAKU!"

The regal, birdlike Persona materialized above her, letting out a mighty screech as it spread its wings, and dull-colored smoke engulfed their foe, causing it to stumble back, looking somewhat weakened as it glared angrily at them.

"My turn! CAPTAIN KIDD!" Skull cried out, his pirate Persona appearing above him and firing a blast of lightning at it. The Shadow cried out in pain, skidding backward from taking the attack head-on and anchoring its spear into the ground.

"Employment follows one simple rule: Get with the program or don't have a job!" Oda's Shadow bellowed, raising its spear as light swirled around its form, a strange, glass bubble briefly shimmering around it.

"Be careful everyone! That's some kind of barrier!" Mona shouted. "It might reflect our attacks if we hit it!"

"We do we do, then?" Queen asked, glaring at the Shadow that stood calmly, almost mockingly as it waited for them to try something.

"There's gotta be somethin'!" Skull protested angrily.

"You're right! There has to be a way we can get through, but he seems pretty confident!" Fox observed.

"There's always a way!" Queen shouted, clenching her fists in determination.

Ace paused, something pulsing within her coat as she reached in, taking out the star that Jose had given them as it was beginning to shimmer. Blue flames suddenly engulfed Skull and Queen as reality suddenly changed to a desert landscape like something from an American Western film.

"Whoa! You gettin' this, Queen?!" Skull asked.

"I am. You getting an idea, Skull?" Queen asked, smirking as she stared down the confused Shadow that seemed baffled by the sudden change of surroundings.

"Hell yeah! Let's take 'em!" Skull said proudly as he and Queen began to stride towards their foe.

"Try your worst! I'm the boss! I'm safe from any harm!" Oda's Shadow taunted, pointing his lance at them.

"THEN HERE IT COMES!" Queen shouted.

"LET'S ROCK, FIST OF THE PHANTOM STAR!" Skull chimed in, brandishing his made as he stood alongside Queen, who folded her arms at their foe in defiance.

"Not my name!" Queen snapped, elbowing Skull.

"My bad! HOP ON!" Skull said, rearing back his mace for Queen to hop on to and swinging it with all his might, propelling her into the air as she rocketed back down, slamming the enemy in the chest with a flying kick then rebounding off it as it staggered back. It had no time to recover, however, as Skull leaped into the air, bringing his mace down hard on its head and then into its face, spinning it around in time for Queen to move into a fighting stance, her fists flying at a blinding speed and striking the Shadow in a flurry of blows.

"Nice work!" Skull said, a canned soft drink appearing in his hand that he passed to Queen, who crushed it open with her hand and flung it back at their reeling enemy, the can exploding in a blast of fire on impact.

"Likewise," Queen said, smirking back at him, the scenery faded back to the dark chamber in Mementos while the others regrouped, all turning to face the Shadow that had collapsed to the ground, smoke rolling off it as it reverted back to its human form.

"I-I'm sorry," Oda stammered as he slowly picked himself up, his arrogant sneer gone and replaced with a deflated, ashamed look as he slouched heavily. "...Am I really not worthy of being a store manager...?

"Good of you to realize that," Ace said, pocketing the star again then folding her arms and approaching him, an eagle-like gaze in her eyes behind her mask as she gave him a judgmental glare. In response, the man broke into weak sobs.

"I...I knew it...!" Oda sniffled, tears forming in his eyes as he struggled to speak. "Y-You're right... employees aren't j-just property... th-they're human beings, too! And here I was, taking advantage of them, lording over them and doing terrible things..."

"The workplace environment you made, and your embezzling money," Ace replied. "...You have a lot to answer for."

"How...? I-I don't know how I... c-can ever make up for this...!" the man sobbed, trembling all over, now.

"It would be best you confess to everything," Fox said, joining Ace's side.

"You're right... I will..." the Shadow said as it was engulfed in a bright light and vanished, leaving behind a shimmering orb that Ace reached forward and took, the orb transforming into a tourism pamphlet for Tokyo's Chinatown. Not exactly anything especially valuable compared to a few things they'd grabbed on the way here, but it did open up more possibilities of places to explore.

"I suppose now we know what he's been lining his pockets for," Ace said, pocketing the pamphlet. "...Looks like our mission is complete."

"Whaaaat, no one's gonna comment on those sweet-ass moves Queen and I pulled off to finish that fight?" Skull said with a playful smirk.

"I have to admit, it was pretty fun," Queen said with a small laugh.

"A truly spectacular sight," Fox said with an approving smile. "I can't help but wonder what this relic will grant us next."

"We still don't know much about it, but it seemed to grant our wish for a way to get past this guy and take him down!" Mona said with a laugh.

"It's certainly a mystery, to be frank," Ace said. "Unfortunately one that just seems to reveal a little more of itself on its own over time, much like this place..."

"We'll find out the mystery behind this place eventually!" Panther assured her. "We just gotta have patience, and when Kaneshiro confesses, it'll really do a lot for our image and help us go deeper!"

Ace gave the other girl a faint smile. "True. Kaneshiro's deadline is only a few days away."

Queen gave a nod. "I'll see what I can get out of Sis when I get home. Maybe she has some idea how close they are on how that's all going. She already knew Shujin students were among those Kaneshiro targeted, so it shouldn't be unusual to her for me to ask."

"I would appreciate that, Queen," Ace replied, the group heading back to the gateway as the chamber began to tremor once more, signifying its impending end.

---

Kyoko stood up, staring at her TV screen once she had finished adding on its new attachments and plugging them all in.

"I knew we could do better then just a DVD player!" Morgana said excitedly. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"I can't believe I did this. My grandfather would have a lot to say if he were here to see this," the young detective said, her arms at her side as she let the instructions fall from her gloved hand.

"Well... um... good thing he's not here, then! You can try it out all you want!" Morgana pointed out. "Besides, I'm kind of curious of this sort of thing myself after the arcades!"

"...Ryuji had told me I should try these out more. Said they "help develop hand-eye coordination", though I don't know if that's just him trying to defend a hobby of his," Kyoko said, sitting herself down and taking out the cartridge of an old game called "Star Forneus" and placing it inside the Nantendo Famidrive console she'd purchased from the thrift store on her way home following the Metaverse trip to fulfil Mishima's request.

"Let the games begin!" Morgana cheered, sitting himself on a chair to watch as Kyoko gave him a glance at his comment before she switched on the console and took up one of the controllers.

"Hmm, it seems to be a game about space battles! Neat!" Morgana said, looking at the screen title and story intro that began to play.

Kyoko sat quietly, reading the dialogue as it scrolled up the screen and the images accompanying it. The graphics certainly had a dated look to them, but then again the console and the game were both older then herself, to her understanding, having been far more prominent about a decade at least before she was even born.

As the game started up proper at the press of a Start button, Kyoko found a tiny ship on a black screen of white dots she assumed to be outer space, the ship responded to her controller movements confirming it to be what she would be playing as.

Pressing a button, glowing balls fired from her tiny ship, having confirmed how to fire and soon, various, different-looking sprites arrived on the screen.

The girl's brow furrowed as her ship was destroyed not one second later.

"Owch, that enemy took you out. You gonna try again?" Morgana commented, earning a look from Kyoko as she started up again.

Many lost lives and a few Game Overs later, Kyoko had managed to analyze the pattern in the enemies' movements. The game being a much older and more primitively-programmed one, it stood to reason the enemies followed pre-set patterns or basic commands she simply needed to memorize where and when they'd appear, and which ones had more complex patterns of attack. The young detective had since leaned forward noticeably as she tapped away at the buttons on her controller, weaving and firing her ship as she was now on the last life of her latest play. At long last, the screen appeared to be clear.

"Hey! No enemies left! That must mean you beat the level!" Morgana cheered.

The music abruptly changed.

"Um... Kyoko? Why do I hear suspenseful music?" he asked, looking over at her. Kyoko got her answer as a much larger enemy slowly descended on to the screen from above, resembling a large round shape with a demonic skull in the middle.

"I AM STAR FORNEUS! I AM AWARE!" the game's enemy mocked in flashing red font on the scream.

"Whoa! Is that the "boss" enemy?! That thing's huge!" Morgana cried out. "Try firing when its mouth opens, it looks like there's a glowing light inside! Maybe that's its weak point!"

Kyoko did not have any other ideas come to mind as video games, particularly ones predating her, were well outside her area of expertise and decided to give it a try, desperately weaving her tiny ship out of the way of the lasers and energy blasts the boss enemy spat at her. The moment the sinister spacecraft's mouth opened, Kyoko began pressing the fire button as rapidly as she could, shots pouring in as pieces of the enemy crumbled away indicating damage until at long last the young detective let out a deep, tired sigh as the boss finally exploded.

"You did it! Nice job, Kyoko! You beat the level!" Morgana celebrated as Kyoko's scores added up on the victory screen, only for it to be interrupted by a large sprite of the titular villain appearing in its place, daring her to continue and face it for real.

"...I've had all I can take," Kyoko slumped forward, placing the controller down and getting up to change for bed.

"You had fun, though! I could tell!" Morgana said as he hopped down from the chair. "You got so into that game! I bet if we come back to it later you'll eventually beat it!" The cat paused a moment, looking at the console. "I wonder what other games there are for this! We should see!"

Kyoko gave no response, already tired from the visit to the metaverse and burning through what was left of her energy trying to get through the first level of an old video game.

She elected not to tell Morgana she had every intention of finishing it. Kyoko did not leave things unfinished.

---

7/6

"Seriously?! Rain again?!" Morgana protested from within Kyoko's school bag after class had ended with yet another downpour. "I don't get it. It seemed like such a nice day when we got here!"

Kyoko felt relieved she'd brought her umbrella. Rainy season still had not gone away entirely and it had chosen to give a friendly reminder of that fact. Preparing for the unpleasant walk to the station, she paused as Ann called her name as she walked past her desk.

"Hey, Kyoko? You wanna... maybe go to that diner in Shibuya, again?" the blonde asked, looking up from her seat.

Kyoko glanced past her at the window, the rain likely would have limited her activities once more. "Very well. Is something going on?" she asked.

"Yeah, actually. It's why I asked. I was sorta hoping I could get some stuff off my back, and maybe you had some answers for me, too," Ann said sheepishly. "Makoto's busy with student president duties, and I could really use another girl's take on it all."

"As you wish," Kyoko said with a faint smile, admittedly curious of what was going on with her friend.

"Can I come?" Morgana asked, peering from Kyoko's bag. "It'd save a trip having to drop me off at Leblanc."

Ann giggled. "I suppose there's no harm, Morgana," she said, gathering her things. "Alright, let's get going!"

Kyoko could hear Morgana purr with excitement within her bag.

---

"So... I talked to Shiho about what happened with Mika back at the photoshoot," Ann explained as she sat across from Kyoko at the diner, Morgana in the latter's school bag as the two listened.

"What'd she say?" Kyoko asked.

"Actually, she laughed!" Ann said. "Then she couldn't stop talking about how tough Mika sounded! Seeing her in good spirits was really refreshing, so I'm not really that mad about it anymore... maybe sometimes you just need someone laughing at you to make you feel better."

"Maybe for some," Kyoko said. Personally she wasn't someone who enjoyed being laughed at, but she wasn't someone who laughed at others, either.

"Well, they say laughter is the best medicine!" Ann giggled. "Honestly, though, I've been seeing the truth of that statement firsthand, you really should give it a try, sometime! If something amuses you, don't stay so withdrawn about it."

"It's not how I was raised," Kyoko replied, taking a sip of her juice she'd ordered. "I've been trained and told to keep a stoic disposition so others don't know what I'm thinking or how I'm feeling."

"I know, I know," Ann said, frowning a little. "But that doesn't mean it's necessarily right all the time... you remember when we were at the TV studio and I got flustered by that creep?"

"That would be an example of when I'm right," Kyoko interjected.

"I shoulda clawed that guy's tongue out! Then we'll see how he is around girls who aren't interested!" Morgana snapped, peering from Kyoko's bag.

"...And get us kicked out and sued?" Kyoko asked. "That wouldn't have ended well for me."

"Yeah, you're right, but still! He shouldn't have treated Lady Ann that way!" Morgana protested.

"I appreciate the enthusiasm, Morgana," Ann giggled. "But yeah, it may have caused more trouble then it's worth. I think I do need to be more firm and unmovable."

Ann glanced down a moment. "...I guess I mean when I brought that up is, like... this being sorta the opposite of that. I guess it's weird hearing it from someone who wears her heart on her sleeve a lot, but really, don't be afraid to show it sometime. Like maybe it takes a balance of the two, you know?"

"Perhaps," Kyoko said, glancing down at her juice, now.

"Shiho... she's the strong one between me and her, even though I'm trying to strengthen my heart," Ann explained. "I went to one of her rehab sessions the other day, she said she wanted me to be there. I agreed without thinking much on it, and to be honest... I was pretty much overwhelmed."

"What do you mean?" Kyoko asked.

"It was a lot tougher then I imagined! It was horrible!" Ann protested, wincing a little. "By the end of it, she was dripping with sweat, clenching her teeth... she was clearly in a lot of pain... It's been months, but... apparently, she couldn't even move her feet. She said it feels like her legs are full of sand... but she dragged them along, legs swollen with blood... I just wanted to make her stop..."

"She took a really bad fall off a three-story building, and after all she went through, and being in a coma, I'm not a medical expert but I suppose it's understandable she'd have a way to go," Kyoko replied, unsure what to say.

"Yeah, that image... her laying on the ground, all broken like that, even with how long ago it was, I don't know if I'll ever be able to forget that. Seeing her struggle so much, I started thinking of it again," Ann said, frowning as she looked down at her own drink, her eyes beginning to wet as tears began to form. "...She... she was in tears by the time it was all over, it... it was so tough on her... she even wanted to give up. That's why she wanted me there, to keep me motivated... the whole time, she was complaining about things in ways she normally never would."

"Lady Ann..." Morgana looked through Kyoko's bag at her, concerned.

Kyoko herself let her gaze wander back down to the table, thinking of how she'd admired Big Sis, before... all that happened. Glancing back up at her friend, she gave her a look permitting she continue.

"But... but with all that... sh-she finished her sessions," Ann sniffled. She struggled to wipe away her tears, but they just kept coming. "I-I don't... I don't know why I'm crying so much! I'm not the one who had to go through all that! Am I really still so weak?"

Kyoko paused, even Morgana was unsure as climbing out would have only revealed him to any other patrons. The young detective slowly, but surely, reached her hand across the table, offered to her friend.

Ann paused, now, looking at Kyoko's hand a moment before clasping her own hand over it, if a little firmly, but evident she was both eager and very grateful for the gesture as she used her free hand to grab a napkin to try and dry her tears again.

"Th-thank you," she said softly, her tears finally starting to let up. "Y-You know, even through all the pain, I always thought Shiho was so cool, beautiful even... despite all her complaining, she tried incredibly hard..."

The blonde looked up at Kyoko. "You know, maybe strength is more then just not getting fazed by things. It's the power to fight through adversity. You do both so naturally, Kyoko... what can I do to help Shiho?"

Kyoko closed her eyes. "You can thank a lifetime of meticulous training to prepare me for dealing with crime scenes and dangerous criminals who decide I'm too hot on their trail," she said. "That said, Ann, you're not weak. Look at all you've done these past few months... you made sure Kamoshida paid for his crimes, you stayed by your friend's side throughout her recovery... in the end, you're the one who gave her back her sense of hope. Not the Phantom Thieves... you."

"...Me?" Ann blinked in surprise.

"She's right, Lady Ann!" Morgana said, giving as much of a smile as his feline features allowed. "You showed your friend your strength by supporting her when she needs it most! If she's doing all this, even with what she's facing, she has hope again, and that came from you being there!"

Ann's eyes began to water again, but this time, she was smiling, even blushing a little. "R-Really? Thanks, I'll make a promise, then: I'm gonna keep doing that, and give it my all!" she said, hurriedly wiping her tears again. "You know... Kyoko, you say you're inclined to keep your emotions and feelings closed off from how you were raised, but... when it really counted back there, it made a huge difference. Maybe that's the whole balance of the two in effect?" she asked. "Thank you both, it really helped me see things more clearly!"

The sound of a chain link shattering echoed within Kyoko's mind, as if in response to Ann's heightened resolve.

"Aww! Now my nose is all runny!" Ann protested suddenly, touching above her lip and blushing in embarrassment. "Pretty girls get runny noses, too!"

Kyoko's eyes closed as a slight, but amused smile came to her face before taking another sip of her juice

"It's a start!" Ann giggled, a smile coming back to her own face as she finished her own drink.

---

Returning to Leblanc after stopping by Iwai's to sell off several things she and the others had found in Mementos yesterday, Kyoko had made her way up to the attic as she finished reading over the message on her phone from Mishima regarding how the mission against Nozomi Oda had been a success.

"Feels pretty good, doesn't it, Kyoko?" Morgana asked with a chuckle as he read the message. "Just wait till it happens to Kaneshiro!"

Kyoko smiled faintly, closing her eyes and nodding in approval as she folded up her umbrella as the weather had shown no interest in improving for the evening. "Like solving a case," she said.

Small a matter as it may have been, it still gave the young detective a sense of fulfilment. As she prepared to change out of her uniform, however, Kyoko heard her phone chime on the bed and picked it up, seeing a message from Akechi.

[I know the weather's not ideal, but I happen to be in Kichijoji right now with some time on my hands. I was wondering, if you don't mind coming out here, if you'd like to meet up?] the message inquired.

Kyoko read the message again, thinking it over as Morgana looked at her in curiosity from the spot he'd taken on her bed. With Kaneshiro dealt with, and the spectacle the Phantom Thieves had made before it, it may have done her well to see what his take on the matter was if he was going to bring it up given he was involved in an investigation on them.

-Very well. Let me change first, I just got home. she replied.

-I'll let you know when I'm on my way.

[Thank you. I'll look forward to seeing you again, Kirigiri. Meet me outside the Penguin Sniper where we last played billiards.] a message from Akechi replied. Kyoko noticed he was typing again and another message appeared.

[I know just the place we can go, too, when you arrive. I actually found it here, just now before I messaged you. My treat.]

[One more thing, dress up a little. I'll explain when you get here.]

Kyoko cocked her head ever so slightly in curiosity before putting her phone away.

"Going out?" Morgana asked.

"Yes. I'll be back later," Kyoko said, going through her casual clothes and preparing to change before she headed out. While she had her own reasons for meeting the one who was actively investigating the Thieves, Kyoko was curious what had made him wish to see her again, but she'd soon find out.

---

Kyoko made her way through Kichijoji's streets, the rain having thankfully let up to a drizzle, now. As she arrived at the entrance of the billiard and dart club, she saw Akechi waiting, open umbrella in one hand and his monogrammed briefcase in the other and approached and wearing his summer uniform.

"Hello, Akechi," she said, breaking the ice as she came over. Akechi looked over, smiling as he saw her.

"Kirigiri. I admit, with the weather I wasn't sure you'd say yes," he said with a small chuckle. "Still, it's good to see the rain finally starting to give us a break, isn't it?"

"It is," Kyoko said, peering up from under her umbrella. "You mentioned there was somewhere you wanted to bring me?"

"Yes, right behind you, actually," Akechi said, glancing past her. Kyoko turned, seeing what appeared to be a café that even included covered outdoor seating. "Apparently, it's a prolific one, according to the quick search I did on it. I was hoping you'd be up for perhaps... checking it out with me over some tea I hear they serve that gives it its popularity?"

Kyoko blinked, surprised by his proposition a little, and the fact she'd followed his lead of finding a few nicer selections in her things to wear, namely a black button skirt and above-casual purple top, and her preferred boots. "...Were you asking me out, Akechi?" she asked, not sounding annoyed but simply curious.

"Well, I did say I'd explain when you got here," Akechi said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "...It's a fair bit so I felt it easier to do in person. You see, ever since my rather iconic TV appearance, I've faced a rather... notable spike in my fanbase, some of them rather extreme," he explained. "As far as they're concerned, anyone seen in my company must meet their standards of intelligence and attractiveness."

"So you'll cater to someone else's expectations on who you can associate with?" Kyoko asked, folding her arms while keeping her umbrella in hand.

Akechi shook his head as he looked over at Kyoko again. "Not me, nor do I have any desire to," he said before his expression grew serious yet also apologetic. "...Rather it's a matter of how unfortunately, regardless of what I say to try and diffuse them, they're not very reasonable people at all and anyone who doesn't meet those expectations they'll take it to social media to track them down and form harassment campaigns against them. I wouldn't wish any of that on you, and I'd never forgive myself if I were to bring it upon you, either."

"I see," Kyoko replied, folding her arms a little tighter. With her situation, the last thing she needed was some lovestruck, obsessive classmates identifying her and trying to start trouble with her at school or when she was about when she was already on thin ice with probation.

"That said, personally, I think you more then surpass either of those, it's one of the things that fascinates me about you, honestly," he said with a small, playful smile. "...It's simply a precaution, though if I may say, Kirigiri, you certainly do look lovely, tonight!"

Kyoko's expression remained perfectly neutral, the impassive stare and slight, unreadable frown she normally wore, but a hint of a blush came to her pale features she hoped he wouldn't notice as she gazed back at him. "...Are you flirting with me, Akechi-kun?"

"You're a Detective, Kirigiri, solve that one yourself," he replied, his smile now more of an amused smirk from the reaction he'd gotten, though again a more genuine one then what he kept in store for cameras, before leading the way over to the café across the street. "...At any rate, it's open right now and as I mentioned, this place is apparently quite popular. Not to mention since neither of us have been, I'm sure it'll be an interesting experience either way."

Kyoko gave a silent nod and followed close behind, removing the ribbon that held her braid and changing it out for a ponytail. Entering the café, she folded her umbrella and was hit with a pleasant aroma, though very different from the more rustic charm that Leblanc had. This one was more high-class, as she could both smell and see pastries were present. Kyoko couldn't help but imagine how much Ann would have enjoyed this place as she examined them on the displays.

"Ah, the signature cheesecake caught your interest, Kirigiri?" Akechi asked, folding up his own umbrella and hanging it over his wrist while glancing over at her. "To be honest, I'm rather curious, myself. According to the search I did, it's something else this place is known for..." the boy brought his hand to his chin. "Perhaps I should order us some to go with our tea. Choose whatever you like. I did promise I'd treat you for coming out here, after all."

Once they'd gotten their order and sat down at a table in the covered outdoor area, the rain had subsided for the time being. Kyoko ate her slice in silence as Akechi seemed to take a moment to sample his.

"...Admittedly," Akechi said after he finished his bite, "...I'm normally not partial to sweets, though I don't hate them or anything..."

"I found it quite good, actually," Kyoko said, taking another bite of hers. "It seems this place's appeal is justified."

"I suppose for me, it's the fact that fads sometimes intrigue me. I like to investigate them, out of curiosity over its popularity and why it has it," Akechi explains. "Are you a fan of sweets, Kirigiri?"

"Some," Kyoko replied. "Aside from the taste sugar helps mental acuity, albeit briefly. One method I sometimes do is take a piece of chocolate and roll it around in my mouth as I sip coffee."

"Hm, fascinating," Akechi said with an intrigued smile as he mulled it over a moment. "...I may have to try that, sometime, and see how it works out for me."

"It has the effect of both waking me up while also helping me relax," Kyoko replied. "I would sometimes do it while going over cases."

"I see," Akechi said, interested. "...Very fascinating."

"...You still didn't tell me what you thought of the cake itself," Kyoko said, taking another bite of her own.

"Very observant, Kirigiri," Akechi chuckled, smirking as he took another bite and savored it more openly this time. "Mm... I actually found it quite delicious. In fact, I enjoyed it more then I thought I would, which given what I shared about myself, means quite a lot! Maybe some things are worth-"

"Hey! Is that him?!" a hushed female voice whispered nearby.

"The one who was on TV? What was his name, again?" another female voice asked.

Kyoko turned her head slightly and glanced back at the source of the voices, seeing two girls their age nearby looking Akechi's way and talking to eachother excitedly.

"Goro Akechi, I think! The Second Detective Prince!" the first female voice almost squeaked with excitement.

"Ooh! Should we ask for an autograph? It'd be something worth bragging about!"

Looking back, Kyoko noticed Akechi giving an apologetic smile but otherwise keeping his focus on her and avoiding looking the girls' way. "...Sorry, looks like I've been spotted," he said softly, looking down at the table in embarrassment.

"Being in the limelight more then ever, I suppose it's to be expected," Kyoko said.

"Maybe you're right. I'm sure they're just here for the cake," Akechi said with a modest, polite laugh. "I doubt they mean any harm, and I wouldn't want to cause trouble for a business, either..."

"What's goin' on? Is someone important here?" Kyoko saw a man passing by ask, pausing and glancing over their way.

"Ohmygosh! Is there a celebrity over there?!" a girl standing by a vacant lot cried out, getting her small clique's attention as well. Kyoko looked back at Akechi, who just closed his eyes and sighed.

"The cost of fame?" Kyoko asked, her gaze softening.

"Something like that. This pretty much means my time out and about is up. " Akechi said apologetically. "...Honestly, I wish I could have relaxed longer. We should probably get going..."

"I wouldn't know much about it by experience," Kyoko said, glancing over at the growing spectators. "...But it doesn't seem right to be forced to call this off over them. You seemed to be looking forward to this."

"I was... but it is probably best we leave, I don't want to cause trouble for the store," Akechi said, a hint of disappointment in his tone despite his attempt at remaining polite and pleasant about it all. "...I'd only cause problems if I stay..."

The noticeably growing bitterness in that final statement was not lost in Kyoko, but she chose not to comment. "In hindsight, a disguise may have been helpful. To my understanding celebrities often use glasses or such when out in public."

"True, though it may be a little late for that, honestly," Akechi said, shaking his head.

"Hm, maybe not..." Kyoko rose from her seat, offering her gloved hand to him and glancing back at their audience as she led Akechi back inside, reaching into her bag as she did so.

---

"Kirigiri, are you... sure about this?" Akechi whispered as he returned to his seat with Kyoko.

"Ooh! They're back! Now we can get his autograph for sure!" One of the girls that first noticed him cheered excitedly.

"Uh, now that I see him up close and in the light... maybe I was wrong. Maybe we were seeing things," her friend said, blushing in embarrassment as the boy sat there in silence. "I don't remember the show too well, but celebrities usually have a distinct look, don't they? I don't remember him looking that way," she whispered.

"What a shame, if it was the Detective Prince, I would have been able to brag to all my friends tomorrow at school!" the first girl said, pouting as she and her friend turned and left.

"I can't believe you did that, honestly," Akechi mused as he watched the crowd disperse.

"It worked, didn't it?" Kyoko asked, sitting back in her chair and folding her arms as she looked him over, a hint of an amused smile on her face.

"I suppose it did, actually, quite a bit of foresight for when you need to avoid standing out," Akechi replied, an amused smile of his own on his face as he slid off the loose hoodie and sunglasses then fixed his hair to undo its messy state and the absurdly-large ahoge tuft Kyoko had styled atop his head. "Sorry, I can't afford the possibility of you getting a picture of that!"

"I'm familiar with the legal right of portrait and privacy," Kyoko said, putting the hoodie and sunglasses in her bag.

"Good to know, you wouldn't be much of a detective if you didn't!" Akechi replied with a chuckle before noting Kyoko's stare. "...It was a joke, Kirigiri. I didn't mean to offend."

"It's... something I take seriously," Kyoko replied, brushing back her hair. "...As you may have assessed, I don't have much of a sense of humor, so I tend to regard jokes with indifference, and any challenge to my skill as a detective personally."

"Oh?" Akechi asked, intrigued.

"It's how I was raised," she explained. "Leave it at that."

"I see," Akechi replied. "Well, I won't push if it's not something you're comfortable sharing with me."

"I appreciate it," said Kyoko.

"Well, I suppose then going back to what we just went through, I suppose there's just really no knowing for sure how things will go until you've tried," Akechi mused. "I think this experience, from trying the cake, here, and that little stunt to give me a little more me-time, has taught me a valuable lesson!"

"I admit, it has for me, as well," Kyoko replied, giving a small smile. "I suppose I can let it slide that I was... sheltered to a degree, at least on a social level, before transferring out here. I had nothing outside detective work and my studies."

Akechi smirked. "Well, then shall I deduce this outing has been a worthwhile experience for both of us, then?" he asked. "Still, you have my thanks."

Kyoko heard a chain link shatter within the recesses of her mind as she took in Akechi's gratitude, the boy detective taking a sip of his drink and grimacing a little.

"Oh, looks like our drinks have gotten cold, I'll order us some new ones. You want the same blend or a different one?" he asked.

"Is it necessary?" Kyoko asked.

"Well, you did manage to help me back there, and since that seems to have bought me a little more freetime, why let it go to waste?" Akechi chuckled. "Whichever you want, it's on me."

A new set of fresh, hot tea was soon on the table in place of the old, Akechi taking a sip from his cup. "Worth it to have it hot again," he said.

"I concede to that," Kyoko replied after taking a sip of hers.

"It's a shame we had to go through that whole ordeal back there, I'm sorry again for getting you dragged into it," Akechi said with an apologetic smile. "Still, to think such a simple trick solved it... though I can't help but feel the results tell me you underestimate your sense of humor, Kirigiri..."

"...Perhaps I do," Kyoko replied. "Even with that setback..." She gave a small, genuine smile. "...I still did enjoy investigating this place with you."

"Likewise," Akechi said with flattered smirk. "A nice breather from work and school, though I'm not sure I'd have enjoyed it quite as much if you'd not come with me, even if I'd not gotten spotted by people."

The boy frowned a little. "...That said, I also saw first-hand what happens when I'm careless with my words around you..."

"If you're referring to the remark about my detective skills, it's fine, I forgive you," Kyoko said, folding her arms. "I know you didn't mean to offend me, I just have a... need to defend what I've been raised in whenever I feel it downplayed or dismissed. I won't mince words I'm very proud of my talent, but perhaps back there my response was... emotional, due to my assumption in the moment."

Akechi glanced away a moment, but seemed to catch himself and regain his smile that seemed to contribute to his popularity and title. "...Trying to prove our worth to the society that surrounds us, either as detectives or simply as human beings," he remarked, though for once his smile didn't seem to reach his eyes particularly as he spoke again. "Most people can't see beyond the superficial, and often a person is measured by outward status and appearances over everything else..."

Kyoko blinked, curious of what the boy was thinking, but it seemed he, despite his celebrity status, was relating to her in that regard regarding what motivated him. While proving herself to the rest of Japan wasn't her highest priority, as it was more a necessary step to face her father, she did also seek her grandfather's validation to prove her worth in fulfilling the expectations he had on her. She chose not to state it out loud, but she could understand where the other young detective was coming from, and perhaps he saw something to her she'd ignored or had escaped her notice for too long. "No, I suppose they can't," she said. Acting as a phantom thief had certainly proven as much, as otherwise people like Kamoshida and Madarame would have surely gotten investigated and punished sooner, and Kaneshiro may have been afforded more opportunities earlier in his life, evil and inexcusable as his actions were regardless. "...You seem to have done rather well for yourself, though."

"I suppose I have," Akechi remarked. "I can't deny I've been very fortunate. Perhaps some day I'll tell you about my life before my career truly took off, provided you don't share it," he said, his smirk returning as he checked his phone.

"...Hm, I should probably be going, aside from school, I have to get an early start, tomorrow," he said, rising from his seat and taking up his briefcase. "...I trust you know of the calling cards addressed to one Junya Kaneshiro? I suppose it's fine to tell you since it's been on the news that he turned himself over to the police the following day."

"I have heard about that, yes," Kyoko said.

"He's apparently behind the blackmail scam that's been plaguing Shibuya," Akechi stated. "...I'm admittedly disappointed he wasn't caught sooner, maybe then the Phantom Thieves' apparent vigilante crusade would not be so prompted and encouraged."

"You say it like it's a bad thing," Kyoko replied.

"I'm pleased the threat he posed is apparently neutralized, but you remember what I asked at the interview, Kirigiri?" Akechi asked as he paid and led Kyoko back into the Kichijoji streets, "...We still know so little about the Phantom Thieves, and their activities are, while beneficial to the arrest of dangerous criminals like Kaneshiro, the unexplained phenomenon surrounding the sudden and drastic change in their targets' personality comes off as similar to the other unexplained incidents that have plagued people for longer. I don't take an opposing stance for shallow or biased reasons, I do so because until I have concrete proof they are unrelated, I can't rule out the possibility they are not as noble in intent as they present themselves."

"...I can't deny that statement's validity," Kyoko replied, staring ahead as she walked.

A lie, but anything that would allow her to do so would involve outing herself to him, which would only raise more problems both for herself and her teammates. "...But I can't conform to it, either," she said. "...The truth takes no sides, it's just as possible they're unrelated."

"Your grandfather's words," Akechi said, smiling a little. "...I suppose it contributes to your own stance, as it does mine. Time will tell what the truth ultimately is, and I intend to uncover it. It's a shame we can't work the case together, I think I'd have delighted in working alongside you, though it may garner an overwhelming degree of attention on us..."

"I'm flattered," Kyoko said, glancing back at him. "I wish you luck in uncovering that truth. Accept it if it favors my stance, and I'll accept it if it favors yours."

"That's a promise," Akechi replied with a chuckle as they reached the train station. "I'll hopefully see you again soon, Kirigiri."

Kyoko watched as the other detective left to reach his train. By her assessment, the Thieves were still in no danger, though Akechi's stance had remained unchanged, and while he was wrong, from his position it was regrettably understandable. The only solution, it seemed, that could truly clear their names in the end, was to catch this black-masked hitman in the Metaverse one way or another.

Still, she had fun, and enjoyed the night out. With all of that in mind, she made her way to her own train platform for the trip back home.

---

7/7

"Kyoko! Good morning!" Kyoko turned to face Makoto Niijima as the brunette approached her at the train station. "...Sure is hot today, huh? Probably from all the rain," she remarked, fanning herself.

"That would be my theory," Kyoko replied. It had admittedly gotten humid with the rain and summer heat that she'd once more brought a hairbrush.

"So, what's up?" Morgana asked, peering from Kyoko's bag.

"Well, Kaneshiro's deadline is getting closer... just two more days," Makoto said anxiously. "We really did all we could, though. I guess I just hope we can avoid any more problems... all this with Palaces and changing hearts, it's hard to tell what's reality anymore, maybe that's why I still feel worried. Guess all I can do is believe, right?"

Kyoko gave a nod. "Anything regarding that student we saw in Shinjuku, meanwhile?" she asked.

"As a matter of fact, yes!" replied Makoto. "That's actually a reason I came over. I'm gonna have her come to the student council room after classes, today, so think you can join me today before you head home?"

"I said I would," Kyoko replied.

"Great, meet me there once classes let out, and we can try and get to the bottom of this," Makoto said. "After all that went on with Kaneshiro, hopefully it turns out to be nothing..."

---

Kyoko found herself seated in the student council room at the tables she'd remembered from when Makoto had cornered her with evidence of her, Ryuji and Ann as the Phantom Thieves, though this time she now sat alongside Makoto, who had several notebooks opened on her table. Across from them was a girl Makoto's age who styled her dark hair in a long side ponytail and was far more fascinated with her phone then anything Makoto was trying to say to get her attention, only nodding in a manner that was likely meant to convince Makoto she heard her.

"Eiko Takao-san," Makoto continued, saying the girl's full name as it became clear the girl across from her and Kyoko was becoming less and less responsive to her. "...If I'm boring you with small talk, then let's get to business... you've been spending time in the red-light district in Shinjuku, haven't you? Kirigiri-san and I spotted you there."

She now had the girl's attention, though the girl, Eiko, did not say anything. Deciding to fill the silence, Makoto continued once more.

"...Based on where you were heading, we have reason to believe you're working a job at a business called "After-School Salon..."

"...And?" the girl asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"...Well, what's it like, working there, I mean? How is it?" Makoto asked.

Eiko cocked her head in confusion. "Whaddya mean?" she asked. "It's just a normal, themed café. They make me wear a costume and stuff as part of the theme and all, but that's it," she explained, putting away her phone. "I don't hafta do anything weird, if you know what I mean. It's all totally legal!"

"So, you're sure nothing strange is going on?" Makoto inquired, folding her arms and regarding the girl with concern.

"Yup yup," Eiko replied casually. "The worst I get is the occasional weird old guy gawking at me."

Kyoko remained silent, her gaze turning from Eiko, to Makoto. The girl came off as rather spacey, but she didn't appear to be lying. Makoto still seemed uneasy.

"I see," the brunette said. "Beyond that, though, why work there? How is your financial situation?" she asked.

"Uh, fine?" Eiko replied, shrugging. "I mean, my parents are really well-off so I can just ask them for cash whenever I want."

"Oh, okay... why work, then?" Makoto asked.

"Well, if I do that, they totally bug me about what exactly I'm buying," Eiko explained. "So I work at the salon to make my own money and buy whatever I like without having to hear all that."

"But a café in Shinjuku?" Makoto's concern had not exactly been lessened by the girl's story.

"Hey, I make real good spending money there!" Eiko replied indignantly. "A lot of the guys that come in are always, like, mega pampering me!"

"Mega... pamper...?" Makoto uttered, slouching in her chair and sighing in confusion as Kyoko glanced in her direction again.

"Yeah! It's real nice having a buncha people treat you like your special, ya know?" Eiko asked with an proud smile. "I mean, I'm sure a super-honor student like you gets it all the time, right?"

Her upbeat demeanor faded though as she turned her attention to Kyoko. "So... what's the deal, here, anyway? Why ask all this? Were you planning to tell on me or something? You got a witness here and everything..."

The girl's eyes widened suddenly. "...Wait, so you both were in Shinjuku? What were you doing out there?"

"It was an errand, I asked she accompany me," Makoto interjected. "She knew the area and I've never been. As for you, don't worry, I'm not telling on you or anything like that and neither is she, so don't mind her."

"Ooh, so we're protecting eachothers' secrets, now, huh?" Eiko asked, shifting in her seat, grinning excitedly. "...I just realized you're friends with the rumored criminal! You, like, keeping her on the straight and narrow path or you guys getting into all sorts of trouble behind everyone's back? That's actually kinda badass!"

Kyoko's brow furrowed in annoyance. "...I think you're misunderstanding," she said, choosing not to tell the girl Makoto had brought her along to spy on her.

Eiko's eyes widened in awe. "Oh! A Class S situation, then? Wow, Niijima, I'd have never guessed with you!" she said, clasping her hands in amazement.

Though Kyoko had managed to remain composed as usual, Makoto was an entirely different story. "N-NO! N-Nothing like that!" she said defensively, eyes wide as she blushed furiously in embarrassment to the point her face practically turned totally red, causing Eiko to giggle a bit, though more from the brunette's reaction.

"Hey, no need to be embarrassed about it," the other girl said with a dismissive wave. "It's honestly kinda adorable, actually! Don't worry, my lips are totally sealed!"

"I told you, it's..." Makoto drew a deep breath, leaning forward with her elbows on the table as she ran her hands through her hair attempting to calm down. "...Okay, I'll be frank with you... I was worried you were getting wrapped up in some shady stuff, especially after the blackmailing that was happening in Shibuya where I was hearing about students being forced into illegal activities by the ones doing it, so I brought her with me since she knew the area, and had her here for support... as I said, I'm not doing this to bust you or tell anyone, and I won't."

"Eh, whatevs. If you say so. Also, by the way..." Eiko replied, her eyes turning towards what was on the table next to Makoto's notebooks. "...Is that a Buchimaru-kun pencil case?!"

Both Makoto and Kyoko, who'd been curious as well but chosen not to comment on it when she'd seen Makoto take it out earlier, glanced down at the small pencil case. It was white and covered with black spots, with a cartoon panda face on one end, complete with little black ears and neckline.

"You... know Buchimaru-kun?" Makoto asked, looking back over at Eiko and rather surprised by her acknowledgement of the object.

"Yeah! I had, like, tons of Buchi stuff as a kid! What a blast from the past!" Eiko giggled as she looked it over fondly. "Why's it so worn, though?"

"Well, I... have had it since elementary school," Makoto said, blushing a little. "My dad got it for me, back then. I'd like to buy a new one, but didn't they stop selling Buchimaru-kun merchandise?"

"There's a lotta talk about a revival actually, but still!" Eiko said, grinning excitedly as she admired it. "O-M-G! This is just... it's too hilarious! The student council president has an adorable pencil case? My image of you has, like, done a complete 360 today!"

"360? But isn't that a full circle?" Makoto asked, confused and trying to stop blushing from her embarrassment and frustration from the entire meeting apparently having gotten entirely derailed from its original purpose, now.

"Mmm, I dunno, I'm just real surprised," Eiko replied, shrugging. "You just... never really came off the kinda person who was into all that, I guess," she said. "To be honest, I always sorta thought you were like some kinda robot or something."

The girl gave a relieved, but genuine smile "...But I guess it just goes to show in the end, I just had to get to know you better." She took out her phone again. "Hey, know what? Why not trade numbers? I really wanna talk to you more about Buchimaru-kun, and if you ever wanna have someone to talk about you and the transfer I'm all ears!"

Kyoko facepalmed hard, her elbow resting on the table and her gloved hand digging through her hair as she looked away and did all she could to avoid showing any further embarrassment at the girl's unexpected conclusions, but Eiko did not seem to notice.

"I told you already! It's not like..." Makoto stopped herself and sighed, brushing back her hair again and taking out her phone. "...Okay, yeah, I can do that. Exchange numbers, I mean."

A moment later, the two had finished their number exchange, only for Eiko to suddenly notice the time on her phone. "Oh crap! It's that late already? I gotta get to work!" she said, rising from her seat and gathering her things. "I'll message you later when I get home. You can see tons of pics of my Buchi collection I still got left!" She stood up, giving a quick bow to the still seated, and flushed-looking Kyoko. "Nice meeting you, too, Kirigiri! Up close you're not quite so scary as I thought, actually! Anyways, byeee!"

Soon as the other girl was gone, Makoto promptly hung her head, letting another, albeit more audible and exasperated sigh. "She was totally all over the place! I practically forgot what we were even talking about for a moment this whole meeting just completely took on a life of its own, didn't it? I'm still in shock that she thought I was some kinda... robot..."

"Not exactly the part that stood out most to me, to be honest," Kyoko said, regaining her normal, stoic composure and relieved Morgana had remained in her bag back in the classroom under Ann's watch.

"I don't think she meant anything by it. Just... took me off-guard," Makoto said, shaking her head in disbelief and folding her arms, albeit tightly. "...Same with the robot thing, but regarding that... I think it gets to me because I'm sure what she said is how a lot of others see me as well. I'd thought I'd really changed after taking down Kaneshiro, but, perhaps it wasn't enough."

"I doubt the old you would have done that," Kyoko said. "...And for what it's worth, it's been months and most people here haven't exactly shown a different view of me, either. I'm still the dangerous delinquent, as if any common knowledge of my family prior means nothing."

Makoto noticed the hint of bitterness in Kyoko's tone. "Well," she said, trying to raise the mood and move away from the subject."...all that aside, it was... almost inspiring to meet someone of my grade year so distinct from myself, so I'm going to try to look at things a little differently from now on. I think it may be what I need to help me break from the shell I've been in for so long."

Kyoko gave the other girl a faint, appreciative smile. "I can understand that, I've been attempting the same, myself, after all."

"It's good to have that common ground, I don't feel like I'm trying alone," Makoto said with a smile of her own. "Hope you're ready, then, and I promise to show an honor student like me can be useful!"

A chain link shattered within Kyoko's mind from Makoto's quiet, but dedicated resolve.

"...Furthermore, I think I'll be interested to speak to Takao-san some more now that I have her contact information," Makoto explained. "I'll let you know if anything important happens, and see if I can correct her about her... um... misconceptions."

"I appreciate it," Kyoko replied. "There's plenty of jobs in Shibuya, so why choose one like this? I remembered she said something about being pampered and made to feel special..."

"So maybe it's more then just the money?" Makoto asked as she put away her phone and stood up. "I doubt she'd go into more detail, now, but still... I just hope considering where it is she doesn't wind up in over her head on anything. Maybe it's just me, but..."

"She comes off as naïve, yes," Kyoko replied.

"That's a rather blunt way of putting it, but, regarding the situation, she may be being less cautious then she should be," Makoto replied. "...But I'll keep in touch about all this. I should probably be heading home, myself, actually. Sis is gonna be back late again, so hopefully that means good news regarding Kaneshiro."

Kyoko gave a nod. "Please do. I'll see you tomorrow."

As the two parted ways, Kyoko returned to the classroom to pick up Morgana and head home.

---

Having finished her dinner and some laundry at Leblanc, Kyoko's phone chimed, and she saw Makoto was calling.

"Hey, Kyoko, you told me to get back to you about Takao-san? Well, I did just get a message from her," Makoto said.

"...And?"

"Well... she certainly turned out to be quite a fan of Buchimaru-kun!" Makoto replied. "...It was actually kind of crazy to see a picture of her whole collection. She even has a bunch of Buchimaru-kun emoticons!"

"Not what I had in mind, but you don't seem too bothered by it," Kyoko remarked dryly.

"Huh?" Makoto asked, confused. "...Um, yeah, true, I suppose you're right. I guess I never expected to bond with someone over something like that. I'm a little shocked, to be honest."

"Regardless, there's still the matter over the cafe she works at," Kyoko replied. "It's in the red-light district. Even when Ryuji and I went there the first time to follow a lead on Kaneshiro, a number of the businesses and establishments were highly suspicious."

"Right, I'll try a little harder to get through to her about it," said Makoto. "If I make any headway, I'll let you know. I may need some advice on it as well when I do if we're gonna investigate this place. The more she gives us voluntarily, the less risk we'd have to deal with if anyone saw us there."

"I'll be waiting," Kyoko said as she unloaded the now-dry laundry, her phone pressed against her shoulder and pausing. "Also, has she..."

"No, no. She didn't say anything about that," Makoto gave a relieved sigh. "Anyways, I'll see if she shares anything else with me. Talk to you later."

As she put away her phone and carried her laundry back to Leblanc, Kyoko noticed the overcast skies above her.

"Oh boy, it's not gonna rain again, is it?" Morgana asked, worried. "Hey! I think I remember the bathhouse has a special today, doesn't it? Wanna go?"

With the metaphorical limbo of still waiting on Kaneshiro's deadline and a definitive answer on his current status in police custody, and the rest of the week, the young detective couldn't help but feel the desire to spend her evening with paying a visit again, as she'd determined she'd also likely be staying up a little this evening on her laptop updating as well as adding a new case file, this one regarding whatever job Eiko was involving herself with.

---

7/8

School had passed without incident, though Kawakami had avoided calling on Kyoko and seemed even more anxious and even tired then before, and had chosen to dismiss when she was already at the door.

Kyoko was relieved she'd done the special at the bathhouse. She didn't know what they put in there but she felt more then enough energy to quickly intercept her in the halls.

"Sensei!" she called, getting some students' attention. Kawakami paused, sighing. She knew this wouldn't look good at all for her if she ignored Kyoko. Remaining silent a moment, Kawakami turned and faced her.

"If it's what I think it's about, just drop it, alright?" the teacher asked. Up close, Kyoko could see a bit extra eyeshadow on Kawakami's face, likely by her theory to conceal her sleep-depraved look more, and some flesh-tone that was noticeable with how pale she otherwise looked, now.

Kyoko folded her arms, glaring back at her. "I'm worried about my teacher. Is that really so wrong?" she asked. "If it is, feel free to explain."

Kawakami looked around, students were still roaming the halls, some of whom had their attention on them. She did all she could to hide her annoyance, running her hand through her hair, which looked more disheveled then usual as if she'd done the bare minimum to make herself presentable today. "...Kirigiri," she began. "...Fine. Call me after school about it. You know what to do. I guess if it keeps you off my case I'll tell you then, alright?"

Kyoko's brow furrowed sternly. "I'll hold you to that," she said.

"Now, I have some work to take care of before I go. Try not to stick around here too long, alright?" Kawakami asked before turning and leaving. Kyoko looked around at the worried faces of some of the students who had not yet dispersed.

"Whoa, she got all surly with Kawakami-sensei?" a boy asked aloud.

"She really is a troublemaker!" a girl said nervously.

"Careful! She might lash out if we stick around!" the boy whispered. Kyoko gave him a withering glare, but his words seemed enough to make the other students back away and leave. Sighing in annoyance, Kyoko prepared to continue on her way when she heard her name.

"Hey! Kyoko!"

The teen turned and saw Ryuji approaching. "Sup?"

"Nothing I haven't dealt with before," the young detective muttered, glancing back at the departing students and brushing back her hair, her features softening a little as she faced him. "Is something going on?"

"Well, a bit, actually," Ryuji said, frowning in concern. "...It's about the track team. You mind hearin' me out over at the monja place? Y'know, the one where we eavesdropped on Yamauchi? I'm feelin' pretty hungry on top'a it."

"I remember," Kyoko said.

"Hey! Hey! You better take me, too! I wanna try it!" Morgana said excitedly, peering through Kyoko's school bag.

"Dude, you really think a cat can eat any'a that?" Ryuji asked, glancing at the opening in the bag.

"I'm NOT a cat! Just gimme some meat or something! I wanna give this stuff a try!" Morgana insisted.

Kyoko glanced between the cat in her bag, and Ryuji, it seemed this was where the vote had gone.

The young detective put her hand to her chin in thought as she contemplated it. "...I suppose it's worth going back."

"Sweet! Let's go!" Ryuji cheered, leading the way, Kyoko following with a faint hint of an amused smile, her mood improved from what she'd dealt with earlier and hearing Morgana purr in anticipation.

---

An hour and a half after they'd arrived, Kyoko and Ryuji were staring at empty bowls, and Morgana was content and well-fed inside the former's school bag.

"Aw man! I am stuffed!" Ryuji said, slumping back in his seat with a laugh.

"I admit, it's nice having come back here simply to... enjoy it," Kyoko remarked, giving a small smile and feeling full, herself.

"This place is... a-meow-zing... meowww..." Morgana sounded more then satisfied as he shifted in the bag. "I wanna try... so many places..."

"Yeah, pretty damn good, ain't it?" Ryuji said, sitting back up. "Don't worry about the bill, either, this one's on me! Juuuust... don't expect that as a regular thing. Call it a thanks."

"For what?" asked Kyoko.

"For havin' my back all this time, duh!" Ryuji said with a smirk before his expression grew more serious. "...Anyway, yeah, I wanted to let'cha know some news about the track team, I got a message about it from Takeishi."

"...And?"

The boy's expression suddenly spread to a wide grin. "He says the track team's gonna try n' ditch Yamauchi! They wanna start practicin' without him!" he explained. "...And not only that, but they're workin' on gettin' their old coach back! Y'know, the one from before Kamoshida took over... Guess you could say they're finally walkin' their own path."

"Good to hear," said Kyoko with an approving nod. "After all they dealt with, during and after Kamoshida, they've earned it."

She noticed Ryuji's excitement seemed to fade a little. "Is something the matter? You seemed rather satisfied a moment ago."

"Yeah, I am, believe me, just, there was somethin' else, too," he explained. "Actually, they... uh... asked me to come back to the team."

Kyoko sat back, folding her arms and regarding him with a hint of curiosity coming through her usual, neutral expression. "What was your answer?" she asked. "...Judging from your face, I suspect you declined..."

"Yeah, I did," Ryuji said, glancing down at his empty bowl a moment. "...It felt kinda bad, I mean, before I met you, reconnected with Ann, met the others, all that... I woulda loved nothin' more then to be where I was, but now... eh, it's not where I belong, anymore."

"Funny how things turn out," Kyoko remarked, brushing back her hair.

"Yeah, tell me about it," said Ryuji. "When you first came to Shujin, people were talkin' so much shit about you when they didn't even know you... but you still took it in stride!"

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Kyoko asked, raising an eyebrow. "It still happens, I've just gotten better at filtering it out. It's... admittedly the opposite of how things were at my old school, for the most part. A private, all-girls' Catholic school, one of the best, barring Hope's Peak, of course. I didn't have a social life, there, but I wasn't the source of endless negative gossip and rumors, either."

"Yeah, it... kinda was meant as one," Ryuji said, frowning a bit in embarrassment. "I guess my point was, even with all that shit, you didn't let it break you or control you and kept doin' whatever you thought was right n' all. I think that's why people sorta get pulled to ya!"

Kyoko looked at the boy with a bemused gaze. "You're describing someone of my demeanor as charismatic?"

"Hey, okay, maybe not in the usual way. I mean, yeah you got the whole stoic and mysterious thing, but despite all you dealt with, you've kept movin' forward! You don't let anythin' come between you an' what you want in life!"

Kyoko gave a light sigh, brushing back her hair again though with some uncertainty on her face. "...It comes with being trained as a detective, Ryuji. Let nothing come between myself and solving a case, and uncovering the truth."

"That right there's what I'm talkin' about!" Ryuji said with a grin. "Look, you know I got my... I guess questions about how your gramps raised you, but that right there, I don't think that's totally trained. It's just sorta somethin' you have. It's why you got this talent for bein' a detective. It's what I had when I ran. It took runnin' to help me see that about myself, more."

He slumped back in his chair again. "When shit happened with Kamoshida, when he put me in the hospital n' the team blamed me, my popularity and reputation gone, I felt like what's the point, how was I supposed to get anywhere? What did I have left to cross every obstacle to run towards? But in the end, I was just makin' excuses for why I couldn't fit in, whether it was Kamoshida, the track team, hell... even my dad. Always someone else," he explained, a satisfied smile coming to his face. "...But meetin' you, doin' what we do? That made me realize wherever you decide to be, that's where you belong. As long as I'm bein' myself and givin' it 110 percent, I'll always have somewhere I can fit in. Sure, it ain't really the same place as before, but it's damn good... and I'm glad I found it, and you guys."

Kyoko brought her hand to her chin, managing a smile of her own. "I think... you may be right," she replied.

"Now don't go all ice queen again when I say it, but, Hope's Peak..." Ryuji took a moment to find the right words as Kyoko regarded him curiously. "...I get it, you got your reasons for goin'. You got unfinished business you wanna lay to rest, and that's alright. It's a goal. Till it happens, though, I think there's a place here for you, too! Here with all of us. Next to us as our friend, in front of us as our leader, it's here either way!"

Kyoko closed her eyes, her smile growing ever so slightly from his words as she heard the sound of another chain link break within the recesses of her mind.

"...That said, I ain't gonna stop trainin'!" Ryuji said proudly as he stretched his arms. "...I still got a long way to go, after all! Someday, you're gonna see speed so lightnin' fast, you're not even gonna be able to see me! Maybe I'll be Hope's Peak's "ultimate runner" heh heh..."

He blinked suddenly in realization. "But wait, how'll either of those things happen when no one can even see me? Am I really showin' anything, then?" he wondered aloud. "Eh, whole joke kinda fell flat. We should prolly get goin' though. We're all outta monja, after all... unless we wanna try grillin' toothpicks."

Kyoko's expression fell as she raised an eyebrow at Ryuji's last joke before picking up her school bag and the cat sleeping off a food coma within and rising from her seat, Ryuji paying the bill before they headed back outside to find the train station.

"Kaneshiro's deadline's tomorrow, huh?" Ryuji asked suddenly, a concerned frown on his face.

"It is," Kyoko replied.

"I guess we'll know for sure by then," he mused. "Still, least the track team's hopeful again. I'll let'cha know if I hear anything else."

Nodding, Kyoko made her way to her train platform preparing for the trip home.

---

Arriving back at Leblanc, Kyoko heard her phone chiming and saw Ryuji was calling.

"Hello?"

"Yo! Kyoko! Get this!" Ryuji answered, his mood noticeably better then when she'd last seen him and sounding very excited. "So I just got a call from Nakaoka and them a moment ago! They're tellin' me the track team's officially gonna be restored!"

"...And Yamauchi? What about him?" Kyoko asked, concerned.

"Well, they're keepin' him around for now, but only as an advisor, so it's cool, sounds like they got him under control. He won't be a problem, now," Ryuji explained.

"Good to hear," Kyoko replied. "Still, I'm concerned he may try something."

"Won't be an issue," Ryuji answered. "They got it covered in case he does, so just gotta have a little faith in 'em. Him and everything else is their problem, and I'm gonna trust 'em to know how to handle that. They gotta do the runnin' from now on, know what I mean?"

Kyoko paused a moment before responding. "...Very well. If you feel they can be trusted with that, I'll trust your judgement on them."

"Nice to hear it!" Ryuji said with a chuckle. "Anyways, means I can't let my guard down. No way am I gonna lose to them! We'll have a toast to their return when everything's all said n' done for 'em. In the meantime, I'm gonna go on a run! Keep on bonkin'!"

Kyoko winced at his strange catchphrase before putting away her phone and heading inside, the next thing on her schedule already fresh on her mind.

---

"...Okay, Kirigiri, I can't deny I'm still kind of surprised you actually went and had me requested... even offering to pay and everything," Kawakami sighed, folding her arms as she stood in Kyoko's room, maid costume on and her overcoat on the workbench chair and Kyoko herself seated on the couch with Morgana curled up next to her.

"I'd think by now you'd know I don't let things go unsolved nearly so easily," Kyoko said, folding her arms as well as she sat back on the couch and looked up at her.

"...I guess that means I have no choice but to talk to you properly about all this," Kawakami muttered. "Even still, I told you how the story about my sick little sister was all a lie! Doesn't it bother you that you're being used for money?"

"And yet I still requested you, with pay, as you said," Kyoko replied. "So tell me what's really going on and we'll work from there."

Kawakami frowned deeply at the teenager seated before her despite the latter's gaze. "A kid saying that to her teacher. And you wonder why people in school whispered about what happened in the hallway? Kirigiri, there's some matters even a detective should just stay out of! I'm a mediocre teacher and a mediocre made, that's all there is to it!"

Her features softened, as her own gaze slowly drifted down to the floor. "...And yet... here you are, listening to me. Whether you're being by the book trying to interrogate me and keep your skills sharp, or you're really that concerned, you're still... listening to all I have to say no matter what... you really are a strange kid, but I guess such an unorthodox upbringing I shouldn't feel so surprised."

The teacher glanced around the room and the few new furnishings it had gained. "...Honestly, would having come from a more normal home and family been so bad, Kirigiri? Being raised to be the heir to some legacy, especially something like a detective, I can't imagine the pressure of that but I know pressure, and it's not something a girl your age should have on them to such a degree..."

Kyoko remained silent, Kawakami could not tell what the girl was thinking with her unchanging poker face and let out a bitter laugh. "...Listen to me, though! I may say stuff like that, but am I actually backing it? I don't properly attend to my students' needs... at least you're working towards and give the career you've got in mind everything, unlike me..."

Kawakami trembled a little, stifling a yawn. It was clear despite her makeup's attempts to hide it, she was absolutely exhausted at this point. The young detective slid across the cushions on the sofa, Morgana inching back to offer more room.

"...You should sit," she said simply.

"...Are you... okay," Kawakami accepted rather quickly, sitting down as far on the other end of the couch as she could, placing one hand on her lap and rubbing her temples with the other.

"...Thank you... I guess it's only fair I explain it all, now, huh?" Kawakami asked, looking away towards where the stairs were, as if considering if she had the strength to get up and leave immediately.

"Go on. I'm listening." Kyoko said, shifting in her seat and folding her arms once more.

"The money is actually... an "apology"," Kawakami explained.

"...An apology?" Kyoko asked, intrigued.

"Yes. See, the school I taught at before coming to Shujin, there was a student named Takase," Kawakami elaborated. "He was... a problem child, or so the school considered him to be. He had the lowest grades and skipped school a lot. As his homeroom teacher, I was pushed by the school to... handle "guiding" him, though really that just meant... pushing him to transfer to another school..."

Kyoko brought her hand to her chin, index finger curled before her lip. "Did he?"

"Not exactly where I was going on this," Kawakami continued. "Rather, when I got to know him, I realized he wasn't a problem child in the least... rather, he was working numerous part-time jobs just to cover his living expenses. See, he lost his parents to an accident, but when his relatives took him in, they expected him to make his money to support himself."

"Likely these numerous jobs he had to work were to blame for his performance and attendance?" Kyoko asked. "My grandfather never had me work a normal job, not even a part-time one, he considered it just something that'd get in the way of detective work, and my studies, so he covered whatever he considered a basic need for me."

"Well, that's the thing, Kirigiri," Kawakami explained. "His grades suffered greatly, and he couldn't attend school every day because he was working. Still... he had all the motivation in the world to study..."

"But his jobs took away the time and energy to do so," Kyoko replied.

"Exactly," said Kawakami. "So, for that reason, instead of trying to push him out the door, I decided to tutor him. Sure enough, after I started doing that, his grades improved... slowly, but surely."

The teacher's expression fell, her gaze with it towards her lap again. "...But that's when I started getting told it was wrong. That I shouldn't only be helping certain students and not the others... and that's when this strange rumor of him being juvenile delinquent suddenly began circulating, and on top of that, soon after, I got called to the principal's office..."

"...And what happened?" the young detective pressed, Kawakami wilting slightly under the girl's intense, but unjudging gaze.

"...He threatened me," she said. "...He said I'd be dismissed right away if I continued to tutor Takase-kun. My career as a teacher would have been over."

"Based on a rumor? He didn't even bother to ask him about it, especially with his grades improving?" Kyoko asked, recalling her time spent with Makoto and her investigation regarding Eiko Takao and her questionable job.

"No, he didn't. He said he had a reliable source to confirm it, and if I didn't want to lose my job I'd stop immediately," Kawakami said. "And like a coward, a selfish coward, I got scared of letting that happen and being subject of rumors, too, instead of standing up for him... a kid I knew better then I'm pretty sure anyone else there did..." She shook her head, ashamed and continuing to look down at her hands on her lap. "...And so I cancelled our upcoming tutoring sessions... Takase-kun was on his way to one of his part-time jobs when I called him to tell him... Of all days, it was New Year's Eve, and it had been pouring rain all day... there was a terrible accident and he... didn't make it..."

Kawakami trembled, struggling to maintain her composure, glancing briefly at Kyoko, whose features had softened noticeably. Even Morgana was now sitting up, looking at her.

"God... I'll never forget how he sounded... h-he was devastated. I'd never heard him so depressed when I told him I couldn't tutor him anymore," Kawakami continued, her hands tightening over her apron and briefly gritting her teeth. "He knew how terrible I felt, it was why he tried to hide it after, and said it was no big deal since he had to work, anyway... but I didn't deserve even that white lie. I betrayed my promise to him when I should have kept it instead."

Kyoko was silent a moment, turning to face the wall and glancing over at Morgana, who looked at Kawakami with concern. "I suppose... I can't entirely fault you. I have an idea how he must have felt, but at the same time, the principal had strong-armed you into complying with his wishes by holding your career hostage. There was a time where I would have likely not thought twice about putting what benefit me ahead of what benefit others, telling myself it was because the truth takes no sides, so neither should I."

"Takase-kun... he was always so exhausted from working all these part-time jobs and the tutoring sessions," Kawakami explained. "...His guardians, they blamed me for all of it. Everything. For why he was so tired, and that it was my fault he died in that accident... and they intended to sue me and even bring the whole thing to the media and Board of Education. I wouldn't be accused of a crime, but if word had gotten out from them going that far, the school would be finished and so would I regardless. I wanted to continue teaching, no matter what, though..."

Kyoko thought about the last times Kawakami had been over, and the phone calls that had happened during them, and turned towards Kawakami with a stern, but curious look. "...It sounds like they had the foundation set to blackmail you... Would I be right in assessing that's exactly what they did?"

Kawakami was silent a moment, before nodding. "You're very observant, Kirigiri, but I suppose you would be. Yes, that's correct. They said if I didn't want them to sue me or anything else, that I had to pay them "apology" money. It's my penance, I suppose... I know paying them is never going to bring him back, but it's the only way to pay for my sins. I backed him into a corner with my indecisiveness and I blame myself every day... and it seems his guardians are satisfied with our arrangement, so..."

Finding the energy again, Kawakami quickly rose from her spot on the couch, turning to face Kyoko with a very forced smile. "...As you can see, nothing good comes from associating with me!" she said with an equally forced chipper tone. "I have to keep my distance to avoid hurting others again, so I stay out of my students' lives! As strange a twist of fate as it was ending up in this whole situation that got me some money to pay them with, it's time to put an end to it. I can't drag you into this matter, you understand? You had nothing to do with this."

"His guardians..." Kyoko mused.

"What of them? Weren't you listening?" Kawakami asked.

"I don't think it's grief they're motivated by," Kyoko replied, looking up at her from her spot.

"Does it matter, Kirigiri?" Kawakami asked, her forced cheerful demeanor faltering. "Look, whatever it is, if you're serious about upholding this "deal", then I guess the least I can do is see what I can do about the other teachers and try and get you some free periods with them, as well, so you can have more time for your studies and all, that should help you during school," she offered. "...In return, just... don't don't get involved more then you already are, understand?"

A chain link shattered within Kyoko's mind as she continued to process all that Kawakami told her. The young detective gave her an unreadable gaze as she held her hand under her chin. "Very well," she said in an equally neutral tone.

"Well, I better get to the cleaning, then!" Kawakami said, putting back on a big, wide smile to slip back in character. "It's in my job, right?"

"Just a sweeping will do," Kyoko replied, taking out the brochure she'd gotten but hadn't read yet from the Mementos trip she and the others had taken back on Wednesday and bringing her feet up on the ouch as she leaned against one of the armrests.

"That's all?" Kawakami asked, a bit shocked. "...Very well, if that's what you want I'll give it my all and earn my pay!" she sang, slipping back into character and earning a small sigh from Kyoko, only to flinch as she struggled to stifle a cough, getting the girl's attention as she turned and looked back at her. Kawakami hurriedly covered her mouth and faced away as she coughed even more.

"Heh, my apologies!" she said once it had subsided. "Guess it's just all the dust in here! I could handle that too, if you'd like!"

Kyoko's brow furrowed in suspicion. Her room had since been dusted and Kawakami seemed to be hiding something. Her suspicions were all but confirmed when Kawakami was subject to another coughing fit after she'd begun sweeping.

"Kyoko! Something's seriously wrong, here," Morgana stated, more concerned then ever, now. The young detective may not have been a doctor, but she felt inclined to agree.

"...Are you alright?" she asked.

"S-Sorry," Kawakami turned and gave a polite bow as she kept in character. "The dust, it's gotta be it if my coughing's this bad! You sure I didn't miss any spots before?"

"I'm completely certain," Kyoko replied flatly. "I can probably get you some water downstairs, or if you need me to, I can call a doctor who lives around here."

"N-NO! NO!" Kawakami swiftly held her hands up anxiously. "Heh, last thing I need is more questions if some doctor saw me here, and like this, heh heh!" She quickly covered her mouth again, flinching as she stifled another cough. "I guess a glass of water will be fine. Nothing else, though, got it? No doctors, you calls. It's probably just some dust I accidentally breathed in is all! But hey, gives this... chic place it's charm, I suppose! Heh heh..."

"Don't worry about sweeping," Kyoko said, rising from her seat as she saw Kawakami struggling to restrain what she suspected as another coughing fit. "Get your things, I'll get you a glass of water and you can go for the night."

"I... but..." Kawakami sighed, gathering her coat and covering the maid costume as best she could before following her student downstairs where Kyoko took one of the glasses from the now-unoccupied bar area as Sojiro had already left and filled it with water from the sink, handing it over to her.

"Drink," Kyoko said, her tone more of an order then anything else as Morgana trotted into the cafe area as well from the stairs.

"Thank you..." Kawakami carefully drank it down. "Sorry for worrying you back there. How unprofessional of a maid, right?"

"I won't condemn you for it," Kyoko replied dryly.

"This is a nice place, you know... now that I get a better look at it," Kawakami said, looking around as she took another drink from her glass. "You live here, huh? I couldn't help but notice the curry smell. Hope you're still keeping a healthy diet at least, though it's been a while since I've had homemade curry, myself."

Kawakami barely intercepted another coughing fit with another gulp of her water. "Sorry, I can't seem to shake this off. I've just been so busy, lately."

"You're sure you don't want me to call someone?" Kyoko asked, leaning against the bar table and folding her arms.

"I'll be fine once I get home. It's not your job to worry about me, you're my student," Kawakami replied sternly as she finished her drink. "Thank you for the water. I'll look forward to the next time you request me! Don't be up too late, now!"

Kyoko watched as her teacher gave a bow and left, closing the door behind her. Locking up and quickly washing out the glass, Kyoko turned off the lights to head upstairs for the rest of her night and get her laptop ready to update her file on Kawakami with everything she'd learned.

"I'm worried about her," Morgana said, following her upstairs.

"She's not well," Kyoko replied. "I'm no doctor but I can tell her health's deteriorating. She had more makeup on then usual at school and when she came over to try and hide it I could tell she's barely slept and probably isn't eating much, either. She's been taking extra jobs at the maid service, and recalling when someone... most likely the guardians of that boy Takase, had harassed her over the phone and demanded larger amounts of money from her..."

"That's awful!" Morgana protested. "They're just taking advantage of her guilt, then!"

Kyoko brought her hand to her chin in thought as she booted up her laptop and began to type in the new knowledge in the respective file. "There's something else bothering me," she said.

"What's that?"

"Takase was supposedly working multiple jobs to cover "living expenses"," Kyoko explained. "If it was affecting his grades so badly, why didn't his guardians provide for him?"

"Maybe they're very poor, or ill?" Morgana offered.

"That doesn't seem likely. They're demanding this much money from Kawakami. Large sums of essentially free money..." Kyoko continued typing.

"Then they're using her guilt for free money, you think they did the same to him, too?" Morgana asked.

"It's possible. She says not to get involved in this, but at this rate, with her struggling to meet their demands to keep them from ruining her life, with how we saw her, it's likely she's going to give long before they will," Kyoko explained, glancing back at the cat with a stony glare.

"We gotta look into this, then! Next chance we can talk to her! We gotta try!" Morgana protested. "If we get his guardians' names, maybe we can do something about it!"

"Only she would know them. Their ward didn't attend Shujin and didn't graduate whatever school she went to prior, so it'd be difficult to find anything on him short of getting it from her," said Kyoko, closing her laptop. "Next time we can, we'll see what we can find out..."

Her phone chimed from its place on the workbench, taking it up, she saw the Thieves' chat log was getting messages.

[So, deadline's tomorrow. We gonna be OK?] Ryuji messaged.

[The pictures are gone, he has no avenue to threaten us with.] Yusuke responded.

[Assuming we can trust his word] he added.

[He could be released from police custody as well] Makoto replied

[Why do you need to say scary stuff like that?!] Ann protested.

[Unless they have decisive evidence like a confession, it's possible.] Makoto said.

-If he were released, he'd likely try to leave Tokyo immediately, Kyoko replied.

-As I mentioned before, he'd be nothing but a liability to whoever protected him, now, and the Kuzuryus will surely look for him as soon as word of him being released, she added.

[True. The safest place he can be now is, ironically, protective custody.] Makoto replied.

[Plus there seems to be some movement.] she added.

[Whaddya mean?] Ryuji messaged.

[Sis just messaged me right now, she says she's not gonna be home tonight. The police may have found their breakthrough.] Makoto answered back.

[Ooh! That's gotta mean it happened, right?] Ryuji asked.

[The timing's perfect. Let's hope for the best!] Ann replied.

[I'm gonna stay up all night watching the news to find out!] Ryuji answered.

[You'd better not. We still have school tomorrow. I'll keep you all informed if Sis tells me anything.] Makoto messaged.

[Fine, fine. Gonna have a hard time sleeping though!] Ryuji responded.

[Tomorrow we'll know for certain. Good night everyone.] Yusuke replied.

"It's gotta work! We saw the Palace collapse and everything just like before, and got the Treasure on top of it!" Morgana said. "Don't stress on it, Kyoko."

Kyoko gave a silent nod, putting her phone away to get ready for bed and whatever tomorrow would bring her and the Phantom Thieves...

---

A/N: Apologies for the lateness, I've been down due to my cat having ran away and not coming back. The week of activities before the next major part of the story has finally come to pass. Thank you everyone who has continued their support and hope you enjoyed the chapter, and Merry Christmas, everyone!

0 - The Fool: Rank 6

I - The Magician: Rank 5

II - The Priestess: Rank 3

IV - The Emperor: Rank 2

V - The Hierophant: Rank 4

VI - The Lovers: Rank 6

VII - The Chariot: Rank 9

VIII - Justice: Rank 3

XI - The Strength: Rank 3

XII - The Hanged Man: Rank 3

XIII - Death: Rank 5

XIV - Temperance: Rank 5

XV - The Devil: Rank 1

XVII - The Star: Rank 1

XVIII - The Moon: Rank 4

XIX - The Sun: Rank 4

1 - The Councillor: Rank 5

? - Faith: Rank 3

Kyoko's Personas: Shiisaa, Nigi Mitama, Suzaku, Flauros, High Pixie, Leanan Sidhe, Orthrus, Sandman, Phoenix, Izanagi