The True Duet

by asdf1asdf1

*WARNING* P5R Spoilers With the help of a taunting voice, Kasumi stops her younger sister Sumire from running into traffic, changing the course of their lives. Now both sisters must face their first year of high school together at Shujin academy. Feeling stunted in Kasumi's shadow, Sumire insists on doing this separately. Follow the girls as they change fate once more.

10. Chapter 10

Author's note:

Hello again!

This chapter was pretty fun to write, so I hope you enjoy reading it.

I think things are developing pretty well.

Later!

-asdf

---

Chapter 10: The Supreme Bully

Wednesday May 25th, 20XX, Evening

"Hey… Was it really alright to leave the palace?"

"What are you talking about?" Responding to Morgana's question wearily, Ren forced his eyes open. Laying on his bed in Leblanc, with Morgana curled up on his stomach, Ren was moments away from sleep. Or had been anyway, before the question had stirred his mind from the abyss it was slipping into.

"Bah, you know exactly what I mean!" Morgana hissed. "We left without a treasure route! Yet now you want to send the calling card without going back in! Don't you know what happens if we fail!?"

"We never get a second chance…" Ren sighed in answer. He had been sure when he had made the decision, but looking at it now, he understood Morgana's sentiment. The choice was extremely risky. "Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"I-I well…"

Ren nodded sympathetically. None of them had wanted to keep going after battling the Yoshizawa sisters' shadows. After finding a safe place at the entrance of the sixth floor, they'd retreated.

"It was the right choice," Ren repeated, firmly believing that. "We need to give Shadow Kasumi time to deal with shadow Makoto."

"Yeah… About that." Morgana rejected him, "I doubt she'll manage to do anything. After all, what determines the state of the palace is the ruler's cognitive state. Unless something happens in the real world to change it, nothing will happen."

"But something has happened," Ren fired back with a sly smile. "Kasumi must have rejected the principal. That's what led to her shadow being… well, you saw. That then in turn destabilized shadow Kasumi, since the principal no longer knows whether she's with him or against him."

"Good points," Morgana conceded, "but none of that changes the student council president. In case you haven't noticed, she's taken to following us around."

"Haha… only twice so far…" Ren replied with a dry laugh. Her stalking skills were so atrociously bad it felt more like an awkward date than anything. Unfortunately, the close distance she kept made her hard to shake off to meet up with the thieves. "However… I don't think it matters."

"What?" Morgana looked shocked.

"Kobayakawa now knows that he has one, maybe two dissident elements attempting to take him down. And not just anyone, former trusted elements. I wouldn't be surprised if he lost faith in Makoto resulting in a cognitive change around her."

"…You know, I want to believe you, right? But this is everyone's life your hanging on this."

Ren stayed silent for a moment as he stared at the attic roof. The old boards that composed the ceiling were beginning to twist with age. Closing his eyes so it wouldn't distract him, Ren tried to embrace Morgana's statement.

Not only his, but everyone's life was at risk every time he led them into the metaverse. Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Morgana, and Sumire of course.

Had his gut decision been wrong?

"I…" Taking a moment to find his words, Ren stared Morgana in the eyes while delivering his final judgement on the issue. "I believe in Kasumi. She may not be a thief, but… She's going to come through for us."

"Heh… You got it leader."

Air between them cleared, they leaned back for sleep. A few moments later, their matched breathing slowed as they drifted off at the same time.

Thursday May 26th, 20XX, Early Morning

"Sumire."

"…"

"Sumire?"

"…"

"Sumire!"

"AH!" Bolting up in her bed, Sumire's head swung back and forth. Rubbing her blurry, sleep-ridden eyes, she finally resolved the form of her father. The exasperated man was standing the doorway with a bemused expression.

"Didn't you go to sleep early?" He teased. "Your sister left almost twenty minutes ago. If you get dressed, I'll drive you to the school before I head off for work."

"Ah, t-thank you father…" Blushing, Sumire ducked her head as he shut the door. She hadn't done something like this since she was in elementary school. Even on her worst day of feeling like she should just give up, Sumire had managed to pick herself out of bed and get to school on time.

"Ah…" Wincing softly, Sumire flinched as she pulled her body upright. Almost every single part of her body hurt. She knew she had pushed herself hard yesterday, but still! She wasn't this sore after an hour of HITT with coach!

Complaining internally about the tolls the metaverse took, Sumire began shuffling around her room at a pace far slower than someone as late as she should be moving. Her father was right, even Tokyo's high-speed train system wouldn't be fast enough anymore. Even car would be pushing it unless she left in the next five minutes.

Not having time to find a fresh uniform, Sumire threw on her uniform from yesterday. Thankfully, she had left it draped over the back of her desk chair. One advantage of the metaverse was that at least it wasn't sweaty from her activities there.

With that done, Sumire hesitated, her mind now running a million miles a minute to try and make up for lost time. The adrenaline shock from realizing that she may be late dispersing any residues of sleep. Grabbing some change from her purse, she threw it roughly in her bag: that would have to be lunch. Grabbing it, Sumire dashed to the washroom and opened the vanity mirror. Quickly she took the comb and threw it in her bag, then began searching for makeup. While she typically didn't use much, she had no idea what she'd need until she was in the car.

"Huh? Kasumi's is missing?" The absence of one of the twinned bags shocked Sumire. As far as she was aware, Kasumi, like her, never touched the heavier cosmetics outside competitions. "No… It couldn't be. The metaverse isn't real…"

Her overactive imagine running wild, Sumire struggled not to shiver, despite the warmth of the washroom. Grabbing hers, Sumire stuffed it into her school bag and ran to the front entranceway. Either way, she was determined to talk to Kasumi after school.

"There you are!" Her father smiled happily. "Good to see you can rush. I made you some toast, you okay to eat it on the way?"

"That's fine. Thank you very much for making me food." Sumire tried to assure him. Now that she was getting older, she was starting to see the humanity in her parents. Her father, despite his high position was worried about being late to work. Not that he'd say as much.

Grabbing the whole plate, Sumire slid into comfortable flats and followed him out the door. In short order they'd descended the complexes elevator to the parking garage. Once outside, they were instantly swamped by Tokyo rush hour. In the first five minutes, the car travelled a distance Sumire was positive she could have done in half that. This was all accounted for. The traffic wasn't more than usual. It just was.

In a few more, however, they hit the freeway and managed to speed up. Nowhere near the posted speed limit, but fast enough to surpass the time it would have taken to walk to the train station, take the train, then walk to the school.

Leaving driving to her father, Sumire scarfed down the toast. Her stomach grumbling protest to the scarce fare when she had finished. No doubt it was all her father would eat, but she an athlete!

"Oh, sorry. I didn't have time to make you anything else." Her father apologized, catching her disappointed face that Sumire forgot to hide.

"Oh no, don't be! It's more than I would have gotten otherwise." Sumire replied abashed.

Storing the plate in the backseat of the small car, Sumire dug through her bag until she got the comb. Lowering the passenger visor, she opened the mirror and set to work at her red tresses.

Moving to untangle the first section, her hand froze as she stared at her reflection. "My… My glasses…"

Touching her face did nothing to change what the reflection told her. She'd forgotten them on her bedside table. In her hurry, they weren't one of the things she remembered.

"Oh, yeah!" Her father commented, "you aren't wearing them today! Trying a new look?"

"…Something like that." Hoping her father wouldn't pursue the conversation, Sumire tried to fix her hair. Yet she couldn't take her eyes off the reflection. Letting her hair flow down around her, Sumire blanched in horror. The look did not work without her glasses.

Briefly remembering the make-up kit, Sumire extracted it and placed it on her lap. Opening it, there they were. Little black hairbands. Taking one out, Sumire deftly transitioned her hair from 'everyday' wear as she called it, to work-out mode.

With her hair tied up and no glasses, Sumire was shocked by how much she resembled Kasumi. Obviously, she understood that they were sisters. But growing up, Sumire had only seen their differences. Now though…

Smiling, Sumire touched her face. She liked the look. The act of tying her hair back made her feel more courageous. Almost like she was back in the metaverse, with her persona pushing her on to greater heights. Deciding she didn't need any make-up, Sumire returned the container to her schoolbag and leaned back, waiting for her arrival.

---

Thursday May 26th, 20XX, Lunch

"Gah, I look like a gyaru!" Kasumi hissed into the small mirror. Sitting in a stall, Kasumi held one of Akechi's icepacks to her cheek. She had to give it to the boy, not only was it clever, the icepacks and the painkillers were the only thing keeping Kasumi going. Without them, Kasumi had a feeling she wouldn't be able to talk through the pain and swelling.

Even as it was, it had taken a full set of contouring to try and hide. The worst was the discolouration around her eye. That was impossible to make look natural, so Kasumi had gone with blue eyeliner. She thought the combination looked horrible, yet her male classmates were all pointing and whispering.

Getting an idea forming in the back of her mind, Kasumi lifted her hand behind her head and pulled. In one motion, the red ribbon that held her hair was freed. Her brown hair tumbled around her and over her shoulders.

"It's shorter than Sumire's but…" whispering to herself, Kasumi judged her reflection. While it looked a little silly, she thought, the hair formed a curtain helping to obscure her face.

Ring!

"The warning bell already?" Kasumi groaned, holding her stomach. Sumire hadn't made lunches for her, and if she was being honest, Kasumi didn't trust herself to make an edible lunch. She couldn't believe she had spent the entire break hiding in the bathroom stall. It was pathetic.

Lowering the icepack, Kasumi glanced at her cheek. The blurring due to condensation wasn't horrible. Drying it swiftly, Kasumi cast a critical eye on herself and touched it up. To her appraising eye, there was something wrong with her left cheek and eye. Hopefully, the work was good enough to confuse the average person.

Putting everything away, Kasumi jumped as her phone vibrated. "Please don't be… Sumire?" Surprised to see her sister message her, Kasumi read the text.

Hey Kas, missed you at lunch. I have a workout after school, but do you want to catch a movie after that?

"She really has changed…" Kasumi smiled happily. Her sister's message a sign of how far she had come. Looking back now, Kasumi couldn't believe how blind she had been to her sister's needs.

Moving to type an affirmative, Kasumi groaned. Her promise to Akechi looming over her head. Also, as Kasumi touched her cheek, she knew. One look at her and Sumire would be able to tell that something was wrong.

Can't make it, busy today. Sunday afternoon?

Shooting the message out quickly, Kasumi put her phone in her school coat's pocket and headed to class. Before she made it halfway, the phone buzzed again. Ignoring it for now, Kasumi assumed her seat. Despite everyone looking at her and her new hairstyle, Kasumi was focused on only one thing, her phone.

Huh? But aren't you off today? Is everything alright?

Pursing her lips, Kasumi tapped her fingers repeatedly against the desk. After a moment, she went with the simplest answer.

Yes, I'm fine. Going to a friend's is all. Sorry.

Deciding that was both vague enough and explanation enough, Kasumi closed her phone with a satisfied smile. Surely Sumire would be content with…

Buzz!

Shocked by the instantaneous response Kasumi looked nervously to the front where her afternoon teacher just walked into the door. Gambling, Kasumi read it quickly.

FRIEND!? Is that where you were yesterday as well!? Like a boyfriend!? That's so exciting!

But… I thought you liked Senpai?

We have to talk tonight!

"Uh oh." Not responding, Kasumi closed the phone as a cold sweat drenched her body. Standing numbly for attendance, Kasumi began the afternoon classes in a haze of dread.

Thursday May 26th, 20XX, After school

"Hey Senpai!"

"Ah, Sumire," Smiling softly at the excited girl, Ren slowed his pace slightly so that she could walk beside him. "Is something up?"

"Nope! We're going in the same direction, so I thought…"

Nodding his head, Ren wasn't sure how to answer the vague trailing words. His mind quickly forgot them though as his gaze kept getting dragged back to her face. For a moment he struggled to comprehend the difference.

"You tied your hair back."

"…"

I'm an idiot.

He could imagine Morgana slamming his head against Ren's back from within his schoolbag. As far as lows went, he'd reached a new one.

"I-Is there a reason for the change?"

"Oh, umm…"

God this is awkward.

Wondering how things had slipped so far between them, Ren could scarcely remember the easy chemistry they had fought with in the metaverse.

"A-Anyway," Sumire spoke again, sending a nervous finger over her ear. The motion would have tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, if it was still there. Ren just caught the slight blush that resulted as Sumire realized her mistake. "I have practice right now, but umm… if you aren't doing anything later Senpai…"

"Oh, well I thought we were taking the day off from phan, er, you know, metaverse work."

Thump!

This time Ren was positive that Morgana had slammed his head against him. It took Ren only a moment to want to bury his head in the ground. He'd hung out alone with Ryuji, and Ann before, but for some reason, Ren felt like it would be different with Sumire.

"I-I mean, I just thought… Since Kasumi seems to have, but ah, you don't know that, and uh…"

"So, a movie?" Ren forced out. "Like… 8ish?"

"O-Oh… My face…"

Ren's heart skipped a beat as he watched Sumire shyly turn away, her hands on her cheeks. Her face was almost a matching tone with her hair.

"…Is that… a yes?" Ren asked hesitantly.

"I… I would like that Senpai. Oh, I really need to go. I'll text you the details later. Bye!"

"Bye…" Replying weakly, Ren forced himself to blink a few times. He still wasn't sure that really happened when Morgana popped his head out of the bag.

"Man, I thought you were going to blow it."

"Blow what? What are you talking about?" Ren asked, his eyes still tracing that transfixing red hair as it disappeared from view.

"Man…" Morgana sighed. "Ah, if only lady Ann would ask me to do something with her…"

"Do you want me to message her? Maybe the two of you can go for a walk while I'm at the movie."

"Message first and look desperate? No way!"

"Have it your way." Shrugging, Ren turned and bumped into someone. "Ah, excuse… me."

Shocked once again, Ren found himself staring into a set of brown eyes that he knew quite well at this point. Yoshizawa Kasumi.

"Ohh… Senpai."

"Yoshi… err, Kasumi." Ren responded. She had asked him to use her first name after all. While it rolled pleasantly off his tongue, Ren felt awkward addressing her so casually. Not because he didn't know her, the opposite. After encountering her shadow in the principal's palace on multiple occasions, Ren felt like he knew more about her than she'd be comfortable with.

"Umm… I'd love to talk, but I have to go now…"

"Are you training with Sumire?" Ren asked naturally. A moment later, another question came to his mind. "Sumire also mentioned something about you. Did something happen recently?"

"O-Oh, nothing at all," she tried to assure him with a weak smile. "Sumi just invited me to a movie, and I couldn't make it. I'm sure she'd be thrilled if you invited her instead."

"Ha… I actually… Kind of did already."

"Oh… Well, have fun I suppose."

The reply sounded harsh to Ren's ears. The half-forced smile on Kasumi's face died as he mentioned it. Looking at her closely, Ren realized that yet again, something was different with her as well. "You're wearing your hair down."

Thump!

"How… observant."

"S-So… Where are you going that's making you so busy?" Ren asked, trying to move the conversation past the dead-panned look that brought back memories of the same face trying to kill him with a rapier.

"…I have to go to a friend's house. Excuse me."

"Of course…" Wincing, Ren couldn't get another word in as the girl barged past him. Rubbing his head, he struggled to figure out what exactly went wrong.

"You, my friend, need to work on your charm…" Morgana sighed.

"And how am I supposed to do that?" Ren snapped back. He was on edge from having humiliated himself in front of not one, but both sisters in short order.

"Uhh… Drink a fruity beverage at that restaurant?" Morgana suggested weakly.

"…Sure," Ren agreed to Morgana's surprise. "I can study at the same time."

"Two birds with one stone, now there's my leader!"

Smirking, Ren felt slightly better as he left to go to the restaurant. Things may have been awkward on the walk, but a movie should be fine. After all, all you do is sit there and look at the screen.

---

Thursday May 26th, 20XX, Afternoon

"Urgh…" Rolling around on the uncomfortable coach, Kasumi writhed as she struggled to find something to take her mind off the pain. Almost as soon as she had reached Akechi's the pain had risen by an order of magnitude. The hastily scarfed painkillers had yet to do anything to help her.

"Good god, can you do that any quieter?" Akechi spat as he tried to work on his laptop at the table.

"Screw you." Kasumi spat out. "You're the one that got me punched!"

"I thought you could take one hit!"

"It really hurt!"

"…Wimp."

"Idiot." Tirade over, Kasumi did try to maintain her silence. Raising up her phone in one hand, Kasumi opened the camera and changed it to show what the front lens was staring at. "Oh my…"

Removing her ice pack, Kasumi winced at the sight of herself. Her cheek had gotten even worse from this morning. The first thing she had done after arriving was cleanse herself of makeup. There was no way she was sitting around all day with a full face of makeup.

"Actually…" Akechi muttered, not looking away from his screen. "Can you take a few pictures of it when it's like that. It will be useful to have some documentation for later. "Maybe something to show off in the interview."

"Yes master." Kasumi sighed back. In addition to the pain, and being in Akechi's house, Kasumi already felt frayed. Her phone felt like a brick in her hand. That message from Sumire that she never managed to generate a reply to.

I thought you liked Senpai!?

That one line sent strange pulses through Kasumi's chest. While it was true that he was unique, Kasumi wouldn't even call it a crush. He was merely someone interesting to talk to.

Or so she told herself.

Yet, she still wasn't sure why she was so… irate, to hear that he had already asked Sumire on a date. There was no other way to describe a late-night movie between just the two of them. Especially because it was supposed to be Kasumi's movie. She's the one that Sumire originally invited, and now…

"Urgh, what is wrong with me…"

"Many things. Currently, the fact that you're still speaking."

Blushing, Kasumi glared at Akechi's back. Thankfully the distraction was enough to drag her out of her thoughts. No, she was not jealous that Senpai was going to the movies with Sumi instead of her. No, she was not jealous that Sumi was going on a date with Senpai instead of her. And she was most certainly not jealous that they were outside while she was cooped up in Akechi's small apartment not even allowed to make noise.

In short order, Kasumi was able to project her anger into taking pictures. Using the lighting to highlight and show off the discolouration and swelling brought on from the blow.

As she did, Akechi's comment about her not being able to take a hit crept back into her mind. No matter what he said, this was not normal. Her body was used to working hard, and while getting punched in the face wasn't exactly standard gymnastics training, Kasumi knew that it shouldn't hurt this much.

Even through the traumatic slow-mo view with which she could remember the event, the principal's fist was a blur. A punch that had been trained and refined. An instinctive motion for the man.

"Akechi… Is the principal a boxer?"

"A boxer?" He asked in surprise. Not replying angrily about the interruption, he tilted his head as he considered the point. "I suppose it's possible, I never looked that deeply into his history to be honest. Trying to come up with an excuse as to why it hurts so much?"

"You're insufferable," Kasumi glared at him. "I just… I don't know. I find it weird is all…"

As she trailed off, Kasumi realized she wanted Akechi to probe, to ask for her thoughts. Predictably, the boy didn't. Even senpai's 'your hair is down', would be preferable at this point.

"I can't wait to just focus on competing again…" Muttering the words to not disturb her host, Kasumi focused on her task of taking pictures, knowing full well it would end long before her imprisonment here.

---

Thursday May 26th, 20XX, Evening

"Hehe… Hmm…" Laughing and sighing to herself, Sumire's head was lost in a world of darkness and tension.

Back at home, she slid a comb through her wet hair, her last preparation before bed. Despite the late hour, Kasumi wasn't home. That was the event she waited eagerly for. She wanted to tell her all about today.

How senpai had bought her popcorn, to split. How they had sat beside each other, leaning so their shoulders were tantalizingly close… Ah, it had been like a dream.

Now Sumire waited eagerly for Kasumi to return. So that they could compare notes. Have girl talk. Be like proper sisters.

Only one last worry hovered at the back of her mind. That this whole thing was a mistake. She had finally found her strength by attempting to solve her own problems. Would it be a problem if she relied on Senpai? If she leaned on him?

"…I'm home."

"Kas!" Growing excited, Sumire rushed to finish her hair. Running the comb through a few more times, Sumire eventually nodded satisfied. Rushing out of the washroom, she darted into the main hall only to find… "empty?"

Click.

Turning in confusion, Sumire stared at her sister's room door that had just closed. It had barely been a minute since she got home and already she was in her room? Confused that her sister hadn't taken the time to do anything, Sumire knocked cautiously on her door.

"Hey Sis? Are you alright? I wanted to… Well I wanted to talk!"

"O-Oh, Sumire! You're still up huh?"

Why does she sound so disappointed?

"Can it wait until tomorrow?"

"Well I…" Frowning, this wasn't the reunion Sumire had expected at all. Her sister sounded weary. The complete opposite of how Sumire was feeling. Or had been. "It will be quick. Tell me about this friend. Did everything go okay?"

"…"

"Kas?"

"Umm, five minutes, then I have to go to bed."

"S-Sure…" Shocked by the tight timeline, Sumire hesitantly pushed the door open. Inside the dark room was her sister's figure slumped as her desk. She was leaning her cheek on the bag so that her head faced the far wall.

Without asking, Sumire flipped the light switch on. Kasumi's body jumped, but she didn't say anything to stop her.

"Kas…?"

"Uh, oh right, my friend." She answered without lifting her head. "He's uh… Outgoing I suppose. Has light brown hair and reddish eyes. Umm… I guess he lives by himself despite being in high school. His place is kind of small to be honest. Uhh… Is that all?"

That cheek she's hiding…

A terrible foreboding gripping Sumire, she spoke in a monotone. "Lift your head and look at me."

"Huh? Ah, just a little tired you know…"

"Kasumi!"

"…"

With exaggerated slowness, she did just that. Kasumi's typically beautiful face came into Sumire's view. Except it was covered with multiple layers of make-up. A thickness that Sumire had never seen outside of competitions.

And even with that, Sumire's eyes picked out the deviations in the lines. Where the make-up had been skillfully applied to give the illusion of symmetry. Raising a shaking hand, Sumire pressed lightly on Kasumi's cheek.

A small wince, but that's all it took to confirm her suspicions. "Oh my god… The principal punched you, didn't he?"

Thursday May 26th, 20XX, Early Morning

"Oh my god… The principal punched you, didn't he?"

How!?

Stricken, all Kasumi could do for the first five seconds was gape. As good as a confession. But it didn't make any sense. There's no way she should have been able to determine who had hit her, let along what. She could have walked into a street pole on the way home which caused the swelling.

"W-what are you talking about? Do you know how crazy you sound?" Kasumi denied her sister.

"W-Well…" Sumire's eyes fluttered through arrange of emotions that Kasumi couldn't keep up with. After a while it seemed to settle onto pained acceptance. "S-Sorry for saying such strange things… But umm… If you want to talk…"

"Sunday." Kasumi confirmed with a smile. Reaching out, she squeezed and Sumire's hand with the last strength she could muster in her façade. "We'll get lunch… and talk."

"…Sunday." Sumire agreed with a nod. "Se you there… Kas."

"Yes, see you there, Sumi…"

Their quiet words fading, Kasumi watched as Sumire slowly left the room and let the door click shut.

Almost before it did, Kasumi could feel hot tears streaking down her cheeks. Putting a hand in her mouth, she struggled not to scream and cry. She couldn't let them know. She had to hide it.

But as Kasumi collapsed to the floor, she felt her resolve flicker like a flame. Sumire's question had come so close to breaking her. To Kasumi bawling like a baby while she explained what was happening.

Kasumi wanted someone, anyone, to talk to. To admit how scared she is. Every day, walking through the halls of the school, wondering if she'll finally be called out on her lies, exposed and humiliated. Her club calling to inform Kasumi that due to the recent allegations brought to light, she was indefinitely suspended.

Shaking on the floor, the desire within her got stronger. Her muffled cries reaching a level where she worried Sumire would hear through the wall. The fact was though, she couldn't tell Sumire. Her sister would ruin everything that Akechi and her were attempting to create. By trying to help, Kasumi's road to freedom would collapse beneath her.

Unable to bear sitting in this room by herself, with nothing but these thoughts and confusions swirling inside her head, Kasumi pulled out her phone with a shaking hand.

Opening the contact list, she considered only two numbers: Akechi's, and a number she shouldn't even have. She had stolen Ren Senpai's from Sumire's. Her thumb hovered over the latter; she knew he would listen. He had a calm aura and felt like he could endure anything. Listen to any problem and help you out.

But… "I can't ask that from him." Muttering sadly to herself, Kasumi had noticed how excited Sumire had been. She probably had a wonderful time on her date and had been excited to tell her about it. Phoning now would just be getting in the way of them.

That left with her only one option. The only option she's had for a long time at this point. Hovering her finger over the first, Kasumi hesitated. A brief flash of thought that forced her to wonder whether it was really worth it to call him.

That indecision soon vanished, and she pressed the button. She didn't care about his stupid games anymore All Kasumi wanted from him was a guarantee, a certainty that this plan would work. That she could reclaim her life as a normal high school student focusing on rhythmic gymnastics.

"What's wrong?"

Kasumi actually smiled at the greeting. No preamble, just Akechi assuming that something must be wrong for her to call. Pausing briefly, Kasumi didn't want to be overheard by anyone. Her room differed from Sumire's in one way. Walking back past her bed, Kasumi moved the curtain aside to reveal a balcony. Opening the sliding glass door, she stepped out onto the cool tiled stone.

"I… I… The plan, it will work, right?"

"That's what's worrying you? Geez, and here I thought it may be something important…"

"It's important to me!" Kasumi yelled back. Her voice barely contained as emotion coursed through it. "It's my life… If it fails… I'll have nothing left."

"I see…"

The reply came after a few seconds of delay. Kasumi had no idea what Akechi's feelings were on the matter.

"Perhaps I have been a little cold to you. Does your face still hurt?"

"It's better than earlier," Kasumi agreed, glad for an easy question to answer. "Umm… About my cheek though, my sister knows."

"Knows what exactly?"

"That the principal punched me…"

"You told her!?"

"Of course not," Kasumi hissed back. "She waited up for me. She knows make-up too well, and I don't know how it happened! It was like she half-expected it to be there!"

"And only from you having a swollen cheek, what exactly did she say?"

Moved by the urgency in Akechi's voice, Kasumi had no problem recalling the words. The scene had stunned her silence. "The principal punched you, didn't he?"

"…Ha… HAHAHA!"

"Umm…" Muttering Kasumi had to lift her phone away from her ear to soften the blow of Akechi's maniacal laughter floating through it. "I-Isn't this a bad thing? What if she tells my parents? Or goes to the schoolboard?"

"She won't."

"How do you know?" Kasumi asked desperately. None of the actions were beyond this current Sumire that seemed so full of life.

"Call it a detective's intuition." Akechi replied with an infuriatingly condescending tone.

"Alright… Well, I guess that's everything…"

"If you want to keep talking for a bit, we can."

Kasumi blushed as she could practically hear his smile. "I… No, you're busy and have things to do."

"Talk." Akechi commanded.

"No… There's nothing else to say. All I have to do is follow orders for another few days and then you'll do the arrest on Saturday, then we'll do the interview Sunday morning. That's all there is to it…"

"Yet your voice shook with uncertainty the entire time you explained it. I, to brag a little, have solved numerous difficult cases. Yours is no different. All you have to do is believe in my ability to pull this off."

"All I have to do… Is believe in you?" The words were strange to Kasumi. She had never once before thought like that in her life. Every time she had a problem, she confronted it head on. She used her boldness to solve the issue. To rely on someone else to solve it… to avert her eyes from what needed doing…

"Yes. Believe in me, and your life will be yours again."

"…" Briefly hesitating, Kasumi smiled up at the night sky. Yes, this is what she had been searching for. A way out of the dilemma. Someone who could solve her problems for her. "Yes, I believe in you… Akechi."

---

Friday May 27th, 20XX Lunchtime

"What are you hesitating for? Just throw it in already." Morgana sighed wearily.

"You know… This is our first actual crime." Ren replied, only a faint tension in his voice betraying his true emotions. His otherwise calm demeanor perfectly intact. "Blocking the air conditioning unit…"

"It's just a prank," Morgana tried to assuage him. "come on, this is nothing compared to assaulting a guy!"

"Thanks," Ren replied drily. Then, with an unceremonious flick of his wrist, shot the half open bag of balloons down the ventilation duct and into the fan. Not staying around to see if it worked, he left with a heavy heart to attend afternoon classes.

"Why you looking so down?" Peering over his shoulder, Morgana used his last chance before they entered the building to grill Ren.

Ren sighed back, a little more of his composure breaking. "It's hard to justify claiming that we're on the correct side when we resort to hurting innocents."

"Hurting innocents?" Morgana scoffed. "That's an aggressive way to put messing with the heating system. They'll just call in a repair technician who'll grumble about pulling pieces of plastic from the stuck fan. Nothing to it."

"But in the meantime, the school will heat up. If the classrooms get too hot, we may have students fainting from the heat. Or they'll have to open windows to compensate. What if a stray gust steals someone's homework? Those are all our fault."

"W-Well…"

"Never mind." Turning away from the cat, Ren proceeded down the stairs to the third floor, then down again to his on the second. He had half been hoping that Morgana would have another comeback. Now all Ren could do was stew in silence through his afternoon classes. Half-hoping that their sabotage would fail, and the principal would leave his window open anyway.

Ring!

With no further ado, the afternoon classes began. First one, and then a second ended without incident. That left only the final two periods of the day. Watching the seventh period teacher through hooded eyes, Ren pulled on his shirt, trying to air himself.

"Huh?" Jerking upright, Ren considered the action a bit more. He wasn't the only person either. A large number of the students had a faint sheen about them. The process had been so natural, that Ren had barely noticed. They pulled it off. It was almost scary how easy it had been.

"Umm, Sensei?"

"Yes Mishima?" Their exhausted teacher replied to the blue-haired boy.

"Can we open a window?"

"Hmm… It is a little hot in here, very well."

"Oh boy are we good."

Smiling wryly, Ren didn't reply to the cat's comment. Ann did, however, turn around and shoot a wink at Ren.

In short order, the final two periods came to an end. With the window open, the classroom maintained a reasonable temperature, but that wasn't an issue. All they needed to do was get the principal to open his.

Standing up from his desk, Ren slung his bag over his shoulder and prepared to leave. This, in his opinion, was the most dubious part of the plan. It relied on little more than luck that they could keep the window open until tomorrow where they would sneak the calling card unto the desk.

Their plan was solid, Ren thought, but they were also attempting it in the real world. Without the power of persona, a lot could go wrong. For example, their next step of 'throwing Morgana', wasn't exactly risk free.

As he exited the front door, Ren took a right and began to loop around the building. "Keep an eye out if the student council president begins to follow us." Ren whispered to Morgana. This was a recent development that he hadn't expected to become an issue.

"I think we're good, but just in case, you should probably hand me off to someone else."

"Yes, that may be… Sumire."

"S-Senpai!?"

Frowning, Ren replied to panicked screaming. "Is… Something wrong?" Ren had been sure that Sumire had been in a good mood yesterday when they parted. Something else must have occurred since then. …He hoped.

"Ahh, umm… Well, I thought I'd help with the plan…"

"We do need to hurry," Ren agreed with a frown. The principal left his office for approximately ten minutes every day when the final bell rang. Something about noting absences and determining if any of them are becoming a problem.

"Y-Yes, let us go!"

With no more preamble, the three of them advanced to the back of the building where the principal's great windows sat on the third floor. Thankfully, they were open. That integral part of the plan was at least successful.

"Urgh…" Morgana groaned, the anxiety about the coming ordeal plain in his voice.

"Ah, are you sure this is fine, Morgana Senpai?" Sumire asked quietly.

Yes, something was definitely wrong, Ren decided.

"Haha, of course I can do this!" Morgana replied, the cocky words breaking slightly, betraying the fear.

"Come on," Ren teased, "cats always land on their feet."

"I'm not a cat!"

"You better hope you are…"

Sumire's mumbled words got an uncharacteristic snort from Ren. Reaching over his shoulder, he grabbed Morgana in his two hands. Looking up at the open window though, Ren realized he had no idea how to actually toss Morgana up there.

"Well… Let's go for it then…"

"W-Wait!?" Morgana panicked, squirming in his hands. "Why do you sound so uncertain!?"

"Umm Senpai… I have practice tossing irregular objects. Perhaps I should?"

"I-Irregular objects!?" Morgana squealed.

Ren nodded his agreement. "I doubt any of your props are cat-shaped, but here you go."

"Hey! Don't ignore me!"

"Here I go…!" Sumire's previously diminished energy seemed to return in a flash, as she leaped forward and launched Morgana upwards with a two-handed toss.

"AHHH!"

Despite Morgana's screams, the toss was exquisite. It peaked directly at the window. With an outstretched claw, Morgana's body hung from the windowsill.

Ren could do no more than hold his breath as Morgana crawled inside. "That was an excellent toss."

"Thank you Senpai!" Sumire blushed lightly. "I just got lucky."

"It was more than that no doubt…" Trailing off, Ren turned his head to stare intently at the younger girl. "What's wrong?"

"It's that obvious, is it?" Sumire chuckled drily. "Umm, well… It's my sister."

"Oh, Kasumi." Blinking, Ren briefly remembered their run-in yesterday. "Is she doing alright?"

Sumire opened her mouth, but quickly closed it again and shook her head quickly. Today, her hair was down and it swirled around her, obscuring her expression.

Yet, Ren could tell, the tears that threatened to come, to overwhelm her. No doubt she had been bearing this weight all day, struggling just to survive the day.

"Hey… I'm here for you."

Without a word, Sumire turned to him and buried her face in her chest. Shocked, Ren didn't know how to react. He stood there awkwardly, his arms rising to encircle her, then falling back to his side. Even as her tears stained his shirt, Ren was lost. He'd seen her this despondent once, but since then Sumire seemed so much stronger.

In the metaverse, he was Joker. He was fearless and able to provide a witty comeback. Right now, Ren couldn't draw on that. He stared starstruck as Sumire wept pitifully.

"Why!? Why doesn't she trust me!?"

'W-What do you mean?"

Finally, Sumire looks up at him. Her wet eyes meeting his confused ones. "What we saw in the metaverse, it happened! She was punched! She practically admitted it, but…!" Ending abruptly, Sumire turned back to tears, unable to muster the strength for more words.

"…I see." Muttering under his breath, Ren sighed. The images of yesterday flowing through his mind. Kasumi's hair wasn't the only difference, she had been wearing more make-up. To hide the wound no doubt. It made sense.

Taking one glance up at the third floor, Ren spied Morgana at work on the closing mechanism of the principal's window. They were running out of time.

"I don't have all the answers." Ren admitted. "I think… You just have to be ready to be there for Kasumi when she needs you."

"Needs… Me? Do you think she really does?"

"I think she does. I actually met her yesterday. At the station briefly, just after you left."

"Huh?"

Smiling at her, Ren tried to find the words that he was struggling to put in order. "She felt bad that she couldn't go to the movie with you. I think she was glad that we could go together."

"Ah, but that…"

Ren didn't understand Sumire's mumbled words, but the crying had stopped. Instead a puzzled expression had consumed her.

Thud!

"Oww…"

"Morgana!?" Turning back to the entrance, Ren was aghast to find the cat upside down on his back, limbs splayed to all sides.

"I didn't… Land on my feet."

"Well, hopefully you do better tomorrow," Joker snickered. "Now come on, we have to meet up with everyone and get the calling card form Yusuke."

"Umm… thank you again, Senpai. Kasumi didn't give up on me. Even when I ran away from her… She made me stop. She helped me…"

"That's right," Ren smiled back at her. "Now it's your turn. Tomorrow, we'll change the principal's heart and free your sister from her problems."

"You're right. Then… Sunday, we can become sister's again."

Walking side-by-side, Ren struggled to hide his smile. Sumire's eyes had once regained their fierce determination.

---

Friday May 27th, 20XX Evening

"So, tomorrow's the day, huh?" Kasumi's voice drifted from the coach to Akechi's ears.

He thought briefly about ignoring her for breaking his rules but decided against it. If he was being honest, his productivity had hit rock-bottom since she began showing up at his apartment. There was something transfixing about having another person around. Someone working toward a shared goal. Even if his goals went far beyond anything that the girl could imagine.

"Yes. Saturday after school, your principal will be in custody." Akechi agreed with a slight nod. Steepling his fingers, Akechi laid his chin upon them. The whole time, his back ramrod straight with perfect posture. His unruffled suit providing him an air of dignity despite the less than luxuriant surroundings.

"Hmm… Then comes our big moment, right?"

Akechi tracked Kasumi's movements out of the corner of his eye as she got off the couch and came to the table. Ignoring the chair, she slid onto the side of the table itself. Not looking at him, Kasumi's hand drifted over to the center of the table where supper sat. Akechi had simply ordered in cheap sushi for them to snack on. Kasumi's hand snaked out and grabbed a piece of tuna sashimi. With a dextrous toss she devoured the thing in one bite.

One aspect of the girl Akechi had underestimated was her stomach. He had predicted the amount would provide him at least one extra meal, even if left over sushi wasn't exactly ideal. Now there were a scant few pieces remaining.

"Yes… Our big moment. You showed promise during the previous two interviews. Shall I write a script beforehand, or do you believe you can wing it?"

Before last night, Akechi knew the answer he would receive. 'Of course I can! It's you I worry about!' That didn't happen anymore. Instead, she thought over his words briefly before responding.

"I doubt we need an entire script. After all, the interviewers' questions can't be completely predicted. We do need a plan on the finer points, so we don't contradict ourselves."

"Alright," Akechi agreed with a smile, lounging back in his chair. "What finer points need discussion."

Kasumi took another piece and ate it while thinking. "You know, this sushi's not very good."

"It was cheap," Akechi laughed back, slightly affronted. This was a side of the girl he hadn't seen before. Her expression wasn't as guarded. She was more open.

More vulnerable.

The thought threatened to turn Akechi's smile into an evil smirk of joy. So many possibilities ran through his mind. On top of the revelation that she had provided him yesterday about her sister.

"Well, for one, how did we meet? How did you recruit me in your quest to find out the truth of Shujin academy?"

"Your father." Akechi answered easily. "You came with him to the studio. It was there we began talking and my detective senses tingled. The very next day, I had you on a show telling the world about your bravery."

"Alright," Kasumi agreed with a nod of her head. "It takes attention away from me, that's good."

"Oh, don't sound so disappointed, you'll still be famous… Just not as famous as me."

Sticking out her tongue at him, Kasumi's cheeks coloured slightly. If Akechi was being honest, it was slightly unnerving to stare at her left cheek when she had no make-up on. Their continual efforts had finally reduced the swelling, but the colouration was just as bad. Mottled purple and black skin stretched in a pattern that was clearly recognizable as a fist. Looking at it, Akechi believed Kasumi's claim about the principal being a boxer. This wound wasn't made by your average person.

"After that… all according to my predictions may I add… the principal called you to his office. Blackmailed you into keeping it up. Your popularity is exactly what he needs to bring his school back up again, as well as distancing himself from Kamoshida."

Kasumi's mouth twisted slightly in mirth. "And if someone calls us on this lie?"

"Where's the lie?" Akechi asked. Eyes twinkling, he waited for the girl's response. For her sharp wit to manifest itself again and entertain him.

"The twisting of the timeline," she predictably replied. "Why not keep it simple? The principal set up the interview because he blackmailed me first."

"It makes the principal sound overly desperate." Akechi explained. "The story is how we knew Kamoshida wasn't the root of the problem. How we began delving deeper into the heart of the problem. The principal responded to our probing. It needs to be about our successes, not the principal's idiotic choices."

Kasumi nodded to each statement, no snide comment coming in reply. "But still, what if someone finds out?"

"What's there to know?" Akechi smirked. "Your interviews are public domain. Kamoshida's in jail. The principal is in jail. Who is there who knows?"

"…My family." Kasumi breathed.

Akechi's eyes widened. A point he'd overlooked. Her father had set up the first interview. Kobayakawa had blackmailed all four of them.

"Forget that?"

"Hmm… Well, it does put them in an awkward spot," Akechi admitted. "But… what will they do? Expose your story as inconsistent?"

"…No. They'll keep quiet." Kasumi agreed with a pained expression. "It's just…"

"You won't know how to talk to them," he guessed, using his detective's intuition. "You're worried it will change your relationship."

"My father's eyes are filled with guilt every time he sees me…" Kasumi admitted, bowing her head. "My mother never knows what to say. Only Sumire…"

"…" Staying silent, Akechi listened with wonder to this declaration of private details he never would have been privy to before.

"Sumire will never change. She's so honest and gentle…"

"That's quite a bond you have there… Don't worry about her, if she's ever in trouble, the two of us can help her out."

"Trouble? What trouble would Sumire ever be in?"

"Oh, you never know…" Akechi struggled to contain his laughter. The situation was just too rich. Every time Kasumi opened up to him about her phantom thief sister, she further sealed her doom. "I mean, who would have ever guessed you'd be in this kind of situation?"

"…You're right," Kasumi admitted with an awkward laugh. "But after this, the only struggles in my life are coming from gymnastics!"

"Well, best of luck with that…"

"And… Thanks Akechi. Knowing that you are on my side… It really helps."

Receiving her beaming smile, Akechi felt a momentary tug of guilt. Soon enough though, that vanished and he returned the smile. She didn't know the struggle of growing up an orphan. Of having done everything in your power to get the attention of bastard that abandoned you. To help him build an empire… and then collapse it around his head.

Soon…

Oh, the time was coming oh so soon!

"A-Akechi?"

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"N-No… It's nothing."

"Well," Akechi smiled. "I guess this brings our time together to an end."

"Yes… I suppose it does."

"You sound sad," Akechi teased.

"I… I guess I am a little," Sumire shrugged. Her face turning away from him with a slight blush.

"Hmm…" Mentally, Akechi stalled. There was a plan he could try, but… Deciding it was too risky at the present time, Akechi shelved it. "Don't fear. We will still be in contact. After all… You still haven't paid."

"Huh?" A spark of confusion burst momentarily in Kasumi's eyes. A second later she smiled easily. "I haven't at that, have I?"

---

Saturday, May 28th, 20XX, After school

"Do we know if he read it?" Sumire asked wearily.

"We will shortly." Ryuji answered her, rolling his shoulder. The group took their energy from him. His serious nature reminding them, especially the two newcomers, that today was serious. It was do or die.

"Let's go." Ren declared. Pulling out his phone, he initiated the transfer. Instantly, the world around him melted and changed, the early afternoon light transforming into the darkness of the side streets of Kobayakawa's palace. At the same time, his Shujin uniform melted away and left him in his thief's gear.

The power that flowed through his body was intoxicating. If it wasn't he probably would have fled from the malevolent aura being emitted from the palace. The light had changed from its spotlight form. It was back to an illuminating presence… except it was no longer white. It cast a ruddy red glow over the entire area.

If it had been bad on Wednesday, it was a million times worse right now. Joker could practically feel a gaze boring into his skull. Whispers from his surroundings, piercing his senses.

You aren't welcome.

You aren't welcome.

"Creepy." Joker commented in a monotone. "Anyway, everyone ready?"

"Haha, you bet I am!" Skull roared in response. "Time for our second round!"

"Heh, this will truly be a marvelous display…"

Glad that morale was high, Joker led them into the palace. Up and up, ascending the levels, they paused for little. Most of the obstacles from earlier were completely avoidable. In short order, they reached the fifth floor again. Funding the place that shadow Kasumi had opened for them, Joker and the crew crossed and exited at the trampolines.

Like it had been when they left on Wednesday, the trampolines had shifted positions to form a straight line across. With relative ease, they all crossed and stared up at the blue stairs to the sixth floor. The threshold that they reached yesterday. Now, they had one chance to not only find the treasure, which should be somewhere on the seventh floor, but steal its materialized form.

Trying not to hesitate, Joker climbed the stairs and reached the door. At this point, any pretense of a playground and been stripped away to reveal the mechanical structure beneath. The door appeared to have been made from solid steel. It was cold to touch and stretched at least ten metres up to the roof. Its presence was one of dominance. With its size, Joker wondered if the final door would somehow be even larger.

Not delaying, joker pulled out the key he had received from shadow Kasumi on Wednesday. With no slot in the door except the seam, Joker went for it with a smile and stuck the key between the two halves.

After a half second, a loud grinding noise rang out from the door. With an inexorable slowness, the doors began to open. Sliding away from each other, the doors began to recede into their frames. It was an impressive display what Joker would have loved to watch at any other point in time.

Unfortunately, the air on the sixth floor felt even more dangerous than the previous five. They were in unknown territory and had to press on until the end.

The room ahead was once again beyond Joker's imagination. It made the surveillance in the walls look pathetic and redundant. The walls of the corridor were lined with monitors. Each one displaying a different image and cycled through them at a regular interval. What was really different was the stations below them. Each one looking like a standard keyboard and mouse combination.

"What do you suppose those are for?" Skull whispered loudly, his voice carrying through the group.

"I don't know," Joker answered far more quietly. Deciding it may be worth it, Joker crept over to the closest one and moved the mouse. There was a smaller monitor, right above the keyboard and mouse that responded to his touch.

"Alter… Game parameters?" Muttering to himself, Joker pressed on some more buttons. After a tense moment, everything clicked into place with one brief revelation. "They can change the difficulty of the games from here. Also… I'm assuming they have the ability to rig them."

"Wwwhat…" Skull replied dumbly.

"I see,' Mona pondered his words. "It's a tool for controlling the masses. Stopping anyone from getting too cocky and trying to move up."

"Probably," Joker nodded. "Still, I'm surprised we didn't run into more issues with it."

"We never really played any games though, did we?" Violet reminded him. "The only one was the climbing competition you did Senpai. That doesn't really seem riggable."

"Not from here anyway," Joker admitted. "Oh well, let's keep moving."

The corridor just kept going. Just as Joker began wondering if this was the entire floor, it ended. A T-intersection at what Joker assumed was the edge of the floor. Looking left and right, both paths looked identical.

"Anyone prefer a certain side?"

"I have always been partial to the right."

"…You got it Fox." Joker shook his head at the comment from their new, strangest member. Following the right path, their boots echoed off the cold steel. Yet despite the oppressive aura, no shadows attacked them. Joker couldn't help but wonder if the Principal was baiting them in. Opening up the passages and accepting the challenge that they had issued with their calling card. After a short distance, it took another turn.

With growing certainty, Joker took the turn without even a glance ahead. Meeting his expectations was another pure steel corridor with no decorations. Walking down this long corridor, Joker was confident the left turn would have ended up at an identical place.

A few minutes later, the end came into view and the thieves took another right turn. Coming in from the left branch of this T-intersection, Joker stopped and stared at the stairs in the middle of the corridor. They glowed a deep purple and there was no other ornamentation, or section that they appeared to have missed.

"Well, onto the seventh."

"Hold up!" panther frowned, "we didn't find the guardian to get a key from them. We can't get through!"

"Do you see them?" Joker asked.

"Yeah, seriously Panther. Pay attention," Skull smirked teasingly.

"Lady Ann is doing her best you vulgar ape!"

"Guys…"

"What did you say to me cat!?"

"Guys!" Ending the argument at an awkward stalemate, Joker glared at both of them. "You're going to get us killed. Learn to work together or I'll be forced to remove both of you from future operations."

Simultaneously they opened their mouths to argue Joker's harsh words. Staring into his glare, they both backed down.

"S-Senpais, let's do our best, okay!"

In the face of Violet's plea, they looked slightly embarrassed. Joker didn't care as long as they shaped up and worked together. However, as time went on, that prospect seemed more and more unlikely. If Joker had to guess, it came from their shared fixation on Panther.

Not wanting to waste further time, Joker climbed the violet stairs to the seventh floor. Like each previous staircase, this one too had its own unique flare. Each step looked almost hollow. Some clear, hard substance formed into rectangles that were mounted on two rails running from the floor up to the doors to the seventh. These clear steps were emitting a harsh violet light, almost like each one was a neon lightbulb. Standing on them was a strange experience as Joker could barely see his feet through the assault of light on his senses.

Making his way to the top, Joker stopped, stunned by the door in front of him. It was far smaller than the previous, but in many ways, far more majestic. Its surface glittered with clear gemstones that caught and reflected the purple light in dazzling streams.

"Diamonds…" Muttering to himself, Joker ran a hand across the door. If he could strip them off and bring them with him to the real world, he'd never have to work a day in his life. Swallowing, he tried to focus on the task ahead of him. One exceedingly more important than attempting to use the metaverse to become rich. A possibility the place contained that Joker wondered if he was the only that had picked up on.

Reaching out, Joker grabbed at the violet handle of the three-meter door and pushed.

Click!

The mechanism responded, indicating that it was accessible. Heartened by the noise, Joker pushed. "Huh?"

The door hadn't moved. Joker wasn't sure, but it didn't feel like a lock that was stopping him.

"Oh, is it locked after all?" Skull asked.

"No… It's just…" Trailing off, Joker leaned over and put his strength behind the door. Heaving, nothing happened. On the verge of giving up, Joker gritted his teeth and threw one last attempt against it with all his strength.

Krrr!

Letting out a horrible grinding noise, the door shifted. It hadn't even cleared its partner when Joker collapsed against it. "Heavy…"

"Are you okay Senpai!?" Dashing to his side, Violet ran a worried eye down his body.

"I'm fine." Glancing away in embarrassment, Joker waved the men forward. "Come on, with three with we should be fine."

"Oh, don't you want my aid?" Violet wondered.

"Ah, leave them be," Panther smiled at her. "This is a job for the big strong men to prove themselves useful."

"Oh… I see."

"H-Hold on! I'm a man, I can help!" Mona pled. Giving the cat a glance, Joker denied him with a swift shake of his head.

"We're fine."

"Yeah, that's right," Skull started.

Before Skull could continue his, obviously rude comment, Joker smashed on his foot.

"Oww!"

"Shut up and open it."

"As you wish Joker."

The boys came together with one coordinated motion. The door responded by shifting. A whole handsbreadth.

"You moved this on your own!?" Skull asked in awe.

"Such weight!" Fox added on flabbergasted.

"Again." Joker commanded mercilessly. "We just need to get it far enough that everyone can squeeze through."

"On it!"

With many grunts and swears, the three worked together to open the imposing door. The stone of the inlaid door scraping noisily over the floor the entire time. Each time the noise echoed; Joker's neck tingled with apprehension. There was no way that no one had heard this.

They would be walking face-first into the principal's trap, and all because he had made them pull out early on Wednesday. Even as he cursed his decision, the door paused, a half a metre gap for them to slide through.

Nodding in appreciation of their aid, Joker went through first, peering through the gap to ensure it was clear.

Feeling a sinking sensation in his chest, Joker recognized the white area that he entered into. Sneaking through, he climbed up the short staircase in the room onto a platform that he'd been on before. The entrance to the slide was right in front of them, the grate still lowered in front of the entrance.

"Well, you actually came."

"Kobayakawa!?" Joker yelled in surprise as a voice rang out from the top of a second set of white stairs.

"You're here for this, aren't you? Well don't just wait there."

Bug-eyed, Joker stared at the treasure in Kobayakawa's hand. It emanated a power that Joker remembered from Kamoshida's crown. This time though, it was nothing less than a boxer's cummerbund: A championship belt.

"Am I the only one that thinks this is a trap?"

Joker considered Mona's words briefly but shook his head. "The goal is to win competitions to climb the playground. We've done that, instead of skipping through the slide like last time. Now we should get our fight against him."

"Umm, Senpai, did you forget the cheating devices?"

Violet's words were a sobering dose of cold water. However, they didn't really change anything. "He has the treasure, we want it. But… You are correct. We need to remain vigilant. Based on the treasure, I'm going to assume he'll be a physical based shadow. Skull and I will try to distract his attention. Violet and Mona are back-up, focus on healing and granting those enhancements. Fox and Panther, try to work together to sniff out any tricks and disable them."

"…"

Hearing no complaints, Joker wanted to get this out of the way. His heart was pumping quickly, sending a healthy dose of adrenaline through his veins. Once again, he could feel that reckless nature rise up that threatened to take over. A swagger that allowed him to pull off insane feats at the detriment of putting himself into stupid situations.

"Let's go."

Climbing the stairs, Joker led the phantom into the final arena of Kobayakwa's palace.

---

Saturday May 28th, 20XX After school

"Kobayakawa Botan, you are under arrest for assault and extortion of a minor. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

Smirking at the man, Akechi never tired of saying that line. It was supposed to be a declaration of the person's rights. An acknowledgement that while they have taken into custody, they are still human. Innocent until proven to guilty.

But for Akechi, they had taken on a different meaning. They were a declaration that he had already won. With the power he had behind him, all of Akechi's arrests had been convicted in short order. This man would be no different. All the requisite evidence had already been filed away. The only step left at this point was to fulfill his role as the detective prince on the show tomorrow and bask in his newfound popularity.

Entering the office behind him, two uniformed officers approached the stocky man from either side of his desk. They took slow steps, giving the principal time to stand up and submit himself to being handcuffed. Neither of them were expecting a hard time here.

However, Akechi wondered. The anger and inferiority he had displayed in hitting Kasumi may rear its head again here.

"How- how dare you!" Standing up, the principal slammed his hands on the desk. The meaty appendages thudding dangerously against the hard-oaken surface.

Both officers took a half-step back, the sudden display of violence giving credence to the charges Akechi had laid on him.

"Now Sir, be reasonable. Hands behind your back, nice and easy now."

"N-No! This can't be happening. Not on today of all days…"

Today of all days, huh.

Akechi wondered if he had actually done it. Predicted the thieves to a level where they had delivered the calling card but hadn't finished the change of heart. Ecstasy flowing through him, Akechi struggled to maintain his persona as he waved the officers forward.

"N-No… I know people at the SIU! You can't do this to me!"

"No one is above the law Botan," Akechi informed him with a half smile.

"Grr…" Despite the display of anger, the principal allowed himself to be handcuffed. His thick wrists bulging against the metal that dug into them.

Moving aside to let the officers out first with the arrested principal, Akechi walked quickly around the desk. He didn't have a lot of time, but if his assumption was correct…

Got it!

Pulling open the top drawer, it was sitting right on top. A small card, the size of a postcard. Printed on the thick paper was a logo that was much improved over the one that had been presented to Kamoshida. Akechi guessed that to be the work of the artist Yusuke. The thieves must have won him over to their side to aid them in taking down his mentor Madarame. The other side was familiar well, if not better made and written than the last one.

It accused Botan of being negligent of his school, extorting and abusing students, and enabling Kamoshida's crimes. The list was accurate, Akechi had to admit. Kobayakawa certainly had no right to his title as principal.

Pocketing the card, Akechi closed the drawer and left. His gloves ensuring that there was no trace of his interference. Not that he would allow a detective team into this office.

He caught up to the officers on the first floor where a small crowd gathered. As some time had passed since final bell, and it being a Saturday meant almost everyone was gone. It appeared, however, that a student council meeting had just ended.

"Ma-Makoto! Get your sister to demand my release! If you don't… I'll-I'll…" The principal whined.

Excited by the scenario, Akechi hung back, he didn't want to interrupt and change the girl's answer.

"U-Umm…"

The weak, taken aback response disappointed Akechi. He had expected more backbone, like Sae. However, it seemed her sister had taken all the talent in the family.

"It's okay Makoto, he can't hurt you anymore."

Well, that brings an end to that. Akechi sighed silently to himself. Kasumi's interference brought an end to any possibility of anything interesting happening.

"You!? Wait… YOU did this!? You bitch! We had a deal!" The principal's unhinged screaming blew everyone back a step. Even the officers didn't react as the principal took a step away from them and approached Kasumi.

"Get away!" Stepping in front of Kasumi, Makoto held her arms open wide to protect the girl from the principal's advance. "I won't help you and neither will my sister! The law will determine your fate." With that she turned around and walked away, grabbing Kasumi's hand and pulling her along with her.

Akechi caught one surprised look from the girl and a surreptitious wink. Replying with an identical one, he did have to admit that having a partner was somewhat fun. It was a person that he could share in the success of a mission with. Well, someone besides Shido who only cared about what it meant for himself.

"Please restrain him officers."

"Ah, I'm so sorry detective, it won't happen again."

"No worries, no one got hurt." Akechi assured them with a practised smile.

"Even… Even Makoto betrayed me…"

Akechi saw the moment it happened. When the fight and willpower fled. Having been betrayed multiple times, the principal had turned into a shell. Only despair filled his eyes. If he was alone, Akechi would have burst out laughing. It was hilarious.

---

Saturday May 28th, 20XX After school

Beyond the doorway was a room Joker had seen pictures of before, but never expected to in real life. It was an arena for martial fighting. On all sides sat benches, forming a perfect square around the arena. Joker entered from the top of one of the sides. There were stairs down to the arena floor. The arena itself sat maybe a metre above the floor, with stairs leading back up to it. On the far side of the arena, the benches were different; the central staircase kept rising and ended in a throne. Unless he was mistaken, Joker believed the entire thing was composed of diamond and the floor beneath it gave off a soft white light that the chair scattered in a sparkling array.

Shadow Kobayakawa stood on the far side of the arena facing them. As before, he looked almost the same as the real principal. The differences were slight but turned him from frumpy to fit. Perhaps more important than the physical changes, was the difference in his presence from the real world. Before, he had come off as lazy and incompetent. The shadow had neither of those qualities. His eyes conveyed a sharp, ruthless intelligence.

"Step into the ring."

"Ha, you think we're just going to…"

Click!

"Step into the ring."

"You bastard…" Smirking at the shadow, Joker didn't need to look behind to see that the door they had entered through had shut. They had been trapped in this room with the shadow and his treasure.

Walking forward, Joker descended the stairs before rising back up into the arena. "Give us the treasure and we won't hurt you."

"Hurt… me?" Pausing for a moment, the shadow erupted into laughter. "You fool! I am the Supreme Bully! King of the Playground! Kobayakawa the Undefeatable! Kneel before me thieves and I shall grant you a swift death!"

Joker balked slightly under his aura. Before his unbelieving eyes, the shadow slipped off his robe. His upper body was muscled like an athlete's. Even more daunting were the instruments covering his hands. They shimmered with a golden light. Protruding from each knuckle were spikes that narrowed to a sharp point. The gruesome image of shadow Kasumi's face flashed before Joker's eyes. There was no doubt that her injury was the result of a punch from these things.

"Shivering in fear already? Well, let's get this over with. Winner takes all."

"…You're on." Joker replied with a fearless smile. This was no time for hesitation. Losing himself in that recklessness, Joker shouted out one final instruction to his party. "Everyone, stick to the plan."

""You got it, leader!""

Hoping against hope that a boxer would be scared of eating a bullet, Joker whipped out his pistol and fired. Squeezing the trigger, he put all eight rounds into the shadow.

"The hell you think you're doing!?" The principal roared at him. "Put that toy away and fight like a man!"

The bullets lay in a pile around him. It was clear they had done a grand total of zero damage. This wasn't the first time that Joker had encountered a shadow that negated a certain type of attack, this was, however, the most worrying. Joker wanted his face nowhere near an attack from this guy.

"Then how bout this, tough guy! Get maced!" Roaring, Skull answered Joker's expectations perfectly by leaping into the fray and swinging his weapon powerfully down at the shadow's head.

"Now that's more like it!" Hiding behind his arms, the shadow adopted a boxer's posture to protect their head.

Cling!

With a distinct metallic noise, Ryuji's attack bounced off the metal weapons that the principal covered his hands with.

Smirking slightly, Joker was glad to see that the attack did more than his. The principal took damage from the blow. Even if it wasn't a lot.

"Ha!"

"W-What!?" Skull, with his weapon still high was caught off guard as the principal countered his attack. The jab was so fast Joker almost it. "Gaah!"

Skull's body was blown back three metres and ended up beside Joker. Bent over his midsection, Skull struggled to rise back to his feet.

"What power…" The exchange had made one thing clear. They had no chance of winning this fight in a two-on-one scuffle.

Luckily, it wasn't two-on-one.

"Shape up in there!" Despite Mona's words, he still provided Skull with a healing light that restored most of the damage he took.

"Heh, thanks cat."

"Don't forget it!"

The interaction was surprisingly cordial. The two of them locked in some strange competition that allowed them to aid each other in combat. Joker didn't pretend to know the intricacies of it.

"Here Senpai!"

Consuming Joker's body was a soft golden light that quickly faded. Even as it left, he felt a change in him, or more accurately, in the aura of his persona's power that gave him his superhuman abilities in the metaverse. It was a different feeling than he had experienced from other personas. They had changed power, defensive capabilities, and speed. Joker felt like none of those had been affected.

Deciding to believe in what Violet had done, Joker followed up on Ryuji's strategy. Keep the shadow's focus on the two of them.

"Come, Slime!" Calling forth one of his personas, Joker ordered the blob to attack the shadow. It was a risky decision, but based on the shadow's proclivity for physical moves, the persona was his best at taking melee hits.

"Ha, that was supposed to hurt!?"

"This is going to take forever," Skull growled from beside him. "He's just playing with us."

Joker nodded gruffly. The shadow had been immune to his gun, and then resisted both Skull's and his attacks. Plus, based on the shadow's confident gleam in his eyes, he had confidence in his abilities to defeat them despite their help.

"Take this kid! My secret technique is a true knockout!"

"Oh shit." Eyes going wide, Joker could do little but watch as the principal attacked him. In an instant the five-metre gap between them closed.

The shadow's fists were a blur. Three quick jabs to the gut followed by a left uppercut. As Joker was staggering backward, the final blow came in. A huge roundhouse from the shadow's right fist. His eyes gleaming with confidence as his ultimate move came in deliver the final hit. Each attack had gone straight through the resistance to melee attacks that Joker had assumed he possessed when he started the fight.

However, as he watched the punch that would seal his fate approach, Joker felt his body begin to move on its own. No, not quite. It was being pushed by something.

Violet's aid!

Smiling, Joker ducked around the fist. The force of the blow ripping out a couple hairs on his head. Bringing his knife up, Joker countered the attack mercilessly.

"Gragh!?" Blown back, the shadow fell to the ground back where he had started his attack from. "W-What…? No one… Has countered my combo before… It let me… Repel the bullies…"

"Bullies?" Softly muttering the word, Joker winced as he ran an arm over his stomach. The first four attacks had dealt serious damage. Only whatever Violet had done saved him.

"Urgh… God damn it! I trained and I trained so that no one would bully me anymore! I am the Supreme Bully! I bully people!"

"No, you're a pathetic principal," Violet scolded the ranting man with cold eyes. "You are scared of losing your power so you abuse those beneath you to get what you want."

"That's my right!" The shadow screamed back at her. "If I don't deliver results, then that man will… No, in the school I'm invincible!"

"Hmm…" Trying to quickly process this new information, Joker came to a rapid conclusion. The nature of the palace, the paranoia. "You got bullied growing up, so you learned to fight. However, beating up those that oppressed you didn't fix anything, did it? You were given your position as principal by someone, weren't you? You know that there are people outside far stronger than you. That's why it's all shadows."

"Ha… I started from the bottom boy; you are right about that. But… Don't think I'm just some puppet! I'm the ruler here! And… I have subjects to aid me! Come now, chosen!"

Freezing in place, Joker's eyes jumped around the room, searching for where the chosen would be coming from. At this point, the only logical thing for it to be was shadow Makoto. As one second ticked past, and then a second, nothing happened.

"…Did you hear me!? Come here now!"

Creak!

This the sound of rarely used hinges squeaking, a hidden door on the right side opened slowly. With it being the same colour as the wall, it blended in well. From the space within, a figure emerged. As the shadows surrounding them faded, Joker's breath hitched.

Then, a moment later, a smile split his face.

"Y-You!? W-What are you doing here!? Where is my Chosen!?" The principal screamed, his voice breaking with fear and confusion.

"Sorry, Principal." Walking with a swagger, shadow Kasumi paused at the edge of the stairs. "Miss President decided that you could deal with the thieves on your own."

"On… my own?"

"That's right!" Kasumi confirmed. "You got this position on your own, surely you can hold it?"

"Got it… On my own…? That's right! I did! No matter how many of you brats come, I'll take you all on!"

"Do you honestly think that's how this is going to go?" Joker asked the shadow. "You have nothing left. Give up the treasure."

"Ha! I still have tricks up my sleeve. Behold!" With a dramatic flourish, the shadow pulled a remote from the back of his belt. "With this, I can trap the two of you in here and kill you. Then I can open it and deal with the others!"

Now would be great…

Just as he was thinking it, the sound of gunfire rang out from the wings. With a barrage of bullets from two sides, the remote in the principal's hand got shredded.

"And now?" Joker asked.

"I… I can still kill you!"

As the principal dashed forward, Joker stared wide-eyed as the fist approached. He hadn't been healed from the last attack he'd suffered. There was a high chance that this blow would knock him out. Joker could only hope that some of the medicine he bought from Takemi could be used to stabilize him.

Cling!

"Huh?"

"W-What?"

Neither Joker nor the principal could understand what happened as the blow never landed. The fist was hovering a handsbreadth away from Joker's fist. In its path were two crossed blades. One silver, one black.

"Hmm, it seems we had the same idea Sumi."

"W-Well, I couldn't let him hit Senpai!"

"Ha, try to keep up!"

"T-That's my line!"

Blinking slowly, Joker could only watch as the two moved in on the retreating Principal. Probably out of fear, he ducked behind his arms again. It was the same stance he used to stop Skull's devastating blow and counter.

Only this time…

"Hraag!"

"Hiyah!"

With dual, similar cries the girls began eviscerating the shadow. His defense proved ineffectual against the numerous, harrowing blows that they pounded him with.

From every angle imaginable their blades slashed. Swift flashes of light and darkness, interweaving in a beautiful pattern.

"Gaaaah! S-Stop it!"

Falling backward, the principal held his hands up pathetically. His whole body was shaking with fear. The girls twin assault had proved unstoppable for him.

"…" Rapier hesitating, Violet stood over the shadow uncertainly. Joker stepped forward to move beside her. Before he could get there though, shadow Kasumi laid a hand on her shoulder and whispered something.

"Well, this was fun! You weren't so tough after all, Mr. Supreme Bully!" Speaking out loud, shadow Kasumi's words still carried a bit of vindicated pride in them.

"Grr…"

"Umm, Kas… Fighting beside you was…"

"Why do you look so sad? It will happen again. Maybe I won't be me when it happens, but… I know you can make it happen."

"R-Really?" Violet's words were weak but filled with hope. "Umm, you were amazing…"

"You too. I couldn't do this on my own. Trust me, I tried." The shadow added with a slight laugh.

"Don't… Get so cocky!" Roaring, the principal's shadow exploded to his feet. Drawing back his right fist he sent it forward with dreadful momentum. The same blow that had injured the shadow so desperately before came baring down on her now unmarked face.

Half a second before impact, a change came over the principal's shadow. Staggering, the fist missed, and the shadow crashed back to the ground. "No… Friends… No help… Ahh…"

"What the hell?" Muttering to himself, Joker walked over and examined the shadow. The eyes that had once displayed an extreme confidence and determination were empty.

The shadow glanced up at the two girls staring down at him. As he did, the blank expression transformed into terror. "N-No! You're here to bully me! Just like before!"

"N-No!" Violet protested, trying to get a word in.

"You are!" The principal moaned. "It's not my fault that I'm ugly, I was born this way! Why do people have to be so mean!?"

As he joined the two girls in a semicircle around the cowering shadow, Joker felt an unexpected emotion stirring: pity. "They had no right to do that to you."

"I know!" The principal belted out, ugly tears staining his face. "Why was I born so ugly!?"

"But…" Joker continued, "that gave you no right to treat others like you were."

"Ah…"

"After you felt so much pain… Why would you inflict it on others?"

"I…" Bowing his head, the shadow had no reply, his eyes empty. "Here, take this. I shall… think on what you've said."

Taking the proffered treasure, Joker glanced between the two girls that had been silent through the exchange. "Anything else to say?"

Shadow Kasumi shook her head and turned on heel, striding out of the room. The abrupt exit was startling. Only moreso was that Violet didn't run after her. Apparently, they had already made their peace with this parting.

"I hate what you've done to my sister. The despondent look in her eye…"

"Violet…" Muttering softly, Joker's hand hovered above her shoulder. Unsure whether he should initiate contact as a sign of support.

"But… Seeing you like this, I understand. As long as I offer her support and love… I'm sure she'll bounce back stronger than ever."

"She will." Completing the contact, Joker squeezed lightly and tried to draw his hand back. However, he found Violet's gloved hand on his. The red and white contrasting brilliantly.

"Yes, she will… Let's go home Senpai."

---

Saturday May 28th, 20XX After school

"Done…" Moaning, Sumire ran a hand through her loose hair that was now freed from her hair tie in the metaverse. While she didn't mind the look, she was starting to acknowledge how much more convenient it was to just tie it back and be done. No hair obscuring your vision, no eating hair.

However, that thought quickly drifted from her mind as she turned in the small alleyway to the rest of the group. When she had imagined this day, she thought they would be celebrating at this point. An easy ride down the slide and then victory.

Instead, it left an almost bitter taste in her mouth. Sumire had been eager to face the villain that had ruined her sister's life and bring him to justice. But all that they found was an overgrown child afraid of the world. Lashing out at those beneath him because he could.

"So, Leader, what's the treasure?" Ryuji put a comfortable arm around Senpai's shoulders and stared down at his hands.

Following Ryuji's eyes, Sumire located a sheet of paper in Senpai's hands where the belt had been before. "What does it say?"

"It's a medical certificate," he responded. Senpai's voice was tight, any emotions he may be feeling repressed. "It's a report that mentions his condition can never be fixed and that he'll live with it his entire life."

"Dude…" Ryuji muttered. "I feel kind of bad for calling him names now."

"It is what it is." Senpai answered, his eyes staring straight ahead. "He was hurting the students at our school and needed to be stopped. Everyone, enjoy your weekend, we're back onto Madarame on Monday."

"You got it."

"Yeah…"

In general, all of the answers were lukewarm. No one seemed especially happy with their victory. With little celebration, the group broke up to go home.

"Hey, Senpai…"

"What's up Sumire?"

"Do you think the principal is still at school?"

"Hmm… Probably," he agreed after thinking about it for a little. "Why?"

"I… I want to see if I can talk to him. Also, did you see the change at the end? It felt like something else changed him."

"You…" Senpai paused as he considered her words. "Let's go."

Walking silently together, Sumire felt her hesitancy return now that she was back on this side. Once again, she had relied on Senpai to decide her path. Instead of just declaring that she wanted to visit the principal and see if anything had happened, she needed his approval and support.

Am I really going to get any stronger like this?

The thought was plaguing her. If she kept relying on Senpai to guide her and aid her, would she ever be able to achieve her goals?

"Is something wrong?"

"Huh!? Uhh, n-no… Just thinking on some stuff."

"Today didn't go as I expected either," Senpai sighed. "At least… things should get better from here once he confesses."

"Oh, it wasn't that." Sumire blushed, not wanting to admit her thoughts out loud to the object of them.

"Kasumi?" Senpai guessed next. "The two of you were spectacular together."

"Haha, thanks…" Sumire agreed awkwardly. Going through the empty halls, they finally reached the reception one had to pass to reach the principal's office. "Umm… is Principal Kobayakawa in?"

"O-Oh…" The receptionist balked, her hands visibly shaking. "W-Well… He actually… got arrested."

Got arrested!?

The thought sent a lightning bolt through Sumire. With wide eyes, Kasumi's whispered words came back to her. I'll be done on Saturday, so….

Staggering back, Sumire didn't even remember to thank the woman. She just exited into the hallway where she fell against the wall. "Senpai… What happened?"

"I'm afraid… We've been outmanoeuvered."

---

Post note:

I'll be the first to admit, that the 'boss fight' here is a little... anti-climatic. Sorry if that's disappointing, I just felt like it came together pretty nicely, even if the fight itself isn't exactly a masterclass.