Ren: Hello guys and we're back! I hope all of you are enjoying Royal P5!

Ryuji: Now its time for us to get down to business!

Ann: So sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Shiho: Whoop!

Persona V: Reversing the Wheel of Fate
Chapter Twenty–Seven

[Opening Scene: Yacht (Morning)
Theme of Yacht: Improvised Song Dedicated to the next Prime Minister's Ship from Persona 5]

"So, after that embarrassing move, my opponent packed up his pieces, packed them all up, and walked away, right on the spot. And that was my first Shogi game," Hifumi finished, which caused Haru to giggle wildly.

"I can't believe he tried to spill his cup of water to distract you," Haru said.

"I can't believe he thought that would work," Hifumi added on with a smile on her face. "He was so sure spilling that water to mess up soak my feet would distract. He must have thought that I cared so much about my appearance that I would forfeit the match just to change my socks and shoes."

"But you didn't," Haru said.

Hifumi smiled at her. "When I see victory close at hand, I do anything I can to achieve it," Hifumi said as she paused to look at Haru in her eyes. "There's no force alive that can stop me from getting it."

Haru flushed at this and murmured, "You're very determined, Hifumi-chan."

"Only when it's things I truly desire," Hifumi replied.

"And what do you desire?" Haru questioned softly.

Hifumi and Haru stopped their stroll and gazed into each other's eyes for a moment.

"She is truly beautiful, is she not?" Her shadow spoke, her voice tender. "She truly is worthy of her moniker, Haru-hime…"

'She is,' Haru thought back.

"I wonder how you will betray her when Sugimura finds out…" her shadow said.

Before Haru could respond, Hifumi began to walk again and asked, "So, you know about my dreams. What is your dream?"

"My dream?" Haru repeated as she walked beside Hifumi. "I want to be Botanist."

"A Botanist? Really?" Hifumi said. "Judging by your outfit last night and your outfit today, I would have never guessed."

"While I do enjoy this type of life, I wasn't made to be decorative or be a delicate flower like my father or…he wants me to be. These hands," Haru paused to lift her hands. "These hands were meant to work, so when I realized that a year ago, I started to look up things to do with my hands. I found out from nearly burning down the kitchen that I am not a technology expert."

Hifumi giggled, which caused Haru to smile.

To Haru, Hifumi's giggle or laugh was like hearing music for the first time.

"I found out that I am quite proficient with sculpting, but these hands proved to be a match for plants. I love working with plants and being around them. After a year of planting, I realized that being a botanist was my dream."

"I think it's a good dream to have," Hifumi said with a wide smile. "What a combination we make. An aspiring Shogi Player and a Botanist."

"Is that a bad combination?" Haru asked teasingly.

"Not at all," Hifumi replied with a wide smile. "I have to say, I've never met anyone like you before."

"Is that a bad thing?" Haru asked.

"No, it's honestly refreshing and nice," Hifumi.

"Ah, I've found you, Haru-chan," A voice yelled from behind them.

Hifumi and Haru turned around to see Mariko coming towards them. "I've been looking everywhere for you, Haru-chan. I see you're with Hifumi-san," Mariko said with a knowing smile.

"Nice to see you again, Hyodo-san," Hifumi told her.

"Likewise, deary. Haru-chan, your father and Konoe-san request to see you. They say it's important," Mariko said.

Hifumi looked at Haru in concern as Haru's bright smile faded slightly. "Alright. I'll go see them right away."

Haru turned to Hifumi and said, "Sorry to cut this so short."

"That's okay. I'll see you later, right?" Hifumi asked.

Haru nodded.

"Come on, deary," Mariko said.

As Haru turned around, Hifumi said, "Hey, wait!"

Haru turned around and said, "Yes, Hifumi-chan?"

"I don't know…This might sound weird but, would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?" Hifumi asked.

Haru's face lit up like a Christmas tree while Mariko gave them a small smile. "I-I…Um…I'd like that lot," Haru bashfully answered.

"Great!" Hifumi exclaimed before she cleared her throat. "W-Well, I'll see you tonight," Hifumi said with a smile.

"Tonight," Haru said as she and Mariko turned away. Haru and Mariko walked a few feet when Haru turned around and gave a soft smile to Hifumi.

She watched as Hifumi raised her hand in a small wave with a soft smile of her own.

Haru blushed and quickly turned back around and walked with Mariko.

She missed Hifumi already.

"So, you seem quite smitten with Miss Togo," Mariko commented, which caused Haru to flush.

"Smitten?" Haru questioned.

"Smitten: deeply affected with or struck by strong feelings of attraction, affection, or infatuation," Mariko recited with a coy smile.

Haru blushed. "C-Certainly, that can't be. I've only known her for a short time," Haru stated.

"And yet I saw that look between you two," Mariko said. "You must remember Haru; you are engaged to Konoe-san. Being smitten with someone, even as adorable as Togo Hifumi, is wrong."

Haru sighed as she clasped her hands together. "Before you comment. It is not because of your preference, my dear. You can love whoever you want to love. The reason I say this is because your fiancé, Konoe-san, saw you and Hifumi last night talking the night away," Mariko explained.

Haru let out a soft gasp.

"I knew it," the voice whispered, her voice saddened by this development.

"He was irate that you were spending time with her when he wanted you there. He had threatened your father that he would see him ruined if this were to interfere with your relationship with him. Your father wanted to talk to you about this, but I convinced him otherwise to allow me to do it," Mariko told her.

Haru felt tears in her eyes.

"This is not fair, Hyodo-san," Haru whispered. "I do not love him. I never have…"

"I know it isn't fair, Haru-chan," Mariko responded with a saddened tone as she embraced Haru. "But when it comes to arranged marriages, what choice do we as women have within it?"

Mariko pulled away gently and wiped away Haru's tears as she said, "Your father and Konoe-san are leaving Osaka tonight and will have me escort you home. I promised that I would watch you for the remainder of the day. But I will let you say goodbye to her tonight, but you must cease contact with her after that. Per your fiance's orders."

"Fine…" Haru whispered sadly.

And just like that, Haru's mood plummeted into the seafloor below.

[Scene Change: Yacht (Evening)
Theme of Sorrow: Aoba Park from Persona 2: Eternal Punishment]

From the minute Hifumi saw Haru, Hifumi knew something was wrong, and throughout dinner, no matter how hard Hifumi tried, Haru seemed to be stuck in this sad mood.

This was such a vast difference from the Haru she had talked to last night up until this morning.

What happened?

Had she done something wrong?

"Hifumi-chan…Can we take a walk together?" Haru asked.

Hifumi felt nervous but nodded. After leaving their table, the two walked together in silence as they continued as the sun continued to set, causing the ocean below to glow in its radiant light.

They walked for what seemed like an hour before Hifumi looked to Haru. "So, Haru-chan. We've walked around this boat for what feels like miles now. What's going on?" Hifumi asked.

Hifumi watched as Haru poked her index fingers together, a habit that Hifumi thought was cute, as she said, "I-I wanted to apologize. I know I was quiet at dinner and I'm sorry. I-I just had a lot on my mind…."

"Like what?" Hifumi asked.

Haru was silent for a moment as she gazed at her hands. Finally, she said, These two days we've spent together have been magical to me. I never expected this to happen. Not on a dull thing like this."

Hifumi smiled.

The last two days on this stupid boat should have been just another dull affair for Hifumi. Some ambitious politician invited her and her mother to his yacht to meet her.

Hifumi did not know why he wanted to meet her and her mother, nor did she care. All Hifumi wanted to do was get away and practice her Shogi in peace.

But that was until she met Haru.

Haru managed to turn a dull affair into a memorable one for her.

Despite her popularity, Hifumi didn't have many friends. The only person she knew somewhat well was Kitagawa Yusuke, a highly eccentric artist that strived to be the best, but they were so focused on their respective crafts that they hardly talked about anything else.

Haru was the first person who ever got to know her, the real her, and to Hifumi, having Haru as a friend was the most extraordinary thing she could ever have.

"I agree," Hifumi said as she leaned against the railing on the side of the boat and glanced at the darkened sky. "Meeting you has been wonderful. I never felt so good about things before."

"Neither have I," Haru softly said as she gazed at the setting sun. "But I-I wanted to tell you that I'll be leaving in an hour."

Hifumi looked away from the ocean and at Haru with a shocked expression. Only then did she see the sad expression on Haru's face.

Hifumi felt her heart fall into her stomach.

"Why?" Hifumi asked, trying to keep the emotion from her voice. "The yacht's trip wasn't supposed to end until tomorrow, Children's day. Couldn't you stay longer?"

"My father and Sugimura, they are going to Osaka to meet with Sugimura's older brother for some joint promotion deal," Haru explained. "My father arranged for my helicopter ride home tomorrow morning."

"I see…" Hifumi murmured. "Well, that's okay. I mean, this was going to sooner or later, right?"

Hifumi chuckled but felt her eyes watering.

"R-Right," Haru replied, her voice breaking.

"Will I…" Hifumi took a deep breath. "Will I talk to you again?"

"I-I don't think that's a good idea," Haru answered. "T-Things are hectic…You've seen the news, I bet…"

Hifumi had.

Hifumi knew that Haru went to Shujin, and her name, amongst many, was called out during the whole Kamoshida debacle, so Hifumi knew the heat was on her and many students.

"Yeah…" Hifumi said.

"And Sugimura…he knew about our friendship and is threating…I j-just want to keep you out of that discourse and out of his view," Haru explained.

"I don't care," Hifumi told her as she reached her hand out to touch Haru's. "Haru, I don't. The things you told me about that wicked person you are being forced to marry. I would be a terrible friend to leave you alone in that."

"I d-don't want you to get involved, Hifumi," Haru said as she pulled her hand away. "The things that could happen, I'd feel guilty if you got wrapped up in it. P-Perhaps our friendship should end here."

Thanks to her training, Hifumi learned to read the expression in her opponents to find their tell, so seeing the anguished expression on Haru's face told Hifumi that she did not want to do this.

But she felt that she had to end things here.

"You don't have to do that, Haru," Hifumi told her, tears filling her sight.

Haru gave her a sad smile as she said, "I have to. I'm sorry, Hifumi…"

Haru began to turn away, but Hifumi grabbed her hand to stop her as she said, "I don't want you to end things like this."

Haru stopped and looked back at her.

Tears began to fall from Hifumi's eyes as she tearfully said, "Ever since my father died, I've longed for someone to connect with, for someone to be my friend. My Mother was so busy wanting me to the best that I never had time for it until you. For the first time in my life, I found the only person I could talk to and be me. Not the Beautiful Shogi Empress or whatever the hell people call me. I can be myself when I'm with you."

"And it's not just that. You're the most beautiful, astounding, wonderful person I've met in my entire life—your friendly, bubbly, sweet and, kind. I've seen how people smile more when you're around. Like that woman, Hyodo-san. Every time I saw her look at you, she looked as if she was a proud mother."

Tears fell down Haru's face as Hifumi hesitantly reached over to place her free shaking hand on Haru's left cheek. "I know that you're trying to protect me from this Sugimura, but I will be okay," Hifumi shakily said. "B-Besides, You have other friends. You've mentioned them to me, so why are you doing this to me and not them? Our friendship is just blossoming friendship. Why?" Hifumi asked her.

"Because I…Because…" Haru paused. "There's something different about you, Hifumi-chan. Mariko-chan noticed this, and I felt myself. I don't know how or why, but it's something I can't place but…, damn it!" Haru yelled. "We had only met a day ago, and my heart is screaming at me, begging at me not to do this…."

Haru looked down at their joint hands and whispered, "Why is this so hard to do?"

"It doesn't have to be," Hifumi whispered. "It doesn't. We can find this feeling together. We can still be friends. You don't have to leave it at this. Please?"

Hifumi and Haru stood there as the sounds of waves and seagulls flowed around them, the glow of the setting sun softening Haru's face.

Hifumi felt Haru's hand touch her face softly, Haru's brown eyes shimmering before Haru leaned close and pressed a gentle kiss to Hifumi's lips, which caused Hifumi's eyes to widen in surprise.

Before Hifumi could do anything more, Haru took a step back and whispered, "I'm sorry," before she turned away and ran as fast as she could.

"W-Wait! Haru!" Hifumi shouted after her as she lifted her hand.

"Don't go…" she whispered.

[Scene Change: Shibuya - Wilton Hotel buffet (Next Day - Afternoon)
Theme of the Wilton Hotel buffet: Yukino's Theme from Persona 2: Innocent Sin (PSP)]

"Wow…This place is as beautiful as I imagined it…" Ann whispered with stars in her eyes, alongside the starry-eyed Shiho and Morgana.

Ryuji and Ren exchanged glances with one another while Haru remained quiet.

It was now Children's Day, and the excited duo of Shiho and Ann lead the rest of their group to the Wilton Hotel buffet, where there were so many delicious smells in the air, it made everyone's mouths water.

"Let's hurry up and pay so we can chow down," Ryuji said with excitement.

Once seated, Ann wasted no time going to the sweets section while Haru and Ryuji went to the beef area, leaving Ren, Morgana, and Shiho alone at the table.

"I'm shocked you haven't gone with her," Ren commented to Shiho with a smile on his face.

It had been a day since their kiss, and the awkwardness had died away, but there was a more affectionate look in their eyes whenever they looked at each other. "I decided to let Ann have first dibs before I clear it out," Shiho said with a grin on her face.

"Is that all?" Morgana asked teasingly.

Shiho smiled at him and said, "Well…It does give me a chance to spend a little time with Ren-kun before the others come." Ren shot Shiho a smirk, which made her face heat up, but her smile remained.

Moments later, satisfied Ryuji and Haru returned to the table.

"Back and look at this plate of meaty goodness," Ryuji said as he sat down at the end of the table with his large plate of meat. Haru sat on the opposite side of Ren and Shiho with some vegetables and shrimp on her plate.

"That's….a lot of meat, Ryuji-nii…" Shiho said with a blink.

Ryuji looked past the mound of meat and gave her a wide grin. "This won't even fill me up!"

"You couldn't be conservative like Haru-chan's plate?" Morgana asked.

Ryuji looked at Haru's relatively small plate then laughed. "Nah. It's go big or go home, baby!"

"While Ryuji starts his path to a meat coma…" Ren began as he turned his attention to Haru. "How was that trip you took with your dad?"

Haru stared at her plate in silence.

"Haru-chan? Are you alright?" Shiho asked.

Haru's head snapped up as she said, "W-What? I apologize."

"It's okay. We were just wondering how the trip went," Ren told her.

"Boring as usual," Haru softly replied, a soft smile appearing on her face. "The only good thing that came out of it was meeting Togo Hifumi."

"Togo Hifumi?" Ren asked curiously.

"She's one of the best female Shogi players of this century," Shiho explained.

"Oh…" Ren said.

"So was she cute?" Shiho asked.

Ren could see something in Haru's eyes that he couldn't place as she murmured, "She certainly lives up to her moniker."

"Bif you geh her nummer?" Ryuji asked her with his mouth full of meat.

"Chew and Swallow Ryuji," Ann said as she walked past him and sat at the other end of the table, six slices of cake on one plate and an entire apple pie on the other. She sat the apple pie in front of Shiho and said, "They had your favorite."

Shiho squealed as she kissed Ann's cheek in thanks, cut a piece of pie, and sat it on another plate before wolfing it down.

"So Haru, did you get her number?" Ryuji asked again.

"Whose number?" Ann asked.

"Togo Hifumi," Haru softly replied. "And I-I did not. I wish to not speak of this subject anymore."

"Don't sweat it then," Ryuji said with a smile, but Ren, Ann, and Shiho exchanged concerned looks.

"Oh! Before I forget, I saw the news this morning," Ryuji said. "Looks like the media circus is kicking into high gear surrounding Kamoshida's arrest."

"I saw that as well yesterday morning," Haru said. "I saw them interviewing several students. They didn't show their faces, but from their tone of voice, they seemed happy that Kamoshida were caught…"

"Yeah, a joint feeling for everyone at this table," Ryuji said with a smile, but Shiho frowned.

"Well, almost," Shiho said. "Some jerk recorded the majority of Kamoshida's breakdown, and the news has been playing it. There have been news vans and everything in front of my place. Just getting here was a hassle for Ann-chan and I…"

Ren let out a groan of annoyance.

"Fuck, I should have known that changing Kamoshida's heart would have a drawback like that," Ren grumbled out.

It also didn't help that if someone did record most of Kamoshida's confession, all of their names would be out in the open, which he didn't want.

"Ah well, there's nothing we can do now…" Ren said with a sigh before a teasing grin appeared on his face as he added, "Other than change their hearts."

Shiho giggled at this and bumped her shoulder with his. "We can't go changing hearts all willy-nilly Ren-kun."

"I know, I know," Ren replied as he shut his eyes and smiled.

"Whoa…" Ryuji breathed out, which caused the group to look at him. "Check this shit out," Ryuji said as he held out his phone.

The group stared at it in surprise, but it was Morgana who read what they saw. "The Phantom Aficionado Website?" Morgana asked. "Okay, which one of you made it?"

"None of us," Ren said. "Wait, there are posts…"

Ren took Ryuji's phone and began to read them out.

"Well done, Phantom Thieves."

"Now I can keep going too."

"Thank you for giving us hope."

"I knew you guys existed!"

"Pretty cool, right?" Ryuji asked with a large grin. "Someone posted about it on my Facebook wall, so I had to check it out."

"Man…It's so weird," Ann said. "I did all of that to avenge what that pig did to Shiho and I…But seeing people saying all this is odd to me."

"It feels nice," Shiho admitted.

"It does, doesn't it?" Ryuji questioned with a wistful smile. "But it makes me wonder what we will do now."

"We should still have plenty of time on the food, Ryu," Ren told him.

"Thank god, I may have all this beef, but I am nowhere near down tasting all of the meat specials," Ryuji said before he took another bite of meat and nearly let out an orgasmic moan. "Awww, it's so good and tender and juicy….It's like a meaty explosion in my mouth."

"That's what she said," Ann said with a smirk.

Ryuji gaped at her as Ren and Morgana let out a laugh.

Ann cooed as she used her fork to cut at the three slices of cake, one strawberry, the second a tiramisu, and the third a tuxedo cake that was stacked on top of one another before she placed the large cut slice into her mouth. "I'm so, so, so, happy," she whined.

"Hey, calories," Ryuji teased with a wink, which caused Ann to pause and give him a pout.

"Shuddup!" Ann exclaimed, which caused Shiho to giggle as she ate. "How much do you think one of these costs?! I'll never get the chance to do this again!"

She then let out another pleasant whine as she said, "The Wilton Hotel cake buffet. I'd heard rumors, but I never thought it'd be so amazing. Oh god, the strawberry cake had cream cheese in it!"

"It sounds like she's having sex with it," Ren whispered to Shiho, who was just about to take finish off her pie.

Shiho blushed and laughed at this while Morgana let out a whiny meow. "Ren…I'm huuuuungry," Morgana groaned in pain.

Ren chuckled and got up from his seat and said, "I'll be right back. One large plate of fish and fish accessories coming up."

"Thank you, Hank Hill," Ryuji said with a blank face.

Ren smirked as he walked towards the buffet, but he was joined by Haru, who asked, "Want some company?"

"Of course I do," Ren replied as the two walked around with plates towards the first table.

"I gotta say, I'm glad things turned out somewhat well…I was truly concerned that we would get expelled. While my father would certainly pay to keep me at Shujin, I couldn't say the same about you and the others," Haru told him with a small smile.

"Same here…I would be in Juvie if it had gone through," Ren said with a relieved sigh. "But that is all in the past until proven otherwise, so let's just sit back, relax and enjoy our reward feast."

The two friends found the fish table, but as the pair were putting fish on their plates, the duo heard the stuffy voice of a rich woman across the table from him. "Honey, have you heard the news about that Kamoshida fellow? It was dreadful."

The woman beside her let out a haughty laugh as she replied, "Ah yes, that teacher from Shujin Academy. Caught doing indecent and lewd acts. What a shame."

Ren narrowed his eyes as the woman continued with, "And they still haven't managed to solve those horrible psychotic breakdown episodes, have they? I wish they wouldn't let themselves be so distracted by this tawdry scandal."

"Perhaps it's a sign of how peaceful Japan is. I do pity those students at Shujin, though," the arrogant woman said as she picked up some fish and placed it on her place

"He is the talk of the town," Ren grumbled to Haru.

"I sincerely believe he would have enjoyed this if you guys didn't change his heart," Haru said with a frown on her face.

"Hey guys," Shiho said as she walked up to Ren and Haru with her plate full of fried rice. "Figured I'd grab some shrimp and meat and check up on you since Morgana is getting super whiny."

Ren rolled his eyes but motioned to the reasonably large plate of fish in his hand. "Morgana will never want to eat again after this."

"Despite being a cat, I bet Morgana could eat more than that," Haru said.

"You think so?" Ren asked.

"I know so," Haru replied with a faint grin on her face.

Shiho opened her mouth to add onto this when they heard the rich woman from across the table scoff beneath her breath. "Tsk, how did children like this end up here?" they listened to the haughty woman say to her stuffy wealthy friend.

Haru and Ren glanced at each other, their frowns deepening at the insulting tone the woman had.

"I hope these two didn't bring any of their hooligan friends. I prefer my meals to be rift-raft free," The rich woman said. "Let us go away from these children."

The two women walked away, leaving the trio staring in annoyance after the pair. "What's so bad about us kids coming to enjoy a buffet?" Shiho huffed out. "We paid our money just like they did."

Haru's shoulders lowered as an upset expression appeared on her face. "How undignified…"

"Don't sweat them," Ren said with a smile to the two girls. "However, I am curious to see if anyone else is talking about the Kamoshida thing…" Ren handed Shiho Morgana's plate and said, "You guys finish up and go back to the table. I'm going to do some sleuthing."

So for the next five minutes, as he gathered his plate, he overheard what some of the adults were saying and when Ren finished, he came back with his plate of assorted food.

"That's a good-looking plate you got there, leader," Ryuji said with a grin. "Whaddya think about comin' up against such ritzy food?"

"I'm shaking with excitement," Ren replied happily.

"It's cute hearin' that from someone like you," Ryuji said with a laugh.

"You think so, Ryu-kun?" Ren asked with a teasing grin.

"Of course I do, Ren-Ren," Ryuji replied with a wide smile. "Just don't get too excited."

"You're the last person I want advising about that, Ryuji," Morgana said with a skeeved-out look, which made Ren snort.

"But thank you for calling me cute," Ren joked.

"So, you hear anything interesting from sleuthing?" Shiho questioned.

"Yeah, it seems like most of the adults aren't very interested in the news about Kamoshida but seem to enjoy the sensation nature about it," Ren answered. "The vultures."

"Well, I hope they enjoy messing up people's lives for amusement," Shiho muttered angrily. "It's bad enough that person recorded it, but now I'm being harassed more."

"Same here," Ann said. "My folks somehow found out, and they are flying home to check on me. Bleh."

"I doubt my folks care to be honest," Ren bitterly said. "Well, at least my father. If anything, he'd think it is my fault."

"I know that feeling," Haru said.

"Shitty fathers, am I right?" Ryuji asked.

The entire table took on a gloomy atmosphere before Morgana said, "Hey, come on, guys. We're supposed to be celebrating."

"Yeah, Morgana is right," Ryuji said with a nod. "We probably don't have a lot of time left, so let's continue celebrating by chowing down!"

"Yeah!" Morgana exclaimed.

"You're right…" Ren said. "Let's chow down and be down later."

The group nodded and began to eat in earnest, allowing themselves to ease back into a happy air. As Ann left the table to get more sweets, a couple walked past their table stopped to stare at them.

"My…Look at that table," the woman said.

"Don't pay them any mind," The man said. "I'm sure they must not normally have the chance to eat such exquisite food."

"I can only imagine what their parents must be like," the elegant woman replied.

Ren could feel the anger rising off of everyone at the table, himself included, at the words, but it was Ryuji who growled out, "What was that?"

"God, what dicks," Morgana said with a frown.

"It seems like every adult in this place hates kids..." Shiho murmured with a frown.

"This is what the elite do," Haru said softly. "Make fun of those they feel are beneath them. It makes me ashamed to be among them…"

"Don't be ashamed. You're not like them," Shiho said to Haru.

"Yeah, if anything, you're the total opposite!" Ann exclaimed.

"You stuck your neck out for us when we barely knew you," Ren said.

"The three of us wouldn't be here without you, Haru," Ryuji told her with a small smile. "Hell, that alone shows you're not like these stuck-up idiots."

"Thank you, guys…" Haru said with a smile.

Ann came back a few moments later with a pensive look on her face, which Shiho noticed immediately.

"What's wrong, Ann-chan?" Shiho asked.

"I had a run-in with some woman before I got over here. She bumped into me then said it was my fault when she dropped her plate," Ann explained sourly.

"What a bitch," both Shiho and Ryuji said in unison.

"Yeah…Thanks, though. Both for you," Ann said with a tiny smile. "But it's not just her. All the restaurant workers were looking at me with this disapproving expression. Makes me feel out of place here."

"It always feels like this…" Ren said with a sad smile.

Ryuji scowled while both Shiho and Haru frowned.

"Hey, Morgana-kun?" Shiho asked.

"Yes, Lady Shiho?" Morgana asked with a tilt of his head.

[Theme of the Thieves: With the Stars and Us (Piano Version) from Persona 5]

"I've been thinking. Since Kamoshida had a palace, anyone can have one. Right?" Shiho asked.

Morgana nodded and clarified with "Anyone with a strong, distorted desire can have a palace."

"Also, anyone with a strong desire and a palace has a treasure that can be stolen to change their heart, right?" Shiho asked.

Morgana nodded then replied, "Correct-o. Why do you ask?"

"It seems like everyone we've seen today have been snobby, arrogant adults," Shiho said with a frown on her face. "I-I guess I was wondering if we were able to change those type of people a-as well."

The group's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you saying, Shiho-chan?" Ann asked.

"I-I want to continue being the Phantom Thieves…" Shiho admitted softly.

"But why?" Haru asked.

"Ren-kun, Morgana-kun, and Ryuji-kun…Later Ann-chan, you and I…We all put in so much work to stop Kamoshida's r-reign of terror for not just me but the entire school yet these adults don't believe in us…But those that we did save thanked us for saving them. For being their voice when they f-felt, they had none," Shiho said.

"I agree," Ryuji said with a grin to Shiho. "We put in a lot of work savin' our school, but it's like today made us realize that there are dozens of people like Kamoshida out there…If we kept going, we could make this world a better place."

"I see…" Ren said. "Ann…Haru…What do you two think?"

"I want to continue as well," Ann said. "If we ignore those in trouble, we would all go back to who we were before,…And that would be selfish on our part."

Haru was silent for a moment then said, "I may not t have the powers like you guys do, but you all count me as a Phantom Thief, so…I say we keep going. After all, we've been through, I can't turn my back on you guys, and I can't turn a blind eye to anyone suffering. I say we do it."

"My stance is simple," Morgana said. "You're all under my tutelage. There's nothing we can't accomplish as Phantom Thieves, so I strongly suggest we keep going."

"Well, Ren?" Ryuji asked. "What do you think?"

"I didn't even think of such a possibility," Ren admitted softly. "But it's true that with this power, we may be able to help people. Sure, we'll have to keep fighting Shadows, but we can manage it." Ren looked at his friends slowly and removed his glasses, then opened his eyes, revealing the seriousness of the situation.

"I've always thought of myself as a shield to protect others…That mindset ruined me, and yet, that feeling has remained deep inside my soul," Ren said to the group. "If I turned away now, I would be throwing away who I am, and I refuse to let that happen. I'm in."

The group smiled.

"Heh, Even if you guys are still just fledglings, this means we're an actual organization now," Morgana said proudly.

"Fledglings?" Ann repeated before her smile widened. "That's pretty fitting for us."

"Then it's settled," Ryuji said. "We're gonna catch all these shitty adults by surprise and make ourselves known to the world as the voice of the voiceless."

"And with Ren being our leader, we're bound to succeed," Shiho said with a smile to Ren.

Seeing the group nod and smile in agreement, Ren felt his eyes water. "You guys want me as your leader?" Ren asked.

"Dude, you've been leading us since the start of all of this," Ryuji said. "If anyone deserves the spot, it's you. Besides, I can't handle all that responsibility."

"If not for you, Ren, none of us would be here," Ann told him with a warm smile. "All of us would be dead without you at the helm."

"You have the makings of a good leader along with already being a good person," Haru said.

"Hey, don't I get a say?" Morgana jokingly asked before he looked up at Ren and said, "You're damn good at what you do, Ren, so I'm going to ask, would you like to lead our merry band of thieves?"

Ren was touched by everyone having faith in him, and for a second, he allowed a small tear to fall from his right eye before he smirked and said, "Then I accept being the leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts and all that it entails."

The teens loudly cheered as Ren let a gentle smile appear on his face.

"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 Judgement Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
shall lead to freedom and new power…"

[Theme of the Wilton Hotel buffet: Yukino's Theme from Persona 2: Innocent Sin (PSP)]

"I hate to ruin our celebration but Ann, how long do we have left?" Ryuji asked Ann.

"We have forty-five minutes left, Ryuji. Why?" Ann asked.

"I'm gonna head to the bathroom quick before we assemble our last plates and get out of here," Ryuji said as he stood up from his chair.

"Actually, I was just about to go too," Ren said as he stood up as well. "You guys hold down the fort. We'll be back."

"Man, that was close. I damn near had a panic attack when I saw that "Closed for Cleaning" sign at the bathrooms," Ryuji said as the two walked up to the elevator. "You know what floor the restaurant was on?"

"We're on the fifth floor, right? So it should be the third floor?" Ren answered with a questioning tone.

"So anyway, I see you and Shiho have been chatting. You two get over that near kiss thing?" Ryuji asked.

"Yeah…We have a better understanding of each other and where we stand now," Ren said with a smile. "How was your date with Ann?"

"We're supposed to go after this," Ryuji blushed a bit and said, "But in the meantime….Do you mind…."

"You want me to do some sleuthing?" Ren asked with a waggle of his eyebrows.

"Please do," Ryuji replied with a thankful tone.

"Consider it do-" without warning, Ren was interrupted as a well-dressed man with a face mask bumping both him and Ryuji out of the way.

[Theme of Confrontation: Tension from Persona 2: Innocent Sin (PSP Ver)]

"Hey, what the hell?!" Ryuji exclaimed, but a cold look from the masked man stopped Ryuji's oncoming tirade.

Moments later, more men in well-dressed suits and masks walked up to the elevator, but Ren saw him.

Ren saw a bald man with a goatee, orange glasses with black frames, a button-down shirt, a black blazer, and brown leather shoes. The world seemed to die away, leaving only him and the man alone.

He knew that face anywhere.

"I don't care about your opinion, you incompetent buffoon. When I say pick up the pace, you do it."

He knew that voice.

It haunted his dreams.

It haunted his every thought.

He could see Ryuji and a man talking, but all he could see was the bald man.

"It seems the customer base has changed since I was here last. Have they started a daycare?"

As the man began to walk away into the elevator, Ren saw him turn around, and they locked eyes.

"Damn brat! I'll Sue!"

And just as the elevator doors closed, Ren felt all of the rage that had built up in him skyrocket to a level he had never felt.

Rain: And that is the end of this chapter. So this chapter was the official birth of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts and just general bonding of the team. The Madarame Arc is coming up next, so until then…

Joker: Stop the show!