Miss Violet: Hello students. Part two of the Fraud Palace. Sorry it took a while. I wanted to really think on how I wanted this chapter to go when it comes to Haru and Ryuji. But enough talk! Time to start class *cracks ruler on desk*
Persona V: Reversing the Wheel of Fate
Chapter Fifty-Nine
[Opening Scene: Brothel of Fraud - Shōgi no Kinboshi Club (Basement)
Theme of Heart-to-Heart: Confession, Secret from Persona 5]
Beauty Thief stared in disbelief at the figure in the cell.
Hifumi's father was trapped in here and was begging to get out. What did this mean?
"Beauty Thief," Skull called out, which prompted Beauty Thief to turn around to face him and the other Phantom Thieves. "What's up."
Beauty Thief motioned for all of them to come closer and when they did, she looked into the cell. "Hifumi's dad is in there."
"Most likely a cognition," Mage murmured as he observed the man within the cell.
"You're close to his daughter," Panther stated as she turned to Beauty Thief. "What can you tell us about him?"
Beauty Thief looked at the man with distant eyes.
[Scene Change: Flashback - Yacht (Night)
Theme of Tenderness: Brand New days -The Beginning- from Persona 3 FES]
"What is your dad like?" Haru asked.
"Well, I could say the cliché thing and say he's a great father. I could say that he's smart, kind, firm but fair, brave, outspoken, and a great role model, and it would all be true. I want to be just like him. Almost in every way," Hifumi answered.
"Almost?" Haru asked.
Haru watched as Hifumi's eyes turned somber.
"He and mom, they dislike each other," Hifumi revealed. "They both want what's best for me. Neither wants me to struggle like they had all of their lives. But they have different ways of doing it, I guess. And because of that, they fought a lot…."
Hifumi looked away from the sky and Haru was gifted with a small smile. "I say almost because my father, as great as he is to me, I don't like how he treats mom. Even though she treats him worse. I don't want to be with someone that I with every fiber of my being and fight with them every single day, especially with a child present. I want to find someone who I get along with and who I can be happy with. That's where the "Almost" come in."
"But why not divorce?" Haru asked.
"My parents don't believe in it," Hifumi answered. "Plus, I think that they stayed together for me. And truthfully? I would have been happy if they had divorced instead of them hating each other until his dying day."
Hifumi sniffled.
"But despite this, I miss him so much," Hifumi whispered.
[Scene Change: Brothel of Fraud - Shōgi no Kinboshi Club (Basement)
Theme of Heart-to-Heart: Confession, Secret from Persona 5]
"She loved and idolized her father, but from what I can remember, he and her mother hated each other," Beauty Thief answered.
"Which would explain why he's chained up so tight and why he's in prison," Lioness noted. "But why not divorce and save the trouble?"
"They didn't believe in it," Beauty Thief answered. "Not to mention, Hifumi thinks they stayed together for her."
"This sucks," Skull remarked with a frown on his face.
Beauty Thief noticed how quickly Panther took Skull's hand and that made her smile. She then watched as Skull smiled at her and silently nodded, which made Panther smile in return.
"I think we should try talking to him," Skull finally said. "He may have information about this palace that we should know."
Mage nodded in agreement and added, "Especially if there are traps here."
"Well, I think we know who should talk to him," Lioness stated as she smiled at Beauty Thief.
Beauty Thief nodded and looked back at the chained-up man. She nervously licked her lips and rung out her hands. Why was she so nervous all of a sudden? Was it because she was talking to the father of the girl she was fond of?
"Tōgō-san?" Beauty Thief finally called out.
She watched as the figure lifted his head to look at her. "W-Whose there?" he replied.
"We're friends of Hifumi. Can you tell us how you got imprisoned here?" Beauty Thief asked.
"I-I don't know," the man answered. "I w-woke up and I was down here. I just want to be free again to see my daughter."
Beauty Thief frowned and looked at Skull and whispered, "Should we try and free him?"
Skull shook his head with narrowed eyes. "It could be a trap. Let's see if he knows the way around here instead," Skull answered.
Beauty Thief nodded and looked back at Hifumi's father. "I see…. Well, can you tell us how to get to the 55th floor of the Brothel Hotel?" Beauty Thief asked.
The man bowed his head and shook it. "I-I can't," he stammered. "She'll never free me if I tell…."
"But it's important, Tōgō-san," Beauty Thief replied. "Hifumi is in danger, and we have to save her."
"M-My daughter is in danger?" The man questioned.
Beauty Thief nodded, only to realize that the man may have not seen it, and then vocally replied, "Yes. And we're here to rescue her, but we don't know our way around. Please help us get to the 55th floor."
The man grew quiet but then shook his head again, which caused the group to groan.
"I mean, I guess this tracks," Skull announced. "In Kamoshida's palace, the cognition-ma-bobs tended to go along with their torture in fear of that rapist dick. Maybe Hifumi's Dad is the same way. In fear of the Palace Ruler. Either that or Hifumi's mom sees Hifumi's dad as weak in real life and him being so subservient here is a reflection of that."
"That's very astute, Skull," Mage happily said.
"That does sound plausible," Lioness said. "Look at you, Joker and Mona would be so impressed."
"Hey, I may be a slow learner, but I learn," Skull remarked with a grin." But no worries, we'll just have to do it the hard way," Skull said. "Let's move out."
The group nodded and quickly moved on, but Beauty Thief remained for a moment. She felt so bad for the imprisoned man.
"I don't know if Hifumi will ever see you down here, or if she already talked to you. But if she hasn't, I just want to tell you that she loves and misses you," Beauty Thief told the cognition. "You're her idol and I'm sorry that I had to meet you like this instead of the man she adored. But I promise that I'll save her, and look after her in your stead, for as long as she wants me to."
Beauty Thief patted the door, spared the man one last look, and ran off after the other Phantom Thieves.
[Theme of Brothel of Fraud: Club Zodiac from Persona 2: Eternal Punishment]
Beauty Thief turned a corner and found the group waiting in front of an elevator for her. "I have to say, I thought there would be some sort of battle down here," Mage said as the elevator dinged and the doors opened.
"Maybe everyone is distracted?" Lioness queried as the group stepped inside.
The doors closed and Beauty Thief looked at the buttons. "Looks like this elevator only goes up to the twentieth floor," she muttered.
"Which means either there's no elevator after that floor, or we'll have to find another one," Panther theorized.
"Whatever the case, let's just get through this as stealthily as possible," Skull said. "If we can avoid a battle, let's. We'll need all of our energy to save the others."
The group nodded., and Beauty Thief pressed the 22nd-floor button. The elevator doors closed and the elevator started its trip to the 22nd floor.
[Scene Change: Shibuya – Niijima Residence (Morning)
Theme of Uneasiness: Between Doors From Persona P3: FES]
"Dear Makoto,
Sorry to have slept and dashed, but we're going to rescue Ren, Yusuke, and Hifumi today. We wanted you to come along with us but since we're doing a deep dive, we didn't want to put you in another dangerous situation.
Plus, it would do some good to have one of us there in case your sister reaches out.
Thanks again for last night. You have no idea how sweet that was. I hope to repay you one day.
We'll see you when we get back.
Hugs and Kisses,
Shiho."
Makoto lowered the note and sat it on her desk. Logically, it made sense for her to stay behind. Her shadow actively engaged them in battle, and nearly defeated Shiho in combat. Not to mention, Hifumi's shadow kidnapped her to begin the chaos.
But Makoto still couldn't help but feel so useless. Her friends were out there saving Ren, Yusuke, and Hifumi while she was doing what? Sleeping peacefully? Makoto sighed and shook her head.
No, she shouldn't think like that. She can't give her shadow more ammunition to torture her with.
Instead, Makoto decided that she would go out for a jog.
Once she was changed into the proper jogging attire, which consisted of a silver wind-jacket that had "KILLER QUEEN" On the back in jagged lettering, a black tank-top, black yoga pants, and black Nikes, she left her apartment and left the Urban Park Daikanyama 2 apartment building to begin her jog toward Shibuya.
After ten minutes of jogging, Makoto found herself at the Shibuya Crossing. "I should actually buy a water bottle while I'm nearby the stores," Makoto said to herself. Once she crossed the streets, doing her best to not bump into someone, she found herself in that familiar row of stores and restaurants.
As she walked down Central Street toward the Triple Seven Convenience Store, she heard a man's voice coming from the alleyway that lead to the store Untouchable. Makoto narrowed her eyes and approached the alleyway to see two men standing in front of a girl she recognized from Shujin.
Takao Eiko.
A third-year student at Shujin Academy. She had pale skin, long brown hair that was done in a sky-high ponytail that was angeled to the right, brown bangs that framed her face alongside brown fringes, and tearful brown eyes.
She wore a pink dress with a cream-colored cardigan above it, pink heart-shaped earrings, a pink ribbon that was tied into a bow at the base of her ponytail, and cream-colored sandals.
And she was being harassed by two sleazy men in suits that looked two sizes too big on them. It was strange. She had seen them often enough around Shujin and Shibuya, talking to students and younger people.
What was going on here?
"J-Just leave me alone," Eiko whimpered.
Makoto narrowed her eyes.
"Look, our boss is paying big money for us to find cute little tails like yourself," One of the sleazy men told her.
The second man wrapped a strand of hair from Eiko's left bang and added, "So just bring that cute little ass willingly, and we won't have any problems."
Makoto knew that she should just walk past and pretend she didn't see this. She knew it would be easier this way, but she couldn't. She had been blind before when it came to Kamoshida's mess. She can't afford to make the same mistake again.
With determination swelling in her chest, Makoto threw caution to the wind and charged forward. "Leave her alone!" Makoto yelled and then jumped. One of the men turned at the voice, only for his face to meet the bottom of Makoto's black right Nike shoe.
The man fell to the ground with blood falling from his face as Makoto landed in a crouch and delivered a swift uppercut to the alarmed man still standing, grabbed his shirt, and launched her over her shoulder and onto the ground hard.
"You alright?" Makoto asked.
Wide-eyed, Eiko nodded.
"Good," Makoto stated as she took the girl's hand. "Come on," she instructed as she pulled Eiko along. The two ran far away from the alleyway and ducked into Big Bang Burger.
[Theme of Big Bang Burger: Big Bang Burger March from Persona 5]
"Hello! Welcome to Big Bang Burger! Are you two looking to try our Big Bang Moon Combo today?" The cashier questioned with a forced smile and exhausted eyes.
"Is that the only way to be seated?" Makoto asked.
"Yes! Our seats are for customers only," the cashier answered.
"Great! That's perfect, We'll take one each," Makoto hastily answered.
"Perfect! That'll be 3584.41 Yen, please," The cashier said.
"W-What?!" Makoto exclaimed. "3584.41 Yen?! Are y—" Makoto shook her head and muttered, "Fine….."
Makoto dug into her pockets and pulled out her debit card. One swipe later, the Cashier handed Makoto her card and announced, "And finished! There is a booth seat at the end of the store. Please take your seat and we will have someone come over with your meals. Thank you and have a Big Bang Day!"
"Thanks," Makoto grumbled as she took her card back and dragged Eiko down the aisle, and found the seat furthest away from the windows.
Makoto sat down as Eiko sat on the other side of the table. "Keep your head down in case they pass," Makoto instructed.
Eiko nodded and the two lowered their heads. From out of the corner of Makoto's eyes, she saw those two sleazy men run past the Big Bang Burgers window, one man bleeding due to his broken glasses and the footprint on his face, while the other looked scuffed up.
The two yelled at one another while looking around before they both ran off.
[Theme of Relaxation: Break It Down from Persona 5]
"That was close," Makoto sighed as she lifted her head from the table and stared at the girl. "Are you okay, Takao-san?"
"Y-You saved me," Eiko whispered. "Why?"
"Does there have to be a reason?" Makoto asked. "You were in danger, simple as that."
Eiko flushed and bowed her head. "Thank you, Niijima-san," she whispered. "I was so terrified…."
"Can you tell me what happened?" Makoto implored.
"I-I was walking along with my boyfriend Tsukasa and these two jerks came along, wanting me to see their boss or whatever," Eiko said.
"Why?" Makoto asked.
"I don't know, but they were very pushy. Kept throwing around how their part of some mafia and how whatever their boss wanted, he gets. And if I didn't go, they would tell my parents about Tsukasa. I thought he would try and defend me but…." Eiko drifted off. "He just….ran for the hills. Some boyfriend he was…."
'Mafia?!' Makoto thought. "Did they give you a name of the mafia or the name of their boss?"
Eiko tilted her head in thought. "Kaneshiro Junya. That's the only name I managed to catch before they started to really scare me."
Makoto felt her blood run cold at that name.
"Are you sure that was the name?" Makoto prodded.
Eiko nodded.
Makoto bowed her head.
[Theme of Thy True Self: Bomb Shelter from Persona 2: Innocent Sin (PSP Ver)]
The world darkened around Makoto's booth as she sat in shock.
Kaneshiro Junya.
She knew that name.
She knew that name very, very well….
"Well, well, well…." Shadow Makoto chimed as she leaned up from the booth behind Eiko, her yellow eyes glowing in amusement. "Isn't that name a blast from the past?"
"That man…." Makoto hissed.
"Oh, don't get so angry Useless," Shadow Makoto admonished. "You have a pretty little thing in front of you. Wouldn't want her to see you cry, would you?"
"Shut up," Makoto warned as she looked at her Shadow.
Shadow Makoto twirled a strand of Eiko's hair around her fingers. "Why? Memories of that day floating into your mind?" Shadow Makoto taunted. "Of course it is. It replays every night in your dreams. Nipping and clawing at you until you wake…."
Shadow Makoto then shrugged and added, "Not like you can do anything about it, Useless. Might as well tell our dear sister so she can ignore it as she does to all parasites like you."
Makoto balled her hands into fists.
Shadow Makoto laughed as the world faded back to normal.
[Theme of Relaxation: Break It Down from Persona 5]
"T-Thank you for telling me this, Takao-san," Makoto said after collecting herself. "I will look into this further. If they're harassing you, there is no telling who else they've gone after."
"Thank you but why?" Eiko asked. "Why would you do that?"
"Because it's the right thing to do," Makoto softly answered.
Eiko stared at her for a moment, only to laugh. "Well, I will say this, my perception of you has certainly changed. I didn't think you cared about anyone. Hell, I kind of thought you were an emotionless robot," Eiko said. "But you're not. You saved my life just to help. How can I repay you?"
"There is no need to repay me," Makoto answered.
'The information was more than enough….' Makoto thought.
But what would she do with it?
[Scene Change: Brothel of Fraud - Shōgi no Kinboshi Club (22nd Floor)
Theme of Brothel of Fraud: Club Zodiac from Persona 2: Eternal Punishment]
The elevator doors opened and the Phantom Thieves found themselves in a dark room that pulsated with music and various types of lights in a variety of colors.
All around them, there were poles where girls, all wearing Hifumi masks, danced.
However, Beauty Thief was quick to realize that a lot of these girls were not wearing tops. "A-Are we in a strip club?" Mage stammered, the LED eyes closed and a pixilated blush streaking across the mask.
"You know, I bet a million light years from now when there are spaceships and cities on other worlds, there will still be a bar filled with men drooling over half-naked women shaking their asses on stage. I can't decide whether that's funny or sad," Panther muttered as Lioness and Beauty Thief blushed deeply.
"Lioness, Beauty Thief, Mage, Put your tongues back in your mouths before you three trip on them," Skull joked. "We have a job to do, so let's do it."
The group, despite three of their members being flustered, nodded and traversed the crowd of men watching these girls stripping.
"I gotta say, though, this is madly uncomfortable," Skull muttered. "A mother shouldn't see her daughter as a sex object like this."
"Yeah," Beauty Thief replied. "I knew it was bad, but for Hifumi to have a mother so sick like this…." Beauty Thief drifted off before her anger could seep through. "We have to save her from this, Skull."
"Once we save the others, we're shutting this shit down. Trust me on that," Skull swore.
"Do you guys see an exit around here?" Panther murmured to the group.
Beauty Thief and Skull looked around, as they were both leading the party, and stopped when they saw a stairwell that had an exit sign above it. The downside was that two guards stood beside it, both armed with batons.
"Yeah," Skull answered. "But there are two guards in front of it. We'll need to distract them somehow."
Beauty Thief watched as Skull narrowed his eyes in thought. She watched him observe the groups of men around the circular tables, throwing money at the strippers who were pole-dancing in the middle of them.
"Bingo," Skull smirked and then motioned for Beauty Thief to follow his gaze. She followed his gaze to one of the farther tables, where two men, a younger, fatter man, and an older skinnier man, were wildly tossing money at a stripper while glaring at one another.
"Do you see what I see?" Skull asked.
Beauty Thief giggled and replied, "Oh yeah."
Skull turned his head and said, "You guys stay here. Time to cause some chaos….."
Beauty Thief watched as Skull crept over to the two tables where the men were glaring. She watched as he whispered into one of the man's ears and then flashed over to the other man's ear when the first one wasn't looking. After he was done doing this, Beauty Thief saw the two men begin to argue while Skull crept back to them.
"Alright, let's start sneaking to the door 'cause shit is about to pop off," Skull advised.
The group nodded and lead by Skull and Beauty Thief, they crept alongside the left wall. As promised by Skull, the two men stood up and began to fight one another while the stripper stood irritated by the fight.
The two guards that stood by the exit rushed over to the fight, which gave the Thieves the chance to run to the exit and upstairs.
The group continued up the stairs for what felt like five levels until they reached another floor.
The room the group entered was styled after ancient Greece, with marble walls and columns. There was a large pool in the middle of the room, where steam was rising from the water. All around them, men with masks, towels around their waists walked around, and strange shoes on their feet.
Alongside, the men were several topless Hifumi-masked girls, who wore wraps around their waist with golden belts, golden necklaces, bracelets, and armbands that were styled after ancient Egyptian jewelry.
And in their arms, they were holding golden trays with bottles filled with unknown substances.
"Man, it is hot in here," Mage murmured with LED swirls where his eyes would be.
"This floor must be a massage parlor and a sauna," Panther deduced.
"Massage parlor? How do you know?" Lioness asked.
Panther pointed to a row of areas where the Hifumi-masked girls were giving the men back massages, neck massages, and who knows what else.
"Oh, this sick," Lioness groaned.
"Okay, so I'm guessing every few floors is a specialized area. The first was a strip club and now, it's a massage parlor/sauna. Makes me fear what the other floors may hold."
"That's not all," Beauty Thief said as she pointed to the exit which was on the other side of the room. This time, however, there were five guards. "More guards this time."
"Well…. Fuck," Skull swore. "Ah well, we knew this wasn't going to be easy. Let's search around and find some disgruntled cogs. The sooner we do, the sooner we can stir shit up."
The group nodded.
Miss Violet: And that is the end of this chapter. So, pretty standard chapter, with Haru and Hifumi's cognition-fied father, Makoto getting the spotlight, and the real "puzzle" to the palace. The next chapter will come soon but until then, class is dismissed.
ALSO,
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