August 15th
It was a new day and everyone got some much needed rest. It was about time for the group to get going since Okinawa was their next destination. "Well, Akane...I've gotta get going." Zenkichi said. This was always the most awkward part about coming home; leaving just as fast.
"..." Akane didn't respond to him.
"...Um. Once this case is through, I'm gonna take some time off." Zenkichi said. "What do you say we take a trip somewhere? How about we visit a theme park?"
"I'm not a little kid anymore." Akane replied coldly. She brushed off that suggestion faster than Zenkichi could even make it.
"Ah, right..." Zenkichi rubbed the back of his neck.
"Shit it is tense in here..." Ryuji said awkwardly.
"Oh boy...getting these two to open up is going to be a real hassle..." Morgana remarked. They had their work cut out for them.
"C'mon, be real with him." Ren said, trying to nudge Akane a little bit..
"Don't! C'mon, please, just stay out of it." Akane shook her head. She was being stubborn about it.
"Still feeling pouty? Don't you think it's time to grow out of this whole tsundere phase?" Futaba teased.
"You too, Futaba-chan!? Quit it..." Akane whined. They were all teasing her about it now. It sounded like she would barely have a choice in the matter.
"Will we ever be able to truly reunite father and daughter...?" Yusuke asked. It was hard watching this. It wasn't as if he expected things to improve overnight, but...
"Just give it a little more time. I hope they find the opportunity to bond." Haru said hopefully.
"Well, whatever happens, it's largely out of our hands now." Akechi said. He really wasn't here for the family drama and intentionally kept his nose out of it.
"I'm sure they'll make it. Right, Akane-chan?" Makoto looked at Akane, who shyly looked away in response.
"The time has come." Sophia chimed in. "If we wait any longer, the ferry will depart before we arrive."
"I guess it's time for us to go..." Sumire frowned. She did like spending time with Akane. It was like having a little sister...and then she began to wonder what Kasumi would really think of the Phantom Thieves and the friends she's made...
"We have to go, Akane-chan. Take care, okay?" Hifumi held her hands behind her back and smiled.
"Oh, uh...thanks for everything!" Akane said shyly, before approaching Ren while holding a little umbrella. "Here, I want you guys to have this. It's a Kyoto souvenir. I mean, you guys did so much for me, so..." She wanted to thank them the best way she could.
"Thank you." Ren said while taking the little umbrella from Akane's hands. "We'll hang it up in the RV!"
"Promise to come back soon!" Akane said excitedly.
"Of course!" Ann beamed. "Next time we'll bring tons of snack and spend all night gossiping!"
"We can share a bath again, too!" Haru added.
"You can reach out to me or Hifumi any time you like." Makoto told Akane with a smile. "We'll be looking forward to hearing from you."
"Mhm!" Hifumi confirmed with a nod.
"Mhmhm! Got it! have a good trip!" Akane told the group.
"...To all of us, right?" Hifumi asked with a slight tilt of her head.
Drat, caught. They noticed she wasn't speaking to Zenkichi. Akane turned around, looking past Zenkichi rather than at him. "Um...I guess...be careful..."
"Uh...'Zat it?" Ryuji was stunned at how little effort she put into that.
And despite that, it brightened Zenkichi's day. "Oh! Okay! Gotcha, I'll be careful!" This was the happiest he looked in days.
"Whoa-ho! Sure seemed to work for him, though!" Morgana was surprised. But hey, that was a start!
.
.
August 16th
Kukojima, Okinawa.
Mika was in the midst of her photo shoot. She had a few days on Okinawa, probably one of the best beaches she's ever been on. But something was still missing and despite her talents, it did show. She was giving her best, sexiest performance for the camera, but she wasn't happy with it. The photos turned out great and could easily be used, but she knew they weren't her best. She was in a two piece bikini, even donning a nice hat and sunglasses, coupled with that bracelet Hifumi got for her while in Hawaii. She never took it off since they mended their friendship. "..."
"What's the matter, Mika-chan?" One of the cameramen asked. "Your photos came out great!"
"They look great, but...this isn't right." Mika observed the photos. "Of course, I look incredible. But something just seems different and it's annoying me."
"...You know...um..." The cameraman looked a little nervous at what he was about to say.
"If you've got something to say, you can tell me." Mika presented a smile. "After all...we're all working together to do our best and make this shoot workout, right? So if you have something to tell me about my photos...be honest."
"W-Well..." The cameraman was still nervous. He didn't want to come off as rude, so he was finding the best way to phrase it. "It's just...after we left Sapporo you have seemed a little off. Almost like your mood is down..."
"My mood..." Mika thought about that. If it were right after Sapporo then...that meant it was right after she saw Hifumi. Which, unfortunately for her, made sense. She knew why it made sense too and it annoyed her. Not because of Hifumi, but because of the way she felt about her. "It must be because that was when I last saw Hifumi-chan."
"Hifumi Togo?" The cameraman asked. "Oh, yeah. She was with you for a few photoshoots, right?"
"Mhm. Hifumi-chan is very nice." Mika said with a rare smile. "Doing those shoots with her were always fun. Also, she has the pleasure of being my friend."
'It sounds like you and Hifumi get along nicely, hehe..." The cameraman laughed. Despite how Mika acted, it was rare to see her this happy. Not that most people picked up on her act, but there was something different in her emotions this time as she spoke about Hifumi.
"Ah...!" Mika caught herself. That was...unlike her. Where did all that come from? "I see! Thank you for telling me. I'll do what I can to fix that and provide amazing pictures!" With that, Mika quickly stepped away and pulled out her phone. Why was she so nervous...? She was staring at her chat with Hifumi, drumming her fingers along the screen as she tried to figure out what to type. "I want to see Hifumi-chan again..."
.
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August 17th
The group was on a ferry bound for Okinawa. Because they were at sea, they had no cell reception. Not that it mattered right now, because they were all too busy looking out at the ocean. "Wow, how pretty!" Haru said with a wide smile. Sights like this were rare and it was just all part of the trip they were on.
"It's like a field of shining blue jewels! Oh, I know I'm gonna cry..." Ann said, already feeling the tears welling up in her eyes. Hifumi let out a small giggle and just patted Ann on the shoulder.
"Now this is a sight to see." Makoto said fondly. "I'd love it even more if we were just here for a casual trip."
Sumire held her phone out so Sophia could gaze upon the water with the rest of them. Futaba was very curious to hear what their AI companion had to say about the view. "Whaddya think, Sophia?"
"So this is the Okinawan Sea...how pretty." Sophia smiled. "What's it like under the water?"
"There's a ton of fish." Ren said.
"Okay. I'd like to see that for myself one day." Sophia nodded.
"Man...ain't riding on a big ass ship like this excitin'!?" Ryuji looked to the others. This was definitely not something he'd get to do often, if ever again. So he was making it his mission to enjoy this trip as much as he could.
"Indeed!" Yusuke said while gazing out to the ocean. "Perhaps my adventurer's heart has been stirred - I can feel a surge of passion within!"
Akechi was leaning against the railing with a little distance between himself or the others. He did look out at the ocean, but he didn't make so many comments like everyone else. "...I dislike ships, if I'm to be honest..."
Futaba then clasped her hands together. "Okay then! No wasting this opportunity - it's time to get into formation! Ryuji! On your hands and knees!"
"Huh? On my wha-?" Ryuji looked at Futaba, confused.
"And Mona! Get on my head!" Futaba demanded.
"O-Oh...okay...?" Morgana was confused. Everyone was confused as to what she was thinking. After a few awkward seconds, Futaba stood on top of Ryuji, arms spread out, while Morgana rested on her head.
"You're...you've...what IS this...?!" Yusuke had no words. He and the others were at a complete loss as to what it was Futaba was attempting to accomplish with...whatever this pose was.
"Feast your eyes on the splendor that is the classic move pose!" Futaba exclaimed. "AND IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII..."
"Um..." Sumire was sweating. "Futaba-senpai, should you be doing this...?"
"I don't think she should be doing this." Hifumi shook her head.
"I think you've gotten it wrong..." Makoto pointed out.
"Isn't this just some sort of weird cheerleading rountine?" Ann was totally clueless about it.
"I'd call it an impersonation of the 'Town Musicians of Bremen." Haru said.
"Just...why did you need me for this...?" Ryuji groaned. Futaba wasn't exactly heavy, but this was still an uncomfortable position for him.
"Hey, you!" A sailor shouted at the group. "Get down! That's dangerous!"
"...You guys are...so stupid..." Zenkichi said with a heavy sigh.
This was exactly why Akechi kept his distance from everyone. Because if something embarrassing were to happen, he didn't get group in with them. "Until we get to the mainland...I don't know you people."
.
.
A few hours later and they finally arrived at Kukojima. "Ah...we finally made it." Ryuji said with a heavy sigh. He could still feel the sensation of a boat rocking with every step he took. "We were on that ship forever. I still feel like I'm on the waves."
"It was quite the rare experience, being surrounded by dazzling see like that." Yusuke said fondly. Such a sigh struck him with plenty of inspiration. "I wish I was able to draw something while we were there. But I can make due with the memory."
"Being out to sea like that...it was really nice." Hifumi had a soft smile. "I'd like to do it again sometime."
"So this is Kukojima, huh? There's more people than I expected." Morgana said.
"Right? I was picturing something closer to an untouched island instead of all this." Futaba agreed.
"It used to be pretty quiet until a few years ago." Zenkichi explained. "But eventually some folks cooked up a mass migration plan. They even had a slogan: "Find your new tropical life.". All of a sudden, a population of 200 people explodes to nearly a thousand."
"The port area is really quite lively!" Haru pointed out. "It has a bit of a resort feel to it."
"Sounds like summer vacation is back on!" Ann pumped her fist. How could they not take the chance to relax at a place like this!?
"C'mon, you know we're not here to screw around." Zenkichi said, having to keep the group grounded before they got carried away. "The first thing we do is head for the research facility."
"He's right. We should start there." Makoto said. "I'd like to get this investigation underway as soon as possible."
"The sooner the better." Akechi crossed his arms.
"There they go..." Ryuji rubbed the back of his head.
"I suppose we should start looking around then." Hifumi said while actually looking around. "Erm...where do we start looking, actually?"
"Sophia, give us the deets!" Futaba said.
Sumire pulled her phone out and everyone waited for Sophia to give them directions. "Hmmmm..."
"What's the matter, Sophia?" Sumire asked. It was unlike Sophia to not have a location for them the instant they asked. She was always on top of these things!
"I wasn't able to find any information regarding the facility." Sophia frowned. This was the one thing they asked her for and she wasn't able to deliver.
"How's that possible...!?" Ryuji's eyes widened. If it was on the map, Sophia should've been able to find it for them!
"Well, Ichinose did say it wasn't exactly on the level, right? Maybe we just have to track it down ourselves." Zenkichi said. "Guess it's time for a little leg work."
"I guess it wouldn't be that easy." Ren was hoping it would be, but that felt like asking for too much.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help..." Sophia frowned.
"It's alright, Sophia!" Sumire tried to reassure their AI companion, but it didn't look like her words were able to get through.
"Who do you think we should ask first?" Ann asked. "Oh, maybe the shopkeepers know something?"
"You just want an excuse to shop for sweets, don't you?" Hifumi said.
Futaba turned around, eyes widening. "Ah ha! I spy a souvenir shop! I'm gonna buy something for Sojiro!"
"Wait, Futaba! I'll join you in the search for native crafts!" And Yusuke ran after her.
"...Well, so much for that." Hifumi scratched her head and Ann just gave her a goofy smile.
"C'mon, Fumi! Let's get going!" Ann grabbed Hifumi by the hand and started to lead her off. The others began to sweat at how fast they were all unintentionally splitting up. But it was fine; they had a large group and plenty of ground to cover. So this was ultimately for the best.
.
.
With everyone splitting off in separate directions across the area, this gave Zenkichi a chance to regroup. He was standing behind the RV, contacting Commissioner Kaburagi. "Hello, Commissioner? It's Hasegawa."
"What's the situation? It's unlike you to go dark for three days straight." Naturally, Kaburagi was curious as to what Zenkichi was up to the last few days.
"My apologies. I was on the ocean - I couldn't get a connection." Zenkichi explained.
"The ocean...?" One could hear the surprise on Kaburagi's face.
"The investigation's brought us to Okinawa." Zenkichi replied. "Supposedly there's a research facility here that ties to that EMMA app. This was the best I had. I brought the Phantom Thieves with me."
"Any chance of locating concrete evidence?" Kaburagi asked the most important question. A trip like that wouldn't matter if they couldn't turn up anything out of it.
"It's too soon to tell. I'll start by questioning the staff. If I find out they're covering their tracks, though, I'll have to escalate the investigation." Zenkichi said. That would truthfully be the best case scenario. Even the smallest thing could lead into a breakthrough. "And I'll definitely need you to send backup if that's how it pans out."
"Fine. Keep me posted." Kaburagi complied to that request. If the moment arose, she would be there with backup. "We're still looking into Maddiceon our end. I'lll let you know should anything turn up.""
"Thank you, ma'am." Zenkichi smiled.
"Remember, Hasegawa...the Phantom Thieves are not solely in your pocket for the sake of the investigation. You are keeping them close for when we are pressed to present a culprit. When the time comes you will turn them in immediately. Don't get too attached." Kaburagi warned Zenkichi and reminded him of the situation. The Phantom Thieves were not to be his friends. They were scapegoats. "Is that clear?"
Don't get too attached? That was a lot harder than Zenkichi could have ever expected when he first encountered them. They just helped his daughter have a wonderful time in who knows how long. They were good kids, even if a little naïve with their principles. They were just kids... "Understood." Zenkichi hastily responded before hanging up. He lingered for a moment before letting out an extremely heavy sigh.
Akechi was leaning against the other side of the RV with his arms crossed. He noticed Zenkichi sneaking away and curiously followed him, only to overhear that conversation. There was a reason he kept his distance from Zenkichi. He wasn't a Phantom Thief, nor did he have any intention of getting close to him. None of that could be said for the others. In fact, he noticed them getting comfortable with the police officer, especially after their stay in Kyoto. In the end... "I suspected it would always end like this with him." Akechi thought to himself. He started to walk off, but he planned on keeping this information to himself for now. It wouldn't do well to disrupt the current harmony the group had. But this certainly gave him even less of a reason to trust Zenkichi now, no matter his intentions. At the end of the day, the police would do anything and everything they could to get a suspect, he was fully aware of that. "I suppose we'll just have to see where this investigation leads us..."