Persona 5: The Phantom Files

by sithlorde1988

Will cover the events of Persona 5 Royal, with the sequel set to cover Strikers. What happens when in addition to Ren being sentenced to go live in the care of Sojiro Sakura for a year after being sued for assault, his younger brother is also ordered to go and oversee him? How will this extra character change things? Read to find out! More info in chapter 1! ALL CHAPTERS NOW EDITED

59. Cards and Masks! Trapped Heiress part 9

A/N: sithlorde1988 here, with another chapter of Persona 5- The Phantom Files! This chapter will be kind of interesting, since not only is the fifth calling card and fifth Palace Ruler fight in this chapter, but also there'll be a sort of an extra bit slipped in during the sequence of events that happens after beating Okumura's Shadow that involves both Kusa as well as a certain masked assassin who appears in canon Royal after beating Okumura's Shadow. But I'll leave it at that just to keep you all guessing, hopefully. That said, on with the disclaimer!

Disclaimer: sithlorde1988 does not own the Persona series in any way, shape, or form (aside from the OC Kusa/Draconis, as well the OCs Kyori, Somasi/Slim, Mimille, Lumine, and Akira, since Akira Kurusu in this instance might as well be an OC in this story, all of whom he made and thus does own) and the credit for owning the Persona series belongs to Atlus, Sega and to a point Koei Tecmo! So all credit to them!

All that having been said, on with chapter 59!

Chapter 59- The Heiress' Call! VS Shadow Okumura! Trapped Heiress part 9

(At Leblanc, in the attic with Ren and Morgana)

"Well, what do we do with our night?" Morgana asked Ren, as Ren looked at his map, noticing that Ohya, Chihaya, Sojiro, and Mishima were all available to rank up. Ren then spoke up.

"Looking at our options, I'd say we should rank up Mishima, since I feel as if both him and Ohya have gone similarly long periods of time without a rank up, so they need it the most." Ren said as Morgana nodded his agreement.

"All right. So do we hit Shinjuku or Akihibara?" Morgana asked Ren, who spoke up.

"Probably Akihibara, I think." Ren said as Morgana nodded and the two fast-traveled to Akihibara. After looking around briefly, Ren found Mishima and approached him as Mishima spoke up.

"This is so amazing! The Phantom Thieves fever has run rampant! The Phan-Site's blowing up! So, you did the request I asked you to do. Thanks! Hey, um, Amamiya? There's something I need to talk to you about. It's super important. Do you think you can make some time right now?" Mishima asked as Morgana spoke up.

"So, what'll you do Ren? Are you hanging out with Mishima to hear him out?" Morgana asked Ren, who nodded before turning to Mishima as he spoke up.

"Yeah, as it happens, my night is rather free tonight, so I've got time for you tonight if you need to talk." Ren said. Mishima nodded and spoke up.

"Thank you. You're the only one I can talk to about this. We should go somewhere quiet if possible, to reduce the chance of being overheard. How about Inokaishira Park? What do you think?" Mishima asked Ren, who nodded as the two headed to the park. Once there, Mishima spoke up again.

"Hey! I have some great info for you!" Mishima said as he looked around to be sure no one was eavesdropping before he kept speaking.

"To be honest, it's about the next target for the Phantom Thieves! This one's massive!" Mishima said as Ren blinked before speaking up.

"Oh, yeah? You sure are fired up, Mishima." Ren said. Mishima nodded as he spoke up.

"Well, of course! We've got a huge target on our hands!" Mishima said before pulling out his phone to show Ren a photo on it as he kept speaking.

"This is the guy. He's a handsome young actor who's been rapidly gaining popularity lately. He's great at acting, has solid conversational skills. Hell, he's even been in all sorts of commercials. If you manage to change his heart, everyone will HAVE to start paying attention to the Phantom Thieves. And well, he's gotta be doing some shady stuff, I just know it." Mishima said as Ren sweatdropped and spoke up.

"Um, you do have proof he's a criminal, right? As you know, the Phantom Thieves only go after criminals." Ren reminded Mishima, who spoke up with a frown.

"I know that. And no, I'm not saying what I just said about the actor out of jealousy. I heard a rumor that a famous idol fell into his clutches, for who knows why. You need to act, on behalf of her fans!" Mishima said to Ren who frowned as he spoke up.

"Rumors are wrong all the time, Mishima. And to be honest, unless there's solid evidence that he's done something wrong, the Phantom Thieves are unlikely to deem this guy a big enough threat to focus on immediately, and if he's not a criminal, there's no reason to target him." Ren said. Mishima frowned as he spoke up.

"No, this has gotta be what the evil underbelly of the entertainment industry really looks like, Amamiya. Anyway, isn't it your job to change the public's wishes? You have to change his heart! I mean, this would be the best publicity possible for you guys! Well, what do you think? Pretty good tactic, huh? Aren't I an amazing producer?" Mishima asked as Ren frowned and spoke up.

"First of all, producer? I thought you were our strategic image management representative? When did you change yourself to our producer? That said, I hear the Phantom Thieves have their hands full with this Okumura guy, so I dunno if they have the time just now to go after some small-time target." Ren said as Mishima spoke up.

"Just you wait, Amamiya! I'm gonna put the Phantom Thieves on the map! You'll practically be swimming in requests!" Mishima said as Ren winced, seeing that Mishima's resolve seems to have gotten stronger, even if he seemed to be showing signs of being swayed by fame. At that point, the 'Moon' card appeared in his mind's eye, the 'V" becoming a 'VI' to signify that his Moon Confidant link with Mishima had reached rank 6. However,no new skills were gained for the rank up. Afterwards, Mishima spoke up.

"To what you asked earlier? That's right, Amamiya. I'm not just the strategic image management representative for you guys anymore. Now, I'm the producer for the famous Phantom Thieves, and I'm going to do my level best to live up to that responsibility! I'm not boring, and I'm damned sure not a zero anymore. Ugh, hey Amamiya? Take out your phone." Mishima said as a confused Ren did as asked and after a bit, Mishima spoke up.

"All right, I just sent you that actor's data." Mishima said. Ren frowned as he spoke up.

"Why would you do that, Mishima? Actually never mind that, I didn't ask for that." Ren said. Mishima smiled and spoke up.

"Don't worry about it, Amamiya. All you need to know is that this request will boost your popularity, guaranteed. After all, I'm the only reason you guys have gotten this far, right?" Mishima said as Ren winced at the question before speaking up.

"Absolutely, Mishima. It's all because of you. Nice job." Ren said, a bit of sarcasm in his tone, since he knew for a fact that Kusa's instincts were a hell of a lot more of the reason the group had gotten as far as it had than anything Mishima did. Sure, he was helpful in a handful of clutch situations at first, but he's not been as useful of recent. Mishima chuckled as he spoke up, either ignoring or not hearing the sarcasm in Ren's previous response while he spoke.

"Yeah. It's all because of me. The Phantom Thieves' success is thanks to me. Moreover, I've helped the Phantom Thieves get where they are now, and the Phantom Thieves are changing the world for the better, one person at a time. As such, that means I'm the one who's responsible for these changes, by extension. Dammit, that means I'm not a zero anymore!" Mishima said as Ren winced and gave Mishima an encouraging look before Mishima turned away and spoke up.

"Make sure you check the info I sent you. I'll let you know once I've found some more details. Until then, see you around Amamiya. Bye for now." Mishima said as Ren went back to Leblanc to get comfortable for the evening, smirking at the sight of Kusa and Morgana dozing off on the sofa, the former's arm draped carefully over the latter as they lightly purred contentedly as they slept, making Ren smirk as he discreetly snapped a picture for posterity, before getting laid down himself for the night...

(The next morning, between trains to school with Ren, Morgana, and Kusa)

"Well, this might be the day, yeah Ren?" Kusa said to Ren, who nodded, knowing what Kusa meant. However, before he could answer Kusa verbally, the two heard their names called out, and turned to see Ryuji walking up to them before he spoke up with a serious look on his face.

"Mornin'! Hey, are you keepin' up with comments online? There's a lot of hate for Okumura, and a lot of expectations for us. It'd be better to get this done as quickly as possible. Let's send the calling card soon." Ryuji said as Ren spoke up.

"We probably will send it today, but I want to see what I have going first." Ren said as Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"What? You really only go at your own pace, don'tcha Ren?" Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up, frowning at Ryuji slightly while he spoke.

"He said we're probably sending it today! He just wants to make sure he doesn't have anything going on first! I think he's being smart about this! We'll be sending it sooner rather than later either way, so don't act like Ren's procrastinating." Kusa rebuked Ryuji gently, getting an approving nod from Morgana, who poked his head out of Ren's bag on hearing Ryuji's voice. Ryuji nodded as he spoke up.

"Good point, Kusa. But for real Ren, this is our chance to show off the power of the Phantom Thieves. Don't procrastinate too much, man." Ryuji said as the three finished the walk to school together...

(After school, with Ren and Morgana)

"Should we tell the others about our Mementos target?" Morgana asked Ren, who shook his head in the negative before he spoke up.

"Not quite yet. For starters, we're about to send the calling card, since our schedule's rather empty today. And also, we don't quite have enough targets to make it worth it just now." Ren said. After a brief pause, he pulled out his phone to send a group chat to Ryuji, Ann, Kusa, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru.

"Hopefully you're all prepared, because I'm ending the prep time a day early since there's not much else to do. If we're all in agreement, let's meet up at the hideout to finalize our plans for sending the calling card." Ren sent, getting a chorus of affirmative responses from everyone as Ren went to the hideout to await the others' arrival...

(At the hideout, with Ren, Morgana, and Haru)

"Thanks for inviting me over, you two." Haru said to Ren and Morgana, before blinking as she looked around.

"Oh? I'm the first one here?" Haru said as Ren spoke up.

"Not by much, I'm sure. I know Ryuji, Ann, and Yusuke had to take a train to get here, so they'll probably be delayed. And if I know Kusa, he's probably waiting on Futaba to be ready so he can walk her over here, so those five will be along soon enough. As for Makoto, now that I think on it, I actually think she and Kusa were in a Student Council meeting when I messaged everyone, so that might also be why you beat most of the group here." Ren said to Haru. Morgana nodded as he spoke up.

"Yep, you've got 'em all beat." Morgana said as Haru nodded.

"Ah, I see. That makes sense, actually. I do recall the Student Council was going to vote today on possibly changing the planned sharing festival into a student dance, while having the sharing festival moved to right after the dance, to serve as a lead-in for it. Luckily, Makoto-chan allowed me to cast my vote ahead of time, which was a 'yes', since I think that could be a good way to improve Shujin's image, plus I like the idea of seeing couples form, which likely would happen at a dance." Haru said. She then smiled before looking mostly at Morgana as she kept speaking.

"Actually, this may have been a stroke of good luck. You see, there's something I've been meaning to discuss with you." Haru said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"Sure thing, Haru. You need something?" Ren asked Haru, who nodded as she spoke up.

"Mm-hm." Haru said as Morgana gave her an intrigued look before speaking up.

"Oh? What's the situation?" Morgana asked. Haru spoke up after a moment to ponder her response.

"I've been thinking. I want to be more helpful to the Phantom Thieves. So I came up with a new approach to fighting in hopes of making it a regular strategy in our battles, but there is a slight caveat to it that would require your help in particular to make it happen, Mona-chan." Haru said as Morgana chuckled in intrigue before speaking up.

"Oho! Me, eh?" Morgana said before tilting his head to itch the back of his ear before speaking up with a smug and/or self-satisfied grin on his face.

"Well, if you need me, then who am I to turn you down?" Morgana said as Haru smiled and spoke up.

"Thank you! So, I'll get right to it! What I'm thinking is this." Haru said as she proceeded to explain the move in detail to a intrigued but surprised Ren and Morgana, eventually continuing to speak after her explanation.

"Get it? And that's how we finish!" Haru said as Morgana winced before he spoke up with a slight frown.

"Haru, no offense, but to be honest? Sometimes, the stuff you come up with honestly scares me." Morgana said as Ren chuckled and spoke up.

"Wow, we found something you're scared of, Morgana? You really are human after all." Ren joked as Morgana huffed at Ren's joke while Haru spoke up.

"Oh, I see. You know, it's absolutely fine if you don't want to help me, Mona-chan." Haru said as Morgana did a closed-eye grin and spoke up.

"Not another word, Haru! I'll do it! You deserve only the grandest of performances!" Morgana said as Ren smirked and spoke up.

"Ah, so now you're simping for Haru, Morgana? Looks like you're finally getting over Ann." Ren said, as Kusa chose that moment to walk upstairs and grin at Ren's remark before speaking up.

"Wait, hold up. Who's simping for Haru? And did I hear you say that Morgana's getting over Ann!? Good job, man! I knew you could do it." Kusa said proudly as he gave Morgana a nod of respect, which the not-cat returned while glaring at Ren in annoyance as he spoke up.

"Ren, shut up. I'm not simping for Haru! I was just playing along and humoring her, since she did help me out before." Morgana said. Haru then smiled and spoke up.

"Oh, hello Kusa-kun. I didn't know the meeting was over? And also, great! Thank you, Mona-chan! Hm, I wonder if the Star will grant us our wish?" Haru asked as Kusa spoke up with a nod, blinking slightly at Haru mentioning the Star since he wasn't sure if that was among the things Morgana had taught Haru.

"I don't see why it wouldn't, Haru. It's granted everyone else's wish so far that has a Showtime. Also, for reference? We only call each other by our code names while we're inside the Metaverse, whether that be to infiltrate a Palace, or to explore Mementos, which will probably be at some point down the line after we change your dad's heart." Kusa said, prompting Haru to nod in response as at that moment, the Star started glowing green in Ren's pocket, right before everyone's phones went off to signal that 'Morgana and Haru's Showtime' had been unlocked. Kusa then chuckled as he spoke up, looking at Morgana as he spoke.

"Heh, there you go, Morgana-sensei. You finally got your second Showtime! So now that makes four of us who have two Showtimes, those four being you, Ryuji, Ann, and Yusuke. Furthermore, we have a separate four of us who have at least one Showtime in the forms of myself, Taba, Makoto, and Haru. And most interestingly, that means that poor Ren is now the only one of us without a Showtime. But I'm sure he'll get his eventually." Kusa said as Morgana spoke up.

"It's certainly possible. After all, you and Futaba each only have one Showtime, so maybe one of you two will have a Showtime with Ren?" Morgana said as Kusa spoke up.

"Possibly, though my instincts are telling me that like Ren, Futaba and I won't get our other Showtimes for a while yet. But that's just a gut hunch I have. However, I do notice that both Makoto and Haru each only have one Showtime. It's unlikely, but maybe they'll end up being each other's second Showtime partner?" Kusa guessed. Haru shrugged as she spoke up.

"It's not impossible, Kusa-kun. That said, just you wait, Ren-kun! I'll show you my best!" Haru said as Ren nodded, and he, Haru, Morgana, and Kusa waited for the others to arrive...

(A short time later, in the hideout with Ann, Makoto, Ren, Ryuji, Kusa, Haru, Yusuke, Futaba, and Morgana)

"Oh yeah! I nearly forgot because of how good Haru is at fighting, but she's new to the team, right? Shouldn't we do what we did for Yusuke and Makoto?" Ann said as Kusa frowned and spoke up, his arms crossed while he spoke.

"You mean, educate Haru on the ways of the Phantom Thief? I feel like Morgana-sensei already did that to some extent, though clearly it wasn't a complete extent, as our last foray into Haru's father's Palace proved." Kusa said as Makoto nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly, Kusa. And true, Ann. Ah, you mean the Phantom Thief Basic Training. There's much we need to teach her." Makoto said as Kusa winced and spoke up after hearing Makoto making it sound like they were about to put Haru through a boot camp, rather than teaching her what she needed to know.

"Basic Training!? Way to make it sound like some sort of boot camp, Makoto." Kusa said as Futaba chuckled at Kusa's remark before Haru nodded to Makoto and spoke up.

"Yes, please do!" Haru said as Ryuji blinked in surprise before smirking as he spoke up.

"Hm? Ah, someone's excited." Ryuji said as Morgana frowned and spoke up, nodding in agreement of Kusa's comment while he spoke.

"Then again, Kusa is right when he said that I already told Haru the gist of things. What other stuff should we talk about, then?" Morgana said. Haru blinked before speaking up with a question in mind.

"Oh, about how we defeated my fiance in there before. Will that have any effect on my father?" Haru asked as Futaba shook her head and spoke up.

"Nope. They did something similar in my Palace, but I'm perfectly fine." Futaba said as Kusa spoke up with a smirk.

"Yeah, after you spent the equivalent of an effing fortnight out cold from the draining you felt afterwards. Besides, in your case, we didn't have to defeat your Shadow to change your heart. You did that part mostly on your own. And also, the closest thing you had to a distorted cognitive fiance was that distorted cognition of your mom that we defeated." Kusa pointed out sagely. Haru winced at Kusa's remark as she spoke up.

"Oh? I-Is that so, you two?" Haru said as Futaba nodded and spoke up while smiling at Kusa.

"Ignore Kusa, Haru. He's just being protective of me, as he so often is. But man, that cognitive person stuff is crazy! He was so similar that even Haru couldn't tell!" Futaba said as Kusa just stuck his tongue out playfully at Futaba, making Ann and Makoto laugh at Kusa while the former of those two spoke up.

"That might have just been a coincidence. Usually cognitive people look totally different." Ann said before Kusa smirked at her and spoke up.

"Not always, Ann. As I recall, before you joined, myself, Ren, Ryuji, and Morgana-sensei ran into a cognitive version of you that looked just like you, minus the super-skimpy bikini which that scumbag Kamoshida had her wearing. So it's very possible that a Palace Ruler's cognition can create exact look-a-likes of people they know well." Kusa said. Ann winced at that and nodded, recalling exactly what Kusa was referring to while she spoke up.

"Oh, right. Good point, Kusa. The version of me in Kamoshida's castle was terrible." Ann said as Kusa grinned and spoke up.

"True, but I think Ren and Ryuji would agree with me when I say she had Morgana head over paws for her." Kusa joked as Morgana huffed and spoke up, ignoring the grinning Ryuji and Ren while he spoke.

"Shut up, Kusa! And you have no room to talk, given how much you were impressed by Futaba's Shadow. Or need I point out which of us called their respective crushes' cognitive versions hot?" Morgana said as Kusa winced and spoke up, his cheeks pinking slightly at being reminded of his reaction to seeing Futaba's Shadow in the previous Palace while he spoke.

"Okay, your point is well made. Sorry, Morgana." Kusa said as Morgana nodded while Yusuke spoke up.

"Ah yes, and the version of me at the museum was a painting, not even a person." Yusuke said as Haru spoke up.

"Oh, now that you mention it, why isn't there a cognitive version of me? Is it somewhere in there?" Haru asked as Ren spoke up.

"It's possible you don't have a cognitive version, Haru. After all, neither myself, Morgana, Makoto, or Ryuji have run into cognitive versions of ourselves as of yet. Technically, neither has Kusa if we don't count that distorted Shadow version of him as a cognitive version of him, though I feel as if that would count." Ren said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"Ren's right. Alternatively, it's possible we just haven't run into Haru's cognitive counterpart yet. After all, as I recall, we didn't run into my cognitive counterpart until near the end of Futaba's Palace, and he ended up being a poorly-made cognitive copy of me. But maybe there's a reason we've not run into your cognitive version yet, Haru?" Kusa said as Morgana nodded his agreement and spoke up.

"Agreed, Kusa. I, too, can imagine a couple of reasons why we haven't seen Haru's cognitive counterpart just yet, but I doubt very much that any of us would like them." Morgana said as Haru winced and spoke up.

"Mm. I see." Haru said with a slight frown as Futaba smiled and spoke up.

"C'mon you three, don't think about that dark stuff. Anyways, if a dude's cognition can change the scenery or even the people in the Palace, couldn't it then follow that in theory, one could use that same ability to make a dream world filled with places and people you love!? Man, Palaces are super promising! My greatest hopes and dreams might still come true!" Futaba said as Kusa winced and spoke up, slightly wary of what Futaba was getting at even if he liked the smile it put on her face.

"True, but I don't think Palaces are meant to be a cognitive cure-all, Taba. But I see what you were thinking with that. You can make your hopes and dreams happen if you work for them hard enough, if they're meant to be attainable." Kusa said sagely, smiling encouragingly at Futaba, who nodded as she spoke up.

"Good point, Kusa. Well, that's kinda impossible this time, hehehe, however, that doesn't mean it can't happen eventually. But maybe we should try in the future!?" Futaba said as Ren spoke up.

"Don't be ridiculous, Futaba! If people were meant to make their dreams happen that easily, wouldn't we have solved world peace by now?" Ren said. Kusa spoke up at that point.

"Ren, don't be so harsh on her. Yes, Taba's being a bit over-ambitious right now, but she's got good intentions, I think. And it's good that she's looking ahead, rather than looking back." Kusa said sagely as Makoto sighed and spoke up.

"Ugh, and we're getting off-topic. But, in any case, if Haru followed that conversation, there's nothing else we need to teach her." Makoto said as Kusa nodded before speaking up.

"True. Also, before anyone asks, yes we got the calling card written. I've been spending most of the last few days with Haru and Futaba fine-tuning what we wanted it to say, but we eventually decided upon a calling card the three of us can agree on." Kusa said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"I see. Good, and that brings us nicely to the reason we're here. Are we ready to send this calling card?" Ren asked as Ryuji frowned and nodded his agreement while he spoke up.

"Hell yeah we're ready! All right, let's do this!" Ryuji said as Kusa nodded and pulled out the finished calling card, handing it over to Haru before smiling kindly at her as he spoke up.

"I think it only right that since the target is closest to you, that we entrust our finished handiwork to you, Haru. Now, you remember what Taba and I told you about how these work, yes?" Kusa said as Haru nodded and spoke up.

"Okay. So if I remember what you two told me correctly, I place this in my father's study, and then once he reads it, the Treasure will appear, correct?" Haru asked as Yusuke spoke up.

"Provided he actually notices the calling card, then yes. Be honest, Haru. Are you afraid of doing this to your own father?" Yusuke asked Haru, who winced slightly at the question before speaking up.

"To be honest, Yusuke? Yeah, a little." Haru said as Yusuke nodded understandingly before he gave Haru an encouraging smile while he spoke up.

"Fair enough. Try to recall your anger, Haru. It will guide you in the right direction and bolster your resolve. I know you can do this, Haru. We believe in you." Yusuke said. Haru smiled and spoke up.

"Thank you, Yusuke. You're right. So, that said, we're carrying out this plan tomorrow?" Haru asked as Ren spoke up.

"That's right. Those are the rules. But tell me Haru, will you be okay?" Ren asked Haru, who nodded as she spoke up.

"Thank you for asking Ren. Mm-hm." Haru said with a nod. Morgana spoke up with a frown from next to Futaba.

"We can laugh or cry all we want, but we only get one shot at this. Everyone, this is our moment! I'm counting on you!" Morgana said as the group nodded and the meeting ended on that note...

(Later that evening, at Leblanc with Ren and Morgana)

Ren walked over to Morgana and spoke up.

"So, tomorrow, huh?" Ren said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Yup! Tomorrow's the big day! You can try to relax, or do as much prep as you can. Just, be sure that you do what you need to, before it's too late." Morgana said as Ren nodded, before heading downstairs as Sojiro caught his attention by speaking up.

"Hey, Ren? Are you all right? You seem different somehow. Did you always have that scowl on your face?" Sojiro asked Ren, who spoke up.

"Not really. Just a bit on edge with school starting back up, that's all." Ren said as Sojiro nodded.

"Fair enough. That said, nothing goes your way in life. You'll end up failing if you continue to tense like that." Sojiro said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"I see. Good advice, Boss." Ren said. After that, he walked over to the coffee brewer, at which point Morgana spoke up.

"Oh, are you making some coffee for tomorrow? Not a bad idea." Morgana said as Ren spoke up.

"Yeah, might as well. We did run through quite a bit of our supply during that last run." Ren said to Morgana. He then started up the coffee brewer, making Sojiro smirk as he spoke up.

"Yo, brewing coffee there, Ren? It's pretty fun once you get started, huh? There's a lot to learn and enjoy about coffee. Well, whatever. I trust you to do it yourself. All right, I'm headin' out to buy some cigarettes, since I'm getting low on them." Sojiro said as he left, at which point Ren brewed up some coffee, making Morgana do a closed-eye smile as he spoke up.

"Whoa, that smells amazing! I love the smell of good coffee, Ren!" Morgana said as he stood up at the counter to watch. After a bit, Ren poured himself a cup and took a sip before he pumped a fist and let out a triumphant 'YES!' as he savored his handiwork, making Morgana speak up.

"You know Ren, the way you drink that makes it look delicious." Morgana said as Ren nodded before getting 2 'Master Coffee' items. Morgana chuckled as he spoke up.

"Heh heh, very impressive, Ren. It looks like the chief's gentlemanly charm is rubbing off on you." Morgana said as Ren's Charm got a needless boost. At that point, the door opened once again and Sojiro walked in and spoke up.

"Heh heh, looks like you're at it again, Ren. How's it going?" Sojiro asked as Ren spoke up.

"Eh, y'know, just trying to get better as a coffee brewer, one step at a time. Basically, the same as usual, Boss." Ren said as Sojiro chuckled and spoke up.

"Fair enough. Here, I'll have a sip." Sojiro said as Ren passed the cup over and Sojiro took a sip from the cup before speaking up.

"Hmm, not bad. This is Mocha Matari. Let me explain! 'Mocha' is a port town in the Republic of Yemen, where both Yemeni coffee and Ethiopian Mocha Harrar are exported. Mocha Matari has a complex spicy and chocolate flavor profile with a heavy, 'winey' body to complement it. Delicious, Ren. I gotta say, I'm impressed. Although, you'll never catch up to me. But, y'know, there are a lot of things in life that don't go the way you want them to, but there's nothing anyone can do about it.

The real question is how you react in those situations. Will you run away, and live with regret for the rest of your life? Or will you face it head on? You're still young, Ren. You can have as many fresh starts as you want. Although, I'm not really one to talk. Anyway, keep your chin up." Sojiro said as Ren nodded before Sojiro went home and Ren finished the cup and did the dishes. Morgana smiled and spoke up while looking at Ren.

"Well then, we should rest now. We have a big day tomorrow." Morgana said as Ren nodded and finished the dishes before heading for bed, around the same time Kusa came in and joined them upstairs, the three getting ready for bed, knowing they'd need their strength for the next day...

(The next morning, in the Okumura house, with Haru and her dad)

Haru blinked as she came downstairs and heard her dad reading something.

"Hm? What's this? 'Sir Kunikazu Okumura, the great profiteering sinner of greed. Your success and global fame exists due to the tyranny you reign over your employees.

Moreover, we have seen with our own eyes that you view your own employees as little more than expendable, mindless robots that you can use and dispose of at your leisure. We all agree that this sort of mindset is not only disgusting, but entirely unacceptable!

As such, we have decided to make you confess all of your heinous crimes with your own mouth. Consider yourself warned! We shall not fail! -Best regards, the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, aka the Phantom Crew.' Hmph. How annoying. I must take care of this before it becomes a problem." Haru's dad said as he pulled his phone out and spoke into it.

"I've received a calling card from the Phantom Thieves. I need you to send it over to the police." Haru's dad said as he listened to the voice on the other end before frowning as he spoke up.

"Don't make me repeat myself. Give it to the police. That's an order. These scoundrels have threatened me. Aren't the police supposed to side with law-abiding citizens?" Haru's dad said as the shot cut to a view of President Okumura's Shadow while he spoke up.

"I will not fail!" President Okumura's Shadow said as the security level of his Palace jumped through the roof, before the shot cut back to Haru's dad while he yelled into the phone.

"This matter is urgent. Take care of it at once." Haru's dad said as he hung up the phone, prompting Haru to quietly gasp as she spoke to herself.

"Oh my! I need to let everyone know about this right away." Haru said to herself...

(Later that morning, on the train to school with Ren, Kusa, and Morgana)

"What do you think will happen to Okumura Foods?" Ren and Kusa heard an office worker say from near where they were standing as the worker's friend spoke up.

"Shucks! Well, even if the CEO has a change of heart, the company's image is still in ruins when all's said and done. I'd imagine their stocks plummeted as a result." The glasses-wearing worker said as the tired office worker spoke up.

"Do you think Okumura really exploited his employees? Every little rumor goes viral these days. What if it was all just a lie? If so, the real victims here are the employees themselves." The tired office worker said as the glasses-wearing worker spoke up.

"Nah, the rumors about Okumura Foods were all well-known in the industry. You're overthinking it." The glasses-wearing worker said as Ren and Kusa huffed and crossed their arms but said nothing as the rest of the train ride went uneventfully...

(A short time later, on the walk to school)

"Hey, did you hear? The sports meet went pretty great! The way they overcame all the odds and made it to the victory stand in the end, it was like something out of a movie!" A sports-loving boy in front of Ren and Kusa said to his composed friend, who nodded as he spoke up.

"Yeah. They put on a stellar performance this time. They must've been training really hard for this meet. It's nice to see more people with smiles on their faces now." The composed boy said as the sports-loving boy spoke up.

"Wait, for real!? You actually went to watch? Seriously, man? I get what you mean, though. Maybe I'll go and cheer for them, too." The sports-loving boy said as Kusa grinned and subtly nudged Ren while he spoke up so only Ren and Morgana could hear, smirking at Ren while he spoke.

"Sports meet, eh? I wonder if that's the meet Yoshizawa was talking about before? Maybe you should blow her mind and show up at the next meet to cheer her on, eh Ren?" Kusa suggested slyly to Ren, who huffed and spoke up, frowning at the grin on Kusa's face while he spoke, ignoring the slight hints of red on his face at Kusa's mention of Kasumi.

"Shut up, Kusa. I was planning on it anyways. But right now, we've got more important things to do." Ren said as Morgana and Kusa nodded, finishing the walk to school silently...

(After school, at the hideout with Kusa, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, Ann, Ren, Ryuji, Yusuke, and Morgana)

"Wait, he even figured out when we're gonna do it!?" Ryuji asked in shock after Haru filled the others in on her dad getting his calling card. Yusuke spoke up.

"Well, this is different from normal. He has some nerve, delivering the calling card to the police himself." Yusuke said as Makoto frowned.

"That can only mean one of two things. Either he's certain his heart won't be changed, or he's colluded with the police from the beginning, which is bad if so." Makoto said as Haru spoke up.

"As strange as it is for me to say, considering we're talking about my father and all, I could see that being the case." Haru said as Futaba gasped and spoke up.

"Whoa, the comments're coming in hot! Look!" Futaba said as the group pulled out their phones to read the comments, Morgana padding over to read over Kusa's shoulder while Haru spoke up to read a comment out loud.

"Hm, let's see. 'Take him down, Phantom Thieves!' Or, here's a couple more. 'I don't care what the Phantom Thieves do, as long as they show up, haha.', and 'Just do it quick lol.' Ugh, so much text speak." Haru said as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"They're just saying whatever they want. At this point all they care about is seeing those in power beg for forgiveness." Morgana said as Kusa frowned and spoke up.

"Agreed. But more importantly, by Haru's dad doing what she did, that brings forth another potential consequence that we haven't thought about yet." Kusa said as Ren frowned and spoke up.

"What do you mean, Kusa?" Ren asked Kusa, who smiled as he spoke up.

"Simple, really. Remember what I said before, about how high-profile of a target Haru's dad could be considered? Well, by him delivering our calling card to the cops, he might also have indirectly tipped Black Mask off to our plans. That being said, I feel like Haru's dad sending our calling card to the police makes it much more likely that Black Mask could end up appearing in an attempt to dispose of the evidence, so to speak, once we change Haru's dad's heart. As such, we should be prepared in case we have to do battle with Black Mask, on top of facing President Okumura's Shadow." Kusa said sagely as the others blinked at Kusa's observation. Ann frowned as she spoke up.

"Dammit! Kusa's right! This isn't a game!" Ann said as Yusuke frowned and spoke up.

"The means and the ends have been reversed. We're starting to be seen purely as entertainment for the people." Yusuke said as Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"But we gotta do this! We can't just drop everything now!" Ryuji said as Yusuke nodded and spoke up.

"Hm. Considering the existence of the Place, his desires are indeed distorted beyond doubt. In a sense, the earlier we pull the root, the better for us all." Yusuke said as Makoto nodded.

"Agreed. And given the issue concerning Haru's fiance, we don't have another choice in the matter but to do this." Makoto said as Ryuji spoke up with a frown.

"Truth! If we don't do this, then everything we've been doin' up until now would just be for nothing!" Ryuji said as Haru nodded and spoke up.

"I believe this is best too. After hearing my father speak on the phone this morning, he sounded absolutely ruthless, and I saw no remorse in him." Haru said as Morgana spoke up.

"Ryuji and Haru are right. Honestly, everything the public is talking about does bother me a little bit, if I'm being truthful. But Okumura may just be the one behind the mental collapses. We can't just leave this be." Morgana said as Ren and Kusa nodded before the former spoke up.

"We most definitely can't." Ren said as Kusa spoke up, nodding resolutely while crossing his arms as he spoke.

"Agreed. I want to know the truth about the collapses, since chances are whoever caused those collapses is the one who took Futaba's mom from her." Kusa said with a serious look on his face. Futaba nodded before she spoke up, smiling at Kusa while she spoke.

"Agreed, Kusa. But more than that, I feel like he's hiding something. Something bigger than we can imagine." Futaba said. Haru nodded and spoke up.

"True, there is that. And more importantly, we already sent the calling card after all." Haru said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Right! Let's do this like we always do, as Phantom Thieves, and steal his Palace's Treasure." Morgana said as the group headed into the Metaverse...

(At the entrance of Okumura's Palace, with Queen, Mona, Noir, Oracle, Draconis, Panther, Fox, Joker, and Skull)

"Here we go, time to fight the Palace Ruler. As such, I think we want a lineup of Mona, Skull and Draconis for the sake of having as much coverage as possible for the fight to come. So are we ready?" Joker asked the others, who nodded as they fast-travelled to Weapon Production. Once there, the group headed towards the Treasure, at which point Skull gasped and spoke up at the object that was now over the Treasure.

"Whoa! H-Hey, what is that thing!?" Skull said as the group looked up and Oracle spoke up.

"Ooooh, it's a UFO!" Oracle said as Draconis swore under his breath and spoke up after seeing that Oracle was right.

"I hate it when I'm right." Draconis said as Mona spoke up in shock and surprise.

"Is that UFO actually the frisbee that Skull mentioned before? That's what they're making here!?" Mona asked as the intercom blared on and a robotic voice could be heard coming from it.

"The SS Utopia will soon enter its launch sequence from the shipbuilding dock. After retrieval of the main core, the launch sequence will commence." The group heard over the intercom, prompting Panther to gasp as she spoke up.

"What? The SS Utopia!?" Panther said in horror as Queen spoke up in shock and disbelief.

"Project: Escape to Utopia? This is it? So this is what that was about." Queen said as Noir winced and spoke up.

"Father did say he was going to ascend into the political world at some point." Noir said as Fox frowned and spoke up.

"So even this company is a stepping stone for him, hm? He will discard this place for his 'utopia' once he's done with it. How sickening." Fox said as Skull's eyes widened while he spoke up.

"Wait up, let me make sure I have this right. If he gets outta here, we're not gonna be able to make him tell us about the shutdowns!" Skull said as Oracle growled and spoke up.

"You're right, Skull! We gotta hurry! I think we can go further in now!" Oracle said as the others nodded and kept moving. After a bit, the group saw a black orb with blue lining sitting where the wispy Treasure had been before, making Mona gasp as he spoke up.

"Look everyone, that's it! That's it over there! That's the Treasure!" Mona said as the group raced forward to seize it, only to be interrupted by alarms going off, making Queen gasp as she spoke up.

"What!?" Queen said as the intercom came on once more.

"Emergency launch sequence will soon be activated. Certain areas may be shut off or destroyed. I repeat, emergency launch sequence will soon be activated. All personnel is advised to evacuate immediately to a safe area of the facility." The intercom said as a claw reached down and seized the Treasure, hauling it upwards towards the UFO, making Mona's eyes widen while he spoke up.

"Wh-What in the world!?" Mona said as Draconis frowned and spoke up.

"Okumura's Shadow, no doubt. He's trying to stop us from changing his heart. I didn't think he'd go down without a fight, though." Draconis said, as right on cue, the voice of Okumura's Shadow came from nearby.

"There is no time to deal with you thieves. I must be making my exit. You can all stand and watch in despair as you go down along with this base! Your destruction is imminent! Hahahahahahaha!" Okumura's voice taunted the group as the Treasure moved out of sight before Queen spoke up in a decisive voice.

"There's no time! We need to hurry!" Queen said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"I concur, Queen. We need to double-time it and catch both Okumura's Shadow AND the Treasure, before we lose them both!" Draconis said as Oracle walked over towards a ramp she noticed and spoke up.

"Over here!" Oracle said as she gestured towards the ramp and the group nodded and kept moving. After darting through a door further down the hall, Skull spoke up.

"Dude, what the eff? Is this for real?" Skull said as Draconis spoke up.

"Probably! Now let's keep running!" Draconis said as the group saw some Shadows in front of them. Queen then spoke up.

"Avoiding unnecessary battles would probably be for the best. Let's retreat and come up with a different strategy." Queen said as Skull spoke up.

"Sorry Queen, but no way! We ain't got time for that. We gotta plow right through 'em!" Skull said. Queen frowned as she spoke up.

"Are you even thinking!? If we use up all of our energy now, we may as well toss our entire plan!" Queen said angrily as Panther spoke up.

"Hold on, guys! Calm down." Panther said as Mona turned to Joker and spoke up.

"Joker! You make the call, Joker! I've got your back either way!" Mona said as Joker nodded and the group kept moving. Eventually they rode an elevator up and followed a pathway down, seizing a 'Bead Chain' from the chest nearby on the way as they hit a switch to stop the countdown timer, freeing the Treasure as the group raced up to the Treasure and Skull spoke up.

"Hey, wait up!" Skull said as Joker spoke up decisively.

"We're taking the Treasure, Okumura!" Joker said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"Yeah, what Joker said! But more than that, you won't get to escape your fate that easily, you scumbag!" Draconis said irately. Oracle pointed towards the Treasure and spoke up.

"There!" Oracle said as the group raced over to the fleeing Okumura's Shadow, at which point Skull spoke up.

"Welp, looks like we caught up to you, Mister CEO." Skull said as Okumura's Shadow spoke up.

"I surrender. I'm sorry! I've had a change of heart! I'll prove it!" Okumura's Shadow said as Noir spoke up softly.

"Father, are you being sincere right now, or is this a ploy to trick us so you can escape?" Noir asked Okumura's Shadow, who looked at Noir as he spoke up.

"Haru, you were always so agreeable. Whether it was in school or after, you only ever did as I said without fail. You've become so admirable, Haru." Okumura's Shadow said as Queen frowned and spoke up.

"What's gotten into him?" Queen asked as Draconis frowned before crossing his arms and speaking up.

"I dunno, but I don't like it. I smell a trap. I don't trust Okumara's Shadow, or his supposed change of heart." Draconis said warily as Okumura's Shadow kept speaking as if Queen and Draconis hadn't interrupted.

"Ah yes. Do you remember, Haru? You cried your eyes out when my work kept me from attending your first sports day. It was then that you stopped talking back to me. Honestly though, you had me worried. Still, you stood up against me and became an independent young woman, Haru. Nothing could make a father happier than seeing that!" Okumura's Shadow said as Noir spoke up in confusion.

"You still remember something that happened so long ago? Back then, you poured your heart into making delicious food. You wanted to bring joy to others...Why did you change?" Noir asked Okumura's Shadow, who spoke up.

"F-Forgive me, Haru. Forgive your foolish father. But I would never last if my Treasure was stolen! Please don't do it, I'm begging you!" Okumura's Shadow said as Noir and Mona advanced towards Okumura's Shadow, Draconis looking around warily as Noir spoke up to Okumura's Shadow.

"Father, are you sincere about having a change of heart?" Noir asked Okumura's Shadow. She then kept speaking.

"Let's settle things! Let's end it here and now." Noir said as Okumura's Shadow spoke up, though something about the look on his face had Draconis on alert while he spoke up.

"Ah, how wise you've gotten, Haru, and how decisive. Heh, you foolish girl." Okumura's Shadow said as a beam shield appeared around the surprised group, aside from Noir and Mona, who'd moved out of range of the cage, prompting the others to glare angrily at Okumura's Shadow, while Noir gasped and spoke up.

"What!?" Noir said in shock as Okumura's Shadow spoke up, smirking as he spoke up.

"Don't you see? 'Overcome failure at any cost, even if it means betraying others', Not only are those wise words to live by, that is our family motto! The cold reality of kicking people down is part of business. Virtues and sentiment are for losers. What happiness can be found in acting with justice, but losing the battle?" Okumura's Shadow said as Draconis growled at this, but Noir spoke up before he could do so.

"What happiness can be found through profit gained by crushing the hearts of others!?" Noir asked Okumura's Shadow, who sneered as he spoke up.

"Better that than fail! I'd much rather destroy others than wallow in the misery of debt! Regardless, I shall soon set sail into the political realm. To the upper echelons of the world! To utopia! My name shall be etched into the annals of history! Make your decision, Haru. If you cast them away, I'll let you join me on this ship. Now then, what is your choice?" Okumura's Shadow asked Noir, who turned away from him without a word. Okumura's Shadow huffed and spoke up.

"You fool! You would throw your own family away for some lowly thieves!?" Okumura's Shadow said as Queen spoke up.

"Noir!" Queen said as the sound of clicking made the group jump when they saw a laser gun in the hand of Okumura's Shadow, the hand not holding the remote. He then pointed the laser at Mona as he spoke up.

"What about you there? Don't you want to get out of here alive? Want to board my ship? You're fighting against the others, are you not?" Okumura said, referring to the short-lived fallout that both Mona and Draconis had had from the rest of the group, making Mona huff and speak up while crossing his arms and frowning at Okumura's Shadow.

"Hmph. So you were spying on us." Mona said as Okumura's Shadow spoke up.

"Does it matter? You'll gain nothing from staying with them and staying as you are. That's what you believe, isn't it? You are absolutely right. Sell them out! Cut them off for your own personal gain!" Okumura's Shadow said as Draconis gritted his teeth and spoke up.

"Okay, you know what!? I don't have to stand here and listen to you trying to turn Mona against us like that, you silver-tongued bastard! Shut your lying mouth! And Mona, don't listen to him! Yes, I know you don't have it the easiest, but surely you can realize that we all care about you and want to help you get your memories and true form back?

Hell, we even put our differences aside and saved you when the jackass that THAT jackass there picked to be Noir's fiance kicked you into a wall that night! Would you really turn on us so easily, just to save yourself!? I'd like to think the gallant, honorable Mona-sensei I know isn't so easily swayed by false promises and temptation! Now prove me right, Mona!" Draconis said angrily as Mona seemed to hesitate as he heard Draconis' words as Okumura's Shadow kept speaking.

"I'll even give you the switch once we take off. So, do we have a deal? I'll give you ten seconds. Time is money, after all." Okumura's Shadow asked Mona, who hesitated before chuckling darkly as he spoke up, knowing his answer to the question Okumura's Shadow had asked him.

"Heh, are you serious? Don't take me for such a fool, Okumura! Everything's gains and losses for you, isn't it? I pity you, Mister CEO. You lived with Haru for seventeen years and still haven't realized?" Mona said, ignoring the simultaneous gasps of shock from Draconis, Joker and Noir as he kept speaking.

"In this world, there are tons of things that money and fame can't buy! What point would there be in only saving myself!? Nobody could replace these guys, period! You know what that means? Your offer was a no-go from the start!" Mona said decisively, sealing his refusal by pulling out his slingshot and taking aim, hitting the remote out of the hand of a shocked Okumura's Shadow, making it crash to the ground as Okumura's Shadow spoke up while the bean shield disappeared, freeing the others..

"What!?" Okumura's Shadow said in mixed outrage, shock and disbelief. Mona gasped at what he'd done and cheered as he spoke up while literally jumping for joy and doing a closed-eye grin as he celebrated his lucky shot.

"Whoa, it hit! Way to go, me!" Mona said as the barrier dropped and Mona found himself scooped up in a one-armed hug as Draconis smirked at him and spoke up.

"Hell yeah, Mona! I knew you could do it! Way to tell that bastard where to stick his offer! I knew you weren't so easily swayed! Respect for sticking by your guns!" Draconis said, giving Mona a nod of respect as Oracle ran up and patted Mona on the head while swaying him around a bit and speaking up.

"Wowza! You're so cool, Mona!" Oracle said proudly, seeing Draconis smirk at her, which made her school herself so her face didn't go red at the grin on Draconis' face. Skull smirked as he clapped Mona on the back and spoke up.

"Heh, you stole the show, man!" Skull said as Joker nodded, moving forward so that he and Draconis were at the front of the group, Skull and Mona standing next to them as Noir spoke up.

"Father, why would you try and trap us like that?" Noir asked Okumura's Shadow, who frowned as he spoke up.

"So much for the negotiation, it seems. Hmph, you rebels! There is still time before launch, in which case I will crush you all!" Okumura's Shadow said as Draconis glared at Okumura's Shadow and spoke up.

"Hmph, if you think you're man enough to fight us all, then bring it on, you bastard!" Draconis snapped at Okumura's Shadow, crossing his arms and glaring as Okumura's Shadow sat on a throne that lowered down behind him as Joker nodded and spoke up.

"Very well then. If you want a battle, you've got one!" Joker said as Skull nodded and spoke up, while cracking his knuckles excitedly and speaking up.

"Yeah, what Joker said! Bring it, you son of a bitch!" Skull said as Draconis spoke up.

"As you can see, President Okumura, the time for negotiations and games is over. Now is the time to fight. Prepare yourself, because we're about to take you down and actually change that warped-ass effing heart of yours!" Draconis said decisively as Okumura's Shadow growled and spoke up.

"You little punks! How dare you!? You won't get out alive!" Okumura said as the battle began! As the battle started, Oracle glared at Okumura's Shadow and spoke up.

"You're trapped! Give it up!" Oracle said in her best intimidating voice as Okumura's Shadow scoffed and spoke up.

"Give up, you say? Try saying that after you've taken down my company's elite soldiers!" Okumura's Shadow said as he summoned a small horde of robots and spoke up.

"Go, my employees! Be the foundation upon which my victory is built and earned!" Okumura's Shadow said. He kept speaking.

"Now, my devoted workers! Targeting them at random won't do the trick! You have to take each one out individually! Here, target that one first! The impudent brat in the cat costume!" Okumura's Shadow said as Oracle spoke up.

"How dare he!? His employees are shielding him! Let's break through and punch him in the face!" Oracle said. Two Magarulas later, Joker had the first wave destroyed. Okumura's Shadow huffed and spoke up in frustration,

"Seriously, how useless can you all be!? Whatever's become of company loyalty? Ugh, very well then, Haru! Teach our employees how to demonstrate their loyalty properly!" Okumura's Shadow said as a robotic version of Noir walked in and spoke up obediently.

"Yes, Father!" The robotic Noir said as the real Noir gasped and spoke up.

"Huh!? M-Me!?" Noir said as Okumura's Shadow laughed and spoke up.

"Correct! Best of all, MY Haru faithfully obeys my orders! After all, she's nothing like your charlatan!" Okumura's Shadow said as Noir winced and spoke up.

"Basically, that's my father's cognitive version of me, is it?" Noir asked as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"Yup, and it's not pretty to look at either. This is just like what Kamoshida did with Ann's cognitive counterpart, except he didn't make her a robot." Draconis said. Oracle nodded and spoke up.

"Well said, Draconis! Hey guys, don't let this get to you! Just remember this: Once we take Okumura down, it'll all be over. Let's wrap this up quick!" Oracle said as Okumura's Shadow huffed and spoke up.

"Not happening! You shouldn't have underestimated the strength of my company!" Okumura's Shadow taunted the group. He then kept speaking.

"Employees, fall in line! Time to work! Target that one next! The loud-mouthed punk with the dragon mask!" Okumura's Shadow said, pointing at Draconis as he summoned an army of yellow robots as Oracle spoke up.

"They've got more!?" Oracle asked as Draconis gritted his teeth and nodded.

"Unfortunately, yes they do. But I think if we focus we can get through these guys fast enough." Draconis said while Okumura's Shadow spoke up.

"Every problem can be solved with more manpower, you see. THAT is the strength of my company!" Okumura's Shadow said as Oracle frowned and spoke up.

"That's not something to be proud of, Okumura! That's sick and wrong!" Oracle said as the battle kept going. Eventually, the second wave was defeated through a lot of attacks, at which point Okumura's Shadow spoke up once more.

"Ugh, damn these thieves to hell! Chief Clerk! Get in her and take care of this!" Okumura said as he summoned more robots and the battle kept going. After a bit, Okumura's Shadow spoke up.

"Hey, what's the holdup!? Can't you scrap heaps do one simple job? Enough of this! Target that one next! The pompous man in the black coat!" Okumura's Shadow said, pointing at Joker. He then spoke up some more.

"Any who disagrees with my vision will be struck down as an example!" Okumura's Shadow said as the cognitive robotic version of Noir spoke up.

"My father's words are absolute." Cybernetic Robo-Noir said as she buffed Okumura's Shadow as he spoke up.

"That's right, Haru. One must strike the enemy while the iron is hot!" Okumura's Shadow said as Skull quickly destroyed the robots with repeated volleys of Mazionga and Zionga. Afterwards, Okumura's Shadow spoke up.

"Dammit! Hey, Section Chief! Get these loudmouth brats out of my sight!" Okumura's Shadow said as he summoned more robots. After a bit, the target shifted to Skull. After the fourth wave fell, Okumura's Shadow spoke up.

"Argh, dammit! Your time has arrived, Chief Director! Go forth and show them the weight of the corporate elite!" Okumura's Shadow said as he summoned more robots. After the big robots fell, Okumura's Shadow spoke up.

"Hm...!? What's this? It seems ordinary workers are not fit for the job! Executive Director! Come to me!" Okumura said as he summoned one big robot and spoke up.

"Now then, fulfill your duty as my right-hand man! For the eternal prosperity of Okumura Foods!" Okumura's Shadow said, before speaking up again a bit later.

"Hm!? What are you doing!? Work harder! Contribute more! The fate of my company rests upon how hard you work!" Okumura's Shadow said. He then spoke up once more.

"Hey! Losing is not an option here! You carry the Okumura Foods company name! Kill those thieves, even if it costs you your life!" Okumura's Shadow said. After a bit of struggle, wherein liberal usage of attacks and strategy was needed, the Executive Director fell, making Okumura's Shadow gasp in shock as he spoke up.

"What, no way!? You defeated even him!? Grr, someone!? Is there anyone here!?" Okumura's Shadow said as no one came. He spoke up.

"Wh-Why isn't anyone coming!?" Okumura's Shadow said as Draconis grinned and spoke up.

"Mwehehe, looks to me like you're out of employees to throw at us, Okumura! Now you and that robotic wanna-be Noir are all that you have left!" Draconis said smugly. Noir nodded and spoke up.

"Father, Draconis is correct. You've been forsaken, even by your own employees, in the end. Let's end this, Joker!" Noir said as Joker nodded. Okumura's Shadow growled and spoke up.

"Dammit! If that's how it is, then I have no choice. Haru, I command you to go forth! Show them the might of our company!" Okumura's Shadow said as the cognitive robo-Noir spoke up obediently.

"Yes, Father!" The cognitive robo-Noir said as Okumura's Shadow spoke up.

"Okumura Foods will be gutted if I fall! Do you understand the situation here, Haru?" Okumura's Shadow asked the cognitive robo-Noir, who nodded and spoke up.

"Of course, Father!" The cognitive robo-Noir said as Okumura's Shadow growled and spoke up.

"Well, then, protect me! Even if it costs you your life!" Okumura's Shadow commanded as the cognitive robo-Noir spoke up.

"As you wish, Father!" The cognitive robo-Noir said as she marched out to face the thieves, taking a more monstrous form as she did so, making the real Noir gasp and speak up.

"This is how my father sees me, isn't it? Nothing more than a puppet that dances when ordered to do so." Noir said as the cognitive robo-Noir spoke up in a robotic tone.

"THIS IS FOR MY FATHER'S SAKE." The cognitive robo-Noir said. After a bit, Okumura's Shadow spoke up.

"What's the hold-up, Haru!? If you don't stop them, my dreams are finished! Gah, it seems I've no other choice in the end. Haru, invoke your self-destruct! Detonate, and take those damned thieves with you!" Okumura's Shadow growled. Oracle gasped as she spoke up.

"No way! Okumura's even willing to sacrifice his own daughter!?" Oracle said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"Unfortunately, that's correct. But then I already knew Okumura's Shadow was a damned coward, so it's not a surprise to me he'd use anything and everything he has at his disposal in his attempts to stop us." Draconis said as Noir nodded and spoke up.

"Agreed, Draconis. Everyone! Let's destroy it, before it can self-destruct!" Noir said as Oracle spoke up in shock.

"But, Noir, do you realize what you're saying!? That's your cognitive counterpart! If we destroy it, what's to say it wouldn't destroy you too!?" Oracle said as Noir spoke up.

"I don't care! I am no longer my father's subservient puppet! The real me is standing right here, opposing him!" Noir said as the battle kept going. Joker quickly dispatched the cognitive robo-Noir with a well-placed attack. Okumura's Shadow gasped as he spoke up.

"Wha-!? Even Haru couldn't stop them!? I've had enough! Someone, get in here! Hello? Anyone!?" Okumura's Shadow said as Noir spoke up.

"Father, the time's come to end this. I hope you've prepared." Noir said to Okumura's Shadow. After that, the others stepped back to let Noir finish off her Father's Shadow, which she did by rushing forward and slamming her axe into her father's throne, destroying it and knocking him to the ground, where he was knocked out by the impact, ending the fight. After the battle, everyone except for Panther hit level 44. Joker smirked as he spoke up.

"Sweet, I leveled up!" Joker said as his level went up. From the level ups, Noir gained Makarakarn and spoke up.

"A new skill! Now I can fight harder!" Noir said as Milady obtained Makarakarn. After the battle, Okumura's Shadow struggled to his knees and spoke up.

"Ugh, I am defeated. In the end, I am just one more in a lineage of failures who couldn't get the job done. Haru, I'm sorry. I will contact your fiance and rescind the marriage offer. Dammit, this may be the end for Okumura Foods, you know. But I don't care about that anymore. Forgive me, Haru. Forgive your foolish father, who only wanted to make the company the best it could be." Okumura's Shadow said, before shocking the group by crying, making Noir gasp as she spoke up.

"Father, you're crying!? Have you truly had a change of heart this time?" Noir asked Okumura's Shadow as Skull marched forward and spoke up angrily.

"Spill it! You were behind all the breakdowns and mental shutdowns, weren't you?" Skull asked Okumura's Shadow, who sighed and spoke up.

"I admit, I spent large sums of money to help my company grow, and to crush business competitors, but I'm not sure what you mean." Okumura asked as Skull spoke up.

"Answer me, dammit! Did you do it or not!?" Skull asked as Okumura spoke up fearfully.

"N-Not personally! All I did was make the requests to have them eliminated!" Okumura said as the group gasped and Mona spoke up.

"Requests!?" Mona asked as Draconis' eyes narrowed and he spoke up with a frown.

"I feel like they'd be better described as 'hits' than requests. Be honest, President Okumura. Did you see what the person you had the contract with looked like? By chance, were they wearing a black mask!?" Draconis asked, making Joker, Oracle and Mona gasp at Draconis' question. Mona then spoke up before Okumura could reply.

"In that case, there really is a mysterious criminal in people's Palaces after all!" Mona said as Queen gasped and spoke up.

"So it's true then." Queen said as Noir looked at her father's Shadow and spoke up.

"What kind of a contract did you form, Father? And with whom?" Noir asked as Okumura fell to his hands and knees crying, making Skull growl as he spoke up.

"C'mon, stop cryin' and tell us!" Skull demanded of Okumura's Shadow as the intercom blared on again.

"Warning! Launch sequence commencing!" The group heard as Morgana swore and spoke up.

"Dammit, why now!? Mister CEO, can't you stop that thing!?" Morgana asked, only to get no response from Okumura's Shadow, making him sigh as he spoke up.

"I don't think he's gonna tell us anything more. Oh well, it is what it is I guess. We can't just throw our lives away like this. Look! Up there!" Mona said as the Treasure dropped down and landed right in front of Mona, who snatched the Treasure and smirked at Okumura's Shadow while speaking up.

"We've taken your Treasure." Mona said as Panther gasped at the lack of response from Okumura's Shadow before speaking up.

"Huh!?" Panther said as Mona spoke up, fixing Okumura's Shadow with a glare while he spoke.

"There's one more thing you need to tell us. Have you seen this criminal's face before? You never answered Draconis when he asked you that same question." Mona said as the warning came on once again for the self-destruct sequence. Skull growled and spoke up.

"We don't got time to get that outta him!" Skull said as Queen spoke up.

"We'll just have to inquire about it back in the real world." Queen said as the group started filing out of the room, leaving Panther, Mona, Noir, Queen and Draconis still in the room. Queen frowned at Panther as she spoke up.

"Panther!" Queen called as Panther snapped out of her daze and fled with Queen, Mona made to follow, only for Noir to speak up.

"Shouldn't we bring Father with us!?" Noir asked. Draconis shook his head as he spoke up.

"No. We beat his Shadow, so if it goes as the last few have, the Shadow should return to its' real self and induce the change of heart in the real target. However, I can't help but notice that this time, the target's Shadow hasn't returned to its' real self yet. Shouldn't one of us wait a bit longer to ensure he gets back to his real self?" Draconis said. Mona spoke up.

"He'll be fine, Draconis! We, on the other hand, may end up dead if we're not out of here soon, though!" Mona said as Draconis nodded before frowning as he spoke up.

"I see. You two go on ahead. I'll catch up once I ensure his Shadow gets back to his real self. Besides, I get a feeling something bad might happen if we leave him on his own." Draconis said warily. Mona nodded and darted off, while Noir turned to her father's Shadow and spoke up.

"Only you can follow through on your own responsibilities, Father. That is what you have taught me. Draconis, be careful, and make sure that you get out soon." Noir said as Draconis nodded, before Noir looked at her father's Shadow one last time and made to follow the others, leaving Draconis alone with Okumura's Shadow, at which point he leaned down to look into the eyes of Okumura's Shadow, at which point he nodded and spoke up.

"I know you feel like you've lost everything, but that's not true. If you can get back to your real body, you can own up to what you've done and start the path towards redemption. It might be a long path, but even you aren't beyond redemption. But I need you to answer me this. Did the person you have a contract with have a black mask on?" Draconis asked Okumura's Shadow softly, as he looked up and spoke up.

"Yes, he had a black mask on. But I doubt he'd be fool enough to come in here with the base about to explode. I'm actually shocked you've not evacuated yet, though." Okumura's Shadow said as Draconis spoke up.

"You might have been a scumbag, and done some effed up shit, but not even you deserve to die. I'm making sure you can find the strength to return to your body while you still can. I have a feeling we're about to have company that wants you dead, so hurry up and get out while you still can, President Okumura." Draconis implored Okumura's Shadow, who nodded and made to leave when a gunshot was audibly heard from behind them, piercing through the chest of Okumura's Shadow, making him slump over face-down and moan two last words.

"My...uto...pia...You, in the dragon mask. Promise me you'll take care of Haru for me." Okumura's Shadow said to Draconis, who looked down and gave a solemn nod to Okumura's Shadow and spoke up.

"You have my word that I'll watch over Haru, and protect her like the older sister I never had." Draconis said as Okumura's Shadow weakly nodded. At that point, Draconis heard footsteps echoing from nearby, seeing a masked figure walk out and put a gun to the chest of Okumura's Shadow and chuckle, making Draconis gasp as he lunged forward and tackled the figure down, speaking up as he did so.

"NO! What the hell are you doing, you fool!? Are you trying to kill him!?" Draconis rebuked the figure, who glared at Draconis and spoke up in a distinctly masculine-sounding voice while punching him in the bruised part of his stomach to both knock the wind out of Draconis and loosen his grip so he could easily slip out of Draconis' grip and get to his feet before glaring at Draconis while he spoke up.

"What are YOU doing here, Phantom Thief!? I thought you'd all be out of here by now! So why then is one of you here stopping me!?" the figure spoke up. Draconis spoke up, gasping as he noticed that the figure was wearing a black mask, though their face was concealed by shadow, so all he could see was a pair of imposing red eyes, and a full-body blue and black suit. But the mask alone was enough for Draconis to have a good guess as to who he was looking at, making him glare at the figure while he spoke up, idly feeling as if he'd heard the figure's voice somewhere before.

"Making sure that this man's Shadow gets back to his real self safely, along with doing what I can to ensure that YOU don't have your way anymore, Black Mask!" Draconis said to the now-identified Black Mask, who huffed and glared at Draconis while he put two more bullets into Okumura's Shadow, making him dissolve into black mist, before he spoke up and glared at Draconis.

"Hmph, my work here is finished. Be grateful I'm sparing you today, since I usually eliminate anyone who gets in my way! But I'm impressed you were able to sense me coming, so I want to let you live, so that we might meet again and pit our skills against one another someday, in a more suitable location. Until the appointed time of our encounter arrives, I bid you farewell, Draconis." Black Mask said as he turned on his heel and strode off the way he came, making Draconis swear under his breath before hopping on Smaug and flying towards the exit as fast as Smaug could carry him...

(Meanwhile, near the entrance of the Palace with Oracle, Skull, Mona, Fox, Queen, Panther, Joker, and Noir)

"Will we make it!?" Fox asked as Mona frowned and spoke up.

"Never mind us! Will Draconis make it!? He was still watching over Okumura's Shadow when Noir, Queen, Panther, and I left. And he's still not caught up to us." Mona said as Oracle frowned before she spoke up.

"Probably not, guys. Actually, if he hasn't caught up yet, it might well be impossible!" Oracle said as Skull spoke up.

"We're countin' on you, Mona!" Skull said as Draconis' voice could be faintly heard yelling in the distance, making everyone's eyes widen as they heard Draconis speak up.

"WAIT! I'm comin'!" Draconis said as he flew into view on top of Smaug, eventually dismounting once he was close enough to the others, crouching over to catch his breath as Oracle gasped and launched herself at Draconis, hugging him furiously as she spoke up.

"You made it! And you're okay!" Oracle said, as Draconis nodded before speaking up while giving Oracle a comforting pat on the head.

"I'm fine, Oracle. I told you I'd come back to you safely, and I'm a man of my word. Unfortunately, that's more than I can say for the Shadow of President Okumura. But let's get out of here first before I fill you guys in on the details of his fate, since a lot of crazy shit happened after you guys left." Draconis said as Mona nodded before transforming into his Mona-Bus form and the others filed into it before he drove off at a high-speed as the countdown finished and the base exploded while the group made an unlikely exit from the Metaverse...

(Back in the real world, outside the Okumura Foods HQ, with Yusuke, Morgana, Ren, Makoto, Ann, Haru, Ryuji, Futaba, and Kusa)

"Phew, that was close. My heart is still pounding in my chest." Haru said in an exhausted-sounding tone. Morgana did a closed-eye smile as he spoke up.

"Ugh, we did a great job in there." Morgana said as Kusa looked away, not trying to think about the fate of Okumura's Shadow as Ann spoke up.

"You know, Morgana, you seemed almost normal when you took the Treasure." Ann said to Morgana, who blinked and spoke up.

"Oh? The truth behind the mental shutdowns remains unsolved, though. Okumura wasn't the culprit." Morgana said as Kusa spoke up.

"No, he wasn't. But I think I might know who the real culprit was." Kusa said in a deceptively quiet-sounding tone as Morgana kept speaking.

"Still, he did mention requesting people to be eliminated. He has to know who's responsible." Morgana said as Kusa spoke up.

"Oh, he knew all right. He told me as much when I got him to talk a bit more after you all left. He all but confirmed my hunch that he had a contract with Black Mask. And then not long after he started seeming receptive to my advice to change himself, he got shot from behind, and I was lucky I was standing where I was at the time, or it'd have probably hit me too. Either way, right after that, the gunman stepped out of the shadows. I'll give you guys three guesses who it wound up being." Kusa said as Ren and Ryuji gasped before Ren spoke up with wide eyes, gaping slightly as he spoke.

"No way! Was it who I think it was!?" Ren asked as Kusa slowly nodded at the same time that Ryuji spoke up with a growl, realizing what Kusa was getting at.

"Clearly it was that son of a bitch Black Mask! So one of us finally got visual confirmation that they exist." Ryuji said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"Correct, Ryuji. It was Black Mask. And I got to hear their, or rather HIS, voice. I could tell from their voice that Black Mask is a guy. He taunted me by saying that I should be grateful that he kept me alive, since he apparently makes it a point to eliminate all who get in his way. But apparently he made an exception for me, since he was impressed that I was able to sense his presence. He said something about us meeting again in a more appropriate location to test our skills, before he fled.

I have no idea what he meant by that, though. But the main take-away is that unfortunately so, he destroyed the Shadow of Haru's father, which can't mean anything good for the real Okumura." Kusa said, a sad look in his eyes as the implications of his failure at his self-appointed task started sinking in. Haru sighed and spoke up at that point.

"Mm, that's too bad. Could that have an impact on my father's real self, do you think?" Haru said as Futaba gasped and spoke up.

"Mom, we finally have a lead on your killer." Futaba said sadly as Kusa gently wrapped his arms around Futaba to hug her to him. At that point, Haru noticed the Treasure and picked it up to examine it, distracting the others from the sight of Futaba and Kusa comforting one another. After a moment, Haru spoke up.

"The Treasure! Oh, is this what I think it is?" Haru asked the others. Ann nodded and spoke up with a raised eyebrow.

"His Treasure...was a plastic model kit!?" Ann said. Makoto nodded before blinking at the sight of Ann's frustrated face, still not seeing Futaba and Kusa comforting one another nearby as she spoke up, looking at Haru as she spoke up.

"Haru, what's the matter?" Makoto asked as Haru spoke up, an unreadable look on her face as she spoke up.

"I remember Father telling me something before he changed the way he did. He said there was a model kit he really wanted back when he was a child. But no matter how much he begged my grandfather, he never got it." Haru said as Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"Your family could get like, a thousand of those kits though." Ryuji said as Haru nodded and spoke up.

"True. Okumura Foods has been around for generations, but it was a small company until my father took over. My grandfather was a good man, but not the best businessman. He'd even lend money with no collateral, just because he could. It seems the debt collectors were a frequent presence when my father was young, if what he said before was any indication." Haru said as Yusuke frowned and spoke up.

"Indeed. That must be why he ended up as distorted as he did. Moreover, that must be why Okumura was so willing to pursue his own happiness at the expense of others." Yusuke said as Futaba blinked and spoke up in shock after she and Kusa separated.

"Whoa!? This thing's insane, and I don't just mean the price tag!" Futaba said as she held up her phone so the others could see. Yusuke's jaw dropped as he spoke up.

"Indeed. It is a staggering price. I've heard this can happen to collector's items, but still, that's pretty pricey." Yusuke said as Ryuji spoke up in shock.

"People're gonna pay that much for a plastic toy!?" Ryuji said in shock as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"I'd believe it. After all, from what Ren told me once, some people pay literal millions to get their hands on model guns, so it's not that much of a shock that a plastic toy has a huge price tag." Kusa said sagely. Haru then spoke up.

"By the way, you guys, when exactly is the change of heart supposed to happen?" Haru asked as Kusa spoke up with a wince.

"If it happens like all our other targets, the day of the original deadline. In this case, October 11th." Kusa said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Soon. That's all we know. We'll just have to wait and see what happens until then. Once he's safely had his change of heart, provided nothing goes wrong from what Kusa told us just now, we'll surely be able to find out who's behind the mental shutdowns." Morgana said as Kusa nodded, not trusting himself to speak at that moment, while the others also nodded...

(At that same time, in the SIU Director's Office)

"Yes, Exactly as you planned, sir. Everything. From the Phantom Thieves targeting Okumura, to them changing his heart, all according to plan." The SIU Director said into his phone as he shook his head before he kept speaking.

"Sure, we've lost a convenient source of income, but I'd rather not risk his connection coming to light. Okumura was not fit for the political world to begin with. He should have just behaved himself, then maybe he'd still be here." The SIU Director said before listening to the voice on the other end of the phone. He then spoke up again.

"Of course. Without fail, sir. I've requested that he handle the matter. Arrangements have been made. A sudden mental shutdown will occur at just the right time. We'll dispose of our disappointing connection and the Phantom Thieves at once. Two birds with one stone." The SIU Director said, laughing ominously as he looked out the window...

(That evening, at Leblanc, with Kusa, Ren and Morgana)

"I've actually been thinking a bit about my actions this time, you know, when I ran off the way I did? I was way too worried about who I am, and how I don't compare to the other members of our group. Turns out I just don't have any guts, huh?" Morgana said to Ren, who chuckled and spoke up.

"It's fine, Morgana. It happens to everyone. Hell, it even happened to Kusa over here. I recall you weren't the only one to storm off that day." Ren said with a chuckle as Kusa spoke up, giving Ren a dry glare before he turned a much softer gaze onto Morgana while he spoke.

"Funny, Ren. And Morgana? I call heavy bullshit on you not having any guts! You have to have them, if you were able to stand up to Haru's fiance the way you did the night we reconciled. Haru told Ren and I about what you did for her. And that, Morgana-sensei, takes a great deal of guts. So never say you don't have guts. You have just as much guts as any one of us." Kusa said reassuringly to Morgana, who smiled at Kusa and Ren as he spoke up.

"Heh, thanks, you two. Kusa, you're right. That said, I think the reason I was so hung up on being human is because I needed a goal of my own. Well, not a goal, per se, but something bigger than a goal. I guess more like, something in the vein of a reason to live." Morgana said as Kusa chuckled and spoke up.

"I would think that was easy. Your goal could be to be the best Phantom Thief you can possibly be, Morgana! Or failing that, learn to be the best Morgana possible to the rest of the group! You might not think so, but you're a very invaluable part of our group, and not just because you're our main transport around Mementos. You're also our main expert on the Metaverse, faulty memory be damned. As for a reason to live, again, that can be getting your memories back, and/or making sure you have our back whenever we need it, the same way we have your back." Kusa said with a smile. Morgana nodded his agreement while he spoke up.

"Good point. But now that I'm sure I belong with the Phantom Thieves, I know what I want to do. Do you know what it is?" Morgana asked as Ren shrugged and spoke up.

"I don't know, Morgana." Ren said. Morgana spoke up, a determined look on his face.

"I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure the Phantom Thieves succeed. In other words, our goals are in alignment. From now on, I'm not going to hold anything back. You'd better put some effort in too, Ren! Don't make me regret my choice! Same for you, Kusa!" Morgana said to Ren and Kusa, the former of which felt as if his bond with Morgana is growing ever deeper. At that moment, the 'Magician' card appeared in his mind's eye, the 'VIII' becoming an 'IX' to signify that his Magician Confidant link with Morgana had reached Rank 9.

As a result of the level-up, Morgana awakened to the ability of Protect, making it so that like Ann, Morgana had the chance to shield Ren from a singular otherwise fatal attack. Afterwards, Morgana kept speaking up.

"Plus, to be honest? I want Lady Ann to be happy, even if it's not with me. After all, the most important thing is her happiness, yes?" Morgana said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"Well said, Morgana. That's truly the best way to look at things. Even if you can't get with her, as long as she's happy, that's what really matters. I'm sure you'll find the girl for you someday, even if it's when you least expect it to happen." Kusa said. Morgana nodded as he spoke up, stars in his eyes.

"Agreed, Kusa. If my actions can help her achieve happiness, that's more than enough for me to be happy." Morgana said before seeing the smirk on Ren's face and gave Ren a disapproving look while he kept speaking.

"I see that look! I hope you're not thinking about how sappy all of this is!" Morgana said bluntly to Ren, who rubbed the back of his head awkwardly as Morgana spoke up.

"Success! Now all that's left is to wait for Okumura's change of heart!" Morgana said as Ren nodded, right as his phone went off to signify a group chat with Ryuji, Ann, Kusa, Yusuke, Makoto, Haru, and Futaba, with Haru sending the first response.

"Thank you so much for today, everyone." Haru said as Makoto sent a response.

"Likewise, Haru." Makoto sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"You must surely be exhausted. I suggest you go to sleep early." Yusuke sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"Hey, we should talk about Haru's welcome party!" Ryuji sent as Ann sent an irate-sounding response.

"Didn't we just say we would let her rest, you dimwit!?" Ann sent as Kusa sent a response.

"Whoa, down Ann! No need to eviscerate the man. He was just being Ryuji." Kusa sent as Haru sent a response.

"I appreciate your concern, but I'm OK. I promise." Haru sent as Makoto sent a response.

"As long as you're OK, Haru, that's fine. Well, is there anywhere you'd like to go?" Makoto sent as Haru sent a response.

"Actually, I'd like to walk around the school festival with everyone. After all, I recall the Student Council voted to approve both the school dance Kusa-kun proposed as well as a school festival." Haru sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"You mean the Shujin school festival? I must admit, I am interested as well." Yusuke sent as Ren sent a response.

"Then it's settled, seems like." Ren sent as Makoto sent a response.

"That reminds me, we still haven't settled on a guest." Makoto sent as Futaba sent a response.

"A guest!? Like some kind of celebrity!?" Futaba sent as Kusa sent a response.

"Yes Taba, a guest. Usually, a guest speaker. Though admittedly in this case, I don't think there's anyone influential enough to invite in that capacity." Kusa sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"Wait, does that mean the Phantom Thieves could be one of the candidates!? How 'bout it? Wanna show up?" Ryuji sent as Kusa sent a response.

"Absolutely not! In disguise or not, the last thing we want to be doing is making guest appearances!" Kusa sent dryly as Haru sent a response.

"I agree with Kusa. That's a bit over the top, Ryuji." Haru sent as Ann sent a response.

"For real! You're getting way too carried away, Ryuji!" Ann sent as Makoto sent a response.

"Don't say such strange things." Makoto sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"I concur with the others. What a shallow idea." Yusuke sent as Futaba sent a response.

"Ooh, a five-hit dragon punch combo!" Futaba sent as Kusa sent a response.

"Hah, nice reference! But wouldn't that be more aptly labeled as a five-star KO?" Kusa sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"Sorry for being excited." Ryuji sent dryly as Ren put his phone away. He then blinked and sat at the desk, remembering he had a broken laptop, a parts kit, and nothing better to do with his evening, so he sat down as Morgana spoke up.

"Oh, sitting down to work, eh? What're you gonna do?" Morgana asked Ren, who spoke up.

"I think I'm gonna try my hand at repairing that laptop we found before." Ren said. Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Okay. Good idea. Getting this thing to work won't be easy. Fixing this will take quite a bit of time." Morgana said as Ren nodded his agreement and spoke up.

"Fine by me. I don't really got a lot else going on tonight anyways." Ren pointed out sagely as Morgana nodded and watched as Ren sat to work, speaking up after a bit, while curling up on the desk to watch.

"Ugh, Gah, wow! This is so complicated. I don't even know what that part is. Just be careful!" Morgana said as Ren nodded and he kept speaking.

"I see. If I recall Kusa and Futaba's explanation from before rightly, so all computers are essentially made up of different components that are assembled." Morgana said as Ren nodded, and kept working, eventually finishing the repairs in record time. Morgana blinked and spoke up.

"Whoa, you finished fixing it already? Then again, the damage wasn't too bad to begin with. Repairing such a complex machine is sure to have improved your Proficiency." Morgana said as Ren's Proficiency got a needless boost. At that point, the laptop fired up, and catchy music played as Joker saw text on screen.

"Hello! This is Shady Commodities Tanaka! I repeat, I'm Shady Commodities Tanakaaa! Here we sell wonderful and rare items that are not circulated among the general public! Curious about something? You've got access! Want something? You've got access!" Ren saw on-screen as Morgana spoke up in shock.

"Hm? What the heck? It just went to that site automatically. Was it configured to do that beforehand? Hm, Shady Commodities, eh? So according to the description, it's an online shopping site? Either way, it's certainly gotten my attention. Let's check it out when we have some time." Ren said before laying down with Morgana for the evening, since Kusa had managed to finangle his way into spending the night with Futaba...

(Later on, in the Velvet Room, with Ren, Caroline, Justine, and Igor)

Ren woke up in the Velvet Room, where he walked to the door of his cell as Caroline spoke up.

"Looks like we made a great miscalculation, Inmate!" Caroline said as Justine smiled and spoke up.

"Contrary to our assumptions, it seems you have turned out to be quite promising." Justine said as Igor grinned and spoke up.

"Indeed. Your powers continue to grow, as do the relationships you hold with your contractors. It seems the rehabilitation is proceeding at a fine rate." Igor said as Ren spoke up.

"We just beat a criminal, though. Sure, it's a big deal since it's another job well done, but is it really that special in terms of my rehabilitation?" Ren said. Igor chuckled and spoke up.

"Fair point, Inmate. However, allow me to warn you on one matter. Being at the peak may mean you are mere moments from your downfall. Unexpected situations are necessary in a 'game', after all." Igor said, as he laughed ominously...

(Later on, in the attic of Leblanc with Ren and Morgana)

Morgana was woken up by another dream of a scary-looking feline-esque being that made weird noises, making him sit up with a start.

"Gah! Th-That dream again, why always that dream?" Morgana asked himself quietly. He then spoke up.

"Wh-What the hell? I-I'm human, for sure. I have to be human, right? Right? I refuse to believe otherwise! There's no way I was born like that thing in my dream." Morgana said to himself. He then huffed and spoke up.

"H-Hmph. I won't let myself get worked up over some dream I keep having. I'm sure everything will be clear if we can get to the depths of Mementos eventually." Morgana said to himself, before seeing that Ren was still asleep and sighing...

(The next day, in the attic of Leblanc, with Morgana and Ren)

"Well then! And now we wait, like usual." Morgana said to Ren, before he kept speaking.

"Mind you, that's not an excuse to slack off! We should still use our time wisely! That said, should we check out the home shopping program, since it's airing today?" Morgana asked Ren, who shrugged as he looked at his options. Ren did some Persona management at the Velvet Room, after which he remembered his lotto ticket and went to redeem it, being bummed to find out he only won 300 yen off of a 3,000 yen ticket, but it was better than the miss from before, Ren figured.

Ren then bought another ticket, which he was told would be available to check on 10/9. After a bit, Ren decided to go hang out with Futaba, who he idly noticed had messaged him, making him wonder why Kusa wasn't with her, but he shrugged it off as he headed back to Yongen-Jaya to meet her outside of Leblanc. As he walked up, Futaba smiled and spoke up.

"And now we're done! We've done all we can do. Now, we wait. That said, do you have some time? I wanna get cracking on that promise list I made. I'd have asked Kusa to do it, but he went to the gym. Said something about having some stuff to work out on some practice dummies? I figure that means he's just getting tension off. Either way, now I'm asking you." Futaba said as Morgana spoke up.

"So, what's the plan? Are you going to hang out with Futaba?" Morgana asked Ren, who nodded.

"Yeah, why not? She's one of my lowest-ranked Confidant links, after all. Might as well see about changing that if I can." Ren said as Futaba smirked and spoke up, her words making Ren blink at what she said.

"Okay! Rehabilitation time! Then let's form our battle plan. Step into my office, Ren." Futaba said as Ren blinked, but nodded as the two went into Leblanc, at which point Futaba spoke up once more.

"Okeydokey, let's get started on this promise list. The first one is 'go somewhere with lots of people'. Ooh, I've got the perfect place! Akihibara Wars: Revenge Of The Futaba!" Futaba said with a chuckle to Ren. Sojiro blinked as he spoke up.

"Hm? You're going to Akihabara? If so, be careful out there." Sojiro said as Ren nodded before he and Futaba headed to Akihibara...

(In Akihabara, with Ren and Futaba)

"Hey, hey! Did you see that tablet earlier? Whoever drew that picture was a real pro. Not as good as Inari though. He's got a particularly pervy view on art." Futaba said as a bunch of loud murmurs broke out near Ren and Futaba, making them jump and Futaba speak up as the two turned to face the commotion.

"Wh-Whoa, what's going on!?" Futaba asked as a skinny man nearby spoke up.'

"There's a super-limited sale at the PC section!" The skinny man said as a nearby black-haired woman spoke up.

"Three terabytes for only five hundred yen!? What a steal!" The black-haired woman said as a jogging man spoke up.

"That's gonna sell out in seconds!" The jogging man said as a crowd gathered around and separated Ren and Futaba. A short time later, Ren's phone rang as he answered it.

"Hello?" Ren said as Futaba's voice was heard on the other line.

"Mayday, mayday, calling all Rens! I'm trapped in the Home Appliance Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Three Terabytes War rages on outside of the Home Appliance Kingdom. There are a lot of people around. Uhhh, so many people are around. Hrgh, I gotta be honest Ren. I don't know if I can last much longer or not." Futaba said as the call cut out. Ren blinked, idly wondering if he should go look for Futaba or not. As he went to start looking, he heard footsteps near him, and turned to see Futaba walking over to him. Futaba blinked and spoke up.

"Ren!? Ah!" Futaba said before sprinting over to him and speaking up with a frown on her face.

"There you are! I got nervous when we got separated. I, I, I..." Futaba said as Ren smiled.

"Good timing, Futaba. I was about to come find you." Ren said as Futaba smiled and spoke up.

"O-Oh, you were!? Thanks. I didn't think I was gonna see you until the end of time, Ren. But then I thought about you while I was wandering around the store, and bam, a wild Ren appeared!" Futaba said. Ren chuckled and spoke up.

"Right. Good to see you again, Futaba." Ren said with a laugh as Futaba scuffed her foot cutely on the tile of the floor and spoke up.

"So you're relieved? What an incredible coincidence! Me too." Futaba said before blinking and speaking up.

"I, uh... Hm? Wait a tick, I just finished a promise! 'Go somewhere with lots of people'! Ohh, well, am I awesome or what!? It's all cause of the Three Terabyte War though! Oh, and 'cause you brought me here! I, Futaba Sakura, hereby thank thee!" Futaba said to Ren, who simply nodded, feeling as if he could sense Futaba's innocent joy. At that point, the 'Hermit' card appeared in his mind's eye, the 'II' becoming an 'III' to signify that his Hermit Confidant link with Futaba had reached Rank 3, though no new skill were gotten for the rank up. Afterwards, Futaba kept speaking, putting her fingers together nervously as she spoke.

"I dunno though, Ren. I panicked hard when I was soloing that dungeon before. I think, to be honest, not being with you is kinda scary, Ren. All right then, I'm gonna add another goal to my list: 'Being okay without you around.' It might be a long quest line, but I'll finish it someday! Oh, but phew, I'm tired." Futaba said as she spoke up once more.

"C'mon, let's go home!" Futaba said as Ren nodded, escorting Futaba home, not seeing the content smile on her face as he did so. Afterwards, Ren headed back to Leblanc, at which point the phone rang as he got to the doorstep, and he answered it.

"Hello?" Ren said as he answered his phone. He shrugged as he heard Futaba's voice on the other line.

"Heeey, it's me. Thanks for your help today. So I beat the 'Go somewhere with lots of people' goal. First try, too. Not bad! I'm still not sure how I'm supposed to beat 'being okay without you around', though. But at this pace, I'll clear it in no time flat! Right?" Futaba said as Ren spoke up.

"We'll both do our best, Futaba. Though, I can see that you're also making progress towards the item I added to your list, or 'Figure out how I feel about Kusa', though. So I think if you use whatever methodology you use to be okay without Kusa around for being okay without me, you might be surprised how fast you clear that goal." Ren said. Futaba cheered as she spoke up.

"Woooo! I got this! I don't care how hard the quests are, I'll take 'em all! As for Kusa, I can handle him not being around because frankly, he's right around the corner whenever I want to see him. Plus I have his contact info. Come to think of it, the same is true of you. Maybe I might have an easier time of it than I thought? Anyway, I guess the point is I gotta grind for now.

Leveling up for a big encounter is basic stuff. I'm gonna do a little research. See if there are any other ways I can power up. Heh heh, mwehehe! This is all kind of exciting, huh? Talk to you later!" Futaba said as Ren nodded, hanging up his phone as he went inside. Once inside, the twins contacted him about his assignment, after which his phone went off to signify a group chat with Ryuji, Ann, Kusa, Yusuke, Makoto, Haru, and Futaba, with Haru sending the first response.

"Hm, Father has begun acting a little odd lately. He has been cooped up in his study, and his voice lacks energy." Haru sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"That actually sounds quite similar to what Madarame went through." Yusuke sent as Ann sent a response.

"And Madarame still had a change of heart in the end. Don't worry, Haru." Ann sent as Haru sent a response.

"Is that so, Ann? Oh, my apologies! I don't mean to doubt you or anything!" Haru sent as Makoto sent a response.

"Nobody was accusing you of that at all, Haru." Makoto sent as Futaba sent a response.

"People just act a bit weird after their Treasure gets stolen. It'd be hard not to worry about such a sudden shift." Futaba sent as Ren sent a response.

"Trust Futaba, Haru. She knows all about that." Ren sent. Futaba sent a response.

"Yeah, I really do. I really gotta thank all of you again for helping me back then. That said, I have to wonder. Did Kusa seem off to any of you after we left the Palace yesterday?" Futaba sent as Haru sent a response.

"Not to me, he didn't, but I'll be honest. I don't know him as well as the rest of you do, so I might not be the best one to judge that. Also, hm. I feel better after consulting with you all. Thank you. Actually, speaking of Kusa-kun, I notice he's not sent a single response yet." Haru sent as Ren sent a response at that point.

"Neither has Ryuji that I've seen. Maybe they're hanging out together? But if anyone's got reason to think he's acting off, it's Futaba. She was the one he spent last night with, after all." Ren sent before putting his phone away, at which point Morgana spoke up.

"Hm, looks like this Okumura case is finally going to have a happy ending. All that we have to do now is wait for his change of heart." Morgana said as Ren looked at his chats, of which he had five, one from each of his night jobs, plus a private chat each from Chihaya, Yoshida, and surprisingly enough, Kusa. Curious, he opened his private chat from Kusa to see what Kusa had to say.

"Hey, if you're reading this, sorry I haven't said much since we finished the Palace. Had some stuff to think through, and a lot to process after how the Palace ended. I'm not trying to avoid anyone. I just realized that I have some soul-searching and thinking to do, so that's why I didn't say anything in the chat earlier. And no, I wasn't hanging out with Ryuji. He's at home, as far as I know. So yeah, I'll be home later. Keep the cafe unlocked if you go out, yeah?" Kusa sent as Ren sent a response.

"Sure thing, bro. And just so you know, you can always talk to me if you need to vent to someone. That is what I'm here for, as your older brother. That said, glad you're okay." Ren sent before having a seat at a booth seat to ponder his options. After a bit, he decided to hang out with Yoshida, remembering to leave the cafe unlocked per his agreement with Kusa. Once at Station Square, Ren walked over to Yoshida and listened in as Yoshida was giving a speech.

"Everyone! Listen up! Poverty, working poor. Our country's job market is terrible. Depression and suicide are on the rise, and the young workforce is being crushed on a daily basis. The evil that permeates the corporate world has filtered down into society as we know it." Yoshida said before blinking as he saw Ren leaning nearby listening in to his speech and waving him over as he spoke up.

"Ah, good evening! Hello, Amamiya-kun. Stamina is important for public speaking as well. You're still young, but take care of yourself. It's almost time, Amamiya-kun. I'd appreciate it if you could be around afterwards today. I'm sure I don't have to remind you about what this concerns, after all. How's your availability?" Yoshida asked Ren, who nodded as he spoke up.

"I've got good availability, Yoshida-kun. So I can help you out tonight, if needed." Ren said. Yoshida gave Ren a closed-eye smile as he spoke up.

"Thanks for your concern, Amamiya-kun. A speech about the Phantom Thieves, though. This should be interesting. There are some things I want you to hear, so please come and listen to it." Yoshida said as Ren nodded, getting into place to listen as Matsushita walked over to Ren and Yoshida before speaking up.

"The stage is set." Matsushita said as Yoshida spoke up.

"Thank you. I appreciate it, but I already have my plan set for what I'm discussing in my speech." Yoshida said as Matsushita spoke up.

"I know. You're not going to be my right-hand man, right? Don't worry, I won't pull any tricks. Feel free to talk about being falsely accused. I'll handle whatever comes from it. I saw Kuramoto's grandson around here somewhere. I bet he's curious about today's speech." Matsushita said as Yoshida frowned and spoke up.

"I see. I haven't spoken to him at all since we last met." Yoshida admitted as Matsushita nodded and spoke up.

"Good. This speech should serve as your response to him, then." Matsushita said as a voice could be heard from nearby.

"I didn't think any of the parties would back No-Good Tora." A man could be heard saying to another man next to him, as the other man spoke up.

"He's going to talk about the Phantom Thieves, right?" The other man said as the first man spoke up.

"I could care less about him. I'm just interested in hearing about the Phantom Thieves." The first man said as Yoshida looked at Ren and Matsushita, nodded, and spoke up.

"Very well. Okay, I'm going to get started." Yoshida said as Ren spoke up.

"Okay, Yoshida-kun. Do your best out there." Ren said encouragingly. Yoshida did a closed-eye smile and spoke up.

"Yes, I will. Especially with you looking on." Yoshida said happily as he went out to give his speech, speaking up to catch the crowd's attention.

"Everyone! I'm here tonight to speak to you all about the Phantom Thieves! The reason they're causing such a stir is because they are addressing the world's problems." Yoshida said as Matsushita frowned and spoke up.

"What are you doing, Toranosuke? That's not what I thought you'd talk about?" Matsushita said to himself as Yoshida kept speaking.

"That said, setting aside whether their actions are right or wrong for the moment, there is one thing I can safely say about the Phantom Thieves. A belief with conviction is not only powerful, but it also has the ability to move a person's heart. I'm sure you are all aware that I am 'No-Good Tora,' the one accused of embezzlement. I was a fool twenty years ago. It's no wonder that I was considered a failure as a politician. However, because I was accused like that, I was able to understand the suffering of the weak." Yoshida said, smirking at the shocked look on Matsushiita's face while he kept speaking.

"In any case, the most important thing is this. Why am I in politics? In the past, it was merely for personal gain. But why do the Phantom Thieves continue to change hearts? I believe they do it for the world and its people. And in choosing to do justice for others, they had no choice but to disguise themselves. No matter what the world says, I fully support them. I'm just an average citizen at the moment. However, I will continue to voice my beliefs.

I may not be able to become a Diet member during this election, and I may not even be able to effect change during my lifetime, however, I don't care. Not only do I accept that, but I've made my peace with it as well. I will be happy, as long as I can be a meaningful stepping stone for the future of our youth!" Yoshida said, eventually proceeding to give one of his best speeches ever. Afterwards, he smiled at the crowd as he spoke up to finish his speech.

"And that will do it for my speech tonight. Thanks you for listening." Yoshida said as the crowd dispersed and Ren, Matsushita and Yoshida went behind the stage and Matsushita spoke up with a disappointed look on his face.

"So that's how it is, Yoshida. I set the stage for nothing. So you have no intention of accusing old man Kuramoto?" Matsushita asked Yoshida, who nodded as he spoke up.

"Yes, that's right." Yoshida said as Matsushita huffed and spoke up.

"Sheesh, for what I expected, that was such a heartfelt speech for someone your age. People are probably laughing at you as we speak. I doubt any of them were moved by your words. To be honest, I might be the only one in this entire city who was." Matsushita said as Yoshida spoke up.

"Matsushita, is this true? You were moved by my words?" Yoshida asked in shock. Matsushita nodded and spoke up.

"Correct. Proceed as you wish with your candidacy. I'll take measures to ensure the party backs you. Within the limits of my abilities, of course. That said, this is goodbye." Matsushita said as he turned and left, at which point Yoshida turned to Ren and spoke up.

"Hmm, My candidacy, backed by the party, huh? What an unexpected turn of events. The Phantom Thieves, they're so mysterious." Yoshida said, as Ren gave him a surprised look while he kept speaking.

"Perhaps, it's the effect of you moving my heart." Yoshida said as Ren spoke up.

"If I had to guess, Yoshida-kun? You had a change of heart, most likely." Ren said. Yoshida nodded as he spoke up.

"Yes, that must be it. Still, I have you to thank for all this. The Phantom Thieves, to think, they possess the power to change a person's heart for the better. I don't possess a special power like they do, but I won't lose to them when it comes to conviction. Speech is my only weapon. Just my voice and my words. That's how I win people over. Thank you for sticking by my side, Amamiya-kun." Yoshida said to Ren, who nodded respectfully, all while feeling as if his bond with Yoshida was growing ever deeper.

At that moment, the 'Sun' card appeared in his mind's eye, the 'VIII' becoming an 'IX' to signify that his Sun Confidant link with Yoshida had reached rank 9, but no new skills were gained for the rank up. Afterwards, Yoshida kept speaking.

"To be honest? Contrary to what I thought, getting your heart stolen isn't such a bad thing. If he's a member of the Phantom Thieves, then I wouldn't be surprised." Yoshida said, before blinking at the confused look on Ren's face and speaking up.

"Ah, sorry. I'm talking to myself again. Another bad habit of mine. Time to finish up for today." Yoshida said as Ren nodded before Yoshida spoke up once more as Ren made to leave.

"I'll see you again, Amamiya-kun! And until then, good job." Yoshida said as Ren went back to Leblanc and got comfortable for the night, smirking as he saw Kusa and Morgana curled up contentedly on the sofa...

(The next morning, in the student guidance room at Shujin, with Kasumi, Maruki, and an unidentified middle-aged teacher)

"Wait, what did you just say!? Excuse me, but could you please repeat that?" Kasumi said to the middle-aged teacher who'd just spoken up. The middle-aged teacher nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly what I just said. Now, nothing's been decided for certain as of yet, Yoshizawa-san. But, at the rate things are going, Yoshizawa-san's honors status could possibly be revoked. Something so serious should, of course, be brought to the attention of both her parents and yourself." The middle-aged teacher said as Maruki frowned and spoke up.

"Really? I've been told that her results at the latest meet were quite laudable, and even praise-worthy. That said, isn't revoking her status as an honor student a bit of an overreaction on the school's part?" Maruki said as the middle-aged teacher scoffed and spoke up.

"Look, I understand how you feel Doctor Maruki, but to be honest? Well, I'm afraid third place doesn't really cut it in this case, unfortunately. She needs to attain first-place results for her exceptional status to be worthwhile." The middle-aged teacher said before smiling at Kasumi as he spoke up, seeing the shocked look she gave him while he spoke.

"Don't get me wrong here. Personally, I think her results are impressive, but to be honest, it's about what the school thinks. And frankly, I suppose the argument could be made that if she's going to represent Shujin and receive special treatment, it's not enough. So Yoshizawa-san, please don't shoot the messenger here, okay? This is necessary to guarantee fairness across the entire student body. It's not as if you've been expelled or the like. Another meet's coming soon, so please, try for the results the school wants to see." The middle-aged teacher said as Maruki frowned and spoke up.

"Sir, with all due respect, putting excessive expectations on Yoshizawa-san will only be to her detriment." Maruki said as the middle-aged teacher blinked and spoke up.

"Oh, that wasn't at all my intention! I just wanted to give her a little encouragement. Doctor Maruki, please continue serving the student body as counselor and providing support to Yoshizawa-san. This merely meant to express how the entire faculty will be supporting her. That's the reason I had you sit in today, Doctor Maruki." The middle-aged teacher said as Maruki frowned and spoke up.

"Supporting her, you say? I see." Maruki said dryly as the middle-aged teacher spoke up.

"At any rate, that's all I wanted to discuss with you today. Please keep in mind, these changes are all hypothetical, unless of course Yoshizawa-san doesn't provide better results." The middle aged teacher said as Maruki frowned and scoffed at this. The middle-aged teacher chuckled and kept speaking.

"Well, I suppose we should wrap up here." The middle-aged student said as the meeting ended, and the trio left the room, Kasumi trying not to let her hurt feelings show, even as she walked past a confused/concerned Ren, looking up as she realized Ren was there and speaking up slightly.

"Ah, Senpai. I'm sorry, but please excuse me." Kasumi said as she kept walking past, making Morgana frown as he spoke up.

"What's wrong with Yoshizawa-san?" Morgana asked Ren, who shrugged before Kusa spoke up with a frown.

"I could be wrong, but by the look on her face, she might've gotten some rather bad news. I've had that same look on my face before, more than once. So I'd recognize a disappointed/devastated/stunned look anywhere." Kusa said. Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"True, but didn't she seem off to either of you?" Morgana asked as Kusa nodded before Ren and Morgana turned and saw a familiar looking charm lying on the ground near where Yoshizawa'd been standing. Morgana spoke up as he saw it.

"Oh, it's Yoshizawa's charm. Yoshizawa must've dropped it before." Morgana said as Ren took a closer look at the charm and saw that it was indeed the charm in question. Ren nodded as he spoke up.

"Yeah that's what I figure, Morgana. And I think you're right, Kusa. Normally she doesn't have that look on her face unless something really bad went down, and she especially doesn't drop her charm like this." Ren said as Kusa and Morgana nodded, the latter frowning as he spoke up.

"True. Oh, shoot! She's gone. Let's return it to her after school. We should at least send her a text so she knows where it is." Morgana said as Ren nodded before he and Kusa went their separate ways to head to class...

(Meanwhile, elsewhere with Kasumi)

"Hmm, maybe I left it in here when I left before?" Kasumi mused to herself, clearly trying to find the charm she'd dropped, unaware that Ren had found it and was keeping it safe for her. As she went to walk in to the office, she stopped short on hearing her name mentioned.

"So? How did Yoshizawa-san handle the news?" Kasumi heard the vice principal say. Inside the room, the middle-aged teacher from before could be heard speaking up.

"She seemed pretty downcast. I think it was quite the shock to her." The middle-aged teacher said as the vice principal spoke up.

"Be that as it may, I hope this is what finally drives her to succeed, honestly. She needs to push herself beyond third place and bring home some stronger results, and soon." Kasumi heard, before gasping as she then recognized Maruki's voice as he spoke up.

"Vice Principal, I know I've already told you this, but your approach here is going to affect her adversely. Trying to motivate her with harsh words is only going to give her more anxiety." Maruki said bluntly as the vice principal was then heard speaking up.

"Ugh, Doctor Maruki? To be honest, we aren't running a charity. If she's going to receive special treatment, she needs to provide adequate results. Praising her until her head swells may be your idea of therapy, but we can't afford to just butter her up forever. That said, we took in those sisters to improve Shujin's standing, but at this rate, we're only going to end up suffering for it.

Honestly, this wouldn't be as big of a deal if we'd been able to convince the younger Amamiya brother to join the Shujin martial arts team, but he was adamant about abstaining from competitive martial arts when we asked him, but at least he was polite about it. Anyways, back on topic of the sisters, not only have we lost one of them, but the other one's not doing us any good. Talk about a waste of effort taking them in." The vice principal could be heard saying, at which point Kasumi gasped and quietly spoke up.

"Is that really what he thinks!? Tsk!" Kasumi huffed to herself as she heard Maruki's voice from outside.

"Sir!" Maruki said rebukingly as the vice principal blinked and spoke up sheepishly.

"Oh, ah, pardon me. But, there's no denying it. First with Mister Kamoshida, and now the principal's death, we've got our backs to the wall here. If this school doesn't bounce back soon, even my own ass will be on the line, for real. Anyways, that'll be all. Excuse me." The vice-principal could be heard saying as Kasumi gasped before turning and running away in shock and tears...

(That afternoon, in class with Ren, Morgana, and Ann)

"It's truly tragic. To be honest with you all, I'm fed up with how happy people have been acting. Stealing hearts? Social reform? Don't give me this Phantom Thieves nonsense. It's all so unscientific. I mean, how could they target Big Bang Burger and Okumura Foods? They're criminals! That artificially consummate flavor, the depth, enough volume to fill a small universe, maybe even two. Ugh, are the Phantom Thieves trying to steal the galaxy of junk food from me!? That said, how about you, Amamiya-kun?" Hiruta said as Ren gave Hiruta his full attention as Hiruta spoke up.

"Perhaps you think you understand how vast the universe is, full of countless galaxies, but consider this if you will. If we use 'three watermelons in the sun' to visualize a certain matter's size against the universe's, what are the melons?" Hiruta asked Ren, who winced as he wasn't familiar with what Hiruta had referenced, but vaguely recalled hearing this mentioned once by Maruki in one of their discussions, making him smile as he spoke up.

"This is it! I'm pretty sure the answer is 'stars'." Ren said with some confidence. Hiruta smiled and clapped his hands as he spoke up.

"Heh, that's it! I expected as much from you. It's meant to convey the density of stars in the vastness of space. Three bees in the whole of Europe also works. In other words, the universe is essentially empty. There are countless stars in the sky, but the universe is even more vast than that. Even within our own galaxy, the stars are separated by a great distance, despite the sheer volume of them visible." Hiruta said as the typical murmurs about how smart Ren was and how impressed people were getting with him ensued. Morgana even chimed in with a compliment of his own as Ren's Knowledge got a needless boost. At that point, Hiruta spoke up again.

"Heh, close, but yet so far. How ironic. Hehe, you could say the same of our hearts." Hiruta said as Morgana winced as he spoke up.

"Ugh, if he only knew the places we've been, maybe he wouldn't be so critical of us." Morgana said so only Ren could hear, getting a nod from Ren as the rest of class passed uneventfully...

(After school, with Ren and Morgana)

As Ren left the classroom after school, his phone rang as he answered it.

"Hello?" Ren said as he answered his phone, only to frown as the voice on the other end was a bit distorted and garbled, but still recognizable.

"Yes. Ah, hello? Amamiya-senpai? I'm sorry, I just now noticed that you tried to reach me. My smartphone seems to be acting up again. You found my good luck charm, right?" Kasumi said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"Correct. Granted, your voice sounds super garbled/distorted right now, but I understood what you said. That said, where are you right now? Any chance we can meet up, if only so I can return your charm to you?" Ren said as Kasumi nodded and spoke up, her voice still garbled/distorted.

"Yes, of course! I'm in Odaiba, in front of the stadium. You know? The stadium where we met before, earlier in the summer?" Kasumi said as Morgana spoke up.

"She's at the stadium?" Morgana asked in surprise as Kasumi kept speaking.

"Amamiya-senpai? Sorry, I can't hear you-" Kasumi said as the call abruptly ended and Morgana spoke up.

"I guess her signal cut out. I couldn't hear everything, but it seems like she's at the stadium. She seemed to be acting unusually this morning, too. Do you think something happened?" Morgana asked Ren, who shrugged as he spoke up.

"Not sure, Morgana. Either way, I know when she's like this, it's rarely, if ever, for a good reason. That said, I'm worried about her." Ren said as Morgana nodded his agreement and spoke up.

"Me too. When we met her there last time, she did mention that she goes there when she's depressed. Well, let's see how she's doing when we drop off her good-luck charm. I'm sure you'd rather have Kusa come along as back-up, but I think I recall him mentioning he had plans after school today, so I doubt he'd be able to join us." Morgana said as Ren blinked and spoke up.

"Plans, you say? Did he happen to go into detail on them?" Ren asked Morgana, who shook his head.

"Nope. He just said he had plans. But anyways, to Odaiba, right?" Morgana asked as Ren nodded and the two headed to Odaiba, unaware that Kusa's plans were in fact less plans, and more him spending time with someone he didn't expect to be hanging with so soon after the start of the school year...

(At the same time, in the practice building, with Kusa)

"Well, that was a school day that just happened." Kusa said to himself, as he found himself walking towards the practice building, having to stop himself short so he wouldn't walk into someone who was walking near him at the same time, before blinking as he saw who it was and speaking up in surprise.

"Whoa, wait. Doc? Kind of a surprise to see you walking around outside of your usual office. Just as well, though. I was actually just heading to seek you out, as it happens." Kusa said honestly as Maruki nodded and spoke up.

"I see. Well, I do have time today. Sorry if I nearly walked into you. I've had a rather eventful morning with another student, but I can't really say more than that since confidentiality is a thing, as you no doubt know." Maruki said to Kusa, who nodded understandingly before he spoke up.

"I get it, Doc. Say no more. Though maybe I can make an educated guess, given how depressed/bummed out Yoshizawa-san looked when she walked past Ren and I this morning. She was so bummed, she literally dropped her lucky charm as she walked off after walking past Ren. Ren, of course, kept it safe for her.

And if I had to guess, he's probably heading off to return it to her as we speak. But I trust Ren to handle his crush. He doesn't need me there for support, anyways." Kusa said, making Maruki raise a surprised eyebrow at the surprisingly self-deprecating remark from Kusa, before he recalled Ren's previous words about how Kusa was the more self-deprecating of the two Amamiya brothers, making him shrug as he realized maybe it wasn't so unusual from Kusa. Either way, Maruki spoke up.

"Fair enough, but I'm surprised to hear you speak that way of yourself. I'm guessing that has to do with why you came to seek me out, though?" Maruki asked Kusa, who nodded as he spoke up.

"Yes, pretty much. Mind, there're some parts of it I can't go into detail on, since as you yourself just said, confidentiality is kind of a thing." Kusa said, noticing the wince on Maruki's face at Kusa throwing his words from before back at him, but with no real venom. Maruki nodded and spoke up.

"Fair enough. Let's go talk in the office then." Maruki said as Kusa nodded, and the two went to the nurse's office, at which point they had seats and Maruki spoke up.

"Now then, care to tell me why you're in a slightly more self-critical mind space than usual?" Maruki asked Kusa, who sighed and nodded before giving Maruki a condensed version of what he'd gone through in the recent Palace, but without naming names or mentioning the names of the involved. After he was done, Maruki blinked as he spoke up.

"Wow, so basically you're taking a hard look at yourself because you couldn't save someone you swore to see safely returned home, after they were brutally gunned down by a masked hitman who then subtly threatened you and left afterwards? Sounds rather rough, to be honest. But at the same time, I can't blame you for somewhat questioning yourself after something like that. But I think you need to realize that just because you failed at what you were trying to do this time, that doesn't automatically mean you'll fail every time.

Also, you can't really afford to go to pieces at this point, since you have others who lean on you for leadership and support, namely this Futaba girl you've mentioned before. I'm sure your current mindset and behavior are probably a slight source of concern for her, if nothing else." Maruki said to Kusa, whose eyes widened at this before he spoke up.

"That's a surprisingly good point, Doc. I've been so busy beating myself up over this failure, I didn't really stop to think about how others might perceive my apparent shift in behavior and/or attitude. But if I'm being honest, if i can't save this person I barely know when I need to, what's to say that I couldn't have a similar failure later, when it really matters?

So you can see how I'm a bit unnerved by this, and really re-considering how I do things, and trying to better myself, if only so I can be better able to protect those I care about. Because if I'm being honest? That's probably one of my biggest concerns, is that I could end up failing to protect any of those I'm close to, and having it come with dire consequences. Sure, most of my friends can handle themselves, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to do my due diligence." Kusa said as Maruki spoke up while hiding a wince at how similar Kusa's stance towards Futaba struck him as being to how he'd once felt about his own now ex-girlfriend.

"That's more than fair, Kusa. But consider this as well. What if you were to trust others to handle themselves and try to only protect those who you felt you could confidently protect, like Futaba? Maybe it'd reduce the amount of pressure you've put on yourself, so you can start being able to look at things with a slightly more positive perspective?" Maruki said as Kusa stroked his chin, seemingly considering Maruki's suggestion seriously, before he eventually spoke up.

"Hm. You know what, Doc? That's actually pretty smart. I might give that a serious think. Even so, I still feel I need to double down on my training so that I'm more in peak condition and able to give my all to protect those I do decide to protect." Kusa said decisively as Maruki nodded and spoke up.

"That's a good attitude to have, Kusa. And y'know, if we're being honest? I've always enjoyed these discussions we've had. I feel like your unique perspective could be useful in my research, assuming we ever have occasion to bring it up in our discussions." Maruki said as Kusa spoke up.

"Eh, I don't see why we can't work it in to some extent, Doc. Granted, I feel like these discussions might get a bit more sporadic as time goes on, but that's purely a guess on my part." Kusa said honestly as Maruki nodded and spoke up.

"That's fair, Kusa. But I'm always here, if you need me." Maruki said encouragingly to Kusa, who frowned as he spoke up.

"I see. I'll keep that in mind, Doc. But in all honesty, I am grateful that you're there for me like this, even if I was a bit blunt and harsh to you at first. I hope you can see I did that because I was trying to be honest with you." Kusa said as Maruki nodded before speaking up.

"I can totally understand that, Kusa. I'm just reminding you that my doors are always open, within reason." Maruki said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"I see, Doc. But, y'know, to be honest, as much as I'm enjoying this, I probably should get going, since I still have to hit the gym and then fit in some time with Taba later." Kusa said as Maruki nodded understandingly as he spoke up.

"I get it. Well, I'll see you around then?" Maruki said as Kusa nodded before leaving the office, leaving a contemplative Maruki to frown before he spoke to himself.

"Yes. This one has the right instincts. And I can sense the potential in him. He could be the candidate I've been looking for to help perfect my work on cognitive psience. Granted, his brother makes a useful sounding board, but I get the feeling this one will be more useful from a practical standpoint." Maruki mused to himself ominously...

(At the same time, in Odaiba with Kasumi)

"Oh, no connection? Shoot, I should've gotten this thing replaced already." Kasumi said to herself before wincing as she spoke up.

"Ugh, I'm so useless. I can't even get good enough results for the school. And I do nothing but cause trouble for Senpai, even Doctor Maruki. Heck, probably even for Kusa-kun. I'm supposed to be THE 'Kasumi Yoshizawa', but I don't even feel like I can do that right." Kasumi mused to herself as she heard a passing woman speak up behind her.

"C'mon, I wanna get a parfait." The pampered-sounding woman said as a laid-back man that was walking with the pampered woman could be heard speaking up.

"Yeah yeah, just a sec. I'm looking up a spot right now. It's supposed to be somewhere around here, according to my phone." The laid-back man said as the pampered woman huffed and spoke up.

"Tch! Ugh, you've gotten us totally lost! I don't recognize any of these places. And what's that building even supposed to be, anyway?" The pampered woman asked as the laid-back man shrugged and spoke up.

"I dunno. Uhhh, I think they're building some kinda convention center? Or was it a research lab? What's it matter, anyway?" The laid-back man said as the two walked by, and Kasumi sighed before she spoke up in annoyance.

"Ugh, it's not a lab. It's a stadium. Hm?" Kasumi said as Ren and Morgana chose that moment to walk up to Kasumi, unaware of her phone acquiring a familiar-looking app, which kicked on as Ren and Morgana approached.

"Beginning navigation." Ren and Morgana heard as the world around them somehow shifted into the Metaverse out of nowhere, revealing what looked to be a fancy research facility, making Ren and Morgana gasp as they looked at the sights around them.

(In the Metaverse, with Joker and Mona)

"Ugh, what the-?" Mona said before seeing Joker's Phantom Thief attire and jumping in shock as he spoke up with wide eyes.

"This atmosphere. Joker, could it be? Is this a Palace!? But, we never activated the Nav, did we?" Mona said before gasping as he recalled that they weren't the only ones in the area at the time the Nav activated, making him gasp as he spoke up.

"Wait, do you think it was Yoshizawa!?" Mona asked Joker, who nodded his agreement as he spoke up.

"It's certainly possible. Could Kasumi have the Nav?" Ren said, now concerned for Kasumi. Mona nodded as he spoke up.

"Mm-hm. It's a possibility. She wasn't anywhere near us when we slipped into this Palace, though. Not to mention, she can't fight like we do. We have to find her, fast!" Mona said in concern as Joker nodded his agreement and the two got moving in a hurry. Mona then spoke up.

"First, we need a way into that huge thing." Mona said to Joker, who nodded. Mona then kept speaking.

"Let's go! The area heading down past these gates seems suspicious to me. Let's go, Joker!" Mona said as Joker nodded and the group kept moving. After hopping a fence and looking around, Joker found an elevator, which he used the nearby button to call, before he and Mona rode it down to a further part of the unknown Palace. Once it landed, and the two got out, Mona spoke up.

"I don't think Yoshizawa is here. Can we get any further in?" Mona asked Joker, who nodded as Mona kept speaking while the camera panned to a door further ahead as Mona spoke.

"That door might be our only option. Let's go check it out." Mona said as Joker nodded and the two kept moving. After a quick sprint to the door, Joker tried the door only to growl when it refused to open, making Mona wince as he spoke up.

"No good, huh? Well, we'll have to find another way." Mona said as the two kept moving. As they made to go back the way we came, Mona spoke up in surprise.

"Oh! Joker, look! Up there, above us." Mona said as the camera panned up to show a ledge way above Joker and Mona, as the latter kept speaking.

"Looks to me like that could be a foothold. Let's see if there's a way to climb up!" Mona said as the two kept moving. A few jumps and grappling hook leaps later, the duo was up above, at which point they winced on hearing a familiar voice nearby.

"Who's there!?" Joker and Mona heard Kasumi's voice call out, as the latter spoke up.

"Was that Yoshizawa!?" Mona asked Joker, who nodded as he spoke up.

"Sounded like her to me. That didn't sound good either, so we need to double-time and find her." Joker said decisively. Mona nodded agreement as he spoke up.

"Yeah. Stay on guard, though!" Mona said as the duo kept moving, and Joker slid down the mysterious material to where they'd heard Kasumi's voice, only to stop short as they saw her looking at a girl with similar looking hair to hers, only where Kasumi's hair was up in a ponytail, the other girl's hair was down, flowing to the middle of her back, and she had a pair of black-framed glasses on, similar to Joker's glasses, which almost covered up the beauty mark on one side of her face.

In addition, she had on a sheer baby-blue leotard with hints of darker blue hear the waistline, as the leotard ended at her thighs, where it cut off in a similar manner to a pair of bikini bottoms, complete with the small bit of frill that looked like a micro-skirt. Kasumi gasped as she looked at the girl, before speaking up and confirming with her words that she recognized the girl.

"No way! Why is this happening!? How are you here!?" Kasumi asked as Joker and Mona caught up to Kasumi, the latter speaking up uneasily as he saw the other girl.

"Who's that!? Is she a cognitive being!?" Mona asked Joker, whose eyes went wide as he saw what looked like it could be Kasumi's twin, if she wore her hair down and had glasses. Joker then spoke up.

"I could be wrong here Mona, but if I'm right, that's the other Yoshizawa sister, possibly the one I made a fool of myself trying to impress when I was younger. Not sure why she'd be in a Palace, of all places, but she might well be a cognitive being, as you said." Joker said as the girl spoke up in that moment.

"I don't know, but I know that it's my fault." The girl in a leotard said as Kasumi frowned and spoke up.

"What do you mean, it's your fault?" Kasumi asked the girl as Mona nodded to Joker and spoke up.'

"C'mon, we gotta help!" Mona said as Joker nodded and the two ran over to where the two girls where talking as the girl in a leotard spoke up.

"You must come to terms with the past, Kasumi. Only then can you find the closure you seek." The girl in a leotard said mysteriously to Kasumi, who frowned at the girl and spoke up.

"Ugh, stop! Stop it! Nngh!" Kasumi yelled at as she fell to her knees while holding her aching head. At that same moment, a Shadow appeared behind the girl in a leotard and struck her from behind, knocking her to the ground as she reached for Kasumi's hand and spoke up.

"Kasumi, please. You must get out of here." The girl said before slumping over as she dissolved into black mist before a horrified Kasumi. At that point, Mona looked at Joker and spoke up as he saw the Shadow.

"Hurry! Yoshizawa's in trouble!" Mona said as the two ran faster, at the same time that the Shadow looked at the downed Kasumi and spoke up.

"Hmph, such heresy. You dare to spurn our lord's mercy, you impudent fool!" The Shadow yelled out as it shifted into a monster form, right as Kasumi gasped and fell to her hands and knees, right as Joker and Mona got to her and the latter spoke up.

"Are you all right, Yoshizawa!?" Mona said as Joker looked at Kasumi and spoke up.

"Are you hurt, ma'am? My friend and I came to save you." Joker said to Kasumi, who blinked as she recognized Joker's voice and spoke up.

"Oh! That voice, could it be? Is that you, Amamiya-senpai!?" Kasumi asked as Mona spoke up before Joker could answer her.

"Hmph! Looks like that thing's ready to rumble." Mona said as the Shadow advanced on Kasumi while speaking up in a sinister-sounding voice.

"Accept yourself as you are. Our lord laments the foolishness birthed from your pain." The Shadow said as Kasumi frowned and spoke up.

"What are you talking about?" Kasumi asked with a wince. At that point, various voices could be heard echoing around Kasumi, Mona and Joker, as Mona spoke up.

"Where are these voices coming from!?" Mona asked as more voices could be heard, mostly talking about Kasumi's honors student status and complaining about how jealous they were of her, making Kasumi gasp as she spoke up.

"That's not true!" Kasumi said in surprise. At that point, the trio heard a much more distinct voice echo.

"I understand how you feel, but third place just doesn't cut it in this case. She needs to attain first-place results for her honors student status to be worthwhile." The middle-aged teacher's voice could be heard echoing tauntingly as Kasumi gasped and spoke up.

"Ugh! No! Not that again!" Kasumi said as the vice-principal's voice could be heard next.

"Not only have we lost one of them, but the other's not really putting forth any effort. Talk about pathetic." The vice-principal's voice could be heard echoing as Kasumi frowned as she spoke up.

"I've had enough of this, whatever it is." Kasumi said as Mona spoke up in shock.

"Yoshizawa!?" Mona said as Kasumi's voice suddenly raised as she spoke up angrily.

"You're telling me I'm not cutting it? As if I don't know that better than anyone! Still, I can't give up! I don't care what anyone says about me, but I will NOT tolerate anyone speaking ill of our dream!" Kasumi said as she suddenly found the strength to get to her feet as she spoke up.

(Awakening start-Kasumi)

"Tch. it's all in your best interest, they say. Filling my life with this pressure, and then demanding the results that you want, without so much as a care for how I feel!?" Kasumi huffed as she spoke up. Mona spoke up in surprise at that point.

"Yoshizawa, wow. Ren, she looks so resolved. Oh! Could she be doing what I think she's doing!?" Mona said as Kasumi kept speaking.

"And now you're all branding ME a failure? Let me remind you who you're talking to here! I am...I am...Kasumi Yoshizawa!" Kasumi said resolutely as she heard a voice in her head.

"My, my, so adamant, aren't you?" Kasumi heard in her head at the same time that she felt a splitting pain in her head that prompted her to hold her head in her hands as she heard the voice keep speaking.

"Rather than accept a life in cinders and ruin, you'd strive toward splendor!? Yet, you know full well the risk entailed in reaching for said splendor? Well, if those really are the shoes that you've chosen for yourself, then we'll dance to the end." Kasumi heard as she stopped to catch her breath, right as a rather ornate-looking black mask appeared over her face, making Mona speak up in shock.

"No doubt about it! This has gotta be her Awakening!" Mona said, now sure that was the case. At that same time, Kasumi found the strength to tear the black mask from her face, causing a flash of blue light to ensue, prompting her wardrobe to disappear momentarily before reforming into a black, skin-tight, form fitting leotard with a black rose brooch on one hip, and a rapier sheathed on the other.

Meanwhile, a black leather trenchcoat appeared that was similar to Joker's, but more feminine, materializing on top of the leotard as her hair, which had briefly fallen down to fan out on her back, lifted itself up as her ribbon fixed itself back into her hair after also turning black, the look completing itself with similar looking gloves to Joker's,except where his were black, hers were red, and black stiletto boots. Mona gasped as he saw Kasumi's transformed attire and spoke up.

"Joker, look at that!" Mona said as a being with blonde hair that had on a baby blue dress similar to Kasumi's usual summer attire, complete with a blue ribbon in her hair, appeared next to Kasumi, speaking up in the voice that Kasumi recognized as being the voice that had spoken in her head.

"Now, my dear fated princess, vow to me! I am thou, thou art I...Accept this contract...The spell cast upon you..." The being said as Kasumi nodded before producing her rapier and brandishing it protectively at the Shadow as she spoke up while glaring defiantly at the Shadow as she spoke.

(Awakening End- Kasumi's Awakening)

"I request we have a rematch. This time will be different! This time, I'm going all-in with CENDRILLION!" Kasumi called out confidently, as she invoked the name of the being who'd appeared next to her, as a battle commenced while Joker and Mona rushed forward to join Kasumi on the battlefield, the latter looking at Kasumi and speaking up.

"We'll show you the way to do this, Yoshizawa! Nothing too reckless, okay?" Mona said to Kasumi, who nodded as she spoke up confidently.

"Thank you! Please do!" Kasumi said as the battle began! After knocking down the enemy, the group called for an All-Out Attack, which showed the group rushing forward to pelt the Shadow with attacks, before the screen cut to a shot of Kasumi twirling around with a ribbon in hand as she slashed at the Shadow with the rapier in her other hand, eventually sheathing the rapier as she did a twirl and posed at the end with the ribbon in her mouth, speaking up as she posed.

"A perfect 10!" Kasumi said as the Shadow dissolved into black mist, ending the battle. After the battle, Kasumi huffed as she caught her breath and spoke up.

"Whew, that was close. Ngh, why now?" Kasumi said as she started making like she was going to drop to a knee. Mona jumped in shock as he spoke up.

"Hey, are you all right?" Mona asked Kasumi, who nodded as she spoke up.

"I'm fine. But, I can't do this. I can't be weak anymore, not anymore!" Kasumi said as she struggled to her feet, to Mona's surprise, making him speak up.

"Whoa! I'm quite impressed, considering how you just awakened to your Persona and all." Mona said as Kasumi nodded before looking at Joker and speaking up.

"You never answered me before, you know. Beneath that mask and coat, you're Amamiya-senpai. Am I right?" Kasumi asked Joker, who blinked and spoke up after weighing his options, and deciding to be honest with Kasumi.

"Yeah, it's me. But how'd you know it was me before asking?" Joker asked Kasumi in surprise. Kasumi smiled as she spoke up.

"That's easy. I could tell from your voice, and from your posture. By the way, this might be a bad time to ask, but why are we dressed like this now?" Kasumi asked as Joker spoke up.

"Believe me on this when I say it's a really long story, and we'd be here a while if I explained it to you now. But I'm not surprised you're curious, Sumi." Joker said as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"Well, of course she is! This has to be awfully confusing for her." Mona said as the sounds of more Shadows could be heard, making Mona wince as he kept speaking.

"Crap! Looks like they've found us. Time to get out of here, quick. We can explain later." Mona said bluntly as Joker looked at Sumi.

"Follow my lead, and we'll escape together Sumi." Joker said to Kasumi, who nodded with a smile as she spoke up.

"Right!" Kasumi said as the trio exited the Palace and the Metaverse...

(Back in the real world, at the stadium in Odaiba with Ren, Morgana and Kasumi)

"Oh, we're back at the stadium." Kasumi said in surprise before blinking as she looked herself over.

"Huh? My clothes changed back to normal, too." Kasumi said as Morgana spoke up.

"This was your location before you entered the Metaverse. We all just came back." Morgana said as Kasumi frowned and spoke up, not really registering the fact that she'd just heard a cat talk while she spoke.

"Just came back? Wait, did you say came back? Did we go somewhere?" Kasumi asked Morgana, who winced as he spoke up.

"Uh, about that, Yoshizawa, as Ren said before, that's a long story." Morgana said as Kasumi nodded and spoke up.

"Please, tell me anything you might know about what's going on. I need to know what just happened to me." Kasumi said as Morgana winced and spoke up.

"I know how you feel, but, that's a long story you're asking about. Eh, what should we do, Ren?" Morgana asked Ren, who spoke up.

"I don't think we have much of a choice, considering she has a Persona now. That as good as makes her one of us. So I don't see any alternative. Let's tell her." Ren said. Morgana nodded as he spoke up.

"Good point. Yeah, you're right Ren." Morgana said before turning to Kasumi as he kept speaking.

"Okay, I'll tell you everything from the beginning." Morgana said as Kasumi nodded and spoke up.

"Thank you." Kasumi said as Morgana nodded and proceeded to fill her in on everything about the Metaverse, Personas, and even a brief rundown of the group's history. After he finished, Kasumi frowned as she spoke up.

"Huh. A Metaverse, you say? With places called Palaces, and beings that are known as Personas that you use to fight Shadows, which is what that being we fought before is classified as. I see." Kasumi said as Morgana spoke up in an understanding tone.

"I'm sure it's not easy to wrap your head around all of this in one go." Morgana said as Kasumi nodded and spoke up.

"No kidding! Normally I wouldn't believe any of that, but after seeing it all for myself just now, I think I believe it. But wow! You're so good at explaining things, Mister Kitty." Kasumi said as Morgana winced and spoke up.

"Given what you've been through today, I'll let that last part slide this time, Yoshizawa. But more importantly, isn't there something else that should be surprising you?" Morgana asked as Kasumi blinked and spoke up.

"Hm? What are you talking about, Mister Kitty? Oh! Wait! A cat's talking!?" Kasumi said, her eyes widening as the fact she'd been speaking to a talking cat finally registered for her. Morgana chuckled as he spoke up.

"Heh, took you long enough! And, I am NOT a cat! I am Morgana!" Morgana said as Kasumi winced before giving the not-cat an apologetic look as she spoke up.

"Ah, I see. My apologies for offending you before. Well, since you seem to know a lot more about this than I do, maybe I should call you Morgana-senpai." Kasumi said as Morgana turned to Ren and spoke up.

"Oh, that's right, nearly forgot why we came here! Ren, don't you have something for her?" Morgana asked Ren, who nodded and produced Kasumi's charm from his pocket as he spoke up.

"Here you go, Sumi. I think this belongs to you. You dropped it this morning when you walked past Kusa and I in a hurry." Ren said as he handed Kasumi her charm, making her gasp in shock and relief before she gave Ren a grateful closed-eye smile while she spoke up.

"Oh! Ren-senpai, you came all this way to return this to me? Thank you so much!" Kasumi said as she accepted her charm from Ren, before smiling at him as Morgana spoke up.

"You didn't seem your usual self this morning? Did something happen?" Morgana asked Kasumi, who winced as she spoke up.

"Well, to be honest? I didn't get a chance to tell you yet, but Ren-senpai? I got third place in the last meet. Of course I'm not happy about it, but it looks like the school is even more displeased. The truth is, I was summoned to the guidance office this morning. I was warned that the school might revoke my honors status if I don't improve my results soon. It would be due to my own inability to succeed in gymnastics, so I have to say, it's really not an unfair consequence, however harsh it might seem.

But, I also overheard the vice-principal talking about how I'm a useless waste of effort, and how the school took me and my sister in just to improve the school's image. He even implied he had tried to do the same for Kusa-kun at one point, but apparently Kusa-kun refused him flat out. And on top of it all, I dragged Doctor Maruki into this mess too, since he was with me when I got the news. That's what really got to me." Kasumi said as Ren frowned and spoke up.

"The vice-principal said WHAT about you!?" Ren said, his eyes narrowing in annoyance as Morgana spoke up, sensing Ren's frustration and moving to cut Ren off before he could say something he might regret later.

"You can get righteously indignant on her behalf in a moment Ren, but focus for now! Though that is a tough break." Morgana said as Kasumi nodded and spoke up.

"It really is. So, I ended up coming here. Then, all of a sudden, I was in that place we just left a bit ago. But I'll be just fine now. I feel like whatever happened in there helped me to get over it! I'm going to realize my dream for sure!" Kasumi said confidently as Morgana spoke up.

"Seems like you really are on the up and up now. Ah, but then again, how did Yoshizawa end up finding a Palace in the first place? It sounds like it was pure coincidence, based on what she's told us." Morgana said as Ren nodded and spoke up with a frown.

"Agreed. You think she could have the Nav on her phone perhaps, Morgana?" Ren asked Morgana as Kasumi blinked and spoke up.

"The Nav?" Kasumi asked as Morgana spoke up while frowning in uncertainty as he spoke.

"Well, I suppose that does make the most sense." Morgana said as he turned to Kasumi and spoke up.

"Hey, do you mind if we take a quick look at your phone? If the Nav's on there, we'd be able to tell whose Palace that was with the search history." Morgana asked Kasumi, who nodded as she reached for her phone while she spoke up after pulling her phone out.

"Sure. It's right-" Kasumi said before cutting herself off mid-sentence with a frown as she spoke up.

"Sorry, you two, this won't do any good." Kasumi said as Morgana frowned and winced while speaking up.

"Why's that?" Morgana asked Kasumi, who frowned as she spoke up.

"The battery's dead. It's been acting up for a while now, so that could have something to do with it." Kasumi said as Morgana winced and spoke up.

"Aw, really? Shouldn't you get that checked out? Well, it's not like that was a Palace we've been after, so I guess it's no big deal. We couldn't make its ruler our target unless we reached a unanimous decision, anyway." Morgana said as Kasumi frowned at that and spoke up.

"Okay, I've been meaning to ask for a while, but kept forgetting. Be honest with me. Are you two part of the Phantom Thieves?" Kasumi asked Ren and Morgana, who winced as Morgana spoke up.

"Um, well, we're kind of fans of theirs?" Morgana said in an unsuccessful attempt to convince Kasumi she was wrong, but she frowned and spoke up.

"You are, aren't you?" Kasumi asked as Ren winced before he nodded and spoke up.

"Very good, Sumi. You caught us. That's right, we're both part of the Phantom Thieves." Ren told Kasumi honestly. Kasumi frowned and spoke up.

"I knew it! I can't believe my senpai and my senpai's senpai are part of the Phantom Thieves! Wait, that means that back at the start of summer, when we were at the cafe with Akechi-kun and Kusa-kun, I basically told the Phantom Thieves themselves that I don't agree with what they're doing! Um, so, I'm really sorry about that." Kasumi said as Morgana spoke up, both Kasumi and Morgana ignoring the indignant huff Ren gave at the former calling the latter his senpai as Morgana spoke.

"Don't worry about it, Yoshzawa." Morgana said as Ren spoke up with a winsome smile.

"He's right, you know. Besides, you raised some good points with what you said that day. Even Kusa agreed you had a point in the end. So don't feel bad, Sumi." Ren said as Morgana spoke up.

"With that out of the way, I think this is the time to ask. What's your call, Ren?" Morgana asked Ren, who spoke up.

"You mean about Kasumi?" Ren asked Morgana, who nodded and spoke up.

"That's right! Considering how she did back there, don't you think she'd make a worthy addition to the Phantom Thieves?" Morgana said as Kasumi blinked and spoke up.

"So, you mean you want me to join the Phantom Thieves?" Kasumi asked as Morgana spoke up.

"In a nutshell, yeah. You've awakened to your Persona, you're aware of the natures of Palaces, you've got our leader's attention, and from the looks of things, you've got quite the potential. In the end, it's purely your decision to make, but if you're willing to join our motley crew, we'd be glad to have you." Morgana said to Kasumi, who frowned and spoke up.

"I see. So you want me to join you? Hmm." Kasumi said as Morgana spoke up.

"Relax. You don't have to give us an answer right now. I mean, you probably shouldn't make any decisions until you learn more about what it is we're actually doing." Morgana said as Kasumi winced before she spoke up.

"Thank you, but, as much as I don't want to have to say this, I have to. I'm sorry, but I have to turn down your offer!" Kasumi said as Morgana spoke up with a frown.

"Cool, so we'll head on home and- Wait, what!?" Morgana said as Kasumi spoke up with an unreadable look on her face.

"When I awakened to my, uh, Persona, was it? I also realized something at that time. I can't keep obsessing over my shortcomings in gymnastics like this. So, that's why I can't join you at the moment, to be honest." Kasumi said as Morgana nodded understandingly.

"I see. Because you need to focus on your gymnastics." Morgana said as Kasumi winced and spoke up.

"I'm truly sorry to say no after all that you've done for me!" Kasumi said as Ren spoke up, giving Kasumi a reassuring smile while he spoke.

"That's just like you, Sumi. Always apologizing first and asking questions second. I think it could've been good training, but if you don't want to join, you don't have to. I understand and respect your decision. But never forget that I've got your back Sumi, no matter what." Ren said sincerely as Kasumi smiled and spoke up.

"Thank you. But, I think I'd only cause you all more trouble if I were to join up without being totally invested in it. Of course, I won't say a word about this to anyone." Kasumi said as Morgana gave her a closed-eye grin and spoke.

"I'm glad you catch on so quickly, Yoshizawa. Well, if you ever change your mind about us, just let us know, okay?" Morgana said as Ren spoke up.

"He's right. The offer will always be there, along with a place on the team if you ever decide that you want it, Sumi." Ren said sincerely to Kasumi, who nodded as she spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Thank you, Morgana-senpai. If that ever happens, I'll get in touch right away!" Kasumi said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Yes!" Morgana said as Kasumi looked at Ren and spoke up.

"I should extend the same gratitude to you as well, Ren-senpai. I swear, one day I will repay you for helping me out in so many ways. That said, shall we get going?" Kasumi said as Ren spoke up.

"Yes, but first, one quick thing. I heard on the grapevine that the student council approved the petition to turn the sharing festival this year into a school dance, so that's all set to proceed. So, per the pact we made in Hawaii, will you do me the honor of letting me be your date for the school dance, Kasumi?" Ren asked Kasumi, shocking both Kasumi and Morgana with his bold move. Kasumi, for her part, smiled as she spoke up.

"Ren-senpai? I'd be delighted to go to the dance with you." Kasumi said happily before she spoke up more.

"That being said, quite a lot's happened today, but I have a feeling I'll try harder than ever before starting tomorrow!" Kasumi said confidently as Morgana spoke.

"Good. I'm glad to hear it." Morgana said as the group parted ways on that note, Kasumi smiling as she walked forward to kiss Ren on the cheek, gigging at Ren's red face as she spoke up.

"That's to thank you for today, Senpai. Well, see you two later." Kasumi said as she left, and Ren and Morgana headed to Leblanc...

(That evening, in the attic of Leblanc, with Ren and Morgana)

"Mm, I didn't expect even Yoshizawa to gain a Persona. We ended up saving her, but I don't think she owes us or anything. I mean, that said, she'd definitely be a huge help if she joined us." Morgana said as Ren's phone went off at that point to signify a group chat from Ryuji, Ann, Kusa, Yusuke, Makoto, Haru, and Futaba, with Haru sending the first response.

"Father was cooped up in his study again today, I noticed. His reaction was quite vague when I spoke to him too. I have to ask, is this what normally happens?" Haru sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"Hard to say. Madarame was in a similar state when we changed his heart." Yusuke sent as Makoto sent a response.

"It'll be OK, don't worry. All we have to do is wait." Makoto sent as Haru sent a response.

"Ah, you're right. I'll just believe it's going to work. Thank you, and sorry for asking you so many times. I'll message you again if there is more progress." Haru sent as Ren put his phone away in time for Morgana to speak up with a frown.

"I get why Haru is worried, I really do, but let's just wait for the change of heart to go through. Don't worry, it'll be just like it always is." Morgana said as Sojiro's voice called up the stairs.

"Hey, Ren! Another box came for you." Sojiro said as Ren opened it to find a 'Lantern Necklace' and 5 'Pumpkin Soup' items, which Ren realized was his order from the home shopping program he'd placed literally yesterday. Ren blinked at how fast his order had arrived. After that, he and Morgana had a seat on the bed to ponder their next move...

END OF CHAPTER

A/N: And boom, another chapter done and dusted! And I fit quite a bit in it too! Not only was the fifth calling card and Palace Ruler fight in here, but so was a scene I didn't think would be this chapter in the form of a teaser of a new Palace, and a surprise Awakening that I forgot was going to be in this chapter. At this point, I estimate there to be tops 2-3 more chapters of Arc 5 before it ends and Arc 6 begins.

And Arc 6 is an arc I've been excited to get to, since quite a lot happens in that arc, but I'll leave that at that for now for the sake of avoiding spoilers. That said, thanks to everyone who favorites, follows and reviews the story, as the feedback and support are much appreciated! And until next chapter, sithlorde1988 out!

CONFIDANT RANKS AS OF THE END OF CHAPTER 59

FOOL (Igor/Prison Master) - Rank 8

MAGICIAN (Morgana/Mona) - Rank 9

PRIESTESS (Makoto/Queen) - Rank 4

EMPEROR (Yusuke/Fox) - Rank 5

HIEROPHANT (Sojiro/Boss/Coffee Daddy) - Rank 7

LOVERS (Ann/Panther) - Rank 9

CHARIOT (Ryuji/Skull) - Rank 7

JUSTICE (Akechi) - Rank 6

HERMIT (Futaba/Oracle) - Rank 3

FORTUNE (Chihaya/Fortune Teller) - Rank 2

STRENGTH (Caroline and Justine/Twin Wardens) - Rank 9

HANGED-MAN (Iwai/Weapons Dealer) - Rank 3

DEATH (Takemi/Back-Alley Doctor) - Rank 7.5

TEMPERANCE (Kawakami/Becky) - Rank 4

DEVIL (Ohya) - Rank 2

STAR (Hifumi) - Rank 4

MOON (Mishima) - Rank 6

SUN (Yoshida/Man Of The People) - Rank 9

JUDGEMENT (Sae/Prosecutor) -Rank 4

FAITH (Kasumi/Sumi/Yoshizawa) - Rank 5 'MAX'

COUNCILLOR (Maruki/Doc) - Rank 7

WORLD (Kusa/Draconis) - Rank 5 'MAX'

YET TO BE UNLOCKED- TOWER, EMPRESS