Disclaimer:
Praise to Atlus, the company that created the games! I do not own the story and the concepts represented in this fiction!
Author's Notes:
Hello, everyone. I wish you all a happy holiday! I am determined to finish this story soon. My goal was the end of this year. Work trips and training have taken a chunk of my free time away.
Nonetheless, I plan to be done with this story early next year...hopefully. I can't wait to write about the darker parts coming up, even though I've been hinting at them forever. Don't worry; my friend has read the draft and agrees it is as dark as I had hoped!
Ganheim: At this point, you should be my editor. I suck at reviewing my work. Thank you!
Strange Geometry: Hey! Thank you so much—apologies for my infrequent updates. Life gets busy, you know!
ContinueFreak: Thank you!
Prince of underbrush: Yes, our murder-happy princess does seem to enjoy hitting below the belt!
codywhite162: Thanks for the constant support of my story. When life gets busy, comments like yours and others remind me I have to knock this out. Thank you!
Before
9/14
Lethargically, Akira trudges toward the entrance of Leblanc to flip the OPEN sign to CLOSE. He groans, turning around and taking in the nearly empty café.
Behind the counter, a certain redhead's hands are a blur, mixing ingredients for some secret concoction.
"We're closed," Akira mummers quietly.
"Hush," replies Futaba. "My old man owns this place. And… I'm just…about…done!"
The soft-brew coffee pot hisses, and Futaba hurriedly shuts the stove off. She dons a kitchen mitt to place the container on a cutting board and then reaches for two coffee mugs from the cabinet above.
"You look like some alien zombie from that horror game Space Dead," Futaba says, pouring some of the black liquid into a mug for him. "Here, try some of this to perk you up."
Akira looks at the drink in mild apprehension.
"Come on, don't make that face! I've seen you and Sojiro do this stuff millions of times. It can't be that hard."
Akira sighs and accepts the cup. He sips, swishing the liquid in his mouth to appraise its taste and texture. Yep, it isn't enjoyable.
"How is it?" Futaba asks eagerly.
"Pretty good for your first time," nods the raven-haired teen. "Um, really strong, too."
"Yep!" Futaba says, popping the P. "I figure we'll need all the caffeine we can get for another night of searching for Mona."
Akira lowers his cup and narrows his eyes. It has already been a day since Morgana's disappearance. What everyone initially considered a short outburst is becoming a gnawing worry that their feline companion will not return. Akira buries thoughts of one day becoming two, three, four, then forever.
Akira shakes his head. "We'll find him."
The rest of the team also searches nearby their homes and other locations. Tonight, Akira and Futaba are in charge of Yongen-Jaya.
"You bet we will! Ah, wait till I get my hands on the little troublemaker! I'm going to pet him until he whines!" Futaba angrily fills her mug and takes a swig. "Ill! This stuff is worse than bad! Why didn't you tell me?"
Akira shrugs, taking another sip from his mug. "Yeah, it's pretty terrible."
After they finish their drink or – like Futaba – pour it down the drain, the twosome readies to leave the café.
"You… don't think Mona went to the palace alone, do you?"
"That'd be levels of stupidity beyond the moon."
"Huh. Yeah, I guess you're right." Futaba stops by the entrance. "Mona might've been upset, but I don't see him being that dumb. Heck, it's hard clearing a palace when it's all of us."
"Exactly," Akira agrees, donning his black hoodie. "No way the master thief Morgana would make such a rookie mistake."
Futaba snickers at his comment. "Right! Anyway, hurry up. The sooner we find him, the sooner I can put this anxiety to rest."
"Yeah, yeah," says Akira. "Just one sec."
Akira pockets his phone and texts someone before meeting Futaba at the entrance.
"Who'd you message?" Futaba asks, opening the door for them.
"Ever heard of privacy?" Akira says. He locks the entrance door and smirks at Futaba's pout.
"I mean, I can just look it up later," Futaba says.
Akira groans, walking past the tech-savvy gremlin. "One of these days, I will sue for invasion of privacy. But, if you must know, I told Haru I'd be busy."
"Oh! That girl you asked Sojiro for spicy advice on!"
Akira stops in his tracks, causing Futaba to crash into his back.
"How do you know that?"
"Hehe," Futaba snickers, skipping past the older male. "I wasn't the original Mejid for nothing."
Akira sighs. "We need to talk later about your snooping habits."
He doesn't expect his upperclassmen to message back this late evening. While it has been longer than a day since they last communicated, Akira is too preoccupied with Morgana to worry about their radio silence. After all, she's probably busy with school work or some personal matter, he figures.
X
"Duck!"
At Morgana's yell, Haru – Noir – slides underneath the giant elephant man's sword swipe. She uses the forward momentum to slip underneath the shadow's parted legs, positioning the sharp edge of her axe up as she goes. A fountain of black goo explodes behind Noir as she twists her body mid-slide, holds her axe in her left hand, and then wills her long-ranged weapon into existence: a grenade launcher.
Even now, she can recall Morgana's baffled, scrutinizing stare when she selected the grenade launcher from all of the imitation weapons available at Untouchables. She smiles just as she did then, squeezing the trigger and watching the round elephant man disappear into chunks of flesh and inky black liquid.
Standing to her feet and dusting herself off, Noir notices Morgana hesitantly approach her. She almost giggles at the proud feline shuffle closer with an expression of shock and dismay.
"D-did you have to make that one attack with the axe?"
"What attack?" Noir asks, knowing full well what he is referring to.
She smiles at her partner's flustered attempts to explain. She dismisses her grenade launcher as he does and internally cheers her continued success. She is leaps and bounds more proficient than on her first attempts. Soon, she'll even catch up to Morgana's level of speed in conjuring her weapon.
"You know what I mean!" Morgana says, finally finding his voice. "I may not look like it, but I am a human male, and to see anything, even a shadow, get cut down there is a painful experience!"
Noir giggles behind her hand. "I'm sorry, Mona. I let the adrenaline get the better of me. I still can't fight like you, so I must do what I can."
"Ah, well, I guess that's understandable," the feline acknowledges. "How's it going with materializing your persona?"
"Well…" Noir focuses, reaching deep inside herself where a spring of power resides, waiting for her call. It is there. She feels it, the tendrils of energy begging for release and promising only good things. Noir calls on it and feels a pleasant shock run through her body as the phantom image of her persona materializes.
Noir gasps and turns around. The dull blue of her father's palace overshadowed her persona's transparent shade of pink, black, and purple. Noir wills her persona to action, feeling anger and rebellion burn like wildfire, but it isn't enough. Her persona's image fades as if it was never there, and Noir is left feeling empty and crushed.
"I still can't do it, Mona," she says softly.
"Hey, no need to rush it," Morgana says. "I'm sure your full manifestation is just around the corner. You're just missing a little more fire, but it's coming."
Noir nods, relishing in the cat's words of comfort. "Yes, you're right. So, where should we go now? The path splits in two."
"Actually," begins the feline. "I think we should call it for the day."
"Hm?"
"We still have time before anything drastic happens," Morgana says. "And we shouldn't rush it even if you're picking up combat scarily fast."
"I see," Noir says, nodding at the cat's explanation.
"Most importantly," continues Morgana, "I'm almost out of energy to keep healing us. If I tap out, we'll be in trouble."
"I see… I'm sorry I can't be more help."
"Nonsense," Morgana refutes. "You're doing fine. So what do you say about us heading back?"
"I think that sounds great. After all this training, I can get some sushi rolls for a late-night treat."
"Really!? I mean, yeah, that's a great idea."
X
It is nearing midnight when Haru showers and dons her sleepwear for bed. A pleased Morgana sleeps at the foot of her bed, an empty plate at his side. Collecting his dish, Haru runs her fingers on the feline's head affectionately. He purrs cutely in his sleep.
She places the dish on her nightstand and then sets the time on her tomato-shaped alarm clock. Slipping underneath the covers, careful to avoid waking Morgana, Haru reaches for her phone and opens her messages.
For the fifth time this night, she stares at Akira's message.
[Akira K.] 910PM: I hope you have a good night. Talk tomorrow?
She puts her phone down for the fifth time that night without responding. He is the leader of Phantom Thieves. Since the beginning, he has been exploring palaces, fighting shadows, and confronting dangerous foe after foe.
Yesterday, Haru was filled with disbelief and rage at the revelation. Today, she doesn't know how to feel after a gruesome day in her father's palace. Nearly every day, Akira was and still is performing a juggling act of normality and dangerous vigilante work. It makes her curious, confused, and, most of all, scared.
It makes her wonder what hints she missed during their time together. How many details did she gloss over in pursuit of Akira's affection? Only one instance comes to mind. The day they shared their first kiss, he screamed at her, desperation wild in his eyes.
Back then, Haru wasn't worried. She assumed the sudden changes in his life were hitting him. But now, knowing of his other obligations, she is scared. Because what was he going through then to cause such a harsh response? And what is he going through now?
Haru claps her hands, and the lights turn off. She turns on her side and wills her eyes to close. Tomorrow, she tells herself, she will figure everything out.
9/15
Akira looks at Makoto.
"Snacks?"
"Check."
"Medicine?"
"Check."
"Drinks?"
"Check."
Akira nods to Makoto as she finishes her final inspection of their gear.
"Alright, how's everyone feeling?" Akira asks the team.
"Good!" Ann says
"Peachy," says Futaba.
"Ready to begin," nods Makoto.
"Ready to beat some shadows!" Ryuji declares.
"Famished," laments Yusuke.
Everyone stares at him.
"Pardon," he says, "I haven't eaten breakfast. Or lunch and currently dinner."
"What the…" Ryuji mummers while Makoto and Ann facepalm.
"Dang, Inari, you're worse than me."
Akira sighs. "Makoto, prep him a sandwich when we enter."
"On it," she responds.
Akira nods and then turns toward the building in front of them. Internally, he makes a silent prayer that Morgana is inside. Then, he makes another for his safety.
"Is everyone ready?" Makoto asks, readying her phone.
Everyone nods. The world around the team begins to distort.
"Woah," Oracle voices once inside.
Joker makes a sound of agreement. President Okumura's palace is beyond their expectations. The low blue lighting and machinery create a heavily sci-fi-inspired atmosphere. However, more startling is materializing in the palace in their Phantom Thieves outfits.
"We're already seen as threats?" Panther questions.
"That shouldn't be right since none of us has been here before," Oracle says.
"Hey!" Skull says, "that must mean –"
"That Morgana is here," Queen agrees.
Joker cannot control the upturn twitch of his lips.
"However, that also means he's alerted the shadows," Fox explains. "Which means…"
"We've got a kitty to save!" Oracle concludes.
Joker's face breaks into a wide grin. "Then, what are we waiting for? Let's go, thieves!"
The team rallies behind him and rushes forward.
X
Navigating Okumura's spaceport, Joker is filled with conflicting emotions. His anxiety over Morgana increases with every corner they turn and every shadow they encounter. The shadows nesting in this futuristic spaceport are no slouches, requiring coordinated attacks to catch off guard and defeat. It's not something Morgana can manage alone.
The team nears the end of another long hallway. Joker's back hugs the wall, his pistol drawn. Behind him is the first rotation of the main party – Queen, Panther, and Skull. Further back, Panther guards their rear as Oracle continues scanning for surprises.
Joker raises a hand, signaling the others to stop. Slowly, he peeps the corner. He takes small steps and keeps his firearm ready until he gains enough of a glance to determine the path is clear.
Joker motions for his hand for the team to follow. Just as he is about to quicken his pace, Queen holds him in place with an iron-clad grip.
"Wait, Oracle's picking something up," Queen reports.
Joker nods, falling back. The team forms up around their navigator.
"More shadows?" Skull asks with his weapon in hand.
"Not exactly," Oracle responds. "I feel three presences further ahead. One of them is a shadow, the other is …Mona!"
"Shh!" Queen demands. "Before anyone goes running off, what is the third presence?"
"Oh, right, sorry about that. Um, it's…huh, that's strange?"
Panther asks the question on everyone's mind. "What is it?"
"I'm sensing another person. Another persona user!"
Her declaration sends shock and alarm through everyone.
Joker shallows thickly. "Could it be the black mask?"
Oracle looks at him nervously. "I can't tell, but we need to hurry."
"Is the black mask attacking Mona?" Panther cries, ready to charge in.
"No," says Oracle, shaking her head. "This person and Mona just confronted the shadow. Even from here, I can sense that Mona's reserves are low, and whoever is with him isn't summoning their persona."
"Then what are we waitin' for?" Skull proclaims.
"Nothing," Joker says. "Panther and Oracle fall in with the main team. We're charging head first."
"No time to think of a plan of attack?" Queen mummers hesitantly.
But Joker shakes his head at her suggestion. "None. We're saving our cat. Let's go!"
"Hell yea!" Skull cheers.
Joker rushes forward, his friends just a little behind. The next hallway leads to a spacious area with four pillars rising to the room's high ceiling in the center, metal racks with boxes and bins to the back and right wall, and triangle-shaped windows to the left wall. Like everything else, the dim blue lighting makes their surroundings appear alien and hostile.
Joker eyes the lone door toward the back corner of the right wall.
"Everyone, take cover!" Oracle shouts.
The team follows their navigator's instruction and hide behind the pillars and metal racks. Behind the post nearest the door, Joker readies his pistol, prepared for anything. Anything but the explosion that blows the wide metallic doors off their hinges and engulfs the room in dust, metal, and soot.
Joker chokes uncontrollably. He resorts to his third eye to penetrate the cloud of obstruction and see the figures within. He sees him then – his stubby-foot cat. Morgana retreats further into the room with a person with a weapon!
Joker reacts on instinct. He lunges for Morgana, tackling the feline into the wall with metal racks and narrowly avoiding the sudden swipe of the other person's axe.
"Hands off!" Morgana roars, materializing his scimitar.
"Mona, stop!" Joker yells, wrapping his partner in his arms and pleading.
"A-Akira, Joker!?"
"The one and only."
"But, what… never mind, let me go! We have to help her!"
Before Joker can ask, someone crashes against the metal racks beside him. Mona wiggles out of Joker's grasp.
"Damn! I got you, Noir!"
Joker activates his third eye again and sees the outline of Morgana applying healing magic to the prone girl. He sees a black mask. His heart jumps.
"Joker," Oracle calls through their mental connection. "We could use some backup! Fox was just knocked down!"
"Gotcha," Joker mummers.
He turns away from Mona and the mysterious girl and says loud enough for them to hear, "Stay there until I get back. You have a lot of explaining to do."
Joker doesn't wait for a reply, jumping into the thick of the fight. He lands next to Skull, who continues to rain down blow after blow with his demon pipe on the helpless shadow. Joker puts it out of its misery with one well-aimed shot to its temple.
"Hey!" Skull complains. "You stole my kill!"
"Found Mona," Joker responds. "Let's finish this quick."
Hearing their leader's no-nonsense tone, Skull nods.
Skull rushes in to support Queen as she weaves and parries attacks from a giant elephant man wielding a sword. Joker sighs and reaches for his mask.
"Valkyrie!" Joker summons. "Mind slice!"
A myriad of invisible cuts tear the flesh of the giant elephant man until all that remains is chunks of blue meat and black ichor.
"Woah!" Skull yelps.
The rest of the team also gives their leader a look of disbelief. But Joker doesn't care. He turns toward Morgana and the girl wearing a black mask. However, he finds a space littered with bins and boxes.
"They must have escaped during the chaos," Queen says.
"Yeah," Oracle agrees. "Their presence feels faint. I think they're heading toward the entrance. By the time we reach there, they'll be long gone."
"Damn it, Mona," hisses Skull. "What the hell is he doin' runnin' from us?"
"Did you guys notice the other person with him," says Panther.
Fox nods. "Yes…the individual was wearing a black mask."
"For real!?" Skull shouts. "What the heck is Mona doin' with them then?"
"Alright, alright," Queen intervenes. "Let's not jump to any conclusions. This is Mona we're talking about. There must be an explanation. Right, Joker?"
Joker perks up from Queen's question. He sighs, releasing the tense breath he's been holding. "Yeah, there's got to be a reason."
The team falls silent until Fox's stomach grumbles.
"Dude, seriously," Skull says.
"Apologies, Queen," Fox says, "but may I have another wonder sandwich? They're quite delicious."
Everyone collectively groans.
"Why don't we head back?" Joker decides. "We'll feed you once we're back at the entrance."
X
The team reconvenes Cafe Leblanc. They spent the time snacking on the curry Sojiro had provided and brainstorming about Morgana and the girl wearing a black mask. A pot of curry and numerous soft drinks later, they are left with more questions than answers and a handful of speculations – Ryuji's being the most farfetched.
"Oh, oh! Maybe that black mask girl is brain-controllin' Morgana and forcin' him to fight for them!"
Futaba sighs and passes her empty plate of curry to Akira. "Nope, I would've noticed someone messing with his head."
"Okay…then maybe –"
Ann loudly interrupts Ryuji. "Maybe we don't know enough, and someone should stop throwing guesses around!"
Ryuji readies a sharp reply until Makoto says, "She's right. We know Morgana is safe. We know he is with a girl who can enter Palaces and wears a black mask. We don't know why he's helping her and who she is. Making assumptions about a little information will make us worry more and focus less."
Ann makes a thoughtful noise. "Is it weird, but I felt like I recognized that girl from somewhere. Argh, it's bothering me so much!"
"You too, Ann?" Makoto asks, then gives Akira a sharp look. "How about you, Akira? Is she someone you might recognize?"
Akira doesn't know how to respond and continues to collect everyone's plates around the room. While he figures Ann has no idea, he's sure Makoto is thinking along the same lines as him.
"I'm with you and Ann. They seem familiar, but I can't put a face or name to the person."
Makoto doesn't look entirely convinced, but she nods nonetheless. "I see. Should we call it a night, then? It's getting late, and I don't want us missing the train."
"Shoot, it is gettin' pretty late. My mom's goin' to blowin' up my phone soon!"
"Run home, Ryuji," Ann says in a high-pitched voice. "Or your mommy's going to get mad."
"Hey! Screw you!"
Yusuke hums thoughtfully. "Yes, I should depart soon. It is becoming rather taxing sneaking into my dorm room through the second-floor window."
"Inari!" Futaba says in disbelief. "What the heck? If you're locked out of the dorms, stay with Akira!"
"Ah, yes, I just didn't want to impose."
"You breaking your neck for trying to break into your dorm is much worse."
Akira nods at Futaba's claim. "I can always make room."
"I see, thank you," Yusuke says with a nod.
The night ends with Akira receiving a text message from the person weighing most on his mind.
[Haru O.] 1010PM: We need to talk.
X
Haru watches Morgana pace back and forth on the edge of her bed for the hundredth time. Haru sits seiza-style with her head bowed apologetically at the feline.
"Argh! I can't believe you invited him over! We don't need him or them," Morgana rants.
Haru sighs, lifting her head slightly. She wonders how she ended up in this position, apologizing to her guest, who is a cat, in her room. Morgana has a presence that demands reverence despite his diminutive size.
Haru opens her mouth to soothe the feline when her phone beeps.
"Hello," Haru says, answering the device.
"Miss," tonight's night guard for the estate entrance acknowledges. "A man is here, saying he wants to speak with you. Say's his name is Akira Kurusu?"
"Ah, yes, please let me through."
She can hear the sound of shock the guard makes. "R-Really, yes, I understand. I will have him note down his information and the visitor log and –"
"There's no need," Haru interrupts. "Just let him through, don't worry about recording anything, and…please keep his visit between us."
Haru's confident the guard will keep silent, but she kicks herself for not giving Akira instructions to sneak past the entrance.
He's a thief! Couldn't he stealthfully make his way to her?
Nonetheless, the guard acknowledges her request and permits Akira passage.
Haru ends the call. "He's here."
Morgana stops. "What?"
"He'll be here in…" She pauses to think. Driving from the entrance takes about a minute, so walking would be – "three minutes."
Morgana dashes into her closet. Haru walks in after him.
"What are you doing?"
"Hiding, of course!"
Haru nods, unable to locate him in the large room.
"Mona-chan, you can't just hide from him forever."
"Yeah? Just watch me!"
Goodness, this cat is too childish at times. Haru sighs and exits the closet. Then, it hits her.
Akira is walking to her house.
They will talk face-to-face. About everything: their secrets, the palace, and more!
She covers her mouth to ward off sudden dread. She did not think anything of this through. And then, to make matters worse, the doorbell rings. Haru freezes.
No, she thinks. No!
She stares at her tomato-shaped alarm and gasps. It's only been a minute!
The doorbell rings again.
Haru shallows.
"Are you going to get that?" Morgana yells from the closet.
"Yes! But it would help if you came with me, Mona-chan."
"Nope!" Morgana replies, popping the p. "I am not leaving the closet!"
Darn that cat, she thinks. Haru takes a few calming breathes until –
Ring!
"Ah!" Haru screams, racing to the entrance. She wishes she was in the palace with her axe ready to cleave an unsuspecting shadow. That urge dies when she opens the door to a panting, disheveled Akira leaning against the door frame.
Haru stares at him.
"Hey," Akira says. "Want to talk?"
Haru nods lamely, the words stuck in her throat. Quickly, she turns around and walks toward her room. Akira enters and closes the door.
Haru is thankful she is alone in the estate, and no one on the maid staff is scheduled for tonight. And while security at the entrance is troubling, they are less prone to gossip than the young maids.
Haru then has a sudden realization. For the first time in her life, a boy she is romantically involved with is in her house. When they enter her room, anxiety strikes Haru like a bolt of lightning. She isn't prepared. No advice from Akio-san, romance novel, or online article has prepared her for this scenario.
Her nervousness heightens when she hears Akira shut the door behind them.
Does he want to do something now? In her room?
Haru gathers her confidence and turns to face the source of her inner turmoil.
Oh no! He's not wearing glasses! Haru mentally cries.
Akira's sharp gaze drills into her. She berates herself for not noticing sooner. Opening her mouth, she tries to articulate something intelligent. Akira beats her to it with a question that sucks all of the air from her lungs.
"Where is Morgana, black mask?"
"Morgana?" Haru questions. Ah, yes, the cat is hiding in her closet. "Black mask?"
"Don't lie to me. I saw you in the palace with Morgana. Are you… the black mask causing mental shutdowns?"
Haru realizes something is wrong. Very wrong. Akira isn't looking at her in adoration but something akin to fear and hostility. She doesn't like it.
Before she can speak, a small figure lands on her bed. "You're wrong!"
Morgan emerges and stares Akira down.
"Really?" Akira says, narrowing his eyes. "Alright, I'm listening. Explain."
His request isn't outrageous, but indignation rises in Haru's chest. "Why don't you start first, Mr. Leader of the Phantom Thieves."
Shock and dismay form on Akira's face, and he looks at Morgana in betrayal. "How much does she know?"
Morgana's gaze, which until now was steady and defiant, begins to waver. "Not everything, but most of it, especially about you."
Haru's eye twitches in guilt. Morgana had initially been tight-lipped but non-stop pleading, and sushi eventually broke his resolve. Given her recent involvement with palaces, she wanted to know everything about Akira and his otherworldly adventures.
Silence permeates the room, with no one not knowing how to proceed.
When it becomes too overbearing, Haru takes a plunge. She takes a long breath, then says, "My name is Haru Okumura. I am the sole daughter of Kunikazu Okumura, the CEO of Okumura Foods, who runs Big Bang Burger. Since I was a young girl, I was expected to succeed in everything and uphold myself with grace and elegance. My family name and the standards I must uphold made making friends very hard. I – I don't have friends. Not until now, anyway."
She feels smaller the more she exposes herself and looks at a spot on the ground to avoid their confused gazes. "As early as my first year in Shuijin, my father began discussing finding me a suitor."
Haru scoffs somberly at the memory. "I was 14 when men began joining us at dinner. I can't remember all of their faces. It was as if I was never in the room. My father and the men discussed qualifications, accommodations, and expectations. But it wasn't a product, company, or business they would discuss, but me. About me and what I should be traded for!"
Goodness, she can feel the pressure building behind her eyes.
"T-this went on so often I stopped reacting when father mentioned it. It seemed okay because no one could say enough or offer enough to get him to settle."
"Then, one day, at the beginning of my third year, I was made to participate in a new school program designed for a troublesome student transferring."
Akira's eyes widen.
"This mentorship," Haru continues, "would be an excellent exercise in learning to lead others and make me appear better to potential suitors. At first, I was nervous. How can I, someone with so little interaction with my peers, steer someone down the right path? I knew there must have been more qualified candidates. But that day, the boy I met was not a troubled youth. He was someone who had been beaten down. Someone who acted distant to cope with their circumstances. Someone like me. But, unlike me, he had a fire in his eyes. Steel that wouldn't bend. I wanted to know more and more about this young man."
Haru peeks at the dark circle underneath Akira's eyes.
"It was also around that time that my father finally settled on a suitor. Hisayoshi Sugimura."
"Is he the one…who did that to your face?" Akira asks.
Haru nods, knowing Morgana will want an explanation later.
"At first, I didn't overthink Sugimura. He would find me dull and move on. Or, my father would decline him as he did with all the other men. But Sugimura and his family had something no other candidate could offer my father: political sway."
Haru's gaze dims, remembering the day her father settled on that man as her partner. "So, what else could I do but nod and accept this inevitability? It didn't matter that I didn't want to. That I was only a high schooler. That I may have found someone I genuinely felt feelings for!"
"Haru," Morgana mutters with a soft despondency to his tone.
"It's okay," Haru reassures them. She looks at them with a shaky smile. "Because then the Phantom Thieves came into existence. They help others. They even have a website where you can specify your problems and receive help."
She can see turmoil and confusion on Akira's face. He doesn't know what to say, and she can't blame him. This discussion had developed into a convoluted short story of her life and all its problems.
When Akira finds his voice, he asks, "Why didn't you reach out to me when you found Morgana?"
Morgana winces.
"Why didn't you tell me you were the leader of a vigilante group, Joker?" Haru asks, her voice low but vehement tone.
"I… didn't want you to see me like that," Akira admits.
"What?"
Akita touches his face. "At school, I'm this delinquent who's good at studying. I'm this impeccable leader to the other Phantom Thieves members. But then, with you, I'm plain ol' Akira."
Akira smiles softly at her. "I like being plain ol' Akira with you."
His logic strikes a chord within Haru.
Akira approaches her slowly, giving her enough space to back away.
"You have a fiancé?" Akira asks hesitantly.
Haru nods and tries to advert her gaze until Akira touches her face. "That day, when you visited me in the rain, did he cause those bruises?"
"Okay, who caused what bruises!?" Morgana's question goes ignored.
Haru nods again.
"Did…did he do anything else?"
Haru flinches at what he is implying. "No! Never! He…that day is the only day he's ever touched me. It will never happen again."
"You bet it won't," Akira growls. "That asshole is next. I will change his heart."
"No, in the end, Sugimura is just another candidate who would get replaced. The best option is to strike the one orchestrating this ordeal."
"Your father, Kunikazu Okumura," Akira concludes. "So, that's why you were in his palace?"
"Yep," answers Morgana. "The day I left, I went to tackle the palace."
Akira turns his attention to the cat. "By yourself?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"So, you entered an unexplored palace alone instead of talking it out?"
Morgana looks like a child being chastised.
"You had a stupid moment," Akira asserts.
"Huh!? I'm not stupid!"
Even though it is Haru's room, she feels like she has intruded on a private conversation.
"That's not what I said. I said you had a stupid moment. I'm putting an end to this Ryuji-moment nonsense. It puts a damp on team cooperation. So, instead, it's a stupid moment."
"I – I get it," Morgana stutters. "But I didn't have one of those!"
"You enter a palace by yourself, involve a non-persona user –"
"She can somewhat activate hers!" Morgana argues back.
"And go missing for almost 48 hours! If that doesn't constitute stupid, I don't know what does!"
Haru wonders if she should intervene with how red-faced Akira and Morgana are becoming when Akira suddenly gathers the feline in his arms.
"Hey! Let me go!" Morgana protests while struggling to break free.
In response, Akira hugs him tighter. "Do you know how worried we've been?
"Well, you shouldn't have been! I can take of myself!"
"I know," Akira confesses. "I know, but you're still a hypocrite. Didn't we all agree never to enter a palace alone? I was ready to tear that palace upside down, looking for you. I was losing sleep because of it!"
Akira's words cause Morgana to settle down. "I – I didn't mean for that. I just…I just wanted to prove myself."
"Prove yourself?" Haru blurts with growing curiosity and worry.
"Why?" Akira asks.
"Because…because I'm useless now, aren't I?" And then Morgana's face morphs into an expression of sadness that is all too human. "At first, I was the navigator, but then Futaba joined. I could rely on my ability to heal and provide speed boosts, but Queen and Fox outclass me in both areas. Even worse, in terms of purely physical and magical damage, you, Panther, and Skull suppress me by leagues."
"Other than what I contribute to the Phantom Thieves, what else do I have? I'm just a cat who thinks he might be a human, but I don't know. I keep thinking that, what if I'm not human? What if I regain my memories, and this is all I am? What then? I'd be useless!"
The room is laden with silence and unease after Morgana's confession. Haru is learning that being honest and vulnerable is more thorny than imagined.
Carefully cradling the cat, Akira sits at the edge of Haru's bed. "I don't care if you're human or not."
Morgana's head shoots up, staring at Akira like he'd been slapped.
Akira continues, "In battle capabilities, you are an all-rounder. Your strength comes from the fact that you can play every role effectively. Queen can also play that role, but you surpass her. If I cannot act as a leader, you are the obvious choice to take my place."
"No way that'll happen!" Morgana claims.
"It's the truth," Akira insists. "You are the most experienced, and I look to you for input. If I had to enter a palace with just one other member, it would be you. You can do it all and navigate, too."
"I guess," Morgana says, uncharacteristically bashful.
"Do you know what's even more important, though?" Akira says.
When Morgana doesn't answer, Akira says, "You."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember when we first met, after I awakened my persona?"
Morgana nods.
"I bet to you, I looked stone cold as if nothing could faze me."
Again, Morgana nods.
"But, the truth is, I was anything but confident that day. After awakening my persona, I had to protect Ryuji somehow, fight shadows, and escape. No way I could make it on my own!" Akira laughs at the memory. "Yet there you were. Some strange creature –"
Morgana gives him a warning growl.
"– that was charging after stranger creatures and winning. And after that, once we escaped, you found me and..."
Haru watches the change in Akira's face. The way he gulps, blicks a few times and takes a moment to steady his breathing.
"Y'know, you stayed, Morgana. You kept me steady and focused in probably the most volatile moments, where I felt alienated by the world."
Akira reaches out to Haru with his free hand, and she accepts. "Both of you were irreplaceable pillars of support that I don't think I could've managed without."
Haru blushes at his words. Morgana huffs, not disagreeing with Akira.
Akira exhales dramatically. "To end this mushy talk, you will never be useless, Morgana. You are family, whether a cat, a human, or anything. All of us think the same, a hundred percent."
The dam breaks from Akira's words. Morgana wraps his tiny paws around Akira's neck, making strained croaks and whimpers, "I'm sorry about my actions."
Akira nuzzles Morgana against his cheek. "I know you are."
Perhaps sensing the cat's embarrassment, Akira lets Morgana jump onto the floor.
"And you were right," Morgana admits. "I was being a hypocrite. I – I need to apologize to the others. And Haru… I'm sorry, too. I never should have put you in so much danger."
"Mona-chan, you don't have to apologize," Haru says. "I'm so thankful for meeting you and everything you've taught me. It's because of you that I can now do something to change my circumstances. And…"
She gives Akira a meaningful look. "Because of you, Mona-chan, I can stand alongside and protect the people I care about. So, in meeting you, I can accomplish a dream I've held close to my heart since childhood."
"Your dream of being a hero from those cartoons," Morgana says, glancing back at her.
Haru lets go of Akira's hand to cover the growing redness on her face. "Mona! I told you that in confidence!"
Akira and Morgana snicker.
Haru says, "There's still more we have to talk and be open about."
Akira and Morgana share a look, and then Akira nods at her.
"Haru, while I am the leader of the Thieves, I don't manage the Phansite. We have someone else in charge of it who sends us requests."
"It's true, Haru," Morgana affirms. "Had we known you made a request, it would have been addressed immediately."
"I believe you," Haru says. "And it's okay. Imagining the dangers you must undergo constantly, I realize it's selfish of me to want you to put everything down for my sake."
"No, it doesn't," Akira and Morgana say in tandem.
"You're an important friend of mine," Morgana explains. "You shouldn't be dealing with something like this alone."
"Knowing something like this has been happening all long, and we could've fixed it…." Akira grimaces. "It's not just a problem that affects you. It involves the entire Phantom Thieves."
"What do you mean?" Haru asks.
"What else?" Morgana says. "You're a member now. Heck, I trained her personally myself, Joker."
"Really?" Akira asks, imitating a thinking pose. "Then, I can't wait to see her in action."
Haru feels shaky and lightheaded. Everything is escalating much too quickly!
"R-really!? Is that okay?"
Akira and Morgana share another look, communicating almost telepathically.
"More than okay," Morgana insists. "Plus, you're already strong without your persona being fully awakened!"
"High praise from Morgana," Akira points out. "But, if you're willing, I want you by our side. I know this is sudden, and if you need time –"
Haru launches herself at Akira.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Haru repeats, showering his face with kisses.
"Ew," Morgana voices, looking away again.
"There's so much I want to learn to be useful," Haru explains.
"O-of course," Akira agrees, attempting to control his surprise. "Fire away. Might as well as get the team crash course out of the way before introducing you to them."
"Okay," Haru nods, pursing her lips. "First, who is this black mask you keep referring to? Does it have anything to do with my thief outfit?"
Akira tenses underneath her. Resting his arms on the small of her back, he sighs and says, "Yeah, we have a lot to explain. Mind giving me a hand, Morgana?"
"Of course," Morgana says. "After all, you couldn't explain it without me."
The cat jumps onto the bed, curling into a ball beside the pair.
"Yes, yes, my proud feline friend," Akira says. "Why don't we start from the beginning, and you fill in anything I miss, okay? Okay, once upon a time –"
9/16
Morning comes too early, and Haru rises from her bed to multiple surprises. First of all, Akira and Morgana are missing. The second surprise is Akio-san sitting in a chair beside her bed and smiling.
"Akio." Haru blinks tiredly. "What are you doing here?"
"Hm, call it a woman's intuition or call it yesterday's night guard gave me a call last night," the head maid explains. "It seems you had an eventful evening."
Haru's blush threatens to overwhelm her. "I – will, um…where is Akira!?"
Akio-san laughs at the myriad expressions that quickly go across Haru's face. "Your first real question, and you ask about that boy? Hm, maybe I should be more worried about him?"
"No!" Haru nearly yelps and begins a loud and convoluted explanation.
Akio-san laughs even harder. "Okay, okay, please settle down. Haru, settle down…."
Haru ends her poor attempt at stringing words together at the head maid's insistence.
"There is no need to worry," Akio-san explains. "When I received the call from the night guard, he assured me he would keep yesterday's happenings between ourselves. After many years of employment, I have earned a bit of authority. I arrived earlier to prevent the situation from reaching prying ears."
"So, Akira is okay? And my father doesn't know?"
"Your young lover is safe, and your father is unaware of this."
"Good," Haru says with a sigh. "Where is Akira now?"
The head maid giggles. "Well, who do you think helped him secretly exit the residence? I must say, he is quite handsome –"
"Huh!?"
"— with a charming way with words even when caught red-handed in your bed."
"Oh, um, I see." Akio-san's statement leaves Haru stupefied. Unfortunately, the head maid has more to add.
"He also had numerous creative ideas on how to exit the premise. Some involving his cat, interesting enough."
"Did he say anything before leaving!?" Haru asks suddenly, desperate to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Ah, yes, he did pass on a message. He said to meet him at Cafe Leblanc after school."
"I see."
"Yes…oh, and Haru?"
"Yes?"
"I will be accompanying you to this meeting at Cafe Leblanc," Akio-san states matter-of-factly.
Haru's head lolls to the side. "Huh!? But why?"
"Well, I'm worried. While I approve of you experiencing romance, this young man has convinced you it is okay for him to visit whenever he pleases and make a home of your room."
Haru opened and closed her mouth, not knowing how to communicate that the entire situation was at her insistence.
Akio-san continues, "I want to finally see who this young man is with my own eyes. After all, I have been irresponsible in encouraging this relationship without knowing the young man's nature and intentions. Is that so wrong?"
"N-no," Haru says. "No, it isn't."
"Good, so it shouldn't be an issue of me accompanying you, correct?"
Of that, Haru has no idea. Nonetheless, she nods and hopes for the best.