Akira Konoe, the man of the hour, was taking part in a news broadcast interview. "Mr. Konoe, the EMMA app developed by your company, Madicce, has become immensely popular all over the world." The female newscaster said. "With Japan's creative industries starting to reach their limits, it's wonderful to hear about such a remarkable breakthrough in AI technology. I hear many have high expectations for you as a leading figure in this country, Mr. Konoe."

Konoe let out a light chuckle. "Haha, well, I wouldn't say I'm all that. I do plan to do the best I can, though. The world is about to undergo a massive transformation, and I'm hoping to steer it in the right direction." After Konoe spoke, the audience cheered. "Ahaha, thank you, thank you. You're too kind."

"It seems like you have their support." The newscaster smiled. "That reminds me, I hear EMMA's servers are kept in the Tokyo Radio Tower. Way back when, the Tokyo Radio Tower was used to usher Japan into a new era of communication. "Perhaps this time around, EMMA will play a similar role and bring us into the age of AI."

"Yes, that's certainly the idea." Konoe nodded firmly in response. "As of now, AI is still a fledgling technology, but I've no doubt that it's going to make all our lives that much easier."

"And as a testament to that, it's worth noting there were several areas that openly lamented the halt in EMMA's service the other day." The woman said. "Why do you think the Phantom Thieves would target EMMA of all things?"

Konoe responded to this quickly. It was the very question he was waiting for. "Naturally, EMMA holds a vast amount of personal data. Perfect target for a gang of crooks, if you ask me. Or perhaps they're just opposed to my ideas of AI making the world a better place." He closed his eyes, sighing heavily. "All that talk about them being champions of the meek and downtrodden is likely no more real than those cheap masks they hide behind. They threaten anyone they disagree with and rob them of their free will if they don't comply. Evil people performing evil deeds, nothing more. We don't be defeated by some ragtag group of petty criminals. I'm more than determined to battle their injustices to the very end."

With such an impassioned response, the newscaster had a follow up question. "Mr. Konoe. Just the other day, you held a press conference the other day and mentioned your distinct hatred for the evils of this world. Might that stem from personal experience?"

Konoe paused for a moment. She hit the nail on the end. "Yes, I suppose you might say that. As a child, I was caught in a rather unfortunate incident in which I lost someone very close to me. I'd wager it was that incident that caused me to harbor such disdain for wrongdoing. However you look at it, I can't allow the Phantom Thieves to continue doing as they please."

"I couldn't agree more. I think we'd all like to see this Phantom Thieves case resolved as soon as possible."

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.

It was night time now. The group just finished watching this interview on their phones. "That explains the whole hero-show thing." Futaba said with a quiet sigh.

"Bastard! Where does he get off with that shit!?" Ryuji growled.

"I got curious to see how people are reacting." Sumire was scrolling through her phone. "There are a lot of people online who are supporting him..."

"Have all those people had their hearts changed, too?" Ann asked.

"No, this isn't like how it was with Natsume." Futaba shook her head. "It looks like they're just normal people."

"His charisma is exceptionally prominent. He speaks from the heart." Hifumi could tell. It was no surprise he could win over people without needing to change their hearts. She then glanced over at Mika, who was typing something on her phone. "...Do what I want to know what you're doing?"

"Trash talking Konoe on my social." Mika replied absentmindedly.

"What...?" Hifumi had a sweat drop. "Why?!"

"Because he's so full of it." Mika said with a shrug of her shoulders. "I mean, sure, my followers are absolutely tanking right now because of what I said. But after his heart gets changed and he confesses, everyone will see that I was right. So people will love me."

"...That is the most irresponsible use of our power I've ever heard of." Yusuke was at a loss for words.

"Irresponsible? Maybe. Illegal? Nope." Mika chimed. She'd do anything to stay ahead, and this situation just so happened to be perfect.

"...And you're friends with her?" Zenkichi asked Hifumi. It wasn't illegal, sure, but it did make him quirk a brow.

"...Yes." Hifumi was a little embarrassed about it now, since Mika was pretty much abusing the situation for her own gain.

"If nothing else, his track record at Madicce certainly is impressive." Haru admitted.

"Oh, come on! The guy's full of shit! Mika's totally right." Ryuji grunted. Mika grinned smugly in response.

"Without knowing who he is on the inside, he probably seems like he really cares about making the world a better place." Haru said.

"This is the same thing that happened with Shido..." Yusuke said while looking elsewhere. History really felt like it was repeating itself.

"And that's why we have to stop it." Ren said firmly. "It's wrong."

"Well, people do tend to pick the safer choices in life." Zenkichi offered his sage advice from years of experience. He knew how these kids felt, but he also understood where the people were coming from as well.

"Is that true?" Sophia asked.

Zenkichi nodded. "In a life of nothing but decisions, there's almost always a fear of not knowing what comes next. Without knowing what lies in store, people often end up turning to the thing that gives 'em the best answer. So when it comes down to it, they're more inclined to latch onto whoever's gonna make things easier."

"We call them sheep." Akechi grunted. "I have to commend, Konoe, however. Somehow, he managed to create something that was far worse than what Shido ever tried to do. Shido was able to win the hearts of the people through manipulation and the promises of everything they wanted to hear. EMMA makes Konoe far more personable."

"It's not okay to live like that...to leave everything to someone else." Makoto shook her head. She thought back to their confrontation with Maruki; how he wanted them to trust their lives and happiness to him. They couldn't accept that. That's why they fought him, even if it went against everyone else's happiness.

"Well, the truth is that not everyone believes in themselves to do otherwise." Zenkichi replied, letting out a quiet sigh as he did. "Not that I'm one to talk. But that's why we're exposing the real villain here. So we can bring those people back to their senses."

"Right, we can't let them change everyone's hearts for their own schemes anymore!" Makoto said firmly.

"Heh." Ryuji said with a smirk. "Were gonna tear down that stupid Jail of his, and then I'm puttin' my foot straight up his-!" Before he could continue, his words were cut off by his rumbling stomach. "Ugh. Maybe we hold off until we get some grub, yeah?"

"...You gotta be kidding me." Zenkichi was at a loss for words.

"Are you serious, right now?" Mika rolled her eyes and put her phone away.

"That certainly cut the tension." Sophia shook her head.

Haru just giggled. "Now that you mention it, I'm hungry, too. We were running around in that Jail for quite a while."

"Dinner tiiiime!" Futaba said excitedly. "What'll it be? We are in Osaka, so we'd be crazy not to do Takoyaki, right?"

"That sound snice." Makoto smiled. "I've been wanting to walk around and try a little bit of everything."

"I could really go for some..." Sumire felt her stomach growl now that everyone was talking about food.

"...I'll pass on Takoyaki." Akechi remembered the time he tried Takoyaki in front of the group. He grabbed the wrong piece and that spice still remained with him to this day.

"Don't worry, we won't get anything spicy this time." Haru teased with a small smile. She couldn't help but feel amused at his plight.

"I'll still pass." Akechi shook his head.

"You're going to miss out on the mentai-mayo-mochi-cheese. toppings." Ren added.

Ann blinked. "Whoa...kind of going overboard with the toppings, don't you think?"

"Have you seen the way you eat crepes?" Mika pointed out.

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.

Despite Akechi saying otherwise, and Mika having better things she wanted to do, they ended up in the RV with everyone else save Zenkichi, with numerous types of Takoyaki spread out along the table. Ann was letting out jovial food moans as she placed one into her mouth. "Ooooh, it's so good..."

"Do you have to make those sounds while eating?" Mika shook her head. She carefully took a piece and delicately ate it. Like a normal person.

"Oh yeah! No trip to Osaka is complete without 'em!" Ryuji spoke with his mouth full.

"Do you have to talk with your mouth full!?" Mika groaned. What was wrong with these people!?

"I'm actually quite surprised." Haru admitted. "Each shop really does taste different." She then glanced at Akechi. He was lingering near the door, having a piece of Takoyaki. "And not spicy at all."

"..." Akechi didn't say anything. But he could tell that Haru was secretly hoping he'd bite into something hot and struggle to compose himself again. It was in her eyes.

"Looks like trying a bunch of different places was a good call." Makoto was content with their decision.

"So this is the authentic Osaka flavor." Yusuke had his eyes closed, fully immersed in the meal before them. "And best of all, it's affordable!"

"That would be your favorite part." Hifumi said with a slight smile.

"Aren't going to have some, Mona?" Futaba asked.

"Eh, it's too hot for me right now." Morgana replied. His sensitive feline tongue would despise him if he tried it now. "I'll wait for it to cool down."

"If there's any left." Ren mumbled. While it was clear that Sumire was trying to ensure there was some left for everyone, she was getting through them pretty fast.

Sumire stopped for a moment when she felt all eyes on her. With a sheepish smile, she leaned back and cleared her throat. "...What a shame that you can't join us in the food, Sophia. We've had so much delicious food over the course of this trip, and all you can do is hear us eat it all."

"Well, I am an AI." Sophia did frown a bit. Sumire's words were correct. She was...pretty curious. "I'll just hav eto make do with the data.

"Don't let it get you down. Sophia. We'll bring some to the Jail later!" Futaba suggested.

"Really?" Sophia's eyes widened.

"I suppose that is an option." Akechi remarked. "...I probably won't have much more." Was he offering to give Sophia what he wasn't going to finish?

"Thank you!" Sophia beamed.

"Woulda been nice if Gramps tagged along." Ryuji said. Zenkichi's presence was very welcome. So much so, they really liked including him in their activities.

"He was close enough to make it home, so I think he wanted to go see Akane-chan. She was probably waiting for him, too." Haru said.

"Oh yeah, you all should sign that Phantom Thieves poster I promised the kid." Mika said while thrusting a pen out towards Ren.

"We'll...get to that." Ren said with a sweat drop.

"I hope they get more time together." Makoto said earnestly.

"And then Zenkichi gets to spoil her like a princess, hehe." Futaba snickered.

"There's still one thing I don't understand..." Morgana said. "Why did Konoe create Jails in the first place?"

"Wasn't it cuz that Owada dude told him to?" Ryuji suggested.

"I think it's more than that." Hifumi shook her head. "It...truly sounds like he wants to save people."

'Yeah, one look around his Jail, and it's clear that he totally believes in what he's doing." Morgana said. "He believes that he's the perfect embodiment of justice."

"It's true. He does see himself as a hero." Yusuke agreed with that. "Are you suggesting he isn't acting for his own gain?"

"We've seen that sort of behavior before, haven't we?" Akechi spoke up, his voice annoyed. Maruki was the first thing that came to mind, and he knew that they knew it. "In the end, trying to save 'everyone' is nothing more than self righteousness. Their ability to manifest it and proceed to call it justice or kindness pisses me off."

"I just think Konoe's full of it." Mika shrugged. "Even before all this Jail stuff, one look at him, and I just knew he was fake. The earnestness just makes it even more appalling."

"You say that about everyone..." Hifumi said with a sweat drop.

"Maybe everyone shouldn't be so transparent." Mika replied, taking a piece of Takoyaki into her mouth before continuing. "Like that itchy nose woman you contacted."

"Ichinose..." Haru corrected softly.

"Whatever. Either way, she's clearly nowhere near as friendly as she comes off. I can hear it in her voice. Do you really trust that chick?" Mika asked, looking at everyone else.

"Not entirely." Akechi shook his head. "But she's been useful to the Operation. I can at least say that."

"I'm sure she means well!" Sumire came to defense of Ichinose. "She is...a little eccentric, but she's nice."

"She knows something about Sophia, though." Hifumi couldn't forget that. While it has been a while since they met with Ichinose face to face, she wouldn't forget that brief scowl.

"See? She's hiding something." Mika pointed out. "I've never seen her face, but even I can tell that there's something wrong with that woman."

"I wonder..." Sophia closed her eyes. She still had no memory, but the more she thought about it...

"Uh, guys." Futaba hated to derail the conversation, but Ann and Sumire were also starting to destroy the Takokyaki on the table.

"Slow down!" Hifumi gasped.

"We're taking the rest!" Ann beamed.

"As if! Like you even need that!" Ryuji shouted.

"Hey, it's first come, first serve. You guys better get some before Sumi and I swipe it all." Ann grinned. Sumire just nodded in agreement; she couldn't help herself.

"I, Haru Okumura, accept your challenge!" Haru declared.

"W-Wait, I want some too!" Makoto qucikly stammered. She didn't want to be left behind!

Akechi just let out a sigh. Mika did too, watching everyone try and fiend for some Takoyaki. "These people are so weird..."

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August 25th

It was early in the morning. Ann got up early, because she was hungry. She didn't want to disturb Hifumi or the others, so she quietly exited the RV after getting dressed. "That Takoyaki yesterday was sooo good..." She told herself. "I'm gonna grab some breakfast...I wonder what's around that Fumi would like, too..." She thought to herself, walking through Osaka. Even early in the morning, the streets were pretty packed. She didn't plan on going too far.

"Crepes." Ann could sense them. They were nearby. Crepes for breakfast? Only Ann would think of something like this.

"Ann?"

A familiar voice caused Ann to turn around on a dime. It belonged to someone she wasn't expecting to see either, but it made her smile brightly. The person standing in front of her? "SHIHO!"

.

Not everyone was awake just yet, but Hifumi was an early riser for once. In fact, she wasn't alone, since Ann was also missing. "Huh...I guess she stepped out." Yawning, she got dressed properly before stepping out of the RV. It was only around 8AM. Up this early on a summer day? Perhaps the tension of the atmosphere was getting to her. Hifumi looked at her phone, noticing a text from Ann. "Oh...heh. I guess I'll text her when we're ready to get going."

For now, she'd calm herself by taking a small walk. The others would rise soon, they'd get some food, and then it was back to the Jail once Zenkichi met up with them once again. Hifumi was still a bit tired and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. At that moment, she just narrowly avoided bumping into an older woman. "Oh! My apologies...!"

The woman was about to say something, but when she opened her mouth, she stopped and stared at Hifumi. "...It's alright. It's early. Have we...met before?"

Hifumi looked at the woman. Her eyes then widened as they made contact. Something flashed in her head. "You...I know you...! You're...Takeba Yukari-san?!"

That's right, it was the woman herself. But the tone Hifumi spoke with held so much familiarity, despite this being their first...no, it wasn't their first meeting. Yukari blinked once, and then it hit her. She looked shocked, and then she couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Memories of the Cinema Labyrinth came rushing back full force. It had been so, so long since then...but one look at this young woman before her, and it all came back in an instant. "...I haven't seen you in years, but you look almost the same. How are you?"