Catch-22: The Memory
By: M14Mouse
Summary: Yu finds Mementos.
Disclaimer: Don't own them. How sad.
Gambling is not a vice, it is an expression of our humanness. We gamble. Some do it at the gaming table, some do not. You play, you win, you play, you lose. You play. -Jeanette Winterson
There was nothing at the school.
Yu expected as much.
He knew time was a factor since he nearly came two weeks after the "famous" incident.
He wasn't sure what he was going to find there anyway but it was interesting to see the whole Phantom Thieves thing has done to the school. The school was still buzzing with it. Rumors were flying everywhere and he couldn't get a straight answer out of anyone. There was an energy there that reminded him of the murders. Everyone has a theory and no one has the answer. At least, not one that they are willing to share.
Unlike the murders, this situation could easily be explained away. These "thieves" knew something and decided to blackmail their teacher. So, instead of doing it privately, they decided to show the whole school and let them in on the secret as well. In his opinion, it was a good idea. Secrets can be easily buried, especially these…
He shook his head to move away from those thoughts.
Impressive but still…something bothered him.
He just couldn't figure it out until he talked to Rise on the way home that night.
"I have been promoting my new movie and no one has been asking about it! It is the Phantom Thieves this and the Phantom Thieves that. It is crazy." Rise said over the phone.
"Oh?"
"I am saying that they shouldn't have done it. I totally believe that they should. I thought that would go away at this point. I thought that the DIET member getting caught with that escort was much bigger news. It barely made a dent in the news. It's like the fog all over again."
That is what it reminded him of. Toward the end, everyone was talking about it. It was crazy.
"I notice that too. I am not sure if the media or something else."
"And…you are looking into, of course."
"Of course."
"Just don't overwork yourself. You and Naoto worry us sometimes."
"Naoto worried me more. She has the habit of sleeping on her keyboard."
She giggled.
"Awww! Since my next interview is soon, I almost have to go. BUT! I have to ask. Be my date for the premiere."
"I thought that you were going to ask Youske since he was free."
"Well…"
"What happened?"
"His nose bled again when he saw one of my students."
He laughed. That sounded like him.
"Okay…just text me the time and place."
"You are a gem, Yu. Bye!"
"Bye."
He shook his head with a chuckle as he hit the end button on his phone.
As he walked down the steps, he felt a shift in the air. His hand went under his jacket and gripped the sword. He cursed himself when he realized that nothing was there. Carefully, he walked down the steps as his surroundings grew darker. The walls began to change from somewhat clean to covered in dirt and some type of vines.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he realized that it was still the subway in a way. It reminded him of an abandoned subway. The spray paint on the walls. It looked like it hasn't been cleaned or used in years with dirt and grim clinging to the walls. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see a glowing familiar door.
The Velvet Room.
He noted that away for later since there was no attendant present. He guessed that his fellow fool wasn't here.
Still…This is new.
Very.
I wonder where we are.
If he had to guess, it was some other world similar to the tv world. When he entered it, he felt the same shift.
Still doesn't explain where we are!
It is okay. We will figure it out, High Pixie.
She huffed for a moment.
This is hell.
He tilted his head when he heard Lucifer's voice.
Lucifer?
It was strange that he remained silent.
He looked down the dark tunnel. He couldn't make out anything. He jumped down onto the tracks.
Are you crazy?!
You are insane! You don't have a sword.
I am just checking it out!
The lad is crazy.
He chuckled softly at the others. He is merely checking around the entrance. It will give him an idea on what to expect next time he is down here. From the entrance, he could tell the tunnel ran deep and broke out into different paths.
It was definitely worth exploring but not today.
He was about to turn back around when he heard a voice.
"Come on…let me look at it." A female voice said.
"He Ho…" The voice said.
"I know that you are hurt. I am sorry. The other shadows can be so mean."
Slowly, he moved from the entrance and toward the voices.
Yu, this isn't wise. This could be a trap.
I don't think that it is, Tam-Lin.
Finally, he found the source when he saw a Lilim and Black Frost several feet in front of him.
The little Black Frost was pressed against the wall and trying to make himself as small as he could possibly be. He could also see him holding his arm.
Poor little guy.
He Ho…
I know. I know, Jack. Let me see what I can do.
This boy is a sap.
"I am not going to hurt you. I promise. I just want to check!" Lilim said as she hovered over the Black Frost.
Slowly and quietly, he approached the pair.
"Hello."
The pair turned toward him. Lilim squeaked and Black Frost tried to make himself even smaller.
He held up his hands.
"Easy. I'm just trying to help."
"HELP! YOU! You come in here and cause all of this chaos! All of the shadows are upset and it causes so much chaos. Okay, not everyone but most of them! This place is constantly changing. Do you know how many times that I got lost!? A lot, okay!"
So, there have been others here. Unlike the tv world, this place is constantly changing. Really good things to note for next time.
"I am really sorry that others have been upsetting you. I'm just here to help."
Finally, he kneeled down on the ground and set his bag down. He opened it up and got his mini first aid out of his bag. It was something that he picked up while working at the daycare. He opened the kit to show the duo.
"I am going to patch you right up. See? Bandages and disinfectant wipes." He said.
Black Frost looked into the kit and pointed at one of his more colorful bandages. Nanako may have grown out of the phrase but Teddie loved them.
"You like that one?"
Black Frost nodded his head.
He turned to the Lilim and offered the disinfectant wipe to her.
"Would my nurse like to open the package for me?" He said.
"Oh…of course," She said as she opened the package for him and handed it back. Black Frost removed his hand to show his arm. Good…just a little scratch.
"This may hurt a little, okay?" He said as he took out the wipe and gently wiped the scratch. He opened up the tie-dye band aid that Black Frost picked out and put it on his arm.
"There. You are done. You were very good. What does my nurse think? Good enough?" He said. Lilim moved over to look at the Black Frost's arm. She examined for a moment.
"Look good," She said.
"Good," He said as he went through his bag again to get some candy out.
"Since you were such a good patient, you get some candy."
Black Frost's eyes glowed as he opened the wrapper and set a piece of candy in his hand.
"For being an excellent nurse, you get one as well," He said as he opened another piece and gave it to Lilim.
"Thank you." Lilim said with a blush.
He watched the two shadows eat their pieces of candy as he packed away the first aid kit and put it back into his bag. Once he was done, he got back to his feet. Suddenly, he felt a pair of arms wrapped around him. He looked down to see Black Frost hugging him.
"Aww…thank you." He said as he patted the little one's head.
"You should be leaving. The bad shadow will be here soon," Lilim said.
He nodded his head.
"Will you come back, Sensei?" She asked.
"I will. Next time, I will bring snacks and a game that we can play," He said.
Black Frost clapped and Lilim cheered happily.
Hopefully, this will help him get information about this place and the shadows that lived here.
I thought that you were going to give us a heart attack.
He almost did.
But he was wise to seek help for those who live in that dominion.
He had a feeling that he was going to need it.
He also needed to remember to bring his sword.
And find out where this weird app comes from….
End of The Memory
Next Chapter: The Meeting