Catch-22: The Conversation Over Dinner
By: M14Mouse
Summary: It has been years since Yu called a team meeting. Some things never change.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
"Goddamn it, bear. Stop stealing all of the noodles," Youske shouted over the table.
"I am not stealing all of the noodles, Youske. I am eating them!" Teddie said as he held the bowl close to his chest.
"Gentlemen, there is nothing to worry about. I made more," Theo said as he appeared from the kitchen with another bowl in hand.
"Yes! Thanks, man. You're the best."
Theo bowed and headed back into the kitchen.
"Theo, you could join us," Yu said.
"Of course, Master," Theo said from the kitchen.
He sighed. It was something that he was working on with Theo. He wasn't sure if he was even going to break him of the habit.
"Man…I can't believe Margaret sent him to you," Yosuke said as he leaned over to him.
"I can"
He chuckled softly.
He and Theo had to think up a plausible reason why he was here. They didn't know about Igor but they did know about Margaret.
This would be something that Margaret and Elizabeth would do much to Theo's displeasure.
Yosuke laughed.
"You're right. It would be something. So, how is he doing?"
"Uh…"
He wondered if he should describe how their latest shopping trip went….On the positive, they didn't get banned from that store. Negative, Teddie isn't allowed near the bananas anymore.
"We went to a new store and I got to meet a nice lady! She gave me bananas!" Teddie said with a smile.
Youske blinked and turned to him.
"I'm so sorry, partner."
"It was the most uncomfortable experience that I don't care to repeat," Theo said as he returned from the kitchen.
"It was fun!" Teddie added.
"Matter of an opinion, sir," Theo added.
He lifted his hand. He didn't want this conversation to elevate like last time.
"How about we get the computers ready? We should start soon," He said.
"Yes, that is a good idea, Master," Theo said as he gave Teddie a look.
He was lucky that Teddie was going home tonight or they were going to kill each other.
Yosuke got up from the table and got his laptop from his bag. He got up to the table to his own. It only took a few minutes to set up everything. Once everything was set up…he heard a familiar voice.
"HEY, Guys!" Chie said from the computer. He smiled at Chie, Yukiko, and Kanji who were huddled over the computer.
"Hello, oooh…you're having dinner. What are you having?" Yukiko said as she leaned closer.
"Hey, man. Wait…you're having dinner. No fair!" Kanji said.
"You were welcome to come, man. You were busy with your latest thing for the shop. I believe that your words were "God damn, Yosuke! I have to get this done!" Although, your mom said that you really should have gone. You seemed stressed…and she is right."
"Not you too!"
He could tell that Kanji was getting more and more upset by the conversation.
"Kanji, why don't you come here for a weekend? Rise and I are planning to take Theo shopping. He needs new clothes. We can show you around. It will be fun. We can buy your mom those cakes that she likes so much," He said.
"I don't know…" Kanji said.
"If you don't go, I will tell your mom," Yukiko said as she gave Kanji a look.
"Yukiko!"
"You better just do what she said. She has that face on," Chie said.
Kanji sighed.
"Or we could get Naoto to talk to you…" Yukiko said.
"Alright! Alright! You win!" Kanji said.
"Man…you were totally outnumbered," Yosuke said.
"HEY!"
"I don't need any clothes, Master." Theo said as he came back into the room.
"Yes, you do," He and Teddie said at the same time.
Theo blinked.
"You need to blend in, especially if you meet my students."
"Tutoring again?" Chie asked.
"Yes…and kind of heard that you are doing the same."
"There are a few kids that I took under my wing," Chie said as she scratched her head.
"You mean to teach them how to kick everyone's ass," Yosuke said.
"Someone has too," Chie said with a smile.
He grinned. He was glad that everything was going well with Chie. She was very stressed when she first started the academy. Now, she seemed to have found her footing.
"OH! Your swiss roll recipe was a hit! The chief and I really had fun with it. Can we try a smoothie next? They seemed to be really popular now at the inn. It looks easy enough," Yukiko said.
He, Kanji and Yosuke gave each other looks.
Famous last words.
"Sure. I can look up a few easy ones to start you out with," He said.
"Oh, goody!" Yukiko said in excitement.
"Miss Naoto and Miss Rise are ready, Master," Theo said as he came back into the kitchen.
"Thank you, Theo. Yosuke…," He said.
"Gotcha, partner," Yosuke said as he typed on the keyboard.
Few minutes later, Naoto and Rise's faces were on the screen.
"HEY, EVERYONE!" Rise said with a smile and a wave.
"Good evening…or good morning," Naoto said with a yawn.
"No sleep again?" He said with a small grin.
"Busy night. There was some progress on the case that I am working on."
"Good to hear. Last time we talked, it was really bothering you."
Naoto nodded.
"How is your tour going, Rise?" Chie asked.
"I bet you are berry beautiful!" Teddie said
Rise giggled.
"Thank you, Teddie. The tour is going great. I can't wait to be home," Rise said.
"OO…we should totally have a party or something. That will get everyone together." Yukiko said with a grin.
"That would be great! We just have to find time." Chie said.
"Ooo…parties! I can totally work on that. It is going to be fun!" Rise said as she clapped her hands.
"If Rise is planning it, it will get done," Yosuke added.
"Damn right!"
He chuckled softly at his friends. He listened as his friends planned their party. Maybe he and Theo should cook.
For safety reasons.
"As much as I enjoyed this conversation, I must go to work in an hour," Naoto said.
Everyone gave her a look.
"STOP IT! I will be fine. I am off the next day. I will rest and…"
"Uh huh." Kanji said.
"Should I tag it?" Rise said.
Tagging was a clever way to get Naoto to sleep. One of them would tag her phone to see if she was asleep. If she didn't answer, she was asleep. If she did answer, she wasn't asleep.
Well….
Teddie found a good song to put Naoto to sleep.
"No…No…you are impossible!" Naoto said.
"No, we are your friends and we worry," He added.
Naoto sighed.
"Fine…now, Yu…what do you wish to discuss with us?"
"Remember when we were talking about the lack of evidence for the mental shutdowns? Well, it is because they take place in a different world," He said.
"Holy shit," Kanji said in surprise.
"Indeed," Naoto said.
Rise, Yukiko and Chie grasped. Teddie's mouth dropped open.
"Crap, like the tv world?" Yosuke said.
"Their similarities are scary. Remember, Teddie? When you said that the tv world was connected to our world with our thoughts and feelings. Now imagine that on a much larger scale," He said.
"How much larger scale…" Yosuke said softly.
"The entire city."
"Shit." Kanji said.
"That isn't all. If a person's thoughts and feelings become too much for that world, they can break off into something called palaces."
"Like our dungeons…" Naoto said softly.
"Yes…but unlike your dungeons, these palaces can collapse after the person has a change of heart. It also doesn't change like our dungeons."
"Ooo…the Phantom Thieves!" Rise said.
He nodded.
"And you believe these Phantom Thieves are the cause?"
He shook his head.
"No. First, the timing is off. Two, I have met them and they aren't very subdued."
"WHAT?!"
"Man, you are just dropping bombs today."
"Damn, partner…"
"That is so cool, Sensei! Do they have funny outfits?"
"Like…Teddie in Junes bad subdue or…?"
"I am not that bad!"
He raised his hand to quiet them down.
"Then who do you believe is causing them?"
"Now, that I don't know. The thieves and my shadow friends aren't sure who yet. They only describe him as a man in a black mask."
Naoto sighed.
"Wait a minute, shadow friends?" Yosuke said.
"Yes, I made friends with some of the shadows."
Everyone just stared at him except Teddie who started clapping.
"I have some brothers and sisters! When do I get to meet them!?" Teddie said.
"Soon, I hope but I have an important job for you. I need you to watch the tv world," He said.
"But the tv world is safe."
"For now…yes…You believe because of the similarities that they may cross into each other," Naoto said.
"Yes."
"Crap," Kanji said.
"No…" Yukiko said as she shook her head.
"Damn it. We won't let that happen." Yosuke said.
"Damn straight." Kanji said.
"YUP! We are going to protect the tv world no matter what!" Chie added.
"I am on tour but if you need me, I will be there," Rise said with determination.
He nodded. He heard a curse from Naoto's direction.
"That is why I am having difficulty with this place. It isn't like a tv world…it is more like this place that you described. It hasn't changed since I have been there," Naoto said.
"Double shit," Kanji said.
"This is berry bad!" Teddie said.
He glanced over at Rise's screen. She appeared to be thinking.
"I am doing my European leg soon. I can totally swing by and scan the place for you," Rise said.
"Yes and Mom had said that I needed to go on a vacation. This will be a perfect time. I get some insight into different inns around the world and visit London," Yukiko said.
"I am grateful for your assistance," Naoto said.
"Nah. It will be fun and work but that is what friends are for. I will email you guys my tour dates and see what we can work out," Rise added.
"We will cover the tv world while you're gone," Yosuke said.
He sat back and listened as the others planned everything out.
"This worked out rather well, Master," Theo said behind him.
"It did. We make a great team. Most of all…great friends," He said.
He saw his phone vibrate on the table. He picked up to see Mitsuru-san's name on his screen. He pressed onto the talk button and put the phone to his ear.
"Hello."
"Turn on the tv," Mitsuru-san said.
"Mitsuru-san…" He said in confusion.
"Do it."
He got up and went over to the tv in the living room. He picked up the remote and turned it on.
His month nearly dropped when he saw Mitsuru-san on the screen. She was wearing her typical business attire but the look on her face…
If looks could kill…
"…this is a great loss to our country. Your business has been part of our country for generations," The reporter said.
"…It was a choice that we didn't take lightly. With the current political climate, it is best for my company to move to welcoming grounds." Mitsuru-san said.
The reporter's eyes widened.
"…Are you saying…uh…?"
"I'm saying that all of my employees have offers to either move with our new offices or remain at the Tokyo branch."
"So, your company will remain."
"No, it is a satellite branch. It will be run by a trusted friend and colleague."
"Oh? Who?"
"It will be run by Yu Narukami," Mitsuru-san said.
"Congratulations, you have been promoted," Mitsuru-san said.
End of The Conversation Over Dinner
Next Chapter: The Training Session II
A/N: One of my annoyances with Persona 5 is lack of presence of Kirijo Group. These guys have been studying shadows since forever. Suddenly, poof? I have a theory that Shido did something to force them out of Japan. Mitsuru being Mitsuru. Basically, she says fuck you and pick up her company and moved it to more….welcoming government. She won't let someone like Shido stop her and her company. I will go into it more in the coming chapters. You are correct, Y. I have played Shin Megami Tensei series (I am currently stuck and lost in 4) and some to do with Yu's interactions with them.
Anyway, thank you guys for the reviews, favorites, kudos, etc. They are always great. :D