Catch-22: The Secret Base
By: M14Mouse
Summary: The thieves finally have their own base much to Yu's happiness.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
Many thanks to AKatsinTcups for betaing this chapter.
Build today, then strong and sure, With a firm and ample base; And ascending and secure. Shall tomorrow find its place.-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
As much as his students like to say that they are grown up, the truth of the matter is that they haven't in some ways.
"Where are we going, Sensei?"
"Are we there yet? My feet are killing me."
"Can we stop for snacks?"
"I have never been to this part of the city. Where are we going?"
"Are we there yet?"
Finally, he and the group stopped in front of a store. The façade of the two-store building was plain enough with a red brick exterior that had peeling gray paint. There were two windows in front, but they were on the second floor. A normal person would have thought it abandoned it if wasn't for the flashing neon sign of a record and music notes hanging in front of the building.
"This is it," He said.
Makoto look confused.
"Sensei, why are we here?"
"You'll see. Come," He said as he waved his hand.
The group entered the shop and he heard a series of grasps behind him. He grinned at their reaction. This place does leave an impression.
The walls were covered in music posters ranging from j-pop stars to music festivals accented by different colored records hanging from the ceiling. The ceiling fan made the records turned every so slightly in different directions like wind climes. In middle of the store, there were aisles and aisles of records, cds, and dvds.
"Wow…" Morgana said as he popped out of Ren's backpack.
"Whoa, dude…look at this place," Ryuji said in awe.
"It is remarkable. It is a work of art. Oh, I wish that I could paint it,' Yusuke said as he framed his hands into a rectangle.
"Wow…this place has everything. I wonder if it has that soundtrack. I mean, I could just download it, but I need it for my collection," Futaba muttered while scanning a few of the aisles.
He chuckled softly
"Everyone can come down later and look around. I have more to show you and still need to introduce you to the manager," Yu said as he started to walk toward the back.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the group follow him.
"Look, Mona. There are listening stations. We should try those later," Ren said as he pointed to booths in the back.
"oooo…." Mona said eagerly.
He was glad that his talk with Mona helped. The tension in the group was almost gone. Everyone seemed on the same page.
He smiled softly when he saw Kenji-san sitting behind his counter with a music magazine in front of him.
"Kenji-san." Yu said as he reached the desk.
The man lowered his magazine and gave him a look.
"Yu-san."
"These are my students. I thought that you should meet them at least," He explained to Kenji-san.
Kenji-san's eyes darted to his students then to him.
"Fine. Nice to meet you," Kenji said before he rose his magazine back to his face.
"uhh…." Ann said in confusion.
He rose his eyebrow slightly then shook his head. Kenji-san was always grumpy around this date. Perhaps, later, he will take him out for sushi to cheer him up.
"Leave him be," Yu said to his students before heading to a door beside the counter. He took out a key and open the door to reveal a hallway with stairs leading to the second floor. He made his way up the stairs to another door.
Once he made it to the door he pressed his thumb against the security pad next to it.
Verifying user….
Verifying Yu Narukami
Please provide retina scan.
He leaned over to allow his eye to be scanned. There was a sense of familiarity to doing this.
Verifying….verifying.
Welcome, sir.
The door opened for them.
"WHAT?! This is like some spy shit," Ryuji said in surprise.
"OHHHHH! High tech security system! Can I play with it? PLEEEASE! PRETTY PLEASE!" Futaba said as she made grabby hands at the security pad. Ren prevented her from touching the pad by holding her back.
"Maybe later. Don't you want to see your new base?" Yu said amusedly.
"YES!" Ann shouted as she pushed through the group to go inside.
He laughed as the others followed inside before stepping inside himself.
The room was simple, two windows to let in some light, a large sofa with two tables and chairs set up around the room, and on the wall, there was a tv. Next to it, there was a small fridge and a large cork board.
"I wanted everyone to make it their own. So, sorry for no decorations and such. This place has wifi and a direct line if you need to contract me or Theodore at any tim-." He said before he cut off by a hug from Futaba-chan.
"THIS IS TOTALLY AWESOME!" Futaba shouted before running around the room.
"Ooo…I think that we should add a bookshelf here," Makoto said to Ann as she examined one of the walls.
"That is a good idea. Maybe, we can buy some posters downstairs and put them up," Ann suggested.
"I like it."
"We totally need a gaming console in there," Ryuji said as he jumped onto the sofa.
"I must bring my easel up here. This place has wonderful energy to it." Yusuke said as he wandered over to the window.
"This place is awesome," Morgana said as he jumped onto a nearby table from Ren's bag.
"I'm glad that you approve. This place is also soundproof. So, you won't have anyone listening in your conversation," He said as he looked at Ryuji who blushed.
"Haha…"
"I am going to put a computer here and my laptop here and…ooo…I need a desk! Inari, get me a desk!" Futaba shouted.
"I will not!" Yusuke shouted back.
"After you are done looking around, I have something else for you. Of course, you will have to enter yourself into the security system that Futaba-chan will not mess with before we move on," He said amusedly.
"AWWW! I promise that I will make it better," Futaba-chan said with a pout.
"That is what I'm afraid of," He said.
-P5P4P5-
It took some time to get them into the system because Futaba-chan wanted to play with it. Even if he did tell her no, he was almost sure that she will mess with it when they were gone.
He also showed the others the second entrance so they wouldn't have to go in the front entrance.
"Where are we going next, Sensei?" Makoto asked as the group followed him down a side street.
"It isn't very far," He said as they crossed the street and made their way to another building. This building had the same appearance as the record store, but with more windows both on the first and second floor.
"I told you earlier that I will provide a gym for you to train if you wish. Myself and a few of my friends train here as well. Come, I want you to meet Akihiko-san," He said as they entered.
The gym was pretty open with various exercise machines, boxing rings, and a mat for martial art training. On second floor, there was classrooms for teaching various classes and a walking track.
"Welcome, Yu-san. Training today?" Kara, the woman at the front desk said.
"Not today. Is Akihiko-san in?" He asked.
"Of course, he is by the boxing ring."
"Thank you," He said with a slight bow of his head before he started walking toward the area where the boxing rings were.
"Whoa…this place is awesome," Ryuji said behind him.
"Look, I can train here too. There is a mat…most places don't have that," Makoto said to Ann
"I know. I don't see that in many gyms. I can definitely work out between jobs here," Ann said back.
It only took a moment to see Akihiko-san. He was watching a fight on the outside of one of the rings.
"Detective," Yu said.
Akihiko-san jerked his head toward him and smiled.
"Mr. President," Akihiko-san said.
He laughed.
"Hello, Akihiko-san. It's been awhile. How are you?"
"Well enough. How many times do I have to tell you, Yu? Akihiko. You call me just Akihiko. You did beat me after all."
"Barely."
He snorted and looked over Yu's shoulder.
"I guess these are your students that you were telling me about. Odd looking bunch,"
"Hello, Akihiko-san," Makoto said with a nervous bow.
Akihiko-san snorted again.
"Definitely your students. You are teaching all the wrong things."
"Sensei is an excellent teacher!" Morgana shouted from the bag.
"Shhh…" Futaba said to the bag.
Akihiko looked back and forward between the bag and him.
"Do I want to know about the talking bag?"
"Probably not."
"Wait…you can understand Morgana?" Ren said in amazement.
"Keeping surprises again, Yu?" Akihiko-san said with a grin
"You know me. I like surprises."
"Yes, you do and that is why you are good at what you do. Let's go into my office before you keep handing out surprises."
Akihiko-san waved them to follow him to his office.
"Another persona user? Did you meet him during that tournament too?" Ann whispered to him as the group followed him.
"Yes, he was a former member of the Shadow Operatives. Now, he is a private detective and gym owner."
"We fought in both tournaments and he handed me my ass. He is a good guy to have to watch your backs even if he gets into loads of trouble."
"One should talk especially if we call Mitsuru-san."
"I rather not."
"You met the most interesting people, Sensei," Yusuke said.
"Wait until you meet Teddie and Koromaru." He said with a grin.
Akihiko-san snorted.
"See? Surprises."
End of The Secret Base
Next Chapter: Break in Play: The Chains
Next Chapter: Break in Play: The Chains
A/N: Yu gave his students a secret base so that he won't have a heart attack anytime soon. I am actually surprised that more people didn't find out the group was thieves because the very public places that they hang out. I planned pretty early on to slip in some more Persona 3 cast. So, there. I want to thank everyone for their wonderful support. You guys rocks with all your comments especially mangareader, kudos, and favorites. Read and review if you wish.