Catch-22: The Midpoint

By: M14Mouse

Summary: Yu waits for the others to bring Akechi to the café.

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

"How are you going to do this?" Makoto asked.

"Not sure. I get the impression that he knows that I know. So, it will be interesting to see how he approaches me." Yu said as he looked at the photo that his students handed him.

It showed Yusuke disappearing into the other world. He could force the issue of being photoshopped. It depends on how much of a fight Ryuji and Yusuke put up to Akechi's appearance.

"He will probably plead ignorant and say that he didn't do a thing to the photo," She said.

"Probably. Without a doubt, he has counter moves and plans in place."

"So, the plan is a go."

"You sound unsure."

She sighed.

"I feel that I put you and Ren at great risk."

"I know that you're worried for our safety and we understand the risks. Most of all, I trust you."

Makoto looked down and pushed her hair behind her ears.

"Still…I…"

He moved away from the table and took a seat across from her. He watched her fingers move from her hair to the hem of her shirt. She twisted and turned the fabric as if it would calm her nerves. Gently, he placed his hand on top of hers.

"Look at me."

She glanced up at him.

"Makoto…I believe you. Everyone believes you. Otherwise, we wouldn't have agreed with your plan."

"But you could get killed…"

"A possibility."

She huffed.

"You aren't taking this seriously."

"Oh, I am. I realize the risks more than anyone. I'm willing to take it. So, all of you will be safe."

She sighed.

"Besides, Sensei isn't going to be alone. You know that, right? Daito is going to be there," Morgana said behind him.

"True…and I have to talk to him before we go to the palace." Makoto mumbled.

"We could just throw Sensei at Akechi. He can give him the disappointed look and Akechi will fold," Morgana said.

"I doubt it," He said amusedly.

"Ugh, it was worth a try. You have no idea how many fights that you have stopped by just looking at people, Sensei," Morgana added.

"Maybe. Feel better?" He asked Makoto.

She nodded her head.

"Yes…a little."

He nodded.

"When is Akechi coming by?" He asked.

"Soon."

"Hmm…I'm not sure if I should be there. I'm not sure if my presence with help or hurt you."

"It would catch him off guard no matter what," Morgana added.

"I think that you should be there. You and Ren have the best insight into Akechi's character," Makoto answered.

"That depends on what mask that he is wearing," He said.

"What does that mean?" Morgana asked him.

"The Akechi that I sense was very angry. The one that went fishing with me was calm and playful even. So, it should be interesting to see what mask he decides to wear."

"That is why you need to be there," Makoto said.

"Any other things that we need to talk about?"

"Ren is talking about taking Akechi to Mementos with us. I'm not sure how successful that will be at gathering information from him but it is worth a chance. What about your friends?"

"They will be around. The brothers will be around but not seen. Mint and Ivy will be coming with us," He said.

"Why Mint and Ivy?" Morgana asked.

"Ren and I have a plan. They are more likely to listen to Ren. Black Frost and Daito are going to be trouble. Daito wants to come. To put it mildly, Black Frost wants to bite or possibly eat him. I'm not 100% sure if I can get him to split him out," He said mildly.

Morgana and Makoto stared at him.

"I don't think that would be a bad thing?" Morgana finally answered.

"Morgana…" Makoto said with a sigh.

"It's a joke. A joke!"

"I thought that it was funny," He said to Morgana.

"See! Sensei understands me," Morgana said in a huff.

He heard footsteps coming up the stairs and finally, he saw Ren's head pop up.

"He is almost here. You guys ready?" Ren asked the group.

"We are," Makoto said.

-P4P5P4-

The group was silent after Akechi left.

"Well…that was utter bullshit," Ryuji said to break the silence.

"Clearly, he is toying with us," Haru said in frustration.

"In a way," He said.

He sat in the back and watched Akechi carefully. He didn't say much. Akechi appeared nervous and eager. The minute that he started talking about justice, his eyes changed and anger bleed into his voice.

"In a way?" Yusuke asked.

"The best way to lie is always to give a half truth. Justice is his goal but not the justice that he just describes to us."

Futaba frowned.

"It looks like I need to do more digging," She said.

"Be careful," He said with a warning to her.

"No worries. I got this covered."

"Well…Sensei was right. He is definitely trying to kill us. I don't believe for a moment that he is going to let us walk away," Ren said.

"Asshole," Ryuji mumbled.

"We also need to figure out why. His targets seem random even if he ordered so…" Haru said.

"Didn't your dad say something about it?" Ryuji asked.

Haru shook her head.

"Shido always said that it was being handled and never by whom. Of course, we know the whom but we don't know why."

"Man, this stuff is complicated. We have everything but nothin at the same time," Ryuji said with a groan.

"It's like a 1000 piece puzzle and we lost some important pieces," Yusuke said.

"I hope that my death will give us the answers that we need and Sai-san on our side," Ren said.

"I wish that you won't make a joke about that," Ann said with a sigh.

"I trust Makoto and Morgana's plan. Besides, I never faked my death before."

"I think that you are starting to sound like Sensei. When we told him our plan, he was the same way," Morgana mumbled.

"You did ask for dramatics," He pointed out.

Ren turned around to look at him and gave him a grin.

"We could do something dramatic," Ren said.

"Sensei is a terrible influence on everyone. I scrap one plan because Sensei said it was dangerous and might burn Veles's roots. Sorry, guys, no explosives," Futaba said.

There is a moment of silence.

"Well, that is delightful…" Haru said.

"I bet the colors would be nice," Yusuke said.

"No explosives. Maybe, the next move," He said amusedly.

End of The Midpoint

Next Chapter: The New Player

A/N: I'm alive! Mostly. Somewhat. Maybe, a little. :D I had some real-life issues to deal with that I won't bore you with but I am back. And on to the next part! WHOA! I love your reviews from the last chapter. Yes, no one pays coffee dad enough for any of this stuff. Yu is rubbing off on Ren and I find that so funny. (Who knew Yu was a terrible influence on teenagers?) I am supper excited for P4 Golden and P3 may be coming to our home consoles! I can cry and have a breakdown all at once again. Anyway, thanks for support.