Literally: a raven won't poke [the other] raven's eye out
Meaning: people with shared interest/alignment/whatever are not likely to do harm to each other

Saturday, January 14th, After School

Akira trotted down from the attic and to the Leblanc exit. "Alright, I'm out, I should be back late evening," he announced.

"Stay safe out there," Sojiro replied.

"Call us if you don't wrap it up by ten," Wakaba added.

"Got it."

He reached for the doorknob, but noticed Kasumi on the other side of the glass door and moved out of the way. "Hey everyone," she greeted them, entering.

"Hey, kid," Sojiro returned the greeting.

"Caught you leaving, huh?" she asked Akira.

From what little he knew about her, she seemed a bit deflated – and who could blame her, considering the circumstances? "Yeah," he replied, "I'm gonna go catch up with the rest of the group."

"Good luck." She sighed. "And please keep an eye on Sumi."

Between Kasumi's dejection and his own understanding of Sumire's insecurities, Akira was able to make an educated guess: "She's blaming herself for what happened last night, isn't she?"

"And she's back to saying she should've died last year."

Akira visibly winced. "That's… worse than I expected."

"I think she should sit this out," Sojiro suggested. "Don't give her an opportunity to hurt herself."

"I thought about it, but I'm scared she'd take it as more proof that she's 'useless'," Kasumi replied. "And you apparently have spells for bringing the dead back, so she's safer with you than she is with me and my dad."

"Yeah, I dunno where's the line between 'resurrectable' and 'not' and I'd rather not find out," Akira countered.

"I still think she should stick with you," she retorted. "You'll do a better job at lifting her spirits than Ka- I would do."

Akira noticed the slip-up. "…do you want to talk about something?"

"Not with you." She realized what came out and hastily added: "I-I mean, I'd rather keep it between me and someone in the same boat." She glanced at Wakaba. "Identity-wise, I mean."

"I see." After an awkward pause, he added: "I'm sorry for this."

"It's not your fault," she replied. "And I still stand by what I said – you're doing the right thing, and the shrink is a cunt." She smiled. "Now go and stop him."

"Fine, if you say so…" Akira walked past her, towards the exit. "Again, bye everyone, I'll call if I'm not back by ten."

He left the cafe. Sojiro walked from behind the counter to the front door, flipped the sign to 'closed' and locked the door. "I'm gonna go upstairs and keep an eye on Goro," he announced, with the unspoken addition of 'and let you two talk without eavesdroppers'.

"Thank you," Wakaba nodded.

Sojiro left stage right, and Wakaba gestured at Kasumi to sit down, putting aside some recipes scribbled on a piece of paper. "So… our days are both numbered. It's making you anxious, isn't it?"

"I'm fine," she replied. Noticing Wakaba's disbelieving glance, she added: "I'm not scared, at least. Just…" she paused, trying to figure out how to phrase her point.

"Take your time," Wakaba said, trying to sound reassuring.

"Who…" Kasumi finally said. "Okay, this will sound confrontational, but… who do you think you are?"

"Do you mind elaborating?" Wakaba tented her fingers. "Otherwise I can only answer literally, and I assume you're not looking for that kind of response."

"Like… do you think you're the extension of the real Wakaba?" she blurted out. "Would she make the same choices you made?"

"Hm." Wakaba had thought about that question for the previous two days. The biggest hurdle would've been phrasing her conclusions in a delicate enough way. "As far as I understand it, Maruki created me based on memories and wishes of others, filtered through his flawed judgment. Wakaba Sakura most certainly isn't an exact copy of Wakaba Isshiki, but that fact doesn't make me less of a person. Same logic applies to you." With Kasumi not reacting to that and her expression being hard to read, she added: "Is there a specific reason for that question?"

She let out a sharp sigh. "I'm pissed at the real Kasumi Yoshizawa."

Wakaba didn't expect such an answer. "And, uh, why is that?"

"Just… look at my sister," she barked. "Her sister. Sumire was a wreck that needed to get brainwashed to not commit toaster bath, convinced she's worth something only as an extension of her ambitions." She scowled. "These things don't happen overnight – was Kasumi dumb enough to not notice that, or did she simply not give a shit?"

After a pause, Wakaba replied, calmly, "I admit, I haven't met past Kasumi in person, but ineptitude seems more likely than malice. When push came to shove, she did not hesitate to sacrifice herself to save Sumire's life. And if that's a concern – it's not your fault, do not blame yourself for it. You're a good kid."

Kasumi mulled over that answer for a moment, before replying, "Thanks, Mrs. S. It's good to hear that from someone else."

"Don't mention it." Wakaba reached over the table and patted Kasumi on the head. "Do you want to drop by tomorrow? I have some board games we could play together."

Akira marched out of the subway station towards the rendez-vous point in Odaiba.

Back where the construction site used to be in October, there was a gargantuan pristine-white building, now towering over the area. There was a certain je ne sais quoi to it: even putting aside the unintentional sinisterness of it, it seemed… more defined, more real than everything around it.

That was going to be the first time he was going to interact in person with the Phantom Thieves other than Goro, Sumire and Morgana. Goro was cripplingly insecure underneath the edgy bluster and held him in absurdly high esteem, Sumire… ditto mark, just without the bluster, and Mona could be bribed with sufficient amounts of fatty tuna, and also held him in high esteem. The others would probably take a more critical eye on his actions over the past month.

He took a breath. Come the fuck on, Akira, he thought. You've faced worse, you'll face worse, they'll probably make some passive-aggressive quips about your fence-sitting and that's it. You'll still be friends when this is over.

Without losing momentum, he turned the corner and faced the others awaiting him. "Hey every-"

"Akira!" Ann sprinted forward and glomped him in greeting. Almost everyone else joined the impromptu group hug.

"-one," Akira finished, returning the embrace. "I won't lie, I didn't expect such an enthusiastic greeting."

"Stop being silly," Haru smiled at him. "You're always welcome among us."

Futaba let out a snicker for some reason. Akira did a quick headcount and realized one person didn't rush to greet him. He glanced around and noticed Sumire squatting by the fence of the construction site, her hair let down, staring down on the ground with that angry slash dejected expression. "Hey. Not in a hugging mood, I assume."

"…Kasumi shouldn't have bothered with saving me," she grumbled without looking at him.

"Nonsense," he replied, wriggling his way out of a group hug. He approached her and offered her his hand. "Will you get up or will I need to carry you in my arms?"

Deciding the second option would be weird for all sorts of reasons, Sumire grabbed his hand and lifted herself up from the ground. "Let's get this done," she proclaimed, in a weary yet determined tone.

"What are the keywords for the Palace?" Akira asked.

Remembering her very first encounter with Goro, Sumire replied: "Takuto Maruki, Odaiba construction site, laboratory."

The Metaverse app on Akira's phone loudly announced the addition of a new entry. Akira pulled his phone out and gently grabbed Sumire's hand with his left. "Allow me," he smiled at her and pressed the button.

Sumire watched the transition effect swipe past her eyes, and when it faded away staring at the mask on Akira's face. He looked dashingly handsome in his Metaverse outfit, and it distracted her for a moment before she was broken out by his lovely voice saying:

"Um, where's your mask and outfit?"

She returned to reality (or thereabouts) and glanced down, only to see her blood-red jacket wasn't replaced by a black coat over a leotard. She touched her face – no mask either. "What the…" She tried to focus and summon her Persona regardless, to no avail. The others were all arriving, and they had their costumes as expected, which meant the problem was unique to her.

"What's going on?" Makoto asked.

"I c-c-can't summon my Persona for some reason!" Sumire stammered out. A tear rolled down her cheek. "I-I don't know what's happening!"

Everyone glanced at Morgana expectantly – if any of them had an answer to that question, it'd be him. "Uh…" He didn't have one, but their logic was sound.

"If I'm allowed…" Yusuke waited for anyone to interrupt him, and when nobody did so, continued: "I recall Mona describing Personas as our innermost desires and emotions under our control," he said, emphasizing the last three words. "I have heard about what happened over the past twenty-four hours. Perhaps that's the root of her Persona problem?"

"And what happened?" Futaba asked.

"Well," Sumire said, crossing her arms, "Crow-san's out of the team because of me and now I am out of the team as well, and just, in general, everyone would be better if I just headbutted that fucking windshield a year ago."

Futaba winced, concerned.

Makoto glanced at Akira. "So, what do we do now?"

"I'm not in charge anymore," he replied. "It's your call."

She considered her options for a moment. "Mona," she glanced at him, "is it possible that Green has a Shadow again?"

"Maybe?" he shrugged. "The world's upside down already, it doesn't seem impossible."

"Oracle," she turned to Futaba, "yesterday you've claimed that the Palace is split into five sections. We have explored four of them already, haven't we?"

"True," she nodded.

Makoto mulled it over for a moment. "So, we still have time to go to Mementos and defeat Green's hypothetical Shadow, then return here and establish a route to the Treasure, correct?"

Futaba nodded again.

Makoto glanced at Sumire, who settled on taking deep breaths to calm herself down. "Usually, this is the point where we vote, but I feel this is a special case. I want to hear your opinion first."

"I…" Sumire took a long while to think about her answer. "I don't know. I don't want to make you waste time on me. I'm just a burde-hey!"

She was interrupted by Akira picking her up from the ground and lifting her in a bridal carry. "Even if you're a burden, you're light enough that we can carry you," he said with a grin.

"Put me down!" she barked, pushing herself out of his arms, and landing on the ground in a heap. "Are you one hundred percent sure that you can deal with both my Shadow and with this Palace?" she asked, picking herself up.

"Let me review the data…" Futaba's Persona briefly manifested. "Yep, 127% sure."

"Mementos Shadows are routine stuff," Ryuji reassured her. "We get in, deck it in the face, and get out."

Sumire mulled it over for a moment, before a thought appeared in her head. "If they are so routine to you… could I come with you?"

"That's risky," Akira remarked.

"Well, you're not in charge anymore so you don't get to say anything," Sumire barked back.

"But his advice is still welcome," Makoto retorted. "Not to mention, he has a point."

"Didn't you just say that you can carry me if you must?"

"If I'm allowed…" Akira said, trying to defuse the confrontational mood, "why is it so important to you?"

"'Cause…" she started, and then realized she doesn't have a ready answer. She thought about it for a moment. "Because I want to… confront my insecurities, I think. Look myself in the eyes, more literally than most."

There was a pause as the other Thieves considered her logic. "I mean," Ryuji spoke up, "I think we can manage to keep Green safe. Mementos Shadows don't pull any funny business, and even if Shadow Green does something funny, we've got enough experience to deal with it."

"And I know it's a single data point," Futaba added, "but my Shadow wasn't a danger to me. Maybe hers would be like that too."

"Very well then," Makoto announced, "who's for taking Green with us to Mementos, provided she stays out of trouble?"

Everyone besides Akira raised his hand.

"I'unno," he said, feeling everyone's stares on him. "I'm still scared that you'll get hurt."

Sumire took a breath, then put an arm on his shoulder. "Joker… Akira… I feel safer with you in this realm than I'd do anywhere else without you."

"It still feels like an unnecessary risk."

"You could say that to everyone present," she countered. "We've all made a choice to be here, let me make mine. Please."

Akira paused for a moment. Finally, he said: "If that's what you choose…"

"Thank you." She turned to the rest of the group. "All of you. For tolerating my temper tantrums."

"You didn't try to kill everyone, that's not a proper temper tantrum," Haru joked.

The group materialized near the Mementos entrance. Morgana sniffed the air theatrically.

"And?"

He turned to Makoto. "She's here, but very deep."

"Fine then." She glanced at Akira. "Do you wanna drive today?"

Ryu: I feel we get into places faster when Joker's driving.
Akr: I've got a good eye for shortcuts.

Akr: Have you guys been down here yet?
Ftb: Before I rejoined, I think. They needed to make do with M as the computer expert.

Akr: How are you holding back there, Sumire?
Smr: …

"We're on the level," Morganacar announced. "Green's Shadow is close."

The car rolled through the sterile tunnels of Da'at, somewhere between the panopticon and the control room. Akira turned a corner and saw a long tunnel leading towards a split section of Mementos. He pushed the accelerator a bit more and drove into it.

Shadow Sumire was waiting for them on the other end, dressed in what looked like a female parade uniform.

Black slip-on shoes and stockings. Black pencil skirt reaching to her knees. Matching suit jacket with a red ascot, and a dried white rose in her lapel. White gloves on her hands, the right one resting on a smallsword hanging by her side, the left holding a short-barreled lever action rifle. Shiny golden eyes behind a black crescent-shaped mask. Hair tied behind her head with a ribbon. Black side cap with a symbol of a white rose in the front.

She noticed the group disembarking the Morganacar. "Akira-kun!" she greeted him, stretching the last syllable a bit.

"I must say, you look positively stunning," Akira smirked, then glanced at Sumire. "Is that what your outfit looked like?"

"N-no," Sumire replied, intimidated by her Shadow. "Other than the mask. That's dead on."

"And you brought me over too," Shadow Sumire proclaimed, her voice turning bitter on a dime, "I continue to hide behind better people. As always." She glanced at the real deal, standing behind the forward team of Akira, Makoto, Ryuji and Haru. "How does it feel? To be so inferior to everyone?"

"...don't you know that?" Sumire raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you, like, the personification of that feeling?"

"She's trying to get under your skin," Makoto proclaimed. "Don't let her."

"I'm trying to get her to step up and do something!" Shadow Sumire barked back. "To stop being the perpetual second banana! Come forward and face yourself, coward!"

Sumire met her Shadow's gaze. Her attitude, her own attitude when witnessed from an outside perspective, seemed so embarassing. "You know," she said, losing whatever fear she had just a moment before, "I should've just left it to professionals. Goro-san was right about me."

"Goro-chan is full of shit!" the Shadow replied.

"Every time I tried to 'step forward', I tripped and fell flat on my face," Sumire continued, calm. "Trying to negotiate with Maruki-san, then trying to break out Futaba-san from his simulation, and then running into the fucking Mementos alone and challenging Goro-san to a duel," She scoffed. "I don't know what I was even thinking. And I thought looking you in the face would get me some resolution, but I was wrong on that front too." She sighed. "Do your thing, folks."

She turned around, ready to move back to Morganacar. The forward team turned to watch her.

That gave Shadow Sumire an opening.

A long gymnast ribbon came out of her right sleeve. It went between someone's legs and wrapped around Sumire's ankle. She yanked with inhuman force, pulling her back to her side of the tunnel.

The Thieves realized what was happening and all pulled out their ranged weapons, but the Shadow had her out already in her left hand. She fired upwards, at something they hadn't noticed. A massive bulkhead dropped from the ceiling, separating the Sumires from the rest.

The Shadow turned around, watching the real Sumire pick herself up from the ground. "I am not done with you just yet," she proclaimed, unsheathing her rapier.