Author's Notes: 28 days later and we have another chapter of the best Persona 5 fic on the market. No chimpanzees were harmed in the release of this chapter, nor did any zombies contribute to its creation.

First, some replies to my reviewers from the last chapter:

UltimateCCC: Indeed!

Myalko: Those are good guesses. Of course I can't opine upon whether they're accurate or not, but I'm glad you are interested. And yes, Ryuji's getting a makeover. He'll have his bad days, sure, but you probably won't see him arguing with Morgana over being an idiot for 80% of the story. Thanks for reading!

Thanks as always to Firion for his input on these chapters, and I will see you guys again on June 24th

Table Stakes

Shifting back to the real world didn't hit Akira quite as hard this time, but Ryuji staggered and shook for a bit before he straightened. "That's pretty intense," he panted. "Been a while since anythin's taken that much outta me."

Akira offered, "Seems to be something you get used to. It's already easier for me now."

"Good to know. I'll look forward to it."

"So this is your world," Mona noted.

The guys looked down and saw a normal feline of glossy black coat with white patches. The blue eyes and yellow bandana were the giveaway that this was their comrade, but, as Ryuji put it, "Now we have a talkin' cat."

"Only you guys can hear me," Mona assured them. "I sound like a normal cat to anyone else."

"Will you be okay on this side?"Akira asked.

"Of course, Joker. A good thief can handle anything."

"Can we use our normal names now?"

"It should be safe. But be careful when we're 'over there.' The last thing we want is to mix things up by mistake."

Akira introduced himself properly, and Ryuji followed.

"I'm Morgana," their new friend offered. "Nice to be working with you."

"Morgana, huh? Quite a name. We'll have to work out– hey!"

Morgana squirmed into Akira's carry bag and then stuck his head out, grinning as cats do. "This'll do perfectly. Now I can go everywhere with you."

Akira tested the weight in his bag and found it to be an easy adjustment. "Except to school," he noted.

"Especially to school! If I can find more people with Personas, my job gets easier."

"What job is that? Getting that thing you mentioned from Kamoshida?"

"That's part of it. I'll tell you the rest later. And don't worry, no one will know I'm here – I'm not a thief for nothing. You'll get another set of eyes and ears at no extra charge."

Akira smiled. He tugged the bag up on his shoulder and stroked Morgana's head and behind his ears, eliciting a deeply content purr. He'd missed having a cat.

Ryuji smiled weakly. "Seems you two're a match. Well, have a good night. I'm gonna go home and sleep for a week."

"Tomorrow's only a half day," Akira pointed out, "so let's start looking for those team members on Monday."

"Cool." Ryuji yawned wide enough to pop his jaw. "Let me know if you think of anythin' else." They left the alley and parted ways at the train terminal.

"He'll be okay once he gets some rest," Morgana mentioned. "What's wrong with his leg? You see how he walks, right? Even awakening a Persona didn't fix it."

"I haven't asked yet – I'm pretty sure it's a touchy subject. I've only known him for a day or two."

"Got it."

Akira traveled the train stations and was heading to Leblanc when he thought of something. "Hey, all that stuff you were carrying. The lockpicks and bombs and everything else you had in that pouch. Did you find it or make it?"

"I scavenged some of it and made the rest. It's easier over there because I have thumbs, but I can still do a lot here. If you can build your gear yourself then it'll always be there when you need it, you know? And finding a good supplier can be… well, my way is easier."

"Can you show me how? Sounds like you know a lot about this stuff."

Morgana stuck his head out of the bag and looked over. "Take on a student? Sure, I'll show you the ropes. That's how I'll pay for my room and board. But that reminds me, where do you live? Someplace with a view, I hope."

"That's… well, you'll see."

Akira walked into Leblanc and Morgana peered around, keeping his head down. Sakura-san grunted from the kitchen, busy with a stack of plates. Akira passed him, assured him he hadn't been expelled yet, and headed up to the attic. The cat jumped to the floor and explored the space, testing the springs of the couch, turning his nose up at the bed, and bounding onto the work table. "This has most of what we need," he reported after looking it over. "That's good, it means we can get right to work. Anything else we can buy or look for later, but this will be plenty to get us started."

"Are any of the tools we need special or custom made?"

"No, it's all quite simple. That's why it's better to make it by hand – there's a lot you can learn, and it's much cheaper than paying someone else to do it. And there's no trail to follow in case anyone gets curious."

Akira sat at the table and smiled. It was high time that the attic paid him back for the crap he'd been dealing with. "Then let's not waste any time. What's a good first project?"

"Lockpicks. You can't be a thief if you can't get through a lock. Have you ever picked one before? I didn't think so. No problem, I'll teach you and you'll be breaking into chests in– wait."

They'd been so into the conversation that neither noticed the footsteps coming up the stairs. Morgana ducked behind the toolbox on the desk. Before Akira could grab his bag, Sakura-san had already come up and was approaching, a stern look on his face. "What was I hearing up here? It sounded like a cat."

Morgana inched his head up over the edge of the toolbox lid, eyes plaintive and ears pitifully down as he gave a sympathetic meow.

"I knew it," Sakura-san muttered. "Where did you find a cat? You know I run a restaurant, right? You understand that I'm open to the public? Any health inspector would have my hide if he saw this. What about a customer with allergies?"

Akira stood up. "I found him when I was on my way back from school. He was lost so I decided to take him in. I'll keep him up here so he won't bother anyone, and if he has to go outside he can either use the window or I'll take him out in my bag. He shouldn't bother anyone that way."

"Him. You're sure it's a male? If it has kittens, so help me…"

"He's male. I had a cat as a kid, I've done this before."

"Good for you. He can't stay here."

Morgana mewled again softly, looking up with even bigger eyes.

Sakura-san started to crack. "Look, he's cute, but you need to find him an owner."

"I figured that looking after a pet would keep me busy and out of trouble. Feeding him, grooming him, I'll look after all of it, and I'll pay for it myself. There wasn't a clause in my terms that said I couldn't have a pet."

"Not in your terms, but what about mine?"

Morgana whimpered and blinked slowly, reaching a paw out as though in need of support. Akira was certain it was an act, but his eyes still stung. Sakura-san stared, then adjusted his glasses and sighed. "All right, he can stay. But keep him out of the kitchen, clean up after him, and don't let him bother my customers. You screw up and he's out of here, and then I'll boot you out too for talking me into this. Make sure you feed him or else he'll come downstairs, you hear? Milk and soft food won't hurt him."

"Got it. Thanks." Akira stroked Morgana's ears and the cat meowed happily.

Sakura-san grumbled and scratched the back of his head, then turned and left.

"Good job," Akira noted once the coast was clear.

Morgana stretched, then looked at where Sakura-san had gone. "He seems nice under all that bark."

"If he does, then it's all you. He doesn't think much of me. Come on, let's get back to it. So you hold this here, and then…"

7 7 7

Monday, April 15th was a day where Akira had no nightmares or weird dreams, no problems (excluding Sakura-san's usual crankiness) to speak of, and every reason to be optimistic. He'd been in touch with Ryuji to narrow down who to speak to, he'd recalled the faces of the students he'd seen in Kamoshida's dungeon, and he'd already planned out how the conversations might go to come up with extra lines and contingencies. Before he even got to school, he was ready to rock.

The problem with his plan was the same as with all plans, he learned quickly: the human element. No matter who he and Ryuji spoke to between classes and on lunch break, no matter what approach they took, no one pointed the finger at Kamoshida. Students with black eyes and arms in splints or legs wrapped in sports tape blew them off as soon as that name was brought up. The nicest of them said, "It's none of your business, now go away and stop asking." One guy almost seemed glad to stonewall them, sneering at Ryuji and telling him, "We can handle it, Sakamoto. At least someone here can hack it without breaking rank."

Akira spoke up. "You look like a Rorschach test. Someone got this many shots in and you're proud of it?"

"If you have to ask, new guy, then you wouldn't get it. But you're hanging out with the Track Traitor himself, maybe that shouldn't surprise me."

Ryuji stepped forward but Akira cut him off. "I'll pick the company I'm in over someone who can only take the hits, because somehow I doubt you swung back at whoever left you looking like this."

"Keh. Shows what you know."

"I think it does. Hey, when they put you in position, what do they call you? 'Target practice,' maybe? I feel like 'bobbing meat puppet' would be too long to fit on a roster card."

The guy's eyes darkened. "Watch your mouth, new kid."

"Or what? You'll hobble over here and bleed on me? If you wanted to break a leg in such a literal way, you should have joined the theater club."

Ryuji snorted a smile and they left the student looking like a thundercloud. It got them nowhere but they could at least leave with their heads up.

"There," Morgana observed from the bag as they went. "Someone's been watching you since the last few people. Dark hair, bruises on his face, looks weak. He's by the classroom behind you and he's getting ready to leave."

Akira glanced back. The student in question was Mishima, and he kept his face down as he passed.

Ryuji shook his head. "Nothin' again. Can't believe no one's talkin'. You can tell they're hurt and he's the prime person to do it, but he's got them all cowed. Can't believe some of them are even defendin' that asshole. C'mon, let's go talk to Takamaki. If she's that big a deal to him, then she must know somethin'."

"You go ahead," Akira said. "I want to pull on a thread. I'll be in touch." He slipped into the stream of students and moved naturally, keeping an eye on Mishima and staying just out of sight. Akira had gotten up to mischief when he was younger, as any kid had, but creeping around and ducking attention had never been this easy. Was that something to do with Arsene, or was Morgana that good a teacher? Either way, it worked. Mishima looked back a few times and never saw him. Even the usual detractors in the hallway didn't seem to notice Akira as he passed.

Mishima led the way down to the ground floor, around the corner and up the hall to speak to a familiar girl with a dark ponytail. She looked way worse off than the week before, and she had a dim, glazed look in her eye from whatever Mishima was saying.

Akira stepped up. "There you are, Suzui. I was looking for you."

She looked surprised. Mishima flinched but turned to face him. "S-she has to see someone. It's important."

"And you found her for me. Thanks, Mishima."

"Y-you know who I am?"

"Sure do. Heard your name on my second day here. Some pretty positive stuff, too, if I'm being honest. I need to have a word with her, so you can head out, yeah?"

"I-I'm flattered, but this isn't someone who likes waiting. They're important, and–"

Akira stepped forward, smiling openly. "And I'll get to them in a minute. Oh, I haven't introduced myself. Kurusu Akira. Maybe you've heard of me?"

Mishima swallowed. "I… I–"

"I'm sure you have. Seems everyone here knows who I am. Have you heard the things they're saying about me?"

"S-sort of."

"Tough to believe they got some of it right."

Mishima jerked in place. "What?"

"Yeah. I always thought Uncle Sanosuke had cool friends and good connections. He bought the best presents for Christmas and my birthday, and you should have seen how many passports he had. He owns these really flashy suits and just came back from China last month, but you know the first thing I noticed about him as a kid? He's short a finger or two. Some accident at work, he said. Same with the friends he always has over for cards. You know how it is."

Mishima had gotten more pale with each sentence. By the end he was chalk white and swaying on his feet.

Akira went on. "He always did tell me to call him if I had any trouble – he's big on family, whether they're related to you or not, you know? Anyway, could you give me and Suzui some room?"

Mishima was around the corner and gone before the last syllable was spoken.

Akira approached the girl, hands out in a friendly manner. "Do you mind if we talk?"

Her look was cagey. "Will you call your uncle's friends on me if I do?"

"I don't have family in the yakuza or any ties to them, I promise. Someone's been spreading rumors about me so I figured I'd add something of my own."

"That'll cause you problems, you know."

"I'd rather talk about your problems. What did Mishima want?"

She looked to the side. "He's… He's not at fault for anything. There's more going on here than you know."

"I know that Kamoshida is using the sports students as dummies to practice his spikes. I know he's not doing what he's doing to them for their own good. And I know that everyone's covering for him, no matter how much blood they lose or how many broken bones are involved."

Suzui went quiet.

"Nothing to say? It's not much of a secret if I know about it; I've been here less than a week."

"Why do you care?"

"Why shouldn't I? People are being hurt, just like you are."

She stared at him.

Akira went on. "I saw you the other day. You're way prettier without all that crap on your face. My gir– that is, someone I used to know always put her makeup on with a garden trowel. She looked like you do now. It wasn't a good look for her, and it really isn't a good one for you."

She scoffed. "Apparently you're single. I can't imagine why, Kurusu-san – you seem to know just how to make a girl feel her best."

"You're not at your best though, are you? Or you wouldn't have to cover it up and pretend that nothing's going on when it so obviously is."

She stared harder.

"Give me something," he murmured. "This can't go on, and you don't deserve it in the first place."

"Deserve. Do you think this is about what we deserve?"

"I don't know. Talk to me. Sakamoto Ryuji and I, we know you guys are taking the brunt of this. If enough of you speak out, someone will have to do something."

Her face shifted. At first it seemed like a trick of the light, but she looked angry and bitter like the mask was cracking and falling away. Her eyes were narrow and caustic when she turned and looked at him head on. It was like this was a different person come to talk to him. "Do you think this could happen without anyone knowing about it?" Even her voice had changed, going lower into a dark timbre that was almost threatening. "Grow up. The principal pretends it's not happening because Kamoshida's the school's claim to fame. The teachers don't have the stones to stand up to him, not after he got the last athletics teacher fired. Did you hear about him? Shintani-sensei. He was caught with a girl off school grounds and ended up charged and convicted. Want to bet Kamoshida was behind that? He certainly benefited from it. Lots of people suspect, so we figure he'll do the same thing to us. No one in our classes cares, but I'm sure some of them know what's going on. It's just easier for them to not say anything. If our parents know, they can't or won't step in. Some of the guys even think it's their own fault it's happening to them, do you think you'll get through to them? Win them over with words? No, this is how things are here. Simple as that."

Akira leaned in. "And that makes it okay? Being a punching bag and complicit in the crimes and the cover-ups, hoping it'll all end if you bite your tongues or sell each other out? What happens when he permanently injures someone? What happens when it's really your turn and he takes something you can't get back, or if he goes after a friend like Takamaki–"

"Don't say that name!" The dark and angry look flared into an expression of venom and self-loathing, something crueler than what the makeup could conceal. It was a few seconds before she recovered and looked to the side. "Don't talk about her. It's complicated."

"Okay, we won't talk about her. But do you think anything's going to change if no one speaks up? You're just inviting him to get even worse, and then how are you going to make it stop? There's no strength in suffering alone or courage in staying quiet, not if you're hoping to make it out and not have a knife jammed in your back."

"What's your alternative?"

"There have to be others who won't stand for this. The student council president, for instance. I met her and she seems like she'd listen to you. Me and Ryuji, we're already on his list and we're still here. We'll figure something out."

She chuckled, and it was a cold, hollow sound. "That's your big idea, just band together and wing it? You think the student council cares? The president's just in it for herself – all she wants is the university recommendation. You think that we'll be safe with you? You're nobody, Kurusu-san, and you can't stand up to him. You can't help me and you can't help the others. Why don't you ask Sakamoto-san what happens when you really cross Kamoshida, hm? It's worse than just being slandered, and he knows all about that." She shook her head and most of the bitterness left with it, leaving behind a hurt, exhausted girl taking steps she desperately didn't want to. "Now, excuse me."

Akira made one last attempt as she moved to pass him, turning to look her in the eye. "I don't know what Ryuji did before, but he's still fighting. He's still trying. That's more than anyone else is doing. If you decide to let us help you, come find me or him. We won't let you down."

She stared at him for a long few moments, but shook her head and walked away. Akira bit a curse down and texted Ryuji, Suzui's a bust. I couldn't get through to her.

The reply was, Come up to the roof.

A few minutes later Akira was there. Morgana jumped out to stretch his legs and Ryuji was sitting against the fence, face dark with fury. "All that effort and it got us nowhere," he started as a greeting. "They're all jammin' their heads in the sand and waitin' for the storm to pass. Not one of them wants to help buck this prick."

"They think they're better off under his heel," Akira answered. "Did you get anywhere with Takamaki?"

"Yep, and it's no good. Kamoshida's got Suzui over the barrel, threatenin' to cut her from the team and even sabotage her scholarship chances unless Takamaki plays along. She's cornered, which means she won't speak up."

"Sounds like Suzui's up against the wall, too, cut off and left with nowhere to go. She won't say or do anything to upset the status quo, not with everyone else pretending it's not happening. Without them, there's nothing we can do."

Ryuji beat the fence with a fist. "And that asshole walks free and does whatever he wants because everyone's scared of standin' up to him. He's got them thinkin' they'll be alone if they do."

"Suzui said you knew what that's like, standing up to him on your own."

Ryuji paled and grit his teeth. "Yeah, I kinda do."

"What happened?"

"The short version is that he pushed the athletics team and tried to drive us into the ground. I pushed back, so he busted my leg and I can't run anymore." Ryuji wore a smile bent by bitterness and blackest rage. "Track star one day, useless fuckin' cripple the next. Nobody did shit back then because he claimed I attacked him first, and that's probably why they're all such cowards now."

Akira put a few pieces together. "Not only did they not say anything, they called you a traitor and pretended not to know you. Did they throw you under the bus to appease Kamoshida?"

"You got it. They got theirs from him, and he said it was all 'cause of me. Still fuckin' pisses me off." He took a moment to regain himself. "There's more, but that has to do with that personal thing I mentioned."

"I understand. So the students are a dead end and there's no point in talking to the teachers. Where does this leave us?"

Morgana stepped up to them. "I have an idea. It's something only we can do, and we wouldn't need anyone here to help us."

The cat explained a concept so alien that it had to be real, and both Akira and Ryuji asked for a repeat and more details.

"Steal someone's heart in 'that place' and make them confess their crimes on this side," Akira summed up. "Is that really possible?"

"His desires have warped enough to create his own kingdom," Morgana stated. "It's more than a product of his ego, it's a foundation for his subconscious now. It's why he somewhat knows who you are and that you're a threat to him, so it goes both ways. Take that away and he won't be able to hide from the truth. He'll definitely change his personality when his castle collapses."

"Sounds like one hell of a wake-up call."

Ryuji put in, "No kiddin'. Hey, could this be used, I dunno, negatively?"

Morgana answered, "If we did something wrong, maybe. But we won't. We're there to steal his heart, not kill him."

"I meant somethin' else. The news has been on about people havin' mental breakdowns lately. Crashin' trains and buses, commitin' crimes but they had no criminal record before, that kinda thing. Could those be tied to 'that place,' except for those people instead of Kamoshida?"

"I'd have to see it to tell, but 'that place' has a lot of potential for harm. You've already seen some of it, and that's why we have to keep our names secret. It can also be used for good. You guys got your Personas there, after all."

The two looked at each other. "You think it could work?" Ryuji asked finally.

Akira nodded. "It's our best bet. We're getting nowhere with people, and Suzui made one good point: we're nobodies on this side. Over there we can fight, he won't have his bases covered, and even if it's going to involve dealing with Shadows, it's better than waiting for Kamoshida to find a reason to turf us."

"I hear that. All right, Morgana, you got a plan?"

The cat nodded. "I can put one together. We'll need tools and time, but we can do this."

"Then let's get started after school," Akira decided. "If it's just us, then so be it – we'll get it done."

They were back in the school and partway down the stairs when Ryuji stopped cold.

On the landing, pretty and pristine, was the student council president looking up at them. "Excuse me. I'd hoped to speak to you."

Ryuji answered coldly, "You got business with us?"

"I'd like to introduce myself to our new student. Is that out of the ordinary, Sakamoto-san?"

"I don't remember gettin' the same treatment when I got here, Miss Prez. What's your angle?"

"It's fine, Ryuji," Akira said. "Get a head start on that project, I'll be down in a minute."

Ryuji looked between the two, then muttered, "Be careful 'round her," before he left.

Akira descended the stairs and stood before her. He hadn't noticed it in the library, but she smelled good, warm and feminine and something else he liked but couldn't name. "Nice to see you again, Senpai."

"You as well, though perhaps we could have a proper introduction this time. I'm Niijima Makoto."

"It's a pleasure. I'm Kurusu Akira."

"Indeed you are. People are saying quite a lot about you, and not just over that little stunt you pulled in the library."

He shrugged. "I'm just a guy, Niijima-senpai."

That pulled a small smile from her. "So it seems. That's what I found, anyway – plenty of rumors, but not a lot of proper evidence."

"Rumors are all that people around here need. No one is particularly interested in proper evidence."

"I am. I'm not going to presuppose someone based on unsubstantiated claims."

Akira was impressed, and it spoke to how low the bar was if simple, critical, independent thinking was enough to impress him.

"You've been spending time with Sakamoto-san," she went on. "You seem to make friends fast."

"It just kinda happened. Kawakami-sensei warned me away from him, are you going to tell me the same thing?"

"No. You can associate with whoever you want. I will warn you that he has a history with Kamoshida-sensei. Be aware of that before you get pulled into anything, if that comes up."

"You call it history. That's quite the word for it. Ryuji said Kamoshida broke his leg. That would explain his limp."

"I remember the altercation. I wasn't there for it, but I was told that Sakamoto-san provoked the situation."

"You heard. You didn't see it yourself."

She raised an eyebrow. "Correct."

"Permanent limb damage sounds like quite the punitive response to, as you call it, an altercation. Ryuji must have really earned it, but if that were the case then I'm surprised he wasn't expelled. You'd even think legal charges would have been involved."

"There were reasons. There had to have been, or the principal would have responded differently."

Akira pointed out, "Ryuji said he was a track star. He has the build for it so I believe him. Now his old team and everyone in the school is calling him a traitor. What would those reasons have to be to justify that? What are the reasons for so many of the volleyball team suffering from all the injuries they have right now? That's not just a few stray shots, and Kamoshida went to the Olympics for volleyball – no way he'd miss that many times. Kind of strange, isn't it?"

"You seem to have a negative opinion of him."

"I'm just calling it like I see it. If that's negative then I guess so, because someone has to be honest about what's in front of them. Everyone else here pretends he's a king."

She smiled, and it was both a lovely smile and a cunning one. "On what are you basing your opinions?"

"All the members of the volleyball team that look like they're a step away from the morgue. One in particular, Suzui, is caked in makeup, probably to cover up bruises because she doesn't seem the sort to wear that stuff. I'm using my eyes, Senpai, so I have reason to believe, even if I can't back it up with anything, that she's being abused and then intimidated to stay quiet about it. Same with a lot of the other team members."

Her eyes narrowed. "I haven't heard of any accusations of abuse, physical or mental. That's something I would follow up on right away."

"I believe you. You give the impression of someone who takes their job seriously. But if any of that were true and a teacher – any teacher at all – hurt a student and used the school's resources to cover it up, would the student council be able to do anything about it?"

"We would make a report to the faculty and the principal."

"All who kowtow to Kamoshida. Even I can see that."

"That's our protocol."

"And what about after that? Would the police be contacted if the system fails you? Or if it fails the students being victimized?"

Her tone turned waspish. "I would look into such a thing personally, Kurusu-san. I wouldn't ignore it or let it slide."

"That wasn't my insinuation, I promise you. But something is happening, and if the standard channels aren't enough, then perhaps something else would need to be done to solve the problem."

"Like what?"

Akira backed off, not about to walk under the noose. "I'm just talking in hypotheticals. I'm new here so I wouldn't know where to start if there were something going on. But if the worst did happen, then I hope there's a way to stop it, Niijima-senpai, because being in that situation and feeling like you don't matter or aren't being heard really sucks."

She looked at him differently. "I see. That's where you're coming from."

Akira shrugged.

She continued, "I'll ask some of those students and see what they say. If there is something going on, I'd like to find out about it and address it – it would be wrong if people were being hurt by someone in a position of power."

"Give Suzui top priority. When I spoke to her, it sounded like she didn't think you'd have the means or inclination to help her."

"Is that so? Very well, I'll talk to her first."

"Thanks. I hope your investigation is productive, Niijima-senpai. Truly."

She smirked. "I'm not sure how to take that."

He gave her a winning smile. "Honestly, of course."

"Right. Same as when you sat at my table and didn't say anything on purpose?"

"I was trying to be quiet. It is a library, isn't it?"

"And I'm certain that was your primary motivation." The five-minute bell went off. "I'm glad we could talk. You aren't… entirely what I expected."

"Likewise. Enjoy the rest of your day, Senpai."

She gave him a suspicious look, then inclined her head and left.

Akira watched her go – especially her sheer black leggings and the pleats of her skirt swaying back and forth – and headed back to class.

"She's sharp," Morgana noted from the bag. "Be careful around her."

"That would mean being around her. Sounds like a great use of my time," Akira noted. "Now, once we're out of here, let's put a plan together. This thing with Kamoshida isn't going to wait for us."

7 7 7

The next day Akira would learn just how true those words were.

He'd spent most of the night working out plans with Morgana. The cat had memorized the layout of the lower levels of the castle from his prior reconnaissance, and between that and Akira's sketching abilities – which were accepted as not bad and therefore sufficient for the task – a new map of the towers, dungeon and first floor was available to them. Akira stayed up late and woke up early, and Morgana had been working through most of the night going over plans and contingencies.

"Kinda wish I'd stayed up with you," Akira admitted as he got dressed.

Morgana yawned wide. "You needed your rest. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you when to stay up or turn in, and I can sleep while you're in class. I have a plan and we can talk to Ryuji about it."

Akira ate breakfast, walked to school with Ryuji, and behaved like a student as he was expected to while Morgana snoozed in his bag and then in his desk. While Akira's classmates were whispering about him or spreading rumors about who they thought had been on school grounds late the night before, he split his time between taking notes and thinking of the tools he'd need for this plan. He'd spent part of the weekend learning his way around locks, and had acquired a few to practice on for–

Something stopped Akira's thought. A stray bit of sunlight, a flicker of movement that should have been mundane but stood out to him anyway, maybe color where there shouldn't have been any. He turned and looked–

–and was arrested by what greeted him. "Suzui?" he whispered, rising from his chair without realizing it.

There she was, standing on the precipice of the roof across the way from him, perched on the dangerous side of the fence. Her dark hair was loose, tossing raggedly in the wind. Perhaps she saw him get up, or maybe she somehow heard him because she looked over.

"Shiho?" Takamaki choked out, also standing from her seat.

At that distance, it should have been impossible to see her with any kind of clarity or detail. But Akira swore that he caught her eyes for just a second and saw in them anger and hopelessness and more pain than he'd seen in any other person before.

Then her gaze passed him and settled on Takamaki. Akira couldn't decipher what that look was, because it was over far too soon. Without word or fanfare, Suzui tipped forward and pushed off the roof–

–to fall straight down.

Akira was too far from the impact for sound to reach him, and on the other side of the window to boot, but he swore that he heard her hit the cement walkway with a wet, sickening thud.

He shouted unconsciously, and as his classmates were rising or pointing in shock, he bolted for the door.

"Kurusu-san!" Ushimaru-sensei, the class teacher, barked. "Sit down right now!"

Akira shoved past the closest students and shoulder checked through the door, running through the halls so fast he was swinging around corners, nearly overbalancing on the stairs on the way down. He was guided by his memory of the school's layout, pushing through anyone who didn't move out of his way fast enough. There were a few collisions, but he barely noticed them. He hit a door full on before he managed to get it open, barely feeling the impact.

Then he was outside, next to Suzui. Her limbs were out, some at wrong angles, and her hair obscured her face. He knew enough not to move her or roll her. Instead he held a hand in front of her face, checking for breath while he softly looked for a pulse. He'd just found both when he was yanked back. "She's alive," he told the teachers. They ordered him back inside.

It wasn't until he couldn't see her anymore that he could finally turn around. The smiles she'd worn the week before, her fear at the volleyball game, even the frustration and cynicism from their conversation, it all played out in his head and emphasized the reality of where she was now, of what had happened to her.

Of who had put her on that roof.

Akira was silent as he walked back inside, only now realizing that he was sore and breathing hard. Ryuji came up to him, fists clenched. "Dude, is it true? Suzui? What happened to her?"

Akira checked the students around them, knowing how fast word would travel if he said anything. Instead he brought out his phone and texted the words, It's her. She jumped.

Ryuji looked at the message and paled. "No way."

"I saw it. She was right across the building from me, and…"

"She wouldn't. There's no way… she'd do…" Ryuji's eyes flashed, and in an instant he'd turned and was running in the direction of the sports offices.

Akira bolted after him, but despite the short lead and Ryuji's leg, the gap widened in no time.

Akira skidded to a stop just outside Kamoshida's office, there in time to hear the shouting. "You sack of shit! What the fuck did you do to her?!"

"Ryuji!"

Kamoshida rose from his seat, his face a mask of authoritative poise and indelible arrogance. "What are you talking about, Sakamoto?"

"Suzui! She just jumped off a roof. You called her to your office yesterday, didn't you?!"

"I was talking to her about her future on the team. Anything else is none of your business."

"If you laid a hand on her, I swear I'll–"

"Ryuji!" Akira caught his arm and pulled back before someone could swing. Ryuji fought instinctively, writhing and thrashing while frothing obscenities. "Don't do this!" Akira snapped. "Not here, it's what he wants!"

"Listen to your friend, Sakamoto," Kamoshida mocked. "Don't do something you'll regret."

"Regret?!" Ryuji screamed. "I'll show you regrets, you fuckin' bast–"

Akira yanked hard, almost losing his footing but finally getting the upper hand. He turned and threw Ryuji back, panting and placing himself between them. "We can't do anything here," he said to his friend. "Remember? Not here."

"You're serious?! After what you saw?!"

"Not here, Sakamoto," Kamoshida practically sing-songed. "Don't disrupt your classmates. Or do. You're just digging the hole deeper."

"What hole?"

"You look winded, Kurusu-san. Seems like you took a hit while holding him back. That counts as assault here, so I'll speak to the principal about this."

"He didn't mean it," Akira turned and fired back, "and I didn't ask you to look out for me. That's the last thing I want from any teacher in this place."

Kamoshida frowned. "Watch your words, or you'll be digging right there with Sakamoto."

"I know my way around a shovel, and the rest is none of your business."

"Diggin'?" Ryuji spat. "For what? Sayin' something someone couldn't handle because of their thin skin? I'm here to stick up for a friend. That's done, and we're leavin'."

"Oh you're leaving all right. You had a chance, Kurusu-san, but you can join Sakamoto if you're that attached to him." Kamoshida drew himself up. "Suzui Shiho spoke to me about the abuse she suffered at your hands, Sakamoto. Times when you cornered her after practice, the bruises she had to cover up. You and Kurusu-san hounded her. If she did something to get away from you, then that's your fault."

"That's bullshit."

"It isn't. You see, I have a corroborating witness who saw the whole thing. He testifies that he saw it on more than one occasion, and I was meeting with Suzui-san to offer her protection from you."

Ryuji snorted. "Thought you said you met her to talk about her future on the team. Or is that the same thing you tell Takamaki to keep her in line?"

"Neither of us are in Suzui's class," Akira added, "so this must be some witness. Wait, it's Mishima, isn't it? You beat him down and now you're dangling a way out in front of his face, aren't you?"

That got an angry look. "The staff have a meeting at the beginning of May with the school superintendents. I'll be bringing your case and Sakamoto's to their attention then." Kamoshida's smile was the same as it was in 'that place,' and for a flashing instant Akira and Ryuji were facing off against the Shadow in all his cheap, gaudy glory. "I suggest you both think of what your excuses will be for assaulting her and for confronting me like this, because the police will certainly be contacted."

Ryuji hissed through his teeth and clenched his fists, but Akira held a hand out. "Instead of calling the cops right now with your evidence? Clearly justice is the high priority on the list here. Excuse us, we should go and decide how we plan on making up for this. My grandpa and my dad always told me how important it is that the guilty beg for forgiveness." He waved Ryuji down the hall and walked without another word. The two found a quiet corner of the school, away from everyone and next to some lockers. Ryuji slid down the wall to the floor, his face in one hand as he idly massaged his leg. Akira rubbed his eyes, and a flash of black and yellow dropped in next to them.

"What happened?" Morgana asked, no hint of cockiness or fatigue in his voice.

The two gave a quick account of the last ten minutes. For both of them, it felt like a full day had passed.

"We have to take him down," Morgana asserted once they were done. "He's already escalating from when you first met him, and no one will be safe if things continue like this. From what you've said, he's going to try and ruin you two to get you out of the way. We'll check our plans, get what we need, and make it happen. It's time we put an end to this."

"Hitting the castle, that'll be enough to bring him down?" Akira asked.

"It's gonna be somethin', isn't it?" Ryuji put in. "Better than leavin' this as it is. You know why he gave us so much time, right? To choke us out, make us crack, suffer, and beg our way out. No chance. I don't care what that asshole's threatenin' us with, no way am I givin' up now."

Morgana nodded. "That's settled. There are a few things to get first, but we'll be ready then. We can do this the day after tomorrow if you want."

"Classes are gonna be canceled for the rest of today, maybe even tomorrow, so Thursday it is. Let's get what we need then. We'll hit that son of a bitch where it hurts and make him pay for Suzui." Ryuji rubbed his face and swiped a hand through his hair. "Hey, Morgana. Tell me somethin'. Was it possible… I mean, did we do this? You said Kamoshida would have some idea of what we were doin' 'over there,' and we scared him off twice. He wouldn't have taken that well, no matter what the situation was. Could he somehow know that he couldn't come after us directly, so he went after Suzui instead? Ramped things up and took it out on her as a way to trap us or because we pushed him?"

Morgana looked to the side and took a few moments to answer. "It's hard to tell. There's a lot of things going on with this stuff, and–"

"Quit duckin' the question. We were the reason this happened, weren't we?"

"People with those places – they're called Palaces, by the way – are the sort who would push the envelope no matter what. If they have something, they'll want more or they don't develop a Palace in the first place. From what you've described, Kamoshida probably started off as just arrogant and high on winning, but as the principal and teachers propped him up and as he got away with more and more, he went further to see where someone would stop him. No one did, so he kept pushing, no one pushed back, and things went from bad to worse to where we are now. That's who he is, and that's why he has a Palace – his desires have become twisted because of things that went on before you guys ever got there."

"So that's who he became, and now that's how things are," Akira concluded.

"Except we stirred the pot," Ryuji insisted, "and he wanted to hurt us, so he picked Suzui as a target. Goddamnit, she had nothin' to do with this."

"He's the one who did it to her, no matter the reasons. That's on him, Ryuji, not us. We're the ones who're going to make it right."

Ryuji dropped his head and went quiet, trembling and clenching back the anger. Finally, he wound up and slammed his fist into the locker, denting it and sending one rattling tone down the halls, loud and rough.

7 7 7

Thursday was a gray day and that suited the mood of the school. Students were solemn and quiet for a change. Those who chatted did so quietly and either gently inquired after Suzui or avoided the topic altogether and stood out for it. Akira appreciated, in a morbid sort of way, that this was what it took for his classmates to look somewhere else for their gossip. He'd take it all back if it meant Tuesday hadn't happened, no question.

His spot behind Takamaki was especially quiet. Everyone else seemed ready and willing to pretend at sympathy without actually addressing the underlying issue. Akira remembered being like that. Back home before everything had changed, whenever a class blowup had happened or someone's broken home became widespread knowledge, he'd kept his head down and believed that he was doing that poor isolated soul a favor by not saying anything, just like everyone else. Recalling those days now made him utterly despise that behavior, especially given that he'd shared in it once.

His classmates either didn't notice or didn't care how he was loaded down with the nondescript backpack containing the gear he and Morgana had spent every free moment crafting or finding. Glue balls, firecrackers and matches, toy springs, paper prayer scrolls, bandages and ointments, and all sorts of other little kickshaws made up the majority of the contents, along with a concealed set of picks and tools that Morgana said that no Phantom Thief could work without. Akira still didn't know what a Phantom Thief was, but he was willing to give it a try. The cat had also promised that as odd and benign as the items seemed, the nature of 'that place' would make them into weapons of the same sort that he'd used before, and there'd be enough for the two of them. Again, the decision was made to trust the voice of experience.

Akira hung the pack on the back of his chair, slipped Morgana into his new hiding place, and asked Takamaki, "How's Suzui?"

She turned to him, partly surprised but mostly looking numb. Her eyes were red and baggy, her skin pale and hair without its usual glossy shine. She tried a few times to speak, and the students around them half looked over or leaned in a bit to catch the gossip without having to initiate it themselves. "Unconscious." The word creaked and squeaked like it had been forcibly wrenched loose. "Her parents say she hit her head on her arm when she landed, so it could be a while before she wakes up."

"How bad is that?"

"I… I don't know. Better than if she'd gone down face first, I think. Apparently the doctors hope that she'll be able to recover, but I don't know what that means."

"She's lucky. I hope that's nothing permanent."

"Permanent?!" Takamaki squawked, spinning on him and coming out of her chair. "Lucky?! You saw what happened to her, didn't you?! You know what kind of damage there is to her legs and back?! What do you think's going to happen, that she'll get up and do back flips right away?! Of course the damage is going to be permanent!"

Numerous students stopped what they were doing and turned to tune into the unfolding drama. Akira ignored them and stared Takamaki in the eye. "That's not what I meant. I expected there to be some damage, especially from what I saw, but we have to focus on the positive. If she's not too badly hurt then maybe the worst of it can be fixed. Might be that there's a chance she could have something like a normal life if she's lucky. Who knows?"

"You don't know that! And why are you so calm about this?! Didn't you see her?!"

"I was there before anyone else, Takamaki. The teachers had to drag me back, remember? She's a great girl who doesn't deserve this, so of course I want her to get better. Don't take it out on me, and don't pretend like I stayed up here and watched."

She stuttered to a stop, then flopped into her chair, hands over her face. "Sorry. I'm… I'm really sorry. You didn't deserve that."

"Apology accepted."

Akira turned to see no few students leaning in to watch the outburst, almost comically eager for more. He cleared his throat and gave a cold glance that made most of them look somewhere else.

Takamaki went on. "Really, though, how are you handling this so well? I thought you'd be a lot softer about this. That's what you looked like before, soft and… I don't know."

"Weak," he offered with a bitter smile. Just half a month ago, weak was precisely what he'd been.

"Y-yeah. But a weak guy wouldn't have torn out of here like that."

Akira assumed his bland expression, and the bell rang and class began. He kept to himself throughout the day, limited his contact with Ryuji to texting only, and talked to Morgana when they were alone. Everything was in place. He ate his lunch, which he'd packed with extra protein, and treated himself to two vending machine coffees that were weak, pale imitations of Sakura-san's brew but still got him wired. He slipped extra food and water to Morgana and bided his time.

Soon enough, classes were over. As he got up, Takamaki turned and caught his eye. "I mean it, you know. I'm sorry I said that."

"I already told you, apology accepted. Don't worry about it. I'm out of here, so see you tomorrow. Try to get some rest."

Morgana slipped into his bag. Akira shouldered it and the pack and left the classroom quietly. He went through the halls, walked right past Kamoshida without even looking at him, and he only had to wait a few minutes before Ryuji met him at the front gates. Their mood was the same, both dead ready and raring to go. They waited until the crowds died down, went behind the dehumidifier, brought up the app and hit TRAVEL.

Just as the world shifted, they heard a familiar voice ask, "Hey, what're you guys doing–" right as the disorientation hit. Turning, twisting and tumbling upon currents and cresting and falling only to come to a screeching, silent halt in 'that place.' Their attire had changed, Mona was bipedal again, the thrum of their Personas ran along their skin, and…

"Wh-what is this place?!" Takamaki burst out, looking around in horror.

It seemed they'd brought along a passenger.

"What the hell are you doin' here?" Skull asked.

"Me?! Who are you and where– wait, Ryuji?"

"Don't! Not our normal names, it's… look, it's important. Even if you know who we might be, don't call us anything, all right?"

"All… all right, but where is this place? You, you're Kur– I mean, you sit behind me, and– is that a cat?!"

"Oh boy," Mona muttered. "How'd we get into this?"

"That's my question!" Takamaki continued. "What're you guys doing here? Where'd you get those clothes, and why is the school…" She caught sight of the banner and the pieces clicked into place almost audibly. "A castle… oh gods, is that Kamoshida's? He turned the school into his castle?"

Joker scratched his jaw. "There's more to it than that, but this place is dangerous. Come on, you have to go back."

"Why? If it's dangerous for me, then why isn't it dangerous for you, too?"

"That's a long story, and we don't have the time. Mona, is there an easy way back for her?"

The cat turned, then nodded and pointed. "Over there. I'll show you."

She dug in. "I'm not going back! Is this connected to Kamoshida and Shiho? People talked about you guys, you know, about the shouting match you had with him. You think he attacked her? That's the only thing that makes sense. She never would have jumped unless he did something serious, like… Let me come along. I'll help you, just tell me how!"

Skull told her, "Not the time for that. We'll discuss it later, all right?"

Takamaki clenched her fists and trembled. "Shiho's unconscious because of him. Because of me. I left her behind, left her with that monster. I have to fix this or I'll never live with myself!"

Joker cut in. "Names, remember? And this isn't just about her."

"It is to me!"

Skull ground his teeth together. "Your guilty conscience isn't our problem. It doesn't have a place in this. We're here for everyone that asshole has gone after, all right? That includes her."

"Guilty conscience? How dare you?!"

Skull stepped forward, eyes narrow. "Everyone was cool with this shit a week ago, remember? You, them, goddamn everyone. People knew and they pretended it was fine because it wasn't happenin' to them. That's how it is, right? Somethin' bad happens and no one does anythin' because no one wants to get dragged into someone else's problems. If Tuesday hadn't gone the way it did, you wouldn't be here. We would, and we're here now."

"That's different," Takamaki insisted.

Skull went off. "Really? Different how? What did you do when Kamoshida fucked up my leg, huh? Where was anyone else? You were there, they were there, and no one said shit! I got called trash and no one ever stuck up for me, not even once! Same when she showed up covered in bruises, what did you say or do, hm? Nothin'! Just like you and everyone else always do nothin'!"

She went silent and looked aside, flushed and trembling.

"Skull…" Mona murmured.

His tone leveled off. "I get that you want to help her, but you can't fight what you'll find here and we can't protect you. Go somewhere, cool off, and wait for us to come back. Mona, you got that exit?"

"Yep, over here."

"Wait! Hey!" she protested as they moved toward her.

Joker and Skull got under her arms and lifted, practically carried her to the split Mona led them to and, no matter how hard she fought and squirmed, threw her through. They waited to see if she could make it back, but neither sight nor sound of her reached them.

"Looks like that worked," Skull sighed. "Good."

"She should be fine," Mona noted. "Assuming she landed okay."

"We'll definitely hear about it, but that's better than her getting caught by the Shadows," Joker answered. "I didn't know we could pull people over with us. We'll have to be careful about that."

Skull put in, "For real. Bad luck, that's what that was."

"Looks like we can get moving," Mona put in. "Let's go see if my way in is still there. That's a good place to start."

He and Skull headed off. Joker moved to follow, but a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Convict!"

He sighed and turned. "What now?"

Justine and Caroline waited by a blue phantasmal door, watching him expectantly. "Come here. The Master wants to speak to you."

He walked over. When he answered, his tone was flat. "I'm busy, girls. Take a number, I'll be with you later."

"You seek to confront the king of this castle," Justine noted softly. "Your goals align with those of the Master. He wishes to help you in this endeavor."

Joker raised an eyebrow. "Help me? Now, after he's had me in chains and dragged me into that Velvet place whenever he wants? I doubt he's doing this out of the goodness of his heart, so what's his angle?"

Justine continued, "This is part of your rehabilitation. You are his task to oversee."

Yet again, a task. A burden. "Right. Well, as I said, I'm busy. You, and he, will have to wait until I'm done, and maybe a lot longer than that."

Caroline cut in. "Convict, are you disobeying orders?"

Joker's Personas roiled within and broke the surface. His mask glowed blue. "Careful, kiddo. We're not in the prison, and I'm not behind bars. After the week I've had, I'm really not in the mood to put up with your crap."

Justine stepped forward. "Be that as it may, the Master demands–"

Skull called from behind, "Joker! What's up?"

Joker stared at the girl whose demure appearance concealed the same conceit and contempt as her twin. "Your Master doesn't get to demand anything from me. Not here, and not now."

Slow-burning anger sparked and glowed in her eye like blown embers. "You'll regret your defiance."

"Then I'll regret it, but it will be my choice and not his or yours."

Skull went on. "You've been over here for a while, dude. Everythin' okay?"

"Yeah. Hey, Mona, can you see or smell anything over here?"

The cat padded over and sniffed by the door, ending up scant inches from Justine's face. "Something… hm, not really. Why? Is there something here?"

Joker smirked at his one-time jailors. "No, it's nothing important. I thought it was something that mattered, but I was mistaken."

"You sure?"

The look Joker got from the girls showed how unimpressed they were with him right now. He smiled coldly and replied, "Positive. Come on, let's go." Then he showed the two his back and headed with the others to their entry point.

"Oi! Convict!" sounded from behind him.

Neither Mona nor Skull reacted to Caroline's shout. It seemed Joker was the only one who could hear them, too. That gave carte blanche to ignore her right along with them.

"Convict!"

Akira reached back to secure his tool bag, and used the opportunity to flip the girls off. The noise stopped.

The three approached Mona's secret entrance. The cat looked up at them, iron determination in his eyes. "Ready?" he asked, but that was purely a formality.

Joker cracked his knuckles, Skull rolled his shoulder, and they both nodded, resolute.