Chapter 24: Mine of Gluttony/Infiltration (2): Spread your wings! Feather Change.
June 25th.
After a normal morning of doing normal things like resting, taking care of the plant in her room, and helping out Sojiro with grocery shopping, Kazumi was enjoying a cup of coffee when her friends started to text her.
*Kazumi's kindness increases by 2*
-"Sorry, Sojiro-san…"- She apologized before opening the chat room:
-"So any ideas to beat that coward shadow on the mine?"- Ryuji asked.
"Nothing. I mean, there's not much we can do since there's no tunnel lights…"- Ann replied.
"Maybe we should get a projector?"- Yusuke mentioned.
-"Dude. There's no way we can carry a giant projector around…"- Ryuji mentioned.
"What if they break it too? We will be on disadvantage again."- Ann added.
-"Hey, Aniki! Kazumi!"
-"You guys are smart. How about it?"
"Morgana and I are still thinking."- Kazumi replied.
/"We are still in the third period, Sakamoto."- Makoto scolded Ryuji.
/"I was thinking that the shadow could also be weakened by light…"
/"Something he can't break. How about those flashlights on the helmets of the children?"
"Ummm…but we will have too little light to fight if only the six of us use them."- Ann considered.
"Let's go with that."- Kazumi considered.
"We should figure out a way we can make a bunch of those headlights work for our benefit."- she said to them.
-"Alright! Let's think it up some more in our hideout."
-"When you're ready, Kazumi."- Ryuji said as the chat ended.
-"Sounds like a lot of rambling going on…"- Sojiro commented as he noticed she finished her conversation.
-"Yeah. Everyone wants to spend more time together before I leave."- Kazumi replied.-"The coffee was delicious."
-"No problem. Are you heading out today, then?"- Sojiro asked.
-"I will be back for closing time."- Kazumi assured him as she left the countertop table.
Kazumi took Morgana with her after he was finished with his canned tuna plate, and while they were heading to the subway station, she told him about Makoto's idea:
-"How to use a bunch of headlights…"- Morgana thought while Kazumi was paying her fare.-"It will be problematic to steal them all and it's not like we saw any switches to turn on lights when we went there…"
Kazumi hopped on the train to Shibuya and sat down while pulling up a magazine:
-"This place looks magical…"- Kazumi whispered as she was looking at the magazine's guide of the Odaiba Seaside Park.-"Who do you think I should invite?"
-"Hey, I was focused on our plan."- Morgana whispered annoyedly when he was ignored.
They arrived shortly to Shibuya:
-"Why did we come here?"- Morgana asked.
-"I am going to buy some books and return DVDs."- Kazumi explained while she walked to the main street.
-"Aren't you too relaxed today…?"- Morgana lowered his ears in disappointment.- "Remember that your brother is also waiting."
-"Last time I rushed things, I hurt you guys and also myself…"- Kazumi explained.- "Besides, my cinema ideas have worked well. I'm sure I'll get one that works for this problem!"
-"If you say so…"- Morgana sighed as they entered the DVD store. Kazumi returned some DVDs and picked another few. She also bought books about self-discovery and flirting.
After her shopping, she stopped by the supermarket to pick up some snacks and received a text from Yusuke:
"Kazumi-san. I was wondering if I could borrow some of your time today."
"Is this about our current obstacle?"- Kazumi asked him.
"Not at all."-he replied.
"Remember the painting I was getting inspiration for, last time?"
"I have completed it."- Kazumi found herself interested in that.
"Really?? I want to see it!"
"Absolutely. I am heading to Shibuya in a few minutes. I will wait for you near the ticketing area."
"I am here in Shibuya. Don't cross the ticket barrier."- Kazumi warned him as this would make him pay his fare again.
"Thank you for the reminder."
-"Are you going to meet with Yusuke?"- Morgana asked as he saw the chat text briefly.
-"Yes. Why?"- Kazumi asked him and Morgana jumped out of the bag.
-"I'll pass. Last time we were waiting forever in Mementos, besides, my double portion of fatty tuna is on stake."- Morgana replied as he turned around to see her.
-"Alright, alright."- Kazumi replied with a smile and a nod mocking the funny determination of the feline.-"You know the way home anyways."
In Shibuya, Kazumi met with Yusuke, noticing how he had a giant canvas on his back like if he was a rice farmer carrying a basket:
-"How fortunate. It seems we met just in time."- Yusuke said as he noticed her passing through the ticket barrier.
-"Yusuke-kun….Is this your painting…?"-Kazumi asked, flabbergasted.
-"Indeed. I couldn't waste time on going back and forth so I brought it to present it to you right here."- Yusuke mentioned attempting to put it down.
-"Wait! Time out!"- Kazumi flusteredly stopped him from doing so by grabbing his arm, but then she quickly realized how close they were and slowly took a step back.-"Ah… Did I really just touch him? And then I pulled off…This is so embarrassing!!"
-"Did I do something wrong?"- Yusuke asked, confused by her reaction. She took a deep breath to calm herself first.
-"As much as I want to see your painting, don't you think it would be better in a place where no accident can damage it?"- she replied.-"Let's go to LeBlanc. Then, you can rest your shoulders from carrying around it too."
-"Agreed."- Yusuke said, impressed and then looked down.-"I apologize, my excitement must have taken the worst of me for a moment. Of course, presenting a new painting should have more discretion and sensitivity."
-"He's technically not wrong but…it doesn't sound right either."- Kazumi thought, sweating comic drops of tiredness.
Both of them went to LeBlanc, and after a short interaction with Sojiro, they went upstairs, where Yusuke unveiled the painting:
-"Here it is. The completed form of my draft from earlier."- Yusuke presented his gigant painting of distorted tunnels and a spiral hole along with red stains like blood.-"I would like your honest opinion if you would."
-"Uhmm…how do I put it…"- Kazumi observed the painting, bending over her hands on knees.-"I feel like the more I stare at it, the more I feel absorbed by the spiral. Very enigmatic…"
-"Just as I hoped…"- Yusuke said, feeling proud as he flipped his hair bangs.-"Would you give me more details on that feeling? A 400 word review would be enough."
-"Ehehe… I don't think I have that critic capability."- Kazumi replied to his demands, nervously.-"So, tell me about the painting."
-"This is how I choose to interpret the idea of 'desire'."- Yusuke explained and Kazumi looked at the painting once again.-"It is the foul charm held deep within the abyss of the heart. To be honest, I believe my ability to capture desire so elegantly is all due to our Mementos foray."
-"I have grown to understand the intricacies of the heart in a way I once thought was impossible…"- Yusuke added as Kazumi caught on to something.
-"But, whose desire are you encompassing?"- Kazumi asked.
-"The general public."- Yusuke replied without stuttering.-"I intend to present this piece in an upcoming art exhibition."
-"Nobody has seen the abyss of the heart in such a raw manner before…The discourse will be fascinating!"- Yusuke said with a smile of satisfaction, which also made Kazumi feel motivated.-"I can feel it, Kazumi-san. This will be the spark that revitalizes my slumbering art career…!"
-"You can do it, Yusuke-kun."- Kazumi supported him and looked at the painting.-"This art piece and the way you live and battle, it's nothing but exciting and elegant…"
-"..."- Yusuke found himself speechless for her words and suddenly a nod formed in his throat to what he wanted to ask.-"That being said…I would like you to accompany me for the moment when it's finally revealed to the public."
-"Sure. You can count that I will have that 400 word review ready."- Kazumi said with a joking tone.
-"I am really grateful for your assistance, Kazumi-san."- Yusuke said with a smile.-"This wouldn't have been possible without you."
-"We made a contract, didn't we?"- Kazumi replied, feeling her bond with Yusuke grow deeper and gain a second star in the Emperor Arcana.
Kazumi then remembered something and looked in her bag:
-"Oh right, these are cards that I got when I went to Mementos by myself. Take as much time as you need to replicate them."
-"Will do."- Yusuke took them along with some blank cards, inadvertently his stomach started rumbling.-"I believe I should be going now. My apologies for disturbing you this afternoon."
-"Hold up."- Kazumi stopped him from wrapping up the painting.-"Before you leave, how about we get something to eat downstairs? Sojiro is still working…but I think I have some rice leftovers, sardines and tuna…"
-"Oh, have you had Shirasudon before?"- Kazumi asked.
-"I stick to eating mainly vegetables…"- Yusuke replied, not like he would admit to not eating as much protein as he should.
-"Then, let's go with that."- Kazumi smiled and went downstairs for the ingredients, while Yusuke looked at his painting one more time.
-"The depths of the human heart…"- he grabbed his chest feeling a tingling sensation.-"Is this feeling too, part of that spiral…?".
After a short meal of homemade shirasudon, Yusuke left and insisted that he didn't need to be accompanied to the station by his host, feeling that he had troubled her enough. Before Kazumi could go back to the store after seeing him leave, she noticed that Morgana came back:
-"You arrived just as Yusuke-kun left… Almost like you never left."- Kazumi mentioned to him as she carried him, noticing that he had a piece of paper on his fangs.-"Well?"
-"Here."- Morgana made a push to the paper he was carrying in between his morals.-"I will explain it inside."
They both entered LeBlanc and Sojiro noticed the change of arrivals:
-"Your friend left already?"- Sojiro asked.-"Not staying for another night?"
-"We both hope that doesn't happen again obviously."- Kazumi replied to him as she clearly knew he was trying to tease her.
-"You caught me."- Sojiro smirked.-"Was Blacky not with you the entire time? Careful with that, I will rather not deal with vermin invasion."
-"Don't worry. I give him a bath once in a while."- Kazumi replied and gave him a vow before going upstairs.-"I will go upstairs with him now."
-"Ah… If only that girl kept her head low…"- Sojiro sighed, feeling bad for Kazumi, as she was going to part from her new life thanks to the same higher up.
Upstairs, Kazumi took the paper from Morgana as she sat down on her desk chair:
-" Volunteers needed for St Luke Children's Hospital."- she read as the paper showed.-"So what is this for…?"
-"Remember that you said we should focus on getting the flashlights from the cognitive children?"- Morgana mentioned.-"Since Furukawa is still at the St Luke's hospital conference, we can take this chance to change her perception that the children she sees as miners are on our side. That's why everyone should infiltrate as volunteers."
-"I see your point…It's like Madarame's peacock door…but…"- Kazumi thought for a bit.-"I fear there's no chance that I can get to that hospital after that incident."
-"Do you think so? Maybe if we talk about it with the others, we can come up with a plan to make this a success."
-"Good idea."- Kazumi mentioned and entered the chatroom:
"Hey, everyone. Morgana came up with an idea that we can try out tomorrow."- she mentioned to them.
"Really? That was fast."- Ann replied first.
"What is it?"
"We can volunteer as helpers in the children's hospital wing of St. Luke's."
-"Volunteer on a Sunday? Talk about boring plans…"-Ryuji complained.
-"So what exactly is that gonna do?"
/"Brilliant idea."- Makoto responded.
/"Since Furukawa is still there, she will make the connection that the kids support us and so the kids in her palace will lend us their flashlights."
-"Oh, that's how's gonna be!"- Ryuji replied, sort of understanding the plan.
"But, will it be ok for you to go to that hospital again?"
"I was wondering the same. What if they will shoo me away for 'getting drugged' in a bathroom?"- Kazumi replied.
/"I researched the volunteer conditions right now. Since they don't ask for any supporting documents for drop-in volunteers, you could just wear a disguise."
-"Really? Is that easy!?"
/"They are not asking for people who can perform first aid nor give medication. Of course it is that easy."
"In that case, I can help with that!"
"Let's go to our hideout before leaving for the hospital. I will make our leader unrecognizable."
"Sure. Thanks, Ann! Makoto-senpai!"
After she left the chat, she gave the ok to Morgana's plan:
-"Hehe. Now where's my double portion?"- he purred excitedly.
-"Ah…that…actually, I ate the rest of the tuna with Yusuke-kun earlier."- Kazumi replied with a nervous smile, leaving the kitten in total shock.
-"No…"- Morgana fell back on the bed like if his soul was leaving his body.-"I gave my all for that tuna!!"
-"Fine, fine, I'll buy you some more from the grocery store tomorrow… If you make a lot of noise, Sojiro-san is going to get angry."- Kazumi told him so he would calm down.
-"You better hold to that promise!"- Morgana replied feeling betrayed.-"That aside…I feel like you have a lot of time yet for today. Are we doing something else?"
-"Now that you mention it…Perhaps we could visit that fortune teller lady."- Kazumi mentioned and soon, she headed off to Shinjuku.
After her arrival to the red district, Kazumi noticed that Chihaya, the fortune teller was talking to a customer of hers about the holy stone. Kazumi decided to eavesdrop on their conversation, quietly reclining on a pole nearby:
-"So…how are your injuries doing…?"- Chihaya asked the woman in front of her with a sorrowful expression.
-"It's fine."- the lady smiled weakly.-"It was my fault anyway…that's what Yuya said…"
-"He doesn't want to hit me, but I just make him so mad…"- she completed her sentence as if her reasoning was fair.
-"I suggest you break up with him. Things are going to get worse at this rate."- Chihaya replied to the woman feeling worried.
-"B-But I'm the only person who cares about him! If I leave, how's he going to survive…?"- the woman replied, a bit desperate.
-"This lady has it really bad…"- Kazumi thought to herself while Chihaya performed a divination for the lady.
-"I've seen everything."- Chihaya mentioned after reading all the cards.-"Uhm…I can sense a dark presence within your boyfriend. His heart seems to be possessed by a demon."
-" The demon might hide away at times but when it comes, it brings with it great misery."- the fortune teller said.
-"What kind of misery…?"- the lady asked horrified as she put her hands over her mouth.
-"You will be hospitalized for severe injuries suffered in a domestic abuse incident, and he will be arrested."- Chihaya mentioned without losing any detail.
-"H-hospital…? Arrested!?"- the woman panicked before reclining on the table with pleading hands.-"This must be because I let Yuya throw out the holy stone..! He said that money was better to give it to him…"
-"Please, give me another holy stone, I won't make the same mistake again!"- the lady almost yelled desperately.-"I am low on cash at the moment…but, you said it could be paid in thirty six installments, right?"
-"...You want another one?"- Chihaya was taken aback for the petition, and looked down.-"Frankly, I believe it is better if you break up with him…"
-"I can't abandon Yuya!"- the lady exclaimed, making her point.
-"Does she really think her boyfriend will stop his abuse because of a phony stone?"- Morgana whispered in shock to Kazumi.
-"The fortune teller lady…There's something strange with her as well."- Kazumi told him.-"I believe her skills are right. It's the holy stone thing that is fake…and right now, she just refused to sell it to a desperate customer."
-"You have a point. If the lady ends up buying that rock, her prediction might come true sooner."- Morgana concluded, after analyzing the exchange that they heard from them.-"Let's change the heart of that Yuya guy by ourselves. Since he might do worse to this woman, it's a perfect target for us!"
-"You're in a roll today."- Kazumi praised him for his clever ideas and approached both women.
-"H-Hey!"- Chihaya recognized her.-"Are you here for fortune telling? Please wait for a moment. I am with another client."
-"There's another way."- Kazumi simply said to both.-"Ma'am, you don't need that scam of a rock."
-"Were you eavesdropping…?"- Chihaya expressed in shock and then frowned.-"Whatever it is that you want to accuse me of, forget it. Some fates in this world are inescapable."
-"The demon that has possessed your boyfriend cannot be exorcized by normal human methodologies."- Chihaya spoke to the woman.-"Fate is…absolute."
-"If the problem is that 'demon', all options should be exhausted to take him out."- Kazumi replied to her.
-"U-Uh…I am not entirely sure who you are…"- the woman turned around to talk to Kazumi.-"But do you know any other way I can approach this problem?"
-"First, can I have his full name please?"- Kazumi said as she took her phone out.
-"Well…It's Yuya Uchimura…"-the unsuspecting woman replied while seeing Kazumi tap on the screen of her phone the very name.-"Umm…Why exactly do you want to know that?"
-"Right. What do you plan to do with that meager information?"- Chihaya demanded while frowning.
-"I'll change that 'inevitable' fate."- Kazumi said to her with a confident smile.
-"Do you really think you can do such a thing!?"- Chihaya said a bit offended by her disrespect of everything she believed in.
-"..."- the other woman looked down deep in thought before giving an answer.-"I trust you."
-"Excuse me…?"- Chihaya said surprised towards the woman.
-"I feel like she is telling the truth."- the woman said with an apologizing tone towards the blonde teller.-"Yuya has all of my money as well…so, I will put my trust in this girl before making so many installments for a holy stone."
-"Don't worry. I am not looking for any monetary compensation."- Kazumi assured the lady.-"You will see eventually how your boyfriend will change his mind."
-"If you say so…"- the woman replied and then left, giving a respectful vow to both ladies before leaving.
After she left, Chihaya then stood up in disbelief towards Kazumi:
-"Hey, girl. Just what do you think you are doing!?"- she said.-"If you keep doing those false accusations, divine punishment will rain upon you!"
-"Is that true? I believe I have been punished enough…"- Kazumi said with a mocking expression, instead of a panicked one, like the first time they met.
-"I see everything. A vision of you groveling in the ground…"- Chihaya crossed her arms after seeing Kazumi with that expression.-"Try as you might, fate cannot be changed. I will prove you that!"
-"If fate isn't changed, that woman will be sent to a hospital because of her abusive boyfriend within a year's time."- Chihaya explained to her. -"Now, if you honestly want to change her destiny, go ahead and try!"
-"Believe me. I can do better than just plead her to break up or sell her a bunch of rock salt."- Kazumi put her hands on hips feeling confident.
-"You have courage."- Chihaya felt like smiling as well.-"Well, then, if you fail, don't forget to come back here so I can show you how it's done."
-"Now, if we are done with this. I have other customers to attend."- Chihaya pointed behind Kazumi and saw at least 5 people who suddenly lined up to see her, so she apologized before leaving quietly.
June 26th
Around 10 am in Inokashira Park, the rebels gathered to commence their new plan. While the guys were waiting for Ann and Kazumi to be done somewhere in the lady's bathroom of the café, Ryuji decided to break the ice:
-"Agh. It's so early…"- he complained.-"Normally I would be just waking up to do my push up routine."
-"I am quite used to wake up late as well. Inspiration is a rare thing that wakes up in the middle of the night sometimes."- Yusuke mentioned.-"How about you, Makoto?"
-"If my sister saw me sleeping at this hour, hell will freeze."- Makoto mentioned.-"By this time on a Sunday, I would've covered at least a second review of cram school."
-"You study even on the weekends…?"- Ryuji said with a pessimistic frown.-"Agh. I so don't wanna think about going third year…"
-"Can you even pass this year at all?"- Yusuke said deep in thought.
-"Easy, man. I'll manage."- Ryuji said without a worry at all.
-"In that case, once we finish this Furukawa business, we should do a study group session."- Makoto suggested.
-"For real?"- Ryuji mentioned kind of unmotivated.-"I-I think I'll pass really…"
-"Come on, Sakamoto. If you end up in summer school, you will miss out on a lot of Phantom Thief stuff."- Makoto replied with a calm stand.
-"Summer school…summer…"- Ryuji mentioned as if his interest was brought back.-"Heck yes! I ain't missing out on it!"
-"Keep that enthusiasm when we get to the books."- Makoro said with a smug smirk.
-"Alright. Sorry for the wait!"- Ann mentioned as she advanced next to…Kazumi?
-"Woah…"- Ryuji mentioned impressed.
-"Almost irrecognizable…"- Makoto opinionated.
-"This is really…Kazumi-san?"- Yusuke made a close up to her body. She was now wearing jeans, a white shirt with short sleeves and buttons, and her hair was combed to the sides like a boy. She wasn't wearing her glasses either.
-"It's Ren Amamiya."- Kazumi replied as she showed a smile imitating a deeper tone of voice.
-"This could really work! Excellent make up work, lady Ann!"- Morgana meowed excited to see the results.
Shortly after, they went to the hospital and registered without any suspicions. They were given some sort of identification with their names on it, except:
-"One moment, boy."- the woman on the front desk stopped 'Ren' after giving 'him' the identification card.-"Is that a cat in your backpack?"
-"A cat?"- Ren replied as he looked at his backpack pretending not to see anything.-"Sorry, I don't see or hear anything."
The lady stood up and squeezed the bag to Ren and everyone else's disbelief when Morgana did a faint cry:
-"That cat."- the lady said demandingly.
-"Oh, I am so sorry."- Ren held the backpack on the front giving gentle pets to Morgana.-"Morgana is my emotional support pet. He's well trained to stay in the bag with me and I know the hospital doesn't let animals in…"
-"An emotional support animal you say?"- the front desk lady said, thinking it through.-"...How does it behave around children?"
-"Very well! Morgana is a good kitty."- Ren said with a nervous smile and looked at Morgana.
-"Why do you make that face?"- Morgana meowed weirded out.
-"Well, as long as there are no accidents."- quickly the lady printed an ID for Morgana as well and put it around his neck.-"Your cat can be a volunteer too."
-"Ah…thank you."- Ren said with a fake sincerity, not believing for a second how easy it was to sneak Morgana in. In truth, the whole event was pretty lax for a recognized international hospital.
Inside, the volunteer coordinator left the rebels in separate rooms to help: Ren and Ryuji were left with Morgana in a room where children of emergency patients were taken care of; meanwhile, Yusuke, Ann and Makoto were left in a room with multiple hospitalized children in their beds:
-"Just look out for the kids for a while. They get a bit intense when they are bored."- the lady in the daycare said to Ren and Ryuji as she showed them the daycare and how the kids there were just doing their own thing.
-"Kids! Some good big brothers came to play with us today~"- the caretaker said so they paid attention.-"They are Ren and Ryuji, and Ren's cat friend Morgana is here too."
-"Kitty!"- a girl said giggling as she got close to Ren.-"Mister. Can I pet your cat?"
-"Me too! Me too!"- other kids surrounded them.
-"Does it scream if I pull out his tail?"- a noisy kid said.
-"Looks like you're popular with the kids."- Ryuji smirked at the cat who was not amused at all by the little curious eyes in his direction.
-"Miles better than being a buffoon liked by no one."- Morgana told him as a comeback.
-"One at time, Morgana is a good kitty but you have to treat him nicely."- Ren decided to ignore their banter while kneeling so the kids could look closer to Morgana.-"So no pulling~ I wouldn't like to catch his claws. It hurts really bad."
-"You're doing a great job."- Ryuji said observing how the kids behaved so each could have a turn to cuddle and pet Morgana who was overwhelmed by the attention of the little girls, and annoyed by the rambunctious boys.
-"Hey, don't stay there!"- Ren scolded him.
-"Scary mister, can you read books?"- a kid asked Ryuji suddenly.
-"Who are you calling scary?"- Ryuji felt kind of offended.-"Books? Sure I can read them, but don't you wanna do something cooler like drawing or playing with trucks?"
-"Mister doesn't like books?"- the kid said surprised.
-"Don't worry. You won't really need- gahh!" -before Ryuji could speak his mind, Ren pitched him in the arm from his height.
-"What kind of book do you want to read?"- Ren asked the kid.
-"My daddy reads it for me. It's called the Journey to the West."- he said as he showed the book with a caricature anthropomorphic monkey with a staff and other animals.
-"Looks fun, right, Ryuji-kun?"- Ren said with a smile that read more like a "get to work" than anything.
-"Yep, sure, let's read some of that trip."- Ryuji only obliged.
-"Ha. Only an idiot monkey is fitting to read the story of one."- Morgana meowed, mocking the blonde before one of the boy kids pulled from his tail and he had to hold it in.-"Meowew-"
-"Hey! I said no pulling!"- Ren scolded the kid.
Meanwhile, in the other room, Makoto and the others were instructed to help the kids distract themselves while their special meals were being prepared:
-"Distract them…how exactly?"- Ann asked the other two while they observed how the kids had expectant eyes over them.
-"We are trying to get them to like us…"- Makoto clarified.-"Maybe we should vote for the activity that they want us to do?"
-"We could make three activities to see what they chose."- Yusuke added.-"How about we get them each a paper and pencil? I will be delighted to see new talent…"
-"I was thinking maybe a song could lift up the mood."- Makoto mentioned.
-"Ugh, no. I am not singing in a hospital."- Ann complained.-"How about we just do a performance like a puppet show? Can you change your voice, Makoto?"
-"Really…?"- Makoto felt nervous that she wanted to go with that.
-"We have three activities. Let's see what the kids want to do."- Yusuke mentioned.
-"Hi, kids. My name is Ann."- Ann said with a smile to the kids.-"Today, we are going to be doing something fun for all of you."
As soon as she said that, the kids' eyes lightened up:
-"So what do you want us to do? We can do a puppet show, or maybe some drawing…"-Ann added.
-"We can sing together too"- Makoto added.
-"I said that I'm not singing!"- Ann murmured angrily to Makoto between her teeth.
-"Featherman!"- one kid exclaimed.
-"We want to see Featherman!"- another kid added.
-"Featherman?"- Makoto asked interested.-"Alright, which one? Let's go, Featherman! is my favorite opening theme."
-"Will you please cut it out?"- Ann said annoyed.-"Wait…"
-"Very well then, Featherman it is!"- she said having an idea.
In the other room, Ryuji was still reading the book to a few boys while the girls played with Morgana to the house. Ren noticed a brown skinned kid with a striped shirt and green shorts on the corner where the backpacks of the kids were placed and he was taking one:
-"Hey…"- she went to him and he hid the bag behind him.-"What are you doing?"
-"N-Nothing!"- the kid said nervously.-"T-This is my bag!"
-"I see."- Ren didn't discuss it.-"Are you afraid someone will take your bag?"
-"No…"- the kid looked away and stood their distance.
-"You can keep your bag with you, but while your parents are here, let's go and have fun with the others."- Ren said to the kid so he didn't feel threatened.
-"Not my parents…my grandpa…"- the kid murmured.
-"Oh….that's a shame."- Ren did not know what else to say.
-"Grandpa is going to be fine. She said so…"- the kid said, grasping firmly on his bag.
-"She…?"- Ren frowned, worried and thinking about the possibility of the worst.
-"Here we are, Mrs. Councillor."- the volunteer coordinator said as she brought with her someone else to the room.
-"Oh, look how they are so well behaved~"- like the bell of a rattlesnake, Kazumi recognized that voice.
-"That woman…!"- Morgana meowed before leaving the girls and going to Kazumi's side.
-"So these are our volunteers."- Furukawa said as the attention of the room went to her.-"You have done an awesome job. Aren't these kids strong enough to wait patiently for their family?"
-"She still rambles shit like that…"-Ryuji murmured annoyed.
-"What is shit, mister?"- one of the kids asked.
-"Oh well that's…"- while Ryuji explained on his terms. Furukawa looked towards Kazumi's direction, but what she really wanted was the kid behind her.
-"Especially you, Sado-kun."- Furukawa said and got closer to them, which made Kazumi flinch to intercede.-"Oh, pardon?"
-"..."- she couldn't say anything back but she didn't want to move out of the way.
-"Mr. volunteer…"- Furukawa mentioned with certain impatience.-"Has Sado-kun done something?"
-"No…"- Kazumi tried to keep her manly voice.-"He has not."
-"I notice you look a bit tense."- Furukawa mentioned.-"Sado-kun's grandfather is his only dependent, and he has been in this hospital for quite a while."
-"As a councilor, I have taken a duty to provide care for him and these children while their parents recover, so they know I am to trust."- Furukawa explained.
-"Shit! Mrs. Furukawa is talking shit again!"- a kid exclaimed which left every grown up in the room flabbergasted.
-"Pardon me, young man…?"- Furukawa turned confused.
-"Shit is when people say things that are boring!"- the kid said and Kazumi looked at Ryuji who was smirking jokingly.-"That's what mister said."
-"Shit! Shit! Mrs. Furukawa is talking shit!"- the kids exclaimed in the room doing echo.
-"Sado. Do you hear them? What do you think about what she said about your grandpa?"- she whispered to his ear.
-"She's talking shit!"- the kid replied.
-"Hey…! What's going on here?"- Furukawa muttered and looked at the coordinator who tried to get the kids to calm down.
The vile woman held her left hand nervously and saw by the corner of her eye to Ren who was looking at her with challenge:
-"This kid…"- she thought to herself.-"Seeing his nonchalant face surely reminds me of that Asaka brat…".
An hour goes by and the rebels reunite in the breakroom of the hospital in a corner. They started to comment on their results:
-"So, how was it to take care of children on your end?"- Ann asked the opposite team with a great mood.
-"Super boring. This one kid wanted me to read a book…"- Ryuji complained.
-"And I was forced to dress with ribbons…This fur does not go with pink!"- Morgana said, frustrated.
-"How about you guys?"- Ren asked.
-"Through the unanimous vote of the children…we became the Featherman Victory."- Makoto explained as he showed a piece of paper with a super designed Feather Red mask on it.
-"The masks were styled by me, with a little bit of reference."- Yusuke said proudly holding the other two pieces with the masks of Feather Blue and Feather Pink.
-"Furukawa also showed up to say thanks."- Ann said annoyed.-"Gah. It makes me sick when I remember how the entire room went silent to her appearance."
-"At least we were able to gain the confidence of those kids with our performance."- Makoto mentioned.
-"Of course, after all, Makoto made the act of the century by embarrassing that woman in the middle of the act."- Yusuke mentioned.
-"For real? What did you do, aniki?"- Ryuji exclaimed, impressed.
-"Oh. It was so funny!"- Ann said and decided to recall it:
-"In this world stained by evil and darkness…"- Yusuke had initially taken a role as a narrator.-"There are heroes who protect the blue planet with their passionate wings of justice!"
At the end of the room, Ann used a giant teddy bear that she borrowed from one of the kids to imitate a monster:
-"Graaawh! Soon I will take on all of these children as my slaves!"- she said with a raspy voice, and the children played along by wailing.
-"Stop right there! Tedybelorus!"- Makoto stood up using the paper mask of Feather Red.
-"Feather Red!"-he said imitating a glorious hero pose.
-"We won't let you get away with your inelegant plans!"- Yusuke said as he approached doing a pose as well.-"Feather Blue."
-"Take that!"- Ann pushed the giant teddy bear aside as she made her way to pose with the other two.
-"Feather Pink!"- she presented herself.
-"Phoenix Rangers…Featherman Victory!"- they said as they struck another pose, while the kids enjoyed it with laughs and cheers.
-"This was my idea…but it's so embarrassing…"-Ann thought to herself.
-"Fight, Featherman!"- the kids shouted to be entertained, so the group started doing random soft punches and kicks towards the giant teddy bear until they gave it a pretended finisher with a triple kick.
-"Damn you…Featherman…!"- Ann once again imitated the voice of the villain.-"I will be back for the children…!"
-"That's quite a show you guys have there."- suddenly, the fake smiling councilor Furukawa entered the room. Kids had just told her she talked shit and at her entrance, the kids of that room seemed to go completely silent.
-"..."- Makoto took out his paper mask confirming it was her.
-"Oh, but it's you, Nijima-kun from Shujin, right?"- Furukawa recognized him.-"You sure work so hard."
-"So this is the real Furukawa…"- Ann whispered as she found herself annoyed.
-"Thank you for the compliment."- Makoto said to her with a serious expression that did not seem inviting.
-"Well, after all, I believe you guys are doing better than the other volunteers."- Furukawa mentioned.-"The kids in this room are so well behaved…"
-"Hmp."- Yusuke coughed as he knew why.
-"Speaking of well behaved, I heard that one of the participants from your school had an overdose right here during the conference."- she mentioned.-"What irresponsible student, don't you think? So weak to not control her addiction… Ah, those are the kinds of kids that I wish I could reach out to."
-"How is she doing, Nijima-kun?"- Furukawa asked. Makoto and the others assumed she clearly wanted to further the damage done.
-"She's not…!"- Ann was going to confront her in a fit of rage, but Yusuke stopped her.
-"Oh no…what a terrible tragedy…"- Makoto said with a pretended expression of horror.-"This lady is being possessed by the evil Tedybelorus!"
-"Huh…?"- Furukawa looked at him confused.
-"Feather Pink, Feather Blue, we have to keep her away!"- he said as he put his mask back on.
-"She's with the baddies?"- one of the kids said and suddenly all of them looked at her with a different kind of fear.-"Eliminate her, Neo-Featherman!"
-"Out with her!"
-"Save us, Feather Red!"- the kids started to scream.
-"Hey, the playtime is over."- Furukawa did not find it humorous in the slightest.
-"Oh, it looks like she's too strong!"- Ann said with a fake agony.-"I'm sorry, it seems Feathermen have to retire for today."
-"But as long as the Featherman has the courage of all the children, we will come back stronger!"- Yusuke mentioned and they both left the room while looking at Furukawa with piercing stares.
-"I know what you did to her, Furukawa. No, we know."- Feather Red told her as he exited the room.-"And we don't plan to keep it down."
-"..."- Furukawa stood silent but as the adolescents left, nurses came in, and she closed the door while holding a twisted smirk.-"The number of brats to punish has increased…".
As Ann finished the discourse, Ryuji was trying to hold his laughter:
-"So you guys went all in with the Featherman performance…?"- he said as he was holding his abdomen.
-"Stop laughing. I was so embarrassed…"- Ann mentioned.-"Good thing, none had a phone. My modeling career and reputation will be over."
-"But this was your idea…"-Yusuke replied confused.
-"Makoto-senpai was also a lot into it."- Ren mentioned with a mocking smile.
-"I did it for the sake of the mission."- Makoto blushed embarrassed as he hid his blush under his arm.
-"Excuse me."- the volunteer coordinator interrupted their conversation while bringing a case of bottles.-"Good work today."
-"These are a present from Mrs. Councillor Furukawa."- she said to the shock of the others.-"She was really grateful for your work today. Also, you are free to go."
-"Ah, yes, thank you."- Makoto mentioned and the coordinator left.
They observed the case with suspicion:
-"I imagine this means she acknowledges us as an opposition."- Morgana meowed.-"Which means, we should hurry to the Snow White's tunnel."
-"Yeah, and we should probably not touch that."- Ren added as he saw Yusuke trying to open one of the soda bottles.-"I don't think she appreciated our visit here."
-"All this kid's entertainment has left me exhausted."- Makoto said as he stretched his neck.-"Since we finished our objective here, it's best we don't stick around."
-"Right. Let's continue our infiltration later now that we have opened the way."- Ren agreed and they left the hospital to go their separate ways. Ren decided to take the case of drinks as well, in case they will be helpful.
After taking off her "Ren Amamiya" disguise, Kazumi traveled on the train back home. She received a text from Yoshida to meet for a speech that day and so did she.
In the Shibuya Station Plaza, at peak night hours, Yoshida started his speech about the current government lacking transparency about the future; and walk-in listeners accused him of copying another politician of the name "Shido". Kazumi saw Yoshida have a hard time to counter them, so she decided to intercede and shut the uprisers' mouths, before Yoshida backed her up by showing his conviction that he will speak truth even when he was accused of being an ex-convict.
After the speech, Yoshida spoke with Kazumi once more:
-"That was a speech full of passion. Quite unexpected, I might add."- he said, giving a sigh.-"The highlight was your yelling."
-"No choice there. I was only speaking the truth."- Kazumi mentioned as she crossed her arms.
-"That's promising, but don't overdo it too much. You should avoid to make enemies whenever possible."- Yoshida scolded her camly.
-"Ah, haha… yeah, I can't promise that."- Kazumi said with a nervous laugh remembering her current dilemma.
-"Quite a troublesome one, aren't you?"- Yoshida found her reaction funny, thinking the girl was the type to get in trouble often.-"Ok then, I think that's all for today."
-"You two are amazing."- the young adult from before, who Kazumi was yelling at, said to them.
-"Oh,it's you…"- Yoshida was taken back for the man's interruption.
-"I've been wrong this entire time, but after you said, I believe that if someone has made mistakes, doesn't mean they can't go and try again."- the man said with new faith.-"That's all I wanted to say!"
-"Please wait!"- Yoshida stopped him before he left.-"Thank you. That's all I wanted to say."
-"Don't forget to reconsider the kind of candidate you want to cheer for."- Kazumi added with a smile.
-"You two are really a strange pair."- the man said, scuffling as he found them comical, and went his way.
-"Thanks to you as well, Asaka-kun."- Yoshida turned around to her.-"I usually tend to get all flustered when I get called 'No-Good Tora' and lose my composture, but since you and your dauntless spirit see value in my words."
-"So I won't cower in fear of the critics anymore."- Yoshida said with a confident smile.
-"Seems like the student taught something to the master."- Kazumi replied while fixing her glasses. To this student and mentor bond growing deeper, the Sun arcana gained its fourth star.
-"Ahahaha."- the politician broke in a sincere laugh.-"Truly. I have more to teach you, but you really have a way with your words."
-"Thanks."- Kazumi replied, feeling that her way made her more captivating.
*Kazumi's charm increases by 3*
-"Oh, right. I forgot to ask last time… How do you feel about the Phantom Thieves that were in the news lately?"- she asked him with some excitement.
-"Phantom Thieves?"- Yoshida crossed his arms and made some meditation.-"Why would you…? No, I guess those kinds of news are what youngsters your age are interested about."
-"They are cool, yes. But, I feel like people in my school took the issue with the scam artist too light."- Kazumi excused.-"It feels strange, but I would like the opinion of someone more cold-headed like you."
-"Ah,I see."- Yoshida got something. -"Asaka-kun, you really believe in the Phantom Thieves, no?"
-"It's funny that you say it, but if those people are truly in favor of changing the hearts of the criminals of this country…We both have a long way to go."- Yoshida said with a joking smile.-"But, don't you deposit your hopes in anyone. You should also strive to become your own faith."
-"That's true. Thank you for your insight, Yoshida-san."- Kazumi replied.-"My curfew is approaching, so I'll be leaving now."
-"Good job today."- Yoshida said as they bid farewell.
June 27th
In her morning slot, Kazumi went to Takeo's clinic to get some medicines for the infiltration, and also to perform a medical trial of his drug. After Kazumi's quick recovery, there wasn't much to tell between the two of them, so their interaction was minimal to grow their bond.
*Kazumi's courage increases by 1*
In the afternoon, after class, the rebels gathered in Inokashira to continue their infiltration. They entered the Palace right in their last safe room. Once inside, a peek through the door let them know that nothing had, apparently, changed from before:
-"The shadow is still on guard…"- Skull mentioned.-"Are you guys sure we got it right with the volunteering?"
-"Well, the kids loved the volunteers but I am not going out without my mask."- Panther mentioned which gave Ace an idea.
-"Wait…mask…"- Ace whispered.-"That's it!"
-"What is it?"- Ruler asked. Ace made her way to the center table of the room and took from her pocket the Feather Peacock mask and the Super Phoenix Robo that she got from the arcade contest.
-"This."- Ace mentioned with a smile.
-"Are these…?"- Panther asked, confused.
-"Featherman collectibles?"- Ruler completed her phrase.
-"The kids at the hospital loved the Neo-Featherman, right?"- Ace said as she held the mask.-"I say it's Feather Change time!"
In the mines, Kazuya was hitting a wall with a pickaxe at the best of his attempts. He sighed and looked down:
-"Where are you, big sis…?"- he whispered, disappointed, and looked around to the other sickly kids that were doing the same thing as him while the guard shadow was on guard with a large staff and a whip.-"I don't like this tunnel anymore…"
-"Ehem. Mic test~!"- suddenly, a voice was heard from the platform over the tunnel, and when all the kids paid attention to it, their flashlights illuminated Ace who had a microphone with her.-"Alright!"
-"You are that damned thief!"- the guard shadow said, angry.-"I won't let you escape again!"
-"Sis!"- Kazuya said with a joyful expression.
-"Hello, everyone!"- Ace said with a happy voice.-"I am Ace and I see that today a big bad guy is making you all work for him, isn't that right?"
-"Bad guy?"- the kids wondered as some of them flashed the guard shadow.
-"Keh! Hey, careful where you point that thing!"- the guard complained.
-"Now…!"- Ace thought as she moved towards the shadow and removed his mask, revealing his form as a oni with a hard golden body, green clothes and a naginata spear (Kinki).
-"Ah, it's true! It's a monster!"- the kids exclaimed as they saw him scared.-"Monster go away!"
-"Don't worry, kids on the audience."- Ace kept saying in the microphone as she stood between their rows.-"If there's a monster being bad with children, there's only one team that can give him a lesson…"
-"Do you guys know their name?"- Ace said as she talked at them.-"Spreading their wings throughout the galaxy! Come on, say it with me!"
-"Neo-Featherman! Please help us!"- she yelled.
-"Feather…?"- the kids were confused for a second, but they did know what she meant.-"Neo-Featherman! Help us!"
-"Neo-Featherman! Neo-Featherman!"- their voices made a chorus as they called for the supposed heroes.
-"Halt!"- up im the platform a male voice yelled and when the kids' flashlights iluminated it, they saw 5 mysterious figures.-"We were called and are here in a gust of wind!"
-"We won't let you slave those children anymore!"- said the female figure.
-"There they are!"- Ace said to the kids as she pointed at them.
-"Monarch of the Sun, Feather Dokka!"- the central figure said as he introduced himself. It was Ruler interpreting a red ranger in a full suit of black and white tones and a golden chestplate decoration in the form of a phoenix.
-"Monarch of the Clouds, Feather Pheasant!"- next to him, Fox interpreting a blue ranger appeared making a graceful pose like the bird he was named after.
-"Yeah!! King of the Thunder, Feather Ostrich!"- Skull presenting himself as a yellow ranger said while making it as if he had an air guitar.
-"Queen of the Winds, Feather Alnair."- Panther said, interpreting the pink ranger, as she made her movements more soft and endearing, like a princess presenting to her subordinates.
-"Yoo!"- the smallest figure jumped in front of Dokka and stroke a pose-"Monarch of the Night Sky, Feather Rockhopper!"
-"Revived from the ashes once again…"- Dokka said as he was finishing the intro.-"Phoenix Ranger Neo-Featherman!".
-"W-What the hell is this…?"- the golden oni thought confused as he was too weirded out for the strange performance as to attack his opponents.
-"Alright, everyone! The Featherman will need you to lend your strength!"- Ace said as she kept herself in the role of presenter, like in the usually held Featherman Stage Shows that her brother will see in DVDs.-"Guide them to where the bad guy is!"
-"There!"- Kazuya yelled in between the crowd as his flashlight pointed at the Oni.
-"Agh! Why you…?"- the oni shrugged as he was assaulted by the flashlights and attempted to do a gigant heat wave towards Ace but his powerful attack missed, as he was blinded by the light.
-"It's our turn now."- Rockhopper said as they jumped on the golden oni.
-"Take this, Burning Love Smash!"- Alnair used Carmen's agi skills to cover her current whip weapon.
-"Goemon. Moonfang Blizzard now!"- Pheasant said as his katana was covered in ice and he shook it off to shoot crescent moon projectiles.
-"Agh!"- the oni was knocked back by the combination of magic but he stood his ground and used a spell to charge his next attack.
-"Featherman! Go for it!"- Ace said to keep the focus of the cognitive children in the guard.
-"Go!!"- Kazuya added.
-"Your cheering is with us!"- Dokka said as he summoned Conqueror.-"Keep going with the magic attacks, everyone!"
-"Big Bang of Justice!"- he said as he made his persona throw a Freila spell against the oni, though this one promptly resisted it with his naginata.
-"Ostrich, sync up with me!"- Rockhopper said as he summoned Zoro to make a whirlwind sphere.
-"Kidd! Extra Quadruple Thunder Service!!"- Ostrich threw the ball with an electrified homerun which exploded with the freila attack leaving the oni's tough body with a few burns.
-"He's still standing…!"- Alnair said as she used Carmen to drop his attack with Tarunda.
-"Shitty brats in spandex!"- the oni exclaimed as he used Vajara Blast with his naginata against the floor, creating an earthquake that pushed back the Featherman, while Ace was holding well thanks to Shiki-Ouji.
-"It's still so strong…"- Rockhopper complained.
-"Hehe. Great Madam Haruka needs these dwarfs to keep working for her."- the oni said as he prepared his weapon.-"Go back to work, brats!"
-"No!"- the voice of a kid exclaimed, it was Kazuya.-"Go, Featherman!! Blast the bad guy away!"
-"Featherman!"- the other kids tried to support as well, but their voices were weak as the heroes seemed troubled.
-"I said playing time is over!!"- the irritated Oni said as he grabbed Kazuya and pointed his naginata at him.
-"Gah! H-Help! Featherman!"- Kazuya yelled as he was being crushed by the demon.
-"Let him out!"- Ostrich said as he made Captain Kidd use the physical skill Assault Dive with his boat, but the oni stopped it with his weapon and pushed forward swiping Ostrich upwards, and he fell on the top platform.
-"Ostrich…!"- Alnair exclaimed, worried.
-"Ostrich is out! The Featherman are driven into a corner but they won't give up…!"- Ace kept narrating and the eyes of the others focused on her.
-"That's because their ace fighter is coming…right now!"-she said as she held the Feather Peacock mask.-"Feather Change!"
The persona Phoenix grabbed her on the air while her body was covered by a mysterious gust of colored feathers and she got her own Featherman suit of clear blue with red ornaments similar to a peacock row of feathers:
-"Freila!"- she said as she made her persona throw a nuclear blast at the oni.
-"Another one?"- Kin-Ki aimed to avoid the attack but while distracted, the new ranger ambushed it from above and threw a soda bottle to the face of the oni.-"Gagh…!"
-"Aghhh what is this poison!?"- Kin-Ki complained as he dropped his guard and the ranger took Kazuya out of his grasp, landing graciously to leave the kid safely on the ground.
-"Courtesy of your Madam, of course."- the blue and red ranger said as she turned around with menace.
-"Big sis, you are…!"- Kazuya said excitedly as he just got saved by a heroine.
-"Monarch of the Seven Colors, Feather Peacock!"- she decided to do her posing introduction at that moment.
-"Peacock? Ah, like the one in the movie! So cool!"- the kids whispered at her intromision.
-"Seems like Ace got it under control."- Rockhopper said as they observed the poisoned oni wobbling with his face covered.
-"I'll end your reign of terror, demonic overlord!"- Peacock said as she summoned Ame-no-Uzume.-"Psio!"
The graceful lady spirit in kimono used her head fan to send psionic colorful waves that knocked down Kin-Ki on his knees, as he left his naginata on the floor:
-"That was incredible, Peacock!"- Rockhopper said impressed by her performance, as the other five went to her side.
-"Neo-Featherman, let's go!"- Peacock said as she raised her hand for the baton pass and the five of them high fived her hand.
-"Feather Phoenix Strike!"- Peacock said as the six Featherman raised on the air with blue flames and together forming a fire figure of a Phoenix, destroyed the enemy with an explosion of fire, that they were too cool to look at. With the demon defeated, the tunnel was suddenly lit from above by tunnel lights that were not visible before.
After their Featherman performance was over, their costumes went back to normal, and Ace took back the Feather Robo and her mask:
-"We won! That was awesome!"- Skull said excitedly as he turned back to see how the blue flames were slowly consumed.
-"I must say it was an enriching experience to be able to act as an ally of justice."- Fox mentioned as he adjusted his mask.
-"Let's not lose more time. We have to find the other switch for the mining cart."- Mona said as he hopped to bring their attention.
As soon as he mentioned that, the walls started to crumble:
-"W-What's that noise?"- Panther said scared.
-"No idea but I have a bad feeling about this."- Ruler mentioned as they started to climb up the platform to the second floor.
-"Kazuya!"- Ace waited for her little brother to reach her so they could both hurry up along with the other cognitive children.
The tunnel below collapsed into a mudslide with shining green rocks, which were emeralds:
-"This is just like what happened with the river…"- Panther commented.
-"Surely that means the switch is down there."- Mona mentioned.
-"Let's go then."- Ace said as she went down the mudslide like if she was skating followed by the rest.
-"Wait, sis!"- Kazuya followed them.
-"Thank you, Featherman!"- the cognitive kids stood in the platform bidding goodbye to the rebels, who couldn't help but to have expressions of pity and sadness for them.
Once at the bottom, they saw a red gem in between the mud and the green emeralds:
-"Is this…an apple-shaped gem?"- Ace wondered as she picked it up.
-"I can't quite follow this place, but, if this is like Snow White…Is this apple poisonous…?"- Panther mentioned.
-"Well, I wouldn't try to eat a rock even if it looked appetizing like this one."- Fox said.
-"There's no need to eat this apple."- Ruler demanded as he sensed that the more they thought about it, the more they would consider it.-"If this is exclusively about the poisoned apple in the story, Snow White did not die from eating it and that's because…"
-"She spit the bad seeds!"- Kazuya replied to him.-"And then, she married the prince and they lived together forever!"
-"That's right."- Panther mentioned.-"So maybe we should aim to get the seeds out!"
-"This is a gem, though."- Mona mentioned.
-"Let me see that…"- Skull mentioned as he took the apple gem from Ace's hands and touched it twice with his gang star bludgeon weapon.-"There it goes!"- and without warning, he threw it with all his strength against the nearest wall, breaking it open.
-"Ok, now let's get those seeds."- Skull said proudly, as he solved the issue without help. The ground shook again and from the wall, a compartment with the lever came up.
-"Alright. Thanks, Skull."- Ace praised him and went to activate the next lever.
-"Yeah. I guess I am starting to see how you guys were successful so far."- Ruler said with a satisfied smile.-"Here I thought there was a lot of luck involved…".
After the lever was pulled down, the glass wall in the cart rails shattered and disappeared. The rebels went back to where the cart had stopped and rode on it to the next location:
-"Burn, Burn, Feather Hawk~ Fly, Fly, Feather Condor~"- Kazuya sang entertained while the cart was just going in a straight line.
-"I can't believe we really just transformed into Neo-Featherman and did all that stuff…"- Ruler said as the kid's song reminded him.
-"This cognition stuff is so real for that."- Skull said with a smirk.-"It was pretty cool! Aniki, you were really into it!"
-"Not as much as our leader."- Panther said as she looked at her.-"By the way, where did you even get the robot and the mask? If it weren't for those, I don't think we would have ever imagined Neo-Featherman disguises so well."
-"Ah…that…"- Ace started to sweat nervously. How to explain that she just went to a contest to find her soulmate because of a fortune teller?-"I…went to the Featherman Arcade Contest…"
-"You did!?"- Panther said in shock.-"Well, I guess it makes sense since you didn't have to go to classes but…"
-"What's wrong with that? I went too."- Skull mentioned.
-"I went as well. One of the great prizes was coupons to the Featherman Curry Cafe for free meals."- Fox said with a bit of excitement.-"Ah…it's a shame I had to buy the ticket for the last day when that prize ran out."
-"Hehe. Well, tough luck because Ace went against Feather Hawk and she won prizes."- Mona bragged to annoy them.-"One of them was the robot."
-"Wow. Are you that good?"- Panther said as Ace was silently praying they will drop the conversation to not mention anything about the Pigeon and the Fortune Teller.
-"Well, I wasn't able to beat him really…"- Ace murmured.
-"That's ok! Sister is so strong, she will get him on his knees next time!"- Kazuya said as he approached his embarrassed sister.
-"So skipped class to go to play videogames, huh?"- Ruler said with a tough tone directed to the others, disappointed in their actions.
-"Come on, I'm sure you wanted to go as well, Ruler."- Panther told him with a playful smirk.
-"Pass. I don't have time for places like that."- Ruler said as he crossed his arms and looked to the opposite side from the rest.-"Just don't let the teachers catch you on your lies."
- "Grandpa! Open your eyes!"- this tunnel also started to echo voices from Furukawa's subconscious. A voice that Ace recognized as well.
- "The man suffered a psychotic breakdown apparently. If it wasn't for his grandson, he would have drowned in a lake."- an unknown voice said, probably a doctor.
-" So the grandson was his hero."- Furukawa's voice said.-" You did well. A kid like you is really strong and smart."
-"Another one? Is she still thinking shit about Kazumi?"- Skull mentioned in frustration.
-" Mrs! My grandpa…He is going to heal right?"- the kid's voice kept saying.
-" But of course, little one. Unfortunately, I will need a lot of money to proceed…"- the voice of Furukawa said.-" Your grand dad is unconscious and we can't find anything to help him pay for the procedure… Do you know any of your other relatives to pass the message?"
- "Grandpa has money!"- the boy said.-" I will bring it, so Mrs. Healer can help him."
-" Aren't you a responsible child? Taking care of your grandpa like that, I am sure he will be proud of you once he wakes up."- the woman said with a happy voice.
-"Well, Ace?"- Morgana mentioned as she was quiet during the whole thing.
-"That wasn't about me nor Kazuya."- Ace mentioned.-"The kid I stood up against Furukawa yesterday…Sado-kun. I believe that was his voice."
-"For real?"- Skull mentioned wide eyed.-"So not only does she enjoy torturing sick kids, but to take advantage of the ones without parents too…?"
-"What's with this woman!? It's like she was rotten from the core!"- Panther commented, annoyed.
-"Oh."- Kazuya had ignored their conversation until he noticed that the cart stopped once again.-"No more fun?"
-"The rails are locked again."- Ruler mentioned.-"Seems like we have to make another stop."
-"And it seems to be the last one."- Morgana mentioned as he jumped out of the mine cart.
-"I can feel it."- he said as his cat ears wiggled.-"The treasure is really close now."
-"Let's get a map of this area too and uncover the full ride."- Ace demanded and the rest nodded as they entered one last area: ' Shinigami's Open Pit'.
-"Shinigami's…? That sounds off considering the other two areas had oversea names."- Panther mentioned as they checked the entrance.
-"No, it still fits right."- Fox mentioned.-"If I recall, the rakugo theater script of Shinigami is strikingly similar to a German fairytale, Death Godfather."
-"What's with the fairytale obsession? Pretty shitty from someone who takes advantage of kids."- Skull said, letting out a sigh.
They agreed to enter when they noticed this area was a deep fall pit that went so deep, they couldn't see the end, but they found a way to go down like a circular staircase. The guards in the pit were not in their way, but they could spot them from their harnessed platforms that went up and down. The rebels noticed that there were not any cognitive beings in that area unlike the gallery, the river and the chamber.
At the end of the pit, they saw a menacing shadow with human appearance. He had a blonde wig, a dyed goatee beard and was well dressed:
-"What's the hold up!? My dearest requests that you work faster!"- the shadow said to a bunch of cognitive beings that looked like adults in doctor clothes.
-"It seems he is the one in charge here."- Mona mentioned as they observed the cognitive beings working harder to extract rocks and make the pit deeper.
-"That shadow…It's weird how it shows like a human."- Ruler said.
-"Is it? We see it all the time in Mementos with the shadows of people we are requested to beat."- Fox replied.
-"Wait, didn't you guys mention that Shiho's shadow was found in Kamoshida's palace that one time?"- Panther remembered and Skull nodded to that.-"So maybe this shadow is like that…I wonder who that is…"
-"Hurry! Our next target is that useless present minister!"- the shadow kept saying.-"HaruHaru will bring hope to the health system! A cure for psychotic breakdowns! Everything she commands shall be done!"
-"HaruHaru…?"- Skull wondered.-"What's this guy on? I thought everyone here referred to her as Madam."
-"Wait! That could be…"- Ace had an idea.-"Her husband. The son of the mayor of the town I used to live in, Ichimose Furukawa!"
-"Hum? Who goes there spouting my name!?"- the shadow heard his name and turned around to see the seven silhouettes. They decided to get out of their hideout to see him.
-"A bunch of children in masks and a cat…?"- Shadow Ichimose said despondent.-"HaruHaru didn't mention anything like that. State your business, miners!"
-"Who are you calling miners?"- Panther said offended.
-"Les Blues Rebelles don't have any business with corrupted evil like you."- Ruler mentioned.-"But to make it easier for us, why don't you go ahead and show us the location of the railway lever, Mr. Furukawa?"
-"Les Blues Rebelles…? Ah, so you are looking to steal from my wife!"- the shadow said enraged and black energy started to surround it.-"Insolents! My wife is the greatest woman on this planet! You aren't touching a single gem from her!"
-"Seems like Prince Charming got really triggered."- Ace mentioned as she made Kazuya stand aside.-"Ruler, Skull, Fox, let's go!"
Shadow Ichimose vanished in a sprout of blood showing off as a titanic stone golem with the form of a samurai king and a ying-yang on his belt buckle (Oumitsunu), and two blue onis with spirals on the face (Fuu-ki):
-"Everything must go to my dear wife! She who has sacrificed everything for the good and suffered a life caged like a slave!"- the titan said as he raised his fists in anger, preparing to attack.
-"Sacrificed? Caged? Are you sure you are not talking about her victims?"- Ruler said with disgust to what he was hearing.
-"Don't bother, Ruler."- Ace told him.-"Furukawa might have always wore a fake personality in front of him too."
-"For now, Skull and Fox take care of the minions."- Ace ordered.-"Mona, Panther, try to find the lever."
-"Gotcha!"- Mona said as he and Panther left the battlefield to the boys and the leader
-"You! How dare you call my wife a liar!?"- Shadow Ichimose said in anger as he pointed at Ace.-"Take this!"-and threw a devastating bolt of lightning against her (Ziodyne).
-"Ace!"- Ruler proceeded to use Diarama to heal her.
-"Thanks…"- Ace said as she changed her mask to Titan and powered up the group with Matarukaja.
-"These guys are weak to thunder right? I am plenty full of it!"- Skull said as he cracked his knuckles and touched his mask to make Captain Kidd appear.-"Mazio!"
-"Wait, Skull!"- Ruler tried to warn him that Oumitsunu repelled lightning and at the same time the wind onis got hit, Skull did as well received a light hit.
-"Are you alright?"- Ace said as she saw him hurt.-"Be careful next time!"
-"That was nothing!"- Skull replied and raised his palm to Fox.-"There Fox, those guys are shivering!"
-"I see."- Fox took a look and after confirming, he took the chance of the baton pass.
-"You idiots! Need me to give you a stronger bolt than that!?"- Shadow Ichimose said, disappointed as he raised the defense of his band.
-"Your defense is just as weak as your criteria over that wretched woman!"- Fox said as he went in with his katana, slicing and cutting one of the onis while shooting effortlessly to the other one. The kitsune masked outlaw then proceeded to land in with Ace and Ruler.-"The job is done."
-"Awesome. Thank you, guys!"- Ace praised him and she looked at Ruler who gave her a thumbs up, which meant he already knew the weakness of the big one.
-"Why you-!"- Oumitsunu proceeded to use a physical skill, Kill Rush, against Fox who proceeded to avoid it swiftly.
-"Ruler, are you ready?"- Ace said as she stood up with another Persona, Yaksini.
-"Let's get this done. I am not going to pass up the chance to embarrass this man before Furukawa herself."- Ruler mentioned as he summoned Conqueror.
-"Teenager brats, is insulting a hardworking woman all you can do?"- the titan tried to step on Ruler who avoided him with his bike and started going in circles against him.
-"Careful there, don't let rage take you…"- Ace said to him as she directed Yaksini to his face.-"Or maybe do so?"
-"Wage War!"- Ace commanded the skill and Yaksini conjured a status change spell that made Oumitsunu furious and completely off guard.
-"Argh! You will see!!"- Ichimose tried to attack Ruler in vain as his movements were too slow to actually hit the motorcycle.
-"Is this alright? What if Ruler gets hit?"- Fox asked Ace as he and Skull went next to her.
-"Don't worry. The rage status won't last long."- Ace replied with a confident smile and shortly, the titan was tired of punching.
-"Mafrei!"- and so, Ruler made Conqueror blast several nuclear spheres towards the giant leaving him knocked on his knees. The thieves in battle surrounded the titan with a hold up.
-"No…! You can't do this…!"- Oumitsunu cooled down and said desperate.-"HaruHaru can't heal the psychotic breakdowns if you get her…!"
-"Yeah right, if that woman ever cares about anyone but herself!"- Skull replied.
-"Ichimose Furukawa. We have nothing against you, but maybe you should start considering that your wife is the wolf instead of the red hood."- Ace said to him.-"And we won't let her hurt more people with her scummy practices!"
-"You heard our leader."- Ruler said.-"Stop blinding yourself. You were going to kill an innocent man for her, weren't you?"
-"I…agh…!"- the shadow was found speechless to that accusation.
-"He's in disarray, let's go!"- Ruler commanded as the four of them performed an All-out attack that he finished by landing on a superhero pose and showing off his back and his scarf waved with the wind and the words "JUSTICE HAS PREVAILED" appeared in a policial background while the shadow bleed out.
The group saw Ichimose return to his previous form as he was still holding up:
-"You're right… She has changed…"- he said defeated.-"Haruka is not the same as when she saved my life…"
-"This guy…"- Panther who had returned with Morgana and Kazuya, witnessed this surprise. She felt that he wasn't not being delusional as how he was at the beginning.
-"Please, make her change her mind. I'm sure she can trace back…"- he said as he seemed to implore for forgiveness.
-"We aren't saints and we don't do miracles."- Ace told him seriously.-"If you really want your wife back, then speak to her once we take what we came for."
-"..."- Ichimose looked disappointed and he vanished as he left an item behind. Ace grabbed it, turning out to be a thunder bracer.
-"..."- Panther let out a sigh.-"I can't believe I will feel bad for someone like them… ever for a second."
-"No, it's fine. It was the same with the other two."- Ace mentioned.-"They had their circumstances but no matter what, their acts were inexcusable."
-"We found the lever. This is our last stop."- Mona mentioned as he showed them a topaz stone with the form of a turned on candle.
-"What do you mean? That looks like a candle to me!"- Skull said, confused.
-"Well, last time the lever was behind that apple stone."- Panther said.-"We thought there was something about this one.
-"In the story of the tale, Death showed his godson that every life is shown by a candle and once the light of a candle turns off, the person whose candle is, dies."- Fox explained that part of the tale.-"The godson's candle was extinguished by Death when he wanted to save the princess whose time was fated to end there."
-"So all we have to do is extinguish the candle."- Ace said as she took it with her hands.
-"Oh! I want to do it! Let me do it!"- Kazuya said excited.-"I love blowing off candles!"
-"Alright. Close your eyes and make a wish."- Ace said to him smiling as she kneeled to give him the candle. Kazuya blew the candle with all his lung strength and a small earthquake made the lever appear from the ground.
Once the thieves pulled the lever, they heard the railways changing and a rising platform also appeared to take them to the edge of the open-pit to the exit. Then, they rode the mine cart once again towards the end of the road:
-" I believe I have made myself clear."- once again, voices could be heard in the tunnel.-" While the idea of working on these particular cases was enticing, I refuse to cooperate any further!"
-" Do you even know who you are refusing to? I am no ordinary healer, Hiromi."- this time Furukawa's voice gave away to who she was speaking to.
-"She's talking to Doctor Hiromi?"- Ace was surprised. She was unaware of their association, as they sounded like they had made a deal before.
- "Studying clinical phenomena to gain political power is nothing but immoral, Furukawa."- the man replied angrily.-" It goes against the principles of medicine to act against the best interest of the affected."
-" Don't give me that. How do you think you got the means to continue operating without me moving the threads?"- Furukawa replied to him.- "If it wasn't because I knew of your skills, you would still be dragging your old ass down to even get an operating license."
-"What is she even saying…?"- Fox asked to Ruler.
-" I have not forgotten, but I will put it to good use."- Hiromi replied with a certain insecurity.
-" Oh. Do you mean your young patient?"- Furukawa said with a malicious voice.- "How can you even plan on operating on him, Hiromi? Did you even talk to the family about lobotomizing him?"
-"...Lobotomizing?"- Ruler said horrified.
-"What does that mean?"- Panther asked as she noticed his scared tone.
-"By the look of things, that doctor, Hiromi, was going to remove an entire half of a patient's brain."- Ruler explained, which freaked out the rest.
-"That can't be…!"- Ace said in shock.-"That sounds cruel."
-"Sis. Don't be scared."- Kazuya mentioned as he saw her react like that.-"It's almost over."
-"Kazuya…?"- Ace mentioned worried and soon enough the ride was over. The railway finished towards a path, where they saw the entrance to one elevator.
-"An elevator…"- Ace checked the map but the place ended there and there was only a safe room in that same area.-"What do you think, Mona?"
-"There's no doubt."- Mona said as his tail fell down feeling captivated.-"Meow~ The treasure is right up this elevator!"
-"Alright. So we should have a way to the top floor right?"- Skull said as he checked but the elevator had its switch hidden.-"But there's nothing here…"
-"Let's look around."- Mona suggested and so they did but they couldn't find anything.-"Tough luck…it seems we can't get in."
-"Only she can go in."- Kazuya mentioned after he saw them cluelessly looking around.
-"She? You mean Furukawa?"- Fox asked, confused.
-"Yes. She came here last time when everyone was out."- Kazuya nodded.
-"Can we take his word?"- Ruler asked as the kid was sharing very important yet unusual information.
-"Kazuya, how come you know that?"- Ace asked him as she kneeled next to him and took him by the shoulders.
-"This elevator is only for her to use. I saw it."- Kazuya said.-"It goes up all the way out of the mine."
-"Out of the mine…?"- Ace thought about it for a second and remembered that they found the existence of a second floor in the gallery building.-"So all this time, her treasure was on the surface."
-"Shadow Furukawa had the second floor blocked. It seems this elevator is our only way."- Mona crossed his arms to think.-"In that case, we shall send the calling card next."
-"I see. By making the target believe that the treasure is in danger it will cause it to materialize."- Ruler analyzed.-"It will cause her to descend here to protect it."
-"And so we will ambush her!"- Skull added with excitement.
-"I doubt she will throw the towel so easily…"- Fox said.-"Ace, we are leaving the timing of the calling card up to you."
-"Sure."- Ace replied but then looked at the little boy, worried.
-"Big sis?"- Kazuya called her out confused by her expression.
-"Say, Kazuya. This place is going to fall down once we finish with the mean lady."- Ace told him.-"You have to get out of here before that happens, got it?"
-"One last ride."- Kazuya replied to her.-"I'm not going anywhere until I get one last ride in the mine cart!"
-"Can the kid even go beyond this place?"- Skull wondered as they heard the conversation between the siblings.
-"That's something we don't know. After all, he might not be part of this place at all."- Mona replied.
-"Why is that?"- Ace asked the kid.
-"Our promise! I want one last ride with big sis and then the promise will be fulfilled."- Kazuya demanded.
-"So this is what's about…"- Ace sighed and looked at the rest.-"Well guys, you heard my little brother."
-"We are going down one last time in the mine cart, the day of the heist."- she declared.
-"Ace…"- Panther could feel that she was doing her best to not cry as she said those words.-"I'm on it! Let's say goodbye to our chaperone with a full ride!"- she expressed with a smile.
The other thieves agreed to that condition and they left Kazuya in the safe room of the mine entrance. Moments after, they left the palace through the Metaverse navigator and appeared on the bridge:
-"Oh. It's raining…"- Kazumi mentioned as her nose got splashed by a water drop.
-"Right now?? Let's hurry! I don't want to get my hair ruined!"- Ann exclaimed as she took her bag and covered her head, and left running.
The rest followed her shortly and they all went their separate ways home. As Kazumi arrived home, she got some text messages from the group chat about how the infiltration was a success and how excited they were to send in the calling card to teach the woman a lesson:
"Kazumi-san, did you think of the way home when do you want to send the card?"- Yusuke asked her through the chat.
/"Sooner is better, isn't it? That way you might still be here to see it."- Makoto mentioned.
"We will send it July 2nd."- Kazumi decided.-"I will go on preparing the equipment."
-"Gotcha! It's a bit late considering how you wanted to keep your promise to your lil bro."- Ryuji commented.
"What kind of promise was he talking about, Kazumi?"- Ann asked.
"It's nothing too important. I'll tell you guys once I figure out what he is."- Kazumi promised before leaving the chat.
-"Welcome back. Why the long face?"- Sojiro asked her as he was finishing the clean up.
-"I am kind of tired today."- Kazumi said with a slight vow of apology.-"How did you do today?"
-"Same as everyday."- Sojiro replied and put his fedora on.
-"Today is the 27th huh? It's hard to believe there's a week and a half before you leave this place."- he mentioned.
-"It's too early for farewells."- Kazumi said to him.-"I'm sure you are thrilled to have your place for yourself."
-"Who knows? The pay I received for you was good too."- Sojiro said jokingly and then left the building.-"Lock up and turn off the lights."
-"Will do!"- Kazumi said back and did as told. It was a tiring day to do anything else and so, she decided to rest.
The Midas' river, Snow White's chamber, and Shinigami's Open Pit, along with Shadow Ichimose's claims of Furukawa's heroic deeds of saving lives. They all seemed to tell something about her target and nemesis that she did not want to ignore…and also, she did not want them to disturb her actions. But in between all that information about Haruka Furukawa, one thing shocked her to the core even in her attempt to sleep:
What really happened between her and Shinkai Hiromi?
Take Your Time.
