Chapter 7: The Fall of the Castle of Lust
April 29th…
"Exploring a Palace was really tiring", Kazumi thought. She ended up doing nothing after she came back from the Metaverse yesterday.
Classes today were nothing out of the ordinary, aside from the fact that she crossed looks with Kamoshida that morning. That dirty teacher was still full of himself and you could see that he was happier about expelling her and Ryuji than ever. He'll pay for messing with them; that was for sure.
Kazumi accepted Ryuji's proposal to jog around the courtyard after school. Unfortunately, Ryuji pushed himself harder this time and ended up tired faster than last time:
-"What's wrong with me…? Back then I trained for the Nationals and I was doing perfectly…Now I totally suck..."-Ryuji said disappointed on himself.
-"That's why I told you to not push yourself so hard…"-Kazumi said as she gave him a bottle of water.
-"Hey! What the hell are you doing here!?"-a voice exclaimed approaching to them.
-"Nakaoka…? Takeishi…?"-Ryuji recognized the three students coming to them.
-"Running, huh? We saw you from the window."-the guy named Nakaoka said.
-"What? You're trying to crawl back on the track team?"-the Takeishi guy said.
-"Hell no…"-Ryuji replied not so sure of his own answer.
-"Yeah, right."-Naoka said in sarcasm.-"Anyways, this was your training spot right? Well. It's now ours, the former track team."
-"We don't even have a locker room, thanks to someone I know."-Takeishi said, making fun of Ryuji who was silent about it.
-"Is that how you guys treat your former teammate?"-Kazumi interrupted the conversation with a serious face.-"I hope you're not looking for a fight here. I'll hate that."
-"Leave it, Kazumi. We're not fighting here."-Ryuji said to her with a serious face.
-"Yeah. This is not even close to fighting."-Takeishi said.-"What a dramatic girl..."
-"Wait. Aren't you that transfer student?"-Nakaoka pointed at her-"You're seriously hanging out and defending this loser?"
-"You better watch out. The second you pissed him off, he'll hit you even if you're a girl."-Takeishi pointed out.
-"Huh? Is that true?"-Kazumi said with a big smile.-"I must say he hits really hard in more than one way~. Not that some single losers without a team can understand it…"
-"...What?"-the guys reacted in the way Kazumi expected them to react. Even Ryuji was surprised by her reply.
-"K-Kazumi!"-he said embarrassed.-"Don't say anything like that. This doesn't involve you!"-he stood in front of her.
-"Listen, I…"-Ryuji tried to apologize with the track team but Nakaoka interrupted him.
-"I don't want to hear your excuses, Sakamoto."-he said.-"We were all going through the same shit with Kamoshida, but, no, you had to ruin it all."
-"Man, I was stupid for thinking about you as a teammate back then. But, you just ended up being as shittier as your dad was with you."-he stood in front of Ryuji making him frustrated.
-"Ryuji-kun, calm down."-Kazumi holded his arm softly as she said this. Ryuji took a deep breath before replying to Nakaoka.
-"That has nothing to do with this…"-he replied.
-"...That's all I wanted to say. I'm outta here."-Nakaoka paused for a moment before going back with the others from his ex-team.
-"They finally left…"-Kazumi murmured and looked worried about Ryuji.-"That was a good act, huh? I wanted to use it on the real world for once!"
-"Uhmm…"-Ryuji was blushing.-"Seriously, don't do that. It was enough with what you did in the palace…"
-"I prefer how you truly are, you know?"-that phrase made Kazumi blush a bit.-"Anyways, thanks for supporting me there. I was seriously goin' to hit him when he mentioned my dad…"
-"It's the least I can do for you…"-Kazumi smiled.-"Besides, I kinda related to this situation…"
-"Remember that I told you I was on the softball team?"-she asked him and he nodded.-"They were kind of disappointed at me when they found out about my moving. I couldn't explain to them properly what happened and left them behind when we were practicing for the regional finals…"
-"Were you really close to them?"-Ryuji asked.
-"As teammates, yes. We guarded each other's back at anytime…"-Kazumi said but she noticed that her chatting was depressing Ryuji a bit.
-"I know! Since you always use heavy weapons to hit...Do you want me to teach you how to swing perfectly?"-Kazumi asked him.
-"Hell yeah. That would be so awesome!"-Ryuji recovered his excitement.-"Let's get that training going!"-he showed his hand up and Kazumi high-fived with him in agreement.
The Chariot arcana card got a third star.
*Follow up with Ryuji unlocked*
-"I'm very close to Ryuji-kun now…"-Kazumi thought.-"Somehow, I feel bad that I can't tell him nor the others about my past…"
After the training, they split up and Kazumi went to sell all the treasures she found on the Palace to the Airsoft Shop. The owner didn't really asked her about the source of the goods and just bought them from her. She eventually bought a few stronger accessories and armors too. The supermarket also had very good foods and she bought them. She also attempted to create stronger Personas in the Velvet Room, only leaving Arsene and Jack Frost intact. Later, she went home and made coffee. Sojiro tried it and he gave his seal of approval.
April 30th…
While she was waiting for the train, Kazumi met with Ann on the boarding platform:
-"Good morning. How are you feeling today?"-Ann asked her.
-"Very energized. How are you, Ann?"-she asked back.
-"Really good, more than ever. We're going to send out the card today right?"-Ann insisted.
-"Yeah. We are ready to go for the big time."-Kazumi murmured as more people came to the platform.
-"I can't wait for this. He'll finally pay for what he did to Shiho…"-Ann said. Kazumi smiled a bit upset; nothing Ann didn't noticed.
-"I'm still keeping my promise."-Ann said to Kazumi.-"After this, let's get to know each other Kazumi!"
-"Yes!"-Kazumi said cheered up. She was actually jealous of Ann. If she could have that resolve back when she was going to awake Arsene, she could've gain the power to face up that woman who ruined her life back then.
After school, the rebels gathered in the school rooftop to discuss about the calling card:
-"Alright. Let's do the calling card."-Kazumi said.-"We only have two days after all…"
-"I was waiting for you to say that."-Ryuji said excited.-"That bastard is going down…"
-"Listen. The treasure will be visible for a day after Kamoshida sees the calling card."-Morgana explained.-"That's why the treasure route has to be secured first."
-"So, let's get this clear. We send the calling card in the morning and we go for the treasure later at night."-Ann summarized.
-"Correct. The effect won't last that long. Are you worried?"-Morgana asked her.
-"Waited too long."-Ann said with a confident smile.
-"Perfect."-Morgana said agreeing to her excitement.-"So, who's going to write the calling card?"
-"Oh! Me, me, me! Leave it to me!"-Ryuji said as he was an excited child.
-"Why?"-Ann asked estranged.
-"Why wouldn't be me?"-Ryuji said to her as he was being offended.
-"Can you handle the pressure?"-Ann asked.
-"I must agree with her."-Morgana said after licking one of his front paws to shove it behind his ear.
-"I really want to get him good."-Ryuji explained and looked at Kazumi with puppy eyes.-"Let me write it. Come on, please?"
-"We are counting on you then, Ryuji-kun."-Kazumi said to him with a reassuring smile. She couldn't say no that face.
-"Yeah! Don't worry! I got this!"-Ryuji said in victory.
-"Hey, are you really sure about this? If for some reason our identities are found out, all this effort will be for nothing."-Ann said.
-"I know, I know!"-Ryuji said at the point she made.
-"Show us wrong, Ryuji-kun. If I get expelled for a second time…"-Kazumi said already putting pressure on him but he just smiled as he was trying to ease their worries.
-"Fine. Tomorrow it is!"-Morgana said.-"You guys better not slack off!"
-"Let's take the heart of that lustful teacher!"-Kazumi said bringing the excitement out of her partners.
May 1st…
It was a Sunday, however, the notice ran around the school. A calling card was placed on the bulletin board of Shujin Academy and the students from club activities saw it. Ann was there and she read the card:
-" 'Sir Suguru Kamoshida, the utter bastard of Lust. We know how shitty you are and that you put your twisted desires on students who can't fight back.
That's why we have decided to steal those desires and make you confess your sins. This will be done tomorrow so hope you are ready.
From: The Phantom Thieves of Hearts.' "
Ann sighed. That definitely looked like Ryuji wrote it. She saw him, Kazumi and Morgana gathered on a corner near the board and went towards them:
-"Not bad, huh? I looked a bunch of stuff online for reference."-Ryuji said proud of his work.
-"Uhmm...yeah…"-Ann said uncomfortable.-"I kind of get what you were trying to say but it sounded like an idiot trying to be an adult."
-"So, it sounded like Ryuji-kun after all…"-Kazumi murmured.
-"What is that supposed to mean!?"-Ryuji exclaimed pissed off. They heard the people talking about the card and Ryuji calmed down a bit.-"It got everyone excited so, that's good, yeah?"
-"If we do this again, make sure to ask me for help."-Kazumi said worried. It is true that she entrusted Ryuji with the task but his work needed to be polished after all.
-"Who's responsible for this!?"-they heard Kamoshida's voice. He just arrived to see the calling card.
-"Look at that. A perfect reaction for someone who knows what it means to lose his desires."-Morgana meowed.
Kamoshida was angry and he asked around for the responsible. He saw the only three students left who didn't ran away and it hit him:
-"Was it you two!?"-Kamoshida exclaimed against Kazumi and Ryuji.
-"I don't know what are you talking about, 'King' Kamoshida."-Kazumi made fun of him pretending to know nothing.
-"Very funny, but I'll be the one who laughs at last."-he said with still a confident smile.-"Just wait until tomorrow, you punks."
The space distorted in a flash and they all could see Shadow Kamoshida instead of the real one:
-"Come. Steal if you can."-he dared them before the distorted space returned to normal. The real Kamoshida left as well.
-"This is our chance. The treasure must have appeared on the Palace."-Morgana said and the others nodded. They went outside towards the alley and activated the Nav app. It was time to put an end to his thirst of luxury.
Kazumi handed out the new equipment just in case Kamoshida had something under his sleeve. The rebels teleported towards a safe room close to the throne room and saw the door open. They went through the room thinking that all guards were assigned to other places and entered in the treasure room.
In front of them, there was a giant crown floating were the blurry sphere was before:
-"Damn. So this is the treasure."-Skull mentioned.
-"See? It's just as I said! Now we can steal it!"-Mona said excited.-"It kind of brings shine to my eyes…"
-"It pissed me off. Why is it so pretty?"-Panther said.-"This IS Kamoshida's desires after all."
-"Imagine how much we will win for selling it…"-Ace said admiring the crown.
-"T-Treasure…"-Mona was doing it too but he started to wiggle way too excited.
-"Is something wrong?"-Panther asked.
-"Meoooow!"-Morgana suddenly pounced over the crown and purr at it.
-"Mona...That's not catnip…"-Ace said a bit weirded by Morgana's reaction.
-"Mew! Mew! Meooow!"-Morgana was still acting unusual towards the treasure.
-"Alright. That's enough you stupid cat."-Skull said and Morgana snapped.
-"Oh, yeah. Forgive me for displaying such a behavior in front of the ladies…"-Mona said embarrassed.
-"What was that about? You were completely out of character…"-Panther asked.
-"I don't know either!"-Mona replied.-"To think I will be so drawn to human desires this much…"
-"Don't you think that makes me a human too?"-Mona said a bit excited.
-"If that's how you feel like…"-Ace replied to him unsure.-"Anyways, we can't waste more time here. Let's carry it."
-"Yes!"-Panther and Ryuji said as the three of them took the crown down.
-"It's heavy…"-Panther complained.
-"I think it's fine."-Ace said to her.-"You just have to think you're carrying a box."
-"Huh? Is that simple?"-the other girl asked impressed.
-"To think this will go so well…"-Mona said as he looked at Ace-"I even found three Persona-users in the process. Meow! I'm glad to have made this deal with you, Leader!"
-"Hehe. Thank you for your trust."-Ace said with a smile. She felt her bond with Morgana was now deeper than before.
The Magician arcana got a second star.
*Baton pass with Morgana unlocked*
They carried the treasure back to the throne room when suddenly:
-"Go! Go! Let's go! Kamoshida!"-they heard that familiar voice. Shadow Kamoshida used a strong volleyball spike to throw the crown out of the thieves' hands.
-"What was that!?"-Panther exclaimed in shock.
Shadow Kamoshida jumped close to the throne seat and reverted the size of his treasure to a normal sized crown. That image of Princess Ann was back too, clinging into him. The rebels looked towards him:
-"This treasure is the sole source of this world. I won't let you steal it from me."-Kamoshida said while holding the crown on his hand.
-"That rat bastard…"-Panther murmured.
-"Yo, pervert. Were you waitin' to ambush us?"-Skull said in sarcasm.
-"I just made it easier to find you. I'll end things right here and now."-he said in a serious tone.
-"Very well, then. We won't go without the treasure."-Ace said as she offered a challenge.
-"You'll pay for keeping all stuff you did a secret from all of us."-Panther said.
-"Secret? The ones around me were the ones who maintain it secret."-he said.-"The Principal, the adults who wanted to share my success, the students who were driven to be winners…"
-"They all wanted a piece of my victory and defended me in order to get profit of it. "-he explained.
-"Don't make bullshit excuses like that!"-Skull accused him.
-"Excuses? Of course, idiots like you and that girl who tried to kill herself will never understand that!"-Kamoshida said.
-"She could have been a total idiot, letting you play with her, keeping quiet about it, committing suicide…"-Panther said.-"But I was an idiot too for not realizing about that."
-"Whether we were idiots or not, that doesn't give you the right to decide our lives!"-Panther screamed as he pointed at him.-"Stop thinking you're some kind of King, you're beneath of everyone else here!"
-"What did you say!?"-Kamoshida voice was getting distorted.-"I am not like you, pests. I am a demon who rules THIS WORLD!"
Shadow Kamoshida, his princess and the treasure were merged in a red and black aura. A gruesome monster started to grow from it and the villain bloomed, he was now a giant human with deformed head, a long and abnormal tongue, many arms attached, a grail with sexy woman legs in front of him and he was holding golden cuttery, a knife sharpener and a wine glass:
-"I CAN DO WHATEVER THE HELL I WANT!"-he exclaimed throughout the room.
-"This will be your last mistake…"-Ace said as she fixed her gloves preparing for battle.
-"Uarghhhhhhh!"-the giant demon screamed really to finish it all.-"You goddamn, no-good, shitty brats...I'll teach you to not point to another people!"
-"Ace, the treasure is over there."-Morgana pointed at the crown on the monster's head.-"We have to drop his guard so we can take it!"
-"Roger! Let's go on the offensive for now!"-Ace said to her team.
-"Arsene!"-she summoned the gentleman demon.
-"Sukunda!"-she ordered and the demon lowered Kamoshida's accuracy.
-"Take this!"-Kamoshida said as he threw volleyballs at them like a rain. The aim was bad enough to hit only Ace out of all the rebels but it wasn't enough to leave her weak.
-"We can't get closer to the treasure at this point!"-Morgana complained.-"Zorro, show your might!"-he summoned his Persona and used Garu against the Volleyballs, sending them back to Kamoshida.
-"Gah!"-he said suffering a significant amount of damage.
-"Panther, Skull!"-Ace called them to attack.
-"Dance, Carmen!"-Panther used Agi on him,
-"Captain Kidd!"- and Skull used Zio.
-"This is just the beginning!"-Ace said and Arsene used the attack Dream Needle.
-"Your attacks don't even scratch me!"-the Shadow said as he attacked Skull with his golden knife but he was able to avoid it.
-"Nice timing, Skull!"-Mona appraised.
-"Mona, shot!"-Ace ordered.
-"Ok, nya!"-he exclaimed as he throw beads with his slingbow.
-"Skull, Panther, focus on power up."-she commanded. Skull increased his own power using Tarukaja and Ann lowered Kamoshida's attack with Tarunda.
-"Berith!"-Ace ran towards Kamoshida summoning a Persona with the appearance of a knight riding a red horse.-"Go!"-the knight used a physical skill, attacking him right on one of his arms.
-"I'm tired of your petty skills…"-Kamoshida growled in pain.-"I need healin'!"
At his exclamation, he used his golden fork to get a pair of sexy woman limbs from the grail in front of him and eat it. Panther and the others wanted to throw up just from seeing it. Kamoshida's fatigue was healed after chunking his meal:
-"For real!? Did he just healed himself?"-Skull said in shock.
-"Guess we'll have to deal with that cup first…"-Panther said.
-"Mona, the ofuda!"-Ace said to him and Morgana used the amulet with the inscription of "Rasentsu" to power up all the team.
-"Oraaahhh!"-Skull ran towards the monster with his power up extended.
-"Oh? You're approaching me, Sakamoto? Instead of running away, you're coming right to me knowing that I can pierce you with this fork and end your pathetic life?"-Kamoshida said in a cocky tone.
-"I can't beat the crap out of you if I don't get closer!"-Skull replied-"Eat this!"-Skull placed his hand on his mask, making Captain Kidd appear and hit Kamoshida right on the face with his boat.
-"Augh…"-Kamoshida was hurt but not so much, after all he still had the cup.-"It's useless. You don't have the power to beat me."
-"Hyaaah!"-Panther attacked the cup with her whip in his distraction.
-"What!?"-he was shocked.-"You brats. Listen, don't dare to touch this trophy. If you keep doing it, I'm gonna get angry!"
-"Too bad for you. When someone tells us not to do something, we want to do it even more!"-Mona replied.
-"Jack Frost!"-Ace changed her mask-"Lucky Punch~heho!"-the adorable elf landed a critical hit on the cup, giving Ace the chance to do something else.
-"Panther!"-Ace high-fived her partner giving her the power of the baton pass.
-"Take this!"-Panther burned the whole thing using Agi.
-"Oh no!"-Kamoshida was in shock. He was in a disadvantage now. The four rebels surrounded him to do a hold up.
-"Wait. You can't do this…"-he said in almost defeat.-"This is from when I won the nationals…"-he looked at Ace.
-"Do you really think you can get away with this!? Don't you know who I am?"-he said with that up high attitude.-"I am Kamoshida! I'm the King!"
-"So what?"-Ace said with a confident smile.
-"Huh!? Like I said, I'm Kamoshida! You can't do this to me!"-he repeated.
-"For someone who looks down on everyone, you look seriously pathetic right now."-Ryuji said.
-"We came all this way for that crown. Will you just shut up and hand it over?"-Panther said.
-"Silence! I won't let the likes of you to have this!"-he exclaimed.
-"Guess that just leaves us to take it by force…"-Morgana said with a smile.
-"Let's us commence."-Ace ordered the All-Out Attack but this wasn't enough to take him down and he pushed them over with a hit of his long tongue.
-"I am the King! If I'm not, then who is!?"-he sai angry before taking a slurp from the wine glass he had. The demon flavored the cherry (Princess Ann) of his wine and split it back on the glass. His power was increased.
-"Looks like brute force won't be enough…"-Mona said.
Ace was a bit on her limit, using physical skills was fatigating her. She looked at the monster thinking for a way to ease the battle:
-"What is he focused on? The enemies in front or the proof of its worth?"-she heard the voice of Berith in her mind.
-"The Crown…"-Ace murmured.-"Everyone, guard now!"-the four rebels guarded behind the column of the room.
-"That won't save you!"-Kamoshida said as he started to throw volleyballs again.
-"Listen, we have to take that crown down."-Ace said to her partners while they were hiding.-"He's too focused on us, we have to take that opportunity to take the treasure."
-"I have an idea! One of us should go for the crown and the others will distract him."-Mona said.-"We just need one who can go to the terrance without being seen."
-"In that case, Skull will go."-Ace said looking at him.
-"Me?"-he said surprised but felt good for being trusted with an important task.-"Leave it to me!"
-"I have no demands but, why Skull…?"-Panther asked confused.
-"Kamoshida is a pervert obsessed with woman right? That means he will notice if me or Panther are gone. Then, there's Mona who can keep up the healing."-she explained.-"Real Kamoshida also ignores Ryuji-kun a lot…"
-"I see! This plan might work after all!"-Mona said excited.
-"Skull, we're counting on you."-Panther said to him and he put his thumb up in agreement.
-"Let's go!"-Ace said as they stopped hiding. Skull ran towards the terrace while Kamoshida focused on the other three who went in front of him.
*All stat buffs and debuffs reverted*
*Kamoshida's attack still up*
-"Berith! Rakunda!"-Ace ordered, lowering the defense of Kamoshida.
-"Mona, focus on healing us for now."-she said.-"Panther, lower his attack."
-"Persona! Meow-yeah!"-Mona used dia to heal her.
-"Persona!"-Panther summoned Carmen to use Tarunda again.
-"Let's get this going!"-Skull said as he hid on a sculpture next to Kamoshida in hope he didn't realize he was there.
The demon stared at Panther and then, attacked Morgana with his knife, hurting him:
-"Looks like I'll have to be tougher…"-Shadow Kamoshida said as the Thieves were very persistent. -"Slaves! Bring my you-know-what! From when I was young and rockin' it!"
Little deformed men chained to the King ran towards the exit of the throne room, passing from the Thieves. Morgana noticed that there was something off about that:
-"He's going to do something...We better guard ourselves!"-he advised. Ace nodded and they all guard themselves, holding a hand on the mask so their Personas will get the hit.
-"Here comes my kill shot!"-Shadow Kamoshida exclaimed as he made a spike with a giant volleyball that was thrown from the opposite side of the room, probably from his slaves. The spike caused an explosion that hit all his enemies with the exception of Skull.
-"Auch!"-Ace and the others were lightly hurt due to their Personas protecting them.
-"Jack Frost!"-she changed her mask and used Dia on her.-"Heal up, everyone!"
Panther and Mona used Dia on them as well:
-"Listen, the school exists because I'm around!"-Kamoshida said.-"If you take me out, it would be nothing but mediocre!"
-"The school doesn't need people like you, not before, not now."-Skull said as jumped to reach the top of the sculpture when he saw that Kamoshida was really focused on the girls.
-"He's not planning to take long, is he?"-Mona thought as they were still on the front.
-"Take this!"-Ace attacked him with her dagger with the speed enough to make her look like a shadow moving.
-"You little…!"-Kamoshida was angry but he didn't catch at time and focused on Panther.
*Kamoshida's attack reverted*
-"Panther, here!"-Morgana healed her.
-"He's coming for you. Guard yourself!"-Ace said and Panther took her order.
-"Let me taste the real deal!"-Kamoshida attacked Panther's Persona with his tongue.
-"Agh! That was gross!"-Panther complained. Fortunately, she was not covered in his saliva.
-"Wait. You got it all wrong! I haven't sexually harassed anyone!"-Kamoshida said.-"They all come to me because they wanted to get on my good side!"
-"Good side, my ass."-Skull murmured as he went up the sculpture right on the terrace.-"That was a lot harder than I thought…"
-"Will you shut up already? I have no need to hear your excuses…"-Ace said as she crossed her arms.-"We'll take that treasure, so you'll learn the consequences of being the scum you are."
-"Skull is in position, let's do a last distraction!"-she thought.
-"Persona!"-she summoned Jack Frost and used Bufu on him. Kamoshida was more than halfway to be defeated.
-"Here, Ace!"-Morgana passed a Recov-R 100 mg to Ace to heal herself.
-"Persona!"-Panther healed herself.
-"I'll eat you!"-Kamoshida said as he attacked with his golden knife to Ace. She could stand the hit thanks to her current Persona.
-"This is my chance!"-Skull jumped and used a strong swing to hit the crown off his head. Consequently, Kamoshida also dropped his wine glass and his knife sharpener.
-"Nice, Skull!"-Panther said as he went back with them.
-"Tehehe."-Skull smiled while doing a peace sign.
-"No! My precious!"-Kamoshida was freaking out.-"I was so focused on those cuties…!"
-"...He really has no shame."-Mona commented.
-"Let's focus on taking him down!"-Ace said.
-"Berith, cleave!"-she ordered and the knight landed a critical hit, leaving Kamoshida dejected.-"Mona!"-she high-fived the cat.
-"Here it goes!"-Mona used Garu on him.-"Panther!"-he high-fived her.
-"Haaahhhh!"-she shot at him with her SMG.-"Finish him!"-she said as she high-fived with Skull.
-"Alright! This is the last one!"-Skull said as he hit Kamoshida hard with a headbutt on the chest making him drop his cuttery.
-"Gah!"-Kamoshida screamed as he fell defeated and returned to his previous form.
-"We did it!"-the thieves celebrated. The crown resized itself to its compact form and before any of them could reach it, Kamoshida took it back in distress and ran until he found himself surrounded between his enemies and the balcony.
-"What's wrong? You're not going to run away?"-Panther said in a serious tone.-"Aren't you a great athlete?"
-"..."-Kamoshida was sweating and frustrated.-"It's always been like this...all those damn hyenas forced their expectations on me."
-"What's wrong with taking my reward if I'm doing it for them?!"-he said.
-"Don't make yourself look like a hero."-Ace spoke.-"How can you be so proud of what you have done? You're just being worse than those who preyed on you."
-"I don't care…! That's how the world is!"-he said scared of her. He has never been so scared on a woman above of all the things.
-"What? Now, you're scared? Serves you right."-Skull said.
-"You're in the same place as Shiho, just like when she was scared and got no choice to jump."-Panther got a step closer.-"Oh? Are you going to jump too? Or you will rather die here?"
Behind Panther, Carmen appeared holding fire balls on her hands:
-"It's time for him to pay, isn't it? Sweetie."-Carmen said on Ann's head and she made her hands like fists.
-"You want to finish him off? It's your call…"-Morgana said as he crossed his arms.
-"Ngh…"-Kamoshida holded his crown tightly.-"Wait, please don't! I beg you…! Forgive meee…"
-"Shut up. I bet everyone told you the same...but you didn't care!"-Panther said angry.-"You stole everything from them!"-she exclaimed as she ordered her Persona to throw a fireball close to him to scare him.
-"I...Ok, take this."-Kamoshida admitted his defeat and throw the crown towards the thieves, Ace caught it.-"You've won and I have lost my reign as you said…"
-"You have the right to finish me off. After all, you guys won…"-Kamoshida said as he opened his arms wide and lowered his head in shame.
-"..."-Ace and Skull felt uneasy of doing such thing. It is true that Kamoshida ruined part of their daily lives but that didn't make a reason enough to kill him.
-"You…!"-Ann clenched her fist in rage. She was the most affected of them all and this was her chance to make him pay: For her friend, for the rumors, for using her and trying to toy with her…
All those thoughts ended up on Ann throwing the second fire ball of Carmen at him:
-"Wait!"-Ace said in surprise that Ann will actually kill him.
-"Ann!"-Skull screamed shocked by the same but the fire ball just passed away by his side. The others sighed in relief.
-"He can't confess his crimes if he suffers a mental shutdown."-Panther said.
-"That was gentle of you, Lady Ann."-Mona said with a proud smile.
-"I've lost. What am supposed to do now…?"-Kamoshida said for himself.
-"You've realized about the weight of your desires… All that's left for you is to face the consequences of them."-Ace replied as she put the crown on her pocket.
-"I see."-Kamoshida smiled with crocodile tears on his eyes.-"I'll return to my real self and then, I-"-he vanished before he finished his phrase.
The Palace started to crumble apart. As its King was taken down, it had no reason to exist:
-"Just so you know, we have no time to waste here."-Morgana said with calm.-"This place is going down!"
-"Let's run!"-Ryuji said and they started to run out of the Palace. Since it was being destroyed, there was no safe room where they could use the navigator to teleport away.
Morgana went back to being a real cat as the distortion was fading away and along with that, Ryuji's resistance. He started to feel the pain on his broken leg and fell on the floor at the cause of overworking it earlier:
-"Ryuji!"-Ann and Kazumi stopped to help him but he stood up by himself as he didn't want to push them back.
-"It's fine. I haven't run like this in a long time…"-he said and they started to run again. They finally reached the exit as the castle of Kamoshida's lust finally fall for good.
The teenagers went back to the alley in the real world. No person was passing around so they were fine for now. After they were recovering their breath, Kazumi smiled:
-"We did it... We actually did it."-she was so relieved. Her heart was beating with excitement, because she was able to leave a good mark in this world for the first time.
-"That sucked though…"-Ann said with a smile after seeing her leader being happy about their success.
-"The previous location has been deleted."-the AI on Kazumi's phone said.
-"Guess that means we can't go there anymore."-Ryuji said after he recovered his breath.
-"What about the treasure!?"-Morgana asked worried.
-"Here."-Kazumi checked her pocket and showed that the treasure, previously a crown, was now a golden sports medal.
-"A medal? What happened with that crown?"-Ann asked.
-"What's goin' on?"-Ryuji asked Morgana.
-"It means that's the source of Kamoshida's desires…"-the cat explained.-"This medal is just as worth as the crown in the Palace for him."
-"An Olympic Medal…"-Ryuji said as he looked at the item.-"So that perv was clingin' on his past glory and couldn't let it go."
-"But, this means that Kamoshida is going to have a change of heart, right?"-Ann asked unsecure.
-"That's what Morgana said at least…"-Kazumi replied and the cat jumped on her to be carried.
-"It should! ...Probably…"-Morgana meowed.
-"Don't be like this now! Our expulsion is on line, you know!"-Kazumi said worried.
-"It's my first success too! But, Kamoshida's personality has to have changed after all."-Morgana replied.-"The Palace was erased so that means he no longer has distorted desires."
-"Agh. This makes me feel so antsy! Is there any way we can check it now?"-Ryuji said still frustrated.
-"The assembly is tomorrow…"-Kazumi said.-"We'll have to wait. We already did everything on our might."
-"...You're right."-Ann said.-"We shall hope for the best."
-"If that's what you say…"-Ryuji didn't feel like opposing to that. He was tired after all.-"Let's go home for today…".
The rebels took separated ways to go home. Kazumi arrived to the cafe and saw Sojiro there, he was still working so she went upstairs to not disturb him.
She sat on the sofa. The operation was a success and tomorrow, they will know how that affected Kamoshida. As former sportswoman, she hoped he had accepted defeat as his shadow said before disappearing:
-"I guess it is true what they say…"-she murmured to Morgana who was sitting next to her.-"Nobody is born evil."
-"You mean about Kamoshida?"-Morgana asked.-"I don't know myself but even if that's the case, we know that evil must always be stopped."
-"Hum."-Kazumi nodded. After all, if they could've stopped Kamoshida before, Shiho Suzui wouldn't' have committed suicide.
In the middle of her thoughts, her phone rang. It was a message of Ann, thanking her for helping avenge Shiho. Kazumi replied that she wasn't the one who did this alone but the effort of the four and they should wait for their rebellion to give results tomorrow.
May 2nd…
All the students were called for the morning assembly. Rumors said that it was all about Shiho's suicide attempt a few weeks ago and also about the calling card referred to Kamoshida yesterday. Principal Kobayakawa started the assembly in the middle of the murmurs, starting with the issue about Shiho's situation:
-"Everyone here has a bright future ahead. So I implore that every one of you will rethink about life and-"-before Kobayakawa could continue his speech, Kamoshida entered on the gymnasium with hurry and a depressed stand.
-"Mr. Kamoshida, what's the matter?"-the Principal asked.
-"I have been reborn."-he said with a regret tone in his voice. Ann and Kazumi, who were standing next to each other, saw this with a bit of surprise. The moment they were waiting for was about to happen.-"That is why I will confess everything to you all."
He stand on the scenario in front of the students:
-"I have been doing things...unwelcoming from a teacher this whole time."-he said.-"Verbally abusing students, physically abusing my team and other teams I supervised...and, sexually harassing female students."
The students on the gym reacted in shock to his confession but kept listening. One of them, close to the stage, was in actual shock and after looking at Kamoshida, he looked at the Principal who didn't seem furious at all. He felt uncomfortable about the situation as he saw Kamoshida fell on his knees and said:
-"I am the reason why Shiho Suzui tried to kill herself."-after the teacher said that. The students expressed their shock in more murmurs, calling him a scum and all kinds of insults.
-"I thought of this school as my castle and did what I pleased. I even sent to expulsion students just because I didn't like them. I'll rescind those of course."-Kamoshida continued. He proceeded to drop himself in apology.
-"I am a horrible, shameful and shallow person… I want to take full responsibility for my crimes even if I have to get myself killed for that."
-"M-Mr. Kamoshida, please get off of the stage for now."-Kobayakawa said to Kamoshida as he was embarrassed for that act. Who knows how it will ruin the school's reputation?
-"Everyone, remain calm! Return to your classes!"-the student from before, who actually was the Student Council president, felt forced to maintain the situation under control along with other teachers.
-"Don't run, you bastard!"-Ann exclaimed in the middle of the multitude, getting the attention of the president as well.-"Shiho's still alive after all the things that made her want to die!"
-"You have no right to run from this!"-Ann screamed angry.
-"She's right!"-Kazumi supported her.-"You have to affront justice! Nothing will be solved with your death!"
-"You're right...You're absolutely right…"-Kamoshida looked up.-"I will turn myself to the police and atone for my crimes…"
-"I also did terrible things to Takamaki-san."-he confessed.-"I forced her to have relationships with me in exchange of keeping Suzui's position in the team."
-"Also, Asaka-san...I made a student to leak her personal information on the internet just because I didn't like her."-he also confessed.-"And that guy too...I broke his leg and call it self-defense but it wasn't true at all. I just hated him."
-"As of today, I'll resign my position as a teacher and turn myself in."-Kamoshida started to sob.-"Someone, please call the police!".
After that, the teachers forced the unsettled students to return to their classes. They were all murmuring about the issue and how this all coincided with that calling card of the said 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts'. Kazumi, Ann and Ryuji gathered in a corner of the gym:
-"His heart really did change…"-Ann said surprised.
-"It's impressive how fast it was tho…"-Ryuji said in shock too.-"Was this really for the best?"
-"I'm sure it was."-Kazumi said with a smile.-"He even apologized personally to us."
-"Not like it makes me feel better…"-Ryuji sighed. He was addressed as 'that guy' after all.
Three students approached to them, one of them was Mishima and he vowed towards Ann:
-"Takamaki-san, I'm so sorry!"-he said.-"We all knew what was going on in the volley team but we kept it quiet."
-"A-Asaka-san, you too."-he also vowed at her.-"I don't know how can I repay you for what I did. But I will, I swear!"
-"We're sorry too, Takamaki."-one of the girls that was with Mishima spoke.-"We spread those rumors about you but we didn't know what have to gone through…"
-"I'm sure there's a lot of other students who want to apologize as well."-said the other one before a teacher send them to their classrooms.
-"See you in class."-they said before going back.
-"See you later, Asaka-san. I'll find a way!"-Mishima went after them.
-"Looks like Kamoshida ain't the only one who had a change of heart…"-Ryuji said.-"You should be happy that the rumors about you will stop too, Ann."
-"It's fine. I didn't mind them."-she replied.-"I'm glad that I was able to do something for Shiho."
-"You should go and tell her then!"-Kazumi suggested and Ann replied with a smile.
They all went to their classes. After school, Ryuji and Kazumi waited for Ann in the hideout:
-"The perfect time of the day for one of these…"-Kazumi said happily while she was enjoying her banana milk. Ryuji could've swear he saw her breasts grow a little bit more.
-"Girl, you're killing me here…"-he murmured embarrassed. He was really a pervert for thinking about someone as innocent as Kazumi in that way.
-"Huh?"-she didn't really heard what he said.-"Do you want some, Ryuji-kun? Maybe you can grow too."
-"..."-he thought she was talking about that and got madly bushed as he hid his crotch.-"W-What are you getting at!?"
-"She meant you can grow a brain, idiot."-Morgana made fun of him and his pervert thoughts.
-"Who are you calling an idiot!?"-he exclaimed.
-"Do you have to be so loud?"-Ann arrived to the rooftop and Kazumi stood to receive her.
-"Welcome! How did it go?"-Kazumi asked.
-"She regained consciousness."-she said as she going to cry.
-"For real?"-Ryuji said surprised, just like the other two.
-"It was only for a little bit but I could talk to her."-she said as she sat down and reclined towards the front so they won't see her tears.-"I told her that Kamoshida confessed everything he did."
-"She was also a bit angry at me because she found out that I was going out with Kamoshida for her sake."-she also said.-"You were right about telling her, Kazumi."
-"I'm just glad I could help everyone."-Kazumi said with a smile.-"You, Ryuji-kun, Suzui-san, Mishima-kun and others… When I came up with the idea of using the Metaverse to change the situation, I did it for you all."
-"Thank you."-Ann said as she hold close to her the necklace she had.
-"Still, I was wondering..."-Ryuji interrupted the conversation.-"Why was Kamoshida the only one who had a Palace on the Metaverse? Everything else looked normal."
-"Everyone can have a Palace, you know?"-Morgana replied.-"Want to check?"
-"..."-the teenagers stayed quiet.
-"Maybe not now."-Ann said.-"The rumors about Kamoshida and you two are surging. We better stay low for a while."
-"Rumors? What is this time?"-Kazumi said in disappointment.
-"According to the rumors, you two gathered and used some kind of physical violence or unwanted drug injection to force him to confess."-Ann said.-"People are still reluctant about the Phantom Thieves, it seems."
-"Life didn't change after all…"-Kazumi sat down sad. Why did the world was so focused on not leaving her live normally?
-"Cheer up."-Ryuji said.-"We should see if we can sell this medal at a good price!"-he looked online about the price.
-"30,000 yen!? Is it worth only that!?"-Ryuji said surprised.
-"That reminds me, you haven't paid me for the money I lend you back in middle school."-Ann said to Ryuji.
-"You're gonna tell me I borrowed 30,000 from you?"-Ryuji said.
-"That should be with compound interests of course."-Ann said with a smile.
-"Ugh…"-Ryuji sighed.
-"Hold on. I was dragged into this by you guys."-Morgana said.-"What about if we use the money for a fancy celebration for our successful mission?"
-"That sounds like a good idea!"-Kazumi said excited.-"What do you think?"-she asked the others.
-"I'm up to this. There's a place I wanted to go with Shiho, that will do."-Ann said and they looked at Ryuji.
-"I owe money so I can't complain."-Ryuji said.-"Where are we going to sell it?"
-"Leave that to Kazumi. We know a place."-Morgana said.
-"That settles it. I'll call for a reservation but when should it be?"-Ann asked.
-"What about the fifth, on Children's Day?"-Ryuji asked.-"I wish it was sooner but I have to help out at home."
-"Aren't you a sweet boy?"-Kazumi said with a smile making him flustered.
-"S-Shut it!"-he replied.
-"Oh, yeah. That reminds me of that other rumor about you two dating."-Ann mentioned.-"Kazumi, you better watch out. What if you find someone better?"
-"It ain't anything like that!"-Ryuji was the first to deny it.-"We're friends, right Kazumi?"
-"Yes!"-Kazumi smiled.
-"These two are in different levels of naiveness…"-Morgana murmured.
The rebels went back to their homes to enjoy the rest of the Golden Week. But, was this successful mission the end of the Phantom Thieves or just the beginning?
Take your time.