Chapter 9: Mementos/ Exams Time
Mementos: Area 1 of Photo of Qimranut…
Ace drove the Mona-bus towards a distortion portal in front of her way. The car landed safely in a closed area where the creepy murmurs of a man could be heard:
-"There's someone here…"-Ace said as she stepped out of the car.
-"It must be Nakanohara's shadow."-Mona replied as he and the other two followed Ace close.
-"Lemme see...some dude from the City Hall became a stalker, huh?"-Skull said.
-"I don't know how much evil he has caused but we gotta stop him if he is bothering someone to the point of her needed help desperately."-Panther said.
-"She's mine…"-Ace heard as one of the murmurs of the man.
-"Let's talk to him."-Ace said as she stepped front along with the others and found the Shadow of a man with a coconut haircut, glasses and dressed as an office guy.
-"You! Are you Mr. Nakanohara?"-Ace started asking. The man turned around to them.
-"Who are you!?"-he asked in anger.
-"So you're that stalker. Have you ever stopped to consider how your ex feels!?"-Panther exclaimed at him.
-"She's my property! I can do whatever I want with her!"-he defended himself.-"It's not like she didn't treat me the same way. What's wrong with me doing what she deserves!?"
-"You can't treat people like shit just because they did it to you!"-Skull said to him.-"What a load of crap."
-"We are Les Blues Rebelles, we'll change the heart of rotten adults like you!"-Ace said as she held her hat as it was a sharpening it.
-"Rotten adults? There's billions of people worse than me!"-Nakanohara replied.-"What about Madarame!? He stole everything from me and you let him off the hook!?"
-"Madarame…? The hell this guy's goin' on?"-Skull asked but before any reply, Shadow Nakanohara transformed into a small oni with big head, a coconut haircut covering his face, eyes on his palms and a demon tail.
-"Here he comes!"-Morgana said as they prepared for battle. The oni used Tarukaja to increase his attack.
-"That shape...I have seen it before in the Velvet Room!"-Ace thought as she remembered her fusion experiments before taking down Kamoshida.-"His weakness...What was it?"
-"Listen. We have to use our magic skills for now."-she ordered as she couldn't grasp the weakness of their enemy.
-"Zorro!"-Morgana summoned his Persona to use Garu on him but it only hurt it normally. The oni charged towards them and Ace stood in front.
-"Apsaras!"-she summoned a Persona with the shape on a blue-skinned ballerina with a white dress. That Persona proceeded to attack with Bufu but it was the same result and the oni saw his chance to hit Ace with a resort punch out of nowhere making her back off.
-"Wind and ice are a no go…"-Ace murmured.-"Skull, is your turn!"
-"Magic huh?"-Skull thought.-"Taste the thunder, you creep!"-he exclaimed as he made Kidd cast a thunder over the oni and this left it knocked out in the floor.
-"That was it!"-Ace said realizing which was the weakness of the oni.
-"We got him!"-Skull exclaimed as they proceeded to surround him with a hold up.
-"Have you learnt your lesson by now?"-Ace asked but she received no response.
-"It seems like words aren't getting through…"-Morgana said.
-"We'll have to go by the hard way!"-Ace said as an order to start an All-out attack but it wasn't enough to take it down.
-"I finally have what it's mine. I won't let anyone take her away!"-the Shadow exclaimed as he attacked Morgana.
-"Hold there, Morgana!"-Ace attacked the Shadow to pull it apart from Morgana. He was thrown towards the wall and weak but not finished.
-"He's persistent…"-Ace said and Skull stood on her side.
-"I got this!"-he said as he stretched his arm swinging his weapon.
-"Go, Skull!"-Ace high-fived him and a motivated Skull approached to the weak oni to hit him with a hard home run swing landing a critical hit.
-"Wow…"-Panther said impressed.
-"Nice, follow up!"-Morgana appraised and they hold up on him again.
-"Save your last words!"-Ace exclaimed as they finished him off with an all-out attack and he returned to his former form.
-"I-I was wrong...Please forgive me…"-said Shadow Nakanohara standing on his knees-"It's all because that evil teacher deceived me and threw me away...After that, I couldn't stop my fixation towards her…"
-"Evil teacher?"-Ace asked.-"Was it the named Madarame you said earlier?"
-"You sure suffered because of another bastard. But, that doesn't mean that you ruin someone else's life."-Panther spoke.
-"I understood that now. I'll put an end to my ill love to her..."-Nakanohara said and after a thought, he spoke with a begging voice.-"You guys said you change hearts, right?"
-"If that's true then, please, change the heart of Madarame."-he told them.-"Before more people fall victim on his hands…"
-"We'll do what we can."-Ace said.-"You should do your part first."-at this said, the Shadow vanished leaving behind a white sphere floating.
-"Oh. It's that thing again. A treasure too, wasn't it?"-Skull said as Ace took it and it transformed into an attachment pearl.
-"I'm impressed you remember it."-Morgana said.
-"So, this is how you got Shiho's necklace?"-Panther asked.
-"That's right."-Morgana said.
-"Sorry if we had to beat her up first for that…"-Ace apologized on behalf.-"We had no option."
-"I guess it's fine."-Panther said confused.-"I realized that Shadows are not supposed to be friendly even if they belong to a kind person."
-"..."-the three of them fell in silence.
-"What's wrong?"-Panther asked.
-"Nothing at all."-Ace said nervous.-"We dealt with Nakanohara, so shall we head back now?"
-"Wait! There's something I want to check out."-Morgana said.
-"What would that be?"-Ace asked.
-"It's on the next floor. We just have to look for the platform to go down."-he said.
-"I guess there's no other way… We came all the way here because of your suggestion."-Panther said.
-"Thanks for being on my side, Lady Ann!"-Morgana jumped happily.
The rebels went out of the distorted portal that disappeared right after they escaped. As Mona claimed, Ace drove him around the labyrinth towards the lower floors. The Shadows in the railways looked different from Kamoshida's Palace as they had the appearance of humanoid black masses with many white masks on their body. To ambush them, Ace had to make the Mona-bus to crash with them from behind.
After a few rounds on the same area, Ace finally found the platform towards the area 2. While they were going down in the long electric stairs, Panther opened a conversation:
-"I have to say, Skull. I was impressed from that last move you did against Nakanohara."-she said.-"How could you swing like that?"
-"Oh, that? It was Ace's idea."-he said.-"She was on the softball team in her school and taught me how to swing. Pretty neat, huh?"
-"Wow...I wish I could do something like that too. I kinda feel left behind in battle when I see you guys use those team attacks."-she said.
-"That reminds me…"-Mona said.-"You haven't spent time with Ace like we do. Maybe your bonds need to be deeper to develop a strong team attack in the Metaverse!"
-"Oh, I see."-Panther said interested.-"I promised to get to know you better yet here we are...but, I don't plan on losing against you guys!"-she pointed at the boys.
-"I don't know if I should feel happy about that…"-Ace said sweating as she felt like her friend was taking it like a competition.
-"We're here."-Morgana said as they approached to the next platform with a giant creepy door blocking the way.
-"What's with this dead end?"-Skull asked as they approached to the door.
-"You see, this door didn't budge the last time I was here. But if my hunch is correct…"-Mona touched the door and this one opened instantly, leading to the stairs to another area.
-"Woah! What just happened?"-he asked.
-"Why did it open now?"-Ace asked Mona.
-"Well, since Kamoshida's palace is gone and people believe in the Phantom Thieves, I thought this door will finally open."-Mona explained.-"I kinda had a hunch that it'll happen."
-"I see, so this place is actually deeper than it looks…"-Ace said.
-"Shall we check out downstairs? Maybe there's other dead ends as well."-Panther suggested.
-"No, that's not why we're here today."-Mona said.-"You accomplish our goal so we should head back for now."
-"Then, lead us to the entrance."-Ace agreed to Mona's claim. They returned to the first floor and transported back to reality.
Behind the train wagon in Shibuya Square, they discussed about the door they found before:
-"I don't get fully that place…"-Ryuji said.-"Also, why was that door blocking us?"
-"I'm not sure but if I think about it…"-Morgana said.-"Mementos is the public's palace and can be altered by the general public's cognition. If they are blocking our way is because they can be denying our existence."
-"You mean if people believed more in the Phantom Thieves, then we can go deeper?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Very sharp, Kazumi."-he praised her.-"That must be the case."
-"But why do you know that much about Mementos, Morgana?"-Ann asked.
-"My memories are a bit foggy on that…"-he said looking away sadly.-"It's like I can only remember little by little…"
-"It'll be fine."-Kazumi cheered him up.-"We just have to dig deeper in that palace so you can recover your true form, right?"
-"That's right! I feel like there's something in Mementos that caused the distortions in my body…"-Morgana said fired up.-"With you guys I…!"
-"I see. So you wanted to be saved too right?"-Ann asked with a soft voice to Morgana.
-"I-I didn't!"-he said flustered.-"I just needed pawns!"
-"Nah. You probably stuck around with us so we could help you."-Ryuji said with a playful smile trying to annoy the cat.
-"Ugh. Take it as you want."-Morgana said annoyed and Kazumi proceeded to pet his head softly.
-"You are not honest."-she smiled.
-"Well, Mementos benefits us so I guess we can deal with your case in the process too."-Ryuji said as he scratched the back of his neck.
-"I'll help you. I hope you can regain what you lost."-Ann said to the cat with a determined look and Morgana looked surprised.
-"I'll be relying on you guys…"-he said.
-"By the way Morgana, are you a boy or a girl?"-Ann suddenly asked.
-"Definitely a boy."-Kazumi replied for him.
-"Exactly. I'm proud of Kazumi realizing the obvious."-Morgana replied happily.
-"Actually, it wasn't that obvious."-she replied.-"I was unsure since you have a girl name so I took the chance to look at your gender when you were sleeping bottoms up in my bed."
-"Y-You what!?"-Morgana suddenly blushed and hid in her backpack while exclaimed-"How could you say something so embarrassing in front of everyone!?"
-"Was it wrong…?"-Kazumi asked confused.
-"I see. Well, I guess that solves the question."-Ann said.
-"Kazumi, let's go home! I don't want to see anyone right now."-Morgana exclaimed.
-"What's with you?"-Kazumi was still confused by Morgana's behavior.
-"Just ignore him Kazumi, he's overreacting."-Ryuji said with a smile on his face as he was about to laugh so hard.
-"Wait. How are we going to be sure about Nakanohara's change of heart?"-Kazumi asked Morgana.
-"Well, the lady that commented about him will definitely talk about it on that website, I guess."-Ann mentioned.
-"We should check for other targets as well. I mean, who knows if we can also get a big fish?"-Ryuji suggested excited.
-"A big one, huh?"-Kazumi thought remembering Shadow Nakanohara's last words.-"Well, I'll tell Mishima-kun to contact me in case he spots a worthy target on his website."
-"That's a good idea!"-Ann said.-"We're counting on you, leader."
-"If you guys are done, can we just go home!?"-Morgana was still embarrassed and inside the bag. Kazumi waved goodbye to her friends and went towards the station. All while from the distance, a young man with blue hair and dressing with the uniform of another school saw them.
May 8th.
It was a Sunday. Kazumi did her usual routine in the morning and received a message in her phone. It was Mishima:
#"Good morning!"
#"I read the forum this morning and your message. Nice going with that stalker from the City Hall!"
#"My Phan-Site came pretty handy, isn't it?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself."-Kazumi replied.
#"Roger! I won't let this go over my head and work even harder!"
#"By the way, I'm in Shibuya now."
#"I'd love if you could hear out what I have to say about your future actions!"
"Ok. Where shall we meet?"
#"The dinner in Shibuya. I'll be waiting."
Kazumi put her phone down and looked at Morgana:
-"Ok, Morgana. We're going to Shibuya to meet Mishima-kun."-she said.
-"What is he up to, though?"-Morgana said.-"Anyways, I can't go with you. I'll like to check something in Mementos."
-"I see... I guess I'll be on my own."-Kazumi said and took a deep breath.-"I'm so nervous…"
-"Hey, you have been alone with Ryuji before and you sleep with me. How exactly are you shy to boys?"-Morgana asked.
-"Well…"-Kazumi thought about it.-"I was nervous towards Ryuji-kun before but I'm kind of used to him now. Also, you're technically a cat for now not a human so, it's totally different."
-"If that's the case, maybe it might benefit you to spend more time with other guys than Ryuji."-Morgana said.-"Or, you can always get a Persona like Succubus."
-"...I'm not doing that again, Morgana."-Kazumi said with a serious face.
On the afternoon, she arrived to the Shibuya diner and found seat in front of Mishima. He had eye bags and looked tired:
-"Are you ok…?"-Kazumi asked after she sat.
-"Yeah. Don't worry."-he said before doing a big yawn.
-"Sorry. I didn't sleep well for keeping an eye on the Phan-site after what you requested me…"-he apologized.-"So, how are those special activities going?"
-"What exactly is the Phan-site?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Oh. It's the short for the Phantom Aficionado Website. A catchy name is needed so people will remember it easily."-he explained excited.-"It's all part of my plan for the P-Thieves propaganda."
-"Are you promoting us?"-Kazumi asked impressed. According to what Morgana said, that could be useful to open their way to the depth of Mementos.
-"Why is that a surprise?"-Mishima said with a smile.-"You guys do actions to help others. It'll be a shame if they are not recognized!"
-"You have done it very well but…"-Kazumi said as she looked worried for Mishima.-"Don't force yourself to hard ok?"
-"You're worried about me…? T-Thank you."-he said as he blushed.-"Hearing you say that makes my all-nighters worth it."
-"Hey, Asaka-san. How do you guys actually punish people?"-Mishima asked suddenly placing his hands on the table to approach to Kazumi who got scared and backed off her seat.
-"M-Mishima-kun...privacy, please?"-she said nervous.
-"Sorry."-he sat down.-"I think it's probably best not to know. The secrecy of the Phantom Thieves is the source of their popularity."
-"You know, I wish I could be like you guys…"-Mishima murmured.
-"Uhm?"-Kazumi didn't really hear him well.
-"At any rate, I'll be on charge of managing your popularity like your strategy add manager! I'll start by weeding out the negative comments."-Mishima said excited.-"Your public image will be at my mercy...I mean, my fingertips."
-"You sound very hyped about this."-Kazumi smiled nervous at his awful enthusiasm.
-"Just wait for now. I'm very serious about this!"-he said smiling and then yawned again.
-"Well, I have to go back. The Phan-site often receives trash comments about things unrelated to the Phantom Thieves so I better go back and start filtering them out."-he said looking down.
-"I see…"-Kazumi said disappointed of not being able to spend a bit of more time with Mishima as friends.
-"Oh, right."-Mishima remembered.-"There's a target I found that might be excellent and he seems to be going to our school. I'll send the details to you later."
-"Ok."-Kazumi nodded.-"Take care of yourself too!"
-"If you say so…"-Mishima said embarrassed before he headed back.-"See you at school tomorrow!"
-"Mishima-kun really looked motivated…"-she thought as she saw him off.
The Moon Arcana card got a second star.
-"Also, I feel a bit more courageous for not running away when he approached like that."-she thought while looking back at the menu to order something that ended up being water.
*Kazumi's courage is now Bold*
After that, Kazumi arrived home and met Morgana. After Morgana's suggestion last night, she thought it would be wise to check on the politician who they found out eating at a place called Beef Bowl Shop.
In order to prove him her worth as a dedicated young person, she decided to work on the beef bowl shop. But, it was a job so, of course, it wasn't going to be easy. Kazumi learnt that the place had a lack of manpower and she basically had to prepare the bowls and attend the clients at the same time all by herself. She ended up very tired and went home to fall like a rock on her bed.
*Kazumi's proficiency increases by 3*
May 9th.
After school, Ann approached Kazumi before they headed back:
-"Kazumi. Do you have time?"-Ann asked.-"I'll like to talk to you about something…"
-"Sure."-Kazumi said as she pulled up her bag.-"I was going to ask you if you wanted to study together."
-"Oh. In that case, let's go to the dinner at Shibuya!"-Ann suggested and they agreed to go there.
As they sat on the table, Ann looked at Kazumi with a worried look:
-"So, what was that you wanted me to talk about?"-Kazumi asked as she looked at the menu of the place.
-"It's about Shiho."-Ann said as she looked down.-"Remember when I said that she was angry at me for not telling her about my fake relationship with Kamoshida?"
-"Actually, she apologized as well for not telling me what Kamoshida was doing to her…"-Ann looked down.
-"But, it was my fault too because I didn't realize about it…"-she looked very troubled.-"So, I apologized."
-"That sounds really awkward…"-Kazumi said.-"Are you feeling better now about all of this?"
-"Yeah. Somehow."-Ann smiled.-"I finally got off everything I held on my chest since that day."
-"That's a relief."-Kazumi said.-"Although, Shiho will be transferring, I'm glad I could assist your friendship."
-"..."-Ann thought about something.-"I have gotten this on my mind since the day you talked to me when I was at my worst, but, you and Shiho are really strong."
-"Strong?"-Kazumi asked confused.
-"That's right. You are shy to boys and you don't really have a good sex appeal yet you can step up against problems in order to help others."-Ann explained which made Kazumi felt a bit down.
-"Sex appeal, huh…?"-she murmured.
-"While in my case, I let Kamoshida play with me just because he was going to remove Shiho from the main team…"-Ann continued.-"I felt pathetic about that. I thought I was doing it because it was something I could do for her, but maybe I didn't trust enough in her abilities…"
-"You might be right…"-Kazumi said and Ann reclined on her seat.
-"I knew it! That was a really stupid idea…"-she said.
-"Just like following us inside the Palace."-Kazumi mentioned as she laughed.-"I'm glad that turned out good."
-"Hey, Kazumi!"-Ann said as she placed her hands seriously on the table and fixed her sight on her.-"Personas are the strength of the heart, right? I want to be someone with a strong will just like you and Shiho so I can get to help people to be strong willed too!"
-"Although...I don't even know how do I get to be like that…"-she said.-"I'll find an answer later."
-"I'll help you."-Kazumi said determined.-"I am also envious of your strength, Ann."
-"My strength…?"-she asked.
-"I lack confidence in myself and I think that I can't do anything if I'm in disadvantage..."-she confessed.-"The way you cared so much for Suzui-san to the point of risking your life to get revenge on Kamoshida…It made me realize how much I wanted something like that when I lost everything."
-"Kazumi…"-Ann said with worry.-"Was it something about your record?"
-"..."-Kazumi fell silent.-"Can we leave that for another day? I'm not feeling well remembering it."
-"I see...so this is part of your weakness too? Don't worry, we'll make us strong together."-Ann smiled at her.
-"Yes!"-Kazumi was cheered up by this.
The Lovers Arcana received a second star.
*Ann's girl talk ability unlocked*
-"By the way, shall we study for now?"-Kazumi suggested.-"We can find strength if we get knowledge too!"
-"That's right! I'm not good at studying but I'll do my best!"-Ann said as they both collected their notebooks and other materials to study.
*Kazumi's knowledge increased by 2*
Both girls spend their time studying until dark. As soon they split up in the subway station, Kazumi took the notebook that Sojiro gave to her:
-"I haven't written anything since the buffet…"-she thought.-"I better update this before I forgot."
-"What's that?"-Morgana asked.
-"I'm under probation so I have to write what I do every day here."-she said.-"Don't worry. I don't write anything about the Metaverse on this."
-"It'll be so Ryuji to do something like that."-the cat buffed.
After writing her progress, Kazumi attempted to put the notebook back on her pocket but a random person bumped into her dropping it:
-"Gah..! Sorry!"-she apologized to the person. He did said nothing and took the notebook from the floor to give it back to her.
-"You dropped this."-he said as he handed it out. Kazumi looked up to the guy's face after taking it back. He was a tall and skinny guy using a school uniform consisting of a white shirt with the fleur-de-lis marked on the left side and black pants; his hair was blue with his bangs on the right side and he had dark blue eyes and eyelashes so long that it looked like he was using eyeliner.
-"Thank you."-Kazumi replied impressed by his dream-boy appearance.
-"Oh? You are…"-the boy said like he recognized her.
-"...?"-Kazumi tilted her head to the left side waiting for the rest of the sentence. The aura of the moment was broken when the boy received a call and vowed in apology before heading forward.
-"A bishounen*…"-Kazumi said with glittering eyes.
-"Kazumi, instead of distracting yourself with boys…"-Morgana said.-"Shouldn't you go to the beef bowl tonight?"
-"Ah, that's right!"-she said.-"Hopefully that man is there this time around!".
As Kazumi started her shift in the beef bowl shop, she saw a large amount of customers coming by all at once. The politician was there too, therefore, this was her chance to show how hard-working was she. Morgana helped her to remember the all the orders as she was running back and forth to serve them. After the customer rush was gone, the politician spoke to Kazumi who was wiping the table in front of him:
-"You were in a difficult time out there."-he said to her.-"Can't you ask your manager to hire more people? You were really busy."
-"Yeah, nothing I can't really do about it…"-she replied when she turned around for his attention.
-"That's a problem. If employees are this overworked then the businesses will collapse without doubt and it will affect the overall economy."-the man said with a worrisome look.-"No, I should remember this for when I'm elected."
-"Elected? Are you planning on getting in the Diet Building, Mister?"-she kept the conversation.
-"That's what I'm planning but…"-the man looked down and saw the time on his watch.-"Oh, look at the time. Here's my payment."-he left the money on the table and stood up.
-"Thank you for the food."-he said with a smile before going out.
Kazumi's employer gave her an extra payment for her good skills in memorizing the orders and not letting the customers wait for too long. She headed back home after that.
*Kazumi's proficiency increases by 3*
May 10th.
Midterms were going to start tomorrow. Kazumi was already prepared so she planned on passing the time for the afternoon. It was a Tuesday, what a perfect time to help Dr. Takemi on his research after a long time:
-"We're going to try this one today."-Takeo said as he gave her a glass with a yellow liquid.-"The effects must be instantaneous this time."
-"Ok…"-Kazumi said nervous as the doctor sat in front to analyze the effects. She drank the liquid but didn't notice the said 'instantaneous' effects.
-"Uhm? Nothing happened…"-Takeo looked at her closer.-"Look this way."-Kazumi was a bit embarrassed for obvious reasons but nothing she couldn't handle since her encounter with Mishima.
-"Eyes very focused, huh?"-Takeo returned to his seat after counting six seconds. Suddenly, Kazumi started to cough because her throat was burning and her nose was itchy.
-"W-What...is...this?"-she said in between coughs. Takeo offered her some water.
-"Here."-he said.-"The inhibitor effect took a bit longer than expected… It must have been because you're in your average weight."
-"I felt like dying there…"-Kazumi said after she drank the glass all the way up.-"Did you get good data, Doctor?"
-"Hold on there. Once I compiled this, we can move on to the next trial…"-he said as he was writing his notes with a bit of excitement.-"We're making a good progress. Practice makes you perfect after all."
-"I can agree somehow…"-Kazumi said a bit flustered from the excitement he was showing for making her drink that thing. Was he some kind of sadist?
The phone of his office rang and he attended it confused:
-"Hello. This is the Takemi Medical Clinic of Internal Medicine. How can I help you?"-he asked.-"An emergency huh? But we're not a designated hospital…"
-"Besides, the head doctor is Takeo Takemi."-after he said that, the caller hanged up.-"Tch. What a coward."
-"What was that about?"-Kazumi asked to him.
-"An ambulance. All their designated hospitals were full so they didn't have where to transfer."-he replied as he looked at her.-"The guy must have been a new paramedic to call a general practitioner. At least he knew my name though."
-"Why is that a big deal?"-Kazumi asked confused.
-"I've been blacklisted from the medical community, you see."-Takeo replied while he smiled sarcastic.-"I was called The Plague due to a medical mistake I made."
-"Medical mistake?"-Kazumi asked.
-"That's right. Doesn't it scare you?"-Takeo said as he looked at her.-"Practicing in trials with a shady doctor like me…"
-"Well…"-Kazumi looked down.-"I guess I don't mind since I'm doing this for my own reasons."
-"That's about right."-he chucked.-"Me and you are both shady in some way or another."
-"I got your medical history by the way."-he mentioned.-"Your family doctor in your town was Shinkai Hiromi, right?"
-"Yes…?"-Kazumi said as she didn't understand why he was asking about him.
-"He was a brilliant neuroscientist. News ran fast and I was legitly shocked by what happened to him just recently."-he said while thinking.-"Just why in the world happened to him in that surgery?"
-"...It's what I asked myself ever since it happened."-Kazumi murmured.
-"Were you close to him?"-Takeo asked.
-"...Dr. Hiromi attended my brother's disability."-she spoke.-"I was often visiting the hospital because of it. He was a honest man and I looked up to him."
-"Ever since the accident, I was afraid to step on a clinic again."-Kazumi admitted.-"Inside me, I can't find any reason to blame him for what happened, even though I saw it in front of my eyes."
-"Looks like I made you remember something painful."-Takeo felt a bit bad and simply touched the shoulder of the girl to show support.-"Patients like you who place your faith are what made us doctors work even harder."
-"I'll made this medicine totally a success so your efforts will not be on vain either."-he said closing his eyes.-"That being said, I'll add more medicines for you on my catalogue."
-"Doctor…"-Kazumi was impressed by his sudden care.
-"I guess it is fine for me to believe on doctors once again, isn't it?"-she thought. Her bond with Takeo was now deeper which caused the Death arcana to get a third star.
After the trial, Kazumi received a message from Ryuji to study together on the diner. Just as expected of him, studying on the last minute. She headed there to help him and somehow succeeded with it.
May 11th - May 13th
The midterm exams proceeded during this week. Kazumi was doing well with most of the exams and could recall a lot of in-lecture materials, plus, she and Ann were greatly benefited by Morgana's aid to write essays. Cheating was wrong but they were thieves so, does it matter?
May 14th
On the platform of the train towards Shujin, Kazumi met with Ryuji:
-"So sleepy…"-Ryuji murmured after he yawned.
-"Oh? Did you pull an all-nighter to study for the last day?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Ryuji? Study? Am I sleeping?"-Morgana asked in sarcasm.
-"What? No. I gave up on that."-Ryuji replied.-"I spent the night playing video games and before I knew it was already morning."
-"You're going to fail for sure."-Kazumi said.
-"Eh. It's what I always do. Nothing's gonna change no matter how many times I fail."-he said without a care.
-"Is that so?"-Morgana grinned.-"You'll never get a girlfriend then. Look at Kazumi, she shows interest in intellectual people like the doctor on the back-alley and the council president. She looks at him from far when she studies at the library."
-"Why do you always have to talk in the wrong moment!?"-Kazumi punished him embarrassed by pushing his head back on the bag.
-"For real!?"-Ryuji exclaimed in shock.-"Well. T-That's not my problem. I can get a girl with my own methods, cat."
-"I think you should study more for your own success instead of doing it for a girl."-Kazumi said to him.-"Maybe you'll find something else that awakes your interest."
-"Good try, Cutie."-Ryuji said grinning.-"But this troublemaker ain't changing for the time bein'."
-"Morning…"-Ann came towards them yawning too.
-"Look who stayed up late too."-Ryuji mentioned.
-"Exams are almost over so I thought I could do one last effort and study more."-Ann said.
-"Well said, Lady Ann. You're more dedicated than certain stupid monkey, I know."-Morgana said.
-"What was that!?"-Ryuji said offended.
-"Here we go again…"-Kazumi said as she face palmed.
-"Stop fighting for once. You're going to make me forget everything I memo-"-before Ann could say anything else, she felt a cold gaze behind her back. She looked back thinking that someone was watching her.
-"Am I imagining things?"-she asked to herself.
-"Ann, is something wrong?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Well, I kinda feel like someone is watching me for a few days now."-she said unsecure.
-"What? Like a stalker or something?"-Ryuji said with a funny smile.
-"Don't joke about it. That's the last thing I want."-Ann said angry.
The three of them went aboard the next train while Morgana looked back to see who was looking at the precious Lady Ann. They pretended nothing was going on, but they spotted perfectly who was the suspect. As soon as they arrived to Aoyama-Itchome, they spotted the same guy getting off after them:
-"Oh my god, that guy got off!"-Ann said scared as she saw him from the escalator.-"Shouldn't we do something?"
-"Uhm…"-Kazumi was unsure of what to do and looked at Ryuji for answer. He simply yawned and stretched his arms without a care.
-"Hey, at least act like you care."-Ann scolded him.
-"Fine. Let's go."-Ryuji said as he walked upwards by the other side of the escalator followed by the girls.
Later, Ann and Kazumi pretended to chat in front of the station, waiting for the suspect to come by. That person saw them from the stairs and went towards them trying to reach Ann by the shoulder until Ryuji stepped in front him:
-"Not so fast, pal."-he said as the other two girls faced towards the suspicious guy.
The three of them were a bit surprised by his appearance. He didn't look like a stalker at all. Actually for Kazumi he was familiar:
-"He is…"-she thought as one of the bangs on the face of the guy went off his initial arrangement.-"The bishonen from the other day!"
Take Your Time.
*Author's Note: Bishounen is a Japanese term to refer to beautiful and handsome boys whose beauty transcends genders.