Chapter 10: Museum of Vanity/The Stolen Arts
Kazumi and Ryuji looked again at the guy who was presumably stalking Ann. He looked nowhere like a sick pervert:
-"Are you sure it's him or you are that self-conscious?"-Ryuji asked to Ann.
-"I am not that-!"-before Ann could reply angry to the blonde boy, she was interrupted.
-"Is there something you want?"-the dream-boy asked.
-"That's my question!"-Ann moved forward and pointed at him.-"You were the one stalking me!"
-"I think you are exaggerating, Ann…"-Kazumi tried to calm her down.
-"Stalking you? That's outrageous."-he replied while he put his hair back on place.
-"I know you have been following me! Ever since the train!"-Ann said still pointing at him.
-"That could be for a lot of reasons…"-Kazumi murmured.
-"Kazumi, you're not helping."-Ann said to her a bit disappointed.
A car beeped towards them and when they looked at it, they saw an old man with long hair arranged into a rat tail lowering the back window:
-"My godness. I was wondering why you left the car. So this is where your passion led."-he said to the handsome boy.
-"All well ends well."-he said before he started to laugh awkwardly, maybe because he was really old.
-"Who is that old man?"-Kazumi asked for herself.
The boy turned towards them:
-"I saw you from the car and I couldn't stop myself from chasing after you."-he explained ashamed.-"Thank goodness I have finally reached you!"
-"Ok…"-Ann was a bit confused by his explanation.
-"A bishounen chasing after a model…"-Kazumi thought as she saw them.-"Could this be… a confession of love at first sight!?"
-"You're the woman I have been searching for all this time! Please, won't you-"-the boy said in a desperate tone.
-"Here it comes…!"-Kazumi started to see the scene with shines on her eyes.
-"Kazumi? What's wrong?"-Ryuji asked as he has never seen that reaction on her.
-"W-Wait a minute! I…"-Ann also thought the boy was going to confess to her.
-"-Be the model for my next art piece!?"-he finished his sentence and both girls and Ryuji were at shock.
-"...Model?"-Ann asked confused.
-"All that I've drawn until now it's been lacking, but I feel a passion from you unlike anyone else!"-he explained.
-"This man is highly suspicious!"-Morgana hissed.
-"You get in the bag."-Kazumi said as she pushed him inside.
-"Ain't this a recruitment for some shady business?"-Ryuji asked.
-"Would you cooperate with me? What do you say?"-the boy asked insisting to Ann.
-"Hey, hold your horses! Who're you anyways?"-Ryuji stopped him from getting closer to the blonde girl.
-"Oh, where are my manners? I am a second year at Kousei High's fine arts division. My name is Yusuke Kitagawa."
The young man proceeded to move Ryuji aside to get closer to Ann:
-"I'm Madarame-sensei's pupil and I'm staying on his residence."-he extended.-"I'm striving to become an excellent artist."
-"Did he just say Madarame!?"-Kazumi thought in shock and looked at the old guy in the car.-"Would he be the same Madarame, Shadow Nakanohara said…?"
-"What? You mean THAT Madarame!?"-Ann asked to Yusuke in surprise.-"The one who was in 'Good Morning Japan' the other day!?"
-"The very same."-Yusuke nodded.
-"You know who that is?"-Ryuji asked Ann.
-"He was introduced as a super famous Japanese-style artist who has been recognized all over the world!"-Ann said with an excited tone.
-"He's that famous!?"-Kazumi said surprised.
-"Yeah! Oh, but we heard that name the other day in that place…"-Ann said remembering Mementos.
-"Yusuke!"-the old man called for his student.
-"Just a moment, Sensei! I'll be right there!"-Yusuke replied and took something from his pocket.
-"Madarame-sensei's exhibition will begin in the department store near the station tomorrow."-he said as he showed to Ann three tickets.-"I'll be there to help out in the opening. Please come by."
-"I'll be great if you can give me your answer by then."-Yusuke proceeded to look at Ryuji with certain coldness.-"I bet you have no interest on fine arts but I'll give you tickets too."
-"Wait! I'm not sure if…"-Ann was still nervous about his proposal.
-"Thank you. We'll gladly attend, Kitagawa-kun."-Kazumi said as she took the tickets instead of Ann.
-"The girl from the other day…"-Yusuke murmured.-"Very well. I hope to see you tomorrow."-he said to them before heading back to the car.
-"Puff. That guy is as easy to read as a book."-Ryuji said.
-"Why did you accept so lightly the offer?"-Ann asked to Kazumi.
-"Isn't it good? We can get closer to that guy Madarame and confirm if he's the one we heard from Nakanohara."-she explained.-"Besides… it's not every day that you can hang out with a handsome guy like Kitagawa-kun…-"she murmured as she hid her blushing face behind the tickets.
-"I see where this is going…"-Ann said with a tone of disbelief.
-"Tch. I don't see anythin' special."-Ryuji said annoyed.-"He was totally a weirdo."
-"You're not planning on accepting his offer, are you?"-Ryuji asked to Ann.
-"Well…"-Ann said indecisive and saw the time on her phone.-"Oh, look at time! I have to go!"
-"See you in class!"-Kazumi waved her in goodbye.
-"Don't tell me girls have this weird taste in men all the time…"-Ryuji said in disbelief.
-"How dare he go after Lady Ann...I've memorized that face of yours, Yusuke!"-Morgana meowed angry.
-"Aww. The kitty is jealous~"-Kazumi said as she proceeded to scratch Morgana's chin.
-"I'm not a ca- meow~"-Morgana calmed himself instantly.
November 11th
After Kazumi commented about Mementos and the pupil of Madarame, Sae crossed her arms:
-"So, you heard about him on this general subconscious place and became an acquaintance of Madarame's pupil…"-she summarized.-"Your tales seem to have no end."
-"I'll keep telling them as they are because that's the truth."-Kazumi replied.
-"I see where you're going…"-Sae said interested.-"Very well, if this thing about changing hearts by stealing a treasure is correct then stealing the hearts of people can lead to a psychotic breakdown as well. Where you implicated on those as the one that happened in April?"
-"..."-Kazumi stood silent. This one was one of the questions she couldn't make any sense about.
-"Fine. Let's keep up with Madarame's case then."-Sae said.
Back to the story
Kazumi did her last exam and felt confident that she'll pass. After school, she met with her friends in the train station:
-"It's over!"-Ann said with a sense of relief.
-"It's over…"-Ryuji said the same but very tired.-"How about you, Kazumi?"
-"I'm feeling confident."-she replied with a smile.
-"Of course. You seem a bit more interested on books than us."-Ryuji said still in the same tone.-"Well, the results will be posted next week so instead of focusing on things we are over with…"
Ryuji took out his phone:
-"Let's focus on our job."-he grinned as he showed the Phan-site opened on the browser.-"But it's no use, the number of comments are less and less each day…"
-"I'm not letting this to be a one-hit wonder ok?"-Morgana meowed getting out of the bag.
-"We can go for that request Mishima-kun gave me about a bully…"-Kazumi said.-"But, there's something that really catches my eye."
-"You mean about that Madarame guy?"-Ann asked.-"I'm curious too. Maybe we should go to that exhibition! Oh wait, that's tomorrow right?"
-"Don't tell me...Was it first sight love with that Yusuke guy..!?"-Morgana gasped.
-"It's nothing like that."-Ann replied annoyed.-"We should go and check on him like Kazumi mentioned, besides…"
-"I saw he painted some nice pieces and we got free tickets."-Ann said.
-"Plus, Kitagawa-kun said he'll be there to receive us."-Kazumi said with a smile.
-"Not like we need him…"-Ryuji looked away annoyed.
-"I suggest we should go all together. A Phantom Thief has to have keen eyes for masterpieces and differentiate them from fakes."-Morgana said.
-"That should help us too somehow."-Kazumi agreed.
-"Well, if everyone is going…"-Ryuji had no other option than go along with them.-"Madarame, huh? I wonder what kind of villain he is…"
-"The exhibition is tomorrow so let's meet up here to go all together."-Ann said.
-"Ok. I'll hold on the tickets then."-Kazumi said.
After that, Kazumi went back home. Morgana advised to her to go to bed early so they won't be late. Before she went to sleep, she received a message in a group chat:
×"So I was thinking about what Nakanohara said…"
×"Do you really think he was talking about the great artist Madarame?"
-"Well. It's not like that's a common surname."
×"Exactly."
×"So if we heard it's true, then Kitagawa-kun is under a corrupt teacher."
"But he looked like he respected him a lot."
"Maybe, Madarame is hiding everything from him. Poor guy…"
-"We dunno. It could be that he's hiding what his teacher does just like the volleyball team with Kamoshida…"
-"We gotta look into this."
"That means we have to get info not only from Madarame but from Kitagawa-kun as well."-as her partners agreed to this, Kazumi closed the chat and went to sleep.
A piano playing and the singing voice woke her up. This time it was that jail:
-"We have been waiting for you, inmate!"-Caroline said as she kicked the bars.-"It took us a long time to contact you again so hurry up and get out!"
-"Huh?"-Kazumi muttered as she saw her cuffs disappearing and the bars of her prison opening wide. She slowly walked towards the little girls. Justine stopped her way and pointed at the right. When Kazumi looked at that direction, she opened her eyes wide.
-"This is the person who has been calling you. A trickster prisoner of his own actions."-Justine said as Kazumi looked at a boy, just as young as her, held by chains everywhere on his body. He was using the uniform of Shujin Academy, his hair was black and freezy just like hers and he looked unconscious.
-"Who...is he?"-she said scared.-"How does he know me?"
-"You're not prepared yet to face that truth!"-Caroline said.-"Let's say that he's like you."
-"Like me…?"-Kazumi asked.-"Is he a Phantom Thief, then!?"
-"How did he ended up like that? Is there anyway to wake him up?"-Kazumi keep bombarding them with questions.
-"Hold your horses!"-Caroline exclaimed at her impatient which made her back off.-"Whether you were invited here or not, we're still your wanders!"
-"Quiet down and listen!"-Caroline order her.
-"Scary…"-Kazumi murmured. The girl reminded her of Will from the Velvet Room she knew.
-"First off, are you willing to help him out of your curiosity?"-Justine asked.-"Or to pursuit the truth?"
-"I…"-Kazumi was confused by the question.-"He called me out here, right? So I suppose I want to help him to get the truth out of his request."
-"I see."-Justine said with a light smile.-"What if he turned out to be misfortune for your life?"
-"Why would he?"-Kazumi answered with a smile.
-"Uhm?"-Caroline was confused by her answer.
-"You two brought me here twice to get to help him."-Kazumi replied.-"If you really wanted me to help him out in exchange to make me unfortunate, then, why would you ask me that?"
-"Such words are very sharp for a wild card who holds on weak Personas."-Caroline said with a grin as she crossed her arms.
-"I'll get them stronger! That's part of my rehabilitation!"-she affirmed a bit offended.
-"Rehabilitation, huh?"-Justine murmured.-"It brings me memories…"
-"Justine, not now."-Caroline recriminated her.
-"My apologies."-the later said.-"As I was saying, if you're willing to help him even in those conditions…"
-"We'll make a deal with you."-Caroline completed.
-"We shall get him back, no matter what."-Justine said decided.
-"That's right. You should just strive to follow your rehabilitation for now."-Caroline said.
-"Understood."-Kazumi nodded to the request of the twins and a tarot card appeared in front of her. The card, unlike others, didn't have a clear shape nor name marked, it was just a shiny piece.
-"Uhm?"-Kazumi saw the card just get on her chest like nothing. No vow. Nothing. She didn't even know the rank of this new bond.
-"It seems this Arcana will not reveal its shape for now."-Justine said.-"Is it because he's unconscious?"
-"What does it mean? Did I do something wrong?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Don't worry about it."-Caroline said.-"For now, this Arcana will provide you with the Almighty Eye."
-"The Almighty Eye will provide you with the ability of spotting the weakness of an enemy you have met for the first time. Use it wisely as it will not work until the next time you enter here."-Justine said.
-"I see…"-Kazumi said and she looked at the chained boy.-"I wonder what it'll happen to him when he wakes up."
-"Just wait for it."-Caroline said.-"You have to get to sleep now."
-"Don't give a mention about this to our Master nor his attendants."-Justine said.
-"Oh? If you say so…"-Kazumi said insecure before going back to her world.
May 15th.
The rebels managed to get to the exhibition of Ichiryusai Madarame:
-"It's so crowded…"-Morgana meowed.
-"It'll be a pain in the ass if someone sees you so don't stick your head around too much, alright?"-Ryuji said to the cat and he hid inside Kazumi's bag.
-"You came!"-Yusuke went towards them to receive Ann, in specific.
-"Uhm...yeah."-Ann replied.
-"Thank you for the tickets, Kitagawa-kun."-Kazumi said with a smile. He nodded at her cordially and looked coldly at Ryuji.
-"You really came."-he said to the blond boy.
-"What did you expect when you gave us those tickets?"-Ryuji replied with the same attitude that he was showing to him.
-"Make sure to not disturb the other visitors."-Yusuke advised to Ryuji.
-"I'll handle it. Please don't take Ann for too long~"-Kazumi said as she took Ryuji by the arm.
-"Kazumi!"-Ann said annoyed to her.
-"I'll show you around in that case. I'll also like to talk about the kind of picture I draw too."-Yusuke said with a calm tone towards Ann.
-"Well, see you later."-Ann said as she followed Yusuke.
-"What's with you?"-Ryuji said to Kazumi annoyed as he released from her grasp.-"I thought you wanted to 'hang out with a handsome guy that you don't see everyday'."
-"We have to investigate on Madarame as well and I doubt you can do that without causing troubles."-Kazumi explained.-"Besides, he seems more interested in Ann and we have to take advantage of that."
-"That's why we shouldn't leave her alone with him!"-Morgana exclaimed.-"What if he gets her behind of a painting and tries something funny…!?"
-"I'm sure Ann will handle it very well."-Kazumi smiled.-"I'll probably end up in his grasp...I guess?"
-"Don't be so honest about that."-Ryuji said still annoyed.-"Alright, let's look for that Madarame guy and get out of this place."
As they were passing through the exhibition, they saw Madarame being interviewed by a journalist:
-"We continue to be surprised by your imagination."-the journalist was saying.-"You have such expense amount of styles. It's hard to believe it comes all from one person."
-"Expense amount of styles…?"-Kazumi murmured.-"Is that possible for an artist?"
-"I dunno."-Ryuji said.-"I'll try to get closer."
-"Where in the world does all your inspiration come from?"-the journalist asked to him.
-"It's rather difficult to put it in words."-Madarame said.-"But they naturally raise within my heart like bubbles one after another in a hot spring."
-"What's important is to distance oneself from earthly desires such as money and fame."-he explained.-"My atelier is a modest shack, but it's more than enough to pursue true beauty."
-"A shack…?"-Ryuji asked as it sounded familiar.
-"What is with that?"-Kazumi asked him.
-"Wasn't the word 'shack' something…"-before Ryuji could explain…
-"Madarame-san is here?"
-"I'm so glad I came in the opening day!"-fans of Madarame came in stampede towards him and surrounded both teenagers.
-"I'm getting crushed…!"-Morgana complained as the multitude was crushing him inside Kazumi's bag.
-"M-Morgana!?"-Kazumi panicked.-"Don't die on us! We're getting out!"
-"Don't separate from me!"-Ryuji took her by the hand and they both rushed out of the crowd.
Meanwhile, Yusuke was showing Ann the exhibition. He explained to her that his master was special and that's why he could strive for so many art styles. Madarame came to them and greeted Ann as well, unfortunately, he left wishing Yusuke success with his next piece. After that, Ann spotted a panting she wanted to see:
-"I wanted to see this painting in person!"-she said.
-"...This one?"-Yusuke asked confused.
-"I guess it's the painter's anger? I'm not sure but I sense a strong frustration from it."-Ann mentioned.-"It's kind of difficult to see such a kind and gentle man to paint something like this…"
-"..."-Yusuke remained silent as if he was in pain about it.
-"Something wrong?"-Ann asked.
-"Don't mind me."-Yusuke replied.-"There are better pieces than...this one. Let's go this way."-he rushed forward.
-"Wait!"-Ann went after him.
An hour later, Kazumi and Ryuji were staying on the accessway of the train station while they were resting after being crushed:
-"That lady totally elbowed me…"-Ryuji complained as he passed his hand through his abdomen-"But thanks to that, I remember now."
-"About what?"-Kazumi said as she reached a banana milk pack from her bag. She was wondering if it was smashed but the pack resisted very well.
-"It's about a post online."-Ryuji said as he looked on his phone and showed a comment on the Phan-site.-"Here, look at this."
-"Why did you leave without me?"-Ann said angry as she found them.
-"You got it all wrong. We were investigatin' on Madarame and this huge crowd came…"-Ryuji stopped his explanation.-"Anyways, you have to look at this too."
-"This post might be about Madarame."-Ryuji mentioned.
-"What does it say?"-Ann asked.
-" 'A master of Japanese arts is plagiarizing his student's work. Only his public face is shown on TV.'"-Ryuji read.
-"Plagiarizing!?"-Ann answered in shock.
-"I see...so this 'expense amount of styles' is nothing but a facade."-Kazumi said.
-"Yeah. I didn't think it that much when I saw the post first but, hearing the words 'shack' and 'Madarame' triggered it."-Ryuji said.
-" 'His treatment of his pupils who live with him is nothing but awful. He teaches nothing and just bosses them around.
He treats them inhumanly as if disciplining a dog…' "-he read the rest of the post.
-"Abuse on top of plagiarism, huh?"-Morgana said.
-"If this is real, it will be a huge scandal."-Ryuji grinned.-"Hey, isn't this the kind of target we have been looking for?"
-"Well, yes, but…"-Ann had her own doubts about the issue.-"I wonder if Kitagawa-kun posted this. He's a pupil of him after all."
-"Who knows? This post is anonymous after all…"-Ryuji said.
-"In that case, it is possible that the Madarame we heard about on Mementos is the very same artist."-Morgana said.
-"A man like that doing such a thing…?"-Ann asked unsecure.
-"I understand your feelings, Ann."-Kazumi said as she stopped drinking her milk.-"But, there's always celebrities who hide their true face from the camera."
-"Plus, I bet that post was written by Nakanohara himself."-she added.-"Think about it, his shadow requested us to take Madarame down before he made more victims."
-"Nah. That could be just a coincidence."-Ryuji said.
-"Yeah. I wish we could talk about it with him."-Ann said.
-"Not very convincing huh?"-Kazumi said as she stood up from the bar.-"In that case, I'll contact Mishima-kun to tell him that Les Blues Rebelles want to speak in person."
-"Isn't that too risky? Madarame could make a move about it if we aren't careful."-Morgana said.
-"It'll be fine as long as one of us maintains undercover."-Kazumi said.-"I'll go and put my phone on the speaker so you guys can hear it too."
-"Hey, hey. Slow down, this is not a movie."-Ryuji said to her as she looked way too excited to put that plan on action.
-"Maybe we can visit his house."-Ann suggested.-"Kitagawa-kun gave me his contact info and the address of his master's atelier."
-"That sounds like a great idea!"-Kazumi said.-"I'll still try to contact Nakanohara though…"
-"Forget about that for now."-Ryuji said to her.-"Let's go to Madarame's house tomorrow after school, then."
-"You want me to model tomorrow!?"-Ann expressed surprised.
-"What? We're just going to talk to Kitagawa."-Ryuji said.
-"Oh, that's what you meant."-Ann said relieved.
-"I'll have the back up plan just in case."-Kazumi said.
-"Please, let it go already…"-Ryuji said making her inflate her cheeks angry.
-"Fine. Just expect the biggest 'I told you' from me later!"-Kazumi exclaimed.
After that, Kazumi went to buy some groceries for her dinner. There was an offer of packed yakisoba, a very rare offer. When Kazumi was going to take the last one:
-"Gotcha!"-Kazumi ended up touching someone else's hand that already grasped the last package. She looked towards the person and realized, it was Yusuke.
-"K-Kitagawa-kun!?"-she exclaimed nervous as she retired her hand as fast as a lighting.
-"You're Takamaki-san's friend, right?"-Yusuke said as he took the yakisoba in his almost empty basket.
-"Yes…"-she replied.-"You're doing groceries? I thought the exhibition was still on."
-"My sensei told me to go ahead home."-Yusuke said.-"I found myself in a difficult situation if I should cook or eat outside but I ended up here."
-"Uhm? Difficult?"-Kazumi looked confused.
-"This yakisoba and beans should provide enough energy for a week, don't you think?"-he said with a confident smile.
-"...A week?"-Kazumi said as she saw in shock that it was the only thing he had.-"I don't think so. You should eat more protein and cereals!"
-"I see…"-Yusuke looked conflicted.-"I wonder if all these coins will be enough."
-"Is there a problem?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Nothing. I'll leave now."-Yusuke said as he approached to the counter.
-"Did I scare him?"-Kazumi asked herself and looked her reflect on her phone checking that she looked presentable and she smelled well.
-"That will be 1100 yen, sir."-the girl in the counter said.
-"Yes, just a minute."-Yusuke looked for his wallet and only found 900 yen.
-"...How much does it cost with only the yakisoba?"-he asked. Kazumi was next to him on the line and noticed this.
-"Well…"-the girl was doing the new count when Kazumi interfered.
-"Keep the beans and add this too please."-she said as she added her own basket.
-"Uhm?"-Yusuke was in shock.
-"I see."-the girl on the counter proceeded to do that.-"I'll be 5620 yen."
-"Here."-Kazumi paid for it at Yusuke's disbelief. She gave him the bag with his groceries plus a package of microwave burger hams.-"This will be enough for today and tomorrow."
-"Thank you…"-he accepted it regardless; after Kazumi left the store, he went after her.
-"Wait! L-Let me repay you that."-Yusuke said a bit ashamed as he reached her.
-"There's no need for that."-Kazumi said to him.
-"I must."-Yusuke said.-"Generosity is something that should be paid off."
-"That's not true at all."-Kazumi said confused.-"Who told you that?"
-"My sensei…"-he replied.-"He said that nobody gives anything for free; same is about art...We give our emotions for people to come and appreciate them."
-"I disagree with that."-Kazumi said.-"There are things that have no value in this world for someone to give it waiting to get a benefit."
-"So, that's what you think…"-Yusuke said as he was thinking something.-"May I ask you a favor? What is your name?"
-"Kazumi Asaka."-she replied happily.-"My curfew approaches so I'll be going now, see you!"
-"Good night."-Yusuke said as he saw her leave.-"Truly a blessed soul she must be…".
May 16th.
After school, the rebels went on train towards Madarame's house:
-"I can't believe we're going by train. What kind of Phantom Thieves do that? This is no different from when I go back home."-Ryuji said.
-"The train is the fastest way to go and we can bring pets here."-Ann mentioned.
-"Hey, who are you calling a pet!?"-Morgana got out of Kazumi's bag at that sentence.
-"Go back inside. We didn't pay the pet fare."-Kazumi scolded him as she was going to push his head back.
-"Oh, a kitty!"-a little girl approached to them.
-"Er...shoot."-Ann swore.
-"That's a cute kitty you have there, miss."-the girl said as she looked at Morgana.
-"This? It- It's a stuffed animal."-Kazumi replied nervous.
-"Yes! It makes sounds when you pat his head!"-Ann said as she went along.
-"Really?"-the girl asked.
-"You heard her, Kazumi. Press the button on his head."-Ryuji said with a grin.
-"This is ridicu-"-before Morgana could complain, Kazumi pressed on his head.
-"M-Meow…"-he meowed ashamed.
-"Woah! Do it again!"-the girl said impressed.
-"Ok."-Kazumi was unsure on how she should press Morgana's head to make the girl leave them alone.
-"Next stop is Shibuya station."-the speaker on the train announced.
-"Well, this is our stop."-Ann said.-"Sorry, but the plush kitty is going now."
-"Hmm..ok."-the girl was a bit disappointed as she went back to her seat. Ann and Kazumi sighed.
-"That was a close one…"-Ryuji murmured.
After getting to Shibuya, Ann indicated that they had to walk all the way to the house, which was actually a shack in an expensive neighborhood. As soon as they saw it, their reactions were clever:
-"Is this his house?"-Ryuji asked.-"Ann. You ring the bell."
-"Why me? Wouldn't a wall fall off if I do that?"-Ann said.
-"Be careful of sneezing or we will blow the house down, ok?"-Morgana meowed.
-"He gains money with his exhibitions yet he lives with a student in this pigsty and squeeze the money of nourishment…"-Kazumi murmured.-"Will this be the abuse the post was talking about?"
-"Aren't you exaggerating? He did say he lived here to get inspiration or something like that."-Ann denied.
-"We heard the same thing."-Ryuji said.-"Where did you get the info from the nourishment thing?"
-"It was just a thought I had since Kitagawa-kun looks really skinny."-Kazumi replied.
-"Oh, well. Let's get this done."-Ryuji said as they approached to the door and Ann rang the doorbell.
-"Who is it? Sensei is currently…"-before Yusuke could finish…
-"It's Takamaki."-Ann replied.
-"I'll be right out!"-Yusuke replied instantly and rushed to open.
-"Man, people do live here…"-Ryuji said impressed.
-"Takamaki-sa-"-the dream-boy opened the door enthusiastic and that enthusiasm vanished as soon as he saw the other two.-"I see you brought company as well."-he said coldly towards Ryuji.
-"Hey."-Ryuji said with a sarcastic smile.-"Sorry, but we're not here for the modeling deal."
-"There are some questions we wanted to ask in regards of your master, Kitagawa-kun."-Kazumi said.
-"About sensei…?"-Yusuke wondered with his guard up.
-"Is it true that he's plagiarizin' stuff? He's also abusin' students, correct?"-Ryuji asked and showed the post from the Phan-site on his phone.-"We read it online."
-"This…?"-Yusuke said in disbelief and started to laugh with disrespect.-"Preposterous. Not only plagiarizing is impossible, but even abuse?"
-"If he hated children so much to harm them, he wouldn't let them live in his home!"-he exclaimed.
-"I am the one residing here and studying under him. I'm saying it's true so it's beyond doubt."-Yusuke didn't seem secure when he exclaimed it.
-"I don't believe it."-Kazumi said and went towards him.-"He sure must win a lot for his art for maintaining you or even him in these conditions. Not only that but, have you ever seen him paint? Is it true that he can paint in any style?"
-"That's…"-Yusuke was impressed by the sudden approach of her.
-"She's right. You might be lyin' about it."-Ryuji said.
-"...This is utter rubbish."-Yusuke replied upset.-"Listen!"-he approached too suddenly towards Kazumi which caused her to hide in shyness behind Ryuji.
-"I had no family when sensei took me in and raised me into what you see now."-he explained.-"If you continue to ridicule the man I owe my life to, you will rue this day!"
-"...I just wanted to help."-Kazumi murmured lowly as she felt like crying.
-"...You really think that about us?"-Ann said really upset for the situation.
-"Yusuke, what's going on?"-Madarame went out calling for his student.-"I heard you yelling."
-"These people are slandering you with baseless rumors!"-Yusuke exclaimed still upset.
-"...Forgive them, Yusuke."-Madarame said after an awkward pause.-"They might have heard those bad rumours and hurried up to clarify them for their friend's safety."
-"...Understood, Sensei."-Yusuke calmed down.
-"Well, even I doubt that a cranky old man like me can be liked by everyone."-Madarame smiled. Kazumi looked at him upset and turning backwards to Ryuji, she wrote something on her phone.
-"That was not what we meant…"-Ann said feeling ashamed.
-"I apologize for butting in your conversation."-Madarame said.-"However, I have neighbors around so will you please quiet down."
After that, he went inside and Kazumi went out of her hiding:
-"That was discourteous of me...I'm sorry."-Yusuke vowed towards them in apology.
-"...I know!"-Yusuke got an idea.-"I think you'll believe in Sensei if you see that painting."-the boy proceeded to show on his phone a photo of a beautiful oriental woman with a black long ponytail falling out on her left shoulder, a red dress and looking tenderly towards a mystic fog that surrounded her. There was also an inscription on the right side with the name 'Sayuri'.
-"It's his maiden work as well as his most representative piece- it's name is 'Sayuri'."-he mentioned.
-"It's pretty…"-Kazumi said with her eyes shining on admiration.
-"This is the piece that inspired me to become an artist."-Yusuke said with a proud smile.
-"It's so mysterious too. What is she looking at?"-Ann asked.
-"Not even I know."-Yusuke said.-"That's part of Sayuri's true beauty."
-"I don't know about fine art stuff but I gotta admit that it's very impressive…"-Ryuji said as he scratched his ass like a monkey.
-"When I saw you, I felt the same powerful emotion I sensed from this painting."-Yusuke said as he looked amused towards Ann.
-"Me?"-Ann said flattered.
-"I will pursuit beauty like this."-Yusuke continued.-"And, I believe if I draw you will be part of that pursuit."
-"Takamaki-san, I implore you to seriously consider my offer!"-Yusuke vowed towards her.-"Today won't do. I'm sorry you have to come all the way here but I must assist Sensei."
-"I hope we can discuss this another time. If you excuse me then."-Yusuke went inside the house leaving them behind.
The rebels retired and gather on the opposite side of the street where they couldn't be heard. They were a bit silent until Ryuji spoke:
-"Those two seem like nice guys...don't they?"-he seemed mercyful.
-"Maybe the Madarame we heard about in Mementos was another person."-Ann said.
-"Just when we finally found a suitable target…"-Ryuji said.
-"Aren't you guys giving it up too easily?"-Kazumi said clearly upset by their attitude.-"I don't trust that old bag at all!"
-"I'm going to put an end to our suspicions right now!"-Kazumi took out her phone and pressed the MetaNav app.
-"I see, we're jumping right on what we need to know."-Morgana grinned.
-"Well, I guess we have to hear what our leader thinks too…"-Ann said as she saw that Kazumi was really determined to get it done.
-"Ichiryusai Madarame, shack, and…"-Kazumi couldn't figure out the last keyword.-"What could he think about this house? A jail?"
-"Candidate not found."-the AI said.
-"I guess we should try with random guesses."-Morgana advised.
-"Why don't we start with 'castle'?"-Ann suggested but the app gave the same answer.
-"What about prison? Or school? Maybe guidance council office? I might add Farm as well."-Ryuji suggested but none of the results clicked.
-"This is so sudden though…"-Ann complained.-"What will a great artist like Madarame will think about this house?"
-"You mean like an art placement?"-Kazumi asked.-"What about 'Museum', then?"
-"Candidate found. Beginning navigation."-the AI said and distorted the space around them.
-"Hey! When did you activate the app? It surprised me!"-Mona said.
-"Sorry. It seems like it dragged us as soon as I said the last keyword."-Ace said as she put her phone back.
-"Be careful. I could've been caught by the enemy if I wondered off!"-Mona said.
-"C'mon. You could have realized as soon as you noticed that you were walkin' on two legs."-Skulk said.
-"Hey, look at this."-Panther drew their attention and they looked shocked towards the building in front. There was no shack but a modern golden building with a big sign that had 'Museum' written on it. There was also a great line of 'people' lining up for the exhibition.
-"No way. Is this that shack from earlier!?"-Skull asked in shock.
-"It's so extravagant...to the point that it's gaudy."-Ann said overwhelmed.
-"Let's look around!"-Ace said and they went closer.
-"Is this really Madarame's Palace?"-Panther said indecisive.-"This is a expensive neighborhood so it could be someone else's."
-"That's why we are going to look around~"-Ace was seriously determined to prove her point. She looked around to find an entry.
-"But that line...It looks like it never ends…"-Skull said as he saw the people on the line. They were all cognitions.
-"You're not trying to get by the line, right?"-Mona said as Ace took steps away from them.
-"Of course not! We're thieves so we obviously don't enter by the front."-Skull exclaimed.
-"Over here! I found our entrance point!"-Ace called them and they went to her location; she was next to a truck.-"We can cross the wall using this as a step stone."
-"As expected of you, Ace!"-Mona praised her.
The thieves followed Ace's lead inside the museum's garden with Shadows like security guards doing vigilance. They achieved to get to the rooftop of the main building and get inside by using a rope that Morgana had with him. Already inside, the rebels were surprised by the weirdness of the museum. In the walls, there were weird paintings of people's faces that seemed like moving:
-"Those pictures...are moving…"-Panther said freaked out.
-"We're in a Palace, there's nothing to freak out at this point."-Skull said to her.
-"Uhmm. A Palace represents the heart of its owner, if we check them out, we probably can tell why Madarame has twisted desires."-Morgana explained.
-"I see…"-Ace thought as they got closer to the picture. It had a name and an age on its description.
-"A name and an age? That can't be the name of the picture but probably the artist?"-Panther asked.
-"In that case, all of them should have Madarame's name."-Ace said.-"He probably filled out this cognitive museum with nothing than his own arts."
-"..."-Mona was suspecting something.-"We might as well check out the rest of the paintings as we advance."
-"Yes. We should find a map of the place as well."-Ace agreed.
Unable to access some automatized doors, the group was forced to keep the pace around a block of the first exhibition room. At the end of the first section of the exhibition room, Panther commented:
-"This doesn't make any sense."-the others looked at her.-"Madarame has a wide variety of styles yet all the paintings here look the same."
-"None of the paintings we have checked had his name as it is supposed to be."-Ace said.
-"Hey, girls. Look at that!"-Skull said in shock as he noticed a painting behind them. His partners reacted the same way.-"Isn't this the guy who was trash-talkin' Madarame in Mementos?"
-"Natsuhiko Nakanohara. Yes, that's his name. But, why is there a painting of him in this place?"-Morgana said as he checked the plate.
-"We're probably closer to the truth of Madarame's true nature."-Ace said as she frowned.
They kept walking towards the exit of the exhibition room, taking any hidden treasure until Ace noticed a painting at the very end:
-"Guys!"-she called out her partners and they all saw a giant painting of Yusuke with the same style of the other paintings.
-"What..? No way!"-Panther said in shock.
-"It says 'Yusuke Kitagawa' here. There's no mistaking it."-Mona said after reading the plaque.
-"So handsome…"-Ace looked hypnotized to the painting of the guy. She was so fixed on his portrait that she took out her phone to take a picture of that painting.
-"Wait, you idiot!"-Skull said alarmed.-"We're going to be noticed if you activate the flash!"
-"Huh?"-Ace noticed that her phone was locked in the MetaNav app.-"I can't access the camera…"
-"That's good news…"-Mona said relieved.
-"I'll have to keep this portrait on my mind…"-Ace sighed disappointed.
-"Can you not?"-Skull exclaimed a bit annoyed.
-"Anyways…"-Panther felt the need to keep them in the important issue on hand.-"What do you guys think these paintings are then?"
-"Well...if there is a painting of Kitagawa-kun here…"-Ace thought.-"Could all these people be his pupils?"
-"What? For real? But we only saw that guy livin' with him!"-Skull said shocked.
-"It's reasonable to think that there's former pupils of his as well."-Mona said.
-"I see…"-Ace said.-"Just like Kamoshida thought of his victims as slaves, Madarame thinks of his pupils, or victims, as his own paintings. They are the display of his actions as a criminal."
-"...Ace, aren't you watching too many detective movies?"-Panther said in disbelief.
-"Or a Sherlock Holmes Persona?"-Skull added.-"You're actually scaring me with your deductions…"
-"What? It's nothing like that!"-Ace said as she blushed embarrassed.-"What's wrong with me getting on the hype of being a Phantom Thief?"
-"Oh, it's just that?"-Skull said as he grinned and put his hand on her hat.-"That's so cute of you."
-"You're not any different, Skull."-Mona mentioned.
-"Alright, Phantom Thieves, let's go."-Panther said.
-"She's right. We have to advance to clear out that this is actually Madarame's palace."-Mona said and they all walked forward.
Eventually they reached the main entrance and took a guide of the museum as a map. Their investigation route was cut by a large golden statue called 'The Infinite Spring'. Panther proceeded to read the description of the sculpture:
-" 'A conglomerate art that the great founder Madarame created with his own funds.
These individuals must offer their ideas to the director for the rest of their lives.
Those who cannot do so have no worth living!'"-Panther frowned.
-"Hey, isn't this most likely about the plagiarism?"-she asked.
-"Damnit. What a phony geezer!"-Skull cursed.
-"Just like Ace inferred earlier, he thinks his pupils are his property. He doesn't even qualify as an artist if that's true."-Mona said.-"He steals the ideas of his talented students in exchange of their livelihood."
-"He's treating them as tools for his own fame."-Panther said indignated.
-"Kitagawa-kun…"-Ace thought in sorrow as she clenched her fist.
-"Why is that guy keepin' it quiet about this!? There's no reason to cover this up!"-Skull said infuriated about Yusuke.
-"He did say he owns his life to Madarame…"-Panther said looking down.
-"But still…"-Skull replied.
-"I praised one of the paintings back in the exhibition but Kitagawa-kun acted strange…"-Panther commented.-"Maybe that one was plagiarized too."
-"What's the call, Leader? Are we gonna take Madarame down?"-Skull asked.
-"Of course we will!"-Ace said.-"But, not now. We came here unprepared so we better back off for today…"
-"We should confirm this with Yusuke too."-Mona added.-"We need solid evidence about Madarame's crimes in reality just so we can uncover them without complications."
-"In that case, I'll contact Kitagawa-kun and accept his modeling offer so we can speak to him."-Panther said.
-"Wait! You're gonna do that!?"-Mona wasn't happy to hear that.
-"You all better come with me, ok? I'm scared to go alone."-she replied unsecure.
-"Ok, then."-Ace replied.-"I'll also prepare ourselves for the upcoming infiltration."
-"This is our first mission as Les Blue Rebels...We're gonna succeed no matter what."-Skull said excited and the others nodded.
At night, Kazumi returned home tired. It was when she changed clothes that she heard her phone ringing. It was the group chat where Ann discussed if it was ok for them to target Madarame when he wasn't causing any trouble now and Yusuke didn't seem in danger either. Ryuji expressed his point of view of not forgiving him for the plagiarism. Kazumi didn't really participated in the conversation as she had her mind set: Ichiryusai Madarame must face justice for his crimes both as a shameful artist and as a terrible guardian. However, forcing her friend Ann to take action when she was still hesitant is something that she couldn't bring herself to do.
Before going to sleep, she received Ryuji's call:
-"Hello?"-she asked on the phone.
-"Hey, it's me."-Ryuji replied.-"All good? You didn't look so talkative on the chatroom."
-"I'm fine. I was thinking that since we're a team, I can't force my opinions on Ann."-Kazumi replied.
-"I see."-Ryuji replied.-"I can't forgive Madarame either but what Ann said…"
-"Do you think Kitagawa sees us as nothin' but thugs?"-he asked.
-"Probably…"-Kazumi replied after she remembered his expression when they showed the post to Yusuke.-"We kind of cornered him with our questions and he got angry because of that."
-"I knew it."-Ryuji said upset.-"But it ain't what he think it is! Ugh. It just pisses me off to think about it!"
-"Ehehehe. I see you now sympathize with him."-Kazumi got cheered up by that thought.
-"Come on. He's also like us, don't you think?"-Ryuji said.-"He's bein' forced to live under the shitty actions of a corrupt adult."
-"It makes me sick just to think how many people are victims of that, right?"-he asked her.
-"That's why we are using our powers, after all. Let's take them all down."-Kazumi said with a smile.
-"Thanks, Kazumi."-Ryuji was cheered up too.-"You always have this kind of power to calm me down."
-"Is that one of your Personas too?"-he wondered.-"No, this is how you are right?"
-"Yes, Ryuji-kun. This is me."-Kazumi smiled but deep inside she knew that it was just the tip of the large iceberg of her insecurities.
-"Ok. See you tomorrow."-Ryuji said before they both hanged up.
-"Kazumi, I was wondering about something."-Morgana spoke to her.
-"What is it?"-Kazumi asked as she put the phone to a side.
-"You hide a lot of things from us, but there's something I can't put my paw on it."-Morgana said in a calm tone.-"Your relation with your parents and that Doctor Hiromi you talked about with that Doctor…"
-"I'm not in the mood, Morgana."-she closed her eyes.-"We're going to start our first mission soon. Talking about my problems will not help at all in this situation…"
-"...".-Morgana sighed.
-"Good night."-Kazumi said to him as she went to bed.
-"Yes...Good night."-Morgana went to sleep as well, a little upset for not being able to taw Kazumi's heart.
Take Your Time.