Chapter 11: Museum of Vanity/The Gallant Artist
May 17th
The rebels met at the courtyard at lunchtime after Ann requested it:
-"Kitagawa-kun answered; He accepted me to go today for the modeling."-she replied.
-"Way to go, Ann!"-Kazumi praised her.
-"Yeah. He prolly changed his plans so you could go over his place."-Ryuji said.
-"We have to confirm with him if what we saw in the palace was true…"-Ann said.
-"Hey, quiet down."-Morgana advised.-"Look over there, it's that student council president."
They saw that Makoto was asking questions to Mishima, probably about Kamoshida and them, on the next hall close to them:
-"Shit… He got his look on Mishima."-Ryuji said angry.
-"We better split up for now. Let's meet on the station walkway."-Kazumi advised and they separated.
After school, Ryuji and she waited for Ann on the despicted place. She eventually reached them:
-"You're late, Ann."-Kazumi complained.-"This whole mission can't start without you!"
-"Sorry. It's just that I was thinking about a lot of things."-she excused.
-"Thinkin' about what?"-Ryuji asked.
-"Don't you think Kitagawa-kun is hiding Madarame?"-Ann asked.-"I mean, they live together so he must know the things his teacher has done."
-"The only reason why I can imagine him doing that it's because he owns his life to Madarame…"-she said upset.
-"That's what we're going to check out, right? Are you ready to be a model?"-Ryuji said.
-"Yes. I did all the necessary preparations"-Ann said.
-"Like which…?"-Kazumi asked confused.
-"I don't see anythin' different either."-Ryuji mentioned.
-"Forget it."-Ann sighed as her friends didn't realize the great effort she put in being courageous about modeling for an artist.-"Kitagawa-kun seemed really happy when I accepted his offer. Maybe we can talk about Madarame with him once he finishes drawing and gets friendlier."
A few moments, they arrived to Madarame's house and went to Yusuke's studio room:
-"I'm glad you accepted my offer, Takamaki-san."-Yusuke said with a joyful expression that turned cold as he looked at Ryuji and Kazumi.-"But I hoped it will be only you."
-"Wouldn't you be nervous if it was just the two of us…?"-Ann attempted to create an excuse.
-"I always wanted to see how artists create paintings~"-Kazumi said with a smile. Of course, that was an excuse.
-"I'm here to keep an eye on you so don't try anything perverted, 'kay?"-Ryuji said in a tone of advise.
-"Stop making such odd assumptions. I have absolutely no interest on her as a member of the opposite sex."-Yusuke replied to him.
-"...Huh!?"-Ann was quite surprised.
-"Ann's charm is not effective on him!?"-Kazumi thought in shock.
-"W-Would I even have a chance…?"-Kazumi murmured.
-"Is there any problem?"-Yusuke asked Ann as he saw her reaction.
-"No, not really…"-Ann said looking towards her friends. She noticed Kazumi with her sight down.
-"She must have been more disappointed than me, huh?"-Ann thought as she got on position to model.
-"Well then, let's get started."-Yusuke said amused as he took a brush in front of his canvas.
They were looking at his technique. He was focused drawing each and every line with passion:
-"...Hey, Kitagawa-kun?"-Ann tried to initiate a conversation with him but he was way too focused.
-"You hear her?"-Ryuji asked a bit louder.
-"..."-Yusuke was on his zone.
-"It's no use. He is actually concentrated."-Kazumi said.
-"This isn't what we planned. We were going to catch him off guard and make him spill his beans, weren't we?"-Morgana meowed.
-"Do we really need Yusuke's confirmation?"-Kazumi asked.-"This doesn't look like a progress at all…"
-"I guess we'll have to wait 'til he's done. What an effin' pain in the ass…"-Ryuji said.
-"This is too boring. So I just gonna sneak around a little bit."-Morgana said as he went out of the bag.
-"Don't get caught."-Kazumi murmured.
-"Heh. Who do you think I am?"-Morgana said as he went out of the room.
On his walk, Morgana found a flashy door with peacock decoration and a lock. He wondered about what could be behind it.
After a few hours, Yusuke took a break after drawing on his canvas for a long time:
-"Are you done now?"-Ryuji asked relieved.
-"It's no good…"-Yusuke said as he thorned out the page he was drawing on.
-"What?"-Ryuji said in shock.
-"I'm sorry. Am I the problem?"-Ann asked.
-"No, not at all…"-Yusuke said.-"It's just that… I'm having problems to focus today. We'll have to resume this another time, sorry."
-"Oh, hell no. How long do you think you made us wait!?"-Ryuji reacted annoyed.
-"Huh?"-Yusuke was a little bit confused.
-"I'm sorry. We had another reason for seeing you today."-Ann said as the other two stood up.
-"It's about those rumors regarding your sensei again."-Ryuji said.
-"That painting we saw in the exhibit, you were the one who painted it, right?"-Ann asked.
-"That's-"-Yusuke seemed insecure to answer.
-"I knew it."-Ann cut him off.
-"Your sensei is seriously messed up. He threats his pupils as tools."-Ryuji said.-"That's why he doesn't give a damn whether they disagree with their ideas bein' stolen or beating them physically."
-"Don't intend to lie us about it! We ain't eating any of that."-Ryuji said serious.
-"He's right."-Kazumi said to Yusuke.-"Even if you don't say anything, we will look for another of his pupils who can tell us the truth. We're trying to help you on your consent, Kitagawa-kun."
-"..."-Yusuke clenched his teeth and looked at Kazumi.-"Asaka-san, you said 's things that have no value as to expect something in exchange, right?"
-"Huh? Yes…"-Kazumi replied confused.
-"It's all true. We're our sensei's 'artwork'."-Yusuke admitted.-"But don't misunderstand it. I offer my ideas to him. That can't be called plagiarism."
-"My debt with Sensei is something with no money value and he doesn't expect me to pay for his generosity."-Yusuke mentioned-"He is just suffering of an artist block right now."
-"Dude, still...Why are you stickin' around!?"-Ryuji asked frustrated by Yusuke's good-hearted motives.
-"All his other pupils ran away! Why wouldn't you do the same!?"-he exclaimed.
-"Ryuji, stop it."-Ann said as she saw Yusuke getting really upset.
-"What's wrong with a pupil helping out his master!?"-Yusuke exclaimed angry.-"There are no victims here. Stop trying to push your self-centered righteousness on me!"
-"Is it acceptable for you that someone steals the credit of your work like that, then?"-Kazumi said with a sad look.-"What about that painting, 'Sayuri'? If Madarame plagiarized it too, it will be ok for you?"
-"Stop it. That's a frontier you must not cross…"-Yusuke said as he put his hand on his face in pain.
-"Kitagawa-kun…"-Kazumi felt bad for his refusal.
-"Don't ever come to this place again. I'll sue you for disturbance, otherwise."-Yusuke said as he sat down to calm himself.
-"Hold it! We're not done talkin' here!"-Ryuji stepped forward but both Kazumi and Ann made him step back with a signal.
-"You leave me with no choice then. I'll report you to the police."-Yusuke said as he took out his phone.
-"I only asked Takamaki-san to come here. I don't recall inviting you two as well."-Yusuke said.
-"What the eff, man!?"-Ryuji said infuriated.
-"Ryuji-kun, calm down."-Kazumi said to him.
-"There's no need to get it to this."-Ann said to Yusuke.
-"Ugh."-Yusuke sighed.-"I won't report you to the police then...but under one condition."
-"What would that be?"-Kazumi asked.
-"I want Takamaki-san to keep being my model."-Yusuke said.
-"But you said it wasn't working today…"-Ann mentioned.
-"That's because I was being modest for your sake…"-Yusuke said.-"However, I have nothing to worry anymore. If you're willing to bare everything to me…"
-"...I will put my heart and soul in creating the best nude painting ever!"-he exclaimed over enthusiastic.
-"...What did he just say?"-Kazumi entered in a shock of disbelief.
-"WHAT!?"-Ryuji exclaimed in another shock.
-"Nude!?"-Ann panicked.-"H-Hold on. We can talk about this…"
-"Why did it escalate so suddenly to this!?"-she exclaimed.
-"Because those are my conditions."-Yusuke said confident.
-"Come on. I-It doesn't have to be like this…"-Ann went next to the shocked Kazumi.-"Here! What about Kazumi? She surely is willing to do it!"
-"Eh?"-Kazumi didn't like the idea.
-"She doesn't look that attractive now but give me until tomorrow and she'll be a better model…"-Ann was putting everything on the table.
-"Ann, what the heck!?"-Ryuji reacted but Ann shut him up with a look.
-"Uhm."-Yusuke analyzed Kazumi with his look making her nervous.
-"It won't do."-he concluded codly.-"Her proportions are imperfect! Don't let me start in that she is totally unmatched against the beauty of Sayuri! It has to be you, Takamaki-san."
-"Gyah…!"-Kazumi felt like a lance stabbed her heart when she heard him said that and a little tear came out of her eye. Eventually, she stopped thinking.
-"No way…"-Ann sighed that he couldn't persuade him.
-"To think that I'll finally paint my desired picture with my most ideal model…"-Yusuke was full of joy.-"Of course, you two will not be allowed in."
-"I have to get a new painting for sensei soon or there will be inconveniences."-Yusuke mentioned.-"Of course, I'm willing to wait for your answer, Takamaki-san. Please make it before the exhibition ends."
-"No! I haven't agreed to this!"-Ann said blushing embarrassed.-"Why aren't you listening!?"
-"We're done for today. I'll see you later, Takamaki-san."-Yusuke cut out the conversation and went to his desk of work.
-"What should we do now?"-Ryuji said.-"Kazumi?"
-"..."-but she wasn't listening.
-"I guess we should go for now. He got us good."-Ryuji said as he grasped the shoulder of the inert girl.
-"Don't give up so easily!"-Ann said but there was nothing they could really do in that situation.
As they were leaving, they found Morgana in the front of the door:
-"Oh, is Lady Ann done as a model?"-Morgana meowed.
-"A cat?"-Yusuke heard him.
-"You idiot!"-Ryuji took it by the neck quickly so they could get out.
After getting out, they stopped in the same corner of the street as yesterday:
-"He's totally out of his mind! At this pace, I'll have to pose nude!"-Ann exclaimed.
-"How dare that Yusuke..!"-Morgana said indignant.
-"Yeah and the way he said it; it's not gonna be semi but full-on nude."-Ryuji said serious.
-"F-F-Full nudity…? Lady Ann's gonna…"-Morgana was blushing.
-"Drop it!"-she exclaimed.
-"You know, you don't have to worry about that if we made Madarame confess his crimes before the exhibit ends."-Ryuji said.
-"But Kitagawa-kun thinks that he owns his life to him, will anything change if we make Madarame confess?"-Ann said.-"What do you think, leader?"
-"...Kazumi?"-Morgana asked as she was still speechless.
-"...He called me unattractive, didn't he?"-Kazumi murmured and started to sob.-"A bishounen made fun of me! And on top, he's a pervert!"
-"Great. Ann, you're responsible for this."-Ryuji crossed his arms in disapproval.-"You fix it."
-"Me!?"-Ann said.-"C-Come on, Kazumi. Ignore it. Guys are always this dumb."
-"Who are you calling dumb!?"-Ryuji was offended.
-"Cheer up! We have to get info on Madarame to infiltrate his Palace…"-Ann still tried to calm down the heartbroken girl.
-"Don't stay there and help me a bit!"-Ann exclaimed to Ryuji and Morgana.
-"Don't be upset, Kazumi. I'll still think you're a cutie."-Ryuji said as he posed his hand on her shoulder.
-"How's that supposed to make her feel better!?"-Morgana scolded him.-"Listen, Kazumi. You're a Phantom Thief, you have to take hearts, not let yours to be taken!"
-"Besides, are you gonna leave it up like this? Madarame is still our target!"-he was really harsh on her. Ryuji was willing to shut him up if Kazumi started to cry because of it.
-"What are you talking about? We're still going to take that old bag's heart."-Kazumi replied to Morgana confused after cleaning the little tears on her eyes.-"This has nothing to do with my crush on Yusuke. We have to do it for his sake and the other pupils."
-"Thanks for the support, though."-she smiled innocently to her friends.
-"A heartbreak of 5 minutes…"-Ann said in shocked.-"Is your heart made of metal or what?"
-"Crush, huh?"-Ryuji said low.
-"What are we going to do about the modeling thing then?"-Kazumi said.-"If he has to give a new piece before the exhibition ends, everyone is going to see you nude."
-"We have to clear this up before that date, no matter what!"-Morgana said.
-"Oh, sorry. Do you kids have a moment?"-a woman with short and coconut-like haircut and using casual clothes, sunglasses and makeup called for them.
-"Uhm?"-Kazumi and the others turned around.
-"For the looks of it, you don't seem like the usual stalking fans."-the lady said.
-"Uh…"-Ann muttered as she didn't understood what she meant.
-"Oh, sorry. I didn't make myself clear."-the lady smiled.-"I am actually looking for people who knows Madarame's pupils."
-"There's this painting of his, 'Sayuri' , that was supposedly stolen in the past."-she explained.-"The rumors said it was stolen by one of his pupils in retaliation for his abuse. Have you heard anything about that?"
-"This is the first time I heard it, honestly…"-Kazumi replied.
-"I see…"-the lady seemed disappointed.-"There's no case if there's no victim and if there's no proof of abuse either."
-"I'm back to square one. Sorry for taking your time."-the lady said and she gave a presentation card to Kazumi.-"I'm a journalist. If you got any leads, mind if you contact me?"
-"Ahh...Sure?"-Kazumi replied as she put the card on her pocket.
-"See you then."-the woman retired.
-"Let's go home for today."-Ryuji advised.-"We gotta start with the infiltration tomorrow, oh, but the council president closed the rooftop so…"
-"What about that walkway in Shibuya? It's close to this house anyways."-he suggested.
-"A change of hideout? Yeah, that one should work for now…"-Kazumi agreed.
-"It doesn't sound like a bad plan to change our hideout location periodically."-Morgana agreed as well.
On the evening, Kazumi returned home and received a call from Mishima:
-"Yes?"-she asked.
-"Asaka-san! Good news!"-Mishima said.-"It looks like the notice I gave was enough to find the person who wrote that post!"
-"Really? What did he reply about meeting up?"-Kazumi asked.
-"He agreed to it."-Mishima replied.-"The diner of Shibuya after school right?"
-"Exactly."-Kazumi said.
-"Hey, is this part of your next hit!?"-Mishima asked excited.
-"You should just wait to see what happens, Mishima-kun."-Kazumi said and finished the call.
-"Who are you meeting up with?"-Morgana asked.
-"The person who wrote that post in the Phan-site."-Kazumi replied.-"While you guys were so focused on Kitagawa-kun, I texted Mishima-kun to try to call out for the person who wrote it by saying that the Phantom Thieves will like to discuss it on private."
-"I see…"-Morgana purred.-"Thanks to that, we might have all the confirmation we need tomorrow."
-"I'll text the others."-Kazumi said as she put her hands to work.
May 18th.
As Kazumi planned, she reunited with Natsuhiko Nakanohara in the diner. To avoid suspicions, Kazumi was using a long coat, black glasses and a hat to cover her identity and even sat behind the back of her informant:
-"You're Mr. Nakanohara, am I right?"-she said as she was drinking fruit tea.
-"The same."-he replied without looking behind and pretended to be looking at his phone.-"Who are you?"
-"A messenger of Les Blues Rebelles."-she replied as she put her phone on speaker.-"Tell me. What is your relation with the target, the artist by the name of Madarame?"
-"I'm a former student of his."-he replied.-"He gave me lounge in his home where I only thought about art...I really wanted to... become an artist."
-"There was other pupil as well. A man who was multiple years my senior."-he continued.-"Madarame kept tabs on him and everything he did was claimed as Madarame's original art."
-"He wasn't the only one of all the pupils I heard about…"-Nakanohara frowned.-"In response for Madarame's actions, that senior committed suicide."
-"...I see."-Kazumi replied thinking about the rumors that journalist commented yesterday.-"What happened after it?"
-"I refused to keep working under his wing and left."-Nakanohara replied.-"However, Madarame has connections in the art world and my life as a painter was totally destroyed because of his influence."
-"I tried to turn a new leaf and become a ward officer but it was no use."-Nakanohara said disappointed.-"As an artist, I became emotional and attached very easily to anyone. I even became a stalker...ha ha…"
-"Anyways, please convince the Phantom Thieves to change Madarame's heart."-Nakanohara said decided as he slightly turned around to see if she was still there.-"Not just for me but to save the life of another man as well."
-"Another man?"-Kazumi asked.
-"He's a high-schooler and it's now under Madarame's tutelage."-Nakanohara specified.-"He has a lot of talent that Madarame has been plagiarizing as well. The boy has been in that situation ever since his mother passed away…"
-"..."-Kazumi pictured Yusuke immediately to that description.
-"He is the perfect target for Madarame and I don't want to see another suicide happen because of him."-Nakanohara said.-"One more time, I'm asking your group to finish with that rotten old man's ambitions."
-"Very well. I'll contact them."-Kazumi said to him.-"Thanks for your request. We'll make sure this man gets a change of heart."
-"You will? I don't know how to express my gratitude."-Nakanohara stood up.-"I shall leave now, then."
-"Yes. Please keep in confidential what we discussed here, I'll do the same."-Kazumi said as she saw him leave.
After that, she turned off the speaker and talked to her partners who were hearing everything from the other side of the line in the new hideout:
-"How was it, Morgana? We got the confirmation we needed?"-she spoke through the phone.
-"It was perfect. Now we can strike on Madarame's palace."-Morgana replied.
-"I have to say I'm really surprised how you pulled this off in a movie fashion."-Ann said.-"Well done, leader!"
-"Thank you. Can you put Ryuji-kun on the line, Ann?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Huh? Sure."-the girl gave her phone to Ryuji.
-"Yes, Cutie?"-he asked.
-"I TOLD YOU!"-Kazumi exclaimed on his ear almost leaving him deaf.
-"AGH! What the hell, girl!?"-Ryuji exclaimed as he put away the phone.-"Ok. I'm sorry for making fun of your plan."
-" Thank you~"-Kazumi said in a funny tone.-"Well team, we have a mission on hands. Kitagawa-kun needs our help too."
-"Yes. I won't stay around to see another suicide happen."-Ann replied serious.
-"That bastard of Madarame will pay for picking on the weak and using Yusuke just because he has no parents."-Ryuji said.
-"Kazumi, let's meet up in the hideout now to continue this conversation."-Morgana said. She nodded and retired from the diner, leaving the money for her tea on the table.
In the hideout, Morgana explained that to steal Madarame's heart, they had to do the same procedure: An infiltration route, calling card and steal the treasure in the deadline:
-"Wait. I have a question."-Ryuji said.-"Why our clothes changed back in Madarame's palace? Does he thinks we are a threat too?"
-"Oh, you're learning, Ryuji."-Morgana said.-"He probably doesn't trust anyone and that's why we're already threats for him."
-"It could be also because he heard us discussing about the rumors of him with Kitagawa-kun."-Kazumi said.-"Like the journalist the other day, he could have thought of us like part of a scandalous media."
-"Either way, we should keep an eye of not raising his suspicions."-Ann said.-"Nor Kitagawa-kun's, as anything he sees can be passed away to his sensei."
-"What about the treasure? Will it have that foggy shape again?"-Ryuji asked.
-"Probably, but my sixth sense will detect it anyways."-Morgana replied.
-"We have to carry out this before the exhibition ends in June 5th, right?"-Kazumi said as she looked at the calendar.-"We don't know how the palace looks on his entirety so we'll steal his heart as soon as possible unlike with Kamoshida."
-"Will it be ok? Don't we need to prepare?"-Ann asked.
-"It's fine. We still have money from the treasures I sold and we can use a day in Mementos to train ourselves."-Kazumi said.
-"We leave it to you, Kazumi."-Ryuji said.
-"This is our first mission as Les Blues Rebelles. We can't mess this up. No matter what!"-Morgana said.
-"Alright. That is all for today."-Kazumi said.-"We'll infiltrate that palace tomorrow. I'll prepare the necessary items."
The rebels decided to separate after this. Kazumi went home to collect the guns she bought previously and traveled to Shibuya in order to resell them to Iwai. Turning around on that alley, she saw the blue lining of a door and Will sitting playfully over it:
-"Huh?"-Kazumi met her gaze with his.-"W-Why are you here?"
-"Why do you think, moron?"-Will replied as he jumped down.-"It's time for your judgment to continue."
-"Here?"-Kazumi looked around but nobody was there and it looked like Morgana didn't heard her either. Will opened the transparent door and stood behind her with a smirk.
-"Go at once!"-he pushed her with his hands and she was teleported to the Velvet Room.
-"That was uncalled for…"-Kazumi complained with the kid.
-"Silence. Our master is going to speak!"-Will said placing his hands on the back.
-"Don't involve our Master on this, Will."-Victor spoke. Although Igor was there, he didn't seem like he was 'present'.
-"Eh? So I wasn't called here by him?"-Kazumi asked confused.
-"We're the ones who requested you."-Victor said.-"I should have expected Will to use an excuse; he must have pushed you here, correct?"
-"Pipe down, Victor!"-Will exclaimed to him.-"How else was I going to bring her if she denied!?"
-"You could have asked it nicely."-Kazumi said with a smile.-"I have no reason to deny help. After all, you two are helping on my rehabilitation as well."
-"D-Don't act friendly! It pisses me off!"-Will looked away.
-"My apologies for his childish behavior."-Victor said.-"The reason why we called you was because we request your submission of a test of strength."
-"Test?"-Kazumi asked.
-"I have a list right here with requirements to fulfill. It seems it'll help you to strengthen your ability to fuse for stronger and skilled Personas."-Victor explained.
-"I see! What's the first one?"-Kazumi asked.
-"We will request you for the persona Jack Frost….huh?"-Victor read but realized that it was off.
-"What? That's way too easy! She has it already!"-Will exclaimed as he approached to his brother to see the list.
-"The list won't reveal any other requests if it's not fulfilled."-Victor said.
-"Let's make it a challenge! You have to make that Jack Frost learn Mabufu!"-Will said.
-"Guess it's time to train…"-Kazumi murmured a bit excited.
-"Amusing."-Victor said with a smile.-"You stay positive even in times like this, yet inside, you lack of a strong personality."
-"These requests are meant to help you be marked as innocent to the court."-Will said.-"Make your Personas stronger, culprit."
-"We are excited to see how you grow as well."-Victor said.
-"Leave it to me! I won't let any of you to keep calling my Personas weak!"-Kazumi said with a smile.
-"I am thou. Thou art I.
Thou has acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Strength Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing
That shall lead to freedom and new power."-a tarot card with the inscription of "The Strength" was created with a star on the top.
-"Oh? That arcana…"-Will noticed the blank arcana card that Kazumi got from the wanders.
-"Is something wrong?"-Kazumi asked.
-"No. It's nothing."-he looked away.
-"Concentrate in the request in hand. We'll be waiting."-Victor said after looking at Will for his weird behavior from before.
Kazumi was returned to the real world. Morgana asked why she spaced out, but she just replied that it was a good time to fuse Personas. She went back to business and sold and bought new weapons and armor. She also worked at the flower shop.
After work, Kazumi went towards the station and found that the politician from last time was doing a speech:
-"Oh? You're the girl that was working on the beef bowl shop last time!"-he recognized Kazumi as soon as she approached to him.-"You showed to be very perseverant for a young person."
-"Thank you."-Kazumi smiled.-"I strive to become stronger as a person."
-"Stronger? That's different from a perspective to other."-Yoshida went down from his made-up stage to speak directly to her.-"It's rare to see a young person like you interested in politics too. If you like, would you lend me your help?"
-"My help?"-Kazumi asked, but she was actually waiting for this.
-"Yes. I want to change this country in the right way and to do so, I need the power of youth."-Yoshida said.-"With a young lady like you as my supporter, I might be able to get the chance to get the attention of the masses to reform this society that neglects the youth to strive for a better future."
-"I'll glad to help."-Kazumi said.-"I can't stand adults who use the youth like tools. It will start a no-end cycle of oppression and corruption."
-"That determination of yours is admirable."-the man said impressed.-"We have a deal then. May I have your contact information so I can get to you when I plan to do an speech?"
-"Sure."-Kazumi said.-"My name is Kazumi Asaka and this is my number and chat ID."
-"I appreciate this, Asaka-kun."-he said with a reassuring smile as he sent a message to her with his info.
-"My name is Toranosuke Yoshida. I was a member of the Diet Building before...but after twenty years, I haven't get elected for seven years straight."-he said while looking down.
-"That's a pity. Let's do what we can so you get elected this year, Yoshida-san!"-Kazumi cheered him up.
-"Yes. Let's get to work now."-Yoshida said as he gave her a sign with 'Speech in session' written on it.-"Hold this for now, will you?"
-"Sure."-Kazumi took it and Yoshida went up to his stage.
-"Everyone! This man here attempts to change the future of this Rising Sun country!"-Kazumi exclaimed as she attempt to bring public.-"Please open your heart to what he wants to say!"
-"What's with the ruckus?"-some people gathered at Kazumi's publicity.-"Someone is giving a speech?"
-"I have no time for this."-some were saying.-"Let's check it out!"
-"That girl is kind of cute, I wonder what kind of speech she's talking about!"
-"Oh. Interesting."-Yoshida was surprised to see more people than usual.
-"Go on, Yoshida-san."-Kazumi smiled to him and he got to deliver his speech to the public about the overexploit of the young employees.
However, the few people who kept listening to him were not that convinced: Some argued that the situation couldn't be changed or that the seniors had it hard to leave their jobs to inexperienced youths. There was even someone who went against Yoshida, telling him that he was all blabbering because he didn't belong to a party of the Diet:
-"Do not attach your decision to vote because of a party! This is all about change to the best of our interests."-Yoshida said. Not like it worked.
-"We have a lot of work on us…"-Kazumi thought as she saw how hard was to keep the masses interested in their future.
After that, Kazumi helped Yoshida to pack his stage and he asked for her opinion of the speech:
-"What was that about 'The best of our interests'?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Oh, that part."-Yoshida said.-"My approach was to give people what to think about. What do they want and how to achieve it…"
-"However, there's times like today where the public has different opinions unrelated to the topic on hand."-he explained.-"Maybe I should focus on getting elected first…"
-"Don't worry. I'll support you."-Kazumi said.-"Yoshida-san, you seem like a man capable of changing the public for good like the Phantom Thieve-"-Kazumi stopped as she shouldn't mention about it.
-"Thank you. I'm glad my speeches have won you over."-Yoshida said.-"I see you can convince people as well but that potential should be polished."
-"Are my speeches a good lecture for you?"-he asked.
-"Huh? Something like that."-Kazumi replied.-"You can even control yourself about the topic on hand. I'll try to do that too instead of deviating from what I'm talking about with other people."
-"I'm glad to hear that. Do your best."-Yoshida supported her. They have now made a bond beyond superficial interests.
-"I am thou. Thou art I.
Thou has acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Sun Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing
That shall lead to freedom and new power."-the arcana tarot card of "The Sun" was created with a star on the top.
Kazumi returned home. Tomorrow was going to be the day they started their mission to take Madarame's heart.
May 19th.
The rebels met at their hideout and, from there, they went together to Madarame's place to activate the MetaNav. Unlike the first time, the exhibition rooms now had infrared lasers activated and security guards which were no big deal thanks to Ace's third eye ability and she was able to get Hua Po, a brown-skinned fairy with butterfly wings of three colors; and Koropokuru, an elder demon holding a leaf as umbrella.
They found their first big obstacle when Mona got attracted by a golden sheen in the middle of the second exhibition room. When he attempted to take it, an infrared trap was activated and forced the Thieves to be separated; leaving Ace on the task to regroup them. At the end, that golden sheen was a treasure demon that ran away because Ace couldn't land a hit. Totally a waste of time.
The second one was a trap with guards and electric nets on the exits of the second exhibition room. After crossing through it, they found a majestic room with shoji blue doors covering something up ahead. The doors slid as they ran towards them and the path stopped when they reached a big door with a peacock design protected by ineludible infrared lasers. Panther read a sign beside it that indicated that the lasers cannot be open if not from the inside of the door:
-"Is this a joke? How're we supposed to open it then!?"-Skull exclaimed.
-"Wait. I think I have seen that pattern before…"-Mona said.-"Oh, right! It's that door I saw earlier!"
-"Mona?"-Ace asked waiting for an explanation.
-"Let's head back for today!"-Mona said as he turned around to them.-"If this door is the same as the one I saw in the real world, then, there's a possibility we can open it!"
-"I'll explain it later, so let's go!"-Mona said as he ran back.
-"I guess we should listen him for now…"-Ace said to her partners and they followed the feline.
Later, in the real world, they were discussing about that gaudy door:
-"So, Morgana. How are we going to open that door?"-Kazumi asked.-"You said you had an idea of how."
-"Remember when I went wandering around Madarame's house?"-the cat meowed.-"I saw a door with that peacock design on the second floor and it had a very heavy lock securing it."
-"If it has a lock like that, he must be hiding something he wants nobody to see."-Ann said as she frowned her eyebrows.
-"But, what's the relation between that door and the one in the palace?"-Ryuji asked.
-"It's rather simple. We have to open that door in the real world to make our way with the one in the Metaverse."-Morgana said.-"Of course, Madarame has to see it open with his own eyes."
-"Really? But how does that work?"-Ryuji asked.
-"Well, we'll basically change his cognition that the door is no longer unopenable."-the cat explained.
-"I don't really understand it. Will it work?"-Ryuji scratched the back of his head in confusion.
-"I'm sure it will...I think."-Morgana confirmed?-"You trust me, don't you Kazumi?"
-"It can't hurt to try…"-she replied unsure.
-"But, that will require us to go to Madarame's house and Kitagawa-kun already said that he'll call the police if Ryuji or Kazumi go in."-Ann said.
-"Don't worry, I can handle it. Just give me a hair pin and I'll open it like nothing."-Morgana said relaxed.
-"But I can't do it with Madarame looking, so we'll need someone to distract him…"-his big blue eyes looked at his precious Lady Ann.
-"Hmm?"-Ann was confused by that look.
-"Oh...Ohhhh!"-Ryuji seemed to understand what Morgana tried to say with the last sentence.-"Man, how are we gonna get into his house without bein' noticed?"
-"What?"-Ann didn't like how Ryuji said that.
-"I guess the only way is havin' you go nude."-the blonde boy said.
-"WHAT!?"-Ann was quite in shock.
-"Fancy you say that Ryuji, I was thinking the same thing."-Morgana meowed.
-"This isn't funny!"-Ann exclaimed.
-"I think we are very serious about this, Ann."-Kazumi said.
-"Kazumi, you should be on my side…"-Ann sighed.
-"We're not saying that you should get naked."-Ryuji said.-"It's just an excuse to get in the house."
-"That's right. You will be a decoy, Ann."-Kazumi said.-"Besides, you can get Morgana in too so he can take care of the lock while you distract Kitagawa-kun."
-"But, this is way too sudden…"-Ann said nervous.-"What if I get found out?"
-"We can use the Nav to run into the palace or something like that."-Morgana said.
-"That doesn't sound very confident!"-Ann exclaimed.-"Ugh. Why do I have to be the decoy?"
-"Because he already said that only you can be his model…?"-Ryuji replied.
-"It'll be ok, Ann."-Kazumi said with a smile.-"As reward, we can go for crepes. The money is on me."
-"C'mon, you just have to distract Yusuke, open the door and take him to that room."-Ryuji said.
-"You make it sound so easy…"-Ann frowned.-"But, I guess I don't...have other choice."
-"Fine! I'll do it for justice! And those crepes!"-she exclaimed.
-"We'll not make your sacrifice in vain, Lady Ann."-Morgana said.
-"You better don't. If that guy takes my clothes off, I'll tear that house down."-Ann said with a serious tone.
-"We'll be counting on you, Morgana. Don't let Yusuke notice ya, alright?"-Ryuji said.
-"That settled. Let's do it tomorrow!"-Kazumi exclaimed.
-"Tomorrow!?"-Ann complained.
-"I said it before; We have to secure the route as soon as possible."-Kazumi explained.
-"But, will Kitagawa-kun agree?"-Ann said.
-"You can just convince him with something like: 'I want it to be tomorrow', right?"-Ryuji said as he imitated the voice of a girl.
-"Ugh...Fine."-Ann agreed.
In the evening, Kazumi returned home and helped Sojiro with the store. As he was teaching her about how to not make blends with random beans, Sojiro got an undesired call that forced him to leave the store. He trusted Kazumi to attend it properly and she decided not to question about his call, as they were not that close yet; but, she didn't hold on expressing her worry for him. This action made her bond with him grow deeper.
So, the Hierophant arcana card got a third star.
May 20th.
The rebels reunited in their 'hideout' to operate their plan. Morgana explained to Kazumi and Ryuji that they had to go to the palace and look for the security room with the switch of the door once they opened it in the real world. Once that was clear, they proceeded to get in action.
In Madarame's house, Yusuke was preparing his brushes for his new piece:
-"To think you'll really come...I assumed you were lying when you contacted me."-the dream-boy said with an amused tone in his voice.
-"Yeah….Sorry if it was too sudden."-Ann said behind him nervous.
-"Oh. That's not a problem…Sensei will come in half an hour so I apologize if that might cause you anxiety."-Yusuke turned around.-"By the way…"
-"Have you gained some weight…?"-he asked as he saw Ann wearing at least 7 layers of clothes on her, no, probably she was using her whole wardrobe.
-"You think so? I think I weight the same as always…"-she replied while laughing nervous.
-"So, uhm...Can you get ready here…?"-Yusuke asked nervous implying that she had to take off her clothes.
-"I...need to take my clothes off, right?"-Ann asked.
-"Y-Yes, please…"-Yusuke replied.
-"I'm so embarrassed. Can you please look away?"-she said as she attempted to undress herself and the guy did as said.
-"..."-Yusuke looked silently at the clothes that fell on the floor close to him.
-"Phew. That was tight."-Ann murmured as she threw away a skirt to Yusuke.
-"Tight…?"-he was getting uncomfortable.-"No, I'm doing this for art!"
-"Your sensei is coming soon right…?"-Ann asked.
-"I believe so…"-Yusuke's shoulders got stiff.
-"In that case, we should do this somewhere else, you know, with a more lovely atmosphere…?"-she asked in the most seductive tone she could speak with. Not like it was very convincing.
-"This should be good enough…"-Yusuke replied.
-"I think a door with a lock will be better, don't you think?"-Ann asked.-"Must a girl say more?"-and she threw a bra on his direction to force her point.
-"Wha!?"-Yusuke was trying to control his human desires.-"I-I think the only room with a lock is sensei's room...but we can't go there…"
-"Why not?"-Ann asked.
-"I don't have the key…"-Yusuke replied. At this answer, Ann did a signal to Morgana to go for the lock.
-"Takamaki-san, are you done?"-Yusuke asked as he suddenly turned around and saw Ann using her uniform, while all the clothes she was using were scattered in the floor.
-"You were wearing all of this…?"-Yusuke asked.
-"Y-Yeah. I was really cold."-Ann excused herself.-"See? That's why I wanted a change of atmosphere…"
-"Uhmm...Maybe if I brighten my model's mood, I'll be able to convince it to do some more expressive poses…"-Yusuke was trying to convince himself that it was a good idea.
-"Poses!?"-Ann exclaimed surprised but went back to character immediately.-"Well, can we go there, please~? I really want to be alone with you, Kitagawa-kun~"
-"But, we can't-"-before Yusuke could stop her, Ann went wandering on the hall while she threw off her jacket to lure Yusuke.-"Takamaki-san!"
-"I'm counting on you, Mona…!"-Ann thought for herself in hope the plan will work.
Meanwhile, in Madarame's Palace, Ace and Skull were waiting for the door to open:
-"Do you really think this is gonna work?"-Skull asked.-"Ann said she was going to attract him with her acting but I dunno. That sounds out of her league."
-"Let's have faith that it will instead of doubting about it so much."-Ace advised as she looked that no Shadow was luring around their position.
-"You're right."-Skull said and after a few seconds he chucked.-"Maybe if he didn't reject you for modeling, you could've convinced him."
-"Is this about the Succubus Persona?"-Ace inflated her cheeks angry.-"Forget it. It's not going to happen again. You said you preferred me like I am."
-"Oh...you get rid of it because of that…?"-Skull looked away embarrassed.
-"Yes...wait! No, t-that's not what I mean!"-Ace replied equally embarrassed.
-"It's fine. I mean, he...Yusuke is your type, isn't he?"-Skull said still without looking at her.
-"You dumb-dumb! Stop caring too much about what Morgana says, ok?"-Ace said embarrassed.-"How am I supposed to know about my type if I have never been close to guys before?"
-"Kitagawa-kun, Dr. Takemi and the President are handsome, yes...but! T-That's just platonic! It's not real attraction, you know?"-she tried to explain herself but she ended up hiding her blushed face under her hat.
-"Relax. We're not a couple, cutie."-Skull said with a joyful smile.-"But, seeing you all flustered is always so cute. I can't help but cheer up."
-"C'mon!"-she exclaimed angry.-"Don't get in my nerves like that!"
-"Oh. It's almost time."-Ace said as her phone rang because of a timer put on it.
In the real world, Ann was finally able to reach the door with Yusuke close to her but Morgana didn't have it open yet:
-"You're still not done!?"-she murmured to him.
-"This is harder to do with cat paws!"-Morgana meowed as he was trying to force the lock with the hairpin on his claws.
-"Takamaki-san, we can't really go there!"-Yusuke said a bit on a hurry.
-"Why not~?"-Ann was keeping up her 'seductive' act.-"Hey, what's behind this door~?"
-"I believe that's the storage for old paintings but...sensei is the only one with access to that room."-Yusuke said.
-"I want it to be here. Can we?"-she said.-"It will be really nice if we can do it where no one can see us~"
-"Is he really going to buy that cheap act?"-Morgana said.
-"Stay focused on your task!"-she said to him.
-"What was that?"-Yusuke asked confused. He couldn't really see Morgana as he was hiding behind Ann.
-"N-Nothing. Kitagawa-kun, do you really don't like girls like me..?"-she asked as she braced herself.-"You even rejected my poor friend Kazumi, and she really wanted to be your model deep inside~"
-"T-That's a misunderstanding…"-Yusuke tried to explain himself.-"I did want you as my model because you have quite the charisma to attract a lot of people…"
-"Asaka-san, however...How do I put it in words?"-Yusuke tried to think.-"Yeah! She has a beauty that I will like to keep reserved for myself! Such egoistic thoughts shouldn't be displayed in an exhibition."
-"...What?"-Ann didn't really understood his answer.
-"I think he has a crush on her…"-Morgana murmured and finally opened the door.-"It's unlocked!"
-"I'm home."-They heard Madarame's voice from the entrance.
-"S-Sensei!?"-Yusuke said nervous as Ann and Morgana went into the darkened room.
-"What are you doing in there!?"-Madarame said with demanding voice when he saw the door of the storage open.
-"N-No! This is…!"-before Yusuke could explain himself, Ann dragged him inside in order to help him.
-"Not in there…!"-Madarame exclaimed as he saw the door to be closed in front of his eyes. That was it. What he was hiding behind that door was no more a secret for himself only.
In the Palace, the door opened itself to this thinking and the two thieves saw this as their chance to get in. However, their path was not without obstacles; a guard was right on the other side of that hall:
-"You think we should get him?"-Skull asked Ace as they were hiding behind the shoji doors in that hall.
-"We have no other option. It's just you and me, Skull"-Ace said.
-"Yeah."-Skull smiled ironically.-"He's going down!"
Meanwhile, in the real world, Ann turned on the lights of the storage room and together with Yusuke, she saw something shocking:
-"What the…?"-Yusuke said in disbelief. In front of him was his sensei's masterpiece: Sayuri.
Take Your Time.