Chapter 21: Mine of Gluttony/The Laws of the Metal Rider
June 20th, in Furukawa's Palace…
While the rest of the party was trying to get Makoto out of the Metaverse rationally, Ace saw a figure of a kid, Kazuya, waving at her and smiling:
-"Sister!"- exclaimed the boy joyfully.
-"Kazuya…"- Ace couldn't help herself but to run towards the boy.
-"Ace! Hey, where are you going!?"- Mona noticed that she left and they followed her running. The Kazuya she was seeing started to run as he was playing a tag game and he simply was vanished as soon as she got to the entry.
-"Kazuya…?"- she wondered where he had gone.
-"Why the hurry? Shouldn't we just return Nijima home?"-Fox asked her.
-"Who are those people?"- Makoto asked as he saw a line up of people in luxurious fashion in the entry.
-"They are not real. Just people inside Furukawa's head."- Panther said.
-"Why don't we pretend to be in line to enter?"- Makoto said.
-"Are you crazy? That's a lame way for Phantom Thieves to get in for a mission!"- Skull exclaimed.
-"You seriously need to leave…"- Panther tried to insist but...
-"...He's gone."- Fox said as they saw Makoto going straight to the guard in the door.
-"Wait!"- Ace went with him and as soon as she crossed stepped on the first staircase, her thief suit disappeared.-"Huh?"
-"Can I help you, kid?"-Kasumi ignore the issue when she saw that Makoto was already confronting the shadow guard and went next to him.
-"I wish to know how to access this gallery and see Mrs. Furukawa."- Makoto asked.
-"Access? You need an invitation from her."- the shadow said.-"But it's a long line for it."
-"Unless of course, you want to pay your way to it."- the shadow said with a smirk.
-"I see, then, how about you tell her that I know her secrets and I will spoke all of them to the police?"- he suddenly said.
-"What are you doing!?"- Kasumi murmured at him anxious.
-"You are suddenly irritating kid. Leave before I get serious."- the shadow said.
-"F-Forgive him, sir!"- Kazumi said to the guard.-"We are just leaving-!"
-"Wait, you. I have seen you before…"- the shadow said.
-"Me…?"- Kasumi felt nervous that a shadow could recognize her so easily.
-"Yeah. You are out of your workplace!"- the shadow said turning mad and other two popped up.
-"This is bad…"- Kazumi said nervous.-"Run! Now!"- she exclaimed to Makoto and tried to run away but she was taken by the shadows.
-"You are not supposed to be outside. Madam Haruka will be unpleased."- one of the shadow said.
-"Asaka!"- Makoto tried to get the other shadows to release her but he was just pushed away and the others had to intercede. They were also changed back to their uniforms.
-"Release her at once!"- Ryuji exclaimed at them while Mona was checking on Makoto.
-"What is the ruckus!?"- from a megaphone at the entrance, the voice of Furukawa was heard.
-"Madam! A miner has escaped and there are other kids with her claiming to know your secrets."- the first guard explained.
-"I see…"- she said.-"Invite them all inside. Including the miner."
-"Roger, Madam."- he said and the shadow released Kazumi.-"You heard her well. Behave yourself and go in, brats."
-"I am not following the rules of your damn boss."- Ryuji said.
-"Let's go inside."- Kazumi said to the others.-"There's something weird going on in this place…"
-"Nijima-senpai, stay close to us."- she said to him and he couldn't help but to agree disappointed of being useless again.
In the inside of the gallery, there was many wealthy looking people. All of them were adults looking at the exhibition of precious stones and jewelry. It was all dazzling, no matter where you looked at. Kazumi and the others were watching the setting cautiously:
-"This place is not so different from Madarame's museum."- Yusuke said.
-"First your clothes turned back and now she invites us inside…"- Mona said.-"Is she actually not seeing us as invaders?"
-"...She must see us just like kids she can toy with."- Kazumi mentioned.-"We are just weak to her."
-"That really contradicts what she said on the conference…"- Makoto mentioned.-"About the children being stronger and that they are not victims."
-"Uh...I don't get any of this but aren't we supposed to be looking for a mine?"- Ryuji mentioned.
-"A mine…?"- Makoto asked.
-"If I recall, she did call Kazumi a 'miner' earlier."- Mona mentioned.
-"So, according to her cognition, Kazumi works for her…"- Ann said.
-"Sis!"- Kazumi heard that voice again and saw the little boy at the end of the hall, where the light didn't reach out. He was asking her to come.
-"Should we go further in, everyone?"- Kazumi asked to them as she made signal with her head towards the dark end.
-"You think it goes that way?"- Mona asked and saw no one there. Kazumi just nodded.
-"There's no guards...How strange…"- Yusuke said.
-"Wait, are we going to that...dark place?"- Makoto said nervous.
-"Ah, yeah. Follow us or get trapped here, Mr. President."- Ryuji said with a bitter tone.
-"Oh, I AM going too."- Makoto clarified offended by his hostility.
As they approached to the dark hallway, Kazumi was looking for any passages or suspicious elements, yet everything was empty and then, Kasumi noticed some signals:
-"It's so weird. Why is only that exhibition front illuminated?"- Ann asked.
-"That can only be the side Furukawa shows to people…"- Mona said.-"Those jewels are so shiny that the guests don't care for everything else."
-"So, this way goes to a garden and this one goes to a second floor."- Kazumi said as she checked the signals.
-"If we are going to a mine, we should avoid the second floor obviously."- Yusuke said.
-"It's not like we can access it either."- Kazumi said as she saw that there was but another glass seal on that floor.-"Let's move on to the garden."
-"Hey, hold on! Is this place going to keep expanding on the darkness?"- Makoto asked anxious but after being left behind, he kept walking.
From the second floor, an elevator descended followed by a shining light that illuminated the hall:
-"Madam, those brats that were invited earlier are moving towards the garden."- a Shadow that dropped from the elevator said and a woman in a pompous coat, with a long and shiny green dress, crystal slippers, decorative and brilliant necklaces and with her skin covered in glitter.
-"Oh, kids. They can't stay quiet in one place, can they?"-she said before she blow smoke from the cigar she had.-"As long as they don't go further in, there is no need to give them a painful time…"
In the garden, there were less guests. The place had a labyrinth of bushes with rubies growing in the shape of roses:
-"This place is shining too…"- Yusuke said.
-"Hey, you think all these jewels are authentic?"- Ryuji asked with an ambitious grin on his face.-"Imagine the money we could make with a few of these…"
-"Hey! I thought you were here to change Furukawa's heart."- Makoto scolded him.
-"Well, to be honest, it's not like that woman is going to figure out we stole them from here even."- Ann commented.
-"You better not touch anything!"- Mona said to them.-"We don't know if security is going to come at us."
-"What if they are just for show?"- Kazumi asked and she took one that fell on the floor and split in half.-"Oh...It's just glass…"
-"Hey! Kids!"- a guard shadow came to them angry.-"Haven't you be told to look and not touch!?"
-"They noticed us. Run!"- Mona said in panic and they ran inside the labyrinth.-"Ace, try to find the exit!"
-"Roger!"- Kazumi tried to see the perimeter with her third eye and saw the yellow aura of a person. She followed it to see who it was and only found a hole in the ground that was previously covered by a podium with blue sapphire flowers.
-"This looks like a secret passage…"- Mona said and he looked at Kazumi who was confused.-"What's your call, leader?"
-"Let's go inside."- Kazumi replied to him.-"I am sure we will finally find that mine."
-"I hope it isn't dark there…"- Makoto murmured for himself before going after the others.
The secret passage followed with stairs until they arrived to the entrance of what they were looking for:
-"The Mine. New miners grab your picks and lights and get inside the mine car for your respective area."- Ann read in one of the signs.
-"It is weird that not even this place has guards…"- Ryuji said.-"Should we hop in a car?"
-"That's tricky. We still don't have a map of this place."- Mona said.-"We shouldn't risk to go further now."
-"Hey, you kid!"- they heard something at the other side of the car rails.-"Why ain't you working, huh?"
-"Someone is there?"- Makoto asked.
-"I am waiting for my sis."- they heard the voice of a kid that Kazumi thought it was similar.
-"Bullcrap. You are just lazing around!"- the Shadow exclaimed.
-"Auch!"- the kid was hurt and they saw the shadow grasping Kazuya from his sleeve to drag him to the rails.
-"Go back to work, kiddo."- the shadow said.-"Madam Furukawa will grow a vein if she sees this."
-"No! I am waiting for my sister!"- the kid struggled with him until he fell on the floor.
-"Why, you little…!"-the shadow got angry. Kazumi started to feel an anxiety by just watching the scene in front of them.
-"Hey, we should do something!"- Makoto exclaimed to the thieves while they saw the kid trying to get away from the shadow that was grasping a baton to hit him.
-"He is not a real person."- Mona said.-"We are just going to be in danger if…"
-"Stay away from him!"- Kazumi suddenly went angry and ran towards the shadow to push it.
-"Are you ok?"- she turned around to help the kid to get up and noticed that he was holding a mouse doll. As the shadow stood up and her companions came by, the thieves changed to their rebel outfits again.
-"Ace, what are you doing!?"- Mona scolded her.
-"So much for keeping quiet…"- Fox said.
-"Stand back with the child, Nijima-senpai."- Panther said to him as the others went into battle positions.
-"My apologies for later."- Ace said still mad as she took her daggers.
-"Does your madam seriously think I am going to stay still at someone hurting my brother again!?"- she exclaimed at the shadow.
-"You..!"- the shadow transformed itself into a demon with the shape of two wolves with two heads and a serpent tail (Orthrus) each.
-"Shiki-Oji!"- Ace summoned the paper warrior to give her team a boost.-"Fox, use your ice attacks."
-"Understood."-Fox summoned to Goemon to hit their weakness and he passed the baton to Skull.
-"What the…?"- Makoto exclaimed surprised of seeing a Persona for the first time. He wasn't making sense of that place at all.
-"Eat this!"- Skull used Kidd's rampage attack to to destroy them and three more came from the secret passage.
-"More of them!?"-Mona said surprised as he shot some of them in the face to stop their advance.
-"Panther, fire attacks won't work on them ok?"- Ace said to her.
-"Got it!"- Panther instead used her guns to attack them.
One of the reinforcements attacked Skull with his claws and the other attacked Mona with fire. Ace saw another shadow coming from the side they were in:
-"Nijima-senpai, run for it!"- she said to Makoto as she took Kazuya on her arms and sudden lightnings started to go after them. Ace was struck by one of them on the back and she fell on the floor, yet, she never let go off her brother.
-"Asaka!"-Makoto noticed and tried to help her but he and the other thieves were surrounded by the interminable wave of Orthrus.
From the entrance, the place was greatly illuminated as two bigger shadows went down, one of them was already transformed as a big gladiator (Titan). After them, Shadow Furukawa descended along with the blinding shine of her body:
-"Well, well, what do we have here?"- she said as she directed her sight to Ace and the others.-"Some miners that don't know how to behave…"
-"It had to be no other than the Asaka girl, right?"- she blow smoke away after taking her cigar.
-"I am not your miner and neither he is…"- Ace tried to stood up to face her.
-"So that's Furukawa…"- Mona said to the others.-"She sure is brilliant but not in a good way…"
-"Murderers like you shouldn't be on the government but rooting in jail!"- Skull exclaimed.
-"You can delay us here but we are still gonna steal that treasure of yours!"- Panther said angry.
-"Steal? Oh, so you all are just a bunch of thieves…"- Shadow Furukawa said unimpressed.-"I feel like digging gems for me suit you better. Society dislikes kids who talk back to their seniors after all."
-"Society doesn't like those who attack kids either!"- Makoto said to her.
-"What is this? Oh, you are the little Nijima-kun."- she smiled in a twisted way.-"After I said you were going to go far in life, is this how you want to fall?"
-"I don't care what you say. My responsibility is watch you behind jail for drugging Asaka in the bathroom!"- Makoto declared.
-"Drugging? You fool, it is obvious that she did it herself."- Shadow Furukawa said as she looked at Ace who hugged her brother tight.-"This brat knew what will happen to her if she messed with me and, she never learnt her lesson."
-"Tell me, dear. Are you trying to protect that little retard over there?"- she said to provoke her.
-"Don't talk to Kazuya that way!"- Ace replied mad which made her body hurt due to the burn of the lightning.
-"Sis…"- Kazuya was worried about her.
-"It's ok…"-Ace said smiling at him.-"I will never let that woman nor anyone hurt you again…"
-"I am stronger now… I can still take care of you."- she kept saying.
-"What are you mumbling about? That kid is dead and yet you grasp to whatever trace of him you see…"- Furukawa laughed at her.-"Oh, you haven't moved on, right?"
-"Perhaps you could've kept him alive if you just shut up and let me do my work back then."- she said.-"Because you spoke to Hiromi, both the kid and him died in front of you."
-"What…?"- Mona said in shock. Kazumi never mentioned the fact that she saw them die. Panther was looking intensely worried at Ace: she could see her melancholy and guilt boiling up.
-"How can you blame her for their deaths!?"-Skull exclaimed.-"You were the one who killed them!"
-"I did nothing."- Shadow Furukawa said.-"Dr. Hiromi killed this kid with his own very hands…"
-"You're right…"- Ace said to the surprise of the others.-"Dr. Hiromi got a psychotic breakdown in the surgery…"
-"That's what Prosecutor Nijima said…"-Ace murmured and dragged the attention of Makoto.
-"Right, right."- Furukawa said with a smile.-"Therefore, I am no killer and you kids are just getting in the way here."
-"Now, you two get to work."- Furukawa said to Ace and Kazuya.-"I need to get more and more gems…"
One of the Shadows went to Ace to drag her and Kazuya together to the mine car:
-"Hey!"- Skull and the others tried to avoid it but the dogs were holding on them with flame breath on their mouths.
-"Ace! What do we do, Mona?"- Panther asked exasperated.
-"We are at gunpoint. I don't know!"-the cat said.
-"Asaka…"- Makoto wanted to process what just happened but he couldn't. It was then, when he stopped looking to understand and more to act.
-"Stop!"- he exclaimed as the shadow was about to hit Ace with their baton on the head.
-"Nijima-senpai…?"- Ace was surprised that he spoke up.
-"Again you, Nijima kid?"- Furukawa said.-"Any more complaints you want to accuse me about?"
-"Complaints? I'll call them more charges against you!"-he replied with an adamant attitude as he tried to advance until the two wolves that were surrounding him growled at him.
-"You mentioned that I will go far in life for being obedient….but that's just like killing yourself for others."- Makoto said.-"I am sick of people like you who go by life stepping on others and hiding your true face."
-"Children are strong? Don't make me laugh! That's just for your own needs!"- Furukawa was starting to get pissed at his attitude.-"For making fun of Asaka's feelings towards her brother and for all those people you have put to work on this mine of yours…"
-"I have made my decision...I decide to put a bitch like you behind the bars!"-he shut to the top of his lungs.
-"Bravo. You have decided to take the path to strife."- Makoto suddenly heard on his head and his eyes turned yellow as a sudden headache attacked him.-"Let us proceed with our contract at once."
-"No way, is he…?"- Skull guessed surprised.
-"I am thou. Thou art I. You have finally found your own justice."- the voice inside him whispered as Makoto tried to handle his pain until he hit the floor leaving a big hole with his fist.-"If you desire for your freedom, then never lose sight of it again."
-"Never…"- Makoto murmured for himself as a metal mask appeared over his eyes and he stood up.
-"Very well. Remark this day as the graduation of your past self."-as the voice said this, Makoto removed his mask and a blue fire cover him completely as his face was bleeding and he was screeching in pain.
-"What the hell is that?"- Furukawa said nervous and knew she had to act fast.-"Get the miners now!"
-"Yes!"-the Shadow that was going to hit Ace before tried to take her but he was send off flying by a blue aura. It was later revealed to be a black motorcycle with indigo colors and a mature manly face in the front. Riding the motorcycle was Makoto Nijima in a skintight suit with a long indigo scarf, a metal chestplate, shoulder and knee pads with spikes mixed with boots that sport metal toes, and black gloves.
-"Don't you think you can get away from me…"- Makoto exclaimed as he was pressing the handle bars.-"It's time to make some laws here. Let's go, Conqueror!"
-"You brats…!"- Shadow Furukawa cursed as she summoned more shadows.
-"Asaka, can you stand up?"- Makoto asked as he turned around to help her.
-"Sort of, but, you…"- Ace replied to him impressed by his persona.-"No, that's a talk for another moment…"
-"Guys!"- Skull exclaimed as he and the others gathered with them.
-"Everyone is here. Allow us to show this woman the consequences of messing with us."- Fox mentioned as he was ready to take out his katana in battle.
-"Still, is this a persona?"-Panther wondered about the motorcycle shape of it.
-"No way. That's a bike."- Skull said with excitement.
-"Guards! Pulverize these rebels onto the ground!"- Furukawa ordered as another Shadow took the shape of a second Titan.
-"Take this! Persona!"- Makoto exclaimed as he made his Persona shot nuclear spheres at its enemies, knocking them down.
-"Alright!"- Mona said out of excitement.-"Ace, we gotta take them out to make an opening and escape."
-"Yes!"- Ace nodded at him.-"Nijima-senpai, let's go all out on them!"
-"Got it."-he just replied as the six of them attacked together but without any luck of taking them down.
-"That didn't seem to be enough…"-Fox commented.
-"Just your type of tough guards…"- Mona clutched his teeth as he summoned his persona.-"Zorro!"- and used pulinpa to confuse one of them.
-"Damn you, brats!"- the confused Shadow exclaimed as he tried to attack Panther with his heavy sword but missed and she whipped him down instead.
-"Ace!"- she lend her hand to her leader for a baton pass, Kazumi took it.
-"Phoenix!"- she summoned her persona to use another nuclear attack and knock him down.-"One more hit!"
-"Leave it to me!"- Makoto used his motorcycle to surpass her and jumped towards the titan-"Fist! Of! Justice!"- and destroyed him by stabbing it from the sky with a descending punch.
-"Goemon!"- Fox used bufula on the confused titan same as Ryuji used zionga to get rid of him.
-"That should be enough…"- Makoto said as he tried to recover his composure after the fight but more shadows appeared.
-"You little pieces of trash won't get out of here alive!"-Shadow Furukawa shouted angry.
-"There's too many enemies. Let's retreat now!"- Mona said to all of the others.
-"Well, there's only one exit."- Makoto said as he pointed at the secret passage they came from and summoned his Persona again.-"Follow my lead!"
-"Hey!"- Skull tried to scold him but Makoto just rushed ahead to the shadows as the rebel he had become.
-"Let's go us too!"- Mona transformed quickly into a car and everyone went in but Ace.
-"Let's run, Kazuya!"- she said as she held the hand of the kid but he just refused her touch.-"...?"
-"You should go, sister."- the kid simply said.
-"Ace! What's the hold up?"- Mona tried to bring up some sense from her.
-"No way! I am not leaving without you!"- she exclaimed to him and tried to take him in a hug.
-"Let me go!"- Kazuya tried to release from her.-"You are hurting me!"
-"Damn it, Ace! That boy is not your brother!"- Mona kept saying but she wasn't reasoning at all. Their heard the motor of Conqueror and Makoto send flying another amount of Shadows as he directed to Ace.
-"What are you doing!?"- he scolded her and grasped her from the torso, aparting her from the little Kazuya and getting her as a passenger on his bike Persona.
-"What are you…!?"- Ace was surprised by his forceful act.
-"Hurry up!"-Makoto exclaimed to the ones inside the Mona-car.
-"I will drive!"- Panther said as she hopped into the driver's seat and went with them.
-"Wait, wait! Kazuya!"- Ace could stop for looking back at her brother who looked at her from the distance before Furukawa grasped his shoulder.
-"I'll be waiting, sister."- he murmured as he saw her go.
-"No…!"- Ace closed her eyes in pain as soon as she couldn't see Kazuya and the nav brought them back to reality, in the Inokashira Park.
-"You have arrived to the real world. Welcome back."- the AI messaged.
-"Is everyone ok?"- Morgana asked in a rush.
-"I have to go back…!"- Kazumi suddenly exclaimed as she took her phone.
-"Hold on!"- Makoto avoided her to even get in the nav as he took her cellphone forcefully.-"We barely could escape before from that place now! What are you gonna do by yourself?"
-"Give it back."- Kazumi asked with her head down.-"I have to see him…"
-"You mean that kid called Kazuya, Kazumi?"- Ryuji asked.
-"How many times do I have to tell you that he wasn't the real one!?"- Morgana scolded her.
-"You have no idea…"- Kazumi replied.-"That was Kazuya...He was the one who guided me down there!"
-"Just give me the phone already!"- she shouted but Makoto didn't even flinch.
-"I refuse. You better calm down, Asaka."- he replied.
-"You are seriously really irritating…"- Kazumi looked at him with resentment.-"Don't try to act comprehensive on me. You don't know anything!"
-"None of you knows about a damn thing about this!"- she exclaimed.
-"Then explain it damn it!"- Ann suddenly screamed at her.
-"Ann…?"- Yusuke and the others were surprised as her sudden outburst.
-"All this time you have enclosed yourself and kept us in the dark."-the blonde girl continued as she confronted Kazumi.-"We thought you knew what you were doing but it was all a lie…"
-"You were just running away from the fact that you haven't moved on from your brother's death!"- she exclaimed.-"You even broke like a stupid doll when you saw him!"
-"I have had enough of your stubbornness!"- Kazumi felt in shock when Ann was telling her that and suddenly slapped her in the face.
-"So what if I am!?"- she shout back at Ann.-"Kazuya was the only true family I had! I won't make the same mistake of leaving him alone again!"
-"You two...it's better if you try to calm down…"- Makoto mentioned cautiously as it was clear that this will cause a scandal to them but the only response he received was Ann slapping back at Kazumi.
-"Wow, Ann. That's enough!"- Ryuji tried to made them rationalize as well but then, Ann just hugged Kazumi forcefully.
-"So because he was your everything, you're just going to be at the mercy of someone else?"- Ann said on Kazumi's ear.-"I almost lost Shiho in front of my eyes too, remember? I know how you feel…"
-"Ann…"- Kazumi realized that she was saying the truth and then felt how she was starting to cry.
-"I'm sorry…"- the blonde girl says as she hugged her tighter.-"If I were closer to you as I thought we were, I would've confronted you before…But I just kept thinking that I was doing the right thing by leaving you alone."
-"You are crying too much…"- Kazumi murmured to her as she hugged her back and pat her back.-"I should be the one apologizing…"
-"I pressured myself to face problems without being prepared…"-Kazumi admitted.-"I am so sorry, Ann."
The guys didn't get what was happening there but Kazumi had calmed down and there were no signals that another conflict could rise between them:
-"Shall we move this conversation to a more private place?"- Yusuke mentioned.
-"Yeah, let's. Don't want people thinking these two are protagonizing a drama or somethin'."- Ryuji replied to him with a smirk.
-"Hey!"- the two girls exclaimed offended at unison towards Ryuji.
-"That aside, damn, looking badass Mr. President."- Ryuji tried to dissuade the girls to not get angry at him.-"That was some cool ass whopin' you did back there."
-"Truly a display of the aura of a rebel that has had enough of this rotten society."- Yusuke added.
-"Cut it out, really…"- Makoto crossed his arms embarrassed.-"I feel exhausted of just thinking about it and you better start explaining what just happened there…"
-"True. You might even consider joining our group, isn't that right, leader?"- Morgana meowed at Kazumi.
-"Uhmmm…"-Kazumi knew Morgana was serious about it.-"Before that, give me back my phone."
-"Sure, I guess."- Makoto did as told.
After that, they went to an outdoor cafe. They started to explain Makoto all they knew about personas and the cognitive world:
-"I see, so the rebellious spirit within one's heart."- Makoto meditated about his persona.
-"If you understand it now, we'll like to talk about Furukawa's case."- Morgana said.
-"Wait, but that kid, Kazuya, we saw there...was he really a Cognitive being as you mentioned?"- Makoto asked.
-"Most likely, it can't be his Shadow since he died almost six months ago."- Morgana replied.-"It is worrying though, that cognition of Kazuya could've probably been created by Furukawa's subconscious as a way to drag Kazumi down."
-"Using her own brother? That's preposterous."- Yusuke murmured mad.
-"It wouldn't surprise me…"- Kazumi looked down.-"When she assaulted me on the bathroom, she kept saying stuff about him too."
-"Truly despicable…"- Ann drank her juice angry just thinking about it.
-"There's something else on my mind: The workers of the mine."- Makoto said.-"We never saw them so how can we know what is her goal in reality with what she's doing?"
-"I did my own investigations by accident. Furukawa is using money from unknown means to finance her luxuries and the research of mental shutdowns along with some other health projects."- Kazumi mentioned.-"She also plans to replace Mr. Yamaoto as Minister of Health."
-"Money from unknown means…?"- Ryuji recalled.-"Wouldn't that be the gems of the palace!?"
-"Good comparison, Ryuji. It is most certainly those."- Morgana said.-"Which means the ones who work at the mine are her money sources."
-"Given that she was hiding that mine in a place of absolute darkness, it doesn't sound like she's receiving it legally."- Ann said.
-"So, are you guys going to change her heart?"- Makoto interrupted in the conversation.-"If so, let me join as well."
-"We should be the ones asking you to join."-Yusuke said.-"Someone with your sharp mind and fearless nature will be perfect as battle advisor."
-"Sounds good to me!"- Ryuji agreed with Yusuke.
-"Is that right with you though?"- Kazumi asked Makoto.-"Your older sister is a prosecutor in charge of investigating the Phantom Thieves…"
-"That's true, huh, she might even faint if she found out."- Makoto said with a relaxed smile.-"But, there's no way any police investigation can lead to that world."
-"She works hard everyday to maintain us and I am grateful for that, but, we have grown apart…"- Makoto admitted as he looked down.-"I have decided to follow my own justice and that's what I'll do by making that woman confess her crimes."
-"So, are we all good with Nijima in our team?"- Morgana mentioned and the boys nodded.
-"I don't have a problem but...don't you think there's too many guys in this team?"- Ann asked.
-"Will you prefer if I dress as a woman?"- Yusuke mentioned out of the blue.
-"Please don't."- Ann cut him short of words.
-"Now that it is decided, we just gotta infiltrate the palace and clear a route to the treasure."- Ryuji said with certain excitement.
-"When will that be?"- Makoto asked.
-"Well, Kazumi will be leaving in about three weeks."- Ann said with a sad tone and frowning her eyebrows worried.
-"In July 9th."- Kazumi clarified.-"We have to change her heart before that, so July 8th."
-"I'll make the call to all of you so we can meet here in Inokashira."- Kazumi said.
-"Are you going to be ok?"- Morgana said.-"Shadow Furukawa might use that cognition against you again…"
-"It'll be ok.-" Kazumi said with a serious determination.-"Besides, I was the one who brought her to myself."
-"When Nijima-senpai said that I should go to the conference, I accepted out of frustration not by pressure. I knew that he was right and I was being just a coward."- she added as she looked at her friends.-"I acted so harshly about the situation ever since then and all of this happened. I am sorry."
-"I'll change her heart. There is nothing to avenge, but, I want to avoid that more people end up becoming her 'miners'."- she said with decision.-"That woman is no distorted criminal...Something is wrong with her head…"
-"So, you don't blame me for what happened?"- Makoto asked.
-"I never did."- Kazumi replied.-"Wait...you are not willing to help out of guilt, do you?"
-"It was my first intention, yeah."- Makoto replied as he drank a bit of coffee.-"Even if you don't blame me, this is my responsibility for not noticing your fears before."
-"Well, someone's gotta apologize to Nijima-senpai now."- Ann said as she looked at Ryuji.
-"What…?"- Ryuji didn't caught it at first.
-"True. That little outburst in the hospital was all for naught, now that I think about it."- Yusuke mentioned.
-"What are you guys talking about?"- Kazumi was confused.
-"Oh shit…"- Ryuji finally remembered as Makoto was looking at him by the corner of the eye.-"H-Hey, about that… I didn't do it just cause you piss me off or somethin'."
-"Wanna solve it with some ramen? My treat!"-Ryuji said nervous and almost fell back when Makoto stood up without saying anything.-"Woah, man! Time out!"
-"What, Sakamoto?"- Makoto found his reaction funny.-"I am not going to punch you back."
-"You're not…?"- Ryuji said surprised.
-"Not my style."- the diligent student said.-"It did get me in troubles with my sister but, I can certainly say it opened my eyes too."
-"So, I can pretend it never happen."-he added.-"Unless you want me to?"
-"Not at all, aniki*."-Ryuji replied with a smirk.
-"This is not Yakuza…"- Makoto said in response to that honorific.-"I'll going home now…"
-"Wait. We haven't exchanged contact info yet."- Ann mentioned before he wanted to leave.
-"Ah, that."- Makoto took out his phone quickly and shared his Chat ID and number with the others.-"Anything else?"
-"All set. We're ready."- Ann replied to him.
-"I'll be waiting for your call then."- Makoto said as he took the way home.
-"We should go home as well."- Yusuke said, the others agreed to it.
Later, in the evening, after dinner, Kazumi received some messages from the group chat:
-"Damn. Motorcycles are cool…"-Ryuji texted out of the blue.
-"I wish my Persona had something like that."
*"Yours in on a ship though."
-"Dude, you're kidding. Motorcycles are way cooler than dumb boats!"
-"It'll be like in that song: 'I am a phantom, on a steel horse I ride…'"
/"Don't say such things. And for the record, I'm certainly not 'wanted'."-Makoto replied to this.
"Did your whole opinion on Nijima-senpai change for a motorcycle…?"-Kazumi asked to Ryuji.
-"Of course it does! It ain't easy to get along with a stiff guy that sticks to the rules all the time…"
/"Hey, I was just told to do what adults told me to do."
×"By the way, I didn't know you knew how to drive a motorcycle, Nijima-senpai."- Ann mentioned.
-"You got a license?"
/"A regular one, yes."
-"Niiice. I can't wait to get my hands on one."
-"I should practice too. Hey, Kazumi, ask Mona if he lets me ride him!"
-"Not in a million years I'll let him do that. He's gonna crash my precious face!"- Morgana commented.
"Keep your hands off my cat mobile."- Kazumi replied in the chat.
-"Oh, man…"-Ryuji replied disappointed.
/"Anyways, mind if I change the subject?"
/"I know you said that you didn't blame me, Asaka…"
/"But I'll really like to apologize for the things I said in the hospital to you…"
/"And also, for being unable to do anything for Suzui-san or the track team…"
-"Dude. The track team was disabled last year, no way you have a part on this, right?"
×"I also think you have nothing to apologize for…."
*"It seems to me that you all have issues to fix with our new member…"
×"We can worry about that later."
×"Right! How are you feeling, Kazumi?"
×"Is the effect the drug still giving you problems?"
"It was until a while ago. I'll check myself with Dr. Takemi tomorrow."
-"Why him…?"
"Because he is fairly more competent than any of the doctors in the International Hospital."
"I trust him more too."
-"Just don't let your guard down…"
×"Uhhh...Someone's jealous!"
-"It ain't like that!"
/"Why don't you go with her if it worries you so much?"
/"Not like Asaka seems like the cheater type…"
*"You're misunderstanding. They are not a couple."
/"...You're kidding."
"He's not."
/"Good to know."
-"Huh?"
-"What's that supposed to mean, aniki!?"
/"You seriously don't want to know why."
"Let's cut this the conversation here, please."- Kazumi texted to finish the conversation and they could go to sleep.
As Kazumi prepared her bed to sleep, she noticed Morgana quietly seating on the floor looking at her:
-"...Are we still a newlywed couple in a fight?"- she asked to him.
-"Look who's talking!"- Morgana wasn't amused by that joke.-"I...I was just upset because it was my fault that you had an attack that day."
-"I have received too many apologies today. Please don't blame yourself."- Kazumi said leaving the blanket on its place.
-"I am back in the game and this time we'll open a door to the depths!"- she tried to cheer him up by petting his head.-"The rest is up to you after that…"
-"You're right."-Morgana said proud.-"And when I get the truth of who I am, I'll come and visit you. I promise."
-"A promise, huh…?"- Kazumi thought as she remembered her promise to Kazuya. It rang to her that the Kazuya in the palace had a doll exactly the same as the one she left next to Kazuya's headstone.-"Could it be…?"
-"Kazumi?"- Morgana called her when he noticed her spacing out.
-"It's nothing."- Kazumi replied with a smile.-"I was wondering about something, though."
-"Why would you so conveniently transform into a car if you wanted to get into the Metaverse?"- she asked.-"It's like you unconsciously knew you'll have to carry someone around."
-"Uhmm...carry…"- Morgana also had a slight memory.-"Take somewhere…"
-"Nope. I can't remember anything at all…"-he gave up on the effort to remember.-"Anyways, we have to focus on Furukawa now."
-"True…"- Kazumi then went to bed and invited him to join in.
-"Meow-!"- Morgana jumped on the bed happy of being welcomed again.
The Magician Arcana gained a fourth star.
*Kitty talk unlocked*
-"I have to say, you're truly special."- Morgana said happily.-"With Nijima, that's already our sixth Persona-user."
-"It could've been coincidence….Ryuji-kun brought him by accident, remember?"- Kazumi replied.
-"Still, he came for you."- Morgana said.-"You know, I should probably ask him about Mementos too once we deal with Furukawa. He could be the sub-lead-."-he stopped when he noticed Kazumi was already sleep.
-"Uh...Helloooo?"-Morgana meowed at her but she was clearly sleep already, so he just stared at her.
-"Ahhh…"- the cat sighed.-"First Yusuke and then, Makoto…"
-"She's very lucky. Could there be a reason for it?"- Morgana put himself in position to sleep.-"I wish that at least I could have been by her side to protect her…but, I am just stuck being a cat…"
As they were sleeping, Kazumi had a dream of a handsome tall man hugging her, he couldn't see him but it had black clothes and a yellow collar. Perhaps he was touched by her charisma.
*Kazumi's charm increases by 2*
June 21st
Kazumi went to the clinic after helping Sojiro to open the store, there, she saw Doctor Takeo giving back a handkerchief to an old lady. The granny smiled when he blushed shyly and Kazumi preferred to approach to him after the woman left:
-"Ah. What the heck?"- Takeo complained embarrassed.
-"Someone's popular."- Kazumi said dragging his attention.
-"And who's fault you think that is?"-Takeo replied as he looked at her annoyed.-"After I helped that little girl before, they have been spreading rumors that I make miraculous medicines and remedies or something like that."
-"I'm seeing more patients than before and that's becoming a problem for my research."-he added.
-"How about we resume that research now?"- Kazumi suggested.-"I want you to check my condition first, though."
-"Sure."- Takeo said as he advanced to the clinic.-"How long has it been…? Five days?"
-"Yes. Those pills have been effective."- Kazumi replied as she followed him inside.
After a quick check on her mental stability, Takeo concluded that Kazumi was healthy and the drug was suppressed very fast:
-"It seems you are alright now…"- Takeo said as he took notes on the medical expedient-"You said you haven't go to school? The relaxation state you're in had something to do then."
-"Relaxation?"- Kazumi thought about it considering she felt stressed after fighting with basically everyone and felt pressured to press forward until yesterday.-"I wonder…"
-"Well, ready for another clinical trial?"- he mentioned to her.
-"Bring it on! We have to catch up!"- Kazumi said fired up.
Few moments later, she was already reclined in the bed as an absolute mess:
-"That medicine made me feel hot inside…"-she murmured.
-"Right. Any other symptoms?"- Takeo asked relaxed as he was writing everything.
-"Is my blood pressure getting up? I feel dizzy too…"- she suddenly got up of the bed.
-"She's totally confused…"- Takeo concluded as he sweated nervously.
-"Hey, Dr. Takemi. Why don't you like having patients?"- she asked with an open smile on her lips.-"Everyone thinks you are nice right? Isn't that great?"
-"I am not a town doctor."-he replied as he closed his eyes upset.-"I am simply the Plague and as such, I prefer to develop my medicines in absolute solitude."
-"People come here with silly requests like a cold-booster or a hair tonic...I even had to attend a cat once."- he said.-"I am not a genius doctor…"
-"I don't think so."- Kazumi said as she snapped away from her dizziness.-"You were able to detect a drug that was never used in humans before…"
-"You even made me recover faster from it!"- she added cheerfully.-"I think you are a way better doctor than you give yourself credit for!"
-"Stop that…"- Takeo said still upset.-"I am not suited for the job a public doctor. I know that very well…"
-"You are being sadistic with yourself."- Kazumi said to him.-"I think this is the place where you belong…"
-"Kazumi…"-Takeo was a bit moved by her encouragement.-"Tsk...You are such a drag."
To their bond, the Death Arcana got a sixth star.
-"Alright. Let's call it a day."- Takeo said.-"Make sure to stay healthy and tell me as soon as possible if the symptoms come back."
-"Ok. Doctor Takeo."- Kazumi nodded.
-"Who gave you permission to use my first name?"- he replied in joke.
-"You called me by mine."- Kazumi said back.
-"Did I? I must've been thinking about someone else."- Takeo replied with a smirk.
-"...You're mean."- Kazumi murmured as she did a pout.
Later, at lunchtime in the school, Makoto and Ann were sitting in front of each other silent:
-"So, any reason why you called me to the council room?"- Makoto opened up the conversation.
-"Yes…"- Ann replied but she just fell silent again.-"Sorry, I am too nervous."
-"Take your time."- Makoto said as he reclined on his chair.-"I will hear whatever you want to say, Takamaki."
-"Ok. Then…"- Ann stood up.-"I wanted to apologize. I'm sorry...for everything."
-"What do you mean by that?"- Makoto said in shock.
-"Remember how I blamed you for Kamoshida's harassment? I even called you a teacher's pet…"- Ann mentioned as she looked at him.-"And also, I even blamed on you that Kazumi was hurt."
-"I mean it."- Ann was looking down.
-"Well, Takamaki…"- Makoto tried to be sincere to her too but she wasn't finished.
-"I realized that Shiho was calling out for me...and I couldn't help her."- Ann admitted.-"I also trusted Kazumi's blind judgment…and when the worst happened, I-I just blamed you for it."
-"I am very sorry for that!"- the blonde girl bowed in apology.
-"Hey, there's no need for that."- Makoto said as he stood up.-"I can understand how you feel, really."
-"Huh?"- Ann was surprised.
-"I was unable to save anyone too and I focused on my own studies and reputation…"- Makoto said to her.-"I even accused Asaka of a lot of things because I was wondering about my own self."
-"But, that part of us is gone now, right?"- Makoto said to her.-"We are going to help others with our own power…"
-"Yes. We'll change this shameful egoism of us...Even if the world is against it."- Ann nodded.-"I guess we're calling it even, Nijima-senpai?"
-"Sure."- Makoto agreed.-"Let's put this behind us, Takamaki."
-"Uhmmm…"- Ann started to feel weird about something.
-"What is it?"- Makoto asked.
-"Well, since you're one of us now…."-Ann spoke.-"I think you can call me Ann."
-"R-Really?"- Makoto was in shock.-"Well, I guess there's no harm on that. Makoto is well for you, then?"
-"Why is that a shock for you?"- Ann asked.
-"..."- Makoto started to sweat.-"Let's say I don't have any close women to talk so casually and my big sister is no exception to that."
-"Really?"- Ann started to laugh.-"You're just like Kazumi then! That's so funny."
-"Keep it a secret, please."- Makoto begged.-"I don't want people to think I have no skills for…"
-"Your secret is safe with me, Makoto."- Ann said to him with a firm smile.
-"Oh, thanks god…"- he sighed in relief.-"Well, how about I invite you for a cup of...coffee so we can know each other better?"
-"..."- Ann was in shock how the delivery of that line was absolutely lame and cliché.-"You're right. You have a lot to learn…"
-"What? That wasn't good?"- Makoto was in shock she didn't lack on honesty.
On the afternoon, Kazumi was studying on the dinner when her phone rang up:
*"I realize this a mite late. But how shall I refer to you, Nijima-san?"- Yusuke texted in the group chat.
*"I believe some courtesy could be shown since you are our senior."
-"Oh, yeah. Should we call you Nijima-san or like, Nijima-senpai?"
-"I personally prefer to call you aniki!"
/"No need to be formal around me. Just treat me like everyone else."
"Makoto-senpai is it, then."
/"That's still too formal."
"I can't abandon my honorifics."
×"I just call him by his name now."
-"For real!? What? Did something happen?"
/"Nothing you are imagining now."
/"I can say that for sure."
×"I double that."
-"...Ok."
/"To reiterate, you all can call me by my first name."
*"Perfect. I will do just that."
"I'll stick to my honorifics."-Kazumi said as she closed the chat.
-"Hey, who was it?"- Morgana meowed as he struggled to get the bag open.
-"Just our group. Makoto-senpai say we can call him by his name."- she explained as she paid attention to her table and noticed her coffee was getting cold.
-"Good. He adapted to this very quickly."- Morgana said.
-"My coffee is cold…"- Kazumi murmured not paying attention to him.-"Excuse me! Waitress!"
-"Are you just going to order coffee…?"- Morgana said to her sweating nervously.
-"No choice. I have to save the money from yesterday for our infiltration inventory…"- Kazumi replied and kept studying.
-"Very bold of you…"- Morgana agreed with the same expression as before.
*Kazumi's knowledge increases by 3*
*Kazumi's knowledge is now Scholarly*
*Kazumi's courage increases by 1*
After she finished studying, she took her time to buy weapons and new protection. Her judgment on Makoto made her choose battle knuckles and a revolver for him. She noticed the cold look on Iwai freaking her out...It has been around two months since that incident about the model gun he gave to her:
-"You better not use any of these to pull a prank, got it?"- Iwai said.
-"They are...in good hands sir."- she said nervous. Suddenly, the door of the store was open and a young man with a black uniform and glasses.
-"Hello…"-he said insecure.
-"What are you doing in here?"- Iwai stood up on an instant and immediately gave Kazumi her gear in a back.
-"What? Well, dad, you forgot your lunch at home."- the kid say still nervous.
-"I see…"- Iwai covered his face with his hat.-"I guess I'm getting old…"
-"Oh…"-the young man took notice of Kazumi and immediately felt charmed.
-"This is suddenly awkward…"- Kazumi thought for herself at the situation.
-"Thanks for your service. I'll come next time."- Kazumi said with a bow before she could leave.
-"Sure…"- Iwai said and as Kazumi bowed in farewell to his son, he knew something was up with him. The kid just turned around until she left.
-"You know you shouldn't be here, Kaoru."- he said.-"Who many times do I have to tell you that?"
-"Dad...Was that girl one of your regulars?"- he just asked out of the blue.
-"This is an airsoft shop."- Iwai pointed out.-"Besides, you have no time to lose with those kind of things."
-"...I was just asking, dad."- Kaoru said upset and proceeded to give his bag with lunch for his father.
Kazumi went back to Yongen-Jaya to buy medicines from Takeo. She spent her time making tools for infiltration for the rest of the night:
-"Weapons, medicine, tools…"- Morgana said as he was playing with the Jack Frost doll on her desk.-"You even asked Kawakami to come and make some curry."
-"Everything is ready."- he added.-"Have you decided on the date?"
-"We're going in three days."- Kazumi murmured.-"June 24th."
-"So soon!?"- Morgana meowed surprised.
-"I was thinking about how she plans to get rid of the current minister…"- she explained as she was making a smokescreen ball.-"The faster we do this, the sooner we can avoid that another victim falls on her hands…"
-"I see…"- Morgana agreed on that as he left the doll alone.-"Once again, I want to ask you. Are you sure you're ok with that Cognitive Kazuya?"
-"I am. Trust me."- Kazumi said as she looked up to the cat.-"I realized that the reason why I embraced him was because…"
-"I was obsessed being like her guardian."-she closed her eyes as she admitted it.-"I had to grow up so fast because no one will take care of Kazuya."
-"But, it's time to move on and show that I, as part of Les Blues Rebelles, can still help others."-she said determined.
-"Nyahaha. I know you have the guts!"- Morgana said proud of her.
*Kazumi's proficiency increases by 2+1*
-"My lady. Curry is ready."-Becky said from the kitchen.
-"Coming!"- Kazumi stood up to attend her so she could pay the fee for today's services.
As soon as Becky left, Kazumi took a deep breath:
-"I'm sorry, Morgana…"- she thought for herself and she locked the store before going back upstairs.-"I lied about Kazuya…"
Take Your Time.
Author's note: Hey there, readers! Thank you for all the follows and favorites! Also for the few reviews, it makes me happy to see people interested in this story so long and detailed.
*Aniki: It means "older brother". It is usually used in Yakuza gangs to refer by someone to their superiors.