Chapter 19: Summer Phantoms.
July 28th, 2016
"You didn't need to help out Hifumi." Sojiro says, wiping down the counter. "Ren and I could easily handle it." He looks at her as Hifumi wipes down one of the tables in Leblanc while Ren works on cleaning the dishes from the breakfast customers. Hifumi looks up to Sojiro with an easy smile, shaking her head.
"It's the least I can do. You are letting me stay with you, so the least I can do is help around with Leblanc. It is the same with Ren, right?"
"Well, yes, but—"
"If Hifumi says it's fine, Boss, then it's fine." Ren says, cutting Sojiro off. "Besides, we both feel guilty if we don't help around. It's just how we are." Sojiro sighs as he shakes his head, looking at the two.
"If you are sure. But it's such a nice day outside as well…" No sooner had Sojiro said that than the door opened with Yusuke and Haru entering the café with Kasumi trailing behind them.
"Afternoon Ren, Hifumi. We were in the area and decided to say hello." Yusuke says as Haru waves in greeting before turning to Kasumi. "And we bumped into Kasumi here along the way."
"Afternoon, Ren-senpai." Kasumi greets before turning to Sojiro. "You're Sojiro-san, right? Ren-senpai and the others mentioned you a few times. I'm Kasumi Yoshizawa, a first year at Shujin."
"The pleasure is all mine." Sojiro responds as Hifumi approaches her.
"And I am Hifumi Togo. Nice to meet you, Kasumi-chan." Hifumi offers her hand, with Kasumi happily shakes it.
"A pleasure to meet you too, Hifumi-senpai. Yusuke-senpai and Haur-senpai talked about you when coming here." Her face falls for a second as she looks to the floor. "I'm sorry to hear about what happened…"
"It is alright. I have long accepted that the family I once knew no longer exists. Besides, I have found a new family to live with." He shoots a thankful look at Sojiro, with the old man nodding approvingly as the three guests sit around one of the tables. While Ren plates up a fresh plate of curry for them.
"How has your day been so far?" Ren asks before sitting at the counter.
"It has been well. Haru and I were on a stroll before planning to head to the cinema." Yusuke replies while Haru wears a tiny blush.
"Indeed. We had been meaning to visit the movies for a while, but circumstances prevented us from doing so until today." What said circumstances were left unsaid with the lone non-thief in the room. Speaking of Kasumi, she had already inhaled the plate of curry set before her, looking at it with wide eyes.
"Take it you enjoyed the curry, Kasumi." Ren asks with a smirk.
"Loved it? I ENJOYED IT!" Kasumi replies with a beaming smile. "I could eat another two plates of it!" Sojiro laughs loudly at Kasumi's reaction, a wide smile plastered on his face.
"I'll never get tired of hearing that. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Kasumi." Sojiro tells her. Kasumi nods her head before gasping.
"Oh, that's right! I remembered why I was here." She says, drawing all eyes. "I was on my way to visit the batting cages. I used to go to them all the time, but this is the first time in a while that I've had the chance. Does anyone want to join me?"
"Ren and Hifumi will join you. These two have been couped up inside all day. And see if you can take Futaba with you." Sojiro offers. While Ren and Hifumi shake their heads at Sojiro, Yusuke and Haru, chuckle at them before nodding to each other.
"If you don't mind. We would like to join as well." Haru says. "The film we plan to see is not until much later, so we don't mind joining for a while."
"Perfect!" Kasumi says, standing up excitedly. "Let's go!" With that, she bolts out of the café before stepping back in and bowing to Sojiro. "Thank you for the meal!" Then, running back outside.
It didn't take long for the team to catch up to Kasumi. The batting cages were just around the corner from Leblanc. To their surprise, Futaba was already waiting for them as she chatted with Kasumi in the cages before waving them over.
"Hey there! Kasumi was just telling me how batting can help improve your attributes!" Futaba tells them as they walk into the batting cages.
"Yep! It's great for gymnasts like me. Even if I haven't done any batting for a while, so I might be a bit rusty."
"Are you hoping that it will get you in the right headspace again, Kasumi?" Ren asks. He and the others sit outside the cage while Kasumi walks inside.
"Yep! I'm not 100% sure it will get me out of my slump, but I'm sure it will help me mentally anyway." She grabs a metal bat, taking a stance with the bat over her head. "Now, come on!" Only for the ball to instantly zoom past her. "Huh?"
"Whoa…they move fast…" Futaba mutters as Yusuke, Haru, and Hifumi look in surprise at the speed of the ball. Not that Ren was phased by the speed after having hit 30 home runs in the original timeline. And that was the lowest setting.
"Let me try again…" Kasumi says, taking a stance once more. Only for a similar result to happen. After a few more tries of the same result, Kasumi turns to look at the others with a gloomy look. "I knew I was rusty, but I didn't expect my skills to be this bad… I just can't seem to see the ball, and with the flinching…just how bad is my slump?"
"Don't give up, Kasumi." Hifumi tells her with a smile. "Sooner or later, you will hit a ball. It's all down to perseverance."
"Indeed. Overcoming adversity leads to the growth you desire." Yusuke adds with his own smile.
"Show those balls whose boss Kasumi!" Futaba cheers with a grin.
"We believe in you." Haru adds with a nod.
"Don't give up yet, Kasumi. You want to regain your groove, don't you?" Ren adds, leaning forward. Kasumi looks between all of them, eyes wide. Before a determined face crosses her features.
"Right!" She says, spinning around and readying the bat. Her eyes narrow as the machine fires a ball towards her. Time seemed to slow down for her as she swung the bat. Hitting the ball and sending it right towards the target. "I did it…" She breathes as the target lights up in celebration. With a wide smile, Kasumi spins on her heels to look at the others, as they all look at her with wide smiles of their own. "I DID IT!"
"Nice work, Kasumi." Ren praises her as the team claps for her.
"That was an excellent hit!" Haru says with a bounce in her step.
"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without your help." Kasumi leans on her feet, looking up to the sky. "You know, up until now, I've only been working for myself and Akechi. I was so desperate to make a good impression." The Thieves note at Kasumi's words about Akechi, filing it away for later. "But, ever since I started hanging out with all of you, I started to feel like I wanted to live up to all of your expectations. And that feeling made me feel so much stronger!"
"We are happy to help, Kasumi. After all, that is what friends are for." Yusuke replies.
"Right. I know that if Akechi was around more often, he would have done the same thing as all of you. But with him being swamped with work, the time we can hang out together has gotten so small…" Kasumi looks to the ground, sadness filling her eyes. "What happened to you in April, Akechi?"
"Kasumi?" Hifumi asks, concerned. Her voice seemed to snap Kasumi out of her thoughts as she shook her head.
"Sorry about that. Daydreaming again." She clears her throat before locking eyes with the team around her. "I know I'm not totally back to normal yet, but that doesn't mean I won't stop until I do! I hope you guys will continue to be there for me every step of the way."
"You know it, Kasumi!" Futaba tells her with a wide smile as Ren notes the card above her head, gaining its fifth and final star. As Lavenza's voice echoes within his mind.
I am thou, thou art I…
Thou hast birthed a bond clad in the heart's strength.
This union, born and embraced by will unyielding,
shall become the balefire that lights thy path.
Thou hast gained a glimpse of the Faith's truth,
granting thee further power to tread the abyss…
That's…new… Ren mentally thinks to himself as everyone disperses from the batting cage. Save for two.
"What's wrong, Ren? Lavenza speaking in your head again?" Futaba asks as she, Hifumi and Ren make their way back to Leblanc.
"Sort off… I managed to max out Kasumi's confidant, but…her's only ended at five stars. And I haven't been granted any new persona to fuse. And here's what else she said…"
"What did she say?" Hifumi asks. Ren tells the two the words he heard, noting the furrowed looks on their faces. "I see… That is interesting."
"Meaning that there's more to Kasumi than we know? Wonder if Akechi could tell us."
"Somehow, I don't think Akechi would tell us." Ren shakes his head at Futaba's suggestion. "All we can do is wait and see."
July 30th, 2016
Why is Akechi calling me out to Kichijoji? Unless he wants to have a game of pool again. Ren shakes his head while manoeuvring through the streets. It was really an out of the blue message he had gotten from Akechi, even more surprising that he accepted it.
Then again, he had nothing planned today other than helping around Leblanc. Again. Looking around, he spies Akechi standing outside of Penguin Snipers, once again holding his briefcase in his right hand as he waves him over.
Walking up to him, Ren notes that all of his wounds seemed to have healed, although he now had a small white bandage on the bottom of his left cheek. Just what was he getting into that was causing these wounds?
"I'm glad you could join me, Ren. I had been meaning to make up for the incident at the café and found something that could work. Please, follow me." Akechi greets him before walking off from Penguin Snipers. Curious but also internally weary, Ren follows him before finding themselves arriving at a set of stairs leading down into a club called Jazz Jin.
"What's this place?" Ren asks. He had never seen this place before in the original timeline. Or maybe he did and wrote it off?
"It is a bar that I frequent quite a bit, so I'm considered a regular. Don't worry. They sell non-alcoholic beverages as well. They also have performers come in every now and then to give live songs to the guests as well."
"I never knew such a club existed here in Kichijoji. Just goes to show that I still have a lot to discover in Tokyo." Ren comments, following Akechi into the club
"Ah, that's right. You are from the countryside. Which town was it again?" Akechi asks, looking back at Ren.
"At this point, I don't even remember or care." Ren replies, a bitter look on his face. Akechi, seeing the look on Ren's face, wisely stays quiet before sitting at a nearby seat alongside Ren.
"Well then, how about we move on from such things and order our drinks." Welcoming the subject change, Ren happily orders a drink. Before long, he was given a purple cocktail, alongside Akechi as a singer came out to give a live performance.
"This place is nice…I should invite Makoto and the others around here sometime…" Ren comments casually.
"Ah, that's right. I remember seeing you with Makoto-san that one time. You certainly have a large friend group." Akechi comments. "Considering the unfortunate circumstances of your coming here, you must be very happy."
"Like you wouldn't believe. They are more of a true family than my real family ever was. I wouldn't trade them for anything."
"I see. It must be nice, having a loving family." Akechi comments, looking to the side.
Alright. Time to ask. "I've been meaning to ask this, and you can answer if you want, but how did you and Kasumi meet?" Akechi glances at him, almost with a judging look, before giving a sigh.
"I was wondering when you would ask. And no, I don't mind telling you." He leans on the table, taking a sip of his drink. "I met her when I was around five. My mother had been struggling to feed us both since my father had abandoned the both of us. It was during this time that Yoshizawa's father found us. She was around two years old at this time. His wife had passed away some time ago, but he still offered to take us both in. Initially, the two of us didn't start off on the best of terms, but after a while, we became inseparable."
"I see. Sounds like you were saved from a dark fate." Ren comments. And just more of a reason as to why Shido is the worst dad to ever live.
"You could say that. Honestly, if it was not for Yoshizawa-san, my mother would have died. I owe him more than he could imagine." His gaze seems to fall as he mutters something under his breath. To quiet for Ren to hear.
"Sorry if I brought the mood down this time." Ren says, taking a sip of his drink as Akechi waves him off.
"It is quite alright. It is refreshing to share this story with someone else for a change. Rather than keep it to myself." He glances at the watch on his phone before sighing to himself. "It would seem it's getting late. And I unfortunately have an early rise tomorrow. If it's alright with you, can we meet on the 2nd of August? You asked me about my past, so I would like to ask the same of you. About how you met with your friends, if that is alright."
"It's only fair. And yeah, I'm free that day." Ren replies, watching as the fourth star is added to Akechi's card. "See you then?"
"Of course." And with that, the two of them exit the club and into the quiet evening air. While Ren had Akechi's tale bounce around his head.
August 2nd, 2016
When Ren received Akechi's text on where to meet up, he wasn't expecting an Arcade of all places. Let alone standing in front of the Gun About arcade.
"I'm sure you are quite surprised to find me here." Akechi comments, standing before the machine.
"Honestly, I am. I didn't take you for a gamer Akechi." Ren comments. Akechi chuckles at Ren, motioning to one of the guns.
"Well, truth be told, I'm not. I was out gathering intel before heading over to Leblanc before I spotted people playing this. A hardcore shooter game. It piqued my interest when I found out, even more so when I discovered it could have two players."
"I see." Ren smirks, picking up one of the guns. "Fancy a competition then?" Akechi smirks back, picking up the other gun with his left hand.
"That was my intention." He replies before inserting some Yen into the machine. As the two begin to play, some customers stand to watch as the two square off against each other. Thanks to Ren's experience in the Metaverse, he was able to hold his own against Akechi as the two fought to a draw as the game ended.
"Good game, Akechi. You almost had me a few times." Ren compliments as the two walk over to a nearby bench. His shooting skills are just as good as last time.
"The same to you. My fingers will be sore tomorrow. That was such a realistic game." Akechi leans back before glancing at Ren. "Since we are here, you do remember what I asked you before?"
"Yes, I remember." Ren replies, looking at the ceiling. Time to tell a little lie. "The first people I met were Ryuji and Ann. They were the only two who tried to understand me. And since Shiho and Mishima were their friends from childhood, I naturally met them as well. Makoto was after them as, per her agreement with Kobayakawa, she was asked to keep an eye on me to make sure I 'stayed in line'. Of course, she also believed my innocence as well, with Haru joining us due to being Makoto's friend."
"I see. And this all happened in the first few days? Quite a turnaround. But how did you get Makoto to fall for you?"
"I ask myself that all the time. I count myself a lucky man." Ren replies, earning a chuckle out of Akechi.
"And so you should. A found family and an intelligent partner. All the while, you were an outcast to a new school."
"It also helped that we were all outcasts. None of us really fit into any type of group, so we were drawn to each other." Akechi nods, placing a hand on his chin. "What are you thinking about now?"
"Just to my childhood. I used to have a toy gun like that controller. Sometimes, I would play dress-up hero with Yoshizawa and pretend we were heroes of justice. Those were simpler times back then. But then I learned how heroes have different stances and that those stances don't always work out."
"Like how one can stick to the justice they believe in, while another follows the justice of the masses, right?" Ren replies. Like how we followed our own justice before becoming swept up in by the people of Tokyo. And lost our way.
"Indeed. But those have their own problems. What if the justice they pursue is not the one the people want? Or if the justice the people want goes against their own morals? It is a dangerous road to travel…" Akechi folds his hands, gazing at the floor before seemingly snapping himself out of it. "Sorry about that, I seemed to have gone off on a tangent again."
"I don't mind." Ren replies with a shake of his head.
"I suppose you just stir these conversations up from me. I knew I was right in making you my debate partner." Akechi says while Ren sees star number five appear on Akechi's tarot card. "Anyway, as much as I would want to continue talking with you, I have an investigation to complete. See you around, Ren." Akechi walks out of the building, leaving Ren behind, who soon leaves himself. As he continues to think more to himself.
I'm more than convinced. Akechi is not Black Mask. But still, who is this apprentice that Black Mask has? Akechi has definitely been to the Metaverse since he can hear Morgana. But if that's the case, is he a Persona user? And if he is…
…is he Black Masks' apprentice?
August 24th, 2016
"Another day, another round of shopping for the kitten. How big has she gotten, by the way?" Mishima asks as he and Ren help Shiho with some bags.
"Pretty big and no less energetic. It's a joy every single day." Shiho replies. "Hard to imagine such a tiny kitten could grow so big."
"It's all thanks to you, Shiho. Yuki wouldn't have made it if you hadn't found her that day." Ren tells her. Shiho nods with a big grin before a commotion catches the ears of all three. Looking over, they see three men ganging up on a girl with an injured leg. The same one who had been bullying Shiho at school.
"It's her." Mishima says, eyes narrowing. "Who the hell are they?"
"Kaneshiro's goons? Or the ones who got away anyway?" Ren asks, his own eyes narrow. This situation was feeling all too similar to him. Shiho glanced at the men, then at the girl before shaking her head.
"Damn it. I know what she was trying to do, and yet I still want to help her." She whispers.
"Then let's help her." Mishima replies. Shiho looks at him, then at Ren, who gives her a smirk. Shiho smiles, nodding her head before the four head over to the group.
Grabbing their attention.
"Who the hell are you?" One of the guys asks while his two buddies look at the trio condescendingly.
"What did you do to her?" Shiho asked calmly, getting the girl's attention, who looked at her in confusion. The three men scoff, forming a wall between them.
"Does it matter? We only wanted a good time with her, but she wouldn't say the right word. So we though to give her 'incentive', if you catch my drift." The three men chuckle as the girl behind them shrinks. But for the four thieves, their anger was sparked.
"You pieces of shit." Mishima seethes through gritted teeth while Shiho clenches her hands. All the while, Ren silently fumed behind them alongside Morgana.
"What did you say?" One of the guys says, walking forward before grabbing Mishima by the scruff of his shirt. He looks him in the eye, trying to intimidate him, but Mishima glares back, unnerving him.
"Don't you three know who you are dealing with? We're Kaneshiro's gang! While our boss may be in jail, we'll spring him out and rebuild our empire, one slave girl at a time." The lead man says, hoping to scare them. But instead, all he did was make them angrier.
"And is that supposed to scare us?" Ren asks, unimpressed. The lead man scowls, reaching for a hidden bat as he stomps towards Ren. Only for the blow of a whistle to catch everyone's attention.
"Hold it!" Two police officers walk over to them, eyeing the situation. "What is going on here?" Ren briefly has a flashback to when he was arrested, a brief moment of fear filling his veins.
"These men attacked my friend and were about to attack us!" Shiho shouts out, causing the three men to blanch. It did not help that one of them was still holding onto Mishima while the lead had his bat out. Earning the ire of the two Police officers.
"Scram!" The leader yells, sprinting away, followed closely by his two lackeys. As the Police officers chase after them. Ren quietly breathes a sigh of relief as Morgana pats his paw on his hand while Mishima fixes his shirt. As Shiho moves to check on the former bully.
"Are you alright?" She asks, concern lacing her words. The girl looks at her, utter confusion on her face.
"Why? Why risk yourself for me? After everything I said to you?" She questions, utterly baffled by how Shiho acted.
"Do I need a reason to help someone?" Shiho questions back. The girl looks away, unable to find an answer, as Ren searches his bag for something to help her leg.
"Thank you…" She quietly says. Before long, paramedics arrived along with the Police Officers who had managed to arrest the three men. With the girl taken to the nearest hospital, the Police offer their thanks to the trio before reminding them to stay safe and leaving them alone.
"That was close. For a second, I thought we were going to get the blame." Mishima says before looking at Ren. "Are you okay? That couldn't have been pleasant."
"No, it wasn't…had one too many flashbacks there." Ren replies before shaking his head. "But I'll live. Either way, that was some impressive moves you two."
"I didn't do anything special. That was all Shiho." Mishima replies, sending a smile to Shiho as he blushed lightly. Shiho herself was sporting a similar blush as she pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
"I just acted on instinct. I'm just glad that they bought it. But I was only confident it would work with you guys beside me." She tells them. "So, thanks. For being there." Ren and Mishima smile as Ren spies star number nine appearing on Shiho's Tarot Card. "Anyway, let's get all of this back to my apartment. Yuki is probably wondering where I am at this rate." The duo nod before grabbing their discarded bag, following after Shiho before she slows down. "By the way, could you two come round tomorrow? There's something I need to say."
"Of course." Mishima responds first.
"I'm free, so I don't mind." Ren replies evenly.
August 25th, 2016
It was very crazy in Shiho's apartment, with Yuki running around, now grown even bigger than when she was first found. And yet still as playful. But while Yuki was content in attacking her post, Shiho was sitting down with Ren and Mishima.
"So, I got word about the former bully. Turns out that the injury she got was not as bad as we imagined. She'll be able to walk again, but she needs a crutch for a week until it heels enough."
"Well, that's good to hear. And those three punks won't be causing any trouble as well." Mishima says with a smile on his face. "All in all, a good outcome."
"And at the end of the day, that's all that matters." Ren says, with an equal smile on his face. Shiho nods in agreement before looking down.
"You know, for a moment, during the bullying, there were times I thought I would break. She just kept going for me, no matter how much I brushed her off. Looking back, it was maybe because I was brushing her off that made her think I was an 'easy' target."
"Shiho…" Mishima whispers as Ren stays silent. This was something she needed to get off her chest.
"For all my life, that was how I reacted to people criticising me. And it always got them to give up. So when she continued to do so, I honestly didn't know what to do." She looks up, looking at both Ren and Mishima before smiling. "That's why I was so grateful for having you guys by my side. And not just you, but Ann and the others. Knowing that I had people to count on gave me the strength to stay who I was without giving in. And it worked." Mishima looks at her before giving a sigh.
"You know, I once thought like that too, y'know." He says, grabbing both her and Ren's attention. "Back in the original timeline, I had given up, accepted that I was zero….That my existence was meaningless. Even though I was an active collaborator for the Thieves. Ti go so bad that I wanted Ren and the others to change my heart." He shakes his head before looking up. "But, they didn't. They talked to my Shadow and convinced me that my life did have meaning to it. How grateful they were for me being there as their support. Especially when they were framed for Okumura's death." He leans forward, looking right into Shiho's eyes.
"What I learned was that even if I couldn't change the world, I could change myself. Just like you have, right?" Shiho smiled softly, nodding her head as she returned the gaze.
"Yeah. I did. I learned that I could still be myself, regardless of what anyone else says. And if they don't like it, I can just tell them it to their face. No more passive Shiho taking words to the face." She looks away from Mishima to Ren. "And it's all thanks to you. Hope you don't mind, but we're going to continue leaning on you for support and, in turn, lean to give you ours."
"That's right. We only made it here today because you and the others were with us every step of the way. So thanks, Ren. For giving us this chance to be better than our old selves. We could never be thankful enough." Ren looks between the two, smiling softly as he shakes his head.
"All I did was give you guidance when you needed it. You two did the heavy lifting on your own. So be proud of yourselves. After all, the only way from here is up." He holds his hand out flat, with Mishima and Shiho placing their hands on top. Just as Lavenza's voice echoes in Ren's mind.
I am thou, thou art I...
Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath.
Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion
and break the yoke of thy heart.
Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret of the
charity and moon, granting thee infinite power...
As Ren spies Shiho and Mishima's Tarot cards gaining their final stars, he can feel information forming in his mind on how to fuse the rulers of their Arcana's. One he knew very well, and the other all brand new to him. Sandalphon, that's no surprise. But the ruler of Charity…I'll have to see how that one is…
"And break!" Ren shouts as the three raise their outstretched hand into the air. But as they did so, all three felt a pulse radiate through the room. Ren smiles softly as he looks at Shiho and Mishima, each glowing a soft blue as they close their eyes.
In Shiho's mind, she could see Kore floating in a blue void, staring calmly at her before being engulfed in fire and forming into a ball. Suddenly, the ball explodes as Shiho's persona emerges. But her form is different. From her back sprouted two golden wings while an elegant robe flowed down her body. Silver gauntlets run up her bare arms, while two chakrams were held in each. Her head was encased in an ancient Greek helmet, while two glowing eyes glowed behind the helm.
Long flowing bronze hair flows behind her as though it was carried by the wind while a sky blue sash floats around her arms. A silver spear hangs on her back, while angel wings spread from the side of her helm, gauntlets and ankles. And as Shiho's Persona takes root with her once again, a new name comes to her lips.
Nike.
In Mishima's mind, a very similar scene played out before him as Drifter was engulfed in fire. And just like Nike, he emerged just as different. A man seemingly made of metal, complete with a black beard jutting from below his face, while a red horizontal visor sat where his eyes would be. His right arm was replaced with a Gatling gun, while a shield of silver metal rested on his left arm, hiding a revolver.
All the while, he sat on a robotic horse, complete with the same red visor. A brown coat was worn over the man's shoulders, blowing out like a cape as he stood defiantly on top of his steed. All the while, Mishima's Persona's name rung within his mind
Ned Kelly.
The two of them slowly opened their eyes, stunned at what had happened as Ren looked at them with a proud look. "Congratulations, you two. Your persona's have evolved."
"That really just happened…didn't it?" Mishima asks, surprised yet happy all the same. "I feel stronger. That I could easily take anything thrown at me."
"I feel the same. It's strange. It only just happened, yet I feel more complete than ever." Shiho replies with a beaming smile. "Let's do our best to take Shido and Yaldabaoth down! For a brighter future!"
August 28th, 2016
In an enclosed room, surrounded by books, a young woman worked tirelessly on her computer. Typing away at countless lines of code, she was lost in her own world. Humming a tune to herself.
What would you like me to become?
Words flash across the screen as she continues to type away. A smile plastered on her face. "If I could give my baby a heart… That'd mean I had one all along." She becomes contemplative, looking at the books around her. "And maybe she could show me why I'm…different to everyone else."
She continues to type away, ignoring the passage of time. Before a voice echoes from the screen. One that filled her heart with joy.
"Hello. I am Sophia. Humanity's Companion."
Confidant Ranks:
Yaldabaoth: Jester (Rank 6)
Phantom Thieves of Heart: The Fool (Rank 10/Max)
Makoto Nijima: High Priestesses (Rank 10/Max)
Ryuji Sakamoto: Chariot (Rank 10/Max)
Ann Takamaki: Lovers (Rank 10/Max)
Yusuke Kitagawa: Emperor (Rank 10/Max)
Haru Okumura: Empress (Rank 10/Max)
Futaba Sakura: Hermit (Rank 10/Max)
Morgana: Magician (Rank 10/Max)
Mishima Yuuki: Moon (Rank 10/Max)
Suzui Shiho: Charity (Rank 10/Max)
Kasumi Yoshizawa: Faith (Rank 5/Max?)
Hifumi Togo: Star (Rank 9/Locked)
Sojiro Sakura: Hierophant (Rank 10/Max)
Goro Akechi: Justice (Rank 5)
Sae Nijima: Judgment (Sealed)
Chihaya Mifune: Fortune (Rank 10/Max)
Munehisa Iwai: Hanged Man (Rank 10/Max)
Tae Takemi: Death (Rank 10/Max)
Sadayo Kawakami: Temperance (Rank 10/Max)
Ichiko Ohya: Devil (Rank 10/Max)
Shinya Oda: Tower (Rank 10/Max)
Toranosuke Yoshida: Sun (Rank 10/Max)
Takuto Maruki: Councillor (Rank 5)
Lavenza (Justine & Caroline): Strength (sealed)