Authors Notes: So while writing Chapter three I discovered tanukis are a very real animal which was mind blowing for me XD. I always though they were imaginary mythological creatures so ya that was a unexpected slap to the face from reality XD. With that said I should be earnest, and point out Ms. Tanuki is in fact Mona's replacement in this story. In the actual rp Mona is played by two players... though the irony is the majority of the cast... myself included... really don't like Mona...

Wait let me explain! Its more so we hated the writing for Mona in the actual game during the Okumura palace he really did just feel mascot insert here like. Honestly in my opinion Mona is part of the reason that particular palace is bad... atop of a lot of other reasons. Impressively though I am still a Haru waifu defender XD. Hell I was shocked how bored the character Mona was to me when someone told me he was a boy. I thought for the longest time Mona was a girl AND I PLAYED THE GAME THREE TIMES. Not the Royal version though which I was told had I would have undeniable proof he was a he.

Regardless Mona insertion in the rp was more so for the one person who really loved Mona, and since they were the one making the villains/plot at the time the GM at the time was benevolent and played the cat as a genuine thank you. For this retelling though I thought it was fair for the rest of us to get something a bit different.

...

Persona 5: Alternative

Chapter 4 Part 1

...

A world of blue filled only with chains as far as the eyes could see. Masami's eyes opened to the realm of the velvet room's jail cell chilled frost still concentrated along the flooring. This time there was no panic, no frustration she simply motioned herself up as the chains attached to her leg jingled as she turned to the cell door.

"About time you've come to little mouse," Clow's harsh voice called out her baton hitting the cell as she stared in on Masami. "On your feet inmate." Rolling her shoulders from the stiffness from the bed Masami complied watching Clow, and Wysteria with studying glances.

"Our master wishes to speak with you. It's for your own sake you take his words to heart," Wysteria expressed her view of Masami still a glazed empty stare. The Twins were indeed an oddity, but come upon a second round Masami was not going to be so easily rattled. Placing her hands on the cell doors she looked out to Igor ready to hear what this was about.

"First off, let us celebrate our reunion. Oh? You've awakened to your powers... and special ones at that. Your rehabilitation can finally begin," Igor spoke with much appeasement to the change present in the girl's aura of stance.

"I assume my persona is what has kicked this off then, and now I do want to know. What is this whole rehabilitation about," Masami questioned calmly, and collectively taking to get whatever info she could now.

"There is no need to understand it all for the time being. Though yes you will be training the power of Persona, which you have indeed awakened to. I understand you have some inkling of understanding to them but let me elaborate a bit more. Personas are, in other words, a "mask" an armor of the heart when confronting worldly matters," combined with what Tanuki had told her earlier the mossy green girl was at least able to understand better what Anne Bonny was to her. Though she wished for knowledge with a bit more depth it was evident she needed to comply if she wanted to get more out of Igor so for now she didn't add any further questions.

"I have high expectations for you," upon that sentence, Masami raised an eyebrow at what he expected her to do in all this she gave him a concerned look to which he shook his head.

"There is no need to worry. You will learn when the time comes," he chuckled.

"By the by...have you come to appreciate the metaverse navigator? Using it will allow you to come and go between realities and Palaces," Igor explained earning a stern stare from Masami.

"The Metaverse Navigator? So that app was your doing," Masami was irked by that. It was hard-pressed to believe if the velvet room was real or fueled by her problems. However, upon Igor's question, it was evident now that the Velvet room was just as real as the Metaverse, or that Palace. He had placed Masami in forced danger which had expanded to Shiro, and Tanuki who were both nearly killed in the process. The only reason Masami wasn't shouting was upon the other unacquired pieces of the puzzle at hand.

"I bestowed it to you as a means to train you as a thief."

"Come again," Masami finally spoke confused at that part.

"The Metaverse Navigator is a gift from our master! You better take care in using it, Inmate," Crow growled annoyed at Masami stepping out of line.

"Well, I have upgraded from rat to mouse to inmate in one go. Be honest am I just your type now," Masami composed snarky as could be with the warden causing Clow to give her a death glare.

"Devote yourself to your training so that you may become a fine thief," Wysteria added breaking the fight before Clow would start to attempt gnawing at the bars to get at Masami.

"Ya. Don't know if you realized this but being that's what got me here how is that going to help "rehabilitate" me," Masami dryly chastised Wysteria who didn't have much of a reaction like Clow.

"There is more than one life for a thief dumbass try to wrap your duncy brain around it on your own time," Clow chastised back as now Masami had the urge to reach for Clow's throat through the bars. If only she would take a step to the left to make it a reachable goal.

"It must be disheartening to make use of the Metaverse Navigator app alone. Should there be others who would prove beneficial to you, I will bestow it to them as well. This is all for you to grow as a most excellent thief," As Igor spoke Masami was trying to wrap her head around why they were so obsessed with the thief motif. Wasn't that what she was to be rehabilitated from? Before any questions could be asked the jail alarm rang loud signaling the end of this visit.

"Hmph, it's time. Go back, and enjoy whatever rest you might have," Clow growled still very much agitated as the world faded black.

...

April 11th, 2016

The view of the train ride was muddled at best upon the gray city. Heavy rainfall came down aggressively blotching the once pristine view as Masami's hands tapped on her preemptive dark blue umbrella. Personas, Shadows, Palaces, Rulers, Velvet Room, Tanuki, and Igor. These were the puzzles she had at the time that needed putting together. She had bits and pieces of each, but no full picture to speak of. Then there was the biggest storm of problems at the forefront present: Kajik Sato.

That puzzle had the most pieces but was the biggest jumbled mess at this time. Four years ago the school got bogged down by at-risk students, delinquents, poor grades, and a bit of chaos. At some unknown time, Kajik had been part of something big that must have been considering the turning point in halting that damage. Unknown people named Yui, Gomi, Koyuki, and Amane were part of that action taken damaged in the aftermath or directly targeted more likely. There was also the obsession on Shiro, Kajik held. The last blemish on an otherwise nearly successful unknown act. Why was her continued enrollment a fixation? The other student council member Chiyumi from Shiro's interaction held a part somehow in this as well. Sato also had some form of problems with Tsukara that bothered him but hadn't shown signs in the palace. Was there a lead to be followed on that element?

Then there was the abnormal element of the black suit trench coat man. If Masami was to understand correctly he was something akin to Masami from Tanuki's words given, and was not happy about their presence in Shujin Castle. Was he protecting something? Couldn't have been the castle or ruler could it? Tanuki said he had gone on a cleaning spree on the shadows there. Was he there for the same reasons as Tanuki, or something else? Regardless he was hostile that was certain. Scribbling down on an extra notepad she had from her school supplies she looked at her list of leads, and subjects:

What exactly went down four years ago in Kajik's life to make him so distorted?

What was his obsession with the school's image?

What was the problem he held with Machiki?

What had he done, and how to start "Cleansing" the school?

Who helped him?

What part did Gomi, Yui, Koyuki, and Amane play in this?

Why was he so fixated on Shiro?

What were the parts or knowledge held by Chiyumi, and Agata?

These were the questions needing information before Masami could return to that Castle with an answer. Two days, she would have to find and answer as much as possible from this list in two days before regrouping with Tanuki. In full earnest, she wanted to talk to Shiro, but the delinquent unexplainable was trying to protect her from going back meaning she wouldn't help, and be a roadblock more likely than not. The girl was a hellion, but like Shiro had said there was more than what a label gave meaning there was more to Shiro's part in this.

For now, Masami would have to work with what was possible in her timetable with the school. Thankfully the apex source of puzzle pieces to the Kajik Sato scenario. She had to work this like a job scooping out the area of operation using what knowledge she had to see what knowledge she could gain.

Momentarily she looked at her phone, particularly at the message her Uncle had sent her. Apparently, and luckily he wasn't able to get home last night. He would be out for about a week working some new supply routes for unique blends of coffee beans he had been wanting for a long time. It was so urgent a run that he was shutting the shop down for the week as well. This worked to Masami's advantage as the last thing she needed was to overly worry him.

Upon departure of the last train, Masami was greeted with a delightful sight of a curiously searching for Machiki watching the occupants leaving the transit vehicle. Upon sight of Masami the sunshine cosmic-haired girl ran over with a soft smile that could melt Masami right on the spot with the rain.

"I hope this isn't awkward, but I was hoping to make up for yesterday's... well awkwardness," Machiki halted trying not to use the same word in the same sentence, but upon her odd pause, she couldn't find the words the burnout, and tired nature of her eyes worse than yesterday. Masami gave pause wondering what had happened to her, and why she was so sleep-deprived.

"No. By no means it's a delightful surprise I was worried about you yesterday," Masami smiled. Yet a sinking gut of regret boiled in her stomach with how she was about to use this to her advantage. Machiki had something going on with Kajik, and as much as she hated to do this it was a lead worth checking up on.

"Sorry I just... got some silly stuff going on, and well been avoiding the issue of it," Machiki cryptically explained avoiding any detail to the problem. Underneath Masami's medical mask a frown from what she was about to do formed as she tilted her head.

"Boy problems? I noticed that Kajik is a bit locked onto you?" The question immediately made Machiki blush with a look of shock from it confirming some form of courtship was potentially in play, or at the very least a form of romantic interest existed.

"No, no I mean potentially? The potentially... being sort of the problem," yet again a cryptic response. Masami didn't follow it up at this rate she was just going to alienate the girl with a sour topic. For now, it was best to let it go.

"So what makes such a goodie good like you into an Acid Heart follower," Masami asked switching gears for now as they started to walk to school. Machiki giggled a bit at the compliment though what followed was not something Masami was ready for.

"Honestly I was a fan from the very start. I believe music is beyond a message or meaning it's meant to be a full body and soul experience. Music should make you wanna move, not just make you think or feel. It should do all of it from the start. People label, and chain music down to the notion of what's worth, but EDM is one of those without labels being in the here, and now. Letting loose the bothers of life to let everyone together bust a move without a doubt. Acid Heart's mission in my opinion is to break past expectations, and just make what gets people into a shared experience," Masami was taken for a ride on Machiki's expressive approach to an answer. The girl didn't even take a breath during that full opinion. A moment ago she was deprived of energy, and now she was overflowing with it. Her passion for Acid Hearts craft was without a doubt a true fan, hell Masami felt like a regular groupie in comparison with the spark of admiration for the artist.

"Wow, never thought about it that way before. Honestly, I just loved listening to it while I walked or skateboarded about. Though to be fair I never really had time to party with people," Masami admitted hesitantly unsure if her answer would do some damage to this potential friendship.

"YOU CAN SKATEBOARD? THAT IS SO COOL. I think that's exactly the perfect way to use her music in such a movement-heavy sport," Machiki chimed causing Masami a mental sigh in avoiding loss of the whimsical girl's interest. However, at the same time, Masami realized using her for information was an invalid direct approach. The girl was loose to being subjected to spilling the beans, but Masami realized she would have to sacrifice a potential friend. Besides, there were other avenues to bear fruit from no need to make herself miserable in this pursuit.

As such the girls simply talked, gushing over their favorite Acid Heart songs. Yet in the moment of conversation, Masami looked behind them seeing two boys walking a bit behind giving Machiki some rather notable animosity-driven stares. Not exactly threatening, but definitely of distaste of some sort. Upon seeing Masami noticing them they disengaged mumbling something as they turned a bit away. What the hell was that about?

From there the day went pretty normal. Yet upon their first Social Studies class with Mr. Gomimo, Masami noticed an odd slot box of sorts on the podium. Then it clicked this must have been how students could suggest historical figure topics to get away from homework for the day. Going up to the box Masami immediately wrote a name down inserting her suggestion into the book Machiki blinked looking at the box in wonder at what Masami had suggested. The class went as normal as Mr. Gomimo mainly concentrated on Edo-era Japanese history going over the shogunate's duty to the land. Near the end of the teaching, he then paused the part where most knew from teachers that homework was being formulated as he came up to the box. The class watched as he picked it up shaking it to no notable sound a soft sigh escaped his lips.

"Come on now. No one's up to challenge me with something interesting? You must love homework. Might need to get a nurse in here to make sure I haven't bored you to death," he joked as he opened it up to a surprising single entry taking it out he unfolded it an immediate smile as his bushy eyebrow moved in excitement.

"AH HA. Clever little choice one of you took to my words yesterday, and quite the catch they have come to share with us in history. Let's talk about a lass from the 17th century born in Ireland around what is theorized about 1670 to 1700. Anne Bonny a fiery fury of a woman of the seas of the Caribbean, and one of the few documented female pirates in all record history.

Little in fact is known about her, and if not for some well-documented archives her lineage of piracy would have been unbelievable to most no doubt. Most knowledge comes from in fact other nautical historical figures entries. Captain Charles Johnson's: A General History of Pyrates, and yes that is with a y instead of an I.

From her birthplace of Ireland, Old Head Kinsale it is recorded she was the daughter of a servant woman Mary Brennan with her employer a not-so-loyal lawyer William Cormac. Imagine that a lawyer without a conscious perishes the thought right? Such outstanding citizens. Heh, apparently he had taken his mistress while his wife was away of illness handled by her mother-in-law the irony. That resulted in Anne's birth right out the door becoming labeled a crime by society due to another's actions.

Though in an act of real caring William refused to disown the girl surprisingly thus instead of handling the matter legally he ran with his mistress and daughter. Running from his wife's family he disguised Anne as a boy raising her to be a clerk teller upon his wife discovering this well let's just say he lost his allowance. From that, he took his new family to London, and from there the Province of Carolina where he broke his marriage officially.

While the man held no talent for the law he had strived for he did however have a knack for merchant life making a name quickly for himself in Charles Town earning him a plantation, and townhouse. Unfortunately, Anne's mother died around this time unable to have a piece of true peace.

As she grew she garnered a recorded bio of being a rather good catch but garnered a fiery temper stabbing a servant girl for calling her a manish brute. A bit further into her life, she married a poor sailor, and small-time pirate James Bonny which Anne took to rather well at first. Until it turned out his goal was to win possession of William Cormac's estate. Irony though upon ignoring her father's pleas and following her heart, William Cormec finally disowned her shooting the very plan James had to an early bed.

Unable to let his pride take the fall though James didn't divorce Anne instead around 1714 brought her with him to Nassau on New Providence Island well known as a sanctuary for Pirate far, and wide even labeled the Republic of Pirates. This is where Anne's distaste for James was born. Upon a series of King Pardons to some criminals, James became an informant for Governor Rogers, Woodes in the summer of 1718. He sold out his fellow pirates resulting in numerous arrests and hangings. Anne quickly came to loath her husband's betrayal of their kind.

As such while in the Bahamas, Anne began mingling with pirates in the taverns meeting who would become her true love John Rackham better known to his crew as Calico Jack. The two instantly fell for each other. Rackham even knowing James' true nature offered a bribe for him to release Anne from her marital bonds. His pride didn't take too well to that, and upon threats well Rackham did what you would expect he stole what he wanted taking Anne willingly to escape the island disguising Anne as a boy for which she had a built talent for. Interestingly enough the crew had another of similar talent another pirate lass by the name of Mary Read who in an ironic twist fell in love with Andy Bonne who had to reveal her true nature to halt Mary's advances. The crew though did find out about Anne's true gender upon her first pregnancy but took to it well knowing she was Calico's girl though rumor has it there were some sneaking suspicions of romance between Anne and Mary.

Regardless after her first child in Cuba to which no one is sure what happened Anne officially got her divorce from a humiliated James finally able to marry Rackham while at sea. Eventually they they took their official pirate ship Ms. Ogawa would you like to tell the class what that ship's name was?" Mr. Gomimo finally took a break pointing at Masami who at the time had been mulling her uncle's text over again, and in a panic... blurted the name of her uncle's jazz cafe.

"William Sloop?"

"Excellent Ms. Ogawa. The Sloop William," Mr. Gomimo chimed excitedly at Masami's unknown false answer as a true answer of a student going beyond the realm of school to learn. It was clear that it had earned some points with her homeroom teacher.

"From there Anne Bonny became one of the most dangerous pirates of the seas. Sword, and gun blazing slaying the law that tried to stop her whenever the chance to fight appeared. Years of plundering a world that saw her gender as weak giving the law more hell than most. So intense was she at her craft Governor Williams labeled her a most wanted pirate target in the world. Hilarious that too came to bite Williams as he and the world were to learn of her gender as a victim Dorothy Thomas said "They wore men's jackets and long trousers. Handkerchiefs tied about their heads each a machete and pistol in their hands cursing a storm more fierce than any man." She even added to her report that she knew they were a woman I kid you not saying "by the largeness of their breasts." Is that laughter in the audience gentleman? Well, ladies we know which boys are cursed to single life this year don't we?" During this particular line, a clear line of boyish laughter erupted which was then brutally shot down followed by girlish laughter.

"Unfortunately for Anne Bonny upon October 1720 the Sloop William was attacked by Captain Jonathan Barnet under a commission from Nicholas Lawes, Governor of Jamaica. Most of Rackham's pirates put up little resistance, as many of them were too drunk to fight. Anne and Mary gave them more than they bargained for until they were apprehended.

Upon their trial Read and Bonny both "pleaded their bellies", asking for mercy because they were pregnant and the courts granted them a stay of execution until they gave birth. Unfortunately for Anne, she lost her husband via execution, and her best friend did to, believe to have fallen ill from fever from childbirth.

Yet what holds strongest to Anne Bonny's legend is that there is no documented concept of what happened to her after. No confirmation of death, nor release. She simply disappeared with authorities, and historians only able to confirm she was never brought to hang.

Rebellious to life, rebellious to love, rebellious to stature, and even rebellious to her governed end. Anne Bonny never gave the world what it wanted of her she fought tooth, and nail like any male counterpart pirate worth their salt before her.

I must admit this is a strong out-the-door topic whoever selected it good on you for expanding your understanding of our world history." At the end of it, Mr. Gomimo turned a glance giving Masami an enthusiastic smile very well aware it was her topic. He seemed rather impressed, and proud of her for stepping up to the plate which gave Masami an unexpected feeling of accomplishment.

...

With the victory of no homework assignments from Mr. Gomimo, the rest of the day was equally smooth sailing up to the lunch bell. As classes broke for their mealtime escape. Masami and Machiki were in line with their meal options at the ready chatting up a storm of things they liked.

"So Ogawa where are you from originally," Machiki asked.

"I am actually from downtown Tokyo, Chiyoda to be precise. I was living with my parents, but they had a big investment opportunity pop up overseas. So until they can get that up and running I am living with my uncle," Masami answered lying about 2/3's of the answer with the last bit being the only truth. Yet none would ever be the wiser with how perfect the response came out so naturally fluid from the moss girl's lips.

"Wow, they sound pretty successful. I hope they don't forget to space out time for you especially being so uprooted from your life," Machiki expressed feeling for Masami's situation unknowing how true those words rang.

"Too late for that," Masami mumbled under her breath leaning forward to snatch a few side dishes... oh they had a thing of Takoyaki. Immediately grabbing a small plate she gleefully hummed very prepped to devour the snack dish.

"Huh," realizing she had said that aloud Masami paused upon Machiki's curiosity. Sharply turning to the cosmic sunshine girl Masami was about to give a counter to dodge the question, but was given pause. Right behind Machiki was another girl in the transition of hesitantly reaching out a hand for Tsukara's shoulder to maybe get her attention. The moment was so fast that upon seeing Masami's glance the girl seemed to panic and pull away before then promptly leaving the line even leaving her food tray.

Having heard the plate dropped on the food counter the sunshine girl turned around as well as a few other girls in line also strangely turned away from Machiki's gaze. Unlike the boys from earlier, they held looks of concern almost perfectly like how Shiro had held a look of concern for Masami when she was being taken around by Sato. What was with these weird looks Machiki was getting concern, and animosity in a weird blend of instability or lack of reason.

"Machiki you're not bullied are you," Masami flat out asked too concerned to avoid the topic anymore.

"Huh? No everyone's pretty kind. I mean thanks to my hobby I don't have a lot of time to pay attention or hang out with anyone all too much, but no I have never run into problems. Why what happened," the bright-haired girl asked wondering now what had happened with the girl who had run away.

"I don't know, but I plan to find out," Masami quizzically responded.

After such the girls paid for their meals heading outside to sit around one of the benches built around a tree. The nice spring air wafting in pleasant floral smells of the Sakura Trees blooming in season. Even with the stint just minutes ago, Machiki found herself sitting next to Masami not bothered by it at all almost with a head up in the clouds. The sleep depravity as clear as day is now seen through a different lens of Masami's worry changing the question: "What was the problem he held with Machiki?" to "What problem was he causing unto Machiki..."

"You alright Ogawa? You seem a bit tense," apparently amid her time in the clouds, Machiki had pulled away upon noticing the intense thought going on in the green-haired girl's head. A bit surprised by the awareness Masami gave a soft smile.

"More so just contemplating what I plan to accomplish this year. It's a little early, but I think I caught wind of something I want to use to sorta turn things around as of late in my life," Masami proposed in full honesty. The look of seriousness locked in place in her eyes. Watching with curious eyes Machiki suddenly squealed in excitement taking Masami off guard as the cosmic sunshine girl leaned in close.

"Something like a passion project? That's so exhilarating, and you're so dead set on it I am so excited for you. Can I do anything to help," Machiki spoke hyped up as if Masami's dedication had lit a fire of breath back into Machiki's drained existence. Even about to seemingly snatch Masami's hand in her own to gush over details before being halted as a voice rang out. The pure gentle soul of Machiki's energy was so angelically serene making Masami more committed to finding out what the hell was going on. Too bad it was ruined by the trumpets of hell.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE SPICY TENTACLE SHE-DEVIL," both Masami and Machiki turned to a boy Masami wished had been a part of her imagination. Yet alas Imato Makage was indeed a very real person as he gawked at her pointing an accusing finger at her for all to see, and hear. The student body around reactively turned to see what was going on, but upon eyeing Makage it seemed to kill their interest in drama for them as they turned back away. During this Masami noticed a bit of a small crowd of girls not too far away... weird.

"Well look who it is. Today's theme is pirates I "see". Psychiatric ward for heroes didn't pan out I take it," Masami laughed ruthlessly immediately noticing the eye patch covering Makage's right eye. She however took to not digging in further to the how or why of the situation with her "eyes" a bit more open to the concept behind it. She did however raise a finger to her chin poking the side of her cheek innocently pretending to not know what of which she was being accused of.

"DON'T ACT INNOCENT YOU HARLOT. This was your doing. You directionally challenged backward moss-growing twat," Makage pointed to his right eye looking dead set on Masami with his left. At first, Masami was keen on having the advantage, but the moment the word moss escaped his lips again Masami locked into a death glare with the boy.

"Hi Makage," being completely oblivious to the tension set Machiki tilted to the right to make proper eye contact with Makage even going so far as to add a sweetly innocent wave of the hand to him causing the boy's frustration to deflate as he looked at her a bit in a blushed awkward state. Albeit he still had held a disdained look with Masami before weakly waving back to Machiki.

"Hi... Machiki."

"Aw, would you look at that? You can behave in front of the ladies," Masami teased with an evil smile hidden behind her facemask.

"You are not a lady you acolyte of a distraught hair demon," Makage hissed turning back to Masami as their eyes locked again in glaring hostility with Masami's "Come have a go if you think you're hard enough" Look not doing anything to help de-escalate the situation as she threateningly pulled out a Takoyaki from her plate using her chopsticks to point it at him menacingly causing him to hiss in a step back.

However, as a firm hand rested on the rude boy's left shoulder Masami sensed the singularity of the tension melting between them as the albino's disdain swapped with annoyance informing her he knew who had come up behind him. The teenager in question was a second-year boy about 5.11 ft tall overbearing Makage with a 0.4 ft disadvantage. As the Albino boy turned his head to look up at the light blue-eyed individual a look of sourness overtook the red-eyed boy in the confirmation of who had appeared.

"Makage please take from shouting out insults in public. There is no reason to embarrass yourself, or others for that matter," a cordial yet firm voice imperatively albeit modestly voice recommended. Though if it was a recommendation it was impressive from the casual eye lock from this wavy blonde upkept teen as he seemed to be adamant with his words coming off as a prospect for Makage to follow. Seriously was there a hair nourishing club on the school grounds? Was she the only one unfamiliar with a curling iron?

Masami watched as the two boys eyed each other for a moment until the annoyed boy broke it off pulling his shoulder out of the 2nd year's grasp and turning to face him directly as if to challenge him. At first, it was all peaceful, but for a moment Masami could have sworn she had seen the 2nd year's hand twitch into a clenched fist. Yet it seemed her eyes had deceived her as no such sign seemed valid as his hand was open.

"Don't act like your good for shit helping people," Makage glared daggers thirstier at the 2nd year more than they had with Masami. Without a doubt, there was some form of resentment there. Which kind exactly was the question to which Masami had too many at this time to concentrate on. The taller boy sighed folding his arms and looking at his "opponent" like a disappointed parent.

"Well if you want to duke it out in grandeur Chunni I'll oblige you, but I rather not harm your reputation more than you do yourself," at first those words were odd until a giggle-fest of girls could be heard off in the distance. Behind the 2nd year student, they were looking at Makage in particular, and as they whispered unknown words the Chuuni's face turned beat red as he realized they were talking about him, and his outlandish call out. As a sort reality slapped him back down from his perch he turned away storming off in his mumbling again. Masami had warned him about starting fights he couldn't win, but this time... she felt for him a bit.

"Never stops... sorry about all that you two. I know he can be a bit of a firecracker. Yet as long as he's diffused from time to time he's not the troubling sorts... usually," the blonde explained watching Makage exit from the area seeming to think on the words thrown at him with a blank expression.

"So Machiki who's your new friend?" He asked now curious about the girl the firecracker had blown up on this time.

"Huh? Ahem... sorry this is my new friend in the works, Masami Ogawa," Machiki spoke a bit in the clouds again snapping back to it all immediately introducing Masami who felt an uneasy element coming in.

"You seemed pretty prepped in advance for him," Masami out of nowhere dodging altogether the formalities being placed taking aback the 2nd year by far from what he had expected from the sickly-looking girl. At first, he held a blank expression which slowly morphed to amused curiosity.

"How do you figure?"

"You gathered that gaggle of girls right as you noticed he locked in on me, and as he was heading over. You pre-emptively made some sort of dealing to them that if you gave some form of signal to start giggling like a bunch of hyenas to purposely catch his attention causing him to think he was being judged. At that distance, it's hard to hear things in a normal voice. Minus the beginning shouting they weren't all interested in him," Masami explained as Machiki followed all of Masami's hand movements pointing out where everything was placed as it happened.

"That is one hell of a peripheral view you got. I didn't even see you look my way," at first the blonde held to a curious glance yet the more Masami broke it down the more a mild form of stirring impressed took to his smooth features.

"A talent and nothing more. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sougo Agata," Masami nodded accepting the not given but clearly shown compliment which caused him to smile. A boy with charism just from talking alone...

"I see? Kajik's taken to just warning every new girl about me now. Heh, acts like I am seeking this attention on purpose or something," Agata amusingly sighed shaking his head.

"Oh the torture of being the poor popular boy," Masami spoke causing a prolonged chuckle from Agata knowing all too well what Kajik had told her.

"Yes I know so terrible a curse I bear that I can't help people without offering to go to a karaoke night with a bunch of pretty girls with friends rather than get time to spend with the workload I got," he joked for a moment folding his arms eyeing her up. Unfortunately, the mask blocked getting a proper view of her expressions to which Masami realized he was analyzing her like she had done to others many times over... that was interesting. He hid it nearly perfectly as if he was just impressed rather than using the expression to glance her over ironic that the mask negated such. Go good call Uncle.

"Well I would love to chat, and get to know you better to learn that trick of a talent of yours, but I must retreat before Chiyumi catches me playing around again so be safe Ogawa, Machiki," Agata spoke giving one last passing glance as he left notable followed by an unexpected puff of the cheeks relief of a sigh from Machiki. This was an immediate mountain of a problem she hadn't considered blindsiding her... efficiently capable targets. Masami temporarily turned to where Imato had headed off wondering about why he was so heroic acting in a smaller crowd yet so... hostile in public.

"Hey Machiki how long have you been at this school for by the by," Masami quizzically requested of her meal pal.

"Just one year so far. We moved up from my hometown when my mom got a promotion. Why you ask?"

"Did you ever hear of a girl named Koyuki in our grade by chance?"

"Can't say I have. Oh though I remember when I first moved here there were a lot of cut kids apparently from absent attendance last second so maybe they did go here," she expressed nodding in her certainty albeit confused state of the question at hand. Machiki tilted her head leaning a bit forward with a curious eye. "Though why are you interested in a girl who doesn't go here anymore?"

"Oh um... I sorta ran into her, and I could have sworn someone said she went here. I wanted to ask her some stuff," Masami spoke fusing truth with lies as she knew from Shiro the girl had gone to this school, but she was indeed aware they weren't anymore. Lying to her first gal pal was rough, and Masami could feel the knot forming in her stomach as she was relying on a tactic to use her already underhandedly. No, she wouldn't involve Machiki any further directly the girl had no awareness of the the actions around her, and Masami wasn't going to drag her into a proverbial fight for no reason. The girl had a normal life, and Masami was going to let her keep it.

"Huh. Well, I imagine you can ask anyone else about it who's been here longer I sorta missed that window of opportunity to know I guess. My bad for being useless I was buried in one of my projects at the time," Machiki hesitantly laughed in apology for not paying attention at the time.

"No, no it's not anything important she just happened to grab my attention and was all on some stuff. Though if you don't mind I got to go get some stuff from my locker," Masami spoke not wanting to let the absent-minded girl blame her for something she had no idea about. Excusing herself the opportunity for Machiki to dig through the green moss headed out. As she reached her locker she lightly banged her head against it.

"What am I doing? Is this even my business," she mumbled. She was no detective nor authority so why was she so hellbent on acting like one? Was that the problem in and of itself? She was acting like some sort of rookie beat cop hesitant to dig into the expression of another like Machiki, nor wanting to go toe to toe with the charismatic sheriff in town Agata. A second year as Vice President of the student council with a dominant three-year membership everywhere else? He wasn't the type you tackled head-on, and worse from that small counter she could tell with nary an experience had it not been for her mask he would have read her like a book with eyes like that. There were sharks in the water, and she was acting like a guppy.

She pondered it all for a moment remembering what had happened the day prior with Shiro, and Tanuki. Shiro... that's right everything started with Shiro who had blatantly called out that girl after the punk attack. What was her name? Chiyumi! Wait a second? Masami immediately turned to her locker expertly opening it with precise spins as she pulled out the school brochure opening it to the student council page. There without any doubt was the very girl Layuki Chiyumi... Student Council Treasurer. Given the hostile blast from Shiro to this girl, there was without a doubt an opening here. From what she had seen of the third-year girl from a first glance it was evident she was unwilling to confront Shiro upon a minor mention of the situation at hand. That was an opening of sorts... but it would require some foul play or worse. In the moment of uncertainty Igor, and Clow's words rung in her head.

"There's more than one way to be a thief...," she mumbled to herself formulating a plan in her head this time no longer with the mentality of a normal girl, but instead as an experienced real-life thief. She had her list, now she needed to act on it with legit intent. She promised that polite fur ball she would have her shit figured out in two days so now she had to stick with that.

...