Chapter 12: Hidden Truths Revealed.
"Argh!" A trooper screams as it flies out of the Aizen base, dissolving as it hits the ground. Closely followed by two more before meeting the same fate, before Erina rushes out onto the street.
"Those were the last ones!" Erina points out with a smile before entering back into the base. "What a workout."
"I feel a lot better after letting loose for a change." Violet admits, stretching her arms. All around them, the Thieves gather in the open area of the base. Each one wearing a proud smirk after the beatdown they delivered to the drunk shadows.
"How's it over there, Oracle?" Noir asks into a headset while Fox and Gecko keep watch around her.
"We've released all the people who were captured, with a little added surprise! Now get out of there!"
"You heard her! It's time to go!" Joker calls, rushing for the exit, with everyone else following after him and ducking into a shrouded alleyway. Making their way through the winding roads, the team eventually found themselves at the main central street, hiding in the alleyway they first arrived in, with the citizens walking past without a care in the world.
"We should be safe now." Panther comments, leaning on a wooden wall.
"I wonder if Toshiro and the others are okay…" Spring asks, glancing at the towering castle.
"All that mayhem we created should have given them the opportunity to slip out, but still…" Fox comments, although the look on his face displayed his uncertainty. Fortune was just about to take out one of her cards before a voice called out to them from behind them.
"Heeey!" Oracle calls, rushing up to them with Toshiro, Yuki, Guernica and Mona. Smiles on their faces. But one of their members was missing.
"Where is Medic?" Boss asks, concerned that she is missing. The four of them look at each other, Oracle and Mona not dropping their smiles one bit as they turn to look behind them.
"About that…" At Mona's answer, a figure appears around the alleyway corner. Wearing what looked to be a punk version of a white and blue lab coat, with black punk trousers and tall blue medical boots. Hands covered in white gloves and silver chains running around their arms and legs. A black collar around their neck while resting on their face was what looked to be a silver plague doctor's mask made of metal, with blue lenses covering the eyes while their lower face was visible. A scythe was on their back while a rifle was held in their hands, but the colour of their hair was unmistakable.
"Medic? Is that you?" Gecko asks with surprise as Medic removes her mask, showing that it was indeed her.
"Yep. It's me." She reveals with a smirk.
"You awakened to a Persona? Amazing." Queen remarks with a grin before turning curious. "But, what caused you to snap?"
"We can tell you back at the hideout." Guernica remarks, folding her arms. "But still, you guys took no prisoners. The entire building was torn up!"
"Let's just say that we reached our limit." Teach replies, shaking her head.
"But thanks to that, everything went swimmingly on our end." Yuki says, giving them a bow. "We've freed all of the imprisoned people and returned them to their families."
"That should help start waking people up to Yoshiki's true nature." Crow comments, with a hand on his chin. "But, he could always start to clamp down if we act too fast."
"Hey, we took down a base! It helps us as well." King remarks. "Although, I'm not sure if we can wear those disguises again…"
"A shame. I truly enjoyed wearing that." Sensei remarks. "Even so, the operation was a success."
"Indeed. Another victory for us." Shadow comments, glancing at Toshiro, who is still looking rather nervous. "Is something wrong, Toshiro?" She asks, causing everyone to look at him.
"What's the matter, man? Your plan worked without a hitch, didn't it? So why are you not taking the win already?" Skull asks, shaking his head at Toshiro, who still seemed distracted by something. Before Oracle snaps her fingers.
"Oh, that's right! I almost forgot! I sent up one last surprise for everyone! You'll never see it coming!" Oracle turns to look at the giant screen before activating her screen and clicking a few buttons. "Let's me just do this real quick…" Before anyone could ask, the giant screen flared to life, showing a horrible scene.
A brute whipped citizens to push a giant gear, while another stomped on a citizen who had collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. The sight caught the attention of everyone, including the Thieves, as voices began to play.
"I can't move anymore… Please… Just a sip of water…!"
"No stopping, you lazy bastards! You've got a ways to go to re-earn Lord Yoshiki's love!"
"I'm begging you, have mercy!"
"Shut your trap and keep moving, you ungrateful wretch! You dare disrespect Lord Yoshiki!?
"This isn't…what they said I'd be doing… I thought this…was for love…"
The reaction from the nearby citizens was expected, each one crying out in anguish, shock, horror and fear at what they were seeing. And the feeling among the Thieves was not any better.
"So, this is the truth of his so-called 'love'… Why am I not surprised?" Athena remarks, shaking her head.
"When we sneaked into the control room, I managed to hack into their system and nab that footage. Granted, Devil was the one who suggested it before we left." Oracle reveals, nodding to Devil.
"I was hoping you would uncover the truth…and this was just as bad as I believed. And he is covering all of this up with propaganda…" Devil remarks, tightening her hands in rage. "This goes against everything I hold as a journalist…"
"And this is happening somewhere in that castle." Guernica points out. "That's where the footage came from."
"We have to stop this…" Erina says solemnly, closing her one eye.
"Hmm? Hohohohooo…"
"Did anyone laugh right now?" Outlaw asks, hearing the voice around them.
"No…" Joker replies before his eyes look up to the top of the castle. Followed by everyone else, as it felt as though every camera in the sky was looking right at them.
"I see youuuuu…!"
"Uh oh… We've been Saruon'd." Spring says quietly as a golden glow shines from the top. Before, a figure jumps from above and flies directly for them.
"Everyone, your days of loveless behaviour will end here and now." A voice echoes before the figure lands right in front of them.
"A giant Buddha!?" Panther shouts as everyone backs away from it. Yoshiki had finally made his appearance to the Thieves.
"It's too late for you to show up now, you creep!" Skull shouts with a grin.
"Hohoho… such blatant disrespect…but you're forgiven!" Yoshiki says, never losing the smile on his face. "After all, thanks to this, I was finally able to find who I was searching for."
"Who are you talking about?" Mona asks although they had a feeling who.
"Who is it, you ask? Ohohohoho! That would be…" Yoshiki replies, leaning forward before a light splits his green metal face down the middle. Before it opens up, revealing a very red and very angry face beneath the green metal skin. "Toshirooo! Who else could it possibly be!?" Yoshiki shouts as all of his golden hands emerge from his back while Toshiro takes several steps back. "You damn, ungrateful, good-for-nothing son of mine!"
"Son!?" Everyone baring Sensei shouts in surprise, turning eyes to a very shocked Toshiro.
"What…did you just…?" Toshiro asks, stunned into silence, while Yoshiki retracts his red face back into its green shell.
"Oh dear, didn't you hear me? I was talking right to you." Yoshiki replies, shaking his head. "Toshiro Kasukabe. Are you listening, my foolish beloved son?"
"M-Me?!" Toshiro replies before feeling a sudden headache rip through his mind. Before looking up to Yoshiki with recognition in his eyes. "…Father?"
"Ah, so you remember me now? Ohohoho! What kind of son forgets his own father's face?" Yoshiki asks, suddenly shooting his red face out. "Apologize, you hopeless moron! I want you to reproach yourself and beg for my forgiveness!" The sudden face of anger catches everyone off guard, seeing the normally calm person become a raving madman. None is more taken aback than Sensei, who watches as the head retracts as Yoshiki goes calm once more. "…Is what I'd like to say. But we'll let that slide for now. However… I'll never forgive you for making off with that! Prepare to pay the price, you undutiful, pitiful excuse of a son!"
"I think the only one here who is pitiful is you." Devil suddenly says, grabbing his attention from Toshiro, Yoshiki turning back to his calm demeanour.
"Oh? And what makes you think that, my girl?"
"First: don't call me that. Second: I'm talking about all of your so-called 'security'!" Devil shouts, throwing a hand out to all the cameras. "Covering up the truth with lies upon lies! You are the sworn enemy of us journalists!"
"And why should I care for that?" Yoshiki remarks. "The truth is what you perceive it to be. Mould it however you like. You journalists, such as yourself, are no different. How many times have you changed a story so that it fits your narrative? To tell your point of view while hiding the 'truth'?" Devil clenches her hands, growling at Yoshiki.
"True. I may have had a moment when I only wrote articles for fame and notoriety. I won't deny that." Devil admits. "But I no longer do that! I know the importance of truth! And bring that to light if far more important than earning a brief moment of fame! And everything that you are doing here… reeks of shit!"
"What a misunderstanding." Yoshiki denies. "All of this is for the safety of the citizens! Nothing else."
"That's bullshit!" Devil shouts, aiming her minigun at Yoshiki. "I have HAD IT with people like you covering up the truth with your lies! And I am going to drag each and every one of your closet skeletons into the light!"
Do you truly mean to do so?
A pulse rips through Devil's mind, stumbling for a moment as she grabs her head with her free hand, as every stares in surprise.
Intelligence is everything. One word here, a simple lie there, and the truth is destroyed.
Finding and preserving such a treasure is hard but worthwhile.
Will you continue to stand by and watch the truth be destroyed?
Or will you fight to bring it to life?
"That's my new vow, isn't it? And I don't plan on running away from it." Devil girts out, staring up with glowing yellow eyes.
And so you shall.
I am thou…thou art I
Let us cast off these lies and falsehoods.
And bring the truth of reality back to the war front!
In a flash of blue fire, a black mask stylised after a cat forms on Devil's face, with silver detail around the face and ears. Without even questioning, Devil grips it with her free hand and, with no hesitation, rips it off and is consumed with blue fire.
Yoshiki floats back, taken aback by what he thought was a glorified seppuku before Devil calmly walks out of the fire unaffected. As for her clothes, they had changed.
She was now wearing a skin-tight black stealth suit like Spring, complete with gadgets and listening devices. A scarf falls from her neck, while a black cat tail extends from her back like Panther. Silver Boots race up to her knees, while purple and red gloves cover her hands. Similar red lines ran along the suit while the gadgets glowed with purple lights. She still had her minigun, but now she had a shotel-styled sword on her back.
And floating behind her, emerging from the flames, was a woman dressed in a villager outfit from world war two France. But underneath was a spy suit similar to Devil, while her red hair flowed down her back and a gun strapped to her leg. In one hand was a note book, but in the other was a concealed weapon, while her lower face was hidden by cloth. On her arms were patterns that, if looked closely, spelt out the letters OSS, while one of her legs glowed a metallic silver.
"What is this?" Yoshiki asks in surprise, as Devil gives out a laugh of jubilation.
"This? This is called free will, big shot!" Devil shouts back with a grin! "And if you want to shut me up, you'll have to go through both me and Diane!" Around here, the rest of the Thieves are ready for battle as Yoshiki's red face reveals itself once more.
"Is that so!? Then I shall crush all of you with my love and take back what my son has stolen from me! Now, frown in my boundless ocean of love!" But just as they were about to fight, an Aizen Squad member rushed up to Yoshiki.
"I come with a report for Lord Yoshiki!" The trooper cries, cutting through the tension as Yoshiki turns to the trooper.
"The hell you want, scum!?" Yoshiki asks, irritated, startling the trooper.
"Ah! We've recovered control of the main monitor that was hijacked by an unknown perpetrator! And it is almost time for the scheduled broadcast of 'I Love Haiku with Lord Yoshiki'!" All of a sudden, any anger that Yoshiki had vanished as he put his calm persona back on.
"Hohoho! Now that just won't do!" Yoshiki says as he starts to levitate in the air, leaving the Thieves dumbfounded that he was running from the fight already. "Everyone is waiting for my words of love. I must return immediately to begin the broadcast. Reluctant as I am, I must take my leave." But before he leaves, he sees Yuki next to a collapsed Toshiro. "It's you…"
"If you're not going to run, that take this!" Devil shouts, firing her minigun at Yoshiki who realises that he had stayed overlong, rushing back up to his castle on his lotus hoverboard. "Don't run, you coward!"
"Devil! Focus down here! We have company!" Mona shouts as an Aizen Squad arrives to take them down. Something that she was happy about.
"Do we now? Just what I need! Diane! Psio!" Devil cries, calling her other self as she hits a group of troopers with the spell, bringing them out into the open. An opening that Medic could capitalize on.
"Well, let's not let her show us up, huh? Let's go, Franklin!" Behind Medic, a woman made entirely out of D.N.A. strands appears behind her, wearing a dark lab coat and thigh-high shoes. Around her, elemental equations float around while a clipboard is held in her hand. A microscope was attached to her shoulder like a cannon, while syringes were strapped around her D.N.A. stand legs. "Let's see how they stand against this! Mafrei!"
In a surge of blue, the troopers who were dragged over from Devil's psi attack found themselves being quashed together by Medic's nuke attack. Before a grenade from Noir finished them off and cleared the area. Just as the two finally collapsed from pre-awakening exhaustion.
"Ouf… that hits like a truck…" Devil remarks as Daine returns to her heart.
"I can see why… anyone collapses after awakening." Medic remarks, the two struggling to stand before the others quickly rush to stable them while Gecko picks up an unconscious Toshiro.
"Normally, we would congratulate the awakening, but we need to go before reinforcements arrive." Skull tells the two, pointing to a small alley.
"No arguments from me…" Devil remarks as the team quickly starts making their way back to the hideout, Panther and Spring helping Devil while Athena and Shadow support Medic. Moving into the alleyway and just avoiding the reinforcements coming to the scene.
It didn't take long for the team to return to Leblanc with mixed feelings about the outcome. On one hand, it was a success, with two more of their members awakening to Personas. But on the other, they encountered Yoshiki himself, who revealed to have a double sided personality.
"So…is anyone going to talk about what we just saw?" Ann asks awkwardly to the silent group. Toshiro was upstairs, thinking to himself while the rest stayed downstairs.
"If you are talking about how Yoshiki has a split personality, then I don't think any of us want to." Ren replies, shaking his head. "I suppose it's true what they say, 'always fear the quiet ones'."
"Still, the way he just so casually flipped between the two. Is he like that in real life?" Shinya asks, with all eyes flowing to Yoshida, who had remained quiet all the while.
"No. That is my first time seeing such a side to him." Yoshida remarks with an unreadable expression. Whatever was eating away at him was clearly bothering him, but the Thieves declined to ask. If he wanted to ask, he would on his own terms.
"By the way, where did Yuki-san go?" Chihaya asks, seeing the teahouse owner missing from their group.
"Whe went out to check on the people we freed." Kawakami tells her, helping to dish out some curry and tea.
"She's quite kind-hearted, isn't she?" Yusuke remarks just as Toshiro comes down the stairs, a resolution in his eyes. "I see you have joined us, Toshiro."
"Yes. My apologies for disappearing like that, but I had to get my mind in order. What I have just remembered…was a lot to take in." Toshiro replies, taking a seat on a stool. "I suppose the best place is to start with the elephant in the room. Namely, that Yoshiki is indeed my father."
"Indeed. He is Yoshiki Kasukabe. And a prominent member of the Diet." Yoshida reveals, drawing all eyes to him. "A long-standing politician who doesn't attract attention from others. Even Shido glossed over him. But he has a long-standing career. To the point that he was a model for fledgling politicians in their native. And I was one of those people, one time…"
"But why? After seeing what he really is here?" Mishima asks, tilting his head.
"It is because of his serine temperament. His calm façade he wears as you all saw. People even call him the 'Buddha Kasukabe'. But as you all saw, that is just what's on the surface." Toshiro replies, griping his hands together. "My father is obsessed with political power. Not being one for the spotlight, he tended to shy away from publicity. This is why he sought to fulfil his desires by making me Prime Minister while my brother and sister... I can't remember…"
"You have siblings?" Ren asks surprise in his voice.
"Yes. I just remembered I have two, but that's about it for now." Toshiro replies. "When we were but children, he raised us very strictly. Not just academically—he drilled me in political etiquette and controlled my social interactions. As for my siblings… I can't remember but I can say they were very different to me. If we failed to comply with his demands, he wouldn't hesitate to raise his hand against us. Or was it just me?"
"Well, he's not winning any 'father of the year' awards." Sojiro remarks bitterly. "Then again, a lot of people here could say the same."
"Why didn't you rebel?" Sumire asks. "If you hated living in such a family, why didn't you speak out about it?"
"That would be my father's doing as well." Toshiro remarks with a bitter smile. "His word was absolute. The thought of rebelling never even crossed my mind. Moreover… I had no one else to turn to. Not even my brother or sister… I think… I can't recall anything about them…"
"What about your mom? Didn't she help?" Futaba asks. But Toshiro shook his head with a sad frown.
"My mother was very frail…she passed away while we were little." He reveals, shocking the others who look away with frowns of their own. "To be honest, I can barely remember her… Anyway, I eventually became a member of the Diet by riding my father's coattails, falling under Yoshida-sans influence not long after. But even that was part of my father's influence… I'm still doing what he is telling me to do… Given my history, it's laughable that I even forgot about him."
"Forgive me for interrupting, but there is one thing that is puzzling me." Akechi suddenly speaks, drawing his attention. "Given what Yoshiki has told us, you have been the ever-obedient son. But why is he this upset with you? What have you done that makes him see you as a criminal?"
"That has been puzzling me as well." Sae remarks, looking at Toshiro. "Did you find something that Yoshiki wanted to keep hidden at all costs?" Toshiro looks at her, narrowing his eyes as he slowly nods his head.
"Yes. My father is actually a criminal." Toshiro's words echo throughout the room, stunning everyone. Especially Yoshida, who narrows his eyes in anger. "Following Representative Shido's downfall, my father finally decided to take action. He laid the groundwork to ensure I would become Prime Minister and…something else that I still haven't remembered yet…"
"I don't really get all this, but is it really that easy to do?" Ryuji asks with wide eyes.
"No, it is not." Yoshida remarks. "There are checks and balances in place to prevent such backhanded deals. However, as we all saw with Shido, they can be broken. And it would seem Yoshiki is doing the same."
"Yes. And my father is taking advantage of the political turmoil that's been going on since last year." Toshiro replies, folding his arms. "He's implied shady characters to intimidate representatives he had dirt on. He even went after Yoshida-san several times but failed each time. Then, there was the wheeling and dealing with a large amount of Marie's family's financial resources."
"If that is true, then he is guilty of extortion, blackmail, intimidation and bribery. All criminal charges, and all of them punishable by law." Sojiro remarks with a frown. "Remind me again why I became a government agent when I was younger?"
"Are you sure about this, Toshiro?" Akechi asks, a serious look on his face.
"I am. I have the documents he forged, voice recordings, and other hard evidence as well. I had a hunch my father rigged the election, which is why I investigated. I still have the evidence which I secretly stole on hand."
"So, if you go public with all of that, he won't be able to control you anymore. So why haven't you done so yet?" Tao asks, leaning back on the couch.
"I couldn't muster the courage to blow the whistle on him." Toshiro admits, looking away from everyone. "My father's schemes were not out of the ordinary in the political world. Ending the political confusion with steady leadership was in everyone's best interest…is what I kept telling myself. It's truly a shameful story."
"Then turn over a new leaf." Ren says, folding his arms. "You still have a chance to change. You've already done so against Marie. What's stopping you from doing so against your own father? Not doing so only makes you a worse criminal than he is."
"And you are absolutely right." Toshiro replies, clenching his hands. "Not speaking up makes me equally guilty, as you said. I won't walk my way out of it."
"Well, I suppose that explains why Yoshiki is after you." Morgana speaks up. "He thinks you've hidden the evidence and is trying to capture you so he can learn where it is and destroy it."
"No, that's not possible." Toshiro replies, surprising Morgana. "Don't get me wrong, your theory is solid, but it doesn't feel right. After all, it is very unlikely my father knows I stole the evidence of his crimes. He would think me incapable of doing so, that and he has shown no panic of his crimes being exposed."
"But if that's true, then why is this Yoshiki so adamant about it?" Shiho asks, clearly confused.
"Maybe it's because Toshiro thinks he knows." Iwai suddenly remarks, drawing everyone's attention. "I'm no expert on this Metaverse, but I understand a few things. And if this Yoshiki is based on your old man, then him knowing about you is probably based on your fear of him knowing."
"Thank actually makes a lot of sense…" Futaba remarks. "But, if that is the case, then…"
"This entire place is passed of Toshiro's cognition." Ren surmises, looking at Toshiro. "This is no other world. This is Toshiro's heart. Like how The Streets was Tao's heart." Tao's eyes widen in shock, glancing at Toshiro in surprise.
"I had a feeling. Everything felt way too damn similar to The Streets. Does this mean that this is part of Jerri's scheme?" She asks with anger in her eyes.
"I don't know who this 'Jerri' is, but it would be the only logical explanation." Toshiro remarks. "I should be the only one who knows I have the evidence so it would all fit together. Although it could be possible that my father caught onto me in the real world as well. But the incident at the enemy base convinced me otherwise."
"The base? What happened?" Ohya asks, tilting her head.
"The password."
Earlier
"How's it looking, Oracle?" Can you open it?" Mona asks as the team stands before a giant wooden door. One that required access via a terminal. One that they NEEDED to bypass because, judging by what they were hearing, a brawl was about to start.
"Grrr…. This lock is a bit tougher than expected." Oracle replies with an annoyed tone. "This guy is either really paranoid or a serious scaredy-cat.
"Hey, let's have some fun and make this guy squeal, huh?"
"Barbaric…" Medic comments through gritted teeth.
"Sooner or later, the guys are going to snap. And I would have already if I was up there, those bastards!" Guernica remarks, slamming her hands together.
"Dammit, I can't crack the passcode!" Oracle laments, slamming a hand on the terminal. "C'mon, we just need to get past this, and then we'll be able to expose all of Yoshiki's misdeeds!"
"Misdeeds? Expose?" Toshiro asks, his eyes going blank for a second. Before a sharp pain erupts in his mind.
"Oracle…we can't hold our anger back anymore…how much longer?" Queen hisses into the headset, causing Oracle to recoil at the anger for a second.
"Urgh! I'm so close! I just gotta do something about this password…" Oracle replies, feeling herself facing a losing battle. Until Toshiro gently pushes her to the side.
"Sorry! But I'm borrowing this for a bit!" He says before typing away at the terminal as Oracle looks at him in shock.
"Wha!? Toshiro, what are you—huh!?" Her rant was interrupted as the door flew open, revealing the way in.
"It opened?" Medic asks, seeing the inside as a lone guard stands watch at the controls, turning around in shock at the group.
"How did!?" The guard shouts as Medic catches what is happening on the screens behind it. Gasping in horror at what she was seeing.
"A-All right! Looks like we're clear on our end! The ball's in your court, guys! Go wild!" Oracle tells the team over the headset as Medic walks up to the guard, a fury in her eyes. Just as they could hear a brawl echo over their comms.
"What are you doing to those people!?" She asks, pointing at one of the screens showing citizens being punished or thrown out of a high building.
"What? Are you talking about those worthless sacks of shit? They are too sick to work, and anyone who can't work is useless. The only thing left for them is disposal."
"Disposal!? No medical care at all!?"
"Why should we care? There is plenty more where they come from. Who needs medical care?" The guard dismisses casually, causing Medic's anger to build. Until she could contain it no more.
"Disposing them because they are not worth saving? Killing them because they are too sick to cure?" She says through gritted teeth, locking eyes with the guard. "I always considered myself a calm type, but hearing this from you, a lowly guard who shows no care for those in need has finally made me snap." She grips her hands together, eyes narrow as she glares at the guard with pure rage. "I will show you what happens when you ignore the medical world!"
Do you still dream of more?
Medic grunts as she grasps her head with her hands, falling to her knees as the worst migraine she ever had runs through her brain.
Medical advancement has always been our forte.
But there are those who will do anything to claim it as their own.
Will you allow them to continue to steal your work?
Or will you strike out and make it your own?
"I already chose this path, with saving Miwa-chan being the start. And I will continue to do so." Medic replies, looking up with glaring yellow eyes.
Very well. I hear your call.
I am thou… thou art I.
Let us show them why our first code is to do no harm.
Yet when it comes, we know just how to inflict the worst harm they could ever know!
As the plague doctor mask forms on Medic's face, she rips it off without question. Filling the control room with fires of blue.
"So, you awakened your Persona after seeing the treatment the citizens were getting? That doesn't surprise me." Iwai remarks to Tae, who gives out a huff with a smirk.
"And I managed to open the door because I managed to perceive my father's crimes." Toshiro adds.
"Couldn't you guess the password and open the door because you are Yoshiki's son? That's how we got through my father's Palace one time." Haru asks, but Toshiro shakes his head.
"My father is a cautious man. He would frequently change the password on these all the time. That would explain the difficulty Sakura-chan was experiencing. And… I have more evidence as well. This place… Leblanc."
"So, you finally remember, huh?" Sojiro remarks.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Erina asks, who had been quiet this entire time.
"I had a nagging feeling about it when we first entered, but now I know why. I knew… Because I knew this place in the real world. Being the youngest Prime Minister candidate in recent history, it caused quite the commotion. I was uncomfortable where I went, followed by those who wanted to see this 'rising star'. Well, even before that, I felt uncomfortable. I was overwhelmed every day—having to entertain visitors, Diet members, and the media. Then, one day in early April, trying to avoid the paparazzi, I stumbled across Leblanc in a backstreet."
"I remember that day. It was April 11th." Sojiro remarks. "It was a quiet, slow day. Nothing of note. And then he came in, looking dead in the eyes and the weight of the entire world on his shoulders."
"And I remember that first cup of coffee I had and how I felt myself become free from all my worries for the first time in years. Initially, I went there whenever I wanted to find refuge and be alone. But then, I started to go there daily. Every morning, I would go to Leblanc and have a cup of coffee or, failing that, I would stop in the afternoon or evening." Toshiro replies, leaning back. "At first, all I saw was Sojiro-san. But then, I saw Amamiya-san helping out, then followed by Togo-san after that. With all of you showing up at different times of the year. But watching Amamiya-san and Togo-san chat, help out, and just… interact like a normal happy family gave me a sense of peace that I never knew was missing." He glances at the two adopted siblings, giving them a small smile. "Honestly, I felt envious of the two of you." The two give him warm smiles in return as Sojiro nods his head at Toshiro.
"Well, I'm not surprised you find Leblanc peaceful. It's so quiet you can hardly tell they are doing business." Futaba remarks before feeling a sudden cold sweat go down her spine as her two older siblings and dad give her a certain 'look' "Hehehe…I'm in danger…"
"Yep." The three tell her, none of them noticing the Edelweiss flickering on the table as though it was laughing.
"But why does this world even exist in the first place?" Makoto asks, looking at Toshiro. "And how did you even end up here?"
"I wish I knew… However, if my theory turns out to be true… Then it means I've dragged all of you into my own problems… I am truly sorry." Toshiro tells them all, standing up and bowing to them deeply. He was ready for any scathing remarks thrown his way, but what he got instead was something different.
"Hey, no need to apologise, man. That sort of thing doesn't bother us." Ryuji remarks with a grin.
"Even if it turns out we're stuck here, we'll just figure something out." Mishima replies.
"Yeah! I mean, we're practically pros in Metaverse combat now!" Futaba remarks with a smile.
"If we can't overcome this, then maybe we were fated to be here." Yusuke quotes elegantly.
"But if you haven't noticed, we don't give up so easily." Ann quips.
"That right. We fight until the very end." Shiho adds with a smirk.
"There are so many things out there left for us to do. Letting ourselves get stopped here is not on the table." Sumire comments, leaning forward.
"That's right. We have no intention of laying our lives down anytime soon." Hifumi remarks.
"No matter what happens, all of us are going home together." Ren punctuates, holding his hand out to Toshiro. "Got that?" Toshiro looks at it, before griping it with his own.
"You are all very tough, aren't you?" He asks, shaking his head.
"We'll, we have all been through a lot. It's only natural at this point." Mona quips.
"Still, don't sell yourself short, Toshiro. You managed to make it far by yourself." Sae remarks, hand on chin.
"That's right. You discerned your father's motives and took action for yourself. Something that only you as a person could decide." Makoto comments with a smile.
"If you had kept quiet about it, you would have remained as a puppet. But you did not, instead choosing to regain your own freedom." Akechi adds with a grin. "That is something no outside force can decide."
"You can't overlook your father's crimes, so you took action to make a change. Isn't that right?" Haru adds with a knowing smile. Toshiro gasped, seeing the support he was receiving from everyone.
"But, I didn't have the courage—"
"Not at the time, right?" Erina cuts him off before he can finish. "Think about it, Toshiro. This is the same as when you confronted Marie. Just like you said, even puppets have a backbone." Toshiro stares at her in awe, letting her words bounce around in his mind as he narrows his eyes in determination.
"Yes, you are right." He replies before looking to Ren. "Ren Amamiya, leader of the Phantom Thieves. I have a favour to ask."
"And I am all ears." Ren replies, locking the gaze.
"I want to make a deal with you all. Even if this world is my mind, I still can't manipulate it at will, right? For example, I can't just wish my way out of here."
"If you could, that would be awesome…" Shinya replies quietly.
"If you want us to change a heart, it won't be that easy." Morgana comments, ignoring Shinya's comment. "And every time we do change someone's heart, we're risking our lives. More than once, we almost died while trying to do so. Palace Rulers are no joke." Toshiro sucks in a breath of air at the comment, closing his eyes.
"In that case, there is something I have to do. I'm not going to run away from my father anymore, not the one in real life or the one in this world. I need to see him again and settle the score, no matter what comes of it. Will you lend me a hand, Phantom Thieves? In return, I promise that I will indict my father for all of his crimes! I'll come clean with everything! I'll help free the political world of corruption and…"
"You will be with me to help build a future for Japan." Yoshida remarks, walking up to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "I always said you would help bring a bright future to Japan. And even now, my trust in you has not wavered. I promise that I will continue to support you, no matter what."
"And so shall we." Sae remarks, indicating to herself and Akechi. "If it is legal troubles, you can count on us to help."
"Of course. After all, ridding corruption is our goal. Regardless if it is in reality or the Metaverse." Akechi replies.
"And there you have it, Toshiro." Ren speaks, grabbing his attention. "For building a brighter future, we will gladly help out. And don't worry about paying us back. We don't do this for money."
"Right. Simply helping bring down corruption is a good enough reward for us." Makoto agrees, pushing some hair back. One by one, each member of the Phantom Thieves agrees, even Erina, taking a massive weight off the back of Toshiro's shoulders.
"Thank you, everyone. I swear I will bring my father to justice." Toshiro replies, giving a bow to the Thieves.
"Then it's a deal!" Futaba's voice cries out through a speaker, with all heads turning to look at Futaba on her stool with questioning looks. While Futaba looks around with a confused look.
"What?"
"Did you have to say it through the headset?" Ryuji asks, just as Yuki enters the café. "You are sittin' right there."
"But I didn't say anything." Futaba replies, now confusing everyone else.
"It was me!" Futaba's voice echoes from the table as all eyes turn to it before everyone looks on in shock. For the Edelweiss was moving about on the bar, all by its own power, its light flickering as it actually spoke while turning its turret to everyone. "What? Haven't you heard of a talking tank before? You need to watch more anime."
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"WHAT!?"
