"A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are."
– Unknown
"I am not sure why we have to do this, Master," Theo said.
"Because as my personal assistant, you need new clothes," He said.
"I think that both of you need new clothes," Rise added.
"I think my clothes are fine," He said.
"Man, I have been through your clothes. You have…like one suit," Kanji said.
"I have seen your budget too. Mitsuru-sempai has been very generous," Rise said with a grin.
"Probably because she knew that he owns one suit."
"Probably."
He really shouldn't have Rise talk to Mitsuru-san before coming here.
"But don't worry. You have me and Kanji to make you two looked fabulous," Rise said with clap of her hands.
Kanji stared at Rise then at them.
"You two are fucked," Kanji said.
Rise hit Kanji's shoulder.
"Don't talk like that. It will be so much fun," Rise said with glee.
He chuckled softly at Rise. He glanced over to see Theo's horrified expression. He reached over and squeezed Theo's shoulder.
"It is okay."
"Master…."
"They are my friends. They are excited at the moment. They aren't going to do anything that you don't want to do. Trust them like I do," He said.
"He is right. Kanji and I are going to make you the best-looking personal assistant ever," She said as she took Theo's hands and grinned.
"I…Thank you, Miss Rise," Theo said with a strange expression.
He never wondered much about the attendants. Margaret always seemed so worldly to him. She always seemed to know something…someone…some place. She challenged him and he always liked the challenge. Elizabeth was….interesting. It wasn't a bad interesting…more like what will come out of her mouth interesting. She always brought a smile to everyone's faces. He wasn't blind to the pain in her eyes. She missed Minato. When he has a spare moment or so, he would look up something…anything that would help her on her search. He always felt a sense of regret when he couldn't find anything for her. He understood why Margaret worried about her and wanted to protect her.
He knew the least about Theo until he become his roommate slash personal assistant. He knew that Theo loved to cook. He found youtube and he spent three days watching cooking videos.
He had plenty of food to bring his friends on those days.
He hates evenings. Although, Theo wouldn't say that he hated evening but he could tell by his body language. He got a little moody. When he pointed it out, Theo would deny it.
He wondered if it had to do with Igor.
Hopefully, one day, Theo would be comfortable enough with him to tell him.
"You're welcome. Now, come on! My driver awaits!" Rise said as she started dragging Theo out of the door.
He chuckled softly.
"COME ON YOU TWO! WE MUST GO!" Rise shouted from the hallway.
"Man, you two are really fucked," Kanji added.
He shook his head. It shouldn't be that bad.
-P4P3P4P3-
Rise's driver dropped them in front of a suit shop.
"Come back in an hour…or three. Never mind. I just call you when I am done," Rise said to the driver.
He looked at the suit shop that Mitsuru-san recommended to him. She said that she already set up an appointment for them. Theo still had this horrified expression on his face and Kanji was examining the suits in the window.
He wondered if he should be worried…how long could they really spent looking at suits?
"Sensei!" A familiar voice said behind them.
He turned to the side to see Ann running toward them. She waving her hands in excitement. He waved back.
"Hey, Ann," He said with a wave.
"Oooo…who is this?" Rise said as she came over.
"This is Ann, one of my students," He said.
"It is great to meet you. He talked about you guys. Still having problems with English?" Rise said.
"Uh…don't remind me," Ann said with a sigh.
"Well…you have a good teacher. He helped me through high school. Trust me. You are in good hands."
"Thank you. What are you guys up too? I am just looking to do some shopping…"
Rise clapped her hands.
"You can totally come with us. We are trying to make Yu look all president-y. We totally need another girl opinion," Rise said.
Ann looked at us with uncertain.
"Sensei?" Ann said.
"You're welcome to join us if you have the time," He said with a nod.
"Well…I can stay for an hour or so before my shoot…"
"You're model! I knew that you looked familiar," Rise said.
Ann flushed then she looked at Rise carefully. Her eyes widen slightly.
"You…"
"SHhhh…not here. Come on…let's go inside," Rise said as she dragged them inside of the shop.
"You're Risette!" Ann said once they got inside.
"The one and only…but you make call me Rise," Rise said.
"You didn't tell me, Sensei, that you knew someone was famous!" Ann said.
"I don't drop names, Ann. Rise is my friend…first and foremost…a famous singer, second," He said with a grin. Kanji rolled his eyes.
Ann looked a little sheepish.
"Sorry, Sensei," Ann said.
"Don't be mean, Yu. Come on, Ann…lets go and make these boys pretty," Rise said with a smile.
"YES!" Ann said with the clap of her hands. Rise grabbed Ann's hand and pulled her to the suits.
He looked at the rows and rows of different jackets and pants. There were small tables in the middle of the store with socks, ties, and belts.
"You think that it is a good idea to leave them alone, Master?" Theo said with worry.
"Yes, I trust Kanji," He said.
Kanji blinked for a moment then scratched his head.
"Man…why did you say that?" Kanji said.
"Because you know your stuff. I have seen your work. You know every stitch and every bolt of fabric that pass through your hands. I trust your judgement."
Kanji flushed.
"Yu! Kanji! Theodore-kun! Come over here! What do you think?" Rise shouted.
"We have been called," He said.
"It begins," Theo said with a sigh.
The group approached the girls who had their hands on several suits. Rise held up a suit. Kanji picked up the sleeve of the jacket. He frowned for a moment as he examined the suit. He rubbed the fabric in his hands and examined the stiches.
"A little heavy. Good for a winter suit," Kanji said.
Rise nodded and put it to the side.
Ann looked at Kanji and handed him another suit. He did the same thing.
"Good suit. Wouldn't do good on Yu…more of Theo-kun's style," Kanji said as he pointed to Theo, who turned pale.
"Wow…."
"I know, right? Kanji works at his family's textural shop and makes awesome plush toys that sell out like hotcakes," Rise said.
"Rise!" Kanji said as his face turned red.
"We talked about this. You should be proud of your work."
He nodded in agreement.
"Really? That is so cool. Do you have a sample that I could see?" Ann asked.
"Coming right up," Rise said as she through into her bag and pulled out her Rise teddy bear that Kanji made her.
Ann's eyes widen slightly and made the noise that everyone made when they saw Kanji's work.
"Oh my god…that is so cute! Can you make me one? I will totally pay for it," Ann said as she picked Rise teddy from Rise's hands and started patting its head.
"It is so soft….I am going to take a pic for Makoto. She will love this!" Ann said as she set the bed on a chair and took a picture.
"I know, right?! I post him on Insa-pic on my tours. Fans just eat him up."
He glanced over Kanji…if his face turned any redder….
"As much I find this conversation insightful, I believe Miss Ann has only a limit time to spend with us before paring…," Theo said.
He covered his mouth to suppress a grin. Theo wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible.
"You're right! How about this one, Kanji-sempai?" Ann said.
Kanji examined the next suit.
"Crappy fabric and crappy snitch to go with it. It last maybe two…three wears," Kanji said.
"What are you children doing here?" A voice said behind them.
They turned around to see a salesman behind them. He looked at them with utter disgust.
"We have an appointment. We are merely looking around," He said coolly.
He gave them a look and looked like he was about to say something before another voice cut them off.
"It would be wise if you don't say anything to our guests. The new president of Tokyo branch of the Kirijo group and a famous idol has a large social media following. I would hate to fire you," An older man said as he approached the group
The older gentleman had salt and pepper hair and wore a grey suit. His back was straight and stared at his associate like he could step on him.
"Sir?" His younger employee said nervously as turned to the older gentleman.
"Perhaps, you should check on the inventory in the back," The older gentlemen said.
The employee nodded his head and bow before taking off to the back.
"Sorry about that. He is my niece. I have a lot of work ahead of me," The older man said.
He nodded his head.
"But you…young man…may I see the suit that you checked?" The man said.
Kanji handed the man the suit.
"Hmmm…good eye. Training?"
"Not really. Ma runs a shop and I help out…," Kanji said.
"And he makes his own plushies," Rise added.
"Rise!"
The older gentleman chuckled.
"Come…show me your work. Mr. Narukami and his assistant will need to be measure. The ladies will continue pulling suits for the gentlemen to try. We have only an hour…lets get to work," The man said.
He watched as the girls move toward the jackets. Kanji and the man were talking about something.
"You did this on purpose," Theo said.
He glanced over his shoulder to look at Theo.
"I didn't?" He said in confusion.
"I know how the power of the wild card works, Master. This is…remarkable."
He shook his head.
"Explain."
"Two of the Lovers Arcana …those two are Emperor Arcana. Your power force the one who would disrupt the balance out of the group. It is remarkable, Master."
He frowned as he thought over what Theo said.
"Does it happen often?"
"Often enough."
"Hmmm…So, forming bonds is only part of it. With those bonds, Wild cards create a sort of balance. That is why SEES and IT get along so well when we first met. Minato and I already created the balance between the groups. We worked out of the growing pains if you will."
Theo's eyes widen slightly.
"Master…you remember…?"
He sighed.
"I remember them quite well…."
"Yu! Theo-kun! Come and look!" Rise said as she held a suit up high.
"Look at this one, Sensei!" Ann said as she held up another one.
"I am coming. We will be there shortly…"
"Master…."
"We will talk about it later…I promise."
End of The Shopping Trip
Next Chapter: The Man in The Black Mask (I am sorry)
A/N: I have read interesting theories that Yu remembers events from PQ. I like them and go with it. Yes, Mona and Teddie will meet. Just later. Out of all the palaces, Futaba's palace is closer in terms of similarities to Persona 4's motto…facing yourself. In fact, Yu will suggest to the others to bring Futaba here and left her talk to her palace self. Of course, the others veto the idea then we know what happens later in the palace. XD I think that I touched on everyone's questions.