Catch-22: The Tipping Point
By; M14Mouse
Summary: Akechi. Polls. Thieves' new interest in fame. Okumura. Yu sees everything building and something is going to break.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
Many thanks to AKatsinTcups for betaing this chapter.
Live a life that is well balanced; don't do things in excess." Daniel Smith
Yu's fingers rubbed his temples as he tried to shake his pounding head. He felt a sudden pressure, then it was gone. He heard a mumble, then it was gone. He was going to have to do something about this, but he wasn't sure what.
"So, it's as you feared," Mitsuru-san said over the phone.
"Appears so. I won't know until they decide to make a move," Yu said as he stared out the window.
"You believe that it will be disastrous? Should I have a unit step in?"
"No, not yet. I'm not sure why the poll is being manipulated, besides leading the Thieves to Okumura-san, I don't want to waste resources when I'm not sure myself what is going on."
"Have you tried talking to them?"
"I hoped our lesson would help, but I am not sure. I see a lot of my team in them, but I am very aware that we are different teams. I think that they are starting to feel the isolation."
"Yes, there is a sense of isolation and awareness when you become a Persona user. I see it every day at work. I feel more of kinship with another user than a board member who has been with me for years. The Thieves are lucky to have you."
"That is why that I'm afraid if I push that I will lose their trust."
"You haven't been able established trust?" Mitsuru said in amazement.
"I have but the mood has shifted."
"Explain."
"Their original goal was to change hearts of rotten adults, but their focus has shifted to fame. I didn't think much of it since it was only Ryuji talking about it from time to time. Now, Morgana is talking about it as well, although, I do think it is different reasoning for him. More awareness of the public would allow him deeper exploration of Mementos, thus answers to himself."
He had a good idea what Morgana was going through, but Yu wanted him to find out on his own. It had deeply upset Teddie when he found out, but later, Teddie did say that he was glad he discovered who he was even if it wasn't what he wanted. Hopefully, Morgana's journey gave him the same insight.
"The mystical Mementos. It almost sounds like the tower but instead we went up and not down. While the requirements were different, we still couldn't move forward until those requirements were met. You have talked about this strange cat in the past. Is he still giving you problems?"
"Not anymore. We have an understanding now. Recently he actually defended me. I was touched. He has a good heart. He just has a really hard time with allowing others to see that heart. Actually, it kind of remind of you."
"Yu-san, I'm still your boss," She warned.
He grinned into the phone.
"Of course, Mitsuru-san."
"What are your plans to handle the situation?"
"Observing for now. I will try to form some type of relationship with Okumura-san and his daughter. I don't know if I can change his cognition this way, but it is worth a try. Even if there is a possibility that he views me as a tool, I might use that fact to my advantage."
Clearly, he heard Mitsuru-san snorting over the phone.
"I'm curious. Why the daughter?"
"Okumura-san's view on people hasn't transfer to his daughter. It isn't uncommon for political marriages to happen in our circles, but I feel for her. I fear when that usefulness is over, she will be discarded. I have a feeling that she knows that. She is a sweet and smart woman even if she is a bit shy. I'd hate to see those skills be wasted."
He heard a pause over the phone.
"I approve of your actions. Keep me informed of any changes. Don't overwork yourself. I do get reports. Anything else?"
"Shido and Akechi. I have been asking around about both. In Shido's case, nothing but praise. Some of his rivals have slipped that there is a darker nature to the man, but nothing that I can work with."
"Yes, your instincts about the man have been correct. According to our reports, the man is almost two faced in nature. The public one which people are drawn too and the private one which has been shown to be less desirable. There has been reports of his "outbursts," but it has been quickly covered up. It is curious to note that he was involved in some of the legislation to restrict our movements. He was also a player in some of the government's more "interesting" projects. Of course, they tried to erase those projects, but my team has come up with trance information. Goro Akechi is a fairly new player. Nothing concrete that I can find that you haven't already told me. Be careful, Yu-san."
"I always am."
Mitsuru snorted over the phone again.
"Now, there is something else that I needed to talk to you about your-"
He heard sound of a bell clime.
"One moment, Master. I will get it," Theo said as he moved from the kitchen.
"Thank you, Theo," He said as he looked down at his watch.
He didn't have any appointments until 4. So he had no idea who it was.
"Good afternoon, Theo-kun. Is Sensei available?" Makoto said from the door.
"It looks that I have company. Talk to you soon?"
"Don't think for a moment that this conversation is over."
"Of course. I expect to we will continue it later and I can return the favor."
"Very well."
"Good-bye, Mitsuru-san."
"Good-bye, Yu-san."
Yu hit the end button on his phone and slipped it into his pocket. He turned his attention to Makoto and Theo at the door.
"Come in, Makoto. What brings you here?" He asked as he waved for Theo to allow her inside.
Makoto's eyes darted nervously before coming inside.
He blinked in surprise when Morgana's head popped out of her bag.
"Hello, Sensei," Morgana said.
"Hello, Morgana. Ren busy today?"
"Yes, Ren went with Yusuke. For some reason they were doing bag checks at the gallery today. Some movie promotion happening nearby or something. Anyway, Makoto was talking about visiting you and I decided to come with her."
"Master, Mr. Morgana and Ms. Makoto, would you like some warm milk, tea, or coffee?"
"Coffee," Yu said as he took a seat on the loveseat. He waved his hand to Makoto and Morgana for them to seat across from him.
"Warm milk," Morgana said as he jumped out of the bag and walked over to the table then jumped onto the table.
"Uhh…coffee," Makoto said nervously.
He watched as Makoto's eyes darted around his apartment. He hasn't seen her this nervous since her first session with him in Mementos.
"Makoto, is something wrong?" He asked, worried something big was going on in her personal life.
"No…no…I'm nervous. I have never been to your place before," She said as she looked down.
"The others stop by from time to time. Usually, Ann comes in between her shoots to say hey. Ryuji stopped by once," Yu trailed off thinking about it, "but he didn't stay long. I made him nervous for some reason. Yusuke comes by often, he likes the view when he paints or draws. Probably the food as well since Theo tends to feed him while he's here. Ren and Morgana stop by every so often when Ren has some free time."
"I told you that it would be fine. Sensei usually leaves a message if we can't stop by. Wait…I thought that Theo wasn't allowed to make coffee anymore," Morgana said nervously glancing towards the kitchen as the realization dawned on him.
"I got him a Keurig machine and it has been fine. He enjoys trying all the different flavors."
"My favorite is Vanilla Cream so far. Here you go, Mr. Morgana," Theo commented as he set the bowl next to Morgana.
"Thank you," Morgana said before digging in. Theo gave a nod of acknowledgement before going back into the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Theo returned with a tray. He set the tray down and served them their coffee on the table. He also set pitchers with creamer and sugar on the table then bowed. He received a word of thanks from both, to which he gave another bow and then returned to the kitchen.
"So, what brings you by?" Yu asked as he open the container and picked up the serving spoon. He added three sugars to his coffee before stirring it in with his demitasse spoon, before watching Makoto do the same.
"Uhh…I wanted to talk to you about Akechi," Makoto said nervously.
"What about him?" He said as he took a sip of his coffee.
"His name is on the poll."
"I am aware."
"What would you to do if his name was number one?"
He paused for a moment.
"Honestly, I haven't thought about it."
His gut told him that Akechi won't go too much higher in the polls. He was there for appearance sake.
"I know that we have put you in awkward position. Akechi is your friend."
"You didn't put me any position. Akechi made his choices. I have made mine. I told you that if I needed to take him down, I will."
"Just like Adachi." Makoto said softly as she stared at her coffee cup.
"So, you read the file," He responded just as softly.
She put her hair behind her ear, sighing to herself.
"I did."
"Your thoughts?"
"I'm sorry that you had to go through that. He was your friend."
"He was. It hurt. I was so angry at him. He said that he would leave and never come back if I just destroyed the evidence. I refused turn away from the truth that day I confront him."
Even now, it hurt…like a phantom pain that hasn't quite gone away. He watched Makoto carefully as she took a sip of her coffee. Morgana looked at him then Makoto.
"My sister has a palace," She said softly as she set the cup down.
Morgana grasped.
"Makoto…."
"When you did discover her palace?" He asked gently.
"A few weeks ago. I was talking to Yusuke about the changes that he saw in his Sensei before the others changed his heart. He said he was foolish to not the see the signs. They were clear to him now. After that, I began to look at Sis. At first, I thought that it was stress then I began make a chart of all of her personality changes and when it happened."
Makoto turned in silence and stared the edge of the table. Morgana jumped from the table to the sofa and brushed his body against her side. She smiled and ran her hands against his fur. Mentally, Yu made a note to talk to Yusuke later.
Honestly, he was impressed with Makoto's skills in observation. He was also deeply saddened by it. She had to watch her sister change before her very eyes.
"You put her name into the app," He said.
She nodded.
"What are you going to do?"
"I-I don't know."
"Whatever you decide, I will follow your lead."
"I agree. We will follow your lead here," Morgana chimed in, butting his head into her hand..
"Uh?" Makoto questioned in surprise.
"This is your sister, Makoto. If you want to change her heart, we will. If you want us to stand aside and do nothing, we will. This is a hard position to be in. If you want advice, I will give it, but I won't tell you what to do," He said.
"What would you do?"
He glanced over Morgana, who looked back at him.
"From what I witnessed with Futaba's castle, I think that it would be good for you to change her heart. She was lost in her grief and now look at her, but Morgana has more experience on this matter than I."
"It depends on the severity of the distortions. How bad is it?"
"She doesn't come home anymore. When she does, she is always so combative. Nothing makes her happy anymore. It is always work. She has become obsess with us. I mean she has been obsessed with cases before but not like this," Makoto said with a sigh.
Morgana nodded his head thinking as he considered the ramifications.
"It would be a good idea to change her heart, but Sensei is right. We will follow your lead on this."
"Thank you. Maybe after Okumura, we will-," Makoto said before she was cut off by a bell chime.
Yu frowned and looked at his watch. He wasn't expecting anyone yet. He saw Theo move from the kitchen and open the door.
"Ah, Ms. Haru, you are a little early," Theo said.
"Hello, Mr. Theo. I know that I am a little early. I can leave and come back if Sensei is another meeting," Haru said at the door.
"Come in, Haru. You can meet another one of my students," Yu said, motioning to Theo to allow Haru through. Theo bowed and opened the door wider for Haru.
Haru looked around the room, looking just as nervous as Makoto when she first came in. She was clinging to the blinder in her hands like a lifeline. Her eyes lighting up when she saw Makoto.
"Makoto-kun, I didn't know that you knew Sensei," Haru said.
"I could say the same to you. He is helping me with my college applications and recommendations," Makoto explained.
"That sounds wonderful. He is helping me in presenting my business plan to my father's board. I'm doing a mock one in front of him and some of his board members tonight. Forgive me for interrupting you," Haru said with a bow.
"Oh no, you aren't interrupting. We were just finishing up. Wait a minute, your father's board…."
"Yes, I…am Haru Okumura."
Makoto's eyes darted him then back to Haru.
"That is interesting. What is your business plan for? If you don't mind me asking," Makoto said in open curiosity.
"I plan to open a café. It will focus on locally grown products and feel more like a small business than a big one," Haru said proudly.
"That is really impressive," Makoto said in awe.
"Than-" Haru stopped mid-word, "I didn't know that you had a cat, Sensei. He is so handsome in his little scarf," Haru gushed as she spotted Morgana on the sofa. Haru went over and took a seat next to Morgana, stroking his head to incite a purr.
"I am not a cat but…I will take the handsome part," Morgana said as he stuck out his chest.
Yu suppressed a grin from his face.
"No, he isn't mine. He is one of my students."
"You have more?!," Haru said in surprise.
"There is sort of a group of us. He tutors and helps out with various things. We kind of just ran into him. It has been a blessing really," Makoto said.
"Oh, I know what you mean. I ran into him at a party. He and his friends were so nice. I was terrified when father approached him. You see…Father was furious after talking to Sensei. I was kind of surprised that we ended up meeting with Sensei again. He was furious after that meeting too, but then he invited Sensei to lunch," Haru said bashfully.
"I told him the truth and that confused him. I think that he expected me to be like him because we are in the world of business. We have different views on how a company should be run. He views people as tools, I view them as assets."
Haru stopped stoking Morgana's fur and just stared at the back of her hand.
"It isn't just people who work for him," She said softly.
"Haru…," Makoto said with a concerned look on her face.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't be rambling on like this. I should be happy that I'm helping him. Marriage isn't so bad. I should delete that stupid post."
"Marriage?" Morgana asked.
"What did you post?" Makoto said over Morgana.
"His name, on the Phantom Thieves message board. Stupid, I know," Haru mumbled.
"It isn't stupid, Haru-san. I…I posted there as well. It was about my sister. It isn't stupid to hope for change. Besides, you never know…maybe they will read it," Makoto comforted softly.
He was impressed by Makoto on how good she got at lying. Didn't he and his friends get equally as good at it? If Adachi hasn't started sending those letters, he wondered how long they would have lasted?
Mentally, he sighed. He knew that the Phantom Thieves will read the post.
He knew that they will pick to steal Okumura's heart.
Even if they are going right into a trap.
End of The Tipping Point
Next Chapter: The Conversation We Have When You Aren't Around
A/N: Yu has enough foresight to know the thieves are walking right into a trap but his hands tied on this one. Poor Yu. My beta and I have been talking about palaces a bit. Some of them must have been around for years before Akechi came into a play. My theory is that our fake god was laying the groundwork for a long time now. When Yabby decided move, they become active. What are your theory? I want to thank everyone for the reviews, kudo, favorites, etc. You guys rock! Read and Review if you wish.