HEY, GUYS!
THIS IS KINGNIKEN!
AS PROMISED, I HAVE RETURNED TO POCKET CHANGE WITH ANOTHER CHAPTER.
I'M SORRY IT'S TAKEN SOOOOOO LONG BUT LIFE BUT ME THROUGH A REAL BENDER!
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT!
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW/COMMENT.
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Sunday Evening
It was a quiet Sunday evening for the Sakura household. After dinner and a few moments lf comfortable small-talk, Sojiro and his daughter Futaba found themselves in the living room watching the nightly news program.
Well...Sojiro was definitely watching the television while Futaba was busily typing away on her laptop. The tech expert offered an occasional chuckle every now and then but didn't seem to be interested to offer any thing else at the time.
Sojiro groaned as the news station took another break to advertise the same stupid supermarket chain that's been mentioned at least three times already.
"You don't need to worry about him. He's fine."
Sojiro blinked, looking over at his daughter who was seated beside him on the sofa.
"I'm not worrying about anyone. Just watching the news."
"The Inaba news. You've never watched this channel before."
Sojiro grumbled incoherently as he pretended to look for the tv remote. Futaba giggled before placing her hand on one of Sojiro's.
"Sojiro. He's fine."
The older man sighed.
"The lunch time news said they caught a suspect.What if it's him?"
"They're lying. It's a media strategy."
"How can you be so-"
The house's front door opened with a small creak, a very familiar voice called out.
"Hey guys! I'm back!"
Futba smirked at her father.
"I've been tracking his phone."
Sojiro deflated with a sigh.
"Sometimes I honestly forget that you can do that type of stuff."
Akira joined the family in the living room, Futaba was first to jump up for a hug. Sojiro quickly changed the tv to a random sports channel before giving the black haired teen a small hug as well.
The computer wizard started off the questioning.
"How was Inaba?"
Akira flopped down on the couch opening his bag, so Morgana could pop his head out.
"Cold but nice. I brought you guys souvenirs."
Unfortunately Futbaba was no longer paying attention, she had already managed to kidnap Morgana from Akira's bag.
"Ooooohhh, this must be Bruno! Hi Kitty! I'm your Auntie, Futaba!"
Morgana wrestled helplessly as Futaba rubbed and scratched his belly.
Akira seemed empathetic to the situation.
"He's not one of your plushies, Futaba. Handle with care."
Futaba pouted.
"I know how to treat a cat, thank you very much! In fact I have a gift for him in my room! We'll be right back."
Futbaba quickly retreated to her room with Morgana still clutched in her arms. The feline desperately cried out for Akira's intervention but the Metaverse Mercenary paid him no mind.
Sojiro waited to hear the 'clicking' sound of Futaba's bedroom door closing before sharing his own thoughts.
"You alright kid?"
"Yup, only tired. As soon as Futbaba's done torturing my cat, I'm gonna head home for some food and rest."
Sojiro used his head to beckon to the fridge.
"I had some dinner saved for you two...You could always sleep here tonight."
Akira shook his head.
"Thanks but I have to get myself ready for school tomorrow. Any unexecused absences or lateness could be seen as suspicious."
Sojiro nodded.
"Good point...how was your mission in Inaba?"
"You've been watching the news haven't you? I got it done."
"And that's enough to keep the police off your trail?"
"It'll keep them guessing at the very least. I'm going to have to teach those guys to be more discrete."
"You should be careful Akira. Those kids don't have the experience you have."
Akira nodded.
"I understand your concern for them. I'll do my best to keep them safe."
"I'm concerned for your safety as well...but I have to trust that you know what you're doing."
"I do...I do."
"Just don't rush into anything. I still have nightmares from the last time I saw you seriously hurt."
Akira's expression softened.
"I'm sorry."
Sojiro frowned.
"No, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to sour the mood any further."
"Sojiro. I'm stronger now, I won't put myself or anyone else in unnecessary danger."
"It's the necessary danger, I'm worried about...but no matter what happens you can always come to me. Remember that."
Akira smiled.
"I will."
Futaba's bedroom door was once again opened, and soon enough she reappeared in the living room. Morgana was no longer wrestling against her hold but seemed rather relaxed.
Akira perched an eyebrow.
"What...did you do?"
"I gave him some kitty snacks I ordered online!"
"Of course."
Monday - Noon
Lunchtime had not come soon enough.
Each member of the Phantom Theives quickly made their way to their regular meeting spot on Shujin's rooftop. With greetings and courtesies already out of the way, Ryuji would be the one to speak first.
"Dude, I heard my Mom talking about some politician in Inaba that confessed to all his crimes. Was that you?"
Akira nodded.
"Uh huh. It wasn't as big as Kamoshida's and the enemies weren't particularly strong but he's enough of a public figure to cause a stir."
The holder of the Captain Kidd persona grinned in appreciation.
"Whoa so you really take down whole Palaces by yourself. You're on a whole different level man."
Morgana snarled from his place on Ann's lap.
"Hey! He didn't do it alone! I was there to help!"
Ryuji folded his arms.
"Yeah? I thought you'd get in his way more than anything else."
The feline retorted.
"Oh please as if you could do better? I'm actually stronger than you!"
Ryuji prepared to answer but Akira interjected.
"Morgana was good help...and he is a bit stronger than you Ryuji. Sorry."
The blond rebel deflated as he sat on a nearby chair.
"No way..."
Shiho sighed, once again fulfilling her role as group Mom.
"That's enough boys. Your both very special and important to the group, right Akira?"
The strongest Persona user of the team suddenly felt like his life would be in danger if he didn't answer to Shiho's liking.
"Ahhh yes. Definitely."
Shiho smiled.
Ann rolled her eyes.
"Can we discuss more important things? Like what are we gonna do with the money we got from selling that medal?"
Morgana seemed unsure.
"Well we do owe Akira some money for his services. Can we make a downpayment towards the fifty thousand yen?"
Shiho seemed confused.
"Pay Akira? Fifty thousand yen? Wait are you charging us for Kamoshida's palace?"
Akira sighed.
"I was...keep in mind I'm not a permanent member of your team however due to the personal nature of this last palace. Consider it a freebie. You are free to spend the medal money as you wish. However any other Palaces we take will come at a cost."
Ryuji cheered.
"Hell yeah! Let's buy something awesome!"
Ann grinned.
"Remember that time in middle school? I lent you some money."
Ryuji's eyebrow twitched.
"There's no way that I borrowed thirty thousand yen from you!"
Ann scratched her chin.
"Wouldn't it be around that amount with compound interest?"
"Interest my ass."
Morgana shared his own opinion.
"We should celebrate our first successful mission with something we can enjoy together. Phantom Theives should discuss things over luxurious food. How about it?"
Shiho's eyes lit up.
"Ann?! What about that place we've been wanting to try out?"
Ann also got excited.
"Ohhh that would be perfect!"
Akira's curiousity was piqued.
"What are you two talking about?"
Ann grinned.
"Just leave it to us!"
The one known as Wild Card shrugged.
"Okay. I'll transfer the money to your bank account later. Have fun."
Ann narrowed her eyes.
"You are coming to whaterver we are planning...right?"
Akira thought about declining but once again he had that feeling of impending doom, this time it was coming from both Shiho and Ann.
Self-preservation kicked in.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Ann smiled.
"Good."
Ryuji perked up.
"When should we go? Like tomorrow?"
Ann presented a different proposal.
"We should go at the end of the holidays. It would re-energize us for the reopening of school."
Ryuji nodded.
"That makes sense. We need all the energy we can get to deal with some of these asshats. Some of 'em are still spreading rumors about us."
Shiho spoke next.
"Speaking of that, I got an impromptu interrogation from the Student Council Prez the other day."
Akira's eyes narrowed.
"Are you alright? Did she threaten you?"
"No. Nothing like that. She was asking questions about our sudden friendship and all that stuff."
Akira smirked.
"She also paid Kawakami-sensei a visit. She's going at us one by one to see if she can find a weak link and gather information. Not a bad strategy. I'm impressed."
Ann folded her arms.
"You shouldn't br impressed by that girl. She's probably one of those monsters that helped protect Shujin and Kamoshida."
"Perhaps but we can't know that for sure just as yet."
Ann didn't seem convinced, Shiho responded to something Akira had just shared.
"Wait, if she's approaching us one at a time. Who is she going after next?"
Morgana and Akira answered as one, however their answers differed.
"Ryuji."
"Ann."
Both Metaverse Mercenary and Persona-using feline glanced at each other in confusion. Morgana spoke first.
"You think she's going after Lady Ann next? Ryuji is a hothead, she has to fancy her chances of getting him to blab if she uses the right words."
Akira provided his reasoning before Ryuji would get a chance to defend himself.
"She knows Ann will probably be on guard since she just recently spoke with Shiho. She can use that to her advantage when she's talking to her. You'd be surprised how often people slip up when they're trying to hold things in."
Morgana shook his head.
"I kinda get what you're saying but i still think you're wrong on this one."
Akira shrugged as Shiho continued.
"Either way, what are we supposed to about this? She seems persistent."
Akira leaned forward.
"Whoever shes comes at next should let us know in the group chat. Don't fall into her trap, she'll ask or insinuate things to anger or frustrate you. Just play it cool."
Ryuji and Ann looked at each other before nodding in agreement.
With lunch time coming to an end, the group once again found themselves parting ways. Akira gave Shiho and Ann a small wave as he noticed Ryuji hanging back.
"Ryuji?"
"Ahh, I just wanted to ask you a favor."
"Favor?"
"Well since this whole Kamoshida mess is over, I've been thinking about doing some Track again but I'm seriously unfit. Our time in the Palace has proven that."
"How can I help?"
"Well I also need to go to the gym and I always seem to perform better when I have a productive workout partner."
"I see..."
A few seconds of silence passed before Ryuji lowered his head in disappointment.
"...Sorry. I should have known it was a dumb-"
"I'll do it."
Ryuji grinned.
"Really?"
"Yup."
"Wait...you're not gonna charge me are you?"
"No. This benefits all of us."
"How come?"
"If Ann or Shiho get tired or hurt in the Metaverse we can use you as transportation to get them out quickly."
Ryuji deadpanned.
"You are the worst, man."
Principal Kobayakawa groaned heavily as he noticed the Caller ID of the person calling his phone. The Shujin Academy administrator steadied himself with a few deep breaths before answering the phone.
"Hello Sir. How have you been doing today?"
"I'm doing great. Which is the very opposite of Shujin's current reputation. I have not received any updates lately."
Kobayakawa gulped.
"Ah we are distancing ourselves from Kamoshida as we speak. I've already bribed some of our PTA members to give interviews to repair the school's image. A few of our teachers have also been promoted in order to remind them to not share with the police the foolish things they've heard from our students."
"It's a good start. How goes the investigation?"
"I have someone working the students as we speak. They'll come up with a name or two soon enough, sir. I assure you."
"I find that answer unsatisfactory. You've already failed to keep your little monster under control and it has cost us. Failing me again will be a terrible mistake, Kobayakawa. Do you understand?"
Kobayakawa nodded, rivers of sweat ran down the back of jis head.
"Y-y-yes Sir.I assure you that I am the man for the job."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
"I give you my-"
BEEP.
The call was disconnected.
Kobayakawa used a nearby handkerchief to wipe his brow. He needed something to present to his boss...and if Makoto Nijima knew what was good for her, he would have it sooner than later.
He had worked too hard, sacrificed too much to allow these wild animals to take it all away.
He was still in charge here!
Unbeknownst to both Kobayakawa and his boss, a third party had been listening in on their convo.
A third party that wasted no time in creating their own copy of the recorded conversation.
Monday Evening
Kasumi Yoshizawa stood motionless in front of the Academy's vending machines, her mind raced a thousand miles a second.
Thoughts poured like a raging waterfall.
Had it been the best choice for her to come to Shujin?
The man who was supposedly talented and connected enough to ger to the Olympic level turned out to be a pathetic violent pervert.
The students who seemed so kind and welcoming at first turned out to be spiteful hypocrites who whispered behind her back at every chance they could get.
Well that type of behavior could be found in every high school to be fair...yet the question still lingered on just how much Shujin really had to offer.
"Believe it or not, you actually have to push the buttons for the machine to know what you want."
Kasumi blinked in surprise before looking beside her.
The mysterious Akira Kurusu greeted her with a nod, a small mischievous smile framed his face.
Kasumi responded, her soft innocent voice contrary to the depths of sarcasm presented.
"Why thank you Senpai, I was very unfamiliar with such modern machinery."
Kasuki finally made a choice, picking a citrus flavoured blend. Akira smirked.
"You're welcome."
"I haven't seen you around recently.
"Sometimes it's wise to keep one's self scarce."
"Sometimes. Almost anyone I've asked about you seems certain you're bad news. They're pretty convinced you're some type of criminal mastermind."
"Yet you're here still talking to me?"
"I think the guy that helped an old lady get a seat on a train deserves a chance to defend himself."
"Nothing to defend. I am a criminal based on the law's definition."
"Guilty of what?"
Akira studied Kasumi closely for a few seconds, for reasons he could not readily explain he felt comfortable sharing with her.
"Of being in the wrong place at the wrong time...of protecting a woman from an abuser...of harming an abuser that hurt himself falling down due to his insobriety."
Kasumi took a sip of her drink.
"Just as I thought, Senpai. That doesn't sound like a criminal to me."
Akira began to walk away.
"If only the courts agreed with you Yoshizawa-chan. See you later, I gotta follow a...friend to the gym. If you ever need me Class Two-D is my homeroom."
Kasumi waved her salutations, wondering why she found the bespectacled older student so interesting.
The cushioned seats in the Shujin auditorium provided a proper makeshift resting area for Ann while she waited for Shiho to come out of her volleyball meeting.
The blonde bombshell was on her back with her legs crossed, heavily focused on her phone, replying to messages about her next photo shoot.
With summer not too far away, it would soon be time for the part-time models to feature in the swimsuit edition for the popular fashion magazines.
She normally invited Shiho along for company but her mind was slowly rolling on to the idea of inviting Akira too...well mostly for security reasons, some of those photographers could be rather creepy.
Carmen giggled in the depths of her soul.
"Lies. We want him to see us in bikinis."
Ann ignored her Persona without a second thought.
"Takamaki-san? Could I have a few minutes of your time?"
Ann slowly lifted herself up on to her elbows, her eyes narrowed when she caught sight of who was talking to her.
"Oh it's you."
Makoto Nijima offered the politest of smiles as she drew closer, taking a seat not too far from where Ann was laying down.
""I suppose Suzui-san has told you about my conversation with her?"
Ann frowned.
"What do you want Miss Student Council President?"
Makoto offered an olive branch.
"You can call me Nijima-san or even Makoto if you wish."
Ann remained silent, waiting for the high school senior to continue.
Makoto sighed.
"It's been noted that you've been spending time with the new transfer student. Akira Kurusu."
"Is there a rule against that?"
"No but you should be aware that Kurusu is a convicted criminal put on probation, you should consider your safety -"
Ann bit back.
"Who was considering Shiho's safety when that monster tried to force himself on her?!!!"
Makoto lowered her gaze.
"I confess my failure, Takamaki-san. Kamoshida's crimes went unnoticed by the Student Council...by me. I have not forgiven myself for this grave error. That is why I must know the truth to prevent any other harm that could hurt our student body. If Akira Kurusu is dangerous then you should tell me.""
"Dangerous? Akira's the reason we're all safe from that pig"
Makoto's eyes sharpened.
"So Kurusu did something to ensure your safety? What was it?"
Ann mentally berated herself. Hadn't Akira warned her about this?
Carmen's warm comforting presence gave her a moment. of reprieve.
Ann exhaled.
"Akira stood up to Kamoshida when the rest of you praised or him or was too busy to notice his heinous acts. He often walked us home or kept our company to prevent that pervert from trying something. When Shiho was covered in bruises and bandages, Akira was the one who found a doctor for her that actually cared about what was happening. If all of these acts are heinous and criminal then bring a police officer here and I'll tell him all of it."
Makoto noticed a fire behind Ann's determined gaze. She had a feeling that there wouldn't be any more cracks for her to exploit.
The room echoed with sound as the volleyball team exited their respective locker rooms to head home.
"Thank you for your time Takamaki-san. I'm always here to talk if you wish to get anything off your chest. Goodbye."
Ann whispered as the brown haired young woman excused herself.
"Don't hold your breath."
Monday Night
Tae Takemi found herself stuck in a seemingly endless loop of courage and cowardice.
Her research table was uncharacteristically clear of clutter and notebooks. Her cellphone sat there untouched, wedged underneath it were two slips of paper.
The medicine-making magician marched to and fro trying to gather enough bravery to make one singular phone call.
It all started when a patient had decided to pay her with tickets that they had won in a workplace raffle.
Sure enough the event seemed fancy and diginified but Tae had been given two which meant it would be a waste if she didn't bring someone with her!
And there was someone she wanted to bring...
Would it be weird?
Would it change their relationship?
He was her Guinea pig, her listening ear...her friend.
What...what if he didn't see her that way?
What if he thought she was too old for him?
Or maybe he just stayed in touch with for the pills she sold him?
Despite the large quantities he bought, he never seemed to be stoned and he didn't come across the drug dealing type either.
Tae flopped down on the patient beds with a groan.
If only he called her or stopped by, it would be so much simpler!
Tae groaned once more, talking out loud to no one special.
"Why I am acting like a giddy headed school girl? Damnit."
Alas, it would not be tonight that Dr. Takemi gathered the courage to reach out to a certain Guinea Pig...
If one was in the room with her, they could have read the words on the tickets.
An invitation to the opening night...
...for a brand new exhibit at one of the city's nicest galleries
...featuring the new exciting bold work of famous artist...
...Ichiryusai Madarame.
Tuesday Morning
One of the many things that made Shujin unique was the fact that it opened it's library's doors a full two hours before any classes would commence.
This often gave the chance for a student to finish an assignment they had forgotten about or put in some extra studying before a test.
Makoto Nijima was one of the few students who consistently took advantage of this academic boon.
On this bright and cheerful Tuesday morning, the library was practically empty save herself and one of the dedicated librarians that ensured the facility would be open for use.
The Student Council President stifled a yawn before taking a small sip of coffee from her spill proof container. Today was the day she practiced her mathematics, and she wanted to finally overcome a tricky algebra question that had been eluding her for a few days now.
Makoto would be the first to admit that academic pursuits were not currently the highest priorities on her mind. This whole mess with Kamoshida and the principal using her as some kind of private detective and bounty hunter was enough to keep her up at night.
Her instincts told her that Akira Kurusu had an important part to play in all of this and her instincts were rarely wrong. She just needed to focus on what was in front of her.
Focus.
Focus.
Focus!
Makoto sighed. The answer she had written on the page was obviously wrong.
"Nijima-senpai? Good Morning. I hope I'm not bothering you."
Makoto continued to write on her notepad, trying to come to an answer that made sense.
"I apologize but if this isn't an emergency could you visit me in the Student Council room later? I'm just trying to get some studying done. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all. I just heard you were asking about me and thought it was time, I introduced myself."
Makoto paused, slowly lifting her gaze to behold the person standing before her.
He offered an outstretched hand for a shake.
"My name is Akira Kurusu. Criminal mastermind, at your service."
AND THAT WAS IT!
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