~Sunday, April 17th~

Morning

"Good Morning Japan! Welcome back to the "Hottest Meet-and-Greet" with high school detective Akechi Goro, fresh off the case!" The male host said, clapping along with the studio audience. "A week has passed since the Mental Shutdown incident and fans have been waiting with bated breath since you've been discharged from the hospital. How are you feeling Akechi-san?

"A bit overwhelmed if I'm being honest." Akechi said. "I'm glad I was in the right place at the right time to help. I only wish I could have gotten there sooner."

"You're so humble Akechi-san! Thanks to you the mental shutdown incident had practically no casualties not to mention you brought the perpetrator to justice!"

"Please, you're too kind. I only did what anyone else would have done in my shoes, besides, I didn't do it on my own."

The female interviewer cued in. "Of course Akechi-san! Where would the modern day Holmes be without Watson or Watsons? We have special guests Hifumi Togo, the Venus of Shogi, and Yusuke Kitagawa, apprentice to the great artist Madarame! Three honest to gosh celebrities saving the day!"

His fellow Kosei students walked onto the set and sat down beside him. The surprise had already faded when Sophia had pointed out their presence on the show's internal itinerary hours ago.

"Hifumi-san! Can I call you Hifumi? The engine car you were in was found shorn in half. People are blaming the Ministry of Transportation's budget cuts. What do you have to say from ground zero?"

Hifumi stared at the floor. "I only want to thank my father and mother's guidance for instilling the discipline I needed. My… my, modeling gave me the courage necessary—"

"That's great!" The host cut her off. "Yusuke-san, what are your thoughts?"

"Hmm…"

"Yusuke-san?"

"This set is a mess. The colors are uninspired and do little to captivate the eye. How could you leave your audience at the mercy of such a garish display?"

The host's poker face cracked. "It's supposed to do that to draw attention to the people this show is about, the guests and the hosts."

"Why would anyone want to look at you?"

"I'll. Cut. You. Off. There." The host said, whipping his attention back to Akechi.

Akechi answered his banal questions on autopilot. His mind was occupied with the matters regarding Personas, Shadows, and Memementos. Though Yusuke and Hifumi weren't making it easy. The hosts were pretending Yusuke didn't exist and Hifumi's canned lines didn't satisfy them, leaving the burden of directing this clown show to Akechi. It also didn't help that his phone, even on silent, was buzzing like crazy from Sophia trying to autocorrect the host's trite gossip.

"That's all the time we have today folks. With tensions so high with these mental shutdowns, do you have any parting remarks to assuage the people at home Akechi-san?

"I'm on the case."

"Do tell!"

"Time's up I'm afraid, I'll save it for next time".

"Next time?" The host smiled. "Well for now, that's all folks! Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with the artist Madarame!"

"CUT!"

The set burst into chaos as makeup artists, techs, and the hosts went into a frenzy of action.

Hifumi turned toward Akechi as they were escorted off set. "Excuse me—"

"Akechi! Can I have a word?" The director called out.

"Apologies Togo-san."

Hifumi gave a forced smile. "It's fine my mother probably wants me to check in anyway…"

Akechi walked over to the director. He was a bespectacled, middle-aged man with short black hair and red-edged glasses over eyes with deep bags.

Akechi shook his hand. "Yoshizawa-san! Thank you for having me on your show."

"No need to be so formal Akechi, call me Shinichi, I insist." Yoshizawa said, returning the handshake. "You're a natural Akechi, this shoot has been trying to say the least."

"I understand Kitagawa-san can be a bit overzealous."

"We were hoping to have Hifumi-san and Yusuke-san segue into our next segment with his Master but well… I'll just have to thank you for the wonderful closer. Good Morning Japan is no stranger to eccentric individuals but all the interference has thrown us into disarray."

"Interference?"

"Ah it's nothing to pay that no mind I've been stressed lately…"

"Ahem." Hifumi politely cleared her throat. "Hello I—"

"Oh Shinichi! I've been looking for you everywhere!" The woman next to her said in a sing-song voice. Akechi surmised by their matching hair color that this was Hifumi's mother.

Shinichi's smile hardened into a thin line. "Mitsuyo, you've been rather busy lately. Shouldn't Hifumi-san still be resting at home?"

Mitsuyo laughed at the notion. "That's show business, you've got to strike while the iron's hot."

"Yoshizawa-san, you two are acquainted?" Akechi asked.

"Acquainted? Shinichi used to be my superior; I was an interviewer for this very show. You've met my daughter Hifumi, correct? You can see how I rubbed off on her. The two of you kids should do more work together!

"Haha, I'll keep it in mind." Akechi said, eyeing Shinichi who was slowly backing away. "Well I don't want to keep you two. Why don't Hifumi and I let the adults talk while we catch up?"

"What a charming idea!" Mitsuyo said, looking sternly at her daughter. "Behave Hifumi, make a good impression for me."

"Well I—" Yoshizawa said before being dragged off by Hifumi's mother.

Hifumi sighed. "Thank you for that."

"I saw your mother mouthing your lines off stage."

"Well, mother only wants what's best for our family."

Akechi regarded Hifumi carefully. The girl was far too involved for the detective's tastes and there was no need to keep up pretenses with someone so publicly inept on air.

"Aren't you a polite little pushover? If I'm being honest you're not cut out for this line of work in the slightest."

Hifumi smiled, taking Akechi aback. "That's the nicest thing anyone has said to me all day."

"That's… kind of sad but I'll retract my first statement at the very least."

Akechi's phone buzzed. "Bip! Hifumi-chan, are you in need of moral encouragement? Playing from history Mother's Love: 100 compliments to soothe—"

"Sophia!"

Hifumi chuckled. "Sophia-chan! So it was all real then, I was worried I lost my mind when I talked to Yusuke-san earlier. He seems to be under the impression that place was all a bad dream."

Sophia beamed. "Hifumi-chan I am glad to be of assistance—"

Akechi powered off the screen, cutting off the chatter. Sophia was undeniably helpful, interrogating it had been elucidating in regards to whats' of Mementos, Personas, and Shadows but little of the whys' or hows'.

The detective had left the AI and those parts of the incident out of the police report while Yusuke and Hifumi's comments about the matter were chalked up by investigators as bouts of hysteria. Akechi needed to control this situation.

"There are too many cameras for such discussion. You seem to be out of sorts Togo-san, we should drop this topic; if you'll excuse me." Akechi said, walking away.

Hifumi grabbed his arm, stopping the detective in his tracks. "I'm a part of this."

Akechi turned, Hifumi's eyes stared back at him daring him to blink.

The detective broke her gaze and sighed. "Kosei Academy classes resume tomorrow. The door to the roof will be unlocked after class. Don't be late."

Hifumi grabbed Akechi's hand with both arms and gave a firm handshake. "You won't regret this!"

Thou hast established a new bond

It brings thee closer to the Truth

Thou must bear the weight of thy inner power of

The Lovers

Akechi clutched his head. That voice…?

A whistle trilled. "We are live in 5, 4, 3, 2—"

"Welcome back to Good Morning Japan! We have a famous star here today, artist extraordinaire, Ichiryusai Madarame!"

Akechi and Hifumi watched from the sidelines as the audience erupted in applause at Madarame's appearance. He wore a simple traditional kimono and his graying hair was tied in an austere ponytail. The very image of a starving artist.

"No need for such flattery, I eschew such things, only artistry stirs my soul." Madarame said, giving a slight bow.

"Such an inspiration!" The host said in awe. "Forgive my forwardness but you've never taken interviews from anything other than acclaimed art magazines and award shows for your paintings. Why is the great Madarame-san gracing us with your presence?"

"You've met my apprentice Yusuke, correct?" Madarame said pointedly.

"Yes he was interviewed in the last segment…"

"Yusuke can be quite eccentric but all great artists are." Madarame spoke firmly, staring down at the host. "Remember he is my apprentice, and I say he will prosper in the art world."

"Of course! Of course! Yusuke-san's insights into our set design were genius!" The host said, his eyes darted between Madarame and a set of cue cards Yoshizawa had frantically held up. "What of this new project Madrame-sama?"

"I am an old man. The times are changing and I want to ensure true art doesn't get swept away by passing trends. With this project I am offering my hand to the next generation to cultivate new talent."

"Please regale us!"

"I'm sure everyone is now familiar with up and coming model, Hifumi Togo?"

"Our last segment featured, The Venus of Shogi."

"You could call my next work the Rebirth of Venus," Madarame said, spreading his arms. "An avant garde figure portrait of Hifumi Togo!"

"A nude painting?"

"Such a distasteful word. It is an exploration into the human form and exaltation of natural beauty!"

Hifumi's face blanched.

"That's… utterly inspired! A revered artist such as yourself capturing the pure likeness of a modern model! A meeting of two worlds!" The host said, quickly clapping his hands spurring the studio audience to follow suit. "Will this be in your traditional style?"

"You're too kind but I'm afraid not. This portrait will be a contemporary work unlike any seen before it."

"Madarame-sama you're truly a master of a thousand forms!"

Akechi turned toward Hifumi to say something but his carefully prepared congratulations died in his throat. Anger, sadness, and indignation boiled on her face as she glared at Madarame. In the midst of the interview Madarame's eyes locked with hers for a single second and he smiled ear to ear.

"Togo-san—"

Hifumi marched away without a word.

Akechi contemplated in silence as the interview drew to a close and the show cut to commercial.

Hifumi's mother walked up to Akechi. "Where is my Hifumi? Madarame-sama is asking for an exhibition."

"Togo-san seemed rather surprised."

"That silly girl must be beside herself with joy." Hifumi's mother clicked her tongue. "I would have told her earlier but I've been busy. That train crash was the best thing that ever happened to her career. Now which way did she run off?"

Akechi paused, this wasn't his business.

"She excused herself, over that way," Akechi said, pointing in the opposite direction.

The woman rushed down the hall without another word.

Akechi furrowed his brow. During the interview he noticed that Yusuke Kitagwa hadn't reacted in the slightest to the show; his gaze had been locked on Hifumi long before Madarame's announcement.

The detective watched as Madarame approached his apprentice patting him on the shoulder and from their lips Akechi could see the old artist was posing a familiar question. Yusuke hesitated looking askance before pointing in the exact same direction Akechi did.

Interesting…

~Scarlet Room~

Afternoon

The Scarlet Room had two visitors. Akechi was still handcuffed to the desk and Sophia sat next to him idly kicking her legs.

"Welcome back detective."

"Hello Clerval. When I saw a glowing red door I assumed it would lead here. I do hope I haven't passed out in the lobby."

"Nope just starting into the middle distance." I replied. "More importantly, how are you Sophia!"

"I am operating without issue!" Sophia cheerfully replied.

"Do I have you to thank for the AI?" Akechi asked.

"You get one question, don't waste it."

"Fine, you're the voice I heard in the studio."

Yes, your assertion is correct—ah, ah I know that wasn't a question but it still counts."

"Tch…"

"That was a sign you unlocked a social link. When you called Hifumi a—what was it now?"

Akechi looked away.

"Akechi called Hifumi-chan a "A complete pushover"," Sophia chimed in, playing a perfect recording of Akechi's voice. "That wasn't very nice…"

"Ah yes, that." I said.

Akechi groaned. "Get on with it."

"When you called her a pushover that was the first time you have ever formed an honest connection with another person," I said, shushing Akechi as he tried to interject. "I don't care for your excuses or objections, the point is that this bond can grant you power. You already have one with me."

With a thump I laid a heavy book onto the deck between us. I personally had no idea how to fuse Personas' nor did I have the millennia to learn, but I did know how to steal someone else's hard work. With its attendant currently indisposed this book had been dumped into the Sea of Souls, free for the taking. I had to move some of the chapters around but I made it work.

I flipped to the revised first chapter of the book, The Jester. With care I reached into the page, my soul tingling, and pulled out a mask identical to Akechi's own and held it out. The moment he touched the mask it disappeared in a flash of white light, Sophia watching in awe.

"I feel it… a new strength. Akechi said, reaching out for the Compendium. "How do I access it? What about the Lovers?"

I batted his hand away. "Patience. The only thing you need to know now is that when you form bonds or when those bonds grow I can unlock a font of power for you. And don't try to game it, I'll know."

Akechi growled. "Enough with this coy nonsense. Tell me the truth, why did you give me this power?!"

"I said patience, detective. Sophie if you would."

"Okay! Beginning Navigation."

"No! Stop—"

Akechi and Sophia melted back into the real world in a swirl of black and red.

I sighed, leafing through the Compendium to VI: The Lovers. The pages were hazy and indistinct from a weak bond. I had to push to make it happen especially due to the contrast between the last Lovers bond this book used to draw from. Traditionally and if things had gone the way I planned it should have been The Magician first but it was out of my hands. Akechi even with his memories neutered surpassed my expectations for deep down how rotten he was.

I was bound to him now. Every attendant needed a guest and every guest a journey. Whether or not I ceased to exist depended entirely on Akechi choosing for himself to embark. I did my damndest to set the stage but it didn't matter if everyone was ad-libbing.

Ready or not, it was showtime.