Chapter 23
Enter Noir, the Phantom Thief
Friday, September 16th, 2016
Haru slowly peeked out from the corner. She needed to confirm that the Phantom Thieves were going to Okumura Foods' headquarters. She didn't want to follow them to no avail.
She had resolved to do something. The Phantom Thieves were going to change her father's heart… and she was going to follow them until she saw what exactly they would do.
Her goal was to follow Sakamoto-kun. He seemed like the easiest target, with how he didn't easily notice his surroundings. Since Takamaki-san and Amamiya-kun were classmates, she accompanied the boy who seemed to be the leader. And two people had the twice the chance to detect her so…
There was something about Amada-kun held himself made her feel that he preferred to be on the cautious side than not. Niijima-san was rather sharp too, so Haru felt that it was best to not follow her either. So, the choice was narrowed down to Sakamoto-kun.
The younger boy munched on a snack as he casually walked down the stairs from the second floor. He paid her no mind as he passed by, walking out of the entrance. Haru let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
She followed Sakamoto-kun to the train station, and Sakamoto-kun was waiting for the train for Marunouchi. Her heart soared at that. They were going back.
She scurried over to the booth to purchase a ticket, but she was careful to keep her distance. Sakamoto-kun may not be the most perceptive person around but he wasn't stupid.
Haru couldn't help but feel antsy during the ride, though. Just what were they going to do…? How did they change hearts, as their calling cards proclaimed?
It was a relief when the conductor announced that they had arrived at Marunouchi Station. It was an odd feeling… especially since that usually brought her anxiety.
Haru stepped off of the train, scanning the area for Sakamoto-kun's bright blond hair. She followed him, ducking behind a billboard close to the entrance of Okumura Food's headquarters.
"Hey, Ryuji," Amamiya-kun greeted. "We can go now, right?"
Go…? Haru couldn't help but frown. Were they planning on going inside the building?
She had remembered reading on a forum, speculation that the Phantom Thieves changed people's hearts by… blackmailing them. Was it really true?
"Yeah, sorry 'bout the wait!" Sakamoto-kun sounded sheepish. Morgana then meowed, making him huff loudly. "Ugh, shuddup, Morgana!"
"Ryuji, you'll attract attention," Niijima-san chided.
"Sorry…" he mumbled out, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'd prefer it if we had more privacy," Amada-kun murmured; Haru had to strain to hear his quieter voice.
Haru shrunk further into her hiding spot. She didn't want him to catch wind that she was here…
"It'll be fine, Ken!" Sakura-san said confidently. "I mean, who's gonna be around here now? Stop being such a worrywart!"
"I suppose…" Amada-kun said slowly, but he spoke haltingly like he didn't fully believe Sakura-san. He then sighed, looking to Amamiya-kun. "But yeah, let's go, Ren."
"And so he has spoken," Amamiya-kun said teasingly. "But okay, okay… Kunikazu Okumura. Okumura Foods Headquarters. Spaceport."
A mechanical voice then spoke. "Beginning navigation."
"W-What? Why did Amamiya-kun speak those random words?" Haru thought to herself.
Haru peeked out, and she had to clamp a hand over her mouth so she wouldn't cry out in shock. They were disappearing?!
Haru's body moved without warning. She rushed over to where they stood. But then suddenly, she found standing in a… spaceport, was it?
"W-What happened?" she uttered, feeling utterly bewildered as she took in her surroundings.
Where was she?! And what did the Phantom Thieves do? Was this… their secret on how they changed people's hearts? It was all so confusing…
Haru couldn't help but wonder what they did to change people's hearts. Was… Haru in over her head?
"No… what am I saying?" she asked herself, shaking her head.
She had resolved to stand aside no longer and pray for a miracle. She was going to take matters in her own hands now.
Ken didn't think he would ever get used to how… ornate Palaces were. It was like they had stepped inside of a movie. A sci-fi movie, to be precise.
Everything was all high tech. The Shadows had taken on a robotic form, though they looked nothing like any robot that Ken had seen.
"Seriously, this is so cool!" Futaba clasped her hands together; if Ken was the betting type, he'd bet that Futaba's eyes were shining like no other right now. "It's like we're on an actual sci-fi movie set!"
"You're not gonna fangirl on us, like with Yukari-san, right?" Ryuji snickered.
Futaba stuck her tongue at him. "Better sci-fi than your pointless action movies, Skull."
"Whataya mean pointless?!"
"Okay, okay, enough," Makoto chided, before glancing over to Ren. "Joker, we should get moving."
"Agreed. Alright, so… starting team…" Ren rubbed his chin. "Let's go with Mona, Fox, and Queen today."
Morgana looked at him in surprise for some reason, but then he nodded. "Let's get started, then."
And so they began. They traveled down a hall, the team that Ren had selected fighting the occasional Shadow. They eventually came across a door.
"Beginning biometric scan," a computerized voice announced. A moment later, a bright red light scanned over them. "Biometric scan failed. Access denied."
"Biometric…?" Anne asked.
"Ugh, don't tell me…" Ryuji groaned before glaring briefly at the door. "This is gonna be like annoying block like Oracle's?!"
"Annoying?" Futaba asked indignant.
"Do not fret Oracle, Kaneshiro also had a pesky block that kept us from accessing his palace. Queen foolishly imperiled her life so we could get in." Yusuke patted Futaba on the shoulder.
"Hey!" Makoto protested.
Ryuji grinned. "Don't worry Queen, thanks to your recklessness, we got in."
Makoto glared and grumbled at his "defense."
"Madarame's had one too," Anne quickly pointed out to take attention away from Makoto.
Makoto asked, "Oh really?"
Ryuji suddenly snickered. "Yeah, Panther had to distract Fox with—"
Anne immediately cut off Ryuji. "Yeah we're done with this conversation!"
Makoto sighed however, wincing ever so slightly. Ken couldn't help but frown, recalling how she had endangered herself with Kaneshiro. That incident had been… rather anxiety inducing; he still recalled the way Ryuji had jumped in front of a car in order to hail a taxi, to chase after Makoto like that. Not to mention how Anne alluded to how that Kaneshiro had wanted to take pictures of Makoto in an incriminating position.
Anger bubbled up in Ken at the thought but he quickly shook his head. He had to focus.
"But… biometric…" Anne repeated. "What does that mean?"
"It's related to biology," Ken said slowly. "Though… don't places like this in movies usually require like a fingerprint scan? Or scanning your iris? Something along those lines."
He had heard that Mitsuru-san was thinking of investing in that kind of security, especially for the Shadow Operatives headquarters. Though Ken had no idea exactly how it worked.
"Crap…" Ren groaned, rubbing his forehead. "I think you're right…"
"M-Maybe we can do something to the door?" Ryuji said desperately. "I mean, c-c'mon, Queen can blow up things with her Persona! Can't we do something to it?!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Skull," Morgana scolded. "It's never worked before, so why would it now?!"
"I'm just trying to find a way to get in!" Ryuji retorted.
"Did you really think that you could target me?"
The sudden voice made them all freeze.
From the shadows out stepped… well, Shadow Okumura. He looked even stranger than Shadow Kaneshiro. Why did Shadow selves in the Metaverse have to look so… weird? The twelve Shadows of Nyx weren't exactly normal but still…
He was clad in an astronaut's suit, but the helmet had two antennas sticking out of it, making him look like an alien. His dark blue skin and eerily golden eyes didn't help either. But the actual suit was covered with glowing buttons, a black cape draped over his shoulders.
"This looks familiar…" Anne murmured.
"Are you for real, Panther?" Ryuji asked.
"An old American movie." Anne waved her hand. "Made like, I think thirty or so years ago."
But Shadow Okumura chuckled, his eyes gleaming in excitement. "Oh, I'll be greatly rewarded for this! I will be the one to deliver the Phantom Thieves! What luck!"
"Not a chance in hell, you bastard!" Ryuji exclaimed.
"It will be you who pays," Yusuke bit out, glowering at Shadow Okumura.
"Is that all you care about?" Ken demanded, his hand wrapping around the shaft of his spear. "Rewards? Riches?"
"Silence!" he barked out, glaring at Ken. "You think you understand what it's like?! I had to claw my way up to success! I had to clean up my father's messes! You're just a naïve brat who knows nothing! I won't go back…"
He shook his head before clenching his hands into fists.
"Never. I will climb higher and higher… The sky isn't even the limit! 'Overcome failure at any cost if it means betraying others…' That is the Okumura family motto. Failing is not a possibility. Not for me!" he declared.
"And it doesn't matter who you crush?!" Anne demanded. "You're nothing but scum!"
Makoto just shook her head. "What an awful motto…"
"Utterly cutthroat," Yusuke muttered.
"Ugh, you need to beat the crap outta him!" Futaba exclaimed, her hands clenching into fists.
"F-Father…?"
They all whirled around to see that Haru-san was standing in the doorway.
"Haru-senpai?!" Anne gaped at her. "What are you doing here?!"
Haru-san glanced over at them, but her eyes focused on Okumura. "Father, why are you dressed like that…?"
Shadow Okumura's eyes narrowed dangerously at her. She flinched and took a step backwards. Out of the corner of Ken's eye, he saw Ryuji stiffen at that.
"What are you doing here, Haru? Are you here with them?" He spat out the word like someone would spit out vermin.
"Haru-san, we told you it was too dangerous!" Ken exclaimed.
Why couldn't anyone just listen? Okay, Futaba following them inside had saved them from her mother's cognitive self, but still.
"I… I know." Haru-san's expression grew determined. "I'm sorry, Amada-kun, but… I can't. A conversation with my father this morning convinced me… I… I can't stand back anymore. I have to take action to get what I want!"
Shadow Okumura nodded enthusiastically, a smarmy smile stretching at his lips. "So, you pushed the Phantom Thieves into coming here, didn't you?"
He laughed, rubbing his hands together. Ken couldn't help but tense at that. He knew that Okumura wasn't exactly a saint, but the way he was misunderstanding his daughter was just…
"My, what a dutiful daughter I have… you'd do anything I ask, wouldn't you? Even deliver the Phantom Thieves to me, correct?" Okumura asked.
"No, that's not…!" Haru-san shook her head, before she pressed a hand against her chest. "Father, that's not it! The truth is—I've come to realize that I no longer wish to adhere to your demands! It's not right! And I… I want to change your heart!"
At her declaration, Shadow Okumura's expression morphed into a rather fierce scowl.
He snarled. "You don't intend to follow through with the marriage?! It's for the good of the family! The company! How dare you defy me?! You've wanted for nothing, and you turn your back on me?!"
"I…" Haru-san flinched at Shadow Okumura, shrinking back.
Ken's hands clenched into fists, watching her.
"It's wrong… what you're doing… And it's…" Her expression seemed to steel. "You claim it's for the good of the company and our family, but that's just a bunch of lies! You're pushing for this marriage because it'll benefit you and only you!"
"So… you've made your resolution, have you, Haru-san?" Yusuke asked.
Haru-san's eyes flew to Yusuke, her expression startled. But then she slowly nodded.
She said sadly, "This… this is why the company has a bad reputation…"
Then her hand clenched into one fist and her eyes flew to her father.
"Because all you do is treat them like tools!" she spat out.
She shook her head, her eyes growing hard.
"No more, Father! It's wrong! Grandfather would be ashamed of the man you've become… Mother even more so!" she cried out.
"Do not mention them…" he hissed out. "To gain, you must give! One must be resolved to give even more if they wish to stand above others. All of my work… it is to boost me to an entirely new level… the world of politics!"
"So your theory was correct, Ace," Makoto said grimly.
"The cold reality of kicking people down is a part of business!" Okumura continued, apparently intent on giving them a motive rant. "Virtue and sentiment are for losers."
He may not be privy to how exactly Mitsuru-san ran the Kirijo Group, but he knew that Mitsuru-san would never do such a thing. And the Kirijo Group was as powerful as ever.
"And for what?!" Haru-san demanded, dropping her hand. "Father, can't you see that you're slowly destroying your soul?! I… I won't stand for this! Your heart must be changed!"
"My own daughter, betraying me like this…" Shadow Okumura scowled fiercely. "I won't tolerate this disobedience… Sugimura will squash that out of you."
"You were the one going on and on about betrayal for your own benefit!" Futaba exclaimed, scowling at him as well.
She looked at Haru-san in concern, who was cringing at the mention of Sugimura.
Futaba added, "You're nothing but a hypocrite!"
"Seriously, you don't deserve Haru!" Morgana spat out.
"H-Huh…? A-A talking cat…?" Haru-san asked, eyes wide.
Did she really just notice Morgana now…?
"I'm not a—!" Morgana groaned, cutting himself off. "Ugh, never mind…"
"Hmm… It appears we cannot go forward with our deal, Okumura-san." Appearing by Shadow Okumura's side was… Sugimura!
"W-What?!" Haru-san's eyes were as wide as saucers, as she took another step backwards. "Sugimura-san?!"
Then his eyes seemed to drink in Haru-san, and he licked his lips. Ken felt his stomach turn inside out at the sight.
"What a pity. She was such a lovely girl… I will mourn this loss," Sugimura sighed out.
"Can he be more of a creep?!" Anne hissed, her hands all but strangling the handle of her whip as if she was imagining she was wringing Sugimura's neck.
"And why not?" Shadow Okumura turned to Sugimura.
Sugimura gave a disdainful sniff. "Your daughter is more interested in interacting with riff-raff than spending time with me. She keeps companies with thieves."
Sugimura just shook his head at this like he wasn't scum himself.
"Who's to say that things will change once we marry? No… my father would never accept such a bride. He expects his daughter-in-law to be of the highest caliber, after all. Such a pity though… my father thought such an alliance would have benefited us both so much..." Sugimura heaved out a heavy sigh at that.
"Riff-raff…?" Yusuke repeated with disgust. "The only shameful people in this room is you and Okumura."
Shadow Okumura just shrugged, waving a hand. "Then take her as your lover or however else you'll please. You don't have to take her as your lawful wife anymore. I don't particularly care."
"Huh?!" Haru-san stumbled back at that, as her eyes grew wide with shock. "Lover…?"
Sugimura just nodded, a lustful grin on his face. "Yes… Yes… that will do just fine."
Ken fought the urge to grimace as disgust welled up inside of him.
"You piece of shit!" Ryuji exclaimed, hands clenching into fists.
Anne snarled, "You're disgusting! How dare you call yourself her father! She's not some car you rent out, you scumbag!"
"He… he really went there," Futaba breathed.
Haru-san said tearfully, "You… you would sell me to that man… and make me his plaything?! All to satisfy your ambitions?!"
Haru-san's voice cracked as she fell to her knees.
"I… I was raised under this company. I was taught that I must put it first for as long as I can remember… I accepted a political marriage for your sake! I had convinced that it was for the best… that I should listen to what you want…" A choked-out sob escaped her as she looked helplessly up at Okumura. "Father… why?!"
She sounded so broken. But… this was no surprise to him. Some people… just did not care for their children… their family as they should. As far as Ken's relatives were concerned, he was nothing to them.
"I am your father. You will do what I say!" Shadow Okumura gazed at her, no pity in his eyes.
Ken scowled to himself, his fingers curling around his spear once more. This selfish dirt-bag!
"Why are you fretting so? You should be honored that you are fulfilling your role as my daughter. That's the only value you've had from the very beginning," Okumura said, shrugging carelessly.
"How can a man say something like that… to his own daughter?!" Makoto demanded, looking rightfully horrified.
"Some parents are just rotten to the core, Queen," Ryuji answered her while Yusuke nodded in agreement behind him.
"I think I'm gonna be sick…" Ren muttered.
"That makes two of us." Morgana sneered at Okumura's shadow.
Ken kept his eyes on Haru-san. She was… shaking. She wouldn't stop shaking.
Ken blinked. No, her hands… they were clenching into fists. She wasn't shaking because she was scared.
"You are not my father…" Haru-san said lowly.
Okumura narrowed his eyes. "Excuse me?"
She was shaking because she was angry. Haru-san staggered to her feet.
She then repeated in a hiss, "You are not my father."
She lifted her head, a defiant expression on her face.
"You know what fathers do?! They raise you! They protect you! They love you! You have failed in all accounts! You're not the man who mourned Mother's death for months! You're not the man who cried out of joy because Grandfather's customers loved him so much that they wanted to pay tribute to him after his passing! That man was my father, you are not him! You're a cold, unfeeling man who knows only greed and lust for power!"
"Holy shit…" Ryuji breathed. "She's really letting him have it…"
"Oh, she's just getting warmed up," Ren commented, all while keeping her eyes on Haru-san.
"Not to mention that you want to sell me to a disgusting man who just wants his hands on my body! You don't care if he just plays with me and throws me aside!"
Her voice was slowly rising as she continued her rant.
"You are not my father! You're a twisted man who just wears his face! You abuse workers! You've pushed me into accepting marriage to Sugimura all to satisfy what you want! You may protest until you're blue in the face, but the claims about it being for the 'good' of the company is nothing but lies! You've never even considered about what I wanted!"
Haru-san must have had these thoughts for the longest time. She was just voicing them now.
Haru-san's arm then swept through the air. "No more! You've quoted the family motto to me countless times… maybe it's time I betrayed you for my benefit! Why should I be loyal to a man who's just interested at throwing me away like trash?!"
Her hands clenched into fists, before she looked at Shadow Okumura straight in the eye. Her eyes flickered a golden color for a moment.
"I… I… will never forgive this!" she finally shrieked out.
Futaba's breath suddenly hitched. "It's… it's really happening."
"So… she has the potential as well," Yusuke commented, before his hand clenched into a fist. "Good! She'll be able to fight back!"
Suddenly a spotlight shone, directed on Haru-san.
Where did that come from…?
"Ahhh…" A haughty feminine voice echoed throughout the room. "It's about time that you've made up your mind, my dear fated princess."
Haru let out a sharp cry, clutching her head as she fell to her knees once again. Pain seemed to explode from her skull. For a moment her vision was flooded with blue flames. She suddenly felt something weigh against her face.
"Freedom for you must stem from betrayal. And as you said… why do you owe loyalty to such a vile man? A man who just uses everyone around him as stepping-stones… A man who just sees you as a pawn! He's just begging for betrayal. If you still yearn for freedom, you must not stray from your path. Now tell me… who shall you betray?"
Yes… that's true. She loved her father… but this man before her was not him. She owed him nothing. If she desired freedom, she must continue down this path.
"My heart… has been set. You know that, most of all, don't you… Milady?" She then looked up at this thing wearing her father's face. "You will not use me as a tool any longer!"
"Yes, that gaze!" A deep, throaty chuckle. "I can finally reveal myself! I am thou… thou art I…"
Haru's fingers brushed against her face, latching onto the edge of what she realized was a mask—like the Phantom Thieves. She tugged and pulled at it; she couldn't explain it, but she had to get this mask off her face.
"Let us adorn your departure into freedom… with a beautiful betrayal!"
"Come, Milady!" Haru cried, finally tearing off her mask, droplets of blood flying as blue flames swept over her body.
It hurt at first. But it felt so good, it felt so free. It feels right!
When the blue flames died away, she was revealed to have a completely new outfit. Ken thought Haru-san looked like she had stepped right out of the book The Three Musketeers.
But her Persona… Milady…
It looked like an upper-class woman, with an elaborate pink ballgown with golden flowers scattered over the fabric. Back in the… 1800s? He wasn't entirely sure. She even held a masquerade mask in one hand, hiding her face, though that mask was gold and pink. But then suddenly her skirts flew apart, revealing gatling guns.
"Holy shit!" Ryuji yelped, staggering backwards.
"Was my awakening like this?" Futaba whispered.
"You were… a special case," Ken said with a wince.
"Farewell, dear father." Haru-san dipped her hat, before looking up to stare at Shadow Okumura right in the eyes. She then pointed at him. "I am no longer your subservient puppet!"
"Hmph. As you wish."
Shadow Okumura then turned, his cape swaying as he looked at Sugimura. He stood in front of the door, the biometric door apparently accepting the scan.
"Deal with them as you see fit."
The cognition of Sugimura then laughed. "Very well. I'll toy with her until I get bored! A high school fiancée… what a turn on!"
He then transformed into a large robot, one mostly white with a few splashes of purple—a mimicry of his business suit.
He then swung wildly at Haru-san, but Milady just blocked the swing with a feather fan. Her skirts then swept aside to reveal the guns once more, blasting Sugimura backwards.
"How dare you!" the robot ground out.
"I think you don't understand," Haru-san bit out. "I am done letting you toy with me! I'll chop off your hands if that is what's needed to get the message to sink in!"
Anne blasted the robot with some fire from her Persona.
"Or perhaps you should go for another body part," Anne spat out.
Ken couldn't help but cringe at the thinly veiled threat. Sugimura may deserve that but… these women were not to be trifled with. He could understand Anne's anger at Haru-san's situation however. It probably was more personal for her considering the circumstances.
Haru-san then held out her hand, and blue flames formed a battle axe. She leapt in the air, swung the axe with ease, leaving a huge gash right in the chest. She landed easily on her feet, not even looking winded.
Just… how. Okay, the axe was a bit smaller than the ones Shinjiro-san used but still! He still had no idea how Shinjiro-san comfortably used axes in battle, and yet Haru-san had swung with one arm.
"Holy crap," Ren breathed.
"Girls are scary, man," Ryuji mumbled, shaking his head. "Girls who have Personas doubly so."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Ken muttered, his mind automatically veering to the women of SEES.
"Mm-hm." Yusuke nodded. "Just look at Queen and Panther."
"Um, can you not talk like we're not here?" Anne demanded, hands on her hips.
She did not look amused with their little conversation.
"Hey, come on, Panther, I'd take that as a compliment." Ren winked at her. "Seeing you in battle is always amazing. In more ways than one."
Anne's face immediately reddened.
"Let's just destroy this creep already!" she huffed, waving at Sugimura.
"Honestly, Joker, now is not that time," Makoto chided, before shaking her head.
"Right." Ren snapped to attention, giving a quick nod. "Mona, Fox, let's get to it, then!"
"As you command, Joker!" Yusuke exclaimed, before he and Morgana leapt into the fray with Ren.
"You dare…" Sugimura gritted out.
"Yes, we dare," Ren cut him off, turning fierce eyes at Sugimura. "That's what the Phantom Thieves do! We dare to challenge the authorities who abuse their powers!"
"That's right!" Morgana nodded firmly, pointing at Sugimura. "We're the Phantom Thieves… here to take your bride!"
"Zouchouten!" Ren tore off his mask, summoning a new Persona.
Zouchouten thrust his sword forward. Electricity sparked at the tip, shooting forward and striking Sugimura right in the gash that Haru-san had created. Sugimura just stumbled backwards for a moment, but quickly righted himself.
"My turn! Witness my resolve!" Morgana declared, as blue flared around him.
Zorro slashed with his rapier, whipping up a powerful gust of wind that sent Sugimura's two robot cronies flying against the wall. Sugimura itself fought to withstand the powerful gale.
Futaba cheered. "Oooh, nicely done, Mona! Come on, pass the baton already!"
Morgana flicked an annoyed glance at Futaba, before bounding over to Yusuke's side.
"Do it!" Morgana leapt in the air and slapping Yusuke's outstretched palm.
"Understood! I will not waste this power…" Yusuke nodded firmly before he ripped off his mask. "Take this!"
Goemon slashed at Sugimura several times, widening the gash even further. They weren't even letting Sugimura get an opportunity to attack.
"Milady, come!" Haru-san exclaimed, summoning her Persona.
She swept her fan, a ray of hot pink energy shooting out from the fan. The psychic energy surrounded Sugimura, lifting him up and tossing him as easily as a rag doll against the wall. Sugimura slumped against the wall, twitching ever so slightly.
"Defeated by… inferior brats… how?!" Sugimura gritted out.
Ren spat out. "That's your problem. You keep underestimating your enemies. You underestimated Haru-senpai the most of all!"
"That's right," Haru-san said, before twisting to look at Ren. "Come, it's time to punish them!"
"Gladly!" Yusuke seconded.
At Ren's nod, they lunged forward. Sugimura and his lackeys fell too easily.
Haru-san was panting heavily.
"He's… gone…" she murmured.
Her legs suddenly wobbled, as if they were about to give way. But Yusuke lunged forward, catching her by the arms just in time before she collapsed to her knees. He cautiously released her, relaxing when Haru-san immediately didn't fall down.
"Haru-san, are you okay?" he asked, his expression concerned.
"Okay?!" Ryuji demanded, before he began to wave his arms. "Dude, she was a total badass! She was like WHAAAAM! Did you see what she did to Sugimura with that axe of hers?! And holy shit that magic spell of hers!"
Haru-san just let out a weak giggle.
"Thank you, Sakamoto-kun…" She then paused and blinked. "…I think?"
"Crudely put but…" Morgana smiled, before nodding firmly. "I have to agree. You were like… like a Beauty Thief!"
"A… what thief?" Futaba raised an eyebrow.
"You know…" Morgana looked down, embarrassed. "One of those beautiful heroes who moonlight as vigilantes!"
Futaba looked at Ren, unamused. "What kind of shows have you been watching?"
Ren just shrugged at her. "Gotta have some variety. You should try it sometime."
Futaba scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Pass. I'll stick to the good stuff."
Anne nudged Ren in the side so to stop his retort, before smiling brightly at Haru-san. "Seriously, you were amazing, Senpai. You really showed Sugimura! And your dad!"
"Thank you…" Haru-san smiled. "I… I want to take control of my own fate. I have my own free will… it's time that I actually realized that."
Free will, huh…?
Ken just smiled at her. "I'm glad that you have, Haru-san."
"It… It feels so freeing," she confessed. "It's like I've been reborn."
Ryuji laughed. "Hey, we've all been there. You've gotta break free from all the shit society's piled on ya, you know?"
Haru-san just giggled. "Yes… I've finally begun to understand."
Then she suddenly swayed for a moment, pressing a hand to her forehead. All color seemed to drain from her face within seconds.
"But… I feel awfully dizzy," she mumbled out.
Makoto frowned in concern. "We should get you out of here. Awakening to your Persona takes a lot out of you."
"Can you walk?" Morgana asked.
Haru-san just blinked at him. "I'm not entirely sure who you are but… thank you for your concern… Mona, was it? May I call you Mona-chan? It just seems to suit you."
Morgana looked like he wanted to protest—badly— at the cute nickname, but he seemed to deflate at Haru-san's smiling face.
"If that's what you'd like," he mumbled out.
Haru-san said. "But… I'll be okay. You'll… explain more about this, won't you?"
"We will," Ken promised. "But… let's get out of here first."
"So, the place where we were just now… is a physical manifestation of my father's heart?" Haru-san asked. "And the two people we saw weren't the real Father and Sugimura-san?"
She seemed to accept the explanation about Morgana talking rather easily… Makoto was rather impressed.
Morgana nodded. "Yep! That was your father's cognition of Sugimura. How he views Sugimura."
She let out a weary sigh. "So… Father knew of Sugimura's nature all along."
"Haru…" Anne's voice went soft with sympathy as Haru's hands fisted at her skirt.
"Oh, Father… what made you change so much…?" Haru lamented.
"You mentioned other family before," Makoto ventured. "Your grandfather especially…"
Haru-san nodded firmly. "That's correct. My grandfather… he was a very kind man. He ran a small coffeeshop."
Her expression could only be described as nostalgic as she smiled gently, and her eyes grew soft.
"I remember Father taking me there a couple times when I was a little girl… before he died. I distinctly remember how cozy it felt… Grandfather didn't care about the profit… he just wanted to serve people. And… what stood out the most to me is when Father took me to the café, shortly after Grandfather's death. You see… many of Grandfather's regulars came to the café, shortly after his death. They brought flowers and other mementos, like coffee cups. They wanted to mourn a man that they had come to respect and care for deeply."
Haru-san's eyes squeezed shut and she seemed to tremble for a moment.
"Father had cried and cried at that. I remember asking him why he was so sad when people had obviously thought so well of Grandfather… and he just told me that he was crying… because he was happy."
It seemed from just that little information… Haru-san took more after her deceased grandfather.
Though she could understand Haru-san's feelings. You sometimes could only just helplessly watch as the differences only pushed you further and further away from a loved one.
"So he really wasn't always like this," Yusuke said slowly.
"At least… that's what I believe." Haru-san placed a hand over her chest, opening her eyes. "But my father is no longer like that. He just sees everyone as a potential pawn. He's been consumed by greed. Please…"
She quickly bowed her head.
"Allow me to join you! I may not understand everything regarding Personas and Shadows… but I want to change my father's heart personally!" she pleaded.
Changing a loved one's heart…
Well, she could really relate to that.
Makoto bit her lip, gripping the hem of her skirt. Maybe… she should have brought up Sae's Palace sooner, when she still had the chance…
She desperately wanted Sae to be more like the older sister she remembered. She didn't want that Sae to be just a memory… But at the same time, she was afraid. Afraid of what she might find in that palace. What… was the inside of her sister's heart truly like?
She was such a coward.
"Senpai, we were never going to turn you down," Ren said, flashing her an amused smile.
For some reason, Haru-san seemed to blush a little at that, staring down hard at her lap.
"Seriously, you were amazing back there," Ren complimented.
"T-Thank you, Amamiya-kun." Haru-san's blush then darkened at that, before looking up at him shyly.
"…Oh," Makoto thought with a frown.
Makoto looked over to Anne. Did she notice that? Anne met her gaze, before giving a very slight shake of her head.
So… Anne had noticed it. But she didn't seem upset. Maybe she had no reason to be jealous since she had been dating Ren for over a month now. She was secure in how Ren felt about her, so she saw no need to be jealous.
But she did have to wonder when Haru-san started to crush on Ren.
"Call me Ren," he insisted, before he threw Ken a playful smirk. "Don't want a repeat of Ken."
Ken's expression was unamused. "Excuse me for wanting to be polite."
Ryuji huffed. "Seriously, man, it took like a freakin' month to get you to drop it! Just… come on! You call Shinjiro-san Shinjiro-san for crying out loud, and you've known him for seven years!"
"That's different, and you know it. He's seven years older than me!" Ken retorted.
Ren raised an eyebrow, before smirking. "So? Futaba calls Sojiro with no honorifics and he's definitely old enough to be her biological dad."
Ken scowled at him but didn't give a retort.
"So… you want to be on first names basis?" Haru-san asked slowly.
"If you want," Futaba piped up all while smiling. "I mean, we're all friends here!"
"Friends…" she echoed softly, her eyes growing wide with wonder. "That is… a new experience, I must confess."
She looked down at her lap, letting out a little sigh.
"Growing up, people were kind to me because they wished to please my father. Adults… people my age… it didn't matter. It felt that nobody was genuinely kind to me because they wanted to get to know me. They just wanted to be rewarded by my father…"
She then looked up, a sweet smile on her lips. Makoto couldn't help but smile as well.
"But you treated me so kindly when you didn't know my surname. I… I would love to be on first name basis with all of you."
"Welcome aboard, Haru!" Ryuji then blinked. "Uh, shit, should we stick to senpai still…? I mean, Makoto and Ken don't care but…"
Haru-san just laughed softly.
"Just Haru is fine, Ryuji-kun." Then she looked over to Ren. "But Personas… Shadows… I must confess it does sound vaguely familiar."
"Oh, that's 'cause it's Jungian psychology, one of the oldest psychologies!" Futaba interjected.
"Of course you would look into that," Yusuke huffed, making Futaba stick her tongue out at him.
"Fuuka-san took a few psychology classes when she was in university. She wanted to understand it more too," Ken mentioned.
Haru-san looked to him in curiosity but then she cleared her throat.
"And what we saw… was my father's Shadow?" Haru-san asked slowly. "He looked so strange."
"Essentially he's the representation of all of your father's negative repressed emotions. Not all Shadow selves are representations of negative emotions, but most tend to be. I'm not all too experienced in it, but they tend to have golden eyes." Ken explained.
"But going against your father…" Makoto said slowly. "Are you prepared for that?"
Haru-san nodded firmly. "Yes. It's wrong for my father to continue the way he has been…"
"And it's not like it's the first father figure we've gone against…"
Haru-san looked over at Yusuke. "What do you mean, Yusuke-kun?"
Yusuke heaved out a sigh.
"Well... Madarame was my mentor. But he was more than that to me… he was the closest to a father that I've had." Then he looked at Haru-san. "So I know how you feel. Maybe not entirely, but…"
Haru-san just smiled, placing a hand over Yusuke's. Yusuke suddenly grew still, looking at Haru-san with wide eyes.
She said sincerely, "Thank you, Yusuke-kun. That's… why you were concerned earlier… wasn't it?"
Yusuke cleared his throat, a faint blush coming to his cheeks. "I didn't want to see someone suffer the same thing as me."
Madarame… Okumura… how could Yusuke and Haru-san be so selfless?
"But anywayssss…" Futaba suddenly said, interrupting her thoughts. "If Haru's gonna join the team, she's gonna need a codename!"
"Oh, right!" Anne nodded enthusiastically, before letting out a thoughtful hum. "Hmm… what should we go for?"
"Her mask is a domino mask…" Yusuke said slowly. "How about Domino?"
Haru-san's nose wrinkled. "I don't particularly like that. No offense, Yusuke-kun."
"Your costume is totally Three Musketeers," Anne piped up. "Maybe we should pick something from that?"
"Musketeer?" Ryuji suggested.
"That's a bit too obvious," Morgana grumbled.
"Yeah, it'd be like us calling you Pirate," Futaba agreed.
"Hey, I don't see you coming up with any ideas!" he retorted.
Well, Makoto had to agree that it was a bit… on the nose. Though it wasn't a terrible suggestion… unlike Ryuji's idea for her.
Haru-san's eyes lit up. She let out a delighted gasp before clapping her hands together once.
"Oh, I know! I want to be called… Noir," she announced.
"Noir…" Ken echoed, his expression growing thoughtful. "That's French for black."
Haru-san nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I thought it would be fitting, since the Phantom Thieves operate on the dark side of justice. C'est magnifique, non?"
Her voice had taken on a flawless French accent at the last part. Though Makoto supposed it made sense—her father must want her to come off as learned and well… speaking French was definitely impressive.
Ken just raised an eyebrow at that.
"Oh, you'd definitely get along with Mitsuru-san," he said dryly. "Better be careful, though. Mitsuru-san might like you enough to want to adopt you."
Haru-san's eyes glowed with delight. "Adopted by Kirijo-san… Oh, that would be wonderful! Just imagine what I could learn from her!"
For some reason, Ken blanched at that before he mumbled out, "Right… that would be great…"
Ryuji squinted at him. "Isn't she like a big sister to you?"
"She is! It's just…" his voice then lowered to a murmur, "Mitsuru-san's kinda scary…"
"So? Haru's got a big axe!" Futaba scoffed.
"Futaba!" Makoto rolled her eyes.
"Oh, speaking of weapons… Haru…" Yusuke looked over to her. "We need to consider what gun to get for you."
"Oh, that's true…" A considering look settled in her eyes. "Oh! I've always thought it'd be fun to try out using a grenade launcher!"
"A… grenade launcher? Is she for real?" Ryuji gulped.
"Um… She's enthusiastic, at least?" Anne offered.
Enthusiastic was one word to describe this. Not exactly the word she'd use, though…
Haru-san just gave a weak giggle. "Too much?"
Ren said. "No, it'll be fine. I mean, come on, look at she wielded that axe. I'll stop by the airsoft shop tomorrow and pick something up."
Haru-san just clapped lightly. "Thank you, Ren-kun! I can reimburse you the money too…"
"No, no, it's fine." Ren shook his head. "We've got funding for this."
Anne mumbled. "Thank god we can demand money from Shadows. We'd be totally broke if we had to buy this on our own."
"Though isn't it kinda weird that they have money?" Futaba piped up. "I mean, they're Shadows! Just figments of the mind! Why would they have money?!"
"Just… 'cause?" Ryuji offered.
Futaba just stared at him, unimpressed. "That's a lame theory, Ryuji."
"Hm, for once, I must concur with Futaba," Yusuke intoned.
"HEY!"
"So you were a Persona-user before all of this, Ken-kun?" Haru asked.
Ken rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… It's um, complicated, but Mitsuru-san sent me here to look into everything that was going on in Tokyo…"
Ken would probably have to sit down with Haru and explain it further at some point.
"Kirijo-san is one too?! That's just amazing!" Haru gasped. "She must know so much!"
"Ken knows a lot already though," Anne said. "He's been really helpful when it comes to fighting Shadows!"
Ken rubbed the back of his neck. "It's nothing much, really…"
"Though you didn't really explain about how you know about Shadow selves…" Morgana grumbled out.
Ken blinked at that. "Oh… that."
Ren looked at Morgana in concern. He seemed… tense for some reason.
Morgana was acting weird ever since he got back from Hawaii, but he seemed to be okay when they went into the palace today.
Ken was talking again. "Well… that was due to another incident…"
"Oh, right, you mentioned that before," Ren said. "It's a 'long story', as you put it."
Ken huffed out a laugh, before rolling his eyes at Ren. "It really is, okay? But… it happened about four years ago, and in Inaba."
"Inaba?!" Futaba repeated, her eyes wide with shock. "Wasn't that where that creepy murder case happened? The guy who murdered those two women just because he was bored?"
"The Adachi case, the Hanged Man case, call it what you like." Ken waved his hand. "But that case… it wasn't an ordinary case."
"So you're saying, it was… related to Shadows?" Ryuji asked.
Ken nodded. "Honestly, I don't know the whole story, but the Shadow nest was called the Midnight Channel. You could enter it… through the TV."
"A TV?" Makoto frowned. "That seems a bit…"
Ken just raised an eyebrow. "We use a cellphone app to enter the Metaverse."
Futaba snickered. "He's got you there, Makoto."
Normally Ren would join in but… he couldn't help but feel intrigued by this revelation.
"So… you would encounter Shadow selves there too?" Ren asked.
Ken nodded. "Pretty much. The Persona-users who solved the case had to face their Shadows in order to gain their Personas. And a few months after solving the case in December 2011, the Midnight Channel started back up and that incident… was how we had met them."
"So there's… more," Morgana said. "I should've known…"
"Huh?" Anne blinked. "What are you talking about, Morgana?"
There was that tone. Ren noticed sometimes late at night ever since Futaba joined, Morgana would seem almost melancholic but then he'd dodge the subject.
Morgana suddenly stood up shakily. "I thought… we were special. That we were the only ones who could handle this kind of thing. But that's not true at all. There's a secret society of Persona-users, and they could just waltz in if it wasn't for Shido…"
No… not since Futaba joined. Now that Ren thought about it, Morgana had been off since before Futaba. But he always brushed it off. Was it because of Ken or Makoto? It was around the time after they defeated Kaneshiro where Morgana would sometimes act off. But he always laughed it off after he got into a sour mood.
Morgana let out a mirthless laugh. And Ren couldn't help but feel worried.
"Shido… this is how this is all began… Nobody cared what I thought. You guys were all set on targeting Shido before all of this. I'm just extra. Surplus."
"Where is he getting all these ideas?" Ren thought to himself.
How could he think he was just surplus?
"Morgana, wait, what are you—" Ren began but Morgana shook his head.
"Makoto is the advisor. Ken has the experience." Morgana's voice grew higher and higher with his distress. "And Futaba—she could figure out the Metaverse better than I could ever dream of! I'm useless."
"Morgana, that's not true—!" Makoto spoke up.
"Yes, it is," Morgana interrupted. "I don't need your pity! I can find the truth about me, all by myself. I… I don't need you to keep feeling sorry for me."
"Morgana, what's gotten into you?! Just calm down and talk to us!" Ren pleaded but Morgana just stared at him with sad eyes.
"I never belonged here," Morgana whispered. "But it's time I'd stop pretending otherwise."
And right before their eyes, Morgana disappeared.
"MORGANA!"
Did Morgana just escape into the Metaverse? Morgana did mention before that he could travel into the Metaverse without the app. Besides that, they were in Shibuya right now after all. But what had Morgana been bottling up this entire time? He… didn't feel like he belonged here?
"Ren, you need to breathe." Ken's voice snapped Ren out of his panicking thoughts.
Ren took in a shaky breath before he pressed a hand against his face. Ken was right—he had to compose himself. He slowly dropped his hand before turning to his friends.
"Okay… where would Morgana go?" Makoto pressed a finger to her chin in deep thought.
"I think that Morgana went to Mementos," Ren said.
"Mementos?" Haru asked, tilting her head.
Ren grimaced. It wasn't right to just throw Haru into this…
"Um, it's where we fulfill requests," Futaba said nervously. "You know, on the Phan-Site. B-But you don't have to come with us. It's not fair, when you just joined us."
Haru shook her head before her eyes grew steely with determination. "No, I disagree. This is one of my teammates, after all. And…"
Her expression suddenly turned pensive before she shook her head.
"…Never mind. But I digress. Let's go, everyone."
The Shadow let out a pained shriek before finally disintegrating into ash. Morgana let out a groan. The Shadow was resistant to wind, which had made Morgana's job that much more difficult.
"That was too close…" he uttered.
He then called on Zorro to heal his injuries. How many floors did he have left until he would reach the bottom?
Maybe Futaba would be able to tell him—
Morgana quickly mentally smacked himself for that thought. What was he thinking?! He shouldn't rely on her…
Morgana let out a huff. He wished he could just transform into his bus-form, but he needed someone to drive him. But… whining about it wouldn't help. He just had to get to the bottom of Mementos. Complaining about it would accomplish nothing.
But he couldn't help but feel… lonely. During all of their bouts to Mementos, their exploration had been filled with chatter. They talked about the silliest things—last time they were in Mementos, Yusuke had been musing about eating a mushroom he had found in the park of all things. Ken had chewed him out for this, and he had gotten even more flustered when Yusuke didn't grasp why Ken was freaked out so much. But this silence just felt suffocating.
Morgana shook his head. What was he thinking? He couldn't never go back. He never belonged there to start with…
Ren didn't need him. None of them did. Why would they need him? They had Futaba to guide them and she was far better at it. Ken has more experience than he ever will. Makoto was a much better tactician. And to top it off, he's not even the only healer. Ken, Lady Anne, and Makoto could easily fill the void.
Whatever new powers Haru will start to develop as she grows will probably be better suited than anything he can do too.
No… he was just a burden. They were better off. He can accomplish his goal on his own.
But a sudden sound grabbed Morgana's attention. Morgana gasped, his heart sinking into his stomach as he registered it completely.
It was the sound of rattling chains.
"No, no, no…" Morgana uttered, his breath becoming short and ragged.
He had to find a way out! Morgana ran back where he came from.
It was easier to retrace his steps back to the stairs that led to the previous floor. But the sight lurking by the stairs made Morgana screech to a stop, dread collecting at the pit of his stomach.
It was here.
A dark aura seemed to radiate from it. Morgana had always seen it at a distance. Ren always heeded his warnings about the dangers of this particular Shadow.
Morgana shook his head. Even when his life was in danger, he was thinking about Ren? What was wrong with him?!
Morgana gritted his teeth. He had to try to run away!
Morgana quickly summoned Zorro. A burst of wind launched Morgana in the air but as he was airborne, the Shadow took fire. The bullet struck him right in the chest, slamming him hard against the wall. Morgana just coughed, his chest aching horribly from the blow.
Morgana quickly summoned Zorro to cast a healing spell but that's when the Shadow attacked once more. Morgana's vision began to spin.
He dragged himself to his feet. No… he wouldn't give up. Not until the bitter end. The Shadow suddenly unleashed a burst of lightning. Morgana braced himself; he might survive this if he guarded at least.
"CAPTAIN KIDD!"
Captain Kidd suddenly appeared with a flash, absorbing the blast. Ryuji grunted from the attack.
"He hits like a damn truck," Ryuji muttered. Then he looked to Morgana. "You okay, Mona?!"
Irritation flared inside of him. "Why did you come after me?! You don't care about me! Stop pretending you do!"
Ryuji jerked, looking like he was slapped in the face and his eyes went wide with bewilderment underneath his mask.
"The hell you talking about?" he sputtered out.
"Skull, Mona, stay on guard!" Futaba shouted from within Necronomicon. "We need to stay on our toes if we wanna survive this!"
Even as she spoke, Yusuke and Makoto's Personas appeared, attacking in unison.
"Oracle, focus on figuring out an escape route!" Ren ordered before summoning Isis.
"This is just… none of your business!" Morgana shouted.
He summoned Zorro, flinging a Garula spell at the Reaper. The Reaper then leveled his revolver at Morgana once more, firing it. Morgana scrambled out of the way, only for the Reaper to unleash a nuclear blast.
The blast sent Morgana flying and he was vaguely aware of Haru crying out in pain. Morgana struggled to stand up when he felt a healing spell envelope him.
"Noir's down! Cover for her!" Futaba said anxiously.
"Mona!" Ren reached down to help Morgana up, but Morgana slapped Ren's hands away.
He felt a stab of guilt as Ren looked at him, stung. But he refused to let this charade to going on.
"Just leave me be!" Morgana shouted. "You can be heroes, stop Okumura! Stop Shido! Why do you insist on coming after me? My problems don't concern you!"
"That's where you're wrong, Mona!" Anne cried.
The Shadow turned his attention on her, launching an ice spell at her. She dove for the floor, rolling for a moment. She panted, catching her breath.
"You're our friend! So we're making it our problem!" she shouted.
A breath caught in his throat. Did they… really care? About him?
The Reaper fired wildly at them, and they threw themselves at the ground to dodge.
"We really need a strategy to deal with this," Makoto said. "We can't keep reacting to his attacks. We'll burn out our energy before we even make a dent…"
Ryuji and Yusuke quickly summoned their Personas, both slamming hard into the Reaper. That momentarily distracted him, allowing Haru to follow up with a gun attack. Morgana summoned Zorro to heal all three of them.
"Ace?" Ren said cautiously. "Do you have any ideas?"
Ken just shook his head, his mouth forming a grim line. "We're nowhere close to being able to defeat the Reaper. It is possible to defeat him, but we can't take him down with our current strength."
Well… brute strength isn't the only way.
Morgana said, "Then we have to play keepaway. Until Oracle can find us an opening."
Ren nodded before he raised his voice as he ordered, "Break into small groups!"
As he spoke, he summoned a new Persona, one he called Lachesis. Wind swirled around the Persona but the Reaper all but shrugged it off. It pointed its gun at Ren, but Kala-Nemi flung a light spell at the Reaper a moment before it went off. The bright light threw off the Reaper's aim and the attack hit the wall behind Ren.
For some reason, Ren paused, staring at the wall. He then shook his head before pulling out his gun and firing it at the Reaper. The Reaper quickly shrugged off the blow, but it was a good distraction—allowing Yusuke to attack with Goemon.
Goemon sped towards the Reaper, slashing several times right at the Reaper's chest. Haru followed up right after with a gun attack; she seemed to be a quick study.
Black oozed from the injury, but the Reaper quickly shook it off.
Anne and Makoto jumped in, firing off their respective elemental spells.
Bright blue sparks surrounded the Reaper before a burst of electricity struck at all of them. The blast of electricity sent Morgana flying backwards and everything went black. The last thing he heard was Futaba shrieking his codename.
But then something warm suddenly enveloped him.
"…Mona!"
Morgana gasped, his eyes snapping open. Ken was bent over him, Kala-Nemi hovering above them. A blue aura surrounded the Persona as Ken healed Morgana with a Diarama spell to take care of the rest of the injuries. Morgana couldn't help but feel embarrassed that Ken had to revive him.
"…Thanks," Morgana mumbled out before averting his eyes.
He forced himself to look back to the Reaper. Ren was leading in an all-out assault against the Reaper. Ren seemed to be trying to drive the Reaper into one part of the wall.
"What is Joker doing?" Morgana couldn't help but feel flabbergasted.
"His usual thing, I suppose," Ken muttered under his breath.
As Morgana stared at the wall further, he noticed the cracks running through it. Was Ren planning on just knocking the Reaper into the wall?
"Goemon!"
"Captain Kidd!"
Morgana snapped back to reality to see Yusuke and Ryuji team up to launch another dual physical attack. Haru then followed up with a psy spell.
Ren was like a blur, alternating between Personas and occasionally firing out a bullet. Morgana jumped to his feet, summoning Zorro. Zorro slashed with his rapier, whipping up a gale. Anne quickly summoned Hecate. Hecate's flames surged forward, melding with Zorro's wind spell, and creating a flaming tempest that struck the Reaper right in the chest.
But the Reaper shook off the blow before firing wildly at them once more. Morgana crossed his arms over his chest, hoping to brace the blow but it still stung fiercely. He could feel Ken's Mediarama spell settle over them, healing their injuries.
Morgana gritted his teeth. Was there no end to this?
The Reaper fired once more, aiming right at Ren.
"Arahabaki!" Ren shouted.
A stone figure suddenly slammed down, right in front of Ren. The gun attack was reflected right back at the Reaper; it was strong enough to push the Reaper back into the wall.
"Now—hit him with everything you've got!" Ren shouted before summoning Thoth.
Thoth unleashed an Almighty spell.
"Zorro!" Morgana yelled out; his Persona whipped up a burst of wind.
Ice suddenly crystallized, thanks to Goemon. The ice was swept up in the Garula spell, forming a small gale of ice and wind. Goemon then followed up with a physical attack.
Ryuji fired two times with his gun before bellowing out, "Captain Kidd!"
Captain Kidd crashed down against the Reaper, falling back to let Anne and Makoto attack. Johanna's engine roared as Makoto let loose a powerful Freila spell. Hecate's flames surged forward, making the Reaper flinch from the powerful fire attack.
"Milady!"
"Kala-Nemi!"
There was a loud crack as the Reaper was thrown backwards into the wall.
"RUN GUYS!" Futaba shrieked.
"C'mon, Mona, we need you!" Ryuji said.
Morgana nodded before leaping in the air and transforming into his bus form. The moment he slammed to the ground, he felt Ren yanking open the door. He could feel everyone else climbing inside.
"Floor it, Joker!" Anne cried out.
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Ren said before slamming down on the gas pedal.
There was a loud banging sound. The Reaper had recovered and was preparing another attack. Another shot created a crack on the floor.
"There!" Yusuke said. "There's the next floor!"
Everyone practically spilled out and Morgana joined them in rushing to the next floor.
"That just about shaved five years off my life," Ryuji groaned out.
Anne let out a strained laugh. "No kidding…"
Once they found the stairs, Ren had used a Goho-M to whisk them back to the entrance. They then returned to the real world, Ken's apartment specifically.
Morgana couldn't help but feel uncomfortable though.
Ren cleared his throat. "Um… so enough beating around the bush."
Morgana sighed, dread pooling inside his stomach.
"Morgana… please. Just tell us what's going on," Ren said quietly. "We can't help you if you don't tell us what's wrong."
Morgana stared down at the ground, swallowing hard. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't form them.
"It's okay, Mona-chan," Haru said gently. She reached over and petted him for a moment; Morgana couldn't help but lean into her touch. "We won't judge you. Take your time. I won't pretend I know your problems but just know that I will listen. And that goes double for everyone else here."
At her words, everyone nodded.
"I just… I don't have a place here anymore. I meant what I said… why do you need me? And… Ryuji was saying that I was being useless now that Futaba was here… and Futaba, I didn't want to admit it, but what you said, if you are right… that thought scares me! What if I'm wrong and you're right! What if I'm not human! What if I'm some kind of monster or worse! Just what am I?! Why can't I remember!? What if I never do?! I can't ask you to risk yourself for something so… I'm just a burden! A useless burden who isn't good at navigation or tactics and I don't have all the answers!"
At Morgana's outburst, tears started to spill out and he turned away in shame trying to rub them off his face.
Several people turned to stare at Ryuji and Futaba; they glared more at Ryuji but both of them flinched under the stares.
"I-I didn't mean like that!" Ryuji said defensively. "I just—I was messin' around! You know, like how you'd make fun of me if my attack missed a Shadow… I wouldn't have shot off my mouth like that if I had known it was really hurting your feelings."
He let out a sigh, rubbing at his face. He then lowered his hand. A small frown tugged at his lips.
"But… I'm sorry, Morgana. I wasn't thinking like usual… I didn't mean anything serious by it, but it was still shitty of me to do…"
"I…" Morgana sighed. "It's true though… what do I bring to the table?"
"Is that what you think?" Ken abruptly asked. "That we would only want you around if you have a special skill no one else has and 'pulled your weight'?"
Morgana cringed. "It sounds stupid when you put it like that…"
But that's when Ken shook his head.
"It's not stupid. I understand, Morgana," Ken said quietly. "I was in your shoes once, you know."
"Ken…?" Futaba asked.
"You mentioned me being 'knowledgeable'. But I once was the youngest member of the team. It was a struggle to keep up with everyone. I got tired more easily than everyone else. It felt that I had to work twice as hard to be up to par. But your place on this team isn't because of your knowledge of the Metaverse, Personas, or Shadows."
"It's because you're our friend, Morgana," Ren finished for Ken.
Morgana lowered his head, shame flooding him. "I…"
He just… was at a loss of words. How could he have questioned his place with them?
"And… I'm sorry as well, Morgana," Ken said.
Morgana looked up to see that his eyes were filled with regret.
"I realize now that I hurt you by trying to override your input and insisting on targeting Shido… It was wrong of me and I'm really sorry for making you feel invalidated," Ken said sincerely.
Morgana felt himself speechless.
"Morgana… I kinda know what you're going through, as well," Makoto spoke up.
Morgana looked up at her in surprise. "You do?"
Makoto winced before absently rubbing at her arm. "Yes the incident with Kaneshiro… it's embarrassing to look back on it, but… it wasn't my proudest moment—how I reacted to everything. I was being pushed from many sides into so many directions. I felt lost and the pressure kept building."
She suddenly bit her lip, her eyes growing glossy. She then took a shuddering breath.
"One night, I tried to confide to… someone… I care about… about some things. They didn't take my thoughts on a particular subject very well and lashed out at me," she said softly. "They did immediately regret it but regardless, their harsh words stung, and unfortunately we can't take back the things we said."
Everyone went still, Makoto took a deep breath and continued.
"That was why I was so reckless that day. Useless… that was one word that I never wanted to be. I just wanted to be useful to someone. I just wanted to belong. I caused you guys so much trouble, but thankfully it all worked out. And now… I know where I belong. Those hurtful words by that person still hurt, but I have a place with you all, and that's all that matters. I'm sorry we all made you feel this way, but you belong with us too. That's all that matters, right?" Makoto said gently.
Morgana blinked. He didn't know how to respond to it, so he awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Is it really okay if I stay?" Morgana asked cautiously. "You all have such noble goals and want to stop so much evil and help others? What am I compared to that…?"
Ryuji then rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a slow breath.
"I really am sorry, Morgana. I didn't mean to hurt ya. It was stupid of me to say crap like that. It wasn't cool of me, even if I didn't know how much it was bugging you…" Ryuji then clenched his hands into fists. "You don't need a 'reason' to stay. We're friends, aren't we? That's more than enough!"
Morgana couldn't help but stare. He hadn't expected Ryuji to say that of all things.
Futaba wrung her hands for a moment. "I'm sorry about saying that you might be wrong about being human. It was dumb of me to say it… And… I really appreciate you staying the night—the night that I technically met you all in person… you staying with me that night… it was nice."
Morgana blinked, turning away. He hadn't expected Futaba to pick up on that…
"A-And don't forget!" Ryuji suddenly interjected. "You've done so much for us! You chased after me and Ren about Kamoshida's Treasure, remember? You're anything but useless!"
Ren nodded. "Yeah… we would've been seriously sunk without you, Morgana. Ryuji and I would've been expelled and… who knows what would've happened to Anne."
"Not to mention how S—" Yusuke pursed his lips for a moment, clearing his throat. "Don't forget Madarame's manipulation of me."
Makoto said, "And all of those kids that Kaneshiro exhorted! And…"
She trailed off at the last part, but Futaba finished it for him.
"I would've been trapped by my guilt and my belief that I was responsible for my mom's death. I would probably be dead if you hadn't stolen my Treasure," Futaba said bluntly, the last part making Haru gasp.
Morgana stared down at the floor. He just… felt too emotional, he couldn't look at his friends right now. It literally clogged up his throat.
"I just… I just…"
Tears began to well up in his eyes and sobs began to wrack his body. He couldn't help but feel relieved. They wanted him around. They came after him and didn't give up even after he lashed out at them.
He felt someone pick him up, a faint floral scent wafting towards his nose. He looked up to see Haru smiling gently at him.
"It's okay, Mona-chan," she said gently. "Everyone wants a place to belong, don't they? And it's understandable that you were scared…"
Morgana gulped for air. "I'm sorry for all of this."
"Don't be," Makoto said, shaking her head. "We've all had our moments, after all."
Ren said, "And we'll work on Mementos in between our pursuit of Okumura and Shido."
Morgana hesitantly looked at him. "But our targets…"
Ren interjected. "They're important but so is finding out the truth about you!"
Makoto said. "We're sorry, Morgana. We never meant to belittle you or your feelings."
"We will not forget this again," Yusuke promised.
"And if you ever have doubts, don't you dare change the subject, talk to me about this stuff Morgana." Ren ordered with a smile. "You're my best friend Morgana, we don't keep things from each other. You listen to me all the time, let me do the same."
"I thought Ryuji was your best friend?" Yusuke asked.
"I'm allowed to have more than one!" Ren smirked.
Morgana's breath caught in his throat and he forced himself to look down.
"S-Sorry… I'm usually not a mess like this," he mumbled out.
"No, you're just a huge nag about me going to bed at a ridiculously early time," Ren spoke up, his usual teasing smile on his face.
Morgana puffed at that. "Hey! You stay up too late if I let you! Or you'd eat unhealthy food if Sojiro didn't feed you—"
"Did Shinjiro-san suddenly possess you?" Ken muttered out.
"S-Shut up!" Morgana cried out, even as the others started laughing at Ken's quip. "Am I a bad person for caring about Ren's health?!"
"Maybe change your approach?" Anne suggested.
"That's not what I meant!" Morgana exclaimed.
"Okay, okay, enough," Makoto said in between her chuckles. "I think that's enough picking on Morgana today."
"But tomorrow's a new day," Futaba said with a sly smile.
Suddenly Ren grew serious. "Futaba is right… tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow, we'll be officially targeting Okumura for all the crap he's done for the sake of his ambition."
Morgana tilted his head, studying Haru's expression. She was nodding in agreement.
She was so strong. And surprisingly perceptive as well. Morgana just hoped that she wouldn't find it too difficult to deal with the entire ugly truth of her father's heart…
It wasn't long until everyone started to disperse, heading for their homes for the night. Ken was relieved if he was being honest. It had been such a long day. He would do it again, if necessary, but fighting the Reaper was never fun.
It was then that Ken noticed that Ren, Morgana, and Futaba were still lingering, when everyone else had departed already.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Well… it's something I wanted to ask you," Ren then pressed his lips together, looking away for a moment before speaking. "So… the Inaba Persona-users. Is it safe to guess that they had a Wild Card too?"
Ken blinked. Out of all of the things he had expected to come out of Ren's mouth, he hadn't expected that.
"Yes. His name is Yu Narukami," he answered.
"Yu Narukami…" Morgana mumbled out. "Why have I heard that somewhere?"
Ken sighed. "He's been getting some attention from the media. He's um… Rise Kujikawa's boyfriend."
He wouldn't spill how long they've been together, though. He trusted them, but idols dating was a taboo. Besides that, they were framing it to the press so that they recently got together…
"Oh… I think I saw that on TV. Like, one morning during breakfast," Ren mused, only to blink a few times. "Wait, does that mean she's a Persona-user too?"
"Yes, Rise-san was their scanner," Ken explained.
Though he couldn't help but wonder what Ren was getting at…
"Hang on... Rise-san? You're on first name terms with a pop star?" Futaba asked incredulously.
Ken just smiled sheepishly in response. Wonder how she'd react, knowing that Fuuka-san in particular was close to her.
"Why are you asking, anyways?" Morgana asked.
Ren shrugged. "I mean… I thought my power was unique. And then you just announce that you knew two Wild Cards. And there's this Narukami guy. I'm just… curious, I guess."
Ken pursed his lips. "…Do you want to talk to Yu-san then? Or Minako-san."
Ren shrugged. "It'd be cool if you could swing it. No pressure if you can't."
Ken nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
Just… another day. Right now, he was more interested in crashing for the night after everything that happened today.
And… he'd need it. Okumura's Palace seemed to be the toughest one they've encountered yet…
Haru's awakened and joined the team! Had fun with her awakening in this chapter. Even though she never becomes Beauty Thief in this, I had to make a little reference to it.
Edit as of 5/25/22: After conferring with my editor, angelrin89, I've decided to change things in how Morgana's arc is resolved. It'll tie into the Mementos arc nicely. Thank you again to my amazing beta for her work!
And the IT characters won't be so prevalent in this story, but I have plans to work in some P4 appearances.