Ace In The Hole

by eiranerys

Shido has barred the Shadow Operatives from action for two years. But when the Phantom Thieves appear, Mitsuru decides that they have to take action. Luckily, there's a certain former member Shido doesn't seem to be aware of: Ken Amada. But when Ken meets the Phantom Thieves in person, he can't help but agree with their goals. He can't help but befriend them. Phantom Thief!Ken AU.

46. 45: The Cruiser of Pride

Chapter 45

The Cruiser of Pride

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Wednesday, November 30th, 2016

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The dark-haired scientist was surprisingly pretty, even with her eerie gold eyes. Goro tightened his grip on the gun, even as she smiled kindly at him.

Her lips moved, but Goro couldn't hear the words she spoke. Not that it mattered anyways—he had a job to do.

Goro lifted his gun, leveling it right at her chest. It started to shake in his hand.

Goro didn't know why Shido wanted her dead—not that it mattered. She was simply one obstacle that Goro needed to overcome.

The tremors running through his arm abated, and Goro pulled the trigger.

Goro couldn't help but wince as black abruptly spurted out from her chest. She clutched at the wound as her form started to dissipate.

The pristine laboratory melted away, and the Shadow's form suddenly transformed. Sobbing suddenly filled the air.

Goro realized what the Shadow had transformed into with a jolt.

It was Sakura.

She was shorter, and looked like she was in junior high.

"Mom... Mom!" she wailed out, before falling to her knees and burying her face into her hands. "Please come back... I never meant any of the mean stuff I said to you. I love you, so please... come back! I need you..."

Goro just grimaced.

"You did this to her. You orphaned her," a voice taunted him.

"Shut up," Goro hissed through clenched teeth.

But the voice didn't relent. "You always resented Shido for destroying your mom... and what did you do? You do the exact thing to an innocent girl!"

Goro's hands trembled, but he clenched them into fists.

"I said shut up!" he yelled.

Sakura's sobbing grew louder and louder. Goro just grasped his hands over his ears. He tried to muffle the sound of Sakura's weeping by pressing his hands over his ears, but to no avail.

"Look at what you did!" the voice hissed.

Sakura suddenly disappeared, only to be replaced by Kunikazu Okumura.

His Shadow's slowly fading form, to be exact.

"And what of Kunikazu Okumura? Just think about what you did to his daughter!"

"He was a piece of shit!" Goro insisted. "He deserved to die!"

Kunikazu Okumura's Shadow form disappeared, only to be replaced by the man himself. Black oozed from his eyes, and you could only see the whites of his eyes.

He suddenly slumped to the ground, choking out, "Haru..."

"Father! Father!"

Goro blinked, and Okumura was gone—replaced by his daughter.

The Okumura heiress sniffled, tears welling up in her eyes. She suddenly fell to her knees.

"Why? Why did you have to die? I saw a little bit of your old self and then..." she said forlornly.

She broke into sobs, the word "father" falling repeatedly from her lips.

Goro just stared. Did she truly care about her father that much?

"I just wanted you back... why did you have to die?!"

That struck a chord in Goro. There had been countless times where he had just wanted his mother back with him.

Then the background shifted once more.

He was standing once more in the interrogation room. Amamiya was slumped over the table, his blood slowly dripping on the top. The slow dripping sound was a bit... unnerving. Then his form suddenly trembled, and he pushed himself up.

His face was still bloody. It honestly made Goro's insides squirm a little. It was like he was in a horror movie or something.

"Was it worth it, Akechi? My blood staining your hands… for the sake of revenge?" he rasped out.

"Shut up! You—you were in the way!" Goro yelled at him.

"It's nothing but excuses," Amamiya calmly reflected, his eyes like steel. "You keep running away from the truth."

Goro couldn't help but stumble back at his retort, staring with wide eyes.

Then Amamiya's form suddenly shifted, and his surroundings melted away. Goro's stomach clenched at the realization that he was standing in his childhood bedroom.

"Goro."

It was his mother.

But she stared at him with eyes filled with sadness. Her expression was disappointed. Suddenly her eyes brimmed with tears.

"Goro... this isn't worth it," she said tearfully, before a single tear rolled down her cheek. "Not for me. All of these people's lives destroyed... I just wanted you to live your life happily."

Goro opened his mouth but nothing came out. He wanted to explain that he was doing this, because Shido had wrecked both of their lives. But he couldn't speak.

Then... she faded away.

"Mom!" Goro yelled out, lunging for her.

But he grasped nothing but air.

"Mom…" he whispered, his voice unexpectedly cracking.

But suddenly, Ken's voice filled the air.

"Would your mother want this for you? To be obsessed with avenging her?"

"Shut up!" Goro yelled, clamping his hands over his ears. "You don't know how I feel! I have to avenge her!"

But the words grew louder and louder, vibrating in his skull. Goro sank to his knees.

"Shut up! SHUT UP! This isn't true!"

---

Goro woke up in a cold sweat, panting and gasping.

"It was just a dream... it was just a dream," Goro chanted to himself.

He stumbled over to the cabinet where he kept his album of pictures of his mother. His fingers trembled for a moment as he fumbled with it, but he managed to open it.

The album started with pictures of his mother when she was younger, even featuring some pictures before he entered her life. But further into the album, you could see the growing exhaustion and stress in her eyes. Even though it was... painful to look at it sometimes, it also served as a reminder to Goro.

Everything he had been working towards, it was for her.

He stared at the pictures.

"This is for you..." he mumbled out, before tracing his mother's face in one photo. "Shido has to pay. Y-You understand, right?"

He just couldn't comprehend why Ken didn't understand. Shido had ruined so many lives! He was trying to do what the Phantom Thieves had been doing. He wanted revenge on that bastard.

He was going to give what Shido wanted, and yank it all away from him. He wanted Shido to realize what he had done. He had created this.

If he had just swallowed his damn pride and married Goro's mother, none of this would've happened. He couldn't wait for that day for Shido to receive his comeuppance.

"I'll avenge you, Mom. No matter what," he vowed.

He had to push Sakura and Okumura out of his head. Kunikazu Okumura was a piece of shit, anyways. He had it coming. And Wakaba Isshiki—she could've prevented her death so easily if she had just given Shido what he wanted. And Amamiya was just another obstacle. He was probably going to die one way or another for being in Shido's way. If anything, Goro did him a favor. The death he granted him was much quicker than what some of Shido's little goons would have done.

It wasn't his fault.

He was so close. He was so close to finally giving Shido hell for everything he's done.

Then his mother could finally rest in peace.

---

Thursday, December 1st, 2016

---

You would think that getting to skip school was something fun. But no, Ren was bored—bored to tears. You could play only so much video games. Or read books. Or watch TV. The list went on, but eventually you exhaust your options.

Ren let out an exasperated groan. He wish he could sneak out to see someone but he didn't want to draw attention to himself. It was a vicious cycle.

Morgana sighed from where he was lounging on Ren's bed. "Ren, stop pacing. It's bad for your leg."

"It's mostly better now, Morgana," Ren said absentmindedly.

Takemi's medicine was really top-notch. Though Ren suspected that Ken's healing had also helped speed up the healing process.

"Mostly doesn't mean better," Morgana said sharply, shooting Ren a glare.

He just held up his hands in surrender.

"Okay, okay, jeez. You don't have to nag, Mom." He then paused and snickered. "Hey, maybe we should call you Mom-na in the Metaverse."

This suggestion was met with an annoyed stare.

"That was just awful, Ren."

Ren just grinned. He couldn't help but feel a little better. Maybe he just needed to pick on Morgana more, to make him feel better.

"I don't see you denying things," Ren teased, a grin tugging at his lips.

Morgana glowered at him.

"I'm now ignoring you. Though really—you could use this time to study. You will be returning to school at some point and you'll regret it if you don't keep up."

Ren grumbled to himself. He supposed Morgana had a point. But self-studying was just... not working. Even if Shujin's student population overall sucked, he couldn't help but miss it. Plus Anne's presence made things a little brighter at the very least.

"Hey-hey!" Anne greeted him cheerfully, as if his thoughts had summoned her.

Ren turned, smiling at her. "Hey yourself, beautiful."

Anne blushed at the compliment, before mumbling out a thanks. She then leaned up, cupping his face in both of her hands, before pressing her lips against his. Ren smiled against her lips for a moment before returning the kiss. It was just a brief kiss though, since Morgana was still in the room.

"How was school today?" he asked playfully once they had come up for air.

Anne scrunched up her nose in distaste. "Ugh, so boring. It's no fun without you there."

Ren grinned in response. "Is Ryuji suddenly chopped liver?"

Anne rolled her eyes at him. "Ryuji is in a different class, so I only really see him during before and after school and during lunch."

"There's Mishima too," Ren pointed out.

"Mishima-kun still gets nervous around me."

"That's because you're so beautiful that he's left speechless," Ren said with a grin.

Anne wrinkled her nose at him but she didn't do anything else. Normally she would've done something more, like smacking his shoulder or playfully pushing at him.

"Like you back on the first day of school?" she fired back, before giving his chest a small poke with her index finger.

Ren felt his cheeks grow warm. The way he gawked at Anne—like he had never seen a girl before—hadn't been his best moment.

He jumped as he suddenly felt something prod his cheek.

"Gotcha!" Anne said in a sing-song voice, looking rather pleased with herself before she giggled.

The sound was like music to his ears, so Ren couldn't help but grin.

"Even your ears are turning red!" she teased with an impish smile, her eyes shining with happiness.

"Oh shut up!" Ren couldn't help himself though, as he started to laugh.

But Anne then reached into her bag, pulling out a DVD.

"I get it if you've got plans to hang out with someone else but I was thinking—"

Ren just smiled before dipping his head to press a light kiss against her forehead.

"I've always got time for you, Anne."

Anne beamed at him, before she gave him a quick hug.

"Thank you!"

Anne brought some snacks, so they settled in a couple of chairs after Ren popped in the DVD. Morgana slipped out in order to give them some privacy. Normally during their binge sessions, Anne would've inched close until she was sitting in his lap, but she refrained from doing so. She held Ren's hand in her lap though, absentmindedly rubbing circles in the back of it.

"Is something on your mind?" he asked.

Anne was acting a little... off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

Anne suddenly started at that. "Uh well... a lot honestly."

Ren grabbed the remote and shut off the TV.

Anne giggled nervously. "Are we really doing this now?"

"Well, you're here already." Ren attempted to give her a playful smile.

Anne was quiet, twirling one finger around her pigtail.

"Well... it's a mix of things. There's the election. I had just moved back to Japan the year the election happened last time, so I didn't really notice it before. But I can't help but feel hyperaware of this election. And there's missing you at Shujin. And there's..."

She suddenly trailed off before her shoulders hunched over. She peeked up at him. Ren reached out, squeezing her knee to encourage her to say it.

She finally confessed, "I've been so worried about you. Thinking about you running around Shido's Palace just makes me sick with anxiety..."

He frowned. Ren didn't mean to make Anne worry for him so much. He reached out, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.

"I'm not fragile, Anne, I promise."

"That's not what I mean!" Anne said, waving her hands at him. "I just—ugh! I wanted to wring Shido's goons' necks for hurting you so badly. But it got me thinking... would you be okay in the Palace? Last time we just explored the place. But we'll be fighting Shadows and everything."

Ren kissed the top of her head, before breathing in Anne's scent for a moment. It was relaxing.

"I'll be fine, Anne. Is my leg entirely better? I hate to admit it but no. However I have to do this. I won't overdo things, I promise. I rather not have Makoto yell at me for doing something stupid."

"Well you'd deserve it if you pushed yourself too hard after everything we've talked about," Anne said, a touch of sass in her voice.

"Hey, you're supposed to be on my side!" Ren pretended to pout.

Anne just giggled before lightly touching his jaw. She then reached up, kissing him for a moment.

"I may be your girlfriend but I think I'm well in my rights to tell you if you're doing something dumb."

Ren grumbled out, "Meanie."

"You'll live," Anne shot back before flashing him a playful smile.

"And another thing, Anne..."

When Anne looked to him in confusion, Ren then clarified.

"You don't have to handle me like I'll shatter like glass. You sometimes act like you're afraid that anything more than a slight touch will break me into two."

Anne was quiet, chewing on her bottom lip.

"I didn't want to hurt you," she said softly.

"And I'm telling you that I'll be fine."

To prove his point, he pulled her into his lap. He made sure to have her on his knee of his good leg.

"Well, if you insist." Anne sighed then her cheeks turned pink, "I have missed our cuddling sessions."

"Just cuddling?" Ren couldn't resist teasing her.

Anne waggled a finger at him, pulling a face at him. "Keep this up, mister—and you're never getting anything more from me again."

"Perish the thought!" Ren mock-gasped.

Anne then turned her head, kissing him.

"Then don't push your luck," she said teasingly.

"Okay, okay, I'll be good."

Anne's eyes twinkled in amusement at Ren's proclamation.

"Mm, I doubt that," she said lightly.

"Oh, my lady has so little faith in me," Ren sighed, shaking his head.

Anne laughed, shaking her head. "You're such a goof."

"But I'm your goof."

Anne leaned up, kissing his cheek. "You got that right at least."

"What do you mean at least?!"

Anne patted his cheek with an indulgent smile.

"You're a smart boy. I'm sure you can figure it out," she joked.

"Oh, you're gonna pay for that," Ren growled, as a plan formulated in his head.

"Ohhh?" Anne drawled out.

Ren smiled deviously before lightly tracing his hands against her sides. Anne's eyes widened but it was too late. Ren's smile turned into a grin as he began to tickle her.

"Ren, you're evil!" she cried out, attempting to squirm away from him.

"You asked for it," Ren snickered.

"Evil!" Anne gasped out.

Ren just grinned in response. "Evil tickle master, that's me."

Anne squirmed away from him, tumbling to the ground. She flailed for a moment before latching onto Ren's wrist and dragging him down with her.

Ren winced as they hit the floor. He would rather not do that again.

Anne gasped, her eyes growing wide. "Ren! Are you okay?!"

"Well... I'd rather not have a repeat but—"

"Hey!"

Both of them looked to see that Sojiro had come up, looking unimpressed.

"What the hell are you two up to?" he demanded. "You're making such a ruckus!"

Ren just grinned. "I mean, it's not like we're disturbing customers."

"Ren!" Anne exclaimed.

"Haha, you're hilarious," Sojiro deadpanned before looking to Anne. "Jeez, Anne-chan, how do you put up with his wisecracks?"

"Like you're any better," Ren shot back.

Sojiro scoffed. "Honestly. You two are something else."

"Love you too!" Ren called out to him.

Anne groaned. "We got Boss to actually come up here."

"Aw, come on, it's not like we're doing anything bad," Ren pointed out.

"Nooo, don't jinx us," Anne moaned out.

Ren grinned before slowly getting up. He then grabbed Anne's hand and pulled her up.

"Sorry, but the thought comes to mind."

Anne grumbled, "Whatever! Come on, let's finish our movie!"

She plopped into her empty seat, making a grab for the remote. Ren just chuckled before leaning in to kiss her temple.

"I love you, Anne."

"Hmm?" Anne looked to him in confusion.

Ren shrugged. "I just wanted to say it."

Anne blushed at that. "Well, I love you too."

Ren settled into his chair, turning his attention to the TV as Anne eagerly clicked the remote to resume the movie. He should enjoy this time with Anne since he planned on going into the Palace tomorrow…

---

Friday, December 2nd, 2016

---

"You guys weren't kidding about Shido's Palace." Ken said in surprise.

Ren just quirked an eyebrow, raising an eyebrow at Ken. "Why would we exaggerate?"

"You do have a love of exaggeration, though," Ken said dryly, before rolling his eyes.

Ren opened his mouth to retort, but Makoto let out a delicate cough.

Makoto chided, "Come on, don't start you two. We have to begin our investigation. Let's start with heading back where the central corridor is."

Yusuke nodded. "That was where the doors of the assembly hall were located, so it'd be a good start."

Ren's expression became serious. "Right. But first…"

His eyes swept through the group, his expression growing contemplative. He rubbed his chin.

"Let's go with Skull, Queen, and..."

He hesitated for a moment and his eyes rested on Ken.

"Ace," he said finally.

Ken let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding in. He had suspected that Ren would handle him somewhat… gingerly, so he was glad that Ren had proven him wrong.

Makoto looked like she wanted to protest Ren's decision, however, and Ken fought the urge to sigh. He knew that she was just worried especially with the doctor's verdict, but he would be able to handle himself fine. He was determined to not be a burden to everyone.

Anne nodded, before pumping a fist. "Let's get going then!"

"Shido, we're coming after ya!" Ryuji declared.

Makoto scolded, "Hey, Skull, don't be reckless! This is our biggest target, so we mustn't take him lightly!"

"Ugh, you can be such a killjoy…" Ryuji grumbled under his breath.

Ren just laughed, before gesturing for them to follow him.

They followed him inside, until a great big door with lions carved into them came into view.

"Is that the great assembly hall?" Ken asked.

Makoto nodded. "Yes, that's right."

Futaba pulled a face. "You should've heard the crap we heard last time... everyone basically agreed to whatever Shido proposed."

Yusuke shuddered. "Japan would become a dictatorship under Shido's rule."

"We cannot allow that to happen!" Haru interjected.

"And we won't," Ren vowed. "Let's start with tracking down the five VIPs."

"A politician, a former noble, a TV station president, an IT company president, and that cleaner guy!" Futaba quickly summarized for them.

But Ken couldn't help but feel taken aback.

"A... cleaner?"

Morgana shrugged "Don't look at me, that was the intel we got. We decided that will be our last target since it was more vague than the others. We'll probably pick up more info on the way on that one. So, let's focus on the first four Oracle mentioned!"

Huh... Ken couldn't even fathom what exactly this 'cleaner' would be.

"Joker, may I see the map?" Haru asked politely.

Ren nodded before reaching into his coat, and producing a folded piece of paper. Haru carefully opened it, scanning it quickly.

"Hmm... there appears to be a restaurant up ahead," Haru noted.

Yusuke rubbed his chin. "If I recall correctly... that's where the politician should be. We should investigate that."

Ren took the lead, but their progress was slowed down with the Shadows prowling along. Ren hesitated from where he hid from behind a pillar. But then his expression steeled and he suddenly broke into a sprint.

He jumped onto the Shadow's back, before tearing off his mask. But when he jumped back, Ren made a pained grimace.

One Shadow swiped at Ren with her dual swords, but Ken quickly intercepted by summoning Tyr. There was a loud clang as Tyr raised his spear to block the blow. He shoved the Shadow backwards, before making a sweep with his spears. Blades of light formed, striking at the Shadow and her companions, two white lion-like chimeras.

But one of the other Shadows jumped forward, swiping at Ken with one paw. The force was strong enough to send Ken staggering and he smacked into a pillar hard enough that he saw literal stars.

"Ace!" Makoto's voice grew panicked.

"Head in the game, Queen!" Futaba shouted. "Joker needs back-up!"

Ken struggled to sit up but the Shadow was coming after him again. Ken's hand clenched around the shaft of his spear, somehow managing to stab the Shadow right in the face. It roared with pain as black oozed from where Ken had stabbed it.

Ren then summoned Arsène, knocking away the Shadow.

Ken somehow managed to push himself up, using his spear as a crutch. His legs felt like jelly.

"Ace, is there any weaknesses?!" Ren shouted at him.

Ken swallowed hard. His mind was pulling a blank.

Ken shook his head. "Sorry, Joker! I can't—"

"Ace, look out!" Futaba suddenly shrieked.

Ken whipped around; the sword-wielding Shadow had leapt in the air, slashing down. Ken's hands clenched around his spear. He was about to raise his spear to block the blow, when Ryuji beat him to the punch.

"Seiten Taisei!"

A moment later, a colorful Persona came crashing down on the sword wielding Shadow.

Ken took the moment of distraction to summon Tyr again and he unleashed another light spell. Ken winced, as the bright glow caused spots to dance across his vision. But Ren took advantage of the distraction to summon Kushinada-Hime.

With an elegant flick of her wrist, chunks of ice started to form. The lion-like Shadows were knocked down, earning a cheer from both Ryuji and Futaba.

"All right, Joker!" Futaba encouraged.

Ren then looked to Makoto. "Queen, take it!"

Makoto accepted the baton pass before tearing off her mask.

"Anat!" she shouted.

The explosion was strong enough to cause a small earthquake. The Shadows were all eliminated, much to Ken's relief.

"Ace, are you okay?" Makoto all but flew to his side.

"I'm fine, Queen. Don't worry about it," Ken tried to brush it off.

He didn't want his girlfriend to panic over every time he got hurt. It wasn't anything he couldn't handle.

Makoto pressed her lips together before summoning Anat to cast a healing spell.

"Oi, Queen, stop mother-henning," Ryuji interjected.

"I am not mother-henning," Makoto snapped, glowering at Ryuji.

Ryuji opened his mouth to respond but Anne clamped a hand over Ryuji's mouth.

"We should really get to investigating," Yusuke said.

"Yeah, we can't just stand around," Anne agreed before lowering her hand.

Ren nodded. "Yeah. Come on, guys."

Their search led them to a door in the corner.

"What does this sign even say?" Haru asked with a frown.

"It's a members-only restaurant. Ristorante... Elite?" Anne noted, squinting at the sign.

Ryuji looked at her in disbelief. "Dude... Even you can't read it? You're the English girl! It's your thing!"

Anne just narrowed her eyes at Ryuji. "That sign isn't even in English."

"Then what the hell is it?!" Ryuji demanded.

Ren stared at the sign. "I think… its Italian."

"But moving on... the sign says: This restaurant is exclusive to members. Those without a membership card will be rejected," Anne remarked.

"Wait I thought you couldn't read the sign because it's not in English?" Ryuji raised a brow at Anne.

Anne huffed, "The name of the restaurant is Italian! This part of the sign is in English!"

"Oh..." was all Ryuji could say.

Ren shook his head and chuckled.

"Well..." Ren changed the subject. "This is gonna be annoying for us."

"Maybe Mona can pickpocket someone's card," Futaba said with a snicker.

Morgana glared at her. "Hey!"

Ren shrugged. "It's a fair point."

Morgana looked like he wanted to protest, but Ryuji suddenly spoke.

"You gotta be a member just to eat dinner?" Ryuji glared at the sign. "That's such bull."

"Has Mitsuru-san ever attended such a place?" Yusuke asked, looking to Ken.

Ken shrugged.

"I guess? I'm not privy to every restaurant Mitsuru-san goes to."

"Forget it. Let's head inside," Ren said briskly.

"Wait, why?" Makoto asked. "We don't have a card."

Was Ren hoping to ambush the greeter? He hoped not...

"Just follow me," Ren insisted before pushing open the door.

Makoto stared in exasperation, but she begrudgingly began to follow.

"This guy..." Anne sighed, shaking her head.

"Hey, you're the one dating him," Futaba noted with a snicker.

Anne rolled her eyes. "Doesn't mean I can't be annoyed when he does stuff like this."

"I mean, he puts up with your sugar obsession—OW!"

Ryuji yelped as Anne kicked at his shin.

"You never learn, do you, Skull?" Yusuke noted with a raised eyebrow.

"Aw shuddup!" was all Ryuji could retort with.

Ryuji was honestly lucky that Anne didn't stomp on people's feet like Yukari did. He'd be keeping that little tidbit to himself, though.

"Come on," Ken said firmly.

Not waiting for Ryuji to argue, Ken grabbed Ryuji by the arm and dragged him inside. They found themselves in a hallway.

They hastened to catch up with Ren.

The greeter was speaking to Ren. "Please present your membership card now."

"Won't you make an exception please?" Ren said in a pleading voice. "My family has been a longtime supporter of Shido-san, and someone stole our card."

The waiter sighed. "I apologize sir. I sympathize... but we cannot allow you in without a card. Perhaps you can speak to Mr. Shido for a replacement?"

Huh. So that was what Ren's angle was.

Ren sighed. "Okay, I understand. Thank you."

Ren gestured for them to head back outside.

Morgana then looked up at Ren. "So that was your game?"

Ren sighed. "It was worth a shot. Too bad it didn't work."

"It wasn't a bad strategy though," Makoto noted.

"Maybe we need to ask around?" Haru suggested. "There are a lot of people around here... someone has to know about the membership card."

Yusuke sighed. "I hope you're right, Noir."

They started asking around, but didn't get anything substantial.

Ken noticed Ren start to take off in a different direction, he was walking rather fast. Something must have caught his eye so Ken followed behind. Ren crept closer to a well-dressed duo. The male out of the two seemed to be patting his pockets for some reason.

A couple of the others followed after him, but everyone not being too close together to not draw too much attention. Even in a place where everyone wore masks, they all still stood out a bit.

The woman tilted her head. "Is something the matter? You have been acting rather finicky."

The masked man looked to his female companion. "Oh, it seems I've dropped my card for the restaurant somewhere around here..."

She tittered at that. "My, my. You won't be able to dine there without it. Have you tried consulting the staff?"

He shook his head. "Haha, not yet. I doubt there's any need to worry though. I'll try asking around the bars later. I know Mr. Shido personally, so I'm sure he'll issue me another if I can't find mine."

She laughed, her voice turning flattering. "Oh, how wonderful! I didn't know you had such lofty connections! No wonder you exude such dignity!"

Ken scrunched his nose then rolled his eyes. This was really reminding him of Mitsuru-san's 'peers'. They all liked to play the game of sucking up.

Okay not every single one of them was bad, but Ken found the lot of them tended to be stuck-up and... pretentious. However the information they gave was just what they needed to hear.

Ren expression became triumphant, before he gestured for them to walk away.

"You hear that?" he asked.

Anne nodded eagerly. "Isn't this a good chance for us? He said he dropped his membership card."

"I think it'd be a good idea to check out the bars," Ken mentioned. "He was talking about asking at the bars, so maybe he dropped it there."

Yusuke frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "I am not keen on this, but we may be able to take it from him if we can find it first."

Ken privately agreed with Yusuke but they needed some way to get into the restaurant.

Ryuji nodded enthusiastically. "Hell yeah! He dropped it, so we gotta swoop in n' take it!"

They checked out the nearest bar but the bartender informed them nobody had turned in a card.

"Ah, that's too bad," Makoto said. "Joker, we should—"

"Can I have a drink?" Ren asked.

Before the bartender could respond, Ken grabbed Ren by the arm and dragged him away.

"Hey!" Ren protested. "It was a joke!"

"Sure it was," Ken said flatly.

"Joker, you're underage," Makoto scolded, only to gesture to both Ken and Haru. "We're underage still."

"Besides that, alcohol isn't as great as you think," Ken mumbled under his breath.

When he got shocked looks, Ken just rolled his eyes.

"Shinjiro-san and Fuuka-san would give me a glass on special occasions, like for New Year's. It's not a big deal, plus they always rather me do it where they can keep an eye on me."

"Wait? Fuuka-san? Really? She's like super responsible." Ryuji said, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Also Shinjiro-san is one of the most uptight people I ever met, you mean he loosened up and stopped being so protective of you for five seconds?"

Okay, he knew that Shinjiro-san could be protective but Ryuji was making wrong assumptions about Shinjiro-san. He didn't go ballistic every time Ken got a bruise or something. He used to play soccer after all.

"It's not like that! He just thought it would be better to expose me to it so I don't get it from worse sources, then he can keep an eye on it in moderation! Fuuka-san understood his reasoning!"

"Enough already! This isn't important!" Morgana interjected before turning to Ren. "Come on, Joker, we still need to track down that membership card!"

Ren grumbled. "Right, this is such a pain."

Fortunately, the next bar they checked out did get them the membership card. Though to Ken's annoyance, Ren tried to get a drink again, leading to him physically dragging Ren away a second time.

"That was actually pretty easy. Should it have been that simple?" Makoto wondered aloud as they hurried away from the bar.

"Don't go looking a gift horse in the mouth," Ken muttered. "We could have a lot more trouble getting this."

Ryuji then shrugged. "Who cares? It's all thanks to that dick Shido thinkin' everyone around him is incompetent."

"And you heard what that man said earlier..." Yusuke mused.

"About him being okay with losing his membership because Shido will just give him another?" Anne asked.

When Yusuke nodded, Haru's expression grew troubled.

"So he doesn't believe in anyone..." She then bit her lower lip. "That must be why there are so many membership cards around."

"Well, like Ace said—it's not a bad thing that it went quickly." Futaba then pointed in the direction of the restaurant. "But to the restaurant! Our first letter of recommendation awaits!"

They headed straight for the restaurant, and Ren flashed the membership card at the waiter. They were allowed inside, but the waiter warned them not to sit at a table marked with a blue flower as those tables were reserved for special guests.

"What kind of special guests?" Ryuji grumbled to himself, before shrugging. "Eh, who cares…"

"Skull, don't dismiss it so easily," Yusuke chided with a frown.

"Fox is right," Makoto seconded. "A reserved seat is special information. That may lead us to the politician we're looking for."

Ryuji's expression lit up. "For real?! Let's go, then!"

He turned to run off, but Ken grabbed him by the arm.

"Don't run in guns blazing," Ken admonished. "We need to come up with a plan on how to approach him."

Ryuji grumbled. "Okay, okay, sheesh. By the way, you don't have to grip my arm so hard!"

"We should scope out the area a little bit first," Morgana voiced.

They entered the restaurant. The opulence of the area wasn't surprising—especially since it was clearly exclusive.

Ryuji just stared with wide eyes. Haru giggled.

"A bit much to take in, isn't it, Skull?" she said teasingly.

Ryuji smiled sheepishly before he rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry. I just can't get enough of this place! And oh man, the food! It's gotta be out of this world!"

"Are you seriously thinking with your stomach now?!" Morgana scolded.

"Please compose yourself, Skull..." Haru chided.

"Okay, okay, sorry!" Ryuji said, before he let out a nervous chuckle.

Ken couldn't help but wonder if Ryuji was hungry right now. Maybe that's why he was thinking about the restaurant's food right now.

"Ah, that must be the table," Yusuke spoke up.

The table in the center of the room was already set, even with a bottle of red wine. And in the center of the table sat a glass vase with a tall blue flower.

"Oh, what a beautiful snapdragon!" Haru gasped.

"Getting off topic here, Noir," Morgana scolded.

"Oh right..." Haru smiled sheepishly.

Makoto folded her arms over her chest, closing her eyes for a moment as she thought.

"Why don't we have a seat at the table next to it and wait for him?" she suggested. "I can go. He may become guarded if we go in a big group."

"Shouldn't you get backup in case things go south?" Ren asked.

"Oh I see your point…"

Makoto rubbed her chin, before she turned to Ryuji all of the sudden.

"Would you like to accompany me? After all, you did seem interested in the food already," she remarked with a wry smile.

Ryuji flushed. "Uh... I guess. If you don't mind."

Makoto just grabbed his arm before she looked at Ryuji with equal parts of exasperation and fondness.

"Come on, let's go then."

She then proceeded to pull Ryuji towards a table right by the marked table.

"But shouldn't it be..." Haru suddenly trailed off.

Ken raised an eyebrow—he could guess what Haru was thinking.

"Just because we're dating?"

Haru fidgeted for a moment. "Uh well... there was... you know..."

For a moment, Ken was confused. Then it clicked, and Ken's face started to heat up.

This was about him punching Niijima-san's cognition of Akechi, wasn't it?

"Ryuji is not some cognition that will try and get frisky with her!" Ken insisted.

"Frisky... cognition?" Yusuke blinked in confusion.

Everyone was now staring at him.

"Why did I say that? Really—frisky?!" Ken mentally berated himself.

"N-Nothing! Forget I said anything!" Ken quickly denied, even as his blush darkened.

Ren smirked, folding his arms over his chest. Ken really wanted to smack that smirk off his face.

"Sounds like you have an interesting story to tell," Ren said smugly.

"Not important right now!" Ken glared.

"Sure... I'll make you tell later," Ren teased.

Haru just giggled.

"Oh don't worry Ace, Panther and I smacked him around anyway."

Yusuke tilted his head. "The frisky cognition was Akechi?"

"Can we change the subject!?" Ken exclaimed in a huff.

"Agreed… you should keep alert as well," Morgana added in a hushed voice.

He nodded in the direction of Makoto and Ryuji.

Ryuji and Makoto were speaking to Ooe—well, it was mostly Makoto talking. They weren't close enough to hear the conversation, but apparently something Ooe said alarmed both Makoto and Ryuji. He couldn't help but wonder what it was.

But then Makoto regained her composure, her expression becoming steely. Something she said seemed to have taken Ooe aback.

"Just what did Queen say?!" Haru said.

Yusuke tensed before resting his hand on the hilt of his katana.

"Prepare yourselves... things are going to take a nasty turn," he warned.

Ooe's form began to tremble, before he transformed into an eight-headed snake.

Ken's eyes widened with shock. It turned into a Shadow! They knew from past experience some cognitions can be hostile, but Shadows and cognitions were different!

"Guys!" Makoto called out to them.

He could worry about that later, Makoto and Ryuji needed backup. They jumped into action, rushing to join the two.

"Joker, I don't remember its weakness but I think its affinity is ice!" Ken said.

"Ice, huh?" Ren nodded. "Panther, stay in the back—"

The Shadow suddenly struck, lashing out.

"Joker!" Anne shrieked before tackling him to the ground.

They rolled for a moment, before Ren gave a hiss of pain.

"Dammit, this thing is way too fast!" Ryuji complained.

"Don't complain, Skull, we still gotta take it down!" Morgana barked.

Morgana then summoned Zorro, who slashed at the Shadow with his rapier. The winds Zorro's rapier whipped up were strong enough to push back the Shadow slightly.

Ren grimaced as Anne rolled off him.

"Skull, Fox, I need you to act as buffer. Ace, Noir—keep him on the defense with gun attacks! Mona, Panther, Queen—you're with me!"

It was still frustrating though, even with Skull and Fox trying to bait the Shadow so everyone else could attack it.

Futaba yelped out, "Be careful, he's charging up for an attack!"

Ken looked to the Shadow. There was a blue glow shimmering around its form, like it was charging up for a magic spell.

Ryuji and Yusuke summoned their Personas, attacking the Shadow in tandem. But the Shadow swept their Personas aside, like they were nothing but annoying flies.

This was getting really frustrating with the Shadow's long reach.

Anne suddenly darted forward, whip in hand. She cracked it before the whip wound tightly around one of the eight heads.

"Fox, Skull—one of you get this for me!" she yelled at them.

The Shadow thrashed wildly, but Anne held steadfast. She clung to the whip's handle with both hands. They were essentially playing tug-o-war, but the Shadow was slowly winning. Yusuke quickly summoned Kamu Susano-o, and neatly sliced off the head.

"Good thinking, Panther!" Makoto exclaimed.

But the Shadow didn't like that. The nearest head struck at Anne, sending her flying into a nearby table.

"Panther!" Ren yelled.

"Joker, stay put!" Ken snapped. "I'll make sure she's okay!"

Ren looked torn but he slowly nodded.

Ken rushed to Anne, slowly pulling her up in a sitting position. She let out a pained groan, slowly blinking her eyes at Ken. Her eyes were bleary.

Ken then leaned Anne against his torso before reaching up to tear off his mask. He kinda wished that he was able to summon without his mask more easily but he didn't want to push it.

"He's really boosting his power! Watch out guys!" Futaba suddenly warned.

A blue glow surrounded Anne as Tyr cast Diaharan on her.

"Panther, can you hear me?" Ken asked, feeling a little anxious as he held onto her shoulders.

"Ngggh…" Anne groaned before looking to Ken.

Relief flooded Ken as Anne blinked up at him, her eyes no longer hazy.

"Panther, Ace—look out!" Futaba suddenly screeched at them.

Without thinking, Ken shoved Anne to the ground and shielded her with his body.

Normally, Ken could easily brush off the cold. But the Bufudyne spell that had struck him was mind numbingly cold, cold enough to reach him right down to his bones. It was as powerful as a charmed Mitsuru-san hitting him with a Bufudyne.

For a moment, he thought he blacked out. But someone calling for him pulled him out of it.

"Ace! Ace!"

The haze surrounding his mind was suddenly pierced. It was Anne calling for him.

Ken's eyes snapped open to see that Anne had rolled him onto his back. But it was Makoto crouched over him. Anat hovered above her as she cast Diaharan.

"I... I'm fine," he managed to get out.

"Oh thank God!" Anne gasped. "I nearly had a heart attack when you took that attack for me!"

Ken just smiled weakly before pushing himself into a sitting position.

"That was utterly reckless of you though, Ace!" Makoto scolded, her eyes flaring with anger.

Anne shot Makoto a look. "Queen..."

"It's true!" Makoto said hotly, a hand balling into a fist.

"It's nothing different than Skull throwing himself at Joker to protect him from a hit," Anne pointed out. "It happens, Queen. Nothing to get worked up about."

"But—"

Ken reached out, touching Makoto's clenched up fist. Makoto started at his touch.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worried," he mumbled out.

But a loud crash suddenly grabbed their attention. Makoto's expression steeled before she rose to her feet. She grasped Ken's hand while doing so, pulling him up.

Ren was forcing the Shadow back with back-up from Haru. Anne ran to join them, summoning Hecate to blast powerful flames at the Shadow.

Haru suddenly summoned Milady. With a sweep of her fan, she summoned a blast of psychic energy that sent the Shadow flying backwards. Instead of recovering quickly like how the Shadow had brushed off most attacks, it swayed woozily.

"Nice, Noir!" Futaba crowed.

"Joker, let's end our opponent, once and for all!" Haru cried out.

Ren nodded, signaling everyone to rush the Shadow. Unfortunately, the Shadow managed to withstand their assault.

"Jeez, this Shadow is really annoying," Futaba grumbled.

"At least we have its weakness figured out now," Morgana interjected.

"Noir, I want you to stand back," Ren suddenly instructed. "Hit it with another psy spell when you see an opening."

Then Ren turned to Ken, Ryuji, and Yusuke.

"Skull, Fox, Ace—I want you to try and bait the Shadow so it doesn't have a chance to hit Noir. Queen, Panther, and Mona—you're with me. We need to make sure that Noir has openings to get the Shadow."

"Right!"

Ken, Ryuji, and Yusuke rushed forward.

"Hey, snake breath! Over here!" Ryuji hollered at the Shadow.

"Jeez, only you would do this, Skull," Futaba suddenly snarked.

But the Shadow just hissed in response. Then it began to glow. A purple ray shot from the Shadow and struck Ken. Ken suddenly felt woozy.

"Ace, your defense is down! Be careful!" Futaba warned.

"Oh great," Ken couldn't help but grumble.

"Wreck 'em, Seiten Taisei!" Ryuji bellowed before ripping off his mask.

Electricity crackled around the storm cloud that Ryuji's Persona was perched on for a moment, before lightning exploded from it. The Shadow hissed in pain, but Yusuke and Ken took the opportunity to attack—Kamu Susano-o launching a physical attack while Tyr blasted an attack from his gun.

"Mona, I require some assistance so I may be airborne!" Yusuke called out.

"Typical Inari," Futaba grumbled.

But Morgana indulged Yusuke, launching him in the air. Yusuke slashed downwards with his katana. Ken raised his hand, tearing off his mask.

Tyr appeared with a flash. His arm cannon blasted a gun attack at the Shadow, making it hiss in pain once more.

The Shadow was pushed backwards from the dual assault, so Ken took the opportunity to launch a second attack. Tyr swung his spear and blades of lights burst to life, slamming into the Shadow.

The temperature abruptly dropped as the Shadow launched a Bufudyne spell. Ken and Ryuji scrambled to dodge it. Since Yusuke's element was ice, he had nothing to worry about. But when Ken jumped backwards, the floor suddenly froze. Ken ended up slipping on the ice, landing hard. The next thing he knew the Shadow smacked him, and he was sent flying backwards.

He hit a table hard and Ken literally saw stars for a moment.

"ACE!" Futaba shrieked.

Ken's vision was spinning. He clutched at his head, trying to get his bearings again but his head was hurting too much. He knew that he had to get up because he'd be easy pickings if he just stayed put. But he was hit with an intense wave of vertigo.

"Ace, look out!" Haru cried out to him.

"Skull, Fox—cover Ace!" Ren was shouting orders. "Wait—dammit Queen! They got it! Get back here!"

He was vaguely aware of Ryuji and Yusuke calling on their Personas to try and distract the Shadow.

"It's charging up its next spell!" Futaba cried out. "Look out, guys!"

Someone suddenly threw themselves at Ken, knocking the breath out of him. They rolled for a moment, just barely stopping right in front of the wall. It took Ken a moment to register that it was Makoto.

"Queen?" Ken mumbled out.

"Can you get up, Ace?" she asked.

"Ace, Queen, move!" Futaba snapped at them. "It's coming after you!"

Before either of them could react, the Shadow lashed out. Makoto shoved Ken away from her before the Shadow struck her and she hit the wall hard.

For a moment Ken's mind went blank even as Futaba shrieked out Makoto's codename.

When would he stop being a liability to those he cared about? If he hadn't had trouble with fighting, then this would've never happened.

A wave of flames struck the Shadow, making it rear back. Ken pushed himself up to sit up, before crawling over to Makoto. He cradled her in his arms for a moment before he summoned Tyr to cast Samarecarm.

"Come on... come on..." he pleaded, unable to stop the desperation from creeping in his voice.

Guilt flooded him, making his stomach squirm. She was out cold, unconscious because of him.

But then his disbelief was suddenly replaced by anger. Why was he so weak? That Makoto felt that she needed to throw herself in danger for his sake?

Makoto let out a low moan of pain before her eyes fluttered open. Her eyes were glazed over. Then she suddenly clutched her head.

"Too bright..." she mumbled out, before she pressed a hand against her temple.

Too bright? What was she talking about?

Haru suddenly nailed the Shadow with another psy spell and his friends managed to defeat the Shadow for good. Even they now had the letter of recommendation they had sought, Ken didn't feel victorious. He had made things worse, because Makoto was hurt… somehow.

Makoto had been worried for him. He shouldn't have dismissed it. Maybe he should've insisted that Morgana take his place on the active team.

Then Makoto might've felt a little better about the situation.

Or maybe he should've done something to train his reflexes better. Anything would've been better than this.

"Ace! How's Queen?" Ryuji demanded as his friends rushed to him.

Makoto just curled into Ken's arms.

"Too loud..." she mumbled out.

Ren frowned before crouching in front of Ken, his eyes affixed on Makoto.

"Ace, what's the matter with Queen?" he asked, keeping his voice low.

"I don't know... she kinda clutched her head like she had a headache. And she mentioned something being 'too bright'."

"A… migraine?" Futaba tentatively suggested.

"Did… Queen hit her head earlier?" Ren asked cautiously.

"I… I don't know," Ken admitted.

It had just happened too fast. He couldn't tell.

Ren rubbed his chin before letting out a sigh. "I think if she did… she might have a concussion."

"A concussion?" Ken repeated, dread making his stomach twist into knots.

He did this to her.

"Stupid! Ugh, I'm so stupid! Why didn't I just say no earlier?" he berated himself, squeezing his eyes shut as hot tears began to sting at his eyes.

"Is Queen gonna be okay though?" Futaba asked, a frown forming on her face.

Ren nodded, giving Futaba a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. A concussion can be debilitating, but nothing serious."

"Yeah, she's not bleeding or anything!" Ryuji said.

Ken couldn't help but shudder, as he unwilling recalled the way how Akihiko-san and Minako-san desperately tried to staunch the blood flow from Shinjiro-san's injury.

While this wasn't nearly as serious, he couldn't help but feel like a failure. He still needed protection.

"Come on, Ace, don't blame yourself," Anne pleaded.

He knew that she was trying to be soothing but Ken wasn't looking to be consoled right now. Ken blinked his tears away before looking up at Ren.

"Joker, I want you to take me off the active team," he said flatly.

Ren stared hard at him, his expression unreadable.

"Request denied."

"Wh—What?" Ken got out. "I was a liability! Queen got hurt because of me."

"You're not a liability, Ace," Ren snapped. "Why are you thinking this? Because you got smacked into a table? Panther was victim to the same thing."

"And you threw yourself in danger's way because of me," Anne seconded.

Ken argued, "That's different! I didn't get a concussion out of it!"

"It's not. Ace, you're just being too hard on yourself—" Yusuke began, his voice consoling.

"I'm not!" Ken's voice unexpectedly cracked. "Queen had been worried about me going back into battle since I got back, and I ignored it! And she got hurt because of me! The situation with Panther is not comparable!"

He couldn't stop the what-ifs from running in his head...

"Ace, you gotta breathe," Ryuji said before flicking a glance at Ren. "I think it'd be a good idea to take Queen back to the safe room we found. Ace can patch her up there."

"Oh, that's a good idea actually. Especially for you," Morgana said, looking surprised.

Ryuji looked irritated at the backhanded compliment but before he could make a retort, Haru suddenly spoke up.

"Maybe, we could scout around the area for clues about the second VIP in the meantime," Haru suggested tentatively.

Ren nodded in approval. "I think that's a good idea, Noir."

"I wouldn't mind carrying Queen—" Yusuke began to offer, but Ken shook his head.

"No," Ken said, his grasp on Makoto tightening. "It's fine. I can carry her."

The walk to the safe room was quiet. Ryuji held the door open and they filed inside.

Ken sat down, holding Makoto in his arms. Morgana let out an awkward cough.

"We'll check back in soon," he said awkwardly.

Futaba grabbed Ken's arm, tugging at it. "U-Um, Queen wouldn't want you to blame yourself, Ace..."

"Too late..." Ken thought with a sigh, but he forced a smile. "I'll try not to, Oracle."

He already had a near meltdown earlier. He shouldn't worry Futaba even more.

Ren then approached, handing Ken some medicine.

"Here. Use this to help take care of Queen."

"Thanks," Ken muttered. "But Joker—"

Ren shook his head. "I'm not letting you punish yourself for this, Ace. We're a team. We're supposed to look after each other. Queen may be your girlfriend, but she's also your teammate. She was just trying to protect you."

Haru squeezed Ken's shoulder. "It'll be okay, Ace. You're one of our best healers. Queen will be good as new thanks to you."

Ken pressed his lips together. His friends didn't seem to grasp that he felt like a screw-up.

He hardly registered what Yusuke and Ryuji said to encourage him before leaving with Haru, Futaba, and Morgana.

Anne suddenly snagged Ren by the arm, whispering something to him. Ren blinked, looking confused. He glanced back at Ken and then to Anne. He whispered something back to her but Anne just gave a nod and smiled. Ren nodded too. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving the safe room.

Ken looked warily at Anne. She obviously had something to say.

"I would've done the same for Joker, Ace," she said softly. "More than once, to protect him. I'm sure Queen feels the same way especially since she went with the group to rescue you. Maybe stronger than me. She—"

Anne suddenly froze, before letting out a delicate cough.

"She cares about you a lot. More than I think you realize. You acted as her rock even with the... trouble with her sister. So, it's not a surprise to me that she would throw herself in danger because of that."

Ken remained silent; he didn't know how to respond to that.

"And... don't be so hard on yourself," Anne said softly, reaching out to touch Ken's shoulder. "I know you've been through a lot and you want to contribute like you always do. It's okay to not be at your full strength right now though."

But then her expression became conflicted as she drew her hand away.

"But that's not why you wanted to be taken off the active team. Joker saw that too, and that's why he refused you earlier. It's okay to be upset that Queen got hurt for your sake. I know that you hate feeling like you're a burden but Queen did it because she wanted to protect you."

Ken heaved out a sigh. "I'm just tired of people I care about getting hurt... because of me."

Anne suddenly reached out, smacking the back of his head. Ken yelped in pain before shooting her a glare.

"What was that for?" he asked hotly.

Anne just rolled her eyes at him, putting her hands on her hips.

"Why is it okay for you to throw yourself in danger for me then?" she asked, her voice scolding. "Or what about Oracle? And I know it's not because you have it in your head that girls are innocent sweet flowers that need protection all the time."

Ken grumbled to himself. He had no comeback for that.

Anne just sighed, looking hard at him. "Just think about what I have to say, okay? And…"

She hesitated for a moment before wrapping an arm around herself.

"Don't feel bad about missing the signs. I've been in your shoes before."

"Panther..." Ken said quietly.

Anne forced a brittle smile on her face. "But things worked out in the end. You and Queen should talk things out when she's feeling better."

She then cleared her throat, before toying with her hair. Ken couldn't help but feel guilty. He had completely forgot about what happened with Anne and Suzui-san.

"I need to go catch up with the others. I'll see you soon, Ace."

He sighed, looking down at Makoto. She was still not doing well. He'd have to see about healing her right away.

---

This area was a damn maze. Just looking at the hallways with the map was giving Ren a headache.

Ren sighed heavily, rubbing a temple. "Let's take a break, guys."

He then folded the map, tucking it inside his jacket.

"Though, Skull..." Morgana suddenly said, "Was there something Ooe said to you and Queen? You two looked really shocked."

Ryuji frowned as he thought. Then realization suddenly dawned in his eyes.

"Oh shit... that..."

"Well, don't keep us waiting!" Anne said impatiently.

Ryuji's frown deepened. "Okay so, according to the Ooe dude, even Kobayakawa was caught up in Shido's crazy conspiracy."

"For real?" Futaba uttered.

Ryuji nodded furiously. "Seriously! Like, he tried to leak Shido's name apparently."

"Wait, that's right..." Ren frowned heavily. "I think he died on the way to the police station."

"So Shido could've been arrested if he didn't order Kobayakawa to have a mental shutdown." Yusuke said.

Haru shuddered. "It just shows how ruthless Shido is."

Anne frowned, wrapping an arm around herself. "That explains why Kobayakawa was so desperate to use Queen to find us though. He wanted to keep ahold of his position as part of Shido's circle."

"That ain't all either. Apparently Ooe was the one who wanted the subway guy to have a psychotic breakdown," Ryuji said.

"Whaaaat?!" Anne squeaked out. "That's crazy! That incident got so many people hurt too!"

Ren nodded. If he remembered right, there were eighty people caught up in that incident too. Young couples, children, the elderly. It sickened him that Shido would order this kind of thing.

Not to mention the man who made it all possible.

Ren just couldn't understand Akechi's reasoning. Even if it was to avenge his mom, this was just too high of a price to pay.

"Figures that Shido would rub elbows with someone like that," Morgana said, pulling a face.

"There is something that's bugging me though…" Anne suddenly voiced.

When everyone looked to her in surprise, she just wrapped an arm around herself. A small frown formed on her face.

"Even though that politician was cognition, he turned into a monster. Up until Kaneshiro's Palace, cognitive beings were nothing more than weak presences."

"Oh that's a good point. I mean, there was Oracle's mother and Queen's sister's cognition of their dad too but…" Ren trailed off.

"We might've fought 'im but he still didn't turn into a Shadow," Ryuji finished for him.

"Hmm..." Morgana seemed deep in thought, his blue eyes glazed over.

"Is something the matter, Mona-chan?" Haru asked.

"I have a theory but... I'm not sure how plausible it is." He then narrowed his eyes. "I think that wasn't even a cognition."

"Oracle, do you have any idea?" Ren asked, turning to her. "I know you read your mom's research so…"

Futaba touched her chin as she thought. "It's weird because the readings were kinda wonky. Like it read mostly as a Shadow. Maybe it was like... a skin?"

Morgana frowned in response. "I've never seen anything like that before... such power is normally impossible."

"Wait, what do you mean skin?" Anne asked.

"You mean a Shadow combined with a cognition?" Morgana inquired.

Futaba frowned but nodded, "Kind of... I guess? It's weird but the best way I can describe it is a Shadow wearing a cognitive skin... if that makes any sense."

Haru's eyes lit up. "Oh! Do you think that when he did, he took the results of Oracle's mother's research for his own purposes?"

Futaba clenched both hands into fists. "Shido! You're gonna pay for twisting Mom's research like that! She wanted to help people with her research! How dare you abuse my mom's work!"

"Oracle..." Anne sighed.

Ren stepped closer to Futaba, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"We'll make sure he pays, Oracle. I swear that he'll pay for every wrongdoing he's committed and for every last life he's stomped over for his quest for power," he promised.

"I'm so ready to kick his ass!" Ryuji said, vigorously nodding.

"We still have a long way to go though," Yusuke stated.

Ryuji's head drooped. "Don't be a buzzkill, Fox!"

"I mean, Fox is just being practical," Haru pointed out. But then she pumped a fist. "Though you and Joker are right. Shido needs to pay for what he's done!"

"We still should take caution, though," Morgana piped up. "For all we know, Shido could have some other kind of hidden tricks that allows him to tamper with his own Palace."

Ren grimaced, before his hand clenched into a fist.

"Shido... wherever you are—I hope you realize your days are numbered. We'll take you down, no matter what," he swore to himself.

"Joker! Let's go check up on Queen and Ace," Anne suggested.

Haru nodded. "I hope Queen is feeling better."

As they walked back to the safe room, Anne walked briskly so she was walking right by Ren's side.

"Something on your mind?"

Anne was quiet for a moment before slipping her hand into his, intertwining their fingers together.

"Joker... would you be this upset if I was in Queen's shoes?"

The question took Ren taken aback.

"Well, I'd prefer it if it was me getting hurt instead of you," Ren admitted.

Anne sighed, shaking her head.

"It's not that I don't think you can't take care of yourself," Ren said hastily. "It just... hurts to see the one you love throw themselves into danger like that."

He could sympathize with Ken's distress, even if he refused to let Ken punish himself by removing himself from the fight.

"I love you. I don't want you to get hurt, especially after everything you had to endure," Anne said softly.

"Hopefully the fights will get better," Ren sighed.

He couldn't help but feel like a liability. He tried not to move a whole lot as he knew it wasn't the best for his leg.

Anne squeezed his hand. "Don't forget we have your back. I know that you're crazily versatile with your gazillion Personas, but let us take the charge if you need it, okay?"

Ren smiled at her before squeezing her hand back. "Okay."

Anne looked pleased, but suddenly Ryuji yelled at them to hurry up. Which then led to Morgana to start scolding him.

Ren tugged Anne forward. "Come on, let's go before Skull and Mona really get into it."

"When do they not get into it?" Anne grumbled.

But she picked up her pace and they hurried to diffuse the bickering between their two friends.

---

Ken inhaled briefly before summoning Tyr. Makoto just stirred slightly as he gently touched her temples, his hands glowing blue.

He had been healing her for several minutes when Makoto finally opened her eyes again. Relief flooded him as the usual bright alertness had returned to her eyes.

"Ace? What happened?" she asked before she winced. She rubbed her fingers against her temples. "Ow—my head."

"Take it easy. That Shadow hit you pretty hard." Ken said, watching her as recognition dawned in her eyes.

"Ooe... we were fighting him for the letter of recommendation," she murmured.

Ken just hummed in response before passing her some medicine to help with her pain. He watched his girlfriend for a few moments before speaking up.

"How are you feeling?" he asked tentatively.

Makoto smiled faintly. "I'm okay. My headache is starting to fade. Though um... what exactly happened?"

"Joker thought you got a concussion," Ken said quietly. "When you hit the wall earlier."

Ken winced, but there was no other way to put things.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brushed away your concerns. I should've listened to you when you got worried about me."

Makoto was quiet for a moment, a contemplative gleam in her eyes. Then she slipped off his lap and seated herself on the spot right by him.

"Ace… We need to have a talk."

Makoto became silent again before she took a deep breath. She looked to him seriously.

"As you know, Oracle, Skull, and I saw you getting... tortured. The plan was for Shinjiro-san and Akihiko-san to do all the physical rescuing while Oracle would play the recording of Shido. We were hiding out in the security room with the camera footage playing. We saw a lot of the exchange between you two."

Ken sucked in a breath. There had been so much on his mind that... he had forgotten about that.

Makoto reached out, taking his hand and giving his fingers a squeeze.

"I've... dreamt about that night. I can't help but feel that..."

She stopped short, before she stared down at her lap for a moment. Then her grasp on his hand suddenly tightened.

"There have been instances where I've wondered if I could've done something had I been there with you and Oracle that night," she said quietly.

"It was nobody's fault, Queen." Ken then paused. "Well, it was Shido's fault but that's beyond the point."

Makoto chuckled softly at that. But that her expression turned sad.

"I panicked when I saw that Shadow nearly knock you out earlier. But that's unfair of me. That's ignoring how you're more than capable. I knew deep down that you could've been okay. And it wouldn't be the end of the world if you did get knocked out regardless. Mona can revive you and there's all the medicine Joker brought with him."

"I'm not mad at you for worrying. You're not the only one to worry about me." Ken smiled half-heartedly, remembering how Fuuka-san had squeezed him into a hug.

Everyone at Port Island had told him to be careful. He still felt guilty, having worried them so much.

"I'm madder at myself for brushing aside your concerns. You voiced them to me but I shoved it aside. I had already worried everyone with what... happened. But I just made you worry more."

He then gave Makoto a half-hearted smile.

"I'm sorry, Queen. And you got hurt because of me."

Makoto shook her head before reaching out to cup his cheek.

"There's nothing to forgive, Ace," she said softly.

Ken pressed his lips together. "Can you promise to not do this again? You getting hurt because of me was just—"

But even as he said it, Ken couldn't help but think that Makoto couldn't promise him about that. He knew that Makoto had a reckless streak in her after all.

Makoto was quiet, her expression suddenly pensive. She suddenly gave his hand a squeeze.

But then she suddenly shook her head.

"Ace, if our positions were swapped and I asked you this, would you agree?"

"I..." Ken opened his mouth, only to shut it.

Makoto laughed softly before scooting closer to him so she could kiss his cheek.

"That's what I thought."

"Hmph..." Ken grumbled.

Makoto's eyes just twinkled with amusement. "You don't have to pout about it."

"I am not pouting."

Makoto blinked at him. Then she gave him a knowing look, punctuated with a raised eyebrow.

Ken just huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. He wished that Shinjiro-san didn't accuse him of pouting so much. That was definitely where Makoto got this idea from.

Makoto's expression suddenly grew serious.

She said softly. "I won't promise you something that I can't keep, Ace. I can't promise you I won't rush in to push you out of danger."

"I guess that was asking too much." Ken slowly exhaled.

Makoto just let out a little hum. "But... I will promise to try and remember that you won't keel over and die if a Shadow happens to attack you. The incident with Shido…"

She trailed off for a moment before biting her lower lip.

"I won't lie... it really scared me. But I also know that you're more than capable of handling yourself. I shouldn't be so overprotective."

Ken gave her hand a squeeze. "It's okay. I'm sorry for scaring you. And you were just concerned about me."

Makoto let out a heavy sigh before embracing him. She rested her chin onto his shoulder.

"But still—I'm sorry that I made you worry about me. That was the opposite I wanted."

"There's nothing to be sorry for," Ken said before dropping a kiss against the crown of her head. "I couldn't help but panic when someone I love gets hurt because of me."

Makoto's expression suddenly changed. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, only to let out a squeak. Her cheeks then turned a rosy pink.

It took a moment for what Ken said to sink in. Immediately his cheeks began to flame.

"Wait, did I really say that?!" he mentally exclaimed.

Of all times to say it! This was hardly romantic.

But it's not like he could say 'I didn't mean to say that'. While it was true, he'd be the biggest jerk if he tried to take it back and say that it was an accident.

Did he love Makoto? He had only known Makoto for less than half a year, and they've been dating for little over a month now. Makoto was the first girl since Minako-san that he had been interested in.

But then again, he had several examples of couples quickly falling in love.

And Makoto... seeing her sad always made him want to cheer her up, to make her smile. Plus he always missed her now that he was stuck staying in the penthouse.

Maybe he had been putting too much weight in the word love when it came to Makoto. He had seen Minato-san and Minako-san find solace in Yukari-san and Akihiko-san during a very dark time of their lives and they had been together for just a few months. Was that really much different than how he tried to support Makoto and vice versa?

"Ace... did you really just say...?"

Makoto trailed off at that, but he would have to be blind to miss the hopeful look on her face.

"She's really too cute," Ken thought, his cheeks flushing.

Well if he could stand up to Shido and call him out for his crap, he could confirm to his girlfriend that he loved her.

"I-I do," Ken couldn't help but stammer.

Makoto suddenly wrapped her arms around him. Then she looked up at him, her lips curving into a gentle smile. Ken's heart skipped a beat at that.

He still didn't understand how their classmates brushed off Makoto as stuck-up. Not when she had that smile.

Makoto said, "I love you too. I don't think it fully clicked until you were kidnapped but… I really love you. It may be a little cliché but..."

She suddenly blushed.

"You really do make my day a little brighter just by being there."

Ken abruptly cleared his throat. He honestly was unsure how to reply to that.

Makoto just laughed before kissing his cheek. "You don't have to be embarrassed by it."

Ken let out a little grumble in response. Makoto giggled again, only for her face to fall.

"Although... was everyone waiting for me to wake up?"

"Yes… and no," Ken said after a moment of hesitation. "The others went to scout the area while we're in the safe room."

"Joker picked up the letter of recommendation right?" Makoto asked, her lips pursed together.

Ken nodded. "Don't worry. We have it."

There was suddenly a rapping sound from the other side of the door and they pulled apart.

"Queen! Ace!" Ryuji yelled. "You guys are okay right?!"

"Ugh— Skull, can you ever keep your voice down?"

The door swung open to reveal Ryuji and Morgana, now absorbed in their bickering. Haru quickly stepped around them, rushing to give Makoto a hug.

"Oh, Queen, you're okay!" Relief filled Haru's face. "Thank goodness!"

Makoto let out a weak giggle before awkwardly returning Haru's embrace.

"Yes, Ace took good care of me. I'm sorry to have worried everyone."

"No foul, don't worry," Futaba said.

Ren looked over Makoto, his lips pursed.

"I think it'll be best for you to be off the active team for now though," he suddenly announced. "Panther will take your place. Ace..."

Ren studied Ken closely.

"Are you still insistent on being taking off the active team?"

"Would it... be okay to ask for a break?" Ken asked tentatively.

Ren gave him an appraising look. Then he smiled.

"I'm okay with that."

"Are you ready to go though?" Yusuke asked. "Of course we'll understand if you wish to rest still."

Makoto shook her head. "Let's go. We've wasted enough time already."

Ren looked pleased at that. He gestured for everyone to leave the safe room. The back of the restaurant led them to some hallways.

"So, this is going to lead us to the pool deck?" Ken asked.

Morgana let out a hum. "That's right. We're expecting to face off with the noble guy."

"And that leaves the IT president and the TV studio president," Futaba piped up.

"Don't jump ahead," Ren suddenly said. "We should focus on the noble guy first, since we should be encountering him soon."

Ryuji nodded enthusiastically before pumping his fist. "For now, let's just bust some Shadows' heads!"

"But Shadows don't always have heads," Yusuke pointed out.

Ryuji hung his head before complaining, "Ugh—don't kill my vibe!"

They couldn't help but laugh. Typical Ryuji. At least his antics were good for morale.

But for some reason, Futaba stiffened as Ren took the lead again.

"Oh hold on a sec, guys," Futaba suddenly interjected.

"Hm? What's wrong—" Haru began to ask.

Haru then let out a squeak as they were suddenly surrounded by a puff of smoke. Ken coughed, holding up a paw against his mouth.

Wait. Paw?!

"W-Wait what the shit?!" Ryuji sputtered out. "We're mice?!"

"Not again…" Ken groaned.

Haru tilted her head. "Again?"

Ken had to begrudgingly admit that Haru did look rather cute with the tiny hat of hers, but this was not funny! He thought he had escaped this after the stupid fight with Mot.

But no, apparently fate really just liked making him its chew toy.

"Oracle's Palace had a guardian that liked to turn us into mice in order to immobilize us," Ren explained. "Right, Ace?"

"Oh shut up," Ken huffed.

Morgana moaned out, "This is just wrong."

"Why, because—"

"I am not a cat!" Morgana cut off Ryuji with an annoyed glare.

"That's enough," Makoto admonished. "How are we going to fix this?"

Yusuke announced, "This is simply prepawsterous! Or... something like that."

Ken just slapped his paw over his face.

"Fox, that's as bad as Joker's puns."

"Ugh... seriously, go to hell Inari," Futaba huffed out. "Can you just come back here already?"

They scampered back to where Futaba was standing. With another puff of smoke, they were back to humans once more.

"Thank goodness we're human again!" Haru exclaimed.

"Were you really worried about you being stuck as a mouse?" Futaba asked. "At least you made a cute mouse, Noir."

"Never mind that!" Ren held up a hand, shooting Ken a glare.

He suddenly jabbed a finger in Ken's direction.

"I take offense to you saying that my puns are bad! My puns are nothing but the best!"

"That's implying puns are funny," Ken deadpanned.

"You just have no sense of humor."

"You have a lame sense of humor," Ken retorted.

"Well—"

Ren was suddenly cut off by Anne clamping a hand over his mouth.

"Can we please f—" she began.

Anne yelped, jerking her hand away from Ren's mouth.

"Did you bite me?!" she demanded.

Ren stuck his tongue out at Anne. "Not the first time it's happened. And if I recall correctly, you weren't exactly complaining last t—"

It was Ren's turn to yelp as Futaba suddenly kicked him in the shins.

"Ugh, we don't need this preview of your sex life. But anyways—it looks like we turn back when we leave the affected range. It's really not a big deal.

Anne stared at Futaba. "It most certainly is a big deal! Explain what just happened to us!"

"So demanding." Futaba wrinkled her nose at Anne. "But it seems that people Shido views as 'intruders' turn into mice when they're near those statues."

Futaba inched towards the doorway, pointing. They looked at where Futaba was pointing. There was a garish golden statue of Shido in the room. Ken hadn't even noticed that.

Morgana scowled at Futaba's statement. "So we're nothing but rodents to him, huh? That's irritating."

"Shido is such a dick," Ryuji spat out, glaring at the statue. "He really views people as stepping stones or things to crush..."

Futaba nodded, a frown forming on her lips. "I agree, but we need to be extra careful when we're in mouse form. We won't be able to open doors, and any enemy we try to fight in that state will just beat us to a pulp. We're kinda like sitting ducks if we get caught, y'know?"

Makoto sighed. "So all we can do is hide? I guess we'll have to change to a completely defensive strategy. I hope we can find a secret passage to get through there."

"Oh joy," Ken grumbled, unable to hold back a scowl.

"Someone's salty," Futaba said with a snicker.

Ken glowered at her. Of course Futaba would find this amusing. It was her fault last time.

"We shouldn't really stand around and do nothing though. It won't accomplish anything," Yusuke suddenly spoke up.

Morgana nodded, before looking at Ren. "At your lead, Joker."

---

Anne gave a little stretch as she surveyed the pool.

"I'm glad we finally made it," she remarked.

"That makes two of us," Ken muttered petulantly before folding his arms over his chest.

Ren smirked, before elbowing Ken in the side. "Are you still sulking about turning into a mouse?"

Ken glared at him.

"I'm not sulking," he said through gritted teeth.

"Pouting then?" Futaba offered.

"I'd say moping," Ryuji snickered out.

Ken opened his mouth to retort, but Makoto put a hand on his arm. Then she shot the troublemakers a stern stare.

"We have a job to do," she said pointedly.

Futaba opened her mouth like she was ready to make another sassy comment, but then she stopped to stare at the huge pool.

"This pool is gigantic!" Futaba gasped.

Anne could easily imagine Futaba's eyes being as big as dinner plates behind her goggles.

"It's hard to believe that it's here on this ship!" she finished.

"Wanna go for a swim later?" Ren asked teasingly.

Futaba suddenly grew pale for some reason. "Um, about that... I can't really swim."

Anne frowned. "But you played in the ocean with us—"

"That was just wading in the water," Ken suddenly interrupted. "And we didn't even stick to that for long, because Joker whipped out the water guns."

Ren just jabbed him in the side, before shooting Ken a smug look.

"You had fun, don't deny it."

Ken rolled his eyes. "Never said I didn't, Joker."

Haru sighed longingly.

"I really missed out a lot, didn't I?" she asked, her voice wistful.

Yusuke coughed. "Well... it's a bit chilly for a beach trip right now, but I wouldn't be opposed to making another trip come summer."

Haru's expression brightened and then she giggled. "Thank you, Fox."

"I'm down!" Ryuji cheered. "Let's go to Okinawa next time!"

Futaba groaned. "Do you have any idea how far Okinawa is from Tokyo? It doesn't come cheap!"

"Hey, we need to focus on collecting the letters of recommendation," Morgana reminded. "And then taking down Shido."

Anne let out a thoughtful hum. "The noble guy should be hanging around somewhere. Let's go!"

Ren took the lead and they started talking to the cognitions. It was honestly really freaky how real they looked.

"This place is great," one older man said. "No matter when I come, I always find myself surrounded by beautiful curves!"

Anne let out a little growl, but Haru grabbed onto her wrist and gave a small shake of her head. Anne scowled, but slowly nodded.

"Shut up, you pig," she seethed to herself as the guy assumed that Ren was here for the exact same reason.

Ren gave her an apologetic look, but Anne waved him off. She knew that it wasn't the truth.

They finally tracked down the noble, with a male servant standing nearby with a towel draped over his arm.

Ryuji coughed before stepping forward.

"Hey, dude, you got a sec?"

The noble looked pointedly away. Ryuji scowled for a moment but then he straightened up.

"Uhhh... Nice day today, huh?"

Ryuji was met with silence once more. Ryuji tried to make conversation by saying that he might take a dip in the pool, but it was once again a dud.

Then Ryuji turned to Anne.

"Your turn, Panther."

"Wait, what?!" Anne exclaimed.

Why did he have to just dump it on her all of the sudden?!

Anne sighed lightly; she had to try though.

She then cleared her throat. "Um... hello there. We really would like to speak to you."

She tried to sound meek, in order to sound polite. She internally grimaced. This was reminding her of how she would try to be polite around Kamoshida, to stay on his good side.

"We won't take much of your time. Will you listen?" Makoto seconded.

Haru bowed her head. "Please, sir."

The noble finally deigned himself to look at them.

"Sorry, but please leave me be. I don't have time for you rowdy children," he said, a clear tone of dismissal in his voice.

Ryuji growled. "You little—!"

Ken grabbed him by the wrist, flashing the noble a quick smile.

"I'm very sorry, sir. I know you're quite occupied."

There was an underlying of sarcasm in Ken's voice as he spoke the polite words.

"Please excuse us," Makoto added.

They hastened away but it didn't take Ryuji to make an outburst.

"The hell's with that guy?!" he demanded. "Did he really have to act all high and mighty on us?!"

Makoto's expression suddenly became exasperated.

"To be fair, you walked up to him and said, 'Hey dude'," she said dryly.

Anne couldn't help but giggle as Makoto attempted to imitate Ryuji's tone of voice.

Makoto folded her arms over her chest. "You need to approach this with more tact. This isn't your ordinary man we're dealing with."

"I know, I know!" Ryuji grumbled.

Morgana sighed, looking dejected. "Our approach doesn't matter if he won't listen to us. What are we supposed to do...?"

"Come now, don't lose heart, Mona-chan!" Haru exclaimed. "Let's speak to the people around here. Perhaps we'll learn more about that man's temperament and we'll know better how to approach him."

"A wise suggestion," Yusuke commented.

Ren nodded. "Yeah, I think that's the best way to approach it!"

He then stopped short.

"Hmm... maybe we should split up?"

"I don't think that would be a good idea with the Shadows hanging around," Ken pointed out.

Ren grimaced. "Yeah, good point."

"Okay so our goal is to collect intel. Let's talk to anyone suspicious," Morgana stated.

They spoke to a few cognitions but didn't hit anything special until this one lady mentioned that the bar rented out swimsuits. Then Ryuji started acting... weird.

He even started to rubbing his hands together, while chuckling to himself.

"Uhh... are you feeling okay, Skull?" Anne asked.

"You are reminding me of a villain right now," Yusuke said bluntly.

Ryuji suddenly pumped a fist. "I've got the perfect plan!"

He started chuckling to him, earning a few weird looks from everyone. Seriously, what was he up to?

Morgana grumbled, "That laugh was just scary."

Ryuji impatiently waved a hand at them. "Forget about that! Onward to the bar, you guys!"

Ren looked skeptically at Ryuji—Anne couldn't help but wonder if Ren had figured out what Ryuji was planning. But then he shook his head, and headed for the bar.

"Did you need something, sir?" the cognition asked.

Ren nodded, but Ryuji cut in.

"Hey, you guys rent out swimsuits, yeah? Give us some, ASAP!" he demanded, slamming a hand on the counter.

The cognition dipped his head. "But of course. Just show me your boarding pass and we'll have you sorted out—"

"Crap, sorry..." Ren winced. "I think I left it in my room. We'll have to go back and grab it."

This earned Ren a nod. "I hope to see you again, sir."

"Good thinking, Joker," Morgana praised.

"But we gotta get in!" Ryuji exclaimed.

Yusuke folded his arms over his chest. "Just what are you planning, Skull?"

"Seriously..." Makoto said. "Just what are you thinking, Skull? Is your plan to ambush him in the pool or something?"

Ryuji flapped a hand at Makoto. "I'll explain when we get the swimsuits!"

"Fine, fine," Ren sighed. "It is the only plan being offered right now, so I might as well give it a shot."

After poking around a little, Ren found a vent for them to squeeze through. Unfortunately he had to kick it in…

Anne cringed, looking nervously at the cognition manning the bar. He didn't seem to notice, thankfully.

As they crawled through the vent, Anne could hear Ryuji mumbling to himself.

"Three swimsuits... no, wait—considering who we're dealin' with, we might need four."

Ken ground out. "Skull... please tell me you're not planning what I think you're planning."

"But he's prolly into that kinda thing... we gotta weaponize this!" Ryuji exclaimed.

"Oh boy, I have a real bad feeling about this," Futaba muttered as they crawled out of the vent.

"Hold on, are we in a dressing room?" Haru asked, before biting her lip. "Why did you want us to be here so badly?"

"Just trust me on this!" Ryuji insisted, before running into one of the fitting rooms.

He started snickering.

"Oh man, this is perfect!"

Ken just sighed, pressing a hand against his forehead.

"Seriously, what the heck is Skull planning?" Anne questioned, before turning to Ken. "Hey, Ace! You figured it out, didn't you? What is the plan?"

Ken shook his head vigorously. He looked nervous for some reason.

"I don't want to say it," he said in a halting voice.

"Why?" Makoto asked, dragging out the word.

Ken cringed in response. "I don't want to get smacked."

Ryuji came out, holding four swimsuits. He then grinned evilly.

"This dude is a total perv with how he always hangs around the pool, so maybe he needs to sweet-talked by some pretty girls."

Haru gasped, taking a step back.

"Skull!" Haru then put a hand against her chest. "Are you asking us to… to seduce him?!"

Her voice squeaked at the word 'seduce'.

"This is ridiculous!" Makoto exclaimed, her face flushing red.

Ryuji turned to Ren and Ken. "Come on, back me up here!"

"Why are you looking at us specifically?" Ren asked, eyebrow raised.

Ryuji gave him a dirty look. "You know exactly why!"

Anne rolled her eyes. Ryuji was obviously thinking about how Ren and Ken actually had girlfriends. And Ryuji wondered why he was still single.

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Do I?"

"You're both incorrigible." Morgana moaned out.

"No comment," Ken mumbled out.

"What?!" Ryuji cried out. "Come on, you haven't seen Queen in a bathing suit since before you started going out! You should be all for this plan!"

Makoto's blush darkened before she snarled out, "Skull!"

Ken glowered at Ryuji. "Really, Skull?"

Ren snickered. "I mean, you do sneak looks at Queen when you think nobody's loo—OW!"

Anne grabbed Ren by the ear and yanked, unable to hold back a sigh.

"Panther, OW!" Ren yowled. "Jeez, do you have to yank so hard?!"

"Of course I do," Anne said with a sweet smile.

But she turned to Ryuji.

"I hate to admit it but... Skull's reasoning is pretty good this time."

Ryuji's expression brightened. "Right?"

But something seemed to strike him, and Ryuji suddenly scowled at her.

"Wait, you're insulting me too!" he exclaimed.

"So…" Anne held out a hand. "Hand it over, Skull. I'm fine if Queen, Noir, and Oracle don't wanna to take part of this plan but I'm game."

Makoto sighed softly before folding her arms over her chest. "Well now that you've put it that way, I have to admit that I can see the merits of this plan too."

Haru nodded, before stepping forward. "Panther does have a good point. And targeting our opponent's weakness should earn us victory! Count me in too."

Futaba sighed, shaking her head. "I might as well go all in too."

"Are you sure?" Ren's teasing expression had morphed into a serious one.

Anne just put a hand on her hip, before winking at Ren. "Positive. We'll wrangle the recommendation letter from this creep."

"Wait a second—" Morgana suddenly spoke up. "You shouldn't remove your suits."

"Huh?" Anne couldn't help but feel confused.

"Remember what I told you before?" Morgana asked. "Your suits are like your armor from the distortions of the Metaverse."

Ryuji's face fell. "Shit, I forgot about that."

"What a surprise," Morgana sassed with a wide grin.

"Ugh, shuddup!" Ryuji growled.

Anne bit her lip. This was annoying.

"Oh, I think I got it!" Morgana gasped, before giving a little hop.

When everyone looked to him with a quizzical look, Morgana then cleared his throat.

"Okay. You remember what I told you about your suits representing your will of rebellion? But if the Palace ruler doesn't view you as a threat, you'll be in the clothes you were wearing before entering the Metaverse. So—I want you to try and suppress your will of rebellion, just enough so you'll be back in your civilian clothes."

"Suppressing our will of rebellion?" Haru questioned.

Futaba frowned. "Is that... possible?"

"I'm not sure," Morgana admitted. "But! You'll never know until you try! Besides, I can change my form to a car. It's all about cognition... even if it's not exactly like how I can change into a car. But it's worth a shot either way!"

"Bullshitting our way through this, huh?" Ren mused.

"Shut up, Joker!" Morgana snapped.

Anne frowned. So, she had to suppress her rebellion? It was a… weird thought. She had committed to this for so long, after all.

It took them several minutes to pull it off but Anne and the other girls managed to pull it off and they found themselves back in their civilian outfits. They then took a swimming suit from Ryuji and slipped into the fitting room to change.

"Don't you dare peek!" Futaba said, her voice muffled by the curtain.

"But you have nothing to look at, Oracle," Yusuke said bluntly.

"Fox, that was rude!" Haru admonished.

"Ah—" Yusuke fumbled for a moment, before letting out a cough. "My apologies, Oracle."

Anne ignored the bickering between Yusuke and Futaba in favor of changing into the red bikini. She took a moment to admire her reflection.

Over six months ago, she was almost ashamed of her looks. She had been miserable because of how trapped she had felt because of Kamoshida.

"A lot has changed since then," she thought with a bright smile. "A change for the better."

She then pushed back the curtain and stepped out.

"So... how do I look?" she said.

Ren grinned at her. "Beautiful. Stunning. Gorgeous—"

"Yeah, yeah, we all know that you think Panther's gorgeous, Joker," Ryuji said with an eye-roll.

"I mean it's true." Ren then stepped close to her to whisper in her ear. "You always did look amazing in red."

Anne giggled. "Why thank you, Joker."

Haru stepped out next, nervously adjusting her swimsuit. "I'm ready."

"You look stunning, Noir. The soft turquoise hue complements your coloring so well," Yusuke said.

Pink flushed Haru's cheeks and she let out a soft giggle. "Thanks, Fox."

"Gag me," Futaba grumbled as she stepped out. "I'm surrounded by mushy couples."

"Why would we do that?" Yusuke asked.

Futaba stared at Yusuke before throwing up her hands. "It's a figure of speech, Inari!"

"Would it kill you two to not bicker for like five seconds?" Ken grumbled.

Then Makoto suddenly pushed the curtain aside, wearing a purple bikini.

Anne couldn't help but giggle as Ken gaped at Makoto for a moment before a blush crept onto his face. Makoto smiled nervously but Futaba suddenly wedged herself in between them.

"None of that!" she said, an edge of annoyance to her voice. "We have work to do!"

She then started muttering about everyone being gross under her breath, making Ren snicker in response.

Morgana coughed. "Oracle's right. We'll meet you outside, okay? We'll head out through the vent so the cognition manning the bar won't suspect a thing. You'll approach the noble, and in case things go south we'll be there to back you up."

"Gotcha!" Anne said with a nod.

They waited for the boys to start crawling through the vent, before exchanging nervous looks.

Makoto just coughed. "Shall we then?"

Haru nodded. "Yes, let's do this!"

They then stepped out of the fitting room and headed straight for the noble. Anne caught sight of the boys hanging back. Seeing them was reassuring.

She took a deep breath as they approached the noble as a group.

"Hello…" Makoto said tentatively.

"It's a nice day, isn't it?" Haru asked.

The noble sat up, looking suspiciously at them. "What do you want?"

Haru looked demurely to the ground before looking shyly back to the noble.

"Um, would you grant us a letter of introduction to Mr. Shido?" she asked.

The noble raised his eyebrow at that. "A letter of introduction, you say? I would never give one to some nobodies like yourselves."

This guy was an elitist. Anne's blood was starting to simmer underneath her skin. But Anne plastered on a fake smile, as if this asshole hadn't just insulted all four of them.

"A nobody...?" Haru echoed.

Yikes. That must've stung for Haru especially.

"I've made my decision to only introduce those with a prestigious lineage. No matter how beautiful you girls may look on the outside, your ancestry cannot be changed," he said haughtily.

He might as well have turned his nose up at them.

Anne frowned to herself as Makoto and Futaba tried to persuade him further. This guy was a noble... obsessed with lineage. Maybe they could claim to be from one of the old clans—like the Taira clan? Or maybe…

She could take advantage of her looks, but in a different way.

This guy hadn't even heard her speak so maybe she could convince him!

Anne coughed, before stepping forward. "I'm quite charmed to meet you, sir. My name is Anne Windsor."

Makoto looked like she wanted to say something, but Anne quickly shot her a look. Then she smiled winsomely at the creep.

"My father is the descendant of British royalty," she said. "Surely, you're familiar with the Windsor family?"

"Seriously…?" Futaba muttered under her breath.

Anne gestured to the others. "They're the daughters of my retainers."

That got his attention in a flash. Anne fought the urge to grimace as he leered at her. What a pig.

Makoto shuffled awkwardly. "Uh, yes... Lady Anne treats us quite well."

Anne had to stifle a laugh. It was weird to hear that come out of Makoto's mouth. She was so used to hearing that from Morgana.

"Are you half British, Ann-chan?" he asked.

Anne nodded in confirmation.

"Yes, your features are definitely different from Japanese girls. One can easily tell at a glance."

Anne giggled, pretending to ignore the look he was giving her.

"People tend to have such misconceptions, but that isn't true. My hobbies include tea ceremonies. Then again, my father forced me to learn that art."

Anne cringed slightly. Was she laying it on too thick?

But the noble leaned forward, intrigued.

"I see... I sense a noble aura that is different from your servants," he said in a flattering voice.

"Oh?" Anne tilted her head. "Why thank you, you flatter me."

She tried not to gag on the words, but she kept her focus. She needed to butter this guy up so he'd hand over the letter.

"Servants...?" Haru asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

The noble nodded. "Lineage is absolute. No matter how much effort a commoner exerts, it is a gap that cannot be filled."

This guy and his stupid obsession with bloodlines. It was starting to really piss her off.

But Anne giggled once more, before batting her eyes at him. "You're absolutely correct. If only more people believed in your wisdom! I do feel a little sorry for these girls."

"For real?!" Futaba muttered.

Anne then smiled brightly at him, ignoring Futaba's comment. "By the by, about the letter of introduction. If you'd be so generous to grant me one, I'll consider introducing you to my father."

"Oh...?" He leaned forward, intrigued.

His gaze lingered on her chest, before he looked back into her eyes.

"Then consider it my way of sending my regards to him."

He pulled out a letter, and handed it over.

"Thank you kindly," Anne simpered. "You're simply too generous."

The noble stood up, looking up and down at Anne.

"But goodness, do you look great in that swimsuit. And such an amazing body as well. You look like you could be a model."

"Well, I am... but that's none of your business," Anne thought viciously.

"By the way, did you make sure to put on sunscreen?"

He suddenly grabbed Anne's hands, before running a hand over Anne's arm. Goosebumps suddenly broke out on Anne's arm. For a moment, Anne saw red.

It was like how Kamoshida would 'casually' touch her. She thought she felt blue flames flicker around her form but she tamped down on that.

"As members of prestigious family lines, why don't we get on more intimate terms?" the noble drawled out.

"Hey, stop it!" Makoto tried to intervene. "Let her go!"

He sniffed disdainfully. "Come now, you peasant servants should take off. You're making her embarrassed."

"Stop it!" Anne growled out.

"Want to try on some other swimsuits in my room?" the noble asked.

Anne clenched a hand. Screw this shit. She might've been happy to sneak away before but this asshole needed a good ass kicking.

Anne yanked her arm away. She then slammed her foot against his, making him yowl in pain. She then raised a hand before slapping him across the face.

Anne couldn't help but feel pleased as a red handprint started to form on his cheek.

"Don't touch me, you disgusting perv!" she spat out.

"Wha…?" he stammered out.

"You probably use girls without even batting an eye? You lecher!" Anne snarled. "It's your turn now!"

He looked startled at that, but Anne didn't let him speak a word. She pointed at him.

"Now that I'm done using you—get away, you creep!"

"You used me?!" he exclaimed.

"Now guys!" Anne exclaimed.

"What the—?!"

The cognition was surrounded. Anne and the girls transformed back immediately and the boys rushed over instantly.

Anne cracked her whip with a glare.

"Time for some pain!"

---

"Okay, we got the letter of introduction!" Anne cheered with a fist pump. "Just three more to go!"

"And the noble is down for the count," Futaba snickered.

"I wish I had a camera to capture the moment you slapped the perv in the face," Ryuji snickered.

Anne swept a bow, mimicking the gentlemanly bow that Ren occasionally made.

"Thank you, thank you," she drawled in the same posh voice she had used to fool the noble.

"Though, I have a question…" Makoto started.

"Like… did he request Shido to enact mental shutdowns for him?" Anne asked, turning back to the noble.

Haru fought the urge to wince. It was just a reminder how Father had climbed to prominence. It still saddened to think about how far her once beloved father had fallen, for the sake of the wealth he so desperately sought.

The noble had been slumped on the floor but he reluctantly looked up.

"Contrary to past methods, gaining wealth by lineage alone is quite difficult these days. That's why I begged to be allowed onto Lord Shido's ship. In return for introducing wealthy nobles to him, I requested he enact mental shutdowns for me."

"How despicable," Haru uttered.

Yusuke grimaced. "So this system of introductions is taking place in reality as well."

"It is common for wealthy people to network but this is on a different level..." Ken muttered.

Haru guessed he knew from Mitsuru-san.

The noble nodded reluctantly. "Lord Shido is extremely cautious about the passengers he chooses."

"Figures he'd be totally elitist," Ryuji grumbled.

Makoto stroked her chin for a moment. "So he's screening potential associates to find wealthy people who won't betray him."

Morgana folded his arms over his chest, a small frown on his face. "And that's why the passengers are wearing masks. He isn't deceived by people's outward appearances."

Haru couldn't help but find that a little sad. She had zero sympathy for the man for himself, but to be so jaded to not trust in anybody at all?

But then again... you could say the same about Akechi.

"Honestly, from what we've witnessed... I'm not surprised about that at all," Yusuke remarked. "Though, I must say, Panther—your acting skills have improved since the last... incident."

Anne blushed brightly before coughing into her hand. "Y-Yeah, well, but I've had a few months to practice!"

Ryuji snorted. "From what Mona said, your past performance with Fox was beyond sucky."

"It fooled Fox!" Anne snarled, glaring daggers at Ryuji.

"You consider that an accomplishment?" Ryuji laughed.

Yusuke narrowed his eyes, "Just what are you implying?"

Haru had to try and defuse the argument.

Haru coughed. "Um, should we head to the dressing room then?"

Ryuji blinked. "Whataya mean by that? You're back in your Phantom Thief threads so what does it matter?"

Makoto sighed. "Skull... we're not going back to the real world wearing swimsuits."

Morgana snorted. "I bet that was what Skull wanted."

"W-What, no! It's December! Th-That's ridiculous!" Ryuji snapped.

Haru just shook her head.

"You're blushing and stuttering," Futaba sighed.

"SHUDDUP!"

This earned a few laughs from the other boys, and Morgana looked rather smug.

"By the way, Panther—are you part British by chance?" Haru couldn't help but feel curious.

She knew that Anne was a quarter white, but she never specified exactly.

Anne started at that. "Well—not from what I know."

"How do you not know?" Morgana asked.

Anne rolled her eyes. "Well Americans tend to intermarry, so I've got a bunch of European blood in me. Danish, Swedish, and Finnish to name a few. But I know from Dad that Nana's parents were from Finland specifically."

"Now that we've covered some of Panther's family tree…" Futaba tugged at her swimsuit. "We really gotta get changed back into our normal costumes."

Makoto nodded. "Oracle's right—let's go."

So they left the boys to change out of the swimsuits, before stopping suppressing their will of rebellion after they changed back into their clothes of course. Honestly it was a relief to Haru. Suppressing her will of rebellion felt almost wrong.

They then proceeded to sneak out through the vent and met up with the boys.

"So we have two letters now. Just the TV station and the IT presidents left, along with this cleaner guy," Morgana mused.

Anne snagged the map from Ren. "Let's see… one of them is apparently at the slots, and the other doesn't leave his room? Well, the map says there's an entertainment hall up ahead. Maybe the slots are there?"

"If I have to guess, then it's the TV station president at the slots," Haru mentioned.

Yusuke let out a thoughtful hum. "Seeing for ourselves will likely be the quickest way to find out. Let us proceed onward."

They left the pool deck and found themselves in a labyrinth of hallways. Nothing special really happened until...

"We're mice again?!" Anne cried out.

"This is not funny," Ken groused.

Makoto sighed. "I guess that means there's a Shido statue here too. How troublesome."

"Hm… My ad-mice would be to pro-squeak cautiously," Yusuke stated.

Haru couldn't help but giggle but Futaba just stared at Yusuke.

"Oracle, my ad-mice would be—" Yusuke attempted again.

"I uh... think she heard you Fox." Haru let out a nervous giggle.

Futaba looked ready to smack Yusuke.

Even as a mouse, Ken still managed to pull off a flat-eyed stare.

"Don't make me smack you, Fox," he deadpanned.

"Aw, c'mon, puns is the highest form of comedy," Ren drawled out.

Ken huffed. "The worst you mean."

"I do not understand. Why do Ace and Oracle appear angry again? I thought surely this time everyone would be rolling on the floor with laughter." Yusuke sounded genuinely confused. "Joker, I believe that your book of jokes has failed me."

"Of course it was you…" Ken grumbled out.

Ren snickered. "Don't sweat it Fox, critics don't understand your budding art of comedy."

Haru couldn't help but giggle. She found it amusing how much Ken loathed puns. Even Futaba's annoyance was kinda cute. Personally, Haru didn't mind. But still, they had a job to do.

"We should really focus though," Haru voiced. "We still need to find our third target."

Ren agreed, and after going around in circles for a while... they finally managed to find themselves on the back deck.

Haru had a feeling that Ren was trying to conserve their energy for the next big fight, given how he led them to duck and cover in order to hide from the Shadows. Though Haru couldn't blame him especially since Morgana mentioned that they were stronger Shadows than usual.

But as they approached the door at the end of the hallway, a voice suddenly spoke.

"Yo, stop right there."

Haru couldn't help but freeze and she spun around. It was a man in a pinstripe suit, but Haru couldn't help but stare at the tattoos all over him. There was even a dragon tattoo coiling around his neck, peeking out from under his shirt.

"I'm talkin' to you guys. Come over here for a sec," he ordered, his voice brusque.

Anne pointed to herself. "Are you... talking about us?"

"Of course I am," he snapped.

Futaba scooted close to Ren, grasping his sleeve for a moment.

"Everyone, he looks super dangerous! I don't wanna get involved, even if he's just some old cognitive thing!" she said urgently.

He scowled at them. "What're you punks mumbling' on about? I hear you've been makin' quite a mess in here."

There was a threatening edge to his voice. Haru cringed, before instinctively moving closer to Yusuke.

Morgana shook his head vehemently. "W-We're totally not making a mess, we swear! Who are you anyway!?"

The cognition just laughed heartily at them. "Hmph! I'm the one askin' questions around here. Now, drink some salt water and reflect on what you did. I'm leavin' this to you guys. I don't got the time to waste on little punks like these."

What did he mean by that?

But the cognition snapped his fingers and one of those strong Shadows Morgana warned them against appeared.

"Look out!" Futaba cried.

Ren scowled at the sight of the Shadows. It was almost like a… ram-headed demon with angel-like wings, bronze all over.

"What a pain," he growled out, and then he jerked his head towards Yusuke. "Fox, switch out with Noir!"

"Understood!" Yusuke exclaimed.

He fell back and Haru hurried to take his place. If she had to guess, Ren was worried that the Shadow would use fire based skills.

But then it did something unexpected. One of the Shadows summoned a Bufudyne spell, downing Anne.

"Panther!" Futaba exclaimed. "Someone cover her!"

Haru tore off her mask. "Milady, please!"

The wave of psychic energy Milady summoned was enough to distract two of the Shadows, but the last Shadow managed to strike down Morgana with a well-placed Ziodyne spell.

"This Shadow really is annoying!" Futaba griped.

Ren cursed. "Dammit! Arsène!"

But the wave of curse energy was ineffective—the Shadows just shrugged it off.

Haru summoned Milady again, this time choosing to keep the Shadows at bay with a gun attack.

"You'll pay!" Anne suddenly snarled out.

Haru glanced in her direction to see that Anne had jumped to her feet.

"Panther, fall back!" Ren abruptly ordered. "Ace, take her spot!"

Anne looked taken aback but she did what Ren commanded, letting Ken to step forward.

He summoned Tyr, and with a swipe of his spear, the Persona summoned blades of light that managed to hit two of the Shadows and sending them sprawling.

"Nice, Ace! That's two of them!" Futaba cheered.

But then Prometheus began to glow, waves of green suddenly emitting from the Persona.

"Let's give you a boost! Speed up!"

"Thanks, Oracle!" Ren called to her.

"Finish this, Tyr!" Ken commanded.

The bless spell managed to hit the final Shadow and Haru, Ren, and Ken lunged forward to finish them off.

"Ugh, what a pain," Morgana groused as he summoned Zorro to heal himself.

Ryuji let out a growl, his grip on his club tightening.

"That wasn't funny, dammit! They were totally tryin' to kill us!" he snarled out.

Haru pressed her lips together for a moment. "Maybe because we caused a scene at both the restaurant and the pool. Somebody has to clean up the mess."

But then something struck Haru.

"Wait a second... clean up the mess?"

This was the cleaner?! She hadn't expected that at all!

Futaba gasped, apparently having come to the same conclusion.

"Ohhh, that's why they call him the 'cleaner'! It's 'cause he mops up any trouble that shows its face," she summarized.

"He looks like some kind of yakuza clan leader," Ken muttered. "Did you see those tattoos?"

"Hey, tattoos can be cool!" Ryuji said.

Anne shuddered, wrapping an arm around her torso. "But it wouldn't be cool if he snaps us into two."

"That should make him pretty easy to find though," Futaba mentioned. "We just gotta disturb the peace somehow."

Makoto shook her head, clicking her tongue in disapproval.

"But doing so would have an adverse effect on us finding the other letters of introduction. Let's leave him for last and hurry over to the other two first," she advised.

Yusuke nodded. "In that case, our next target should be the TV station president in the entertainment hall ahead."

"Let's go, Joker," Futaba said seriously.

They stepped through the door to find themselves in almost like… a hotel area. As they stepped forward, Haru could hear the tell-tale sounds of slot machines. It wasn't as glitzy as Niijima-san's Palace, but still above your average casino.

"This must be the entertainment hall as we expected," Makoto remarked.

"Then the slot-loving TV station president should be here. Let us search the area for him," Yusuke stated.

As they came closer to the slots area, they started to search for the elusive TV studio president.

Anne asked, "Hey, do you think he's the president of the TV station that we went to? You know, for the social studies field trip back in June."

"Social studies field trip?" Ken echoed.

"We took that trip like just a little before you transferred to Shujin," Anne clarified.

Oh that was right… she had honestly forgotten about the social studies trip. Back then, she was so worried about the engagement with Sugimura.

"It was totally dumb," Ryuji grumbled. "We were forced to give them free labor while we watched how a TV studio works."

"It wasn't bad." But then Ren suddenly pulled a face. "It's when we met Akechi though."

"That's not important right now," Morgana chided lightly.

Makoto frowned, apparently deep in thought.

"He gives letters of introduction to executives of companies who are willing to sponsor his programs. That's a difficult condition to meet…" she murmured.

Ryuji asked, "Wanna just beat it out of him?"

"Let's try not to be violent if we can get away with being diplomatic. We were close last time until that creep decided to get close and personal with Panther," Ken stated.

"Oh, I was ready to beat him up even before that," Anne said.

"Okayyy..." Ken nervously edged away from Anne.

"Did you hear what he said?! 'Oh, you girls are lovely but not my time unless you come from a good lineage.' Spare me the old-fashioned bullshit! He was begging for an ass kicking!" Anne began to rant.

"Ah, a woman after my own heart," Ren sighed longingly, before pressing a hand against his chest.

"Give me a break," Ryuji grumbled.

Haru ignored the banter, choosing to stare at the man. An executive of a company who would sponsor him... she may be struggling with the Okumura Foods board right now but he didn't know that. Okumura Foods would definitely pique his interest.

"Allow me to handle it," Haru stated, laying a hand over her heart.

This made everyone look to her in surprise. Haru gave a little frown. Was that shocking?

Ryuji looked concerned. "For real? But..."

Morgana smiled. "I'll allow it. You've got this, Noir."

"Who died and made you king?" Ryuji groused. "Last time I checked Joker's the leader, not you!"

Morgana glared at him. "Hmph! I'm certainly higher ranked than you!"

"Children, please play nice," Ken droned out before Ryuji could retaliate.

Haru pumped both fists, beaming at Morgana. "I won't let you down, Senpai!"

She then approached the TV studio president, letting out a delicate cough.

"H-Hello..." she stammered out before mentally kicking herself for it.

"Hello," he echoed, raising an eyebrow. "May I help you?"

Haru bit her lip. "Mm-hm, I believe you can. I was wondering—I'm an admirer of Masayoshi Shido."

She nearly choked on the words but she pressed forward. She would make Shido pay for orchestrating the death of her father, right when she was on the cusp of seeing her true father again.

"Won't you write me a letter of introduction to let me meet him?" she got out.

He blinked owlishly at her. "A letter of introduction? But you're so obviously a child."

Haru shook her head. "I may be young, I admit. But I am Haru Okumura, daughter of the president of Okumura Foods. I believe we sponsored you as well."

He looked taken aback by her revelation.

"Oh, you're her? It's true that I'm quite indebted to President Okumura. He funded us extremely well, after all. However, it looks like he got a little carried away. My condolences."

His voice was... condescending. Haru bit the inside of her cheek. It reminded her of the 'well-wishers' at Father's funeral. They kept telling her how brave she was and that it was a terrible loss.

He suddenly spoke again. "Regarding his exploiting management... Mr. Shido asked me to defend him as much as I could. I even threw some extra security his way, but there were limits to what I could do. The damage almost reached up to Mr. Shido himself. President Okumura had to be cut off."

"Cut off..."

Haru's stomach clenched at that. He spoke so flippantly about her father.

"How dare he!" she seethed to herself.

His body was barely cold! But this man spoke about her father as nothing but a tool!

"I see..." Haru managed to get out, before lowering her eyes demurely. "Thank you for all of your hard work."

It was like bile in her mouth but somehow she managed to get it out. She was starting to despise this man for talking about her father like this. She had so many regrets about Father, but this despicable man spoke of Father like he wasn't a person.

But this was Shido's cognition... it was really how Shido felt. Haru clasped her hands behind her back so she wouldn't be tempted to clench her hands into fists. She couldn't slip up. Everyone was depending on her to get the letter of recommendation.

"It seems he didn't just cast him off his ship, but also used him to trap the Phantom Thieves. Bravo, Mr. Shido. Truly a nasty maneuver," he suddenly remarked.

Haru gritted her teeth. It was difficult hearing that, even though they had long deduced that was the case. This was just... truly horrible. Especially since her father was the one to pay the ultimate price.

Haru managed a sweet smile. "Won't you please give me a letter of recommendation? Once our company recovers, I will arrange for us to cooperate with you in a sponsorship role."

He tilted his head, his eyes studying Haru closely.

"You're the daughter of the late president. Do you really have the authority to do that? Your employees probably resent you."

He paused, apparently thinking it over. Haru crossed her fingers behind her back, praying that he'd take the bait.

"However, I am in your father's debt, either way. I can repay some kindness to his daughter."

"Thank you... very much," Haru got out, even as her heart clenched painfully.

She closed her eyes for a moment. She didn't know if she'd ever be 'over' her father's death. Even now, her heart still bled for her father. He did horrible things but he lost sight of everything.

Sometimes she wondered if Father became obsessed with wealth because of how he couldn't afford the proper medical attention for Mother.

"But my, your father truly was a fool."

The callous remark grabbed Haru's attention right away.

"He could've lived a life of luxury if only he'd done what he was told," he laughed, shaking his head. "You know, I'm the one who broadcast the moment of his mental shutdown."

The nerve of him! Reveling in her father's mental shutdown like this?!

He was oblivious to Haru's silent seething, laughing hysterically.

"He pulled Okumura Foods out of debt. He would've been a good asset to Shido if he hadn't been so delusional. And now, he's left you with a tainted legacy. You poor thing."

"How dare you…" Haru uttered.

He stopped short. "Huh?"

"How could you speak of my father's death like that?!" Haru demanded. "Are you truly heartless?"

He looked quizzically at Haru.

"Hm? That's just business," he stated.

"Just business?! That's all you see this as?! You horrible—!"

She halted her thoughts, she was done trying to hold it all in. She took a shaky breath and licked her dry lips before speaking.

"My father may have made his own fair share of mistakes…" Haru glared at him. "But how could you delight in his mental shutdown? Are there other mental shutdowns you've broadcast for the sake of your precious ratings?"

He just swallowed hard under Haru's stern glare.

"No!" she hissed, clenching a hand into a fist. "You say that I have to grapple with a tainted legacy… but I'll prove everyone wrong. This I swear! I won't let naysayers crush me with their doubt! I will make my father and grandfather proud, and I will blow anyone who says otherwise away!"

She then reached up, tearing off her mask.

"Starting with you!" she snarled out.

Milady's voice suddenly began to resonate in her mind.

Thou art I… and I am thou. Thine resolve hast transformed me… and hast given me a new form. I am…

"ASTARTE!"

There was a loud bang and the cognition was suddenly sent flying backwards. He crashed hard against the slot machines he so loved, letting out a groan.

The cognition pushed himself up, his hands clenching into fists.

"Is that how you want to play, little girl?! Fine then!"

---

The cognition's form trembled once before transforming into a monkey wielding two swords. He was quickly flanked by two golden birds.

It was like... that tomb raider's Shadow form from Futaba's palace. That made things a little easier at least.

"If you think that it's so amusing to brag about showing deaths for the sake of your precious ratings, then I will gladly fight you!" Haru snapped back at the Shadow, unusually fired up.

Ren quickly did a once-over of the area. It was a little tight… it might be tough to maneuver around with everyone.

"Noir, Fox, Ace—you're with me! Everyone else, fall back!" Ren ordered.

Haru, Yusuke, and Ken rushed to join him.

"Arsène!" Ren called on his Persona.

Arsène held out one hand, a ball of dark energy pulsating to life. It then exploded, striking at the three Shadows.

Ren huffed. Damn, if only it was that easy.

"Tyr, answer my call!" Ken exclaimed, before summoning Tyr.

Blades of light slashed through the air.

"Any idea what its weakness might be?" Ren asked.

Ken shook his head. "Not that I recall."

"We'll just find this the hard way then!" Yusuke said, before ripping off his mask. "Kamu Susano-o!"

The temperature dropped significantly as Kamu Susano-o blasted ice chunks at the three Shadows. The golden birds were hit but the TV studio president managed to dodge.

"Is that all you got?" the Shadow taunted.

Then he suddenly turned to one of its lackeys. Red suddenly began to shimmer around the golden bird. Its entire countenance seemed to shift. Ren didn't know how it was possible for a bird to glare but this Shadow did.

"Aw, crap—he hit that Shadow with a rage spell. Look out, guys!" Futaba warned.

The Shadow dive-bombed at Ken but Ken was prepared. He stabbed it with his spear, before smacking it down with the opposite end of his spear. The moment the Shadow hit the ground, Ren saw an opening.

Ren snatched up his gun, shooting at the Shadow. The bullet struck at one of its wings and the Shadow let out a pained screech.

"Nice, Joker! That's how it's done!" Futaba complimented him.

Ren grinned. This was nice, having a fight go more smoothly. Then he turned to his friend.

"Ace, it's yours!"

Ken accepted the baton pass before summoning Tyr. Tyr leveled his arm cannon at the other Shadow before blasting full force.

"Great shot, Ace!" Futaba cheered.

Then Prometheus flashed above their heads.

"But let me give you a boost! Power up!"

Red shimmered around them, and Ren couldn't help but grin as he felt a surge in energy.

"Thanks, Oracle!" he called to her.

"Noir, take it!" Ken said, extending his hand to Haru.

Haru took the baton pass without hesitation. She tore off her mask, crying out, "Astarte, come!"

Haru's new Persona was very... Haru. Pink and covered with flowers… but it was coming out of a skull.

Bullets exploded from Haru's Persona, striking down all three Shadows. It immediately killed the two bird Shadows.

"Holy crap," was all Ren could utter.

"Note to self: do not piss off Noir," Futaba intoned.

He knew that Haru was boosted from the two baton passes already but still, that was kinda scary.

Haru raised her hand to her mask once more, only to change her mind. She whipped her head towards Yusuke.

"You're the last one, Fox!" she exclaimed, holding out her hand.

Yusuke nodded. "Of course, Noir!"

He darted over to her, exchanging a high-five. Yusuke summoned his Persona, but unfortunately the Shadow managed to dodge the ice spell.

"Annoying little bugger," Ren grumbled to himself.

"Ack, Inari, you blew it!" Futaba moaned out.

Yusuke grumbled under his breath before raising his hand to tear off his mask once more.

But Ren couldn't help but wonder. Maybe this Shadow would just dodge their attacks. Ren and Haru managed to hit it but…

"Fox, wait," Ren suddenly said.

"Noir, Ace—I want you to get that Shadow's attention. Do whatever you must to get its attention on you."

As Haru and Ken hurried to follow his orders, Ren turned back to Yusuke.

"Fox, I want you to watch the Shadow. We'll give you an opening, got it?"

Yusuke nodded before he gripped at the hilt of his katana. "Understood, Joker," he said gravely.

Ren grinned before whirling around to face the Shadow. He tore off his mask, summoning Arsène.

Arsène summoned another burst of dark energy but the Shadow deftly dodged the attack. Ken then swept at the Shadow with his spear. It barely managed to dodge, making Ken make a frustrated growl.

The Shadow lunged at Ken, brandishing its swords.

"Ace, move!" Haru cried out, before summoning Astarte.

The bullets Astarte shot at the Shadow forced it on the defensive.

Ren tore off his mask, summoning one of his new Personas. "Thor!"

Lightning crackled from Thor's great hammer before striking at the Shadow. Static electricity sparked from its form.

This got the Shadow's attention and it switched targets. Ren jumped backwards, only for pain to spike through his leg as he landed.

Ren sank to his knee as his leg throbbed.

"Joker!" Anne cried out to him, her voice filled with panic.

"Tyr!"

"Astarte!"

The combination of light and psy magic sent the Shadow flying.

"I'll end it!" Yusuke cried out.

Kamu Susano-o's ice spell struck the Shadow dead on, and it crumbled to dust.

"Joker!" Anne cried out, making a beeline for him.

She sank to her knees, before tearing off her mask. Hecate hovered above her as she cast a healing spell. Warmth blossomed in his leg, and he could feel the pain already fading away.

He was suddenly surrounded by his friends.

"Joker, how's your leg?" Morgana asked with worry.

"Have you been pushing yourself too hard?! We would've stopped if you were feeling pain in your leg!" Haru exclaimed nervously.

"Guys, stop!" Ken abruptly snapped. "Panther's healing now. He'll be fine."

Ren shot him a grateful look. Then he cleared his throat.

"Uhh—hey, I didn't mean to worry you. Sorry, I didn't even realize it."

Yusuke clicked his tongue in disapproval. "You need to take more caution, Joker."

"I will, I will... we'll head out after this, okay?"

"You better," Morgana grumbled.

Ryuji sighed with relief. "I'm just glad that you're okay, man. Can you stand?"

Ren nodded. "I think so."

Ryuji then grabbed his hand and slowly pulled him up. Ren winced. Okay, the pain wasn't completely gone. But this was manageable.

Makoto cleared her throat. "Well, at least we have our third letter now."

Haru nodded. "Mm-hm, that's true."

But then Haru suddenly tensed up. She turned around, facing the TV studio president. He cringed under Haru's stare.

"I assume as part of the media, you have knowledge about quite a few important topics. We will not take your life, as long as you share the knowledge that you've kept from the public," she stated calmly.

"Umm... we weren't gonna kill him," Anne said.

Morgana quickly shushed her.

"This is a good time for intel!" he said urgently.

The TV studio president swallowed hard under Haru's hard gaze.

"Do you remember, the mafia boss who confessed back in July? Well, the money he was gathering all went to Shido-san."

This drew a gasp from Makoto, her eyes growing wide with shock.

"Shido and Kaneshiro were connected?" she asked in disbelief.

The president nodded. "Indeed... as well as that old man Madarame. His counterfeit business along with Kaneshiro's mafia aided Shido-san quite a lot financially."

"Blood money," Ken said, his voice filled with disgust.

"Figures that Shido wouldn't give a crap where his money came from," Ryuji spat out.

"All of those lives ruined..." Makoto said mournfully, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment. Her hands, balled into fists, then began to shake. "For this?"

"Queen..." Ken said quietly, reaching out to steady her hands.

"Sensei was involved in this?" Yusuke questioned.

Then he suddenly let out a hollow laugh, wrapping his arms around himself.

"Why am I surprised? I've known for months that he's utterly ruthless when he wants something. The lengths he went..."

"Oh… Fox." Haru murmured, her voice growing soft with sympathy.

Ryuji then looked to the president. "Hey, you were forcin' the news to be about Akechi and Shido all the time, right? I'm sick of 'em!"

Futaba coughed pointedly. Then she pushed up her goggles to give Ryuji an exasperated look.

"Skull, he isn't real, remember?"

"Oh right," Ryuji said with a sheepish smile before rubbing the back of his neck. "Tellin' him ain't gonna do shit for us."

"Shido just keeps getting worse," Ren spat out, disgust welling up in him.

He wished with all of his heart he could keep pushing on. But he knew that it would be an idiot move. He just wanted Shido to pay for his sins. All of the lives he had destroyed for the sake of his ambition. He couldn't let Shido drag Tokyo—no, all of Japan.

Ren closed his eyes for a moment. He just had to be patient. Shido would get his.

For the sake of everyone who had suffered under his hand—Ohya's friend Kayo, Wakaba Isshiki, Kunikazu Okumura... the list went on and on.

But he had to be smart about this. And they did get three out of the five letters they needed. What they had accomplished was nothing to sneeze at.

"Let's go back, guys. Good work, everyone."

---

"We've stopped at Shibuya. I repeat, Shibuya…"

Makoto poked Ken in the side. "Ken, this is our stop."

Ken stifled a yawn, blinking sleepily at her. "I'm coming."

Instead of heading towards his apartment, he stayed by her side. It took Makoto a moment to realize what was going on.

"Ken, you don't have to walk me home."

Ken just slipped his hand into hers, before giving a light squeeze. "I wanted to, though."

Makoto felt her cheeks warm up in response. "Are you sure, though? I know you have to be careful."

Ken nodded.

"I'm sure. Besides it's getting dark so that helps. When we're on the streets at least." He suddenly pulled a face. "And besides, I've been stuck in the penthouse for days now."

"Getting cabin fever, are we?" Makoto teased lightly.

Ken sighed. "You have no idea."

Makoto laughed softly. She never pictured Ken to be the type to get antsy like this. Maybe she could come over more, to keep him company at least.

"I'm sure Ren understands your suffering," she teased.

"Right, he has to play dead. He might be worse off than me," Ken droned out.

"It'll be over soon," she reassured her boyfriend.

"Not soon enough," Ken grumbled before running his free hand through his hair. "We still have two more letters of recommendation to get ahold of and then there's the preparation for the fight with Shido…"

But then he gave her a once-over.

"But how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Ken, don't worry," Makoto said, shaking her head. "I don't even have a headache."

A relieved sigh escaped Ken before he rubbed at the back of his neck. A sheepish smile appeared on his face.

"Sorry, I don't mean to fuss."

Makoto laughed softly. "If I got after you for that, I'd be a hypocrite."

Ken laughed at that. He then glanced towards Makoto's apartment building which was starting to come into view.

"Do you think your sister will be home?" he suddenly asked.

Makoto shrugged in response. "I honestly don't know. Sis has been coming home more often now but she does still have a busy workload."

Makoto winced; she realized now that she was painting an unfair picture of Sae.

"She's been trying, though. We've been talking more. A little about Dad, what I've been up to. It's nice."

She couldn't help but feel lame at what she said, but it was the truth. Things still felt awkward and stilted between them. She couldn't deny that. But she felt like it was the first step forward.

Ken smiled gently at her. "I'm glad to hear that. I know that it'll be hard at first but it'll come easier over time."

Makoto raised an eyebrow at that. "You talk like you're experienced with this kind of thing."

Ken let out a little laugh, amused by something.

"Well, it's not entirely the same but it was... difficult working things out with Shinjiro-san initially."

"Oh…"

Makoto couldn't help but feel a little foolish. It was hard believing that there was a time where Ken ever felt awkward around his guardian. Their relationship wasn't exactly conventionalbut it was so easy to see how much they cared about each other.

"Sorry about that…"

Ken shook his head. "There's nothing to be sorry about."

He then let out a little sigh as they stopped in front of Makoto's apartment.

"Should I walk you up?"

Makoto frowned. Normally, Ken wouldn't have hesitated to walk her up. But she could understand his hesitation. Shido was supposed to believe that Ken and the Shadow Operatives had cut off ties with them.

Makoto shook her head. "It's okay. It's just a couple floors."

Ken sighed, the puff of air ruffling his bangs. "I'll see you soon... hopefully."

Makoto stood on her tiptoes, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. "I'll visit you soon," she promised.

Ken smiled at her. "Thanks, Makoto. But don't think that you have to visit me constantly."

Makoto shook her head. "It's not a chore for me, you know."

Ken laughed lightly before dipping his head to kiss her forehead. "Duly noted."

"And Ken?" Makoto looked up at him shyly before her cheeks warmed. "I love you."

It felt nice to finally get it off her chest, to say it to him.

Ken quickly embraced her. "I love you too."

He kissed her one more time before bidding her good night. She watched him until she couldn't make his form out. She pursed her lips together. Hopefully both Ken and Ren would make it back safely without any problems.

When Makoto entered the apartment, she noticed that Sae's shoes were by the door.

"Sis, I'm home," she said tentatively, feeling more than just a little awkward.

Usually she was the one to greet Sae, not the other way around.

As she walked further into the apartment, she saw that Sae had fallen asleep at the table. Files were scattered everywhere. A mug of cold tea sat nearby.

Makoto sighed, shaking her head before organizing the files. Sae suddenly stirred, as Makoto finished stacking the files.

"Makoto?" she said drowsily.

Then she gasped, sitting up straight.

"Makoto, when did you get back?" she asked.

"Just now, Sis. Did you have a rough day at work?" Makoto asked.

"Ah…" Sae suddenly coughed into her hand. "Nothing you need to concern yourself about. I'm just doing some research on the side."

"Research?" Makoto echoed.

Sae sighed, running a hand through her hair. Then she looked to Makoto.

"So… how was the Palace?" she asked.

Makoto pursed her lips together. Sae was dodging her question.

"Sis, what are you not telling me?"

Sae's lips pressed together until they became a thin line.

"I don't want to get your hopes up," she said hesitantly. "But... I've been doing some research on the side, to see if we can get Ren-kun's sentence lifted from his record."

"Really?!" Makoto gasped, her eyes growing wide.

This was a pleasant surprise. She hadn't expected Sae to be looking into this.

Sae smiled gently before giving a little nod. "Yes, really. Your conversation about getting rid of Ren-kun's record stuck in my mind."

"That's... incredible," Makoto breathed.

Sae shook her head before stifling a yawn. "Save the compliments when I actually find a way."

She then gestured Makoto to sit down.

"You never answered my question, though."

Makoto couldn't help but frown. This visit to Shido's Palace had both its ups and downs.

"Well we made a lot of progress today," she said hesitantly. "We got three out of the five letters of recommendation that we need to find the Treasure."

She hoped this response would satisfy Sae's curiosity. She wasn't sure how Sae would react to the fact that she got hurt—more seriously than usual.

Sae sighed. "You know, this still sounds like a fairytale to me…"

Makoto just shrugged. "Well Sis... believe it or not, it's very much real."

Sae suddenly frowned, squinting at her. "Do you usually... get physical injuries once you leave though?"

Makoto winced. "Ah…"

She really wished she could come up with a better response but…

"Is that a yes?" Sae was suddenly alert. "Makoto…"

Makoto said firmly, "Sis, don't. You can't change my mind. This is something I have to do. I swore that I would never close my eyes from the truth again. I have to do this. You didn't see what's in Shido's mind. He's completely warped, and he'll drag all of Japan into his scheme. I can't look away."

Sae asked, "But to the point of endangering your life? Makoto, what if it gets worse?"

Makoto shook her head. "My answer is still the same. Shido deserves to be brought to justice."

Then something suddenly struck Makoto, and her lips curled into a smile.

"Besides, it's not much more dangerous than helping a wanted criminal from escaping custody, right?"

Sae gaped at her, before a small laugh escaped her.

"I suppose you have me there."

Sae spoke stiltedly though. Makoto sighed. She could see in Sae's eyes that she wasn't happy with this.

"Sis—"

"I don't like this, Makoto," Sae said flatly. "I-I know that you've been going out and doing Phantom Thief work for months but I—this is too dangerous. Are you ready to pay any price?"

Makoto nodded without hesitation.

"I am. I refuse to back down. We've come this far and I don't intend on running away now."

Sae still looked at unease. But then she suddenly took a deep breath.

"I'm not entirely happy about this. But I know that you're nearly an adult and have the right to start making your own decisions. Just—please be careful, Makoto. Mom and Dad are gone. I can't lose you too."

Makoto reached out, touching Sae's hand resting on the table.

"Don't worry, Sis. I don't plan on getting killed out there."

Sae's face softened. "Okay... I trust you, Makoto. You are a bright girl after all. You won't do anything reckless."

Makoto tried not to cringe. Perhaps one day she'll tell Sae about what happened the day she had awakened to Johanna. But that day was not today.

"I'll have to do my part in ensuring that Shido will remain behind bars though," Sae remarked.

Makoto laughed softly. "Well you have a little time. Ren's leg is still not at 100% so he'll have to recuperate for several days before we go back in."

Sae frowned. "Is he going to be okay?"

"Well, he's covered when it comes to medicine," Makoto said hesitantly.

At least Ren's reaction to Mitsuru's gift was amusing.

Sae arched an eyebrow at Makoto. "I beg your pardon?"

"Ah, it's nothing." Makoto waved her hand in dismissal.

Sae shook her head, looking a little skeptical at Makoto's claim. But then she suddenly stood up.

"I'll cook dinner tonight," she announced.

Makoto blinked at that. Sae wasn't... much of a cook.

"Are you sure, Sis?"

"Yes, you need to rest."

"What are you even going to cook?" Makoto asked skeptically.

"I'll... figure it out."

Makoto laughed. "We might as well order take-out then."

Sae gave her an indignant look before folding her arms over her chest. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Makoto giggled, raising an eyebrow. "You're a smart woman, Sis. I'm sure you can figure it out."

"Quiet, you."

---

And we're officially at the midpoint of the Shido arc! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! There was a lot of content I had to cover. Next chapter will be a little breather though, in preparation of the final parts of the Shido Palace.

As usual, a big thank you to my wonderful beta angelrin89! Her tweaks and polishing up the chapter are much appreciated! She helped me with figuring out about the whole swimsuit thing too because when I sat down to write that section, it struck me as odd that the girls could just… change out of the suits. While yes, gameplay wise, you CAN change out of the thief outfits and equip costumes. But the whole suddenly in Phantom Thief outfits the moment Anne reveals her true intentions just doesn't make sense. Not to mention there's the whole thing with the Metaverse costumes actually protecting the PT from distortions in the Metaverse. So a change to try and fix this small plothole.

Also I know that some people may be wondering on the SEES reactions to the cousin reveal. I'm currently working on a oneshot about that. I'll be soon releasing a oneshot collection based on the Ace in the Hole verse, covering pre-P5 timeline and beyond the conclusion of Ace in the Hole!

But long time readers probably know… I've participated in Shuann Week every year since its conception… and it's just 2 months away. So, I will be taking a small hiatus while I work on those pieces. Additionally I'm working on a Shuyuka zine with a couple of my friends so that also eats into my time. (If you're interested in that zine, check out the twitter at Shuyukazine!)

I've also commissioned a few more art pieces! These include art of the older IT, Yu and Teddie. Almost all of the IT has art now. Thank you guys for your patience regarding this chapter and happy early Valentine's Day! I'd love to hear what you guys think about this chapter 3