bopdog111: Well they succeeded in taking the Treasure from Zaizen's Palace. The Blue Angel Book.
Ulrich362: True, which should mean Akira had a change of heart... though how will that affect Skye?
bopdog111: Only one way to find out here since the Phantom Thieves made quite an announcement to take his heart.
Ulrich362: True, they did... and well, the Inner Circle's reactions including Emperor.
bopdog111: What would this mean though once they are aware of it?
Ulrich362: Only one way to find out, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS or Persona but we own the OCs!
(Days Until Skye Is Sent To Boarding School: 2)
It had been a day since the Calling Card had been sent, and the Phantom Thieves had been busy waiting to see what kind of changes await them over after they had read the Blue Angel Book that Skye had read over to them over where she later concluded that the Phantom Thieves are the same comrades that are like the Blue Angel character in the book that can help her get over her loneliness. Of course SOL Technologies was quite in chaos from it's failure to defeat the Thieves but also they made off with some important data while Lancelot, and Alexander were frustrated from them failing to stop Playmaker, and Sophie but most annoyed with Emperor, and Zaizen for there failure to stop them.
Now let us make it back to yesterday at SOL.
Flashback (Yesterday)...
The Inner Circle watched as Emperor logged out after he had failed to defeat Playmaker, and Sophie with Zaizen.
"They lost?" Lancelot Knight questioned in shock seeing that. "How? They were dueling a beginner!"
"They were also dueling Playmaker." Bishop noted.
"Dammit Sota... you have one simple job, and you couldn't do that?" Queen growled over really frustrated. "He can't be the CEO if this happens constantly!"
"Do you think you could have beaten Playmaker?" Alexander Knight questioned. "You may be King's wife but you're nowhere near your own son's skill as a duelist."
"What did you just say!?" Queen yelled at Alexander really offended towards him.
"Maria shut up." King spoke a hand on his head. "Wither or not our son failed it's not important. We need to focus over what data Playmaker took from our Data Banks, and why they targeted Zaizen."
"Is it... that again?" she asked him seeing his hand on his head.
"Nevermind this." King shakes his head looking over. "Zaizen isn't available from how this looks. Bring Kitamura here stat."
"Sir." Rook nodded going to get him.
They watched over before Alexander sighed over before turning to King. "King sir? Whatever punishment you have for me, and Lancelot, I accept it. We weren't able to stop them."
"We can deal with that later, the issue is that the Phantom Thieves are here in Den City which is going to be a problem." King frowned.
"But why would they be after Zaizen?" Lancelot asked over. "To lower our security?"
"No... in there Calling Card they seem to be responding towards his sister's need for freedom, and decided to do something about his nature." Bishop said having checked the Calling Card several times for clues.
"His sister's need for freedom, she's a Charisma Duelist of course she has freedom." Alexander pointed out.
"Do you know who Zaizen is?" Bishop asked him with a glare.
"He's the man in charge of security and..." Alexander started.
"Sir pardon the interruption, Kitamura is entering the room to speak with you all should I prepare your avatar?" asked a male voice.
"Do so." King spoke up.
He nodded as King was seeing a blue haired man wearing a white suit as Kitamura saw a large King Chess Piece.
"Kitamura." King's Chess Piece greeted over to him. "Do you know why I called you here?"
"I'm afraid I don't sir, but if there's something you need me to do I'll do it gladly." Kitamura answered.
"Well as I'm sure your aware, the Phantom Thieves had made there move earlier today on Akira Zaizen." King voiced to him so he can understand. "Before leaving they made off with some Data from the Data Banks. I want to know what they took."
"Of course, I'll look into it immediately." Kitamura nodded.
"Once you find out inform me immediately." King instructed him.
"Sir." Kitamura nodded before walking off.
So the avatar worn off as King frowned again. "There is still the issue over what Zaizen will be doing now that the Thieves are successful."
"We can pull up the calling card again." Lancelot Knight suggested.
"Not what he means fucking idiot. We should get rid of Zaizen before he reveals too much." Queen stated over with a glare.
"I agree completely." Bishop smirked.
"I'm gonna have to object." someone walked in.
Hearing that they turned to see who it was. It is a short white haired man that resembles Rook except he isn't as obese as he is along with wearing a gray business suit, and red tie with a nametag that says White Rook on it.
"What do you want?" Black Rook questioned.
"I'd like to object doing away with Zaizen, sir." White bowed his head towards King walking in front of the table.
"Then what would you suggest?" Queen asked him.
"If you must get him away, then instead of doing away just let him go calmly." White answered over to them where instead of ending Zaizen's life, just fire him calmly since Zaizen will want to resign, they should grant that.
"I have to agree." Bishop nodded.
King sighed from this. "I still believe it be better for us to eliminate the problem... but if you say so White, then I suppose there isn't a better option. His heart of heart will have him resign eitherway." So he turned to Bishop. "From your history with Zaizen you will do the deed."
"Of course." he smirked at that.
So Bishop messaged Zaizen over to the room over waiting for the chance to change to his Chess Piece Form.
"Sir, Akira Zaizen left." a female voice told them nervously. "He said he suddenly needed rest."
King frowned recalling this was normal, after the Phantom Thieves send a calling card the target withdraws for a time after the change of heart.
"Call him over this instant." Bishop only sounded annoyed over ordering this. "He thinks he can head home so suddenly, I don't think so, I will-"
"It's fine, but call for Emperor." King interjected.
"Uh, sir?" Bishop stopped his orders turning to King a bit off-guard.
"This is normal, we can deal with him when he returns." King answered.
"Uh, yes sir." Bishop nodded a bit frustrated they had to wait for Zaizen after a perfect chance of getting him out of SOL but he calls Emperor over.
After a few minutes Emperor walks in. "You called me?"
"Emperor... can you guess why we called?"
Emperor stared at his father before he looks down. "Yes, I can guess why... about my failure to protect the Data Banks, and Zaizen."
"We don't care about Zaizen. You let the Thieves take important data." Queen stomped over glaring before in front of them smacked him hard on his cheek. "Failure is not permitted, your only suppose to win, and be on top, being below that is unacceptable!"
Emperor stood stood before turning that placing a hand on his reddening cheek.
"Enough!" King shouted causing the entire room to tremble somehow.
Everyone in the room turned over towards him from this with Queen blinking, and Emperor a hand still on his cheek.
"We'll find out what data was lost soon enough and then we'll make a decision but Maria... if you raise your hand to Sota again I don't care if you are my wife you will be removed from my company am I clear!?" King threatened her coldly.
"Aku, I-" She was quite startled from his anger directed over towards her having felt what she done was justified as she's a complete stuck-up, and felt some corporal punishment is needed so Emperor can be the perfect weapon they both envisioned him to be. But she knows better then to take her chances when it concerns him. "Yes, darling." She walked back defeated over but didn't give Emperor an apology.
Sighing King closed his eyes. "This meeting is adjourned until Zaizen returns."
They all nodded walking out leaving King, Queen, and Emperor alone.
"Father?" Ignoring the stinging pain in his cheek Emperor looks concerned over while Queen places a hand on his shoulder.
"It's... that." King shuddered.
Emperor nodded from this as they stayed close at his side.
End Flashback...
At the Zaizen household...
Skye hadn't seen Zaizen since the Palace which was his Shadow, and is worried if he's alright just hoping things will be alright. Also be the time for them to talk about him holding her back, and to rescind the boarding school offer.
Frowning he walked out of the room though he looked unsteady and was on the phone.
"Yes... yes I know... you heard me." Zaizen told the person he was talking to. "Alright... I'll see you tomorrow with her."
"Akira?" Skye asked quietly nervous.
He looked over to her before shaking his head and going back into his room. Skye looked worried from this before Axis spoke over from her Duel Disk. "Just give him some time Skye. He'll come around."
"I hope." she admitted picking up her bag and Duel Disk to head to school and then Cafe Nom.
School Day...
Yusaku was waiting at the entrance for Skye over only to overhear a conversation from some passing students. Blinking he decided to listen to the conversation.
"...you hear? Apparently the arcade is now up and running!"
"Ah really? That's sweet? Dueling's awesome but there is more to life then that."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Maybe they have some shooters that can be badass."
"I also heard there hiring part time there."
"Maybe we can check it out?"
The students walked in as Axis in Yusaku's Duel Disk voiced quietly. "Part time job at an arcade? That sounds like fun. You can learn to be more considerate of others or learn more skills to use for future ideas."
"I'll consider it." Yusaku nodded. "I'm not great with people... other than Kolter and the thieves."
Soon Skye walked up towards him. "Sorry... were you waiting long?"
"No, how are things at home?" he asked.
"Well... he hasn't talked to me yet. He was talking with someone on the phone." Skye answered.
"Huh, what news?" Skye asked hearing that.
"Did something happen?" Yusaku asked her.
"Well there wasn't much to tell." Tenya admitted over to them. "But apparently SOL Technologies is under a lot of pressure from the Calling Card that had happened yesterday."
(A/N (bopdog111): Real quick to anyone who doesn't get it yet, Tenya is Hosoda. Reason why he has a different name, is cause I didn't know he had an official name before I gave him it.)
"Oh, that was real?" Yusaku asked taking out his fake deck. "I didn't know that."
"Well of course it is! You do know the Phantom Thieves of Hearts?" Shima asked Yusaku.
"Yes, I do. They been out of work for a while so that's why I think it wasn't true."
"Well, I guess you have a point." Shima admitted over not arguing with that. "But the truth of the matter is that SOL had decided to fire Zaizen!"
"Huh?" Skye asked shocked hearing that.
"They are lots of things. Embezzlement, harassment, abuse of authority... but most is domestic abuse." Tenya admitted over not sure what to believe. "But Skye, despite you, and him's... rocky situation he never gotten physical with you has he?" Skye did gotten a slap from him but nothing other then that.
"No, never." Skye frowned. "I... he's a bit overprotective but that's it."
"So does this meant the Change of Heart is real!?" Shima sounded excited and so sure.
"I... I don't know, he's been very withdrawn." Skye admitted.
"Is he doing alright?" Tenya asked to Skye.
"I hope so." Skye admitted frowning a bit. "I'm a little worried about him."
"He'll be okay Skye. Just give him some time, the Phantom Thieves are coming for him." Yusaku assured her over.
"Yeah, I know." she nodded. "I can try and talk to him when I get back."
"Well let's try to have some fun since we got time." Shima grinned readying his Deck.
"Sure, hopefully I can do a little better." Yusaku smiled. "I took your advice and added that Beckoning Light trap you suggested."
Shima grinned as they readied over.
Later...
The Thieves were at Cafe Nom as usual over waiting for Skye, and Yusaku over for them to arrive for them to chat about the Change of Heart, and get Skye's insight over how Zaizen is taking it. They are worried for Zaizen, and want to see if he's doing okay through Skye.
"It has been a while, are we sure this worked?" Haru asked uncertainly.
"Don't worry Haru this will work." Makoto assures her with a smile. "We took the Treasure, kept his Shadow alive, and escaped the Palace in one peace. He'll be okay."
"Exactly." Morgana agreed. "And we did it before our deadline so everything should be fine."
"Exactly, the only reason your father's situation was different was well... we all know what happened with him." Akechi told her.
"You all were out of practice since the Jails didn't follow the same thing but you all done it like how you told me." Sophia who is still in her body given by Maruki smiled over.
"That's true, and you and Yusaku managed to get the data... by the way Futaba have you and Kolter found anything yet?" Yusuke asked curiously.
"Well SOL Technologies sure know what there doing. There coding firewalls are some of the best, I ever seen." Futaba admitted over before then grinning. "Still nothing we can't handle."
"Are you sure?" asked a voice as they looked to see Yusaku and Skye walking over.
"Hey you two, how was school?" Zenkichi asked with a smile.
"It was actually pretty good today." Yusaku admitted. "Though, after we talk I might have something to do.
"Skye, is Zaizen alright?" Ann softly asked to Skye.
"I'm not sure, apparently we're going to be talking to someone tomorrow but... he's been really withdrawn ever since you changed his heart." she admitted. "Is this how it normally works?"
"Yes it should. Now that his distorted desires are wiped from his mind, his brain is trying to comprehend what he had been doing." Morgana explained to her. "What he does next is up to him but his desires will not guide him."
Skye nodded at that. "Oh, what about the data?"
"You got here just in time, we just cracked it." Futaba grinned.
They looked over as Yusaku asked over to Kolter. "What did you two find."
"Coming up." Kolter typed in pulling out a report. "Date, 10 years ago... lead by scientists... kidnapped six children." He then grinned over towards them. "Yup, this is our data!"
"So who lead it?" Yusaku eager to finally get some answers pressed on.
"His name is Kiyoshi Kogami." Kolter pulled up a picture which shows of a mustache, bearded man with gray hair. Almost all the Thieves recognize him, he was the cognitive scientist they had fought back at Yusaku's Palace.
"That... we've seen that asshole before!" Ryuji cried out. "He was in your palace Yusaku."
Yusaku narrowed his eyes at this seeing the picture before he turned to the Thieves. "Did he give any info that can help?"
"He said something about humanity's successor, but we couldn't make out most of what he was talking about." Ann admitted. "His face was in shadow too but looking at this guy, I'm almost sure it's the same person."
"What does it say?" Makoto asked Kolter.
Kolter checked over the data over. "He kidnaps 6 children but a report from an anonymous person uncovered the Incident six months into it. Alongside him were Alec, Clarissa Turner, and Genome who worked alongside him for this. Goals for this included... creation of the Ignis?"
"What involving me?" Ai spoke up stunned. "What does it say about that!?"
"...Sorry, it only said about creating the Ignis. There's not much info to disclose what it means." Kolter admitted over before then widening his eyes. "Wait what!?"
"You've got to be kidding me!" Futaba cried in shock. "He's dead!?"
"Dead!?" Ann asked shocked.
"Well... according to this he died sometime while in prison."
Yusaku frowned shaking his head having his doubts over it from what Kolter just said. "Does it say anything about the Knights of Hanoi?"
"Well... only the true name of the incident." Kolter turned over saying the name. "The Hanoi Project."
"The Hanoi Project." Yusaku frowned.
"Don't worry, we'll help you figure this out." Akira told him.
Yusaku softly nodded over before Akane asked over. "Does it say anything else?" The two checked over from this before shaking there heads no over.
"Well there is something else but it's probably nothing." Kolter admitted.
"You never know, what does it say?" Akechi inquired. "There may be useful information."
"Ryoken Kogami." Kolter answered what the name is.
"Ryoken Kogami, so he must be related to Kiyoshi." Haru whispered.
"Name confirmed." Axis voiced suddenly from Akira's Duel Disk.
"Huh?" Skye asked hearing that.
"Did something happen Axis?" Sophia asked curiously.
"Ryoken Kogami, is the name of a Palace Ruler." Axis explained over.
That caught them all off guard.
"For real?" Ryuji questioned.
"Kiyoshi's related member has a Palace?" Ichinose asked cupping her chin. "Well I suppose that once the Change of Heart clears out we try finding out anything about him."
"We have a name but no location or distortion so it'll take time." Makoto pointed out. "We need all three keywords to enter his palace."
"That's why she said, 'when the Change of Heart clears out'." Sophia said over to her.
Yusaku nodded before frowning. "I need to go."
"Where you going?" Akira asked over to him.
"It was Axis, apparently there's an arcade that opened and working there is supposedly a good idea." Yusaku frowned.
Hearing that remembering his own experiences doing a job or gaming made Akira smiled over. "It is. Have fun."
Yusaku rolled his eyes before nodding and walking off. After walking for a bit, and getting some directions over Yusaku arrived at an arcade that has a sign that said 'Grand Opening'. The name of the Arcana was 'The Grand Phazer'.
"'The Grand Phazer'... sounds a bit stylish. That's probably what there looking for." Axis admitted over to Yusaku.
Yusaku rolled his eyes but walked in and up to the man at the front counter. The man was working over reading a magazine before he looks up over to Yusaku seeing him. "Hello, welcome to the Grand Phazer. What can I do for you today?"
"Go on." Axis whispered.
Yusaku frowned before sighing. "I'm here to ask about a part time job."
"Oh, a job?" the man asked before placing his magazine down. "Well glad to hear someone was interested in the position. I'm Take Ākēdo, the manager, and founder here for the Grand Phazer." He stood up showing he's a man in his early 40s wearing a blue apron having a ship on it with GRAND PHAZER above the ship. "Now here are some questions, I need you to answer honestly."
Yusaku sighed but nodded. "Alright then."
"Okay so can you tell me your name, and why you want to take this job?" Take asked him with simple questions.
"Yusaku Fujiki, and... I was thinking it could be a way to meet people and maybe make a little money." Yusaku answered.
Take nodded over from this looking him over. "Okay, and can you tell me what kind of skills you have?"
"Skills?" Yusaku asked hearing that. "What do you mean?"
"Social skills, customer skills, that sort of thing." Take answered over. "If you want to take the job, you need to deal with customers well."
"I can give it a try." Yusaku relented as he closed his eyes. Before his Heart was changed he'd never even consider it but now... he would at least try to interact with people.
"And have you ever taken a job before this, and if you have, what did you work for?" Take asked him.
"I... well it wasn't a job but I helped a friend at a foot truck that made Hot Dogs." Yusaku answered honestly.
Take nodded over. "So you have a little experience with it." He then shrugged over. "Ah well it doesn't make a difference. I think you'll be a welcomed edition to the Great Phazer." He hands Yusaku an apron like his. "Here's your uniform, get changed, and we can start what you can do."
Yusaku nodded taking it and walking to put it on. "This... I can't believe I'm doing this."
"Have a good day at work?" Axis asked to lift the mood with a smile.
Yusaku rolled his eyes but walked out in his uniform. "What do I do?"
"Alright. As a starting point, you will walk around or be at the counter." Take explained over towards him. "Anyone who wants to purchase tokens will go to me or you. The more Tokens they purchased the more the fee will be. You will also make sure no fights or anything like that happens around the arcade, and if someone needs help help them out to the best of your ability. And always remember to treat everyone with respect, and be considerate of what they wanted."
"That doesn't sound too hard." Yusaku nodded. "Alright then, I can handle that."
"Okay then." Take reaches handing a small thing to Yusaku. "Attach that to your belt. Whenever someone loses a Token, or wants to purchase one, you dispense a Token from that thing, and keep the money saved in your bank attached to it."
Yusaku blinked but nodded taking it. "Right."
So Yusaku attaches it onto his belt getting to work over. Over the day he walked around keeping an eye on things over, and dispensing Tokens around to anyone who wants to purchase them from him while placing them in the bank attached. While walking around he encountered someone which is Shima.
"Whoa, man Yusaku! I didn't know you work here!" Shima grinned over to him. He then chuckled over. "Well I guess this is how you make a living huh? Okay, this is quite exciting! 20 Tokens please!" Yusaku handed him the Tokens as Shima handed the yen over. "Thank ya, trying to beat my latest high score on Alien Blaster! You should try it, I maybe a sore Duelist, but I at least can shoot something! Oh sorry, should let you get back to work! See ya!" Shima walked off over from this.
Axis whispered over towards Yusaku after a while more. "Great job, you learned to be more considerate of others. Appealing to others who depend on you, is gonna strengthen your social interactions so be sure to keep that in mind."
Yusaku just nodded before eventually heading back to Take. "I think I'm done for the day?"
"Yeah closing time. I can manage the rest of it." Take smiled over before checking over there earnings. "Okay here is your share." He handed some yen over to Yusaku. "Thanks for the help, gave this old man some work off of his back. Hope I see you again."
Yusaku nodded. "I'll do what I can."
"Well thanks!" Take waved as Yusaku exited the Arcade to head back.
The next day...
Skye, and Zaizen hear a car arriving to the house which is someone from the boarding school she was assigned too which made her frown worried as her brother turned over to her. "Treat them well Skye. We have something important to discuss."
"I... ok." she nodded frowning.
Soon after a minute a knock was heard as Zaizen walked, and opened the door showing a man in his late 50s was there wearing a suit, and a suitcase.
"Mr. Zaizen. Evening." the man bowed over as he walked in after Zaizen invited him in before he notices Skye. "So... this is your sister?"
"Yes, Skye." Zaizen nodded. "Please come in, would you like a glass of water?"
"Of course." They walked sitting down in the living room with a water at hand. "So Zaizen, you given us a sudden call before your request can be finalized. Is there something you wish for all of us to discuss before it can be made official?"
"Yes... I know it's short notice but as the request hasn't been finalized yet I called to inform you that I'll be cancelling my transfer request for Skye." he said calmly.
That surprised Skye turning over to Zaizen off-guard from it while the boarding school official raised an eyebrow towards Zaizen. "Oh, is that so? What had changed your mind?"
"A bit of time to clear my head, I was a bit stressed from my position and not thinking straight. I apologize if this causes any inconvenience for you or your school." Zaizen apologized.
The boarding school official stared before he shrugged. "Trust us your hardly the first or hardly the last to do something like that. In any case, I'm glad your able to have a clear mind now." He opened his suitcase handing a paper to Zaizen. "Your request in paper. You can do what you to do, it serves no purpose anymore."
Zaizen nodded taking the paper. "Thank you very much."
The boarding school official nodded before standing up. "Well good to see you." He then turned to Skye. "And you young lady, good luck." With that he bowed before exiting the house driving off.
Zaizen watched him leave before looking at the request only to rip it in half and throw it away. "Skye, I'm sorry about... being so rash in my decision. About more than just this."
Skye looked before she smiled standing up. "After mom, and dad died... you done all you could to keep me safe. And after Terrance ran off leaving us this whole, you sworn to keep me safe. I thank you so much for it... you were going too far but... now your head is clear, and it's time to change now. I'm just glad, your back for real Akira."
He nodded with a smile before pausing. "There is one other thing Skye."
Skye stood up hearing that. "Is it about...?" She can kinda guess the direction this is heading too.
He nodded handing her a form, a tournament entry form for the dueling tournament in Hawaii. "It just needs your signature."
Well... not quite what she expected but she was surprised nontheless. "Akira this..."
"I need to let you spread your wings beyond this city." he told her. "Of course I still plan on keeping you safe and supporting you."
Skye kept staring shocked before having tears in her eyes smiling before closing them reaching her hand but pushes the form back.
"Skye?" he asked seeing that. "Is something wrong?"
"Thanks for this... but I also realized something." Skye said before looking up to him. "All this time, I tried proving I'm strong enough on my own... but then I realized, I can only be strong if I have you. So now... I'll protect you."
Zaizen's eyes widened before he smiled. "Skye... you've changed, for the better."
Skye smiled back with closed eyes as tears run down her face which she wipes noticing. She then smiled. "The last part of 'Blue Angel'... even after she learns about companionship, she still sheds blue tears. And now I'm doing the same..."
Zaizen gently wiped her eyes. "Yeah, you are."
Skye softly hugged Zaizen close to her.
Ulrich362: Well, it looks like the change of heart worked.
bopdog111: Which marks the end of the Matrix of Guardianship. And yes the name 'Ryoken Kogami' is the next Palace Ruler.
Ulrich362: True, but who is Ryoken Kogami?
bopdog111: We will find out soon enough. For now though, they gotta handle some of the Hanoi threats including a tower.
Ulrich362: That doesn't sound good, but I guess we'll see what happens. See you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!