Chapter 22: To Yokohama!

"Well, that was a fight." Tao remarks, stretching her arms as the Thieves gather around the Motorhome. "Does anyone else feel like they have still been slobbered on, or is it just me?"

"No… I still feel like I haven't been hosed down." Futaba admits, shaking in place.

"Haru, you were fantastic there." Makoto comments, turning the floofy-haired girl red.

"I agree. You really let Mariko know how you really felt." Ren agrees, nodding his head at her.

"It's only because I had all of you next to me that I was able to tell her that." Haru counters, brushing some hair away. "Still, I wonder if Mari-san will be okay…"

"We can only find out tomorrow." Akechi replies before taking out his phone. "It has gotten late. What do you say we stop at the bathhouse and then grab tea?"

"I'm for that. Just to get this icky feeling off me." Sumire agrees, rubbing her arms.

"In that case, can we try jingisukan? That delicious lamb barbecue dish?" Morgana asks, his eyes shining like stars at the Thieves.

"Oh, that is a MUST here in Hokkaido!" Shiho shouts while Yusuke looks crestfallen.

"But I thought we decided to get lobster hot pot…."

"When did we decide that? And besides, who would eat something hot when it's hot outside?" Ryuji asks, rubbing the back of his head.

"But… isn't jingisukan also like a hot pot?" Mishima asks awkwardly.

"Huh!? But I thought it was a barbecue!" Ann asks in shock.

"Technically, you need a utensil called a jingisukan pot. And you can't really barbecue in a pot." Hifumi tells her, much to the team's disappointment, that it wasn't actually a real barbecue.

"Well, either way, we have our route set for us." Ren ends, bringing out his phone. "Sophia, think you can bring up a route for us?" But when she didn't respond, Ren tilted his head to the side. "Sophia? Are you there?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry. I got it." Sophia responds, although she was distracted by something, given the delay in her answering. While Ren could see the fourth star appear on her tarot card. "Plotting a route for you now." While Ren nods at his phone, he shares a glance with Makoto as they follow the path outlined to the nearest bathhouse.

Something told them they would need to have a chat with Sophia later.


August 6th, 2017

"…Thank you all for taking your time to gather here today." Hyodo tells the crowd of reporters before her. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the two men who ruined her life standing nearby, ready to jump in when she let the yen coin drop. But there was no stopping this. "There is something I've been meaning to share with everyone. As of today, I will be resigning from office. I do not intend to seek re-election either."

She stands up and bows to the crowd. Seeing the two men smirking with satisfaction. "During my time as mayor, I've betrayed all of your trust. You may think of me as a mayor who's earned your trust, but in truth, there is plenty that I am ashamed of."

"Such as the Snow Sculpture collapse of two years ago?" The corrupt councilman interjects, walking up with the man who framed her. "Such a horrendous disaster that was, that happened under your watch. You should have been in charge of looking over the finer details, yet you failed to see that it would have collapsed. How could a woman like you stay as mayor after that and run for re-election? It boggles the mind." He smirks darkly at her, the evil intend behind his eyes clear to her like a summer day.

But just as he was about to open his mouth again, he was cut off by another.

"And perhaps you think your hands are clean, do you not?" Zenkichi jumps in, walking out of the shadows with several cops. The corrupt councilman and his lackey stand in shock as Zenkichi walks up to him. Not smiling one bit. "I have to say, the only person here with the gall to run for election here is you."

"W-What are you saying?" The man asks in surprise.

"You don't know? Then why don't you ask your friend here." Zenkichi turns to the man, who suddenly shrinks down. "What was it again? Ah yes. Accepting kickbacks, embezzling money that was to be used for the Snow Sculpture and hiring a cheaper construction company that led to the death of nine-year-old Nanase-chan. All so you could line your own pockets because 'you weren't paid enough'. Is that about right?"

Shock rings out throughout the hall, and even outside as the people watching suddenly taking in a gasp of air simultaneously.

"And what did you do after that? Ah, right. Blackmail Mayor Hyodo into taking full responsibility, with the rest of her staff supporting you in shifting the blame. All the while…" Zenkichi turned his gaze to the councilman, who was starting to sweat bullets. "…your friend here, a supporter of Shido and member of his party, schemed with you so he could become the next Mayor of Sapporo. And turn this place into a base for Shido. Am I wrong?"

"W-Where did you find that out!?" The councilman shouts in a panic. "How did you find that out!? No one should know!"

"Just yesterday, after doing some intensive searching. As well as your vocal confirmation." Zenkichi tells him as the cameras continue to roll. "As of now, the two of you, the party that you run, and the entirety of Hyodo's staff at the time of the accident are under arrest for corruption, blackmail, extortion, kickbacks, and the death of an innocent young girl while attempting to pin the blame to an innocent woman. You can deny it all you want, but your words WILL be held against you in a court of law. And don't expect the judge to be a Shido supporter in disguise. We've already rooted them all out." The police around him move forward and cuff the two men before hulling them off the stage with violent tugs.

Leaving Zenkichi to turn back to Hyodo. "You will cooperate with us to rid out the corruption in Sapporo, correct? And bring light to the truth that happened two years ago?" With his back to the cameras, Zenkichi lets out a smile and a wink and Hyodo who, stunned at the turnaround, accepts the other with gratitude.

"Indeed. I will cooperate to all of my abilities and see this through. Yet, I will not change my stance. I will drop out of the election and forfeit my chair as Mayor of Sapporo." She bows to the cameras as cameras flash. "I will work to rebuild my trust with the people of Sapporo, and only when I have their blessing will I ever run again."


"Damn… Gramps didn't hold back on those two." Futaba remarks as the team puts away their phones. Despite the distance between them, Ren noticed that Zenkichi had received his third star on his tarot card. It was strange how it happened on the TV and not in person, but he wasn't going to question it. "He roasted them alive on TV." A few cop cars stream past them, heading for the government buildings while a chopper flies overhead.

"It would seem they are already making their move." Yusuke comments, folding his arms.

"Will they arrest Mariko though?" Shiho asks nervously. "I know she said she will cooperate with them…"

"Something tells me she will be a special case." Akechi remarks with a wave of his hand. "Still… all of this resulted from her fear that, if she had lost her spot as mayor, someone like that man would have taken her place."

"If she had only confessed what had happened and had him take the blame, this wouldn't have happened." Mishima comments, kicking a rouge pebble.

"But, she let her fear about other evils overwhelm her. Turning her into that very same evil, she hated so much about." Shiho adds, rubbing her bare arms.

"I think this turned out for the best." Haru comments resolutely. "Mari-san would not have wanted this mistake to be hidden forever. I am sure she would have told the truth at some point." The team nod at her just as Ren's phone starts buzzing.

"Dad. It's Zenkichi."

"Thanks, Sophia." Ren replies before answering the call. "Moshi, moshi."

"Moshi, moshi to you too." Zenkichi answers back. "I take it you guys saw the press conference?"

"We did. You looked pretty cool taking those two down." Ren replies, leaning on the fountain behind him.

"Well, let's just say I hate people like them with a passion. Felt good to take them down. As for Hyodo, she's going to be a key witness in the snow sculpture case. You guys did an amazing job here."

"I'm glad we did. But what about—"

"…her phone? Don't worry. I pulled a few strings, and now I'm her personal chauffeur. Well, as far as the station, anyway. I'll bring her phone to you so you can get it analysed. If you want, I can also open sometime so you can meet with her. Just tell me where you want to meet."

"I think we all know a spot…"


Fresh flowers are laid at the base of the streetlamp. One from each of the Thieves as they gather around the spot of the terrible accident. Even Zenkichi left his own bouquet of flowers as Mariko walked up to lay his own. Sadness all over her face.

"I'm sorry… How could you ever forgive me… Kaho-chan…" She stands up, brushing her dress as she looks at Haru with regret. "Haru-chan… I'm sorry… There was something wrong with me… It's like I was in a terrible dream that I could not escape from. I don't know when it was my heart grew so cold…"

"Mari-san… it's all right now. That nightmare is over now." Haru tells her, gently grasping her hands as Mariko lets out a sigh.

"When I first became mayor, I wanted to protect this city and everyone in it as if they were my own family… I remembered that feeling when I saw the Calling Card yesterday… I had become the very thing I wanted to destroy… But thanks to that Card and all of you confronting me that night, I've been able to confront myself. And I realised I was doing a horrible disservice to that girl. I had lost sight of reality and began acting in self-righteousness. Nothing I did was for her sake…"

"But Mari-san… you were doing the best you could…" Haru tells her gently.

"No, it's the truth. Had I not realised my mistake, I would have likely continued to hurt even more people. But that's not what Kaho-chan would want… So, let me say, thank you, Haru-chan. Thank you all for saving this city, for saving my family. Phantom Thieves." The teams' eyes widen in surprise as Mariko lets out a small chuckle. "Do not worry, I will not tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me. Now and forever."

"Mari-san!" Haru cries, wrapping her in a giant hug. One that Mariko eagerly recuperated.

"I am unsure what I will be able to offer in the future but know that I will be there for you. If you need me for anything, even if it's for a simple talk, I will be there for you. In case your found family is unable to be there for you. I say this…because you, all of you, are part of my precious family, too."

"Thank you so much, Mari-san!" Haru cries into her chest while the Thieves watch on in silence. Zenkichi looks away, wiping a lone tear from his eye.

"Well, I suppose I must be going." Mariko tells them, stepping away from Haru. "Though I am concerned with the state of affairs I've left our city in, I am sure PubSec will be able to root out the corruption here. I'll leave it to my successor to see Sapporo through. An arrogant wretch like me has no place being the mayor."

"Does that mean you won't be involved with politics any more?" Tae asks, folding her arms.

"Who can say? I feel so much shame for what has happened that I can barely show my face in public. And at my age, there are plenty of younger folk who can—"

"Mayor…" Behind Mariko was the woman who laid flowers at the lamppost when the Thieves first arrived. Kaho-chan's mother. "I saw the news… is it true? That those men were the cause of Kaho's death? And they pushed you to take the blame for all of it?"

"It is…" Mariko replies sadness on her face. "But… it does nothing to change the fact that my oversight led to her death… How can I allow myself to return with—"

"Don't finish that! Resigning won't bring her back. In fact, it won't change anything! Kaho-chan… She died because of men lining their own pockets under your nose. And nothing can bring her back! So you can't! You can't run away! You need to start over again and become our mayor once more!"

"What?" Mariko asks, dumbstruck at the request. And she wasn't the only one, as the rest of the Thieves stood in shock at the request.

"When I was weeping with rage and grief… You stood there and cried with me. Instead of running away, you were there when I needed someone the most! I know your character more than anyone…"

"Ma'am…" Mariko says to her, fresh tears rolling down her face as she bows. "Thank you… for sharing your heart with me. I promise, to you and your daughter, that I will stand back up and be our mayor once again!" The woman nods with a teary smile as she unexpectedly hugs Mariko. Who returns the gesture as the Thieves watch with smiles of their own.

"I don't get it…" Sophia whispers to Ren, who holds his phone next to him. "I know this is a sad moment. Everyone is crying. But it also feels warm and kind. How would you describe this?"

"Simple, Sophia. It's joy." Ren tells her gently. Sophia's eyes widen in recognition, finally understanding what it is she was feeling. And it made her smile.

"I see… So that's why Haru helped. To turn sadness into happiness and joy. Recording valuable data. Sophia has learned 'happiness'." Ren nods his head at her as the woman soon leaves, while Zenkichi gently takes Mariko to the station. Leaving the Thieves by themselves in the park.

"So, seems like she really understood Mariko's intentions, huh?" Tao remarks to the team. "Looks like she still has some supporters after all."

"Maybe even more once the truth of what happened and how she was determined to wipe out corruption comes to light." Ann agrees softly, playing with her pigtails. "Like with how cool Haru was back in the Jail."

"P-Please don't bring it up. That was a tender moment…"

"Hey. We all were touched by you, Haru." Isara chimes from Futaba's backpack. "Way to go, Beauty Thief!" The Thieves all chuckle at each other as they let the weights fall off their shoulders. Another Monarch had been brought down, and another victim freed of their past. They couldn't help but wonder what impact this would have on PubSec.


Evening had fallen on Sapporo as the Thieves soon split up to do their own things. Tae had to return back to Tokyo to reopen her clinic while Tao moved on to another city for inspiration. Leaving the Thieves by themselves as they hung around Sapporo.

While in the Park, the Ferris wheel turns ever so gently, letting its occupants gaze out at the city around them in quiet wonder.

"Whoever thought that a Ferris Wheel would be built in the middle of a city, huh?" Ren asks Makoto, the two sitting side by side as they gaze out the glass around them.

"It is amazing, isn't it Ren." Makoto replies, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. "Thanks for taking me on this."

"I've been meaning to take you on a date for a while, Mako. Just haven't had the time to do so." Ren replies as the two fall into a comfortable silence. Morgana and Sophie were left in the Motorhome to give the two a sense of peace and privacy as they went on their date. But Makoto decided to ask a question. One she had been meaning to ask for a while.

"Ren… You know that we are heading to Yokohama after this… And there is a high chance we'll meet your ex-parents…" Ren flinches slightly. "I understand if you don't want to tell the others yet, but can you at least tell me? Even a little bit? I know you've told Boss, and I was fine not knowing. But… If we're going to Yokohama…" Ren looks at her, meeting her eyes before leaning back and letting out a sigh.

"Okay… I'll tell you a little bit… and I'll explain the rest to everyone when we reach Yokohama." He straightens up, shifting slightly so that they can see each other comfortably. "To start with, Amamiya is not my full family name. It's actually Amamiya-Konoe."

"Konoe? Wait…Isn't the man in charge of Madicce Akira Konoe? Are you…?" Makoto asks with wide eyes, Ren nodding at her in response.

"Yeah. He's my uncle. My mother is from the Konoe side, while my father is from the Amamiya aide. And… well, if I were to call them up in one word, it would be strict. It was all business and no play in their eyes. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't even know what love was. To be honest, the closest I can compare them would be Yoshiki, but in a different way."

"They don't love each other?" Makoto asks with wide eyes.

"Yeah. It's the reason why our last names are Amamiya-Konoe. It was all a matter of convenience. Hell, the only reason me and my twin are even alive was because they got drunk and let their inner desires out one night. I'm still surprised they let the pregnancy go ahead, let alone keep us."

"Twin? You have a twin?" Makoto asks again with wide eyes.

"Yeah. A twin brother called Akira. I know, he's named after our uncle. And, I call us twins but we both have a difference. He needs glasses, and I don't. It was the only way to tell us apart." Makoto stares at him, letting the words bounce in her head, before asking the next question on her lips.

"Why did you never tell us?" Ren lets out a long sigh, letting himself hit the back of the pod they were in.

"What was there to talk about? My parents left me to rot the moment I was hit by that record, and the rest of the family didn't even want to speak to me from the beginning. The only two whoever did talk to me were my twin and Uncle. It's thanks to them that I am who I am now. But…" He lets out another sigh, leaning forward. "When I got hit by that record, I was forbidden to ever speak to them. Doing so would break my 'probation'. I couldn't even ask Dad to send a letter to them, or even a message. I was that cut off from them. And when my probation was cleared, and I could try to contact them again? The numbers I had were out of date."

"Meaning… You've not talked to them at all this entire time?" Makoto asks, hurt in her eyes that was mirrored in Ren's.

"Yeah. Seeing Uncle Konoe at that lecture… was the first time I had seen him since my probation. He hasn't really changed, to be honest." He turns his head to look out the window, watching as the wheel slowly turns. "I hope Akira is doing well… Even if we have become this estranged…"

"I'm sure you'll be able to connect with him." Makoto reassured, leaning her head on his shoulder. "And… no matter what, please remember this. We are here for you. If you fall down, we'll be there to pick you up. Like how you were there for us." Ren turns to her, kissing the top of her head as he envelops her in a one arm hug.

"Thank you, Mako. For everything." The two beam at each other as they enjoy the remainder of their date, gazing out at the city around them before returning to the Motorhome. Finding the rest of the Thieves and Zenkichi waiting for them inside.

"Well, you love birds took your time." Zenkichi remarks at the two, who blush as he folds his arms. "As I was about to tell everyone else, I went and had a talk with Mariko, but nothing new came up. All she could explain is that she could control whoever she added her as a friend through EMMA."

"So we're back to square one… I'm guessing you found the same story on her phone, Futaba?" Makoto asks, earning a nod from the hacker.

"Yep. Same old app, same old sleuthing. Guess that means the Monarch Shadows really are in contact with each other, like what Mariko's Shadow said." Futaba replies before looking at Zenkichi. "But we have one more Jail to check out."

"Right. The one in Yokohama." Zenkichi replies, stroking his beard. "I take it you kids are planning to go there tomorrow?"

"Yes… we are." Ren replies, squaring his shoulders. "And… this has been a long time coming for me." Zenkichi tilts his head at Ren, wondering what he means by that before letting out a cough.

"In that case, I'll meet you guys down there. What day do you think you'll be there?"

"The 8th. We're not going to rush ourselves down like last time." Ren replies, earning a nod from the inspector.

"Gotcha. In that case, I'll see myself to Yokohama." With that, Zenkichi leaves the Motorhome as the Thieves look at Ren in concern.

"Hey man, are you sure you want to do this? We can skip Yokohama if you want…" Ryuji offers, but Ren shakes his head.

"Thanks… but this is something that I can't ignore any longer." He lets out a sigh, stretching his arms. "It's time I face the past that I've been trying to ignore." He heads for the door, leaving his phone behind. "We'll head out early tomorrow." Before anyone could say anything else, he had left with Makoto following after him.

"What's wrong with Dad?" Sophia asks from the phone. "He's acting… different."

"It's… not easy, Sophi-chan." Haru tells her, gently picking up the phone to put it on its charging station. "Yokohama is Ren's old home. One that he doesn't like to talk about."

"Oh…" Sophia responds, suddenly looking sad. "Is… that why he always tensed up whenever we talked about it?"

"Yeah. And we all agreed not to ask Ren about it." Ann replies, standing up. "Well, it's getting late. And we do have to head out early tomorrow. Should we take the same route or deviate a bit?"

"I think we should deviate a bit. It'd be boring to retread the same road we took." Sumire says with a grin. One that was readily agreed upon by the remaining Thieves, with plans to bring it up to Ren and Makoto in the morning, as they soon broke for the night. But Sophia couldn't help but wonder about her adoptive dad. Why was he so hesitant to return to his home?


August 7th, 2017

One of Risette's songs blares in the Motorhome as they thunder down the motorway. Both Ren and Makoto agreed to take a detour on their way to Yokohama, agreeing that seeing the same sights they saw on their way up to Sapporo would be pointless. This was still a vacation, and they would enjoy it, dang it!

Which was why they were out here, enjoying the countryside as they travelled to another location they had only visited once. Inaba. And even though it had been a few months since they came here, it felt good to be back again.

Even if there wasn't that much to do around here, other than training in the TV world, they could still enjoy the nature around them.

"This is Inaba?" Sophia asks from the front, gazing around. "It feels different to the other places we've been to. That…" She closes her eyes, feeling the area around her as she opens them again. "I feel something that is LIKE a Jail, but at the same time it isn't…"

"That would be the TV World, Sophia." Makoto tells her. "In Inaba, there is another group of Persona Users who we know about. You met them on the Shadow Operatives chat. They are called the Investigation Team, or to use their other name, the Seekers of Truth."

"Investigation Team?" Sophia asks with childlike wonder.

"Yeah. They were a group like us who went into the TV world to solve a bunch of murders happening around here." Mishima tells her with Sophia quickly looking up said incident.

"Inaba Fog and Midnight Channel… sounds spooky."

"For the people living here, it was." Shiho replies as the Motorhome comes to a stop. The team exists as they look around the rice fields, breathing in the air as they walk into Inaba. Their first destination: a certain Inn.

"This is my first time in Inaba. And I have to say, it is a nice place." Kawakami remarks as the team moves through the small town. "Where are we going first?"

"Well, we're thinking of staying over here for the night and continuing on to Yokohama in the morning. And since we've been using the Motorhome and Tents, we think we could stay some place else for a change." Makoto tells her as they approach the Amagi Inn. Its feudal design emanates a sense of warmth as they open the doors.

Finding a familiar face on the other side.

"Ren. Everyone. It has been ages since last we met." Yukiko greets them with a bow before turning to Kawakami. "This is the first time we've met, I believe."

"That it is. Sadayo Kawakami. Formerly their teacher, I am now their headmaster." She greets with a bow, spying her eyes around the empty foyer. "And I believe you know my 'other' occupation."

"I do." Yukiko replies with a wink before turning to the others. "Yu is here at the moment, and the others are around Inaba. Do you want to speak to him, Ren?"

"I think I'll take that offer." Ren replies with Yukiko pointing him to his room while she books the Thieves in for the night. Free of charge, of course.

As for Ren, he soon found the room he was looking for as he gave the door a few taps. It's occupant calling out just a second later.

"It's open, Yukiko!" Yu calls out as Ren opens the door. The Wild Card of Tokyo finds the Wild Card of Inaba busy writing down another book.

"Still writing on that book, Yu?" Ren asks, surprising Yu as he turns to look at him with a grin.

"Ren! When did you arrive here, you Trickster?" Yu asks, standing up as the two give each other a handshake.

"We just got here not that long ago. Figured we'd stop in Inaba for the night before continuing on to our next target." Ren replies, taking a seat in one of the chairs as Yu sits back at his desk.

"We've been keeping track of how you guys are doing. Both us and S.E.E.S. You guys certainly have travelled far." Yu remarks as Ren lets out a laugh.

"We certainly have. But… What we found out… has been discouraging…" Yu raises an eyebrow, motioning Ren to continue. And so he does, explaining everything that had happened from Alice's Jail to Mariko's. As well as the cause behind them all.

"Trauma… victims being turned into evil… They are certainly different to what you had to face last year." Yu remarks, running a hand through his hair. "And… you still haven't found the Mastermind yet?"

"We have a suspicion in Madicce, but… There is something I haven't told everyone else yet. Only Makoto and Dad know about my past life and ex-parents. As well as my twin brother. But… My Uncle is also the CEO of Madicce." Yu's eyes widen with understanding as he rests a hand on his chin.

"I see… And now you are finding yourself facing your past demons?"

"Yeah… Yokohama is my home town, after all. And there is a Jail there as well." Ren lets out a sigh, running a hand through his head. "I just… feel so conflicted. Like my mind is spinning in circles and doesn't know when to stop…" Yu nods at him, structuring his words before reaching out and resting a hand on his shoulder.

Ren. You know you don't have to do this alone. You have your entire team behind you. Whatever you come across, you can get through it with them. You DO plan to tell them about your past, right?"

"When we reach Yokohama, I plan to." Ren confirms, sitting up straight. "I've been running away from this for far too long. It's time to face it head-on."

"Like how we helped others face theirs." Yu remarks with a grin as they both look at the Tarot cards above them.

The World Arcana.

It was a surprise when Ren formed a bond with the Investigation Team as the World Arcana, and even more so when they did the same with them. And even more of a shock that it was the World Arcana that he formed as well. But he found it strange how he didn't form a bond with the S.E.E.S team even though Yu did. Or rather, there already was a bond there, but he couldn't see it. Was there something he was missing?

"Thanks for that, Yu. Guess I just needed an outside opinion on this." Yu nods his head in thanks just as Ren's eyes drift to the book. "By the way, what book are you writing?"

"Oh, that? It's based on your adventures in the Kingdoms. Like how I based the rest of my books on what the S.E.E.S team encountered during the Dark Hour, and what we did here in Inaba."

"It still surprises me you have time to write despite your main job being a Journalist. Thinking of doing a career change?" Ren remarks as the two Wild Cards share a laugh. "So, can I have a sneak peek? You still haven't told me how this entire series ends yet."

"Of course! I was planning to run it past you guys anyway, like I did for the last one." Ren nods as he joins Yu at his workbench, giving his writing a once over. "And why would I spoil the ending?" Yu remarks as the two chuckle at the joke. While in his heart, he steeled himself for what to find in Yokohama.

Either it be good, or bad, he would face it head on. No matter what.


New Confidant Ranks.

Sophia: Hope (Rank 4)

Zenkichi Hasegawa: Apostle (Rank 3)

Investigation Team: The World (Rank 10/Max)

S.E.E.S: ? (?/?)