Time to get this story onto the road!
Chapter 10: Road Trip!
July 25th, 2017.
"A motorhome!? This is turnin' into some kind of coming-of-age flick…" Zenkichi remarks with wide eyes. He had just learned about what the Thieves planned to use to get to Sapporo, but of all the options out there he was not expecting a Motorhome of all things. "Ait, are you guys and girls going to sleep together in that?!"
"Not all of us. We are taking tents with us since only four people can sleep inside it." Ren replies, shaking his head.
"Besides, we are a family. We trust each other that nothing crazy would happen anyway." Ann adds, nodding her head. Zenkichi looks around, seeing the seriousness in their eyes before letting out a sigh.
"I suppose you do have an adult with you anyway… Fine, whatever you gotta do. Oh, and about what you asked for, Goro." Zenkichi changes track, bringing out Alice's phone and passing it over the table to Akechi. Who grabs it with a grin before handing it to Futaba.
"We appreciate it, Zenkichi. Hopefully, we can find out if the EMMA app that Alice uses has any differences from the retail version."
"So long as it doesn't get damaged. It's still important evidence." Zenkichi warns as Futaba rushes to her laptop and starts going to work.
"So, how was Alice anyway?" Shiho asks, curious.
"Well, she was very up-front about the whole change of heart situation. When people registered her as a friend on EMMA, she'd noticed they suddenly grew obedient around her. At first, she was just curious about what was going on, but she then got the taste of the thrill of getting people to do things for her. Before she knew it, she couldn't stop herself even if she wanted to."
"It began with a friend invitation, huh?" Yusuke remarks, rubbing his chin.
"Just like how Ren was giving that card when she opened that shop at the 705 building." Mishima notes.
"Was there anything else?" Makoto asks, pushing some hair back.
"Well, the only other thing we got was her apologise. That's all we got. But it does seem like she was telling the truth. Just like all your other targets." Zenkichi informs, letting the Thieves stew on that in disappointment.
"So Alice didn't know anything about the Jails or Desires… in fact, it sounds as though she was an unknown pawn." Morgana remarks.
"Nope. Not a single peep about any of that. And if you guys didn't show me that yesterday, I would have had a very hard time believing that. Makes you wonder how far this rabbit hole goes."
"Huh? What the hell?" Futaba suddenly remarks, earning everyone's glance.
"What's up?" Isara asks, rolling over to her.
"I thought we'd find some special version of EMMA on Alice's phone like we thought, but….it's just the same retail version that everyone uses." Futaba replies with a frown. "It's not even been tampered with."
"So, we got nothin'?" Ryuji asks with some disappointment in his voice.
"Not entirely. I DID find some traces of snooping on her phone. Someone was keeping an eye on either her or her Jail. Meaning that whoever the mastermind was, they were keeping tabs on her. But I can't tell what exactly they were keeping track of. They've wiped their trail clean. And really recently as well."
"They must have done that when Alice confessed on live TV." Hifumi remarks.
"Oh, I am so going to teach the others about this in future cases…" Zenkichi remarks, hand on chin.
"Did you manage to find out where it was coming from?" Sumire asks.
"Other than it was in Japan? Nadda." Futaba replies, shaking her head.
"Even so, narrowing it down to only Japan makes things a lot more easy." Akechi remarks with a smile. "We would be in trouble if it originated out of the country."
"Ain't that the truth. Good work, kid." Zenkichi agrees with a smile.
"Nether underestimate the Techi of the Phantom Thieves." Futaba replies with a smirk.
"Now that we know they are in Japan, the only question is who it could be." Haru comments, hand on chin. "I still feel like Madicce is the prime suspect, but we still need more information."
"Let's hope we get more info from Sapporo then." Zenkichi replies, turning for the door. "I'll be heading out. I'll see you in Sapporo Central on the 1st. Don't be late, got it? I'll send you details on the meet up location. But for now, time to return this phone to its rightful owner."
"Wait one second." Ann suddenly asks, grabbing his attention. "About the girl who was harassing Alice…"
"Don't worry. We haven't forgotten about her. She will face justice for what she's done to Alice." Zenkichi remarks before becoming thoughtful. "If you guys said that she was the reason Alice became a Monarch, then the same could be said for other Monarchs. If true, remember who it was. I'll make sure they get punished as well, with regards to the law." With that, he leaves the café. Letting the Thieves stew on what to do next.
"So, Alice was putting people in Jails without even knowing about it." Kawakami summarises. "When you take it like that, it sounds as though she was a victim in this as well. And I don't mean from the bullying."
"Since her version of EMMA was the same as ours, it's fair to think that." Futaba replies before folding her arms. "But that still leaves the question HOW a Jail is formed…"
"Jumping to conclusions won't help anyone." Sojiro interjects, hands on hips. "Zenkichi is looking into this as well. And like he said, there are still options for you to look into."
"Like Yokohama." Sophia adds, missing the wince from Ren's face.
"Anyway, it's time that we sent off for Sapporo." Ren remarks, standing straight. "Everyone has everything packed, right?"
"And stored in the Motorhome. I made sure before Zenkichi came." Makoto replies, brushing her hair back."
"If I remember the sleeping arrangements you've made…" Sojiro remarks, folding his arms. "Ren and Makoto have the bed, while Futaba and Hifumi have the couch beds. Everyone else is in a large tent that can hold all of you."
"And it is separated into pods so we can sleep with our partners." Shiho adds, leaning onto Mishima, who blushes slightly.
"We plan to rotate people between the Motorhome and tent, depending on how many stops we make." Ren adds with a smile. "It's not fair if we hog the bed all the time."
"Seems you kids have it all sorted out then." Sojiro replies before glancing at the clock. "Think it's about time for you kids to head out. You got everything ready, Kawakami?"
"My car is parked next to the Motorhome, alongside my own tent." Kawakami replies. "I'll follow behind you kids, so if we encounter any Jails on the way, I won't be left out."
"Smart idea." Morgana remarks as Ren picks him up in his bag. "Well, time for us to be on our way." As one, the team headed out for the Motorhome, all suited up and ready to go. As they moved to enter it, Sojiro couldn't help but stop them one final time.
"You sure you kids are gonna be alright on your own?"
"We'll be fiiine, Sojiro! I mean, do you REMEMBER what we've faced until now?" Futaba replies, rolling her eyes as she changes her grip on Isara.
"Of course I do. Still can't stop me from worrying." Sojiro replies, rubbing the back of his head. "Take care, all of you."
"We will. See you when we get back." Ren replies with a grin as the team enters the Motorhome as Kawakami goes for her car. With the Thieves settling themselves around the Motorhome, Ren takes the driving wheel for the first leg of the journey while Makoto takes the passenger seat. With Ren taking them off gently onto the main road with Kawakami behind them, Ryuji couldn't help but let out a cheer as they set off towards Sapporo. Just as Ren turns on some music for them to listen to. And it's one of their favourites: Life will Change.
"Summer vacation! Here we come!"
Meanwhile, back at PubSec, Zenkichi was going over the pictures of the people who had their hearts changed recently. After learning the truth behind what was causing all of this, it made him feel uneasy. If he wasn't careful, he could get his own Desires stolen just like them. He was very thankful that he didn't download EMMA. But his daughter did…. And that made him feel very uncomfortable.
What was stopping someone from stealing her Desires? What if they were already stolen and she was an unknown sleeper agent? It made his skin go pale at the mere thought that Akane was affected. A sight that certainly caught the eye of Kaburagi as she entered the room.
"You look unusually serious, Inspector Hasegawa." She remarks, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Oh, Commissioner Kaburagi. Sorry, I didn't hear you enter." Zenkichi replies with an apologetic look.
"From the look on your face, you were in deep thought, so I'll let it slide this time." She remarks. "That, and your eyes seem heavy."
"I have been short on sleep. I've not been on an undercover operation for a long time, and it's showing." Zenkichi replies, rubbing his eyes. "I'll find my groove again."
"That I wholly understand." Kaburagi admits, letting out a small smile. "And, have you liaised with the Phantom Thieves? If that picture was them, that is."
"That picture was them, all right." Zenkichi replies. "That, and I have managed to gain their cooperation. They themselves are quite mad that someone is, and I quote, 'stealing their gimmick', so they were happy, if very reluctant, to help." He lets out a sigh, folding his arms. "That, and I told them about the higher-ups who want them badly. Proceedings do feel a bit touch and go, but they are surprisingly quick on the uptake. As though they have been here before. But I promise I will win them over."
"Understood. As expected from someone as dependable as you." Kaburagi replies, pushing her glasses up as they glint in the light. "Still, it is troubling how far the higher-ups want to go for them. And after their explosive return, those like us are more than convinced these 'Changes of Hearts' are not of their doing. Which makes their threats of false evidence all the more pressing."
"Which is why they are heading to Sapporo right now. If we can get a lead from there, we can get closer to stomping this out." Zenkichi replies, folding his arms. "And I'll be one step closer to repaying you for taking me under your wing."
"Good. Keep at it until we are at the bottom of this case." Kaburagi tells him before letting out a frown. "But…don't get too attached to them. At the rate things are going, their arrest seems likely by the end of summer break."
"Even though they are under the protection of the Kirijo Group?" Zenkichi replies, shocking Kaburagi. "Their leader told me himself. And their current vehicle is also made by the Kirijo Group as well. Stange how that piece of info never reached us."
"Is that true? Then that makes matters even more complicated." Kaburagi admits, hand over mouth. "To go against the Korijo group is akin to seppuku. Not even Shido or Yoshiki ever dared to challenge them. At least, not at the current positions they held."
"Makes one wonder what the higher-ups really know, huh?" Zenkichi adds with a frown.
"It does…." Kaburagi admits with narrow eyes. "Either way, keep in contact with them. But remember what I said."
"About being attached? I haven't been attached to anything in a long while. Not after her death…" Zenkichi remarks, his eyes growing distant.
"So you say. How is Akane, by the way?"
"Things are…frosty. I'm hoping to be back in Osaka after Sapporo so we can see her mother, but it feels like things between us keep getting worse." Zenkichi admits, letting out a big sigh. "I worry for her… I just wish I could express that without her ignoring me."
"In that case, once we are done with this crisis, take an extended holiday and reconnect with her. A divided household cannot stand." Kaburagi tells him before turning around and leaving the room. Leaving Zenkichi alone.
"Divided, huh? That's how we've been since Aoi died… and a mother's guidance is what Akane needs… something I can't provide her…" He shakes his head, letting his hands fall to his sides. "Some father I am… and there is no way Kaburagi will buy the Metaverse without seeing it herself. I've got to get some leads from them. No hard feelings, Thieves. I know you are innocent, but all I want is for this case to be solved. And I'll use you however I have to…" He glances out the window, rubbing the back of his head.
"That sounded way more ominous than I liked… is that place affecting me or something?"
Last Surprise blares in the motorhome as it drives down the road. It had been a while since they left Tokyo and were still traveling up to the north of Honshu to grab a ferry to Hokkaido. And thankfully there weren't any traffic jams barring their way. But even with the comfy atmosphere of the Motorhome, there was only so much to do as they passed the time.
"…Yo, where are we now?" Ryuji asks, putting away his phone while Shiho and Mishima play on the TV. Up at the front, Ren glances at the sideboard TV, detailing the map before glancing back to the road.
"According to the map, we are coming up to Tochigi prefecture." Ren replies, glancing as cars pass them by.
"Tochigi prefecture… we've come a long way from Tokyo." Makoto comments, brushing some hair behind her back. Yusuke, sitting in the swivel seat behind Ren, turns around to look at the map as Haru, sitting in the seat next to Makoto, does the same.
"Tochigi, hm? Tochigi is famous for the Nikko Toshogu Shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu." Yusuke comments with a grin as Haru leans forward, placing her hands on her lap.
"I heard that the monkey sculptures there are adorable. I wonder if we will get to see them?"
"OH! I heard they do amazing strawberries! And now I want strawberries." Ann adds with an expression of bliss while Ryuji shakes his head at her.
"Apparently, gyoza's pretty big there, too. Utsunomiya's supposed to be THE place for it." Futaba adds with a grin.
"What's gyoza?" Isara asks from on top of the table.
"It's a dumpling filled with ground meat and vegetables, wrapped in a thin dough." Hifumi explains, turning her attention from the passing scenery to Isara.
"I've always wanted to try gyoza. Do you think we could get takeaway?" Sumire asks hopefully.
"If we do find a place that does do takeaway. I admit, I find myself wanting to try some as well." Akechi remarks with a smile.
"What about the dried gourd? I heard those are good as well." Mishima asks as Shiho pauses the game.
"It would be good to stop and stretch our legs a bit. After everything we've done, we deserve the time to unwind."
"We already discussed that. We COULD go straight to Hokkaido today…" Ren comments, his eyes not leaving the road. "But we all agreed on stopping at as many places as we can. This IS our summer vacation, after all."
"Plus, there might be Jails in other places other than Shibuya, Yokohama or Sapporo." Haru comments before glancing at Ren. "We…are going to Yokohama after Sapporo…right?"
"Yeah… we are…" Ren replies although he was not enthusiastic about it.
"So, huntin' for Monarch on our way to Sapporo… does that make us bounty hunters or somthin'?" Ryuji asks, folding his arms. "We're taking Phantom Thievery to a whole new level with this. This is starting to feel really badass!"
"So far, all of our targets have been located in Tokyo." Hifumi remarks, brushing her hair. "Even after our broadcast and the Monarch knowing we are back, it should be safe to assume that they won't expect us to leave Tokyo. Making the first Monarch we hit all outside of Tokyo the more of a surprise for them."
"If there are any Jail's nearby, I will let you know immediately." Sophia remarks from Ren's phone, connected to the window via a phone holder. She had been using the camera to watch the road. "I should be able to handle it… I think…"
"You are sounding more human by the day, Sophia." Makoto comments. "But, don't push yourself, okay. We don't want you burning yourself out, all right?"
"Okay! Hmm hmmmm~"
"There's that hum we all love." Mishima remarks, leaning back on the couch. "By the way, Ren, you've been driving nonstop ever since we left Tokyo. You doing all right?"
"I feel like I need to take a break soon." Ren admits, rolling his shoulders. "I'll pass along to Makoto once we've made a stop."
"I have my licence, too, so don't be afraid to ask for my help if you need it." Haru offers, sending the couple to turn a slight shade paler. Not that anyone would be able to tell the difference.
"I also have a licence, but I haven't driven anything this large before." Akechi remarks, glancing around. "Honestly, I'm surprised you could drive this with little fear Ren."
"Oh, believe me. I am terrified of damaging this. But I can't let that stop me." Ren replies, shaking his head. "Having said that, we need to take a break and switch drivers. And have lunch."
"I can help! There is a riverbank up ahead that should be perfect! Setting a route to it now." Sophia announces, setting a destination on the screen next to Ren.
"That's perfect, Sophia. Thank you." Ren replies, giving her a warm smile as he makes the next turn with Kawakami behind them following after.
"Praise accepted~"
It wasn't long before they arrived at the river bank. A pristine sight with a clear view of the surrounding forests and hills. With a clear blue river running past. It was the perfect spot for lunch as the sun canopy activates. Covering an impressive area as the Thieves step out to stretch their legs.
"Decided to have a quick stop, huh? I was wondering when we would stop for lunch." Kawakami remarks as she joins the Thieves before letting out a whistle. "This place is perfect."
"Is…is this place even real? I've only ever seen places like this online." Futaba remarks, glancing around with stars in her eyes.
"And this is why we keep telling you to go outside more." Hifumi remarks, shaking her head.
"Such a beautiful vista… another memory to add to my art." Yusuke remarks, already starting to paint.
"You've been working on that ever since we came back. Is it like a scrapbook of memories, but in art form?" Morgana asks, walking up to him.
"Yes, it is. It helps me craft new ideas while keeping our memories intact. I hope to turn it into books to give to all of us someday." Yusuke admits, already getting a rough outline drawn.
"While you do that, we'll make lunch." Ren remarks, moving back into the Motorhome as the sides expand. And they see the antenna extending from the top. Hifumi join him as the two begin work on a classic lunch for the team, while the others set up the table under the sun catcher. Just as they finish setting the table, an all too familiar smell wafts out of the motorhome.
"Ooh, something smells great!" Morgana mews from the base of the steps as Ren and Hifumi make their way down.
"Leblanc Curry!" Futaba shouts in joy as the two set it on the table and begin serving it up. Alongside some coffee to go with it. Because what else would go with Leblanc Curry? As the team began to chow down, it felt as though they had not left Tokyo at all.
"This is so good, you two! Sojiro taught you both well!" Ann comments after swallowing a mouthful.
"I'm glad, considering he's been teaching us for a year. Two in my case," Ren replies with a grin, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Man, I could eat this forever." Mishima remarks, taking another bite.
"Indeed. And the screen nature around us makes it all the more worthwhile." Yusuke comments, glancing around. "You would never guess we are on such an imposing quest from the outside."
"At times like this, it makes me wish I was a real human." Isara comments next to Morgana and Ren's phone.
"I also want to taste it. But I can only be human in the Jails…" Sophia comments quietly, prompting Ren to turn to them.
"Don't worry. We made sure to make some for the two of you as well. Might not taste as good when re-heated, but it's better than nothing." The two let out a small cheer as Morgana chuckles at them.
"Seriously, Ren… with the way you and Makoto act towards Sophia, you'd think you were her parents." That caused the two to enter a coughing fit as the Thieves laughed at them in response. "And that would make Hifumi and Futaba their Aunts." Morgana adds, causing the two of them to go silent in shock as the others laugh at all four of them.
"What is a parent? And what is a daughter?" Sophia suddenly asks, ending all laughter as they turn to look at her.
"You don't know?" Shiho suddenly asks, tilting her head.
"No, I don't." Sophia replies, shaking her head. "I have been meaning to look it up, but I haven't had the time to do so."
"Well, if you want an example, then there's Boss and Kawakami." Ryuji remarks, pointing a thumb at Kawakami. "Sure, they aren't our real parents, but they act like them. Especially to us who don't have any or are being neglected by them."
"I see… and what is a daughter?"
"The offspring from a man and woman." Yusuke replies. Sophia tilts her head, hoping onto the internet to do some searching on her own before coming to her own conclusion.
"So, Ren and Makoto are developing a parental-like bond with me?" Sophia asks, glancing at the two as they look away in embarrassment.
"And judging by their faces, it looks like even they were unaware of it." Akechi remarks with a smirk. "But, let's save the teasing for another time. Our lunch is getting cold." Despite a few groans from the team, they continued on with their meal in relative silence. Even if Ren and Makoto were still slightly red in the face. Until it was just them alone washing up the dishes inside the motorhome, with Sophia watching on Rens's phone.
"Ren? Makoto? Can I ask a question?" Sophia asks gently, grabbing the couple's attention. "Did the conversation earlier…make you feel uncomfortable?"
"Uncomfortable? Why do you ask?" Makoto asks, slightly surprised by the question.
"You were silent for the rest of the meal. I'm sorry if my question made you feel uncomfortable…"
"You were worried about that?" Ren asks with a slight surprise on his face. "Sophia, neither of us were uncomfortable. Honestly, we were just surprised, is all."
"Yeah. Neither of us realised that we were acting parental around you." Makoto admits, brushing some hair behind her ear. "In fact, we should be apologising to you if we made you feel uncomfortable." Sophia looks at the two in shock before glancing around in her space.
"I don't know who my creator is. Or even who my parents are, if I have any." Sophia remarks, kneeling down and grabbing her knees like Futaba. "When I woke up, I was all alone. I only had one line of memory but nothing else. But…when I was about to accept that I would be alone forever, I saw Ren standing before me when I woke up. And before I knew it, I was surrounded by people embracing me into their group without question. And I have begun learning new things at a rapid rate." She looks back up at the couple. "That's why…I want to continue learning. And…I want to do it by your side. If you are okay with me being there."
"Sophia." Makoto breathes, walking up to the phone and gently picking it up. "You have always been welcomed here. So, never stop asking us questions. We will be here to answer them."
"Really?" Sophia asks, tilting her head to the side.
"Really." Ren replies, walking up and resting a hand on Makoto's shoulder. "You are one of us. And we will never leave someone behind." Sophia glances between the two in awe as a small smile forms on her face.
"In that case… can I call you mom and dad?"
"I think we are a bit too young to be called that, Sophia." Makoto replies with a gentle smile while Ren lets out a small chuckle. "But you are more than welcome to join this family."
"Okay! From now on, I am Sophia Nijima-Amamiya! Nice to meet you!"
"Hoo boy…I can already see the teasing coming from a mile away." Ren remarks, shaking his head.
"Not even past college, and we already had a kid. What next?" Makoto asks, shaking his head with a smile as Hifumi enters the Motorhome.
"Are the dishes done? We've just finished packing everything up." Hifumi asks.
"Yeah. We're done." Ren replies with a grin as the two break apart.
"We're ready to roll, Aunt Hifumi!" Sophia chimes from the phone, almost causing Hifumi to fall over as she glances between the two. Who lets out small, weak chuckles as a large grin forms on Hifumi's face.
"You DO know what's going to happen, right?" She asks, placing her hands on her hips. The two look at each other, shrugging their shoulders slightly as they exit the Motorhome. Might as well get the teasing started.
Night had fallen as the Phantom Motorhome sped down the freeway. The lights inside illuminate the space as the Thieves struggle to stay awake. Even Makoto, in the driver's seat, was finding it a strain as she glanced at the time. There are only so many stimuli when you're in a moving vehicle. They hadn't even had dinner yet!
"It's almost half seven…. We've been on the road for a long time now…" She remarks, looking back to the road.
"Where are we now?" Morgana asks, curled up in a ball on the couch between Ann and Shiho.
"I believe we should be entering Sendai soon. Should we stop there and sleep for the night?" Sumire asks Ren, who is struggling to stay awake.
"Yeah… sounds like a good idea."
"We made a lot of stops along the way, but we haven't encountered any other Jails." Haru comments, glancing out the window.
"That's made me feel a little bit better. Not sure what we would do if there were Jails all over the place." Ann comments, leaning back with a sigh.
"Well, let's pull over in Sendai, grab a bite to eat, set up the tents and call it a night." Ryuji remarks, rolling his shoulders. "What's good to grab in Sendai anyway?"
"I think I remember hearing about beef tongue being very popular in Sendai." Mishima replies, closing the manga he was reading. "That's not including the speciality shops that should be there as well."
"As delicious as that sounds, we must go to Mt. Aoba Park and see the remains of Sendai Castle." Yusuke interjects. "They house the statue of the late Lord Date Masamune. I'd very much like to see the 'One-Eyed Dragon' for myself."
"How about a bath first? I'm not sleeping in the tent all hot a sticky." Futaba replies, looking at her arms. "Sure, the shower in here is top-notch, but nothing beats a good long soak in the tub."
"I think this is the first time we've been so heavily divided on what to do." Shiho comments with a sweat drop.
"Hoo boy…" Isara quips from atop the table. "Why not just do all of it? Sophia can manage it all, right?"
"That's right!" Sophia chimes in from the front. "Searching: Camping spots, beef tongue, Date Masamune, and nearby bathhouses. Leave it to me, and I'll find the best route to everything you've suggested."
"Damn! Go Sophia! shouldn't expect less from her, right, Momkoto?" Isara quips, turning to look at Makoto as she keeps her eyes on the road.
"We aren't living that down, are we?" Makoto asks with a sweat drop.
"Nope!" The Thieves say in unison as Ren and Makoto shake their heads. Yet they were smiling all the same. This was their family, after all. And they wouldn't change it at all.
"Well, where should we head to first, Sophia?" Ren asks, glancing at the phone.
"We should first head to the parking lot at Mt. Aoba Park. It is large enough for the Motorhome and Kawakami's car, with space for the tents as well. Then we can walk to the statue of…huh?" Sophia suddenly pauses, spinning around in her virtual world as her eyes go wide. "This smell… A Jail is nearby."
"For real!?" Ren and Makoto say at the same time, even as Ryuji lets out an annoyed 'hey' at the back.
"Are you sure, Sophia?" Morgana asks as the Thieves suddenly become wide awake.
"I think so. I can't pinpoint it yet due to the distance. But this is the same feeling I'm getting from Yokohama."
"Then we have even more of a reason to go to Sendai." Ren remarks, folding his arms. "Looks like we're staying there for more than one night, guys." The Thieves nod as one while Makoto turns them onto the road towards Sendai with Kawakami just behind them. It wasn't long until they reached Mt Aoba Park, finding a spot just right for the Motorhome with Kawakami parking behind them. But as she moved to join them, she could tell by the seriousness on their faces that they weren't stopping here just for tea and sleep.
"I take it there is a Jail here?" She asks them in a hushed tone.
"Yeah. Sophia picked up on it as we were about to enter." Ann replies, glancing around the area. "Should we pitch the tents before we start searching?"
"Best to get it out of the way now so we won't waste time later." Hifumi agrees as they open up one of the outside compartments and take the large tent out. The motorhome had already expanded out, so it was easy for the team to pitch their tent next to it and help Kawakami with her smaller tent. Soon, both tents were up, freeing the Thieves as they glanced around at the natural beauty around them under the night sky.
"So beautiful." Haru comments, looking up at the sky. "Although… doesn't it seem that there are fewer stars tonight?"
"Apparently, there have been fewer stars appearing for the past ten years. Scientists are equating it to light pollution as more buildings are built." Sophia chimes in.
"Such a shame to lose the beauty of the night sky in such a way." Yusuke comments, shaking his head. "I suppose only in the far distant reaches could one experience it."
"What about the Jail? Can you smell it, Sophia?" Morgana asks, resting on Ren's shoulders.
"Yes. I can definitely smell it. There is a Jail somewhere in the city."
"Not that we are surprised, but why Sendai, of all places?" Akechi asks with a frown.
"If we start the investigation, we may be able to find out." Kawakami adds, glancing around the area. "Let's start with the popular sightseeing spots. We should learn something if we visit them and listen in."
"Good idea." Ren replies, turning around and glancing over the area. "Let's see what's hiding here."
Well, let the teasing begin. :D
