Chapter 30: Okinawa!
August 15th, 2017.
"Sorry to suddenly do this Akane, but we've got to get going." Zenkichi tells Akane as the Thieves stand around the house. Akane looks at her dad with an unreadable expression. "Once this case is done, I'm going to take some major time off. What do you say we go visit somewhere? Like a theme park?"
"I'm not a little kid any more." Akane replies, looking away as Zenkichi lets out a sweat drop. The Thieves could still feel the tension between the two, as Akane turns to look back at him. "But… Don't do something stupid all right?" Akane turns around, not wanting to look at him as she folds her arms. "I won't forgive you if you go and croak it." Zenkichi blinks at her for a moment, before shaking his head.
"I hear you, loud and clear." He says, catching the Thieves smiling at him while Kawakami nods in approval. "We'll be back soon. And hopefully with this case closed."
"Wait…" Akane suddenly says, before looking at Kawakami and taking out something. "Um… here. It's a Kyoto souvenir. I mean, you all did so much for me that…"
"Say no more…" Kawakami replies, gently taking it. "We'll make sure to hang it up in the Motorhome. And I promise we will come back soon."
"And we'll make sure to bring extra snacks and drinks as well." Ann adds with a grin, with Akane quickly sporting a similar smile on her face.
"Have a good trip everyone! And… you too Dad…" Akane finishes with an awkward expression. Zenkichi nods at her as the Thieves soon leave the house, heading back to the Motorhome with Zenkichi once again jumping on for a ride. Giving Kyoto one last look, the Thieves leave for Kobe.
It didn't take them long to reach Kobe, just over an hour, but soon the Thieves were making their way through the streets of Tatsumi. It was strange, it was their first time coming here, yet it all felt so familiar to them. Glancing out over the water to where the school was, Ren swore he saw a strange tower there for a second before quickly vanishing. Must have been the stress catching up to him.
"You okay Ren? You seemed distracted." Makoto asks, catching Ren's wandering gaze.
"I'm fine. Thought I just saw something over the water. Must be the stress getting to me." Ren replies, focusing back on the road. Makoto hums nervously, not convinced by his response but not wanting to push it. Glancing out, she lets out a sigh as she shakes her head.
"I swear, why does this feel familiar?" She asks, catching Zenkichi and Kawakami's attention. "This is our first time here, so why do I already feel like I know this place like the back of my hand?"
"You too?" Ren asks in surprise. "It is strange. Why is that?" He asks her, but neither of them could answer why. Zenkichi and Kawakami glance at each other, shrugging their shoulders as they come in to a dock. Where a large ship was waiting for them, alongside a familiar face.
Mitsuru smiled to herself, seeing the Motorhome approach as it slowly came to a stop, before frowning at the small scraps along it. Stroking her chin, she watches the Thieves exit the Motorhome, with a member of PubSec with them before walking up to them. "Welcome to Tatsumi. I'm glad you all arrived safely." Mitsuru tells them, before glancing at the inspector. "And who are you?"
"Inspector Zenkichi Hasegawa." Zenkichi replies. "And, may I presume you are with the Kirijo Group?"
"I am. Mitsuru Kirijo." Mitsuru replies, before folding her arms. "I must admit, I was quite displeased to hear that PubSec was trying to sneak around the Kirijo Group…"
"In our defence, we were never told they had your protection, Kirijo-san." Zenkichi replies calmly, yet the bead of sweat on his head told a different story. "My supervisor was also shocked to hear about it as well. We can't help but wonder if something else is going on with the higher-ups."
"I see…" Mitsuru replies calmly, keeping a level look at Zenkichi as though she was staring into his very soul. "Let me be perfectly clear to you, Inspector." The temperature around them seemingly dropping from the motion. "If PubSec ever tries to arrest them under flimsy, faulty, illegal or false evidence or charges, the Kirijo Group will see to it that they will never recover from their blunder. Am I clear?"
"C-Crystal…ma'am…" Zenkichi replies, suddenly looking very pale while the Thieves shake their heads at him.
"Good. See that my warning is passed to your superior." Mitsuru replies, before glancing over to the Thieves, her demeanour becoming much warmer. "We have a lot to catch up on, but we can save such talks on the ship."
"You're coming with us, Mitsuru-san?" Haru asks with surprise.
"But of course. A hidden lab off the coast of Okinawa? It is something that I need to see for myself. Minato and Minako wanted to come as well, but they are still wrapping up a case with Sae, so they unfortunately won't be joining us." Mitsuru replies, before glancing at the ship. The bow open and ready to accept the Motorhome. "Besides, I'm not going alone."
"We're all ready to ship out Mitsuru!" A voice booms from the ship, grabbing all eyes as they see Akihiko exiting the ship. "We're ready to head out as soon everyone is onboard!"
"Akihiko!" The Thieves cry, some of them waving at the cop as he returns the gesture. Zenkichi blinks for a moment, surprised at how they greeted a cop so warmly before filling it away for later.
"Well, you heard him. Let's get it onboard." Ren tells the team before heading back to the Motorhome.
"By the way Ren, what happened to it?" Mitsuru ask, seeing the very faint damage and scrapes on the Motorhome. Ren glances at the minuscule damage before shaking his head.
"Right. When we were in Yokohama, those who had their Desires taken tried to break into the Motorhome. I don't know why, since they only managed to do deal this to it." Mitsuru nods, striking her chin before.
"I see… In that case, I think we should discuss an 'addition' that was supposed to be there from the start." She turns to Futaba, letting a smirk appear on her face. "And I think you will enjoy it, Futaba."
"Oh? You have my attention Mitsuru-san." Futaba replies with a grin as the Thieves follow Mitsuru into the ship. Ren trailing behind them in the Motorhome. One thing is for sure, the trip would not be boring.
August 17, 2017
It had been two days since the ship left for Okinawa. With their course set, the Thieves spent their time wandering the decks of the ship, while Ren and Makoto briefed Mitsuru and Akihiko on what had happened so far. The Kirijo's finding out the two of them had essentially became the parents of an A.I. brought them smiles as they teased them about Sophia, naturally. But needless to say, what had happened so far had shocked them, but also left them worried at the implications. That someone out there was manipulating people due to their traumas…. It left a cold pit in their stomachs at the implications.
And made them more than happy that they also had Persona's as well. If someone tried to manipulate their Trauma… it made them shudder. Meanwhile, the Kirijo crew were doing something with the Thieve's Motorhome. Other than buffing out the scratches it had gained in Yokohama. And if the chuckles coming from Futaba and Isara were anything to go by… it didn't sound like a harmless addition. Although it was adorable seeing Futaba try to recreate the pose from Titanic, but she was quickly called away by a member of the crew in case she fell off.
But eventually, the ship arrived at Okinawa before making a turn towards Kukojima. Letting the Thieves, Zenkichi and the two members of S.E.E.S disembark.
"We've finally made it…" Hifumi remarks as Ryuji and Mishima stretch their arms.
"Man, we've been on a ship for over a day… I still feel I'm on the waves…" Ryuji remarks, leaning down to rub his legs.
"Yeah, but it was still nice." Mishima adds, popping his back.
"It was quite the rare experience, being surrounded by the dazzling sea… It has given me a few new ideas to explore with…" Yusuke remarks rubbing his chin.
"It was like a shimmering field of blue jewels. I had mainly travelled by air, so seeing the sea so close was majestic." Haru adds, nodding her head with a smile. "Of course, not counting our trips to the beaches."
"It would have been nice to enjoy it if we were on a normal cruise…" Ann bemoans with a groan, before Mitsuru chuckles at them. Gone was her fluffy white coat and instead was replaced with a sleeveless shirt tired just over her stomach and short denim shorts. A flower was in her hair, while her feet were protected by sandals.
Akihiko was beside her, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and denim shorts that reached the top of his knees, while also wearing shades over his eyes. Just like his wife, he was also wearing sandals. Compared to how they were seen back on the mainland, it was almost like they were different people.
"Perhaps when this is all over, we can all go on said cruise for a break." Mitsuru offers, flicking some hair to the side. "And I do mean everyone."
"Still, there are more people around here than you would think." Akihiko remarks, seeing the crowds not far from them.
"Right? I was thinking it would be some untouched Island than a bustling town." Futaba agrees, glancing around at the settlement.
"Until recently, this place was actually a pretty quiet place." Zenkichi suddenly remarks, folding his arms. "But eventually, some folks cooked up a mass migration plan. They even had a slogan: 'Find your own tropical paradise'. And before you know it, a population of just under 200 exploded into over a thousand."
"Much have been an effective plan." Kawakami remarks, before glancing at the untouched nature behind the buildings. "But not too much to overcrowd the place either."
"The port gives off a bit of a resort feel when you think about it." Shiho adds, grasping her hands behind her back.
"Sounds like summer vacation is back on!" Sumire says with a grin.
"While as much as I would like to enjoy the scenery, we do have a job to do before we relax." Akechi remarks, shaking his head.
"You mean like that facility over there?" Ren remarks, nodding his head to a building just hidden by all the trees behind the town.
"Well, it was what we came here to investigate. It's better if we get the investigation done now and out of the way." Makoto agrees, casting her eyes around. "Even if part of me really ones to go for a swim in the sea."
"We can enjoy our leisure time here once we're done investigating." Mitsuru remarks, glancing at the building. "We have questions that need answered."
"In that case, which way do we go Sophia?" Morgana asks as Ren takes his phone out. But instead of being met with the chirpy reply as usual, they were instead greeted with an uncertain hum. "Sophia? What's wrong?"
"I wasn't able to find any information on the facility. No directions, roads, or even footpaths." The Thieves blink their eyes in surprise at Sophia's admission. For her to not be able to find a path or anything at all… This had never happened before.
"Well, Ichinose DID say it wasn't exactly on the level, right? Maybe we just have to track it down ourselves." Zenkichi remarks, glancing around.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help…" Sophia replies, looking away on the screen.
"Don't worry about it Sophia. You never failed us before, so don't let this small hiccup take you down." Ren tells her gently. "There is always next time, all right?" Sophia glances up at Ren, gazing at him with her child like eyes before nodding her head up and down.
"Okay. I'll do my best." Ren smiles at her before looking back up at the rest of the Thieves as they planned out what exactly they should do.
"Perhaps we should try asking the shopkeepers. Maybe they might know something about the lab." Akechi suggests, folding his arms.
"It makes sense, they have been here for over two years…" Akihiko remarks, tapping his chin. As the Thieves pondered, Futaba's eyes wandered before landing on a shop not too far away. And like that her mind switches to other priorities.
"Oh! A souvenir shop! I'm going to get something for Sojiro!" Before anyone could stop her, Futaba was already rushing over to the shop as Hifumi chased after her. Before quickly being joined by Yusuke until the entire team broke up searching for information they could use. Except for Zenkichi, who stayed next to the Motorhome before quickly heading to an out-of-the-way place and getting his phone out. With him quickly making a call that was swiftly answered.
"Hello, Commissioner? It's Hasegawa."
"What's the situation? It's not like you to go silent three days straight." Kaburagi's voices echoes from the other side. Stern as always, but with a hint of worry in her voice.
"I'm in Kukojima, off the coast of Okinawa. I learned that there is a hidden Madicce research site here, and am currently investigating it with the Phantom Thieves. We're hoping to find something that can get us a foot in their door." Hasegawa replies, glancing around. "And we are also joined by Mitsuru Kirijo and her husband, so we aren't lacking in security. Although they did tell me to warn you that the Kirijo Group will go against PubSec if they try to arrest the Thieves."
"So I can imagine. And I'm not surprised by that proclamation, nor am I a fool to go against them. Still, it surprises me that there's a research station in Okinawa. We found nothing about that in our searches. Hopefully, you can find something we can use. We're stepping up our investigation on our end. Support for the Thieves is still strong, so the Kirijo threat is a non issue, but there has been a… development."
"Development?" Zenkichi replies, feeling very uncertain all of a sudden.
"The higher ups are now starting to enforce EMMA as a mandatory part of our operations. And… those who have downloaded it have become supports of the plan to arrest the Thieves." Zenkichi's eyes widen in shock at the news, as he could her Kaburagi's voice grow grim. "Support for the Thieves is being eaten away, slowly and methodically. It's only a matter of time until there is enough of them to push charges through. And if they do so, we may end up with a war with the Kirijo Group."
"Just like all the other cases…" Zenkichi says quietly. "The same thing that happened to the victims we encountered is happening to PubSec. They haven't tried forcing you to download it?"
"No need to worry, Commissioners like me are exempt. But all those under me are not." Kaburagi reveals, letting Zenkichi sigh in relief, but it wasn't much. "Finish what you can and get back. You've said there is a Mastermind out there, and we need to find them. Otherwise… The Thieves will be used as scapegoats. And our country will descend into chaos."
"Understood, commissioner…" Zenkichi replies solemnly, the call ending not long after as he glances over at the Thieves. Seeing them act cheery as they search for souvenirs while looking for info. With his eyes falling on Kawakami, thinking about how she would also be arrested as well. The thought of which… made him sick to his stomach. "I won't let any of you down…" He whispers to himself as he leaves the shade, fixing his tie. "I promised, didn't I?" Shaking the webs from his mind, he moves to join the Thieves as they group up, chatting among themselves before they catching him approaching.
"What's up Gramps? Find anything?" Ryuji asks, earning a groan from the Inspector.
"No, I didn't. How about the rest of you? I see you carrying a lot of products around." Zenkichi folds his arms, seeing the Thieves carrying either gifts or food in bags.
"We didn't really buy anything. All we did was mention we were from Tokyo, and they gave us these goya for free." Haru replies, holding up a bag of the bitter watermelon.
"But other than that, they were being really evasive." Ren replies, pushing up his sunglasses. "Almost as though talking about it was taboo. Some even told us to ask EMMA instead of them."
"I see… that's suspicious…" Zenkichi remarks, glancing around before noticing they were three heads short. "Hey, where are Akechi and the Kirijo-sans?"
"They went to check out a path behind the shops." Isara replies from Futaba's bag. "They think it might lead up to the lab." While Zenkichi nods his head, Ren's phone vibrates with an alert. Taking it out, Sophia activates the messaging app to show he had a message from Akechi.
"Looks like they found something. They are waiting for us behind the souvenir shop." He tells the group, putting his phone back into his pocket.
"Well, let's go and have a look." Futaba replies, with the team moving out seconds later. After about a few minutes of walking, they find the trio standing just outside a dirt path flanked by two stone pillars, with a rope string between it holding several bundles of straw under it.
"Ah, you made it." Mitsuru remarks as the team approaches. "Have a look at this. We discovered it just as we were making our way back to you."
"Apparently, from what a local told us, it leads to a giant building on the other end." Akihiko adds, folding his arms with a smirk. "Looks like we found our path to the lab."
"But… why does it have a sacred festoon?" Shiho asks, tilting her head. "This isn't a religious site. Is it?"
"Why don't we ask the workers inside?" Sumire asks. "As long as we are respectful, it shouldn't hurt to ask."
"Maybe they sealed a legendary Yokai here!" Futaba says with excitement.
"Don't you mean zombies? It's a lab after all." Mishima replies, shaking his head. "Let's just hope it's not like Umbrella in the games."
"D-Don't be ridiculous." Makoto interjects, standing very close to Ren. "This is real life, not the Metaverse. We don't have the capabilities to do stuff like that. Right?" She asks Ren for support, who nods his head silently.
"Either way, we are investigating." Zenkichi remarks, stomping forward and pass the festoon. "We have a case to solve." While the Thieves glanced at each other for a second, they quickly followed after Zenkichi up the long and wood covered path.
"Say, Sophia. There ain't a Jail here or anythin', yeah?" Ryuji asks, jumping over a fallen log.
"There is no Jail here… I think." Sophia replies, uncertainty in her voice. "I am currently detecting nothing. Unlike Sendai, Sapporo or Yokohama, I cannot sense anything here, but… There is indeed something odd about this place. I am getting a …'bad feeling'."
"A bad feeling, hm?" Yusuke remarks, taking a moment to glance at the festoon behind them.
"Still, whatever is up there, we need to check it out." Morgana remarks, resting on Ren's shoulders. While everyone tensed up as they approached the building, the white stone walls easily seeable through the foliage, it was the metal around it that grabbed their attention. It was all rusted and deformed. With no sight of being cared while the gate leading to the lab was closed tight.
There was a small booth out on the side of the wall next to the entrance, but the curtains over the windows were all closed. And to top it all off, not a soul could be seen or heard from inside the walls. Other than a simple sign posted on the glass window.
"We are closed until August 18th due to prior engagements?" Zenkichi reads out loud while some of the Thieves look over the metal gate. Trying to see any sigh of life. "Welp, sure didn't see that one coming."
"Let me guess. Without anyone there, we can't do a formal search without permission?" Ren says begrudgingly as Zenkichi lets out a groan.
"Yep. Plus, any evidence obtained via criminal action will be unusable in court. That's make this whole trip pointless. Best option we have now is waiting until tomorrow. It says the 18th, yeah?"
"Just so long as we don't get ahead of ourselves." Akihiko remarks, cracking his neck. "We may have two cops and a detective here, but that does not mean we can go full-frontal on them. Besides, a place this shady is bound to have a lot of stuff we could use. Once we find something, then we can start a full investigation."
"We just need to wait for the staff to return tomorrow." Akechi agrees, before stretching his arms.
"In that case, I think we all know what we can do to kill time until then." Ren replies with a grin, one that was matched by everyone while Zenkichi shakes his head with a smile.
"Party time at the beach!" Ryuji hollers as Mishima, Ann and Shiho lets out whoops of joy.
"Well, if we want to lie low, acting like tourists is the best way to go." Zenkichi relents.
"Then what are we waiting for? It's party time!" Futaba cheers as the team nods as one before heading back down to the Motorhome. While Mitsuru and Akihiko went straight to the beach, the rest of the Thieves, including Zenkichi, got changed into their swim outfits before heading to the beach, where they could finally let themselves be free.
"Sheesh…. Not even five seconds in, and they are acting like the kids they are." Zenkichi remarks, wearing dark blue and silver shorts, sitting down on a towel while Morgana hops onto a chair next to him with Isara resting on the table. A sun parasol covering the three of them.
"Well, what do you expect? They've been waiting to let loose for a while now." Morgana replies as Zenkichi bobs his head up and down.
"Nothing like an excuse to kick back and enjoy the sun!" Isara agrees, setting herself up as she turns her turret towards the Thieves. A small camera had been installed on her turret before they left Tokyo at the start of their journey, allowing her to take pictures during the entire trip, and she was making use of the entire film.
"You're not going to join them Zenkichi?" Kawakami asks, walking up to them. Zenkichi turns to look at her before he suddenly finds his jaw dropping. Kawakami had slipped into a red and gold bikini while a black see through cloth was wrapped around her waist. And her hair was done up into a single ponytail. "Is something wrong?" She asks, feeling a slight blush come onto her cheeks as Zenkichi lets out a cough.
"N-No. Nothing wrong. Just… you look amazing is all…" Zenkichi replies, looking away with a blush as Kawakami lets out a chuckle before sitting down.
"Who knew the intimidating Inspector had a bashful side to him?" She says jokingly, sitting next to him as she watches the Thieves have fun. All of them wearing swim ware that matched the colours of their elemental affinities. And of course, the girls were all wearing bikinis to catch their boyfriends attentions, apart from Hifumi and Futaba who elected to wear one-piece's instead.
"Cut me some slack. I'm not completely cold-hearted." He remarks while Morgana chuckles to himself before falling asleep as Isara continued to snap opportunistic pics. While the two looked out at the Thieves, watching them interact while Ren took his phone underwater to show the seafloor to Sophia, Zenkichi took a moment to glance at the Kirijo's. They were doing the same as them, relaxing under a sun-parasol and enjoying the view with some drinks.
It, made him feel at peace sitting here. Watching the kids he was SUPPOSED to keep an eye on for PubSec enjoying themselves while sitting next to a pretty woman he was developing a crush on, or was it more than a crush now…? Anyway, it made him feel normal for the first time since Aoi died.
"I… wanted to thank you for what you did last night." He says, startling Kawakami. "I overheard your talks with her, as well as what she said. And… hearing you comfort Akane like how Aoi did… It really made me realise how much of a gap there is…"
"I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable…" Kawakami replies, but Zenkichi shakes his head.
"Don't be. Hearing you be there by her side… Hearing Akane let it all out for the first time since Aoi died… I couldn't be more grateful than ever that you are here, Sadayo."
"Bold of you to assume I gave you permission to use my first name." Kawakami snarks back before chuckling to herself. "But, you're welcome, Zenkichi. Seeing Akane open up like that… I felt myself moving before I even had time to think. I've seen so many children who were lost and without a guide. And many more that I failed to help because of reasons out of my control. That's why I didn't hesitate to help Akane. And… I would do so again."
"I swear… It feels like I'm talking to Aoi these days." Zenkichi remarks, shaking his head. "You are like her with each passing day."
"Am I really that similar to her?" Kawakami asks, shaking her head.
"You'd be surprised at how similar you two really are. Heck, Aoi was also a principal as well." Kawakami chuckles in response, finding it how absurd it was that she was this similar to Aoi. "But, you do have some differences to her that make you unique. And I don't mean your supernatural abilities."
"Oh?" Kawakami asks, suddenly feeling intrigued. "And what about me is different?" Zenkichi glances at her, before looking away with a smirk.
"That's for me to know and you to find out." He says in a joking manner before laughing as Kawakami places a hand on his shoulder and gives him a shake.
"And why not? Come one!" She says in response, but the smile on her face betrayed how she was feeling as the two laughed at each other. Mitsuru and Akechi glance in their direction, smiling subtly as Mitsuru leans her head on Akihiko. Even if they spotted some strange movement from the locals out the corner of their eyes.
But eventually, the sun begins to set as the day draws to a close. Zenkichi struggles to open his eyes, finding that at some point he had fallen asleep. And out the corner of his eye he could see that Kawakami had also fallen asleep next to him. But there was something else that caught his attention even more as Kawakami woke up.
They were both covered in sand that was sculpted to look like August Rodin's The Kiss from 1888. While around him the Thieves were standing tall, grinning like gremlins while Yusuke held a hand aloft above the two.
"Viola! You're both beautiful!" He says with a grandiose expression as Zenkichi looks over the sand with a keen eye, and a faint blush.
"Whoa. Well, it's certainly some detailed craftsmanship." Zenkichi remarks while Kawakami glances it over with a blush.
"You would certainly gain top marks at Kosei, Yusuke…" Kawakami remarks while the Thieves laugh at their expense. Akechi, Mitsuru and Akihiko stand at the side, shaking their heads at the display with knowing looks. They knew how this was going to end. Especially as Zenkichi rose from the stand with a furious expression that sent the Thieves running as he chased after them.
"…for a bunch of DAMN KIDS! Get back here! You are under arrest!" He shouts, chasing after them as they jump into the sea. Kawakami shakes her head as she stands up, freeing herself of the sand as the trio joins her.
"Had a nice sleep, Sadayo?" Mitsuru asks, watching as Kawakmi brushes off the remaining sand.
"I did, until now." She remarks, glancing as Zenkichi continues to chase after the Thieves, even as he starts to get exhausted. "I feel like I learn something new about him every day."
"And he certainly feels at ease around you." Akechi remarks, seeing Zenkichi finally came to a stop as the Thieves celebrate. "Perhaps… you are what he and Akane need." Kawakami glances at Akechi before glancing back at Zenkichi. Seeing him framed by the ocean made her face feel warm.
"Only if he wants me to be a part of it…"
"Hah! Did you see the look on Gramps's face?" Futaba says with a cheer as she, Ren and Hifumi move along the beach. "It was priceless!"
"It was." Ren replies, taking a moment to pause and glance at Zenkichi and Kawakami. The sixth star appearing on Zenkichi's Tarot Card is just about visible in his range. "I wonder if that pushed them closer together?"
"When did you become the matchmaker, Ren?" Hifumi remarks, shaking her head. "Isn't that Ann's job?" Ren shrugs his shoulders as Futaba lets out a giggle.
"Hey, we ALL agreed on it. And besides… a part of me wants them to be happy. Kawakami seems to fit into the hole that Zenkichi and Akane have. If what we did helped out, then all's well. So long as we do it in moderation."
"Like how you and Makoto tried out suikawari? I thought one of you was going to split us and not the watermelon." Futaba snarks, earning a pout out of Ren, while Hifumi chuckles. Before she pauses for a moment and looks out over the sea. "You know, this reminds me of when I first joined the Thieves in the original timeline… The day when I managed to break out of my shell and be… me. Before everything came crashing down around us."
"It does, doesn't it?" Ren remarks, looking out. "Although, I think I prefer the trip we made in this timeline. More friends make better memories after all."
"I agree." Hifumi replies, pushing some hair back. "And here we stand as siblings on yet another beach. And I wouldn't change it for anything else."
"Hear, hear!" Futaba cheers before glancing off the side to an abandoned path blocked by a wooden sign. "Hm? What's that?" Ren and Hifumi follow her gaze to the sign as the trio approach it, getting a better view of what the aged words said.
"No entry beyond this point. Strange, doesn't this path also lead up to the research lab?" Hifumi asks, glancing up the dirt path. "Wait… that's a utaki down there. This place is considered a holy site?"
"Looks like it… Let's not go past here. We don't want to upset anyone who lives here." Ren replies cautiously, before having a glance around before Sophia appears on his phone.
"I checked online for any relevant information, but this place does not appear to have any real significance. Other subjects here are far more interesting, such as the shape of the coastline, the sounds of waves crashing, and the oceanic lifeforms."
"Maybe it did back in the day and people slowly forgot over time. These things can happen, Sophia. Ancient common day knowledge becomes myth and stories become long-lost epics. Don't feel bad if you didn't find anything, it could be something that the people here value but don't see the need to tell others." Ren tells her gently with Sophia looking away pondering on her own values, before he lets out a shiver. And it wasn't from a cold breeze. "Do any of you feel like you're being watched? I've been feeling that ever since we came back from the lab."
"So it's NOT just me." Futaba replies, shaking her head. "Yeah, I have. And it's freaky as!"
"I wonder if the others feel that way was well…" Hifumi replies as the trio leaves the sign alone to join the others as they set up a beachside table. "I've got a bad feeling about this…" Ren nods silently as they join the others, greeting them as they set up a barbecue. While setting it up, his phone blips again as Sophia grabs his attention once more.
"Sorry to bother you, Dad, but I just wanted to say thank you. It was a fascinating experience and something no AI could do on their own. Well… other than Isara, Aigis and Labrys… But I guess you could say it made my heart feel full. Although, I don't have a heart…"
"You think so? I think we beg to differ." Ren replies, seeing the sixth star appear on Sophia's Tarot Card.
"You are kind, Dad, but it's a simple fact. There is no need to attempt to spare the feelings I lack. But, I am still going to try to understand what feelings are, through. I came to that realisation when I first stared out at the sea. For example, being with you and Mom and the rest of the Phantom Thieves… It's quite… fun. Yes, fun. Did I get that right?"
"Of course you did." Ren replies with a smile, before doing a quick check on the barbeque. Sophia smiles at him before her eyes widen in realisation.
"I've got it! I understand another emotion. Okay, I've memorised what 'fun' is." With that, she does her little hum as Ren returns back to the grill, cooking up dinner as the thieves either set the table, get drinks or sides to go with the meal. Eventually, the team sit down to the barbecue, enjoying the meat feast prepared for them, even though they could feel the stares falling on them from the Island interior.
A fact that none of them could miss, even as they enjoyed their meal. Something was going on… and none of them liked it.
New Confidant Ranks.
Sophia: Hope (Rank 6)
Zenkichi Hasegawa: Apostle (Rank 6)
Akane Hasegawa: Life (Rank 3)
Investigation Team: The World (Rank 10/Max)
S.E.E.S: ? (?/?)
