Phantom Files Book 2: Rise Of The Monarchs

by sithlorde1988

The sequel to Persona 5-The Phantom Files. A few years after Ren returns home, the Phantom Thieves find themselves drawn back into the Metaverse once again out of nowhere after a mysterious app surfaces with the powers to access the Metaverse. Can the Phantom Thieves stop a mysterious new group of individuals called Monarchs? Better summary in chapter 1! BOTH STORY AND EDITS DONE!

16. Gathering Cores! Icy Redemption part 3

A/N: sithlorde1988 here, with another chapter of Phantom Files, Book 2: Rise of The Monarchs! Don't really have a lot to say here, other than LET'S GO, NINERS! Had to put that in there, since as of the point of typing out this start-of-chapter A/N, we're on a roll right now! We not only thrashed the Eagles in convincing fashion, but we also put down TWO separate W's against the Seahawks on either side of that game. As a result, we're currently the top seed of the NFC.

I wish I could say the Steelers (my other favorite team) were as fortunate, but alas, not so much. We're kinda on a downswing at the moment after two losses that we had no business giving up, given how bad the records of the teams in question are. Both teams (the Cardinals and Patriots) had only 2 wins each prior to beating the Steelers, and both of them are either eliminated from postseason contention, or on the fringe thereof.

Yet the Steelers lost to teams with such poor records!? Not a good sign, if you ask me, which you probably didn't since you're probably reading this story to read an adaptation of Persona 5 Strikers, and not to sit thorugh a random tangent about the NFL.

But enough about that, let's get back on topic here. Time to knock out the disclaimer while I'm thinking of it!

Disclaimer: I, sithlorde1988, do not own the Persona series in any way, shape, or form (excluding the OCs Kusa/Draconis, Momoe, Taichi, Kusa/Draconis' Persona Malefor, Futaba/Oracle's secondary Persona Albus, and any other OCs/OC Personas that might pop up in the story, all of which are made by and therefore belong to me, unless otherwise stated), and the actual ownership credit for the Persona series belongs to Atlus, Sega, and to a lesser extent, Koei Tecmo (at least insofar as the spinoffs, such as Tactica, Strikers, Phantom X, the 'Arena' games, the 'Q' games, and the 'Dancing' games, are concerned), so all credit to them!

And with the disclaimer done, time to keep this moving. I think I've said enough here, so I'll wait until the end of the chapter to go on any further tangents! Without further ado, here's chapter 16!

Chapter 16- Icy Keeps, Hee-Hordes, and Trauma Cells? Icy Redemption part 3

(In the Sapporo Jail, with Joker, Mona, Skull, Panther, Fox, Queen, Oracle, Noir, Crow, Violet, Draconis, Seeker, and Pendragon)

After making their way through Odori Park into an area called the 'Arboretum', the group stopped short on seeing a familiar looking birdcage in the background. Fox blinked and spoke up.

"Aha, there it is over there, everyone. The Prison Keep." Fox said as Panther nodded spoke up.

"Yep. It's our second one. Let's do this!" Panther said as Joker spoke up with a nod.

"Agreed. Henceforth, going forward, our front lines will be as thus. Joining me in group A will be Mona, Noir, and Seeker. Draconis will lead Group B, which will be himself, Pendragon, Queen, and Fox. This leaves Panther, Crow, Skull, and Violet to be group C, which will be led by Crow. Meanwhile, our lineup will culminate with Oracle handling the navigation for all three groups. Any objections?" Joker said as everyone nodded their understanding and getting into the indicated groups as the whole group kept moving.

After moving through the Arboretum, the group found themselves in an ice building with a fancy architecture snow-based floor design. As soon as the group stepped in, they were surrounded by Shadows sentries to which Oracle spoke up.

"Be careful, we're trapped in!" Oracle shouted. As if alerted to the group's presence by the sound of Oracle's shout, the sentries changed forms into what Joker knew to be 'Mothman' enemies as a fight broke out. After quickly discovering that their weakness is Guns, the Thieves quickly defeated the enemies by shooting them with various gun attacks. After the fight, the ensuing EXP gain brought Pendragon, Crow and Draconis to level 34, the level-ups giving Pendragon the mid-tier group Psy skill 'Mapsio', making Pendragon smirk as he spoke up.

"Nice, a boost to Kohryu's power! Every little bit helps, they say." Pendragon said as Mona spoke up.

"Got that right, chief. And that's a very good skill that you just got, so good job, Pendragon." Mona said, ignoring the amused smirks on the faces of Crow, Draconis, and Joker at Mona basically kissing up to Pendragon. Pendragon nodded approvingly and spoke up.

"Good point, Mona. I'll keep it in mind. And thanks for the praise." Pendragon said as Kohryu acquired 'Mapsio'. After the fight, the group nodded approvingly to having cleared the area out and then continued onward until they reached an area with snowboards, at which point Mona spoke up.

"Hm, it looks like we can descend from here, you guys. However, we should make note of the Shadows that are in the way." Mona said as Queen spoke up with a frown.

"True, but it's also a steep slope covered with snow. The danger is there regardless." Queen said as Violet smirked and spoke up.

"You say that like danger's ever stopped the likes of Crow, Joker, Skull, and even Mona from doing stupid things before. We won't even include Draconis in that conversation since he usually knows what he's doing when he takes stupid risks." Violet said as Crow spoke up with a huff.

"Hmph. Excuse us for getting a thrill out of combat, Violet. Besides, I didn't hear you complaining when that same tendency of ours saved you from Maruki's mental manipulation three years ago. I seem to recall that you even thanked Joker for bringing you back to your senses once you finally snapped out of whatever trance Maruki had you in at the time." Crow pointed out dryly as Pendragon spoke up.

"I seem to recall that those tendencies you speak of saved YOU as well, Crow. Or was it not that very same risk-taking tendency of Draconis' that helped you to go off the grid the way you did?" Pendragon pointed out sagely as Crow blinked and nodded slowly before speaking up.

"That is a good point, Pendragon. Draconis has done me a very great service by doing this, and he knows how grateful I am to him for it." Crow said humbly as Draconis spoke up with a huff.

"And I know for a fact that YOU know, or at least I would HOPE that you know, that I was more than willing to help you out like that because we're family, Crow. And there are no debts among the Phantom Thieves. I know I've said this more than once to you already. As for Violet's remarks about my risk-taking? I never said I don't own that about myself, because I do own that I could be a bit less bold in my decision-making at times, but it's worked out pretty well for us so far, hasn't it? So if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Draconis said as Skull high-fived Draconis while speaking up.

"Truth, Draconis! We're all friends here, so there should be no 'I owe you one' type sentiments being exchanged amongst the group, or anything like that." Skull said before blinking as he noticed the snowboards near Noir, making him grin as he kept speaking.

"Also, check it out! Hey, isn't that a snowboard over there? Why don't we use that to cruise down?" Skull asked as Crow frowned and spoke up.

"Really? Do you expect one snowboard to hold thirteen people, Skull? I don't think that's possible. Besides, I think there are enough snowboards for everyone. Has everyone ridden a snowboard before, other than Mona and Seeker?" Crow asked, prompting everyone except a sheepish Noir and Violet to nod as Crow turned to Noir and spoke up.

"Really? You've never ridden a snowboard before, Noir?" Crow asked Noir, whose cheeks pinked in embarrassment as she spoke up.

"Afraid not, Crow. My father was very particular about what I got to do growing up, and snowboarding was never on that list, if only because he was constantly training me to take over the company someday. Little did he know, that day would come a scant six or seven years later, and in the most unlikely of circumstances. But before you beat yourself up over it, I don't blame you for what you did, Crow. You were just doing what you were told. And Father did make a lot of enemies with what he was doing near the end of his life, so I understand you were doing what you had to for your own sake. So don't keep hating yourself over it." Noir said as Crow gave Noir a very slow but very genuine smile as he spoke up.

"You're probably right, Noir. I probably should try and learn to forgive myself. But it's not that easy when I think about how many people I've hurt with my actions while I was the Black Mask. So I do hope you'll be patient with me if it takes me some time to start forgiving myself. But never mind about my rather absurd self-guilt issues, we were talking about how you've never ridden a snowboard.

Since there's not really time to give you proper lessons, I recommend you stick close to me and I'll show you as much as I can while we head down this slope. But just trust me when I say that I'll be there to catch you if you fall, Noir. I promise you that." Crow said honestly as Noir nodded before Joker turned to Violet and spoke up.

"I can see Noir not having ridden a snowboard due to her upbringing, but you too, Violet? I'm honestly surprised by that." Joker said as Violet blushed in embarrassment and spoke up.

"Yes, well, in my defense? You do recall that Kasumi liked to ensure she and I were into a lot of the same things, since we were twins and all. Needless to say, Kasumi was never that interested in snowboarding, so I didn't really get the chance to try it out. To be fair though, I wouldn't mind learning how to snowboard, if it's from you, Joker." Violet said honestly, ignoring the sly smirks on both Draconis and Oracle's faces as Joker nodded and spoke up.

"I think I can handle that, beautiful. But enough talk for now. Let's get moving, yeah?" Joker said as the others nodded and the group got to their snowboards, aside from Mona and Seeker, who piggy-backed on the backs of Joker and Violet respectively.

Once everyone was settled in, the group started riding the snowboards down the hill, fighting lots of Shadows as they started going downhill. After getting down the hill and destroying all the enemies in the path, Mona and Seeker both hit level 35 while Violet hit level 37, the level-ups giving both Violet and Seeker new moves, those being the mid-tier group Bless skill 'Makouga' for Ella and the mid-tier healing skill 'Mediarama?' in Pithos' case, making Seeker speak up.

"New skill obtained! I'd like to try it out sometime!" Seeker said as Violet spoke up.

"Wow, would you look at that, we both obtained new skills together, Seeker. What are the chances of that? And they're both very good skills too, so maybe we're more on the same page than we think?" Violet said as Oracle smirked and spoke up.

"Mwehehe, very 'mother and daughter' of you two, if you ask me. Good stuff, Mama Violet. Mold that Seeker in your image." Oracle teased, not even feeling the light bop on the head she got from Draconis, who huffed and spoke up.

"Really? Is that something to tease them over, Oracle? I get that they look like they could be mother and daughter, but is it not also possible they could just have a lot of sisterly energy together? I realize that could be a bit tactless of me to say, given Violet's previous track record with siblings." Draconis said, wincing slightly at the upset look on Violet's face behind his mask as he kept speaking.

"Oh, um, please accept my most sincere and humble apologies to you for bringing up a sore spot, Violet, but I feel like you're more apt to want to see Seeker as a daughter because you're scared that you could see something happen to her if you think of her as a sister, am I right?" Draconis asked as Violet winced at the perceptive comment from Draconis before speaking up with a smile that Joker could see was slightly forced.

"It's fine, Draconis. I get you were just making a point. Though I'll admit that bringing up Kasumi was kind of a painful thing for you to do. But I get why you did it." Violet said as Joker hugged Violet gently and spoke up.

"I don't think Draconis intended to hurt your feelings when he brought that up. I think his intent was to remind Oracle that just because you get protective of Seeker doesn't immediately mean you see her as a daughter." Joker said kindly as Violet smiled and nodded before speaking up.

"That's fair. The thing is though, I'm not entirely sure if I do see Seeker as a sister moreso just yet, or as a daughter. I'll admit that Draconis has a point about me being scared to let myself think of anyone else as sisters/brothers, out of a fear of seeing them end up like Kasumi did." Violet said as Draconis winced before walking over and gently hugging Violet as he spoke up.

"I see. I apologize for bringing that up then. I was just trying to explain to Oracle that you have your reasons for how you act where it concerns Seeker, that's all. I'm sorry for upsetting you though, sis." Draconis said as Violet blinked but nodded as she returned the hug and spoke up.

"Forgiven. But, uh, let's not let this linger much, if only so as not to make both Oracle and Joker jealous, yeah?" Violet said as Draconis nodded, separating himself from Violet amidst amused giggles from Panther, Oracle, and Seeker, as well as smirks from Mona and Joker, as both Ella and Pithos acquired the skills 'Makouga' and 'Mediarama?' respectively, around the same time that Crow and Noir both reached the bottom, Crow carefully bringing Noir to a halt.

"There we are. All done. How was that for your first time snowboarding, Noir?" Crow asked Noir, who smiled and spoke up.

"It was actually a lot of fun when I got the hang of it. Thank you for staying close to me while I made my way down the hill, Crow." Noir said kindly, shocking everyone else present by pulling a shocked Crow into a hug before cutely pecking him on the cheek, making Crow blush, while Joker, Draconis, and Mona all exchanged looks that showed they all found Crow's face in that moment quite hilarious, wordlessly agreeing that they were taking the mickey out of him the next time there was a guys' night. Noir didn't see this and smiled as she kept speaking.

"Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Surprisingly, this snowboard almost makes it easier to run through Shadows with my axe. I know you got a kick out of both the sight of me swinging my axe at those Shadows, as well as all the exquisite cries of agony they made when we tore them apart together, Crow. Err, but that might just be the little bit of closet sadism in me talking?" Noir said sheepishly as Crow laughed and spoke up.

"If it is, I find that part of you delightfully adorable. So don't be ashamed of being yourself, Noir." Crow said as Noir smiled and nodded as the group kept moving. After moving forward a little ways, the group found another console, at which point Oracle spoke up with a wry smile.

"Ooh, a console? Lemme do a little technomancy on it!" Oracle said as Pendragon spoke up with a frown.

"Technomancy? When did I end up drawn into one of Oracle's games?" Pendragon said as Joker spoke up.

"Just go with it, Pendragon. I know it's a lot to adjust to, but it's usually easier just to go with the flow when it comes to things like this." Joker said sagely as Draconis spoke up.

"That's one way to put it. But we have to understand also that Pendragon likely sees Oracle as his daughter, so it's probably a lot for him to handle to basically end up being a part of his daughter's life in the last way he planned on being part of it. So we should give him a bit of slack while he adjusts, yeah?" Draconis said sagely as Joker nodded his agreement before speaking up.

"Good point, Draconis. And Oracle? Definitely. We're good to support you from here, and no doubt Draconis' group will once again stick close to you to stop any Shadows who get too close to you." Joker said as Group B nodded their agreement, having had Queen be swapped out for Mona after the ride downhill, while Seeker had gone to join Group C in place of Skull when Joker had changed around Group A's lineup. Oracle nodded and spoke up.

"Got it! Time to start the hack! Draconis, make sure your group keeps the Shadows from getting too close to me! Joker, you and Crow have your groups keep the lion's share of the enemy hordes from advancing, yeah?" Oracle said as Queen nodded and spoke up.

"Got it. It's all yours, Oracle." Queen said as Noir nodded and spoke up from where she was standing with Joker, Queen, and Skull.

"Right! We'll protect you!" Noir said as Draconis spoke up with a smug grin.

"Dang right we will! Let's do this!" Draconis said as a fight began against a large horde of Shadows! As the group fought off the Shadows, the front lines did a pretty good job holding the enemies back, though a few managed to slip through the cracks, but were quickly driven back between Violet, Seeker, and Draconis, who used their best skills to drive back the oncoming Shadows as the rest of the group kept the larger portions of the enemy forces back. After a while, Oracle spoke up from the console she'd been typing at.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your hack is now complete! It has been a pleasure helping you out!" Oracle said as the battle ended. From the battle ending, Crow and Draconis hit level 35, from which Draconis gained a new skill for Malefor in the form of the mid-tier healing move 'Mediarama', which had the result of making Draconis grin and speak up with a slightly smug sounding tone of voice.

"Nice! I got a new move! The fact that it's the same move that little miss Seeker just got is irrelevant. Check out my serviceable healing skills now." Draconis said as Violet smirked and spoke up.

"Who knows? Maybe all that time watching us healers work has allowed you a bit of insight into the healing arts yourself? Or as you might put it, our skills 'rubbed off' on you. Hee hee." Violet said as Oracle playfully booed the joke while speaking up.

"Hey, no acting naughty around Seeker, Violet! Or are you allowed to corrupt her while the rest of us aren't?" Oracle said teasingly as Joker spoke up with a smirk.

"That's rich of you to say, considering how much naughtier you and Draconis are than Violet and I. So I wouldn't be throwing stones if you live in a glass house, Oracle." Joker pointed out sagely as Crow smirked and spoke up.

"Well said, Joker. Also, I think we can agree Oracle is far naughtier than Draconis is. Just putting that out there." Crow said as Noir smiled and spoke up.

"Maybe the fact you're so easygoing now is a sign that you're already changing for the better, Crow. Just accept it as a good thing. And well done on the new skill, Draconis-kun." Noir said happily as Crow shrugged and nodded his agreement as Malefor acquired 'Mediarama', prompting Oracle to slyly hug Draconis briefly while the group kept moving. After getting into another fight inside of the tower, Oracle frowned and spoke up as the enemy caused a snowstorm to pop up mid-battle.

"Shoot, that's not good! The enemy's gone and conjured up a snowstorm! Luckily, I hacked us a nearby heater! Get over to it and turn it on to stop the snowstorm!" Oracle said as the others nodded, Mona nimbly sprinting over to turn the heater in question on, Seeker following closely behind him. After the snowstorm subsided, Skull smirked as he spoke up.

"Oh, nice! The snowstorm's gone! Time for some payback, and for me to show off my stuff! It's Showtime!" Skull said as he started his Showtime! He took a runner's stance as he kept speaking.

"Here we go! Let's go, Seiten Taisei!" Skull said as he sprinted towards the enemies, mace in hand, speaking up as he did so.

"BATTER UP!" Skull said as Seiten Taisei fired a shock bomb towards Skull, who swung his mace like a bat at the enemies, slamming it directly into the horde, utterly decimating the remaining enemies as he spoke up to end his Showtime and the battle.

"AND DON'T COME BACK!" Skull said as both his Showtime and the battle ended. Afterwards, Fox spoke up.

"We've eliminated all obstacles. Let us proceed to the tower." Fox said as Skull grinned and spoke up.

"All right, let's take what we came for!" Skull said, getting nods from the others as the group kept moving. After reaching the top of the tower, the group seized the second core, which took the form of a 'Beautiful Flower' key item, making Oracle frown at it as she spoke up.

"Yay, we got a core! Why's it a flower?" Oracle said as Panther spoke up with a smile.

"Hmm. Wasn't she telling off that one staff member who let that flower wither?" Panther asked as Noir winced and spoke up.

"That's true, Panther. She did that to that poor staff member, as we all saw for ourselves. Hmm, I wonder if it's related to what she said earlier about her ambitions? And what I'm referring to when I say that is how she wanted to make Sapporo a beautiful destination for all." Noir said as Crow spoke up warily.

"It could very well be related to that, Noir. You're not wrong about that." Crow said as Fox nodded and spoke up.

"I agree with Crow on this. While I certainly understand her passion, sacrificing her own people to do it is completely unacceptable." Fox said as Noir spoke up.

"I hate that you're right about that, Fox. But at the same time? Yes, I agree." Noir said with a frown as Queen spoke up with her own frown.

"At any rate we retrieved the core. Let's head back to Odori Park." Queen said as the others nodded and the group kept moving. After taking the backdoor path back to Odori Park, Panther spoke up in shock.

"Oh! Look!" Panther said, pointing to where the ice wall from before had disappeared, making Mona smirk as he spoke up.

"The ice wall is gone, just as we thought!" Mona said, right as a giant Shadow, labeled as 'Ice Tower Admin', spoke up.

"You, thief! Return what you stole at once!" The 'Ice Tower Admin' said as it shifted forms into what Joker instantly knew to be a Mothman and kept speaking.

"You have no idea what kind of torture awaits us if the Monarch finds out we let you get away with that!" The 'Ice Tower Admin' said as Crow dryly spoke up.

"Oh, boo-hoo. Our hearts bleed. Why would we give back what we went to all the trouble of taking!? That's both asinine and stupid!" Crow said as Panther spoke up with a frown on her face.

"I agree with Crow. Sorry to hear that, but there's no turning back for us! We need this to get a step closer to changing the Monarch's heart!" Panther said as a fight began! After a rough, but winnable, fight, both Queen and Skull hit level 35, the level-up giving Skull the passive move 'Shock Boost', making Skull grin as he spoke up.

"Nice! A new move! Gettin' stronger every day!" Skull said as Queen smiled and spoke up.

"As it should be. Good work, sweetie. I'm proud of you." Queen said as she kissed Skull on the cheek while Seiten Taisei acquired 'Shock Boost'. After the battle, the group kept moving, stopping when Mona spoke up with a smile on his face.

"Look! The ice wall disappeared!" Mona said as Noir smiled and spoke up.

"Good. We can move on to the next Prison Keep now. Let's go." Noir said as the group kept moving. After clearing out Shadows along the way, Panther hit level 35, the level-up giving Hecate access to the mid-tier Fire skill 'Maragion', making Panther smile as she spoke up.

"Oh, look! I got a new move!" Panther said as Mona smirked and spoke up.

"Not bad, Lady Panther. That's an impressive move." Mona said as Hecate acquired 'Maragion' and the group kept moving. After moving around a while and finding their way to the 'Sapporo Tower', the group found the third Prison Keep, but frowned at the sight of an ice wall once more blocking the way forward, which struck the group as odd given the fact that usually, the walls are melted by getting the core controlling them. However, in this case, the core is blocked off by the wall. Noir frowned on realizing this as she spoke up.

"The Prison Keep is there, but there's an ice wall in the way." Noir said as Seeker nodded before frowning as she spoke up.

"Noir's right. It's the same ice barrier we encountered at Odori Park. We can't get through like this." Seeker said as Skull frowned and spoke up.

"But the core is just ahead, right? What do we do?" Skull asked as Fox noticed a path in the other direction as the camera panned over to it.

"Good question, Skull. How about going up there?" Fox suggested. Crow blinked at this and spoke up.

"You propose we climb up those ice platforms to reach the top of that wall, then? Is that what you're saying, Fox? I'm not against it, if so. But Noir might have to do more snowboarding to get back down afterwards, assuming she can handle that." Crow said as Noir smiled and spoke up.

"Hmm, I think I can handle that, assuming you stay close by like you did before, Crow." Noir said as Crow spoke up.

"I can do that, Noir. But let's not interrupt Fox any more than we already have. Sorry, please continue, Fox." Crow said as Fox spoke up.

"Thank you. As I was saying, we may be able to drop in from above, as long as we're willing to climb." Fox said as Oracle spoke up with a smile.

"Ooh, nice thinking, Inari! Then let's head over there!" Oracle said as Pendragon blinked and spoke up.

"Inari!? I thought his code name was Fox?" Pendragon said as Violet smiled and spoke up.

"It is. Oracle just calls him Inari as a mix of a term of endearment, along with what I'm fairly sure is an inside joke of sorts between them." Violet said as Draconis spoke up.

"That's true, except the part where Fox sees Oracle calling him Inari as a term of endearment. Judging from the look on his face when she calls him Inari, I don't think Fox finds it very endearing. But I suppose that's just Oracle's way of showing Inar-err, I mean Fox, that she appreciates him." Draconis said as Mona grinned and spoke up.

"Ooh, methinks someone spends too much time around Oracle. You almost just called Fox the same nickname Oracle does." Mona said as Draconis spoke up.

"Hey, cut me a break, Mona! Oracle's my girlfriend, so of course I'm gonna spend a lot of time around her. It's no different than how Joker, Skull, and Crow like to spend time with Violet, Queen, and Noir respectively. I'd have listed Fox and Panther, but their girlfriends are out of town for the summer, so they can't really spend time with them. And I don't count you and Seeker, since you yourself said that you're not sure how you feel about her, Mona. But I get a feeling you don't feel the same way about her that she might feel about you." Draconis said as Mona nodded his understanding while Pendragon spoke up with his own nod.

"Ah, I see. Thanks for that explanation, Violet and Draconis. But let's keep moving, shall we? After all, that core's not gonna seize itself." Pendragon said as the group kept moving. After getting up the wall, the group reached the top, and sure enough, there were more snowboards waiting for them at the top. Panther spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Hey, don't you think we'd get there much easier if we slid down?" Panther said as Seeker spoke up with a smile that Mona found himself blinking on seeing.

"Good idea. You're sharp, Panther." Seeker said as Violet groaned and massaged her forehead lightly while muttering what sounded suspiciously like the phrase 'Please don't let Seeker catch Mona's simp condition. I don't need another mindless simp on this team!' under her breath, much to the amusement of Draconis, Oracle, and Joker, all of whom happened to be close enough to hear Violet's remark. Fox smirked and spoke up.

"Agreed. Witness as we gallantly soar down these slopes to safety! This may just be the inspiration I need." Fox said as Queen laughed and spoke up.

"Heh, you consider this inspiring?" Queen said as Draconis grinned and spoke up.

"He does indeed. Meanwhile, Crow and I choose to consider this another day on the job, since snowboarding like this means more chances to beat the shit out of Shadows. And I know part of Crow still relishes the chance to savor the sounds of suffering Shadows." Draconis said with a smirk. Crow nodded his agreement and spoke up with a sly grin on his face.

"You're not wrong, Draconis. This is gonna be fun." Crow said with an eager grin as he turned to Noir and spoke up in a much softer tone.

"That being said, that's not what's important right now. Shall we prepare to head down together, Noir?" Crow said as Noir smiled and nodded as the group got onto snowboards and started shredding down the hill towards the horrified Shadows. As the group rode downhill, Noir threw her hands up and cheered as she spoke up.

"WHOO! I love the feeling of wind in my hair while doing this!" Noir said as an amused Crow smiled at her while Draconis smirked at Oracle nearby and spoke up.

"Wanna see who can shred more Shadows, Oracle? Let's say loser bottoms the winner and then gets dominated next time we fool around?" Draconis said as an eager Oracle nodded and spoke up.

"Deal! You're so on, Draconis! Prepare to get played!" Oracle said as Pendragon, Joker, and Violet all spoke up in wide-eyed horror at what Draconis had just said.

"DRACONIS!" Joker, Violet, Pendragon, and Mona all simultaneously rebuked Draconis as a livid-looking Violet kept speaking.

"NO KINKY TALK AROUND SEEKER! SHE'S NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR SUCH THINGS!" Violet added as Draconis winced and spoke up.

"Uhh, crap, I forgot about Seeker being around when I said that, didn't I? My bad." Draconis said as Oracle slyly grinned and spoke up.

"Relax, Violet. Let me handle this. I'll make sure to punish Draconis thoroughly and roughly later. Mwehehe." Oracle said as Joker groaned and spoke up.

"NOT HELPING, ORACLE!" Joker said as Seeker spoke up with a confused look.

"Bottoms? Dominated? Punish? Is this more of those adult things I'm not allowed to know about?" Seeker asked in confusion, adorably tilting her head to the side in confusion as Mona and Violet nodded, the former speaking up.

"Exactly. Let's just say you're better off not knowing. I didn't know what they meant before either, but once I found out, I found myself wishing I didn't know. So don't ask, and let Violet savor you being innocent for at least a while longer." Mona said wisely as Seeker nodded her understanding while Violet nodded approvingly to Mona's explanation before the group continued going down the hill. After reaching the bottom, the group reached the back path into the Prison Keep, where Fox spoke up.

"As I suspected, it seems we can enter from here." Fox said as Skull spoke up with a grin.

"All right, let's do this thing!" Skull said as Oracle leaned in to whisper into Draconis' ear so only he could hear.

"Pretty sure I won our bet, Draconis. Mwehehe." Oracle said as Draconis blinked before his eyes widened slightly and he quietly swore on realizing Oracle was right before whispering into Oracle's ear so only she could hear.

"Very well, a bet is a bet. I am your willing plaything to dominate the next time we fool around, Oracle." Draconis said as the group kept moving. After reaching the top of the wall, Crow spoke up.

"Well, well. We made it to a point above the Keep. And the Shadows inside don't suspect a thing. Seems like the perfect chance to catch them unawares." Crow said as the group did just that. During the ensuing battle, Queen smirked as she spoke up.

"Nice, time for my Showtime! Do I have permission to let it rip, Joker?" Queen asked. When Joker nodded, Queen smirked and spoke up.

"Nice! SHOWTIME!" Queen said as she hopped onto Anat and revved the handlebars on Anat's shoulders as Anat shifted into a bike form while Queen rode her, charging at the horde of Shadows as she smashed into them, doing a few 360 wheelies on the enemy horde, eventually hopping up off of Anat as she kept speaking.

"LET 'EM HAVE IT! FIST! OF! JUSTICE!" Queen said as she slammed her fist into the ground, causing a massive crater of Nuclear energy to form around the Shadows, utterly annihilating all of them on the spot, ending both the Showtime and the battle as Queen posed in an epic manner. From the ensuing EXP gains, Queen hit level 37 while Panther, Crow, Draconis, and Pendragon all hit level 36, the level-ups giving Crow an unlikely skill gain in the form of the Physical skill 'Deathbound', making Crow speak up with an amused smirk on his face.

"Well, well. Another new skill. Not bad. I'm not sure if it'll be as useful as some, but I'm sure I'll find a good use for it." Crow said as Oracle smirked and spoke up.

"Don't be so sure, Crow. Deathbound is a physical move that hits a wide area of foes, isn't it? So it might make you better equipped to quickly thin out a large horde of foes in a pinch. So good job on the new skill." Oracle said as Crow nodded and spoke up.

"I see. Thanks for the wise advice, Oracle." Crow said as Hereward acquired 'Deathbound'. After the fight, Oracle spoke up.

"Good, that's taken care of. Now all that's left is the core!" Oracle said as Draconis spoke up.

"True, but isn't this already the third and final core for this Jail? Wouldn't that then mean all we have left is to find the main Birdcage so we can pinpoint the location of the stolen Desires? If so, this Jail went rather fast, all things considered." Draconis said as Oracle spoke up with a nod.

"Good point, Draconis. I think you're right. But let's go find out for sure, shall we?" Oracle said as the others nodded and scaled the stairs to find the third core, which Joker seized to get a 'Mayor Badge' key item. Mona nodded and spoke up.

"All right, just as Draconis said, this is the third core." Mona said as Panther frowned and spoke up.

"True. But is this supposed to be a badge?" Panther asked as Queen nodded and spoke up.

"Precisely. It's the Sapporo Central mayor's insignia: a simple yet effective symbol of power." Queen said as Noir frowned and spoke up.

"So it's a symbol of Mari-san's status as mayor, then? I wonder if that means we're close to finding out the source of her distortion so we can change her heart and return the Desires she stole?" Noir asked as Crow spoke up.

"I think the only way we'll know for sure is if we keep going, wouldn't you agree?" Crow said as Noir nodded and the group kept moving. After heading out, the group found their path barred by a Shadow, which was quickly destroyed by Noir. Afterwards, Noir gasped and spoke up, pointing at the wall as she spoke.

"Oh, look! The wall is gone! We can keep going now." Noir said as Violet spoke up.

"Good, we're that much closer to finishing this Jail. Hang in there a bit longer, Noir. I'm sure that this hasn't been an easy Jail for you, has it? But I'm proud of you for staying strong through it all, Noir-senpai." Violet said politely as Noir smiled and spoke up.

"Thank you, Violet-chan. That means a lot coming from you." Noir said as she eagerly hugged a shocked Violet, making Crow's jaw drop at the sight of Noir hugging another girl, before Draconis grinned and lightly elbowed Crow in the side as he spoke up.

"Close that mouth there, Crow. Wouldn't want to catch flies gaping at Noir like a buffoon, yeah? Also, I thought gawking at a girl like a love-struck buffoon was Joker's schtick? Surely you're better than that, Crow?" Draconis teased as Joker and Crow both glared at him and the former spoke up.

"RUDE! Don't drag me into your roasts like that! Also, I'm not too proud to admit Crow IS better than me when it comes to the ladies. But I don't mind, since I have a sexy girlfriend Crow could never hope to have for himself. Then again, it's not like I see him fussing over it that much, especially considering how much he seems to check Noir out when he thinks no one's looking." Joker said slyly as an annoyed Crow huffed and spoke up while dryly glaring at both Joker and Draconis behind his helmet.

"Joker? Draconis? I hate you both so much right now. So shut up, before I let Hereward use the two of you for target practice." Crow said dryly as Draconis and Joker looked at each other and laughed as the group kept moving. After getting back into Odori Park, a large Shadow appeared in the middle of the four-way intersection and stared the group down as it spoke up.

"The Monarch's gonna punish us because of you! You think you can just do whatever you want!?" The 'Ice Gate Admin', as Oracle identified it with Al Azif, said as Skull grinned and spoke up.

"Save that line for your Monarch. Or better yet, we'll tell her ourselves, once we take you all out!" Skull said as the Ice Gate Admin glared at Skull before shifting forms into what Joker vaguely recognized from his first foray as a Phantom Thief as being a 'Mithras'. At that point, a fight began! The fight that ensued was a rough one, but thanks to Joker, Draconis, and Mona's ability to wield Wind skills, the group pulled out the win in the end as Draconis spoke up.

"Ooh, the enemy looks to be weakened. Shall I finish it with my Showtime?" Draconis said as Joker nodded and spoke up.

"Go for it, Draconis." Joker said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"Got it. SHOWTIME!" Draconis said as his Showtime started! Draconis smirked and brandished his staff while speaking up.

"Hate wind, do you? Too bad for you! I've got something special just for you! Time to take you for a spin! YAH!" Draconis said as he started spinning his staff around furiously in front of him to generate a torrent of Wind energy, not unlike the one he'd generated during his Triad Special with Fox and Violet previously. As the wind kicked up into a tornado, it slammed head-on into the shocked 'Sun King' as Oracle's analysis properly identified it, lifting him into the air and leaving him helpless as Draconis hopped atop Malefor as he brandished his throwing knives and spoke up.

"Perfect, you're absolutely helpless and at my mercy! NOW TO END IT!" Draconis said as he dove down, knives outstretched as he generated a draft of Wind power under his charge, allowing him to ram head-on into the enemy, slashing it repeatedly as he slammed the horrified 'Sun King' directly into the ground, creating a giant explosion of Wind energy that he backflipped away from as everyone else's view was briefly obscured before Draconis landed behind the enemy and spoke up.

"Time to put you out of your misery, you fool! BEGONE, YOU SCUM!" Draconis said as he tossed a throwing knife into the giant miasma of Wind energy surrounding the enemy, making it harmlessly dissipate while exploding around the enemy, who could only groan as he crashed into the ground before dissolving into black mist as Oracle spoke up.

"Whoa, powerful Shadow eliminated! Way to bring the hurt, Draconis!" Oracle said as Draconis nodded smugly, seemingly brushing dust off himself from the impact of the attack, though on closer inspection, it was actually revealed that it was in fact snow and not dust that he was brushing off while the battle ended. Afterwards, Fox spoke up with a satisfied smirk.

"Excellent. It seems the walls are no more." Fox said as Skull spoke up.

"Good. Then let's get our asses in there!" Skull said as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"Yeah, let's not waste any more-" Mona said before being interrupted by the intercom blaring to life as a familiar voice echoed from it.

"How do you do, everyone?" A voice that everyone recognized spoke up, making Noir's eyes widen as she spoke up.

"That voice, there's no mistaking it. Is that Mari-san!?" Noir said as Crow spoke up.

"More than likely, it's not actually Hyodo's voice, but rather that of her Shadow. But let's hear what she has to say." Crow said as Noir nodded before they heard the voice of what was likely Hyodo's Shadow speaking over the intercom.

"Are you working hard to keep Sapporo clean? To make it a glistening, filth-free city? Well, it's time for our regular cleanup! Anyone who calls themselves a proud member of my staff must show initiative! That means no slacking off, and not a single mote of dust left on the premises! I want this place to be spotless! Turn Sapporo into a paradise as pure as snow!" Hyodo's Shadow said over the intercom as Mona's eyes widened on hearing what appeared to be approaching footsteps.

"Huh? Something's coming. Hide, quickly!" Mona said as the others hid themselves as carefully as they could as what must've been a small horde of Jack Frosts marched out, all chanting as one.

"HEE-HO! HEE-HO!" The Jack Frost horde chanted as one of them spoke up further.

"Clean-up, hee! Clean-up, ho! Clean-up, hee-ho, here we go! Bury them in pure, white snow! Heeee-HO!" The Jack Frosts said as they kept marching, oblivious to the group standing on the side of the road as Skull spoke up.

"What's up with these little freaks?" Skull asked as Oracle spoke up with her eyes widening behind her visor.

"They're everywhere, you guys! It's the hee-horde from hell!" Oracle said as Draconis laughed at Oracle's description and spoke up.

"HA! Hee-horde from hell. Heh, not bad, Oracle. I'll have to remember that one." Draconis said as Fox spoke up.

"Yes, well, I can hardly believe my eyes!" Fox said as a wide-eyed Mona spoke up.

"Agreed. They're chanting about some cleanup routine. Maybe this is a periodic security measure? At any rate, it's too risky to charge in right now. Let's head back to reality and see what we can do." Mona said as Joker nodded and spoke up, not seeing Violet and Crow both groan at what he said next.

"True. Nothing we can do about it now, unless we want to join in ourselves. Personally, I don't think calling out 'hee-ho' is the worst thing in the world." Joker said as Draconis deadpanned and spoke up.

"Yes, well, you're the sort of idiotic fool who would probably be right up in there and chanting-" Draconis said as Joker cut him off by proving his point with what he said next.

"Eh, what the hell. Let's do it! Hee-ho!" Joker said as Crow, Violet, and Draconis all facefaulted simultaneously, amid amused laughter from Seeker, Noir, Oracle, and Mona, before the former of the four spoke up with an amused smile of her own as she spoke up.

"Eh, if Joker's joining in, we might as well join too. Hee-ho!" Seeker said, not seeing the horrified look on Violet's face as she watched Seeker follow Joker's lead while a confused Oracle spoke up.

"Uhh, since when does following Joker's lead entail chanting out something as stupid as hee-ho?" Oracle said in confusion. Noir giggled and spoke up.

"Hee hee, it doesn't. But it still looks like fun. C'mon Crow, let's join in! Hee-ho!" Noir said, smiling cutely at Crow while playfully batting her eyelashes at him behind her mask to get him to join in. Crow groaned and muttered what sounded like 'why did I have to fall for the adorable axe-wielding sadist?' dryly under his breath before sighing and reluctantly speaking up.

"Ugh, fine. As you wish, Noir. Hee-ho." Crow said flatly as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Eh, let me try! Heee-haww!" Skull said as Draconis laughed and spoke up.

"Was that supposed to be a 'Hee-ho!', or were you trying to practice your donkey sounds, Skull? Either way, that was hilarious." Draconis said as Oracle slyly winked prettily at Draconis as she spoke up.

"Aww, come on, Draconis. I know you probably find this pointless and idiotic, but I'm sure you'll make an exception for me, right? So what do you say? Will you do it for me?" Oracle said slyly as Draconis huffed and spoke up.

"What the hell!? You expect me to join in on this inane crap!? Do you see Joker coaxing Violet into it? Hell no!" Draconis said, but when Oracle turned her cutest puppy-dog pout on him through her visor, Draconis sighed and spoke up, ignoring both Crow and Skull laughing at the annoyed look on Draconis' face as he spoke.

"Ugh! No fair doing the puppy-dog eyes! I hate it when you break that puppy-dog eyed pout out, Oracle! You know I can't say no to those eyes of yours, dammit! Grrr! Hmph, FINE! Hee freaking ho! Happy!?" Draconis said dryly as Violet's jaw dropped on Draconis joining in as Joker slyly grinned at Violet and spoke up.

"C'mon, beautiful. You know you wanna join in. But maybe you'll give in if I coax you into it?" Joker said, sneakily walking around behind Violet's back to lightly massage her shoulders suggestively, making her pout as she spoke up, struggling not to give off an involuntary moan while she spoke at how nice Joker's hands felt rubbing her shoulders.

"No fair, Joker! You know we're not trying to do that around Seeker. Ooh, but that does feel nice. Ugh, dammit! Fine. Hee-ho! Happy, Joker!?" Violet said as Joker grinned and nodded while pulling Violet into a kiss while Fox cheered nearby as he saw the two kiss.

"HEE-HO!" Fox said enthusiastically as he joined the chanting, and at that same time, Crow and Draconis both groaned and muttered 'somebody please shoot me into the freaking sun right now!' at the same time under their breaths. Panther's eyes widened as she saw the others all joining in with the exceptions of herself, Queen, Pendragon, and Mona.

"Ugh! They're infected!" Panther said in concern as Pendragon spoke up.

"The way the rest was able to get wrapped up in these little guys' chants is almost reminiscent of if one gets a song stuck in their head and can't get it out." Pendragon added as Queen deadpanned and spoke up.

"I blame Joker, myself. All right, good bit, you guys. But now it's time to go, for real." Queen said as Skull sighed and spoke up.

"Already? Ho-kay, babe. If you say so. We'll go now." Skull said, frowning as he heard either Crow or Draconis, if not both, imitating the sound of a whip with their mouths, making Skull frown and speak up.

"SHUT UP! LIKE NOIR AND ORACLE DON'T HAVE THE BOTH OF YOU WHIPPED ALREADY!" Skull snapped, ignoring Mona, Joker, and Violet laughing at Skull's response as the group exited the Metaverse before Noir, Oracle, Crow, and Draconis could do more than sputter indignantly at Skull's unlikely comeback...

(Back in the real world, at the intersection in South Suzushino, with Yusuke, Sojiro, Ryuji, Ann, Makoto, Haru, Goro, Futaba, Kusa, Ren, Morgana, Sumire, and Sophia)

"Man, I thought we'd get somewhere today. That mess was wack." Ryuji said as Futaba winced and spoke up in horror.

"A mess!? It was snowmageddon, I tell you! Oh, the hee-horror we witnessed!" Futaba said as Kusa frowned and spoke up.

"Really? That was terrible, Taba!" Kusa said as Futaba slyly grinned and spoke up.

"But you still love me despite that, don't you?" Futaba said as she playfully laid her head on Kusa's shoulder, making him groan as he spoke up with a reluctant sigh.

"I hate that you're right about that. But you're not wrong that I do love you despite your quirks and flaws." Kusa said as Yusuke spoke up.

"Anyways! Let's stay on topic, shall we? And based on the timing of the announcement, I'm sure it was temporary. They were only a clean-up crew." Yusuke said as Morgana spoke up.

"Yeah? Then in that case, let's call it a day. We'll use this opportunity to rest up and prep for tomorrow." Morgana said as the group nodded and returned to Odori Park, where Ryuji spoke up with an unreadable look.

"All right, whaddya say we hit the bath and-" Ryuji said before being cut off as the group heard what sounded like a disgusted Hyodo speaking up nearby.

"Ugh, how many times must I repeat myself!?" Hyodo said, making the group turn and look in horror as they saw her rebuking a man who was holding his knees and panting in visible exhaustion. Ann's eyes widened as she spoke up.

"Wait, hold on. Is that who I think it is?" Ann said as Makoto spoke up in shock.

"Is that Mariko Hyodo!?" Makoto said as Hyodo continued to light into the kneeling man.

"Did I not tell you our citizens suffer every time our personnel slacks off!?" Hyodo said as the kneeling man spoke up while coughing.

"Forgive me, Mayor Hyodo." The kneeling man said while coughing as Hyodo scoffed and spoke up.

"WHAT? You think I'll give you preferential treatment just because you're sick? Stand up straight and get back to doing your job. Our citizens would be ashamed of this." Hyodo said as Haru winced at hearing Hyodo reprimand the sick employee so harshly and spoke up.

"Mmm, is this really what Mari-san has become?" Haru said to herself, as the others could only shrug as Hyodo spoke up at that point.

"Might I remind you that you'll be working through the night to make up for lost time." Hyodo said as the sick employee spoke up.

"Yes, Mayor. I'll do better, I swear." The sick employee said while coughing. Yusuke frowned at the display and spoke up.

"Will that employee be all right?" Yusuke said as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"Not if he keeps working in that condition, he won't. How can anyone survive like that?" Morgana said as Kusa spoke up.

"Very carefully, and very unbearably. I seem to recall a time that Ren here once had to work through the flu because he didn't have any more days he could miss school, and it wasn't fun for him, but he got through it in the end through his insane willpower. I was impressed by it, truth be told." Kusa said as Ren spoke up.

"Yes well, it was either that, or have the school nagging Mom and Dad about me missing too much school. And I'd rather not make our parents suffer like that if I can help it. So excuse me for putting the greater good above my own well-being on that occasion. That said, I'm sorry to say this about your friend, Haru? But what Hyodo's doing is inhumane." Ren said sagely as the group marched forward to confront Hyodo, who blinked and spoke up in a much sweeter tone, her eyes widened in shock on seeing them there at that time.

"Hm? Oh, it's just you, children." Hyodo said as Goro and Kusa bristled at being called children, but didn't say a word under the intense trio of warning glares that Sumire, Sojiro, and Ren all gave them both as Haru spoke up in shock and concern.

"Mari-san, how could you allow such a horrible thing?" Haru asked as Hyodo blanched and spoke up.

"Horrible? Oh, no, no, no. Haru-chan, you misunderstand. I derive no pleasure in being so harsh. But it is a necessary measure to keep our city functioning. You see, we've been doing a campaign where our staff cleans up around the city for a month." Hyodo said as a wide-eyed Kusa spoke up.

"I'm sorry, a MONTH? As in a month of non-stop clean-up where they work for the entire month straight without breaks!?" Kusa said in shock as Hyodo spoke up.

"Pretty much. It might sound rough to you, but not only does it keep our staff in line, it enhances local safety as well." Hyodo said as Goro spoke up.

"How exactly does working a sick employee into the ground enhance local safety? Wouldn't that have the opposite effect instead?" Goro asked skeptically as Hyodo spoke up.

"It's this man's own fault for not taking better care of himself! It's such an important job, yet this incompetent bungler here still has the nerve to show up late! How can I take pride in such poor behavior? All he seems to be capable of is making excuses!" Hyodo said as Morgana blinked and spoke up.

"Oh? A cleanup campaign, huh?" Morgana said, not seeing the silent glares that both Kusa and Ren gave him for speaking up around Hyodo. Futaba spoke up before either Ren or Kusa could really light into Morgana, however.

"Could this be related to the hee-horde?" Futaba asked with wide eyes. Sumire spoke up so only Futaba could hear.

"Probably. But let's not mention that around Hyodo, yeah?" Sumire said as Futaba nodded while Hyodo rounded on the sick employee and spoke up.

"As for YOU! I won't say it another time. Quit groveling and get back to work!" Hyodo said as Haru spoke up on the sick employee's behalf.

"But Mari-san, he doesn't look well at all!" Haru said as Hyodo gave Haru a sympathetic look and spoke up, not seeing Kusa and Goro's eyes widen at what she said next.

"The unfortunate thing is, Haru-chan, everyone working for Sapporo City Hall is a worthless piece of garbage. If I didn't set them straight, who knows what kind of mischief they'd cook up? They might betray me in far more crucial matters." Hyodo said as Sojiro spoke up from behind Ren and Ann.

"Everyone in Sapporo City Hall is a worthless piece of garbage, you say? Are you including yourself in that, too, by chance, Mayor Hyodo?" Sojiro asked as Haru, Ren, and Sumire all looked at Sojiro in shock and spoke up.

"SOJIRO! BEHAVE!" Ren, Sumire, and Haru reprimanded Sojiro in unison as Kusa and Goro both laughed at Sojiro's question while Ryuji spoke up.

"Hey! Don't reprimand Sojiro like that, RenRen! I think he might be right! And as for you, Mayor Hyodo? Sounds to me like you're just making up bullshit to justify yourself!" Ryuji said as Yusuke nodded and spoke up.

"I concur. Moreover, this man needs medical attention. He's in no condition to work." Yusuke said as Makoto nodded and spoke up resolutely.

"Agreed." Makoto said before turning to the sick employee and offering him her hand as she kept speaking.

"Here, I'll help you. Come with me." Makoto said as the sick employee spoke up.

"Oh, umm, sorry to trouble you like this, young lady." The sick employee said as Hyodo sputtered and spoke up.

"Wh-Wha!? EXCUSE ME!? What do you think you're doing!?" Hyodo said angrily as Haru spoke up, looking close to breaking into tears as she spoke.

"Just stop this, Mari-san!" Haru said pleadingly, looking horrified at what she was seeing the woman in front of her doing to a sick man. Hyodo gasped and spoke up.

"Haru-chan, are you doubting me?" Hyodo said as Haru spoke up.

"Not doubting you, so much as wondering what happened to turn you into the woman I see before me right now. The Mari-san I saw just now, who reprimanded that poor man without any remorse or hesitation? She was nothing like the Mari-san I used to know. What happened to the Mari-san that treated everyone around her with kindness?

You used to be surrounded by smiles. Everyone who met you was touched by your warmth and compassion. The way I remember you, Mari-san, when I was younger? You were like a sun that shined down on me. Why did you become like this, Mari-san? Why did you become so cold!?" Haru asked as Hyodo sputtered and could only gasp at Haru, not able to formulate a coherent response as Morgana spoke up in a mix of awe and surprise.

"Haru, I had no idea you felt so strongly about this?" Morgana said as Goro spoke up with a scoff.

"Of course she does! She trusted this woman to be a good, upstanding person, and now she's seeing for herself that she's become little more than another crooked politician who's become a cold, angry person. I don't blame Haru for being shocked and horrified by that. If I were her, I'd be appalled right now too." Goro said bluntly, making both Ren and Haru turn to Goro in surprise, shocked to hear Goro standing up for Haru the way he was. Hyodo spoke up at that point before Haru could do more than smile gratefully at Goro.

"I don't know what to say to that, Haru-chan. But I can at least say this much. I can't stop now. For her sake. Excuse me, but I'll be going now." Hyodo said as Haru spoke up after Hyodo's retreating figure.

"Mari-san!" Haru called after Hyodo, but Morgana's next words stopped Haru in her tracks.

"Don't pursue her, Haru. She's the Monarch of the Jail in Sapporo. In other words, she's our target. The only way we'll change her heart is inside the Sapporo Jail." Morgana said as Haru stifled a sob at that, but nodded her understanding as Goro gently pulled her into a comforting hug while Panther spoke up.

"Haru, I know how you feel. But right now, we need to get this man to the hospital." Ann said as Haru nodded and spoke up.

"Yes, Ann. You're right. And thank you, Goro. I'm surprised by how much you have my back in this, but I'm also grateful to you for it." Haru said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone, which she pulled out of her pocket, preceded Sophia speaking up.

"I have a list of hospitals nearby. Let's move." Sophia said as the group nodded before they took the sick staff member to the hospital and returned to Odori Park afterwards, where Ryuji spoke up angrily.

"Grr, who does she think she is, treatin' a sick worker like dogshit, just because he was a little late due to illness!?" Ryuji said as Sumire, Makoto, and Ren spoke up.

"RYUJI!" Ren, Makoto, and Sumire all rebuked Ryuji as Ann spoke up.

"Ugh! I get how you feel, but have some tact around Haru, Ryuji!" Ann added as Goro and Kusa nodded approvingly to Ann's rebuke as Sojiro spoke up.

"Why're you guys rebuking him? I think he has a point. Ren said it best before. The way Hyodo was treating that man is sick and inhumane!" Sojiro said irately as Haru winced at both Sojiro and Ryuji bashing Hyodo in front of her, even if she knew they were right. Ryuji saw the look on Haru's face and winced as he spoke up.

"Ah, shit. I actually forgot that she was your friend when I was bashing her before, Haru. My bad." Ryuji said, and shortly after that, Sojiro sighed and spoke up.

"I should give my apologies as well, Haru-chan. Seeing what Mayor Hyodo is doing is reminding me of the actions Shido has done all those years ago." Sojiro added as Makoto spoke up.

"It's strange how she's so nice to us, but so unforgiving with her staff. If I didn't know better, I'd think it was as if she was being two-faced." Makoto said as Goro spoke up.

"With apologies to her for using her as an example like this, but I think we can thank Haru-san for that. After all, she's the one who Hyodo has the most history with out of our group. So it would make sense for her to be acting so nice to us because we're friends of Haru's, and she wants us to have a good impression of her." Goro said as Kusa huffed and spoke up.

"True, but if that's the case? She's doing a terrible job of it. After all, why would we have a high opinion of someone who runs their friggin' staff into the ground!? If we were going to respect people like that, would we have fought so hard against that asshole Shido and what he did?" Kusa pointed out, making Haru wince at Kusa comparing Hyodo to Shido, even if it was an apt comparison for him to make. After a minute, Haru sighed and spoke up, conceding that Kusa had a point.

"Mmm. I hate to say it, but Kusa-kun has a point. Right now, Mari-san is acting no better than Masayoshi Shido was. The only difference between the two is that Mari-san isn't a rapist coward who has no respect for women. That being said, I don't know why she's changed so much, and I also don't know what's making Mari-san act like this. All I know for sure is she wasn't always like that. She used to be kind to everyone. What happened to her to make her this way?" Haru said as Ren gave Haru a sympathetic smile while speaking up.

"I wish I could give you a good enough reason, big sis. But the truth is? I have no idea. But I promise you, we will get to the truth of Hyodo's change in behavior soon enough. Until then, just hang in there and try to stay strong, Haru." Ren said kindly as Goro spoke up.

"I'm sure she'll be fine, Ren. If nothing else, I'll do my best to be there for her if she needs someone to lean on. After all, I do owe her that after what I've put her through in the past." Goro said solemnly as Haru smiled at Goro and spoke up.

"Thank you, Goro. That means a lot to me that you're willing to be there for me like this. And Ren? You're right. There's no use dwelling on it right now." Haru said as Yusuke nodded and spoke up.

"Indeed. The reason for Hyodo's change in behavior will become clear as we progress. Until then, we will continue to move forward." Yusuke said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Agreed. Even though we had an unexpected obstacle, we managed to secure a route to the castle. Tomorrow, let's infiltrate that castle and head straight to Hyodo's cage." Morgana said as the group nodded and dispersed for the night on that note...

(The next afternoon, outside of the RV, with Ren and Morgana)

"Good morning, Ren. Did you get any sleep last night?" Morgana asked Ren, who nodded as Morgana kept speaking.

"Good. Today, we breach the castle. Make sure you're well-prepared." Morgana said as Ren nodded, before nearly jumping in surprise when his phone went off with a private chat from Ryuji, which he opened up to read.

"Hey! I just heard something important I want to tell you about! I know you're busy, but think you can stop by? Whenever is fine, just come see me!" Ryuji sent as Ren nodded to himself and put his phone away while going around to load up on supplies, since he'd realized that the shops in the area had restocked their stock of supplies. Afterwards, he sat everyone down to cook food so as to further bolster their supplies.

From there, Ren headed out to take a walk, taking a look at his map once he'd left the RV. After looking around, Ren headed into Suzushino to look for the others. Once there, he looked around, his eyes eventually locking onto the unmistakable sight of Sumire looking at what Ren knew to be the sweets shop that was only open at night. Smirking, Ren walked over in time to hear Sumire speaking to what Ren figured was Sophia, given the fact Sumire had her phone in hand while speaking.

"So this is the famous Suzushino sweets shop, huh? Ann has been waxing all sorts of poetic about this place since we got to Sapporo. Too bad it's only open at night." Sumire said with a frown, jumping slightly in surprise when instead of Sophia, Ren answered her.

"Heh, what's this now? You havin' a sweet tooth there, beautiful? I see you have Sophia with you this time." Ren said slyly as Sumire only just resisted the urge to jump a bit in surprise before turning to smile at Ren as she spoke up.

"Ren, I didn't know you were there. Can you not make it a habit of scaring me like that, please? And yes, I was curious about the sweets shop. From what Ann said to me before, their lineup of sweets is to die for. I'll admit that I wouldn't mind trying some of their food if the chance to do so presented itself." Sumire said as Ren frowned at this, torn between wanting to make this happen for his girlfriend and knowing there wasn't time at the moment. Eventually, an idea struck Ren and he spoke up.

"I hear you, beautiful. The truth is that I'm not sure if we'll have the time to do anything about that right away, what with our current mission. But how's this? When we come this way for our trip to the bathhouse, just you and me, I'll bring you here so we can sample their wares together. What do you think of that?" Ren said as Sumire gasped before smiling prettily at Ren and speaking up.

"You mean it!? I love that idea! Thank you, Ren!" Sumire said, looking around to see if anyone was looking, and when she was satisfied that no one was watching, she turned the screen off on her phone before pulling Ren into an intense but grateful kiss as her way of thanking Ren for being such a generous and understanding boyfriend. After the two pulled away, Ren spoke up with a red face.

"Y-Yes, well, as amazing as that was, I do still have others to speak to." Ren said as Sumire smiled and spoke up.

"I'll go with you. I'm done with admiring this place for now, anyways." Sumire said as Ren nodded and Sumire fell into step with him after turning her screen back on so Sophia could observe things again as the duo of Ren and Sumire kept moving, Morgana having been busy taking a nap in Ren's bag through the kiss Ren and Sumire had shared. After crossing the street, Ren smirked as he saw Ryuji and Ann together near the seafood place he'd gotten the seafood bowl recipe from. Ren walked over to Ryuji and spoke up.

"Yo, what's bonkin', bro? I didn't think I'd see you working with Ann this time. No offense to you, sis." Ren said as Ryuji turned to face Ren and spoke up.

"Oh, hey, Ren. Sorry for callin' you outta the blue like that. So, listen, I was wonderin' if you'd heard of this new trend. Whenever someone says 'Sapporo', they automatically think of Sapporo ramen, to which I'm like, 'yeah, dude, what else?' But, apparently, there's this 'legendary ramen' somewhere around here that's the king of all ramen! So when I heard that, I was all like, 'For real!?' Like, how did I not know about this so-called 'legendary ramen'? Then I thought to myself, 'AWESOME! OH, SHIIIIIIT! WE GOTTA EAT IT!' You're feelin' me on this, right!? C'mon, Ren, I need that ramen and I need it now!" Ryuji said as Ren spoke up.

"I agree. This legendary ramen does sound interesting, and we have to go try it out. But at the same time, we also need to stay focused on preparing to get back into the Jail to deal with the Monarch. So we have to keep that in mind while indulging in this ramen." Ren said sagely. Ryuji grinned as he spoke up while high-fiving Ren.

"Haha, I knew you'd get it, dude! Let's chow down on some top-tier ramen and get our power levels back up!" Ryuji said as Sumire spoke up in intrigue.

"Top-tier ramen, you say? Hmm. I do have to admit, that sounds interesting. Not to mention the fact that I missed out on the last ramen excursion you and Ren went on, since I had to do laundry and stuff that day. But maybe I can get in on this one?" Sumire said uncertainly as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Hell yeah, Sumire! The more the merrier!" Ryuji said as Sumire frowned at Ryuji's habitual use of profanity around Sophia, but before she could do more than fondly shake her head, a 'BIP!' from her phone preceded a wide-eyed Sophia speaking up, a shocked look on her usually upbeat and chipper face.

"A ramen so delicious they call it 'king', you say? Interesting. I would also like to see it, Ren." Sophia said as Sumire groaned at how easily Ryuji was influencing Sophia as Ryuji grinned at Ren and spoke up.

"Right, Sophia!? See? You heard the lady, RenRen! Now you don't got a choice. It's at a place called 'Migoku', and I think it's pretty close by. We'll probably have to get in line! Hah!" Ryuji said as Sophia spoke up at that point, an unreadable look on her face as she spoke.

"Hm. 'Migoku', was it? Please hold on. Oh, my, this isn't good. I ran a search, but it looks like their legendary ramen is already sold out." Sophia said as both Sumire and Ryuji's eyes widened as the latter spoke up in a mix of shock and disbelief.

"Wha-!? FOR REAL!? No, that can't be possible, can it? How!?" Ryuji asked as Sophia frowned and spoke up with a disappointed look on her face.

"From what the article I found on it said, apparently it's so popular that all of the meal tickets for it typically sell out moments after the shop opens. Today's portion is already gone too." Sophia said as Sumire blinked and spoke up.

"Seriously? It sells out that quick!?" Sumire said in surprise as Ryuji spoke up with a frown.

"The hell? Yo, when it opens, it sells out that fast? Guess we're shit outta luck, then." Ryuji said as Sumire spoke up.

"Well, if that's the case, we can table it for now and come back to this after we deal with Hyodo?" Sumire suggested as Sophia spoke up.

"Table it, you say? No, we may still have a chance. There seems to be an alternate way to get meal tickets." Sophia said as a wide-eyed Ryuji spoke up.

"Wait, what? Another way!? FOR REAL!?" Ryuji said as Sophia spoke up with a nod.

"Yep. From what I read, the shop manager has expressed that he wants tourists to be able to enjoy the ramen as well. So he intentionally sets aside some tickets to be sold in a different location." Sophia said as Ryuji and Sumire both spoke up.

"SERIOUSLY!?" Ryuji and Sumire both said as the former kept speaking with a grin on his previously devastated face.

"Whoa! Props to the manager! So, where are they sellin' these other tickets?" Ryuji asked as Sophia spoke up.

"Where? Let's see here. Wait, that's all that is known about it? Apparently, it's a shop in Suzushino with 'a red sign' in front of it? Sorry, I don't have any more details." Sophia said as Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"A red sign? I feel like those're everywhere, though. No way, man! Well, hey, that's more than enough to go off of. Let's get to it and find those tickets. Oh, wait. Almost forgot. You're on board with this too, yeah?" Ryuji asked as Ren spoke up.

"You say that like I have a choice with how eagerly both Sumire and Sophia are anticipating this ramen now. Very well, so be it. I'll reveal its location." Ren said as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Thanks, RenRen! I'll pay you back for that! You mind if I just send this over to you as a request?" Ryuji asked as Ren spoke up.

"That's fine. Feel free to shoot me that request, Ryuji." Ren said as Ryuji nodded and spoke up.

"Cool. I'm countin' on you, dude! We get to eat this stuff, and I'll make sure to work my ass off like you've never seen!" Ryuji said as Sophia spoke up with an unreadable look on her face.

"Mmhm. That ramen sounds particularly interesting. I'd like to see it too. After you accept the request, let's begin the hunt for 'the store with the red sign'." Sophia said as Ren nodded before Ryuji spoke up once more, his face now set in a frown.

"Oh, wait, we were supposed to be dealing with Hyodo, weren't we? Tch. 'Beautiful destination', my ass. Kinda ruins the beauty seein' a sick employee get abused. Well, at least the food's beautiful. Take this seafood bowl for instance, Ren. It's pretty much a work of art." Ryuji said as Ren spoke up.

"It's incredible, isn't it? Then again, most of the food around here seems pretty top-tier." Ren said sagely. Ryuji smiled eagerly as he spoke up.

"Right? How can I not eat this?" Ryuji said as Ann frowned and spoke up from next to Ryuji, reminding Ren and Ryuji of her presence.

"Ugh! Really? At a time like this? But I do have to admit, it does look tasty. And at this price, it's a steal." Ann said as Morgana popped out of Ren's bag as if summoned by the sound of Ann's voice and spoke up with a closed-eye smile..

"Mwehehe, that's that. Well, the lady has spoken. Let's all-" Morgana said as Sophia spoke up with a regretful look on her face as she cut off Morgana mid-sentence.

"No. Unfortunately, it seems that pets are not allowed in the restaurant." Sophia said as Morgana's eyes widened and he spoke up with a disappointed look on his face.

"GYAH! What!? Not again!" Morgana said as Ren had to stifle a laugh at the mental image of Morgana being tossed out of the restaurant on his backside, with the manager slamming a sign down outside that said 'NO PETS ALLOWED', and some random ominous/sad music playing in the background. Sumire saw the look on Ren's face and spoke up with a sigh. *1*

"You were flashing back to that 'NO DOGS ALLOWED' bit we saw in that cartoon Kusa and Futaba showed us the other day again, weren't you?" Sumire asked as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"I was. But in my defense, that bit was so freaking hilarious, especially with the way that dog pouted after he got tossed out on his ass!" Ren said as Morgana pouted until Ann spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Hey there, Morgana. Don't worry, they do takeout too, so we can all eat together!" Ann said kindly as Morgana spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Nyahaha! Oh, Lady Ann, always the portrait of a gallant and noble lady. You slay me with your thoughtfulness!" Morgana said as Sumire gave Morgana a stink-eye from next to Ren as Ryuji spoke up.

"Ohh man, just hearin' you hurts my ears, Morgana. And given the look on Sumire's face, I don't think she's any more of a fan of it than I am." Ryuji said as Sumire nodded and spoke up.

"Pretty much. Also, Morgana? Can you NOT be such a simp in front of Sophia!? I know we've had this discussion already!" Sumire rebuked Morgana, who winced as he spoke up.

"Wha!? Ohh, err, right. I forgot about Sophia again, it seems. Sorry about that, Lady Sophia." Morgana said as Sophia spoke up.

"I forgive you. But, can you at least TRY to not do that around me? I might get why you do it, but it still hurts a bit to see you doing that, you know." Sophia said as Morgana nodded his understanding while Ren turned to Ann and spoke up.

"So, how'd you end up deciding to accompany Ryuji in this instance, sis?" Ren asked Ann who spoke up with a smile.

"I drew the short straw?" Ann joked, before smiling at the offended look Ryuji gave her and giggling as she spoke up.

"I'm kidding, Ryuji. But in all seriousness, we just happened to head the same direction. Also, I wanted to ask you something, Ren. Wouldn't it be nice to celebrate with some authentic Hokkaido cuisine? Meat would be nice too, Jingisukan for instance. I heard eating lamb is good for your skin. Though I don't come across lamb much these days, so I wouldn't know how to prepare it." Ann said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded Sophia speaking up.

"Jingisukan, you say? And authentic Hokkaido cuisine as well? Hmm. Okay, search is complete. I found a recipe you might like. Have Ren make it." Sophia said as Ann spoke up in shock while both Ren and Sumire's eyes also widened in shock.

"What!? Ooh, would you please? Oh, and can you teach me, too?" Ann said as Ren could only nod as he was given a 'Jinguiskan Recipe' key item from Sophia as he and Sumire kept moving. After moving around a bit, Ren smirked as he saw Futaba standing by a tree near the intersection, both Kusa and Goro standing on either side of her. Ren walked over to Futaba and spoke up with a smirk on his face.

"Oh, what's this? Since when do you hang out with Goro here? And with Kusa in tow, no less?" Ren asked as Futaba spoke up.

"I figured I needed to get used to having Goro around eventually, and he offered to accompany me, so why not?" Futaba said as Kusa spoke up with a frown.

"That's a good point, Taba. But you're leaving out the part with Goro saying he wanted to try and start getting in your good graces so he can start to do what he can by way of making amends for what he did to you and Sojiro both. However, I seem to recall you don't hate him for that any longer. But far be it from me to dissuade Goro from being a bit more sociable and outgoing." Kusa said as Goro spoke up.

"You know, I would think you'd be happy about the fact that I'm trying to make nice with your girlfriend, Kusa. After all, I believe it was you yourself who said you'd rather see your family getting along?" Goro pointed out as Kusa spoke up with a nod.

"That is true, Goro. I did say that. But still, I can't help but notice the fact that you're the only one who's still mad at you for what you did back then. Haru is right, you know. You really do need to learn to forgive yourself for what you did. I know you believe that it's unforgivable, but even so, that doesn't mean we can't move past it and start over to some extent." Kusa said sagely as Futaba spoke up with a nod.

"Good point, Kusa. Also, can I just point out how this city's Jail is freezing! Whatever happened to summer? Almost makes me wanna curl up in a kotatsu somehow. Hey, maybe I should put one in the Al Azif!" Futaba said as Kusa frowned and spoke up.

"You could do that, yes. But didn't you once tell me that it's a bit of a small space inside the Al Azif?" Kusa pointed out as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded Sophia speaking up with an unreadable look on her face.

"This kotatsu you speak of. I heard that it's difficult to emerge from it once you get comfortable." Sophia said as Goro spoke up with a smirk.

"That might be more to do with the fact that humans innately have an instinctive desire to embrace warm places when its cold and not want to let go of the heat, similar to how they don't want to let the air conditioner go when it's warm outside. So it's not that much of a surprise when you think of it that way." Goro said wisely as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"That is a good point, Goro. Wait, hold up. Is Taba about to sing?" Kusa said, his eyes widening as he saw the smile on Futaba's face as she hummed a bit to herself before she spoke up in what sounded like a singing voice.

"Oh, the weather outside is freezing. But my kotatsu is oh, so pleasing. And since I have an Al Azif? Snow or Shadow, bring it on, I'll be lit!" Futaba sang as Goro and Kusa exchanged wide-eyed looks of shock as the latter spoke up.

"Umm, isn't that the melody to-!?" Kusa asked as Goro cut him off mid-sentence by speaking up, knowing what Kusa was about to say.

"Were you about to ask if your girlfriend was parodizing 'Let it Snow', Kusa? If so, then yes, I do believe that's exactly the song she was parodizing." Goro said as Ren and Sumire blinked at this and the latter spoke up. *2*

"Should Ren and I be surprised that you two recognize the song Futaba was supposedly parodying?" Sumire asked as Kusa spoke up.

"I'd say yes, but considering that 'Let It Snow' is a well-known song that often plays during the Christmas season, not so much. I know it's not as known here in Japan, but it gets some playtime even here. Also, Goro here once heard it when he had to go overseas for a detective job around the holidays at our father's behest. So that's how we know of it." Kusa said as Goro nodded his agreement as Ren spoke up.

"That makes sense. But I think the important bit here is that Futaba still has as good of a singing voice as I remember." Ren said as Kusa nodded his agreement before Goro spoke up while giving an embarrassed Sumire a wry grin.

"That she does. But as I recall, Sumire, for all that she has other talents, was one of the few of us who didn't try her hand at singing during Yusuke's birthday party three years ago, am I right?" Goro said as Sumire blushed at this and spoke up in embarrassment.

"You're not wrong. But at the same time, singing was never something that interested me. Granted, when she was alive, Kasumi apparently heard me singing in the shower once and told me I sounded good, so maybe I'm a good singer? Wouldn't know for sure though, since I've never sang for anyone before." Sumire said as Ren slyly spoke up.

"Is that so? Hmm, maybe next time we do karaoke, I might have to coax you up on stage with me and we can do a duet and see just how good your singing voice is. How's that sound, Sumire?" Ren asked his girlfriend, who blushed but smiled as she spoke up.

"I think I could be persuaded to do a duet with you, Senp-err, I mean Ren." Sumire said as she and Ren kept moving at that point. After a bit, Ren and Sumire found Makoto hanging by the grocery store and walked over to her as Ren spoke up.

"Ah, checking out the grocery store there, big sis? Understandable, if so." Ren said as Makoto turned to Ren and spoke up with a smile on her face.

"Ah, Ren. And I see you have Sumire with you. Yes, I was browsing the wares on offer. Grocery shopping in Hokkaido is a pretty unique experience. I feel like we have access to food that's only available here." Makoto said as Sumire nodded her agreement and spoke up.

"I agree, Makoto-senpai. And sometimes you can find rare ingredients when shopping in other cities, so I can relate to your words there." Sumire said as Ren spoke up.

"Well, as fun as this is, I still have a few others to speak to. Good luck with that, Makoto." Ren said as he and Sumire kept moving, deciding to go check on Haru and Yusuke, who Ren had noted were hanging around in Odori Park with Sojiro in tow. After the two found Sojiro near the garden with Yusuke and Haru, Ren spoke up.

"What brings you to the garden, Sojiro? I wouldn't have taken you for being into that?" Ren asked as Sojiro spoke up.

"Honestly? I was just curious to see it for myself. The way I hear it, this place has a very picturesque garden, and I have to say that this place lives up to the hype and then some. That, and Kusa asked me to discreetly keep an eye on Yusuke and Haru. Something about not trusting Yusuke to accidentally upset Haru with his eccentrics? Then again, maybe I'm confusing that with Futaba suggesting that I, and I quote 'not let Inari corrupt Haru with his eccentrics', whatever that means." Sojiro said as Ren laughed and spoke up.

"Yep, that sounds like Kusa and Futaba all right. But I think they're just worried about Haru, and wanted to show their concern in their own way. So let's not be too rough on them for that, yeah? As it is, I'm impressed Kusa's not having a rougher time having Goro be near Futaba like he is." Ren said as Sojiro blinked at that and spoke up.

"Seriously? Goro's hanging out with Futaba, with Kusa watching? That's a pretty big step for Futaba if so. I'm impressed." Sojiro said as Ren nodded before turning to Yusuke and speaking up.

"Huh, so you're hanging with Haru in this instance, eh Yusuke? Not something I'd have expected, truth be told." Ren said as Yusuke spoke up.

"Yes, well, we just so happened to be both heading to the garden, so Haru decided to invite me along for a change of pace, and I agreed. That said, that Shadow stampede from before, or the 'March of the Frosts' as I've come to call it, was nothing short of a marvel. Simply replaying it in my mind's eye fills me with the deepest passion imaginable. And moreover, it makes me want to shout from the rooftops: HEE-HO! Ah, travel is wonderful. Seeing new things stimulates the senses like none other." Yusuke said as Ren and Sumire exchanged shocked looks as the latter spoke up.

"Uhh, okay? If you say so, Yusuke?" Sumire said as Ren shrugged and walked over to Haru before he spoke up.

"Hey. How're you holding up, big sis? I can't imagine what we saw last night was at all pleasant for you to think about, much less remember." Ren said kindly as Haru spoke up with a frown as she nodded.

"You're not wrong, little bro. It was awful. And how awful is this? Mari-san is making her staff clean this flowerbed up too with no breaks. Ugh." Haru said, trailing off with a sad sort of sigh, after which a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded Sophia speaking up, a sad look on her face as well.

"Hey. Are you okay, Haru? I don't know what to say, but somehow I'll find a way to be useful." Sophia said as Sumire spoke up with a frown on her face.

"Was that really the most tactful thing to say right now, Sophia?" Sumire lightly rebuked Sophia as Haru spoke up in surprise.

"Sophia, were you actually asking after my well-being? If so, thank you. I'm okay. And I'm sorry. I need to keep it together." Haru said as Sumire nodded as Ren spoke up.

"That you do. But you don't have to do it alone, big sis. You have all of us to lean on." Ren said gently as Haru nodded and Ren and Sumire kept moving at that point. After recalling he'd accepted Ryuji's request, Ren headed back into Suzushino with Sumire in tow, recalling a certain corner shop he'd walked past that was fairly close to the bathhouse, and when he went to check it out, he saw a dark-skinned man out in front of the shop. Curious, Ren spoke to the man.

"Hello. I don't think I've seen you around here before. Do you work at this place?" Ren asked the dark-skinned man, who sighed and spoke up.

"Yes. I'm the manager here. Welcome to the Akagire Pharmacy." The now-identified manager of the Akagire Pharmacy, which Ren surmised to be the name of the pharmacy given the giant red signs that said 'Akagire' on them, said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded a confused Sophia speaking up.

"Hm? He seems troubled. I wonder what could be 'his deal'. Whatever it may be, let's ask him about the King Ramen meal tickets." Sophia said as Sumire nodded and Ren spoke up.

"Um, excuse me, sir? I know this might not be the best time to ask about this, but do you know anything about if this place carries tickets for the 'legendary ramen of Sapporo'?" Ren asked as the manager sighed and spoke up.

"So you're here for the ramen too, then? Of course you are. Yes, I am the one who keeps a few tickets onhand for tourists who don't know how it works around here like yourselves. But I can't sell you any. Now, I'll have to ask you to leave." The manager said as Ren spoke up.

"I see. That's unfortunate. Why can't you sell us any, if I'm allowed to ask you that?" Ren asked. The manager spoke up.

"Honestly? I doubt you'd understand if I explained, but if I were to sell you these tickets, I'd be injuring the chef, indirectly. Yes, the success of his restaurant is a great thing, in one way. But in another way, the physical toll it's taken on his body is just not worth the reward. At the pace he works, his elbow's liable to give out anytime now. Of course, you might say, 'Why not take breaks, get more staff?'

The thing is, he's such a perfectionist, he has to do everything himself. Otherwise, it won't happen. He refuses to listen to medical advice or reason, so I, ah, how to put it? Ah, I know. I regulate how many tickets get sold so as to hopefully 'lighten' his burden for him, so to speak. The best I can do is hang onto these as long as possible. The fewer tickets in circulation, the longer he can stay healthy." The manager said before Sophia spoke up from Sumire's phone with an unreadable look on her face.

"Is that so? Would you sell the tickets if the chef's elbow were okay?" Sophia asked as the Pharmacy Manager spoke up.

"What was that? Is someone nearby talking on a phone?" The manager asked as Sumire spoke up.

"Sorry, that's just Sophia, an AI app that I installed on my phone. She likes to help people, you see." Sumire explained as the manager spoke up.

"I see. Well, to answer Sophia's question? Yeah, I'd be happy to, but it's not like there's any sort of magic potion that could fix an elbow without any recovery time necessary. Probably the only thing that would work is a compression sleeve. That way, he could work right off the bat without risk of blowing it out. It'd have to be custom-made for him. Flexible but durable material, water-resistant but not airtight so he can wear it in the hot kitchen all day. I'm pretty sure he'd already have a sleeve like that if it existed, so there's no reason to consider it." The manager said honestly as Sophia frowned before speaking up.

"Hey, don't be so sure about that. Okay, I've got it. We'll have that material soon enough for you." Sophia said before looking at Ren as she spoke up.

"We'll have it, but only with your help, if you're willing to help out, Ren." Sophia said as Ren spoke up.

"A quest within a quest now? Eh, it's fine. Whatever it takes to fulfill Ryuji's request, I suppose." Ren said as Sophia and Sumire smiled as the former spoke up.

"Good. I'll send you a request with the relevant details, Ren. We must prevail in our quest for King Ramen." Sophia said as Ren nodded before he and Sumire kept moving. After the group reconvened at the RV, they headed back into the Sapporo Jail to continue their exploration of the place.

(In the Sapporo Jail, with Joker, Mona, Skull, Panther, Fox, Queen, Oracle, Noir, Crow, Violet, Draconis, Seeker, and Pendragon)

As they picked a starting point, Noir spoke up with a nod.

"To the castle!" Noir said as Oracle spoke up eagerly.

"That's the spirit, Noir! We'll follow your lead!" Oracle said as the others nodded and kept moving. After beating some Shadows, Noir hit level 37 and gained the ailment move 'Evil Smile', making her speak up with a smile.

"Oh, look! A new move!" Noir said as Draconis spoke up with a confused look on his face.

"A move called 'Evil Smile', eh? Is it bad that I feel like that sort of thing makes more sense being part of Crow's learnset than Noir's? But I suppose it does sort of fit with how she gets when swinging that axe of hers." Draconis said as Skull and Joker both nodded warily to Draconis' point as Noir frowned and spoke up.

"And your point is? I can have just as evil of a smile as Crow-kun, if not more evil." Noir pointed out as Crow and Draconis both shuddered at the barely-concealed note of disdain in Noir's voice as she rebuked the latter of the two, who nodded and spoke up.

"My apologies. I was just making an observation of sorts, that's all." Draconis said as Astarte acquired 'Evil Smile'. After eliminating a strong Shadow, Mona and Seeker hit level 37, the level-ups giving Mona the mid-tier Wind skill 'Magarula' and causing Mona to grin as he spoke up.

"Ooh, a new skill! Now I'm even more dependable!" Mona said as Seeker giggled and spoke up.

"Is that even possible, though? You're already so dependable as it is, Mona. Also, I thought you were trying to reign in that ego of yours?" Seeker said coyly, making Draconis, Joker, and Violet exchange shocked looks before all three burst out laughing along with Crow, Oracle, and Skull at the shocked look on Mona's face as Diego acquired 'Magarula'.

After moving through some more enemies, the group found themselves in a new part of the jail, or the 'Former Government Office', where Noir frowned as the looming sight of the ice castle the group had glimpsed when they first entered the Sapporo Jail was in front of the group.

"That's Mari-san's castle, is it?" Noir asked as Fox spoke up.

"Indeed. Its appearance is rather striking, truth be told. The closer we get, the more vivid its detail." Fox said as the group frowned on noticing yet another ice wall, making Oracle speak up.

"Be that as it may, Inari, let us stay focused on the topic at hand. Detail aside, we can't get in again." Oracle said bluntly as Pendragon frowned and spoke up.

"Wait, what the hell!? Another ice wall? But how do we melt it if we got all the cores for this Jail already?" Pendragon asked in confusion as Draconis spoke up.

"We likely won't for now. We'll just have to find another way in at this point." Draconis said as Queen nodded and spoke up.

"I agree with Draconis. If our main way in is cut off, then let's search for another entrance." Queen said as the group kept moving. After moving around the side path, the group hopped up some ledges, before spotting some windows close by that the camera panned over to, prompting Panther to speak up in surprise.

"Oh, can we get in from up there?" Panther asked as Violet spoke up.

"In theory, it should be doable. But the question is, can we make it happen?" Violet asked as Skull spoke up with a frown.

"Good point, Violet. How're we gonna reach it if we do make it happen, though? There anything we can use like a platform?" Skull asked as Crow spoke up.

"With this sort of puzzle? I'd be shocked if there wasn't." Crow said as Draconis spoke up.

"If it's like when we had to create a path up over that wall to the back entrance of the third Prison Keep for this Jail, we'll probably have to find a giant ice block to push." Draconis said as Pendragon and Joker nodded approvingly before the group kept moving.

In what seemed like no time, Draconis had spotted and helped push two big ice blocks into places to serve as leaping ledges for the others to leap up, Joker taking the first to seize a 'Thermo Dress' armor from a chest, which he quickly offered to Panther, who equipped it. After taking the second one up, a jingle played as the group found the ledge from before, and sure enough, there was an open window there. As Joker approached the window, Mona spoke up with a firm look on his face.

"Once we get in the castle, we're headed straight for the roof. Are you ready?" Mona asked as Joker spoke up with a nod.

"Of course I am. Would I be here right now if I wasn't? Let's go." Joker said decisively as Mona nodded understandingly before he spoke up.

"Right, that was a stupid question for me to ask. All right, let's go!" Mona said as the group headed through the window to enter the castle, at which point Mona spoke up once again.

"All right. Infiltration of the target's castle was successful." Mona said as the group kept moving. After proceeding into the hall, Shadows spawned in as Seeker spoke up, her face turned into the darkened version that she used as her 'mask' in lieu of not having properly awakened to a Persona as yet while she spoke.

"Shadows spotted ahead. Be careful." Seeker said as the Shadows turned into Kaiwans, summoning a larger army of Shadows to assist them as a fight began! After defeating the small army of enemies and advancing into the next room, the camera panned around the hall, showing all the ice depictions on the floors and walls along with the elegant aquamarine-colored ice-crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling as Panther spoke up in awe, her eyes widened slightly behind her mask as she spoke.

"Wow, get a load of this place. It's beautiful." Panther said as Fox nodded and spoke up with a closed-eye smile of his own.

"Yes. Such a magnificent design." Fox said as more Shadows spawned in, making an annoyed Queen speak up with a frown.

"Fox! Panther! Focus! This is no time to be distracted by architecture! There are enemies here!" Queen said as another fight began! After fighting off the swarm of Shadows, the ensuing EXP gains brought Fox to level 37, Noir to level 38 and Violet to level 40, the level-ups giving Fox the ailment skill 'Taunt' and Violet the passive skill 'Dodge Curse', making Vioet smile as she spoke up.

"Oh, wow. I got a new skill! Looks like my training is paying off!" Violet said as Joker slyly grinned before speaking up.

"It sure has, beautiful. It sure has. Incidentally, that skill is a very good one to get for offsetting your weaknesses, so well done on getting it." Joker said as Violet nodded while blushing prettily behind her mask from Joker's sincere praise as Ella acquired 'Dodge Curse'. At that point, Fox smirked and spoke up.

"Heh, what a skill! I can do much with this!" Fox said as Pendragon spoke up.

"Not really sure how much good a status-inflicting move will be, but if you say so. Good job on the new skill, Fox." Pendragon said as Fox nodded while Kamu Susano-o acquired 'Taunt'. After the group proceeded forward, they winced on seeing more ice blocking the way forward. Seeker frowned at this and spoke up.

"Hyodo should be up ahead of here. But there's a problem." Seeker said as Crow frowned and spoke up.

"Gee, you don't say? Could it be related to that large mass of ice that has the door frozen shut?" Crow said as Noir spoke up.

"Crow-kun's right. It seems that the door is frozen." Noir said as Oracle frowned and spoke up.

"Is that so? All right Skull, you're up." Oracle said bluntly as Draconis spoke up with a frown.

"Not that I disagree, but why do you always send Skull at hard-to-remove obstacles? He's not a cure-all for that sort of thing, you know." Draconis pointed out as Skull spoke up with wide eyes.

"Truth, Draconis! Also, heck no, Oracle! I don't want my hands gettin' stuck!" Skull said as Draconis spoke up with a frown while seemingly appraising the ice.

"Hm. I wonder if I can melt the ice using Malefor's flame?" Draconis mused as Queen spoke up.

"That's possible, but too risky, in case you accidentally light the whole castle on fire, or even worse, melt it. Well, guess that's not an option, then. Let's find another way." Queen said as Pendragon spoke up.

"Is this the part where we try to find some sort of hidden path, then?" Pendragon asked, being entirely unsurprised a moment later when the only response he got was a pair of shrugs from Joker and Draconis as the group kept moving. After trying to go back the way they came, the group found Shadows in their path as Mona spoke up.

"Shadows! Wipe 'em out!" Mona said as a fight started! While the group found themselves penned into a corner, Draconis turned to Pendragon and spoke up.

"Hmm. Now that I think about it, have we seen your Showtime yet, Pendragon?" Draconis asked as Pendragon spoke up.

"No, I don't think so. Should I try it now, since I feel like I have one built up?" Pendragon asked as Draconis and Joker both nodded, making Pendragon smirk as he spoke up.

"Got it. SHOWTIME!" Pendragon said as his Showtime started! As he leapt up onto Kohryu's back, he spoke up.

"COME, KOHRYU! Let's scorch 'em!" Pendragon said as Kohryu nodded, breathing down a torrent of Psy-based flame through the use of 'Psio' as Pendragon took aim with his sword and leapt up into the air.

"HA! Now to rock their world!" Pendragon said as he leapt into the air and dove down, sword extended, crashing hard into the ground sword-first and creating a shock-wave that scattered the remaining enemies and smashed them into the nearest walls, creating an explosion of Psy energy that instantly incinerated the surviving Shadows to black mist as Pendragon pulled his sword from the ground and spoke up.

"Good riddance to bad rubbish!" Pendragon said as he sheathed his sword in a very badass sort of way and crossed his arms as both his Showtime and the battle ended. The ensuing EXP gains brought Crow, Draconis, and Pendragon all to level 37, and brought Panther to level 38, giving Pendragon access to the heavy-tier Physical skill 'Assault Dive' along with giving Panther access to the passive skill 'Fire Boost', making her smile as she spoke up.

"Oh, look! I've got a new skill!" Panther said as Pendragon spoke up.

"Heh, not bad, Panther. Looks like your fire is about to burn even hotter, as Draconis would say." Pendragon said as Draconis frowned and spoke up.

"And how do you know I would say that, Pendragon?" Draconis asked as Pendragon grinned and spoke up.

"Heh, nice, looks like Kohryu picked up another attacking skill! Not bad, yeah? Also, to answer your question, Draconis? Oracle mentioned it once. She said one of your level-up brags was, and I quote, 'HAH! Behold! My Persona's flame burns ever hotter! Mwehehe!' If you ask me, it's a pretty good brag." Pendragon said as Draconis frowned at Oracle before he spoke up.

"Did she now? Well, she's not wrong. In any case, good job on the new skill, Panther. Keep it up, sis." Draconis said as Panther smiled as Kohyru acquired 'Assault Dive' at the same time that Hecate acquired 'Fire Boost'. Afterwards, Panther saw a nearby window and spoke up.

"Hey, do you think we could reach the outside from that window?" Panther asked. Fox nodded and spoke up.

"Ah, I see what you mean. If we climb out through there, we may be able to ascend the outer wall." Fox said as the others nodded and kept moving. After going out and ascending the wall, they reached the upper level, where a pair of strong Shadows lay in wait. One of them growled at the group before shifting into a Kaiwan, and the other growled and shifted forms into a Principality. Skull blinked at the lack of threats and spoke up.

"Uhh, what? Shouldn't you be threatening us by now?" Skull asked as Oracle frowned and spoke up.

"Ehh, I don't think they're here to mess around! Be ready for a challenge!" Oracle said as a fight began! After battering the enemies for a while, Joker turned to Violet and spoke up.

"Have we seen your Showtime yet, beautiful?" Joker asked as Violet spoke up.

"I believe you have, back in the Sendai Jail? But I can easily ensure that you've seen it, by showing it off right now if you like." Violet said, smiling as Joker nodded before she kept speaking.

"Very well. SHOWTIME!" Violet said decisively as she called Ella to her and brandished her rapier as she spoke up.

"Shall we, Ella?" Violet said as Ella nodded, tossing Violet into the air as she swung her rapier in a graceful arc, as if it were a ribbon in her hands. As she spun around to drill downwards, rapier extended outwards, she smirked as she crashed hard into the 'Divine Governor', or the last Shadow left after Joker annihilated the 'Wishless Star' nearly single-handedly, and slammed it to the ground in an explosion of Bless power as Violet spoke up once more.

"Finish it, Ella! DIVINE JUDGMENT!" Violet called as Ella extended her sword and swung it downwards in a slow arc, instantly slicing the 'Divine Governor' in half and reducing it to black mist as Violet posed cutely and spoke up.

"YOU'VE JUST BEEN JUDGED! AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!" Violet said as both her Showtime and the battle ended. After the battle ended, a wide-eyed Panther spoke up as the group saw a nearby door.

"Everyone, look!" Panther said, pointing upwards towards a barely-visible wisp of pinkish light inside the birdcage above the upper level of the castle, making Mona speak up with a smile.

"Oh, it's the Desires!" Mona said as Queen nodded and spoke up.

"That means the throne room's just ahead. Let's not waste any time." Queen said as Mona spoke up with a nod.

"I see. So this is where the Monarch of Sapporo resides, is it?" Mona said as Panther spoke up after taking in the impressive ice structure that was the building in front of the group.

"Is this all carved ice? It must be really cold living in here, if so." Panther said as Fox frowned and spoke up.

"A frozen cage that denies all entry save for that which the Monarch herself authorizes. Does this represent her distrust for all others?" Fox asked as Seeker spoke up with a frown, seeing the look on Noir's face.

"Noir, you don't look so good. Are you all right?" Seeker asked, getting everyone's attention turned onto a wincing Noir, who spoke up with a nod.

"Hm? Oh, sorry. Was distracted by my thoughts. But to your question? Mmhm. I should be." Noir said as Crow gave her a skeptical look, but Fox spoke up before he could begin to question Noir's claim.

"Then let us proceed as usual. Skull, it's up to you." Fox said as Draconis blinked at this and spoke up.

"I'm not against that, but why is everyone suddenly volunteering poor Skull for everything? Did I miss something while I was away?" Draconis asked as Skull shrugged and spoke up.

"Nah, man. I think it's just some unspoken rule with the others that I've become the unofficial guinea pig for things that need tested somewhere along the way. That said, dunno why you're volunteerin' me, Fox, but here goes nothin'!" Skull said before confusing Pendragon, Draconis, and Crow when he reached out to thin air, before their eyes widened as a flash of red emitted from where Skull touched, taking the shape of cage bars as a flash of white obscured everyone's view as a distressed voice could be heard speaking up.

"You did this! It's all your fault! How could you be so ignorant!? Did you not think a snow sculpture could collapse!?" The distressed voice snapped as another, more familiar, voice answered it.

"I had no idea this would happen, I assure you. Nevertheless, as Mayor, any accidents or tragedies that occur in this city are my responsibility. Therefore, I apologize on behalf of our staff for your loss!" The voice of what the group recognized as Hyodo said as Skull frowned and spoke up.

"Here it comes!" Skull said as Queen winced next to him and spoke up.

"A collapsing snow sculpture? Where have I heard about that before?" Queen asked as the distressed voice from before spoke up, clearly sobbing at this point.

"This is where she met her untimely end! Oh, my poor daughter! It must've been so heavy falling on her! Not only that, it must've been so painful! Give me back Kaho! Give me back my daughter, dammit! My precious little girl!" The distressed voice of what was a grieving mother said as Hyodo's voice was heard again.

"You're right. The accident resulted from my own personal oversight and lack of attention to detail. Truly, I'm so sorry!" Hyodo's voice could be heard saying as Panther spoke up in confusion.

"Is the mayor the one apologizing?" Panther asked as Noir spoke up.

"Shh! There's still more!" Noir said as a new voice, this one a male's, was heard.

"Well, I didn't think the statue'd fall on anybody, to be honest. But isn't this the mayor's responsibility in the end? Besides, who can blame me? We don't get paid nearly enough. Nothing wrong with taking a little kickback here and there." The group heard before they could see again as Skull stepped away as Mona spoke up with a frown.

"There's no doubt about it. Those voices must be the root of Mariko Hyodo's trauma." Mona said as Panther spoke up.

"True. So that snow sculpture incident that we heard about just now, didn't we first hear about it in the park?" Panther asked as Noir spoke up with a frown.

"We did, but I had no idea that it had taken the life of someone so young. Could Mari-san have really been involved?" Noir asked as Joker spoke up.

"It's hard to say, Noir. If nothing else, she has at least a small share of culpability to own as Mayor, per her own words just now." Joker said as Draconis spoke up, not seeing Joker and Violet's eyes widening at what he had to say at that point.

"True. But what about that sniveling little pissant we heard at the end there? Y'know, the bastard who was whining about not getting paid enough and trying to duck out on his share of the blame for the accident? I wouldn't be surprised if that cowardly son of a bitch had something to do with Hyodo's trauma." Draconis said irately before seeing the annoyed glare Violet was giving him, making him wince before he kept speaking, giving Seeker a mixed sheepish/apologetic look while he spoke.

"Um, sorry for swearing. But it was needed in this instance. Seeker? Don't repeat everything you hear, ok? Swearing is bad." Draconis said as Seeker nodded her understanding before Queen blinked and spoke up.

"I wonder. Is that the source of her trauma? Taking the blame for that incident." Queen said as Crow spoke up.

"It might be part of it, but I doubt it's the only source at play here." Crow said as Skull nodded his agreement with Crow's words and gave Queen a reassuring smile as he spoke up.

"Crow and Draconis are right, babe. Don't forget the guy's voice we heard at the end. I agree with Draconis when he says that guy was a friggin' pissant coward who sounded like he was tryin' to pass the blame on someone." Skull said as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"I agree with Crow and Draconis' assessment. At any rate, this is vital information. Let's go back to reality and confirm the truth." Mona said as the others nodded and returned to the real world at that point...

(Back in the real world, somewhere in Suzushino, with Ryuji, Sojiro, Yusue, Futaba, Kusa, Ann, Haru, Goro, Makoto, Ren, Morgana, Sumire, and Sophia)

"Okay, I dug up some articles about the snow sculpture incident. Lemme fill you guys in. Two years ago, a large snow sculpture collapsed during the December Snow Festival sponsored by Sapporo Central City. Kaho Nanase-chan, a nine-year-old girl, was caught in the collapse and died from the impact of the statue falling on top of her. Despite Mayor Hyodo's apology, the accident was ruled as an unforeseeable disaster. Therefore, she wasn't held liable." Futaba said as Ann winced and spoke up.

"Oh, I see. So that's what the flowers in the park were for, then." Ann said with a frown on her face. Haru sighed and spoke up.

"In light of this new info, I wonder if the voice accusing Mari-san was the poor girl's mother. If so, it would explain why her voice was so distressed-sounding. So this is Mari-san's trauma, then." Haru said as Futaba spoke up.

"That park where the Snow Festival was held is probably where the accident happened." Futaba said as Ren spoke up.

"If so, then let's head over. We're talking about the park where those flowers were, right?" Ren asked. Morgana nodded from Ren's bag and spoke up.

"Yeah, most likely. Let's go see if there's an entrance." Morgana said as Sojiro spoke up.

"If we're right about that being the root of Hyodo's trauma, there probably will be an entrance." Sojiro said as the group dispersed at that point. When it was just Sumire, Ren and Morgana, Morgana spoke up from Ren's bag.

"The accident happened in Odori Park. Then let's gather at the hideout first and head over. There should be a warden guarding the place, especially if the last couple times we did this are any indication. That said, don't skimp on the prepwork, Ren." Morgana said as Ren frowned and spoke up.

"When have you EVER known me to skimp on prepwork, Morgana?" Ren said as Morgana nodded before Ren and Sumire exchanged a nod and got ready to start the prepwork. As part of that, Ren turned in the request 'The Apothecary's Connection', or the request Sophia had sent him. At that point, a smiling Sophia spoke up from Sumire's phone.

"Thank you very much! Excellent. This amount should suffice. Thank you for your assistance, Ren. If we give these to the pharmacy manager, he should be able to stitch together an effective compression sleeve with the outer layers. Hee hee! 'I can almost smell the ramen already,' I would say, if this device had any olfactory input. Let's return to the Suzushino pharmacy." Sophia said as Ren nodded and returned to the pharmacy with Sumire in tow. Once there, Ren looked at the manager and spoke up.

"We're back." Ren said as the manager frowned and spoke up.

"You're back? I told you the tickets aren't for sale, didn't I?" The manager said as Sophia spoke up.

"Ren, lay it on him." Sophia said as Ren nodded and presented the confused pharmacy manager with the materials, speaking up as he did so.

"Here you go. These should be sufficient for you to make that compression sleeve that you were telling us your friend needs, yes?" Ren said as the manager blinked and spoke up.

"What the heck? Wow, these are surprisingly strong for how flexible they are! And they don't feel like they'd be too tough to cut and stitch if needed. I think this could actually make for a solid compression sleeve! I'm going to get started on it right now! You know who you are? You're the savior of the best ramen in all of Sapporo! What's your name?" The manager asked as Ren spoke up.

"Sorry for not introducing ourselves before. I'm Ren Amamiya. The pretty redhead standing next to me is my girlfriend, Sumire Yoshizawa. And the voice you heard on my girlfriend's phone before is-" Ren said as Sophia cut Ren off by introducing herself.

"I am Sophia, humanity's companion." Sophia said as the manager blinked and spoke up.

"Huh? Is that a girl on the phone again? Whatever, it doesn't matter. THANK you! Meal tickets are going back on sale to the public once the sleeve's done, but, for you? I'll sell you some right now." The grateful pharmacy manager said as Sophia smiled and spoke up.

"Well done, Ren! Hooray, we did it. Make sure you buy three, Ren. We shouldn't disappoint Ryuji, and it'd only be fair to make sure that we get enough for Sumire too, since she was such a big help getting the materials as well." Sophia said as Ren nodded his understanding and bought three Meal Tickets from the pharmacy, which finished his request for Ryuji, which was aptly titled 'Love Soupreme'. Ren then turned in the request, at which point Ryuji spoke up once Ren presented him with his 'Meal Ticket', grinning at Ren all the while.

"Dude, this is amazing! Holy shit, YOU DID IT! I can't believe it! You're amazing, RenRen!" Ryuji said as Sophia contentedly hummed from Sumire's phone as she spoke up.

"I'd sing a little ditty for a bowl of my own. And if you found it helpful, I'd yodel the said ditty through the phone." Sophia said as Ryuji blinked and spoke up.

"Huh? Wait, what?" Ryuji said as Sumire frowned and spoke up.

"Umm, Sophia? I don't think there's a need for you to sing or yodel just to get food. We'd share it with you if we were able to. But the best we can do is hopefully smuggle enough food out for a bowl and share it with you in the Metaverse, since you have a physical form there." Sumire said as Sophia smiled and spoke up.

"Fair enough, Sumire. And to answer your confusion Ryuji, I want to see this King Ramen that you spoke of, too. So I helped do the needed work to get the manager to sell us Meal Tickets." Sophia said as a confused Ryuji spoke up.

"Oh, okay, Sophia. If you say so? Not sure whatcha mean by that, but I'm not sure I wanna ask! Anyways, thanks, Sumire, Sophia, and RenRen!" Ryuji said as Sophia spoke up with a smile.

"No prob." Sophia said as Sumire smiled and spoke up.

"You're welcome, Ryuji-senpai. It was worth it just to see those smiles on both your face and Sophia's." Sumire said wisely as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"All right, Let's go! Let's get to that restaurant! Legendary ramen, here we come!" Ryuji said as Sophia spoke up while cheering.

"Woo! Bring on King Ramen!" Sophia said as Ren and Sumire just shook their heads and went along with it as they enjoyed the ramen with Ryuji and Sophia. Afterwards, Ren and Sumire returned to the RV to relax a bit before deciding on their next move...

END OF CHAPTER

A/N: And there we are, another chapter done and dusted! The next chapter will more than likely be the third Lock Keeper fight, third calling card, and third Monarch fight! And maybe if the chapter length allows for it, I might also fit the third change of heart in as well. However, whether I fit the third change of heart in the next chapter or not, the group's stay in Sapporo won't end until the chapter after next, more than likely.

So that means chapter 18 should in all likelihood be the third 'interlude' chapter. However, compared to the first two, this interlude might not be as anticipated as the first two, but if you're a fan of fluff and/or romantic stuff, you should get a good amount of enjoyment out of it. But you'll have to wait for chapter 18 to see it for yourselves. So there's that to look forward to.

And as always, thanks to everyone who follows and favorites this story, as the support is greatly appreciated! Furthermore, thanks to those who leave reviews on the story and take time to give suggestions for how to improve the chapter! Any feedback I can get to make this story better is not only welcomed, but very much appreciated!

So don't be shy about either leaving a review with your thoughts/feedback/input/constructive criticism, or you can PM it to me instead if you're uncomfortable sharing it in reviews for whatever reason. I welcome both forms of input from my readers. Furthermore, I always enjoy hearing from my readers! And until next chapter, sithlorde1988 out!

NOTES

*1* - YES, I had Ren and Sumire make a Peanuts reference here. But I couldn't resist. And in my defense, I feel like Morgana being turned away from various restaurants/businesses because he's a cat is slightly similar to how Snoopy gets tossed out of schools because of being a dog. In some cases, they even play a little song that usually is a loop of the words 'No dogs allowed', with some neat background music to accompany it. I personally found that bit funnier than I likely should have when I watched it as a kid. But maybe that's just me?

*2* - As Goro and Kusa both mention in this part, the 'song' Futaba sings about a kotatsu? Am I the only one who reads that scene and then hears it sung in the style of the old-school Christmas tune 'Let it Snow'? Because if you think about it, most of the lyrics seem remarkably similar to the lyrics of that song. Feel free to let me know in reviews if you hear the same thing I do when you read that part. Because, if I'm right? I just figured out an instance of Persona actually referencing Christmas music in their games. And with a character I wouldn't have pegged as making that sort of reference, no less.

PHANTOM THIEF LINEUP AND ALLIES AS OF THE END OF CHAPTER 16

JOKER (Ren) - Level: 41 Current Personas: Raoul (Level 29), Orthrus (Level 28), Legion (Level 39), Neko Shogun (Level 40), Unicorn (Level 41), Koppa Tengu (Level 41), Kikuri-Hime (Level 41), Mithras (Level 41) Equipped Persona: Neko Shogun Persona Moveset: Maragion (Fire), Sukukaja (Support/Buff), Megido (Almighty), Null Forget (Passive), Maeiga (Curse), Makouga (Bless), Dodge Wind (Passive), Heat Wave (Physical)

SKULL (Ryuji) - Level: 37 Current/Partner Persona: Seiten Taisei Persona Moveset: Zionga (Elec), Lunge (Physical), Tarukaja (Support/Buff), Headbutt (Physical), Mazio (Elec), Rebel Soul (Passive), Swift Strike (Physical), Shock Boost (Passive)

MONA (Morgana) - Level: 38 Current/Partner Persona: Diego Persona Moveset: Garula (Wind), Dormin Rush (Physical), Mediarama (Healing), Magarula (Wind), Technical Adept (Passive), Recarm (Healing), Diarama (Healing), Dodge Elec (Passive)

PANTHER (Ann) - Level: 38 Current/Partner Persona: Hecate Persona Moveset: Agilao (Fire), Dodge Ice (Passive), Fire Boost (Passive), Soul Thief (Passive), Maragion (Fire), Dekaja (Support/Debuff), Marin Karin (Ailment), Diarama (Healing)

FOX (Yusuke) - Level: 38 Current/Partner Persona: Kamu Susano-o Persona Moveset: Bufula (Ice), Speed Master (Passive), Taunt (Ailment), Knockdown Style (Passive), Vicious Strike (Physical), Tempest Slash (Physical), Mabufu (Ice), Dodge Fire (Passive)

QUEEN (Makoto) - Level: 37 Current/Partner Persona: Anat Persona Moveset: Freila (Nuclear), Defense Master (Passive), Marakukaja (Support/Buff), Mafrei (Nuclear), Diarama (Healing), Flash Bomb (Physical), Media (Healing), Sledgehammer (Physical)

NOIR (Haru) - Level: 38 Current/Partner Persona: Astarte Persona Moveset: Psio (Psy), Evil Smile (Ailment), Hysterical Slap (Physical), Triple Down (Gun), Technical Adept (Passive), Amrita Drop (Healing), Mapsio (Psy), Gun Boost (Passive)

ORACLE (Futaba) - Level: 41 Current Personas: Al Azif and Albus Equipped Persona: Al Azif Persona Moveset: Analysis (Passive), Moral Support (Passive), Active Support (Passive), Moral Boost (Passive), Active Boost (Passive)

SEEKER (Sophia) - Level: 38 Current/Partner 'Persona': Pithos Persona Moveset: Kouga? (Bless), Rakunda? (Support/Debuff), Diarama? (Healing), Makouha? (Bless), Mediarama? (Healing), Bless Boost? (Passive), Divine Grace? (Passive), Recarm? (Healing)

VIOLET (Sumire) - Level: 40 Current/Partner Persona: Ella Persona Moveset: Kouga (Bless), Dodge Curse (Passive), Diarama (Healing), Bless Boost (Passive), Heat Wave (Physical), Makouga (Bless), Dream Needle (Physical), Recarm (Healing)

DRACONIS (Kusa) - Level: 37 Current/Partner Persona: Malefor Persona Moveset: Vicious Strike (Physical), Agilao (Fire), Garu (Wind), Rising Slash (Physical), Mediarama (Healing), Megido (Almighty), Sukunda (Support/Debuff), Almighty Boost (Passive)

CROW (Goro) - Level: 37 Current/Partner Persona: Hereward Persona Moveset: Eiga (Curse), Megido (Almighty), Mudo (Curse/insta-kill), Triple Down (Gun), Maeiga (Curse), Deathbound (Physical), Rakunda (Support/Debuff), Curse Boost (Passive)

PENDRAGON (Sojiro) - Level: 37 Current/Partner Persona: Kohryu Persona Moveset: Psio (Psy), Psy Wall (Support/Wall), Psy Boost (Passive), Spell Master (Passive), Mediarama (Healing), Assault Dive (Physical), Evade Nuke (Passive), Mapsio (Psy)

ALLIES: Zenkichi, Ichinose, Shiho