Chapter 17: Sapporo!
August 1st, 2017
"Hang in there guys! Sapporo is but a stone's throw away!" Futaba cheers them on as the Motorhome thunders down the road, Kawakami and Akechi right behind them.
"Hokkaido really is vast, isn't it?" Shiho asks, glancing out the window. "And we've been driving non-stop since we got here… Are you guys really okay?"
"Honestly, I think I might go back to sleep when we park the Motorhome. Sorry to put this on you guys, but do you think you can handle today without me for a bit? Or until I get a quick nap to recharge?" Ren asks the Thieves as they draw closer to Sapporo.
"I'm sure we'll be fine. We're primarily meeting with Zenkichi today. Tomorrow is when we start looking in earnest." Makoto tells him, earning a reassuring smile from him as they pull into Sapporo. "I'll put some coffee on for you as well if you wake up."
"It's also supposed to be a lot cooler up here as well. Meaning that it shouldn't be as bad in the tent." Ann remarks, glancing outside. Looking around as Ren takes them into a caravan parking space. Filling up quite nicely while Kawakami parks nearby. Ren lets out a yawn as he rubs his eyes before getting up.
"Well, we're here. And man, do I feel exhausted."
"Go ahead for a quick rest, Ren. We'll have a look around." Hifumi tells him, taking his phone from the window. Giving Hifumi a nod, Ren heads to the bedroom to take a quick nap to recover as the others set up the Motorhome as Makoto makes some coffee. Kawakami and Akechi quickly joined them as they took stock of the one less member among their ranks.
"Where's Ren?" Kawakami asks, seeing him missing.
"He's resting in the Motorhome. He's still tired from driving us all the way up here." Ryuji tells them as Shiho and Mishima take out the tent. "Makoto's making him some coffee in case he wakes up."
"Well, that's no surprise. We have been driving non-stop." Akechi remarks, stretching his arm. "Now then. I wonder where Zenkichi wants to meet us."
"Helloooo, Sapporo!" Futaba suddenly shouts, looking at the tall spire directly ahead of them, just as Makoto exits with some coffee in a disposable cup. Yusuke was already framing the spire with his hands.
"So this is Sapporo Central City. A bustling outpost of civilization, cradled by the untamed wilderness. I can already feel inspiration filling my veins." The team shake their heads at him in amusement as Sumire finishes setting up the sides of the Motorhome. Just as a familiar person with blue hair spots them on the side.
"Well, looks who's here! Fancy seeing you guys around these parts!" Tao calls out to them with a wave, grabbing their attention with smiles.
"Tao! Good to see you!" Sumire calls, giving the street artist a hug as she joins. "How have things been for you?"
"Same old, same old. Finding new spots and getting ideas for a future tattoo shop." She replies, glancing around before noticing someone missing. "Where's Ren?"
"He's sleeping in the Motorhome. Drove us all the way here when we arrived by boat this morning." Makoto replies, taking a sip of her drink.
"Really? Ain't that something." Tao replies with a grin as Ren's phone turns on in Hifumi's hands.
"Hello. Who is this?" Sophia asks, grabbing Tao's attention.
"Is that…?"
"Yep. This is Sophia. Sophia, this is Tao." Futaba greets between the two as she rushes into the Motorhome to grab Isara.
"Hello, Tao. I am Sophia Niijima-Amamiya. Humanities Companion." Tao blinks for a moment before giving Sophia a smile.
"Well, hello to you too. And when did you and Ren get a daughter, Makoto?" She asks with a smirk, folding her arms as Makoto looks away bashfully.
"Long story." She replies simply as Futaba exits the Motorhome with Isara. "By the way, Sophia, can you sense a Jail around here?" While Tao raised an eyebrow at that, Sophia's cheery face was replaced by a serious one.
"Yes. I do smell a Jail. An intense one."
"Just like Gramps said…" Ryuji remarks, folding his arms.
"That means whoever Zenkichi is looking into is the Monarch of Sapporo." Morgana concludes, sitting on the ground.
"Then we better comb the area for intel then." Ren informs the team, walking out of the Motorhome, a disposable cup in his hands. Surprising them at his sudden appearance.
"Don't you need more sleep, Ren?" Mishima asks, watching as Morgana leaps up and settles himself in Ren's bag.
"If I sleep any more, I won't sleep at all tonight." He replies, taking a long sip from his drink. "I'll be fine, though. A quick power nap and some coffee does me a lot of good. Which tastes amazing."
"Glad you like it." Makoto tells him, having another sip even as the two have bags under their eyes.
"Boy… if Tae heard that, she would be giving you a lesson. Both of you." Tao remarks, grabbing his attention. "Yo, Ren. Looking good."
"Been better. And is Tae here as well?" Ren asks, with Tao nodding along.
"Yeah. She was here attending a meeting. It's finishing today. Want to go see here?"
"Why not. We can tell both of you what has been happening so far at the same time." Sumire replies with a grin, one matched by Tao.
"Well then, follow me!" Tao motions to the team as they follow after her, walking through Odori Park. Passing by its fountain and famous TV tower that dominated the skyline. But as they moved along, they saw a sight at a nearby lamppost. A mother and her daughter, laying flowers at its base with tearful looks.
"Did…something happen over there?" Shiho asks Tao, who nods her head.
"I wasn't here when it happened, but apparently, there was an accident with a Snow Sculpture, and a young girl lost her life." Tao replies with a sad look. "I know how that girl feels. Losing your sister is never easy. A void that will never be filled." The Thieves stand in silence, watching as the mother and daughter soon leave the lamppost before Tao moves them forward. Soon entering Suzushino, they are faced with faced with a giant mural of a man drinking wine on the side of a building at a crossing while shops and restaurants line the street sides.
"So, is Tae around here?" Ann asks, looking at all the shops around them.
"She should be. Said she was going to look at the local clinic before deciding her next move." Tao replies before a familiar person walks out of a shop nearby. Dressed again in her goth attire, only trimmed down for the summer as she glances at a notepad in her hands. "And there she is. Hey! Tae!"
Jolted out of her thoughts, Tae turns around in surprise before smiling at the team. Pocketing the notepad away, she walks over to join them, her smile never leaving her face. "Well, well, look who it is. My favourite guinea pigs."
"You're never going to stop calling us that, are you Tae?" Mishima asks, shaking his head. His question only made Tae's smile even bigger.
"Nope." She replies, popping the 'p'. "Still, it's good to see you guys again. But what brings you to Sapporo?"
"Something that's best talking about in the Motorhome." Ren replies, glancing around. "It's not something we should discuss out in the open." Tae gets the message as she follows the others back to the Motorhome. With them both becoming impressed at the interior of the Motorhome as they both made themselves comfortable.
"Daaaaang, you guys hit the jackpot with this place." Tao admits, looking around.
"I agree. Certainly, better than moving in a Camper Van." Tae adds, glancing around.
"We're glad you enjoy it." Sophia suddenly remarks, surprising Tae as she looks at Ren as he pulls his phone out again. "Hello. I am Sophia Niijima-Amamiya. It's a pleasure to meet you, Tae."
"So you are the Sophie in the chat. Nice to meet you as well." Tae replies, sitting down. "And you're adorable as well. Ren and Makoto are lucky to have you." She adds with a grin before looking away. "Okay. Now that we are here, what can you tell us what's been happening since Shibuya?"
"Well… That's something." Tao remarks, pulling a leg up. "And you've downed two Jails yet still haven't found out what's causing it?"
"Nope. We are in the dark, and are not liking it." Futaba replies, letting out a humph. "It's seriously a pain."
"And now you're here, looking for the Monarch in Sapporo." Tae surmises, hand on chin, before nodding to herself. "Well, consider me on board while you're here. I've finished what I had to do here, so I can spend some time helping out before heading back to my clinic."
"Same with me. If these people think they can get away with brainwashing people, then they are on my shit list." Tao remarks, slamming her hands together. "And I got a special place for those who act like Jerri."
"We had a feeling you would both be on board, Tao. Tae. Thank you." Makoto replied with a grin before the door to the Motorhome was knocked on. "That must be Zenkichi." She remarks as Haru opens the door, letting the Inspector in.
"Nice to see you guys made it." Zenkichi remarks before seeing the two new heads. "More members of the Thieves, I take it?"
"We are." Tae acknowledges. There was no point in hiding it from him. "Tae Takami. I run a clinic in Yongen-Jaya."
"Ah, I remember seeing that a few times." Zenkichi replies, before looking at Tao, who was giving him a very sceptical look.
"I'm Tao. No last name." She says simply. The Thieves and Shadow Ops may know of her double life as Guernica, but she ain't telling anyone else who hasn't earned her trust. Especially a government type.
"Ouf. Cold." Zenkichi observes before sitting down on the couch. "Anyway, now that we are all here together let's talk about the Monarch of Sapporo. Our suspect's name is Mariko Hyodo. Oh, and, wait for it, she's the mayor of Sapporo Central."
"Mari-san? She's the Monarch?" Haru asks on instinct, drawing all eyes to her.
"Do you know her, Haru?" Kawakami asks gently. Haru turns to the table with a sad look, grasping her hands together as she lets out a sigh.
"Yes…Mari-san met my father while on a trading mission and would frequently play golf with him. She also spent a lot of time looking out for me, to the point that I see her as an Aunt. She was there when my father confessed his crimes before Shido removed him from the broadcast before he could expose him…"
"I see… I'm sorry that the suspect is someone close to you, Haru." Zenkichi replies with a saddened face.
"But still, our target is a city mayor? Wouldn't that also make her the most influential person in Sapporo? Why would she be a monarch if that was the case?" Ann asks, trying to, in some way, try to shift the conversation from Marika. They haven't met her yet, but if she was that close with Haru… They did NOT want another Okumura situation on their hands.
"Ann… I appreciate you are trying to help Haru, but remember Shido?" Ren says gently, earning a wince from her as Haru gives Ren and Ann a tired smile and a small head nod. She was grateful either way.
"So… how did you find out she's the Monarch? Or what makes her the most likely one?" Ryuji asks cautiously.
"Well, simply put, it's because suddenly, everybody is in love with her." Zenkichi reveals. "Mayor Hyodo's approval rating now sits at a lofty 88%. She gained fifty points in the past two months alone."
"Did you say fifty!?" Makoto asks with her and Ren's jaws dropping.
"Even Yoshida didn't have that much of a boost! It's unheard of!" Ren adds, shaking his head.
"So she got crazy popular out of nowhere?" Tao asks, rubbing her head. "Then again, I have heard people around her talking about Hyodo non-stop…"
"Now, on one side, you could argue that she has an effective campaign, hitting people with the right words and right promises. But there is more. Last month, three councilmen who opposed her bill admitted to corruption and reigned."
"I remember that. They even had links that connected them to Yoshiki." Akechi remarks, rubbing his chin. "I did find it strange that they suddenly confessed out of nowhere, but with what we know now…"
"Well, after that, any remaining councilman who opposed her suddenly became her most fervent advocate. Not to mention, the election is coming up. It sounds all too convenient. Rumour also has it that Hyodo wants to expand her political influence to the national level. PubSec has been investigating that, but… We haven't come across any leads yet. What do you all make of this?"
"Someone is changing hearts." Shiho comments as Yusuke wraps an arm around Haru.
"But we need to get her Keyword to enter the Jail. If she uses EMMA, to begin with, that is." Morgana comments, looking at the detective with inquisitive eyes. "Does she use EMMA?"
"Oh, she does all right. She's referenced EMMA plenty of times in her speeches. This means there is a good chance she's been saying her Keyword in public. Well, unless she is also on guard from you guys. Hyodo will be making her 10th speech in Suzushino soon, so you can try it there. Since it's close to the elections, the crowd is bound to be in the thousands."
"That's… certainly a number." Sumire comments quietly.
"Either way, whatever you kids do, don't try to contact her directly. Well, other than Haru here. And I'm saying this to keep you guys safe. It's also a pain in all of our asses if she finds out we're onto her. Security might go up through the roof in that place."
"That's true. We did see something similar happen in Alice's Jail." Hifumi remarks, nodding her head slowly. "By the way, we encountered someone in Sendai when we went to that lecture. A person who works at the university who works on artificial intelligence. Kuon Ichinose. She also developed the base code for EMMA."
"Hold up. Have you kids encountered the creator of EMMA? And made a deal with her? For real?" Zenkichi asks with his jaw dropping in shock, even as Ryuji lets out an annoyed huff.
"Not like we wanted to make the deal, but she could offer us insight into Madicce. And give you the foot into the door that you need." Yusuke tells him as Zenkichi calms himself down.
"I see… Actually, her name turned up as we were looking into Madicce. That's certainly a surprise to know she was working at that Uni in Sendai. Would have liked a few quick words with her myself, but that's how the dice roll. But… Are you guys really sure about this?"
"To be honest, no, we're not." Ren replies, shaking his head. "Honestly, we have our own suspicions about her. None of us like having to take this deal, but as you said, the dice have been rolled. All we can do is make the best out of this without exposing our arms too much."
"Well, at least you have your heads on right. Still… You're talking as though you've been in a position like this before…" Zenkichi remarks, with the core eight Thieves suddenly finding themselves very uncomfortable.
"Anyway, Hyodo's speech is on the 3rd. Take the time to get to know Sapporo, and I'll meet you there." With that, Zenkichi leaves the Motorhome, but not before giving Kawakami one more glance as he leaves. Letting the cool air hit his face, he gives himself a shake as he lets out a sigh. "What's wrong with me? Am I falling for another woman? What would Akane and Aoi say to me? Why do I feel like I'm betraying Aoi? Or would she want me to be happy? Dammit… I've got too many questions on my mind…" He mumbles to himself as he walks away while the Thieves talk among themselves.
"So we're basically waiting around until the 3rd? We rushed all the way here for nothing?" Isara asks as Ren and Makoto let out groans of annoyance.
"We pushed ourselves to get here on time, and we only now learn we could have taken it slow by a day?" Makoto asks in a strained voice, shaking her head as Ren holds his head in his hands.
"I want to go to bed…" Tae looks between the two, concern on her face as they seemingly break down. Only know seeing the forming of bags under their eyes from a lack of sleep.
"Do I want to know?" She asks Mishima who slowly glances at the two.
"Well… they both rushed us over here from Sendai on the 31st? And they didn't have much sleep as they immediately drove us here once we got off the boat?" Tae turns to look at the two as they hold their heads in their hands, and she lets out a sigh of disappointment.
"What have I told about you two keeping your health up? Especially with sleep?" She asks with a disappointed tone. "Both of you, to bed. Now." She points to the bedroom, and the two head on over, not even bothering to argue. "Anyone else who is sleep-deprived?"
"Well… Goro and Kawakami-sensei took turns driving from Sendai as well… with us only resting on the ferry ride over?" Sumire says nervously as Tae turns her gaze to the two. Who both shrink under her gaze. Needless to say, the Thieves all turned in early that night by orders of the Doctor, with Tao bunking with Kawakami while Tae heads off for her hotel. They would pick it off from tomorrow.
August 2nd, 2017.
After having a good long night's rest for once, thanks to the colder climate of Hokkaido, the Thieves were more than well-rested to take on the world! And their first port of call was sightseeing to pass the time until tomorrow. So, with Tae and Tao in two, the Thieves spent their time sampling Sapporo's delicacies and taking in the sights before eventually finding themselves outside of the former government building in Central Sapporo.
"Check it out! It's actually pretty hip for an old place!" Ann comments as they gaze at the red stone building.
"Well, it was once the main office for the government of Hokkaido, Ann. So it makes sense they would take care of it. It's practically a symbol of Sapporo." Shiho comments, grasping her hands behind her back.
"Simply marvellous. There's a stillness and symmetry here that ignites my artist's soul!" Yusuke announces, finger framing the building.
"I know what you mean. There's just something about it that brings a feeling to your mind." Tao admits, tapping her knuckles on her cheek.
"And the garden is nice too. It reminds me of the rooftop garden at Shujin." Haru comments, kneeling to inspect a rose.
"I'm glad we managed to set something up to keep them all watered and fed while we are out of Tokyo." Kawakami admits. "I don't think any of us would want to come back to find them all wilted."
"That would be a downer at the end of all this…" Futaba agrees with a frown. Before an altercation not far from them catches her eyes. "Huh? What's going on over there?" She asks, drawing the Thieves' attention to a woman with a scarf around her neck chewing out a man in a suit. And before them was a wilted flower.
"How could you let this flower wilt!? How did you even overlook this!?" The woman asks with anger in her eyes, the man latterly wilting under her gaze.
"Ma'am! I'm so sorry! It's just… this summer has been hotter than last years! The heatwave is never ending!" The man replies, but the woman holds up a hand to her face.
"Save me your excuses. This flowerbed is one of the city's main points of attraction. Have you forgotten you work for the most powerful woman in Sapporo Central? Perhaps you won't for much longer…"
"Please, no! I'll do anything to fix this!" The man pleads as the woman lets out an annoyed huff.
"You can keep your eyes glued to these flowers around the clock for all I care. Just make sure it doesn't happen again!"
"Then that's what I'll do mayor!" The man replies, bowing to her before rushing off to replace the wilted rose. Leaving the woman alone as she a sigh out in disappointment.
"Wow… she's scary…" Mishima quietly tells the others as they watch.
"Wait… didn't that guy say 'mayor'?" Hifumi asks cautiously as the woman glances over to them. Her demure suddenly changing as though a switch had been flipped.
"Oh? Are you all here for sightseeing? I'm sorry you had to witness such unprofessional behaviour from our staff during your visit. Hmmm?" Her eyes fall on Haru, who gives her a small wave and a tiny smile. Breaking through the cloud that hung around her as she walked over with quick steps. "Could it be? Haru-chan?"
"Hello, Mari-san." Haru greets politely. Mariko Hyodo broke out into a wide smile as she gave Haru a giant hug with joy in her eyes.
"Oh it has been ages since we last met Haru-chan! Not since last year if my mind remembers."
"Indeed. It has been that long." Haru replies as the two break the hug. "Thank you for coming to check on me when my father confessed his crimes. It was comforting to know I still had my Aunt."
"Of course. I would drop anything to be there for you, Haru-chan." Hyodo replies with a grin before looking at Yusuke. "Oh? Is this your artistic boyfriend you have told me much about?" Haru blushes as she looks away with a tiny smile as Yusuke bow elegantly to her.
"Greetings, Mayor Hyodo. My name is Yusuke Kitagawa, aspiring artist." Hyodo chuckles at Yusuke's greeting as she looks back to Haru.
"My, my. Such a gentleman you have found. And is this the rest of your found family you have told me about?" Hyodo bows to them with a gracious look. "Thank you all for being there for Haru-chan. Hearing she had such people to support her… it put my heart at ease."
"It was our pleasure, Mayor Hyodo." Ren replies cautiously. It was jarring to see her act so friendly to them after she gave that guard a tongue lashing, but he could tell it was genuine. Hyodo nods her head at them before looking back to Haru.
"I heard from your last letter that you plan to leave your fathers company and start your own café? Are you sure you want to do this, Haru-chan? Starting a business from scratch is not an easy endeavour."
"I appreciate your concern, Mari-san. But I am certain." Haru replies with a smile. "The crimes of my father… even though I am innocent, it will forever be a shadow over the company. If I were to take over, it may never recover. And I trust those in the company to fix the mistakes my father created. As for making my own café, do not worry. I have someone who can tell me the best ways to get started."
"Haru-chan… my, how much you've grown." Hyodo says gently, wiping a tear from her eye. "Now then, you and your friends are here visiting Sapporo, yes? I hope you are enjoying it all to the fullest. Although…" She folds her arms as worry falls over her face. "I am concerned about what happened in Sendai and Tokyo."
"Are you talking about the Phantom Thieves?" Haru asks innocently.
"Yes." Hyodo replies, looking up at her. "I have worked tirelessly to remove corruption from Sapporo. If they were to come here and find something I overlooked… Well, I would be grateful but also ashamed of myself." She shakes her head, turning back to look at them. "I'm sorry to cut our chat short, but I have preparations to take care of. This coming election has left me up day and night, but if there is anything I can do to help, just say the word." And with that, she turns around and leaves as the Thieves stand in silence.
"That was… not what I was expecting." Mishima remarks, rubbing the back of his head.
"Sorry to be blunt here, Haru… but she seemed really two-faced." Makoto says bluntly.
"No… I understand… Mari-san used to be so very kind to everyone. Not just me…" Haru agrees, grasping her hands. "What happened to make you like this?"
"If she is our Monarch, then there is only one thing that could cause it." Akechi interjects with a serious frown. "Trauma."
"Yes… That is the one consistent thing between all of them." Hifumi agrees with narrow eyes. "Extreme bullying for Alice, all the way into her adult life. Natsume being used as a cash cow because of his grandfather and his editors not caring about his work… The only quest is, what would Hyodo's be?" Yusuke glances at Haru, wrapping her in a one-arm hug with her leaning into him for comfort.
"We didn't have a chance to ask for her Keyword, but we're going to be at her speech tomorrow anyway." Isara comment from Futaba's bag.
"Well, we still have time. Why don't we spend time finding out what caused her to change?" Tae asks the team. "You guys need more info, right? And from what you told us yesterday, walking around and listening to folks is the best way to do so."
"Can confirm. Worked every time." Sophia chimes in from Ren's phone as Morgana lets out a chuckle.
"Yeah. You're right. Let's kill some more time and try to find some info."
As the Thieves spend their time touring Sapporo, they keep their ears out for anything that might sound suspicious. But, much to their annoyance, they didn't find much. Even as night began to fall over Sapporo, they still hadn't heard anything that would help them. It was clear this was not going to be as easy as the last two.
But as Tao, Kawakami, and Futaba walk past a billboard with a Mayor Hyodo flyer on it, they notice a small crowd in front of it, looking up at it with glassy-eyed expressions. Curious, the three walked closer to see if they could hear anything.
"Mayor Hyodo… I can finally meet you at last… Oh yes… You are all of my hopes and dreams embodied!" One of the crowd members mumbles, arms raised at the flyer. And managing to creep all three of them out. Including Isara in Futaba's backpack.
"Wow… He's gone…." Isara quips quietly.
"He might be at the speech tomorrow. Best keep him in mind." Tao remarks as the small group silently peels away from the crowd. Meanwhile, with Yusuke, he was having a small emergency on his hands. Haru shared his worry as Ren, Morgana and Makoto came to his side.
"Yusuke? What's wrong?" Ren asks with urgency in his voice.
"You said there was an emergency. What's the problem?" Makoto asks eyes steeled for trouble. Yusuke and Haru look at them before turning around and motioning to a vending machine behind them.
"A… vending machine?" Morgana asks, sweat dropping as they see a canned juice with milk and fish on the front. "A drink?"
"Returning search results: This drink, called 'Primordial Soup', is considered a regional speciality. They press the juices out of locally sourced fish and blend it with fresh Hokkaido milk. It's marketed towards men in particular, but anyone can drink it. Provided they don't have allergies, of course."
"I… Don't know about that…" Morgana comments, feeling sick looking at the drink. And he wasn't alone as Ren and Makoto looked a little bit green.
"Yusuke… please tell me you and Haru don't want to get one?" Makoto asks, feeling relieved when the two shake their heads.
"No. We don't. I may be adventurous when it comes to drinking, but even I draw the line at this." Haru comments, looking away from the drink in disgust.
"Who would even invent such a monstrosity? It seems Sapporo's culture is not to be trifled with!" Yusuke remarks, folding his arms while narrowing his eyes.
"In that case, you may not want to know of Deep-Fried Mars Bars." Sophia comments, turning all eyes to her.
"Deep-fried what now?" Ren asks, not sure if he heard that right.
"Deep-Fried Mars Bars. A regular Mars Bar coated in batter that is popular in Scotland. It originated from a chip shop in Stonehaven before spreading all over the country." Sophia informs the group, who look at each other with questioning looks. How did that even happen in the first place?
While Ren's group were questioning their life choices over food and drink, Ryuji's group, with Ann, Shiho, Mishima and Tae, found a government worker standing in the street, coughing up a storm.
"Sir? Are you alright? Are you sick?" Tae asks, rushing over to the man as he stumbles.
"*cough* It's not use… *cough cough* Must hurry… *wheeze* Need medicine…"
"I'm a doctor. And I can tell you are in no shape to even be out this late." Tae tells him with a serious look as she gives him some cold medicine and antibiotics. "And I'm telling you to go home and get from rest."
"Thank you….but I don't have the time to rest." The man replies, graciously taking the medicine. "I work early in the morning." He then stumbles off, muttering to himself out loud. "I need to hurry up and recover… Or at least get back to work. Otherwise, the mayor is going to be livid…"
"Are all of them being overworked?" Shiho asks in worry as the man vanishes into the crowd.
"Looks like it…" Ann agrees, kicking a stone pebble on the ground. "Didn't she also say she was removing corruption?"
"By overworking them?" Ryuji countered, shaking his head. "That seems like the opposite way to do it."
Meanwhile, Akechi, Sumire and Hifumi were walking past a late-night club before spotting who was possibly the host chasing after a man in a suit with a frustrated expression.
"…You're going to shut us down unless we clean up? What kind of joke is that? We clean the club thoroughly every day!"
"If that is the case, why did we find a millimetre of dust on the handrail?" The man asks back, dumbfounding the hostess while Akechi, Sumire, and Hifumi's jaws drop slightly.
"Huh? You found a millimetre of dust on the handrail? Come on, quit fooling around." The hostess replies, shaking her head, yet the glint in the man's eyes is anything but fooling around. "Wait, you're serious!?"
"I know Dad would be annoyed if we didn't clean Leblanc down properly, but this…" Hifumi quietly remarks as the trio walks away.
"Not even Kasumi was that much of a clean freak…" Sumire adds, with Akechi nodding his head.
"Hey, you three are voting for Mayor Hyodo this upcoming election, arent'cha?" An old man suddenly calls out to the three of them, stunning them in place.
"Our apologies' sir, but we are but travellers from Tokyo. I fear we won't be able to participate." Akechi tells the man, who rubs the back of his head.
"Oh, that right? Sorry 'bout that then. But bear this in mind: Mayor Hyodo is such a wonderful person! She'll be the one to guide Sapporo—nay, this country—perhaps even the very world to new heights! This upcoming election is the first step on that journey! Mayor Hyodo, Sapporo stands with you! Long live Mayor Hyodo! Glory to Sapporo!" The trio, feeling extremely unnerved and concerned by the man, take their leave before heading back to the Motorhome.
"There's no two ways about it. What's happening here is the same as Shibuya and Sendai." Makoto confirms as they all hang around the lounge.
"Mari-san… why did this happen to you?" Haru asks sorrowfully as Yusuke rubs her side.
"Hopefully, we can find out in her Jail tomorrow. Speaking off, best we head to bed now. We'll have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Ren tells the team. Nodding in agreement, the team splits for the night as Hifumi and Futaba take the bend, and Ann with Ryuji take the couches. Everyone else is in the tents while Tae returns to her hotel.
It was time to find the truth of Sapporo.