8/2

And Kyoko thought the outside of Futaba's Palace had been as hot as it could get, but the humidity levels mixed with summer heat made for an especially difficult August day for the young detective. The temptation to simply stay home in the air-conditioned café as she waited until any word of Futaba recovering came was overwhelming to her, but a text message from Yusuke requesting to meet him at the park due to a major breakthrough in solving his slump had caused her curiosity to be piqued.

This was why, now, she found herself sitting at the front end of a wooden rowboat turning the oars across the large pond as Yusuke sat on the other side finger-framing their surroundings.

"I must thank you, again, for your willingness to come out and assist me, Kyoko," he said with a satisfied smile as he turned about his seat. "...It would, after all, be impossible to sketch, let alone be able to fully focus if I were too busy rowing."

Kyoko's brow furrowed, a slight frown on her face. "...You're an admirable gentleman, Yusuke," she said dryly.

"Hm, no one's ever called me that, before," Yusuke remarked in bemusement as he continued looking about with his thumbs and index fingers forming a rectangular frame together which he gazed through and completely oblivious by Kyoko's observation to the sarcastic flatness of her tone. "Oh! Stop the oars! I believe this would be an ideal location for my next motif!"

Sighing in relief, Kyoko released her grip on them and folded her arms, watching as Yusuke quickly took up his sketchpad and pencil, his gaze focused on where he'd been finger-framing a second ago. Kyoko prided herself on being and remaining in excellent shape, but between the heat, the humidity thanks to being in the middle of a pond, and wearing herself out from rowing, the young detective hoped whatever had caught Yusuke's notice would satisfy him.

"Oh! Look at those ducks! They're soooo cute!" she heard a young woman cry out from a nearby rowboat while a young man, presumably her boyfriend, paddled.

"Hey, don't get too excited or you might fall off!" he said with a laugh.

"Hmmm," Kyoko heard Yusuke as his interest was on the neighboring couple. "...My previous painting captured only one aspect of the heart: desire," he mused. "...But as such I was unable to arrive to a truly authentic representation."

"I'm not an art expert but a black void is hardly what I'd consider as such," Kyoko remarked.

"Indeed," Yusuke replied with a nod. "...Which is exactly why I must look towards fulfilment rather then absence of it. The very reason we came out here, today, is so I can capture another aspect, one which is the burning passion between a man and a woman in love!"

Kyoko could feel the sweat run down the side of her face. She wasn't sure if it was the heat or her suspicion of what Yusuke had hoped to accomplish here given where he was now looking. "...Yusuke, what are you plotting?" she asked, already having a feeling she knew the answer.

"Why, didn't you hear me?" Yusuke asked, looking over at her in confusion, "Today's theme will be the wonders of love!" he explained. "I do have need of you for this to work as well: Keep the boat steady as I draw amidst these devilish ripples!"

"Yusuke...?"

"...That bashful side profile! Those moist eyes! Their overflowing passion is wholly evident!" Yusuke declared as he glanced over at the couple again, his hand weaving about as sketched away, ignoring Kyoko's objection.

"...Yusuke..."

"Can you see it, Kyoko? They are akin to Adam and Eve, yet in time, all lovers come to know the pain of separation," Yusuke narrated, now, eyes on his paper and continuing his sketch. "...Separation is the natural end in any relationship, but even beyond that, love endures. This, Kyoko, is the truth of the human heart! It will make the most wonderful painting!" he declared with a triumphant laugh.

Kyoko's brow furrowed, it seemed he was once more "in the zone" as some would put it. Sighing she watched in silence as he continued his excited rant, only for him to suddenly come to an all but screeching halt as he looked at the couple once more.

"Hey," he called over to them, causing them to both look over at him. "...Please remain still. Return to your prior angle!" he ordered, getting confused looks from his unwitting subjects and causing Kyoko to hide her face in her gloved palm in deep exasperation.

"Yusuke..." her tone was soft but irritated, but Yusuke did not seem to notice.

"What're you talking about?" the young man in the other boat asked.

"I need to capture your side profiles," Yusuke explained matter-of-factly.

"What do you mean?! What the hell're you doing?!" the young man protested. Yusuke did not appear daunted, though.

"Rejoice, for I shall preserve your beautiful love so that all coming generations may bask in its glory!" Yusuke explained, and by Kyoko's observation, oblivious to how his subjects may have felt about this. "...Once I complete this painting, you will become new legends of the art world, a modern Adam and Eve!"

"A-Adam and Eve?!" the young woman stammered, blushing, now.

"This dude's off his rocker. Maybe we should go report him," the young man said before his eyes went wide. "W-Wait a sec! Are you... drawing us?!"

"You're... using us as models?!" the young woman yelped, flinching.

Yusuke gave a proud nod. "I am. A young couple, intimately swaying in a dingy of dreams... the blush on their cheeks, the bashful looks, this is the love and beauty I was so emphatically searching for! Something real, rather then superficially posed before me!"

Kyoko briefly entertained the thought that simply jumping into the pond and swimming to shore may have been more dignifying then staying around for this. If anything it'd cool me off, she thought, as she watched the couple in the other boat exchanged baffled glances from Yusuke's words.

"I... guess you could call it that, but it's kind of weird," the young woman replied.

"It's familial love you're seeing. This is my sister," the young man stated before shooting a hard look at the young woman seated across from him. "See?! I told you I didn't want to do this with you! The only ones who do this stupid crap are couples!"

"But I always dreamed of coming to Tokyo and riding a boat out here... just it was supposed to be with my boyfriend not my brother!" the young woman protested.

Kyoko folded her arms once more, giving Yusuke a look of her own with a slightly raised brow and quizzical frown on her face but said nothing.

"Kyoko..." he asked softly, staring back at her in bewilderment, now. "...Was that overflowing passion just a figment of my imagination? It seems my bias has caused me to overlook the truth of the matter," he sighed, shaking his head in defeat.

Kyoko sighed as well, gazing upward. "I couldn't say. I've never been in love before and you know the... complexities... regarding my childhood so I'm not exactly an expert on the subject, or someone with experience in it."

"Hm, you may not be entirely correct in that self-reflection, Kyoko," Yusuke said, looking at her pensively. "If... I may be so bold as to bring her up, your friend you told us of, is that not something akin to a familial love that the two of you had for eachother even if you weren't related by blood? Or that you wish to attend Hope's Peak to reunite with your father? Or your efforts to meet your grandfather's expectations? Can you tell me they were driven only by things like admiration, answers, and obligation?"

"Yusuke..." Kyoko's gaze turned away.

"This I believe has been a learning experience that proved how narrow my perspective can be and taught me love is a broad and multi-faceted beast, Kyoko," Yusuke explained. "...Romantic and familial love may be nigh-indiscernible depending on one's point of view, but with my mind more open and clear, it made me think of those things... and how I believe all of them came from a place of love, as well."

Kyoko was silent as she continued to look down at the pond, at her own reflection staring back at her as if it were waiting for her answer as well. "...I never gave it that much thought," she said, her tone and expression neutral as she looked back up at him, brushing back her hair.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, Kyoko," Yusuke said, frowning. "The truth of the heart lies in the eye of the beholder, it seems, and that's what I saw from my time in getting to know you."

Kyoko heard the sound of a chain link shatter within the depths of her mind.

She looked away again, once more at her reflection in the pond. "...Maybe you aren't wrong," she said softly.

Yusuke chuckled to himself. "It seems I'm not so blind after all. There may indeed be hope for me yet in this endeavor."

"Hey, wait, so only couples do this, right?" the young woman in the other boat suddenly asked, she and her brother turning to look towards them.

"Hm, he wants to sketch people for romantic inspiration but he doesn't ask his girlfriend? No wonder she looks so tense," her brother said.

"What...? Why would they think...?!" Yusuke stammered in confusion.

"...Let's just go before this gets too awkward," said Kyoko, immediately taking up the oars and rowing back towards the docks as Yusuke looked back, baffled.

Yusuke then shook his head, reaching over and taking the oars himself. "Here, allow me."

Once they'd reached the shores and disembarked in silence, Yusuke found his voice again. "...Thank you, by the way."

"Hm?" Kyoko glanced back at him.

"This outing taught me much about my own lack of experience," Yusuke explained. "Understanding love in its many forms within the heart, I believe is a significant obstacle in this "journey" Angie told me I was on. Though I feel I've progressed one step in it, I've no doubt I'll face many difficulties moving further forward." Yusuke looked back at the lake pensively. "...When will such time come when I finally do understand the heart, though? Even if I ever do, will I truly be able to draw it?"

Kyoko folded her arms, looking down at the grass a moment before speaking. "...Yonaga said you were on a "journey", right? Maybe that's what part of that journey is," she offered. "Like I said, I'm not an expert on the matter, but it I think you'll be able to draw it once you feel certain you've found what you're looking for."

"Perhaps so," Yusuke pondered, looking back at her, chuckling lightly. "When that happens, when I can properly capture an understanding of the heart, I still intend to make that portrait of you. Only then can I do it justice," he said.

Kyoko blushed a little at the thought of that.

"My last painting, I depicted despair against my realization. The complete loss of hope and instead a still and aimless existence that lives only within the moment to fill an unfillable void," Yusuke mused. "I know my goals, but I must continue to look at the path rather then the destination. Once I've determined my next step, I hope you will be there to support me in overcoming it."

Kyoko gave a faint smile and nodded. "I'll do what I can, just try to avoid putting us in any more awkward situations."

Yusuke smiled and gave a nod of his own. "I cannot promise that, but I will do my best. Let's head back to the station, now. I have work to do once I get back to my dorm."

Yusuke looked far more optimistic then before, Kyoko noticed, as they left the park together to return to their respective homes for the day.

Clean of the sweat and humidity of the day after a visit to the bathhouse, Kyoko had returned to her room noticing she'd been texted by Mishima.

[Hey! Kyoko! You there?] it read. Raising a brow in curiosity, Kyoko typed a reply.

[Yes. What is it?]

[This is crazy, Kyoko! I can't keep up with this influx of posts!] Mishima replied.

[Pretty tough being popular, huh?] he added.

Frowning, Kyoko responded.

[Is that all?] she asked.

[No, that's not it. I got a good lead on one that stood out.] Mishima replied.

[It involves someone abusing their power. It may have been written by a former employee of whatever company this revolves around.]

[Read it to me.] Kyoko replied back.

[Basically, it reads one of the higher-ups has been claiming the achievements of all his subordinates as his own.] Mishima explained.

[Was this higher-up's name given?] Kyoko answered.

[No. It has some details on the company but not much else, let alone on the manager he's referring to. Maybe the one writing this is afraid of being retaliated against?] Mishima asked.

[It's possible. What does it say about the company? Maybe I can find some leads.] replied Kyoko.

[Heh, for a detective that'd be easy right? I still get the chills remembering that time you got me to help!] Mishima replied.

[Anyway, it's based in Shinjuku, so maybe find a place where a lotta businessmen might hang out after work?] he added.

Kyoko brought her hand to her chin in thought. There were plenty of establishments in the red-light area that she imagined they'd frequent.

[Mishima, when you met with Ichiko Ohya, did you see any at that bar you met her at?] she asked.

[Yeah. Trust me I won't forget her any time soon.] he replied.

[But now that I think about it, yeah! I remembered seeing a whole buncha them filling the bartable there!]

[Thank you.] Kyoko responded. Her night was free and around now office workers would likely start getting out from their jobs. Crossroads was one of several places but it was a start. However, she'd need a way to get close to them without standing out too much.

"What's up, Kyoko?" Morgana asked, stirring from his slumber on her bed.

Kyoko began brushing out her hair. "We're going to Shinjuku to investigate a Phansite request the poster kept vague, likely to avoid being retaliated against, but first we need to go shopping..."

Kyoko sat quietly at a table at the Crossroads, sipping from a glass of water and her eyes occasionally turning towards the bar table. None had paid her much mind, as the black business blazer and skirt, white blouse and black pumps she'd bought along with her hair under a black wig styled in a ponytail and her eyes framed by wire glasses and light makeup choices with the place's low lighting gave her a significantly more mature, adult look, passing for a fellow office worker who'd just gotten out of work and blending in more easily with the patrons who came in. Lala was preoccupied with all the traffic coming in, and Ohya had not come by so chances of discovery were slim to none this evening.

Listening to the patrons, between the older managers and some young women in evening wear and the occasional mouthy but casually-dressed men none of them fit her mental profile of what to look for until one depressed-looking younger man who looked to be an office worker shuffled in, greeted by the bartender and looking disappointed at the full table after receiving a drink.

"Think he might be what we're looking for? I haven't heard anyone say anything about their bosses here," Morgana said from Kyoko's bag under the table.

"Might be," Kyoko said softly. "Sir? This table's open," she said, calling him over.

"Oh, thank you, Miss!" the young office worker looked delighted as he came and sat with her. "...Sorry to intrude."

"It's fine, we all need to relax a little after a long day, right?" Kyoko asked, sitting back and sipping her water.

"Tell me about it," the young man sighed, looking down at his own drink and frowning.

"Something on your mind? If you don't mind my saying you look troubled," she said, giving him a concerned look. He didn't just look tired, but deeply upset over something in particular, which piqued her curiosity. He seemed a little reluctant to share though.

What would Ann do? she thought for a moment. An idea came.

Kyoko leaned forward, sipping her water some more and offering a reassuring smile. "...It's alright, I don't mind listening if you need to get something off your chest. Sometimes telling a stranger's easier, you know?"

He paused, then looked over at the people packing the bar table and then around the rest of the establishment before sighing in relief. "...Well, ok. Usually I'd get told off for this, but... just between us, it's my boss. He's impossible!" he muttered, taking a sip from his own glass.

"What do you mean?" Kyoko asked.

"Well, for starters, when he pushes me around then soon as I object in any way, he makes sure I know I'm lower then him, even going so far as to insinuate he's gonna demote me!" the man explained. "...And if that's not enough, I'll overhear him talking about me with the other higher-ups, calling me useless while I'm at work."

"...I'm sorry to hear that," said Kyoko, her gloved hand raising her glass to her lips again as she gave a look of sympathy and concern. "...I know a thing or two about working for someone who's very difficult to please. My input is always shut down and I'm reminded I don't know half of what he does about how to do the job, and he was always quick to criticize me."

"Kyoko..." the young detective could hear Morgana's concerned voice under the table, she couldn't help but think for a moment where some of what she said came from. Maybe it was pretending she was someone else talking to some stranger she felt she could speak more freely. To her surprise the man smiled a little.

"Nice to have someone who understands and isn't making me the problem," he said, taking another sip. "Don't think I've seen you around here before, though."

"I moved here recently, just found out about this place and decided to give it a try," Kyoko replied. "I'm sorry your boss is being so difficult for you."

The young man sighed. "Believe me, that's not the worst of it," he said.

"Oh?" Kyoko crossed her legs and sipped her water as she leaned back again.

"...Basically, everything I've done, all the results I'm getting, somehow he's taking all the credit for it!" the office worker replied.

"That's terrible of him," said Kyoko, frowning. "I'm sorry you've been dealing with all of this. Have you thought of quitting?"

"Believe me, I have," the man replied. "...In fact a lot of people are, but the higher-ups ignore it! Take my advice, your boss sounds pretty bad, too, but don't ever work for Shinsuke Kishi!"

Kyoko gave a small smile as she took another sip of her water and nodded. "...Duly noted."

"To be honest, though," the man sighed, taking a sip of his own drink, "...I really wish those Phantom Thieves I've been hearing so much about would do something and help me with this. When it comes down to it I don't want to quit, my job pays well and I think it'd be a much nicer place to work if they could."

The man chuckled bitterly to himself, taking a long drink from his glass. "...Probably wishful thinking on my part but it's nice to imagine, right? I even checked out that website once."

Finishing his drink, the man stood. "...Anyways, I should probably get going. Thanks for hearing me out, by the way, Miss...?"

"Hikasa," Kyoko replied. "I hope your situation gets better."

"Thanks, yours too!" he said, giving a grateful smile and bow before leaving.

"That's definitely our guy," Morgana said from Kyoko's bag. "You got the manager's name, right?"

Kyoko nodded. "Shinsuke Kishi," she repeated, and after waiting a few minutes and finishing her water, took out her phone to dial Mishima's number.

"Kyoko? What's up?" she heard his voice respond.

"Hey, honey!" Kyoko said in a flirtatious tone, crossing her legs and leaning back in her seat. "...Sorry I'm a little late, I had a quite a day at the office so I grabbed a drink first. Need me to pick up anything before I get back?"

"Huh?" Mishima's confused voice asked. "Oh, uh... right! Is this code speak?" he laughed. "Um, nah. Did you... manage... to find a good place?"

"I did, yes. I'll be home soon!" A new Mementos mission in mind, the young detective hung up and gathered her things to make her way back to the station, making a mental note to remember to find a place to change out or Sojiro would have likely had a lot of questions when she got back.

8/3

Ace emerged from the Morganamobile and led her fellow Thieves into the secluded corridor of Mementos, where Shinsuke Kishi's Shadow had been tracked. Advancing, she spotted a middle-aged man in a gray suit standing at the other end of the tunnel.

"That's gotta be him," Mona said, coming up behind her.

"Even from here he looks so pig-headed!" Panther scowled.

"This piece'a shit's been pushin' around his employees like slaves! Let's put 'em in his place!" Skull declared.

"Yes, let's. People like him create awful workplace environments," Queen muttered in disgust.

Ace glared as she approached the man. "Shinsuke Kishi?" she asked sharply.

The man chuckled haughtily, folding his arms and glaring back at her with glowing gold eyes. "So you're the Phantom Thieves? You look like you've got some complaints for me!"

"Stealing credit from your subordinates is one of the worst things you can do as their superior!" Fox retorted. Kishi merely laughed again in response.

"It's simply how management works! I give the orders, my underlings do the work. It's a highly efficient way to run things!" the Shadow declared proudly. "...Not to mention it makes my job so much easier on top of that! So long as our numbers keep going up, that idiot president won't say anything! If my underlings have a problem with how I run things they should try and get promoted... of course, since I evaluate them..."

"...You make it impossible for them, and now they're quitting because of you," Ace replied.

"Let them!" Kishi's Shadow sneered. "I can make sure they won't find employment anywhere else since I'd be the one anywhere they look will have to call! That way, they have no choice but to come crawling back."

"I can't believe you!" shouted Panther. "How did someone like you ever get promoted in the first place?! If I were that company's president you'd be fired!"

"You're so naïve, that sort of reasoning doesn't apply in the real world," the Shadow replied, his voice growing deeper and the ground beginning to tremble as red and black smoke built up around him. "...Since you clearly don't get it, I'll have to teach you a lesson as your high and mighty ruler!"

The Shadow's form melted down, reshaping into a tall, hideous creature with a black skeletal humanoid body and the head of an emaciated horse with a red mane, milky-white eyes and long, bared teeth, wearing a wide bowl-shaped red hat with long tassels hanging from it and a red cloak, holding a bladed weapon in its right hand.

"IN BUSINESS, CIRCUMSTANCES SHAPE THE RESULTS, AND THE RESULTS ARE ALL FOR THE SAKE OF THE RULER: ME!" the monster declared, raising its weapon and pointing it at Ace and the others. "YOUR COMING HERE HAPPENED BY CIRCUMSTANCE, BUT THE RESULTS WILL FAVOR ME!"

Red lightning and black smoke wreathed around the monster's weapon, firing at the Phantom Thieves, who quickly leaped out of the way.

"I can't stand condescendin' assholes like you! CAPTAIN KIDD!" Skull summoned his pirate Persona, which proceeded to swoop at the transformed Shadow to ram it with its ship's prow. The grunted in pain from the impact, letting out a low snarl as it swung its blade to strike the Persona in favor only for it to vanish.

"CARMEN!" Panther's dancer Persona did a twirl of its gown in the air before breathing a blast of flames at their foe.

"HAHAHA! PATHETIC!" the horse-headed creature whinnied. "NOW, YOU'LL ALL SERVE ME!"

The monster raised its weapon, a pink aura emitting from it and engulfing both Skull and Panther, causing them to pause and stare in a trance before turning to face the others, the pink aura wafting off them and vacant smiles on their faces.

"KILL THESE INSOLENT PESTS! I COMMAND IT!"

"Panther! Skull! What's wrong?" Queen asked, cautious, only for Panther to suddenly swing her whip at her. Queen barely moved out of the way in time as the whip cracked against the stone floor.

"Skull! Snap out of it!" Fox pleaded as he parried Skull's mace with his sheathed katana.

"That Shadow can affect our minds! We need to break its hold on them!" Mona cried out. "ZORRO!"

The swordsman Persona swished its rapier, a gust of wind hitting Skull and knocking him to the ground.

"Forgive me, Ann," Fox whispered. "GOEMON!" The Kabuki persona appeared before him, blasting Panther with a chilling wind, causing her to cry out and fall on her back as well.

"Let's focus on the Shadow! If we can defeat it fast they may return to normal!" Mona ordered.

"JOHANNA!" Queen summoned her motorcycle Persona as it fired a beam of glowing blue energy at the Shadow, who snarled with anger as the attack singed its body more.

"GET UP, YOU TWO! PROTECT ME!" the Shadow demanded as the entranced Skull and Panther slowly began to get back up. "I'LL MAKE YOU ALL MY EMPLOYEES!"

Another wave of pink energy emitted from the Shadow, this time entrancing both Fox and Queen, Ace and Mona barely managing to move out of its range.

"We can't take all of them," Ace said, turning her gun on the Shadow only for her brainwashed teammates to all move in front of it and block her line of fire.

"WHAT WILL YOU DO? BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS? CUT THEM DOWN?" the Shadow taunted with a laugh. "I WOULDN'T BLAME YOU! IT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN SUCCEED IN LIFE!"

Ace's brow furrowed as her entranced teammates advanced on her. One of her Personas may have been able to break his hold over them, but he'd simply do it again. She needed a solution to neutralize the Shadow without putting them at risk.

Taking a deep breath, Ace reached into her pocket, throwing down a smoke bomb and engulfing the area in a thick cloud as she and Mona immediately fled.

"WHERE'D YOU GO?! COME OUT AND FIGHT!" the Shadow snarled, firing blasts of crimson and black energy wildly about as its thralls looked about in the rapidly dissipating cloud of smoke.

"Aha! Curse magic! Do you have anything with Bless magic, Ace?" Mona shouted.

Nodding, Ace took another deep breath, and fired her grapple hook at one of the tubes in the ceiling, launching herself into the air and above her brainwashed friends and spotting the transformed Shadow, and touched her mask. "NIGI MITAMA!" she called forth the blue, smiling raindrop Persona as it spun about in the air and fired a blast of glowing, golden light at the enemy.

The Shadow cried out in agony as the beam struck it through the chest, causing it to fall to its knees. As it did, the pink aura faded from the other Phantom Thieves, Ace landing on the ground a second after.

"...Wha... what happened?" Skull asked, looking about confused.

"Brrr... why do I feel so chilly?" asked Panther, shivering a little.

"It brainwashed you guys but the Shadow's neutralized, now! Let's finish it off!" Mona cried out, brandishing his scimitar.

"Don't gotta tell ME twice!" Skull growled, facing the Shadow in disgust with his mace ready.

"Let's make him pay!" Queen ordered through grit teeth as she brandished her own knuckle dusters, Fox drawing out his katana and Ace her knife.

"N-NO! YOU CAN'T! I'M THE BOSS YOU CAN'T DO THIS!" the shadow whimpered.

"Then consider yourself terminated," Ace said coldly as she and the others leaped into the air and struck it in a flurry of swift and merciless blows, landing around the Shadow as it collapsed to the ground and exploded in a burst of red and black smoke and leaving behind a frightened Kishi.

"No! Please!" the once more human Shadow begged, weeping.

"I imagine a lot of your employees have been the same way with you," Ace said, glaring down at him as she approached. The man promptly broke into sobs in response.

"...My boss from a long time ago always harassed me. H-He always got away with it, too... I thought it'd be fine if I did the same thing," he whimpered, staring down at the floor.

"Instead'a bein' a much better boss then him that people would WANT to work for?" Skull snapped in disgust. "Seriously, man, that's so stupid!"

"...You're right, it is," Kishi's Shadow sighed. "...Before long, I started reveling in pushing my employees around... they never deserved that, w-what have I done... blaming and forcing them to face consequences for my mistakes, sending them far away, humiliating them in front of other employees, and just... messing up their lives completely..."

"You repeated a cycle of abuse. I've seen it plenty of times," Ace replied with a cold frown.

"Ace..." Mona's ears drooped. Her doing detective work for years, he could only imagine some of the things she'd become conditioned to seeing.

"You've acknowledged your mistakes, how do you intend to take responsibility for all of this?" Fox asked sternly.

Kishi's Shadow looked at the ground again, downcast. "...I'm not sure, after all I've done to them."

"It's not too late, you know," Panther said, her tone softer.

"She's right, if you can learn how to be a better boss I'm sure your employees will eventually forgive you," said Queen.

"I will," Kishi's Shadow replied, standing back up. "I'll read some business books, do everything I can to be an ideal boss..."

"Start by thinking carefully about what kind of boss you'd like to work for, that'll help you figure it out," said Queen.

Kishi nodded, vanishing in a flash of light and a small, shimmering orb appearing in the Shadow's place which Ace promptly grabbed, the orb transforming into what appeared to be a guidebook to a theme park.

"A Destinyland park escort? Not what I expected," Ace remarked dryly as she flipped through it.

"Shitty as he was to his employees, guess he was still an honest family man whose kids meant the world to him," said Skull, frowning. "...Makes me hope he can turn things around, if anythin' for their sake."

"Anything's possible," Ace replied, sliding the guidebook in her coat pocket. "...Now that I think about it, it's been a very long time since I ever went anywhere like that, I was still with my parents."

"So, it was before living with your grandfather," said Queen.

"Was it fun?" Panther asked, Ace noted her concerned look before turning away.

"...Like I said, it was a long time ago. I don't remember much of it," she replied.

"Place like that, you must'a meant a lot to 'em," Skull said.

Ace paused, looking back at him with her familiar unreadable, neutral expression. "...I don't know," she said softly. "...When I get into Hope's Peak I'll find out."

"...Are you afraid of the answer, Ace?" Fox asked, cautiously.

Ace was silent again. Part of her wanted to push them away, force the walls back up out of habit or instinct, but their concern in their voices and how they were looking at her that she'd only remembered getting from Big Sis before now made her hesitate from doing so.

Of course Fox would ask that last question, she thought as she looked away again. She was certain she knew exactly what he was thinking when he'd asked and why. She thought of how Akechi had let it slip he knew, presumably from his own detective work, how some parents were terrible disappointments, and about the cruel reality Fox had been forced to face about his own adoptive father and mentor figure who'd raised him much of his life.

"...Maybe I am," she said softly, turning away again as the place began to tremor. "...We should go, now. We've done what we came to do..."

Ace remained quiet of it the rest of the way back.

8/4

[Kirigiri-senpai, I have a favor to ask.]

[It's not really a gymnastics thing, but would you mind coming with me on a shopping trip?]

Kyoko cocked a brow at Kasumi's message she'd found on her phone after she'd gotten up. It'd been a while since she'd heard from her, presumably due to her gymnastics practice she suspected wasn't going on any sort of haitus during the summer. She didn't have anything else going on at the moment and the downpour she and the others endured yesterday to get to Mementos had since let up.

Her mind made up, Kyoko typed in a response.

[Okay. When?]

A moment later, Kasumi's own response came. Several of them.

[Thank you!]

[RESEND: Thank you!]

[I'm so sorry! My phone always seems to act up!]

[It's fine.] Kyoko replied. [When did you want to meet, and where?]

[Right! Is around 1 okay? As for the place, it's in Kichijoji. I'll send you the location of the shop and see you then!] Kasumi answered back.

[Thanks again for doing this for me, Senpai!]

Kyoko checked the time on her phone, seeing that she had about two hours. Plenty of time to have lunch first before heading over and finished getting dressed for the day before heading downstairs.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Sojiro chuckled as Kyoko came down. "It's almost the lunch rush, so if you want anything here you'd better say so now before my customers start showing up."

Kyoko nodded. "Curry, please, with a coffee."

"One curry coming right up, you can decide which blend you want for coffee and do it yourself, get yourself some more practice, so long as it's not the expensive ones," Sojiro said.

"Fair enough," Kyoko replied, going behind the counter and taking up a spare apron. "...It's been a few days, if it's alright to ask, how has Futaba been?" she asked.

"Doing alright. Spending most of her time sound asleep but she gets up once in a while when she needs something," Sojiro explained. "...Guess she really wore herself out, whatever she's been up to."

Kyoko nodded. Not ideal news but not bad news, either. Hopefully Futaba would recover and get in contact with her again before Medjed's deadline.

Her thoughts on the matter brought her attention to the TV, which it seemed was the very subject of the news at the moment.

"Medjed has taken credit for the unexpected Shibuya blackout that occurred this morning, declaring it as a warning to how serious they are with the ultimatum they have made against the Phantom Thieves!" the announcer on TV stated. "...It seems several people have their own thoughts on the matter as well..."

"Heh, I've never actually been interviewed before, so I hope I get this right," a scrawny-looking boy with messy brown hair and a thick ahoge stated anxiously to the reporter accompanying him. "...Um, well even though Medjed's getting aggressive, we can't give up on the Phantom Thieves so easily!" he declared. "If you're watching, know that you at least have my support!"

Kyoko couldn't help but smile, if faintly. It was pleasing to know there were people who'd not let themselves be intimidated by Medjed already after what she and the others had accomplished so far. She watched as the screen then switched over to a shapely, blue-eyed girl with strawberry-blonde hair in twintails held in a bow and a bunny hairclip donning a black blouse with a loose white tie and a plaid skirt, whom Kyoko immediately recognized from Ann's magazines.

"Like, oh my god it's super-stressful, this whole Medjed junk! I had a photoshoot today that got canned thanks to that blackout!" the girl told the reporter in a perky, valley-girl accent. "...Those Phantom Thieves better put those basement-dwellers in their place and change all their hearts! On that note..." The model smiled pensively as she tapped her chin in thought, gazing at the camera before speaking in a more low and sultry tone. "...I gotta admit, I'm way curious how they do it... the whole "changing hearts" thing. You got any ideas?" she asked a stoic, dark-haired girl standing next to her who just shrugged in response.

Shrugging herself, the model flashed a big grin and a victory sign at the camera. "...If you're watching, Phantom Thieves, GIVE 'EM WHAT-FOR!" she declared with a playful giggle.

"Always a pleasure to interview Japan's hottest fashion idol! How about you, Miss? What's your take on the Phantom Thieves?" the reporter asked the other girl, who responded with a silent thumbs-up before the screen cut back to the announcer.

"Looks like there's still fans who believe the Phantom Thieves will stop Medjed from carrying out their threat," the announcer stated. "...But the question of "when" is still a matter..."

"Hm, seems the world's really watching, what a bother," Sojiro grumbled as he tended to the curry cooking in the large pot in the back. "...Keep an eye on those burners, Kyoko. The coffee should be close to ready by now."

"Oh, right." Kyoko lowered the heat as she took in the refreshing smell of the blend she prepared. Sojiro wasn't wrong, though, she thought, but as of right now their success depended on Futaba's recovery.

Arriving in Kichijouji, Kyoko looked around and spotted Kasumi near one of the shops, looking about, the other girl taking notice and immediately waving her over with a big smile.

"Kirigiri-senpai! Hi! Thanks again for coming!" she said once Kyoko came over. "...I'm so sorry for dragging you out here on such short notice."

"It's alright, Kasumi. If I didn't want to I wouldn't have come," Kyoko replied. "So, what brought you out here, did you just feel like a... "girls day out"?" she asked.

"Well, it wasn't what I had in mind, but if you'd like to I'm sure we can work something out!" Kasumi said with a giggle. "Actually, I need to get a pair of glasses at this shop here. I've been waiting to come here for a while but I haven't had the chance to drop by."

"Is your eyesight bad?" Kyoko asked. Kasumi had never worn glasses any of the times she'd spent the afternoon with her, or even around school, though it was possible the redhead had simply been wearing contacts as she knew there were those who alternated.

"A little," replied Kasumi, frowning a little as she looked away pensively. "...I wore them till a few years and switched to contacts, but I'm actually here to get a pair for my dad as a present. Figured a second opinion might help and... well... you're the only friend I have. I'm sorry I've not been available a lot with practice and all."

"I told you already, it's alright," Kyoko replied. "...So you wanted a second opinion on what glasses to pick?" she asked, deciding to change the subject away from what she could tell was still troubling the other girl.

Kasumi nodded, her face lighting up again. "Oh! Yeah, I was wondering maybe you could try a few on and I can have a visual reference for how they look on a person! Let's go on inside and we can have a look around!"

In a matter of moments, Kasumi was going through several pairs, handing them off to Kyoko almost one after the other.

"Oh, wow! These really give you a look of maturity, don't they? Kind of an office lady look, there, if you were dressed more formally," Kasumi said with an approving smile as Kyoko tried on a pair similar in appearance to the fake ones she'd worn in Shinjuku the other night.

"If I wore glasses normally, I'd consider it," replied Kyoko.

"Oh, this pair looks nice!" Kasumi said, picking up another and putting them on. "My sister actually wore glasses outside practice, but..." she paused as she looked at herself in the small display mirror, her mouth hanging slightly open as she silently stared at her reflection.

"Kasumi?" Kyoko asked, the girl not responding but leaning in slightly.

"Kasumi?" Kyoko repeated, this time the girl reacted, turning to face her.

"Oh, sorry, I kind of spaced out a moment, there," Kasumi replied, shaking her head a little and removing them.

"Are you alright?" asked Kyoko, arching a brow in curiosity at the other girl.

The redhead nodded. "...Yeah, thing was, we were twins, so it was just a little jarring for me, I guess... um, moving on."

Kasumi immediately put the red pair away and filed through several more different pairs. "For my dad, I guess I should look for something that's not too "hip", maybe something like that last one I had you try on? I'm really thankful for your input, by the way!" she said, smiling at Kyoko.

"Sorry I'm not a guy, I may have been a more helpful model," Kyoko replied with a faint smile of her own.

"It's no problem! I'm mainly focusing on how a pair looks when worn and can piece the rest together in my head just fine, and this has actually been kind of fun!" Kasumi giggled, taking up another pair and handing it to Kyoko, who slid them on. "Hmmm... this has kind of a "librarian" look going."

The redhead's gaze turned towards a rather gawdy pair of tinted glasses with pointed orange frames. "Ooh, how about this?" she asked, picking them up. "...People would remember the glasses but probably nothing else, though!"

"...I'll pass," the young detective replied flatly, taking off the pair she was already wearing.

"Oh, these ones my dad would look like a star right out of Hollywood!" Kasumi said, her attention now on a pair of mirrored sunglasses. "Though he might also look... shady!" she said, giggling at her own pun. "Oh! What about these?" she asked, taking up another pair which she handed to Kyoko, who promptly gave a disapproving look to the moment she saw them.

"Why are these even here?" she asked, looking them over. It appeared to be a pair of cartoonish round glasses with thick lenses and a fake nose and mustache attached to the bottom.

"I dunno, but I kinda want to try 'em on!" Kasumi said with a slight laugh, taking them and putting them on herself. "How's this look?"

"Think your dad would enjoy it?" Kyoko asked.

"I dunno," said Kasumi, frowning as she took them off. "...Ever since what happened, he's been a lot more buried in his work, and... he's much more quiet even at home, now, like he doesn't even really know how to approach me. I'd love to cheer him up however I can. I-I... made a promise for my sister, so I wanna see him happy again, too... I just wish I could make up my mind on which ones to get him but none of them have really clinched it for me."

Kyoko brought her hand to her chin in thought as she considered Kasumi's words, and their last few times they'd hung out. It seemed both of them had unresolved issues regarding her sister's death they've not been able to address, and it was possible her own efforts to cope seemed unusual to her peers.

Maybe they expected her to be in a more grieving state like her father?

It clearly troubled her more then she let on, it was clearly affecting her in some way when she wore glasses similar to the ones her sister apparently used to wear, but it was likely what was also affecting her performance in gymnastics. Kyoko, however, was a detective, not a psychologist, nor was she an ideal consultant on improving a relationship with one's parents.

"I'm sure if you go with whatever your gut tells you, he'll appreciate whatever you get him," she offered. Fortunately, her words seemed to work as Kasumi smiled and gave an approving nod.

"You're right, Senpai. I'm his daughter it should be me who makes the call, after all!" she said, looking back at the a pair she'd picked up earlier. "I dunno why, but... my gut feeling tells me this pair would work. It'd mean the world to me if I can make him smile again."

Looking closer, Kyoko noticed them to be the ones Kasumi had tried on and briefly got distracted with. "Are you sure?"

The redhead nodded. "This one feels right, somehow. I think I can be confident in my choice! C'mon, let's go pay for them!"

Once they returned outside to the Kichijouji streets, Kasumi immediately bowed. "Thanks again for coming with me here, today!" she said. "I think this'll be a great present for him! I feel like I owe you, though."

"You don't need to do anything," replied Kyoko, folding her arms. Kasumi really was something of a puzzle, from how she had been in the past and her normally sunny demeanor, yet her eagerness to please and admittedly fragile self-esteem that even she seemed surprised by at times. "I promise, I had a good time," she said with a small but genuine smile.

"I know, I know, but hey, it's still pretty early in the afternoon, isn't it? If you're up for it we can go practice in Inokashira Park!" the redhead offered with a smile. Kyoko's brow furrowed in suspicion, however, as she noticed this time Kasumi's smile wasn't quite reaching her eyes.

"Is something on your mind?" asked Kyoko.

Kasumi's smile faded quickly to a downcast frown as she looked away in silence for a moment. "...You can tell, huh?" she asked, sighing. "I... I don't want to pile it all on you, though, Senpai. You've probably got enough to deal with."

Kyoko regarded the other girl, her earlier cheerfulness seemed to drain out of her completely, now. "It's fine. You can tell me."

Kasumi folded her arms as well, though Kyoko noticed it looked more like the redhead was hugging herself a little. "Well, I was thinking back to earlier when I was picking them out... I was feeling a lot of anxiety. I hoped you wouldn't notice too much and not worry about it, but I was feeling so worried about what'd happen if I didn't choose, or worse, chose wrong. I'm already doing badly at gymnastics, and my cooking I did last time turned out bad, too," she explained, her arms folding a little tighter. "...And I've cracked under pressure a few times in front of you, too. I figured I'd just ruin everything again... whenever that happens, the more I look back on it I feel so empty, it's like I wasn't even me anymore!"

Kyoko was silent, looking away, now as well and unsure how to answer. Her earlier feelings and assessment of Kasumi were something Kasumi was definitely aware of as well and had no idea how to handle it. "It's been years since something really got to me," Kyoko said softly, though still looking away. "...You probably know what that was."

"Your friend, right?" asked Kasumi.

Kyoko nodded. "She left behind a letter that I didn't get until after it'd happened. My grandfather was always very strict about keeping it all inside or it'd interfere with my detective work, but when I read her letter I couldn't anymore."

"I try to do the same, I'm glad to know it's not just me, then," Kasumi said. "...But still, I gotta keep my promise... but I know these episodes are messing things up for me, and it's worse because I don't feel like myself anymore when it happens, or like I lose a part of myself I don't get back each time."

"Things happen, and sometimes they change us," Kyoko replied, thinking of how she once was before ending up transferred out to Shujin, and before losing Yui.

Kasumi brought her hand to her chin, pensive for a moment. "...It kind of makes me think of what my coach said, actually. It's easy to say you're in a slump and write yourself off, so... maybe her saying I need to "find out who I really am" is about rolling with those things and finding out new depths to myself!" she said, managing a small, grateful smile. "It... does make me feel down, but at the same time I feel like I'm getting closer to getting my confidence back that I can be as good as I was again!"

"What do you mean?" asked Kyoko.

"Well," Kasumi relaxed, though blushing lightly. "...I think having a friend like you to support me and just being there for me has made me more determined to overcome this and make that happen! To be honest, I... um, look up to you a little, Senpai. I want to be as good and worthwhile a friend to you as you've been for me..."

Kyoko felt her own face redden a little, brushing back her hair instinctively. She wondered, for a moment, if this was how Yui felt when she was with her, having someone younger who looked up to her and wanted to improve for her. Kasumi, she gathered, felt the way she herself had toward her Big Sis.

Kasumi seemed to notice and look away, blushing harder. "S-Sorry! I didn't mean to put you under a spotlight like that or anything. Just... thank you." She smiled, giggling. "Wow, this is strange, really. I don't know if I should be feeling like this, I mean... I'm supposed to be succeeding and inspiring, right? I want to give my best performance, but it's like I'd be doing it for you as much as for myself, or something like that for being there for me through all of this!"

"It's fine, I'm just... not used to being someone else's inspiration," Kyoko replied softly as she felt her face return to normal.

"Well, I'm still working on myself but I hope we can keep helping eachother, too!" said Kasumi with a bow, and the sound of a chain link shattering echoed within the recesses of Kyoko's mind.

"...Speaking of," the redhead continued as she straighted herself back up. "...You didn't answer if you were up for that trip to the park for some training."

Kyoko nodded. "I am. If anything it might help you as well."

"Yeah, I was thinking that, too but didn't want to add any pressure," Kasumi giggled. "We'll do some intermediate-level exercises today. Let's go!"

As Kyoko tiredly reached the entrance to Leblanc, she paused as her phone suddenly rang and saw it was Kasumi calling and answered. "...Hello?"

"Hi! Are you able to talk right now?" asked Kasumi.

"I am, yes," said Kyoko. "...Is everything alright?"

"I'm already home, now. I just wanted to tell you I gave dad the glasses I picked for him today," Kasumi explained. "...And well... they suit him better then I imagined! He was so happy with them!"

Kyoko sighed in relief. "Glad it worked out," she said.

"Yes, thank you! I think this helped me feel a little more confident!" Kasumi answered. "Because of that, I think my gymnastics will finally improve, too. I'm sick of wasting time worrying so much. Whatever I'm up against, I'm gonna give it my best shot!" She paused a moment before speaking again. "Um, if it's alright, could we meet up again tomorrow? I... don't mean to impose, just I'll be leaving for summer training soon, so this is gonna be the most freetime I'll have for awhile."

"I'm sure we could," Kyoko replied. She didn't have any plans tomorrow, and it made sense Kasumi would want to take a chance to move a step further out of her slump before she'd go off to train.

"Thanks so much, Senpai!" Kasumi beamed. "I gotta prove I'm not all talk, after all! Anyways, I better go, I'll message you tomorrow!"

Putting way her phone once Kasumi had hung up, Kyoko went inside to have the bento she'd bought herself for dinner, only to get a sudden text message, this one from Ohya.

[Heeeey! Whassup? I got the night off and was wondering if you got any new leads 4 me on the PTs with the whole medjed thing!] the message read.

Kyoko frowned. At this point, it had been clear from the news alone that sentiment regarding the Phantom Thieves had become very divided amidst Medjed's threats. Pinching her chin in thought as she reread the message, Kyoko pondered whether to indulge the reporter, who'd likely be as tipsy as ever, or not. Some positive publicity may help ease public worry.

[Let me have dinner first] she replied.

[take ur time! seeya at Crossroads!] Ohya's response that suggested she might have already started drinking read.

Kyoko sighed as she put her phone away, she could only hope this wasn't a mistake.

To her relief, it seemed Ohya had laid off on the alcohol until Kyoko had arrived as she found her to be coming off as quite sober.

"Sooo, a website, you're referring to the Phantom Aficionado Website, right?" she asked, leaning against the bartable as she rested her chin in her palm, Lala silently cleaning glasses and dishes nearby.

"You don't sound like you've paid it much mind," said Kyoko, folding her arms and taking a sip of her water.

"I admit I had no idea it was popular among high school kids. I haven't really paid much attention to it, honestly," said the reporter, who with a sip of her drink, gave Kyoko a sly smile. "...Buuuut, if it's as newsworthy as you say it is, I guess I should keep tabs on it, huh?"

"Go and take a look at it, you may be able to assess the feedback versus Medjed's threats," replied Kyoko. "Also, several people who've asked for their help have apparently had their calls answered."

Not content with a mere sip, Ohya proceeded to lift her glass again and chug the whole contents down. "...Interesting, but I gotta say, the Phantom Thieves must be pre-tty bored if they're going after small-time criminals now, though, when there's that crazy hacktivist group that just basically declared war on 'em still around." She looked back at Kyoko with an arched brow. "I got this theory, that they're all minors and their leader's some simpleton dying of boredom! Why else would they suddenly be so powerless against an ultimatum that could make or break them?"

Kyoko's expression remained meticulously neutral, unreadable, as she brought up her glass of water to her lips again and took a sip. "A reporter shouldn't follow assumptions," she said in an equally neutral tone.

"Hm?" Ohya looked more curious for a moment, before looking away. "...I guess you got a point. That theory's half-assed at best, and it's not very "reporter" of me to base it all on opinion, is it? Well, understand this, Kirigiri, I'm just not interested in writing entertainment articles about whatever the current fad is."

"But they do really well, don't they?" Lala asked, peering up at her. "I can tell you some journalists that were here seemed pretty frustrated by that."

Ohya's tipsy demeanor seemed to vanish entirely as her interest was now on the bartender with laser sharp focus. "...Journalists?" she groaned in disgust. "Are you talking about Nakao and the others?! You'd really lump me in with those hyenas? Don't insult me!"

The reporter shook her head, laughing bitterly as she stared down at her empty glass. "People call them paparazzi behind their backs, but me? I'm a real journalist!"

"A real journalist getting drunk and following biased opinions for something she admitted she doesn't care about?" Kyoko asked, causing Ohya to turn to her sharply.

"Hey, let me tell you something, kiddo!" she snapped. "Being a real journalist is like... being a detective, or... yeah, it's like being a detective except you work for a newspaper instead of the police! I meant that these shoddy entertainment gossip articles are beneath me and I'll say it out loud! They only exist for selling copies and the truth doesn't mean anything in them! You just... say whatever sells because no one wants to read real news!"

Her rant over, Ohya let out a loud, exasperated sigh as she buried her face in her arms on the table.

Kyoko couldn't argue with her point the more she thought about it, a journalist and a detective did have similar goals, of uncovering the truth and revealing it to those who needed to know. Sometimes like a detective a journalist did endanger themselves pursuing something powerful people didn't want known and would do anything to silence them... something she knew from personal experience as a detective and as a Phantom Thief even though Ohya was unaware of either of those facts about her.

"Have you considered quitting, then?" she asked the older woman. "If you're stuck in a job you feel is a waste of time why bother?"

"She has a point," said Lala, setting aside a glass. "...At this rate, you-"

"Because if I quit now, it'd be the same as declaring my partner guilty," Ohya stated, cutting the bartender off. "..."Jointly responsible"?! What a joke! She did nothing wrong!"

The young detective's curiosity was promptly piqued. Whoever this partner Ohya spoke of was, it seemed to be a driving force behind her goals and by her suspicions, a reason for the reporter's current state. "What happened, exactly?" she asked.

"She was falsely accused, that's what!" Ohya stated sharply, glaring at her. Her expression softened a moment after, however and back to her usual playful smile. "...But don't go stressing over that! It's no business of yours! Haha!" she chuckled. "...Plus, your giving me stuff to keep my boss happy has given me extra time to focus on my own investigation!"

"Investigation?" Kyoko regarded the woman with suspicion, her gut telling her there was a lot more to this then simply being falsely accused of something, which only made her more curious what Ohya was keeping from her.

If I didn't have my license suspended or the extremely high chances of Ohya not believing me if I told her what I did before coming here... she thought to herself.

"I told you, don't worry about it," Ohya said, holding her glass out for a refill which Lala obliged with a hint of reluctance. "Just be thankful I'm gonna write up an article you're sure to enjoy, young lady! Think of it as a sign of my appreciation for what you've done! Maybe I'll title it "Exclusive: Behind the Incredible Phantom Thieves! Dial 911 for Justice!", heheh!"

Silence hung in the air with Kyoko's stare which carried a hint of annoyance, prompting a laugh from the reporter and making her relieved there weren't any other patrons in the bar at the moment.

"Oh I'm just pulling your leg!" Ohya chuckled as she promptly downed her latest shot of alcohol. "I'll take it seriously like I always do. It's what I promised, after all!"

A chain link shattered within the recesses of Kyoko's mind. Though she was still intrigued by Ohya's personal investigation with any luck her upcoming article would help ease public unrest in light of Medjed's threats until Futaba woke up and helped them fight back.

"...Gotta admit though, pretty bold for a girl your age to keep coming out into a place like Shinjuku at this hour, Kirigiri," Ohya remarked, frowning.

"I'm no stranger to places like this," Kyoko replied, causing Ohya's brow to arch.

"What? You come out here askin' about a gang boss's name, and you... keep coming out here at night, but you don't seem like a delinquent by any stretch," Ohya mused, running her finger along the lip of her glass as she looked at her more intently. "...Kirigiri, who exactly are you? I mean your last name rings a bell for some reason but... eh, probably coincidence but really... I got my story you got a peek at, so what about y-"

The reporter's words were suddenly interrupted by a loud chime of her phone which she promptly answered. "Hello? ...Mmhm..." Ohya's eyes suddenly went wide, her mouth hanging open in shock. "... WHAT?! I-I can talk with him? Really? ...Sure! I'll be right there! ...Work? Nah, I'm off the clock, now."

"Something happen?" Kyoko asked.

"Like I said, Kirigiri, don't worry about!" said Ohya, before suddenly wincing. "Uh, forget I said that, it's got nothing to do with... look forget about it, alright?" the reporter rose from her seat. "...Just urgent business to attend to. Lala-chan? Just put this on my tab!"

Once Ohya had all but rushed out the door, the bartender let out an exasperated sigh. "Geez, she's such a child. She gets so excited the moment something comes up about her favorite assignment."

"That investigation she was mentioning regarding her partner?" Kyoko asked.

"You're awful curious, you know that?" Lala asked with a slight raise of the brow. "It's not my place to say anything about it, you'll have to ask her if you feel like prying, but I wouldn't recommend it. What I do recommend, though, is you head on back home before it gets much later."

Nodding, Kyoko rose from her seat and headed to the door, her thoughts on what Ohya had shared with her and making a mental note to add an extra file on her laptop once she got back home...

SSSSSSSSS

8/5

Arriving at the destination Kasumi had requested in that morning's message, Kyoko was by her own silent admission surprised that this would be a place she'd want to go for a form of training. Kasumi, however, seemed to be thrilled with herself about it.

"The batting cage?" the young detective asked.

"Yup! Guess it wasn't the first thing you'd expect, huh?" replied the redhead with a smile. "...Of course, I wasn't expecting you'd get her so quick. Do you live nearby?" she asked.

Kyoko nodded. "I do, yes."

"I see, well I'm glad I didn't inconvenience you too much, then!" said Kasumi. "Anyways, I thought of how batting helps train your reflexes, dynamic vision, and power of stance. All of which are important things in gymnastics, too! That's... plausible, right?"

The redhead frowned apologetically. "Well... for the most part I just really wanted to come here. With a friend to support me I think I could hit a home run, and having you see it would maybe help me in getting past this slump."

"...You think so?" Kyoko asked with a slight raise of an eyebrow.

"Well, thing is, I remembered something from when I was little, that my dad took me to the batting cages a lot," Kasumi explained. "...And while the other kids were scared of getting hit by baseballs, I just loved swinging the bat around! Every time I managed to hit one, I'd just think to myself "It doesn't matter how fast they are, I'll slam them into orbit!", so basically I figure if I can just get back in that headspace, I'll get some ideas of how to get my boldness back! Think that might do it?"

Kyoko brought her hand to her chin, pensive. "...I can't say from personal experience. My childhood was very restricted," she explained. "...Things like chess or Othello were the only things I really played and even those were for mental training for detective work."

"I see," Kasumi frowned. "I'm sorry, it doesn't sound very fun having that much structure in your life."

"It's fine," replied Kyoko, folding her arms. The only times she could remember when she'd really consider the games as fun was with Big Sis, and because of how she'd insist they be fun rather then some sort of training.

"...Still, did they help sharpen your skills to be a detective?" Kasumi asked, breaking the brief silence.

"They did," Kyoko nodded. "If you feel the batting cage will help you, maybe you'll find a way it can."

Kasumi smiled. "Right? Maybe believing is part of it!" she said. "Now let's go in and see what I'm made of!"

Soon as they'd paid admission and went into the cages, Kyoko waited on the benches behind the safety fencing while Kasumi entered with a bat in hand, glancing back at her with excitement and a determined look on her face.

"Next up to plate, Kasumi Yoshizawa! Here I go!" the redhead declared proudly, tapping her bat on the home plate and taking position as the cannon readied up to fire the first ball her way.

Kasumi's eyes went wide with surprise as the ball rocketed past her and bounced off the fence behind her, as though she'd not even seen it come.

"What the...?! Were they always this fast?!" she protested, preparing herself for the next one, only for it to zip right past her notice as well.

"Okay, that does it! Warmups are over, time for 100 percent home runs!" the redhead declared, taking a batting stance again.

Kyoko watched in silence, her gaze following each ball that struck the fence as Kasumi continued to fail to hit a single one. Even more jarring to her was the fact Kasumi wasn't even striking so much as she didn't even seem to take respond to them until they were already past her, having not taken a single swing as a result.

As soon as the machine finished, Kasumi's head slumped downward, the bat hanging limply in her hand as she turned to face Kyoko with a look of dismay.

"I'm sorry... I knew I was rusty but... I didn't expect to miss all of them... I never see the ball coming and I keep flinching soon as I hear it fire..." The redhead sighed in defeat. "...I never would have imagined my slump was hitting me this hard."

"You shouldn't give up so easily, Yoshizawa," Kyoko replied as she stood up from the bench and approached the fence. "...I have a friend dealing with a slump of his own right now. He's still finding his way through trial and error, and I can say my detective experience has had times where I don't get the right answer at first and need to go back and re-evaluate everything."

"S-Senpai..." Kasumi's eyes went wide with awe, blushing lightly. "You know what, you're right. It's not like me at all to give up this easily, either! Let's give it one more shot!"

Once the ball machine was reactivated, Kasumi got back into batting stance, whispering quietly to herself as she focused on the cannon that'd soon be launching the next ball her way.

The advice, Kyoko determined, seemed to do its work as Kasumi did far better this time, managing to hit each ball that came her way without any of the previous hesitation and anxiety she'd had the first round.

"I did it, Senpai!" Kasumi cheered, thrusting her fist in the air excitedly as she put her bat away and came out into the bench area. "Ohmygosh! I can't believe it! I actually hit the ball this time!"

"Congratulations," Kyoko replied with a faint but genuine smile.

"It's okay to show a little more enthusiasm, senpai! This was all thanks to your encouragement!" Kasumi giggled, bowing in gratitude with a big beaming smile. "Understand, up till now I've only been working for myself. I was so desperate to make a good impression... but... ever since I started spending time with you, Kirigiri-senpai, I've been feeling like I want to live up to your expectations, and that feeling's really helped me grow stronger and discover so many things about myself!"

Before Kyoko could respond, the younger girl suddenly blushed hard, folding her arms and looking away anxiously. "Sorry, um, what I mean is I've forgotten how it felt to work that hard on someone else's behalf. Not since..."

She shook her head. "...That's... it's in the past, now. She wouldn't want me being unable to honor our promise, I guess I just... I don't feel alone anymore in my efforts having a friend like you supporting me."

"...I'm usually not the first kind of person people think of to rely on that," Kyoko replied.

"Well, for what it's worth, you've done great for me," said Kasumi, smiling once more. "...I feel like I'm closer then ever to getting my confidence back, and just in time, too, with training camp coming up and all! Good thing I feel all limber and energized, now, I meant to also tell you before summer break started my grades were starting to do better as well!"

"Heh," Kyoko briefly looked away. She couldn't help but wonder if Yui felt how she did, or hoped that she could one day be like rather then bound to detective work.

It was an unexpected way of putting it, she thought. Bound.

"What is it, senpai?" Kasumi asked, concerned.

"Nothing bad," said Kyoko. "Just... becoming the kind of mentor figure to someone else that my friend I told you about was for me, it's... still something to get used to."

Kasumi smiled, giggling. "Well, for what it's worth, it's done me a world of difference, I think. No more fumbling at the bat for me! I'll be sure to show you an all-new, full-power gymnastics routine that's sure to wow you!"

Kyoko couldn't help but feel deeply flattered by the other girl's words. She wondered again if it was how Yui felt with her, having someone look up to her and depend on her support.

As she thought that, though, reality seemed to suddenly slow down and dim, and the soft, female voice spoke within her mind, much as when she'd establish a connection with someone, but now, it spoke different words...

I am thou, thou art I...

Thou hast birthed a bond clad in the heart's strength.

This union, born and embraced by will unyielding,

shall become the balefire that lights they path.

Thou hast gained a glimpse into the Faith's truth,

granting thee further power to tread the abyss...

The sound of a chain link shattered within her mind, with a resounding, clattering echo as reality returned to normal for her.

"Soooo, Kirigiri-senpai, we've still got plenty of balls left to hit, so why don't you take a few swings?" Kasumi giggled.

Kyoko blinked, glancing at the cage area with uncertainty. "Baseball isn't something I really..."

"Aw, come on! Give it a try!" Kasumi urged with a warm, encouraging smile. "Just give it all the guts you've got and smash it into outer space!"

The young detective sighed, it was clear she wasn't going to be able to talk her way out of this...

Kyoko's phone chimed as she'd made it back to the entrance of Leblanc, wincing a little from the bruise she'd gotten from one of the baseballs as she fetched the phone from her bag and answered, seeing that Kasumi was calling. "...Hello?"

"Senpai! Hi! Just wanted to thank you again for meeting with me! How's the arm by the way?" Kasumi asked.

"It's fine. It's already hurting less then it was," Kyoko replied.

"Good, I'm glad you're alright. Those things come at you hard and fast for sure!" said Kasumi. "I guess I got lucky, though, when I was lost with it, huh? I haven't swung a bat in a while, my own arms feel kinda weird, now. I was kinda hoping I could knock it out with a clang, but I'm just happy I was able to hit the ball!"

"You and me both," Kyoko replied dryly. It was evident while she excelled in mental activities sports were not her strong point, the bruise on her arm from the final ball saying as much.

"Still, it's nice dipping into those kinds of activities aside from gymnastics, you know? Was there anything else you wanted to try, Senpai?"

Kyoko closed her eyes to think a moment. "...Swimming, probably," she responded. "...They had a large pool at my old boarding school."

"Ooh, that is a good full-body exercise! Great for well-balanced muscle tone. Not to mention since it's not too stressful on your bones or joints it enhances your cardiopulmonary functions as well!" Kasumi replied. "...I don't think I have a swimsuit, though. Just gym leotards," she muttered to herself.

"It's fine, I don't think there's any pools around here, unless I count the bathhouse," said Kyoko.

"Right, Shujin doesn't have one, either," Kasumi mused. "...Well, either way, after I get back, I'd love to do more things together when I have the time," she said. "...I guess... I just feel way more capable when I have you supporting me. Even just hanging out and chatting for a while is nice, too."

Kyoko wasn't entirely certain how to respond. Having a circle of friends was something she'd been getting used to, but it was still a little odd to have someone depend on her like that in a way that didn't involve being a detective.

"We'll see," she said. "Good luck at camp, Yoshizawa."

"Thanks! I'll give it my all!" Kasumi replied. "Anyway, I'll let you go, now. Enjoy the rest of your day, Senpai, and thanks again!"

Putting away her phone, Kyoko made her way back inside, greeting Sojiro on the way in as her gaze flickered to the TV which reported that there were no new ultimatums from Medjed, good news at least, she thought, as Sojiro likely would have brought it up if Futaba's condition had changed.

Making her way upstairs, Morgana was curled up on her bed.

"Welcome back!" the cat said, hopping down from the bed and trotting over to her. "How was your day out with Yoshizawa?"

"Went fine, she'll be leaving for training soon, apparently," replied Kyoko as she made her way to her desk and switched on her laptop.

"She's a bit of an odd one," Morgana said. "Really nice, but odd."

The young detective nodded in response. "It's something I can't quite place with her. She's very talented, and confident, yet also insecure and dependent," she replied. "I don't know if it's because of this slump, the grief of losing a family member and being too busy to process it, or both. An honor student yet her grades are apparently lacking. Things seem to..."

"Contradict?" Morgana asked, hopping on the desk as Kyoko typed away at the case files she'd brought up.

"Exactly," said Kyoko, resting her chin in her gloved palm as she read and reread her notes on Kasumi. "Whatever it is, though, she doesn't even seem to know, herself. She's got a very... sunny disposition, yet can easily get emotional when faced with a stressful situation."

"Any ideas why?" Morgana asked.

"I'm not a psychologist, Morgana," Kyoko replied. "I can profile suspects and deduce their motives and mentality but I need something to go on first," she explained. "Yoshizawa... it's possible that it's all the pressure, between being at a pro level and keeping on the honor roll and dealing with how I've seen students treat her, but... something just isn't adding up here."

"Think we'll find out?" Morgana asked.

"Possibly, but I'm not in a position to carry out a full investigation and Dr. Maruki won't breach patient confidentiality for me since I'm neither an authority figure nor is she likely a danger to anyone, and as I said, it doesn't seem like she's completely aware of it either," said Kyoko as she brought up her file on Ohya.

"The reporter, what's up with her?" asked the cat as he peered at the screen.

"I'm not sure, but she's investigating a personal matter when not working or getting drunk in Shinjuku," Kyoko mused, as her phone suddenly chimed. Picking it up, she saw she'd received a text from Mishima.

[Hey! Kyoko! Big update! The office worker from Shinjuku posted and says his boss isn't abusive anymore!] it read.

Kyoko looked over at Morgana and showed him her phone's screen.

"All right! We did it!" the cat cheered. "That'll hopefully help people have some faith in us till Futaba helps."

Nodding, Kyoko typed a response.

[Good to know.]

[Hey, you free tonight? I'm in Shibuya right now, and with everything going on thought we could meet up at Bikkuri Boy and talk! I'll even cover your food!] Mishima replied.

"May be a good idea to humor him a little," Morgana offered.

Kyoko looked back at her computer screen, her personal case files were, for the moment, about as far as she expected to get for a while, and she'd not had dinner yet.

[On my way.] she replied.

Her mind made up, Kyoko rose from her seat and closed her laptop.

"Hey, be sure to bring me back something, alright?" Morgana asked with pleading eyes as Kyoko made her way downstairs.

"So, how go the activities?" Mishima asked with a smile, sitting across from Kyoko at their chosen booth in the Bikkuri Boy diner.

"You need to ask?" Kyoko replied, sipping her coffee as she stared at him skeptically.

"I'm kidding, of course! I already know, 'cause believe me, after that last request, not to mention with Medjed's threats, the Phansite has been crazy busy lately!" he chuckled. "...And it's all thanks to you guys!"

Kyoko's gaze remained unfaltering, and offered no response save to turn towards what currently lay on the table and silently ask he move on to explain them. Luckily, he took notice fairly quickly.

"Right, um, anyway, this is a book on all the latest security techniques, and a model gun," he explained. "In fact, said model gun here looked so authentic they had to halt production due to complaints of mistaking it for a real one, which... made it pretty popular with people trying to commit robberies."

"I'm not blind, Mishima, I was wondering "why" as opposed to "what," the young detective replied sternly.

"Well, it was suggested to me by a military buff in the Phantom, actually," Mishima explained.

"...Are these for me?" Kyoko asked, cocking a brow at the boy.

"No! Of course not! After how much I had to save up for this? No offense, Kyoko!" Mishima said with a nervous laugh. "It's for me, actually. Being sole admin of the Phansite I figured I needed a little... eh... security. You guys have gotten a lot more popular after that gang boss was taken down, and there's been a lot more info on the forum, too, in light of the threats Medjed made. There's people who support Medjed and agree with what that Detective Prince said on the news, so they aren't too friendly towards the Phandom so I wanted some protection."

Kyoko set down her coffee cup, a neutral frown on her face. "...I don't deny there are critics and the influence they may have, intentionally or not, but I think you need a recourse on Japan's gun laws, Mishima," she explained. "...For starters you're a minor and secondly, you aren't a police officer nor in the military so you may face some problems if you're caught going around pretending you're carrying an actual handgun, even in self-defense."

Mishima's face grew pale. "Y-You think so?" he asked, frowning as he looked down at the fake weapon. "I'm just worried, I guess, if people critical of the Phantom Thieves find out I'm working with them, wouldn't that put me in danger? Like I could get threatened or... or kidnapped for ransom, or something. It's important I have a way to defend myself."

Sighing and brushing back her hair, Kyoko looked away with a hint of annoyance. "Do what you think is best but don't say I didn't warn you if things don't go how you planned," she replied coldly. "...Believe me, I know a thing or two about that."

"Ummm... maybe I should think of something else," Mishima replied with a nervous smile. "So, anyway, back to stuff about the Phansite! There's been a pretty big influx of posts lately, especially due to all that's happened! There's one in particular that seems pretty worthwhile, bigger then anything we've done so far! It could be just what we need to rally a ton more support against Medjed!"

Kyoko took another sip of her coffee, intrigued. "...Go on."

"Well, if we wanna really make the Phantom Thieves famous, then we need to go after flashier targets," Mishima explained. "It's good to handle smaller requests, to show you're listening, but it's the big ones that show the world you're on the side of justice and not Medjed!"

"We are working on stopping Medjed, and I have considered those facts, but I also need to know who this request is so we can look into it," Kyoko replied.

Mishima blushed. "I... don't have all the info yet, but you can count on me to get it!" he said with a grin. "I can't leave all the detective work on you, can I? Honestly, getting to help out with it makes me wanna do a little more myself! Just let me handle this one while you guys work on Medjed!"

Kyoko couldn't help but feel there was something Mishima wasn't telling her, or at least he wasn't telling her everything, but his confidence and motivation to help was sincere regardless, she asserted. The sound of a chain link shattering echoed within her mind as if in response.

Her brow furrowed slightly. "I certainly hope once you have, you'll tell me everything," she said, a hint of firmness in her tone.

"Heh, sure thing!" Mishima nodded. "Say, Kyoko... you think I look... um... different in your eyes?"

Kyoko folded her arms, her brow furrowing more. "...Mishima, don't take offense to this, but-"

"N-No! I... I didn't mean like that!" Mishima quickly interrupted. "It's just that... people keep telling me it seems like I've changed recently. Maybe I just can't hide my newfound confidence?" he asked. "I know what a spineless coward I was when Kamoshida was still around, but I feel like I've gotten a lot better ever since I started doing this."

Kyoko's hardened expression softened back to its usual neutral tone, if a little moreso. "...I told you I don't fault you for being afraid of Kamoshida. You were hardly alone in that sense."

"Even still," Mishima replied. "...I feel like I can finally-"

"Well, well, well! If it isn't Mishima!" a male voice taunted from nearby, getting his attention and causing Kyoko to turn as well.

Mishima's face grew paler then before as three imposing boys who looked to be high-schoolers as well approached the table.

"A-Akiyama-kun," Mishima trembled as they loomed over him.

"Long time no see, zero!" the leader, Akiyama, sneered. He blinked in surprise as he glanced over at Kyoko. "On a date? And you pick the famed trouble-maker? Jeez, Kirigiri, you lose a bet or did he beg you and you just feel that sorry for him?"

"I don't see how that's your business," Kyoko replied coldly, folding her arms and glaring at him. It was no surprise to her Mishima would have bullies, and for all his earlier talk it seemed he wasn't willing to stand up for himself at all.

"Hanging out with worthless nobodies like him isn't gonna do you much good, you know. Why not ditch him now while there's still hope and come sit with us? Heck we didn't even notice him the whole time we were here till just now," Akiyama replied.

Another of the bullies, a boy with short hair and glasses, chuckled. "He's exactly the same as he was in middle school."

"Once a zero, always a zero," the third bully, a taller one with spiky hair said, sneering down at the cowering Mishima.

"...Heh, yeah, that's me alright," Mishima muttered with an embarrassed laugh.

"That reminds me, you haven't changed your cell number have you, Mishima?" Akiyama asked, his tone dangerous. "If you haven't why didn't you come to our hangout? All our ex-classmates were there!"

"I don't remember hearing about-" Mishima started, only to be cut off by the boys' laughter.

"Of course you didn't! No one even remembered you existed so no one called you! Can't invite a guy you can't remember, right?" Akiyama asked, stifling his laughter before turning his attention back to Kyoko. "...So, whaddya say, Kirigiri? Bad rep or not you're still pretty cute, leagues above what this little worm deserves to be around. You gotta be wishing you were somewhere far away from him right now, am I right?"

"I feel that way about you three right now, actually," Kyoko replied sharply.

Akiyama's face turned from smug to indignant. "Seriously? You'd rather waste your time humoring this pathetic little loser?" he protested. "Whatever, your loss. Let's go, guys."

Mishima sulked in silence as the three boys left, cracking jokes about him on the way out. Kyoko herself just glared at him in disgust.

"...So much for confidence," she said dryly. "You didn't even talk back to them when they treated you that way."

"Hey, it wasn't what it looked like, alright?" Mishima sniffled, looking down at the table. "...You know that one guy in every class who ends up being the butt of all the jokes? That guy was always me every single year! I bet a girl as smart and beautiful as you never dealt with that once in your life!"

Kyoko's gaze softened a little at his words. "...I can't disagree on that statement, but I can assure you, Mishima, my life was far from ideal in a lot of other ways. Some ways I hope you never have to deal with."

Mishima sighed, wilting a little under the girl's eyes. "...Sorry," he uttered softly.

Kyoko looked away a moment, sighing as well. "...It's fine, as you might have noticed I'm... not particularly good at comforting others. It's how I was raised," she replied. "...What I will say, though, is I've been in situations I'd have likely not survived without a degree of initiative. If you let yourself be pushed around then that will never change."

"But I know I've changed, now!" Mishima declared, standing up and facing her with new vigor. "...E-Even if those guys are a different story I can still help you! That way I won't be that boring guy everyone laughs at anymore!"

Blushing in embarrassment, he quickly sat back down. "...Sorry about that. Hey, it's starting to get kinda late, so we should probably head home, huh?"

Kyoko nodded and Mishima quickly put away the book and model gun, looking away a moment. "...I know how to prove I've changed, too!" he said as he stood up once more. "...I'm gonna work even harder... not just in managing the Phansite but helping make the Phantom Thieves into household names! When I do that, I always feel more confident! Meanwhile you focus on stopping Medjed and changing the bad guys' hearts, I'll rally the support!"

"I appreciate it, just don't get reckless," Kyoko replied, standing as well and gathering her things while feeling a little concerned about Mishima's definition of confidence.

"I won't," he said. "I-I promise I won't. I'll also work on getting the info on that one I mentioned. You guys bring a ton of hope to others and I'm gonna do my part to help with that!"

"Mishima," Kyoko raised a brow, her concern of what he had in mind growing. "...Who are you doing this for?"

"You guys of course!" Mishima said with a big grin. "You don't need to worry about a thing with me on this! I promise, we're gonna prove to everyone who the good guys are and it's not Medjed! Oh! Like I also promised..."

Kyoko sighed as the boy left the pay for their orders and disappeared downstairs. For a moment, she considered calling him, but decided against it. They still had a few weeks before Medjed carried out their threat and Futaba still hadn't recovered yet, and if Mishima could find a reasonable request again, it would hopefully keep morale up until then.

Looking back at the empty booth and the payment, however, she still couldn't shake off the concern regarding where Mishima's intentions were going. There was something about the way he spoke before leaving that didn't sit well with her.

Folding her arms, Kyoko let out a pensive sigh. "...Mishima, who are you really doing this for?" she wondered aloud before making her way downstairs as well.

Stepping outside into the bustling streets of Shibuya, Kyoko brushed back her hair and looked up at the starry sky above. Thoughts of what would come next if they succeeded in taking down Medjed crossed the young detective's mind. Who or what would they face next, and the impact stopping Medjed would cause. There was still the black-masked metaverse assassin Madarame and Kaneshiro had spoken of that she was certain was responsible for the incidents she'd been trying to investigate before all of this, and moreso whoevers' interests this person was serving. A benefactor that Madarame and Kaneshiro seemed to somehow be linked to.

Someone who very likely had been involved in the death of Futaba's mother, and had some influence in the law to harass potential witnesses like Sojiro.

If they stopped Medjed, the Phantom Thieves would become a truly world-famous phenomenon. Something this unknown opponent would very likely take notice of... and most certainly consider a threat.

She remembered Igor's warnings that she and her mystery adversary who shared the ability to enter the metaverse would one day face one-another.

Kyoko brought her hand to her chin in thought. If she faced him, she would most certainly face whoever his benefactor was as well in time. A part of her felt worried of the danger it would bring to her and the others, but it was also the only path to solving this case.

The mental shutdowns and psychotic breaks, the scandals they caused, Futaba's mother's unusual death, the protection Madarame and Kaneshiro enjoyed until the Phantom Thieves intervened, the woman who threatened Sojiro, all of it was linked. Like any case, the closer she felt she was coming to solving it, the more dangerous it became, but she couldn't back down, now.

"Whatever happens next, we'll need to be ready," she mused to herself as she headed home for the evening.

A/N: Finally an update after so long! Hope you enjoyed! Next will be another Fenrir's Masquerade chapter!

0 - The Fool: Rank 6

I - The Magician: Rank 6

II - The Priestess: Rank 3

IV - The Emperor: Rank 4

V - The Hierophant: Rank 4

VI - The Lovers: Rank 7

VII - The Chariot: Rank 9

VIII - Justice: Rank 3

X - Fortune: Rank 1

XI - The Strength: Rank 5

XII - The Hanged Man: Rank 3

XIII - Death: Rank 6

XIV - Temperance: Rank 7

XV - The Devil: Rank 3

XVII - The Star: Rank 2

XVIII - The Moon: Rank 5

XIX - The Sun: Rank 4

XX - Judgement: Rank 2

1 - The Councillor: Rank 5

? - Faith: MAX(?)

Kyoko's Personas: Anzu, Nigi Mitama, Flauros, Naga, Neko Shogun, Sandman, Phoenix, Setanta, Clotho, Isis