Chapter 10 / Life of Lies
Monday / May 16th, 2016 / Madarame's Palace / After School
Ichihara Tadashi
Inside the Museum had been interesting so far. Security was pretty lax at the moment as the Shadows were focused up front. Ah… it must have been the change in cognition. Similar to how the calling card works to form the treasure. So… if the real world Madarame had his attention shifted or something then it would have a direct impact here. I know that was something I should have already realized up to this point, and on some level I definitely did, but it was another thing to actually see it in action.
Once inside we met no resistance to speak of. All we found was a creepy amount of paintings… not of artwork of Madarame… but of his pupils. We found the newest addition of these being a painting of Kitagawa Yusuke. That had pretty much confirmed it for us. Still... we needed firm confirmation that all we had postulated up to this point was correct. We moved in further, past the entrance and reception desk to a large circular area that was before the entrance to the rest of the museum. What we saw was a large statue. It was made of gold and spiraled up like a fountain but had an image of people being pulled in or pushed out by the waves. It was kind of hard to tell.
We all walked towards it.
"Look at this," Morgana indicated at the plate at the base of the statue.
"The Infinite Spring?" Ann read the title. "A conglomerate work of art that the great director Madarame created with his own funds. These individuals must offer their ideas to the director for the rest of their lives. Those who cannot do so have no worth living." Ann continued with the description. "This is about plagiarism, right?"
"Wait so… his pupils are either willingly or forced to give their work to Madarame and he claims it as his own?" I went over to what Ann had read and stood next to her. "He takes advantage of them… likely their place in life. We already know Kitagawa has no family. He owes Madarame for his current life so… is he holding that over his head?" Though this likely meant that any of his pupils in the past had a different reason for agreeing to such an arrangement. If this was truly how it was…
"Either way, that geezer is nothing but a damn phony," Ryuji shook his head.
"In other words, his pupils are his property. He doesn't even qualify as an artist if this is true. He's stealing the ideas from talented students in exchange for securing their livelihood," Morgana summarized once more, likely putting it all together in his head a bit differently than I had. "I wondered about those portraits on display. They must all be his pupils through his cognition. This even says that they have no worth. Couldn't this be about the abuse? Madarame will keep them around as long as they're useful to him, but the moment they're not..."
"He's treating them like slaves or tools," Ann was clenching her hands.
"Why's Yusuke keepin' quiet about this? He's got no reason to cover this up," Ryuji was getting worked up as well.
"That is more simple than you realize. Sometimes, you don't have the luxury of choice," I commented.
"He did say that he owes Madarame his life for being taken in," Ann had a somber tone.
"But still..." Ryuji didn't seem to agree. I could understand the frustration.
"It's not that simple Ryuji. If Madarame is all he has, he can't just leave. Now, whether or not he is aware of what is happening and if his own artwork is being used as well is a different matter," I wanted to keep the conversation productive. Anger is better used when there is something to take it out on. And that was because I was fucking close to punching something right now. All of this confirmed our suspicions.
"When we were at the exhibit, I praised one of the pieces on display. But Kitagawa-kun acted strange. Maybe that piece was plagiarized too..." Ann shook her head.
"What's the call? Ain't this enough to target Madarame?" Ryuji looked at me.
"I think it is," I said after a moment. "If Madarame has made his fame off the works of his pupils, we can't let him continue. He'll only make more victims. However, we all need to agree about this."
"We should confirm these facts with Yusuke first," Morgana spoke. I had to agree. If Kitagawa could admit to something then there would be no hesitation for all of us.
"Confirm what though?" Ryuji was irritated.
"It means we should get solid evidence that such crimes actually took place," Morgana gave Ryuji a look.
"What a pain in the ass," Ryuji groaned.
"Besides, there's too much we don't know about Madarame yet," Morgana pointed out.
"We shouldn't have any hesitation on the ones we target. That is why we decided it has to be a unanimous decision. If Kitagawa can tell us anything that confirms what we found here, then it's game on and will take the fucking scumbag down," I assured Ryuji.
"Yeah, I got it," Ryuji nodded.
"I'll try contacting Kitagawa-kun. I might be able to get the truth out of him if I accept his modeling offer," Ann says but it makes me hesitant.
"Wait, you're gonna do that?" Morgana naturally was outspoken about it.
"You all better come with me, OK? I'm scared to go alone..." Ann said after a moment.
"If you are willing to go that far, I have no problem with it," I relented, knowing that if we were going to confirm this it was likely our only avenue.
"A famous, renowned artist, huh? This might be tougher than Kamoshida. Well, we'll just prep ourselves until we get confirmation from Yusuke. This is our first mission as real phantom..." Ryuji stopped abruptly. I'm glaring at him aren't I?
I sigh, "It really gets you pumped doesn't it?"
"Yeah man! Phantom Thieves! We're out to help people, we aren't stealing because we're looking to get rich," Ryuji explained. "I mean we don't even know what the Treasure is until we steal it anyway."
"Yeah I know that," I folded my arms in front of me. "Sorry, I just heard the goddamn word thief and it brings up some bad memories."
"Bad memories?" Ann asked inquisitively. I mean... what I said would, of course, welcome questions. I couldn't avoid it, the more I end up following this fucked up path. But with powers like Persona, Shadows and the Palaces that exist… could I just turn my fucking back on all of that? No, of course I couldn't. That isn't the kind of person I am. It was the same reason I defended that goddamn woman that night. That's why I ended up in Tokyo.
"Yeah, but we should head out of here for now. We can talk about that some other time, okay?" I said and started walking away. I know Ann, Ryuji and Morgana were likely sharing a look about what I had said. It wasn't a big deal. I'll get over it eventually.
That's right… We were Phantom Thieves. Phantom Thieves were, in traditional literature, typically someone that doesn't need what they steal but does so for a purpose or strictly for the challenge of it. In our case, the motivation was to bring people to justice… and most of all to protect people that couldn't protect themselves… or didn't have the courage to stand up to injustice in their life. That was the distinction here. I wasn't a thief like that horrid man had been. I was a Phantom Thief. I did not seek glory or fortune. I simply sought to bring down individuals that took away an individual's ability to choose. My Grandfather had always said that no choice should take away the ability to choose for another. Living selfishly, as he had said, was about doing all you could to protect those you care about, but to never constrict their freedom. If you did then you would be nothing more than a hoarder controlled by fear. Someone not worthy of their own possessions.
I think I still have a long way to go to understand all the things Grandfather taught me. But I had to do everything I could to protect what I could. I don't know what would happen with this power of mine or because of the presence of the Metaverse. I had no choice but to embrace this life as my own and do all I could to make the most of it. No matter how dangerous I knew it was going to get.
Tuesday / May 17th, 2016 / Residential Area - Madarame's Shack / After School
Ichihara Tadashi
"I thought it would just be you coming, Takamaki-san," Kitagawa was staring at me and Ryuji. Keep wishing, Kitagawa. Even if I don't think you're all that bad, I'm not leaving anyone alone with Ann.
"Wouldn't you get nervous too, if it was just the two of us?" Ann was definitely nervous.
"We're here to keep an eye on you, so don't try anything perverted, 'kay?" Ryuji was blunt as he always was.
"Stop making such odd assumptions. I have absolutely no interest in her as someone of the opposite sex," Kitagawa said and obviously taking offense that Ryuji would even suggest something like that. Looked like Ann was surprised by it as well.
"Regardless of why, the fact is Ann asked us to come because she was nervous. We'll be here but just for moral support," I said calmly, and my explanation seemed to ease Ann a bit too.
"Well then, let's get started," Kitagawa sat and picked up his brush and turned to the blank canvas in front of him.
A couple of moments later, Yusuke was putting brush to canvas. I sat back and somewhat surprised he hadn't asked Ann to take a particular pose. Her pose just fit her though. She was sitting on something that Kitagawa had prepared. She had her legs crossed, her left leg over her right, and her left hand was casually across her lap with her right elbow resting on her arm as she had her right hand at her chin, resting her head against it. She was still nervous though and likely why she was sitting in the way she was. She looked tense. But Kitagawa made no comment about it.
"Hey... Kitagawa-kun?" Ann spoke after a moment.
Kitagawa didn't even react.
"You hear her?" Ryuji asked.
Kitagawa still said nothing, but it looked like he was sorting through some sort of problem in his head. Well I'm not really sure what the creative process for an artist might be, but it seemed like he was focused, and yet he seemed unsatisfied with something.
"It's no use," Ann gave up trying to get his attention.
"This isn't what we planned. We were gonna catch him off guard and make him spill his beans, weren't we?" Morgana poked up out of my bag.
"How were we supposed to know this was gonna happen...?" Ryuji shook his head.
"You can't rush this shit, you know? Don't be so fucking impatient," I whispered back.
"Guess we just gotta wait 'til he's done. What an effin' pain in the ass," Ryuji sighed and resigned himself to wait.
"Perhaps I should try going outside this room," Morgana spoke again.
Well… I doubt our occupied artist would notice and Madarame wasn't home. Any information is good information. "Just don't get caught. It'll be problematic otherwise."
"Heh, who do you think you're talking to?" Morgana seemed proud.
"An overconfident and occasionally egotistical goddamn cat," I said dryly.
He glares at me for a moment but turns away, "This is too boring, so I'm going to scout around a bit." Morgana then walks off and out of the room. I'll probably pay for my comment about him later.
I'm watching Kitagawa's paint strokes but I can tell something is really bothering him. He keeps looking at Ann and then back to the canvas. This goes on for quite a while. Ryuji is looking at his phone and playing a game of some sort. I've been keeping my eyes on Kitagawa and Ann. More time passes. Kitagawa doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. He takes a deep sigh and slumps in his seat. I suppose he just couldn't feel what he had before when he had first seen Ann. Must be hard being creative.
"Are you done?" Ryuji jumped at the hope that the wait was over.
"It's no good..." Kitagawa shakes his head, obviously frustrated.
"What?" Ryuji seems surprised. Well, it isn't like Ryuji understands the problems an artist faced. I could tell he was struggling. He had a base outline of Ann on the canvas but he is very unsatisfied with it.
"I'm sorry. Am I the problem?" Ann asks.
"No, not at all. It's just..." Kitagawa seemed defeated. "I'm having trouble staying focused today. I'm sorry, but we'll have to resume this another time."
"Oh hell no! How many hours do you think you made us wait?" Ryuji didn't want to come back. He just wanted confirmation to go into the palace. I knew that much.
"Ryuji, have a little bit of tact," I said and got to my feet. "I'm not a painter myself but there is obviously something bothering you today. But we would like to talk to you."
"I'm sorry. We had another reason for seeing you today. We needed to talk to you," Ann was on her feet as well.
"It's about those rumors regarding your sensei," Ryuji always presents his case like someone smashing a watermelon. At least you can say he never avoids a subject.
"This again," Kitagawa glared as his expression tightened.
"That painting I saw at the exhibit. You're the one who actually painted it, right?' Ann asked him. So that was what was bothering Ann. She must have seen a reaction from him when she saw that piece.
"That's..." Kitagawa looked to the ground. Ann must have been dead on. That wasn't something a creative person would be able to easily hide.
"I knew it," Ann had a solemn look. It meant that Kitagawa was another victim. Although he might be a willing one from what we had learned.
"Your sensei's seriously messed up. He just thinks of his pupils as tools. That's why he doesn't give a damn whether he steals their work or physically beats them. I'll make this clear, there's no point in hidin' stuff from us," Ryuji, the master negotiator everyone! Honestly, this is actually what I like about Ryuji. He doesn't mess around, he's honest with you and doesn't dance around a topic. He's just not good at picking the right words to say it.
Kitagawa gave a nervous laugh before he denied the claim, "I have no idea what you're talking about." But his eyes were on the ground and wouldn't look at any of us. It had to be hard to listen to something that you knew was true and be conflicted. A part of him wanted to say we were right. But there was the logic… no, survival, part of his head telling him to deny it. Without Madarame.. his life would likely become difficult but more than likely giving your ideas to Madarame meant you would never really be allowed to enter the art world yourself. Madarame likely had more than enough influence to ensure that.
"We understand that your situation is likely not a simple one," I said, trying to assure him. That was likely putting it pretty lightly. There was no way to know exactly how complicated his life was.
"You couldn't go against him, could you? I'm sure we can help you out though," Ann wanted to reach out to him. Kitagawa however must have found a different resolution in his head.
"Stop it," Kitagawa looked up to me. "It's just as you all say. We're our sensei's artwork. Don't misunderstand me though. I offered my ideas to him myself. As such, it can't be called plagiarism. Sensei is simply suffering from artist's block right now."
"Sorry, but you're wrong. You may have given him those ideas. But it was your painting, your work. You giving to him, regardless of it being your consent still does not give him the right to claim the work as his own. That is what the word plagiarism is. Taking credit for another's work. Consent or permission or whatever you want to say doesn't matter. It doesn't change the fact that him profiting off others' work is wrong, and you know that," I can't help but call him out on this. It is a load of bullshit if he thinks he is actually okay with that. No one that creates art, or any form of creative expression would feel good with having their work claimed by another.
Kitagawa looked back to the ground, he couldn't refute my words. So what? Was his livelihood what he was worried about? Allowing himself to be used… and he things everyone would just be fucking okay with that? Don't fuck with me.
"Why're you stickin' around!?" Ryuji was shaking his head. "All his other pupils ran away! Aren't you the only one left!?"
"What's wrong with a pupil helping out his master!?" Kitagawa glared, looking like Ryuji had walked on a landmine. "There are no victims here! Stop pushing your self-centered righteousness on me!"
"Fuck you," I have had about enough of this garbage. "Is us coming here and trying to help you self-centered? Or are you just so far deep in that shit you can't realize you don't owe that man a damn thing? He may have taken you in when you were young but that gives him no right to take away your work and possibly ruin your future as an artist! Or are you really telling me that you are okay with being a damn tool and pumping out art for that fucking old man for the rest of your goddamn life!?"
Kitagawa didn't look at me but then finally met my eyes and had an eerie calm on his face, "I'm supporting Sensei as his pupil. Where's the wrong in that?" He sat back down on his stool and looked to the floor. "Don't ever come here again. If you do, I'll sue you for causing a disturbance."
"Hold it! We're not done talkin' here!" Ryuji held strong.
"Then you leave me with no choice," Kitagawa pulled out his phone. "I'm reporting you to the police. I asked Takamaki-san to be my model today, but I don't recall ever calling you two here."
"What the eff, man!?" Ryuji was only getting angrier. The last thing I needed was for Kitagawa to actually call the police. That would only… you know… ruin my goddamn life. Once again, I'm about to find my way to Juvenile Hall.
"Ryuji, stop it!" Ann took charge. "Calm down, okay?"
"Dammit," Ryuji kicked the air from frustration.
"I won't report you... but only under one condition," Kitagawa said calmly.
"What's that?" Ann asked.
"I want you to continue being my model, Takamaki-san," Kitagawa also meant that we wouldn't be able to come back with her. Naturally.
"But you said that it wasn't working out today..." Ann seemed suspicious.
"That's because I was unconsciously being modest for your sake..." Kitagawa admitted. I knew it. I fucking knew why he didn't want us here. And why he seemed to have a problem with it today. This idiot probably was a purist when it came to art. He didn't want Ann to be wearing anything at all. "However, I have nothing to worry about anymore. If you're willing to bare everything to me I will put my heart and soul into creating the best nude painting ever!"
"What!?" Ryuji exclaimed and was shocked by it.
I groaned and face palmed. I fucking knew it.
"Nude!?" Ann's eyes widened.
"Ah, to think I'd be able to create a nude painting with my most ideal model..." Kitagawa seemed to...be in a better mood. Then he looked at Ryuji and I. "Of course, you two won't be allowed in, and I ask that you forget about our discussion today, as well."
"Ha! As if we need to be told that," I scoffed. After all Ann was more likely to murder Ryuji and I then let us see her nude. Though Kitagawa had the same odds we did.
"If I don't submit a new piece to Sensei soon, there will be some... inconveniences," Kitagawa said something incomprehensible after he had just told us to forget the conversation from before. Pick one and stick with it, man.
"Nude, meaning it'll be without any clothes, right!? Why are things suddenly escalating like that!?" Ann was shaking her head, unable to believe what Kitagawa was asking.
"Because those are my terms," Kitagawa said simply. "Sensei is out during the afternoon while the art exhibit is on, so I can use this place freely. I should buy more art supplies."
"Will you give me a second here!?" Ann called out and managed to break through Kitagawa's excitement.
"Of course, I'm willing to wait," Kitagawa assured her. "I'll make time according to your plans. But, please come before the exhibit ends."
"No! That's not what I mean! Why are you not listening...!?" Ann was panicking and getting irritated.
"Sensei will be returning home soon. We're done for today. Takamaki-san, I'll be waiting for you to contact me," Kitagawa brought the discussion to an end.
"No no no! We are not done talking here!" Ann pleaded but Kitagawa turned back to his art supplies and I guess was doing an inventory so he knew what he needed to buy. Ann was biting her thumb and looked like her mind was just trying to sort through everything that had just happened.
"Hey... What should we do?" Ryuji asked me.
I sighed heavily, "Honestly, we should just get out of here for today."
"Yeah, Dammit. He got us good this time," Ryuji added his own sigh.
"Don't give up so easily," Ann looked at us. Ryuji went to the door of the room and slid it all the way open. "Tadashi!"
"We don't have any legs to stand on now. Let's go. We'll catch our breath and think about this," I said to her but Ann looked like she wanted to hit me as she gathered up her bag and stormed out. I get my own bag and watch as Ryuji scoops up Morgana and puts him in my bag and we leave without looking back at Kitagawa.
Once outside we see Ann pacing back and forth on the other side of the street.
"He's totally out of his mind! I'm gonna have to pose nude if this keeps up!" Ann kept pacing. I want to tell her to calm down but I feel like Ann would just slap me at this point.
I scratched the back of my head.
"How dare that Yusuke!" Morgana hadn't been in the room for the conversation.
"The way he said it, it's not gonna be semi, but full-on nude..." Ryuji was shaking his head.
"F-Fu- F-F-Full nudity...? Lady Ann's gonna..." Morgana was likely trying to imagine it in his head right now. Oh geesh.
"Drop it!" Ann glared at the cat who was currently looking over my shoulder.
"You know, you won't have to worry about that if we make Madarame confess before the exhibit ends," Ryuji pointed out.
"But Kitagawa-kun thinks he owes his life to him. Is there a need to make Madarame confess?" Ann was still hung up on it.
"Then, Lady Ann... you're fine with baring it all!?" Morgana needed to shut up.
"I am not!" Ann yelled.
"Madarame's no different from Kamoshida. That asshole's usin' Yusuke, who doesn't have parents. You're tellin' me we should just ignore how he's bein' treated horribly like the other pupils?" Ryuji pressed more on the subject.
"He's right. Remember that the adults and members of the volleyball team also kept quiet about Kamoshida's actions. They felt they had to… or they were being blackmailed to do it. No one wanted us to get involved and help them. And even if Kitagawa feels he owes Madarame his life, he doesn't owe that son of a bitch his future. If you actually look at the previous pupils he had… none of them ever became successful in the art world. Some tried but it was like no one would even look at it. That's fishy in itself," I elaborate.
"How'd you learn that?" Ryuji asked.
"I remembered some of the names we found in the Palace and just did some Internet searches, nothing big. But you would definitely think it's odd that people learning from a supposed Master of Japanese art doesn't create more talents in the art world," I said, explaining it.
"That is true,"Ann sighed. "It's frustrating to leave this alone, even if Kitagawa-kun is fine with it himself..."
"Well he's the only one here now. I feel like he doesn't know just how bad his sensei's actions are. If he was taken in at a young age then it's possible he just sees it as acceptable," I shake my head, it was possible that Madarame had psychologically made it hard for Kitagawa to even consider what his sensei is doing as wrong. "Us turning our back now would be like if we hadn't tried to help you against Kamoshida. You told me to stay out of it even though you told me about it."
"Yeah, you're right," Ann nodded.
"Anyways, we gotta go after this guy. Madarame's the kind of target we've been waitin' for. Let's help Yusuke come to his senses too. Before he ends up like us," Ryuji had made his point.
"Right," Ann agreed.
"We need to look into Madarame first," Morgana pointed out.
"There might be tons more stuff that hasn't been exposed yet, too," Ryuji added.
"It may become easier for us to investigate his Palace if he's preoccupied with his exhibit," Morgana was right. If his cognition was focused elsewhere he wouldn't be thinking about his shack and maybe his guard would be down. That would definitely be an advantage at his Palace for at least getting to his Treasure.
"Also, there's the thing about me modeling," Ann hung her head. "Kitagawa-kun said there'd be inconveniences unless he submits a new piece. Maybe that's going to be announced soon as Madarame's next work.
"Does that mean the whole country's gonna see you nude!?" Ryuji was alarmed.
"I doubt it," I shook my head.
"Oh yeah. It might not show your face," Ryuji seemed to understand that much.
"That doesn't make me feel any better about it," Ann was stressed about it.
"Let's focus on one thing at a time. Focusing on the modeling request isn't going to do anything but frustrate you, Ann," I tried to calm her down but internally I'm pretty fucking pissed at it actually. It was an awkward situation. If Ann did the modeling and Kitagawa drew the nude painting and it did become Madarame's piece that would make Ann a victim in this too. More than that, he would be making money off of Ann's body and without her permission. At the same time if she ever said anything about it… she'd reveal she was the model but no one would believe that the pupil was the artist… and Ann would just be slandered. The possible situation and ramifications was incredibly fucked up. No doubt about it… Madarame had to be stopped or the number of victims was only going to grow more. And I sure as fuck wasn't letting Ann get added to that list.
"We must deal with Madarame, no matter what, before his exhibit ends," Morgana sums it all up.
"Let's start after school tomorrow. Oh...it'll be a pain if Miss President finds us on the rooftop again, so where to meet up. Let's see..." Ryuji then snapped his fingers. "I know that a walkway-like place in Shibuya would work. It's near Madarame's place, too."
"Changing our hideout periodically, huh? That's a plan I don't mind backing," Morgana agreed.
"Hey, can I talk to you kids for a sec?" a woman approached us. I turned to see a woman wearing blue jeans a white long sleeve undershirt with a black t-shirt over top of it. Then she had a pair of sunglasses with an orange lens resting above her forehead. I guess she just pulled them down to her eyes when she used them. I dunno, if it was me I'd probably end up flinging my glasses that way. But I wear glasses all the time anyway so I don't have casual sunglasses anyway. "From the looks of things, you don't seem like the ordinary, stalking fans."
"Of Madarame? Not really," I shrugged since it seemed Ann and Ryuji didn't know what to say, and Morgana had retreated back into my bag.
"Oh, sorry. I should've been more clear. I'm actually looking for people that know Madarame's pupils. There's this painting, 'Sayuri', that was supposedly stolen in the past. But there's this rumor that it was taken by one of his pupils in retaliation for being abused. Have you heard anything about that?" the woman asks.
"I can't say that we have. First time I've heard of that particular story," I answered honestly.
"I see," the woman sighs. "There's no case unless there's a victim, and if there's no proof of abuse... I can't write either. Looks like I'm back to square one. Sorry for taking your time." Still the woman shook it off and walked up to me and pulled something from her pocket to hand it to me. I took it, it was a business card. "I'm a journalist. If you ever get any leads, mind contacting me here?"
"If I hear anything, I'll give you a call," I told her.
She smiles and seems to believe me, "See you." She then turns and walks off.
So, there are more rumors floating about. What else could we learn before tackling Madarame's Palace? We could use every advantage we can get.
"I guess we should go home for today," Ryuji said as he started walking down the street. The three of us started walking but Ann was trailing back.
I slowed my pace to match hers and I spoke, "For the record I was against you ever giving him an indication that you would model for him. And I'm not okay that we even had to do this today just to talk to him. But he seems rather eccentric. I don't think he'll agree to talk to us if we don't use his art as a middle ground."
"But a nude painting?" Ann was gripping her bag.
"Artists are weird," I said after a moment. That was way too much of a blanket statement. What I meant was that creatives, in general, are weird. And often get inspired by things that are often seen as mundane. "Inspiration hits and it can make an artist obsessed with an idea. More than likely when he saw you, he had an image of creating a nude piece. Remember when we confronted him when he was following you? He kept commenting on your beauty."
Ann nodded, "Yeah, and yet he says he isn't sexually attracted to me."
"I think he's telling the truth about that," I commented as we were going to be in the Central Street of Shibuya soon. An artist that wants to capture beauty in a moment and preserve it and yet wasn't sexually charged. I think the fact that Yusuke was a growing teenage boy made that seem like a fucking impossibility. He sounded pretty genuine to me though. "I think he really just wants to draw you. Still weird right?"
"Super weird," Ann nods.
"It isn't about confidence or anything like that. Being a model is one thing. Nude modeling is a completely different thing altogether. But it is something that is pretty common for artists to draw or want to draw." I wasn't trying to make a specific point to Ann, just trying to point out that it wasn't that outlandish for an artist.
"Yeah, I know," Ann seemed like she had more to say. "Remember what I asked you before?"
"Of course," I couldn't exactly forget when she basically told me she was only able to do what she did today because I was there.
"I don't have the confidence to do it on my own. I mean modeling has only ever been more of a hobby… not something I ever took seriously. Modeling nude is serious though," Ann was shaking her head. "There is just no way I can do it."
There was a huge difference between modeling clothes, and modeling nude. Nude meant you had to be comfortable not only with the person you were modeling for but also just comfortable being nude in front of… well other people. And that was just too much to ask for any teenage girl. Even for art.
"We will do everything we can so that doesn't happen, okay?" I assure her.
"What if I don't have a choice before then?" Ann looked at me, genuinely worried.
"You always have a choice Ann," I said simply. "He can't force you over to model for him. And if we do what we need to do then it won't be a problem." I did my best to comfort her. But Ann couldn't relax. I don't think anything I could do or say could help the anxiety that Ann was feeling right now. "You can always vent away at me, okay? I'll listen to all of it."
"I might take you up on that," Ann said as we were heading past Central Street and to the Station Square. I hoped it would be enough. But if anything happened to her... They better hope to fucking God I don't get a hold of them. Because I'll get an assault charge that I actually did this time.
Wednesday / May 18th, 2016 / Residential Area - Outside Madarame's Shack / After School
Ichihara Tadashi
Everything had been going just fine in the Palace until we got to its central courtyard… where we simply found a mess of laser fences that were impossible to get past. And even if we somehow managed to get past those we had a very closed door behind it that didn't look like there was any way to open. Morgana had mentioned something about the door looking familiar and then told us we should leave for the day. It was true enough that just standing there and looking at the door was hardly going to cause it to change. So we retreated back to the entrance and exited out of the Metaverse.
We all stood on the other side of the street casually and back in our school clothes. Well, I was pretty used to the outfit change by now. The oddest part of it was that I didn't need my glasses in the Metaverse...either that or the mask I wore served that purpose. It felt nice being able to see normally. I was actually nearsighted, but it wasn't like I couldn't function without my glasses. I just couldn't see things as clearly. In sports I typically took them off, but my vision had never been a hindrance in sports. As a matter of fact, one of my coaches commented that because of my bad eyesight that I wasn't as dependent on it like a lot of other athletes were. He said I could "feel" it better than others. I had no fucking clue what he had meant by that at all. All I know is that when playing baseball I usually had to out think whoever I was facing. It helped that I had people that I trusted to help me. Well… that I thought I could fucking trust anyway.
"How're we supposed to get past that door?" Ann asked as she casually put her back against mine and leaned against me. I had put my school bag down and Morgana was peeking out. Ann and I have become a lot closer lately. She had also been more casual with physical contact too. It was weird but oddly comforting.
"I dunno... You think there's some kinda off switch somewhere?" Ryuji obviously wasn't sure how this whole cognitive thing worked.
"Looks like this is where I come in," Morgana jumped out of my bag and onto the railing. "I have a suspicious place in mind."
"Oh, right, you did mention a door before. Something you saw in Madarame's shack?" I asked but didn't really look at him.
"Yeah, and remember that this shack is the basis for Madarame's Palace. I scouted it out the last time we were here," Morgana was proud of his accomplishments. I suppose our venture had certainly been worth it. At least on some level.
"Whoa... So this was your plan from the start...?" Ryuji I guess seemed impressed by Morgana's apparent sense of foresight. Let's be honest though...he was bored and decided to explore.
"Correct," Morgana grinned.
Ann deadpanned, "You only went 'scouting' because you were bored." Good to know that Ann and I were on the same page in this regard.
"So? Where's this suspicious place?" Ryuji asked.
"It's on the second floor. I noticed an unnaturally hefty lock on a door up there," Morgana reported.
"If it's locked, that means there's something in there he doesn't want people to see," Ann was still leaning against me.
"To be specific it must be something he doesn't want his fucking pupil's to see," I elaborated. "Either way this causes a big goddamn problem."
"But don't we wanna be openin' the door in the Palace?" Ryuji asked.
"Yes, and we're going to do that by opening the real one in front of Madarame's eyes," Morgana seemed proud of his idea, but his words made Ann stop leaning on me as both her and I turned to look at the talking cat. "Basically, we're going to change his cognition that the door is unopenable."
"In other words.. when we open the one in Madarame's house, that area in his Palace will open on its own?" Ann looked at me.
"That should more than work," I said after a moment. Except, I am concerned about how Morgana plans to get this to happen.
"I'm not really gettin' it. Is that gonna work?" Ryuji was doubtful.
"Trust me. There's no chance it won't open," Morgana spoke and then added doubt. "I think. You understand, don't you, Joker?"
"You do realize we aren't allowed in this place right?" I commented.
"Not to mention, even if we get inside there's still that hefty lock we have to deal with in reality, right?" Ann and I were sharing the same opinion on this.
"Oh, that'll be a breeze. Just give me a hairpin and I'll handle it," Morgana said proudly.
"You're gonna unlock a door by picking the lock… as a fucking cat?" I raised an eyebrow.
"That's right. It will take some time though. Doing everything by myself in front of Madarame would be impossible," Morgana then made his next point. "If only there was someone who could distract him for a while..."
I felt a twinge of irritation, "You better not be fucking thinking what I think you are."
"Oh... Ohhh!" Ryuji suddenly had what Morgana implied click in his head. "Man, how are we even gonna get into his house? We'd get reported for sure if we force ourselves in." Ryuji looked at Ann.
"What?" Ann asked flatly.
"I guess the only way is... havin' you go nude," Ryuji should get a reward for ability to shatter everything like glass with his expert level of bluntness. Truly it was impressive.
"WHAT!?" Ann looked at me.
"Fancy you say that, Ryuji. I was just thinking the same thing," Morgana said.
"This isn't funny!" Ann shook her head. "Tadashi, say something!"
"They aren't saying you should really get naked, Ann. At least they better fucking not be, or we're about to come to blows," I glare at Ryuji and Morgana.
"Hell no, man. Like I'd want to put Ann through some kind of shit like that. But it is a way to create the opportunity we need," Ryuji pointed out.
"I don't like this at all. If it goes wrong it will only be Ann and Morgana in there," I say with a long sigh. "Are we sure we can't think of another way?"
"Do we have the time to do that?" Morgana pointed out. "This is the best excuse for Ann to get into Madarame's house without raising suspicions. Lady Ann plays the decoy and I'll go with her. When we enter I can head upstairs to lockpick it while Ann distracts Yusuke. It needs to be at a time where we can also get Madarame as well. So likely later on after the exhibit is closed or close to closing."
"That still means you are leaving her on her own with them. I'm not really worried about Kitagawa-kun. I don't think he would ever do anything that would hurt Ann. But we don't know what Madarame would do. And if it's just the two of you, it... It's putting Ann in a lot of danger," I knew Morgana was making good points.
"If something happens we can always run into the Palace," Morgana suggested.
"Is that really gonna work?" Ann shook her head once more.
"You realize you'll pull people close by into the Metaverse too right? You can't just escape when you want," I didn't know what to think. "Ann, what do you think about this?"
"If we don't do it this way… it could be a more dangerous situation couldn't it?" Ann thought about it for a moment.
"I don't know. If Kitagawa was serious before then he would call the police if Ryuji and I showed up. And if I get arrested it would break my parole and then I couldn't do anything at all to help," I wanted to put it in a way so that Ann was more at ease with it. But it was true that other alternatives would likely be more dangerous. "Not to mention if our time limit is the end of his showcase, then I don't know if we could figure out something else in time."
"I know this can work," Ryuji spoke up. "All you gotta do is trick Yusuke and give time for Morgana to have a head start on the door. Then you lead him up there after Morgana has the lock open and go inside."
"You make it sound so easy," Ann looked away. "But if there's no other way. I don't... I don't... I don't have a choice. Urghhhhh! God!" Ann screamed in frustration. "Fine, I'll do it. For Justice!" Ann glared at Morgana, "Seriously, you better pull this off."
"If it's for your sake Lady Ann, I won't stop scratching even if all my claws were to break," Morgana said proudly.
I scratch the back of my head. Well, I believe his sincerity at least. "This is serious, Morgana. If you don't get that lock off it will put Ann in considerable danger. And I'll hold you personally responsible if something happens to her, got it?"
"Trust me, I can do this!" Morgana assured me.
"If he tries to force my clothes off... I'll tear that house down," Ann was glaring back at Morgana again. "I'm really gonna lose it if we do all this and the Palace door doesn't open. Got it!?"
"We're workin' to get dirt on that guy's crimes either way. It won't go to waste," Ryuji surprisingly had a good point. Either way we would still gain something from it. "All right, let's get down and dirty tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!?" Ann's eyes widened.
"Earlier the better," Ryuji was kinda right...Ann didn't need to linger or over prepare herself for it. I still wasn't happy about this.
"Um, b-but... will Kitagawa-kun agree?" Ann was getting understandably nervous.
"I dunno, just say something like 'I really need it to be tomorrow.' That should work, yeah?" Ryuji noted.
"I..." Ann hung her head. "Alright."
I took out my phone and looked at the time, "Let's get out of here. We shouldn't linger around here so long."
"Yeah, we'll meet up first thing after school tomorrow," Ryuji said before walking off.
After Morgana got back into my bag I slung it over my shoulder as Ann and I started walking back.
"Tadashi, I..." Ann started but then stopped.
"We're doing this for the right reasons. That's what you told me. How can we give courage to others if we aren't courageous ourselves?" I said to her as we fell into step with each other.
"Where'd you get that line?" Ann asked.
"Thought of it just now. What do you think? Did I stick the landing?" I chuckled a bit.
"I'll give it a seven out of ten," Ann smiled and giggled. That's good to hear at least. "So I just have to distract Kitagawa-kun to buy time."
"You can do a lot of things to buy time. Get him talking about art, ask him why you became an inspiration. Or why it has to be nude," I found myself sighing. "You know that I'm not okay with this plan right? At the same time I know it probably is our safest and best option. It's… ridiculous. Fuck me."
Ann for some reason was smiling, "Thank you, Tadashi."
I raised an eyebrow.
"For worrying about me, and also taking my side and trying to think of alternatives. But this way I can make sure you don't break your parole," Ann playfully bumped shoulders with me. "No one deserves to be used like the way Madarame has used his pupils. People that sought his guidance because they had dreams and aspirations of becoming like him. But then they learned the truth of who he really was. But he is no master artist, simply a con man that preys upon young people for his own benefit. That's why we can't wait for another solution. We have to do what we can… when we can. Isn't that how your Grandfather's philosophy works?"
"Yeah, it is. To do what's right, you have to accept that a decision could be the wrong one. That there are other things you don't know. But commit to your actions and keep to it for your vision of how things should be. Pursuing that justice is the pinnacle of being selfish," I repeated what my Grandfather had said to me so many years ago. "Never do anything you have to apologize for. That was another way he put it. But then he also said that you should apologize when you have to. He never really explained how it was all supposed to work in practice. My Father apparently never listened to Grandfather. So all I have is Grandfather's memoirs and my memories of him."
"Your Grandfather wrote a memoir?" Ann seemed surprised. "I'm glad to hear you have something of his to remind you of him."
"Supposedly my Grandmother made him write it," I remembered that if my Grandfather was stubborn as a brick wall, then my Grandmother was the cement mixture that held it together. "They were the only real family I had. Mom and Dad have never been home… opting to just work their goddamn lives away. And they only ever talked to me when I did something right or something they can easily be proud of. I have an Uncle too but the less said about him the better. Anyway this is way off topic." We stopped and I hadn't realized we had made it to the Station Square.
"Let's head home for today," Ann said after a moment.
"You don't want to grab dinner or something?" I asked.
She shook her head, "I need to get my head in the right place for tomorrow."
"Well, if you need to vent, then call me. You can just tell me anything or nothing at all. Any time, okay?" I told her.
She nods with a smile, "Thanks, Tadashi. I'll talk to you later."
"Yeah, later," I said and watched as she headed in a different direction. I stopped and sighed.
Morgana popped out, "Everything will work out Tadashi. I promise."
"I'm sure it will," I nodded. "Let's get back. Oh, maybe you want to get something special for dinner?"
"Ooh! Can we get some fish?" Morgana perked up.
"Sure, sure, what do you want?' I asked, smiling. I listened to Morgana's request as I started to move again. This was an inevitable event that would occur no matter what I did. As long as my friend and I were the Phantom Thieves there would only be more danger. But I couldn't just turn my back and walk away to protect them. Doing so meant turning my back on countless potential victims we could save. And we all felt strongly about doing what we believed to be right. Ann was going to do her best for the same reason. I needed to as well.
Kitagawa Yusuke, whether you like it or not, we will show you the truth of the situation you are in. that it isn't something that you should just accept. And we aren't going to just let a man like Madarame get his way. Not now. Not ever.
Wednesday / May 18th, 2016 / Shibuya - Natsu Diner / After School
Okumura Haru
When I entered the Diner, things were actually pretty busy. It was a welcome sight and brought a smile to my face as I walked in. I found Naozumi in his usual spot at the bar. Today he was waiting for me. Midterms were finished for both of us, so now it was just about waiting for the results.
"Good evening, Nao-chan," I smiled big for him and settled into the seat next to him. It was basically my seat at this point considering how often I came here. Even on days that Naozumi wasn't going to be here, just to catch up with Shiori.
"Hi, Haru," he greets with an ever so brief smile. His dark brown hair was slicked back with some sort of hair gel and looked a bit different. Hmm… he must have gotten a trim. Either way, it was much easier to see his hazel colored eyes. Despite the heat he wore his typical attire he wore to college. Light blue slacks and a white dress shirt, and over that a black vest. All of it well kept and every bit professional looking. I always thought he looked good in these clothes, but I wish he would wear something more casual. Something as simple as just blue jeans and a t-shirt. Then again it wouldn't be Nao-chan if he did. I bet I could get him to dress in something simpler… He's definitely handsome so I bet he'd look good in just about anything.
"Place seems busy. Looks like your hard work is paying off," I say as I try to move my thoughts away from visualizing Naozumi in different outfits. That seemed more distracting than I realized.
"Hm… I wonder about that. I think it is only temporary due to the artists' exhibit that is open. A lot more foot traffic than usual and I haven't actually changed anything from our marketing campaign. The proof is in that we're seeing more visitors here but not at the other three locations. The brief increase in revenue from it will help, sure, but again it will only last as long as the exhibit for Madarame is around," Naozumi shook his head. I realized things wouldn't be that simple, but still… I hoped what we had done would be more effective.
This all had to be my Father's fault. I don't know why he had been so adamant at buying out Natsu Diner after Naozumi's Father passed away. And it never sat well with me. He had obviously taken advantage of Natsukawa's recent tragedy. Naozumi's Father, Daizo, had been a victim that would eventually come to be a known death caused by a mental shutdown. That funeral had been hard for a lot of reasons.
I had known Naozumi for a lot of my life. We met when I was just six years old. I was left alone at a business conference. Since my Mother died when I was born, I always had a caretaker, but this one had been the uncaring and negligent sort. It was in the garden of that conference center where I met Naozumi. He's two years older than me, so he was eight years old. Like me he had been attending with his own Father. I feel like we connected instantly. I don't really remember much about it other than I had shown him all my favorite flowers in the garden. We met a lot like that as kids. Both of us at a business conference that kids really shouldn't be at. We exchanged email addresses and spent a lot of time writing back and forth for the next few years.
As we grew up though, we saw each other less and we only had email to keep in touch. It wasn't until I hit middle school where we were able to start meeting up on our own. I couldn't imagine a life without him.
"So… Nao-chan. I was thinking…" I started after a moment.
"Hmm?" Naozumi looked towards me from his notebook that he had been writing in. Looks like he was drawing up ideas. "What is it?"
"I have an idea. I know you're into finding books for research but… what if we started hitting different restaurants around Tokyo and maybe surrounding cities that wouldn't be difficult to get to?" I asked him.
His eyes light up for a moment and then settles into his usual thoughtful look. "Instead of keeping my nose in a book… go out and see how other places do it?"
"Yeah, exactly," I nodded. I wanted to spend more time with him. This seemed like a good way to entice him.
"That's a great idea. Where should we go first?" Naozumi agreed. I couldn't help but have a big smile appear on my face.
"I thought we could start with places nearby each of the Natsu Diner locations and then go to places that have a similar market, or area. And then branch out from there. I already have a plan," I grinned.
"Of course you do," Naozumi chuckled and when he did, that low rumble in his voice made my heart beat faster. The more time I spend with him… the more time I could be away from home. Then maybe I could avoid the talk with my Father… where he intends to decide my future husband.
I know I should tell Naozumi. But the thought of what kind of expression he might make learning of it… I didn't want to see it. Why am I so powerless? Why do I have to be so afraid? Maybe I could… ask the Phantom Thieves? For what? To save me? That isn't what they do. At least they have the courage to stand up for what they believe in. Me? I…
Maybe if it was for Nao-chan… maybe...
A/N:
As someone that has spent a good part of my mind in the creative field, whether it is writing, games and occasionally art (with a side of a lot of tabletop game prep as a forever DM for my multiple tabletop groups), it can be hard to properly describe what it is like to be truly inspired. The creation of fan fiction often comes from that inspiration. An idea, or theme that you need to express. From wanting to change a pivotal plot point to a different direction, or to simply insert a new character to see how they would react to that world, these are all things that inspire and motivate a creative to make that effort. This is what I think makes Yusuke an interesting and complex character, because his motivations can feel simple, but is more complex as you dig in deeper. There is a reason that nude paintings are something that artists end up doing at some point, but usually the model is a paid professional that is used to doing so and there are strict guidelines on behavior and conduct for the model or the artists. That isn't to say that amateur models haven't been used in the past, but the scenario here about Ann being asked is definitely not typical.
It always felt that a lot of the real opportunities for characters to grow closer was under utilized, not just in Persona 5 but games in general. Especially in situations that are complex topics to handle and if handled wrong, can generate backlash. So a lot of times the conflict presented is often done in a comical or lighthearted manner to take away from some of the harder implications of the moment. The moment in the game plays it for laughs. Ryuji and Morgana in a rare moment of agreement that Ann "needs to go nude" to create the opportunity needed. Which even if it is, the way they broach the subject can feel dismissive of the situation they are asking Ann to be subjected to. It's a level of vulnerability that most wouldn't do even with their closest of friends. Granted they didn't actually mean for her to follow through on it, but to drag it out long enough for Morgana to do his work and get into the room so that Madarame's cognition could be changed. Even if they believe that Yusuke himself is a victim, there is a lot of unpredictable elements to such a plan. And the success or failure put the most risk and danger on Ann herself. It's why I tried to put the recognition of the situation more in the view here, and have Tadashi speaking against the plan, even if he didn't necessarily have a different plan to progress in the Palace otherwise.
Tadashi can be a pain in the ass, but he is very particular about people being able to choose for themselves. And is why he spoke against it as an option. But Ann's own sense of justice and realizing that there is likely no other way to progress in the palace motivated her. And ultimately led her to think of a bunch of ways she could delay Yusuke without actually ending up nude. This might be a small thing for me to maybe blow up to be bigger as something that was mostly played up for comedy, but the actual implications are there, and I think its worth exploring the kind of difficulty that Ann and the others would realistically have on the situation.
Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter. More on Madarame's Palace next month!