Persona 5 Royal: tmdrago Special Edition

By Tayla Drago

Episode #19 - The Days in Waiting

A great defeat of Suguru and his Shadow self from the Castle Palace is long gone since Keiko/Joker, Morgana/Mona, Ryuji/Skull, and Ann/Panther got the Treasure of his crown to steal and escaped from the old part of the Metaverse and back to the real world. But what did Suguru's Heart of the Treasure look like in the real world? After checking the app/nav of the place to be no more on their cell phones to prove it was gone and Suguru has finally turned himself in to confess his crimes from his change of heart...A lot has been happening so far.

Keiko: Kamoshida's castle is no more...You're right, Ryuji.

Ann: ...It's true. We can't go there anymore.

More importantly...

Morgana: What about the Treasure?!

Keiko: It's okay, Morgana. I got it right here. (So this is Kamoshida's favorite Treasure to have and to love so much. His reward medal.)

She shows the others what Suguru's Treasure really looks like, from a crown to really be a medal type of trophy.

Ryuji: What the...?

Ann: ...A medal? Wait, where'd that crown go?

Ryuji: What's goin' on...?

Keiko: I'm starting to, but we'll let Morgana explain to us.

And so, he tells them. For the medal was the crown.

Morgana: It means, that was the source of Kamoshida's desires. To him, this medal is worth as much as that crown we saw in the Palace.

From Suguru being an Olympic champion, was big to desire it so much to keep on going to be the best than the rest of the people in the other world, even the other high school students. Now they were getting it.

Ryuji: An Olympic medal...So, that perv kept clingin' to his past glory and couldn't let it go...

Ann: But...this means that Kamoshida's heart might have changed, right?

Seems like it, for they now had to wait and see for the time being.

Keiko: I sure hope so.

Morgana: ...Probably...

One 'probably' is all that Morgana's saying who doesn't know yet. So they have to wait now...? Ouch.

Ryuji: "Probably"?! Our expulsion on the line here!

Morgana: This is the first successful example for me too. However, there's no doubt that this has affected Kamoshida's personality quite a lot. The entire Palace disappeared, after all.

This might be a while since Suguru did go straight to the police for the rest to take effect for his career to end real soon.

Ryuji: Ugh, I feel all antsy! Ain't there a way to check now?

Keiko: Hey, Ryuji, it'll be okay. We'll just wait and find out in a bit. But look at it this way...Kamoshida's not going to bother me, Ann, Yuuki, you, or any other students any more, right?

True, so true, they're all safe from Suguru to be no more.

Ann: Right...Keiko has a very good point.

Morgana: Come on, why the gloomy faces? Be happy! We completed this with great success, you know. And Madame Keiko's right, you're all safe and still staying in school.

Ryuji: We just don't know if everything's OK yet...

It will take some type for the people in the school and the public to soon learn about Suguru's abuse of the students to be told soon enough.

Morgana: I'm pretty sure it'll be fine. Remember how Kamoshida's Shadow said that he's returning to his self in reality? We all know that Suguru Kamoshida was a scum. Still...He did seem to regain his conscience somewhat in the end.

Keiko: It would seem so; he did say it. And I did a thing with my mask to cleanse his Shadow wicked desires to be normal again too just in case. I can do it for the ones who rule over Palaces and save other Personas out of the bad Shadows from within them to use their powers for good.

That she did – one side of the mask to use to save Personas from being wicked Shadows, and the other side to stop the wicked ones for good with a change of heart.

Morgana: That you did, Madame Keiko, nicely done. There are definitely those who have been saved thanks to what you've all done.

Ann: Yeah...

Ryuji: Anyways, I guess we gotta wait. It all boils down to what's gonna happen to Kamoshida...or if we're gettin' expelled for real...But for you, Keiko, to not go out with that damn pervert was still worth stopping him.

One problem solved so far, and the rest to wait for next.

Keiko: We'll be fine. For now, let's all go home. It's been a long day...The Metaverse can make the day slow down here more than it does in the real world, but it still makes anyone feel very tired.

From a bond of friendship to stopping one person, who knows what will happen next 'which it will'. Morgana was happy to get the Treasure, Ann was happy to help out Shiho, Yuuki was also saved, Ryuji got back at Suguru, and Keiko was free from the likes of Suguru himself to not go near her anymore.

Ryuji: ...Right. I'm just glad you're safe, Keiko, all of us made it through. C'mon, let's go home.

Ann: See you guys later.

Keiko: Take care and be careful getting back home safely, you two.

Morgana: Great work, everyone. Let's go, Madame Keiko.

Ryuji and Ann went back to their homes...leaving Morgana to go into Keiko's school bag for them to walk back to Cafe Leblanc for Sojiro to see her getting back from school alright, and for her and Morgana to get cleaned up to call it a night. Too soon to be getting a text message from Ann next for Keiko to respond.

[Ann: Thanks, Keiko. I finally got to avenge Shiho because of you guys...I'm pretty sure there was no way I'd be able to do anything on my own. So seriously, thank you. I owe you so much.]

[Keiko: There's no need to thank me, Ann. We all did it together.]

[Ann: But still, I wanted to say it. I mean...You think so too, right? Either way, I'm glad to hear that...Anyway, that cognitive world was pretty crazy, huh? What a mysterious place. I can't believe we actually stole someone's heart...Speaking of mysterious, there's also the matter of Morgana's transformation. When we were escaping, didn't he turn back into a cat even though we were still in the Palace?]

Yeah, it did happen to Morgana in the Metaverse to turn into a cat. Weird...

Morgana: Lady Ann sure is sharp! I'm impressed. Basically, the Treasure changes the shape of things. Once that's gone, that power no longer works. Though the real reason I changed quickly back then was because I'm so incredibly skilled! How's that? Isn't that amazing?!

You heard Morgana, for Keiko text back to Ann on what he just told her.

[Keiko: He said he's amazing.]

[Ann: Oh yeah, I forgot Morgana is reading these messages too. I think I feel a little better after talking to you. Thanks. We still haven't seen any results, but it feels like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders. I hope you don't mind talking to me too much. Well, Keiko, see you tomorrow.]

One thing to do from cleaning up, texting Ann, and just hanging around for the night.

Keiko: So much to change Kamoshida and his Shadow self from taking the Treasure of his heart by changing his bad ways.

Morgana: You can say that, yes.

With Keiko finishing doing her chores around the place, Sojiro checks on her again 'as he always does'.

Sojiro: Hey, Keiko, you sure look satisfied...Something good happened today?

Keiko: Huh? Oh, just hanging out with some of my new friends from school is all.

Sojiro: I see...New friends, enough to keep you doing some good things in life. Hmm...To be young again.

For Keiko to be reading a book for a bit, and to have a nice sleep for the moment for Keiko and the other three to end the nightmare from Shujin Academy for one gym teacher to get into trouble and admit his crimes to the cops, what a battle that was.

Year 20xx

Day #15 -April 4/23rd – Saturday

Another day to go to school 'at times to happen on Saturdays in Japan it would seem' for Keiko and Morgana to always hear students talking to one another from time to time on her way there...As Ryuji also sees them and joins them on the train ride too.

Ryuji: Whaddup! *pant* I made it...

Keiko: You did, Ryuji, just take a breather.

Morgana: If you know how...

Really? I guess this is how Morgana and Ryuji 'sort of' get along with each other.

Ryuji: I slept in, so I ran out without eating breakfast…I feel so weak because of it…After we took down Kamoshida, I just feel so spent and out of gas, you know? You get me, right?

Keiko: I do.

Ryuji: Right? Now all we have left to do is wait for that board meeting…Anyways, I'm hungry. I guess I'll buy some bread at the school store...

As the hours pass for Keiko to be doing well in class from Mr. Inui's...

Mr. Inui: Kamoshida-Kun was really in his element at the volleyball rally the other day. You kids are lucky to receive direct instruction from a world-famous athlete like him. Sports have been regarded as sacred things that invigorate people since ancient times. So much so that the emperor himself even participated once.

Oh boy, dude, you don't know half of it about the real Suguru until later on. Doing some more school work 'to help out Yuuki a little', until lunch time after Keiko ate some food 'and gave some to Morgana' to meet up with Ryuji down the hallways' to see how he was holding up so far since yesterday. He seems to be doing well from the looks of it.

Keiko: Hi, Ryuji, I see you're hanging in there.

Ryuji: I am, or rather...I'm tryin' to. Anyways, Keiko...Have you seen Kamoshida?

Keiko: *shakes head* No I haven't.

Looks like things might be going well as they thought it would be like, so far...

Ryuji: I see. You really think he changed?

Keiko: I have a feeling he has for good.

And not just the power to sense something or anything out on Keiko's end, but because it did happen to Suguru.

Ryuji: Well, yeah...

Just then, Keiko and Ryuji see and hear their home room teacher Kawa walking down the hallways of the school who was looking for the two to have a word for them.

Kawa: Oh, perfect timing!

They both see Kawa.

Keiko: Ms. Kawakami? (It's been a while since I've last seen her.)

They both wonder what Kawa wanted with them.

Kawa: Study hall will be held instead of PE today. I'm letting you two know just in case none of you haven't heard. Mr. Kamoshida has taken the day off.

That's one good news to hear so far for Suguru was not in school right now.

Keiko: (Could it be because we changed his heart? It has to be!)

Ryuji: He ain't here...?

Because of it, the whole thing must remain a big secret for Kawa to tell the two to keep quiet about it 'but they did it with good reasons why'.

Kawa: Don't tell anyone that none of you heard from me...But we received word that Mr. Kamoshida is placing himself under suspension. It's such an important time before the tournament too...Principle Kobayakawa went to talk to him about it, but he supposedly wasn't making any sense...

Looks like Suguru turned himself in to the police from Akechi to take care of it, which is very true because Keiko and Ryuji don't have to worry about the mess up gym teacher anymore. As Kawa was a bit surprised and at the same time happy for Keiko to be glad she heard the good news from her teacher.

Keiko: You don't say, Ms. Kawakami? (This is good!)

Ryuji: Wait, a suspension?!

Kawa tells Ryuji to keep this quiet.

Kawa: Not so loud! The talks about your expulsions may be put on hold too...I don't know how much about it though...Anyway, I've relayed what's going on to you both.

In other words – both Ryuji and Yuuki won't get kicked out of school at all. Nor will Keiko be going out with the likes of Suguru at all. So this was going well so far.

Keiko: Not bad, huh?

Ryuji: Yeah, looks like something happened...At least it sounds different from a mental shutdown...

Keiko: It does.

Ryuji: I guess all we can do now is wait...

Keiko: We have no other choice, Ryuji.

He stares at Keiko to make her feel weird with Ryuji moving up too close to her.

Ryuji: Hey, Keiko...

Keiko: What? Ryuji, why are you staring at me like that...?

Still having feelings for Keiko to love, even if they were only friends. Oh, boy...

Ryuji: From Kamoshida almost eating you alive. From seeing you close to death had me worried, I thought I almost lost you.

Too close for Ryuji to really like Keiko to be in love, but she was just a friend to him is all. Almost touching her hand a bit for Keiko to slowly get away from him.

Keiko: I get it... (Not this again.) Ryuji, but not this close please...We better get back to our own classes now. I'll see you later.

She leaves for Ryuji and won't give up on Keiko at all.

Ryuji: See ya later... (I know I can have her be mine by admitting my love for her...I won't give up on her! Hells no!)

This makes Keiko feel very weird after that moment.

Keiko: (Is Ryuji really trying to show his love even more...? But I already have a boyfriend who is slowly starting dating Akechi. How can I explain to Ryuji and Yuuki about him? That I'm already taken? I can't hide it from my shyness.)

She has to tell the three about Keiko herself dating someone being Akechi, and still keep a secret about them being a special type of thief to stop bad people, like Suguru was. Hours later, school was done for Keiko to try to do something while Morgana was still hanging out in her school bag. Waiting was kind of hard to do...

Morgana: Like I said, Madame Keiko, there's nothing to worry about, right? Kamoshida won't be a problem at your school anymore thanks to us. The only thing you need to do besides waiting, if Ryuji's trying to make his move on you. Well, him and Mishima for trying to be too innocent to do something very bad.

He was right. With Keiko checking on her text messages to wait for Ryuji and Ann to do the same thing, while Ann visits Shiho again at the hospital to check on her until she wakes up.

[Ryuji: Man, all this waiting's got me so antsy. We should go on a trip or something. Whaddya think?]

[Ann: Sorry, I'm gonna have to pass.]

[Ryuji: What, you busy?]

[Ann: Yeah, I'll be visiting Shiho in the hospital after school for the next few days. I can't do much to help her, but it'll be nice to at least see her face.]

[Ryuji: Gotcha...I hope she wakes up soon.]

[Keiko: Be safe on your way there.]

[Ann: Yeah, thanks. I'm totally down to go somewhere once things calm down though.]

A nice thought to know she was hanging in there...Which was very good. Soon to be getting another text message from Ryuji to ask Keiko if he wanted to do something with him, track running to try getting back at it again for her to help out a friend like him. And not getting too personal this time.

Morgana: It sounds like we won't be able to see Lady Ann after school for a while. How unfortunate...Madame Keiko, try to see her as much as you can later on when you have the chance to.

After school...Keiko goes to take care of a few things outside of school, for one of them at the bookstore, and more at the library while borrowing some of the books and then bringing them back with something to have another book to get than not at the library at school.

Morgana: Hmm…Hey, Madame Keiko. That's the same book at your school.

Keiko: This here…? "The Blood of Oath"?

Morgana: Yes! Get that one. For some reason, it caught my attention for us to look into. A key sense of my memories maybe? I don't know, but this could be a clue for me.

A easy price to be a discount going on at the book store 'same with the student allowing Keiko to borrow a book to at the school's library' it's a fair deal. Buying it and heading back for Keiko and Morgana both look at it while doing some of the things to be done as much as they have some free time on.

Keiko: This looks old. In good shape here, but I'm surprise someone still had something belonging to someone name Atsuko S. Ah…I don't know what the 'S' of this Atsuko's last name means…

Nothing much, but just the name of the book and the author's name herself with no last name of what the letter S stands for.

Morgana: You're right, Madame Keiko…Strange, and yet we can't turn back on this book now. I say we read little at a time with some help from others who know about this story of the author. It will take some time one for me to regain my memories, maybe…But it'll happen. I promise. But for now, go do thing or hang out with the others you're building regular bonds with.

Keiko: Ah, right. (I guess I got to keep hold on this book for more research and help from others for the time being, namely for Morgana's sake.)

Off to go on other things on what Keiko can do for more of one of the 5 Social Status to be done and Social Links/Confidants with a few others 'and even new ones later on' on what can be done. Elsewhere from within the Velvet Room as Igor was researching the Real World on his end; something on both Caroline and Justine's minds had something they felt, but unknown on what it was yet just like Morgana was in the same boat. Could it be something with the late Atsuko's book The Blood of Oath or something?

Justine: …!

Caroline: Huh? Is there something on your mind, Justine?

Justine: Sort of, Caroline. I bet you just felt what I was sensing too just now. Am I correct?

Caroline: Sort of I did. But what does some item of a of a book marker has anything to do with the Inmate?

Justine: Nothing. We'll just keep in mind to ourselves on it just in case. If it gets bad, then we'll let our Master know right away. No questions asked.

Really? So not even Igor knows about The Blood of Oath Book but the two twin wardens? Just like Morgana? Weird, huh?

Caroline: Hmph. Fine. If you say so for this one time, then we'll wait if it does get worse that is.

Justine: All we can do now is to aid the Inmate no matter what.

Caroline: Whatever. Maybe we can ask her to do something for us sometime later….Ah, when I feel like it!

Or so Carlone said without admitting it, for Justine can tell.

Justine: If you say so, Caroline.

Caroline: What?! I mean it!

And more to come around next time for sure. I know this version is the real deal here, so I hope you guys don't mind a few changes I've made, OK? From the twins to keep in mind, just like Keiko and Morgana for the time being – the waiting happens on proof around May if Suguru did have a change a heart or not. As Keiko hangs out with her Confidants and status to be done little at a time while the other days to pass by somehow.