Persona 5 Royal: tmdrago Special Edition
By Tayla Drago
Episode #37 – Junko Sakurai
Madarame and his Shadow self has been defeated, for his Palace to go away, getting the Treasure of Sayuri for what it truly looks like the real one made by Yusuke's mother, changing the con-artist's heart, the Phantom Thieves have done it once again, and Jackie goes to another part of the Metaverse and/or Mementos...Keiko, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, and Yusuke returned back to the real world next to have the Treasure on what it really looks like on what they've gotten. Still, they got out of the place thanks to Morgana turning into a car to pull this whole thing off. No more fake artist like him taking credit for it, nothing to ever happen ever again. As for backup help, who's to say about the mysterious ninja girl? How odd...
[Metaverse Navigator: The destination has been deleted.]
For that to say it on each of their phones, it shows that Madarame Shadow is defeated to return to his true self by now.
Keiko: Our friend Jackie's a little avatar on our phones. How cute...Oh, right! We're back.
That's what the Persona is in the few stages it goes into, it's normal for the rare ones.
Morgana: You guys, we should leave this area right away. People will find it suspensions to see us hanging around this place to cause a scene.
And since the real Treasure is the real Sayuri painting to take with them.
Ryuji: Yusuke, c'mon.
Yusuke sees the shack once more to never work with Madarame ever again.
Yusuke: Right...Goodbye, Sensei.
Getting out somewhere safer to talk next…As for back in the real world and out of the Metaverse for both Caith Sith arrives out safely…only for Orobas coming out last of the portal to land on his friend. Ouch!
Sith: Ah…Ah! Orobas!
Orobas: Ah, Caith?
Sith: Get…off…me…!
Now the big Shadow sees his little friend to get off of him.
Orobas: Sorry about that. Anyways, I'm glad we got out of there from the Metaverse of the Palace artist. Some humans I guess never learn a lesson. Huh, Cait?
Sith: Yeah, yeah, some humans are dumb. But did you see how those humans with powers I was tell you about?
Orobas: I did and lucky not to get killed. Fighting for justice…? But I don't know who the ninja one was with that Shadow.
Sith: That doesn't matter! I believe we can still get some of the human's energies from the Shadow takeover of theirs while also a lot more on these Phantom Thieves than meets the eye. We play it cool while aiding the other duos on…whatever their own goals are. We aid them a little, as they'll aid us on some, and we do the rest of the work. Trust me, Orobas, we can get this plan in the back. I felt some power from them so far, so we're one step closer to our own goal real soon.
Better to play it safe and sorry move I guess.
Orobas: I see now…I'll take that over being attack from random paintings and other weapons flying at us. Ouch. Oh right, we play the wait game now, I got it.
What are they up to this time? Going back to their hideout since Yusuke got his mother's art back to do something with us, like what though? Other than that they talk about another fine job they just accomplished. The next thing they needed to do was to wait for the results – again.
Ryuji: I guess the mission was a success. All that's left is to see if he had a change of heart or not.
He drinks his soda to taste funny.
Keiko: Not the best thing to drink after completing a mission, Ryuji.
Ryuji: Ugh, so bitter...Why's you get it black?
And that's a problem why...? For Yusuke to be staring at his favorite artwork from his mother to love the beauty from it.
Yusuke: The "Sayuri"...
Ryuji: You're not gonna get all teary-eyed and say stuff like, "Mom...!" are you?
Keiko: Will you be okay, Yusuke?
Looks like he will save the artwork from the man he once called a teacher.
Yusuke: I'll be fine, Ms. Keiko, there's no need to worry about me. But thank you...To think that this painting was the source of Madarame's distorted desires. The only saving grace is that my mother won't know what transpired...
The real Sayuri does look wonderful to behold its true beauty for Yusuke's mother will be proud of her boy.
Morgana: The genuine painting at his atelier has been altered, after all...Ironic as it may be, this one here is her true self-portrait now.
That is true...
Keiko: Such loveliness it has...
Ann: ...It's a wonderful painting. And...although it looks like some time, it's in your hands now, Yusuke.
Keiko: Yeah, you should keep this one as proof when Madarame does confess. It's been yours from the very beginning.
So true, this painting of the real Sayuri does belong to Yusuke himself.
Yusuke: ...I'm thankful for it. However, it's impossible for this painting to be acknowledged by society anymore...
Keiko: So, Yusuke. Was Sayuri your mother's real name?
Yeah, was it her true name?
Yusuke: No. I doubt it's the name of any woman in particular. I bet it was to make it more mysterious – just a part of Madarame's foolish staging.
Seems not, but it wouldn't matter to leave it a mystery maybe.
Morgana: Well, it would've been obvious that he plagiarized it if he had used the real name.
Either way, this was Yusuke's mother of the painting itself.
Keiko: Even if Sayuri wasn't her real name, I think it still shows she might've been her name.
Yusuke: So this is my Mother...There's no way that I would remember her face clearly...But I was right about the rush of emotion I felt when I saw the painting. For the love of my Mother, and the caring for my new friends to have someone I've fallen in love with will keep me going strong. Thank you, everyone. And to you too, Ms. Keiko.
Holding Keiko's hands again to catch her by surprise to see how much they did to save Yusuke's life.
Keiko: It was nothing, Yusuke, I'm glad you're happy. (Again, he should know I've already got a boyfriend. And Ryuji should know too.)
Yeah, besides himself getting a replacement soda to protect Keiko from Yusuke to smooth move on her.
Ryuji: Yusuke, don't you dare touch Keiko...!
He burps because Ann didn't like him doing it in their faces.
Ann: Stop that!
Keiko moves away afterwards.
Keiko: Gross!
Morgana: You're so vulgar, Ryuji.
Ryuji: So, what're you gonna do now? We're gonna keep targetin' big shots.
Really? Ryuji had to ask Yusuke that question since he's now part of the Phantom Thieves' team. Either being silly again or he's still jealous for Yusuke to fall for Keiko like he is. Either way, he still asks about them doing all of this for a good reason.
Yusuke: ...Why do you say such things?
Ryuji: It's to get back at scumbags and like...society in general? We also give courage to the people that're sufferin' 'cause of selfish adults.
It's true, for others to stay strong from those who are doing something really bad.
Yusuke: Courage, hm...What good does that do? You mean the courage to stand up for themselves, correct? Will acquiring that make them happy?
Keiko: But it does...It helps us to change by becoming friends to follow what we want to do and change others before they or themselves get hurt. I like helping out people who are kind, Yusuke, and without these guys and you...This would never happen to have gone to the Metaverse Palaces to steal their hearts to change he or she, a good type of thief we all are to change everything.
It does work a few times, for the third to happen already to wait for results. Just for Yusuke to hear Keiko say those words to make him blush a lot from Keiko's beauty to love her even more.
Yusuke: Ms. Keiko...
Ryuji: ...Yeah. There's no knowin' whether it'll turn out good for everyone or not. Still, we won't know unless we give it a try.
Yusuke: ...In other words, it all depends on the person, hm? Then the same can be said about myself right now. I also suffered because of an adult's selfish act. Moreover, if we investigate these Palaces, it may expand my artistic repertoire.
That's Yusuke Kitagawa for you, loves doing art to see more from others who do good as well.
Ryuji: You really only think about art, huh? You're impressive.
Keiko: Everyone's got a dream to follow, Ryuji. And Yusuke has something.
Yusuke: Well I won't take part in any inelegant plans, all right?
That shouldn't be a problem there to never do it in a bad way.
Ann: No worries! I've got us covered! Plus, we have a rule that says we always have to decide on a target unanimously.
Yep, they work things out before making a move. So Ann says to Yusuke for the others to see her being way ahead on things.
Morgana: How about it, Joker? We can give our calling cards a lot more oomph if we have Yusuke on our team.
Keiko: He will make a great team.
Yep, Yusuke/Fox was in no doubt about it for he was more than happy to help out the Phantom Thieves.
Yusuke: I will try and live up to those expectations. And for you, Ms. Keiko, we'll do wonderful things with you as our leader.
Then it's settled...Other than learn more about the other intruder who was like them to be a mysterious female ninja. But was her face painted the first time they saw her saving them from Madarame's Shadow army? Yeah, I'm doing something about this one to be far more than a ninja for the main villain of my made up character to be the main bad guy in this one. You'll see why later on what I mean...
Morgana: At any rate, I'm curious...Another intruder besides us, huh? See, Madame Keiko. We must learn about this girl.
Seeing that Jackie was fine, but not the other human girl with ninja skills, you know...?
Keiko: It could be anyone else we don't know of to have awakened to their powers differently...
This was weird for them to see and now hear about it, so odd...
Ann: Our only clue's a strange face to be...painted or covered, so that doesn't necessarily mean it's just one person, right?
Ryuji: She's not as hot as Keiko is...But there's no way to check back anymore from Madarame's old Palace to be gone now.
There has to be more clues to get from Madarame to learn about the ninja girl.
Yusuke: This is troublesome...I'll try probing Madarame. I may be able to learn something from him...
A risky move to have someone's heart to change, could be their only lead.
Ann: Are you sure? I mean-
Yusuke: It's fine. I'll contact you all if anything turns up.
Looks like they'll be exchanging their phone numbers and ID text messaging chat thing for the four to do next for Yusuke to be part of it now, awesome!
Ann: We should probably exchange our contact info with you then.
Keiko, Ann, Ryuji, and Yusuke do it to have a text chat type of message group with one another to be all four of them in the group.
Keiko: Now we can contact you at any time, Yusuke.
Yusuke: We can, Ms. Keiko, and with you the most. An artist and a phantom thief...It seems I'll be engaging in two trades from here on...Very well. You only live one, after all. Still, the incident about this other intruder ninja girl does concern me a little...She may've saved us earlier, but is she to be trustworthy?
That she did to be the talk in the Metaverse for the person's Shadow to see her like Madarame Shadow did.
Keiko: She might have many reasons why she's working alone; I just know it... (Still, we have to try solving this mystery to learn more about her by any means. Once we see her again, we'll figure out what to do next.) Either way, let's go back home. See you later, everyone.
And they will too. Calling it a day for everyone else to go on home 'for Yusuke to be fine to be living somewhere else', Keiko and Morgana return at Leblanc to help Sojiro with the chores and coffee making again to relax back upstairs in Keiko's room for the two to talk privately at one another while they wait for Madarame to confess real soon. Boring, but it was the only way to see more of his change of heart to happen.
Morgana: Good for us, huh Madame Keiko? Not only have we dealt with our second biggest target, we even have a new addition to the team! With two other heroes to support the Phantom Thieves too, not bad. Goodness, things are going so well!
Keiko: That we are, Morgana. We're on a roll and it's all thanks to you.
Well, he did set this whole thing for Morgana to help them make the team to be big all over Japan in the area to be in.
Morgana: Ahhh! If only I could make a certain, stupid Ryuji learn from you...But I have to say, you sure are something else, Madame Keiko.
Keiko: I'm not trying to be, I just want to help out.
Morgana: But this is our fifth Persona-user. It'll help broaden our battle strategies as well. Besides, having an eye for beauty is a must for phantom thieves. We're lucky to have Yusuke, just not with him trying to fall in love with you and Ryuji not doing the same thing...Besides that – an artist like him is a talent you already come across. Madame Keiko, you also love art work too. I mean, Yusuke IS a bit strange, but still...An artist, huh...
There was a lot for Morgana to learn about what he really is to still have trouble with it.
Keiko: Is there something on your mind, Morgana? (I hope he's doing well to try to learn more about himself, the same goes for Jackie too.)
Morgana: What kind of person do you think I was? There's no way I'd turn out to be some bad guy in the end, right? I get so engrossed with this embodiment of human desires...And that's not all. When it comes to the Metaverse, I'm the only one who can transform into a car...I'm special...but it's still odd. Who could actually be?
He will still be himself to be something else than a cat appearance for Keiko to have a good feeling about it.
Keiko: Morgana...Please don't say those things, I think you're human when you're describing more about yourself. You're more human than a cat, though a very cute one.
She meant it in a good way.
Morgana: I know, right? Human. Not a cat, Madame Keiko, besides your comment to be the case.
He lets out a sigh after that to still keep on searching.
Keiko: I'm just saying...
Morgana: What a half-assed answer. Well, there's no way someone like me, who has honorable aspirations, can't be evil. A man who saves those in trouble in the west, while punishing evildoers who may lurk in the east! A man who chastises people that smoke inside in the south, while saving bullied cats in the north. A man who has a sturdy body and vows to always do one good deed a day, be it rain or shine. I'm that kind of person...Or so I hope.
Nice speech he made there for Keiko to hear the whole thing.
Keiko: I like it...You sound like an old spaghetti western movie actor.
Morgana: Good one, huh? So if I turn back to being human...surely she'll take notice of me, won't she?
Wait...this was new. Morgana saying about someone he likes who's not Ann? Keiko wanted to learn more about this.
Keiko: "She"? Do you like this girl? Whoever she is?
For him to have trouble answering this type of question.
Morgana: Me?! Don't be ridiculous! People chase after me when it comes to my love. Madame Keiko, you should know by now. I like girls to look cute from respecting you and to love Lady Ann the most.
Still thinking about once Morgana turns back to his human form way later, what then...?
Keiko: I think Ann cares about you as a friend only... (Just who's this girl Morgana's mentioning about? He must really love her.)
Morgana: Where should I go when I become human...? I wonder where she'd like to go...? An amusement park, a movie theater, a fancy cafe, shopping...What do you think, Madame Keiko?
Hard to answer, but she gives it a shot for her friend.
Keiko: Well, whatever happens when you learn more about yourself and find the girl you're talking about...You'll make your date count so much.
Morgana: And I'm looking forward to it once I get my true form and my memories back.
Speaking of dates...
Keiko: (I think Akechi wants me to see him tomorrow after school to do something together...Another date for me! I hope like us, Ann and Ryuji will end up together, Yuuki will find the right girl, same thing with Yusuke, and Morgana will get it back for the girl he truly loves. For love's a beautiful thing.)
This makes Morgana's Arcana and Confidant go up to level 3, for his and Keiko's bonding to grow. And then getting a text message from the others for Keiko to check in on Ryuji, Ann, and Yusuke to now be joining in too.
[Ryuji: Yo, good jobs guys.]
[Ann: We all did our best.]
[Yusuke: Allow me to express my thanks once again. Because of you, Ms. Keiko, I was able to retrieve the painting that had been filled with my mother's love. And to everyone else as well.]
[Ryuji: Hearing you say that makes the whole thing worth it, Yusuke! ALSO STOP HITTING ON KEIKO ALREADY!]
[Ann: Seriously. Besides that part...It was no trouble at all. I wasn't sure you'd really want to change Madarame's heart.]
[Yusuke: I'm sorry to have worried all of you. I have no regrets about it now.]
[Ann: And the change of heart WILL happen this time, right?]
[Keiko: It'll be fine. If it happened once already, then it'll happen again real soon.]
[Ryuji: Yeah. We did it just like with Kamoshida.]
[Ann: By the way, I'm curious about what he said at the end.]
[Ryuji: You mean about the other intruder besides us? It was something about a cover painted face, yeah?]
[Yusuke: That may have been nothing more than a lie. Madarame was quite deranged at that point, after all. For now, we should wait for his change of heart in peace.]
[Ann: OK.]
As both Morgana and Keiko got ready to go to bed 'after playing another TV game show to watch and cleaning up the café yet again', the two finished tidying up and called it a night.
Morgana: Good night, Madame Keiko.
Keiko: Good night to you too, Morgana. Sweet dreams.
Sleeping throughout the night, to see someone look scary in front of Keiko to try to hurt her, to also see Akechi, and someone else in the darkness to have Keiko to himself with a kiss to feel really bad...She soon wakes up to having a bad dream. Then finally – she wakes up to find herself in the Velvet Room to see Igor, Caroline, and Justine again for another visit.
Keiko: (Ah, man...What was that dream I just had? It felt something to be and felt very real, but it was hard to tell.) Oh! The Velvet Room.
In her prison uniform to be her jail uniform to see the three once again.
Igor: Good to see you again, Ms. Trickster. You have expelled one who was stained in vanity. You are now one step closer to your rehabilitation. It's a delightful thing indeed.
Seems that Keiko and her friends were doing well to improve a bit more from the Phantom Thieves themselves.
Keiko: I'm glad I'm doing my best, and so are the others of this entire task. I'll keep it up, Igor.
Even the twin girls say their thanks to Keiko in their own words.
Justine: Our Master is pleased. You should be honored, inmate.
Igor: However, that man's remarks are concerning. It seems another has made their way into the Metaverse. Actually...One good, and one bad.
Two of them?! So besides one being the ninja girl, who was the other person with the Persona of a Persona-user? Looks like Jackie's no threat in this mess at all so that's good.
Keiko: The strange ninja girl? Yeah, she did save us for Madarame's Shadows to spot her to have her own Persona like us, but...she fled afterwards. I don't know why. But still, who could it be?
So many things were still left unsaid for not even Igor or the girls don't know who she was.
Igor: Sadly, that is beyond my knowledge...But your rehabilitation is processing smoothly...That is for certain. May the devotion to your rehabilitation grow even deeper. For I have high hopes for you, Ms. Trickster.
Igor's Arcana and Confidant goes up to level 4 now and as for Keiko to keep on doing her best, and in her rehabilitation.
Caroline: So get better, Inmate!
For Keiko to have a strong bond with Igor to know she'll find the truth soon enough. As she gets another Persona to have for power, Keiko was good to go.
Tayla: Persona #42 – Inugami
In Japanese mythology an inugami ("dog god") resembles, and usually originates from, a dog, (although other similar species are interpreted as being. e.g., wolves, raccoons, and weasels.) and most commonly carrying out vengeance or acting as guardians on behalf of their "inugami owner." Inugami are extremely powerful and capable of existing independently, (without master or possession) as well as turning on their "owners" and even possessing humans. Even so, while Inugami can betray their masters, they may also be the loyalist of companions.
Keiko: (I guess this is another mystery we'll have to solve next. From the ninja girl, finding Jackie's human master, Morgana's memories, and what that dream I had was all about...It had Akechi-Cun in it.)
The Phantom Thieves might need lots of help they can get. Returning back to the Real World to get back to sleep again for Keiko, she wasn't the only one dreaming the weird feeling...Akechi woke up like there was something in him to be saying something important.
Akechi: *gasp* (What was that dream...? A monster, me, and Keiko...)
Year – 20xx
Day #46 – May 5/25th – Wednesday
A new day to wake up for Keiko to get ready to go to school and Morgana to tag along...Only she gets a phone call from Yusuke to answer it, what could it be?
Morgana: Who's that calling you on a school day?
Keiko: Ah...Hello?
She answers it.
[Yusuke: It's Kitagawa. Ms. Keiko, it's me.]
He was happy to call her, as Keiko was happy to hear his voice to not be romantic with this girl.
Keiko: Yusuke? Oh, hi. How are you doing? You can tell me before I head to school like you are where you go to.
[Yusuke: I know, I'll try to make this quick. I'm calling about Madarame's state. For the time being, he hasn't suffered a mental shutdown.]
Good news to hear from the other two.
Keiko: That's good, I guess we did another fine job.
[Yusuke: It is...Other than that, his demeanor seems to have softened a bit. Is that...the change of heart?]
It had to be the case, then yes.
Morgana: Sounds like it to me.
Keiko: I think it is Yusuke, we just wait for Madarame to confess to the public a bit before June the fifth, but it'll all be worth it.
The waiting game can begin since they've changed Madarame's heart so far. For Yusuke to learn about this whole thing, he was getting much better.
[Yusuke: I see...I was curious and looked into Kamoshida as well. It's as if he was an entirely different person. Will the same be true for Sensei...?]
Keiko: It has to be, Yusuke.
[Yusuke: Ms. Keiko, your words are so sweet to help me get through anything from your lovely voice...I'm sorry to have taken your time. That's all I wanted to tell you. Good-]
Before he hangs up, Yusuke has one more thing to say to Keiko next.
Keiko: Is there anything else you wish to say?
[Yusuke: Oh. I'll try asking him about the ninja girl with the painted face from the Palace when the time is right.]
Keiko: Please do, Yusuke, we can wait.
[Yusuke: Goodbye then. This time for sure. Ms. Keiko, as you said that everything will work out, I'll believe in you to risk my life for your beauty who I fell in love with.]
An odd way to say his goodbye there, Keiko gets the point to end the phone call already.
Keiko: (Not this again...!) Ah, okay Yusuke. Thanks. Bye!
Hanging up quickly, Keiko was having trouble with so many boys falling in love with her to still work out with.
Morgana: They'll learn soon enough, Madame Keiko. Just keep doing what you do best with the other two guys. Akechi is yours to love.
On Keiko's way to school, as she and Morgana spots Makoto to be taking the same train too and seeing each other again.
Keiko: Makoto.
Makoto: We meet again, Keiko. I guess I remember your name pretty well. Seeing you're on your own for a change? May I ask what's new?
Keiko: Ah... (It's best she doesn't know what me and the others really do.) I'm acting the same as usual is all.
Good answer for Makoto to go along with it.
Makoto: Really? Well, you're not lying to me. So I'll take the answer clearly from your mouth. Anyways, from the culprit to come forward to the police real soon, isn't that right, Keiko? Making me do all of the work sometimes isn't an easy task for the real adults to do their jobs better. Sorry, I'm speaking out of my mind again. Now let's get to school, Keiko.
Keiko: Right! (I know Makoto's not a bad person.)
She sensed something was up with Makoto already for Morgana to catch on little at a time. Good to know...Going to school for Keiko was reading on her train ride there; to also get through the school day to get things done while she was having some free time with Morgana.
Morgana: Oh yeah, Madame Keiko. Something happened to me the other day.
Keiko: What's that, Morgana? Are you hurt?
Morgana: Nothing bad, no. I almost got kidnapped!
Really? And it was no dream at all...?
Keiko: Kidnapped-!? Ah...I had to have a dream. I'm glad you're okay at least, Morgana, but who would kidnap a cat?
Still hates to be called like that.
Morgana: I'm not a cat! ...That said, I don't actually have a clue why I was targeted. Some girl had this crazy look in her eyes, and she was chasing me around, calling me a "Snowball'' or something. I wonder if she's been going after other cats and snatching them up like she tried with me...Madame Keiko, try checking the Phan-Site and see if anyone's saying anything about it.
Looking at the Phan-Site quickly on Keiko's call phone, she found nothing about it yet.
Keiko: Not good. (I wasn't able to find any relevant posts...) I got nothing.
Morgana: Hmm, maybe it's just not a well-known problem yet? The only victims are cats, so I suppose that could be the case...Let's try asking around in Yongen and see if we can find the culprit.
Something to do later on around the Yongen-Jaya area to find something.
Keiko: Right, I'll keep that part in mind. We'll be sure to help out other cats out there.
Another Mementos request to do later on? Maybe...
Operation Quest - If Cats Disappeared from the City = Target (Ryoko Aino)
More on that research to do after school. As for the other day…Taking Ann's advice a few weeks ago and playing it safe, Ryuji goes to see Maruki to try out the council meeting next with him.
Maruki: Come on in.
Hopefully Ryuji does well when talking to Maruki in his counseling.
Ryuji: Wassup.
Maruki: Sakamoto-Kun! Here for a counseling session?
Ryuji: Well...it's not like I wanted to or nothin'.
Just keep playing it cool.
Maruki: Ahaha, sorry you were forced into this. But anyway-come in, come in!
Well, here goes. For Ryuji to sit down and the same with Maruki, to hear what's on this guy's mind.
Ryuji: Sooo...This is pretty awkward.
But this leaves Maruki confused.
Takuto: Oh? Why's that?
Ryuji: I mean, I don't really go see teachers unless they wanna chew me out for doin' somethin' wrong...
Maruki: Oh, I'm not a teacher here. If anything, well...I'm here to be on the students' side.
Ryuji: Oh, yeah...?
He wasn't a teacher to support the students only for Maruki to do his job.
Ryuji: So...Am I supposes'ta tell ya bout Kamoshida now?
Maruki: Oh, no, no-this isn't some kind of interrogation. You're free to just kick back and talk about whatever you want.
Ryuji: Liiike...what?
Need more explanation for this guy please.
Maruki: Hmm, how about...Is there anyone in your class that you like?
He does have two girls in mind to have trouble, with one crush a lot without noticing the others.
Ryuji: That's not exactly easy to talk about either-and it's not like there IS anybody...Two girls are my closest friends. One is the one I grew up with, annoying but caring...Cute. And the other I'm in love with, but she loves someone else.
I think Maruki gets the point to not push in any further.
Maruki: Uh-Oh, sorry! I just meant, you're in the middle of your teenage years and all, right? One girl likes you but the other one sees you as a friend only to be taken, right? High schoolers are just discovering romance and all, so...
Ryuji: That's how it went for you?
For him to once love is all Maruki does know about his own past.
Maruki: ...No...exactly. But, um, that's just because I fell in love with my studies first! Heheh...
Going weird and awkward again.
Maruki: I'm sorry...I'm supposed to be hearing you out, but instead I'm just bringing down the room. Oh how about this instead-what do you do in your free time, Sakamoto-Kun? On the weekend, after school...
Ryuji: Uhhh, hang out with my buds, the girl I really like, mostly-though I just started doin' that recently. Before that, I was just pissed all the time, and even before that...I was only all about the track team.
A lot has changed for Ryuji, huh?
Maruki: Ah...So...is your leg better now?
Even more like the one he raced against the Shadow to help out his team.
Ryuji: ...Oh, so you know about that, too. Well, yeah, pretty much-so long as I don't strain it or nothin'.
Maruki: I see...You really do enjoy running, don't you?
Ryuji: Guess so...I mean, after all that trainin' I did, it makes sense I'd like it...I'd be training constantly, getting sweet times at meets along with everyone else...Eventually I was gonna get my hands on some running scholarships to make it easier on my mom...But all of that's in the past now. It's cool, though. I got way more important shit to do now.
Lots of things have changed in a good way.
Maruki: More important, huh? Well, no matter what path you might have to take to get there...I hope your track dreams will still do you some good in the end.
Ryuji: Heh, thanks...
This made Ryuji smile when Maruki said that to him.
Maruki: And, you know what they say, right? If you wish hard enough, your dreams can come true!
And this left him feeling silliness again.
Ryuji: Huh? You tryin' to sell me some kinda line now?
Maruki: Oh no, this is actually a genuine phenomenon, with a lot of research going into it even now. Look at it this way, Sakamoto-Kun-what do you want more out of life, right now?
Ryuji: Uhhh...I want somethin' to drink, I guess.
Already just thinking about being thirsty, huh?
Maruki: Oho!
Ryuji: Uh, what...?
Wishful thinking was fine to talk about.
Maruki: I lucked into a coupon for a free can of apple juice at the convenience store this morning! And now, I'd like for you to have it.
One pack of juice? Really...?
Ryuji: ...Thanks?
Maruki: See? Your wish came true!
Ryuji: Yeaaah...Hey, Dr. Maru-ah, I mean, Doc. Anyone ever told you you're kinda...not normal?
A joke or Maruki acting like a clumsy type of kid?
Maruki: You think so? ...Ooh, could that be a compliment, coming from you?
Ryuji: Uhhh, no?
Maruki: O-Oh...
Well, these two have a good long talk from the looks of it. Ryuji finds Maruki's job to be fine in his book. More on that later on, I guess to find more clues first. One their way out...Junko bumps into Keiko to lose her stuff to help her get it off the ground, clumsiness for two of the girls with two different lives.
Junko: Oh! Sorry about that!
Keiko: No, I'm sorry. (Hey! It's the girl with the long yellow hair who got the highest scores from the test we took.) Ah...here are your things.
Seeing Junko in person for Keiko to see to be just her normal self to get through her school life.
Junko: Thanks. Hey...Aren't you the new student who came to this school two months ago?
Keiko: Yes. I take it you've heard rumors about me...?
Seems like it, but Junko didn't look like the type of person to be a mean type of girl.
Junko: Yes, but I don't spread rumors about it like crazy, not for me. I hate popular kids who act like they're good but they don't. I just ignore them and you seem nice. I'm Junko Sakurai, a first year student at Shujin Academy. What's your name?
Keiko: I'm Keiko Amamiya, a second year student. Please meet you, Junko. That's a nice name.
The two shake hands for Morgana to hear and see what was going on.
Morgana: (One of the students who made a high score from the exams was this girl...A first year and she's younger than Madame Keiko and Lady Ann is, but she's smarter and sharper than she looks and sometimes clumsy.)
Junko: Oh, are you free today?
Keiko: Actually, I'm seeing someone. My boyfriend is a bit busy taking care of a few things, but I can help you out with something. What is it?
Junko: How did you know?
Keiko: You look like a busy person.
She could tell from the first year.
Junko: You've notice me as a journalist to try to do when I finish high school, that's right. I guess there's no use hiding it...In any rate, yes. I wish for you, Keiko-Senpai, to take me around the area to see how others work in their daily lives. It's homework to learn on people's part time jobs to gather for me to write down, but I'm not good at knowing what's to be my way around. I could ask for your help. Please...?
A first year student like Junko asks for Keiko's help for today to help her get a tour for Junko to learn her way around later to do for one whole day, huh? Seems like Keiko didn't mind helping out for a bit until she could meet up with Akechi a bit in the same area she'll be in.
Keiko: (At least I got all day to help someone out like her since she asked...) Okay, Junko, I'll take you to one area I'm going to anyways. Let's try that.
Junko: Thanks, Keiko-Senpai. Whenever you're ready to head out, I'll follow you.
Morgana didn't mind watching over while walking around on his own. To the Shibuya train station area they go! From Keiko showing Junko around town from one bum who was kicked out from Madarame from a while back from losing his art work was hard to do him a favor to get pay back, and another seeing Yoshi was giving out one of his speechless to be there later Keiko to try to be there 'as Junko was getting lots of information from seeing so many scenes'; next they headed to the Central Street area to see more works of people for Junko to write down some good ones she was seeing thanks to Keiko showing her around. As Keiko and Junko went back to touring around the area where Sojiro works at Cafe Leblanc, Morgana was seeing them having fun.
Junko: Ready to show me the rest of the other areas, Keiko-Senpai? I'm ready to go whenever you are.
And off the two girls go and Morgana to follow them still...Like with more to bump into Yuuki to make the Phan-Site website was going well to see Keiko and feels happy about it and the new girl Junko getting out a lot more.
Yuuki: Good evening, Amamiya. I'm glad both you and Sakurai are doing well getting out on a night like this. See you two tomorrow at school.
Keiko: You too! Come on, Junko, I have a few more things I wanted to show you.
With lots to be written down, getting something to buy, seeing other for Keiko to meet with a again, it was time to ask around the Backstreets of town about Ryoko Aino from the cats to go missing 'with Junko helping out Keiko' and Morgana following to listening in as well. Hearing the first group of people – a little girl with her mother and dog to talk about it.
Dog-Loving Girl: That lady looks really happy now! Is it 'cause she got a bunch of cats?
Gentle-Looking Mother: I suppose...I personally think it's a bit too much. With that many, it gets so loud I can't sleep at night...
That's one thing to keep in mind. Morgana tells this to Keiko to keep in mind.
Morgana: A bunch of cats...? Hey, she might be talking about that catnapping case. Let's ask her for more information.
Remembering it well, for the mother to spot Keiko and Junko from almost spying.
Gentle-Looking Mother: C-Can I help you...?
Keiko: Ah...Sorry, but did you mention cats...?
Gentle-Looking Mother: You're concerned about that household as well? She suddenly brought home a massive number of cats. I wasn't sure if she was all right...It's terribly noisy at night, and they shed everywhere! I'm worried that it's not the healthiest environment to raise those cats.
That is troubling.
Keiko: Maybe there's a reason for it.
Gentle-Looking Mother: Even so, I'm worried for the cats. I even told the landlord about the situation at Aino-San's home, but it looks like nothing's changed.
Keiko: (This could be serious then.) What's her full name?
This was plenty of evidence to get this person.
Gentle-Looking Mother: Huh? Her name? I'm not sure...I only say hello to her every now and then, so I don't know her that well.
Nothing here yet...
Morgana: Hmm...Doesn't look like we can learn anything else from her. Let's get out of here and go over what we know so far. Keep looking around some more to ask others, Madame Keiko.
A lot to do and for Junko to write her report at the same time.
Junko: This is sure something else.
And what did Morgana and Keiko have gotten so far.
Morgana: *whisper* So here's what we learned from that mother and child...This "Aino" lady suddenly adopted a lot of cats. There's concern about the noise at night and shedding. The cats might be acting that way because they're stressed. Okay, we might be able to find some other clues. Let's keep investigating around Yongen! Act like you're giving Junko a tour around here.
Keiko: *whisper* Right, Morgana.
Asking a few more people for Keiko, Junko, and Morgana asks someone else besides the mother and daughter, who else...? Next was asking two elderly men and women behind the bathhouse for Keiko to listen in and ask them about Ryoko with more clues to get 'and for Junko to still get more reports in the hot bathhouse.
Sad Old Man: Hey, have you been to Shibuya lately?
Kind Old Woman: Yes, I went to see Madarame's exhibit. They were talking about it on Good Morning Japan.
Sad Old Man: There've been some scary accidents happening recently, so try to be careful.
Kind Old Woman: Oh, you're right. The one back in April was terrible. I hope that sort of thing won't happen again.
Nothing there, but another old man who was sitting down might know something.
Old Man: ...Is the cat not here today either? Maybe that woman really did take him...
Oh, there was something new.
Morgana: A woman...? Hey, Madame Keiko, he might be talking about that catnapping case. Let's ask him for more information.
Let's see what they can get from him next.
Keiko: Ah...
Junko: I'll be right out, Keiko-Senpai!
Yeah, they got time for Junko to finish touring around.
Keiko: Right. Ah, excuse me sir?
Old Man: Hm? Young lady, did you want to listen to the radio?
Keiko: You said something about a cat?
Old Man: Ah, Yes...There's this woman who nabs all the cats around here and calls 'em "snowball." A few people I know have been victims. The same thing probably happened to the cat here...
It seems the rumors on Morgana's mind are all true then.
Keiko: That's terrible.
Old Man: It sure is. She's one creepy lady, to boot-calls all the cats a "snowball" even if they're not white. But I did get her name. It's "Ryoko Aino." I asked for it when I went to the police, so there's no mistake. The police just treat cats like objects...Those little guys are like family to me. I wish there was something I could do about this mess. You ought to be careful, too, since you're toting a cat around.
They finally get Ryoko's name and what she does.
Morgana: Not only are other cats suffering, but she's also hurting people, too...The Aino household was the one that suddenly got a lot of cats, right? That's got to be our target, Madame Keiko! We should discuss this with everyone at the hideout.
And they will talk to each other about it at their hideout in the next Mementos mission later on.
Keiko: On it. Thank you so much, sir. Hey, Junko, did you get everything you needed?
Seems like it.
Junko: Yep, we can go now.
Soon enough finally, for Keiko to be seeing her boyfriend at long last.
Akechi: There's my lovely Princess. I miss you.
The two hugged and kissed each other.
Keiko: Hi, Akechi-Cun. Sorry I'm a little late...I'm just helping out this first student from my school named Junko Sakurai while also showing her around town. She wants to be a journalist to learn about others in their daily life jobs, and got some good ones.
She sees Keiko has a boyfriend she had mentioned.
Junko: Oh, a different high school boy from another school who's dating a transfer student who's also helping me out. Cool. It's nice to meet you, sir. My name is Junko Sakurai.
Akechi: Hi there, Junko. I'm Goro Akechi. I'm a young ace detective prince who still has a school life and is Keiko's boyfriend.
For Akechi and Keiko's love was sweet and lovely for them to never stop and Junko to see for herself.
Junko: So I've noticed...You two do love each other.
Akechi: Thank you. We hope you find true love with a great guy soon.
She was laughing at being too shy and busy to date anyone right now.
Junko: That's nice of you to say, really...but I'm way too busy to finish up high school to be going out with some people to become a journalist. I hope to one day find true love soon. But I can wait until then.
A long wait, but Junko will do her best on it.
Keiko: Well, if that's what you want to do, Junko, we won't stop you.
Junko: In any case since you two are together, I was hoping to get one more thing to write down...Something about people aiding others from cooking and random places to do up close to tell my point of view to write down. Keiko-Senpai, I thought both you and your boyfriend Goro can show me a couple more things before calling it a day?
Akechi: Why not? It'll be nice to help out others, Keiko, let's do that.
Sounds like a good idea for all three of them to do.
Keiko: Yeah, this should be fun to still date and see a lot more things. Let's do it, Akechi-Cun! Junko!
Off the three go to do other parts in the area from train or just walking around, even Morgana catches up with all three of them. Montage fun time! Ha! From the beef bowling for them to make any type of beef food for the people to eat; Keiko quickly sells some stuff to Iwai to make some money until she comes back to buy and sell next time again, playing some games at the arcade to win some prizes from the crane game to have a great time. More to look at other places for people to pick other jobs to do with flyers all over the walls, good choices too. To see other fun things in town to have a nice time they've had to also eat and drink, to walk around town. This allowed for Junko to get what she needed for her dreams to come true.
Junko: This is great! What a fun experience I had with you two today.
Lots of things she has written down, but it was all worth it.
Keiko: We got some good things you've written down.
With the clock going off for Junko to see the time.
Junko: Wow! That late already? I better head back home.
Keiko: Should we walk you back to the train station?
Looks like Junko knows the way back at the train station to know the other parts in the area, and to not get lost now thanks to Keiko and Akechi showing her around today.
Junko: I'm good, but thanks anyways, Keiko-Senpai. I got to get back home to check the rest before calling it a night to turn them in by tomorrow. See you then at school and thanks again! And nice meeting you again, Goro.
Akechi: It was nice seeing you too, Junko, I hope we'll meet again real soon.
Keiko: Have a safe trip back.
And with a quick goodbye for Junko to wave to Keiko and Akechi to get her homework done for today, she walks back downstairs to the train station to ride back home safe and sound. This girl had a lot of fun while the couple spent their time left for tonight to go on their date, for a nice romance of theirs.
Akechi: Princess, I got something for you at the arcade crane game.
He shows Keiko a penguin plushie for Akechi to give to Keiko.
Keiko: Oh! Akechi-Cun, it's so cute! You didn't have to...
Akechi: But I want to because I love you a lot.
She loves her new gift, leaving Keiko to give Akechi something for him to have next that she too also got from the arcade. Junko got some cool keychains to have for her collections.
Keiko: If that's the case...I also got you something I want for you to have.
Akechi gets a nice ribbon bracelet for him to wear around his wrist that Keiko places on there.
Akechi: It's lovely. I'll treasure this gift forever from you, Princess.
Keiko: And I will with mine too, Akechi-Cun.
As they two walked around the town side to be holding hands, the two hid somewhere behind a building for Akechi to pull Keiko close to him to hold from one arm on hers in the air, places his other one around her waist, and then kisses Keiko on the lips to just happen out of nowhere to then goes along with it to love this feeling. For their love was very strong.
Akechi: I love doing this more when we're alone. (What a woman.)
Keiko: Akechi-Cun...It felt nice.
Akechi: Our love is sweet and we can never lose. Plus, I wanted to tell you some good news, just the two of us. It's about the artist Mr. Madarame who might not be the famous artist he claims to be.
Seems that he and a lot of cops are investigating some students and Yusuke to say that the man did something bad 'which he did' to look into it.
Keiko: (I guess a lot is going on for Madarame to be caught from a change of heart sooner or later.) Is that so?
Akechi: It's funny you ask me about someone leaving the man as a teacher to this person to have some proof about his plagiarism work, and for us to tell that his handwriting didn't match from the other art works he has done. He's nothing but a liar to soon be turned in. We have a tech machine to detect which is their work and not the others, it really comes in handy. So more about Mr. Madarame will be questioned on our end.
Keiko: I get it. Good work, I hope it all goes well. (Which it will in no time.)
For it to be getting late, Akechi walks Keiko back home to have a little bit more time to be spent a bit longer...
Akechi: Come, Princess, I'll walk you home for our moments with each other to still count until we meet again.
Keiko: Yes, Akechi-Cun, I'll love that very much. Let's go.
A nice thing to call it a night and Keiko to feel safe to have Akechi to walk with her side by side in love. Morgana follows his friend all the way back at Leblanc, to see from helping out others to be in love was the sweetest thing.
Morgana: (Madame Keiko, you're the sweetest person I've ever met to form the Phantom Thieves. Let's keep at it to also be living a normal life of school for a teenager in between, we can do this.)
A good way to have some days off to make it worth it for others. So from Junko's clumsiness to being caring, being very smart, and still a little not caring about the Phantom Thieves, to still like to do her job for others to also hanging out with this girl normally. Fair enough. And let's not forget about Morgana...Then going to the clinic for Keiko to do some test on one medicine that tasted bad to have an odd feeling from her nose.
Tae: How is it, Keiko?
Keiko: Ah...Not as good as I hoped when I first swallowed the whole thing.
So an odd feeling when globing it down too fast, must take it slow for Tae to write it all down right away, and to get a few things while Keiko was at it.
Tae: Right, be careful on how much you drink to stop headaches. Got it...?
The doctor then gets a call for Keiko slowly gets back up to leave, only to hear something bad of someone calling Tae a bad doctor 'for the second time now' of some kind for her to hear the whole thing.
Tae: Hello. Doctor Takemi's Clinic of Internal Medicine...What? Again? That's, well...that ship already sailed, so...*sigh* ...What a pain.
It would seem that one person didn't like her work one bit.
Keiko: (This again...? It's still going on.) Tae, are you doing well?
Tae: Huh? It's fine, wrong number again from someone being a complete idiot. It's like that for me so there's no need to worry at all, Keiko. From what I did for the father's little girl to get better, this happens to me.
In other words, it was still going on for her to have some people kick Tae out from being a doctor of her own clinic and it's not just saving the little girl's life. Still going on with this.
Keiko: You sure...? It doesn't sound fine from the sound of it. Just between you and me, it only has gotten much worse.
Tae: Not good hiding it, huh? Keiko. It never ends. Sorry...You know I would never hurt anyone. I want to try to work on this medicine for a certain someone to get better, it's called Crawford-Ende. I have to perfect it in any way possible.
So that's what the bigger issue is.
Keiko: That's awful!
Tae: It's not that bad...
Keiko: Yes it is, Tae! And excuse me for sounding rude, but this isn't right for you to live a life for other communities to keep on bothering you until they get what they want. Doesn't that get you mad? That would be for me! Just do something about it! Stand up for yourself and say - "I'm doing this because I love being a doctor."
From Keiko's strong words to reach out to Tae, she was surprised to see a teenage student like she was to stand up to a doctor to be doing her job right, a lot more to not hold back anything else anymore. So no more threatening phone calls like this one, one was enough. But two times now, I was going way overboard.
Tae: Keiko...You're being serious with me about this...
Keiko: That I am, so please don't give up on your dreams.
It was hard to think about but a lot for Tae to see that Keiko was right to still continue with her job as a doctor.
Tae: Wow. Okay, for a patient and a test subject to have you buy my medicines, you're the first one who understands me more. I don't know what to say. You and Miwa-Chan, the person I have to make and use the medicine to save her, while there's still time left.
Saving someone's life to perfect the medicine from the sound of it. Makes sense why Keiko's used it all to do good in the Metaverse and Mementos.
Keiko: And the reason why I'm your guinea pig for this?
Tae: I wouldn't ask you if you couldn't stand all of my medicines, right? That's why.
Keiko: Then keep doing what you love doing best, and that's by being a doctor. Listen, Tae, I'm glad we talked, but I got to go. See you next time to help you out more with those medicines! Bye!
Keiko takes off after buying a few things, testing one of them out, and seeing Tae will be fine to be getting another phone call to answer. Seems like Tae's Arcana and Confidant goes up to level 5.
Tae: Thanks again, Keiko. See ya! (Hey, I'm starting to like this girl...)
Answering a call to get some other patients to look in for later to be a good talk this time for her. Much better than having her clinic shut down. With Keiko getting back to Leblanc just fine with Morgana in her school bag, to get another phone call from Tae to see how Keiko was feeling right now 'besides the talk they had'.
Morgana: From Takemi, huh?
Keiko answers it.
Keiko: Hello?
[Tae: You doing okay, Keiko? My little guinea pig? Just wanted to check up on you. Also...sorry for the long talk today. I wasn't planning on telling you all that. ]
Keiko: About Miwa-Chan? It's okay. I know how important this project is for you.
[Tae: Yeah. You're the first person I've really shared all that with, good thing we're both girls. But...it was also a good reminder. This is something I have to do, as the Plague.]
Keiko: I get it.
[Tae: Thanks to you, the drug's development is progressing very smoothly. If there are no issues with this latest sample, I think we're right on the edge of finally finishing it...Oh, sorry, looks like I've got a patient. Maybe that girl and her dad came back. I have to go. See you later.]
Keiko: Bye, Tae. Take care.
Entering back at Leblanc to feed Keiko's plant and read a book before both she and Morgana headed to bed.
Morgana: And another fine day to go well for us.
Group text message time…
[Ryuji: Hey, so are we boned if this legal action goes through?]
[Yusuke: Madarame is a well-known individual. The police will surely move fast on his request. We will be arrested and worst comes to worst, sent to some sort of juvenile hall.]
[Ann: But I thought you said it didn't seem like he'd actually go through with it...]
[Yusuke: That is true. He's been bedridden since we went through with it, after all. Honestly though, it's difficult to even tell if he's actually undergone a change of heart.]
[Ann: I guess we'll just have to wait until he recovers...]
[Ryuji: I don't feel good about that...]
[Yusuke: I will contact you all at once if anything happens. Would that work for you?]
[Keiko: That'll be great, Yusuke, just be careful.]
[Yusuke: Of course.]
[Keiko: are you going to be okay?]
[Yusuke: There have been no issues so far, so I expect the same is true of the future. I'll be fine, Ms. Keiko, there's no need to worry about me. Well then, see you.]
From reading a book before that and bed….both Keiko and Morgana try out the burgers, as Keiko eats a small one with some good food on the side, while Morgana has a lot more on his plate to like it all. To even try out the Big Bang Burger challenge can be for everyone, of some of them do is a bit too much.
Keiko: Morgana…
Morgana: What? I'm careful when I eat.
Keiko: Really? Just be careful.
Now going back to get clean-up for bed and read something before that to finally calling it a night for today.