Persona 5 Royal: tmdrago Special Edition
By Tayla Drago
Episode #33 - Yusuke Kitagawa – Fox
Year – 20xx
Day #40 – May 5/19th – Thursday
Another day to get to school, for Yusuke to run into Keiko for her and Morgana to be seeing him again since he goes to a different school.
Yusuke: Oh, it's you, Ms. Keiko.
Keiko: Yusuke?
Yusuke: I take the same train station as you do so it seems. A strange attitude has happened yesterday, Takamaki-san contacting me to model after school today. May I ask why is that? You two seem to be close friends.
Oh, boy. I hope he's not catching on to their plan.
Keiko: Well, I don't know. This was news to me too. I'm as confused as you are.
Yusuke: No, no, I understand. I would never argue with someone as beautiful as you are.
Trying to wrap his arm around Keiko's waist to move away from Yusuke calmly.
Keiko: Ah, yeah! Look, just do me a favor and go easy on my friend please.
Yusuke: I would be more than happy if you would join with Takamaki-san as well-!
Keiko: NO-! No thank you. I'll be there later for Ann after I run a few errands to be done with first.
Good thing he is an understanding person.
Yusuke: That's fine, I'll set something nice for you when you arrive. Just nothing from Sakamoto's bad behavior, he's more of a bigger pervert. I'll call the police if I must. For what I do in fine art is normal, nothing perverted. There's a big difference. Now, if you'll excuse me, Ms. Keiko. I hope to see you then but I must be going.
Well, Yusuke can do perverted things without knowing it.
Keiko: Ah, man...He tried to place his hand on my-! Crap!
Morgana: And he thinks Ryuji's a bigger pervert. What says about him? Geeze...
Still Keiko has to pull this job off, and a lot more class work to finish first. A long day at school finally passes and ends for Keiko for her and Ryuji are ready to head back to the Metaverse of Kamoshida's Palace, while Morgana and Ann get the door open by any means from Yusuke without noticing a thing to do the modeling during the time. Oh, boy! Meeting at the hideout to be ready for it all.
Keiko: I'm all set whenever you are, Ryuji.
Ryuji: Right, babe. Morgana. Ann. We're both countin' on you two to get it done.
Morgana: Okay, remember what to do while waiting from the Palace. I'll get the door to open, and you two sneak right through. And then both Lady Ann and I will meet you there.
And they do so for Joker and Skull for the time being. As Ann makes a call with Yusuke already 'having to agree to model for him' calls up, and he allows her to come over, and Morgana sneaks inside. Time to put the plans into action.
Ann: Well, here goes nothing...
Places, people, because it's show time!
Yusuke: To think you'd really come...I assumed you were lying when you contacted me. I sure hope Ms. Keiko will be joining us real soon.
A made up excuse for Ann to come up with, but this was going well so far.
Ann: I'm sorry it was so sudden.
Yusuke: Oh, it's not a problem. But as I told you yesterday, Sensei will be returning in about twenty or thirty minutes. So um…I'm sorry if that causes some anxiety on your part.
Ann: (whispering) That's why I'm here today, dammit.
Careful on what you say, Ann...
Yusuke: What was that?
Ann: Oh no, it was nothing!
Yusuke: By the way…Have you gained some weight?
For Ann to show up and Yusuke was happy for her to show up...Only to be wearing tons of clothes on her to look big 'it was just the clothes', A lot to be wearing.
Ann: You think so? I weigh the same as always…Maybe I'm bloated today?
Yusuke: So, then…can you, um…get ready here?
Ann: I…need to take my clothes off, right?
Yusuke: Y-Yes please...
Ann: I'm embarrassed. Could you look the other way…?
Anyways, Ann starts to take the many clothes all off. She throws the clothes near Yusuke to make him think otherwise.
Yusuke: ...! ...Oh!
Ann was acting like she was doing all of this for Yusuke's art work and Ann's modeling...
Ann: Phew, that was tight...
This gets Yusuke blushing.
Yusuke: Tight…? No, I'm doing this for art…!
Ann: Don't look over here, OK…? Hey, your sensei's coming back soon, right?
Yusuke: I believe so...
Ann: Hm…Do you think we could do this somewhere else then? A little more atmosphere would be lovely...
Yusuke: This should be good enough...
Ann: But wouldn't a room with a lock be a bit better?
Yusuke: A lock…
This has Yusuke a bit confused on what Ann meant.
Ann: Must a girl say more…?
And then Ann starts to ask Yusuke kindly to model somewhere else in the place. Only to have twenty to thirty more minutes until Madarame returns. Even more clothes were being thrown next to Yusuke some more.
Yusuke: Wha!? But the only one with a lock is…Sensei's room…
Ann: Then why not there?
Yusuke: I can't intrude…Besides, I don't have the key...
If Yusuke didn't have the key, then it was up to Morgana to take care of things.
Ann: (whispering) He says he doesn't have the key.
Morgana: It's OK. That's why I'm here. I'll just use this hairpin...
Yusuke: Takamaki-san, are you about-
Turning around, Yusuke just sees Ann in her regular school uniform. So, why was Morgana still peeking his head out to see her now?
Yusuke: You were wearing all this?
Ann: D-Don't you think it's cold today?
Not a good actor, huh Ann...?
Yusuke: I suppose so? The sun is starting to set...
Ann: Riiight? That's why a change of location would be nice…I mean, I'm gonna take it all off.
Yusuke: True… (to himself) It might make for a better picture if I can brighten my model's mood...
Ann: Uh-huh! That's right!
Yusuke: She may even be willing to try out various expressive poses for use in a dynamic composition...
I don't want to think about what type of poses she might do for Yusuke...
Ann: Wh-What kind of poses?!
Keep acting no matter how bad you are, Ann.
Morgana: Lady Ann! You have to act! Get back in character!
Still giving it her all 'or tries to'.
Ann: Let's gooo...I was just starting to get in the mood.
Leaving the room for Yusuke to go after her.
Yusuke: Wait! If you wander around, Sensei will...
Ann: Ohhh...It's sooo hot.
She started taking off the other part of her clothes next.
Yusuke: W-We really can't use any other room...
Leaving the room for Morgana to take care of things, Yusuke turns around to see how Ann was doing. For Yusuke to think Ann was pretty 'but more with Keiko on his mind' to has to keep his mind on his artwork; for Ann to sound cute saying something about a room with a lock to like and Yusuke knew right away it was Madarame's room, and for Ann to have her school uniform on to removing it slowly to get Yusuke to try to model her and not wondering around the house, Morgana sees he doesn't have the key to the lock to make his move next. From her jacket and socks to taking off next.
Ann: Hey, why not this one?
Yusuke: Please, wait!
He goes after Ann to think she'll get completely naked. Ann needs to distract Yusuke a bit longer...
Ann: I'm counting on you, Mona...!
So far, so good...While back at the Metaverse for Ryuji and Keiko to wait for the door to be unlocked.
Keiko: (Come on, Ann...Morgana...You two can do it.)
Waiting was still kind of boring for them, huh?
Ryuji: Joker, are they seriously gonna pull the whole thing off? Hearing Ann to act all seductive in her acting on Yusuke will be hard to do. Someone like her, I doubt anyone guy dumb enough to fall for it.
Keiko: What's wrong? Are you jealous...? (I think Ryuji is.)
Seems like he was...
Ryuji: I...I am not! Look, Joker, Madarame will be back soon, right? What if Morgana doesn't pull this off for us to make him see and not get into trouble? Even more on Yusuke?
Keiko: You ask too many questions sometimes...Even I would never seduce a man like Yusuke, it'll be kind of wrong and freaky at the same time. Anyways, everything will work out.
For Keiko to have a good feeling, then Ryuji believes in her.
Tayla: I'm sorry, but...Just love Ann already, stupid! Well, he's calling Ann by her first name now, so...not bad so far, Ryuji.
Ryuji: Yeah, I wanna think that too, but...It's almost time.
For it to get the lock door to open up, yes it was getting close...With Keiko and Ryuji still waiting there and back in the real world – as Ann showed her real clothes in shorts to see Morgana was...having trouble using his paws to unlock the opening up, for it was Madarame's storage room to keep the paintings of his safe 'or so Yusuke was told by his own teacher'.
Yusuke: Please, can you just wait and-
Ann sees the door down the hallways to keep Yusuke from not seeing Morgana unlocking it.
Ann: What's past here?
Yusuke: That's...
She could tell what it was right away.
Ann: So the door Mona mentioned is up ahead...
She sees how Morgana was holding up as Yusuke tries to stop Ann from going anywhere else.
Yusuke: I keep telling you, you can't...!
Yep, Morgana was trying his best to unlock the door with his little paws.
Ann: You're still not done?!
Morgana: It's hard to do this...with cat paws!
Hurry it up...!
Yusuke: Is something the matter?
Ann: Oh, ummm...Sooo, what is this room?
Still bad at acting, Ann, really you are. But it's enough to keep Yusuke busy a bit longer.
Yusuke: It's a storage area for old paintings.
Ann: Storage...Hey, Kitagawa-Kun...Why don't we...do it here? I won't be embarrassed if we go somewhere where nobody can find us...
Yusuke: Only Sensei can go in there.
Ann: Pleeease…? I wanna be alone with you. Somewhere like, quiet. You know, where we won't get interrupted.
Even Morgana hated how Ann was acting.
Morgana: ...Is he really going to buy that terrible act?!
Ann: Stay focused!
Ouch, talk about getting burned.
Yusuke: Hm?
Ann: Ohhh, it's just sooo frustrating that my feelings aren't getting through to you! Kitagawa-Kun, do you not like girls like me…?
Yusuke: N-No, that's not true...
Well, so far Ann is keeping Yusuke distracted really well 'by some luck'.
Morgana: How is that working on him?!
No kidding.
Ann: Please? We can continue this…inside...
Yusuke: S-Sure...I mean, no! We can't go in there! It's locked anyway, so...
Ann: Fine! This is too embarrassing...I'm leaving!
Yusuke: But...
Ann was good to have Yusuke's eyes on her only and not on Morgana.
Ann: Let's just do it here! OK?!
Yusuke: What do I do...?
For Ann wants to have Yusuke model her in the room no matter what she tries to seduce him to not give in one bit to want to model her nude. It would've worked until Madarame came back home at a bad time...
Madarame: I'm home.
Yusuke and Ann hear his voice. Hurry it up, Morgana!
Yusuke: S-Sensei?!
Madarame: Yusuke?
And with luck, Morgana gets the door unlocked.
Morgana: All right, it's open!
See a teacher catching a student near his storage room and Morgana finally getting it opened for Yusuke to see what's inside since Ann went in with Morgana to go to the Metaverse next; and for Madarame to see it open to not be so happy about it at all 'making him snap' in furious rage. As Ann follows Morgana in the room to catch Yusuke by surprise.
Yusuke: Huh...?
And worse, Madarame sees the whole thing as well. Not good...!
Madarame: What are you doing there?!
Yusuke: I-It's...It's not what it looks like!
Soon, Ann pulls Yusuke into the room with Morgana right away.
Yusuke: Wha...?!
Madarame: Not in there...!
For Ann had no choice but to show Yusuke something to drag him inside. Back at the Metaverse again, Keiko and Ryuji kept on waiting for the door to open up for them.
Ryuji: Borin'...! When is it-?
They soon felt and heard something happening.
Keiko: Skull, look! The door! It's opening! (They did it! Ann. Morgana. We'll see you two in a bit.)
Now they can go through the rest of the way in.
Ryuji: ...It's off! They seriously did it!
Keiko: They really did it!
They sure did...
Ryuji: Yeah, for real!
The two hugged it out with joy to do one thing to complete so far, almost too close to have Ryuji touching Keiko's butt.
Keiko: Ah!
Ryuji: Nice ass...
Keiko: Skull! (He just grabbed hold of my butt!)
She slaps Ryuji in the face, for him to enjoy doing it.
Ryuji: Ouch...! (That was so worth it! Her ass feels nice as her boobs do.)
Keiko: Enough goofing off, we got to keep on going...!
Ryuji: Right...Time to move out.
And off Keiko/Joker and Ryuji/Skull run deeper into the next room that's heavily guarded. Going on straight to see a guard type of Shadow as he checks in this room to call Madarame's Shadow - Lord Madarame in the Metaverse of his Museum Palace, for this one was ready to fight them for this guard turns into a bigger Shadow.
Keiko: Hold it!
Ryuji: Yo, you're gonna let us through, right now!
Shadow Security: Hm!? Who are you!? I see that attire…You must be the thieves who dare threaten Lord Madarame!
It was like seeing a giant ape mix with a messed up tiger creature.
Tayla: Persona #33 - Nue
A legendary monster in Japanese mythology. Nue has the head of a monkey, the arms and legs of a tiger, body of a raccoon dog and a snake for a tail.
According to The Tale of the Heike, Emperor Konoe, the Emperor of Japan, became sick after having terrible nightmares every night, and a dark cloud appeared at two o'clock in the morning on the roof of the palace in Kyoto during the summer of 1153. The story says that the samurai Minamoto no Yorimasa staked-out the roof one night and fired an arrow into the cloud, out of which fell a dead nue. Yorimasu then supposedly sank the body in the Sea of Japan.
In a local expansion of the story, the nue's corpse floated into a certain bay, and the locals, fearing a curse, buried it. A mound which exists today is supposed to be this grave.
Nue: They got past the security system?! ...Neither of you two cannot go any further! You are trespassing on Lord Madarame's territory!
Keiko: That's what you call him in this Palace? "Lord Madarame"...? More like the lord of fools to me.
Ryuji: And you guys ain't got nothin' on us! I'm more scared of screwin' up and having Ann yell at me!
Those two Phantom Thieves were ready to stop this type of Shadow in battle.
Keiko: See? You do care about her. Anyways, let's stop this Shadow! Skull, follow my lead!
Fighting through team work of lighting powers, daggers to throw, and them swinging their weapons around with their Personas to do the rest to stop Nue together.
Arsene: Foolish Shadows should learn their place not to mess with us. Or my dear partner Lady Joker.
You heard it right from Arsene himself. Allowing for both Ryuji and Keiko to continue on after high fiving each other this time.
Ryuji: Nailed it! I hope there will be a little Shadow stoppin' us on the way to the Treasure.
Keiko: Don't sell yourself too short, Skull, I think we'll be just fine.
They continued to move forward while Yusuke felt like he was going to get Ann in trouble with Madarame to be in his storage room, and with Morgana to be stuck with them too.
Yusuke: Takamaki-san, this is bad...!
Too dark in the room to see anything for Ann to feel some light switch to try turning the lights on in the dark room. What can the three do?
Ann: Are these the lights...?
Ann finds a light switch to see from within the room lots of art works with one of the women that was the Sayuri one for Yusuke was shocked to see it in a storage room.
Yusuke: What the…!?
Ann: Isn't this… "Sayuri"? Why are there so many of them…?
It Looked like there were so many Sayuri paintings in this entire room that Yusuke didn't know about this at all.
Yusuke: I have no idea...
What other proof does he need to see his teacher's plagiarism? Other than to have tons of Sayuri pictures in there, huh...?
Madarame: Get out!
He was not too happy for them to be seeing this at all.
Yusuke: Sensei, what is the meaning of this...?
So, Madarame tells Yusuke 'to some truth' about this whole thing.
Madarame: I suppose I can't keep quiet now that you've seen this…Truth be told…I'm in severe debt. I handmade these "Sayuri" copies and have been selling them through a special connection of mine...
Yusuke: But why…?
Madarame: The real "Sayuri"…was stolen by one of my pupils long ago. I assume they begrudged my strictness…That moment was quite a shock for me…Since then, I've been mired in a terrible artist's block…Because of this distress, some of my pupils handed their ideas over to me from time to time...
Really...? I have trouble believing this guy's story, same thing with Ann as well.
Ann: ...
Madarame: I knew I couldn't keep that up, so I attempted to recreate the "Sayuri" a number of times. However, it resulted in nothing more than replicas…That's when someone came to buy the paintings, knowing well they weren't original…...It's all my fault. I couldn't pay the price of being famous. As expectations for me rose, it reached a point where I had no choice but to keep making them…I…needed money to further your talents…I ask that you please forgive your cowardly teacher…
Yusuke: Please don't...
Madarame lies to say that he made copies of Sayuri to help out a company to tell his students. What a liar! Saying another old student of his stole his work too? That's also another lie! Wanting money for Yusuke's talents and all, so bad...
Ann: Hold on...Something doesn't add up. If the original painting got stolen, how did you make copies of it?
Madarame: I…happened to find a finely detailed photograph of it in an art book.
Ann: So you managed to sell copies of a photo of the original? I'm not sure how this works, but…Don't people who buy paintings generally have a keen eye for the fine arts? This sounds like a lie to me.
Ooo...Ann's got the fake artist right there.
Madarame: What would you know?!
Ann: Something just doesn't feel right!
Just then, Morgana spotted something.
Morgana: Lady Ann! This one seems different!
For Ann could tell that Madarame didn't make more copies from a machine to also lies to her as well; for Morgana to call to Ann in the corner to tell her that behind Ann and Yusuke from the curtain was the real Sayuri picture to see the shocking evidences on Madarame's crimes! Ha!
Yusuke: "Sayuri"...? This…This is the real "Sayuri"! But you just said a moment ago that it was stolen…!
For Yusuke could already tell the painting behind the curtain is the real Sayuri, and this has Madarame lose it.
Madarame: That's a replica!
He's such a liar!
Yusuke: No, it's nothing of the sort! This painting kept me going…It's the reason I made it this far…Sensei…Don't tell me...
Madarame: It's fake…Yes, a counterfeit! I heard there was a counterfeit spread around, so I bought it!
If it is a fake, then why was he freaking out so much like this?
Ann: So you're telling me the actual artist behind the painting bought a counterfeit? That's pushing it.
Yusuke: You're lying, Sensei...Please just tell us the truth...
Madarame: You too?
That man can't lie anymore for Yusuke to now believe Ann and the others were telling the truth at long last, although I don't blame him for the man who took him in. This leaves Madarame to call his private security team to arrest Ann and Yusuke too, for them and Morgana make their escape from the old man's place right away before all three of them get caught. Run, you guys..!
Madarame: I've reported you to my private security company!
Ann: What?!
Madarame: I had it set up to deal with some problematic paparazzi, but I never thought it'd come in so handy.
This was really bad.
Yusuke: Please, wait! Let's talk about this...!
Madarame: You can talk all you want to the police…That includes you, Yusuke.
It was time to make a run for it!
Morgana: Lady Ann, let's run!
Ann takes off with Morgana for Madarame to notice them.
Madarame: A cat?! Where did it-There's no point! They'll be here within two minutes!
Also, Yusuke follows them right away.
Yusuke: Takamaki-san!
Well, from bad to worse Madarame got away with it again. Crap! With them entering the Metaverse for Ann/Panther and Morgana/Mona, something happens to get Yusuke caught in between...huh!?
Ann: What the hell?!
Yusuke: Takamaki-san?!
Now what? Well, Keiko and Ryuji continued to move forward from the Palace on where they needed to go next. They entered a room of security cameras to turn off the laser ones to not be in any more trouble from there.
[Terminal: Disengaging security protocol...]
To then escape from more Shadow securities to see a new path they can go to next while waiting for the others to join with them.
Keiko: Well, that's that. I think we can get through the rest of this mess of ours.
Ryuji: Yeah...I hope the other two managed to get away...
Then something happens...
Ann: Nooooo!
Right above them, someone was screaming at Ann to transform into Panther already and to be in Yusuke's arms to catch her from the fall.
Yusuke: Ngh...!
Not good, since he just entered the Metaverse with her and Morgana!
Yusuke: Gah!
And for him to land on top of Yusuke's head.
Morgana: Aaaagh...! OWWWWW! That hurt...!
Ann: I thought I was going to die...
She sees Yusuke was still holding on to her.
Ann: ...Hey, will you let go already?!
Yusuke Hrgh!
Ann pushes Yusuke to let her go by force a bit too much...ouch.
Ann: Oh, no! I didn't mean to push him too hard...Are you OK? Wake up!
Well, this turned out to be bad.
Keiko: Wait...Ann? Morgana? And...Yusuke?! What's he doing here?! (How did he even get in the Metaverse in the first place?!)
Once Yusuke comes around to see the others dressing up so differently...How will the others explain this one?!
Yusuke: Who are you all?
Ann: Calm down, Kitagawa-Kun! It's me!
Right away, he recognizes Ann's voice
Yusuke: ...Takamaki-san? That means you two are...I don't recall ever seeing this cat costume before though...What is this place...?
Keiko: Well, I guess it's too late to hide it from Yusuke now since he's with us...Crap!
Yusuke also recognizes Keiko's voice.
Yusuke: Wait...The woman in black...That lovely voice, it's you...Ms. Keiko...
Keiko: (Oh, give me a break!) There's no use using our code names to hide this from him...Ann, you tell Yusuke. We need to keep him safe.
And so she does.
Ann: I guess we have to. Ah, Kitagawa-Kun, we're inside Madarame's heart.
Yusuke: Inside...Sensei's heart?
Very confused right now after learning the truth about his teacher's fake and committing a crime to learn all about this.
Keiko: Ah, Yusuke...Please understand.
Yusuke: I'm sorry, Takamaki-san...but are you sure you're feeling OK?
Ryuji: She ain't lyin'. This is what that bastard truly feels. He's nothin' but a greed-filled money-grubber.
And from all of this mess, Yusuke tells Ryuji to stop talking.
Yusuke: Enough of this rubbish!
Ann: Kitagawa-Kun! Didn't it cross your mind that something wasn't right about Madarame?!
Keiko: Please listen to reason! (Ann and Morgana must've told and showed Yusuke the truth in person about Madarame's real crimes from the way he's taking all of this, not so well.)
Even from the girls to tell Yusuke the truth, he does know to have his mind confused right now.
Yusuke: That's...
Ann: You may not want to believe it, but this is another reality as viewed through Madarame's eyes...This is his true nature.
Seeing what's around Yusuke was all too real to take in a different world to see and hear. It wasn't a dream to be all of Madarame's doing.
Yusuke: This repulsive world...? Just who are all of you?!
Now they all have to introduce themselves to him.
Ryuji: I guess you can say...we're a group that changes the hearts of rotten crooks.
Keiko: Okay, Yusuke, please listen. It'll be hard to get it at first. But once we explain a bit further, you'll soon understand more. We're the Phantom Thieves of Team Drago. Or rather – Team Drago of the Phantom Thief of Hearts. I go by the code name Joker, the leader. And you know the others as my teammates. Ryuji as Skull, Ann as Panther, and Morgana as...
He says the rest to Yusuke.
Morgana: Mona! At your service, Yusuke.
Afterwards, Yusuke continued to look around him to take all of this in.
Yusuke: If everything you guys are saying is true, then the sensei I know doesn't exist...
Ryuji: You gotta snap out of it.
It was hard for Yusuke to learn the truth about Madarame the hard way like this.
Yusuke: Still...he has kept me safe these past ten years. My gratitude for that won't just disappear.
Keiko: But why...?
Was he still in denial?
Ryuji: You're gonna forgive him?! At this rate, you'll...!
Yusuke: N-Ngh...
Just then, Yusuke felt so weak that he fell down on his knees.
Ann: Are you OK?
Yusuke: I'm trying to be rational about this, but my emotions are overwhelming me...
Well, to cut this whole thing short to bring Yusuke along so he won't get hurt by Madarame Shadow from his other Shadows.
Morgana: Sorry, but we don't have time to dawdle. The security levels have gone through the roof! We need to get out of here, at once!
With Yusuke too weak to move, Keiko helps him out.
Keiko: Yusuke, let me help you. Grab onto my shoulders.
Yusuke: *pant* *pant* Ms. Keiko...?
Keiko: In this world here, just address us by our code names around others please.
Seeing Keiko as Joker, Yusuke has never felt more loved than ever to have a good look at Keiko from her eyes and beauty.
Yusuke: (So beautiful...) Wait, Ms. Keiko, I'll be fine...
Keiko: If you say so...Just stay close to us, it's time to get going!
With the four Phantom Thieves 'and Yusuke', continue to move on.
Morgana: Let's leave, we need to not fight as much with Yusuke in danger and try to get out until we come back here with a plan next time. For now, it's time to make our exit!
Getting through the art portrait hallways for Yusuke to hear and see their faces to not take this scene so well through Madarame's eyes. From hearing about Yusuke, he was in the room a bit further down and the others were former students of Madarame's to be all over the walls.
Yusuke: So this...is inside of Sensei's heart? A vain museum such as this...?
It was disturbing to see this.
Keiko: Yusuke...
Yusuke: Ah, this painting...!
Ann: Do you recognize it? We were thinking these might be his past pupils or something...
Yusuke: But...why are there paintings of them here?
A lot of some were on the streets or others were killed.
Morgana: Technically, those aren't actually paintings. They're the pupils themselves.
Ryuji: Madarame saw 'em as objects, so that's what they are in here...Oh, and uh...we found yours too.
As shocking as it is for Yusuke to learn, he was left speechless.
Keiko: It's shocking, I know.
Yusuke: ...
Morgana: We'll talk more later. For now, let's get out of here.
Moving a bit further to the golden statue room next – only for all five of them to get caught by two Shadow guards to stop them and Yusuke.
Keiko: But how did they...?
Morgana: The exit is right there!
Soon to hear someone laughing to sound like Madarame's...Appears before them were two more Shadows and the lord of his Palace museum, Madarame Shadow to look like a Shogi to dress up and have his face painted funny-like. But he means business when it comes to art and intruders to get rid of.
Ann: Who is it?! …What the-
They all see Madarame's Shadow self in person to look so much different.
Keiko: It's Madarame's Shadow!
Ryuji: Talk about bullshit clothes! First the king, now some kinda shogun?!
For someone who loves art to lie and fake it all, he sure was a big show off.
Madarame Shadow: Welcome to the museum of the master artist Madarame...
This comes to a bigger shock on Yusuke to see what his teacher truly is.
Yusuke Huh...? Sensei? Is that you? That attire...
The look of the Shadow Madarame has really made him look bad, even the hair standing up.
Ann: Disgusting.
Yusuke: This...This is all one big lie, isn't it...?
But it wasn't...
Madarame Shadow: My usual ragged attire is nothing but an act. Besides, a famous person living in a shack? I have another home...under a mistress's name, of course.
From the Metaverse and the real world to see the man that Keiko got mad to feel really bad for Yusuke.
Keiko: You're full of yourself, Madarame! And absurd for you to do such a thing!
Madarame Shadow: Hmph. Such insincerity.
Yusuke: If the "Sayuri" was stolen, why was it in the storage room? And if you had the real one, why make copies? If it's really you, Sensei...please tell me!
Now to hear a bit more of the Sayuri painting for Madarame to do such a fraud type of thing.
Madarame Shadow: Foolish child. You still don't see? The painting being stolen was just a false rumor I spread! It was all a perfectly calculated staging!
Wow, now that was really cold!
Yusuke: What do you mean...?!
Keiko: Yusuke... (What a monster!)
Madarame Shadow: Let me see...How does this sound? "I found the real painting, but it can't go public...You can have it for a special price, though..." Haha! How's that for preferential treatment?! Art snobs'll eat it up, and pay good cash at that!
In other words...Madarame's a filthy liar, fraud, fake, takes his students' work to be his own to be famous, lies to everyone else, and has stolen a very rare one of Sayuri to sell fakes to other dealer artists for more money to become rich. Which leaves others in shock and Yusuke heartbroken to feel betrayed by his own teacher who took him in to give him a home, only to be used all along.
Yusuke: No...!
He falls to his knees to be really sad.
Madarame Shadow: The worth of art is purely subjective...Thus, this is a legitimate business transaction! Though I doubt a brat like you would ever come up with such a brilliant scheme!
Ryuji: You keep going on and on about money this, money that...No wonder you ended up with this disgusting museum!
Keiko: How dare you ruin others' of their dreams to become artists by taking all their work for yourself!
No kidding! And Madarame Shadow doesn't care what others have to say about it to be all true.
Ann: You're supposed to be an artist, right?! Aren't you ashamed of plagiarizing other people's works?!
Madarame Shadow: Art is nothing but a tool...A tool to gain money and fame! You helped me greatly as well, Yusuke...
But only because Madarame tricked Yusuke to know about all of this to be hiding and never leaving the place, he was forced to.
Ryuji: God...Pisses me off...That's your teacher.
It's hard for Yusuke to learn the truth in person and the hard way like this.
Yusuke: But what about the people who believe in you...? Who thinks you're a master artist...?!
Madarame Shadow: ...I'll tell you this alone, Yusuke. If you wish to succeed in this world, I'd advise you don't rise against me. Do you believe anyone could find success with my objection holding them down? Hahahaha!
He starts to laugh all messed up-like. Madarame himself and his Shadow are terrible people of the one same being in both worlds!
Yusuke: To think I was under the care of this wretched man...! Ms. Keiko was right to warn me all about this...
Madarame Shadow: You thought I took you in out of the goodness in my heart? Plucking talented, yet troubled artists allows me to find promising pupils and take their ideas...After all, it's much easier to steal the futures of children who can't fight back.
Yusuke: I can't believe this...
It's so messed up for what this man was hiding from Yusuke to really be upset about it all.
Madarame Shadow: Livestock are killed for their hide and meat! This is no different, you fool! ...But I'm tired of this little chat. It's time that I-
Keiko: Now do you see, Yusuke? You were lied to and told to keep quiet, well not anymore! You sir, are a liar and despicable!
For her words made Yusuke see the truth for himself now.
Yusuke: Ms. Keiko...You, Sensei, you're unforgivable.
Madarame Shadow: Hm?
Yusuke: It doesn't matter who you are...I won't forgive you!
He's fighting back...
Madarame Shadow: So...you repay my keeping you around for all these years with ingratitude...? You damn brat! Men! Dispose of these thieves!
Madarame Shadow then gives his Shadows an order to kill them all for the other Phantom Thieves to try to defend themselves.
Ann: Get back!
And then, Yusuke speaks up.
Yusuke: How amusing...
A quick pause of silence for someone like him to say out of the blue.
Ann: Huh?
Keiko: Yusuke...? (What's he thinking about this time?)
He starts to laugh.
Yusuke: It seems the truth is stranger than fiction, hm...?
Ann: Kitagawa-Kun?!
Yusuke: I wanted to believe it wasn't true...I had clouded my vision for so long...My eyes were truly blind...Blind, and unable to see the true self behind this one horrible man...!
For Keiko to feel something from within Yusuke to get something to awaken like she, Ryuji, and Ann have so far...Another one? That's right, for a new Persona for Yusuke to have for it to be unleashed for his powers to be free from Madarame's suffering to come to an end. To feel the pain to do the mask removing blood thing next...
?: Have you finally come to your senses? How foolish you averted your eyes from the truth. A deprobable imitation indeed...Best you part from that aspect of yourself! Let us now forge a contract...I am thou, thou art I...The world is filled with both beauty and vice...It is time to teach people which is which!
From there, Yusuke gets the mask of a fox.
Keiko: Yusuke's powers are awakening!
Yusuke: Very well...Come, Goemon!
And then from removing the mask for blood to shoot out, appeared Goemon for Yusuke's Persona and his powers to also be wearing different clothes too.
Yusuke: A breathtaking sight...Imitations they may be, but together, they make a fine spectacle...Though the flowers of evil blossom, be it known...Abominations are fated to perish!
Tayla: Persona #34 - Goemon
Ishikawa Goemon was a Japanese outlaw. The historical Goemon is only mentioned in two sources, both of which were created after his death. The first one, the Toyotomi Hideyoshi fu, details his attempted assassination of the shogun Hideyoshi Toyotomi, his capture, and his execution alongside his young son in 1594. Goemon's death by being boiled alive was also described in a second historical source by Pedro de Morejon who transcribed his name as "Ixicava Goyemon". As time passed, Goemon's story was expanded to make him a hero similar to Robin Hood, robbing the rich and giving his spoils to the poor. Stories from the 19th and the 20th century also make him out to be a skilled ninja. Goemon and his infamous death eventually became the subject of various bunraku and kabuki plays. The legend was also adapted into movies, anime, and video games, the most popular of which is the Ganbare Goemon series by Konami.
Using his powers to blow the Shadows away for the other Phantom Thieves are very surprised at what they were seeing right now.
Keiko: I guess we're making new members on our team! (Yusuke has his power and his own Persona to awaken! I'm so happy.)
Morgana: Whoa, this is impressive!
Now Madarame Shadow won't be taking this crap to not give up.
Madarame Shadow: Hmph...Who do you think you are?! The price for your insolence will be death! Where are my guards?! Kill them all!
More Shadows appear to protect the man, it's time to fight to make their escape.
Yusuke: The children who adored you as "father". The prospects of your pupils...How many did you trample upon...? How many dreams do you exchange for riches?! No matter what it takes...I will bring you to justice!
Keiko: Yes, all of us will! Show this damn fool what you got!
For him to do it for the people to support his dreams and Keiko too, Yusuke will fight back against Madarame.
Yusuke: I shall, for you, Ms. Keiko...I mean, lovely Joker. And the rest of you join with me. Very well! Bring it on!
Incoming Personas true form to tackle with the Phantom Thieves with a new member soon to be joining in. With one blacksmith on Madarame's side, and four other new ones of bird men to join in battle.
Henchmen: You are all in the presence of Lord Madarame! On your knees, intruders!
As if they'll be surrendering!
Yusuke: I learned much from you, Madarame. In order to see authenticity...one must be dispassionately realistic. With Goemon by my side...I can now ascertain your true self without any reservations!
Keiko: Everyone, it's time to strike back! Daggers of Darkness!
Here they go to take out the four bird-like Shadows out of the way first by using their attacks.
Ryuji: Raging Storm Clash!
Morgana: Furious Fangs!
Ann: Burning Claw!
Taking four down, and one more to go for Yusuke to use his new attack of water and ice mix with powerful paint ink as Goemon helps him out. A very cold and powerful wave of raging waters type of attack.
Yusuke: This one's mine...By the power of my brush and my powers, give me everything to create and to destroy those who are wicked...! Aqua Typhoon!
From a paintbrush to being frozen up for one last Shadow, to having a sword to cut water to be turned into tiny bits to drop dead in seconds. And...They've done it and won! All was good for Yusuke to get a bit weak after releasing his new powers to fall down for Keiko to rush over to Yusuke's side to help him out.
Yusuke: Ngh...
Keiko: Yusuke! You must've taken a lot from the powers you've used. Easy there...
Things would've gone easy until Madarame Shadow splashes ink at Keiko's face to get her eyes to have trouble removing it.
Yusuke: Ms. Keiko!
Ryuji: Joker!
Now Madarame has to deal with five of the Phantom Thieves in his way. Lucky for Keiko, she has a Persona of water to remove the ink and another one to heal her back up.
Madarame Shadow: Stubborn bitch...! Yusuke, you've just thrown your bright future down the drain. I'll destroy every chance you've ever had of becoming an artist...!
With Yusuke hurt, but not as hurt as Keiko was to get the ink out of her face, he shields her from the man he wants called teacher.
Yusuke: Madarame!
Madarame Shadow: You'll forever rue the day you dared defy me!
After that, Madarame Shadow walks off to leave Yusuke to be too weak to chase after him as Keiko helps him out.
Keiko: Wait, Yusuke... (Ouch, that could've blinded me...!)
Yusuke: Get...back here...!
The other three rush over to help Yusuke more for Keiko to see again.
Ann: Kitagawa-Kun!
Ryuji: Joker! Your eyes!
Keiko had trouble blinking to still get her face cleaned up.
Keiko: I'm good, Skull, it's fine. Luckily my mask saved my eyes for me to still see besides my glasses.
Good to know she was doing well. And Yusuke, he has to get used to becoming a Phantom Thief soon enough.
Yusuke: Why can't I move?!
So much for him to handle being mad and angry for trying to hurt Keiko.
Ann: Listen, you're totally drained. You can't do much, even if you wanted to!
I think Yusuke only cares about failing to see Keiko get hurt to stop Madarame, and couldn't bring shame upon himself.
Yusuke: What a disgrace I am...!
Keiko: Yusuke, please listen to us.
For Keiko and Ann to help Yusuke out for Ryuji says so 'to do that for the girls'.
Ryuji: C'mon, just hear the girls out.
And so he allows the two girls to help them out, to get Yusuke out of the area with Ryuji and Morgana to escape in time from all the way back from the beginning to be safe from the danger of other Shadows. With Ann telling Yusuke everything to learn a lot about his powers, along with the Metaverse, Mementos, people's hearts to change their messed up desires by taking their Treasure. A lot to take in, but for Ann to help out and Keiko supporting Yusuke to get used to this now.
Ann: You've known for quite some time, haven't you?
Keiko: About Madarame taking your work to get more credit on your dreams to be afraid to say or do anything? I know how much it hurts, Yusuke, but everything's going to be fine now. We're here for you.
From that was well for part of Yusuke is feeling a bit better now he can say it.
Yusuke: I'm no fool. Strange people have been coming by for years, and plagiarism was an everyday affair. But...who would want to admit that the man they owed their life to was doing such terrible things?
Ann: Why didn't you leave, Kitagawa-Kun?
It was about the many art works of Sayuri...
Yusuke: Well, he is the one who painted the "Sayuri". On top of that, I owe him a great debt...
From giving him a new home to live in to raising Yusuke for Madarame to do and lie to the poor boy...Yeah, I can see how hard all of this was.
Ryuji: You mean 'cause he raised you?
Yusuke: I...never knew my father. I was told my mother raised me by herself, but she died in an accident when I was three. That's when Sensei took me in, I heard he helped my mother while she was still alive.
Not knowing of his real father from when he was little and some from his mother was the only parent he remembers.
Keiko: You never knew your father but a little from your mother until she passed away, huh? (I couldn't imagine if I was him with no parents...) Yusuke, I'm sorry.
And something about Yusuke hearing Madarame who once helped his mother at one time to get to know him...
Ann: Heard...?
Yusuke: To be honest, I don't remember much about my mother either. I did everything I could for Sensei. I thought of him as a father...but he changed. To think he would treat the "Sayuri", the very foundation of his art, like that...!
The truth can hurt sometimes.
Ryuji: ...A lot's happened to you, huh?
Keiko: It'll be okay.
For them to be by Yusuke's side, they were right to make him feel good to talk about it all along if he could deep down.
Yusuke: When you had mentioned plagiarism...deep down I knew you were right. That's why I so vehemently denied you all...I was simply running from the truth. I'm sorry...Everyone, forgive me. Same with you, Ms. Keiko.
Keiko: No worries.
For Keiko to say that, Yusuke hugs Keiko again to kiss her on the lips a little.
Morgana, Ann, and Ryuji: Huh!?
Keiko: Ah! Yusuke! Please...! (Not this again!)
Well, he really means well to fall for Keiko.
Yusuke: Ms. Keiko, I know from your beauty that you have saved me with your friends. I'm eternally grateful...Such a wonderful woman who I've fallen for. I'm very grateful for the chance to face what I have been denying all this time.
Getting a bit too close, Ryuji stops Yusuke to save Keiko.
Ryuji: Hey! Quit it! Leave her alone!
Keiko: It's fine, Ryuji, I can handle him myself.
He listens to Keiko from him to trust Yusuke to be jealous of him now.
Ryuji: Whatever...You're way too serious, man. That's why you're always gettin' stuck in your own head. Look at me! I just go with the flow.
Ann: For real.
Keiko: That's our Ryuji for you...
That Ryuji/Skull does that to be just fine and himself.
Morgana: What are you going to do now?
Yusuke: I don't know...
Well, he won't be alone now since he had something to be good with the others in battle.
Ryuji: We can't help the fact that Madarame's gone and changed. But...we can change his heart. We'll make him pay for his crimes.
Keiko: It's the only way we can make a change.
It was the only way to stop Madarame on what he was doing from the Metaverse to take effect in the real world.
Yusuke: That reminds me, you each mentioned something about that "change of heart" earlier...
Ryuji: Have you heard the rumors? The ones about the Phantom Thieves that steal hearts?
Now Yusuke knows that all four of them are the Phantom Thieves because the rumors to be very real.
Keiko: I've been telling you about it a while ago...
Yusuke: ….?! Don't tell me...
Hold that thought...! Because here comes more Shadows to stop them from appearing out of nowhere.
Ryuji: Oh, crap!
Morgana: We'll talk later! We need to scram!
And for Yusuke to notice his new looks right now during this mess to be going on.
Yusuke: When did my clothes change...?
Keiko: OK...? (Again, they'll get used to this whole thing.)
Ryuji: You just noticed that now...?
Ann: Save it for later! Let's go!
And all five of them get out of Madarame's Palace of the Metaverse, and back in the real world again safely. For Yusuke's clothes to change back to have a talk to Keiko, Ryuji, Ann, and Morgana 'as a cat again' knowing that they have to go back again to continue moving forward some more to finding Madarame's Treasure. And they will too...Also, Yusuke learns how and why they became the Phantom Thieves in the first place.
Yusuke: ...I see. And because of that, this PE teacher had a change of heart...The Phantom Thieves who steal hearts...To think they truly exist.
Keiko: We're right behind you.
He holds Keiko's hand.
Yusuke: Even you from the Metaverse as this Joker is such a loveliness to see...
She had to tell Yusuke that she was already taken.
Keiko: Look, Yusuke...You're a good person for us to remain as friends. But I already have a boyfriend...You and Ryuji really find me cute, huh? How sweet, but I didn't want to hurt your feelings.
Now he knows for Ryuji to be very picky to have Keiko love her more than Yusuke to understand, but for him to keep on trying.
Yusuke: Oh, I see...Sakamoto's jealous of me to have you to love one of us, Ms. Keiko...As long as your boyfriend loves you, I'll support you to still be there by your side.
I guess he gets the point to take it well like Ryuji. Yusuke, Yuuki, and they are understanding boys, but neither of them won't give up on Keiko to love Akechi even more, huh? Oh, boy...
Ryuji: Seriously?!
Keiko: Calm down, boys. We're a team now.
That aside, Yusuke won't get into a fight with Ryuji to fight over Keiko's love...
Yusuke: No, Ms. Keiko, I won't fight Sakamoto so it won't hurt you...Anyways, I believe in you...There's no need for common sense to blind me after seeing the world like that. So your plan with Madarame-sensei—with Madarame is forced to a change of heart, correct?
Keiko: Yes, to stop the bad people from facing justice or save them from being good again. The really bad ones who commit a lot more...
And then, Yusuke says that he'll join them. Awesome!
Yusuke: Let me join...as a member of the Phantom Thieves.
Shock for all four to hear, Yusuke means it.
Keiko: Join us...? Well, if you say so. (So soon, huh?)
Yusuke: Had I faced reality sooner, this may have been avoided. I must put an end to this for the sake of the others whose futures as artists were robbed, as well. That...is the most civil thing I can do for the man who was...in some manner, my father.
Or once from Madarame to Yusuke a long time ago.
Ann: ...Civil, huh.
Ryuji: Sounds fine to me. We're gonna deal with Madarame anyways.
Even Morgana says something to poke his head out from Keiko's school bag.
Morgana: He may have a mental shutdown if we screw up. We have ways to prevent that, but they aren't fail-safe...Remember how we mentioned this on our way here?
I guess Yusuke was fine to see Morgana wasn't a cat, but something new to aid the team who's not freaking out. Cool!
Yusuke: Madarame is a man who has the art world under his thumb. He has connections to many organizations. If someone like me raises my voice, it'll only be snubbed out...We have no option but this.
Ann: Kitagawa-Kun...
Well, the more team on the Phantom Thieves, the better...Welcome abroad – Yusuke Kitagawa!
Morgana: It's a deal then.
Keiko: You'll do wonderful, Yusuke!
Yusuke: To work with you, Ms. Keiko, and to see you smile...I'll do my best to help out.
This makes everyone else happy too.
Ann: We have a new member in the Phantom Thieves now! I also hope we get along, Yusuke!
Ryuji: You better not slow us down. And if this makes Keiko stay happy to have you around, then I'll be damn happy for her.
He means well for Yusuke to get Ryuji a bit more.
Yusuke: I'll do my best.
Keiko: Welcome to the team!
As for Yusuke to see the truth, it worked to save Ann from taking her clothes off almost from modeling. Too close!
Yusuke: So that was all a plan? ...That's quite daring, Takamaki-san.
Like she 'almost' didn't have a choice!
Ann: It wasn't my idea – it was the boys! Keiko was supporting me to make it through thank god!
They even say so themselves.
Keiko: We had to...But I didn't want Ann to show a naked painting of my friend.
Ryuji: Hey, Ann! What else were we supposed to do?! It's his fault for goin' on and on about the nude modelin' thing!
Yeah, about that...
Yusuke: As much as my heart will belong to Ms. Keiko, I haven't given up on that yet, though.
And Ann won't allow for it to happen to her.
Ann: Give it up! Oh, that reminds me...I wonder what's going on with the real Madarame. Yusuke and I were in a pretty tight situation...
Yusuke: Actually, I contacted him before we came here. He believes that I continued pursuing Takamaki-san. And, just as you all explained, it appears he knows nothing about his Shadow.
Nice going, Yusuke, it should save the others from trouble from there. Just one thing to ask about the real Madarame to believe in it or not...
Ann: What did he say...?
Yusuke: He was complaining to the security company how they couldn't even catch one high school girl. However, he is still furious about it, and said that he's going to take legal action against everyone.
In other words...Madarame's going to be very overprotective of the real Sayuri art work to keep from doing it, because he knows that he'll soon be caught.
Keiko: That means he's really lying.
Ryuji: Talk about bein' completely on guard...
Ann: Legal action...He's acting way too desperate. Maybe he still has more secrets.
Seems like it with more on what Madarame's really hiding from everyone.
Yusuke: If he were to act, it'd be after the exhibit is over. Any scandal during the show would be his loss.
Ann: Right when I think the talk about being a nude model is over, this happens...?!
They have to dig and search a bit deeper within Madarame Shadow's Museum Palace to find the Treasure of his soon enough.
Morgana: We'll have to force a change of heart before then, if we're to dodge this "legal action" thing. Looks like our plan must be accomplished while the exhibit is still open!
All four of them agree with Morgana. And then Yusuke asks what Morgana was next.
Yusuke: By the way...what is this?
Ryuji: Huh? A cat.
Yusuke: But it's talking.
Amazed a bit, but at least Yusuke's not freaking out about it so much 'as I already said'.
Morgana: You have a problem with that?!
Yusuke: No, not really.
Again, it was fine for Yusuke to go along with Morgana being who or what he is.
Ryuji: Why not?
Keiko: I got to say, you're the first who didn't freak out about Morgana's living being like this. Not bad...
Ann: He's just on a different wavelength than other people.
Then Morgana asks Yusuke a question about his art work.
Morgana: Do you wish to draw me? You better bring out the best of me in that case.
Yusuke: Hm...
He moves up closer to look at Morgana to not like this at all for a boy to do it.
Morgana: Hey, don't touch me like-
OK? Weird...Well, they needed to eat something while they still had time to hang out to get to know each other.
Keiko: Anyone ordered anything yet?
Yusuke: I was thinking of ordering some black-bean jelly.
Is it because he was looking at Morgana...?
Ryuji: I bet he got that idea from a "black cat".
Yusuke: Oh! I didn't bring any money.
That was odd...but okay 'I guess'.
Ann: ...Never mind. He's just weird.
Keiko: A weird one with a good heart and a big dream to follow. (Yusuke, we'll do whatever we can to have your artwork happen no matter what.)
And they will have a good evening eating out for Yusuke to become part of the Phantom Thieves. Cool! As everyone else goes home 'and Yusuke to be somewhere safe to not be near Madarame at all', it's time to call it a night; for Keiko and Morgana to head back at Leblanc to help out Sojiro a bit before bed to know what lies ahead next in their next move.
Sojiro: (Keiko seems to be doing well to not get into so much trouble. Good...)
And speaking of Madarame tighten up his securities to 'protect' the Sayuri artwork 'the real one', it would seem like Akechi was on the case to get somewhere with this mess to be on to something big...For Keiko, Ryuji, and Ann text message each other about it.
[Ryuji: Legal action? This ain't funny.]
[Keiko: That sounds problematic.]
[Ryuji: If the police hear about this, they'll get in touch with the school. We'll get expelled for sure this time.]
[Ann: School would be the least of our worries...We'd end up arrested. Unlawful entry, defamation...]
[Ryuji: Guess that means we really can't afford to eff it up this time.]
[Ann: Yeah, from here on out is what really matters. Let's do it!]
Good call to be ready for anything and with Yusuke aiding them too.
Morgana We just need to change his heart before he presses charges. Try to focus on that problem for now.
From the artist's plagiarism thing? Oh, he was good for a young ace detective prince like Goro Akechi is, really good to be Keiko's boyfriend too. From watching TV game shows and studying for Keiko and Morgana to spend some time before heading to bed next.