9/5 Sunday
Soon after she woke up, she felt her phone ringing.
"Hello?" Makoto greeted.
"Hello, Niijima-san. I'm sorry for bothering you on a Sunday, but this is important."
Aiko was calling her again, and despite his calm tone of voice, Makoto could tell that this was urgent.
"Did something happen to Eiko?" Makoto asked.
"...That's what I wanted to know." Aiko muttered. "Has she been acting strange recently?"
"Well, recently, she's been asking me for money." Makoto told him. "And she told me that she didn't want to ask her parents."
"That's very similar to what she told me…" Aiko muttered. "Do you happen to know why she needs money?"
Makoto began to explain the situation with Tsukasa.
"I see. It seems like this Tsukasa is manipulating her." Aiko concluded.
"That's what I was thinking too." Makoto stated. "But I'm worried that Eiko might not listen to us."
"Sounds like she's in trouble again." Aiko sighed. "Somehow I'm not surprised."
"Aren't you concerned about her at all?" Makoto asked, frowning.
"... I am. But it's like you said, she's probably not going to listen to me." Aiko muttered.
"We still have to try to get through to her." Makoto insisted.
"I know." Aiko replied. "But try to get through to her, but no promises."
"Thank you." Makoto expressed. "I'll see what I can do too."
After speaking to Aiko for a little longer, they decided that they would both talk to Eiko today, considering that she was already meeting with her today.
A few hours later, Makoto slowly began to make her way to where she would be meeting Eiko for lunch.
She had tried to think of some way to gently break it to Eiko, but she just wasn't sure what she could say.
She really wished that she was better at this sort of thing…
By the time that she had arrived at their meeting spot, she saw that Aiko was already there, talking to her.
From the looks of things, it didn't seem to be going well…
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop getting into trouble?!" Aiko snapped. "Don't you see that that man is just trying to take advantage of you?!"
"No!" Eiko shouted. "You're wrong! Tsukasa isn't like that! He's… not like everyone else."
"What are you talking about?" Aiko asked.
"Tsukasa is the only one who understands me!" Eiko cried. "He's the only one who cares!"
"If I didn't care, I wouldn't be here, trying to, once again, pick up your messes." Aiko scoffed. "I could be at home studying like Mom and Dad want me to do, but instead I came here."
"See, I told you. They don't care at all." Eiko muttered. "You're the only one they care about!"
"That's because I actually take things seriously, unlike you!" Aiko snapped. "You just do whatever you want without ever thinking of the consequences! Just because… just because you get to be free and do whatever you want doesn't mean that you should keep getting into trouble!"
"Shut up!" Eiko screamed. "All you ever do is insult and belittle me because you think you're better! I hate you!"
Aiko seemed taken aback for a moment, before turning away.
"That's not why… never mind." he muttered.
Aiko shook his head.
"Fine then. Do whatever you want." Aiko scoffed. "Go let him keep taking advantage of you if that's what you want. Just learn to take some responsibility for once in your damned life!"
Aiko stormed off, leaving Eiko on the verge of tears.
She quickly got in his way as he turned the corner and tried to leave.
"What was that?!" Makoto hissed, glaring at him.
"I told you, she just won't listen." Aiko sighed. "And to be honest, the two of us… well, we got along alright as little kids, but not anymore."
Makoto frowned. "Do most of your conversations go like that?"
"No. Normally things aren't so… heated." Aiko said. "But I will admit that most of our conversations have a certain tension to them."
"Then maybe I should have talked to her first." Makoto said.
"You'll probably have better luck than me." Aiko replied.
"Well, I certainly won't be insulting or yelling at her." Makoto scolded. "You should apologize for that."
"Maybe." Aiko shrugged. "I doubt she'd accept any apology from me right now, though."
"Don't 'maybe' me!" Makoto chided. "You need to take responsibility too."
"F-Fine, fine." Aiko muttered, trying not to stare into her glaring eyes. "I'll try and make things up to her later. Anyway, I need to head home before my parents start wondering where I am."
As Aiko walked off, she went over to Eiko, hoping to comfort her at the very least.
"Eiko…?" she called. "Are you ok?"
Eiko glanced over. "M-Makoto? How much did you hear?"
"All of it." Makoto frowned. "Eiko, he-"
"He's so much better than me at everything." Eiko ranted. "And he gets all of the attention and praise… and the one time that I get the tiniest bit of happiness, he has to try and take that away from me too."
"Eiko…I know he's acting very… abrasive." Makoto muttered. "But I really do think that he cares."
"Yeah, right…" Eiko muttered. "He doesn't care. No one cares. Not about me."
"Eiko, that's not true." Makoto insisted. "I care about you."
"… So what do you think about Tsukasa, then?" Eiko asked.
Makoto bit her lip. She just wasn't sure what she could say to get Eiko to listen to her.
"I… I'm just worried." Makoto confessed. "He's been texting me, you know. Sending me… strange messages."
The emoji spam and text speak made it hard to tell at times, but some of his messages were definitely… flirty in nature.
"H-He's just being friendly!" Eiko insisted.
"Eiko…" Makoto trailed off. "Be honest with me. Has he said or done anything… sketchy?"
"Like what?" Eiko muttered. "I mean… I think you've been acting a little sketchy yourself ever since those Yakuza guys kidnapped me."
"But-"
"And even if that wasn't true, do you really have any right to warn me about my boyfriend?!"
"What do you mean?" Makoto wondered.
"What do you mean, what do I mean?!" Eiko snapped. "Your boyfriend has a criminal record, and you think you can lecture me?!"
"He didn't-" Makoto began, before calming down. "Oh. I… see what you're saying, but…"
"But what?" Eiko muttered. "Makoto, just give him a chance. Please. I don't think Renny's a bad guy, so can't you give Tsukasa a chance?"
She knew that Eiko had a good argument, but…
"Ok." Makoto sighed. "But don't let him borrow any more money from you, ok? At least not until he pays you back. Relationships are supposed to be give and take."
Eiko seemed conflicted, but eventually nodded.
"Ok. I can do that." she said. "I can't just keep borrowing money from you guys. It wouldn't be fair…"
"Good." Makoto smiled. "Now, are you still up for lunch?"
"Yeah!" Eiko grinned.
The two girls sat down and enjoyed their lunch together.
When she got up to leave, however, she heard Eiko call out to her.
"M-Makoto?"
"Yes, Eiko?"
"Are we… still friends?" Eiko whispered.
"Always." Makoto promised.
She suddenly found herself in a big hug by Eiko.
"Thank you…" Eiko expressed.
She happily returned Eiko's hug, wanting to do anything she could to make her feel better.
After speaking with Eiko for a little longer, she returned home, studying for a bit before heading to bed.
She awoke to find herself once again in the Velvet Room.
She slowly got up from her bed, walking to the cell bars and seeing Igor staring at her with his usual wide grin.
"Listen up, Inmate!" Caroline exclaimed. "Our master… well, I guess you get the idea by this point."
Igor chuckled at her, his grin growing even bigger. "It would seem that you have formed a bond with yet another ally. This one will prove most invaluable."
"... Right. Futaba." Makoto nodded.
"It's such a shame what was done to the poor girl." Igor stated. "All of the cruel words and lies that were told to her. Humans can be ever so cruel in their pursuit of power."
"Pursuit of power…" Makoto repeated. "Igor, how do you know everything that's happening? Do you know the people responsible for Wakaba's death? For the suicide note?"
"Not at all." Igor claimed. "All I know is that you must continue your path towards rehabilitation. But you must prepare, for the road ahead is much more dangerous than before."
Makoto said nothing, instead giving Igor a questioning glance.
"Is that just a hunch then, that things will be more dangerous." Makoto asked. "Since you don't know who our enemies are?"
Another chuckle.
"I expect great things from you." Igor grinned, ignoring her question.
Her expression didn't change.
"Inmate… is there something else that you wanted to ask our master?" Justine asked.
"... No. It's nothing." Makoto said. "Let's just leave it at that."
She felt like she understood Igor a little better.
HUNGER CONFIDANT: RANK 8
Their conversation over, Makoto climbed back into the bed in her cell, thinking about Igor's words as she fell asleep.
9/6 Monday
After school ended for the day, she ran into Ann in the hall.
"Heeeey, Makoto!" Ann greeted. "What's bonkin'?!"
A silence overcame the two of them for a few moments.
"… Makoto." Ann muttered.
"Yes, Ann."
"Please forget I just said that." Ann requested.
"Hmm… I don't know…" Makoto replied.
"Makoto!"
Makoto giggled. "I'm sorry, Ann, I just didn't expect you to say that."
"Yeah, neither did I. Damn it, Ryuji…" Ann grumbled.
"You must be spending a lot of time with him recently if you're even quoting him." Makoto mentioned.
"H-Hey, come on…" Ann stammered. "I-It's not like that… he just says it a lot, that's all!"
"Well, alright. So did you want to talk about something?" Makoto asked.
"Well, I talked to Shiho the other day." Ann brought up.
"How's she doing?" Makoto asked. "Any more trouble?"
"Nope! She's been doing great!" Ann beamed. "No more trouble at all."
"That's a relief." Makoto replied. "I'll have to visit her soon myself."
She was glad that the mission had been a complete success. At first she was unsure when they didn't completely defeat the shadow in battle, but it seemed like that wasn't entirely necessary…
"I also talked to her about what's been going on with Mika and the photoshoot." Ann continued. "And then she laughed and told me she sounded really tough and ruthless!"
"Really? She laughed." Makoto said.
Ann nodded. "She's not trying to be mean, or anything, but Shiho can be surprisingly blunt. The first time we met was her telling me my drawing sucked in class and laughing."
"No way. I… can't see it." Makoto shook her head. "Not Shiho."
"I'm telling you, it's true." Ann insisted. "But maybe that's just her way of breaking the tension, I guess. I mean, I started laughing too!"
"She must be in good spirits if she's joking around." Makoto noted.
Ann nodded. "Yeah. I… attended one of her physical therapy sessions. Seeing her persevere despite everything… despite her not even being able to move her legs at first. She's incredible."
"She really is." Makoto agreed.
"I gotta keep being strong for Shiho too!" Ann exclaimed. "And that's why I've decided to start taking my modeling career more seriously from now on! Next time I'm up against Mika, I'll beat her for sure!"
"That's the spirit!" Makoto smiled.
She felt a little closer to Ann.
LOVERS CONFIDANT: RANK 6
After speaking to Ann for a little longer, she went home for the day.
9/7 Tuesday
After classes had ended for the day, Makoto saw that Yusuke had texted her.
Yusuke: Makoto, would it be alright if we were to meet up near Madarame's shack?
She quickly replied, saying that she'd be there, although she couldn't help but wonder why he wanted to go back.
She arrived at Madarame's shack, seeing that Yusuke was already there.
"Yusuke, why are we here?" Makoto asked, concerned.
"This place holds many memories…" Yusuke answered. "I thought that coming here might help with the roadblock in my path."
Yusuke moved to open the door, but found himself unable to.
"It seems that it's jammed…" Yusuke muttered.
"Then I suppose we can't get in." Makoto frowned. "Although… maybe I could try something."
"You're going to kick down the door?" Yusuke asked.
"... I was, but could you at least have guessed something else." Makoto sighed. "I don't solve all my problems with violence."
"It is rather effective, though." Yusuke pointed out.
Makoto grumbled to herself as she kicked the door down.
They entered the room only to find it completely empty.
"The police must have confiscated everything." Yusuke noted.
"Does it still bring back memories?" Makoto asked.
Yusuke nodded. "When I misbehaved, I'd have to sit in that corner over there. And over there was a bookshelf with various art compilations, and a few manga I secretly read during a break. And in the middle is where we'd eat, back when there were still other students. Sensei would…"
Yusuke frowned.
"You called him Sensei." Makoto said.
"I did. But why…?" Yusuke muttered. "I can never forgive him for what he did, but…"
"He's the only person you had left in the world." Makoto explained. "So it's hard… to fully hate him."
"You understand then." Yusuke muttered. "Makoto, have you gone through something like this, then? Have you had someone you looked up to betray the trust you placed in them?"
Memories of years of strained conversations and hurtful words came back to her.
The image of her phone, displaying the results of her search on that night burned its way into her mind.
Palace Found.
"I suppose so…" Makoto whispered. "Despite everything, I can't hate them. It… must be tough for you as well. Madarame…"
"Despite everything, I thought of him as a father figure. The parent that I never had." Yusuke admitted. "He cultivated my love of art, even if it was for selfish purposes. Life was simple then. I knew nothing of the darkness of our world."
"Neither did I, back then." Makoto said.
"Even so… why did Madarame take me in?" Yusuke wondered. "He couldn't have known I'd be talented at art… I was just an infant at the time. So why… would he do such a selfless act at the time."
Memories of plushies for doing well on exams.
And of small amounts of money on birthdays…
"People… are complex." Makoto reasoned. "Most of them can't really be called pure good or pure evil. Perhaps there was a part of them that once cared. At least… that's what I want to be true."
"Perhaps it was guilt, then. Guilt over what happened to my mother." Yusuke theorized. "Still-"
"Is someone there? I'm coming in."
"Is that the police?!" Makoto gasped.
A few moments later, an elderly man walked into the studio.
"You're that art critic from before…" Yusuke trailed off.
Yusuke glanced around the room, his eyes widening.
"… You were here. In Madarame's memory." Yusuke muttered. "You are… Kawanabe."
"In his memory?" Kawanabe questioned.
"Err… I meant… Madarame once told me about you." Yusuke lied. "Although, it was a while ago, so I did not recognize you immediately."
"Ah, so he did talk about me." Kawanabe said. "I know quite a bit about you as well, Yusuke-kun. You'd made quite a name for yourself patterning your work after the Sayuri. However… Your recent art looks very different. Are you, perhaps, still in your slump?"
"Madarame's transgressions exposed me to the ugliness of the art world, and even the world in general." Yusuke frowned. "Perhaps, that is why."
"Ah, I see." Kawanabe nodded.
"Are you here to dissuade me again?" Yusuke muttered. "Like you did to Madarame before me?"
The man frowned at the accusation, Makoto noticing a flash of guilt across his face.
"Actually, perhaps you'd like me to advise you?" Kawanabe offered. "With themes, materials, and things like that. Perhaps you could use the helping hand right now."
"Why would you do that…?" Yusuke asked.
"Two reasons. The first is that I truly believe that you have potential, and I wish to help cultivate the potential of young artists." Kawanabe said. "And one, not so selfless reason is to ease my own guilt…"
"Guilt?" Makoto questioned.
Kawanabe nodded. "It is true that the art world can be an ugly place. Greed, plagiarism, money laundering, and the like. It is not a friendly environment to young and passionate artists, and I believe that Madarame learned that the hard way."
"What do you mean?" Makoto asked.
"For the longest time, his living situation was very dismal." Kawanabe sighed. "There were times when he could barely afford to eat. Still, he persisted, because his passion for art was that strong. I was his friend at the time, always trying to give him advice, although I fear I may have been too heavy handed."
Makoto recalled one of the memories they had seen at Madarame's palaces, understanding what he was talking about.
"I would not so subtly suggest that he pursue another passion. A way to make money. I worry that that might have only fueled his downward spiral even more." Kawanabe regretfully said. "I do not want the student to repeat his master's mistakes, both for his sake… and my conscience."
He handed Yusuke a small card.
"My business card. Please, consider it." Kawanabe said.
As the man left, she glanced at Yusuke, who stared intently at the card.
"Will you accept?" she asked.
"I don't know." Yusuke muttered. "Still, thank you for your assistance. I would perhaps not even have this opportunity if not for you."
"Of course. Anytime." she smiled.
She felt a little closer to Yusuke.
EMPEROR CONFIDANT: RANK 6
As they left the building, Yusuke cleared his throat.
"There's one more thing… about that favor you asked of me." Yusuke said. "About Naoya-san."
Makoto's expression turned serious. "What did you find?"
"... There are days where he is absent, only to come the next day covered in bruises." Yusuke recalled. "At first, he simply dismissed them as kendo training or accidents at home."
"He's done the same when I asked him about it." Makoto nodded. "Anything else?"
"The incidents have become more frequent as of late. But his family's restaurant keeps being stolen from by an unknown thief." Yusuke told her. "And recently…"
"What happened?" Makoto asked.
"He was admitted to the hospital the other day." Yusuke told her.
"What?! How?!" Makoto gasped.
"I'm not sure." Yusuke said. "When I went to his family's restaurant to see him, they informed me what had happened."
"That's horrible." Makoto frowned. "I should go and visit him soon."
"Perhaps I could come as well?" Yusuke suggested.
"Of course you can come." Makoto smiled. "I just hope that we'll be able to help…"
After parting ways with Yusuke for the day, she went home, wondering what the next day would bring.
Makoto's Confidant Progress:
THE FOOL - Ren Amamiya: Rank 9
THE HUNGER - Igor: Rank 8
THE CHARIOT - Ryuji Sakamoto: Rank 7
THE MAGICIAN - Morgana: Rank 6
THE FAITH - Eiko Takao: Rank 6
THE TOWER - Chiaki Yasui: Rank 6
THE SUN - Shiho Suzui: Rank 7
THE MOON - Takayo Tachibana: Rank 6
THE HIEROPHANT - Sojiro Sakura: Rank 5
THE TEMPERANCE - Naoya Makigami: Rank 5
THE STAR - Hifumi Togo: Rank 5
THE DEVIL - Mitsuhide Matsuoka: Rank 4
THE HANGED MAN - Munehisa Iwai: Rank 4
THE DEATH - Yohei Kiritani: Rank 4
THE EMPEROR - Yusuke Kitagawa: Rank 6
THE EMPRESS - Haru Okumura: Rank 4
THE LOVERS - Ann Takamaki: Rank 6
THE HERMIT - Futaba Sakura: Rank 2
THE STRENGTH - Caroline and Justine: Rank 6
THE JUSTICE - Goro Akechi: Rank 4
THE PRIESTESS - Kasumi Yoshizawa: Rank 4
THE FORTUNE - Phantom Thieves of Heart: Rank 5
THE JUDGMENT - Sae Niijima: Rank 5
THE COUNCILOR - Takuto Maruki: Rank 6
Are the Phantom Thieves just? Yes 73.2%