Their second target went by without a hitch. Ren was sure that Mishima would change his heart after just a bit of talking, and not a fight.
Ren had told him that he had complete faith in him. Faith that he would be able to change his own heart.
She had been skeptical at first, but by the end, it seemed that their words were able to get through to him. She saw a noticeable change in the shadow's demeanor by the time they had finished.
As she left Mementos and headed home, she began to think about some of their previous targets.
Both Kaya and Mishima had been able to be convinced into changing their hearts by talking, although Kaya did require a bit of battle beforehand…
"What're you thinking about?" Morgana asked.
"Just some of our targets." Makoto replied. "If it is possible to change someone's heart by talking… that opens up so many possibilities."
"You think so?" Morgana asked.
Makoto nodded. "I wonder if it would even be possible to change the heart of someone with a palace with that method. Without stealing their treasure."
"Hmm… well, it'd be hard, no doubt… but I suppose it is possible in theory." Morgana said. "You're planning something, aren't you?"
"Not… at the moment." Makoto answered. "But maybe one day…"
Makoto closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep as she thought of the future.
9/11 Saturday
Soon after school got out for the day, she received a text on her phone.
Once again, Sojiro was asking her to help out at Leblanc, which she happily agreed to.
When she arrived, she saw Sojiro talking to one of his customers. She noticed that he seemed to know exactly what to say to them, likely because they were regulars at this point.
"Oh, Niijima, hello." Sojiro greeted. "I was just telling the boy here about food service. It's important to always be close to your customers, but not too close, understand?"
"I suppose that makes sense." Ren said.
They talked for a little while until a customer walked through the door.
"Welco-" Sojiro began, cutting himself off when he saw who had entered.
It was the same man that had come to the store to bother Sojiro before.
"You just don't know when to give up, do you?!" Sojiro glared.
"Well, I just happened to learn something very interesting." the man cheerfully said. "Something concerning Futaba's living arrangements."
Sojiro grimaced.
"Futaba's been shut off from both school and society, hasn't she!" the man accused. "That's bad parenting."
"As if you're one to talk!" Sojiro snapped. "What have you ever done for Futaba?!"
"This isn't about me, you know?" the man scoffed. "If I were you, I'd consider paying up.
Makoto took a moment to consider his words.
"Pay up?" Makoto thought, "Wasn't Boss having some problems with money before?"
She glanced over at Ren, seeing that he looked to be thinking the same thing.
"You really think you're any better?" Sojiro frowned. "Futaba had a horrible life living with you! And I already gave you most of the inheritance for custody! Isn't that enough for you?!"
"Well, we could always take this to court." the other man smirked. "I wonder who will win between a legal guardian and an actual relative?"
"You…" Sojiro trailed off.
"H-Hold on a moment!" Makoto stated. "Futaba-"
"Just leave this to me." Sojiro said, cutting her off.
"Hmm… you should teach your employees better manners." the other man scoffed. "And that boy… I've heard all about his criminal record. So now we have a neglectful parent and a delinquent housemate. Hardly seems like a healthy environment for Futaba."
Makoto clenched her fists, angered by the man's flippant and condescending attitude. It was as if he cared more about getting one up on Boss than about Futaba's wellbeing.
"That's wrong!" Ren insisted.
"What's that?!" The man glared. "You have a problem, you brat?! I'll sue you for intimidation!"
Before any of them could respond, they heard the door to the cafe open, all eyes on who had just entered.
"Sojirooooo, I hunger!" Futaba grinned.
"Futaba-chan, long time no see!"
Futaba quickly backed up to the corner of the store, looking very uncomfortable.
"I… I… I…" Futaba stammered.
"Futaba!" Sojiro called out, concerned.
"See what I'm saying?" the man said. "She's a nervous wreck! This is hardly a healthy environment for her."
"She's only like this because she saw you here!" Sojiro pointed out.
"Don't make me repeat myself." the man scoffed. "You can't beat me in court, so you might as well pay up!"
Sojiro scowled, but said nothing.
"Well, I hope you reach a decision soon! Bye now!" the man cheerfully said.
The man left the room, a grin on his face.
Even after he left, Futaba still wouldn't leave the corner.
"Futaba, are you alright?" Makoto whispered, gently approaching the younger girl.
"I'll take her home." Sojiro promised. "Could I have you two help clean up while I'm gone."
"Of course." Ren nodded.
The two of them helped clean the cafe while Sojiro brought Futaba home.
It wasn't long before he returned.
"Boss, is Futaba ok?" Makoto asked.
"She'll be alright." Sojiro told them. "As soon as we got home, she got some rest."
"Futaba seemed to recognize that man." Ren noted. "Is he a relative?"
Sojiro nodded. "He's her uncle. I… told you how her relative's treated her, right? They wouldn't feed her or let her take baths… they wouldn't even let her sleep on a bed."
"... Is that so?" Ren said.
His voice was calm, but she could tell from his body language that he was very angry.
He did a better job of hiding it then her, though.
Her entire body was shaking with rage.
"I couldn't stand to see her treated like that, so I took her in." Sojiro said. "That man… he treated her like an animal, but still had the nerve to keep complaining about expenses. I thought that throwing some money his way would put the issue to bed, but now he's back for more. Maybe paying him was a mistake…"
"He does seem to be taking advantage of you…" Makoto frowned.
"But saving Futaba was worth it." Ren insisted
"Yeah… you're right." Sojiro replied. "Heh… I never thought that you'd be the one cheering me up. Still… I wasn't able to help Futaba when she needed me the most… if it wasn't for you guys, she'd probably still be in her room…"
"Boss, you did everything you could." Makoto said.
"It wasn't enough, though." Sojiro sighed. "I don't know if I'm fit to be her guardian after failing her like that."
"Boss, don't say that!" Ren exclaimed.
"I just want what's best for her…" Sojiro sighed.
"Well, staying with that man certainly isn't best for her." Makoto stated. "I think that you should ask her what she wants. I think that's the simplest solution."
"You might be right." Sojiro admitted. "Thanks again for being there for Futaba."
She could feel Sojiro's gratitude.
HIEROPHANT CONFIDANT: RANK 6
After finishing her shift at Leblanc, she went home for the day.
9/12 Sunday
With no school today, she thought that it would be a perfect opportunity to check up on Shiho.
While she knew that they had changed Kaya's heart, she just wanted to make sure.
She texted Shiho, asking if she was free.
After she confirmed that she was free, they decided to meet up at a small cafe, close enough so that the distance wouldn't strain Shiho.
"Thanks for inviting me here, Makoto." Shiho smiled.
"You're welcome, Shiho." Makoto said. "How have you been?"
"It's… Well…"
"What is it?" Makoto asked. "What's happening?"
"You won't believe it, Makoto!" Shiho exclaimed. "The other day, Kaya just came up to me and apologized."
"Really? She did?" Makoto gasped, feigning ignorance.
"That's right, she did." Shiho nodded. "She confessed to everything that she had done and said she was sorry for each and every one of them. It was very surprising."
"I can imagine." Makoto nodded. "So no one's bothering you anymore?"
"They aren't no." Shiho replied. "M-Makoto… did you… do something…?"
"N-No, of course not!" Makoto exclaimed. "I think… that our words just happened to get through to her, that's all."
"… I suppose." Shiho muttered.
"Was there something else?" Makoto asked.
Shiho nodded. "After she apologized, she told me that she was sure that the rest of the volleyball team would love to see me."
"I'm sure that they would." Makoto smiled. "Are you excited to see them?"
"I'm more nervous, honestly." Shiho admitted. "I… I'm starting to accept that what happened isn't my fault. But… What if they don't? What if they're like how Kaya acted at first?"
"Hmm… well, what do you want to do, Shiho?" Makoto asked. "If you don't want to do it, that's fine, but…"
"No, it's not that." Shiho denied. "I do want to see them, but I'm just afraid of what their reactions would be."
"Maybe you'd like for me or Ann to come with you?" Makoto suggested.
"Y-Yes, that would be much better." Shiho smiled. "Thank you so much, Makoto!"
"Then I'll see you then, Shiho." Makoto beamed.
She could feel Shiho's sense of gratitude shining through.
SUN CONFIDANT: RANK 8
After speaking with Shiho for a little while longer, she decided to head home for the day.
Right before she fell asleep, however, she felt her phone buzzing.
She groggily picked up her phone, wondering who could be texting her right now.
Futaba: Hey. Finished analyzing the data. We should all meet up.
Makoto: Thanks, but couldn't you tell me in the morning?
Futaba: But I don't wake up until after noon.
Makoto: I don't think that's a very healthy sleep schedule.
Futaba: Sleep is for the weak!
She sighed, setting down her phone and closing her eyes, drifting off to sleep.
9/13 Monday
With Futaba having finished the extraction, she made sure to call a meeting between her and the rest of the Phantom Thieves.
"So Futaba, what exactly did you find?" Makoto asked.
Mwehehehe!" Futaba grinned. "I found a bunch. It looks like it's just like we thought… the mental shutdowns and psychotic breakdowns are connected. Someone is inflicting them on people."
"Do they have any idea who?" Makoto asked.
Futaba shook her head. "No, they don't. They have no idea who the culprit could be."
"It seems that we aren't any closer to the culprit than before." Yusuke frowned.
"We should just keep focusing on regular targets then." Makoto reasoned.
"Then what about the poll!" Ryuji grinned.
"The poll? Is it done?" she asked.
"The poll recently ended." Ren explained. "And it looks like Okumura did end up winning in the end."
"He was at the top before, but it was neck and neck for a while." Yusuke noted
"He ended up with a bunch of votes towards the end." Futaba frowned. "Kinda sus, to be honest."
"You think so?" Ann asked.
"Could be a bot." Ren suggested. "From someone who really had a grudge against him."
"It's possible…" Futaba trailed off.
"Ah, who cares?" Ryuji dismissed. "Let's just change his heart right now!"
"Hang on, we don't even know if he has a palace yet." Makoto pointed out.
"Just type out his name then!" Morgana exclaimed.
She did just that, tying out his name onto the app.
Palace Found
"Well, there you go!" Ryuji grinned. "He's got a palace, so let's go after him right now!"
"We still need the other keywords, bonehead." Morgana replied.
"I-I know that, cat!" Ryuji snapped. "I'm just saying!"
"So does everyone agree to targeting him?" Yusuke asked.
"To be honest… I'm not sure." Makoto frowned. "All of our previous major targets were people that we had some personal connection to. But Okumura… he's someone that we know very little about."
"But our fans voted for him, didn't they?" Ryuji said.
"That's just it…" Makoto argued. "I'm a little uncomfortable letting these kinds of things be up to some big anonymous vote."
"I guess that makes sense." Ren agreed. "It someone did end up botting it like Futaba suggested-"
"Oh come on!" Ryuji snapped. "It wasn't like this before! You guys are worrying way too much!"
"We do need to go after a big target soon." Morgana pointed out. "Especially if we want to get to the bottom of Mementos."
"Even if I agreed to go after him now, we'd still have to find out more information about him, like the keywords." Makoto pointed out. "I'm just asking for a bit of patience."
"But it still sounds like you're a little unsure." Ryuji frowned.
"Because I am." Makoto frowned. "I just… never expected that we'd get this popular."
"Yeah…" Ann nodded. "There's even merchandise for us now."
"People are expecting us to take down policemen, politicians…" Yusuke trailed off. "It does feel a bit overwhelming."
"Come on, guys, our fans want us to do this!" Ryuji exclaimed. "They want us to get these bastards right now.
"We would also need to restock on our supplies." Makoto muttered. "There's no telling what's out there in his palace."
"So what, you're worried about me?" Ryuji frowned. "You think that I can't handle it?"
"No!" Makoto exclaimed. "I just-"
"She doesn't want you rushing off on your own, Bonehead!" Morgana snapped. "If you act recklessly, you're just gonna get yourself knocked out again!"
"So that's it, then." Ryuji muttered. "You don't think I can pull my weight, do you?!"
"Ryuji, no, that's-"
"Save it!" Ryuji snapped. "I'm sick of the insults and everyone thinkin' I'm weak!"
"N-No one thinks that, Ryuji!" Makoto insisted.
"But you're all thinkin' it, right?" Ryuji grumbled. "I mean, I got knocked out pretty quick against Kaneshiro and Futaba's mom, right? That's why you're keeping me on the bench most of the time!"
Makoto bit her lip. While it was true that she worried about him at times, she didn't mean for him to take it like that…"
"I… I…
"Ugh, forget this!" Ryuji grumbled.
Ryuji started storming out of the room.
"Ryuji, where are you going?!" Ann cried.
"I'm going to show you guys how strong I am!" Ryuji declared. "I'm gonna take out Okumura myself!"
Ryuji ran out of the cafe, shocking them all.
"Ugh, that idiot!" Morgana snapped. "What does that moron think he's-"
"ENOUGH!"
Everyone turned to look at her, the anger in her voice immediately commanding their attention.
"M-Makoto-" Morgana stammered. "I-"
"This meeting is over." Makoto said. "We'll meet again soon. I… need time to think."
The others slowly got up and left the cafe until it was just her and Ren.
"Ren, why aren't you-"
"I live here, Makoto." Ren pointed out.
"O-Oh, right." she stammered, embarrassed. "About… what happened…"
"I'll try talking to him tomorrow." Ren promised. "I'm sure… he just needs to let off some steam, that's all."
"Thank you." Makoto whispered. "I'm not sure what I would do without you."
"You'd do fine." Ren assured her. "You're strong. But I'm here in case you need someone to talk to, I'll always be there for you."
"Thank you." She whispered. "I… I'm not really sure what to say at the moment… tomorrow, though, after I've had some time to think. Would that be ok?"
"Of course." Ren promised. "Somewhere private?"
She nodded. "I'd prefer that, yes.
"Why not at lunch, then?" Ren asked. "At school. I know a place."
"Yeah. That sounds nice." Makoto said.
She tried to manage a smile, but she could tell it was fake.
She was thankful that Ren didn't comment on it at least.
After speaking for a little while longer, she went home for the day, needing some time to think about the current predicament.
Morgana tried to curl up next to her, but she shook her head, causing the not-cat to droop his head as he lay at the foot of her bed.
Eventually, she managed to fall asleep…
"Damn it, I'll show them! I'll show them how strong I am!"
Ryuji continued to grumble as we took a late-night run to cool his head.
He found that he couldn't run for long, however.
"Shit!" Ryuji hissed. "Why is it still hurting, after all this time? I just gotta… push past it…woah!"
"Ah!"
He tried to start running again, only going a few steps before crashing into someone.
"Sorry, didn't see you there…" Ryuji muttered.
"No, it's ok, I should have been watching where I was going." the girl said.
Ryuji glanced at the girl he had bumped into, noting that she looked a little familiar.
"Say… do you go to Shujin?" he asked. "You look a little familiar."
The girl nodded. "Yes, I go there. I think… I've seen you around too."
"Yeah, I'm Ryuji Sakamoto. You?" he greeted.
"Okumura." the girl answered. "Haru Okumura."
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 8
THE MOON - Takayo Tachibana: Rank 7
THE HIEROPHANT - Sojiro Sakura: Rank 6
THE TEMPERANCE - Naoya Makigami: Rank 6
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 74.4%