8/22
Kyoko had just finished getting dressed for the day, when she heard Sojiro suddenly call up to her.
"Hey! Kyoko! Your friends are here, come on down!" he said.
"Whaddup!" she heard Ryuji's voice shout from downstairs. Judging by his chipper tone, she hoped they'd heard something of Futaba's day-long efforts yesterday having paid off, but she also hoped that'd be confirmed for the better once she joined. Nodding to Morgana, Kyoko finished lacing the ribbon on her braid before she and the cat came downstairs, Morgana choosing to wait at the bottom of the steps as she entered the café area.
Ryuji, Yusuke, Ann, and Makoto were all present, waiting together at the booth they'd all had the study session at and all with glasses of water on hand.
"Took you long enough," Sojiro said with a hint of sternness to his tone. "Just because you're on summer vacation doesn't mean you should slack off or be sleeping in, you know!"
"My apologies, I stayed up later then usual," Kyoko said with a polite bow.
"Yo, gotta admit you do look a little tired, Kyoko," Ryuji said.
"As I said, I stayed up," Kyoko replied. "Boss, may I...?"
"Fine but don't make it a habit of sleeping in with school starting back up again soon," Sojiro replied, turning on the burners. "Anything in particular?"
"Anything's fine," Kyoko said.
"House blend coming right up," said Sojiro as he started brewing.
Leaning against the bar counter, Kyoko's gaze flickered to the TV, where she saw the news was now talking about Medjed and turned the volume up as she looked with curiosity, as did her friends.
"Late last night, it was discovered that someone had tampered with the hacker group Medjed's website," a reporter stated. "The site's main page now displays what is thought to be the mark belonging to the Phantom Thieves of Hearts!" The screen suddenly changed to an image of said website, indeed now bearing the Phantom Thieves' calling card logo.
"...Moreso, the personal information of a Japanese man, a possible Medjed member, was illegally publicized," the reporter continued.
"Aren't these the guys people have been so up in arms about lately?" asked Sojiro.
"...Medjed has yet to issue an official reply. Furthermore, their previously announced "cleanse" of Japan has remained unimplemented for now," the reporter narrated. "Some speculate they have taken this series of events seriously and ultimately cancelled their plan. After the commercial break, we'll be asking guests from various fields about this turn of events."
"What're you kids smirking about," Sojiro asked, cocking a brow at the four seated teens as he poured Kyoko her cup and passed it to her.
"I'd say from the looks of it, Japan just avoided a serious potential data breach crisis," Kyoko replied softly, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Well your friends oughta keep it down before they scare away my customers!" Sojiro replied sharply.
"But... there ain't any," Ryuji pointed out, frowning.
"Can it! Most of them are on summer vacation, too!" Sojiro snapped back before turning to clean up and prepare for when any showed up for the rush hours.
Ryuji's eyes suddenly went wide. "...Wait, what you said about school startin' up again soon... Crap! Our break IS almost over!"
"There are still ten days left," Yusuke replied sadly.
"I wanna go somewhere, but we can't just leave Futaba-chan alone," Ann mused.
"Some things still concern me too, like that "research"," Makoto said softly.
"Yes, that has been on my mind all of last night as well," Kyoko said, coming over as she took another sip of her coffee. "There's more to... what happened... then meets the eye."
The jingle of the bell chimed as the door opened, getting everyone's attention as none other then Futaba strolled in.
"Oh! Futaba!" Sojiro exclaimed, his mood far better now as he saw Futaba seemed to be in good spirits. "...Did you just get up?" he asked, getting a nod in return.
"Good morning!" said Makoto.
To everyone's surprise, Futaba made a soft whimper and promptly ducked behind Kyoko, causing the young detective to glance back in confusion at her. The height difference was certainly noticeable to the others, given the 5'6 Kyoko already had about 7 inches on the petite Futaba who had to be under the 5 foot mark, and Kyoko's heeled shoes gave her an extra inch or two more that she practically towered over her.
"Futaba... what are-?" Kyoko asked, only to be interrupted by another small, anxious whimper from Futaba as she stared at the others while peering from behind her.
It seemed there was still going to be a ways to go before Futaba was fully over her previous asocial state.
"...Hey, why don't we head on upstairs?" Makoto offered. "If customers come, she'll probably be even more afraid."
"Good idea," said Kyoko, finishing her coffee and giving Futaba a look but the smaller girl still had not moved a muscle from her spot behind her.
"I agree," said Sojiro. "Go on up with them, Futaba. Have some fun. My regulars will be showing up soon, so I don't want you guys loitering around my store."
After the group had finished their drinks and went upstairs with Futaba in tow, Sojiro had managed to be ready just in time moments after as several of said regulars came in and ordered, the TV still covering the news report and guest interviews. Currently, it'd just gone over to a politician the title read named Masayoshi Shido, a middle-aged man with a goatee beard and tinted orange glasses, with a cleanshaven scalp and wearing a gray suit with a white pinstriped shirt.
"...The fact that there were no damages due to the hackers' actions is but an afterthought," the politician, Shido, stated, glaring sternly. "The issue I want to make clear is the attitude of the police, and more importantly, the government..."
Sojiro exhaled from taking a drag of his cigarette, his brow furrowing and his features hardening briefly as his gaze flickered at the man on TV before it switched over to the reporter.
"What do you mean, Mr. Shido?" the reporter asked.
"I mean are they doing their best to find an effective countermeasure against these Phantom Thieves?" the politician asked as it switched back over to him. "Is it not the government's duty to create a society where its citizens can live without worry? Unfortunately, it seems the current cabinet is powerless, and as such, should be disbanded!"
"Disbanded?!" the reporter asked, a bit stunned by the man's statement.
"Yes," Shido nodded. "Some may call my statement brazen, but I believe it is time for me to risk my political career in hope of making a new reality! A new political system that goes beyond quarreling parties or factions who'd rather sabotage one-another then focus on its country's people, and make an ideal country of peace and order!"
"Hm, this one seems quite promising!" an elderly customer sitting at one of the booths said to his wife who was sitting across from him.
"I have to agree," his wife said with a nod. "I hope he can work to ease the anxieties of the elderly!"
"What do you think, Boss?" the elderly customer asked, looking over at Sojiro, who'd been glancing away from the TV as he continued to smoke.
"Oh? Sorry, I wasn't really listening," Sojiro replied, though his tone sounded somewhat troubled...
?/?
Kyoko shook her head as she sat in the dimly-lit interrogation room, Sae Niijima seated across from her. Between the physical abuse and the drugs, her mind was still in the process of recovery, but the prosecutor nor her superiors were going to afford her the extra time for that, she suspected.
The prosecutor, though, seemed to be lost in her own thoughts as Kyoko groggily looked at her.
"So the Phantom Thieves only stole the heart of Futaba Sakura," Niijima mused to herself as she glanced away from her. "...And Medjed was, in turn, defeated by her own real-world hacking abilities?"
Kyoko gave a silent nod as she attempted to fight off her slouch despite her discomfort.
"I see... this does correlate to the facts as we know them," Niijima replied.
The older woman suddenly blinked as realization came over her, pinching her chin pensively as she looked away from Kyoko again. "...If she's telling the truth, then Wakaba Isshiki didn't commit suicide... could it be a third party targeted her life with the goal of destroying her research?" she muttered to herself. "...Wakaba's death was two years ago, that also coincides with when the incidents started occurring... does this other Metaverse user that you told me Madarame and Kaneshiro mentioned... really exist?!"
Sae looked at Kyoko again. "As a detective, you've known of the psychotic breaks and mental shutdowns that have alarmed the public, yes?" she asked. "...Where all of a sudden, people will totally lose consciousness or become extremely violent. A situation so incomprehensible that it can't be explained away as "troubled social conditions"."
Kyoko nodded, having eavesdropped. "...I've been... attempting to solve it case myself for those... two years," she said, fighting off the fatigue. "...Before the arrest. There was no apparent connection, then, but now..."
Sae nodded. "You believe, as I now suspect, that these cases are all connected to a larger, man-made plot. That's the conclusion you've come to, correct? Your story has virtually confirmed the viability of the method," she explained. "...Although, I wouldn't have expected a new criminal to come to light from your testimony. What did you and your group think of this other Metaverse user?"
Kyoko silently looked away a moment at her words, and Sae noticed the girl's features hardening, one of her gloved hands clenching tightly for a moment before she slowly regained her stoic demeanor despite what she'd been through and looked at her once more.
"...Unforgivable," she said in a cold tone.
Sae folded her arms and leaned back in her chair again, staring at her with a neutral expression of her own. "That's a rather self-centered thing for the leader of the Phantom Thieves to say, and I'd expect better from someone who helped bring the Victim Catharsis Committee to light."
Kyoko's neutral expression wavered slightly.
"Yes, I've done my research," Sae replied. "A self-styled vigilante organization run by renegade detectives that used a system called the Dual Noir to give survivors of terrible crimes a chance at revenge against the ones responsible that weren't caught or sufficiently punished, giving them "catharsis", so to speak... it's not so different from the Phantom Thieves' actions involving tampering with powerful criminals' hearts without any consent, is it?"
Kyoko's looked down at her gloved hands on the table for a moment. "...There was a time, long ago, I'd have felt that way," she said softly, before looking up at Sae again, her features hardening once more. "...But no, the Phantom Thieves' goals are about justice and saving people, not revenge. We don't murder people like they did... or exploit peoples' grief and trauma to coerce them into doing so..."
"...I see," Sae replied, noticing the hint of venom in Kyoko's tone on the last part that belied her stoicism or the fatigue from what she'd just been through. Whatever her experience with the VCC had been, it was clearly a sensitive subject, but fortunately it was not relevant to the matter at hand.
"...I suppose no matter how you thought of them or this Metaverse user, there can be no doubting your resolve, so are those incidents because of you or someone else?" she asked. "Either way, I'll get to the bottom of this..."
Despite the prosecutor regaining her own professionalism and resolve, Kyoko could see that the other woman appeared to be giving her the benefit of the doubt and trusting her a little more, prompting the sound of a chain link shattering within the recesses of the young detective's mind.
"...Now, with that in mind and what you've told me, let's move on to your next crime," Niijima stated, opening her folder to the next page. "...Kunikazu Okumura. You should know who he is, considering what happened."
Kyoko stared down at the photo of a middle-aged businessman in his late 40's with side-parted dark hair and still handsome, but very stern features, and very cold eyes framed by his thick-framed glasses. How could she forget him, she thought... especially after, as the prosecutor said, what had happened...
"Your testimony regarding this incident will be serious. I'm sure you understand why," Niijima explained.
Kyoko nodded. She remembered her suspicions then, and what had come to pass only confirmed them in her mind.
"Now, answer my next question carefully," Niijima stated, "...What did you do to this Okumura?"
8/22
The group had gathered in Kyoko's attic room, her seated at the workbench with Morgana on the floor next to her, and the other Thieves using the chairs, save Makoto who was on the couch and Futaba who was now seated on the bed. The table had been set with a pitcher for the extra coffee Sojiro had made and empty containers of instant meals and bento boxes bought from the convenience store lay strewn about on it. Several attempts had been made on breaking the ice with the young hacker, but she'd remained quiet the whole time as she ate away at the curry Sojiro had made for her even as the subject continued regarding Futaba's own apparent knowledge about Palaces, and how the actual heist had ended up differently then expected.
"...To think someone's cognitive version of a person would transform into such a horrible monster and attack us," Yusuke mused.
"Based on a person's cognitions, it'd mean our enemies in a Palace may not be limited to just Shadows," Kyoko replied.
"I'd thought the other people were just their victims, like the slaves in Kamoshida's castle or the walking ATMs in Kaneshiro's bank," said Ann.
"They seemed to be alive but were really just part of the backdrop... just... the environment," said Makoto.
"Kamoshida still saw the volleyball teams as human beings... but only because he still knew his own image as an instructor depends on their achievements now that his own Olympic glory days were past him, but they were slaves because their only purpose in his mind was to serve him, be it to reinforce his ego or be his personal playthings," Kyoko explained. "...As for Madarame and Kaneshiro, they dehumanized their victims to the point they were objects reflecting what was gained from them."
"...In other words, the Palace ruler determines the form and strength of their cognitions." said Makoto.
"That's how I'm understanding it," replied Kyoko. Looking at Futaba she expected her Palace had so few of them due to her isolated lifestyle.
"There's still things we don't know, I imagine," said Makoto. "I'd have loved to have asked Futaba's mother how far along she was with her research."
"Research, eh?" Ryuji asked, frowning. "She was looking into that "cognitive psience" stuff, yeah?"
"If we put together all of the information we've gathered up to this point, abuse of cognitive psience can lead to death or may even relate to the psychotic break incidents," said Makoto. "Considering the "cognitive" aspect of it, I sense a strong connection with it and the Metaverse."
"...Which this black-masked assassin Madarame and Kaneshiro spoke of has done, but I suspect he's only the weapon," Kyoko said. "...Which leads to the question of whose hand wields it?"
"Right, we've deduced the research may have been stolen and used by someone else," Morgana said.
"You mean those guys that showed Futaba-chan that fake suicide note?" Ann asked, disgusted at the memory of it.
"If that is the case, these people are unforgivable," said Yusuke.
"...I'm certain it's someone Futaba's mother knew. An employer at wherever she worked, or an investor who funded it," Kyoko said. "Sojiro had mentioned how she became concerned for her life, meaning there was likely someone she felt she got on the wrong side of. Suppose this project was, in truth, meant for this abuse and she came to realize it?"
"Assassinated simply for having morals?" Ann protested. "...And then going and trying to scapegoat her daughter to everyone? Yusuke's right, they're unforgivable."
"Hey, Futaba, is there anything you can remember about all of this?" Makoto asked gently.
Futaba gave no response, instead simply getting up and taking her empty plate back downstairs without a word, and returning a moment later with more. The delicious aroma did not go unnoticed as Yusuke and Ann muttered enviously when Futaba began to dig in again rather then offer any answers to Makoto's question. Even Ryuji's request for a bite was met with only a momentary silent shake of her head before she resumed again.
"I've done interrogations and questioning witnesses before, but this... may be a whole different level," Kyoko muttered before approaching Futaba, hands at her hips. "...Futaba? This is important, do you understand this? If we want to solve who's behind this, we need you to tell us what you know."
Alas, Futaba was no more responsive then she was toward the others and simply kept eating, Kyoko unsure if the other girl even listened, let alone heard her, prompting an irritated sigh and a facepalm from the young detective.
"...Why don't we take a short break?" Makoto offered.
"May be a good idea," Kyoko muttered, glancing down at Futaba again, who simply slipped on the large headphones she'd brought and pulled an mp3 player from her cargo pocket to search for music to listen to after she finished her food and passed the plate to Kyoko to put on the table, before pulling her feet up on the bed and resting her palms on her knees facing away to give the group some privacy.
Giving a lingering glance at her but it becoming evident Futaba had chosen not to take part in this, Kyoko returned to her seat at the workbench as the others brought their chairs closer to the table.
"I've wondered," Makoto said, "...Even if Futaba is a genius, could she have really defeated an international hacker organization so easily?"
This, however, seemed to immediate get Futaba's attention. "One guy, actually, he was a guy from Japan," she said, glancing back at them. "I knew the Medjed members in Japan weren't anything special so I wasn't worried."
"The man whose info was exposed that the news mentioned," Kyoko mused, Futaba nodding in reply.
"So, how do you know all that, Futaba?" asked Ann.
"'Cause I'm the founder!" Futaba replied nonchalantly, as though she expected they'd know this already, but it was rather surprising news to them.
"What do you mean?! Should we take that literally?" Makoto asked, stunned.
"Yep, it was only me at first. Back when I was referred to as the hacker of justice," Futaba explained, turning away again. "...But since I stayed anonymous, a bunch of guys from all over the world started using the name."
"Now that I think about it, I believe the DSC does list a few cases of cybercriminals arrested who claimed to be the true Medjed, but they always turned out to be imposters using the name," Kyoko remarked. "So you were the original, then, this whole time?"
"Mmhm," Futaba replied. "The ones arrested committing cybercrimes? All nothing but posers you'd think would have enough originality to make their own alias."
"You could have helped expose them all," Kyoko replied, cocking a brow at her. "...In all honesty, I can imagine a lot of detectives would have been glad to have you as an ally for cases like that."
"Eh, too much of a hassle to do that, and most of 'em I can't imagine being that difficult to track, so I just kinda left 'em be," Futaba said dismissively.
"So lemme get this straight, Futaba was the real Medjed and we were freakin' out over a buncha weak-ass dipshits?!" Ryuji asked. "You coulda told us that from the start, Futaba."
"I discarded the Medjed name a long time ago. I'm Alibaba, now," Futaba said with a smile. "...To be honest, there's only ever been one other hacker that's ever impressed me, their name's Alter-Ego. Never met, obviously, but... we chatted a few times."
"Oh yeah?" asked Ryuji.
"Yup. Name, age, gender, hometown, all that other stuff, totally unknown. Dared me to try and take a peek into their computer's data... I put up a good fight for a while but in the end I got beat by these AI-controlled firewalls Alter-Ego designed. It was a project of theirs and made the dare so I could see what those were capable of and help them learn and adapt, great times!" Futaba said with a wistful smile. "...That was back then, before, well..."
Deciding it best to change the subject before Futaba had to dwell too much on the past, Makoto spoke up. "So, Futaba, what do you want to do now?" she asked. "Since you know our secret, we'd like you to join our team."
"'Kay."
"Just like that?!" Ann stammered, surprised by how quickly Futaba accepted.
"I appreciate your aid," Kyoko replied before addressing the others. "...On another note, she may also be an asset in navigating Mementos as well, given the labyrinth changes whenever we visit."
"...I guess," Morgana said softly, his ears drooping a little.
"Well then it's settled!" Ryuji said with a grin. "Futaba's real amazin'! She's gonna be a big help for us, huh?"
"I am curious, though, of exactly how you found out about us, and how to contact me?" Kyoko asked Futaba. "Was it hacking Sojiro's surveillance in the café or did you plant something there he doesn't know about at some point?"
"Secret."
"Where did you learn to hack?" Makoto asked.
"Private."
Makoto gave a slight, frustrated sigh, it was evident Futaba was back to closing herself off again. Regardless, she tried to continue the conversation "...Where did you obtain the Nav?"
"I refuse to answer," the younger girl replied as she looked away and took out her mp3 player again.
"Futaba-chan sure is... unique," Ann observed. "This... could be a problem if she doesn't open up to us a bit more."
"At the very least we need to be able to communicate normally with her," Yusuke suggested.
"What should we do, Kyoko?" Makoto asked.
"If you forgot I'm not exactly an expert on regular casual conversation," Kyoko replied dryly. "Still, it seems there are certain topics she is willing to be more engaging about."
"Well, damn," Ryuji muttered.
"We're just gonna need to help her open up to us," Makoto said. "Maybe if we each spend an entire day with her one-on-one, she'll get more used to being around us."
Futaba suddenly glanced back at them, Kyoko then suspecting she'd not drowned them out yet, after all and instead opted for listening in.
"We do have the time for that, thanks to summer vacation," said Yusuke.
"In that case, we can begin tomorrow!" said Makoto.
"Let's go to the beach!" Ryuji suggested with a pump of his fist. "There'll be tons-a people there, plus we got totally dried out in the desert!"
"That's a great idea! I'd forgotten I haven't gone to the beach, yet!" Ann agreed.
"...Uh, excuse me?" Futaba asked meekly.
"I'll come by tomorrow. Seeya then!" Makoto replied, dismissing Futaba's concerned tone.
"Let me help as well, I don't have anything planned," Yusuke offered.
"Thanks, we can set a schedule with everyone else depending on when they're free," said Makoto, the others voicing their agreement. "Anyway, I ought to get home, now. I can't slack off on my studies with school around the corner. You all should do the same."
Once the others had left, Kyoko had come back upstairs to find Futaba had since gotten off the bed but had chosen not to go anywhere, pacing about as Morgana stood on the table watching with concern.
"...Is something the matter?" Kyoko asked, folding her arms as she watched Futaba pace.
The girl grumbled a little to herself before speaking. "...Can I really do this?!" she protested.
Kyoko sighed, closing her eyes a moment. "...I'm sure it'll be fine."
Futaba gave no response aside from a few more frustrated grumbles, before walking over to the table and playfully pinching Morgana's cheeks to relieve her stress.
"Ugh! Why meeee?!" Morgana protested indignantly.
Ignoring him, Kyoko rolled her eyes slightly. "It's not till tomorrow, the more you stress on something the worse you'll feel. I've learned that all too often."
"...Fine," Futaba mumbled before approaching Kyoko and looking up at her. "...But you gotta be there, understand?" she asked sharply.
"Alright, just... don't keep ducking behind me every time someone talks to you," Kyoko replied. "They saved you, too, so there's no reason to be afraid of any of them."
"I promise nothing, but you better come!" Futaba answered, making it clear she wasn't going to dispute this further before she headed downstairs.
Turbulence and tension were higher then ever within the SIU courthouse.
"...Stress is the enemy of beauty, Niijima-san," Goro Akechi remarked to a scowling, pensive-looking Sae Niijima as he approached her in the lobby area.
"How can I stay calm about this?!" Sae lashed out sharply at him.
Akechi, however, did not appear offended or hurt, instead only looking concerned. "...I understand how you feel."
"Thanks to the incident with those hackers, people are now calling us incompetent!" Sae replied, still noticeably angered. "...And, on top of all of that, the Phantom Thieves are claiming justice is on their side?! Don't make me laugh!"
"Medjed was dealt with either by the Phantom Thieves, or an avid supporter," Akechi replied, folding his arms. "...There's no tracks whatsoever so they must be especially skilled... either way, however, the general public recognizes the Phantom Thieves as the subjugating party."
Sae nodded. "I've noticed. Already they're gaining influence and support much faster than we could have anticipated."
"It is indeed an abnormal situation," said Akechi, frowning. "I suspect mass manipulation of some kind... it's even possible that there may be a powerful person who is backing them, plotting all of these psychotic breakdowns."
The boy shook his head in disgust. "...If only I'd realized sooner...!"
"It's rare to hear you speak in that tone," Sae said, intrigued.
"If they are indeed connected, then for the sake of my justice, I won't forgive them!" Akechi replied sharply, before turning to leave.
Kyoko heard her phone chime on her bed. Switching off the game she'd been trying to get through, she walked over and picked it up to read, sitting down with Morgana hopping up beside her as she noted Ryuji had posted in the group chat.
[Hey! I heard some people talkin about us on the train ride home!] the message read.
[They were sayin how awesome they think the Phantom Thieves are!] he added.
[I've heard things too. It's becoming a huge topic of conversation.] Ann replied.
[To be fair, the casualties from a Medjed attack would have been massive.] Yusuke messaged.
[So it's no surprise they'd revere us for preventing it.] he added.
[It's really all thanks to Alibaba. You were a great help!] Makoto messaged.
[It was nothing] Futaba answered, now having already been brought into the chat by Kyoko's observation.
[Oh! That reminds me!] Ann suddenly messaged.
[Remember the stuff about ATMs and banks just stopping?] she asked.
[That wasn't Medjed was it?]
[Nope, that was totally separate, actually.] Futaba replied.
[So people were overreacting over a coincidence?] Makoto asked.
[That or the rumors were never true to begin with.] Futaba answered.
[Hm, you seem to be quite talkative in these conversations.] Yusuke replied.
[Is that so? I'll shut up then.] Futaba messaged back.
[ :l ]
[?] Yusuke responded.
Kyoko raised a brow, wondering what Futaba was trying to convey with that last message. Apparently, neither did Yusuke.
[ ):C ] Futaba answered.
[I don't think I get it, but I'm pretty sure she's angry.] Ann said.
[You gotta apologize Yusuke, come on!] Ryuji messaged.
[Me? Why?] the other boy asked.
[ ):U ] Futaba's latest response read.
[I think he means, Futaba, is him noticing you're more willing to talk here than in person.] Kyoko responded, hoping to diffuse this.
[OMG! You too, Kyoko?! ):C ]
[Not remotely what I meant.] Kyoko answered.
[ ):U !]
[It seems you've upset her as well Kyoko.] Yusuke messaged.
[ D:( !]
Kyoko rolled her eyes as she put her phone away, not in the mood for this.
"Think it's going to be okay?" Morgana asked, having been reading the messages as well as he sat on the bed with her. "I'm worried about how things'll be from now on."
"What do you mean?" asked Kyoko.
"Well... training Futaba's gonna be a lot of work, more then stealing someone's heart," the cat said. "Plus needing to be there or she's not gonna budge. Despite things, she seems to trust you."
"I'm not very good at being someone's rock," Kyoko replied, her phone chiming again. "...I hope she's calmed down."
To her surprise the new message wasn't from Futaba, or the others for that matter, but instead from Mishima.
[Now that's my Phantom Thieves! I knew you'd pull it off!] his message read.
[This definitely proves the justice of the Phantom Thieves!] he added.
[From what I heard, there is growing support on that stance.] Kyoko replied.
[There's no doubt about it! They took Medjed down!] Mishima responded.
[Even the guys who've been criticizing the Phantom Thieves basically have to accept them now!] he continued.
[The news has been spreading like wildfire, too! I'll give it an extra boost on my site and I'm sure the approval rating will be through the roof by tomorrow!]
"Why is he of all people getting so excited about this?" Morgana asked, his ears drooping. His concern, however, quickly eroded as he perked back up again. "...That said, the news really did draw a lot of attention! I can't wait to see what happens!"
"We'll find out soon enough," Kyoko said. "When we get the chance, hopefully Futaba can give us some information on her mother's work, it may get us closer to solving all of this."
The bell suddenly jingled downstairs, Kyoko heard Sojiro greeting Futaba downstairs, and the latter saying she got hungry. Kyoko couldn't help but feel a pang of hunger, herself, and decided to head downstairs, hoping Futaba had gotten over the earlier quarrel in the chat.
Unfortunately, it seemed that wasn't the case as Futaba promptly folded her arms and turned away in her chair, her nose upturned as Kyoko came down.
"Did I miss something?" Sojiro asked.
"...Nothing important," Kyoko replied, facepalming.
"Apologize!" Futaba said, remaining aloof.
"I didn't do anything wrong I was just clarifying what Yusuke said," Kyoko said with a hint of irritation.
"He didn't apologize either!" Futaba responded dismissively. "He's got until tomorrow! You've got an opportunity right now!"
Kyoko stared in silence for a moment, her neutral expression threatening to falter from exasperation. "He didn't mean any harm, and he doesn't know you well enough, yet. We can change that tomorrow," she said.
"Hmph!" Futaba huffed.
"Futaba..." Sojiro's tone was firm, but not hostile, causing the younger girl to pause and look down quietly. "What's this all about anyway?"
"We were talking in a text chat, Yusuke commented on her being more talkative there then in person, and I think Futaba took it the wrong way," Kyoko said, trying to think of a way that would not end in having to apologize over a misunderstanding that wasn't on her end. "...Futaba, I'm not exactly a "people person", either. Maybe you're more comfortable talking in a way that isn't face-to-face and I'm aware there are others who are the same way... it probably just came as a surprise to him since he has little experience there."
Futaba exhaled from her nose sharply, but she relaxed a moment after and turned to face Kyoko with a satisfied smile. "Fine. I hereby accept your apology!"
"But I-" Kyoko began, only for Futaba to cut her off again.
"Sojiro! Two curries to celebrate our mended bridge!" the younger girl said proudly.
Kyoko looked away a moment, sighing. It was probably the most ideal response she was going to get.
"MmmSrrry," Futaba mumbled after a few seconds, getting the young detective's attention.
"I'm sorry," Futaba said softly. "...For... misunderstanding. It's been... awhile since I really... urgghh... socialized."
Kyoko smiled faintly. "...It's fine. As I said, I'm not much of a people person, either."
Futaba couldn't help but smile a little, now, too, before she looked over at Sojiro. "So, those curries, Sojiro?"
"Heh, coming right up," Sojiro said with a small smile, relieved it was over for now and the two getting along.
Futaba happily hummed to herself after she finished her curry, Kyoko having offered to help wash the dishes after.
"Phew! I'm wicked-full!" the younger girl said, content with her meal as she stood up and stretched a little.
"How was it, Futaba?" asked Sojiro.
"It was delicious! I'll be dreaming of that stuff tonight!" Futaba said cheerfully.
"I trust it tastes the same as you remember it?"
Futaba nodded. "I feel like a dummy for not wanting to eat it back when I was depressed about my mom..." The girl's eyes suddenly went wide as if she remembered something important. "Oh, yeah! The first episode of that brand-new anime I wanted to watch comes on tonight! I'm outta here!"
"Eyes in front when you walk, alright? No spacing out, now!" Sojiro replied. "You ran head-first into a pole last time you went for a walk."
Futaba balled her fists, huffing indignantly. "Well... you stubbed your toe on a dresser, once!" she said, before quickly glancing at the clock. "Aw, crap! It's about to start! Time to make like a tree and... eh, screw it! Bye!"
Sojiro chuckled to himself as Futaba rushed out the door. "She called it "delicious". What about you, Kyoko?" he asked, looking back at the young detective washing the dishes.
Kyoko gave a small smile as she finished rinsing and began drying the dishes off. "No hyperbole, but it's... honestly the best curry I've ever had."
"Heh, really now?" Sojiro smirked, scratching the back of his head. "Well, you'd have to have pretty good taste if you can understand how incredible that curry is... so now's probably the best time for me to tell you something regarding it."
"Hm?" Kyoko asked. "I recall you mentioned something regarding a scientific genius?"
Sojiro nodded. "Take a seat and I'll pour you some coffee and explain."
Putting the plates away and sliding off the apron and rubber gloves, Kyoko carefully dried her hands off before slipping her normal gloves back on and walked back out to sit down at the bar counter while Sojiro poured a cup for her.
"...So you recall what I'd said about a scientific genius having designed the recipe, well you may have figured out that genius was, in fact, Wakaba. Futaba's mother," Sojiro explained. "...In other words, that curry is one of the last remaining connections Futaba has left to her mom."
"I suppose I can see why she would have a hard time around it when she was dealing with her trauma," Kyoko replied softly. "She didn't... exactly have a favorable view of her, then, when she blamed herself for what happened."
"You're probably right. It's really a relief to me to finally see her on the road to recovery, now, after my efforts went nowhere," Sojiro replied. "It's... as you may have guessed, been about two years since I've seen her like this."
"You've known her mother for some time, I recall," said Kyoko.
Sojiro nodded. "I first met Wakaba back when I was doing work for the government. She was real trouble, let me tell you," he explained. "Logic always prevailed over emotion for her, and she had an intricate knowledge of the human mind."
He smirked, shaking his head. "...I thought my pick-up lines were the best in town, but not a single one worked on her!" he chuckled.
"Not too different from Futaba, either, from what you've told me," Kyoko replied, sipping her coffee.
"Yeah, you can get a pretty good idea of her just from looking at Futaba, really. She was like an adult version of her," Sojiro explained. "It was almost impossible to keep up with her! Men are idiots, though... we spend our lives chasing the things we just can't get."
"I wouldn't know. I've never... dated, actually," Kyoko said. "My grandfather never let me, and threatened to fight anyone I showed interest in, or showed interest in me... he meant it, too."
Sojiro shook his head. "It's normal to be protective, I suppose, but like it or not, a time comes when parents eventually have to accept when their child isn't a child anymore."
"It... goes further then that. He said he would find me a husband, one of his choosing because he expects our family to remain... "well-bred" as he put it, after my father's disobedience when he, in my grandfather's words, "ran off with some lowly woman"," Kyoko explained. "...It was another reason he disowned my father, saying he rejected the expectations on our name and place as well and "let selfish lust win out"... leading to me, whom he called a throwaway child given up first chance my father got."
"...Hm," Sojiro frowned, looking pensive a moment. "...Would I be right in suspecting you have your doubts on what he's told you? Why else would you want to go to Hope's Peak where your father is headmaster of if not to hear his side?"
Kyoko sipped her coffee, looking down at the partially empty cup. "...You're right. The more time I've had away from my grandfather, honestly... the more time I have to think... and question the validity in all I knew. He told me my father rejected me, but I was contacted when my mother fell terminally ill to see her before she'd pass as her last wish. My grandfather refused to allow me to go, under the claims my training as a detective came first, and I was too young to go on my own accord."
"For someone of his reputation and accomplishments, that's rather cold of him," Sojiro replied. "I take it you wanted to go, too?"
Kyoko was silent a moment before she nodded. "...I did, but I knew not to argue with him or it'd only make trouble," she said softly. "Maybe now, it's more then just... making my father face me. Now it's really about wanting his side of the story, and why they wanted to see me back then... if there's... something I've not been told."
"Keep behaving yourself and make it through your probation, you may get that chance," Sojiro said.
"So... I take it Wakaba truly was someone out of your reach?" Kyoko asked, looking back up at him and turning the subject elsewhere.
"Pretty much," Sojiro said with an amused eyeroll. "She rejected me time and time again, but there was one instance where I managed to surprise her... when I gave her a plate of my homemade curry."
"...And what happened?" asked Kyoko.
Sojiro smirked. "...The very next day, she came asking about all the ingredients and what goes into the cooking process, and a few days later, she handed me a scientifically-enhanced version of my recipe," he explained. "I tried it, and it was incredible! She had used my curry as the basis, but it was also miles better than anything I made! Curry was Wakaba's specialty from then on and naturally, Futaba grew to love it in no time as well."
A frown slowly came to Sojiro's weathered features. "...But then, after Wakaba's accident, Futaba stopped eating it entirely... the flavor would make her remember the pain, and I've heard even smells can bring back memories, too," he explained. "But, that curry was the only point of connection I had with Futaba. That's why when I took her in, I vowed to keep this recipe alive until she could eat it again."
Kyoko gave a small smile as she nodded. "It was worth it, I think."
"Yeah, it took a huge weight off my shoulders when she said it was delicious!" Sojiro said, chuckling. "The whole idea of pairing the curry with a nice brew was thanks to Wakaba's refinement, too. Despite being rather introverted, she was extraordinarily perceptive of the people around her... in a way, similar to you in that regard. I never even told her about my love of coffee, she just figured it out by looking at me!"
He looked away, shaking his head as he smiled fondly. "...That's when I realized she was totally out of my league... not like I really stood a chance to begin with, though. She already had Futaba by then, after all," he explained. "This might seem like any old curry to most, but there are tons of emotions crammed inside... so, uh... make sure you keep the tradition going!"
Kyoko nodded, smiling again. "...I won't consider the mystery of this curry solved until I've mastered it."
"You better not," Sojiro chuckled warmly. "You wouldn't be much of an "ace detective" if you only deemed a case finished halfway, would you?"
"I suppose not," Kyoko said, a chain link shattering within the recesses of her mind.
"All right, that's enough of this for tonight!" Sojiro said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "It's getting so downright sappy in here! Not to mention Futaba's probably waiting for me to get back, too, so I should probably be closing up and be on my way. Don't be staying up too late, got it?"
"Of course," replied Kyoko. "I'll clean up after, so you're not held up."
"I appreciate it," Sojiro said with a grateful smile as he undid his apron and went to go get his things and head home for the evening.
Once Kyoko had finished cleaning and headed upstairs where Morgana waited curled up on the bed, her phone rang, she saw Sojiro was calling. "Hello?"
"Hey, it's me. You finished cleaning up and all?" he asked.
"I did, yes. I was about to go to the bathhouse before I turned in for the night," said Kyoko. "How's Futaba doing?"
"Eh, she's still watching anime, but hey, as long as she's in a good mood, I don't mind it," replied Sojiro. "Seeing her happy now makes me glad I kept Wakaba's curry alive. It's only a problem when she's asking for it three times a day."
"Dr. Takemi had said she was malnourished when she'd passed out, I take it from her time when she was a shut-in," Kyoko said. "She'll need a balanced diet."
"Yeah, that's exactly the problem, plus she's 15 so she's definitely still growing," said Sojiro. "I gotta be strict with her, she needs to eat balanced meals now more then ever so she gets vitamins curry won't give her."
"I can give you a few suggestions I had back home," Kyoko offered. "...Also, Yusuke had a cookbook written by a Hope's Peak student named Teruteru Hanamura who was scouted as the Ultimate Chef we used for when we made hotpot. To my understanding Hanamura hates junk food, so you may find something she'll eat that'll be good for her in there if you find it."
Sojiro chuckled a bit. "I'll have to look for it, then. Still, the expression on Futaba's face when she took a bite out of that curry... so till then I may have to stick with it to some degree, while sneaking some veggies here and there... guess cooking really can be a labor of love," he said. "Eh, crap. I talk too much! I'll see you later, I guess."
Putting her phone away, Kyoko went to get her things for her trip to the bathhouse before she'd go to bed for the night.
Kyoko's eyes fluttered open to the all too familiar cool, dank air of the Velvet Room prison, finding herself once more on the simple cot and clad in striped prison scrubs.
"Our master would like a word with you," Justine said from her station to the side of the bars when Kyoko sat up to face them. "...Please stand up straight and listen closely, inmate."
Complying, Kyoko rose from her cot and made her way over to the bars despite the weight of the shackles on her wrists and ankles.
"Welcome, Trickster," Igor said from his desk, his long spindly fingers drumming rhythmically on its wood surface as he stared at her with that unsettling, permanent grimace on his face. "...It seems you've freed the heart of a frenzied girl and saved her from her haunted past. Another step has been taken to rehabilitation. You are progressing quite nicely!"
The otherworldly warden chuckled to himself, in a manner Kyoko wasn't sure she found comforting or meant with praise and there were now a lot of things on her mind that were still unanswered that kept her from being too flattered.
"...Good to know," Kyoko replied simply.
"Hey! Our master has just bestowed words of praise upon you! You'd better feel honored!" Caroline snapped sharply at her.
"By the by, more curious information has found its way to your ears... a scientist's research... it seems that world may secretly be known after all," Igor stated. "...Furthermore, that research has been stolen and is now used by those with malicious intent."
Kyoko nodded. "I've determined that much."
"I wonder how this will change the approach you take towards your rehabilitation?" Igor inquired.
"I am a detective and I was investigating the incidents before I came here," Kyoko said. "Whoever it was that stole the research used it to orchestrate her death, and is now masterminding these incidents caused by its misuse. I find who that is, I finally solve this case."
"Very astute, do you feel up to such a task?" Igor asked, cocking his head slightly, his finger drumming halting.
Kyoko gave another nod as she gazed at him. "I do. Unfortunately the incidents appear random, numbers I suspect to conceal a link between this person's actual intended targets..."
Igor chuckled to himself. "Go on..."
"...That's why I need to dig deeper on the details surrounding this research and who she was associated with. Considering the circumstances surrounding her death, and other matters, I suspect the one behind this is someone in a place of power who funded it in the first place for this misuse of it."
"Fascinating, fascinating indeed, you're quite perceptive if I may say." Igor said, his wide grin unchanging as he chuckled once more. "...For that, and your success in your previous endeavor, allow me to grant you new power, worthy of your current self. Know this, however... though you have my aid, be sure not to let your guard down, otherwise you may get swept off your feet..."
A chain link shattered within the young detective's mind at the warden's words of both reassurance and caution, and Kyoko felt a resolve strengthen within her heart as well.
"...Rest now, we shall meet again in the near-future," Igor stated.
"Time to go, inmate!" Caroline said, looking back at Kyoko as the Velvet Room slowly faded away into the darkness of sleep once more.
8/23
"...This isn't what we had agreed to, Futaba," Kyoko muttered in disbelief, facepalming in spite of her stoic expression as she re-entered Futaba's room with Morgana after having gone downstairs to let Yusuke and Makoto in once they'd arrived.
"I don't recall any such terms!" Futaba responded dismissively.
"What even is that supposed to be?" Makoto asked, staring wide-eyed at Futaba, or more precisely, the rather comical-looking, beachball-sized Japanese doll head mask currently covering the younger girl's own head.
"Don't worry about," Futaba's voice reverberated from inside the large, round mask.
"Such avant-garde design, though! You have excellent taste!" Yusuke remarked, causing Futaba to spin around in her desk chair chuckling to herself.
Trying not to make things too awkward, Makoto spoke up. "Um... let's get started, shall we?" she asked, still put off by Futaba's goofy big mask that she sighed and shook her head. "...Ugh, I can't right now."
"Futaba, take the mask off," Kyoko said flatly.
"Don't wanna," Futaba replied.
Kyoko sighed once more, approaching sternly and placing both gloved hands on either side of it and yanking it off before Futaba could stop her.
"Hey!" the younger girl protested, promptly turning away from everyone to her computer desk while Kyoko placed the mask on a nearby shelf, nearly bumping into Yusuke in the process and causing him to stumble back, bumping into another shelf where some action figures were.
"So, what're we gonna do?" Morgana asked, climbing up on the bed and sitting down as he looked over at Makoto.
"I'd like to simply have a normal conversation. That is the true basis of communication, after all," said Makoto.
"...Maybe we should have had Ann handle this? She's more... I suppose the word is "laid back" and approachable," Kyoko mused, bringing her hand to her chin in thought as she looked at Futaba, the latter of whom still currently had her back turned to them as she pulled herself up and sat in a squatting slouch in her chair, letting one arm hang limp while the other picked up a figurine between her thumb and index like it were a wet tissue as she looked it over before placing it elsewhere on her desk, paying everyone else no mind.
"...I'm sure I can handle it. You need to be well-versed in speaking when you are student council president, after all," said Makoto. "Don't think too hard about your conversation. We're going to just talk about ordinary topics today."
"What do you mean by "ordinary topics"?" asked Yusuke, looking over from the shelf where he'd been fiddling with the action figures he'd accidentally knocked over.
"You know, things like food, or the weather," Makoto explained, before turning her attention to Futaba. "...Well, Futaba, let's begin with food, shall we? What food do you like to eat most?"
"Organic ones," Futaba answered with a brief glance back at her before turning away again.
"...Very impressive," Kyoko remarked dryly.
"You wanna try next?!" Makoto asked indignantly, letting out a sigh as she looked back at Futaba again. "...Futaba, that... wasn't exactly what I meant."
Futaba just gave a low, indecisive and unintelligible noise in response as she crossed her legs and took up a Thinker position in her chair.
"L-Let's try a different topic, then, alright?" Makoto offered. "How about the weather? I heard that heat wave is showing no sign of stopping any time soon!"
Futaba shook her head. "Dunno. Haven't been out."
"...Oh. R-Right," Makoto muttered, taken aback by Futaba's dismissive tone having returned.
"Makoto's getting overwhelmed," Morgana sighed.
"This... is odd... it wasn't supposed to go like this!" uttered Makoto in frustration, before taking note of what Yusuke was up to, though his position was blocking whatever he was doing from anyone's line of sight. "...Yusuke, what have you been doing this whole time?!"
"Ah, superb!" Yusuke stated with an approving nod, though his remark had not been addressed to anyone as he stepped away to reveal what he'd done. "...When I'd bumped into them earlier, some of their heads came off so I fixed them and made sure to rearrange them more pleasingly!"
"...Not the way I'd describe it," Kyoko remarked. Yusuke had apparently, in his reassembling effort, instead opted to mix-and-match the legs, torsos, arms, and heads of Futaba's set of action figures that'd occupied the shelf, and posed them together afterwards.
Futaba voiced her own displeasure with a mortified scream at the display just a second after before springing from her chair and rushing over, her hands trembling before the altered figurines. "M-My children! What have you done to my children?!"
"They appear to be quite shoddily-made," Yusuke replied.
"They're from Phoenix Rangers Neo Featherman!" Futaba protested angrily, shooting a glare at him before looking back at her figurines with a forlorn look. "Nooooo...! Yellow and Pink's heads... and Red's been hacked to bits! This is all Inari's fault!"
"...Inari?" asked Yusuke.
Futaba gave him a huffy look. "You know, inari sushi? The tofu things foxes eat in the old stories?! What kind of fox doesn't know that?!" she demanded, once more looking in dismay at her altered figurines. "They were in the perfect poses, too! It was so much work getting them set up just right! You wouldn't know aesthetics if it hit you in the face, Inari!"
Yusuke's eyes went wide with shock, then indignant anger. "H-How dare you say that to me of all people!?" he protested, leaning down to her level.
"I do! You really are like a fox, Inari: COLORBLIND!"
"Th-They're not completely colorblind, Futaba! Even I know that!"
"You admit to being colorblind, then! That explains a lot!"
"Not what I meant! I know art!"
"I could do a better job blindfolded!"
"Then demonstrate it, Futaba!"
Makoto stood speechless and unsure if she should interfere as the two continued to bicker, looking to Kyoko and Morgana for a suggestion on what to do.
"That's no conversation. It's a full-blown argument, now," Morgana lamented.
"We'd better step outside until they calm down," Kyoko said, walking to the door, Morgana not even hesitating to follow while Makoto looked hesitant and did so as well.
"You sure we should leave them alone in there? It might escalate," Makoto said, though she was, deep down, relieved to put some distance between her and the unintelligible shouting match going on in the room.
"We get involved, it'll just become an even bigger shouting match of more participants, or we'll be expected to play parent and take sides," Kyoko replied. "It's better to let them run out of steam on their own."
"...Maybe you're right. It's just frustrating not really getting anywhere when we're gonna be working with her," Makoto sighed.
Kyoko blinked as a thought crossed her mind. "Sometimes when interrogating a witness to make them more comfortable with answering relevant questions, you turn the conversation on something that you know has a lot of their interest..."
"What do you mean?" asked Morgana.
"You remember she opened up a lot more when the conversation was about her history as a hacker, yesterday? She was also, as Yusuke noted, more talkative over text, like before we changed her heart she'd barely speak at all except through text messages as Alibaba," Kyoko explained.
"So kinda... good cop approach?" Makoto asked.
"Something like that," said Kyoko.
"Well, at least it sounds like they're settling down!" said Makoto, glancing back at the room. "Why not go back in and check on them?
Reentering the room, Futaba and Yusuke were now in a noticeably more civil conversation, the two of them now working to properly re-assign the figurines to their proper pieces.
"I see... so their versatility allows you to recreate almost any dramatic scene you can imagine!" Yusuke marveled.
"Mmm-hm!" Futaba said, smiling as she set down the last one and planted herself back in her chair in her squatting slouch. "Victory is great for action, and Neo's got the best transforming suit. So cool!"
Yusuke nodded in understanding. "Fascinating! Art depicts a flash of inspiration, but models offer a different means of enjoyment..."
"...Guess you were right," Makoto said, looking at Kyoko. "The topics I brought up just weren't the right ones."
"It's definitely good to see the problem solve itself without any of us getting involved!" Morgana remarked.
"So this is all I gotta do?" Futaba asked, suddenly looking over and acknowledging them. "What a breeze!"
"In that case, we should probably announce our next step," Yusuke said. "...How about we have her spend time in someone else's room?"
"You're right, she hasn't had many chances to leave the house, yet, so that would be a perfect opportunity," said Makoto.
"Don't set the bar so high!" Futaba protested, looking away. "I can't stand this gung-ho way of doing things!"
"I've left tomorrow to Ann and Ryuji, and Kyoko here will be present as well," Makoto said.
Futaba mumbled unintelligibly as she continued to look away.
"Futaba, if we're going to be working together, we do need to get you over your social anxiety," said Kyoko, trying to think of how to bring Futaba back to ease again based on what she saw. "...To be frank, I'd like to hear about your cyber-activities. Catching ones committing cyber-crimes, things you've uncovered, how you did it?"
Futaba glanced back at her. "Right, you're a detective and all!" she chuckled deviously to herself. "I suppose I can do that!"
"Then we're agreed?" Kyoko asked.
"Yup. I'll bring my mask, too!" Futaba replied.
"No."
"Aww, pleeeeease?" Futaba asked.
"No."
"I'm inclined to agree with Kyoko," Makoto said. "It's probably best you didn't."
Kyoko folded her arms. "We'll have that conversation I asked for tomorrow," she said, giving Futaba a small, faint, but genuine smile. "I feel I understand you a little better now, and I suppose being a detective, I'm curious about your exploits. Like something out of a crime drama or a spy movie."
Futaba gave another devious chuckle. "Just you wait!"
Returning to Leblanc, Kyoko felt relieved that after a few missteps they'd managed to make some progress with Futaba. Some, but not enough, yet, for a beach trip, though. Not that Kyoko was particularly enthusiastic about the idea, either.
Her musings were interrupted, though when her phone started chiming. Taking it out of her bag and going into the Thieves' chat, the young detective read them over.
[DUUUUUUDE! People're so pumped!] Ryuji had posted.
[They're talking all about how the Phantom Thieves took down Medjed!]
[Mishima's Phansite has a shit ton of comments flooding in, too!]
[The news coverage has been pretty insane as well!] Ann replied.
[Yes, they have only spoken of the Phantom Thieves for the entirity of the day.] Yusuke said.
Looking up from the chat, Kyoko saw the news on TV was indeed as Ann and Yusuke had described.
"It's all too clear "Phandom" has taken Japan by storm at this point since the Phantom Thieves stopped Medjed's cyberterrorist threat!" the reporter on TV said as it cut to him. "Especially a hit with young people including some of Hope's Peak's students!"
"Those Phantom Thieves have certainly made my school year in Japan go from "rad" to "totally rad" for sure!" an elegant blonde Caucasian girl in a dark green dress and puffy-sleeved white blouse with a red ribbon on the chest and a green bow in her hair cheered, flexing her slender right arm and placing her left palm on it.
"...Again, huh?" the scrawny teen boy with messy brown hair and an ahoge tuft atop his head from an interview a while back asked the holder of the microphone held before him with an anxious laugh. "...Well, I'm real glad they stopped Medjed! You can definitely consider me a... "Phan" was that the term? Either way, they got my support for sure!"
"The Phantom Thieves wield mighty power, changing the hearts of wicked souls! May the darkest demons of the netherworld fill those foul evil-doers with remorse and suffering for their rotten deeds for all eternity!" the deep-voiced boy in black with the scarf around his face and the skunk stripe in his black hair Kyoko remembered from the interview regarding a cat-abuser who'd been mauled by a bear, his hamsters in his palm nibbling treats he was holding while the cat from before nuzzled his cheek from its perch on his shoulder.
The freckled girl with short dark hair Kyoko met when she was at the gym with the Velvet Room twins simply shrugged in silence with an impassive look on her face before the camera panned over to the twintailed fashion model from Ann's magazines standing with her who spoke up instead.
"Looks like I'll need to devise a new fashion line themed on them to celebrate my joining the "Phandom" post-haste! Maybe a picarseque route!" the young model said gleefully with a bright grin. "Better stay tuned for it, and keep it coming, Phantom Thieves!"
"Medjed sounded pretty scary, but I'm just happy that's all over, now, with school starting back up again soon!" a petite-looking girl with green eyes and neck-length auburn hair wearing a green coat with a white collar and brown pleated skirt said with a grateful smile.
Kyoko couldn't help but smile a little, herself. The recognition was nice, but she was especially satisfied to know Medjed had been confirmed as disposed of. Futaba had truly outdone herself.
[Wow. We've really been getting attention all over the city!] Makoto messaged a second later.
[Dude! This is WAY awesome!] Ryuji answered.
[OMG OMG OMG SHE'S A PHAN!] Ann messaged spontaneously.
[So, anyway, how's the one who helped us take down Medjed doing?] Ryuji asked.
[Futaba-chan?] asked Ann.
[My Phoenix Rangers almost met their demise...] Futaba responded.
[?] Ann replied.
[Don't ask. Point is, progress was made.] Kyoko decided to respond before details of the matter could get brought up.
[Yes, things didn't go perfectly, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.] Makoto messaged backing her up.
[Tomorrow's goal will be to spend time in someone else's room.] Yusuke messaged next.
[She has a difficult personality to handle, though. Good luck, you two.] he added.
[Shut it Inari.] Futaba answered back.
[Alright our turn next then! Seeya tomorrow Futaba!] Ryuji quickly responded before things could escalate.
[We have so much to talk about, too! Oooh I can't wait!] Ann said.
"To be honest, Lady Ann and Ryuji teaming up with someone like Futaba worries me, but I guess we'll see what they can do," Morgana said from within Kyoko's bag as she put her phone away. The young detective nodded, despite what she'd offered for conversation with Futaba there was no telling how it was going to go now that she thought about it with Ryuji and Ann's extremely outgoing personalities being the stark opposite of Futaba's. Still, she'd gotten along with both and considered them close friends despite being an introvert herself, so there was hope it would work out.
Before she could continue to the stairs and head up to her room, however, Kyoko's phone hummed, indicating a text message sent to her. Pulling her phone back out, she saw it'd come from probably the last person she expected to hear from at a time like this.
[Kirigiri, how do you feel about arcades?] Akechi's message read.
[I was strolling through one the other day and I found myself drawn to a certain game.]
[At a time like this, I feel a need for what it offers. Would you like to meet up and have a little competition?] he asked.
Kyoko pinched her chin in thought as she read the message. She wasn't sure what Akechi had in mind, but it seemed, and she could understand why, he might seek company at the moment while he had freetime. Her mind made up, she typed a reply.
[Very well.]
[That's what I like to hear!] Akechi responded.
[I'm in Kichijouji right now so if you'll meet me there I can show you where its arcade is. It's a little difficult to find.] he added.
"Guess I'll wait for you to get back, then! Have fun!" Morgana said, Kyoko walking over to the stairs before letting him out to head up before she turned and left the cafe to make her way to the train station.
"I'm sorry for dragging you out here, I was out in the area gathering intel when I noticed some patrons playing this game," Akechi said with an apologetic smile as he led Kyoko into the arcade he'd spoken of. "...This one's actually much larger then the one in Shibuya, and I hear there's one out in Akihabara as well that has this game.
Kyoko had not been to either, but she could see it was a fairly large space, with many students playing a variety of games set up, vending machines sat in the far corner. Some of the games looked older consisting of vintage cabinets, while others were much more new with devices and controls that were more advanced and engaging. The one Akechi led her to, however, was different from those.
At the center of the arcade was a large-screened booth with a pair of holstered controllers resembling handguns attached to wires, called "Gun About". "I take it this is the one you were referring to?" she asked.
"It is, yes. I did some research and apparently it's a pretty hardcore shooter game," Akechi explained. "Do you normally play games like this?"
"Aside from a few vintage games for a console that's older then me, I've not played any video games in particular. My grandfather considered them a waste of time," said Kyoko.
"Hm, I see. Well, no need to feel ashamed, Kyoko. I've never personally played this game, either," Akechi replied, giving a small smile. "...I suppose it will be a learning experience for both of us, then!"
Putting in money and taking up one of the gun controllers, Akechi smirked back at Kyoko as she took the second one and started the game up.
"Well, let's see if this game lives up to its popularity!" he said. "Ready?"
Kyoko nodded, and the first level of the game started. At first, she was falling behind quickly. Akechi, however, was incredibly precise, hitting every enemy that appeared. Focusing, Kyoko took aim, imagining it like the handguns her grandfather trained her in, assessing weight, thinking of when she was in the Metaverse, and soon she was catching up to him as she struck several enemies before he could.
Time passed as neither detective showed any sign of waning that it began to draw a crowd from the other patrons.
"Damn! That's some accuracy! The guy's not wasting a single shot!" one boy said, watching.
"His girlfriend's doing pretty amazing, too! She had some ground to catch up on at first but now they're neck-in-neck!"
Kyoko missed a shot and took a hit from an enemy as she felt a warm redness take over her face.
As did Akechi.
"Quick! We're taking hits!" Akechi said abruptly, composing himself and firing again, obliterating the enemy that had attacked. Kyoko followed suit, the two stepping closer to one-another as they fired wherever an enemy appeared and shooting reload boxes without any hesitation.
Moments later, a large golden robot enemy with multiple targets descended. The boss fight, Kyoko suspected. A wide, gleeful sneer spread across Akechi's face right away as he took aim.
"He thinks he can take us, does he?" he asked with an amused chuckle, before smiling. "Let's take him first, Kirigiri!"
Kyoko blinked from Akechi's brief excitement but nodded, the enemy's weaknesses opened and the two fired away, Kyoko's brow furrowing to a cold glare as she and Akechi worked as one, striking the weaknesses and disabling them, when smaller enemies suddenly came to the screen, each felled with a single shot.
The boss enemy attacked, then four targets on arm-like appendages suddenly came out of it, charging up with some kind of power as the two fired at them, another target opening in the front before a beam fired, taking both Kyoko and Akechi out of the game.
"I think we almost had it," Akechi sighed, shaking his head, before noticing he and Kyoko were now pressed nearly back-to-back against eachother when they'd moved position while playing, he quickly stepped back. "...My apologies, Kirigiri. I suppose the game was extremely... immersive, wasn't it?"
"It's fine," Kyoko said with a small smile. "You're right, though, I think we almost had it. Were you interested in trying again?"
"It's alright," Akechi said, shaking his head as he put the controller back in its holster. "If I keep this up my fingers are sure to be sore in the morning! What a realistic game, once you take some of the sci-fi elements out!" he chuckled.
"Realistic?" Kyoko asked. "Are you used to gunplay?"
"Ah, you noticed? As a licensed detective, I did get police training for emergency situations." He folded his arms, putting his hand to his chin and smirking knowingly at her. "...It seems I'm not the only one, though."
"I was trained in firearm proficiency by my grandfather, yes," Kyoko replied. "Once I thought of it like that, I was able to perform better at this."
"Well, you certainly gave the impression of a seasoned pro," Akechi said. "...I imagine that means I'll have to get as much practice as I can if I'm going to take you out."
"That was a co-op game, though," said Kyoko, holstering her own controller.
"Just a joke, Kirigiri!" Akechi said with a light chuckle. "Despite being trained, I have very little experience, so I suppose it may just have been beginner's luck."
He looked over at the game with interest as it reset itself for the next players. "Still, this did feel a bit nostalgic to me to me as well..."
Kyoko cocked a brow in curiosity as she folded her arms. "...What do you mean?"
"Well, when I was a kid, I had a toy gun that looked a lot like these," Akechi explained, a frown slowly forming on his face. "...All this reminded me of those days, running around the house with it, playing hero."
"Is that something that motivated you to be a detective as well?" Kyoko asked. "Getting to be a hero, I mean?"
"I'm not totally certain, but thinking back on it, I suppose I must have!" Akechi said, a bit sheepishly. "I suppose that does sound a bit silly, doesn't it?"
Kyoko gave a faint smile. "It's fine. Someone I knew felt the same way. She lost someone who mattered to her a lot, and was dedicated to become a detective, but it was also to be able to help others... a more altruistic motive then mine, I suppose."
"You were expected from the start to succeed your grandfather, so you had little choice whether you truly wanted to or not, I recall," said Akechi.
Kyoko nodded. "After... something happened to her three years ago, I... shut myself off from others for a while, but lately I've tried to live by those things she did."
"I see," said Akechi. "I've admittedly, despite my fame, not really had many I'd consider myself close to. However, I do pursue justice and the truth for my own goals as well... which does bring something to mind, actually..."
"What's that?" asked Kyoko.
"...That there are different kinds of heroes. Different stances they define themselves by," Akechi explained. "For example, one may stick to the vision of justice they believe in, even if others deny it, while others may simply do as others desire of them, seeking to be recognized and gratified as a hero. Which of those more fits your conception of a hero?"
Kyoko brought her hand to her chin pensively, only for Akechi to speak again.
"Don't mull it over too much, Kirigiri. Just give me your honest answer, the one you instinctively thought of first," he said. "...Though hesitation makes me wonder if you may subconsciously feel the latter."
Kyoko glanced over at him. "I suppose, in a way, I did grow up as the latter, I won't mince words about it. Everything I did and my every achievement was based on my grandfather's terms and recognition. I didn't acquire any praise, though. Just an affirmation I've met the expectations he had."
"I see," Akechi replied, bringing his own hand up to his chin once more and smirking a little. "We may rely on society's terms of what is right and wrong, but what if those in power who set those standards are corrupt, then by blind obedience you become a tool of another's malicious or selfish intent, and how then are your actions, while lawful, deserving of being called good?"
"That said, I can understand the other stance more clearly. The truth takes no sides and when the truth is unpopular you need to dismiss that and pursue that justice regardless," Kyoko replied.
Akechi nodded. "...But if no one else wanted that justice they fight for, isn't that just blind self-righteousness?"
"Either could be considered such, whether you blindly follow another's concept of what justice is, or one of your own," Kyoko replied. "...Perhaps in the end the true concern is one's flexibility between the two and finding what truly feels morally right."
"Very interesting insight, Kirigiri," Akechi said with an approving nod. "I apologize for bringing it all up, it was no doubt a rather strange tangent, wasn't it? It's just whenever I'm with you, I feel able to delve into these rather... abstract topics."
A chain link shattered within Kyoko's mind at the other detective's words.
"I suspect there's something on your mind besides childhood memories pertaining to such a question, though, correct?" Kyoko asked.
Akechi's smile faded a little. "I suppose, to be honest, yes. But on my end, I suspect I don't need to tell you what that is."
Kyoko nodded. "...The Phantom Thieves' recent success in neutralizing Medjed?"
Akechi nodded. "Correct, but I didn't wish to bring the mood further," he said, looking concerned. "...I imagine this outcome has enforced your own view of them, and I would not blame you as they had stopped a potentially catastrophic data breach that would have impacted countless lives... I only hope it does not make you think less of me for feeling the opposite."
"If I may ask, why is that?" Kyoko asked.
Akechi looked away a moment. "As we had discussed, even in light of such a remarkable deed of heroism, we've still no proof of if the Phantom Thieves, and the cause of the psychotic breaks are one and the same," he said. "I have been investigating the incidents prior, and if their innocence is proven... then perhaps I can concede. If they are guilty, however, will you concede to my perspective?"
Kyoko nodded. "...I will."
"I appreciate your continued understanding, Kirigiri. As detectives, we must accept the truth we are faced with, and make use of it," Akechi said with a smile. "...My apologies, I really did wish to keep the mood from becoming uncomfortable... as uncomfortable as the sweat I fear I may have worked up from this game! I must smell like the arcade, now."
Kyoko smiled a little. "You're not alone, Akechi-kun," she said, brushing back her hair, which had gained a bit of weight to it thanks to the intensity of the game they'd been playing and the persisting heat.
"In that case, I could probably use a shower. It may be best we call it a day, then!" Akechi chuckled. "You haven't eaten yet, though, have you?"
"No, not yet," she replied.
"Wonderful! As I understand it, the alleyway area has quite a few nice vendors after dark, so I'll get you something to go from whichever one you like. It's the least I can do for making you come all the way out here!" said Akechi, already on his way to the exit and giving her a slight smirk indicating he wasn't going to let her decline.
Arriving back at Leblanc, Kyoko finished another steamed bao dumpling from the vendor Akechi had treated her to on the way back to the train station.
"Welcome back," said Sojiro, having a cigarette as the cafe was now clear of customers. "I'm gonna head back in a few, the place is yours for the night."
Kyoko nodded as she made her way upstairs to finish her dinner and get ready for her trip to the bathhouse. No sooner had she made it up to the attic did Morgana spring from the bed and trot over to her.
"Ooh! I smell that yummy aroma! You have some left, right? Gimme!" the cat said eagerly. Looking down at the box in her hands Kyoko saw there was still one left and set it the box on the floor for him, Morgana meowing happily as he immediately helped himself to the meat bun inside.
"Soooooo good!" she heard him swoon. "You have fun?"
"I did, yes," Kyoko replied, gathering her things for the upcoming bathhouse visit. As she made her way back downstairs, Sojiro having since left, and made her way outside, her phone chimed, she saw Akechi was calling.
"Hello?"
"Kirigiri. Hey, I hope you made it back okay," he said.
"I have, yes. About to head to the bathhouse before bed," Kyoko replied.
"Bathhouse? Hm..." Akechi went quiet for a moment. "Apologies, don't misunderstand, it was... just a moment of nostalgia for me. It's unimportant, though. I just wanted to thank you again for coming, before I turn in for the evening. I honestly had quite a lot of fun attempting that game alongside you."
"I did, too. Even if we got beaten in the end, perhaps another time we'll overcome it," Kyoko replied.
"I'm pleased we made it so far, actually," Akechi replied. "I don't play these sorts of things too often, so I wasn't too certain on how well I'd do. I feel a bit of a novice and wish I'd played a little better, though."
"I think in the end, we did well working together," Kyoko replied. "That last surprise, though..."
"Didn't see it coming either, Kirigiri!" Akechi chuckled. "I'm honored you think so regarding our efforts, though. I've always considered myself quick to grasp the fundamentals of anything, but it's also been a concern of mine as well."
"What do you mean?" Kyoko asked.
"A constant pressure, I suppose. Everyone expecting me to be capable of anything," the other detective explained. "...Which is stressful in and of itself. Now, though, I imagine I'll be facing an uphill battle..."
He quickly backtracked. "...Not to say, games aren't fun. That one very much was quite the novel experience, and I'm someone who usually just reads in my leisure time."
"...That's usually the case with myself as well," said Kyoko. "It was a new experience for me, too."
"Yes, it ended up offering more realism than I expected, and I was impressed by how immersive it was," replied Akechi.
"You certainly got into it during the boss fight," Kyoko remarked.
"As did you, it seems. Perhaps it simply demonstrates we are both very driven people when it comes to pursuing something in life," Akechi mused. "...Normally, I struggle with really enjoying the same pasttimes as my peers, but with you, I had fun today."
Kyoko felt warmth and a hint of red on her fair features. "...Thank you. I did as well."
"Well, I hope you can join me again sometime if you get the chance, Kirigiri," Akechi replied. "Now, I should be turning in. Enjoy the rest of your evening!"
Putting her phone back in her bag, Kyoko made her way across the street to where the bathhouse was to wash up before going to bed herself for the evening. Tomorrow would be another day with Futaba, and helping recover before whenever their next big mission would present itself, especially now that it was clear thanks to stopping Medjed, the Phantom Thieves truly had gained everyone's attention. She only hoped it would be for the better as she came closer to solving the mystery that still lay ahead.
A/N: At long last, a new chapter for you all! And with more, Danganronpa character inclusions. Some of whom will show up again in some Confidant ranks ;)
0 - The Fool: Rank 7
I - The Magician: Rank 6
II - The Priestess: Rank 4
IV - The Emperor: Rank 4
V - The Hierophant: Rank 5
VI - The Lovers: Rank 7
VII - The Chariot: MAX
VIII - Justice: Rank 5
X - Fortune: Rank 1
XI - The Strength: Rank 5
XII - The Hanged Man: Rank 4
XIII - Death: Rank 8
XIV - Temperance: Rank 7
XV - The Devil: Rank 3
XVII - The Star: Rank 2
XVIII - The Moon: Rank 5
XIX - The Sun: Rank 5
XX - Judgement: Rank 3
1 - The Councillor: Rank 5
? - Faith: MAX(?)
Kyoko's Personas: Anzu, Nigi Mitama, Flauros, Naga, Neko Shogun, Sandman, Phoenix, Setanta, Clotho, Isis