Persona 5 Royal: Bitter Fool

by Slasher71

Helping others was never the wrong choice. But the life of Ichihara Tadashi is destroyed when he steps in to help someone. Friends turn on him, his parents push him onto someone they didn't even know away from his home town. Tadashi comes to Tokyo hoping to serve his time and move on with his life. But malevolent forces have other plans for him.

14. Chapter 14 - Confessions and Denials

Chapter 14 / Confessions and Denials

Tuesday / May 24th, 2016 / Velvet Room / Evening
Ichihara Tadashi

I found myself waking up in the Velvet Room once more. A Treasure Stolen… Morgana being more honest with his obvious crush with Ann to me and now this. I would like to laugh it all away like some sort of crazy one off dream. But I knew it was all real at this point. Yet all I wanted to do was go back to the twenty third and relive my day with Niijima Makoto. I had to thank Ryuji for taking that picture though. It had been enough to calm me down to sleep tonight. The thought of someone else in the Metaverse wouldn't get out of my head.

Sitting up I got to my feet and walked to the bars of the cell. Caroline and Justine gave the usual welcome. Igor seemed pleased.

"You have expelled one who was stained in vanity. You are now one step closer to your rehabilitation. It's a delightful thing indeed," he shifted in his seat.

"Our master is pleased. You should be honored, inmate," Justine added.

"However, that man's remarks are concerning. It seems another has made their way into the Metaverse," Igor remarked.

"Considering you seem to know the trials and tribulations of my day to day, perhaps you could enlighten me as to if those words are true," I shook my head.

"That is beyond my knowledge. But your rehabilitation is progressing smoothly… That is for certain," Igor promptly swapped topics. "May the devotion to your rehabilitation grow even deeper. I have high hopes for you."

My bond with Igor became stronger. Although I was conflicted on what it meant with a man who seemed to know so much about me and my future and yet could not offer any real useful information about it. Simply some vague words that sound like an answer but offer nothing.

I'd complain if I hadn't been doing that exact kind of tactic on Niijima Makoto.

After my discussion I sat back on the bed. Rehabilitation… I stopped asking about it because it was obvious that the reasons for the terms he used were not something he wanted to divulge. No, Igor's modus operandi seemed to be, wait and experience it for myself.

Mementos, Palaces, Persona, Shadows, Treasures… just what was I supposed to believe anymore? I don't like having this power, this ability to fundamentally change someone. Right or wrong, the situation forced me to act. Not just to protect myself but other people. We had the means to save them, so how would I feel if I had ignored it? What if I had told Ryuji I wouldn't have gone with him when he went looking for a way back to Kamoshida's Palace? What if I had not followed Ann to make sure she was okay?

What if I hadn't stepped in to help that woman?

"What's the matter...? Are you simply going to watch? Are you forsaking him to save yourself? Death awaits him if you do nothing. Was your previous decision a mistake then?"

The words of Arsène came back to me. My Persona awakened because that wasn't something I could do. No matter how much a part of me wanted to stand back. No! That isn't true!

"I am thou, thou art I... Thou who art willing to perform all sacrilegious acts for thine own justice! Call upon my name, and release thy rage!"

That's right. This was just who I am. I act because this is what I know is right in my heart, in the depths of my very soul.

"Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own, though thou be chained to Hell itself!"

I think I understood his words better now. The very moment I chose to fight, there had been no other way for me. Of course, it wasn't going to be easy. Of course there would be pain along the way. Life wasn't so easy that such things could be so easily changed.

I needed to face the facts. I could not keep escaping the truth of my reality. And I couldn't lose heart. I needed to do whatever I could to protect those close to me.

I guess the real question was… did I know who those people were anymore?

---

Tuesday / May 26th, 2016 / Shujin Academy - Courtyard / Lunchtime
Ichihara Tadashi

I just couldn't seem to wake up today. It was already lunchtime and despite everything I was just so exhausted. We did what we could against Madarame, so it was just about waiting at this point.

Morgana was somewhere nearby. And I had no appetite for today and decided to just hang out in the courtyard for lunch for some fresh air.

"Hey, there you are," Ryuji was walking over.

"If you were looking for me you could have just sent me a message," I said as he approached.

"I know but… look I need your help with something…" Ryuji then pulled out something from his back pocket. "I found this flier stuffed in my mailbox. Housekeeping Service!"

The flier was pink… heart shapes… strawberries? And the picture of a maid with cat ears was indicating the number to call. I raised an eyebrow as I looked back at Ryuji.

"It says that a cute maid will do anything for you! A maid, dude! A MAID! Who'll do ANYTHING for us! Right? ...Right!?" Ryuji was grinning like an idiot.

I sighed as I read the flier. A maid service that provided all kinds of… services. Even this flier was indicating that such a thing wasn't out of the norm. Though it wasn't strictly stated in any way what those services were. I scratched my head with my hand, "Ryuji, what exactly are you trying to say to me by handing me this? You can't seriously be considering calling them."

"Why not? Aren't you curious about it? What's the harm in having a little fun?" Ryuji shrugged. "Also some guy on my floor just moved out so there's a vacant apartment in my complex. The key is behind the mailbox, so we can get in anytime. The landlord seriously doesn't care. The place is all set, so…"

"Hey! I heard that," the one to walk up was Mishima.

"What the hell?" Ryuji turned to him.

"Um, can I , uh… Get in on this?" Mishima asked.

"Oh-ho. You mean you're into this kinda stuff? Wow! Okaaay…" Ryuji grinned.

"I-I'm not into it! It's just for research. What does it mean that they'll do 'anything'? And do the maids look exactly as they're advertised? We need to determine whether or not this company just pretends to offer housekeeping services," Mishima defended his interest.

"Uh huh. I'm sure you're interested purely by your sense of justice," I commented dryly.

"It'll be too late once people get victimized by it. Right? So we should do a thorough investigation," Mishima nodded.

"Yeah, we gotta see it with our own eyes. Every little detail. We'll hafta do this at night, so let us know when you're ready," Ryuji looked at me.

"This has got to be one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard," I looked at the flier again. "Besides Ryuji you know that I…"

"Aiming to date the Prez?" he grinned.

"No, it's just…" I stumbled trying to find a good reason.

"Come on, it isn't like something is going to happen, Tadashi," Ryuji urged.

I sighed heavily, "FINE, I give up."

"Yes!" Ryuji knew he had me.

"So what's the code name for this operation…?" Mishima asked. "Hmmm… Since we'll be watching them, it should be something like Operation Maidwatch!"

"Nice. I like that," Ryuji grinned again.

"Ryuji… what would happen if Ann or Suzui found out about this little escapade?" I shook my head.

"You wouldn't," he looked back at me.

I shrugged, "You owe me Ryuji, because this might be the stupidest thing I've ever been pulled into."

---

Thursday / May 26th, 2016 / Ryuji's Apartment Complex - Empty Apartment / Evening
Ichihara Tadashi

"S-So we're really gonna do this, huh? You think it'll be okay?" Mishima asked.

The three of us stood in the middle of the empty apartment for the activity they had decided to call Operation Maidwatch.

"You two dragged my ass out here, so you are not about to bail on me now," I glared at him.

"Come on, man. It's time for Operation Maidwatch," Ryuji was still pumped for this I guess.

"Y-Yeah. Operation Maidwatch," Mishima tried to be enthused by the prospect.

"If it turns out to be sketchy, we can just bail. The apartment's vacant, so it's not like we'll be messing with anyone's home," Ryuji said.

"At least you did consider part of this whole stupid thing," I shook my head.

"Dude, you gotta be at least a little interested. Like real life maids, man," Ryuji apparently thought that this was inspiration enough. "Okay, give 'em a call."

"All of this hype and you want me to do it?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, man. I'm probably not the best to speak on the phone, ya know?" Ryuji admitted.

"Well what about you Mishima?" I asked.

"Ah good point, he could do it," Ryuji agreed.

"M-Me!? I-I'm not good with that kinda stuff! Seriously! Please, Ichihara," Mishima was quick to turn down the prospect.

"Of course it's going to be me," I sighed. "FINE."

I pulled out my phone and the flier and called the number. Now that I think about it… would my parole officer look at my phone records? Or my chat logs? Eesh… thinking about that made me worried about something completely different.

"Thank you for calling. This is Victoria's Housekeeping," A man answered on the other side. It was meant to imitate British maid service. Hence why the maid outfit on the flier was Victorian in style, but the cat ears and such was definitely more of a… local flavor. "I take it you're interested in our services, then? Is there anyone in particular you'd like to request?"

"No, this is my first time calling. So no preference," I answered. Just what was I doing?

"Very well. Let's see here… We have a maid available in 20 minutes. May I have your address?" the man asked. I quickly gave the address as Ryuji corrected me if I made a mistake and then that ended the call. After hanging up I put my phone in my pocket. "Well no turning back now."

"Shit… This is really happening…" Ryuji said.

"This is your idea to begin with you bastard," I growled at him.

"A maid's services...Hey… What should we have her do? I was thinking we would start with some cooking… Of course, I wouldn't mind some of the other services either… Should we hold a strategy meeting?" Mishima asked.

"Cooking? And what are they supposed to cook with? The apartment is cleaned out, genius," I shook my head. "Honestly, if you just wanted to know what they were willing to do you could have just called the damn number yourself and asked them. It isn't that hard."

These two were going to get cold feet, I knew it. And they weren't going to get away with leaving me to deal with it because they fucking pushed me into it.

"Now we can just ask her," Ryuji said. "I'm uh… gonna go to the bathroom."

I eyed him as he quickly made his way to the bathroom.

"We'll just talk with the maid when she gets here, get an idea of what she offers and leave it at that," I commented and I pulled out my phone in the meantime.

What was with today? First this whole Maid business. But also I went and hung out with Ann today and she wanted me to insult her, claiming it was training to strengthen her heart. I guess I understood the simple logic of it but it doesn't work that way. For one, she knows that anything I say isn't the truth. She was trying to find a way to get stronger, I get it. I suppose it was one thing for me, as the confidants I had gained gave me the ability to create a stronger Persona. But creating genuine bonds with people to gain that power concerned me.

I am positive she understood what I was saying by the time we split. Ann was trying to figure out a method to train herself. But it isn't so easy. Even if you can harden your heart and… No, it certainly wasn't helping me. Yet here I was pretending that everything was okay, and doing things I would never normally agree to. All because I…

"Are high school students even allowed to use this type of service?" Mishima asked.

"It's fine," I shook my head. Ryuji came walking back into the room.

"What's the problem?" Ryuji asked.

"I mean what if they find out who we are? We would've been screwed if your number had shown up on their caller ID," Mishima started to panic.

"Oh, no you don't. No time to back out now," I growled.

The doorbell then rang. "Good evening… I'm from the housekeeping service."

"The door should be unlocked, come on in," I called out as I watched Mishima freeze in his tracks.

"I-I can't do this… My stomach's actin' up. And my hands are all sweaty…"

I gripped his arm, and then Mishima's, "Oh ho ho ho NO. This was both of your ideas to drag my ass here to satisfy your stupid curiosities so you aren't going anywhere."

"Dude! No, lemme go! I'll just hide out on the balcony," Ryuji pleaded, trying to pry my iron grip off his forearm.

"Yeah, me too!" Mishima muttered.

"Excuse me… Oh, there you… are…!? Mishima? Sakamoto-kun and… Ichihara!" I saw someone I least expected to be standing here. Kawakami Sadayo, my homeroom teacher. Seeing her was enough of a shock for me to release the two of them.

"We're sorry!" both Mishima and Ryuji got up and booked it out the front door.

"Hey! Get back here!" Kawakami yelled after them but we just heard the front door close. She turned back to me with a stern look.

I eyed the outfit, it was Victorian in style but the skirt only went to her upper thighs, had white stockings on and the top was designed for maximum cleavage and exposure. I noticed her name tag. "Becky? You're moonlighting as a maid, Kawakami-sensei?"

"Ugh, this is unbelievable. Yes, it's me," she hung her head and adjusted her top, notably trying to make the exposure to her breast shrink by even a small amount. "I'm so done… I can't believe I got caught by some of my own students."

"Something tells me that those two aren't going to remember much of anything about you. They are the ones that dragged me here and tried to ditch me at the last second," I groaned and scratched my head. "Besides, you don't have to worry about me. It isn't like anyone would believe anything I would say, right?"

"Are you trying to make me feel better?" she asked me. I just shrugged which she sighed in response. "I wanted to get a job outside of town so something like this couldn't happen but… here we are. Did you hear about this from someone? Perhaps Chouno-san? That harpy…"

Chouno-sensei, the English teacher? Guess she doesn't get along with her.

"Is that what you think?" I asked her.

"She's been snooping on all the teachers ever since that incident with Kamoshida. Are you planning to tell Chouno-san about this?" Kawakami asked.

"Why would I do that? Kawakami-sensei, you're the only teacher in the school that has bothered to give a damn about me and what I do," I didn't know what to say. "Can we just calm down for a few and talk about this?"

"Yeah, alright. So, you first, why did you call a maid service?" Kawakami asked, taking a deep breath.

"It wasn't my idea. The two cowards you saw running away brought me into it. And then made me call. All they really wanted to do was find out what services maids offered. And instead of finding out for themselves they had me call. Which, you know, whatever. I thought we'd be able to ask questions to whoever showed up and that would be it. But then the two of them lost their nerves and so I was going to force them to stay, but I let them go when I saw it was you," I looked away from her. "I know what you're gonna say. Sakamoto is a bad influence and I should have stayed away from him."

"So this was all a big coincidence then," Kawakami shook her head. "You swear you didn't hear about this from anyone?"

"Will you believe me if I promised you?" I asked.

"You're a good student, Ichihara. The fact you topped the class in the mid-terms has changed a lot of the teacher's opinion of you. And I want to believe you," she said and paused for a moment. "Okay, here is the deal. You make sure that Mishima and Sakamoto-kun didn't recognize me, or try to convince them otherwise. I'll treat tonight as a cancellation so you don't have to pay anything. And then tomorrow and moving forward we forget this ever happened."

"Alright, deal. Is this part of why you look so tired all the time?" I asked her as she instead moved past me.

"It's complicated, okay? Teacher's don't exactly make a great amount of money, you know," she commented. "Not a word to anyone, got it?"

I nodded before she left, leaving me alone in this empty apartment. First, check to see if the two of them know who the maid was. Second, convince them it isn't Kawakami if they do. Third… be concerned about why my homeroom teacher needs more money doing such a job. I wasn't sure what all services they did but there had to be circumstances that she would take a job like that. Man, life is a fucking mess.

---

Friday / May 27th, 2016 / Leblanc - Attic / Evening
Ichihara Tadashi

This was about as awkward as you could get. After bailing her out of her situation with Chouno-sensei… Kawakami then gave me her work information and phone number and asked me to request her. I knew it was like five thousand yen per visit, but when she showed up in the full getup again I was just awkwardly sitting at the workbench as she looked around. Using the payphone downstairs to call her… just so it doesn't show up in my phone records. What am I doing?

"So this is your room, huh? Hm, how do I put this…?" Kawakami mused as she looked around.

"The perfect den for a criminal teenager to spend a year of his high school life? What unsuspecting person will he assault next?" I said jokingly.

"Ichihara-kun," she sighed. "I'm curious though. With the way you opposed Kamoshida, I'd say that you're earnest and have a strong sense of justice. So, when I went back and read about your charge, it said you did it to protect some woman, and you claim to have never touched the man that sued you for assault."

"But for some reason there is an eye witness who says she saw me do it. So? What's the point in thinking about that? I did what I thought was right," I commented.

"What you thought was right, huh?" she echoed as she approached me. "Still, because your record was spread through the school you probably don't have many friends as a result."

Who cares? Yeah, my list of people I knew were small compared to when I lived in Takayama but look how well that turned out. Here though I had a different outlook. I knew better than to blindly trust the people around me. Even Mishima and Ryuji last night were quick to run rather than own up to what they had made me be wrapped up in. There was no exception, given the right circumstances… anyone would turn their back on you to save their own skin. At least I could be the one that would let that shit slide when it comes to me. Even if it means never trusting people.

"What if I let you skip class a few times. Within reason," Kawakami said suddenly. "It's tough not having any place where you belong, isn't it? And with your grades I'm not that worried about you academically. In exchange, just don't tell anyone I'm moonlighting as a maid."

I blinked at the proposition, "Alright, I promise."

"Then it's a deal," Kawakami smiled. I felt… a new bond? With Kawakami-sensei? She sighed after a moment. "What am I doing here with one of my students?"

"You told me to call and request you, remember?" I reminded her.

"Yeah, I do," she hung her head. "As strange as it sounds, I feel a bit better knowing that I have someone that knows my secret. Funny, you were supposed to be the problem student, the bad boy who was gonna ruin my peaceful classroom. But as it turns out you are one of the few I don't have to worry about."

"And you always look exhausted while at school. What is this really about, sensei? You aren't here dressed in a provocative and cute maid outfit just because you enjoy it," I countered.

Her eyes widened and seemed to be more conscious of her appearance, "Let's not go into that, okay? At least not tonight. I appreciate you calling and requesting me though. To be honest, I'm definitely not favored considering I'm older than the other maids."

"Alright, I get it," I scratched the back of my head. "I'm just worried about you, Kawakami-sensei. You've tried to help me in your own way ever since I've shown up, even if you believe I'm a bad apple, so to say. But it isn't my place to pry. But you don't mind if I request you again, right?"

She eyed me and nodded, "If that's what you want. Just as long as you keep everything about this our secret."

"Yeah… sure," I agreed.

Not long after I was saying goodnight to my teacher and she left Leblanc. I retreated upstairs and collapsed on my bed, where Morgana jumped up next to me.

"Sounds like she's under a lot of stress. She just doesn't want to talk about it," Morgana commented. He'd likely been watching nearby.

He was right. And that was also the reason why I felt I couldn't just let it go.

---

Monday / May 30th, 2016 / Shibuya - Station Square / Early Morning
Ichihara Tadashi

Today was a day where the school would be doing cleanup at the park Inokashira. A place I had been hanging out with Ann pretty often. After having some time to actually spend with both Ann and Ryuji I had a much better picture of those two.

Ryuji and I had caught wind of a ploy by the teacher looking to bring back the track team and benefit from the talent that the school already had before Kamoshida had been calculating enough to eliminate. Even with all that, Ryuji's track mates still beat the crap out of him. Then again, Ryuji did offer, so I just watched. Ryuji was still smiling after we had walked away so he definitely seemed okay with that outcome. His parents were a sensitive subject. His father was gone and all he had was his Mother. A Mother he didn't want to cause to worry. So when Kamoshida had poked that hornet's nest it had been a predictable outcome. Which likely was why Kamoshida had done so. Bastard.

Even still Ryuji was doing better, and the track team looked to be ready to truly start anew, but Ryuji wasn't going to go back. He had decided to focus on the Phantom Thieves. Right. The Thieves.

Ann, on the other hand, had basically been shoved out of a modeling gig by the other model with some clever acting and choice words. And made sure that Ann wouldn't be able to get in a word to say otherwise. I wanted to deck the bitch but Ann seemed alright by it. She just said it made her realize how much she didn't really think about it. It wasn't that high on her priorities. If anything she was now being forced to really decide on her future.

Man, I really stood out in this outfit. Shujin's gym uniforms were entirely red and white. The normal uniform was mostly black, so this was definitely weird wearing as I walked through station square and…

From my left I saw some man reach over and grab a girl's wrist. That red hair… It was Yoshizawa.

"C'mon, there's no need to be shy." The man had gotten a lot of attention from the people nearby. I started to walk over.

"Like I said…" Yoshizawa looked away.

"If you're busy, I'll put my number in your phone so you can call me later. Sound like a plan?" the man insisted.

"Stop it…" Yoshizawa said as I walked up and glared at him. She saw me widening her eyes.

"What do you want?" the man glared back.

"Let her go," I said as calmly as possible. The station was full of witnesses, I can't believe how brazen this fucking ass was.

He did so, and put on one of those public bullshit smiles they probably would work to appease some people. But he was barking up the wrong tree if he thought I would just leave it at that, "Don't get worked up. I'm just being friendly here."

Yoshizawa, however, quickly ducked behind me and grabbed my arm. I just stared at him, "Friendly, huh?"

"Oh, what the… What're you getting so jumpy about? Like you're anything special," the man glared.

"Just start walking, asshole. Unless you really want to make something of it," I challenged him.

"Tch, brat," the man grumbled as he turned and walked off.

After a few moments, Yoshizawa stepped away from me and then bowed, "Thank you so much. I'm sorry for the trouble."

Her priorities and her kind nature was starting to worry me a lot. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, "Yes, I'm fine now. It was pretty scary, though. Ah- umm…"

She seemed to be having difficulty deciding what to say. I sighed, "What are you so nervous for? I'd like to think I'm not that intimidating."

Yoshizawa shook her head, "No, no, of course not. May I ask you something? What made you step in to help me?"

I raised an eyebrow, "Really? Do I look like someone who has an ulterior motive? Eesh… I just saw it and wasn't about to just walk by and leave you in trouble."

"That's it?" her eyes looked away, almost as if my answer had been a foreign concept. "Well, I apologize for asking something so strange. You're headed to the cleanup as well, right? ...The cleanup…?" She pulled out her phone and gasped, "Look at the time! I'm so sorry, I haven't even thanked you properly yet. Oh no! I forgot my gym clothes at school! I'll see you at the cleanup, soon. We can talk more then, if you'd like. Pardon me."

She bowed at me again and then made her way down into Shibuya Station.

I scratched the back of my head, "Are people in the city just not used to people wanting to help?"

"It does seem odd that she would ask why you helped," Morgana said, poking his head out from my bag.

"Right?" I'm glad that Morgana was backing me up on this. "But really, what the fuck was that about? Some guy going full pedophile and trying to pick up a high school girl? Does he think they are sluts or something. Like, what the actual fuck?"

Morgana agreed with me, for sure. After that we crammed into another train to reach the station to get out and finally reach the park. After that I found Ann and Ryuji standing by and walked up to them.

"Yo, what took ya so long?" Ryuji asked.

I shrugged, "I'd rather not think about it."

"Did you really come here from home in your gym clothes?" Ann asked.

I raised an eyebrow, "Sure did. Is that an issue?"

Ann shook her head, "It must be so nice to be a guy."

"Ain't it normal? And, uh, are you plannin' on doin' this cleanup in that outfit?" Ryuji asked.

"Of course not. I brought my gym clothes with me. I was gonna change in the bathroom, but now there's a huge line," Ann explained.

"Ohhh, that makes sense," Ryuji said. "Sounds like it sucks to be a girl."

"Yeah, heaven forbid that you consider your outfit and appearance," I commented dryly which made Ann giggle.

"Shut up," Ryuji said before we were all laughing.

"It's such a nice day out that even the weather seems to be mocking us," Mishima walked into our conversation.

"Dude, could you try pushin' your way into our conversation a little less awkwardly next time?" Ryuji made it so I didn't have to comment on it.

"I bet some Kichijoji clean-freak hung paper dolls all over and prayed for clear skies today," Mishima continued unabated.

"What's your fucking point, Mishima? We're out here instead of a classroom, it doesn't need to be some big event," I could never understand this guy. His obsession with the Phantom Thieves still pissed me off though.

"Hey," another voice, this one belonging to Maruki-sensei. "Morning, everyone."

"Oh? Are you here for the cleanup too, Doc?" Mishima asked.

"You got it," he smiled back.

"Uh, in those clothes?" Ryuji asked.

"Oh, no. I'm in a different-"

"There you are, Maruki-sensei!" a couple of girls came rushing over. "We're going to start prepping soon."

"Prepping what?" Ann asked.

"I'm part of the cooking crew. Hope you're looking forward to a solid meal. See you all later," Maruki then walked off with the two girls. As the girls happily started chatting with him.

I raised an eyebrow at the scene as he walked off.

"More like Dr. Popular," Ryuji muttered.

"I'm sure the Phantom Thieves will be even bigger someday," Mishima commented.

I groaned, "Really Mishima? Can you go a day without mentioning the damn Phantom Thieves?"

We were thankfully interrupted, and by the sound of Niijima Makoto, no less, "Good morning, Shujin Academy students and staff. Please pick up all trash located in the areas assigned to your group. Once the cleanup is completed, a lunch of miso soup with pork and vegetables will be served."

Eesh, from the way it sounded it might be Niijima-senpai that planned this whole thing. Actually, considering what the principal has been making her do… I wouldn't be surprised by it. Maybe I should try talking to her…

"Oooh, pork miso soup! So that's what Maruki-sensei's fan club is making," Ann liked pork, I guess. Or miso soup? Or both? I wasn't the biggest fan of pork myself.

"FYI, the school already assigned the groups at random. They're four people apiece, boys and girls mixed," Mishima told us.

"Oh… really?" Ryuji sighed. Well I didn't expect to be out at a park picking up garbage either. But hey… we weren't stuck sitting in a seat for the day. So really it didn't bother me.

"Now that those announcements have been made, please break into your groups and head to your assigned areas," Niijima-senpai added.

"Alright, let's just get this over with as fast as possible so we can chow down on that soup and get outta here," Ryuji said and we all split up. I made a little detour.

She saw me approach, "Something I can help you with, Ichihara-kun?"

"Does the student council president not have time for one of her underclassmen?" I raised an eyebrow.

She sighed, "Sorry, was my tone off? I've just had enough of the teachers today."

"I'm going to presume that Principal Kobayakawa is responsible for this little charade of public service?" I asked her.

She eyed me and then nodded, "Honestly, you probably understand the politics of it better than I do. And he can't even have the decency to lead the charge himself if he is so worried about the school's reputation."

"He does seem to dump a lot on your plate for you to take care of," I commented.

"Ichihara-kun, while I appreciate your concern, you do need to meet up with your group and start with the trash collection," she turned to me. And our eyes met fully this time. Her eyes always made it hard for me to look away. They were crimson, but seemed to change shade every now and again. They weren't always so vividly red.

"Do you happen to have the group assignments? I was never really told where I was supposed to find out," I scratched my head.

She sighed again, "This whole event is poorly planned. If it hadn't been for Maruki-sensei we wouldn't have had food either." She looked down at the clipboard she had and flipped to a different page. And then read off some names I didn't know. "Come on, I'll introduce you."

I walked with her, despite knowing she was definitely still investigating me she was focused now on her Student Council duties. After meeting my group we split up and got to work… Well I did anyway.

After a couple hours and working on my second trash bag was when I heard people talking about me. Thank you, Igor. Thanks to you this third eye ability also enhances my hearing and I get to hear gossip about myself.

"Hey, that guy-yeah, him. Is he… THAT transfer student?" the leader of my group asked one of the girls.

"Yeah…" the second year girl confirmed. I think she was in the other class but whatever.

"You mean the one in all the crazy rumors?" the other girl asked.

"Keep it down. What if he hears us?" the third year whispered. Yeah, what if I did? Oh the horrible tragedies that might befall you! I will give in to my rage and rend you asunder! Ah well that is probably too polite. Something more like, 'Shut the fuck up or I'll cut ya.' That is probably more what the rumors would have people believe.

How long had we been at this anyway?

"The cleanup is officially complete. Thank you for your hard work, everyone. Would the leader of each group please come and get the soup for their teams?" I heard Niijima-senpai's voice announce.

I looked around and saw that we were definitely done here. So I grabbed the trash bag and took it to where it needed to go before eventually returning to grab my bag that I had left on a bench. My group was already gone when I sat down and Morgana popped his head out.

"I don't know the best way to put it… but that sure was a crappy time out there," Morgana commented.

"Eh, it wasn't bad. Better than being cramped in the classroom all…" I stopped when Morgana hid in his bag. I looked over to see Yoshizawa walking over.

"I've finally found you. I was trying to find you so I could thank you properly for this morning," Yoshizawa smiled.

I'm sure telling her she didn't need to thank me was a lost cause considering my interactions with her up to this point.

"So… Where'd the other people in your group go?" Yoshizawa asked.

"They ditched me at the first opportunity," I chuckled.

"I'm pretty much in the same situation. If it's alright with you, why don't we eat our soup together?" Yoshizawa asked with a smile.

"People ditching you? Really? I thought there would be a line of guys wanting to be in your group," I teased.

"Do you really think so?" she asked.

I raised an eyebrow, was she not aware of how attractive she was, or is the rest of the school blind or… well with the way rumors work at this school I suppose it wouldn't be surprising if something else kept people at bay. But with how nice and polite she was… I can't imagine what that would even be. "Anyway, should we go grab our soup then?"

"Yes," Yoshizawa said as the two of us went to get the promised soup.

Though it was a little annoying when I explained that my group leader had not given me my portion, and Niijima-senpai herself seemed to want to go find the one in charge of both mine and Yoshizawa's groups. After that we were able to get our portion and return to the bench where my bag was. It seemed like most of the students were staying away from us. I was used to it… but Yoshizawa was being ostracized too? Weird.

"Thanks for the food," Yoshizawa said as she took some bites from the food. "I want to thank you again for this morning. That man was even more frightening than he might have appeared to you…"

"I realize that," I said before I found myself biting into some pork. Putting the food aside for the moment. It really wasn't that appetizing to me.

"That's why I truly appreciate what you did for me. Thank you so much," Yoshizawa said.

"Your welcome," I said but felt somewhat numb to the situation. Wasn't this the normal thing to do? I helped that woman then and she repaid me by testifying that I had assaulted whoever that man was. Was it because Yoshizawa was closer to my age? Was it like Sojiro had said and I shouldn't have gotten in the middle of two adults? It doesn't change how I feel about it, or the actions I would take.

"There's one more issue I need to address. I'm also so sorry for what happened the other day," Yoshizawa's words pulled my attention back to her.

"Huh? About what?" I had no idea what she was talking about.

"The run-in we had outside the guidance office," she clarified.

"Oh, right," I scratched my head. So much had happened since then I had forgotten about it.

"Kamoshida-san had just told me about you a moment prior, so I sort of spoke without thinking there. I heard some of my classmates gossiping about you, too," Yoshizawa said.

"People just love to talk, don't they? Even though my record was not supposed to be known around the school. Kamoshida spread it around since he didn't want me there," I shrugged. "It wasn't like you were rude to me or anything."

"It was surprising but I haven't paid it any real mind. I don't like gossip or rumors and the like. And after all our interactions we've had, it is hard to believe that you are the person they describe. It would be a different story if all those rumors were actually true, though. What were all the crimes I'd heard? Burglary, murder, and… elephant tusk trafficking,was it?" Yoshizawa told me.

I laughed, "Ah yes, Shujin allows murderers in the school. And I'll have you know that I drive without a license, too. Hahahaha." That last one is actually being true. Just you know the car is actually a transforming cat that turns into a van. And I've never driven in the real world, just a metaphysical world where desires are given physical shape. And I access it via a phone app, you know all non-crazy totally believable things.

"See, I know you aren't any of those things they say," She smiled. Then her eyes widened. "You know what, it just hit me-I haven't introduced myself yet!"

"After all this time we've run into each other, you finally realize it. I'm Ichihara Tadashi, second year," I chuckled.

"Oh, I'm sorry to make you go first, Ichihara-senpai. I apologize this was such a long time coming, but I hope we can get along well. I believe you already learned from our meeting at school that my-" Yoshizawa stopped and sprung to her feet. Before I realized it she had leapt up and grabbed the string of a balloon from a child that had just lost hold of it.

"Wh-What the hell just happened!? ...Oh, look." Morgana pointed to the ground. Leaning over I found a Shujin Academy pocketbook. The name "Yoshizawa Kasumi" is written inside of it. Kasumi?

"Got it just in time… Here you are. Don't let go of things you like, okay?" Yoshizawa said to the young girl before seeing her off. She then came back to me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to run out on you like that."

I shook my head, "You dropped this, by the way." I handed her the pocketbook.

"I guess you sleuthed me out before I got to tell you. Well, you've cracked the case-I'm Yoshizawa Kasumi, a first-year," Yoshizawa smiled.

"You had an impressive form for that jump. Going to presume you do some gymnastics," I had seen my childhood friend back in Takayama do gymnastics.

"Impressive, senpai. It isn't that difficult once you get the hang of it-just a hop, skip, and a jump," she beamed.

"Gymnastics, huh? Hey-don't you think some of those moves would be awfully useful?" Morgana whispered from next to me. "I was just thinking about how the Phantom Thieves need to get some sweeter moves, too…"

As I hated to admit it, Morgana was right about these things. All the things I had been learning had been translating in some way or fashion back into the things we did in the Metaverse. And more options were what made the difference between life and death. As athletic as I was and how well I could move in the Metaverse… learning some solid techniques could make it more effective.

"What's the matter, senpai? Wait, is there a cat somewhere around here?" Yoshizawa looked about.

"Yoshizawa, do you think you could teach me some of the basics of gymnastics?" I asked sidelining that topic as Morgana hid back in my bag.

"Does that mean you're interested in gymnastics? That makes me so happy! I'd be honored if you'd allow me," Yoshizawa said. "The only problem is… I have a favor to ask for myself as well- if you wouldn't mind. Lately, I haven't been getting the results I want from my performances, and I'm worried that I'm overthinking things. So it would be wonderful if you could give me some advice whenever you have the time."

"Sure, I mean fair is fair, right? Though I doubt I could really help much in your performance itself," I chuckled.

"Well, I'm not looking for technical coaching so much as just lending me an ear from time to time," Yoshizawa clarified.

"Then we have an accord," I couldn't help but smile. "I can be brutally honest, you know."

"Absolutely, that would be a great help, senpai," Yoshizawa grinned as she sat back down on the bench next to me. I blinked as I felt the formation of another bond. I mean I somewhat expected it. "Oh, why don't we exchange contact information? Hm? It shut down… Sorry, my smartphone's been acting up lately. Ha, it's back! Okay I'll contact you when I've got free time, if that's fine."

We swapped contact information just in time for me to hear another announcement.

"Attention Shujin Academy students: the cleanup event will be ending momentarily. Please do not discard your trash in the bins here. Instead, bring your waste to the predetermined location for disposal. After that, we will be officially releasing everyone for the day. Thank you all for your hard work," Niijima-senpai announced again. I can only presume it wouldn't be the end of her day.

"Well, the cleanup seems to be finished. We're already out in our gym clothes-would you care for some basic training before heading home?" Yoshizawa asked.

"Yeah, let's do it," I nodded.

"Then let's start with some core exercises. Those are the foundation for staying in shape," She grabbed my hand pulling me from the bench. The athlete in me was curious as to what the difference would be in exercises as the muscles needed were very different. Gymnastics not only needed strength but greater mobility and flexibility.

Considering how things had been, today had been decidedly normal.

---

Thursday / June 2nd, 2016 / Shibuya Station - Platform / Early Morning
Ichihara Tadashi

I couldn't help but yawn as I stood waiting for the goddamn train to show up. Ever since stealing the Treasure and I just felt like I couldn't sleep. I knew the reason why though. The thought of there being another individual in the Palace had made me rethink everything that had happened so far. Had it been conceivable we had run across this other invader? Or multiple invaders? Perhaps they had done so long before we did, and had some other purpose there. I'm sure there were many methods of using an individual's Palace for personal gain. It was disheartening though because we knew so little about how the Palaces worked. If they had been around for a long time, then it stands to reason that someone out there had crossed the Palaces before. But if they had a mask… it left another meaning. There was another Persona user out there. And we had no idea what their goals or actions were. So yeah, I was having a fucking hard time getting any goddamn sleep.

"Ichihara? Is everything alright?" a voice called out to me and I turned to see the familiar sight of Makoto. She held a genuine look concerned about me. "You look awful."

Her frankness made me chuckle, "I feel fucking awful, so good eye. But to answer your question, I'm fine. I just haven't been sleeping well lately."

"Ichihara, lack of sleep is an indication that you are, in fact, not fine," she said flatly.

I smiled slightly surprised she was going to press it. I shrugged, "I doubt you are speaking to me out of concern. You have another question, don't you?"

"I suppose I do, but I am concerned about you," Makoto admitted but I could tell by her tone that she likely was worried for me. I was too paranoid right now to confide in anyone, much less Makoto who had nothing to do with the Phantom Thieves. And because she was trying to determine if I was connected to them or not. Yeah, as much as I wanted to talk to her, it just added more to my growing shit pile of stress.

"What's your question?" I tried to deflect the conversation. Thankfully she dropped her one line of inquiry to switch to the other. However, she did hesitate before doing so.

"Why did Kamoshida-sensei change all of a sudden?" Makoto asked. "If you had to take a guess."

"You mean why a man who seemingly had free reign in his self-proclaimed castle suddenly turned a new leaf?" I reworded her question.

"Yes, that is precisely what I want to know. What would you believe could cause that?" Makoto was legitimately asking for a more intellectual discussion about it rather than trying to connect me or my friends to the event. Likely a means to work her way around to doing that but I could play this game for a bit.

"It would be hard to say. If you want to talk from a psychological point of view it would be best to look at his hobbies and life outside of school rather than what he did at school. But considering he was usually one of the last teachers to leave the school grounds... as he was always at practice... and then preying on the girls or guys after practice... it would be hard to know. It isn't so outlandish for someone to change an aspect of their life but it is usually propagated by some sort of external change outside of their control. I could only surmise that something happened that made him re-evaluate his actions as a teacher. Something that perhaps made him realize the man he had become. I highly doubt a man such as Kamoshida had always been that way. He was a legitimate gold medalist that worked hard to achieve it. So at some point he had to have been an upstanding man with integrity. That's my guess," I thought about it as logically as I could in a way that Makoto could see my flow of thoughts.

"So that is your hypothesis then?" Makoto nodded. "That sounds plausible, but the time that change occurred still seems too quick to me. I believe it's only natural to think that something must have caused it."

"Yes, but remember Niijima-senpai. Change isn't always obvious from the outside. It's also equally possible that Kamoshida had been battling his conscience over the matter for months, or even the entirety of the time he had engaged in the activities he confessed," I said to her as the train was coming to a stop. "You can't simply trust your eyes and ears to be accurate when it comes to matters of the heart. We carry sin with us every day. But in the end it is up to us who sees the struggles in our mind. Kamoshida looked like a man who didn't have such conflicts, right? He was confident and charismatic. And yet deep down he knew what he was doing, and he knew it was wrong."

"You brought up something I hadn't considered," Makoto admitted.

"Come on, let's get on the train," I said and took her hand.

"Whoa, hold on a minute," Makoto protested but we slipped onto the train and found ourselves with little room. "Ichihara!"

"Sorry, if we kept talking we both would have missed it and then we'd have to wait for the next one," I said as the doors closed and the two of us were cramped near the door. Makoto had her back to the door and me right in front of her. A slight movement and my body pushed up against hers. "Really sorry about this."

Makoto was blushing red now, "You can at least let go of my hand now."

"Oh, right, sorry about that," I let go and tried to look away from her. Morgana was pretty much stuck in the back for now because of the situation too. He'll get over it I'm sure.

"You don't hesitate much, do you?" Makoto asked. Even with the crowd I could hear her because of how close we were. And I couldn't help but feel her curves against my body, or the body heat she was emitting. I could also smell the scent of sakura petals. Maybe a scent from her shampoo or soap? It was very light so I doubt it was a fragrance she had applied, but I could be wrong about that.

"Hesitation leads to regrets. That's what my Grandfather said. My Grandmother was pretty spontaneous herself," I openly admitted to her.

"Were you raised by your Grandparents?" Makoto was likely trying to keep the conversation going so she wouldn't have to think about how close we were to each other. Her face was still red though… I doubt she was going to stop blushing while we were this close though.

"I might as well have been. If my Grandparents were still alive, I'm sure they would have bought a place here just to watch over me," I told her. No sense in hiding that, it wasn't like that kind of information did anyone any good.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. But what about your parents?" Makoto tried to change the subject but landed on a worse one.

"You mean the parents that believed a complete stranger over their own son and actually believed I had assaulted that man. They couldn't get rid of their failure of a son fast enough," I didn't even hide my resentment for my parents. "My Grandparents would have believed me, and fought for me. My parents couldn't be bothered to have a son with bad rumors about him. They believed every lie that was brought against me. I hope your parents were better than that." She had already told me her parents were gone, so I hope she didn't think it was bad form for me to bring the subject around to her.

"My Father worked hard as a police officer. He fought hard for what he believed in. If I had been falsely accused and I told him I didn't do it, he would fight for me and find out the truth. That was how my Father was. My Mom died when I was young. I don't really know what Mom was like," Makoto and I were having a rather intimate conversation all of sudden while pressed up against the side of a train. And as we talked Makoto was growing more comfortable with me and we both relaxed a bit. Despite the fact that I was acutely aware that Makoto's breast was pressed squarely against my chest. I was taller than Makoto by just over three inches, maybe close to four, so it was easy for Makoto to avoid my eyes by just looking at my chest.

"Your Father sounds like a great man," I commented. "I wish I could have met him." Meeting a respectful father would be a nice change of pace over the types of fathers I've dealt with today. My own father being one...and Yusuke's foster father Madarame being the other. Makoto probably had to deal with a lot because of losing her father. Her sister as well. I could only compare it to when I had lost my Grandfather.

"You do?" Makoto asked me after a moment.

"Is that weird?" I asked her.

"I mean, we barely know each other," Makoto pointed out.

"We aren't strangers either," I countered but then sighed and looked out at the train. "I guess the only thing that keeps us connected is this investigation you are being forced to do, right? If it wasn't for that, you wouldn't talk to me." I knew it was the reason why she bothered to talk to me at all, or even agreed to go through with the wager.

"That isn't true… not fully," Makoto didn't seem sure how to answer it. But she also couldn't deny that her circumstances kept throwing us together. After all, she suspected me of being a Phantom Thief. Perhaps her Father's intuitions had been just as good as hers were.

"I said it before, but I'll say it again. Do what you have to do, Niijima-senpai. But I hope one of these days you'll talk to me because you actually might enjoy my company. Though, at the moment, I doubt you do," I find myself saying as my expression falls and hear the announcement of the stop coming up.

"I don't like this situation any more than you do. And for the record, I wouldn't have gone to the arcade with you if I hadn't enjoyed your company thus far," Makoto said softly but didn't add anything to it.

"I see, but until the day we can both be honest with each other, we'll always be at an impasse," I told her as the train came to a stop and the doors opened. Makoto and I shuffled out and onto the platform. I made sure she was okay with a quick glance and then started walking for the exit. Makoto didn't stop me.

---

Sunday / June 5th, 2016 / Underground Walkway / Daytime
Ichihara Tadashi

The video from the news site I was on started, and Madarame had wasted no time getting right to the heart of the matter.

"I... I have committed crimes that are unbecoming of an artist. Plainly put... I, um... plagiarized work. I-I... tainted this... this country's art world... and... even 'Sayuri'. H-How could I... I possibly... apologize to- to everyone for... for what I've done...Aaaah...!" Madarame was having trouble keeping composure as tears freely fell from his eyes.

Well the reporter started describing the rest of it but I just exited out. Another confession. Madarame would do his time one way or another for the things he had done.

"You guys see the news about Madarame!? It's just like what happened with Kamoshida!" Ryuji was over ecstatic as I approached with Morgana poking his head out from my bag.

"I don't know, why don't you say it a little louder, I don't think the rest of fucking Shibuya heard you," I muttered as I shook my head.

"They also mentioned the Phantom Thieves," Ann pointed out.

"Man, this is startin' to get interesting. If we do it right, we can change people's hearts. With this power... we might be able to do more than just gettin' back at society. It'll be a big deal." Ryuji looked at me.

"I could give two shits as to what people think," I said this and looked away.

"Man, you're so indifferent," Ryuji was disappointed I guess.

"And you get too excited over this stupid shit. How about curbing the enthusiasm and not drawing attention to us for a change?" I might be the leader of the Phantom Thieves but I wasn't about to celebrate or encourage behavior related to the popularity or recognition of the Phantom Thieves in the public. "Whether the people believe in us, or whatever doesn't mean a damn thing."

"This is why Tadashi is our leader after all. He's supposed to keep us grounded so we don't get carried away," Ann pointed out to Ryuji.

"Well as for me, I hope we just keep gettin' more and more famous," Ryuji was too excited about this.

"Something like this happening twice is massive too. It's too great a coincidence to occur normally," Morgana spoke while hopping up to peek over my shoulder from my bag.

"If we continue doing this, we'll definitely be able to give courage to everyone who needs it," Ann I guess was also affected by it.

"Or… it puts a large target over our goddamn heads when we cross the wrong person and it gets us all killed. Let's not forget there is another person or group capable of entering the Metaverse. And until we know who they are, we are not safe, got it?" I glared at all of them.

"We may want to quiet down a little," Yusuke spoke up and with a shrug indicated a police officer and man in a suit close to us.

"Do you know them?" Ann asked Ryuji.

"You moron! Those're attendance officers," Ryuji answered. Of course it was too late and they were walking towards us.

"Hello there. May I speak with you for a moment?" The sharply dressed officer with sunglasses talked to me.

"Ah, yes. How can we help you?" Ann spoke up. I guess her speaking as the face of the group would work better than me. I'd probably lose my temper way too quickly.

"That monotonous acting of hers never fails to send a chill down my spine," Morgana just couldn't help but make a comment.

"What are you all doing here? Are you friends?" the officer with sunglasses asked. Really? Is this man an idiot? What kind of ridiculous leading question was this?

"Yes, we're friends, and it's a Sunday. You know, a day off from school. Why wouldn't we hang out? We just happen to be attempting to decide on where we should go," I answered and my voice came out sharper than I had intended. But I couldn't help it...he was asking a really dumb question.

"We understand but there have been some odd happenings lately, and the news about that artist has caused quite a stir," the man clarified.

"We'll be careful," Ann said and the officers seemed to be satisfied with it and walked off.

"Tch, assholes," I said under my breath.

"What is your problem, are you trying to make it more difficult for us?" Ann didn't even attempt to hide her irritation with how I handled that situation. "I was starting to panic because of you."

"Sorry, I just couldn't stand that bullshit. Look at all the people around here and they decided to speak to us… and just because of our age," I shook my head. "Whatever, it doesn't matter."

"Either way, from now on, we'll need to be even more cautious than before. Look at us. Right after the second Thieves incident, both prior victims are meeting up," Morgana pointed out.

"Wait, you mean people might be listening to us?" Ann blinked.

"Eh, it'll be fine. Look around. We're the only people worryin' about it," Ryuji was trying to ease the tension.

"I guess you're right," Ann seemed to buy it.

"By the way, Yusuke... Are you able to get anything out of Madarame?" Ryuji diverted the conversation. "Remember how he was talkin' about that suspicious person in the black mask?"

"Well... I pressed him for answers, but he didn't even understand what had happened to him to begin with," Yusuke informed us what I had already guessed he would say. It was hardly going to come out any other way.

"It's not like he actually saw his desires get stolen, after all," Ann pointed out.

"It's rumored that he may be sent to prison. In that case, gaining information will be difficult," Yusuke added.

"So, what're you gonna do now?" Ryuji asked.

"I'll be leaving that house. I can't draw in such a place anymore," Yusuke answered simply.

"Do you have somewhere to go?" Ann asked.

"The school dorms. I can stay there free of charge thanks to my fine-arts scholarship," Yusuke supplied. I could have guessed that much.

"A scholarship!? Wait, you're that good?" Ryuji was surprised.

"Although, Takamaki-san's house would do as well," Yusuke said with a slight tilt of his head.

"Wait, WHAT!?" Ann became immediately alarmed.

"You know, you could ask her to model for you whenever you wanted," Ryuji grinned.

"You moron!" Ann threw a piercing gaze at Ryuji, which would have killed him if it was an actual weapon.

"Then again, now that Yusuke'll be livin' alone, it'll be easier for us to meet up whenever we want," Ryuji pointed out.

"For the time being, we should wait and see how this case plays out," Yusuke was the voice of reason, thankfully.

"And it'll prolly take some time findin' a target as big as Madarame," Ryuji seemed disappointed.

"Anyway, we should just act like normal students while we look for our next target, OK?" Ann was directing this at everyone.

"I hope you realize that we are normal students. This doesn't change what we are," I groaned and shook my head. I feel like it was worthless to try and state my case sometimes. I stopped and turned around. I don't know why but I felt like someone was watching. When I did… I didn't see anyone. I think. There was a lot of movement and lots of places for someone to duck out of view. The others were gathering up their things. I guess we were done for now.

Life wasn't normal. My wanting a normal life was just something that seemed to slip further and further away from me. But there was no turning back from this point on. I had to keep moving forward. It was the only way to stay true to my beliefs… to live by the words Grandfather told me. I would continue to do what I thought was right… regardless of what the world thought of me.

---

Monday / June 6th, 2016 / Shujin Academy - Principal Office / Lunchtime
Niijima Makoto

Absolutely every avenue I go down while looking into Kamoshida has led me to Tadashi. But I can't determine if it's because the rumors of his criminal record are influencing it or not. He had a bad reputation it seemed before he had even showed up for his first day here. Pre-conceptions of his character were making it hard to decipher the truth of the situation. And he wouldn't give me any straight answers. Though I could hardly blame him for it. It seemed like there weren't many people left in his life that he trusted. And hearing his thoughts on his parents had bothered me. Because after all that I could see the motivation in Tadashi to want to stand up to someone as despicable as Kamoshida. And why not? In an environment in which he was already looked at with suspicion and fear, he had no reason to believe his situation would get worse. Even under the threat of expulsion from Kamoshida likely wouldn't have deterred him. He had said it himself, "Hesitation leads to regrets." Just by that alone I could surmise that he was not one that would hesitate.

I'm sure Tadashi is the kind of man that my father would have respected. He might even be someone I would have been proud to introduce him to. I shook my head. What am I thinking about? Introduce him? What, exactly? My b-b-boyfriend? I barely know him! But he… I shake off my thoughts. Focus! I need to be focused at these ridiculous meetings.

I walked into the Principal Office and he looked up to me with a slight smile as I entered. I was starting to slowly detest this man.

"How are things going in regard to that matter we spoke of earlier?" he asked. What is with him tiptoeing about the subject?

"I have nothing to report yet," I gave him an answer I knew he wouldn't like. I could care less. Even after following Tadashi I just felt I didn't have a clear picture of what was going on. I mean, how did Tadashi become acquainted with Kitagawa Yusuke? The more I found… the more connected he was to these cases related to the Phantom Thieves. I didn't have anything that proved that though, it was all just circumstantial evidence that could amount to anything. And what was I going to do if I found out?

Would I... Would I really turn Tadashi in after what he has gone through? Would I be yet another person that turned him in without hearing his reasons? Another person to betray the kindness he has given? It was what I was supposed to do… it's what I was told to do. But I don't think it is what Tadashi would do. Not to a friend. But then… What was I to him? What did I want to be to him?

Why did my thoughts become so confusing with Tadashi in the picture? If he is a Phantom Thief, I already know why he became one. He saw something wrong and he had the power to correct it. Could I truly see Tadashi as being in the wrong? And if he had seen or confirmed Kamoshida's deeds he had confessed to… no, I could not fault him for acting in a situation where he had no one that could help him. It was becoming clear to me that something was wrong.

"Nothing at all? How many students are there who could provoke a teacher?" the Principal eyed me.

I needed to assure him that progress was made though, "I've already narrowed it down. I just... can't get any solid evidence." I didn't want to give this man anything more than this. I needed to sort out my own thoughts and... Hold on...what exactly did this man know of the situation? I needed to know. So I quickly asked a pointed question to catch him off guard, "You knew, didn't you...? About Kamoshida-sensei sexually harassing students."

The Principal averted his eyes. It was all the answer I needed. I felt a sudden rush of anger come boiling to the surface. Who cares who changed Kamoshida? After what he did to those girls… to Suzui Shiho... He deserves to pay for every crime he committed and then some! It isn't just something to just push under the rug and pretend it isn't happening! And he wants me to find the ones responsible? The ones that forced Kamoshida to come to justice? To do what? So he can hide from the fact that he allowed something like this to happen under his watch? To hide the fact that Shujin Academy allowed such acts under his watch? I kept my anger in check, as best as I could, and gave him a sharp accusation. "Sir!"

"What will come of you asking that?" the Principal sidelined the question to ask his own. This infuriating man...

"This investigation is for a just cause, correct?" I asked through gritted teeth, but I knew the answer.

"I believe I understand how flustered this must be making you. I'm sure it was truly shocking for you as a student council president to see a peer attempt suicide," the Principal's words made my anger simmer and a sense of guilt washed over me. Keep my head down, do as I'm told, keep up my studies...had my desire to appease my sister make me unable to see the events around me? That didn't see how Kamoshida was treating the volleyball team, or the female population in the school?

I kept quiet as my thoughts continued. I know it wasn't my fault for Suzui Shiho' suicide attempt. That landed squarely on Kamoshida's shoulders. But I had to bear some of the responsibility for the students in the school. I was supposed to be here to help them, to make it a place that was enjoyable and a safe place to come. But I hadn't realized how it had been a den of fear under the actions of Kamoshida. I'm a failure as a student council president, to be so focused on my own struggles than the student body. Worse, the Principal knew about it...and what had he done? Nothing. He allowed it to continue because Kamoshida gave results that bolstered the school's credentials. The volleyball team had made big tournaments that had put Shujin Academy on the map as something even more than just a prep school. The boost in reputation must have given benefits to the Principal. A bigger budget, and perhaps a better paycheck.

"We must provide a school environment where all students can feel at ease. That is the most pressing issue we have to tackle at the moment," the Principal said. I wasn't sure I could continue to keep my anger in check if he kept talking like this.

"So that's the reason behind this investigation on the Phantom Thieves of Hearts? We don't even know if they truly exist. Why are you-" he quickly interrupted me.

"You heard about the incident with that Madarame fellow, I assume?" the Principal asked.

"They said there was a similar calling card to the one used in Kamoshida-sensei's case," I knew where he was going with this. And I hated it.

"I wish to believe that this is unrelated to our students," the Principal didn't want it to lead back to him.

"Yes," I wasn't going to learn what I wanted from him. He was using me to cover his own ass. Finding the Phantom Thieves was a means in which he could divert the attention from him, so that the details could be missed in the fact that the Principal had been aware of what the students had gone through and done nothing. This man deserved to be punished for his negligence and acceptance of such behavior at our school. Talking to him was a pointless gesture.

"That is where I stand. I suggest you devote your energy to the task at hand, not unnecessary questions," the Principal met my gaze head on.

I was done here. Without another word or acknowledgment I turned and left the man's office. Despicable, detestable, selfish and fat little man could go jump off a bridge for all I cared. Using me as nothing but a tool and tells me it's for the good of the school. I was going to find out the truth, but not for the Principal...but for me. I needed to know how it was done, what it is that they did. I couldn't see Tadashi doing this for anything but the right reasons. .

Keep my head down, do as I'm told, and keep to my studies. The mantra my sister had put into my head. That is all I had ever done since my father died. But this wasn't what he would want. He would have pursued justice, even in the face of those that thought he was nothing but a nuisance.

Tadashi was involved, he had to be. Was that why he acted the way he did? He danced around my questions, giving vague answers that neither confirmed nor denied his involvement with the Phantom Thieves. And what was with the things he said to me? "Do what you have to do, Niijima-senpai." What was it that I had to do? Tadashi had a reason he said that, didn't he?

I stepped into the student council room and found it empty as it often was. I closed the door behind me and then slid to the ground, sitting up against the door. I looked up to the ceiling as I was overwhelmed by thoughts. I took a deep breath and felt my exhale shaky.

That bastard, Kobayakawa. He wanted me to compromise my morals to find the Phantom Thieves. Tadashi, you're a Phantom Thief, aren't you? I wonder if you could steal the uncertainty in my heart.

"What would you do, Dad? How can I know what's right?" I whispered to nobody. I had a responsibility as the student council president to the students of the school, but I also had a responsibility to myself and what I believed in… didn't I? Would my sister be able to handle this? To do what she needed to do? What choice would she make? What am I supposed to do?

I sat alone in the chill air of the student council room and wrapped my legs close to me with my arms and rested my head on my knees. I have no one to talk to, no one to confide in. And the one person I feel that would listen to me, was the one person I couldn't talk to about this.

---

Tuesday / June 7th, 2016 / Shujin Academy - Student Council Room / After School
Niijima Makoto

The absolute nerve of that man! Thanks to him I've had to field things from students all day long. It wasn't like I wasn't willing to listen but why now? What was the point of it? Was this just a part of his method of helping me? Or was it an underhanded way of putting more pressure on me to get the results he wanted? All I know is that I wanted to hit that man at this moment. Today would be an excellent day to go to the dojo and vent some of this anger in a more disciplined manner. Practicing Aikido was probably the only real way I was about to let out any of my frustrations. And recently I went to my dojo with more frequency. Which my Sensei had been keen enough to notice.

"You seem frustrated, Makoto-chan," my Sensei had said to me just the other day.

I had little in ways to actually answer him. I could hardly navigate my own thoughts as of late, much less answer questions about my state of mind. still my Sensei had been kind enough to give me activities to help clear my mind. And while it had helped me for a time and was thankfully able to get some sleep my thoughts became a mess the moment I came to school. And now, it seemed there wasn't a moment's rest. The moment I walked into the Student Council Room made this more apparent.

"President... What is the meaning of this posting?" one of the members immediately asked before I had time to even fully enter the room.

"Principal Kobayakawa put that up without my knowledge," I quickly answered.

"We've already received some anonymous information," one of the girls spoke up. She came up to me with a sheet of paper and handed it to me. I quickly looked at its contents.

I heard some students are getting threatened. I'm so scared... Please do something.

"What!?" I couldn't believe it but before I could respond I was handed another sheet of paper.

They have dirt on me, and they're demanding money. I can't go to the police. What should I do?

"Wait, isn't this talking about the crimes that have been rumored to be occurring in Shibuya?" one of the members said.

"So there are even victims at our school. What should we do?" They looked at me.

What was going on? The Principal had intended to find out more about the Phantom Thieves with his little stunt. I knew that for sure. However, I bet he didn't intend for something like this to pop up. Now what? This was serious. If the students here were being targeted for something, it was vastly more important than finding the Phantom Thieves.

"This isn't the responsibility of the student council. This is frightening for us too. Principal Kobayakawa called you yesterday, right? Did he tell you anything about this?" a member of the council asked me.

"Well, no. It had nothing to do with this," I answered curtly. Our responsibility or not, it would be prudent to see just how much of the school was affected by this. "The Principal is out today, but I will ask him tomorrow. Please wait on this for the time being." Of course, the coward would leave so I couldn't call him out on his actions. He put it up and left me to deal with the chaos in its wake.

The student council seemed speechless. I guess they had hoped I would have an answer for them as to why it was happening, but this was all new information to me. I didn't particularly pay attention to rumors. I always assumed that if there was trouble it would be brought to my attention. That was obviously not true in the slightest.

"My apologies for the confusion. Don't worry. I'll do something about all of this," I did my best to calm them but all I could really do was tell them that I would deal with it. They seemed okay with that option, if it meant they didn't have to deal with it.

Shortly after the quick meeting I dismissed them and let them go home. Leaving me alone in the student council room once more. Then my phone suddenly rang. It made me jump in my seat and I nearly made my fall to the ground. I grabbed it from the top of my things on the desk and opened the screen. A new message?

Tadashi: It looks like the Principal is giving you a shove. Is everything alright?

"No… no it isn't," I found myself saying and felt a tear fall from my eye. Crying? I was crying? Tadashi, I want to tell you...to tell anyone. And yet here I am, alone. Am I so lost that I can't stand against this? Why am I so conflicted? Tadashi, what do you think?

Makoto: Are you worried about me?

I sent it to him with my heart racing. Not realizing what I had sent until after. I waited, staring at my phone for his response. What would he do? What was I hoping for? Why couldn't I stop the tears?

Tadashi: Of course I am. Do you think I would ask if I wasn't?

An obvious answer to my question. It was a stupid question. But I needed to see it. Someone was thinking about me, worried about me. And yet here I was crying alone in the student council room. I was so lost on what should happen next. Students were being extorted, used and living in fear. What was I supposed to do with this information? Would the police even be able to help? It was all anonymous so if I tell the police they would have to investigate the students and that would only bring more hostility and fear to the school. That wasn't the answer. I don't know… I don't know what to do. Students were suffering! And all the Principal cared about was the Phantom Thieves. What was I supposed to do!? Goddammit! Someone tell me!

The tears that had started just continued to flow more. I clutched my phone to my chest and slid off my chair to the floor, and pushed myself up against the far side wall under the window. It was raining outside. How perfect. I looked back at my phone, Tadashi responded.

Tadashi: I know we still barely know each other. But I'm here if you need someone.

Tadashi: We don't have to talk. But I can give you some company.

She wanted to take him up on his offer. Being with him was better than being alone in this room. But how could I? I suspected him of being a Phantom Thief! No, I was very confident that he was. I couldn't deny that. And yet he was the only one here for me. Not my sister, no classmate. There was nobody else! How foolish of me, to be so focused on my appeasement of my sister that only now I realize how alone I am. I had no one I could call a friend. Not even among the members of the student council. How pathetic.

My thoughts just made it worse and I started to hyperventilate through my tears.

Makoto: I don't know what to do.

Wait, did I just send that? No, no… I can't let him know about my problems. I can't trust him, right? He was a Phantom Thief. But wasn't that a reason I could trust him? When men like Kamoshida or Principal Kobayakawa are in power, who are you supposed to go to? And my sister, she stopped truly listening to me some time after Dad's death. But...Tadashi was here.

Tadashi: Where are you?

I was shaking my head and tossed my phone aside. No, what was I doing? Why was I falling apart like this? Why can't I stop crying? Why? WHY!? My vision was blurred through the non-stop tears and as much as I tried to brush them away they were back within an instant. Then I heard the sound of the student council door opening. I looked up, I couldn't see clearly. But I knew who it was.

"No, go away!" I yelled out. He can't see me like this. No one should. I can't be like this. I need to STOP. I'm supposed to be the one that people rely on. The one that people sought for help. Keep my head down, do as I'm told, and study. What happens when that comfort is torn away? What happens when I realize I'm told this so I don't see the truth? Who could I go to when I knew? Who else understood the issues behind the scenes? Who knew Kamoshida's sins and that they were covered up by the repulsive man who was supposed to protect all of the students at Shujin? Who could I go to for help? My mind came to an answer, and through my blurred tear filled vision I saw him closing the door to the student council behind him.

The young man with messy black hair and thick black rimmed glasses moved across the room and crouched next to me. A soothing comforting presence of warmth accompanied by a pleasant smell. I'm not sure I could accurately describe the scent, but it was a fresh, mint-like scent. Perhaps from a deodorizer, but it wasn't a cologne. His hands tentatively rested on my shoulders. He wanted permission to do more.

I put a hand to his chest, wanting to get him to leave. I wanted to push him away, and yet my body refused to put any strength into such an attempt. This wasn't me. I was supposed to be strong. But I felt a panic within me that refused to calm down.

"Am I so easy to read? So predictable that you knew where to look? Or were you following me again and saw me leaving the Principal's office?" I tried to keep my voice calm but tears still fell and my voice and emotions threatened to break completely. Why wasn't I pushing him away?

"Principal Kobayakawa posted that stupid flier around the school to file complaints to the Student Council. Then the coward decided to skip out on today so you couldn't oppose his actions. Naturally, you would have a Student Council meeting. Where else could you have been?" Tadashi answered calmly, with logic. Yet as much as I wanted to be comforted by him, it also made me want to push him away more.

"A despicable, disgusting man! HE KNEW! Kamoshida did all of that in this school and that worthless, piece of shit of a man, allowed it to happen! And what was I doing? No, Makoto, keep your head down, do as you're told and stick to your studies!" I yelled and tried to push away from Tadashi, but he gripped my shoulders and didn't allow it. I punched his chest in response but he still didn't release me. "I wanted to make things easier for Nee-san. So I did as she asked. And then continued to idolize my Father, believing in him and the justice he fought for. And yet I… I ignorantly allowed something like this to happen to students that I should have been there for! And now it's happening again. More students in danger and I… what can I even do? All that horrid man wants is the identity of the goddamn Phantom Thieves."

"And what do you want?" Tadashi asked, his voice still calm despite how I yelled and my emotions drove what I said.

"I want that asshole Principal to be arrested for aiding and abetting a criminal! Allowing his own students to be sexually and physically abused because it produced results for the school. I want to punch him in his goddamn face and beat him to an inch of his life and maybe… MAYBE that will let him experience a fraction of what drove a girl to attempt suicide. I… I want to stop this cycle," I hit my fist against Tadashi's chest again before I felt my frustration build once more. I leaned forward, my head now resting against his chest. "But I'm just as bad for not seeing it."

"But you do now," Tadashi's voice washed over me.

"AND WHAT DOES THAT CHANGE? YOU JUST HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS DON'T YOU? ASSHOLE! YOU CAN'T EVEN BE HONEST WITH ME!" I screamed into his chest. "WHY? WHY ARE YOU HERE? TO LAUGH AT ME?" I grabbed his shirt as I felt myself falling into hysterics but I still stared right into his eyes, as defiant as I could be. "WHY IS IT YOU? Why do I want to trust you? Why have you made me question all of this? Don't be like them. Don't be like everyone else."

"I'm here for you, Niijima-senpai. I believe in you. And I know you can get through this," he said, his voice calm and soothing and meeting my eyes without wavering.

I don't know what it was. His words, or the warmth he brought to me while he held me but the last of my defenses slipped away. I stopped as tears streamed faster, I couldn't even make out his face anymore. I clutched his shirt tighter as he then pulled me closer and I found myself not fighting him anymore. I buried my face against his chest. I cried more intensely than I ever had. The only time I had cried more was at the funeral of my father. I opened myself up to my frustrations and emotions and let all the emotions pour out. The tears continued and I continued to cry. I wasn't alone now. It would go on for a while, as I poured out all of my emotions to the one individual in the world that seemed to give a damn about me.

Time passed, I don't know how long. The sun was setting, the light in the Student Council was nearly gone completely when I finally felt under control. Tadashi said nothing, and I finally pulled away and dared to look at him.

"Can I believe in you?" I asked him in a whisper.

"You can believe in me to not hesitate to protect what is important to me," he answered.

An answer, but also not one. Words so close to what I wanted to hear from him. What was I supposed to do? If I was right, the one person I felt I could trust, the one person I could confide in… the one person I felt comforted by was the individual who had seen me when all the pressures around me broke me down. Ichihara Tadashi, a Phantom Thief, and someone I realized had likely already taken my heart.

---

Wednesday / June 8th, 2016 / Shujin Academy - Principal Office / Lunchtime
Niijima Makoto

"What is the meaning of this, Principal Kobayakawa? Why did you post that notice?" I wasn't about to let the Principal out easy this time.

"It was all for your sake," the Principal smiled. The bastard actually smiled as if he had done me a favor. "I thought the more information you had, the easier your investigation would become. And? Did any information arise about the case I asked you to look into?"

"No, nothing related to it," I said blankly. "I will pass the details along if anything comes up. Right now, there is a much more pressing issue. It appears there are students at Shujin who are being threatened by a criminal organization." To his credit, he was alarmed after I had said it. So I pressed on while I had the momentum. "A student who saw your posting came to us looking for help. I'd like to request a countermeasure."

"I-Isn't this some sort of mistake? I can't believe this would happen to the students of our academy. Now is no time for such problems. There is still lingering concern regarding the Phantom Thieves," The Principal did exactly as I suspected he would. He pushed aside the real issue.

"The Phantom Thieves? Students are being targeted and victimized by criminals and you still want me to focus on the Phantom Thieves!?" I slammed my hands onto the desk.

"I-I'm rather busy at the moment. If you wish to do something, you will need to act on your own," The Principal was nothing but a coward.

I was annoyed, "Fine I will. But won't it cause a problem for you if I'm not focused on your Phantom Thieves case?"

He shook his head, "N-no, it's fine. It works out perfectly. My intentions have borne fruit. This criminal organization must be the connecting factor. If you pursue this criminal issue, you'll surely find clues about the Phantom Thieves."

"But that's absurd," I couldn't believe the audacity of this man.

"So... let's say this rumor is true. Do you intend to ignore those students in trouble?" The Principal had decided on a new form of attack. "Your sister would have solved this easily if she were in your position. My expectations of you are very high. I hope you don't disappoint."

I turned around and left his office. Threatens me again with my Sister? What would my Sister do? How fast would she figure this out? Would she have lost control of her emotions and been found crying like I had? Tadashi was smart… it wasn't like it was hard to find me. I'm the student council president so the council room was an obvious place to check. He hadn't asked for anything… didn't demand an answer for why I was crying. He comforted me and didn't want anything in return… even promising that he wouldn't tell anyone about what had happened.

The moment I walked into the hall I saw an individual leaning against the wall. When he saw me he moved to me.

"From your expression I would say things didn't go as you wanted them to," Tadashi commented as I turned and headed to the student council room.

"How did you know I would be there?" I asked without looking back at him.

"New rumors going around about you being the Principal's new pet. Nothing flattering being said about you," Tadashi was rather frank about what he had heard. "I also heard that lunchtime was the normal time you went to talk to him."

"It seems you had a reliable source," I wasn't comfortable talking with him after how he had seen me yesterday. I was too mindful of what he might say. At the same time, I now had a new part of me that wanted him to be here. The fact that his presence was so comforting bothered me more. This was bad, he was my main lead to the Phantom Thieves. But he-

"I also watched you go into the office," he added with a slight chuckle.

"Are you stalking me now?" I asked him as I approached the door of the student council room.

"Like you have any room to talk. Or did you really think I didn't notice you tailing me a few days ago?" Tadashi was grinning when I looked at him with a blank look. He noticed me? I didn't think he had at all. "You even followed Ryuji and I to Kichijoji when we checked out the Penguin Sniper. Then you watched us from the corner for about an hour and a half before checking out. And then you did it again a day later when I was hanging out with Ann."

"You were pretending not to notice the whole time, weren't you?" I realized my voice had gotten louder than I intended and students were looking at us. I quickly opened the door to the student council room and pulled Tadashi in with me before closing the doors. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Like call out to you? I was working at the convenience store later that day after hanging out with Ann so I didn't have time to stop and chat," Tadashi brought up a good point. "Nor was I going to make a scene at Penguin Sniper by confronting you there."

"What gave me away?" I sighed.

"You did," Tadashi said simply.

I blinked. Huh? "What do you mean by that?" I asked, unsure of what he meant.

"You stand out. If you want to follow me in secrecy then you need to completely change your outfit. Your hairstyle and being in the school uniform makes it impossible for you to blend in. I would recognize you even in a sea of Shujin Academy students. That is how much you stand out to me," he said this and pulled out his phone. I assumed it was to check the time.

I felt my face heating up though. Did I really stand out to him? Could he really pick me out that easily from the crowd? I should be concerned about this right? So why did it make my heart race at the thought of him being able to spot me in a crowd? I had made a number of mistakes. If he had noticed me it might have changed his original plans and he adjusted accordingly. Tadashi was just as sly as he was charismatic and charming. And I'm sure that… wait what had I just thought about him?

"I understand why you've been following me. It doesn't actually bother me. I'll get out of your hair. I just wanted to make sure you were okay after seeing the Principal. You are okay, right?" Tadashi had concern in his eyes.

He was going to leave if I didn't say anything, "Ichihara have you heard… There are students in the school that are being threatened by some sort of criminal organization. Thanks to the Principal's posting I have been fielding a lot of things related to it. Mostly anonymous notes. The Principal is insistent that it might lead to a connection with the Phantom Thieves. What do you think?"

"I did hear a bit of that yesterday," he admitted but didn't elaborate. "Students being extorted or something along those lines, right?"

I nodded, "That was what some of the notes indicated. Also that they aren't able to go to the police because of whatever incriminating evidence they have against them. Any thoughts?"

"Thoughts from your number one suspect?" he gave an innocent smile to me, but I knew it was anything but. I was a bit concerned as to how his smile affected me too… This likely showed how much I wanted to trust him rather than be suspicious of him.

"I suppose it is unfair to ask you to consider the current state of our relationship," I said it so easily that I nearly missed it. 'Current state of our relationship'? Was I implying that I hoped it would change? That we even had a relationship to begin with? I mean how would it even be labeled as? Friends? Close friends? But no… that wasn't it at all. It was like the two of us were locked in a game of mental chess and the advantage had kept switching sides. But I knew the truth. Tadashi held knowledge that I didn't have. I was the one at a disadvantage, not him. He had no reason to tell me anything.

"Stop that," Tadashi interrupted my train of thoughts and I met his gaze once more. "You can come to me for anything and I will listen. Just know that my answer won't always be what you want. And that's just the way it is... For now."

My heart skipped a beat on those last words and my eyes widened. No, focus! He's here, so get him to talk. "I'm going to keep investigating both cases for now. The extorted students and the Phantom Thieves."

He smiled, and once more my heart sped up. Stop it, Tadashi, this isn't fair. Everything you do now seems to affect me. He spoke after a moment, "Keep moving forward, Niijima-senpai. I know when the time comes you'll do what you know is right. Just like your father." He turned back to the door and opened it. "Oh and Senpai, next time you plan on following me, don't forget a change of clothes. It might help you stand out less. But I bet I can spot you anyway."

With that, my would-be junior, had left the student council room, leaving me alone. I could feel my heart pounding loudly in my chest as his words echoed in my ears. What was he saying? What was he challenging me to do? If he was a Phantom Thief… then had he basically just invited me to spy on him? But I felt something else… trust. He trusted me? I didn't get it… no, I didn't get it at all. Just who was Ichihara Tadashi? The more I saw of him the more questions I had. And now it seemed I was far from immune to his charm. I know when the time comes you'll do what you know is right. Just like your father. No words had ever spoken to the feelings in my heart so directly as this. Was this what I had been missing? The one aspect I had never allowed myself to think about?

I had always assumed that the adults were right. Always told myself that they knew best. It was easier to think that way after father had died. But that wasn't what my father would want at all. He would want me to stand on my own two feet and find my own way. He wouldn't want me to be dictated by others what was right and wrong. No, he would want me to decide that on my own. But what would happen when I got to the truth? What would happen if Ichihara Tadashi was a Phantom Thief? A young man that was now making my heart beat faster, who made me note his movements and melt at his smile. And someone who had offered me comfort when there was no one else.

What would I do when I saw Ichihara Tadashi for who he really was? Would I condemn him… or would I want to embrace him?

---

A/N:

This chapter is pretty long. And we have a lot going on in it. From Madarame's press conference, Yoshizawa and the park clean up. And then immediately moving into setting up the next part of the story.

I think this will probably be divisive to a lot of people and how I show Makoto. In the game, she is one of the strongest characters with very few times in the story where she feels emotionally vulnerable. The few times it happens are often played for laughs rather than anything serious. In a lot of cases in the Persona games, we get so close to truly emotional moments, only to be stopped short once a message has gotten across. So part of my goal here in this story is to dive into more vulnerable states. I certainly remember my time in high school and how somewhat overly dramatic and emotional things tended to be. I wanted to dive more into Makoto and her emotional state. Between her drive to be someone praise worthy and not a concern for her sister, and being confronted with her own future. She's unsure of herself, and even more so when she realizes that the adults in her life are allowing such horrible things to happen around them.

So here I wanted to show how her world view of things was shattered. And I really enjoyed the interactions with Tadashi and Makoto that came from it. I think there are a lot of people that would be split on my characterization. But you know this is just all part of the changes that I set out to do when I started this fic.

Anyway, that's this months chapter! I hope you enjoy my changes and interpretation of the characters and see you next month!