Chapter 21

Ren sat on the couch, arms crossed over his chest as his nose sniffed the air dismissively. He snapped his lips and nodded his head, as he continued ignoring the indignant glare he was getting from a certain maid. Kawakami was towering over him with her hands on her hips, glaring down at the audacious teen before her. Yup, he called 'Betty' again.

"Are you serious?" She sighed. "I told you that the story about my sick little sister was a lie. You know you're being used for money... and you still request me?"

Ren slowly pushed his glasses back up his nose, making sure to keep his bandaged finger hidden. He turned to look at her, tossing his head aside. "Who's the master here?"

Her contempt dropped, stepping back to appraise him. "Well, I am thankful that you're requesting me, but... you really are one strange kid."

Was his display at the studio not obvious? He should try harder.

"I'm a mediocre teacher and a mediocre maid, and yet, you listen to everything I have to say. You're the complete opposite of me. I don't even properly attend to my students' needs." She stood there in silence, eyes downcast.

Ren swallowed as he waited. He figured she might let loose everything if he called her over one more time. Looks like it was happening. Especially with what looked like the weight of it all continuing to grow the longer she stood there.

It wasn't long till her knees practically buckled and brought herself to sit next to him on the couch, all life fleeting from her. She leaned onto her palm as her gaze set on the floor. "The money is actually... an 'apology.'"

A what? Ren's ears perked, his body turning toward her.

"There was a student named Takase at the school I taught at before Shujin. Takase-kun was considered a problem child, since he had the lowest grades and skipped school a lot. So, I was put in charge of guiding him... or rather, pushing him to transfer to another school. But when I got to know him, I realized that he wasn't a problem child after all... In fact, he was working several part-time jobs just so he could cover his living expenses. His relatives took him in when his parents died, so he had to make money to support himself. He couldn't attend school every day, but he was motivated to study. That's why I decided to tutor him."

Ren's nose wrinkled. The story was so cliched it was practically told before she even got to starting it.

"After I started working with him, his grades started to improve, slowly but surely. But I was told that it was wrong to only help certain students and not others. Then a strange rumor about him being a juvenile delinquent began to circulate. And on top of that, I got called into the principal's office. He threatened me... saying that I'd be dismissed if I continued to tutor Takase-kun."

Ren's hands rubbed against each other as he nodded. "Can't say I'm surprised." It's oddly like his conundrum. Albeit, not the same, but just enough he could practically feel the shoes of Takase on his own feet. "Sounds horrible."

Kawakami nodded. "Yeah... but you could say the same about me. I got scared... of losing my job, and of having rumors spread about me. So... I canceled our upcoming tutoring sessions."

Ren chanced a glance.

"Takase-kun was on his way to one of his part-time jobs when I told him. Out of all days, it was New Year's Eve, and it had been pouring rain all day. And... he died in a car crash."

The boy swallowed the ball in his throat and turned away, nodding.

"He sounded so depressed when I told him that I couldn't tutor him anymore. But then he said that it was no big deal because he had to work anyway, so I wouldn't feel bad. If only I had kept my promise to him."

Ren planted his hands together, turning to point these prayer-hands at her. "It's not your fault."

He may as well have said nothing. "Takase-kun was exhausted from the tutoring sessions and working at all his part-time jobs. His guardians blamed me for the accident, saying it was all my fault that he was so tired. They said that they were going to sue me and take the issue to the media and Board of Education. I wouldn't have been accused of a crime, but if word had gotten out, the school would've been done for... I wanted to continue teaching, no matter what. So I ended up paying them the 'apology' money so they wouldn't sue me or say anything."

There it was, the greedy 'guardians' he was expecting to come forth. "Are you okay with this?"

"It was my indecisiveness that backed him into a corner, and I blame myself every day. I know paying them isn't going to bring him back, but it's the only way I can atone for my sins. It seems like his guardians are satisfied with our arrangement, so..." Her eyes sharpened. Then she jumped to her feet in an instant smile. "See? Nothing good ever comes from getting involved with me. I have to keep my distance to avoid hurting others, so I don't meddle in my students' lives. I've been coming here because of a random twist of fate, but we should say goodbye as well."

Looks like she needs a break from him. "Alright. Same time next week?"

Her smile dropped like a bomb. He could just see her shoulders falling in exasperation. "Ren-kun."

Wow, she actually called him that.

"You're really not the type to back down, are you?"

"My room just gets so messy."

She laughed, the dark aura around her vanishing in a radiant light. "I guess we're in this together, now that I told you the whole story, right? I'll see what I can do about the other teachers, so you get free periods with them, too."

"Huh?" Ren jumped.

Ignoring his surprise, she nodded with a smile. "I look forward to continuing our relationship." She clapped her hands together and stood up straighter, her Becky voice reverberating with newfound energy. "All righty, time to clean. I'm going to put more energy into it than usual today!" Suddenly, she spun. A hand braced over her mouth as coughs bellowed out of her.

Ren sat back, watching in shock at the sudden change.

She cleared her throat and looked around the room. "Oh my, this room is sooo dusty!" Her voice was higher than normal, making sure to wave at the air around her. "Even though I wipe the place squeaky clean every visit. Well, I guess it's all for you, Master. I'll work hard to earn my keep!" She immediately got to work cleaning.

Ren rubbed his chin, watching her closely as she went. Another obvious lie, but he didn't feel it was appropriate to try and pry it out of her. She's already told him a lot, and that abrupt change in topic in the end told him she was finished for tonight.

With a sigh he stood up and walked over to his desk. He sat down and snatched up his tools to begin working on more 'tools.' He's already made many gadgets and gizmos for the Phantom Thieves, he was practically a pro now. What usually took ten minutes to make one, now he can make five. Maybe Yu's practice was paying off somehow. He really needed to figure out where these memories came from in the first place, though. It has to be involved with the Metaverse somehow, just how?

A furry blur landed on the desk next to him. Morgana looked over at Kawakami before saying, "So. What do you think?"

Ren shook his head, making sure to speak quietly. "A bunch of avaricious penny-pinchers taking advantage of a guilty conscious. Honestly, there's no way they're upset about the kid's death. He was paying for his own living expenses when that was clearly their responsibility in the first place. They're just upset they lost some form of income and are clamoring for a new one."

"So she's just blaming herself because she turned her back on what she once believed in."

"Sounds about right."

"What're we going to do now?"

"The only thing we can do is try and help her understand the truth. There is value beyond money and past regrets."

"Stay on topic. We're not talking about your old friends."

Damn! He's good! The boy scratched his head. "Sorry."

"Just make sure you're not slacking in our thieves' business. We need a new target soon."

"Don't worry. We'll discuss it tomorrow... but..." Ren stood up and turned to the maid. "Miss Kawakami."

She jumped at his words and looked over at him. "It's Becky while I'm-."

"I know, but I have a favor regarding school."

The teacher hesitated, appraising her student carefully. "What is it?"

"Well... let's just say I have a stalker."

/|\

Ryuji's foot bobbed up and down on his toes, face twitching, and brow clenched over his eyes. Ren kept an eye on his friend, unsure as to why the blond was seemingly so on edge. They were both in their old meet up, near the vending machines tucked in a corner. Despite how it may seem, no one decided to call a meeting. It happened all three of them so happened to wonder here mindlessly. More than likely, preoccupied with the same thought.

All Ren could think of was Akechi, and the Kantian Ryuji was no doubt obsessed over the slander they received from the so-called detective yesterday. The blond is very dedicated and loyal, so any form of negative comment would burrow under his skin. It's something their gun-ho friend admits to being a problem. They've been working on it, but Ren had to admit, it was rather charming to see someone so passionate. The one thing he really missed about Chie if he were honest. Unfortunately, this thought also brought him heartache, hence his silence.

Ryuji slammed a fist against the vending machine. "Man, that detective from yesterday really pissed me off! We're some kinda threat? Let's see him do it, then!"

And there it goes. Ren corrected his glasses, watching the boy closer.

Ryuji snorted looking up with a smug look. "It musta been satisfying puttin' him in his place. Man, you're one brave dude. 'What kinda detective goes around makin' random accusations?' That was just so badass. The kinda thing I'd expect from our leader."

Ren raised a finger and placed it on his lips. Ryuji blinked, then took a sharp breath as he shut his eyes and scratched his head. Ann strolled up with a package of snacks. She whacked the boy on the head, and without breaking pace, walked over to the round table and sat down on it. "You're being way too loud." Her voice was half masked by the snacks saturating in her mouth.

"C'mon. Everyone's talkin' about it. The whole school knows about his love of this Naoto."

A crimson tint rocketed into Ren's face, instinctively causing him to turn away to hide it. He did NOT say that. Only someone out of their mind would randomly proclaim their love on live TV... Did he?... He might have said something about her meaning everything to him, but that's blowing things out of proportion.

Ryuji shook his head. "Sides, it's got nothin' to do with our Arsenes business. If anything, I say he's got people to think twice about agreeing with that asshole."

Ann just kept putting chip after chip into her mouth. Munching a few seconds before swallowing and shoving in the next. Ryuji's brow nestled at the sight. He stomped forward, thrusting a hand out. "Hey, you really just gonna keep eatin' and eatin' and eatin' those things all by yourself!? Gimme some!"

Ann tilted the little bag, displaying the air inside. "Sorry," She sung, "just ate the last one." She set it aside on the table behind her.

Morgana popped out of the bag to lean against Ren's shoulder. "You guys are too laid back. I know we prepared for this, but the police are still involved."

Ann looked over at Ren, a sorrowful gaze in her eyes as she appraised something. When Ren looked down, he realized she was looking at his pocket. He pulled out his hand to show the bandaged finger. "It's better now."

"That wasn't what I was thinking. It's just... the way you spoke about her... Shirogane, right? She obviously meant a lot to you, but you're with... the Arsenes now. Does that bother you? Like, are we're doing the right thing?"

Ryuji shook his head. "We can't let anyone scare us outta this."

"But... what if he's right? About the mental breakdowns being murders, or about that weird guy from Madarame's Palace? Isn't there a lot we don't know?"

A flash of light and the mechanical sound of a camera interrupted them. All three looked up and toward the corner while Morgana quickly dove into the bag. A girl, shorter than them and in the school uniform, with additional black pants under the skirt, was holding up a phone. The device posed as if propped for a picture in her hands. Ryuji squared off with the newcomer. "The hell?"

Ren pushed up his glasses as he stood up straighter. It was Makoto Niijima, a third year and the student council president of Shujin. A while ago she locked the doors to the roof after catching them up there. She explained her reasons were for the protection of all the students, referencing Shiho's attempted suicide as the root cause. In reality, it was quite apparent, through her implications, she was hunting them into a corner. A hypothesis he's verified after noticing her shadowing him in the school halls. She wasn't any good at it, but since he wasn't particularly doing anything for the Phantom Thieves it was of no concern. If he wanted to lose her it would be easy, her lack of tact made her all too predictable, not to mention noticeable. Honestly, walking around while peering over a magazine was just downright shady. Considering the rapport she garnered, there was no doubt something was afoot.

Pocketing her phone with a coy smile, Makoto tilted her head to the side, "You three seem to be having so much fun. I'm a little jealous."

Is that right? Ren strolled forward and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She froze at the sudden contact, but he ignored that to drag her over to the table and plant her next to it. The other two looked at him as if he was sprouting horns, but he continued on, undeterred. He leaned against the table and stared dead eyed at the other two, "Look, these breakdowns are getting serious. Just look at the train wreck that happened- what- two months ago? The police are just dismissing these cases as isolated events, but no one's bothered looking at who's benefiting from it. Isn't that a little suspicious? I would have thought the government would be going all out on figuring out the cause of such random chaos, but instead we get the likes of Akechi focusing only on these 'Phantom Thieves.' If we can't trust the people in charge of keeping the peace with keeping the peace, then who? Am I right Makoto?"

"Wh-what?" The fidgeting girl mumbled.

"I mean- come on. We're talking about events where dozens of people died, but the only thing the authorities are focusing on is this random group of so-called thieves. What's worse, there isn't any evidence to suggest the Phantom Thieves are acting immoral enough to justify this skewed interest."

"I-I uh... I don't..."

A gleam flickered in Ann's eye, "Yeah, it's almost as if everyone is only after them for their own personal gain. No justice about it at all."

A blush flared over Makoto. Her tongue rendered useless. Ryuji however was staring at all three of them with flickering confusion. "What're you two doin'?"

"Th-that's what I'd like to know." Makoto shoved away from the table. "I didn't come here to listen to your ramblings about-."

Ann snarled. "You were the one talking about how wanted to join us."

"No, I was just… commenting on how well you all seem to get along."

Ren pushed in his glasses. "You can join us, you know."

"What? Join you?! Why would I join a bunch of thieves!?"

Ryuji gagged. "Wh-whada ya mean thieves! We ain't thieves!"

Ann shook her head. "We were talking about looking into the crimes no one else is bothering with."

"Then how come you haven't done anything for the students!"

Ren's eyes narrowed. "The students? You're saying something else is happening?"

"I-I…" Makoto stepped back, holding a hand up to her mouth. "I-it's…"

Ryuji stormed up to her. "Don't go tellin' me there's more shit the school's hiding from us!"

"It's not like that! We're-." She stopped midsentence, almost biting her tongue. "Just… make sure you're getting to classes on time." The Class President spun on her heels and quickly left before the three could respond.

Ryuji scowled at the corner she vanished from. "You shittin' me?! She just drops that on us and runs away?! What the hell's goin' on?!"

Ann bit her lower lip and turned to Ren. "What're we going to do?"

Something warm began growing inside of Ren. A sensation, a distant memory soothing his very soul. A smile pulled on his lips and an old presence came out of the shadows. Yu pushed in his glasses and nodded toward the group. "Sounds like… we're playing detectives this time. Let's get the whole team together and talk this out."