#I’d say Sumire to but like you know.. rip

[elizabethzoopzoop986]

I miss Mei so much you don’t understand :( bring her back AidaIro. Also Yako and Hakubo

I hate how the school mysteries (other than Hanako, Mitsuba and Akane) get there one arc where you really get to know them and care about them and then they just go away forever. GIVE THEM BACK PLS AIDAIRO LET THEM OUT OF THE CLOSET THEYVE DONE NOTHING WRONG

[vgckwb]

P5R: Rebel Girl (A FeMC Story/P5R Rework) Chapter 133: 7 Targets (And Some Surprises)

The next day, Makoto messaged the group before school started.

Makoto: I got the data.

Ren: Perfect!

Sumire: Way to go!

Makoto: I’ll come over to hand it off this afternoon.

Futaba: Heh heh, can’t wait.

Ren: Remember, we’re all meeting up to get some Mementos missions done as well.

Ren: Make sure to keep your schedules cleared.

Ann: I should be fine. My agency knows I have a field trip coming up, so they’re giving me some breathing room.

Sumire: Likewise, I leave for my trip tomorrow, so Coach isn’t hosting any classes today.

Ryuji: I think the rest of us are good to go as well.

Yusuke: Agreed.

Jose: Can’t wait!

Lena: See you then!

They put their phones away and got ready for class.

During the day, Kobayakawa was on the phone. “Please sir…when will this investigation let up?”

“You know when,” the voice on the other end spoke. “Just tell me who the Phantom Thieves are, and this will all go away.”

“But sir!” Kobayakawa protested. “I will! I just need more time!”

“I’ve given you more than enough time,” the voice responded. “Give me names! Or else! You have until the end of the week.” They hung up.

Kobayakawa tembled for a minute before hanging up himself and flopping back into his chair. “What am I going to do?” he wondered. He opened one of his drawers. “Perhaps this is the only way.”

After school, the Phantom Thieves met up in Futaba’s room. “So, do ya have the goods?” Futaba asked.

Makoto took out the drive. “Here,” she said, giving it to Futaba.

“Thanks,” Futaba replied. “I should have all of this processed by the time you get back.”

“Man, it sucks we can’t do anything about this right away,” Ryuji bemoaned.

“I feel your pain,” Yusuke said. “But we shouldn’t be so hasty. I, for one, am looking forward to my trip.”

“Where are you going anyway, Yusuke?” Lena asked.

“Los Angeles,” Yusuke answered.

“Heh,” Ann laughed. “I bet if it were up to you, you’d got to like Nikko or Nara.”

“Well, I would wish to visit those places as well,” Yusuke explained. “However, a good artist goes to many places to broaden their horizons.”

“I guess that’s true,” Lena said.

“I kind of wish we were going to Los Angeles,” Ryuji said. “I mean, I’d fit right in, don’t ya think? Strollin’ around, actin’ like a real LA gangsta. It’s perfect!”

“I’m not too sure about that…” Morgana retorted.

“You’d probably run at the first sign of real LA ‘gangstas’,” Makoto added.

“RIP Ryuji,” Futaba said.

“H-Hey…” Ryuji said. “C’mon. You have more faith in me than that, right?”

Ann giggled. “Well, I’m sure we’ll go at some point.” She grabbed onto Ryuji's arm. “And I bet if we do run into any gangsters, you’ll protect me, won’t you?” She gave him some doe eyes.

Ryuji blushed. “Ah hah, of course!”

Ann giggled again. “Yay.”

Jose observed this and remarked. “That’s impressive.”

“Indeed,” Yusuke said. “The way Ann has Ryuji wrapped around her finger is almost an art form in it of itself.” Both Ryuji and Ann were slightly embarrassed.

“You two need some tact,” Futaba said.

“Hm hm.I think it’s cute,” Sumire said.

“I agree,” Ren responded.

“Same,” Lena added. Ann let go of Ryuji and the two laughed nervously.

Makoto sighed. “Well, as cute as it is, I think that might be more suited to a private affair.”

“Somebody’s jealous,” Futaba remarked.

“And you say I need tact,” Yusuke retorted.

Makoto got embarrassed. “I’m… I’m not jealous…”

“Oh ho, what’s this?” Ryuji said, jumping on to shift the embarrassment off of him. “It sounds like you are.”

“I’m really not,” Makoto protested.

“Oh?” Morgana said. “Is our Queen eyeing up a potential King?”

“No! Of course not!” Makoto answered. Ren chuckled. “What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing,” Ren said.

Makoto got a little frustrated. “I’m fine.”

“You know, we can talk about this later, if you want,” Ann suggested.

“Yeah!” said Lena. “I bet Akechi might know someone you may be interested in.”

“I said I’m fine!” Makoto shouted.

“O…K then…” Ann said.

Makoto sighed. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Ren said. “We’re just teasing ya. But getting back on track, we’re also here to do some Mementos missions. I have some of my own, and Mishima found some as well.”

“Oh right, you were going to talk to him,” Ann said.

“How did it go?” Makoto asked.

“It went really well,” Ren said. “Mishima should be less prone to getting ahead of himself. Although it is a learning experience.”

“Well, it’s good that he’s starting to learn,” Sumire said.

“Right,” Ren agreed. “Anyway, there’s a good amount of requests, so let’s go over them as fast as possible and then head into Mementos.” The team nodded. “First up, we have a man named Yasuo Jochi. He’s a sleazy businessman who’s pressuring the old couple who own the theater here in Yongen to sell it so he can tear it down.”

“Wait, the theater we went to when your family came?” Sumire asked.

“The very same,” Ren said. “I thought I noticed something was going on, but I didn’t know what.”

“Good thing Mishima has his ears toward the pavement,” Morgana said.

“True,” Ren replied. “Next up, we have a man who’s been going around, racking up debts, and then before he can pay them he gets plastic surgery and changes his name.”

“How awful,” Yusuke remarked.

“I agree,” Makoto said. “Truly disgusting.”

“According to Mishima, he’s going by the name Fumio Akitsu.”

“We should catch this guy ASAP,’ Futaba said. “He might change his name again if he knows the Phantom Thieves are on his tail.”

“Quite right,” Morgana agreed.

Ren nodded. “Next up, we have Yoshikuni Nejima. He’s another businessman, but his crimes aren’t business-related. He’s cheating at an arcade game and acting like he owns the place.”

“Man what kind of jerk do ya have to be to cheat at an arcade game?” Ryuji said. “Especially if you’re a businessman. I imagine you’d have bigger things to worry about.”

Futaba nodded. “I won’t say I haven’t cheated, but he’s acting like he won it fair and square.”

“Very well,” Ren said. “Next up, we have Shoichi Oyamada. He’s a corrupt medical professional who’s the head of his own facility. He’s been shifting all of his mistakes onto Dr. Takemi, including the possible death of a patient, and now is threatening to shut her facility down.”

“Another person abusing their position,” Yusuke said. “Count me in.”

“Yeah! We gotta save Dr. Takemi! And fast!” Morgana said.

“That we must,” Ren said. “Moving on, we have Akimitsu Tsuda. Iwai’s former mafia buddy who’s recently gone off the deep end. He’s threatened Iwai to help him with a scheme of his, and it probably won’t stop there either.”

“Man, this sucks,” Ryuji remarked. “That place is cool. I’m not gonna let some madman destroy its heart and soul.”

“Are you going to be OK?” Sumire asked.

Ren nodded. “It’ll be all of us, and we’ll be going through Mementos. But thanks for asking.”

“Right,” Sumire said.

“Let’s move on,” Ren said. “We have Toshio and Hiromi Takase. They’re extorting money out of Miss Kawakami because their son was killed in an accident, and they’re pushing the blame onto her.”

“WHAT?!” Makoto said. “That’s outrageous!”

“Yeah!” Ann said. “Why is she getting blamed for something that wasn’t her fault!”

“I could agree more,” Ren said. “And lastly, there’s Katashi Hirai. He’s the father of a student who goes to Kosei who is upset that his daughter is dating a member of a rival family. He’s even gone so far as to keep her locked in her room.”

“How awful!” Lena said. “We HAVE to change his heart! Nothing should come in between someone and the person they love!”

“I agree,” Jose said. “We HAVE to do this!”

“Well, it seems like we’re all in agreement here,” Ren said. “Let’s roll.”

Once they got to Mementos, Futaba was stunned. “Woah! This place is HUGE!”

“And a little eerie,” Lena added.

“Right. Neither of you have been down here before,” Makoto said.

“This is essentially the heart of everyone,” Morgana said. “It’s only natural for it to be big. And a little imposing.”

“Hey Oracle,” Ren asked, “can you tell how many floors there are?”

“Hmmmm,” Futaba responded. She did a quick scan. “82.”

“That’s a lot!” Ann exclaimed.

“Maybe,” Yusuke replied. “But it’s not like we’re doing them all at once.”

“We couldn’t, even if we wanted to,” Jose pointed out.

“Still, it’s nice to have an actual number,” Ryuji said. “That way, we know what we’re aiming for.”

“Like you could keep track anyway,” Morgana remarked.

“Hey! I can!” Ryuji protested. “Besides, I don’t need to, now that we have someone reliable guiding us.”

“What did you say?!” Morgana said, ticked off.

“OK, let’s calm down,” Ann said.

“Panther’s right,” Makoto said. “We’re not going to get anywhere with you two fighting like that.”

“Queen’s right,” Ren said. “We have a lot of ground to cover today. The sooner we get to it, the better.”

“Ugh,” Ryuji sighed. “When you’re right, you’re right. Now let’s kick some ass and steal some hearts!”

“Now THAT’S something we can agree upon,” Morgana cheered.

“How long will it take though?” Lena asked. “I mean, this place is big. Going by foot will take forever.”

“Well, we have a little surprise,” Sumire said.

“You do?” Lena wondered.

“Nya ha,” Morgana chuckled. “Transform!” He transformed into his car form. “This way we can travel around in speed and style!”

“Oh my!” Lena reacted, surprised. “How wonderful!”

“Well, “I’m not 100% sure about the style…” Futaba said.

“WHAT?!” Morgana yelped.

“Ooo! Maybe if we decorate you!” Futaba said, excitedly.

“Pass!” Morgana said. “My style is minimalist. Adding stuff will just distract from my sleekness.”

“This again?” Ryuji said.

“I mean, he has a point,” Yusuke said. “His own personal style, be it cat, car, or Phantom Thief, does not have a lot of detail. And yet, it works for him. The simplicity of it brings a certain elegance, and it allows him to roam around without getting noticed. He’s stylish and functional.”

“I totally agree!” Ann exclaimed. “His simplicity makes him alluring, but also mysterious.”

“Thank you Fox. Panther,” Morgana replied. “See Skull? They get it.”

“Um, I guess?” Ryuji responded. “I mean, fashion has never been my thing. I just kind of wear what I like.”

“But it works for you, sweetie,” Ann said. “It reflects your honest personality.”

Ryuji was a little embarrassed. “Th…Thanks…”

Ann giggled. “Anytime.”

Ren nodded. “Well, with all of that said, let’s get this show on the road!” The Phantom Thieves cheered. They got into Morgana, and started their venture downward.

Meanwhile, Principal Kobayakawa was standing in what looked to be a high class party. He was holding an Old-Fashioned glass, and was wearing a bejeweled purple domino mask with purple and green feathers coming out of it. Despite the festivity, he appeared to be miserable. He sighed deeply.

Suddenly, his eyes widened and he shook briefly. He looked at his reflection in the drink. He quickly downed it, and placed the now empty glass on the tray of a waiter passing by. With the liquid courage and a new found sense of determination in him, he rushed through the party to one of the back rooms.

Once inside, he looked around and found what he was looking for. “Excuse me?” one of the workers asked. “Can I help you?”

Kobayakawa pointed to what he had found. “I’d like to borrow one of these.”

“And why would you be doing that?” the worker asked.

“I’m going to take out the Phantom Thieves!” Kobayakawa answered.

Back down in Mementos, the Phantom Thieves were delving down into the depths on the hunt for their targets. Soon enough, they found a portal and headed in. “That guy’s Oyamada!” Morgana called out. “He’s the bastard threatening Dr. Takemi.”

“Heh, well let’s give him a taste of his own medicine!” Ryuji shouted.

“Really?” Makoto said.

“I kind of liked it,” Futaba said.

“Either way, let’s teach this guy a lesson,” Ren said. They walked up to his shadow. Ren called out “Eh. What’s up, doc?” Some of the other thieves snickered, while others were a little tired.

“Hmph. Very funny,” Oyamada said. “But I will tell you, the only thing that’ll be going up is my fame.”

“Not if we can help it!” Sumire said.

“Yeah! What kind of doctor thinks about fame before their patients?” Ann asked.

“Are you not chasing fame yourselves, you little cretins?” Oyamada replied. “It’s why anyone does anything.”

“How cruel can you be?” Yusuke asked.

Ren got serious. “Dr. Takemi isn’t in it for the fame!”

“BAH!” Oyamada yelled. “That BITCH doesn’t know the first thing about how to be successful!”

“Well she knows the first thing about being a doctor!” Ren countered. “And it seems like she knows more than you!”

“GAAAAAH!” Oyamada screeched. He morphed into Thoth. “It appears that you’re infecting my presence. I need to remove you from my system at ONCE!”

“We’ll see who the real white blood cells are,” Ren challenged. The thieves battled Oyamada. Oyamada fought hard, but the Phantom Thieves won.

Oyamada was breathing heavily. “I…I’m a complete failure as a doctor. I originally became a doctor to help people. But sooner or later, I ended up getting lost in the fame and adoration. I thought I could cement my legacy by doing something big.

Then Takemi came along. She was much smarter than I could hope to be. She was working on a cure. I got jealous of her raw talent, not to mention her rapport with the patients. So…I stole her research, tried to use a half-assed version of her medicine, and then forced her out.

…Miwa is still alive. And I pushed away the person trying to help her the most. The only person who can save her is Takemi. If you see her, tell her there’s still a chance.” Oyamada faded away, and Ren took the treasure.

“Don’t worry,” Ren said. “I will.” They turned around and headed further into Mementos.

They found another portal and hopped in immediately. They saw the shadows of a man and a woman. “I take it those are the Takases,” Makoto surmised.

Ren nodded. “They’re the ones exploiting Miss Kawakami.”

“What horrible people!” Ann yelled. “Using the death of a child for their own selfish gains. Punishing someone who’s not even responsible.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Morgana chimed in. “And that’s why it comes to an end today.”

The thieves approached the couple. “He he he he he,” Hiromi giggled creepily. “Money. Money money money. You can never have too much money.”

“Hmph. If that teacher really cared about our son, she’d have died with him,” Toshio said. “And given everything she had to us.”

“How awful can you be?!” Lena yelled out.

“How rude!” Hiromi yelled back. “Don’t act like you could know what we’re going through. We lost our child to that…HARLOT!”

“Yeah, you’re just a bunch of teens,” Toshio continued. “You could never understand our pain.”

“We know grief!” Futaba shouted.

“And it sounds like you aren’t grieving him!” Sumire added.

“She’s right!” Makoto added. “It sounds like you’re using your son's memory to get what you want.”

“Meanwhile, Kawakami is trying to honor his memory,” Ren snarked. “I suggest you start following her lead.”

“HER lead?” Hiromi replied. “HA! Don’t make me laugh!”

“Maybe YOU need to follow her lead,” Toshio said. “She has the decency to bow to us so we don’t tear her limb from limb!” They turned into Oberon and Titania.

“Let’s get ‘em!” Ren called out. They proceeded to fight the Takases in a hard-fought battle. Despite the furiosity, the Phantom Thieves won.

“We…we had nothing,” Hiromi explained.

“We were friends with Taiki’s birth parents,” Toshio continued. “They had everything. When they died and gave Taiki, we thought we’d teach him what it meant to live in the real world.”

“We were pushing our own jealousy on him,” Hiromi said. “We delighted to see him suffer.”

“And when that teacher was helping him, we got angry,” Toshio said. “No one ever helped us.”

Hiromi had a tear in her eye. “But we didn’t want him to…”

“You guys are horrible,” Ryuji told them. “Treating a child like that! Even if you had your own issues, you shouldn’t have to take them out on a child!”

“We know…” Toshio said. “I doubt we will ever truly fix things. But we will make an effort to start.”

“Just be glad we’re giving you the opportunity to do so,” Ren said. “If you recall, you didn’t afford us the same option.”

“Heh,” Toshio laughed. “Too true. Don’t worry. We’ll set things straight with that teacher.”

“We promise,” Hiromi said. The couple faded away, and Ren stole the treasure.

She sighed. “Two down. Five to go.”

“If they’re anything like the last two, I’m more ready than ever to change their hearts,” Ryuji said.

“Yeah, I feel you,” Ann said. The group continued on through Mementos, going deeper and deeper to find their next target.

Once they found them, they jumped through the portal to confront them. “Watch out!” Ren instructed. “That’s Tsuda’s shadow. He’s very dangerous.”

“Is he…?” Sumire wondered. She grew angry and stomped over. The others followed. “HEY!” Sumire yelled. “Apologize!”

Tsuda was confused. “For what?”

Before Sumire could answer, Ren signaled her to hold up. “For trying to drag Iwai into your mess,” she answered.

“Hm. Lookie here,” Tsuda said. “More kids trying to boss me around.. I have the experience! I have the rank! And yet THEY are the one calling the shots! Treating me like I don’t belong. Well, I’ll show them! I’LL SHOW EVERYONE I BELONG!” He transformed into Belphegor.

“Let’s go!” Ren called out. They engaged with Tsuda. Despite Tsuda being a tough fighter, the Phantom Thieves won out in the end.

“It’s not fair…” Tsuda said. “Ever since Iwai left, I’ve felt so lost. If he was still in, those Hong Kong bastards wouldn’t have taken us for a ride.” He sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”

Ren approached him. “Iwai still cares about you. I’m sure if you were to talk to him, he’ll have an idea.”

“Heh,” Tsuda laughed. “Looks like the kids are right again. I guess I will. Thanks.” He faded away and Ren snagged the treasure.

“Alright, now let’s head out,” Ren instructed. They went back into Mementos proper.

“By the way,” Jose said, once they got back into Morgana, “what got into you earlier, Violet?”

Sumire was a little shocked. “Oh, um, well…”

“It’s OK,” Ren said. “Tsuda pointed a gun at me once.”

“WHAT?!” everyone said collectively.

“Are you alright?” Lena asked. “I mean, you have to be alright, otherwise you wouldn’t be here, but…”

Ren sighed. “It’s fine. Iwai was there to make sure nothing bad happened. But it was still harrowing.”

“She called me after it happened,” Sumire said. “I just got so mad when I saw him. If he had done anything to you…”

“I know,” Ren said. “I was worried too. But thanks for being there for me.”

Sumire smiled. “Always.” They continued to venture down.

At the next doorway, they spotted their next target. “This has to be Jochi!” Morgana exclaimed. “They guy that wants to tear down the theater!”

“Well we can’t let that happen!” Sumire called out.

“I couldn’t agree more!” Ren said. “Let’s roll!” They rushed up to him.

“Ba ha ha!” Jochi laughed. “The Phantom Thieves? What are you doing here?”

“We’re here to stop you from tearing down the theater!” Sumire protested.

“Heh. I didn’t know anyone still cared about that stupid old thing,” Jochi said.

“The owners do!” Morgana countered.

“And I didn’t know anyone cared about them,” Jochi said. “Out with the old, in with the new. It’s just the cost of doing business.”

“Well, it’s our business to stop you,” Ren challenged.

“Psh,” Jochi brushed off. “You think you scare me? I’ll crush any and all competition!” He transformed into Ippon-Datara.

“Not if we crush you first!” Ren called out! They sprung into action, fighting Jochi. Jochi was very devious, but in the end he was no match for the Phantom Thieves.

“How? How did I lose?” Jochi wondered. “I did everything by the book.”

“Maybe your book is wrong,” Jose offered.

“You may have a point,” Jochi said.

“I’m aware business needs to get done,” Yusuke offered. “But you can’t bully others into doing what you want!”

“Hm. True,” Jochi said. “But even if I don’t do it now, something will happen in the future!”

“Well then, let the owners handle on their terms,” Sumire said. “There’s nothing more cruel than letting someone else dictate what happens to something you care about!”

Jochi sighed “Alright. You win. I’ll call the whole thing off. They can keep the theater.”

Ren nodded. “Thank you.” Jochi faded away, and Ren grabbed the treasure. “Let’s keep it rolling.” She opened the door, and the thieves proceeded downward.

They found another portal and entered it. They saw their next target standing there. “If I had to guess, that’s Akitsu’s shadow,” Makoto surmised.

“The guy that’s racking up debts and then changing his identity?” Ryuji asked.

“Yeah,” Makoto said.

“Hm,” Lena scoffed. “Well, he’s escaped for the last time! Let’s get him!” They approached him. “Your tyranny ends here!” Lena shouted.

“Heh. That’s rich, coming from the Phantom Thieves,” Akitsu said.

“I beg your pardon,” Makoto said.

“We’re one in the same,” Akitsu said. “We both hide behind masks to stick it to those in power. And yet, you’re treating me like the bad guy?”

“Well duh!” Futaba said. “You’re just being an asshole and causing others harm for no reason!”

“I told you,” Akitsu said. “I’m sticking it to those in power!”

“Even if that was your intent, you’re doing it in the wrong way!” Makoto said.

“Bah! I guess you just don’t understand,” Akitsu said. “Heh. I might need to change faces sooner than I thought. After all, Fumio Akitsu can’t be arrested for murder if he doesn’t exist!” He transformed into Legion.

“Be careful everyone!” Ren instructed. “Let’s go!” They proceeded to fight Akitsu. Despite his underhandedness, the Phantom Thieves won once again.

“I thought…” Akitsu began. “I thought I was sticking it to the greedy corporations and money-hungry businessmen. I thought I was like you.”

“While we understand your desire to call out corruption where you see it,” Ren replied, “you can’t let innocent people get caught in the crossfire.”

“Yeah,” Ryuji said. “When you buy stuff and don’t pay for it, the employees are stuck paying for it. And that ain’t me being nice to those greedy bastards. It’s just, those kinds of people are willing to blame anyone but themselves.”

“Much like how you change names and faces so you won’t get blamed,” Jose added.

Futaba. “You need to apologize and make things right!”

“Fine,” Akitsu said. “I will. Sorry.” He faded away, and Ren stole the treasure.

“Alright,” Ren said. “We’re doing pretty well so far. How’s everyone feeling?”

“A little tired but I could go on,” Yusuke said.

“Yeah,” Futaba agreed. “It’s a good thing we keep running into those rest areas.”

“That it is,” Ren said. “We just have a few more things to take care of, and then we’re home free. Now let’s move.” They continued on.

They found the next portal and hopped through. They saw their next target. They were wearing a purple kimono with a white headband, and had short, spiky, black hair. “That’s Mr. Hirai,” Jose said. “He’s keeping his daughter locked up in her room, away from her boyfriend.”

“How terrible,” Lena said. “We need to go and make things right!”

“Yeah!” Jose said. They walked forward.

Katashi looked at them. “What do you want?”

“We want you to free Cho!” Jose demanded.

“I will,” Katashi said. “Once she breaks up with that COCKROACH!”

“You can’t control how other people feel!” Lena screamed.

“Why are you so upset about this anyway?!” Jose asked

“Why should you care?!” Katashi replied. “He’s just another roadblock on her path to greatness! Much like you lot!” He transformed into Vasuki.

“Let’s get ‘em!” Ren commanded. They began their fight. Katashi was powerful, but again, the Phantom Thieves won out.

“The Inoue family… They ruined our chance at greatness…” Katashi explained. “How am I supposed to tolerate my daughter dating one?”

“Forgive me,” Yusuke interjected, “but wasn't that a while ago?”

Jose nodded. “What has Tama Inoue ever done to you? Apart from simply exist?”

Katashi sighed. “Nothing, I guess… Apart from dealing a blow to my pride as a Hirai.”

“Well, time heals all wounds,” Lena said. “But it sounds like you don’t want this wound to heal.”

“Bu Cho does,” Jose reminded him.

“...Fine,” Katashi relented. “I’ll bury the hatchet. Let’s see if the Inoues are ready to do the same.”

“And if they aren't, we'll be there to assist as well,” Jose said.

“Heh,” Katashi said. “I like you, kid.” He faded away, and Ren stole his treasure.

“One more, and then we’re good!” Ryuji cheered.

Ren nodded. “Well then, let’s hit the road.” They continued on through Mementos.

They found their last portal and jumped inside. “So this is Nejima,” Morgana surmised. “The businessman cheating at a video game.”

“Well, I guess it’s time we put a stop to it!” Ryuji said. They approached him. “Hey!” Nejima looked at them. “Quit cheating, ya asshole!”

“Hmph,” Nejima smirked. “I ain’t cheating! I just can’t be touched!” He transformed into Ose. “Come on! Try and stop me!”

“You heard the man!” Ren called out. They began their assault. However, something was different. Whenever they tried to attack, Nejima would avoid it.

“What’s going on?!” Ann panicked.

“I TOLD ya!” Nejima said. “I can’t be touched! No matter how hard you try, I’ll always win!”

“Let’s back off for now,” Ren said. The others nodded, and they retreated.

As they were continuing down, Ryuji spouted “MAN this sucks!”

“I know,” Ann said. “But what could we do?”

“Yeah,” Ryuji relented.

“Why couldn’t we hit him though?” Jose asked.

“He did say he was ‘untouchable’,” Yusuke said.

The Phantom Thieves thought about it. “Maybe,” Ren suggested, “it’s because he cheats. He’s untouchable here because he’s untouchable in the game.”

“That can happen?” Sumire asked.

“It’s the Metaverse,” Morgana said. “I’m not surprised.

“Is there really no way to stop him?” Makoto wondered.

“Well…” Futaba answered. “I’ve seen talk about this guy online. He’s pretty notorious. But I think people have beaten him before.”

“So, we just gotta learn how to beat him, and apply it here?” Lena wondered.

“Sounds like it,” Futaba answered.

“Great, more work,” Ryuji said.

“I’ll take care of finding someone who can beat him,” Futaba said.

“Sweet! Thanks Oracle!” Ryuji said.

“Provided you get me some yakisoba,” Futaba finished.

Ryuji hung his head. “Fine. Can you wait until tomorrow? These sessions wear us down a lot so I think I’m probably going to go home after this and just go to bed.”

“Sure thing,” Futaba said.

“Thanks,” Ryji replied. They continued on.

They soon found another door blocking their path. Ren walked up to it and put her hand on it. “Yup. Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Lena wondered.

“Nothing,” Ren answered.

“But, how were you able to open the other door?” Lena asked.

“These doors only open if we have enough notoriety,” Ren explained.

“I get it,” Futaba said. “So because we took down Medjed, we were able to open the previous door?”

“Basically,” Ren said.

“I see,” Lena said, impressed. “So now what?”

“Now we leave,” Ren said.

“Eh?” Lena wondered.

“Well, we can’t go down any further right now,” Ann said. “So we have to go back and wait until we get more notoriety.”

“I see,” Lena said.

“Well then, let’s head up,” Morgana instructed. They started heading back up Mementos.

“Well, we sure got a lot done today,” Makoto said.

“Yeah,” Lena replied. “It feels good helping people like this.”

“Well said Cupid!” Morgana said.

“Still, I’m a little tired,” Yusuke said.

“Well then, let’s hit it!” Ren said. She put the pedal to the metal, and they started going up faster.

They continued climbing up Mementos. However, on the floor below the exit, their path was blocked. The Phantom Thieves stepped out of Morgana, who then transformed back into his usual self. They looked at the thing blocking their path. It was a gray old-fashioned deep-sea diver’s suit with a big air hose coming out the helmet. “What is this?” Morgana asked.

The diver began to open the front hatch on their helmet, revealing themselves. The thieves were shocked. “P-Principal Kobayakawa?” Makoto shrieked.

“Hm,” Kobayakawa huffed. He was still wearing the domino mask. “So, YOU’RE the Phantom Thieves! You’ve meddled for the last time! Dead or alive, you’re coming with me!”

“Uh, what’s going on?” Ryuji asked.

“How should I know?” Morgana answered.

“You’re from here!” Ryuji snapped.

“So am I,” Jose interjected. “And I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Hang on!” Futaba said. She began analyzing him. “Woah!”

“What is it, Oracle?” Yusuke asked.

“It’s…weird…” Futaba answered. “This is a shadow, but there’s a little more oomph to him!”

“‘More oomph’ how?” Ann asked.

“I…can’t quite say,” Futaba said. “It’s like he's getting powered up from a different source.”

“So, should we fight him?” Lena wondered.

“I don’t think we have much of a choice,” Sumire answered.

“Well then,” Ren stretched, “let’s get to it!”

Kobayakawa was seething. He transformed into Seth, but the air hose remained attached to him. “Bring it on!” They began sparring.

After a few exchanges, Lena remarked “This guy’s tough!”

“Yeah,” Ann said. “But it’ll be worth it! I can’t wait to take him down for letting Kamoshida run rampant for as long as he did!”

“Bah!” Kobayakawa scoffed. “Kamoshida did nothing wrong!”

“ARE YOU SHITTIN’ ME?!” Ryuji shrieked.

“Might makes right!” Kobayakawa countered. “He’s an Olympic Gold Medalist! He should have gotten everything he wanted, no questions asked! Then you scum came along and took away our most valuable teacher!”

“What a disgusting person,” Yusuke remarked.

“So, this is how you really feel,” Makoto said.

They continued their battle. After a few more rounds, Kobayakawa asked “Why are you trying to meddle in things anyway? Why can’t you accept things the way they are?”

“Hm,” Morgana scoffed. “We’re here to change the world!”

“Bah! Rubbish!” Kobayakawa replied. “Only a select few can change the world.”

“Are…you here on their behalf?” Jose wondered.

“Hmph. For a gang as stupid as the Phantom Thieves, you’re kind of smart,” Kobayakawa scoffed. “But yes. We do all sorts of things to change the word.”

“Things like stealing research, and killing innocent people?!” Futaba asked angrily.

“It’s for the greater good!” Kobayakawa answered. “You brats wouldn't understand.”

“You’re right,” Sumire said. “We don’t understand. Your logic is so incomprehensible that anyone with a heart couldn’t understand it.”

“Hm. Maybe if you talked to him, he’d explain it in a way you’d understand,” Kobayakawa retorted. Hell, if you hadn’t been so meddlesome, I’m sure he would have granted you a place among his ranks. But because you've interfered and pissed him off,  I doubt he’d give you a warm welcome.”

“Well,” Ren began, “if his reasoning is anything like yours, we wouldn’t want a place among his ranks; whoever he is.”

“You could have all the power you could ask for,” Kobayakawa said.

“I’d rather die,” Ren snapped back.

“Well then, I shall grant your wish!” Kobayakawa shouted. They continued fighting. It was really tough, but slowly but surely, the Phantom Thieves managed to get the upper hand. They wore him down, and Ren delivered the finishing blow.

Principal Kobayakawa turned back into himself wearing the diver’s suit. He was breathing heavily. “How…? How could I lose to such cretins?” he wondered.

“Hey!” Ryuji shouted. “The guy you were talking about. Who is he?!”

Kobayakawa looked at them. “He is the man that will make Japan the greatest country in the world.”

“WHAT?! FOR REAL?!” Skull yelped.

“Calm down Skull,” Yusuke said. “I know you hate him but we can’t get any information from him if we’re hostile.”

“Yeah, but!...” Ryuji sighed. “Fine.”

“So,” Ren said, “is that why you’re on his side?”

“Of course,” Kobayakawa answered. “He has the ambition of a thousand men, and the power to back it up.” He sighed. “However, after failing to capture you, I’m probably not long for this word once I get back. He’ll have me executed.”

The thieves were stunned. “Executed?!” Lena shrieked.

Kobayakawa nodded. “If you even cross him once, your head will be on a platter. He does not tolerate dissent. But who should?! If you have power, you should get what you want!”

“It doesn’t work like that!” Makoto countered. “You don’t reach the top and get everything you want!”

“Kamoshida had to learn that too!” Ann joined in.

Kobayakawa was faltering. “Hey!” Futaba called out. “We aren’t like them! If you switch sides, we’ll let you live.”

Kobayakawa smiled. “I think I might take you up on that. If I don’t go back, I won’t get killed,.”

“Kinda weak, but I guess that’s something,” Ryuji said.

Kobayakwa continued. “First thing’s first, I must atone for my sins. Let me start with this: He’s aiming to become the most powerful person in Japan. He won’t go down easily. You have to come at him with everything you got.”

Kobayakawa started to fade away. “WAIT!” Ren called out. It was too late. Kobayakawa faded. However, his diving suit did not. It fell over, leaving a golden Shujin seal. Ren grabbed it. After it was gone, the diving suit was pulled away from them.

“Follow that suit!” Futaba shouted. They followed it up to the top of Mementos, but when they got there it had disappeared. Futaba tried searching for it, but had no luck. “No way!”

Ann looked at the seal in Ren’s hands. “Is that…his treasure?”

Ren took some time to look at it. “Seems like it.”

“But why?” Makoto asked. “Why is his treasure like this? We’re in Mementos, not a palace, and certainly not his.”

“Hmm, that is tricky,” Morgana said.

“Maybe it has something to do with the weird reading he had,” Sumire suggested.

“It’s possible,” Futaba said.

“So now what?” Ryuji asked.

“I think we should continue this discussion at Leblanc,” Ren said.

“Good idea,” Makoto said. Ren put the seal away, and they left Mementos.

Once they arrived at Leblanc, Sojiro said “Woah! Are you kids alright?”

“Sort of,” Yusuke said.

“It’s complicated,” Makoto said.

“We need to discuss some things,” Sumire said.

“Say no more,” Sojiro replied. “I’ll fix you up some dinner.”

“Thanks Sojiro!” Futaba exclaimed. The thieves sat down.

“So, what are we doing about Principal Kobayakawa?” Ryuji asked.

“I’m not sure there’s anything we can do,” Makoto said.

“It sounds like he’s going to atone for his sins,” Lena said.

“But what does that mean?” Ryuji asked.

“Well, we have his treasure,” Morgana said. “I imagine it will be something similar to what’s been happening.”

“I guess,” Ryuji said. “I’ve just got this weird feeling, you know?”

“It is an odd bit of circumstance,” Yusuke said. “But one that we can use to our advantage.”

“So, when he said the person he was working for is aiming to be the most powerful person in Japan…?” Ann wondered.

“Do you think it has something to do with the election?” Sumire wondered.

“Maybe,” Makoto said. “But it’s still not enough to go off of.”

“Why not?” Jose asked.

“The ruling coalition is fracturing left and right,” Makoto explained. “Several new parties are forming, so it’ll be hard to determine who among them is the person Kobayakawa was talking about.”

Jose was still confused. “Basically, that doesn’t narrow it down in any meaningful way,” Ren explained.

“Gotcha,” Jose said.

“Besides, who says it has to be whoever becomes Prime Minister?” Yusuke asked. “So long as this person had the Prime Minister’s ear, they could do whatever they wanted through them.”

“That’s true too, huh,” Makoto said.

“There’s still the weird reading I got...” Futaba said.

“And the fact that the diving suit was still there after Kobayakawa’s heart changed,” Morgana added.

“I have no idea what that’s about,” Ren concluded.

“Ugh,” Ryuji sighed. “This is another one of those Hydra-thingies.”

“Well, I’m glad to see you’re paying attention,” Makoto remarked.

Ann looked over at Ren. “Oh hey, you still have Kobayakawa’s treasure, right?” Ren nodded. I want to see what it’s like now that it’s on this side.”

“Oh yeah,” Lena said. “They change forms.”

Ren nodded and took out the treasure. It was not a seal, but a series of photographs. “What the?” Ryuji wondered.

They took a closer look. The photos were of two men, neither of whom were Kobayakawa, in the process of kissing, taking their clothes off, and getting ready to go further. Makoto’s face was red. “Wh-Why does Principal Kobayakwa consider this his treasure?”

“I honestly have no clue,” Futaba said.

“It has to mean something,” Morgana said. “But what?”

“You think you can look into these?” Ren asked Futaba.

“Uh, maybe,” Futaba answered. “But I’m already looking through Makoto’s sis’s computer.”

“Right,” Makoto said. “I think that should take priority.”

“So, what do we do with these?” Ryuji asked.

“I’ll take them,” Makoto said. “I have an idea.”

“Are you sure?” Ren asked. Makoto nodded. “Then by all means.”

Makoto took them. “Bear in mind, we might not get the answer right away.”

“That’s fine,” Yusuke said. “Like you said, your sister’s information takes precedent.”

“Right,” Makoto said.

“Oh!” Lena said. “Do you need help searching for someone who can beat that cheater as well, Futaba?”

“Oh yeah,” Jose said. “I almost forgot about him.

“I don’t blame ya,” Ryuji said.

“Nah, I’m good on that front,” Futaba answered. “I can get that done in less than 30 minutes, or your yakisoba back.”

“Nah, you can keep it anyway,” Ryujji said. “Although again, I’ll haveta get it to ya tomorrow.”

“Yakisoba accepted,” Futaba said.

“Um,” Sumire interjected, “if you get the information tomorrow, you can go down there without me. I’m leaving during the middle of the school day.”

“Right,” Ann said.

“Well, we’re leaving the day after,” Ryuji said. “So it’s either that, or wait.”

“I think we can handle it,” Morgana said.

Ren nodded. “Thank you Sumire,.”

“You’re welcome,” Sumire replied.

‘Here you go,” Sojiro said, giving them their dinner. Everyone thanked him, and they dug in.

After they finished, they headed home for the night, with the last one to leave being Sumire. As she was just about out the door, she turned around and gave Ren a hug. “Just in case I don’t see you tomorrow morning.” Ren hugged her back. They shared a kiss. They let go, and Sumire was ready to go. “Bye!” she waved.

“Bye! Ren waved back. Sumire disappeared into the night. Ren smiled. She then went upstairs to get ready for bed.

[sumire-bride]

Sumire and shuus route (demo) maniac 5

Scene starts in bathroom

Sumire- …

…

I can not believe such a thing…! (..uu.. how could this happen..! Ayato-sama spilled this weird red water on me…! It got all over my dress…)

(…this is my favourite one too… it’s my favourite colour… haah… I do not even know how to clean this stain off… if I did get dirty the maids would have it covered at the old home… mm.. well it can’t be helped… I will retire for the night.. and put on a night gown… after my bath…)

..it got on the edges of my hair to… oh goodness…

*scene changes to sumires room*

Sumire- … (…sometimes I really forget how hard it is to dry long hair… maybe I should cut a trim.. off…)

(..mm… no I can’t do that.. mother wouldn’t like that… ah..! I can trim just a bit on a full moon… only a little bit though….)

…now (…I have to get dressed and go to sleep…)

*bounce bounce*

Sumire- …hm..? (…my bed moved… how strange…) …?.. ah…!

Shuu-sama…!

Shuu- ..oi.. don’t be so loud I’m trying to sleep..

Sumire- ….but… (…I am not changed… I only have a towel on…) …forgive me Shuu-sama but… you need to leave so I can get dressed… you may come back in when I finished….

Shuu- don’t wanna.. to much of a hassle..

Sumire- ..Er… (…goodness… I can get dressed like this…!) ..but…

Shuu- you sure are confident to think I’d look at you changing.. I didn’t really come in here to watch I only came in here to sleep.. also I’m not hat interested in your body..

Sumire- …!!… I am not confident.. I am sumire…. Now may you please leave…

Shuu- nope..

Sumire- mm…. (…I do not know what to do… telling him to leave is not getting me to where I need to be…. Well… I have no chose then…)

…you may stay there then…

Shuu- heeh.. so you want me to look at your body..? I have that chance to look you know..

Sumire- ….I am fully aware of you looking but… I will not allow you to look at me change….!

*rustle rustle*

Shuu- hmm…? Ah…!

*sumire rolled a blanket over Shuu covering his view*

Sumire- ….you can stay there… but you can not look… I have gross scars on my body… so it would not be joyful to look anyway…

Shuu- …oi.. I can’t breath under here..

Sumire- …I am aware… I am almost finished… please hold on for just a second…

..(…I hope that it’s a way so he can not see any…thing…)

*rustle rustle*

Sumire- …there… I am finished Shuu-sama…. You may come out from your cocoon I have… stored you in… (…cocoon… fufu…)

*rustle rustle*

Shuu- tch.. you really are annoying..

Ruining my sleep like that..

Sumire- …forgive me but… you did not leave the room.. so you have no one but your self to blame…

Shuu- ..”I’m to blame” wow.. does this mean everyone’s gonna die? Your actually saying that..? That’s surprising coming from you

Sumire- …!… people are gonna because I said that…..!! Oh no..! We must do something shuu-sama…

Shuu- your a idiot..

Sumire- …Shuu-sama..! Now is not the time for compliments…! People are gonna die..!

Shuu- oi shut up already… your so noisy..

People aren’t going to die you dimwit..

Sumire- ….they… aren’t…? Oh thank goodness… I do not want people to die…. Not one bit… people deserve to live happily….

Shuu- …

Sumire- ..but.. you are taking up the bed Shuu-sama… could you move over…. Just a bit so I can lay down….

Shuu- don’t wanna.. it’s a pain to move

I’m already comfortable anyway.. do you want to make me uncomfortable?

Sumire- …oh… forgive me… then please stay there…. I can have this spot…. I want Shuu-sama to be comfortable… so… I will not upset him…

*rustle rustle*

Sumire- … (..but Shuu-sama has all the blanket… oh well…. As long as he is happy…. I am fine…)

…. Mm…. …..mm…

..Mm…. Mm….

*the room changes to lighter*

Sumire- ….mm..

(…it’s no use.. I can not sleep…. Oh goodness… well.. I haven’t really slept since two days ago so… that could explain it…. Haah…)

*rustle rustle*

Sumire- ..hm..?

Uh….

*shuu puts a arm around sumire, spooning her basically*

(…Shuu-sama.. he is putting a arm around me…. That is…)

Shuu- if doing this is will make you stop moaning and groaning and moving around constantly then.. fine I don’t mind if I can’t get a good sleep.. you really are such a pain in my ass aren’t you..?

Sumire- ….I did not mean to.., (….this is… embarrassing to say the least…. Oh goodness… I do not understand it but… I feel..)

Shuu- your heartbeat is beating so quickly I can hear it as if it were playing in my headphones..

Sumire- ….(…stop that heart you are ruining Shuu-samas sleep…!)

Shuu- for some reason.. your heartbeat has a strange tune.. can’t rap my finger around it.. it’s almost like the heart isn’t yours..

Sumire- ..Er… then who’s heart do I have if it is not mine….? I do not understand…

Shuu- doesn’t matter if you don’t.. Er..

Tch.. why am I saying stupid crap like that.. your starting to rub off your sentimental personality on me.. annoying

Sumire- ..I do not remember rubbing anything on you Shuu-sama…

If I have rubbed something on you… know it was a accident…. Forgive me…

Shuu- your a idiot you know that..? Plain stupid..

Sumire- …I am sorry…. (….my heart is beating… I am confused… I feel really… ahhh…. I do not understand what I am feeling… it’s so confusing….)

Shuu- now will you shut up and go to bed already..?

Sumire- …but I do not remember doing to much talking…-

..ow…!

*shuu bites sumire*

Shuu- there.. now go to bed, your being a pain

Sumire- …understood…. (…that hurt…! But… for some reason…. As of recently Shuu-sama bite marks have not…. Really hurt me to much…. Well… they sting yes but… I feel… somewhat.. strange.. I do not know if this is Shuu-samas doing but…. It is really giving me a headache thinking… about it….)

Pwah… (..goodness…,I feel much. More sleepy… Shuu-sama seems to be very soothing…. Maybe these things called dreams will not happen anymore as long as he is next to me…. I like shuu-sama…)

(….he is always so soothing to me…. It’s so quite…)

Monologue

This heart is not mine.. he said it’s almost like it’s not mine..

Maybe he is right.. this heart is not mine..

From the before I came here.. my own heart was ripped out of me.. I think it was a dream..

“This was your purpose.. you were born for his plan” the man who gave me life told me.. it was loud

They stabbed through my chest and took it from me.. it hurt.. but it was a dream..

It was a dream..

Right…?

—to be continued—

Maniac 4 — maniac 6

[joshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh]

Love Live! Superstar!!

Yeah so episode 1 huh? Watched the Team ONIBE upload - gonna get Funi upload tomorrow to load myself up on screenies since this 720p TV rip was a bit lacking.

Tbh I don’t totally know where to start since this is kind of of a weird entry in the franchise. So I might just rattle off some notes.

Obviously there’s the inherent structural difference of only having 5 girls to deal with, though that’s obviously less pronounced in this very introductory episode.

The return of School Idol Project’s director is very much felt throughout the episode I’d say - there’s equal parts pretty money shots of the characters as it were, alongside big goofy expressions and cutaways and whatnot.

Love Live is of course generally a feelgood easy show though I think it’d be fair to say that from Sunshine onwards and even in the Niji anime we have been getting quite a self-serious feel sometimes? So this slightly more down to earth approach feels almost unusual. I’m into it but hey.

What’s actually feeling like the biggest difference at the moment is with our protagonist. Honoka and Chika are similar archetypes and fit the mould well; within episode 1 of Niji their more surface level personalities and protagonist position almost feel divvied up between Yuu and Ayumu so that works as expected; Kanon is quite a different beast though. She’s the cool girl with the guitar and great singing voice - she’s got a bit of snark to her based on how she talks to her family and she’s pretty vocal about things she has a problem with based on her conversation with Ren. That being said she’s also suffered from stage fright her entire life and backed away from music entirely after she couldn’t get into the music course. She’ll locks herself away in her headphones to escape reality and whatnot. There’s a lot more established internal conflict for her very early on when compared to Honoka or Chika or Yuupomu as a singular entity. She does seem to basically overcome that hangup after our first big song and dance number? We’ll see how that holds over next episode though.

On that note this might be my favourite episode 1 song in Love Live? I really like Susume Tomorrow so you might need to get back to me on this one but still, the song really fucked and yeah Kanon’s voice is really damn impressive really early on, fuckin huge pog moment.

Keke’s kind of the only other relevant girl this episode. She’s very cute, she says lots of entire sentences in Chinese, and she feels closer in role to a Love Live MC than Kanon by virtue of trying to get the school idol group off the ground and stuff - only not being the MC because her hair isn’t orange and she has less screentime than Kanon. The people that already love Keke are gonna be happy with how she is here. Personally I just think she’s fine, not really any more or less endeared than I was before. Prim’s gonna be happy with her though uwu.

Chisato is relegated to basic childhood friend lines with her maybe 2 minutes total screentime. Sumire just seems tsundere atm. Ren finds school idols inappropriate for a reason I imagine we’ll get into. Fair enough with it only being episode 1 though. Excited to see what’s done with them.

I didn’t take loads of screenshots for the aforementioned reasons but this is a really screenshottable show I can already tell, like so many good faces and pretty artworks and great backgrounds and good visual gags and whatnot. Liella as a project has been really easy to follow so far prior to this anime and doing so has been great, seeing magazine scans and early promo art be reflected in the anime is kind of just a cool feeling.

Yeah idk. Getting late now, I’m getting tired, will invariably rewatch soon so might have more thoughts then. 

[kareofbears]

blinding lights, chapter 1/4

Their height gap is a wide one, but in no way is Sumire going to let Akechi keep looking down on her. “It became my business the minute we wanted the same thing: to fix this reality."

---

Akechi and Sumire have to traverse through the events of the third semester without Akira (or rather, against him).

read on ao3 or below! 

There are two things on her mind.

Kasumi fiddles with her phone as she waits for her stop, the train carriage rocking her and the other passengers. With a sly eye, she does her best to observe the people around her without seeming rude or sketchy (though with her height at a proud 5’4, she doubts anyone had ever looked at her with anything resembling fear in their eyes).

One was that everyone around her seemed different. Changed. Not bad, per se, but there’s a shift in the atmosphere that’s so radical that she feels it in her bones, deep in her cells. It’s as if there’s been a secret that everyone was in on except for her.

It wasn’t bad, per se—because everyone was happy.

People around her had a peculiar expression on their faces; varying mixtures of cheer, carefree, content. They were laughing, smiling, and on a normal day, Kasumi would find herself feeling infected by the delightful energy around her. But it had done nothing but run a chill down her back, and she doesn’t know why.

The second thing on her mind (which is arguably the more crucial between the two) was seeing the Palace in Odaiba; a sight that she had hoped to never see again.

So she does the one thing she’s come to rely on, a habit she has yet to break. Kasumi goes to someone who looks like he can have the weight of the world on his shoulders and not even flinch.

“Yongen-Jaya, this is Yongen-Jaya.”

—

She wasn’t ready to see Akechi on the same platform as her.

“Oh!” she exclaims, opening her mouth to properly greet him, but he holds a hand up.

“Hello, Yoshizawa-san,” he says politely, almost uncomfortably so. It’s as if someone had dumped an extra cup of sugar in her tea and made her drink. She feels her stomach drop—had he been affected by the strange atmosphere as well? “I’m surprised to see you as well. Yes, I did have a good New Year’s and I am deeply sorry but I have something I have to do, now if you can excuse me—”

“Um!” Kasumi says. She’s unwilling to let go of the first person who personally knows who’s been changed recently. “May I join you?”

Akechi looks at her, and Kasumi resists the urge to fidget.

“You’re acquainted with Kurusu, aren’t you?”

She blinks. “Yes. That’s actually where I was headed before I bumped into you. Um, to LeBlanc. The cafe that Kurusu-senpai—“

“Yes, I’m well aware,” he interrupts. He’s staring at how even harder now, red eyes peering into her in a way that’s almost invasive. Whatever he sees makes him nod. “Join me, will you? I was just headed for some coffee myself.”

Kasumi nearly sighs in relief. Maybe she can finally figure out what on earth is happening. “Thank you, Akechi-san.”

“And hold the formalities. It makes me sick.”

“R-right.”

They exit the station in silence: Akechi walking with purpose while Kasumi trails behind, one step late. She struggles to find what to say. How on earth can she possibly bring up her strange feeling? Was he or was he not affected? Did he know about the Metaverse?

Kasumi’s eyes slide over to him, taking in his appearance. He’s dressed well, as usual, but something about him was changed, and not in the way everyone else has. His expression, which was once constantly smiling and lovely, has morphed into...well, nothing. It’s like he had never had that charming smile in the first place. Or, maybe it was never supposed to be there at all.

“What is it?” Akechi asks, still facing forward.

She jumps. How did he even notice?

“You want to ask me something,” he continues. Eyes flickering to her for a split second, “Spit it out then. I can’t stand waiting games.”

She chews on her lip, thinking. They walk in silence for half a block before finally, “What do you think about Kurusu-senpai’s cat?”

Akechi stops and Kasumi has to turn around to face him. He’s staring at her again, but it’s different this time; instead of the questioning look, his eyes are careful, analytical, calculating. After a moment, she realizes why it’s such a familiar expression to her—it’s how her competitors look at her during meets, how the student body had looked her up and down in the halls.

He’s sizing her up.

She stares at him back, unblinking.

Then, without breaking eye contact, he smirks. “An annoying brat who’s wind attack can’t land and has an embarrassingly small amount of knowledge concerning the Metaverse.”

Kasumi gasps, eyes wide. “You know?”

“Of course I know. I’ve been in this even game longer than your precious senpai,” he continues his earlier pace, not waiting as Kasumi scrambles to keep up. “However, I can’t say I’m not impressed—a carefully loaded question that only people who’ve been to the Metaverse before would understand. “

She grins, “A safe gamble if I do say so myself.”

“I’ve stopped taking gambles myself, actually.”

Kasumi peers up at Akechi, his face unreadable. One question at a time. “Are you a Phantom Thief?”

He scoffs. “Lord no. I’ve never been a part of their fairytale heroism fetish and I’d like to keep it that way. But their combined powers are nothing to ridicule, unfortunately, and it seems that, ah,” a group of teenagers walk past them, all laughing and grinning from ear-to-ear. “Recent events have been pushing me towards the naive group once more.”

Kasumi inhales sharply and reflexively grabs his arm, to which he immediately rips it away, a cold glare in her direction. She represses a shiver.

“S-sorry, but um,” words roll around wildly in her head like a sack of marbles. “Have you noticed—”

“How the population as a whole is in a fantasy world where happiness seemed to have infected everyone without their own knowledge?” Akechi turns the corner and the quaint cafe finally comes into view.

“Wha—yes!” The tension in her finally eases up a bit at finding a teammate in this mess. “Guess they weren’t lying when they called you the Detective Prince. It’s great that we’re on the same team for this, isn’t it?”

He sends her a sharp glare, and her voice dies in her throat. “Don’t make assumptions.”

Teammates might be a bit of a stretch, then.

They walk in silence the rest of the way—a mercifully short distance. She rolls around the idea of mentioning the Palace to Akechi and ultimately dismisses it. After all, he said it himself that he isn’t part of the Phantom Thieves and, given their reputation, they don’t need more enemies from within the police (if Akechi even is associated with them anymore).

Akechi places a hand on the doorknob and looks back to her. “I’ll go in and get Kurusu outside. Do what you want.”

“But—”

He pulls and she watches him enter. The ringing of the bell is faint, muffled by the glass. She stays at the door for a few long moments before heaving a deep sigh.

“Breathe, Kasumi,” she mutters to herself. “It’ll be fine. You don’t even know if there’s a problem.” Grimacing, she shakes her head to her own words. Fool herself, maybe, but Akechi? Especially this new Akechi? Not a chance.

Leaning against the cool bricks, she lets her eyes flutter close for a second, breathing in the cool winter air. The whole Metaverse topic is something she still doesn’t have a grasp on. Personas, Palaces, distortions, shadows—it was all dropped on her on a random afternoon, so sudden that it was like an illusion, a figment of her imagination. A dream. But then she remembers the girl that stood in front of her, a mirror image of Kasumi.

She shivers, uninflected by the January wind. Not a dream, but maybe a nightmare.

“Yoshizawa?”

Kasumi jumps a foot in the air, eyes flying wide open. She blinks rapidly at the boy in front of her.

To his credit, Ryuji looks apologetic. “My bad, didn’t mean to scare you.”

“No, don’t worry. It was my fault for zoning out. In public, no less!” Smoothing out her track jacket, she sends him a small smile. “Happy New Year to you, Sakamoto-senpai. Are you here to wish Kurusu a happy new year?”

She tries her best to see if there was any way to gauge if he’d been affected before scrapping the idea. He was already cheerful to begin with, and she simply didn’t know enough about him other than being another friend of Akira.

“Hell yeah! Oops, I mean heck,” he grins. “Best not to swear in front of a kohai, don’t wanna leave an impression or nothing.”

“That’s not an issue, think nothing of it,” says Kasumi. “What will you be doing today, then?”

“The two of us are headed to the temple. My ma says it’s real important for us to go during New Year’s, since, you know.” He waves a hand nonchalantly.

She tilts her head. “I’m afraid I don’t.”

“You don’t? That’s weird. Rumors are fast in Shujin, or at least I thought Akira would’ve told you,” rubbing the back of his neck, he lends her a half-smile; far and away from his usual grin, much softer and gentler. “We’re—”

The door to LeBlanc swings open, interrupting Ryuji.

“Akira!” His expression turns so bright that it’s nearly blinding. “Are you—oh, Akechi’s here, too.”

Kasumi turns around, eyes landing on Akira. She blinks. Twice. Thrice, just to make sure.

Akira is someone who finds the weight of words to be inconsequential next to the weight of actions. But even with the presence of physical gestures, what he does reveal are minuscule. Reserved. It makes his already crucial actions all the more vital once you realize that a flick of his head or the quirk of his mouth is practically half the conversation. Kasumi’s used to having to squint a little to grasp at every fray like a spotlight to reveal what he’s trying to tell her without saying it.

So when Akira’s face morphs into a huge smile reaching all the way into his eyes and honest-to-god dimples sprouting at the very top of his cheekbones like untamable weeds, all she can focus on is the dread that makes her stomach feel like it’s supporting bricks.

“You can head in, Ryuji,” Akira says, and his voice is warm enough that for a second she forgets they’re in the dead of winter. “Akechi just wants to talk for a second.”

She pries herself away from his alien expression to glimpse at Akechi’s instead. His cool passiveness doesn’t surprise her.

A worried frown clouds Ryuji’s features. “Yeah, sure, of course, dude. I know you gotta do what you gotta do.” He turns to Akechi. “Hey, we ain’t close or nothin’, but I’m here if you need an ear.”

For some reason, Akechi recoils infinitesimally. Instead of answering, he walks away, Akira close behind him.

Kasumi quickly bows to Ryuji. “Excuse me, but I must get going now.”

Without waiting for a response, she follows Akira and Akechi as they round the corner. Immediately, the scent of detergent and essential oils invade her nostrils, not unpleasantly. A sudden wave of heat washes over them, hot enough that she almost considers taking off her coat.

They turn and enter a small, cramped laundry room. The floors are covered with a thin layer of dirt and grime, obscuring the once colorful pigment of the tiles underneath. Lining the walls are aging washing machines and dryers, all of them silent and unmoving. Nobody is going to enter a run down coin laundry room in the middle of Yongen anytime soon.

But even with that in mind, she still flinches when Akechi grabs Akira’s collar and slams him into dryers hard enough for all three machines to rattle.

“Cut the bullshit, Kurusu,” he snarls, knuckles a stark white next to Akira’s coat. “You know I can’t stand your games.”

“Akechi-san, there’s no need to hurt him like this over a couple of questions!”

Akira’s lips tilt upward, almost apologetic. “It’s okay, let him get it out of his system.”

“Are you mocking me?” Akechi asks, eyes narrowing. “Why are you pretending there isn’t something wrong in your damn cafe?”

“Because there isn’t?”

“Wait,” Kasumi says, raising an eyebrow. “Sorry for interrupting, but what’s wrong in Leblanc?”

“Beats me,” Akira shoves his hands in his pockets, worryingly nonchalant with the fact that someone is still holding on to him threateningly.

Akechi takes a deep breath. “Alright then,” he releases Akira from his grip. “How about you tell me who’s in the cafe, hmm? Perhaps something as simple as that can finally inspire that brain of yours to be put to use.”

“Thank you, you’ve always been such a charmer.” Straightening out his jacket, “Don’t know why you’re so desperate for me to say it, since you were literally there with me—”

“Cut. The. Bullshit.”

“Okay, okay. There’s Futaba, Sojiro, and Morgana. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

Akechi tilts his head back and it’s almost like he’s speaking to a toddler when he asks, “And, pray tell, what species is Morgana?”

Akira stares at him for several very, very long moments, and his tone matches Akechi’s when he slowly answers: “A human.”

The noise from the train tracks had become audible all the way from the station for a few moments.

He takes a step away from the boy in front of him, eyes widening ever so lightly. “You really don’t know, do you?” Akechi asks.

As if he sensed the change in his attitude, gray eyes seem to search red ones. Whatever he was looking for, Akira came up empty-handed. “I really, really don’t.” Looking up, he turns his attention on Kasumi, “Do you know what he’s talking about?”

“I…” Shoulders tense enough to launch an arrow from it, her mind moves a hundred miles an hour. Eyes flickering towards Akechi, a quiet shock seems to be emanating from the way his jaw is clenched, as if the rug of the world was pulled from underneath him in this run-down laundromat. “There’s something very wrong, senpai. And you need to realize it.”

And then like a perfect fit of a puzzle piece, the solution finally clicks into place. A way to make Akira see and possibly save Akechi’s sanity along the way.

She bows at a perfect ninety-degree angle (more out of habit than anything).

“Senpai, please accompany me,” Kasumi implores. “I know you already had plans with Sakamoto-senpai, but this is too important to postpone any longer. Akechi-san and I would not lie about matters like this,” she tilts her head up, eyes locking on Akira’s dilated pupils. “Please.”

A heartbeat passes, and another, before finally, “Okay.”

Kasumi stands up straight and beams. “Thank you! Please follow me.”

They exit the laundromat and she’s mourning the loss of heat when Akechi falls into step with her.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he hisses.

“You look like needed help back there,” she takes a peek to make sure Akira’s still following them and tries not to feel guilty when he’s furiously texting on his phone. “So this is me helping.”

Akechi looks at her. It’s probably a habit of his. “You know about the Metaverse, yet you aren’t a Phantom Thief.”

“Neither are you, Akechi-san,” even without looking, she can feel his glare on her. “I’ll go into detail about that later, but I think that the priority here should be to bring Kurusu-senpai back, right? And besides,” she smoothes down her hair. “It can be a bargain, since it seems I’m not the only one keeping secrets.”

They’re nearing Yongen-Jaya station when Akechi finally heaves a sigh, somehow frustrated and dignified at the same time. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

So do I.

She throws a smile his way.

—

Kasumi is perfectly split into relief and dread when they hopped off the train and rounded the corner to see the massive, looming, incomprehensibly-constructed Palace in front of them. Swirls on swirls, blinding lights, beams that stick out like stubborn branches in a packed forest. A building (if she can even call it that) so out of this world that it seems hand-crafted of the fragments that manifest dreams; unreal, untouchable, and impossible to understand.

“Alright, I’ll admit it,” Akechi regards the Palace with a begrudged sort-of awe. “The idea to take us here isn’t half-bad.”

“Thank you. In truth, I only know of this Palace by complete accident.”

“Hmm, I thought so,” he nods, never taking his eyes off of the immaculate structure in front of them. “How did you find it?”

“By pure chance! I like to visit Odaiba, and since today is New Year’s—”

“I meant,” Akechi flashes her a wide smile, so large and unnatural that she has to catch herself from flinching. With his teeth bared and the curve of his lips sugar-sweet, it’s reminiscent to how a Cheshire cat may look while holding a loaded pistol in its paw. “How did you first find it, and how are you certain that it’s a Palace, Yoshizawa-san.”

“I, um, still by pure chance. Actually, it was with Kurusu-senpai and—” Kasumi’s eyes widen before rushing towards Akira, doubled-over and trembling, desperately clutching his head so tightly that she’s half-convinced that he’s trying his damndest to pull his hair out. “Senpai! What’s wrong?”

She frets over him uncertainty, at a loss. “My head,” he mutters, eyes scrunched tight. “It feels like it’s about to split open.”

Akechi presses a knee to the cold concrete in front of Akira. “Head up,” he orders. When he doesn’t react, he clicks his tongue. “Come on, Kurusu. Work with me.”

Nothing happens. Only the stuttering staccato of Akira’s labored breathing plays on repeat like a busted vinyl. After a few moments, the haggard rise and fall of his chest subsides, turning into something more manageable.

Then, slowly, Akira starts to look up.

Akechi smirks. “See? Was that so—”

“Akechi.”

The air around the three of them seems to still with the weight of his tone. The resounding note of levity in Akira’s voice is gone, and what’s in its place is impossible to identify. “How are you here?”

“Ah,” Akechi mutters, straightening up. “It’s about time you’ve come to.”

“Wait,” Kasumi says. “What’s happening? Is he okay now?”

His eyes stay glued to Akira. “I believe,” he says. “That whatever spell he was under has dissipated.”

“How are you here?” Akira repeats. He shakes his head vigorously, as if trying to rid of some mythically induced punch to the jaw. “Aren’t you supposed to be in, I don’t know, prison? Honestly, I still have no idea how you’re even alive.”

“You were in prison?” Kasumi asks. “Wait, you died?”

“If we’re being real here, I don’t know if he died.”

“It’s a bit of a gray zone, even for me.”

Akira squints. “You don’t know if you died? How is that even possible?”

“Can we please focus on the matter at hand?”

“How is you dying not the most crucial thing right now?”

“That’s old news, it happened back in November.”

“And you still don’t know how you died even though it was two months ago?”

“I was busy.”

“I am so lost,” Kasumi groans.

“So is Akechi, apparently.”

“Point is,” Akechi cuts in, seemingly bored about the topic of his passing. “One moment I was in the Tokyo Detention House, aggressively interrogated, and the next I’ve been released, no questions asked. An action that’s merely impossible to rationalize.” Akechi catches Akira’s expression. “What is it? Don’t believe me?”

“No, it’s not that,” Akira clenches his eyes shut. “Sorry, just give me a minute.” He focuses on his breathing, an unsteady intake of air, held in for five seconds, and slowly lets it out gently as if he were trying not to blow out a flame in front of him.

Kasumi frowns and turns to Akechi. “Do you think it’s a side effect of his memory lapse?”

“It’s possible, but guarantees are a long shot until we get more information.”

Nodding, she turns her attention back to Akira. “How are you feeling?”

“Honestly? Like if Makoto went ham on a wall and I was the paint.”

“If there’s one thing I can give Niijima, it’s her alarming upper body strength.”

“Oh, are you friends with Niijima-senpai as well, Akechi-san?”

Akechi shares a quick glance with Akira before answering, “No, never,” the same time Akira says, “Eh, in a weird way, sure.”

“Anyway,” Akechi pushes on, “If we ever finish with the emergency first-aid and idle chatter,” he points a finger at the looming Palace, unphased by the three of them loitering on its premises. “Let’s get a move on.”

“Yes,” Kasumi looks around. “The entrance should still be the same last time, so.” She makes her way to the gate.

Akira tries to follow her, but a hand tugs him back. He rolls his eyes before forcibly ripping Akechi’s hand off of his coat. “What happened to the ‘no idle chatter’ rule?”

“What was that?” Akechi hisses, the tempo of his walk increasing as Akira attempts to outpace him. “I’ve seen you drugged, beaten, spat on, yet never have I seen you so—”

“Oh, this is interesting,” Akira doesn’t even glance at him. “Has Akechi Goro had a change of heart? There wasn’t even a calling card.”

“Knock off this sassy shit, it doesn’t suit you.”

“I beg to differ.”

“Kurusu—”

“Why do you care?” Akira finally whirls on him. “What, do you suddenly have empathy now? Thank you, by the way, for taking my place in December but that doesn’t mean anything changed.”

“Of course it doesn’t,” he scoffs. “Not that I wanted it to, heaven forbid.”

“Then what is it?”

“I just wanted to make sure that whatever your headache was back there won’t happen again, because there is no way in hell I’m babysitting two toddlers in this Palace.”

Akira frowns and continues his walk, slower this time. “Lay off her, she’s stronger than she looks,” his gray eyes slide to Akechi’s direction. “Not to mention, she’s one of the only people who doesn’t hate you.”

“Are you truly an idiot to think you can trick me a second time?”

“What?”

“Your little trick about Niijima back there?” says Akechi. “Might’ve worked on strawberry shortcake, but I’m almost insulted you think you fooled me in the art of misdirection.”

“Gah, should’ve known it was too easy.”

“You should’ve. We can’t afford to lose your head somewhere else when we have this,” he gestures at the building they’re nearing. “To focus on. So, will you, or will you not, be able to handle yourself?”

“I’ll be fine, Jesus. I was just,” Akira tugs on his forelock, frustrated. “Realizing that my memories were messed with, realizing that some things aren’t…” He takes a deep breath. “Real. It shakes you, okay?”

“I must agree. Hearing about Wakaba in a passing conversation is already disturbing, but seeing Morgana as a human is truly harrowing,” he runs a hand through his hair. “I’m thankful that your memory seems to be the only thing that changed about you.”

“...Yeah. Me too.”

“Now that that’s out of the way,” Akechi says as Kasumi yelps when her outfit changes in a flash of fire. A few more steps have Akira and Akechi following suit, albeit calmer than her. “I suppose it’s time to begin.”

Tugging on his red gloves, Akira turns to the other two. Almost unconsciously, his posture has changed; he’s taller now, broader, and his chin is tilted with a hint of smugness to it.

His tone is sharp but not unkind. “Akechi, since we’re missing both Mona and Futaba, you’re on as Navi. We’re also missing our heavy hitter, but if I remember right, Cendrillon packs a punch, so Kasumi will be filling in. I’ve got a few Personas with Mediaharan so we've got some leeway with a healer on the squad. Don’t forget, the key point here is to gain information, not crack some heads.” His eyes look cooly into Akechi’s mildly bored expression and Kasumi’s flustered one. “Any questions?”

Akechi leans to his right, voice low. “In case he didn’t make himself anymore obvious, yes, he’s the leader of the Thieves.” Then louder, “No questions.”

“Same,” she replies as she processes the new information. Being part of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts is big enough already, but leading them—

“Good,” he turns, coattail fluttering behind him. “Then let’s get to work.”

—

Working alongside Akechi in the next hour or so is exactly what she would describe being like missing a step on the stairs, or a monkey bar on the playground: intense discomfort, but not necessarily life-threatening.

While she’d never doubt Akira’s decisions to make him the navigator, she’s definitely a little surprised, to say the least. (She still cringes a little bit just how hard the shadow bursts into ash from Akechi’s gleeful smackdown.)

On the bright side, Kasumi is now completely certain that there’s something absolutely, undeniably, fundamentally changed about the famous Detective Prince she thought she knew. There’s an aspect about him that’s just unhinged enough to make her uneasy, but that doesn’t change the fact that he's a monster in battle: lethal, calculating, and most importantly, ruthless in every sense of the word.

She can at least take comfort in Akira.

He’s gotten stronger since they last fought. He’s faster now, more clever. If Akechi was a monster on the battlefield, Akira would be something like an assassin—quiet, and strikes with precision in order to take care of the Shadow as efficiently as possible. The ashes he leaves behind are in a small pile instead of a confetti imitation.

And just like before, Akira speaks with confidence, with power-like he’s so sure of what he’s ordering that the person who heard it would simply follow because there isn’t even an ounce of doubt minced into his words. Even Akechi conducts what’s asked of him with no hesitation. How she never pieced together that he was the leader of the notorious, internationally known Phantom Thieves is beyond her.

The three of them fly by the Palace with only a little difficulty, and she lets herself relax a little bit. It’s going well, and she starts to let herself believe that this might be easier than she expected.

That is, until they run into Dr. Maruki in a clean, white suit and make her watch a video that shakes her reality and makes her fall to her knees, hard.

—

Shattering glass. That’s what it’s like.

If what she knew was true is a tall, glass wall, it had been smashed to tiny pieces reminiscent of a mug being put on high heat on top of a kitchen stove. Everything is crashing down.

While the world ends around her, Maruki’s voice comes in from a few meters in front of her (though it can just as easily be from another planet away as far as she can tell). She’s vaguely aware that she’s back in her normal clothes and that Akechi and Akira are standing in front of her, weapons drawn and fingers twitching towards their masks.

The only thing tethering her here is the sharp pain that shot up her legs when she collapsed and it hurts just enough to make sure she keeps breathing. Otherwise, she’s sure that her brain would’ve simply stopped functioning.

“You see?” Maruki says, voice coated in regret. Even faced with three other Persona users, he has nothing but kindness and sympathy to offer. “You understand how much pain she’s in now, don’t you?”

Akechi sneers, flexing his fingers around the handle of serrated steel. “So you, what was it? Brainwashed her, muddled up her cognition in order to change her reality for her own wishes?”

“That’s right,” Maruki smiles, similar to a teacher gently explaining the course material to a struggling student. “I had the power at the time to actualize her wish, limited as it was. She had undergone a deep and traumatizing tragedy, forcing her into carrying the excruciating baggage of survivor’s guilt.”

He sighs heavily, as if the words he speaks physically wound him to say out loud. “She only had one wish during that dark period of her life, one she was so desperate to make true that she was willing to confide with a complete stranger in order to make that wish bloom into reality: for Yoshizawa Sumire to becoming Yoshizawa Kasumi instead.”

Yoshizawa Sumire. Yoshizawa Sumire. Yoshizawa Sumire. That name is flung around her skull like an echo in a cave, ingraining itself into the bone, or perhaps it’s reinstituting itself back into her cells, but whatever it is it hurts, it hurts so much, her head is pounding and she’s not sure why until—until—

Sumire.

Her heart clenches painfully tight in her chest. The echo continues, and she realizes it’s not just a random voice speaking her name, but her sister’s.

Sumire, come on!

She’s tempted, so tempted to cover her ears to block off the voice, but that would be impossible.

Sumire, let’s go out today!

No. That’s not why she won’t cover her ears. Even if it was possible to force the ongoing calls in her mind to cease, she still wouldn’t stop it because—

Don’t tell them, but I stole some ice cream for us, Sumire!

Because—

This is my sister, Yoshizawa Sumire, and we’re going to reach the top of the world together!

Because the voice in her head spoke with a voice absolutely dripping with pure love and adoration.

SIlently, with legs shaking and hot teardrops hitting the carpet in a continuous stream, Yoshizawa Sumire stands on her own two feet.

“If Sumire-san can live a healthy, positive life by becoming Kasumi-san,” Maruki continues. “Then I believe that this reality is what would make her happy.”

“Is that what you believe, doctor?”

Three heads turn as Sumire speaks, red hair still fallen from its ribbon, eyes filled with tears, and an inexplicable expression painted on her features.

“In our countless sessions, I’ve spoken to you about what would make me happy, what would grant joy in my life,” she slowly makes her way to Maruki, and though she spoke quietly, her voice carries over with ease. “One topic would be saying that Yoshizawa Kasumi would make my life better. For that, I apologize. That was a lie that I wasn’t even aware I was telling. Being Kasumi was a simple solution, an easy way out, but it’s not what would bring me happiness. I had desperately wanted to become Kasumi because I would do anything to stop being Sumire.”

She doesn’t even bother to wipe the tears that blurred her vision as she continues, “And so I did something truly horrible,” Sumire looks up and gave a small, bitter smile. “By getting rid of Sumire, I killed not only Kasumi, but also someone Kasumi loved very, very dearly. Could I be even more selfish?”

“That’s not selfish,” Maruki says firmly. “Self-preservation is not something to look down on, Sumire-san. And if it would help you to stay as Kasumi—”

“Dr. Maruki, I’m not here for a counseling session. I’m trying to tell you that I did something I deeply, deeply regret,” her eyes harden. “I appreciate what you tried to do for me. I know that you only wanted to help. However, you gave me no say in the matter. You didn’t let me decide or let me think about what you were trying to give me. And, doctor, whether or not you wanted for it to happen, by granting me this wish, you inadvertently wanted me to forget the existence of Kasumi.”

She didn’t even need to look down, the bright flash of fire had once again engulfed her body for the briefest moment—her Metaverse outfit had returned. “And that is something I can never, ever forgive for as long as I breathe.”

Silence had sheathed the room, only the panting of Sumire’s breath puncturing it. And then Maruki lets his eyes slide shut.

“I’m saddened that you see it that way, Sumire-san. However, it’s clear that your mind is already made up. Maybe after a long period of time, you may even begin to heal.”

“Does that mean you’ll let up your...fake reality?” she asks.

“Fake reality?” his brows furrow. “Nothing about what I brought people was fake. Everything is quite real, in every literal sense. All it takes is some tweaking,” he looks past Sumire. “You’re looking well, Akechi-san.”

Akechi lets out a sharp laugh. “What you’re doing isn’t altruism. You’re just so desperate to prove your research that you’re willing to drag the entire city in with you.” His eyes narrow ever so slightly. “It seems that you’ve run out of allies here, doctor.”

The regret in Maruki’s eyes deepen even further, making him look older. “Even you, huh?” he says softly. “Why are you fighting so hard against what would only bring you happiness?” He scans their faces, and his eyes land on one of them. “You’ve been awfully quiet this entire time, Kurusu-kun.”

“Give it up,” Akechi rolls his eyes. “Do you need me to spell it out for you? You lost.”

“Your wish,” Maruki continues, eyes still locked on Akira. “Were you displeased with it?”

A beat passes.

Kasumi hesitates. “Kurusu-senpai’s...wish?”

“He didn’t have a wish.”

“Oh, but he did, didn’t he?” It’s Maruki’s turn to take a step forward. “I was wondering why he looked slightly off when you all entered. I can only imagine how disorienting it must’ve been to be ripped away from that reality and back into this much crueler one.” Taking in their expressions, “He didn’t tell you?”

Even Akechi had nothing to say.

“Kurusu-kun, let me ask again: were you displeased with your wish?”

For a long, long moment, Akira only stared blankly, before finally, with the softest voice, “No, I wasn’t.”

“Were you happy?”

Akira takes a shuddering breath, “Happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life.”

“Fuck this,” Akechi hisses, grabbing Akira’s shoulder and shaking him aggressively. He doesn’t spare him a glance. “Why are you giving this fraud your time of day?”

“Love can make people act out of the ordinary,” Maruki answers.

“Love…?” Sumire’s eyes dart around, thinking. With her extremely limited information, her mind flips through the events of the day, extracting whatever she can remember to see if anything has been let slip about his wish could possibly be. He’s such a reserved person that it would be impossible to pry something from his expression unless it was completely—

A huge smile. Plans earlier that day. New Year’s.

—Obvious.

Sumire lets out a loud gasp, eyes wide and landing on Akira.

“Senpai…” she can hear something like pity from her own voice. “Your wish is...Sakamoto-senpai?”

The hand on Akira’s shoulder goes deathly still.

“I admit, I was surprised as you are,” Maruki says. “But as it turns out, even someone like Kurusu-kun here is just as human as the rest of us.”

Sumire stands there, mouth slightly gaping. For it to be as plain and simple as to be able to love and be loved in return is…unexpected. Heart clenching, she turns to Akira and asks, just barely above a whisper: “Did you really think it was so impossible that you have to resort to wishing?”

Akira cracks a smile. His eyes flicker towards her and, even in the poor lighting, she has no problem seeing the way defeat is etched into every feature of his expression. “Yeah, I really, really did.”

Directing his gaze back to the carpet, he continues. “But what I want doesn’t really matter. I got more than what I ever thought I would, more than what I thought was possible.” Akechi retracts his hand slowly, as if he wants nothing more than to avoid being caught. “I got my memories of this reality, and I’ll always remember what I could’ve had. So, really, I’m fine with letting this go.”

Akira looks up, and his voice carries new weight to it, a discovered strength. “If it’s for my friends, I’m fine with letting this go.'”

Sucking in a breath, Sumire opens her mouth to say something, anything. Instead, Akechi pulls out his pistol and presses the muzzle lightly to the back of Akira’s skull.

In a split second, Sumire has her rifle out and pointed to Akechi. “Akechi-san,” she says, voice low. “What are you doing?”

“Did you listen to a word he just said?” he says. Akira doesn’t react when he feels the shift of the muzzle.

“Yes,” she says, hands sweaty around the stock. “He refuted Maruki’s sentiments.”

“No, he didn’t. What he actually said was ‘if it’s for my friends, I’m fine letting this go.”

“That’s right,” her brows furrow. “So what’s the problem?”

“If there’s one, single thing I learned about Kurusu,” he clenches his teeth. “Is that there isn’t a damn thing he wouldn’t do for his idiotic friends.”

A beat passes.

“Nice catch,” Akira huffs out a laugh. “I don’t really care about my wish really, but if it’s for them? For their happiness?” he turns his head and looks directly into the barrel, unblinking. “That’s something I have to fight for.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“You don’t know them like I do. You don't know how much it means for them to have their lives back.” Body swerving to completely face Akechi, “Are you going to try and stop me?” he smiles crookedly. “I think we both know how this’ll play out.”

Akechi doesn’t respond, but his weaponized hand begins to tremble.

Sighing, Akira turns to Sumire. “I’m really proud of you for breaking free and standing up for what you think is right. It hurts, it sucks, but you did it.” His jaw clenches, “I just hope you know that I’m trying to do the same thing.”

“Tell me you’re not going through with this, senpai,” her voice shakes. “Please. You’re right, it hurts. It hurts to know that reality is horrible and unforgiving and so unfair, but it’s better than living a lie.”

“That might be how you see it, Sumire,” he pivots and makes his way to Maruki’s side, Akechi’s hand still extended. “But they might disagree. They’ve been through so much, too much. And just as they’ve helped me, I want to protect their happiness.” He stands tall next to Maruki, black and white, only a few feet apart. “Even if it means standing against the two of you.”

Maruki is positively beaming at the boy next to him. “Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I truly thank you. Seeing you agree with me on this means the world. I promise, I won’t let you down.” Akira nods.

“And as for you two,” Maruki looks back at Akechi and Sumire. “I implore you to reconsider your decision. There’s no ploy here, no scam, or trick, or fine print. I honestly just want to see both on the side of happiness that you deserve. If this new reality ceases to exist, then your potential wishes and everyone else’s will disappear with it. So I beg of you, please reconsider.”

He pulls out his phone. “I’ll give you both a week. A week from now to discover the world. Take a look around, see how happy people are. I pray you change your minds by then.”

Maruki exits, walking deeper into the depths of the laboratory, Akira on his heels. Pausing, he turns, gloved hands tucked into his pockets.

“I’m sorry it has to be like this. But I owe it to them, and to you two,” his eyes flicker. “Especially you, Goro.”

Akechi sucks in a breath, gun still pointed to Akira’s head even as he turns and disappears from their view.

Silence suffocates them once his footsteps fade away.

“Dammit,’ Akechi mutters, finally lowering his pistol. “Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.”

Swerving, he raises his gun to the wall instead. “God fucking dammit!” he hisses, unloading all of his ammo until the clicking of trigger results in nothing. “Fuck.”

Sumire’s eyes dart towards the direction they left. “Should...should we fight them?”

He waves a hand, shoving his pistol back in its holter. “No use—even at my strongest, it still wasn’t enough to bring him down. With someone as powerful as Maruki alongside him, it would be suicide.”

The sound of heavy footsteps overlapping one another echo from the hallway. “And so would staying here,” Sumire forces the lump down her throat. “We should leave.”

“Agreed.”

She makes her way to the exit and, in the corner of her eye, catches Akechi glancing at the direction Akira went in with an indecipherable expression, and silently joins Sumire.

—

The crisp winter air hits them as a flash of fire takes away their Metaverse costumes once more. Sumire looks up to be greeted by the moon and stars. They’ve been in there for a whole day.

“That was...an intense experience, to say the least.” When no response came, she faces Akechi, glaring hard at nothing. “Are...do you want to talk about Kurusu-senpai?”

“No,” he decides. Pulling his coat sleeve back, he peers at his watch. “Damn him,” Akechi mummers. “First he acts like an idiot, now he made me waste an entire damn day.” He holds his hand out to Sumire. “Your phone, and unlock it.”

She blinks. “Sorry, but why?”

“You want to have a discussion at length, yes? I’d need some way of contacting you,” he wiggles his fingers impatiently. “Phone.”

Sumire hands him her phone, unlocked. As he types in his contact, she hesitates before saying, “I’m glad that you still want to go back and save senpai.”

He scoffs. “I most definitely do not give a single shit about that empathetic moron,” holding her phone out, she gingerly places it back in her pocket. “I’m here to make sure that my reality isn’t skewed by some doctor with an obvious sob story and someone with a bleeding heart for the first seven people he met.”

“Thank you,” she answers honestly. Sumire wasn’t sure if he’d only been placating her when he agreed to talk, and she’s glad she doesn’t have to convince him that they’re on the same side of the fight. “I’m happy to hear that we’re allies.”

“Allies, hmm?” Readjusting his scarf, “Seeing as how you didn’t crumble under the temptation of Maruki’s ideas, I’m not averse to the idea of an alliance between us.”

She gives him a small smile. “I can’t say I’m completely free from the temptation, but the idea of getting rid of someone my sister loved is, to be frank, disgusting.” Sticking her hand out, “I look forward to working with you, Akechi-san.”

He looks down at it before shaking. Akechi smiles back, sugar-sweet. “If you don’t drop the ‘san,’ I may reconsider.”

“My apologies, Akechi-san,” she says before she can catch herself.

His eyes narrow and drops her hand. For a moment, her heart lurched in fear that he was somehow serious about the threat. Instead, he starts walking towards the station. “I’m free all day tomorrow. Text or call me for the address; I’ll meet you there.”

“What if you don’t respond?”

“I always respond.”

Sumire sighs, relieved. One less problem to worry about, at least. She waits until he’s completely out of sight before heading to the station, exhaustion finally getting to her.

Whatever it takes, she’s going to save Akira, because she can say with complete and utter confidence, she is the Yoshizawa Sumire.

[aikatsu-motivational-posts]

Before I begin, I’d like to think all those who liked/reblogged my posts and even followed me!! Thanks so much for 210 followers!!

So I logged into an Aikatsu server in Discord and I found this challenge that I could do (credits to  𝙰𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚊, 𝚁𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚎'𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚏𝚎𝚢 #0615 for the image). It’s supposed to be for 31 days, but I have classes so I’ll just answer all these questions in one go to honor the 8th anniversary. (of course, my ask is open in case y’all wanna get to know more about me)

Of course, Aikatsu is one of my most favorite anime series ever. To the point I even dedicated a blog to it. It’s cute, it has good songs, and so inspiring that it lifts me up when I’m feeling down.

Yikes, ok. Her birthday is October 2, same singing voice as Ran, a student from Dream Academy, brand is Bohemian Sky, and catchphrase is “Cutie, cutie, spin, spin!” (did I get these right?)

Harsh, but I’m gonna have to go for Haruka Ruka. I find her so annoying.

I’d say her aura?? She gives off that Barbie vibes, mature but also pure of heart. I love her voice too.

Definitely Mirai.

Damn I ship the main ones though?? HAHAHA I guess Hibiki x Alicia because they’re... definitely lesbians.

I’m gonna have to say Akari x Any Character in the Show. Sorry guys, she’s for Sena.

Cute - Oozora Akari, Cool - Kiriya Aoi, Sexy - Kasumi Mahiru, Pop - Saotome Ako, Gothic - Shirayuri Kaguya

Starlight Queen

S4/M4

Diamond Friends

Rainbow Berry Parfait -  Rainbow Étoile Coord

This question is a bit hard LOL but I’m gonna choose WM. *mwah* Legendary songs.

 Don’t underestimate the power of Johnny Bepp, y’all.

Come on, we already know what colors they are. Good in being imposter, either Aoi or Chi (they got big brains). Most sus, probably Yurika-sama simply because.

Good at being imposter, most likely Madoka because if you notice, there are times she’s mean despite acting cute (love that about her, though!). Most sus, I think Koko because she seems too outgoing??? IDK how to describe it.

Maybe Koharu?? Because she looks too innocent. Most sus, I’d say Elza since she does what she wants.

Definitely Karen, talented as hell. Most sus probably Ema because she seems like she’s good at playing games.

Seriously?? I gotta pick one main song ever from 200+ songs?? Yikes. I’m gonna choose one on the spot, because I literally love them all - The Scene Above 6 cm.

Yurika’s songs are one of the best, but I think Sumire is better as a character.

Definitely Calendar Girls. It’s the first ED song, and the lyrics itself just scream the word “nostalgia”. Makes me feel like crying every time I listen to it.

Definitely Sakuraba Laura. Give her more love and attention!!!

Who else would it be if not the one and only Kanzaki Mizuki?

Hanazono Kirara. Okay, she’s got a great voice and songs. But personality-wise, very annoying and narcissistic.

Ooh, I think it would be Kanata from M4. He looks like that one dude in K-Pop groups who doesn’t seem like he could rap, but is actually a god rapper,

It was around April 2019, I believe. I discovered it in one of the comments in Episode 1 of My Shining Star, where they were like “This is just a rip-off of Pretty Rhythm and Aikatsu anime”. So I was like, “Aikatsu? Pfft, Pretty Rhythm is definitely better.” So my first opinion was disgusted because Pretty Rhythm is one of my favorite childhood anime, and I am totally wrong.

Definitely take pictures and autographs of my favorite idols!

Mahiru, she’s so cute and just underrated.

Sumire - Mismagius, Madoka - Luvdisc, Hikari - Nidoqueen, Maria - Miltank, Rei - Aegislash, Ema - Jolteon

Akari - Castform, Ichigo - Alcremie, Mizuki - Lunaala, Hime - Audino, Yume - Musharna, Aine - Palkia, Mio - Dialga

Monsters Cat Coord

[p5youllneverseeitcoming]

So I finished Persona 5 Royal

And once again I was a crying mess when the ending credits rolled.

Now, I’d like to share my thoughts about this game but I also respect the fact that not everyone had the chance to finish it yet so anything that is a spoiler will be talked about under the cut.

Anyways, let’s begin.

From the very beginning... I love the new title screen, the fact that you can see each member just hanging out in the streets of Tokyo is so cute and I love it. It’s so easy to get a platinum trophy for Persona 5 Royal which at first I thought was somewhat disappointing as it doesn’t require you to play through it again but then I found out there’s a bunch of challenges in the Thieves Den so I was really glad I had a reason to play it again.

Speaking of the Thieves Den, it’s really nice to see your team members just chat about the decorations you put in there, like for example Yusuke and Ann casually chatting in front of a Reaper statue like it’s no big deal. On a small sidenote, my mum really likes the fact that you can play Tycoon in the Thieves Den and I’m not gonna lie she spent hours playing with them which means I now have thousands of tokens but nothing to spend them on :’)

Much of P5R is very similar to the vanilla P5 except of course the fact that there’s 2 new characters being introduced to the story. You still get sent to Tokyo for ‘assaulting’ the drunk man however, the first change that you really notice is Sojiro’s conversation with you when he is taking you home on the Sunday you visit the school. Of course, by this point you know that there have been many psychotic breakdowns and a lot of accidents but what Sojiro tells you is... Interesting to say the least. I didn’t think of it much at first but then again I went into Royal completely spoiler free (except of course with the knowledge of how Persona 5 plays out) but eventually you find out that what he said was actually really important.

Another thing I really loved that they put in Royal is the fact that they managed to make the battle system even better. I always thought it was pretty amazing but they somehow managed to make it even better. First off, you can Baton Pass right off the bat. No need to establish a social link with the party members or anything, which honestly makes everything so much easier, especially in the early game. They also decided, you know what this nasty crime boy needs? Unlimited bullets... Well sorta. Remember how in Persona 5 you only had a limited amount of bullets per infiltration? Well, now they replenish every battle which of course means I did the only rational thing:

You also get the grappling hook in Royal and honestly? Just watching Joker do flips all over the place is really aesthetically pleasing. I love that they reworked the Palaces so that the grappling hook plays a big part in getting around and as I said, it’s just so fun to see Joker zooming through the air.

They added new Shadows/Personas to Royal which I think is fantastic as it makes returning players not bored of the battles but they also changed some weaknesses/removed weaknesses for some shadows which means you gotta strategise a little bit more. They also changed up the Palace Ruler Bosses but I found them... A lot more easier than the original? I don’t know if it’s due to the fact that I love to grind a lot before finishing a Palace or if I just had the perfect Personas for the occasion but yeah... That’s not to say the changes are bad! I still really liked them but it was just... Really easy for me lol. 

Another major change is the fact that Morgana decided that you may be a tired boi after going to the Metaverse but you still have enough energy to do some things in the cafe. That makes it like a ton easier to max out your social stats which means you can max out your confidants a lot faster, I managed to max out everyone and still had days where I literally had nothing to do which just shows how much time you actually save now.

Along with the fact that they fixed some translation errors, they also improved the sprites and added a lot more voice lines which was really nice in my opinion, it was a lot better when a character was expressing a certain emotion and their sprite actually matched it instead of just them facing one way and occasionally changing the facial expression.

I’ll mention this briefly seeing as this is sort of spoilery but I really loved the new confidants. The fact that you can actually hang out with Akechi and get to know him instead of being forced to level him up automatically was so good. The scenes where you would automatically rank up are still there but they kinda act as a filler of sorts now which in all honesty I didn’t mind. 

Ummm... That’s about all I can think of that doesn’t contain spoilers so... The section below will have spoilers so please only read this when you finish the game!

I’m going to talk about Akechi’s Confidant for a bit because I just really loved it okay? You learn so much about him, even things that seem trivial like the fact that he’s left handed become... Well rather important near the end. The more time you spend with him, the more you see how much Akira actually means to him. When you defeat him in his Rank 8 event, I actually loved it when he said he hated Akira. That was pure Akechi right there, no lies, no fake smiles just pure, honest truth. Also, I love how he decided to be extra and dramatic by throwing his glove as a challenge. It’s also really significant, at least to me, mainly because you never see him without gloves, in a way, this sort of showed that he fully exposed his true self to Akira. Their exchange in Shido’s Palace when you remind him that you still have his glove... That was really sad. I really wish there was some way you could help him, but alas, you can’t always have happy endings.

I’m not gonna lie, I was really confused when I got to 12/24 and we still went to Mementos. You discover a Palace and explore it for a bit but then it’s kind of... Forgotten? Like Morgana is genuinely like: Lmao this doesn’t concern us atm so you know, killed God with the power of friendship, was ready to stop being a Phantom Thief and surrender myself to the police but then... Mr. Sketchy himself just appears out of nowhere and decides that he’ll take Akira’s place for him

When I first saw him I was like: Omg? How is this even possible? Can I hug him? But then weird things started happening in the story

Reality becomes distorted after New Years and you see that right away when your cat, is no longer a cat. But that’s not all, Futaba’s mother is alive and well as well as Haru’s father and supposedly they were never dead in the first place. I was really confused but then guess who turns up to clear some things up... Mr. Pankechi.

This post is already long as hecc so I won’t go into details but I really like the new Palace. It’s so different to the other Palaces and for once the Palace Ruler is not some evil adult... He’s actually quite the opposite.

I’m going to quickly talk about Kasumi for a second now, or rather Sumire. Honestly when you learn the truth, I was really shocked. Remember when I said what Sojiro tells you becomes important near the end? Yeah well it’s like the game was telling you from the start that she’s not really who she says she is. Just like Akechi, I was fully convinced that the New Palace was hers but I was kind of relieved to find out that wasn’t the case. As a party member, I really like her, she’s really cute and her Persona abilities are helpful in the new Palace. As a confidant... Again, she’s just so cute. When you help her pick out the glasses for her dad... Bruh I just wanted to give her headpats all day. Once you unlock the rest of her confidant, it’s really nice to see her grow and accept the fact that she doesn’t have to be Kasumi appreciated, and once she accepts that she’s Sumire but she’ll still do everything to make Kasumi’s dream come true it was honestly so satisfying. 

I think the thing I loved the most though is the fact that Akechi becomes your navigator for a little while and honestly? I wish I had the option to keep him as the navigator. His lines are so funny because they’re helpful but at the same time they’re so passive aggressive! ALSO his Showtime with Joker is by far my favourite Showtime. I love how he’s able to just be himself and literally rip enemies apart and Joker’s just there like: Yeah I’ll play along why not. Whenever they finish and Akechi is just there like: “Don’t waste my time.” ... Big mood, me when I’m driving around Mementos trying to find the stamps.

One more thing I gotta talk about... The ending. I love it so much. I think it’s a lot better than the original Persona 5 ending and here’s why. First of all, the fact that you see the Thieves still being themselves is just so sweet I love these funky kids, that fact that Maruki gives you a lift to the station and he accepts that this is the world that you have to live in? Amazing, thank you Atlus. The fact that Morgana is just snoozing in your bag? Beautiful, let me pet my cat plz. But most importantly... The edgy pancake loving detective LIVES, granted Akira doesn’t actually see him but I DID. I burst into tears when I saw him walk by, I’m so glad he got to live in a reality where he isn’t anyone’s puppet anymore. He can finally fix the mistakes he did, don’t get me wrong, Akechi is still a bad person, I mean he literally killed people but he still deserved a second chance, and seeing him alive means that he finally has a chance to do that... Bruh I was crying so much.

Anyway, I could talk about this game for hours but here are just some of my thoughts that I wanted to share, I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to say later on but for now... Have this mess I call a post!

[twilightknight17]

Forgetting to buy more SP patches before taking on the final boss was probably a mistake.

Forgetting to sell the items I can’t take into NG+ for cash that I can take into NG+ was probably a mistake.

Forgetting to get Arsene out of Lockdown so that I can record his awesome new stats for NG+ was probably a mistake.

In my defense, I was really excited. I wonder if the game will let me make a side trip while I’m out...buying flowers. Because that is what it has come to.

Buying flowers.

Shinya is a terrible brat and wasn’t in Akihabara at ALL until the day before the deadline. Thanks, Shinya. There goes my max confidants. Blugh. At least I got some other things done. Got the award for the maid cafe, so I don’t have to go back except once to open the Twins field trip. I still suck at batting even with third eye. But I am a champ at fishing, it only took me like five trips to the fishing pond to catch the Guardian! I could have done it in less if I’d figured out how to manage my bait properly sooner.

Smile, Akira, we’re awesome! ...still not even halfway to enough fish points for the award, though. :/

I am also awesome at the crane game in Akihabara, and by that I mean I am persistent and have enough yen that it doesn’t matter how many tries it takes.

Ryuji truly knows the way to my heart. <3 I missed two episodes of Featherman; one I forgot to check the TV, and the other I was laughing so hard at the title that I forgot to write it down. But I know where they are, so it’s something else for NG+. ^_^

So I romanced Sumire, and I’m...slightly off-put. Only slightly. Not because of her, but once again, because of the writing. Sumire is cute, but the game is singling her out as “special” again.

She is the only one who confesses to you, and you explicitly have the option to turn her down, rather than the implications of a confession that you can shoot down indirectly (Haru’s, Makoto’s, Futaba’s), or the absolute fucking galaxy-brain leap of logic that is Ann’s dialogue choices. X’D

If you ignore that, though, they’re stupidly cute. Akira’s a little shit, as usual. Sumire asks you to “look at her”, based on her whole confidant thing of realizing that having someone you care about watching you makes you want to do better.

And so Akira looks.

And looks closer.

Dorks. XDDD

They’re sweet. Not my favorite romance route; that still goes to Haru. I think in the end I still prefer Akira adding another member to his army of younger siblings. He’s gotta be better than Yu. XDDD

So I got Kasumi’s rank 10 and literally the next day was February 2nd, and I spent the afternoon getting her third-tier persona. So I didn’t even get to see...Vanadis? in battle. Vanadis matches a little too well to Arsene for my tastes, and Ella is pretty, but I’m not sure how I feel about it looking kind of bride-ish when Maruki’s running around in a wedding tux.

.

Anyway...what do we do the night before the meeting that will decide everything?

We make curry and we pretend everything isn’t about to go to hell.

.

So, Maruki. Let’s chat.

Does no one die in your world? Or move away? What if someone’s dream is to move abroad, and someone else’s dream is for that person to stay with them forever? If what we saw in your Palace is any indication, both of them would be tortured into accepting new dreams where they wouldn’t hurt each other. Dreams that you deemed acceptable. And that’s why you’re wrong.

So you’re giving up your happiness to make sure everyone else is happy? Why can’t you just use your powers to make her remember you, without the trauma? Are you not all-powerful?

Or are you running away from the person that reminds you how helpless you used to be? You’re not moving on, you’re dwelling, and using it as an excuse to be terrible. For all of your kindness, you know Akira is a threat. And benevolent or not, you’re being manipulative. You’re using Goro against him. You’re hoping that he makes the decision you didn’t, and chooses the person he cares about over the reality he wants.

Every time he says something like this, I feel exactly the way he says he didn’t want me to. Newsflash, asshole, that’s exactly what it seems like. If we break your reality, you’re heavily implying he won’t be here afterwards. And you’re gambling that it will be too much pain for Akira to bear, because you know how important they are to each other.

Goro, meanwhile, is both perfectly determined and perfectly stupid.

“Don’t tell me you think dangling my life before us is going to have any impact on our decision.”

Goro. Honey. Do you really think he cares so little that he wouldn’t hesitate for just a moment?

Akira practically throws the calling card at Maruki before he leaves, which I think sums up his feelings pretty well.

I appreciate that Morgana understands that this is something between them.

Goro doesn’t want to be controlled or manipulated ever again. Which... I get it. He’s never had a chance to have full control of his own life. But that doesn’t mean Akira isn’t going to be upset by the idea of him dying. Again.

Two out of three dialogue options are basically “hang on one fucking second,  your life matters to me.”

“Don’t oversimplify this.”

“Oh, but it IS simple. Do you think I’d be happy with this? Being shown mercy now of all times? I don’t want to be pitied-- this isn’t something I’m debating with you! Your indecisiveness is essentially a betrayal of my wishes.”

It’s not pity, you stubborn, idiot boy. ...and I hate that you see it as a betrayal.

Maruki is...very confident. And very kind. And part of the reason he upsets me is because he isn’t wrong, in many cases. But he uses that to justify imposing his will on everyone.

And being kind doesn’t mean that you are free from sin. You can be kind and still be manipulative. And selfish. In the end, that’s what separates him and Akira. Akira, despite all of his hesitation, refuses to be selfish. Even when he has every right to be. He will not hurt someone else to prevent himself from being hurt.

He will not hurt Goro by refusing to fight Maruki, even if it will rip his own heart to pieces.

Oh, I like you. At first glance, the silhouette was very similar to one of Mordred’s original pieces of concept art, though, and I was ready to Yell before I looked closer. XD

And so, at 11:30pm, having completely forgotten the several things I needed to have done before the meeting with Maruki, we head in to steal the Treasure.

This man needs to stop. How dare he know how much I love Cool Stairs?

I find it very concerning that the core of Eden is a writhing mess of tentacles. The metaphorical worm in the apple? X’D We were so close to getting Nyarlathotep, but Azathoth is suitably intimidating. And I appreciate that he’s using the same concepts as the Thieves: his will to rebel against what he sees as an unfair reality, and removing his mask to summon his distorted persona. Thanks for validating all of my headcanon meta about Adachi and Palaces all in one go.

But...

I can’t do this. What the fuck are you wearing?

At least Azathoth is cool.

Somehow I managed to bring exactly the right team to get consistent four-person baton passes for the whole first round. That one was about half an hour.

...the second round was an hour and fifteen minutes because holy shit this thing was a tank and had entirely too many arms and really needed to stop healing.

The torch is very pretty, at least.

And then before we can completely book it out of there, he steals the torch back and literally forces his second awakening so he can keep going. And at that point...what is he even hoping to accomplish? What is he going to do? Are you really willing to kill us to maintain this illusion?

The answer is apparently yes because it was a surprisingly poetic battle as each teammate in turn got a chance to fling themselves in the way and stop it from crushing Joker to death with it’s big giant hand.

And THEN he goes even further and validates some canon meta and me all at once by fusing with his own persona in a continuing last-ditch effort to... I really think he’s trying to kill us. I think he’s that far gone. Or at least his persona is. Because after the fusion, it’s specifically called “Adam Kadmon”, not Maruki. The persona is in control. It’s canon that if you try to summon something stronger than you, it can overtake and possess you. I know Maruki seemed to willingly give up control, but it’s also possible that forcing his second awakening like that left him with a persona that was entirely too strong for him.

(Nevermind that him being that strong in the first place is kind of ridiculous. That’s a discussion for after the final credits. I’m just hyped that someone fusing with their persona was a thing that actually happened!)

He’s so big. Where’s Satanael so I can fuse with him and we can have a megazord fight in Collapsing Ideal Tokyo? XD

The kids up the Holy Shit Quotient by a mile by catching the giant fist all together so that Joker can deal the final blow.

And what a final blow it is.

I really like this, because I don’t know if it was deliberate, but I read it as a callback to Daybreakers. Which came out before the game, iirc, so the first real piece of content. It’s just on a bigger, grander scale.

Everything comes full-circle in the end.

I really like the Mona helicopter. XD I just wish it was a little bigger, because poor Goro squished into the bottom. And poor Akira not managing to make it into the helicopter.

And this asshole WILL NOT STAY DOWN.

What is the point of punching it out on top of the collapsing Palace? Are you trying to kill us both? Do you just want to keep going until neither of us can stand? Dude.

And of course Akira won’t let him die. I think the upsetting thing about this, though, is really that you don’t get the chance to say a proper goodbye to Goro. Or anyone, really, but mostly Goro. The Palace crumbles, Akira wakes up in jail, the Thieves wake up the next morning after fighting all night, and Goro is...gone.

At least the Thieves seem properly sad this time. Even if it’s only for one scene.

Lavenza calls it “ironic” that “your wish for other’s happiness prevailed over your own.” I just call it unfair. Once again, hasn’t he done enough? At least he was only technically in jail for nine days from his perspective, but that must have been a whiplash of an adjustment.

Out of jail, Sojiro acknowledges he was Terrible at the beginning of the year, it’s 2:30am, time to do Valentines and then go to bed before the final walkaround.

And then Valentines passes. I spent it with Sumire. They’re cute.

And then it was February 15th and all the rest of the girls gave me chocolate?? It was just a constant ambush of being given chocolate all day?

And then it was March 3rd, and the Thieves are all splitting up and moving away? Are we sure this isn’t Scramble’s timeline? I get it, narratively, they’re taking the opportunities to move forward that Maruki’s reality would have denied them, but it still hurts.

And then it was March 13th and I still can’t save and now it’s 3am and apparently we get to play out White Day and Sojiro is giving me advice for the perfect date because captain idiot here forgot to plan anything and what heckin’ restaurant is getting this flustered that just mentioning Sojiro’s name is enough to get a table when they’re fully booked and---

Now it’s the 14th and I have to go buy flowers for my dinner date and I have finally been given control and saved and I am free.

Now next time I play I have to see if I can go sell my leftover items, because I’ve got a couple-hundred-thousand yen worth, and also rescue Arsene from prison. X’D

More thoughts on Maruki and everything after I see the ending, most likely.

[h-alcion-blog]

—— INTRODUCTION .

hey! i’m a lil late with this but better late than never, right? i’m n ( he/him or they/them ) and if you’re the type of person who writes that letter instead of ‘and,’ you’re free to call me either ‘enn’ or ‘nero’ alternatively. i really don’t have much of a preference for what people call me i’ll be real. i’m in EST but i have really weird waking hours. just know that tuesdays & thursdays are almost IMPOSSIBLE to reach me just because i schedule my hours at my uni to fill up the entire day and that’s no exaggeration. 

i’ll be playing chitose hamaguchi, shsl pop idol! his public bio is here. his talent i feel is pretty self-explanatory but i’ll get into details about his fame under the cut amongst the other typical fanfare.

would your oc know him? :

oh probably. unless your oc completely avoids advertisements and music, ESPECIALLY pop music, then your oc logistically should at least know about his old idol unit named yumeiro. i 100% am willing to believe though that they might not recognize him or his name, but i’d say he’s about on the same level as knowing who, say, a.dam le.vine is out of m.aroon 5.

yumeiro is an “all-girl group” -- i put that in air quotes because chitose is a cismale yet he was a part of the group. at first it was a secret that he was male but very soon after their successful debut, he was outed by the fanbase. there was a bit of controversy at first over whether or not a guy should be allowed to be in yumeiro, but his talent in singing and dancing as well as his own individual fanbase was so powerful that people kinda stopped caring, believing that he was good enough to allow some flexibility with ONLY in his career. it’s also very apparent that the management knew his gender, so it’s not like he was lying to anyone except the fans at first. his fans affectionately refer to him as chitose-chan and by feminine titles ( queen, princess, etc. ) and he’s known as ‘ japan’s darling crossdressing idol. ’ 

addendum to above, but it’s possible that a lot of his fans never used pronouns to refer to him considering how easy it is to omit them in japanese speech. if they ever DID use pronouns though, they used he/him. without that though and without prior knowledge of chitose, it’s very easy to be tricked into believing he is a cisgirl whenever he’s in his yumeiro getup.

this is the appearance that most people would recognize him with. he always wore the pink wig and feminine clothing in public appearances until his switch to a new all-boy idol unit: C-HARM. however, C-HARM has been performing, so if you’re a fan of male idol groups, it’s possible to recognize him as how he is now in both appearance and voice ( he sings in a different register between his work in yumeiro and his work in C-HARM. ) C-HARM is super successful too, just not as popular as yumeiro -- also yumeiro has been around longer.

still, it’s not like it was impossible to know him with his current appearance beforehand. if your oc went to a lot of high society events, there’s a chance you might’ve seen him in masculine clothing and without his wig acting as an escort for darling fellow idol and child model sakurako ueda. sakurako’s mother is a very prominent woman in the entertainment industy being an extremely popular actress. her mother’s name is sumire ueda. sakurako ueda is the center of yumeiro.

chitose is also a child model but this is less likely for you to recognize him as. he’s been in advertisements and magazines since he was a toddler. he was dressed as a girl for the first two years but once he became school-age, he ended up becoming masculine presenting. he did not wear the wig until his entrance into yumeiro. he was mostly featured in clothing ads but has been in a few other types like food products, toys, etc. nowadays with his idol career, his photoshoots are geared more towards clothing and jewelry and during his time in yumeiro, he was used a decent amount of times in cosmetic commercials! nowadays though since he’s masculine presenting again, he’s used more for clothing and accessories only. up until his switch to C-HARM, he was exclusively in photoshoots with sakurako ueda. he never did solo jobs.

C-HARM is a new idol unit and he is NOT the center of it. in fact, chitose was never the leader of either of his idol units despite his personal popularity. his marketability in yumeiro was that he actually sounds like a girl ( just a slightly deeper sounding one ) whilst in C-HARM it’s that he’s a cute boy. both idol units are comprised only of people who are around his age.

both of his idol units specialize in love songs. they’re both standard idol fare. honestly, if you’ve played an idol game, that’s not a bad comparison. they don’t have gimmicks centered on being crossovers with metal, rock, or anything like that, but they’re both well-rounded genre wise whilst still being “safe” enough for the pop charts.

a pretty good term to use for chitose’s presentation in yumeiro and his extremely early modeling days is to describe him as an otokonoko. it’s a jp term that means quite literally “male daughter” and is used to describe cishet men who present femininely. chitose himself referred to himself as an otokonoko in those days. otokonokos are NOT to be confused with herbivore men, but they both get flack just because of japan’s declining birth rate and strict gender norms. 

rules / law :

i’m cool with him being drawn and such! i’m also cool with my art being used for edits with filters and such. 

as for shipping, i’m probably going to not be that open to it but if chemistry naturally happens, then it happens. i’ll just be plain and say that, at this point in time, chitose is in love with somebody already but doesn’t understand that fact. there’s also the whole taboo with idols dating people though, and he is VERY aware of the deep trouble he can get into if he’s ever discovered to actually be romantically involved with anyone.

i’m one of the few people here it seems who prefers public threads to private, but i’m cool with either! as a note, if you don’t use sprites, i won’t use sprites either. i don’t really mind LOL i’m flexible. 

i’m kinda hrmmmm when it comes to plotting just because i’m more used to improvising, but if there’s something you want to plot out, feel free to hmu. i’m usually always set to invisible on discord, but i’ll get back to your message asap!

trivia :

chitose’s persona between his involvement in yumeiro and his involvement in C-HARM is virtually the same. literally, the only difference someone might notice is that he’s feminine presenting in one group and masculine presenting in the other. he’s known to be kinda an oresama in both units.

personal pronouns with chitose is a MESS. in yumeiro, he referred to himself with atashi, but at social events he referred to himself with watashi. nowadays in both social functions and in C-HARM, he refers to himself with boku.

chitose enjoys tea ceremonies! he’s particularly partial to green tea for ooc metaphorical reasons.

chitose, despite his previously girly public image, LOVES sports. his current fascination is paragliding and surfing.

chitose lives in kamakura, kanagawa! whiiiich basically puts him in the shonan area aka he’s always lived around the beach hence why he enjoys surfing.

chitose loves spicy food ( he loves ghost peppers ) and hates most sweets. his exception is strawberry daifuku.

regardless of if he’s presenting femininely or masculinely, chitose LOVES fashion. he’s very meticulous when it comes to clothes shopping ( his motto is ‘ don’t let the clothes wear you, YOU have to wear them! ’ ), skincare, makeup, and hairstyling.

chitose is Salty.jpeg that he’s not categorized as a cute student. he will judge the cute students in the roster based on their appearance Very Heavily now rip them.

i’m a mad man and made these references for all the symbols on his design a while ago:

[sumire-bride]

Sumire and shuus route (demo) maniac 9

Scene is living room

Sumire- ..haah… (..Shuu-sama told me I was suspended… I was not sure what that meant until.. reiji-sama woke us up…)

(..and well… he was not happy… at all…)

*FLASHBACK*

Flashback is in living room

Reiji- …

Sumire- …

(..there is such a dark aura coming from reiji-sama…. Ahh…)

Reiji- I have no words.. I.. I honestly can’t believe you did such a thing.. I already deal with laito and subarus suspensions and make sure they don’t get expelled which already puts me in a situation and now this!

Good grief do you have any idea how you could have messed up the sakamaki name if I didn’t make your suspension a little shorter, you should be happy that your suspended for a month and not longer,what do you have to say for yourself?!

Sumire- …. Forgive me… I did not realize what I was doing.. until after I had did it…. I am very sorry… I did not mean to cause such.. trouble for you…

Reiji- how do you expect to make this up for yourself ah!? I can’t even think of a proper punishment at this very moment

Laito- ufu, give our bitch-chan a break, we should be happy if I’m being honest. It’s the first time she has ever gotten angry! Shuu was there

Ne ne tell us Shuu, what did she look like? I can’t help but imagine what she must of looked like, her eyes full of rage, did she yell? Ahh… Just the thought of it turns me on~. An angry bitch-chan.. ne bitch-chan show me that face you had yesterday

Subaru- tch.. fuckin perv..

Ayato- little watermelon got suspended, still can’t believe it,

Kanato- if you need a punishment for her then.. I can help with that. Ne teddy what should we do to torture her hm..? Should we rip her pretty eyes out and use them..? Or should we cut off her long legs and use them for one of our.. other projects, or or should we-!

Reiji- silence!

Haah.. this women is such a headache.. well no matter I’ll come up with one when we come back

Everyone get in the car we’ll be late

Sumire- …uh… I did not put my uniform on…

Reiji- what are you talking about? Your suspended..- don’t tell me you don’t know what that is, I shouldn’t be surprised.. suspension means someone stopping someone from doing or going a place or thing

So your not going to school, for a month,

Sumire- …so.. I can not go to school…? I see…

Reiji- seems like you understand, well your not going so when we’re gone.. don’t burn the house down, I’m being serious don’t.burn.the.house.down. Unless you require a bigger punishment then your already getting

Laito- bye bitch-chan! Don’t cause to much trouble while we’re gone Kay~!

*FLASHBACK ENDS*

Sumire- … (..and that is how i got here… I’m not sure what to do… mm… I guess I can go to the music room… piano seems to calm me down…) well I should get going then….

*scene is in the mansions music room*

Sumire- … (…this piano is really pretty… haha… what am I saying… I think all pianos look the same from what I’ve seen…. I am starting to think that the word “idiot” is not a compliment… does this mean I am a idiot…?)

(..the things I do are stupid aren’t they…? I.. I do not understand anything….)

Shuu- oi..

Sumire- ..!!!…

Shuu- you don’t need to jump.. it’s only me geez..

Sumire- ..Shuu-sama….! You are not in school… did you get this thing suspended as well…?

Shuu- why does it matter if I did or not, it’s not like you should care

Besides that.. what are you doing..?

Sumire- ..I am on the piano… is that not obvious….? Ah..! Is Shuu-sama going blind…!

Shuu- okay I get it.. geez.. what I meant was why are you up here, you don’t seem like the type who would be going to random places without a reason to

Sumire- ..Did I need a reason to come here…? I merely came here because I like the sound of piano… I was not sure if I was even going to play anything… I have.. just been in some stress… and piano is soothing to me…

..I knew how to play ever since I was.. a child… my older brother taught me how… he used to play when he came to visit me and father…. I remember the first song he taught me…. He told me when we first sang together that.. I had the voice of a angel… or something else that was better.. he said the same thing about my looks… He said that was only befitting of the only daughter of the kanashi family to be… beautiful…. And have everything that came with it….

..I love the piano and music…. There such amazing things… and the memories of him and my other brothers.. is something I will cherish till the day I die… they’d want me to.. right…?

Shuu- you know how to play this old thing..? Wow Rapunzel actually has something she can do besides reading and acting like a idiot.. what a surprise..

Well, play me something then.. I wanna nap

Sumire- ..huh… you want to hear me.. play…? That is quite funny… haha…

Shuu- why is that funny..?

Sumire- Shuu-sama has never seemed interested in.. any of the things I do… so I find it funny when you do… but I also find it quite nice… I like when Shuu-sama shows interest in my talents….

Shuu- tch.. whatever, I guess I’ll nap listening with my headphones then..

Sumire- ..eh.. if that is what Shuu-sama wants to listen to then I am perfectly fine with it….. (..Shuu-sama also makes me feel happy… I like that he is here… fufu..)

..I am going to read okay…?

Shuu- do what you want.. I doesn’t bother me as long as your quite..

Sumire- ….

*TIMESKIP*

Sumire- …ah.. (..this is sad… poor boy… his love is dying… how sad… but I can not cry about.. such things…. Mother and father will get mad at me….) hmm…. (Maybe I should.. stop reading for now…. So I don’t cry)

..(..Shuu-sama is still napping on my shoulder…. Maybe I should take a nap as well… but I’ve slept quite a bit… I wonder if that is a good thing…. Normally I would myself up by reading before…)

*sumire puts her head on his shoulder*

Sumire- … (..when I look at Shuu-sama… there is a lot I like about him… including his looks… his pale and bright hair colour reminds me of those.. really pretty guys in books…it’s.. it’s nice… a lot of the time when I look at him… he makes me feel dizzy… but in a good way…?)

(..oh goodness this is confusing me… haha… I’m quite confused at my feelings towards you Shuu-sama… I love him but… what type of love is this…? It is a lot different then how I felt about my big brothers and parents… and the servants…. I’m quite confused… ne Shuu-sama please tell me…)

Shuu- oi.. your getting tears on my shoulder

Sumire- ..what are tears…? Uh..

*drip drip*

Sumire- …?.. what is this… I don’t not quite understand….

Shuu- is that not obvious..? Your crying, and you got your tears on my shoulder

Sumire- ..I am crying…! Oh no… I can cry….! Mother will be upset at me… I can’t have that… go away tears…!

Shuu- why tell them to go away.. I honestly don’t dislike you crying.. this is actually the first time I have seen you shed tears.. though I’d wish you’d actually have a frightened look as well, but I guess I can make that happen on my own

Hey.. shed more tears for me

*rustle rustle*

Sumire- …uh… if you are going to suck my blood then.. please wait an till I have stopped these awful tears coming… from my face…

Shuu- don’t wanna.. I prefer it better to suck you blood when your full of them, so go on cry more for me.. not like anyone’s gonna hear right..? I mean it’s just the two of us in this one room,

Or were you expecting something a little more dirty..? Lewd girl

Sumire- ..Why would I want the two of us to get dirty…. It would be troublesome to clean ourselves up… and I don’t quite like dirt in my hands to much…

Shuu- you really are I naïve girl, again I don’t dislike toying with girls like that either

*shuu bites sumire*

Sumire- …ah…! Shuu-sama… I.. (..and there goes my voice…. I.. I don’t want to move…. I can’t move… does.. does this make him.. happy…?)

Shuu- nn… haah.. haha.. look at that I finally got a look out of you.. after multiple tries it happened.. go on make that face more, cry more.. I want to see it..

Sumire- … (..It… it does make him happy… if this is what he wants then I am… willing to…) uh… ah…!

Shuu- I’ve wondered for a while if these we’re either tights or stockings… hmm.. so they are stockings.. they look nice on your legs..

*shuu rips the left sock*

Sumire- …Shuu-sama…! Don’t rip those…! Oh goodness I will need to see those back together….-

*shuu bites sumires thigh*

Sumire- ..argh….!! (…that hurts… a lot…!! But.. but I can not cry about it…)

Shuu- Nn.. hnn… a lot of blood comes from here.. hey you should be happy I gave you a compliment..

You know.. you should wear something else other then his baggy dress, I’ve just found out that you have nice legs.. surprisingly you actually have nice features besides that face of yours.. speaking of which.. there’s another thing I’ve wondered..

Sumire- …?..

Shuu- as of recently I’ve wondered what you’d look like if you didn’t have this annoying dress on. So let me take it off

Sumire- …huh.. what… you want.. no.. no in all ways….! I will let shuu-sama bite me but I will not take my dress of for his… own amusement… my body is for my eyes…

Shuu- heeh.. look at that.. you made another face.. your blushing

Sumire- …I am not doing such a thing…. Oh goodness…

Shuu- so would you rather my brothers see you like that..? See you in all your own little forms..? Or would you rather me see it instead..?

Sumire- ..uh… (..shuu-sama says weird things… I am not quite sure how to answer that… but..) …if I am being completely honest… I don’t want anyone to see me in this state… if my family say me like this now… I’d get in trouble…. But.. (..I am fully aware of what he is implying… I am not that dense)

..I would rather shuu-sama look at me in this state then anyone else… because he is the only one I feel safe around to show him these… scary feelings and expressions with…. so.. if it makes Shuu-sama happy than I am willing to sacrifice what I have stuck to in my life…

Shuu- I’m getting a lot of the things I want today.. strange isn’t it.. whatever.. scream.. shout.. use this opportunity to actually be loud around me.. okay..? Don’t waste it..

Sumire- ..mhm… (..I understand what I am doing is considered wrong in the eyes of father.. but… he is not here right now… so… I am fine… and I am making Shuu-sama happy… so everything is fine because he’s here….)

Monologue

This man and mines body fell close together.. it was almost like we were melting together like candle wax..

I gave up everything I once knew in this moment.. but I feel like everything will be the same by tomorrow.. I’m terrified that it will be the same.. I want things to stay like this for just a moment longer…

This is so different then what I’m used to feeling.. and I don’t understand it.. even after I still didn’t.. I wonder.. what is this..

It’s different from what me and you had.. this “prince” is different from you.. but how..?

It’s the first time I’ve done anything that wasn’t to make you all happy but to make someone else happy.. the first time I asked someone else a question

So tell me.. is this what you’d call “love”..? Is this the same type of love we had..?

Father..

—to be continued—

Maniac 8 — maniac 10

[vgckwb]

P5R: Rebel Girl (A FeMC Story/P5R Rework) Chapter 29: Making a Plan

After school the next day, Ren messaged the group.

Ren: OK. Wanna meet at the access panel?

Ann: Wait, really?

Ren: Yeah. It’s our new hangout.

Ryuji: Wait, WHAT?!

Ren: Well, we can’t use the rooftop anymore.

Ren: Miss Nijima wouldn’t allow it.

Ren: And two of our members don’t even go to school here.

Sumire: Right. That makes sense.

Ryuji: OK, and why the access panel?

Ren: We’ve met there before, and we haven’t run into any problems really.

Ren: And I don’t think it’d be wise to meet at the diner constantly.

Ann: Yeah, I feel ya on that.

Ann: Always ordering food so it won’t get awkward.

Yusuke: I wouldn’t mind that though.

Ryuji: Of course you wouldn’t.

Jose: Did something happen?

Ryuji: Once he started eating last night, he was wolfing everything down like it was going out of style.

Yusuke: How dare you!

Ryuji: ...sorry

Yusuke: You make it sound like I was eating like a pig out of a trough.

Yuuke: When really, I was dining exquisitely.

Yusuke: Every bite had meaning.

Yusuke: I may have eaten fast, but I ate with flourish!

Ryuji: THAT’S what you’re upset about?

Yusuke: Indeed.

Sumire: Well, I also wouldn’t oppose going to a restaurant for the meeting place.

Sumire: But I can see how it would be a bit distracting.

Ren: Well then, it’s settled.

Ren: The access panel it is.

Ryuji: OK. Seeya there.

Ann: Later!

Sumire: Seeya.

Jose: We’ll meet you there.

Yusuke: Indeed.

The thieves gathered their things and left to meet at their new hideout. “Huh. So, this is the hideout” Yusuke said.

“That’s right” Ren replied nonchalantly.

Yusuke looked out the window. “How brazen.”

“Alright, so now what?” Ryuji said. “Do we take the palace today, or what?”

“Well,” Ren began, “I want to do a few things first.”

“OK then” Ryuji said.

“Like what?” Ann asked.

“Well, I called us here today to review the facts of the case before we begin,” Ren said. “This isn’t like Kamoshida where we were sure of everything.”

“The dude’s a dirtbag, what else is there to figure out?” Ryuji said bluntly.

“While that’s true, you all knew Kamoshida well enough to take on his palace” Sumire added. “However, while Jose and I seem to know bits and pieces, the one who knows Madarame the most is Yusuke-senpai.”

“She’s right,” Jose said. “If we understood Madarame better, we might have an advantage in his palace.”

“Plus, there’s also the matter of Kosuke,” Ren added. “Yusuke is the only one who knows him.” They all looked at him to his surprise. “Are you up for it?”

Yusuke got serious. “It’s time I face my inhibitions and awaken myself further.”

“Alright then” Ren said. “Where should we start? Madarame, or Kosuke?”

“I feel like we need to start with Madarame,” Ann said. “After all, Kosuke is only doing what he’s doing because of Madarame.”

“Very well,” Yusuke said. “To the general public, Madarame is an artist that is well-renowned for his mastery of various styles of art.”

“Yeah yeah, but he steals them from his students, we know this,” Ryuji said.

“Ryuji!” Ann said. “We’re doing this to help.”

“Sorry,” Ryuji said. “I just don’t see the point.”

“The point is to know your enemy,” Jose said. “That way, you can take them down more efficiently.”

“Oh. Is that so?” Ryuji said. “Well then, carry on, I guess.”

Ann sighed. “You’re just as much of a meathead as ever.”

“If I may,” Yusuke said. “As you said, Madarame’s public image differentiates from the Madarame I know. Madarame poses himself as a quiet and charming figure, but he has a tendency to unravel with his students.” Yusuke shuttered. “Still, the cruelty I’ve taken from Madarame pales in comparison to the Madarame we saw in the metaverse.”

“His shadow,” Morgana said. “I guess there are things he even hides from his students.”

“I’ll say,” Ryuji said. “That whole business of art is just a means to get rich or teaching the value of art to make people not oppose him makes me sick.”

“Yeah,” Sumire said. “If my coach believed in any of what Madarame said, it wouldn’t be long before we left.”

“Well, unfortunately, a lot of Madarame’s pupils don’t have that luxury” Yusuke said.

“Wait, couldn’t you just live in the dorms at Kosei Yusuke?” Jose asked.

“Ngh. Well, it’s true that I could” Yusuke said. “But… Madarame has been like a father to me my entire life. Giving that up would be one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. But since it’s come down to it, I’ll make that decision.”

The thieves smiled. “Way to go Yusuke!” Ann said. “But still… It pisses me off knowing that Madarame takes people like you under his wing. People with nothing in the world. Pretending to be a light in the darkness. And then he just takes it all away.”

“Is that how Kosuke came under the tutelage of Madarame?” Ren asked.

Yusuke hesitated a little bit. “Kosuke’s circumstances are… well… They’re not easy to listen to…”

“Well, I think we’re all used to that kind of thing…” Sumire lamented. “At least somewhat…”

“Very well,” Yusuke said. “Kosuke’s parents were murdered by the yakuza when he was a child. This has affected him greatly. In his teens, he was violent and rambunctious because he couldn’t trust anybody. No one wanted to adopt him, or be friends with him, and he would constantly be under watch by the police. It felt like nothing could reign him in.

However, his art teacher noticed he was quiet and dedicated during art. He happened to be friends with Madarame, and turned Kosuke to him. Eventually, Kosuke calmed down and stopped getting into fights over every little thing.

However, when Kosuke realized what Madarame was doing, he didn’t take it lightly. Most students are upset when they decide that they can’t handle the pressure anymore. But Kosuke took it to a whole new level.”

“I can understand why,” Ann said. “Your source of sanctuary being ripped away from you like that. It sounds just like what Kamoshida did to Shiho.”

“No wonder Kosuke wants Madarame dead so much,” Ryuji added.

“Was this when he found out about the Sayuri?” Ren asked. Everyone was surprised.

“Well, I wouldn’t know,” Yusuke said. “I only heard the Sayuri went missing. This whole ordeal is news to me.”

“Well, I bet the two at least correlated with each other” Jose said.

“So, what do you know about the Sayuri Jose?” Sumire asked. “It seems like it’s going to be the focal point of why Madarame is acting the way he is.”

“Wait, you’re saying the treasure is this Sayuri?” Ryuji asked.

“Huh?” Sumire responded.

“Did we not explain that to you guys? We’re sorry” Ann apologized.

Morgana jumped in. “The palace ruler’s treasure is the thing that distorts a person’s heart. It’s the reason they became who they are.”

“I see,” Jose said.

“So, what can you tell us about the Sayuri?” Ren asked.

Yusuke thought. “Well, it’s one of Madarame’s most well-known works. Its use of technique, as well as the subject matter itself, is nothing short of amazing. I know that whenever I look at it, I feel a wave of positive emotions flow through me. It’s what made me want to become an artist in the first place.”

“Is there a chance Madarame stole this one too?” Ren asked.

“Hmmmmm” Yusuke thought. “Well, from what I’ve heard, Madarame started stealing his student’s art a little bit after that, but I can’t be certain that Madarame stole the Sayuri.”

“I see,” Ren said.

“So, we have our facts in order,” Morgana said.

“Hold on” Ren silenced him. “There’s one other thing I need to know. Yusuke. Is there a chance that Kosuke would go back on his word?”

“What do you mean?” Yusuke said.

“He told us that he would do the deed on the final day of the exhibition” Ren explained. “Do you think he’d give us a false date?”

“I see,” Yusuke said. “In all honesty, no. Kosuke might be corrupted by this Eris person, but he is an artist at heart. He views him murdering Madarame as his masterpiece. He wouldn’t dare do anything to mess that up.”

“Hm. Interesting” Ren said.

“What’s up?” Ann asked.

“Well, I wanted to get a good time frame for how long we have,” Ren explained. “If possible, I’d like to make a few preparations before we raid the palace.”

“That’s a good idea,” Morgana said. “We don’t want to go in unprepared.”

“Plus, it’ll give some of us some breathing room,” Ren added. “I mean, we did just get done with midterms.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Ryuji said.

“So, now we have a schedule,” Ren said.

“Wait, when IS the last day of the exhibition?” Ann asked.

“Oh, right,” Yusuke said. “The last day is June 5th.”

“And today is May 17th, right?” Sumire said. “That gives us some time.”

“Alright, now that that’s settled, “ Ren began, “let’s start with one bit of prepwork we can do now. Yusuke. What do you want your codename to be?”

“Huh? Codename?” Yusuke said.

“Yeah,” Ann said. “We do it to conceal our identities. After all, we are in the minds and hearts of our enemies. We don’t want them to see us coming.”

“Plus, it’s kind of cute,” Sumire said.

“Hmmmm” Yusuke said. What are your guys' codenames? I don’t wish to break any particular pattern you have.”

“Well, I’m Skull,” Ryuji said. “She Joker, he’s Mona, he’s Sunshine, she’s Panther, and she’s Violet.”

“I see. English names” Yusuke said. “How delightful. Hm. I was going to call myself Kitsune between my outfit and my username, but maybe Fox is the better name.”

“Well, if you’re cool with that” Ryuji said.

“Fox it is” Yusuke said.

“Yeah!” Ryuji said. He glanced over. “Hm?”

“What’s wrong, Ryuji-senpai?” Sumire asked.

“Ah, nothin’. I just thought I saw something” Ryuji stated.

Ren looked over where Ryuji looked. She didn’t see anything. “Hm. Well, let’s try to keep our meetings a little shorter in the future, OK?” The thieves nodded.

Meanwhile, Makoto was hiding behind a wall after spying on the thieves. She sighed, relieved that they didn’t appear to catch her. “That was close.” She looked over again, only to find that they had since left.

Meanwhile, at Madarame’s exhibit, there was a knock on the door to the security office. “Come in,” Kosuke said. Madarame entered, face full of fury. “Ah, Madarame sir. Is there anything I could help you with?”

Madarame glared at him. “You know why I’m here,” he said. “I could report you to the police.

Kosuke sighed. “Really? We’re going straight into this? No formalities? No chit-chat? Nothing? Well if you’re going to, I say do it. Let’s see what the police have to say about what I stole.”

“I’d tell them you’re lying!” Madarame snapped back.

“That might work,” Kosuke said, “IF I didn’t have the proof they needed. And once we’re in a holding cell together, you KNOW I can overpower you.” Madarame scowled. “But hey, I’m a generous man. I’m giving you the opportunity to be the master of the art world one last time. After all, you wouldn’t do anything to sully your reputation during your own exhibit, would you?”

Madarame stared at him. “Hm” Kosuke gloated. “It seems like I’m right.” He turned back to his work. “We’re done here.” Madarame started to leave. “If you can think of a way out of all this, then by all means. Just remember who you’re dealing with.”

Madarame left the room and closed the door. “Bah! ‘Remember who you’re dealing with.’ I’m dealing with a petulant child who wants the world to be more fair. Well life isn’t fair. You just have to make it unfair in your advantage.” He got out his phone. “I better make some preparations, just to be sure.”

Meanwhile, Kosuke was watching this on the cameras. “Hm. I guess I can apply one of your lessons after all. You’re so used to making it unfair in your favor that when the ball is in someone else’s court, you can’t handle it. This is almost too easy.”