The Jester Fathers the Fool (Chapter 2:Â The Respite of Revolution)
Summary:
Akira Kurusu has always been sure about his home life, even if it wasn't the best.
But after meeting the Inaba T.V. Killer, he's no longer sure.
And... also he's the leader of the Phantom Thieves.
Updates Every Two Weeks (hopefully)
Chapter Summary:
The Phantom Thieves see Kamoshida's change of heart.
Akira also realizes that peace is something out of his reach.
You can read it on AO3 here.
5/2, Monday:
Akira awoke to the sound of his phone going off rapidly. After rubbing his eyes, he grabbed at where he guessed his phone would be.
Unsurprisingly, it was the group chat with Ann and Ryuji. Akira had figured he would hear from them soon into the day.
ryuji: this isnt good
ryuji: guys?
ryuji: is anyone up
ryuji: hello?
ryuji: it isnt only my life on the line here!
ryuji: wake up
ryuji: wake up
ryuji: wake up
ann: WILL YOU SHUT UP?
ann: so todayâs the big day huh?
ryuji: ann i dont want to get expelled
ann: please shut up
ann: itâs too early.
ryuji: guys we are so effin dead
ryuji: we are so so dead
akira: no we arenât.
ann: yeah weâll be fine
ryuji: its easy for you to say that
ryuji: youre not the one getting expelled today
akira: none of us are getting expelled ryuji.
ann: weâve done everything according to plan
ann: thereâs no way this can fail!
akira: yeah, weâll be fine.
ryuji: but we cant be sure
akira: weâll.
akira: be.
akira: fine.
ann: yep!
Akira frowned as he shut off his phone, rubbing his eyes once again. Ryujiâs fears werenât unfounded. In fact, it was probably the most normal thing about their situation.
âAre you ready?â Morgana asked, staring at Akira worriedly. âTodayâs the day, yâknow.â
âIâm fine,â Akira said. âItâs a bit scary to just wait, but everything is going to fine.â
It just has to be, Akira thought. If it doesnât⌠well thatâs it, isnât it?
âYou donât seem too sure,â Morgana said, tilting his head.
âI am,â Akira countered, turning to change. âJust tired, thatâs all.â
Morgana sighed loudly but didnât say anything more on the matter.
Some lies werenât worth the trouble of uncovering them. Not that Akira would complain about Morganaâs newfound policy.
After getting dressed, Akira went downstairs with Morgana in tow. Sojiro had apparently just arrived.
âYou hungry, kid?â Sojiro asked, staring at Akira. âYouâll have enough time for breakfast if you eat now.â
âNo,â Akira said quickly. âIâm not really that hungry.â
Sojiro frowned. âAre you sure?â
Akira nodded.
âMake sure you flip the sign to open on your way out,â Sojiro said, turning away.
Akira turned away, making his way towards Leblancâs door.
He didnât understand why Sojiro seemed so disappointed in how he had skipped breakfast.
His only guess was quickly brushed off as he turned the sign, marking the cafe as open.
If his own parents hadnât cared enough, he doubted that Sojiro would, no matter what kind of person Sojiro was.
It just wouldnât make sense.
Going through the motions of the school day was nerve-wracking, although Akira barely showed it.
Or at least he hoped that he seemed calm.
He was grateful when it was finally time for the assembly, as he had figured that was the do or die moment.
Who thought that the most important thing in my academic career would be a school assembly and not an exam⌠Akira thought, trying to find humor. I guess life isnât easy to predict.
Akira and Ann found each other in the hallway while their class walked to the assembly, both looking a little grim.
âThis is a bit scary,â Ann whispered. âEspecially since we have no clue what this is going to be about.â
âWe can guess, canât we?â Akira asked, gripping his backpack a bit tighter.
âIf it was just about Kamoshida I doubt the school would call an assembly,â Ann said shaking her head. âThey like to sweep his behavior under a rug.â
Akira nodded, frowning as they finally reached their destination. âOut of the frying pan into the fire, it seems.â
âHopefully it isnât anything like that,â Ann said before going in.
Akira and Ann separated, with Ann going towards the front and Akira lingering towards the back.
Principal Kobayakawa stood awkwardly on the platform, adjusting his shirt every few seconds.
Whatever he was about to say, Akira was sure he didnât want to say it.
After a few minutes of waiting it seemed that the assembly was finally about to begin. Akira tried to ignore the fear that clawed up his chest.
âHello everyone,â Kobayakawa began. âAs you all may know our school has recently been victim to a tragedy.â
âHowever despite the circumstances, we have been informed that the student in question will make a full recovery over time.â
âWe will move forward from this tragedy by putting our best foot forward.â
Kobayakawa paused for a second, most likely to continue his speech on morale, but he never got the chance.
The door closest to Akira opened with a bang, revealing Kamoshida behind it.
The man had looked different, Akira realized. As if he had seemed sorry instead of smug. The thought was a little jarring, but Akira simply tried to ignore it.
âI have been reborn,â Kamoshida began, a bit out of breath. âI have⌠a lot to confess to you all.â
Kamoshida slowly shambled to the stage, the walk a bit lackluster for a former Olympic medalist.
âI have done things unspeakable as a teacher,â Kamoshida said. âI viewed this school as my castle and I was right to do anything I saw fit.â
âI treated the volleyball team terribly,â Kamoshida continued. âI would continuously abuse them until they gave me the results I wanted.â
âMister Kamoshida,â Kobayakawa said hurriedly. âPlease get off the stage!â
âAnd to the female students I was no better,â Kamoshida said, ignoring Kobayakawaâs attempts to get him off the stage. âI sexually harassed them despite their repeated attempts to tell me no.â
âI am the reason that Suzui attempted to kill herself,â Kamoshida said. âAnd when students attempted to call me out on it I saw it fit to have them expelled.â
âI will of course rescind the request of their expulsion,â Kamoshida finished.
Kamoshida then went on his knees and started sobbing, confusing the student body even more.
âI am a shameful person,â Kamoshida said, barely comprehensible. âI am the scum of this very earth.â
âThereâs no punishment worthy of me,â Kamoshida continued. âThe only way I could ever think of repenting is by killing myself.â
âYes, thatâs the only punishment that would be fair!â Kamoshida cried out. âI will die in order to repent for my sins!â
âWhat, are you a coward or something?!â Ann yelled out, surprising everyone around her. âShiho didnât have a choice about whether or not to jump but you do.â
âYou need to live to serve out a sentence,â Ann continued. âOtherwise youâll just be running away from your crimes!â
âYouâre right,â Kamoshida muttered. âI need to live to see this through. Only then will I receive proper punishment.â
âCould it be the rumors were true?â a student near Akira whispered. âHe really was doing all that stuffâŚ?â
âDoesnât that mean that the Phantom Thieves are also realâŚ?â another student whispered. âBecause thereâs no way heâd just confess to that stuff right?â
âDonât be stupid, he probably was just caught,â a student hissed. âThereâs no way something like âstealing heartsâ could really happen.â
âI guess youâre rightâŚâ
âPlease everyone, calm down!â Kobayakawa yelled, trying to regain control. âAnd can someone get Mister Kamoshida out of here?!â
âJesus,â Ryuji muttered, shaking his head. âThat really happened, didnât it?â
âI guess it worked,â Akira said.
âThatâs a relief, isnât it?â Ann asked. âHis heart really changed so we donât have to worry!â
âYeah, I guess,â Akira said.
Did we really do the ârightâ thingâŚ? Akira thought. Itâs not like he wouldâve confessed on his own.
âI mean, Iâm glad it worked and everything,â Ryuji said. âBut still to believe he wouldâve never confessed without us interveninâ is effed up.â
âWe were forced,â Ann said. âAnd itâs not like that asshole deserved any better.â
Before Akira or Ryuji could say anything else, Mishima and a few other students came up to the group.
âWeâre sorry, Ann-chan for believing the rumors so easily,â the girl behind Mishima said. âPlease forgive us!â
âHuhâŚ?â Ann said.
âThe rumors about you willingly being with Mister Kamoshida,â another girl explained. âPlease forgive us!â
âItâs fineâŚâ Ann said hesitantly. âItâs all in the past, right?â
âNo matter what we do now, itâs already happened,â Ann finished. âItâs best not to worry too much about it.â
âThank you, Ann-chan!â The group said, smiling brightly before walking off.
âMishima, youâre not leaving yet?â Ryuji asked.
âI really owe you guys one, donât I?â Mishima asked. âI mean, you had no reason to help someone like meâŚâ
âWhat are you talking about?â Ryuji asked.
âI revealed Kurusuâs criminal record!â Mishima yelled. âAnd yet you guys still decided to help meâŚâ
âI wonât forget that I promise.â
âIâm a bit confused,â Akira said. âBut, if youâre feeling guilty about the record thing, donât be.â
âI doubt that Kamoshida gave you much of a choice.â
âYeah, Mishima, donât worry about it too much,â Ryuji said. âWeâre all good now, so itâs no sweat.â
Mishima apologized a bit more before leaving the group alone once again.
âThat was⌠weird,â Ann said, twirling her hair. âI never knew he could be like that.â
âEnough about him,â Morgana said, popping out of Akiraâs bag. âIs there anywhere private we can meet up to freely discuss?â
âWoah, I forgot you were even here,â Ryuji said.
âHey! Iâm an integral part of the team!â
âMaybe we should discuss this at the rooftopâŚ?â Ann asked. âUnless Ryuji wants to look like an idiot arguing with a cat.â
âLady Ann! Iâm not a cat!â
âTo the rooftop it is, then,â Akira said, pushing Morgana into his bag.
Once the group had arrived back onto the rooftop, the fighting between Morgana and Ryuji continued.
âI seriously donât understand how you could just forget about me!â Morgana yelled, glaring at Ryuji. âIâm really important, yâknow.â
âYeah yeah,â Ryuji said looking away. âBut dude, youâre also a cat.â
âNo, Iâm not!â
âYes, you are!â
âGuys guys we get it already,â Ann said, rolling her eyes. âBut we can talk about something important now?â
âAs soon as this idiot admits Iâm not a cat!â Morgana said.
âWell, thatâs not going to happen,â Ryuji said. âBecause you totally are.â
âGuys,â Akira said. âThis is nice and all, but I donât think now is the time.â
âYou guys can fight later,â Ann agreed. âBut we have to talk about what happened with Kamoshida.â
âWell from what weâve just witnessed, as long as the shadow isnât destroyed by us then taking the treasure holds no risk to them,â Morgana said. âAs long as weâre careful, everything should go fine.â
âSo you mean we could get people to confess?â Ryuji asked. âWithout killing âem?â
âIn theory yes,â Morgana said. âIt worked well for Kamoshida, didnât it?â
âGuys, Iâm glad you arenât fighting, but maybe keep it down?â Ann said. âWeâre still in a public place.â
âSorry,â Ryuji whined. âBut itâs not like anyone ever comes up here in the first place!â
âThey could with how much noise youâre making!â Ann rebuffed.
âAnyways,â Akira said. âIs it true that Shihoâs going to make a full recovery?â
âApparently,â Ann said, twisting her hair. âI mean, we canât be sure just yet, but itâs Shiho so sheâs going to be fine!â
âButâŚâ Ann said, trailing off for a moment. âSheâs not conscious for too long, but anythingâs better than nothing, right?â
âYeah,â Akira agreed. âSheâll improve in no time.â
âWell, didja get to talk to her?â Ryuji asked. âTo find out why she⌠yâknowâŚâ
âJeez, canât you have any tact?!â Ann complained. âBut yeah, I did.â
âWhat a pair of idiots we made,â Ann continued. âShe found out about my âdealâ with Kamoshida⌠and I guess she just had enough of it.â
âSo you were both trying to protect each other, huh,â Akira said. âYouâre both good for each other, it seems.â
âYeah,â Ann agreed. âStill, if we had only just⌠I donât knowâŚâ
âItâs tough, yeah, but you canât blame yourself for Suzuiâs actions,â Ryuji said. âIf anyoneâs to blame itâs that bastard Kamoshida.â
âYeah, it isnât your fault Lady Ann!â Morgana added. âYou did everything you couldâve!â
âAnd you know whatâs even worse?â Ann asked. âShihoâs mom is thinking about transferring her to a new school.â
âDamn,â Ryuji said. âThatâs⌠got to be rough.â
âBut itâs probably for the best,â Ann said. âConsidering the reputation she has over here.â
âSheâll be fine,â Akira said, smiling slightly. âShe has you to back her up, doesnât she?â
âOf course she does,â Ann said. âIt still just⌠sucks.â
âItâll get better, Ann,â Akira said. âYouâve just got to be patient now.â
âSpeaking of getting better,â Morgana said. âWeâve still got the treasure, donât we?â
âOhh yeah, we do!â Ryuji said. âWhat are we gonna do with it?â
Akira pulled out the olympic medal and placed it on the table. âWe should probably sell it, shouldnât we?â
âBut how are we deciding shares?â Ryuji asked. âWe all played an equal part, right?â
âWe should split it, butâŚâ Ann began. âI get to have Ryujiâs share.â
âHuh?!â Ryuji yelled. âWhat gives you the right?!â
âYou owe me, thatâs what.â
âWhat?! How?!â
âI lent you money,â Ann said, twirling her hair once again. âYou never paid it back, soâŚâ
âItâs got to be worth lots in interest at this point, right?â
âThat ainât fair!â Ryuji yelled. âYouâve already paid yourself back by now!â
âThat doesnât count,â Ann said. âYouâve got to pay back what you owe, yâknow.â
âI think itâs best if we decide it laterâŚâ Morgana said. âIâve got to take Akira to where weâll sell it first.â
âIâm selling it?â Akira asked.
âYeah,â Morgana said, stretching slightly. âIt doesnât look like those two are going to be done arguing anytime soon.â
Akira sighed, grabbing the medal once more.
It seemed they werenât done with the drama of Kamoshida just yet.
This isnât too bad at least, Akira thought. Although who knows where Morgana wants to sell this medal.
Akira and Morgana awkwardly defused themselves from the argument between Ann and Ryuji, quickly making their way back to Leblanc.
Once Akira was in the safety of the cafe, he texted the group chat, a little too curious about what Ryuji had even borrowed money from Ann for.
akira: so guys, how was dying today?
akira: i liked the part where the change of heart happened and we didnât die.
ryuji: hey!
ryuji: it couldve not worked
ryuji: my fears were valid
ann: um⌠the fact that it did work
ann: proves your fears werent valid???
akira: anyways, i want to know what ryuji owes ann so much money for.
akira: did you buy a house or something.
ryuji: i bought something for my mom
ryuji: on a field trip
ann: not my fault that you didnât have enough money!
ryuji: it was only 500 yen
ann: yeah but think of the interestâŚ
ann: i couldâve bought so much candy with that.
ann: so really im doing you a favor
akira: maybe iâll just keep the money.
akira: split it with morgana if iâm feeling generous.
ann: you canât do that!
ryuji: thats unfair!
akira: iâm joking.
akira: weâll figure out something.
âYou look happy today,â Sojiro said once Akira turned off his phone. âAnything interesting happen?â
âNope,â Akira said, shrugging. âA normal day, all things considered.â
âAlright then,â Sojiro said, not looking the slightest bit convinced. âWhatever you say.â
âYou really believe that a delinquent student canât live a normal life?â Akira asked, letting Morgana out of his bag when he saw there were no customers.
âConsidering that itâs you weâre talking about?â Sojiro asked, smiling slightly. âYouâll have to forgive my skepticism.â
Akira smiled. âI donât think Iâm getting a fair chance here.â
âMaybe not,â Sojiro agreed. âBut itâs not like you have any other choice.â
âGuess not,â Akira said. âYou donât mind if this âdelinquentâ studies, do you?â
âAs long as you close up,â Sojiro said. âYouâre free to do whatever you want as long as you donât burn down the cafe.â
âIâll try my hardest,â Akira promised.
Sojiro just sighed.
Maybe he had looked the tiniest bit fond.
Once Sojiro left, Akira pulled out a textbook ready to study earnestly.
After a particularly hard problem, Akira had paused, chewing on his pen slightly. âSo, where are you dragging me to sell the medal, Morgana?â âYou know that fake gun store that Ryuji dragged us to?â Morgana asked. âWeâre going there.â
âUntouchable?â Akira asked. âYou think heâll buy the medal?â
âHe gives off that sort of vibe,â Morgana said. âIâm sure itâll be fine.â
âYou canât just start judging people based on what âvibeâ they give off,â Akira said, turning his attention back to studying. âYou give off a cat vibe, yet you claim to not be a cat.â
âIâm not a cat!â
âSure.â
5/3, Tuesday:
When Akira woke up the next morning, all he could feel was relief. He hadnât noticed before, but the weight of expulsion had worn heavily on him. Now that Kamoshida was gone for good, Akira could breathe again.
âYou look different,â Morgana grumbled. âHave a good dream or something?â
âSomething like that,â Akira said. âDidnât mean to wake you up.â
âItâs fine,â Morgana said. âI probably wouldnât have slept for much longer.â
âBut be more careful next time!â
âIâll try.â
After Akira changed into his daily clothes, he went downstairs to see Sojiro waiting for him.
âKid, just the person I was hoping to see,â Sojiro said, staring Akira down. âIâm going to need you to do some chores around here.â
âHuh?â Morgana asked from the bag. âYou canât be doing chores, you have to sell the medal!â
âCan I do them when I get back?â Akira asked.
âNo can do,â Sojiro said. âYouâll be helping me for the day.â
Akira sighed. âAlright, then.â
âDonât look too sad about it, kid.â
After changing into an apron, Akira had begun to help Sojiro. He didnât make any coffee, but he cleaned the dishes.
Morgana was stuck upstairs, thankfully silent, leaving Akira alone with his thoughts and the occasional small talk from Sojiro.
Before long, the T.V. blared to life, bringing with it apparent breaking news. Akira had tuned in just enough to hear about Kamoshida.
I wondered if he was turned in or if he turned himself in⌠Akira thought. Both are possible with the way he was acting.
âThatâs from your school isnât it?â Sojiro asked, staring at the T.V. worriedly.
âI guess so,â Akira said. âIâm not really paying attention to it.â
Sojiro frowned. âGet back to work.â
Akira nodded, continuing to wash dishes.
I guess if I wanted any more confirmation thatâs as good as anything, Akira thought. Thatâs the final nail in the coffin.
After a bit longer of doing work in the cafe, it had seemed that Sojiro had finally taken pity on him.
Or at least heâd taken pity on Morgana.
âYou canât just leave your cat alone for so long,â Sojiro sighed. âAt least not when youâre right here.â
âIâm sure heâs fine,â Akira said, putting away a recently cleaned dish. âHeâs spent longer on his own.â
âIt still isnât good to just leave him!â Sojiro said. âJeez kid, you should really care more about your cat.â
Akira smiled slightly. âIâm sure heâd be touched that you care so much about him.â
Sojiro frowned, crossing his arms slightly.
Akira wasnât exactly sure what Sojiro was trying to get across.
âDo⌠you want me to go check on him?â Akira asked. âDonât you need help around here?â
âIâm sure Iâll manage without your help,â Sojiro said. âGo check up on your damn cat already.â
Akira wasnât one to question a break when he was given it, so he had quickly gotten out of his apron and went up into the attic.
Unsurprisingly, Akira found Morgana on the bed, sleeping peacefully.
Like I said, he didnât mind even the slightest bit, Akira thought. At least Boss was worried about himâŚ
Huh, if anyone here has gained Bossâs favor itâs Morgana, Akira thought. Must have a weakness for cute things.
âHey Mona,â Akira said softly, shaking the cat. âItâs time to wake up.â
Morgana groaned, mumbling something about five more minutes. Akira just rolled his eyes. If he was going to spend time with Morgana heâd rather if the cat was awake.
âYouâve been sleeping the whole day,â Akira continued. âAre you sure you arenât a cat after all?â
âHuhâŚ?â Morgana mumbled. âWhat are you talking about⌠of course Iâm a humanâŚ!â
Akira found that Morganaâs protests werenât as effective under a layer of sleep, but at least he kept to his story about not being a cat.
âI donât know⌠usually only cats sleep this long,â Akira said. âAre you really so sure?â
âOf course Iâm sure!â Morgana said, more alert. âHow could you ever think Iâm a cat?â
He⌠canât be serious, can he? Akira thought.
âI donât know,â Akira decided to say. âJust a strange guess, I suppose.â
âWell you can be sure of it now!â Morgana said. âEspecially since weâll be phantom thieving with each other from now on!â
âWeâre continuing?â Akira asked. âAre you really sure?â
And also⌠is that a word?
âHuh?â Morgana said. âWhy wouldnât we be?â
âI mean, just donât you think itâs a bit weird for us to be planning another heist?â Akira said. âWe didnât really have a choice for Kamoshida, but it isnât everyday you run into someone like him.â
âYeah, but like Iâve been saying, not everyone has a palace,â Morgana said. âItâs only the people who have distorted desiresâŚâ
âAnd at that point we might even be doing them a favor!â
âYeah, I guess youâre right,â Akira said, going to pet Morgana. âBut we should probably ask the others before we do anything.â
âI donât know about you, but I wouldnât want to go against anything like Kamoshida with just the two of us,â Akira said. âI donât think thatâd bode well.â
âIâm sure Lady Ann and Ryuji will want to join us,â Morgana said. âThey seemed pretty excited about Kamoshidaâs change of heart.â
âBut that canât be the only thing on your mind,â Morgana continued. âYou seemed a bit hesitant about the change of heart beforeâŚâ
âBut, now thatâs it over with, do you still have any issues?â
âIâm not sure,â Akira admitted. âOn one hand we did what we had to do, but still, forcibly changing someone like thatâŚâ
âKamoshida wouldnât have changed, and the situation wouldnât have as well,â Akira finished. âBut even so, it just puts a sour taste in my mouth.â
âKamoshida wasnât a good person,â Morgana said. âMost people who have palaces wonât be either.â
âSometimes thereâs only so much a person can do without resorting to something more drastic,â Morgana continued. âBut I guess itâs good to have doubts, even if they were a bit annoying at first.â
âPeople with palaces wonât change on their own, and the change we bring should be for the better,â Morgana finished. âSo you canât just back out now, alright?â
âI wasnât thinking about it,â Akira said. âIâll learn to live with it.â
âPlus it isnât so bad,â Akira admitted. âWeâll be making a change, wonât we?â
âHopefully, yeah,â Morgana agreed.
âThen Iâll be fine,â Akira said. âDoing this is better than doing nothing.â
âThatâs the spirit,â Morgana said. âWhich is good for you too, because we still have a deal!â
âMona, youâre part of the team, isnât that enough?â Akira teased.
âHey! You have to help me become human again,â Morgana yelled. âIt wouldnât be fair otherwise, yâknow!â
âHuman⌠again,â Akira repeated. âDenial is hard to get over, isnât it?â
âYouâre not funny!â
âI think Iâm hilarious.â
After a few more minutes of aimless bickering, Akira heard the chime of Leblancâs door ring one final time.
Akira faintly heard what he believed to be a sigh of relief before he heard his name called. âYou and your cat can come down now.â
Both Akira and Morgana went downstairs, with Morgana in his usual spot in Akiraâs bag.
âSo, was he lonely?â Sojiro asked, staring at Morgana.
âI donât know,â Akira said. âI did spend my time talking to him, so I sure hope not.â
âYou talked to him⌠that entire time,â Sojiro said, staring at Akira blankly.
âYep,â Akira said. âWe had an interesting conversation.â
âWell kid, you should probably look for another career,â Sojiro said, turning his attention to a dirty cup. âComedy is not your strong suit.â
I donât think telling him Iâm being serious would do me any favors⌠Akira thought. Sorry Morgana, looks like to Sojiro youâre just a normal cat after all.
âHey, you should probably tell the others that you werenât able to sell the medal today,â Morgana said. âNo need for them to be excited over nothing.â
âThey might just get more worked up,â Akira said. âBut Iâll let them know, just in case.â
âYouâre really talking to your cat, huh,â Sojiro said.
akira: hey guys, wasnât able to sell the medal today.
akira: had chores.
akira: donât be too angry.
ann: when are you going to sell it?
ann: i think i have an idea on what to do with the money
ryuji: if its just taking my share
ryuji: im not interested
ann: your share is my share
ann: and itâs nothing like that!
ann: weâll all be getting equal benefit out of this!
ann: hopefully.
akira: iâll be selling it tomorrow.
akira: hopefully.
akira: and as long as itâs just ryujiâs share going to ann, thatâs fine.
ryuji: dude!
ryuji: what the eff
akira: sorry ryuji, but thereâs not much i can do.
akira: you are in debt.
ryuji: it doesnt count!
âOf course he would say something like that,â Morgana huffed. âDoesnât he know that any money he owes to Lady Ann should be paid as soon as possible?â
âI think in general itâs a good rule to pay off any debts,â Akira said. âNot just to Ann.â
âBut especially to Lady Ann!â
akira: morgana says to pay off your debts soon, ryuji.
ryuji: apparently i dont get an effing choice
ryuji: dumb cat
âWhen will that idiot learn that Iâm not a cat!â Morgana complained.
âProbably never,â Akira admitted, turning off his phone. âBut thatâs why we love him, right?â
âSpeak for yourself.â
âAnyways,â Akira said. âYou can probably lock up now, Boss.â
âOh? Youâre not planning on doing anything?â Sojiro asked. âIâm surprised.â
âThe most Iâll be doing is studying,â Akira said. âHave to be a good student and all, right?â
âSomehow, when you say that it isnât comforting in the slightest,â Sojiro said. âBut Iâll leave this place to you.â
Akira grabbed his books, sitting in the middle booth with Morgana watching.
âDonât go to bed too late now,â Sojiro said, going towards the door. âIâm not going to wake you up if you sleep the day away.â
âAlright, I wonât, â Akira promised, beginning to get ready to work on the material.
Once Morgana was sure that Sojiro was gone, he began to complain in earnest. âJeez, all you do is study.â
âIs there really anything else to do?â Akira asked, looking away from the book. âThere isnât exactly much near Leblanc.â
âIâll show you tomorrow what you can do,â Morgana said. âMight as well study now since you started.â
Akira nodded, finally beginning to study.
Thereâs a lot planned⌠even now, Akira thought. I suppose that I should get used to itâŚ
It isnât so bad to be constantly busy, Akira thought. At least Iâm never boredâŚ?
Eh, Iâll think of something eventually.
5/4, Wednesday:
âWake up,â a voice hissed into Akiraâs ear. âYou canât spend the whole day sleeping, we have things to do!â
Akira groaned, furthering himself into his pillow. âCanât I have five more minutes?â
âYouâve been asking for five more minutes the past four times!â the voice responded. âEnough is enough!â
â...Have I?â Akira asked. âI donât remember.â
âThat doesnât matter!â the voice said. âYou need to wake up now!â
Akira sighed, slowly opening his eyes. âMorgana, thereâs got to be an easier way to do that.â
âWell maybe I wouldâve been kinder if you had actually woken up the first time,â Morgana said. âJeez, itâs bad when I wake up before you.â
âWell, whatâs the big rush for today?â Akira said, rubbing at his eyes. âIs something big happening?â
âWell, you promised to sell the medal today, didnât you?â Morgana asked. âWe should probably at least try to get it done.â
âYeah,â Akira agreed. âBut whyâd you wake me up so early?â
âItâs not early!â Morgana said. âItâs a normal time to wake up, actually.â
âSure,â Akira sighed, grabbing at his phone. âIâll let the group know that it seems Iâll be selling the medal today.â
akira: getting abused by morgana.
akira: woke me up just to tell me to sell the medal.
akira: a cruel world we do live in.
ann: that sucks
ann: maybe you could take a nap if youâre still tired?
ann: idk you probably shouldâve been up by now tho.
akira: yeah, but it still sucks to be woken up.
akira: couldâve been having a good dream.
akira: now itâs gone.
ryuji: if youre having such a problem with the cat
ryuji: just throw him out
ann: ryuji wtf.
âHey!â Morgana said, staring at the phone. âYou canât just let him get away with that!â
âGet away with whatâŚ?â
âTrying to get you to throw me out!â Morgana said. âHow would he like it?!â
ann: you cant just be mean to mona!
ryuji: what is that cat going to do right now?
ryuji: he cant exactly text
akira: he can complain.
akira: iâm supposed to be fighting for him.
ryuji: dude whats he gonna do to you?
ryuji: hes a cat
akira: cats. have. claws.
akira: not a pleasant experience, ryuji.
ryuji: get him declawed man
ryuji: then he wont be able to do anything
akira: thatâs something you do to cats.
ryuji: yeah
akira: i feel like i donât have to tell you where this is going.
ann: thatâd be really messed up.
âGah, that idiot is such an asshole!â Morgana said. âWhy does he think he can get away with saying stuff like that?!â
âProbably because you canât text back,â Akira said. âI can send a message for you.â
âTell him to watch out,â Morgana said. âNext time I see him heâll be sure to regret it.â
akira: morgana said: watch out.
akira: heâs going to kill you.
ryuji: im so scared
ann: you say that now but you will be scared when mona comes at you.
ann: good luck!
akira: yeah, youâre on your own ryuji.
ryuji: its not like he can do anything to me anyways
akira: thats what he wants you to think.
ryuji: whos side are you on anyways?
akira: the winning one.
âWell, seems like you and Ryuji are getting along just fine,â Akira said, turning off his phone. âSome real comradery.â
âHe started it!â
âI donât think youâre exactly a saint in this situation, no matter who started it.â
âWell you should side with the victim!â Morgana said. âAnd itâs obviously me!â
Akira stared blankly at Morgana.
âHey! Donât give me that look.â
âLetâs just get ready to go to Untouchable,â Akira said. âThe sooner the better, right.â
âHey, donât avoid picking a side!â
Akira changed quickly into his everyday wear, ignoring Morganaâs questions about whose side Akira was on.
Being honest with the cat wouldnât have went well, as Akira could see that both of them were in the wrong.
He doesnât really want to know where I stand, he just wants me to agree with him⌠Akira thought. I really donât need to get into a fight with him over this.
When Akira went downstairs with Morgana in his back, still questioning him, Sojiro sent him an odd look.
âGet into a fight with your cat?â Sojiro asked.
âSomething like that,â Akira said.
âAnswer the question!â Morgana yowled. âWhoâs in the wrong here, Ryuji or me?!â
Akira shook his head. âIâll be back later, Boss, I have to go do some errands.â
âWhat errands could you possibly have?â Sojiro asked, looking a bit suspicious.
Before Akira could respond, a gray haired woman entered the cafe. From the way she carried herself, Akira couldnât help but be the slightest bit intimidated.
It seemed Morgana felt similar as he had finally quieted down.
Or maybe he had just gotten tired.
âAm I interrupting something?â the woman asked, staring down at both Sojiro and Akira.
âNot at all,â Sojiro answered. âTake a seat.â
The woman sat down, frowning slightly. âThe recent cases, mental shutdowns are really something, arenât they?â
âSomeone losing control and harming people,â the woman continued. âThatâs certainly concerning, isnât it?â
Sheâs⌠talking about the mental shutdowns? Akira thought. She canât possibly be here for just coffee, can she?
âIgnoring that,â Sojiro said. âWhat can I get you to drink?â
âIâll have the house blend, please,â the woman said after a short pause.
Akira felt frozen in place. Leaving now would seem a bit odd, and he also felt that he could get information out of her.
âAnyways, youâre a part timer, arenât you?â the woman asked. âWhich is shocking, I didnât think this place could afford one.â
âIâm not exactly a part timer,â Akira said awkwardly. âSakura-san is my guardian for this year.â
âOh, that would make more sense,â the woman said. âI suppose you would attend a school around this area?â
âYes,â Akira said. âShujin Academy.â
âOh? I know someone that goes there,â the woman said. âI believe there was another strange incident there recently.â
âKamoshida⌠or someone by that name went through a strange âchange of heartâ, was it not?â
âThatâs correct.â
âAh, well Iâm sure itâll all be solved soon,â the woman said. âIs my drink finished yet?â
âComing right up,â Sojiro said quickly.
The atmosphere was tense. If Akira was going to make his escape, he'd have to make it now.
Perhaps he felt a little guilty leaving Sojiro to be questioned by the woman, but he didnât want any unneeded attention on himself.
After quickly leaving Leblanc, Akira sighed in relief.
âThat woman,â Morgana said. âShe sure asked a lot of questions, didnât she?â
âYeah,â Akira agreed. âShe sure seemed to be on a mission of some sort.â
âI wonder why she came to Leblanc,â Morgana said. âMaybe she suspects Boss of something?â
âI donât know if we want to find out,â Akira said. âWe have enough on our plate for today, anyway.â
Yet somehow, even if I try to actively avoid her⌠I get the feeling Iâll be seeing a lot of her soon. Akira thought. Thereâs really never a dull moment around here, is there?
âYouâre right!â Morgana said. âLetâs sell the medal and reap the reward!â
âThatâs the spirit,â Akira smiled. âLetâs see how much crime pays.â
When Akira arrived at Untouchable, he suddenly realized he didnât have much of a plan.
How exactly was he supposed to realistically sell an olympic medal? The only way he wouldâve been able to acquire it was stealing.
Which, Akira supposed, wasnât too far from the actual truth.
Faking confidence would be key, Akira decided. So he decided just to approach the owner head on, deciding that he didnât have much to lose.
âIâd like to sell something,â Akira began, sliding the medal onto the counter. âHow much will you take for this?â
The owner took one look at the medal before staring at Akira quizzically, âWe donât take fakes here, kid.â
âItâs not fake,â Akira insisted. âPlease, just look at it?â
There goes the confidence.
The man looked at the medal a bit longer, eyes widening. âWhere did you get this?â
Before Akira could answer, the man spoke again, âNevermind, itâs probably best I donât ask. Iâll pay 30,000 yen for this, though.â
âWorks for me,â Akira said, taking the yen with ease.
âAs a thanks for letting me buy this from ya,â the man continued. âTake this.â
Akira was handed a nondescript bag, which considering the circumstances wasnât the most suspicious thing about the business deal.
âItâs probably best you donât open that one, kid,â the man finished. âBut be sure to bring it back here next time you come.â
Thatâs⌠not a good sign, is it? Akira thought. Really, anyone who would accept an olympic medal from a teenager probably isnât the cleanest person to do deals with.
Oh well, really canât complain.
âAlright,â Akira said, nodding as he adjusted his grip on the bag.
Before Akira could question anything more about the situation, two men came in. Similar to the woman, Akira could sense some sort of malicious intent from them.
The owner hadnât looked the slightest bit surprised about their arrival and all Akira could do was question his impeccable bad timing.
âMunehisa Iwai,â the man closest to Akira began. âWe would like to discuss some matters with you today.â
Oh no, Akira thought. This isnât going to go well.
The men walked closer to the counter, while Akira walked past them to the door. Deciding to linger a bit, Akira listened into the conversation.
The other man began to speak. âYou do know why weâre here today, correct?â
âIâm afraid, Detective-san,â the owner, now known as Munehisa, said, âthat I donât have a clue why youâre here.â
âThen you wouldnât mind if we searched around here a little bit would you?â the original detective asked. âIf you really have no clue.â
âAn upstanding citizen is supposed to respect the law, correct?â Munehisa asked. âBut I assure you I have nothing to hide, so youâre free to search as you wish.â
âAre you really sure the lead was legitimate?â the other detective said. âBecause he seems pretty calm to me.â
âThereâs got to be something here!â the original detective said, turning to face Akira. âYou.â
Oh.
Akira stared blankly at the detective.
âWhatâs in that bag?â the detective asked.
It isnât lying⌠if youâre not sure, is it? Akira thought. Really, how do I keep getting into these situationsâŚ?
âIâm not sure thatâs any of your business,â Akira said.
âKidâs right,â Munehisa said. âHeâs a regular around here, I just bagged one of his purchases for him.â
The original detective glared at Akira.
âWell, thereâs no use in questioning that,â the other detective said.
Akira nodded, âIf there isnât anything else, Iâll be leaving now.â
âCome back soon,â Munehisa said.
Iâm not sure I want to be involved in this⌠Akira thought. But, this is the only source of weaponsâŚ
Akira left quickly, making some distance from Untouchable in just a few seconds.
âJeez,â Morgana said, popping out of his bag. âI wonder what that was about.â
âSeems like weâre just running into trouble today,â Akira sighed. âReally, we canât catch a break, can we?â
âHuh, but maybe something can come out of this,â Morgana said. âYou should open the bag and see what the detectives were after!â
âThatâs⌠a bad idea,â Akira said. âWeâll be returning this to him, and if this is what the detectives were after⌠wellâŚâ
âUgh, I guess youâre right,â Morgana said. âBut we should open it at some point!â
âIâll think about it,â Akira said. âWe should probably get back to Leblanc soon, donât want Sojiro to be too worried.â
âYou think he was fine with that woman?â Morgana asked.
âProbably,â Akira said, putting the strange bag into his bag. âHe doesnât have anything to hide.â
âWhat if heâs also a persona userâŚ?â
âWouldnât he have been able to hear you?â
âYou never know!â
When Akira arrived at Leblanc, it was thankfully clear of any customers. Akira had had enough of strangers for one day.
âAh, youâre back,â Sojiro said, pausing his cleaning. âDid you get your errands done today?â
âYep,â Akira said. âWas a pretty productive day, all things considered.â
âHm,â Sojiro said. âYouâve been pretty comfortable so far, but you shouldnât forget your situation.â
âIt wonât be easy for you,â Sojiro continued. âBut you should try to keep yourself out of trouble.â
âI will, Sakura-san,â Akira said. âYou donât need to worry about me too much.â
âOh, back to being formal?â Sojiro asked. âBoss is fine, kid.â
Akira nodded. âAlright, Boss.â
âAnyways, I donât mean to hold you up,â Sojiro said. âGo do whatever you usually do around here.â
âHey,â Morgana said. âIf youâre not planning on leaving Leblanc then you should probably make some infiltration tools.â
âYou never know when youâll need them,â Morgana finished. âWould be a good use of time.â
âSounds like a plan,â Akira said. âAs soon as youâre ready to leave, you can lock up, I wonât be going out tonight.â
âAlright,â Sojiro said. âHave fun talking to your cat, or whatever it is you do.â
âIâll try,â Akira said, making his way up to the attic.
Huh, I should probably tell Ann and Ryuji that weâve finally got the money.
akira: weâre 30,000 yen richer and one olympic medal poorer.
ann: oh? you sold it
ryuji: finally man
ryuji: but how we gonna split it?
ryuji: ann cant be seriously taking my share
ryuji: is she?
ann: donât worry!
ann: you guys just need to trust meâŚ
ann: iâve got the perfect place to spend it
ann: weâll be doing it tmrw
ann: so uh just wait until then
akira: sounds fine.
akira: hopefully itâll live up to the suspense.
ann: duh
ryuji: i do get a fair share right
ann: of course!!!
ann: dont doubt me !
ryuji: sheesh just making sure
Once Akira turned off his phone, he went to his work desk where Morgana was patiently sitting.
âWhat are you going to try to make?â Morgana asked, licking at his paw.
âProbably a lockpick,â Akira said. âThose locked chests always seem to hold something good.â
âGood idea,â Morgana said. âYou could probably make two with the time we have.â
Akira nodded, beginning the process of making the lockpicks.
âSo,â Morgana said in an effort to break the silence. âWhat do you think is going to happen?â
âHuh?â Akira said, focusing on the almost complete lockpick in his hand. âWhat do you mean?â
âI mean.. do you think weâll continue going to palaces?â Morgana asked.
âWe have to, donât we?â Akira asked. âA dealâs a deal.â
âBut, itâs probably best if we stay low for a little bit,â Akira said. âWe need to be patient about what we do.â
âHm,â Morgana said. âI guess thatâs the right course of action⌠I just donât know how to feel.â
âA little stir crazy, huh?â Akira joked, finishing the lockpick. âItâs best if we donât think about it too much.â
âTake the peace for what it is,â Akira said. âWho knows how much of it we have left.â













