A/n: You know those chapters that you just feel "eh" about after writing them? Well, this is one of those chapters. I'm going to apologize beforehand for its crappiness. I'm REALLY sorry for how terrible this came out, but maybe someone will enjoy it. Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
•••••••••••••••••••••

"What're you two doing here? I thought your flight wasn't supposed to arrive until later," Mikono asked.

"Oh, sweetie!" Ichika hopped off the stool and rushed over to her daughter. She enveloped Mikono in a warm embrace and swung her body side to side. "We were able to get an earlier flight. Ryuji told us who you were staying with and we immediately came here after dropping off our luggage."

"You could've texted me..."

Ichika pulled away from Mikono and examined her injuries. "How could someone do this to you? If I ever see Takahashi again, I'm gonna shove my foot up his—!"

"Mom," Mikono interrupted. "Calm down. Everything's fine. I'm okay, Takahashi's in jail, and you guys are back home."

Ichika inhaled deeply before exhaling. "Yes, you're right. We were so worried when Chief Goto managed to get ahold of us and said you were taken to the hospital. We're so happy you're okay."

Isaac pushes himself off the stool and walked over to his daughter with a proud smile. "We heard from the chief you gave Takahashi quite a beating. Knocked a few teeth out, huh?" He placed his hand on top of Mikono's head and patted it. "That's my girl."

She smiled up at him. "I learned from the best."

The blonde-haired man then stepped toward Akira with a grateful smile. "Sakura-san told me you've been taking care of my daughter."

Even though Akira knew the British man took a liking to him, he still was intimidated by him. "Yes, Sir."

Isaac held his hand out for the boy to shake. "I can't thank you enough for watching over her while we were gone."

The frizzy-haired boy stared at the man's outstretched hand with confusion. He wasn't educated with English etiquette and wasn't sure what to do. Mikono saw this and smiled. "Put your hand in his and shake it, Akira."

He followed her instructions and placed his hand in Isaac's. He was shocked at how firm the man squeezed his hand while shaking it. The blonde chortled at the teen's expression. "Sorry for the confusion, Kurusu. I sometimes forget we're back in Japan."

"No, it's all right," Akira replied.

"I'm going to gather my things." Mikono walked past her parents and boyfriend.

"Take your time, sweetheart," Ichika said. "I'm going to enjoy another cup of Sakura-san's delicious coffee."

"Make that two," Isaac said.

The man behind the counter huffed out a chuckle and smiled. "Coming right up."

Up in the attic, Mikono grabbed her duffle bag and checked to see if she had all her clothes inside and her purse. When seeing her fennec fox plushie wasn't among her things, she remembered she had placed it on the bed before leaving this morning. She found it sitting atop the neatly folded blanket and placed it in her duffle bag before zipping it up. One of her hands gravitated toward her collarbone. She patted her shirt and felt the locket underneath. "I think that's everything." She grabbed the bag and headed back downstairs.

Her parents were still enjoying their second cups of coffee and chatting with Sojiro. Her eyes traveled over to Akira, who was sitting at a booth and spinning his phone on the tip of his middle finger. She grinned in amusement as she walked over. "Are you really that bored?"

Akira places his phone down on the table. "Kind of. It's gonna be even more boring when you're gone."

"You still have Morgana. Speaking of..." She looked around the café. "Where is he?" When she looked toward her parents, she saw the cat was curled up in her mother's lap. "Oh..." She could hear Morgana purring as Ichika stroked her nails along his back. The girl sat down across from Akira and chatted with him until her parents finished their coffee. Once they did, they paid for their beverages and praised Sojiro's brewing skills.

Isaac took Mikono's bags as she slid out of the booth. The archaeologists thanked Akira a second time before leaving Leblanc. Before the door closed, the sable-haired girl smiled and waved at her boyfriend. She caught a glimpse of Akira's own smile before he was out of view.

|| 6/4 Saturday ||
|| After School ||

Mikono ran through the streets of Shibuya all the way to the Teikyu Building Accessway to rendezvous with her friends. She was late and didn't stop running until she arrived. Out of breath, she hunched over and panted. "Sorry...I'm late..."

"What took you so long?" Ryuji asked. That's when he noticed her stitches were gone. "Oh, I forgot you were gettin' your stitches removed today."

"You look so much better, Mikono," Ann commented. "The bruises are gone and only a few little cuts remain. How are your feet?"

"All patched up. There are a couple small scars, but they aren't an issue. I'm just glad I don't have to wear any more bandages."

"How is counseling?" Yusuke asked. "I heard you are seeing Dr. Fujioka, one of the best counselors in the entirety of Tokyo."

"She's really helped me," Mikono admits. "The nightmares are gone and I even mentioned what happened with Kamoshida."

"You ain't worried about her tellin' your parents?" Ryuji inquired.

"No. She has a privacy policy. Whatever I say is confidential and she would never tell my parents unless she has my permission." Mikono crosses her arms, her joyous expression shattering. "But she did tell me something rather disturbing."

"What did she say?" Akira questioned.

"Apparently, Takahashi has hired quite the lawyer. He's been pulling strings and there's a high chance Takahashi could walk."

"What?" Ann gasped in horror.

"No way in hell he's gettin' away with this!" Ryuji bellowed angrily.

"There must be a way to stop this," Yusuke said.

"I've already found a way." Mikono pulled out her phone and opened the Meta Nav app. "Takahashi has a Shadow. I...was hoping we could head to Mementos and deal with him. If he experiences a minor change of heart, there's no way he could live with the guilt. He'll confess to his crimes and that top-notch lawyer will be useless."

"Hell yeah!" Ryuji cheered, grinning from ear to ear. "Let's go kick this guy's ass!"

"Count me in," Ann said.

"Let's do it!" Morgana chanted.

Akira nodded with a determined gaze. "We'll make him pay."

"I agree," Yusuke said. "Although, I do have one question."

Mikono tilted her head slightly. "What is it, Yusuke?"

"What is this "Mementos" you speak of?"

"It'd be easier to show you," Akira stated. "Let's go."

<———————————<<<<<

Arriving in Mementos, Fox looked around in awe and disgust. "It is..."

"Ugly," Sphinx finished the boy's thought.

"That is putting it mildly."

Mona transformed into a bus, flabbergasting the artist. The others answered all his questions as they searched Mementos for Takahashi's Shadow. Joker avoided any enemies in their path, driving around them as they slowly descended further into Mementos. Morosely, they weren't able to avoid all the Shadows.

They rode through the Path of Qimranut before arriving at the Path of Aiyatsbus. Moving from floor to floor, they discovered a rest area in the fourth area. The phantom thieves rested for a couple minutes before proceeding down the escalator to the fifth area. The moment they set foot in the next area, Sphinx felt a familiar pang in her left eye. It only lasted for a few seconds, but she gasped and grabbed everyone's attention.

Joker noticed how she was covering her left eye and already knew what was causing her pain. "There's another fragment nearby?"

"Yes. The pain is faint, but I do feel a familiar eerie presence." She activated the Eye of Horus and noticed a few hieroglyphs scattered around them. There was no clear trail and she sighed. "There're hieroglyphics, but there's no distinctive trail. They're only a few and they're scattered in every direction."

"Once we deal with Takahashi's Shadow, we'll search for the fragment," Mona stated.

"Do you sense Takahashi, Mona?" Panther asked.

"He's nearby. Let's keep moving." The cat transformed and everyone climbed into the bus, leaving the loading platform and heading down the twisted tracks. It didn't take them long to locate the segment and they traveled to another part of Mementos. In the distance, they saw Takahashi's Shadow and could hear him mumbling incoherently to himself. As they stalked toward him, they could hear what he was muttering.

"That bitch... Who does she think she is? I'll get out of this cell and make her pay!" Takahashi growled.

"Who's he talkin' about?" Skull inquired.

"It has to be Mikono," Panther said.

At hearing the girl's name, the Shadow turned around and glared at the phantom thieves. "Who the hell are you clowns and how do you know that name?!"

"C-Clowns?!" Skull shrieked. "We ain't clowns, you asshat! If anyone's from the circus, it's your weird and creepy ass!"

Takahashi ignored the blonde's taunt and demanded to know the answer to his second question. "How do you know that bitch's name, huh?!"

"We're her friends, you bastard!" Panther barked.

"We are here to ensure you will pay for all your crimes, especially those inflicted upon Tsutsui-san," Fox stated calmly. "Scum like you doesn't deserve to walk amongst the innocent."

"We're taking you down, Takahashi!" Mona proclaimed.

"After what you did to Mikono, it's about time you got a taste of your own medicine." Joker tugged on his crimson gloves. A devilish smirk appeared on his face as he eyed the Shadow. "I hope I don't enjoy this too much."

"I'd like to see you try to defeat me!" Takahashi spat. "You're just a group of kids who think they're hot shit, but you're not!" The man's body transformed, revealing himself to be an archangel. "Come and get me!"

Joker and Panther grabbed their melee weapons and attacked in unison. Fox and Skull whipped out their firearms and sent a barrage of bullets at the enemy. Mona and Sphinx summoned their Personas, but the girl immediately regretted the decision when her mask vanished and Takahashi recognized her. He chortled, his voice distorted. "This is too perfect. I'll make you pay for what you've done to me!"

The Shadow spreads his wings and flies straight toward her with his sword at the ready. Sphinx reaches for her khopeshes as she notices how fast Takahashi was approaching. She realized her movements were too slow and readied herself for his attack. When she thought the blade was going to cut her, her eyes widen in shock when Fox leapt in front of her and acted as her shield. With his katana, he blocked the Shadow's sword. He pushed Takahashi back before swinging his blade and dealing minor damage.

"Captain Kidd!" Skull yelled. The pirate materialized behind him and used Zio. A bolt of lightning courses through the archangel, eliciting a howl of pain from him. The blonde smirked triumphantly. "How'd ya like that, asshole?!"

The assailant fell to the ground, dropping his sword. With shaky arms, he tried to push himself up. Before he could recover, he was surrounded by the phantom thieves. At the command of their leader, they bombarded the Shadow with attacks. Their combined power was enough to defeat Takahashi. His body reverted back to his human form and he backed away from the group.

When seeing the man's frightened expression and hearing him beg for his life, Sphinx became blinded by rage. She stalked toward the cowering Shadow, her mask disappearing as she summoned Anubis. "I begged for my life, but you didn't listen. You held me at gunpoint and forced yourself on to me." She activated the Eye of Horus, her rage growing by the second. "You threatened to shoot me when I fought against you. What makes you think I'll listen to you beg for your own life?!"

A powerful shockwave resonated from the girl's body. It knocked her teammates to the ground and caused Takahashi to wail in fear. Fox was the first to recover from the shockwave. He pushed himself off the ground, eyes wide as he stared at Sphinx. "Such power..."

"Damn..." Skull groaned. "The hell was that?"

Panther, Mona, and Joker got to their feet. They saw a strange barrier surrounding Sphinx, her Persona, and Takahashi. "We have to stop her!" The cat shouted. "If she kills him, he might suffer a mental shutdown!"

Joker, Fox, Panther, Mona, and Skull rush over to the barrier and banged on it. They shouted for Sphinx to stop as Anubis relentlessly attacked the Shadow, but their cries fell on deaf ears. The only thing they could hear was Takahashi's painful howls.

Joker saw blood beginning to trickle from Sphinx's ears and he knew she was using too much power. He stepped back, sheathing his dagger. "Arsène!" The others backed away as their leader commanded the gentleman thief to attack the barrier. With every attack, the force field began to crack until it shattered. The shards evaporated before they could collide with the ground.

Sphinx, who hadn't realized the barrier was destroyed, grabbed a single khopesh as Anubis vanished. She stood directly in front of Takahashi, raising her sickle-sword. When she could strike the Shadow, someone grabbed her wrist from behind. Before she could turn her head to see who had stopped her, an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her back against the person's chest.

"Stop, Mikono," Joker whispered in her ear. "If you kill him, he won't be able to pay for his crimes. Remember what you said about Kamoshida? Death would be an easy escape, not a punishment. You're hurting yourself, too."

Sphinx lowered her khopesh and deactivated the Eye of Horus. She stared down at Takahashi's battered Shadow, realizing what she had done. She inhaled a shaky breath as her once hardened gaze softened. With the adrenaline rush gone, she could feel the blood seeping from her ears. She wiped away the crimson liquid and leaned against Joker, feeling a wave of exhaustion crash over her from abusing the Eye's power. "I can't believe I let myself be blinded by anger."

"With the things he's done to you, I don't blame you," he said, supporting her weight.

Takahashi's Shadow looked between the two teens. "D-Does this mean you're not gonna kill me?"

"As tempting as it is..." Sphinx managed to stand on her own and take a few steps toward the man once Joker released her. "We're not going to kill you, but only under one condition."

"A-Anything! Just say it and I'll do it!"

"Return to your true self in reality and confess to all your crimes. You're a guilty man and I won't allow you to walk amongst the innocent after all you've done to me and my family. I don't care if you have the best lawyer in all of Tokyo. You're going to spend years behind bars."

He nodded frantically. "I-I'll plead guilty to all my crimes and get rid of my lawyer."

Sphinx was pleased by his response. "Then go."

"Y-Yes..." Takahashi's Shadow dissipated into thin air, leaving no trace behind.

A feeling of relief came over Sphinx. She no longer had to fear Takahashi walking away scot-free from his crimes. Moving her feeble body, she turned around and faced the others with a smile. "Thank you, everyone, for this. You could've turned down my request, but you didn't."

"There's no way we would've turned this down," Panther smiled back. "After all, I think all of us wanted to beat him senseless after what he did to you."

"Yeah," Skull said. "There's no way that asshole was gonna walk free with us around."

"A criminal such as himself deserves to atone for all he's done," Fox added. "I am glad we were able to help you, Tsutsui-san."

"Now that our mission is complete, do you want to find the next fragment?" Mona proposed.

"I think we should return to reality and try searching for the fragment another day," Joker spoke up. He looked over at Sphinx, glancing at the speckles of blood she missed down the sides of her face and neck. "You've pushed yourself too far. If you use the Eye again, who knows what repercussions you'll suffer."

"I really am touched by your concern, Akira, but I need to find this next fragment. I need to learn what happened to me when I was a child," Sphinx said. "If it'll make you feel better I won't use the Eye for a prolonged period of time."

Joker sighed, knowing how determined and stubborn his girlfriend was. "All right. We'll keep going, but if we run into any Shadows, leave the fighting to us."

She agreed to his terms. "Deal."

"Then let's go!" Mona transformed into a bus and left the segment once everyone was safely inside.

They traveled through the tunnels of Mementos and located the loading platform leading to the next area. Joker was able to avoid all the Shadows on the level and followed Sphinx's directions when she used the Eye of Horus to locate the hieroglyphics. While the trail was faint, it led them to the next loading platform. They hopped out of the bus and ran down the escalator. It was the final area of the Path of Aiyatsbus and the door leading to the next path was sealed.

Sphinx, who still had the Eye activated, gasped in awe when seeing what was carved on the stone door. "Horus..." She walked over to the stone door and placed her hands on it, wondering if it would open. When it didn't, she sighed and hung her head. "I guess we can't go any further."

"I think Mementos is influenced by how much the public believes in us," Mona stated. "Let's wait for Madarame's confession and then we can see if we can access the next area."

Sphinx continued to gaze at the hieroglyph for a few more seconds before deactivating the Eye of Horus. "I guess this really was pointless."

"This wasn't for nothing, Sphinx," Joker said.

"He's right," Panther stated. "Now you know for certain there's another fragment nearby. It is a shame we can't get to it, though."

"Let us return, shall we?" Fox asked.

"Yeah," Sphinx nodded. "Let's go home."

|| 6/4 Saturday ||
|| Evening ||

With Dr. Fujioka's help, Mikono had little fear when returning home. While she's only had one session with the counselor, she already felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. She would return to the doctor next week in hopes to rid herself of the rest of her fears.

The girl laid on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. She could feel the exhaustion from her careless use of her powers gnawing at every bone and muscle in her body. She turned on her side and stared out the door leading to the balcony. After a few seconds, her eyes closed and she was ready to fall asleep. Before she could sleep peacefully, her eyes flew open when she heard her phone go off. She turned over on to her left side and grabbed the device off her nightstand. The bright light from her phone caused her to wince. Once her eyes adjusted, she unlocked it and tuned in to the conversation in the group chat.

Ann: The exhibition ends tomorrow... Madarame must have had his change of heart by now, right?

Ryuji: I'm sure it'll be fine.

Ryuji: So far nobody's come charging us with anything, yeah?

Ann: But wouldn't he wait to press charges until AFTER the exhibition?

Ann: What should we do if someone contacts us about it tomorrow...?

Akira: We should ask Yusuke.

Mikono: Yeah. He is still with Madarame, after all.

Ann: Oh, that's right... Where is Yusuke?

Ann: I wonder if he'll be okay with Madarame...

Yusuke: Sorry I'm late to contact you all.

Yusuke: It seems something will certainly be happening tomorrow. Madarame is on the phone as we speak.

Akira: What do you mean "something"?

Yusuke: I believe he is preparing for a media announcement. I didn't hear anything about pressing charges.

Ryuji: Guess we just gotta wait then.

Yusuke: Let us meet in Shibuya tomorrow.

Mikono: Sorry, but I won't be able to make it. I've got work.

Ryuji: Oh, yeah. Almost forgot you work at the museum.

Mikono: I'm officially back on the schedule.

Yusuke: Then we shall come to you.

Mikono: That'll work. I'll see you guys tomorrow!

Ann: Bye!

|| 6/5 Sunday ||
|| Daytime ||

Today was the first day Mikono returned to her job at the museum. She was currently sitting at the front desk, tending to the guests who wanted to explore the exhibits on display. She passed out pamphlets and tickets before sending people on their way.

After an hour sitting at the front desk, Mikono checked the time and decided to browse the web on the computer. When she found Madarame's press conference was being aired, she tuned in to the live broadcast and listened to the teary-eyed man. "I... I have committed crimes that are unbecoming of an artist. Plainly put...I, um...plagiarized work. I-I...tainted this...this country's art world...and...even "Sayuri"!" Tears cascaded down Madarame's face as he hung his head in shame. "H-How could I...I possibly...apologize to—to everyone for...for what I've done!"

Mikono sighed, continuing to listen to the broadcast as the camera panned over to the newscaster. "And that was from the urgent apology conference by Madarame that took place just a moment ago. After reporting to the association, Madarame has agreed to the police's request to turn himself in. On top of the charges of abuse to his pupils, Madarame is under suspicion of claiming their works as his own. Some doubt the validity that his maiden work "Sayuri" was stolen, believing it was used for fraud. This large-scale criminal act has caused a great shock to the art world. After the conference, Madarame was taken to a police hospital for interrogation due to his age. However, initial psych evaluations state that he is mentally sound and likely responsible for his actions. Also, a group calling themselves the Phantom Thieves posted a dubious note at Madarame's exhibit. The police will investigate their relation to this case, but for now, did not identify them as suspects."

Mikono smirked victoriously. "It looks like our first mission was a success." She went to click out of the broadcast, but stopped when she heard what the newscaster reported next.

"In other news, Banri Takahashi has pleaded guilty against all charges filed against him. Chief Goto of the MPD informed news sources that Takahashi fired his lawyer, Arata Honda, who happens to be one of the best lawyers in all of Tokyo. Police are baffled at Takahashi's sudden change of heart as he was vehemently denying all criminal charges only yesterday. His sentence will be announced at a later date once a verdict is reached."

She smiled, clicking out of the live broadcast and closing the window with a pleased sigh. She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. "All's well that ends well."

*****
Confidant: Mikono Tsutsui
Arcana: The Puppeteer
Rank: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*****