Mikono greeted her friends as they walked into the lobby of the museum. She beckoned them over with a smile glued to her face. Ryuji rushes up to her with a giddy grin and places his hands on the desk. "Did you see the news about Madarame?! It's just like what happened with Kamoshida!"

"And they mentioned the Phantom Thieves!" Ann smiled as she, Yusuke, Akira, and Morgana reached the front desk.

"Did you also hear about Takahashi?" Akira asked.

Mikono's smile blossomed in size. "Yeah. I couldn't believe how quick his heart changed."

Ryuji's grin widened. "Man, this is startin' to get interesting. Those bastards are finally gonna pay for all they've done. If we do it right, we can change even more people's hearts. With this power, we might be able to do more than just gettin' back at society. It'll be a big deal!"

Akira's own smirk couldn't be held back any longer. "This'll be fun."

The blonde boy nodded. "Let's keep pushin' on then! As for me, I hope we just keep gettin' more and more famous!"

Morgana's ear twitched as he beamed with excitement. "Something like this happening twice is massive too. It's too great a coincidence to occur normally."

"If we continue doing this, we'll definitely be able to give courage to everyone who needs it," Ann stated.

Yusuke's gaze traveled over to a security officer, who was meandering over toward him and his companions. "We may want to quiet down a little."

The pigtailed girl followed the artist's line of sight. "Do you know him?"

Mikono glances over to see who they were talking about and recognized the person. It was the head of security, Daisuke Amano. The security guard walked over and stood by the front desk, looking at the group of teenagers. "Are these kids bothering you, Tsutsui-chan? I'll gladly escort them out if they are."

"No. It's okay, Amano-kun. These are my friends," Mikono explained. "We were just discussing where we should grab a bite to eat."

Daisuke places his hands on his belt, adjusting it slightly. "Tell me before you leave so I can inform your parents once they return from the art gallery. They were in such a hurry they left their things in their offices."

"I will. Thank you, Amano-kun."

The security officer tipped his hat before leaving the lobby. Ryuji glances at the man's back before looking toward Mikono. "Somethin' happen at the art gallery?"

"My parents went to help Dr. Ito and Dr. Yamamoto with the outcry from Madarame's confession. But there's no need to worry. I'm sure they'll have everything under control soon." Mikono stood up from her seat, looking around to see if anyone else was nearby. "What we should be worrying about is who sees us together."

"She's right," Morgana said. "Look at us! Right after the second Thieves incident, both prior victims are meeting up."

"Wait," Ann looked around the lobby with a worried expression, noticing a few guests were relaxing before deciding to explore the rest of the museum. "You mean people might be listening to us?"

Ryuji shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, it'll be fine. Look around. We're the only people worryin' about it."

"I guess you're right..."

"But still, we should be careful when we talk about the Phantom Thieves," Mikono warned.

The chocolate-eyed boy rubbed the nape of his neck. "Yeah, guess we should in case someone decides to eavesdrop." He then turned to the artist standing beside him and changed the subject. "By the way, Yusuke... You able to get anything out of Madarame? Remember how he was talkin' about that suspicious person in the black mask?"

"Well, I pressed him for answers, but he doesn't even understand what happened to him to begin with," Yusuke explained.

"I'm not surprised," Akira said.

Ann nodded in agreement. "Yeah. It's not like he actually saw his desires get stolen, after all."

"It's rumored that he may be sent to prison. In that case, gaining information will be difficult," the navy-haired boy stated.

Crossing his arms with a huff, Ryuji asked, "So, what're you gonna do now?"

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

"Please tell me you have somewhere to go," Mikono said.

"I do," Yusuke replied. "The school dorms. I can stay there free of charge thanks to my fine-arts scholarship."

A wide-eyed Ryuji gasped in shock. "A scholarship?! Wait, you're that good?"

The gray-eyed boy combed his bangs back. "Although, Tsutsui-san's house would do as well."

Mikono blinked owlishly. "Huh?"

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

Yusuke cupped his chin in thought. "I do have more ideas in mind."

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

"For the time being, we should wait and see how this case plays out."

"And it'll prolly take some time findin' a target as big as Madarame," the blonde added.

"Anyway, we should just act like normal students while we look for our next target, okay?" Ann suggested.

"We'll be entrusting that to you again, Ryuji," Morgana said.

"All right. Guess it's just more prep 'til then," Ryuji stated. "How 'bout we head out and really grab a bite to eat?"

"Yes, let's," Yusuke said. "Will you be joining us, Tsutsui-san?"

Mikono smiled. "Yep. It's time for my break anyway. Let's go." She grabbed her purse and followed her friends to the entrance. As she was about to walk out the door, she felt eyes on her and turned around. She looked around, but she saw no one. She swiveled on her heels and walked out of the museum. When she saw Akira was peering through the glass doors, she asked, "You felt that too, right?"

"Yeah, and I think I know exactly who it was," he answered.

"Niijima-san..." Mikono muttered.

Akira wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his side, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Let's not worry about it now."

The girl wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. "You're right. Let's go."

<————————————<<<<<

After eating lunch with everyone, Mikono headed back to the museum with Akira. She wondered why he was accompanying her until he revealed his resume. She took the sheet of paper from him with a smile as they walked through the entrance of the museum. "I'll look over this as soon as possible." She sat down at the front desk and placed the piece of paper by the computer. "What position are you hoping to get?"

"The one Hikaru had. It's still open, right?" Akira asked.

Mikono grabbed a sticky note and pen. "It is. Do you want to know more about the position?"

"I would like to know what I'm signing up for."

"Well then..." She wrote down 'FRONT DESK' on the sticky note before attaching it to Akira's resume. "The easiest way to put it is you'll be my assistant. You'll help with ticket sales and occasionally will accompany me to storage to help with inventory."

Akira smiled. "Sounds pretty simple."

"It is, but the question is if you'll get the job. Just because you're my boyfriend doesn't mean I'll give you special treatment, okay?"

He nodded. "All right."

"By the way," Mikono placed the pen back with the others. "You're not applying for this position simply because I'm here, right? As sweet as that would sound, I really hope that isn't the main reason you're applying."

Akira shook his head. "No, it's not the main reason. Like I told you before, the museum pays more than the flower shop. With the money from this job, I'll be able to support us more as phantom thieves. The bonus of this job is working alongside you."

She smirked up at him. "You still have to get the job first. Once I look over your resume, I'll call or text you."

"I look forward to hearing from you, Mikono."

The sound of chattering caught their attention and they saw a small family walking toward the front desk. Mikono waved farewell to Akira as he left after he decided he didn't want to become a distraction. He headed back to Leblanc, deciding to call it a day.

|| 6/5 Sunday ||
|| Evening ||

Once finishing dinner with her parents, Mikono headed upstairs to her room. She had brought Akira's resume home and asked her parents' opinions on the matter. Luckily, they both were onboard and agreed he would make an excellent addition to the museum staff. She grabbed her phone from her desk and texted him the good news.

Mikono: Guess who got the position!

Only a few minutes ticked by before Akira responded.

Akira: Me?

Mikono: Yep! Congratulations!

Akira: Are you positive I didn't receive any special treatment?

Mikono: None whatsoever.

Mikono: It was an easy decision, really.

Akira: Why's that?

Mikono: You were the only one that applied.

Akira: Oh...

Akira: When do I start?

Mikono: How about Tuesday?

Akira: I've got nothing planned for Tuesday.

Mikono: Great! I'll show you the ropes. Our schedules will be identical since you are basically my new assistant. I'll make you a copy and give it to you Tuesday.

Mikono: Once you get the hang of things, you'll get a renewed schedule and have shifts all by yourself. I know you'll be able to handle everything by yourself eventually.

Mikono: Hope you're ready, Akira, because I'm gonna work you 'til you break!

Akira: Please go easy on me, Mikono...

Mikono: I'm only kidding! I'd never do that to you.

Akira: I look forward to working with you.

Just then, Yusuke messaged the group chat. Mikono switched conversations and read the incoming messages.

Yusuke: You have my gratitude.

Ryuji: What're you so polite for all of a sudden?

Mikono: You could learn a thing or two about politeness from Yusuke, Ryuji...

Ryuji: Like I haven't heard that one before...

Yusuke: I truly am thankful to you for making me come to my senses.

Akira: You're exaggerating.

Yusuke: I most certainly am not. I must express my gratitude earnestly.

Ryuji: You're one of us now, man. We'll be counting on you, mkay?

Yusuke: Of course.

Ann: And if anything comes up, we won't hesitate to lend a hand.

Yusuke: Thank you.

Yusuke: Well then, see you.

Mikono placed her phone down on her nightstand just as she received a final text from Akira. It was a short but sweet message wishing her a goodnight and a peaceful slumber.

|| 6/6 Monday ||
|| Lunchtime ||

While enjoying lunch in class 2-D with Ryuji and Akira, Mikono watched as a boy and his friend drew a picture of the crying Madarame on the chalkboard located in the rear of the classroom. She took a sip of her drink as the two boys used blue chalk to color in the old man's tears. "Wow... They're pretty good at drawing."

Ryuji looked over to the chalkboard and mumbled, "The hell...?"

Akira smirked at the sight of the drawing. "They didn't miss a single detail."

The trio finished their lunches and they continued to chat with one another. During their conversation, Akira received a text from Mishima. The cobalt-haired boy informed him of a new target—Hikari Shimizu. He told his companions of the new name and Mikono said, "That makes three targets."

"Three?" Ryuji questioned in confusion.

"We still have to deal with Takanashi and Watanabe."

"Oh!" The blonde gasped. "I forgot about that asshole from our school."

Akira places his phone back in his pocket and met his girlfriend's gaze. "What's our work schedule look like?"

"We don't have to work on Wednesday, but that is the day I've my next session scheduled with Dr. Fujioka," she said.

"Then we'll head to Mementos after school on Wednesday once your session is over. We'll deal with the targets and see if we can locate the next fragment."

"Sounds like a plan," Ryuji said.

"I'm itching to find this next fragment," Mikono stated. "With the recent events involving Madarame, more people believe in us. The percentage on the Phantom Aficionado Website has increased slightly. I just hope it's enough to allow us deeper into Mementos."

"I'm sure it will be," Akira spoke with unwavering confidence.

After their conversation died down, they overheard two classmates chatting about Madarame. They eavesdropped, wondering what the two boys had to say.

"Did you see Madarame's press conference?" One boy asked.

The other boy lifted his head up after putting his phone away. "You mean that guy who was all like, "How could I possibly...apologize for what I've done... Aaah..."?"

"Think it was really those phantom thieves? You know, the whole stealing your heart thing."

"That... There's no way. But then again...it seems too convenient for it all to just be coincidence."

Mikono looked over at Ryuji when she spotted him doing a fist-pump from her peripheral vision. She noticed the exuberant grin on his face and knew exactly why he was excited. Before she could make a remark, Ann entered the classroom and walked over to them. "How's it going? Have you found our next big target?"

Ryuji's grin deflated into a frown. "I just started lookin' yesterday. No way I'm gonna find one that quick."

The pigtailed girl clasped her hands together behind her back. "Oh yeah. I guess that's true. By the way, I decided on the TV station. What about you guys?"

"Huh?" The blonde hummed in confusion. His eyes widen when he remembers what she was talking about. "Oh crap, the social studies trip! Ugh, I just wanna ditch it..."

Morgana's head poked out from underneath Akira's desk. "You'd better go to your school activities. Didn't I tell you not to draw attention to yourselves?"

The chocolate-eyed boy stared down at the feline. "Wouldn't me suddenly turnin' into a good student stand out more?"

"Quit bickering and go," he hissed.

"I chose the TV station," Mikono said.

"You chose that over the museum?" Akira asked, flabbergasted at the revelation.

"Well, yeah," she smiled. "It's not everyday you get to visit a TV station."

"That's...actually a good reason."

"Then let's all choose the TV station!" Ann cheered with a wink. "I heard we're gonna get to watch them tape a show! Maybe there'll be actresses there!"

Ryuji perked up at the girl's words. He grinned, his posture straightening slightly. "Oh well. Not like I got anything better to do than waitin' for info to come in online. Plus, Morgana's right. Showin' up'll keep the teachers from gettin' all suspicious of me."

"Oh please," Mikono snickered. "You only changed your mind when Ann mentioned actresses. You're hoping to meet a beautiful one. That's the only reason you're going."

"That ain't true!" Ryuji denied her accusations.

"Uh-huh, yeah. Keep telling yourself that. You just might be able to convince yourself."

"Sh-Shuddup!" Ryuji's cheeks were red. He turned away from his friends to hide his face. "I-I'm gonna head back."

A heavy sigh emitted from Morgana as the blonde left the classroom. "That guy is such an idiot. I hope nothing happens..."

|| 6/6 Monday ||
|| Evening ||

After completing her shift at the museum, Mikono headed home with her parents and enjoyed her mother's cooking before sitting down and watching TV with them. When commercial break came, she heard her phone go off and picked it off the coffee table. When seeing her friends were active in the group chat, she excused herself and headed outside to the patio. Unlocking her phone, she joined the conversation.

Ann: You haven't heard anything from the student council president, have you?

Ryuji: Miss Honor Student must be busy kissing ass somewhere.

Ann: You don't have to be so harsh...

Yusuke: What is this about a student council president?

Ann: The one at our school has kinda been keeping tabs on us.

Ann: I think she's suspicious of us...

Yusuke: Are you sure it is not merely a result of Ryuji's general misconduct?

Mikono: If only...

Ryuji: Hey!

Mikono: Niijima-san has been acting strange recently.

Yusuke: What do you mean?

Akira: She's been following me around school.

Yusuke: I see... That is quite troublesome.

Yusuke: Though to be honest, the four of you most certainly stand out.

Yusuke: Do try to be careful.

Yusuke: I cannot be there to look over you at school, you know.

Yusuke: That duty rests on your broad shoulders, Akira.

Akira: Got it. I'll watch over everyone.

Akira: I'd fail as a leader if I couldn't watch over my teammates.

Ann: I'll make sure to keep an eye on Ryuji too.

Ryuji: Why do you gotta single me out...?

Mikono: You kinda have a tenancy to get into trouble more than the rest of us.

Ryuji: Ugh...

The conversation ended and Mikono headed back inside. She kissed her parents on their cheeks before heading upstairs to her room. She closed the door behind her and placed her phone on the nightstand. Her eyes traveled over to the bookshelf located by her desk. She looked at the fennec fox plushie Akira got her on their first date. It sat atop of a small box she used to store her mementos of Egypt. She walked over and took the box, placing the plushie on her desk. She sat down at the foot of her bed and opened the box. Inside, she found a small metal replica of a pyramid with hieroglyphs carved into the sides, mini statuettes of Sekhmet and Sobek, and figurines of a cat, jackal, and falcon.

Each memento was either a couple centimeters bigger than her hand or fit in her palm. While examining each keepsake, she recognized each one represented a fragment of her heart. The only one that didn't was the pyramid. A sigh fell from her lips as she placed the pyramid back in the box. As she did, she saw one last item in the box.

She picked up the small, round object and recognized it as the turquoise stone she found in Siwa Oasis. It resembled a scarab and she smiled as an idea came to mind. Placing the keepsakes back in the box, minus the stone, she put it back on the bookshelf and placed the fennec fox plush on top. She placed the stone on her desk before leaving her room, heading to the bathroom to take a shower before calling it a night.

|| 6/7 Tuesday ||
|| After School ||

"So, are you ready?" Mikono asked as she handed Akira his name tag.

"Yeah." The boy clipped the name tag to his white short-sleeved shirt with an anxious smile. "Is it normal to be nervous?"

"It is, but there's nothing to worry about. I've seen how well you handle customers at Rafflesia. This job will be easy for you." She escorted Akira out of the employee lounge, where they had left a sleeping Morgana, and down to the first floor. They arrived at the front desk and sat in the two chairs available. She showed him the prices for the tickets, informing him he didn't have to worry about remembering the numbers. She moved on to the computer and showed him how to print tickets.

After she explained everything in the simplest way possible, Akira had a strong understanding of how to run the front desk. He handled his first guest with ease and continued the process until a familiar shaggy-haired boy entered the museum a couple hours later. He wondered why the detective was here as he waltzed toward the front desk.

"Hi, Akechi-kun," Mikono greeted Goro. "Do you need a ticket?"

Goro smiled gently at her. "I actually came here to see you." He glanced over at Akira before looking back at the girl. "May I speak with you in private?"

"Uh, sure." She stood from her seat and glanced down at Akira with a smile. "I'll be back in a few minutes. By what I've seen so far, I know you'll be able to handle the front desk without me."

The bespectacled boy nodded. "Take your time, Mikono."

Mikono led Goro to the second floor and into the employee lounge. She looked around for Morgana and saw he was hiding under the couch. She turned to face the detective once she heard the door close behind him. "Is this about Takahashi? Chief Goto did say you would be coming by sometime to see me to get a statement."

He shook his head. "No. With Takahashi pleading guilty, there's no need for a statement. I came here today in hopes to see how you were doing. I would've visited sooner, but I've been quite busy recently." He walked over to the couch and sat down, hanging his head with a frown. "When I heard what happened, I felt somewhat responsible."

Mikono joined him on the sofa, sitting next to him. "The man responsible for what happened to me is in jail. You didn't do anything wrong, Akechi-kun."

"It was my fault Takahashi wasn't arrested sooner. He discovered I had entered his apartment and fled."

"How did he know you were inside his apartment?"

Goro reaches into his coat and pulled out a picture. He handed it to her, his guilt-stricken gaze boring into the floor.

Mikono took the picture from the detective. Her eyes widened when she saw who was in the photo. "A picture of me? Why did you take it?"

"I don't exactly quite know myself," Goro answered honestly. "But I do know it was because of my careless actions we were unable to apprehend Takahashi before he could strike. For that, I must apologize."

"No one knew what Takahashi was planning. It's possible he already had everything planned before you found your way into his apartment." Mikono handed the photo back to him. "You're not responsible one bit for Takahashi's actions so don't apologize, Akechi-kun. I can't forgive you if there's nothing you've done wrong."

Goro lifted his head, gazing into her brilliant cerulean eyes. He could see and feel the kindness she was showing him. "Tsutsui-chan..." A smile appeared on his face. "I...cannot express how much hearing you say that puts me at ease."

She smiled back at him. "I'm glad I was able to help you feel better."

"Well then," Goro said, getting to his feet. He slid the picture back into the pocket inside his peacoat before adjusting the collar slightly. "I should let you get back to work. I would love to venture through the museum again, but I'm afraid I've other plans."

"Let me walk you back to the entrance."

Mikono and Goro left the employee lounge and headed back to the lobby. The girl waved farewell to the detective as he left the museum. Once he was gone, she headed back to the front desk and sat down in her seat. She saw Akira was on the computer, printing tickets for the couple who was waiting patiently. After he handed the tickets to them and they headed into the first exhibit, he spun his chair slightly so he was now facing his girlfriend. "What was that about?"

"Apparently, Akechi-kun took one of Takahashi's photos from his apartment. He believed it was his fault Takahashi wasn't arrested sooner," Mikono said.

Akira looked toward the entrance of the museum. He stared at the glass doors, an unsettling feeling rising in his chest. He shook his head, pushing the feeling aside and focusing on his job. What he didn't know was Mikono shared the same foreboding feeling.

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