|| 6/10 Friday ||
|| Afternoon ||

Inside the recording studio, students of Shujin Academy sat in the audience as they eagerly awaited for the show to resume. Mikono sat in between Akira and Ryuji with Ann sitting on the other side of the blonde. They listened as the veteran AD announced, "Mr. Akechi is coming on!"

Ryuji stared in awe and shock when Goro walked onto the set and joined the hosts. "No way... He wasn't lyin'?"

"Cutting back from commercial!" The veteran AD counted down before gesturing to the announcers, signaling them.

The hostess smiled at the camera as she placed her hands in her lap. "And now, onto the "Hottest Meet-And-Greet" segment of our show. After his last appearance was so well-received, we decided to bring back this fine gentleman today. It's the high school detective, Goro Akechi!"

Goro smiled at the two announcers before looking out at the crowd. "Hello there."

"Thank you for taking the time to join us today, Akechi-kun," the host cheerfully stated. "Your popularity is stunning."

"Even I've found it to be quite a surprise," Goro replied. "It is a bit embarrassing though..."

"Moving along, we've been told there's a case on your mind right now. I'm surprised you're already working on another case after closing one a few days ago. Care to share, Detective?" The woman inquired.

"Ah, yes. That would be the scandal involving the master artist Madarame."

"There it is!" The man chanted. "All of this phantom thief excitement has caught your attention too, Akechi-kun! Allow me to be blunt for just a second. What do you think of these justice-oriented Phantom Thieves?"

Akira, Mikono, Ryuji, and Ann tensed up, eagerly awaiting Goro's response. They tuned out the faint murmurs of their classmates as the detective responded. "If they truly are heroes of justice, I sincerely hope they exist."

The group relaxed as the man asked, "Ohhh, so you don't deny the possibility that they're real?"

"I may not seem like it, but I sometimes wish that Santa Claus actually existed. Although if he did, I'd have to arrest him for breaking and entering." Ryuji frowned, crossing his legs with an annoyed huff as he listened to Goro. He glared at the shaggy-haired boy as the smile disappeared from his face. "But hypothetically speaking, if these Phantom Thieves are real... I believe they should be tried in a court of law."

The group's eyes widen in shock. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. The male announcer stared into Goro's chestnut eyes. "That's quite the statement. Are they committing crimes? Some people even say that the Thieves are actually helping their victims abandon their evil ways."

A grim expression appeared on the detective's face. "What the artist Madarame did truly was an unforgivable crime. However, they're taking the law into their own hands by judging him. It is far from justice. More importantly, you should never forcefully change a person's heart."

Mikono sunk down slightly in her seat, feeling a small tinge of guilt. She couldn't help but acknowledge the truth behind Goro's words. When she felt Akira grab her hand and gently squeeze it, some of her guilt washed away.

"You have a point," the male announcer remarked. "These people are calling themselves the Phantom Thieves, after all. Amazing as always, Akechi-kun! I could listen to you for days! You have the most radiant charisma!"

A smile returned to Goro's face. "I have to say though, I would be embarrassed if it turns out these Phantom Thieves don't exist. If that were the case, I'd summarize it into a report as a school project."

"Now then, let's try asking some students the same age as Akechi-kun about the Phantom Thieves!" The woman glanced toward the students of Shujin Academy. "First, please press your button now if you think the Phantom Thieves exist!"

"Of course they do!" Ryuji growled under his breath.

The man in front of the cameras glanced over at a screen to see the results. "About 30% or so? What are your thoughts, Akechi-kun?"

Goro was staring wide-eyed at the revelation. "I'm a bit surprised. That's higher than I was expecting. I'd love to hear some more detailed opinions on the Phantom Thieves' actions."

The hostess grabbed a microphone as she stood up from the couch and walked into the audience. Akira released Mikono's hand when he saw the woman was heading straight for him. She stopped right beside him and spoke into the microphone. "All right, let's try asking this student here. Hypothetically speaking, what are your thoughts on these Phantom Thieves, if they were real?"

Akira was hesitant at first to speak when the hostess held the microphone out toward him, but he answered the question with an unyielding tone. "They're justice itself."

Goro's expression didn't change. "You say that with such firmness."

The host turns his body toward the detective. "This completely goes against the opinion you had about them being tried by law, Akechi-kun."

"Indeed. It's rather intriguing to hear such a strong acknowledgment. In that case, there's one more question I'd like to ask." The detective's eyes looked to Akira's right, his chestnut gaze locking with Mikono's cerulean one. "If someone close to you, for example your friend next to you... If her heart suddenly changed, wouldn't you think it was the work of the Phantom Thieves?"

Akira met the boy's gaze when he looked away from his girlfriend. "They only target criminals."

"I see. But how can you be so sure? Whether the Thieves' actions are good or not, I feel there is a more important issue at hand."

The hostess returned to the sofa and sat down beside her co-star. The man beside her hummed in confusion. "Hm? What do you mean?"

"The matter of how they change people's hearts," Goro explained, cupping his chin with one of his gloved hands. "If they honestly possess that ability, it could be used for more than extracting confessions. It could be that what seem to be ordinary crimes are actually being perpetrated by these methods."

The host smiled. "You know, you're absolutely right."

"Oh, please don't misunderstand. This is all purely hypothetical. It is only if people who can use such a power truly exist. Either way though, this cannot be ignored. The existence of the Phantom Thieves would be nothing but a threat to our everyday lives. To be honest, I'm already working alongside the police to help sort out this matter."

After a few more questions from the host and hostess, the interview was finished. When the cameras were turned off, the students stood up from their seats and flooded out of the room. While following their classmates out of the recording studio, the four teens came to a halt.

"It kinda seemed like what he was saying might be right," Ann sighed dejectedly.

Mikono stared down at the floor with a frown. "You thought so too, huh?"

"He makes it sound like we're the baddies. I don't like it," Ryuji hissed.

Ann turned around to face her friends. "But that stuff about the police... Do you think it's for real?"

Morgana pushes his head out of Akira's bag and peered over his shoulder. "He can say whatever he wants. The justice of it all is something we can decide for ourselves."

"Oh, sorry," Ryuji suddenly apologized. "I gotta go take a leak. Can you guys wait here? I'll be right back."

"Oh my god..." Ann groaned as the blonde sauntered off. "I'm gonna keep going, okay?" Her pigtails bounced as she meandered away, following after the other students.

Mikono remained by Akira's side as she twisted the straps of her bag. Goro's words replayed in her head on an endless loop, unable to stave off all her guilt. "Why does he have to be right...?"

Before Akira could comfort her, they were approached by the detective himself. "Oh, it's you!" A faint smile appeared on Goro's face as he walked over to the couple. "I'm glad I found you. I wanted to thank you in person. To paraphrase Hegel, advancement cannot occur without both thesis and antithesis."

"Huh?" Akira muttered in confusion.

"Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, who was a German philosopher, was described through a dialectal method called the thesis, antithesis, and synthesis triad. Hegel never used the terms himself. Instead, he used concrete, abstract, and absolute for himself. The thesis, antithesis, and synthesis triad originated with Johann Fichte. Basically, the triad describes a progression of three ideas or propositions in which the first idea is followed by a second idea that negates the first, and the conflict between the first and second ideas is resolved by a third idea," Mikono stated. When she looked between the two boys and saw their awe-struck expressions, she immediately began to blush and giggled nervously. "S-Sorry. Please, d-don't mind me! I'll keep my mouth shut..."

Goro chuckled at her adorable expression. "There's no need to apologize. It is quite enjoyable hearing you passionately talk about such intellectual topics." He then looked over at Akira, who was still staring at the girl in amazement, with a smile. "To put it in simpler terms, our discussion was quite meaningful. Few people around me are so willing to speak their minds as freely as you did earlier. Adults are only interested in using the young, while they simply do as the adults say. I feel like our discussions could prove quite fruitful. Would you mind talking with me again?"

Akira replied, "That's fine by me."

"Thank you. It makes me glad to hear that. The students from Shujin are truly quite interesting. I look forward to see you again." His gaze returned back to Mikono. "And I hope to see you again as well, Tsutsui-chan."

The inky-haired girl offered him a gentle smile. "Me too, Akechi-kun. I hope we'll be able to talk again soon."

"Well then..." Goro bowed politely before walking away.

Once the detective was gone, Morgana pushed himself out of Akira's bag. "Talk about a problematic guy to get involved with. There's probably a lot we can learn from him though."

"I think so too," Akira said. "I think he's taken a liking to me."

"Yeah," Mikono stated. "For being the Detective Prince, he sure is easy to talk to. I had no idea who he was the first time I met him."

"You had no idea he was famous?" The bespectacled boy questioned.

"Nope. I thought he was just one of those child prodigies who managed to snag a position as a detective."

"I would've thought the same thing if I had met him before all this," Morgana commented.

Just then, Ryuji returned from using the restroom. "Sorry for takin' so long!" He glanced back in the direction he came from and saw Goro leaving. "Wait, was that Akechi?"

"It was," Mikono answered. "We talked for a little bit."

A frown made its way onto the blonde's face. "I can't stand that high and mighty attitude! Just breathin' the same air as him makes me sick."

"I know Akechi-kun doesn't approve of the Phantom Thieves, but you should still try to be nice to him. He hasn't done anything wrong."

"Still, I can't help shake the feeling something's off about him," Akira spoke up.

"Yeah. Something about him is unsettling, but I still want to be friendly with him. He did help me, after all."

Ryuji rolled his shoulders with a sigh. "Doesn't matter anymore. We're leavin'. C'mon, Mikky, Akira. Let's go."

|| 6/10 Friday ||
|| Evening ||

Mikono stared down at the scarab bracelet on her desk. She picked it up, wondering when she would give it to Akira. She fiddled with the beads before tracing her finger over the scarab. "I hope he likes it."

"Likes what, honey?"

Startled by her mother's voice, Mikono promptly opened a drawer in her desk and tossed the bracelet inside before slamming it shut. She quickly turned around with a flustered smile. "I-I was talking about lunch tomorrow! Akira asked me to make him another bento today and I was just thinking about what I should put in it."

Ichika smirked. "You've been getting rather close to Kurusu. Is there something I should know?"

The girl shook her head. "N-Nothing at all! Is it wrong to make lunch for a friend?"

"Not at all!" She smiled. "I'm just happy you're making more friends. I know it's been hard for you ever since we moved to Japan, but your father and I were really worried about you."

Mikono smiled at her mother. "By the way, I actually made another friend while you were away. He wants to meet you and Dad sometime."

"Oh?" Ichika hummed. "Who is he?"

"His name's Yusuke Kitagawa. You might've heard his name from Madarame."

The woman's eyes widened in recognition. "Madarame did in fact mention his pupil's name! How is Kitagawa doing? He must be rather relieved to hear about Madarame's arrest. I can't believe he would do such a thing to his pupils."

"He's fine. You're not going to make him sit through a dinner with us, are you?"

"Only if he wants to~!" Ichika giggled. "Bring him by the museum whenever he wants to meet me and your dad. I would love to meet him."

"Just make sure to keep Dad under control," Mikono warned. "Yusuke idolizes you both and I wouldn't want Dad to scare him off. I also want to introduce you two to Ann, as well."

"Trust me, sweetie, I'll keep your dad in line." Ichika kissed her daughter's forehead. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."

"I'll be down shortly." The short-haired woman left Mikono's room, allowing the girl to sigh in relief. "Thank goodness..." She opened the desk drawer she tossed the bracelet in and plucked it out, placing it back on her desk. As the beads tapped against the desk, her phone buzzed. She picked it up and accessed the group chat through IM.

Ryuji: That Akechi bastard... Thinking about what he said is just pissing me off again.

Ann: He clearly tries to discredit everything we're doing.

Ryuji: And he just had to say it on live TV too!

Mikono: There's always going to be people out there who disagree with our actions. What matters most is our cause.

Mikono: We do what we do to help people, not become famous.

Akira: Exactly.

Akira: Well said, Mikono.

Yusuke: Tsutsui-san is correct. Don't be so sour.

Yusuke: There are, without a doubt, people we have saved.

Yusuke: These people could not have been saved if not for the heroics of the Phantom Thieves.

Yusuke: I am living proof of that.

Ryuji: Awww, what a nice thing to say!

Ann: Still...was what Akechi-kun said actually wrong?

Ann: I feel like he had a point.

Mikono: I...also feel the same way.

Ryuji: Why you gotta being that up now?

Ann: I mean, is it really okay to be doing this to people just because they're criminals?

Ann: Doesn't it seem a little selfish?

Yusuke: We are phantom thieves, Ann.

Yusuke: I doubt everyone would forgive us for what we did to Madarame.

Yusuke: Yet, I still decided that it was a necessary act.

Ryuji: Kamoshida too. We weren't gonna do shit to him through any kinda normal methods. Mikky already tried, remember?

Ann: That's true, but...

Ann: What do you think, Akira? Are we being selfish?

Akira: We're helping people. There's nothing selfish about helping those in need.

Ann: I guess I can't really think of any other way...

Yusuke: Hm. I believe our best path forward is sticking to our justice, not that of the law.

Yusuke: Shouldn't that be enough?

Yusuke: And with the unanimous decision rule in place, I doubt we'll lose our way.

Ann: Yeah, you're right.

Ann: Sorry for bringing that up.

Ann: And don't worry. I'm not thinking about quitting the Phantom Thieves or anything.

Mikono: Good, because I don't want to be the only girl! I don't think I'd survive if you were gone, Ann.

Akira: Ouch...

Mikono: You might be my boyfriend, but that doesn't mean I can tell you EVERYTHING! I need a girl to talk to so I can talk about GIRL problems!

Akira: Still...

Akira: Ouch... I felt that from here. I don't think my heart can handle the pain.

Mikono: Suck it up, buttercup.

Akira: I'll try...

Ryuji: Don't turn this conversation into a lovey-dovey one.

Ryuji: I'll puke...

Ann: Someone's just grumpy because he lost to Akira.

Yusuke: Lost?

Ryuji: Don't you dare!

|| 6/11 Saturday ||
|| Lunchtime ||

Mikono jumped slightly when Ryuji slammed his fist against one of the vending machines. She had been enjoying lunch with Akira and Ryuji in the courtyard when their conversation diverted to what Goro said yesterday.

"Man, that detective from yesterday really pissed me off! We're some kinda threat?" The blonde hissed. "Let's see him do it, then! If someone else could help 'em, we wouldn't be doin' stuff as the Phantom Thieves to start with!"

From behind Ryuji, Mikono spotted Ann approaching with a cup of Jagariko salad potato sticks. (A/n: Yes, this is a real Japanese snack.) She placed the stick she was holding in her mouth before smacking him on the back of the head.

"Ow," Ryuji grimaced, rubbing the back of his head.

Ann munched down on the potato stick, walking past the blonde and leaning against the table. "You're being way too loud," she said with her mouth full.

"Who cares? Everybody's talkin' about this stuff anyways. It'd just be more suspicious if we were whisperin'."

Mikono crossed her legs as she sat down on the blue bench. "Regardless if everyone's talking about it, we still have to be careful with what we say and how loud. We don't know if someone's listening."

"We really should be careful," Akira agreed.

Ryuji glances at the couple before his eyes trailed over to Ann when hearing her munch down on another potato stick. "Hey, you really just gonna keep eatin' and eatin' those things all by yourself?! Gimme some!"

"Sorry," Ann half-heartedly apologized. "Just ate the last one."

"You guys are too laid back," Morgana commented. "The police are getting involved now, you know."

Ann places the empty plastic cup on the table with a worried expression. "So you think it's true? We'll be okay if we keep doing this, right?"

"We can't let the cops scare us outta bein' phantom thieves," Ryuji proclaimed.

"But...what about that weird guy from Madarame's Palace? Isn't there a lot we don't know?"

All of a sudden, a flash blinded the group. Looking for the source, they saw Niijima with her phone pointed at them.

"The hell?" Ryuji cursed.

"You four seem to be having so much fun. I'm a little jealous," Niijima said, putting her phone away into the pocket of her skirt.

Ryuji's eyes narrowed in a sharp glare. "Are you snoopin' on us again?" He asked. "We said before, we don't know nothin'."

"Why do you think I'm here to question you? Could it be that you're hiding something? My ears are always open to the troubles of my peers, you know."

Mikono felt a tinge of anger at Niijima's words. She pushed herself off the bench, crossing her arms with a scowl. "Now you want to help your peers? After all that Kamoshida did, why didn't you listen to those who needed help?"

Niijima's confidence cracked. "I had no idea he was doing such despicable acts! I honestly thought he was a good teacher until that day..."

Ann scoffed at her words. "Oh, but you always take the teacher's side. That's what a good council president does, right?"

Niijima focused her glare on the pigtailed girl. "Then...how about you? What did you do for your friend? You were much closer to her than I was, so how did you help?"

"There wasn't any way to help! By myself...I couldn't do anything for her! Mikono's the only reason why Shiho was given a chance to live!" Ann hollered.

"There's no need to shout," Niijima muttered sorrowfully.

"If those Phantom Thieves are out there helpin' people, I'd root for 'em, no questions asked," Ryuji stated, glowering at the crimson-eyed girl. "They've gotta be more dependable than some people I know."

Niijima, unable to face her classmates any longer, turned her back to them. "Just make sure you show up to your classes, all right?" With those final words, she left.

Ann turned around and faced her friends with a determined expression. "You know what I asked earlier about whether we'll be okay if we keep this up? I take it back. I'd be ashamed to let it end now."

"My doubts have also been washed away," Mikono claimed. "I don't care who's against us or with us, there's no way I'd turn a blind eye to someone who's suffering like I did."

Ryuji nodded in agreement. "Hell yeah. It's about time we find our next target too."

The bell chimed, signaling the end of the lunch period. Ann and Ryuji headed back to class. Before Akira could take a few steps forward to follow them, he stopped in his tracks when he noticed Mikono wasn't moving. "Is everything okay, Mikono?"

She blinked a few times, realizing Ann and Ryuji were gone. "Just a little worried about Niijima-san. I want to give her the benefit of the doubt. If she's telling the truth, then she had no idea of what all Kamoshida did. Maybe we're being too hard on her..."

Morgana smiles at her. "You truly are kindhearted, Lady Mikono. You're definitely way out of Akira's league."

Said boy jiggled his back, earning a shriek from the feline. "I think we established that a while ago, Morgana..."

"Wait," Mikono tilted her head as she gazed into Akira's obsidian eyes. "You really think you're not good enough for me? Because I'll say this now—that is far from the truth. I think we're perfect for each other."

The bespectacled boy's eyes widened. Once he processed the words in his mind, his cheeks turned red. Morgana snickered when seeing his crimson-dusted cheeks. "You're a lucky guy, Akira. You going to say anything sweet back?"

Akira cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses as he turned around to avoid his girlfriend's gaze. "W-We should head back to class."

"Booooo!" Morgana wails. "What a way to ruin the mood..."

|| 6/11 Saturday ||
|| After School ||

Akira, Ann, Mikono, Morgana, and Ryuji rendezvoused with Yusuke at Station Square after the school day concluded. The navy-haired boy had launched a conversation by mentioning the Phan-Site after browsing through the posts. "Comments are coming in at an alarming rate. However, negative ones seem to be more prominent." He used his thumb to scroll down the page before stopping on one post to read it aloud. ""A criminal group with unknown goals that does whatever it wants in the name of justice." Huh..."

"It's prolly 'cause of Akechi..." Ryuji grumbled. "TV's got some crazy sway."

"Out of all the things to talk about during the interview, why did they have to pick the Phantom Thieves?" Mikono muttered.

"I'll say," Akira stated.

"Seriously..." Ann groaned. "They could've chosen anything else to talk about."

"He's free to deny our actions, but being cursed by his influence is another thing entirely," Yusuke said.

"Just when we were starting to get people to believe in us too..."

"It's not the end of the world," Mikono said, trying to cheer up her friends. "We have to keep our heads held high and focus on locating another target to restore people's faith in us."

"Yeah!" Ryuji cheered. "All we gotta do is take down another hot shot, yeah?"

Yusuke tugged on a strand of his navy locks. "Well, do you have any ideas who this next "hot shot" could be?"

"I ain't got a thing yet..." The blonde huffed out a sigh. "Dammit, this is real irritatin'..." His chocolate eyes traveled over to the dolly cart behind the artist. "By the way, what's up with that luggage?"

The gray-eyed boy looked down at his belongings. "Oh, I decided to leave the school dorms. They were not only filthy, but too noisy as well. No true art could come from such a place."

"What're you gonna do then? You can't go back to that shack, right?"

Yusuke looked toward Mikono, who blinked in confusion when noticing his gaze. She arched a brow, wondering why he was focused on her. "Why're you looking at me?"

"I was planning on staying at Tsutsui-san's—I mean, Mikono's house," he answered. "I've even prepared a thank-you gift for Dr. Blackwell and Dr. Tsutsui. I hope it's to their liking."

"Time out!" Mikono flailed her arms around. "There's no way you can stay with me! My dad isn't a fan of boys, especially ones that he hasn't gotten to know! He'd tear you to shreds!"

Yusuke gasped in shock. "Impossible..."

Ryuji jabbed a finger at him. "You're the impossible one!"

"But I spent everything I had on these delectable Japanese sweets..."

"I know your heart's in the right place, Yusuke, but I'd rather spare you from my dad's wrath," Mikono explained. "Is there any other place you can stay?"

"What about a manga café?" Akira proposed.

"I don't have the money," Yusuke confesses.

Ryuji sighed in disbelief. "Then why'd you leave?"

"Well, seeing as Yusuke is an important member of our team...I'll lend a hand!" Morgana chimed in. "Come stay at our place! It's dirty, but at least you'll have somewhere to sleep!"

Akira gaped in surprise at the cat's sudden offer. "Hold on, Morgana."

"Why're you the one calling the shots?" Ryuji inquired.

"Don't you two live in a café?" Ann questioned, glancing at Akira and Morgana. "I've been wondering about that for a while. Mikono's the only one that's been there. Yongen's not too far, is it?"

"Nope!" Morgana grinned giddily. "And the café's only a minute walk from the station."

"How about we go there now?" Ann smiled. "We can have a party to celebrate Madarame's change of heart!"

"Oh, good idea!" Ryuji agreed jubilantly. "We can make it a welcome party for Yusuke too!"

"Before we head to Leblanc, could we stop by the museum?" Mikono asked. "My parents want to meet you, Yusuke. I hope now isn't a bad time."

Yusuke smiled at her. "Not at all. I've been wishing to meet Dr. Blackwell and Dr. Tsutsui for a while now."

"Didn't you have work today, Akira?" Morgana asked.

Said boy's eyes widen in horror. "I-I completely forgot...!"

"No worries," his girlfriend giggled. "I asked my parents if you could have the day off and they said yes. I probably should've told you earlier."

"No," Akira sighs in relief, smiling. "It's okay."

"Then let's head to the museum!"

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