|| 5/15 Sunday ||
|| Daytime ||

"We're here," Mikono smiled as they stood at the entrance of Crescent Gallery. They entered the building, their clothes slightly wet from the light rainfall. Once they stepped through the door and handed over their tickets, they followed the flow of people. The inky-haired girl sighed, "You guys really didn't need the tickets."

"Kitagawa doesn't realize your parents own the gallery. Are you going to tell him?" Akira asked, walking beside her.

"If the opportunity arises, I will."

Once they reached the art exhibition, they were amazed at how busy it was. While there were myriads of people, they kept their voices down and admired the art without disturbing others with their conversations.

"So crowded..." Morgana whimpered at the sight, scanning the faces of the people passing through the exhibit.

"It'll be a pain in the ass if someone sees you, so don't stick your head out too much, all right?" Ryuji told the animal.

"If you are spotted, Morgana, you and Akira will have to be escorted out of the building. There's a "no pets" policy," Mikono explained.

Suddenly, a familiar figure approached them.

"You came!" Yusuke sauntered over, sporting a gentle smile. "When I overheard Dr. Ito mention you may not be coming today, I was afraid it was because of me. I'm glad to see you're here."

The cerulean-eyed girl smiled at him. "Of course I came. There's one painting I'm really excited to see in person after reading about it."

He then noticed the others surrounding her. His cheerful demeanor dampened. "You really came."

Ryuji glowered at the boy. "What'd you expect when you left us those tickets?!"

The question went unanswered by Yusuke as he proceeded to warn them. "Make sure that you don't get in the way of the other visitors."

"Are you really that annoyed by us?" Ann grumbled under her breath for only her friends to hear.

"Come now," Yusuke's attitude did a 180, his smile returning to his face once giving his full attention back to Mikono. "I know you are the one who organized the exhibit, but I'd be more than glad to show you around and explain the pieces in more detail. I'd also like to speak more about the picture I'd like to draw too."

Mikono nodded. "Lead the way, Kitagawa-kun." Before being escorted away by the boy, she waved at her friends and told them to meet up later.

As promised, Yusuke escorted Mikono through the art gallery and answered any questions she had about the pieces on display. However, she soon became suspicious as they moved from painting to painting. They stopped in front of a piece depicting a black cat when she spoke to the boy by her side. "These paintings are all unique in their own ways, but that's what I find to be the most strange."

"Why is that, Tsutsui-san?" Yusuke asked.

"Dr. Ito and Dr. Yamamoto are the ones who taught me how to analyze art pieces. They told me every artists has a distinguishable style when they paint, but Madarame's pieces seem to be...inconsistent." The gray-eyed boy's body tensed, which went unnoticed by Mikono as she continued to analyze the black cat in the painting. "Or maybe I'm just imagining things."

"You were taught by Dr. Ito and Dr. Yamamoto?" Yusuke asked.

"Yeah. They're close friends and colleagues of my parents."

"Your parents?"

Mikono tugged at the hem of her beige dress. Now was the perfect opportunity to tell the boy who her parents are. "My parents actually own this gallery and the ancient history museum down the street."

Yusuke's eyes widen at the revelation. "You are the daughter of Isaac Blackwell and Ichika Tsutsui?" She nodded and he lowered his head. "It hadn't occurred to me when you told me your name that day at Sensei's studio. I mistook you as an employee of the art gallery."

"I would've been more surprised if you hadn't," she giggled.

"There you are, Yusuke," a voice called out to the young boy.

Yusuke and Mikono turned around, spying Madarame walking over.

"Sensei!" The gray-eyed boy gasped at the older man's sudden appearance.

Madarame smiled kindly as he looked at the girl standing beside his pupil. "Ah, the girl from yesterday. Are you enjoying the exhibit?"

"All the pieces are amazing and breathtaking," Mikono replied, beaming. "Each one is unique and conveys different feelings."

"You're sensing something from the artwork. That alone is enough to give us artists satisfaction."

"Sensei, this is Mikono Tsutsui. She is the one who organized the exhibit," Yusuke introduced her.

"Ah, you're the young lady I spoke to over the phone. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Tsutsui. If I'm not mistaken, you are the daughter of Dr. Blackwell and Dr. Tsutsui, correct? I've seen your picture in quite a few newspapers," Madarame said before turning to look at Yusuke. "You've chosen quite a beautiful model for your next piece, Yusuke. I hope it becomes a wonderful one. Well then, if you'll excuse me."

"It was nice meeting you, Madarame-san. I hope you'll allow this gallery more opportunities to show off your amazing work," Mikono bowed politely.

"Because of your dedication and help, this will be the first of many exhibitions I wish to hold at this gallery. For now, I shall let you and Yusuke continue to admire the paintings." With that, Madarame left.

A gentle smile blossomed on to the girl's face. "This isn't the first time I've talked to Madarame, but this is the first time we've spoken in person. I didn't realize how friendly he was or how easy it was to talk to him."

"Indeed," Yusuke said.

The moment Mikono turned around, her eyes widened. She walked toward a painting and smiled. "This is the painting I wanted to see the most. After seeing and reading about it while finalizing the layout, I really wanted to see it in person."

Yusuke was silent as he stared at the painting. He looked away from the painting to Mikono. "This one?"

"Yeah. Even though it was only a picture, I could feel the anger and frustration. It's strange though."

"...Why is it strange?"

"It's such a beautiful painting. Where is this anger coming from? I will confess, it's difficult to believe Madarame painted it." Mikono turned her gaze to Yusuke, who had a melancholic look in his eyes. "Are you all right, Kitagawa-kun?"

"I'm fine," he replied. "Don't mind me. There are better pieces than...this one. Come now, this way!" He sauntered away, leaving her behind.

"K-Kitagawa-kun, wait up!" She chased after him through the gallery, wondering what was truly wrong with him.

<----------<<<<<

Mikono sighed after leaving the art gallery. She searched for her friends and found them in the Teikyu Building Accessway. She dragged her body toward them, listening to the rain pelt against the window.

Akira was the first to notice her. "You look exhausted."

"Kitagawa-kun dragged me all around the art gallery..." She threw her body against the railing, another sigh escaping her lips. "I never knew being dragged around like that could be so exhausting."

"Hey, Mikky," Ryuji grabbed her attention, holding his phone out for her to see. "You gotta look at this. This post might be about Madarame."

Mikono looked at his phone and read one of the posts. ""A master of the Japanese arts is plagiarizing his pupil's work. Only his public face is shown on TV...""

Ann was bewildered to see the post didn't elicite a reaction from her. "You don't seem surprised."

"I...wouldn't be surprised if this is true. When I was walking through the gallery with Kitagawa-kun, I noticed something about the paintings. Each one was different. Every artists has a unique style of painting, but each painting had a different technique. I want to give Madarame the benefit of the doubt until we actually prove he is plagiarizing."

Ryuji turned his phone away from Mikono and scrolled down the page. "There's more. "His treatment of the pupils who live with him is awful. He teaches nothing and bosses them around. He treats them inhumanely, as if disciplining a dog...""

"Abuse on top of plagiarism, hm?" Morgana hummed.

The blonde grinned as he stared down at the post. "If this is real, it'll be a huge scandal."

"I wonder if Kitagawa-kun posted this," Ann commented. "I mean, he IS a pupil of his."

Ryuji shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows? It's anonymous and all..."

"In that case, it's possible the Madarame we heard about in Mementos is referring to the same one," Morgana said.

"Maybe we should talk to the real Nakanohara," Mikono claimed.

"How would we do that?" Ryuji answered her question with his own. "Are we gonna explain it all, startin' with Mementos?"

"There are ways to get people to talk without telling them the truth. We're a group of teenagers with a cat. No one would believe the truth, but lying could help us get what we're looking for."

"We should avoid talking to the real Nakanohara for the time being. If we make a move out in the open, there's the possibility that Madarame will find out," the animal stated.

Mikono exhaled, staring down at the floor. "You're right..."

Ryuji looked up from where he sat on the floor, eyeing Akira. "Hey, what do you think about Madarame? Doesn't he seem suspicious?"

Akira thought for a few seconds before responding. "I have to admit, he does. After what Mikono said about the paintings, it makes him even more suspicious."

"I know, right? This all fits way too well to just be a coincidence. If this post is legit, ain't this the kinda target we've been waitin' for?"

"Well, yeah, but..." Ann's voice trailed off.

"We still have to prove it's true before we can do anything," Mikono stated.

"By the way, what'd you do about the whole modeling thing?" The chocolate-eyed boy questioned his best friend.

"Kitagawa-kun gave me his phone number and said I should contact him whenever I'm ready to model for him. I already know where Madarame's atelier is since I've visited before." Mikono pushes herself off the railing, adjusting her hat. "Why do you ask?"

Ryuji stood up, grinning from ear to ear. "Let's try goin' tomorrow. We're off to Madarame's house right after school!"

A cold sweat engulfed the girl's body. "T-Tomorrow? I-I don't think that'll work."

"Why's that?"

"There's no way I can model tomorrow!"

"Are you busy tomorrow?" Akira asked.

"N-No! Just..."

"Nervous?" Ann tilted her head, pressing her finger against her cheek. "I would be too if I were you. How does someone even prepare to be a model?"

Mikono shook her head frantically. "I-I've no idea!"

"I don't think you'll have to model tomorrow, Mikono," Akira said.

"He's right." Ryuji pushes himself off the floor. "We're just gonna talk to Kitagawa. I doubt he would talk to us willingly if you ain't with us, Mikky."

Mikono placed a hand over her chest, sighing as she was able to calm herself. "Thank goodness... I think I'm gonna head home and rest. My head's still spinning from the gallery."

"Now you won't have to worry about being followed," Akira pointed out.

"That...is very true. Tomorrow after school, all of us will meet up at the the train station. That way, we can head to Madarame's studio together."

"I'm down with that," Ryuji said.

"Me too," Ann agreed.

"That would be for the best," Akira stated. "We'll see you tomorrow, Mikono."

She smiled. "Bye, guys."

|| 5/16 Monday ||
|| After School ||

"This is the place," Mikono announced, staring at the building in front of them.

"Um, are you sure, Mikky?" Ryuji questioned, eyeing the rickety structure.

She huffed out a sigh. "You do remember I've been here before, right? Or have you already forgotten?"

"R-Right..."

"The door plate does say "Madarame"," Ann observed. "We're definitely at the right address."

"Uh... You ring the bell," Ryuji said to the blonde girl.

"Me?!" Ann winced when noticing the seemingly flimsy exterior. "The walls won't collapse when I do, will they?"

"I'll ring the doorbell. Kitagawa-kun is expecting me, after all," Mikono stated.

"No one sneeze or we'll blow this house down, okay?" Morgana snickered as the cerulean-eyed girl approached the doorbell.

She pressed the button below the intercom. She heard a beep and it only took a few seconds for someone to answer.

"Who is it? Sensei is currently-"

She interrupted him before he could hang up. "Kitagawa-kun, it's Tsutsui. I know I promised to text you so we could set up a time, but-"

"I'll be right out!"

Mikono lowered her hand. "Well, that was quick."

Ryuji scratched the back of his neck. "People really do live here..."

The door flew open a few seconds later, revealing Yusuke. "Tsutsui-sa-" That's when he noticed the others with her. By his tone, he was clearly displeased at their presence. "You three are here, as well?"

"Hey," Ryuji casually greeted him. "Sorry, but we ain't here to talk about the modeling thing. There's something we gotta ask you."

"Ryuji, wait-!" Mikono tried to stop her best friend from jumping straight to the point, but he didn't listen.

"There's no reason to beat around the bush." The blonde's eyes narrowed as he stared into Yusuke's gray ones. "Is it true Madarame's plagiarizin' stuff? He's abusin' people too, yeah?"

Kitagawa was annoyed and amused at the boy's accusations. "Are you serious?"

"We read about it online."

The navy-haired boy crossed his arms. "This..." All of a sudden, he laughed hysterically. "Preposterous! Not only is the plagiarism impossible, but abuse? If he hated children so much to harm them, he would never allow pupils into his home! And I'm the one residing here and studying under him. I'm saying it's not true, so it's beyond doubt."

Ryuji glared, angered by the boy's defensive stance. "You might be lyin' about it!"

Yusuke looked away. "That... That is utter rubbish." He glowered back at the blonde. "I had no family when Sensei took me in and raised me into what you see now! If you continue to ridicule the man I owe my life to, you will rue this day!"

"You really think that?" Ann asked in disbelief.

"Yusuke?" Everyone was startled when Madarame appeared in the doorway. "What's the matter? I heard you yelling."

"These people are slandering you with baseless rumors!" Kitagawa shouted.

"Forgive them, Yusuke. They must've heard some bad rumors and came in worry for their friend's safety," the older man said, gesturing to Mikono.

The gray-eyed boy respected his teacher's words. "Understood, Sensei."

"Well, even I doubt that a cranky old man like myself could be liked by everyone."

Ann frowned. "That's not what we meant..."

"I'm sorry to have butt in on your conversation. However, I do have neighbors around. Won't you please keep it down?" Madarame places his hands inside his sleeves. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

Yusuke watched his master walk away before bowing apologetically to the group. "That was discourteous of me... I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Kitagawa-kun," Mikono said.

His eyes lit up, a gentle smile manifesting on his face. "I know! I think you'll be able to believe in Sensei if you saw that painting." He pulled out his phone and showed the group of friends a picture. "It's his maiden work as well as his most representative piece. It's titled "Sayuri"."

""Sayuri"...?" Ann parroted.

Mikono stared at the image in awe. "It's a beautiful painting, Kitagawa-kun."

A faint smile appeared on the boy's lips. "This was the painting that inspired me to become an artist."

"I don't know all this fine-art stuff, but even I can tell that this is impressive," Ryuji acknowledges.

The navy-haired boy returned the device to his pocket, focusing his gaze on Mikono. "When I first saw you, I felt the same powerful emotion as when I saw this painting."

The girl's eyes widen. "M-Me?"

He nodded with a gentle smile. "I wish to pursue beauty like this. And I believe drawing you will be part of that pursuit. I implore you seriously consider my offer." He bowed before raising his head. "I'm sorry that you took the time to come all this way, but I must assist Sensei today. I hope that we can discuss this further another time. If you'll excuse me, then."

"Bye, Kitagawa-kun." Mikono waved farewell to him as he entered the studio and closed the door behind him. She followed her friends across the street.

Ryuji leaned against the railing, studying the rickety atelier. "Those two seem like nice guys, don't they?"

"That's why those rumors are so difficult to believe," Mikono sighed.

Ann rubbed the top of her head in shame. "Maybe the Madarame we heard about in Mementos is a different person."

The blonde boy exhaled, lowering his head. "Man, right when we thought we found a new target, too..."

Morgana leapt out of Akira's bag, landing nimbly on the railing. "How's the Meta-Nav?"

Akira pulled out his phone. When he saw the app was activated, his gasped with wide eyes. "The navigation app..."

"Was it picking up our conversation?" Ann asked once peering at the boy's phone. "This display... It means that Madarame has a Palace too, right? But why?!"

Mikono sighed sorrowfully. "I was hoping it wasn't true..."

""Madarame," "plagiarism"...and then "shack," huh?" The animal hummed. "These seem to be the keywords."

Ryuji pushes his body off the railing. "For real though, what the hell's goin' on?! Does an old man like him really have a Palace?!"

"Remember what Morgana said?" Mikono retorts. "Anyone can have a Palace. But still... This is difficult to believe even though there's proof Madarame has one. Maybe his kindness is a façade."

"I can't believe it either," Akira said.

Morgana licked his paw before grooming the top of his head. "We have the person's name and the location. All that's left is the "what" that Madarame mistakes this shack for to enter his Palace."

"You mean like how Kamoshida thought the school was his castle?" Ann inquired.

"That's right. Let's try saying some things. They can be random guesses."

Ryuji scratched the top of his head as he tried to think of anything. "It's a bit sudden, though..."

"Why don't we start with "castle"?" Ann suggested.

Akira looked down at his phone. "Nothing."

"Then, what about "prison"?" Ryuji asked.

"No results," the bespectacled boy responded.

"Ugh, what a pain!" The blonde stomped his foot against the ground. ""Jail"! "Warehouse"! And "guidance counselin' office"! Might as well add "farm"!"

Akira shook his head. "Still nothing."

The chocolate-eyed boy slumped forward, hanging his head in defeat. "Not a single hit?"

"Should we come back another time?" Morgana proposed.

Ann cupped her chin between her thumb and index finger, delving into thought. "A building that's related to artists... If we think from there, what would it be?"

"You two have any suggestions?" Ryuji asked as he looked at Akira and Mikono.

The duo's eyes widen when the same word came to mind. In unison, they said, "A museum!"