Today was the day of the panel. Akechi Goro was up on stage at the center of the podium while Makoto stood a few feet away at the side, holding a microphone in front of her. Futaba and Haru were a part of the audience, just two rows away from the stage. Meanwhile, Shiina, Ryuji, Akira, Ann, and Yusuke were at the second floor, watching from the side.

"Well then, we will now begin today's panel." Makoto said, speaking professionally. "Our guest of honor is Akechi Goro."

"I feel kind of bad, considering how many people have gathered... I'm sure you all would've been happier to have a singer or a mascot, wouldn't you say?" Akechi said, and a wave of laughs and cheers were heard.

"Ugh," Shiina rolled her eyes. "He knew these people wanted him."

When everything died down, Makoto continued. "We'd appreciate it if you could tell us about your experiences with the notorious Phantom Thieves. It'd be wonderful if you could let us hear more about your actual investigative process."

Akechi let out an easygoing laugh. "I'm not used to being the one interrogated... so please go easy on me."

Once again, more laughter.

Ann sighed, resting her arms against the railing. "How much do you think he knows?"

"He talks of how the Phantom Thieves are dangerous, yet he says they haven't committed any murders... Either he has an idea of who the true culprit is, or he has uncovered the identities of the Phantom Thieves." Yusuke deduced.

"Something tells me it's the latter..." Shiina whimpered.

Ryuji shook his head in denial. "C'mon, Makoto..." He muttered. "You gotta get it outta him...!"

"As much as you're allowed to say, would you tell us how far along your investigation is on them?" Makoto asked.

"Getting right to the point, I see." Akechi said. "Well, if it's as much as I'm allowed to say, then everything on TV and the internet is all of it. We don't have any leads yet and the methods behind their crimes are still unclear other than a possible mind-altering Quirk."

"I see..." Makoto murmured into the microphone. "Even with this country's power, arresting them is proving to be difficult... Is that the case?"

"I wouldn't phrase it that way... but well, something like that." Akechi answered.

"Thank you for answering that question." Makoto said politely. "By the way, it seems you've denied a correlation between the Phantom Thieves and the murders... Why the sudden change? Until now, haven't you upheld your stance that the Phantom Thieves are dangerous? How are you so positive that they haven't committed murder?"

Akechi chuckled in amusement, not looking troubled at all. "Aren't you a little too comfortable interrogating people? Why, it's as if you're a prosecutor."

"Ah, excuse me. This is something I've personally been interested in, so I couldn't help it. But won't you tell us?" She inquired. "What reason is there that you'd claim their innocence when you previously stated they were unjust?"

"Every person whose heart they changed have truly been criminals, including Okumura... Why, then, was he the only one who needed to be killed...?" He asked into the mic.

"Why is that?" Makoto pressed on.

His face fell. "I must admit... I couldn't deduce a reason. That's why I believe that the case should be thought of as if a different party is responsible. And if—this is all hypothetical, mind you—if the Phantom Thieves are the ones I know of, I can't possibly imagine they would kill anyone."

Shiina nearly fell into the first floor. "W-wait, did he just...?!"

Makoto tried not to show alarm. "Your comment just now... Does this mean the police have already identified who they are?"

"Oh no." He answered. "The police haven't gotten that far yet. But I have my own conclusions about the true identities of the Phantom Thieves."

Everyone erupted into murmurs.

"He's gotta be bluffing!" Ryuji said angrily.

"Pipe down!" Ann hissed.

"You're not going to ask me who they are?" Akechi asked, as if he wanted Makoto to. Shiina truly felt horrible for Makoto, who was on a tight spot. It would be seen as suspicious if she didn't ask, but if she did, and Akechi answered... He could expose them.

"...It may have repercussions on the investigation. Are you sure you can share that with us?" She asked.

Much to their dismay, he nodded. "It's only my personal opinion, so announcing that here wouldn't pose a problem. However... There is a possibility that everyone present will hear the truth before the police or media."

"The truth...?" Ann squeaked.

"...That's quite the confidence you have." Makoto said, and from her tone of voice, Shiina was sure that the older teen was glaring. "If you're so certain... then very well. I'd like to ask then: Who do you think the Phantom Thieves are, Akechi-san?"

"There's no way he could have any evidence..." Yusuke said, but his hands were trembling from anxiety.

Shiina held her breath as Akechi spoke: "They're people you all know quite well. The identity of the Phantom Thieves are—"

Ring, ring, ring~!

Shiina let out a breath as a phone chimed. Akechi stopped to pick it up. "Oh, it's mine. I apologize for the interruption, but I can't turn off my phone due to my job. Would you mind if I step away for about... ten minutes or so?"

"I'm terribly sorry, everyone, but we'll be taking a break. We'll resume the panel in ten minutes." Makoto said into the mic.

Akechi gave everyone a bright smile. "Please don't troll me online for this interruption, okay?"

There were a lot of disappointed boos from the audience, but none of the Phantom Thieves were complaining. Shiina watched as Akechi stopped next to Makoto and said something to her. They exchanged a few words and Akechi walked away. Makoto looked up at them and made a motion with her head as if to say 'follow me'.

Something sank to Shiina's stomach.

Akechi wanted to talk to them.

The Phantom Thieves entered the empty PE faculty office with Akechi.

"What do you want to talk about?" Makoto said, full on glaring. Everyone was eying Akechi with some degree of distrust or wariness.

He set down a set of pictures and everyone was shocked to see that it was of them. All materializing into random places with no explanation whatsoever. Even Shiina was there, but her picture wasn't as incriminating. It was just of her talking with them in Leblanc.

"No..." Haru gasped.

"T-that's gotta be photoshopped!" Ryuji exclaimed.

"I have video footage too," Akechi said. "On the records, it says that you're all Quirkless but all I have to do is give these photos to the detectives and you'll be even more into their radar. So please, let's not feign ignorance. All of you can go to that other world too, yes?"

"Us too...?" Akira repeated.

"It's not just all of you. I am aware of that world as well..." Akechi trailed off. "I also know that when you traverse over there, your appearance changes as well. It's because of those mysterious powers, isn't it? At first I thought it was a Quirk... but it was much too different. It was something else." He removed something from his pocket. "I found out about that world a month ago. This had been installed onto my phone without my knowledge." In the screen, Shiina saw the familiar app that had been 'downloaded' into her phone on the day her heart was changed.

"Dude, it's the Nav..." Ryuji said, eyes wide.

"When the app activated on its own, the scenery around me suddenly changed. Quite frankly, I still can't believe it myself. But from the look of these photos, all of you seem quite used to it." Akechi said.

Ryuji scowled. "We've been listenin' to you blab on for a while now, but cut the delusional—"

"—All of you are acting as Phantom Thieves in the Metaverse." Akechi interrupted. "I can say so with conviction because I have the same power as you."

After awhile, Akira finally said, "That's right."

Akechi turned to him. "So you admit it then. In all honesty, I've been curious about you since the time of the Madarame case. But to think it would end up like this..."

"We didn't kill anyone!" Haru said firmly.

"I believe that as well." He stated.

"...How can you be so sure?" Makoto questioned.

"Because I saw another—the real culprit."

"For real?!" Ryuji spluttered.

"Who was it?!" Ann demanded.

"I couldn't identify his face... He had a mask on, after all. Actually, when I took the first set of photos, I entered that world too." He explained. "That's when I saw someone else moving about, besides all of you. He shot at me the moment he noticed me."

Yusuke crossed his arms, looking perturbed. "That's who killed President Okumura?"

Akechi nodded in confirmation. "Most likely. At the very least, I was almost killed by him. 'I can't die here... I need to determine the truth...' When those thoughts overcame me, I awakened to that power—a most fortunate accident."

Morgana was still gawking. "This guy has a Persona too...?"

Akechi jumped like a startled cat. He turned to Morgana as if he couldn't believe his ears. "This cat... I swear it just talked..."

"Morgana. Our teammate who taught us about the Metaverse." Ann explained shortly.

Akechi stepped back a little. "...Really? This is unbelievable... But it IS true that you know things that I don't... Say, Morgana. Were you also the one who instructed them on how to change people's hearts? I experienced that world too, but I still haven't solved that mystery yet."

Morgana jumped onto a nearby box, happy to take charge of the conversation. "We go in the Metaverse—we call them Palaces—to steal the core of their desires: their Treasure. And those whose Treasure has been stolen have a change of heart."

"Hahaha... There's certainly no way anyone could figure out such an MO." Akechi commended.

"Anyways!" Ryuji interrupted. "Back to what you were talkin' about! Are we in this mess 'cause of that guy?!"

"Although I don't completely understand the method, all you do is simply reform people. Someone else is behind the murders. However, the police have decided that the Phantom Thieves did it... They'll arrest you at this rate."

"Th-they're going to treat me as my father's murderer...?" Haru said in a tiny voice. She looked almost close to tears.

"I can't overlook such a grave mistake." He stated. "Which is precisely why I want us to strike a deal. I may be able to save you from this situation."

"...A deal?" Futaba mentioned.

"I would like you to cooperate with me on investigating the truth." He requested.

"And if we say no?" Shiina finally spoke up.

He looked straight at her. "Then I think I'll have to inform the police about all of you. I'm sure the country will have quite a shock when they find out that the Number Two Hero has a hidden daughter who just so happens to be a criminal—a Phantom Thief nonetheless."

She flinched back. While she didn't give a damn about her father's reputation, she didn't want to imagine how her siblings would react. Would they feel betrayed? Would they hate her? No longer trust her? What about Shouto? Would he just see her as a villain?

"This ain't no deal! It's blackmail!" Ryuji shouted, standing in front of Shiina to shield her from Akechi's prying gaze.

Akechi's features contorted into a glare. "Say what you will. This is the method that I believe is correct. The justice I uphold will not tolerate criminals who kill people at their leisure."

"Justice..." Haru trailed off.

"You're heard that Sae-san is the one spearheading the investigation about you Phantom Thieves, correct?" He asked knowingly. "The higher ups are only concerned with settling the case. They want to capture the culprits behind the psychotic breakdown incidents and end the commotion. Those are the ones who are putting pressure on Sae-san. I can only imagine her impatience."

"What of evidence that we did it?" Yusuke asked. "How do they intend on proving it?"

"Even if there is no objective explanation to the method, it's over once causality is established. Sae-san can't make rational judgments at the moment. If she were to be cornered, well... she may even make up a confession."

Makoto tensed. "Make it up...?"

"So, they're gonna make it all our fault?! Just 'cause they feel like it?!" Ryuji exploded.

"We haven't killed anyone though!" Ann protested hopelessly. "...And we're still going to be arrested?"

"You'll be found guilty if you're caught, and it will be treated as a very serious crime." He explained calmly.

"Bullshit!" Ryuji spewed. "None of that makes any sense!"

Shiina reached and touched his arm to placate him. She could feel him shaking in pure anger, but she could tell that he was afraid. They all were. None of them wanted to get arrested for a crime they never committed.

"Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do alone anymore to stop the flow of things..." He said.

"And that's why you want our cooperation...?" Makoto asked.

Suddenly, Shiina and everyone else jumped at the sound of a phone ringing. The red haired girl released Ryuji's arm and took her phone out. It was Fuyumi. She declined the call, feeling a little bad but there were more important matters at hand.

"Sorry about that..." She muttered.

"Yes," Akechi said to Makoto as if the interruption never happened. "In return, I'll turn a blind eye to what you've done. Those are my conditions. That said, I ask that you disband the Phantom Thieves after this."

There was a tense silence. Yusuke turned to their leader. "What do you think...?"

Before Akira could reply, Shiina's phone rang again.

Akechi sighed. "It's fine. You should just take it. It might be an emergency."

Shiina had no idea how right he was.

She answered the phone and placed it against her ears. "Yes, Fuyu—"

"—Shiina!" Fuyumi gasped in relief. "Thank god you answered!"

Shiina gulped at the fear in her sister's tone. "What's wrong?"

"It's Shouto!" She cried out, and Shiina felt her stomach drop. "His class was attacked by villains while they were all out on some field trip!"

"O-oh my..." Shiina breathed out, stepping back as multiple scenarios ran through her head, all of them ending with Shouto either injured... or dead.

"Please, please come home quickly!" Fuyumi pleaded with her.

"I will! I-I'll get there soon!" She quickly hung up and looked at her friends, who were all staring at her in concern. She swallowed thickly. "Sh-Shouto's class was att—attacked by villains... I need to—I need to go! Excuse me!" Without waiting for anyone to say anything, she shoved passed Ryuji and Akechi and sprinted out the door.

— ❤ —

Shiina and Fuyumi waited anxiously at home to get a phone call—or anything regarding Shouto's status, until they finally received a call from the boy himself.

"Shouto!" Both sisters cried in relief.

"Are you okay?!" Fuyumi asked.

"Are you hurt anywhere?!" Shiina panicked.

"I'm okay." He finally replied, sounding calm as if he and his classmates were never attacked by villains in the first place. Shiina wondered how the he could act so levelheaded at a time like this but then again, an emotional Shouto would've been even weirder and more concerning.

"I'm on the train right now, so I'll be home soon."

"Hold on a second!" Fuyumi cut in. "Th—they just let you leave? No guards to come with you or something?!"

"Well," there was a pause. "I'm not injured. So I was alright to go."

Fuyumi just sighed while Shiina spoke into the phone. "We'll meet you at the station, okay?"

"Okay."

Once the call was done, the two sisters didn't waste any time to bolt out the door and rush over to Fuyumi's car. Fuyumi, who usually abided to the laws of the road, didn't seem to give a shit about said laws and sped over to the station as fast as the vehicle would allow.

"Shoutoooooo!" They cried in unison, spying the male donning his UA uniform. They squeezed him on both sides, his face smooshed between their boobs. Their embrace was so tight that he felt like he was gonna suffocate.

Finally, they pulled back and allowed him to breath.

"I nearly had a heart attack when Fuyumi told me the news!" Shiina exclaimed, gripping onto the front of his blazer as if he would disappear at any moment.

"I dropped the phone when the school informed me!" Fuyumi added, looking ready to burst to tears. "Are you sure you're okay? You're really uninjured?!"

"The villains who attacked us were petty villains at best. They were weak." He said monotonously.

Shiina sniffled. "That's our kickass brother," she grinned, ruffling his hair.

"So what exactly happened?" Fuyumi asked as they all climbed into the car. Shiina joined Shouto in the back and buckled herself up.

"We took a field trip to USJ for rescue training, but a group of villains warped into the building and turned off the security system so we weren't able to get help as quickly." He explained.

"Dude, that's terrifying!" Shiina gaped.

He simply shrugged. "The villains were easy to deal with, but..." He trailed off. "Our homeroom teacher, Aizawa, was attacked by this monster and is currently being hospitalized for grievous wounds. All Might was able to defeat it."

"I feel bad about your homeroom teacher, but I'm glad you never faced off against whatever that monster was. Do you think he'll be okay though?" Shiina asked.

Shouto was silent. "...I don't know."

"O-oh..." She shared a glance with Fuyumi in the rear view mirror.

"How about we all go for some cold soba tonight?" The older girl suggested, and Shouto's face perked up just a little bit.