Ryu was at Leblanc waiting at the table. After a moment Sojiro came with a plate of coffee and curry.

Sojiro: Here's your order.

Ryu: Thanks Boss.

He started eating the curry and sipped coffee looking around.

Ryu: So, where's Akira?

Sojiro: I gave him permission to go out during the day more now so he's probably enjoying it.

Ryu: Haha, come on Sojiro, I know he's got a criminal record and all but you don't have to keep him on a leash.

Sojiro: You're just saying that because he's your cousin. Which in all honesty is more reason to keep an eye on him.

Ryu: Hey, I'm responsible enough now. And if you wanna get technical your his family too.

Sojiro: -_- You're definitely my brothers kid. A troublemaker through and through.

Ryu: You love me and you know it.

He sipped the coffee in front of him before talking again.

Ryu: But really, Akira's helped me out. I doubt he actually assaulted someone. My guess, he probably stopped a drunk from doing something bad and they fell and charged an assault.

Sojiro: Yeah, Reji probably knew it too but didn't have the money.

Ryu: So it wasn't a coincidence like you said.

Sojiro: I guess not. He's still paying me, though I offered to do it for free.

Ryu: O_O Who are you and what have you done to my uncle?

Sojiro: There's hot water in that kettle and it will burn.

Ryu: Sheesh, can't take a joke?

He finished the curry and coffee and stood up.

Ryu: Well, I'm off to your house.

Sojiro: You are persistent.

Ryu: Yup.

Ryu was about to walk out before Sojiro stopped him.

Sojiro: By the way, I'll give Akira more freedom, but only if you promise to look out for him when you're around each other.

Ryu: Ha, deal, but I already planned to.

He walked out of the store before walking to a house that was actually in the block. He entered the house walking up the stairs before stopping in front of a closed door with light shining from under. He knocked on the door in a specific pattern waiting for a minute. After that he heard a response of three knocks before smiling. He took out a stack of note cards before writing something down.

Ryu: "Hey Futaba."

He slid it under the door waiting for one back. A moment later a card slid under.

Futaba: "Ryu?"

He slid another note himself.

Ryu: "No it's Jack Frost."

He slid the note back under grinning like a chibi devil. He saw the note reading it.

Futaba: "Meanie >:3."

TIME SKIP!!

The Shujin Academy students were in the school gym waiting.

Principal: Let's begin the school wide morning assembly. As you all know a tragic event took place the other day. Thankfully we have been informed that she has pulled through, but it will take time until she recovers. Everyone here has a bright future ahead, and I implore that you rethink the importance of life and-

They heard the doors open and saw it was Kamoshida. Usually Ryu would be instantly angry but he found that he was calm.

Principal: Mr Kamoshida, what is-

Kamoshida: I... Have been Reborn. That is why I will confess everything to you all.

Ann: Huh?

Ryu: Does this mean...

Kamoshida walked onto the stage.

Kamoshida: I have repeatedly done things that were... unbecoming of a teacher. Verbally abusing students... physically abusing my team and... sexually harassing female students.

Azure in the crowd couldn't believe what he heard.

Azure: He's actually confessing?

Kamoshida: I am the reason why Shiho Suzui tried to kill herself!

He fell onto his knees as the students began to speak amongst each other

Kamoshida: I thought of this school as my own castle... There were even students I sentenced to expulsion, simply because I didn't like them. I will of course resend those. I've even gone as far as to provoke Ryu Kaizen to violence by threatening to have his sister, a member of the police force fired from her job.

This seemed to shock everyone looked at him.

Student 1: Are you kidding?!

Student 2: So he didn't just do it for no reason?!

Student 3: That's such a dick move!!

Kamoshida: I am truly sorry, for putting innocent youths through such horrible acts... I am an arrogant, shallow, and shameful person. No, I'm worse than that... I will take responsibility, and kill myself for it.

The talking began to get louder as the principal tried to tried to get him off the stage.

Azure: DON'T RUN YOU BASTARD!!

Everyone looked at Azure seeing he clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.

Ann: Yeah, Shiho is still alive even after all the things that made her want to die!!

Karma: You of all people can't run away from this problem!! You don't have the right!!!

Kamoshida: You're right... *Sob* You're absolutely right... I should be punished under the law and atone for my crimes... I did horrible things to Takamaki, Kaito, and Gemini as well. In return for giving Suzui a position on the team... I tried to force Takamaki into having relations. And just because I thought they might rise above me in the school status, I forced the basketball team to endure harsh training, and kicked their star player Kaizen out of the team costing the the National Championship.

Student 4: THAT'S WHY HE COST THE TEAM?!!!

Student 5: NO WONDER THEY LOST, THEY WERE AMAZING!!!

Kamoshida: As of today, I will resign from my position as an instructor and turn myself in. Someone, please call the police!!

Seeing Kamoshida reduced to such a pathetic state Ryu turned around and began to walk to his class.

Shojo: You sure this is how you want it?

Ryu: 'This is more than enough.'

He was about to walk out the door before hearing students run behind him.

Female Student: Kaizen we're really sorry about spreading rumors about you!!

Male Student: Yeah we totally thought you just had an attitude problem!

Male Student 2: And you did it for a good reason too!

Ryu stopped for a moment before pulling his hood over his head and put his headphones on walking to class.

TIME SKIP!!

The Phantom Thieves had all met up on the roof as Ryu seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

Ryu: Finally this shit's over.

Ryuji: I totally freaked out, he really did have a change of heart.

Karma: Yeah I still keep pinching myself expecting to jolt awake.

Ryu pinched her cheek as it snapped back.

Karma: -_- That wasn't a request.

Ryu: My bad :P.

Azure: We we're lucky his mind didn't get messed up either.

Akira: Good job holding yourself back then Ryu.

Ryuji: Yeah, you surprised us all.

Ryu: Hey, don't get it twisted, I wanted him to confess, and half of me was already ready to kill him.

Morgana: But the good half won. You're a lot more kind than you look Ryu.

Ryuji: No matter how much of a shit head he was, finishing him off would've left a bad aftertaste, huh?

Ryu: I think you guys are missing something here. There was no good half in that situation. There was bad, and then the option I chose: Evil.

Karma: O_O What?

Ryu: To me, revenge is something that can't just last a minute or two. So, I'm making him repent. Realizing exactly what he's done, he'll grovel and beg for forgiveness the rest of his life. He'll be thrown in jail, and even once he's out, he'll likely never be able to get a halfway decent job, never find lone, and live his life just scrapping by. He'll never be proud of himself or his accomplishments again either. Killing him would've been a kindness when you hear it out loud no?

They were all stunned and a bit fearful hearing every word that came after "Revenge".

Ryuji: Holt shit...

Ann: Uhhh, I-

Karma: R-Ryu, baby, do you wanna talk about this?

Azure: O_O Let this be a lesson: To those who anger Ryu to that degree, be prepared to suffer for life.

Ryu: No one threatens Kira.

Ryuji: A-Anyway, that's all settled...

Ryu: Anyway Azure you can pawn that medal off for like 30,000 Yen right?

Ryuji: THAT'S ALL?!!

Karma: Oh, Ann, we can go to that fancy dinner place we wanted to go to with Shiho!

Ann: Yeah that's right!!

TIME SKIP!!

The Shujin Academy kids were at the dinner Ann and Karma had spoken about.

Ryuji: So good...!!

Morgana: No wonder Lady Ann and Miss Karma chose this place!

Ann: Of course it's good! This is a famous hotel after all.

Ryu: By the way, the police are coming to interview people at school.

Morgana: That's troublesome.

Ryuji: Our names are gonna come up for sure. People are already spreading rumors about us and Kamoshida.

Ryu: I mean a lot of the officers know me through my sister so they at least won't bother ME much. Plus my stuff was kinda out in the open.

Azure: Lucky you.

Ryuji: But I keep hearing stuff about us. It's gotten everyone riled up and in the good way!

Karma: And plus there's that new website.

Akira: The what?

Ryu: The Phantom Aficionado Website. Someone made it not too long ago. I was kinda doing this cause I had shit I wanted to work out but it feels sorta cool to know we helped others too.

Ryuji: So... What are we gonna do now?

Ryu: Well we can eat until the time limit is over.

Ryuji: TIME LIMIT?!!

Ann: OH RIGHT!!! JUST FIDITY MINUTES LEFT!!!

Ryu: -_- Sure, not like we're in a public place.

They both sat back down slightly embarrassed before noticing how many plates there were.

Ann: Wait, did we already eat that much?

Ryu: Hm?

He gulped down a piece of steak before talking.

Ryu: Nah, that was me an Azure.

Morgana: There are 30 plates already!!!

Azure: Yeah, 20 of those were Ryu though.

Ryuji: Where do you put all that...?!

Ryu: I'm an athlete, I eat a fuck ton of food.

Azure: That has nothing to do with it and you know it.

Karma: You're just a bottomless pit.

Ryu: Fuck you.

Karma: Later.

Ryu: -_- I walked RIGHT~ into that one.

More time passed as every one of them ate their fare share of food. The athletes eating substantial MORE than others, even Karma.

Ryuji: You know, I was afraid that might had to... Ugh... Overeat even more, but you guys are absolute beast.

Azure: You say that but we were eating like we've been here before unlike you four.

Ann: How are you so muscular when you eat this much?

Ryu: I mean I have a pretty fast acting metabolism so that probably why. That and I train daily to compensate for eating like that.

Morgana: So you basically- HRP!!

Ryuji: *Burp* Gotta go to the bathroom...

Morgana: Me too, please carry me gently...

TIME SKIP!!

Morgana: Ughh, I'm stuffed.

Ryuji: I totally panicked when I saw the closed for cleaning signs at the bathrooms.

Ryu: You guys just can't eat a lot. I can't believe you actually puked.

Morgana: Yeah, and you were talking so big about it... Are you some kind of moron.

Ryu/Akira: Yes he is.

Ryuji: Hey, same goes for you. Anyway what floor were we at again.

Ryu: 3rd one I'm pretty sure.

He pressed the elevator button waiting. While they did a man in a suit came by pushing Akira and Ryuji out of his way trying to get in front. He tried shoving Ryu as well but failed seeing there was a 6 inch height difference between them.

Ryuji: What the-?!

Ryu looked over his shoulder almost staring into the mans soul.

Ryu: What do you want?

There was a small silence before Ryu rolled his eyes looking the other way. Though his patience was being tested as he felt a shove on the shoulder again. A vein formed on his forehead as he grabbed the suit by the collar.

Ryu: You trying to get a beat down? Cause' I'll be honest, that's the message I'm getting.

Akira: Ryu, the guy deserves it but not here.

They saw other suits around a pale bald man with glasses.

???: What's going on here?

Ryu: Tell your goon to screw off. He pushed both of my friends away and tried shoving me twice, and I took offense to that.

Suit: We're in a hurry.

Ryu: And I don't have two fucks to give.

He let the suit go annoyed. The elevator opened as Ryu grabbed both Ryuji and Akira.

Ryu: Let's go.

Akira seemed to look at the man before they got into the elevator.

Ryu: Those types of bastards piss me off. Thinking that a kid won't step up to bullshit like that.

Ryuji: Yeah, those are the kind of guys that piss me off the most! I just can't forgive shitty adults like that!

I get both looked at Akira seeing that he didn't even give a single word of input.

Ryu: What's wrong?

Akira: Don't worry about it.

Ryuji: You know that's just gonna make us worry more.

The elevator opened as they went back to their table seeing a not so happy Ann with a grumpy Karma who's hair seemed to have slightly more red than usual.

Ann: What took you so long?!

Ryuji: Why are you so pissy?

Ann: Sorry, we had a run in with some woman a second ago. She bumped into me but then said it was all my fault she dropped her plate!

Ryuji: Tch, sounds like a real bitch.

Azure: She was.

Ryu: Ok and why is my girlfriend pissed off?

Karma: Who do you think the food got on?

She blew her hair out of her face as just a small bit of tomato sauce fell out.

Ryu: So, lemme guess, every adult looked at you like it was your fault, and then Karma cursed her out?

Karma: Yes, which admittedly made it worse but I don't even care.

Ryu: That's my girl.

Ann: I wonder if we're out of place here.

Ryu: Oh yeah definitely.

Azure: You didn't realize?

Ann: And you said nothing?!

Ryu: Yup.

Shojo: Well a lesson learned the hard way is still a lesson learned.

Ryuji: ... Hey Morgana.

Morgana: What is it?

Ryuji: Anyone can have a palace yeah?

Morgana: Anyone with a string distorted desire.

Ryuji: Same for them having a change of heart if their treasure is stollen?

Morgana: That would be the case.

Ryu: Ahh shit, here we go again.

Azure: You Wanna keep doing work as the phantom thieves?

Ryuji: We put a lot of work into changin' Kamoshida's heart, but nobody believes in the Phantom Thieves. Plus... Those guys who just had no choice but to deal with it are thanking us. US, of all people.

Akira: You mean on the Phan-Site.

Ann: I... I agree. If we ignore people who are in trouble, I'd just go back to being the same as I was before...!

Morgana: Well... that's true.

Karma: You guys do have a point. There are so many people out there that could be just as bad as Kamoshida.

Ryuji: Shouldn't we be able to help them out?

Azure: Hm...

Karma: That means we'll have to fight shadows again doesn't it?

Ryu: Pfft, are you really afraid of those things?

Ann: N-No!!

Ryuji: I'm sure we'll manage, right?

Akira: I want to help people.

Karma: That's 5 on board.

Ryu: Make it 6. Count me in.

Karma: Azure?

Azure: Ok, you realize this is gonna be dangerous and could possibly have the police getting involved right?

Akira: So, are you out then?

Azure: Ha, fuck no. I'm just making sure you all know so none of us wimp out. Of course I'm in.

Morgana: Even if you guys are still fledglings, this means we're an actual organization now.

Ann: Fledglings? Haha, that's actually pretty fitting for us.

Ryu: You four maybe. I'm an eagle that's ready to spread his wings.

Ryuji: Alright it's settled! We're gonna catch all these shitty adults by surprise and make ourselves known to the world!

Ann: Are you ok being our leader Ryu-

Ryu: Fuck no.

Ann: Oh come on, why not?!

Ryu: Uhh, my sister is a police officer. Gonna be pretty bad if we're traced back to me.

Ann: Uhh, good point.

Karma: What about you Akira?

Akira: Me? Why?

Ann: Hey that's a great idea!

Ryu: I mean he was the first one to awaken his Persona alongside me.

Ryuji: No objections here, I can't handle all that responsibility stuff.

Morgana: Where's my say in this?

Azure: You've already been outvoted buddy.

Morgana: Well, I suppose if Miss Karma made the suggestion I'll allow it.

Ryu pushed Morgana's head back into Akira's bag.

Ryuji: Well, what should we decide on for our group name?

Ryu: I just went with Phantom Thieves of Hearts before so I think we should decide on something we all like.

Ann: Oh, I got it! I want it to be something both cute and luxurious sounding... How about the Diamonds?

Ryu: What is this baseball?

Karma: Next.

Morgana: Well then, here's my suggestion. How about "Tilefish Poele"?

Akira: We're not gonna be named after a type of fish you ate.

Ryuji: Ryu?

Ryu seemed to think just a bit before a name came to mind.

Ryu: How about Scarlet Phantoms?

Ann: Hm, that's not bad.

Morgana: A good name, for a rookie.

Azure: You weren't even sure about the change of heart, you're basically in the beginner stages too.

Morgana: Hey!

Karma: Sounds great!

Azure: I'm down for it.

Ryuji: So we all agree?

Akira: Looks like we're the Scarlet Phantoms then. We'll decide on our targets unanimously.

Shojo: Looks like the prelude is over.

CHAPTER END!!