2025-11-14: I'm the Victim Here! Driven into the Arms of a Shadowy Conspiracy!
- Log: I'm the Victim Here! Driven into the Arms of a Shadowy Conspiracy!
- Cast: Goro Akechi, Ren Amamiya, Ann Takamaki, Kasumi Yoshizawa, Yusuke Kitagawa
- Where: Commandant Kobayakawa's Palace.
- OOC Date: November 14, 2025
- IC Date: August 10, 2012
- Summary: The Phantom Thieves enter Kobayakawa's Palace once more... to decide whether to change his heart. Some answers about the rot within Shujin Academy are revealed.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Kobayakawa hasn't been seen in weeks by the student body. Some teachers are saying that they don't even see him go home at the end of the day.
But that doesn't mean his presence isn't felt. The bespectacled girl from the Newspaper Club that's in their year approaches them in the hallway and quietly asks, "Would either of you happen to have any idea which students here are the Phantom Thieves?"
It's type-casting both of them as delinquents really as the reason she'd ask, but after, "Sorry that really came out of nowhere. They're just threatening to pull our club funding if we don't write an expose on who they are soon."
Maybe things really have gone on for long enough... Either way, they have questions.
The Palace itself is on high alert, the bunker teeming with soldiers. But the security has become entirely erratic, ineffective. Soldiers run at random this way and that way, with no direction or pattern. "Find the saboteurs!"
At least - for part of the Bunker, on the Parade Grounds, so many Shadows are lined up before cognitions of Vice-Principal Kawazu (Who is perhaps unsurprisingly, alive) and the Faculty. "'Find the Saboteurs' our Commandant says, but we are tearing ourselves apart from within! He has forgotten the glorious mission of Shujin out of fear and sheer paranoia."
Pacing in front of them, he continues, "Let the coward remain holed up in his War Room. We must seize control, and establish real order. The Phantom Thieves are insignificant pests that we cannot allow to dominate our attention. Shujin must rise above all!"
Look upon the cognitions within the ranks of the Shadows, most of the Newspaper Club is there, nodding along with his speech. The entire room is oblivious, should one desire to slip by them. And perhaps more strangely to Joker in particular...
The War Room, whose doors had restored themselves before when they returned to the Palace, are now gouged open, in the same way they were before by the Black Mask. Every so often the door opens, and attempts to shut, only to screech on hinges and spark, failing to close in a pathetic display.
And once inside, they'll see the Shadow of a man pacing behind the desk, garbed in a red military uniform that's been sized to fit him, covered in the honors of his station, with large silver shoulderplates and shining shinguards. His cap bears a star over the symbol of Shujin, and every so often he wipes his sweaty brow with a handkerchief.
"I was wondering when you'd show yourselves." He says, whenever they reveal themselves, as the pacing stops, with a sweep of his cape into a domineering pose in front of himself. "You Phantom Thieves have been a thorn in my side ever since your inception. A stain on Shujin's reputation... a group of delinquent misfits compromising all my years of hard work rising to this station."
Things may be tense in this moment, the feeling that there might just be a fight, just like all the other Rulers. "And now it is inevitable that I will be executed for my failure to deal with you." A man with nothing to lose... can be dangerous, right?
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Except-
He then bounds over his desk clumsily and gets down on his hands and knees, immediately in Dogeza. "Please! Tell me who you are, it's the only way I get out of this alive! I'll do anything! Do you want a letter of recommendation to the university of your choice? A scholarship?! I'll even give you the keys to my car if you want!"
Getting up on his knees, he clasps his hands in a begging pose as he crawls up to Joker, sniffling out some ugly sobs, "A-Anything! Just- I need to know who you are! Please tell me who you are! It's the only way they let me live!"
Apparently Kobayakawa is just the kind of man who values his life... over his desires. Enough to put on such a pathetic display to beg for it.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
After getting approached by the newspaper club, it sure seems like the matter of Kobayakawa's Palace is a bigger priority. However, seeing the speech led by the Cognitive Vice-Principal makes it clear that things are not as clear-cut--or as dire--as they might appear. If the teachers are divided on how badly they want to get The Phantoms, then it's less likely that Kobayakawa will follow through with his threat to cut their funding--just the fangless howling of a desperate dog.
Arriving at the war room gives Joker more pause. The way the double doors are torn open, nearly knocked from their hinges, does remind them of the time they encountered the one in the Black Mask here, and it is strange... because there hasn't been any sign of him otherwise. What's going on?
Shadow Kobayakawa's inside. It isn't hard to simply stride in and surround him. Joker tenses when it seems like he might transform and attack, like other Palace Rulers have done--except...
'PLEASE! TELL ME WHO YOU ARE, IT'S THE ONLY WAY I GET OUT OF THIS ALIVE!'
"Wh--?!" Joker's cool poker face breaks when Shadow Kobayakawa leaps over his desk into a kowtow and begs for mercy. When he follows up with that by crawling over to Joker, the leader of the Phantom Thieves retreats a couple of steps in open disgust. They get why he's doing that when they risked their life to protect his once before, but at the same time, it pisses them off that he's essentially begging them to ruin their lives to save his.
It's just like the real Principal: too pathetic for words.
"I don't want any of those things from you," they say coldly, regaining their composure even as they glare down at him. That being said... They look around at Panther and the others, nod once, then look back at Shadow Kobayakawa. "However, if you're really serious about your life being in danger, tell us who 'they' are."
It sounds like there's a lot more going on here than any of them initially realized. Too bad Queen and Mona are back at the last safe room along with Skull and Noir, keeping a weather eye out on their escape route... Joker would really appreciate insight from either or both of them right now, including on if this is a bluff or not.
<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
He's just never going to give up, is he?
Ann's response to the revelation from the newspaper club's representative was one of annoyance, even if intermingled with sympathy. Bad enough that he harangued Makoto into stalking them -- now he's turning the entire school into his personal investigation team. There's obviously a reason for why he's doing this... but more importantly...
It means he's getting desperate.
Ann is here in Kobayakawa's Palace, holding up the front with Joker, because she needs to do this. She needs the closure, one way or the other. She is silent and serious as she slips past the cognition of the Vice Principal (though she does blow a silent, serious raspberry in his general direction before they go), slipping undetected through the shadows behind Joker.
And when they arrive...
There he is. The grand, dramatic presentation. The build up. This is far from Panther's first rodeo; she knows what's coming. Her body lowers, tensing in preparation--
And then he falls on his knees and just begs them to give themselves up.
"Wh -- hey, is this some kinda lead up to a cheap attack?! You're not getting me to drop my guard that easy!" is Ann's first, kneejerk thought as she kind of flinches backwards, hands gripping her spooled whip and right leg lifted just a little like she just saw a snake slithering her way. But...
...
He's serious, isn't her?
Panther blinks. She settles down. And behind that mask, those sky blue eyes narrow as she watches him blubber.
"... ... You're so pathetic," she says, gloved hands curling into tight, trembling fists. "Did you ever stop to think you wouldn't even be in this situation if you bothered to lift even a single finger to help Shiho, instead of trying to bury her?!"
She can't help but get that off her chest, one hand snapping violently to the side. But other than that -- she falls silent, glancing aside with gritting teeth as Joker asks those very relevant questions.
Something's going on here...
... something that absolutely was never worth the cost paid for it.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
It's strange to once again be visiting this place. The place where she awakened to her power.
Kasumi--no, Belle as she's been going by--still isn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
Still, she's here today because a part of her wants to see this through to the end. Of course, another part of her is concerned about the state of Shujin and its leadership, which has clearly been affecting the students. Her included!
And the sight of the formations in the parade grounds as they sneak past is no comfort. Belle had heard Joker and Panther were approached by one of the students asking about the Phantom Thieves. It's like the teachers are turning the school upside down trying to find them.
Are things ever going to go back to normal?
Thankfully they don't have to fight their way through, making it past the disorganized soldiers and into the war room. Belle rests her hand on the hilt of the rapier at her side, expecting a battle at any moment...
And instead she blinks in bewilderment as the Shadow of their principal proceeds to beg for mercy, offering them all manner of reward for his life.
Joker asks the most pertinent question. But Belle has her own, brushing aside the hollow offerings to ask, "Did you spare no thought for how your selfish desires would affect the students of the school?"
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
The ringing orders of Vice-Principal (Vice-Commandant?) Kawazu reach Fox's ears as the saboteurs he mentions have already evaded notice to reach this point. The kitsune-masked young man clicks his tongue derisively. "All bluster and bravado, with no grace. More of a blight on this academy's name than any 'sabotage'."
At the threshold of the panic room - apologies, 'command bunker', he observes the damage apparently wrought by the Black Mask thoughtfully, betraying no sign of his inward concern, before regrouping with his comrades to confront Shadow Kobayakawa.
... A confrontation that, frankly, he is disappointed by. "Have you no dignity?" He hasn't even manifested his blade, so unimpressed by the display before them is he.
Shaking his head, Fox falls silent - as Yusuke Kitagawa is no student of Shujin's, he has little to add to the others' challenges and inquiries. He will merely stand guard as a ready blade, should there be an actual deception afoot.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
'I don't want any of those things from you,'
"There has to be something! Name your price! Whatever you want-"
'You're so pathetic,'
Whimper.
'Did you ever stop to think you wouldn't even be in this situation if you bothered to lift even a single finger to help Shiho, instead of trying to bury her?!'
"You don't understand!" He bleats out pathetically, "Kamoshida - he helped the image of Shujin tremendously with his presence - but even if I wanted to help Suzui... I didn't have a choice!"
'Did you spare no thought for how your selfish desires would affect the students of the school?'
"I-I've done plenty to help the students of Shujin! How many countless students excelled at our institution, and became successful adults after graduation!? If a few fell through the cracks because they couldn't stand the pressure... how is that any different from anywhere else!?
Despicable. His argument is merely because the majority did well, it's worth the sacrifices of those who didn't?
'Have you no dignity?'
He lowers his head, eyes closed, tears rolling out from behind his eyelids, because he understands the answer is 'no'.
'However, if you're really serious about your life being in danger, tell us who 'they' are.'
"I can't tell you that! They'll kill me!"
He sobs louder as if he were feeling the walls closing in, "Puh-Please. I'll tell you what I can, they- they call me every now and then to take in students and faculty for them. No questions asked. I don't know why, but they want them all at this school together! And in exchange they help fund the school and deposited a little 'bonus' into my account. It was just a harmless business deal for the greater good of our school! And they told me I'd be Superintendant- maybe even Minister of Education one day!"
He looks at Panther, trembling, "Kamoshida... he was one of their requests. Though I admit I was happy to hire such a man. But after you changed his heart- they started to th-threaten me over the phone. If I didn't find out who you are... I'd have a Mental Shutdown. You have to understand- I was terrified-! That kind of thing happening to a man like myself? The thought that it could happen to me any day now... it's all I can think about."
His shoulders sag at the admission, his lips quivering a touch, "They threatened to send their top assassin to do it- you saw him yourself! The one in the Black Mask. I didn't believe he existed at first but then he showed up here! Every so often he broke into my War Room - and he... he tortured me if I didn't answer his questions!"
A beat.
"He tortured me if I did too..." He adds, with a whimper.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Dignity? Hah. "I doubt he knows the meaning of the word," Joker asides to Fox, dark eyes brimming with contempt. "Some educator he is."
They're glad Fox is here to watch their backs either way. Just because there's no sign of the Black Mask now aside from those destroyed doors, doesn't mean he couldn't come skulking in, Resonance masked until the very last second. Fox being less invested in dressing Shadow Kobayakawa down means he can focus on any incoming threats and warn them accordingly.
Because Panther and Belle certainly have plenty to say to Shadow Kobayakawa, and good for them for it. All the excuses he makes for himself, Joker openly rolls their eyes at. "Disgusting. You're convinced you're the victim here, aren't you? Is there even anyone actually after your life?"
But then Shadow Kobayakawa responds by... sharing some information, at least. They frown as they listen to him. It sounds like more nonsense at first, until--Minister of Education? That's a political position. As aggressively uninterested in politics as they are, they know at least that much. Who would be able to believably promise him something like that?
"I thought Kamoshida was an alumnus of the school and that, along with his gold medal, was why you hired him," Joker says cautiously.
The real shock comes from two words: mental shutdown. Joker shoots a look over at their companions. They'd only recently started to speculate that someone like them was doing that to people on purpose, along with psychotic breakdowns. If they were out to kill Kobayakawa, they'd just say that--not threaten him with a mental shutdown. Then their theory was true?
The one in the black mask. Joker looks back at Shadow Kobayakawa slowly, eyes wide. Of course they saw him for themself. They'd thought he was there to kill him... but looking back, that makes no sense. If the Black Mask wanted Kobayakawa dead, he could've just come in after Joker was gone and finished the job. If he was actually there to torture him for information... that makes more sense.
They cover their mouth with one hand. In other words, the Black Mask isn't a solo agent of chaos; he works for someone. Someone with enough power to promise political positions. That's... honestly terrifying.
No. Don't show fear. The others have to be unsettled by this too. Joker rallies mentally and slips their hands in their coat pockets as they glance at the others to check in on them. Then they look back at the Palace Ruler, expression schooled into neutrality. "That makes a lot of sense. No wonder your Palace takes the form it does, then. That doesn't excuse anything, but it is an explanation."
They pause. "By any chance, is the name of this organization the N.W.O.? And whether it is or not--what questions did the one in the Black Mask ask you?"
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
As her question is answered, Belle remains quietly initially. It's true that not system is perfect, there's bound to be one or two that 'slip through' as Shadow Kobayakawa says.
But that quickly becomes such a hollow excuse as he admits to taking money just to accept certain people at the school. People like Kamoshida. Besides, the students being affected by this poor excuse for a Principal is more than just one or two.
Belle frowns, "Your excuses might have more weight to them if you weren't compromising your responsibilities to provide a safe learning environment. All the while getting paid to do so."
The talk of mental shutdowns comes around though. Belle has obviously heard of the incidents, but wasn't quite as informed on the potential for them to be involved with the Metaverse. Though she picks that up pretty quickly now that it's practically confirmed.
Does this mean there's a way to influence people in the real world through their Shadows? Beyond just Change of Hearts.
Belle looks at the other Phantoms, wondering, "If there's someone out there causing mental shutdowns... Then will changing his heart prevent that from happening?"
<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
You don't understand! begins the excuse, and Ann's fists tremble.
Kamoshida - he helped the image of Shujin tremendously with his presence - but even if I wanted to help--
"Shut up. Not a single word more. I don't need to hear your crap," hisses Ann, rearing up, blue eyes livid. "And you don't have the right to say her name."
She's just so angry, and trying to hard not to do something she'll regret here, that she can't even signal boost Yusuke and Kasumi's condemnations like she would normally. She can only spare brief looks of appreciation both of their ways before that fiery glare levels on the sniveling Shadow of their principal once more.
And what he has to share, is...
"What--? Someone told you to hire Kamoshida--??" Panther asks, rage briefly dissipated by surprise. Why? Wasn't it because of his achievements, and how it reflected on the school he graduated from, like what Ren was probing about--?
But it's as he talks about Mental Shutdowns and the threat upon him that Ann's eyes widen. She flashes back, a moment, to those still-vivid memories where that bullet whizzed just past her head and narrowly missed killing Kaneshiro's Shadow. That man, in the Black Mask... was that...?
"W-wait, I don't get this," Ann begins, as the implications just start to overwhelm her -- but it's Joker's steadying words that draw things back into focus for her. She takes a deep breath.
Part of her feels bad for the Shadow, despite everything, knowing how he's being tortured and tormented. The other, far bigger part of her--
"I guess now you know how it feels to be so frightened and powerless, huh?" ... can't feel any sympathy at all for him, knowing what he helped enable.
The NWO, though; as Joker invokes the name, Panther looks their way -- and then her gaze snaps back onto the principal's Shadow.
"Do you seriously think someone like that is going to let you go?" she adds slowly, firmly. "The best hope you've got now is answering our questions. So you better start rethinking things. Right now."
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
As Shadow Kobayakawa claims he was threatened with a Mental Shutdown, Fox glances over to meet Joker's eyes with an intake of breath - it's a theory they'd discussed briefly before having to set it aside under the pressure of the dreaded exams, now brought into much, much stronger possibility - with a whole host of dire implications on top of it too.
What have the Phantom Thieves stumbled into...?
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
'Is there even anyone actually after your life?'
"O-of course there is! They won't overlook this..."
'I thought Kamoshida was an alumnus of the school and that, along with his gold medal was why you hired him,'
'What--? Someone told you to hire Kamoshida--??'
"H-Honestly, we hardly needed the incentive to hire him on that basis alone..." He admits to Joker like he knows it's difficult to believe, "...but they insisted, put their thumb on the scale before he even submitted an application. In exchange they made a donation large enough to fund our sports program for years to come."
'By any chance, is the name of this organization the N.W.O.? And whether it is or not--what questions did the one in the Black Mask ask you?'
"I don't know... I d-don't know! It wasn't like I was part of them... even if they implied I would be if I did as they said. They called me whenever they needed me to accept a student- or a teacher. The only stipulation is that I had to clear any dismissals or expulsions of any of their candidates with them first."
He pauses, as if in consideration, trying to calm himself some, "Mostly he asked me about- about their latest request from me. To find out the identities of all of you. The candidates I had- the measures I was taking to discover who you were. It was all going so well until Niijima betrayed me... so well." He trails off, as if ruminating on how things might have been.
'I guess now you know what it's like to feel frightened and powerless, huh?'
"Y-Yes... yes I most certainly do... I hope it makes you happy to know that I've been in my own personal hell ever since you sent your first calling card."
'Your excuses might have more weight to them if you weren't compromising your responsibilities to provide a safe learning environment. All the while getting paid to do so.'
An eye towards Belle, in that moment, "Do you really think Shujin is any different from any of the other schools across this country? Bullying - Power Abuse - Sexual Harassment? It's just the way things are! Shujin was a safer learning environment than most!"
It's clear, that despite his fear, he does indeed still consider himself the victim, if he's repentant, then it's only because he believes his life is under threat.
'Do you seriously think someone like that is going to let you go?'
'The best hope you've got now is answering our questions. So you better start rethinking things. Right now.'
"Of course they're not going to let me go!" Kobayakawa snaps sharply at Panther, before seeming to regret the outburst of his authoritative side, humiliated by being put in this position by students.
He swallows and his Shadow's yellowed eyes like her straight at her own. "If I answer your questions, then I doubt I'll survive the day. What can you do to stop that?"
'If there's someone out there causing mental shutdowns... Then will changing his heart prevent that from happening?'
"... I have no idea." He replies, frankly, seeming disquieted, "But it wouldn't matter if it did prevent it. They'd still come after me, I'm sure of it. Poison in my morning tea... or more likely a bullet."
And after a short pause.
"...I'm... nothing to them. Everything I worked for... all of my ambition, it amounts to less than nothing to those who are truly calling the shots..."
It seems to pain him to admit that, but admit it he does, as pathetic as it makes this Ruler, distorted by desire and driven by ambition, willing to sacrifice anyone of his students to get ahead...
... but without a student to sacrifice, with his own head about to roll in their stead, he realizes how small he truly is.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
To the surprise of no one, Panther's rage starts to boil over at Shadow Kobayakawa's excuses. Joker understands how she feels, but they can't let her lose her cool. Fortunately, them keeping their own cool and questioning the Shadow accordingly helps her calm down too. They meet her masked eyes and give her a little nod--and a little smirk when she grinds her heel on Kobayakawa (metaphorically, of course. (you'd know if she was doing it literally)).
Smirk fading, they meet Fox's stare next and hear his sharp little breath. They certainly remember that conversation the two of them had with Makoto, just before finals. Ren had posted a summary of that conversation to the Phantoms' group chat later, after finals were over, but... getting confirmation like this is the last thing they expected.
Joker finally looks at Belle. She asks a good question. "Now that you mention it... it probably would. If we change his heart, his Shadow will return to his true self and his Palace will disappear. No Palace means the one in the Black Mask won't be able to mess with it--or him. That's not why we do this, but if it'd protect his life..." But Shadow Kobayakawa weighs in on this too, suggesting that even without a Palace, they'd use a real-world method to kill him instead. It could be an excuse to get them to spare him, but...
He really is truly pathetic. He genuinely seems to believe that Shujin was 'better than most,' and that somehow excuses him taking bribes from some mystery organization he doesn't even know the name of. However, he also seems to genuinely believe his life is forfeit--and given Joker's experiences with the Black Mask, they can understand why. If they push this too far, they could actually indirectly cause his death. That's not acceptable. Shadow Kobayakawa asks what they could do to prevent that, and Joker can only frown. "..."
Something is odd here, though. The Black Mask is an assassin--so why send them to interrogate this Shadow on his progress trying to find them? There's something else, too. Something that can't help but arrest their attention--a chilling thought that squeezes their heart so hard it could stop. Kobayakawa was made to accept students, even if it meant overlooking prior expulsions... and Kobayakawa had told Ren they had 'circumstances on their end' that made him accept them to the school... Joker had always assumed that was an oblique reference to getting paid off by their dad, but...
Swallowing hard, Joker asks, "...who else did they tell you to accept?"
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Even after everything he has said, everything he has admitted to, he's still trying to make excuses...
Belle sighs. This is not what she had expected when she came here today. Even if they change his heart, is anything actually going to change? As Shadow Kobayakawa points out, even if they can't get to him in his Palace, they can do so in the real world. And the Phantoms have no way to protect him there...
They're just ordinary students after all.
And there are downsides to changing his heart for the Phantoms as well, "If we do change his heart, someone's going to notice. Which will draw more attention to Shujin... That's not exactly helping." Not the Phantoms, their real selves, or the other students who get caught in whatever amounts to 'crossfire'.
Joker's question does get Belle to listen more closely though. After all, she herself is a recent transfer student. Could it be...?
<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
Removing the Palace to keep Kobayakawa safe...?
Ann brightens at this idea at first (not the idea of keeping him safe, that's actively repellent; it's just a pretty great idea) -- before her brows scrunch up behind her mask.
"Wait. If Mental Shutdowns are all because of that Black Mask guy, then does that mean everyone he did it to has a Palace? I mean... don't only the really distorted, messed up people have a Palace...?" Maybe she shouldn't be discussing her doubts and confusions right in front of their target, but, well, she can't help it. And, frankly -- he deserves to know he's one of the most distorted, messed up people out there.
But... does that make sense...?
Panther doesn't know; there's so much about all of this she frankly still doesn't understand, and so much about Mental Shutdowns specifically that they all seem to be in the dark about. But one thing's for sure:
She has a bad feeling about all of this.
Panther doesn't voice it this time, at least - but it's easy to tell for anyone who knows her how uneasy she's feeling right now. She shifts her weight onto her left leg, pinching the inside of her cheek between her teeth as she glances askance and briefly frowns, listening to the Shadow's helpless blubbering.
Belle notes the attention that they'll drag back onto Shujin if they change his heart, and Ann tenses, just a little.
"... But he can't just get away with all of this..." she says, behind grit teeth. But... look at him. He's pathetic. He's so afraid of every lower-case shadow that he lives his life in a prison of his own making. Is he really one of those people who can't be reached by a guilty conscience, can't be made to account?
"..."
Ann's frown endures as she grows lost in her own thoughts, up until the moment Joker asks that one question.
"... Huh? Joker, you can't mean..."
Do they really think that...?
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
'Wait. If Mental Shutdowns are all because of that Black Mask guy, then does that mean everyone he did it to has a Palace? I mean... don't only the really distorted, messed up people have a Palace...?'
Perhaps Panther shouldn't be, but even if she starts the discussion for her Phantoms, he does answer her all the same. "I don't... have any idea." Kobayakawa says in what sounds sincere, at least, "It's not like he'd boast about his other targets. He just made it clear what he'd do to me.
'... who else did they tell you to accept?'
The Shadow seems to freeze for a moment, at the question. And one might wonder if he's debating whether to tell them or not... but then...
"There was that... delinquent boy with a record... in the second year, from that town in the boonies. ... Ame- something? Or was it Hamemiya? There were others too... uh- I think there was some substitute teacher... and another for extracurriculars...'
Oh no.
"L-Look I have a file somewhere in my desk! You can't expect a man like me to remember every name- students come and go every year!"
Aren't Shadows supposed to remember so much that the person themselves has forgotten? Perhaps even his subconscious thinks such details are unimportant... what an awful person.
And yet as they contemplate this problem... they hear another, quite familiar voice, coming from the direction of the door to the room.
"Well, well... it seems I arrived just in time to catch an intriguing conversation. It sounds like you're all in quite the pickle."
The Princely figure, wearing his red tengu mask slips between the blast doors right before they make another attempt at shutting, right as they all weigh the question of whether to protect Kobayakawa. He doesn't have his weapons out, in fact, he seems to be making a showing of that.
"As I understand it, your 'Justice' doesn't allow you to leave even a man as repulsive as this to his fate. So what will it be, Phantom Thieves? If this would compromise your principles, then might I offer you a deal...?"
There's that smile again on his face, "If you willingly surrender your identities to me, then I'd be happy to weigh your story and methods myself... and even cooperate with you in protecting this man... not only in the Metaverse, but in reality as well. Perhaps once I've heard everything, you may convince me that charges aren't warranted for any of you."
A beat.
"Or perhaps not." He adds, "But even if my decision were to turn you in... it would go a long way towards being 'mitigating circumstances'... in all likelihood none of you would see more than probation. Either way... it would be the end of the Phantom Thieves."
He does smile then as he points out, "But this man's life will be saved. Even with my considerable skills, I'm not certain I could manage to protect him on both fronts and I don't think all of you are capable of this, either."
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
The group deliberates over whether they should change Kobayakawa's heart and collapse the Palace, even if that means leaving him to his fate in reality. Fox listens, quietly, not weighing in but filing the conversation away for later, and focusing on staying alert.
The sound of Goro Akechi's voice - not his footfalls - is what alerts him. Frowning, he turns directly to face the white-clad, tengu-masked figure, stepping forward to stand between Joker and Akechi.
"Quite an intriguing proposition," he says. Something doesn't feel right about it, but he's focusing on the threat behind them rather than deliberate over semantics. "But one on a foundation of a lot of 'maybes'."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Not necessarily," they say to Panther, recalling Morgana's various lessons about the Metaverse. "The important thing isn't the Palace; it's access to someone's Shadow. In other words, it's possible he's been targeting Shadows in Mementos instead... or, more likely, in addition to."
Belle raises a good point about how changing Kobayakawa's heart will draw attention back to Shujin Academy, which--if there really is some kind of powerful shadowy organization here--won't help anyone. Joker frowns and nods slowly, conceding her point. Panther protests, and Joker says, "You saw that cognition of the Vice-Principal--how he said it was a waste of time to keep going after us. If the Principal can't even get his second-in-command on board with something as petty as cutting a club's budget, and the faculty barely see him around anymore, then it sounds like there's not a lot of harm he can do right now." They meet her eyes. "He's scum, without question, but Belle is right. We have to think about who we'd help first."
They look back at Shadow Kobayakawa. He'd frozen for a moment... but now he shares what little information he knows. It's... distressing to be right. Even if the Shadow doesn't get their name right, there's no doubt he means Ren Amamiya.
Why?
Why them?
They weren't even living in Tokyo until this year. The whole reason they were even enrolled in Shujin Academy instead of Kasugayama over in Sumaru is because...
...
...because... their father, who is a politician, however minor...
...pulled some strings.
The implications make them sick to their stomach. They cannot afford to show that. Stone-faced, they open their mouth to remark on this file that's in the Principal's desk--
There's a presence at their backs. Fox, on vigil as he is, has already stepped forward between them, but Joker whirls around in time to see... someone they wholly didn't expect. Perhaps they should have. Akechi also knows about this Palace and has been coming in to interrogate its Ruler...
...
...if he's been doing that, how had he never run afoul of the Black Mask until that day they all fought...? And how does he know their Justice won't let them leave Kobayakawa to die...? Could he deduce that just from the time Joker saved his life...?
Akechi is offering them a deal. Joker narrows their eyes, but doesn't interrupt. The offer is about what they'd expect from him. He does make a good point--a harrowing point--about how they can't protect Kobayakawa from a shadowy organization that decides to kill him if he doesn't get results. If they turn themselves in, it might save him from death, but in return...
"....."
Panther and Belle no doubt have Opinions about this. Joker lets them say their piece; then they look over their shoulder at their fellow Shujin students. "Let me handle this," they murmur, meeting both of them in turn. They next rest a hand on Fox's shoulder and shares a nod with him. "I've got this," they murmur.
Then they slip their gloved hands in their pockets and face Akechi. "What a fine and one-sided deal, Detective. I believe I can speak for all my companions when I say I refuse," they reply, projecting their deep voice in the louder, more eloquent voice for 'Joker' they often use in mixed company. "After all--" They sweep their right hand to one side, causing their coat to flap in its wake. "There's no need to make any such deal!"
They point one of those red fingers at Akechi and smirk. "This shadowy organization is tormenting this wretched man who nonetheless is deserving of life under the premise that he can ascertain our identities among the student body of Shujin Academy. However... You're aware, aren't you, Detective Prince Goro Akechi? You may not know specifically who we are, but with the research you've done up 'til now, surely you've already deduced..."
They spread both arms out wide. "...none of us are students of Shujin! Therefore this man has no information to give!" They fold their arms, teeth bared in a crescent smirk, and rest a hand on their chin, eyes locked on Akechi's. "...Am I wrong?"
For all their projection of confidence, The Phantoms obviously will know he's lying bald-faced... and Akechi would know he's lying, too. But Shadow Kobayakawa doesn't, and that's the point. If The Phantoms made that claim on their own, he'd have no reason to believe them, but if a famous detective corroborates the lie... then once that Black Mask returns the next time to interrogate him, he'll be able to confirm they aren't there, and the Black Mask and his bosses won't have further reason to harass him.
It's a clever plan, if they say so themself, save for one crucial detail:
It relies on everyone else going along with the lie.
Joker's heart hammers in their chest as a bead of sweat trickles subtly down the side of their face. Will Akechi go along with it? More importantly, will Panther, Fox, and Belle understand the nature of the ruse without needing to be explicitly told...? If they blurt out the wrong thing, then this gambit's all for naught.
Joker can only have faith in them. All of them.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Belle is inwardly relieved when her real name isn't mentioned. Though that doesn't necessarily mean much as this Shadow of the Principal can't even seem to remember much about the students at his own school... But for now she chooses to believe that there's no secret behind her transfer to Shujin that she's unaware of.
However, before they can question Kobayakawa anymore, a new voice enters the conversation. Belle moves her hand to her rapier again, though pauses as she recognises it, turning towards the source...
Akechi-san.
Or the awakened version of him.
Akechi's words certain ring some truth to them... But the fact is that revealing their identities will likely do more harm than good. Not just to them, but the people around them as well. Especially if there is some sinister person, or worse an organization, out to get them.
Of course, Belle doesn't have to say anything as Joker steps in to speak for the group. Though she does back them up with, "T-That's right! Going after multiple targets at our own school would be a dumb thing to do. Ha-haha." Yes. Very believable! "We're only here because... We're tracking that black masked person!" Yeah, makes sense.
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
Joker lays a hand on Fox's shoulder, and with a nod, the man in the kitsune mask steps backwards, awaiting his leader's cue.
... It's an audacious lie, but the flamboyance and theatrics of Joker's delivery certainly help to sell it. Fox is, however, not sure he can match that deception.
So he doesn't try.
"I myself never stepped foot in Shujin before this year," he says, coolly.
After all, what helps sell a lie more than an actual truth?
<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
He can't even remember.
Panther's gaze narrows into dangerous, knife-sharp slits of sky blue as she refocuses that fury on Kobayakawa. He's detestable. Frankly, she'd be shocked he even remembered Shiho's name, if she wasn't so angry right now.
And Ren is right. She is mad. She wants him to pay for what he did; he can wring hands and make excuses all he wants, but the man who helped make the monster is just as responsible for the blood on the monster's hand as the monster himself is. He enabled Kamoshida - covered for him - tilted all of his staff towards uplifting him at the detriment of so many students--
... And Shiho can't even bear to stay at this school anymore, all because of -- all because of--
Panther takes a step forward. "But--" and, as expected, protest begins to form on her lips, the damning and strange bit of evidence that his master's actually asked for Ren to be accepted here falling by the wayside for the moment in that fit of pique.
But before she can--
"Wh-what?!"
There's that annoyingly smug voice again.
She knows instantly who it is, even as she hops back, whip snap-cracking at the ready in a groundwards WHAP that may or may not have been deliberately targeted to slap the ground close to poor Shadow Kobayakawa. Her eyes narrow again, lips drawing tight.
"Ugh. This guy," she mutters, irritably. "We don't have time for silver prize Detective Princes today, got it?! Or do you have even more annoying toy tricks up your sleeve--"
She'd continue to sass - because she can't help herself - but the fact is, Akechi does have something up his sleeve. An offer - or more like an ultimatum. Panther grimaces at the very idea of his deal.
"You can't be serious. Like we'd really--" she begins -- but then Joker cuts her off. She blinks. She starts with a simple, "Are you sure--?"
But she knows better, really; full of pent-up anger at Kobayakawa (is it really at him? entirely at him--?) she still knows:
She can trust Ren.
So she stands by for now, body language tense and eyes narrowed, right until Ren pulls out--
the most brazen move of all time--
Ann's eyes fly wide.
And it takes every
fiber
of her being
not to just instantly start laughing at the audacity
OR try to supplement his claim with her ACTING POWER.
Please appreciate the fact that her lone contribution in this moment
"Blehhhhhh."
is a single, blown raspberry.
She doesn't -fully- grasp what Joker's getting at here. But she knows enough to know to play her part.
And her part is razzing Goro Akechi.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
'If the Principal can't even get his second-in-command on board with something as petty as cutting a club's budget...'
"... I always knew Kawazu would turn traitor." The shadow of the man mutters, indeed, they understand by their fight with Kawazu's cognition, that he believed that the man was inherently like himself. Using anyone and everyone - willing to throw them under the bus.
'Quite an intriguing proposition,'
'But one on a foundation of a lot of 'maybes'.'
"Aha... You are quite correct, Fox wasn't it?" He says with a smile as he gets between Joker and Akechi - the Samurai defending the wielder of Lupin's namesake. There's something quite fitting in that, to him.
"But you can hardly expect me to know whether your methods are compatible with my 'Justice' without first coming to understand them. Something which you've been understandably quite tight-lipped about."
'silver prize detective princes today'
A twitch of an eyebrow, as his smile dims just subtly, "There's no need to be hurtful. I have nothing but respect for Shirogane-san..." As he then smirks at Panther, "... and wouldn't you like to know, Panther? If you'd like - I have quite the collection of Frost Magatamas that I'd be more than willing to let you take off my hands~" He says with a slight playfulness to his words.
He watches Joker whisper to the others, and despite himself, a smile curves upon his lips as he finally speaks on their behalf that they refuse.
"I thought you might."
He doesn't follow up on those words though with some other smug proclamation, because Joker continues, asserting that there's no need to make any such deal.
"Oh?" His stance shifts, as he places a hand at his chin, looking at Joker shrewdly, "And why would you say that?" Joker then initiates his gambit, and- ah. There's a flicker- of something in Akechi's eyes, but little else for a while...
'I myself never stepped foot in Shujin before this year'
'T-That's right! Going after multiple targets at our own school would be a dumb thing to do. Ha-haha. We're only here because... We're tracking that black masked person!'
'Blehhhh.'
Honestly the biggest surprise of the night for him is that only Belle flubs the performance check here, while Panther chooses the raspberry. Panther gets a glance from a glint of a brown eye as if to say 'Very mature' even if he doesn't say it aloud.
And then- he drops his hands and smiles broadly, as he slow claps twice with his gloved hands, "Well done. You never fail to surprise me, Phantom Thieves. You're correct, I ruled out that any of you were students of Shujin Academy long ago- near the beginning of my investigation."
"What!?" The Shadow of Kobayakawa bellows, startled by this development, "But you told me that you needed to have the run of the school! That they were certainly students of this Academy?!"
"Oh did I say that?" Akechi says, as he looks on the man with contempt, like he's a bug, "Unfortunately for you, I lied. After ascertaining that you were pressuring Niijima-san to do your dirty work for you, I would hardly trust a man like you with the actual facts of my investigation."
The Shadow of the man moans, before seeming to go more limp than usual, "Then all of this... everything I've been through... they're going to kill me for something that was never my responsibility?"
"For the Shadow of an educator, you're quite dim. This 'Shadowy Conspiracy' you speak of only has reason to kill you if you fail to uncover the Phantom Thieves attending Shujin Academy... and they never did in the first place. If this 'One in the Black Mask' returns, tell him that..." He smiles even more broadly, "... and perhaps send him my way. I have a few choice words for him, after that cheap shot. Though honestly..."
There is a slight coldness that enters into his voice as he looks at Kobayakawa, "... I rather hope to trade more than just words with him."
And after a few seconds pause, Akechi steps aside. Even crossing a hand over his chest, and making a theatrical bow, as his hand gestures towards the door, "Seeing as you have no intention of changing this man's heart- I see little point to standing in your way."
He lifts his head, smirking their way, "... But understand that I'll be taking any further calling cards as an 'invitation' to do just that, from now on."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Fox supplies the lie with the truth; Belle shakily does her best to back it up with a reasonable excuse; Panther sasses Akechi with a raspberry. Given that this deception is really for Shadow Kobayakawa's sake, it's enough that Belle didn't quite stick the landing--she sounded believable and that's enough. Joker maintains their smirk and watches Akechi, heart still pounding...
The Detective Prince grins and slow-claps and congratulates them. Joker's smirk broadens into a grin back, and they dip into an ostentatious bow, one arm sweeping around and settling at their bent waist.
"Don't underestimate our information network, dear Detective. Just as you're watching us, we're watching you," they reply with unshakeable confidence as they stand back up.
They fall silent for a moment to let Akechi have it out with Shadow Kobayakawa. So is that what he told him... They're genuinely grateful that Akechi's willing to go along with the lie--no doubt because he honestly doesn't need to prolong it. With this, they and their friends ought to breathe a little easier at school, too. Of course, that just means Akechi will approach them more in their personal time...
But that's not such a bad thing, either.
They chuckle at Akechi's choice words about the Black Mask; when he steps to one side, they tuck their hands in their pockets and stride forward. "How kind of you. We have no reason to linger here either, so we'll take our leave." They smirk back. "Fully understood. After all, it's in the nature of a detective to chase after thieves."
In other words, they'd expect nothing less.
"One thing, Detective..." Joker comes to a stop next to Akechi--close enough to murmur to him, head turned slightly his way. "I understand how you feel about that one in the black mask, but I urge you not to fight him alone.
"He'll kill you."
There's no more mocking, taunting, or other japery in their tone. They are deadly serious.
Whatever the manner of Akechi's connection with the Black Mask--whatever the manner of Akechi's relationship with Joker--they don't want him gone...
The next minute, though, they themself will be gone, striding down the hall with their companions--turning a corner--and then leaping into the shadows and jumping from corner to corner so they can all escape undetected. Akechi might almost certainly know who they are, but that's no reason to give him any freebies.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
'He'll kill you.'
His eyes flick towards Ren, given his serious tone, like he's somberly weighing this.
"You truly think so...?"
-=-=-
Elsewhere in the Palace, a body encased in black armor, features hidden by a Black Mask makes a puddle of red blood, a gaping wound present within his chest where one can see the crimson drenched floor beneath...
... and then he fades away, as if he never existed, leaving not even a blood stain on the Palace floor.
-=-=-
"... I'll take that under advisement, before doing anything rash."
He does his best not to smile, in this moment, as the Phantom Thieves depart.