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P5R: Rebel Girl (A FeMC Story/P5R Rework) Chapter 157: Friend and Foe Alike

The next morning Sae walked to her office. “Good morning,” Riko said. “I have the information you wanted.”

“Thank you,” Sae replied. “And good morning.”

Riko giggled. “So, Ichiko Ohya, AKA ‘Japan’s Last Gonzo Journalist’. Right now, she’s on the Phantom Thief beat.”

“Really?” Sae wondered. “That’s unusual.”

“It gets a little more unusual from there,” Riko said. “At first, she seemed more neutral in her coverage, but right around the Kaneshiro incident her coverage shifted into showing the thieves in a more positive light.”

“Huh,” Sae said.

“It gets more unusual,” Riko said.

“More unusual than that?” Sae wondered.

Riko nodded. “At the same time her coverage shifted into lionizing the Phantom Thieves, the more accurate information she was pumping out.”

“What do you mean?” Sae asked.

“Well, for example,” Riko began, “during the Medjed case, the day Medjed was supposed to attack, she reported that the Phantom Thieves had a plan, and they did.”

“Hm, interesting,” Sae said. “What about before this whole Phantom Thief business?

“I looked into that too,” Riko said. “Apparently she was a top notch journalist. Her and her partner, Kayo Kobayashi, were exceptional at getting the scoop on all sorts of big stories.”

“Kayo Kobayashi…” Sae pondered. “Why does that name sound so familiar?”

“It sounded familiar to me too,” Riko said. “I looked through your notes. Apparently, she was on the scene of a supposed murder.”

“..’Supposed murder’...?” Sae asked.

“In your notes, you suspect it to be another mental shutdown case,” Riko clarified.

“WHAT?!” Sae gasped. “Can I have that file?!”

“It’s already on your desk,” Riko answered.

“Thanks,” Sae said. She paused for a moment. “Say, do you think Ohya’s increasing positive coverage of The Phantom Thieves stems from her learning more about what happened to her partner?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case,” Riko said.

“Hmmm,” Sae pondered. “Things are escalating, that’s for sure.” She smiled.

“Thank you.”

“No problem,” Riko replied.

“Say, do you want to come with me?” Sae asked. “We're meeting at a place called Crossroads in Shinjuku.”

Riko’s face was stunned. “Ummm, uh, well…”

Sae smiled. “It’s fine. It’s not like we’re tethered together…”

“Right…” Riko said, embarrassed. “But it is a pretty good place. I mean, I wouldn’t say anything there is as delicious as some of the places we’ve gone to, but it makes up for it in atmosphere.”

“Gotcha,” Sae said. “Any recommendations?”

“Well, it is a bar,” Riko said. “But I suspect you want to not get wasted.”

“You’d assume correctly,” Sae said.

“They have other drinks,” Riko said. “I’d suggest something with flavor to help wash down some of the food.”

“Understood. Thank you. I’ll be in my office.”

“Yes ma’am!” Riko said. Sae marched into her office, and closed the door. Riko sat back down at her desk. Sae also took a seat, and began looking through that case file. “Hmmmmmm…”

After the bell rang to end school, Ann turned to Ren. “Hey, guess what?”

Ren was surprised. “You…found a really good sale at the mall?”

“Please, I’m always finding a good sale at the mall,” Ann retorted. The girls shared a laugh. “But no. I’m having a photo shoot today, and I want you to come with.”

“Oh. Of course,” Ren said, ecstatic.

“Hang on,” Ann said. “I want Ryuji and Shiho to come too. They’ve helped me so much too. Not that everyone else hasn’t, but…”

“Right,” Ren said. Ann messaged the two of them, and they were off.

On their way, Ann said “Thank you so much for joining me!”

“Of course!” Shiho replied.

“You seem really fired up,” Ryuji said.

“Well…it’s because of you…all of you…” Ann said, blushing. “I felt so passive for so long, but because of you, I feel like I can do anything!”

“May I ask why you’re sticking with modeling though?” Shiho wondered. “It’s just…you seemed so lukewarm on the idea before.”

“Yeah,” Ann admitted. “Originally, I wanted to give it up because of all the things I didn’t like about it. But after I realized everything I do love about it, I wanted to share that with the world. If I gave up, more people would see modeling as a shallow existence, rather than the fun, lively pursuit that it is. At least, in my eyes.”

“Well said,” Ren replied.

As they arrived, they saw Mika getting chewed out by the modeling director. “What’s going on?” Ann wondered. They approached closer.

The director noticed Ann. “Ah, Takamaki-san! Get a load of this: You know how some models haven't been showing up recently?” Ann nodded her head. “Well, it turns out that Mika had been calling them, posing as our agents, and telling them the shoot was elsewhere.”

“WHAT?!” Ann said, shocked.

“Yeah, I know,” the director replied.

“I’m sorry…” Mika said. “It won’t happen again.”

“Well, it better not,” the director said. “The next time you pull a stunt like this, you’re fired.” He sighed. “Anyways, we have a few minutes before we are ready. Maybe you should reflect on what you’ve done.”

“OK,” Mika said meekly.

“Woah, she really is cutthroat,” Ryuji said.

“You said it,” Shiho added.

Mika walked over to the gang. “Wow…” Ann said. “I can’t believe you did something so…childish.”

“Come again?” Mika said.

“Are you really so afraid you can’t be a top model on your own merits that you had to resort to sabotage?”

“Yeah, and you got caught too,” Ren jumped in.

“Hmph,” Mika scoffed. “And all I had to do was give him some doe eyes, and I didn’t get fired.”

“That’s…still kind of pathetic…” Shiho said.

“Besides,” Ryuji interjected, “you haven’t refuted my girlfriend’s point.”

Mika looked at Ann. “This is your boyfriend?” Ann nodded. Mika looked at Ryuji. “You two seem made for each other.”

“Thanks?” Ryuji said.

“I think she’s trying to diss you,” Shiho said.

“Oh,” Ryuji replied.

Ann chuckled. “What are you laughing at?” Mika barked.

“Your petty attempts to get to me,” Ann answered.

Mika got angrier “Listen!” Mika declared. “I may have gotten caught this time, but I promise that I WILL become the best model, and I WILL do anything to make that dream come true! Got it?!”

There was a second of silence before Ann let out a chuckle. She then started full on laughing. Mika was confused. “I’m sorry,” Ann said. “It’s just, you remind me so much of those dramatic kid’s show villains I watched when I was younger.”

“Oh yeah,” Ryuji said. He burst out laughing too.

Shiho started laughing as well. “It is an apt comparison.”

“I’ll say,” Ren added, laughing herself. Needless to say, this was not the reaction Mika expected.

Ann stopped laughing for a second. “Well, my goal is also to become the best model. And your underhanded tricks aren’t going to deter me anymore. So, while I respect the hustle, I’m afraid you’ll always come up just short of me.”

Mika was astounded. She then grinned. “I see. Well, if that’s the case, I guess beating you with said underhanded tactics wouldn’t be as fun. So from now on, I promise I’ll become a better model than you fair and square.”

Ann chuckled again. “You’re on!” They shook hands, both gripping tightly. You could feel the tension.

“Alright ladies, we’re ready!” the director said.

“Coming!” Ann said, letting go of Mika’s hand. The two models walked up to the shoot.

“Soooo, are they friends now?” Ryuji asked.

“I think they’re more frenemies,” Shiho clarified.

‘Ugh,” Ryuiji groaned. “I’m glad I’m not a girl. I have a hard enough time following a conversation as is.”

As the shoot progressed, Ren, Shiho, and Ryuji looked on. As Ann was modeling, they noticed something different. She was in top form. Every pose was graceful, and slick. Even everyone on set took notice.

After the shoot wrapped up, Ann walked up to the rest of the group. “So, what’d you think?”

“That was incredible!” Ren said.

“You did wonderful,” Shiho replied.

“Yeah!” Ryuji said. “I think I get what you mean. I just thought being a model was about being attractive, but you showed me that there’s a lot more to it. Er, that’s not to say you’re not attractive…”

“I think you need to learn how to quit while you’re ahead,” Shiho teased.

Ann giggled. “It’s OK. I understand what he means.”

Ryuji sighed, relieved. “Well, in an effort not to quit, I noticed that the ice cream shop Makoto showed us is going half price for this week. So, um, would you mind splitting off from everyone and going on a date?”

Ann giggled again. “That sounds great sweetie.” Ryuji chuckled, proud of himself.

“I actually need to get going too,” Shiho said. “I’m talking with some of the former volleyball club members about getting things back together.”

“Hey,” Ann said. Shiho looked up. “You can do this! I know you can!”

Shiho nodded. Determined. “Thank you. And great job today. Seeya!”

“Bye!” Ann replied. Everyone waved as Shiho left. Ann turned to Ryuji. “Say, before we go, do you mind if I talk with Ren? Girl-to-girl?”

Ryuji was a bit stunned but said “Uh, sure. I’ll just beeeee over there then?” Ann nodded. “OK then. Seeya later Ren!”

“Bye!” Ren replied as Ryuji rushed off.

Ren turned to Ann. “You know,” Ann said, “if it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I’d be at this point. On the first day you came to school, you helped me.”

Ren was surprised. “I’d like to think I’d have helped anyone…”

“Right,” Ann said. “But I don’t think I would have. I…was in a really bad place. All my life, people have put different expectations on me, and Kamoshida amplified that to a million. But you taught me that if I want something, I need to fight for it. I just can’t cave in to what other people think of me.

For too long, I was buried in all of that. But now I see that you have to define yourself. I should have known that earlier; that’s one of the best parts about being a model. I saved you from Kamoshida because I wanted to save the person who saved me earlier. I know it sounds selfish, but it was the first step I needed to take to learn this lesson.”

Ann looked at Ren intently. “You said you’d have saved anyone, right? Well, the next time I need saving, don’t save me because you’d save anyone. Save me because you want to save me. I promise I'll do the same. And together, we will save as many people as we can; both as lights in this dark world, and as Phantom Thieves.”

Ren was impressed. She smiled, and reached her hand out “Of course.” Ann giggled, smiling back, and shook Ren’s hand. This handshake was just as, if not more, intense than the one she had with Mika, but it was 100% friendly.

I am thou, thou art I

Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath.

Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion and break the yoke of thy heart.

Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret of the Lovers, granting thee infinite power…

Lovers-Ann Takamaki: Rank 10

Inside Ann, a powerful force was manifesting itself. Her Persona, Carmen, was changing. Evolving. In a burst of flame, her Persona grew alongside her, becoming Hecate.

What is this power? I feel like I’ve become stronger; A much brighter light than I ever thought I could be.

After Ann and Ren finished shaking hands, Ann said “Thanks again. I hate to cut this short, but I have a date.”

Ren chuckled. “Don’t stay out too late, you crazy kids.”

Ann chuckled back. “Seeya!” she said, rushing off to Ryuji. She joined up with her boyfriend, and the two walked off to get some half price ice cream. Ren watched and smiled; a single tear falling from her eyes.

Later that evening, Ren got a message.

Chihaya: Would you mind stopping by tonight?

Chihaya: I know it’s been a bit, but I want to continue the conversation from last time.

Ren: No problem.

Ren: I’ve actually been kind of busy, so this works out better than anticipated.

Chihaya: I figured tonight would work.

Chihaya: I asked the cards.

Ren: Of course.

Chihaya: But be cautious.

Chihaya: I sense a conflicted soul coming to Shinjuku as well.

Ren: How worried should I be?

Chihaya: Just remain calm and don’t give them something that will send them into a frenzy.

Ren: Sounds simple enough.

Ren: See you soon.

Chihaya: Seeya!

Ren put her phone away, and headed out.

She got on the train to Shinjuku and sat down. She looked up and noticed Sae sitting across from her. Sae noticed her too. The train started moving. “Hi there,” Sae said.

“Uh, hi,” Ren replied.

“You’re the girl Sakura-san’s taking care of, right?”

“Uh, yeah…” Ren replied, unsure of where this was going.

“Hm,” Sae said. She frowned slightly. “I hope he’s not too mad at me about those files.” Ren was curious. Sae sighed. “I know I can come off as a bit aggressive, but my job doesn’t allow room for errors. I need to be absolutely certain about everything. It’s not…much of an excuse, but I hope that one day he’ll be able to understand.”

Ren was a little perplexed, but willing to engage a little. “Um, well, he’s actually fairly understanding.” Sae took interest. “You just gotta be straight with him. He respects that.”

Sae paused for a moment, before letting out a “Hm. Thanks…but I don’t know if it’d be that easy. Not from Sojiro’s perspective, but from what I’m working on. It’s so many moving parts that it’s hard for me to even keep track of. But I know that when it comes together, it’ll be something magnificent.”

“Well…” Ren said, still unsure of what to say, “I think Sojiro is more understanding than you think.”

“I appreciate you trying to help,” Sae responded. “Really, I do. But…” Sae wasn’t sure how to respond. She sighed. “Maybe I’ll give it a try. When I’m not too busy.” Ren smiled. “So, what are you doing heading to Shinjuku on a school night?”

“Oh, uh, well,” Ren stuttered. “There’s a really cool fortune teller up there. I’m going to see her.”

Sae was stunned. “I didn’t peg you as someone interested in that sort of thing.”

“I wasn’t,” Ren explained. “At least not when I came to Tokyo.”

Sae smiled. “I see. It seems like your parole is suiting you well.”

“I…guess you could say that…” Ren said.

“This Stop: Shinjuku Station!”

“Hm hm. Well, looks like this is our stop,” Sae said. She stood up and walked out. Ren followed suit. Before moving in their separate directions, Sae slightly turned to Ren and said “You don't have to believe me, but I am trying to help you too.” Sae walked off.

Ren was confused and unsure what Sae meant exactly, but was relieved that things didn’t get out of control. She walked off to find Chihaya.

Once at Chihaya’s table, Chihaya greeted Ren “Oh hello! How did your trip go?”

“Pretty well, all things considered,” Ren said. “So, how are things going with you?”

“Well…” Chihaya said. Mind if I grab something from the vending machine?”

“Go ahead,” Ren said.

“Thanks. I’ll be right back,” Chihaya said. She walked off. She came back with two drinks. “I got something for you as well.”

“Thanks,” Ren replied.

Chihaya nodded. “Let’s go around the corner.” She put up a sign saying she was on break. The two of them were drinking their drinks on a nearby bench. “Ah! That hit the spot.”

“So, what’s on your mind?” Ren asked.

“Well….hmmmm,” Chihaya said. “I’m just really curious about how you can change fate through your words.”

“Oh, uh, well,” Ren said. “I’m not sure. I just have faith in them, I guess.”

“Hm,” Chihaya replied. “I guess I can see that. But faith is hard to come by. I don’t know if you know this, but I’m not originally from Tokyo.”

“Me too,” Ren said. “I grew up somewhere in the sticks.”

“Me too,” Chihaya replied. “My village was so isolated that in the winter no one could go in or out because no one bothered to plow the road to and from it.”

“OK, I wasn’t THAT out in the sticks,” Ren said. “But I doubt the small town politics change much.”

“Hm hm,” Chihaya laughed. “Probably not. I’ve always had these powers. And at first people saw them as a gift, but after predicting one too many bad things, it started to get seen as a curse, and everyone turned on me.”

“I know the feeling,” Ren said. “Not the powers, but the whole getting everyone turning on you thing.”

“Right…” Chihaya said. “When I was able to, I got out of my village and came to Tokyo to see if I could have a fresh start.”

“Well, I know it’s working out for me,” Ren said.

“It’s…sort of working,” Chihaya said.

“But not all the way?” Ren wondered.

“Well…it’s just…” Chihaya sighed. “I dunno. What helped things work out for you?”

“That’s easy,” Ren replied with no hesitation. “I made friends with so many amazing people. Despite everything, I feel stronger with them by my side.”

“I see…” Chihaya said, intrigued.

Ren giggled. “You know that includes you too, right?”

“Oh!” Chihaya gasped. She giggled back. “Of course.”

“And you have me too now,” Ren said. “So if you need anything, don’t hesitate to give me a call.”

Chihaya smiled. “Of course. And thank you. You’ve shown me how your power works first hand.”

Ren smiled back. “Any time.”

Fortune-Chihaya Mifune: Rank 4

Chihaya finished her drink. “Ah! Well, I should get back to work. You wanna join me?”

“I would, but it’s a school night…” Ren replied.

“It’s OK,” Chihaya said. “Good night.”

“Good night,” Ren replied. She finished her drink, threw the can away, and headed home.

Meanwhile, Sae walked into Crossroads. She was a little stunned, but reminded herself that this was a bar. “Hey!” Ohya cheered. “It’s the prosecutor!”

“Hello,” Sae answered. She walked in and took a seat next to Ohya. “I’ll take a soda.”

“Comin’ right up,” Lala said. She got her her soda.

“So, what do you wanna talk about?” Ohya said.

“A few things,” Sae answered.

“Oooo, you’re serious,” Ohya replied.

“And I suggest you do the same,” Sae told her.

“Ah, c’mon, I’m not even buzzed,” Ohya said.

“It’s true,” Lala said. “I’ve known her long enough to know when she’s REALLY drunk.”

“Well, I’m working on something serious,” Sae said. “And I need your help. So I don’t need some floaty answers that get me nowhere.”

“You’re working with Okumura, right?” Ohya asked.

“Yes,” Sae said.

Ohya raised her eyebrow. “Buuuuuut…?”

“But what?” Sae asked.

“Is there really no caveat?” Ohya wondered.

“Depends,” Sae answered. “How much of this meeting is going to be off the record.”

“Oh ho,” Ohya said. “I see this isn’t your first rodeo. Alright, let’s take this whole thing off the record for now.”

“Very well then,” Sae replied. “I am only working with Okumura nominally. In reality, I suspect he may know something about the mental shutdown cases and working with him is just a means of getting closer to the truth.”

“Ooo, you are a sly one,” Ohya replied.

“The reason I’m talking to you now is because I think you have a similar suspicion,” Sae said.

“Hm. What makes you say that?” Ohya taunted.

“I'm a prosecutor,” Sae said. “I do my homework. Does the name Kayo Kobayashi ring a bell?”

Ohya was shocked. “You’re really serious, huh.”

“I think I’ve made that clear,” Sae replied.

“Very well,” Ohya said. “What about Kayo?”

“You think she’s innocent, right?” Sae asked.

“And what of it?” Ohya said.

“I have a feeling you may be right,” Sae said. Ohya was stunned. “But I can’t do anything without information.”

“And you think I have the info you’re looking for?” Ohya posed.

“Precisely,” Sae confirmed.

“So, what information would that be?” Ohya asked.

“I want your source on your Phantom Thief stories,” Sae said.

“Woah, hold on!” Ohya shrieked. “That’s…a really big ask to say the least.”

“I’m tasked with figuring out these mental shutdowns,” Sae retorted. “If THAT isn’t a big ask…”

“R-Right…” Ohya replied. “But I can’t just betray their trust like that.”

“So, you won’t help me?” Sae asked.

“Not like that,” Ohya said. “I can maybe keep you in the loop on some things.”

“You’re being cagey too?” Sae insinuated. “I thought you were better than Okumura.

“HEY!” Ohya snapped. “Okumura’s just trying to protect himself. I’m protecting someone else!”

Sae glared at her and tilted her head. “I’M trying to protect all of JAPAN!”

Ohya glared back at her. “So are The Phantom Thieves.”

“How do you know for sure?” Sae asked.

“Hm,” Ohya chuckled. “I don’t. But I have more faith in them at the moment than the justice system.”

Sae definitely felt the sting on that. She sighed. “I guess we aren’t getting anywhere.”

“I guess not,” Ohya said, simmering down.

Sae finished her drink. She left some cash on the counter. “Thanks for the drink.” She got up. She looked at Ohya. “You promised me that this was off the record. I hope that this…less than ideal conversation doesn’t change that.”

“Hah, what do you take me for?” Ohya said. “If I’m not selling out my source, I’m not selling you out either.”

“Hm,” Sae smirked. “Very well. You might hear from me intermittently.”

“Well, it’d be a nice change of pace at least,” Ohya said. “All I get are calls from my boss.”

“Very well,” Sae said. She left.

“Do you really not have faith in her?” Lala asked. “She’s a bit abrasive, I know, but she seems good-natured at least.”

“Almost like lookin’ in a mirror to an alternate dimension where I’m worth somethin’,” Ohya said. She took another drink. “I would have helped her, but she was asking me too much, you know?”

“I do,” Lala said.

Ohya sighed. “I hope The Phantom Thieves can help her too.”

Sae was on her way to the train. She checked her watch. She had some time before the last train departed. “I guess it couldn’t hurt.” She looked around.

She eventually found Chihaya’s booth. “Oh. Good evening ma’am. Are you interested in having your fortune read?”

“I think so,” Sae said.

“Well then, have a seat,” Chihaya replied. Sae sat down. “Is this your first time getting your fortune read?”

“Yes,” Sae said. “I’m usually more of a fact-oriented person, but I’m willing to try anything.”

“Well, I can’t say that’s the first time I’ve heard that,” Chihaya said. “Now let’s see.” She focused her power. “Oh! Oh my!”

Sae was curious. “What is it?”

“You have…a very interesting fortune to say the least,” Chihaya answered.

“What do you mean?” Sae asked.

“Hold on,” Chihaya said. She started dealing out 13 Tarot Cards.

Sae was even more confused. “Aren’t there only supposed to be three?”

“Usually, yes,” Chihaya answered. “But your fortune is very unusual to say the least.” She finished dealing out the cards. There was 11 on one side, one on the other side, and in the middle was the last card on its side.

She flipped the middle card first. “The Judgement on its side.”

“...What does that mean?” Sae asked.

“I sense that you are in the middle of something big,” Chihaya answered, albeit in a roundabout fashion.

Sae was surprised. “I…I am.” She looked at the table some more. “What do the other cards mean?”

Chihaya flipped the solo card. “The Hunger wishes to pull The Judgement in reverse.”

Sae was curious. “...Meaning?”

“The Judgement reversed would allow you to be consumed by darkness and lies,” Chihaya explained. Shen then flipped the other 11. “The Fool, The Magician, The Priestess, The Empress, The Emperor, The Lovers, The Chariot, The Adjustment, The Hermit, The Aeon, and The Faith wish to pull The Judgement upright. Meaning that you will find the answers that you seek.”

“So, if I want that, what do I have to do?” Sae asked.

“Let’s see…” Chihaya said. She began to concentrate some more. “It appears that you view those 11 as your enemies. Once you realize they’re on your side too, only then will The Judgement be upright.”

“Hmmmm,” Sae said. “And how do I figure that out?”

“Only you can answer that question,”Chihaya said.

“Very well,” Sae said. She paid Chihaya. “Thank you. This was…a rather unusual experience.”

“You and me both,” Chihaya replied. “Thank you.” Sae got up and got on the train.

She reflected on the evening’s events. Hmmm. That reporter is really stubborn. I get that. I know I can be as well. And who are these eleven people? And why do I view them as enemies? Maybe once I figure that out, they can help me figure out this whole Phantom Thieves thing. I have a lot of stuff I need to figure out, huh.

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