Persona: The Phantom Masquerade.

Ren looked at the billboards and tilted off his sunglasses to get a better view of the animation playing. His eyes narrowed slightly as he saw the screen glitching, but maybe that was to be expected. There were only so many times they could push their luck without expecting the world to fight back.

As he strolled through the bustling streets, the city buzzed with conversation about the Phantom Thieves. Every corner, every café, every crowded train platform echoed with debates, whispers, and speculation. Lovers of the Thieves hailed them as heroes. Cynics dismissed them as reckless vigilantes. But no one could ignore them. Their message had taken root.

However, for some reason, as he listened to the crowds, he couldn't help but feel something was wrong.

He couldn't see anything out of the ordinary, and, by all means, this should be a complete victory from their side. Yet, that nagging feeling on the back of his head kept him from fully enjoying their victory.

It wasn't an issue with the crowds. Most of them were supportive of the Thieves, even if for the wrong reasons.

In addition, the impact they had left on the people was better than what he had expected. An art thief isn't exactly someone to whom the masses would pay too much attention. He wasn't Kaneshiro, and most people had no interaction with the art world. Yet, thanks to presenting this as an appetizer, the people were excited for the things to come.

By this point, he wasn't sure just how the people would react once Okumura was taken down. Would they become obsessed with the Thieves? How much control of the Metaverse would they have?

Letting out a sigh, he shook off the question. It wasn't something he would be able to answer any time soon, so he would simply focus on what was to come. Or, more importantly, on his small team meeting.

Futaba was busy dealing with the billboards. She had been waiting for Madarame to make his move, and thankfully, she had been home when the interview began to play. She managed to perfectly time their announcement to the public.

Mona, Shiho, Takemi, and Ryuji had all gone to the Metaverse to see if Mona's transformation had worked. Ren highly doubted Mona would be able to step out into the world as a Human, but at least he might finally be able to experience Humanity again in the Metaverse.

That is, if the announcement worked.

Following the flow of the crowd, Ren found himself near a quiet park in Kichijoji. The chatter and energy of the city faded as he approached, the serene backdrop of a lake coming into view. Ann was sitting on a bench overlooking the water, her posture relaxed but her expression thoughtful. She had positioned herself far enough from the crowds to ensure they wouldn't be overheard.

 Yusuke and Makoto were nowhere in sight, which meant they were running late.

Since Madarame's change of heart was so personal to Yusuke, he had wanted to bring Ann with him to try to reassure him. Makoto, on the other hand, had tagged along since the group with Mona was already big enough. 

Though, perhaps it was for the best for Makoto to have come with them. Along with Ann, she had seen the contents of the Will Seeds in Madarame's palace firsthand.

Sitting next to Ann, he flashed her a cheeky smile as he did his best to pretend to be clueless.

"Tsk tsk tsk, these darn Thieves. I was watching a good show when they had to hijack my TV. Now, I'll never know what happens to the Power Rangers." 

Ann let out a giggle as she heard him, rolling her eyes for a moment before clearing her throat and putting on an angry expression.

"I know, right? I went to the mall to buy some stuff, and my favorite store decided to sell a bunch of Thieves merch on my favorite isle. I bet they are just a bunch of kids messing around, but even then, people are giving them too much attention." Ann played along, greeting him with a smile. 

Ann's playful demeanor shifted slightly as something clicked in her mind, her expression lighting up with curiosity. 

"Do you think Mona was able to do it?" She asked, leaning forward on the bench. "I wonder what he looks like as a human."

"Should have. Wanna make bets on how he looks?" Ren asked. "My guess is black hair, blue eyes…. Yellow bandana?"

"Well, duh, that's just Mona." Ann said with a giggle before suddenly freezing. "Did they take clothes with them? What if Mona transforms but doesn't have any clothes?"

"He should have a Thieves outfit… no?" Ren tried to reassure her, not entirely sure himself. "Worst case scenario, he can just turn back into a cat."

Not long after they began to talk, they saw Makoto approaching them with a complicated expression as she showed them her phone.

"They've already taken it off the billboards." She said, her tone tinged with disappointment. "I called Futaba, and she told me she had to cut the broadcast earlier than planned. She didn't want to leave a trace that could lead back to her. Even if she manages to hack in again, they might just shut down the screens entirely next time."

"So they're catching on, huh?" Ann said with a frown.

"Maybe we shouldn't have used the billboards so soon after our last announcement. We could've saved them for something bigger." Makoto answered with a nod.

"Don't worry." Ren interjected with a reassuring smile. "Futaba and I have been brainstorming. We've got a few ideas in the works. Even if we lose the billboards, we'll have other ways to reach the public. It's not ready yet, but by the time we're done with our next target, it should be good to go."

"That's good to hear," Makoto whispered, collapsing onto the bench beside them. She let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping. "Still, I can't shake this feeling… am I the only one who thinks this is starting to feel like too much?"

"Really?" Ann asked with some surprise.

Makoto hesitated, running a hand through her hair as she chose her words carefully.

"Asking the people of Japan to place their trust in us… telling them that when no one else listens, we'll be there. It's a big promise." She answered.

"But isn't that the point?" Ann countered, tilting her head. "We're helping people. That's what we're here to do."

"I get that," Makoto said softly, her hands clenching into fists on her lap. "But there are so many requests on our site already, more than we can handle. What happens when even more people start relying on us? And what if someone doesn't get help because they're waiting for us, expecting us to save them… and we don't?"

Ren couldn't help but subconsciously nod as he heard her.

"People becoming complacent because of us…" Ren muttered, thinking for a few moments before speaking up. "Is that really our fault, though? It's also their responsibility to take care of themselves."

"Well…" Makoto began, her expression growing more complicated as she tried to come up with an answer.

Seeing her struggling to find the right words, Ren let out a faint smile.

"I get it." He told her. "Maybe we could have used better words, but you have to remember our mission. To stop the people behind the mental shutdowns, that's our priority. Once no one with bad intentions can enter the Metaverse, we can work on fixing the image we left on the public."

Makoto's expression softened further as she listened to Ren's words, falling silent for a moment before nodding. 

"I guess you're right. We'll have plenty of time to fix our mistakes in the future." Her lips curled into a small, thoughtful smile. "Are we still going to be Phantom Thieves once we finish our mission? I can picture myself solving cases no one else can by diving into Mementos."

Her smile widened slightly as a light laugh escaped her. 

"Who knows, maybe I'll become the next Detective Prince."

"Oooh, I can already see the drama with Akechi when you steal his title." Ann said with a chuckle. She leaned back on the bench, gazing up at the branches swaying gently above. "I like being a Phantom Thief, but I could definitely do without the constant life-or-death scenarios." She giggled, a hint of mischief in her voice. "Still, it's kind of surreal sometimes, isn't it? We're really doing something amazing."

Turning to look at Ren, Makoto couldn't hide her curious expression.

"What about you?" She asked with an expecting tone. "You'll still be our leader, right? I'm sure the world could use a few more Phantom Thieves heists, even after we beat the Antisocial Force."

"You know… I think I wouldn't mind retiring from the Thieves." Ren answered with a soft smile. "I enjoy it, and I can't imagine not doing it right now. But maybe it's worth seeing what life's like outside of it. I might help Sojiro with Leblanc for a bit, figure out what comes next after we finish all this."

Makoto and Ann's expressions both turned shocked as they heard him.

"But… you're our leader…" Makoto muttered. 

"I told you before, but I trust you. You would do a great job running the Thieves. You proved that already in Madarame's palace. That is if Miss Detective Prince isn't too busy." Ren added in a joking tone, causing Makoto to smile. "In the worst-case scenario, Mona can take over for a bit. He's got good instincts."

Makoto's surprised expression melted into a soft smile as she absorbed his words. Ann, however, wasted no time chiming in enthusiastically.

"I agree with Ren!" Ann said, practically bouncing in place. "You were awesome in the Museum. I'd happily be in your team for our next mission. You've totally got this!" She flashed Makoto a thumbs up.

Makoto glanced between the two of them, her smile growing wider as a flicker of determination sparked in her eyes. Their faith in her bolstered her confidence, and she straightened slightly, as if already stepping into the role they envisioned.

"Oh, I know!" Ann said suddenly, clapping her hands together. "Ren, do one of your Tarot thingies! Like what you did with Shiho. What's Mako supposed to be again? The Priestess, right?" Ann suggested with a smile as she grasped her necklace out of her shirt.

Following along, Makoto also pulled out the necklace Ann had bought her, which held the image of a woman in robes seated between two pillars.

"Tarot thingy?" Makoto asked, somewhat unsure.

"Yeah, he told me all about it before." Ann explained, her smile growing warmer. "That's his nerdy side. Even more than when he talks about psychology stuff."

Ren let out a chuckle as he shook his head. 

"The Priestess, eh?" Ren asked, looking at Makoto, his eyes glowing brighter as he looked at the floating card above her. "I don't think I should go on to a full explanation again right now, so I'll keep it short. The card represents a lot of things, but its main themes are intuition and inner wisdom."

"To trust your instincts…" Makoto muttered, her smile becoming softer as she thought back to all of the times Ren had reminded her of just that. And, ironically, just how much it had helped her.

"That's right," Ren said, his tone steady. "Just keep trusting your gut. It's gotten you this far, hasn't it?"

Just as Ren finished encouraging Makoto, the sound of footsteps approached, drawing his attention. Turning, he saw Yusuke walking toward them.

Unlike what Ren had anticipated, Yusuke didn't appear distressed, angry, or even sad. Instead, he looked… tired. 

"Yusuke!" Ann said warmly, standing up from the bench to greet him. "How are you feeling?"

Yusuke answered her with a smile, and then, with a confident tone, he answered.

"I… am uncertain." He replied, his tone calm but tinged with introspection. His expression shifted subtly as he searched for the right words, his brow furrowing in contemplation. After a pause, he shook his head and began to speak.

"I am glad." Yusuke began. "Madarame has finally admitted to his crimes, and thanks to it, he will finally be able to repent for his sins." Then, his expression became conflicted. 

"I am glad, in part." Yusuke said with a measured confidence. "Madarame has finally confessed to his crimes. At long last, he will face the consequences of his actions and begin to atone. Yet…" His voice wavered slightly, and his expression grew conflicted. "I cannot help but wish for a different world, a reality where he never faltered. A world where he remained the man I once admired, a mentor without ulterior motives."

"He used to be a good man…" Ann answered with a soft smile. "I saw it in him, on the first memory of the will seeds."

"I know." Yusuke replied, his eyes dimming for a moment before he shook his head resolutely. "But I promised myself I would not avert my gaze from the truth of his actions. The man my mentor once was… ceased to exist long ago. There is no need to comfort me." His tone, while somber, carried a quiet strength, as if he had come to terms with this truth despite its weight.

He stepped closer to the group, his posture relaxing slightly as he let out a soft chuckle. 

"And yet, I find myself at a crossroads." He admitted. "I have received several inquiries from prominent museums. They wish to showcase Humanity as their centerpiece, citing the controversy surrounding it as a point of fascination. My dream has come to fruition… but under circumstances I find almost unbearably ironic."

He paused, taking a moment to exhale deeply, the weariness in his movements mirrored in his voice. 

"Additionally, I received a message from Madarame last night. He has bequeathed everything to me, his estate, his assets, his collection. All that remains of his legacy is now mine to claim. Yet… I find the idea repugnant. It is wealth amassed through the stolen dreams of my peers. Everything about it feels tainted."

Ren, who had been listening intently, offered a suggestion. 

"You could return it." He said. "Accept the inheritance, sell the assets, and divide the profits among the victims. If you don't, the government might repossess everything and keep it for themselves." He paused, noticing the exhaustion etched into Yusuke's features. "But… it might be better to hire someone to handle the process for you. That way, you won't have to deal with it directly."

Yusuke regarded Ren's words, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the idea. 

"Your suggestion is pragmatic." he admitted. "And perhaps the most ethical course of action. Yet the thought of even momentarily holding something so profoundly tainted… it unsettles me."

Ann stepped closer, her expression earnest. 

"You wouldn't be keeping it for yourself, Yusuke." She said gently. "You'd be turning something awful into something good. Think of it as… restoring balance."

Yusuke's lips curved into a faint smile, though the melancholy in his eyes remained. 

"Restoring balance." He repeated softly. "A noble pursuit, if ever there was one. Very well… I shall consider it." He straightened, his voice steady as he added, "But for now, I must focus on what lies ahead. This decision will wait until I can confront it with a clearer mind."

"If you need help with anything, you can let me know." Makoto offered with an empathetic smile. "I saw what my sister had to go through when my dad died, and it's a lot. It's not something someone should go through on their own. I actually know a couple of good lawyers through my sister, so I can give you their number."

Ren watched from the side as Makoto stepped next to Yusuke, carefully giving him tips about how to deal with everything. Even Ren was left somewhat dumbfounded by how knowledgeable she was about the entire process. But maybe that was to be expected.

It was during the middle of their conversation that Yusuke's stomach growled, interrupting them as Makoto quickly took the lead to feed Yusuke.

~ Confidants ~

Makoto Nijima (The Priestess) Rank 7

~A/N~

Makoto do be the mom of the group. Maybe a bit early, but next chap will be the first dive into the palace. Or, well, it should be, lol. See ya all soon. Imma start writing it rn. Also, I didn't know what to title the chap lol.