Chapter Text
Akira thought that taking midterm would be easier the second time around, and in a way it was. Akira was much more prepared than last time, but it was hard to focus on it when the next day he was going to the exhibit by himself.
Morgana couldn’t even come with him since there was a chance they would notice. Akira thought it was a low chance since it didn’t happen last time, but when Ann mentioned Morgana could hang out with her, Morgana was gone.
Akira felt very out of place when he arrived. Everyone looked like the were dressed to show off how wealthy they were, even though anyone could buy a ticket. 20,000 yen was a lot, but not so much that someone who was a big fan of art or wanted to see what the deal with Madarame was wouldn’t save up for.
Or maybe Akira just had a very skewed idea of what was reasonable pocket money since that was the same amount he got from one Shadow hold up once.
Either way, Akira felt like everyone knew he didn’t belong, and did his best to not draw too much attention to himself. He really wanted to see if he could spot Yusuke, but even with his third eye no one popped out.
But a painting did.
Akira walked over to see a painting that looked familiar, like something he saw in Yusuke sketchbook or on the floor of his dorm room. Of course, like all the other painting in the gallery, it was signed by Madarame, but Akira knew it wasn’t made by him. Akira wonder if any of these paints were, or if Madarame was content on living on his pupils without even trying to make his own art.
Yusuke always would tell him how hard it was to separate him from art, to figure out what advice from his former teacher was beneficial and what was forever tainted. Akira alway felt like his advice wasn’t helpful, despite how often Yusuke could claim that it opened his eyes.
Looking at what was likely one of his last painting before his ‘slump’, Akira could help but think how much he prefer the painting he did in mementos to this.
Footsteps broke Akira out of his thoughts, and when he turned around, he was the one he was looking for, fingers out in a painfully familiar pose.
“You must turn your head to the wall, the lighting was exquisite!” Yusuke said as a greeting, and Akira had to keep from smile as he did what he was told.
He didn’t dear look, but heard the starched of pen on paper and Yusuke did a sketch of whatever got his muse working like this. Akira was more then ready to wait until Yusuke was done, but then he heard another set of footstep, much less rushed but also clearly heading right to them.
“Yusuke, I know you are eager, but you can not just have people model for you without at least properly introducing yourself first.”
Akira no loner felt like smiling.
“Ah, you’re right. My name is Yusuke, please stand still so I can continue my skeatch.”
“My apologies young man, my apprentice here gets a little too wrapped up in his art, I hope you don’t put it against him.”
“I don’t mind. I came here to see art,” Akira said as he tried his best to looked at Yusuke without moving too much.
He looked just as tall and gaggly as before. Still too thin, and Akira had the sudden urge to ask if he wanted to come back to Leblanc with him to have some curry.
“It’s always so nice to see younger people take an interesting traditional art like this. Are you a high school student as well?”
Akira did not want to talk to Madarame. As long as he was around, he couldn’t really talk to Yusuke, but he couldn’t look suspicious.
“I am. Second year.”
“Ah, same age as Yusuke then. How fortunate, he doesn’t have many friends his own age.”
And Akira wondered why that was. Definitely not because his guardian doesn’t let him do anything but art.
Thankfully before Akira could say any of his thoughts, someone called Madarame’s attention and he excused himself.
“…This just won’t do. I’m sorry for wasting your time like this. I was expecting the expression you wore would be enough to inspire my next work, but something is missing.”
Akira took that as permission to move, and he turned to look at Yusuke.
“What do you think is missing?”
“I’m not sure… I just was unable to capture it on paper,” Yusuke said, putting his sketchbook down and looking at him. “What were you thinking about before?”
“Not much, just that this painting reminded me of a friend.”
“A friend?” Yusuke asked, looking at the painting as well, “I have heard people remark of the emotions of this painting before, but not that. You have a interesting way of looking at the world.”
“I try, so you’re an artist?” Akira asked, and Yusuke talked about Madarame mostly, forcing Akira way from his own painting so he could show off the works of his mentor.
Once again, Akira wondered if these were painting by Madarame, or Yusuke just thought they were, not yet aware of how long his mentor has been plagiarizing his students works. Even with Madarame around, it felt familiar walking around with Yusuke listening to him talk about art. It wasn’t even a surprise when Yusuke stoped mid conversation to turn to Akira.
“I want to attempt to captured that expression you had before, would you be willing to model for me?”
“Sure,” Akira said without thinking, too use to Yusuke suddenly getting inspirations or getting Akira to do a weird pose and draw it out.
But then Akira remembered were he was when Yusuke asked for his number. It was a damper being reminded he didn’t not come just to help Yusuke with his art, but to take the first steps in dealing with Madarame.
“I really did like that painting,” Akira said as he put his phone back away, pointing to the piece Yusuke did.
“Sensei has a lot of different style, I’m surprised that one in particular grabbed your attention. It’s not as technically advance as some of the others.”
“It’s like you said before, about the emotions. That’s why it reminded me of my friend, he’s someone who followed his own heart even if it’s against the flow of others,” Akira said before thinking about how weird it was to talk about Yusuke to Yusuke like that.
But the blue hair boy nodded, like he understood what Akira was getting at.
“Yes, it can be frustrating when your own heart is at conflict with your world.”
Akira watched Yusuke as he looked at the piece. Yusuke looked away from what Madarame was doing, but he was never blind to it. Yusuke was too observant not to notice, but Madarame was someone he looked up to even if Akria wished it wasn’t the case.
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience,” Akira commented, and for a second it felt like when he was talking to Akechi, trying to figure out what was behind the mask he wore for the public.
But unlike Akechi, Yusuke agreed with Akira rather than try to deflect it back at him.
“Yes, I suppose I do. I hope we have time to talk again Kurusu, this has been a very enlightening conversation.”
The next day at school Akira told the others about what he knows, framing as nothing but suspicions of what Madarame was doing and treating Yusuke. He felt a little bad about lieing, but it was only how he got this information. What Madarame was doing was wrong and he needed to be stoped before Yusuke was tossed aside like his mother was and all the other former students.
“That is so f-ed up. This guy is just stealing from his students, claiming it’s his while they get nothing?” Ryuji complained, also pulling up a few comments from the phansite.
The one from Madarame’s formal pupil that they targeted in mementos. Ryuji and Morgana seemed on board, but Ann wasn’t saying anything, and Shiho kept looking between her and Akira.
“If we are still unsure, Yusuke asked me if we could meet up again, I could try asking more questions of what he thinks,” Akira told both girls.
“He has a palace,” Shiho said to Akria’s shock, “Doesn’t that mean he’s a bad person?”
Akira almost corrected her, before Morgana jumped in.
“Having a palace just means they have a distorted view on the world. There could be lots of reason for that, and doesn’t mean that they are harming other with their distortion. Kamoshida was, which is why removing it made him see the errors of his ways.”
“Enough that he killed himself in guilt,” Ann said in a matter of fact tone, but Akira could see the frown on her face.
“Yes, but I think we might lower that risk talking to their shadow more.”
In the end, Akira doesn’t feel like they are any more on board than before. He doesn’t really think they would be until going into the palace, which was what he suggested. They didn’t have time for all of them to visit until a few days later, but everyone except Ann showed up.
Akira let the three guess what the key words could be before suggesting museum. The palace looked the same, and Akira was able to lead them all the way to the locked area without too much trouble.
“We’ll have to change his cognition in the real world,” Morgana said, but there was no Ann to model for Yusuke this time.
Just Akira, meaning he had to leave Ryuji and Shiho alone in the metaverse while he distract Yusuke.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Akira asked the next day at their hangout, with Ann.
“Yeah! Shiho and I will be more than enough for the shadows. We’ll just wait until you get the doors open, then make sure it says open on the other side.”
Akira wasn’t sure. Shiho didn’t have any healing like Ann did, which meant that the two would be without any help outside of physical items. Not to mention the shadow were still stronger than the two.
“I wouldn’t mind doing some more training, Akira had to pull a lot of our weight in battle last time,” Shiho said, looking out at the city instead of any of them.
“Was it really that bad?” Ann asked, and Morgana took that to explain more of what they saw in the palace.
It only made Akira feel more worried about having Ryuji and Shiho in the palace without him. Enough so, that he suggested another change.
“Maybe Morgana should go with you two. I can pick the lock to the door, and I would feel better if you two had someone who can heal and watch out for shadows.”
Ryuji still thought they were fine, but Shiho agreed and Ann bulled Ryuji into agreeing as well. Morgana didn’t seem that happy about leaving him alone with Yusuke, but didn’t argue with Akira about it.
Akira thought it was a fine solution, but the bigger problem was that he wasn’t sure what Ann did to get Yusuke into the metaverse with her. He knew the major points of her stalling, Madarame coming home just as Morgana opened it, and them running into the metaverse to escape. But he never bother asking for more details.
Not to mention when he did arrived, Madarame was the one to open the door.
“Ah, Kurusu was it? Yusuke told me that you agreed to model for him today.”
Akira just nodded at the old man, not sure if it was better or worst he convince Morgana to go with the others. Having him there was going to make it harder to sneak past and unlock the door, but they also have to have him see the door unlocked to go any further in his palace.
Madarame didn’t seem to noticed Akira didn’t respond much, and just led him into the shack, commenting a bit about their humble living to avoid distractions of life.
Akira had the sudden urge to punch him for the hypocrisy.
“Yusuke, your friend has arrived.”
“Ah, thank you sensei. Come, the afternoon lighting will soon be at the right position to reenact your look at the gallery,” Yusuke said, grabbing Akira and dragging him into his room.
Akira let him even though a part of him froze when he was grabbed. He wasn’t in the metaverse, and while Madarame was a scumbag, the only danger he posted was calling the cops. Not that Akira wanted to deal with that again.
“Well, I leave you be, there is some erans I need to run.”
Akira watched Madarame leave the room that was somehow even worst than Yusuke’s dorm room. And Yusuke used most of it for a art studio. The room he was currently in wasn’t much different with paint and essays all over the place, but there was also not a lot of personal stuff either. Nothing on the walls, or night stand. Just unfinished painting and sketches filling a waste basket.
“That expression is close to the one you had the other day. Those there is still something missing,” Yusuke said as he sketched something down in large strokes.
It was too early to excuse himself to the bathroom, and honestly, Akira doesn’t think he would be able to pick the lock without Yusuke noticing. When means he would have to convince him.
“I was just thinking you don’t have a lot of personal items here,” Akira started off, already knowing it was best to be blunt with Yusuke.
“Sensei says that such material objects only distract us.”
“I can see that, but can’t it also be a source of inspiration?”
“Ah, like another work of art? I do have something like that but…”
Akira was pretty sure Yusuke was talking about the Sayuri. Him finding the truth of that would be all that would be needed for Yusuke to stop looking away. But how could Akira convince him to let him take a look?
“It one of my sensei pieces, but was stolen years ago. I still remember it when I was younger, and that memory is part of the reason I want to find my muse. My own masterpiece.”
“What did it look like?” Akira asked, and Yusuke went on and on like there wasn’t pictures online about what it truly looked like.
It was still different hearing Yusuke talk about it, and it was sickening that Madarame damaged the original to keep people from finding out the truth. Akira couldn’t stand hearing his friend talk praise about Madarame for it when it was really his own mother that he never knew.
“Are you sure it’s stolen?” Akira asked before he thought better of it, but the damage was done when Yusuke paused in his drawing.
“Yes. Sensei told me soon after it happened, it was a heavy blow.”
“Were you there?” Akria asked, wondering if there was some hole in the story he could try picking at.
“No, I don’t remember exactly when it happened. It must have been while I was sleeping years ago.”
“Them stealing it didn’t wake you up? Or any of Madarame’s other pupils.”
“No. They were expert thieves.”
“Were they? That seems a little weird that no one noticed until Madarame told you it was stolen.”
“I don’t understand what you are trying to imply Kurusu. You sound like you don’t think the Sayuri was stolen.”
Yusuke stoped drawing all together and was staring intently at Akria. It was starting to make him a little nervous having his full attention like that, but he kept going.
“What if it wasn’t?”
“What do you mean? Sensei said it was stolen years ago, if you saw someone with it, it was likely just a counterfeit.”
Akira was surprised by that. Either Yusuke was good at guess, or he saw one of Madarame’s counterfeits before. Maybe even with the man who told Yusuke it was nothing more than a counterfeit, not knowing that very man was the one to make it to be sold underground.
“What if he lied about it.”
“Sensei would never do such a thing!”
“Are you sure about that? Yusuke, I don’t know you that well, but I could tell that painting was made by you. And yet Madarame is claiming it, and countless others works as his own. If he’ll willing to do that, what he is he willing to do?” Akira challenged, and Yusuke looked conflicted for just a moment.
“That… No. You’re wrong. I will not hear you slander my sensei like that, You may take your leave!”
“What if I can prove it?” Akira said quickly before Yusuke could throw him out.
He didn’t know if Madarame would be back from his errane, but at this point Akira cared more about opening Yusuke eyes to the truth than getting that door open.
“How would you do such a thing?” Yusuke said, anger still in his voice, but Akira thought there was something else there too.
It was enough to let Yusuke stand by as he picked the locked to the room. The door with the same drawing as the locked path in the palace. While it was the first time Akira picked something in real life, it didn’t take him very long, and soon the door opened.
Then Yusuke turned on the light. When Ann told he it was filled with painting of the Sayuri, he figured it was like the puzzle in the palace. All with slight differences. But these were all the same. Akira couldn’t tell they were any different from the original expect for the cover up spot.
“What? This is…”
Akira walked further into the room as Yusuke talked about how there were counterfeits, excellent counterfeits that looked like they were copied from a reference.
“Yusuke.”
Akira didn’t even have to use his third eye to be draw to the only painting on a stand, covered with a sheet. He just kept his eyes on it even as Yusuke walked over to him, waiting a moment before pulling it off.
“That-! That’s the original! There is no doubt in my mind, but why would sensei do this?” Yusuke asked, and his voice broke a little like he was trying not to cry out.
“Yusuke, I’m sorry that Madarame wasn’t the man you that he was,” Akira said, unable to bring himself to answer the questions Yusuke had.
“I don’t understand. Why would he lie about the Sayuri? He told me the lost of the painting is what caused his block. There must be another reason!”
Akira wondered if it was a bad idea, as he pulled out his phone. Madarame wasn’t showing up, and he didn’t know when he would. He wasn’t sure if going into the palace from inside the room would get them to the other side, but…
“I can show you,” Akira said, pulling Yusuke out of his thoughts.
Yusuke walked over, and Akira thought about trying to explain it before figuring it would be better to just show him Madarame’s heart.
“Beging navigation.”
One thing Akira forgot about, was that last time Ann and Yusuke fell into the palace. Akira only had a moment to recognized they were falling before pulling out his grabbing hook, logging it into the celling, and grabbing Yusuke as it slowed their fall.
“What is this gaudy place?”
“It’s Madarame’s heart,” Akira said, explaining a little more about palaces and the metaverse as he looked for a way to open the giant doors that separated them from his friends.
They had to hide from a few shadows, but for how exhusted Yusuke already looked from just being in the metaverse for a few moments, he did a good job of following Akira’s lead.
Soon enough, they were able to get to what looked like a security room, and pressed a button.
“It’s opening!”
He heard Ryuji yell, and Akira smiled as he lead himself and Yusuke over to them.
“Wha- Joker?” Shiho asked even as Ryuji ran over to them.
“Oh so you did just open it from the other side? Didn’t want to wait for us to do it huh?” Ryuji lightly joked.
“Madarame wasn’t showing up, and I didn’t want to make you guys wait.”
“Well, as long as he knows that place is no long secure, it should stay open,” Morgana said before turning to Yusuke, “Huh? Why did you bring him here?!”
Akira introduced them to Yusuke, or at least tried to before shadows started showing up.
“Run!”
They ran back to the entrance, Akira keeping a close eye on Yusuke. Luckily, it didn’t take long to lose the shadows, and get back to sneaking around them. Then they got to the room with all the painting of the former pupils. It was worst seeing Yusuke react to them the second time, but it was needed. Yusuke was starting to see the lies for what they are, and the final straw was Madarame’s shadow stoping them.
Only, that didn’t happen. Madarame’s shadow never showed up to stop them, and they were able to leave the palace freely. Akira almost wanted to stay longer, to try and get Madarame’s attention, but Yusuke was fading fast. Akira forgot how quickly he got exhausted the first few times, and for as much as he wanted Yusuke to awaken to his persona, it wasn’t worth the risk.
As they reentered the real world, with Yusuke telling them he wanted to meet up again, Akira wondered what went wrong. Was it because Madarame didn’t see them? Was it because Akira didn’t react in the way Ann did?
There was just too many unknowns, and for a second Akira thought of trying to force a reset to fix it.
But there was no knowing if he would go back to the beginning of the year, or maybe even further back. And it wasn’t that bad. The palace was still there, so maybe he could get Yusuke to awaken later.
It will be fine.
The day after, Yusuke informed them that Madarame called the police to see who was responsible for the ‘brake in’. That he tried to explain the copies as just a way for an old man to pay the bills, to pay for Yusuke and any other artists. Akira just hoped that Yusuke didn’t push too much and lost a place to sleep before they could find something better. Last time they didn’t think much about that, but at least Akira could talk to Yusuke about getting ready to move back to the dorms.
The real start of the infiltration was much slower than Akira was use to. He wasn’t sure if it was missing a healer, or a spare party member, but the shadows just seemed must stronger than the others. Still no match for Akira now that he was able to resummon his old personas, but there was only so much he could do by himself.
Not to mention they were limited by their health and stamina.
Yusuke came in a few times, but only to the first safe room. He just wasn’t able to be in the palace without a persona as long as Ann or Ryuji pre-awakening. Akira was started to feel like, just with Ann, he somehow missed the chance for Yusuke to awaken.
A week passed, Akira had to alternant the days they went in. Getting his bonds back to where they were, and getting better equipment. Soon the extra money he got from the box was gone, and Akira was back to using shadow hold up once he got a reminder from Yoshida.
It was weird. They didn’t have a deadline, not really. Akira still was thinking of the end of the exhibit, but there wasn’t the treat of police being called. Ann and Shiho were still not 100% sure about changing Madarame heart, but after hearing from Yusuke what was really happening, they agreed they needed to do something. They did warn Yusuke about what happened with Kamoshida, but it didn’t stop them from exploring the palace.
Akira was planing on spending more time with Shiho, but between practice, exploring the palace, and meeting Maruki, there wasn’t a lot of time.
When they finally did meet, at a little cafe Shiho mentioned Ann taking her too, Akira spotted Shiho with a huge smile.
“Did something good happen?”
“I asked Ann out,” Shiho said with a bright smile that almost made her look like a different person.
It was so sudden since the last time they talked alone, Shiho was looking so exhausted after they explored the palace as well.
“Then are you two…”
“We’re dating. She’s my girlfriend,” Shiho said with a blush, “I don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner. You were right that I shouldn’t have kept thinking of what was best, or predicting what Ann would think or say.”
“That’s great, did you do it today?”
“Yesterday, I had another meeting with Maruki, and I just felt so much lighter afterwards. We didn’t even talk that much, but it was like all my worries were gone, and Ann was already waiting for me to finish up so… I just asked her. And she said yes.”
Akira listened as Shiho talked about their first date, wanting to feel happy for her but also feeling a little off. Last time they talked it felt like Shiho was too deep in her own thoughts to do anything like this. It was why Akira was planing on having her talk to some older queers so she wouldn’t feel so lost. But it seemed like it wasn’t needed. Akira even felt their bond increased even thought it felt like he didn’t do anything.
Akira turned the corner, then push himself against the wall.
“Hey! Careful!” Morgana grumbled, but Akira didn’t pay much attention since he only needed a moment as Makoto quickly walked by with a book in her face.
“You know that’s upside down, right?”
“Ah!” Makoto yelped and fumble with the book, “Ah? Yes. I did… I mean I didn’t noticed. Thank you for telling me, I need to be going now…”
“If you want to talk, I have some free time,” Akira said, only partly lying.
He had a bunch of unread texts in his phone, but he couldn’t do much with Makoto following him like this. Not that he really cared if she find him going to crossroads, but it might be a little too early with that.
Not to mention that he was starting to miss her. Going through Madarame palace without Yusuke and Ann was making Akira feel tense. Shiho was great, but some of her move would be more useful if they had someone who could deal technical damage.
“You do? That’s kind of you, but I really have to be going now,” Makoto said as she fled.
Akira frown a little as he watch her leave. He didn’t get why it was so much harder to talk to Makoto than it was Haru, but maybe that was because Makoto was too focus on investigating them.
Akira promised himself he would try again next time he noticed Makoto following him, and hope she was more willing to talk. Without blackmail to back her up.