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  April 9th, 8:10 am
   Manager's Office

  ---Music: Logic and Baroque ---

The first ten minutes of this interview have comprised of me sitting in increasing discomfort as the hiring manager in front of me silently reads over my paperwork. So far neither of us have said anything other than basic greetings, and I wait patiently for the conversation to begin properly.
"Kurusu-san, you have quite the work history," the man laughs in the sort of way that conveys cautionary politeness, "You've worked more jobs as a young adult than most work as adults."
"That's right. I have experience in many different environments."
"Your grades are top notch, as well. To be the top of your class is a matter of no small importance," he compliments.
"Thank you," I smile and nod.
"I have to ask, however: Kurusu-san, did you not have further aspirations to continue your education?" he inquires, "Most people I see with your marks are eager to pursue a specific field."
"I had considered it, but I've yet to find an institution which would be a proper fit for me."
The interviewer has a personable humanness to him, but gives off the impression that he knows when to be stern, and won't be a pushover underneath his well-mannered personality. I can tell by the air of seriousness that flows into the room that we're going to begin touching on more personal issues. "Would that perhaps have anything to do with your record?"
There's no avoiding it. I was anticipating the interview to cover subjects like this, so I answer calmly and truthfully.  "That's a possibility."
He seems almost disappointed. I get a strong sense that he is thinking that an applicant with a resume like mine would be perfect if not for the criminal record. "You seem to be a curious case, Kurusu-san. Though you had one incident expunged after being proven innocent, you seem to have accrued a number of other violations."
I sigh. "Yes."
"Unlawful entry, destruction of property, to name a few I see here," he lists, "Would you mind telling me about those circumstances?"
"That's a rather personal question," I deflect, "Forgive me for my rudeness."
His eyes return to the paperwork in front of him, which I assume are the public records listing my infractions. His eyes slowly widen a bit, and I assume he is looking at the dates of the crimes and considering the nature of the crimes. It shouldn't be too hard for anyone familiar with current events over the last few years to put two and two together and recognize who I am.

---Music: Suspicion ---

"Kurusu-san, are you perhaps the former leader of the 'Phantom Thieves?'" he asks with a bit of apprehension.
Given the group's reputation, this could go either way, really. I could be immediately turned down, or I could be viewed in even better standing. Despite being a technically criminal group, much of the public held high opinions of the Phantom Thieves and our vigilante justice. I can only hope the interviewer is part of the "Phandom."
"That's correct," I answer without hesitation. Now that he has figured out this much, there's no benefit to lying.
"I... see," he acknowledges, stopping to adjust his glasses and shuffle his papers to align them neatly.
The tension in the room is almost crushing for a few moments, before the interviewer speaks again. "I can't say I expected to ever have someone like you applying for a position here. It's noteworthy that, despite your crimes, you did help to convict Masayoshi Shido."
I nod my head.
"Well... there's a lot to be said here, but I will keep things brief, Kurusu-san," he explains. "While I do respect your actions, I do have to remain skeptical of your employability."
Figures.
"Your criminal history as well as your character remain questionable. And from my position, I have to examine whether or not having such a rebellious spirit as an employee would be in our company's best interest. Please understand."
I nod, being careful not to wear my disappointment openly. I had a feeling this interview would end like the others have.

---(Music End)---

  April 8th, 8:20 am
   Alfresco Cafe

  I certainly look different in formal wear. I didn't want to overdress, so I skipped the full suit look. Instead, I've gone with a white, long-sleeve button-up shirt, and smooth black pants. On top of the shirt, I've got a black vest, and I have a tie around my neck. All-in-all, I seem to resemble the bartender look; fitting, considering I worked at a bar once.
Either way, I'd say I've got "dress to impress" covered, so I must seem perfectly in place sitting at one of the tables on the patio of this outdoor cafe.
That's ironic, because I couldn't feel more like an outcast.

---Music: Interview Tragicomedy ---

  Sure, getting a gig at a bar or a convenient store as a high schooler was one thing, but it feels much harder as an adult trying to get a real career.
It doesn't help that I still have crimes listed in public records. When I was younger, I had assault charges wrongfully pressed on me, and that effected everything. Schools wouldn't accept me, people looked at me with fear or disdain, and other fun stuff like that. Makoto's sister Sae Niijima was able to clear my record, but it wasn't over for me yet.
The catch was, in order to convict a man named Masayoshi Shido, I had to testify against him. That required coming public with everything I ever did as a Phantom Thief. And, you guessed it, that all ended up as part of a new criminal record.
The fun doesn't stop there. Juvenile assault charges were one thing, but the new accusations stuck much harder. Some of them were deserved. As a Phantom Thief I wasn't exactly lawful in every sense, that's true. But the situation was complicated, and I could have been held accountable for a lot of things I didn't do. Sae barely got me acquitted on murder charges, so I narrowly escaped getting labeled as a killer, if that gives you an idea at how many things they tried to press on me.
More than anything else, the biggest change in my life was my identity becoming public knowledge. "Akira Kurusu" isn't exactly a household name, so I have some degree of privacy left, but the moment anyone finds out that I was "The Phantom," suddenly I'm a high-profile former criminal.
  The Phantom Thieves were a phenomena that gained international attention. For the longest time, I'm positive I was being shadowed by government agents. I think they finally gave up and left me alone after realizing I'm just living a normal life from now on. It's true, things have died down completely from two and a half years ago, but everything that happened still lingers over me, and to many people I still am The Phantom.
Not exactly easy to shake that image when trying to get hired at any respectable job.
And getting a higher education? Forget it. Shujin Academy barely accepted me, there's no way any college would.

---(Music End)---

  I eat my food silently in deep thought. At the very least, this cafe has a delicious menu, which is some consolation.
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and check to see who is texting me.
Looks like it's Makoto.

Makoto: Are you able to talk now?
Akira: Yeah.
Akira: What's up?
Makoto: I know we haven't talked a lot lately.
Makoto: And I apologize for not keeping in touch better...
Makoto: But, still, a lot about your current life is different than I expected.
Makoto: Are you really not going to school right now?

Ah. I can already feel the mood and see what she's getting at. She's always been studious, and back during my year in Shujin Academy, the two of us were the top of our respective classes when it came to grades and test results. Sometimes I felt like I did more studying than I did sleeping or eating... it's weird looking back to how hard I worked back then. Part of it was due to her, if I'm realistic. She was a great motivational coach, and always tried to help the group when it came to school work and exams.

Akira: I guess that comes as a shock to you.
Akira: I'm sorry too, for not being more open to you and the others.
Akira: There's a lot of transitioning going on right now, and I wasn't really steady enough to have a reason to tell you guys what was up.
Akira: Because even I don't know what's up, yet. Haven't gotten hired anywhere yet, so I'm still looking.
Makoto: It was kind of a shock to hear.
Makoto: I'm just... concerned, is all.

  ---Music: Confession Secret ---

Makoto: You were always such a go-getter, and you really inspired the team when it came to academics.
Makoto: How come you aren't pursuing that anymore?
Akira: Well.
Akira: I never did tell you guys about the repercussions of my testimony against Shido.
Akira: Anyone who glances through public record can easily find out that Akira Kurusu led the Phantom Thieves.
Makoto: What?!
Makoto: I thought those trials were behind closed doors!
Akira: Sae probably told you that so you wouldn't worry about me.
Akira: But yeah, the cat is out of the bag.
Akira: I don't think I could pursue education if I wanted to.
Akira: I barely expect to see any results from this job search, either. Just got rejected at the biggest company in my town because of my history.
Makoto: Akira...
Akira: It's ok. What's important is that none of your names got out. No one will ever know that any of you were related to the Phantom Thieves at all.
Makoto: That isn't right.
Makoto: It hurts to see you take the fall for everything yourself.
Makoto: But! Even still, you shouldn't be out of options.
Makoto: Why didn't you ask for help?
Makoto: You're friends with Haru, and that politician Tora. And Sae! You have tons of influential people who could help you get your life back on track!
Akira: I haven't really thought it through, myself.
Akira: Maybe I'm too restless from everything we've been through to want to sit down in classrooms again.
Akira: Maybe I'm just taking a break.
Akira: I plan to work where I can to build up funds, and maybe see where things go from there.
Akira: But, honestly.
Akira: Something in my gut tells me school isn't where I need to be at this point in time.
Akira: I feel like my path is going to go somewhere different.
Akira: I just don't know where yet.
Akira: Please don't tell the others about any of this. I don't want them losing sleep over me and my problems.
Makoto: ...
Akira: Please don't be like that, Makoto.
Makoto: I'm not upset. I'm rather calm. In fact, I'm actually smiling right now.
Akira: ?
Makoto: It's been so long since we've seen each other in person.
Makoto: I had almost forgotten what it feels like to hear you open up.
Makoto: You really are remarkable.
Akira: In what sense?
Makoto: Just, the way you handle life.
Makoto: I suppose it's natural for a convict to be the type of personality to just roll with the punches.
Akira: Low blow.
Makoto: Just teasing
Akira: :U
Makoto: But... if your heart is telling you where to go, I'm sure you're going to end up the right place.
Makoto: Your heart has always lead you the right way before, hasn't it?
Akira: That it has.
Akira: But, enough about this "convict."
Akira: How is police training going?
Makoto: It's really tough! All of the physical training is giving me a run for my money, if only because it's on top of all the studying I'm doing so I don't just get stuck as a basic officer.
Akira: Ah, that's right. You wanted to move up in law enforcement to being more of a supervision type, didn't you?
  Makoto: Yes.
Makoto: One person can't help everyone, no matter how good their intentions are.
Makoto: I only wish I could have been there to help my dad, when he was an officer. Maybe he would still be here...
Akira: Don't be ridiculous. There's no way that was your fault, you were just a kid.
Makoto: ...I miss him. It really hurts to think about.
Akira: Turn that into motivation.
Akira: Stay determined to never see an officer die again.
Akira: That's exactly why you're trying to move up the ladder, to be able to prevent that, right?
Makoto: Yep.
Makoto: It was by teamwork under strong leadership that we overcame that drug lord, and every other trial we've faced.
Makoto: Someone needs to be making the tough decisions and calling the right shots, and I would like to be that person.
Makoto: And to that end I'm going to keep rising up in the ranks until I can make chief.
Akira: I know you can do it!👍
Akira: I've got your back every step of the way.
  Makoto: The same to you.
Makoto: No matter what happens, I'll support any decisions you make 100%.
Akira: Thank you, Makoto.
Makoto: I've got some projects to work on now, but I promise we'll stay in touch a lot better from now on.
Akira: That's a good promise. Talk to you soon.

Turning off my phone, I realize I'm in a much better mood.
For the rest of the day, I really just walk around town reflecting. I drift in to a few more establishments, pick up a few more applications. Nothing spectacular.

---(Music End)---

  April 9th, 9:40 pm
   Akira Kurusu's Apartment

I tried to call it a night fairly early, and I did manage to nod off for about an hour or so, but I still feel restless. Something doesn't seem right.
I notice that my phone has been vibrating this entire time. This is probably what woke me up. It's not even that I'm being called, either. It seems that I'm getting text messages so fast that the vibration is nearly continuous. I rapidly open up my messages and see that my friend group chat is active again. There's already a good number of messages here, so I need to skim to catch up.

Makoto: Guys.
Makoto: I have really bad news.
Makoto: I just heard from my sister.
Makoto: There was a gun fight in the subways a little bit ago.
Makoto: Mishima-kun has been shot.

---Music: Tension ---

Oh my God. It's like I've been hit with a brick. Mishima? Shot? I feel light headed.
"Akira? What's going on?" Morgana asks in the middle of a yawn as he stretches.

Haru: Mishima...?
Yusuke: The overly enthusiastic fan of ours who runs that Phan-site.
Yusuke: How terrible!
Ryuji: No way...!! Who did this to him?! What happened!
Ann: This is awful... I had heard something had happened in the subways, but I didn't know what.
Ann: I feel sick just thinking about this.
Futaba: Gawd, this SUCKS. He's a pretty cool guy! A fellow denizen of the interwebs.
Futaba: Akira knew him pretty well. Where's Akira at?
Futaba: Akira? Helloooooo?
Ann: Is Mishima-kun going to be alright? What's his condition?
Makoto: He's unconscious at the hospital right now.
Makoto: He is expected to recover, but that isn't the biggest issue.
Makoto: Another person was shot and killed at the same time, and sis tells me they are trying to peg Mishima-kun as the murderer.
Ann: What??????
Ryuji: Eff that!! There's no way Mishima'd kill somebody!
Makoto: The trial is tomorrow morning. Sis thinks it's super fishy that things are being rushed so quickly, and how the news isn't covering it.
Haru: Surely your sister will take care of the trial, right? She is a defense attorney after all.
Makoto: She's busy with another case and can't defend him.
Yusuke: What a pitiable state of affairs.
Yusuke: He is incapacitated, yes? How will he be able to find a lawyer to help him, if not Sae?
Yusuke: Should we look for one ourselves?
Makoto: Apparently a famous lawyer from America happened to meet sis by chance and has offered to stand in Mishima-kun's defense.
Haru: How fortunate!
Ryuji: Is he any good? We can't just leave Mishima's fate in the hands of some random dude!
Makoto: If sis trusts him, I think we can too.
Futaba: Hmm... what's the lawyer's name?
Makoto: Phoenix Wright.
Futaba: And your sister already made contact with him?
Makoto: Yes.
Futaba: Did she get his phone number, by chance?
Makoto: I think so.
Futaba: Go ahead and send that to me. I'm going to do some research of my own on him.
Makoto: Hacking into someone's phone is, uh, still illegal, Futaba...
Futaba: Good thing nobody will find out
Akira: I'm sorry I'm sorry I was asleep.
Ryuji: At 9:30? Ok, grandpa...
Akira: I'm coming back to Tokyo. I'm going to buy a train ticket now.
Akira: I'm going to be there as soon as I can.
Futaba: Whoaaa! Akira's coming back!!
Yusuke: It's lamentable our long awaited reunion must come under such dire circumstances.
Akira: I've got to be there for Mishima, he needs all the support he can get at a time like this.
Akira: Damn it all.
Ann: What's wrong?
Akira: I forgot I live in Nowheresville. The last train in or out of here was at 9 pm.
Akira: I can't make it tonight.
Futaba: !!!
Akira: It'll have to be first thing in the morning. What time is Mishima's trial?
Makoto: 8:00 am.
Akira: God. There's no way I can be there in time.
Haru: If it's tomorrow, that should be enough time for me to arrange for a company train to come to your station when it opens.
Haru: That will help you beat the lines and guarantee you get here quickly.
Akira: Thanks Haru, you're the best!
Ann: I'm going to the hospital now. I'm going to tell Shiho about this as well and see if she can go too. Get some rest tonight, and know that we'll watch over him until you can get here.
Ryuji: You two are really close to Mishima, right?
Ann: He's been super supportive and just a great friend ever since he started trying to make amends with us for everything that happened in the past. He really is a genuinely good guy.
Ryuji: That's what I thought. I'll definitely repeat myself then, there's no way Mishima would kill anybody.
Yusuke: I guess there's not much for the rest of us to do except sleep on this, for the time being. How frustrating.
Akira: Seems like it. I just hope whoever that lawyer is can do a good job tomorrow.
Akira: The last thing I want is to show up in town and find out that he's already been ruled guilty.
Makoto: I'll do what I can to keep all of you informed.
Makoto: We'll talk tomorrow.
Ann: Alright.
Ryuji: K.
Haru: Goodnight everyone.

---(Music End)---

"Whoa... this is terrible..." Morgana murmurs in disbelief. I can tell he wants to talk more, but he recognizes that I'm rapidly falling back asleep, and curls back up in a sleeping position himself. There's nothing either of us can do until the morning.

  April 9th, ??? pm
   ???

As I dream, my thoughts almost cease, and I feel an inner peace not unlike a zen trance. I see myself in complete darkness. Little by little, a location seems to form around me within my dream, and I can tell I'm within a room of some sort. My vision is foggy, or perhaps the environment itself is just skewed and hard to comprehend. How fitting for the world within a dream to feel so distorted and dream-like... as if the very place I am in doesn't exist, or cannot exist. I can't make out a shape or a form of the place I am in, but I can see a rich blue color overtake the floor and the surroundings. Yet, there is still a vast, black emptiness expanding out in every direction, as if the blue features of where I stand are but a small bubble surrounded by a starless space. I see a man standing in front of me, with features and distinction much more recognizable than the translucent world around us. With his feet together, he stands with perfect posture, and holds his arms behind his back. He is lanky, and somewhat tall, and has a pointed nose. I recognize this man. I recognize the blue coloration around me. I even recognize the sound of the voice in my head as it sings a chilling, wordless elegy.

---Music: The Poem of Everyone's Souls ---

"Welcome, or should I say, welcome back..." the man speaks. His voice is light and carries a hint of whimsy which feels somewhat unsuited to his appearance. It isn't the voice I'm used to hearing, as it wasn't the voice I heard so many times in the past. But I can still tell, without a doubt, that it is the voice of the true owner of this Room.
He coughs and laughs a single time under his breath. "Either way. Welcome, to the Velvet Room," Igor greets me.
He takes one arm out from behind his back and pivots his body, extending that arm behind himself, giving me the full body gesture that he is inviting me to come forward. I comply, and to my surprise, Igor begins walking with me, side by side. As we walk, the atmosphere feels as uncertain and tempestuous as the surroundings.
"Normally you sit at a table, and your presence demands total respect and control, befitting of the master and host," I comment, "But with you joining me like this, it almost feels like you're a guest as well."
He chuckles, keeping even pace with my strides. "Perhaps you may be right. It's very fitting of your personality to make such an acute observation," he replies, "As you can tell by the unsightly state of affairs here, the Velvet Room is... unfinished, so to speak."
Surely enough, even as we continue walking, it feels as if we aren't going anywhere at all. The environment around us stays fixed and unmoving. It's as if the room surrounding us is linked to us, and follows us as we move on an endless walk through an otherwise endless void. "Unfinished?" I repeat for clarity.
He nods his head. "The Velvet Room is a place beyond time and space, a place deeply connected to the subconscious. Each time the Velvet Room has appeared, it has taken form dictated by the circumstance of heart of the guest invited into it. As you surely recall, your Velvet Room was a prison when you first entered it, and that Prison represented the constraint and powerlessness you felt locked by the whims of fate."
With his pointer finger and thumb extended, he raises one of his gloved hands to his chin and holds it pensively. "That it has appeared again, yet not taken an identity, is quite extraordinary."
"What does that mean for the Velvet Room? What would cause it to appear without a form?" I question.
"That, my friend, I do not know," he answers with surprisingly humble honesty. "While there is no doubt that you are once again a guest within this room, perhaps it is not entirely tethered to you at the moment. This is purely speculation on my part, but some other outside force may be having an effect on this room."
Now there's a thought I would have never considered. I had always thought the Velvet Room to be so deeply locked within the subconscious as to be an completely unabated reflection of the soul, and that only a true change of character would ever alter it.
"I thought my journey had ended," I speak openly from my thoughts, "For what purpose could I have returned here for?"
"Yet again, you ask the sharp questions so desperately in need of answers," he replies, before chuckling yet again. "You are an interesting conversational partner. I doubt your original warden was on speaking terms with you quite as open as we are now."
The memories he unearths bring me a mild smile. "The two of you were certainly just as cryptic," I joke.
"As per the duty of the post, I suppose," he acknowledges with his usual smile, "A journey would foster no personal growth if I or anyone else were to provide all of the answers."
The fantastic nature of the Velvet Room, and the sense of narrative it evokes, certainly align with what he says. "Even still, I believe the questions you ask will be answered by fate in due time, as they usually are. For you see, massive events are unfolding even as we speak."
I immediately think about the texting convo my friends had earlier. "Is the Metaverse back? Is someone abusing Cognitive Psience again?"
He closes his eyes contemplatively. "The Metaverse that you know is long gone, as are the dangers it created. Mental shutdowns, for instance, are no longer a worry."
As he pauses for a moment, he opens but one of his eyes, as if winking with the other. "Still, a new phenomena is unraveling into reality. I can feel the existence of a new world of cognition, but fractured and incomplete compared to the Metaverse you knew."
I can already notice a similarity to our current environment. "Is that perhaps having an effect on the state of this room?"
"Probably so!" Igor claps his hands, "I would not feel even the slightest surprise if that were the case. Cognition, the heart, and the soul aren't too far separated from one another, after all."
"This all seems very strange. It's as if I'm learning about this room for the first time," I admit.
"This seems to be a natural response. Even I don't know why, for what purpose, or what deeper meaning may lay in the nature of these changes."
It's so bizarre, seeing Igor as an equal, and as equally effected as I am by these strange occurrences.
"However, I am not entirely ignorant of what is transpiring around us," he grins with a chuckle, "And perhaps I may have some information which could be of use."
"Any information you can provide would be helpful and appreciated," I thank preemptively. "You're already being much more helpful than the other guy."
Igor laughs out loud, albeit softly. "Consider me to be the successor to the link you shared with the original Fool Arcana. Though not present conventionally, I did observe your journey. Whatever superficial bond you fostered with the impostor from before I shall certainly share, and I promise you a more earnest relationship than the last."
"Even still, you seem almost eager to assist me. It's just unexpected, is all," I explain.
He nods his head. "As a gracious host, it is my duty to lead a guest as their fate unravels. Their quest must be achieved through their own growth, and their own strength of will. For that to happen, I admit that my careful choice of words and cryptic riddles are usually deliberate. I'd even call it unprecedented for me to be so casual and open with a guest."
"However," he continues, leaning his head upward with sealed eyes, "There are two things you should know about me. The first is that I hate to be left in the dark. By the very nature of my being, I am to be an observer of the magnificent, grandiose events which surround the cherished guests of the Velvet Room. For there to be affairs and happenings unbeknownst to me, quite frankly, irritates me."
Even in irritation he never seems any less jovial than usual. "The second is that I am a proponent of fair treatment. Your first visit here had you tremendously disadvantaged by the world itself, and watching you surmount each and every obstacle was splendid. You overcame your fate fairly and justly. By the very essence of a journey, you met a well deserved conclusion. Yet here you are again, unexpectedly. These new events developing seem determined to once again thrust you in over you head into darkness, and in response I believe it fair to be a bit more helpful to you, if the opportunity arises."
Igor's smile feels warmer than usual. "Consider my extended cooperation to be one of the benefits for an alumni of the Velvet Room."
As we continue our stroll across infinity, I can start to recognize dimly visible shapes marking the sides of our path, scrolling past us as we walk by. I see... tools. The scent of freshly carved wood invades the air. The objects we pass gain more and more clarity the further we walk. I can see trees, houses... or the facsimiles of such, carved and created through handiwork. I see folded chairs, and papers strewn across the ground. Sandbags, attached to ropes, lay motionless on one side of our path, and slowly a single fixture becomes pervasive on the opposite side. Before I know it, the entire right side of the "room" is a deeply blue curtain stretching off into eternity in both directions.
"Ah," Igor speaks with brief amusement, "It seems I've been successful."
"What do you mean?"
"As we've walked and talked, I've been busy exerting my influence to the best of my ability, and in doing so have regained a measure of control over the Velvet Room--at least in part."
I'm certainly intrigued, and my expression invites him to explain more. "I was indeed correct in assuming that some strong influence is forcing change upon the Velvet Room. With my power as master of the room, I've discovered it possible to reclaim at least a small pocket of the Room, from which I can assure safety from whatever wild alterations happen outside of this area.
Another man appears, garbed in a blue which matches that of the Room itself. The man is dressed impressively and wears a hat, and his appearance gives off the impression of a bellboy. Igor seems to immediately recognize the man, and addresses him as such. "Theodore! What a pleasant surprise."
"Likewise, Master," he replies with a smile, "I was beginning to wonder what was going to happen to us! It's a relief to see you once more."
"And what is that you hold in your hand?" Igor asks politely.
Theodore hands his master a letter with the name "Igor" garnishing the envelope, and with an intricate wax seal. "I'm not sure. It was addressed to you, Master. I as well received a letter just like it, as did the others."
A thought pops into my head. "Is Lavenza here, too?"
"Undoubtedly," Igor confirms, "I have a feeling that the scope of faces you shall meet will be quite grand. Call it intuition."
Igor points his finger and, as if it were knife, cleanly slices a straight through the top of the envelop to open it. "Let's see what this is about, now."

  "Esteemed Patron,

  It is with great pleasure and honor that I may invite you to a new spectacle. I promise to entertain one and all with the most grand performance in history, with the very World as its stage. To these ends, I wish to formally thank you for providing the seating and housing for this event. I do hope that the play is to your liking.
Thank you, and enjoy the show,

The Director"

  "Hmm..." Theodore hums, looking over Igor's shoulder and reading the letter with him, and keeping pace with our walk. "It's unsigned, just like mine. Who could have possibly written this?"
What starts a single "heh," becomes a hearty "ha," and then quickly evolves into a fit of cackling from Igor. "How interesting! It seems that we ourselves have been challenged," he reasons.
"What... do you mean?" Theo asks.
"It is strictly impossible for anyone to have deliberately written this to us. There is no natural way to reach this room, outside of time and space, in such a manner... without my consent, at least. These invitations must be manifestations born from someone's subconscious. It seems I was correct in my assumptions: someone else is in control of the Velvet Room at large, even if they do not know it."
Theodore, and myself, are completely shocked. "H-How is that possible, Master?!"
"This is insane..." I gasp.
Igor folds the paper and carefully slides it back into its envelope. "It seems to be that someone has such a powerful charisma and conviction that even the Velvet Room is being effected by the reverberations of this person's actions. I do not believe these letters were deliberately written by anyone in particular, so much as they are manifestation of someone's will. Their confidence is so strong that they are daring anyone to stand in their way, including even we the inhabitants of this Room, and that challenge took shape in the form of these invitations."
Igor claps his hands for a solid few moments. "Marvelous, simply marvelous. At the very least, we will be entertained."
He then turns to look directly at me, making very serious eye contact, but still grinning eerily. "Allow me to make good on my promise to aid you with information. My discovers so far are thus: someone is in control of the Velvet Room, that much is certain. Through that reasoning, as well as the wording of the letter, we can assume this person is immensely powerful. If we invoke the familiar imagery of the Metaverse, then we could assume that, if this person were to have a palace, it would be the entire world--so great is their distortion and ambition. Through this distorted cognition, the entire world is a performance to be written and directed as they see fit. A play on the world stage, if you will."
"And yet there are more conclusions I can draw through this reasoning," Igor continues, "Chiefly, that this person likely has ties to the last Arcana that even you yourself weren't given the opportunity to fully master. The only Arcana powerful enough to warp the Velvet Room itself must certainly be that of The World. And with that power, they perhaps have the means and the will to reshape cognition, or even reality, itself."
I remember distinctly that Lavenza gifted me this Arcana right before I left Tokyo, so this is a big shock. "Do I not have control over that myself?"
"Perhaps not," Igor explains, "I will research these matters and return to you with a more thorough analysis in time."
"What would we even be able to do in the face of such an opponent?" I question with urgency backing my words, "Can I even use Persona without the Metaverse?"
"That, I do not know," Igor shakes his head, "In theory the power should still be in your heart, as you are one who has conquered himself. And, there is proof to be seen that you still carry your rebellious spirit. That you are here at all is proof enough."
Igor finally stops walking, and so do I. "If my assumptions are correct, this is a sign that a Trickster is once again the only one with the ability to stand up and face up against such a frightening and dangerous power. How about it, Trickster? Are you willing to sign one more contract?" he offers.
I'm more than ready to agree.
  "Excellent," Igor lightly celebrates, "Then the contract is sealed. It's truly remarkable to have a guest form a contract twice. I look forward to working with you."
He clears his throat and dusts off his hand as he moves to his next point of discussion. "As you know quite well, a Trickster alone is not enough. It is through bonds and alliances that you can unlock your true power, and stand up against this new threat."
I understand, and nod accordingly.
"But, I must return to my intuition from earlier. I believe you will meet many new faces. I even sense that there is one in particular who may share in the same burden and responsibility as you."
Now there's the biggest surprise yet. "Are you saying there's another Trickster?"
Igor smirks. "I'm uncertain, at the moment. Let us simply agree to not be surprised if the Velvet Room opens up to a guest other than yourself in the near future."
"Speaking of the Velvet Room..." I say, rolling back the conversation a bit, "Am I at the mercy of the one controlling it, like I was the last time?"
Igor shakes his head. "That is not entirely so. I am very much uninhibited this time, and you can surely count on my assistance. I've even established a foothold within this small corner of the Room, which will serve to resist the outside change, and house us safely as we form our strategy from hereon."
As a demonstration of his power and control, a table materializes in front of Igor, as does a chair behind him, at which he takes a seat.
Leaning his elbows against the table, Igor folds his hands together just under his chin, in his most iconic pose. "If this new opponent wishes a performance on the world stage, than we shall act from a place just beyond the stage... from henceforth, this pocket shall be called the 'Backstage,'" he christens. "Charming, isn't it?"
"Theodore, go fetch the others. There is much to discuss," Igor finally finishes.
"Right away, Master!" the assistant agrees.
"Go now, Trickster; awaken and return to your own world. We will meet again, that much I promise."
My vision glows brightly, and everything is slowly obscured and totally replaced with bright white light.

---(Music End)---

  April 10th, 7:00 am
   Akira Kurusu's Apartment

  ---Music: Investigation ~ Core 2001 ---

Morgana and I wake up at about the same time. "Well, let's get a move on," he exclaims with determination. In a matter of moments, I'm dressed and out the door with a backpack and a side bag full of my belongings. Morgana hops into the backpack comfortably, and we're out the door and towards the train station.
I text Haru to ask about the train ride she offered me.

Akira: Morning, Haru.
Haru: Oh, hello!
Akira: About what time will that company train arrive?
Haru: The earliest I could schedule was 7:45.
Haru: I'm sorry. You probably won't make it to Tokyo in time for the trial.
Akira: Damn.
Haru: But we will all be there supporting Mishima, I can promise you that.
Akira: You guys are the greatest friends, really.
Akira: I'll leave it up to you guys, then. I'll be in the city as soon as I can.
Haru: Understood! Safe travels, Akira.
Akira: Thanks again!

Well, this all fell apart rather quickly. But at least I'll be there for Mishima after the fact, regardless of the outcome. I can only pray this foreign lawyer is worth half the salt Sae is. I hope this Phoenix guy knows what he's doing.

  To be continued...

  ---(Music End)---

  ---Music: Victory ---

Would you like to save your game?

    Yes No

:) (Smile) — Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

  April 9th, 8:10 am
   Manager's Office

  ---Music: Logic and Baroque ---

The first ten minutes of this interview have comprised of me sitting in increasing discomfort as the hiring manager in front of me silently reads over my paperwork. So far neither of us have said anything other than basic greetings, and I wait patiently for the conversation to begin properly.
"Kurusu-san, you have quite the work history," the man laughs in the sort of way that conveys cautionary politeness, "You've worked more jobs as a young adult than most work as adults."
"That's right. I have experience in many different environments."
"Your grades are top notch, as well. To be the top of your class is a matter of no small importance," he compliments.
"Thank you," I smile and nod.
"I have to ask, however: Kurusu-san, did you not have further aspirations to continue your education?" he inquires, "Most people I see with your marks are eager to pursue a specific field."
"I had considered it, but I've yet to find an institution which would be a proper fit for me."
The interviewer has a personable humanness to him, but gives off the impression that he knows when to be stern, and won't be a pushover underneath his well-mannered personality. I can tell by the air of seriousness that flows into the room that we're going to begin touching on more personal issues. "Would that perhaps have anything to do with your record?"
There's no avoiding it. I was anticipating the interview to cover subjects like this, so I answer calmly and truthfully.  "That's a possibility."
He seems almost disappointed. I get a strong sense that he is thinking that an applicant with a resume like mine would be perfect if not for the criminal record. "You seem to be a curious case, Kurusu-san. Though you had one incident expunged after being proven innocent, you seem to have accrued a number of other violations."
I sigh. "Yes."
"Unlawful entry, destruction of property, to name a few I see here," he lists, "Would you mind telling me about those circumstances?"
"That's a rather personal question," I deflect, "Forgive me for my rudeness."
His eyes return to the paperwork in front of him, which I assume are the public records listing my infractions. His eyes slowly widen a bit, and I assume he is looking at the dates of the crimes and considering the nature of the crimes. It shouldn't be too hard for anyone familiar with current events over the last few years to put two and two together and recognize who I am.

---Music: Suspicion ---

"Kurusu-san, are you perhaps the former leader of the 'Phantom Thieves?'" he asks with a bit of apprehension.
Given the group's reputation, this could go either way, really. I could be immediately turned down, or I could be viewed in even better standing. Despite being a technically criminal group, much of the public held high opinions of the Phantom Thieves and our vigilante justice. I can only hope the interviewer is part of the "Phandom."
"That's correct," I answer without hesitation. Now that he has figured out this much, there's no benefit to lying.
"I... see," he acknowledges, stopping to adjust his glasses and shuffle his papers to align them neatly.
The tension in the room is almost crushing for a few moments, before the interviewer speaks again. "I can't say I expected to ever have someone like you applying for a position here. It's noteworthy that, despite your crimes, you did help to convict Masayoshi Shido."
I nod my head.
"Well... there's a lot to be said here, but I will keep things brief, Kurusu-san," he explains. "While I do respect your actions, I do have to remain skeptical of your employability."
Figures.
"Your criminal history as well as your character remain questionable. And from my position, I have to examine whether or not having such a rebellious spirit as an employee would be in our company's best interest. Please understand."
I nod, being careful not to wear my disappointment openly. I had a feeling this interview would end like the others have.

---(Music End)---

  April 8th, 8:20 am
   Alfresco Cafe

  I certainly look different in formal wear. I didn't want to overdress, so I skipped the full suit look. Instead, I've gone with a white, long-sleeve button-up shirt, and smooth black pants. On top of the shirt, I've got a black vest, and I have a tie around my neck. All-in-all, I seem to resemble the bartender look; fitting, considering I worked at a bar once.
Either way, I'd say I've got "dress to impress" covered, so I must seem perfectly in place sitting at one of the tables on the patio of this outdoor cafe.
That's ironic, because I couldn't feel more like an outcast.

---Music: Interview Tragicomedy ---

  Sure, getting a gig at a bar or a convenient store as a high schooler was one thing, but it feels much harder as an adult trying to get a real career.
It doesn't help that I still have crimes listed in public records. When I was younger, I had assault charges wrongfully pressed on me, and that effected everything. Schools wouldn't accept me, people looked at me with fear or disdain, and other fun stuff like that. Makoto's sister Sae Niijima was able to clear my record, but it wasn't over for me yet.
The catch was, in order to convict a man named Masayoshi Shido, I had to testify against him. That required coming public with everything I ever did as a Phantom Thief. And, you guessed it, that all ended up as part of a new criminal record.
The fun doesn't stop there. Juvenile assault charges were one thing, but the new accusations stuck much harder. Some of them were deserved. As a Phantom Thief I wasn't exactly lawful in every sense, that's true. But the situation was complicated, and I could have been held accountable for a lot of things I didn't do. Sae barely got me acquitted on murder charges, so I narrowly escaped getting labeled as a killer, if that gives you an idea at how many things they tried to press on me.
More than anything else, the biggest change in my life was my identity becoming public knowledge. "Akira Kurusu" isn't exactly a household name, so I have some degree of privacy left, but the moment anyone finds out that I was "The Phantom," suddenly I'm a high-profile former criminal.
  The Phantom Thieves were a phenomena that gained international attention. For the longest time, I'm positive I was being shadowed by government agents. I think they finally gave up and left me alone after realizing I'm just living a normal life from now on. It's true, things have died down completely from two and a half years ago, but everything that happened still lingers over me, and to many people I still am The Phantom.
Not exactly easy to shake that image when trying to get hired at any respectable job.
And getting a higher education? Forget it. Shujin Academy barely accepted me, there's no way any college would.

---(Music End)---

  I eat my food silently in deep thought. At the very least, this cafe has a delicious menu, which is some consolation.
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, and check to see who is texting me.
Looks like it's Makoto.

Makoto: Are you able to talk now?
Akira: Yeah.
Akira: What's up?
Makoto: I know we haven't talked a lot lately.
Makoto: And I apologize for not keeping in touch better...
Makoto: But, still, a lot about your current life is different than I expected.
Makoto: Are you really not going to school right now?

Ah. I can already feel the mood and see what she's getting at. She's always been studious, and back during my year in Shujin Academy, the two of us were the top of our respective classes when it came to grades and test results. Sometimes I felt like I did more studying than I did sleeping or eating... it's weird looking back to how hard I worked back then. Part of it was due to her, if I'm realistic. She was a great motivational coach, and always tried to help the group when it came to school work and exams.

Akira: I guess that comes as a shock to you.
Akira: I'm sorry too, for not being more open to you and the others.
Akira: There's a lot of transitioning going on right now, and I wasn't really steady enough to have a reason to tell you guys what was up.
Akira: Because even I don't know what's up, yet. Haven't gotten hired anywhere yet, so I'm still looking.
Makoto: It was kind of a shock to hear.
Makoto: I'm just... concerned, is all.

  ---Music: Confession Secret ---

Makoto: You were always such a go-getter, and you really inspired the team when it came to academics.
Makoto: How come you aren't pursuing that anymore?
Akira: Well.
Akira: I never did tell you guys about the repercussions of my testimony against Shido.
Akira: Anyone who glances through public record can easily find out that Akira Kurusu led the Phantom Thieves.
Makoto: What?!
Makoto: I thought those trials were behind closed doors!
Akira: Sae probably told you that so you wouldn't worry about me.
Akira: But yeah, the cat is out of the bag.
Akira: I don't think I could pursue education if I wanted to.
Akira: I barely expect to see any results from this job search, either. Just got rejected at the biggest company in my town because of my history.
Makoto: Akira...
Akira: It's ok. What's important is that none of your names got out. No one will ever know that any of you were related to the Phantom Thieves at all.
Makoto: That isn't right.
Makoto: It hurts to see you take the fall for everything yourself.
Makoto: But! Even still, you shouldn't be out of options.
Makoto: Why didn't you ask for help?
Makoto: You're friends with Haru, and that politician Tora. And Sae! You have tons of influential people who could help you get your life back on track!
Akira: I haven't really thought it through, myself.
Akira: Maybe I'm too restless from everything we've been through to want to sit down in classrooms again.
Akira: Maybe I'm just taking a break.
Akira: I plan to work where I can to build up funds, and maybe see where things go from there.
Akira: But, honestly.
Akira: Something in my gut tells me school isn't where I need to be at this point in time.
Akira: I feel like my path is going to go somewhere different.
Akira: I just don't know where yet.
Akira: Please don't tell the others about any of this. I don't want them losing sleep over me and my problems.
Makoto: ...
Akira: Please don't be like that, Makoto.
Makoto: I'm not upset. I'm rather calm. In fact, I'm actually smiling right now.
Akira: ?
Makoto: It's been so long since we've seen each other in person.
Makoto: I had almost forgotten what it feels like to hear you open up.
Makoto: You really are remarkable.
Akira: In what sense?
Makoto: Just, the way you handle life.
Makoto: I suppose it's natural for a convict to be the type of personality to just roll with the punches.
Akira: Low blow.
Makoto: Just teasing
Akira: :U
Makoto: But... if your heart is telling you where to go, I'm sure you're going to end up the right place.
Makoto: Your heart has always lead you the right way before, hasn't it?
Akira: That it has.
Akira: But, enough about this "convict."
Akira: How is police training going?
Makoto: It's really tough! All of the physical training is giving me a run for my money, if only because it's on top of all the studying I'm doing so I don't just get stuck as a basic officer.
Akira: Ah, that's right. You wanted to move up in law enforcement to being more of a supervision type, didn't you?
  Makoto: Yes.
Makoto: One person can't help everyone, no matter how good their intentions are.
Makoto: I only wish I could have been there to help my dad, when he was an officer. Maybe he would still be here...
Akira: Don't be ridiculous. There's no way that was your fault, you were just a kid.
Makoto: ...I miss him. It really hurts to think about.
Akira: Turn that into motivation.
Akira: Stay determined to never see an officer die again.
Akira: That's exactly why you're trying to move up the ladder, to be able to prevent that, right?
Makoto: Yep.
Makoto: It was by teamwork under strong leadership that we overcame that drug lord, and every other trial we've faced.
Makoto: Someone needs to be making the tough decisions and calling the right shots, and I would like to be that person.
Makoto: And to that end I'm going to keep rising up in the ranks until I can make chief.
Akira: I know you can do it!👍
Akira: I've got your back every step of the way.
  Makoto: The same to you.
Makoto: No matter what happens, I'll support any decisions you make 100%.
Akira: Thank you, Makoto.
Makoto: I've got some projects to work on now, but I promise we'll stay in touch a lot better from now on.
Akira: That's a good promise. Talk to you soon.

Turning off my phone, I realize I'm in a much better mood.
For the rest of the day, I really just walk around town reflecting. I drift in to a few more establishments, pick up a few more applications. Nothing spectacular.

---(Music End)---

  April 9th, 9:40 pm
   Akira Kurusu's Apartment

I tried to call it a night fairly early, and I did manage to nod off for about an hour or so, but I still feel restless. Something doesn't seem right.
I notice that my phone has been vibrating this entire time. This is probably what woke me up. It's not even that I'm being called, either. It seems that I'm getting text messages so fast that the vibration is nearly continuous. I rapidly open up my messages and see that my friend group chat is active again. There's already a good number of messages here, so I need to skim to catch up.

Makoto: Guys.
Makoto: I have really bad news.
Makoto: I just heard from my sister.
Makoto: There was a gun fight in the subways a little bit ago.
Makoto: Mishima-kun has been shot.

---Music: Tension ---

Oh my God. It's like I've been hit with a brick. Mishima? Shot? I feel light headed.
"Akira? What's going on?" Morgana asks in the middle of a yawn as he stretches.

Haru: Mishima...?
Yusuke: The overly enthusiastic fan of ours who runs that Phan-site.
Yusuke: How terrible!
Ryuji: No way...!! Who did this to him?! What happened!
Ann: This is awful... I had heard something had happened in the subways, but I didn't know what.
Ann: I feel sick just thinking about this.
Futaba: Gawd, this SUCKS. He's a pretty cool guy! A fellow denizen of the interwebs.
Futaba: Akira knew him pretty well. Where's Akira at?
Futaba: Akira? Helloooooo?
Ann: Is Mishima-kun going to be alright? What's his condition?
Makoto: He's unconscious at the hospital right now.
Makoto: He is expected to recover, but that isn't the biggest issue.
Makoto: Another person was shot and killed at the same time, and sis tells me they are trying to peg Mishima-kun as the murderer.
Ann: What??????
Ryuji: Eff that!! There's no way Mishima'd kill somebody!
Makoto: The trial is tomorrow morning. Sis thinks it's super fishy that things are being rushed so quickly, and how the news isn't covering it.
Haru: Surely your sister will take care of the trial, right? She is a defense attorney after all.
Makoto: She's busy with another case and can't defend him.
Yusuke: What a pitiable state of affairs.
Yusuke: He is incapacitated, yes? How will he be able to find a lawyer to help him, if not Sae?
Yusuke: Should we look for one ourselves?
Makoto: Apparently a famous lawyer from America happened to meet sis by chance and has offered to stand in Mishima-kun's defense.
Haru: How fortunate!
Ryuji: Is he any good? We can't just leave Mishima's fate in the hands of some random dude!
Makoto: If sis trusts him, I think we can too.
Futaba: Hmm... what's the lawyer's name?
Makoto: Phoenix Wright.
Futaba: And your sister already made contact with him?
Makoto: Yes.
Futaba: Did she get his phone number, by chance?
Makoto: I think so.
Futaba: Go ahead and send that to me. I'm going to do some research of my own on him.
Makoto: Hacking into someone's phone is, uh, still illegal, Futaba...
Futaba: Good thing nobody will find out
Akira: I'm sorry I'm sorry I was asleep.
Ryuji: At 9:30? Ok, grandpa...
Akira: I'm coming back to Tokyo. I'm going to buy a train ticket now.
Akira: I'm going to be there as soon as I can.
Futaba: Whoaaa! Akira's coming back!!
Yusuke: It's lamentable our long awaited reunion must come under such dire circumstances.
Akira: I've got to be there for Mishima, he needs all the support he can get at a time like this.
Akira: Damn it all.
Ann: What's wrong?
Akira: I forgot I live in Nowheresville. The last train in or out of here was at 9 pm.
Akira: I can't make it tonight.
Futaba: !!!
Akira: It'll have to be first thing in the morning. What time is Mishima's trial?
Makoto: 8:00 am.
Akira: God. There's no way I can be there in time.
Haru: If it's tomorrow, that should be enough time for me to arrange for a company train to come to your station when it opens.
Haru: That will help you beat the lines and guarantee you get here quickly.
Akira: Thanks Haru, you're the best!
Ann: I'm going to the hospital now. I'm going to tell Shiho about this as well and see if she can go too. Get some rest tonight, and know that we'll watch over him until you can get here.
Ryuji: You two are really close to Mishima, right?
Ann: He's been super supportive and just a great friend ever since he started trying to make amends with us for everything that happened in the past. He really is a genuinely good guy.
Ryuji: That's what I thought. I'll definitely repeat myself then, there's no way Mishima would kill anybody.
Yusuke: I guess there's not much for the rest of us to do except sleep on this, for the time being. How frustrating.
Akira: Seems like it. I just hope whoever that lawyer is can do a good job tomorrow.
Akira: The last thing I want is to show up in town and find out that he's already been ruled guilty.
Makoto: I'll do what I can to keep all of you informed.
Makoto: We'll talk tomorrow.
Ann: Alright.
Ryuji: K.
Haru: Goodnight everyone.

---(Music End)---

"Whoa... this is terrible..." Morgana murmurs in disbelief. I can tell he wants to talk more, but he recognizes that I'm rapidly falling back asleep, and curls back up in a sleeping position himself. There's nothing either of us can do until the morning.

  April 9th, ??? pm
   ???

As I dream, my thoughts almost cease, and I feel an inner peace not unlike a zen trance. I see myself in complete darkness. Little by little, a location seems to form around me within my dream, and I can tell I'm within a room of some sort. My vision is foggy, or perhaps the environment itself is just skewed and hard to comprehend. How fitting for the world within a dream to feel so distorted and dream-like... as if the very place I am in doesn't exist, or cannot exist. I can't make out a shape or a form of the place I am in, but I can see a rich blue color overtake the floor and the surroundings. Yet, there is still a vast, black emptiness expanding out in every direction, as if the blue features of where I stand are but a small bubble surrounded by a starless space. I see a man standing in front of me, with features and distinction much more recognizable than the translucent world around us. With his feet together, he stands with perfect posture, and holds his arms behind his back. He is lanky, and somewhat tall, and has a pointed nose. I recognize this man. I recognize the blue coloration around me. I even recognize the sound of the voice in my head as it sings a chilling, wordless elegy.

---Music: The Poem of Everyone's Souls ---

"Welcome, or should I say, welcome back..." the man speaks. His voice is light and carries a hint of whimsy which feels somewhat unsuited to his appearance. It isn't the voice I'm used to hearing, as it wasn't the voice I heard so many times in the past. But I can still tell, without a doubt, that it is the voice of the true owner of this Room.
He coughs and laughs a single time under his breath. "Either way. Welcome, to the Velvet Room," Igor greets me.
He takes one arm out from behind his back and pivots his body, extending that arm behind himself, giving me the full body gesture that he is inviting me to come forward. I comply, and to my surprise, Igor begins walking with me, side by side. As we walk, the atmosphere feels as uncertain and tempestuous as the surroundings.
"Normally you sit at a table, and your presence demands total respect and control, befitting of the master and host," I comment, "But with you joining me like this, it almost feels like you're a guest as well."
He chuckles, keeping even pace with my strides. "Perhaps you may be right. It's very fitting of your personality to make such an acute observation," he replies, "As you can tell by the unsightly state of affairs here, the Velvet Room is... unfinished, so to speak."
Surely enough, even as we continue walking, it feels as if we aren't going anywhere at all. The environment around us stays fixed and unmoving. It's as if the room surrounding us is linked to us, and follows us as we move on an endless walk through an otherwise endless void. "Unfinished?" I repeat for clarity.
He nods his head. "The Velvet Room is a place beyond time and space, a place deeply connected to the subconscious. Each time the Velvet Room has appeared, it has taken form dictated by the circumstance of heart of the guest invited into it. As you surely recall, your Velvet Room was a prison when you first entered it, and that Prison represented the constraint and powerlessness you felt locked by the whims of fate."
With his pointer finger and thumb extended, he raises one of his gloved hands to his chin and holds it pensively. "That it has appeared again, yet not taken an identity, is quite extraordinary."
"What does that mean for the Velvet Room? What would cause it to appear without a form?" I question.
"That, my friend, I do not know," he answers with surprisingly humble honesty. "While there is no doubt that you are once again a guest within this room, perhaps it is not entirely tethered to you at the moment. This is purely speculation on my part, but some other outside force may be having an effect on this room."
Now there's a thought I would have never considered. I had always thought the Velvet Room to be so deeply locked within the subconscious as to be an completely unabated reflection of the soul, and that only a true change of character would ever alter it.
"I thought my journey had ended," I speak openly from my thoughts, "For what purpose could I have returned here for?"
"Yet again, you ask the sharp questions so desperately in need of answers," he replies, before chuckling yet again. "You are an interesting conversational partner. I doubt your original warden was on speaking terms with you quite as open as we are now."
The memories he unearths bring me a mild smile. "The two of you were certainly just as cryptic," I joke.
"As per the duty of the post, I suppose," he acknowledges with his usual smile, "A journey would foster no personal growth if I or anyone else were to provide all of the answers."
The fantastic nature of the Velvet Room, and the sense of narrative it evokes, certainly align with what he says. "Even still, I believe the questions you ask will be answered by fate in due time, as they usually are. For you see, massive events are unfolding even as we speak."
I immediately think about the texting convo my friends had earlier. "Is the Metaverse back? Is someone abusing Cognitive Psience again?"
He closes his eyes contemplatively. "The Metaverse that you know is long gone, as are the dangers it created. Mental shutdowns, for instance, are no longer a worry."
As he pauses for a moment, he opens but one of his eyes, as if winking with the other. "Still, a new phenomena is unraveling into reality. I can feel the existence of a new world of cognition, but fractured and incomplete compared to the Metaverse you knew."
I can already notice a similarity to our current environment. "Is that perhaps having an effect on the state of this room?"
"Probably so!" Igor claps his hands, "I would not feel even the slightest surprise if that were the case. Cognition, the heart, and the soul aren't too far separated from one another, after all."
"This all seems very strange. It's as if I'm learning about this room for the first time," I admit.
"This seems to be a natural response. Even I don't know why, for what purpose, or what deeper meaning may lay in the nature of these changes."
It's so bizarre, seeing Igor as an equal, and as equally effected as I am by these strange occurrences.
"However, I am not entirely ignorant of what is transpiring around us," he grins with a chuckle, "And perhaps I may have some information which could be of use."
"Any information you can provide would be helpful and appreciated," I thank preemptively. "You're already being much more helpful than the other guy."
Igor laughs out loud, albeit softly. "Consider me to be the successor to the link you shared with the original Fool Arcana. Though not present conventionally, I did observe your journey. Whatever superficial bond you fostered with the impostor from before I shall certainly share, and I promise you a more earnest relationship than the last."
"Even still, you seem almost eager to assist me. It's just unexpected, is all," I explain.
He nods his head. "As a gracious host, it is my duty to lead a guest as their fate unravels. Their quest must be achieved through their own growth, and their own strength of will. For that to happen, I admit that my careful choice of words and cryptic riddles are usually deliberate. I'd even call it unprecedented for me to be so casual and open with a guest."
"However," he continues, leaning his head upward with sealed eyes, "There are two things you should know about me. The first is that I hate to be left in the dark. By the very nature of my being, I am to be an observer of the magnificent, grandiose events which surround the cherished guests of the Velvet Room. For there to be affairs and happenings unbeknownst to me, quite frankly, irritates me."
Even in irritation he never seems any less jovial than usual. "The second is that I am a proponent of fair treatment. Your first visit here had you tremendously disadvantaged by the world itself, and watching you surmount each and every obstacle was splendid. You overcame your fate fairly and justly. By the very essence of a journey, you met a well deserved conclusion. Yet here you are again, unexpectedly. These new events developing seem determined to once again thrust you in over you head into darkness, and in response I believe it fair to be a bit more helpful to you, if the opportunity arises."
Igor's smile feels warmer than usual. "Consider my extended cooperation to be one of the benefits for an alumni of the Velvet Room."
As we continue our stroll across infinity, I can start to recognize dimly visible shapes marking the sides of our path, scrolling past us as we walk by. I see... tools. The scent of freshly carved wood invades the air. The objects we pass gain more and more clarity the further we walk. I can see trees, houses... or the facsimiles of such, carved and created through handiwork. I see folded chairs, and papers strewn across the ground. Sandbags, attached to ropes, lay motionless on one side of our path, and slowly a single fixture becomes pervasive on the opposite side. Before I know it, the entire right side of the "room" is a deeply blue curtain stretching off into eternity in both directions.
"Ah," Igor speaks with brief amusement, "It seems I've been successful."
"What do you mean?"
"As we've walked and talked, I've been busy exerting my influence to the best of my ability, and in doing so have regained a measure of control over the Velvet Room--at least in part."
I'm certainly intrigued, and my expression invites him to explain more. "I was indeed correct in assuming that some strong influence is forcing change upon the Velvet Room. With my power as master of the room, I've discovered it possible to reclaim at least a small pocket of the Room, from which I can assure safety from whatever wild alterations happen outside of this area.
Another man appears, garbed in a blue which matches that of the Room itself. The man is dressed impressively and wears a hat, and his appearance gives off the impression of a bellboy. Igor seems to immediately recognize the man, and addresses him as such. "Theodore! What a pleasant surprise."
"Likewise, Master," he replies with a smile, "I was beginning to wonder what was going to happen to us! It's a relief to see you once more."
"And what is that you hold in your hand?" Igor asks politely.
Theodore hands his master a letter with the name "Igor" garnishing the envelope, and with an intricate wax seal. "I'm not sure. It was addressed to you, Master. I as well received a letter just like it, as did the others."
A thought pops into my head. "Is Lavenza here, too?"
"Undoubtedly," Igor confirms, "I have a feeling that the scope of faces you shall meet will be quite grand. Call it intuition."
Igor points his finger and, as if it were knife, cleanly slices a straight through the top of the envelop to open it. "Let's see what this is about, now."

  "Esteemed Patron,

  It is with great pleasure and honor that I may invite you to a new spectacle. I promise to entertain one and all with the most grand performance in history, with the very World as its stage. To these ends, I wish to formally thank you for providing the seating and housing for this event. I do hope that the play is to your liking.
Thank you, and enjoy the show,

The Director"

  "Hmm..." Theodore hums, looking over Igor's shoulder and reading the letter with him, and keeping pace with our walk. "It's unsigned, just like mine. Who could have possibly written this?"
What starts a single "heh," becomes a hearty "ha," and then quickly evolves into a fit of cackling from Igor. "How interesting! It seems that we ourselves have been challenged," he reasons.
"What... do you mean?" Theo asks.
"It is strictly impossible for anyone to have deliberately written this to us. There is no natural way to reach this room, outside of time and space, in such a manner... without my consent, at least. These invitations must be manifestations born from someone's subconscious. It seems I was correct in my assumptions: someone else is in control of the Velvet Room at large, even if they do not know it."
Theodore, and myself, are completely shocked. "H-How is that possible, Master?!"
"This is insane..." I gasp.
Igor folds the paper and carefully slides it back into its envelope. "It seems to be that someone has such a powerful charisma and conviction that even the Velvet Room is being effected by the reverberations of this person's actions. I do not believe these letters were deliberately written by anyone in particular, so much as they are manifestation of someone's will. Their confidence is so strong that they are daring anyone to stand in their way, including even we the inhabitants of this Room, and that challenge took shape in the form of these invitations."
Igor claps his hands for a solid few moments. "Marvelous, simply marvelous. At the very least, we will be entertained."
He then turns to look directly at me, making very serious eye contact, but still grinning eerily. "Allow me to make good on my promise to aid you with information. My discovers so far are thus: someone is in control of the Velvet Room, that much is certain. Through that reasoning, as well as the wording of the letter, we can assume this person is immensely powerful. If we invoke the familiar imagery of the Metaverse, then we could assume that, if this person were to have a palace, it would be the entire world--so great is their distortion and ambition. Through this distorted cognition, the entire world is a performance to be written and directed as they see fit. A play on the world stage, if you will."
"And yet there are more conclusions I can draw through this reasoning," Igor continues, "Chiefly, that this person likely has ties to the last Arcana that even you yourself weren't given the opportunity to fully master. The only Arcana powerful enough to warp the Velvet Room itself must certainly be that of The World. And with that power, they perhaps have the means and the will to reshape cognition, or even reality, itself."
I remember distinctly that Lavenza gifted me this Arcana right before I left Tokyo, so this is a big shock. "Do I not have control over that myself?"
"Perhaps not," Igor explains, "I will research these matters and return to you with a more thorough analysis in time."
"What would we even be able to do in the face of such an opponent?" I question with urgency backing my words, "Can I even use Persona without the Metaverse?"
"That, I do not know," Igor shakes his head, "In theory the power should still be in your heart, as you are one who has conquered himself. And, there is proof to be seen that you still carry your rebellious spirit. That you are here at all is proof enough."
Igor finally stops walking, and so do I. "If my assumptions are correct, this is a sign that a Trickster is once again the only one with the ability to stand up and face up against such a frightening and dangerous power. How about it, Trickster? Are you willing to sign one more contract?" he offers.
I'm more than ready to agree.
  "Excellent," Igor lightly celebrates, "Then the contract is sealed. It's truly remarkable to have a guest form a contract twice. I look forward to working with you."
He clears his throat and dusts off his hand as he moves to his next point of discussion. "As you know quite well, a Trickster alone is not enough. It is through bonds and alliances that you can unlock your true power, and stand up against this new threat."
I understand, and nod accordingly.
"But, I must return to my intuition from earlier. I believe you will meet many new faces. I even sense that there is one in particular who may share in the same burden and responsibility as you."
Now there's the biggest surprise yet. "Are you saying there's another Trickster?"
Igor smirks. "I'm uncertain, at the moment. Let us simply agree to not be surprised if the Velvet Room opens up to a guest other than yourself in the near future."
"Speaking of the Velvet Room..." I say, rolling back the conversation a bit, "Am I at the mercy of the one controlling it, like I was the last time?"
Igor shakes his head. "That is not entirely so. I am very much uninhibited this time, and you can surely count on my assistance. I've even established a foothold within this small corner of the Room, which will serve to resist the outside change, and house us safely as we form our strategy from hereon."
As a demonstration of his power and control, a table materializes in front of Igor, as does a chair behind him, at which he takes a seat.
Leaning his elbows against the table, Igor folds his hands together just under his chin, in his most iconic pose. "If this new opponent wishes a performance on the world stage, than we shall act from a place just beyond the stage... from henceforth, this pocket shall be called the 'Backstage,'" he christens. "Charming, isn't it?"
"Theodore, go fetch the others. There is much to discuss," Igor finally finishes.
"Right away, Master!" the assistant agrees.
"Go now, Trickster; awaken and return to your own world. We will meet again, that much I promise."
My vision glows brightly, and everything is slowly obscured and totally replaced with bright white light.

---(Music End)---

  April 10th, 7:00 am
   Akira Kurusu's Apartment

  ---Music: Investigation ~ Core 2001 ---

Morgana and I wake up at about the same time. "Well, let's get a move on," he exclaims with determination. In a matter of moments, I'm dressed and out the door with a backpack and a side bag full of my belongings. Morgana hops into the backpack comfortably, and we're out the door and towards the train station.
I text Haru to ask about the train ride she offered me.

Akira: Morning, Haru.
Haru: Oh, hello!
Akira: About what time will that company train arrive?
Haru: The earliest I could schedule was 7:45.
Haru: I'm sorry. You probably won't make it to Tokyo in time for the trial.
Akira: Damn.
Haru: But we will all be there supporting Mishima, I can promise you that.
Akira: You guys are the greatest friends, really.
Akira: I'll leave it up to you guys, then. I'll be in the city as soon as I can.
Haru: Understood! Safe travels, Akira.
Akira: Thanks again!

Well, this all fell apart rather quickly. But at least I'll be there for Mishima after the fact, regardless of the outcome. I can only pray this foreign lawyer is worth half the salt Sae is. I hope this Phoenix guy knows what he's doing.

  To be continued...

  ---(Music End)---

  ---Music: Victory ---

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